WONDERFULLY MADE

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Aloha Saints, Family and Friends,   Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16

WONDERFULLY   MADE,    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   8/31/20

Today’s Scripture    (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“…I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well…”  (Psalm 139:14, NIV)

Be Amazing
Life will try to make you feel as though you’re anything but amazing. Disappointments, betrayals, and rejection will try to steal your sense of value. You may feel ordinary, but because of your Maker, there’s something about you that makes you extremely valuable. You’re an original. You can’t get any more prestigious than that. If you’re going to recognize your value, you have to see yourself as amazing, as wonderful. It’s not because of who you are, but because of who made you. You have the fingerprints of God all over you.

All through the day, you need to remind yourself, “I am amazing. I am a masterpiece. I have been wonderfully made.” Don’t discount what God has created. Don’t go around feeling ordinary when in fact, you’re extraordinary. People may try to make you feel average. Are you going to believe what people say about you, or believe what God says about you and move up to the next level?

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You made me fearfully and wonderfully in a way that is amazing. Thank You that I am wonderful because I belong to You. I believe that nothing can hold me back from becoming the masterpiece that You created me to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Really like this observation both for myself and then to also be reminded that we must use the same consideration for every other soul on planet earth, regardless of shape, form, color or creed.   That making judgment calls on other people is not up to us at all.  That is for God to do.   I am commanded to love them, I am commanded to even love those who hate and try to misuse me and to be good to them.  Like cherry blossoms and snow flakes we are all different and at the same time even though even look alike, we are unique.  Even twins have minor differences.  Each of us is an original.

So I am born into this world as a unique child of Adam including  his bent for pride and rebellion. This is due to the fact that Adam used his free will in rebellion against God.   And when he did he died inside to the Spirit of God.  He then lost his eternal state and became temporal and Adam’s generations were as we are now.  But right away God set in place HIS plan for redemption.  He clothed Adam and Eve with the skins of Alabamian and He set in motion the sacrifice of the lamb looking to the time that Jesus would come as the lamb of God.  So in Adam all Died, But in Christ Jesus all may live.  Christ Jesus in HIS resurrection restored the breath of life, the HOLY SPIRIT that had been lost due to the pride and rebellion of Adam.  This could be done due to HIS obedience to Father God.  So if we in humility come to Jesus as LORD and heart obey HIM then there is LIFE and LIFE ETERNAL restored to us as per GOD”s original design.  So we truly are Fearfully and Wonderfully made to potentially become in the very Image and Likeness of God.  We can exercise our freewill for life.

However, very few of us really want to become obedient and we even try to change God’s Word to accommodate our Pride and Rebellion.   First off we try to be saved and forget about the LORD part.   We want a get out of HELL free card that we can put under our side of the game board and the go ahead and play the game of life as we want to.  There are the Big Ten (Commandments) and the Seven Deadly that we mostly simple ignore.  Becoming a Christian as a True Child of God means to come under obedience to GOD…  You are only playing mind games if you seek to make Jesus your Savior but not your LORD.  Jesus taught on this, “Why call me LORD, LORD and do not the things that I say?”  And “ He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that love me.      I am the LORD thy God,      No other gods before me,  No graven images or likenesses,  Not take the LORD’s name in vain,   Remember the sabbath day,   Honor thy father and thy mother,  Thou shalt not kill,  Thou shalt not commit adultery,   Thou shalt not steal,  Thou shalt not bear false witness,  Thou shalt not covet. + 7  deadly Sins, So take a look and this is just the Old Testament, Jesus added a lot more commandments in the New Testament.  And of course if you don’t know it is wrong you will be still be held accountable anyway for not wanting to know.   To take the Lord’s name in vain it is more like telling folks that God said something that He did not tell them to say.  I hear so-called Christians say, “God said this and that, all the time.” that does not come to pass.  A stoning affiance in the Old Testament.

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

REALLY!!!!   “WORTH CONSIDERING”
https://www.charismanews.com/culture/82427-the-secret-to-kathryn-kuhlman-s-powerful-healing-ministry?utm_source=Charisma%20News%20Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:1158391&utm_campaign=CNO%20daily%20-%202020-08-31

DANGEROUS PRAYER:
https://www.charismanews.com/marketplace/82429-the-most-dangerous-prayer-in-the-bible?utm_source=Charisma%20News%20Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:1158391&utm_campaign=CNO%20daily%20-%202020-08-31

Worthy Brief  <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;   President Donald Trump on Saturday assured Texas and Louisiana that the federal government “will take care of you” as he toured areas hit by Category 4 Hurricane Laura, which killed at least 16 people and left more than 650,000 without power.    Thirty-nine missing children from the state of Georgia have just been found, the US Marshals Service (USMS) confirmed Thursday. Nine people were arrested as the two-week long multi-agency “Operation Not Forgotten” rescued 26 children and ensured 13 others were in safe locations, Just the News reported.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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HA SAINTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Be love of God, all.    John 3:16

GIFTS OF THE Holy Spirit,    WORTH CONSIDERING, 8/28/20 

Today’s Scripture         (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“…Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms…”  (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

Titles Not Required
Too often we pursue titles and positions, thinking we’ll feel good about ourselves when we have them. “When I make it to sales manager, when I get on the varsity cheer leading squad, when I’m the head usher, the senior partner, the lead supervisor…” That’s fine. But you don’t need a title to do what God has called you to do. Don’t wait for people to approve you, affirm you, or validate you. Use your gift, and the title will come.

If David would have waited for a title, we wouldn’t be talking about him today. When he went out to face Goliath, David wasn’t a general, a corporal, or a sergeant. He wasn’t even enlisted. He didn’t have a title, a name badge, a uniform, or a single credential. He went out knowing God had called and given him the gift to defeat Goliath. In a few years they gave him a title: King of Israel.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the gift that You have given me and for what You have called me to do. Thank You that I can just be the best that I can be with what I have, and You will take care of the rest. I believe that You will receive the glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
Good Teaching and great history concerning David.  Even his whole life story gives us a whole lot to think about concerning both the valley’s and mountain tops.  

As to gifts, it seems to me that some are built in at conception and others can be imparted in faith by family, friends and elders.  But either way those gifts can be used to be constructive or destructive.  The choice is ours.  I remember at one point in scripture where Paul’s says, “Being Crafty, I caught you.”  Yes and I can see what Paul was sharing there.  He was very effective in persecuting Christians and after his conversion to sharing the Gospel.  I suspect that is why he caused so much rage with the Jewish leaders.  At one time he was one of the Good Old Boys.  Next day they could not hold their ground with the scriptures to protect their turf.  That is why he was always getting beat, whipped or stoned….They ran out of words.

When a Boy in L.A.  I won 2nd place in all of L.A. Country in selling a little booklet called Woman’s Magazine from door to door after school each day, knocking on doors.  I was a handsome kid with a gift of gab and made my pocket money that way.   Billy Graham had a similar gift and could have sold a lot of used cars but dedicated his gift to Jesus and the Gospel.   It was unfortunate that the Church did not have the basket for all the fruit.

In ministry I often ask folks what it is that they like to do.   Usually that will give me an indication of their spiritual gifting to be encouraged.  Now what are the Gifts of the Spirit?  And how do they work?  And for what purposes?  This is a very important 4 pages…..

Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.   4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another the working of [a] miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses. 
1 Cor. 12: 1-11

12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so [b] it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].  14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? 20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.  27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].

 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].   Eph 4:11-16.

 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, [d] with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.  Rom.12:6-8

So the Gifting or empowering of the Holy Spirit not only helps folks experience Jesus as LORD but also builds the body of Christ Jesus, HIS Church.  If it lifts up Jesus, probably the gift is from GOD.   If it lifts up a personal Ego or Guru best take another look.  Might just be another little box for using your energy to elevate some one else’s spiritual pride.  If no sign of God’s Power, go somewhere else Paul teaches that in 2 Tim.3:5.  holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

And actually in finding and maturing and walking in your Gifts of the Spirit is where the Joy is in walking with Jesus in HIS Kingdom.  Without the gifts being matured I tried for 13 years after becoming a Christian to help save the lost and helped out only one.  In 1968 after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I enjoyed picking fruit all the time.  And still at it now at near 88 even last night until about 10 PM in my study. 

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful gifts of grace and mercy,   Ken<><

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus as LORD
and all who truly love and obey HIM are eternal members.


Add/Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org,  
Worth Considering Library link on Home Page.
www.Trinity-Aloha.org



If you don’t have a House (Ohana) Church going at your home now,
it would be a good way to go with the CCP Virus ramping up again.
We would love to help, Trinity Fellowship Int.   Ken@Trinity-Aloha.org


   
Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;  

 A Christian research organization has said that one in five churches could close permanently because of COVID-19 shutdowns, the Christian Post reports. According to David Kinnaman, president of the Barna research organization, many churches have seen far fewer people attending since loosened lockdowns, compared to pre-pandemic attendance.     The Justice Department has requested COVID-19 data from the governors of four Democratic-run states that the government says may have caused thousands of deaths in nursing homes,    An appeals court has ruled that the Constitution and federal law guarantee transgender students the right to use the bathroom of their choice, a decision that upholds earlier court decisions and could be headed to the Supreme Court.     Trump admin. petitions Supreme Court to restore FDA’s abortion pill safety protocol of seeing a Dr. prior to the use of the pill.    China fires a barrage of reported ‘carrier-killer’ missiles into the South China Sea as US-China tensions flare.  

FREEDOM & PEACE

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

FREEDOM AND PEACE, WORTH CONSIDERING, 8/27/20, From Ken<><
     
Today’s Scripture      (In my mailbox for a church in Texas this morning.)
“…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…”  (John 8:36, NIV)

Turning Points
In the Scripture, Rebekah instructed her son Jacob to deceive their father. Jacob turned out to be a deceiver just like her. Jacob’s Uncle Laban had the same problem. He deceived Jacob. There was a spirit of deception in that family. It looked as though it would continue from generation to generation. But at one point, Jacob admitted he was wrong, and God changed him (see Genesis 32). That was the turning point. The curse was broken.

Some of the things you struggle with every day have been passed down to you. The dysfunction, the addiction, the low self-esteem didn’t start with you, but it can end with you. God is saying, “I’m about to break its power in your family line.” This is a new day. Freedom and wholeness are coming to your house. Put your faith out there and say, “Christ broke the power of this when He rose from the dead. It is finished in our family. We are free indeed.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that when Christ conquered death on the cross, He broke the power of every negative thing that’s trying to hold me back. Thank You that any stronghold of the enemy within our family line is being destroyed. I believe that we are being set free. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts,
Good word,   Every day can be a new day in which to start over, “IF” you really want to.  So be sure to notice that little word “IF” in the above scripture from John…  If the Son sets you free.

So why would not the Son set every one in bondage free.  Why are not we all free?  Why would anyone want to stay bound if that they could be free.   Have you ever heard of a person upon being released from prison, goes out and breaks the Law again basically to become a prisoner again.  And when asked why, they say, prison is a better life that being on the outside.  They have no knowledge of how to really enjoy being free.  Sometimes in the old West the lawman would throw a drunk in the jail and not even bother to lock him up.  Next day,  get a free safe nights sleep and a free breakfast and out on the town again for another day.  Most of us are looking for freedom from something or other every day in order to feel free.  But upon being free we just end up in another situation that we just got free from.  A guys wife dies that he has been fighting with for years and in that freedom finds another wife that might even be worse.  Or women the same only more difficult as that have a built in assumption that they have every bit of knowledge available in the universe  that is needed to fix any man.  And so they marry the guy that needs some fixing and find out he is UN-fixable and make his life a total misery due to their faulty decision.  Fix’em 1st, then marriage.

Christ Jesus came to give us a totally different kind of freedom.  The kind of freedom of Spirit in Love that only looks for the opportunity to be free inside.  A freedom that is not dependent upon circumstances.  Jesus told us about that kind of freedom that is not dependent upon thing, people or situation or stuff.  A freedom that goes on beyond even life itself.  A freedom in knowing why I am here, what I like to do is expected of me and know exactly where I am going.  And none of it is dependent upon any of circumstances that are around us at any time.  If fact if we can learn to walk in the freedom and peace of our Lord, most of the stuff that we get stressed out about never happens.  With me I am still learning.  Yesterday everything that I tried to do was 400% larger on my screen than was supposed to be.  That was everything.  And I could not find out how to fix it.  Gave it to the LORD, but I have so many files in my computer and if they were all corrupted to be 400% over sized I am dead….   Even tried to use 7 pt to make an adjustment, not even half what was needed and it would have taken months to fix everything.  But this morning I got on the phone with Chee my Tech and it was an easy fix.  My wondering marker had found and clicked onto the 400% magnifier, Chee changed it back to 100% and we were good to go again.  As to my mouse, still have issues.  But it all blew away.  And when we have our trust an love with the LORD we find that to be true that we have real freedom of heart all of the time.  I love the peace and freedom I receive from Rom. 8:31-37   31 What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? 32 He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. 34 Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. 35 Who shall ever separate us from the love of [d]Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written and forever remains written, ‘For Your sake we are put to death all day long, We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”   37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].

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 who truly Love and Obey HIM are eternal members.


To add/delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org    Worth Considering Library link on Home-Page.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;   Republicans place free exercise of faith at front of convention agenda    Speakers throughout the Republican National Convention are aggressively courting President Trump’s religious base by touting him as a defender of the free exercise of faith.    Christians, including children, have been kidnapped and one person was killed and a church destroyed in the latest attacks by Muslim fighters in north-central Nigeria, an advocacy group said Wednesday.    A federal judge in Oregon ruled against three Christian schools last Thursday, deciding that current state COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning are constitutional, the Christian Post reports. The schools claimed Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus executive order violates First Amendment rights of institutions to have in-person classes.  Police in India’s eastern state of Odisha denied Wednesday that a Christian teenager was killed for his faith in Christ.

CONDITIONAL SCRIPTURES

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

CONDITIONAL SCRIPTURES,    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   8/26/20   (Only 4 months till Christmas.)

Today’s Scripture         (Across my desk this afternoon from Texas.)
“…Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart…”(Ps. 37:4 )

The Desires of Your Heart

Today’s Scripture doesn’t say you have to earn or make the desires of your heart happen. No, God is going to give them to you. You’ll know it’s the hand of God because it’s going to happen without a struggle. If you keep delighting in the Lord and meditating on His Word, filling your mind with thoughts of hope and faith, then without even trying, you’re going to come into your time, and God will give you the desires of your heart.

You have to trust God’s timing when things aren’t happening as fast as you would like. Every season is not harvest. There are seasons of watering, planting, weeding, and fertilizing the ground. These are important seasons. They are times of testing when God is seeing what you’re made of. Are you going to keep a good attitude when you’re doing the right thing but not receiving the desires of our heart? Have faith and patience. You’re closer than you think.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the desires You have put in my heart. Thank You that I don’t have to work for them or make them happen on my own, but You promise to give them to me. I will delight myself in You and fill my mind with Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”


Ken’s Thoughts,
You know, I really want to be loving and kind at all times but if God’s Truth does not preside then all is wasted.

In the above verse Ps 37:4,  Do you notice the KEY thought to Delight yourself in the LORD.   That is a very strong CONDITIONAL WORD.  We understand that the word “IF” is there in context but it is obvious and unspoken.  If you decide to not delight yourself in the LORD do still get the desires of your heart,  NO.   So now to define with Delight really means so we truly know what we need to do.  It has the words captivate, happiness, joy, gleefulness.   So I suggest that if that is our position it means that we are in loving humility and obedience in our delight.  If we are delighted with God, that would be rather obvious.  On our tree folks would find Holy Spirit fruit?  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Gal 5:22

There are an amazing number of places in the Holy Bible that are conditional.   It is like a contract,  “IF” you will do this,  I will do that.  “IF” you truly make Christ Jesus your LORD from the heart you shall be saved,   Rom.10:9-10 .   So the Holy Bible is a Loving Contract offered by our Creator like an eternal lease agreement.  If we will take HIS loving grace here in the middle of all of the rebellion and pride.   If we will come to HIM for grace and help to get us ready to live with HIM.   He will in turn take us, upon our graduation, home to live and be with HIM.

Obviously HE is not going to turn the prideful and rebellious loose in eternity to make the kind of mess out there that has been made on planet earth.  He is simply going to withdraw from them the stuff to sin with and leave them in an eternal darkness.  Why would HE even consider giving the rebellious a new body to destroy with sin?  However as all souls, when conceived, are eternal there will be a big divide between the darkness and the light.  So don’t give in to the illusion that God is going to give everyone a new body when this one is worn out and dies.  Not going to happen.   Only those who delight in Him will be HIS guests in the Holy City of God and receive a new body.  Eternal life is not about the stuff of this world, it is about every word that proceeds from God though HIS prophets and apostles.  

It appears as if we are coming into the latter days at the end of the age of the gentiles, Luke 21.   So if this is true we are beginning into the birth pains that ultimately deliver the Body of Christ.   We are seeing the beginning of the wars,   earthquakes and pestilences.   Fear is moving now relentlessly as opposed to God Love.   Fear is faith going backwards.  Also the persecutions are getting stronger and stronger and headed in our direction.  Many are already finding it is not peaceful to tell other how you feel about God without getting into trouble.   Jesus told us there would be eruptions even within families.  And after the time of the birth pains would come a time of false peace,  a great harvest of souls for the Kingdom and the birth would take place for the Body of Christ,  “The Rod of Iron” and His Body,  Bride,  Church will leave earth to the lawless and go home to be with the LORD.   I have a paper on this if you would like just let me know:   ken@trinity-aloha.org     ask for    “Return of the KING.”…..

Each day now we have news that Christians are being martyred on the other side of the world between atheistic socialism/communism, Islam ans Hinduism.  And yet there are conversions to Christ all the time.  Even though they fully realize that in their county that being a Christian is an endangered species.   And yet in our Country now we are consider ourselves post-christian for the most part and think it rather kind to allow the socialist to run our school systems and have a part in our government.  We are even considering accommodating the Islamic laws in our country to make the Muslims happy.  So guess what if the scales tips to more than 50% of us that favor Socialism and Islam.  Then they will vote in their form of government and those who remain will also end up being the Martyrs as follows.

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

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;     A prominent Pentecostal pastor and his wife have fled Iran after their appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence for Christian activities failed, rights activists and family confirmed late Tuesday.  The 12th anniversary of one of India`s deadliest attacks against Christians is marked by concerns that thousands have not yet returned to their homes for fear of reprisals. Additionally, authorities are declining to investigate hundreds of cases, religious rights investigators told Worthy News.     A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.

FIRE

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

FIRE    “WORTH CONSIDERING”    8/25/20

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;    (Across my desk this morning.)
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Throughout California forest fires are burning out of control. To give you some perspective, California is battling two of the largest fires in history. Over the past week nearly 600 new fires have started by dry lightning strikes.  Yet even as these raging fires consume the forest, something is quietly going on to prepare their very renewal.

You see, there are an unusual species of Evergreen called the Lodgepole Pine that grows in great numbers throughout Northwest America, especially in Yellowstone Park. A fascinating aspect of this Pine is the uniqueness of its cones. Lodgepole Pine cones may stay on the tree for years before they fall off – and, even when they do fall, they will not open to release their seed…until they are in the presence of intense heat! What could explain this remarkable ecological foresight?

God, having designed nature, even in its fallen condition which includes devastating forest fires, has providentially prepared for their subsequent renewal by designing a Pine tree whose reproduction requires the agent of its own destruction…fire! So, even as trees, wildlife, and all living things are being destroyed in a forest blaze, the seeds of renewal are also being released for the “resurrection” of forest life…because, of course, since their seeds are actually released by the fire, the Lodgestone Pines is the first to grow in an area that’s been burned!

In each of our own lives, there are areas that need to be or are already being burned up — consumed by the “Refining Fire” of God’s Holy Spirit. Yet God has also provided for a renewal in us…a “seed” of something brand new, which can only be birthed by intense heat. This new seed, however it manifests in our lives, represents the resurrection life of Christ, which emerges in the presence of His purifying fire. So the Lodgepole Pine is a picture for us, of resurrection and hope in the midst of fiery trials.

So let’s endure our fiery trials with great hope, allowing Him to consume everything in us which does not serve His Glory! With so much work to be done — we must not despise the cleansing process — even if it means a lot of heat!

Deuteronomy 5:22 These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

Psalm 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire

Isaiah 10:17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and
Isaiah 66:15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Jeremiah 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Rev. 12: 10-12,  10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

So much better to catch on fire in the LORD and bring forth new spiritual life around us than to rot out.  When we are the center of our own little world, we tend to rot out.  But when we make Christ Jesus the  center of our world and find out what HE had in mind in our creation and go for it we find life and life eternal.  John 12:24-26…

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

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 who love and obey HIM are members

FREEWILL & OBEDIENCE

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

FREEWILL & OBEDIENCE   “WORTH CONSIDERING” 8/24/20
    
Today’s Scripture            (Across my desk this morning from a Texas Church)
“…Your brother was here and tricked me and has carried away your blessing…”  Gen.27-35

Guard Your Blessing
Esau was the firstborn son of Jacob and knew he would receive his father’s highest blessing, which included inheritance as well as being the leader of the family clan. But his twin brother, Isaac, deceived their father into giving him the valuable blessing. Esau took the blessing for granted until it was carried away by his brother.

Sometimes we let other people carry away our blessing. We let what they say about us—their disapproval and discouraging words—keep us from who we were meant to be. You have to put your foot down and say, “I’m not going to let people talk me out of my dreams or let a coworker make me feel inferior as though I’m not good enough. I’m not going to let a coach, a teacher, or a counselor talk me into living an average, mediocre, get-by life.” You have seeds of greatness. You are destined to leave your mark on this generation. Don’t let anyone carry away your blessing.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the blessing, the gifts, and the talents that You have given me. Thank You for calling me to stir up my gifts, to develop them, and use them well for Your glory. I will guard what You’ve given me and walk in Your blessing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
This is a very intriguing story as if you read the whole story, you can easily see why the conflict.  As Esau had no faith concerning his birthright, but Jacob did.  So it is easy to visualize that when Jacob offered a bowl of stew to his brother for his birthright Esau treated it like a joke and said sure, but Jacob was earnest about it and with gaining the legal right to the birthright from Esau used deceit to obtain it.  Even got his mother to go along with the deception.

This kind of a deception started with Eve being lied to in a deceptive way.  It is really the best fruit in the garden, it will make you wise like God.  surely you will not die?  And then she gave the fruit to Adam.   Then his choice was either Eve or God.  It was no longer eat or not eat.  lucifer is always lying to us every day about how good some kind of sin it.  He is always telling us that the Christian road is way to narrow to be correct.  And today he sets a whole table full of food that we can eat and not die.  And in a deceitful way, he is truthful.   First off sin may have an instant pleasure spike but the pain that follows by conviction and reality is like a mountain.  And of course the narrow way seem confined when compared to the other freeways gong in all directions  but do they go where I want to go.   And of course, lucifer is right our soul will never die, it is eternal, we will live forever.  It is the matter of placement that is of great concern.  The two options: To walk with God in LIGHT or to walk with self in darkness.  John 12:24-26

And the Bible teaches in the Old Testament. Isa.35.7-9   “7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.  8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.  9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:”

And lucifer was right again about the fruit tasting good, but he did not share about the belly ache. And today we find ourselves surrounded with stuff to do that is harmful for us.  Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 50 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion.  Jul 15, 2020 – Nearly 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, And all of this through a negative use of our freewill.  God has a free will, we were created to be in HIS image and likeness so we have a free will.   We are in a temporary dimension of time on a planet called earth to learn how to use our free will in a positive and creative way.  Our Creator has made a way for us to eat both of the tree on knowledge and the tree of life in Christ Jesus as LORD.  If we want to in humility and obedience enjoy HIS creation.  If not, HE as allowed for a space to exist without HIS presence or creation where eternal souls can go who don’t like HIS Light.  Of course a soul without a body only has the knowledge of it’s own existence.  Nothing external.  So those who come to HIM as LORD will need and have a new body.  Those who don’t want the light nor God’s presence will not.  GOD is love, HE never manipulates to get HIS way.  We are created with a free will to learn and grow in whatever direction we want to.

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

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love and really obey HIM are members.


Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;   Disney has introduced a leading animated LGBTQ character, who also dabbles in witchcraft, CBN News reports. The new leading character is Luz Noceda, who appears in Disney Channel’s “The Owl House” series. Disney has presented LGBTQ characters before, but they previously had relatively minor roles.   The House passed a $25 billion bailout of the financially troubled United States Postal Service that would block reforms or changes to service.    The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is off to a record-setting pace, and the two systems tracking across the basin could set another first in hurricane records dating back into the 1800s.    Los Angeles County filed a request Wednesday for John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church to be held in contempt of court and to be fined $20,000, CBN News reports. The complaint comes after the church held three indoor services on Sunday, in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.    Using the Lahav Or (‘Light Blade’) combat laser, Israel intercepted 32 explosive and incendiary balloons fired by terrorists from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as seen in this video released by Israel’s Border Police       .Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been airlifted from Russia to a hospital in Berlin for suspected poisoning.

“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”   C. S.  Lewis

Concerning the CCPVirus:   https://selfreliancecentral.com/2020/08/24/d

Add/Delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org  (“Worth Considering’ back issue link on Home Page.)

LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16,  12:24-26,  17:20-22,  Eph.4:11-16

LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY,   “WORTH CONSIDERING”   8/21/20

Today’s Scripture                (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“…I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…”  (Romans 7:19, NLT)

Be Happy with Who You Are
Many people don’t really like who they are. They focus on their faults, their weaknesses. They’re constantly critical toward themselves. That recording of all the things wrong with them keeps playing in their mind, “You’re impatient. You blew your diet. You should be ashamed of yourself.” They wonder why they’re not happy, not realizing they have an inner war going on. It’s very freeing when you can be happy with who you are even though you have some areas in which you still need to improve.

Think about what the apostle Paul said in today’s Scripture. Even he still struggled in some areas. If he would have been down on himself, he would have never written almost half the books of the New Testament and become one of the heroes of faith. You don’t have to have it all together to do something great. If you’re waiting till you overcome every weakness and perform perfectly, you’ll be waiting your whole life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that though there are areas of my life that need to improve, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I know You are changing me little by little. I believe that what You started in my life, You are going to finish. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments,
Amen & Amen…  Happiness and Contentment are not outside, they are inside.  We can have gold plated everything and be miserable due to a small pimple.  Or we can be in a dark prison writhing “Amazing Grace” full of Joy.  Jesus taught us, “15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  Luke 12:15…  Life is not about stuff, it is about our heart seeing the glass ½ empty or ½ full.  Here I am at near 88.  Feet seem to belong to someone else.  Family thinks I should quit driving?  But here I am at 3:23 having a great time writing to you for the LORD.  Of course,  from my perspective.   And I know most of you will be hitting the delete button most of the time when my note comes along as you are so very busy trying to be happy.  Happiness comes from God being the center of our world and HIS words being the power and energy of that world. But if we seek to save our lives by being the very center of our world, guess what, we die.  Paul did not stop writing at Romans 7, read the next chapter 8 and you will find that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves us and gave himself for us.  Thats how God gives us everything we need.   HE allowed HIS own son to die in our place and for our sins.  In fact the Book of Romans would be a great saturation for helping our flesh die and to be free of the attacks of the world, flesh and demons, once and for all.  As our Adamic sin nature must  also be crucified with Jesus.  That really makes the most sense in having life and life more abundantly.  Jesus taught that in John 10:10, “ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

So truly it is our decision to be self-centered and ignore the responsibilities set before us become truly obedient or to decide to allow God  to help us become obedient like Jesus.   We really need to learn humility and obedience as Jesus also had to learn as in Hebrews 5:8-9, “8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; OK, So are you in God’s school learning obedience or you are playing hooky?  Are you seeking to save your life or are you allowing the Holy Spirit to live the Life of Jesus through you.  If you seek to allow Jesus to live HIS life in you, the carnal self-centered man from Adam will need to die.  That will be painful but true freedom. It is all in your hands, you can elect to have the pains of this world or the joy and peace of HIS Kingdom in your heart of hearts which is not of this world.  If you are HIS you are just a pilgrim walking through learning to be like HIM.

Yours, in HIS great LOVE and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

Historic Comments:
“Our lives are to be indisputable evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” – C. Conlon
“Don’t plan without God. God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we have made, when we have not taken Him into account.” – Oswald Chambers
“Prayer can do anything that God can do.”    – E.M. Bounds
“What I have seen in the past 10 years of traveling – performing at a church one day and a casino the next – is that a lot of people in the church want to be entertained, and people in casinos want to be ministered to. That’s hard to understand, but I see a hunger in the world that I don’t see in the church.” – Ricky Shaggs (musician)
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”  — Matthew 16:24,25 (KJV)
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”  – Gilbert K. Chesterton
“Don’t try to bring the Word of God down to your level. Let it pull you up to its level.” – David MacDonald

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt; The coronavirus pandemic may have driven as many as 100 million people back into extreme poverty, World Bank President David Malpass warned Thursday.   At least two caucus meetings at this week’s Democratic National Convention began with recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance that omitted the phrase “under God.”   The unchecked slaughter of Christians in Nigeria is intensifying as thirty-seven more people were murdered by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Kaduna state this month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.   Seventy-four evangelical leaders in Ohio submitted a resolution Tuesday, asking the state Board of Public Health to declare pornography a public health crisis, CBN News reports. The document was submitted even as ‘House Resolution 180,’ which declares pornography to be a “public health hazard that leads to a spectrum of individual and societal harms,” is being considered by the Ohio General Assembly.

To add/cancel: ken@trinity-aloha.org.  Worth Considering Library a link on our HomePage.

FOREKNOWLEDGE & FREEWILL

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:14-18   

FOREKNOWLEDGE & FREEWILL.   “WORTH CONSIDERING” 8/20/20     

Today’s Scripture          (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“…For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end…”     (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV)  (  Might add Psalms 23,  know what the rod and staff represent? )

An Expected End
The Scripture says that God declares “the end from the beginning.” When God planned out your life, He started with where He wants you to end up, and then He worked backward. His plans for you are “to give you an expected end.” The good news is that you don’t end in defeat, in failure, in disappointment, or in heartache. You end in victory, fulfilling your destiny. You can live in peace, knowing that in the end, all things are going to work to your advantage.

But there will be difficult seasons in your life when it looks as though things didn’t work out. You may be in a difficult season right now, and it may look as though your dream has died. You have to remind yourself that’s not how your story ends. The Most High God has already planned it for an expected end. If you’ll keep moving forward, He’ll weave it all together. He’s already established the end.’

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that in the midst of a very insecure world that I can rest in the security of knowing that my end has been set, knowing that You always cause me to triumph. I believe that You are working all things to my advantage. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments,
Yes, the potential is there.  BUT, it is predicated or subject to us finding, embracing  and keeping on HIS road map as given to us by Jesus and the Old and New Testament Prophets and Apostles of God.  .  We have also been given a free will that has been corrupted by GrandDaddy Adam’s pride and rebellion.  I am sure you have noticed that when you would do good, evil is always tugging the other way.  You can read all about it in Roman 7 by Apostle Paul.  And of course, by God’s Grace we have the victory in Roman’s 8 if we want it.

God of course is always on our side and pulling for us to learn how to use our freewill in a loving and positive way… That is why we are here.   The problem is our pride, rebellion, fear and unbelief that we have not dealt with.  And when things go sour, we tend to blame God or others instead of looking in our own back yard.  Like I noted last week, 48% of so called Christians today believe they will go to heaven because they are good people and do good works.   But guess who is judging, they are.  That would be like a judge being arrested for breaking the law and then allowed to judge his own case.  No, Jesus will be the judge and we are told that every word and action will be recalled for judgment.  And the LAW of God calls for expulsion into darkness for even one lie or negative action.  “For the soul that sins shall die.”  Ezek.18:20 and Ecc. 7:20 “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”  So in reality,   The whole human race for 6,000 years needs help,   some one to step in and provide for their acquittal or salvation.  And of course, that is exactly what Jesus came to do as found in Isa. 53.3
 
“3 He was despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and pain and acquainted with grief;
And like One from whom men hide their faces
He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or esteem Him.
4
But [in fact] He has borne our griefs,
And He has carried our sorrows and pains;
Yet we [ignorantly] assumed that He was stricken,
Struck down by God and degraded and humiliated [by Him].
5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing];
The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him,
And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.   (Should read the whole Chapter…. for context.  Content without Context is Pretext.)    Don’t bet your eternal life on someone else’s words”…    
Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one universal and apostolic Church of Christ Jesus as LORD;
And all who trust in, rely upon and cling to HIM as LORD are eternal members.


George Mueller used a method of “Holy Argument” before the Lord. Much like a lawyer would present his case before a judge, Mueller would present his needs and his desires before the Lord.    Of course, God does not need to be convinced – arguments will not make our needs any plainer to him – but He loves when we set our needs, our cause, even our innermost desires, before Him, because it’s an expression of our faith, our trust, in Him. So George Mueller would argue His case before God, not so much to convince the Lord, but rather, to convince or demonstrate to himself the absolute trust he had in God’s Word, His covenants, His provision, and His perfect goodness. Thus Mueller would place His requests before the Lord, fully expecting God to answer based on who He was.   And God did answer, amazingly. 

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com    Following the recent announcement that Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to normalize relations, best-selling author and Middle East expert Joel Rosenberg told CBN News the move may have prophetic Biblical significance.     A leader of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization has said the US government is similar to a looter because it “pillages different countries,” Fox News reported. BLM of Greater New York Chair Hawk Newsome made his remarks in an interview on Fox News’ (What world does this guy live in ????)  ALM…    At least 217 people have been charged with a federal crime, and more than 1,000 arrests have been made in major metropolitan cities since the Department of Justice launched Operation Legend in July.   Special Attorney John H. Durham, who is investigating the FBI’s 2016-17 spying operation against the Trump campaign, announced that former top FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, 38, pleaded guilty today to altering a document that was then used to obtain a secret FISA application and warrant to spy on a person working for the Trump campaign.

( To add/delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org   Link to Worth Considering library found on HomePage)

HEART FAITH

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of me and GOD,    John 3:14-18

HEART FAITH     “WORTH   CONSIDERING” 8/19/20    From Ken<><

Today’s Scripture   (Across my desk this morning from a Church in Texas.)
“…But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart…”  (Luke 2:19, NIV)

Treasure Up These Things
Mary was engaged to the man of her dreams when the angel appeared and said she was going to have a baby, the Messiah, without knowing a man. We focus on how amazing that supernatural birth was and forget that she had to explain that to her fiancé, Joseph, who would in all likelihood call off the wedding. She had to accept the fact that for her whole life she would have to put up with shameful rumors and negative comments about who the father was. She could have easily been defensive, cynical, and bitter. But today’s Scripture says she took in all that God had said and “pondered it in her heart.” She thought about it over and over. What she kept close to her heart was what God promised her.  When worries come, people are spreading rumors about you, or a loss happens, keep what God has promised and said about you close to your heart. You will rise above the negative.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can shut the door on the negative that comes against me and keep what You have promised and said about me close to my heart. Thank You that none of these things need move me. I believe that I will rise about the negatives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments:
First thing to come to mind: Proverbs 23:7 in context: “ Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:  7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.  8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”  We are looking here at hypocrisy just the opposite of Mary upon considering what the angel had just said to her. She pondered the words spoken to her in her heart, not her head.  And she came up with the right answer.  She did not run off to get an abortion and murder the Messiah and Savior of mankind.  Probably because she spent time in the Old Testament and knew a good bit about GOD and how HE works. 

So how many decisions do we really ponder in our hearts to get GOD’S point of view?  Concerning our nations politics how many have pondered Romans 13 for some anointed words to help us keep a good heart attitude about it?   Not many, look at the mess in our cities.  And the cross words at the dinner table.  There is an old expression for this of being “half cocked” And it pertains to a gun having the hammer back ½ way.  That means is only partly ready, poorly prepared which often changes things for the worse.  It is sometimes a safe feature and sometimes not.  Really dangerous with both possibilities if not knowing the difference. 

The library of the 66 books of our Holy Bible is an exceptional collection of available information of what is safe and what is not.  If we care to learn about the past it is all together possible to avoid the same mistakes in the future.  Paul put it this way to Timothy 4:13, “Until I come, devote yourself to public reading [of Scripture], to preaching and to teaching [the sound doctrine of God’s word].  And in 2 Tim. 3:15 in Paul’s second letter: “and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   And of course Paul was writing about the Messianic Prophesy’s in the Old Testament.  Every thing that Jesus taught can be found hidden in the Old Testament.   The New Testament makes them much easier to find but our Creator buried HIS truth all through the Old Testament scriptures.   He hid HIS truth for those who would ask, knock and seek to know HIM.  For the kids (souls) who would be looking for HIS light in our dark world.  In that way HIS judgment would not be so severe on those who rather loved the darkness than the light.  We will all be judged for what we know as compared with what we did with what we know. 

Our Creators vision for us is to lovingly train us, through HIS grace to become like HIM because we want to be like HIM and with HIM and help HIM in any way that we can.  Jesus came into the world to save sinners and set them free to serve GOD with all their heart.   This also must become our vision in HIM if we belong to HIM?  We are to become an extension of HIM in loving the lost for HIM.  Mary was willing to take all of the rejection for being a virgin and yet with child in a small village because in her heart she knew it was for GOD her Creator that she loved.  Each one of us have a design factor created in us for what the Holy Spirit would like us to do for Christ Jesus.  So have you found and  pondered HIS vision for you?  You are created for a Divine purpose.  Perhaps you need to spend some time with the Holy Spirit to find out what it is.

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

There is but one apostolic and universal Church of Christ Jesus as LORD
And all who trust in, rely upon and cling to HIM as Lord are eternal members.


Back issues,  link to “Worth Considering” on homepage    Add/delete: ken@trinity-aloha.org

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;  The Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) charity has announced that another Bible translator in Cameroon has been murdered following an attack in his village, Assist News reported Monday. Pastor Christopher Tanjoh, a Bible translator and literacy teacher with the Moghamo Bible translation and literacy project, was murdered on August 7, WBT said in a statement. Two other translators were killed in Cameroon last year.
In its ongoing persecution of Chinese Christians, China’s government is inspecting and restricting the publication and distribution of books and other Christian literature produced by churches, CBN News reported Monday.

Well “Worth Considering”,1969  from Tiffiny Marsoun: Concerning Socialism/Communism.
https://www.facebook.com/JohnTiegen13/videos/491403151706596/

Appreciate comments or questions.  House Churches are great to start due to the CCPVirus.

CONTENTMENT & PERSECUTION

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

CONTENTMENT & PERSECUTION    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   8/18/20
     
Today’s Scripture      (Across my desk this morning from a church Texas.)
“…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound…”  (Philippians 4:11–12, NKJV)

Learn Contentment
It’s good to have dreams and goals. We should be stretching our faith. But while we’re waiting for promises to come to pass, we shouldn’t be discontent where we are. When we’re unhappy, frustrated, and wondering if something is ever going to change, we’re dishonoring God. We’re so focused on what we want that we’re taking for granted and not being thankful for what God has given us.

The apostle Paul said he had to learn to be content. It doesn’t happen automatically. It’s a choice we have to make. Being content doesn’t mean that we don’t want change, that we give up on our dreams, or that we settle where we are. It means we don’t live our life always wanting something else. We see the gift in what we have right now, and we’re trusting God’s timing. We know He is working behind the scenes, and at the right time, He will get us to where we’re supposed to be.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that no matter what my circumstances are, I don’t have to live stressed and frustrated and discontent. Thank You that You are teaching me to be content with where I am and with what I have. I am trusting Your timing with my wants. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Comments,
Wow!!!   Gautama (Buddha) took a life time to figure that one out.  And Paul got it from Jesus while still is Holy Spirit training.   How many of us have learned how to do this.

Jesus said, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”  And “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matt.6:33

So REALLY is come down to simple trusting God to know where you are and that when and if you learn what you need to learn at a given point in your life than you can take the next step.  But not until you learn as needed at that step.  The Holy Spirit will not allow you to skip a grade without the needed information.   That is why so many Christians are really stupid about the Word of God.   And this is the same for all of us in learning to walk with the Holy Spirit.   My curser on my computer screen has been jumping all over the place today like some demon or something is somewhere moving my curser all over the monitor.   Really causing me to be impatient.   But finally I prayed and it seems to have calmed down.  Now what was the reason for that?  All things have cause and effect.  My need to pray about things more and especially about being impatient with stuff and people.  People often do the same thing.   They are like a drop of water on a hot grill.  But getting old does slow that down a bit.  However, that steam harnessed can send a very long train clear across the United States with a load of oranges from San Diego  to New York City.  So those of you who tend to make a lot of steam would do well to learn Love, Faith, Humility and Obedience and learn  to help take the Kings train to where HE wants it to go.

The big issue for most of us is our point of view.  For most of us we are the center of our point of view and everything we think about has our comfort zone in mind.  And Jesus relates to this in Matt.l3:20-21, “The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; 21 yet he has no [substantial] root in himself, but is only temporary, and when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles and falls away [abandoning the One who is the source of salvation]. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.  Note that Paul reminds us in 2 Tim 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.   So if there is no persecution, your Bible doctrine is messed up or you are just in simple rebellion to Jesus as LORD?

When we have the LORD’S point of view we are every day looking for those who are looking for Truth and Light to help them on there way in finding HIS Kingdom.  Because HE loves them, we love them dirt, rags and all.  Each person is a soul for whom Christ loves and died for and wants to find HIM and HIS Kingdom.   We are asked of our LORD to even love our enemies for HIM and to do good to them for HIS sake.  He even loved the honest thief on the Cross and took the time in HIS agony to help him into HIS KINGDOM in his last moments of life.  Our World View in Christ Jesus will also be how to be joined to others to better see the world come to Jesus as LORD.  There are no little boxes or denominational walls.   There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who love, trust and cling to HIM are eternal members.  So if no one is offended at you being a Christian, something is deeply wrong in your walk.  There will always be a Cain somewhere who is offended at any light at all and will try to put it out.  No light, no persecution.  This morning I even had a disconnect on my blog due to the light from a family member.  And of course, it could just be my approach to HIS love that I yet need to grow in and learn to do better..

Yours, in HIS great and wonderful loving grace and mercy,  Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com&gt;  A federal judge in Kentucky issued an order on Friday that allows a Christian wedding photographer to turn down services for same-sex weddings without being penalized.    From Los Angeles to New York City, from Philadelphia to San Francisco, the movement to defund police departments across the country is growing. This, as at least 12 other cities also brace for severe budget cuts not seen in more than a decade. The result some say is a spike in violence nationwide.    Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.

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