(09/07/2016) Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Today, focus is upon the benefits to mankind of having been fashioned by GOD.  Multiple aspects of existence and of being alive regularly carry men into experiences of awe, fear of the Lord, and genuine reverence toward divinity.  Included are abundance, calamity, desolation, healing, joy, justice against sin, natural wonders (e.g., constellations, geysers, rapids, meteor showers, tsunami, waterfalls, mountain vistas), peace, and suffering.  Not only may created beings and living creatures acquire spirit content and sacred knowledge that permits their productivity, prosperity, and survival upon the earth, they also may become prepared for transformation to exist as eternal companions of  Deity.  The possibilities granted to mankind for life experience include expressing identity that displays animal, human, and even divine qualities.  Communication, exchange and interaction with divinity regularly occurs for the living through activities and ongoing relationships that may include contemplation, covenant, forbearance, forgiveness, obedience to divine law, prayer, praise, and worship.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “SunshineDaydream” (Level 6 with 14,936 points, a member since September 09, 2009) posted the following:

Why is being fearfully made a good thing?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.  He loveth righteousness and judgment:  the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap:  he layeth up the depth in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.  The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought:  he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.  (Psalms 33:  4-12, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); Fear That Acknowledges GOD? (07/15/2016); Awe? (08/09/2015); Why Believers Fear (09/09/2014); Freedom of Foul Speech? (09/10/2014); Fear & GOD? (12/30/2013); Continuously Tested (12/31/2013)

“SunshineDaydream” human beings upon the earth are physically independent and separate from GOD in heaven, yet, we should not doubt the divine love for us, or feel that we are “strangers”, unfamiliar, and unwanted by our Creator.  Mature Christian believers acknowledge that mankind is made in the image of GOD.  Humanity is to provide a clear presentation of the character, nature, and substance of Deity.  Life essence (we also say, breath, spirit, word) has been imparted to mankind from the makeup of GOD.  Included are inseparable aspects of the GODhead such as faith, forbearance, holiness, joy, longsuffering, and wrath against sin.  As finite creatures upon the earth attempting to communicate a knowledge of GOD, we mistakenly speak of these features as though they may be isolated for analysis, manipulated, and observed.  However, it is their perpetual exchange, interaction, and their self-driven reconfiguration that are apprehended as the active presence, existence, and person of the Holy.  To say that humans are “fearfully” made acknowledges the excellence, preeminence, and transcendent wisdom of GOD our Maker.  In addition to being understood as an appearance (incarnation) of divine substance, and a vessel for sacred content, mankind also should be recognized as a tool within the divine process of sacred revelation whereby the Creator makes divinity knowable, known, present, and “visible” through ongoing consciousness that is distinct from intellect, logic, and discursive thought.  Saying it with other words we say, humanity is “Incredible!” (but that means “Unbelievable!”), “Marvelous!”, “Wonderful!”, and perhaps most simply, we say “Awesome!”  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Psalms 139:  13-18, King James Version (KJV):  13 For thou hast possessed my reins:  thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:  when I awake, I am still with thee.

(2.)  Romans 1:  18-22, KJV:  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

(3.)  Job 25:  4-6, KJV:  4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?  5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.  6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

(4.)  Ephesians 2:  8-9, KJV:  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(5.)  John 1:  10-14, KJV:  10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  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

(05/19/2015) Divinity Has Person?

Points are shared, today, on the character, nature and qualities whereby divinity is acknowledged within relationship.  To the carnal mind, it is correct to say that every real dog must have the single essence, quality or substance shared by every canine that actually makes it a dog. While we can give it no precise description, we generally agree our pooches all must have dog-ness; cats must have cat-ness; humans must have humanity. Using that mindset, divinity, godliness and spirit can not reside within those living upon the earth. Where Christians say that GOD appears or manifests displaying recognizable person, believers are not ascribing human characteristics and qualities to Deity such as aloofness, antagonism, competitiveness, dispassion, ego, empathy, hostility, individuality, and self-centeredness. Divinity exists having person by operating within covenants and other relationships that generate the broad range of life experience. Included are acceptance, approval, comfort, communication, disapproval, discovery, exchange, forgiveness, guidance, interaction, rule, trust, and warning. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (standard information not available) attacked posting the following:


Since when is all of God "persons". God the Father and the Holy Ghost were never "persons", so why do you say God is 3 "persons" in one?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  (Hebrews 1:  1-4, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Divine Purpose? (01/08/2015); GOD and The Framework of Time (09/20/2014); About Knowing the Name of GOD (09/21/2014); Aspects of Divinity? (06/15/2014); Son of Adam and of GOD? (06/16/2014); Let Us Make Mankind? (06/10/2014); GOD and Adultery? (06/11/2014); Personality? (04/27/2014); Anointed? (04/28/2014)


“Anonymous”, apparently the GOD you know and serve operates only as an abstraction, a mechanism, and does not respond to you in a revelation that is interactive and organic.  Here are a few points and insights shared among Christian believers:

(1.)  What created beings and living creatures may call person and personness when speaking of Deity are the multiple personal attributes, regular patterns and qualities describing divine action through continuous contact and intercourse that has direction, focus, inclusion, and purpose upon a cosmic scale.

(2.)  GOD is a spirit, who must exist within the consciousness of the living as a measure of defining substance, rather than merely as emotion, intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy, secular history, or science.  Intimate relationship with Deity is developed and maintained through utterance that includes admonition, confession, praise, prayer, proclamation, promise, and prophecy.

(3.)  Where GOD resides within the living there are continual exchange and interaction of inseparable divine content such as faith, holiness, hope, joy, love, purity, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Only thereby may GOD be worshiped in spirit and in truth.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Divinity is known through such features and processes as birth, death, deliverance, doctrine, impressions, incarnation, judgment, law, precepts, principles, rebirth, sanctification, and sovereignty.  In the same way the physical characteristics of an animal are not enough to establish its identity as a dog (e.g., they bark, have four legs, a tail, two ears—like seals, like cats, may have missing limbs), so that a coarse standard is applied saying there must be a quality of “dog-ness”, apart from the provisions through Jesus Christ, mankind uses rough standards to speak of godliness, holiness, perfection, and spirituality.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/01/2014) Chosen To Serve As Prophets

Happy New Year, everyone!  Today, focus is upon the duty and privilege of prophecy.  Also, there is more on being tested.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers India” using the ID “King” (Level 2 with 430 points, a member since 09 October 2013) posted the following:


What are the qualities one should possess so that god choose him as prophet?

Or prophets are self declared?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Continuously Tested (12/31/2013)—(5.)  Christian believers must encounter the same difficulty or success as all others alive upon the earth.  However, by applying spirit substance, and continuously focusing upon the spirit content and value for things, believers transform their awareness, and all things are experienced in terms of their divine purpose, and eternal benefit.  Saying this another way:  A believer’s certainty of divine love and the holy presence of GOD becomes completely understood and visible for them as they use their own power from GOD to endure, overcome, persevere, and triumph.  Making life choices for ourselves, on behalf of loved ones, and in devotion to the Almighty transforms affliction (we say, hardship).  Obstacles become stepping stones; burdens become tools for achieving strength; and the things we once cursed and swore about using profanity become the cause and source for gratitude, joy, praise, and giving of thanks.  Indispensable spiritual focus and insights are acquired.  See John 16:  33, Psalms 119:   67, 71, and 75; Colossians 3:  12-13, Galatians 5:  13-26, 1st Peter 4:  14-16, 1st Peter 5:  6-11 and 1st John 5:  1-6, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.  And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders:  and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.  But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad:  and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle:  and they prophesied in the camp.  And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.  And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.  And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!  (Numbers 11:  24-29, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); GOD Speaking Through Song? (11/01/2013); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013); Moses Killed? (09/23/2013); Salted with Fire? (09/24/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013)


“King”, here are a few points shared among Christian believers you should also consider:

(1.)  The role of “prophet” (an appointed individual who serves as a spokesperson for GOD) began with Adam, was continued through the Patriarchs such as Enoch, Noah and Abraham, and was powerfully demonstrated through Moses, Samuel, Huldah (a woman), Elijah, and many others.  Their life experience as carnal, material, and social beings did not prepare them for their sacred work so much as their experience of, and participation in sacred events initiated and started by GOD, or divine responses to displays of extreme need (we say, cries for deliverance, despair and desperation) as well as human actions that revealed humility, love and unselfishness.  Included, then, were such events as fasting, meditation, miraculous birth, offerings and sacrifices, prayer, and angelic visitations.

(2.)  To submit to GOD is to allow and embrace permanent changes in ones inner makeup that then continuously appear in their consciousness, their routine functioning (e.g., attitudes, behavior, conduct), and their sense of purpose (goals, intent, motives, objectives).  Through baptism, a believer is “born again” as if having divine DNA.  Substance from GOD is imparted, and operates within the awareness and self-will of the believer.  Rebirth is instantaneous, however, the believer must learn, grow and mature over time, and by continuing to meet life challenges and “growing pains.”

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (3.)  All who receive the Holy Spirit through the ministries of Jesus Christ, and become anchored in the holy writings, are endowed with knowledge and power that equips them to serve as spokespersons of GOD.  The Spirit of Prophecy (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth) works throughout the full body of believers, and does not reside only in church officials, clergy, and special officers.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Grow in grace.


If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  (John 7:  17, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC