### My Inspiration

Last night, I was reading in 2 Timothy and read this passage.

> For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (2 Timothy 1:7-9) {emphasis mine}

Paul, in his introduction of his letter to his adored friend, states, “* join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God*.” Can you imagine being called to “*join with me in suffering?*” This is our calling.

So often people are told, “come to Jesus and everything in life will go well.” This is a nice sounding lie, but we need to tell the uncomfortable truth. Jesus never promised His followers wealth and an easy life. In fact He promised the opposite. All of His disciples, except one who died in exile, died horrific deaths at the hands of those who persecuted them.

### Persecution

Sometimes this suffering will come from persecution. Jesus promises that we will be persecuted as He was persecuted. Should we expect any less?

> Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20)

> Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

> If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

You could make the argument that, if you have been a Christian for years, but have not ever suffered or been persecuted, you need to evaluate whether you truly are a born again Christian.

### Patience with a Purpose

We also suffer because of sin in the world and are strengthened by suffering. Instead of trying to avoid all suffering, we should look to see where God is leading and what we can learn from suffering. For a born again Christian, suffering is never a random happening and rarely is it a judgment from God. Usually it is used for our good.

> "I know why all these things are happening to me." He said, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

In the physical world, heat can cause three responses. In objects like wood, heat causes it to burn away. In objects like ice, heat causes it to melt into a liquid or evaporate into a gas. In objects like iron, heat causes it to get harder and stronger. In the same way suffering can do the same thing. To those who have no faith in God, suffering can cause them to give up entirely. In someone with a little faith, it may cause them to melt. They don’t go away; they aren’t destroyed; but they are made ineffective. In someone with proper faith in Jesus, suffering strengthens their faith and causes them to stand firm in all circumstances.

> And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

> Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:12-14)

Yes, for a true believer, suffering should lead to JOY. It should lead to greater faith. It should lead to praising Jesus. It should lead to being so close to Jesus and working so hard for His will that we can say like Paul did to Timothy, “ *join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God*.”

### God’s Way

Christianity isn’t like any other religion because it isn’t a religion made up by man (but there are counterfeits of Christianity with the same name that are made up by men). Nobody would make up a religion where you are promised hardship. Nobody would make up a religion with such difficult things to understand as a trinitarian God (3 persons in 1 God). Nobody would make up a religion that told you to “… *love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you*.” (Matthew 5:44) You can tell Christianity is real (by studying the Bible, not by looking at everyone who labels themselves Christians) because of how different it is than what a person would want to make it, and many of its precepts are beyond what a man could make up or even comprehend.

### Calling

Are you actively trying to avoid any suffering, hardship, or persecution? Are you running away from God’s plan for you? Are you putting your comfort above God’s commands and will? Are you blaming God for hardship instead of seeking what He is teaching you and/or what He is doing in the lives of people? If any of these are true, you are missing the joy and grace and peace that come from resting in God’s will.

Look around you. What is God doing around you or through you? Seek His will even if it is uncomfortable. Moses obeyed God’s call even though he didn’t feel capable (God had to remind him “*who made your mouth*”). John the Baptist obeyed God’s call even though it meant living in the wilderness, eating locust and honey, and being beheaded. Hosea married a prostitute, who was unfaithful and bore children out of wedlock, in order to be an object lesson to Israel of her unfaithfulness and His love and faithfulness. All of these cases and more, people sacrificed to obey God’s will and amazing things were done. Although all suffered, none said it wasn’t worth it. Utter agony with God is better than prosperity without Him. There is also an amazing feeling of accomplishment when we live life according to God’s will and when we see His plan unfolding, knowing that He used us, in a little way, to accomplish His plan. There is no greater joy than accomplishing what God created us to accomplish.

### Additional Bible Verses

I don’t have more to say on the topic right now, but I’ve included some additional verses on the subject to help you dig deeper into God’s plan as it relates to suffering and persecution.

> After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)

> For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:10)

> “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)

> Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,.
.

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;.

We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”.
.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

> In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. (Mark 4:16-17)

> These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

FYI:
It may seem like I have posted a lot of persecution and hardship. I believe there is a twofold reason for my feeling called to write on this subject.

There are so many “Christians” selling Christianity as a prosperity gospel. They tell you “follow your heart” and encourage people to feel good about their sins. They focus on you gaining wealth, success, and comfort. They treat the God of the Bible as a magic genie that will give you everything you desire. This message isn’t from God. It is the same promises made by the Devil from Adam to Jesus.

I also see the West turning from their Christian heritage and moving towards persecution of the true Church. I believe those who follow Jesus are likely going to see hard times coming and persecution coming from places they never expected. I have little doubt we will experience some before the Rapture, but those who are saved after the Rapture will experience this persecution to the extreme.

Trust Jesus.

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

Check out more at[ trustjesus.substack.com](https://trustjesus.substack.com/)

Christianity is Not for the Faint of Heart

A description of the reality of the Christian life and the ironic, seeming contradictions of a hard life because of following Jesus, but with more joy than you can imagine.

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxymr2des8qer2dp3nltuyu


And she has a history of using government force against her opponents.  If we get President Harris, the attacks on political opponents will get significantly worse.


Have fun and thanks for helping more people become gun lovers.  The more gun owners and the more people who are comfortable using guns, the harder it will be to take away our gun rights.


They don't get in trouble for lying because of qualified immunity.


I tend to think that incompetence got in the way of malice where the Trump shooting is concerned.


The US has been able to get away with massive dollar creation because it has been the world reserve currency and almost all, if not all nations, hold dollars in reserve.  These dollars are out of circulation and therefore don't  cause the inflation that would normally occur.  The foolish people in charge are using the dollar as a weapon (first seizing Russia's USD reserves and then transferring them to Ukraine) as well as other events, right when the world is starting to move away from the dollar (many nations petitioning to join BRICS, Saudi Arabia selling oil in other currencies, etc.)

The weaponization of the dollar is going to make all of these nations dump their dollars because they don't want their dollars seized if they displease the US .

 What happens when all of those dollars come home?  The most likely effect is massive inflation, maybe even true hyper inflation.

 The self-important morons in charge are destroying the dollar that gives them the power they so greatly desire.  Things never end well with fools and the US has been led primarily by fools for most of my life and the number of fools as well as the level of foolishness has been growing exponentially.
#grownostr  #USD  #dollars  #inflation

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/repo-act-precursor-dollars-downfall


When I go to nostr.wine, it tells me it is 18,888 sats to join.  Is that forever, a year, a month, or something else.  If that is forever, it is a no brainer.  If it is a year, it is almost as certain.  If it is something shorter, I'll have to decide what I want to do.  I'll run out of sats in my alby wallet pretty fast.  I can't find details on what I'm paying for.


Always a critical fact to remember.

People also need to remember that when asked about right and wrong or how something should work, an answer of "I think ...", "I believe ...", or "I feel ..." is making yourself God.  The only correct answer is "The Bible says ...".


The problem is that Kamala Harris isn't senile, but is as dumb and radical as someone who is.  President Harris would be worse than a senile President Biden, so they are limping along till the election hoping those behind Biden can keep it together for a few more months.


How does anyone differentiate between lost and forever hodl?


Speaking of paid relays, are there any good relays that I should consider paying to join?  I feel like I should support them.  With my long form posts, I'd like them to be around for a long time after all of the work I've put into them.  What makes sense?


I'd argue there are much fewer than a third in state 1 (sadly probably <10%) and also less than a third in state 3.  I'd bet more than half are in the wishy washy middle that have no real moral compass and usually just follow the crowd.


Or immitation food


freeborn | ἐλεύθερος


I'm not sure some of that processed stuff can honestly be called food.  I know many of the ingredients are not food.


We are in the last days and I truly believe time is short.  I can't say whether it is days, months, or years, but I will be shocked if I live to an old age and the rapture hasn't come.  All of the technology necessary to make the end times prophecies come true are either here, or in almost ready development.


It makes zero sense that people hate something so much that the supposedly don't believe exists.  I do not believe anyone can have that kind of hate towards something that doesn't exist.  God/Jesus does exist and they can't stand it because it means they aren't free to do as they please.  There is a higher authority and there is someone smarter and more powerful than them.


Yes, but I can't remember the name of the guy Jack interviewed.


This article has some side issues related to the Trump assassination attempt that are looking quite close to a smoking gun.  Tell me what you think of these facts.

https://www.malone.news/p/the-keystone-cops-and-clusterfuck


Amen


You also get a quick response because your team has people from all over the world, so there is always someone awake.  :)


I keep telling myself I don't need to read anymore on the Trump shooting, but then find an interesting article that shows more and more errors to the level that it is unfathomable that they were all just incompetence.

This article even says they talked to Crooks 40 minutes before the event when he was using a range finder to check his range to the stage.  Insane.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cops-radioed-blanket-tactical-channel-about-shooter-after-rooftop-confrontation-yet


I wish I could remember who was interviewed on the The Survival Podcast, but there is a guy/group working on software to help with all of that based on your zip code.  I probably heard the interview close to a year ago, so I would think it is at least somewhat functional now.  Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the guy or the group.


That time is now.


We've all been there.  As long as you admit your mistake and learn it isn't a big problem.  It is those who continually make the same mistake never learning or those who double down on their mistakes that are a problem.


It is especially incomprehensible when you see someone say the experts are lying/wrong in one area, but then say something else must be true because the same expert says so.  Shouldn't they question the truthfulness and/or expertise of someone they know has been wrong multiple times before?


Love that.


I don't necessarily believe that is what happened, but I like to attribute good to a good man like that.  It could be a little bit of both: she was unhappy with his continued stance leading to discomfort for them all  and he wanted to protect his family.


*** I’ve had several inspirations to write on subjects other than the fruits of the Spirit, so we will take a brief break on that series and do a couple of stand alone posts and then go back and finish the Fruits of the Spirit Series.

I was reading Job and saw something I’d never seen before.

Job, a man the Bible refers to as “… *blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil*.” (Job 1:1b), loses his children, his wealth, and then his health. He is suffering immensely. Several friends come to console him, but instead start falsely accusing him of horrible sins. They should’ve known better and they shouldn’t have judged Job based on what was happening to him instead of how he lived his life.

After losing his family, his wealth, and his health, now his friends are defaming his godly reputation. In one of his soliloquies, after naming all of the things he has lost he prays this prayer:

> “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
That with an iron stylus and lead
They were engraved in the rock forever! (Job 19:23-24)

I think every other time I had read these verses I just thought that was an odd request, but I saw something different this time. Job prayed that “*Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book*!” Little did Job know, God would write his words in the Bible, God’s book, the most published book in history. His words would be read as an example to us for over 4,000 years. He couldn’t have imagined that his prayer would be answered this way.

He prayed, “*That with an iron stylus and lead, They were engraved in the rock forever*!” His words are written by God so they will last as long as the rocks on which he wished them to be engraved. Job didn’t know his prayer would/was being answered, but it was. It was being answered in ways beyond his greatest imagining. When God answers, he usually answers in big ways, even if not in our timing or in our ways.

> “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

As abandoned as Job felt and as unfairly as he felt he was treated, he never lost faith in God or His goodness. The next verse in Job states:

> As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. (Job 19:25)

There may be times it feels like God is not with you, but He is. There may be times it feels like He isn’t listening, but He is. There may be times it feels like He will never answer your prayers, but He will. The important thing is to never lose faith in His power, His goodness, or His love.

God’s answers to prayers may not be exactly what you asked for and they rarely happen in our desired timing, but He gives us what we need and what is for our and other’s best and He never makes a mistake.

Trust Jesus.

your sister in Christ,

Christy

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

God Answers Seemingly Unanswered Prayers:  Prayer, Part #3

An unexpected answer to prayer from the book of Job.

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxyerxv3ex5unjwf593vzv4


I thought the same thing.


That is weird.  Everything law enforcement has done with this situation hasn't made sense.  That is true for the Secret Service, State law enforcement, and FBI.


I don't know any details on the divorce, but is there any chance he divorced his wife to protect his family once he realized how hard they were going after him?  Just a thought.


Once again here are the fruits of the Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.

> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) {emphasis mine}

### What is Good?

> And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:16-26)

If the Bible says that there is no one good except God, how can we be good or show the goodness expected by God? We can only do good and be good if we “*abide in the vine*,” if we have the Spirit within us. This is because only God is good. We can have the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, only when we have the Spirit of God within us. Our goodness comes from Him. He enables us to overcome our sin nature and to act within His very good, sinless nature through Him.

### Goodness Through Obedience & a Right Attitude

Goodness is obeying God, but it is more, it is obeying with a totally right attitude. It is submitting our lives fully to God. It is submitting to His will and His plan including putting the good of others above our own good, just as Jesus did when he came down to Earth, lived a perfect, sinless life, and died on the cross to take away our sins. We can’t just obey by our own power.

> “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. … “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:21-22,27-28)

We can’t just obey the letter of the law and be good. If you notice, it is the thought as well as the action that we are to avoid. Hating another is counted as murder because of the righteous nature of God. Lusting for another is considered adultery because of the Holiness of God. We must have a change of heart through faith in Jesus and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that changes our motivations and the way we think. This goodness is unlike anything the world has seen and it draws people to Jesus like flies to honey.

### Obey as God Enables

> While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” (Mark14:3)

The goodness expected by Jesus is not the goodness of the world. It is different. Frequently the goodness of the Spirit is considered foolishness by people. Goodness is acting according to the will of God and for His eternal plan.

The thing that really stands out to me in the passage, is the statement “*She has done what she could*.” All God asks of us is to obey His commands and submit to His Spirit. We are not responsible for the result. We are not responsible for things we cannot control. God has got this. God has an eternal plan that will come to fruition. We are just blessed to be used by Him to make His plan a reality. Knowing the result is in His hands really takes the pressure off. When we trust and obey Him, He will use our faithfulness for good and give us His goodness.

This passage should be the cry of our hearts.

> You have dealt well with Your servant,

O Lord, according to Your word.

Teach me good discernment and knowledge,

For I believe in Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

You are good and do good;

Teach me Your statutes. (Psalms 119:65-68)

We need to study His commandments and statutes in order to know what God wants us to do. We should keep His word. We should do good as He does good.

Even though our goodness is done through the power of the Spirit and under the covering of Jesus, we still need to know God’s commands to live a life of goodness. We need to actively learn what He wants from us. We cannot truly live a good life on our own, but that doesn’t mean we should be passive. We are called to actively obey His commands. We are called to study His word. We are called to speak the truth (that we learn from the Bible). We are called to follow Him. We are not called to lie around like a puppet waiting for the puppeteer to move us and speak for us.

### Goodness Now, but Results In God’s Timing

> Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

God tells us to obey Him and to do what is right at every opportunity (not waiting for what we think is the best time). We then must leave the results to Him. When we are kind to someone, sometimes they will be kind in return, but sometimes they won’t. When we witness to others, sometimes they will repent and turn to God, but sometimes they won’t. We are only responsible for the witnessing, and obeying now. The results are up to God.

This should give us peace knowing that we can’t mess things up by doing it wrong. God can use the most awkward words and actions for His glory, but the most silver tongued orator or the most hard working evangelist can’t bring about a single conversion if God is not part of it. As we obey we must always keep in mind that all of our goodness comes from God, not through our works.

### Use of Our Wealth for the Good of Others

> Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

There are many kinds of wealth. We may have the obvious wealth, money and property. We can also have a wealth of friends, a wealth of opportunities, a wealth of influence, or a wealth of skills. Of course the greatest wealth is faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior. God calls us to share this wealth. Part of the goodness we get from the Spirit is the generosity to share this wealth with those around us. We can’t share with everyone, but we can share what we have been given with those near us, who are in need.

I’ve said to people for a while that I have had two periods of time in my life: when I had more time than money and when I had more money than time. We will have different stages in life when you have different things to share. For example, if you are a parent of young children or a caregiver to someone with major health problems, you may not have much time to give to others, but there may be other things you can give. God calls us to be generous with what we have. He calls us to be stewards of His treasure. If you have a loving family, that is a gift from God. If you have a good church, that is a gift from God. If you have skills, faith, or knowledge, they are gifts from God. If you have monetary wealth, that is a gift from God. If you have influence, that is a gift from God. We should use all of these for the good of those around us.

If you have a loving family, you could invite over a young person who doesn’t have family close by or comes from a broken family and show them what a loving, Godly family looks like. If you have a Godly, loving, Bible-believing church, invite those around you to attend. If you have skills, use them to teach another or to help someone in need. If you have faith, talk about your faith to those who are suffering or doubting. If you have knowledge, teach those who don’t know as much. This may be speaking to a large audience, but it also may be talking to one person at your home or at a coffee shop. If you have monetary wealth, you may be called to give generously to those in need or ministries that share the Gospel. Whatever God has given you, you are called to share this with others. This is part of the goodness of God.

> Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)

We are given good things so we can share the goodness of God with others.

### Be Good as God is Good

> And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

“*God causes all things to work together for good*,” so we should also act in goodness for the good of others. We should actively seek the good of others, not just wait until the moment seems right. That moment may never come.

I still regret two missed opportunities in particular. Neither seemed like a big deal at the time, but I still think about them decades later.

In high school, I was at school late for some reason. I was talking to a fellow student. It ends up that student was stuck at school and didn’t have a ride home. They hinted that they needed a ride, but I was too focused on my own schedule that I missed it. It wasn’t till I got home that I realized they were asking for a ride without asking. I totally missed it. I would’ve been willing to give them a ride, but I was too self-focused to catch the hint. I have no idea how long they had to stay at school till they got a ride. I was not seeking that person’s good. I was seeking my own.

Another event happened when my husband and I were driving to church one morning. As we drove out of our neighborhood, there was a little old lady struggling taking the trash out to the curb. It would’ve been easy to stop and help her. It wouldn’t have taken more than a minute or two, but we were in a hurry and didn’t stop. (I don’t think my husband saw her because he was driving and paying attention to the road.) I still wish I had stopped to help that lady. I missed an opportunity to do good to another because I was focused on myself. I may have been doing a “good” thing, going to church, but missed the best thing, helping and witnessing to a struggling, old lady. The goodness of the Spirit is doing God’s best instead of what is merely good.

> Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:9-10) {emphasis mine}

Sometimes we may get tired of doing good when it feels like no good is coming from it, but God tells us to “*not lose heart in doing good*.” God’s plan is never according to our timing. People talk about certain individuals being so smart that when making decisions “they play 3D chess.” In other words, they are seeing so many steps that a normal person doesn’t see and can therefore make better decisions. God doesn’t just “play 3D chess,” He plays more than 1,000,000D chess. We can’t even imagine all of the variables that He manages to bring His plan to fruition. We should never lose heart and we should continue to “*do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith*.”

> Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

I would have despaired unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living. (Psalms 27:12-13)

All Christians know that God and Good (is there a difference?) win in the end and that there will be no pain and suffering in heaven, but we long to see that same goodness here on Earth, “*in the land of the living*.” If we are diligently watching, God gives us peeks at the fulfillment of His plan, glimpses of the goodness being accomplished, and flashes of the positive influences we are helping to bring about. Don’t be so focused on your current cares that you miss the wonderous works that God is doing, especially those being done through your life.

> How great is Your goodness,

Which You have stored up for those who fear You,

Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,

Before the sons of men! (Psalms 31:19)

As we deal with the evil of the world, we need to keep doing good and “take refuge in” God’s goodness and the power of His Spirit.

> O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalms 34:8)

### Slander, Not Hypocrisy

> And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; (1 Peter 3:16-18) {emphasis mine}

One thing we need to keep in mind is that we will be persecuted and derided for living a good Christian life and imitating Jesus. We need to make sure that all of the accusations are for having Christ-like goodness, and not for being lazy, sinful, or hypocritical. Many people have turned away from Jesus because of the hypocrisy of those who call themselves Christians or organizations that call themselves the Church. Don’t be the reason someone turns away from God. Live out God’s goodness, so that people want to learn more about being a Christian and knowing Jesus.

### Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals

We get our goodness from obeying God, studying His word, and trusting in His power, but most of all we get our goodness from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the covering of the Blood of the Lamb. We are told that we are “*washed white as snow*.”

If you are a parent, you’ve probably experience your child being dressed up in his/her Sunday best, but then they decided to go hug the hairy dog, play in a mud puddle, or some equally messy endeavor. That beautiful, clean outfit, gets dirty and ruined. In the same way, spending time with ungodly, bad company can dirty our “white as snow” soul and keep us from the goodness that God intends. If we are truly a child of God, this doesn’t mean we lose our salvation or anything like that, but we do become unfruitful.

> Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34)

The Bible tells us to be in the world, sharing the Gospel, but not to be of the world, living like the rest of sinful mankind. We need to be careful to not use the excuse “that we are witnessing” to be of the world as an excuse for living a worldly life. Is our sending our kids to government schools actually just doing what is easy? Is our hanging out at the bar to witness just an excuse to drink or hangout with our ungodly friends? Are we saying we are being wise stewards with our money, but in reality we are refusing to give according to God’s will because we are saving up emergency money to provide for ourselves because we don’t trust God to provide for us? Sometimes it is hard to judge our motives because we lie to ourselves as well as to God. Be careful that we don’t let “little” lies and “little” excuses draw us away from God’s will. Be careful that we aren’t so much in the world, that we are no good to anyone.

Sometimes it is hard to find that right balance. Some people so avoid the worldly sinners that they are of no use to anyone, especially God. Some people are so in the world that they are led astray and look no different than the ungodly sinners around them. We need to pray that God would guide us to witness to the sinners without being changed negatively by their presence. We need to have Godly friends who keep us on track and encourage our walk with God. We need to attend a Bible believing church, so we are regularly taught God’s word and guided in how to apply it. We need to read the Bible daily so we are filling our minds with God’s goodness and not the sinful culture of the world. We want our goodness to shine out and point to the goodness of God. We want our goodness to be the light that draws those around us to salvation.

### Goodness Unlike Anything Known to Man

As a Christian, being good and showing goodness to fellow believers should be fairly easy (in the Spirit, but not of ourselves). On the other hand, even for those walking closely with Christ, there is almost always someone to whom it is hard to act with goodness and kindness because they have so mistreated and hurt us. We are called to be good to them as much as we are to those we care about. God’s goodness is acting in a way that is so contrary to human nature that it is hard for people to comprehend. It makes those who don’t know God say, “Are you for real?”

> Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14-21) {emphasis mine}

The key to goodness is this, “*Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good*.”

*** I’ll include a few more verses on goodness below for those who want to continue studying God’s word on goodness.

Trust Jesus.

> Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13) {emphasis mine}

> Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Romans 14:13-19) {emphasis mine}

> The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. (1 Timothy 5:24-25) {emphasis mine}

FYI, my following posts will continue going through each of the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

A summary of what is good and what is the goodness we are given in the Spirit

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxycrqdf4xu6rqdenhu7p99


Beautiful flower.  Beautiful memory.


freeborn | ἐλεύθερος


Inflation will do that.


Yeah, we live in the mountain west and my family live on the East Coast.  Flying is a pain.  When my son was young, he went through a phase where he loved trains.  We looked into taking a train instead of a plain.  I can't remember exactly, but want to say it was several thousand dollars per person and 2-3 days travel.  We would've had to drive 5.5 hours from our home just to get to the train.  We quickly decide it was a no go.

We live with a train track running along the edge of our property.  I've thought it would be awesome to get a caboose or cabin car, build a little offshoot track to store the car on, and hook onto passing freight trains.  It sounds awesome, but even if we spent the money to buy the car and build the off-shoot track, I have doubts on being able to schedule pickup by a passing train.  I don't think it will ever be a reality, but I can dream.


I went into one in Australia.  It was cool.


I'd move in today, if possible.


Isn't he a communist or something?


Interesting thought.  Just like RFK, Jr., she is really good on certain issues, but totally disagree with her on others.  I do think both are America loving people with a moral compass (something missing in most politicians, especially at the Federal level).

I'd love her as Secretary of State or Defense Secretary, but not so much as President.


I find it ironic that senile Pelossi wants to get rid of senile Biden.


That is a harder issue, but I'd argue that most of the time the Bible gives enough information to know how to interpret the grayer areas correctly if you are looking at the Bible for truth rather than looking for an excuse to have your own opinion because it isn't explicitly spoken about.  I can't say that is true 100% of the time though.


Hell is actually mentioned more than heaven in the Bible.


Some years ago, I was driving to a friends house and a rainbow appeared that seemed to end on the hood of my car.  I wanted a picture so badly, but couldn't readily take a picture while driving and there was no one else in the car to take it.  If I pulled over, it wouldn't be lined up right.  I wish I had that picture.


When there is a question of what is right, the answer should not be "I think ...", but should be "The Bible says ..." It breaks my heart often people, who call themselves Christians, determine right by "I think ..." or "I feel ..." By doing this, they are making God and the world in their image instead of growing in the image of Christ.

nostr:nevent1qy08wumn8ghj7mn0wd68yttsw43zuam9d3kx7unyv4ezumn9wshsz9mhwden5te0dehhxarj9ehkuumpw3ejummjvuhsz8thwden5te0dehhxarj94ex2mrp0yh8wmrkwvh8xurpvdjj7qgawaehxw309ahx7um5wghxy6t5vdhkjmn9wgh8xmmrd9skctcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsz9mhwden5te0wfjkccte9ec8y6tdv9kzumn9wshsz9nhwden5te0v4jx2m3wdehhxarj9ekxzmny9uq3jamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwwdhx7un59eek7cmfv9kz7qgwwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkctcpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgtcprdmhxue69uhkummnw3ezummjv9hxwetsd9kxctnyv4mz7qgcwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxxatjwfjkuapwveukjtcpp4mhxue69uhkyunz9e5k7tcpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7qpq27eme860dgfj5azd2jay70ud7hezrun9kyet4g9uk4cypky8v32sddzzex


If I didn't have family on the opposite side of the country, I wouldn't, but I'm not going to never see family again.  I'm scheduled to fly later this month for my Dad's 80th birthday.


Good job!  Getting pavers perfectly lined up and flat is not trivial.


My new book is now available as an ebook.  I am still waiting on my print proof book to authorize the paperback.  I'm having issues with Amazon, so it may take a bit before I get published on Amazon.

This link will have all of the sites at which my ebook is available.
https://books2read.com/u/47LrXa

I'll post again when I get the paperback book finalized and when I get them available on Amazon.

#Jesus  #jesus  #WhyINeedJesus  #TrustJesus  #God  #god  #faith  #Christian  #christian  #Christianity  #Christianity  #Bible  #biblestr  #spirituality  #truth

https://image.nostr.build/9f1906ec206b874c6e5f3f44b32ff13c4a1a02e0d216519958c5eebd8a6e6062.jpg


The government forcing a technology on people are banning another is evil.  Lying about the benefits of one technology over another is also evil.  Both need to be addressed.  I do agree that anyone who wants to buy and drive an EV should be allowed to do so.  I just don't think they should be encouraged to do so by regulation or lies.


This has become more real to me lately.  I've intellectually known that everyone has an eternal soul that will be spent somewhere because that is what the Bible teaches, but I had cognitive dissonance and thought of the unsaved as just ceasing to exist when they died.  When you think of people just ceasing to exist, it doesn't seem as critical that they get saved.  When you know that they will spend an eternity in torment in Hell, it really urges you to witness and not take the easy route.


Functionally servant, but positionally, child of God.


I just read an article saying Biden had a meeting with the Chancellor of Germany last month.  The Chancellor specifically scheduled the meeting early in the evening to suit Biden, but Biden didn't show up.  He sent Blinken (or Blinken voluntarily went in his place).  When Blinken was asked why Biden wasn't there, he replied, "He had to go to bed."  It is scary to have someone this far gone as President.  So much can go wrong and obviously other, unelected people are running the government in his place.  Yikes!


freeborn | ἐλεύθερος


When I was in college (before victimology was a big deal like now), a black girl wrote an editorial complaining that she was mistreated because of her race.  Her example was that someone on the bus grabbed their backpack, swung it onto their back, and it bumped her.  She said it was because of her race.  I can pretty much guarantee that it was an accident and the person responsible was so self-absorbed, they had no idea she was hit.  I wouldn't have thought anything about it.  Some people are oblivious.  Some people are rude.  Some people are both.  It doesn't mean they are racists or personally attacking someone.

If you want to find a grievance, you can find one, but that doesn't make it real.  I am so over the victimology culture.  They need to grow up.


FYI, other than the Breyers Natural, all of the other Breyers ice cream has some yucky ingredients in them, so don't blindly grab Breyers.


I've almost gotten to the point of only wanting to eat ice cream I make myself, but I also am not good at doing it lately.

When I buy ice cream I normally get Breyers Natural (My husband complains because it is more expensive).  It only has normal ingredients.  The thing I can't figure out is that it comes in Neapolitan (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry), vanilla, and strawberry, but I can't find natural chocolate.  They  make chocolate for the neapolitan, so why don't they make it alone?  (Maybe they do and my grocery store just never carries it.)


waterfox (closely related to firefox.  I believe it is a spinoff)


Well said.  It reminds me of this quote.

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." - John Adams


I'd argue that most of the time, speaking the truth (in a loving manner) is more caring than telling a person what they want to hear.  They may even hate you for speaking the truth, because it is uncomfortable, but that doesn't mean it isn't for their good.

On your original post, I basically agree, but would disagree on a minute detail.   Christians are always called to speak the truth in love.  We are not supposed to tell people what they want to hear, but what God's word says.  The slight nuanced difference is that I wouldn't call that judging.  We are just speaking God's truth.


Once again here are the fruits of the Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.

> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) {emphasis mine}

### A Young Example

When I think of Godly kindness, I think of my eldest son. He always puts others above himself. He always considers other’s needs and point of view. He goes out of his way to help or talk to those who are lonely and hurting. He is unbelievably accommodating and caring to his younger brother, who has Down Syndrome. When we ask him for help, he instantly and cheerfully stops what he is doing to help. Nothing, but God, can make a teenage boy (now a young man) be as kind and self sacrificing as he is.

> Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good repute

In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

My son is such an amazing example of kindness that everyone who has met him notices and most comment on it. He stands out as a light in this dark world.

### Bless Those Who Curse You

God calls us to all exhibit kindness. When we are kind, even to those who are unkind to us, we point the world to God. We stand out like a shining beacon in this grumpy, divided world.

> “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)

### Putting Others First

Kindness is related to love, but is a little different. Kindness is acting in a loving manner even to those who are hateful to you and to those whom you don’t really like. It is seeing the hurt and pain in others instead of the hate and reaching out with the same mercy that God had for you. It is putting another’s good above your own. It is doing this not only for those whom you love, but also those who hate you, mistreat you, and who are undeserving. We do this because God showed love to us when we were undeserving. It is acting based on the other person’s need instead of based on our own hurt. It is amazing how, when our focus is on God and the needs of others, the same words and actions that would previously drive us into a rage, instead will engender pity, mercy, and care.

When my son was flying home from college for the summer, he had a succession of problems with his flight. First his flight was delayed several hours due to mechanical issues delaying it into the afternoon. Then after finally taking off, they couldn’t land at their intended location because of severe thunderstorms and even the risk of tornados. Instead they landed at an airport in a completely different state. While waiting to return to the intended location, he had to wait in the airport for hours.

My son is very frugal. He is generous with others and has insisted on buying gifts for his friends since he was around 10 years old (maybe younger) so that they would be from him, but he doesn’t like to spend any money on himself. He definitely doesn’t want to spend the high prices of airport food, but is an always hungry teenage boy. We told him over the phone that he should go to the service desk and ask for food vouchers since the original delay was mechanical problems and to not take “no” for an answer because they wouldn’t have had weather issues if not for their mechanical issues. He refused to go get vouchers because he said there were a bunch of people in line that looked to be in greater need than he was. He put their comfort and need above his own. This is the exact attitude that God calls us to and is a fruit that we should show if we are saved. True, many of us may show it as an unripe and misshapen fruit, but the fruit should still be there, especially when we make an effort to obey God.

### Imitate the Kindness of Christ

> Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesian 4:31-32)

Based on what God has done for us:

> But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

We should show the same love, kindness, and mercy towards others who need Jesus as we did. Instead of focusing on how we were wronged, we should focus on their need.

You may say, “That’s not fair.” Maybe not, but it is right and it actually can end up to our benefit. When we act kindly towards someone who does not act kindly towards others or ourselves, we point them to Jesus because we are different than the world. If that person accepts Jesus, we have gained a brother or sister in Christ. We have changed the world for the better (through the power of the Spirit). It feels good when someone changes from hate to kindness and goes from unsaved to a child of God.

I worked two summers as an intern for a design build construction company while I was in college getting my electrical engineering degree. I worked with a drafter who would draw up my electrical drawings. He had been doing this for a good number of years. I was a newbie designing these systems for buildings. He resented me because he wanted to do the job I had been hired to do, but the company only wanted to hire people with EE degrees for the job. (Ironically the top electrical guy didn’t have a degree.) The drafter would point out any error I made in a very unkind way, but I just worked and did my best.

After a long time working with Him, a big group from work went to a free lunch at a local mega-church (actually the church I was attending at the time.) As a ministry the church did a free lunch once a month and preached to the attendees during lunch. At this lunch, the drafter sat near me and asked me, why I had always been kind to him despite him not being kind to me. I told him it was because I was a Christian. I would like to say that he became a born-again Christian at that moment, but that didn’t happen. At the same time, our relationship almost instantly changed. I was no longer picked on. Any corrections were done kindly. Working together was done with mutual respect. This never would have happened if I had responded in the same way I was treated. I would like to think that that was a seed I planted that God later brought to fruition, but I will never know until I reach heaven. Still, it was so worth it.

> The Sweetness of Kind Words

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:23-24)

A person with the fruit of the Spirit always talks in a kind, pleasant way that is sweet to those who hear. Some that hate us may not appreciate the kindness at the time, but it will make a difference. They may initially hate us more because of our kindness because it accentuates their hate and no one wants to think of themselves as hateful. We all want to think well of ourselves.

Are your words known for their kindness? Are you gentle with your words or are you known for your sharp, cutting words? If the latter, pray that the Spirit would help you have self-control and kindness in your words. Our Christian response should always be different.

> Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

### Be Kind in Gratefulness for the Kindness of Jesus

We should be kind because God was kind to us and we want to show the world what God is like.

> Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (Philippians 2:3)

Is there any other religion or belief system where its adherents are encouraged to put others first and not seek our own benefit from our words and actions? I don’t think so! When we act in this manor, we stand out in the crowd. People see that there is something different about us. We can be used by God to make a difference in the world and in other people’s lives.

> For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

Kindness is just being grateful for what Jesus did for us and doing for others what Jesus did for us. Obviously we will never succeed in being as kind and merciful as Jesus, but the Spirit enables to do more than a natural man ever could.

> Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually. (Hosea 12:6)

### Obedience Encourages Kindness

Paul talks about working hard so we are able to be kind and minister to those in need. He used his own work and generosity as part of his witness for Christ.

> You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’  ” (Acts 20:34-35)

Although the fruit of the Spirit, kindness, is something only spoken of as being given to Christian believers in the New Testament, the command to be kind has been spoken of in the Bible throughout the Old Testament as well. It isn’t a new command. This verse tells more about kindness:

> Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ (Zechariah 7:8-10)

Take this to heart and let kindness flow through you.

Trust Jesus

Check out the whole series, [Fruits of the Spirit](https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/fruits-of-the-spirit-6fc)

Learn more about Kindness, a Fruit of the Spirit, and how to apply it in your life.

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxqmnzvfjxycnzwpev5ftuw


A denomination can be useful in finding a decent church since so many denominations have become so corrupted, even if they started out faithful to God's word.  On the other hand, putting a denomination anywhere near the authority of God's word, is evil.  We left a church because of this issue.  The pastor was good.  Our small group Bible Study was good, but we came to find out that the rest of the church was seriously messed up.  Our Bible Study got in trouble for teaching through the Bible instead of using the denominations Sunday School material.

I agree that anyone who thinks we can work our way into God's good graces or into salvation is 100% wrong.  Works is an evidence of salvation, not a method of earning salvation.


Amen!

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."  (Ephesians 2:8-10)


This is lighter than my normal posts, but this is some submissions to the  "Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards" on the Epoch Times website.  They are entertaining, but the best is the 2 baby bears hanging onto mama grizzly's back end.
 https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/the-funniest-photos-so-far-in-the-2024-nikon-comedy-wildlife-awards-each-entry-is-rib-tickling-5678042?autoemail=ckkroeker%40yahoo.com&utm_content=&utm_term=


Once again here are the fruits of the Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.

> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) {emphasis mine}

### Patient Like Jesus

First of all, when we think about patience, we should remember that God (Jesus) is patient with us.

> The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) {emphasis mine}

If we are becoming more and more like Jesus, we also should be patient with others just like Jesus is. Instead of being mad at people who do not yet believe and are therefore hateful towards us, we should be patient and loving “*not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance*.”

This is not easy to do when someone is cursing us, accusing us of being hateful, or calling us unscientific fools, but this is what Jesus experienced when He lived a human life. He was accused of being misled and misleading. He was accused of being mad and being a fool. He was threatened, beaten, and killed. Should we expect any less? Should we take greater offense than the creator, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings?

> Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20)

We should deal with these offenses with the patience given to us by the Holy Spirit, so we can be like Jesus, so we can say like Paul,

> Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

### Patience in Persecution

He warned us that persecution and hard times would be coming.

> Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)(ESV) {emphasis mine}

> For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. (Colossians 1:9-12) {emphasis mine}

If you notice, the fruits of the Spirit are frequently linked together because we will have all of them and one will help grow another. When we love a person or have joy in life, we will be better at being patient with others. I also noticed while I was studying that steadfastness (endurance) was frequently associated with patience.

When we are put in a difficult situation our patience, knowing that “*… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose*,” (Romans 8:28) leads to steadfastness and endurance. Knowing God is in control allows us to patiently wait when evil seems to be winning and those doing evil seem to get away with their crimes. This patience allows us to continue doing good without expecting an immediate reward. It helps us to keep doing right against all odds.

### Waiting while our Heart Cries “How Long?”

As it is written:

> Wait for the Lord ; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

> Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31)

There are cries, “*How long*?” throughout the Old and New Testaments. We are limited by time. We get impatient. We are unable to understand God’s timing. He is all powerful and outside of time and space. God plays the long game. When we understand this, we can have patience and not think, ask, or say, “How long? Why? That’s not fair!” We can trust that God will do what is right and that although we don’t see the whole picture, He does.

In Revelation, we see the last cry of “*How Long*?” from those who were persecuted and martyred during the Tribulation.

> and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)

And what was God’s response?

> … they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. (Revelation 6:11b) {emphasis mine}

God’s righteous plan must be fulfilled in every detail. We are to trust and obey Him and then be patient and “*rest for a little while longer*.”

### Patient With …

When we have the fruit of the Spirit, patience, we gain patience with multiple people, things, and situations.

 We are patient with people. “*We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone*.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

We are patient with God. “*The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance*.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We are patient when things we care about are slow coming about. “*Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength..*. “ (Isaiah 40:31a)

We are patient when persecuted. “*and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure*.” (1 Corinthians 4:12)

When we have peace, we are more able to be patient. When we have patience we are more able to endure. One fruit leads to another which leads to another allowing us to faithfully serve God. We are given these fruits to mark us as belonging to Him and to enable us for the works for which we were created to do.

### Patience vs Eagerly Waiting

There are also multiple places in the Bible that talk about us eagerly waiting. Can we be both patient and eagerly waiting? Are they opposites and in contradiction or are they two sides of the same coin?

> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (Philippians 3:20)

> For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)

> so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (Hebrews 9:28)

> For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5)

Obviously God would not tell us to “*Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord* .” (Psalm 27.14) and give us the gift of patience while telling us to “*eagerly wait*” if they were mutually exclusive.

There are multiple principles spoken of in the Bible that seem to be contradictions, but are not. We can be eagerly awaiting Jesus’s return while patiently (accepting without complaint) living faithfully despite what is going on around us. The fruit of the Spirit form of patience is a peaceful waiting because we know that our God is in control and everything will happen according to His will, in His timing, and for our good.

> And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)

Trust Jesus.

Read the whole series on the [Fruits of the Spirit](https://trustjesus.substack.com/p/fruits-of-the-spirit-6fc)

What is the Fruit of the Spirit: "Patience"?

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxqmryveexyervdf5s5zl8m


You're welcome.


Good point.

I also know it is going to be hard to convince Israel to join a peace treaty and not wipe out Hamas.  Israel has repeatedly signed peace treaties and given up land and every single time, it has hurt them in the longterm because their enemies are only interested in the complete destruction of the Jews.  When groups like Hamas do a peace treaty, it is for the sole purpose of letting them rebuild and get resituated to attack Israel again.

It blows my mind (it shouldn't at this point) that Hamas attacks Israel, Kills more than a thousand civilians, including women and children, kidnaps others, and then when Israel retaliates, Israel is told they need to negotiate.  What ever happened to "no negotiation with terrorists" because it just causes more terrorism?


Kissinger is so evil.


Does anyone find it odd that the people negotiating a peace deal between Israel and Hamas are heads of intelligence instead of heads of state or secretaries of state?

"Axios previews that "Burns is expected to hold a joint meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, the director of the Israeli Mossad and the head of the Egyptian intelligence service in an effort to push forward the deal that could lead to the release of 120 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and end nine months of war."" https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hamas-drops-key-demand-making-gaza-ceasefire-deal-closer-ever

This seems so wrong to me.


I don't actually think Joe picked her, but it could be Jill picked her to help Joe maintain power and protect their crime family.


He does work in mysterious ways, but He told us how He created everything and He was very specific.  There are many things He does that He doesn't explain.   These things are mysterious.  There are some things He explains that are beyond our ability to fully comprehend.  There are some things He tells us explicitly.  Creation of everything, including life, He explained explicitly.

You will never get evolution out of the Bible without twisting it into an unrecognizable form.

In addition, as I've studied more and more science, there are massive holes in the theory of Evolution.  They cannot find any way to create the first life because life is so complicated that it can't happen by chance.  There are zero uncontested (by evolutionist) intermediate forms showing one kind changing into another.  The tree of life looks more like a forest of life with many trees (kinds) branching within a kind, ie. different kinds of dogs.  If you look at genetic mutations, almost all are harmful and he few that are arguably beneficial are almost always due to a loss of information, not gaining information.  They are also mildly beneficial, so it is impossible to select (if unintelligent "nature" was actually able to select) the good traits without including lots of more harmful traits.

Another problem is that so many things in life are irreducibly complex.  They can't evolve gradually.  They must evolve instantly, like the circulatory system.  You can also take something like sexual reproduction.  Besides the fact that it is irreducibly complex, it is complicated by the fact that you have to produce the irreducibly complex female sexual system in one creature of one kind and the irreducibly complex male sexual system in another creature of the same kind in the same location at the same time.  Believing this could actually happen is illogical.

There are so many additional reasons that Evolution can't be true, but I don't have time to go into more details and you probably don't have time to read them.


I like this quote from Alexis De Tocqueville about American greatness:

"I sought for the key to the greatness of America in her harbors; in
	her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast
	world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of
	learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her
	matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of
	America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I
	understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great
	because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good,
	America ceases to be great." ~ Alexis de Tocqueville.
Then you have to remember that nothing is good apart from God.

"And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone."  Luke 18:19


caused by removing God from culture and society.


I just saw a headline asking "Has There Been Any Conversation Among The Cabinet Members About Invoking The 25th Amendment?"

I'm sure there has, but every discussion has probably ended with something like, "but what do we do about Kamala?" or "but Kamala could be worse!"  At this point the primary thing keeping Biden in office is the fact that nobody (Democrat, Republican, or Independent) wants a President Harris.

Maybe that is why the Bidens picked her.


with governments, almost every decision is made for the good of the politicians, the bureaucrats, and the political donors or friends of the politicians.


When you tell people that they are an accident of nature and a descendant of pond scum instead of people who are created in the image of in unfathomably awesome God, this is what you get.


Most people choose a comfortable lie over an uncomfortable truth.

I've also found that having these uncomfortable talks with family seems to be hardest, whether it is BTC or Jesus.  They don't want to hear it.


All good recommendations.

I also follow Biblical Man on Substack.  He has a lot of good things to say.


Because the God of the Bible is the true God and creator of everything:  matter & energy, time & space, things seen and things unseen, He is not a God who can be fully comprehended.  There are things about God that make our heads hurt when we try to fully understand them.  He is not an easy to understand God made from the mind of man.

### What is the Trinity?

One trait of God that is particularly hard to comprehend is the fact that He is 3 persons in 1 God.  There are even arguments over this trait because it is so hard to understand.

First, let’s get out that the word trinity (or any form of it) is not used in the Bible.  At the time the Bible was written, I don’t believe a word to describe His 3 in 1 nature existed.  We come to the understand His 3 in 1 nature by reading descriptions of God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son (Jesus).  God also frequently refers to Himself in the plural.  Although the easy to understand trinitarian nature does not come until the New Testament, even the Old Testament suggests this nature from the very Beginning.

> “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)”  {emphasis mine}

Notice how God refers to Himself as “Us” and “Our”.  God refers to Himself as plural.  This is the first reference to the trinitarian nature of God.  Like many other things, such as salvation through faith in Jesus and God caring for the whole world and not just Israel, the trinity is not made clear until the New Testament.

### Is Jesus God?

When people argue against the trinity, the biggest argument is that Jesus is not God.  They think He is a prophet, a wise teacher, and a good man, but not God.  Unfortunately for them, Jesus does not leave this option open to us.

> So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning?  …  So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”  As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. (John 8:25,28-30)  {emphasis mine}

In the English translation, the translators added the word “He” for ease of reading, but that word is not there in the original Greek, therefore what He really said was “*you will know that I am*.”  Why is this important?  Jesus was claiming to be God.  In the Old Testament, when Moses asked God’s name, He replied, “*I AM*.”

> Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”  God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” (Exodus 3:13-14)

A Jewish man using the term “*I AM*” about Himself would be blaspheming because He is applying the name of God to Himself.  A man claiming to be God, who isn't, cannot be a good man.

As C.S. Lewis says:

> “I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic– on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg– or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

When the Jewish leaders heard Jesus talking, they understood that His statements were claims to be God.

> For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.  (John 5:18)  {Emphasis mine}

When the Jewish people heard Jesus talking,  they understood that His statements were claims to be God.

> I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.  Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”  The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”  (John 10:30-33)  {Emphasis mine}

Also Jesus said,

> Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. (John 8:42)  {Emphasis mine}

Jesus claims to have “*proceeded forth … from God*.”  Everyone knew He had been born by Mary.  How could He “*proceeded forth … from God*” if He was born naturally like every other man.  If He was born no differently than any other man, then He wouldn’t be God.  Of course we know that He was born differently.

> Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  (Matthew 1:18)

> Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;  and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”  Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”  The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)

This was no normal birth and Jesus is no normal man.  Being born of Mary and the Holy Spirit enabled Him to be fully God and fully man at one time.  It is hard for our human minds to comprehend, but we serve an awesome God who can do things beyond our understanding.  This is one of many unimaginable miracles of God.

Jesus also claimed to have “*all authority*”.

> And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  (Matthew 28:18)  {Emphasis mine}

Is it possible for anyone other than God to have “*all authority*”?

If you believe the Bible at all, it has not given us the option of thinking that Jesus was anything less than God.  Not only does Jesus claim to be God and his listeners understand Him to be claiming to be God, but other books of the Bible also refer to Him as God.

> who [Jesus], although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:6-11) [Clarification mine]  {Emphasis mine}

This is one of the clearest declarations of the deity of Jesus in the Bible.  It says Jesus *“existed in the form of God*." This sounds like the Bible is calling Jesus God.  It also says Jesus “*did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped*.”  In other words, Jesus was totally God, so He didn’t have to try to act like God, speak like God, or claim to be God.  His Godhood was clearly evident.

This passage says Jesus’s name is “*the name which is above every name.*”  Does anyone actually believe that God the Father, Yahweh, would put any other name above His own?  Of course not!  Jesus’s name is “*above every name*” because He is one with God the Father and one with God the Holy Spirit.

This passage says “*at the name of Jesus every knee will bow*,” but we know every time someone bows to anyone other than God, including angels or prophets of God like Paul and Silas, the people are immediately told to bow to no one but God.  Here it states that “*every knee will bow*.”  This would not be true unless Jesus was God and one with God the Father.

It also says, “*that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father*.”  Would calling Jesus Lord be to the glory of God if Jesus was not God?  I think not.

One of the best best verses about Jesus’s deity doesn’t technically use the name of Jesus, but if you take the entirety of the Book of John and his stated purpose:

> And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself  would not contain the books that  would be written.  (John 21:25)

In this context it is clear that John refers to Jesus as the word in John 1:1-3.

> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  (John 1:1-5)

These truths are said about Jesus:

* Jesus was from the beginning
*
* Jesus was with God
*
* Jesus was God
*
* Jesus is creator
*
* Life comes from Jesus
*
* Jesus is Holy (light in the darkness)

Can there be any conclusion other than that Jesus is God?

### Is the Holy Spirit God?

The Bible says:

> All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  (2 Timothy 3:16))  {Emphasis mine}

but it also says:

> But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.  (2 Peter 1:20-21)  {Emphasis mine}

If the inspiration of man comes from God and comes from the Holy Spirit, that makes the Holy Spirit the same God.  The two are spoken of in the same way.

> Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  {Emphasis mine}

In the same way, if our bodies are “*a temple of the Holy Spirit*”  and we are a temple of God.  If we are a temple of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit isn’t the same God as God the Father, how would this “*glorify God in your body*?”

> But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”  (Acts 5:3-4)  {Emphasis mine}

This Bible passage equates lying to the Holy Spirit to lying to God.  This is true since they are just to parts of the One true God.

We’ve already proven that Jesus is God.  In the verse below Jesus refers to himself leaving and the Father sending the Holy Spirit.  All three are given equality as God with each having a different purpose in the totality of the will of God.  In this passage “I” and “My name” refer to Jesus, while “Helper”, “Holy Spirit”, and “He” refer to the the Holy Spirit.

> “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  (John 14:25-26)  {Emphasis mine}

Also …

> Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  (Ephesians 4:30)

In this verse the Holy Spirit is referred to as separate and independent, though still part of God.  He is one person in the totality of God.

In this verse the Spirit of God is compared to the spirit of man.

> For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,  which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.  (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)  {Emphasis mine}

Just as the spirit of man is part of a man, so also is the Holy Spirit part of God.  In Genesis God creates man in His image.  I’ve heard it said that part of being in God’s image is a trinitarian design of man (although we are never as separate as the 3 persons or as one as the one God).  Man is body, mind, and spirit just as God is the Son (Jesus), the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

### Is the Father God?

I’ve included this section for completeness, but I don’t think anyone who believes the Bible even a little bit denies that the Father is God.  Some may believe that He is the only part of God, but they don’t deny the Father’s deity, so I won’t go into this any farther.

### Doesn’t the Bible speak of God as One?

The most common argument against the trinity is the use of this verse in Deuteronomy.

> “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Jesus even confirmed that this was a critical understanding of God when asked what is the greatest commandment.

> Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord;  (Mark 12:29)

The problem is that this verse is speaking against a pantheon of gods such as those of Greece and Rome.  The trinity may have 3 persons, but He is still only one God.  They aren’t separate.  They are of one mind and one will.  They can’t be separated from one another like the “gods” in other religions which have a multitude of “gods” that usually fight among themselves.  This is hard for us to understand, but it is clearly communicated in the New Testament.

As a help to understanding the 3 in 1 nature of God, I’ll include a little excerpt from my upcoming book *Why I Need Jesus*  I hope it helps, but I have doubts that any human mind can fully understand the 3 in 1 nature of God.

> Another incomprehensible thing about God is that He is a trinity:  three in one.  He is one God, but three persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. Our finite minds can’t comprehend how someone can be three persons, but only one God, but that is what God is.

There are a number of analogies that help us understand the trinity, but none of them fully explain what the trinity is.  We can not fully understand the trinity until the time we spend in eternity with Him, and although we will understand more in the afterlife, we may never fully understand.

One analogy of the trinity is the different roles of a person.  I am a wife, a mother, and a business owner.  I act differently acting in my different roles, but I have certain traits that are universal because I am me.  As a wife I am encouraging, loving, submissive, romantic, and supportive.  As a mom I am encouraging and loving, but I guide, teach, act as an example, and punish.  As a business owner I encourage, train, discipline, and help my employees.  You’ll notice there are commonalities between my roles, but I also act differently in my different roles.  The trinity is kind of like that, but they are more one and more three than my example.  Although I sometimes talk to myself, I can’t really interact socially with myself like the trinity can with the different parts of the trinity.  I am more one.  I can’t truly be 3 persons.

The Trinity is also somewhat like the 3 states of water:  ice, (liquid) water, and water vapor.  They are all water.  They are all H2O, but if you look at ice, water, and water vapor, they all have different traits and don’t look or act the same.

The last example I’ve heard came from a Southern Baptist pastor who has a food analogy for almost any Biblical principle.  He always said that the trinity is as simple as cherry pie.  If you have a cherry pie and cut it into three slices, when you look at it, it is clearly 3 different pieces of pie, but inside the cherry filling runs through the whole pie and is one cherry pie.  There is no separation between the pieces.  He would state, “the trinity is as simple as cherry pie.”

If someone was making up a god to manipulate people, they would not make up something so confusing and incomprehensible about their god.  On the other hand, a god who is the author of everything that exists is likely to have personal traits that are impossible for His creation to fully comprehend.

The trinity also is important in who God is.  A loving God that is all alone would need his creation because he would be lonely and have no one to love.  A trinitarian God has company and someone to love in the other two persons of the trinity.  This God doesn’t NEED his creation even if He wants and loves his creation.

By the above sections you can see that the Bible clearly talks about one God which includes three persons.  The fact that this is hard for us to understand doesn’t make it any less true.  We can’t pick and choose which verses we will listen to and which we will ignore. If we say there is only one God and deny the deity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we are apostate.  If we say that we worship three separate Gods, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, we are equally apostate.

The God of the Bible, the one and true God, is three persons in one God.  We need to trust God and believe His word even if we can’t fully understand how it can be so.

### What are Some Mentions of the entire Trinity?

There are many passages that refer to the three persons of the Trinity working together as one.  When Jesus was about to arise to heaven after rising from the dead, in His last words He said:

> And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20)  {Emphasis mine}

As Christians, we are called to be baptized “*in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.*” We are to acknowledge all three persons in the Godhead.

> Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,  and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”  (Luke 3:21-22)  {Emphasis mine}

Likewise when Jesus was baptized to fulfill the law of God, all three persons were present.  Jesus was fulfilling the Law of God so He would be a worthy sacrifice to take away our sins.  The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus as a helper and as a sign to John the Baptist that Jesus was the predicted Messiah.  God the Father spoke blessing the actions of Jesus in fulfilling their mutual will.  The three persons of God acted as One.

> “These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you while abiding with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  (John 14:25-26)  {Emphasis mine}

This verse also speaks of all three persons working in concert.  It also clearly separates the Spirit (Helper) from Jesus because as one (Jesus) leaves, the other (Helper) comes to help us.  Once again the Bible shows the three persons of God acting as One.

>  He who hates Me [Jesus] hates My Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me [Jesus] and My Father as well.  But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

 “When the Helper [Spirit] comes, whom I [Jesus] will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He [Spirit] will testify about Me [Jesus], and you will testify also, because you have been with Me [Jesus] from the beginning.  (John 15:23-27) [Clarification Mine]  {Emphasis mine}

Once again this verse shows all three persons of God working as One.  Just as John 8:42 (above) describes Jesus proceeding from God, John 15:26 describes the Spirit proceeding from the Father.  They proceed from God/Father because they are all One.

> Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.  (1 Corinthians 6:11)  {Emphasis mine}

Our sanctification and our justification come from all three persons of the one true God.  If we do not believe this, can we truly be saved?  If we do not believe in the Godship of Jesus can we truly be a child of God?

> Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.  If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”  (John 14:6-7)

Jesus explains that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father implying they are one and the same.

Trust Jesus

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

A Biblical explanation of what the Trinity is and what the Bible says on the subject. (updated w/ additional verses under "Is Jesus God?")

This is a long form article, you can read it in https://habla.news/a/naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzprf5h5jryfqv2cm3wj3akxgc0za2rsfn4mrnndj2yep9naq5hcetqqxnzdejxqcrywf5xycngvpj7mzmts