Month: December 2018

God Provides Innovative Ways To Spread The Gospel

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Blog God provides innovative ways dollar bill 2

Blog dollar bill back side

       The U.S. Dollar is the most powerful currency in the world

Who doesn’t love money?  Who, in their life time, will not handle or spend money?  Who hasn’t talked about, invested, lost, earned, saved, deposited, exchanged, buried or stole money?  Need I say…Nobody or Everybody!!

Well, who would have thought that God would use the design of the American dollar bill to make it possible to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

God did this by first using the intellect of the founding fathers of this nation to commission the design for the Great Seal of America.  As you may know, the Great Seal has infused within its design many magical symbols.  Some historians and others believe that the reasoning for this was because several members of the founding fathers were Freemasons (or of similar persuasions) and subscribed to this school of thought.

Great Seal of the United States (obverse).svg  Great Seal of the United States (reverse).svg

The Great Seal of the United States:  Front and Back Imprints

But I believe that because the Great Seal of America was used as a pattern to design the dollar bill some centuries later, the tradition of using magical symbols to depict the destiny of America was incorporated.  And that’s where God stepped in.

Blog Dollar Sign

First, let’s examine the official symbol for the dollar.  As you converse with others about the Good News, your reference comes from Numbers, chapter 21 in the Bible.  The Israelites who began to speak against God were severely punished.  God sent fiery serpents to bit them.  Then God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent image and place it on a pole.  Anyone who looked upon the pole would be cured.  Later, the design reference for the official symbol for the dollar, included the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was placed on a pole and all those who looked upon Him would receive eternal life.

Next, notice the Greek alphabet letter above which means “Omega”…in Christianity it means the end of things.  God is the beginning and ending (Alpha and Omega) of things.  God alone holds the past, present and future for the American nation…NOT George Washington.  Please note that it is Ole George’s portrait that is placed within the image of the Omega alphabet sign on the face of the dollar bill.

On the reverse side of the dollar bill there are 7 words written beneath the two roundels (circles):  “The Great Seal…Of The United States.”  Also, the English word ‘One’ appears 6 times and 1 time in Latin (unum, on the eagle’s upper wing) for a total of 7.  And as you know, the number seven is held extremely sacred in the Christian religion.  Seven denotes the completion and triumph of Spirit (3) over matter (4).

By now, I hope you are experiencing  the joy and excitement one can receive when holding a dollar bill and explaining it’s origin and design to a wayward traveler, family member of friend.  For me, I just want to shout the written words, “In God We Trust”, after I carryout this godly assignment of conversing with Him and others.

The last bit of information I want to leave with you is for you to take a look at the unfinished pyramid.  Examine it closely with a magnifying glass.  Not only is it unfinished, but there is famine vegetation growth in front and plenteousness vegetation at the rear.  This represents the present state of the world now.  And feast and famine will continue to reign until the return of Christ Jesus…the ‘all seeing’ Eye within the tip of the pyramid.

There are many more signs and symbols depicted on the face of the American dollar bill, but those explanations will have to wait until another blog post.  Research and explore the dollar bill for yourself…you just might learn something and be blessed as you have your own conversations with God using Scripture.

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Plant seeds by using innovative ways to spread the Good News!

Scripture Lesson:  Preach the word of God; be prepared in season and out of season; rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instructions.  2 Timothy 4:2

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

God Walks and Talks With His Own

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Did you know that as you walk and talk with God on a daily basis, it will distinguish you from all others?  I found that out a long time ago.  I also found out that without applying faith to the still small inner Voice that occupied my consciousness, I was treading on sinking sand.

Let me explain.  In my early years of conversion to Jesus Christ and His righteousness, I carried into the mix a large suitcase filled with my own way of resolving problems, conflicts, ideas, people, pursuits, etc.  I struggled with the fact if I were putting a ‘Jesus’ label on my actions, why wasn’t anything working out for the good.  I even prayed to God and questioned His ‘responses’.  I was losing so many battles that one day I said…”Really, God!”

It was during that time of defeat (and perhaps my surrendering), that I was led by the Holy Spirit to read Proverbs 4:1-7.  There, it talks about wisdom…God’s Wisdom…not my own.  The verse that stood out for me and has since become my epithet was verse 7.  “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.”

I thought I knew it all and all I needed was God’s stamp on my ‘indecisiveness’.  That was definitely the wrong ‘understanding’.  In another scripture, God describes how he will test His people to see whether or not they will follow His instructions and not their own.  “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you.  The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way I will test them and see whether they [understand and] will follow my instructions.’” Exodus 16:4

The word ‘bread’ in scripture is a reference not only to God’s nourishing provisions of food, but also for God’s providential expression of Truth…God’s Word given to us through the life of Jesus Christ.

As I said earlier, as we walk and talk with God on a daily basis, that is, feast on his daily bread, it will distinguish us from all others in God’s eyes.  I am now standing on solid ground.  Amen!

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Standing on Solid Ground

Scripture Lesson:  “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8

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

God, In His Wisdom, Chooses Crackpots

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Free stock photo of broken pot, jug, pot

So You Think You’re A Crackpot!…Good!

Did you know that during the past 4,000 years of civilized history, the Chinese have generated numerous proverbs for almost any situation in life.  And one of these proverbs have brought me to my blog post for this week.

Just the other day, while searching my computer files, I ran across an old ‘saved’ file of prose and poetry.  In it I discovered a Chinese proverb about two cracked clay pots that I thought you might like to hear.  Why?  Because subliminally, the conversation message therein had ‘God’ written all over it!

Honestly, I do not know whether its author, Confucius or another ancient sage mystic was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he was meditating and eventually wrote down his proverbial thoughts, but the message in his wisdom of intent is certainly straight from the mind and wisdom of God.

So, included below is some good old Chinese wisdom.  Take a look for yourself and you be the judge to weather or not you see the hand of God.

crackedpot orig  An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.”

“For two years  I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.  Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

Moral of the story…

Each of us has their own unique flaw…But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.  You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my ‘crackpot’ friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path.

My final word of Chinese wisdom gleaned from my files: “A man’s faults all conform to his type of mind. Observe his faults and you may know his virtues.”

Do yourself a great big favor and take the time to send this message to all your friends who have a cracked side.  (And only God knows just how many we are!!!)

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Even the color of flowers have meanings, especially Tulips

Scripture Lesson:  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

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

God Allowed Me To Be Creative And To Set His Word To Poetry

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Ruth and Naomi, Pieter Lastman, 1624

Ruth, loyal daughter-in-law to Naomi

Sometimes, God allows me to do my own thing when I want to remember or get a better understanding of a particular story in the Bible.  I often look for key words or draw the storyline on paper; like when God is building a wall that specifically describes each right and left turn or the particular distance a character travels and which side of the city he/she decides to settle in.  I’ve learned that by doing this it helps me know in advance whether the construction or trip will bring feast or famine for the laborers or travelers.

This method of study was put into motion while reading just a few short verses in the Book of Ruth.  “In the days when the judges ruled...” was my first clue.  If judges were needed, then God’s people are making poor decisions and everybody is doing as they see fit.  In this case, Naomi’s husband, Elimelek was guilty.  Next, “…there was a famine in the land.”  Now, whenever there is a famine in the land, it indicates that nobody is calling upon the Name of God and/or everybody is disobeying God’s Word.  In other words, nobody is ‘eating’ God’s Word.  So, without saying so, the story is indicating to me that Elimelek did not consult God before making his decision to relocate to Moab.  “So a man from Bethlehem in Judah,…”  why on God’s green earth would a man of God want to leave Bethlehem, which means ‘house of bread’ and go to a place called Moab without praying about it first?  Don’t forget, Moab was the name of Lot’s first-born son by his own daughter!  (Not a good union.)

So, since the Book of Ruth only consisted of four chapters, I decided to set it to rhyme.

                         “Naomi’s Adversities Became Ruth’s University”                                        (A poetic synopsis of Chapter One)

Naomi was an Israelite pilgrim, depicted in the Book of Ruth.  She shared the biblical storyline with a Moabites who came to know Truth.

Naomi, her husband, Elimelek, along with two sickly sons, left their home in Bethlehem-Judah in search of a distant, far away region.

What necessitated this journey?  Why did a famine engulf their land?  Was God punishing His people?  An unruly, stubborn and immoral clan.

Eventually, all arrived safely in Moab, a land situated east of the Dead Sea.  But not long afterwards Elimelek died and what was once four became three.

Now, as the story goes, in due season, sons Mahlon and Chilion married.  One wife was Orpha, the other Ruth.  Still ten years later both women were barren.

Death came calling claiming both boys, just as it had claimed their father.  Alone, Naomi sat to grieve and fret, her comfort:  just two Moabite daughters.

By and by Naomi regained her strength and decided to return to Bethlehem.  The Lord had lifted the famine, and both daughters desired to go with her to give her a hand.

Naomi insisted that they not follow, but return to live with their own kin.  She thanked them for their loyalty and prayed new husbands they’d win.

So Orpha kissed Naomi and said, adieu, but Ruth wept and clung mightily.  Ruth said, “Where you go I will go, your people and your God are mine, too.”

The two ladies arrived at Bethlehem to warm greetings from far and near.  ‘Mara’ was the name Naomi chose to reintroduce herself to her peers.

God had dealt very bitterly by taking her husband and two sons.  She had to bury them down in Moab, she couldn’t bring them home to Judah.

 

So, to my readers, if you have never experimented with this form of learning God’s Word why don’t you give it a try.  It will increase your ability to run ahead of the story and  guess the ending before it happens.  But best of all, our divine Teacher, The Holy Spirit, will began to  trust you with and to anoint you with a better and deeper understanding of God’s Word.  (You may have already noticed God uses a lot of shortcuts in His writings.)

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Just like your Creator…Experiment in learning God’s Word…Be Blessed!

So all you poets out there get started…God is leaving it up to you to make His word plausible and digestible for all peoples.  Remember what the Disciple John said:

Scripture Lesson:  “Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”   John 21:25

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