Thoughts

I am writing because I need to express the ideas - thoughts that continually run through my mind. I am not sure they are correct, but believe that in carefully thinking them through I will have a greater understanding of God's truth. These thoughts are numerous and I'm not sure of some smooth way to write them down thus I'll write them down -Bullet form with no particular order and adding new thoughts as they come along.

1 -Is the Bible "The word of God"? I am not sure of the texts perfection. I do believe that the men who wrote the books were inspired. I do believe that there is much wisdom and truth written in the Bible and that with the Holy Spirit great holy truth can be found. I do not know where the term "Word of God" started. I find it to be incomplete. In other words I am certain that us humans can not be full with all the knowledge and depths of God from one or thousands of books. I think many religions would have us believe in a finality of God tied to the Bible. My thoughts are that it is a great place to start -An introduction to God and some of his word. To get to know God more fully we must invite him into our lives.

2 -Jesus is the way and the truth. Often people think that Christianity is the only true religion - The religion where Christ is our Savior. But Christ came to save all -and a man whom proclaims another or no religion whom seeks truth and God might be Jesus's brother. Is it not better to live a life walking with God humbly or is it better to know all of God's names and rules yet not understand His love.

3 -Seek God's will. Where would we seek? Where is God? God "The Holy Spirit" can be alive within you. Have you received the Baptism of Fire?

4 -Many followings/rules which we follow in order to be lawful seem odd to me.
Such as (just to name a few):
-No eating meat on Fridays during Lent
-Structure of Mass/Service
-Proclaiming Creeds
-Communion being very reverent and penitent -and that dipping cup. Instead of being a meal shared with friends.
Structure and order can be great, but we should strive for balance with simplicity - allowing for the Spirit to move.
It seems to me we like defining God and how God calls us to behave and act.
-Seems to me that this often causes division. Maybe we shouldn't make people live by our definitions.

5 -Is God present at all times and places? How often are we in his presence? How often do we stop, lower all our defenses and simply allow His Spirit to surround and penetrate are being?
Ephesians 4:6 "One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
In all things?
We take delight in His presence and in all things we delight in God's creation. In other words a thing might remind us of God's goodness. But God's Spirit reigns within the heart's of men.

If Lucifer were to try to deceive men

If Lucifer were to try to deceive men, in what way might he accomplish this? Could there be weeds among the garden? Could something be written that would make us question our brothers? Are we certain of the text of which we have proclaimed to be God’s word?
I find the book of Revelation to be like choking weeds. It creates fear of the future and points to signs to come. How many people are seeking out signs for the end rather than the Kingdom. It is empty of God’s grace and love and instead promotes perfection under the law and reward to those who win the race. Jesus has won!!!
Of what value has the book of Revelation added to your relationship with Jesus? Has this book brought you wisdom and understanding or has it kept your walls up and kept you from being giving and loving to all people? Why was the book of Revelation given to men? Was it given to confuse, redirect our focus and cause us to stumble? Turn your sight back to Jesus and the ever present Spirit and live for the moment with God -let go of any thoughts to the future, except for anticipating more of God’s love.

Down the Rabbit Hole

John Ch. 6 states that we must eat flesh and drink the blood of Jesus. A few lines later Jesus states these words are "words of spirit" and Peter says that Jesus has the words of everlasting life. The question becomes How do we spiritualy feed on Christ?

- In communion while we contimplate his love and sacrifice.
- At the dinner table and at grace when we give thanks for His good gifts.
- In prayer can we be feeding? -Do you feel nourished?
- Walking with God in our daily life - acknowledging God's presence.
- Being One with the Father.

Jesus says that he has food from the Father.
John Ch. 4 Jesus gives living water "A spring gushing up inside a person".
John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
John 4:34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

Revelation Check

Twisted Revelation

God has sent his Holy Spirit to dwell with us and has called us to perfection through continual feeding upon Him in faith. Heaven on Earth takes root in each of us who accept God’s gift of grace and allow Our Lord to abide with us. The Lord’s presence, I prayerfully ask for awareness of, for God is with us at all times.
What need have I of knowing God’s future, when my being should actively seek God and his will? Why should I be fearful of things to come, when peace is in the Spirit of my Lord? The Lord calls us to love God, to love our neighbors, and to spread his message of God’s love. Will God smite the people of the Earth into submission? I would think not. The battle is already won. God has chosen love to save his people. We just need to accept and imitate his love.

VALIDITY OF REVELATION

* Text taken from New Century Version Bible *5/11/10 –upto Ch.14 -not complete
• Rev 1:1 Why would God need to give Jesus a Revelation?
Who is Jesus’s Angel?
How could John be told all of what Jesus had seen?
• Rev 1:4,5 Seven Spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ.
He is the ruler of the kings of the earth? Seems to me a power title. Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36
• Rev 1:6 It seems weird to me that Jesus’s Revelation would state “To Jesus Christ be
glory ….” When Christ was so humble
• Rev 1:7 those who stabbed him?
• Rev 1:8 “… and is coming.” This suggests that God is not with us now. But is coming at
a future time –We know that God the Holy Spirit is with us.
• Rev 1:9 “…. Share with Christ in suffering , in the kingdom…” Why should we suffer in
the kingdom?
• Rev 1:20 Idea that each church has an angel?
• Rev 2:7 …Eating the fruit from the tree of life… What is this about we are given
Everlasting life John 3:16  -Is this not another time we are teased/lured by fruit.  Is this a repeat temptation?
• Rev 2:11 …Those who win the victory. Christ has won the victory.
• Rev 2:12 The one who has the sharp, double-edged sword….” Is this reference to Jesus
-When would Jesus have a sword?
• Rev 2:17 Hidden Manna? Win the Victory? White stone?
• Rev 2:23 Does not sound like Jesus.
• Rev 3:9 Does anyone belong to Satan? Why should someone bow at our feet?
• Rev 3:12 Write on them his name? My new name?
• Rev 3:18 Gold to be rich? White clothes? –Do not worry about what you will wear
(Flowers / Solomon) -Medicine for eyes? “what of spiritual blindness”
• Rev3:21 Jesus sat at the right hand of the Father.
- Rev 4:11 to receive glory, honor and power  -Who can give such things to God  -We can only acknowledge that God has all glory, honor and power.
• Rev 4 and 5 Kind of Creepy
• Rev 6 God sending destruction?
• Rev 7:12 Always glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength -Why not love?
• Rev 7:17 Water that gives life? Eternal Life John 3:16
• Rev 8:1 Is there time in heaven?
• Rev 8:6-13 More destruction. When God promised never again to flood the world…
Do you think he would still destroy the World – just using a different way?
• Rev 9:4 could only harm those without the mark on forehead?
• Rev 9:11 An Angel King – King of locusts?
• Rev 10:4 The seven thunders? Secret?
• Rev 10:9 Eat the scroll?
• Rev 11:6 Two Witnesses have powers *seems showey for God who would not show evil
People a sign.
• Rev 11:15 “Power to rule… …..our Lord and his Christ,….” ?
• Rev 12 and 13 Sounds Sci-Fi
• Rev 14:1 Written on foreheads -I thought God was written on our hearts.
• Rev 14:3 ….144000 bought from the earth -sounds misleading
• Rev 14:4 ….144000 bought to be offered to God?
• Rev 14:7 Fear and worship God because the judgement is at hand?
• Rev 14:10 …wine of God’s anger….