“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel —because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”
Genesis 11:1-9 NIV
We see this and it explains much. I mistakenly thought it to say that man looked to build the tower to the heavens, but was corrected by my reading the Scipture. All they did was show what ‘one man ship’ could or would do. I was drawn to see what they used and instead of seeing implements that could be utilized to reach the skies, it was simply technology. Much of which was before its time, and this would have continued. In this day and age, we have the same, but the great minds are in nations against each other. I will be a stubborn fly on the wall and state that if we all worked together, there is literally nothing we could not achieve.
I think of he race to explore space. Let us think about it from a Christian background. First man was launched into space:
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is about to launch its first-ever asteroid-sampling spacecraft, but the mission won’t be the first to bring pieces of another world back to Earth:
The agency’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station here at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT) Thursday (Sept. 8). If all goes according to plan, the probe will collect dirt and gravel from a carbon-rich asteroid named Bennu in 2020, then send the material to Earth in September 2023.
You can watch a webcast of OSIRIS-REx launch here , courtesy of NASA TV, beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT). The $800 million mission’s main goal is to determine the role Bennu-like asteroids may have played in the rise of life on Earth (by perhaps delivering organic molecules and water to the planet). But OSIRIS-REx may enable many more questions to be answered, because researchers in laboratories around the world will study portions of the returned sample for decades, mission team members said. [OSIRIS-REx: NASA’s Asteroid Mission in Pictures]
Space exploration is the ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer space by means of continuously evolving and growing space technology. While the study of space is carried out mainly by astronomers with telescopes, the physical exploration of space is conducted both by unmanned robotic probes and human spaceflight.
While the observation of objects in space, known as astronomy, predates reliable recorded history, it was the development of large and relatively efficient rockets during the early 20th century that allowed physical space exploration to become a reality. Common rationales for exploring space include advancing scientific research, national prestige, uniting different nations, ensuring the future survival of humanity, and developing military and strategic advantages against other countries.
Space exploration has often been used as a proxy competition for geopolitical rivalries such as the Cold War. The early era of space exploration was driven by a “Space Race” between the Soviet Union and the United States. The launch of the first human-made object to orbit Earth, the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, on 4 October 1957, and the first Moon landing by the American Apollo 11 mission on 20 July 1969 are often taken as landmarks for this initial period. The Soviet space program achieved many of the first milestones, including the first living being in orbit in 1957, the first human spaceflight (Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1) in 1961, the first spacewalk (by Aleksei Leonov) on 18 March 1965, the first automatic landing on another celestial body in 1966, and the launch of the first space station (Salyut 1) in 1971.
After the first 20 years of exploration, focus shifted from one-off flights to renewable hardware, such as the Space Shuttle program, and from competition to cooperation as with the International Space Station (ISS).
With the substantial completion of the ISS[2] following STS-133 in March 2011, plans for space exploration by the USA remain in flux. Constellation, a Bush Administration program for a return to the Moon by 2020[3] was judged inadequately funded and unrealistic by an expert review panel reporting in 2009.[4] The Obama Administration proposed a revision of Constellation in 2010 to focus on the development of the capability for crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), envisioning extending the operation of the ISS beyond 2020, transferring the development of launch vehicles for human crews from NASA to the private sector, and developing technology to enable missions to beyond LEO, such as Earth–Moon L1, the Moon, Earth–Sun L2, near-Earth asteroids, and Phobos or Mars orbit
In the 2000s, the People’s Republic of China initiated a successful manned spaceflight program, while the European Union, Japan, and India have also planned future manned space missions. China, Russia, Japan, and India have advocated manned missions to the Moon during the 21st century, while the European Union has advocated manned missions to both the Moon and Mars during the 20/21st century.
From the 1990s onwards, private interests began promoting space tourism and then private space exploration of the Moon (see Google Lunar X Prize).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_exploration.
Impressively, I do not know where to start or to begin, but understanding that I try and hold steady to a topic. It was of consequence that with one mind, one voice and a common goal, at the time differences were placed in mankind, and this began our history of differences.
So, we can as Christians understanding and having a root in God’s word, prepare ourselves, family, brothers and sisters, Loved ones to be together as one. Amazingly, it was with the desire to be known as one and to be remembered that it was set askew, but we understanding that can know that we are one. Yes, there are differences, but essentially we are one. If we look at things, greater things are yet coming, if we have all our loved ones in one place and we are able to be grateful for this eternity together in Love. What more could there be? Yes, we have quite a bit to do to get there, but it remains an all encompassing fact. We are one, rather we have the knowledge and feeling that it is the earth that divides and we shall be together as one with our one Ruler.
Isn’t it impressive that we learn to respect those in power? We for the most part pledge our allegiance to the powers that be. There are levels, so many levels, but it comes to one main thing. Being born, there are Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Relatives, Neighbors, Siblings if you are not the first born. All these people come from a place, they are governed by police who keep order, these in turn have leaders. We then look at a slightly bigger scale and start to think of The Mayorhood. Larger? The governorship, larger? The senate. Not to keep going, it ends up in the Presidency or the head of State. What does this all mean? Where does it go from here? These people are all placed in charge of others. Let us back off for a moment and think this through.
There are all these leaders, where does religion come in? Now that is the main question. We are all different and we’re born different, raised different. But each culture maintains the same precepts. No matter where we look, we see the same mentality exists. A Supreme Being a head of all. Let us take a look at the different religions. Now, I will start of by saying this in no way is a contest or a comparison, but rather a look at the fact that all have one thing in common.
There are twelve classical world religions—those religions most often included in history of world religion surveys and studied in world religions classes: Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. Here are overviews of nine of these classical religions.
Judaism (jōˈdəĭzˌəm, jōˈdē–) [key], the religious beliefs and practices and the way of life of the Jews. The term itself was first used by Hellenized Jews to describe their religious practice, but it is of predominantly modern usage; it is not used in the Bible or in Rabbinic literature and only rarely in the literature of the medieval period. The word Torah is employed when referring to the divinely revealed teachings of Jewish law and belief. Judaism is used more broadly, including also the totality of human interpretation and practice. Thus, one may speak of “secular Judaism,” referring to an adherence to values expressed by Judaism but removed from any religious context. The most important holy days in Judaism are the weekly Sabbath, the major holidays of Rosh ha-Shanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkoth (see Tabernacles, Feast of), Simhat Torah, Passover, and Shavuot, and the minor holidays of Hanukkah, Purim, and Tisha B’Av.
Shinto (shĭnˈtō) [key], ancient native religion of Japan still practiced in a form modified by the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism. In its present form Shinto is characterized less by religious doctrine or belief than by the observance of popular festivals and traditional ceremonies and customs, many involving pilgrimages to shrines. Shinto, a term created to distinguish the indigenous religion from Buddhism, is the equivalent of the Japanese kami-no-michi, “the way of the gods” or “the way of those above.” The word kami, meaning “above” or “superior,” is the name used to designate a great host of supernatural beings or deities.
Islam (ĭslämˈ, ĭsˈläm) [Arab., = submission to God], world religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad. Founded in the 7th cent., Islam is the youngest of the three monotheistic world religions (with Judaism and Christianity). An adherent to Islam is a Muslim [Arab., = one who submits].
Zoroastrianism In its origins Zoroastrianism appears to have been the religious expression of the peaceful, sedentary communities of N Iran as opposed to the animistic polytheism of their enemies, the nomadic horsemen. Zoroaster consistently contrasts these two peoples as the People of Righteousness ( asha ) and the People of the Lie ( druj ). The religion was concerned with increasing the harvest and with protecting and treating kindly the domestic animals whose labors accomplished the production of food.
Gradually certain practices that Zoroaster appears to have deplored, such as the use of haoma (a narcotic intoxicant) in prayer and the sacrifice of bulls in connection with the cult of the god Mithra (a lesser god in Zoroastrianism), became features of the religion. It is not surprising, however, that former customs should be thus revived, because Zoroaster appears to have incorporated in his religion the old Persian pantheon, although very much refined. Instead of tolerating the worship of all the deities, however, he divided them into those who were beneficent and truthful and those whose malevolence and falseness made them abhorrent.
Heading the good spirits was Ahura Mazdah (also Ormazd or Ormuzd) [sovereign knowledge], in primitive Zoroastrianism the only god. Six attendant deities, the Amesha Spentas, surround him. These abstract representations, formerly the personal aspects of Ahura Mazdah, are Vohu Manah [good thought], Asha Vahista [highest righteousness], Khshathra Vairya [divine kingdom], Spenta Armaiti [pious devotion], Haurvatat [salvation], and Ameretat [immortality]. In time the Amesha Spentas became archangelic in character and less abstract. Opposing the good ahuras were the evil spirits, the daevas or divs, led by Ahriman. The war between these two supernatural hosts is the subject matter of the fully developed cosmogony and eschatology of Zoroastrianism.
The entire history of the universe, past, present, and future, the religion teaches, is divided into four periods, each of 3,000 years. In the first period there was no matter; the second preceded the coming of Zoroaster; and in the third his faith is propagated. The struggle between good and evil rages during the first nine millennia, and humans help Ahura Mazdah or Ahriman according to whether their conduct is good or evil. Each person after death crosses the Chinvato Peretav [bridge of the separator], which spans hell. If he is reprobate, the bridge narrows and he tumbles to perdition, but if he is worthy of salvation he finds a wide road to the realm of light. In the fourth period of the universe a savior, Saoshyant, will appear, the dead will rise for their final reward or punishment, and good will reign eternally.
Zoroastrianism should be regarded as quasi-dualistic, rather than (as sometimes described) wholly dualistic, since it predicts the ultimate triumph of Ahura Mazdah. This god may be represented in the form of the pure natural substances that he has created, notably fire but also water and earth. The special veneration shown to fire and its use in religious ceremonies has led to the erroneous belief that the Zoroastrians were fire worshipers. The care taken to avoid contaminating these natural substances led to great elaboration of the purification ritual.
Taoism The philosophical system stems largely from the Tao-te-ching, a text traditionally ascribed to Lao Tzu but probably written in the mid-3d cent. B.C. The Tao, in the broadest sense, is the way the universe functions, the path [Chin. tao = path] taken by natural events. It is characterized by spontaneous creativity and by regular alternations of phenomena (such as day following night) that proceed without effort. Effortless action may be illustrated by the conduct of water, which unresistingly accepts the lowest level and yet wears away the hardest substance. Human beings, following the Tao, must abjure all striving. The ideal state of being, fully attainable only by mystical contemplation, is simplicity and freedom from desire, comparable to that of an infant or an “uncarved block.”
Sikhism A major religion of India and the fifth-largest faith in the world, Sikhism emerged in the Punjab under the guidance of the guru Nanak (1469–1539?). This region had been influenced by the Hindu bhakti movement, which promoted both the idea that God comprises one reality alone as well as the practice of devotional singing and prayer. The Muslim mystical tradition of Sufism, with its emphasis on meditation, also had some prominence there. Drawing on these resources, Nanak forged a new spiritual path.
In his youth, Nanak began to compose hymns. At the age of 29, he had a mystical experience that led him to proclaim “There is no Hindu; there is no Muslim.” A strict monotheist, he rejected Hindu polytheism but accepted the Hindu concept of life as a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; moksha, release from this cycle into unity with God, could be achieved only with the help of a guru, or spiritual teacher. Nanak believed that communion with God could be gained through devotional repetition of the divine name, singing of hymns and praises, and adherence to a demanding ethical code. He rejected idols and the Hindu caste system; it became a custom for Sikhs of all social ranks to take meals together. These beliefs are still central to modern Sikhism.
Nanak was first in a line of ten gurus who shaped and inspired Sikhism. The fifth, Arjun (1563–1606), compiled hymns and other writings by earlier Sikh gurus, as well as medieval Hindu and Muslim saints, in the Adi Granth (First Book), or Guru Granth Sahib (the Granth Personified). This book became the sacred scripture of Sikhism. In addition to his spiritual leadership, Arjun wielded considerable secular power as he grappled with leaders of the Mughal Empire.
The tenth guru, Gobind Singh (1666–1708), was both a scholar and a military hero. He established the Khalsa (community of pure ones), an order that combined spiritual devotion, personal discipline, and ideals of military valor. Baptism initiates new members into the Khalsa. The Adi Granth took its final form under the supervision of Gobind Singh, as did the Dasam Granth (Tenth Book), a collection of prayers, poetry, and narrative. After the deaths of his four sons, Gobind Singh declared the line of gurus at an end. The Adi Granth would instead be reverenced in houses of worship, taking the place of a living guru.
Today, Sikhs worship at gurdwaras (temples), where the Adi Granth is the object of devotion. This book is consulted regarding questions of faith and practice. On certain occasions, it is recited in its entirety (requiring more than a day) or carried in procession; offerings may be placed before it. Worshipful singing, meditation, and focus on the divine name remain essential to spiritual life. Some Sikhs undertake pilgrimages to historical gurdwaras, such as the Golden Temple of Amritsar, that are associated with the gurus. Some become disciples of living saints. There is no established Sikh priesthood.
Buddhism Buddhism was founded in the fourth or fifth century B.C. in northern India by a man known traditionally as Siddhartha (meaning “he who has reached the goal”) Gautama, the son of a warrior prince. Some scholars believe that he lived from 563 to 483 B.C., though his exact life span is uncertain. Troubled by the inevitability of suffering in human life, he left home and a pampered life at the age of 29 to wander as an ascetic, seeking religious insight and a solution to the struggles of human existence. He passed through many trials and practiced extreme self-denial. Finally, while meditating under the bodhi tree (“tree of perfect knowledge”), he reached enlightenment and taught his followers about his new spiritual understanding.
Gautama’s teachings differed from the Hindu faith prevalent in India at the time. Whereas in Hinduism the Brahmin caste alone performed religious functions and attained the highest spiritual understanding, Gautama’s beliefs were more egalitarian, accessible to all who wished to be enlightened. At the core of his understanding were the Four Noble Truths: (1) all living beings suffer; (2) the origin of this suffering is desire—for material possessions, power, and so on; (3) desire can be overcome; and (4) there is a path that leads to release from desire. This way is called the Noble Eightfold Path: right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right concentration, and right ecstasy.
Gautama promoted the concept of anatman (that a person has no actual self) and the idea that existence is characterized by impermanence. This realization helps one let go of desire for transient things. Still, Gautama did not recommend extreme self-denial but rather a disciplined life called the Middle Way. Like the Hindus, he believed that existence consisted of reincarnation, a cycle of birth and death. He held that it could be broken only by reaching complete detachment from worldly cares. Then the soul could be released into nirvana (literally “blowing out”)—an indescribable state of total transcendence. Gautama traveled to preach the dharma (sacred truth) and was recognized as the Buddha (enlightened one). After his death his followers continued to develop doctrine and practice, which came to center on the Three Jewels: the dharma (the sacred teachings of Buddhism), the sangha (the community of followers, which now includes nuns, monks, and laity), and the Buddha. Under the patronage of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (third century B.C.), Buddhism spread throughout India and to other parts of Asia. Monasteries were established, as well as temples dedicated to Buddha; at shrines his relics were venerated. Though by the fourth century A.D. Buddhist presence in India had dwindled, it flourished in other parts of Asia.
Numerous Buddhist sects have emerged. The oldest, called the Theravada (Way of the Elders) tradition, interprets Buddha as a great sage but not a deity. It emphasizes meditation and ritual practices that help the individual become an arhat, an enlightened being. Its followers emphasize the authority of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, the Tripitaka (Three Baskets), a compilation of sermons, rules for celibates, and doctrine. This sect is prevalent in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. It is sometimes called the Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) tradition (once considered a pejorative term).
Between the second century B.C. and the second century A.D., the Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) tradition refocused Buddhism to concentrate less on individual attainment of enlightenment and more on concern for humanity. It promotes the ideal of the bodhisattva (enlightened being), who shuns entering nirvana until all sentient beings can do so as well, willingly remaining in the painful cycle of birth and death to perform works of compassion. Members of this tradition conceive of Buddha as an eternal being to whom prayers can be made; other Buddhas are revered as well, adding a polytheistic dimension to the religion. Numerous sects have developed from the Mahayana tradition, which has been influential in China, Korea, and Japan.
A third broad tradition, variously called Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle), Mantrayana (Vehicle of the Mantra), or Tantric Buddhism, offers a quicker, more demanding way to achieve nirvana. Because of its level of challenge—enabling one to reach enlightenment in one lifetime—it requires the guidance of a spiritual leader. It is most prominent in Tibet and Mongolia.
Zen Buddhism encourages individuals to seek the Buddha nature within themselves and to practice a disciplined form of sitting meditation in order to reach satori—spiritual enlightenment.
Shinto cannot be traced to its beginnings, because until the 5th cent. (when Chinese writing was introduced into Japan) the myths and rituals were transmitted orally. The written record of the ancient beliefs and customs first appeared in the Kojiki [records of ancient matters], prepared under imperial order and completed in A.D. 712. From those first Japanese accounts of the religion of times then already far past, it can be seen that a worship of the forces and forms of nature had grown into a certain stage of polytheism in which spiritual conceptions had only a small place. Nor was there any clear realization of a personal character in the beings held to be divine, and there were practically no images of the deities.
There was no one deity supreme over all, but some gods were raised to higher ranks, and the one who held the most exalted position was the sun goddess, known as the Ruler of Heaven. The emperors of Japan are said to be descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu-o-mi-kami, in unbroken line beginning with the first, Jimmu, who ascended his throne in 660 B.C. Thus the emperor was looked upon as divine, even while living; by divine right he was the chief priest, and as such he presided over ceremonies of foremost importance. Aside from this his religious responsibilities were delegated to others.
A Shinto shrine, unaffected by other religious influences, is a simple unpainted wooden building, having some object within it that is believed to be the dwelling place of the kami. After Buddhism entered Japan in the 6th cent. A.D., it had some influence on Shinto. In many shrines Buddhist priests serve, and worship under their direction is more elaborate than pure Shinto.
Beginning in the 17th cent. a vigorous effort was made to revive the old ways and ideas. After the Meiji restoration in 1868, the ancient department of Shinto rites was reestablished, giving Shinto much of its structure and identity as a religion. In 1882 all Shinto organizations were divided into two groups, state shrines (supervised and partially supported by the government) and sectarian churches. The ancient mythology was used to glorify the emperor and the state, and state Shinto became a powerful instrument in the hands of the militarists, who used it to glorify their policy of aggression.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0113529.html
As promised, I move to give credit where it is due. My job in this case is to point you in the direction to go to find out more.
Father Lord, I thank You for the reading of Your word. Alleluia for understanding that comes from truly allowing Your truth to made clear. Father, as You wish, may I be used to aid in Your creation coming together as one. Lord, empower me, enlighten me, teach me and prod me in Your direction to continually do Your will in Jesus’ name, Amen
Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Again, we are instructed just what the do’s and don’ts are. Are we deaf? Stubborn I will say, with the need to prove our resilience and self dependence. Ok, I have a question: Did you create all we see? Can you really tell me where money is from? What determines its value? I am want to discuss this with people in the ‘money’ business for fear that the ‘too know’ them will have all the answers, but if they do, show me all their worth? Like the words of their mouth, might sound flowery but lacks depth.
I find that it is much simpler to quote The Word, what is in it, has been there from The day that it was written. What we experience now has already been experienced many times over.
The one thing that was a first and ONLY was The Son of God being sent to give an example of True Love. It goes without saying that if a Heavenly body could become man and serve others, be tempted and come so low as to attempt with the threat of oncoming tragedy that His Father (our Father) would let it be cast from Him. He had much strength a coming. Angels were commanded to turn away and allow the die to be cast. Satan rejoiced, to him this so called ‘Son-of-God’ would meet His doom. Understood that a Heaven existed, but as an example for those here and those to come, it would be done.
Alas, it was done. He was beaten half lifeless, made to bear the cross, which at that point, He was unable. He was aided with the cross by a by stander, nailed to it and was killed. He drew in His last breath and not only did darkness fall, but the covering of the temple was wrent in two! Matthew 27:51-53 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
We have to note that even then, laws of forever were shaken and everything changed, not until the ‘resurrection’ would everything be made crystal clear, but even then, God who knows all felt quite a pang, no one knows or can explain what went on then, but at this point we can see so much activity in the Spiritual. Rejoicing in the nether regions, but wait! What else happened and was witnessed occurring? The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Matthew 27:53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
This was of course before the celebration of Satan’s victory commenced, because Jesus did not go to heaven but descended to change history.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.
Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.
Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”
Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.
As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.
http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html
A little confusing but factual, I remember going from the place with no light, to a place of perfect peace, stillness, bright, spacious and have stated that not only were there no trees, plants, insects, water, vehicles. In the distance I was only able to appreciate other beings who were there. Given that it was not ‘my time’, I have stated that I was not blessed with the opportunity to see anyone I had known in this life, but I know what I saw and definitely know what I experienced. If one was to state that it was a dream, there is so much I will be willing to recount that it was not a dream. For the sake of being constant, you can for the most part remember where you were yesterday, but even more so, if there is a positive memory to be had in the memory, it becomes a permanent thing, a part of you.
But, I try hard nowadays to keep from ‘preaching’, only looking to share my experience. If I am wrong and I was in a drug induced ‘high’ or a coma-whichever way you choose to put it. Why do so many patients ‘come back’ after an induced coma without remembering anything. What makes this more concerning for me is that if and when I go back to the practice of medicine, this hang over me. But, in all that may be awesome in itself, the ability to pray with patients and see God working in their lives. I of course do not ever want to take patients away from other practitioners, but rather, people who seek ‘us’ have insurmountable problems that need a definitive cure. One thing I note is that God can and does!
I know this has run on as a chapter, definitely more to come, but let us pray.
Lord, Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for our earthly fathers here, without which we would not be. Thank You for Your hand in allowing today to be as it has. In all things, I am learning to thank You for Your will, in realizing what I need to experience before I move on, or as I move on. Father, be Thou glorified in my going out and coming in. At this time, I thank You for sending Your son for me, Lord, I was not worthy, I know You Loved me and always will. Lord, I pray that I may even attempt to live up to that Love. I can hope to Love up toYour Love, but I am tested and tried each day and fall short. Father, I stand appropriated, knowing that Your will reigns supreme. Father, may Your will be done. Father, I can only imagine how Your will is done in Heaven with much joy and satisfaction upon its completion. Lord, allow me to feel this even here so that I may smile with you in Jesus name. Lord, I thank You for each moment, Lord each minuscule of time is Yours, my time is Your time, please use it as You will in Jesus’ name, Amen
Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 15: 33
If we start to be emboldened to look back at us where we have been, we see at there is so much that has changed. Friends, life, our beliefs, even our habits. Would we have before woken up and committed the day into God’s hands? Would we have been so moved to leave it all in God’s hands? We are touched to read that “The fear of The Lord is the beginning of the of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10. We are moved to see that when and if we allow ourselves to be moved by God, wisdom follows. Or in words of the world, smarts follow. We can appreciate this in decisions that loom before us to be made. Selfishness, jealousy, perceived wants become secondary and His. Will reigns supreme.
Lord Heavenly Father, thank You for the this new day and time, hallelujah Father for where I am, go before me today, be with me in all I do. Be Thou glorified in my time, allow my actions to speak of Your goodness and glory in Jesus’ name, Amen
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:13
What do we do what we are moved to do? Even today, we have the same faith that existed thousands of years ago. It is awesome to have the same beliefs and hold true to the same promise that was as real then as it is today.
Lord Heavenly Father, today is Yours. Bless me in my going in and coming out. Go before me in all I do. Be Thou glorified in my doings. Bless those I Love and cause me to show Your grace and goodness to those who do not know You as yet. Be Thou glorified in all I do Father in Jesus’ name, amen.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 ASV)
Note this does not say we shall abound in possession, but rather – in Hope. A huge Amen! We have because we believe we do, this comes because of trust and is closely tied in with faith. Alleluia! So many ways, times there have been people who have been in my life, I realize that they are and were all there for a purpose. I take the time to look back over life, the positive people that you were destined to meet, you already have.
Just trust in God as you move ahead. We may look at the myriad examples in The Bible. Look at the lives of people who trusted God we can name by book, chapter, but just take a look, the people in there are simply giving testimonies of God’s effect in and on our lives.
A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV)
It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).
In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever (Psalm 41:12).
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other (Colossians 3:16).
The more I read The Word, the more I understand and I am brought to fear The Lord even more, realizing that everything happens for a reason. I can go back and look at my days in Surgery at the very start. Yes, so many blessings- ‘physical’, the question should have been asked; Is this helpful spiritually? Yes, I made the best decisions I could and definitely was allowed to. I see and finally realized that I was directed as I should have been. I look at Life now and realize that if and when it comes to material wealth, in comparison I am rolling in the dough!
Awfully great to be financially in ‘the know’, but I realize that there is so much more to praise God for.
Having been able to peer over the fence, I have been giving insight into what will be, what is coming. No matter who we are, what we do for a living, it is knowing God and holding on tight to Him that brings results! Yes, there are many things that we personally might think would affect a situation, but in reality the most important thing is to learn to listen to The Spirit of God, the direction from within. Learn to discern what you want from what He wants for you. Examples reign supreme, but it becomes all the more important to Live your life in and through Him, through The Lord.
This may at first seem supercilious, but we have an example to follow. Things to do. I have said it before; God is Love! Want to be more like Him each passing day? Then my challenge is simple; find an occasion, somethings to how His attributes to that in all sense should not be. Yes, I understand that this might be difficult, but rather I am throwing it out there for you to do.
Just try and realize that practice makes perfect. Be still before Him and realize that God’s Love embraces you for all time! No matter what you do, He Loves you and always has and always will.
In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
– 2 Corinthians 1:9
A known fact. So, we shall all pass away and be with Him, decisions that need to be made. This decision I think is simple enough. “Where do you want to be after the this is through? Doing what exactly?” If and when we realize that there is a decision, we make the right one-By and with God’s grace.
I stand on the Power and Authority in the word of our Lord Jesus Christ and I prophecy into your life that anyone that is beating the drum of shame for you will have his/her family dance to it. Anyone that will bring what will not make life pleasurable for you shall have it deposited in his/her camp. You will triumph over every encounter that impedes progress in the life of a person In Jesus Name. Amen. As you go out each day, you will receive the abundant blessings of God and His glory will continually shine in your life. So shall it be in Jesus name. Amen
So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time – before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
– 1 Corinthians 4:5
This was particularly touching. Tells us how to be and why.
Lord Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and your teaching,
Thank You today, it’s challenges and the chance to be closer to you.
At this time, I Commit Loved ones into Your hands and praise You for being King of kings and Lord of Lords. Guide me through this day in Jesus’ name, Amen
“Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.”
– Psalms 105:15
We are blessed, that is a given. So rejoice in God and be whole in Him.
Lord Heavenly Father, we praise Your name, be Thou glorified in my Life and doing. May I be constantly be in Your good graces. Thank You Father for today, your blessings and promises in Jesus name, Amen
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
– 2 Corinthians 3:18
We awake and are moved to realize that even in our quiet time, there is something going on, we are becoming more like Him each passing day. The more we seek God’s will in our lives, the closer we are to Him, and the more like Him, our Father we become.
I am not referring to the physical sense in the least, but rather in Spirit. To want to do all that He wills, and allow His glory to shine through us. A definite way to be.
Lord Almighty Father, glory unto you for this moment, for this time in my life through Jesus your Son. I stand stiffed by Your word, thank You for each moment I spend with You, the more I am touched by You, the hungrier I get, be Thou glorified in me. Lord, if there are areas that I stepped wrong, touch me and allow me to bring Glory to Your name. Father Lord, forgive me and make me whole.
Thank You for even parts of me that You have blessed me with, thank You For Loved ones, to understand Love as You show it, I have been given these gifts so I may learn to show it, as You do. Lord, allow me to do You glory. Touch them and meet them at their points of need.
Lord, I praise You for going before me today and allowing me to walk in Your will. I commit this day wholly into Your hands, be Thou glorified in my coming out and going in Lord, Alleluia Father, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Philippians 2:5
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
We may stand aside and allow others do as they please, but wait a minute. What exactly does that mean? Judgements reign supreme, we see other ‘Christians’ doing things that they feel led to do. To be specific, there are all forms of worship, what makes your own better or best? In Nigeria as a kid, there was a church whose members used to walk barefoot, is that a reason to judge them? If they do, and is their means of worshipping God or communing with Him, do I have or did I have a right to be judgmental? So many examples come to mind, can we and do we stand justified judging others? I pointed out in the past that we all stand unified under One God, one Head, One leader, One Ruler. No matter how we choose to worship Him, we worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
I feel that my growing up was a great advantage, born a Catholic, there were so many things to be done.
We will go through it briefly. Baptism was before I could even make up my own mind to serve God.
Fundamentalists often criticize the Catholic Church’s practice of baptizing infants. According to them, baptism is for adults and older children, because it is to be administered only after one has undergone a “born again” experience—that is, after one has “accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.” At the instant of acceptance, when he is “born again,” the adult becomes a Christian, and his salvation is assured forever. Baptism follows, though it has no actual salvific value. In fact, one who dies before being baptized, but after “being saved,” goes to heaven anyway.
As Fundamentalists see it, baptism is not a sacrament (in the true sense of the word), but an ordinance. It does not in any way convey the grace it symbolizes; rather, it is merely a public manifestation of the person’s conversion. Since only an adult or older child can be converted, baptism is inappropriate for infants or for children who have not yet reached the age of reason (generally considered to be age seven). Most Fundamentalists say that during the years before they reach the age of reason infants and young children are automatically saved. Only once a person reaches the age of reason does he need to “accept Jesus” in order to reach heaven.
Since the New Testament era, the Catholic Church has always understood baptism differently, teaching that it is a sacrament which accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants and young children, since they are incapable of actual sin; and both original and actual sin in the case of older persons.
Peter explained what happens at baptism when he said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). But he did not restrict this teaching to adults. He added, “For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him” (2:39). We also read: “Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). These commands are universal, not restricted to adults. Further, these commands make clear the necessary connection between baptism and salvation, a
connection explicitly stated in 1 Peter 3:21: “Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Christ Calls All to Baptism
Although Fundamentalists are the most recent critics of infant baptism, opposition to infant baptism is not a new phenomenon. In the Middle Ages, some groups developed that rejected infant baptism, e.g., the Waldenses and Catharists. Later, the Anabaptists (“re-baptizers”) echoed them, claiming that infants are incapable of being baptized validly. But the historic Christian Church has always held that Christ’s law applies to infants as well as adults, for Jesus said that no one can enter heaven unless he has been born again of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). His words can be taken to apply to anyone capable of belonging to his kingdom. He asserted such even for children: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14).
More detail is given in Luke’s account of this event, which reads: “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’” (Luke 18:15–16).
Now Fundamentalists say this event does not apply to young children or infants since it implies the children to which Christ was referring were able to approach him on their own. (Older translations have, “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” which seems to suggest they could do so under their own power.) Fundamentalists conclude the passage refers only to children old enough to walk, and, presumably, capable of sinning. But the text in Luke 18:15 says, “Now they were bringing even infants to him” (Greek, Prosepheron de auto kai ta brepha). The Greek word brepha means “infants”—children who are quite unable to approach Christ on their own and who could not possibly make a conscious
decision to “accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.” And that is precisely the problem. Fundamentalists refuse to permit the baptism of infants and young children, because they are not yet capable of making such a conscious act. But notice what Jesus said: “to such as these [referring to the infants and children who had been brought to him by their mothers] belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The Lord did not require them to make a conscious decision. He says that they are precisely the kind of people who can come to him and receive the kingdom. So on what basis, Fundamentalists should be asked, can infants and young children be excluded from the sacrament of baptism? If Jesus said “let them come unto me,” who are we to say “no,” and withhold baptism from them?
In Place of Circumcision
Furthermore, Paul notes that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col. 2:11–12). In that passage, he refers to baptism as “the circumcision of Christ” and “the circumcision made without hands.” Of course, usually only infants were circumcised under the Old Law; circumcision of adults was rare, since there were few converts to Judaism. If Paul meant to exclude infants, he would not have chosen circumcision as a parallel for baptism.
This comparison between who could receive baptism and circumcision is an appropriate one. In the Old Testament, if a man wanted to become a Jew, he had to believe in the God of Israel and be circumcised. In the New Testament, if one wants to become a Christian, one must believe in God and Jesus and be baptized. In the Old Testament, those born into Jewish households could be circumcised in anticipation of the Jewish faith in which they would be raised. Thus in the New Testament, those born in Christian households can be baptized in anticipation of the Christian faith in which they will be raised. The pattern is the same: If one is an adult, one must have faith before receiving the rite of membership; if one is a child too young to have faith, one may be given the rite of membership in the knowledge that one will be raised in the faith. This is the basis of Paul’s reference to baptism as “the circumcision of Christ”—that is, the Christian equivalent of circumcision.
Were Only Adults Baptized?
Fundamentalists are reluctant to admit that the Bible nowhere says baptism is to be restricted to adults, but when pressed, they will. They just conclude that is what it should be taken as meaning, even if the text does not explicitly support such a view. Naturally enough, the people whose baptisms we read about in Scripture (and few are individually identified) are adults, because they were converted as adults. This makes sense, because Christianity was just beginning—there were no “cradle Christians,” people brought up from childhood in Christian homes.
Even in the books of the New Testament that were written later in the first century, during the time when children were raised in the first Christian homes, we never—not even once—find an example of a child raised in a Christian home who is baptized only upon making a “decision for Christ.” Rather, it is always assumed that the children of Christian homes are already Christians, that they have already been “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6:3). If infant baptism were not the rule, then we should have references to the children of Christian parents joining the Church only after they had come to the age of reason, and there are no such records in the Bible.
Specific Biblical References?
But, one might ask, does the Bible ever say that infants or young children can be baptized? The indications are clear. In the New Testament we read that Lydia was converted by Paul’s preaching and that “She was baptized, with her household” (Acts 16:15). The Philippian jailer whom Paul and Silas had converted to the faith was baptized that night along with his household. We are told that “the same hour of the night . . . he was baptized, with all his family” (Acts 16:33). And in his greetings to the Corinthians, Paul recalled that, “I did baptize also the household of Stephanas” (1 Cor. 1:16).
In all these cases, whole households or families were baptized. This means more than just the spouse; the children too were included. If the text of Acts referred simply to the Philippian jailer and his wife, then we would read that “he and his wife were baptized,” but we do not. Thus his children must have been baptized as well. The same applies to the other cases of household baptism in Scripture.
Granted, we do not know the exact age of the children; they may have been past the age of reason, rather than infants. Then again, they could have been babes in arms. More probably, there were both younger and older children. Certainly there were children younger than the age of reason in some of the households that were baptized, especially if one considers that society at this time had no reliable form of birth control. Furthermore, given the New Testament pattern of household baptism, if there were to be exceptions to this rule (such as infants), they would be explicit.
Catholics From the First
The present Catholic attitude accords perfectly with early Christian practices. Origen, for instance, wrote in the third century that “according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants” (Holilies on Leviticus, 8:3:11 [A.D. 244]). The Council of Carthage, in 253, condemned the opinion that baptism should be withheld from infants until the eighth day after birth. Later, Augustine taught, “The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned . . . nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apostolic” (Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39 [A.D. 408]).
No Cry of “Invention!”
None of the Fathers or councils of the Church was claiming that the practice was contrary to Scripture or tradition. They agreed that the practice of baptizing infants was the customary and appropriate practice since the days of the early Church; the only uncertainty seemed to be when—exactly—an infant should be baptized. Further evidence that infant baptism was the accepted practice in the early Church is the fact that if infant baptism had been opposed to the religious practices of the first believers, why do we have no record of early Christian writers condemning it?
But Fundamentalists try to ignore the historical writings from the early Church which clearly indicate the legitimacy of infant baptism. They attempt to sidestep appeals to history by saying baptism requires faith and, since children are incapable of having faith, they cannot be baptized. It is true that Christ prescribed instruction and actual faith for adult converts (Matt. 28:19–20), but his general law on the necessity of baptism (John 3:5) puts no restriction on the subjects of baptism. Although infants are included in the law he establishes, requirements of that law that are impossible to meet because of their age are not applicable to them. They cannot be expected to be instructed and have faith when they are incapable of receiving instruction or manifesting faith. The same was true of circumcision; faith in the Lord was necessary for an adult convert to receive it, but it was not necessary for the children of believers.
Furthermore, the Bible never says, “Faith in Christ is necessary for salvation except for infants”; it simply says, “Faith in Christ is necessary for salvation.” Yet Fundamentalists must admit there is an exception for infants unless they wish to condemn instantaneously all infants to hell. Therefore, the Fundamentalist himself makes an exception for infants regarding the necessity of faith for salvation. He can thus scarcely criticize the Catholic for making the exact same exception for baptism, especially if, as Catholics believe, baptism is an instrument of salvation.
It becomes apparent, then, that the Fundamentalist position on infant baptism is not really a consequence of the Bible’s strictures, but of the demands of Fundamentalism’s idea of salvation. In reality, the Bible indicates that infants are to be baptized, that they too are meant to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Further, the witness of the earliest Christian practices and writings must once and for all silence those who criticize the Catholic Church’s teaching on infant baptism. The Catholic Church is merely continuing the tradition established by the first Christians, who heeded the words of Christ: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism
So much yet needs to be shared, but this is a good place to start.
I CRIED AFTER READING THIS STORY :'( :'(
There was a girl who was sacked in a company by the
manager because she refused to have sex with him.
So one day as she was walking through the street, thinking,
she didn’t realize when a car was coming and was hit by it
and she died instantly.
One of the people that carried her notice that she had a text
message.
She read it, what she saw made him burst into tears.
The message was like this
“THE MANAGER HAS BEEN MOVED TO ANOTHER COMPANY
WHICH MEANS YOU WILL BE THE NEW MANAGER”
IMAGINE! What a life… she got a promotion letter after she
died.
NOW I DECLARE, YOUR DAY OF JOY WILL NOT MEET YOU IN
THE GRAVE In the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
And I definitely need to share this, I have scattered through the texts shares from other believers that have touched me like this.
✦ A MUST READ
A HEART TOUCHING STORY.
(Copied )
JOEL happens to be the only
man I have ever loved.
l happily
lost my virginity to him cos of
how much I Love him.
Two weeks ago, Joel proposed
to me and it was a day I’ll never
forget.
Oh my……how happy I
was
on that night?.
We agreed that he
will first visit my parent and tell
them about our WEDDING plans
before we proceed on fixing a
date.
Joel called me and told me he
was on his way.
I couldn’t wait for him to arrive,as I was dressed on a lovely
gown and all smiles.
○○○○○○○”Ring Ring”●●● .
[ it was my phone ]……
l checked the caller but it wasn’t
Joel, it was a strange number.
A call from a Hospital here in
City, telling me that “One Mr
Joel” was involved in fatal
accident which affected his
Legs and
Heart.
I couldn’t believe it.He was
unconscious for two days and I thought I had lost him, I was
sitting by his bedside when he
suddenly coughed. “Doctor
Doctor”!! I exclaimed.
Behold, he was awake,God
of miracles did it for me.
Next month, we will be
getting married
as God has put the devil to
shame.
Now I prophecy to someone
here reading this…..
❝Wherever your name has been
listed in the village
or any satanic shrine to die of
sickness, suffer in
poverty and die, may it return
back to sender right
now in Jesus Name!
DEATH
shall have no Power over you
on your happiest
day!
As you write Amen to claim this prayer, the Blood of Jesus shall
cover you, your family, Marriage
and loved ones in Jesus Christ name ,Amen.!!!❞
…PROPHETIC DECLARATION..
I PROPHECY INTO THE LIFE OF SOMEONE HERE TODAY GOD WILL LIFT YOU UP ABOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND EVERY POWER OR FORCE CONTENDING WITH YOUR GLORY SHALL BE CHAINED PERMANENTLY BY THE MIGHTY FITTERS OF GOD AND CAST INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT IN JESUS NAME.
GOD WILL RESTORE BACK TO YOU IN SEVENFOLD EVERY GOOD THING THAT HAS BEEN FORCEFULLY TAKEN AND STOLEN FROM YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY IN JESUS NAME.
I SEE A RELEASE IN THE LIFE OF SOMEONE FROM EVERY SPIRITUAL PRISON YOUR STAR AND GLORY HAS BEEN LOCKED THIS DAY IN JESUS CHRIST MIGHTY NAME.AMEN!!!
PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND BLESS A LIFE.
VERY IMPORTANT ADVICE TO LADIES ! ! !
.
1.. Note that there are many guys out there who just want to use and dump you.
Never accept a guy because he is a handsome boy. I know that some of you girls easily fall for handsome guys.
The devil is also handsome. So be careful.
.
2.. I also know that ladies can easily be deceived with sweet words and sweet lies.
You ought to be wise. Do not allow sweet words move you.
Never believe a guy’s sweet words until he proves it to you
beyond reasonable doubt.
.
3. Be very careful if a guy says:
“I love you, I cannot do without you”,
“I will die for you”, “I Can’t survive without you”.
Those words are not true.
NO GUY CAN DIE FOR YOU IN THIS PRESENT
GENERATION.
It is a FACT ! ! !
Never let anyone deceive you.
.
4.. Do not open your legs because he said he loves you.
Do not open your legs because he gave you a ring.
Do not open your legs because he promised to marry you.
.
5. Respect your body.
Your body is more precious than money.
Don’t trade your body for money.
.
6.. Use your brain to make money.
Never use your boobs and sex organs to make money.
Use your hands and brains.
.
7. Dating and relationship is NOT because of sex.
If he cannot wait till wedding night, let him go.
God will provide a real man for you.
.
8.. I KNOW THAT SOME GUYS WILL BE ANGRY WITH ME OVER THIS POST.
But I will keep saying the truth to save innocent souls.
.
LADIES Please Take My Points Seriously !!! May God protect, preserve you from falling victim and bless you will a God fearing man who will be your husband, your friend, your father and everything to you in Jesus Christ name. Amen!!!
As said, certain things move me, this is a few verses that drive the point home.
We read:
Proverbs 10
A wise child brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother. To comment on this, in whose eyes are you the apple? This is said so many times that it’s true meaning is lost on the unbelieving. The saying goes “That is the apple of his eye.” Now, let us assume we have a person that willingly breaks the law, the child becomes a scorn to their mother who never stops loving them, we assume that it is the same for the father, but The mother went out of her way to provide and raise the child, so in times of negativity, she hurts more.
2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value,
but right living can save your life. If we have wealth obtained with ill seated means, it strikes home that, that wealth is fleeting, we have all watched a movie two that shows this concept. But even if we have not seen a movie, we can and do stand convicted that the wrongly attained wealth is not a lasting thing.
3 The LORD will not let the godly go hungry,
but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
Amen, this speaks for itself.
4 Lazy people are soon poor;
hard workers get rich. The examples in The Word are plentiful.
Verse Concepts
You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Verse Concepts
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
Verse Concepts
“I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.
Verse Concepts
O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.
Verse Concepts
The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.
Verse Concepts
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
Verse Concepts
Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine;
Verse Concepts
The LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied in full with them; And I will never again make you a reproach among the nations.
Verse Concepts
Of Naphtali he said, “O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the LORD, Take possession of the sea and the south.”
Verse Concepts
They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
Verse Concepts
How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.
Verse Concepts
You have crowned the year with Your bounty, And Your paths drip with fatness.
Verse Concepts
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse Concepts
Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Verse Concepts
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.
Verse Concepts
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Verse Concepts
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
Verse Concepts
“Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you.
Verse Concepts
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
Verse Concepts
“Bring my soul out of prison, So that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me.”
Verse Concepts
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
Verse Concepts
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Verse Concepts
The threshing floors will be full of grain, And the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil.
Verse Concepts
“You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame.
Verse Concepts
“Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”‘”
Proverbs 10:5 A wise youth harvests in the summer,
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
We ought to begin in early youth to gather beautiful things into our life — gentle thoughts, noble truths, pure memories, inspiring influences, enriching friendships. Then we shall have a treasure-house from which to draw in the days when work is hard, when sorrow comes, when the resources of gladness fail.
Life’s providential adjustments are perfect. For every need, there is a supply. Those who do each day’s duty in its day, shall not lack in any future. When there is a lack for which there is no provision ready, there has been a thread of duty dropped somewhere in the past. An opportunity has been allowed to pass unimproved, and now perhaps long afterward — a need emerges and there is nothing with which to meet it. If we are always diligent and faithful, we shall always find ready to our hand what we need in any new experience.
So we carry in our present the provision for our future. There is a Bible proverb which says, “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son.” In its simplest form, this saying refers to the gathering and laying up of food in the summer days. There is a season when the harvest is waving on the fields, when fruits hang on the trees and vines, when earth’s good things wait to be gathered. That is the time when men must be diligent, if they would lay up in store for their winter’s needs. Not long does the opportunity wait. No sooner are the fruits ripe, than they begin to decay and fall off.
No sooner is the harvest golden, than it begins to perish. Winter follows summer. Then there are no fruits on the trees and vines, no harvest waving on the fields. The hungry man cannot then go out and find food, and if he has not gathered in summer, and laid up in store, he must suffer lack.
The other part of the proverb teaches: “He who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son!” We have all seen that kind of son. A great deal of the world’s poverty is caused by laziness — the failure to gather in summer. A man idles away the days when he ought to have been diligent — and then finds himself in need in the days when even diligence would not avail, and when he may as well sleep on and take his ease. If we accept life’s opportunities and make reasonable use of them, we shall not likely lack even in the time of famine.
The Bible is a wonderfully wise book. It is full of counsels which touch every point of life. It abounds in exhortations to diligence. It has no sympathy with idleness or indolence. The Book of Proverbs is specially full of the gospel of work. “He becomes poor, who deals with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” So, everywhere, this lesson of timely diligence is pressed. “He who gathers in summer is a wise son.” He does not lack in winter. When the bitter cold comes and he cannot work, when the fields and vines are bare and he cannot gather food — he has but to turn to the stores he has laid up, and there he finds all that he needs to feed his hunger.
And I thought I would share even more before we move on.
Proverbs 19:20-22 (NIV)
20
Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
22
What a person desires is unfailing love[a];
better to be poor than a liar.
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”
It amazes me and I can’t by dwell on the fact that there is so much I have experienced, I realize that there will be some that want the proof that I was gone, there is so much that I have said that points in this direction. Today’s reading is more so ‘to do’ , this bosom of Abraham is so many things, but explains why I have explained that I saw no edifices. There was no water, no buildings, no plants. But the key thing is that there was inexplicable peace. So many times, I want to be back there. I am here seeing and experiencing life as we know it, it leaves a lot to be desired.
To focus on the verse above, it is said if someone from the dead should or could share the word that there is more to come, but it was taught in the parable that the former rich man was told that there were many who had been sent. This brings up a serious point, I will confess that I used to ‘shy’ away from channels that ‘preached’, truth is that they spoke the truth. I was not ready to hear it. Now, I speak and do so without an expectation to be heard, but rather to say what needs to be said.
Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians, in our going about, let us follow this sharing:
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
– 1 Thessalonians 3:12
I’ve read several good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to create this type of magnificent informative site.