DOUBLE PORTION

ALOHA Saints, Family and Friends,  Beloved of Jesus and me,   John 3:16

DOUBLE PORTION     “WORTH CONSIDERING”   12/16/20,   From Ken Smith<><

Today’s Scripture                       (Across my desk this morning from a ministry in Texas.)
Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
(2 Kings 2:9, NLT)
   
A Double Portion
Elijah was a great prophet who did many amazing miracles. One day he saw a young man named Elisha and told him to come and be his assistant, to basically take care of him. Elisha was from a wealthy family and could have been too proud to take what seemed like a low level position, but he recognized the favor on Elijah’s life. He respected the anointing. For years he served Elijah with honor, and eventually, he received a double portion of Elijah’s anointing and did twice as many miracles.   When you sow into someone with great favor, you’re going to reap some of that favor. Sow honor into that supervisor who’s ahead of you. Sow respect into that colleague who’s extremely talented. Sow friendship and encouragement into that person who’s taking new ground. God put them there to bring you favor. As you connect to them, new doors are going to open for you, and new talents are going to come out.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that Elisha didn’t just get the favor that Elijah had, but he received a double portion. Help me to find the people with whom I should connect and help them to find me as well. I believe that the honor I show them will come back to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments,
Many times in my life I have experience the above.  One day I was going over to Hilo for a Agape Feast (Meal) and to share with the hippies that attended.  It was a large hall in the old Doc. Hill Mansion that would hold perhaps 2-300 people…  As I was driving my van in that direction I noticed a hippy wondering around in the middle of the street so I stopped next to him and ask where he was going.  He said, “I don’t know.”  So to be polite I ask him what his name was? And he said, “I can not remember” So I ask him a 3rd question, “Are you hungry” And he said, “ I sure am.”  So I ask him if he would like to go with me to a party with lots of food, and he made for the van and away we went to the Love Feast.   Well he ate all he could, was loved up a whole lot by all of the Christians and came to make Jesus LORD.   When I went back to Kona he came along and went to the True Vine Farm and began to listen, read and grow.   Found out his name was Craig McNutt and his dad was in Texas oil.   He got lost in the ministry over time I lost track of Craig.   20 years later he showed up at my home with a lovely wife and kids and I found he had been preaching in Brazil for nearly 20 years in Portages.   I was amazed and still am at what that small moment in time may be when Greg stands before Jesus and the Books are opened.  Such a great joy that will be for me in having such a small part in Gregg’s pilgrimage into God’s Kingdom.   Not saying it could not have happened another way.   But that the Holy Spirit allowed for me to have the Joy of being included in HIS plans for Greg that day.  And today in my home the quest continues as I have 4 souls staying with me  (and another on the way)  that are able to be assisted in making a clean decision for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives just like I was in the past from 1968 when God called me into the ministry of reconciliation.  And all of us have that same calling on our lives to embrace the LORD’S loving concern for souls to help others and to enjoy HIS vision for why they were created.  You were created with a purpose from God.  But you also were created with a free will, like God.  You can say yes or no.   But the Joy of the LORD is in saying yes and joining others on the road to becoming like Jesus.  He is the first of HIS kind and many of us are to also to come to be like HIM and be directed of the Holy Spirit.  And to help make the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in heaven.  But you do have your own choice to also do as you like.  Many are taken captive by the lies of the enemy.  He is even good at making up spiritual lies that seem to be of God but are not.   The filter for filtering the lies of the enemy is the Word of God.  IF You don’t study the Word of God, then there is a good chance of being taken captive by false doctrine.  Some today feel water baptism saves, it does not.  Some feel that if the get saved it is a done deal, it is not.  Study James and 1 John and Jude.  Some think that we are not responsible for others getting the Gospel, that is up to God.  But the Word of God tells us that we share with the Holy Spirit the responsibility of the harvest of souls that needs to be gathered into the Kingdom of God.  So much of what you think you know may only be Vain Traditions that make the Word of God ineffective.  You need to study the Word of God for yourself.

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
(Add / Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org  “Worth Considering” library a link on Homepage.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    Chinese Pastor John Cao, who serves a seven-year jail term in China, has written a poetry book urging believers to realize that Jesus Christ will never forsake them. Christ, he adds, gives treasures nobody can take away.   A peaceful prayer rally in Washington DC was usurped Saturday by rioters causing violence and chaos, Christian Headlines reports. The “Let The Church Roar” prayer event was held on the same day as several other DC protest rallies attended by President Trump supporters alleging voter fraud in the November 3 election result.    Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, says it would not surprise him if there are more lawmakers in the Capitol beyond California congressman Eric Swalwell who were compromised by the Chinese.    U.S. Army bases face the real risk of “deliberate and direct attacks” from enemies and must implement new strategies to strengthen their defenses, the Army warned Monday in a major new report that painted an alarming picture of the threats that confront military installations at home.    Israel has successfully completed an air defense exercise that tested the abilities of the Iron Dome missile defense system to intercept cruise missiles for the first time, the Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday.   Hungary has adopted an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The legislation also loosens oversight of public funds despite corruption concerns and detailed rules governing war times.

There is but ONLY one Church of Christ Jesus as LORD,
all who Love, Honor and Obey HIM are eternal members.

WHO AM I ?

ALOHA ,   SAINTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of Christ Jesus and me.     John 3:16

WHO AM I        “WORTH CONSIDERING”     12/15/20      From Ken Smith<><

Today’s Scripture        (Across my desk this morning from a Church in Texas.)
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Gal. 1:20
    
Guard Your Sense of Value
If somebody did you wrong, rather than internalize it and wonder if there is something wrong with you, have you ever thought that they hurt you because they were messed up? Maybe they felt so badly about themselves, so unlovable, that they tried to project it onto you. How they are treating you flows from their own insecurities, fears, hurts, wounds, prejudices, and dysfunctions. Hurting people end up hurting other people. Messed-up people can mess you up. If you base your value on what they’re giving you, you can end up dysfunctional.  Don’t let what others say about you define who you are. Don’t let what you didn’t get from them make you feel as though you’re to blame. Quit letting how people treat you make you feel inferior. You have to go to your heavenly Father. They’re not your Savior. You already have a Savior. He’s on the throne. Go to Him and not to people.
    
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can come to You for all the approval and love that I need to live securely. Help me recognize that hurting people hurt others and guard my sense of value when I come under attack. Thank You for being my Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
When entering the 1st grade at Elkhorn Elementary School in the country, in Kentucky. I was a good looking kid with very Curly blond hair.  Being with other kids was a brand new thing.  And there was these twins, beautiful, also with blond curly hair and I was immediately in love (infatuated) and made quick friend which was great for them as well.  Until strutting with them during recess holding hands until was confronted by their former admirers and beat up pretty soundly.  Turned out to not be a good day at all.  They had friends, I was the enemy… continued on the walk from school to home.  I was very angry and threw rocks at a window.  It busted, the owner was watching, my father was contacted and the day got even worse.   Seems we have all had bad days like that.  For years after that the kids would call me Can Not rather than Kenneth.  It has taken years of getting out from under being made into an introvert by my reaction to the rejection.  And it was all about what I looked like and not what was inside.  Many need healing from such experiences that may go way back.  But the LORD delivered me.  Use to be I was afraid of everything, Now I just try to stay close to the Holy Spirit.  Use to be I was uncomfortable with speaking to only a few friends.  But the Lord has used me to speak to hundreds as times.   Once you really learn to walk in the Holy Spirit the sky has no limits. 

Fear is Faith going backward.  Many Christians are still needing to be delivered from the fears that they have picked up through negative experiences with the world.  They are afraid to even share the Gospel with their best friend for fear of losing them.  Even though the friend may be  headed into the world’s judgment and darkness.  Humanity is like on a wide freeway that looks safe but is going around a blind corner and the bridge is out over the deep canyon below.  So many eternal souls are shooting off the highway at high speeds into a chasm of deep darkness unless they are re-directed to the Bridge over which Jesus came to give us of a safe passage and Eternal Life.  When I go to a big box store and see the hundreds of people in the store I am reminded of the words of Jesus who taught us that: “Straight is the way and narrow the leads to eternal life and few there be that find it.”  That out of a 100 all around me only about 2 will find the way into Eternal Life.  I call it to learn to make the jump to “Light Speed.”  We are taught in Holy Scripture that our Creator is pure LIGHT and that in HIM is no darkness at all.  That into HIS presence no one who has not been made like HIM can come into HIS presence and live.  So to become HIS family we need to be changed to become like HIM,  Gen.1.  Jesus did just that, check it out.  John saw HIM.  Rev.1 & 4-5.  And the Good Book is a text book on how to do exactly that.  The Creator’s original intent was to make a family like HIM that HE could enjoy that also had free will and would come to loved HIM for who HE  REALLY   IS.

In the Revelation of Christ Jesus, The Word of God made Flesh we find these words. Rev.22:14   “e] Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs [the godless, the impure, those of low moral character] and the sorcerers [with their intoxicating drugs, and magic arts], and the immoral persons [the perverted, the molesters, and the adulterers], and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (deception, cheating). 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.”  17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.”  So you are invited……

Yours in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
(Add / Delete, ken@trinity-aloha.org   “Worth Considering” library link on Homepage.)


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    The governor of Colorado has declared that houses of worship provide “essential” services that are no longer subject to COVID-19 restrictions on attendance numbers, Christian Headlines reports.     China is prosecuting Christian businessmen for selling audio versions of the Bible in a government effort to “eradicate pornography and illegal publications,” rights groups confirmed.     Experts on Monday claimed potential massive electronic voter fraud in the presidential election while the Electoral College was due to choose Joe Biden as the next U.S. president formally.    Joseph R. Biden Jr. was confirmed as president-elect on Monday by members of the Electoral College despite White House claims of wrongdoing during the November 3 ballot.    Oman and Indonesia could be next in line to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in the coming weeks, a diplomatic source said Sunday.   

There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus as LORD and all who Love, Honor & Obey HIM are eternal members.

NEW NAME

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of Jesus and me….   John 3:16

NEW NAME,     “WORTH CONSIDERING” 12/14/20    From Ken<><  

Today’s Scripture                  (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”   (Genesis 32:28, NIV)
   
You Have a New Name
Jacob’s name means “a supplanted, a deceiver,” and that was how he lived. Later in his life, he got tired of living like that. One night he went to get alone with God when an angel appeared to him and said, “God has a new name for you. Your name will be Israel,” which means “prince with God.” He was saying, “Being a deceiver is not your true identity. You are a prince. You will reign in life.” The first thing God had to do was to get the shame off of Jacob.    Maybe you have let your circumstances, your failures, or even other people put a label on you that says, “shame on you.” No, God’s grace changes all that. God says, “I’m going to bless you anyway. I know your true identity.” He is changing our names to “Prince,” to “Princess,” to “Forgiven,” to “Highly Favored.” Agree with what God is saying, and He will bless you in amazing ways.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You have a new name for me, and by Your grace I am going to reign in life. Thank You that I can take negative labels off my life and proudly wear the name of “Redeemed.” I believe that You are going to bless me in amazing ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
When born I got my father’s name Norman Kenneth Smith Jr.   Which in faith means: Handsome man from the North who makes things with his hands.  Well where I was born in Kentucky is considered South and now at 88 the Handsome part is way gone and really I don’t make much with my hands any more.      But then when I was consecrated a Bishop/Abbot John that took on a new meaning for me.  Being named after John seemed to have put my head in a totally different space after 7/5/03 both good and bad.  Good in that John was really close to Jesus and bad in that it made me feel somehow more important.  Being confirmed by a bunch of people that your were now part of a long list of saints going back to Peter was somewhat manipulative to my little ego.

Of course the Word of God tells us to wait for the Judgment of Jesus when it is the right time.  And that our only claim to fame is who we are in HIM when filled with the Holy Spirit.  So in a way it has been very sanctifying to realize that it mean little or nothing unless submitted to the Holy Spirit.  One day long ago I put on my $300$ high class Hawaiian straw hat with pheasant hat band and with my authentic cane, ring, cross and purple crane shirt to look the Abbot/Bishop part through the Honolulu airport.  Nearly got tarred and feathered by the Pentecostal Lady at the ticket counter but the security guy at the exit door wanted to stop the crowd and have me take his concession.  Never did that again, just not my cup of tea.  So learned early in 2003 & 4 that unless the LORD build the house they labor in vain that try to build it.  That like Paul teaches us best to be all things to everyone that we might by all means win some to Jesus as LORD.

We may have a flavor that we like and that is OK, God’s loves colors and harmonic sounds and filled HIS creation with them.  The same with us.  My experience ingrowing up was old German Celtic.  But my doctrine needs to match GOD’S Eternal Truth as found in the Word of God.  So when I go to the Word of God I go with the humility to learn and the obedience to do what I am shown in God’s Truth.  One time I took on of the old creeds and took the liberty of adding what I had found that seemed to be missing.  Thought to include it here as follows: By the way, our Loving Creator has already picked out a new name for you if you make it into HIS Kingdom.

An expanded confession of faith:

I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord, Master, and Savior. By faith in Christ Jesus, I am forgiven, cleansed, healed and made a citizen of His eternal kingdom. Jesus Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law of sin, sickness, weakness and eternal death through His death on the cross for me. I believe in the Trinity of one God: Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator made flesh, The Word of God who was begotten as the second Adam. He was born of a virgin, died for my sins, rose for my justification and is coming again soon, in great glory, to establish His Kingdom on earth. I believe in the new birth from above, the baptism in water, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I confess that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from all my sin and I am now made the righteousness of God in and through Christ Jesus. I confess that I can do all things through Christ who is my strength as I abide in Him. I confess that this world is not my home. I confess that I am a pilgrim in a foreign land and I look for that certain return of my Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. I confess that there is but one holy universal and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and all those who are born from above are brethren and citizens of His kingdom. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is being perfected by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and other ministries of His Church until all the faithful come into the unity of the faith and the bond of peace and are changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, (Eph. 4:1 16).  (The more you confess the more you will believe.)

Yours, in HIS great LOVE and wonderful Grace & Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    A U.S. pastor who spent two years in a Turkish prison for activities linked to his faith warns of upcoming persecution of Christians in the United States.     The US government deficit in the first two months of the budget year increased by 25.1% more than it was at the same time last year, PBS reports..     The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a last-ditch effort to overturn the official results of the 2020 presidential election despite reported voter fraud.    Tens of thousands of people converged on the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court on Dec. 12—waving American flags, wearing red, white, and blue, and blaring horns—to take part in rallies calling for greater transparency in the 2020 election.    Iran on Saturday executed a journalist who inspired nationwide economic protests for freedom in 2017 after luring him out of exile in Paris and kidnapping him.   A significant leak shows that at least nearly two million Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members work worldwide, including US government agencies and the biggest companies, Australian media reported Sunday.

FISHING

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,   “WORTH CONSIDERING”   12/11/20    From  Ken<><

FISHING      “WORTH  CONSIDERING”   12/11/20    From Ken<><

Today’s Scripture     (Across my desk this Friday from a church in Texas.)
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  (Luke 5:5, NKJV)
   
Be a Nevertheless Person
Peter was an experienced fisherman and had spent all night fishing and caught nothing when Jesus told him to put out into the deep and drop the nets. It seemed illogical because in the daylight, the fish would go deeper than the nets. Peter did not deny the facts, but he said in effect, “It doesn’t make sense; nevertheless, at Your word I’m going to do it,” and he caught so many fish the nets began to break.  Practical people would have missed this miracle. People who only look at things logically, reasonably, statistically would have talked themselves out of it. God is looking for nevertheless people. When you don’t see how you can ever accomplish your dream, get your health back, or see your family restored, say, “The odds are against me. It looks impossible. I tried and it didn’t work out; nevertheless, I still believe. Nevertheless, I’m going to try again. Nevertheless, I’m going to keep praying, hoping, and expecting.”
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the dreams and desires that You put in me that are bigger than I can achieve. It looks too big for me; nevertheless, I know that with You all things are possible. I believe that what You have started in my life You will finish. In Jesus’ Name, Amen”

Ken’s Comments:
As a General Contractor in Eugene OR in the 1960 one weekend I took my Super. and a workman fishing. Rented a little cabin by a really big lake, had my 12′ boat w/25 Hp motor in tow.  Dale and I took this other guy along as he was a really good workman but an outspoken atheist.  We got up at daylight and headed out.  Our buddy got 4 really nice trout sitting in the middle of the boat and then he started in on us about Jesus and Peter and fishing.  We got 6 hrs. of our stupid faith in a dead carpenter and did not get a bite one.  He was on the Mormon Pipe Organ and pulled out all the stops.  We were about ready to punch him out but kept quiet.  Finally I had it and commanded, almost out loud, for a fish to bit my line, and it did!!!  From about 3:30 to dusk Dale and I caught 26 trout for our 3 limits and he got not one bite sitting in the middle of the boat trying to duplicate our every move.  I am sure that he went home that night with different music playing in his head.  Don’t remember what happened to him but I am sure that the LORD got his attention.  Sometimes we sow, water, weed, fertilizes and others harvest.  But it really does not matter if in God’s Truth and in Loving Unity.  That experience certainly brought Dale and I much closer together in the LORD.  It did not stop there but a story for another time.

The key issue, seems to me is pragmatic, does it work.  The intent of our Creator God is to create a heavenly eternally dimension-ed family of righteous souls who want to walk in humility and obedience to HIS purposes and plans in eternity.  And the invitation has gone out to who-so-ever-will to come and to drink of the waters of life freely.  Are we really on board with HIS vision or are we making up our own vision ?

As it seems to me that we get lost in all kinds of busy stuff that totally ignores the prime directive of GOD that HE, with our OK, wants to make us into HIS IMAGE & LIKENESS.  and that Christ Jesus is our living example of what HE wants to do with us.   Seems we are much too busy with our own religious traditions and other stuff to really consider that opportunity we have to become like HIM.   1 John 4:17: “In this [union and fellowship with Him ], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.

So in our lifetime if we don’t decide to go for it, we can loose out.  God will not force us to become a part of HIS plans.   Problem is, there are no other plans for dissenters but all souls have been created eternal.  So as we head into HIS light then the light gets brighter and brighter but if we decide that we like the darkness better it will get darker and darker as Jude records 11-13.  “11 Woe to them! For they have gone the [defiant ] way of Cain, and for profit they have run headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of [mutinous] Korah. 12 These men are hidden reefs [elements of great danger to others] in your [g] love feasts when they feast together with you without fear, looking after [only] themselves; [they are like] clouds without water, swept along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted and lifeless; 13 wild waves of the sea, flinging up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of deep darkness has been reserved forever.”  Not many sermons on this today, but still very true.  One of the definitions of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Does church attach us to Jesus or to it’s  denomination?  Do we really get to see Jesus in our Church as in the New Testament or Early Church as in Eph. 4:11:16  &  John 17:20-22                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus as LORD and
All those who Love, Honor and Obey Christ Jesus as LORD are
eternal members.
Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;      A court of appeals has told a lower court that, in light of recent US Supreme Court rulings, it must reconsider its decision to uphold California’s restrictions on in-person worship services, the Christian Post reported Wednesday. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of Chula Vista’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, which had argued the pertinent COVID-19 restrictions were discriminatory against houses of worship.     The Abortion Care Network has reported that 127 US abortion clinics have closed since 2015, the Christian Post reports. The ACN report suggests most of these clinics closed because of financial constraints and pro-life laws.    A U.S. government advisory panel on Thursday endorsed Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, despite concerns about possible side effects.    Israel and Morocco agreed Thursday to normalize relations in a U.S. brokered accord that Israel’s prime minister described as “another great light of peace.”     The United States sends a warning to Iran on Thursday with two American  bomber aircraft flying over a swath of the Middle East, officials confirmed.     Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid nor be dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.      Add / Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org    “Worth Considering” library found at our Homepage.

FAITH & PROMISES

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of Jesus and me,   John 3:16

FAITH & PROMISES       “WORTH CONSIDERING    12/10/20    From Ken<><

Today’s Scripture              (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?  (Mark 4:40, NLT)
    
Through the Storm
In Mark 4, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake,” but along the way they were caught in a furious night storm. The winds were so strong that the disciples thought the boat was going to capsize, so they woke Jesus up. He rebuked the storm, and everything calmed down.  When we’re in a storm, we often get upset and panic as the disciples did. “God, You have to help! This medical report is bad. My finances aren’t making it. My relationship is falling apart.” Quit being upset and losing sleep over your troubles. God knew there would be a storm before He told the disciples to go over the lake. When He puts a promise in your heart, all the forces of darkness cannot stop Him from getting you there. God is not ignoring your prayers. You don’t have to wake Him up. He’s teaching you to have faith in the middle of the storm.
    
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are not just the God of the start of my storm, not just the God of my finish, but You’re also the God of the middle. Thank You that You are here to protect me and provide for me. I believe You will still my storms. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Faith is the Victory, Hebrews 11 seems where this is taking me today and I am reminded of the story that Jesus tells of the 10 Virgins as recorded by Matthew in Chapter 25: ““Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to [a] meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. 11 Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ 12 But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ 13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].    First question???  Do you really, really have faith that in eternity your soul will still be alive and, is there a Kingdom of God to want to live in with GOD?  Jesus was sent to tell us all about it and to let us get to know HIM so we would want to be with God.  Jesus came as the perfect reflection of God’s love in human form.  The only folks who did not like Jesus were like Cain who put don’t like light.  And as the religious leaders of his time, they finally put HIS light out, so they thought.  Our salvation from darkness rests upon our faith in believing that there is a resurrection and that Jesus is LORD, Rom.10:9-10,  and HE has the ultimate authority in that eternal dimension.   OK, So notice in the story that the 5 foolish virgins did have the money to go and buy the oil.  So we can easily see that they were hedging their faith and betting on both possibilities.  Have it both now and also be OK for later,  if HE gets here.  That did not turn out very well for the 5 even though they were virgins.  Seems they were seen as pure but lacked the 100%   commitment to the union with the bridegroom?  Like saying the river is not going to flood but then securing the sand bags just in case.  A lot of so called Christians today may not be living 100% for the Kingdom.  They have money in their pockets but no interest at all in sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom with others who are lost and headed for darkness. 

Notice in the story that the “Relationship” really is the ultimate test of the validity of the union of faith.  Heart faith is a lot different then head understanding.  My will is much different than knowing and submitting to the will of the Holy Spirit.  Knowing the will of the Holy Spirit means to have a “RELATIONSHIP.”   A relationship that helps and encourages me to become like Jesus.  It is a HEART faith in the PRECIOUS PROMISES of GOD that makes it possible to enjoy ingesting the Divine Nature of God.  St. Peter 2:3-5, “ For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through [d] true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, [e] develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),…”  Our Creator’s original intent in our creation was to bring us into being in HIS Image and Likeness, are you up for it?:  

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
Add / Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org   “Worth Considering”library, find link on Homepage

There is but ONE church of Christ Jesus and all who Love and Obey HIM are members.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    Missouri led a group of 17 states that Wednesday afternoon filed a brief with the Supreme Court supporting the Texas lawsuit aimed at delaying the appointment of presidential electors from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.The United States added Nigeria to a blacklist of countries that violate religious liberties Monday, DW reports. Joining Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, Nigeria is now listed as a country “of concern” “under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.”   A lung specialist at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee has pleaded with a Senate committee to review his study of an anti-parasite drug which he says has produced dramatically positive results in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients, CNS News reports.    Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great value, sold all that he had and bought it.

From Andrew Strom:   REVIVAL List <prophetic@revivalschool.com&gt;
 Felt “Worth Considering” 12/10/20  Important to send along as well….

A HEART THAT can DISCERN THE TIMES
by David Wilkerson

When the economy collapses, jobs are lost and bills are piling up,
what will people need? To be a part of a nice, fast-growing church,
hearing messages on how to enjoy life? No, they´ll need answers.
They´ll need someone with authority who can interpret what´s
happening around them, someone who can read the times. And
they´ll need a word from heaven to keep their hearts and minds in God´s peace.

Jesus, though God in flesh, faced the devil as a Spirit-empowered
man. He didn´t fight Satan on any other grounds. Jesus´ disciples
had this same power: “And when He had called His twelve disciples
to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out,
and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matthew
10:1). “I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).

The apostle Peter was made of flesh and blood, just like the rest
of us, yet he wielded spiritual authority over the devil. He said to
the lame man at the temple gate, “In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).  The man was instantly
healed and the religious leaders of the day recognized great power
in Peter. They asked him, “By what power or by what name have
you done this? (4:7).

Nowhere in the Bible do we see any suggestion that this same
power isn´t meant for us today. What kind of God would empower
his people in the wilderness when they needed it and embolden
the crowds at Pentecost and then withhold it from his last-days
church, when we need it more than any generation?

God entrusts his divine authority only to what Peter calls the
“hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a
gentle spirit and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). Paul says, “The inward
man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Although
the outward man is always on display before others, the hidden
man is known only by God. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work
in him, strengthening and preparing him to receive spiritual authority.

LIGHT & POWER IN HIM

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of Jesus and me,   John 3:16

LIGHT AND POWER IN HIM,  “WORTH CONSIDERING” 12/9/20  From Ken

Today’s Scripture                 (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.”  (Matthew 5:16, TLB)
   
Let Your Light Shine
There are times when God will allow us to go through a painful season so He can birth something new on the inside. If you go through something you don’t understand, God allowed this to happen because He trusts you. He knows He can count on you to take the same comfort, the same healing, the same encouragement that helped you overcome this trouble and share it with others.  Can God trust you with pain? Or will you get caught up wondering, I don’t understand why this is happening to me? I say this respectfully: it’s not all about you. What if God has allowed this difficulty so three years down the road you can help somebody else move forward? Can He trust you? God is counting on you to let your light shine through the dark places. What you’ve been through will help somebody else get through it. Be on the lookout for others you can encourage.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You want to use me to help others who are struggling in the same areas where I have struggled. Thank You that I am uniquely qualified to comfort those who are going through what I’ve gone through. Help me to shine my light brightly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Seems more likely to me that the junk and pain that I go through are mostly the results of my own sowing and reaping.  2 Pet.2:19, AMP, “ They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity and defilement—for by whatever anyone is made inferior or worse or is overcome, to that [person or thing] he is enslaved.”      So my knots and scars, for me, seem mostly self made through ignorance or pride or rebellion.  And if ignorance it is only because I did not try to find out the truth.  Paul in Gal. 6:8, K J “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” “ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall have God’s life.  Rom.8:13

So, my understanding is that God may openly test us so we can see where we are but basically HE already know where we are.   With Abraham and Issac and the sacrifice, God was showing Abraham his heart of obedience.  God had already had a ram caught in a thicket for the sacrifice.  But then God does use our sins and mistakes to try to help others.  There is nothing like getting hit by a truck to want to try to help other by telling them to watch out for trucks.  Joel in 2:24 mentions this, when in obedience and bless able.  “24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.  25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer worm, my great army which I sent among you.  26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Now why did God send that great army, because of pride and rebellion. and why did he restore?  Because of repentance & obedience.  God will allow the sowing and reaping to occur as it teaches us about staying out of destructive temptations of the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and pride of life.  And James writes a lot about this in James 1:12-16: “12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Might read James through a few times a month to help keep on the straight and narrow.  James has some real TRUTH as also does his brother Jude.  And they both grew up with Jesus as the sons of Mary and Joseph.  As Jesus was the oldest in the same family.  That must have been extremely interesting to sit down to table with Jesus prior to HIS Holy Spirit anointing for HIS ministry by John the Baptist.  Jesus as growing up being a Holy Man in a family OF 9 till age 30 must have been way out there!!!!  So Jesus as a man under the anointing of the Holy Spirit did many marvelous things.  And HE mentioned: “11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.  12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:11-13…  As for me,   I am still working on that one to get it right.   If interested in working on this with me, let me know.  So far: Truth, Faith, Love and Unity seem deeply embedded.  As we are collectively anointed to do what Jesus did and perhaps more. John 17:20-24.  My experience is enough to know that it is true but still incomplete.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy,   Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
(Add / Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org    “Worth Considering” library, a link on Homepage.)

There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus as LORD;
All who Truly Love, Honor and Obey HIM are eternal members.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at prioritizing shipment of the coronavirus vaccine to Americans over other countries as the United States inches closer to authorizing the first shots.   In a novel legal strike, the state of Texas has asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, arguing officials in those four battleground states violated the Constitution by making changes to how ballots were cast and counted without legislative approval.    The United States Department of Justice has announced that over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left America amid  a US national security crackdown on alleged technology theft, Sky News reported Thursday. The researchers are believed to be connected to China’s People’s Liberation Army. 

FREEWILL & PREDESTINATION

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,   Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16

FREEWILL OR PREDESTINATION   “WORTH CONSIDERING” 12/8/20  

Today’s Scripture             (Across my desk this morning from a Church in Texas.)
For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?  (Isaiah 14:27, NKJV)
   
Life Purpose
God has a purpose for your life. He’s already planned out your days, lined up the different scenes, and established your ending. Today’s Scripture asks, “Who can stop it? Who will turn it back?” God is saying, “I’m the all-powerful Creator of the universe. Now, who can stop My plan for your life? Who can change your ending? People can’t, unfair situations can’t, tragedy can’t. I have the final say.”    When you feel like you’re on a life detour, when you come to a dead-end with something you don’t understand, don’t get upset or live frustrated. It’s just one scene. When all the scenes of your life come together, it’s going to work out for your good. What looks like a setback is really God setting you up to get you to the fullness of your destiny. Stay in peace, knowing that God is directing your steps. Even the detours, the dead ends, and the U-turns will work to your advantage.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the promise that You always cause me to triumph in the end. Thank You that You are directing my steps and working out Your purpose for my life. I’m going to stay in peace knowing that no one and nothing can stop Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Interesting concept, karma (in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existence.)  The message above seems to intimate to me that we are simple robots.  That our life has already been decided. That even heaven or hell is a forgone conclusion.  The elect are saved and the lost are not.  And that GOD decided all of that before we were born.  So I am just a robot.  And regardless of my freewill I must write this to you today?

But God lives in a different dimension than we do,  1 Cor 13.   We live in a time dimension but HE does not.  So the scriptures concerning election are from God’s foreknowledge eternal dimension.  But we are locked into a temporary time dimension and only see yesterday and today.  We are working out our salvation in faith and expectancy.  But our Creator already knows how the story ends through HIS absolute foreknowledge.  so in creating freewill HE allowed for evil.  Pride and Rebellion to exist and it was not his choice but HE takes responsibility as the Creator of all things.   For freewill to be valid there must be choice. Thus the tree in the garden of good and evil.  And Adam taking the world into the darkness and Jesus coming to help us find the light.   And when all is said and done the final outcome will be the creation of HIS FAMILY. An honest family of eternal souls who will be loving, humble and obedient by choice but not a bunch of programmed robots.  Then a new heaven and a new earth of righteousness.

Foreknowledge is the Key,  found in Acts 2:23,   2:31,   1 Peter 1:2   and Rom.8:29-30
 
“For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was [k] aware and [l] loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.  30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].

So in our Creator’s eternal dimension of absolute foreknowledge HE knew already, before he created the first atom out of HIS energy what would happen with us in our limited dimension capsule of time.  He knew what lucifer would do like any good architect.  He knew what Adam would do. and HE knew what Jesus would do.  He knew what I would do in writing to you.   HE had the blueprints down pat before HE started Creation.  But does that make it any less me in doing what I do if I have freewill and do in time what HE already knew what I would do with my freewill in time?  Am I not still responsible for doing what I do, good or bad.   Did I not sit down and write because I wanted to?  At least God thinks so.  So we see that the blueprints of the building are not the building.  Not that we did not know that.  But around 14 billion light years ago our Creator started on a project to make HIMSELF a family.  A family of righteousness in humility and obedience.  And today in time we have an open door to become a part of HIS family if we exercise our freewill to do so.  And today in time I am writing to you because HE ask me to but out of my own freewill.  No manipulation, no threats, no bribes and no controls,  not like in a robot.  I am doing what I want to do. And you are doing what you want to do in reading or deleting this e-mail.  But you will be asked in the resurrection to account for your actions on earth as also will everyone including me.  And I do hope you make it into HIS FAMILY….  The alternative is not that great.  A soul without body, light or God, in a void…

Yours in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace and Mercy,   Ken<><   www.trinity-aloha.org



Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    In countries where governments already oppress Christians because of their faith, COVID-19 has led to more surveillance of Christians than ever before, says Wycliffe Associates. The Orlando-based international organization empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Church Owned Bible Translation.   The Arizona Supreme Court agreed to hear the election lawsuit filed by state Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward concerning irregularities with mail-in ballots. GALLUP: Mental health rating of Americans slumps to new low     China influenced American policies for decades through a covert network of “old friends” — sympathizers and agents — who had penetrated the highest levels of the U.S. government and financial institutions before the Trump administration, according to an academic linked to the Chinese government.   Britain, France, and Germany say Iran’s apparent plan to install additional advanced centrifuges at its main nuclear enrichment facility is “deeply worrying” and contrary to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

SOWING & REAPING

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,    John 3:16

SOWING & REAPING   “WORTH CONSIDERING    12/7/120     By Ken Smith<>< 
 
Today’s Scripture      (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
For we know him who said, “Justice belongs to me; I will repay them.”  (Hebrews 10:30, T.B.)
   
Pre qualified for Double
God has seen every unfair thing you’ve gone through, every person who did you wrong, every tear, every lonely night. He’s your heavenly Father, and He knows how to pay you back for what’s unfair. You don’t have to live worried because God is going to make up for the wrongs that were done. The prophet Isaiah says that when God pays you back, “He will give you a two fold recompense.” That means God will pay you back double. In the Scripture, it wasn’t a coincidence that after all the heartache and pain that Job went through, he came out with double what he had before the testing of his faith. When you’re in an unfair situation, instead of getting sour, have a new perspective—that just qualified you for double. They meant it to harm you, but God is going to use it to promote you. When He pays you back, you’re going to come out loaded down with blessings.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are still on the throne, and You are my vindicator. Thank You that You can bring me out of difficulties better off that I was before they showed up. I believe that You are going to exceed my expectations and amaze me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Hmmmm!!  Just be sure you don’t deserve what you are going through.  Most of the time, if we are in the Spirit.  I mean really walking with the LORD in righteousness, we are walking on air and in the peace, joy and protection of our LORD.  But often I know of Christians who are going through what they are going through because they just can not stop talking “stink” and Judgment.

Life and Death are in the power of the Tongue.  “From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”  Proverbs 18:20-22.   That is a very interesting proverb for me as the author (Solomon?) had many wives and they got him into serious trouble.  So he must have still been looking for the wise and quiet one who was not always complaining about something?  James also shares about the tongue  25 “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. “ James 1:25-27

Because what our head speaks with our mouth will ultimately be believed by our heart and that will start the process of making it become a fact.  And that works for good or bad and if there is unity then whether good or bad it happens more quickly.  Look at what Moses wrote that God said concerning the Tower of Babel: “ But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.  Gen.11:5-6..

So if we could learn to be of one mind in John 17 we could enjoy seeing Jesus in Eph. 4:11-16.  As that is the whole purpose of God for us in being joined unto HIM.  That we should learn to be living stones fitly joined together into being a gathering of Christians who look, smell and taste like Jesus.  When I saw this in a young man by the name of Floyd in 1955, it brought me to Jesus as my LORD.  We are born to suck up the water of the Holy Spirit of life, let HIM help us pull the weeds and grow to produce fruit that is like Jesus.  Our creator loves and honors that and our words should be expressed in faith to that end.  What we are impressed with and dwell on will be what we become.  What we continue to say and to believe about people will either release them in Christ Jesus or put them in further bondage.  And the same about ourselves.  What ever we train our heart to believe about us will eventually come to pass.  So the enemy delights to get us into talking down and talking stink about others and even about ourselves.  We are taught to take our cares and our sins to Jesus and to leave them with HIM.  That we are to find HIS truth and to walk it out and to be free.  God our Creator has made it possible for us the be healthy and free in HIM.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
(Add / Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org.    “Worth Considering” library a link on Homepage.)

There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus as LORD
and all who Love, Honor and Obey HIM are members for eternity.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;     The owner of a company that produces audio Bible players in China’s Guangdong province is due to appear in court on December 7 to answer charges of conducting “illegal business operations,” Morning Star News reports. Lai Jinqiang, owner of Shenzhen Cedar Electronics, faces trial after being arrested together with his six employees on July 22 last year.     President Trump is calling for “landmark election reform,” including mandatory signature verification for absentee ballots, after a November contest that his campaign says was rife with irregularities.    Israel intelligence managed to recruit an Iranian official close to the recently assassinated Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and recorded the nuclear scientist speaking about his efforts to produce “five warheads” on behalf of the Islamic Republic, according to a Friday report in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.   Iranian parliament has passed a “double-urgency” bill to increase the level of uranium enrichment to weapons-grade, Jerusalem Online reports. The move follows the recent assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Damavand, east of Tehran on November 27.   Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it plans to install several cascades, or clusters, of advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at the Natanz plant in violation of its commitments under the nuclear deal, Reuters reported Friday. 

BLESSINGS OF GOD

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16

BLESSINGS OF GOD,    “WORTH    CONSIDERING”   12/4/20   From Ken Smith<><

Today’s Scripture      (Across my desk this morning from a Church in Texas.)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19, ESV)
   
Every Need Supplied Abundantly
Sometimes religion can make you feel like it’s wrong to be blessed and have resources, but David says, “God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” It brings a smile to God’s face to make things happen that amaze you, to increase you in ways that you’ve never imagined. It gives our heavenly Father pleasure to see you blessed. You may not see how it can happen, but that’s not your job. Your job is to believe.  You were created to live an abundant life. Today’s Scripture says that God will supply all our needs according to His riches. It doesn’t say according to your talent or your education, or if your boss likes you, or if the economy is good, or if you have the right friends. It’s not according to what you have; it’s according to what He has. The good news is, God owns it all. If He doesn’t have what you need, He can create it.
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You’re a more-than-enough God. Thank You that You take pleasure in prospering me and supply all my needs according to Your riches. I believe that You are opening doors that I can’t open and showing me favor that I didn’t deserve. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:             (ken@trinity-aloha.org)     www.trinity-aloha.org
In John 8, Jesus told the religious leaders of HIS day that their father was lucifer and that HIS father was GOD.  We know this to be true as they murdered an innocent man to put out his light.  So today Jesus would say to us, that by their fruits ye shall know them. Gal 5:18-23,   “But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 19 Now the practices of the [a] sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 [b] idolatry, [c] sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others],  joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

So TO BE bless able then the fruit on our tree will be as above.  But if under judgment do not expect God’s blessings as the LAW of Sowing & Reaping is universal and even can continue in a family for 4 generations or even more.  I was watching a film last night concerning the worlds religions and going from country to country.   And it was VERY obvious that where the Gospel has gone there had been a national blessing.  And were it had not the countries were mostly in 3rd world poverty..   Even when they had great and abundant resources available to them.

So simply, do a good study of Eph. 4:11-16 it has a wealth of information on how to receive God’s blessings and approval:   “And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit ]. 15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up [a] in [unselfish] love.”    Love in Jesus,   Ken<><


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;     A new survey conducted after the 2020 presidential election has shown that 97% of politically active conservative Christians voted for Donald Trump, the Christian Post reports. The survey was launched by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and was conducted from November 3 through November 16, 2020.  After this column first disclosed the large number of pro-China officials and holdovers from the Obama administration sitting on the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board, the board has been belatedly purged and new advisers will be named in the coming days.    House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday for the first time since at least the 2020 election as Congress scrambles to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal and prevent a government shutdown.   Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as US president, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the coronavirus.   The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with churches against California’s coronavirus gathering restrictions.  A Democratic group advising self-declared U.S. President-elect Joe Biden suggests that the new administration will curtail religious freedom. It proposes banning limiting Christian worship and outlawing creationism in education or work, among other measures.  In June, elites at important international institutions such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations launched a far-reaching campaign to “reset” the global economy.

Masks?
The first randomized controlled trial of more than 6,000 individuals to assess the effectiveness of surgical face masks against SARS-CoV-2 infection found masks did not statistically significantly reduce the incidence of infection  Among mask wearers, 1.8% ended up testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, compared to 2.1% among controls. When they removed the people who did not adhere to proper mask use, the results remained the same — 1.8%, which suggests adherence makes no significant difference  Among those who reported wearing their face mask “exactly as instructed,” 2% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to 2.1% of the controls 1.4% tested positive for antibodies at the end of the month-long study compared to 1.8% of controls 0.5% in the mask group and 0.6% tested positive for one or more respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2

FOCUS & COMMITMENT

ALOHA SAINTS, FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16,  Eph.4:11-16

FOCUS & COMMITMENT “WORTH CONSIDERING” 12/3/20  From Ken <><

Today’s Scripture   (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)
   
Look Up and Listen
Hebrews 11 talks about the heroes of faith and all the amazing things they accomplished. They didn’t have a Bible like we do today. They didn’t have the written promises to stand on like we do. They didn’t know how it was going turn out, yet they chose to believe. Think of David, think of Moses, think of Abraham and Sarah. They withstood hardships, endured ridicule, fought giants, overcame enemies. Today’s Scripture paints the picture of a huge heavenly stadium filled with the saints of old, including loved ones that have gone before us, cheering us on in our race.
When you’re tempted do get discouraged in your daily race and losing heart, just look up and listen up. Do you hear it? All of heaven is cheering for you. Just imagine in that heavenly stadium that people are calling out your name, saying, “Run, baby, run! Stay strong. This is your time. You are well able. Leave your mark!”
   
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the heroes of faith whose lives help show me how to live for You and who are cheering me on from heaven today. Thank You for their messages of perseverance and overcoming hardships. Help me to run my race with purpose and strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments,
Our focus and commitment is very essential in these days of where the Lust of the eyes, Lust of the flesh and Pride of Life is seen on most publicity and in about ever film or form of entertainment.  We are engulfed in a see of self pleasure and what is in it for ME!!!  Problem is that there is no end of the publicity that can be set in front of us to go for if you think that you can make your self happy that way.  Long time ago I was watching a T.V. interview of J.P. Getty the richest man on earth at the time.   The interviewer was completing a personal walk through of one of the many warehouses full of antiques that Mr. Getty had purchased from around the world.  And as she was leaving, she asked, Mr. Getty a parting question, “Mr. Getty,  How much of this will it take to make you happy?”  And Mr. Getty replied, “Just a little bit more.”

I passed the biggest billboard sign I had ever seen going to San Diego one day, long ago.  And it was a beautiful fireplace scene with an easy chair and table next to the chair.  On the table was a 3′ bottle of Black Velvet and nest to the Black Velvet was a beautiful women dressed in black velvet.  No caption at all.  But also clear to all.  Want the girl, get the booze and a total lie.  Our whole world is filled with this kind of stuff now.  That is why Jesus taught us that the road to haven was straight and narrow and few would find it.  So first we need to know it is the right road and then we need the focus and commitment to stay on it for our life time.  Even at my age of now pushing 90 the girl in the black velvet still looks good but I have learned to stay focused and committed.  Some feel I should be committed but that is a story of another time.  On of the things that helps me stay focused and committed is in realizing that Jesus on earth was also the Son of Man.  That as the 2nd Adam he was totally limited to what I have available to me.  That if I would follow his level of focus and commitment I could enjoy the victories that he enjoyed.   That the anointing that he received from the Holy Spirit at John’s baptism is the same for me if I will grow into that level of faith in HIM.  Most every thing that Jesus taught can be found also taught by the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament.  He knew who he was as he had also learned the messianic scriptures concerning the coming of the Christ.  And there will only be one Christ Jesus.   And there will only ever be one of you or me,  we are all unique.  Jesus taught us that the things that HE did we could do and even greater things than these could we do.  That by Kingdom Faith we could heal, deliver and move mountains and He encouraged us to learn how to do that.  In Hebrews 11 the writer (Paul, I think) tells us that real faith is substance and evidence.  In other words, look at what all these folks were able to do in faith.  We need to learn to walk in Real Faith and have some fun doing some good stuff with it.  Don’t listen to the self justifying folks who tell you what you can not do.  With GOD, all things are possible.  So sit down and write out what you feel God has designed you to accomplish in your life and that HE would like you to do.  After all you were created for a very important purpose in your life time.  Notice that even Samson was included in that list of faith.  If there was ever a mixed up guy concerning women, Samson is the head of the class.  And yet through all of the sowing and reaping in the end he through faith was victorious.  But in each case of victory there was faith, love,  humility and obedience.  Even Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. Heb.5:8-9 and was made perfect.  So we being in the same school are in the process of being made perfect if we will allow it and have faith for it. 1 John 4:17 (go look it up.)

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy, Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

(Add / Delete, ken@trinity-aloha.org   “Worth Considering” library, see links on Homepage.)


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    President Trump is amplifying pressure to revise a section of the Communications Decency Act that has shielded tech companies from liabilities they would incur if they were considered publishers.    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a report showing the number of abortions across the United States has declined by 50% since 1980, CBN News reports.    Iranian officials have taken a major step to suspend U.N. inspections of the country’s nuclear facilities.    The Trump administration ordered a drawdown of diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq until some time in January due to risks of a potential attack, according to a new report.    A major congressional report has concluded that China is fast expanding its military such that in the next 10 years it will be capable of prosecuting wars in distant countries around the world, the Washington Times reports. In its annual report published Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission concluded that the Chinese government is working to turn the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into “a global expeditionary force in a matter of decades.”