School began today for our area. Been praying today for the students. I pray that God will bring a great multitude of these students to salvation before they reach adulthood. I pray for God to protect them from being preyed upon by evil people and evil ideas. I pray that God will intervene to preserve the faith of those who know Him now, that these young ones in Him will continue in faith all of their childhood and lifetime. Dear God, let not the enemy snatch away from Jesus, as You promised to keep them in the palm of Your hand.
I pray for those who have walked away from God though brought up to know Him in Jesus. I pray for God to bring all the prodigal children home to rock solid faith in Jesus, never again to wander from Him. O Lord, preserve the work of Your hands in these loved ones.
I ask that others pray for our kids also. May this generation of our children be a great witness for Christ and enter into eternal life with us. Amen
In the Bible, myrtle trees symbolize beauty, joy, and God's presence. Anointing involves consecration and empowerment with oil, often by the Holy Spirit. A mantle is a symbol of authority or inheritance, typically passed from one person to another, signifying a transfer of spiritual leadership or ministry.
Zechariah 5 (Apparently I listed chapter 4 errantly earlier as chapter 3; sorry)
1Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
These verses are admittedly difficult to analize. Some have suggested this indicates the dimensions of a missile or some small scale nuclear warhead. It does show that the whole earth is somehow affected in particular the thief and those who "swear falsely". I would tend to think that may mean convenants such as marriages or other vows that are disregarded with God in particular. One could look at other demons in Revelation and the Book of Joel 2:9 for a similar invasion but there are some differences.
The rest of the chapter seems to indicate demonic religion taking root in the land of "Shinar" which is in ancient Mesopotamia or the area of Babylon (verse 11). This could certainly refer to the one world religion being prepared in Abu Dhabi and perhaps envisioned elsewere to bring about unity with all the Monotheistic religions; and or a new religion amalgamating mysticism from Eastern and Western faiths alike. We certainly see this as dominating the world in the first half of the Tribulation ( Rev. 17:3) before Satan overthrows it ( Rev. 17:16) and the subsequent destruction of the religious AND economic Babylon in Revelation 18.
Yes, it's true GiGi. My day has been absolutely amazing and I hope that their day will be amazing too. Full of thanks to the Father and the Son! Strong in He! Big thanks to all the intercessors. When we change the day, smilies, From day to night and then it's day with you. Always, the Lord will have praise and thanksgivings.
Fall of Adam attests to it. Day Seven is the fulfillment or making your election sure. This is the only way. Without it Day Six stands for judgment. In Adam all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"(He.2:11)
To recap: "All things were created by him, and for him:/ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist./ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence./ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell/ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:16-20) Here we have the ministry of reconciliation.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
So is used as a coordinating conjunction and it connects with the divine Will expressed."And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,"(v.26) From this we can infer the expression,"the image and likeness" is with reference to the Son who is the visible image of the invisible God. In his own image however accepts the principles that govern the action that of Power and Wisdom which in its primary sense are male and female. Thus Wisdom having built her house sends forth her maidens inviting,"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." (Pr.9:5)
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." (2.3)
The Spirit presents us with seven days indicating that we are looking the creation as willed in the mind of the Father. Seven is a tag for the whole perfect will of God. This can be broadly divided into two where Heaven covers first four days in which Day 3 points his Son in whom the Father was pleased. "And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."(He.1:6) What occurs in heaven is made manifest on the earth. Thus we read passages where a voice from heaven is heard saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(Matt.3:17)
God had established the Son as the first born of all creation. " Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Col.1:15)
Days 4 to 6 refers to the Son as the Word become flesh, "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee./ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."(He.2:12-13)
"I will declare thy name unto my brethren" makes every one called to join it. In other words we have this verse, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." The three wise men saw the glory after their fashion and set out to worship his Son. The heavenly choir appeared to some shepherds likewise. Thus the will of God has been set in motion in manifold ways. So the second division of seven days is the preaching of the Word. Day Five as we discussed in the previous post was about man appointed as the steward of God, the Son was the firstborn of all creation.
What does Day Six signify? Is it not obedience to the call? "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Without obeying the call what is he?
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life,"
Fifth day is all about life and we shall first study with regards to the life of man. We are considering the spiritual basis for life, and His creation as a memorial is set in heaven of which the four beasts attest the glory of God. In the next two days we are considering stewardship of man. Adam as the double for the Son. The third beast has the face of man. Significance of the number Three cannot be lost on anyone. Memorial in heaven is about overcomer to which Adam cannot be considered as a candidate so the face of man relates to the last Adam.
"The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit./ Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual./ The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:45-47)
The Lord from heaven proved his stewardship as we shall see in his prayer,"But these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, ....While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."( John 17:11-12)
The number Five has a bearing on the above stewardship. Guilt offering under the Law of Moses specified the value, "he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt."(Le.6:5-ESV) In the Parable of the Five Foolish Virgins who were not good stewards with the Spirit entrusted under their care we see the Number Five used accordingly.
The Spirit refers to the moving creatures that has life in terms of the waters. The Spirit draws a distinction between the seas and the land. In St John's vision the beast arises from the sea which as Isaiah qualifies it, stands for ungodly nations. (Is.57:20)
Good morning brother Spencer! Thank you! Well in my heart and life it happened. By eagles wings I was carried out of darkness and the bondage of Egypt into a new and better land. I hope you have a good day your way.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
These passages are deep with prophetic meanings. Christ (or the Branch) will bring the atonement; and allow fulfillment for Joshua and his fellowservants (part of the assembly inclusive of all saints) through the sevenfold spirit of God ( Revelation 1:4).
The stone that is engraved perhaps is signifying a new covenant like the one in Exodus 32:16; or is like the seal of the Spirit
in Ephesians 1:13; or 2 Corinthians 1:22.
Verse 10 is cross referenced by Micah 4:4 and other passages; indicating the Millennial promises for Israel which likely extends to the whole world at that time.
Here we see the reference to the two olive trees with the golden lampstand and the explanation. This parallels Revelation 11:4 as seen at the end of the chapter in verse 14. This chapter seems to imply Zerubbabel and Joshua as being the individuals in question here; while Revelation stronly suggests Elijah will return in the Tribulation ( Malachi 3:1). The second individual in my opinion based on Hebrews 9:27 could be Enoch; others have suggested other possibilities.
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.
The accuser or the enemy of our souls was apparently in some sort of compromised state due to sin. The specific cause isn't there but his garments were filthy (see Revelation 3:4 the state of many in Sardis). To be able to be in God's presence we must be unspotted ( Eph. 5:27). Therefore; the Lord forgave the iniquity (verse 4) and gave him fresh garments and a mitre (v. 5).
6 And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
These verses show a sort of permanence to Joshua's ministry if he continues in God's path. The indication in the rest of the chapter is the Lord Himself has to ensure him as well as the rest of us that through His atonement. The later part of verse 7 probably indicates other heavenly angels or other saints that may be part of the "cloud of witnesses" perhaps alluding to Heb. 12:1-2?
In Peter stating "no prophecy of the Scripture", then explains what he's referring to in the next verse, "but holy men of God spake as they were " MOVED by the HOLY GHOST "
He's speaking of the Holy Spirit voice speaking in our hearts, 2Cor 4:6, which "Treasure we have in these earthen vessels", that Peter refers to 2Peter 1:19 "a light that shines in a dark place" 1John 2:27 it's the sure Word of prophecy This is how they received the faith that we are earnestly to contend for Jude 1:3 believing that it is He speaking to us, "the Word of Faith" that's near us even in our hearts & in our mouth, that Paul preached. Rom 10:17 the Living Word, Christ, not the letter, but His Spirit.
For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy Rev 19:10 by which the Scriptures were received & written , 2 Tim 3:16
It's the Spirit of Grace appearance, refer to in John 1:9, that Peter is referring to as the sure Word, for He will speak the same meaning of the Scriptures to all, which He inspired. John 16:13
For all that would submit to Him, He will bring into the unity of the Faith of the Son of God as it was in the beginning
Acts 4:32
This present "thread" is an witness against all of you of His lack of inspiration among you,
Given forth for no other reason, but to awaken you to the reality of your condition, that you may recover from her cup.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (v.2)
The formlessness of the earth refers the body he 'hast prepared me.' In the fulness of times it shall be the new heaven and new earth. God is a Spirit moving upon the waters so what is knowable of God in the material world shall have understanding which is spontaneous. (Ro.1:20). Thus fire shall go out when the air is cut off. (Understanding in every atom in Cosmos is like a seed-"But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."-1 Co.15:38)
Light and darkness are alike unto God. God gave understanding to lower parts so when the last trump sounds the dead shall hear. " In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."(1 Co.15:52)
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light./ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." (vv.4-5)
We are considering here trinity. The Father, a Spirit, the Son body and the Word, which was God ( John 1:1) which is a voice and also a sign. Knowledge of the holy is set in terms of the gospel which is one. Light of the knowledge of the glory of God is set in terms of Jesus Christ.(2 Co.4:6) We shall put this relationship in terms of the light, as a quality in imparting understanding. God the Father of lights, the Son as the true Light. ( "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."- John 1:9)
How do we separate the light from darkness in terms of Jesus Christ? Those who put on the mind of Christ shall see through his light. (Ps.36:9) It is also called the eye of faith. It is single in focus. "thy whole body shall be full of light."(Matt.6:22) Those who see the world and its traditions lies even in darkness. "And we know that we are of God," ( 1 John 5:19-21)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The Spirit tags 'in the beginning' and it has its purpose. The narrative is about the Fellowship of God with Man. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Here it is the sovereign will of God and Isaiah gives us the analogy of the Potter and the lump of clay. (Is.45:9) In Jesus Christ it was decreed 'according to the pleasure of his will'.and He made us accepted in the beloved.
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,/ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved./ In whom we have redemption through his blood, "(Ep.1:5-7) God settled the quality of all those who would be admitted into the fellowship in his beloved' Son. Fulness of the Son is given a beginning, which is what the Spirit wants us to know. Knowledge of the holy is understanding. And St Paul gives us the purpose of the fulness of times so we are instructed by the Spirit what is the purpose of this God document. (2 Ti.3:16-'instruction in righteousness.')
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven./ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled/ In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."(Col.1:20-22)
Jesus spoke in parables to those who stood to benefit. The disciples who despite of hard sayings stuck with Jesus through thick and thin would finally admit, "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."( John 16:29)
We have another passage in the above mentioned Psalm, "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me./ Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."(139:15-16). The psalm predicts the death of the Son and he went to preach to the souls in prison. "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;"(1 Pe.3:19). Jesus had referred the sign of Jonah to speak of his death. Jonah was interred three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. Here we have the Spirit setting people, events in terms of the Son, "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
So the psalmist would give us this reference, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." Jesus came down to the will of his Father and even death could not hold him down. Now he is set down on the right side of the Most high. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."( John 1:16). If we should still treat our bodies to do our will we have no other remedy.
How the mind of God and of the Son are set against each other by the Spirit can have only one conclusion. doing the will of God. So the writer t the Hebrews speak of Jesus, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:/ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure./ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."(He.10:5-7). God had prepared a body, which spoke of the body of the Son. In perfecting the will while he was in human likeness, the cross must surely speak the death of a malefactor in the eyes of the world but it spelled fulness in the mind of God. So the mind of God teaches us a key to his holiness, which is patience. In the mind of Christ it was obedience. It was perfection truly personified in his single sacrifice. This we see in the Psalm 139, which is about the body of Jesus Christ.
Here is the quote: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth./ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."(Ps.139:15-16)
How does the Spirit refer to it in the creation account? "The earth was without form and void" Those who approached it literally would go on to make the most egregious conclusions so much so they would drag the whole nation into their foolishness. John Scopes 'monkey trial, Tennessee in 1925 ' was a natural conclusion. God does not err. Man errs because he applies reason where faith is required.
Let Darwin score his point but the Spirit wants those who wish to be part of the Body of Christ to be obedient as the Son was. Jesus knew who were his and who were not.
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and FROM ALL COUNTRIES whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
What is the significance of the cloud of witnesses (He.12:1). They are positioned in the world of the Spirit while we witnessing in real time to the world. They are as real in the will of God as we are in real time struggling to keep ourselves steady in the midst a world running helter -skelter chasing 'a good life'. While we look to the cloud in our mind's eye do not they signify what we are? They are angels called to be saints, that in the divine Will is as real as the slain Lamb for an emblem. The eternal word (He.13:8) gives them a definite place ("Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:/ That we should be to the praise of his glory, "-Ep.1:11-12) in the Salvation Plan of God. They are like stars and one third of them shall be cast down by the dragon.(Re. 12:4). One third refers to the Son signifying that they having been misled forfeit " all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."
The World of the Spirit earmarked us "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"and the purpose is clear:"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him/ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance," Political expediency of Constantine the great was merely an underhand swipe of the red dragon but once complacency sets in the Christian world, before they realized were part of a sequence that Satan had certainly engineered. Traditions of Mother Church create their own narrative. For this reason Jesus forewarned, For many are called but few are chosen.
"And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."(v.8)
Here the Spirit is speaking of the Fellowship of God, a Spirit with Man. What holds them together which is what Law here signifies so testimony of Jacob is same as testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophesy. In the prayer of Jesus speaks, 'Sanctify them (his disciples) with truth; thy word is truth." ( John 17:17)
this Word is the truth, the Law basis for the kingdom of God. The Word became flesh and in his human likeness he made manifest Truth as doable. "I am the truth." Spirit of Christ before the Advent is what the Holy Spirit refers here. Speaking of the nation of Israel their fathers were a stubborn and rebellious generation as they would do to the man sent from God. They denied him, In short we see the rebellious spirit of disobedience evolving generations after generations along with this part of the creation account. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"(Ge.2:4) God separated light from darkness which creates generations after generations of children of wrath whose spirit was not steadfast with God. So in the Psalm what do their fathers ask? "Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?"(78:20). Now they want prosperity! Children want toys that rattle and that come with colors and shapes. Similarly babes in Christ want jingle of material wealth. These are 'other man's riches' as Jesus would say. ( Luke 16:11-12)
Most say that Moses wrote Genesis-Deuteronomy. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write not only what he experienced in his lifetime, but also Genesis. Did the Holy Spirit give him direct revelation concerning Genesis, especially about creation or did the Holy Spirit help him recall what had been passed down from generation to generation? I really cannot say. If it is the latter, then i feel that I must assume that God preserved the truth of what occurred as it was passed from generation to generation.
( 2 Pet 1:5-10) These verses are (clearly) prophecy written for us today. The first verse says ( 2 Pet 1:1) "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, TO THEM THAT HAVE OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
This is prophecy for us today! End quote.
I believe to "those that have obtained" is present tense. ( local.)
Quoting you again.
2 Pet 1:15
"Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease (to have these things always in remembrance)
TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS! This is prophecy for us today. End quote.
I see this as Peter is writing "to them that have obtained" (In that day) When Peter die he is telling them not to forget what he told them in the previous verses.
"be partakers of the divine nature ect...
Let's look at 2 Peter 1:18
"And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."
THEY WERE EYE WHITNESSES!
But yet Peter says "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
PETER IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS IN HIS POSSESSION! And what energized those prophets who wrote the prophecies. THE HOLYSPIRIT. Not the will of man with his private interpretation.
( Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came NOT IN OLD TIME by the will of man: but holy men of God spake AS THEY were moved by the Holy Ghost.)
2 Peter 1:20-21.
"Not in old time" puts the time that the group (THEY) in the OT.
That's all I have Jimbob.
I believe you and Brother Chris have covered a great length on this and he's more adequate to debate you on this topic than I am.
Rugged individualism; taken too far results in pride and that comes before a fall. ( Prov. 16:18). A sluggard; however will not eat of his own harvest ( Prov. 19:24 loosely translated. Proverbs 20:4 in a similar light says a sluggard won't plow in the cold and later will go hungry. Today; we are more or less totally dependant on food supply brought through transport and our current economic infrastructure; except for the small percent of farmers and those growing substantial gardens or hunting for meat who are off the grid. This; and providing a generator and having sufficient money and provisions for disaster is probably lacking for anything more than a few days for many people. This is something not everyone can afford to do; but for those who can we need to consider our other brothers and sisters in the Lord we can help; to be the "head not the tail" in situations of lending or giving to those in need ( Deut. 28:13). Such wisdom comes from above.
Training our arm for war ( Psalm 18:34; Psalm 144:1) may not be popular if we are pacifists; but if we are to fight it should be something we are well trained in (such as those in Israel who have mandatory time in the Army to ensure the survival of the State). Such an attitude surely will keep our schools and communities safer if authorities and parents as well as children themselves are tought PROPERLY how to defend themselves.
There is no substitute; of course for prayer; and trusting God in our protection through angelic assistance ( Psalm 91:11-12). All of our strength of course is dependant upon the Lord. We are asked in James to seek wisdom to obtain it ( James 1:5). Balance is needed; we cannot naively trust our government to be able to protect us from all ills; and with its deficit if the Lord tarries we should prepare ourselves for much less help from them financially and otherwise.
For now let us all seek to "work heartily unto the Lord" if we can. ( Col. 3
Recently; I was given a survey by a pro life organization which asked me about various issues. I stated that all lives; whether born children; elderly or those in the womb should be valued. We clearly live in a suicidal culture where anything of value has been cheapened; and the value of a traditional marriage seems to have been removed as a serious concept. We face challenges from those who would terminate the life of the elderly with "assisted suicide" not just for unbearable pain but for those with various psychological issues. We see unborn life to be considered "parasites" by those in the trending values of society. No doubt the cheap thrills of drugs and the trivialization of the value of life through violent anime has blurred reality from fiction and allowed youth to have less restraint on taking another life to justify their "manifesto" or just in robbing someone of a few dollars.
In the scripture; we know that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked ( Ezekiel 18:23). He judges according to His standards. Deutoronomy 30:19 encourages us to choose life and that benefits our descendants as well (loosely translated). It also gives a choice for cursings or blessings. Joshua 24:15 states to choose who you will serve and later in the verse states "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
More homes need this as their standard. Children clearly need care to a certain age; but there are times when unacceptable behavior and disrespect for authority may force the issue and they need to be removed until repentant. The fear of the Lord needs to be something along with respect that obviously is missing in many homes today. Proper firmness is needed and we need to show as parents that if we love God we obey His commandments. ( John 15:10; 1 John 2:3). Proper love means discipline; we cannot follow permissiveness as Proverbs 13:24 states; there are verses that say the soul is saved ( Prov. 19:18) with discipline.
"In my heart and life it happened. By eagles wings I was carried out of darkness and the bondage of Egypt into a new and better land.
That reminds me of Philippians 1:6.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
God bless
I pray for those who have walked away from God though brought up to know Him in Jesus. I pray for God to bring all the prodigal children home to rock solid faith in Jesus, never again to wander from Him. O Lord, preserve the work of Your hands in these loved ones.
I ask that others pray for our kids also. May this generation of our children be a great witness for Christ and enter into eternal life with us. Amen
1Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
These verses are admittedly difficult to analize. Some have suggested this indicates the dimensions of a missile or some small scale nuclear warhead. It does show that the whole earth is somehow affected in particular the thief and those who "swear falsely". I would tend to think that may mean convenants such as marriages or other vows that are disregarded with God in particular. One could look at other demons in Revelation and the Book of Joel 2:9 for a similar invasion but there are some differences.
The rest of the chapter seems to indicate demonic religion taking root in the land of "Shinar" which is in ancient Mesopotamia or the area of Babylon (verse 11). This could certainly refer to the one world religion being prepared in Abu Dhabi and perhaps envisioned elsewere to bring about unity with all the Monotheistic religions; and or a new religion amalgamating mysticism from Eastern and Western faiths alike. We certainly see this as dominating the world in the first half of the Tribulation ( Rev. 17:3) before Satan overthrows it ( Rev. 17:16) and the subsequent destruction of the religious AND economic Babylon in Revelation 18.
Love you in the Lord Jesus.
Fall of Adam attests to it. Day Seven is the fulfillment or making your election sure. This is the only way. Without it Day Six stands for judgment. In Adam all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"(He.2:11)
To recap: "All things were created by him, and for him:/ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist./ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence./ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell/ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:16-20) Here we have the ministry of reconciliation.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
So is used as a coordinating conjunction and it connects with the divine Will expressed."And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,"(v.26) From this we can infer the expression,"the image and likeness" is with reference to the Son who is the visible image of the invisible God. In his own image however accepts the principles that govern the action that of Power and Wisdom which in its primary sense are male and female. Thus Wisdom having built her house sends forth her maidens inviting,"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." (Pr.9:5)
Overview
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." (2.3)
The Spirit presents us with seven days indicating that we are looking the creation as willed in the mind of the Father. Seven is a tag for the whole perfect will of God. This can be broadly divided into two where Heaven covers first four days in which Day 3 points his Son in whom the Father was pleased. "And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."(He.1:6) What occurs in heaven is made manifest on the earth. Thus we read passages where a voice from heaven is heard saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(Matt.3:17)
God had established the Son as the first born of all creation. " Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Col.1:15)
Days 4 to 6 refers to the Son as the Word become flesh, "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee./ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."(He.2:12-13)
"I will declare thy name unto my brethren" makes every one called to join it. In other words we have this verse, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." The three wise men saw the glory after their fashion and set out to worship his Son. The heavenly choir appeared to some shepherds likewise. Thus the will of God has been set in motion in manifold ways. So the second division of seven days is the preaching of the Word. Day Five as we discussed in the previous post was about man appointed as the steward of God, the Son was the firstborn of all creation.
What does Day Six signify? Is it not obedience to the call? "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Without obeying the call what is he?
The Fifth Day
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life,"
Fifth day is all about life and we shall first study with regards to the life of man. We are considering the spiritual basis for life, and His creation as a memorial is set in heaven of which the four beasts attest the glory of God. In the next two days we are considering stewardship of man. Adam as the double for the Son. The third beast has the face of man. Significance of the number Three cannot be lost on anyone. Memorial in heaven is about overcomer to which Adam cannot be considered as a candidate so the face of man relates to the last Adam.
"The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit./ Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual./ The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:45-47)
The Lord from heaven proved his stewardship as we shall see in his prayer,"But these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, ....While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."( John 17:11-12)
The number Five has a bearing on the above stewardship. Guilt offering under the Law of Moses specified the value, "he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt."(Le.6:5-ESV) In the Parable of the Five Foolish Virgins who were not good stewards with the Spirit entrusted under their care we see the Number Five used accordingly.
The Spirit refers to the moving creatures that has life in terms of the waters. The Spirit draws a distinction between the seas and the land. In St John's vision the beast arises from the sea which as Isaiah qualifies it, stands for ungodly nations. (Is.57:20)
:)
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
These passages are deep with prophetic meanings. Christ (or the Branch) will bring the atonement; and allow fulfillment for Joshua and his fellowservants (part of the assembly inclusive of all saints) through the sevenfold spirit of God ( Revelation 1:4).
The stone that is engraved perhaps is signifying a new covenant like the one in Exodus 32:16; or is like the seal of the Spirit
in Ephesians 1:13; or 2 Corinthians 1:22.
Verse 10 is cross referenced by Micah 4:4 and other passages; indicating the Millennial promises for Israel which likely extends to the whole world at that time.
Here we see the reference to the two olive trees with the golden lampstand and the explanation. This parallels Revelation 11:4 as seen at the end of the chapter in verse 14. This chapter seems to imply Zerubbabel and Joshua as being the individuals in question here; while Revelation stronly suggests Elijah will return in the Tribulation ( Malachi 3:1). The second individual in my opinion based on Hebrews 9:27 could be Enoch; others have suggested other possibilities.
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.
The accuser or the enemy of our souls was apparently in some sort of compromised state due to sin. The specific cause isn't there but his garments were filthy (see Revelation 3:4 the state of many in Sardis). To be able to be in God's presence we must be unspotted ( Eph. 5:27). Therefore; the Lord forgave the iniquity (verse 4) and gave him fresh garments and a mitre (v. 5).
6 And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
These verses show a sort of permanence to Joshua's ministry if he continues in God's path. The indication in the rest of the chapter is the Lord Himself has to ensure him as well as the rest of us that through His atonement. The later part of verse 7 probably indicates other heavenly angels or other saints that may be part of the "cloud of witnesses" perhaps alluding to Heb. 12:1-2?
Friends,
In Peter stating "no prophecy of the Scripture", then explains what he's referring to in the next verse, "but holy men of God spake as they were " MOVED by the HOLY GHOST "
He's speaking of the Holy Spirit voice speaking in our hearts, 2Cor 4:6, which "Treasure we have in these earthen vessels", that Peter refers to 2Peter 1:19 "a light that shines in a dark place" 1John 2:27 it's the sure Word of prophecy This is how they received the faith that we are earnestly to contend for Jude 1:3 believing that it is He speaking to us, "the Word of Faith" that's near us even in our hearts & in our mouth, that Paul preached. Rom 10:17 the Living Word, Christ, not the letter, but His Spirit.
For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy Rev 19:10 by which the Scriptures were received & written , 2 Tim 3:16
It's the Spirit of Grace appearance, refer to in John 1:9, that Peter is referring to as the sure Word, for He will speak the same meaning of the Scriptures to all, which He inspired. John 16:13
For all that would submit to Him, He will bring into the unity of the Faith of the Son of God as it was in the beginning
Acts 4:32
This present "thread" is an witness against all of you of His lack of inspiration among you,
Given forth for no other reason, but to awaken you to the reality of your condition, that you may recover from her cup.
Rev 17:2-5
In love & truth
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (v.2)
The formlessness of the earth refers the body he 'hast prepared me.' In the fulness of times it shall be the new heaven and new earth. God is a Spirit moving upon the waters so what is knowable of God in the material world shall have understanding which is spontaneous. (Ro.1:20). Thus fire shall go out when the air is cut off. (Understanding in every atom in Cosmos is like a seed-"But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."-1 Co.15:38)
Light and darkness are alike unto God. God gave understanding to lower parts so when the last trump sounds the dead shall hear. " In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."(1 Co.15:52)
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light./ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." (vv.4-5)
We are considering here trinity. The Father, a Spirit, the Son body and the Word, which was God ( John 1:1) which is a voice and also a sign. Knowledge of the holy is set in terms of the gospel which is one. Light of the knowledge of the glory of God is set in terms of Jesus Christ.(2 Co.4:6) We shall put this relationship in terms of the light, as a quality in imparting understanding. God the Father of lights, the Son as the true Light. ( "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."- John 1:9)
How do we separate the light from darkness in terms of Jesus Christ? Those who put on the mind of Christ shall see through his light. (Ps.36:9) It is also called the eye of faith. It is single in focus. "thy whole body shall be full of light."(Matt.6:22) Those who see the world and its traditions lies even in darkness. "And we know that we are of God," ( 1 John 5:19-21)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The Spirit tags 'in the beginning' and it has its purpose. The narrative is about the Fellowship of God with Man. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Here it is the sovereign will of God and Isaiah gives us the analogy of the Potter and the lump of clay. (Is.45:9) In Jesus Christ it was decreed 'according to the pleasure of his will'.and He made us accepted in the beloved.
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,/ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved./ In whom we have redemption through his blood, "(Ep.1:5-7) God settled the quality of all those who would be admitted into the fellowship in his beloved' Son. Fulness of the Son is given a beginning, which is what the Spirit wants us to know. Knowledge of the holy is understanding. And St Paul gives us the purpose of the fulness of times so we are instructed by the Spirit what is the purpose of this God document. (2 Ti.3:16-'instruction in righteousness.')
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven./ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled/ In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."(Col.1:20-22)
Jesus spoke in parables to those who stood to benefit. The disciples who despite of hard sayings stuck with Jesus through thick and thin would finally admit, "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."( John 16:29)
We have another passage in the above mentioned Psalm, "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me./ Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."(139:15-16). The psalm predicts the death of the Son and he went to preach to the souls in prison. "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;"(1 Pe.3:19). Jesus had referred the sign of Jonah to speak of his death. Jonah was interred three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. Here we have the Spirit setting people, events in terms of the Son, "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
So the psalmist would give us this reference, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." Jesus came down to the will of his Father and even death could not hold him down. Now he is set down on the right side of the Most high. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."( John 1:16). If we should still treat our bodies to do our will we have no other remedy.
How the mind of God and of the Son are set against each other by the Spirit can have only one conclusion. doing the will of God. So the writer t the Hebrews speak of Jesus, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:/ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure./ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."(He.10:5-7). God had prepared a body, which spoke of the body of the Son. In perfecting the will while he was in human likeness, the cross must surely speak the death of a malefactor in the eyes of the world but it spelled fulness in the mind of God. So the mind of God teaches us a key to his holiness, which is patience. In the mind of Christ it was obedience. It was perfection truly personified in his single sacrifice. This we see in the Psalm 139, which is about the body of Jesus Christ.
Here is the quote: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth./ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."(Ps.139:15-16)
How does the Spirit refer to it in the creation account? "The earth was without form and void" Those who approached it literally would go on to make the most egregious conclusions so much so they would drag the whole nation into their foolishness. John Scopes 'monkey trial, Tennessee in 1925 ' was a natural conclusion. God does not err. Man errs because he applies reason where faith is required.
Let Darwin score his point but the Spirit wants those who wish to be part of the Body of Christ to be obedient as the Son was. Jesus knew who were his and who were not.
That's a wonderful verse.
God sanctified his Great name in Egypt.
That reminds me of Jeremiah 23:5-8.
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and FROM ALL COUNTRIES whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Haven't happened yet!
God bless
Sometimes one pays attention to the heading of each paragraph. Today I read by, and see everyone!
John 5:19-25
God bless you all i love you all in Christ. Stay close to Him Jesus.
"Spirit steadfast with God"
What is the significance of the cloud of witnesses (He.12:1). They are positioned in the world of the Spirit while we witnessing in real time to the world. They are as real in the will of God as we are in real time struggling to keep ourselves steady in the midst a world running helter -skelter chasing 'a good life'. While we look to the cloud in our mind's eye do not they signify what we are? They are angels called to be saints, that in the divine Will is as real as the slain Lamb for an emblem. The eternal word (He.13:8) gives them a definite place ("Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:/ That we should be to the praise of his glory, "-Ep.1:11-12) in the Salvation Plan of God. They are like stars and one third of them shall be cast down by the dragon.(Re. 12:4). One third refers to the Son signifying that they having been misled forfeit " all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."
The World of the Spirit earmarked us "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"and the purpose is clear:"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him/ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance," Political expediency of Constantine the great was merely an underhand swipe of the red dragon but once complacency sets in the Christian world, before they realized were part of a sequence that Satan had certainly engineered. Traditions of Mother Church create their own narrative. For this reason Jesus forewarned, For many are called but few are chosen.
Spirit Steadfast With God
"And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."(v.8)
Here the Spirit is speaking of the Fellowship of God, a Spirit with Man. What holds them together which is what Law here signifies so testimony of Jacob is same as testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophesy. In the prayer of Jesus speaks, 'Sanctify them (his disciples) with truth; thy word is truth." ( John 17:17)
this Word is the truth, the Law basis for the kingdom of God. The Word became flesh and in his human likeness he made manifest Truth as doable. "I am the truth." Spirit of Christ before the Advent is what the Holy Spirit refers here. Speaking of the nation of Israel their fathers were a stubborn and rebellious generation as they would do to the man sent from God. They denied him, In short we see the rebellious spirit of disobedience evolving generations after generations along with this part of the creation account. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"(Ge.2:4) God separated light from darkness which creates generations after generations of children of wrath whose spirit was not steadfast with God. So in the Psalm what do their fathers ask? "Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?"(78:20). Now they want prosperity! Children want toys that rattle and that come with colors and shapes. Similarly babes in Christ want jingle of material wealth. These are 'other man's riches' as Jesus would say. ( Luke 16:11-12)
Glad to hear from you.
Most say that Moses wrote Genesis-Deuteronomy. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write not only what he experienced in his lifetime, but also Genesis. Did the Holy Spirit give him direct revelation concerning Genesis, especially about creation or did the Holy Spirit help him recall what had been passed down from generation to generation? I really cannot say. If it is the latter, then i feel that I must assume that God preserved the truth of what occurred as it was passed from generation to generation.
"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." Exodus 19:4 KJV
I recommend you google (Truth is Christ) on youtube and watch this video
The BIBLE in our hand is the Twoedged SWORD of His MOUTH - Clear Evidence. Or any of those videos.
Some of them are Amazing! They show many patterns in numbers and words that only God could have created.
May God pour out Blessings upon you Spencer.
You said.
( 2 Pet 1:5-10) These verses are (clearly) prophecy written for us today. The first verse says ( 2 Pet 1:1) "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, TO THEM THAT HAVE OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
This is prophecy for us today! End quote.
I believe to "those that have obtained" is present tense. ( local.)
Quoting you again.
2 Pet 1:15
"Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease (to have these things always in remembrance)
TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS! This is prophecy for us today. End quote.
I see this as Peter is writing "to them that have obtained" (In that day) When Peter die he is telling them not to forget what he told them in the previous verses.
"be partakers of the divine nature ect...
Let's look at 2 Peter 1:18
"And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."
THEY WERE EYE WHITNESSES!
But yet Peter says "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
PETER IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS IN HIS POSSESSION! And what energized those prophets who wrote the prophecies. THE HOLYSPIRIT. Not the will of man with his private interpretation.
( Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came NOT IN OLD TIME by the will of man: but holy men of God spake AS THEY were moved by the Holy Ghost.)
2 Peter 1:20-21.
"Not in old time" puts the time that the group (THEY) in the OT.
That's all I have Jimbob.
I believe you and Brother Chris have covered a great length on this and he's more adequate to debate you on this topic than I am.
So I end it here.
God bless.
Rugged individualism; taken too far results in pride and that comes before a fall. ( Prov. 16:18). A sluggard; however will not eat of his own harvest ( Prov. 19:24 loosely translated. Proverbs 20:4 in a similar light says a sluggard won't plow in the cold and later will go hungry. Today; we are more or less totally dependant on food supply brought through transport and our current economic infrastructure; except for the small percent of farmers and those growing substantial gardens or hunting for meat who are off the grid. This; and providing a generator and having sufficient money and provisions for disaster is probably lacking for anything more than a few days for many people. This is something not everyone can afford to do; but for those who can we need to consider our other brothers and sisters in the Lord we can help; to be the "head not the tail" in situations of lending or giving to those in need ( Deut. 28:13). Such wisdom comes from above.
Training our arm for war ( Psalm 18:34; Psalm 144:1) may not be popular if we are pacifists; but if we are to fight it should be something we are well trained in (such as those in Israel who have mandatory time in the Army to ensure the survival of the State). Such an attitude surely will keep our schools and communities safer if authorities and parents as well as children themselves are tought PROPERLY how to defend themselves.
There is no substitute; of course for prayer; and trusting God in our protection through angelic assistance ( Psalm 91:11-12). All of our strength of course is dependant upon the Lord. We are asked in James to seek wisdom to obtain it ( James 1:5). Balance is needed; we cannot naively trust our government to be able to protect us from all ills; and with its deficit if the Lord tarries we should prepare ourselves for much less help from them financially and otherwise.
For now let us all seek to "work heartily unto the Lord" if we can. ( Col. 3
Recently; I was given a survey by a pro life organization which asked me about various issues. I stated that all lives; whether born children; elderly or those in the womb should be valued. We clearly live in a suicidal culture where anything of value has been cheapened; and the value of a traditional marriage seems to have been removed as a serious concept. We face challenges from those who would terminate the life of the elderly with "assisted suicide" not just for unbearable pain but for those with various psychological issues. We see unborn life to be considered "parasites" by those in the trending values of society. No doubt the cheap thrills of drugs and the trivialization of the value of life through violent anime has blurred reality from fiction and allowed youth to have less restraint on taking another life to justify their "manifesto" or just in robbing someone of a few dollars.
In the scripture; we know that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked ( Ezekiel 18:23). He judges according to His standards. Deutoronomy 30:19 encourages us to choose life and that benefits our descendants as well (loosely translated). It also gives a choice for cursings or blessings. Joshua 24:15 states to choose who you will serve and later in the verse states "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
More homes need this as their standard. Children clearly need care to a certain age; but there are times when unacceptable behavior and disrespect for authority may force the issue and they need to be removed until repentant. The fear of the Lord needs to be something along with respect that obviously is missing in many homes today. Proper firmness is needed and we need to show as parents that if we love God we obey His commandments. ( John 15:10; 1 John 2:3). Proper love means discipline; we cannot follow permissiveness as Proverbs 13:24 states; there are verses that say the soul is saved ( Prov. 19:18) with discipline.