What is the difference?

There are different kinds of joys on earth and different kinds of joys in heaven. But to be IN heaven is far better (Philippians 1:23).

We are in the faith chapter, Hebrews 11 and in class we discussed the vast difference between the faith GOD requires (Hebrews 11:6) and the believing of the demons (James 2:19).

Hebrews 11:⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he, that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.

That one verse shows us 3 things GOD equates as FAITH that allows us to go to HIM.

1-We must believe that HE is

2-We must diligently seek HIM

3-We must believe that GOD rewards those who diligently (continually, earnestly) seek HIM

James 2:¹⁹ You believe that there is one GOD; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

The vast difference between the devil’s BELIEF (mental acknowledgement) that GOD is, and FAITH (trust in JESUS saving work on the cross) is that they do not diligently seek HIM (they oppose HIM), and they do not believe that GOD will reward their seeking.

That discussion lead to another issue we find in Genesis 6:1-5, Jude 1:6, 2 Peter 2:4-5. Remember in the bible, context is a big factor.

Notice that the Genesis account and the 2 Peter account both connect angels with the wickedness of mankind and the birth of giants.

The big question comes from something JESUS said. Mark 12:²⁵ For when they (you and me) shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given IN marriage; but are as the angels which are IN heaven.

People have taken that to mean that angels are sexless. But that is not what it says.

I want to share something that came to mind as I talked with the LORD that may help us understand how angels could become sexually active on earth and how it applies to you and me.

IN heaven angels are IN the Presence of GOD and fully satisfied. It is when they crossed over GOD’s boundaries for them (Jude 1:6) and left their place with GOD to follow Lucifer (Satan) to take over earth that earthly desires invaded them. Then when they saw beautiful human girls they chose and married them and from their unions there were giants in the world, men of great wisdom and skill and many had extra toes and fingers (2 Samuel 21:20). This crossover of two kinds of beings not just created super humans, it resulted it horrible wickedness to the extent that the thoughts of the imagination of their hearts were only evil continually and GOD had to destroy all who refused to look to HIM.

That relates to us because when we are IN the Presence of GOD (when seeking HIM) earthly lusts fade but when surrounded in the world with temptations, lusts escalate unless we run to GOD for help (Hebrews 4:16). If we allow ourselves to give in to the temptations, sin escalates in our lives until do not see sin as sin anymore. Actually, that is what has happened here in America as we have shoved GOD out of our schools and lives.

Back to JESUS’ statement, IN heaven there will be no marriage because like the angels IN heaven (focused on GOD) we will be totally satisfied being with JESUS and have other things to think about.

Hugs

Sharon

What time is it?

So much is happening all around the world, yet we know what time period we are in, for GOD the FATHER tells us in Hebrews 1:1 that previously HE spoke to people through prophets but now in these last days HE speaks to us through HIS SON (JESUS CHRIST our LORD).

Now the (HOLY) SPIRIT speaks expressly that in the latter time (this time we are now in) will be a time of seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Have you ever pondered the truth JESUS proclaimed when HE rebuked Peter declaring man’s thinking comes from Satan (Matthew 16:23)? Ephesians 2:2 also states the world’s way of thinking, its wisdom is from the prince of the power of the air working within them. The world’s thinking comes from and is what the devil thinks!

JESUS emphatically declared, “Why do you not understand MY words? Even because you cannot hear MY word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do” (John 43-44)

2 Corinthians 4:³ But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  ⁴ In whom the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.

We become blind when we turn away from what GOD says to what Satan says. Satan’s deception of Eve, which caused her blindness, was simply telling her what he himself thought. “I will be like the Most HIGH” (Isaiah 14:14).  The devil told her, “you shall be like GOD” (Genesis 3:5).  You see HE gives men his very own thoughts, but he does not reveal his aim for he is a deceiver and a liar.

In the New Testament the Greek word, daimonia, refers to the gods of the world. It’s not surprising that this Greek word for gods in the New Testament is actually the same word translated as “demons.” There is a very important revelation here and one to be taken very seriously.

The gods of the world are embodiments and representatives of demonic beings. That doesn’t just go for ancient religions; the modern world has its gods, too. Doors are opened to the demonic in the form of materialism, alcoholism, sensuality, lust, pornography, love of money, greed, position (jealousy) and control (anger and manipulation). When you indulge in these things, you are actually worshipping and serving demons (1 Corinthians 10:21, Revelation 9:20)

That is a horrible thing! You should have nothing to do with it. Any idol is a god, and any god except for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY of the Bible is a demon. The very thought that you are serving the demonic should be enough to make you get any unclean, unholy thing or thought out of your life once and for all! There is only One True and Living God who is the source of everything good (James 1:17). Every other source is just demonic.

The natural mind, the worldly mind, is under the influence of Satan and thinks GOD’s words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). It cannot understand GOD’s words without the HOLY SPIRIT’s conviction explaining sin, what is right, and the coming judgment to them (John 16:8).  

Only GOD knows what HE is thinking.  No one, not even believers in JESUS can understand GOD’s thoughts without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).  If you question that statement, check out Acts 1:2.

The 1^st time I really saw what Acts 1:2 said, it blew me away.  JESUS, GOD the SON, was giving the apostles, one HE had personally chosen, commandments. But only as the HOLY SPIRIT explained JESUS meaning to them, did they know what JESUS meant.  Wow!

Satan is included in that no one can understand the words of GOD (even though he knows and misquotes the bible) without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining GOD’s word to him. For the devil is a created being and not GOD (1 Corinthians 2:11,14).

Although Satan is very intelligent and has thousands of years of experience, and knows man well, the devil cannot understand GOD’s plans or GOD’s Word. That is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes (demons) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.”

I encourage you, every morning go to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and ask GOD  in JESUS name to keep you from all deception.  For we are commanded to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Hugs

Sharon

GOD is working

Sometimes the fiery darts of the enemy come swift and fast but our marvelous Creator the Great ALMIGHTY GOD who made heaven and earth with all its color and variety is still in control HE has promised, and HE cannot lie, that HE will work ALL things (the good, the bad and the ugly) together for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).

hugs

Sharon L Manning

Is GOD Good?

What is GOD like?  Your answer to that question will be seen in how you act, for the character of the worshiper will always be molded by the character of what he worships.  If your GOD is critical and demanding, those qualities will show up in you as well.  Therefore, it is essential that we think rightly about GOD. The ALMIGHTY, GOD our heavenly FATHER has promised that every believer in JESUS will be transformed slowly, a step at a time into the wonderful image (character likeness) of JESUS CHRIST our LORD (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Truth is a revelation of reality, to know the truth is not just learning facts but to know the truth is to accept its reality and live accordingly. “GOD’s Word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth about GOD is revealed both in HIS creation and in HIS written Word.

GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT (spoke to) moved on the hearts of men and they spoke GOD’s word or wrote it down and we have GOD’s Word preserved in the Bible for us (2 Peter 1:21).  “GOD’s Word is living and powerful, sharper than any 2-edged sword…it is a discerner of thoughts and the intents of heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

“YOU are good and do good, teach me YOUR statutes” (Psalm 119:68). GOD spoke (GOD’s word) and things were created (Genesis 1:3) and GOD said, “It is good.” The initial creation was good for GOD is good.

There is a lie going around, a lie presented to mankind in the garden of Eden.  The Liar inferred that GOD was keeping something good from Eve, something that would benefit her.  In effect he was saying that GOD was not being good to her.  She believed the liar over GOD for it appealed to her senses and we are still reaping from that choice.  The devil uses the same lie on us today.

When something we perceive as bad happens many, even Christians say, “How could a good GOD let this happen?” I know I have thought it a time or two myself.  When one doubts the goodness of GOD it opens the door to disobedience and leads to independence of GOD.

Yes, it is true GOD is Sovereign and could stop anything.  But HE tells us up front that HIS ways are not our ways, and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts but as high as the heavens are above the earth so much higher are HIS thoughts than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  That means we cannot always understand what HE does and what HE allows.  It is at those times we must cling to what we know is true about GOD.

Look out your window and see GOD’s Power and order, HIS wisdom and love beauty in HIS creation.  Then, turn your eyes to JESUS and see GOD’s love of mankind, HIS generosity, HIS humbleness, yes, HIS goodness.

GOD says that HE works all thing together (like stirring them into a pot) for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).  HE says that everything is for our benefit (2 Corinthians 4:15) and that our troubles are achieving for us (believers in JESUS) an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses the pain of today and HE urges us to look beyond what we can see (our situation) to that which we can’t see (those things HE is achieving for us through our situation) for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen it eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

When my infant son died, and I cried out in despair for GOD to bring him back, there came a still awareness that this was the will of GOD.  HE had a purpose, as HE always does (Ezekiel 14:23), a purpose for good not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).  Looking back although I miss my 1^st boy I know some of the good GOD intended and brought out of Little Mac’s death.  “Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:24).  The first thing his death accomplished was to bring me back to JESUS for I had wandered away as a teen.  We are told GOD has preset the exact times and places for the purpose that men would reach out to HIM (Acts 17:26 last clause-27) and that it did for me.  Because of my boy’s death many others have reached out to GOD and have found comfort and eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

Good does not mean easy.  Some of GOD’s ways seem very  hard but they achieve good. Let us never forget, that though we may not understand why, we can know GOD is good!

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).

Hugs

Sharon

Send forth the arrows of Light

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD (Psalm 18:6)

He shot out HIS arrows of light (HIS word is sent forth) and scattered the enemy

HIS lightning flashed and confused the enemy (Psalm 18:14)

GOD says, “MY word that goes forth from MY mouth it will accomplish all that I send for it to do and will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)

“The entrance of Thy Word gives light” (Psalm 119:130)

Each time JESUS was attacked with the temptations from Satan’s lips, JESUS simply said, “It is written…” and HE spoke aloud the Word of GOD and stood on the Word of GOD. (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10-11).  After several tries, the devil left for a season.

When we are being tempted and cry out to the LORD for help (Hebrews 4:16) GOD will send for HIS arrows of light (the Word of truth) and  GOD’s truth will come into our minds.  If we speak it out loud and stand on that truth and in that way resist the devil, he must eventually flee from us (James 4:7).

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2)

Hugs

Sharon