You Keep That

Intro:

The other day, my mom asked me to try milk that she said tasted funny:

1. Milk products congest my sinuses

2. Why would I taste something someone has suggested, has gone rotten?

I told her, That's okay, I trust you; it's gone bad if it tastes bad.  

Outro: 

We don't have to taste what has gone rotten; our nostrils will flare, coupled with the sense of smell, to warn us to steer clear of what is inedible and unfit for consumption:

1. Learn from other people's bad experience

2. Why risk exposure to tastebud insult, and possible stomach upset?

Transferring the topic: 

Sin can be sniffed out, it can be tasted and leave a nasty flavour on the soul, but it can also be detected and one, say you, or I, can decide, No no, you keep that, I am not interested in tasting and trying, and running the risk of soul rot. 

Jesus died for the sins of the world, and those that believe in him as their Saviour, do not have to taste the wasting and rotting of their being, while in this world, or in the next; this said, it is the sinners that do not see anything wrong with defiling themselves without an ounce of repulsion, that will not be relieved of their own stench. In other words: Jesus will say to those that tasted and tried and indulged wickedness without regret, remorse and repentance, You keep that sin, it is all yours. 

Here is what Matthew Henry has to say on the matter: 

... the appointment of God concerning Christ... he must be once offered, to bear the sins of many, of all the Father had given to him, of all who should believe in his name. He was not offered for any sin of his own; he was wounded for our transgressions. God laid on him the iniquity of all his people; and these are many, though not so many as the rest of mankind; yet, when they are all gathered to him, he will be the first-born among many brethren, Matthew Henry, Acts to Revelation, Volume 6, page 749. 

Jesus was tempted but never touched, nor tasted sin; he bore sin for us, and while it is true he died for the sins of the world, it is only those that look to him for their salvation, that are relieved of their burden of guilt. Let us take a glimpse at life and death for a moment, found on the same page mentioned in the last paragraph: 

The appointment of God concerning men contains in it two things: - (1.) That they must once die, or, at least, undergo a change equivalent to death. It is an awful thing to die, to have the vital knot loosed or cut asunder, all relations here dropped at once, an end put to our probation and preparation state, and to enter into another world. It is a great work, and it is a work that can be but once done, and therefore had need to be well done. This is matter of comfort to the godly, that they shall die well and die but once; but it is matter of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return again to do that great work better. (2.) It is appointed to men that after death they shall come to judgment, to a particular judgment immediately after death; for the soul returns to God as to its judge, to be determined to its eternal state; and men shall be brought to the general judgment. at the end of the world. This is the unalterable decree of God concerning men - they must die, and they must be judged. It is appointed to them, and it is to be believed and seriously considered by them, Matthew Henry. 

Now try to tell me that we aren't beings unto death; and try too, to share your escape plan to ensure eternal in your current body, life. Of course I jest, but isn't it so, that people thumb their noses at death, mock the consequences of sin, and deny eternal life either as a damned one, or a saved by Christ one? 

I heard about a young woman that abruptly died recently. She was 26 or 27. Of a sudden, she did not feel well, and had a seizure. Her mother called an ambulance and in the ambulance, her life ended. It truly is, an awful thing, to die, to have the vital knot loosed and cut asunder, with all relations dropped at once, and enter into another world. I did not know that girl; what I do know, is her soul went somewhere when it was rudely ripped from her body, and I can only hope, it went to heaven, and that her sins did not damn her and send her to hell eternal, where there are no second, third, fourth chances, to get life, and death right, before the living Judge, known as God Almighty. 

2 Timothy 4:1

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom...

In the verse provided, Paul is exhorting believers to share the gospel, to charge them with the duty, of rebuking and warning sinners, about the coming judgment of the quick and the dead. We, you and me, the girl that died, and every human being quick (alive) or dead, will face our Maker, and my question to you, is this: 

Is the blood of the lamb of God, your cleansing from sin agent? Jesus shed his innocent blood for you: do you say to him, You keep that, or do you tremble at the thought of innocence being murdered on your behalf, and with weeping, thank him on your knees, for what he has accomplished on your behalf?  

Sin that is not repented of, separates us from the Saviour of our souls. 

We end our time together with a sentence selected and noted above, from Matthew Henry;

This is matter of comfort to the godly, that they shall die well and die but once; but it is matter of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return again to do that great work better, Matthew Henry.

Hyper Denial

He told us he had been dead, for three minutes, and I responded, And now you live to tell about it. 

My son and I were leaving Costco, and he had a hot dog and fries, with ketchup. The man at the exit that checked our bill, made a comment about the french fries, and my son offered him some, to which he replied, No Thank-You. I asked, Do you eat that stuff? He said, Not anymore. I had a heart attack two years ago, and I swear, my father pushed me back, saying I wasn't done. I couldn't resist inserting, God sent you back; he wasn't done with you. Without a moments hesitation and absolutely no registering in his eyes or facial expression indicating that he heard my comment, the happy man continued his story, as told without deviation I presume, from all the times he had previously shared his death to life experience. He died of a heart attack, and had been dead for three minutes, and lived to tell about it: how extraordinary. 

You know what I find more extraordinary though, dear one? It is the fact that the man thought his dead father, had the power over life and death. I find it absolutely fascinating that the smiling and cheery fellow, attributes superhuman strength to a dead relative, that supposedly, can govern whether or not he lives, dies, or does both, within a three minute span. Anything but God. 

Anything, but God, dear one. Let us not give God any say, any credit, any acknowledgment either. A nod in his direction is frowned upon, and the devil you say? it is my mother, my father, my sister, my brother, a cardinal, a friend, my pet, from the other side, that keeps me going and gives me the energy and steam to carry on, inspired by their life and the words I recall them speaking, chirping, barking, meowing: the lessons I learned and the lessons they inadvertently taught, I have used as fuel to be a bright light to others. What the what what what?

There is hyper denial happening all around us. Perhaps junk food killed the Costco man, and he has a new found appreciation and lease on life after his revival, but surely, he has lied to himself, about his daddy's contribution to a pulse and return to life in the flesh. Sage advice given and well received from a parent can prevent many a misstep with consequences, but it is our Father in heaven, not our daddy on earth, that can be counted on to guide and protect, each of his human creatures. 

Did the man's daddy form his body, give him breath, and a steady heart beat? Did the man's daddy, go with him everywhere he went, and did he see all that the man thought and did? Did his daddy know his mind and heart entirely? Did his dad shape him in his mother's womb, picking his eye, hair, and skin colour? Did he decide how tall he would be, and what his disposition would be like? And as a dead man no longer walking, would his earthly father, want this man, to know the heavenly Father, and give him praise and glory, which is his due? Would his dead dad say, Son, do not give me so much credit. Stop looking past God, in my direction. I have nothing to give you: it wasn't me that saved you and gave you another chance to adore your Creator, it was him. Can you see the dad of the Costco man, pointing toward Jesus? 

The hyper denial is epidemic dear one. I have been watching videos of lawless people that break rules, put others at risk, and when confronted by law enforcement, they seem to be on re-tard-ed repeat, saying the same things over and over again, believing that with belligerence, they can get out of the trouble they have placed themselves in. These people are emotionally and intellectually, delayed for their age, and act like five year olds, while physically having the privileges of driving, drinking, and being out in public, where commerce takes place. It is a strong delusion they hold near and dear, and it is common place to hear these people say, Why, why, why, and when given a reasonable answer for why they are being detained and questioned, they insult the one holding them to account, and they again, return to Why, why, why. 

Now look with me to the one holding us to account for the lives we live, and the death we face. The Costco man has a story to tell, but his ending is horrible and horrifying. He attributes to a dead man, what only God can do for anyone and everyone: bring us back to life! Resurrect us from the dead! Why, why, why, I ask you, is this so hard to comprehend? 

Children grow-up, and when they marry, they are meant to cleave unto their spouse, and have children of their own. When I held my son in my arms, I was dewy eyed awe struck, and I knew that he wasn't mine, he was on loan to me! I most certainly did not handcraft the little guy, but I did know that I had been entrusted with one of God's precious creatures, and that I was accountable to my Maker, for how I raised the child he had blessed me with. How, in the name of God Almighty. do people twist things into pretzel knots, to the point of believing their dead daddy, can do what only God can do? 

I am very glad the Costco man is alive, and relishing his return from the dead, but I am very alarmed too, that he denies God in his story, in favour of a make-believe childish take, with a wishful fantasy fairytale ending that gave him a new beginning belief, that it was his dead as a doorknob dad, that pushed him back into the shell his spirit currently resides in. He has time, and he has not a clue how much time, since his heart already suffered an attack, and I pray he reconciles his life with Christ as his Redeemer, and ditches the lies, in favour of Truth. 

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Genesis 3:17-19

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat of the herb of the field; in the sweat of they face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground, for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 

Have you seen a dead body, dear one? Have you felt a dead hand? The strange stillness is startling, and the physical changes are immediate and drastic. It is shocking to see a body that is no longer animated, and it makes sense to a reasonable mind, to comprehend, that rotting is inevitable, and there is a point of no return, no matter how hard we beg, plead, or pray, for the heart to restart, and hands to again, hold ours, and the smile to return with joy at seeing our relieved faces. 

I would love to see my father and sister again. I would be overjoyed to hug them and feel their warm embrace. Alas, I will not in this life time, see them again, and I know that God is in charge of each of us, and where we go, depending on whom we relied on and praised, while we had breath in our lungs and hearts that beat on repeat. 

The Costco man could have a wonderful story to tell, if only he gave God credit for giving him life, and saving it too... if only. 

Protruding Tongue

Isaiah 57:3-5

But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood. Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children of the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

Kids sometimes stick out their tongues, either at strangers, or at someone they know, that is saying something they do not like. The sticking out of the tongue is an act of defiance, and perhaps, it is a natural defensive reaction for little ones, that gives them a way of displaying their distaste. Don't we spit out from our mouths, distasteful things? I always found the act to be exceptionally rude, and I admit, I have mimicked, much to the surprise of the insolent child, the sticking out of the tongue, in response to their unexpected impertinence. I noticed a certain aggressive arrogance in the eyes of these children, and it makes me wonder what they have seen and heard from the adults in their lives, behind closed house doors. 

Occult indoctrination techniques are used on very young children. Children are physically violated, and violently exposed to vulgar and soul nauseating sights and sounds. I dare not think too much about what they see and hear and feel and are made to touch and do - it makes me heart sick to consider how the vulnerable in our midst are mistreated. It is appalling to the spirit, and is age old, and does not go unnoticed by God, or his people. Reread the scripture above, and then return here to join me once again. 

God speaks directly to the sons of the sorceress. Now hold up, for a moment, and let us consider what God is saying. There were sorceress', or witches, way back in biblical times, and their sons were doing what they were taught to do. Their fathers are called adulterers, and their mothers are called whores, and with this strong language, we see a culture of sexual deviancy that directly defies God's commandment of fidelity between one man, and his wife. In the depiction of occult culture, we see sons being instructed by their parents to behave in certain ways that run counter to the laws of God. 

God asks two rhetorical questions:  

Against whom do ye sport yourselves? In other words, Who is it that you make fun of and defy, whilst doing what you do? 

Against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? Who are you opening your mouth wide against, and sticking out your tongue toward?

I see the sticking out of the tongue often, and it isn't just the entertainment crew, the famous and infamous actors and actresses on the world stage, that rudely project their tongues, while posing for cameras. Young women, men, and children, are modelling themselves unknowingly, after these dull stars; the entertainment crowd are soul sell outs, that purposefully lead our young ones astray, and into the dark places where sorcery, black magic, witchcraft, and the worship of the Devil, are practiced. Sexy poses alarm me greatly - young girls in skimpy clothing, try to allure, and add the protruding tongue suggestively, before the camera clicks and captures images, and I am always concerned for their souls, as I suspect they may be travelling in a dangerous direction. 

The god of this world is being glorified, adored, and worshipped, and this is not at all new. It is obvious, from the Old Testament, that sexual deviancy coupled with sticking out the tongue at God in acts of defiance, were common place practices, for sorcerers and their offspring. God calls these people, children of transgression, a seed of falsehood. 

Children of transgression, a seed of falsehood ... yikes. Makes me think of children of the lie, and of course, Satan is the father of lies. 

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44). 

There are people in our midst that want to kill faith, destroy belief in God, murder the truth, and bludgeon hope. These people are the seed of Satan, and they have blood lust, just as their father the devil has. 

Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children of the valleys under the clifts of the rocks. 

Enflaming themselves with idols under every green tree, and slaying children... this is what the children of transgression were doing way back in biblical times, and dear one, these witchy practices have not stopped; the devil worshipping murderous activities have continued to this day, and now we see how publicly proud the transgressors are, wearing their costumes brazenly and boldly, whilst sticking their tongues out, in defiance of the living God, and believing they are beyond reproach and recompense for their wickedness. 

This morning I am grateful for the sanctuary God has provided for my soul. I rest in my Saviour, and while encircled in the safety of his loving arms, I pray for the little ones, and I pray for the naive and vulnerable, that haven't a clue that they are tracking along the same blood soaked path, that so many have travelled before them, that leads to perdition and eternal damnation. 

I leave you with scriptural instructions: 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Darwinian Devolvers

If only I were a Darwinian, instead of a God fearing, Christ following, Bible believing Christian...

As a Darwinian, I would embrace the notion of evolution, which would explain and at the same time excuse, how some characters in say, the species of "animal" known as humans, have just not moved forward, or progressed, to an elevated way of thinking and being. 

Does Darwinism discuss the meaty matter of devolution? If there is the moving forward, it makes perfect sense to me, that there must also be included the possibility, of moving backward, as a devolver - seems like devolver is yet to be deemed a word, given the fact that it is underlined in red dashes, by blogger editor, for spell checking and possible correction: hmmm, I guess, tongue in cheek, we are all entitled to make things up as we go and call them facts, even if we do not declare ourselves, Darwinian!

Perhaps some families still resemble their ancestors, with base urges indulged and animalistic itches being scratched. Just because a person is biped, it doesn't necessarily mean their brains have caught up with their ambling abilities. Are some people pretending to be evolved, whilst still living in a mental cave, devoid of any ambition, other than to eat, drink, and gratify the urges, signalled by the insatiable body? 

Apes act like apes, monkeys see and do what monkeys see and do... humans, praise be to God, were created in the image of God, and yet, there are some folk in our midst, that absolutely refuse to level or step up; absolutely refuse to acknowledge the magnificent ways of the Lord, that ought to be imitated, and man alive, the devolution is evident, and obvious, and alarming too. 

Darwin hated God, and had to make himself into a mini-me-demi-god to make himself feel powerful, by trying to explain away the Hand that crafted all that is in creation. Denying God as Master Craftsman is a dangerous and childish game, and it is an act of hiding from him, while seeking vaingloriously, for praise from other men that act like baboons, that cannot stand being creatures with expiry dates, encoded into their DNA. 

Darwin got some things inadvertently right though. Without God, there is indeed, natural selection happening. Without God, people pluck themselves right out of his hand, and become weak and vulnerable, putting their primitive selves smack dab in the middle, of a mental wilderness. They must come up with their own bread, water, shelter, and feel the insecurity of never knowing where their next meal will come from; and they must look with suspicion to their neighbours as competitors in the fields of life, where a dog eat dog treacherous environment has to be navigated, and a fend for yourself mentality is fostered, because you and your family come first, and off to hell with anyone that threatens personal survival. Living for today is a theme, and what goes along with this way of thinking, is a belief, that once this life is done, nothingness lies ahead, or that there is a heaven everyone is entitled to go to, just because. 

I ask dear one, does the thought of void, and absolutely zero to look forward to after you become worm meat, scare the heck out of you? Death was conquered by the resurrected Christ, but Elon Musk and his minions cannot establish a continuance of their silly selves, because daily they show signs of not only aging, but rotting too: when death comes a knockin', there isn't a micro chip in the world, that can stop it from coming in. and stealing away breath and life. 

The evolved, so-to-speak, in the human race, think they are more clever, more savvy, when they have more money, better homes, gardens, spouses, playmates and vehicles, than everyone else, and all acquired with their own strength. To the godless, evolution is evident when they have moved up the ladder of success by shooting for the stars and linking with them: I say good for you, not God for you, congratulations on reaching the moon, no wait, is there some photoshop going on? anyways... God is not for those that deny his blessings and generosity; every good and perfect gift, comes from the Father of heavenly lights, but the godless haven't a clue, that what they have acquired and accumulated, can and will, be taken from them one day; all their clinging to possessions, will leave them bereft in their spirit, because they just would not look to the cross of Christ for all of their needs to be gloriously met, here on earth, and ultimately, in heaven for eternity.

When a person decides to deny deity and the Godhead of Jesus Christ, the devolving and destruction of the fibre of their being begins, and perhaps, they do indeed, become just like animals, without morals, ethics, and most certainly, without the law of God written in the mind and on the heart. It is when a person denies God's Sovereign right, to rule and reign in their life, that they lose their mental, spiritual, and psychological faculties, and turn into beasts, that exist for bodily pleasure, and could care less, for the spirit that resides within, that is shrivelling for want of God's manna. 

I am not a Darwinian. I do not laud and applaud men that prefer their own fantasy world explanations for why and how we exist. Shame on those that refuse to give credit where it is due: their recompense is waiting, because God will not be mocked. 

Darwin duped himself, and so do all the super-intelligenza (I keep making up me own words, how much fun is that?!), that believe in limitlessness, that believe the sky is not their limit, and that they can go beyond the borders that God has established. Fools, all of them, and so is anyone that suggests that there is no God, and that we pick our parents, can be reincarnated, and that we can live forever as a brain in a jar with "consciousness" commanding the universe, and directing our influential energies... blah blah, hooey, blah. 

Fredrick Nietzsche died as an insane man: when I was in university studying philosophy, I became a temporary atheist, under the spell of his very dark and dreary writing. Dear one, a person is literally insane, when they deny the living God. I spiralled into nihilism after reading Nietzsche, with a sense of why bother, if their is no purpose to our existence, except of course, to out wit, out smart, out play, our fellow man. all the while cursing God. Nietzsche hated God and therefore, hated himself. It was the writings of the faithful Saint Thomas Aquinas, that spun my world back in the right direction, and it is The Bible, and Matthew Henry's Commentary, that gives me the solid foundation, on which to place all of my beliefs. 

It is asinine to argue with God, or to attempt to tear at wisdom with bare and weak, human hands. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and unlike writings from Nietzsche and Darwin, it stands the test of time, no matter who, tries to debunk the Truth.

But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation (Jeremiah 10:10). 

NOTE: If you feel like you are losing your mind, know that you can get your thoughts moving in the right direction, by trusting in God as your teacher. 

Shake the Deadly Snake

 

Pretty, and dangerous

"We must not part with sin, as with a friend, with a purpose to see it again and to have the same familiarity with it as before or possibly greater ... We must shake our hands of it as Paul did shake the viper off his hand into the fire" Erwin Lutzer

This quote had my mind racing in multiple directions, with a couple of questions, and some Bible story remembrances:

1. Has sin been my friend?

2. Do I part with it only to pick it up again and reengage?

3. The story of Paul on a beach on the island of Melita (Malta) after surviving a ship wreck, collecting kindling and being bitten, only to shake the deadly snake into the fire!

4. The natives thought Paul was a god, but alas, he was a messenger of the living God.

Let's take a closer look together:

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand (Acts 28:1-4).

I always found this story exciting, but today I am astounded anew! For the purposes of time saving, I simply cannot recount how heroic, brave and wise Paul was on the ship prior to the wreck: you must go into Acts yourself to experience the wonder of his presence in the midst of chaos. Suffice it to say, that Paul had a peace that truly does surpass all understanding And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). I will say this ... Paul was being transported for trial in Italy, and yet, he treated all with kindness, and a love that is worthy of aspiration. 

Going back to Acts 28:1-4

• They escaped ~ everyone on that ship survived because they finally listened to Paul
• They landed on Malta
• The people were barbarous according to the Romans. The islanders were far from barbaric, showing much kindness by kindling a fire, and receiving each of the men, sailors and prisoners alike, that had been on that ship
• The men were already wet, it was raining and cold. They had endured life threatening conditions for an extended period of time 

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire ... dear reader, what kind of stuff is this man made of? Where is the limit to his energy, inclination, devotion, and desire to serve? In this vignette, we see a man thinking of others, admiring others, appreciating the Maltese for welcoming strangers with grace. And yet, it is Paul that is hard to ignore. He is Christlike and I cannot help but hope, to be like Him too ...

... there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand ... slithery snakes hide in the most dangerous places, don't they? A fire was built and Paul was adding sticks to keep it aflame. Out of the heat, a viper fastens to his hand: fascinating!

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm (Acts 28: 4-6).

• I am picturing the faces of the witnesses, seeing a venomous beast hanging by it's fangs, from Paul's hand!
• The islanders believed in the universal law of sowing and reaping. They assumed that while the man survived a shipwreck, clearly the snake bite and pending death by venom, was a natural consequence for being a murderer. You get what you give ... vengeance suffereth not to live
• One good shake and the deadly snake was returned from whence he had come. This has me thinking about my sin, and how important it is to know that when it tries to sink it's fangs into me and spread poison, I can shake it off and send it back to the hell fire from which it came 
• ... and felt no harm we cannot be injured by something that does not have a hold on us, dear one. Paul saw the snake for what it was, a harmless beast that had no power to persuade him to feel weak, subjected, or swayed into swooning!

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he is a god (Acts 28:6).

This is just plain old fun to read and suss out, dear one! How very exciting and as I said above, astounding, to envision this scene. Imagine the facial expressions of the islanders, watching, waiting, anticipating what they had witnessed before! They knew the viper was venomous and they knew from previous experience, what to look for ... swelling, and falling down dead. When they did not see this after a great while, and saw no harm come to him ... they:

• changed their minds
• and said he is a god

Life shipwrecked

Paul went from probable murderer, to a perceived god in a very short time span. There is an interesting point in this that I nearly missed: people really do believe that God has power over life and death. People really do believe that their sins are damning, and that we must pay for them, even when we sometimes, and perhaps often, (think of a life shipwrecked many times over) get a free pass. Eventually, there is a comeuppance, where we must pay for our past. Paul is a wonderful example of not only surviving his wicked past, but being a messenger of the saving grace that God bestows on all, because let us face the facts; you and I ought to have died long ago from all those snake bites we somehow survived, which takes us to the rest of this story. 

Paul stays on the island for three months. Three days into his stay, he prays over the ailing, starting with the father of the chief, who lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux (Acts 28:8). He heals many more, but the point is, God had him begin with the most influential, those that should have been able to connect with their "gods" and be healed. This is important to note: there is only one God, and Paul demonstrated to the islanders that prayer to the living God, with faith in His healing power, is all they needed and, dear one, He is all we need too.

I am going to the top of this writing piece, to answer these questions, and I invite you to do the same:

1. Has sin been my friend?

2. Do I part with it only to pick it up again and reengage?

1. I do believe sin has been my friend in the past. There were things I knew weren't right in God's sight, but I disobediently did them anyway (because I liked them), only to suffer remorse with promises to him that I would never do them again, and yet I did! When I look back on the things that appealed to me then, I am relieved to say that they no longer attract me. Now, when a venomous sin viper attempts to attach itself to my hand and fill me will poison, I shake him back into the hell fire more quickly than ever before! I'm not perfect, but I am progressing. 

2. Yes, the pattern of parting with sin and picking back up again was me, and sometimes still is, but less and less. The more time I spend with God, the less appealing sin becomes. 

The Maltese were exposed to a godly man. Godly people direct others to the Sovereign, not to themselves. I will end with this guiding principle, as a way for us to stay the course of living sin free, by resisting ungodly company, and by delighting in the law of the LORD. 

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he mediate day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

Covenant & Common Christian Sense

For this is the new covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people (Hebrews 8:10).

Common Christian sense, dear one, is what comes to my mind when I read scripture, with the God soaked truth resonating soundly in my soul. The law of the Lord, is written in the hearts of his people, and to those that belong to him, he is their God. Does this, make sense to you? Do you know the law of God and abide, because it is lyrical to your ears, and a song in your heart? When you read about the gospel covenant, assigned by God, and enlivened in us by him too, do your thoughts ignite with brilliant light, as a follower of Christ? 

Read now, what happens in the being of believers, according to Matthew Henry: 

God articles with his people that he will put his laws into their minds and write them in their hearts, v. 10. He once wrote his laws to them; now he will write his laws in them; that is, he will give them understanding to know, and to believe his law; he will give them memories to retain them; he will give them hearts to love them and consciences to recognize them; he will give them courage to profess them and power to put them in practice; the whole habit and frame of their souls shall be a table and transcript of the law of God. This is the foundation of the covenant; and, when this is laid, duty will be done wisely, sincerely, readily, easily, resolutely, constantly, and comfortably, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Acts to Revelation, Volume 6, page 743. 

The stone tables upon which the finger of God inscribed the ten commandments for an outward reminder to the Israelites, how to abide in the first covenant, has been replaced by God's law, written in the minds and echoing in the hearts, of his redeemed people, through Christ the Lord, our mediator. Moses foreshadowed the mediatory Saviour, and so did the covenant of old, now replaced by the gospel. What I love about Matthew Henry's commentary, is the list of gifts he records to edify readers, and reassure them that all we need, is lovingly provided by our Law Maker and soul preserver! 

He will give them:

Understanding to know, and believe his law

Memories to retain them

Hearts to love them

Consciences to recognize them

Courage to profess them

Power to put them in practice

Habit and form of our souls to be a table and transcript of the law of God

With this foundation laid, duty will be done:

Wisely, sincerely, readily, easily, resolutely, constantly, and comfortably.

What a relief dear one, to read the above. God equips his people and empowers too, so that we do not have to struggle, fuss, fight. When I am at a loss, and I pray, God, please do me a solid, he never fails to give me what I need to face a difficulty, or a challenge. It is to God I go, when an SOS is in order, and it is to him I go, to nuzzle in and feel loved up! 

Now look with me again, at Matthew Henry's commentary, in reference to God, being the God of his people: 

He articles with them to take them into a near and very honourable relation to himself. He will be to them a God; that is, he will be all that to them, and do all that for them, that God can be and do. Nothing more can be said in a thousand volumes than is comprehended in these few words: I will be a God to them. They shall be to him a people, to love, honour, observe, and obey him in all things, complying with his cautions, conforming to his commands, comporting with his providences, copying out his example, taking complacency in his favour. This those must do and will do who have God for their God; this they are bound to do as their part of the contract; this they shall do, for God will enable them to do it, as an evidence that he is their God and that they are his people; for it is God himself who first founds the relation, and then fills it up with grace suitable and sufficient, and helps them in their measure to fill it up with love, and duty; so that God engages both for himself and them, Matthew Henry, Acts to Revelation, Volume 6, page 743. 

Evidence of belonging to God can be looked for in others. We need not wonder - they are marked with a deep desire to:

Love, honour, observe, and obey him in all things. 

God's people: 

Comply with his cautions

Conform to his commands

Comport with his providences

Copy his example

Take complacency in his favour

Are filled with his grace, suitable and sufficient

And his love, giving us an awesome sense of duty

Christians know they have a part to play in the contractual agreement they have signed with the love of Christ in their mind, heart, and very soul. God is our everything, and we want to abide in all that is his, in every way possible. There must be evidence of the love of God in a Christian, and the law written in the mind and heart will be obvious, to those that do not know God and wander from his commands. It is a pleasure to be dutiful as a Christian, and it seems doleful to observes of Christ followers, that cannot comprehend why anyone would want to be a Christian. 

Lord, I want, to be a Christian, in my heart, in my heart... The Proclaimers wrote these lyrics and they echo the sentiments of those that love the Lord. Do these lyrics, dear one, echo your sentiments too? If not, here is a little god loving advice for you: 

Go to the foot of the cross and see the Saviour hanging there for your sins, and fall at his feet. Next, thank him for dying for you, and plead for forgiveness, and just as Christ resurrected on the third day to life eternal, you too, will go from death to life, in Christ the Lord of glory, AMEM. 

Clean As You Go

Pots and pans, encrusted with remnants from a meal recently cooked, need soaking in soapy water, and perhaps a little scrubbing, to get clean. I am a clean as I go kinda gal, since a messy kitchen can add unwanted mental strain, to a wanna-be chef extraordinaire. 

If left, without soaking, without light scrubbing, those pots and pans can turn into an annoying hour long cleaning event, to return them to spick and span ready, for the next bout of cooking. What could have been quick and easy, can turn into an activity that is unappealing, and feels like drudgery. 

Now look with me, dear one, at relationships, that are marked with remnants of unresolved issues, left to get crusty, to harden, and to mar intimacy and trust. Are you, a clean as you go kind of person? I am: I like to discuss, to rectify, to make clear, in order to get what stands between me, and someone I care about, out of the way. 

The olive branch can be light when first extended. The olive branch of peace is an offering that when accepted, reunites two, that may feel pulled ever so slightly apart. If the branch is never extended, never offered, and therefore, never accepted, the pulling apart continues, until the separation between two, is so great, there is never a path back to unity, in sight. 

What of someone that extends the branch, but the other refuses to accept, turns their back, and walks away? Have you had this happen to you? I have, and to say it is an unpleasant experience is an understatement, especially when previously, there was a lot of soul brushing and compassionate caring. 

I think of all the conversations that have never been had. I think of all the times that I haven't listened, or the times when someone hasn't listened to me, and how damaging this was to the fraying relationship. Drudgery again comes to mind, when I consider how impossible it has been to reconcile with some people, and conversely, how exciting and inviting too, it has been, to have heart to heart connections with people I feel are my others, in the resolving of minor or major, differences of opinion, perceptions, or points of view. There can be a meeting of the minds, but I find this to be a very rare and brilliant experience to have, and mostly, this happens for me, when I relate to God fearing, Bible believing, Christ adoring, Christians. 

The Bible is a make-no-mistake go to place. God is consistently God, and he is repetitive in the Word, because we learn by repetition. Repeatedly God gives instructions and repeatedly, we either ignore them, deny them, pretend they are something they are not; we misconstrue, we adapt, we adjust, and we accommodate ourselves and others in ways that suit our current beliefs, and all this while deviating from commands. We compromise ourselves, our very souls, when we deviate from his commands!

There isn't a human being that has not compromised their own integrity to accommodate someone, or a group of someones, that they want to please. One of the biggest insults I received from a personal training client, when I was a freshly minted entrepreneur, was to be called accommodating. That stung and stuck with me. I have had to really look at what this meant as it pertained to my character. As a daughter of strong minded and imposing parents, I know I have had to work extra hard to learn where they ended, and I began - in other words, I had to figure out what I believe, separate from outside influences. The Bible, has been my single best and forever teacher, and while I appreciate (generally speaking of course) the opinions and perspectives of other human beings, it is God that I want to please, and God that I trust to steer me in the right direction; accommodating the wants, the demands, the impositions of other humans, does not factor into my choices, nearly as much as it used to, and yet still, there is that desire we all have, to accommodate, so that we can connect with someone that seems out of reach. 

I love all of the Old Testament accounts of faithful men being fallen men. Recorded for posterity, we see men of God given his commands, and speaking to him directly, and then foolishly, compromising their relationship with him, because they just couldn't get past themselves! They just couldn't get past being friends with people that did not love, honour, and obey, God Almighty, despite all he had done for them!!! Man alive, is this not exactly how we are, as modern day humans, with old as sin souls?

Think with me:

Aaron, the first priest, crafted a golden calf for pagan worship

King David, took Bathsheba to please himself, and had her husband killed

King Solomon, David's son, worshipped idol gods, to please his heathen wives

These are just a few of the major missteps noted for our admonishment. When we go against God's will, there are repercussions: read The Bible and learn for yourself, what happened to these men, that disobeyed God's commands. God forgives those of us that repent, and dear one, we must all, repent. 

We return now to the clean up imagery, and I suggest to you, that there may be in your life, some pots and pans that are encrusted and need some soapy scrubbing attention. It may be that you have left them a little too long, and your attempts to get them sparkling again will require much elbow grease, but it is worth the effort, dear one. You do not want to throw out pots and pans that are of value, and worthy of the work... it other words: start a conversation with that certain someone that you care about, that you love, that you see is slipping away for want of knowing what you think and how you feel. It may be that they are hoping to hear from you, and that it is your turn, to make an effort to put things right. 

Conversations can be difficult to start, and daunting to consider, but it is in the communicating that critical change happens, and you have within your control, the ability to be the one, to start the flow of words, that cleanse away the ugly remnants, of misunderstanding.