World WITHOUT covetousness

 

Luke 12:30

King James Version

30 For all these things 

do the nations of the world seek after: 

and your Father knoweth 

that ye have need of these things.

What is covetousness?

What are its consequences?

EIGHT points came to mind:

FIRST, let Dictionary define "covetousness":

"eager or excessive desire, 

especially for wealth or possessions"

SECOND, I will share with you my born again thoughts.

From a glaring example in the recent news.

Most of us know about the cargo ship that lost power.

Crashing into the substructure of a bridge.

My initial thoughts, upon seeing the accident?

What a HUMONGOUS container ship!

Would its top have fit under the bridge?

So, I watched other videos by engineers.

One said ships were not as loaded in times past.

I took one look at that cargo ship, and imagined it to be a city.

Look, I come from the Philippines.

We are notorious for our "balikbayan" boxes.

We love sending stuff back home.

Couriers have made big money from us.

I've laughed at myself.

I've laughed at my co-Filipinos.

Trying to navigate ramps, or sending those boxes.

Those cargo ships contain our boxes, too.

We are literally "part and parcel" of ship cargo.

And I see that cargo ship, maxxed.

Like a floating city.

How much of our boxes are in those containers?

Not to mention other countries who send their goods.

Raw materials, industrial parts, dry goods.

Toxic materials, even contraband.

One man's "garbage", another man's "treasure"?

We also know some containers contain people.

Would they have survived the crash, and delay?

THIRD, as with accidents, the truth will come out.

Whether it be mechanical error, human error, bad weather, strong waves, or acts of terrorism.

Or a combination of all that.

Or maybe none of those.

What do we know, really?

At first, upon hearing the ship "lost" power, a thought occurred.

Is it an EMP attack?

It can cause electronics to shut dead.

Though reports also said that ship had problems before.

If that be so, why is it sailing?

And with a LOAD such as THAT!

Of course, people will blame each other.

Can you imagine the loss of income, jobs, delays in delivery, insurance costs, suing, and counter-suing?

And all the investigations that would follow.

Everyone protecting their own interests, and all.

As I would always remind myself -- only GOD knows our hearts.

Only He knows our intentions.

We can lie to each other.

But we can't lie to GOD.

I once saw a documentary on how they load container ships.

I marvel at such feat.

It's all computerized.

It would be interesting to work in a dockyard. 

A container yard, whatever you call it.

Wikipedia says the largest container ship can carry UP to 24,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units).

I marvel at man's mind.

At his creativity, and ingenuity.

But I cringe at his greed.

FOURTH, do we really need all the things we claim we need?

New models for cars, gadgets, homes, and industries?

New materials for fashion?

New ingredients for exotic meals?

I look to my old gadgets, pleased at its usefulness.

"Coz you don't have the money," people might say.

I sure don't, for upgrades.

But why upgrade when you don't need to?

To keep up with the Joneses?

For social media posts?

To be accepted?

To be hip?

And all because I saw that cargo ship.

Filled to the top.

Crashing against that substructure.

Taking with it several lives of workers.

Who were merely fixing potholes on the bridge.

Not realizing that would be their last day.

Another body was found today.

There is also great danger to the salvage crews.

If it takes great engineering minds to design, and maintain such industries, now, we need even greater engineering minds to fix all that's broken.

If it takes great financial minds to create such industries, now, we need even greater financial minds to compute what's left, and to settle for suits.

It's a challenge to everyone.

I actually am not surprised that bridge fell.

We have brilliant engineers, for sure.

But can ANY structure take the weight of an oncoming ship that SIZE, and with that WEIGHT?

It seems to have taken a momentum, all its own.

I don't have to be a math or physics whiz, to know the force the bridge took.

They said that bridge takes 10,000 motor vehicles each day.

But in one hit, from a ship below, it came crashing down.

Fixing the bridge has become a chore.

The cargo ship remains underneath it.

Loss of income is like $194-M daily.

Business are getting nervous.

A cruise ship is stuck at harbor.

Same with many other cargo ships.

Other ships can't come in.

They're thinking of creating an alternate route.

But it's too shallow, only 11 feet deep.

Business are thinking of suing.

What's to be left of the company to be sued?

To further complicate matters, the ship has many other owners.

Leased, or passed on, who takes the responsibility?

Who's to answer for all the damage?

My heart goes out to all who are suffering.

There will be loss of jobs.

Maybe, a folding up of companies.

FIFTH, as born again, all I care is that we love GOD.

That we care about others.

That we believe in JESUS.

That we obey the LORD's commands.

That we are ready, anytime GOD says, "It's time for my Son to bring home Our faithful."

If you're still waiting for your raw goods, war goods, and all other goods to come from any ship, maybe you'll miss the MOST important ship.

GOD's ship has come in.

He sent His prophets.

He sent His last Emissary.

That Emissary has sent His apostles.

Those apostles have shared the gospel.

Are you aware of it yet?

That the ONLY thing that will remain is GOD's WORD?

We can't live off materialism.

Job knew it.

Job 1:21

King James Version

21 And said, 

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, 

and naked shall I return thither: 

the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; 

blessed be the name of the Lord.

SIXTH, covetousness is idolatry, just so you know.

Colossians 3:5

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Without covetousness, there will be no "climate change".

Without covetousness, there will be no excess garbage.

Without covetousness. people will be content.

Without covetousness, people can focus on GOD.

SEVENTH, GOD warned against covetousness:

Exodus 20:17

King James Version

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, 

nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, 

nor his ox, nor his ass, 

nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

EIGHT, JESUS warned against covetousness:

Luke 12:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Take heed, 

and beware of covetousness: 

for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance 

of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:23-24

King James Version

23 The life is more than meat, 

and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: 

for they neither sow nor reap; 

which neither have storehouse nor barn; 

and God feedeth them: 

how much more are ye better 

than the fowls?

Luke 12:25-26

King James Version

25 And which of you with taking thought 

can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, 

why take ye thought for the rest?

Luke 12:27

King James Version

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: 

they toil not, they spin not; 

and yet I say unto you, 

that Solomon in all his glory 

was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke 12:28

King James Version

28 If then God so clothe the grass, 

which is to day in the field, 

and to morrow is cast into the oven; 

how much more will he clothe you, 

O ye of little faith?

Luke 12:29-31

King James Version

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, 

or what ye shall drink, 

neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do 

the nations of the world seek after: 

and your Father knoweth 

that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; 

and all these things shall be added unto you.

Was that ship representative of our "covetousness"?

Has that cargo ship, the incident, and the resulting loss, chaos, and headaches, representative of what GOD wants us to look into?

Is there a "humbling" going on?

We must KEEP our eyes on the "prize" --

ETERNAL LIFE with JESUS.

Because we LOVE GOD, above all.

And not the temporary things of this world.

Which give but temporary satisfaction.

And TONS of headache.

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The SONG in your HEART

 

Isaiah 30:29

King James Version

29 Ye shall have a song, 

as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; 

and gladness of heart, as when one goeth 

with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, 

to the mighty One of Israel.

We were all born with a song.

A song we sang in the womb.

A song that GOD gave us.

A song that will forever remain with us.

Have you found your song?

Have you sung it?

Or, perhaps, you've forgotten you had one?

Did the world encroach too much upon you?

So much so, you forgot that song?

Did the LORD's enemy muddle your thinking?

Did he make you forget?

There is a solution.

For all who have forgotten.

Pray to be born again.

You need to be born again.

To be a new man.

The old man has forgotten.

Your song waits for you.

Pray to know who you really are.

Unless you already know, and just don't want to admit it.

Or thinking you won't make money from it.

Money gets in the way, you see.

It kills your dream.

It devours your gift.

It makes you forget your song.

You once had a song.

Which continues to beat wildly in your heart.

Surely, you knew what you were good at.

Wherein you did things effortlessly.

Where others labored, you zoomed through.

As if there was nothing to it.

You were a natural at it.

Was it art, dance, writing, singing, teaching, convincing?

Perhaps, you had a thing for sports, or entertaining?

Maybe, you were a whiz at numbers?

Were you primed for leadership?

Did you have excellent memory?

Were you born popular?

What maverick lies in your heart?

What "genius" did GOD give you?

What spirit did GOD give you?

Genesis 2:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord God formed man 

of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils 

the breath of life; 

and man became a living soul.

His breath is in us.

Thus, His song is in us.

You didn't know that, didya?

It's up to us to remember.

There is no finding, if there's no digging.

There is no joy, if there is no sorrow.

There is no triumph, if there is no patience.

The solution?

Seek GOD first.

Jeremiah 29:13

King James Version

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me 

with all your heart.

Matthew 6:33

King James Version

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 

and his righteousness; 

and all these things shall be added unto you.

It's really the ONLY way.

That you may find your song.

SEEK GOD FIRST.

By ourselves, we can't do it.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

I thought you said we must seek GOD first.

Now, you say, without JESUS, we can do nothing?

Well, dears, GOD and JESUS are ONE.

JESUS said so.

John 10:30

King James Version

30 I and my Father are one.

Notice the people's reaction when JESUS declared that:

John 10:31-33

King James Version

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, 

Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; 

for which of those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, 

For a good work we stone thee not; 

but for blasphemy; 

and because that thou, being a man, 

makest thyself God.

Well, folks, those "stoners" haven't found their song.

If they did, they'd be following JESUS, and not stoning Him.

JESUS is that song.

Through Him, we live our lives.

Our gifts are meant to serve Him.

And to GLORIFY GOD, the FATHER.

I honestly hope you find the song GOD gave you.

Pray, to know.

ENJOY the JOURNEY!

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PEARL of GREAT price

 

JESUS speaks of a parable:

Matthew 13:45-46

King James Version

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven 

is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, 

went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What is that "pearl of great price"?

Why would you give up everything for it?

Why would you "sell" everything you own, just to "purchase"  it?

Here's what SPIRIT taught me:

JESUS is that "pearl of great price".

In Him is EVERYTHING.

Everything that you're seeking.

Everything that you're missing.

Everything that you long for.

JESUS is all of that.

He represents life, love, joy, peace, security, certainty.

All that is GOD.

Why wouldn't you give up everything, just to have the LORD?

The world withholds everything from you.

JESUS gives you EVERYTHING, freely.

He carries ALL the answers to our questions.

Without Him, we can do nothing.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

In Him is our salvation.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Every person has a hole in his heart.

A gap that remains unfulfilled.

If it were not so, why else the many distractions of the world?

The deadening addiction to lust, and alcohol?

The addiction to mind-altering substances?

The search for fulfillment?

The search for truth?

The search for peace?

People even go up on a mountain to find out.

In a desire to get away from the world's troubles.

And the troubles the world bring.

From chaos, confusion, and cruelty.

To discord, the dissonance, and death.

Hoping to find answers.

The world's too noisy.

Too many cacophonic voices vying for our attention.

Too many demands upon people's life, and time.

We need the silence -- what are we not seeing?

We need to review the work they do -- is it all worth it?

We need to review relationships -- are we in the right one?

Trying to make sense of it all.

Looking to a "higher being" for help.

Looking for the perfect "solution".

Looking for the "ULTIMATE" answer.

Knowing deep in our hearts, such a thing exists.

But what, we don't know what.

Everything is shielded from us.

The world tries its best to keep us ignorant.

Until the SPIRIT of GOD wakes us up.

And tells us about JESUS.

Then everything changes.

As I review this article, getting this far as I write it, SPIRIT alerts me to my own paradoxical experience:

People go up to the mountain 

to communicate with GOD.

In my case, He made me reach 

rock bottom to do that.

We don't need a "high".

We need a "low".

The lowest, if possible.

The supposedly scariest part of our lives.

And yet, only in adversity can that pearl of great price be revealed.

Bear note, the world defines that pearl differently.

It is material.

GOD defines it differently, too.

It is spiritual.

JESUS, our salvation, is that "pearl of great price".

As the pearl of GREAT price, JESUS took on the LOWEST form:

Isaiah 53:2-4

King James Version

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, 

and as a root out of a dry ground: 

he hath no form nor comeliness; 

and when we shall see him, 

there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; 

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: 

and we hid as it were our faces from him; 

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, 

and carried our sorrows: 

yet we did esteem him stricken, 

smitten of God, and afflicted.

Which goes in consonance with what JESUS said:

Matthew 23:11

King James Version

11 But he that is greatest among you 

shall be your servant.

May we recognize the PEARL , that is our LORD!

If you are born again, SPIRIT will make sure you do.

JESUS told us about GOD's SPIRIT:

John 15:26 

King James Version

26 But when the Comforter is come, 

whom I will send unto you from the Father, 

even the Spirit of truth, 

which proceedeth from the Father, 

he shall testify of me:

How else did I know JESUS is that "pearl of great price"?

Through SPIRIT.

John 14:26 

King James Version

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

As we're already on the subject of "pearls", let's meditate upon this other very-telling verse from JESUS:

Matthew 7:6

King James Version

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, 

neither cast ye your pearls before swine, 

lest they trample them under their feet, 

and turn again and rend you.

Once we know about JESUS, we share with the world.

Many will ignore us, but we must keep going.

And let the HOLY SPIRIT reach whom He is tasked to reach.

If you're reading this, then SPIRIT chose you.

In that, is my peace, as workman.

GOD's will be done.

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JESUS wants us

The LORD JESUS said:

Matthew 12:30

King James Version

30 He that is not with me is against me; 

and he that gathereth not with me 

scattereth abroad.

Are you where you need to be?

Or are you someplace else?

Are you constantly wandering?

Looking for something, which seems elusive?

Feeling that you are seeking a home?

Feeling that you need to be home?

Feeling that you're not home?

Feeling empty?

What is home for most of us?

A family that loves us.

A place of comfort and security.

A place to grow in.

What is home for the born again?

JESUS.

2 Corinthians 3:5

King James Version

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves 

to think any thing as of ourselves; 

but our sufficiency is of God;

If you want peace, you need to be home with JESUS.

This is how much JESUS wants you:

Matthew 9:10-13

King James Version

10 And it came to pass, 

as Jesus sat at meat in the house, 

behold, many publicans and sinners came 

and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, 

they said unto his disciples, 

Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

12 But when Jesus heard that, 

he said unto them, 

They that be whole need not a physician, 

but they that are sick.

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, 

I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: 

for I am not come to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance.

Luke 19:10

King James Version

10 For the Son of man is come to seek 

and to save that which was lost.

John 3:16-17

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world 

to condemn the world; 

but that the world through him 

might be saved.

Why are you all over the place?

Come home to JESUS now.

Know of His works.

Know of His Word.

Know of His love.

In JESUS is peace.

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It's ALL about GOD

 

Proverbs 25:2

King James Version

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: 

but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Five years ago, I started this blog.

I just wanted to know the core of my being.

Who was I?

What was I?

What was I here for?

What was I meant to do?

What was I meant to know?

I didn't know what answers I'd uncover.

I just knew I had to find out for myself.

I had no expectations; only lots of questions.

Perhaps, I'd been searching all my life.

I can't seem to follow the mainstream.

Where everything's cut and dried.

And you followed a set pattern.

Well, I loved uncovering those patterns.

So I don't end up a pattern.

And that I may alert you, too.

I wanted something original.

I just felt it in my bones.

That there was something more.

Thus, I called this blog, "Archaeologist of the Soul".

When you embark on a soul dig, you know it's going to be deep.

And yes, maybe messy.

Maybe even painful.

Yes, it was all that.

But you know what?

It's all so worth it.

After over 90 blogs, I can say that.

Less than a year after I embarked on this soul project of mine, GOD heard the cry of my heart.

He heard the repentant heart.

He knew I wanted real change.

He knew I wanted absolute truth.

What other truth would be there, but His?

He knew I was finally ripe, and ready, for His TRUTH.

All I know now, I learned through SPIRIT, and Scripture.

Only because GOD made me born again.

That was essential, otherwise I won't have SPIRIT to teach me.

He made the Bible clear for me.

That's the weirdest thing, in fact.

Where before, I'd circle the Bible, not knowing quite how to go about it, one day, it was made plain to me.

For every question I had, I'd turn to the Bible.

Verses were given me, to support every idea, or article.

It was, in fact, astounding that I got that far at all.

Considering my initial ignorance of Scripture.

I understood the Bible, as if I was a student of theology.

Which, of course, I wasn't.

But once the HOLY SPIRIT is your teacher, things are made plain.

Finally, I got to understand about GOD, JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Finally, I got to understand man's beginnings, even where he may end up in.

Finally, I learned EVERYTHING was ALL about GOD.

The Bible was His story.

Of how He created everything, and ruled everything.

Of how He was the Alpha, and the Omega -- the beginning, and the end.

Of how He created everything through His WORD, which happens to be JESUS.

Of how He created everything for His GLORY.

It was never about us.

It was always about GOD.

Everything was for His pleasure, for His delight, for His GLORY.

Just that the jealous cherub wanted all of that power.

Which he can't have, of course.

Still, he tried, through man.

And that's why there's so much trouble.

But JESUS is our HOPE, and believers will be just fine.

Just in case we don't know, or we forget, king David reminds us Who GOD Is:

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

King James Version

10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord 

before all the congregation: 

and David said, 

Blessed be thou, 

Lord God of Israel our father, 

for ever and ever.

11 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, 

and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: 

for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; 

thine is the kingdom, O Lord, 

and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honour come of thee, 

and thou reignest over all; 

and in thine hand is power and might; 

and in thine hand it is to make great, 

and to give strength unto all.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, 

and praise thy glorious name.

And Who better to exalt the FATHER, than His SON:

John 17:3-4

King James Version

3 And this is life eternal, 

that they might know thee the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: 

I have finished the work 

which thou gavest me to do.

There can only be peace in us, if we obey GOD.

If we bow to His will.

And believe He knows best.

For He really does.

JESUS taught us all that.

He lived what He taught.

SPIRIT reminds us of what JESUS taught.

It's time we let the lessons stick.

And worship the ONE, TRUE GOD.

Enough of other gods who cause us to stray.

And who make us worship them, or ourselves.

There is only the ONE, TRUE GOD.

The GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Only He deserves praise, glory, and worship.

And one day, all doubts will cease.

All strife will cease.

All suffering will cease.

Only because we've finally acknowledged GOD.

That's a certainty.

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