The Legend of the Stone

In Jewish history, there has been a legend...passed down, written, and spoke of for centuries...it is referred to as "The Legend of the Stone".
 The story goes like this: In yesteryear, the Israelites were rebuilding the Temple...in Jerusalem. It was during the time of the prophet Nehemiah, roughly 444 B.C. Now, what happened was the cutters of stone were measuring precise stones to be used as the foundation of the Temple. A little over 100 years before this time the Empire of Babylon had attacked Israel, and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple...but now the Israelites had returned.

 In the midst of the cutters of stone precise work, there happened to be a stone that was cut in the wrong shape and size. So, they discarded it, and replaced it with a stone of the exact dimensions needed.
 Later, the moment came when they were to tie the main walls together. The need was to have a "cornerstone" that would serve as the foundation in order for this to take place...and guess what? The very stone that had been discarded because it was the wrong shape and size...was the exact stone needed to be the "chief cornerstone", and complete the entire building of the Temple itself. 
 And of course...this story was told...in reference to the Messiah the Jewish nation were watching and waiting for....and the "Chief Cornerstone" came...and He was rejected...and now...He has become our "Chief Cornerstone"!

Psalm 118 is the last chapter of a cycle of praises in this section of the Book of Psalms (113-118). In the first 4 verses of Psalm 118, the verses speak of giving praise and honor to the Lord. The Hebrew text is in an imperative tense...meaning it is a command form of expression.
 In verses 5-9, it turns personal as the King himself expresses his gratefulness to the Lord and gives the reader a sense of hope.
 Throughout this chapter there is a repetitive theme about the "Lord saving His people". The verses give a clear indication that we should allow time in our day to give thanks to Him...because of His faithfulness.

 Psalm 118:24 is a popular verse because it tells us: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Now, whether you might think each day has been made for us and we are to rejoice in what He provides, or whether you might be inclined to think of the day the "Chief Cornerstone" will set up His Kingdom here on earth and "tie things altogether",both thoughts are correct...for as Saint Paul later wrote in his letter to the Philippians..."Rejoice in the Lord, again I write, rejoice in the Lord...always!"

                                         A Gleaning from 118: 21-25

 "Thank You...so much!...so very much! For You have not only heard my prayers..but You have answered them...every one of them! You really are my Salvation...You really are my Redeemer!
 It's just like the "Legend of the Stone!" The stone that the builders of the Temple rejected...and tossed aside...became the very Cornerstone of the Temple!

 And that is so like You! You take those who have been rejected and tossed aside, and through Your Life and Power, become a central part of Your very Kingdom! It is almost "unreal" to believe You have done this...yet the fact remains...that was Your very plan...from the beginning!
 Therefore my heart rejoices...for it is You that has caused this day to arrive...and our future is bright! The Day is surely coming...when You shall set up Your Kingdom...throughout the entire earth!

 I am rejoicing..I am "going crazy" in both laughter and in joy! This is "all You!" I will be festive this day...for this day has been created..by You! You have created this day...for me!
 You have come to us...You have saved us...You have prospered us...and You have blessed us. Now, our lives are full of blessings, full of purpose, and our lives are full! 
 Praise to You, my King!

How Do You Know If You Are In The Will Of God?

This question has been asked...countless times....throughout the corridors of history. Men have done their best to explain it, others have proclaimed it, and still others have "forced it" on people's lives. 
 God's Will...is it really that hard...to know what His will is for our everyday lives?

 In 1st Thessalonians, the answer just seems so clear...yet the message is so simple...and soothing. It can not be that easy...can it? It seems this letter says it is.

 1st Thessalonians was written by 3 different people: Silas, Timothy, and Saint Paul. Although all 3 had a part in the writing of this letter to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul was undoubtedly the main author.
 Bible scholars think this might have been one of the earliest letters...of all Paul's letters written in the New Testament. The approximate time of these letters to the Thessalonians was about 50 AD to 53 AD. That would put these writings approximately 20 years after it all happened....the death of Christ Jesus and His Glorious Resurrection.

 The letters themselves were written from the city of Corinth. The theme of the letters was to encourage...encourage the believers in Thessalonica to have joy...and to keep their focus on the One who provides them with joy....the Lord Jesus!

 In chapter 5 of 1st Thessalonians, Saint Paul is explaining how some people around them have chosen not to believe in the Lord Jesus. Their joys and being happy in life is totally dependent on their present circumstances they might find themselves in.
 Saint Paul writes that as believers in The Risen One, we don't depend on our daily circumstances...bad or good....to find joy and happiness in life. Paul goes on further to explain that our joy as believers all root from one and the same source....we know Him! 

 Paul also goes on to explain about the importance of prayer. Some translations write "Pray at all times"...and that can be a little misleading. After all....who can "pray at all times"? What Saint Paul seems to be communicating here is...to have an "attitude of prayer" throughout our day. In other words, keep our mind and thoughts...on Him! Prayer can not always be expressed in words...the key being our hearts and minds are always open...to Him.
 What makes this a truly awesome thought?!...the Will of God is right in the middle of all this...when we practice doing this...daily. The Will of God in our lives...begins and ends here...in our attitude. When we begin to give thanks, being grateful, and having our joy founded on our trust in Him...then we are already...in the center of the Will of God. 
 As far as direction and knowing what to do in situations that come up in our lives...it starts with praise...it manifests when His joy is taking over the situation and direction needed, and then the Holy Spirit joins us in giving the needed direction we might be be pursuing...and as the saying goes: "it will all work out."...remembering...there is a purpose in all that is going on around us, through us, and in us...when we got our attitude in the right place...and He is in the center of our very hearts.

                          A Gleaning from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 " Each day our lives should be focused on this thought: Be Joyful!...we know Him!.. and that is quite enough!
 Keep an attitude of prayer throughout your day. Prayer can not always be expressed verbally, or in written form...yet, what we are able to do is...keep our hearts and minds in a continual mode of...wondering what He wants to do next in our lives.
 Also, and this is extremely important to cultivate in our daily routines...to be thankful! In fact, being thankful...and may I add...REGARDLESS OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES...is the trademark of being a Believer in Him...our Lord Jesus! This is what can separate us from those who have refused Him...the ones who don't think they need Jesus...or the fact that He even died for them. Our testimony is clear when we do this...our daily lives and the joys of everyday life do not originate from what set of particular circumstances we are in or are facing...our joy is in knowing Him! We have the potential to have His joy in our lives...continually...period.
 And here is the result when we think and act like this...we are now assured...we are already in His perfect will! We can find our peace in life...knowing God's will is already present in our lives. Christ Jesus living in our hearts is our joy...and we can take comfort and trust knowing Christ Jesus is our Mediator and the Revealer...of what God's will is...for each one of us...daily!"

Dual Citizenship: I am loyal to a Democracy...Yet, I am a citizen of a...Kingdom

Being a Christian in the U.S....brings with it an interesting set of circumstances...

 I am a "die-hard" American....I believe in the Stars and Stripes, I believe in individual freedom, and I believe in Apple Pie.
 Now, since I have given my heart and life to the Lordship of Christ Jesus, I am now possessing another citizenship...I am a citizen of...His....Kingdom.
 These different forms of government seem to have a contrasting style...at times. In the Father's Kingdom, not everything requires a vote. The King dictates...and we accept His Laws and Purpose. For example, Jesus told us to "go the extra mile"....love your enemies, bless those who hurt you.
 Those are mandates from our Kingdom, yet in a democracy...it would demand a vote...what is the will of the people? Do you think a bill proposed by Senate stating we are to love those persecute us...we are to show love to our enemies....do you think it would pass? 
 At the least it would demand clarification....are "we talking"...individually to love those who are not regarded as friends...or in a national of global sense. Personally, I couldn't do the "love your enemy" on a national scale...sometimes war is inevitable. We are required to "Preserve our Nation"....right?

 Living in the U.S. under the rights of a democracy...and being a citizen of the "Kingdom of God"...sometimes bring different outlooks and results. When we send an ambassador to a foreign nation, he/she is there to represent the guidelines of the United States of America. What is an important part of the ambassador's tenure? Is it not to convey to another nation the thoughts and criteria of the U.S.A.? 
 Here then lies a key to being a Christian...at least this the way I see it. We are certainly committed to the preservation of our country, and we must have a constant communication and knowledge under the flag we serve. Yet, we also have Commandments given to us through the Sacred Scriptures...that are directives sent from the Kingdom of God and we are committed to following them as well. 
 I think Muslims and those of the Islamic faith have a grasp on the meaning of this.Yet, in the Kingdom we serve, with the Lord Jesus our Eternal King, we differ on how those Commands are to be carried out...and we serve the One True King...Jesus Christ the Righteous...not anyone else.
 What is important for us as Christians...is to know what His Kingdom stands for, how the influence of His Kingdom affects our lives, and to know the words, thoughts, and wishes...of our King. We as citizens of the Kingdom of God, where our Lord Jesus reigns, have got to understand what His mandates declare,  how they are to operate in our lives, and to keep in communication with Him, in order that we might gain a greater understanding of His purpose He desires in our lives. What makes the Kingdom of God unique is: each one of us have direct contact...with our King Himself. The Throne of His Heart is always open and ready to hear from us, and He is always has the right answers...to give to us. 
 As we continue to live as faithful Americans in our democracy, it is equally important to support the country we have pledged allegiance to, and when conflict arises between the will of the people and laws of His Kingdom, we are to respect those who may not agree with His Commands and support our beloved country, the U.S.A., going that "extra mile" as our King has given us a Command to, allowing His love to be the rule of our hearts.

 Over the next month or so, I am going to use the alphabet as a guideline to go over some Sacred Scriptures that have meaning to me both as a Christian and a citizen of the U.S.A.
 Today I begin with the letter   "A".

 "A": The letter A is a reminder of my "Adoration to my King." In 1 Chronicles 29:11-19, King David is excited because all the materials and preparation has now been completed...now the Temple of the Lord can be constructed...through David's son, Solomon.
 This is a "Prayer of Thanks" by King David. Some Bible scholars consider this passage one of the most beautiful prayers in the entire Bible. In this prayer, David turns all the attention off of him, off of the people of Israel, and even off the building of the Temple itself. His focus is given to  Adoration and Praise...to the Lord God Himself....

                           A Gleaning from 1 Chronicles 29: 11-19

 " David blessed the Lord...in full view of the entire congregation of Israel. David spoke up and offered this prayer to God:
 " It is You, O Lord...You are all greatness, to You belongs all power, and it is You who receives all glory. All of our victories are because of...You, and You are the True Ruler and Supreme Majesty...of all the earth.

 Everything in the heavens, everything on the earth...belongs to You. All kingdoms..are at Your mercies, and we adore You..for You are the One...over all things.
 All riches and honor...originate in You. All strength and power...originate from Your right hand. It is from Your very hands that You choose discretion as to who is to reach greatness and reside with fame over the works of their hands. For this, we offer to You O God, thankful hearts and voices that lift up praise to You...we simply take our comfort in Your glorious Name.

 And yet, who am I..who are we as a nation...that we can even give anything to...You? All we have, all we are, and all we can ever offer...comes from You. We live this earthly life but for a moment, like foreigners visiting a far away land...strangers in a land...just as our ancestors before us. Our days on earth are no more than a passing shadow, and then...we are gone.

 Mighty Lord...Lord of all Warriors, we give all this material...all this preparation...back to You. May this Temple be built...to honor and glorify...You. All of this has come from You, and now we return this...all to You!
 Yet, what is it You really want from us? It is not these materials we have gathered, nor even this Temple that is about to be built to You.
 What You desire from us...are our hearts. You desire we be pure in both mind and in our motives, Your Law being secure in our hearts. For it is then You find pleasure in us...offering these gifts to You...from willing and joyful hearts.

 You are the same...the same God to us...as You were to our very ancestors. You are the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel. It is Your desire for this lineage continue...a lineage that does not simply originate through our bloodlines, rather a lineage coming from generous hearts, our purposes in life...molded in You, and our thoughts ever meditating on...You.
 I ask Mighty One, that You would give my own son, Solomon, a heart like this...a blameless heart, uncluttered and focused on...You! I further ask that he might live out his life following Your Commands...listening to Your Counsel, and carry out this building of the Temple...all of this totally dependent...on You! May thine be the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory...forever!"

  {Note: Sound familiar? The original Lord's Prayer did not have this ending until around the early part of the 3rd century. The original manuscripts ended with"....and deliver us from evil."
 Also, the way the people of Israel worshipped God during this time of prayer by David..they bowed with their faces to the ground.}

His Message is Consistent...Throughout the Ages...Seek Him...First!

Shortly after John the Baptizer had been given the honor of baptizing the very Author of Life itself, Jesus then went into the desert...for 40 days and nights......

 Jesus was most likely fighting hunger. He was in the midst of a 40 day fast, out in the desert...seeking the advice of His Father...alone, well, except for one...this one who entitled himself: "the god of this world".  He was the original "Judas Iscariot".

 As for Jesus...He knew him...and knew him well. Some say that before "The Fall", they might have even been close friends.

 But...things have changed..quite dramatically. Now, with Jesus in the desert, He is approached by His greatest enemy.... a former friend...now out to destroy the very existence of Christ Jesus and to send a message to every person in this world....Jesus is not God....I am....Satan, the god of the underworld.
 His ploy is clever...coming to Jesus when His focus was on His Father. A true friend would have said: "Hey, what devotion! I don't know if there is anything I can do...but I am willing." 
 Instead, Satan tried to attack our Lord Jesus at perhaps what Satan had calculated to be at His weak point. He was going to do his best to get into the mind of Christ. "Jesus,...I know You must be hungry....and You can do something about it. In fact, there are many in the world...dying of hunger...how can You just stay here?..walking around in the desert....seeking Your Father....while many will die this day...because of hunger. You must know by now how it feels. Perhaps You won't make it either. How does any of this...glorify God"? It's crazy!  Why did You come here anyway? Are You here to die?...just like all the others dying because of hunger? Are You trying to send Your Father a message?....like Why does he allow people to suffer so? Don't You think He is a little brutal? Maybe if You die out here...God will finally get the message...or...You could turn the stone into bread...and start feeding those around the world who hunger...and end all this suffering! After all, how can You begin to help others...when you can't even help Yourself? You are God..aren't You? Why did You come anyway?" 

 There are 2 points I would like to touch on...that I personally believe.
1. I lean toward this thought....I do not think Satan knew exactly what God's plan was. I recognize Satan knows the Sacred Scripture better than anyone, but I think it doesn't make sense to him...at least some major parts of it. If he had, why would he been so influential in making sure Jesus would suffer "big time" for showing up in what Satan considered his domain.
 Satan had no access to the Holy Spirit...the Sacred Scriptures could not be a source of enlightenment. Also, Satan's focus is on...himself. It has been...for a long time. The whole message of Christ Jesus...restoring our friendship to our heavenly Father...is totally pointless in the mind of Satan...or at least that is what I conclude.
2. The other point I think is this: Satan knew of Jesus "big heart". After all, He had been with with Him...before the Rebellion took place. So, if Jesus would turn a stone into bread...to feed Himself, then He might start a whole new thing...feeding all those who are hungry. He could turn pebbles...he could turn stones...He could even turn entire mountains...into bread....like manna...and feed the entire world. It wouldn't make any difference whether the "Heavenly Father" approved it...or not...after all...He would be doing something good. Having a relationship with His Father....isn't all that. It's about surviving...and  besides...everyone would be totally dependent...on what Jesus wanted out of them. He could be a god here...and maybe we could recreate what the Father has kind of "botched up". After all...taking care of #1...me...that is what it is all about. Besides, everyone would be subject to what we decide....if I could get Jesus to submit to me (Satan)...we can definitely make some changes to this whole purpose of creation thing.

Yet, in Saint Matthew 4:4, Jesus answers Satan when he suggested for Jesus to turn a stone into bread....and here is a .....Gleaning from this verse in Matthew.....

 " Jesus answered him, " No! You are still missing it. You still refuse to get your thoughts off yourself. You don't understand...it takes more than "bread" for anyone to be alive...to enjoy what My Father intends for us. To find true contentment in life, you must be fed...by His Words. The Words that flow from His lips...into the hearts of those that desire Him."

 Actually, Jesus was reminding Satan of a passage of Sacred Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3...something to take note of. When you sense you may be facing situations or even thoughts that you are really not comfortable with, perhaps even having a dark or evil motive...dismiss it...with the Sacred Scripture....the words that came from His lips...and let them reside in your own heart.
 In Deuteronomy, God was giving Moses instructions. Israel was in a type of fast...a 40 year fast, going from being slaves in Egypt to the Promised Land. God spoke to Moses in a similar fashion Jesus had answered Satan. God spoke to Moses and said: " Obey Me...do these things I have instructed you. If you do things that show Me respect, honor Me by simply spending time with Me, and consult with Me before 'takin' off and 'doin' your thing, if you cultivate our friendship...trust Me...I will take sheer pleasure in calling you...My children. Keep My thoughts close to your own hearts...it will make you proud...proud of the friendship we have. I will do My part....I will bring you into a good country, with fresh streams and pools of water. These waters will produce fertile valleys, hills filled with life, and fields the will yield good crops. You will have plenty of food...fruits hanging from the trees...and then....the hungry will be satisfied."

 It all starts...with our relationship to our Heavenly Father.

 So, after Satan confronted Jesus in the desert about turning stone into bread...and Jesus answered him...what happened next?

 Satan decided to take Jesus to the highest point on the roof of the Temple in Jerusalem...and try to convert Jesus to join the Rebellion...from another angle...he still didn't get it..... 

The Big Question for Jesus....this time...they got Him!

The Sadducees...this time they think the "Big Question" they have conjured up for Jesus...will dismiss His credibility! Really?
 Sadducees...the Jewish leaders during the time when Jesus was one of us...were quite "a piece of work". First, they did not believe there was a Resurrection...of any kind! A person just lives their earthly life...and then they die...that's it...show over.
 Second, they did not believe there were angels...it was all just myths, fantasies, and hallucinations.

 Actually, Sadducees were made up of mostly rich Jewish leaders, and many of them were priests in the Temple itself.
 What kind of "freaked" the Sadducees out concerning Jesus was: they thought Jesus was way too much of a rebel. Because so many enjoyed His teachings and were starting to like what they were hearing from Him, the Sadducees concurred  Jesus might stir people up and cause a political upheaval.

 The Sadducees were kind of like "the ruling party" of the Jewish faith in that time period. The Sadducees were the ones who actually dealt with the Romans on coexisting together in Jerusalem and Judea. So, if Jesus upset the "political balance" that existed....the Romans could get real angry...."put the hammer down" as the saying goes....and the Jewish people could lose the freedoms they presently enjoyed. Besides, in fact of even greater fear if you happen to be a Sadducee...the Sadducees themselves could lose all their power...politically, economically, as well as religious leadership...and that would be devastating.

 So, what do the Sadducees come up with to "dismantle" the teachings and the growing popularity of Christ Jesus?.................destroy His credibility!
 Thus...the "Big Question"...that will do it...right? 

 In Matthew 4:23-29 the Sadducees present Jesus with their "Big Question"...the one that will "take Him down"!
 Basically, the question went like this... They approached Christ Jesus and spoke to Him saying: " Teacher, Moses taught us that if a man dies childless, his brother is then obligated to marry his widow...and have a child so the family name would be carried on. Well, suppose there were...let's say...7 brothers, and all the brothers die. And then, after she had been married to all the brothers...and still remained childless...she  herself dies. So, here is our question....If there is a Resurrection...like You claim...whose wife is she in this so-called "next life"?

 Can you imagine what Jesus must have initially thought when He heard the question?  Couldn't you just imagine Jesus saying to Himself..."You got to be kidding...this is the best you can come up with?"

                                                       A Gleaning from Matthew 22: 29-33

 " Jesus answered the question presented to Him by the Sadducees. He replies (I wonder if He couldn't help but smile...at least a little): " Ok...you guys  got this all wrong...on at least 2 accounts.
 First, in our resurrected state...marriage isn't even an issue. Marriage....like many other institutions we have in this earthly life...doesn't mean we have the same institutions in My Father's Kingdom. Have you ever heard stories of angels being married?...oh...that's right...you don't think angels exist. Well, let's just for a moment...say they do. Angels do not marry...they don't need to...they have a fullness in their relationship...with My Father. All of their need for friendship is satisfied...they are in the Presence of My Father.
 That is how it is going to be with each one of us...marriage is an institution set up for our earthly lives...but won't be necessary in our resurrected state...we are in the Presence of the Father.
 Now, before I conclude, allow Me to touch on something else...regarding your speculation that when we die...we do not have a resurrection. 
 You guys...really need to "get a grip" on studying your Bibles...I think you might be missing out....on a really important part!
 Have you noticed the grammar in the Sacred Scripture is perfectly clear...and correct. We can agree on that...right?
 Now, it was long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died that God made this statement...in fact He said this to the very man you guys are quoting from...Moses.
 God said: "I AM...notice He did not say "I WAS"...no, He said: "I AM the God of...Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob". So, don't you think that means what it reads...He is...He always has, and He always will be...the God of all the living...past, present, and future. So...don't you think a Resurrection...is perhaps...for real?

 When the crowds heard His comments...they were surprised, they were glad, and they were relieved....for what Jesus was communicating to everyone...was really "Good News!"

Is It Important To Read The Bible?

I seem to notice in my own life...and in others as well, it's easy to become discouraged over daily situations we encounter...losing our hope that God is really around...so I have to take a moment and figure out why I am thinking this way.
 I mean, after all, I have given Jesus Christ access to my heart, I am willing to change and conform to the Lifestyle He wants me to have, and I certainly acknowledge I can not do this on my own....that is one primary reason I gave Him my life in the first place. 

 What Happened?

 Why is it so crazy?...Why aren't things changing?...Why am I still in the same problems as before? Am I not praying enough?...Maybe I forgot to repent of something?...Am I under attack by the devil?...I need to go to church more?...Ok...maybe my giving to God (financially) has been a little short of what He "demands" of me?....I am disobedient.....

 Questions like this seem to "haunt" all of us at one time or another....and sometimes even daily...right?
 I remember a question one time that really got me to prioritize some things in my life. The question was this: "If you could make only one choice in regards to your Christian walk, which would it be: 1) Pray 2) Read the Bible 3) Go to Church?
 The answer for myself was...Read the Bible. Why? Because if I read the Bible, it will teach me how to pray, and if I read the Bible, it will instruct me on the importance of going to Church, having real friends, and how to be active and participate in the work of the local church.

 Getting the Scriptures to have an impact in our daily lives...is a secret to knowing this God we have given our lives to...and His desire in our lives. It may be with our finances, it may be with our relationships, or it may be adjusting our lifestyle. I have found that if you "just give it up"...don't try to make things happen or change on your own, just begin to study some Scripture that you can apply to your life...things do change. Patience is an important virtue, actually a "fruit of the Spirit"...that must be applied. Don't get wrapped up in wondering whether things are going to further unravel in your life or not....that shouldn't be your point of thought or focus. Instead, begin to apply what the Scriptures say about your situations....and allow your thoughts to think that way...the way the Scriptures want us to think. 
 Here is a passage of  Sacred Scripture that has got me going in the right direction....in fact, that is what the "Act of Repenting" is all about: to change your way of thinking, make a 180 degree turn, and move in that direction. Repenting does not base itself on how you feel, you can never trust your feelings...Repenting does not base itself on your length of prayer....prayer does not move simply because you prayed for 30 minutes straight, and Repenting does not base itself on how many people you have "opened up" and shared your life with.
 All these things can be "nice things"...yet... your life is base on....faith. Faith in what?...Faith in God....Faith in His Lifestyle...Faith in what He has already said and done. It is beginning to believe what He has already declared....in the Sacred Scripture. This is where things will begin to change in your life....and you can develop those areas of your life that may "have you down" right now. Commit all you have to Him...then begin to think...the way He thinks.

 First, a Gleaning from......Isaiah 55:8-11
   The Lord would say:
 " There is something you have to understand...it's about our friendship. I just don't think the way you think. My thoughts...are nothing like your thoughts. I don't face daily life...the way you do.
 In fact, My way of looking at daily life...is far beyond anything you could even imagine. You see, my way of thinking soars high above the earth...much unlike the thoughts that you have in your earthly mind.
 It's real important you get this: the way I think. You can learn the way I think by reading and pondering over the Sacred Scripture. Understanding what I am thinking?....I have spent My Spirit to help you grasp My way of looking at life.
 It kind of works like this: Rain and snow...they both fall from the sky, right? Now, rain and snow do not simply touch the earth and "bounce" back up into the clouds. No!
 Rain and snow begin to make its way into the soil, watering the ground as it makes its way down into the depths of the soil itself. The water the soil receives from the rain and snow begin to saturate and give "Life" to the seeds...of grain, flowers, and all plants that have been sown in the soil. From the seeds, plants begin to grow...and produce fruit...food for those awaiting a harvest....and providing food for the hungry.
 This is how it works when you choose to invest some time...reading the Sacred Scripture. As you read, meditate, and think over what I think...just like the rain and snow gives life to plants...the Scriptures will "water" and give Life to your heart...and your mind.The Sacred Scriptures will give purpose to your life...to everything in life that concerns you...you will find the answers you are looking for...and your life will start to make sense. It all starts with...Me."

So, here then is a question I have today: "Do we treat the Bible...like we do food we need for daily use?...or do we look at reading the Bible like....a cake....a birthday cake...that we celebrate once a year?"

He is Coming!!!

Just a note: I am in the midst of writing a novel...which should be published in the near future. As a result, my daily blogs may decrease in reference to quantity for a period of time, yet I hope the ones I do share will bring you some joy! Thanks for all of you who continue read my humble opinions of the Christ!...the One we truly love! Joe


 A Gleaning of Revelation 1:4-7...
  

 Here in the Book of Revelation 1...Saint John is writing to the believers in western Turkey...referred to here as the Asia province. Most likely the believers in this region knew John...and probably knew him well.
 John the Apostle has been given credit for the writing of the Book of Revelation and if this be true, John by the date of this writing would be on the island of Patmos.
 This letter was written most likely during the horrible reign of the Emperor Domitian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 81 A.D to 96 A.D.
 The purpose of John writing to his fellow believers in western Turkey was to encourage them and to remind them Jesus is coming for them! John doesn't want any one of them to give up...but to continue to put their trust in Him...He is faithful and will return for His beloved church.
 In verse 4, John mimics what Moses had asked in ages past, " What do I tell the others...Who are You?...What is Your Name?". God's answer to Moses...as John declares now even as God had spoken to Moses back then, declaring: Tell them: " I Am who I Am."

A little about the Emperor Domitian: First, this guy was naturally inclined to cruelty. He slew his own brother...then turned his hatred of others on Christians. Domitian even had some Roman senators put to death, either because he had no trust for them and felt they had committed treason, or...he wanted their land and estates and used any excuse he could find to confiscate their personal assets. The Emperor Domitian commanded the entire Jewish line of David...to be put to death.

 There were numerous Christian martyrs during the reign of Domitian including Simeon, the bishop of Jerusalem. Simeon was recorded to have been crucified. John the Apostle was said to be boiled in oil before being sentenced to the island of Patmos.
 A daughter of a Roman senator named Flavia was also sentenced to Patmos. Domitian law stated that no Christian should be exempt from punishment...unless they would renounce their belief in Christ Jesus.
 During the reign of Domitian, the Roman Empire encountered famines and pestilence in various locations...even earthquakes, and of course Christians were blamed for almost all of these type calamities.
 One problem being a Christian during the time of Domitian was the "The Test Oath". If anyone refused to take this oath...which basically stated your total commitment to the Roman Empire, all of its beliefs, and the acknowledgement of Domitian as a god... you would be sentenced to death. Also, if a person confessed to being a Christian, their sentence...would be death. 
 Timothy, the beloved disciple of Saint Paul, is recorded to have met his death at the hand of the Domitian.   Timothy was recorded to have been brutally beaten with clubs for his objection to idol worship...and died 2 days later.
 The Emperor Domitian was assassinated through the very Senate he had abused.

                                             A Gleaning from Revelation 1:4-7

 " I, John, am writing to the 7 churches in province of Asia....

 There are 2 things I pray for you: 1) His Grace... be applied to all of you in your everyday situations that concern...each and every one of you, and 2) His Peace...the Peace that comes from our Homeland...His Kingdom, be applied and rule in all of you in your everyday situations that concern...each and every one of you. I further pray these 2 gifts which come to us from our God: the God who was, the God who is, and the God who is about to arrive for us...will generate His Kindness and Peace through us and extend these gifts to those around us...all originating from the Seven Spirits that are assembled before His throne. He is the Faithful One, our Trustworthy Witness...Jesus, our beloved Christ.
 For He is the First...He is the Faithful Witness...He is the First to conquer the grips of Death, and He alone is the True Ruler...of all kings of the earth.
 All of His Glory...All of His Strength...and All of His Love that He has for each and every one of us....has freed us...completely!...from all of our sins. How? He shed His very own blood...for each one of us!

 Because of His amazing love for us...we are now priests!...priests in His Kingdom!...and our duty is to demonstrate and manifest the very Glory of God to the very Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For the Kingdom we are now part of has all power...and all all dominion...throughout all the ages...and both now and forever. Amen!

 The fact is we have all sinned...and fell far short of God the Father...and His glorious and honorable standard.
 Yet, through the incredible generosity of our Lord Jesus, He has made us right...literally putting each one of us in right standing with God...who is now our Father as well!
 Christ Jesus has rescued us from the "eternal mess" of sin, and restored us...into a full relationship with our eternal God. Jesus has put us...where He always wanted us to be...and now we can receive everything God the Father has for us...including His favor and His mercy fueled by all His love...for each one of us."

That was a nice thing Jesus did...but I'm doin' ok...

1 John...This letter in the New Testament does not really indicate who might have wrote this. Tradition says it was John, the apostle. If this be so, John was probably 50 to 60 years old at the time of this letter.

 John was the youngest of "The Original" and this letter is said to be written while he was staying in Ephesus. The city of Ephesus seemed to be a "training ground" for numerous leaders in the early Christian church.

 The main reason John wrote this letter was that believers in Christ were now being taught truths that were in error...flat wrong. A couple of these false teachings were:
1. Jesus was never really a man. He had some sort of "supernatural powers" while He lived here on earth...and really had no temptation to do wrong. After all, He was God...and never a real human...like the rest of us.
2. Jesus was really just a man, He never was God. The reasoning behind this was that...if He was God...How could God die? God could never die. This belief taught Jesus certainly had God-like qualities while here on earth, but those God-like qualities were not apparent when He was sentenced to a Roman Cross...and died.

 From these two examples of erroneous teachings, other false teachings and beliefs were beginning to emerge. Another belief that had started to cause division among the believers was the concept the "body is bad, but the spirit is good." As a result, our words or actions in this life on earth really doesn't matter, things will change when we get to heaven. This teaching caused others to live however they wanted which basically meant they lived for their own selfish wants and desires....in direct contrast to the words Christ had spoken.

 John actually wrote this letter to encourage those who embraced the Christian faith. His intent was that the believers could recognize the Truth and expose false ideas and concepts.

                                          A Gleaning from 1 John, chapter 1

 " Understand this, the Word of Life....Jesus Christ....was already here from the very beginning. He has always been here...and we have seen Him...with our very own eyes! We have also touched Him...with our very own hands! We have heard Him speak...with our very own ears! He is...who He says He is...the very Word of Life itself!
 This One...who is Life itself, came to us, revealed Himself to us, and became one of us, demonstrating both in word and deed the He is the One...the very One who gives to each one of us...Eternal Life!
 You see Christ Jesus has always existed with the Father (God), and chose to reveal and come for us...in order that we too could enjoy a relationship with God the Father. Christ's desire for us has always been for us to have a relationship  with His Father...just as He does.

 This is my real reason for writing this letter to you...that you may know and experience this joy, that  Christ Jesus has completed His work...and we are now free to know the Father, just like Him.
 For you see, this is the true message Jesus gave to us...while He was here with us...actually becoming one of us, and now He desires this message of Eternal Hope to be passed on to you! Jesus is the Pure Light...and He comes from the very heart of God. It is not right or even possible to live our lives under the Rule of Darkness...and yet say we are children of the Light. There is no Darkness in the True Light...that True Light being Jesus the Christ.  Christ Jesus is the Eternal Light...He always has been, even when He was here...being one of us, and His Truth is able to live in our hearts...even now!

"Women are to be quiet and submissive"...Part 2

As I take a little time with 1 Timothy 2: 11-15, and try and understand the reasoning and logic behind this passage of Sacred Scripture, there are a few more things I have learned in reference to why Saint Paul might have wrote this....

 One thing to keep in mind, Saint Paul himself had announced Christ Jesus and the need for Him in our individual lives...and this got him into some serious trouble in the city of Ephesus.
 You see, because of the people in Ephesus being receptive to the message Paul proclaimed, it caused the sales of "trinkets" to the goddess Diana (as mentioned in Part 1) to lose demand and sales, the result being the vendors who sold these items...totally blamed Paul and as a result, Saint Paul suffered physical harm because of it.

 Another thing to take note of is the fact Gnosticism among the Jewish people was already being spread throughout Ephesus and the surrounding area. Gnosticism was kind of like a "New Age" message of its day.
 The Gnostics would blend a little of everything: Scriptures, Jewish traditions, the myths of the Greek and Roman gods, and add their own beliefs to steer others from following the true Messiah...that being Christ Jesus.

 Examples of the Gnosticism teachings that Paul and Timothy most likely ran into was the guidance of "Spirit Guides". This was not the Holy Spirit, rather past descendants like grandmothers, great aunts, etc. and called upon them to guide them through the journey of life.
 Another popular and growing belief at the time of Paul and Timothy was concerning "Eve" herself....you know who I mean right?...like in Adam and Eve.
 Some Gnostics went as far in teachings as to declare Eve the "Illuminator of all Mankind", because she was the first to receive the knowledge of good and evil from the Serpent. Rather than looking at the Serpent as the Evil One, they looked upon him as a type of Savior who opened the mind of man himself. Because Eve received this "instruction" and not Adam, Gnostic teachings considered Eve the "Mother of the Human Race".
 In fact, some Gnostic stories went as far as to declare Adam the son of Eve, and not her husband...which reflected the idea Eve could have offspring without any male involvement.

 So, in a day when the status of a woman was "lower than that of a male", Ephesus brought some refreshing thoughts and ideals in the liberation of women. As for men, we have always been the same it seems.... as long as we are getting sex...use us, blame us, accuse us, or even degrade us....as long as we are still getting it...right? (lol)

 As Paul wrote this passage of Scripture to Timothy, I personally believe Paul was not saying that women should be quiet and have no part in leadership roles within the early Christian church. I think Saint Paul did not women who had found some respect and admiration through the various false teachings going on in Ephesus....find it's way into true Christian way of thought and life. Christ Jesus certainly liberated women as well as men...and there was no need to "call on Grandma" for direction in life, go have sex with a priestess of Diana to guarantee fertility, or to have any other teachings or myths that supported the rights of women. The Bible is clear....men and women are equal...even if those within the Christian church act like women are not.....

                                         A Gleaning from 1 Timothy 2:11-15  

" I do not want women to simply "take over" and tell others including the men what they are suppose to do. Women are to be respectful, quiet, and study to be attentive to the callings of our God...just like the rest of us.
 For the truth of the matter is this: God did make Adam first, and then from Adam's rib Eve was created. It was Eve who was deceived by the Serpent, Satan, god of the underworld...and it was Adam who purposely disobeyed what God had previously spoke to both of them. Both of them made decisions that were against the will of God.
 However, our very salvation has come to us through the very pain of childbearing...this pain coming as a result of both Adam and Eve's choice to disobey God's Commandment. For this very pain in childbearing has also brought to each of us....the joy of our relationship with the Father being completely healed... by the very Christ-child being born through the very pains of child bearing that women now do bear.
 And now, the same holds true for each one of us today. Both man and woman are to receive Christ Jesus through faith, and we are all to live lives that are respectable, honorable, and to show our love to Him. Our lives are to be governed and in self control to the teachings of the Sacred Scriptures, and we are to adorn ourselves, both men and women with virtues of modesty and humility."


 I don't think Paul thought any less of women, he simply is calling each of us, whether we be man or woman....to respect and uplift one another...giving our attention to the "Christ-child"...Jesus...the very Son of the Living God. 

Women are to be "quiet and submissive"...this ought to be fun to discuss!

We have heard this phrase in Christian circles...throughout history. Some have gone to extremes with it, others have twisted it to manipulate their own purposes and plans, while others have claimed Saint Paul himself didn't like a "woman in charge". 
 So...you want to know what I think?...well, here it goes........(lol)

 First, allow me to take a look as to why Paul would find it necessary to even write this in the first place...in 1 Timothy 2:11-15...what was he thinkin'???

 Saint Paul was writing to Timothy, a disciple of Paul who wrote to Timothy to encourage Timothy as a pastor....at the church in Ephesus.

 Ephesus....what was going on in Ephesus?

 Ephesus was a major city of its day. It was a city that was part of the major trade routes people would take in those days...and Ephesus was a "hot spot" for many travellers. People would save their money to go to Ephesus...kind of like us today getting "all pumped" for a trip to Las Vegas.
 So, what's up in Ephesus?

 Well, first and foremost it was the home of possibly the most famous and favorite goddess of all pagan religions, Artemis (in Greek)...the Romans  called her...Diana...and she was "hot"!
 Diana was the goddess of fertility...and had some pretty crazy requirements if you chose to commit your life to making her the "goddess of your life".
 The goddess Diana had an elaborate temple built to her. It was so awesome and so popular people who came to her temple would buy "little temples", like trinkets...to take home with them, put them on their "refrigerators" (lol)...and tell everyone: "I was there!"
 One reason she was popular was "free sex". In fact, the Temple of Diana had priestesses, and one of their duties was to have sex with its patrons...now wouldn't that be a "nice form of worship" (lol). I am sure donations were required...but none the less...even married men had a "free ticket" to have sexual relations with someone outside their marriage in "service to their goddess". And with Diana carrying the title of "Goddess of Fertility", it was necessary to perform such actions to ensure children for her worshippers. Pretty clever, huh?

 The people of Israel had known about the goddess Artemis for quite some time...going clear back to the "Days of the Promised Land". The Canaanites had given worship to this goddess.
 In fact, one of our true God's numerous statements to Israel was "to rid themselves of the "gods in the hills". One might think these were shrines that were beautiful in nature...kind of like some of the beautiful shrines we make today in honor of patron saints or even Mary, the mother of God. Uh...not really.
 These "shrines on the hills were often found to be large statues....of penises. Yep, you are reading this right...the Israelites made large "penis statues"...to honor this goddess.

 Another thing about the worship of Diana...she elevated women to a high status. In the days of Paul and Timothy, women by enlarge were treated as "second class" in many cultures and societies. This is why Christianity became so popular with women...raising their status to have equality with men.
 What did the pagan religion of Diana teach? The teachings of Diana also elevated women's status..but in more of a perverted and mythical way.

 In fact, in the worship of Diana, women were considered superior to the male. Along with sexual perversions, there were fertility rituals, endless myths, and elaborate and fabricated genealogies which traced the generations of women...instead of males.

 As I begin to take a look at 1 Timothy 2, where Paul writes about women being quiet and submissive...there are a couple other things to look at.......so...I need a Part 2