(11/08/2020) Appeals Directed To Spirit

Today, I share a statement on Spirit as the process and substance for the divine conversion, salvation, and transformation of mankind. It is not that churchmen and clergy attempt to “dumb it down” or understate the lofty discourse and themes from GOD that pertain to the new life-process provided through Jesus Christ. Where there is a lack of vision or a poverty of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of divinity, believers repeatedly rely on such elements as accusing one another, complaining, debate, gossip, name-calling, pointing the finger, and slander. Properly understood, the process of GOD is one where divinity makes appeals to the spirit in mankind, rather than simply to human flesh. The flesh is not just the physical limbs, organs, and tissues that are the material body; and it is the flesh that is subject to the operations of sin. The flesh brings together aspects of human form and mind such as appetites, attitudes, dreams, emotions, habits, intentions, memories, motives, preferences, sensations, and thoughts. It is written: Galatians 5: 19-25, King James Version (KJV): 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2^nd Peter 1: 2-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Spirits Are Subject (10/28/2020); Awe Confused With Fear? (10/12/2020); Our Desires Are Weighed (09/01/2020); Always Connected By Spirit (08/30/2020); Divine Character Must Appear (08/13/2020); The Outcomes Of Judgment (06/28/2020); Knowing The True Messiah (05/31/2020)

Many in the church founded by Jesus Christ continue to use language to speak of divinity that describes GOD as no more than an unseen person who practices and displays the same emotional, psychological, and social needs as other men. For mature Christian believers, the processes of conversion, salvation, and transformation are discerned and recognized through sacred events wherein divinity communicates with mankind and becomes embodied within created beings and living creatures on the earth through spirit process and spirit substance from the heavens. Multiple operations by divinity that include immaterial, intangible, and invisible aspects of finite human existence and life essence (breath; spirit; utterance; word) are required that become manifest and present through sacred law, judgment, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. Believers are to realize that frameworks and structures for sacred knowledge are being provided from GOD that are simple yet profound, and that go beyond appeals to elements of the flesh and mind such as appetite, curiosity, emotion, imagination, intellect, logic, sensation, and superstition. The spirit in mankind must be addressed by the spirit that abides within divinity. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible and a selection from the music ministry of Sandi Patty:

(1.) Isaiah 66: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

(2.) 1^st Corinthians 12: 3, KJV: 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

(3.) Revelation 3: 20-21, KJV: 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) There is a Saviour by Sandi Patty @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9qTQfuiqpg.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 6:25 AM, November 08, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3b/12/25/3b1225e7783c08af27c1a35438a131fe.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/15/2020) Tarrying For One Another

Today, reply is on the process of divine pacing that requires men to wait on one another found displayed in the Lord’s Supper and throughout the holy writings. Just as men are to tarry for acts of GOD, men must wait on one another. Ones desire to show respect and reverence to Almighty GOD as Creator and Maker also should appear among the living as order rather than confusion, as generosity rather than selfishness, and as peace rather than upheaval. The Lord’s Supper has been provided by divinity using human form and life-process (we say, the Incarnation as Jesus Christ), and is a sacred and solemn remembrance of the Savior’s death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead, and his appearance among his followers on the earth. At one time, early Christians behaved during the Communion as though it was a common and ordinary meal to feed their appetite. While eating and drinking as communal acts are used during the Lord’s Supper, operations of human flesh and social order are not to dominate the awareness and self-will (willpower) of mature Christians and Messianic Jews gathered to acknowledge the preeminence of Christ. Believers are to realize that through prayer and supplication, otherwise common bread and wine become sanctified and transformed to edify and nourish the church through the operations of divinity. It is written: Habakkuk 2: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “The Wrath of God” (Level 1 with 12 points) posted the following:

What does Paul mean “Do not eat the Lord’s Supper” (I Cor 11:20) but “Tarry one for another” (I Cor 11:33)? What does tarrying have to do?

WITH THE LORD’S SUPPER?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalms 27: 13-14, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Process and Substance (06/24/2020); Knowing The True Messiah (05/31/2020); One Body, Many Members (10/17/2019); The Device of Incarnation (10/18/2017); Becoming Joined To GOD (10/13/2017); Eating and Drinking Christ? (07/03/2017); A Matter of Conscience (04/07/2017); Frequency of The Lord’s Supper? (10/30/2016)

“The Wrath of God”, as surely as Satan will not be allowed to ever enter the New Jerusalem or be welcome at the meeting in the air to meet Jesus Christ at his appearing, sacred events (miracles) occur as an operation of divinity appearing in accordance with divine appointments, ordinations, prophecy, and sacred scheduling. Throughout the holy writings men are cautioned to wait (tarry), yet, be of good courage. Guidance from the Apostle Paul cautioned those of the early church to receive the Lord’s Supper (we also say, the Eucharist, Holy Communion) as a sacred event, and to reverence the emblems of bread and wine as actually providing the consecrated blood and body of Jesus. That explains why solemn ceremony and formal ritual usually are performed by his anointed followers. Among thoughtful Messianic Jews and mature Christian believers, the present day process of divinity to establish mankind as an eternal living companion expresses awe, balance, commitment, forbearance, grace, longsuffering, lovingkindness, and restraint. Coming together to welcome, acknowledge, and respond to the divine presence, the resurrection-life of Jesus, and the gifts from the Holy Spirit is marked by many different sacred practices. Included are confession, foot-washing, praise, prayer, suffering, and unselfish service. A primary goal is that otherwise hidden features within the makeup of believers be displayed to GOD such as oneness without sameness and other inseparable aspects imparted to mankind from the divine fullness (e.g., faith, holiness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin). Simply put, “to tarry” is to continue sacred discipline and propriety that display commanded expectation (hope). Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible and I Am The Bread Of Life from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(1.) Genesis 33: 13-17, King James Version (KJV): 13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. 15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. 16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. 17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

(2.) Jeremiah 42: 1-7, KJV: 1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, 2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. 6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God. 7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.

(3.) 1^st Corinthians 14: 36-40, KJV: 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhk42nq1jwE.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:10 AM, October 15, 2020 @ http://www.days-of-wild.nl/Prince/Tour/love4oneanother.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/28/2019) Responses To Clergy Scandals

The 77-year-old Cardinal Ezzati had submitted his resignation two years ago when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 but but pope Francis kept him on. Cardinal Ezzati became the flash point of survivors’ ire for mishandling several cases of abuse. Luis Hidalgo/Associated Press (see reference below)

 

Today, reply is on responses by the Pope and other church leaders to cases of abuse and scandals within their congregations. The church as a material and social reality will continue to be challenged by the world, and troubled by the problems associated with the shared human condition that include mortality, sexuality, and mankind being vulnerable to sin. Many within the communities of faith are unable to correctly separate all the multiple subtleties and streams of truth now appearing in the public forums. In the same way that questions about the administration and supervision of conduct and practice for the clergy are very different than the issues of doctrine, liturgy, and sacramental practice for the full body of Christ, the questions for assigning eternal condemnation to personhood as in divine final judgment must be continually acknowledged as distinct from those to determine the fruitfulness, spirit content, or the godliness and unselfishness of a person’s ministry, service, and sacred works. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

 

Why hasn’t Pope Francis made some major changes in the Catholic church in response to recent revelations?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. (Ezekiel 18: 26-32, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Challenges To The Church? (03/01/2019); The Workings of Divinity? (01/15/2019); Appetite and Human Sexuality? (10/19/2018); Questions GOD Might Ask? (05/11/2018); Thoughts on Sexual Relationships (03/07/2017); Temporal and Eternal Judgment (02/15/2017); The Work of Forgiving (11/23/2016); Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016)

 

“Anonymous”, the course for things promised and prophesied from GOD is not disturbed by what you call “recent revelations.” The present-day issues of sexual abuse and misconduct within Christian assemblies and congregations are not a new problem or crisis that will result in the total destruction and elimination of the church. Human consciousness is repeatedly separated from divinity through such elements as appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and emotion/mental process (e.g., anger, fear, imagination, recall, sadness). The church was founded by Jesus Christ to reveal and make visible otherwise unseen sacred operations and divine substance (we say, active presence; divine fullness; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Sinners become joined to the church as developing Christian believers when they (1) acknowledge divine judgment, mercy, forgiveness and grace; (2) choose to experience permanent change through the indwelling of GOD, and (3) receive fresh endowments through the ministry of Jesus Christ of the life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word) imparted from divinity to Adam and Eve.

The existence, nature, and process of the church are not intended by GOD to overturn or replace ceremonial, mechanical, and natural law; and despite being an instrument of GOD for eternal change that now provides a foretaste and visions of perfection from GOD, at this time, the church can not eliminate the operations of sin that may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures. Sin has not been created by GOD; and the operations of sin oppose the continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and divine order throughout the universe. Sin promotes return to the conditions of chaos, confusion, and un-directed streaming that were in place before the founding of heaven and earth.

Many do not acknowledge the operations of sin as contrary or foreign to their own makeup and substance. They may regard error, sin and wickedness as ordinary and “normal” because their standards for deciding what is “good”, quality, and truth become ongoing aspects of their own inner workings (e.g., attitudes; goals; intentions; pledges). The breadth and depth for change that must occur within their life to release the grip of sin is so great, Christians simply say, You must be born again. This means the spirit processes and substances that generate consciousness, desire, and willpower must be altered to continually display the image of GOD. Included are balance, completeness, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Ecclesiastes 1: 8-10, King James Version (KJV): 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

2. Jude 1: 5-13, King James Version (KJV): 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

3. Ezekiel 16: 49-50, KJV: 49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

4. 1^st Corinthians 5: 1-5, KJV: 1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. 2^nd Corinthians 7: 9-11, KJV: 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

Associated Press. March 23, 2019. Pope Replaces Chilean Cardinal Accused of Sexual Abuse Cover-Up. The New York Times: New York, NY. Downloaded 11:59 AM, March 27, 2019 from The New York Times (Europe) Internet site @ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/23/world/europe/pope-chile-cardinal-sex-abuse.html

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

 

(10/19/2018) Appetite and Human Sexuality?

The XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (CNS/Paul Haring – see reference below)

 

Today, reply is on appetite, celibacy, the flesh, and human sexuality. Given sexual experience and expression are held to be personal and private the errors that appear among Christians often include failure to practice according to divine standards, not relying only upon godly counsel and the practice of secrecy regarding our human needs and problems. Thus, for example, many have taught that the word “burn” in the counsel from the Apostle Paul (better to marry than burn” may be replaced with “desire”, “endure frustration,” and “lust”overlooking that it also means “despair”. That all have sinned and come short of GOD’s glory is true in part not simply because they have lost their virginity; rather, it is because so many have experienced defilement, loss of purity, and spiritual confusion through their own sexual experiences. Even so, it is the faith of mature Christian believers that through the grace of GOD in Christ along with redemption and salvation believers can receive correction, healing, reconciliation, restoration and willpower (mastery) over ones own human sexuality. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “johnsmith2025 ( Cavs Fan )” (Level 7 with 45,976 points, a member since October 14, 2007) posted the following:

 

Is masterbation acceptable? (please read the details)?

Is it okay if a single Catholic man of 35 masturbates?

If he has a healthy libido and needs frequent ejaculations (approximately 1,000 per year), and he is Catholic and happens to be single, is it Catholically permissible for him to engage in such masturbation for the relief he needs??

Update: I accidentally misspelled it. Sorry about that.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13: 3-6, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Gift Of GOD (10/15/2018); Knowing What To Believe? (12/31/2017); Thoughts on Sexual Relationships (03/07/2017); Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); On Controlling Lust (01/05/2016); The Mistakes In Youth? (08/24/2015); Masturbation and Religion? (02/01/2015)

 

“johnsmith2025 ( Cavs Fan )”, here are some points mature Christians are challenged to consider when focusing on human sexual behavior:

(1.) Among mankind the possibilities for existence and life on the earth permit diverse forms of expression that are animal, human, and divine (we say, anointed; Christlike; godly; sanctified) in their character, makeup, purpose, and substance.

(2.) Sexual desire gains strength and continues throughout ones development until they complete their own mortality.

(3.) Auto-eroticism (we say, masturbation; self-stimulation) and all sexual feeling incorrectly are judged and condemned as “sin” by many who acknowledge GOD through Christ. (For example, the counsel from the Apostle Paul to couples regarding fornication (i.e., defilement of ones spirit makeup through sexual joining) and premarital sex that often is used mistakenly to commend celibacy, “It is better to marry than burn.”)

(4.) Sexual expression as social behavior can be accounted (i.e., judging others) as infantile (i.e., driven by curiosity, ignorance, immaturity, and selfishness), or mature (balanced, disciplined, purposeful, and stable).

(5.) As explained by medicine and science, reproduction is both an animal and human function generated within the flesh by such elements as enzymes, hormones, organs, and tissues. Reproduction usually requires the imparting and transfer of cellular material through intercourse. However, the joining and outcomes that follow will be on multiple levels: emotional; physical; psychological; and spiritual.

(6.) Godly sexual expression acknowledges multiple realities of divine order, sacred intent, and eternal purpose. Included are family; inheritance; joining spirit substance; priesthood; and reproducing spirit substance. For desire responds to intellect and reasoning in a fixed and reliable way only where there is strong discipline and restraint.

(7.) The animal operations of appetite for sexual fulfillment are like those for hunger and thirst. They appear as aspects of ones carnal being from before their birth, and will increase their influence and presence within ones consciousness as well as their potency against a person’s self-will (willpower). In this way, sex operates like sin that opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and divine order throughout the universe: There can be the domination of consciousness and self-will.

(8.) The operations of animal sexual desire (we also say, lust; passion) are not simple. Desires that proceed as mechanical and natural process may be aroused, yet, not be satisfied through mental activity (e.g., fantasy; imagination; recall).

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (9.) The emotional, physical, and psychological process of sexual development compares to the process of new life in Christ for those “born again”, because both require discovery that may be through trial and error, gradual growth, focused practice, and even the enduring of disappointment, hardship and suffering.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

 

CNS photograph/Paul Haring published with “Letters from the Synod-2018: October 19” – Reports and Commentary, from Rome and Elsewhere, on the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops by Xavier Rynne II: downloaded 11: 38 AM, 10/19/2018 from the Catholic Herald Internet site @ http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/10/19/letters-from-the-synod-2018-october-19/

 

 

(06/28/2018) The Witness of Oceans

 

Today, reply is on the existence of the ocean as a “proof” of the existence of divinity.  Correctly understood, the living are to be the witness that GOD lives; and divine spirit is the highest, most legitimate “evidence” for divinity.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:

 

Are the oceans proof of God? Without the oceans, no rain. No rain, no life on earth?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen:  that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:  before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you:  therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.  Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand:  I will work, and who shall let it?  (Isaiah 43:  10-13, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  “I Am The Resurrection” (03/25/2018); Heaven Temporal, GOD Eternal (12/12/2017); Relying on Sacred “Evidence” (11/20/2017); Proof That GOD Exists? (10/16/2016); GOD Is A Spirit (12/07/2014); The Mystery of His Appearing (12/08/2014); The Fullness of GODhead? (01/09/2014); World Without End? (01/10/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, the acknowledgment of divine fullness (we say, the Creator; the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) as the origin and source for all that exists and lives is not to be on the basis of appetite (hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sensation (hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), emotion/mental process (fantasy, intelligence, logic, carnal reason), or the material objects of the natural world (forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, the sun, moon and stars) so much as on the basis of divine consciousness and spirit content imparted from divinity to indwell created beings and living creatures.  While many things reveal and serve as tools to make the inseparable aspects of unseen divinity visible as an active presence, it is the makeup and spirit substance of GOD that most directly communicates to created beings and living creatures.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Here are some points you might find useful as you continue your study that use language from the Bible:

(1.)  Psalms 19:  1-6, King James Version (KJV):  1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it:  and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

(2.)  Jeremiah 5:  21-23, KJV:  21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:  22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD:  will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it:  and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?  23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 2:  7-14, KJV:  7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

(4.)  Romans 1:  16-23, KJV:  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Revelation 21:  1-4, KJV:  1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:  for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/26/2018) Discernment And Godly Love

 

Today, recalling David and Jonathan, reply defines “love” as an operation of the spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD and an acknowledgement of divine personhood, rather than primarily an emotional, romantic, and social process.  Association, friendship, independence, and sexuality were never intended to separate mankind from the Creator.  Self-centered and sex-centered passion transgress the laws of natural and sacred process whereby GOD is to be continually enthroned upon the hearts of those on whom he has bestowed the precious gifts of consciousness, existence, and life.  Since the fall of Adam, mankind now must be taught how to properly love (Titus 2:  4, King James Version (KJV):  4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.)  Godly love expressed through created beings and living creatures pertain to life, the fulfillment of sacred law, and the survival of Creation as well as the completing of sacred judgment that sees the adding and assigning of duration and value.  Thus, to lay down ones life is not so much to die as to willingly give oneself to serve as a living sacrifice.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “?” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since April 19, 2018) posted the following:

 

Spiritually speakinq, how do you separate qay love and love from two true frineds?
you see colleqe basketball players, those real nice ones, they kissed each other’s faces, those acts are just like qay couples. how do you think about them.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love him, because he first loved us.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:  for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  (1st John 4:  15-21, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Rendering Our Reasonable Service (06/15/2018); Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); Whoso Keepeth His Word (03/09/2018); To Define “Godly Love” (08/20/2017); The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); Natural and Spiritual Law? (06/30/2016); Sodom and Gomorrah Again? (05/30/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); The Judgment Against Sodom? (04/10/2015)

 

“?”, spiritually speaking, “love” (we also say, charity) is an inseparable aspect of the makeup of GOD like faith, holiness, longsuffering, oneness without sameness, and righteousness.  Love speaks to the bond between the Creator and the created, rather than lust, sexual appetite, or social needs.  Therefore, love can not be “lawless”; and love addresses such features as dominion, forbearance, forgiveness, inheritance, ownership, and sovereign will.  (One of the highest, most misused holy names of GOD is “Jealous”.)  Among mature Christian believers, the divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) is to be acknowledged as the origin and source for consciousness, existence, and life process.  GOD is to be recognized and responded to as the most necessary and primary aim, cause, goal, and object; however, divinity is not to be thought of as merely an abstraction, a hypothetical construct, or a product of human imagination.  Organic process and continuous relationship are to be maintained with the Creator through such elements as communication (e.g., gestures, praise, prayer, proclamation, silence, utterance, vows), divine law, exchange, infilling, and interaction that express confession, gratitude, obedience, respect, reverence, truth, and trust.  Our potential as those living on the earth includes that we may display an animal, a human, or a divine nature.  It is an error to think that love is the expression of our animal and human side.  Genuine love always entails accepting accountability; making commitment; using discernment (i.e., using divine spirit as the standard to recognize the spirit content within events, oneself, other persons, the holy writings, etc.); enduring disappoints, hardship, loss, separation, and suffering; making required sacrifices; sharing wisdom, and unselfish service.  Consider again David’s lament for Jonathan who had honored the son of Jesse as though giving David his own place as the heir to King Saul, and the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Samuel 18:  1-4, King James Version (KJV):  1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.  3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

(2.)  2nd Samuel 1:  25-27, KJV:  25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.  26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan:  very pleasant hast thou been unto me:  thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.  27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

(3.)  1st Corinthians 13:  1-7, KJV:  1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  John 15:  8-15, KJV:  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.  12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:  but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/22/2018) A “Feel Good” Lifestyle?

 

Today, the reply focuses on moderation, sobriety, and whether there are “feel good” aspects of becoming and serving as a mature Christian believer.  Contentment, pleasures, and the fulfillment of ones sexual aspect are not denied to the people of GOD, yet, the church founded by Jesus Christ is to be “the evidence of things unseen.”  An important lesson from the Scriptures concerning appetite and conscience declares:  Romans 14:  22-23, King James Version (KJV):  22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.  Where Christian believers become members of a church congregation, they agree to obey a code of conduct, follow counsel and guidelines from clergy and the appointed leadership as well as to perform specific duties that are required to continue in good standing (e.g., attend business meetings re church finances; participate in fund raising; pickup and distribute church fliers and programs).  Christian believers all are sinners called to repentance and a new life wherein they serve as priests and kings of the divine kingdom Deity is establishing upon the earth.  Every sinner must become transformed through life events and operations by divinity (e.g., cleansing, healing, repentance, sanctification) that may require their entire lifetime, and that will be completed for some only in an instant at the appearing of Jesus Christ.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “?” (Level 1 with 231 points, a member since February 06, 2018) posted the following:

 

Would a life style with out any stimulants benefit you as a person or drive you crazy?

E.g no TV, no technology , no drugs / alcohol nothing that gives you “a feel good ” boost. Just drinking water when thirsty and eating a light healthy meal when hungry. For fun or hobbies you could do something creative such as read or draw, or exercise.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  (Romans 5:  1-5, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Rendering Our Reasonable Service (06/15/2018); Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); A Matter of Conscience (04/07/2017); How Is Flesh Evil? (10/28/2016); Material Things in Heaven? (11/10/2016); The Witness of Conscience (09/23/2016); Freedom of Foul Speech (09/10/2014); Dating and Worship? (09/11/2014)

 

“?”, there is a great deal of diversity among the lifestyles and daily living routines of those who turn to Jesus Christ hoping to receive a new life from their Creator.  There are various principles and standards shared within the body of Christ (the church) that have been derived from divine law, sacred practices, and wisdom from the Scriptures.  Examples include regularly gathering and sharing fellowship with like-minded believers (e.g., attending church, Bible study, working to complete necessary tasks); Sabbath-keeping; praise within ones congregation; prayer in the home; evangelism, missions, and prison ministry; visiting shut-ins and those who are sick; and heartfelt worship.  Differences in age, commitment, sacred knowledge, secular knowledge, and spiritual maturity make it that there is no single set of attitudes, behavior, and disciplines that will be displayed by everyone in any given situation.

Those who become “born-again” in baptism (i.e., death, burial, and resurrection of the inborn spirit) must “grow up again.”  Their goal should be to acknowledge their own accountability, to become Christ-like, and to maintain self-government under the authority of GOD.  Sinners are to become developing believers who must mature/ripen to be harvested from the earth at the Advent of Jesus Christ (we also say, his appearing; the Rapture; the Second Coming).  All must meet “growing pains” and the life challenges that come by living on the earth.  Included can be bereavement, disappointments, duty (things you must carryout and perform, like it or not), hardship, sacrifice, and suffering.

The fresh endowment of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of divinity shields and strengthens a new believer, as they discover, gradually grow, undergo permanent change, and serve as true vessels of divinity, offspring of GOD, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.  Inseparable aspects of the divine makeup are received such as balance, discernment, faith, forbearance, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  These working together transform otherwise confusing, mundane, or painful life experiences in a way that allows the believer to operate as having assurances and certain victory, even though there are still obstacles and threats to be overcome, and they may still be in the midst of a storm.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)   Proverbs 23:  29-35, King James Version (KJV):  29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?  30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.  31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.  32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.  33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.  34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.  35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not:  when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

(2.)  Romans 6:  3-5, KJV:  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

(3.)  Romans 14:  13-21, KJV:  13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more:  but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.  14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself:  but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.  16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:  17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.  19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.  20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.  21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

(4.)  Philippians 2:  12, KJV:  12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Revelation 21:  7-8, KJV:  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/27/2018) Satan’s Challenge to Divinity

Juan de Flandes (ca. 1500-04), The Temptation of Christ

 

Today, points are shared on the sovereign will of GOD, the temptation of Christ by Satan, and the sacred process of GOD for ministry to mankind.  Satan’s attack on the finite strength and weakness of Jesus as one in the flesh was more than simply an attack against mankind.  It was an attack against all divine fullness that would be recorded in the book of life as his own undoing.  In the same way the tempter could not recognize Jesus as the Son of the Highest, the Lamb of GOD, and the Word, the Adversary was unable to determine whether Jesus was the one prophesied, promised, and sent who would bruise the head of the serpent.  Therefore, he sought to provoke the Anointed One into confessing and boasting of his exalted, sacred  identity while Christ appeared to be simply another man who also was unbalanced and vulnerable.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shared) posted the following:

 

When Satan tempted Jesus three times, why did Jesus choose to submit the first two times?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.  And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:  and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.  (Luke 22:  39-47, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  In The Image of Man (05/04/2016); Divine Jealousy? (09/11/2015); Jesus Given A Divine Ministry? (08/18/2015); Gall Refused on the Cross? (03/20/2015); The Testing of Job? (10/06/2014); Knowing the Spirit is Inside? (10/07/2014); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013); The Passion at Gethsemane (03/28/2013); Separated and Sealed? (03/29/2013); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012)

 

“Anonymous”, here are some points to prayerfully consider:

1.  To avoid spiritual confusion, the temptation of Christ should be acknowledged as a sacred event that focuses upon aspects of divine character, eternal purpose, and the spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that has been imparted to created beings and living creatures including angels and unclean spirits. 

2.  In the understanding of many mature Christian believers, Satan appeared having the purpose of challenging the authenticity of Jesus Christ as a man on the earth by boasting his own dominion over the inheritance bestowed on Adam as a son of GOD. 

3.  Christ was guided by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness following his baptism at the Jordan River.  There he would be isolated, without food, water, and the usual comforts of men.  Prepared only for fasting and prayer; he also would have to endure the extremes of cold nights and burning days.  The focus of Jesus was to discover the Father’s intent and sacred process for ministry to mankind.

4.  In the same way Christ did not appear having the glory and image he manifested while in heaven, it is likely that the tempter appeared in the form of a man, and did not display the recognizable adornment and regalia he had been privileged to present for ages while among the heavenly host. 

5.  The deceiver did not first announce himself as the Adversary of GOD, nor did he speak to proclaim his purpose.  Even so, his own words would expose him.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, 6.  By appealing to appetite (that Jesus should transform stones to bread), exaggerated religious pride (lifting Jesus above the Temple at Jerusalem, the highest, holiest place on earth), and lust for wealth and worldly power (showing Christ the fallen nations), the temptation appears designed to arouse greed, trigger concern for the flesh in place of the spirit, and draw Jesus into human submission and false worship.  However, the key element for success in the use of Incarnation by the fullness of divinity (we also say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) was the willing acknowledgment of the divine will, rather than the finite will of the created ones.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/28/2018) Not A Financial Transaction

 

Today, reply describes the sacred process of GOD for salvation as a transformation of ones spirit content that should not be compared to the buying and selling of material goods.  Those set apart as his “peculiar people” are held accountable as those who help each other meet all their human needs.  While it is true, the followers of Jesus are spoken of throughout the Bible using language that describes believers as an offering, a cash-crop ripening for harvest and sale, refined gold, servants, and sheep, men do not come to GOD as chattel and souls purchased using money as though slaves at auction.  He who owns and “possesses” the lives of men as their Creator also has “purchased” the lives of men through operations we speak of as atonement, rebirth, redemption, and sacrifice.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

I just sold my soul to Jesus, will he make me rich and successful as he promised?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee:  and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.  If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:  But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.  Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.  Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him:  because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.  For the poor shall never cease out of the land:  therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.  (Deuteronomy 15:  6-11, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Giving, A Divine Discipline? (10/09/2017); The Mammon of Unrighteousness? (04/03/2017); Fundraising A Sacred Practice? (01/01/2017); Are All Debts Forgiven? (10/11/2016); To Him That Hath… (07/08/2016); Sacrificial Relationship? (10/23/2013); Relationship by Unselfish Giving? (10/24/2013)

 

“Anonymous”, be encouraged!  Those who belong to Jesus Christ enter into an organic, personal relation with divinity wherein divine fullness (we also say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) is experienced as active and present.  Deity is no longer to be regarded as an abstraction, an academic concept, or another secular idea.  GOD is a spirit, and sinners seeking GOD must employ a new framework that accounts for the many inseparable aspects of spirit substance that includes faith, forbearance, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. 

The holy writings collected as the Bible present the new language and “way of thinking” that should appear among Christians.  Sinners who become “born again” (i.e., experience the death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit from GOD) receive divine DNA, so to speak.  As “offspring” of GOD, they  acquire “an inheritance” that further makes them fit to be known as the sons and daughters of GOD.  The Scriptures themselves contain and impart aspects of divine spirit, and therefore, will nourish godliness, growth and life experience within developing believers on the earth.   The Scripture instruct developing believers using much of the same sacred knowledge and principles of belief used by Christ and all his disciples.

The process of GOD for believers who are to appear as the new creation through Jesus Christ is one of discovery, edification, gradual growth, and learning.  Throughout the Bible expressions appear from finite human events that are intended to describe sacred covenant relationship and other possibilities for exchange, interaction, and joining to divinity in oneness without sameness.   However, the plain and simply worded things, there, also are profound (deep; having broad impact; far-reaching in their application).  Just as disbelievers often do, developing believers can  misapply or misunderstand the intent, meaning, and value of statements put forth as guidance, proclamation, promise, and prophecy.  Correctly understood, created beings and living creatures must rely upon GOD to complete the many operations, establish meanings, and supply all the sacred substance that must appear.  Language devices from poetry are used for beauty and elegance (such as consonance, metaphor, simile), however, they sometimes result in misapplications by those not yet mature in their studies of divine law, sacred history, and other truth from GOD.  Thus, readers must be careful to continue their focus on things of the spirit even when words are used like “poverty”, “riches”, and “wealth”.  Appetite and carnal needs may not be the primary feature being spoken of.  Consider the following from the Bible:

(1.)  Philippians 4:  19, King James Version (KJV):  19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(2.)  Zechariah 13:  9, KJV:  9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried:  they shall call on my name, and I will hear them:  I will say, It is my people:  and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

(3.)  1st Peter 1:  3-8, KJV:  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

(4.)  Revelation 3:  17-19, KJV:  17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  John 4:  31-34, KJV:  31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.  32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.  33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?  34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/27/2017) Law of the Spirit

 

Today, reply is on the character and process of divine law.  Sacred law is a tool of divinity used to impart, increase, and nourish the image of GOD and spirit content from within Deity to created beings and living creatures.  The living mistakenly seek to use the law as an instrument that serves appetite, the senses (e.g. hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), or workings of the emotions and mind (e.g., anger, fear, imagination, recall).  The ten commandments, judicial rulings (called, judgments), and other law used by GOD to fashion Israel as a nation addressed the conflicts, errors, and problems among those living together in intimate association as families and tribes, and was received more as a tool for practical living and to arbitrate day-to-day disputes than one for revelation of the character, makeup, and process of GOD.  Jesus Christ did not annul or eliminate divine covenant founded through sacred law so much as he brought new focus on elements that are co-eternal with the law expressing the Father’s heart, mind, and sovereign will.  Included were accord and unity rather than division and schism; forbearance and forgiveness rather than condemnation; reconciliation and repentance rather than punishment; opportunity and salvation rather than the second death.  To say, All things are lawful for me” does not exalt a Christian above the law of GOD, for they are declaring continual obedience and respect to the law by observing its principles and responding to the law’s intent (e.g., divine order, existence, godliness, life, peace, respect, truth).  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “GRANNY NORINE” posted the following:

What is “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” mentioned in Romans 8:2?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  (Galatians 2:  16, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Commandments of Jesus (12/17/2017); Seek First His Righteousness (12/06/2017); GOD Appearing As Christ (12/03/2017); Divine Wrath Against Sin? (10/17/2017); Divine Forgiveness Not Enough? (09/22/2017); Deeds Of The Law? (09/10/2017); Jesus And The Torah? (09/06/2017)

 

“GRANNY NORINE”, Christians are not to be lawless as though there are no shared duties and obligations to GOD.  Christian believers are to operate according to the “law” (imperatives; eternal purposes; standards) generated by indwelling of the Holy Spirit who establishes developing believers “in Christ.”  Water baptism depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit.  When sinners receive rebirth and new life through a fresh endowment of spirit content from divinity, they are to display spirit substance from the makeup of GOD as an ongoing part of their lifestyle and daily routine.  Included are balance, completeness, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Using such finite human tools as emotion, intellect, and logic, mankind is able to describe the things of the earth and human experience, and have sought to measure and catalog their environment, and their own knowledge.  Their disciplines and science allow speaking in terms of patterns, regularities, and closed systems of mechanical and “natural law.”  When similar thinking was applied to divine law, requirements to obey the formal, official statement and “letter” of the law resulted in covenant relationship that promoted consciousness of condemnation, death, punishment, and divine wrath against sin.  The focus of the law became understood as behavior and conduct along with things carnal, material, secular and social.  Emphasis on those things made it more difficult for mankind to correctly discern and respond to compassion, forgiveness, the love of GOD, his mercy in judgment, and reconciliation that were being revealed through sacred law. 

Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)    Romans 7:  5-7, King James Version (KJV):  5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law:  for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

(2.)  Romans 8:  3-9, KJV:  3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and carefully made a part of ones full belief as a follower of Jesus.  (For example, (3.) Titus 3:  1-9,  KJV:  1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC