"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun." ~Ecclesiastes 1:9
Did you know God grew so distraught over the way things were going here on Earth that He sent the flood by chapter six? He gave the people time... and more time still... to repent before unleashing the storm, though, remember. They say it took Noah and his family years (I've heard somewhere around 100) to build the ark. However, man was content to ignore the warnings and carry on as usual right up until it began to rain. By then, God had closed the door to the ark and the people had sealed their fate.
Making good choices is something that mankind has struggled with from the start though. Even when, in our heart of hearts, we know better. Case in point: Solomon, King David's son, asked God for wisdom to rule the people well when it became time for him to take the crown. God granted him his request and blessed him abundantly besides. Still, he didn't always make good choices.
In fact, it's recorded in Jeremiah 32:31 that King Solomon made an extremely serious faux pas. "For this city has been to Me a [such a] provocation of My anger and My wrath from the day that they [finished] building it [in the time of Solomon, who was the first Israelite king who turned to idolatry] even to this day that I must remove it from before My face—
Did you catch that? King Solomon turned to idolatory, which filters down to allowing Baal worship. Orgies, child sacrifice, and the rest. His clear thinking was obstructed when he gave into one of his wives who worshipped Baal. What could it hurt, he reasoned, to allow her to continue once she became his wife?
For starters, it defiled God's plan for His people at the highest level. Darkness gained a foothold that day and began to grow throughout the kingdom.
As happens with many of us, as Solomon aged, he came to see the error of his ways in regard to many aspects of his life.
Nothing new under the sun
King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. Obviously, a book of reflection, the context remains debatable to an extent. Take the verse captioned above, for instance. While some believe that the words "there's nothing new under the sun" pertain to the monotony of life, others—of which I am one—believe that Solomon was stating that the cycle of life is fraught with human nature and is bound to repeat itself until mankind realizes that the choices made in our culture that go against God are going to set us on the same old path to destruction.
Taking a moment to look poignantly around at the world before continuing.
There is no denying that—for the most part—the world has turned away from God. Even those who believe straddle the fence to one degree or another. Most of it is done without our even realizing it. That is especially the case if we aren't awake to the spiritual warfare that is constantly in play. God's been opening my eyes WIDE in that respect these past few years, you guys. I knew it existed but not how to fight! That's not the case any longer. You should consider delving in as well. Holy Spirit is the best teacher! Jesus came to make a way for Him to get here!
But I... all together now 🤭... digress.
Some people pick and choose which parts of the Bible are worthy of following touting that much of the text only pertains to the day in which it was lived. So, rather than being a valid word for word course of action in this day and age, it's, more so, an example as to how to live our lives. There's really no scriptural basis for this theology. In fact, I contend the opposite to be the case.
Why?
My Bible tells me otherwise.
"Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible, God's word that we are to steadfastly live by says it is God-breathed, "So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped." Instead of sticking a pin in that section of scripture and carrying on for the time being, I think the church body needs to take some time to reflect on that passage. As in, a "selah" type of reflection.
Seriously ponder what those verses are saying and, were I you, church, I'd take it a step further and talk to God about it directly. Selah
I'm serious. He wants the church to know that we have been duped for decades! We are supposed to the be church that ACTS. Couldn't we call a prayer meeting and the entire congregation press in together to seek His face? An "if my people who are called by My name" moment for each individual church body. If they aren't game... and many are not... Pray on your own. See what He has to say to you on the matter. Whether you seek with your church gathered as a whole or spend time with God alone, He knows your heart and won't leave you hanging if you sincerely want to know. We've got a job to do, and time grows short.
Stick your fingers in your ears and "La la la!"
It's time to break the mold the world has the church cast in.
I don't mean to seem as if I'm attacking the church, but did you know that some denominations teach that the miracles of the Bible didn't really happen? They're just... What exactly? Figments of God's imagination? Made up stories to act as a guide? Like the parables that Jesus taught to help people understand what He was saying? Actually, some believe there were actual people that lived out those stories... I can see that being true but don't know that I know, you know?
How about the religions that tout that the signs and miracles performed by the first church in the book of Acts was only privy to the believers who lived in the days of the first church?
What?!
Have you guys forgotten Who we're talking about here? He's God—
Every word in the Bible is true! Every promise made is still kept. Moreover, ALL things are still possible because our God is supernatural! And He's as big as He ever was!
Somebody... whose name begins with a tiny little "s"... slipped Christians a Mickey somewhere along the way. and too many people were none the wiser. Now, decades later the lie is deeply settled within the church body. And I'm here to tell you it's time we snap out of it!
No offense, church, but we were duped. And, just so you know, I was raised Southern Baptist. I attend the same church that I joined at the age of 9 years old. I'm nearly 64 years old now and for decades have periodically been led to pipe up and tell my church family that God is BIGGER than we allow Him to be.
He will not stay in the box the world is trying to stuff Him into. I do know that I know that. It used to be my prayer for Him to please, come! The world needs so desperately to know that they know He is real. That started as a child, believe it or not. But, long about 2019, He let me know that He is going to do just that!
It's truly just the same ol', same ol'
The Old Testament is filled with the stories of God's chosen people being tempted to join in with the ways of the world by trying to straddle the fence. They would attend worship, dutifully say their prayers, and offer their sacrifices while at the same time, taking part in pagan worship.
We won't get in to all that, other than to say that God specifically told them—many times—not to succumb to sexual temptation nor to sacrifice their children. Why would that even be necessary? It is incomprehensible to consider offering our child as a sacrifice for... What, exactly? I have no idea. Prosperity? Provision? Acceptance? A ticket into the orgy? Whatever it was, many jumped on the bandwagon.
Need to see an example?
Leviticus 20:2-5 states, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him. I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.’”
Just throwing this out in passing—don't you wonder why they couldn't immediately figure out that sacrificing a child goes directly against God's mandate to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply?" Over and above that, though, how could anyone throw their child into a fire or give them over for any of the other horrific rituals satan demands?
Time to break the cycle
We have to stop following the same path, you guys. We have to quit being pulled in to what the world has going on and figure out what it is God would have us be doing to get people into His family. That's why He created us. He's love. He wants a BIG family to love on.
Every generation that we drop the ball allows the devil's inroads to seem more and more "normal and just." Just one example being the whole go to church on Sunday and pop God back on his shelf while we live life the rest of the week the way we wanna.
Taking a moment to look poignantly around at the world before continuing.
That's not working out so well. It's just pulling most everybody further and further away from the One who loves them most.
Is it to impossible to believe that God is going to swoop in and rescue the world's population from the path of destruction it has set itself on? No. It's not. He's God and this isn't how He planned for things to go.
He wants His children to be key players in the days to come. A church set apart by its ACTS. As Jesus mandated in Mark 16:14-20.
It says:
Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen from death]. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages. They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
So, then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).
Let's blaze a new path
One that starts on our knees in prayer under the same old sun. But focuses on God's One True Son and His mission here on earth.
Let's ask Him if we have been wrong to follow the doctrine that we were taught by those who knew no better. It's not that our ancestors and early church members didn't love God, but a lot of them never grew to know Him through an interactive relationship with Holy Spirit. The devil all but got that part of God's plan squelched out.
Holy Spirit comes when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. He is God living in us. He wants to be all the things that Jesus shared that He would be—
"However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me
About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.
I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you." ~John 16:7-15
God's plan hasn't changed. We have. He wants us to become aware of that fact. We need to learn to cohabitate with Him better! He wants to check in with us up close and personally every day. Using Holy Spirit to guide our every step.
I can't wait until THAT's the norm! How about you?
May we pray?
Father God,
I know that you use the written word, the voice of the prophets, and Holy Spirit to speak to clearly speak to our very souls. I pray for any and all who read these words to consider what they are saying and realize that the truth can be discovered by seeking Your face in the matter.
You are moving in unprecedented ways these last days amongst those who believe and among those who seek. Open our eyes, hearts, and minds to see all You have in store for us as Jesus declared would happen through Holy Spirit living within us.
If there is anyone reading this who has not committed their lives to you, I pray today be the day and that they realize the something missing in their life is YOU!
We love you, Father God. Jesus, we thank you for your sacrifice for by it, we are welcomed with open arms back into the fold when we but believe. It's in your mighty name I pray, Amen
That's a lot to ponder, but I hope you do. And ask God for discernment as you talk to Him about these things. He will show up and He won't steer you wrong.
See you next time~
Love,
C