Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | December 6, 2023

December 7, 1941

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“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

As the years pass there are fewer and fewer of us who can remember where they were and what they were doing when the bombing of Pearl Harbor was announced on the radio; I still remember that Sunday afternoon. I was an eight-year-old boy riding in the backseat of a Chevy, four door sedan, on a Sunday afternoon drive to look for campsites for the Boy Scout Troop my stepfather led. I’m sure that none of us could imagine the impact that attack would have on our country and our lives.

Although, by God’s grace, we were not as profoundly affected as many other countries around the world, it would certainly change life as we knew it. Some of the older boys that had been members of the troop would join up and never return; their lives lost on a distant battlefield. My stepfather had concerns about all of the boys that had gone through the troop and especially the boy leaders who had become patrol leaders and later assistant Scoutmasters. There were too many sad moments when we got the news that another former scout had died in the war.

War is Declared

Little time was lost in Washington D. C. in reacting to the attack; Congress was convened and President Roosevelt spoke to both houses.

Address to Congress
Requesting a Declaration of War with Japan
December 8, 1941

“Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces- with the unbounding determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”

Once the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor the United States responded on December 8th with a declaration of war on Japan; because of treaties between Japan, Germany, and Italy that meant we had declared war on all three nations. Below is a copy of the declaration of war on Japan.

Congressional Declaration of War on Japan

“December 8, 1941

JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States and making provisions to prosecute the same.

Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America:

Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared;
and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.

Approved, December 8, 1941, 4:10 p.m. E.S.T.”

This was a remarkable moment in the history of the United States. The country had been burdened by an economic downturn known as the “Great Depression” which had created many hardships on the American people. In addition, the Central Plains had been ravaged by a drought that was so bad the whole area became known as the dust bowl. Having been raised in Houston, Texas I was indeed fortunate to have experienced little hardship from the depression or the drought.

Fortunately, the drought was beginning to lift by the time the war started and many speculate that the Second World War was the catalyst that brought the United States out of the Great Depression.

A Time for Remembrance

Tomorrow will be December 7, 2023, let us remember the great price that has been paid that we might continue as a free nation. The old saying, “Freedom is not Free” is as true today as it was on that fateful day in 1941.

Sadly, another form of treachery has once again endangered us, now a second date that will live in infamy has been added to the history of this country and that is 911, September 11, 2001. This is another vivid reminder that our freedoms must be defended or they will be lost.

If we value our nation, it is vital we recognize the changes in tactics that are being employed by those who wish to destroy it; attacks from without and within will continue until we are willing to deal decisively with those wishing its destruction.

First published December 7, 2011; revised and updated.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | December 1, 2023

Great Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord!

Contemplation of God Brings Joy and Humility to those who Love Him!

I often think of the following portion of the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon which he Delivered on Sunday Morning, January 7th, 1855, at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark.

“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, “Behold I am wise.” But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass’s colt; and with the solemn exclamation, “I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.” No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God.”

These thoughts so clearly and accurately represent my feelings on the subject that I reflect on them and rejoice in them frequently. I delight in the thought of the immensity of God and my small place in his creation.

The Bible Presents a Reality that Exceeds Anything the Mind of Man has Imagined!

I am continually amazed by the Holy Bible; it’s presentation of reality is so unique that my mind reels from the implications presented there.

While the major purpose of the Bible is to explain man’s problem with sin, and God’s solution to man’s sin problem; it provides glimpses of the eternal reality in which this struggle is located. These glimpses give but a small hint of what is going on behind the scenes of the created environment which we may think of as reality.

Humanity is bound to this earth and lives within a framework of time which just happens to be unique to this planet we occupy. The Bible suggests a timeless eternity which is difficult, if not impossible, for the time-bound human to even imagine.

Timeless Eternity has no Beginning.

I find it interesting to note that neither Genesis 1:1 nor John 1:1 has an article with the word “beginning” in the original languages. No matter how far back you can try to imagine as a beginning, God was already there, God has been there eternally, no beginning and no ending!

The very concept of an eternal God is somewhere between difficult and impossible to imagine; when you add the concept of the Trinity to the mix it becomes even harder. The thought of an eternal being who has no beginning and no ending, is one in essence and three in person is totally beyond my scope of understanding!

The Bible provides no information on how long the Trinity existed before a decision was made to create; one might even suggest that long, in relation to time, is meaningless in eternity. The Bible slips us a clue when, in 2 Peter 3:8 it is written:

“8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

This suggests to me that one must see the whole matter of time from a different perspective in eternity. It may be possible, when the church is called home, that Old Testament saints will feel only a few “days” have passed since they arrived. I can imagine speaking to Daniel and being told he’s only been here a short time when I join him in heaven.

Creation, on the Other Hand, had a Beginning

I cannot even begin to imagine the Trinity’s existence before the decision to create was made; the entire universe and everything in it are the results of that decision. The significance of that statement is truly immense! The Trinity is the only true reality! I have written more on this in the essay, “What is Reality.”

I will not even attempt to imagine an environment for the Trinity before the decision was made to create; I believe our creator exists both inside and outside his creation. While an ever so tiny part of his creation can be viewed with modern technology, the eternal state is infinitely beyond anything we can see or imagine.

Spurgeon’s wording is perfect, “There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity.”

The Sovereignty of God

I find it very comforting to reflect on the fact the Divinity is working all things after the counsel of his own will. The chaos, death and destruction we are witnessing today, all have a place in God’s plan. I know how all this ends, we win, God is triumphant; sin, Satan, and death are vanquished.

While the Satanic world system, in which we live, is filling the earth with violence and death, this system has been judged by God and will reap the inevitable consequences planned for it. In the meantime, let us rejoice in the Lord and delight ourselves in the coming victory!

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 20, 2023

The Deadly Dangers of Self-Righteousness!

There is a Fatal Flaw in Comparing Yourself to Others!

This past week I had the opportunity to present the gospel to an individual who simply could not understand the concept of grace. He could not understand how someone could live a bad life, receive Jesus Christ as Savior and then go to heaven.

He believed he had lived a good life, followed the straight and narrow, and deserved God’s recognition for the quality of his life. He felt this should serve as his doorway to heaven and that should be enough.

Sadly, this individual has a great deal of company as way too many are inclined to believe their works should open doors to heaven. They compare themselves with others and see their decisions and actions as superior to others they know or can imagine.

Jesus Helps Nicodemus Understand Reality

The Bible speaks very clearly to that mistaken notion in John 3 where we read of Nicodemus, a man who had every earthly reason to think well of himself, and his secret visit to Jesus Christ. Nicodemus was a respected Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, and a ranking member of the Jewish Sanhedrin.

Jesus immediately cuts to the root of the matter and tells Nicodemus:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

No reference to all that Nicodemus had accomplished or the lofty and respected positions he held in Jerusalem, just a warning that one must be born again!

Not surprisingly, Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was talking about; equally not surprising, most people today do not understand what Jesus was talking about. The basic truth has never changed, unless one is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God!

Works Versus Personal Sin

As an online missionary for Global Media Outreach, I encounter a lot of concern about personal sins. Those of us who love the Lord Jesus as our Savior are painfully aware of our failure to live up to the Godly standards described in the Bible.

We are assured, in the Bible, this is all a part of being a Christian; we must struggle with and seek to suppress our tendency to sin. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read:

“8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Personal sin is a symptom of our problem, not the problem itself. There are many different sorts of viral infections which produce a vast assortment of symptoms, yet the symptoms are not viruses, just evidence the virus is present!

Personal sin is a symptom of the virus we inherited at birth, the virus is the spiritual death we inherited from Adam; there is nothing whatsoever we can do or not do that will change the fact of our birth, absolutely nothing!

WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN TO A DIFFERENT FATHER!

What we could not do, God could do for us by sending his Son to die for our sins! By simple faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, we can be born again by the power of God, the Holy Spirit, given a living spirit and a new Father which delivers us from the Adamic curse with which we were born!

The Bible strives to make this clear, in Ephesians 2:4-10 it is written:

“4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Once we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, we are adopted children of God, the Father, and become members of His family now and forever! Nothing can change that, nothing at all! In Romans 8:38-39 we are promised:

 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 8, 2023

Is There a Force with You Too?

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I continue to be amazed by the vast assortment of notions of reality that keep circulating today; what is equally amazing is the depth of conviction held by different groups that hold a certain position.

In October of 2017, I published the following essay which is related to reality; it has recently been read by someone which caused it to surface again in my records. I had not read it for a long time and was intrigued by its applicability to today’s world situation.

I’ve made some revisions and encourage you to consider its message.

Truth is Stranger than Fiction!

As many of you are aware I’m a science fiction fan and collect both books and movies devoted to the genre. Yesterday I watched one of the recent releases in the “Star Wars” saga named “Rogue One.” One of the characters in the movie is blind and on occasion would chant “I’m one with the Force, and the Force is with me” as he encountered dangerous situations.

As usual I see parallels with Christianity in everything so this rather quickly brought my mind around to thinking on the privileged position we experience as born-again Christians. At the point of the new birth, we are joined for all eternity by the Holy Spirit who becomes one with us so in a very real sense we are one with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is not only with us but in us.

Just to be clear let us recall the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity and is eternal God who has always been and will always be; it is this eternal deity who is now one with us.

I suspect most of you are familiar with the general story-line behind the “Star Wars” movies; the conflict is between those who align themselves with the Rebel Alliance and those who are part of the “Evil Empire.” Both factions have fighters who seek to use the power of the Force which is defined as “an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.” The Star Wars Force has a light side which is good and a dark side which is evil.

This humanistic concept of a universal force is reasonably predictable but infinitely inferior to the reality experienced by Christians who are born-again. I’ve discussed the Biblical concept of reality in an essay “What is Reality? and am amazed how distinctive the Bible is from literature written from a human perspective.

A more Biblical definition of the Force might be the creator of all living things which surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. The Triune God is the Force which has created all things and by whom all things consist.

The Bible teaches all creation is held together by the power of one, the Lord Jesus Christ by whom all things consist (Colossians 1:15-17); it is by His power all things are bound together. In the Trinity’s deity all three persons share the same divine essence which includes omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience. While we have been made a temple by the third person (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) we are used by the second for service (Galatians 2:20).

It Gets Stranger Still

In addition to the amazing things that have been done to the born-again Christian there is yet another that is even more unexpected, full adoption into the family of the Trinity! In Romans 8:15-17 it is written:

“15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

I find it of great interest to note the particular Aramaism used for father by Greek speaking Jews, abba, Ἀββᾶ; is an affectionate term that “was also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child.” God thinks of you as a beloved child; how do you think of God? As a born-again Christian you are now a very real part of God’s eternal family and always will be; there is no way we can even begin to comprehend how enormous that is but we can and should let it be a source of great joy and comfort as we face the trials of life.

There is a Dark Side as Well

We live in a world which is subject to the Satanic world system; Satan is the prince of the power of the air on this spiritual battlefield called Earth. To make matters worse, we have a sin nature within us which we inherited from Adam.

All human beings who have not been born-again are controlled by their sin natures and respond to Satanic influence spread by demons. We are seeing this all over the world today at all levels of society. The forces of evil are with those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Savior!

May the Force be with You!

As a science fiction fan, I have encountered a wide variety of worlds and universes as devised by the mind of man. While some of them have been entertaining and a few of them highly imaginative none of them have even begun to approach the totally incredible universe in which we actually live. The true reality in which we find ourselves is vastly more unexpected and alien than anything devised by the writers of science fiction and fantasy.

While I have read many volumes of science fiction and fantasy, I have never encountered anything that even begins to compare to the Bible. Whereas I have found it easy to spot the human mindset in fiction I have found it to be absent in the Bible. In the most respectful sense possible the Bible is non-human in its perspective on life and living; this is one factor that has made it easy for me to believe in the divine inspiration of the Bible. The Bible is a divine book, not a human book!

We do ourselves a shocking disservice when we neglect the truths revealed in the Bible; we do ourselves a further disservice when we fail to apply these truths to our lives each and every day. Let us learn to faithfully observe the commandments of the Lord and apply them to our lives; by doing this then we can affirm with complete confidence and joy:

“I’m one with the Force and the Force is with me!”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | November 1, 2023

Israel at War, the Tip of the Iceberg!

The War in Israel has Become the Center of a World-Wide Battle Between Good and Evil!

Mayor Eric Adams, NYC

An article appeared in the New Your Post by Georgia Worrell and Rich Calder and Published Oct. 14, 2023, 6:32 p.m. ET. The article reported a speech given by Mayor Eric Adams which referenced “demonic energy” exhibited by the Hamas terrorist’s bloody attacks on Israel.

“Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday blamed “demonic energy” for Hamas terrorists’ bloody attacks on Israel while ripping non-believers who question his own faith in God.”

It appears we are seeing a serious spike in “demonic energy” permeating our college campuses, the national media, and many other areas across the world!

While there is clearly a spiritual basis for the conflict we see today, secular recognition of that fact is scarce indeed. The Bible warns us the end times will be a time of increasing Satanic deception and that appears to be happening now. Iran, historically known as Persia, has been a center for demonic activity for millennia.

The Spiritual Warfare is an Ongoing Struggle!

You may recall the conflict between the angel Gabriel and the spirit prince of Persia; in Daniel 10:12-14 it is written:

“12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

It is likely this spirit prince who blocked Gabriel is still the same spirit prince who serves as Satan’s representative over Iran today! Satanic deception is deeply entrenched in that part of the world!

The spiritual warfare will continue until it is finally resolved at the second battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium. I have written more on this in the series that starts with, “To the Soldiers in the Spiritual War!”

Satanic Deception is Now at Work in the Children of Wrath!

The media is filled with stories of violent protests against Israel and the Jews erupting in a vast assortment of improbable locations. This unfolding scenario seems so unlikely one is compelled to look for the factors influencing the outbursts of hatred.

Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down Grand Central Terminal during evening rush. By Patrick Reilly, New York Post, Published Oct. 27, 2023, 8:34 p.m. ET

The Bible warns us of the spiritual war that has been raging around us for thousands of years; it also warns us of the key place occupied by Satan who is called “the prince of the power of the air.” In Ephesians 2:1-3 it is written to Christians:

“2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

Satan’s hatred of Israel is being mirrored by angry mobs all over the world; this strongly suggests the cause is a massive Satanic deception to which the children of wrath are particularly susceptible.

It is important to remember all those who do not have Jesus Christ as Savior and been born again, are spiritually dead and controlled by their sin natures which seeks to operate in harmony with Satan!

The Bible has Warned Us!

The Bible predicts such a development in Zechariah 12:1-3 where it is written:

“12 This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the Lord: “This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit. 2 I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.”

Israel’s war and the current widespread protests against Israel may well be another example of the distress referenced in Matthew 24:6-8 or it could be the beginning of a sequence of events that will ultimately lead to Armageddon; only the Lord knows for sure.

 “6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

The End of the Church Age, the Age of Grace

There is one remaining prophetic event that must take place first, and that is the removal of the true church and the restraining ministry of God, the Holy Spirit. After that, nothing will ever again be the same!

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 30, 2023

Do I Believe God’s Gift of Love?

There Seems to be so Little Love in the World!

Today we seem to be surrounded by irrational hate and anger; the news is filled with accounts of riots, demonstrations and death all over the world. Historically respected universities have become hotbeds of protests against Israel and hatred of the Jews.

Atrocities committed against the Jews are either ignored or justified by those committed to supporting Hamas. There is a strange refusal by those involved to even recognize what is happening in Israel. There seems to be a pervasive veil of deception that covers the minds of those who see no evil in the brutal actions of Hamas.

None of this should come as a surprise; the Bible warns us of the problems Christians will face in the last days. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it is written:

“3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

Since the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, the world has been divided into two distinct types of human beings; those who are spiritually alive by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and those who are spiritually dead because of their failure to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

Those who are spiritually dead are easily influenced by Satanic deception and will follow wherever it leads. When one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, they become a new creation, are born again and indwelt by God, the Holy Spirit, who resurrects their dead spirits to eternal life and becomes part of them forever.

Christians can live a life controlled by God, the Holy Spirit; at these times the Christian can manifest the power of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23 where it is written:

“22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Love, First on the List!

God is love and when we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, love comes as part of the package and not just any love, but God’s love! English is rather vague about the word love, one can love bananas which means the peeling is discarded and the contents eaten, one can love houses, cars, or clothes and keep or discard them as needed.

The Koine Greek, in which the New Testament was written, is vastly more precise; there is even a special word for God’s love, ἀγάπην, which is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 where it is written:

“4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

There is one thing conspicuous by it’s absence, there is no reference to emotional attraction, it’s all about doing. Godly love is something you do, not how you feel. We are not required to experience positive emotions about someone in order to love them with a Godly love!

The King James translation provides a better understanding of the meaning of the word when it uses the English word charity to translate the Greek word, ἀγάπην.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Although we might have difficulty generating positive feelings toward some, we can maintain charitable attitudes toward everyone.

Over the years, I’ve encountered people I didn’t like but I have never wished anyone ill; there is a big difference between not particularly liking someone and hoping something bad would happen to them!

I’m painfully aware of all my failures over the years, but I give myself the benefit of a charitable attitude; on reflection, I am certainly offended by some of the things I have done, but I believe I’ll try to do better in the future and give myself the benefit of the doubt. I love myself even though I don’t approve of everything I have done!

This, I believe, is loving your neighbor as yourself; cut them some slack too!

The Christian Responsibility to Love

Christians are God’s representatives to his creation; we are responsible to God to faithully serve as God’s representative to all of God’s creatures both great and small! In Galatians 2:20 the Bible reveals our situation.

“20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

While none of us could accomplish this on our own, God is not asking us to do it alone, after all it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us and the works are his, not ours!

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

 “7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 23, 2023

Do I Believe God’s Gift of Righteousness?

Faith, A Powerful Defense Against Satanic Attack!

Christians are soldiers in a spiritual war that has been in progress for thousands of years. They live their entire lives on an ancient spiritual battlefield that is filled with carnage, death, and destruction. I have written more on this in a series that starts with, “To the Soldiers in the Spiritual War.”

You may have heard the expression, “Christians are not perfect, they are just forgiven!” As a Christian man who has lived for over 90 years, I can relate to that from sad experience.

I find a great deal of comfort in 1 John 1: 8-10 where it is written:

“8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

Guilt, part of Satan’s Arsenal of Offensive Weapons!

I confess I am a sinner saved by grace; I have turned to the Lord Jesus Christ and embraced him as my Savior and God. I rejoice in the new birth and the sure knowledge I am now a new creation.

Despite God’s loving grace and mercy to me, I have sinned against him in many various ways. While it is true, I have confessed my sins to God, the memory of my transgressions can still haunt me.

While I know Christ paid the penalty for my sins, their memory can still plague me from time to time. Faith tells me that I have been washed whiter than snow by the shed blood of Jesus Christ; I know Christ’s death on the cross paid for the sins of the world and they are no longer counted against us.

Satan’s Counterattack

My sin nature challenges my faith and tells me how can I possibly think all is well as my sins were such a violation of God’s commands. How can such a fallen creature even dare to speak of God and God’s commands in light of such disobedience.

The Apostle Paul fought this battle and resolved it by recognizing one overpowering truth as declared in Romans 8:1-2 where it is written:

“8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

So Now What?

The walk of faith demands full trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s full and final answer to human sin!

Let every Christian reject memories of past failures and instead, rejoice in the righteousness that has been eternally imputed to us by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 16, 2023

Do I Believe God’s Gift of Healing?

The Crucifixion Changes Everything!

There is a popular concept circulating in the Christian community which concerns itself with the “brokenness of the Christian man or woman.

The Bible mentions the concept of brokenness in several places in the Old Testament but not in the New Testament. When the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, he paid the penalty for the sin mankind had inherited from Adam.

“For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 J.B. Phillips Translation

When a person is born again by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, they become a new creation. This is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where it is written:

 “For if a man is in Christ he becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new.

This new person is no longer broken, they have been given the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ himself and made good with the goodness of God!”

Broken People All Around

When people are born, today, they are born broken! When one is born spiritually dead, I think it is safe to say that person is seriously broken. It is only when one receives Jesus Christ as Savior, that one becomes healed from their brokenness!

All who do not have Jesus Christ as Savior are indeed broken! The new birth brings healing from God and that healing is eternal and non-reversible. The world is populated today by two types of people, those who are broken, spiritually dead, and those who are healed, spiritually resurrected from the dead.

During the mortal life of every Christian, they find themselves housed in a mortal body that is broken. The Bible refers to the body as a tent, a very good name for a temporary dwelling that must return to the dust from whence it came.

While the immaterial part of each Christian has been resurrected from the dead, the resurrection of the Christian’s body must wait for the Rapture of the Church. While Adam’s spirit died instantly when he disobeyed God there in the Garden of Eden, his physical body continued to live for hundreds of years before physical death occurred.

So we too, who have received Jesus Christ as Savior, have had our spirits resurrected from the dead by the power of God, the Holy Spirit when we received Jesus Christ as Savior, but are collectively waiting for the resurrection of our bodies at the Rapture of the Church.

We now function at both a spiritual level and a physical level. In Ephesians 2:4-10, the Bible explains the reality of our spiritual position:

“4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

“But every good endowment that we possess and every complete gift that we have received must come from above, from the Father of all lights, with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency. By his own wish he made us his own sons through the Word of truth that we might be, so to speak, the first specimens of his new creation.” James 1:17-18, J.B. Phillips Translation

God, in his infinite wisdom, chose to leave his adopted children on the earth and in their mortal bodies which are impacted with a sin nature inherited from Adam. At a time known only to God, each of his children will be called home when their appointed time comes for them to return to their heavenly home.

We will continue our study of God’s gifts as we consider the gift of righteousness.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 9, 2023

Do I Believe God’s Gift of Peace?

We Do Not Live in a World of Peace!

The wars in Israel and elsewhere are proof of that; in fact, the opposite is true, we will live out our lives as soldiers, fighting on an ancient spiritual battlefield! I have written more on this in a series that starts with, “To the Soldiers in the Spiritual War.”

Despite this alarming truth, the Lord Jesus Christ has given Christians a gift, in John 14:27, it is written 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Although we will live out our mortal lives as soldiers where circumstantial peace is a rarity, we have been given the gift of peace of mind and heart! The question only you can answer is, do you have peace of mind and heart? You have been given this gift as a part of your new birth; but have you made it a part of your life?

Peace Comes by Faith Alone!

Salvation, through the new birth, is a gift we receive by faith alone; God’s peace of mind and heart is also God’s gift to his children which is received by faith alone!

In Philippians 4:4-9, the Lord provides help for Christians:

“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 Fruit of the Holy Spirit Includes Peace!

Are you sometimes troubled or afraid, at those times you are sinning by being deliberately disobedient to God; you are living your life based on sight and not on faith! Do not let sin take control of your life, confess your sin of trouble and fear to God and let God, the Holy Spirit be your guide.

Let the fruit of the Holy Spirit be your portion:

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

I encourage you to embrace God’s gift of peace of mind and heart; let faith be your guide and the pattern for your life!

Next time, “Do I Believe God’s Gift of Healing?

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | October 7, 2023

Israel at War!

Has the Battle of Psalms 83 Begun?

Rockets are fired toward Israel from Gaza, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.FATIMA SHBAIR / AP

Today, CBS News reported:

“The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.

At least 250 people in Israel have been killed and 1,500 wounded in the Hamas militant group’s incursion in southern Israel, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency services agency said Saturday night, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades.” . . . . . .

Six hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Civilians in the southern and central regions of the country have been warned to shelter in place. 

“We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, declaring a mass mobilization of the country’s army reserves. “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ’round,’ but at war.”

While this may be nothing more than an isolated attack, it is reasonable to pose the question could this be an initial precursor of the War of Psalms 83. The timing of this battle in relationship to the Rapture of the Church is nowhere specified in the Bible; it could take place before or after the Rapture or the Rapture could take place during the time this battle is being fought.

In my timeline on unfulfilled prophecies, I have speculated the Rapture could be the catalyst that triggers the Battle of Psalms 83. It is possible the Rapture could take place at some point after the battle had begun; only the Lord knows the exact timing.

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