How Beautiful is all of God's Creation

"IF a god created us and we are bad... .It is kind of IT's fault right?!" -- EMY

God has the "BIG" picture in view that we can not see because of our human limitations. Submitting our will to His will and seeking Him with all of our heart, mind, and soul we can become more than anything humanly possible without free will. Through Him we can become a genuine overcomer understanding both good and evil and knowing enough to choose good and refuse evil like Him. The value in what we shall then know will be far greater than we can now imagine.

Why me Lord

Ryk said...

Warrior's response:


Ryk said: "now he surely knows nothing at all"

That is a rather bold assertion seeing how you have never been where Epicurus now is. However, I could use the bible to back you up: Ecclesiastes 9:5

"For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten."

It seems the memory of Epicurus is not forgotten though like your's and mine will surely be on this earth especially when we find ourselves dead for as long a time as Epicurus. Now we could filter out the gnats while swallowing a camel discussing this point, but life is short and I hold my view that you made a rather bold assertion seeing how you have no firsthand knowledge.

"Epicurous[sic] knew nothing of the Christian mythos so it would seem wierd[sic] for your myth figure to judge him based on a system he never knew,"

You make a good point. However, I believe the God of the Bible is ultimately fair and just based on my reading of scripture: Take Romans 2:12-16 for instance. But, what will those like you and I who have no excuse like Epicurus does do?

You say, "Historically he is presumed real" So, is Jesus only a myth and a fairytale like many atheists attest? Or, is He also historically presumed real?

Regards,

1%er

p.s. see part 2 for a brief discussion on the philosophy of Epicurus.

Let's take a brief peek at the philosophy of Epicurus.

He taught that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and evil.

Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and drunkenness are all obviously sources of pleasure indicated by the high incidence of their occurrence in society. Yet 1 Corinthians 6:9 claims they are unrighteous. Why might that be? Could it be because all four also have GREAT potential to cause pain?

A fornicator may contract an STD, possibly incurable, that can be a deal breaker for a marriage to possibly the love of his/her life. An unwanted pregnancy may also be a consequence of fornication with all of its implications and consequenses. Fornication can lesson the quality of the bond between lifelong mates. Fornication may hurt one of the participants that expects more out of the arrangement which inevitably does not materialize. Statistics show that those who live in a fornicating relationship to each other prior to getting married have a higher incidence of divorce. So much for the proverbial "test drive", etc. ad nauseam. But perhaps, we can be consenting and responsible adults allowing us to avoid any harmful and painful consequences as DormantDragon implies.

Adultery has destroyed untold marriages throughout the ages both harming the betrayed spouse and any children involved. The adulterer may also bring a harmful and painful STD to the marriage bed, besides lessoning the quality of the mating bond. Once again DormantDragon implies conversely that adultery is good when it is not coupled with deceit and disrespect. He should get back with us and give us a report after these relationships of his friends have run their course as to how they ultimately ended. The couple I know who had the "happy arrangement" did not have their relationship end well. Adultery is a violation of trust with painful and harmful consequences regardless of it being agreed upon or not.

Homosexuality. . . tell it to the two mothers I know who buried their sons at an early age due to the consequences of their homosexual lifestyle. While we're at it, lets keep our heads buried in the sand regarding the real medical facts of this lifestyle and teach our young that it is an acceptable and good choice equal to heterosexual marriage. At least it will help alleviate the world's over population problem more rapidly while allowing our muslim brothers to out populate us and overtake us finally ending such debates as this on the topic. Please note my sarcasm on this subject.

Drunkenness. . . Let me tell a short joke to lighten the mood. A man woke up with his head resting on an adult establishment's bar. As he looked around to get his bearing, he noticed his buddy siting on the next bar stool sipping a beer. He then looked at his watch and realized that they had to be at work in thirty minutes. He asked his buddy where they were. It was a city 500 miles from home and work. He then began fussing irately at his buddy, "What the expletive are we doing here! We have to be at work in thirty minutes!" His buddy looked at him and calmly took another sip of his beer as he replied, "Expletive I don't know, you drove!" Oh how I enjoyed my days of being a drunkard. Please pass the Bombay Sapphire. If only the pain didn't follow the pleasure. Are you familiar with the song "Why me Lord" by Kris Kristofferson? You should YouTube it and give it a listen.

So Ryk, we can easily trash Epicurus's teaching that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and evil seeing how somethings that can bring so much pleasure can also cause untold pain. However, you as someone that respects Epicurus the philosopher the most among the philosophers knows that a deeper study of Epicurus would show my above complaint against the Epicurus pleasure vs pain teaching as intellectually dishonest since Epicurus himself would not sanction anything that produced pleasure on the surface yet resulted in pain as an ultimate consequence.

Even if there is no God, there is great benefit in a personal relationship with the Man of the Bible named Jesus because such a relationship can cause the peace and tranquility in a believer's life that Epicurus valued. I am personally amazed at the power my personal relationship with Jesus has displayed in my life. If it is all just a bunch of bunk, it is very, very good bunk without the deleterious effects of opiates.

The short time while I have been here at Atheist Central I have noticed that atheists don't dig deep beneath the surface of biblical things preferring to only pick at what they think are warts. "the Christian mythos ~~~ your myth figure" Really?

Kind regards Ryk,

1%er

What can wash away my sin...

"If we say that we have no sin,
we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."
1 John 1:18

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it,
to him it is sin."
James 4:17

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”;
for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."
James 1:12-18

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

23 Psalm

A Hard Case

This past March an acquaintance of mine finished his gift of life at the young age of only 63. He served as an infantry officer in Vietnam and told me about a firefight where he knew it was all over. He told me that he called out to God and told Him that if He would get him through this firefight alive that he would then serve Him for the rest of his life.

Well, God did see this man safely through this firefight and the rest of his tour of duty in Vietnam. But, as is so often the case, once all was okay again the man went on with his life without keeping his promise. I met him in the latter years of his life. I would have liked a deeper friendship, but he could only take so much of my sharing Jesus with him. He had quite a successful civilian career after his military service ended and appeared wealthy according to worldly standards. He was an alcoholic though and drank constantly whenever I visited him. The last time I saw him I could tell the alcoholism was taking its toll. I didn't know it would be the last time I'd see him, but it was obvious the possibility was there. How I wish our friendship could have blossomed.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." Matthew 23:37

I'll always wonder if I could have done more...

I have another friend that is even younger, only 42. He has been quite the hard case. I've always believed there is hope for a man as long as he is still alive, but this one has made me wonder. Our paths in life have recently crossed again. My goodness how he has aged in a few short years. He looks rougher than the one who just died and is 20 years younger. The Lord inspired me to buy him a bible which I believe he received well.

Shortly after buying him this bible he was hospitalized. While praying for him during his hospital stay the Lord has given me a whole new insight on the Parable of the Generous Employer: Matthew 20:1-16

Laborers in the Vineyard

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. “When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. “And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. “Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. “And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ “When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. “When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. “When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ “But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? ‘Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. ‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ “So the last shall be first, and the first last.” Matthew 20:1-16

Many of us are infatuated with the passing pleasures of sin and desire a deathbed conversion. During my friend's hospital stay I came to realize how much all of us who know him want him to make it into the arms of the loving Savior, Christ Jesus, before it is too late. I also realized that we all would be more than happy for him to receive "full pay" even though he arrived at a late hour.

Fortunately my friend made it out of the hospital alive this time. I'm finding myself being a little more pushy with him after the loss of my previous acquaintance. It is not in my nature to be pushy, but the anguish of wondering if I had done all I could with my other friend makes me push my normal nature aside. I told my friend recently released from the hospital, "I don't want to get to the other side and not find you there." He told me, "I'll be there."

And God, I hope it is so!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

I am grateful to have gone into the vineyard and began laboring early. I only wish I could have started earlier and maybe even labored harder. I have no resentment for those who come in at a late hour and I am overjoyed that they receive full wages. When you hear His voice, please do not harden your heart!

"O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

You too! Please don't disappoint me. I desire to see you in the Golden City too. Whether you come early or late, just make sure you get there.

The helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17) is an important part of a warrior for the Lord's armor! You have to personally invite Jesus into your heart, acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of His help, and repent of your sins. If you do this you will receive the helmet of salvation, and He (Jesus) will be faithful to help you along your journey and farther clothe you with the Full Armor of God so that you may be able to stand in the evil day.

I really didn't think my hard case friend was going to make it. I told his mama who loves the Lord, "I always thought there was hope for a man as long as they are still alive, but Joe makes me wonder". Well now I'm full of hope. I have that hope for you too. Many are called, but few are chosen, because I believe few choose. Don't disappoint me, make the choice, and be there!

It takes a Willing Heart to Overcome Temptation

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Wow! That scripture packs quite a promise. "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." Yet, so many still fall into sin. What is the deal?

There is a problem with that promise.

", but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

So why do we still fall into sin if He promised to also provide the way of escape along with the temptation?

Many, many, many times the way of escape is as simple as leaving through the front door, or not going there in the first place, or simply changing the friends you hang with. But you say, "The party is too much fun, or the situation is too titillating, or if I didn't have these friends I wouldn't have any friends.

Therein lies the problem. So, so often the way of escape is right there free for the taking, but so many of us really don't want to take it. I know I never did until my eyes were opened as to how important it is to take the way of escape.

Though I am guilty of many, many sins I had two main ones that I struggled with: Promiscuity involving fornication and drunkenness. Prior to my being born again I was not interested in any way of escape. I personally sought out the opportunity for both sins on purpose. The way of escape could be right in front of my face, but I wasn't going to take it.

My born again experience came about because of a relationship that went awry. I was told by my spiritual mentor involved in effecting my born again experience that I could never expect a relationship to truly workout unless I got things right with God first.

Since an illicit relationship was the catalyst that brought me to a point of decision that caused me to choose between God or the lifestyle I so loved to partake in, God worked on my proclivity to indulge in promiscuity first once I chose Him over my sinful lifestyle. The message from Him was simple: "I had better learn to recognize the situations that got me into trouble and just not go there." 99.9% of the time the way of escape was right there for me free for the taking. All I had to do was recognize the need to take it and do so.

I also needed a willing heart to have the strength to take the way of escape.

"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8

When my heart was not so willing and I slipped, God was diligent to discipline me and increase my resolve and willingness.

One time my heart was fully willing to take the way of escape and the door was continually slammed in my face as I attempted to take it. God saw my heart. He also saw me moving against my will into a situation where I would quite possibly be tempted beyond what I was able to endure. Then and only then did He provide a way of escape that was out of my control.

God is able, but we have to be willing. If you don't have a willing heart, ask Him for one!

The Ultimate Warrior ~ Jesus!

Israel was expecting a warrior king to arrive on the scene as their messiah. A Warrior King did arrive on the scene as their Messiah, but He was not recognized as such because the methods of His warfare was and is higher than that which they knew as encompassing battle and victory. This Jesus did not fit their mold for what they thought was required to defeat the enemy. Neither were they able to identify the true enemy that really needed subduing and overcoming. But, this Jesus was able and successful. This Jesus can show all those who earnestly seek Him with all their heart how to do the same.

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.' Revelation 3:20

"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:20,21

'So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."' John 10:7-10

'Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."' John 14:6

Creation or Evolution?

The creation–evolution controversy is easily a heated debate with bias evident and easily seen, e.g. the wikipedia article as it exists on the day of this writing: "The dispute is between those who espouse the validity and/or superiority of literal interpretations of a creation myth, and the proponents of evolution, backed by scientific consensus."

So, here we have myth versus scientific consensus. Care to venture a guess as to which side the article is weighted and which side is ridiculed?

"God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

The sixth day! The sixth day! The sixth day! All of creation completed on the sixth day! Only six days to create all of this... Who can believe such nonsense? You?

That is about as ridiculous as believing that a virgin could be with child. "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

But wait, times change, knowledge increases. Even mankind now has the means to cause a virgin to be with child in this day and age through artificial insemination. definition of: Virgin: a person, typically a woman, who has never had sexual intercourse. A virgin birth is a possibility that is not so ridiculous now with our scientific advancements.

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

Regardless of the time element needed for the world to form, one complaint learned men have had is that you can't make something out of nothing. You have to have material to create something. An artist needs a canvas and paint. A writer needs paper and pen. A carpenter needs building materials. Otherwise nothing can be created from nothing. But then along came computer science where construction material is no longer needed to create amazing things. Computer code broken down to its simplest elements is only the organization of ones and zeros. Ones and zeros are only an abstract concept. In computer science they signify on or off. DNA is also code. Amazing code. As a computer scientist and a coder I can assure you that a complex program consisting of computer code does not magically appear all by itself. Neither did DNA!

Creating web pages, computer programs, and the like is exceedingly tedious and time consuming. But as computer languages and technologies improve things are created with greater and greater speed and ease. Who are we to say because of our obvious restrictions that God is also restricted in like manner? Only conjecture and speculation can allow us to assume, because we really don't know.

Evolutionists are quick to point out that humans share 98% of the DNA of apes. (As more is learned, the actual percentage shared changes.) They use this fact to indicate the certainty of evolution. However as a computer scientist, if I write a good piece of code and need something similar yet different; I don't waste the code already created. I simply copy and paste then tweak it a little to get something different yet sharing a large percentage of the other item, function, object or whatever's code. So, is that evolution that magically happens all by itself, or is it caused by the original creator of the code or another coder? It is foolish to totally reinvent the wheel and start from scratch every time another function or object is needed similar to something already done, so why wouldn't an intelligent creator of our universe do the same and cause the things He has created to share a lot of the same DNA?

It is said that we are created in His image. "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27 I don't know all of the nuances of how we have been created in His image, but I do know that humans share a bent toward creativity with our Creator.

Computer science is in its covered wagon days. Of those who traveled across America in covered wagons, who would have believed that a Concorde Jet Aircraft could one day carry travelers across the ocean from New York to London in a mere 3 hours? I foresee a time, if our civilization lasts long enough, where we humans also will have the technology to create from nothing a creation with sentient beings that perceive things much as we do. It would be best not to mess with life as we know it, and possibly mess something up with drastic consequences in our realm of existence through our hubris and ignorance. But, all could easily be contained inside a computer where things seem as real to them as they do to us. The civilizations can even be somewhat primitive at first only achieving advancements as technology and computer power on our end increases. We can even insert some anomalies such as carbon dating and seashell fossils up high on mountain tops to confound those prone to arrogance. Imagine the possibilities that are soon coming into our grasp. Look at the amazing changes that have taken place over the last hundred years. So, is it real or is it memorex? What can the next hundred years bring?

It is quite arrogant of man to attempt to judge God and how He chooses to do things. God can do things however He pleases. I am a believer, and I desire to be a warrior for Him. He is the potter and I am the clay, and it is not my place to say to the potter, "Why did you make me this way?"

"Love...does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth..." 1 Corinthians 13:6

"The sum of Your word is truth..." Psalm 119:160

Therefore fellow warrior, take courage, and "Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH,..." Ephesians 6:14 against the arrogant arguments of nonbelievers for our God is able!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

Life is a precious gift however we obtained it. Make the most of it! Seek a genuine relationship with the One! There is no one better to ride shotgun with in all this world, and He desires your fellowship. But, you must choose to allow it.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

The Need for Repentance

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:10-14

When we engage in sin, we wrong our neighbor. The collateral damage and consequences of sin are readily evident throughout human society. To become a warrior for the Lord requires genuine repentance from sin and the acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus the Christ.

This does not mean that you will no longer be tempted. This does not mean that you will no longer stumble and fall. This does mean that you will begin an amazing journey on the road to becoming an overcomer where stumbling and falling will become rarer and rarer. But you say, "there is so much sport and fun engaging in the deeds of darkness? Carousing and drunkenness? Sexual promiscuity and sensuality?

Perhaps so, but as it is written: "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding." Proverbs 10:23

Deciding to become a true warrior for the Lord carries a promise of more fun and sport than you can possibly imagine. That does not mean the road will be without peril. "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12

But, as you grow into a mature warrior fulling clothing yourself with the full armor of God the devil will tremble with dread knowing his time is short, "and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:6

"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14 Do you know why? It is because few choose. The choice is yours. "O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

If you are interested in being a true warrior for the Lord, simply pray and ask Jesus to make it happen. I have no doubt that He will set the events up in your life to begin growing you into a mighty warrior! Continue to seek Him with all your heart, and He will be diligent to see that you complete the journey. And, O what an amazing journey you will find it to be.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore,
HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and
HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and
having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,…
Ephesians 6:10-18

Embracing Discipline

What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness? 1 Corinthians 4:21

The 23rd Psalm

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

A Father’s Discipline

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;

and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;

FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Hebrews 12:4-11

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13,14

It is crucial for a warrior of the Lord Jesus to enter through the narrow gate. If you fail to enter, you can be of no service to our Lord and Master the Great Shepherd of our souls: Jesus the Christ.

One day in my daily bible reading I read 1 Corinthians 4:21 at the top of this post. I have no doubt that I had read this scripture previously, but this time the Lord turned a light bulb on in my head. He said, "You see that? All you ever want Me to deal with you is with love and a spirt of gentleness. You want no part of the rod. But you know, and I know that love and a spirt of gentleness is not always sufficient to cause you to pass through that narrow gate!"

I knew what the Lord was telling me was true. I also knew how important it is to pass through the narrow gate. He had pointed out the error of my desire to only know love and a spirit of gentleness while avoiding the rod. I then told Him in prayer, "Lord, if love and a spirt of gentleness is sufficient to cause me to pass through the narrow gate, then fine. But if it is not, PLEASE don't spare me the touch of Your rod!"

That simple prayer was life changing. Now when I feel the touch of His rod I'm all about trying to correct my path and get back on the narrow way. Rather than hating discipline I now cherish it. A remarkable thing has happened with this change in attitude: the touch of His rod has gotten rare, but I know it is always there and ready should the need arise. "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me enough to discipline me when it is necessary. Knowing that You are faithful and diligent to administer that which is necessary does indeed comfort me and give me confidence that with Your assistance I can make it and be an overcomer enduring to the end. For this I am eternally grateful my Lord! Amen!

Go and sin no more...

The Adulterous Woman John 8:1-11

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

The final words Jesus spoke to the woman caught in adultery was, "Go and sin no more".

Would Jesus tell this women to go and do something she was incapable of doing?

Is it possible to overcome our human proclivity to sin?

'...To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.' Revelation 2:7

Welcome Warriors!

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

2 Corinthians 10:3,4 NASB