Uncategorized

Aliens – Like the Space Kind

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

According to ancient astronaut theorists… you know you’ve watched it: So many “experts,” so many conspiracy theories. It’s fun to think about other beings inhabiting the universe, the deep space full of more lives than our own. So, what does this have to do with God and His heavenly estate? Apparently a lot according to Ancient Aliens show. If you’ve watched this show or just heard similar perspectives, you’ll know they look at God from an alien enthusiasts’ view. So, here, we’ll be looking at the idea of aliens from God’s. So, let’s dive into the vacuum of space and look around.

If you read the Bible trying to scan for terms like space, aliens, planets, or maybe UFOs, you’re not going to find them. Modern people have different ideas about beings from other planets, about what to call them, and really about the universe all together. You really should open your mind a bit to the idea that neither of us really know what we’re seeing when we see strange things in the sky. We all are describing events in a way our audience will understand. What we call spacecraft, the people of long ago may have called a chariot or wheels within wheels.

Let me tell you a strange, true story, and you can believe it or disbelieve it. That’s fine. Maybe there’s a good, rational, society-accepted explanation for the event I’ve experienced. When I was in my twenties, Johnnie was driving me back home from a date we’d been on. It was somewhat late, from what I recall. The dirt road that leads back to my parents’ house goes down a fairly large wooded and uninhabited area. As we neared the road, we saw a metallic-looking cylindrical thing, maybe as large as a semi hovering just above the trees. It made no noise, and it was lit up all around with lights. It had blue and red lights that alternated from what I recall.  Anyhow, despite the fact we both had phones with cameras, neither of us took photos (of course!). We were in shock and couldn’t move. We just stared. When we finally high-tailed it out of there, Johnnie decided to return just a minute later, and it was completely gone.

I told someone about this experience back in college, and they, a devout Christian, called it a weather balloon and dismissed the idea outright, stating that aliens were a myth. Um, you believe in flying chariots and angels who come from where (heaven = sky)? Okay, I’m not here to argue the existence of aliens, rather the hypocrisy of immediate dismissal when you’re a Bible-toting believer. Open your mind to the fact that God is omnipotent and has the capability of being a God and creator to not just this world but many. I’m not saying He has made more worlds with other intelligent beings. I’m just saying that with God all things are possible.

Now, I do find about 90% of the Ancient Alien show hogwash because they really, really stretch things to fit the theory that basically everything was done by or initiated by “otherworldly beings.” They also will try to justify Satan’s actions (let’s pause for a moment of silence), stating that he was “just trying to impart helpful knowledge.” *Cue maniacal laughter here* It wasn’t so much that he was imparting knowledge. It was that he was acting in direct disobedience to God’s commands and attempting to get humans to do the same (“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat of any tree in the garden?'” Genesis 3:1). Sure, if you don’t believe God is an all-good God full of love, you may be tempted to believe Satan was a rebel with a cause. He only wishes he were that cool.

There are instances in the Bible where you can see strange events that sounds otherworldly. For instance, Ezekiel:

I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, and within it was the form of four living creatures… The workmanship of the wheels looked like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their workmanship was like a wheel within a wheel. As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as the moved.

Ezekiel 1:4-17

Maybe you’ll be interested in how Elijah was taken up into the skies by fiery chariots:

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more.

2 Kings 2:11-12

God is amazing, omnipotent, and omniscient, and He can do anything. It’s possible aliens exist, but it’s okay whatever you believe on that matter. The fact of the matter is that we really aren’t alone in the universe. We’re already told there are beings God created other than us called Sons of God or angels. We see prophecies throughout the Bible with various strange creatures that could be figurative, symbolic or maybe not. Just looking around the Earth, we can see wondrous lives swimming deep in the ocean, flying in the air above, teeming all around us. It’s not a stretch to believe He may have created more we are unaware of, whether that’s on another planet or in another dimension, if those exist. What do you think?

God bless!

Burn Out

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

I’ve learned that a good way to treat burn out is by creativity.

They are complete opposites. Burn out is spurred by ongoing, unresolved stress rounded out by unmet needs. True creativity may be shaped by practice and work, but in essence, it is a free thing, unrestrained by expectations and stress. Children are innately creative as they color outside lines and sometimes on walls. They don’t call themselves uncreative or stop from drawing their stick family because they think their hands aren’t talented enough. They sing without worrying about how squeaky their voices are. They dabble in poetry without realizing, as it falls from lips during hopscotch or while sitting in the trees.

We are all creative beings. God is the ultimate artist, and we, in His image, are as well. God also doesn’t stop painting the sunrise or forming the ears on a newborn calf because He wonders if someone else will disapprove of His style or ability.

Neither should you.

So, the reason I bring up burn out is, quite simply, I’m experiencing it. It’s not because of this blog. It’s due to a number of reasons connected to work and other life stresses, which reach their tentacles into other areas of my life. So, this is why I’ve not been writing consistently the past few weeks.

However, God put the urge to write poetry in my heart for some reason, pulling out my creative urges and reminding me of who I am and why I write here. I don’t like to show off unfinished works of art, but I did before here, and I will again today. I’m reminded that this is not just a place full of essay-like studies, but rather a connection to God’s heart. And God’s heart is full of joy, creativity, and not burn out. He’s healing, and He’s healing me too.

I like to document my journey through learning how to love like Jesus, so here you go. You can love like Jesus by stepping back and being creative once in a while. Write, draw, sing, create. It’s what you were made for, and do it all in love. I love y’all, so here’s my latest poem. It’s about the Father and Son from before humanity. I may add to it later or change a lot, but if I don’t, I don’t. It’s a sacrifice of time and effort on the altar to God. I hope you both like it.

In the beginning there was you and me
Hemmed by darkness
Word; a cord connects us
Echoes
Calls for light from void
When we were, we are, will be
The sounds of thunder
creation freed
All that was hidden is burned,
revealed
A Word, The Word
From edge to edge
a Blossoming begin
A calling from the nothingness
Unfurling, flinging, fly
Torn from the womb of abyss
Bordered now by sky
Summon forth the suns and souls
Topple worlds; plant more anew
A universe full
Once just me and you

God bless!

P.s. if you can’t see the poem as it can get glitchy with the IOS app, switch to your internet browser.

Patriotism, Fandom, Christianity: How You Define Yourself Matters

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Philippians 3:17-21

What a delight to see people band together and call each other family of some sort, whether it’s because they are born of the same landmass, cheer for the same team, or fight the same struggles. Fellowship is a picture of God’s kingdom. To consider yourself a part of Yahweh’s family is not to the exclusion of different types of fellowship; however, it can be a slippery slope that many people find themselves falling down. 

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Galations 4:8-9

It’s important how we define ourselves because it boils down to what you stand for. I’m a proud American, but I am first of all a Child of God. So, I try (sometimes I fail) to perceive the world and its rights and wrongs from my Father’s perspective. It’s important because the ways we define ourselves can become our master.

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24

The writer of the above verse obviously had a certain master in mind (money) whose principles directly conflict with God’s frequently. Eventually, there will be a conflict between the two “masters” you serve, and I would pray that you would choose the right one. This conflict may be obvious, or it may not.

Think on the ways you define yourself, be it a team you root for, a philosophy you uphold, a form of government you admire, or a group of people you connect with, and make sure that you aren’t serving it above your status as citizen of the Kingdom of God. All the above will fade away one day or may even leave you in this lifetime, but your Father in Heaven never will.

God bless!

Trinity

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

~ Matthew 28:19-20

As with any relationship, in order to get closer to another, it’s important to learn about them as much as you can.  So, what or who exactly is God? We can learn much about how He works, thinks, and feels from his Word and the world around us. However, what about His physical essence? God is largely unknowable simply because we are humans and incapable of fully understanding a being so far advanced, complex, and all-encompassing as Yahweh. It’s fun to try, though, and I believe He encourages us to learn as much as we are able.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

~ Matthew 7:7-8

The Bible never says the word “trinity,” and it never says a lot of words we use to describe Biblical concepts; however, the trinity idea itself is throughout the Bible. Let’s start at the beginning.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

~ Genesis 1:1

The word God in the above verse was translated from the Hebrew Elohim, which is used to describe all spiritual beings from God Himself to angels and other divine existences throughout the Bible (Blue Letter Bible). You may be surprised to know this is a word that can be used for both singular or many beings (for an example in English, think “sheep”).

The word Spirit was translated from the Hebrew Ruach, which is used to describe breath, mind, and spirit, especially as in reference to the Holy Spirit (Blue Letter Bible). Whether we listen to its “still, small voice” is up to us.

There are many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament. He is described as words being placed into people’s mouths or the Spirit of God who guides and comforts.

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

~ 2 Samuel 23:2

“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants-from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

~ Isaiah 59:21

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

~ Psalms 51:11

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.

~ Micah 3:8

The Spirit is spoken up numerous times in the New Testament in the exact same manner. His attributes are unchanged.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

~ John 14:26

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

~ Acts 2:1-4

God speaks in the plural several times, yet it isn’t clear who He’s speaking to until you get further along in the Bible and meet more and more of the Trinity.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.

~ Genesis 3:22

God speaks in the plural, and in Hebrew, the words used indicate that Yahweh Elohim (as in Yahweh the divine being) proclaimed that man has become knowing, the word also in the plural (Strongs, “Angels”). Is He speaking to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or just the other divine beings among Him?

Jesus shows up many times, possibly more than we realize. However, here’s a few clear examples that point toward a Son of the Father God.

I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you… Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.

~ Psalm 2:6-7, 12

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!

~Proverbs 30:4

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

It’s obvious that He shows up in the New Testament, so I won’t post the entirety of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John here. 🙂

God, the divine Elohim, has shown up since the beginning in a three-fold force of love, light, and power. Understanding fully how He functions is probably impossible. However, we can peek a glance at His face at times when we read His Word and seek Him with all our heart. God bless!

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

~ Matthew 3:16-17

Sources other than the Bible:

Blue Letter Bible

Strong’s Concordance

Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly Host – Michael Heiser

Middle Eastern Revival

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment
Christian Revival In Unlikely Places

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

~Mark 16:15

There have been rumors from various sources of a Middle Eastern Christian revival in countries as anti-Christian as Iran. Please pray for our brothers and sisters of God as they strive to simply follow their path toward God and gather in secret groups to worship while avoiding the law. It is illegal to preach and convert people to Christianity in Iran. Church services in the national language are forbidden. Yet, still, a revival has been sweeping the country, and converts have been fleeing to surrounding countries in order to live in safety: https://www.npr.org/2018/12/14/669662264/iranians-are-converting-to-evangelical-christianity-in-turkey.

Yet, the influx of Christians are beginning to burden Turkey, and there is fear that their welcome won’t be for long. Many are under the risk of being deported back to Iran where they could face jail, torture, or death due to their beliefs: https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-tortured-in-iranian-prison-fears-deportation-from-turkey-after-4-years.html.

A major distributor of Bibles and Biblical materials to various countries (Eastern European Mission – although they aren’t solely for Eastern European countries anymore) reported that some anti-Christian countries (for obvious reasons they aren’t specific) have groups begging for Bibles in their language and books for their children to teach them the Word. There is a desperate cry for God coming up from these persecuted lands!

In fact, there have been a flood of people reporting dreams and visions, most of them featuring a man who calls Himself Yeshua who guides them to people who can share the gospel. It has become so common that in more open countries, like Turkey, there have been billboards asking if anyone has had a vision or dream and who they can contact to receive the gospel (nakedbiblepodcast).

Sometimes, we can take for granted, especially here in the U.S., our religious freedom. Please pray for those of us who live in fear. May they be able to simply love Him and guide others to love Yahweh.

God bless!

Sources other than the Bible:

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/53443-the-underground-revival-in-the-middle-east-that-might-take-down-islam

 https://www.christianpost.com/news/scores-of-muslims-turning-to-christ-in-middle-east-churches-expecting-millions-of-converts.html 

https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/episodes/ (episode 305 EEM.org)

Why Doesn’t God Heal Everyone?

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Paul states that he had an unnamed affliction that would not disappear, but he comes to understand that it’s more to God’s glory that he persists in his weakness.

If God only wants the best for us, then why doesn’t He heal everyone? Jesus certainly seemed to heal everyone who demonstrated faith in the New Testament. Aren’t we more faithful since we can’t see Him and yet still believe?

God DOES want only the best for us, and we don’t always know what that is exactly. You can’t lean on your own understanding of good and bad. He wants for us to eventually be beyond a world that causes death, disease, pain, and infirmities, yes. However, He uses the bad that occurs in our corrupt world to bring out the good, either for ourselves or others.

Let’s not forget Job who suffered from a skin disease (not to mention losing his entire family and all his possessions). In the most beautiful passage in the Bible, God explains everything and nothing when He responds to Job’s moans. He told him and his faithful friends that Job certainly didn’t suffer due to lacking faith.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! ~Job 38:4-5

People, many times good people, suffer because of reasons unknown to us. We should trust that God is in control and He is good.

Your purpose here on Earth is bigger than living in comfort. It’s to show others the Light and the joy of His Love. Sometimes, that comes from miraculous healing. Sometimes, that comes from a believer withstanding through hardship and serving as a guide to others who must suffer the same. Sometimes, the circumstances call for a bit of both.

You may see all the healing Jesus did during His ministry here, and see that He healed everyone who asked for healing and had faith He would. He was also here for a purpose bigger than living in comfort. Part of His mission was to show that He cares and loves us.

There’s no possible way to list all the times God healed in the Bible from Old through New Testaments (or God was referred to as a healer or God was asked to heal) without just linking to the entire Bible. He is the ultimate Healer. However, He doesn’t heal everyone all the time. With the exception of those faithless who reject His healing, why would He not heal His children?

Jesus healed everyone who had faith and pursued Him in the new Testament, but that can’t be said to be true before nor after. He was here on Earth for the express purpose of proving that He was God (only God can heal, forgive, etc.) and to serve as a sacrifice for our sins to eliminate the forces of darkness for His disciples’ souls. His healing had a dual purpose: Healing is symbolic of His spiritual healing and salvation. Notice this though: Jesus still died.

Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” ~Mark 8:31-33

They say courage is not the absence of fear but rather the knowledge that there is something bigger than it. This is exemplified by Jesus.

Death, serious injury, and disease are products of an evil world. Notice that evil still exists, even for us believers. We still live in a fallen world, and God has not yet eliminated it all. Though we are Children of God, we must suffer a little while just as Jesus did.

Yet, this evil is not forever.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ~ Revelations 21:4

God is bigger than anything you may ever face. Keep your eyes on Him and not the storm.

God bless!

~Dedicated to my mama who is facing great unknowns right now. Our Healer is in control, and your suffering is not without purpose.~

Sources other than Bible:

https://www.learnreligions.com/why-doesnt-god-heal-everyone-701958

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/why-didnt-jesus-christ-heal-the-gentile-womans

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/why-jesus-heal/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/chris-russell/why-doesn-t-god-heal-every-sickness-disease-and-illness.html

Happy New Year of Hope

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

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

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

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:

Jesus in the Old Testament

Old Testament Prophecies about the Birth of Jesus

Finding Eden

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

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 reminded 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 if someone is really Saved?

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

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!