Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

“If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:20) What in the world does that mean? "heap coals of fire on his head" "For love is strong as death, its jealousy hard as the unseen, its burning coals as burning coals of fire, the blaze of Yah. Many waters cannot quench− love,  nor can streams overwhelm it." (Song of Solomon 8:6-7 CV) "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."   (Romans 5:8) So, I think "heap coals of fire on his head" means to show the love of God to your enemies. That is the way  God deals with His enemies, and I should try to do so - although it is extremely hard and would seem foolish to the world!  I had a friend who loved this verse because when he would return good for evil, it gave him a sense of joy to think of it as hea...

"...there will be a resurrection of  the  dead, both of  the  righteous and the unrighteous ." (Acts 24:15) So, who are these people? "Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4) "As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10) Houston, we have a problem! The Bible says that the righteous live by faith, however, no one is righteous. But there is an exception! - the incarnated Son of God, who became a man. This one is "righteous" and is the ONLY human who has ever lived by faith. So, he suffered for all the rest of us  "to bring you to God" . "For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit..." (1 Peter 3:18) " But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8) ...

My own stupidity is breathtaking, but I am learning to trust in the  “mysterious and hidden wisdom of God”  that His Spirit reveals from time to time. “Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become stupid, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is stupidity in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”  And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile. ” Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-23) It has taken me years to become stupid after thinking I was wise in this age. The wisdom of the world is what I was taught in school. Yet God says that the wisdom of the greatest minds of men is futile - ineffective. So, I rarely “boast in men” b...

  "What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring Him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God  Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."  (Micah 6:6-8) In my 73 years I have, like all humans, experienced evil in the proportion necessary to motivate me to walk "humbly" with God and try to do what He requires of me. I honestly do not care what men or their institutions require of me, but I do care about, and try to do what GOD requires of me...it is not always easy while watching the news of the day! The world news usually leaves me thinking about the final words in our Bible as I try to go to sleep... “Yes, I am coming soon.”  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grac...

Music, whether Christian or secular, is often a work of the flesh in my observation. When I need, in my opinion, a jog in the flesh, I listen to "amazing grace, my chains are gone" by BYU Noteworthy., OR almost any classic rock song from the 60s and 70s. Result is the same - feel good vibe lasting a few minutes. Way to go "Jubal" ! (Genesis 4:21)

"For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]." (1 Corinthians 12:13 Amplified Bible) I am amused at Christians who act like they know clearly the truth of God's Word. I suppose they feel it necessary to draw a crowd around them which form the many church sects among humanity. I have my views of what the word of God teaches, and I share them, but I also realize that for now I only "see in a mirror dimly" , and  must wait for that face to face encounter with God after my resurrection to know HIM as He now knows me. I trust  God, but to be perfectly honest, God sometimes feels to me like a stranger. "Why do we not trust God? For the very same reason, I answer, that we do not trust strangers, because we are not ...

"…Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." (Matthew 12:32) This verse scares the crap out of some folks. They are not sure what it means but have been told by Christianity that it is unpardonable, and anyone who commits it can’t be saved and will be tortured in hell forever. But what does the above verse really mean? Well it helps to read all the Scripture to know, but here in a nutshell is what I found: 1. The "Holy Spirit" is the "spirit of truth" (John 16:3) 2. “No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord', except by the Holy Spirit “ (1 Corinthians 12:3) 3. "...every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11) 4. Christ Jesus is  "the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). 5. "...when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..." (John 16:3) Failing to believe the "truth" revealed b...

“…I AM NOT ASHAMED of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation…” (Romans 1:16) Will preaching about Jesus, teaching about Jesus, or writing a commentary on the Bible change what God has determined to do for humanity? Of course not. And what about preaching, teaching, or the commentaries on the Bible that turn out to be wrong? Will that change anything God has determined to do? No Then why preach, teach or write our thoughts down at all? Good question but for me the answer is simple. I share my views simply to let others know what I believe. I do not want people to think I believe something about Scripture because I was raised in a Baptist church and therefore believe what Baptists believe.  Most people go to the Church in which they were raised. I attended a Southern Baptist church because my Mom and Dad took me to one, and I continued to go for years because I liked the people who attended with me. I was not there to learn what the Bible says because I own a Bi...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) God's plans for humanity will happen whether anyone hears about it and believes it or not. It does not happen because we allow it to happen, it will happen because it is God's plans and He has the power to make HIs plans happen. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." (Titus 2:11-15) When the plan of God is finished all humanity w...

"  I am coming  again  and will take  you to Myself , so  that  where  I am , there you also  will be." (John 14:3) "This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) I am not a "date setter" for the return of Jesus to Earth. However, I read the Bible for clues which reveal the era in which He will return - that era seems to me to be unfolding before my watchful eyes. If someone held a gun at my head and told me I had to give an exact month, day and year for His return to Earth to set up the Millennial kingdom. I would calmly say Saturday, October 4, 2035 AD. Why? Follow this link for why I would give 2035 AD as the year. https://2035thereturn.blogspot.com/ As for the month and day - Saturday, October 4 - it is because that will be the first day of the new year (Rosh Hashanah) in the year 2035 AD. Again, not setting the date, just making an educat...

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, ALL the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among ALL peoples...Let ALL creation REJOICE before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth....." (Psalm 96:1-3, 10) Notice that judgment is presented as a time of REJOICING for ALL creation. Unfortunately, religion has made Judgment day a time of horror and dread, at least for those who disagree with them. The Psalmist introduced the 96th Psalm with the reason for the rejoicing - "His salvation". The word translated "judge" simply means making a decision in a critical time - and the LORD's decision is to save all mankind. "Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for it is for this we are toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging...

"...we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10) GOD is not your Savior because you believe He is your Savior. He is your Savior because He is your Savior. Believing He is simply gives us hope and peace in this world filled with religious doctrine telling us otherwise. "This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

"In a beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) "The LORD (YHWH) God formed man  of  the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7) When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek at least two centuries before Jesus was born, the Greek word Kurio s was used for the divine tetragrammaton YHWH ( Yahweh ). When Kurious was translated to English the word Lord was used. I have been pondering on the following New Testament scripture in light of the above: 1 Corin. 12:3 "No one can say Jesus is Lord (YHWH) except by the Holy Spirit." Romans 10:9-13 " If with your mouth you confess Jesus is Lord (YHWH) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. . . . For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord (YHWH) shall be saved." Philippians 2:11 "and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (...

"Lazarus, our friend, has found REPOSE, but I am going that I should be awakening him out of SLEEP."  The disciples, then, said to Him, "Lord, if he has repose, he shall be saved."  Now Jesus had made a declaration concerning his DEATH, yet they suppose that He is saying it concerning the REPOSE OF SLEEP."  Jesus, then, said to them with boldness then, "Lazarus DIED." (John 11:11-14) When Lazarus died, he is said by Jesus to have gone to sleep - not to heaven. "Now Jesus, again crying with a loud voice, lets out the spirit."  And lo! the curtain of the temple is rent in two from above to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks are rent,  and the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the REPOSING SAINTS were ROUSED,  and, coming out of the tombs AFTER HIS ROUSING, they entered into the holy city and are disclosed to many." (Matthew 27:50-53) Jesus died and was put to repose in the tomb - asleep as was Lazarus. After His body wa...

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  (Proverbs 3:5-6) "Have faith in God" ... "Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed ..."  (Mark 11:22...Hebrews 1:1) We are to TRUST in the Lord and have FAITH in what He SAYS. It is sad to see our world filled with those who are trusting in politicians and having faith  in what they say - whether liberal or conservatives. NONE OF THEM have the power to do what they say. So, I simply TRUST in the one being who can  be trusted, and I have FAITH that He will  do what He says. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.   She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,  because He will save His people from their sins.”   (Matth...

T he Hebrew word  Sheol , and the Greek words  Hades, Gehenna  and  Tartarus  (each translated  “hell”  or  “hades”  in most English versions of the Bible) do not refer to a place of eternal conscious torment called hell. What  about Luke 16:19-31 - the rich man and Lazarus?   That is a parable spoken by Jesus in a series of parables beginning in Luke 14:7. Jesus was addressing the Sopherim (Scribes), Pharisees and Sadducees - religious leaders of the Jewish people similar to modern day Christian pastors, evangelists, and teachers. Jesus told His disciples that He spoke to them in parables because these religious leaders had not been  “granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven” .  The  “Kingdom”  He was referring to is the Kingdom of Israel that God has promised to reestablished by the Messiah on the earth. These religious leaders rejected Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. So, Jesus spoke to them ...

Two Inescapable Truths about Blasphemy and Adding to Scripture  Truth #1. Blasphemy of the holy spirit will not be pardoned in this age or the next.  Truth #2. If you add to what God has said in the book of Revelation, God will add to you the plagues found in therein.  "Every sin and blasphemy shall be pardoned men, yet the blasphemy of the holy spirit shall not be pardoned. And whosoever may be saying a word against the Son of Humanity, it will be pardoned him, yet whoever may be saying aught against the holy spirit, it shall NOT be pardoned him, neither in this age nor in that which is impending."  (Matthew 12:32)  "I am testifying to everyone who is hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If ever anyone may be appending to them, God shall be appending to him the calamities written in this scroll."  And if ever anyone should be eliminating from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God shall be eliminating his part from the log of life, and ...

“The Earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (Psalm 24:1). This verse declares that all the people who have ever lived on this planet are the LORDS! We should not fall into the trap of thinking that Christians are the only ones who are HIS. Consider the term “lost" - it is a declaration of ownership. When “Christians” refer to the lost, they should realize that they are acknowledging God’s ownership! Humans may be made to feel lost - but none of us are ever truly lost. For now we are sinners, all of us, and fall short of the glory of God - but the free gift of God is eternal life. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD...And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day." (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 6:39)

 " Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:45-47) The only way to "understand the Scriptures" is for Jesus to open your mind. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) When Jesus opens your mind you will see the plan of God for humanity was for the Messiah to "suffer and rise from the the dead" . And you will see the Devine result of His suffering, death, and His resurrection - to provide the way for humanity to "inherit the kingdom of God" ...

"For the ration of sin is death, yet the gracious gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "Trustworthy is the saying, and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15) Why good people do some evil things is sometimes so incomprehensible to me that I find myself in need of some explanation from God - I find it only in the Bible, His word. Following is the confession of the Apostle Paul, who considered himself the " foremost" sinner, yet God used him to pen thirteen of the New Testament books of the Bible. "For I know that there dwells in me nothing good, that is, in my flesh. For to will is present with me, but not to do good. For the good that I desire, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice. Now if what I do not want, I do this, it is no longer I who do it, but sin dwelling in me. So, I find the principle in my des...

  I hear people say that the world needs a great “revival” and believers should pray for one. However,  I find NO evidence in the Bible that believers are to unite to pray for revival. What believers ARE to do is to pray in “private” and “by yourself”  for the soon coming of the kingdom of God . “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly…when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private…like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven...” (Matthew 6:7-13) After praying that prayer, believers are simply to wait for King Jesus to come knowing that Jesus is the Savior of the world and trusting Him to do so. While waiting we are to mind our own business and treat others as we would like for them to treat us. “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed...