My God, My Faith

This is a page that I have considered adding to my blog for sometime. I know, because I know me, that this will be rather lengthly, in order for me to try and explain my true feelings, on all the subjects that I will try and cover. I'll try and explain my belief in God, Jesus, The Trinity...my feelings on baptism,capital punishment, Judism. I will undoubtably think of other things to cover, I'm sure. Naturally, I will give scriptures that help to explain why I feel as I do.

I will be the first to tell you right now, that I, like so many others, I'm sure, do not understand the bible completely. I can't say that I interpret it right, or differently than anyone else. I'm sure some will read this, and be assured that I'm doomed for hell, and maybe others will read and agree with me a bit, or at least understand why I might feel the way I do. All I can do is read...and pray that God helps me to understand what He is trying to tell me. I believe that the Bible teaches us in many different ways. It teaches us by giving us rules, and guidelines. It teaches us by examples...it teaches with stories, and when all put together...from beginning to end, can lead us throughout our lives...give us understanding, and purpose.
I don't think that we're suppose to completely understand the Bible. Christ told us repeadedly to "search the scriptures". By doing so...we continue to learn. Do we take the bible "literally"...or "figuratively"...or both? That is another thing that I don't completely understand either. I suppose that I take it in both ways when it comes to a personal note. I guess I couldn't put it more bluntly than to say that I'm sure God doesn't think I'm/we're STUPID...and that I/we should be senseable enough to know what should be taken in a literal sense...and what is used as an example. For some reason...some people can't seem to do that. The bible tells us, and I believe, that one day, we will COMPLETELY understand all...the meaning, the purpose, of all that we have ever questioned. I don't think that we are suppose to know it all...until that time when it is all revealed by God. Then, we will understand.
I take the Bible pretty basically and simply...and especailly, in the past few years, I am more determanined to keep it that way. Christ told us how simple it is, very simple. I have seen so many...people, religions, trying to takes parts of the bible, and then begin to blow them so far out of proportion, that it's not even funny, add their own meaning to it, which is evident by reading, that isn't what the scriptures meant at all, and then twist them, so that it makes them look good, or makes it an advantage to "their" beliefs. As I mentioned above, I don't know that we are to understand everything that we read...there are things that I don't think we are capable of understanding, until we are in the presence of God. But, you'll have those, that when they don't understand...will start making up their own ideas, rather than having the "faith", to simply say, "God, I don't understand it now, but I trust, by faith, and know that one day I will." By not accepting in faith what God has told us in His inspired word, whether we understand it or not, ...what does that show God about our faith? * (Without this faith...what does it say about our salvation?...I cover this below) And Christ said it Himself..."oh Ye of little faith." He didn't tell us to "make up our own conclusions", if we didn't understand His Word...He told us to pray, so that our eyes would be opened to what He is telling us. I personally believe that there are a lot of "religons/denominations/AND,Christians, that are making Christianity, much much harder than it is. Oh, I'm not saying that living a Christian life is always easy, but the basis of Christianity, is very simple. Why we want to try and fill it with so much extra garbage, that causes nothing but discord between denominations, I'll never know. I'll explain in a little more detail later.

I believe that the Bible is the devine, and inspired word of God. True...these books were written by man, falable men... but these words that were written down, were given by God...and I believe that these books contain what God wanted us to know.

Personally, I know that there were many things in the New Testament that I didn't understand, until I had completely read the Old Testament first. Not that I completely understand the New Testement now, but, when one understands the customs, and ways of the ancient Hebrew people of the Old Testament, Christ teachings become much clearer, and easier to understand. Or, it did for me anyway. For anyone who is considering reading the entire bible...I wholeheartedly suggest that you begin at Genesis 1. Beginning to end. If you can afford it, I suggest that you purchase a set of Bible "tapes", or cd's which ever you prefer...Old, and New Testaments, something that can be paused, and restarted in the same place. I say this, because this is the way I first read the bible...cover to cover. With my tape player, plenty of pencils and paper, and erasers, highlighters...and a bible, which was in the same translation as the tapes, and I started at Genesis 1. As the tape played, I followed along in my bible...I made notes on my paper, as to verses or scripture or maybe an event that I wanted to remember. If needed, I paused the tape, finished my notes, or highlighting my bible, then would restart my tape, and preceed on. I learned so much, and comprehended so much this way. I would highly suggest it to anyone who would want reading the entire bible. We wouldn't expect to pick up any other book, open it to the middle or towards the end, and being to read, and expect to underdstand what the book was about, of course not! We'd start at the beginning if we wanted to undestand the contents of the book.
After reading the Bible, cover to cover, on three different occasions, I began to look at the bible a little differently. All of a sudden, I began to see it as a history book, because, this is truely what it is, a book about the beginning, and history of the Hebrew/Jewish people...God's people, and the coming of their Messiah. The message of the bible, was not meant for we "gentiles"...the Messiah, wasn't meant for we "gentiles". It was a message for God's people alone...the Hebrew people. But even as far back as Old Testament times, when God saw that men were not going to be able to achieve rightousness by observing the law, He then offered something to not only the Jews, but the non-Jews alike. A way for all to achieve righteousness. The prophets told that one day, this message would be for "all" people...Jews, and Gentiles alike. God said that one day, He would call "His" people, by another name.

I believe in God...the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The Trinity...this is one of those many things that I do not completely understand. How can 3 be 1, and all seperate at the same time. I am COMPLETELY satisfied, however, to accept, that this is one thing that I will never understand, until the day I stand before God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit...then, I will see with my own eyes. Until then, I just believe.

I believe that God created the world. I don't understand this either...especially the how. But, then again, I'm not God. I can't explain dinosauer bones...or skeletons of pre-historic men that have been found. But, I believe that God created it all....I can't explain the miracle of birth, or the infinity of space...or why the moon effects the waters of the earth. Someone much greater than you or I was the designer of that. I believe that a day is like a 1,000 yrs. to God. Do I take that 1,000 literal? No...for all I know, a day to me, could be 10,000,000 to God...or some other number that we as humans could not even begin to phatom. Another one of those things that I DO NOT understand, but just simply accept with faith. The miracle of God's creation is all around us...it is so obvious to me..so much I cannot begin to phathom it all. Some of my most favorite verses, describing the awesomeness of God and His creation, are found in the book of Job.

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Job 38

The LORD Challenges Job

1Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2"Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
4"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? 6What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7as the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8"Who defined the boundaries of the sea as it burst from the womb, 9and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? 10For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. 11I said, `Thus far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!'
12"Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? 13Have you ever told the daylight to spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night's wickedness? 14For the features of the earth take shape as the light approaches, and the dawn is robed in red. 15The light disturbs the haunts of the wicked, and it stops the arm that is raised in violence.
16"Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you walked about and explored their depths? 17Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 18Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
19"Where does the light come from, and where does the darkness go? 20Can you take it to its home? Do you know how to get there? 21But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!
22"Have you visited the treasuries of the snow? Have you seen where the hail is made and stored? 23I have reserved it for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war. 24Where is the path to the origin of light? Where is the home of the east wind?
25"Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? 26Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? 27Who sends the rain that satisfies the parched ground and makes the tender grass spring up?
28"Does the rain have a father? Where does dew come from? 29Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? 30For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
31"Can you hold back the movements of the stars? Are you able to restrain the Pleiades or Orion? 32Can you ensure the proper sequence of the seasons or guide the constellation of the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? 33Do you know the laws of the universe and how God rules the earth?
34"Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? 35Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct it? 36Who gives intuition and instinct? 37Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven, 38turning the dry dust to clumps of mud?
39"Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions' appetites 40as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? 41Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God as they wander about in hunger?

Job 39

The LORDs Challenge Continues

1"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Have you watched as the wild deer are born? 2Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery? 3They crouch down to give birth to their young and deliver their offspring. 4Their young grow up in the open fields, then leave their parents and never return. 5"Who makes the wild donkey wild? 6I have placed it in the wilderness; its home is the wasteland. 7It hates the noise of the city, and it has no driver to shout at it. 8The mountains are its pastureland, where it searches for every blade of grass.
9"Will the wild ox consent to being tamed? Will it stay in your stall? 10Can you hitch a wild ox to a plow? Will it plow a field for you? 11Since it is so strong, can you trust it? Can you go away and trust the ox to do your work? 12Can you rely on it to return, bringing your grain to the threshing floor?
13"The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork. 14She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust. 15She doesn't worry that a foot might crush them or that wild animals might destroy them. 16She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She is unconcerned though they die, 17for God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding. 18But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider.
19"Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane? 20Did you give it the ability to leap forward like a locust? Its majestic snorting is something to hear! 21It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength. When it charges to war, 22it is unafraid. It does not run from the sword. 23The arrows rattle against it, and the spear and javelin flash. 24Fiercely it paws the ground and rushes forward into battle when the trumpet blows. 25It snorts at the sound of the bugle. It senses the battle even at a distance. It quivers at the noise of battle and the shout of the captain's commands.
26"Are you the one who makes the hawk soar and spread its wings to the south? 27Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? 28It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. 29From there it hunts its prey, keeping watch with piercing eyes. 30Its nestlings gulp down blood, for it feeds on the carcass of the slaughtered."
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There are a few short things that I'd like to touch base on. I am not going into detail..just going to state plainly how I believe, and why. These are those subjects that are sometimes debated on among Christians, and at times cause discord, this too, is not the way the "church" is suppose to act among believers. The bible tells us that we should not dwell on trivial matters between churchs...for we are all united through Christ. So, I am not here to debate, as to whether you believe as I do, or who is right or wrong...I'm only telling you my beliefs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do not belief that baptism is a requirement of salvation. Christ told us to repent, and be baptised, true, and Christ himself was baptised. I believe that baptism is something that we should take the opportunity to do, if possible, as it is an outward showing to others, that you are now dead to sin, you're sins washed away, and alive in Christ. But, it is not the running of water over you that cleanses you of your sin. You sins were cleansed, and forgiven by the blood of Christ and by the grace of God alone. To be saved, all you need to do is believe, and call on the name of the Lord. Like Abraham, we can achieve rightousness, though faith.

Believe/Faith
Romans 4 (New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Romans 4

The Faith of Abraham

1Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? 2Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from God's point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. 3For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous."[a]

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Romans 10

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Romans 10
9For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.[e]" 12Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord, who generously gives his riches to all who ask for them. 13For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]
It is by the grace of God, *and by our faith that we are saved. We show God how much we trust Him, and how much we love Him, when we place all our trust and faith in Him.

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I believe that one recieves the Holy Spirit, the split second that he/she accepts Christ. I don't think it is something that you "aquire" later.

John 7

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

John 7
Jesus Promises Living Water 37On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me! 38If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."[b] 39(When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

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Some denominations have feelings against women in the pulpit...Sr. pastors of their own churches. Regardless of man, or woman, God puts a call into the hearts of many, to spend their lives ministering to, and teaching those about God, and His love for them. About Christ, and the forgiveness of sins. This can be done by man or woman...and in order to do so, you much be led by the Holy Spirit. The bible makes it PERFECTLY clear, that the Holy Spirit will come upon men, and women, alike...even the young.

Joel 2

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Joel 2
The LORDs Promise of His Spirit 28"Then after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. 29In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, men and women alike. 30"I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth--blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. 32And anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the LORD has said. These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called.
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I do my best not to judge others. There is alot going on in this world today, that some, many, do not agree with. Abortion, homosexuality, war, are among the many. I know there are those who believe that one can't be a homosexual and be a Christian, nor have had an abortion, and be a Christian. I will not say that these people can't be Christian. I am not their judge, that job belongs to God, and regardless of what "sin" I or anyone else might see, God doesn't see their sin, for if one has asked Christ into their hearts, God has wiped out those sins, to remember them no more. Instead, He looks at their hearts and knows if their faith has justified them, as it did Abraham. I can see the love of God in people...and Christ says that His love cannot abide in a non-believer. So, the next time you see something that you're so sure is wrong...stop seeing what you think is wrong, and see if you can overlook it...like God does, and see what truely lies within the heart.

Acts 15

(New International Version)New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Acts 15
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
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As a Christian, I feel a special kinship towards the Hebrew people, both in the Old Testement, and currant day. This race, this line of people that have exhisted for generations, was chosen by God to be "His" people. God made a covenant with Abram/Abraham, and promised to make him a "great nation". God also vowed that His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Israel, as a nation, would NEVER be broken. God will NEVER forsake His people.

Genesis 17

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Genesis 17

Abram Is Named Abraham

1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to make you into a mighty nation." 3At this, Abram fell face down in the dust. Then God said to him, 4"This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of not just one nation, but a multitude of nations! 5What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram; now you will be known as Abraham,[a] for you will be the father of many nations. 6I will give you millions of descendants who will represent many nations. Kings will be among them! 7"I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring[b] forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8Yes, I will give all this land of Canaan to you and to your offspring forever. And I will be their God.The Sign of Circumcision 9"Your part of the agreement," God told Abraham, "is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. 10This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised; 11the flesh of his foreskin must be cut off. This will be a sign that you and they have accepted this covenant. 12Every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family, but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. 13All must be circumcised. Your bodies will thus bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. 14Anyone who refuses to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for violating the covenant."

And that nation was to be filled with God's chosen people. As a Christian, I too, am now a part of God's chosen, and the Hebrew people, are my brothers, and sisters in the Lord. Will I see them in heaven? Sure I will. God makes it perfectly clear in the bible that He will NEVER forsake His people Israel. The bible also tells us that all the Jews will be saved.

Revelation 7

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Revelation 7

Gods People Will Be Preserved

1Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds from blowing upon the earth. Not a leaf rustled in the trees, and the sea became as smooth as glass. 2And I saw another angel coming from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted out to those four angels who had been given power to injure land and sea, 3"Wait! Don't hurt the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants." 4And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God. There were 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:
5 from Judah . . . . . . . . . 12,000
from Reuben . . . . . . . . 12,000
from Gad . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000
6 from Asher . . . . . . . . . 12,000
from Naphtali . . . . . . . 12,000
from Manasseh . . . . . . 12,000
7 from Simeon . . . . . . . 12,000
from Levi . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000
from Issachar . . . . . . . . 12,000
8 from Zebulun . . . . . . . 12,000
from Joseph . . . . . . . . . 12,000
from Benjamin . . . . . . 12,000

Jeremiah 31 (New International Version)New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Jeremiah 31
33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
35 This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name:
36 "Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me."
37 This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD.
To give a little more of my personal thoughts on this subject, ...people often think of the Jews as not believing in Jesus. I stop and think... who is Jesus? ...he is the Messiah. Do, the Jews believe in the Messiah...well, sure they do. They, as yet, are just not able to call Him by name...as we "Christians" do. When reading the Old Testement, we read of a Saviour that will come to resuce Israel...a Prince...a King...to rule in peace....and to bring justice, this was the message that the prophets told. I sometime think that the Jews were waiting for a King and all his armies of men to arrive...ready to take the Romans by storm, and resuce Israel. I guess you'll have to admit, that a babe in a manger, doesn't look much like a King, that is going to "save" a nation and just didn't quite "fit the bill". But, I often wonder...what will the Jews see when Christ appears again? As Christians, we know what glory that will be.

Revelation 19

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Revelation 19
The Rider on the White Horse
11Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. 12His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. 13He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. 16On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords."

When the Jews behold this Miracle...who then will look like their long awaited Messiah, and King?

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All countries have to have laws. One of those laws that all countries uphold, is the law against murder. One always seems to section out that part of the Old Testament..."an eye for an eye", when it come to justifying capital punishment...and it is true...God set down certain punishments for certain sins. The bible also tells us that we should obey the laws of our lands. That we should respect, and follow our leaders, for they have been put in power by His choice, to guide the land. The laws of our land allow capital punishment, and although it isn't a "pleasent" subject, I'm sure all would agree, it is going to have to be done in certain cases, and I personally feel it needs to be done, especially in cases involving the sexual abuse and murder of children, canablism, or dismemberment types of cases. These are not people that belong in society. I don't like wars. I hate it that soldiers loose their lives, and young children die, that homes are ripped apart, but I also know that we have to take a stand, against evil, against those that would hurt us, or others. I also believe, as King Solomon said, that "there is a time to every purpose under heaven...a time of war, and a time of peace, a time to kill and a time to heal."

Ecclesiastes 3

(New Living Translation)New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

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In the past few years, I have not been able to find the right word to describe the way I have been feeling about how "we" as humans, treat our fellow humans. We have seemed to begin believing that life is worth nothing...it's nothing to go murder for a few dollars, or because you just happened to be mad at the time. We do things to others, that if they were done to us, we would be utterly appauled, and would sit back in awe, wondering why in the world, anyone would want to do such a thing. But, we sit back and just keep doing spiteful and hurtful things to others, without regard for their life, or the lives of family or friends that it would affect. Our children aren't taught the pricaples they should be, and then we stand astonished when some tragedy like Columbine occurs. Did we ever think that we'd have to fear sending our children to school? Use to, the worst we could expect was a call from the nurse, with a fever, or scraped knee on the playground, or even possibly a broken bone. But, never did we fear that our children would be killed in cold blood, and by another student, none the less.
We as a society, and it is world wide, have just STOPPED thinking about others. We STOPPED looking at our neighbors and seeing friends...now, we pick apart each and everyone of them for their faults, and treat them as enemies. From our neighbors next door, to our neighboring countries. We started thinking of the almighty "ME". With blinders on, we tred ahead, and most often, care nothing for those that might get trompled in the mist of it all.

God gave Moses the 10 commandments...to be given to the Hebrew people. Laws for them to obey...and if they weren't, as with any sin..or wrong doing, there would be a punishment, or sacrifice to make, in repentance of their sin. Time after time God gave the Hebrew people chance upon chance, and they continuned to disobey His laws. God knew that His people would never become righteous before Him by trying to obey the Law. Even in today's society, we know how hard it is for some to keep from breaking the law.

So, we fast forward to the New Testement, where we now read of Christ, who told us that He had not come to do away with the Laws of Moses...but to fulfill them.

Matthew 5
The Fulfillment of the Law

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Christ plainly tells us the problem that we certainly seem to have in society today, and that is finding fault with out fellow man. Always seeming to think that "we" are better than "they". It was a trait that Christ didn't much like in people.

Matthew 7
Judging Others

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

For Christ gave us another commandment, one that He said was the second MOST important of all the commandments.

Mark 12

The Greatest Commandment

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."

Matthew 7

12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 13

Love, for the Day is Near

8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

God gave us every commandment, that we would need, to help lead us through life. The first 4, were commandments for worshiping God, and devotion to Him, the last 6, laws to help govern us in society. I charge that you look over these commandments, very closely, and see how many of todays problems could be solved, if we would just simply follow these few rules. And if these weren't simple enough, Christ even made it simpler..."Do unto others as you'd have them do to you...and Love your neighbor as yourself."

Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments

1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Besides the Golden Rule, and loving my neighbor, I do my best to try and base my life on one other scripture. I have faced several misfortunes in my life, and know, that we have no control over what happens, or what may befall us in the future. But, I have learned, that regardless of what may come, I have a God that will see me down every road, that I may have to travel, and will somehow see me through to my destination. And, as I have seen so far, I'm generally better off or a far better person at the end of that road. I trust God to lead me in the way I should go.

Proverbs 3
Further Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight. [a]

Proverbs is a fabulous book. Of course, King Solomon was known to be one of the wisest kings in the world. My husband often jokes, that anyone who had 100 wives, and 300 concubines, couldn't have been too wise...ha. But, all joking aside, I do believe that you will find some very wise advice in the book of Proverbs. It is all wonderful, but the first 4 chapters are a must, as is

Chapter 8

...Wisdom's Call.

1 Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates leading into the city,

at the entrances, she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;

they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign

and rulers make laws that are just;
16 by me princes govern,

and all nobles who rule on earth. [a]
17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;

what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.
22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, [b] , [c]

before his deeds of old;
23 I was appointed [d] from eternity,

from the beginning, before the world began.
24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,

when there were no springs abounding with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,

before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the earth or its fields

or any of the dust of the world.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,

when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above

and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary

so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world

and delighting in mankind.
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me;

blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;

do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the LORD.
36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;

all who hate me love death."

Well, believe it or not, I think, I've about covered everything that I was wanting to. It would not surprise me though, after publishing this and re-reading a 1/2 dozen times, I'm sure...I'll probably think of something I missed. I suppose, at some point or another, there's a chance I'll add something else.
I want to simply challenge you, to try to start living your life by the example Christ gave us...to start loving our neighbors as we do ourselves. To stop and think, before we say a harsh word, or do a hateful thing, and try to remind ourselves of how we would feel, if that were being done to us, or to someone we love. Obeying the commandments isn't hard...loving our fellow man isn't hard. Living a life as Christ would have us live, is very simple, when we put God first and formost in our life, and then let the love He gives us, take over, and spill out onto the rest of the world. Trust Him, as Proverbs says, and He will direct you down the path of your life, and see you to your destination. Faith...that's all it takes...and Christ said you only need enough faith the size of a mustard seed, about the size of these peiods.......to turn you life over, and simply say, "God...I place my life in your hands. Lead me in the path that I should go."

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his His face shine upon you,

and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his countanance upon you,

and give you peace.

Much love,

Lev