death

Living Life with Purpose

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A person standing in a field at sunset, hands raised, with a soft glow illuminating the background.
Photo by Okiine on Pexels.com

The average life expectancy for men and women according to various sources reveal that humans typically live up to their mid 70s. That’s a short amount of time in comparison to the early beginnings of humanity according to the book of Genesis in chapter 5 men once lived up to their 900s and as time passed, the number of living years continued to decrease.

Genesis 5:18-20
“When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters.Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.”

Considering the short amount of time we have on this earth, many spend most of our time working, accumulating wealth, then spending, thus an ongoing weekly or monthly cycle repeats. During moments of free-time, we make memories with loved ones, entertain ourselves or go on new adventures. In the midst of the cyclical redundancies in life, we look for purpose. Surely life is not about toiling and spending. There should be deep purpose in life, a calling or compelling from God to do something. It may not be what we feel comfortable doing, in fact, it may seem dreadful. For instance, God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to announce God’s judgement to the people, but he decided not to listen.

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3

As Jonah was asleep on the ship, a mighty wind came about to break it in half. They feared the wrath of God and Jonah knew it was he who brought the storm upon the ship due to his disobedience so he was thrown over, then swallowed by a fish, which most count as a whale. In the darkness, he turned to the Lord in repentance and prayed. Eventually, he reached the shore of Nineveh as he was released from the belly of the fish. He did as God told him to do, telling the people to repent of their wicked ways and that is what happened. Because the people of Nineveh repented, God’s hand of wrath was turned away.

Most of the times, the calling can involve mental, emotional or physical battles that make you want to give up, cancel or turn away like Jonah. Which is why it is important to listen and allow the Spirit of the Living God to lead and not to be led by your flesh.

Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Having others to pray with, study the word of God with can make a huge difference in one’s spiritual journey. God created us for community. When Jesus walked the earth ministering to others, he called 12 other men to join him. God did not create us to be alone. He created Eve for Adam to have a companion. Considering the importance of healthy relationships with others, I started a bible study group. It was something to help me in my spiritual walk with the consideration of other women who also need fellowship as well. Before each study, I would always go through some physical or emotional attack, which would make me want to cancel every time, but that’s exactly what the enemy of God wants so I stuck through it and I have always been surprised by how God works. There’s over a dozen people on the notification list and it amazes me how God has certain people show up that connect very well with each other. Then another group shows up on another week that connect in different ways than the previous group. At each bible study session, I see God at work.

Not all callings of duty from God involve some enormous shaking of a nation, but we all have a part in this world, even if it seems so little. God will bless the fruit, the sacrifice of time, the physical effort or the finances. The important part is that it’s done unto God, not for our own gain or recognition.

At work, it’s collaboration with a large team of various knowledge and skills. We all come together for the purpose of bringing a project to fruition. Although the structure may last for decades, what’s physical, visual or tactile is not everlasting. When our physical body dies and our spirit leaves, we will not be taking any money gold, car, jewelry, or house with us.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We were born into this world naked with nothing in our hands and we leave with nothing.

Genesis 3:9 says, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

Although there’s a goal at work to come together for the physical manifestation of a structure which seems big, but there’s a greater purpose that is everlasting when it comes from God.

Prayer: Lord help me to find my purpose in your kingdom. Show me your ways. Show me your will for my life and give me strength, courage and peace with the ability to carry it out. Amen!

The Judge of All Humanity

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Imagine being placed in a position of authority to judge the entire earth. Whatever you say goes. At one word, you determine who lives or dies. You know the law more than anyone on the planet and the law never changes so you have to judge everyone based on it. You know that if a person violates the law, which has been unchanged from the beginning of time the punishment is death. You also know that everyone that you will have to judge is flawed and imperfect because the environment they live in has a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year temptress that works against the weakness of your flesh, killing you slowly inside every time you take the bait, but even worse, blinding and deceiving many. As a judge you understand that living in that type of environment, no one would be able to perfect the law, with the exception of innocent babies. Violations of the law are punishable by death, but what if the law said that there is something that can be done to prevent one from dying, like someone taking the death penalty in place of the one that deserves it?

Imagine if all those people that you are ordered to judge have a special place in your heart, but most of them don’t know you or believe that you exist, some reject you or use your name profanely. You know that they’re all going to die according to the law. You also know that there is something that you can do to prevent them from dying and being separated from you, but it would mean that you would have to take the death penalty in their place and the process would involve getting whipped, scourged, nailed and hung to die. Would you do it?

When we think of God, we might get a picture in our mind of an enormous being sitting on a throne so enormous that looking up, we only see his feet and hands. We might have a vision of being in a line to the throne to be judge by this enormous God known as the Father, but the bible says that the Father has given his Son Jesus, the judgement seat.

For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgement to his Son. John 5:22

Jesus the Christ, the one that has the authority to judge whether we are banished to hell or forever with Him for all eternity, decided to come down from His throne of glory in heaven, humble himself by becoming flesh with all the sufferings that come with a physical body, live for a short time on earth, suffered major physical and emotional pain, nailed on a cross and hung to die.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:4

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. _Isaiah 53:5-12

He came down to earth, took the punishment for our sins as if taking a bullet, being whipped, beaten, lashed, spit on, nailed to a cross, left hanging to die, falsely accused and betrayed by his disciples. This was not just any death, but a payment for our sins should we decide to receive it. We can choose to take the payment freely given to us or suffer and die in our own wrongdoings. We are given by grace, a gift which we did not earn nor do we have the capacity to.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

All of this, so that we have a way to with Him in heaven. Since we can’t save ourselves from our own sin, we can never be perfect or holy enough to enter into God’s holy presence that in order to get to heaven, we have to be covered by the blood of Christ, not literally, but spiritually. It’s either receive the gift of salvation that He gave us on the cross or end up separated from Him, which is hell in itself.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

Finding Joy in a Desolate Season

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Life is great when all is well, but we all know that it’s not always happiness and joy. There are seasons of rain and drought. The passages of scripture in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for everything :

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven: 2A time [a]to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.

There have been times of sadness and joy, times when I feel like I’m in a desert, a place with no water to fulfill my thirty soul. There have been times of rejoicing when hopes come into fruition, but in the dry season of life, should there never be any joy?

Moreover, the rain in life that satisfies the thirst for dreams, wishes or goals, doesn’t always quench and coming to realizing once again, the joy inside me.

It’s been a long while, walking through life, trying to put my faith in Christ, when things seem to not go as expected, a waiting pattern that seems to strip hope away day after day. The ever so common question arises, “why God why?

Feeling distant as if God is silent, doubt starts to settle in. Where is He? Is He still listening? Then a series of events within two days happens, each resulting from the next. First, receiving a notification of a compromised account, led to having to get a new card and finally, after searching for a new car for the past month and a half, I finally inquired of a car loan, she told me I was approved and granted the exact amount I was thinking in my head.

In addition, since searching for a car for so long, I wasn’t under pressure because my car was still doing fine, mechanically. Then for the first time, when I turned on my car before going to the bank, my check engine light came on, which was the first time ever.

I had mentioned this to the teller and she told me the exact thing I was thinking, that, “the Lord is telling you to get a new car.” I had been taking my time about purchasing and she mentioned something about having to be under pressure to finally do it, like with the check engine light.

Maybe to most this might not seem like a big deal or coincidence, but having been in seasons of hearing His voice inside of me, then being in a desolate silent desert for long, then once again, the rain comes and that very clear message that God gives, satisfies my soul.

It is like rain drops in the desert, an instant thirst quencher.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4

It is the confirmation of His love, undoubtedly letting me know that He’s listening. He’s with me and has not forgotten about me & that alone, is all I need for joy.

The Innovative Covid Vaccine Mandate

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These days, the outlook on societal issues, deemed right or wrong seem to stem from the influence of certain news sources and liberals in power. As a conservative, if you live in a liberal state, you feel ripped off. All those tax dollars you paid to the state and you get poo-pooed on with bogus new laws pushed on everyone. Mandates being passed are unconstitutional, unsafe, unfair or not well thought-out, like defunding the police or the latest, vaccine mandates.

I was told the other day, that people without the vaccine are handicap. Although those that recovered from covid have antibodies and are more resistant than people that are vaccinated, the vaccine is still being forced on them. In addition, children below 12 years old have less than a 0.1% chance of dying from covid yet, the government and schools want them vaccinated. That’s like mandating the seasonal flu shot on kids.

There are people that don’t qualify to get the vaccines because of their health condition. If they get it, they will die or their body can be permanently damaged, listed on Pfizer’s website. Nonetheless that doesn’t stop big government from forcing all of society to get vaccinated or be jobless or be unable to enter a public space. Unvaccinated people are being treated as less human, it’s pretty much discrimination.

What most people don’t know is that the vaccines currently being used in the U.S., Pfizer & Modena are a new type of vaccine that has taken two decades to get passed and would not have if it weren’t for the rush to get it out. The new part of it was the mRNA which holds a spike from the covid virus. Some sources say that the body doesn’t produce antibodies with the vaccine until covid is detected in the body, yet other sources say it takes two weeks to produce antibodies. Vector vaccines like J&J or Astra-Zeneca are similar, but don’t contain an mRNA. They contain an adenoviral vector, which contains genetic material. Some scientists say that these vaccines can’t change ones DNA or damage it, but others say that it can enter into the nucleus of our cells with evidence to show.

Sources say that the only other time the mRNA vaccine was used on humans was during the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The CDC says that the reason the mRNA vaccine took so long to pass was that it was unstable, which was solved by using a lipid. The production of an mRNA vaccine was more efficient and less costly to produce than the traditional, which carries a weakened form of the germ, not a mRNA strand.

Reports have shown that some have died from getting the vaccine, after being forced by their employer. Others have had temporary or permanent damage in their body. Considering this and the fact that it’s a new type of vaccine, no one should be forced to get it, most especially, people who don’t need it.

Some might be questioning why many religious people are against getting the vaccine. Possibly because stem cells from aborted babies were used for testing. These are stem cells that multiplied from fetal tissue.

I’m tired of hearing people talk hypothetically about an unvaccinated person getting someone else sick who’s already been vaccinated. That’s the whole point of getting vaccinated is to protect yourself from getting utterly sick from covid.

I get why people would get the covid vaccine to protect themselves, especially if they’re in the vulnerable age group or have preexisting conditions or just scared to get covid, but what I don’t agree with is taking away peoples right to choose. We are after all, a free country with a constitution that says so, not a dictatorship.

The King Within

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Transformation of Jesus painting by Vange
Transformation by Vange L.

If you’ve ever watched the movie, The Gladiator, that is one of my favorite movies. What I like about it, is how it focuses on a character by the name of Maximus who went from a commander of an army to a slave; yet although he became a slave, he still had the same ability to lead a team in a fight to victory. He did not loose his identity because he was no longer a commander. He was still the same man that a dying emperor had chosen to take his place. Although Maximus was not a prince nor in the blood line of one, the man on the inside had what was needed to rule a nation and being a slave did not take away what was already embedded inside of him.

Watching the movie jogged my memory back to a story told by my pastor at church. Occasionally churches do outreaches, where they distribute many items to those in need, within or outside of the country. It takes money, volunteers, preparation and time. Sometimes people choose to volunteer their time, others donate money or personal items. The need was announced at the beginning, then at the end of service, a man who wanted to financially help out requested to meet with the pastor. When the pastor first saw the man he noticed his rundown looking clothing and his scruffy facial hair. He could have passed for a homeless man so when he told the Pastor about the amount of money he wanted to donate, it was an absolute shock. The homeless looking man wasn’t just rich, but he was a King from another country.

Before Jesus came into the world, He sat on a throne as king, but He chose to come into the world as a peasant. He did not come dressed as a king with gold and expensive clothing or with a palace. Some came to the realization of Jesus as King by being around Him. Some experienced His miracles and others, His love and grace. He came for everyone: the rich, the poor, the lame, the sinners, even the ones that the world would consider scum. He hung out with a few people that society abhorred, like a tax collector or a woman who once sold herself for money. He touched and healed lepers or what society considered, the unclean. He did not live extravagantly, although He could have by turning water into wine, healing the sick or by being all knowing. He did not need riches to accomplish His purpose, nor clothing to get people to realize that He is the Son of God. People saw that He is Lord, when they looked at His heart. He took the cross as a criminal would and along with it, the sins of the world: the hatred, anger, pain, bitterness and everything else that needed to be washed away in order for us to be clean and right before God. The sin that would have killed us, He took it upon Himself on the cross. With that powerful love comes surrender and worship.

Isaiah 53: 4-5 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

From Spiritual Darkness to the Light

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For a few weeks, the lights have been nearly out in my closet. Finally, I went out to get new bulbs and after starring and contemplating on which LED lights to get, I went with the soft white, 1800 lumens. While standing in line some random guy walked up and asked me to purchase something hygiene related that he couldn’t afford to buy. He was asking around for almost a hour and everyone said no. He claimed that he was homeless and just recently got a job, but not paid yet.

Before this, I’ve had thoughts about helping someone out at the cash register short on cash so the fact that something similar happened in reality, I decided to accept the opportunity.

While waiting in line, we started chatting. It started with his necklace, which looked like silver formed as an upside down cross and a pentagram at the front center. I kind of knew what it meant, but wasn’t completely sure so I asked him about it. He told me he’s into some occultism, basically he’s a satanist. I told him I’m a Christian and that even if he’s a satanist, Jesus still loves him.

There’s always a reason for someone to get into stuff like that so I asked him what made him start getting into that? He said it was the dark times in his life. Then he told me about how his Mother died of cancer, which was what happened to my Mom as well. When my Mom died I started watching dark videos like ghosts caught on video or some poltergeists stuff. Eventually the Lord spoke to my heart about it and helped me to see what it was doing to me so I had to stop. I could’ve easily gone down a dark path as loosing my Mom was the most devastating event in my life. There were times where I felt my heart stop beating as I was extremely stressed by emotionally distraught. But I’m thankful for the Lord being my backbone and holding me back from falling and loosing my mind. If I didn’t have faith in God, I may have even gone down the same or similar path.

It was interesting how I was buying light bulbs to light up a dark closest as Jesus is the light of the world. “John 8:12 in the Bible says, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” What perfect significance for that moment.

It sounded like after life hit this guy hard, he got off track and walked into darkness. I hope and pray that this will mark a turning point for him as he is mislead. He even was convinced that Lucifer loves him, but I told him that’s not true. Lucifer wants to ruin every human beings life, bring to ruins and end in hell. God is love and Jesus taking the cross is the expression of God’s love for us. He would give his own life for us like taking a bullet along the path to our heart.

I believe that the moment was of no coincidence, it was God’s perfect orchestrating of time, for while he is walking in darkness unable to see the way, he needs to know that even in the darkness hour, God is there reaching out to him. I hope that he will realize and remember that God is still there thinking about him, no matter what his past or present is. God’s love for whom the world may consider unworthy, is unfathomable, but that’s who God is, His love is unconditional. My prayers go out to him. May he find his way to the light.

Death Inside of Us

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We can be physically killed in many ways. According to the World Heath Organization, the number one cause of death is heart disease, but what about what kills us on the inside? What kills our spirit/soul?

There are many testimonies out there from people who were dead for a period of time and came back to life. They’ve have commonly said that the worst part of hell wasn’t the heat of the fire, the horrendous stench or the constant screaming, but was the eternal separation from God.

The book of Isaiah 59:2, says “… your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

Sometimes we feel like we’re living hell on earth. There are cities, neighborhoods or indoor spaces that can feel hellish. Some of us have a strong sense of what has happened in a space when we walk into it or can feel a dark presence close by. Some of us have walked into places that feel like the devils party & also walked into places that feel like heaven on earth with angels all around.

There is that spirit within us that’s screaming for a touch of heaven, a moment with our Heavenly Father and being at peace in His arms of unconditional love. Some have been corrupted in a state of innocence and carry false guilt throughout life. There’s that association of heaven in all of us that can become buried or suppressed to avoid the recall of trauma. There’s also the actions that we may take that can be sinful because of the UN-fulfillment of our spirit, leaving us feeling all the more empty and the continual sin grows the hole in our soul. Then we become immune to our sin, no longer seeing the stain on our dirt-covered robe and the more sin, the further apart we get from the unconditional love from above. We separate ourselves unknowingly or unconsciously.

However, the Father above is always waiting for the prodigal son/daughter to come home. The big lie is, is that you can never go back. God has already paved a way back home through the cross. The story of the prodigal son reflects this going back to Him.

Luke 15:18-24 NKJV
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘ [20] “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

The story of the prodigal son illustrates the love, forgiveness and mercy God has for us. He awaits our return to Him. Just like the laws and rules of this country, there are such as heaven, but the punishment for our sins has already been paid for with what Jesus took on the cross. Upon believing and confessing, we can receive grace and once again be reunited with Him, feeling spiritually fulfilled once again. It’s one thing to feed our flesh, but feeding our spirit is only through our connection with God.

Matthew 4:4 says, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” It is our relationship with God, the speaking to, listening and having faith in Him that keeps us alive on the inside.

I pray that the gift that God brought into this world 2000 years ago to show us how much He loves us will be clear and evident for all & they will feel His peace, joy and love this week regardless of any hard circumstances. I pray that they will hear God’s voice in their heart, heal and turn into His path, that they will know without question, with full truth and confidence that God loves them unconditionally, they are never alone, You are with them and always waiting for them to reach out to you.

Remembering the birth of our Savior from 2000+ years ago. Merry Christmas!