(01/18/2017) Divine Presence and Spirit

 

Today, focus is on the teachings that GOD has the power to be present in all places (omnipresence) and exists within all things (pantheism).  The aspect of divinity whereby created beings and living creatures come to know and interact with their Creator is spirit matter, rather than carnal, material and physical substance.  The attributes and properties of spirit allow the appearance of divinity in multiple events, forms, and sacred operations, at the same time, in different locations, yet, without division or separation.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Abdul Malik Ishak Bin Madihi” (Level 1 with 92 points, a member since May 11, 2015) posted the following:

 

If God is omnipresent, does that mean God is in hell?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  (John 4:  23-24, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Divine Appearances Using Form? (12/20/2016); The Focus Upon Spirit (09/12/2016); Oneness and The Cross (03/18/2016); GOD Lives Inside Us? (07/11/2014); Can the Word of GOD Be Altered? (07/12/2014); GOD Everywhere? (04/04/2014); Jesus Scourged (04/05/2014)

 

“Abdul Malik Ishak Bin Madihi”, the frameworks that must be used to correctly understand the character, makeup, nature, and substance of divinity center in the existence of GOD as spirit, rather than carnal, material, social, and temporal like created beings and living creatures on the earth.  Time and space are less useful ideas, and aspects of appearing as Creator should be relied on that include lawful authority, comprehensive consciousness, the “essence” of life (we say, breath, spirit, word), oneness without sameness, ownership, unseen sacred process, preeminence, and sovereign will.  Thus, becoming aware that GOD is present and knowing the presence of GOD require more than merely applying ones senses (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching); employing the finite tools of emotion, imagination, intellect, logic, philosophy, and science; or responding to measurable physical dimensions (e.g., depth, height, length, weight).  Christian believers are not offended or surprised that the actualities and possibilities of divinity also include “incarnation” (using human form to appear among mankind).  Even so, few agree to the teaching that GOD is in all things (pantheism).  Where the divine nature is active and present it should be possible to “discern” (i.e., use spirit standards) to recognize and respond to Deity.  As when a drop of fruit juice is added to a full glass of milk, one may say, I have juice and milk, however, the juice will be undetectable until it has been added in such measure that it then determines how the content of the glass is known.  The color, smell, and taste must become recognizable as juice.  So, also, the “measure” of GOD within a vessel should become recognizable following sacred operations to add the imparted, indwelling Spirit (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  Consider the following:

(1.)  John 3:  1-7, King James Version (KJV):  1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God:  for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

(2.)  1st Peter 1:  18-22, KJV:  18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/11/2014) GOD Lives Inside Us?

The imparted, indwelling Spirit, and whether one may be out of communication with GOD are topics, today.  The “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using “?” as their ID (Level 1 with 55 points, a member since May 31, 2014) posted the following:


Because God lives inside us all, is it ever possible to lose track of God?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?  Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.  When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.  Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.  These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself:  but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.  Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me:  and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.  (Psalms 50:  16-23, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  GOD and Adultery? (06/11/2014); A Hardened Spirit? (06/12/2014); Brothers, Not Equals (04/06/2014); A Worthy Miracle? (04/07/2014); A Personal Relationship? (04/03/2014); GOD Everywhere? (04/04/2014); Jesus Scourged (04/05/2014); A Start for the Idea of GOD? (09/09/2013); The Bible and Genealogy (09/10/2013)


“?”, here are a few points to consider that should come with mature Christian belief.  Those “born again” must “grow up” again, and become mature by meeting life challenges and “growing pains”:

(1.)  In the same way people do not all have the same abilities, interests, talents, and skills, created beings and living creatures do not all contain the same measure of divine substance whereby they are in the relationship as sons and daughters to GOD.  Many are creatures made by GOD (like cats, dogs, horses), yet, not children of GOD.

(2.)  Where a glass contains only cold milk, one could say, It is “pure” milk.  However, by adding a single drop of orange juice, one could say, The glass contains both juice and milk.  Because there is so little, presence of the juice could remain undetected.  The amount of juice is not enough to alter the appearance and other characteristics for the content of the glass (e.g., color, fragrance, taste, temperature, texture).  Similarly, it is possible for either the presence of divinity or sin to appear in ones life expression having sufficient proportion to determine the character for the content of ones awareness and self-will.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Divinity has revealed and supplied to the living multiple devices and operations that establish and maintain ones consciousness of GOD.  Included are baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak), covenant relationship, divine law, forgiveness, love, continuing practice of sacraments, praise, prayer, promise, repentance, and sanctification.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure and operations of the faith and love from GOD within you.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/04/2014) GOD Everywhere?

Divine matter, omnipresence, and pantheism are topics, today, along with more on having a personal relationship with GOD.  The “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Made From Embryonic Stem Cells”  (Level 3 with 1,207 points, a member since April 02, 2013) posted the following:


If god is everywhere, is it in the bullets and drugs used to kill people and other animals?


THE BATTLE AXE:  A Personal Relationship? (04/03/2014)—(5.)  For most of us, close (we say, intimate) relationship is rooted in patterns that are fixed and predetermined.  Thus, family, marriage, and military service as comrades-in-arms are experienced having boundaries, limits, and opportunities for exchange that are pre-set.  These close relationships emerge from, and are intended to maintain carefully described order and structure; and so are not the same as relations that begin and end as casual contact, crisis and emergency events, occasional communication, and unfocused interactions among persons.  GOD does not disregard and totally suspend divine authority to be in relationship.  Rather, authority is amplified and exhibited as assurance, benefit, nourishment, protection, and strength.  Strong relationships with GOD based upon divine proclamation, promise, and prophecy continue through daily and other uninterrupted contact over an extended period.  Believers continue in Christ—and maintain Christ within—by such activity as acknowledging divine law and sacred discipline, giving for spiritual works, parenting, prayer, study of the holy writings, practice of the sacraments, sharing personal testimony, unselfish service, and regular worship.  To the extent ones human purpose for relationship with GOD does not agree with divine intent and eternal purpose, a person may only exist as another sentient creature and material object within the fullness of Creation.  A shared relationship through Jesus Christ is one that is built up through change, growth, learning/application, and yielding.  (6.)  Personal relationship with GOD is not to be built up having a foundation of something we saw, so much as upon a framework of truth we have heard, continue to hold within our awareness, and act upon in every condition and situation.  Closeness and ongoing access to GOD is only through use of attitudes, behavior, carriage (we say, composure, posture) and language expressing spiritual accord, awareness of divine majesty, contrition, gratitude, humility, respect, and trust.  See Psalms 34:  12-22, Isaiah 43:  2, Matthew 18:  19-20, Hebrews 10:  22, John 15:  4-7 and 10, 1st Corinthians 3:  11, 2nd Corinthians 5:  7, Romans 10:  17, James 4:  8 and 2nd John 9, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  (Revelation 3:  18-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Needing Guns To Serve? (03/19/2014); A Culture of Judgment? (03/20/2014); GOD Inhabits Praise (01/27/2014); Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014); Utterance is Spirit (09/08/2013); A Start for the Idea of GOD? (09/09/2013); The Bible and Genealogy (09/10/2013)


“Made From Embryonic Stem Cells”, here are a few points that have been useful to those who desire a relationship of love toward GOD as Christian believers:

(1.)  GOD is a spirit made up entirely of divine matter, who has put forth all created beings and living creatures as well as the platforms and spheres for their existence.

(2.)  Spirit matter is invisible, and does not absorb and reflect light as does physical matter made up of material particles.  We should not think of GOD as being like clouds, fog, mist, smoke, steam, or vapor.

(3.)  The substance of GOD may be thought of as inseparable divine matter such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Other aspects of divinity are being, duration, active presence, person, and sovereign will.

(4.)  GOD inhabits praise, and is incarnate (alive within blood and flesh) as “life essence” (we say, breath, spirit, word).  Death is not a living entity that has awareness and self-will.  Death is a peculiar condition and stage of living process that mechanically results in keeping with changes within the natural order.

As you can see by now, this is not the proper place for a full answer to your question.  There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  While divine matter resides in all created beings and living creatures (i.e., angels as well as men), sin may dominate their awareness and self-will.  Sin is not spirit matter, and opposes the continued existence of divine order, sacred law, and the complete universe of GOD.  The idea that GOD exists in all matter is called “pantheism”.  Christians reject that idea, for the measure of divinity in many things does not determine the character and nature they display.  Mortal beings have potential to exhibit an animal, human, or divine nature as well as various combinations of the three.  Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, believers now receive a fresh endowment of divinity that eliminates human bitterness, confusion, criticism of GOD, and resentment you may have heard many express showing their animal and lower nature.  The Holy Spirit establishes gratitude and praise, and reinforces our recognition, rejection of, and resistance to sin.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.


Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:  if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  (Psalms 139:  7-10, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/09/2013) A Start for the Idea of GOD?

     The origins for knowledge of GOD are considered, today, along with more on divine utterance, Jesus as the Word, and prophecy.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Shannon” (Level 1 with 228 points, a member since November 25, 2012) posted the following:


How did the idea of god first start?

What I mean is did it start with animism,pantheism,or is god inside me


THE BATTLE AXE:  Utterance is Spirit (09/08/2013)—(4.)  The substance of GOD is called “divinity,” and the make-up of divinity is sacred content—attributes that exist as inseparable aspects of divine person.  Among the aspects of divinity that have been revealed and shown to created beings and living creatures are existence, faith, glory, holiness, humility, incorruption, life, joy, longsuffering, love, power, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The word “prophecy” should not be understood as a situation where some mad man excites fear by predicting damnation, doom, tragedy and upheaval.  Prophecy describes sacred events and instances where displays of divine content, godly presence and sanctified utterance appear through living instruments and persons chosen by GOD.  Anointing and gifts from The Spirit of Prophecy (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth) allow angels, men, and even dumb animals to serve as spokespersons for GOD, and as tools to accomplish divine operations and sacred process.  While confessions of need, cries for comfort and deliverance, prayer, testimony and witness are fashioned by the Holy Spirit, accusations, blasphemy, boasting, lies, slander and verbal abuse are not, and result by sin.  See Numbers 22:  21-38, Matthew 4:  1-11, Romans 8:  3-17 and Acts 2:  1-21, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  (Colossians 1:  9-20, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); What to Take Literally? (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)


Shannon, here are a few simple points to consider that are frequently shared (perhaps in different ways and different words) among Christian believers as a starting point for growth and belief in salvation through Jesus Christ:

(1.)  So-called scientific explanations for the origins of mankind, for the earth, and for the universe usually seek to identify a mechanical process, recurring patterns in human emotional, social and psychological behavior (e.g., fear, guilt, immaturity, lust, pride, shame), or schemes for classifying and grouping things together on the basis of shared characteristics (Socratic method and Aristotelian logic).

(2.)  Given that a Creator exists for mankind, the animals, the seen and microscopic unseen things, created beings and living creatures should seek knowledge and wisdom from their designer and Maker.

(3.)  The processes for communication and relationship between divinity and the living are heavily determined by continuing differences between the nature of divine person, and the character and substance of those within the sphere of life.  Created beings and living creatures are restricted to operating through and within carnal, material and social frameworks that include appetite, sensation, time and space.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (4.)  Christians receive peculiar information about human and other origins as an aspect of the full revelation of GOD.  Instead of eye color, height, weight and human traits, a broad range of divine operations, sacred process and eternal purpose come into view that describe the unique Spirit being who is GOD.  Included are anointing, atonement, baptism, birth, covenant, creation, damnation, death, election, forbearance, forgiveness, Incarnation, glorification, judgment, justification, re-birth, resurrection, and sanctification.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC