THINK" SERIES: PART 9 - "WHATEVER IS PURE"

 THINK BIBLICALLY - #5

 " Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

For decades in America, Ivory Soap was considered the purest soap in the market, for sale to anyone. Of course, it was not actually 100% pure. There is no such thing. Ivory was sold as 99 44/100% pure. Today, organic and homemade soaps lack any chemical impurities and may claim the same - pure.

The Scriptural exhortation in our key verse - Phil. 4:8 - is even more intensely pure than the most natural soap which can make the physical clean. The Biblical Greek word for "pure" is hagios which has a distinctive meaning. It is not just to be free from sin, impure thoughts and conduct, or just plain innocent, but to be free from defilement. You and I may think we do not defile God or ourselves. So what does that even mean?

Actually, Jesus Himself told us! He says in Matthew Chapter 15. He says two important things about what defiles a man (person). In Verse 11, Jesus says "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Even if people say the first thing that comes to their heads, they will still have to briefly consider that thought. In verse 15, Jesus is talking about a thought that is NOT good, which will defile the person.

Then, a few verses later, He got even more specific and scary. Scary in the sense of this: we had better pay attention to our thoughts, even if we consider ourselves above the fray and free from all evil. Jesus says in Verses 18-20a "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man."

But there is more to it than that. Not everyone walks around with the thoughts that Jesus describes above.  Maybe at one time, we violated every one of those sins. But there are thoughts that we cannot control that invade our minds at the most inopportune time, especially when we are praying!

Many of us prayer warriors remember this one - we would be deep in prayer and boom! Out of the blue, a completely unrelated worldly thought comes across our minds and threatens to almost disconnect our conversation with our Heavenly Father. We do have the power within us, due to being born-again and indwelled with the Spirit of Christ, to cast that thought out and get back on track!

There is no Christian who ever lived, who has never had that happen to them in prayer. So keep control of the narrative. Stay in the Scriptures. The evil one, the devil and accuser of the brethren's job is to take our joy, our journey with Jesus and the fact that we are joint heirs with Christ - away from us. 

Keep your mind on Christ. Keep praying to Him and staying away from disputes, indiscretions and even disgusting people. Focus on the good of anything - food, nature, your co-workers, your family, God!  The more you fellowship with the good, the easier it is to maintain a good, clean heart and one that will be open to what the Lord is doing today in your life. Amen

Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus, I thank You that through it all, you were with us even in the depths of our depravity. Even in our depraved thoughts, words, and deeds. But You saved us. You pulled us out of the muck and the mire and put a new song in our hearts. A hymn of praise to our God - You, oh Lord, our Heavenly Father and King Jesus the Savior. Thank You again, Lord, and keep working in us, to make us more like You, in Spirit and in Truth, in Jesus' Strong Name amen. 

Image Credit: Free Christian Illustrations

THINK" SERIES: PART 8 - "WHATEVER IS JUST"

 THINK BIBLICALLY - #4

" Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Micah 6:8 and for good reason. The Bible says "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

One of the many attributes of Yahweh - YHWH - is just. Justice is almost His middle Name. His Justice is swift against rebels and evil, just as He opened up the earth to swallow up Korah and the 250 rebels and their families who had challenged Moses' and Aaron's call as God's representatives. God's fury and judgment were swift and definitive. The earth opened up and many went down to the place of the dead, still alive.

When Ananias and Sapphira lied to Jesus' Apostles about the amount of money they sold their property for, in order to puff themselves up before the just-created Body of Christ, God did not wait to deal swiftly with their deception. There is no instance in the past, where God instituted Worship, and where mortals took it upon themselves to speak for Him that God did not punish the perps.

However, this verse from Philippians 4:8 speaks more about our human conception of how to treat others justly rather than about being a Holy, Righteous Judge like our heavenly Father.

As we think Biblically and come to the realization that we are not God Who judges righteously, we need to grasp the true meaning of the original Biblical Greek word for "whatever is just" and its definition. The word is "dikaios" and means upright, just, right before God, and more. It does NOT mean we are to contemplate the mighty, and swift justice of God as if we are His executioners. Our job is to love unconditionally, to live the Truth, and to share the good news. 

The "Think on Whatever is Just" call to Biblical Thinking is personal and internal. It is not about corporate or group identity or something we wish others should do, although that is an amazing goal. It is a call for us as the original, Holy Spirit-inspired word, indicates, to fully comprehend the righteous and upright character of the Lord, and think, live, and obey  - likewise.

Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, may we, who are called by Thy Name, come to fully grasp what a Holy, righteous, and just God You are. Help us to comprehend even one-tenth of Your Character so that we may live lives that are above reproach before the world and before You, in Jesus' Strong Name. Amen.

Image Credit: Free Christian Illustrations

"THINK" SERIES: PART 7 - "WHATEVER IS NOBLE"

 THINK BIBLICALLY - #2 

" Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

Most Christians know the Bible's great examples of character, dignity, gravitas, and honor. Men like Enoch, who the Bible says "walked with God" (Genesis 5:24) all the days of his life, and God thought so much of him that He took him to heaven as a very young man. How about Daniel, the prophet who inspired the Magi of the Christmas story? Daniel was so full of integrity, character, and love for God, that he refused to bow down to King Darius of Babylon's edicts and ended up in the lion's den (Daniel 6 here).

The man or woman of God who thinks and lives Biblically and stays diligent to that calling has a special place in the Heart of God. Look at what the Lord sent His chief warrior Angel Michael to say to Daniel, for his faithfulness and honor (Daniel 10:12) "“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words". What words, you ask? Please read all of the book of Daniel, but especially Daniel's prayer in Chapter 9.

Our key verse for thinking Biblically - Philippians 4:8, has as its second exhortation from heaven: "Whatever things are noble". The original biblical Greek word here is "semnos" which means honorable, dignified, worthy of respect, and noble. 

It is not enough to be a faithful believer who lives right, pays taxes, obeys the law, goes to work, does a great job, loves God, and loves other people, primarily your family. It is not enough to do all of those wonderful things. We must carry ourselves - men and women - in such good repute that we not only NEVER bring the Name of Jesus to disrepute as too many Christians do these days, but there should be no doubt about who we are when we walk into our workplace, church, or community gathering, that this is a person who walks the talk.

Being a person of noble character also carries the moniker of one who does not gossip or engage in double-speech. This person is also temperate when everyone else is losing their collective minds. He or she is sensible and calm, gentle and firm, yet full of Truth and love. Being of noble character begins with THINKING God's thoughts. 

This is how Daniel's character shined so much that God took note and rewarded him with a special blessing from the Heavenly Throne. You and I can have that same favor with God that Daniel had.

All that you and I will need to do is have the same reverence, awe, respect AND self-respect which Daniel exhibited.  It all began with his thought life or his extremely high view of God. The meaning of the word "noble" in our verse, reminds us that we are commanded to think, and therefore act differently than the world around us.

Thinking Biblically by being in awe of God, by having the ultimate respect and reverence for Him and by living this way, is the true sign of a thoughtful lifestyle, based on Truth - His Truth - the Only Truth. Amen

Father, just as You have done in ages past, please give us the courage and boldness to live like Daniel did, the Courage to bow the knee to no one but You; the courage to proclaim Your Name to a dying corrupt world and the courage to live every moment with our guard up, so that we will never slip up in public or private. May we have those thoughts, beliefs, and actions which are consistent with the Truths of Scripture and walk with and in them all the days of our lives, in Jesus' Strong Name amen.

Image Credit: Free Christian Illustrations

"THINK" SERIES: PART 6 - "WHATEVER IS TRUE"

THINK BIBLICALLY - #1 

" Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

In John 18:38, Pontius Pilate encounters the bruised and brutalized Jesus for the first time and asks the eternal question "Quid Est Veritas" (Latin/Roman for What is Truth) — which you may recall from the stunning scene below from "The Passion of the Christ." 

Significantly, the first thing listed in the Bible for "whatever things..." we MUST consider to live and think biblically is Truth. Each item listed here deserves its own in-depth examination. The concept of Truth is primary, and today, there is so much confusion that only the wise will shine. Only the born-again will recognize Biblical Truth.

The world does not recognize Absolute Truth. For the unredeemed, and you hear it all the time, people should "live their own truth" or "you do you"....and other such inane, meaningless catchphrases. This trend began in Genesis Chapter 3 where the Devil delivered the first lie to deceive mankind and it never stopped. It ramped up in the free love/no responsibility 1960s and 1970s with the "I'm OK, You're OK" movement. Today it has become religion to the unsaved Religious Left to call/brand/tag anyone who believes in Absolute Truth, as hateful, intolerant, stupid, mindless,or worse for believing the following:

-  That the Bible is true, inerrant and the 100% closed Word of God.

-  That every true professing Christian MUST believe what is written in Genesis Chapters 1-11, and Who God is before he or she can truly call themselves a bible-believing Christian.

-  That God created the Heavens and the Earth in six (6) 24-hour days and the earth is less than 7,000 years old. He is Creator and there is no such thing as Evolution.

-  That the Triune God, Who is God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) has always existed in eternity past and always will, even when this current world system is destroyed and remade.

-  That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, the only Way to Heaven, and His Holy Spirit only indwells those who have repented of their sins and accepted Him as Lord of their lives.

-  That Jesus was born of a virgin woman, by the Sovereign Plan and Will of God the Father, into a couple from the lineage of King David, in Bethlehem as prophesied in Micah 5:2.

-  That Jesus the Man, Who never sinned in His 33 years on earth; never gave up His Divinity; was both God and Man; taught what is recorded in the Gospels and then was killed by evil men. That was allowed to happen, again by the pre-determined plan of God as a payment for our sins.

-  That Jesus was crucified on the Passover that year, and rose from the Tomb on Resurrection Sunday, just as He had said, to fulfill God's plan. He ascended to the Throne on the Right Hand of God The Father, from Where He reigns today and forever more, amen.

In brief, these are the essentials and basics we must believe, in order proceed with comprehending all Scripture. These essentials are what comprise Truth, i.e. Absolute Truth, Objective Truth. Anything else is a lie.

Modern archaeology has been proving, almost weekly, that the events and places recorded in Sola Scriptura - the Bible alone are 100% true. In the early 1980's when Mt. St. Helens in the state of Washington erupted (more on that in future posts or videos); within years, coal was formed, which confounded atheist scientists who believe it takes thousands of years to create even one inch of coal, and the layers of lava basically showed up Evolution to be the fraud that it is (more on that later as well).

As a man thinketh, so is he. When we are confronted by the world which says "absolute truth" does not exist. They have made an Absolute statement by declaring such a thing. Under the terms of logic, therefore, their argument is easily dismissed and thrown into the dustbin of history, because they have contradicted themselves and are not even doing their own subjective analysis to "you do you".  

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life - absolutely. We stand on that, forever and ever, against the wind and against the World. If we are to think Biblical - whatever things are True, we absolutely believe. Amen. 

Image Courtesy FREEBIBLE IMAGES (Thank you)

"THINK" SERIES: PART 5 - "STINKING VS BIBLICAL THINKING"

"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

What is it about "Stinking Thinking" that brings so many well-adjusted folks, especially Christians these days, to a not-so-good place? 

By the way, what is "Stinking Thinking" anyway? From all reports, the late great speaker, motivator, encourager, and man of God, Zig Ziglar was responsible for coining the phrase. The Cambridge Dictionary describes it as "a bad way of thinking, that makes you believe you will fail, that bad things will happen to you, or that you are not a very good person". That is the official definition. But in real life, it can be any thought derailing right thinking, period.

There is a story told about the Great Reformer Martin Luther. He said one night, the devil showed up at the foot of his bed with a long scroll of every sin ever committed by Luther. 

As he read those off, in Luther's all-too-real vision, the serpent of old, needled Luther and said "Do you remember this sin? ...." Then Luther would respond: "Yes, I do", and so it went. After this, it went on for a long time. Luther recounted that he felt like he was about the slip into hell when the Lord Jesus showed up. The Savior told Luther to tell the devil to go all the way to the end of the scroll and read what was at the bottom of it.

Luther told him exactly those words. The devil kept reading off sins. Finally, Martin Luther said, "Devil, in the Name of Jesus, I demand that you read what is written at the bottom of your scroll". At the mention of THAT Name, the devil did as was told. At the bottom of that long list of Luther's sins was written in red "All the Sins of Martin Luther have been forgiven by the Blood of the Lamb".

The enemy, from whose clutches Jesus saved us, if we know Him as Lord and Savior and are truly born again, knows our thoughts and sins because he put most of them in there. Every thought of greed and lust for money, riches, illicit sexual pleasure, and covetousness, came from him. Every thought that leads to an ungodly action, even for the strongest believer in Jesus, came from him.

He has a habit of throwing past forgiven sins, in our faces and it is pushed in our faces by thoughts that ambush us, in the most awkward or inappropriate of moments - from quiet time in the morning, or in the middle of a meeting at work, or having lunch with a pastor or anything. If we are not careful, this can defeat people who profess to be Christians, but who are not walking in any kind of victory, or deep Faith, or who have lives guided and directed by the Spirit.

Stinking Thinking invites the weak to make blanket statements, away from Scripture, that "God does not love me....or my spouse...or my boss hates me....or I can't stand that nosey neighbor".....and the next thing we know, we are operating on feelings and emotions far outside the bounds of Biblical Thinking.

Some of this Stinking Thinking may even have to do with self-esteem. If someone from your past - an old schoolmate who knew you as a party machine from senior year in high school or college, but now he or she sees that you more than likely, "party like it's 1699 (i.e. none at all), and you let some long-buried emotion resurface, to cause you to doubt your own identity in Christ, then it's time to move to Plan B.

Plan B is the return to Plan Bible and Biblical Thinking. We will look into this more in upcoming posts, but suffice it to say, Martin Luther, at the behest and prompting of King Jesus, has demonstrated the quickest way to grab those resurgent defeatist old BC (before Christ) "replays" and send them to the dungeon of forgotten sins, which Yahweh has stated is, "as far as the east is from the west".

John 1:12 underscores our Authority to respond as Luther did to the devil. It is the quickest way to defeat EVERY form of stinking thinking; horrible thoughts and anything from the pit of hell. The Bible says in this verse "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name".

We take every thought captive, reminding the devil, in the most authoritative statement, that we are Children of God and all our sins - not just those from last week, but those from our past, have been forgiven by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who defeated the accuser, on that fateful day on Calvary.

Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, we thank You that You sent Your Holy and Powerful Son, in that while we were yet sinners, He died for us, that we may be reconciled with You and have Eternal Life in Heaven. Thank You, for giving us the ability to not only take every evil and wicked thought captive but also, for then giving us the capacity and direction to bring these into alignment with Your Holy Word, in Jesus' Strong Name, amen.

Image Courtesy FREEBIBLE IMAGES (Thank you)

"THINK" SERIES: PART 4 - "BRING IT IN"

"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

I can tell you what's not in captivity, it is this one - we could be in the middle of the most uplifting conversation, bible passage, morning devotions, and/or prayer, and the most vile thought will appear out of nowhere. This kind of spiritual ambush is nothing new. Great men of the Faith, like the late giant of a preacher Dr. Charles Stanley and Swindoll, have both mentioned being invaded by the troll from the dark side, while we are in the most secret place with our Heavenly Father.

(There is encouraging news. What I have discovered, in my almost four-decade-long walk with King Jesus is this - the more I press into my daily exercise of prayer, praying the Scriptures and walking with Him, the less those evil thoughts are allowed to come across.  I think this happens to everyone who is maturing in the Faith, as we saturate every fiber of our being with His Word.)

So, how about this one? You may be reading an online newspaper and an image for a new diet smoothie comes across the computer screen. You are concentrating on the devastation caused by California fires, but your eyes are pulled astray and you recall some preacher in the past saying "The first look is free, but the second one is a sin". Forget the joke about some guys taking a longer first look so they don't think they are committing a sin. That too is a sin.  How about this other one - "you can't stop a bird from flying overhead and depositing something on your head, but you sure can stop him from building a nest there".

It is the same with our thoughts. Every living human being has a battle with temptation or some form of invitation to the dark side, sometimes being caught completely unaware/blindsided/bushwhacked or what have you. The believer has the upper hand in this battle, primarily because we are indwelled by the Spirit of God Who, in my case, quickens my heart rate to let me know - "get out of here now"! 

NOTE: Since these are short articles and not epistles, we may split Part 4  into two or three pieces to rightfully examine "taking every thought captive" in light of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).

The original word, in Biblical Greek, for "bringing" is aichmalótizó which has the inference of subduing a subject, thought, or even a person (for instance the enemy on the battlefield when in combat), and then bringing it under our control. Folks, we have the power to do this thing....and do it well. If you or I receive an invitation to go out with the office gang after work, to an adult beverage establishment to celebrate somebody's birthday, no matter how much you like or respect the person - we DO have the power, authority, and absolute RIGHT to decline, turn down, nix, say no and bug out.

While not as beautiful and divinely constructed as the Paleo-Hebrew of the Old Testament, the inspired New Testament has the same power in words, that enables our neurons to fire up Critical Thinking. At this point, the "flow-chart" in our minds should kick in right away, as we remember this part of the Lord's Prayer "do not allow us to fall into temptation".

The Book of James, written by the half-brother of Jesus says in James 1:15 "Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death". Let your Critical Thinking go immediately into a "what if" overdrive as in "what if you swear off the wagon and have a drink and then one too many... Then what if that loosens things up and everyone is whooping and hollering. Then God knows who could forget their morality and/or vows etc. etc....then before you know it - someone has crossed that line which is not meant to be crossed.

Before it even gets to the point where you let your guard down and potentially sin, - bring or take that flowchart in, recall every Scripture you have ever memorized, and then, resist the devil and he will flee. It is the most beautiful, liberating thing to say no to sin! You don't even get to the James 1:15 point and God is honored.

It is THAT simple.

Father, In Jesus' Strong Name, I pray that You will continue to guide, guard and protect our hearts, minds and souls, so that every living thought, action, choice and potential deed will NEVER ever bring anything but Glory to Your Name and honor and shalom to our loved ones and those whom we love. We ask these things in Your Precious and Holy Son's Name amen.

Image Courtesy FREEBIBLE IMAGES (Thank you)

"THINK" SERIES: PART 3 - "CONSIDER"

GOD'S PROVISION:

In the greatest sermon ever preached - by the real KING of Preachers - Jesus, said the following in the Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:25-29).

The word that Jesus used for "Consider" in the original biblical Greek is exciting for us to ponder as Christians and Believers. However, Jesus always means business and there is a level of accountability associated with His choice of this word, as there is, as one of His Disciples. The Biblical Greek word is "katamanthanó" and it means to observe carefully, to consider, to understand thoroughly (Bible Hub). It is not your "easy believism" surface-deep Western version of Christianity. 

The word "consider" appears 108 to 200 times in 29 of the 66 Books of the Bible, depending on your English translation. Like this passage from Matthew 6:25-29, many passages with the word "Consider" are familiar.

This call to consider implies that it will be not only to our benefit to take a serious look at how our Father in Heaven supplies the needs of the birds in the air; the fish in the sea and the cattle on a thousand hills, but He is true to His Promise to never leave or forsake, even those who are NOT called by His Name (i.e. non-Christians). Why is this significant?  It is so, because Life is full of more valleys than mountain-top experiences, regardless of human efforts to recreate and manufacture past exciting moments.

PERSEVERANCE:

The half-brother of the Lord, and the natural son of Mary - the human mother of Jesus - James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit told us to " Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3).

The Biblical Greek word here is different from Jesus' call to consider. James used "hégeomai" which exhorts us to be of the opinion or THINK (the title of this series) that we should look at the trials/tribulations and testings of this hard life, to be the fulcrum of Joy! This is counter-cultural stuff!

And this is the thing. The Christian walk is diametrically opposed to what the world considers the norm. 

We rejoice in trials, not because we love pain.

We rely on our Great God and Savior not because we are dumb sheep like those who are following the god of this world into hell. We rely on Him because He has been found faithful and true, FOREVER, in His Promise to never leave or forsake us.

We revere, adore and magnify His Holy Name because He is worthy of praise.  His Word is written forever in the Heavens.

As Psalm 8, verses 3 and 4 declares "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?"

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:

Who are we, Lord, that YOU would even consider sending the Eternal Creator of ALL THINGS - the Lord Jesus Christ, down to earth, that He may suffer and be humiliated by those in His Creation, all for the cause of restoring the broken relationship that occurred in the Garden of Eden when the first Adam sinned? Father in Heaven, we do NOT deserve any of Your consideration but You gave it to us anyway. Many have taken the Graces, Gifts and Goodness of God and walked away from You, seeking their own pleasures, agendas and more. But we, oh God, who are called by Your Name, stand strong in the Faith, because we have both considered Christ and then the alternative, and chose Christ as our Lord and Savior, not for just being the Way to Heaven and Eternal Life, but because we LOVE Jesus and love Him with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, now and forever more, in His Name we pray, amen.

"THINK" SERIES: PART 2 - REASON

God, in the form of Jesus Christ - invites us to LITERALLY "“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord: "“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Can you imagine, GOD, Yahweh, Who can speak universes into existence with the sound of His Voice, Who can destroy great armies with a single word,  Who knows every hair on our heads, Who sees us in our weakness, sickness and sin - yet still loves US...THAT GOD - is inviting sinful, weak, no-account humans to come talk and reason with Him, so that we can not just go to Heaven when we die but that we can do life with Him right now! That Yahweh, that God - He is not only for us, He loves us.

Look at the Lord's choice of word of invitation - come let us REASON. Reason in His original Hebrew is YAKACH. Bible Hub translates and defines "Yakach" as ".... to reprove or correct. It is often used in the context of bringing someone to a point of understanding or conviction, typically through argument or evidence. The term can also imply a form of judgment or decision-making, where clarity and truth are established. In the biblical context, "yakach" is frequently associated with God's correction of His people, as well as the role of prophets and wise individuals in guiding others toward righteousness".***

It is more than encouraging...actually, it is more stunning, to read about the lives of former atheists like Lee Strobel or J. Warner Wallace or the most recent one Josh Timonen. While Josh is not a household name, the man he works for IS. That man is the world's foremost and most well-known living ATHEIST Richard Dawkins! Timonen not only produced videos and documentaries extolling the virtues of "Atheism" where it takes more Faith, to NOT believe in the Creation and God, but he sold merchandise, touted Dawkins, and even got public praise and acknowledgments in books and in person from Richard Dawkins.

But, having grown up in church and walked away, there was always something inside of him. It is inside every human being. That something is called the Law of God written on our hearts, as the Bible says. Dawkins' right hand man - Josh Timonen - began reading the Bible to "reason this thing out". Then he read a book written by another famous former Atheist - Lee Strobel. Lee was the legal correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, who was so offended as an all-out Atheist, when his wife got saved and started attended Willowcreek Church in Barrington, Illinois, that he set out to disprove the Bible.

In the process, Lee Strobel got saved and wrote "THE CASE FOR CHRIST" (Click here to watch this documentary on YouTube). After reading The Case for Christ, Josh himself was radically saved as it confirmed the reasons for Faith in God, through Jesus Christ, that this now former atheist was processing.

Click here for J. Warner Wallace's reasons to believe as well. Wallace is a former LAPD homicide detective and former atheist who used his investigative skills, to prove the reality of God in Christ.

So what happens when a person, in this case, the man who rode shotgun for the biggest living atheist in the world - Josh Timonen, does his independent research, reasons with it, then reasons with God? He comes to Faith in Christ, just like J. Warner and Lee! How about that, huh. God is so good. To wind up this brief discussion on the Almighty and Most Powerful Force in the Universe - our Heavenly Father, I leave you with the words of Josh Timonen, after he began sharing his Conversion to Christ testimony with a man, who has had life-changing impact on me, since I first saw him and Kirk Cameron in town almost 25 years ago - Ray Comfort.

Timonen describes part of his journey like this: "Jesus actually lived, He actually died, and He actually rose....and I have to deal with that. I can’t just push that aside and say, ‘Oh, it’s a myth.’ No, these are real events. Then, I’m asked to do something. It’s a personal thing between Him and me. And that’s where it kind of struck differently...." ****

If you're having trouble with YOUR Faith, with YOUR walk with Christ, go thou and do likewise. Search out J. Warner Wallace's COLD CASE CHRISTIANITY and subscribe, like I did, years ago to his podcasts. I was gloriously born again in July 1988, but the learning never stops and now, I know at least 10% about our wonderful Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. You too can begin to walk victoriously in Him, amen.

Glory to His Name!

CREDITS: 

*** = BIBLE HUB (click here)

**** = Focus on the Family  (click here)

IMAGE (click here)

NEW SERIES: "THINK" PART 1 - "OUT OF THE HEART"

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

Jesus said the following, (found in Matthew 15:19) - "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders", as He expounded on what defiles a person. The passage can be found here in Matthew 15:10-19.

The Son of God chose "evil thoughts" as the first category because, from the Human Experience, every action, reaction, and deed begins with a thought. Whether it is a beneficial invention, such as Velcro or the sticky/Post-it note, or a rank evil from - name it - everything begins with a thought.

All sin is hatched in the mind, which if not taken captive and expelled immediately in Jesus' Name, will ferment into a "what if" scenario. At that point, there is still a choice to resist the devil. This is why Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6: "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one".

When a sinful thought (regardless of the type of sin) reaches the "What If" stage, there is now a fork in the road. You and I have a choice to make. We can proceed and sin against God and our own soul or turn back and take it down. If the former is chosen, as we discover from speaking with people who have gone as far as to wreck their homes and lives, the choice to commit the sin comes with the PURPOSEFUL ignoring of the evident warnings of the Holy Spirit. In other words, you will know immediately from the Spirit in your own spirit - that you are NOT supposed to do this act/deed or whatever. I have seen men blow up their marriages and careers; lose their children and church community and then lose their way for a while, from giving in to the passing pleasures of sin for a Season.

What this new "THINK" series is leading to, as the roadmap for Victory, from the oppression and darkness of a life ruined by sinful thoughts that went flying past the "WHAT IF" phase to outright rebellion and destruction TO the victorious life of Philippians 4:8 and a powerful Prayer Life.

These truths are timeless but even more meaningful so, as we begin anything new- from a new year to a new season in life to a new "anything".

Scripture explains Scripture. Proverbs 23:7, from the Word of God  - Who is also Jesus, the Word (John 1:1) - tell us that as a man thinks in his heart (and thus mind), so is he". Jesus expands His Word in Proverbs to what the results of stinking thinking are, in our Matthew 15:19 verse " murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders"

You and I have a better road - the Highway of Holiness; the Road of Righteousness; the Freeway of Faith; the Pathway to Peace and the Joy in the next leg of the Journey with Jesus. Let's choose that instead, as we launch into a forever season of righteous thinking and doing and living.

In Jesus' Strong Name, amen

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Why use the NKJV:

My favorite translation of the Bible has always been the great King James Version (KJV) as it was my first real bible after being Born Again in July 1988....after a lifetime of going to church, youth ministry and even speaking from pulpits. Personal Bible Memory and speaking Scripture to myself aside, the KJV and its old English is a little tougher for modern readers to comprehend. The English vocabulary in the early 1600s, when the KJV was being written, was minimal. The NKJV has all the features of the King James Bible, is accurate, and flows beautifully. It is also used in many churches worldwide,  and in many Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, and other churches in America.

NOTE: For literal word-for-word accurate translation and Bible Study, my bible of choice is the New American Standard 1977 Version which had to be re-covered in goatskin due to its falling apart. It is the first version of the literal NASB but it has the same flow and feel of the KJV. That is the bible in the photo is this first of the "THINK" Series

DISCIPLINE#2 OF 12 - THE WORD OF GOD

 THE BMIC BLAST: DECEMBER 2024