NEW NAME !!!!! >>>---> the Lamb’s poet&pundit For punditry (opinion pieces) peruse the archive menu on left. For poetry see the menu/index to Books immediately below.

NEW NAME !!!!! >>>--->  the Lamb’s poet&pundit   

For punditry (opinion pieces) peruse the archive menu on left.

The Lamb's Poet
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BOOK i Other People's (very good) Poems
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"...AND WITH FIRE."




The Lamb's Poet

Pacifism or Obedience?

Wed., March 11, 2015

Christians don't go to war with swords and guns. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets and he did it how? By defending the lost sheep of the House of Israel? No.

John18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Did he send an Israeli Army out to convert the gentiles to Christianity? No. Jesus did not even defend His own sinless flesh! He did not call on Father 12 legions of angels.

Mathew 26:51 And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 52 Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

The world "gets peace" not gives peace, and it keeps it by bearing the sword and gun and by using them. And yet God Himself governs the outcomes.

2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds

Luke 24:49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

A reason I believe this, more and more each day is because when the "church" if it was the church, wed the state and began to exercise national and international military and economic power, the "church's" abuses were so notorious and to rival Rome before Jesus came to Israel in the flesh. PRAY AND DO GOOD. LEAVE WAR TO GOD IN HEAVEN

Acts 10:37...you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

LEAVE WAR TO GOD IN HEAVEN.

 Romans 13:1 ...For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

BECAUSE HE LIVES!

I CAN FACE TOMORROW!

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the scroll there for the poems following in that book: 
Book I
Book II
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Book VIII
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Book XII

Other People's (very good) Poems
>>
>
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I step down
from the throne my heart has claimed,
I smash down the idols I have raised,
I declare Your death, I immerse my soul
In all Your faith and the promise of Your Resurrection, Your Glory and Your Life.
You are meek and lowly in heart, I put You on,
O clothe me, Your servant, in Your righteousness,
Teach me Your Way, let me ever live for You.
Amen.

I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

The Lamb's Poet


Attention! Announcing! :: Book XII : <---<<< :
Latest Poems now compliled!

CLICK: Book XII
Here is the index of Book XII ::

Index

1. A New Song
2. Humility
3. What if…
4. who...?
5. Even so...
6. Traveler
7. Yah
8. Your Presence (is enough)
9. Every Day Horror
10. He’s Still There
11. Needy One
12. Humility


Peek-a-boo by Gerry Sutter

Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, diddily do –
Where’s the mud, its stain so true?
I ambled down the water way,
Swollen by the spring melee,
Nearly was I washed on through.

Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, telling you –
I thought I had it working too:
Early to bed and early to rise,
Put in steps to glamorize,
Followed up, I knew.

Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, seeing it through,
‘Til the Lord pointed out the fool.
Pestering proud of my jury rig,
Outside the box, I danced my jig,
Swept off my feet on through.

Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, whaddaya do?
Sweeping laurel flower’s dew.
I thought I was in charge of life –
Laid low like grass before the scythe,
Then I saw, it’s you.

Friday, November 06, 2009

2nd Amendment or Hebrews 13:13

 Before guns, first seen in the 14th century AD, there were swords. Of them said Jesus to Peter, "all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword." - Matthew 26:52

So we should see that swords and guns are not simply things that destroy life. They are also things with which people keep, protect and preserve their own lives and property IN THIS PRESENT WORLD. 

Yet Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and carry OUR cross every day. If we don't we are not worthy or able to follow him. 

IDEALY the powers that be which God ordained are to use swords (weapons) to punish evil doers (criminals) with God's wrath and keep the world a peaceful place. Romans 13:1-7 is explicit even teaching us that taxes are to provide support for those who bear the sword (today the semi-automatic handgun). The police ARE God's servants, SERVING HIM FOR OUR BENIFIT, so that we might enjoy the peace of Christ while in this present world. 

The second amendment, indeed the entire constitution, is a legal document. It is said to be written for the benefit of a "religious and moral people," that is for Christians, for the Church. But the church was already quite a divided body when it was written. The matter of Corinthian heresies addressed by Paul (1Corinthians Ch.s' 1 to 3 and Ch. 11) had not and have not stopped spreading.  One can only conclude that the problems (sins) of 1st century Corinth still divide us today. Do you, do I follow Paul, Apollos or Jesus? The Pope, Luther, Calvin or Jesus? Are we overcoming Corinthian sin and Satan or overcoming each other?

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." - Revelation 12:11 

Life is good. But life here and now has been subjected to vanity. - Romans 8:20 All have sinned. But Jesus has saved (some). He has not saved us to live in eternal vanity. He calls us to pray for his Father's will to be done here and now as it is there and now in heaven. There are no guns in heaven. Nothing in the heaven dies; nothing in heaven is killed. Heaven is eternally safe from all evil.

"Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation.  All that is related to the old order has vanished.  Behold, everything is fresh and new. And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God. In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even keeping records of their transgressions, and he has entrusted to us the ministry of opening the door of reconciliation to God. We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, 'Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.' For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

God gave Paul and the apostles the ministry of reconciliation. Did God give Paul a sword to serve that calling? No. But God did give Paul instructions for us to obey the powers that he God ordained for his purposes. Romans 13:1-7. Peter also gave us those same instructions. 1Peter 2:13-17.

"Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too.  This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory! Live as one who has died..." - Colossians 3:5

"Set your mind (KJV "affections") on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:2 (NASB) 

What shall it profit me if I live to gain what "the gentiles run after?" 

The way to heaven is not by the sword or gun. 

Nevertheless God calls and ordains those who bear arms  to SERVE HIM for OUR GOOD. 

For many years I considered the idea that a Christian should never enter the army or become a policeman or police woman. Now I see that as difficult as those vocations are they are indeed honorable. Ideally those who bear arms should have God's authority and act in obedience to his word. Consider how John the Baptist responded to the soldiers who questioned him. But lost is the understanding of God's purpose for legal governing authorities to punishment criminals on earth today. Satan is a deceiver and many are deceived in their condemnation of the military and the police today. Satan's goal is always to steal, kill and destroyed. But that is not God's design in ordaining military and police forces. That holds true in every nation. 

Why then is there so much corruption in government, the military and the police throughout the world? Why is it increasing here in the United States? Could it be in part because Christian people are opposed or reluctant to serve in the military and police forces? I think yes. But a larger problem is our understanding of the selfless life we are called to live for the Lord Jesus Christ in every vocation he approves, including the Armed Forces, the police force, the courts and the prisons. 

Will we (I) lose our (my) carnal life and find eternal life in Christ? Satan would be very happy if we (I) would not. Sadly it seems many in the church will live to prove their doctrine rather than seek and reveal the Spirit and Power of Christ.

Before he was crucified, just after he rebuked Peter for cutting off a man's ear, Jesus asked, "do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? - Matthew 26:53

If Father had delivered Jesus from the cross where would we be?

What part of God's will for my life would I circumvent by calling twelve legions of of angels? What part of God's will for my life or another's life would I circumvent by use of  my  sword, pistol or rifle?

What might happen in a city if half or more of its police force were Christian men and women? What might happen if more and more Christian people ran for public office? And a really pointed question is what might happen in the church if more sought the honor of becoming a teacher, pastor, evangelist, prophet or  apostle? What might happen if more in the church studied their Bible with the certainly true presupposition that God knows more about right and wrong then they do?

Can conservatives admit that God knows better than they who is allowed to use firearms under his authority? Can liberals admit that God has ordained governing powers throughout the Earth to serve his purposes?

Sadly we resemble Israel in the days of the Judges when "EVERY MAN did that which was right in his own eyes." Our experience should teach us what the Bible does, only God truly knows what is right and what is wrong; what is good and what is evil. Humanity since Adam sinned not able to know this either and ONLY God can teach us the difference. 

banned from facebook

I was banned for 24 hrs after posting this pic.

HOPE

Hope

Romans 5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

An ancient memory … and a very present dream

No harm was done ... and none would ever be

No war was fought ... and none could ever be

Good was known ... and nothing else would be...

... before the lie was told. 

Remember the Ones who spoke

Before nakedness was thought a shame …

When all was “very good.”

The first divide put us outside the gate.

And unable to return

We learned the things of evil

And mixed them with the good.

Corruption was touched.

No greater plague was ever known.

For death had come and conquered all save eight,

And eight were saved.

And upon the Ancient memory

His story being made

Has also made of some

His friends.

Dream now of crimeless streets,

Of a city free

Where all therein lack nothing.

Where their hearts adored desire Lives.

It is no Dream.

It is His Promise 

and now our Hope.

Soon, YES! Very Soon...

Romans 8:20  For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

The Trial of TRUTH

The Trial of TRUTH

We’re putting Truth on trial today
To hear what he will say.
Can he hold his ground against
Our fine post-modern way?

Quite likely we will mock him,
Our view of Truth is dim;
An old idea, not relevant,
Outdated, tis but a whim.

He takes the stand, a sober man,
He seems quite confident.
Lets listen to him now. He speaks
The oath with raised right hand.

Then, “ I today will speak my heart,
The all not just a part.
For nothing but the Truth is there,
Where would you that I start?”

His countenance disturbs us,
He looks so stern and just,
Yet compassion seems to dwell in him,
I feel him I could trust!

“Away, away!”, we cried aloud.
“we’ll not this man allow.”
“ He clearly has no word we want.”
“Away, away- go now!”

Truth left the stand and court today,
He did not get to say
The all or even part of that
Which might have saved the day.

And we returned to warring o’er
Our wretched silly things;
And Truth above our heads did soar
On golden silver wings.

not as the world John 14:27

 

As specters of doubt whirl about in the dust

While they of the world do as they must

And if there be few that you know and can trust

Be at peace in the sure Hope of Jesus!

Should you prosper and be the envy of some

Or on the street poor and forgotten do roam

Or happily dwell withal hearth and sweet home

Be at peace in the Faith of Lord Jesus!

If enemies mortal seek your life's end

And if none are willing your life to defend

And  the heathen upon you begin to descend

Be at peace in the Love who is God.

To Him none compare

To Him none should dare.

Yet too few are aware

Of Christ Jesus. 

Tell someone today

There is Peace, Hope and Love in Believing.

Know thy enemy... Love thy enemy!

Mao Tse Tung
Quotations from Mao Tse Tung

5. War and Peace

"War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private property and of classes."

"Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War" (December 1936), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 180.

"Our country and all the other socialist countries want peace; so do the peoples of all the countries of the world. The only ones who crave war and do not want peace are certain monopoly capitalist groups in a handful of imperialist countries that depend on aggression for their profits."

"Opening Address at the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China" (September 15, 1956).

[Reading these quotes and others from this website is challenging. The complaints of Mao are alluring. It is easy to be bitter against those who prosper, especially those who prosper at one's own expense. China and the USA are adversarial. It is too true that many westerners, in particular, the greater european powers and the USA have exploited the third world nations for their natural resources. The North American continent has been exploited for it's natural resources. But the evil exploits of man are as old as Cain who murdered his brother Abel being simply envious of God's blessing given Abel.

But is it possible to live and prosper without evilly exploiting others?

China is not a third world nation. It nearly became one by the application of marxist communism in 1949. When it nearly failed, it turned to a limited form of capitalism and the people responded and prospered. Satan is not interested in making us poor or rich. Satan is interested in keeping one and all separated from God by ignorance or by the rejection of Cod in the Messiah. Communism in China still does the bidding of Satan by repressing Christian faith and the church. Communism and atheism are synonymous. But capitalism is acceptable to communism if it advances the overarching agenda, the destruction of human souls.

China identifies its enemies as imperialists, capitalists and those who aggressively seek profits through the acquisition of private property. Sadly the rejection of God, His people and His Word by their rulers has denied the Chinese people of the only power that can effectively mitigate against the greed of men. And men are greedy. And how is it that China has come to own a huge amount of the debt of the USA? Have the Chinese beaten the Imperialist monopoly capitalists of America at their own game? It does seem so ! There has always been enough sin to corrupt the market place, the public square, the palace and the courthouse. What has happened in America, what has happened to America?

Atheism has become more popular now in America than Christ. Christians who have lawfully gained wealth are under attack. And the mega rich of the world are driving the conflict by a very large and well funded propaganda machine. Again we are faced with the thief and liar satan working through those he has deceived.

The REAL war is against the REAL PEACE. The real peace is the peace of God in the Messiah Jesus. Peace is simply the ABSENCE OF WAR, the absence of strife. Those who think that peace is to be gained by striving violently in war to defeat and dominate other human beings are deceived. The way to peace is to stop striving against your neighbors, even against your neighbor nations, and instead love them as God loves them. What we all find is this: that at some point we have been or are now at war with God and we need to make peace with Him. The Bible is the History of man's interaction with God, and God's providence for man. It is the Instruction Book, the true teaching manual for students AND for teachers!

Is it possible to live and prosper without evilly exploiting others?

The Bible and the Words of Jesus can guide one into peace and prosperity. BUT:

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Hebrews 13:5-6 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times. So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?

Beware of those who strive to be rich, those who war to be rich... and DO NOT become like them, for some (too many):

"take the faith to be a way of making profit. But true faith, with peace of mind, is of great profit: For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out; But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough. But those who have a desire for wealth are falling into danger, and are taken as in a net by a number of foolish and damaging desires, through which men are overtaken by death and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all evil: and some whose hearts were fixed on it have been turned away from the faith, and been wounded with unnumbered sorrows." - 1Timothy 6:5b-10

One does not have to rob a bank to be at war striving for riches. Covetousness, greed, avarice reside in the human heart and can and do rot the soul even silently within.]

Hebrews 13:5-6 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times. So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?]

MARXISTS.ORG

Quotations from Mao Tse Tung — Chapter 5

War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private…

Quotes from Mao Tse Tung on War and Peace

Destroying the thief

“What I tell you in darkness you must speak in the daylight, and what is whispered in your ear you must shout from the housetops. Stop being afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”Matthew 10:27-28

Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord, relying on his mighty strength. (11) Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. (12) For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. (13) For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. (14) Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, (17) also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints. (19) Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel, (20) for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should.

"You have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, 'You must not murder,' and 'Whoever murders will be subject to punishment.' But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to punishment. And whoever says to his brother 'Raka!' will be subject to the Council. And whoever says 'You fool!' will be subject to hell fire. "

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two with him. Give to the person who asks you for something, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow something from you." "You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they? And if you greet only your relatives, that's no great thing you're doing, is it? Even the gentiles do the same, don't they? So be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:21-48

The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly! - John 10:10

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1st John 3:8c

Satan aims to destroy. Jesus came to destroy Satan's works. What are Satan's works? Essentially Satan's works are lies. They are designed to deceive humankind. The devil's first lie was spoken to Eve in the garden. She was deceived. Adam was not deceived yet he ate the fruit, a fruit that opened to them both the knowledge of Good and Evil, that is, the knowledge of the Truth AND the LIE! Since that time the devil has been able to deceive many, many people.

As light dispels darkness so the truth dispels the LIE. The lie is the work of Satan who is the adversary to LIFE.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and every power, for he must rein until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says all things are put in subjection, it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
1st Corinthians 15:21 to 24

The last enemy Is death. What destroys death? Life! Jesus said and says today: "I AM the LIFE."

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal... we wrestle not against flesh and blood... we walk by faith...

... Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26 52 and 53.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting so that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from this world." Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a King?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a King. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world: to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" And after saying this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him."

What is truth? This is without doubt one of the most important questions ever asked! We should pray that every person living today on this earth might hear this question... AND SEEK THE Truth. Did Pilate ask this in any kind of sincerity? Did he really want the answer? Jesus had already told the disciples that he himself is THE Truth. If we were to declare the truth to be a person, in fact to be Jesus, the son of God, would people respond? Or would we rather go and buy two swords?

If we do not wrestle against flesh and blood how can we then justify slaughtering flesh and blood by the sword?

The weapons of our warfare are not "carnal." "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." 2Corinthians 10:4

G4559 ~ σαρκικός ~ sarkikos ~ sar-kee-kos'
From G4561; pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: - carnal, fleshly.
Total KJV occurrences: 11

OUR WEAPONS are not "sarkikos." They do not pertain to flesh, they are not bodily, temporal, or by implication unregenerate (Strong's Greek Dictionary).

Carnal weapons (swords, knives, guns, cannons) do not regenerate life. They degenerate life in the ultimate sense.

The way the God in Christ defeats death is by resurrection. God gave Jesus power to lay down his life and to take it up again. God gives Jesus power to take up our life again! By our faith we receive the power of God WHICH WILL ONE DAY resurrect us to Kingdom fellowship and eternal LIFE.

Why are so many calling themselves Christians in America and around the world so eager to get or buy and have two swords? Or 10? Or an armory of semi automatic firearms?

And he Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out with no money bag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." He said to them, "But now let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me and he was numbered with the transgressors. What is written about me has its fulfillment."
And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough." Luke 22:35-38

...they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough."

Two swords were enough? Yet after Peter used one of them to cut off the servant's ear Jesus told him "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?"

Two swords were enough? WHAT WERE two swords enough for?

“BUT NOW let the one who has...” “and NOW let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.”

Something had changed. Jesus sent 72 disciples out two by two "with no money bag or knapsack or sandals." BUT NOW... Something had changed. Jesus had been known for miracles. The 72 disciples returned from their journeys saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” BUT NOW...

What had changed? An hour, THE HOUR had come.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:52

"For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me and he was numbered with the transgressors. What is written about me has its fulfillment." Luke 22:37

Jesus reckoned, ccounted, numbered with transgressors? That was a prophecy to be fulfilled and NOW it is, it was being fulfilled for the hour is, the hour had come! There are dozens of references to this hour which NOW had come in all four Gospels.
Two swords WERE ENOUGH to reckon him numbered with the transgressors. And certainly Peter showed himself to be a transgressor but cutting off that man's ear.

But in our flesh we want to grab the sword and preserve what we have no power to preserve, our temporal life of flesh and blood. The question must be asked, Do swords and weapons which wound and take life have any place in the mission Jesus gave the disciples?

Then Jesus came up and told them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Where is our New Testament example of any Apostles picking up a sword? Where is our example in the New Testament of any Christian taking up a sword? You may cite Romans 13 and say certainly some of the centurions who had swords were Christians. That is undoubtedly true. But did they take swords up as Christians or had they taken them up having committed themselves to serve the emperor? I think certainly they became christians after having been equipped by Rome with swords. Romans 13 does clearly say that the powers-that-be, that is the rulers of the nations are set in place by God and those who bear the sword are the servants of God. And their mission as servants is made clear. They are to execute the wrath of God upon evil-doers. We can't gloss over that without noting that they are to execute God's wrath! God's Wrath? God's Wrath! This is a temporary assignment. For there will come the day when Jesus himself will return and execute God's Wrath against all the wicked who persecuted his chosen.

I believe that any Christian now desiring to bear the sword as a servant of God should become a law enforcement officer, and officer of the court, a legislator, or a member of the armed forces. Many do, and I will not fault them for that. But I think we who have the second amendment, which itself is established to provide that those who bear arms to be joined to "a well regulated Militia," - we ought to be very circumspect in the use of that right. It seems that we in America have gone to sleep and not carefully worked out many of the issues that now trouble us. The consensus that should be ruling the land has not been maintained in the church or the public square. THE LIE has begun to deceive many people and perhaps a majority in America, perhaps even a majority in Christendom!

Jesus will destroy the works of the devil. Sadly many human beings have been deceived and remained works of the devil and dying in their sins receive now eternal torment. He would much rather that they would have received him as the TRUTH. In that truth he would destroy the LIE, that work of the devil by which they are now eternally deceived. He would much rather that they had received him as the LIFE, the life that drives death itself into everlasting destruction. He would much rather that they had seen him and embraced him as the WAY, the way to the resurrection of their beings for eternal life.

What example can we offer those Jesus NOW desires to be saved by arming ourselves to the teeth, circling the wagons and (God forbid) pouring out our own wrath on them?

Where do we find justification for this in our scriptures? Do we think that God would not answer our prayers for safety in this our temporal life and journey? Yet this seems to be our choice rather than being martyred for his name. No one should anticipate the sufferings of martyrdom with glee. Nevertheless and notwithstanding:

"How blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them! How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me! Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That's how they persecuted the prophets who came before you." - Matthew 5:10-12

If we are in Christ, whom shall we fear?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Even as it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31-39

[the author welcomes comments, also notice of typos and unclear grammar.]
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans8:31-39&version=ASV

Racism & Roots

Racism & Roots

Racism is not a problem that arises out of the justice system. It does not arise out of law enforcement or the courts. It does not arise out of political parties. It does not arise out of religious organizations. Racism arises out of the hearts and minds of humans. Human beings bring their own racist presuppositions into the civil institutions in which they work... and into the church, synagogue, and mosque. THEREFORE SYSTEMATIC RACISM IS A HUMAN PROBLEM REQUIRING A CHANGE OF HEART AND MIND. Changing the law will only require more arrests, indictments, prosecutions and imprisonment.

Those who presuppose themselves better or more deserving than persons whose skin color is different than their own are lost in a swamp of corruption known as sin. All have sinned. All are corrupted. All may not be racist, but all have been corrupted and are corrupt. Sadly most of us do cherish or have cherished some corruption or other. The evidence has been building that case for 6000 years.

We live for the moment with no thought that we might actually be corrupt OR THAT WE MIGHT EVEN CORRUPT OTHERS! But we are more or less corrupt WHEN we look down our noses at OTHER “RACES.” YES? NO? We do this and show that we are individually and tribally narcissistic. Sin, - personal corruption and tribal narcissism and arrogance are the root, trunk and branches of racism. What can we do to eliminate racism when we are so self-absorbed? When “the collective” is corrupt where will it be led?

Now we are still individuals in any tribe or people or nation or collective we identify with. Wherever we find our security (safe place) and place of belonging we yet remain individually responsible for our words and actions. And we are not without power to act against the peer pressures that would keep us in political correctness toeing the party line? If we are powerless where shall we find power? And if empowered, to what new place of safety will we go? To whom will we now belong? With whom will we now identify?

Genesis 1:26-31 And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth. (27) And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them. (28) And God gave them his blessing and said to them, Be fertile and have increase, and make the earth full and be masters of it; be rulers over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing moving on the earth. (29) And God said, See, I have given you every plant producing seed, on the face of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit producing seed: they will be for your food: (30) And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and every living thing moving on the face of the earth I have given every green plant for food: and it was so. (31) And God saw everything which he had made and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Acts 17:24-28 The God who made the earth and everything in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, is not housed in buildings made with hands; (25) And he is not dependent on the work of men's hands, as if he had need of anything, for he himself gives to all life and breath and all things; (26) And he has made of one blood all the nations of men living on all the face of the earth, ordering their times and the limits of their lands, (27) So that they might make search for God, in order, if possible, to get knowledge of him and make discovery of him, though he is not far from every one of us: (28) For in him we have life and motion and existence; For we are his offspring, as certain of your verse writers have said.

Luke 1:26-38 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) To a virgin who was to be married to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. (28) And the angel came in to her and said, Peace be with you, to whom special grace has been given; the Lord is with you. (29) But she was greatly troubled at his words, and said to herself, What may be the purpose of these words? (30) And the angel said to her, Have no fear, Mary, for you have God's approval. (31) And see, you will give birth to a son, and his name will be Jesus. (32) He will be great, and will be named the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his father: (33) He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (34) And Mary said to the angel, How may this be, because I have had no knowledge of a man? (35) And the angel in answer said to her, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will come to rest on you, and so that which will come to birth will be named holy, Son of God. (36) Even now Elisabeth, who is of your family, is to be a mother, though she is old: and this is the sixth month with her who was without children. (37) For there is nothing which God is not able to do. (38) And Mary said: I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say. And the angel went away.

Isa 7:14 … the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [meaning God with us].

Luke 2:6-7 And while they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth. (7) And she had her first son; and folding him in linen, she put him to rest in the place where the cattle had their food, because there was no room for them in the house.

John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege](the power KJV) to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— 13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].

John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was with God in the beginning. (3) All things were made through Him, and apart from Him nothing was made that has come into being. (4) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it. (6) There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that through him everyone might believe. (8) He was not the light, but he came to bear witness concerning the light. (9) The true light, coming into the world, gives light to every man. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him; but the world did not know Him. (11) He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. (12) But whoever did receive Him, those trusting in His name, to these He gave the right to become children of God. (13) They were born not of a bloodline, nor of human desire, nor of man’s will, but of God. (14) And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth. (15) John testifies about Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘The One who comes after me is above me, because He existed before me.’” (16) Out of His fullness, we have all received grace on top of grace. (17) Torah was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah [Jesus the Christ]. (18) No one has ever seen God; but the one and only God, in the Father’s embrace, has made Him known.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his rule and of peace there will be no end, on the seat of David, and in his kingdom; to make it strong, supporting it with wise decision and righteousness, now and for ever. By the fixed purpose of the Lord of armies this will be done.

(ASV) For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,

(BBE) For there is one God and one peacemaker between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

(CEV) There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only one who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and he gave himself to rescue all of us.

(ESV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

(ISV) There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and human beings—a human, the Messiah Jesus.

(KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(TLV) For there is one God and there is one Mediator between God and men—a human, Messiah Yeshua,

Acts 17:16-31 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was troubled, for he saw all the town full of images of the gods. (17) So he had discussions in the Synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and every day in the market-place with those who were there. (18) And some of those who were supporters of the theories of the Epicureans and the Stoics, had a meeting with him. And some said, What is this talker of foolish words saying? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange gods: because he was preaching of Jesus and his coming back from the dead. (19) And they took him to Mars' Hill, saying, Will you make clear to us what is this new teaching of yours? (20) For you seem to us to say strange things, and we have a desire to get the sense of them. (21) Now all the Athenians and the men from other lands who come there were giving all their time to talking or hearing of anything new. (22) And Paul got to his feet on Mars' Hill and said, O men of Athens, I see that you are overmuch given to fear of the gods. (23) For when I came by, I was looking at the things to which you give worship, and I saw an altar with this writing on it, TO THE GOD OF WHOM THERE IS NO KNOWLEDGE. Now, what you, without knowledge, give worship to, I make clear to you. (24) The God who made the earth and everything in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, is not housed in buildings made with hands; (25) And he is not dependent on the work of men's hands, as if he had need of anything, for he himself gives to all life and breath and all things; (26) And he has made of one blood all the nations of men living on all the face of the earth, ordering their times and the limits of their lands, (27) So that they might make search for God, in order, if possible, to get knowledge of him and make discovery of him, though he is not far from every one of us: (28) For in him we have life and motion and existence; as certain of your verse writers have said, For we are his offspring. (29) If then we are the offspring of God, it is not right for us to have the idea that God is like gold or silver or stone, formed by the art or design of man. (30) Those times when men had no knowledge were overlooked by God; but now he gives orders to all men in every place to undergo a change of heart: (31) Because a day has been fixed in which all the world will be judged in righteousness by the man who has been marked out by him for this work; of which he has given a sign to all men by giving him back from the dead. 

How Did We Miss The Notice Given ???

How Did We Miss The Notice Given 

Over 60 Years Ago

?????

HOW DID WE MISS THIS ???? 

https://www.returnofkings.com/123828/a-1958-list-of-communist-objectives-for-america-is-now-nearly-complete

Items 1-14 concerned enhancing the position of the USSR and other Communist nations.
Here’s the domestic agenda:

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to “eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.”

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. “Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art.”

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the “common man.”

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the “big picture.” Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture–education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use “united force” to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.

Does any of this sound familiar?

HOW DID WE MISS THIS???