“God is love” (1John 4:8, 16). Love seeks God as its highest good. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37 KJV). Evidence of love for God is demonstrated by obedience to His commands. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [Greek, barús, burdensome]” (1John 5:3). Proof of love toward man is to regard your neighbor as highly “as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV). “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 KJV). And, that law of Christ is to “love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34; 15:12). Love seeks the highest good of your neighbor as yourself. When the Spirit of God is dwelling in us, it is brought to pass that God will “move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws” (Ezekiel 36:27 NIV). LORD, make us glad to keep Your commandments, and help us gladly bare one another’s burdens. Amen.
Looking for the Promise
Riddle of Life
Riddle me this. How can a disciple not experience physical death, yet every disciple, including the departed, put on immortality? Simple. Rapture and resurrection. Disciples who are physically alive, when the LORD returns will be raptured, that is, immediately caught up and transformed into someone with an immortal, undying body. Already departed disciples will be resurrected with also an immortal, undying body. “51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1Corinthians 15:51-55 KJV).
If It Works for You
How do people rationalize their belief that God created the universe in six literal days only thousands of years ago? “God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4 KJV). Two years ago [2022], I posted these articles: A Young Earth Creationist’s Speculative Use of Einstein’s Gravitational Theory of General Relativity (GR) and Starlight and Time: An Amazon Book Review. I attempted to reconcile a literal interpretation of Genesis with the more prevalent evolutionary understanding. I quoted a creationist scientist, who used terms like ‘six days as measured by which clock,’ ‘gravitational time distortion,’ and ‘GR [General Relativity].’ But, I would only emphasize, Whatever works for you to make your confidence in God to stand, whether you agree with my position or not. “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (14:10). God bless you!
Names of God: God Who Keeps Me From Falling Asleep Behind the Steering Wheel on the Freeway
“Unto Him that is able to keep you from falling” (Jude 1:24 KJV). Far from trivializing God, we personalize God with an infinite number of names to express His relationship to us. It may mean little to another, but arriving safely home without harming anyone meant a lot to me. Faith looks for ways to exalt God. David called his God Jehovah Rohi or “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). Gideon identified God as Jehovah Shalom for the angel of the LORD had just granted him peace and promised success in delivering Israel. So “Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom [Jehovah is peace]” (Judges 6:24 KJV). What is your name for God? Or, perhaps as an elderly person, God Who Keeps Me From Losing My Balance And Falling.
How Any Nation Can Win Their War
During the American Civil War (1861-1865) fought over the issue of slavery, President Abraham Lincoln declared a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer for April 30, 1863. “Nations like individuals are subject to punishments and chastisements in this world… We have forgotten God… too proud to pray to the God that made us.” On July 4, 1863, the Confederate forces surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg and giving control of the Mississippi River and the West to the Union. Likewise, the Confederate invasion of the North was halted at the Battle of Gettysburg, where General Robert E. Lee was forced to withdraw on July 4, 1863. Understandably, military historians view this as the turning point of the war. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14 KJV).
Winning in the Courts of Heaven (Part 1)
Many worthy cases submitted to the courts of man will not render justice. Then, why are not all prayers answered in the highest of the Courts of Heaven, when their legal groundwork appears to be consistent with the revealed promises of the Word of God? For example, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). Before consigning unanswered prayer requests to “It’s not the will of God,” shouldn’t we investigate? If the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9) really conducts court, sitting upon a throne, and making judgments, must petitioners and intercessors make a case for their requests? Yes, or He would simply grant all requests without the Courts of Heaven. God allows the “accuser [Greek, katēgoros, complainant at law] of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10 NET) to place prosecutory objections against us to which God has bound Himself to answer, as an impartial judge (Genesis 18:25). Our Paraklete or defense attorney advocates for us (1John 2:1), not against our will, and more specifically, requiring our cooperation to overcome those objections.
The Courts of Heaven
God rules sovereignly from Heaven but not arbitrarily. In the Unseen Realm, “God [Hebrew, ělôhîym, ruler, judge, divine one, angel] has taken His place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods [Hebrew, ělôhîym] He holds judgment” (Psalms 82:1 ESV). With the Supreme Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25), both Abraham and Moses pleaded cases before His court and won (Genesis 18:25; Numbers 14:13-20). Why should Yahweh allow Himself to be persuaded by a mere mortal in prayer? “Remind Me of what happened! Let’s debate! You, prove to Me that you are right [Hebrew, tsadeq, acquitted, justified, vindicated, declared right]!” (Isaiah 43:26 NET). God desires us to enter into intimate relation with Him to form a more perfect union, when we argue our case in the Courts of Heaven using all our intellect, understanding, experience, emotion, and feeling, thus bonding to Him with all our strength for eternity.
God Has Got Your Back
“I’ve got your back” is what we would hear from a trusted friend, who is looking out for our best interests, like ‘eyes in the back of our head.’ When a military formation advances or especially retreats, a rear guard must protect its interests from behind. David had his Jonathan looking out for him, where he wasn’t looking. Most importantly, Jehovah looks out for those who put their confidence in Him. “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward [Hebrew, ‘âsaph, rearguard]” (Isaiah 52:12 KJV). God has got your back is the assurance of all those who put their trust in Him.
Thou Maintainest My Lot
“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot [Hebrew, gôrâl, pebble used for systematically making decisions, e.g., die (singular) or dice, as in casting lots]” (Psalms 16:5 KJV). Yahweh takes all chance out of maintaining the life and circumstances of those who are trusting Him. We make a great mistake, when we do not teach this as a foundational principle to all those who receive the religion of Jesus Christ. The Good Shepherd alone is capable of maintaining us to perfection and to the end — even those with failing health, diminishing mental capacities, feeble social circumstances, a difficult physical situation, frail financial means, or dire political position. Pray for all those the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Do Not Relinquish Your Life Lightly
Though Christians may be willing to lay down their lives for Christ, we must be willing to endure the often difficulty of living for Christ. I’ve heard stories of Christians competing for the honor of sacrificing their physical lives for the cause of Christ. This is noble, if we are just as willing to endure the suffering for Christ, should we live. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My [Christ’s] strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
We Need A Miracle 
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