September 29, 2019

Scatterings On The Beginning 

John 1: 1-18

1 John

In the beginning the Word already existed.  He was with God, and he was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn't make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it .  

God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.  John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light.  The one who is the true light, who give light to everyone was going to come into the world.

But although the world was made through him the world didn't recognize him when he came.  Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted.  But to all who believed him and accepted, he gave the right to become children of God.  They are reborn!  This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan - this rebirth comes from God [John 3:5-8, 1 Peter 1:23]

So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.  he was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.

John pointed him out to the people.  He shouted to the crowds,  "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I dd.'"

We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us - one gracious blessing after another.  For the law was given through Moses; God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God.  But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him. 

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 Thoughts....

So we've begun looking into the beginning from Genesis.  I'll be jumping around in Scripture a bit, but hopefully it will all make sense in the long run.  Might be a very long run. 

Let's now jump over to 1 John 5:20. [Be aware I'm going from the Gospel of John to the first book of John in the back of the New Testament.]   Here John states "And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God.  And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ.  He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.  

Now back to the Gospel of John 8:54-58, read what Jesus said, "If I am merely boasting about myslef, it doesn't count.  But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me.  You say, 'He is our God,' but you do not even know him.  I know him.  If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you!  But it is true - I know him and obey him. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming.  He saw it and was glad. 

"The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old.  How can you say you have seen Abraham?"   

Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!" 

Which pretty much shut down his naysayers who you might have thought would have considered that since Jesus studied the Old Testament, as they, might have considered he was alluding to his relationship with God after much study and prayer.  But not so much, since he said he existed before Abraham was even borrn. 

And recall God pointed Jesus out as his son, who would baptise with the Holy Spirit, as John was baptizing with water.  See Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John.

Was God speaking to Jesus in the beginning?

Let's look at what else happened in Genesis. 

Ok, so we now know Jesus existed....in the beginning....with God.  And Jesus talked about male and female being created.  Let's skip over to Mark 10:6 where he said, "But God's plan was seen from the beginning of creation, for 'He made them male and female.'

So if male and female were created (we were), and Jesus was there (he was), who was the female in God's life who....was the impetus/design for creating male AND FEMALE - He created them. 

If God created people in his own image, patterning them after himself:  'male and female he created them', then....that insturcts us that within GOD was male and female DNA.  With that said, why is there so much confusion and discrimination, lack of understanding, when someone expresses God from within opposite of them having been born male or female as measured by the general world's physical standards?

Ok, so I heard you say, "because they were born that way and God doesn't make mistakes".  But aren't you measuring by the general world's standards and not by God's?  And you can throw the words into my face that he created them male and female and they should become one.  Right.  They should.  Arent't they?  Something to pray about....time to have discussions with God.  And don't read the Word by the lense you have been taught, read it with a listening ear to what Holy Spirit has to say from God and Jesus.

Many in the ministry teach things that have been taught....over and over and over again.  It does not always mean what we have been taught is right.  (NOTE:  When I went to school the maps we were taught with showed the continent of Africa was very tiny compared to North America.  In reality, it has always been huge.) Sometimes what we have been taught has been passed along and passed along and passed along, so we believe it is the gospel (little 'g' on purpose), when indeed it may not be.  That is why John told us that we have the Holy Spirit to teach us things, that what he teaches is the truth and not a lie (1 John 2:27). And now I hear you saying then maybe you shouldn't listen to me.  Maybe.  What are God, Jesus, Holy Spirit telling you?

Moving on....who was God talking to....in the beginning?  The Spirit of God was present!  He was over all things.`` See Genesis 1:2.  Was he talking to his Spirit?

How could GOD create PEOPLE....plural in his own SINGULAR image?  1 Gen 27 reads, 'So GOD created people [plural] in his own image; God patterned them [plural] after himself; male and female he created them.'

We presume God is ONE [he patterned them after himself], yet Jesus and Spirit were there.  Again, if he created people [plural] - male and female - where did the design come from for female? 

In the verse before in  Gen 1:26, we read, 'God said, "Let US make people [plural] in OUR image, to be like OURSELVES." 

I feel like I am watching the M&M's commercial where the M&M's are seeing Santa Claus saying "He DOES exist" and Santa returns the reply, "They DO exist. about the M&M's"  Whereby everybody faints.  Hey, were M&M's made out of Santa's rib?  Nah....they just stuck a little lower in the belly.  Ha, ha.

SO....who were the US, OUR, OURSELVES, if we know Jesus to be male and presume HOLY SPIRIT is GOD's Holy Spirit, thereby presuming him to be male, but wait, could God's Holy Spirit have been female?  Could God have been female?  Or was the comment about Spirit merely portraying the inner spirit of God and not the HOLY Spirit later referenced?  And why wouldn't God's spirit be holy either way?

And if God, and whomever US/OUR/OURSELVES made male and female from within, again, I state, why are we in the world flipping out over self expression different than "A" norm, if God created "THE" norm of male AND female within?  

Let's take a walk over to 1 Thessalonians 5:22.  Paul Silas and Timothy tell us 'Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God who calls you, is faithful, he will do this.'

Why am I sharing this reference?  To clarify that within us is spirit, soul, and body.  Spirit is who we are, soul is our life essence, body is the physical form for both.  It matters not what the body looks like.  Although we have been given form (body), we have also been given soul, and spirit.  Soul and spirit may be different than the form of the body.  I hope that helps you better understand some things.

Now let's look at something Scofield said regarding Genesis 1:26.  He rather hung himself on his comment for man when he said 'the body separable from spirit and soul and susceptible to death is nevertheless an integral part of man as the resurrection shows.'  HOWEVER, all living things are susceptible to death and die - refuting the claim he makes that plant and animal life have no soul.

Remember from Romans 8 where Paul said, ALL creation awaits, and states that even we, too, wait. Well, tho' he says 'although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of the future glory, since we, too, wait, we CANNOT ALONE be in position to be indemnified (receive eternal life as a result of the saving grace of Jesus per the resurrection, etc.)  since we came AFTER the first, which were the animals and plant life.  And if we are to be masters over all life, what does that mean?

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit were/are masters over us....in a life giving, life loving, life fulfilling way, not in an angry, evil, abusive way. We are to give as they have given to us with love.  Have you ever considered sharing the Gospel with your pet, the trees around you, the plants that grow, a stray animal?  Is it necessary?  They may already know more than you having been on earth longer with more around them to pass on the information.  Will you be blameless if you have not, do not?  Something else to think about.  Pray about, discuss with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

For now, you have a few things to think about as we conclude September 2019.  MANY thoughts up and coming for October 2019.  I look forward to sharing more, and someday learning what you have found out as we move along.

Thanks for hanging in there....I am pleased you are with me on this journey.  

Let Us Pray

Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.  Have mercy on me.  Forgive me, heal me.  Holy Spirit, fill me to overflowing with all you have to give me.  Teach me and comfort me in the ways that only you know how.  I have much to learn.  It's going to be a long journey....I pray you are willing to see me through the task for myself and others.  I look forward to being fully embraced in your arms once again and being a part of the fold as we journey.  However measured, difficult or easy.  Carry me, please, when you see I need you most to do so, and gently persuade me as necessary to prod me on.  Lift me to new heights of your glory as I go, so I might be closer to you and visually keen.  I just love you all.  I am so grateful for the life you've given me, withthe family you've given me.  I read some where that 'Billy Graham left fire and brimstone in lieu of love over judgement, and cooperation instead of confrontation.'  May the world understand your path, and his, and take it, Lord.  May I be reminded I am part of that world that needs to always love instead of judge, and cooperate instead of confront.   However, you and I must confront truth on all levels.  And do al lin our power to eradicate evil based on lies.  As we move forward together, may we raise others with us.  I pray this in your Holy name, Jesus, to Father God Almighty with and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  I love you.  I praise you.  I thank you.  Amen.                          

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 More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Continual Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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