A person can invest in life.

The only way a person can invest in this life is by following the teaching, instructions and commands of our Lord and Creator, Jesus. Only if individuals would do this, then they would have invested in this life and the life to come.  

When we study the Scriptures and learn these things, we are to do it with all of our ability with the Holy Spirit leading us in all things.  The Apostle Paul tells us “to work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.” We know that individuals are living the way that they think that our Lord and Creator, Jesus wants us to live, but we find we are finding from the Scriptures that we are not doing the things the Way of Life the Jesus our Lord instructed us to do them. 

We all say one thing and by our actions are different from what we do.  As the Apostle Paul tells us we are merely human, for we “don't practice what I want to do, but instead do what I hate. Now if I practice what I don't want to do, I am admitting that the Law is good.”  So to invest in life is to follow the commands of the Lord Jesus until we are changed at the twinkling of an eye.  

Then we will be at the Marriage Supper.  Something to look forward to as we invest in this life.

Blessings

Stephen 

Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going. (Ecc 9:10 ISV) 

Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. (Col 3:23 ISV) 

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am merely human, sold as a slave to sin. I don't understand what I am doing. For I don't practice what I want to do, but instead do what I hate. Now if I practice what I don't want to do, I am admitting that the Law is good. (Rom 7:14-16 ISV) 

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1Co 15:51-52 KJV)

 

How to test other teachings against the Bible and the Holy Spirit?

To me, the first thing I have to have is the Holy Spirit living in me and guiding me in all truths according to the Apostle John’s writings.   Then John tells us to stop believing every spirit, instead, test the spirits to see if they come from God.  We know there are many false prophets are in the world.  

 

We need to learn what our Lord and Creator taught, instructed and how he lived and to do that, we need to study and learn the Scriptures.  We know that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” and “fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” 

 

If we compare the teachings to the Scriptures, we would know by the direction and information from the Holy Spirit if the spirit is correct with the Word of our Living God.

Blessings

Stephen

Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own accord, but will speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come. (Joh 16:13 ISV)

Dear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize God's Spirit: Every spirit who acknowledges that Jesus the Messiah has become human—and remains so—is from God. But every spirit who does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist. You have heard that he is coming, and now he is already in the world. (1Jn 4:1-3 ISV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Pro 1:7 ISV)

He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Tit 1:9 ISV)

to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach. (2Ti 4:2 ISV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2Ti 3:16 ISV)

How our nation has suffered

This subject is a wide open subject about how our nation has suffered by not following biblical principles found in the Bible.  Let’s look at one that comes to mind.  Way before our nation had it first income tax, families took care of each other and did not have to depend on the government because they made a good living off the farm. 

As outside influence came upon the families (Satan), many saw the golden altar in the cities and lured them to become part of the cities and leave the older generation on the farm.  This influence broke up families, homes and the closeness of the kids with their parents.  This brought the kids to not feel like they have to support their parents in anyway.  Individuals never learn from history. 

This also happen during the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  If you remember the example of Corban that Jesus uses with the Pharisees about their parents is one example of the above.  Jesus said they destroyed the Word of God because of Corban.  This is an interesting study into the Scriptures if you have the time.

 

Blessings

Stephen

Because Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Whoever curses his father or mother must certainly be put to death.' But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or mother, "Whatever support you might have received from me is Corban," (that is, an offering to God) 'you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.' You are destroying the word of God through your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other things like that." (Mark 7:10-13 ISV)

 

 

  

Do bad laws justify civil disobedience?

When I stop and think about this if bad laws justify civil disobedience, I have to ask myself, does this bad law go against the teaching and instructions of our Lord and Creator, Jesus.  We have examples from the Books of Daniel and Exodus who followed the teachings of Jesus our Lord instead of the commands of the local leader.  We know we must obey God rather than men according to Act 5.  But we must be subject to the governing authorities according Rom 13 and Tit 3.  In summary, we must be subject to civil authorities and not be involved with civil disobedience, but, there is always a but, if the civil authorities is telling us to disobey our Lord and Creator, we are to follow what the command of our Lord Jesus tells us. 

Blessings

Stephen

But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. (Act 5:29 ISV) 

But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt told them. Instead, they let the boys live. (Exo 1:17 ISV)

For the Lord's sake submit yourselves to every human authority: whether to the king as supreme, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. (1Pe 2:13-14 ISV)

Your majesty, if it be his will, our God whom we serve can deliver us from the blazing fire furnace, and he will deliver us from you. But if not, rest assured, your majesty, that we won't serve your gods, and we won't worship the golden statue that you have set up." (Dan 3:17-18 ISV)

Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  (Rom 13:1-2 ISV)

Remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work.  (Tit 3:1 ISV)

Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, not only for the sake of God's punishment, but also for the sake of your own conscience. (Rom 13:5 ISV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How has wisdom made your life better?

This question can go in so many different direction and yet, there is really only one way we can follow.  We know the meaning of wisdom from the dictionary means the quality or state of being wise.  Our Lord and King, Jesus tells us in a direct statement from Deut 30, to choose life and he has set before me life and death.  Jesus our Lord and Creator said there is only two ways of living, the way of life and the way of death according to Jer 21.  We know the meaning means being wise and Pro 8 tells us to listen to instruction and be wise.  If we are a wise person, we will accept commands and we know our Creator gives us commands throughout His Word.  So, how does wisdom make my life better is but to follow the commands of our Lord Jesus.

Blessings

Stephen

"I call heaven and earth to testify against you today! I've set life and death before you today: both blessings and curses. Choose life, that it may be well with you—you and your children.

(Deu 30:19 ISV)

"You are to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to set before you the way of life and the way of death. (Jer 21:8 ISV)

Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. (Pro 8:33 ISV)

The wise person accepts commands, but the chattering fool will be brought down. (Pro 10:8 ISV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why should we pursue the accumulation of knowledge?

There is only one reason we should accumulate knowledge and we go back to Adam and Eve and the two different trees.  The two trees are tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Our first parents picked the wrong tree and on that day we were told we would die in this physical life. 

We know Proverbs tells us the discerning heart seeks knowledge and Peter tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  That is what knowledge is why we are to acquire true knowledge is to know and follow our Lord Creator Jesus.  Knowledge is also part of us to add to our faith from Peter.   Paul wants us to come to knowledge of the truth and growing in the knowledge of God, until we become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Jesus our Lord said )  "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge” and the keys is learning what Jesus taught, instructed, and way He live, teaching the Way of life all Christians are to live.

Blessings

Stephen

(Gen 2:9 NIV)  And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

(Prov 15:14 NIV)  The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

(2 Pet 3:18 NIV)  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

(2 Pet 1:5 NIV)  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

(2 Pet 1:6 NIV)  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

(2 Pet 1:2 NIV)  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

(1 Tim 2:4 NIV)  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

(Col 1:10 NIV)  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

(Eph 4:13 NIV)  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

(Luke 11:52 NIV)  "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

 

True Wisdom versus False Wisdom

When I think of true wisdom versus false wisdom, what comes to mind is there are just two ways of living and only two ways of life. 

Jesus our Lord and Creator tells us that he sets before us two ways to live; one way is the way of Life that our Lord and Creator taught, instructed and by His example that we are His Bride are to live. 

The other way is way of death that Satan by his broadcasting wants us to live contrary to the way of life. 

Satan teaches the works of the flesh and the Holy Spirit shows us what the fruit of the Spirit is. 

Since we have free moral agency, we can follow what true wisdom is (our Lord and Creator, Jesus) or follow false wisdom (Satan and his demons).

Joshua had this choice between way of life and the way of death and he said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”. 

Blessings

Stephen

"You are to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to set before you the way of life and the way of death.  (Jer 21:8 ISV)

If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve—the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Jos 24:15 ISV)