Worth Considering – Page 58 – Trinity Fellowship International

HAWAIIAN HISTORY 1

October 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

A Touch of very interesting Hawaiian History, 10/11/19 from Ken Smith

The next page was lifted, almost verbatim from <http;//www.vrmaui.com/pray4hawaii/> with the permission of it’s owner but please do him the courtesy of visiting his site if this interests you. The Book he referenced most was “Perpetuated in Righteousness” by Daniel Kikawa and obtainable from the Bailey House Museum Bookstore -The Webmaster

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History 1 – The Beginning to Pa`ao

All quotes, unless otherwise noted, are taken from Daniel Kikawa’s excellent book, Perpetuated in Righteousness. If this interests you I highly recommend that you get the book. (Available at the Bailey House Gift Shop – Maui)

The language of the Polynesian peoples is basically one language, the missionary translators who first assigned a written spelling for the different island groups, heard the words differently and represented these sounds that they heard with different letters. For instance the Hawaiian word for ‘woman’ is wahine (vah-hee-nee), the Tongan word for ‘woman’ is fahine (fah-hee-nee). Much like the differences between American English and British English – there is understanding but differences in accents and idioms. So, the oral traditions of the Polynesian peoples, with minor differences, give a remarkably similar account of their history and beliefs. There are Polynesians today, who can recite their lineage back to one common ancestor. Here are some excerpts from those accounts. Note that these predate the coming of the missionaries and were not influenced by Biblical record. These legends include stories from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Marquesa and the Maori of New Zealand.

” `Io dwelt within the breathing space of immensity. The universe was in darkness; with water everywhere, there was no glimmer of dawn, no clearness, no light. And He began by saying these words, that He might cease from being inactive, ‘Darkness, become a light possessing darkness.’ And at once light appeared.”

“`Io then looked to the waters which compassed Him about and spake a forth time, saying, ‘ye Waters of Taikama, be ye separate. Heaven be formed.’ Then the sky became suspended. ‘Bring forth thou Tupuhoronuku.’ And at once the moving earth lay stretched abroad. ” (ancient chant of Ngati Kahungunu Maori) pg.39

“Fornander (leading foreign source of Hawaiian history) said, “… I learned that the ancient Hawaiians at one time worshipped one god, comprised of three beings, and respectively called Kane, Ku and Lono, equal in nature, but distinctive in attributes…”p 54 This Polynesian god had many titles, but one name, too holy to be mentioned in casual conversation and this name was`Io.
Not only do the Polynesian have accounts of the creation (very) similar to the Bible account, but also have stories of;- man being formed of the red clay and life being breathed into him;- the first woman being formed out of the side of the first man;- the temptation and the fall of man;- a great flood that killed all human life on the earth except righteous Nu’u, his wife, their 3 sons and their wives:- a father of nations who had 2 sons and introduced circumcision to his descendants, who was ordered by God (Kane) to go up to the mountains and sacrifice one of the sons (the common ancestor to the Polynesians);- his first son was a “wild wanderer”;- the younger, the father of 12 sons and a daughter. p 104 In another account, the youngest of these twelve sons was thrown into a pit by his brothers and later rescued by his eldest brother. He was sent into a foreign land where he later saved the lives of his brothers. There is also an account of a Polynesian Moses (Kane-apua) and his brother Aaron (Kanaloa) who were involved in many events like those recorded in Exodus. p 110

When the Hawaiians arrived in their new land they created cities of refuge, called Pu’uhonua that were similar to those of the Bible. Pg. 116

Also, the Hawaiians consider the day to begin with the setting of the sun.

The first group of Proto-polynesians probably left the middle east around BC 2300, about the time of the tower of Babel heading toward Sumatra. The second leaving around 1400 BC, going to India’ with the first group making it to Fiji a hundred years later (1300 BC).
The Marquesans first settled in 100 AD and the Marquesans reaching Hawaii, the most geographically remote archipelago in the world, around 400 AD. The Maori landing in New Zealand in 700 AD and the Tahitians beginning to arrive in Hawaii between 1100-1200 AD. The conquering war chief, Pa’ao from Tahiti around 1300 AD.

Pa’ao to Kamehameha I

In the period of 100 years, 1300-1400 AD, an unknown number of warlike Tahitians arrived on the peaceful islands of Hawaii. At some point the warrior / priest Pa`ao came to Hawaii and found that the religion (that of the Tahitians) was at a ‘low ebb’. He was disturbed that the people lived in peace and that the “…kapus were few and the ceremonies were easy: that human sacrifices were not practiced, and cannibalism was unknown; and that the government was more patriarchal than regal in nature.” (Fornander, An Account of the Polynesian Race, Vol.1,p 209) To him, it seemed that the previous invasions from Tahiti, had failed. There being no real class distinctions and the newcomers being assimilated into the culture was with typical Hawaiian Aloha. This could not be tolerated. He went back to Tahiti and then returned with warriors, priests (kahuna) and royalty (ali’i) of much mana (spiritual power). With this force, he invaded the peaceful land. He killed the priests of ‘Io and changed the attributes of Ku, Lono and Kane, from detesting human death, to demanding it. He brought bloody stones from a human sacrificial site in Tahiti and used them to desecrate the primary heiau (temple) of ‘Io on the “Big Island” and then built his luakini (human sacrificial) heiau on top of it. A few of the priests of `Io escaped to New Zealand, before Pa’ao had the great voyaging canoes burnt, his own included. I don’t know if the great Hawaiian navigators were put to death with the destruction of their vessels, or their escape so infuriated the invader that he burnt the remaining canoes as retaliation, but Hawaii had very little contact with the outside world for the next 100 years.

Pa`ao is credited with, not only the destruction of the peaceful culture of the Hawaiians and the perversion of the worship of Ku, but with the introduction of many elemental spirits (like Pele – one chant mentions 400,000 lesser ‘gods’), but also of the cruel ‘kapu’ system. This forbid many things and demanded many more, with any infraction being punishable by death. The laws were strict and always favored the kahuna and the ali`i.

At some point during the eradication of the priests of `Io, one of them prophesied that ‘one day the knowledge of `Io would be restored to the Hawaiian people.’ For 600 years the families descended from the priesthood have kept that hope alive, wondering, will our son be the one?

Kamehameha 1 & Henry Opukahai`a

Kamehameha 1

Kamehameha born in the Kohala district of the “Big Island” around 1753. Before his birth a kahuna prophesied that the baby would grow to be a “killer of chiefs”, so even before his birth there were already those who were out to kill him. Because of this prophecy he was not raised at home but back in the mountains by trusted servants. Kamehameha means the “lonely one”.
He received warrior training from his uncle Kalaniopuu a chief over northern Hawaii and eastern Maui (Hana). It was in a battle with the ruler of western Maui , which they lost, that the young Kamehameha won the reputation as a ferocious warrior. Also during this period that he became the keeper of the family god – Kukailimoku “ku of the bloody mouth, ku the destroyer.”
When Kamehameha was 37 aided by two “haole chiefs”(Isaac Davis and John Young along with captured cannon from the ship “The Fair American”invaded Maui and subdued it. This was the first use of cannon in Hawaiian warfare. The final battle, called Kapaniwai (the damming of the waters, so many were slaughtered that the stream was dammed with the bodies), was fought in the `Iao valley, just west of Wailuku.
Upon returning to the Big Island, he found that many more battles awaited him but had a dream, that if he’d erect a new heiau to ku, he would be able to conquer and unite the islands. Upon it’s completion, his enemies came to it’s dedication where they were slain and offered as sacrifices.
By the time he was 43 (1796), he had unified the islands having defeated all the rest except the King of Kauai, Kaumuali, who simply recognized Kamehameha’s authority and superior strength.
It is said that he was as gentle in victory as he was ferocious in battle, some have called his rule the golden age of Hawaii. Hawaii was at peace for the next 20 years until his death, May 8, 1819. Towards the end of his life a new heiau was built and human sacrifices were required but he said that human life was now sacred to the king. This was the first break with the cruel gods of Pa`ao and the bloodthirsty kapu system.

Henry Opukaha`ia

Born 1792, on the Big Island, during Kamehameha’s wars of unification and orphaned by them as well. Trained by an uncle to be a kahuna at the luakini heiau by Kealakekua Bay. Befriended by a ship’s captain and taken to Boston where he attended Yale. There he learned Hebrew and Greek and started to translate the Bible into Hawaiian from the original languages. He noted how similar Hebrew was to Hawaiian. Was about to return to Hawaii when he became ill with typhus fever and died. The story goes that at his funeral people volunteered to take his place and this became the basis for the first mission board to the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands. His scholarship (he earned the equivalent of a Ph.D.) showed the Americans that the “heathen” could be educated, and therefore converted. In the early 1990’s Henry Opukaha`ia’s remains were returned to his beloved Hawaii (the Big Island) and were interred at a site overlooking Kealakekua Bay.

Hewahewa & The First Missionaries

Hewahewa, a high ali`i himself, and the highest of the (religious) kahuna in the Kingdom of Hawaii under Kamehameha I. He was a direct descendant of Pa`ao.

Shortly after the death of Hawaii’s first king, the leadership of the Islands fell into the hands of the “feisty” Ka`ahumanu, the 3rd of Kamehameha’s wives and the independent minded “love of his life”. She was the kahuina nui, the queen regent and although childless herself, ruled, along with Keopuolani and her son Liholiho, until he was old enough and was qualified to rule. Keopuolani, Kamehameha’s first wife, had much more mana, that elusive power that separated the “ali`i”- royalty, from the “kanaka maoli” – the common people. She was so supremely royal that the King himself had to strip naked and crawl on his stomach whenever he wished to approach her.

These three, along with Hewahewa, ruled Hawaii after the death of the king, and they saw the kapu system was grievous to the people, made great demands on them, often costing their lives for a simple mistake or small infraction. They also saw that with the foreigners, who were more frequently coming to their shores, that these rules were not observed and the world did not come crashing down.The stage was set for change.

God gave Hewahewa a word, a dream or at least a great conviction that it was time to bring and end to this oppressive system. He, together with Liholiho and the queens, broke the kapu (tabu) traditions by eating together and then went further by burning the carved images and torching the heiua’s. There were, understandably, some kahunas who objected and a brief war followed, ending with the dissenting kahunas being put to death. The old way was “pau” – finished. [ For all I know, this was the first people in the history of the world to reject a 600 year old religion without one waiting to take it’s place.]

Hewahewa then retired to a place to await the coming of ‘a new and better God’. When he spotted the Thaddeus approaching, the ship carrying the missionaries, he went down to greet them and introduce them to the king, as the representatives of the God he was expecting. He was quoted as saying,”I knew the wooden images of deities, carved by our own hands, could not supply our wants, but worshipped them because it was the custom of our fathers…My thought has always been there was only one great God, dwelling in the heavens.”

The kapu was broken by the Hawaiians alone, 6 months before the arrival of the missionaries.

Not a whole lot has been said about Hewahewa, but what has been said shows a man who was genuinely hungry to know God, not to have religious power, – he had that, he was born an ali`i, a direct descendant of the powerful Pa`ao and the chief kahuna under Hawaii’s most powerful king, if any man had a reason to maintain the status quo, it was he. Other quotes of kuhuna show that the knowledge of `Io still existed in their training but, until Hewahewa, kept this incredible secret of the benevolent God of aloha, who held the lives of men sacred, from the people in fear. Praise the living God for Hewahewa and his personal courage. It is no wonder, that, when the character of the God of the missionaries be came known, and the great similarity the nature of `Io, He became accepted with such great alaracty by the Hawaiians.

The Missionaries

Much maligned group of individuals who gave their lives for their beliefs. The original group, believed that Kamehameha 1 was still King, when they left, that the unification wars were still going on, and that they would get a most unfriendly reception. They were the first American foreign missionaries. They signed a contract that did not allow them ‘…to participate in government, commerce or even own land’. All materials were held in common, for the good of the Mission. The one missionary family that broke that contract, was sent home and (he) died within two years of returning, a broken man. These missionaries, returned home having completed their task. I wish I could say the same for others who came later with other purposes in mind. I believe, that those who’d planned to usurp the Kingdom, used the name, the “Missionary Party”, because those selfless individuals who came to do good, had a reputation of doing no wrong. The Hawaiians trusted the title missionary. It is regrettable that such wrong was done in their good names.

(Below the author reflects on some of his own thoughts and makes statements that do not entirely agree with the position of Americans for First Nations but would’ve needed a bunch of revision, ignore what you don’t like.)

Treachery & Deception

Nothing is ever simple, especially when human beings are concerned, it would be easy (and politically correct) to say that the “whites” or the “missionaries” or the “Americans” or the “sugar planters” or the “rich” or the …. etc., etc. … were to blame. Actually, everybody had a hand in it. God is not the God of hypothetical cases. He does not deal in “What if?” When you know all and see all, you deal with what is.

Fact: The greatest revival in the history of planet earth had happened in Hawaii
Fact: Hawaii’s rulers had committed their nation to the sovereign God.
Fact: The missionaries introduced new ways, some were scripture and some were only culture. ‘That was the way we were taught to dress, worship, do it, so that’s the way we’ll teach others to do fill in the blank ‘ Problem is, if you teach the traditions of men as if they were the commandments of God, people will always suffer. Of course, the missionaries had been taught the same way and knew no better.
Fact: People get lazy. The move of God did not continue into the next generation. They had a form of Godliness but lacked its power. God thinks the best of His people and blesses them to the third generation, but when you are blessed with out knowing the one who has done the blessing you tend to take Him for granted. Worse yet, they begin to believe they deserved that blessing. (Look at America today.)

Follow the “Time-Line” for a step by step of the overthrow, (missing from that, I notice, was the McKinley tariff act, circa 1892, where the US levied a tariff on Hawaiian sugar as being not an American product, thus cutting off the planters from their most profitable market). But also part of this mix is the fact Queen Liliuokalani’s brother, King Kalakaua, aka “The Merry Monarch”, lived life to lavish excess, often referring to himself as the “King of the Pacific” and encouraged the Hawaiians to return to the “old ways” (Pa`ao – the invader, from Tahiti, not `Io- the God of Hawaii, from their earliest oral history) saying, “The old gods of Hawaii are good enough for us.” [Hazard, The Dolphin Guide to Hawaii, p 93] It would appear that in scorning the God who gave him power, indeed life, he also brought about judgment on his kingdom, Not for me to say.

Those sons of the missionaries who traded the God of their fathers for the gods of this world, will have much to answer for on That Day. They certainly brought reproach on the God of their fathers. Hawaii seemed to go from Christian to pagan over night. So wounded were the Hawaiians in the betrayal of the trust they had put in the missionaries and their descendants. Queen Liliuokalani, writing to President Cleveland reminded him of the sin of Ahab in wrongfully seizing a piece of land from a man more righteous than himself and the consequences of that action on Ahab and his kingdom, she then prophesied that this would happen to America “… in the days of your children’s children. ” About now.

A personal note: I admit, after living here in the island for 13 out of the last twenty years, my sympathies are with the people of this land, but my loyalty is first and foremost with the Lord Jesus Christ.

If my account of what has transpired does not line up with your understanding, do the research, look it up. Be aware that my intention is not to stir up trouble, bitterness or hard feelings, they exist, but to call the people of God to Pray For Hawaii [pray4hawaii].
All over the world a spirit on national pride is being inflamed to a bloodthirsty passion;- Bosnia, Kosovo, the Kurds, Tootsi and Hooto, etc. This same unholy spirit is at work in the islands. But God is also at work:- Re 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”Re 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” He wants representatives from every tribe, tongue, kindred and nation. We may be one in our loyalty to Him but were are to worship Him out of our cultural diversity. I believe, it is God’s desire to be worshipped with the culture He created us into. Pray for the peaceful restoration of the Nation of Hawaii and it’s people, pray that it will be with a return to it’s Godly heritage, it can happen, there were a 1000 prayer meeting per noon hour in Manila when Marcos’ tyranny was toppled in a ‘bloodless coup’. The UN has determined that the nations that have been colonized shall be returned to their rightful owners by the year 2000. Something has got to give. Pray that it will be in revival and not revolution.

Current Times, Redemption & a Righteous King In Hawaii

In 1993 President Bill Clinton and the U.S. Congress signed Public Law 103-150 where the Government of the United States of America formally apologized to the Hawaiian People for falsely imprisoning their Queen and conquering the nation of Hawaii, They did not, in any way, promise the restoration of the Sovereign Nation of Hawaii or reparations for the 100 years of occupation.

In 1998 Majesty Akahi Nui was coronated King of Hawaii. February 22nd. He is a direct descendant of Queen Liliuokalani’s sister and has been traveling on a Kingdom of Hawaii passport ever since. He has been recognized by the United Nations as the representative of the Hawaiian People and the other sovereignty groups have been advised that if they have a appeal to bring up to the World Court they must bring it through Him. Already He has renewed treaties with nations who had treaties with the Kingdom of Hawaii (except for the United States). Pray that He be surrounded with wise and righteous counselors, that He be protected from foolish choices and that he will be able to keep the hotheads in line, who want to take the law into their own hands. Pray that the grace of God be upon Him in order that He may accomplish the task that is before Him.

Pray also for peace in Hawaii, as it often is with the young, there are those who want all the changes now. The United Nations has committed to freeing all the peoples who have lost there homelands due to colonization in the year 2000.(This announcement was made by the UN representative to the King’s coronation, but, it would seem, that the incident in E.Timor has slowed down this independence project.) How this will all shake out remains to be seen, but pray that the transference of power be smooth and peaceful.

If you want to contact him with words of encouragement and if they are encouraging I’ll see if I can pass them along. This is not meant as a sounding board for the various sovereignty groups or even written with Akahi Nui’s permission, although I intend to show him when this gets online, but only one man’s view of what has happened and what need’s to be done. I don’t want to stop the Hawaiians from regaining there land, I just want to see it done peacefully, if they gain back their land but lose their Aloha, they exchange one tyranny for another.

Collected and compiled by Colin Gardner, 808-344-7613, Junction City, Kentucky. Retired, formerly living in Maui… Or contact, On Maui, call: Rick Ortiz, 808-280-1587

http://www.mauimacmedic.com/contact.html

Please note that it would seem the the descendants of Noah populated the Pacific Islands and knew their history very well. Be Blessed in your day, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

PRAYER

October 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

PRAYER, by David Wilkerson 10/11/19 (Across my desk today.) "They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them" (Acts 5:15). The apostles lived and ministered in the realm of the miraculous. Even laymen such as Stephen and Philip, who served tables, were mighty in the Holy Spirit, working miracles and stirring entire cities. Peter was so full of the Holy Spirit that the sick were brought into the streets on beds and couches so that his shadow would fall on them for healing. It was not uncommon to see cripples healed and leaping through the temple. Why are we not seeing such miraculous power today? God has not changed! The apostles knew the cost of the miraculous and eagerly paid it. We have the same promises as the apostles and God is willing to move in such a way again. We need more of Jesus - more of his saving power, more of the miraculous - than any past generation. Why did God respond miraculously to the apostles? Because they were given to prayer! The book of Acts is the account of holy men and women seeking the Lord´s face. From beginning to end, it tells of how prayer moved God, whether in the upper room, in prison, or in some secret house. They prayed without ceasing, spending hours and days shut in with God until they received clear, detailed guidance. And what incredible specifics God gave them! Sadly, believers today have been taught to "take everything by faith," so they seldom pray. Don´t be misled. You can receive the very same clear word from God as the apostles did if you seek his face in prayer with intensity. There is no substitute for time spent in the presence of the King. He is eager to show you his love, mercy, grace and power. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). ~Source- http://world.convio.net/site/R?i=9NpQ5AH1NnocLMIGI4-okA MY THOUGHTS: Actually, I felt deeply convicted by the above thoughts. Really feel the need to be more aggressive in spending more time in my life for making a clear contact with the Holy Spirit. For me, it seems more like just taking time to talk with God. In the morning to wake up with an OK, so what do we do today. And at night to take an inventory of the day and clean up any messes. And to have the time available as to take what every it takes. Pray a lot in my truck in going to Kailua Kona. Abraham it would seem had to grow like we do. There was the time he told his wife to lie to Pharaoh that she was his sister. Then there was the time he messed up and got an Ismael. The there was the time that he kept LOT alive when it was probably the best time for him to graduate as the story does not end well. But finally he got tuned in to the voice of God concerning the offering of Issac and he graduated as the pioneer of our faith. So don't get discourage that you don't get immediate room service. Take it as a time to better tune into God's voice through the Holy Spirit. What faith, to prepare to yield your only son's life as a sacrifice on a mountain top and to know for sure that what you heard was really and absolutely the voice of GOD!!!! We certainly have a lot of growing room as to praying and being totally confident that our prayers were answered and we totally knew exactly what GOD wanted of us. A lot of Love, Truth, Faith, humility and obedience to learn here. And seems that a prayer list should be active for those who are interested in walking this out. Anyone interested in fielding it? Of course, Love, Sound Doctrine, Faith and humility are all part of the "Answers To Prayer as well. Queen Mary once said, "The only things I fear are GOD and the prayers of John Knox. See you tonight if interested in this kind of stuff for the House Church at Kealia. 85-4554 Mamalahoa Hwy. Be Blessed in your day, Ken<><

CODEPENDENCY

October 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS, Beloved of God, John 3:16-18

CODEPENDENCY, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/11/19, (In my mailbox this morning from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed…”
(Proverbs 11:25, NIV)

Be Generous

Do you need refreshing today? So many people go around overwhelmed, tired, worn down, and barely get by. But that’s not God’s best. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be refreshed. Here’s the key: be generous and refresh others. Is there someone at the office that you can be a blessing to? Can you lighten someone’s load? Maybe a family member is going through a hard time. Can you help them out? Can you cook them a meal? Refreshing someone can be as simple as a smile or an encouraging word. Don’t wait until you feel like doing it; that day may never come! Do it because the Scripture tells us to. Do it because it blesses the Lord.

It’s easy to get so busy and think, “I don’t have time to help others. I have my own problems.” Helping others can be the key to seeing your situation turn around. The people you see who need encouragement, who need a ride, who need a hand, who need help accomplishing a dream—they are opportunities for you to go to a higher level. Step out and refresh others; live a life of generosity. As you do, you will be refreshed in return and experience His blessing in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, I choose to put my trust in You. I press forward in faith so I can overcome fear. I believe You have my best interest at heart and know that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

My Thoughts:
There are 2 sides to this coin or concept. Of course the sowing and reaping is an immutable cosmic law of God’s Creation of balance in all of HIS universe. Sow to the flesh, receive corruption or death. Sow to the Spirit, receive God’s life. What you sow is what you are going to reap be it faith or fear, love or hate it will all come back to rest at your door.

But sometime the Enemy make good look evil and sometime evil looks good so how do we know the difference?

The other side of the coin is the possibility of CoDependency and corrupting some one even to the point of standing between them and God’s needed judgment of sowing and reaping to help them repent and change. Pride can easily give us a burn out in helping others unless it is guided by the Holy Spirit. Just because some one has a need does not always mean that it is our responsibility to fix it and including family. Christ Jesus passed the lame man at the Temple when ever HE went there but never healed him. The Holy Spirit wanted Peter and John to heal him at a time when it would help the Church grow.

When feeling the urge to help someone you might want to consider the following verses:

^”Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.¹⁰For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 2 Thess. 3:9-11

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Tim.5:8.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thess.3:6

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 1 Thess. 2:9

Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you. 2 Thess. 3:8

And we do know that the Holy Spirit does want us to help those who need the help to get on track with God. But as soon as we find that they are free loading or sponging off of us then a different set of rules apply. For us to become indulgent just puts us between them and God plan to fix them. And God just might have to go through us in judgment to help fix them. Really helping people means to help them learn to fish for themselves but for us not to become responsible to give them a fish every day. If it becomes obvious that they are using our support to live and walk in darkness and in disobedience to God then we have allowed ourselves to become part of the problem and have become indulgent and codependent. It really takes really getting close to the Holy Spirit to know the difference between really helping someone learn to walk in God’s light. Or in just making yourself look good and taking your energy or the energy of others to help someone get deeper into the darkness and away for God. Being a do good-er can actually harm a wondering soul if a person is emotional about it seeks trying to help from a position of pride and not in the Holy Spirit. And believe me I have been there and done that and the fruit was uneatable. I call it sloppy agape and greasy grace. All souls have an equal opportunity to experience God’s loving grace and forgiveness but we must also remember that straight and narrow is the “WAY” and few there be that find it. I can help folks who need help in finding the light of God. But to help them pursue the darkness is bad for them and a waste of time for me.

And of course we are to seek the Holy Spirit in making a judgment call in this matter as per 1 Cor.6

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

A copy of this paper may be found on our Home Page as a link under: “Worth Considering.”

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

TRADITIONS & TRUTH

October 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

TRADITIONS “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/10/19 Ken Smith<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

You know, that kind of stuff that comes in a little box with no air space that is to be a dresser, bike or garden tool. Recently bought an exercise bike, It was a full sized exercise bike in this very heavy little box. I did not even try to put it together, I asks some really good friends to do it for me. Often I have tried to put that stuff together only to have parts left over and it not working. Too much pride and impatience to follow he directions I guess. But I always seem to miss something in the dot to dot instruction sheet between 1 & 52. Then have to take it all back apart and try to get it together again.

Spiritually, my life has been sort of like that. Started out with the Anglican Episcopal Church as having St. Peter’s Keys to the Kingdom but unlocking very little. Then the Methodist took a turn at it when 16, lasted about 9 months. Then I studied all kinds of religious stuff and finally made up my own “Cosmic Glue Theology” Which did not work either. At age 22 I finally met a real Christian. I am sure Floyd was not totally perfect yet at 19 but he was the best example of Christ that I had every seen to that time in 1955. He was walking a walk that I would have expected from Jesus and it sure grabbed my attention.

Floyd was able to answer some of my many questions and help me come to a place of seeing that I needed a Savior like Christ Jesus and in about 6 months I got in the door but then also into a holding pen of a little box church which had it’s own traditions. After 13 years in that little box a painter came to paint my house and spent more time with me sharing on the need to make Christ Jesus LORD and receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit for power. Of course the infusion of power was based on my capacity and faith and the Holy Spirit. But that experience in 1968 drastically changed my life and placed me in a growing ministry that I still feel to this day. Of course during that interum I checked out the Quakers, Nazarene, Full Gospel, Baptist, 4 Square, Brethren, Congregational, Orthodox and Roman boxes as well as the Eastern Religions. Most was discarded but some of what I have learned now at being 87 is as follows.

1. God’s love is never in a box or limited or fearful. It is always seeking to help the lost to find Jesus and bring them into a living unity of truth, peace and joy in HIM, no one is ever rejected due to smell. John 3:16-18: “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] ^[a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior and Lord] shall not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. ¹⁸Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because ^[b]he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].”

2. With God there is no disunity, no division, no confusion God’s TRUTH is Yea and Amen!!! Divisions come through man’s pride and ego with the Ivory tower kingdom building of denominations. There there is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who truly love and obey HIM will seek loving unity and be confirmed members of HIS Kingdom by their actions. 1 Cor. 14:26-33 “What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. ²⁷If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said]. ²⁸But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said. ³⁰But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent. ³¹For [in this way] you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged; ³²for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking]; ³³for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.”

3. And with God, HE resists the proud and give HIS grace to the humble. That prior to honor is humility. That as Jesus had no concern about HIS reputation in doing the works of God that neither should we. That our obedience to HIS TRUTH is much better than any sacrifice. That GOD is looking for those who will humble themselves and obey HIS Word regardless of the consequences in this temporary dimension of time and testing. That we become obedient to sharing HIS word with even rebuking if needed and in being long suffering and with sound doctrine as well as to speak the truth in love to build and to comfort each other. 2 Tim.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];”

4. That we follow the ABC direction in the WORD OF GOD for the building of HIS CHURCH. That we take the scriptures in context from the NEW TESTAMENT and place them on a table and move them around until they all fit into place with each other in showing us what HIS Church really looks like. Today we do many things that are traditional that prevent the Holy Spirit from moving in power. St. Paul gave a prophesy for our time about this in 2 Tim. 3:1-7: “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. ²For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, ³[and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, ⁴traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵holding 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. ⁶For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, ⁷always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5. Salvation is a gift through faith in Christ Jesus as LORD and is the gateway for us to learn about righteousness so we can be changed to be able live with our Holy Creator for eternity in HIS righteousness. This process is called Sanctification or to actually learn to be HOLY. John 17:16-18, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. ¹⁸Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world.” Eph.5:26, “so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God].” 1 Thess. 2:13: “But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].” 1 Peter 1:2, “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].”

And there is much much more where we as Christians who have made Christ Jesus Lord need to learn to come into obedience and unity with each other and help each other get really free from this world’s manipulative forces of which many are to be found even in the so called church. JUDE.

6. A pastor has to know and be known of his flock, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2. This differs with the gifting of each pastor but just how many people can a pastor know and be known by while making a disciple? The disciples trained under Christ Jesus were at 120 by Pentecost after 3 years of HIS ministry. These were not a membership these were disciples who could train another disciple as needed at Pentecost. The Early House Church was the number of believers who could fit comfortable in a home and called a church. But not one word for building buildings or making collections for buildings nor for paying a pastor for that matter. So we need to see how and where “disciples” were being made? That was our LORD’s Command, that we should learn to be and also be able to make disciples. A disciple is one who is obedient to the Master’s Truth as per the “Word of God and can train another to be a disciple.” Comes from the word disciplined.

7. Funding for the Early Church was not by tithing but by heart faith giving: “⁶But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Cor.9:6-8… And think of how many “rob-God” sermons have been preached under the Old Testament Law for securing money from the saints for projects?

Even our seating today is mostly Pagan in most church experiences as a theater. There is a difference in preaching to the multitudes as a Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist & Teacher which can be theater style. But the ministry of a Pastor in training disciples, to be effective, has a group limitation of about 25-30 souls or so. So the larger apostolic ministries are now starting to have mid-week pastoral services that are smaller and more intimate to be effective in leadership training. In the Early Church the larger gatherings would be on the side of a hill or in the Temple Courtyard at no expense. The Early Church would Evangelize on Saturday morning at the Temple and invite those interested to an agape meal on Saturday evening. At the meal there would be testimonies, teaching, The Lord’s Supper, Prayers and the supernatural ministry of the Elders as subject to the Holy Spirit and the faith of the House Church and the Elder. “More and more believers in the Lord, crowds of men and women, were constantly being added to their number, ¹⁵to such an extent that they even carried their sick out into the streets and put them on cots and sleeping pads, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on one of them [with healing power]. ¹⁶And the people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all being healed, Acts. 5:14-16.”

Seems to me that this kind of a ministry is what Christ Jesus bought for us in HIS death and resurrection. Only we need the LOVE, HUMILITY and Unity to put it together in the Holy Spirit for HIS Glory. Ken Smith<>< 10/10/19 The Church at Kealia

THE GOSPEL

October 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS, Beloved of God, John 3:16-18, During your life time, salvation is available.

THE GOSPEL, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/10/19 (Across my desk from Joel, this morning.”

Today’s Scripture

“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him…”

Anointed To Heal

When Jesus walked the earth, He was on a mission. Not only did He come to die on the cross and save us from our sins, He had a mission to set people free from every kind of brokenness and oppression. He was anointed, or empowered by God, to fulfill His mission. Notice it doesn’t say that He went around doing good and healing some people. No, it says that He went around doing good and healing “all.” That was His mission, and He is still fulfilling that mission in the earth today.

The Bible says that you have become an ambassador of Jesus. That means you are His representative. As His representative, you have access to the same power and authority that He has. You are empowered, or anointed, to fulfill His mission in the earth. You are anointed to do good and heal those who are oppressed by the enemy. Is there someone in your life who needs a touch from God today? You are His hands and feet. You are anointed to do good and pray for the sick. As you reach out to others and allow God to use you, you will see His power flow through you, and you will live the life of victory God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for choosing me. Thank You for doing good in my life and setting me free! Show me how I can be an instrument of Your goodness and healing to those around me today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

My Thoughts:
When Christ Jesus at age 30 began HIS ministry in the Holy Spirit which is now our ministry He quoted Isaiah as HE stood in the local synagogue to worship on a Saturday morning: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly]… ²¹He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” Isaiah 64:1, Luke 4:18 And Luke records: :God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. (Acts 10:38,

But the normal Christian comment, ” but that was Christ Jesus. I can not do that stuff, I am not Jesus.”
But then John records: 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. John 14:12 and that Christ Jesus left us, HIS CHURCH, with HIS Glory and Power as per John: Jesus said, ”
I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; ²³I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me. ²⁴Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given to Me [as Your gift to Me], may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵“O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You and has never acknowledged You [and the revelation of Your mercy], yet I have always known You; and these [believers] know [without any doubt] that You sent Me; ²⁶and I have made Your name known to them, and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them [overwhelming their heart], and I [may be] in them.” John 17:22-26.

SO THIS “GOSPEL” (GOOD NEWS) OF SALVATION AND HEALING AND DELIVERANCE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US, BUT WHERE IS IT? AND LORD KNOWS OUR WORLD IS IN GREAT NEED OF HIS GRACE AND MERCY TO FLOW FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE. Personally it seems to me we have departed from Holy Scripture and made up our own DIY manual on how to do church. It is past time that we go back to the Holy Scriptures and find out what we are doing wrong and repent.

Notice the solid LOVE, FAITH and UNITY factors. But our love is selective, our faith has been corrupted by false doctrine and we have agreed to disagree as being OK.

12 Dangerous Signs of Event-Driven Churches: “Worth Considering”
https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/the-pulse/78333-12-dangerous-signs-of-event-driven-churches?utm_source=Charisma%20News%20Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:1158391&utm_campaign=CNO%20daily%20-%202019-10-10

Yours in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org (Go to our home page for the “Worth Considering” link to the past teachings if interested. Also suggest your read Keys To The Kingdom.)
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Christian News
Wycliffe Associates Seeking to Expand in ‘Impossible Places’ with Translation Projects in 450 New Languages Wycliffe Associates, an international organization involving people in the advancement of Bible translation, is ready to begin translation projects in 450 new languages in some of the world’s most isolated regions, including places where Christianity is a crime and the Bible is banned.

FEAR 2

October 9, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS, John 3:16-18

FEAR 2, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/9/19 (Across my desk this morning.)

Today’s Scripture

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe…”
(Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

Avoid The Trap of Fear

Fear is one of the enemy’s favorite tools to keep us from moving forward. The moment you make a decision to step out in faith, the enemy will immediately bring fear to stop you. He’ll put thoughts in your mind such as, “What if I fail? What will others think? Maybe I don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince you to shrink back and just stay right where you are. The Scripture tells us that fear is a spirit. It affects your emotions. But when you choose to put your trust in the Lord, no matter how you are feeling, you are combating fear. Today, don’t allow fear to trap you and hold you back. Instead, take a step of faith knowing that God is on your side. He is for you and with you, leading and guiding you in the path of victory all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, I choose to put my trust in You. I press forward in faith so I can overcome fear. I believe You have my best interest at heart and know that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

My Thoughts:
Fear is a very serious problem with most Christians. Not only in preventing them from being a witness at work, school and play but also for even being a witness in their own home and family. Ask a relative to bless the food last night, he was a deer caught in the headlights. The fear of rejection keeps most Christians in a little box of their own making. Many churches are held together with the fear of doing or saying the wrong thing and breaking with boring, stupid and even destructive traditions. With most of the world the church gathering is set up like a theater. The New Testament Church was a forum like in 1 Cor.14: 26-33. You can not do Early Church in a Theater. Seating. Real Church can only be faithfully done in the round. Much of our communication is by sight and not only by sound. It is important to see all the faces.

²⁶How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.²⁷If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.²⁸But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.²⁹Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.³⁰If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.³¹For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.³²And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.³³For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

You can not have this kind of ministry in a theater? There must be enough love and truth for a Prophet to speak and the other’s to judge. Or when a minister who is speaking may pause and gave another person the floor to continue as the Holy Spirit moves. The Church is the work of the People. The Elders are there to keep out the wolves and make sure the water is clean and the grass is nourishing. If you study the Early Church they followed the pattern set out in the Tabernacle of Moses which had 7 types of ministry and in Acts 2:41-47, and most were to help disciples to grow up into their ministries. This is a teaching on the subject from my Book: “Keys To The Kingdom” https://trinity-aloha.org/keys-to-the-kingdom/house-church/

The Early Church was loving and fearless, That was the only way that it could work. Our traditional church has much fear in the traditional way it is performed today. The members are afraid to break with traditions, Mark 7:113, Col. 2:8. Not sure that the Holy Spirit would be able to do much in most of the churches that I have visited. In the Early Church you never knew what was going to happen in the Holy Spirit. There was no program, it was an opportunity to learn and to grow in the Holy Spirit without a speed limit. All things were possible. It was never business as usual. It was spiritually alive and exciting. And once you spiritually taste it, nothing else ever tastes like spiritual food again. In my past experience I have been there and it was the Joy of the LORD, so let’s go there again.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim.1:7, one of my favorites…. Love in Jesus, Ken<><

(You can go to www.Trinity-Aloha.org on your cell phone and access the past blogs,

“Worth Considering” and also my book: “Keys To The Kingdom” at no charge.)

FEAR

October 8, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS, Beloved of God, John 3:16-18 b

FEAR, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/8/19 (Across my desk this morning, and greatly needed.)

Today’s Scripture

“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go…”
(Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Be Courageous

God says not to tremble or be dismayed by anything because He is with you wherever you may go. That is such an encouragement, and it’s absolutely true! You should be walking around in life without even the slightest amount of fear because that is not the nature God gave you. You should refuse to be defeated by the things around you, even if they seem insurmountable. Perhaps one definition of courage might be staying strong and moving forward even when most would give up and even surrender their ground to fear. Be strong and courageous for God today, and do not allow yourself to be defeated by fear or the unknown!

A Prayer for Today

“God, I want to live and serve You boldly without being crippled by fear. Make me strong and courageous in Your power to do what You want me to do.”

My Thoughts:
One of the most difficult battles of my life has been the one concerning fear. Early in my growing years I was beat up in the first grade, dumped off the teeter totter and teased a lot due to my good looks and being spoiled as a kid. The little girls liked me but the Kentucky Hill Billy boys did not. And that kind of experience was constant until I was Honorably Discharged from the army. So I ended up by that time in being a confirmed fearful introvert. Then in Long Beach in 1955, married with 2 children the LORD scooped me up and I began to learn that fear is faith going backwards. Even today I have to walk through that old feeling of fear to share the Gospel with some one. And especially if they feel aggressive or full of puss. But I often find that they are really open to GOD’s LOVE & TRUTH but not a religious box.

There are hundreds of verses in the Holy Bible concerning fear. It would be impossible here to make a complete study at this but let me share a few verses that have been very helpful for me.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ⁸Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,…” 2 Tim 1:6-8.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love, 1John 4:18.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. ¹⁷Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:15-17.

‘He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” John 7:38.

So the Holy Spirit has been helping me to build my faith and find a God kind of love for the lost, a concern for them and their eternity and the strong probability of their soul living in absolute darkness for eternity unless they receive the GOSPEL. And my mission is where I live and with the people that I may pass every day. I like the egg McMuffen so McDonald’s becomes a mission field. Waiting for my daughter yesterday and gave out 5 tracts. And enjoyed doing it. Often praying for the folks that I see. With God’s love rarely get rejected. And of course my age gives me an advantage as folks think I must be wise to have lived so long. Little do they know that it is only by God’s grace. And the Holy Spirit has taught me how to love and forgive my parents so I can truly honor them. A requirement for long life.

I would stronly suggest that you totally chase all fear out of your life as fear has torment and tends to bring to pass what you fear as it did with Job.

²⁴For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. ²⁵For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. Job 3:24-25. As God could not get Job to give up his fears by blessing him HE allowed lucifer to sift him down to ground zero. And when Job learned to give no place to fear than God blessed him twice as much after the testing. Job realized that he came into the world with nothing and that he would leave with nothing so Job praised the LORD.

We really need to KNOW that we are only able to keep for eternity what we send ahead as the Children of God. And those are works we have done out of love and obedience to Christ Jesus as LORD. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41…

Yours, in HIS great and Almighty LOVE, Grace and Mercy…. Ken<><

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

A library of “Worth Considering” is available on the homepage of www.Trinity-Aloha.org

RUBBER BAND

October 8, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY& FRIENDS, Beloved of God, John 3:16-17, 12:24-26, 17:20-16

RUBBER BAND, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/7/19 (Across my desk this Monday afternoon.)

Today’s Scripture

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold…”
(1 Peter 1:6-7, NLTC)

Be A Bounce-Back Person

Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got bad news concerning your health, or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. Maybe you lost your job. It was a setback. When we face setbacks, it’s easy to get discouraged or lose our enthusiasm. Too often we are tempted to just settle where we are. But if we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a bounce-back mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again. It means when disappointments come, you shake them off knowing that what the enemy meant for your harm God is going to turn around and use for your good.

This is a new day. Things are changing in your favor. You need to get ready because there’s a bounce-back coming. You’re going to bounce back from sickness, bounce back from depression, bounce back from bad breaks, bounce back from loss. Keep standing, keep believing, and choose to be a bounce-back person because you are coming out better off than you were before! You are rising higher, and you will fulfill the destiny God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace, mercy, and favor. I ask for rain in the time of rain, I ask for increase in Your favor and blessing so I can be a blessing to those around me today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Thoughts.
This caused me to remember my kids growing up and how we pulled for them to learn to walk and talk. And especially in learning to walk and all the falls and pulling on the table cloth and all the dishes going on the floor. Yet there was no option, it was our kid, it was going to walk. There is a verse like that in the Bible. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil.1:6 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil.2:13.” So once we are born into the family of God by deciding to make Christ Jesus our LORD (boss, king) then we begin the process of growing up to be like HIM. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. ²¹If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. ²²Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

So, we have been invited to transfer our citizenship from this temporal world to the eternal world of God’s new design and become Jr. partners with HIM in HIS new righteous creation. After our spiritual birth of making Christ Jesus, LORD!!! we then start to get our holy sea legs as we learn to win souls in planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding and harvesting just like a beautiful garden. “By their fruit, yes shall know them,” Jesus said. In this process we learn about GOD and humility, obedience, faith, love and unity. We learn to see the long vision as HE sees the long vision and become HIS voice and hands and feet in touching other souls in our lost world for HIS kingdom. Paul writes Titus like this: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,⁸Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:6-8.

Tract Fun.
Today was fun, I supported my daughter Cindy in helping her do some things that she needed to do and was waiting. As I was waiting an Hawaiian father came along with 3 kids, youngest boy about 6, then 8 and daughter 11? So I pulled out my tracts and made a flyer for the 6 yr. old and ask dad if he could have it. Sort of a questioning yes as to what was this really old white haole up to? The little boy took off to the grass area with glee flying his X35, Then I made another one for the middle boy and his flew really well and then another for the older girl but she was not so sure. About that time the father was starting to look at the writing so I gave him an unfolded tract which he took, looked at and put in his pocket and gave me a smile. On the way out I encouraged him to look a the web site on the track… and got even a bigger smile. Did not feel they were Christians. And really don’t know what happened today but it will sure be fun for all if in the Kingdom it truly served our King. It was sure a lot of fun for me today to see God’s Holy Word flying all around that lawn area by some really happy Hawaiian kids that had been totally board in waiting.

Got to learn to be a real rubber band to learn how to work in HIS garden for souls.

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

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Christian News:
https://apnews.com/5cfef4941efd4d23b06f7b4db8ca546a

https://www.worthynews.com/44178-federal-judge-tosses-tampa-therapy-ban-for-minors-fighting-same-sex-attraction?utm_source=Worthy+Brief&utm_campaign=982d23417c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_07_10_44&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d1151ee7ea-982d23417c-104031565

https://www.worthynews.com/44206-supreme-court-to-hear-first-abortion-case-since-kavanaugh-gorsuch-confirmations?utm_source=Worthy+Brief&utm_campaign=982d23417c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_07_10_44&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d1151ee7ea-982d23417c-104031565

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN

October 5, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN?    10/5/19

Today we have many shades of what folks and churches think is “Christian?”   Actually the name Christian is rather pointed in that direction. In Antioch the city dwellers called the follower’s of the “WAY” ( Christian ) as derisive and demeaning as it means to be a slave of Christ. But in truth it was a valid reality so the believers kept it.

To be a disciple of Christ Jesus means to be under the discipline of Christ Jesus. It is not up for grabs to be anything that we want it to be or do. Discipleship comes from and through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit and it is not man made it is GOD made. The LORD’S teachings are very clear as to what HE wants us to become in HIM. So what were HIS commandments in general for our discipleship? The New Testament is full of our LORD’s COMMANDMENTS…   So here is a good starter………

The LORD’s basic and primary concern was that the GOOD NEWS, The GOSPEL would be carried to the ends of the earth so that any who wanted to be saved would know how to be saved. This commission was given to every Christian disciple who was born from above, every convert. Matt. 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;⁴Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.⁵For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Tim. 2:3-5. Jesus also taught: ¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.²⁰Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; John 17:18-20. Some have been taught that it is only the responsibility of the ministers to share the Gospel. This is true in part, but the sheep basically are called to birth the lambs into HIS Kingdom. If a so called christian has no concern for winning souls into the Kingdom of God I am really concerned about their foundations??? They really don’t understand the final gravity of eternity concerning heaven and hell or the Gospel. The wages of sin is death, the gift of GOD is Eternal Life through Christ Jesus. Are you sharing this Truth or not? Most folks don’t go to church and most churches are preaching a social gospel of their own concoction.

Next on God’s list to learn is HUMILITY.
James simply says it this way: “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 Peter puts it this way: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet.5:5. Paul ever prophesies about our day: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

And of course there is the issue of learning OBEDIENCE.
Obedience results in unity (John 17) Disobedience results in division. Of course we are concerned with GOD’s foundational truth’s here. In the ideal world, division, is a wonderful opportunity in humility and love to find more of GOD’s Truth. But in pride there is always division and therefore we have thousands of denominations of different churches all telling us that they have the perfect way to Christ Jesus. Paul shares that God is ready to revenge all disobedience, when our obedience is fulfilled, 2 Cor. 10:6 also in 2 Cor.10:5 we are advised: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” Even Jesus had a school in obedience: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered,” Heb.5:8. And our Creator God is not going to allow us into HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM until we have truly learned obedience. He is not going to allow us to mess up HIS home as we have this planet. If you are not in a place of learning obedience than your spiritual education is unbalanced.

And again the New Testament if filled with the commandments of Christ Jesus and HIS Apostles. In Matt. 15:9 & Mark7:7 Jesus tells us to watch out for the commandments of men. Jesus tells us that 9 of the BIG 10 are still on line and if we love HIM we will also keep HIS commandments, John 14:21 And that if we want to abide in HIS love that we should find and keep HIS commandments John 15:10 Paul taught that the way that we know that we know HIM (Jesus) is by keeping HIS commandments 1 John 2:3 and if we don’t know and keep HIS commandments that we are lying about being a Christian. 1 John 2:4. “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 3:24. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous,” 1 John 5:1-3.

So if you know and are keeping the Commandments that Christ Jesus gave us you are doing great. Otherwise ????????? It is faith that saves us but faith without works or results, it is dead or has no power to save. James 2:17, 2:20, 2:26.

Yours in HIS great LOVE and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><

Had a great time last night here at our little house church. Lots of love and good food. Hope to see you next Friday at 6 for PotBlessing and Fellowship.

Past issues of “Worth Considering” are available with a link on our Home Page at www.Trinity-Aloha.org

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

PREDESTINATION

October 4, 2019/0 Comments/in Worth Considering/by Ken Smith

ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS, Beloved of God, John 3:16-18

PREDESTINATION, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 10/4/19, (Across my desk this morning.)

Today’s Scripture

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]…”
(Ephesians 2:10, AMPC)

Appointments of Divine Favor,

God has already prepared paths for you to take in your future! When God laid out the plan for your life, He lined up the right people, the right circumstances and the right breaks. In your future, He’s already released favor, supernatural opportunities and divine connections. The breaks you need in life have already been set to come across your path. If you will stay in faith and go out each day and be a person of excellence, you’ll walk right into these appointments of favor. It will be just as if you stumbled into God’s blessings!

When you understand this principle, you’ll begin to get excited about every single day! You’ll have a spring in your step as you think about what blessing is coming next. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Stay focused on the fact that God has already released into your future everything you need to fulfill your destiny. Start declaring seasons of increase over your life. Declare that favor is on you and look for those appointments of divine favor!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for prearranging a good life for me. Thank You for ordering my steps and directing my path. Help me to understand Your goodness more so that I can know You and stay close to You all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen.”

My Thoughts
As so much of our theology has been infused with Calvinism many have not bothered to go back and consider the scriptures on this subject of predestination. We get the feeling from some of that theology that our Creator God has some how made things as they are. So that the Elect are surly saved and the rest are surly lost. But Paul puts it this way:
” For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers, Rom.8:29″ )

So in God’s foreknowledge He loved us before we were born. And as GOD is absolute HE also has absolute foreknowledge. So what does GOD love as per HIS WORD. HE loves those who love Jesus and come to HIM in humility and obedience. So HE views our life and all of our decisions in time before we are even born and finds those who will love Jesus and become humble and obedient and sets up HIS power and grace for them so that they can be forgiven and victorious. HE also builds HIS future Kingdom to be a home for them. So from HIS perspective there are no surprises in HIS dimension of eternity. But in our dimension of time humanity is totally free in all of their decisions and totally responsible for all of our mistakes, errors and sins. We can make the world into Eden or Hell. Adam was given the authority over this world to replenish and subdue it.

Our Creator has done it this way in order for us to learn how to use freewill. Freewill is absolutely necessary in order to learn to LOVE as LOVE is a decision. God also has freewill and as we are created to become eventually in HIS Image and Likeness freewill must also be a part of our creation as well. And we must learn to control our freewill as to only serve GOD. Our Creator is not going to allow us to mess up HIS Universe as we have this earth when we come into HIS eternal kingdom.

So God’s foreknowledge and predestination does not mean we are robots or under karma with no control. It simply means that God saw our hunger for HIS light before we were born and made provision for us to find HIM and secure HIS grace in our desire to find and be with HIM. All of our decisions are totally our doing for being HIS or for not being HIS. We have absolute freedom to choose the light or the darkness. God is not willing that any go to hell but Jesus taught us that straight and narrow is the way to eternal life and that very few find it. I hope that you do.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><
Past teachings on Predestination may be found: www.Trinity-Aloha.org on our Home Page look for the “Worth Considering ” link at the bottom left. “There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who truly love and obey HIM are members.”

GREAT QUOTES:

"I am convinced that many evangelicals are not truly and soundly  converted. Among the evangelicals it is entirely possible to come   into membership, to ooze in by osmosis, to leak through the cells   of the church and never know what it means to be born of the   Spirit and washed in the blood. A great deal that passes for the   deeper life is nothing more or less than basic Christianity. There is   nothing deeper about it, and it is where we should have been from   the start...What we need is what the old Methodists called a sound   conversion. There is a difference between conversion and a sound   conversion. People who have never been soundly converted do not   have the Spirit to enlighten them. When they read the Sermon on   the Mount or the teaching passages of the epistles that tell them   how to live or the doctrinal passages that tell how they can live,   they are unaffected. The Spirit who wrote them is not witnessing   in their hearts because they have not been born of the Spirit. That   often happens." - A W Tozer.    "God is not looking for brilliant men, is not depending upon   eloquent men, is not shut up to the use of talented men in sending   His gospel out in the world. God is looking for broken men who   have judged themselves in the light of the cross of Christ. When   He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to the   end of themselves, whose confidence is not in themselves, but in God."  - H.A. Ironside