Belief in God and “Gut Feelings” by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2467

Belief in God and “Gut Feelings”

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

In September of this year, Stephanie Pappas wrote an article for LiveScience titled, “Belief in God Boils Down to a Gut Feeling.” In that article, she explained that researchers from Harvard University recently “discovered” that people who are more apt to trust their first intuitions are more likely to believe in God than those people who stop and reflect on those intuitions. In order to test this idea, the researchers gave participants a math test that consisted of three problems with questions such as: “A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?” (Pappas, 2011). As Pappas explained, the intuitive answer is 10 cents, but that is wrong. Those who gave answers such as 10 cents, instead of the correct answer of 5 cents for the test were “one-and-a-half times more likely to believe in God than those who got all the answers right” (Pappas, emp. added). Using this and other test results, the researchers concluded that intuitive thinkers, or those who follow their gut feelings, are more likely to believe in God than more reflective types. David Rand, one of the researchers, stated: “It’s not that one way is better than the other. Intuitions are important and reflection is important, and you want some balance of the two. Where you are on that spectrum affects how you come out in terms of belief in God” (Pappas).

Now let us take a critical look at what is really going on with this most recent Harvard “study.” First, why do you think LiveScience is reporting on a study about belief in God? Do you think it is because the scientific community has had a sudden change of heart and now believes the concept of God to be one that can be verified scientifically? Of course not. On the contrary, this “study” is in LiveScience in an attempt to reduce belief in God to a function of a certain type of brain chemistry or thought process—and an inferior one at that. Notice that David Rand concludes that “where you are on the spectrum affects how you come out in terms of belief in God.” If it so happens that you are an intuitive thinker, then you do not really control whether you believe in God or not, it is just that your thinking is more open to the possibility. If you are a more “reflective” thinker, then there is a good chance you cannot help your lack of a belief in God; it is just the way you think. In other words, belief in God is a function of your physical chemistry (an ultimately evolution) rather than your God-given ability to rationally make a choice.

Furthermore, notice that while the researchers were quick to say that one way of thinking is not superior to the other, it was the “intuitive” thinkers who got the very simple math problems wrong, and those are the people who tend to believe in God more. Observe the implied deficiency associated with a belief in God. Those who are more likely to believe in God cannot even answer simple math problems. It should be noted that this “study” was of an extremely small group of people and had no substantial “scientific” information to add to the question about belief in God.

Unfortunately, it is true that many in the religious world erroneously believe in God due to emotions and feelings rather than reason and evidence. True biblical faith is not founded on personal feelings and emotions, instead it is based on reflection (i.e., reason and evidence, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). While the Harvard study may hint at how some people in the religious world come to belief in God, the study fails to account for those whose faith is legitimate—being based on reflection of the evidence. Further, in the same way that many believe in God based on “intuition” rather than “reflection,” a fair assessment would be to note that there are just as many people who fail to believe in God because they are unwilling to draw the conclusions that come from proper reflection of the evidence (e.g., design in the Universe, causality, etc.). An appropriate counter study to this Harvard research, which would provide a more complete picture of the truth, would be to determine how many do not believe in God because of an inherent bias against Him (due, for instance, to some event in their past or a desire to live without moral restraint) and/or because those individuals have a tendency in their lives to not draw appropriate conclusions that are warranted by the evidence (in contradiction to the Law of Rationality; Ruby, 1960, pp. 126-127).

Attempts by the atheistic scientific community to reduce belief in God to genetics, brain cells, digestion, or the color of a person’s eyes are legion—and all equally unsuccessful. The bottom line is that belief in God will never be successfully linked to any physical trait, pattern of brain cells, genetic variation, and certainly not to a method of reasoning that causes a person to miss simple math problems. On the contrary, all those who sincerely desire to use proper reasoning (Acts 26:24) to follow the truth where it leads (John 18:37), will arrive at the correct conclusion that God exists (Miller, 2011). If people do not believe in God, it is not because of their genes or their “reflective” capacities; it is because they have refused to properly assess the evidence that God has provided. Sadly, those people will be “without excuse” on the Day of Judgment (Romans 1:20).

REFERENCES

Miller, Dave (2011), “Is Christianity Rational?” http://apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=977.

Pappas, Stephani (2011), “Belief in God Boils Down to a Gut Feeling,” LiveScience, http://news.yahoo.com/belief-god-boils-down-gut-feeling-104403461.html.

Ruby, Lionel (1960), Logic: An Introduction (Chicago, IL: J.B. Lippincott).

Bee Flight Physics by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=813

Bee Flight Physics

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

In 1934, using mathematical calculations, French entomologist August Magnan concluded that bee flight was aerodynamically impossible. The haphazard flapping of their wings simply should not enable bees to fly. The mystery that has perplexed scientists ever since (due to inadequate understanding of aerodynamic theory) is now believed to have been clarified. Using high-speed digital cameras and a giant robotic model of a bee wing, bioengineers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas have been studying honeybee flight in an effort to determine how bees fly (Alt­shuler, et al., 2005). They discovered that bees operate with the same basic aerodynamic principles that facilitate flight capability in other flying creatures, including velocity, wing stroke amplitude, stroke reversals, wingbeat frequency, and wing length. They simply utilize these principles in different proportions and combinations.

Why? Why would bees operate on altered aerodynamic principles? The scientists do not know. They speculate that since bees consume floral nectar, they possess “excess power available for ecologically useful but aerodynamically expensive behaviors” (102[50]:18218). Observe that “ecologically useful” implies that bee flight is specifically suited to bee activity—which is another way to say that a bee is strategically and deliberately designed to fulfill its function efficiently. The scientists compare honeybees to hummingbirds “that are able to forage for high-energy nectar rewards by using more energetically demanding flight” (102[50]:18218, emp. added). In other words, the use of adjusted aerodynamic principles is not due to alleged inherited evolutionary inefficiency; rather, it is the result of deliberate design calculated to achieve different objectives and accommodate different purposes. Hummingbirds do not fly like sparrows—because they are not sparrows! And bees do not fly like mosquitoes—because they are not mosquitoes! Each flying creature’s flight capabilities are specifically suited to accommodate its created purpose and function.

Do bees have any specific needs in order to accomplish their peculiar functions? Yes, and the scientists, themselves, offer the following: “Honeybees and other hymenopterans [the order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants—DM] need to carry much heavier loads that may actually exceed body mass in numerous contexts, including undertaking, prey transport, and foraging for nectar or pollen” (102[50]:18218). Again, in other words, bee flight is specifically designed to accommodate the tasks that bees perform. But design demands a designer! Design requires an intelligence that exceeds the blind, mechanistic forces of nature.

Here is the conclusion set forth by the researchers:

In conclusion, our analysis of honeybee aerodynamics reveals how the rapid low-amplitude wing motion of bees is sufficient to maintain the weight of the animal. [We knew that—DM.] Furthermore, honeybees exhibit considerable ability to generate excess aerodynamic power, which they accomplish by raising stroke amplitude while maintaining constant frequency. This ability may be related to requirements of social insects to carry loads related to foraging, undertaking, and brood transport (102[50]:18218, emp. added).

Notice: the bee deliberately generates extra aerodynamic power. Why? The scientists speculate that it is due to the bee’s need to carry out its social duties—the requirements it possesses due to its place in the insect social order. My friend, such a circumstance has intelligent design written all over it. Such complexity, such design, such planning, and such purpose could not have happened without a Mind. That Mind is none other than the God of the Bible:

Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power.... For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 40:26; 45:18).

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11).

REFERENCE

Altshuler, Douglas L., William B. Dickson, Jason T. Vance, Stephen P. Roberts, and Michael H. Dickinson (2005), “Short-Amplitude High-Frequency Wing Strokes Determine the Aerodynamics of Honeybee Flight,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 102[50]:18213-18218, December 13.

Bat “Vision” by Caleb Colley, Ph.D.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1450

Bat “Vision”

by	Caleb Colley, Ph.D.

Bats often fly speedily through stalactite-filled caves and seemingly impenetrable wooded areas. For bats, one wrong move or turn can mean serious injury or death. Contrary to popular opinion, most bats possess at least decent vision. However, bats’ hearing is so sensitive that, for navigational purposes, bats use their ears more than their eyes. Bats are capable of emitting a sound that humans cannot hear. Some species use this very high-pitched, shrill tone when flying to determine what is in front of them (see “Echolocation,” n.d.). The sound bounces off objects in a bat’s path, and the bat hears the echo. Amazingly, the bat is able to determine precisely the direction he should fly in order to avoid smashing into the looming object. This process is referred to as “echolocation.” Bats also use echolocation to find food, especially flying insects.

Bats make this sound from a few, to two hundred, times per second. Do not confuse this sound with the squeaky noise you hear when you stand next to the bat exhibit at your local zoo. That noise is made by bats when they are frustrated, excited, or mating. Bats use different sounds, along with their large ears, to perform echolocation. Scientists use bat detectors to transpose the sounds to a lower frequency—one that humans can hear (see “California Underground...,” 1999). Not all bats, however, use echolocation; approximately 200 species of fruit bats in Africa, Asia, and Australia have larger eyes and are able to use their sharp vision to quickly negotiate obstacles.

Other animals, including dolphins and orca and beluga whales, use echolocation under water, like sonar signals (see “Echolocation”). The process of echolocation also has been observed in terrestrial mammals such as rodents, insectivores, Megachiroptera, and in nocturnal cave-dwelling oil birds and cave swiftlets (see Uy, 1994, p. 1; Blackshear, n.d., p. 1.). In addition, scientific research over the past fifty years has revealed that the auditory system is a major tool employed by blind humans as a means of perception.

Did the complex auditory and navigation systems of bats evolve, as many would have us believe?

REFERENCES

Blackshear, Jim (no date), “A Research Proposal: Echolocation—How Can We Best Teach It?,” Stephen F. Austin State University, [On-line], URL: http://hubel.sfasu.edu/courseinfo/SL02/jb2echolocation.htm.

“California Underground: Bat Echolocation Station” (1999), Oakland Museum of California, [On-line], URL: http://www.museumca.org/caves/onli_echo.html.

“Echolocation” (no date), National Parks Conservation Association, [On-line], URL: http://www.eparks.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/bats/echolocation.asp.

Uy, Christine (1994), “ ‘Seeing’ Sounds: Echolocation by Blind Humans,” ed. Bridget Wagner, Tony Chen, Harvard Undergraduate Society for Neuroscience, [On-line], URL: http://hcs.harvard.edu/husn/BRAIN/vol1/echo.html.

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Jesus Calms The Storm (4:35-41) by Mark Copeland

 

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

              Jesus Calms The Storm (4:35-41)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following a day full of teaching activity...
   a. Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to sail across the Sea of Galilee - Mk 4:35-36
   b. A windstorm arose, beating waves into the boat - Mk 4:37
   c. Jesus was sleeping, but was wakened by His disciples fearing their lives - Mk 4:38
   d. Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the seas - Mk 4:39
   e. He then reproached His disciples for their fear and lack of faith- Mk 4:40
   f. Filled with great fear, His disciples expressed their awe of Jesus to one another - Mk 4:41

2. The account of Jesus calming the storm is well-known...
   a. Popular in many children's Bible classes
   b. The setting for the song "Master, The Tempest Is Raging"

[Many sermons and lessons have been based on this amazing miracle of
Jesus.  In this sermon, we shall touch on just a few lessons that can be
gleaned from this event, beginning with the fact that...]

I. WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM STORMS

   A. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE HUMANS...
      1. Being Jesus' disciples did not protect them from storms
      2. We live in a world where there are many storms, both literal and figurative
      3. Christians experience literal tornados, hurricanes, just like everyone else
      4. Christians likewise face storms such as sickness, accidents, disappointments, death
      5. Paul certainly experience the perils of storms and shipwrecks- 2Co 11:25-26
      -- Jesus does not promise exemption from the normal storms of life

   B. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS...
      1. Jesus warned that we will experience tribulation as His disciples - Jn 16:33
      2. Paul did, and warned his fellow disciples - 2Co 11:24-25; Ac14:22; 2Ti 3:12
      3. Peter wrote that we should not be surprised - 1Pe 4:12
      -- Jesus does not promise exemption from the storms of religious persecution

[So if we find ourselves in the midst of storms, whether literal or
figurative, whether its because we are simply humans or because we are
Christians, do not think it strange.  Instead take heart knowing that...]

II. JESUS HELPS US DEAL WITH STORMS

   A. THROUGH FAITH...
      1. During storms, we are often afraid ("we are perishing!") - Mk  4:38
      2. Jesus teaches that fear is indicative of a lack of faith - Mk 4:40
      3. To overcome fear in storms, we need to grow in faith!
         a. Faith that God will protect us if it be His will - cf. Ps 46:1-3
         b. Faith that God will deliver us to His heavenly city even if we die - Ps 46:4-5,10-11
      -- Jesus reveals the role of faith in the midst of storms

   B. THROUGH HIS WORD...
      1. Jesus' words prepare us to withstand the storms of life - Mt 7:24-27
      2. How to pray in order to be heard by God - Mt 6:5-8
      3. To lay up treasure in heaven instead of on earth - Mt 6:19-21
      4. To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness - Mt 6:31-34
      -- Jesus shares the secrets to standing strong against the storms of life

   C. THROUGH PRAYER...
      1. Jesus is key to receiving mercy and grace to help in time of need - He 4:14-16; 7:25
      2. In anxious times, God offers peace to guard our hearts and
         minds in Christ Jesus through prayer - Php 4:6-7
      -- Jesus stands ready to calm our hearts and minds when facing storms

   D. THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE...
      1. The greatest "storm" all of us will face will be the Day of Judgment - 2Pe 3:7,10-12
      2. A day in which we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ - 2Co 5:10
      3. But Christ shed His blood to spare us on that Day - Ro 5:6-10
      4. By obeying the gospel, we can have our names added to the
         Lamb's book of life and escape condemnation for our sins - cf.
         Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; Re 20:11-15
      -- Jesus stands ready to save us and protect us from the "perfect storm" to come

CONCLUSION

1. Everyone will face one or more storms in his or her life...
   a. Whether literally or metaphorically
   b. Whether atheist or believer

2. How shall we react when the time(s) come...?
   a. Shall we cry out like the disciples who were weak in faith ("we are perishing!")?
   b. Or shall we weather the storms with confident faith and calm repose?

3. And how shall we stand on when the final storm comes...?
   a. The "perfect storm", that is, the Day of Judgment?
   b. Shall we hear Jesus say, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit
      the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"? - cf. Mt 25:34
   c. Or will we hear Him say, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the
      everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels"? - cf. Mt 25:41

When Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea, "Peace, be still", the
wind ceased and there was a great calm.  The disciples, with fear and amazement, said:

      "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

The wind and the sea obeyed Jesus.  Shall we not obey Him who now has
all authority in heaven and on earth...? - cf. Mt 28:18-20  

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Eliminate any Hint of Sexual Impropriety by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2017/06/02/eliminate-any-hint-of-sexual-impropriety/

Eliminate any Hint of Sexual Impropriety

In her book, Settle For More, Megyn Kelly relates a time early in her broadcasting career about a rumor regarding her relationship with Britt Hume, her boss and  managing editor of the DC bureau of Fox News.

Radar Online started the story. Kelly was called a “Hume wrecker.” And she was furious. Megyn wrote that there was no romantic relationship between the two of them–“not a single inappropriate or even borderline moment, ever.”

The next day Hume came into Kelly’s office with a “half-cocked grin” and asked, “Have you seen Radar?”

Kelly was not amused. She feared people would assume the worse. But Hume replied, “They won’t. Because we didn’t have an affair.” Then he offered this insightful answer.

“Therefore, there will never be proof of an affair. There will never be a text, a photograph, a phone bill, a doorman, a driver, an email, or anything whatsoever that suggests an affair. And people will come to see that it’s a lie.”

Hume’s reasoning was right. Later the person who began the vicious rumor was found and fired from their job.

This story reminds me of the Bible warning regarding sexual purity in Ephesians 5:3. “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

Did you get it?

“Not even a hint.”

In a world that winks at loose morals, it’s too easy for Christians to become influenced by what our culture approves, instead of what God commands. While the Bible condemns fornication, adultery and homosexual behavior, it also warns us against lust, lewdness, and lasciviousness. (Gal. 5:19-21). These are called “the works of the flesh.”

We are to have nothing to do with thoughts, fantasies, or actions that even suggest impurity. Sexual purity is more, much more than just refraining from illicit sexual relationships. It begins in the mind. In the heart.

Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…” (Matt 15:19-20)

The challenge is that we can deceive ourselves. Yes, even our own heart. The prophet Jeremiah warned, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer 17:9). Even a religious person can deceive their own heart.” (Jas 1:26).

So, Jeremiah asked the Lord to search his heart and test his mind. (Jer 17:10). What would happen, if the Lord did that to us and then sent us a text message with the results for us to read? Would there be any hint of impurity?

A quick glance?

A curious peek?

An indecent thought?

A flirtatious gesture?

A secret internet site?

A hidden magazine?

An amorous email?

A titillating text message?

A teasing wink?

A coy smile?

An unholy hug?

An erotic novel?

An obscene joke?

A bawdy movie?

An off-color remark?

A racy TV show?

“Be not conformed to the world,” (Rom. 12:1), is not a suggestion. It’s a command. If we’re really honest, it’s tough. Difficult. And demanding. But not impossible.

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold,” as J. B. Phillips paraphrases this passage. Then he writes, “Let God re-mold your minds from within.”

That’s the answer to overcoming any hint of impurity. A heart directed by God. Divine mind control. Inner spiritual strength.

When there’s no hint of impropriety, rumors are quickly expelled. Lies are exposed. Our character is exonerated. And God is exalted.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

IT MUST BE FALSE by steve finnell

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/01/

IT MUST BE FALSE by steve finnell

If the majority disbelieves it, then it must be false. There are over 7 billion people in the world and only 2.2 billion believe that Jesus is the Son of God, does it mean it is false to say Jesus is the Son of God? No, it does not. Why would anyone place their belief on majority opinion?

Of the 2.2 billion who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior the majority do not believe in the New Testament terms for pardon, does that make God's terms for pardon untrue? No, it does not.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (NASB)

The majority of believers in Christ do not believe what Jesus said in Mark 16:16, does that make it false doctrine?

Example: Many say you do not have to be baptized in water to be saved.

Example: Many say you can be saved and have your sins forgiven before you believe; because as an unbelieving infant you were baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and added to the body of Christ.

All non-believers and most believers in Christ deny God's terms for pardon.
1. Faith, John 3:16
2. Repentance, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Luke 24:47
3. Confession, Romans 10:9, Acts 8:36-37
4. Immersion in water, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Colossians 2:11-13, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-7, 1 Peter 3:20-21, John 3:5, Ephesians 5:25-27, Titus 3:5

DOES DENYING GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON MAKE THEM FALSE DOCTRINE? 

SECOND PETER by Paul Southern

 

 

 

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Southern/Paul/1901/peter2.html

SECOND PETER

1. THE TITLE

This book bears the name of the writer (1:1), and is the second of two general epistles by Peter (3:1).

2. THE WRITER

For information concerning Peter, the student is referred to the outline of I Peter, and to Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias.

3. THE ONES ADDRESSED

The letter is addressed to "them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ" (1:1). However, the immediate recipients of this epistle were the same people who received Peter's first letter, "sojourners of the dispersion," or Jewish Christians scattered abroad in the five provinces named in I Peter 1:1.

4. TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING

We have no definite information concerning the time and place of writing. Conservative estimates set the date around A.D. 67 or 68. Some scholars conclude from II Peter 1:13-16 that Peter's death was imminent. Although the epistle makes no direct reference to its point of origin, many commentators hold that Peter wrote it from Rome just before he died.

5. OCCASION FOR THE LETTER

The libertines and mockers, two classes of false teachers within the church, were causing considerable difficulty. This letter warns the church against them, and exhorts Christians to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). The plea for steadfastness is prominent, in view of numerous heretics threatening the spiritual life of the saints.

6. A COMPARISON WITH I PETER

A comparison of the Petrine Epistles reveals some interesting points. In I Peter the persecutions were from without, whereas II Peter reveals internal troubles. The first epistle often refers to the suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Second Peter fails to mention these. The spirit of the first letter is that of sweetness and mildness. The underlying tone in II Peter shows severity, anxiety, denunciation. In I Peter the second coming of Jesus is connected with the reward of the faithful saints, whereas in II Peter it is linked with the doom of sinners. The key-note of I Peter is hope; of II Peter, knowledge.

7. EXERCISES FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY
1. True-False
1. Man must have a special revelation to know God's will T F
2. Peter wrote three general epistles T F
3. Second Peter was written from Ephesus T F
4. The key-note of II Peter is knowledge T F
5. The spirit of II Peter manifests sweetness and mildness T F
6. II Peter links Christ's return with the happiness of Christians T F
7. II Peter tells of internal church trouble T F
8. II Peter mentions the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ T F
9. II Peter names seven Christian graces T F
10. A child of God can fall from grace T F
11. II Peter shows the author anticipated an imminent death T F
12. Jesus predicted Peter's martyrdom T F
13. Peter witnessed the transfiguration of Christ T F
14. The apostle Peter is our day-star T F
15. All false teachers are cowards T F
16. All false teachers will be punished T F
17. A dumb ass had more sense than Balaam T F
18. Mockers walk in the footsteps of Christ T F
19. Jehovah counts time by years T F
20. The Lord will announce the day of His coming T F
2. Topics for further study
1. Study the points of similarity and the points of difference in First and Second Peter.
2. Characterize false teachers as they are presented in II Peter.
3. What is meant by the expression, "cast them down to hell (tartarus)"? (2:4).
4. What interpretation do Roman Catholics place on II Peter 1:20?
5. Characterize the libertines and mockers discussed in II Peter.
6. Give Peter's description of the dissolution of the physical universe.
7. Since we treasure the dying counsels of great men, it is interesting to note the final precepts of Peter. Holiness appears to him of first importance, steadfastness is the greatest blessing, and the divinity of Christ is his last thought.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Today by Gary Rose

 

A railroad to the sun; how interesting. This is the first time that I have seen this, but the author of the picture had seen it before and waited and waited and waited to see it again. I am glad he shared this.

We are near the end of 2020, with only the remainder of today and tomorrow remaining; frankly, I am very glad, for this has been a tough year for so many of us. December is a month for reflection and soon January will be here. I have always found it interesting that the symbol for January is that of two men, one looking towards the past and the other the future.

All these things refer to time and the changes that naturally occur. The Bible says a lot about time too…

Ecclesiastes 3 ( World English Bible )

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

² a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Revelation 12 ( WEB )

⁷ There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.

⁸ They didn’t prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven.

⁹ The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

¹⁰ I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.

¹¹ They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.

2 Corinthians 6 ( WEB )

¹ Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

² for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Solomon said that everything has a time; this is so true. Although he was referring to things relating to our physical existence, still, there is a spiritual application as well. There is a time that all evil will be overcome and never to rise again. There is a time when we as human beings will have to make a choice between Jesus or the world. Like the quote from Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians says… At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

The only thing remaining to be said is: What will you do about Jesus- TODAY?