1. Stairway to Heaven 2. What Constitutes a religion 3. Symbols for "religions" 4. The New Age Movement 5. GRACE GETS YOU THROUGH
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STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN CHURCH AS BRIDE
In the Old Testament, the LORD God speaks of His Promises, His faithfulness. Along the way, God observed evil among His People and regretted having created them (Genesis 6: 1-8). The LORD God is to the people of Israel as a bridegroom to his bride. He is faithful and protective. Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you.For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you? (Is 54: 9b, 10).
Jesus is sent to be the bridegroom of the Church. God put this power to work in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 5: 20-23).
As a Church, we are living in "the age to come." And so it is, that when Jesus comes again, He is expecting a Bride dressed in white linen. It is time to take that declaration more seriously. Today we rise up a young Nation, a generation to come that will be the Church of tomorrow. Will that Church reflect the slaves released from Egypt in route to the Promised Land, or their children, or the enthusiasm of the Apostles who watched Jesus ascend into Heaven, or the disciples present when the Holy Spirit did descend on them in the Upper Room?
YOU DECIDE.
Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, and the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! (Matthew 7:13,14)
2 What constitutes a religion? You will need a philosophy and a practice. Be it an organized religion or self indulgence, it is a form of worship. There will decided reasons for the beliefs and ways to express those beliefs. The path taken in the walk through life will show up in our thoughts, words and deeds. It cannot be hidden. Truth is like that -- it will not be hidden. Lies, however, show up and show off, is loud and pressed upon others, either with knowledge or maneuvering. Absolute Truth sets us free. Lies puts us in bondage. We walk either on the straight and narrow path set before us as we follow our Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ, or we stray this-way-and-that-way with human opinions. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Thus you may walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the just. For the upright will dwell in the land, the honest will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land, the faithless will be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2: 20-22)
He who walks honestly walks securely, but he whose ways are crooked will fare badly. (Proverbs 10:9)
Ever present in your midst, I will be your God, and you will be my people; for it is I, the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of the Egyptians and freed you from their slavery, breaking the yoke they had laid upon you and letting you walk erect. (Leviticus 26: 12, 13)
Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead. Let us never be boastful, or challenging, or jealous toward one another. (Galatians 5: 25, 26)
NEEDING THE SHEPHERD, THE SAVIOR: Then God created Adam and Eve. They took a FALL in the Garden of Eden, causing Humankind to be born as sinners. But, in God's Great Love, He provided a Way to save us from being sinners. He sent His Son.
Jesus, The Christ, Our Savior, died that we would have NEW life, life to the fullest, not necessarily here in time, but for Eternity.
Today we repeat the lies given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Many people believe there is no sin, no hell, that humanity bears its own divinity. One lifetime lived without the Absolute Truth (that we are sinners needing to be saved and Jesus Christ is our Savior) misses the joy found in obedience to God's Word.
Spirituality sold on TV by people like Oprah or Eckhart Tolle ("A New Earth") or Deepak Chopra ("How to Know God") short-changes those seeking Absolute Truth. They instead find counterfeits, the beliefs of enthusiastic humans who push what they prefer, what they understand-- nothing that falls in the category of Faith. The "Course in Miracles" is a counterfeit of true wonder and mystery -- that of our LORD God. http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/ACourseInMiracles.htm
Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ. says " the enneagram is alleged to be a 2000-year-old Sufi system of personality types from Islamic mystics who lived before the time of Christ.
The Enneagram is a circle, meant to symbolise the Cosmos and the "one-ness" which comes from a monist perspective. The Sufis are monists believing that we are all one with each other and with the universe and at the same time pantheists believing that the universe is god. So that's why they're not highly regarded in Islam, because they're kind of Heterodox." http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=2622&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=398772
"The time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of preachers according to their own tastes and then, instead of listening to the Truth, they will turn to myths. Be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of Good News your life's work, in thorough-going service" (II Timothy 4: 1-5)
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FOR THE CHRISTIAN Being ignorant of other religions is not wise, nor will ignorance lead to knowledge or understanding of history and humanity, nor lead to good counsel for one another, nor excite anyone to evangelize.
To determine a true "religion" we look to the founder and the purpose of the philosophy and practice required of membership.
WHY STUDY OTHER "RELIGIONS" ? Answer: to be able to evangelize -- to meet others "where they are at," then speak of the path toards Eternity, a journey worth the required boundaries (Commandments) meant to guide us in holiness, in the light and to avoid the darkness.
The first step in seeking and finding, then leading and teaching is to know what Jesus taught in the Book of Life (Sacred Scripture) and in the "book" of nature (Romans 1:19, 20), both of which is written on our hearts and in our view. To deny, diminish or change God's Word or His Order, to allow preferred choices, only leads to lies. Adam and Eve know how that works.
Nothing in time is new since the beginning of our time. It is the format that protects and ensures that none along-the-way might have an advantage. In every generation, Mankind is given opportunities to encounter and perform using the same formation of thought, word and deed – there is nothing between right and wrong – every generation has the same options.
There have always been believers and non-believers, but all wish to be happy, to belong, and to be right but not everyone takes the same path to their end goal. In this current glimpse-in-time, we are given direction to get through what lies ahead by the One who created the space, time and distance. Therein, we conclude that there is one path to same end.
Surely, Our Almighty God surely has also created other Orders in other realms, maybe even in this vast universe, with those also created in His Image and Likeness, but perhaps they have developed differently after being formed.Here in our time, we are all His People, although some might resist. Since the Beginning, Mankind needed a Savior and was provided one (Genesis 3: 15). Every good was given for God’s creation to live in harmony, in love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control– all according to His provisions (Galatians 5: 22, 23). Anything outside of His Word (provisions) is the difficult path.
The Gift of Freewill can be a burden as we favor what we prefer which is often to our demise. We become what we seek. However, what we prefer is not fitting: iniquity, malice, immorality, avarice, wickedness, envious, murderous, in contention and deceit, malignity, gossip, detractors, hateful to God, irreverent, proud, haughty, plotters of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish dissolute, without affection, fidelity or mercy ( Romans 1:29-31). Outside of God’s Way, Will and Word, we are lost in a world meant to sustain us, a place to seek and find what is All-Good.
Here in time, we study ourselves to better know one another, which leads to knowing better how we think and why, accept and reject each other, ourselves and our God. Even in our rejections we better know our Creator Father because we chose why we resist Him.
Because of how life unfolds in the nature of humanity throughout time, Christianity is the difficult path for Mankind because we are asked to serve, obey, honor and obey God's Way, Will and Word, using a fallen nature, a nature which is also SAVED. We learn how to live in two conditions so that only one will dominate -- that of being SAVED. This requires us to know the difference between up and down, black and white, right and wrong. And, we have one lifetime to get it! There is no reincarnation (Hebrew 9:27) to give life another try, whether we like the arrangement or not. We follow only what HE says -- carefully -- without adding or twisting what we prefer to know. The Catholic Church grew out of the teaching of Jesus Christ, given to His Apostles, then, passed along into this very church community in our time. Absolute Truth is from He who is the Word (John 1: 14) and from whom are all things (1 Corinthians 8: 6). The Catholic Church is created, revealed and given through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He established His Church for all time. Anything else what it is said to be by the voice of Mankind.
Jesus said to his disciples,"Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble." (Luke 1: 1, 2)
4 THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT -- A SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEIT
The New Age Movement (NAM) takes its roots in the Garden of Eden where the devil-snake sold Adam and Eve the lie of a lifetime: that they could be like God with mystical wisdom, have almighty power, and never die. Mankind has "matured" along this line-of-thinking, evolving into a higher self, enlightened and empowered by self-efforts -- no God needed, no grace or mercy necessary -- reincarnation brings them back to life. Sacred Scripture and Tradition, Church doctrine and dogmas teach otherwise. Few speak against the philosophies and practices of NAM -- that doesn't mean it isn't a threat to our safety and holiness.
Some History NAM isn't new. It is complicated enough for various people to define NAM differently throughout history. In all cases, NAM has been in each generation, with the same lie. Fast forward from the Garden of Eden to:
- 1875 to find Madam Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott, founders of the Theosophical Society (based on Buddhism and Hindu mysticism; still going strong today). - NAM shows up in the 20th century in Alice Bailey's 1920 writings, - then again in the teachings of Pierre Teilard de Chardin (1881-1955). - NAM appears in the 60's, dressed up with drugs, gurus and the liberation mindset, - followed by Marilyn Ferguson's book, "Aquarian Conspiracy" in 1970. - In the 80's find NAM in Shirley MacLaine's "Out on a Limb" - and J.Z. Knight's work as a medium for a 35,000-year-old ascended master who speaks through her. - Today empowerment, enlightenment and channeling of spirit guides are sought in shopping malls, psychic fairs, on TV talk shows (i.e. "Crossing Over"), - in self-help centers, - retreat houses, - in education halls - and entertainment. - The ways of witches and wizards, games like Dungeons and Dragons and the Ouija Board, are popular. - The Harry Potter series is embedded with occult practices with a subtle twist of evil against evil for good outcomes -- impossible.
TRAPS In every generation, people are manipulated and intimidated through trends and spiritualiity that uses "power within," tapping on spiritism. The populous thinks they need more, must be more and know more, maybe even mysteriously accomplish more with the help of extra "power" of psychics or methods using trances. It is the Adam and Eve syndrome.NAM says that power is "within the self." The method works because it isn't any different than the serpent slivering around in Paradise, ready to rob, kill and destroy what is good, to promote what is a lie. NAM counterfeits God's Designs, in order to sway us, to offer self-godhood.
NAM benefits most by counterfeiting or diminishing what God says and does. NAM says Jesus is a prophet like Muhammad and Gandhi, certainly not divine; that self-godhood is innate and most easily found by the esoteric few who realize their potential. NAM says Lucifer is the brother of Jesus, that there is no hell, there's nothing to be saved from (no sin), and no need for a Savior. On the side of positive thinking, NAM offers cooperation instead of competition, global village unity, transformation with unlimited human potential, out-of-body experiences, psyche healing, and messages from spirit guides to speak of the past and the future.
A "religion" consists of a philosophy and a practice. In NAM, that would be godhood via mind control. Clearly, a power is involved: divination, spiritism and sorcery. When a medium communicates with the dead, how is that accomplished? It is not a human power AND God warns us not to talk to the dead (necromancy). The power is satanic.Satan cannot perceive humanity -- what God loves so dearly -- and he is plenty upset to be out of the loop of God's Love. That would make us his target. When we are neglectful, he is quick to think, act and speak for us. Mankind is created in God’s Image and Likeness. Mystery lives within, wonders yet to be understood or made real. On day we shall know God. Meditate on that reality. It is awesome. But, for now, we are without the privilege of being in God's presence. NAM leaders wants us to believe we have it all, here and now, calling it the fullness promised in John 10: 10.
The devil was the first (created being) to dissent; he knows the consequences of rejecting God. He surely will not go easily or alone into eternal hell. Fortunately, creativity is not one of the devil's skills, so, he can't create new deceptions. He recycles old tricks with new language and twists. Beware: he remains the master of cleverness. He traps us through deceptions, but we catch him when we discern. Baptized Christians are given precision discernment. POWER CENTERS
The power in NAM is real and confuses those looking for holiness, those who are lonely or broken, and those who want to "feel good." Mankind gets caught in wanting what isn't always good, making errors and sin quite easy. It is difficult to resist what looks "new" or "mysterious." Mankind is easily attracted to the look of things, forgetting about dangers and consequence -- the consequences of The Fall of Adam and Eve. Once aware of the battle against Mankind to steal innocent hearts and minds, we seek safety -- Jesus Christ. We are blessed to have a hunger for what is honest and true. Wanting to be holy, we are willing to follow the Holy Spirit in our lives, the Person of God who leads, teaches, comforts, guides and protects us. NAM is set against the Trinity to snare us in sin, in despair and pride. Disorder injures the heart. Disorder separates and divides us separately and collectively. NAM targets every age group. Everyone is also redeemed the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. His Blood makes us new, safe and holy. He alone saves Mankind. We merely are asked to submit to God's Order. It is a safe place to be. Through Jesus, we are renewed and reach a higher level of wonder and holiness. NAM offers a "higher level of consciousness." God says, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1: 9)
God never changes. His Truth is Absolute. God is fair, giving every generation the same freewill. And, He would not want us ignorant, deceived or caught without knowing how to decipher the root of a problem. In God's style of Agape Love, nothing is hidden and everything is given. Since The Fall, the reality of traps set in the darkness is constant -- none are of God.
PIRATES The innocent are drawn into NAM by the aggressive determined, independent pirates of our time, looking to prosper, to manipulate, dominate, to control, to intimidate and demote. NAM has no founder, no headquarters and no ordinance. Satan uses his tactics against us, he tricks God's People to be against one another, and he intrudes in our mind to destroy us. He is a clever and powerful entity that orchestrates Mankind around the globe to be on the same page of disorder, utilizing the same practice and philosophies. He is easy to spot once we become aware of his presence. NAM targets what innately stirs the heart. God is interested in conditions of our heart -- there where His Truth is written! NAM uses the heart to move the body to "feel good" and in control. This self-centered (narcissism) lifestyle uses big business. Millions of people seek methods to release stress, renew or get energized (not to serve others or make sacrifices). The bookstores are the central offices for the New Age. NAM literature is sold alongside Bibles, claiming God's Good News is old news. Self-help centers replace worship in Churches and Temples. In Creation Spirituality (Matthew Fox, Starhawk, Thomas Berry), where Mother Earth is an "entity" deserving worship of the spirit of the north, south, east, west, to wind, water and fire--no walls needed--anything goes. An earth charter pledging loyalty and healing of the earth is popular in Mother Houses and education. Stars and rocks hold power. Potions used in vexes and curses, control others. The list of misleading leadership is long. Discern always.
TRICKS NAM maneuvers through gifts that God gives us, including nature. God never tricks us. He equips us to survive every situation in time through the power of His Holy Spirit with wisdom, knowledge and understanding, right-judgment (discernment), courage, reverence and fear of the Lord. (We diligently fear the LORD God because He holds Himself to His promises) NAM counterfeits the Holy Spirit, we like that, we conform to what comes easy, and freely depart from God. Ultimately, we want to be like God, wanting the same things the devil-snake offered Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3, Isaiah 14: 12-15)
NAM tricks us with Christian-sounding language to appear spiritual, intriguing. It deceives: the highly-educated, good-hearted, sophisticated and confident in their abilities:
the spiritually-sound, diligent in their pursuit of knowledge;
the lonely and broken-hearted who are disenchanted;
the creative who allow no limits;
the aggressive affluent who are never satisfied;
the un-churched and confused wanting to belong; void of a solid foundation, intrigued with what ?feels? good provided by self-help centers, the media, the marketplace, retreat halls/education, what comes quick and easy, enchants, humors, embraces and gratifies;
the rebellious, resisting ABSOLUTE Truth -- too old-fashioned, boring, rigid and relative. They prefer politically correct associations. Bible bashers twist the Word, water it down, or claim Scripture ought to be “shelved” for a century to correct believers.
TRICKS
NAM maneuvers through gifts that God gives us, including nature. God never tricks us. He equips us to survive every situation in time through the power of His Holy Spirit with wisdom, knowledge and understanding, right-judgment (discernment), courage, reverence and fear of the Lord. (We diligently fear the LORD God because He holds Himself to His promises) NAM counterfeits the Holy Spirit, we like that, we conform to what comes easy, and freely depart from God. Ultimately, we want to be like God, wanting the same things the devil-snake offered Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3, Isaiah 14: 12-15)
NAM tricks us with Christian-sounding language to appear spiritual, intriguing. It deceives: the highly-educated, good-hearted, sophisticated and confident in their abilities:
the spiritually-sound, diligent in their pursuit of knowledge;
the lonely and broken-hearted who are disenchanted;
the creative who allow no limits;
the aggressive affluent who are never satisfied;
the un-churched and confused wanting to belong; void of a solid foundation, intrigued with what ?feels? good provided by self-help centers, the media, the marketplace, retreat halls/education, what comes quick and easy, enchants, humors, embraces and gratifies;
the rebellious, resisting ABSOLUTE Truth -- too old-fashioned, boring, rigid and relative. They prefer politically correct associations. Bible bashers twist the Word, water it down, or claim Scripture ought to be “shelved” for a century to correct believers.
NAM is power-focused. Think of it as a stool with three legs: satanism/ eastern mysticism/ western secular humanism
1. Satanism. The devil’s tricks, traps and powers of the occult, paganism, witches, wizards, wicca, fairies, druids. Power in amulets, pyramids, crystals, potions, voo doo and magic. The worship of gods and goddess, earth as entity. Excessive environmentalism at expense of the human creature, ancient-woman-wisdom, matriarchy replacing patriarchy. Channeling, séances, astrology, horoscopes, fortune telling, automatic handwriting, tarot cards, palm reading, crystal power, numerology.
Deut18: 9-13 ”When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you must not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices of those nations. No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. For whoever does these things is abhorrent to the LORD; it is because of such abhorrent practices that the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You must remain completely loyal to the LORD your God.”
2. Eastern mysticism Guru approach to mystic meditation (zen), guided imagery, visualization techniques (letting go of conscious mind that discerns), higher level of consciousness, positive images, all-is-one (monism), universal oneness (pantheism), spirit guides, interconnectedness, ascended masters, reincarnation, kundalini, karna, chakras, yoga using hypnotic mantras (letting go of conscious mind), unlocking cosmic mysteries. Colossians 2: 8-10 ”See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.”
3. Western secular humanism (‘I did it my way’) Materialism, tolerance of all beliefs as equal (syncretism), political correctness, unity in diversity, multiculturalism, holistic health and healing w/self-help practices and philosophies w/o Faith and reject God’s provisions. (“Anything goes; what’s good for you is good to do; if it feels good, do it.”) Humanism includes forces for a one-world government/religion/economy, global peace, prosperity and harmonic convergence, universal mind-power over matter (enlightenment). Self-psychology as a “religion.” Mind controls in est, TM, the human potential movement, Silva mind control -- the list is long.
HOW IT WORKS -- (1) The occult kills the human spirit (2) the mysticism steals the mind ( 3) secular humanism tackles the body to destroy through the senses.
While we are weak, an enemy lurks in the darkness looking for whom he can devour. The heart must be guarded and given wholly over to the LORD God. We have much cause to be on alert to protect ourselves. Through Jesus, we are strong and safe.
Mankind is created in the Image and Likeness of God. After The Fall, the human spirit fell into a vulnerable position; the mind lost some powers and the five senses dominate the body (Eve, after-all, plucked the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because it looked, felt and tasted good.)
Our senses dominate unless we discipline ourselves and develop strong moral character (Deny thyself. Carry the cross. Follow Me says the LORD).
Easily, we first favor what we desire, forcing the mind to pick a side.
NAM targets the weakness of the body with the wonders of the human mind. NAM is a mind-war. The mind is the battleground. That is why God presented the “Do not” list in the Ten Commandments AND asks us to closely follow His Son who is holy.
His Way protects us. Every-which-way is dangerous; Relativism ensures despair.
NAM is a trap likened to the same one Eve got caught in -- she already was/had all-good and needed nothing else, but she believed the lie that there was more -- just beyond.. We fail because we are fallen with Original Sin at birth, but with Baptism, we are filled with sanctifying grace -- the Life of the LORD God. With the Sacraments, we maintain a steady course in troubled waters. We can deny God’s protections, preferring a solo journey through time with me-myself-and I, but that decision will diminish holiness and be indisputably dangerous.
ALL IN ALL
We are sometimes our own worst enemy, seeking to be more confident and successful through some philosophy or practice outside what the LORD God offers in Christian principles. NAM is a spiritual movement set up to snare our thinking. We must protect our innocence and cherish the Image and Likeness of God “within.” What is innate can be vulnerable.
The ways of the world will try to manipulate, intimidate and dominate us, tempting us to do the same to others. Spiritual, mental and emotional strength is important for survival in time --- in the heart, mind, body and spirit. It is where worthy and useful power lives! It is where we are measured, where we are directed in what we desire. God asks us, along with our family, friends and community to walk the straight and narrow path of harmony.
The LORD Jesus says He is the only one leading to My Father. God holds all people in the Palm of His Hand. We are strictly directed to be careful not to fall out -- or jump.
He never leaves us alone, and when we make mistakes, we are welcome to crawl back into His Loving Arms and Hands -- through the Sacraments, through His Son, through our freewill. He is a patient and forgiving God.
BEWARE: people can trick us AND benefit from doing so -- profits from books or services provide livelihoods today -- the more bizarre the more profitable. NAM has no good in it. It is a trap, set with empty promises.
Ephesians 6: 10-17 (the ARMOR OF THE LORD GOD)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
“My People die for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Wisdom, knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit of God refreshes the heart, mind and spirit!
Discernment keeps the heart, mind, spirit and body safe.
For personal gain, it is common today to manipulate others, intimidate or dominate through the use of words that mislead even the most wise among us. Look at today's twists in the language in the marketplace, the school, office and entertainment.
COMPARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT AND ABSOLUTE TRUTH
WHAT YOU CONJURE UP
altered state of consciousness.....................................
WHAT GOD GIFTS TO YOU
Conversation with God in prayer (you talk; you listen to God)
ancient wisdom.....................................
Tradition
angel of light (satan).............................
Light pierces the darkness
ascended masters ...............................
The Risen Lord
Black Mass ...........................................
The People of God build the CHURCH, both the building and the future of the Church of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body of the Church.
5 GRACE GETS YOU THROUGH
(2 Corinthians 3: 1-6) The world offers the critical masses various trends to please the senses -- and the economy -- but nothing gets us through Time like God’s Hand in our lives. When we are faithful and obedient in thought, word and deed, we become “pleasing to God,” but in our fallen condition of sinning seventy times seven times a day,[i] we need extra help. Our faithful God gets us through! Free to be all we are created to be – God provides every support. He bestows GRACE upon us, but obligation stalks each recipient. Parents are obligated in their duty as primary educators to teach their children whatever is necessary to survive the journey through time.It is tough being gentle as a dove and sly like a fox, surviving alongside the kids. We find Division Despair Drugs Alcohol Occult Violence Depression Peer-power Stress Power Pride -- the list is long. Being holy while raising others to be holy is tough. How do parents get through parenthood?Only by the GRACE of God!
GRACE is the glue between the body, mind and spirit (separately and collectively as One People) put there by God to provide well-being.
GRACE flows out of accurately led leaders having been taught, protected, comforted and guided by Godly authority – beginning with parents.[ii]
GRACE is the “spine” in our stride.
GRACE is the style in which we present ourselves.
GRACE is a prayer said before and after meals, asking God to bless our food.
GRACE is the name of a girl-person.
GRACE is the pathway of unending blessings.
GRACE is the consequence of God’s Promise -- fair and equal forall.
We must be full of GRACE to enter Heaven, Absent of grace to enter hell.
In the glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, grace is defined as the “free and undeserved gift that God gives us to respond to our vocation to become His adopted children,” allowing us to be “partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.”[iii] Our purpose in life is to be His!We resemble our Father, not by recognizing our existence, but by knowing Him. Through GRACE we are in “participation in the life of God” in a Trinitarian way.[iv] Since we can barely perceive the oneness and distinction between the Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, consider how blended God intends for us to be joined to Him in Eternal Life!As Eternity is endless, GRACE is endlessly abundant for an awake-alert Church. GRACE and mercy flow through ONE SOURCE: the Blood of the Lamb, God’s Only Begotten Son. This isn’t new to Christians, who love, believe, think, speak and act in the Name of Jesus – all good flows through The Son, He who strengthens us BUT we easily overlook being graced by God’s sweet provisions. Remember the Garden of Eden!Since Adam and Eve’s trial in the Garden of Eden, followed by Christ’s trial under the Roman law, we balance between the blessing-and-the-curse CHOICES. God gives us a way out of our sins! “It is finished” for us via One Way AND we either accept or reject that. GRACE binds us together at the Foot of Jesus’ Cross -- in His Blood -- there, where we were bought-and-saved. Without ever earning the Gift of Salvation through that wondrous fulfillment, we become destined for Heaven UNLESS we chose differently!By free choice, we are made responsible AND vulnerable, but more safe than unsafe, and always free to submit or go solo.If we prefer independence and being comfortable living under the familiar blanket of various generational sins, then GRACE can only wait. GRACE can’t be earned. Since the beginning of Time, we struggle to graciouslyreceive God’s provisions (Adam and Eve can testify to that).In the Old Testament, GRACE is given to us as a promise and a hope, pointing to and fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. Our faith in this promise reveals GRACE.Students of Scripture and modern history discover GRACE in various forms and names. We look, listen and learn! GRACE is a power. It is real, like the rain. It will fall upon all.Some of us will reach out to catch it; others will be lucky just to be present. It is a wondrous mystery, and God prefers that everyone accept His GRACE.However, and there is always the“however” since Adam and Eve hesitated in taking God seriously about what He said, we are plagued with an always-easy-assessable fallen nature that needs GRACE. GRACE saves us from our iniquities. POWER: GRACE is the nest that we “little birds” live in; the Father “nests” us in the Palm of His Hand to hold us securely day and night, separately and collectively, through His Son. Through Jesus, the Word-Made-Flesh, we become empowered as His People,[v]but we don’t talk enough about that while the mystery of darkness intrigues and snares us into the power of occult, empty trends or cults, magic and the ways of the worldly “super-natural.” We will be tempted to misuse power, we can expect that, and therefore strive to avoid that tendency.Beware of the power to immolate (sacrifice, kill) sons and daughters) in the fire, to be fortune-tellers, soothsayers, charmers, diviners, or caster of spells, to consult ghosts and spirits or seek oracles from the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11). Our enemy, the devil finesses for our input.[vi]God asks us to resist.[vii] The eternity of Heaven or hell waits. One outcome is definite, depending on our choices in thoughts, words and deeds. Heaven is preferred. Meanwhile, we mistakenly select OUR way over God’s ONE WAY -- Jesus. The ways of OUR world, the flesh and self-centered thinking won’t get us into Heaven. With the devil’s help, we willingly enter a death trap of pride, stiffed-necked and stubborn, misinformed and misled, ready to miss the mark.[viii] Willingly! BEWARE:Leaders in secular spiritual centers and self-help programs in the marketplace recognize an inner power as they deal with good and evil, health and sickness, strength and weakness, success and failures.They define “it” according to what they can explain, and keep that “energy” and “feeling” in their premise, centering on the self.It is their marketing tool. It sells. The Name of Jesus is NOT part of these secular spiritual programs yet they speak of being healed, motivated, transformed, inspired, led and comforted while they pray, confess, meditate, celebrate and even practice dying.[ix]Some of these leaders are just ignorant of what they are (really) into,[x] while others act out of their preferred spirituality via dissent and rebellion. It is the Adam and Eve Syndrome! BEWARE:To “feel” is powerful and real. Emotions flow easily out of-the-flesh, “to feel” over and over again -- only for the SELF.The power within, flowing out of an inner essence-of-self, matching what we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste – whatever moves the “heart” to “feel”, is real. The mind just tags along somewhere—only for the SELF. This path in life is nothing but trouble because the devil is at the helm of a life seeking dark stormy waters to manipulate, dominate or intimidate – to control. There is no SELF-control in this, just power over others, situations or events.
Beyond our understanding, only the power of God’s GRACE allows for expanding growth and freedom in body, heart, mind and spirit, in thought, word and deed, all delivered by the LORD God in doses as needed, separately and collectively – as individuals, parents, as Church and One Nation under God.
Worshiping the Earth Whoever values the power of water, wind and fire beyond the value and dignity of human nature, beholds “Mother Earth as a “living entity” to be protected and adored! Although, the beauty of nature moves us and nature provides, as only God’s Divine Nature sustains us in our journey towards Eternity – God is in charge!In the Beginning, God created all things perfect AND all of creation belongs to Him, kept in existence only by Him.We are stewards of His Grandeur, but oftentimes we over-emphasize that Beauty without acknowledging the God-Source. Pagans are actually close to God when respecting His creation, but they fault when they deny HIM, their sinfulness and their need of the LORD Jesus in their practices and philosophies. How tragic. “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. These are the sins which provoke God’s wrath … put asidenowall the anger and quick temper, the malice, the insults, the foul language. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the Image of its Creator (emphasis added)”(Colossians 3: 5-10). IMAGINE THAT Since Adam and Eve, we groom nature, and nature gives up its provisions for us yet nature can’t hold (fulfill) us AND we can’t hold it – a camera can’t even do it justice. Yet, we hold wonders in our very being:
We hold our powerful Creator in our innate essence in existence according to His Will and Ways.Each human holds God’s Image and Likeness “within” because of His design and GRACE that sustains us.We can’t fully perceive and explain it!
When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we behold-and-hold the Person of Godhood -- the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Only by the GRACE OF GOD!Another mystery!
As tabernacles of dust, we are full of God’s “Enhancements.”We hold inside the Holy Spirit of God. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, created for God, with every power and might available ONLY through His Spirit.Christians unite with the Holy Spirit; non-Christians only hope for the best.
We are beholders of the Trinity -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit!In our lifetime, we are partakers of God’s Nature – JUST seek-and-find, take-and-receive.When we submit to God’s provisions, we become whole, healed, saved, refreshed, transformed – made HOLY!
[ii] Parental authority based on principles of Absolute Truth, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit’s Fruits and Gifts, Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium and the Precepts of the Catholic Church.
[iii] Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Article #1996
[vi] The horoscope, palmistry, numerology, tarot cards, crystal and pyramid power, séances, automatic writing, clairvoyance, necromancy, spirit guides, nature god/goddess worship of nature, wind, fire and water, witches/witchcraft/wicca, occult, shaminism, voodoo, oneness with universe, reincarnation, Dungeons and Dragons, the Ouija Board, Pokemon, Harry Potter– this list is long.
[x] Power without the Holy Spirit involves a power that robs, kills and destroys God’s People.It is not holy.
It counterfeits the Holy Spirit’s ways and means.
THE GOOD NEWS:
What the LORD Jesus gave us through His life, death and Resurrection, is our ticket to happiness on earth AND in Heaven for Eternity. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the answer to every question. He is the supplier of our needs. The way to Eternal Life is through Him as He leads us to His Father.
Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to show us the way to live in time, to lead, teach, comfort, guide and protect us, so that we might do the same for one another. The Holy Spirit enlightens, empowers and anoints us to go, be, get and have the power to do His Work in Time. We are created by Him. We belong to Him. We do not live for ourselves alone, nor by our own power. We are the Children of God, His People. TOGETHER.
"A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it. G.K. Chesterton, Everlasting Man, 1925
