The Scourge Of Racism
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“Being a man is not a freak accident of the cosmos!” This is the first statement on the back cover of my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics,1 making clear its content is founded upon the biblical worldview that man has a purposeful Creator! Making such a statement at all is a sad indicator of how far removed Westerners are now in just under 200 years from an understanding of our origin as from God. Thanks to the rise in acceptance of Charles Darwin’s Theory Of Evolution which today, is secular science dogma and the worldview of many coming out of our nation’s educational system, the biblical worldview of creation is deemed inferior religious babble.
While I am sympathetic toward those Christians that want to try and build a bridge between the two contradictory and competing worldviews because they believe the arguments of secular science are just too demonstratively persuasive, God in my heart and His Word cry out not so fast (did David acquiesce or seek détente with Goliath who was larger than he and out gunned him--1 Samuel 17:33-47?)!2 True enough our mission in Christ is to preach the Gospel about and witness Him. But we are not to do these things while also finding a common ground of acceptance with falsehood, open rebellion against God and apostasy. We must stand firm on the truth of God’s Word as it is written!
Evolution as a competing worldview to biblical Christianity is falsehood raised up in open rebellion against God and apostasy since many that have adhered to it from a Judeo-Christian background from the earliest days of its appearance have had to reject some or all of what is written in His Word about Him and creation. As Jesus showed with the Sadducees, rejecting any of the inspired Word about God, His abilities or deeds, leaves one in a state of spiritual ignorance and without repentance, eternal deadness (Matthew 22:23-33, 23:29-33)! To declare that the physical universe came into being out of nothing and no source cause is the height of folly (Psalm 14:1-4).
However, the Bible in its first words emphatically declares: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” (Genesis 1:1, NKJV). God Himself is quoted as declaring: ‘“I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself,’” (Isaiah 44:24b, NKJV). Science with the endorsement of some professed Christians also says the universe unfolded and evolution took place on earth over millions of years. But God in His Word says He created everything in six literal days (Exodus 20:8-11, 31:16-17). Are you now, so lofty in these latter days, O man, that you call God a liar who says He created all and in six days?
But even as you are so wicked and getting worse leading to one that will boldly be your voice as foretold (Psalm 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:13; Revelation 13:1-6), your own science betrays you as the liar. For example, evolutionists fail to appreciate the profound impact man’s sin, God’s consequence of death and related curse on the ground has had on all creation! Indeed, not only does man die, but decay and ruin attend to our bodies to such extent now, the average age of death is dropping below 70 compared to Methuselah who lived 969 years (Genesis 5:25-27).3 Also, the evidence of God’s handiwork is not only all around, but in you as He recently led me to write (Romans 1:18-19).4
The whole field of genetic research is uncovering how most living things are biologically programmed by genes and their informational substance, DNA. This being so, such purposeful programming requires an intelligent programmer. Try as hard as they might, secular scientists cannot logically give credit to non-sentient “mother nature” for the wonder of genetic programming since how can what is not alive itself program that which lives?5 No, but God who eternally lives and created the heavens and earth with their order and design features along with all living things to fulfill the purposes and functions He programmed in them is the Programmer (Genesis 1:2-31; Job 38-41)!6
Thus, man is purposely made in God’s image and likeness as His highest creation and is not a freak accident of something coming out of nothing then evolving (Genesis 1:26). From the dust of the earth the Almighty God created him to live before Him as an eternal son (Genesis 2:7). Knowing all things, God would not be foiled or frustrated when the creature of His love fell and came under judgment. Instead, before there was ever a creation, it had already been decided that Jesus Christ would come and be man’s Deliverer from sin by taking the penalty of death upon Himself. Now, because of Him, man can be restored to obtain the eternal destiny God created him for (Romans 5:6-11, 16:25-27; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Titus 1:1-3; Hebrews 2:5-18; Revelation 21:1-8).7 So, then, whose report will you believe: fallen men or God’s?
1 Get a print copy or digital download of the book at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You can
also get a print copy of the book on sale in the Strong Man Store.
2 For this reason, brothers in Christ such as Ken Ham and David Rives should be celebrated in the Body of Christ today for their courage in politely, yet, vigorously
standing up to the giant god of evolution and its secular science devotees. These Christian men of science affirm its exciting proper role in discovering, observing, re-
cording, being astounded by and celebrating God’s handiwork when guided by His Word!
3 Google “average age of death.” The heavens and earth under death and the curse show the same kind of rapid and devastating decay (aging) mankind does over a
very short approximately 6,000 year span dating by the Bible would indicate (see article at Answers In Genesis) and doctrinally affirm (Psalm 102:23-27; Hebrews 1:
10-12). Therefore, the dating methods of science that use the actual elements of the creation to measure the passage of time, for example, are flawed from the outset
since these elements have been aged and are aging in accord with God imposed death and His curse. The power of God to rapidly ruin to death is displayed by Jesus
Christ (Mark 11:12-14, 20-22)! Even so, to the glory of God who subjected the creation to death and His curse, it and we in Christ first have hope of soon deliverance
through Him (Psalm 102:28; Romans 8:18-25; 1 John 2:15-17)!
4 See the introduction of the July 14, 2019 post, A Man’s Responsibility To Provide, under the categories, Biblical Worldview and God’s Creatures.
5 They instead, illogically and idolatrously give the glory of biological programming to “mother nature” on faith as a false religious invention while purposely suppressing
the truth of God (Romans 1:18)!
6 God is not only the Programmer, but the active Controller of His creation to include its natural elements, supernatural creatures, ruinous afflictions of death and death
itself (Mark 4:35-5).
7 Restoring men through Jesus Christ is the joyful cause and work of this Ministry. Read the June 29, 2014 post, Fully Restoring Men and posted on July 6, 2014, Christ:
Model Of Perfect Manhood! both under the category, Instruction.
As the Lord led, I ended the August 4, 2019 post, Man No Freak Accident, under the category, Biblical Worldview, speaking of God’s eternal destiny for man. God’s originally planned eternal destiny for man is now for faithful followers of Jesus Christ and glorious beyond human words! Even so, we are given glimpses of man’s astounding eternal destiny in Christ through words He and His apostles spoke that were written down in Holy Scripture. These Scriptures were meant for us to understand through the illuminating agency of the Holy Spirit sent into the world for that very purpose among other of His responsibilities (John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
Truly, man is not only a creature, but God’s highest creation as the only of His creatures expressly made in the divine image and likeness! Let’s get it said right here as Scripture does that this amazing truth applies equally to man as male and female as God designed each respectively to function in serving His purposes in this present mortal age (Genesis 1:26-28, 5:1-2).1 Just because God did not initially speak of man’s eternal destiny as immortals, does not mean this was not His plan from the beginning; a plan postponed by God only after man’s fall as foreknown by Him since Christ as Savior was already set to come (Genesis 3:22-24; 2 Timothy 1:8-11)!
As I wrote in another place, the first stage of human existence is mortal.2 However, the second, last and ultimate end of mortal man is immortality whether as condemned rebels forever with fallen angels in Hell or redeemed by grace through faith in the Gospel of and standing with Christ in eternal glory (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 25:31-46)! Those that stand with Christ fulfill with Him the spiritual end of God’s creation of man which is to be eternal sons to rule over all of His created works including angels (1 Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 2:5-13).3 The creation of man from the dust in mortal, natural bodies begins with the original man, Adam (Genesis 2:7).
In a context explaining to the church at Corinth how essential the possibility of resurrection from the dead is and the reality of Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:1-34), the apostle Paul presents the means of it and why it is necessary beginning with mortal Adam (1 Corinthians 15:35-58). Explaining the means of resurrection, Paul unapologetically points to God in power and wisdom! In accord with His mighty power and eternal plans prepared in advance, Paul teaches God makes the second, immortal stage of man possible by overcoming death through resurrection and metamorphosis as is commonly seen, for example, in the planting of a grain seed (1 Corinthians 15:35-44).
Adam introduced death to himself and “the world” in the instant of his disobedience to God as he had been warned would occur (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6-11, 17-19; Romans 5:12, NKJV). Death has reigned from Adam--the first and federal head of mankind as well as “a type of Him who was to come” as Deliverer--through sin ever since even during the centuries without law from God (Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:13-14, NKJV). However, in God’s “grace” and perfect timing He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to earth “born of a woman” and “under the law” with the free gift of salvation, eternal life and “adoption as sons” through faith in Him (Romans 5:15-21; Galatians 4:4-6, NKJV)!4
Summarizing the apostle Paul’s teaching from 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, the first Adam is of the earth and was brought to life by God from its dust. Like him, all mankind is of the earth too, bears Adam’s fallen creature image and shares in his experience of death. But Jesus Christ the second and last Adam is from Heaven having eternally been God, the Son and Word of God (John 1:1-5, 14-18). Though in His incarnation a body was “prepared for” Him, He always “Am”; ready to give eternal life to all who believe on Him (Luke 1:26-35; John 8:51-58; Hebrews 10:5-7, NKJV)! Those who line up behind Christ as their Head by faith are made spiritual sons of Heaven and live forever bearing His glorious immortal image as planned before time by God (Romans 8:29-30).
Still limited by their earthbound thinking, many professed Christians refuse to believe God will do anything different with our bodies at the resurrection to immortality other than what we have now in form and function as male and female after the first Adam. However, Paul teaches that while these natural, mortal “flesh and blood” bodies do come first, they “cannot inherit the kingdom of God” and a metamorphosis is required (1 Corinthians 15:50-53, NKJV)!5 Because Christ’s former mortal body has already undergone the metamorphosis to immortality, Paul writes we no longer “know Him” after “the flesh” and are to already be enjoying in Him the “new” things He now enjoys to be fully revealed to and in us at His coming (2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2, NKJV).6
1 As I write in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics, although the female version of man bears the image and likeness of God as creature glory after the
man, Adam, that glory nevertheless, is fully the glory of the divine image and likeness (1 Corinthians 11:7)! You can get a print copy of the book on sale in the
Strong Man Store.
2 See the July 3, 2016 post, Man As God Designed Him, under the category, God’s Creatures.
3 See the June 19, 2016 post, Eternal Sons Of God, under the category, Instruction.
4 Read the three-part post beginning January 29, 2017, Jesus, Son Of Man, under the category, The Cause.
5 Read the two-part post beginning May 18, 21014, The Body Beautiful, under the category, God’s Creatures.
6 Read the three-part post beginning July 10, 2016, Raised To Immortal Glory, and the July 31, 2016 post, The Immortal Bodies Of God’s Eternal Sons, all under the
category, God’s Creatures.
Still at the head of the New Year and on the eve of another February Black History Month, I am posting what the Lord led me to write for all, but especially the young, black American male inmates that read the print version of The Strong Man Of God Monthly Newsletter distributed by Strong Man Ministries to mostly Oregon and Washington prisons.1 These young men fill prisons across America. In the cause of Strong Man Ministries to restore men, their families and communities, I have gone forth as its Director into the prisons, streets, schools, football fields and basketball courts preaching the Gospel, teaching God’s Word and witnessing Christ to the end of saving even a willing few.2
Devontay was among the most promising of the twentysomethings I had encountered in our prison ministry. He was street smart, tough, but real and humble about wanting to turn his life around as I write in this anecdote. I have only done a minor edit and added footnotes to it. If it would be helpful to steer other young people (to include any of his four children) away from what he had endured in his life and suffered from his admitted poor choices which is my aim (hence, “cautionary” in the title) then, Devontay would be glad for me to put this post out. May it be so, Lord!
(There will not be a post next week, February 7th as I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with my wife--praise the Lord! The Lord willing, my next post will be on the following Sunday evening, February 14th.)
Originally Published January 2021
The news put me in shock as the sudden death of those we know always does. I had not heard about the tragic early morning accident on the local television news shows I typically watch as I learned later was reported on. I found out about the accident that ended the mortal life of 27 year-old Devontay Rhodes back on October 22, 2020 from another one of my spiritual sons in the Christian faith who is on lockdown at Oregon’s Deer Creek Correctional Institution (DRCI), Martin Lockett, in a letter he wrote to me just before Thanksgiving.3 He thought I knew.
Martin had met Devontay when they were both at Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI). Devontay was transferred there after first being at the Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI) in the fall of 2015 where I encountered him as a participant in our Ministry’s Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study.4 Even now, my heart breaks thinking about how so very young he was and too many of our black American incarcerated males are. Unlike many of his peers though, bright, energetic and determined Devontay was genuinely eager for change in his life.
When an upcoming periodic baptismal service was announced during the study, Devontay requested that I baptize him. As a seasoned pastor, I proclaimed the Gospel to him to make sure the faith in Christ he professed rested on biblical grounds. However, I declined to baptize him until I had the opportunity to instruct him more in what it was about. He was disappointed, but clearly undeterred because he showed up at the service requesting again to be baptized. I relented. After giving him instruction, I baptized him.
As it turned out, Devontay was transferred soon after and I could not do any further instruction except through correspondence. I also wrote and asked Martin to help Devontay in the faith and he did up until his release. After his release, Devontay called me with some life issues I gave biblical counsel on how to handle. Then, began what became only our occasional phone contacts and more recently, e-mail exchanges until his death. In fact, we last exchanged e-mails this past August 31st in his renewed desire to live for Christ. I sent him a final follow-up e-mail on September 22nd.
My August e-mail to Devontay was like most of our previous phone conversations and e-mails with me providing biblical counsel on a life issue that went unheeded (Proverbs 19:21). In it, I addressed his ambition to be a bartender as a Christian and gave one reason it was incompatible with our faith being that serving alcohol to some led to intoxicated driving and tragic accidents. He died thirty days later ironically after a man charged with DUII crashed into his car on Oregon’s I-84. Devontay was eager for change in relationship with Christ, but was just not ready to do all of what He requires to obtain it! What about you? You only have so much time (Luke 9:23-26, 13:1-9)!
1 Subscription to the digital E-version of the newsletter is available.
2 Learn more about our evangelism and ministry among youth by visiting the Strong Man Minute Page on the Strong Man Ministries Web Site, The Strong Man Of God.Org.
3 Learn more about our ongoing national Books To USA Prisons Project on the Give Page of the Strong Man Of God Web Site.
4 This is the same Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study available for purchase in the Strong Man Store and most major internet booksellers.
In spite of demonically hateful feminist ideology that despises her; the Bible’s woman, the aspiring great woman of God in the image of Jesus Christ alone enjoys His full favor and blessing now, as well as promise of eternal glory! Who is she? Why is she called “great?” What is her purpose and assignments from God in this present age? What is her reward besides being called “great?” I rejoice the Lord blessed me to answer those questions in two chapters of my previously published book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics.1 Now, from and expanding on those chapters, The Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study will be released this October 8, 2020.2
As I wrote in this year’s Mother’s Day post,3 “in my book...and The Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study I endeavor as the Lord leads to restore the biblical worldview of womanhood for Christians and churches that have lost their way in the feminist rebellion underway near the end of this present mortal age (Psalm 2:1-3). The Lord Jesus has led me to call women that in His image passionately seek to please God and do His will great! For just as man is no freak accident of the cosmos, neither is woman; purposely, tenderly built by God from a rib He ‘had taken from man’ and brought to him in the first marriage (Genesis 2:21-25, NKJV).”
From the Bible as the Lord leads, I define Christian males that would be strong men of God in the image of Jesus Christ as those who live to please Him and do His will. As the perfect counterpart, this is also the definition of Christian females that would be great women of God in the Lord’s image! Strong and great as terms do not replace defining what a Christian is in basic form as one that has repented of their sins and believed on Christ for salvation and eternal life. The terms speak to what God in His Word repeatedly lays out as His will for the kind of person in nature, character and demeanor after the image of Christ He desires to be displayed and constructs in man (Romans 8:29).
Though they start split apart like a wishbone on two ends of the same bone (called man) by purposeful divine design of gender (Genesis 1:27, 2:21-23, 5:1-2), spiritually, God has the Christian male and female coming together at the point on the other end that is the image of Christ! Thus, for Christian males to aspire to be strong is Christ; for Christian females to aspire to be great is Christ as each respectively arrives at the end of God’s purposeful regeneration and character building work (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:3-6; Hebrews 12:3-11). Each though, must be willing to voluntarily submit to God’s purposeful work in them which not all professed Christians are.
Joyful willingness to submit to God’s purpose for her as a female in pleasing and obeying Him in all of the related assignments to do His will during this mortal life as Christ, is the heart of the Christian female aspiring to be great in His sight (Philippians 2:5-8).4 Indeed, woman as female was created by God for the express purpose of being a lifelong companion in marriage to and helper of man as her male husband. Her foremost help to him in obedience to God is procreation (Genesis 1:28, 2:18-20, 24, 3:20). God uniquely designed female bodies to produce seed, receive male seed, conceive, carry in a womb, bear and nourish offspring. There is no denying these female body facts.
Moreover, God wired females naturally as mothers to nurture their children and as excellent multi-tasking managers of the home. In God’s order of mankind, the male husband is the head of the family and his wife submits to his leadership. In that context, they both have assigned responsibilities the Bible spells out.5 Interestingly, educated feminist icon, Betty Friedan, understood all of this. However, in the pride of her education, she found being a wife and mother alone dissatisfying and wanted something more; something more that men (white male in predominance) seemed to have in meaningful career choices and opportunities that also gave them the rewards of recognition, success and status. Her quest for liberation from barriers to these was born of her dissatisfaction and envy.6
Conversely, the aspiring great woman of God in the image of Christ like her examples in the Bible, is able to live in this fallen world with satisfaction because she does not derive it from the world, but God with whom she enjoys relationship (1 Samuel 1-2:11; John 20:1-18). He issues the invitation to come to Him “everyone who thirsts” from lack of satisfaction with the things of this world to include careers and rewards as many men and women have painfully experienced over the past generation (Isaiah 55:1-3; John 7:37-39, NKJV).7 Truly, Jesus Christ Himself is His follower’s “exceedingly great reward,” (Genesis 15:1; Luke 10:38-42, NKJV)! There is no need to envy if one is already content inwardly as the aspiring great woman of God is (Proverbs 23:17-18; Isaiah 26:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:6-8).
The Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study arrives during a time of tremendous social upheaval, turmoil, disorder and contention in the world. New Christians especially need to be properly introduced to the faith and along with Christian females reaching puberty, purposely taught the biblical worldview of womanhood to live out God’s design, purposes and assignments for them. Maturing female believers need sound, biblical instruction to challenge the worldly feminist notions of womanhood that have entered many churches over the past generation. This group study the Lord has led me to write is perfect for fathers as the family teacher, mothers their daughter’s first spiritual mother-mentor, pastors, women’s ministry leaders and teachers in the churches during these times.
1 A print copy or digital download of the book published by the Publishing Division of Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. with fresh editing in 2019 for greater clarity
and updated web addresses in the footnotes is available at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only).
You can also purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store.
2 Learn more about this new Strong Man Of God Brand Resource here.
3 See the May 10, 2020 post, Great In The Image Of Christ, under the category, The Cause.
4 Great In The Image Of Christ.
5 The Lord leads me in my book along with the men’s and women’s group studies to recover, present and explain their roles and responsibilities from His Word.
6 This is not to say women do not have righteous ground to stand on insisting that employment opportunities not exclusively ordained for men should be denied them.
Neither should they be paid less than a man when hired to do the same job. However, women working, competing against and displacing men just because they should
be able to out of a newly constructed definition of equality or boredom for example, has not only challenged God’s ancient instructions on human social order and organi-
zation in the Bible, but predictably brought forth the unforeseen consequences of family and societal dysfunction and fracture. Also, Friedan’s rebellion a generation later
has seen what is deemed “reproductive freedom” in the murder of their unborn added to the agenda of the Women’s Rights Movement. Rebel allies have also been
spawned in related movements such as those advocating for gay, lesbian and transgender rights. This is precisely why feminism in rebellion against and at war with God
is completely incompatible with biblical Christianity. No professed Christian should be part of, supporting or endorsing it in any measure lest they also impossibly at the
same time as claiming to love the Lord, be found fighting in rebellion against Him (Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22)!
7 While more men than women commit suicide and it is true many factors go into why anyone does so, life and career satisfaction are prominently among them as the re-
cent suicides of some high profile successful personalities would seem to indicate. See the January 2020 CDC Report and be sure to examine the two tables that display
the suicide rates by occupational groupings and gender.
Happy Mother’s Day to my wife and all of my sisters in Christ! Memories of mom on Mother’s Day are hard to avoid for those of us who have had them depart this life. My own mother, Bettie Kelley, left my siblings and me for glory ten years ago on the 14th of this month--a time post living through the current global Coronavirus pandemic has not caused me to forget. How glad I am she as an unwed nineteen-year-old surrendered to the Lord to have me; my father to step up and marry her! Whether Christian women realize it or not, they aspire to be great in the image of Jesus Christ to the extent they humbly submit to God’s assigned roles, responsibilities and order for them as females.
The Lord Jesus Christ was foretold by the angel, Gabriel, to His mother, Mary, that among other things, ‘“He will be great,’” (Luke 1:32, NKJV). Webster’s Dictionary defines great as an adjective in part to mean “Superior; outstanding, eminent; renowned.” Encarta Dictionary adds “important” and “powerful.” Defining great as a noun Encarta states, “Somebody whose fame or influence has proved to be long-lasting.” Beyond debate Jesus Christ fulfills all of these definitions of great whether one follows Him in a personal relationship or not as any history book documenting events of the past 2,000 years must affirm! Indeed, He is the greatest Man ever and forever!
In my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics,1 previous posts2 and still being edited The Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study I endeavor as the Lord leads to restore the biblical worldview of womanhood for Christians and churches that have lost their way in the feminist rebellion underway near the end of this present mortal age (Psalm 2:1-3). The Lord Jesus has led me to call women that in His image passionately seek to please God and do His will great! For just as man is no freak accident of the cosmos, neither is woman; purposely, tenderly built by God from a rib He “had taken from man” and brought to him in the first marriage (Genesis 2:21-25, NKJV).
God created the woman to be the man’s lifelong wife, not just another human being he could choose to engage with or not! As the man’s wife, God expressly made the woman to be his companion and helper and said so (Genesis 2:18). The man’s intimate companion and helper, along with governing support the woman was to help him bring forth more of their kind in accord with God’s will (Genesis 1:27-28). Her role assignment in this by God’s purposeful design of her body was to receive her husband’s seed in their intimacy, conceive, carry in her womb, birth, nourish and nurture their offspring as a mother which is embodied in the descriptive name he gave her (Genesis 3:20).
Humbly submitting to God’s will for her in the image of Jesus Christ calls forth the Christian woman’s designation by Him as great as it did Christ when He submitted as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” (Revelation 13:8, NKJV).3 For if it took complete humility and self-emptying denial to submit to God and do His will as Christ did in a sinless body (Matthew 26:36-44; Philippians 2:5-8), what about the godly woman with a sin nature and choice that does so (Luke 1:38)? The power of this reality is clearly seen when contrasted with the rebellious outcry of feminists in these latter days that so resent their divine assignment, they even murder their children in the womb!
How thoroughly deceived they are by the powers of darkness since a mother’s womb is a place of life; the only begotten Son of God even hearing from His Father who also mentions His name while He was in His mother’s womb (Isaiah 49:1; Matthew 1:18-25)! And though a wide swath of professing Christianity has gone blasphemously too far exalting Mary by making her equal to her Son, she is first in line among all godly women that are great in His image. She expressed understanding of this prophetically in her Holy Spirit inspired praise to God for what He had done in selecting her to be the mother of Christ (Luke 1:46-50). She was already going to be a wife and mother, but because of her humble submission to God long before and when He called, she became great in His sight!
Selfish and ungodly mothers that would murder your unborn on the altar of convenience: how do you know that the child conceived in you is unworthy of life and one that will not be used mightily of God (Psalm 22:9-10)? Indeed, every son and daughter with joy remembers for life their mother who in love bore them; mom, that taught and succored them (John 19:26-27). The destiny of all males after Christ and in Him if they are willing is to be strong--thank You, Lord, for saving me from death before birth; females, great because God eternally remembers and rewards your humble submission to Him in this life (1 Timothy 2:15)! Therefore, let every professed Christian woman aspire to be great in the sight God by humbly seeking to please Him and do His will in all submission.
1 Get a print copy or digital download of the book at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You can also
purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store.
2 See for examples, my April 22, 2018 post, The Value Of Women To God and Weak Women Made Great posted May 13,, 2018 both under the category, God’s Creatures.
3 Read more about Christ’s display of submission in the February 12, 2017 post, Jesus, Son Of Man, Pt. 3, under the category, The Cause.
In this first of two follow-up posts I will make this month to my Prostate Cancer announcement last week, as the Lord leads, I want to briefly present a few reflections. First though, for the sake of those that may not know what a prostate is much less cancer in it, as I had to learn, the prostate gland is exclusively an organ of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland produces and adds supporting secretions of seminal fluid to sperm on its way up from the testes at the heart of each of two testicles and through the penis during ejaculation. It is the size of a chestnut. The prostate sits just below the bladder and surrounds the tube flowing down from it for urination.1
It is not known exactly why the prostate in men over fifty enlarges and squeezes the urination tube causing issues. Researchers are also not certain about why cancer develops in the prostate. Beyond heredity and genetic predisposition, one theory suggests the stimulation of increased production of testosterone due to a high fat diet. The testosterone in turn stimulates dormant cancer cells. Some men live well into old age with slow growing cancer and no major symptoms. Others like me and a high incidence of other black American males, experience the more aggressive forms of the cancer and medical science does not have definitive answers as to why on this either.2
Consequently, I urge all men age 50 and older, but especially black Americans to get screened for and remain engaged with your doctor watching out for signs of Prostate Cancer which left untreated, may lead to a premature death. I make the foregoing encouragement remembering and acknowledging with gratitude the urging from one of my former High School classmates some years back to give attention to the issue as one very important for men. However, my reply then, remains the same today even now, with the temporal affliction. The greater and most important need of men and my assignment from the Lord is to preach the Gospel for the eternal salvation of their souls!
Indeed, my first reflection from being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer is an offering of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for saving a wretched sinner like me as with all of humanity, destined to die from something because of sin (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:17-19; Ezekiel 18:4; Hebrews 9:27)! For in His grace and my repentance, I believed the Gospel on Easter Sunday 1977 I also preach that Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day after. At the same time I was also indwelt by and filled with the Holy Spirit who brought me to new birth and eternal spiritual life (John 1:11-13, 3:1-8, 14-18; Acts 2:36-40; Romans 6:23, 10:5-15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Thus, while in accord with the Lord’s promise my body will not die from Prostate Cancer as one of many ways sin works ruin and death in mankind, it will eventually die from whatever cause. I am so glad for His salvation that assures not only my soul lives in and with Him forever, but also “through the Gospel” like Him, resurrection to immortal glory (John 11:23-27, 14:1-6, 17:24; 2 Timothy 1:8-10, NKJV)!3 A second reflection is inspired of the foregoing reality and has led to another praise offering to God for “fearfully and wonderfully” creating me a mortal man (Psalm 139:13-14, NKJV)! For I have been reminded again the whole human body is an amazing living machine God created.
The prostate in the mortal body of man the male as one part of our reproductive system is uniquely and purposely designed by God to facilitate the fathering of children within the context of marriage (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:21-25, 3:20, 4:1). This truth led me to a third related reflection and praise offering to God. After being presented and rejecting surgery to remove my prostate, I realized I could still live without all of my reproductive parts as man and was not ultimately defined by them! This affirmed again to me what God from His Word caused me to understand and teach concerning His design of our future immortal bodies. Since there will be no marriage or procreation in that day, bodily reproductive equipment will no longer be needed (Luke 20:27-40; 1 Corinthians 15:20-57).4
1 All of the general information I am writing about the prostate and cancer to it is readily available on the internet using your favorite search engine.
2 See the article on African American men and prostate cancer at the National Cancer Institute Web Site.
3 Barring any life ending accident or martyrdom, I already have Coronary Artery Disease and High Blood Pressure as the aging process adds more ways for my body to die. I am not taking my mortal life lightly, but keeping it real that my body will in time die from something. Until then, I am experiencing the truth as it is written: “Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death,” (Psalm 68:20, NKJV). I am also comforted to know when I go, I will go to Him who has saved my soul (2 Corinthians 5:1-8)!
4 Learn more about the immortal destiny of mankind in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. It is available with the companion Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study and Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study in the Strong Man Store, at your favorite internet bookseller or brick and mortar bookstore. Also, read posts the Lord led me to make throughout the month of July 2016.
As God would have it in His prophetic Word, the triumphant possession of and reign by the saints under Christ over this present earth restored is not the end of the matter glorious as this is.1 Their reign is temporary; limited to a millennium by the continuing presence of sin in mortal man and God’s planned eternal order restoration with new cosmic and earth designs. It is sin in mortals that requires the use of a “rod of iron” in the mix of methods the Lord and the saints use to rule during the millennium (Psalm 2:6-9; Revelation 2:26-27, 12:5, 19:15, NKJV).2 Even so, God said long ago “My Spirit shall not strive with” sinful mortal “man forever,” (Genesis 6:3; Isaiah 57:15-16, NKJV).
Under the just and peaceful reign of Christ and the saints mortals will experience unparalleled blessings from God. Not the least of these blessings will be free, universal healthcare since naturally occurring mental torments, diseases and sicknesses will not be present except as permitted for punitive purposes on sinning individuals. They will not be demonically initiated because Satan and his hordes will be confined to the “bottomless pit” under the earth (Revelation 20:1-3, NKJV). The perfect health of mortals will be as God promised Israel for obedience in the Promised Land and when Christ came to them in the first century A.D. (Exodus 23:20-26; Matthew 15:29-31).
Truly, it is in critical part for Israel’s sake and the covenants God made with their fathers and especially king David that the intermediary millennium earth reign of Christ with the saints over mortal sinners takes place! David had presided over Israel as king before God at its pinnacle; ushering forth a covenant from God with him to seat a descendant on his throne as an everlasting kingdom which Christ fulfills (2 Samuel 7:8-17; Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:26-33; John 18:33-38, 19:17-22). Righteous Jews and His disciples had been waiting for the Kingdom which after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus indirectly affirmed would come in God’s timing (Luke 23:50-24:12; 36-49; Acts 1:4-11).3
Now, at His return finally, the Kingdom comes to earth and Israel! The elect remnant of mortal Israel and surviving Gentiles live long in prosperity and peace under the rule of Christ and the saints (Isaiah 65:20-25). After a millennium of no birth control, miscarriages, abortions and limited death from natural, purposeful or accidental causes, the earth is filled with humanity from all nations. All is well until in the sovereign God’s perfect timing and will, Satan and his hordes are released from their prison. They waste no time deceiving and stirring up vast numbers from the Gentile nations to rebel and amass for suicidal war against Christ, the saints and Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-17; Revelation 20:7-8).4
However, no war takes place. As soon as the legions of demons and deceived mortals are positioned around Jerusalem, “city of the great King” and royal home base of the saints (Psalm 48:1-3), the Father rains down holy fire from Heaven upon them (Revelation 20:9). It is a consuming fire like, but exceedingly greater than that which consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, Nadab and Abihu and the offering of Elijah in days of old (Genesis 19:24-25; Leviticus 10:1-3; 1 Kings 18:30-39)! For not only will this fire from God consume every single assembled rebel mortal where they stand, but the whole physical universe and earth right down to microscopic particles and invisible elements. Indeed, for this cause sinful mortals have been on notice until now (Hebrews 12:25-29; 2 Peter 3:10-12).
In the divine initiated conflagration, Satan and his kingdom of fallen angels will be thrown into the eternally burning “lake of fire,” originally “prepared” just “for” them (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10, NKJV). Moments before His holy fire consumes every vestige of this present creation tainted by sin, God will transform elect Jews and noncombatants from mortal to immortal as protection and cause them to stand before the “throne” and “Judgment seat of Christ” with all raised from the dead for that purpose (Isaiah 66:22; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:24-30; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 50-51; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Revelation 20:11-13, 15). For the Lord Jesus “must reign” until every enemy of God’s Kingdom is eternally put down (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 20:14, NKJV)!
Standing with the Lord Jesus Christ and the holy angels in the eternal spiritual environment of divine righteousness, all written in His Book of Life will witness the amazing power of God as the promised new heavens and earth are brought forth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). There is no sun or moon and a newly designed earth is without oceans. Out of Heaven God places His built “holy city, New Jerusalem” on the earth as the apostle John was shown. Then he heard this loudly spoken: ‘“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself (the Father) will be with them and be their God’” to the joy of His eternally reigning sons who will inherit it all (Isaiah 65:18-19, 66:24; Revelation 21:2-22:5, NKJV).5
1 This post is the final of a total of three presenting and exploring the Lord’s promise that The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth posted on July 12, 2020 under the categories,
Black History and Encouragement. It was followed by the July 19, 2020 post, Ruling The Earth Under Christ, under the category, Bible prophecy.
2 Shepherds have used a wooden rod with sheep to guide, coral or redirect the wayward back into the fold and as a weapon to repel predators from ancient times (Exo-
dus 3:1, 4:1-2). Whether understood literally or figuratively, the “rod of iron” wielded by Christ and the saints is surely intended to convey firmness in righteous gover-
nance and severity of retribution upon rebels.
3 Read the January 28, 2014 two-part post, Jesus: The Jewish Messiah, under the category, Holidays. Also, see the December 20, 2015 re-post, Reigning With Christ
On Earth and The Day Of Israel’s Comfort posted on June 12, 2016 both under the category Bible Prophecy.
4 Clearly, the Lord demonstrates His infinite knowledge, wisdom and righteousness in allowing us to see for a millennium the amazing difference for good a world without
the kingdom of darkness holding sway makes. Tragically, we also see as He foreknew how susceptible imperfect mortal mankind as sinners are to the deceiving work
of the deceiver and his demon minions upon their return from below the earth! Finally too, between the first coming and return of Christ we understand why God re-
quired fallen mortals to “be born again” so, they might receive a new nature (John 3:1-8, NKJV)!
5 To learn about aspiring strong men and great women of God in the image of Jesus Christ as eternal sons, get my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. A
print copy or digital download of the book is available at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You
can also purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store. From the book as the Lord led, I also wrote a 2013 blog re-posted on June 19, 2016 you can read entitled, E-
ternal Sons Of God, under the category, Instruction.
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