The quiet places we walk

Interestingly I was confronted by another blogger about my profession of faith which got me thinking. We often are loud and vocal about our faith but our actions speak differently. When our faith is true then our actions will speak louder than our words. I think we need to be careful so that when others see our walk, we won’t need to say a thing. They will come to us asking, we won’t need to speak they will see it. It’s the light they need not us. Walk quietly, bless others, be a blessing.

 . By T.V. Antony Raj

.

“But of that day and hour no one knows,
neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,
but the Father alone.”
(Matthew 24:36)

The accepted definition of a millennium, a period of 1,000 years, did not originate from nature or from any practical calendar.

Unlike the primary cycles of days, lunations and years, it does not correspond to any factual astronomical cycles, or the practical needs of humanity, but to social factors, the peculiarities of Christianity. In fact, the issue of the millennium reflects a Christian-centric view.

Outside the Christian world the year 2000 will actually be the year 5760 according to the Jewish calendar, 5119 in the current Maya great cycle, 5100 years elapsed in Kali Yuga according to the Hindus, 2544 according to Buddhism and 1420 according to the Moslem calendar.

The arbitrary construction of the millennium is the domain of eschatology – a part of theology, physics, philosophy, and futurology concerned with the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity – commonly called the “end of the world” or “end time”.

During the period of the great Roman empire, Jesus and his initial followers fully expected the fulfilment of the apocalypse and the inception of the millennium in their lifetime. It was no Utopian dream relegated to some future unspecified time at the time of Roman oppression, social turmoil and ideological uncertainty.

Millennial thinking is deeply embedded in the apocalyptic writings of the Bible. In traditional Christianity, “the millennium” means the future reign of Jesus lasting one thousand years, following a last battle between Christ and Satan. Satan loses, and is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and Jesus wins, overseeing a Last Judgement of all the dead. Modern traditions of Christian eschatology use the term “Rapture” in two senses; as a general synonym for the final resurrection, and in the view of pre-tribulationists, where a group of people would be left behind on earth after the events mentioned in Matthew about “The Coming of the Son of Man”:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

During Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica along with Silvanus and Timothy, a doubt arose among the Thessalonians about the fate of those Christians who would die before the return of Christ. Would they miss the glorious events of Christ’s second coming and the resurrection? Paul assuaged their fears. He assured them that God would save those who had already died, as well as those still living with these words:

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

After the crucifixion of Jesus, and even now, countless groups and people have compared the events of their time to Bible prophecies, and concluded that Jesus would
be returning soon. Some even set a date for the Rapture and led their followers into the deserts, to the mountains, and into the wilderness, to await the phenomenon.

Though the consummation of the second coming and the expected biblical millennium failed to materialise over the generations, and even after every one of those predictions turned out wrong, steadfast Christians still make modern-day predictions that Jesus will be returning soon and postpone the date of the expected apocalypse they ardently believe in.

However, most mainstream Bible scholars, do not think current world affairs evidence the imminent return of Christ. Even so, we still do come across Christian groups who believe in the Rapture as the centerpiece of the second coming of Jesus – a glorious, dramatic event with Jesus appearing and literally taking the believers physically along with him up into the sky.

In recent years, the Rapture and the second coming of Christ have spawned a lucrative industry. Besides the many books written on this subject, there are thousands of self-styled television evangelists with websites, radio stations, lecture series, audio recordings, videotapes and other Paraphernalia. Many of these accouterments feature imaginative and vivid embellishments of the Bible prophecies, and usually classified properly as fiction, and not as Bible prophecy.

Among these Christians, there are several theories about the timing of the Rapture. Thus the apocalyptic millennium has transformed itself into a calendrical measurement.

.

Related articles

• The Rapture (tvaraj.com)
• Millennium mythology (socialismtoday.org)
• The Rapture and the Doomsday Predictions of Harold Camping, King of KooKoo Birds (tvaraj.com)
• Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture 11 reasons why Jesus will come back before the Tribulation (raptureimminent.wordpress.com)
• How Close Are We to the Rapture of the Church? (aaronhalim.wordpress.com)
• If you like the “Left Behind” end times teachings, you may not like this post (4simpsons.wordpress.com)
• Coming Great Deception (1whatdoesitmatter.wordpress.com)
• Do We Have What It Takes to Be Gathered Together (raptured) With the Lord Jesus Christ? (aaronhalim.wordpress.com)
• Is the Church on Earth during the Tribulation? (calvinistview.com)
• The Second Coming (iamchasewordz.wordpress.com)

This is why we can worship God with an unshakable confidence that whatever we are facing is something that He has deemed what is best for us at the time. We may not like what it is, in fact we may actually hate it. However, God is in the middle of it, and it is for our own good. Problem is, it’s hard for us to sometimes get to a point in our lives where this is fine with us. We need to try and trust in Him more and now our own feelings about what is going on and try to take pleasure in the truth that He wanted to use us some way for His glory.

We all have a life song to sing but we cannot control how long our life songs are going to last. But, what we can do is control just how loud we sing them. And sing thing to the glory of God.

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

(Job 1:21)

Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out

Words are a very powerful weapon in the hands of everyone, kids, teenagers, adults. Words can be used for good and for evil, everyone loves compliments, it starts a fire in our hearts; yet we all hate criticism. We ask people “Could you tell me what you think of this, tell me the truth” yet we still think that they will tell us how great it is and when we get the criticism it puts that fire out and in our hearts we hold a grudge against that person, we think “why did they say that I should change that, I like it and they should too!” I’m not saying that no one should criticize truthfully, I’m not putting the blame on them, I’m putting the blame on us for the way we act after a truthful criticism, instead of felling sad we should thank them for their help.

Words are strong, especially when you’re in the middle school to high school ages, those times they really hurt or help. That is a crucial time when your self esteem is developing and you are becoming who you are. As I’ve said words can build us up or tear us down, in the hands of a bully it will bring you down. I’ve been bullied before and I tried not to let it get to me but some things can hurt. Middle school is the time where, I think, bullying is the hardest and the worst. Here’s a scenario: There’s a new girl at school and she’s really pretty and a really good student, her beauty and niceness make the other girls jealous, maybe these jealous girls are the popular ones or just the normal populous. Anyway whoever they are they get really jealous, so they grab their friends/cronies and corner this new, beautiful, and smart girl and tear her down with words. These jealous girls attack at the core, your self esteem. These girls attack through the most powerful weapon, words. They tell this beautiful, smart girl that she’s dumb, that she’s the teacher’s pet, that she’s fat and ugly…these words are hurtful, in Colossians 3:8 it says “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice,slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (ESV) it also say in Colossians 4:6 that you should “let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (ESV) Just in those two verses we can see that Words shouldn’t be used for harm but to spread the Wonderful, Amazing love of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the first verse we see that nothing bad should come out of our mouth, and in the second we see that only good things should come out of our mouths. in Matthew 15:18 it says “but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person”  (ESV) here we can see that what we say show what’s on our hearts, it shows who we are, so we shouldn’t speak poorly about others, we should instead share the love of Christ.

Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don’t wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You

Just a little look into the meaning of Words in the Importance of being Abel.

Will God bless or reward us if we have faith in Him, get close to Him, and please Him? This question is at the root of most religious activity throughout the world. People have worshiped, built edifices and made sacrifices down through the ages with the hope that some god would grant their desires. Even with thousands of years of experience behind us most people still wonder if God even notices.

God’s word has much to say about the rewards of knowing and pleasing God. It tells us that things like weather patterns, crop yields, finances, health, and relationships are affected. It clearly states that His attitude toward us determines whether He hears our requests. 1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.

The scripture we opened this article with in Ephesians 1:3 makes it clear that our blessings are in Jesus Christ. We are only able to access God through Him as we discussed in an earlier post (Can We get Close to God?). It also points out that our real rewards for pleasing God are spiritual. While we may obtain many physical benefits from God, we must understand that they are minor in comparison to the spiritual blessings because the physical ones are temporary. What ever we receive from God in this life will only last for a time. Spiritual rewards are eternal. There is an old saying, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer”. No matter what we accumulate in life it stops at the grave. Luke 12:16 Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

You may be wondering, what are these spiritual blessings? The preeminent blessing is eternal life. For the one who pleases God through faith in Jesus Christ, life doesn’t end at physical death. We have eternity to enjoy the goodness and fellowship of God.  This is contrasted against the second death, which is eternal separation from God in hell for those who don’t know Him. 1 John 3: 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. We are also told of eternal rewards for our service to God. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. Another blessing will be to live with God in His kingdom. We will live in a place without corruption, evil, deceit, or sorrow. We are promised peace, joy, abundance and love. John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.

Yes, if we draw close to God and please Him through Jesus Christ, we will be blessed in this life and more importantly, eternally. God does reward the faithful and those who seek Him with diligence. All journeys begin with a step. The journey to know God begins with a step of faith. Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Father, I pray for everyone who reads the words of this series. I ask that they will take a step of faith to know You through Your Son Jesus Christ. Enlighten them by your Holy Spirit. Let them encounter the true and living God. Amen.

This concludes a series of four articles beginning with Faith in God. They are listed at the bottom of this post under Did you miss these posts?. I hope you will read all four to get the maximum benefit. We will begin a new subject in the next issue and hope you will join us. Please share any comments below and use the follow option to keep up with future posts.

* All scripture is from the Holman Christian Standard Bible

JERUSALEM – Orthodox Christians visiting the Holy Land often return home with more than just spiritual memories. Many drop by a centuries-old tattoo parlor in Jerusalem’s Old City, inking themselves with a permanent reminder not only of their pilgrimage but also of devotion to their faith.

The same Jerusalem family has been tattooing pilgrims with crosses and other religious symbols for hundreds of years, testament to the importance of the ancient ritual. While Catholics can get a written certificate of their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Orthodox Christians opt for a tattoo, a permanent reminder of their visit.  In contrast to the bustling streets of the Old City outside, the Razzouk parlor is quiet, with only the buzz of an electric needle zigzagging across a pilgrim’s arm.

Pilgrims said the pain of the needle is worth the sacrifice.  ”The pain I feel is like the pain that Jesus Christ felt when he was on the cross with his crown of thorns,” said Etetu Legesse, a nurse from Ethiopia, as a scene depicting the crucifixion was etched on her triceps.

Another Ethiopian woman wailed a song as an image of the Virgin Mary was tattooed onto her arm.  ”I’m singing, God, I’m thinking about God; he died for us on the cross, that’s why I’m singing,” the 35-year-old woman, who gave her name as Mebrat, said.

Anton Razzouk, the family’s 72-year-old patriarch, says the business can be traced back to a Coptic ancestor who traveled by camel and donkey from Egypt to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage about 300 years ago and decided to stay.  Today, the Razzouk business is the oldest tattoo parlor in the Old City catering to Christian tourists. Razzouk says that up until the 1950′s his father’s business was unchallenged and that he was the only one in the Old City, though a handful of competitors have sprouted up since then.

The art form was passed on from father to son and countless pilgrims have returned home over the centuries with the markings. Razzouk said his father, Jacob, tattooed Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as well as hundreds of allied troops stationed in the region during World War II. He said the markings remind the faithful not to sin.  ”A tattoo on the hand is the best certificate of pilgrimage because it stays there forever. It stays until the person is dead. It stays with him until the grave,” said Razzouk.

Whereas Judaism and Islam prohibit marking the body, for Orthodox Christian denominations like Armenians, Syrians, Ethiopians and Copts, tattoos are both decorative and a sign of faith. Roman Catholicism does not ban tattooing, but the practice is not as common.

Razzouk says he tattoos 300 to 400 pilgrims each year. His service is so popular that the family often goes to nearby hotels to tattoo travelers as well.  Designs include crosses in different shapes, as well as elaborate Virgin Mary and crucifixion motifs. Orthodox pilgrims traditionally get them done during Easter after wandering through the Old City and praying at the Holy Sepulcher Church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Tattoos cost between 20 and 100 dollars, depending on how elaborate they are.
Orthodox Christians, who follow the older Julian calendar, marked Easter at the beginning of May. Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations that observe the newer Gregorian calendar held their Easter celebrations at the end of March.

The shop is unassuming, with a simple sign reading “Tattoo & Change.” To supplement their income, the family runs a money-exchange business and sells a variety of religious objects and books, from crowns of thorns to rosaries, as well as crosses and tour guides.

Razzouk can rest assured that his family will carry on the tradition. He has been training his son Wassim, 40, to take over the family business. On a recent day, Wassim was busy tattooing customers. Anton’s 10-year-old grandson Nizzar has also shown interest in the business.

“A lot of people, when they sit down to make the tattoo, say that they’ve been waiting for this all their lives,” Wassim Razzouk said.

Thanks to FOX News!

Christ made it plain that those who do not believe that He is exactly who He says He is (God Himself) will die in their sins. They will not be forgiven of sin nor washed in His Blood and therefore, will not enter into heaven nor relationship with a Holy God.  Even though Christ went to the cross and suffered for all mankind, only those who believe on Him as Savior and Lord can enter into relationship with Him and have their sins washed away. Souls are saved so that they can do good works not saved because they do good works. All mankind’s righteousness is as filthy rags.  All mankind has been declared guilty and under the curse of sin due to Adam’s sin.  All mankind needs a savior who is sinless – Christ.  God has ordained that the plan of salvation be granted unto those who repent of their sins and embrace, by faith, the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Upon turning from sin and unto Jesus Christ, a soul is redeemed by the Holy Blood of Christ, washed from sin and born anew of the Holy Spirit.

Martin Luther and countless others have stood against this false teaching of salvation by works for centuries.  Many have lost their lives because they defied a powerful church hierarchy who denied a salvation based upon faith and sought to control the lives of their followers. But salvation is a personal event between one soul and One God.  No church or religious institution can control it or legislate it.  Because it is by faith and not works, it is a condition of the heart and only God who sees and knows all can truly know one’s heart.

Romans 3:26-28 (KJV) ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. ²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Here is what the Apostle Paul says about those who preach another gospel other than that gospel which he preached to them which is : Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Galatians 1:6-9  (KJV) ⁶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The following scripture states that “our work” if it is built upon Christ will earn us a reward, but if not, it will be burned up and we shall suffer loss.  Nonetheless, those who are  “in Christ” will be saved regardless of their work. The scriptures do not teach that we can ever “earn” our salvation because if we could then we could boast of this. We could stand before God on the day of judgment and tell Him all the wonderful things we did for Him – God forbid!!  Therefore, God has concluded all under sin that all might obtain salvation by faith, thus eliminating any boasting on the part of mankind. God grants salvation to those who come unto Him seeking His forgiveness and His righteousness in place of their sins. Salvation is the gift of God – no one can or will ever earn it.  No one could ever be good enough nor do enough good works to earn even the slightest thought of redemption.

1 Corinthians 3:14-16 (KJV) ¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Many religious people believe and teach many things that are contrary to scripture and what Jesus Himself taught.  This is true today just as it was in Jesus’s time. A ruler of the Jews name Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.  Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was sent from God since no man could do the miracles that He did unless through the power of God.  Christ knew what was on Nicodemus’ mind: the assurance of salvation.  So Christ gave him the secret to eternal salvation:

John 3:1-6 (KJV) 3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. ³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Nicodemus was very perplexed by the Words of Christ.  What did He mean by being “born again” and being “born of the spirit?” Christ told him plainly that to be “born again” or “born of the spirit” a person had to believe on Him (Jesus Christ.)

John 3:9-15 (KJV) ⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? ¹¹ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. ¹² If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ¹³ And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

No one, including the Pope, will enter into eternal life unless they believe upon Christ.  Many unbelievers will deny the truth of God’s plan of salvation.  They will argue and mock these truths and condemn any who preach such.  But this truth is not ours that we proclaim.  It is in fact God’s truth and the very Words of the Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus.  Let every man be a liar, but God Be True!!

Let no one deceive you. Only Jesus Christ has the power to save a soul from sin and eternal damnation.  No church, no preacher, no religious group, no amount of “good deeds” can get you in or out of heaven.  Only Christ Jesus has that power.  All power has been given unto Him.  Look to Jesus Christ today.  Turn to Him with all your heart, all your mind, all your being.  Call upon Him.  Mary the mother of Jesus did not die for you.  Nor did any “saint.”  There is only One Name under Heaven by which a person can be saved: Jesus Christ.  If you have ever prayed to any other, repent and turn to Christ.  He will be your High Priest, your Healer, your Redeemer, your Forgiver, your Lord, your Provider.

Jesus Christ – Him and Him Alone – King of All Kings, Lord of All Lords – The Only Savior of  True Believers!!!

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 (KJV) ⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: ⁹ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

John 3:16-17 (KJV) ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 10:9  (KJV) ⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Acts 2:21 (KJV) ²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12  (KJV) ¹² Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 16:29-31 (KJV) ²⁹ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰ And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:9 (KJV) ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

“’But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’” Jeremiah 17:7-8

When we consistently pursue Christ, we are digging our roots deeper into the ground. Trees have roots for two reasons: to stay sturdy and to absorb water. Having deep roots in Christ will keep us from being shaken during hard times and allow us to stay “fed” spiritually. It’s like eating: we need to eat every day, or we starve. In the same way, we must be persistent with our walk with God. Otherwise, we are like a tree without roots, and we fall over easily and starve.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

God does not want you to stay where you are. He wants you to grow; he wants you to learn more about Him. Do you have spare time in your day? Pray! Bored? Read His word! I challenge you to spend a minimum of 30 minutes a day with Him. Do you already do that? Go for one hour a day! One hour is only 4% of your day. There is no excuse in not being about to spend 4% of your day with Christ.

Don’t love your comfort zone! The material things in this world are temporary, but Christ is eternal.

Anyone that doesn’t see the evil in this world we live in has to be wearing blinders. There are wars and rumors of wars all around us. Governments are involved in corruption on so many levels and refuse to admit or take any responsibility for their actions. One country feels the right to annihilate another because of a difference in beliefs. We hear stories of parents killing their children and children killing their parents, abuse in homes, schools, churches and so much more…

So what is the answer to all of this mess? Do we just resolve ourselves to the fact there is nothing we can do? Do we live in our own little bubble and refuse to help and make a difference? Do we harden ourselves by ignoring others and moving forward without a thought for their difficulties?

As Christians, God has called us to a world such as this.  We are men and women with the tool of prayer at our disposal. We are men and women with the answer. Christ didn’t come to save the “found” but the lost! We have the good news and we need to share it with a dying, messed up world.

Luke 19:10 NIV ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Matthew 20:28 NIV 28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.                                                              

Luke 5:32 NIV ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

When you see destruction and heartache all around, take the time to ask God what it is you can be doing to make a difference? There is always something we can do! Pray, pray for the lost, pray for the hurting, the broken, the rebellious, the bitter, your enemies and then do something to demonstrate the love of Christ to another!

It’s important that we don’t sit on our hands and moan about the state of things without getting down on our knees and praying! Prayer is the thing that will usher in the most change.  It is a mighty and powerful weapon that is at the hands of every follower of Christ!  Even the most frail, limited body can pray and therefore is capable of bringing about huge change in this world of ours!

When you have done that ask God how you can serve others?  What can you do to be the hands and feet of Christ?  Ask Him to put people in your life that need to hear the GOOD NEWS and when He does, share it!  Ask Him to provide opportunities where you can minister love and compassion to others and when He does, do it!

We are only limited by our indifference!  Determine to make a difference in this world. Determine to help others by sharing the good news. Determine to not sit back and watch but get involved in doing Christ’s work here while you still have time and while you are able.

Psalm 145:18-19 NIV ¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;  He hears their cry and saves them.

 James 2:14-17 NIV ¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

When I think of Jesus, He is there.  And I recognize that in His answering my invitation, no one else is deprived.  (I think, actually, that as we welcome Him, something is added unto.)  That He can be Everywhere, I have no doubt.  Call this Peace.  Call this Love.  Call this Grace.  Call this what Is.  Thinking upon this unanimity of Christ, this everywhere and everywhen of His giving, and of the depth of Love’s commitment to every being, I am continually forced to explode my concept of what it means to be a being…

Here is an example I like to think about: where does this Presence end, and the ‘me’ begin?

* * * * *

I know He is everywhere, but I like to visit Him in His office.  We meet once a week in the morning, around nine.  I sit with Him, and share thoughts that arise within me- the ones that are drawn forth by His Presence.  We meet in an inner space that is heart-warming and jovial.  We laugh.  Sometimes we talk and other times we fill a silence so colorfully that words don’t matter.  Sometimes I squirm in my chair like a butterfly larva, uncertain of the meaning of this becoming, this breaking open.

Earlier today I pushed open the door to His office precisely at nine.  I was filled with a joyous anticipation for our next encounter.  He was looking out the window, and when He turned I realized it wasn’t Him.  Instead, there was a woman seated in His chair.  She said Her name was Elizabeth.

I don’t like to admit it, but I was slightly put off at first.  This was my time with Him.  I reacted- quickly, without thought or consideration- as if something was missing.  I (thought that I) knew it wouldn’t be the same without Him.  I was hesitant with the sharing of my thoughts, uncertain having just met Elizabeth, and I began with a nervous question, the small kind that you begin with when you think you are in the presence of a stranger.

“How did you meet Him?” I asked.  What I really wanted to ask was, “Where is He?”

Thoughts I did not utter began to tumble around inside of me, like old, soggy shoes tossed in the clothes dryer.  He must have known Her a long time, I thought, to have sent Her in his stead.  She must be very close to Him.  I would like that to be me one day…

Then She spoke, as if She had always known me.  Very simply, She asked me who I thought She was.  When She spoke, I recognized a Presence that could call flowers from the ground, that could wink and cause a star to touch off in a remote part of the galaxy, but my faith and my willingness was tiny.

“I don’t know,” I replied, stumbling, thinking at the time that I was being honest.  Had we not just met?

She laughed softly.  Her laughter had an ease, and a joining, as if it had come from within me, and I broke open.  It was clear to see: She possessed a Love that encompassed all things.  She felt just like Him.  My guard simply vanished.

There is a nameless Recognition available in every encounter.  We, who think the world is full of differences, have mistaken the symbol for the Reality.

* * * * *

“While one special relationship continues, all special relationships continue because they are given validity.  The holy relationship of unity depends on the release of the beliefs that foster special relationships.”  (A Course of Love, 2nd ed., 25.11)

* * * * *

Christ dwells within each of us.  This is the essence of His, and Our, unanimity.

Devotion is the practice of finding Him everywhere that He is.

* * * * *

A day is cloudy not because the sun has dimmed, but because some bit of cloud has drifted into the space between Source and Receiver.  Our journey is towards cloudlessness, that we might see the Truth that has taken up residence in all that is.

 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you… I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Isaiah 59:21 NLT

The people rebelled. They wandered far from God. Truth and righteousness were scarce in the land and corruption was the order of the day. Such was the state of Israel in Isaiah’s time.  Such is the state of many of our nations in this present day. Now, as then, God searches for a remnant of people who will stay true to Him, live in His Word and walk in His Spirit.

Are you part of this remnant? Are you part of the end-time people who will stand for righteousness at all costs? Will you forsake sin and pleasures of the flesh to follow Jesus with your whole heart? What will your answer be today my friend?

God promises never to leave His people comfortless. He will not take His Holy Spirit from you. Yes, we will mess up, we will make mistakes. We are not perfect. But, the blood of Jesus Christ makes us free from sin, shame and condemnation as we repent! That is a position of total liberation!

God has sent His Spirit to stay with you as journey through life. He will guide you, support you, encourage you, lead you and wrap you in His love continually. You can count on Him!

His Spirit and His word will not fail you. His Spirit and His word will not fail you! God paid a high price for your life and your future, and He protects His treasured possession. Depend on the Spirit of comfort today!

Next he asked her for a morsal of bread FROM HER HAND. Now it should be apparent, that if water is scarce, then grain which needs water to grow and to be harvested, will also be scarce, along with the oil which was derived from the olive tree and if there is no rain, then the olive will be scarce and expensive.

However, because she gave the last of ALL she had, God through the word of the man of God, made provision for her and her household and the prophet until she could obtain the needs of life.

God proves our faith every day. How we respond to everything show us how deep our faith and how genuine it truly is. If you have never been severely tested, you need to check up on your faith.

Let us look at our faith and the testing that comes with living by faith.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
(Jas 1:2-8)

Excuse me, did the James just say to “count it all joy when we fall into different temptations? Yes, yes he did. This is the cornerstone of living for God. Yes I know Jesus Christ is “THE” corner stone. Don’t go getting all hung up here, there is apples of gold in pictures of silver buried in them thare hills.

James is trying to point out to us that in each and every thing that befalls us in life, it is a learning experience to the end that we will develop patience. Jesus said in Luke 21:19 “in your patience, posses you your souls.”

Many times we ask God for something and expect God to quickly provide the answer and or means/provision. Not so young padawan, not so. God is going to provide IF we stay faithful to him, number one, and IF WE stay consistent to the objective. By holding on to our belief, trust, and conviction(s) we will realize our provision if we “faint not.”

Remember the persistent widow.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
(Luk 18:1-6)

Lets observe an analogy. Consider a farmer, who gathers his seed, and cultivates his land, plants his seed and waters it. Does he therefore at the end of the day go to bed and wake up the next morning expecting to harvest? Of course not. He knows, that there will be the need to continue watering, and tilling the land, until the time of harvest. He does however have the EXPECTATION of reward IF he continues in his effort to work his crop. He knows that in due time, in the EXPECTED season, he will reap that which he has sown.

How much more then shall we after planting a spiritual seed should EXPECT to reap if we “faint not.”

Let us also remember that James told us, that if we doubt, we are unstable in our faith, double minded, and a double minded person will not receive anything from God.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Heb 11:1)

Now then the farmer has “faith” that his seed will produce IF:
He plants good (worthy) seed.
Works his crop into maturity.
Prepares for the harvest.
DOES the harvesting

Faith is the substance that we POSSES for the things for which we hope.
Faith then is the evidence we POSSES for the things that have not come forth.

Faith, is the reasonable EXPECTATION of receiving that which has been planted and hoped for with earnest expectation and the evidence we show through PATIENCE.

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
(Act 3:1-8)

Lets dig deeper shall we.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
(Jas 2:14)

If a man expects to get married on the morning at a certain time, will he be married if he doesn’t go to the wedding?

If we plan a trip but don’t put the money back and save for it, are we going to take a trip?

Same goes for faith, if we lets say feel the call to do a work for God, and we don’t water it with prayer and fasting, if we don’t make time to listen to God and plan this mission, will we ever fulfill the calling?

We as I said in the earlier post, “put feet to our faith” then we will see that for which we have expectation. We also must with patience wait for our season, for these things to mature.

Remember the prophet said to bring the cake to him in her hand? She had to put the last of her substance into the hand of the prophet. She had to let go of it, surrender it. We can not make God do anything. But we can expect. If we do all we can, (she did make the cake) we have to place it in the hand of God.

If we learn to lean, then we will learn to receive. Not before. Our daily walk MUST be with expectation and with patience. For even God waited for the fullness of time before he sent Jesus Christ.

Remember we are to be led by the Spirit. It is a Spiritual life we are to live. Season everything with prayer, expecting.

The widow, said “nevertheless AT YOUR WORD.” And she did as she was commanded and she received her reward. But remember, she had to go through the testing of her faith. When the time was right, God sent his word to her, and she received, and don’t forget, she received a resurrection.

Nothing comes but by praying in faith, nothing, not once doubting. We must believe before we can receive.

In Paul’s introduction, there are several ideas that are pertinent.  First, Paul introduces Timothy and himself as slaves of Christ instead of Apostles (Philippians 1:1).  I believe Paul used the word slaves because, as slaves of Christ, the word gives connectivity with the people of Philippi, helping to form a better sense of community.  As Christians, we are all slaves to Jesus.  He paid the ultimate ransom for our lives by giving his.  As Paul did, it is important for us to humble ourselves.  We could all claim to be Apostles of Christ, but with an important title comes a sense of pride; however, pride causes a separation in our community.  Without humility, we would not be able to love one another as Christ loved us.

Second, Paul sends his greeting specifically to the holy people and the elders and deacons.  The church of Philippi is more than just the leaders – it is a community of people working together for God’s purpose.  Paul knows that each person has a place and a purpose in God’s plan, as he mentions in 1^st Corinthians 12:12-31.  We all make up the body of Christ and each have a purpose; even the weakest parts are the most necessary.  That was an important lesson both in Corinth and in Philippi, and is still as important for me today as it was to people back then.

It’s Day 40 of Break Through to a New You! Today’s focus is the 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender) that is required for exiting the wilderness and entering your Promised Land. The graven images of past “failures” and “successes” impede your strut into your Promised Land. No tragedy or triumph is as “bad” or as “good” as the story you tell about it.

Click here to listen to this morning’s call (full link is at the end of the email).

Spiritual Enrichment

READ: Review the Scripture attached to today’s lesson: Exodus 20:17 Re-read the section on 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender).

PONDER: What about myself am I willing to surrender?

PRAY: Father, tell Your greatest story through me. I surrender.

WRITE: Write what comes to you in your reading, prayer and quiet pondering.

More Thoughts on 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender)

Surrender gives way to active listening. When we surrender the narrative we’re weaving in our minds about our life, we become open and available to hear the story God wants to tell through us. Active listening is an art form to which you must acquaint yourself. It is a welcoming of God without reference to anything you’ve already experienced. Real discovery happens only in the immediate moment itself – everything else is storytelling. And, we can never comprehend the unknown by making reference to and thinking about the known. You must let go.

Testimonies

In learning communities like ours, we want to “encourage one another and build up each other” (I Thess 5:11). If you have a testimony or overcoming since starting this wilderness journey, email me at UPed@upchurch.org or post it on our FaceBook page. You never know who needs to hear your story in order to find the energy to persist.

Spread the Word

Join the conversation on our Facebook and Blog! If something came up during the day that you want to share with the group, please feel free to post a question. And, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at UPed@upchurch.org.

Listen Again

Here is the full link to the recording. You can cut and paste this into your browser if the link above doesn’t work:

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/playback.html?n=-17-65-6752859-17-65-671438-17-65-671236042-17-65-6735-17-65-67-17-65-67;0ODI4OTc4Mjg=0

Sow a Seed

UP Church thrives because of your support. If you would like pay your $25 registration fee or make a love offering to UP Church, here are 3 ways you can make that support:

1. Pay at UP Church – please give the payment in an envelope to Sherri or any teacher. Mark the envelope “10 Commandments Registration” or “10 Commandments Love Offering.”

2. Pay via PayPal. If you have a PayPal account, send a payment to uped@upchurch.org.

3. Mail a check payable to UP Church. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 24566 Los Angeles, CA 90024. Please indicate “10 Commandments Registration” or “10 Commandments Love Offering” in the check’s memo section.

We thank you for supporting UP Church. Your financial support of this ministry is appreciated.

Make today great!

With Love,

Sherri James, Assistant Minister

Understanding Principles for Better Living Church

**********************************************************************

Understanding Principles for Better Living Church

The Reverend Della Reese Lett, Minister/Founder

Spiritual Education Department

Sunday Services 1 p.m.

600 W. Queen Street, Inglewood, CA 90301

Stay in Touch

UP Church office – upchurch@upchurch.org 310-641-7991

UP Education Department – UPed@upchurch.org

Facebook -www.facebook.com/upchurch

Blog - www.theupchurch.wordpress.com

It’s Day 40 of Break Through to a New You! Today’s focus is the 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender) that is required for exiting the wilderness and entering your Promised Land. The graven images of past “failures” and “successes” impede your strut into your Promised Land. No tragedy or triumph is as “bad” or as “good” as the story you tell about it.

Click here to listen to this morning’s call (full link is at the end of the email).

Spiritual Enrichment

READ: Review the Scripture attached to today’s lesson: Exodus 20:17 Re-read the section on 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender).

PONDER: What about myself am I willing to surrender?

PRAY: Father, tell Your greatest story through me. I surrender.

WRITE: Write what comes to you in your reading, prayer and quiet pondering.

More Thoughts on 10^th Soul Attitude (Surrender)

Surrender gives way to active listening. When we surrender the narrative we’re weaving in our minds about our life, we become open and available to hear the story God wants to tell through us. Active listening is an art form to which you must acquaint yourself. It is a welcoming of God without reference to anything you’ve already experienced. Real discovery happens only in the immediate moment itself – everything else is storytelling. And, we can never comprehend the unknown by making reference to and thinking about the known. You must let go.

Testimonies

In learning communities like ours, we want to “encourage one another and build up each other” (I Thess 5:11). If you have a testimony or overcoming since starting this wilderness journey, email me at UPed@upchurch.org or post it on our FaceBook page. You never know who needs to hear your story in order to find the energy to persist.

Spread the Word

Join the conversation on our Facebook and Blog! If something came up during the day that you want to share with the group, please feel free to post a question. And, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at UPed@upchurch.org.

Listen Again

Here is the full link to the recording. You can cut and paste this into your browser if the link above doesn’t work:

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/playback.html?n=-17-65-6752859-17-65-671438-17-65-671236042-17-65-6735-17-65-67-17-65-67;0ODI4OTc4Mjg=0

Sow a Seed

UP Church thrives because of your support. If you would like pay your $25 registration fee or make a love offering to UP Church, here are 3 ways you can make that support:

1. Pay at UP Church – please give the payment in an envelope to Sherri or any teacher. Mark the envelope “10 Commandments Registration” or “10 Commandments Love Offering.”

2. Pay via PayPal. If you have a PayPal account, send a payment to uped@upchurch.org.

3. Mail a check payable to UP Church. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 24566 Los Angeles, CA 90024. Please indicate “10 Commandments Registration” or “10 Commandments Love Offering” in the check’s memo section.

We thank you for supporting UP Church. Your financial support of this ministry is appreciated.

Make today great!

With Love,

Sherri James, Assistant Minister

Understanding Principles for Better Living Church

**********************************************************************

Understanding Principles for Better Living Church

The Reverend Della Reese Lett, Minister/Founder

Spiritual Education Department

Sunday Services 1 p.m.

600 W. Queen Street, Inglewood, CA 90301

Stay in Touch

UP Church office – upchurch@upchurch.org 310-641-7991

UP Education Department – UPed@upchurch.org

Facebook -www.facebook.com/upchurch

Blog – www.theupchurch.wordpress.com

*  *  *  *  *

Anonymous asked:

Does Christianity encourage laziness? The whole concept of Grace you often speak about lets people off the hook too easily. The Bible says faith without works is dead and Jesus said all trees that bear no fruit will be chopped down and thrown into fire. The reason people are so lazy and under-motivated is because they are always told they’re some special person while no one really is all that special. So how does telling them God loves them help deflate their ego?

So occasionally I get questions like this that make me wonder: Do you really care what the answer is?  Are you trolling right now?  Are you baiting me into a trap?  Have you ever struggled alongside real hurting people? Are you teachable enough to see where you went wrong here?

Christianity encourages laziness just as much as atheism provokes genocidal baby-eating evil — which is to say, you can take any issue and spin it the way you want, and you end up with a simplified straw man that makes ya looks so smarts.

This is a “deconstructive reductionism,” like when movie nerds reduce a movie plot into a laughable writer’s room. It doesn’t add to the discussion, at all.

I love you bro and I say this knowing we might just misunderstand each other: but you’re probably taking the Grace of God and reducing it to a parody of itself, which I would reject too: because it’s not really grace.

Still with me?  Grace is not so much any one action or rule or attitude, but grace is more of a story about broken people being loved and healed.

Let me tell you about my first pastor.  When I first came to church over ten years ago, I was a stubborn thick-headed horny atheist who was looking for hot Christian girls.  I hated the sermons but I kept coming back: because there was something about this pastor.

He endured with me.  I asked him tons of annoying questions about God and the Bible, but he answered them patiently.  I screwed up a lot: I slept with a few girls in the church and confessed them all, but he never flinched.  He called me and texted me when I never replied.  He bought me lunches, dinners, books, and sent cards to my house.  He spent hours praying for me.  He never once lost his temper with me.

Over time, I realized how much of a jerk I was to him.  I didn’t listen; I was late all the time; I got drunk and went to strip clubs on Saturday nights before strolling in hungover on Sundays; I hardly asked how he was doing.  BUT: he was endlessly loving.  And the grace of this man completely melted me.  I’ve known him now for thirteen years, and there’s no way I could be the person I am today without him.

I remember small moments.  When one day I was horribly depressed, and he wrote me a letter right in front of me.  When I got out of the hospital from swallowing a bottle of pills, and he listened without judging.  When I was sobbing hysterically one day and he gripped both my hands and told me, It’ll be okay.  God still loves you and He will never stop. 

Even now, my eyes glisten and my heart swells at his sacrifice.  His grace fundamentally ripped away my selfishness and disturbed my ego.  I deserved nothing and he gave me his all.

You get it, right?  Out of gratitude, I came to love my pastor: and I realized I would do anything for him.  When you love a person, nothing is off the table.  And when you realize this person loves you back no matter what, you will be alongside them for eternity.  There’s an endless freedom and security there found in nowhere else.

But why was my pastor this way?  Because of Jesus.  It all pointed to him: and as much as my pastor loved me, Jesus loves us infinitely more.  I began to understand that grace is a love-relationship, a journey, an adventure, a story of a restless human heart who can only find wholeness in Christ.

That’s why grace is an enduring narrative that never really ends — because it will always be about a big picture filled with little moments, instead of a principle or philosophy or theology.

If this bothers you: well it should.  No one naturally likes grace.  It feels too easy, and certainly some people think they can abuse it.  But grace in and of itself can’t be abused anyway, because it’s a gift given freely regardless of how it’s received.

When someone unconditionally loves you despite you with no end in sight, it changes you.  The only other option is to beat you up with religion and rules, which can’t sustain you for your whole life.  While grace takes longer, it will become a part of you in a way that moral conformity never can. 

Without grace, we’re just clocking in our daily tasks until we “feel holy” or we’re desperately trying to hit an arbitrary standard.  With grace, we a have a limitless love that provokes us into the same kind of love.  It changes not only what you do, but what you want to do.  It turns nobodies into somebodies as long as they remember they’re nothing who received something.

That’s the only truth that could ever motivate someone to anything.  We work hard, but grace empowers every effort.