Repent

OK, life has been quite interesting to say the least. Nothing seems to be working out and the world seems to be on life support. The economy is at it's worst since the depression or maybe worse? However, God is still God and that has not change.
Well, after the last few encounters with "religious" leaders, who professes leadership credentials through various accreditations, I was really discouraged. I will say it again, really discouraged. Not that I was discouraged about their accreditations, but by their perspective of growing. It seems after all that they have attained, they have arrived. Their perspective has been solidified by their accreditations that as leaders that leads the way of the Lord, they can learn from no one unless they have the same status or the like.

This is just a confession, and so I can repent and keep moving forward.

Back to God

Romans 1

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."


It has been a while since I have had a personal time with God here.
I figured, or finally got some sense knocked into me.
God is God. There are no ifs or buts. There is no dispute whether if he is there or not.
Just from this little absence, I was hoping to do it on my own again.
I know God is there, and I know the scriptures. But each morning I was pre-occupied by something else, namely tyring to find my next "job."

I have to say, my "job" does not help me in feeing better or knowing God is there.
It is quite the contrary.
My happiness, joy, faith, and confidence comes from God alone and the rest relies on my perspective of God.

To God be the Glory.

Grace

John 8

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Grace is good.
However, a response is required.

To God be the glory

Blindness

John 9


"Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

Since those whom were not of a Jewish descent, hence Gentiles, were not bound by the law, were they qualify as blind?

To God be the Glory

The Unbelief

John 10

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"

"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

It is really strange for people claiming to believe in the coming of the Christ and yet not believe Jesus is from God.
I would think if people do know the scriptures, they would recognize the miracles, and even Jesus himself mentioned it.

"Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. "

I guess when people are so steep in sin, they will believe what they want to believe, and not see the truth.


The Feast of Dedication also called "Feast of the Maccabees" was a Jewish festival observed for eight days from the 25th of Kislev (i.e. month of December). It was instituted by Judas Maccabeus, his brothers, and the elders of the congregation of Israel, in the year 165 B.C. in commemoration of the reconsecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and especially of the altar of burnt offering, after they had been desecrated in the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes (168 BC). The distinguishing features of the festival were the illumination of houses and synagogues, a custom probably taken over from the Feast of Tabernacles, and the recitation of Psalm 30:1-12 HE.[2] J. Wellhausen suggests that the feast was originally connected with the winter solstice, and only afterwards with the events narrated in Maccabees.

To God be the Glory

The Gate

John 10

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber."

Which gate are we entering?
How do we know which is the right gate?
If someone is a "thief" or a "robber" would we recognize him/her?
When is it too late?

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

It is safe to say that the other sheep would be the Gentiles.
The BIG picture here is: "...one flock and one shepherd."
One.
So why are there so many denominations?
Is one "Church" bigger than the other make it the "true" church?

To God be the Glory

Scattered Children of God

John 11

"He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life."

Well, I am not of any Jewish descent nor am I a convert. So I would safely say that I am a "scattered children of God."

What does that mean?
I know I was reached out to and was found.
What about those whose parents are already a "Christian?" They were "born" into the Church?
Are they "scattered" children? I guess they would be the parents' responsibility or would it still be their own responsibility? Infant baptism? Against their will? Not knowing?
Just a thought.

To God be the Glory.