bible

Scrooge’s real sin

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Most associate Scrooge with greed. It is true that is a system of his real sin, but what Scrooge was guilty of was selfishness. Everything had to revolve about him and he thought that he could control all through having it. If you notice, he is friendless and very alone at the beginning of the story “A Christmas Carol.” He alienates all about him, because he cannot control them. What he can control he does through his money, which he clings to because it is all that he has left in the world.
Many in today’s world are heading down this same road, but most are unaware just how hideous they appear to other humans. They are blind to what is going on about them as they think themselves better then Ebenezer Scrooge. He is a product of a broken home. His father hated him for being born since his birth caused the death of his mother. He had no true positive influence during his informative years and so the foundation was laid for his eventual fall into the selfishness since all he truly knew was loneliness he never knew there was more to the world.
I can relate to this in a degree. I am what is called an “Army brat” even though my father was not in the military when I was around. Part of the meaning of this phrase was to be moved about from post to post every few years. This did happen to me and so making friends became more and more difficult. This in time got me to the point of feeling more comfortable alone then with people. Therefore, in this I can see how being alone did not phase Scrooge, but it did enable him to fall into the trap of selfishness more easily.
Jacob Marley makes this statement in his discussion with Scrooge “charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence was my business.” Simply to be humble, a servant to humankind, which is the inverse of selfishness.
Most, especially those that have turned their back upon the Bible and the teachings of Christ, display daily acts of selfishness yet most cannot even see it. They are blinded by their ignorance of the Bible and so they are intolerant of not only things those that those that know the Bible realize is wrong. They also are so narrow-minded that most things are not acceptable to them. You see this behavior given life in the per-visitation version of Mr. Scrooge, yet many just see this movie as entertainment and do not truly dwell upon the message. Mainly, as stated before, because they associate his actions solely to greed not seeing the bigger picture of selfishness.
Look at your actions. Think if your behavior in anyway shape or form echoes the “Humbug” version of Scrooge. If it does see if you can find your own redemption for you will not be given the luxury of being visited upon by four spirits. All you have to count on is the teaching of Christ within the Bible.

Christmas is Christ, Christmas is love

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People need to start remembering that Christmas is about Christ. It is only due to His gift, which was His life, and His resurrection from His death upon the cross. Without Jesus no matter what any say, those alive now most likely would not be alive.
The base nature of humanity leads to destruction not only of the individual, but also of those affected by this corruption. The United States, once filled with the teachings of Christ, was once safer than it is today. Our schools were safe, when we gathered in public areas it was safe. Evil feared to rear its head. All due to the teaching of Christ. The Bible gave us peace. Admittedly, not complete peace because we are all corrupt, but more so than today.
Now mass murderers occur nearly monthly, violent riots are starting to become commonplace. Organized and orchestrated by those that wish to cause and life in anarchy and chaos. The fear of terrorist attack lone wolf terrorist attacks happen. Why? Because God is no longer a key element in this nation, not all believe, not all that do believe do so as they should. This has always been true and always will, but the teaching of the Bible were taught and understood by all. Now it is not taught. People go about as they did in the dark ages, where mayhem and murderer were commonplace. It is this ignorance of the Bible that caused the Crusades and the hatred that has seethed on the back-burner for centuries are boiling to the top. All due to the removal of the full understanding of the Bible and its teaching of love.
It is true that there has never been true or complete peace throughout the world. However, as the Bible become accessible to everyone, violence diminished to a degree. Then God was removed and everyday violence increased. People take the word of others instead of reading and understanding the Bible themselves, as they should. This is what caused the Crusades. Some think in teaching hate and rage for that is what the person telling them says the Bible does. This is a lie. True there are wars shown in the Bible, but when you read the teaching of Christ all you learn is love for ALL humankind and when you love your fellow humans, you have no desire to harm them. So, remember that Christmas is for Christ, learn His teachings, and follow them.

Discomfort with and about God

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People do not like situations that are beyond their control. As a result, they have learned to limit God. The true glory of God is too frightening to them. Consequently, they encapsulate Him to at the most the planet and the least they attempt to make Him into their personal genie. When doing this they get upset and blame Him for not living up to their desires, or God gives them a glimpse of how powerful He truly is which in turn makes them feel inadequate.
It challenges their believe that they must control how their live goes and works. As a result, they are repelled; Runaway; Deny. If they still believe they become lukewarm neither hot nor cold for God. If they don’t they become Atheist that still seek after the rewards promised to us by God, but instead say it is nature’s doing and it may take centuries to accomplish
I find it funny how those that say God is not real then look into space and say there are aliens. They bring forth theories that state there are multiple dimension. What I find funnier is that they think humankind by itself can grow to a point that they evolve into a higher and eternal life form.
Why do I find it so funny? It is that has they deny God they seek to be with God. Aliens are angels possibly. The idea that there is multiple dimensions is already well documented in the Bible. Earth is in one dimension while Heaven is another one. Last of all seeking to evolve into a higher eternal life form. Again, we are promised this within the Bible.
The only difference in their believe is that humankind will go through several generations to reach this goal. The Bible states that ALL that have ever lived will have an eternal body.
One major factor that may cause issue with them is the fact that only those that are amongst the count will be able to explore the universe as servants of God, while those that deny Him will end stuck on Earth in a VERY warm location that will be VERY uncomfortable. How unfortunate that they must deny Him.

Do you truly know the reason for the season?

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It is true that the exact day of His birth is not known, but the year He came to be among the humans is known. It became the dividing of the term B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini is Medieval Latin, translated as “In the year of the Lord”). It is how the years are measured within history. It is something that will not be changed until Jesus sets foot upon the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. Why? Because He is real. No other has effected how we view time, not even by those that followed their teaching throughout the centuries. Why? Because He really is the Son of God.
It is true though that humans have merged the celebration of His birth with other celebrations. They try to say this for Easter as well, but it is documented which day he did die upon the cross. That is the day when Passover was celebrated by the nation of Israel. The think is Easter is truly celebrated the event that took place three days later upon the Jewish calendar. That would be the day Jesus rose from the dead and returned from paradise and hell with the keys to both. Alive, breathing yet changed. He still bares the wounds to this day, for He is still alive.
This is one of the facts that many cannot get their head around because they are not willing to think beyond what they can see and feel.
This is one of the core elements of faith, to be able to think beyond not only the world around us but to have a believe in God and His omnipotent power to create not only the universe we now inhabit but another realm of existence that is known as heaven and that there are living beings in this place. Not only that, but they have the ability to go between the two. These are the facts for they are shown within the Bible and all scripture is inspired by God.
God is real. Jesus is real and is alive and it is His birth upon this earth to become the sacrificial lamb for our salvation is what Christmas is really all about. We are promised that though Him we will receive an eternal live that is how we also know that He is alive this very moment. Is that not something to celebrate, for that is what this season is truly for and it is well worth it.

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: Pettiness

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It is something that still surprises me. Seeing someone act and behave with petty i.e. immature behavior. I see more and more as I age why Jesus clearly showed how corrupt the natural state of humanity is. I lived in the south most my life. Now I am not saying that there is not petty immature people in the south, by mentioning this point. Why I mention it is that it has allowed me to gain an insight into behavior I may not have noticed living my entire life where I now live.
I also think it is due to my salvation that I can see things in a different light, or a better phrasing would be with the light of God shown upon those about me. I have had a very diverse image upon life that not all can say they have had so that too helps me look at things in this light of Christ as many may not or purposely turn their heads away from.
At this time, I am going through a little bit of bumpy road at work. The one at its center, well other than me, is one of my bosses. It is a large enough company that there are bosses over bosses. Well as I look upon the issue I start to understand what is going on, and so all I think I can do is do what I am supposed to do as is taught by Christ. As I type this, the realization hits me, just so you understand where I am coming from.
I need to pray for this man as well as another of the bosses. They suffer from the ideal that since they are management that everything must be done in such a way and in such a manner that it gives them the feeling of control of the situation. I wish I could go into more detail, but let us just say that each day is different from the previous one or the one that is to come, well at least in the area I work in. It is an area that is demanding. I had raised to the next level recently having become bored with the “regular” challenges and sought after some that would actually make me think.
The thing is they sent me on a shift that had no other peers equal to that new level to discuss issues with to gain their insight. Not anyone who says you can go straight into a job without someone to help you out at first is not telling you the truth; they are also lying to themselves. I can go no further other than to say that this one boss did not like that I acted in a certain way. To his satisfaction, even though the reason for my actions goes back to them not providing me with something I requested from them several times that night.
As I stated though this person does not see it this way, nor does he wish to see the truth, for it would shatter his illusionary world of power and control. Have I grown from it? I would say yes. Has he? I would say no. Thus the need to pray for him. For it is his soul that is in need of the help not mine.
It was stated best in the movie “Angel and the Badman” with John Wayne, when dealing with his future wife. She was a Quaker; their outlook on faith is one that I think all should have. When someone seeks to do harm to you it. You may suffer some injury, you may even die, but it is not you that is ultimately being hurt. It is them they are hurting.
Our reward is not promised on this earth but in the eternal life that is to come beyond this temporal life, we now live. How we live this life though is a determining fact upon our reward in the eternal. When you seek to do harm to another through violence or simply removing them from a job because you do not like them it is your reward you are taking from yourself. Each action of hate, each word said in anger. Each act that causes harm to someone else ultimately lies at your doorstep. It is something you must answer for before God. Many who now think themselves Christian will be stunned to find themselves standing before God on the days of the Great White Throne Judgment. They had thought they would be among the counted but instead find themselves being judged to see if they are worthy of being welcome to live an eternal life free to serve the Creator of the Universe within and throughout His creation. All that stand before Him will weep and plead, but what they do not fully understand is even though God will be the one that ultimately says if they are welcome. Their own actions and behavior are their judge. For we are given the Bible to teach us what is right and wrong and if we do not follow these rules even though we may have been saved we will find that we can be removed from Jesus and thus from God Himself.

The duel edge sword.

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There are times we go through trials and tribulations. As I have said before some may be a pruning by God to allow you to become a better tool for His glory. There will be some trials that confound and confuse you because they come at you from a direction you did not expect. Usually in these instances, there is another party involved. Someone outside that you do not know how or why they crossed your path and sent you into a trail and tribulation. When there is others involved it is always a test upon both parties or all those involved.
In many cases, it will be something that is testing you to see if you grow in your faith, and let me say on a personal note, that all our faiths including mine own have room to grow.
Here is my point of this post. Even though we end up growing and become closer to God in this time of tribulation we may not be the may target. I could be the other person in the situation that is being tested. It may be the other person having their faith in God worked upon by Him.
Our responses and actions to this person might be something that God can use to make this other person realize they need to change and come closer to God. Or they may just need to go through this trial in their own way, but still your reaction is important.
An example:
The other day I was behind a person on the road that was driving erratically. I noticed that he was more interested in looking on the screen of his cellphone then upon the road. I come to this conclusion by the mere fact that he crossed the double yellow line and had to come to a near stop several time to make a simple corner. I have seen drunk drives drive better. So as I get to a stop light I start honking my horn.
He jumps out of his car comes running to my window and proceeds to curse and me.
My respond. “Yes I have a problem with you. You are texting. Read Titus 3:1”
This reference to the Bible made his eyes widen, step back and then turn and leave to his car, which he suddenly started running to as it rolled driverless toward the car in front of it.
Was I being given a trail? I would say yes, if you knew me before Christ you would understand.
Was he being tested? I would say definitely.

Things found in SciFi and the Bible

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Higher beings

Teleportation

Terra forming

Celestial phenomena

Dinosaurs

Ascensions to a higher life form

Asteroids and comets hitting the earth

Immortality

Multiple dimensions

Creation

This is where those that wrote SciFi got their ideas.
Ideas that have been around thousands of years before someone decided to write science fiction. Think on that a moment. Things that were not “real” when written by Jules Verne are now “real.”
Things in the Bible called real are now called fiction by those that wish to deny God. Funny how that is working. If the trend continues that means that all within the Bible is real, oh wait, people have already been saying that. Time to wake up folks.

Don’t become a broken branch

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There are those that believe in the manmade doctrine of “once saved always saved.” I do not follow this doctrine for within the book of John, Christ states you can be removed from Him. This implies that you were are one time with Him since you cannot be removed from something you were not a part of. Many follow this doctrine without being aware that they are.
Christ clearly states that one must “abide” with Him.
Abide – 3306. meno men’-o a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):–abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
Dwell – 3 a: to keep the attention directed —used with on or upon
b: to speak or write insistently —used with on or upon
Endure – 1: to continue in the same state: last 2: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding

This means you have to have an active relationship with Jesus. Just going to church on Sunday and then not spend the other 313 days of the year dwelling in Christ and His teaches is not abiding in Him. We are the bride and He is the Groom. Do you spend 52 days out of the year with your wife or husband? If you did, you will soon find yourself divorced.
Your branch must bear fruit and that God Himself will prune you so that in the end you will bear more fruit. I experienced this pruning personally in my year of Job. Now I am dedicated to writing these words in hopes that they shall bear the fruit of God.
I know without a doubt that I came close to being a branch that bore no fruit and knew again, without a doubt, that I was close to being removed from the vine of Christ and gathered up and burned within the fire. The symbolism is clearly stated in these verses by Jesus Himself.
Know Him.
Have an active relationship with Him. This means to be a living example of what He taught and to strive to do so. Not only through prayer, but actions. So you can be a bearer of Godly fruit.
If you do not bear fruit you will be cast off by God and join the world of man and be thrown into the fire.
John 15: 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Words – 4487. rhema hray’-mah from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:–+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.

John 15: 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The Two Greatest Commandments revisited

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In one of my other posts, I mentioned two great commandments given to us by Jesus. To love God with all your heart and all the time. The other was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. These two things Christ stated was above the Ten Commandments and yet if you look at it they are part of the Ten Commandments.
Like the Ten Commandments it is something that is ignored by most, be they non-Christian or even Christian. This is a sad statement when you ponder upon it some, but true. Could it be the times we live in? Possibly, but it does not need to be this way.
Also as I have stated in other posts is the need to be truly humble.

Per Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Humble is: not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people;: given or said in a way that shows you do not think you are better than other people;: showing that you do not think of yourself as better than other people

This is the building blocks on which loving your neighbor as you would yourself is built upon. In love of God first, placing Him first in all you do and being a humble person. Placing the actions and feelings of all others before yourself allows you to love them like yourself.
In Christianity there are many groups. All think that their vision of God is better than the other persons version. In reality the only vision we have of God is found within the entire Bible. It shows God is all knowing. It shows God as creator and Father. Yet many that call themselves Christian think of Him as some magical genie that will grant their wishes to become rich, a celebrity, important.
This is not what the Bible teaches and the mere fact that there are people that believe otherwise shows they have not truly read the Bible and understand it. As a result, they find it impossible to follow the two greatest commandments.

The truth behind the hate words thrown out by politicians

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Yesterday a light went on. This light shown into those about me and I realized something what has bothered me for years but know I understood. Time and again there are people that openly accuse falsehoods against others for their own gain. However, this is what not caused me the most problem. What does is that people believed them. It was this believing them that cause the light to come on.
Do you want to know why many believe these people?
It is these people that believe them are capable of doing what this person says the other did, because they do it themselves.
Therefore, when you hear some politician spout out that some group is racist. Those that believe them are themselves the ones that are racist.
Mark 10: 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
This not what is taught by Jesus within the Bible. His two Great commandments are first to love God and place Him above all else. Second, to love your neighbor as yourself, and that EVERYONE is your neighbor. (Mark 12: 29-31)
Remember this nation’s legal system was founded upon the principle of you are presumed innocent until you are found guilty with a preponderance of the evidence.
People need to realize that they are judging people when they allow people to manipulate them with these hot words like “racist.”
You are malleable because you have turned for the one book on this planet that can turn you into a clay sculpture of fine art. This book is the Bible, and within it is the truth of not only yourself, but of the world. Do not allow yourself to be the puppet on the strings of politicians that only seek to further wreak havoc upon this nation. Turn to those that at least give us a chance to not only return to a place of strength, but a place that is called pleasing to the creator of this very planet we live upon, God.