Oct 1, 2023·edited Oct 1, 2023Liked by Night Owl Christian
Thank you, Jenise, for a very concise and insightful letter. May our LORD use your writings to bless many. Here's my humble meditation in response.
"We live in a fallen world devoid of the knowledge of GOD. Why?"
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Because mankind turned its back on the LORD their GOD, their desire to know Him became unimportant. The once cherished close communion with their Creator was lost. Consequently, their understanding of good and evil became darkened.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" Matthew 24:12 NIV.
"A World Upside Down"
"The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5 ESV
Fallen and deprived, mankind no longer would use his GOD as a reference point for what was good.
"You are Good and do only good; teach me Your decrees." Psalm 119:68 NLT
But instead, mankind chose to use itself, a fallen and sinful race, for the standard of righteousness. Humanity became wise in their eyes and clever in their own sight, deceived and void of understanding, and over time, the world around them turned upside down. A world where they called evil good and good evil.
"Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight." Isaiah 5:20-21 NIV
As we look at our present world, GOD's Word, the Bible, becomes more relevant today than ever. We can understand the "why" because mankind took GOD out of the picture entirely, and as a tragic result, they can no longer discern between good and evil. By eliminating GOD altogether, they destroyed the only reference point for good, which is only (GOD.) Without understanding their fallen condition, they will persist in their blindness and eventually suffer the consequences for their actions, being eternally condemned to hell in the final judgment.
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15 NIV
"Turn back to the LORD. And be restored."
The LORD is calling all those Christian believers who have fallen into sin to return to Him and be restored, forgiven, and made new, having their sins removed from them as far as the East is from the West. The LORD also calls all those who have never known Him to come. To be saved and given a new life, to be born again, leaving your sins behind and looking forward, with new hope and a glorious future in His Kingdom.
"God wants His family back from the realm of the enemy."
"You may only plant seeds and not see the harvest, but that’s okay. Plant the seeds in love now, and you may see the harvest at God’s heavenly wedding feast."
Now let us pray,
Thank You, LORD, because of Your great Salvation and love toward us, we boldly come before You now with our prayers. We ask that You enable us to do what's right in Your sight, to use us to plant those seeds of life in the hearts of those around us who need Your powerful touch upon their lives. Help us to speak Your truth when the time is right. Not to be timid, but bold, sharing the good news of Your Salvation, the gospel with everyone. Encouraging those people everywhere. Those who already know You and all who don't yet know You. Inviting them all to change their ways and Come to You and be saved. In JESUS Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
I enjoyed reading your comment, and my DH says "Hi, James." Lol. Paganism is growing in our rural community as well as some church growth. Yesterday, when we were shopping in a local store, the trans employee warmly greeted us and knew exactly what products would meet our needs. We were the only customers in the store at the time, so we three engaged in personal and delightful conversation. As I looked in the young employee's eyes, I felt I saw the soul of my fellow son of Adam. This person at first was afraid to move to our community (to join his mother); afraid of being physically harmed.
The Holy Spirit prompted my silent prayers as we talked, and we just "loved on" him in simple friendship. As I fell asleep at 2 AM, after finishing my post, I continued to pray for the young man's spiritual healing. We felt it was some kind of divine appointment, and we've added another name to our (growing) prayer list.
Then, there's the Wiccan woman, a medium, who reads tarot. We happened into her store not knowing what it was. Her specialty is crystals, and it fascinated me that there were hundreds of rocks that "had unique, special powers" -- in her mind and in the minds of her customers. That's one thing I try and explain to the pagans I talk with is why worship the creation when you can know and have a loving relationship with the Creator Himself?
The Lord had prompted me to greet her by complimenting the gorgeous view out her store's window. She was busy with a customer, and I walked around praying silently as the Spirit led me.
James, I'm sure the prayer list you and your wife have is a long one, but if you have room to add these two kind but very lost siblings of Adam, that would be wonderful. God loves them so much.
Amen, in agreement with your prayer you posted above!
"May the LORD bless you and protect you." Numbers 6:24 NLT
Hello Jenise and your DH, those "two kind but very lost siblings of Adam" are in our prayers. It's disheartening for us as Christians to witness Humanity falling further and further into darkness, unknowingly pushing the LORD away by their actions by looking for answers in all the wrong places. We can easily relate to them from this side of the fence because we were in the same condition once. We must never forget that, but GOD, in His mercy, pulled us out of that darkness into the light and can do the same for them. There is always hope that they will escape the devil's snare and be set free. The LORD can save any soul He wants to whenever He decides, so never give up. Keep praying and loving the lost. GOD bless you both!
"May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:25 NLT
Thank you, Jenise, for a very concise and insightful letter. May our LORD use your writings to bless many. Here's my humble meditation in response.
"We live in a fallen world devoid of the knowledge of GOD. Why?"
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Because mankind turned its back on the LORD their GOD, their desire to know Him became unimportant. The once cherished close communion with their Creator was lost. Consequently, their understanding of good and evil became darkened.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" Matthew 24:12 NIV.
"A World Upside Down"
"The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5 ESV
Fallen and deprived, mankind no longer would use his GOD as a reference point for what was good.
"You are Good and do only good; teach me Your decrees." Psalm 119:68 NLT
But instead, mankind chose to use itself, a fallen and sinful race, for the standard of righteousness. Humanity became wise in their eyes and clever in their own sight, deceived and void of understanding, and over time, the world around them turned upside down. A world where they called evil good and good evil.
"Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight." Isaiah 5:20-21 NIV
As we look at our present world, GOD's Word, the Bible, becomes more relevant today than ever. We can understand the "why" because mankind took GOD out of the picture entirely, and as a tragic result, they can no longer discern between good and evil. By eliminating GOD altogether, they destroyed the only reference point for good, which is only (GOD.) Without understanding their fallen condition, they will persist in their blindness and eventually suffer the consequences for their actions, being eternally condemned to hell in the final judgment.
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15 NIV
"Turn back to the LORD. And be restored."
The LORD is calling all those Christian believers who have fallen into sin to return to Him and be restored, forgiven, and made new, having their sins removed from them as far as the East is from the West. The LORD also calls all those who have never known Him to come. To be saved and given a new life, to be born again, leaving your sins behind and looking forward, with new hope and a glorious future in His Kingdom.
"God wants His family back from the realm of the enemy."
"You may only plant seeds and not see the harvest, but that’s okay. Plant the seeds in love now, and you may see the harvest at God’s heavenly wedding feast."
Now let us pray,
Thank You, LORD, because of Your great Salvation and love toward us, we boldly come before You now with our prayers. We ask that You enable us to do what's right in Your sight, to use us to plant those seeds of life in the hearts of those around us who need Your powerful touch upon their lives. Help us to speak Your truth when the time is right. Not to be timid, but bold, sharing the good news of Your Salvation, the gospel with everyone. Encouraging those people everywhere. Those who already know You and all who don't yet know You. Inviting them all to change their ways and Come to You and be saved. In JESUS Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ebMDmbCpQ
Psalm 51:1-19 NLT "Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion,
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned,
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean,
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again,
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your Salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves,
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her,
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ebMDmbCpQ
Hey, brother James!
I LOVE Harpa Dei! Thank you for Ps. 51.
You may also enjoy the Lord's Prayer sung in Aramaic by Father Serafin:
https://youtu.be/pBL-UID9Nhs?si=YGJqsMJxhsJWlSEV
I enjoyed reading your comment, and my DH says "Hi, James." Lol. Paganism is growing in our rural community as well as some church growth. Yesterday, when we were shopping in a local store, the trans employee warmly greeted us and knew exactly what products would meet our needs. We were the only customers in the store at the time, so we three engaged in personal and delightful conversation. As I looked in the young employee's eyes, I felt I saw the soul of my fellow son of Adam. This person at first was afraid to move to our community (to join his mother); afraid of being physically harmed.
The Holy Spirit prompted my silent prayers as we talked, and we just "loved on" him in simple friendship. As I fell asleep at 2 AM, after finishing my post, I continued to pray for the young man's spiritual healing. We felt it was some kind of divine appointment, and we've added another name to our (growing) prayer list.
Then, there's the Wiccan woman, a medium, who reads tarot. We happened into her store not knowing what it was. Her specialty is crystals, and it fascinated me that there were hundreds of rocks that "had unique, special powers" -- in her mind and in the minds of her customers. That's one thing I try and explain to the pagans I talk with is why worship the creation when you can know and have a loving relationship with the Creator Himself?
The Lord had prompted me to greet her by complimenting the gorgeous view out her store's window. She was busy with a customer, and I walked around praying silently as the Spirit led me.
James, I'm sure the prayer list you and your wife have is a long one, but if you have room to add these two kind but very lost siblings of Adam, that would be wonderful. God loves them so much.
Amen, in agreement with your prayer you posted above!
"May the LORD bless you and protect you." Numbers 6:24 NLT
Hello Jenise and your DH, those "two kind but very lost siblings of Adam" are in our prayers. It's disheartening for us as Christians to witness Humanity falling further and further into darkness, unknowingly pushing the LORD away by their actions by looking for answers in all the wrong places. We can easily relate to them from this side of the fence because we were in the same condition once. We must never forget that, but GOD, in His mercy, pulled us out of that darkness into the light and can do the same for them. There is always hope that they will escape the devil's snare and be set free. The LORD can save any soul He wants to whenever He decides, so never give up. Keep praying and loving the lost. GOD bless you both!
"May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:25 NLT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcODACIBTuc