Happy New Year of Hope

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. - Genesis 1:3-5

From the beginning, God has reminded us of His unfailing providence. Just as we never doubt the sun will rise again in the morning, and we schedule events and set up 401k's for several decades in the future knowing the world will continue to turn. In the same way, we should have eternal hope in God because He's even more reliable than the rising and falling of the sun. Notice a day for Him starts in the darkness and ends in the light. Just like this, the world started in darkness. Yes, we are still there, yet we see the hues of the sky lightening with the coming day. Have faith, because hope will come in the morning, and it surely will, in a blaze of glory like a sunrise.

Genesis states with each new day of creation, "And there was evening, and there was morning." Yet, when he comes upon the seventh day, the sun never rises. We are told the following:

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. - Genesis 3:2-3

Let us look to the sky with anticipation and joy. The morning is coming, and it will be good.

Happy New Year and God bless!

The Seed, The Branch, the King Forever - Ancient Prophecies

Did you know God announced Jesus' birth to Adam and Eve? Did you know the Bible repeatedly prophesized Jesus in books dated thousands of years before His arrival as human?

God spoke to the serpent in the garden:

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

Abraham is told that through his offspring, “all nations on earth will be blessed.” Genesis 22:18

Many times in Genesis, the Angel of the Lord (just a title for a messenger of heaven) appears who is also called "the Lord/Yahweh," which makes many believe He may have been Jesus himself. Hagar even tells this "Angel", "You are the God who sees me... I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13

Abraham was halted in his sacrifice of Jacob by an Angel of Yahweh (Genesis 22:11,15), Moses spoke to an Angel of Yahweh who spoke through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and announced He was Yahweh, at which point Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God(Exodus 3:6). This "angel" shows up many more times throughout the Old Testament.

Jacob is told "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17

Jesse is told "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him.” Isaiah 11:1

Jesus would be born of a virgin as foretold long before:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

David is told "The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land … This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteous savior." Jeremiah 23:5-6

He is also told "When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13

This turns out to not be Solomon (notice his throne was not established forever). He failed to be the perfect man needed for the job.

Jeremiah prophesized the King's edict to kill all first-borns once Jesus was born:

"A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Jeremiah 31:15

Micah, a prophet, announced "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

The fact Joseph and Mary would flee to Egypt until King Herod died was predicted by Hosea:

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." Hosea 11:1

Finally, Jesus' earthly parents learned of His nature when God sent messengers and dreams to them:

“Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:30-33

The prophecies of old came to fruition, and the angels praised God.

Suddenly, a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!” Luke 2:13-14

For those doubtful of His identity, Jesus stated, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me," John 5:39


May you all have a Merry Christmas and God bless!



Sources other than the Bible:
https://gordonconwell.edu/blog/jesus-in-the-old-testament/
https://www.ccbcfamily.org/old-testament-prophecies-birth-jesus/

Finding Eden

God spoke through me this past weekend.

I've been listening to a Podcast (The Bible Project, if you're interested) in which the hosts have been speaking about the Sabbath, the number 7 as reflective of the Sabbath day, and the repetition of both in the Bible. The first time the Kingdom of God was recognized was within the Garden of Eden. During this time of bliss, we were in complete harmony with each other, with nature, and ultimately with God. It was there where work never exhausted our souls, and we never depended on our blood, sweat, and tears to ensure our survival. We depended only on God and never doubted that we had enough.

The Sabbath, a day of rest, existed even then, but it appeared to be more of a reminder of God's providence than a necessity. In a way, every day was Sabbath. The 7th day is a microcosm of the Kingdom of God, and now that we no longer live in the Garden of Eden, we need that reminder of God's promises more than ever. Plus, we need the rest.

Over and over, God reminds us to rest. There first was the weekly Sabbath, then as festivals and holy days were added to the Hebrew calendar, there were yearly Sabbaths, and Sabbaths which came every 7 years (all slaves were freed and debts forgiven as the ideal God wanted every day). Every time the number 7 comes up in the Bible (and I dare say elsewhere in our lives), God is reminding us of this:

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9-10

I can't put here all the times God told us to rest. We've been out of Eden so long we don't even realize how hard we toil, but God does, and He wants you to stop, be still, rest. However, we no longer live in Eden; we no longer live in the Kingdom of God... or do we? Where is the Kingdom of God? People throughout history have searched for the elusive Eden that used to be between the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates. If we found that place, would we find the Kingdom of God? Or maybe it's in the land of Israel, the promised land the Hebrews wondered the desert for forty years to find?

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:36-37

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

I need for you to understand this thing God has revealed to me. Eden is not here or there. Eden is wherever God is. Is it not with Him that we are provided for, in Him we rest with peace and joy, for Him that we raise one another up in love? The Kingdom of God is here, amongst us, and those who have faith and live in love live also in the Kingdom of God already. We have enough, and we are enough through God.

As you reflect on the Christmas season that's upon us, notice the "Christmas Spirit," as people call it. We should be living it daily. Can you imagine the dark corners of this world that would be illuminated with the light and joy we could spread? When Jesus walked on this Earth, He lived as a person already in the Kingdom of God. One day, there will be a new Heaven and Earth, and the whole of humanity will live without the storms and darkness we have now. Until then, live as if you already are in the New Heaven and Earth because the Kingdom of God resides wherever the King does, and that's here and now.

It is by Him, not our own toils, that we live and die. So, rest.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

God bless!





Sources other than the Bible:

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/513212/jewish/When-Is-the-Next-Jubilee-Year.htm

How do you know someone really is saved?

You don't. There you go; end post. Everyone go home cause that's it for the day...

No, actually come back. Let's speak on a few things concerning salvation because we all hear of Christians (with a Big C) crashing and burning and of secular, Worldly people (with an equally large W) claiming to be finally saved. With the Justin Biebers and Kanye's coming out to the public as newly professed believers, many are right to be skeptical. I mean, famous people are known to be spotlight hogs, and what better way to generate new interest than to do something unexpected and big?

I get it. I really do. Yet, this is a topic that's super important, not because it personally affects you if either of those pop culture icons actually have run to the Father or not... or does it? In a corrupt world full of evil, lies, and golden tongues, it can be difficult at times to be able to discern the influences you should allow in your life. This is not just about so-called stars and big name preachers, this is about what it means to be saved and what it means to discern or judge. This is about knowing who is a fellow disciple.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. - Matthew 7:15-20

It's sometimes best to watch and wait because the truth will out in the end. Some will say, wait!, this clearly says prophets and most people (famous or not) don't allege to be prophets. First, prophets were people who spoke on behalf of God. The point was making sure you and others aren't led astray by them. That could apply not only to big, name influencers, rabbis and preachers, but also you and me. We, as disciples, speak on behalf of God on the daily. If someone is claiming to be Christians, they are claiming to be disciples, and everything they do and say is on behalf of God.

Fruits are their actions and what they generate in the world. Are they doing good and wholesome things or are their actions shady, debatable, or downright corrupt?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me - John 10:27

If they recognize and love God's voice, their words and actions will reflect that in some manner. No one is perfect, remember this and repeat it frequently. A person who is saved will always fail to live up Jesus' example. That's the point. We need God. That doesn't change because we're saved.

The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:7b

Met someone particularly cross, covered in tattoos (really, some still judge this), or otherwise not looking outwardly like whatever you think a believer is supposed to look like? See, here's the thing. A disciple doesn't look a certain way. Some will be good at going to church and some will never go. Some will be straight laced and buttoned-up at all times and some will forget to bathe. We don't know people's hearts, at what developmental point they are in their relationship with God, nor what their purpose is here on Earth. What we do know is that God can see more clearly than we can whether someone is saved or not.

No matter if someone is saved or not, you should be an example of God's love. If they profess that they are a Christian, whether they are saved or not (and you CAN'T really know this FOR SURE), you treat them as a follower of Jesus. If they do something wrong, you correct them as a sister or brother. Let's look at one more verse.

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. - Mark 9:38-42

If someone professes to be a follower of Jesus and good comes of it, whether the person is saved or not, they still did good for His kingdom. However, if they use God's name to instead do bad, they are breaking a commandment to not use God's name in vain.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:34-35

Not only will you see that a truly saved person will treat other believers in Love (like they should Love everyone!), but you should do the same. Nothing is impossible with God, and while we should be ever vigilant, we should also remember to not become hardened. A saved person who has fallen needs our love. A worldly person who has found God needs our love. They need our hope and support. So, if they’ve never actually been saved, they will be blown away by the Love of our God and our family.

To conclude, we can circle back to the beginning. You can't know for certain whether someone is saved since there's no telling what is in their heart. However, you can figure out if someone is doing good for God's kingdom and is a good influence if their actions and words line up with God's ways and words. Let's celebrate with hope those who claim to have been lifted and saved. God has saved many condemned, damaged souls who seemed unrepairable. Let's not be jaded like the world.

God bless!

How does God see Time?

What is Time according to God?

A seven day week can be found in both Jewish and Babylonian cultures. Most sources will state that the seven day week originated with Babylon since they have written accounts of that measurement of time going back about 3000 years. They would, of course, scoff at using a religious document like the Torah, which goes back just as far, to justify the origin being with Jews or even a simultaneous idea that originated with both cultures. Days, months, and years all correspond to natural phenomena. The week does not. All efforts to explain how this came to be (as separate from God speaking to the Hebrews) are very speculative.

No matter; Yahweh approved the seven day week since creation when He took six days (starting sun down and ending with the next sun down) to create the world and the seventh to enjoy His creation. Since then, Jews and then Christians, along with many other cultures as they came across those peoples, follow a seven day week.

It all makes you think: God made the week an important concept (particularly the seventh day)for humanity along with a host of annual festivals and holy days. It's obvious the cyclical nature of these observances are there to remind us continually of various lessons, comforts, and warnings. However, was there more to it all? Does it give us an idea of how God perceives time itself?

Lord, You have been our dwelling place
through all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or You brought forth the earth and world,
from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God.
You return man to dust,
saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”
For in Your sight a thousand years
are but a day that passes,
or a watch of the night.
You whisk them away in their sleep;
they are like the new grass of the morning—
in the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it fades and withers. - Psalm 90:1-6

What does a man gain from all his labor,
at which he toils under the sun?
Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun sets;
it hurries back to where it arose.
Blowing southward,
then turning northward,
round and round the wind swirls,
ever returning on its course.
All the rivers flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full;
to the place from which the streams come,
there again they flow.
All things are wearisome,
more than one can describe;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear content with hearing.
What has been will be again,
and what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a case where one can say,
“Look, this is new”?
It has already existed
in the ages before us.
There is no remembrance
of those who came before,
and those to come will not be remembered
by those who follow after. - Eccles 1:3-11

Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. - 2 Peter 3:8

One thing is obvious: we are all but a moment to the eternity of God. Can you imagine every time you love someone, they pass away the next moment? Of course, God is determined to not allow that to happen. As the scripture states, God wants very badly for no one to die the second death of the soul. He wants us to all exist forever with Him and love Him and each other. Some of us are just as determined to not exist one day. This grieves Him greatly.

Another thing is true: to God, nothing is new. Everything that was returns again because humanity has bad memories and worse will powers to resist repeating our offensive histories. In that manner, all of existence is cyclical. That's one reason why God wants us to remember cyclically whose children we are and how deeply He loves us.

Let's look at the Sabbath He instituted. It's a continual reminder of many things: our blessings, our day to day hustle for progress and more is not important in the grand scheme, and we are not in control. The Bible Project Podcast (check out episode 159) brought up this last point. The Sabbath is inconvenient on purpose. We have to stop everything we're doing and pause. It is in this we can finally realize that we are never in control of our time. It exists to serve God, and as we all know, our best plans can be laid to waste quite easily. Yet, our plans are not as good as God's. God is in control, and that's the best thing.

Time is such an abstract concept. Some cultures in the world don't even recognize a past or future in the sense we do like the Amondawa tribe. Many countries like the U.S., Germany, northern Europeans, etc., have a linear idea of time. The past flows out behind us and the future before us, and time can be equivalent to the idea of money. We can waste time or invest it. Punctuality is key.

Many Southern European, South Americans, and Middle Easterners have a multi-active idea of time. In other words, time passing is not bound to a calendar or clock. It doesn't have firm boundaries and either conforms to the person and events or is dispensed with entirely. It's not that they don't have a linear idea of time so much as it's not as firm and unchanging. It stretches between events rather than between blocks on a schedule.

Eastern countries see time as cyclic. The past will also be the future, so they can never waste it, simply apply patience for it to return. However, China is very time-aware. They also look at time as an investment into relationships even in businesses. Japanese have a sense of time "unfolding," as if unwrapping a gift or peeling an onion with many layers.

Now, Madagascar see the future as something that flows from behind and is laid out before them as the past, since the past is the only thing one truly sees. Since the future can not be truly planned for, businesses run differently. Buses leave, not at specific times, but when they are full, stock is refilled once empty, and gas replenished in cars once empty.

It is my belief that God is outside of any concept of time. However, in as much as time exists, He, as an eternal being and as evidenced through various parts of the Bible, must see events returning time and again just with different people and places. Although it is cyclical, in a sense, there is also a past (which must be accounted for and remembered as His various observances note) and a future before us controlled only by Him. Our sense of time is not His as our thousand years are a day to Him and a day to us is a thousand years to Him. In other words, time is of no consequence to Him. Our past, present, and future are all laid before Him at once.

Don’t worry dear soul, about tomorrow. As they say, God is already there.

God bless!





Sources other than Bible:
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/437-biblical-concept-of-time-the
https://www.pursuegod.org/the-2-concepts-of-time-in-the-bible/
https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/CGG/ID/2368/Time-Gods-Perspective-of.htm
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/390204
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-13452711
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-different-cultures-understand-time-2014-5

101st Blog Post Celebration!

Since this is officially my 101st Learning to Be Love post, here are a few of my favorite things I've learned since the beginning of studying about God with you!

1) The Bible is a love story about God and humanity's relationship throughout history as told by humans.

2) The purpose of the Bible is not to be your rule book. It's to teach you wisdom, by which your ears will recognize God's voice in every circumstance, no memorization of rules required.

3) We were made to be important ambassadors between spiritual and physical realms, and although most of the universe was overjoyed for us, not everyone was. These are the powers we battle every day, and we would certainly lose except God intervened and already won the war.

4) You can not lose salvation or the Holy Spirit. God never takes back His promises, but YOU can choose not to take Him up on them. YOU can choose to ignore the Spirit, but He's still whispering.

5) The Bible is such a complex work, more than we realize. In the original languages, there are so many double meanings and clear references to other works about God (internal and external to the Bible as we have it now) that it is a tapestry of symbols and messages (made by multiple people separated by millennia!) woven together into a single story of Love and triumph.

6) Why does God let evil exist? This age old question has an answer. If He uproots all the weeds (evil), He would be uprooting a lot of wheat (those with hope still of salvation). If you think it's worth it to do it anyway, remember that you were one of those once. He wishes for NONE to perish.

7) Do not correct an unbeliever's behaviors and beliefs. They are not on the Rock like you. Even if they wished to do well, they're being tossed by the waves!

8) Love even your enemies and forgive them. Loving is an action not an adjective, and sometimes the best way to love them is to leave them behind.

9) God speaks to you in more ways than you can comprehend, but you need to pay attention. You can also speak to Him in more ways than simple prayer (but that's still great!).

10) Do not fear: it's one of the most spoken phrases in the Bible for a reason. It's not a command to not feel the emotion, which Jesus Himself appears to have felt in the Garden of Gethsemane, but a command to not let it dictate your actions or incapacitate you. Feel it and do what you must anyway.

Finally, as you know, I like to write creatively. I don't always share my works as it's such a vulnerable feeling!
Yet, here's a long poem. Not the most well-written, and it's a rough draft. However, in honor of how long this blog has lasted and how long you have lasted with me, I'm sharing this with you, my beloved reader. And, as always,

God bless!

***
He Calls Your Name

You dance in the garden to His ways
His kisses on your cheek

Venomous tree
Velvet crimson rivers
cascade down the leaves

Shadows lengthen in the garden

You gape wide into the midst,
insides bared,
open chest torn open
You are dead but standing
You struggle to speak for the words bubble
through the blood in your voice

His Spirit hovers over your
chaotic Deep inside
He calls your name

He calls your name, but you are in shock,
crimson rivers down your hands
Voices of multitude
innumerable as the sands
rise from within it,
piercing screams echoing in your head
their blood is yours
their death is yours
Your death is His

He wanders through the garden,
the desert for you
He calls your name

That's not your name anymore

You climb the venomous tree
look upon the city you've built with the blood of your hands
The blood that never goes,
the stain that follows you

You build a boat with trees,
towers with broken glass,
you build a storm in your eyes
to escape His wrath

They all fall, fall, fall;
creations of your hands are falling into dust
Nothing you do will grow the garden

Crimson rivers in the desert
Paint death doors with the stain

He calls to you from the mountains

He calls your name

Cover your nakedness with death,
build a home with death

He calls your name
Live, live, live!

His voice grows closer,
He nears now
He cries out I am! here
You, lost among the corpses,
can not see Him

Come home,

He calls your name

your hands will build with life,

He calls your name

your hands will be clean

He calls your name...

He dies





He gapes wide into the midst

He is dead but stands

He lives,
and you rise with Him

He builds a boat with stars
He builds a tower with jewels and gold
He calms the storm
They all rise, rise, rise;
creations of His hands stand eternal

He calls your name

A new Name,

better than the old

He calls you by His name
He calls you His child
He takes your hand,
cleansed and whole

You hear Him

You follow Him to the Garden

Now dance.


***

God on Warfare

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:8

As the author of Ecclesiastes says, there are times when love is appropriate and times when hate is appropriate. Cue the sound of screeching tires as we slam on brakes. What? I thought that love was always the answer. Then, he says there's a time for war and a time for peace. Why would a God of love ever want war and death?

That's what we'll be taking a moment to think about today. As always, let's go to His love letter (not hate and war letter, right) and seek a discussion with the Most High on this topic.

“You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms; -Jeremiah 51:20

Oh, well, ok Jeremiah, calm down.

And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; - Isaiah 19:2

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ - Deuteronomy 20:1-4

The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. - Exodus 15:3

What in tarnation? Oh, I guess I can't tell God to calm down.

There are many examples, especially in the Old Testament, where God called out Israelites to destroy entire cities and nations. We can agree that God hasn't called us believers to do such a thing in a long, long time. Ok, so maybe we can't all agree on that. There have been wars that Americans consider righteous (I assume other countries are similar in this regard). Let's say for example, World War II... at least we consider it righteous now. We were hesitant to enter the frontlines and joined late; many were heated over the fact we ever joined. The battles in Europe felt like a movie to so many in the mainland of U.S.A., divided by seas and lack of instant communications. Now, we can look back and say we're happy to have overthrown such an obviously evil overlord and the hell he inflicted.

Maybe we were supported by God for this decision, maybe we weren't. It was difficult to say in the moment, and it's not clear now because God can turn any bad thing into a good thing at His will.

Most of what God or His people say on the subject of war is that of condemnation and a message that He is working toward a world of peace forever more.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. - Isaiah 25:8

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:18

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” -Romans 12:19

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? - Matthew 26:52-53

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. - Matthew 5:9

Wait, what about this?

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. - Luke 12:51

When drug addicts and alcoholics decide to change their lives and let go of drugs or alcohol, they usually go through a period of great division. They have to separate themselves from friends, sometimes family, many times their homes, in order to be successful in disengaging in the behaviors that those loved ones still encourage and perhaps in which still are enmeshed.

After Jesus there was a division. Friends and family were at odds because of this new radical Jewish movement that eventually separated into Christianity. At that point, there was a time for hate and war. That doesn't mean God wanted it. However, in a time of growth, there are growing pains because, in this case, many people fought change.

I believe, from what I've read, that God never wants war or hate or anything bad. Like a father, He would have us be at peace and joyful, but we've fought Him on that since the beginning when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Due to that, now there is sometimes a time for tears and bloodshed. Why? Because we chose to create a world where there are valleys of darkness to walk through in order to get to the mountaintop.

So, why would God ever order warfare and lead an army toward murder of others?

We chose to bring evil into the world, and because of that, we must fight against the spiritual powers of darkness. We can't win the fight alone. We have to push them back to where they came from so we can claim victory in a new reality without them. If we ever actually declare war, I believe God would want us to be darn certain He is asking for it. As His commandments clearly state to not murder, we MUST know first when He is making an exception.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. - James 4:1-2

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:11-12

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. - Revelation 12:7-11

As for some details concerning war, God shows us, if it is to be carried out, how it should be done. See Deuteronomy 20 for Rules of War. It explains that if anyone has unfinished business, is newly engaged, or is too afraid to fight, that they should go home. That rules out the draft. It specified to not cut down fruit trees, as "these trees are not the enemy, so don't make war against them." It also says a few messy things our civilian ears may have difficulty reading such as enslaving those cities who make peace with you and killing all of the people in others. This is so "they will not be able to teach you to sin against the Lord your God or to do any of the terrible things they do when they worship their gods." They were corrupt, murderous, and dark-minded people who God didn't want to tarnish His people. Are those specific people listed in these verses still the same people they were back in the day? No, much has changed, and so have God's children. We are not called to kill every living person now in war. It's good to understand context.

In conclusion, we brought evil into the world from the beginning and yearn to return to our Eden, full of peace and life. Step-by-step, God is bringing us back, but that means that sometimes He has, in the past, called us to seek war against other nations. Those instructions were for specific people in specific times, and they had meaning and purpose when they were ordered. Unless we KNOW that God is asking for us to disregard one of His commandments, we really shouldn't seek all out warfare. Defense is one thing. Offense is another. We are called to be peacemakers, to show the world what God's Kingdom will be like on Earth.

God bless!

To Fear or To Love God

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." -1 John 4:16-18

Some Christians get the fear of the Lord wrong.

It's obvious that we would fear a being who has our very souls and existence in His hands. He created the spinning worlds beyond our eyesight and realms of physical and spiritual beings with inner lives more complex than we can comprehend. He can calm a storm with a word or create one in the void of space, made of comets and planets tossed one into another during the death of a massive sun.

Fear of God makes sense. We are in in awe of His power, and we fear God in the way that we respect Him and His ways. However, whenever the Bible stated that we were to fear God, it didn't intend a fear that causes separation, one that's caused by anxiety and foreboding. That is a distrust of God.

If you're shaking your head right now because you're thinking to yourself "it's not a distrust of God but a knowledge that I'm not good enough for Him," you might be missing the point. You can never be good enough for Him. Yet, you must trust that His love is so grand, so selfless, so majestic, that you're never beyond His reach. You must have faith that His forgiveness is even more expansive than His universe and deeper than the blackness of space. There's a difference between humility, which is exactly what a reverence for God can create, and hopelessness.

If we know in our hearts that God's love is perfect, we know that, as we continue to move forever toward His presence, He moves forever toward ours. We have no fear of judgement or punishment, not because of our own perfection but because of His. This isn't to say we can give up trying. He always chooses us as His children, always. We must always choose Him as our Father, always. To stop trying and trying is to choose to be one of the world, to disengage from a relationship with Him.

Let's not downplay fearing God. The Bible mentions fear of God hundreds of times in a positive manner:

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. -Exodus 1:17

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." -Exodus 20:18-20

“‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord. -Leviticus 19:14

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. -Matthew 10:28

Maybe the key is in Exodus 20. Back up to where Moses tells people to not be afraid of God's displays of power in the desert, but then says that fear of God will keep them on the straight and narrow path. We should be full of reverence and awe, knowing that God is the only being in existence who we should fear. If we fear anyone else, it can sway us to trying to appease them as if they were our masters, but as it is said,

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31.

Only God should be your master, and He controls all other powers in the world. Good thing He's on our side! Just remember to remain on His. Just as a child first learns right from wrong by whether his parent rewards or punishes him, we, as Children of God may start on the path of His wisdom by fearing His punishment. Once mature in our faith and relationship with Him, just as a child grows into an adult, we no longer fear in that manner so long as we are pressing onward toward Him. We know He means good for us, and we take the lessons we've learned with us.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. -Proverbs 9:10

God bless!

What is a Human: God's View on Transgenderism

What is a human?

Transgender politics are at an all time high, and the topic brings up a wealth of controversy no matter which side you take. We know, as children of God, we don't simply take up the world's viewpoint. Whatever it happens to be today will be different tomorrow, anyway, which should be one sign that it's not the Truth as the Truth doesn't change with the opinions of the crowd. So, what is the Truth, and how should we look at transgenderism and the souls involved in it? What is God's view on transgenderism?

One thing is to remember they are souls, just like us, and God yearns to bring them to His loving fold.

Now, let us go onward to the scriptures, God's love letter to us. It will give us the framework to understand our role in this topic.

He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were created. - Genesis 5:2

God created us with two biological sexes. Of course there are those who are born as both or neither, upon external expression. However, the sex genes of X and Y determine whether you're a woman (all X) or male (at least one Y).

But, most people supporting transgenderism view sex (biology/genetics) as separate from gender (mindset/internal view of oneself). So, what does the Bible say about that?

It's certainly not a cut-and-dry topic, but when Hebrews thought of our essence of spirit, it was connected intrinsically with the physical body. When God "breathed" into mankind in Genesis 2:7 to bring us to life, it was a dual symbol of the literal breath of life and His Life and Holy Spirit being breathed into us.

Let's give an example of this. Jesus was crucified, proven dead, buried in a tomb. He rose from the grave and met up with his disciples upon the road.

While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.

“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.

While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in front of them. - Luke 24:36-43

Remember that Jesus was not dead when His friends saw Him again, and perhaps that's what He is referring to: the idea of dead spirits, a belief that originated with pagans and Greek philosophers (that body is separate from soul). Every time ghosts are brought up in the Bible (see Deuteronomy 18:11 or 1 Samuel 28:3-19) they are associated with demons or those forbidden occult practitioners where demons could pretend to be loved ones. Most other places in ancient Hebrew tradition, they looked at death as "dust to dust," "a deep sleep," etc.

This is what made Jesus' resurrection that much more amazing. He was showing how, when God raises us from the dead, we are still us. We may be healed and whole, but we are still the physical self we identified with while alive before. We are not a soul planted into another body. We are our body, and God not only pieces us back together from the dust but endows us with the same personality, possibly even retaining our memories. Did you notice Jesus ate (to show His physicality) and remembered his friends and their times together? This was all done on purpose.

However, as we are mediators of Earth and Spiritual realms in the image of God, we are both physical and spiritual in a sense. We sit on the edge of both worlds without being fully either, much like Jesus.

Check out the Wisdom of Solomon, which is from the Apocrypha.

Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a man comes to his end, and no one has been known to return from Hades. Because we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we shall be as though we had never been; because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason is a spark kindled by the beating of our hearts. When it is extinguished, the body will turn to ashes, and the spirit will dissolve like empty air. Our name will be forgotten in time, and no one will remember our works. (2:1-4)

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. (3:14)

There's a lot yet to peruse in order to fully understand what the Hebrews believed concerning the soul. We can't fully know, until we die, what exists beyond this life or where our essence or breath of life takes us, other than the fact that we are always with God.

If the soul and body are fully intertwined, I would say that our biological sex is the only concrete part of our gender that exists beyond feelings, cultural norms, and expectations of society.

Some might say our brains are made differently, and some people of one sex has the brain of another sex (which is a highly controversial thing to assume each sex has a different brain). Scientists are currently studying this subject with nothing concrete that I've found in my research. There's no question that science backs up what the Bible says: biologically, there are only two sexes. So, since science is unsure about brain genders, let's go further.

Society has a lot of nonsensical gender role expectations, which we can be dismissed outright. What about Biblical ones? We've taken a close look at those in other posts, such as in the ones about feminism, marriage, and submission.

There were several times taking on the role of the other sex/gender (remember these are the same in ancient Hebrew eyes) were forbidden.

Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, - 1 Corinthians 11:14

This is because in the culture Paul was speaking to, men wore long hair to express homosexuality, as if they were taking the role of a woman, and this is forbidden, too.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. - Leviticus 18:22

We can't even try to dress as the other gender as if we were taking on their role. What that gender wears, however, is determined by the culture in which you reside.

A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. - Deuteronomy 22:5

There is a hierarchy of authority, and if you have a problem with this, again, read this post. Submission has become a horrible word that conjures up worldly, power-hungry men. This is not the type of hierarchy that God desires. Look at what He actually wants, not what the world assumes He wants. His ways are not Humanity's ways.

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. - 1 Corinthian 11:3

If men can be women and women can be men, all the above is nonsense. Yet, that's exactly the way of the world. It's confusion masked as truth.

Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who turn darkness to light
and light to darkness,
who replace bitter with sweet
and sweet with bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight. - Isaiah 5: 20-21

Let me back up now and clarify something. There are many people in the world who honestly believe they are truly another gender than their sex. It is my personal opinion that they have a mental illness: gender dysmorphia. Yes, if you look up the term, you'll find that people believe this condition to not be a mental illness. With any dysmorphia, there is a disconnect between the reality of your body and your perceptions. For example, body dysmorphia can cause anorexia if the person believes their body to be more overweight than they actually are. Yet, strangely, you'll find those same sources both wishing medical treatment for an anorexic person's delusions while wanting everyone to agree with and support the gender dysmorphic person's delusions. This is obvious confusion.

People who are transgender need love, compassion, and understanding.

Jesus healed countless people as He walked around spreading the Word. It'd be good to pay attention to just how He did that. He listened, spoke the Truth (always), and Loved.

So, what is a human, according to God? We are body and soul, intertwined, one reflecting the reality of the other. Our roles in life are different but complementary in a Biblical-type-of-hierarchy system. We, as Christians, should never call out an unbeliever on their actions and words, as they are simply acting as unbelievers do. However, if they ask, we are called to Truth, always the Truth and always in Love.

God bless!


https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/what-does-the-bible-say-about-transgenderism/
https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/5-things-every-christian-must-know-about-the-transgender-debate
https://evangelicalbible.com/the-transgender-delusion/
https://pages.uncc.edu/james-tabor/ancient-judaism/death-afterlife-future
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/whats-up-with-the-witch-of-endor/
http://www.beki.org/dvartorah/crossdressing/
https://drmsh.com/the-mind-body-problem-summarizing-the-tough-issues/

A Musical God

When you think of music, do you think of the creator of the universe? One of God's many languages He uses to speak with us is song, and I'm not necessarily speaking of songs with worship lyrics.

It's cliché to think of heaven as a place with cloud floors and cherubic angels who play on harps. There's nothing in the Bible that would suggest that is anywhere close to the truth of heaven. However, I can guarantee one thing you'll encounter when you cross the "pearly gates": there will be music. There's no telling what genre of music is prevalent or if they all exist there, possibly more genres than we know. In fact, I dare to say that music is something our soul uses to communicate in a language no one has to learn to understand. It's one of the many ways we are a mirror of God's attributes, and music came straight down from God. Why would God have music in heaven? Because He loves it!

And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. - Revelation 14:2-3

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” - Revelation 5:8-10

When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? - Job 38:7

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." - Luke 2:13-14

I've actually read some sources that state angels don't seem to be able to sing as they are usually shown as "saying" things and never singing even while humans (albeit sometimes in heaven) are shown as "singing." Whatever the case may be, music is after God's own heart.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! - Psalm 150:1-6

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. - Psalm 40:3

Psalms are an entire book of songs, many of them written by David, the musician king. Then, of course, there's the Song of Solomon.

While we're on the subject of music, the Bible is filled with dancing.

Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. - Exodus 15:20

"Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, And go forth to the dances of the merrymakers. - Jeremiah 31:4

Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. - Psalm 149:3

And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14

It happened when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart. - 1 Chronicles 15:29

I know there are denominations which do not condone dancing, but if the Bible has anything to say about the matter, it seems God likes dancing in worship. He likes songs filled with instruments and those filled with voices.

Do you have a song in your heart? Will you sing or dance to it before God today?

God bless!

For Life is More

Everything in this world screams to be your master and your main focus, even things seemingly innocuous. We too easily give our power up to the least things. In a life full of survival, God wants you to not just live but to thrive.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! - Luke 12:23

If you're focused on only getting by each day you'll lose sight of the reality of His grace, love, and the fulfillment of His promises in your life. You'll lose sight of the opportunity to be His hands and feet. You'll lose yourself to the continuous waves of the ocean, trying to keep your head above water.

We're not talking about clinical depression or severe illness, which sometimes necessitates a hyper-focus on yourself and your survival, at least for portions of time. He is the Healer, and He understands this situation even while He wants more for you.

There's a reason He's called a rock. He's the stillness in chaos, the peace in a storm, and the breeze on a torturously hot day. You stand firm on Him, you don't need to always think about where your next meal will come from or whether you'll be able to cover your skin or have a roof over your head.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

I'm not saying you'll be rich or even have a daily meal. What I mean is God is beyond all this. You pray for rain, but He can fulfill your thirst without it. You pray for money for rent, but He can keep a roof over your head without it. If your head is on the surface of life, you'll want the tools to help yourself, and you know, He might give them. However, KNOW that you can rely on Him instead of those tools. When your God is above the mundane of life, so are you. When your Father is the creator and keeper of all things, beings, from one corner of the universe to the next, in control of all, what can you fear? What is even physical death but a minor inconvenience?

Many times, if you study history or anthropology, you'll learn that when people were no longer worried as much about day-to-day survival as a civilization, art and creativity burgeoned into the world like a butterfly escaping its chrysalis. This is just a peek at the rebirth you were saved for. There is a kingdom within you that you're spreading. You're not just spreading life, you're spreading LIFE through God and His word.

How do you do this? The biggest way is to Love.

Does this mean to quit your day job or forget about your responsibilities? Does this mean to get rid of your 401k? No, it means to re-understand your place and purpose in life and know that your job and your savings were not allowed you by God to keep food on the table. God can do more than that for you. It's there for you to love others and learn lessons you may need later to love yet still more.

Money, resources, emergency supplies, and the rest are merely tools, options in a world where God is in control of all. If He gives you those tools, they remain His, and you are their stewards, responsible for using them on behalf of God's will.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.
”And he told them this parable:
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:13-21

Give to one another what you have, whether that is material things, time, energy, love, etc. You are no longer a person surviving in the world. You are a Child of God, thriving in His kingdom.

Do you know the ONLY time God asked His people to test Him?

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. - Malachi 3:10

What does this mean? Give. Give what you have, and don't worry for your survival. God will provide. Test Him in this!

So, what does charity and volunteerism have to do with living your life to the fullest? Everything. Check out these clearly not religious links:

Psychology Today
Harvard Health
The Guardian

God knows what we need. We need Him. We thrive off loving one another. God bless!

But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."" - Matthew 4:4

God's Name

You'll come across it all the time in the Bible: God's name. You'll see it in so many forms. He's called Yahweh, I am that I am (or "I will be who/what I will be" depending on translation), El Shaddai, the Elohim, El Roi, Lord of hosts/armies, and sometimes simply The Name.

Why is God's name so important that it's brought up repeatedly? First, the Hebrews were surrounded by nations who had their own "gods," and they wanted to make sure to differentiate their One True God from all the others. Back in the Old Testament, when God "left" the other nations to the "foreign gods" after they abandoned Him at the tower of Babel, the Hebrews were brought out from this confusion to start over with God as the light for all. He'd always intended to save us all, and to do that, we needed to know who He is.

There is power in a name. It signifies an identity, of course, but also the characteristics and reputation of that identity. God is not like the other "gods," who were like fallen humans with some magic capabilities or like distant stars that left people to their destinies with little care.

We learn His characteristics:

He's holy.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. - Matthew 6:9

He's a place of refuge.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. - Proverbs 18:10

He is salvation.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:12

He was the same God of all the righteous people He'd called on before. He is the uncreated creator.

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who (that) I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. - Exodus 3:13-15

He existed first and will always exist.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” - Revelation 1:8

He is our Father and comforter.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” - Romans 8:15

He is the only way, truth, and life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

He is our healer.

Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” - Exodus 15:6

He has the ultimate power and knowledge above all others.

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! - Proverbs 30:4

He is jealous as He's the One who created, loves, and guides you. Why would you follow another?

...for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God - Exodus 34:14

He is very serious about His reputation as it's how His people will know Him. He is all the above characteristics and more.

“Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.” - Jeremiah 16:21

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Matthew 28:19

Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.” - Isaiah 52:6

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. - Leviticus 19:12

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7

Just skimming the Bible, you'll find that names were important to God and the Hebrews for signifying the essence of a being, including humans. Names were changed when the person made a change in their identity. They were usually assigned a name change by God Himself.

Abram (high father) became Abraham (father of a multitude) when he was promised descendants as numerous as the sands and stars. Sarai (princess) became Sarah (mother of nations) as she would be the mother of the multitude. Jacob (supplanter) became Israel (to strive with) when God told him he'd no longer be known by his trickery but rather by his striving with God. Simon (God has heard) became Peter (rock) when he became a disciple and Jesus declared he would be the rock of His church.

What is the meaning of your name, and what do you believe God would call you? Have you experienced a deep change in identity like those in the Bible?

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. - Psalms 61:8

Sources outside of the Bible:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-it-matters-that-god-is-yahweh.html
https://thebibleproject.com/podcast/theme-god-e10-gods-name-character/
https://thebibleproject.com/podcast/theme-god-e13-what-gods-name-feat-dr-michael-heiser/
https://drmsh.com/the-naked-bible/yhwh/

Divine Council

There are a great many concepts that exist within the Bible that most people tend to miss the first time around. I know I did. I made a great deal of assumptions on the meanings of things based on modern theology, culture, and norms. Little did I know that something as awesome as this existed. So, here's something I'll let you in on: the Divine Council.

In Hebrew, there is a word thrown around a lot in the Word: Elohim. This word was used to refer to the One True God, false or foreign gods, angels, afterlife spirits (1 Samuel 28:13), Moses (as God's middle man), the judges (this is debated; Exodus 21:6), and the Messianic king (Psalms 45:7). Soooo, what does Elohim mean, actually?

Elohim is a word that can be both plural and singular (like "sheep"), which can be understood in context. It means something like "spirit," or "being of the spiritual realm." It can refer to God, Himself, since He's also a being of that spiritual realm, or of any other being in that realm, which includes angels, beings pagans worshipped, and any number of other life forces. Sometimes, writers of the Old Testament didn't use the word Elohim. Sometimes, they referred to spiritual beings as the "hosts of heaven, "assembly of the holy ones," "stars," or "messengers."

This may seem like a strange concept to us, but it wasn't to the Hebrews. There was an ancient understanding that there are two realms, the physical and the spiritual, and while many beings didn't transverse the two, there were many who did. God, that is the Elohim of Elohim (God of gods or the highest being of all) created them all and exists in both or neither. We may better understand these realms as dimensions.

In sections written in Greek, they used the word Theos to refer to God as His title because they didn't have a word similar to the Hebrew Elohim. However, as the writers of the New Testament described the attributes of God or explained Jesus' sacrifice, they still utilized these concepts, by referring to spiritual beings as "powers and authorities," in this example referring to fallen elohim.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. - Colossians 2:15

Back to the Divine Council.

Just as there are leaders and powers in this physical realm, which God has allowed, there are leaders and powers in the spiritual realm as well. Maybe one way to describe this is like a company where maybe the Father is the Founder, Jesus is the CEO, and the leaders are managers, regional directors, etc. This metaphor may not be perfect, but I wanted to emphasize that in this company, God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, so He doesn't really "need" any one below. However, His personality is such that He desires communion and shares authority with others. This is where we come into the picture.

Since the beginning, God has been working on making us a sort of ambassador or cohabiter between realms. We exist here, in the physical, but we are also spiritual.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-28

We were meant to be part of the Divine Council along with the "hosts of heaven" and the "assembly of the holy ones." However, the Bible is vague as to why some angels fell (like Eden's snake) and have attempted to overturn God's plans to save humanity to turn them into His children and thus into holy Council members. Some say the fallen angels believed humans are animals compared to them, and they were jealous of God's lofty plans for them. Some say they were jealous we could procreate and "create" others. Nothing says exactly, so it could be an entire drama behind the scenes that we're just not aware of at this time.

You will find many instances where God confers with His council members for their ideas on plans and situations. See Genesis where He's constantly speaking with someone (some say this could just be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit conversing), Job where the righteous man was tested by a Satan figure, or deciding the best plan to oust the evil King Ahab in 1 Kings.

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment... Psalm 82:1

Let it be known that this concept of a divine council, like pretty much everything, is debated. Read the Bible and pray for the answer to be revealed. If we are to be Council Members with God, praying is essentially filling the role you were made for: sitting down with God amongst His council and asking for His help.

God bless!

Sources other than Bible:
Podcasts -
The Bible Project - Spiritual Warfare
The Naked Bible

Books -
The Unseen Realm

Websites -
http://themelios.thegospelcoalition.org/review/the-unseen-realm-recovering-the-supernatural-worldview-of-the-bible
https://www.thedivinecouncil.com/
https://www.miqlat.org/what-the-bible-teaches-about-a-divine-council.htm
https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/wholecounsel/2018/08/29/gods-divine-council/
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/765621073/Old-Testament-divine-council-called-a-sod.html
https://blog.logos.com/2018/03/two-ways-study-divine-council/
https://glorywaters.org/2018/03/23/does-the-bible-teach-a-divine-council/
https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/podcast/naked-bible-249-did-israelites-view-their-judges-as-gods/

Good Resources for a Growing Relationship with God

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

I attempt to write a new blog every week or so, and some of the topics I study are entirely reliant on the Bible alone. However, I would be remiss to say that I need only my own knowledge to understand these, many times, complicated and controversial subjects that exist in an ancient book written in a foreign language and culture. I'm not an island and have only casual skills in Biblical study. As such, I want to spread the best resources I've personally read or listened to in order to delve into the pages of God's love letter. These are websites, podcasts, and books by Bible scholars, historians, and ancient language experts who know their stuff. No amateurs here cause, yeah, I'm amateur enough. I don't want the blind leading the blind.

This is far from comprehensive, and it's important to remember that developing any relationship with God comes through a natural curiosity about Him. He doesn't exist only in these sources or even just in sources typically considered "spiritual" or "Christian" or "Jewish." Sometimes, we can find Him by finding where He isn't. Everything can be an influence on us, so tread carefully before fully believing anything. However, don't avoid sources just because they seem archaic, mysterious, far-fetched, or down right incorrect on first impression. I'm reminded of Jesus sitting down with the tax-collectors, prostitutes, including a thief in His inner circle, and healing those so contagious with disease no one else would dare tread near. You may find God in the most unlikely of places. Just keep your ears open to hear His voice. Believe me, He's already speaking.


Websites:
logos.com
biblicalarchaelogy.org
equip.org
bible.org
biblestudytools.com (also contains Strong's Concordance)
biblegateway.com
biblehub.com
eliyah.com (also contains Strong's Concordance)
blueletterbible.com
thebibleproject.com
drmsh.com


Podcasts:
The Bible Project
Naked Bible

Books:
The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser
A Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
What Does the Bible Say About by Brian Ridolfi
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, & Time Charts
What the Bible is All About by Dr. Henrietta Mears


If you know any more good sources, please share, and I'll add them to my next post on "Good Resources for a Growing Relationship with God."

God bless!

How the Bible, Fairy Tales, and Judicial Branch are Related

Some unbelievers like to call the Bible a fairy tale, but did you know there actually is a similarity in their purpose?

There is such a disconnect between the mind set and cultural norms between our modern world in the West and the ancient world in the East that it's easy to misunderstand where the writers of the Bible were coming from. Did you know there are 613 laws in the Old Testament? Did you know Torah (the first give books of the Bible) is not correctly translated as the Law but as Instruction or Revelation? In fact, our understanding of law and judges are not the same as the understanding of people living in the Old Testament.

We are a society with statutory law. In other words, nowadays, judges use detailed written law codes to make judgements. Back then, as sources state, they used a fluid wisdom tradition or an "intuition of justice with a background of cultural norms" (bibleproject). It was not formulaic. They relied on the morality of the judges. Now, we hope they are moral, but they are still allowed to make judgements as they are no longer considered the authority: the law is.

The laws as described in the Old Testament included both natural, obvious transgressions and other customary wisdoms, which could be fluid within reason. For instance, "Don't murder" is obviously a good rule for ever and everywhere. There are exceptions even in that law, present even in the Bible (i.e. self-defense, warfare, etc.). Some are murkier like "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard" (Leviticus 19:27). This is generally agreed to be a practice done by other nations who were idolaters either in the worship of their gods or in excessive, immoderate mournings. This is, in our western modern world, not a known practice that still exists. If you're cutting the sides of your head or beard, you probably aren't doing it because you worship other gods. This is what the laws boil down to. Most of the odd laws in the Bible are simply clarifying, for the people of that time and place, the main commandments such as the Big 10 (i.e.Don't worship other gods).

Fast forward to the 1800's Germany, there were two brothers whose father was a lawyer. They were librarians, writers, and scholars. The two professions collided when they decided to collect old tales from across Germany.

What compelled the (Brothers) Grimm to concentrate on old German epics, tales, and literature was a belief that the most natural and pure forms of culture—those which held the community together—were linguistic and based in history. According to them, modern literature, even though it might be remarkably rich, was artificial and thus could not express the genuine essence of Volk culture that emanated naturally from experience and bound the people together. Therefore, all their efforts went toward uncovering stories from the past. (neh.gov)

They'd realized that old tales, passed down to children throughout the ages, held the collective moral conscience and what it meant to be a German. Publication of their collected tales spurred several other European countries to do the same (neh.gov/notablebio).

In the same way, the writers of the Bible were writing down history, stories, poetry, much of which were previously conveyed before by oral traditions in order to pass down the collective moral conscience of the community and what it meant to be a Child of God. Throughout most of history, people just didn't think to write every single thing down, but at some point someone realized that it might be important preserve this sense of right and wrong and sense of cultural identity for future generations.

By the time Jesus arrived on Earth as a human, there were several sects of Judaism who were seeing the Old Testament in more of a statuary law sense. This is what people call legalism. It can sprout many rabbit trails, which begin to make things impossible.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:17-22

The law remained the law. The collective knowledge of God's ways and truths remained His truths. However, as Jesus explains, some people were so tied up in correcting people over washing of hands and plucking an ear of corn on the Sabbath that they failed to see that these laws were there to promote a gentle, loving soul. The heart and spirit of the laws were not about just abstaining from causing death: they were about raising up to life.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said: ‘Honor your father and mother’a and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘The help you would have received from me has been given to God,’ he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you:

‘These people honor Me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.

They worship Me in vain;

they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ...

“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.” Matthew 15:1-20

Jesus was returning their attention to the spirit of the law, which boils down to the collective moral conscience of the Israelite people.

It's important to know where the writers and intended readers of the Bible were coming from in context of their own culture, time period, assumed mores, etc. It helps us to fully understand the messages they're trying to convey.

God bless!



https://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/Grimm-Brothers.html
https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2015/marchapril/feature/how-the-grimm-brothers-saved-the-fairy-tale
http://www.yashanet.com/library/under2.htm
https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/va-etchanan/torah-rules-or-wisdom
http://www.helsinki.fi/teol/pro/_merenlah/oppimateriaalit/text/english/judaism.htm

Podcast:
The Bible Project - Law as a Revolution (and others)