GOD’S WORD IS THE TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE

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In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Paul said in Romans 10:17 that our faith comes from “hearing through the word of Christ.” Psalms 119:105 says “Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; something we store up in our hearts as to not sin against the Lord. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:13 “the whole duty of man” is to “fear God and keep His commandments,” which can only be done by knowing Him and His commands through His Word. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the Bible is how we are “complete” and “equipped for every good work.” Jesus says the Word is the truth that sets us free.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

Really, all of Scripture proclaims our need for Scripture. All of Scripture proclaims our need to pray. Time with the Lord, via our communication with Him in prayer and time spent in His Word, are the most valuable, precious, and significant ways we can spend our time. Jesus knew this. In His earthly ministry, we see how He knew Scripture, preached Scripture, and lived out Scripture. Encompassing all of this was His consistent communion with His Father in prayer. Jesus is the best example we have of prioritizing spiritual discipline over all other disciplines, and we’re supposed to imitate Him. Yet not only do we often fail to imitate Him we also often neglect to even try.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words.” This is not to say you don’t love your Lord and Savior, but do you keep His words? Do you read His Word? We may proclaim, “Lord, I love you!” But do we also proclaim, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8)?

God’s Word is utterly substantial and worthy of being the top priority in our lives. Sadly, we prioritize other things. But don’t you see? The pursuit of spiritual growth is worth putting forth the same effort as we would toward any other form of growth. In fact, it’s worth infinitely more effort — hopefully, you will soon be convinced of this, if you aren’t already.

It’s a perspective focused on the immediate that often drives us to prioritize things other than spiritual growth, and this isn’t surprising. It’s easy to see how working toward a healthy diet, physical activity, or career advancement is beneficial now, and when we focus on these things, we often allow the importance of spiritual growth to be put aside. However, challenge yourself to consider these areas in light of eternity, and you just might see how minuscule their weight truly is.

One day, our bodies and worldly achievements will fade away. If we shove the maturing of our faith to the side, it may be too late before we realize our faith is all that matters. In reality, unlike everything else that will fade away, our souls will go with us to the White Throne judgement by God, which inevitably makes them the most important aspect of our life now. Am I saying you should put aside all earthly ambition to pursue spiritual growth? Certainly not. The argument is that prioritizing spiritual growth is what allows you to then prosper in other areas.

It would be a mistake to think our spiritual well-being only matters when considering eternity. It surely does matter then, but it equally matters now. It’s worth our every effort to grow in our faith now because the effects of such a pursuit will become manifest in both the immediate and what’s to come.

To prove that our faith plays a role in all areas of life. My question is: Is this the perspective you have each day? Do you believe what you do right now counts for eternity? If so, then it should change the way you view your priorities. You just might see the spiritual growth that’s easily forgotten is exactly what you need to get through today, tomorrow, and each day that’s to come.

A heart with the Word of God written upon it can have peace in the chaos, joy in the trial, and hope for the future. A life that prioritizes spiritual growth is one that inevitably leads to growth elsewhere. The way I see it, a strong faith makes for a better friend, spouse, relative, co-worker, athlete, musician — you name it!

We already know as we’ve read from 1 Corinthians 10:31, that “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” What we prioritize should glorify God, as well. And truly, I cannot think of a better way to glorify Him than by making His Word, His truth, and revelation what we cherish.

TENNESSEE DECLARES JULY A MONTH OF PRAYER AND FASTING AFTER PRIDE MONTH

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The state of Tennessee has called its citizens to spend the month of July in prayer and fasting as a way to “reclaim our nation” after Pride Month, we ask that “the Holy Spirit fill our halls of government,” and renew our nation in God’s image and likeness.

The resolution asks God to deliver the state and our nation “from violence committed upon our citizens by non-citizens,” as well as “human trafficking,” “deadly fentanyl” sales, family breakdown, and “corruption in our federal government.” “We hold that ‘Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,’” the resolution says, quoting Psalm 127:1.

“As public servants in the Tennessee General Assembly, we seek God’s [m]ercy upon our land and beseech Him to not withdraw His Hand of blessing from us,” the resolution declares. “We recognize that God, as Creator and King of all Glory, has both the authority to judge and to bless nations or states. … We recognize our sins and shortcomings before Him and humbly ask His forgiveness.”

Importantly, it concludes with a petition for the renewal of the state and the entire country: “[W]e ask that the Holy Spirit fill our halls of government, our classrooms, our places of business, our churches, and our homes with peace, love, and joy,” says the resolution. It asks all Tennesseans to engage in a month of “prayer and intermittent fasting” as “a means of seeking God’s blessing and humbling ourselves to receive His [g]race and [m]ercy, transforming ourselves, our communities, our [s]tate, and our [n]ation.”

Tennessee State Rep. Jason Zachary (R), a co-sponsor of the bill, told “Washington Watch” Tuesday that legislators passed the bill in the spring with July in mind, because “this is the month of our independence. To be transparent: We are following Pride Month, which was part of the conversation — how we reclaim our nation? And the way we as believers approach that is through prayer,” said Zachary. “We know that we are facing an enemy looking to steal, kill, and destroy. And we serve the Author of all things, the King of Kings.”

Delegates envisioned “the people of our state being unified. Believers calling out, saying, ‘Lord, we need You. We’re a land that has lost its way. We’re still the greatest nation in the world, the freest and wealthiest people. We’ve done more to advance the Kingdom and further the cause of Christ than any other nation in the history of the world,” said Zachary on Tuesday.

“But we’re very different” than the faith-filled generations that carved the United States out of an undeveloped wild and founded a constitutional republic rooted in biblical principles, Zachary told “Washington Watch” guest host, former Congressman Jody Hice. “Even in the 10 years that I’ve been serving,” America has become “a very different nation.”

Elected officials saw this resolution as their way of putting into effect 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Hice, the former U.S. representative turned senior vice president of Family Research Council, called the bill’s passage “a great source of encouragement” and “certainly a story that you are not going to hear about from the legacy media.”

The state House of Representatives passed the legislation, House Joint Resolution 803, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan 82-6 vote on March 4. All six no votes came from Democrats. The bill passed the state Senate 27-1 on April 8. Governor Bill Lee (R) signed the prayer resolution into law on April 16. The signature reflects the governor’s personal relationship with God, said Zachary, who declared, “Governor Lee loves the Lord.”

“We need the Lord to hear us and heal us and have grace on us once again,” said Zachary.

God does answer prayer, so watching the state of Tennessee will be interesting but as for the USA it is already under God’s judgement which will only escalate. Biblical prophecy shows us that the USA does not feature in the events of the last seven years when the Antichrist rises to power and this is understandable considering the godless state of the nation: abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage, transgenderism. The country is debt-ridden with corruption rife and its government is currently run by a senile President. It has already lost credibility with the rising powers China, and Russia, as well as the U.N.

DO WE WELCOME GOD’S REFINING FIRE?

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We’ve lost an understanding of the reality of suffering as a consequence of the fall and neglected to see how God overrules evil for his greater purposes. We need to understand this so our feet land on the solid foundation of God’s Word and the God of that Word—and there find understanding and hope. All other ground is sinking sand.

If you’ve trusted in Christ as the Savior and Lord of your life, you can rest in the truth that your afflictions and sufferings come to you for your ultimate good and his ultimate glory.

Let’s look at four specific biblical reasons why God ordains suffering for His people.

1. To Kill Sin and Grow Godliness

God uses suffering to expose the sin that clings so closely to our hearts. When we suddenly bear an affliction, our pride, impatience, and unbelief will often surface. Pain has a way of cracking open the heart, laying it bare. When I’ve faced suffering, I’ve responded with anger. Though the suffering itself isn’t evil, it illuminates the evil residing within me. Sometimes it reveals my lack of faith in God’s promises. I begin questioning God: How could you let this happen? 

If we’re prone to love something in this world—house, spouse, children, job—more than God, He may sometimes remove the idol. And it will hurt. In doing so, though, we are freed to refocus our primary love on him alone. King David saw a woman bathing, sent for her, slept with her, then had her husband killed. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, he responded with Psalm 51. Suffering serves as a cleanser, revealing and killing our present sin, and deterring us from greater sin.

2. To Relinquish the Temporal for the Eternal

God also uses suffering to wean us from a love of this world and redirect our thoughts and affections toward that which is eternal: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give it to the poor. Then, he said, you will have treasure in heaven. The young man went away sorrowful. Sometimes, God will simply remove those treasures for our greater good; it’s better to lose an eye than to face God’s judgement. (Matthew. 5:29).

As Christians, the afflictions we experience in this life should point us to the reality that we’re “sojourners and exiles” (1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:13) here on earth, journeying toward the ultimate city. Our citizenship is in God’s Kingdom (Phil. 3:20). This fallen world is not our home, and the afflictions we experience along the way serve as arrows directing us to release what’s fading and grasp what’s unending.

Paul declares that God “comforts us in all our afflictions,” adding: “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Cor. 1:3–5). As the Lord of true comfort, we are to see our pain as “preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17).

“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

3. To Produce a Hypocrisy-Free Faith

God also uses suffering is to refine us, as fire refines gold by burning away the impurities (Jer. 9:7; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:3). Suffering will often distinguish the true believer from the hypocrite by the response of each. In our suffering, we are given the opportunity to discover the sincerity of our love, hope, and faith in God.

Are there areas of dishonesty or insincerity in your heart? A plunge into a season of affliction can reveal these. When suffering falls on a church—whether through illness or persecution—“Christ’s summer friends” flee, as the Puritan John Flavel put it. Affliction causes the believer to cling to God and the unbeliever to forsake him. In this way, it comes as a sort of revealing test to separate sheep from goats and refine his precious people through fire.

4. To Bear Witness to the World

Under the rod of affliction we’re given the unique opportunity to bear witness to the gospel’s power in our lives—which effectively calls others to repent and believe. The believer’s own endurance under trial serves as a shining public witness to the truth of God’s Word.

I’ve known believers who have suffered so well that onlookers have asked about the unshakable hope and peace the sufferer enjoys. God uses the suffering of his people to display his grace in securing their salvation. Our frequent trials prove our hope and faith is not in vain, and serve as a platform to showcase gospel hope.

Our Father in heaven ordains suffering for us because he loves us (Heb. 12:6). He is weaning us from a love of this world, transforming us by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2), and will complete the good work he began in us (Phil. 1:6). May we rest in the surety of his covenant promise that, even amid suffering and trial, he will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

Editors’ note: This excerpt is adapted from Brian Cosby’s new book, A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Suffering: How God Shapes Us through Pain and Tragedy (Christian Focus, 2015). For a more extensive survey of these five points, see Cosby’s book Suffering and Sovereignty: John Flavel and the Puritans on Afflictive Providence (Reformation Heritage, 2012).

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SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC NUDITY PERMITTED IN PRIDE PARADE

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The recent San Francisco Pride Parade featured nude adults walking around in front of children and a “Fetish Zone” where men urinated on each other in a kiddie pool and performed other sex acts.

Do you believe a God of righteousness will allow this to continue? Thank goodness Jesus told us that this lawlessness would precede His return to deal with Satan, and his Antichrist, and restore righteousness.

Most mainstream media outlets that covered the event neglected to cover its lewder aspects, with the San Francisco Chronicle running with the headline: “SF Pride Parade draws thousands celebrating LGBTQ community: ‘We love our people'” “Pride takes over San Francisco streets with eye-catching costumes and fantastic floats,” read the headline from SFGate.

Multiple reporters on the ground over the weekend posted graphic footage on X of the annual event that receives millions in donations from corporations and civic organizations in San Francisco. The ATF and FBI also participated in the parade, according to footage obtained by TENET Media.

TENET Media field reporter Taylor Hansen interviewed multiple nude men on the street who attempted to justify their public nudity in front of children as natural and sometimes even good for them.

“None of the crybabies and parents who complain about it can ever explain exactly how a child is harmed by seeing the human body, and every study that’s been done on the subject shows that it’s not harmful. Children who grow up with it are more well-adjusted,” said one naked man who described himself as “a nudist and an artist.”

Footage taken by reporter Savanah Hernandez at the event’s Fetish Zone showed a bearded man in an inflatable kiddie pool being urinated on by a woman as others around them watched. Hernandez reported that despite the area being 18+, the attendant was not checking IDs. Footage of the same pool taken by Hansen showed a similar situation, but which also included fellatio. When Hansen approached police about the incident, they reportedly told him it was a “pick your own battles kind of day.” Other booths in the Fetish Zone reportedly featured men getting whipped and spanked, as well as other simulated sex acts.

This is clear evidence we are in the Biblical prophesied last days before Jesus returns so we need to tell our unsaved loved ones and friends that it is also the time when God pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world with the Trumpet (Rev. 8:1-11:19) and Bowl (Rev. 16:1-21) judgements.

“The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up…” Revelation 8:1

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.” Revelation 16:1-2

How many churches are making disciples that will preach this Gospel message?

QUANTUM COMPUTING Vs CLASSICAL COMPUTING

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If you have not read my previous report Quantum Computing and How It Will Affect the Job Market then you need to do so before you read this post.

Quicker processing speeds mean that computers can tackle more complex problems, which will improve predictive analytics, pattern recognition, and complex optimization tasks.

The implications here are hard to understate. While classical computers have made tremendous gains over the decades, we’re talking about a complete paradigm shift with quantum computing. You can throw Moore’s Law – which states that the number of transistors on a microchip (and, in turn, computing power) doubles approximately every two years – out the window.

Up until recently, building a quantum computer was prohibitively expensive. They were overwhelmingly complex and massive, and they needed to be kept in stable laboratory conditions and cooled to nearly absolute zero (-459 degrees Fahrenheit).

In other words, they were confined to academic research labs and a few well-heeled tech companies.

But thanks to a single piece of technology called an ion trapper, that’s all about to change…

Made of a composite group of highly specialized materials including silicon, quartz, and sapphire, an ion trapper uses electrically charged atoms to store and manipulate qubits. (A qubit is the quantum version of the classic binary bit.) The important thing to know is that this approach promises to take quantum computing out of the physics lab.

We’re talking about the first-ever commercially viable quantum computer. It will potentially be:

  • Able to operate at room temperature,
  • A fraction of the size of traditional quantum computers,
  • Stable enough to operate in any environment,
  • And as simple to use as any laptop.

Hopefully, all who read this can appreciate that what we are exploring is the complex world that God created for mankind. We can only do this because God created us in His image with some of the creative abilities that He possesses.

Sadly, we know from Biblical prophecy that the world we live in is like the world was at the time Noah lived. It has rejected God and is lawless and it will come under the control of Satan and his Antichrist. The good news is we know in advance that Satan and his Antichrist’s reign is short. As prophesied, Jesus will return, first to rescue the Saints and God pours out His wrath upon the Earth with the Trumpet (Revelation 8:6 to Rev 11:15) and Bowl (Revelation 16:1-21) judgements. Jesus then returns to Earth to defeat Satan and the Antichrist at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21).

Victorious Jesus sets up His Millennial Kingdom with glorified Saints. If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth, follow this website and go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net.

HUNDREDS COMMITTED TO FOLLOW JESUS AT WILL GRAHAM’S ‘LOOK UP’ CELEBRATION ON AUSTRALIA’S GOLD COAST

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In Queensland’s Gold Coast (equiv. Miami, Florida) known for its entertainment and nightlife, an Evangelical event drew large crowds. Thousands attended the July 7th “Look Up Celebration,” led by Will Graham at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, committed to following Jesus.

“God moved mightily,” Graham wrote on Facebook. “As I shared about God’s love with a crowd of more than 4,600 people gathered at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, hundreds decided to put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. Would you join me in praying for these new believers and for God to continue to work in the Gold Coast?”

“People have money, titles, degrees, possessions, but spiritually they’re wandering,” Graham said. “You may be searching and wandering. Tonight, God wants you to come home to Him.” 

“Many people believe there are multiple ways to God, but that’s not what the Bible says,” Will Graham told the crowd. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6 There’s only one way to God, and that’s through His Son, Jesus Christ, and what He did on the cross. Jesus bled and died to pay the debt so that you and I can have a relationship with God.”

The event culminated with hundreds responding to Graham’s call to begin a new faith journey, visibly moving toward the stage to publicly commit to following Jesus Christ, said the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

Over 380 churches and more than 1,000 volunteers contributed to the preparation of the “Look Up Celebration,” BGEA added. The preparation included a Christian Life and Witness Course, aimed at educating participants on living and sharing their faith.

A prayer counselor identified only as Trinity, said it was like a revival. “I haven’t seen anything like this since I’ve been here,” he said. “It’s life-changing. There’s no greater miracle than the saving of souls. Tonight, I know there’s not just a celebration here with us, but there’s a celebration in Heaven.”

Will has shared the Gospel with more than 1 million people across six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006, according to BGEA.

QUANTUM COMPUTING AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT THE JOB MARKET

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Look what happened in the 1970s. Robots started becoming widely used in manufacturing… Corporations began using computers to automate routine tasks… record keeping, database management, accounting… Spreadsheet software could do the work of dozens of entry and mid-level workers…

This put incredible downward pressure on our value as workers… and pay. Technology slashes the number of people needed to do a job or complete a task. Technology is a deflationary force on wages.

The blame for America’s huge and rapidly growing wealth divide is often pinned on politics, race, interest rates, or our money. The truth is, it’s a force FAR larger and more powerful than any of those things. And it’s rarely talked about. The ROOT CAUSE of wealth inequality is technology.

The American worker hasn’t received a meaningful raise in pay since the 1970s. Americans have no money anymore because they’re not being paid. One of the most fundamental ideas of America itself is the belief that anyone who works hard and perseveres can get ahead. That is just no longer true. No matter how hard they work – or how well their investments do – people struggle to get ahead… while going deeper and deeper into debt.

In the modern digital economy, a rising tide no longer lifts all boats… just the mega yachts.

This is the biggest problem our country now faces. Being drastically underpaid and underappreciated is something people can only take for so long. America’s streets are quickly becoming ground zero for a class war that’s been building for years. As this crisis worsens, everyone left behind will turn to more extreme measures, creating an upheaval like we’ve never seen before. It will be a war between the haves and have nots. The people who understand this technology and everyone else.

This will have huge implications for the political landscape in the coming years. The outcry over low pay, joblessness, and wealth inequality will lead to American political power tilting more and more towards big government… towards socialist thinking.

Now, large percentages of wealthy households don’t earn enough income to repay their debts. The single-digit millionaire is the new middle class. Politicians will never allow tens of millions of citizens to go bankrupt. The only plausible solution is a nationwide program from which all citizens receive a regular minimum income, without a need to work… A Universal Basic Income. Some might think “There’s no way this could really happen… Not here.” However numerous pilot programs are already underway across the country. Many are being touted as huge successes… with full support from Tech’s top business leaders… And why wouldn’t they? Universal basic income is a dream come true for Big Tech. It’s like a subsidy for the digital elite. Why pay the salaries of millions of hard-working Americans when Uncle Sam will do it for you? That’s the new era into which we are entering.

Certain things are inevitable right now. Corporate bankruptcies will increase as AI and quantum computing go mainstream. New technology drives out old. Not everyone will adapt. Not everyone can adapt. Many of the companies that won’t make it are sitting in retirement accounts, IRAs, and 401(k)s as we speak… We saw this with the Internet revolution. Amazon killed hundreds of retail chains… Uber destroyed cabs… Netflix killed Blockbuster… The iPhone was the death knell for Kodak.

The percentage of stocks that produce good returns is about to go way down. The percentage of stocks that turn out to be losers is about to go way up. It’s like a wealth divide in the stock market. This has already started.

Millions of high-paying jobs will be reduced or eliminated as well… Regardless of what you do… Sometime in the next 5 years, you or someone you know will be replaced by a robot or an algorithm that does that job better. One that never sleeps, never vacations, never gets sick, doesn’t need healthcare or a 401(k).

As it worsens, we’ll see more and more people falling behind. There will be riots, protests, and violence on a scale we’ve never seen before. This is prophesied in God’s Word, the Bible, as the state of the world before Jesus returns to restore righteousness and rule and reign on the Earth for another 1,000 years. Bible prophecy warns us that we are approaching the last seven years before Jesus returns. It will be a time of intense persecution of Christians.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away, betray, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13

HUMAN BEINGS WERE MADE TO “IMAGE” GOD

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This life-changing truth comes from Martyn Isle’s book WHO AM I? Solving the identity puzzle.

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

When we read that verse we learn that mankind clearly reflected and embodied something that was God’s. In Colossians and Ephesians, the Apostle Paul connects the “new self”, after we have received the Holy Spirit, with the image of God, and in doing so he tells us what the image is.

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:9-10

The same thought is expressed in Ephesians, this time the “new self” is described according to the likeness of God, which is also Genesis 1:27 language. The template of the “new self” is the image and likeness of God.

“Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:23-24

Scripture tells us that the whole of God’s nature may be summarised in that sacred word “HOLY”. First, it means sinless and perfect. So Adam and Eve were made sinless and perfect. But when we refer to the holiness of God, it refers to all aspects of His perfection and character traits. So we can assume that all of God’s character traits were able to be demonstrated by Adam and Eve because of their holiness. They were able to radiantly image Him and reflect His glory. This includes His love, grace, mercy, righteousness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc. But to be made in God’s image means to be made with the knowledge of God. Adam and Eve knew God. They spoke to Him directly, and He with them, so rationality, objectivity, creativity, love, and other such abilities cannot be irrelevant to God’s image. We have all these unique abilities so that we may apply them to the great high calling of God’s image on the human race. They enable us to be holy. They enable us to act righteously. They enable us to know God. These are the ends for which they are designed. This is what we should use our special faculties for. The more we know about God, the more we discover who we ought to be, and the more we want to be that person.

Take the human mind as one example. It is unique. We apply it rightly when we use it to grow in the knowledge of God. When the mind is renewed by that knowledge, it changes our whole person, teaching us to reject sin, embrace righteousness, and be holy. It also animates our lives to do small and big things in a way that serves God.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

When we understand the truth about what God’s image is, we understand the high calling on our lives. Mostly, when we hear people say that humans are made in God’s image, we hear them say it as if that’s the end of the story. It is not the end of the story. It is better to put it this way: human beings were made to image God. We should not think about it as a status, we should think about it as our calling.

It is our calling to be holy, righteous, and to know God. It is how we live up to our purpose of bearing God’s image.

TIMING OF GOD’S COMING WRATH

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Imagine how the disciples felt when near the end of Jesus’ ministry He told them, three times, He was going to die and now He had just told them the temple would be destroyed. It was all bad news so the following conversation between Jesus and the disciples is understandable. Fortunately, Jesus gave them and us incredible details on what will take place before His second coming to Earth and it is not good news for believers because the world will be like it was before God poured out His wrath upon the Earth, the first time with Noah’s Flood.

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:3, 9-14

This is one of the reasons that for me the Bible is the word of God and therefore the true history of the world. It does not paint a “pretty picture” of the end as most “made-up” stories do.

JONATHAN CAHN REVEALS THE END-TIMES SIGNS OF THE DRAGON

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Dragons in New York City! A Dragon on Wall Street. A Dragon on the Empire State Building. What is happening? Jonathan shows us that these are just end times signs that God is giving us to show that Jesus return to Earth is soon. We are in the Biblical prophesied time of the end of the Dragon’s (Satan) rule over planet Earth. Jesus will then rule the world with the nation, Israel, that God established for His purposes on Earth taking its rightful place as the lead nation of the world.

Even before the people of Israel went into the Promised Land, just before Moses died, he was told by God to teach them this song so that it will be a witness to Jews even to this day.

“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.” So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel. Deuteronomy 39:19-22

Be on the winning side. Be strong in the Lord and be victorious.