Logostician

Why would extraterrestrial life affect what I already know to be true? I don't know if there is life anywhere else in the universe. I also don't know the precise workings of the smallest subatomic particles in a single atom. And neither do the most learned scientists in the world. But I know Jesus. He created the universe and will create a new universe. If there is extraterrestrial life, it will come to end, as it will in the world we live in, and at the same time. Whether any of this life will partake in the second creation depends on the existence of a relationship with Jesus, as it does with us. Revelation 21:1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. This verse refers to jews and gentiles. But if Jesus has others created in the image of God on other planets in the universe, that he has called, and are his sheep of different folds, that's fine with me. Although I think it is highly unlikely.

All Christians are possessed by the Holy Spirit, after freely giving themselves to Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit does not share His space in your heart, soul, and mind with demons. Our God is a jealous God. We belong to Him, and Him only. You can be oppressed by demons, but not possessed. If you are oppressed call out the name of Jesus, and the demons will flee. There is power in His name. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Let your conversation be with Jesus. Do not converse with demons, even to rebuke them. Follow the example of the Angel Michael. Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

The best use of free will is to freely give up your will, and seek the will of God. As always, Jesus is the ultimate example of this. John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Christianity is following Jesus. Literally. He leads. We follow. Step one is accepting him as Lord and Savior. The following steps are an eternal life of followship (new word I just made up) and fellowship.

Jimmy Carter was not a good president. But he was a good Christian man. This is what he should have been honored for. Because, in the final analysis, it's the only thing that matters, and the only thing that we take with us from this life.

Jesus was born (in the flesh) to die, so we could live. He is eternal. We are not. Unless we embrace him. Completely. He lowered himself to come down from heaven, and be among us, to lift us up to his perfect kingdom and company. Eternity in a sin filled world would be meaningless, like unto hell. But eternity in the company of Jesus is everything.

Jesus Christ was convicted by selfish worldly men who saw him as a threat to their power. So I guess Trump is in some really good company.

Here is a short, and far from exhaustive, list of countries where being a Christian can make you a second class citizen, imprisoned, or executed: North Korea Somalia Libya Eritrea Yemen Nigeria Pakistan Sudan Iran Afghanistan Grace and faith are not cheap for Christians in these countries. They are strong, and hold their faith dear, even though it may cost them their freedom and their lives. They are today's martyrs for Christ. In the USA we sometimes forget that this martyrdom occurs outside the safety of our country, except for the missionaries who go to these countries, and are equally targeted for imprisonment and execution as they spread the gospel throughout the world in fulfillment of prophesy. Pray for evangelists and the hearers in these countries. That God may keep them strong in the face of their persecutors. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

My current name will pass away. I don't know what my new name will be. But I know it will be the right name Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Luke 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him THANKS: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Leprosy is a biblical symbol for sin. The Samaritan, who is outside Judaism, is only made "whole" when he shows his faith by thanking Jesus. All of us healed of our sin by Jesus need to thank him. Don't be one of the nine out of ten that didn't come back to thank Jesus.

I think that the most important thing about the Parable of the Prodigal Son is that we are all him, at some times, in some ways. We have all sinned and fallen short. But God's grace is a freely given, and eternal gift of boundless love. He mercifully forgives, and joyfully receives us. I don't look down at the prodigal son. I'm him. I celebrate the awareness that Jesus is the one who sticketh closer than any brother, even when we falter.

Not to be trite, but evangelism can be likened to a team sport, and the Church to Team Jesus. When one person comes off the field, another one comes in. And the best part is that we have already won. We don't do it by ourselves. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Thank you for correcting my error. Watchman Nee's, "The Normal Christian Life" and CS Lewis, "Mere Christianity" are two of my all time favorite books. The lives of these two inspired men couldn't be more different. CS Lewis was a well known and esteemed author at Oxford University in England. And Watchman Nee led a highly persecuted life for his Christian faith, including imprisonment. I respect all Spirit filled evangelists, but there is a special place for the lesser known sufferers for Christ in my heart, like Watchman Nee, because of the suffering of Jesus Christ himself. Be well.