(03/31/2019) The Thought of Foolishness

Today, the reply is on foolishness as an operation of sin, rather than a genuine display of ones fresh endowment of spirit imparted from the makeup of GOD. Members of the church are not berated, bribed and paid, coerced, physically forced, treated as chattel and slaves, or made to maintain their covenant as followers of Jesus Christ by mistreatment, threats and violence. Sinners who choose to return to GOD showing repentance are to become “born again,” “grow up again,” and become mature for harvest from the earth by the Lord at his coming. The sacred process is one of commitment to fulfill eternal purpose. Each believer is to acknowledge and put to work their own deposit of the Holy Spirit, making demands primarily from themselves, and not from others. Included are church attendance, giving and making donations, intercessory prayer, and study of the holy writings. Hilarity, levity, meddling, and practical jokes typically emerge from immaturity, irreverence, lack of self-respect, mockery, and disbelief. As a result, those who repeatedly present such actions and speech within the church usually suffer censure, great embarrassment, and shame. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shared) posted the following:

Would it be a sin to bring a squirt gun to church, fill it with holy water, and squirt people who gossip during church?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? (Proverbs 26: 18-19, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Commitment To Jesus Christ (03/07/2019); Etiquette Within The Church? (03/16/2018); Duties of a Christian? (03/13/2018); Foolish People and Unwise (10/26/2017); From Dust Thou Art (09/07/2017); Someone Who Is Kidding? (03/24/2017); Without Preaching The Cross? (02/21/2016); Answer a Fool? (06/04/2015); Foolishness? (09/28/2014)

“Anonymous”, mature Christian believers rely on the holy writings for guidance and instruction that includes sacred law provided for continuing covenant relationship with divinity; principles and standards for attitudes, conduct, and decision-making within communities of faith; and models for sacred practices such as giving, praise, prayer, suffering, and unselfish service. Branding, judging, and labeling others, quickly becomes slander and the work of the devil. While all believers are to display integrity, rule and self-government, at all times, the church is to acknowledge accountability and duty to GOD. With that in view, no one may command your behavior beyond your membership agreement, and your heartfelt understanding of the needs and purposes of the body. Such elements as arrogance, bias, defiance, presumption, angry outbursts, the use of profanity, and violence have no place in the church founded by Jesus Christ. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Proverbs 24: 8-9, King James Version (KJV): 8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

2. 1^st Corinthians 14: 39-40, KJV: 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

3. 1^st Timothy 5: 21-23, KJV: 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Jude 1: 21-25, KJV: 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/02/2013) A Divine Trickster?

The possibility that GOD is unrighteous, and that believers are all being deceived and tricked by GOD is considered, today.  Also, there is more on being merciful by ministry to sinners.  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Jasmarie Jackson” (Level 1 with 162 points, a member since August 10, 2013) posted the following:


Question for Christians?

What if God made the bible up and hes going to trick us at the end because we thought he was good?? What if were not going to heaven?? what if he wants to laugh at us for thinking hes good?
Her friend by the way...


THE BATTLE AXE:  (09/01/2013) On Being Merciful—To the extent believers miss the truth that they are called to Christ as those who must unselfishly give and minister to sinners, there are many who become mired and stuck in religious forms of self promotion and selfish pleasure.  Included are enjoying sacred music as entertainment rather than prophecy, church gatherings as ones primary form of amusement and social interaction, and intense arguments and debate regarding belief and Bible doctrine.  Through the person of Jesus Christ resurrected to serve as Judge and head of his church, both the great commission and the passage from Jude center upon divine judgment, proclaiming mercy as an aspect of judgment along with divine wrath, and what it is to be dutiful as a believer in the salvation of GOD in Christ.  See Zechariah 7:  8-14, Zechariah 8:  16-17, Micah 6:  7-9, Matthew 5:  7 and Luke 6:  27-38, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father:  and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:  them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father.  There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.  And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?  Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?  And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.  And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.  (John 10:  14-23, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); A Guilt Trip? (07/11/2013); Prayer not Enough? (07/12/2013)


Jasmarie, here are some points you may find helpful that are often shared among growing Christian believers:

(1.)  GOD is a spirit, and does not operate with all the carnal, material, private and social goals of a man or woman in the flesh.  GOD is the source of all that has place within existence; and is therefore sovereign over life itself.  As a result, believers trust that GOD does not lie; GOD does not introduce contradictions of his own word; and GOD does not promote spiritual confusion.  The word from GOD is a putting forth of divine substance.  Thus, spiritual truth is only apprehended using spiritual devices and procedures.  Therefore, every believer must receive the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD supplied through the ministry of Jesus Christ, GOD incarnate. 

(2.)  The challenge to all believers is that they become balanced, consistent, stable and thorough in their response to the claims of GOD in Christ.  Born again, and containing the spirit substance of Christ, believers must learn and mature again.  Despite having new measures of faith, holiness, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin, the very make-up of GOD, believers must encounter “growing pains” and obstacles from those who disbelieve, enemies, family, friends, strangers, and many who do not yet understand.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  For example, (3.)  GOD is not a divine trickster.  Believers can only know GOD because GOD makes himself knowable (we say, allows himself to be discovered, reveals himself).  Where the “faith” a person expresses repeatedly condemns, criticizes, denies GOD, or displays doubt and unbelief, that faith is not from GOD showing himself, and speaking of himself.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(09/24/2012) Aliens?

      Aliens and the truth about GOD as presented through Jesus Christ are topics, today, along with more on Christ existing in heaven having the body and form of a human being. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Meredith” (Level 2 with 392 points, a member since August 12, 2012) posted the following:


Christians: Help please?

Okay, so I overthink EVERYTHING. And, I’ve always believed in God and Jesus and etc. So, this one freaky weird girl in my science class proposed this theory that aliens control us and they sent Jesus down to preform miracles and stuff as a prank, and they’re ominous and they preform miracles to make us believe that there really is a God. Just to play a sick joke to laugh at people on Earth. Okay, so I am severely over thinking this and I am starting to convince myself that it’s true. PLEASE convince me that I’m just being weird and over analyzing and that it’s not true. Thank you.


THE BATTLE AXE: A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012)—In the revealed plan of GOD, Jesus is to always be a visible example, guide, and priest to mankind throughout the eternal ages. Even though mortality and dying are removed along with corruption and decay, the process of knowledge for mankind will continue to go forth as a movement from level to level: there always will be change through growth and learning. Created beings and living creatures will be immortal and incorruptible, yet, will not be all-knowing. There will be direct access to the Divine Presence, however, there will continue to be “sacred secrets” and sovereign mysteries known only to Almighty GOD. By the person of GOD in flesh, that is Jesus, mankind will continue to have permanent assurance of acceptance by Invisible GOD, evidence of divine oneness and righteousness as well as a mediator to the things unseen. There is no such thing as a “low standard” from GOD; and as believers in the earth that now is, and in the world that is to come embrace the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, they conform to the highest of all standards for humankind—higher than the covenants for a nation under GOD; higher than the written law; higher than promise and prophecy.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1st John 4: 2-8, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: About Conversion (09/03/2012); Ghosts (09/02/2012); Sin Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); Tests for Origins (08/27/2012); The “Original” Bible (03/21/2012); GOD Does Exist (03/20/2012)


      The truth about GOD that we receive as followers of Jesus Christ is simple, yet profound (i.e., deep, intense, multileveled, weighty). There are many things hidden and invisible to mankind, and this includes other created beings and living creatures. To mature Christians, whether or not aliens and extraterrestrials exist is no more a question than whether demons and devils exist. The issue is not are there living things unlike mankind, we know the answer to that is “Yes” (e.g., cats, dogs, horses, etc.).  Instead, we need to ask how may we discern and recognize their influence, their intent, and their continuing value to us as men and women under GOD.

      Through the elements recorded in the Holy Bible mankind has been provided a fixed standard for assessing sacred-content and spiritual worth. Included are law, praises, prayers, promises, proclamations, sacred purpose, and thanksgivings. Through history, parables and proverbs, believers are equipped to formulate their own unique goals for growth and service. Also, the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be read as a guidebook that instructs those who accept a place as sons and daughters of GOD. Examples for daily living are provided along with insights for fellowship with GOD as well as for all our relationships within the earth.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the consciousness of mankind must be altered to access and encounter Divine Person. Therefore, Jesus Christ comes to us in the form of humanity as a mediator to re-connect mankind to GOD the Creator. Sacred processes must go forth that include rebirth, regeneration, sanctification, death, resurrection and judgment.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC