Intriguing Thought

This morning, I had an intriguing thought. In every language on Earth, we have different names for the same entity. For instance, I call God “Father God” or simply “God,” and I refer to Jesus as “Jesus” or sometimes “Yeshua.” In Spanish, God is called “Dios,” “Señor,” or “Padre,” and in Mexico, the Child Jesus is known as “Niño Dios,” “Chucho,” or “Chuy.”

Regardless of the country we live in or the language we speak, the image of God in our minds is likely quite similar. The same goes for Jesus.

It’s truly amazing to think that God can communicate with all of us in our own languages simultaneously, and Jesus can do the same.

This led me to wonder if God has a native language. Jesus existed with Father God long before creation. Does Jesus have a native language, and is it the same as Father God’s? Since Jesus is known as the Son of God, I imagine they would share the same native language. However, perhaps language, as we understand it, doesn’t exist in God’s realm.

This is what I pondered this morning. If God and Jesus have a native language, what would their names be? Would we even be able to pronounce them? I know, these are kind of unusual thoughts.

Can You Love; Without God?

Can someone who does not believe in a god, love? I believe that they can because there is "that of God in everyone". 

What do Quakers mean by the “Inner Light”?

Here's their answer;

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Here is the problem:

Imagine if we could love all the time—there would be peace, wouldn't there? Picture this: you have a close friend; someone you always enjoy being with. Life feels peaceful. But then something happens, and that peace is shattered. You stop communicating, and suddenly, you don’t want to see them anymore.

This is where Jesus comes in. He did what he did to restore peace, just like a mediator who steps in to heal the broken bond between friends. Jesus would do whatever it takes to bring you back together—even if it meant giving his life.

That's how deeply Father God and His Son, Jesus, love us. They will go to any length to restore peace.

God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to take on human form. There needed to be a human who could live a flawless life, fully upholding the law, to stand in our place. It wasn't enough for God to simply forgive our sins without justice. Jesus, out of love for the Father and for us, willingly accepted this mission.

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Love is not a solitary feeling; it thrives in connection with others.

Love is a deep emotional bond that transcends mere affection or attraction. It's a multifaceted experience that can encompass feelings of care, compassion, respect, and connection toward others or oneself. Love can manifest in different forms, such as romantic love, familial love, friendship, and self-love, each with its unique dynamics. At its core, love often involves selflessness, vulnerability, and a genuine desire for the well-being of another.

Obeying The Laws VS Love

I had an interesting thought last Sunday morning.

Jews teach about the laws and obeying them. Gentiles - Christians teach about love. If you love but you don't know the laws, will that cause you to obey the laws? Or if you're a Jew and you obey the laws, does that cause you to love?

Here is what ChatGPT came up with:

This question touches on deep theological and philosophical ideas about the relationship between love and law, particularly in the context of Jewish and Christian teachings.

### Jewish Perspective:

In Judaism, the laws (mitzvot) are central to religious practice. They are seen as God's commandments and a way to live a holy and righteous life. While the law is fundamental, it is not merely about external obedience but also about cultivating a relationship with God and fellow humans. The Torah emphasizes love, such as in the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). In this sense, love and law are intertwined; obeying the laws is seen as an expression of love for God and for others.

### Christian Perspective:

In Christianity, particularly in the New Testament, there is a strong emphasis on love as the fulfillment of the law. For example, in Romans 13:10, it says, "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law." The idea is that if one truly loves God and others, they will naturally fulfill the moral requirements of the law. Love is seen as the guiding principle that transcends and encompasses the law.

### Interaction Between Love and Law:

1. **If You Love but Don’t Know the Laws:** From a Christian perspective, genuine love can lead to a natural alignment with the moral essence of the law. Love motivates actions that are in harmony with the ethical teachings found in the law. However, without knowledge of the specific laws, a person might unintentionally overlook certain aspects of moral or ritual behavior that are emphasized in religious teachings.

2. **If You Obey the Laws, Does That Cause You to Love?**: From a Jewish perspective, the practice of the laws is intended to cultivate a relationship with God and others. Obeying the laws can indeed foster love, as it involves engaging with the community and living out the values of justice, kindness, and mercy. However, mere obedience without understanding or intention might not lead to love. The laws are ideally obeyed with a heart full of love and devotion, which deepens the experience of those laws.

In summary, love and law are not mutually exclusive. In Judaism, obeying the laws can lead to love, especially when done with the right intention. In Christianity, love is seen as fulfilling the law, and a person who truly loves will naturally act in ways that align with the law’s moral imperatives. Both traditions suggest that love and law are deeply interconnected, and each can lead to the other when approached with the right mindset.

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Then I thought, we are all sinners and have broken the peace between each other and God. God's son, Yeshua Jesus, came to earth as a human, lived a perfect obedient life, so he could be the spotless sacrifice for our disobedience so that peace may be restored. We can repent and accept the forgiveness provided to us through his sacrifice?

Repenting means that we want to change, and God wants to help us with that as well.

A Righteous Man

 A righteous man is someone who follows moral principles and ethical conduct, consistently striving to do what is right, just, and fair in all their actions and interactions. Such a person embodies qualities like honesty, integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of justice. In many religious and philosophical traditions, a righteous man is also seen as living in accordance with divine or spiritual laws. 

In my view, none of these qualities are evident in Trump. It appears to me that Trump does not advance the gospel of Yeshua (Jesus Christ); instead, he seems to use Christianity to further his own agenda.

Separation of Church and State

 

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects religious liberty by limiting the government's authority to civil issues and preventing it from establishing a religion.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

In countries where a dictator is in control, the main religion often becomes a powerful tool for maintaining authority and control over the populace. These regimes frequently leverage religion to legitimize their rule, unify the country under a common identity, and suppress dissent.

1. **Legitimizing Authority**: Dictators often claim divine right or portray themselves as chosen by a higher power. By aligning themselves with religious leaders or symbols, they create a narrative that their leadership is sanctioned by a higher authority, discouraging opposition on moral or spiritual grounds.

2. **Unifying the Population**: Religion can be a unifying force, and dictators exploit this by promoting a single, state-approved interpretation of the main religion. This fosters a sense of national unity and identity, making it easier to mobilize the population for the regime's goals and to isolate and demonize those who do not conform.

3. **Suppressing Dissent**: Religious doctrines and institutions are used to justify the suppression of opposition. Dictators may label dissenters as heretics or enemies of the faith, thereby framing political opposition as a moral and religious transgression. This not only justifies harsh crackdowns but also discourages people from voicing dissent due to fear of social and religious ostracization.

4. **Control of Religious Institutions**: Dictators often place loyalists in key positions within religious institutions or create state-controlled religious organizations. This ensures that religious teachings and activities align with the regime’s interests, preventing religious leaders from becoming sources of opposition.

5. **Propaganda and Indoctrination**: Religious rhetoric and symbols are integrated into state propaganda. Schools, media, and public events emphasize religious teachings that support the dictator’s narrative, creating an environment where the regime's ideology is seen as intertwined with religious duty.

In summary, dictators exploit religion as a multifaceted tool to reinforce their power, suppress opposition, and unify the populace under their rule. This manipulation of faith not only consolidates their control but also makes it harder for opposition movements to gain traction in a society where religious and political identities are closely intertwined.

Elijah Must Come and Restore All Things

Matthew 17:10-11

New International Version

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

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This was said by Yeshua (Jesus) during his first appearance, when he came to take away the sins of the world. Jesus went on and hinted that John the Baptist was Elijah (in the spirit). John preached repentance. It's hard to say how successful his efforts were. He made some people mad, and they eventually killed him, like what happened to Jesus. 

Before the end time, and before Yeshua (Jesus) returns, Elijah is supposed to return. The Old Testament (Bible) prophecies say this:

  Malachi 4:5-6

New International Version

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

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I read the message to be, repent and start loving, or else earth or the un-repentant will be destroyed.

I am reminded of cities in the Bible where the inhabitance did evil in the site of God. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, and the city of Nineveh was spared.

The story about Sodom and Gomorrah took place during the time of Abraham. Genesis 18-19 From what I gathered reading about it, the people were destroyed because they would not listen to anything that was said to them and did whatever they wanted. God found none to be righteous.

The story about Nineveh can be found in the book of Jonah. In this story Jonah goes to the city of Nineveh (all the people were also doing evil in the sight of God). He warns them that they would soon be destroyed. Every one of them heeded his warning and repented. God relented and spared them.

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6/10/24

I woke up this morning with this on my mind, "Purify my heart"

https://youtu.be/RNCkYP_OchQ?si=HRnL0wwuBmSGjeIQ

LOVE

I woke up early this morning and I remembered that I was dreaming about LOVE. I was specifically dreaming about the medic, Desmond Doss, who is credited with saving more than 70 solders lives, even enemy soldiers', during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific. He did it without carrying any kind of protection for himself. He refused to carry a weapon or take a person's life. When he enlisted into the Army, he told them this and was almost rejected for service. They thought that he wouldn't make a good solder, but they took him anyway. He went through literal hell from his commanders and fellow soldiers, but he never quit/gave up. Click the link and go down to the 'Synopsis' of the movie. The movie, 'Hacksaw Ridge', based on true events. It is well worth seeing if you haven't already. (maybe without children). His whole character was amazing, hard to believe, and is one example of LOVE (AGAPE LOVE). The kind of LOVE that Father God and his son, Yeshua (Jesus) has.

I've been thinking a lot about my life lately. I cannot remember if I have ever loved that deeply. The Bible talks about God's chosen. Jesus said that his disciples were the ones his Father God gave him, specifically chosen. I wonder now, are God's chosen the only ones who have that kind of LOVE? I am not saying that we can't love unless we've been chosen by God. I kind of think our love may not be Agape Love, but some flavor under that.

I remember that on the day of Judgement there are many books that will be opened. But there is one book that stands apart from all the others. It is called the Book of Life, God's chosen. If we could see those who God has chosen, I think we might be quite surprised by those He has picked.

Here is a thought about how to obtain LOVE. Repent, empty self; my will dies. Ask Yeshua (Jesus) in and his will takes over.

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All of a sudden, I am being reminded of a number of old posts:

Monday, August 3, 2020 ---- Love

Sunday, June 24, 2018 ----- Love Thy Enemy

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5/5/2024

Talking about coincidences. This morning at church, our pastor had a sermon on LOVE. His favorite scripture verses on the subject are 1 Corinthians 13; mine too.

1 Corinthians 13

New International Version

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.