(03/13/2019) Giving To The Homeless

Today, reply is on giving while in the workplace. Giving without integrity is dead.  Correctly practiced, giving for Christian believers always will be marked by such elements as balance, accountability, cheerfulness, dutifulness, gratitude, humility, impartiality, lovingkindness, peace of mind, respect, and restraint. 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:

Do you think it was wrong for my manager not to give the homeless man a meal?

A while ago a homeless guy stopped by the fast food place I worked at and asked for a meal. My manager said no and gave him the excuse that there are cameras watching our every move and he could get in trouble for giving away a meal.

All of the employees were talking about how he should’ve given the man some food because people still get away with doing things even though the cameras are watching. My manager told me that lately the management team has been getting in trouble for giving away too many free meals and he was afraid if getting in trouble.

I for one kind of agree with him. As an employee I don’t even get a free meal and I bend over backwards for this establishment. I don’t see why some random person off the street should get free food for doing nothing. He can take advantage of the local soup kitchen.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2: 18-19, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Use of Money? (01/07/2019); Commitment To The Brand? (06/07/2018); Giving, A Divine Discipline? (10/09/2017); The Answer From GOD (05/19/2017); It Comes With the Job? (01/11/2015); Religious Bosses? (07/08/2014); On Marketing Church, and Speaking by Occasion (09/26/2013); A Lid on Love? (09/27/2013)

“Anonymous”, there are correct and wrong places, times and ways of displaying ones faith, applying truth from the Bible, and of giving to the poor. Managers in the hospitality industry and those they supervise must discharge a broad range of duties regarding the inventory, the reputation of their firm, and the materials used to present their goods to the public for income. Without a full payment for the goods, a report of pilfering (petty theft by an employee; violation of the contract and job description) should be filed, rather than a report of charitable giving. Those who want to use the organization they work for to provide gifts and support to others should use the opportunities, policies and programs of their firm intended to express goodwill and support to the community-at-large. Where the manager, or a worker wanted to share with an individual homeless person who came into their store, they would have had to deposit payment from their own wallet into the corporate cash register, or surrender the meal(s) they were to receive as an employee (e.g., breakfast/dinner/lunch).

For most of us, the workplace is not a setting for the full expression of our spiritual beliefs; there is an unwritten accord that preaching, proselytizing, or religious ceremonies, practices and rites are not to be carried out in the workplace. Developing Christian believers are in a relationship with divinity where all they possess, all they share, and much of what they do is directed primarily to GOD for the fulfillment of sacred commitment, eternal purpose, and expressing the sovereign will of GOD. In a similar way, believers are encouraged to acknowledge their employers as covenant partners with whom they are bound through personal accountability, legal agreements, ethical process, promises, and shared financial interests. Sinners who become “born again” are cautioned to avoid taking on the task of judging others, particularly with regard to giving, service, and worship. In addition to the risk of “jumping to conclusions,” those who judge encounter many subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning, quality and value) that must be assigned weight, and correctly examined for their influence and outcome.

Various unexpected events (e.g., transportation accidents, fires, flooding, mudslides, snow) may result in multiple deaths, and urgent demands for funding, gifts, medical supplies, and other support. Properly performed, giving to the church allows sharing through multiple carefully managed programs and mechanisms for distributing resources. Such giving should be regular and reliable; and, in the same way one disciplines, plans and uses restraint for their spending, giving also is best accomplished using a budget, formal order, and restraint. Here are further points believers reflect on that use language from the Bible:

1. Proverbs 16: 25, King James Version (KJV): 25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

2. Proverbs 20: 11, KJV: 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

3. Proverbs 19: 17, KJV: 19 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

4. Proverbs 14: 31, KJV: 31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. Proverbs 22: 1-2, KJV: 22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/30/2018) Discipline and Sacred Meekness

Today, reply is on divine chastisement, respect, and student responses to teacher autonomy and behavior to continue a formal atmosphere for learning. Lessons that fit us for eternal life are acquired on a regular basis through many of our ordinary, daily routines. Even so, Christian teens and young adults may express angry feelings of being unfairly imposed on in school settings, and may mistakenly receive assignments, discipline, practice, and study as detention, penalties, persecution, or punishment. Some are overly quick to complain and label as malicious the necessary requirements for instruction and classroom order. These may even attribute and label confiscation of their Bible, interruption of their time for prayer and praise, and restriction of proselytizing as malicious, and “from the devil.” Discernment of spirit content from GOD must be developed; and it is correct to acknowledge Hebrews 12: 1-8, King James Version (KJV): 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality, who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

My teacher took away my Bible?

We were in class today during study hall. The teacher took away a Muslims book and then my Bible. She said no religious books, do it at home. Can I sue this old bat?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2: 13-15, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How GOD Is Communicating (10/31/2018); Those Apt To Teach? (06/20/2018); Opposing The Divine Will (03/30/2018); Proper Training For Belief? (01/10/2018); The Spirit of Meekness (12/15/2017); Discernment, Focus and Meekness? (07/07/2017); Discipline and The Cross (06/16/2016); Divine Discipline? (12/24/2015)

“Anonymous”, developing and mature Christian believers all have begun as sinners, and as those in need of transformation, guidance, sacred knowledge, and spiritual training (we also say, discipline). Multiple sacred operations must be completed that establish fellowship and joining among those entering covenant relationship with divinity, who eventually will appear as part of a community or household of faith; and there must be divinely provided opportunities and possibilities for discovery, gradual growth, continuous learning, practice, and unselfish service. Believers who are “born again” also must “grow up again” to become mature (balanced; complete; consistent; ripe; stable) for harvest by the Lord at his appearing (Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming). Through the sacred operations of baptism that depict death of ones inborn spirit and rebirth from divine DNA so to speak, believers receive fresh endowments of life essence (breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of divinity. Included are faith, holiness, impartiality, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, personhood, purity, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Increasingly, believers show themselves willing to be held accountable and “teachable” during the period for mastering skills and preparing to minister to others. Often for priests and kings, there are unwanted yet unavoidable challenges, duty, hardship, service, and suffering that will draw upon their inseparable deposits of godly strength. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Zephaniah 2: 2-3, King James Version (KJV): 2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’s anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.

(2.) 1^st Peter 2: 1-3, KJV: 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

(3.) 1^st Peter 2: 19-25, KJV: 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 13: 1-8, KJV: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/19/2013) When Jesus Comes Back?

      How to “survive” the Second Coming, and more about preaching the Gospel are topics, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Chris” (Level 1 with 22 points, a member since April 15, 2013) posted the following:


If Jesus comes back what should I do?

Is there anything I can do at that point to survive?


THE BATTLE AXE: About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013)—(5.) Many believers hesitate to spread the Gospel in the sense that they “wait” to be invited. They are silent in their communities, schools, and workplaces because they hope to avoid accusations of imposing upon nonbelievers, proselytizing, and provoking division. More than this, they are convinced the seed of GOD must not be wasted, and should be planted only in good ground, among those who are meek and teachable. Even so, all men have not faith (2nd Thessalonians 3: 1-3), and all men have not obeyed the gospel (Romans 10: 16). Also, see Proverbs 26: 17, Proverbs 29: 20-21, Matthew 7: 6, Matthew 23: 15 and Matthew 13: 1-23, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10: 4-11, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); The Golden Age? (01/10/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); The Root of Jesse (01/03/2013); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012); Opportunity to Repent (11/02/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Does GOD Feel? (10/05/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012)


      Chris, here are some points acceptable to many mature Christian believers:

(1.) The Advent or Second Coming is a sacred event to complete and fulfill a broad range of ongoing spiritual operations and eternal purposes. Included are deliverance for mankind from destruction of the earth; harvest and ingathering of souls; righteous judgment; and the revealing of GOD to all created beings and living creatures.

(2.) The idea of “survival” is a device of the World system, whereby a person is influenced to display patterns of behavior and thought that continue cooperation to secure and exchange such resources for living as food, clothing, and shelter. The World is displayed through collective institutions and programs that include culture, education, family, history, philosophy, politics, and science. Where the World defines bad/good, crazy/sane, false/true, godly/ungodly, illogical/logical, real/unreal, reasonable/unreasonable, scientific/unscientific the World also endorses denying, ignoring and replacing the truth from GOD. Thus, Christian believers understand: GOD created the heaven and the earth; mankind created the World. 
 
(3.) GOD and Jesus Christ are operating within the earth realm to establish the eternal existence of divinity. While all created beings and living creatures contain endowments of divinity, through self-will and sin, many have become transformed and weakened so greatly that a process of salvation has been required for their recovery.

(4.) What believers are prepared to do in the day of Christ’s coming is to acknowledge the truth of divine proclamations, promise and prophecy; confess the emptiness and impotence of the World; give glory to him; rely upon the righteousness of GOD; show honor and praise; trust; yield; and worship. At that time, there can be no bargaining, bartering, begging, or boast.
    
     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) The repentance that must occur to make a person ready for the day of Christ has to begin while they are still carnal, physical and social beings—we could say, while they are yet sinners. As the experience of new life following spiritual re-birth, repentance is accomplished within and through believers by the Spirit of Christ; and is a continuous process of growth, learning and transformation.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC