Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | December 12, 2016

The Gift

Early Matrimony

During the early years of our marriage my wife and I were extremely poor but hardworking. We had very few possessions and those we had were often of questionable quality; that was not really a problem for us as we were so happy about being married and living together as husband and wife that those things really didn’t matter to us at all.

We referred to our decor as early matrimony as it was a rather sad collection of items from a variety of sources. We had been given a toaster, as I recall and a few small items which had been wedding gifts but those have been gone and forgotten for ages.

There was one exception in our small collection of possessions, a Sunbeam Mixmaster that we had purchased on the installment plan while we were still engaged. Any rational consideration would lead one to believe this was pure extravagance for a young struggling couple but for some reason we felt compelled to make the purchase and gradually paid it off.

Now, 64 years later, we still have and use that same Mixmaster for all of our mixing jobs; it’s old and sort of beat up but it still does the job whenever needed; who could ask for anything more? (I have developed an emotional attachment to it to be honest; after all it has faithfully served us for over 64 years and deserves some consideration!)

sunbeam-mixmaster-model-10-1951

Sunbeam Mixmaster Model 10, 1951

While we are definitely pleased with the service we have gotten from our faithful Mixmaster, it is not the only household item that has stood the test of time.

Mother’s Day Many Years Ago

We had been married for a few years by the time this particular Mother’s Day came around and I was painfully aware that my wife was experiencing constant frustration in the kitchen because of her lack of a really good knife for kitchen use. What knives we had would almost never easily do the cutting job required in the kitchen and my wife was faithful to let me know of her frustration with all of them.

As this particular Mother’s Day approached I had a brilliant idea, at least I thought it was brilliant, I would find her a really good knife for her to use in the kitchen. I knew the knives we had been getting at the hardware store and grocery store were not doing the job so I decided to find a professional butcher supply store and see if I could find a really first class knife for her to use in the kitchen.

My search met with complete success, I found a butcher knife of professional quality, sixteen and one half inches long, which could be sharpened to a razor edge. I was so excited by my find that I could hardly wait to give it to her on Mother’s Day.

Mother’s day finally arrived and I proudly presented her with the package I had so carefully wrapped containing the big butcher knife. We were both surprised when she opened the gift, she was disappointed, a butcher knife for Mother’s Day, had the romance already disappeared from our marriage, a butcher knife, oh really; I was surprised that she didn’t immediately see the wisdom of my selection and thank me for ending her frequent frustration with dull knives.

After that I would hear of my poor choice for a romantic mother’s day gift at appropriate times for the next several years; “a butcher’s knife for Mother’s Day?”

Years Later

Although we do not recall the exact Mother’s Day I gave her that insensitive gift, we think it was around 1958; I’m happy to report that it is still doing its job with professional elegance and still takes a razor sharp edge.

I must confess that I have, on occasion, asked her how she is enjoying her mother’s day gift as I watch her easily slicing through items in the kitchen as she prepares a meal. I think she has forgiven me and put her disappointment behind her as she continues to enjoy the benefits of this unromantic but very useful Mother’s Day gift.

knife

Old but Very Sharp!!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | December 7, 2016

Pearl Harbor Day

The Japanese Bomb Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor Bombed 1941

On this date in 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The attack started somewhere between 7:48 and 7:58 AM local time on a Sunday morning. The public announcement of the attack was delayed by almost two hours so the announcement aired in the USA around 2:30 PM Eastern time and 9:30 AM Hawaiian time.

My mother, stepfather, and I were out on a Sunday afternoon drive looking for an alternate camping site for my stepfather’s Boy Scout troop. The time was around 1:31 PM when the announcer broke into the radio broadcast we were listening to and said the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor.

I was sitting in the back seat and still remember hearing the announcement; I don’t recall how we reacted at that point, but I’m certain none of us had any idea of the far reaching implications of that action.

A number of the boys that had been scouts in my stepfather’s troop would be killed in WW II and the Korean War; a name that stands out to me is John Ditner, a remarkably fine young man who had been my Patrol Leader when I was in the troop and was killed in the Korean War.

I am always fascinated by the impact of seemingly remote activities; Pearl Harbor was so far away so how could that affect our lives? But affect our lives it did and in a most profound way. The next several years would see a change in America that would deeply touch everyone.

Today, seventy five years later, we still remember the day that “lives in infamy.” To that date we have added September 11, 2001; another date that will live in infamy. At Pearl Harbor 2,402 Americans were killed, on 911 there were 2,977 killed not counting the Muslim terrorists.

I hope and pray there will be no more days of infamy but that is unlikely; I suspect we can all agree the oft quoted warning, “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom” is as fully applicable today as it ever was. Revised and updated 12/7/16

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | December 1, 2016

A New Beginning

God’s Will for this Country has been Revealed

We now have a new President Elect that appears to endorse a dramatically different view of the function of government. We are finishing two terms of progressive, socialistic globalism and are now being offered constitutional, nationalistic conservatism if one is to believe the reports. I firmly believe the Bible when it tells us God is the one who selects our national leaders and must confess a great interest as I wonder where God is going with this new administration.

One morning recently, my wife made a comment that caught my attention and furnished the catalyst for the writing of this article; she wondered if this was another test provided by God to see if this country could learn to look to the real source of our freedom, prosperity and national stability; could we once again nationally recognize that only God can provide those qualities that can make a country truly great.

Over the last eight years God has been systematically removed from the public arena and our social matrix has suffered correspondingly. Sadly it must be acknowledged this process has been going on for decades but now we are beginning to see the final results of these seeds as this matured movement toward secular globalism begins to bear fruit.

Our Constitutional Republic was designed for people who recognized the preeminence of God in the operations of government and felt an obligation to observe the priorities laid down in the Bible for human behavior. Personal responsibility continues to be an inherent part of citizenship in our form of government.

I am convinced that our success as a nation has been primarily due to God’s hand of grace on this country; not our brilliance, not our cleverness nor our wisdom but God’s grace.

The Founding Fathers and the Constitution

There are many who believe the early successes of the United States were a result of the abilities and wisdom of our founding fathers. While credit is due them for their wisdom, dedication and perseverance I am convinced we succeeded as a result of God’s hand of grace on us as a nation. As I look over the history of this country it becomes easy to believe in the supernatural guidance and providence of Almighty God.

Today we hear much of the importance of a return to the basic principles of constitutional government with an emphasis on limiting the extent of governmental control over the lives and affairs of the nation in general. The constitution limits the government and gives the people those rights which are not specifically given to the federal government by the constitution.

Over the years the federal government has dramatically expanded its control in many areas not specifically granted to it by the constitution. Those who espouse a return to constitutional government have come to believe that a restoration of constitutional limits would improve both the quality of life and the general level of economic productivity for our nation. It would appear the President Elect shares those views and will proceed to implement them as soon as possible.

What is God’s plan for this World?

After the fall of Adam and Satan’s domination of this world began, a new plan of diversification began to emerge. This principle is first presented in Genesis 11:1-9 where we find the story of the Tower of Babel:

“11 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.

3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”

5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”

8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.”

Why do you think God would have such a concern about world unity? Could it be that God could foresee the dangers of consolidated power? An expression has come to us through history about power and corruption. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Sir John Dalberg-Acton (1834-1902). I believe we have all seen evidences of that during our lifetimes and can in some small way understand the dangers of power.

I believe nations are God’s plan for limiting the dangers of absolute power. We know from the Bible that Satan’s final effort for world domination will employ a centralization of power under the Antichrist; it would appear that world globalization is a step in that direction.

What about the United States?

Today this country may be standing at a crossroads; it may be we have been given another opportunity to choose. Could it be we have been given another time of testing by God to let us see which path we shall select? The path of progressive socialism failed to produce satisfactory results for this nation; now, perhaps, we are to be given the path of constitutional conservatism as an alternative. I suspect you too have read some of the often repeated opinions that a return to constitutional government would provide the foundation for a return to stable government and economic prosperity.

I suggest to you that no form of government that does not place God at the center has any hope of lasting success. I think often of the generally neglected fourth verse of our national anthem:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation,
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven – rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto –“In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Let us never forget that fundamental truth which has shaped our national destiny; it is the power of God that has made and preserved us a nation! If this last election is another heavenly rescue let us not fail this time to praise that Power and fully place our trust, hope and confidence in the God of Heaven!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 23, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!

bear-confrontation-resized-2

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 14, 2016

Your First Car

If You’re Anything like Me You Have Vivid Memories of Your First Car

For several years after my wife and I got married we were very poor and owning a car was completely out of the question. It was not until I was serving in the United States Navy that we finally felt we could afford a new car and selected a 1954 Volkswagen which was black with a red interior and a sunroof; how exciting to finally drive our very own car. At the time our new car cost around $1,800 including all the extra costs like title, tax and license; needless to say that car made a profound difference in our lifestyles even with Virginia license plates. My release from active duty finally came around and it was a happy day to put Texas plates on our car in anticipation of our return to Texas.

Texas License Plates Rev.

Texas Plates on our 1954 Volkswagen (the plates are dated 1956)

We took a lot of pictures of that car as we took advantage of the mobility we enjoyed as car owners. Since then we have owned many cars, most of which were never photographed.

Why would I bring up my memories of our first car you may ask and that is due to the analogies it bears to your first body. That may provoke a question in your mind, “What do I mean by saying your first body?” Although I was proud of my first car it did not establish who I was; my sense of identity was not based on the car and when we sold it I did not feel I was losing a part of myself.

It is however far too easy to associate our identity as human beings with our body; we seem to think that we are our physical bodies and that is a serious misconception.

Temporary Transportation

When we wanted to take a trip we would get into our 1954 Volkswagen and drive to the general location we wanted and then get out of the car and walk to our ultimate destination; we have followed that pattern in every car we’ve owned since then as well and see that pattern as entirely normal. The car was temporary transportation to help us arrive at a predetermined point.

The fact of the matter is our bodies are similar temporary transportation which carries us to a certain point in our lives where we must get out and continue our journey without our body; that too is entirely normal. Our society has chosen to call this journey life and the departure from our temporary transportation is called death. It is only in the Bible that a more precise understanding of our journey and our destination can be found.

It is easy to see how we could get confused about our relationship to our body; from birth we are associated with our temporary transportation and can begin to associate our living essence with our bodies. It requires a big step of faith to disassociate ourselves from our bodies and begin to think of them as temporary transportation.

This is what the Bible teaches us and whether or not it seems reasonable and logical we must accept by faith the fact that our bodies are only temporary transportation that absolutely must be left behind when we reach the end of our journey. The Apostle Paul writes of this in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 where it is written:

“5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Paul, having been a tent maker, thinks in terms of the body as a tent while I use the car as a comparison; in either case the results are the same, it is temporary and must be left behind. I have mentioned before that our bodies are the only part of us that are not redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior; they must be left behind or transformed as will happen to the terminal generation of Christians at the rapture of the church.

Establishing a Biblical Perspective

It is rather difficult to disassociate ourselves from our bodies; to think of them more accurately as temporary transportation which cannot accompany us into the presence of the Lord and be a part of our future in eternity. This is as much a matter of faith as is salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; if one can take that step of faith then life and death is put into a totally new frame of reference.

When our older son was dying of terminal brain cancer I talked to him about death and described it as a doorway which leads us to Christ. He was at peace with the thought of his death and was an inspiration to many as his condition continued to deteriorate. His funeral was a celebration of a life lived unto the Lord and a joyous recognition of the sufficiency of our Lords grace. He had arrived at the destination given to him by the Lord; left his transportation behind and went home to be with the Lord.

At a time known only to the Lord, we who have received Him as Savior will receive our new heavenly transportation or as Paul expresses it, “our heavenly dwelling;” in the meantime we will be doing ourselves and all who know us a big favor by holding, and helping them hold a Biblical perspective on life and death.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.                   (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 7, 2016

Imagine the Joy!

A Lot is Happening

We are living in a time when there is much happening that is either questionable or downright disgusting. The situation in Washington, in the world, even in our local communities is all too often depressing and could even be discouraging if you let yourself focus on the wrong things.

I’m reminded of Paul’s words of caution in Philippians 4:4-9 (one of my favorite Bible passages)

“4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

The Bible has warned us the world situation will get steadily worse in the end times so we should not be surprised it is happening now.

A Bright Light of Hope and Joy

Just when things seem to be reaching a low, (think national elections) a bright light begins to appear, the celebration of the First Advent, Christmas! Even now in November gentle glimmers of promise begin to twinkle in the darkness of world affairs as we see the first hints that Christmas is coming. As the weeks pass evidence will begin to increase as preparations are made to celebrate the blessed birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For those who long for His return nothing can dampen the hopeful expectations associated with the birth of our Lord; an amazing act of grace, love, and mercy that brought the Second Person of the Trinity to earth to indwell a human body and become a part of His creation. This supreme act of love included the redemption of all who would believe and receive the gift of salvation through the shed blood of our beloved Savior.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In the midst of this political turmoil I am reminded that this will soon be past; a time is coming when all the nations of the world shall be ruled by our Savior and God, Jesus Christ. Can you imagine the joy and peace of knowing the leader of all nations is holy and perfect and completely free of deceit, selfishness and fraud?

The fullness that accompanies our fondest hopes and dreams for Christmas is only a foretaste of all that awaits us in the theocracy that is coming. I look forward to that time with a great yearning; I bet you do too!

In the spirit of Philippians 4:4-9 I would encourage you to look beyond the plentiful troubles of this present world and in faith look ahead to the world that is coming; a world that is filled with peace, joy and that inner sense of full completion that awaits all who love the Lord.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 31, 2016

The Mystery of God’s Creation, concluded

God’s Creation (a small example)

Last week’s essay featured a photo from the Hubble telescope displaying the Omega Nebula which is definitely large. God’s creation is a wondrous display of His creative extravagance from the largest to the smallest. This week I feature another amazing part of God’s creation that is small but equally wonderful in her own way! This tiny kitten, which was found on a used car lot sleeping under one of the cars, has become a beloved member of our family and continues to bring joy to our household.

Abby in Her New Bunk Bed

Abby, as a kitten

God’s Plan for Cleaning up the Mess

Previously I mentioned my wonder at God’s patience with His creation and His reluctance to simply vaporize it all and start over. I also wondered at the old creation that had been subjected to the curse because of Adam’s sin yet appears to have been given hope, a promise of restoration along with God’s children in Romans chapter 8.

The focus of God’s plan for cleaning up the mess is the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ; the gospel is the good news of salvation and redemption in Jesus Christ as Savior resulting in the new birth. In Jesus we have the Second Adam from above and the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit who has indwelt believers since the creation of the church at Pentecost, AD 33.

While the soul has been redeemed and the spirit awakened to life, our mortal bodies still labor under the curse of Adam’s sin. Our mortal bodies cannot join us in eternity, they must be replaced with a heavenly body which will be progressively given to believers; the church will receive their resurrection bodies at the rapture of the church as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 while the Old Testament saints will receive their resurrection bodies at the Second Advent. Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19

The Process of Purification

We looked at God’s unbelievable patience with His creation and His amazing willingness to take dramatic steps to save it; examined the seeming conflict between the destruction of creation and creations hope for a glorious future with God’s children and started looking at certain facts revealed in the Bible that could help in resolving this apparent contradiction.

Think about those Christians who will still be alive at the rapture of the church; we are told they will be transformed and their mortal bodies of dust will be changed over to heavenly bodies that will last forever and be free of the virus of sin.

Another point to consider is the way our works are dealt with by the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 where it is written:

“12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

This is referred to as the “Judgment Seat of Christ” which I see as a process of purification for the Christian’s works. While the Christian is completely free of all condemnation the works of the Christian over the course of their lives may include works that were done in the power of the flesh and not in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Those works done in the power of the flesh are burned up and leave the Christian with only those works done in the power of the Holy Spirit. I see this as a refining process that is intended to purify the Christian’s works just as the Christian was purified by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians enter heaven with no trace of sin remaining.

Now the Creation

Could it be that God will apply the same process of purification to the creation of Romans 8:19-22? I have begun to think this could really happen; I can see our Lord preserving His creation by purifying it by fire; I can imagine the fiery destruction of 2 Peter 3: 5-13 as a refining process. When we consider our mortal bodies we know they can appear to be totally destroyed yet we can also know with Job who writes in Job 19:25-27

25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed,
    yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself.
    Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
    I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

I freely admit this is speculation but I enjoy thinking on such things and encourage you to think on it too. It would be nice to know what your thoughts may be on this matter if you feel inclined to share them.

In the meantime, “I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 24, 2016

The Mystery of God’s Creation

So Much More Than May First Appear!

omega-nebula

Omega Nebula – Hubble Telescope

As I study the Bible and simply observe life I continue to be surprised and moved by the wonders of God’s creation. From the simplest to the most complex the extravagance of God is revealed in His creative processes. One thing has greatly impressed me; God’s respect for His creation.

There have been a number of times in my study of the Bible that I have been amazed at God’s patience with His creation; wouldn’t it have been simpler to just vaporize the present creation and start over. Instead of vaporizing, God continues to work with His creation to correct the mistakes it has made starting with the first man, Adam.

I believe the member of the Trinity standing before Adam in the Garden of Eden was the Son who, in His omniscience, could see the cross in His future as He spoke to Adam. I cannot even begin to imagine all that passed through the Son’s mind as He saw the results of Adam’s disobedience stretching out into the future.

A New Thought

During my studies a thought has surfaced which is new to me; it involves the present heaven and earth and it’s future, if any, in the new universe. I have long interpreted 2 Peter 3: 5-13 to represent the total destruction of the present heaven and earth.

“5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.”

Recently the verses in Romans 8:18-23 have come again to my mind but in a new light:

“18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.”

In these verses the present creation has a future with God’s children; the question that comes to mind is how can a creation with a future be totally destroyed? Is there some way this can be reconciled that is understandable to human comprehension? Let’s see if we can find any clues in the Bible.

What God has Revealed

While there is much that is not revealed there may be enough revealed to give us some idea how those seemingly contradictory ideas can be explained.

First we know the heaven and earth as it was created originally was good; in Genesis 1:31 it is written:

“31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Second we know that the heaven and earth were cursed because of Adam’s disobedience; in Genesis 3:17 it is written:

“17 And to the man he said, Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you.”

In Romans 8:20 we see an extension of the curse to the entire universe:

  20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse.

At this point then we see mankind spiritually dead and all creation subjected to God’s curse; not a very pretty picture as I see it. This may have been a good time to vaporize the whole mess and start all over but God had a different plan and that is the story told by the Bible.

Next time; the process of purification.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 20, 2016

The Presidency, a Reflection of the People.

“Americans gaze into their moral mirror”

US Flag 2

In an article by Abraham McLaughlin, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor / January 19, 1999 the Christian Science Monitor discussed the results of a survey of 800 Americans which was commissioned by The Christian Science Monitor and conducted by Technometrica Institute of Policy and Politics (TIPP), based in Oradell, N.J. The subject of the survey was President Clinton’s behavior after the Monica Lewinsky scandal had been revealed.

The article went on to say, “Nearly one-fifth of those surveyed in a nationwide poll said Mr. Clinton’s actions have prompted them to reexamine their own standards. The poll also found this moral mirror-gazing is more common among those who disapprove of the way Clinton is doing his job.”

This election year we are given another opportunity to gaze into the mirror of our moral fiber as a nation; we are given two widely disapproved candidates of questionable moral worthiness for the highest office in the land.

The candidates for the office of President of the United States are, should you read the evaluations provided by the opposing party, more worthy of prison than the White House. Since the epithets being thrown by both parties are such common knowledge I will not repeat them here; I suspect most of us are quite weary of all the mudslinging that has characterized this election cycle.

What is our Responsibility as Christians?

I have never before seen such a polarizing election as this one; emotions are running high as self-appointed spokespersons for this or that cause speak out against what they feel to be the most egregious transgressions of a particular candidate. There appears to be no such thing as a clear choice between the two candidates, no moral high ground as both are equally unacceptable to many.

Is there any stability available to the Christian in this time of political turmoil? I believe there is a stability that can be found in the Bible for those who trust God and believe his word.

What does the Bible have to say about governments and leaders; can we find any comfort in the pages of the Bible as we live through this time of unrest? Should we vote for the lesser of two evils or simply not vote for the office at all; that seems to be the question in the minds of many Christians.

The Bible on Governments and Leaders

I am convinced of the absolute sovereignty of God; I believe God is in complete control of all things and is working all things after the counsel of his own will!

As I study the Bible certain sections of scripture come to my mind first; Daniel 4:17 for example:

17 For this has been decreed by the messengers;
    it is commanded by the holy ones,
so that everyone may know
    that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
He gives them to anyone he chooses—
    even to the lowliest of people.”

In Romans 13:1 this principle is restated when Paul writes:

13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

I believe those verses make it very clear who is in charge in this matter; it is God who determines who the leaders of government will be, not chance, not cleverness, not popularity, not force, not even the vote!

How then should we apply this principle to the present situation? If God is in complete control, and he is, then what is our responsibility as Christians?

Christian Responsibility

I believe our responsibility as Christians can best be summarized by the verses in Proverbs 3:5-6 where it is written:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Regarding this election either vote or don’t vote for the office of President as you feel led but above all you should experience no concern that things are out of control; simply know that God is in complete control and is working all things after the counsel of his own will.

The next President of the United States, should there be one, will function as a servant of the Most High God and will be used for the accomplishment of God’s will for this nation. That you can take to the bank!

It would appear to most observers that either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be sworn in as President of the United States on Friday, January 20, 2017; it is wise, in these volatile times, to remember God is in complete control and may have another plan already in place that excludes both of them.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 17, 2016

Who are You, What are You, Where are You Going? Concluded

Works in Progress!

Last time we concluded with recognition that God has placed within every born again Christian the indwelling Holy Spirit as an everlasting gift. Receiving this truth gives a whole new depth of meaning to the verses in Romans 8 where Paul writes:

“28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

God is very serious about this process of conforming Christ’s brothers and sisters to the image of his Son; for the Holy Spirit to be joined with each of them individually is a huge step in this process of conformity! The fact that this is not discernible by our physical senses in no way diminishes the enormity of this reality; this is also a step of faith just as was our salvation in Jesus Christ.

Imagine how you would think and act if the spiritual reality of the incarnation of the Holy Spirit in your life would affect the way you saw yourself and the world. Paul mentions this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 where it is written:

“19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

What would it be like for you to make those words the foundation on which you built your life?

Perfection Must Wait

We all have a dream of living a holy life unencumbered by sin but that must wait. How often I get letters from all over the world where Christian men and women express their desires to be free of this plague of sin. Sadly I must tell them we will not be free of sin as long as we inhabit these mortal bodies.

We live on a sin-cursed world that is under the control of Satan and, in addition, are tormented by a nature to sin that we inherited from Adam. We are soldiers who must live out our lives on a spiritual battlefield in complete dependence on the armor of God to protect us from attack.

In His grace, God has provided the help we need to prevail but we must utilize the armor God has provided if we are to resist the attacks of the dark forces of this world. I have written on this in the series, To the Soldiers in the Spiritual War.

The Bible does not reveal the reason God chose to use this plan but my personal experience has taught me a lot. I have learned how harmful sin can be and have learned to despise sin in myself, in others and in the world. I have come to long for the Lord’s complete rule and reign in my life and anticipate His return with great hope and joy. I too must still struggle with sin (keeping in mind that everything that is not of faith is sin) but rejoice in God’s forgiveness and the sure promise of His return!

While we Wait

Although the Bible does not reveal God’s plan for each individual life it does reveal God’s plan for us as Christian’s; we have a commission and an attitude revealed that we are told to follow.

The commission is given in Matthew 28:19-20

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The attitude is given in Philippians 4:4-9

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

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