(04/08/2018) The Gift(s) From GOD

Today, topics include faith, divine gifts, grace, eternal life, and whether there will be lasting protection from GOD.  Acknowledging GOD as a shield and their portion, many desire the blows and thrusts aimed against themselves should fall upon divinity, or a sacred substitute (we say, champion, chosen one, deliverer).  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Ryan” (Level 6 with 15,530 points, a member since October 02, 2011) posted the following:



Do you believe the gift of God in faith, will always be protection?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:  that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (1st Peter 4:  10-11, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Meaning of “Faith” (03/28/2018); Meanings for “These Three”? (01/25/2018); Praying For “More Faith”? (01/12/2018); Certainty, Conviction and Faith (01/05/2018); GOD Protects the Faithful (12/19/2017); From Dust Thou Art (09/07/2017); Reconciliation Provided By Christ (05/30/2017)



“Ryan”, among developing Christians, the gift(s) of GOD are often understood as being some carnal, emotional, material, or social element that pertains to creature comforts and ones quality of life such as employment and marriage opportunities; the birth of children; time (today, the past, tomorrow, the future); personal traits (e.g., good looks, intelligence, skills, talents); or events that signal peace and prosperity (military cease fires, a truce, a treaty to end war).  Mature believers are more likely to speak in terms of spirit content imparted from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).  Sinners should receive inseparable aspects of GOD that establish permanent change within their own character and nature.  Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Divine operations also are cited as special gifts from Deity (e.g., anointing; deliverance; election; healing; ordination; rebirth; revelation; resurrection from the dead).  Relying on sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge, many Christians would dismiss those gifts that emphasize the operations of flesh (i.e., appetite—hunger, thirst, cravings for sexual activity; athleticism and physical strength; sensation—hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.; and emotional/mental functions—anger, curiosity, fear, imagination, recall, etc.).  After a certain point, guidance, unselfish sacrifice, and the decisions for fruitful ministry should become uppermost, and ones personal safety then has far less priority.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Ecclesiastes 3:  10-14, King James Version (KJV):  10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.  11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:  also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.  14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:  nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it:  and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

(2.)  Acts 8:  14-21, KJV:  14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them:  only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:  for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

(3.)  Ephesians 2:  4-9, KJV:  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  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.

(4.)  Romans 6:  20-23, KJV:  20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  James 1:  16-17, KJV:  16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.  17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/19/2017) GOD Protects the Faithful

The Shepherd David Triumphant (1895) by Elizabeth Jane Gardner

Today, thoughts are shared on David the shepherd boy, divine protection, and sacred process within covenant relationships.  What Christian believers once regarded as their need for divine interventions and protection will become permanently changed, for Christians all are in an ongoing process that transforms their consciousness, and the operations of their self-will.  The full revelation of divinity to mankind requires both that humanity endures suffering and that GOD also suffers incarnate (i.e., using flesh and material form).  In place of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, born again and developing believers are to abide in the assurances from GOD through his Son, Jesus Christ.  Sacred events (miracles) are hidden amidst the disasters.  Loss, tragedy, and suffering are overcome when properly seen in the light of unchanging principles, sacred promises, and prophecies that are still unfolding.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:
 


Christians, why does't god/Jesus protect the faithful? and in times of suffering, he suffers with you, but does nothing to really help.?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:  and whom he called, them he also justified:  and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  (Romans 8:  26-32, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Continuing A Perpetual Covenant (08/03/2017); What Young People Need? (06/26/2017); The Greatest Weapon? (12/17/2015); GOD is Faithful (12/03/2015); That GOD Is Faithful? (08/31/2015); No Divine Protection? (10/02/2014); His Authority in Judgment? (10/03/2014); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014)


“Anonymous”, at a time when we have multiple incidents of violence occurring in churches, the revelation from GOD declares that he is faithful; and the focus must be that his created become faithful as well.  When David—the shepherd boy who was anointed by the Prophet Samuel to later reign as king over Israel—was attacked by a lion and by a bear, GOD did not intervene to deliver David by slaying the two beasts for the boy.  So to speak, David was to do for himself what was required, and what he was equipped to do.  David had prepared himself for such a confrontation by practicing long hours to develop accuracy and power with the sling shot, a military weapon of its day.  This skill also would later be used by David in praise to GOD on the battlefield against the giant warrior Goliath.

Where sinners first approach Christ, many are anchored in appetite, lust for material things, carnal reason, and ambition for social standing.  The “mechanical” and routine challenges of life are often thought of as suffering (e.g., bereavement and having to complete mortality; having to buy food repeatedly; paying for shelter by a mortgage or rent; arriving to work on time; keeping ones word in a relationship; having to endure the enmity of friends).  More correctly, Christian believers are to acknowledge that those things are for preparation.  Mankind and other finite, created beings and living creatures are being used by divinity to make the character and substance of GOD knowable, known, accessible, approachable, and even, visible.  It is the integrity of the living to exist as interdependent, self-aware, and separate from GOD by having discrete consciousness, personhood, and self-will (willpower).  

The divine protection most needed by mankind is not against the Adversary (the Devil), for like David, born again and developing believers are all disciplined and equipped for violent confrontations.  Thus, the shield that only GOD may provide includes atonement and propitiation; protection against corruption (decay, defilement, rot) of ones life essence (breath, spirit, Word) imparted from the makeup of GOD; discernment (ability to apply and use ones own spirit content as a standard to recognize and respond to deposits of divine spirit within sacred law, events, oneself, other persons, practices, prophecy, the holy writings, etc.); sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge that exposes the operations of sin that oppose the continued existence of divine law, the law giver, and the fullness of Creation; and judgment that annuls the second death.

The divine process for mankind is one of transformation that includes resurrection from the dead.  The grace of GOD is to be acknowledged as sufficient for mankind; and the sacred need of the living is more for assurance and sealing, rather than deliverance, protection, and rescue by emergency response teams.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  James 4:  6-8, King James Version (KJV):  6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(2.)  Isaiah 54:  17, KJV:  17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

(3.)  2nd Corinthians 1:  21-22, KJV:  21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  John 10:  27-29, KJV:  27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/25/2013) Thanking and Blaming GOD

Merry Christmas, everyone.  At a time when we are specially recalling the birth of Jesus it may seem odd to continue speaking of his death and resurrection.  However, believers easily fall into error, and, for joy, do not proclaim the full Gospel that also includes realizing divine sorrow as well an outpouring of sacred gifts by the Holy Ghost.  The topic, today, is thanking GOD when things go well, blaming GOD when things go badly.  Also, there is more on how Jesus was recognized and seen by his first witnesses.  A Top Contributor at “Yahoo! Answers Singapore” using the ID “vorster” (Level 2 with 322 points, a member since 22 November 2013) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers United States:


Can we thank God for good things and blame him for the bad things?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Jesus Arose Bodily (12/24/2013)—(5.)  Throughout the time of his living ministry, Jesus remained difficult to recognize.  As a carpenter and craftsman whose family was not prominent or wealthy, Jesus appeared as “average” and unexceptional.  Many were convinced he could not possibly be the promised Messiah, given that, to all appearance, Jesus was a natural and normal person, not displaying characteristics that could be associated with celestial being and divine power.  When surrounded by his apostles, he appeared as ordinary and did not stand out in the way he dressed, or because of his features (hair color, eyes, height, weight, etc.).  For this reason, those at the Temple were eager to have one of his number betray him by pointing him out.  Judas kissed Jesus to assure the assembled Temple guards and Roman officers that he knew Jesus intimately, and that the identification was sure.  (See John 7:  25-28 and 37-52, John 12:  34, Luke 22:  47-48, KJV.)  (6.)  Now, just as then, the divine process for recognition of Jesus as the Christ, and as the incarnate person of eternal GOD may only occur by the exercise of discernment (i.e., comparing things long endorsed as having spirit content and genuinely spiritual to other spiritual things), and the operations of faith.  At one point, the prophet sent to herald the coming of Messiah, John the Baptist, was uncertain that Jesus indeed was the one sent.  Consider again how Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, could see that Jesus had come as the Son of David, and heir to a divine throne that would fulfill the promises of GOD to all Israel.  (See Luke 7:  19-23, John 4:  25, Mark 10:  46-47 and Matthew 12:  14-23, KJV.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the LORD God is a sun and shield:  the LORD will give grace and glory:  no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.  (Psalms 84:  9-12, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  GOD Enjoys Judgment? (12/19/2013); Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); The Head Not The Tail? (10/21/2013); Stronger Tests for the Strong? (10/22/2013); Sacrificial Relationships? (10/23/2013); Relationship by Unselfish Giving?
(10/24/2013)


“vorster”, here are a few points important to many mature Christian believers:

(1.)  Shall we not receive evil?  (Job 2:  10, KJV.)  In the same way GOD is equally divine when the sun is shining in full strength as well as in the cold and dark of night, created beings and living creatures are to acknowledge the sovereign majesty of GOD both when there are life experiences of blessing and deliverance as well as when there are life experiences of  cursing and punishment.  GOD is no less GOD.

(2.)  I make peace, and create evil.  (Isaiah 45:  7, KJV.)  GOD has not created sin; and sin is no spirit thing existing independently from GOD through Creation.  Sin is an artifact of non-existence and separation from GOD.  Even so, sin has direction, effect and presence; and sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  The influence and operations of sin cannot be eliminated, removed or understood without the eternal provisions from divinity that include evil (we say, calamity, catastrophe, disaster, upheaval).  (Also, “evil” is arbitrary or undirected change (we say, chaos), and the disruption of divine order; thus, for many, evil has become interchangeable with “wickedness”.)

(3.)  The Lord is my strength and my shield.  (Psalms 28:  7, KJV.)  Believers continue in a carnal, material and social sphere; and will encounter the challenges, disappointments, obstacles and set backs that describe human experience for all.  Even so, they receive fresh endowments of divine substance through multiple sacred operations such as baptism, fasting, sacrificial giving, praise, prayer, study, and worship.  Born again having divine DNA, all must come to maturity and perfection through their peculiar life experiences that establish fellowship with GOD.

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  He hath shewed thee what is good.  (Micah 6:  8, KJV.)  There is no way for any finite being to magically or suddenly know “all about” GOD.  A firm and fruitful relationship that others may come to recognize as divine love must begin by a believer planting seeds of humility and trust through confession of sin, and resolution to endure the necessary struggle whereby we embrace permanent change.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Grow in grace.


Every word of God is pure:  he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  (Proverbs 30:  5-6, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/18/2013) A Godly Take on Guns

With others of various faiths across our Nation, since the birthday of citizen Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated nonviolence as a standard for all our living, I have been prayerfully reflecting upon the President’s proposals regarding our Nation’s gun laws. Through ill-advised application of and emphasis upon our principles that encourage separation of Church and State, there is increased denial of divine authority and sacred law, disbelief, dismissal and lack of faith, with increasingly widespread ungodly public behavior. (The principle that should have prevailed most is that of Checks and Balances where the contributions of both Church and State would be continually blended.) America has arrived at a peculiar “bottom line.” Our children, our federal leadership, and our citizens who are committed to nonviolence are again forced to make passionate appeals that empathy and reason be shown by their less likeminded countrymen who manufacture, distribute, own, and use firearms. Once again, I have become sharply aware that, where GOD is not acknowledged as Head for the Chain of Command, there are no “god-given rights” that include liberty to vote, maintain families, bear arms, or own lethal weapons. The persistence and popularity of idolatry and whoredom are not enough to establish them as the righteousness of a people. To insist that there be “freedom” that allows those who are godless and wicked to abuse the conscience of a nation is absurd. Seeking to share what my Savior has now impressed upon me and other defenders of the Nation and its Capital, I am posting today’s blog entry (below):



THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. (Psalms 33: 12-22, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); Dispatch 32: Now Will I Rise (09/11/2011); Dispatch 26: The Shield (09/05/2011); Things? (11/13/2010); Mealtime Grace (11/14/2010)



The issues of responsible gun-ownership and access to firearms have become more than one of haves versus have nots—men and women coveting exotic and expensive things; some promoting knowledge and skill through partiality and prejudice; or some having personal pleasure, pride and satisfaction as a collector and owner of property that is not available to all. Accountability, purpose, and trust are now issues of gun legislation; and, for this reason, there is a threat to the health of the Nation; and the present public concern is also a sign of divine displeasure. Our home has become a place where insistence upon “privacy” and “rights” does not encourage and permit strict acknowledgement of duty and responsibility; and this threatens to become an undoing of our national covenant. Americans are now living in a nation where elected officials are not free to attend public gatherings and social events without putting their lives at risk, and being in jeopardy of assassination. Children in day care or public school classrooms may be targeted by deranged adults, and enemies of the State. The President of our Nation, and his family, have been under threats of assassination and murder, since he formally became a candidate for the Office.

The time has come that we must admit: Gun ownership is not a “god-given right” for Americans, and this is particularly so for those who have forfeited everything “god-given” through their disbelief and ignorance of GOD. Those who insist that people are not free, or are not full citizens without a gun are liars. Such betray their ignorance of our public contract for Nation: In the absence of “divine law” and covenants from GOD, the “law of the land” is the agreement and consensus that a group of people will continue together as a “commonwealth.” To the dismay of many gun advocates, apart from addressing the needs of the commonwealth there is no legitimate need for gun ownership described in the law. In fact, the Constitution and other public covenants assume and imply that gun ownership is for personal and national defense, rather than unlicensed hunting and unregulated recreation. With this unspoken aspect of our national pact in view, all militias are to operate openly, are under authority of the Nation’s Commander and Chief, and are in an agreement as reserved forces that are to buttress and support our active military. Certainly, in a national emergency, those that would not rally to the Chief Executive, and would challenge him as a dictator, a hypocrite, or a tyrant may reasonably be identified as fomenters of rebellion, sedition and treason.

The present proposals focused upon assault weapons and their ammunition are lacking. To limit the size of gun magazines without limiting the frequency and numbers that may be purchased (e.g., no more than 4 clips every 3 months) is as vain as selling weapons without firing pins, and expecting American owners to honor the law and not to rearm and refit such weapons. Also, the stockpiling of weapons (e.g., 3 of a kind, 10 different kinds) is superfluous, and is not yet being properly challenged. The detailed inventory for all arsenals within our communities of 5 or more weapons should be known to both local and federal law enforcement.

As those appearing to embrace a false god for protection of their lives and property, the gun owners of America increasingly speak as those who worship an idol. Where a man values his dog, his job, his truck or a sports team, and declares he cannot live without them, or treasures them more than his wife, his children, his parents and co-workers, his homeland, he may call himself a believer in some religion, however, his inner spirit is caught up in a disguised form of idol worship. It is no different from those who claim to be Christian believers, yet do not obey Christ (see Ezekiel 33: 30-33 and Luke 6: 46, KJV). Those claiming to be Americans who deny the truth of our national consensus are liars. No matter what false claims they may now make, those not in national covenant with us are not Americans. They may be predators, outlaws, gunslingers and desperadoes, however, they are not fellow citizens, and should not be trusted as genuine Americans.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, idolatry and worship of false gods are characterized by exploitation, fear, pride, and self-promotion. Where there are repeated efforts to exalt some dead and lifeless thing that contains no divine substance, love (the motive to unselfishly benefit others) is suppressed or only given “lip service.” Foundations for the quality of life, and the valuing of human experience become questionable and shaky. In the place of love, combativeness, competition, and a mentality and attitude of refusing to respect any that cannot employ force and violence naturally develops.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC