03/20/26 BLESSING IN PSALMS
CONSIDER THE PEOPLE GOD BLESSES, ACCORDING TO THE PSALMS
Various forms of the word Blessed are used in the book of PSALMS 101 times in KJV. Here are twenty passages specifically blessed, who have certain behavioral traits.
Why don't you jot down these traits? We don't employ godly traits in order to get blessed. We pursue godliness because we love and want to please God. God conforms the faithful to the image of Jesus, then God further blesses those who please Him.
Psalms 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 2:12
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 24:4-5
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Psalms 28:7-9
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalms 29:11
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Psalms 32:1-2
1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Psalms 33:12
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psalms 34:8
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalms 37:22
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
Psalms 37:25-29
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psalms 40:1-8
1 A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalms 41:1-3
1 A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Psalms 65:4
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Psalms 84:3-4
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalms 84:12
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalms 89:15
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalms 94:10-15
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Psalms 106:3
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Psalms 112:1
1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalms 118:26
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
Psalms 128:1
1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Psalms 128:4-5
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Friday, March 20, 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026
03/19/26 A DAILY VERSE IN PSALM 119
03/19/26 A DAILY VERSE IN PSALM 119
Here is a little challenge for you. This does not replace or eliminate your studies or meditation; it is a tiny supplement for your growth in grace and knowledge.
Understand this...
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is in the Old Testament, but its principles are appropriate for and applicable to New Testament Christian living. It is not a call or directive to follow or obey Mosaic laws (Jewish, sacrificial, dietary, ceremonial). Also, keep in mind that the same theme of Biblical obedience to God's word (which is a New Testament principle) is repeated throughout the 176 verses. Each verse is related to the other verses, but each verse also stands alone.
My challenge...
READ AND MEDITATE ON ONE VERSE FROM PSALM 119 EACH DAY. This will give you a verse a day for nearly 1/2 of the year. You will be reading and contemplating the same truth (principle) but stated differently, with various shades of emphasis, every day. Early in your day, read the daily verse. Throughout the day, reflect on that verse. You may choose to memorize some of the verses or all of the verses, but that is not the assignment. The assignment (challenge) is to read through Psalm 119, one verse at a time, daily.
Obviously, reading and or studying the entire Psalm at one sitting or in segments is advisable (the Psalm is Divinely crafted into 22 segments of 8 verses each). My challenge does not conflict with a more thorough study, but taking this great Psalm in small bites can be very refreshing, invigorating, enlightening, and empowering.
You can figure out your own method of scheduling. You can make a list on your phone or computer to remind you which verse goes with which day. This is intended to be a personal challenge, but maybe you have someone who wants to do this along with you. You can encourage one another, and you can share your personal journey. Of course, it would be good to share your journey (growth, enlightenment, development) with other people.
Don't view it as simply a reading assignment or an exercise in redundancy (though all the verses address the same subject). Reading a verse daily focuses on a major life principle and Bible truth for 176 days. God chose to reveal and teach this Psalm in this way (saying the same thing 176 ways in one writing). We should latch onto that reason and benefit from God's wisdom.
The benefits should be immediate and cumulative. It is a spiritual exercise. It is not strenuous. It is not overwhelming. It is not time-demanding. It is instantaneously and progressively strengthening.
If you choose to make this a larger part of your devotional life, you can write the lessons God teaches you from each verse.
Now that I have said all this, I need to read and heed today's verse from Psalm 119.
Bon Voyage.
Here is a little challenge for you. This does not replace or eliminate your studies or meditation; it is a tiny supplement for your growth in grace and knowledge.
Understand this...
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is in the Old Testament, but its principles are appropriate for and applicable to New Testament Christian living. It is not a call or directive to follow or obey Mosaic laws (Jewish, sacrificial, dietary, ceremonial). Also, keep in mind that the same theme of Biblical obedience to God's word (which is a New Testament principle) is repeated throughout the 176 verses. Each verse is related to the other verses, but each verse also stands alone.
My challenge...
READ AND MEDITATE ON ONE VERSE FROM PSALM 119 EACH DAY. This will give you a verse a day for nearly 1/2 of the year. You will be reading and contemplating the same truth (principle) but stated differently, with various shades of emphasis, every day. Early in your day, read the daily verse. Throughout the day, reflect on that verse. You may choose to memorize some of the verses or all of the verses, but that is not the assignment. The assignment (challenge) is to read through Psalm 119, one verse at a time, daily.
Obviously, reading and or studying the entire Psalm at one sitting or in segments is advisable (the Psalm is Divinely crafted into 22 segments of 8 verses each). My challenge does not conflict with a more thorough study, but taking this great Psalm in small bites can be very refreshing, invigorating, enlightening, and empowering.
You can figure out your own method of scheduling. You can make a list on your phone or computer to remind you which verse goes with which day. This is intended to be a personal challenge, but maybe you have someone who wants to do this along with you. You can encourage one another, and you can share your personal journey. Of course, it would be good to share your journey (growth, enlightenment, development) with other people.
Don't view it as simply a reading assignment or an exercise in redundancy (though all the verses address the same subject). Reading a verse daily focuses on a major life principle and Bible truth for 176 days. God chose to reveal and teach this Psalm in this way (saying the same thing 176 ways in one writing). We should latch onto that reason and benefit from God's wisdom.
The benefits should be immediate and cumulative. It is a spiritual exercise. It is not strenuous. It is not overwhelming. It is not time-demanding. It is instantaneously and progressively strengthening.
If you choose to make this a larger part of your devotional life, you can write the lessons God teaches you from each verse.
Now that I have said all this, I need to read and heed today's verse from Psalm 119.
Bon Voyage.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
03/17/26 THE HIVE MIND
03/17/26 THE HIVE MIND
I watched YOUTUBE videos about the F-35. This is an awesome development in military avionics and warfare.
I watched YOUTUBE videos about the F-35. This is an awesome development in military avionics and warfare.
The F-35's technology unites a fighting group together through shared information and action, giving a group of several warplanes a unified oneness that enhances their defensive and offensive capabilities, creating a more powerful, efficient, and effective strike force. They refer to this as "hive mind." Hive Mind refers to sharing information and tasks to accomplish a unified task, much like a beehive is the work of an entire hive. In the case of the F-35, it is the electronic gathering, cataloging, dissemination, and utilization of information that will enable a group of Jet Fighters to act as one body against the enemy instantaneously.
The equipment is advanced; the pilots are highly skilled and trained, and the computer technology enables the group to function as a single unit.
This concept of the hivemind did not originate in the mind of any AI program, or other scientific laboratories, or any human think tank. Hiving was the creation of God, and actually expresses the nature of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three different Persons, thinking and acting as the One True God.
God also designed human families and His Church to be a unified body. We are to be of one mind, with God and one another. God has established an order of authority, and He has gifted the various parts of a family and a church to function together in love, peace, joy, productivity and effectiveness.
God is the Head of the Church (universal and local), and individual Christians are the unified members, moving as one body. God intends and enables believers in a local body to have a single mind and to work together seamlessly. It is our responsibility to accept God's plan and employ His power in doing His work. We have an overall objective, and we each have our own personal responsibilities in the body life of the local church. We find God's design for unity explained in 1 Corinthians 12.
We never lose our personhood or our personality, but we must learn our place as being a part of God's family rather than being apart from God's family.
Just as bees, ants, and other creatures, as well as highly trained team members of human endeavors, can accomplish much more in a corporate body, so too can individual Christians accomplish much more as a unified family and church.
Self-serving, self-orientation, and self-pleasing is contrary to the plan, design, and work of God. We are to have the same mind, we are to serve one another, and we are to submit to one another in love, honor, and humility.
The equipment is advanced; the pilots are highly skilled and trained, and the computer technology enables the group to function as a single unit.
This concept of the hivemind did not originate in the mind of any AI program, or other scientific laboratories, or any human think tank. Hiving was the creation of God, and actually expresses the nature of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three different Persons, thinking and acting as the One True God.
God also designed human families and His Church to be a unified body. We are to be of one mind, with God and one another. God has established an order of authority, and He has gifted the various parts of a family and a church to function together in love, peace, joy, productivity and effectiveness.
God is the Head of the Church (universal and local), and individual Christians are the unified members, moving as one body. God intends and enables believers in a local body to have a single mind and to work together seamlessly. It is our responsibility to accept God's plan and employ His power in doing His work. We have an overall objective, and we each have our own personal responsibilities in the body life of the local church. We find God's design for unity explained in 1 Corinthians 12.
We never lose our personhood or our personality, but we must learn our place as being a part of God's family rather than being apart from God's family.
Just as bees, ants, and other creatures, as well as highly trained team members of human endeavors, can accomplish much more in a corporate body, so too can individual Christians accomplish much more as a unified family and church.
Self-serving, self-orientation, and self-pleasing is contrary to the plan, design, and work of God. We are to have the same mind, we are to serve one another, and we are to submit to one another in love, honor, and humility.
Monday, March 16, 2026
03/16/26 STAND ON THE WORD FOR ETERNAL LIFE
03/16/26 STAND ON THE WORD FOR ETERNAL LIFE
In my rec-room (sometimes my wreck-room), I have my office, library, exercise equipment, storage boxes, assorted extra stuff, sitting area, and set of scales. I have 25 full bookshelves (6 are seen in this photo), not counting the mini-shelves and the tops of shelves, which are also full, plus many more books without shelving. I have some of my commentaries and Bibles on the tops of the shelves in this photo.
As I was getting ready to weigh myself this morning, I steadied myself by leaning on one of my Bibles.
I said all of that to say this.
The Bible tells us, "It is appointed unto man once to die and after that, the judgment."
We have all sinned, and the "wages of sin is death." But this is where our faith in the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Christ is important. While "the wages of sin is death," it is also true, "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ." If we believe on Christ, repent of our sins, confess Him as our Lord and Savior, and follow Him, then our judgment for sin is taken away by His sacrifice and resurrection. Active faith (deliberate, obedient, and continuous trust) in His death and resurrection saves me from my sins.
The believer's judgment for sin took place on the cross. The non-believer's sins must be answered for by the sinner himself, at the Great White Throne Judgment Bar of God, at the end of this present evil world. This will include every evil thought, word, and deed. The evidence is accumulating, and it is irrefutable.
Faith in Christ will not only save us from the penalty for the sins that we have committed, it will also save us from the pollution and corruption we inherited from Adam. Salvation cleanses our hands from sins committed and purifies our hearts from sin inherited. Without the blood of Christ there is no salvation, but faith in the blood of Christ provides forgiveness of our repented sins and cleansing from all unrighteousness.
Because of the sacrifice of Christ I can say,
"I owe God nothing for what I've done to Him,
For on the cross, Christ died to take away my sin.
I give my life to serve Him faithfully,
I owe Him everything for what He's done for me."
Through faith in Christ, we are separated from our sins, as far as the east is from the west. But unsaved people will be judged for every sin committed in their body and suffer eternal torment. You don't want to be weighed in God's scale of justice and "found wanting."
Believers will be judged and rewarded according to their service to Christ.
Now, back to my reason for this post. Be sure to rely on God's word to steady yourself, balance yourself for the time you will be weighed on God's Divine and exacting scales.
We get our balance and our stability and our stay-ability from God and His word.
Psalms 119:9-16
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
In my rec-room (sometimes my wreck-room), I have my office, library, exercise equipment, storage boxes, assorted extra stuff, sitting area, and set of scales. I have 25 full bookshelves (6 are seen in this photo), not counting the mini-shelves and the tops of shelves, which are also full, plus many more books without shelving. I have some of my commentaries and Bibles on the tops of the shelves in this photo.
As I was getting ready to weigh myself this morning, I steadied myself by leaning on one of my Bibles.
I said all of that to say this.
The Bible tells us, "It is appointed unto man once to die and after that, the judgment."
We have all sinned, and the "wages of sin is death." But this is where our faith in the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Christ is important. While "the wages of sin is death," it is also true, "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ." If we believe on Christ, repent of our sins, confess Him as our Lord and Savior, and follow Him, then our judgment for sin is taken away by His sacrifice and resurrection. Active faith (deliberate, obedient, and continuous trust) in His death and resurrection saves me from my sins.
The believer's judgment for sin took place on the cross. The non-believer's sins must be answered for by the sinner himself, at the Great White Throne Judgment Bar of God, at the end of this present evil world. This will include every evil thought, word, and deed. The evidence is accumulating, and it is irrefutable.
Faith in Christ will not only save us from the penalty for the sins that we have committed, it will also save us from the pollution and corruption we inherited from Adam. Salvation cleanses our hands from sins committed and purifies our hearts from sin inherited. Without the blood of Christ there is no salvation, but faith in the blood of Christ provides forgiveness of our repented sins and cleansing from all unrighteousness.
Because of the sacrifice of Christ I can say,
"I owe God nothing for what I've done to Him,
For on the cross, Christ died to take away my sin.
I give my life to serve Him faithfully,
I owe Him everything for what He's done for me."
Through faith in Christ, we are separated from our sins, as far as the east is from the west. But unsaved people will be judged for every sin committed in their body and suffer eternal torment. You don't want to be weighed in God's scale of justice and "found wanting."
Believers will be judged and rewarded according to their service to Christ.
Now, back to my reason for this post. Be sure to rely on God's word to steady yourself, balance yourself for the time you will be weighed on God's Divine and exacting scales.
We get our balance and our stability and our stay-ability from God and His word.
Psalms 119:9-16
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
03/14/26 TWO RECENT PROBLEMS
03/14/26 TWO RECENT PROBLEMS
TWO RECENT PROBLEMS.
No Spin, No Problem
The SPIN CYCLE on our washing machine quit working. OH NO! Oh well, things wear out, and you need to move on. But I looked online and read that it might only need to be unplugged and plugged back in. I tried it, and VOILA, spin time.
Many times, the answer to a problem is simple or easy to find. In the case of the faulty spin cycle, it was a simple disconnect and reconnect. It did not require a complete overhaul or a new purchase.
In the Christian life we receive the Holy Spirit at the time of our conversion. As we follow His leading, He will give us repeated times of refreshing and renewing of His Spirit. If we are faithful, He will lead us into the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, which will cleanse and deliver us from the inherent corruption of the Old Man, which we inherited from Adam. If we drift or resist His leading, He will convict us and call us back to repentance and faith, at which time He will restore us to a right relationship.
It is good that God restores the fallen, but it is better that we follow and receive His refreshing, His renewing, His fullness, His restoration.
But remember, it is possible to fall away, become reprobate and never be renewed, restored again. The time to fix a broken relationship is when you realize it has been broken.
Recharging Problem
My cell phone started having recharging problems. I could recharge, but the connection was really touchy. It seemed to me that the phone had an internal issue since the cable did not go into the port fully. It would charge, but "I had to hold my mouth just right." I could also recharge on the phone cradle. But someone gave me a Drone, and I needed a good connection in order to use my phone. I checked online again and VOILA (again). I needed to clean the port more thoroughly than I had previously. The cable snapped back in place and does not fall out.
OK, OK, I realize some of you are smarter than I am. You knew about resetting the washing machine, and you knew that a deeper cleaning of the phone port was essential. But I didn't.
Sometimes people have a spiritual weakness or failure. It is possible for the problem to loom so large that it seems like there is no answer. "Why try? It is hopeless."
The person in this illustration is having a CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM. Maybe they need a cleansing because something is interrupting the connection with God. It could be dirt or it could be debris or a damaged connection. Whatever it is, it needs a connection correction. It won't fix itself. Clean out anything that is interfering with your prayer, your fellowship, your meditation, your listening time with God. It is likely that ignoring the problem will result in further problems. Don't let your alone time with God slip away.
The guidance and answers to our Christian walk, our fellowship with God and His people, our service is found in the Divine user's guide (the Holy Bible). Sometimes we need help in recognizing the problems that are hindering our communications with God. We need to respond with obedient faith to reactivate the Divine solution to our spiritual problem. It is not faith if we don't obey. Presuming on God is a trick of the devil.
TWO RECENT PROBLEMS.
No Spin, No Problem
The SPIN CYCLE on our washing machine quit working. OH NO! Oh well, things wear out, and you need to move on. But I looked online and read that it might only need to be unplugged and plugged back in. I tried it, and VOILA, spin time.
Many times, the answer to a problem is simple or easy to find. In the case of the faulty spin cycle, it was a simple disconnect and reconnect. It did not require a complete overhaul or a new purchase.
In the Christian life we receive the Holy Spirit at the time of our conversion. As we follow His leading, He will give us repeated times of refreshing and renewing of His Spirit. If we are faithful, He will lead us into the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, which will cleanse and deliver us from the inherent corruption of the Old Man, which we inherited from Adam. If we drift or resist His leading, He will convict us and call us back to repentance and faith, at which time He will restore us to a right relationship.
It is good that God restores the fallen, but it is better that we follow and receive His refreshing, His renewing, His fullness, His restoration.
But remember, it is possible to fall away, become reprobate and never be renewed, restored again. The time to fix a broken relationship is when you realize it has been broken.
Recharging Problem
My cell phone started having recharging problems. I could recharge, but the connection was really touchy. It seemed to me that the phone had an internal issue since the cable did not go into the port fully. It would charge, but "I had to hold my mouth just right." I could also recharge on the phone cradle. But someone gave me a Drone, and I needed a good connection in order to use my phone. I checked online again and VOILA (again). I needed to clean the port more thoroughly than I had previously. The cable snapped back in place and does not fall out.
OK, OK, I realize some of you are smarter than I am. You knew about resetting the washing machine, and you knew that a deeper cleaning of the phone port was essential. But I didn't.
Sometimes people have a spiritual weakness or failure. It is possible for the problem to loom so large that it seems like there is no answer. "Why try? It is hopeless."
The person in this illustration is having a CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM. Maybe they need a cleansing because something is interrupting the connection with God. It could be dirt or it could be debris or a damaged connection. Whatever it is, it needs a connection correction. It won't fix itself. Clean out anything that is interfering with your prayer, your fellowship, your meditation, your listening time with God. It is likely that ignoring the problem will result in further problems. Don't let your alone time with God slip away.
The guidance and answers to our Christian walk, our fellowship with God and His people, our service is found in the Divine user's guide (the Holy Bible). Sometimes we need help in recognizing the problems that are hindering our communications with God. We need to respond with obedient faith to reactivate the Divine solution to our spiritual problem. It is not faith if we don't obey. Presuming on God is a trick of the devil.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
03/11/26 DIFFERENT WEAPONS
03/11/26 DIFFERENT WEAPONS
Christians wield the Sword of the Spirit when they confront evil.
Christians wear their spiritual armor and bear their spiritual weapons at all times.
We do not disarm when faced with evil, whether it is in our own personal lives, social encounters, moral standards, or political issues.
When preachers say that they don't preach about politics, they are admitting that they don't preach the Bible.
When "Christians" say that they separate their faith from their politics, they are denying the faith of the New Testament.
Look at what has happened to our country, our society, our educational system, our churches, and our own spiritual lives because preachers and parishioners went mute in the face of political, social, academic, and spiritual opposition.
We do not need a Theocratic government, either pagan or "Christian, "since it would be a "brand" of Christianity rather than purely Biblical faith. Remember, we will not see the kingdom until the King comes back Himself.
On the other hand, we do not need a government that is devoid of or antithetical to the Christian message or morality.
The world will continue to move away from Christ and become more antagonistic to followers of Christ. Not only should we stand firm in our relationship with and knowledge of Christ, but we should grow in grace and knowledge, we should move forward in our relationship, and we should prevail against the gates of hell.
Christians wield the Sword of the Spirit when they confront evil.
Christians wear their spiritual armor and bear their spiritual weapons at all times.
We do not disarm when faced with evil, whether it is in our own personal lives, social encounters, moral standards, or political issues.
When preachers say that they don't preach about politics, they are admitting that they don't preach the Bible.
When "Christians" say that they separate their faith from their politics, they are denying the faith of the New Testament.
Look at what has happened to our country, our society, our educational system, our churches, and our own spiritual lives because preachers and parishioners went mute in the face of political, social, academic, and spiritual opposition.
We do not need a Theocratic government, either pagan or "Christian, "since it would be a "brand" of Christianity rather than purely Biblical faith. Remember, we will not see the kingdom until the King comes back Himself.
On the other hand, we do not need a government that is devoid of or antithetical to the Christian message or morality.
The world will continue to move away from Christ and become more antagonistic to followers of Christ. Not only should we stand firm in our relationship with and knowledge of Christ, but we should grow in grace and knowledge, we should move forward in our relationship, and we should prevail against the gates of hell.
Monday, March 9, 2026
03/09/26 KINGDOMS MATTER
03/09/26 KINGDOMS MATTER
KINGDOMS MATTER
There is a Biblical difference between the State and the Church. God ordained Human Government (The State) to establish and maintain CIVIL LAW AND ORDER. God ordained the Church (believers, followers of Jesus Christ) to be His People, His Bride, His Body, His Building, and TO DO HIS WORK OF RECONCILIATION (we are His witnesses, His ambassadors, His spiritual army [armed with spiritual weapons]).
Though there have been religious and political groups that claimed to be Christian, claimed to be The Church (the Spirit-born, Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered children of God), God's Church has never raised a carnal weapon or raised an earthly army against its enemies.
No!!! Christians have never formed a military force, nor have they ever tried to force anyone into submission and subjection to the Christian faith.
Human Governments (since the time of Constantine) have falsely claimed to be Christian (Christ followers), while they use carnal weapons and physical force to implement their rule.
The New Testament never sanctioned Christians (individually or corporately) to kill anyone in the name of Jesus.
Use of violence in the name of Jesus to conquer and subjugate other people is a misrepresentation of Christ and His message.
New Testament directives are good for all people and all nations.
There is no legitimate law that opposes New Testament teaching.
There is no evil action that agrees with New Testament teaching.
To live contrary to New Testament instruction for believers is to live outside of the Christian revelation and to live in disobedience to God.
Every nation would be benefited to submit to the rule of Christ.
Every person would be benefited to submit to the rule of Christ.
Those who trust Christ and turn to Him (from sin), are a blessing and benefit to their society and to the world at large.
There is nothing in the Christian behavior that is destructive or repugnant to decency and order.
Only those who have a personal and salvific relationship with God through faith in Christ can live the redemptive life that pleases God and blesses the world community.
Statism (the worship and acceptance of the State as the ultimate authority), false religions (anything other than New Testament Christianity), or the worship and service to any other person or entity is idolatry.
There are kingdoms of this world that are Statist Governments.
There are kingdoms of this world that are spiritual belief systems.
The kingdoms of this world may or may not have geographical, political, economic, racial, or ethnic boundaries.
Israel and Judah in the Old Testament were known as the kingdom of God.
In the New Testament, God has no such national kingdom.
In the New Testament, God has a spiritual, worldwide, multi-racial kingdom, in the sense that God is King, and He has a people who trust, follow, and obey Him, above all other rulers.
After the Rapture, there will be seven years of Tribulation, at which time there will be a One World Government, a One World Economy, and a One World Religion.
As the last Divine judgments of the Tribulation appear (Revelation 11:15), the kingdom powers of this world begin to transition to the rule of Christ's earthly Thousand Year Kingdom, known as the Millennium or the Millennial Reign of Christ.
When God releases Satan from his thousand-year imprisonment, the Millennium will end. Men will readily rebel against the rule of Christ, choosing to follow Satan rather than God.
God will destroy the world with fire.
The Great White Throne Judgment will take place. Every unsaved person from all of history will be judged by God according to their thoughts, words, and deeds, resulting in their eternal sentence of punishment in the Lake of Fire.
There will be a New Heaven, a New Earth and a New Jerusalem.
At the present time we are in the Church Age, whereas the Millenium will be the Kingdom Age.
However, the kingdom of God is present in the world now (contrary to the teaching of some people), since God reigns (as King) in the hearts of believers.
God's Kingdom on earth now is a spiritual Kingdom.
The New Testament indicates the present reality of the Kingdom of God in various ways.
... "the kingdom of God is at hand."
... Jesus "preaching the gospel of the kingdom."
... (referring to Christians) "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
... being least or being great "in the kingdom of God."
... to Christians, "seek ye first the kingdom of God."
And many more in the four Gospels.
There are a great number of verses in the New Testament letters that refer to Christians and the kingdom of God. Most of those verses have "now and later" aspect to the kingdom of God (heaven) that is promised to Christians. Here are two verses that are specifically related to the Christian walk.
... Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
... 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Kingdoms Matter. In our present time we need to realize that the kingdom of God is separate from the kingdoms of this world. We have accountability to God that supersedes our responsibility to the kingdoms of this world.
We are subject to the kingdoms of this world, provided they do not conflict with or contradict the rule of God in our lives.
But God is the ultimate Authority and Christians obey Him above all others.
John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Acts 5:29
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
KINGDOMS MATTER
There is a Biblical difference between the State and the Church. God ordained Human Government (The State) to establish and maintain CIVIL LAW AND ORDER. God ordained the Church (believers, followers of Jesus Christ) to be His People, His Bride, His Body, His Building, and TO DO HIS WORK OF RECONCILIATION (we are His witnesses, His ambassadors, His spiritual army [armed with spiritual weapons]).
Though there have been religious and political groups that claimed to be Christian, claimed to be The Church (the Spirit-born, Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered children of God), God's Church has never raised a carnal weapon or raised an earthly army against its enemies.
No!!! Christians have never formed a military force, nor have they ever tried to force anyone into submission and subjection to the Christian faith.
Human Governments (since the time of Constantine) have falsely claimed to be Christian (Christ followers), while they use carnal weapons and physical force to implement their rule.
The New Testament never sanctioned Christians (individually or corporately) to kill anyone in the name of Jesus.
Use of violence in the name of Jesus to conquer and subjugate other people is a misrepresentation of Christ and His message.
New Testament directives are good for all people and all nations.
There is no legitimate law that opposes New Testament teaching.
There is no evil action that agrees with New Testament teaching.
To live contrary to New Testament instruction for believers is to live outside of the Christian revelation and to live in disobedience to God.
Every nation would be benefited to submit to the rule of Christ.
Every person would be benefited to submit to the rule of Christ.
Those who trust Christ and turn to Him (from sin), are a blessing and benefit to their society and to the world at large.
There is nothing in the Christian behavior that is destructive or repugnant to decency and order.
Only those who have a personal and salvific relationship with God through faith in Christ can live the redemptive life that pleases God and blesses the world community.
Statism (the worship and acceptance of the State as the ultimate authority), false religions (anything other than New Testament Christianity), or the worship and service to any other person or entity is idolatry.
There are kingdoms of this world that are Statist Governments.
There are kingdoms of this world that are spiritual belief systems.
The kingdoms of this world may or may not have geographical, political, economic, racial, or ethnic boundaries.
Israel and Judah in the Old Testament were known as the kingdom of God.
In the New Testament, God has no such national kingdom.
In the New Testament, God has a spiritual, worldwide, multi-racial kingdom, in the sense that God is King, and He has a people who trust, follow, and obey Him, above all other rulers.
After the Rapture, there will be seven years of Tribulation, at which time there will be a One World Government, a One World Economy, and a One World Religion.
As the last Divine judgments of the Tribulation appear (Revelation 11:15), the kingdom powers of this world begin to transition to the rule of Christ's earthly Thousand Year Kingdom, known as the Millennium or the Millennial Reign of Christ.
When God releases Satan from his thousand-year imprisonment, the Millennium will end. Men will readily rebel against the rule of Christ, choosing to follow Satan rather than God.
God will destroy the world with fire.
The Great White Throne Judgment will take place. Every unsaved person from all of history will be judged by God according to their thoughts, words, and deeds, resulting in their eternal sentence of punishment in the Lake of Fire.
There will be a New Heaven, a New Earth and a New Jerusalem.
At the present time we are in the Church Age, whereas the Millenium will be the Kingdom Age.
However, the kingdom of God is present in the world now (contrary to the teaching of some people), since God reigns (as King) in the hearts of believers.
God's Kingdom on earth now is a spiritual Kingdom.
The New Testament indicates the present reality of the Kingdom of God in various ways.
... "the kingdom of God is at hand."
... Jesus "preaching the gospel of the kingdom."
... (referring to Christians) "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
... being least or being great "in the kingdom of God."
... to Christians, "seek ye first the kingdom of God."
And many more in the four Gospels.
There are a great number of verses in the New Testament letters that refer to Christians and the kingdom of God. Most of those verses have "now and later" aspect to the kingdom of God (heaven) that is promised to Christians. Here are two verses that are specifically related to the Christian walk.
... Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
... 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Kingdoms Matter. In our present time we need to realize that the kingdom of God is separate from the kingdoms of this world. We have accountability to God that supersedes our responsibility to the kingdoms of this world.
We are subject to the kingdoms of this world, provided they do not conflict with or contradict the rule of God in our lives.
But God is the ultimate Authority and Christians obey Him above all others.
John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Acts 5:29
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
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