Thoughts From My Morning Quiet Time

Reading through Genesis this morning, it just struck me, the first ever mega apartment complex was probably the Ark. think about it. After the flood, and when all the animals were released, Noah had a nice huge place fir all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren and their families to live.

Things like this pop into my hard as I read. This is the third time I have started reading the Bible this year. I finished it twice, and with a Month left in the year I am blessed to be able to read Genesis and Matthew 3 times this year.

Spiritual Nuggets (Schechem)

Ok, I’m at it again. As many times as I read the Bible, I am always finding nuggets of knowledge that makes the Scriptures and history come alive in my mind.

So while I am enjoying my morning quiet in the Word, I just happen to be reason through the book of Joshua; and the chapters I am covering are 13- 21. These are some of those chapters that many consider boring, because they cover peoples names and geographical places being divided between the tribes after Joshua had conquered most of the promised land.

A Journey To Bethlehem

A Journey To Bethlehem

This chapter 22 from my recently released book, "Sleuthing The Scripture," It's an embellished story, so do not take it as inspired by GOD. I wrote this for pure entertainment, and thus it is but a figment of my active imagination mixed with some facts surrounding the times, the places and the characters.

When you think of the first story of Christmas, it’s usually about Mary and Joseph looking down at their new born son in a manger, surrounded by barn animals and maybe a shepherd or two looking on. Angels singing praises of joy to the Lord Most High, and maybe even the star that is guiding the wise men from Babylon to the destination of the Jews Messiah.

We live at a time when children are born in sanitized hospital rooms with the best of care, before and after the mother gives birth. When we hear of stories of women giving birth at home, or alongside the road where the car had to pull over because the child would not wait, we are captivated and amazed of such a thing happening in today’s world.

He Has Risen, Come See and Go Tell

(Today I am sharing an Easter outline I put together for my Bangladesh ministry)

[Click here if you wants a clean copy to download]

Matthew 28:5-7

The Message of Easter is 

"COME SEE, GO and TELL!"

"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

Mega Creation Organization Website Listing

Websites, Phone Numbers & Street Address

I do NOT take credit for how well these sites are kept up, so if any links are broken or corrupted, or if they changed their theology to be incorrect doctrine, please leave a comment so I can either correct it, or remove it from the list.

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United States

Alabama	Arizona	Arkansas	California	Colorado	Florida	Georgia	Iowa
Illinois	Indiana	Kansas	Kentucky	Louisiana	Maryland	Massachuetts	Michigan
Minnesota	Missouri	Nebraska	Ohio	Oklahoma	Oregon	Pennsylvania	South Dakota
Tennessee	Texas	Virginia	Washington	West Virginia	Wisconsin

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International

AUSTRALIA	BRAZIL	CANADA	FRANCE	GERMANY	INDIA	ITALY
JAPAN	KOREA	MEXICO	NEW ZEALAND	POLAND	RUSSIA	SPAIN
SWITZERLAND	UKRAINE	UNITED KINGDOM

Jacob I loved, Esau I Hated

Jacob I loved, Esau I Hated

Romans 9:13

In the body of Christ we have many highly educated Biblical scholars who, while they agree on the essentials of the Doctrines of Christ, they often find themselves at odds with each other over issues that can divide the church.  Sometimes those divisions are so profound that new denominations will spring up centered upon their doctrinal beliefs of that one subject that split them from the former church. Thus we have more denominations with more doctrinal differences then some countries have churches.

I Published My Book

I recently self published my first book, and I posted this to FreeRepublic out of respect for
the many FReepers who have been part of my growth, which has led to my ability to write.

I've been a Freeper for 25 years come February 20, 2023, and I must admit my knowledge and understanding of things has been immensely effected by the many great minds who are part of that great forum. Whether it's about politics, science, history, or religion, FreeRepublic has been to me, what many Colleges used to be. I have witnessed many a great mind debate other great minds, and I have also witnessed my share of knock down, drag out, leave no prisoner, fights between Freepers who would die on their cross of beliefs. Probably the biggest was the battle of the long-knives. This is not an insult, but rather a compliment to the way that forum has truly effected me, and many like me, in our understanding of the world throughout the last 25 years.

Thoughts I Get While Reading The Word

Reading through Genesis this morning, it just struck me, the first ever mega apartment complex was probably the Ark. think about it. After the flood, and when all the animals were released, Noah had a nice huge place fir all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren and their families to live.

Things like this pop into my hard as I read. This is the third time I have started reading the Bible this year. I finished it twice, and with a Month left in the year I am blessed to be able to read Genesis and Matthew 3 times this year.

Do yourself a favor, set a goal to try and read the Bible from cover to cover next year. You don’t have to do as me, but at least attempt to read it through. You will be surprised about the things God inspires you to consider. Logical sensible thoughts that make you think.

HE will reveal nuggets of spiritual gold you never before considered, but were in the Scriotures all along. Things you will find that you never realized before.

As for me, I read a Proverb a day, and 3 Psalms a day. With 30-31 days in the Month, even if you miss a day, at least try to read the Proverb that corresponds with the day of the Month. Then if you add 5 Psalms a day, you will build a habit that will last a lifetime.

I go through the book of Proverbs and the book of Psalms once a Month. Been doing this for the better part of 18 years since Pastor Bud Chavous, the mens Pastor at Calvary Chapel Chico told me he does it back in 2004. I’ll let you do the math on how many times I read Proverbs and Psalms. Along with my daily reading of other Scriptures, I never miss a day with our Lord.

Along with my normal studies, the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart things I never thought I would know.

Do your soul a favor, and read the Bible all the way through next year, I promise that the Lover of your Soul, YAHWEH, will speak to your heart and you will gain wisdom and knowledge on things you never knew you could. And most of all, you will be blessed with the understanding you have always wanted to have.

No Human Was Created For Hell

Calvinists like to use Paul's reference in Romans 9:13, which refers to the story of Jacob and Esau, to support their Calvinist doctrine of predestination. Yet when we read Genesis 25:27-34, we know that Esau willingly, on his own, forfeited his birthright by selling it to Jacob. Thus it should be obvious that it was not by God’s election, but rather by Esau’s own free will choice. It's a misinterpretation of the Scriptures to claim this text teaches predestination?

To properly understand the text in question, one must understand the main reason Paul wrote his letter to the Jewish and gentile believers in Rome. His purpose was to reconcile their differing opinions, particularly about the obligation of the Jewish law, the advantage of the Jew, and the way of justification. At the time the two groups inside the new Christian church were trying to defend their own special opinions. Thus Paul’s desire was to explain to his converted countrymen the great doctrines of Christianity, and the relation of the Law of Moses to the Christian.

Let Go Of The Anger (Romans 12:18-21)

by Chuck Ness

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. Paul tells us to;

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with all malice. Ephesians 4:31

Anger and rage do more harm to those those who practice it, than it does to the person the anger is targeted at. How many times have we witnessed someone so full of anger and rage that they end up doing something that only hurts themselves. How many times has that happened to you?

The Lord our God gave us a free will. The ability to choose which road to take in our daily journey. We can choose to walk in peace with The Lord, or we can choose to walk in anger with the enemy. One is grace the other is not, one is obedience the other is sin.

Notes On Baptism

Baptism is a sacrament we do in the manner Jesus Himself was baptized. It should be done in “the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” We are instructed in such a fashion as described in the Scriptures, but unlike the Old Testament we do not only do it for the clergy, because under Christ we are all in the priesthood, so all believers need to be baptized. What follows is a short summary of things to understand about baptism. Followed by an outline which can be used in a bible class on Baptism from

And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
Matthew 3:14-15

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Romans 6:3-5

The Sower & Faith

As most will agree, when the Israelites entered the promised land, it was not a picture of us entering heaven, but rather the beginning of our trials in the World as a believer. We also agree that the Israelites leaving Egypt were a shadow of us accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

All that being said, I am of the belief that the years in the desert are a representation of our first days, or Months of being a new Christian. For this is the time when most new Christians fall away, which are represented by the first two of the four seeds in the parable of the sower.

What About The Book Of Jasher (Book Review)

As translated by

Moses Samuel

not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

Titus 1:14

Allow me to first make an observation as to the way we all write things. This will help lay the foundation as to how I look at the contents of the Book of Jasher. To begin with, we must understand how historical writings differentiate from spiritual and literal writings. Mind you I am one who loves to use outside sources to buttress my investigation into Christian commentaries I write about. However, only in as much as those secular writings can help me in areas related to customs, politics, secular history, popular culture etc. etc. etc.. However, in all the studies I do for sermons, Bible studies, or commentaries , I have used anything outside of the Scriptures to prove a theological point I am trying to make about what the Scriptures I'm explaining. I may use an example to enlighten one's mind in a parable sort of way, but not to prove a theological point.

No Fear Of GOD

"There is no fear of God before his eyes."

Psalm 36:1

Sadly, this phrase has been woven into the very fabric of our society today. When a man has no fear of GOD, he is prepared for any crime. Total depravity is not too strong a term to describe such human wickedness. Evil people who have no fear of GOD, in reality have no affection for others, all they care about is their own satisfaction.

Searching For Nuggets

As I prepare my next outline for the students in the Bangladesh Ministry I support, a few thoughts came to me I would like to share. Just so you understand where I am coming from, I'm concluding my study on the seven parables of Matthew chapter thirteen. Specifically the final three parables which culminate with two examples of those willing to give up everything , and a final sobering point about the day of reckoning when mere pretenders will be separated out from the true believers and cast into hell. 

Like the the theological giants who came before us, we too look at the teachings of Jesus in order to better understand HIS wisdom. Yet after 2000 years of scrutiny by uncountable theologians, I still find a rich storehouse of treasures awaiting those who are patient seekers. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew unearths some of these nuggets of treasure for some to see while seemingly concealing others for those who have trained their minds to hear the scriptures in light of the reality of the kingdom of heaven. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew is trying to train us how to properly read Scripture in the light of how Jesus taught and shared wisdom. He does this in order too give us a treasure map, if you will, of how to locate the storehouse of treasures that include the pearls of exceeding value.

Biden Falls Flat With Fascist Speech

In case you missed Biden's speech, here is a short edited version to let you know what he said, 

Handling Adversity Well

Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction. Job 36:21 

We all face adversity and affliction in our lives, the difference is how we handle that adversity and affliction. Are you responding to it in a negative fallen human way? Or are you taking it to Jesus?

How many times have you heard a person say, I was afflicted, and the stress became to much, so I turned to drugs or excessive drinking to forget my problems. My parents raised me terribly, so I turned to a life of crime and sin. After all, it’s not my fault it’s someone else’s fault. If they had not sinned against me, or if a calamity had not happened upon my life, I would not be the loser in life I am.

In the discourse of Job and his friends, the fourth man, Elihu, is the youngest. Yet he is the one who’s wisdom is the most profound. Follow what he tells Job and his friends about handling affliction.

Who Created Evil?

by Chuck Ness

The debate about who created evil is an important one since atheists and skeptics use the existence of evil in their arguments against theism. It is incumbent upon all Christians to understand what the Scriptures say about the God they worship and the existancxe of evil in the world. If God created everything, and if evil is in the world, does it follow that God created evil? We are told as Christians to believe what the Bible says. Even the popular children's song, “Jesus Loves Me”, has in its lyrics,

 

“Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so”.

So, let us read what the Bible says.

In (Genesis 1:1) we read,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

The New Testament says in (John 1:3),

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

So, we now know that God made everything through Christ, but are there any Scriptures that specifically say God is the author of evil? The closest we can get is (Isaiah 45:7),

“I make peace and create calamity”,

and (Amos 3:6), 

Running The Race To Finish Well (part 1)

by Jose Barajas

Being raised in a Catholic home meant that I was baptized as a child, and would take classes that prepared me for my first communion. Two things that have always struck me as being odd about the ceremonies I went through are A, baptizing a child goes against what scripture teaches us and B, my first communion was performed by a Spanish speaking priest. As a Hispanic family you would think nothing about it, except that I was raised to speak English not Spanish. So as you can guess I was clueless of what the Spanish priest was saying.  For all I know, I confessed to committing adultery and murder. 

All this to say, I don’t believe my sins were ever absolved or forgiven, because my heart was not really into it. Truth is, I know for a fact I was not changed. It never ceases to amaze me how many have, and still do, fall into the same trap of man’s traditions when it comes to confessing their sins. Yet they are never truly believed nor repented of their sins. I, of course, speak from experience and not just from the time I was a Catholic.

Would You Like To Hear About My Best Friend Jesus?

When you give your life to Jesus, HE should become everything to you. Your strength, your joy, your comfort, and the insatiable desire of your heart. Everything we learn about our Savior offers us more satisfaction, more faith, more rest. Jesus is a never ending, never exhausted banquet of Mana that will fill our souls. HE is the water of life that will quench our thirst forever. Nothing tastes better to our hearts than him, and because of the Gospel we can keep eating of HIS goodness for all of eternity.