(10/04/2019) Acceptable Displays Of Faith

The Prophet Daniel was cast into the lion’s den for refusing to petition only the king, and to cease praying to GOD during a period of 30 days.

Today, reply is on acknowledging authentic displays of faith, misreading the Scriptures, and recognizing situations that tempt divinity. It is written: 2^nd Corinthians 4: 3-11, King James Version (KJV): 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shown) posted the following:

Is it true that the woman who entered the lion enclosure is very strong in her Christian faith, and was convinced that God would protect her?

If so, is this not a great display of faith by a true Christian? She should be commended?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4: 1-7, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Works Without Divine Faith? (05/06/2019); Testing and Divine Process (06/12/2017); Genuine Spiritual Discernment? (03/27/2017); Temptations, Tests and Trials? (05/12/2015); Is Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); Understanding Peace? (11/20/2013); Adversary or Servant? (11/21/2013); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013)

“Anonymous”, Christian believers are commanded to resist the devil, not to provoke him, nor to tempt GOD. Today, there are many acceptable displays of faith we may make that do not violate civil law or public order (e.g., church attendance; charitable giving and sharing; forgiveness; intercessory prayer; observing Sabbath rest). While believers should remain ready to face oppression and persecution, few are required to serve as snake-handlers, endure the pit of lions, or commune with GOD while in the fiery furnace. Mature Christian believers trust that only by practicing discernment (i.e., use of ones own endowment of spirit from GOD as a standard to acknowledge the same spirit within attitudes, conduct, events, oneself, other people, the holy writings, etc.) can we correctly recognize and respond to displays of faith, prophetic demonstrations, and other genuine appearances of divine substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness that appear will include faith, holiness, humility, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Authentic behavior in service to GOD is usually marked by agreement, conformity and consistency with divine law, eternal purpose, the image of GOD revealed through Incarnation (we say, Jesus Christ; Christ-likeness), proper self-government, willingness to nourish and edify the church, and the sovereign will of divinity. Counterfeits of godliness and holy boldness will appear that are generated by emotional and psychological imbalance, human presumption, self-promotion (we say, vainglory), and Satanic deceit. Believers are encouraged to “marvel not” at isolated episodes and extreme incidents marked by and intended for hilarity, exaggerated pride, selfishness, shortsightedness, and vanity (lack of sacred substance). Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Tamala Mann that gives voice to some of the concerns and issues of the lion enclosure incident:

(1.) 1^st John 4: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 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.

(2.) 1^st Peter 5: 6-9, KJV: 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

(3.) James 1: 12-15, KJV: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended (for example, 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSrLUZMIiu4). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 1:56 PM, October 03, 2019 @ www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/gustafson/zooms/daniel_in_the_lions_den_zoom.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/15/2019) Heaven Speaks Using Mankind

The image depicts taking a “leap of faith”

Today, reply to prepare a people for the soon-coming of Christ is on the process of GOD for communicating with mankind, and the silence of divinity in their relationship with mankind on the earth. GOD becomes present in the awareness of the living through revelation; and the living are to grasp that divinity is knowable, known, accessible, and approachable. Communication with divinity goes forward through diverse expressions of spirit substance. Anointed praise, prayer, prophecy, and revelation are primary, rather than academic dialogue, oratory, and public-speaking. It is written: Colossians 2: 8-12, King James Version (KJV): 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. The fighter in “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Susie Floozie” (Level 2 with 422 points, a member since June 18, 2019) posted the following:

Why does Jesus refuse to speak audibly to us so we can record his voice? Is he unwilling or unable or somthing else?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. (Romans 8: 5-9, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Prophets After Jesus Christ? (06/04/2019); Moses Was Not Divine (04/24/2019); By Reading The Bible? (11/18/2018); How GOD Is Communicating (10/31/2018); An Anointed Body (10/04/2017); The Silence of GOD (01/31/2016); Silent Wisdom? (12/02/2015); Addressed by the Spirit, Not the Letter? (03/31/2015); On Saying the Truth? (12/18/2014); What is Truth? (12/19/2014)

“Susie Floozie”, GOD need not speak and otherwise present divinity to human senses, for GOD is active presence who participates in how, what, and who the living are. Since the time of Moses, when GOD spoke to those who left Egypt to declare his covenant law (we say, the 10 Commandments), divinity has maintained an agreement to communicate with mankind using anointed spokespersons (e.g., apostles; joint-heirs with Christ; kings; prophets), rather than speaking with the divine voice. Many speak of Christian belief and placing trust in GOD as a “gamble”, as “taking a leap of faith,” or as a matter of chance and “risk-taking”. Among developing and mature Christian believers, the character, process, and substance of divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) are understood to exist as spirit that is invisible and without form, yet, may appear and manifest having personhood, and using flesh and blood (we say, Incarnation) as a vehicle/vessel to communicate and interact with the living. The inseparable aspects of spirit imparted from GOD to indwell mankind include faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. In addition to existence and the life essence imparted to Adam (breath; endowments of spirit from the makeup of GOD; word), divinity has put forth consciousness and self-will as features within created beings and living creatures along with the earth and the heaven as their spheres of life. Continuing acknowledgment and relationship with the Creator are in place through multiple operations such as covenant, praise, proclamation, promise, prophecy, sanctification, resurrection of the dead, unselfish service, and suffering. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Hebrews 11: 6, King James Version (KJV): 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. Exodus 20: 18-20, KJV: 18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

3. Deuteronomy 18: 15-19, KJV: 15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Galatians 4: 4-7, KJV: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

AN AFTERTHOUGHT: The “Prophet” Moses proclaimed would be provided to mankind has been manifested on the earth through an appearance of divinity using human form as Jesus Christ. The sacred device of Incarnation permitted the embodiment of divine law and a destruction of sin through crucifixion and the cross as well as operations to make visible the exalted faithfulness, mercy, eternal purpose, and unchanging righteousness of the full Godhead.

Image downloaded 11:30 AM, September 15, 2019 @ http://prepperrecon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/faith2.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC