Month: September 2018

God Became ‘Flesh’ In Order To Explain (Exegete) Love

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Numerous literary writers, theologians and psychologists tell us that there are five ‘languages’ by which to express love.  Namely, they are through words of affirmation; acts of service; physical touch; quality time; and receiving gifts.  But through prayerfully conversing with God over the many years of my life, he has shown and proven to me that a most significant and sacrificial act on his part combined all five ‘love languages’ in just one pre-ordained divine event.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

In one of his more playful moments (like school yard recess) the Lord said to me, “My child, let’s take a break from in depth bible study.  Recite for Me the many ways you know how to express love.” As those instructions penetrated my mind, I smiled.  Lord, you are truly like a father helping his child with their homework, I thought.  How sweet of you to ask.

Immediately, I grabbed my pen and note pad and began to compose the following lyrical poem entitled “A Play On Words”.

  A Play On Words…”I Love You”

 Blog Question about love "Maybe".jpg        A QUESTION………………..I LOVE YOU?

Blog I love you African mom and child.jpg                  A STATEMENT………………..I LOVE YOU.

Blog Wink and Hat "I luv Yah".jpg             A WINK AND A NOD…………I LUV YAH

Blog Like a Child "I love you Mommy".jpg                LIKE A CHILD……………I Love You, Mommy.

Blog Joke "I love you, alright!".jpg         LIKE A JOKE………..Huh, I Love You, Alright!

Blog Divine "I love you my child".jpg           OR MAYBE DIVINE………..I Love You, My Child.

Blog Amorous "I truly love you" Racial mix.jpg  HOW ABOUT AMOROUS…I chose you and I Love You

Blog Declaration "I do love you".jpg         A DECLARATION……………….I Told You, I Do Love You

Blog A big Lie Baby and bear.jpg       OR EVEN A LIE…..I’ve Loved You All My Life, Bud.

Blog Joking "I love you, Kid! or a Lie.jpg  PERHAPS, JUST KIDDING. You Love Me, And I Love You

Blog A Lie "I've loved you all my life, baby".jpg   WHEN IN PAIN…Hang In There.  I Love You, Kid!

Blog Surprise "You love you?".jpg

OR A BIG, BIG SURPRISE…..Did I Hear That Right, Did She Say, “I Love You!”

 

REFRAME:  No matter how you say those words                                                                                             They will always evoke a response                                                                                                 I love you?   I love you.  I luv yah!                                                                                                  Sounds good, regardless of the cost.

The ‘key’ words in John 3:16 are “the world”.  And the word ‘world’ in this case, includes all of humanity…even those two human beings who were ‘created’ and lived in Eden as well as everyone else ‘born’ after them.  God sincerely loves us all;  genuinely and forever.  The problem comes in when the world refuses to accept either God’s gift of Love or his Son, Jesus Christ.  The world would rather choose my whimsical way of expressing emotions depicted in the above poem.

We all agree that God is love and his reincarnation in his messianic Servant Jesus Christ (flesh) is the fulfillment of the Scripture in Psalm 2:7; “I will surely tell of the decree of Yahweh:  He said to Me, ‘Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.”  This revelation came to David aeons before Christ was born.

When we think about just Who Jesus is, we can honestly say He fulfilled all five love languages during His physical life time here on earth.  He used words of affirmation to all those given to Him by the Father.  He miraculously demonstrated acts of service to mankind through the creation.  He physically touched people, dead or alive, and is the sustainer and preserver of the material universe.  He spent quality time in prayer with His Father, His disciples, friends and a host of others. And without a doubt, His final act of allowing Himself to become the atoning death on the cross was the ultimate gift He gave for fallen humanity (including Adam and Eve) and He ushered in the Holy Spirit for our protection and sealer.

Recess is over, Kid.  It’s time to get back to work!

Scripture Lesson:  John 13: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Amen.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!     

 

 

 

 

God Provides Instructions On How To Build A Healthy Spiritual Life Support System

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Blog, Building tools for Spiritual Houses.jpg

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;”  Psalm 127:1a

Can We Talk?  Yes, I’m addressing you, my dear readers, because this blog is very special to me. Why? Because I am very serious about cultivating and expanding my time to converse with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His presence is so sweet and His voice so soothing and His advice so penetrating that I just can’t get enough.  Once, when in prayerful discussion with Him, I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit say: “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”  (Matthew 18:20).  Needless to say, I took that divine message to heart and have throughout my walk with the Lord attempted to surround myself with like-minded believers in the Holy Scriptures.

So as not to be presumptuous and not to waste your time, this blog post is designed for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Our time together will be focused on identifying and developing our inner man’s or inner woman’s spiritual life; that is eternal life. For 1st John 5:12 says, “He who has the Son has life: He who has not the Son of God does not have life.”

Now, if you will permit me, I would like to share with you a synopsis of the ongoing conversations I have had with our Maker concerning how His people can continue to build up their spiritual houses; fortify their vital signs; and identify components that can help to make up a healthy and vital spiritual life support system.

“All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2nd Tim. 3:16-17

One of the main courses of study for a Christian believer is their Bible. This is the building license you need to begin construction. The first part of the Bible is the Law and the Prophets and the History books. God wants us to diligently study that portion of His Word as well as the New Testament, so as not to make the same mistakes as our forefathers. The summation of the History books is found in 1st Corinthians 10.  What one should glean from these passages are that we need the protection and guidance of God; deliverance from our past sinful lives; acknowledgment of a spiritual Head over our lives (Jesus); to be constantly fed and provided for; and lastly, to associate with family and friends, especially those of the household of faith.

News flash! Did you know that to do anything on a repetitive basis is habit forming? Therefore, the application of what we read, as well as other avenues of experiences, should fortify and/or cause lifestyle changes within us as we learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth. So, without a doubt, the study of both ancient and modern Christianity is a vital component to keep our spiritual life vibrant and healthy.

Now, let’s talk about our minds.  Let’s declare every day that we will show love to somebody, speak and think only positive thoughts and words. Eventually the mind, because it is constantly being fed positive stimuli, will produce vitality in the inner man or woman and the outer man will begin to disappear. (See Phil. 4:8)

Finally, dear readers, in our time together, let’s also reflect.  Let’s look at things from God’s perspective. Just as I did when the Holy Spirit directed my attention to Matthew 18:20. The moment God is in the equation you must look inward at yourself. So, overall, when you study to show yourself approved, you should often stop to ponder over the slightest details which will put you in a state of humility. You will come to hear and see things in a new light. Remember, the opposite of humility is arrogance! And we don’t want that beast to raise its ugly head, now do we? Yes, the discipline of study that renews the mind, soul and body is directly dependent upon humility.  And that’s got to be a good, vital, and healthy spiritual life support system component.

Some additional components that I have learned in my conversations with God on this subject are that it is alright to engage in various avenues of learning. For the Christian believer feasting on ‘meat’ rather than ‘milk’, don’t be afraid to pick up several Bible commentaries, dictionaries, and other translations of God’s Word. Compile a collection of biographies and other thought provoking books like Shakespeare, Plato, modern founders of Christian sects.  Go hiking and explore God’s creation and creatures.  Attend lectures and join book clubs.  Listen to the voices of birds and frogs.  Stop to smell the roses.   Ask God is there a message in the face of your pet dog as he wags its tail and greets you at the door when you’re late coming home.  Practice living for God over and over again.  Concentrate on what you are learning.  Become a practitioner of prayer.  Get an understanding about the matter.  And finally, tell somebody how you have been changed.  Become a Star witness to the Plaintive AND the Defendant.

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Be Like Jabez. Ask God To Enlarge Your Literary Territory.

As the saying goes in real estate…Location, Location, Location!

The mantra for us is…Reflection, Reflection, Reflection!

Reflect…think on these things blogged herein and be blessed.  Amen!

Scripture Lesson:  John 17:17  Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth.”

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!     

God Allowed Me To Experience Life Eternal

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Blog Eternity picture.jpg

An Endless Period That Does Not Include Time

This week’s blog is taken from a page in my journal dated Saturday, February 27, 2004.  Yes, its been fourteen years since my Lord and I have had this conversation.  And then as well as now, I truly believe that on that night, God allowed me to experience life eternal.  So, please, take a  stroll with me down memory lane as I relive that awe-inspiring night with Jesus.——————————————————————————————————————————–

A Page From My Journal…

I fell asleep after studying my Sunday school lesson last night.  The Scripture was as follows:  “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble brush.” Luke 6:43-44

The Holy Spirit awakened me about 4:30 a.m.  I knew it was Him.  He instructed me to go get my book entitled Chicken Soup For The Christian Soul.  In it I found a short story relevant to my Sunday school lesson.  It was very appropriate for my third graders.

I said to myself, it would really be nice if I could find a short story directly related to the book of Luke.  After leafing through the book, I found the perfect story and it referenced Luke 6:33, a section on giving.

After I finished reading the story, I was smiling and thanking God for awakening me and putting the finishing touches on my Sunday school lesson.  I said, ‘Oh, Lord, if I had my druthers, heaven would be one long eternal night instead of a place of eternal day’.  I made that comment because for me and most people I know, God engages us in the most revealing conversations at nighttime or at least in the early dawn while it is still dark outside.

Immediately, my Lord responded. “My beloved,” He said. “Turn to Revelations where I speak of the fact that heaven will have neither sun nor moon.”  “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the Glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is its light.”  Rev. 21:23

“Don’t you see, my child, heaven will have neither sun nor moon.  There will be no concept of day or night there.  I AM IT!  When I awake you at night to speak to you, I am treating you as I treat myself.  I never sleep.  So, why should you?   I’ll tell you like I told Jeremiah, ‘Do you want to run with the horses?  Well, I am the horse’.  Wake Up!  Allow me to turn your nights into day.

“If you want to walk with me, know that there are no inhibitions that hinder me.  No walls contain me.  No doors are shut against me.  No gulfs divide me.  No regiment of time constrains me.  But most of all, no weapon formed against me shall prosper.  I say to you, come to the realization of how awesome it is to be more than a conqueror.  Come!  I invite you to join me and experience eternity.”        The End

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Scripture Lesson:  Isaiah 57:15 – For this is what the high and lofty One says–“I live in a high and holy place, but also with him (or her) who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Blog Figure 8 Eternity.jpg The infinity symbol (figure eight) is universally recognized as a symbol for eternity. The two circles the eight forms have no ending and no beginning and continue in its pattern representing forever.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!     

God Orchestrated Extreme Measures When Jesus Was On The Cross And We Were On His Mind

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Blog "Extreme Measures".jpg

Ain’t no mountain high enough…ain’t no valley low enough…ain’t no river wide enough to keep me away from you, saith the Lord!

In 1996, Columbia Pictures released a thought-provoking movie written by Tony Gilroy and directed by Michael Apted entitled “Extreme Measures”.  The leading cast members included Hugh Grant as the hero doctor and Gene Hackman as the villain doctor.  The film grossed approximately $18 million at the box office.  It’s all encompassing moral dilemma was centered around the question posed by the villain doctor to the hero doctor: “If you could cure cancer by killing one person, wouldn’t you have to do that?”

In order to get the full implication of this complex question, you would have to see the movie, which is available to rent on Amazon for $3.  The plot of this film centers around Gene Hackman’s character who labors to improve or extend life at the expense of human sacrifices.  He conducts secret experiments on innocent and indigent human beings (rather than on animals) in his laboratory which, more often than not, is a terminal exercise.  On the other hand, Hugh Grant’s character is on a crusade to prove that the villain’s conduct is akin to murder.

Now, at this point, you may be asking yourself what does this movie have to do with the title of this blog post.  You may also have decided to respond to the above question in the affirmative once you have calculated in your mind the numerous amount of cancerous lives that could be saved at the expense of just one death.  Well, if that was your conclusion, I’ve got news for you.  In today’s society, you would be tried and found guilty of murder.

Scripture reveals that in the beginning God used a more perfect version of “Extreme Measures” to save a sick and sinful and dying world with the execution of his Only Begotten Son and is declared not guilty of murder.  Why, because God alone also has the power to not only take but to give life and to give it more abundantly.  And today and forever more, Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father!

Gene Hackman’s character did not understand this divine principle.  He wanted to accomplish the impossible…to become an earthly god with no power to give life.  All he could do was to cure life.  And he certainly did not have any power to revive the human sacrifices used in his experiments!

God’s whole premise for operating with ‘extreme measures‘ was to set in motion a spiritual and eternal concept.  All bodies are initially sown (grown out of) from Adam, a perishable being. In order to obtain eternal life after our sojourn on this earth, we must be raised imperishable.  The natural body must become spiritual because in the eternal all we will be doing is worshiping a Spiritual God.  “God is Spirit and his worshippers must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:24

So the extreme measures that God provided for us while his Son was on the Cross is this:  In heaven we will no longer bear the image of the earthly man, Adam, but of the heavenly man, Jesus Christ.   We shall be changed.  That is why it is imperative that while here on earth, we confess Christ as our personal Savior, the Son (image-bearer) of God.  HE LIVES!

Blog Extreme Measures Grave Yard.jpg

Extreme Measures?  A job for Someone who holds life AND death in His Hands! GOD!

Scripture Lesson:  “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!