Ready To Make a Defense for Our Faith Part One

 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1Peter 3:15-16 [KJV]

 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” [ESV]

 Making my defense

I was posed these thoughts and asked to respond.

Background, a friend shared his thoughts with me [which is linked to a series of Facebook posts where a person asked “Where in the Bible does it say not to wear a mask?”] as we responded to the original query and then each other. My friend's response -- that initiated this response -- is the topic of this post and is below—but first, before I responded -- the theme title scripture actually popped into my mind which then spawned this post after prayer and time in the shower.

My response will separate out the question into 3 components:

•  Legal Response as a Conscientious Objection to wearing a Mask
• Who is responsible for the global crisis that has a thin piece of paper attached to our ears as a tangibly divisive issue 
• How we receive our clarity of thought while preparing to give the answer

Part One

“as a prisoner inside my head trying to understand of how lawyers would be qualified to determine someone's true belief to accommodate a requested exemption status especially in terms of a denial.”

Response: Lawyers are not qualified to determine belief of someone requesting exemption status. They are required to be knowledgeable of the law. All the law. The law that is straight forward like do not commit murder to case law which fine tunes a portion or the whole of that law which cases have already been argued and the history and disposition of the case as recorded in the public record. If no history is available, then the attorney will commit to determining through extrapolation whether or not there can be a case made because of some peculiarity of the potential case before him. If they feel they can win a case, they will likely set about making it.

How we get inside the head of the probable case against conscientious objection is to see what they see in US Law, State Law, Local Law and Case Law? So let’s take religious objection as an example. The US Law on religious objection [inclusive of conscientious objection] is determined primarily, it would seem by looking through cases, on if the ‘religion’ to which the individual case is being argued does in fact provide either conscientious determination as to the veracity of the topic -- vis-à-vis – the church does  demand, require or expect explicit adherence to that matter or they leave it to you to exercise your own conscience based on your understanding of scripture and from prayerfully considering the matter you decide you have a right to decline the adherence to the alleged legal requirement to, for instance, wear a mask. If though, there is no official Church tenet and it is merely a free believing citizen who has through prayer and mediation in GOD’s Word, determined it goes against a person’s conscience then they must -- as Peter wrote,  ‘be ready to make a defense for to ANYONE who demands a reason for the ‘hope’ in you but respectfully so as to perhaps cause the hearer to see your sincerity and faith.

On the legal standing regarding masks and the enforcement especially from a religious perspective what to do? Wisdom is always needed in making our commitment conscientiously. We go therefore to an if/then argument.

Government issues a mandate/Or strongly worded request to wear a mask BECAUSE it protects you and others from spreading a virus/disease.

 This post is being written during the 2020 CoVid-19 event. The information about mask wearing from the ‘experts’ has vacillated from no need they are ineffective to MUST wear to protect you and others.

Which mask should you wear? Initially, it was the masks like they wear in the hospital [likeness pictured here] that most people were rushing to acquire. 

However, soon enough an article written in April 2020 [ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153751/ ] became widespread. It is now ‘retracted’ but the data within the original article was enlightening. The ‘retraction’ decision can be found here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7273461/  . You can determine by the language of the retraction whether it changes the results of the study. Since April 2020 the ever-changing mask suggestions has undermined the efficacy of any ‘mandate’ being positively reliable. There’s that.

So, from a person’s conscientious stand if masks are not truly as effective and if there can be NO LAW or mandate because said law could be rendered mute and arguable from a health and religious point of view. A law must be equal in its imposition and should soundly be proven as reason to that end. There is far too much distance in opinion among physicians as to the effectiveness of the masks initially suggested in its ability to stop the tiny virus from penetration into or worse out of from being propelled by the power of a cough. So, “if” a mask does not truly and provably beyond doubt prevent the wearer from inhaling it through this mask or worse, definitely does not prevent it from being coughed outside the mask “then” how could it be right to impose the wearing of the mask? If you are a Doctor you may be able to argue the health portion of the matter.

 On the basis of religion, the Constitution’s first amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” is written in such a way that a formal religion, like a Baptist, Catholic, Buddhist, Islam, any formal religion is the protected. It seems it may not be applicable to a single citizen who is a Christian – not affiliated with any established religion but who acts based in their own faith from reading the Bible, which actually is the foundation for the long established actual formal religion “…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26! So, the ownness is on the individual to make the case of their adherence to the Christian religion. Based on its revelation through 66 books of the Bible, one learns about the Savior and Lord for which the name ‘Christianity’ is drawn it must be a sound and compelling argument. It must specifically address the applicable manner under review to qualify as meeting the standards of the first amendment, one should expect. 

Offered only as opinion and only in response to a challenge.  

†

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

 ^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

 If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

 EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com  

†

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

 

 

Let's Pratice Our Own Cancel Culture -- 2 Cor 6:14

 “And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.” -- 1 Kings 14:24

“And he banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.” -- 1 Kings 15:12

 Moses said:

“People of Israel, don’t any of you ever be temple prostitutes. 18 The Lord your God is disgusted with men and women who are prostitutes of any kind, and he will not accept a gift from them, even if it had been promised to him.” – Deuteronomy 23:17-19

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”—Rom 1:28-32

Getting the drift of the tenor of this article? The title is a clue.

 Christians, now is the time to take back your first amendment rights, ALL OF THEM! SPEAK OUT. Practice YOUR religion FREE of prohibition. Write what you believe as FREE PRESS. Peaceable Assembly, principally in your own house of worship. And ABSOLUTELY redress your government for any tyrannical means they use to stifle A SINGLE right for any cause including their favorite ‘safety’. The discussion of the wisdom of a lockdown can be handled by secular discussion but this area is for Christian discussion.

 Having said that, the impetus for this article came from the release on Netflix of the controversial movie featuring 11 year old girls dancing and other things in a sexually provocative manner, dressed to emphasize their dance and the general premise for the movie, presented as a young Muslim girl wanting to bust out of her culture into one that is devoid of the chastity taught by her culture. I made the choice NOT to post any photo or the name of the video. If you do not know of the controversy Google the controversy on Netflix over 11 year old girls…

 No Christian should be supporting this video. Since Netflix has been like a locomotive full speed  through the Christian values of half their American audience with series after series featuring depravity in all forms – promoting  depravity in all forms and refusing to yield to those who have supported them from their beginning in their business model.

This author cancelled our Netflix. Now using that money to support a couple of other web-based ventures that are beneficial.    

As a reminder, I would like to feature a few more Bible references to the kind of behavior Christians should model. 

 Chaste [Chastity]

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as you as a chaste chastevirgin to Christ.”—2 Cor 11:2

The definition for the word Chaste in this scripture is: “Pure from carnality, chaste, modest.” – Strong’s G53 /Thayer’s Greek Lexicon [blueletterbible.org™]

 “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”—Titus 2:5

[See Definition above.]

 “While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” 1 Peter 3:2

The definition for the word Chaste in this verse is: “Pure from every fault, immaculate.” – Strong’s G53 /Thayer’s Greek Lexicon [blueletterbible.org™]

If you have not been taught the idea of chastity please do pray and meditate on the cited scriptures. Even if you practice being chaste you would not want to participate even if for entertainment – especially with respect to underaged children!

Modesty

 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” – 1 Tim 2:9

Modesty is defined as ‘well arranged, seemly, modest’ – ‘orderly, i.e. decorous: —of good behaviour, modest.’ – Strong’s G2887 /Thayer’s Greek Lexicon [blueletterbible.org™]

 Self-explanatory.

Lewdness

Eze 16:27

“Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.” – Ezekiel 16:27

The definition for the word Lewd: in this verse is: “evil device, wickedness’– Strong’s H2154 /Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee  Lexicon [blueletterbible.org™]

Evil device/plan and wickedness should be fairly self-evident. GOD did not hold back discipline from those who practiced evil or wickedness.

Who inherits the Kingdom/Who is outside? – Revelation

 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Rev 22:14,15

 As the Bride of Christ, currently HIS Fiancé how should you act?

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” --2 Corinthians 6:14

 “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,And I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:16-17

That would include any sort of pornography whether it is labeled as such but clearly promotes pedophilia, like the video on Netflix.

†

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

 If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

 

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

 >>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Spirit of the antichrist now obvious

Recently received a newsletter from Amir Tsarfati of https://beholdisrael.org/  it was a detailed analysis of today’s world. Midway, a particular paragraph caught my attention: “As we look around the world at this moment, we see a significant spiritual attack on this next generation of young people. And this isn’t new. It has been progressively growing over time in the schools and universities of our societies. However, now we see how the spirit of Antichrist is brazenly forcing its agenda upon the impressionable minds of our young people through tyrannical means. Nefarious and dark influences are aggressively targeting this age group to indoctrinate them with Godless, liberal thinking.” – Newsletter 7/16/2020 Behold Israel ©2020

As I read it and the light of the italicized  statement above began to sear its way into my spirit I felt the need to pray for clarity and in the process of so doing was left with a fun homework assignment: researching the phrase ‘spirit of Antichrist’ in the Bible. This article is a summation of my researched homework. As time continues to track into the future, I pray I shall have further illumination to this topic and if so I shall amend this article to reflect the light. The ultimate and significant reality of his notation was that I had always wondered how we would identify that ‘spirit of the antichrist’ in our day as we move ever closer to the edge of this world – the proverbial ‘Eve of Destruction’ and the time when the church will be caught away.

The theme scripture “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”—1John 4:3

Clearly, the words written above, though apparently relevant in John’s day, now 1930 years later, must be all the more relevant today. Picture yourself seated at an outside theater and the horizon is your focal point. The feature playing is ‘Last Days’. As you are chomping on your popcorn the screen begins to creep ever slowly up from the horizon and reveals scenes from actual news from all over the world with voice over explanations of what you are seeing. In between topical discussion are scriptures from the Bible that support the events happening. As you watch you are unaware of the involuntary cessation of all body movements including a nonblinking stare, a holding of your breath, a need to grab hold of something solid as your knuckles begin to turn white….

  

“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” – Daniel 7:25

It is true this was written a very long time ago yet it was written for a time still in the future, perhaps, the future of many living today. What is meant by “shall wear out the saints of the Most High”? It appears to mean that they will be harassed constantly, persecuted, eventually wearing out the saint in a mental sense. That says a lot. We can take much emotional and physical trauma but at some point the mind is beyond its capacity to endure and this is what is indicated the antichrist will do to the saints of the Most High. Notice it is for a specific time: a time and times and the dividing of time. 3 and a half years, or half of the Tribulation.

Characteristics of the antichrist: “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” – 1John 2:22

More characteristics of the antichrist; antichrist lies, denies Jesus is Chris and denies the Father and the Son! Further we see by this verse “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” [2John 1:7] the antichrist is a practiced deceiver. The antichrist has many lies with which to deceive the world. Perhaps the most scary point is found in 2Thess 2:1-12, where the antichrist has accomplished such a level of deception that many ‘so called Christians’ fall for the big lie and as noted in Revelation 13, some of these will eventually take the mark of beast, thus giving worship to the antichrist and not to Christ who is due all honor and glory. [Rev 5:6-14]

“ Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”--2Thess 2:1-12

Please study this selection of scripture thoroughly. Pray for discernment and wisdom that you may clearly identify the lie. Do not succumb to the lie. We do not know how much more this world will be broken and separated from what was always understood as TRUTH--replace by the ideology now which is a fluid altogether subjective notion of whatever truth floats your Gullywhumper. If you do not study GOD’s Word, if you do not pray to GOD for knowledge, wisdom, understanding and discernment, how will you withstand the sinister lies and deceptions thrown your way?

To be clear, those who are raptured may not be present for this particular event. This article is about the ‘spirit of the antichrist’ already in the world according to John some 1930 years ago. Imagine the manifold lies being fomented now that we more easily understand as lies. But we have entered a time when Isaiah’s words are so very applicable: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet  and sweet for bitter.” [Isa 5:20] Acceptable cultural traditions from centuries of practice have been labeled all sorts of bad and condemned by proclamation of some ‘mob’ or shamed out of the current culture via cancelation. It is easy to see how some could be easily manipulated or even coerced – bullied, intimidated, strong armed, even terrorized into believing the lie.   

Jesus was queried by his disciples in Matt 13 as to why HE taught in parables. He explained HIS thoughts about seeing and hearing – or the impediment to seeing and hearing, as a fulfillment of Isaiah 6:9 but concluded is explanation with this statement:

“For assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” [Matt 13:17] May we be deeply grateful that we are privileged to see, to hear and to understand what the prophets and righteous men desired but had to wait.

As a reminder the ‘spirit’ of the antichrist is already at work please consider 2Tim 3:1-5 from the Message Bible:  “ Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.”

As the end of the movie begins to roll its credits you may blink and no longer be on earth! †

  

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Sharing the Gospel with BOLDNESS

Dear Christians,

Do you share the Apostle Paul’s sentiment about preaching the GOSPEL with boldness, or in confidence as some translate the Hebrew word “parrēsia”? [Confidence (Noun, or Verb with "have"), Confident (-ly): often rendered "confidence" in the AV, is in all such instances rendered "boldness" –Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words—blb.org]

“…Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired house, and was receiving all those coming in unto him, 31 preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.”—Acts 28:30-31 [YLT]

“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”—Acts 28:31 [KLV]

If so, it is a fine and commendable blessing. It is a testimony to the depth of your faith and conviction in GOD’s Word together with being born again in the HOLY Spirit. Confidence or boldness does not bow to anyone except as a Christian, then the only one to whom confidence will bow is to GOD as GOD edifies and fine tunes our conviction all the more with instruction by the Holy Spirit.

If you lack confidence or boldness, especially in the current cultures the world over, it is surely a worthwhile effort to pray that GOD gives you the confidence you need to carry out your Christian Commission as expressed in Matt 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

To be clear, boldness and confidence have similar meanings and overlap in the level of commitment one has to the subject of their bold and confident stand. There are times when being confident is sufficient while being bold may be more demonstrative. For instance, you may be confident when you see a building in flames that destruction, at the very least to the building, is inevitable if left to consume its fuel. However, boldly announcing a FIRE is essential especially if life is at peril. You then are moved to do everything you can to alert anyone necessary that can stop the fire and preserve life and property where possible.

In the Christian life, sharing the Gospel with confidence naturally will attract those who are drawn to the message of the Gospel. There are times, however, when boldness is required together with your confidence to stress the importance of the message. You may live somewhere the Gospel message is not freely allowed to be spoken of by authorities. In that case boldness takes on a vastly different meaning as you stand your ground and share it. Other times, it may be merely that boldness is perceived by the hearer which may or may not change the mind of the hearer. In any case, Christians should be as confident and bold as all the Apostles and disciples in all circumstances.

Do you know of Stephen’s martyred life? His final testimony leading up to his death was a confident and bold accounting of the Gospel message. Immediately upon completing his bold affirmation of his faith he witnessed the glory of Jesus at the right hand of GOD. They stoned him forthwith whereupon his final words? A request to his Lord: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” After saying that he died. – Acts 7:60

Not only did it take absolute confidence for Stephen to submit to his punishment for preaching it took BOLDNESS to preach the Gospel to those who stood ready to stone him. Not all of us have that spirit of confidence and boldness when we ponder our own mortality if we may be judged guilty of sharing the Gospel. If we do not, then we must make it a matter of incessant prayer.

Ultimately always remember:

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel;”—Col 1:5

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”—John 15:11

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”—1 Peter 1:8-9

Be BOLD! Be Confident! Know sharing the Gospel brings Joy and Hope for all who know it and all that share it! 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Treasure Hunt to Joy

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”-Luke 12:34

Are the ‘pangs of distress’ weighing on your mind and heart? Should you even take notice of them or know what they are?

What exactly are the pangs of distress? Those who read or have read the Bible know this phrase as a collection of events that Jesus gave HIS disciples when HE was preparing for HIS departure from their day to day routines. HIS disciples asked for a ‘sign’ that they may know when it would happen and what they must do. The answer to that question is found in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Clearly, with ¾ of the Gospel accounts containing the answer it must be important for us to be familiar with the answer. Please note: “4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 

Through out time there have been many who claimed to be ‘the Messiah’ deceiving would be believers into many things they would not likely have done under normal circumstances. History is filled with all the examples. The internet is a warehouse of past and present fulfillment of this aspect. We are not immune in this day – but in fact, the Apostle Paul warns that there will come a time for a great apostasy whereby the anti-christ will arise and fool many with supernatural phenomenon that will convince those who did not believe in Jesus that the antichrist is the return of the Messiah. If you are unfamiliar with that prophetic writing read 2Thess 2:1-12

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 

Wars and rumors of wars are a routine part of life on planet earth since early history. Yet, Jesus chose fit to here include it as if it was anomalous to the time the sign was to point to. Many no doubt look at world wars one and two as a huge difference in historic war stories but when did the clock on Jesus ‘sign’ start ticking? Could it have been in May of 1948.  That is when other prophetic events foretold in Ezekiel began to come to fruition which is sort of the outer cover that folds in Jesus Gospel ‘sign’ and the various signs of Revelation. The Church began on Pentecost of the year of the Lord’s death and resurrection. The Church is part of the collective sign but will play a roll in some of the events—not all.  Therefore, wars and rumors of wars will have to be something that stands out and together with the other things initiates the ‘sign’ Jesus explains to the disciples.

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Nation will rise against nation seems self-explanatory but if you look at the word used and translated into Greek is ‘ethnos’ which has a broad and specific application. So, it includes what we believe to be nations but also can mean ethnic groups. In the day of the Jews it was used to identify anyone ‘not’ of Jewish descent.

Kingdom against kingdom is not the actual kingdom but the authority or rule, dominion or royal power—according to Strong’s Definition

Now, remember, famines have been a matter of history of all time, but this is included as part of the sign. To be honest, a few decades ago we were talking about food shortages and famines devastating whole parts of some countries but with technology and ingenuity water systems have been put into many locations which allows the folks to grow food. Yet---it is considered part of the sign thus it has to be back in the headlines. Recently, a seeming non-ending swarm of locusts have ravaged parts of the middle east which leaves their food supply decimated. Will it affect more than the local population? Time will tell. Israel seems to be thriving exporting vegetables and fruits etc. to other countries.

Pestilences: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon suggests this will be in divers [meaning various] regions. We have had plagues that ravaged the world in the past. Again, this is part of the initial sign for the disciples information. Does it mean it will be more prevalent in frequency and kind or merely it will be a part of life for those living then?

Earthquakes in various places. This one seems clear. But again, it is not much different from the past. Merely including it as part of the sign or will they actually happen where none usually occurs or with frequency and strength like never before or all of the above? This will be understood in hindsight. It is however, the last of the set of things that comprised the ‘beginning of birth pains’ with much more to follow.

Jesus responded to Peter’s query about going with Jesus wherever HE went but was told he could not then followed ““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” -John 14:1

Back to the original question: Are the ‘pangs of distress’ weighing on your mind and heart? Should you even take notice of them or know what they are?

Treasure Hunt

Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are incentivized to endure the rigors of the ‘hunt’ because the treasure is awesome should you attain it. The rules of any treasure hunt differ depending on the game master. Usually you have a time and place to commence. Thereafter, at the minimum you will have to discover the first clue which begins the puzzle building until you reach the treasure. QUERY: What treasure do you imagine that would be so bright and alluring no matter the level of difficulty to attain it you would endure to the end? How about your eternal life?

Life is. But, if you have died to this life and been born again [John 3] then eternal life is the treasure we hunt. You have the goal as set out in John 3:16 and the first clue is the knock at your heart that you answered. Now, the course is laid out and it will be rigorous to maneuver but you are guaranteed the end result where you ‘end’ your hunt, in death or in twinkling of an eye. The problem is being distracted. We try to stay focused on living the life our Savior died and then raised up to provide for us eternity. It Is a life that we are to use to emulate the author and founder of our faith [Heb 12:2] which would resemble HIS as much as humanly possible. Sadly, when we get bogged down in distractions our life starts to wane and could need resuscitation to get it refocused.

Jesus anticipated these distractions and discussed most of them in Matthew chapter 5 and concludes in chapter 7. Chapter 6 seems to be a how to avoid the cares of the day. How to build faith, how to live your faith how not to get bogged down with ‘things’ or by ‘things’ but keep focused. Recently, a new strain of an old virus shut down the world interrupting the Christian routine which brought with it distractions that are understandable. Immediately after lockdown began to be lifted a terrible murderous event happened that spawned protests and the protest unwittingly became cover for a coordinated criminal attack upon America in many of its most populated areas. Again, a distraction. As a Christian we always mourn the loss of those who die but in violence and especially those related to us in faith. While Christians were distracted by Mr. Floyd’s horrid death here--he immediately attained the treasure he was living his life to attain: Eternal life!

The mayhem that evil wreaked on mankind thereafter became a huge distraction for many including some Christians. We must get back in the hunt we have yet to attain our treasure. All the time we spend distracted it is less likely we are to be making forward momentum in staying on the ‘straight and narrow’ way that leads to eternal life.  

Remember, Jesus said the aforementioned events comprised the ‘beginning’ of the pangs of distress. Those of us now seeking the treasure still have all or part of the following to endure. It will be rigorous, remember that, but we are to keep our eyes on the prize…” I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3:14  

Having said that we may still have the following to endure 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

This is some frightening stuff but we were warned by Christ what they did to HIM they will do to HIS followers. So, as the love of most grows cold, let the love CHRIST and of GOD burn all the hotter so as to attract those who want to live in love. Standing firm continues the gospel as our individual witness is seen by those who would be persecuting which will include those who once called themselves Christian but turned away.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”—2 Cor 4:7

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.  Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”-Matt 6:19-20

Why Be Joyous?

If we survive to this point our treasure is imminent:

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Paul explained this in 1 Cor 15 but specifically vs 50-54 and also 1 thess 4:13-18

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Cor 15:57-58

Do not be distracted from your treasures with any ‘sign’ of as pangs of distress. Just know your deliverance is nearer today than it was yesterday! Stay on task—the extreme version of the Treasure Hunt!

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

 

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

 

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

 

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

 

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

 

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

©Lightwritingmatters 2015