Not Offended by Jesus? –> Blessed

Matthew 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV):
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Quote of Jesus

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The Divine Logos Incarnate

The Word Logos Greek Origins

The Bible’s Gospel of John Chapter 1 reveals fundamental truths about God’s Nature describing God as “The Word” and explains “The Word Became Flesh and dwelt among us”, referring to Jesus Christ the Son of God entering Our World as a human.

John 1:1-5 (ESV):  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:14-18 (ESV): 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known

The Greek Language original word “Logos” typically translates to “The Word”, yet scholars reveal a more accurate historical understanding of “The Word” refers both to “Word” and “Reason”. (Reference: Bible Study Tools Encyclopedia, Logos, http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/logos.html )

Logos Word & Reason in Technological Content

Let’s view the “Logos” concept embodied in the combination of “Word” & “Reason” through our modern programming technology lens (a lens focuses our ways of seeing & perceiving). Let’s view our own mind’s capabilities as integrated programs combining words & reasoning, and likewise God’s mind similarly. Today’s programming tools only augment our mental capabilities, as much of our minds capabilities still mysterious. Our human reasoning severely limited compared to God’s in Heaven.

Isaiah 55:6-11 (ESV): 6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

In the digital electronics context, programs conceptually use words eventually implemented via underlying logical machine code detailing what to do in certain order & circumstances. Likewise, our ability to reason & understand limited by the mental cognitive abilities inherent in our brain’s physical platform implementation, which also designed with reliance upon God for proper living.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (ESV): 3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths

Trinity Integrated & Distinct Three in One

Programmers who design & codify programs often create new programs by integrating distinct programs together. As a technical analogy, think about The Trinity encompassing God the Father, God the Son (Jesus The Christ), and God the Holy Spirit as distinct minds / persons each programmatically manifesting the divine character nature & operating together as a unified integrated whole.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Mark 12:28-32 (ESV): 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.

The Logos Word & Reason Dwelt Among Us

Christian Gospel writers eye-witnessed Jesus Christ personally in our world and recorded witnesses of others too, in their report of Jesus’ words, actions, obedience, love, grace, truth, and sacrifice to die on the cross for our sins.

John 1:6-7 (ESV): 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV): 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

When God created humankind (male & female) in the image of God, God effectively created a mental physical platform capable of housing the essence of God’s character, even though that character became corrupted by sin. Because of God created people in his image, Jesus Christ the Son of God, able to come into the world with a human mind platform as an infant & grow into an adult.

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV): 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV): 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Jesus’ mental programming, the Logos of Jesus, implemented the essential reason & character of God, though limited physically by processing capabilities of just a few mere pounds of brain material. Jesus embraced human restricted capabilities yet with the divine nature, so Jesus increased in wisdom & knowledge as aged in years. Jesus likewise subjected to human weaknesses & even temptations & handled without sinning.

Luke 2:52 (ESV): 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV): 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus’ divine character never corrupted by sin, and Jesus came to lead us back to God, as the living example showcasing God’s love, holiness, and character.

Colossians 1:13-20 (ESV): 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

God ensured the physical incarnation of the Son of God received the divine mind character programmed into the brain of Jesus known as “God with us” (“Immanuel”) & “Son of the Most High” starting before birth though the Holy Spirit’s Divine Power. With Mary’s consent, the child in the virgin Mary not conceived by physical relations with God, since  Mary remained a virgin until after the child’s birth (References https://bibleopia.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/pointed-ponder-virgin-pregnancy/  and https://bibleopia.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/pointed-ponder-virgin-birth-and-in-vitro-fertilization-ivf/)

Luke 1:30-33 (ESV): 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Matthew 1:20-23 (ESV): 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Children of God

The Bible reveals the way people become Children of God through Jesus the Christ who is the Way, The Truth, and the Life.

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

Romans 8:14-17 (ESV): 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Jesus followers embrace reprogramming our minds willingly by God the Father, God the Son (Jesus The Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, according to God’s Word in the Scriptures, and ongoing guidance by the Holy Spirit, as a new creation.

Psalm 51:10 (ESV): 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Galatians 6:14-16 (ESV): 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

A signature mark of true Christian followers of Jesus that even non-followers can recognize is exhibited by followers demonstrated love for one another, which witnesses becoming born as a new creation by God’s will.

John 13:34-36 (ESV): 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 1:9-13 (ESV): 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 John 2:10-12 (ESV): 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[a] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The Temple of God:

As new creations, the followers of Jesus the Christ through faith individually & collectively are God’s temple inhabited by the Holy Spirit with responsibilities as service workers for God temple with divine help from God.

1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (ESV):  9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

The Word of God:

Delve into The Word of God starting in The Bible’s Book of John Chapter 1 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+1&version=ESV):

 

John 1:1-18 (ESV): 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known

 

 

 

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God’s Sovereignty Control Chance Choice

Across the world, people wonder how much is predetermined & predestined (see related Ephesians 1 Audience article). What must happen that we can do nothing about? What is fate? Where does our free will come in during this life? The answer to these questions significantly impacts one’s world view and even how God‘s own scriptures are understood. In the Christian community, people agree that God is Sovereign, yet what does that mean in terms of God’s control, our choices, and chance itself? While there are over-simplificiations out there, what does the Bible have to say?

Chance Under the Sun:

What does the Bible say about Chance? Does it exist? Even if it exists, is it marginal? Does chance impact people’s life?

The Wise King Solomon shares in our Biblical Scriptures that chance happens to people in many areas of life.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (ESV): 11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

The scripture shares from our viewpoint, from observing how the world works, that chance does exist, chance is not marginal, and chance impacts people’s lives.

Chance impacts the outcomes of battles within a war, who wins competitions, the food you have to eat, how wealthy or poor you will be, and whether you’ll be treated favorably in this life.

Chance Under the Son of God:

What did the Son of God say about Chance?

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is one with God, who existed before Our Universe was created, who is greater than King Solomon, speaks to us about being a good neighbor, and about the presence of chance, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:29-37 (ESV): 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

The Son of God revealed God the Father‘s divine message, and God’s divine message recognizes chance. Clearly Jesus could have revealed any other message, like that by the Divine Providence of God, the Priest was made to pass by there. Jesus clearly acknowledges chance was the reason. The Divine perspective by the co-creator of Our Universe is that chance is real, that chance definitely exists, and that chance influences who is in & out of our lives.

Chance under God’s Sovereignty:

Do you find the Wise Revelations of King Solomon and the Divine Revelation of Jesus Christ the Son of God concerning the presence of chance as disturbing? Even the highly respected scientist / theorist Albert Einstein found it unpalatable, saying:

“God does not play dice with the universe.” — Albert Einstein, The Born-Einstein Letters 1916-55, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2669-god-does-not-play-dice-with-the-universe

Does chance undermine God’s Sovereignty?  How can God be Sovereign even in the midst of chance?

Let’s consider a thought experiment, which is a common tool scientists use to understand complexity. This thought experiment will illustrate how chance exists without undermining God’s Sovereignty.

Most everyone is familiar with the game of tic tac toe. Imagine you were playing a game with an opponent who is invincible. Even if you made random moves, you would still be unable to win. The game itself at best results in a tie when playing with an invincible player. Think about God’s Sovereignty in the same way. No randomness in the game play undermines God’s Sovereignty in any way by design.

Choice in Our Universe:

The Divine Word of God illustrates many choices people have, as already elaborated upon on the topic of “What Choice Do You Have?” .  To Summarize, People have Choices like the following:

• You have choices to Pick Wisely or Foolishly (see Proverbs 27:12 (ESV))
• You have a choice whether to pick good or evil (see Deuteronomy 30:15 (ESV))
• You must decide whether to pick blessings or curses (see Deuteronomy 11:26 (ESV))
• You have a choice to flee sexual immorality (see 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV))
• You have a choice to seek God’s righteousness (see Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV) and Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV))
• You have a choice to pick slavery in sin or freedom in the truth (see John 8:31-38 (ESV))
• You have a choice to pursue light or darkness (see John 8:12-20 (ESV))
• You have a choice to fellowship with those who follow God the Father, his Son Jesus the Savior, and the Holy Spirit (see Hebrews 10:24-27 (ESV))
• You have a choice to tithe, to give 10% of your total income, one or more times annually. Yes, that would add up to more than 10%. (see Malachi 3:9-11 (ESV))
• You have a choice to pay your owed taxes (see Mark 12:13-17 (ESV))
• You have a choice to serve God or money (see Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV))
• You have a choice to make your calling & election sure (see 2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV))
• You have a choice to sow to the spirit persistently (see Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV))
• You have a choice to choose wisely according to the Greater Wisdom! (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (ESV))
• God’s cheering for you to make the right decision! (see 2 Kings 17:13-14 (ESV) and Matthew 23:37-38 (ESV))

God tells the truth and does not lie. God gives you legitimate choices. God wishes for you to pick blessings, but will let you pick curses. Pick Wisely!

Choice under God’s Sovereignty:

Does choice undermine God’s Sovereignty?  How can God be Sovereign even in the midst of choice?

Let’s consider the other side of that same thought experiment, except this time with choice rather than chance. A thought experiment is a common tool scientists use to understand complexity. This thought experiment will illustrate how choice exists without undermining God’s Sovereignty.

Most everyone is familiar with the game of tic tac toe. Imagine you were playing a game with an opponent who is invincible. Even if you use your intellect to makes the most intelligent move choices, you would still be unable to win. The game itself at best results in a tie when playing with an invincible player. Think about God’s Sovereignty in the same way. No deliberate choice in the game play undermines God’s Sovereignty in any way by design.

Control under God:

What are ways in which God institutes control in our world, to optimize the outcomes that result in the midst of chance, choice, and the fallen character & fallen culture of humankind?

The entire Bible’s testifies into the ways God has intervened with promises and with actions in the 66 Books of Bible. God promised to send his Son Jesus Christ into the world to bear our sins. Jesus Christ came and offers to bear the sins of all who become true believers & followers of his.

• God intervened with the flood, saving Noah and his immediate family
• God used Prophets to warn Kings
• God intervened in battles & wars
• God appointed & disciplined Kings
• God sent Prophets who delivered God’s message and performed miracles to help people
• God performed miracles to heal others, feed people in need, bring people back to life, and to teach deep theological lessons about forgiveness
• God transforms the personal & eternal character of those who diligently seek him with all their heart, mind, body, soul, and strength
• God reminds us of our choices & responsibilities
• God determines the bounds of the length of our days & the locations of our journeys, though is open to change those bounds upon request, under the right circumstances
• Jesus Christ came back to the Earth after his death to testify again to the Divine & Eternal Truth & Life found in The Way

Even though God rested from adding new physical rules governing Our Universe after the 6 days of creation (see Bible Genesis Creation Account), God still intervenes in Our Creation for the benefit of our souls.

The Wise King Solomon also acknowledges that although chance exists, God is able to intervene in chance.

Proverbs 16:33 (ESV): 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

This verse does not preclude God from deciding that the outcome is to be determined by chance, yet rather asserts God’s ability & right to intervene in a way that looks like it was just chance.

This means that just as many people have seen God acting in the world through what seemed like chance fluke outcomes, that at least in some of those cases, it was God acting, even though it’d be difficult to prove at times.

“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”, Albert Einstein, The World as I See It, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/14140-coincidence-is-god-s-way-of-remaining-anonymous

Even though much encouragement can be gained from observing these events, make sure your faith rests on the firm foundation of God’s Word. Likewise, looking back at the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus does not reveal whether the Samaritan was there by chance, or by God’s intervention.

Control under the Son of God:

The ultimate control over all is in the process of being handed over by God the Father to God the Son, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (ESV): 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Because all people have sinned, except for Jesus, all deserve death for their wrongdoing. Jesus’ life & death provided a way for those who were enemies of God, to become God’s friends, and to obtain forgiveness of sins and everlasting life (reference Hebrews 2 (ESV) at BibleGateway.com and Romans 6 (ESV))

God is Sovereign in the Midst of Chance & Choice:

The analogy to use Tic Tac Toe provides a simple way for people to understand these very complex and robust concepts about God’s Sovereignty & Control in the midst of Chance & Choice in our life.

English: Albert Einstein Français : Portrait d’Albert Einstein (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am optimistic that many who are presently secular will be able to understand this mystery, since a very similar analogy is present in the 1983 science fiction movie War Games. The basic premise is that a self-aware computer gets the codes necessary to start nuclear war, and only by running several simulations of Nuclear War and Tic Tac Toe does the self-aware computer grasp finally that there is no guaranteed way to win.

In the context of religion, understand that there is no way to win against God, yet the way to win, is with God, through his Son Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 54:16-17 (ESV): 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

God ran the necessary calculations & setup the appropriate controls & contingency plans ahead of time to ensure it, even though the calculations are more complex than Tic Tac Toe or Global Nuclear War scenarios. To understand more how creation & calculations are intertwined, refer to the Genesis Creation Account Universe Tools Paradigm.

Games like Tic Tac Toe and even more advanced games like Chess are generally understood to lead to ties, if neither side made any mistakes. Satan the Devil will  will face final defeat, having already made a mistake by rebelling against God (Ezekiel 28 (ESV), and by tempting humankind to fall away from God (see Genesis 3 (ESV)). God is Sovereign, and worthy to receive all the honor, power, and glory (see Revelation 4 (ESV))

For those who find chance and choice distasteful, rest in this assurance, that God is Sovereign whether or not you accept the realities of chance and choice. You can also comfort yourself, knowing you are in well-respected company, as even the honored scientist Albert Einstein found that concept distasteful, despite investigations of Our Universe pointing to the conclusion that God does play dice with the Universe. The thought experiments introduced complement scriptural illustrations to show God plays dice with the Universe responsibly. 

Each person has the responsibility to seek God and his righteousness to live in faith, being faithful to God.

Romans 5:1-4 (ESV): 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Seeking always to do what is right out of faith is expected of everyone, regardless of your viewpoints on God’s Sovereignty, Chance, Choice, Predestination, Election, and Calling. While people might want to debate these Paradigms, never miss your own personal responsibility, so you’ll accompany fellow believers in the New Heaven and New Earth for eternity.

God’s Sovereignty Control Chance Choice Review:

The Wise King Solomon recognized that many aspects in life are subject to time & _________________.

Jesus, the Son of God, revealed that ______________ exists in life.

You have the responsibility to ___________ good or evil.

You have a ___________ to seek God’s righteousness.

God plays dice with the Universe _____________.

There is no way to ______ against God, yet the way to ________, is with God, through his Son _______ _______.

Related articles

• Stand Up Adam (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• ICE Cubed (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• What Choice Do You Have? (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• Ephesians 1 Audience at https://bibleopia.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/ephesians-1-audience/
• Invitation to Delve Deeply into the Parable of the Sower at https://bibleopia.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/invitation-to-delve-deeply-into-the-parable-of-the-sower/

Credits:

• Clipart Images Courtesy Microsoft, http://www.microsoft.com
• Bible Links Courtesy BibleGateway.com, http://www.BibleGateway.com
• Albert Einstein Image Courtesy Wikipedia.org, http://www.Wikipedia.org

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The Greatest Commandments

The Greatest Commandments:

Mark 12:28-31 (ESV):

28 One of the teachers of the law  came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus,  “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”

The Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20:1-18 (ESV): 

1 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 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 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

Further References:

Andy Stanley has an informative video on God’s Commandments applying on two levels: (1) One level is to love your neighbor, which is the horizontal, and (2)  the other level is to love God, which is the vertical level. The visual above reinforces this message using the imagery of the cross.

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• The Ten Commandments (reneewenzel663.wordpress.com)
• Looking to your Maker~ Isaiah 17 (mitsilancer.wordpress.com)
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• 25 Famous Bible Verses (christianpf.com)
• Sermon Notes: God’s Greatest Commandment (faithinspires.wordpress.com)

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Cain & Abel: Grading on a Curve?

Life Parallels Courses & Course Tests & Course Coaching

There are many types of tests in courses, just as there are many types of tests in life. A few test types will be explored to gain insight into God’s expectations for us. As many subject matters are complex and tests are challenging, many schools & instructors utilize a variety of test taking approaches when assessing their students applied proficiency. Often even before taking a course, a vetting takes place to ensure proper background exists to maximize the chance to do well. Even during a course, often instructors and even others act as a coaches, furthering everyone’s ability to learn the material and pass.

Illustrative Test Types

Several instructors grade on a curve. Grading on a curve typically involves elevating the achieved grades’ assessment, relative to one’s peers. In other courses, grades received are without a curve, so scores relate directly to your own individual performance regardless of others’ current performance. When the class performance is low, some instructors allow more time study materials to re-take exams.

Parallels to Cain killing Abel

There are several parallels in taking a test, to the precursors to Cain killing Abel. Let’s examine them one by one to maximize our learning.

God Permits Retake over Curve

When Cain killed Abel, it was as if Cain thought God’s approval was curve based. As Cain learned directly from God, God allowed a re-take. God cheered for Cain’s success on the re-take, for Cain to pass life’s test with flying colors. As many addicts know, in some cases a re-take means staying several steps away from temptation, and from those people who’d bring them down. When you make a poor choice, remember God is cheering for you in this lifetime, to repent and re-focus on making choices in a way consistent with Jesus’ life & character.

God Ensures Appropriate Material Difficulty

God vetted the test, to ensure it was the appropriate level of challenge for Cain. God vets life’s tests, to ensure none are above our ability to meet them with a God-centered character. Jesus’ life shows us how to meet obstacles, enemies, hypocrisy, and even death with the proper mindset and care, even for those meaning one harm.

Coaches Availability & Encouragement

God also coached Cain, to maximize Cain’s chance to do what is right. God encouraged Cain by assuring Cain that Cain had the capability to pass the re-take, because God knew Cain did. Because Cain ignored God’s advice, Cain replaced a bad score, with an even worse one. When facing life’s challenges, this is an adverse outcome all of us must work to avoid, deriving assistance God put out for us to see.

Fellow Learners

Cain’s brother Abel actually provided benefits for Cain that were left untapped. What were these untapped benefits? They were (1) the added illustration on what God expected, and (2) the opportunity to seek to understand how Abel’s view of the world & God lead to a better decision & outcome.

Fellow Learners as Illustrations

Abel’s life example showed Cain what God expected. Our mind typically learns materials best when real world illustrations & stories accompany other instruction to enhance learning. God expected Cain to cheerfully give a portion of the best, trusting in God & showing appreciation for God. What can we learn from this? When looking at those in life whom God approves, look to learn from their example. God has provided many examples in life, from those listed in the Bible, to Jesus’ own life, to the life of the apostles, to those following God in our lives.

Fellow Learners as Fellow Helpers

When learning new materials, an instructors’ first pass often brings the learner a long way. This lays the important groundwork for a fellow learner to help get a classmate a step closer to successfully knowing the materials. Abel was there to be Cain’s helper. If only Cain had tapped Abel’s expertise too, to learn not only from Abel’s example, but also from the thought process than enabled Abel to make a better decision to achieve a superior outcome. Today, besides those you might personally know in life, God has provided life examples in blogs, podcasts, webcasts, books, conferences, seminars, and even by organizations helping out many in this world.

Extracting Insights

As you read the account of Cain & Abel, what other insights & parallels do you see? Which perspectives help you to come back and do better on life’s next re-take? Which viewpoints increase your likelihood to get God’s approval, which comes with an active living Faith in Jesus Christ?

Genesis 4:1-16 English Standard Version (ESV):

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” ² And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? ⁷  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

⁸ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said,“I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” ¹⁰ And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. ¹¹ And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.¹² When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” ¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. ¹⁴ Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.¹⁶ Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Reference:

Bible, Genesis 4:1-16, ESV Translation: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4&version=ESV

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In Jesus, Defeat Devil’s Thought Viruses

A lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Viral Lens to Perceive Devil’s Work

Viewing the Devil’s influence via a “thought virus” lens adds insights into the Devil’s destructive nature. The effects of the Devil’s interference starting with Adam & Eve rippled throughout humanity, leading to massive waves of death, lying, steeling, infidelity, bribery, abuse, despair, bitterness, hostility, disease propagation, warfare, envy, and many more problematic behaviors, intents, and mindsets.

Electron micrograph of monkeypox virus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Propagation of Viruses

Just like a virus can make a person sick, the Devil’s way of approaching the world harms peoples’ mental & spiritual health, and in several circumstances their physical health too via resulting unhealthy living. As a virus can spread from host to host, so the Devil’s influence spreads from person to person.

Virus Types

While only some viruses are harmful to healthy people, the D

evil’s influence is like a harmful virus type. The Devil’s ways destroy people’s lives, leading people to contribute to their own downfall, from the rich to middle class to poor. Partial impacts are often seen in this lifetime, where people’s behaviors lead to addictions, broken relationships, and mistreatment of others. Without intervention, this ultimately presents a bleak outlook for one’s eternal destination & rewards.

Brain scanning technology is quickly approaching levels of detail that will have serious implications (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thought Virus Medicine

Ultimately, the Devil seeks to have people remain in rebellion to God’s ways to deprive them of the medicine God offers. God’s “thought virus medicine” comes through following Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ’s message and life show us the way to live according to God’s wisdom & expectations. Jesus’ message enables people to confront their destructive “thought viruses” and seek God’s power to challenge and evict them.

Love Leads to Virus Intervention

Jesus is the Son of God, and is one with God, because Jesus’ character is the essence of God’s character. God loves and cares for others and sees their potential. Just like a parent cares for their children, God wishes all people to be adopted as children, and constructs good plans. People who rebel undermine those good plans, just like wicked children find themselves in trouble, even with parents wanting the best for their children. Because God is loving, God sent his son Jesus Christ to intervene, to pull the willing away from the Devil’s dominance.

Blaster Virus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anti-Virus Protection

Jesus Christ lived this love by willingly coming to Earth to tell everyday people the truth and expose the hypocrisy and injustice often found in people & political & religious institutions and alliances. Jesus did this, despite the cost to his life via a brutal death on the cross. The Devil tempted the human-bound Jesus, who is the essence of God’s character in our bodily form, and Jesus won. Jesus chose what was right, even though limited like us. Jesus’ character is like a powerful anti-virus able to defeat the Devil’s temptations. When Christians are born again, it’s like installing this powerful anti-virus protection.

Genesis 3:3-5 (ESV):

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Job 1:6-12 (ESV):

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord

Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV):

4  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,  “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5  Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV):

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

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Jesus’ Truth Sets You Free

Truth has Power.

Learn the Truth.

Practice the Truth.

Teach the Truth.

Preach the Truth.

Spread the Truth.

Truth Breeds Freedom.

Teach the World to be Free.

John 8:31-38 (ESV): So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

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• John 8 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
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• Jesus’ Authority (fellowshiproom.org)
• So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in (richardangulo.wordpress.com)
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Life’s Top Mission

Challenging Misconceptions:
How are you doing on this life’s top mission and purpose to find, follow, and live in and live out an enduring faith in God?

People were made in God’s image to have the opportunity to become increasingly like God, who is known through Jesus the Son of God, who is God, and reveals God.

Image via Wikipedia

God is knowable, yet unknown by many.
God is truth, but often obscured by so-called facts.
God is love, though misunderstood due to worldly misguided love.
God is wise, despite lofty specks of dust unwisely perceiving foolishness.
God is righteous, even as accused of  unrighteousness by people who do evil.

Have you found God despite the war of ideas to designed to obscure truth?
Have you located love of God, though life fosters hatred and misplaced love?
Have you uncovered the ultimate wisdom, despite lesser wisdom’s appeal?
Have you sought Jesus’ righteousness, even as one’s own ways seem right?
Have you pursued knowing the knowable God, and yet must continue chasing?

Have you allowed your own strongholds against God to be liberated by the only Savior able to liberate one’s soul?

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (ESV):

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience,  when your obedience is complete.

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Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tools Paradigm & Comparison & Literal Creator Days

Courtesy of CreationOpia, the Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tool Paradigm Presentation investigates Our Universe’s Origin in the Bible Genesis Account in Genesis 1 & 2 from a perspective that leverage understanding of the science & technology of computers & computation. Answer questions like (1) What is the nature of time? (2) How does this compare to other viewpoints? (3) What are Literal Creator Days? and (4) Which thought experiment can aid in our understanding?

View the Genesis Bible Creation Account SlideShare directly below here.

.

Read the key points below, view the articles, watch the video below, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

The Universe Tools Paradigm Schematic visual shows the nature of our Universe in a mere 7 words and four boxes, and helps to answer questions like:

• When the heavens and earth were created what are the heavens?
• Was light created when God said, “Let there be light?”, or did it already exist? Was the darkness evil?
• How was the earth lighted with day & night before the sun, moon, and stars were created?

Probing thoughts on the nature of time are presented that you can use to think about time before and after our Universe was created, and later dismantled.

• What is time? What underlies the progression of space & time in our Universe?
• Did time exist begin before our Universe was created? Will time continue after our Universe ends?
• What is a way to view time besides a 4th dimension?
• How likely is time travel by those in our Universe?

The Universe Tools Paradigm provides a way to understand God’s monitoring.

• How is God able to watch and track and record our lives to hold us accountable?
• How is God able to number the hairs on our head, and whether to permit any to fall out?
• How does God know our thoughts?

This Universe Tools Paradigm can also be used to enhance understanding of key concepts from scriptures:

• Miracles
• Prophesies
• Interventions
• Theology Analysis
• New Creation, Heart, Spirit
• Accountability & Monitoring
• Knowing & Answering Prayers
• End of Time in Our Universe
• New Heaven / New Earth
• & more …

How does this Universe Tools Paradigm compare to other viewpoints?

• Is the Genesis Account History, Myth, or Poetry?
• What does formless & void mean?
• How to interpret “Let there be Light”?
• Were Days in the Creation Account literal 24 hour days, long days, or something else?
• What is the (a) age of the universe, (b) age of plants & animals, and (c) age of the human race?
• What are the lifespans of plants, animals, and humans?
• Were sickness & disease part of creation? How could ailments get cured?
• How are species and kinds related?
• Do we live on the earth God originally created in Genesis?
• What were the heavens mentioned on the first creation day?
• When was heaven with the angels created? Where is hell for the fallen?
• What is the nature of time more fundamentally than a mere 4th dimension?
• Will time persist after our Universe ends?

Read the articles below, watch the video below, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Related articles

• In The Beginning (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• God Knows Our Thoughts (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Jesus’ Resurrection and Life Platforms (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• God’s and Peoples’ Words Create Worlds (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational World Confirmed by Animation Special Effects (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Understanding Miracles (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational Thought Experiments (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Knowledge, Wisdom, and Our World’s Creation (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In 7 Days Heaven and Earth Was Created (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In the Beginning Was the Creator (creationopia.wordpress.com)

Related Videos:

• Theory: Genesis Creation Narrative (http://vimeo.com/27783174) by Hidetsugu Murakami

THEORY.　Genesis creation narrative from Hidetsugu Murakami on Vimeo.

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Bible Genesis Creation Account 2014 Q2 Updates PDF. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read Full Post »

Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tools Paradigm & Comparison

Courtesy of CreationOpia, the Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tool Paradigm Presentation investigates Our Universe’s Origin in the Bible Genesis Account in Genesis 1 & 2 from a perspective that leverage understanding of the science & technology of computers & computation. Answer questions like (1) what is the nature of time? and (2) How does this compare to other viewpoints?

View the Genesis Bible Creation Account SlideShare directly below here.

.

The Universe Tools Paradigm Schematic visual shows the nature of our Universe in a mere 7 words and four boxes, and helps to answer questions like:

• When the heavens and earth were created what are the heavens?
• Was light created when God said, “Let there be light?”, or did it already exist? Was the darkness evil?
• How was the earth lighted with day & night before the sun, moon, and stars were created?

Probing thoughts on the nature of time are presented that you can use to think about time before and after our Universe was created, and later dismantled.

• What is time? What underlies the progression of space & time in our Universe?
• Did time exist begin before our Universe was created? Will time continue after our Universe ends?
• What is a way to view time besides a 4th dimension?
• How likely is time travel by those in our Universe?

The Universe Tools Paradigm provides a way to understand God’s monitoring.

• How is God able to watch and track and record our lives to hold us accountable?
• How is God able to number the hairs on our head, and whether to permit any to fall out?
• How does God know our thoughts?

This Universe Tools Paradigm can also be used to enhance understanding of key concepts from scriptures:

• Miracles
• Prophesies
• Interventions
• Theology Analysis
• New Creation, Heart, Spirit
• Accountability & Monitoring
• Knowing & Answering Prayers
• End of Time in Our Universe
• New Heaven / New Earth
• & more …

How does this Universe Tools Paradigm compare to other viewpoints?

• Is the Genesis Account History, Myth, or Poetry?
• What does formless & void mean?
• How to interpret “Let there be Light”?
• Were Days in the Creation Account literal 24 hour days, long days, or something else?
• What is the (a) age of the universe, (b) age of plants & animals, and (c) age of the human race?
• What are the lifespans of plants, animals, and humans?
• Were sickness & disease part of creation? How could ailments get cured?
• How are species and kinds related?
• Do we live on the earth God originally created in Genesis?
• What were the heavens mentioned on the first creation day?
• When was heaven with the angels created? Where is hell for the fallen?
• What is the nature of time more fundamentally than a mere 4th dimension?
• Will time persist after our Universe ends?

Read the articles below, watch the video below, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Related articles

• In The Beginning (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• God Knows Our Thoughts (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Jesus’ Resurrection and Life Platforms (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• God’s and Peoples’ Words Create Worlds (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational World Confirmed by Animation Special Effects (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Understanding Miracles (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational Thought Experiments (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Knowledge, Wisdom, and Our World’s Creation (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In 7 Days Heaven and Earth Was Created (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In the Beginning Was the Creator (creationopia.wordpress.com)

Related Videos:

• Theory: Genesis Creation Narrative (http://vimeo.com/27783174) by Hidetsugu Murakami

THEORY.　Genesis creation narrative from Hidetsugu Murakami on Vimeo.

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

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Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tools Paradigm

Courtesy of CreationOpia, the Bible Genesis Creation Account Universe Tool Paradigm Presentation investigates Our Universe’s Origin in the Bible Genesis Account in Genesis 1 & 2 from a perspective that leverage understanding of the science & technology of computers & computation. Answer questions like what is the nature of time?

View the Genesis Bible Creation Account SlideShare directly below here.

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The Universe Tools Paradigm Schematic visual shows the nature of our Universe in a mere 7 words and four boxes, and helps to answer questions like:

• When the heavens and earth were created what are the heavens?
• Was light created when God said, “Let there be light?”, or did it already exist? Was the darkness evil?
• How was the earth lighted with day & night before the sun, moon, and stars were created?

Probing thoughts on the nature of time are presented that you can use to think about time before and after our Universe was created, and later dismantled.

• What is time? What underlies the progression of space & time in our Universe?
• Did time exist begin before our Universe was created? Will time continue after our Universe ends?
• What is a way to view time besides a 4th dimension?
• How likely is time travel by those in our Universe?

The Universe Tools Paradigm provides a way to understand God’s monitoring.

• How is God able to watch and track and record our lives to hold us accountable?
• How is God able to number the hairs on our head, and whether to permit any to fall out?
• How does God know our thoughts?

This Universe Tools Paradigm paradigm can also be used to enhance understanding of key concepts from scriptures:

• Miracles
• Prophesies
• Interventions
• Theology Analysis
• New Creation, Heart, Spirit
• Accountability & Monitoring
• Knowing & Answering Prayers
• End of Time in Our Universe
• New Heaven / New Earth
• & more …

Read the articles below, watch the video below, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Related articles

• In The Beginning (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• God Knows Our Thoughts (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Jesus’ Resurrection and Life Platforms (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• God’s and Peoples’ Words Create Worlds (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational World Confirmed by Animation Special Effects (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Understanding Miracles (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Computational Thought Experiments (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• Knowledge, Wisdom, and Our World’s Creation (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In 7 Days Heaven and Earth Was Created (creationopia.wordpress.com)
• In the Beginning Was the Creator (creationopia.wordpress.com)

Related Videos:

• Theory: Genesis Creation Narrative (http://vimeo.com/27783174) by Hidetsugu Murakami

THEORY.　Genesis creation narrative from Hidetsugu Murakami on Vimeo.

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

Read the articles above, watch the video above, or download the Genesis Bible Genesis Creation Account Presentation. Alternatively, view the Presentation At SlideShare at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/bible-genesis-creation-account

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Heaven’s Reign on Earth

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Acknowledging our incomplete understanding of heaven and its’ ordinances, while looking forward to Jesus’ reign on earth by God’s power, we ask in the Lord’s prayer for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven, understanding God is holy and heaven far exceeds earth.

Job 38:33 (ESV):

33  Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?

Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV):

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Related articles

• Spurgeon’s Daily Devotional (macandlinuxuser.wordpress.com)
• Crumbs Like Earth (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• Permitted in Heaven (bibleopia.wordpress.com)

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Lord’s Treasured Possession

Just as God intervened previously to save the Israelites from militant enemies, the Lord Jesus Christ

Image by enger via Flickr

is ready to come to their side, provided they follow his voice and covenant with all their being, to be his treasured possession again.

Exodus 19:3-6 (ESV):

3 while  Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and  a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Matthew 23:37 (ESV):

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

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Prayer & Preparation Power

Faith in God is proactive. Faith nurtures drawing closer to Jesus in character, thoughts, and actions by pondering scriptures ahead of imminent need. Preparing for emerging adversities encompasses paying attention to yourself to strengthen your faith in God prior to life’s storms. Faith reaches out with prayers to God in advance to have spiritual power to patiently persevere through trials & temptations.

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Luke 21:34-36 (ESV):

³⁴ “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Related articles

• Just Pray It (cinhosa.wordpress.com)
• A Quick Thought on Prayer (tomfastblog.wordpress.com)
• Ask Believe Receive (depreachersblog.wordpress.com)
• The Prayer of Petition (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you HAVE received it (achristian.wordpress.com)
• Pray Without Ceasing (bummyla.wordpress.com)

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Manna Nutrition

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In our modern day, a wide variety of vitamins and supplements are available. What nutrients are necessary and beneficial? What if scientists had the original manna God sent the Israelites from heaven for food to analyze to see its’ nutritional value to engineer similar diets & supplements?

When it comes to our health, diet is important. For our soul, diet is insufficient. Even with a God-given diet of manna and meat, God was spiritually disappointed with most of the people, illustrating the lack of spiritual value in observing numerous ‘religious’ dietary restrictions that seem godly merely on the surface. The Lord is much more interested in our following him. The Son of God made this clear, explaining it’s what emanates from the heart that defiles a person rather than what one eats.

What is manna? It is a flaky white bread like honey flavored wafers provided by God. Because this was a key part of the people’s diet, either God fortified this flavored bread with added nutrition or the bread contained nutrition naturally.

The description of the flaky manna bread described in the Bible is reminiscent of Baklava, though it is not Baklava. Baklava is present in Turkish and Greek food, and other cultural food, with the Greek variety having a greater honey emphasis.

Exodus 16:32-35 (ESV):

32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord  has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'” 33 And Moses said to Aaron,  “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.” 34 As the  Lord  commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the testimony to be kept. 35 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

Matthew 15:16-20 (ESV):

15 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

1 Corinthians 8:8-9 (ESV):

8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Exodus 16:12-15 (ESV):

12 “I  have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At  twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'” 13 In the evening  quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing,fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

Exodus 16:31-32 (ESV):

31 Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord  has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'”

Baklava

(1) http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/Baklava.htm
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baklava
(3) http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Baklava
(4) http://www.sarahmelamed.com/2010/04/baklava-arabian-delights/
(5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_cuisine

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Fragrance of Christ

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Many wear fragrances everyday such as deodorant, scented clothes, perfumes, and colognes, or exude the a-la-natural fragrance. Let’s likewise make a habit of sprinkling on Christ’s fragrance daily, to be encouraging to those who follow the Lord, through our knowledge and living and spreading of the way.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (ESV):

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

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Faith Level

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When God leads his people, he takes into account their faith level. When leaving Egypt, the Israelites’ lack of faith lead to only Pharaoh being defeated immediately, rather than both Pharaoh and the Philistines. God’s people at a later time over several generations faced the Philistines. Learning from the Israelites experiences reminds us to focus on our faith now, so God will work even greater accomplishments through us sooner. By having more faith in the present, more can be done now and in the future. For the Israelites leaving Egypt, the continued lack of faith caused only a few to be permitted to enter the promised land from the original generation. God was happy to have all them enter there, yet faith was key to that generation receiving the blessing. Later Jesus explains as miracles were done, that faith was a key to many receiving their desired blessings as a gift from God. Can God do the miracles without people’s faith? Yes, surely. Why were the miracles wrapped up in faith?

Exodus 13:17-18 (ESV):

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did  not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said,  “Lest the people  change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God  led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

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Christian Collections

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When observing the Christian Church in one region wisely & lovingly collecting to support another Church, recall this is a reflection of the character and pattern of care and concern that true faith in Jesus Christ generates. While many Christians today wish to help out others even more effectively than they do now, unfortunately several government leaders, rulers, and laws deliberately interfere with such support and help to their people. As the Gospel of Jesus Christ permeates globally, one wonders if in our own lifetime, whether many of these strongholds that resist God’s will, and subvert his blessings, will be opened up, for us to witness meaningful changes and blessings sooner rather than later.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (ESV):

1 Now concerning  the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On  the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up,  as he may prosper,  so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send  those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

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Discipleship’s Cost

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The Parable of the Sower shows some people start in the faith and then fall away. Obstacles to remaining faithful include family, possessions, and one’s own life too. Jesus directs followers to closely examine discipleship’s cost, to be prepared to pay, rather than fall away. Life has challenges. Jesus points out these challenges for us to successfully face them directly head-on rather than have us stumble due to being caught off-guard.

Luke 14:25-33 (ESV):

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke 8:4-8 (ESV):

4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.”  As he said these things, he called out,  “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

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Ask, Seek, and Knock

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Disciples of Jesus the Son of God are given a privilege to request gifts from God, and know God will in time grant them.

* What is best for us to pursue when we ask, seek, and knock? Spiritual gifts.

* For what to ask? Ask God the Father for more of the Holy Spirit of God.

* What gifts does the spirit bestow? The spirit bestows gifts like wisdom, knowledge, faith, love, tongues, healing, prophesy, miracles, and more, as the spirit sees fit.

* What doors to knock on to be opened? Doors to reach the lost? Doors to know God further? Doors to understanding? When you knock to have God open the door to good gifts, go through and leave a trail to show the way.

* What’s our responsibility? Do our part to ask, knock, and seek in faith with appreciation for appropriate gifts to use for purposes that align with God’s will.

* What to seek? Seek the best gifts fitting you personally.

Seek the Three Guides of faith, love, and wisdom.

Next Steps:

View The Three Guides Presentation on Wisdom, Faith, and Love:

Alternatively, go to the SlideShare site at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/the-three-guides-wisdom-faith-love to view The Three Guides Presentation on Wisdom, Faith, and Love.

Download:

You can also download the presentation at this Three Guides Download link.

Related articles

• The Three Guides and The Centurion (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• The Three Guides: Characteristics for Success & Favor (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• The Three Guides (bibleopia.wordpress.com)

Bible References:

Luke 11:9-13 (ESV):

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (ESV):

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

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Profitable to God?

God granted Satan permission to afflict Job for a time as a test, leading many later to find encouragement from how Job handled the situation. Job’s friends incorrectly interpreted Job’s affliction as a sign of his guilt, and applied their wisdom and knowledge to make their case against Job. While their views were flawed, we can learn about their views compared to revealed truths elsewhere in scripture to help us correct similarly mistaken perspectives that are often assumed without carefully consulting God’s word. The question ‘Can a man be profitable to God?’ is asked with an implied answer of ‘No’. Should the implied answer be Yes? God’s word is profitable. God’s people play a critical participative role in spreading God’s word. God’s word is good for teaching, reproof, correction, and righteousness. Scriptures show many prophets like Elijah and Elisha, leaders like David and Moses, and disciples & apostles like Peter & Paul who are profitable to God’s mission. People are profitable to God through furthering God’s purposes, spreading God’s word to reach the lost through the gospel, and helping God to bring people from error to righteousness according to God’s plans. When Job’s friend says ‘Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself’, there is an implied ‘only’ at the end of the sentence suggesting an individual’s wisdom only benefits the individual and not God and not others. It is true that if you are wise, it benefits yourself, and the lack of wisdom similarly harms oneself. Wisdom also has the power to benefit others and God’s purposes too. God is willing to give more wisdom to followers who ask in faith without doubting. Why? Reason suggests the increased wisdom enables believers to be more helpful and profitable inline with God’s purposes.

Job 22:2 (ESV):

2 “Can a man be profitable to God?
Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV):

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God  may be competent,  equipped for every good work.

Titus 3:8 (ESV):

8 The saying is  trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Proverbs 8:35-36 (ESV):

35  For  whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

James 1:5-6 (ESV):

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

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The Three Guides and The Centurion

The centurion exhibited the three guides of (1) faith, (2) love, and (3) wisdom in his request with Jesus. 

*  Wisdom: The centurion exhibited WISDOM by sending people Jesus would most likely listen to in the request to grant the healing.

*  Love: The centurion exhibited LOVE for his highly valued servant by seeking Jesus to heal his servant once he learned about Jesus.

*  Faith: Jesus marveling at the centurion’s great FAITH shows the centurion’s request was deeply rooted in faith.

Luke 7:1-5 (ESV):

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

Luke 7:6-9 (ESV):

6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Next Steps:

View The Three Guides Presentation on Wisdom, Faith, and Love:

Alternatively, go to the SlideShare site at http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/the-three-guides-wisdom-faith-love to view The Three Guides Presentation on Wisdom, Faith, and Love.

Download:

You can also download the presentation at this Three Guides Download link.

Related articles

• The Three Guides and The Centurion (bibleopia.wordpress.com) (This article)
• The Three Guides: Characteristics for Success & Favor (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• The Three Guides (bibleopia.wordpress.com)

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Lifetime Pursuit of Speech Refinement

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A lifetime pursuit is to refine our speech. The pursuit is futile, even deceptive, and counter-productive if the inner soul remains a wasteland. So, working with God to repair our inner soul is critical. Even with good heart treasures, speech refinement is a lifelong pursuit for more reasons. Why? To add to speech more clarity, drama, and entertainment, and to customize messages for specific purposes and audiences. How can our speech lead more to know God, and know God more intimately, to gain eternal life through Jesus Christ?

Luke 6:45 (ESV):

45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

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Sins Traps

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Many common responses to sinful human failings keep people trapped. How so? Pride leads people to portray their sins as virtues, a major obstacle to identifying and pursuing a need to change. Worldly wisdom leads people to imagine these sinful human failings as in their best interest, which keeps them from searching and finding righteous ways that are really in their best interest. Blaiming others for short-comings interferes with taking the necessary responsibility to tackle personal short-comings directly. Comparisons to others likewise situated can lead to downplaying sin’s seriousness, as can comparisons to those worse, leading to ignoring comparisons to those better who showcase more productive ways to live and confront sins. Recognizing sin’s trap can lead to despair and hopelessness, which can interfere with the hope needed to find a way out. How to get out of these traps? God provides sound materials and often helpful people too, to help people see and confront sinful human failings. God seeks to help people do what is right when repentant and willing to change. God provides a way out of sin and the faith and hope and guides to pursue it, although the consequences often remain in effect, as a reminder to be more diligent next time to do the right thing.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV):

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous 2 will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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Remove Malice & Evil

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To meet our responsibility to clean out the old leaven of malice and evil, God provides us Bible tools, Jesus Christ’s words & life, the Holy Spirit, and the community of believers, so we can speak and live in sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV):

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

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God Pleased with Us

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Peace in our fast-paced complex interconnected world is welcome at an individual level. What is required for us to have this peace? God must be pleased with us. What is required for God to be pleased with us? With faith, seeking God, without turning back, it is possible to please God. What kind of nourishment is required to do that? The Spiritual nourishment Christ provides. Is partaking of that nourishment sufficient? Yes, sometimes.  When is it insufficient? When  partakers purposely pursue sin like idolatry, grumbling, desiring evil, sexual immorality, and testing God. When is it sufficient? When people remain in their faith, properly following Christ’s guidance as a new creation born again.

Luke 2:11-14 (ESV):

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is  Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14  “Glory to God  in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

1 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV):

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

Hebrews 11:5-6 (ESV):

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (ESV):

1 For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same  spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV):

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

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Parable of the Sower & Reapers Roadmap Video

Understanding Jesus’ Parable of the Sower properly positions people to interpret all parables, which contain secrets hidden since the Foundation of the World. Learn more about the Parable of the Sower and the Reapers Roadmap, Courtesy http://BibleOpia.WordPress.com

YouTube Presentation Video (No Sound): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmuT3hRCPjc

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Parable of the Sower & Reapers Roadmap Slide Share

Come & Click & Enjoy the Parable of the Sower & Reapers Roadmap Slide Share:

Parable of the Sower and Reapers Roadmap Slide Share

http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=parableofthesowerandreapersroadmapslideshare-110823203158-phpapp02&stripped_title=parable-of-the-sower-and-reapers-roadmap-slide-share&userName=creationary

View the Parable of the Sower Slideshare Presentation.

You can also directly view the Parable of the Sower presentation at the Slideshare link http://www.slideshare.net/creationary/parable-of-the-sower-and-reapers-roadmap-slide-share

Next Steps: Continue your studies on the Parable of the Sower:

Invitation to Delve Deeply into the Parable of the Sower

https://bibleopia.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/invitation-to-delve-deeply-into-the-parable-of-the-sower

View more presentations from Carl Frederick at SlideShare.net

Related articles

• Faith Types and The Parable of the Sower (bibleopia.wordpress.com)
• Heart Types and The Parable of the Sower (bibleopia.wordpress.com)

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Facing Tragedy

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Even today when God permits evil to the righteous, many incorrectly attribute it as God’s punishment to its’ victims. God allows tragedy to befall all types of people, and is able to work with people in the midst of tragedy for their benefit, if they are willing. Our role is to bless the afflicted, even those who deserve their circumstances. When going through tough circumstances ourselves, our role is to draw closer to God, to benefit the most from life’s challenges. Those who deserve their situation, when they repent and come to Jesus, have found the divine source of encouragement. More importantly, knowing how temporary our life is, is to live the way Jesus showed us that leads to eternal life.

Job 11:4-6 (ESV):

4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’s eyes.’
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

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Account to God

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God already knows what we have thought and done.  We each are to provide an account of ourselves to God. I wonder what the purpose of that is. Is it for us to understand our lives better and how we behaved? Is it to help us pick and choose correctly now, so we’ll want to share our account before God later? Is it for those being saved by believing & obeying & loving Jesus to understand the depth of forgiveness God has granted? For those whose tears God will wipe away, is this part of that restoration process? For members of God’s Church, the Bride of Christ, is this like in a marriage relationship, where the spouses share with each other deeply? Will others be listening to the account?

Romans 14:10-12 (ESV):

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

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Always Ready for ‘Judgement Day’

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Always be ready for your own ‘Judgment Day’ before God. God will come at anytime to conclude your journey on Earth. Be right before God by a living faith to enter into eternal life justified by Jesus.

Mark 13:32-37 (ESV):

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

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Approaching the Kingdom of God

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Jesus generously offers clues as to how to approach the Kingdom of God, the eternal Kingdom where all power and authority reside. The two most important commandments at first glance look like mere rules, yet they are much more, being directions on who to be to approach the Kingdom of God.

Mark 12:32-34 (ESV):

32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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God Permits, God Desires

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What is best for us is not what God permits but rather what God desires. God permits our fall, but desires our salvation. God permits our sin, but desires our righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. God permits our stubbornness, yet desires our repentance. God permits out hate, yet desires our love. God permits our foolishness, yet desires wise and loving decisions. God permits us to act in ways deserving judgment and justice, yet God prefers us to pick the path of mercy and forgiveness available through his resurrected Son.

Mark 10:2-9 (ESV):

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

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