Who Is Yahweh (Jehovah) God Almighty? Who is Jesus Christ? How about the Holy Spirit?

Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? And how about the Holy Spirit? The entire Bible clearly supplies all the information we need in order to know about them, so here, I will briefly answer these basic and fundamental questions using the Bible, God's final written authority for us.

Why is knowing about God important? Accurate knowledge about Him is vital to our salvation. Read on...

God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit comprise what we call the "Holy Trinity." The Holy Trinity is a spiritual unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are "one" in a spiritual sense. To understand this oneness, we need to understand what the Bible says about marriage. It says that when a man and woman marry, they become "one flesh": "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24, NIV) That doesn't literally mean that they become one person. What it means is that they become "one" in spiritual unity. In the same way, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are "one" in spiritual unity; they are not literally "one God" in a physical sense. They share the same purpose, goals, and they work together harmoniously to achieve their plans.

Jesus wishes all Christians to achieve this oneness, as he indicated in his prayer to the Father: "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11) Please also carefully read John 17:20-26, which says:

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

The above passage helps us understand the concept of "oneness" or spiritual unity. Just as the Father (Yahweh) and the Son (Jesus) are "one," all believers are to be "one" with the Father and the Son. Did Jesus ask that all believers be literally one person? Of course not; that would be absurd.

The concept of "oneness" is described in two different ways: 1) we are one, and 2) you in me and I in you. For example, John 10:38 says, "The Father is in me [Jesus], and I in the Father." This verse often confuses people because they don't understand this spiritual oneness concept; they think that John 10:38 means that the Father (God) and the Son (Jesus) are the same person. On the contrary, it simply means that God and Jesus are "one" in a spiritual sense, not a physical sense. So if you see either kind of this wording in the Bible ("we are one" or "you in me and I in you"), you'll know that it means the same thing.

The concept of "oneness" runs throughout the New Testament, so it is very important to grasp this concept and understand it fully in order to understand the entire Bible.

Now, let us identify each member of the Holy Trinity using the Holy Scriptures.

The Father

The Father is the one and only true God Almighty, whose personal name is Yahweh ("Jehovah" in English, from "YHWH" in Hebrew). Yahweh said: "I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God." (Isaiah 45:5, WEB)

The name "Yahweh" means "He who chooses to become," meaning that He can be anything and do anything He wants. He indicates Himself as "I am that I am" for this reason. (Exodus 3:14) Simply put, He is Almighty.

Yahweh is the most supreme Being of the universe: "that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth." (Psalm 83:18)

Yahweh is the Creator of everything in the universe, both visible and invisible: "I am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself." (Isaiah 44:24)

Jesus tell us to call God "Our Father" in our prayers. (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus calls Yahweh both "my Father" and "my God." For example, before returning to his Father's side in heaven, Jesus said to Mary from Magdala, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17, NIV)

And after he was back at his Father's side in heaven, Jesus continues to call God "my God," as in: "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." (Revelation 3:12)

As in any father-son relationship, the Father is greater than Jesus, as Jesus said: "…the Father is greater than I." (John 14:28, ASV)

The apostle Paul confirmed this relationship between God and Jesus by urging us to glorify "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6) Yes, Yahweh is the God and Father of Jesus.

Paul also indicated that "the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God," and that we belong to Jesus and that Jesus belongs to God: "you are of Christ, and Christ is of God," therefore Yahweh is above all and the Father of all. (I Corinthians 11:3, NIV; 1 Corinthians 3:23, NIV)

Finally, Jesus calls the Father "the only true God." Accurately knowing both the only true God and Jesus himself is vital to our salvation! "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3, NIV)

Note that in his prayer to God, Jesus said, "...that they may know you, the only true God." The "you" here refers to Yahweh. So Jesus specifically and exclusively identified his Father as "the only true God." Jesus did not say, "that they may know us, the only true God." Jesus did not use the word "us" to refer to the only true God; instead, he used "you." So only his Father is God.

The Son

Yahweh calls Jesus "my Son."

Yahweh said to Jesus: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11)

"Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee." (Psalm 2:7, ASV)

Yahweh also called Jesus "my servant."

Foretelling of Jesus' first coming to Earth, Yahweh said, "...behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch." (Zechariah 3:8, ASV) And "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1, NIV) Jesus is God's servant. Would God call Himself "my servant"? Yahweh calls Jesus His "servant" because He is greater than Jesus.

The saying "Like father, like son" couldn't be more accurate and fitting to describe this holy Father-Son relationship. Jesus is "the image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15) He is spiritually like his Father in every way. To know him is to know God.

Like his Father, the Son never changes: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, NIV)

Jesus played a major role in the world's creation:

"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:3, NIV)

"...Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:2, NIV)

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:16)

How is this so? Well, Yahweh alone created the world by Jesus, just as He alone led Israel "by the hand of Moses and Aaron." (Psalm 77:20) In all events, Yahweh is the Boss, the Director, and the Supervisor, who uses agents to carry out His works. God is the Mastermind, and Jesus is His partner in creation.

Prior to his arrival on Earth through a miraculous virgin birth, Jesus lived with his Father in heaven as a mighty Spirit Being. He was sent down by God to do God's will.

Jesus himself said, "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:38, 40)

After Jesus died and was resurrected, he returned to his Father's side, where Yahweh "seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:20-23) What a glorious reward Yahweh has bestowed upon His dearest Son, who no doubt deserves all the honor and glory!

"Jesus" (Yeshua) in Hebrew means "Yahweh Is Salvation." "Christ" (Messiah) means the "Appointed One." So Jesus is the one appointed by God to provide us salvation, while salvation ultimately comes from Yahweh: "I myself am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:11, WEB) (If you have questions about what salvation is all about, you can read my article here: http://tinyurl.com/ylaafno)

Jesus will come to Earth for the second time to bring God's gift of salvation to the children of God and co-heirs of Jesus. Jesus will be our King for one thousand years.

After Jesus' millennium rule, he will return the Kingdom back to his Father so "that God may be all in all." (I Corinthians 15:28, ASV)

"Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, and the last enemy he destroys will be death. When the Scriptures say that he will put everything under his power, they don't include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ. After everything is under the power of God's Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son's power. Then God will mean everything to everyone." (I Corinthians 15:25-28, CEV)

Amen!

Is Jesus an angel? No, for the Bible says, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5)

Jesus, as the Bible plainly says, is the Son of God. Remember, God calls Jesus "my Son," and Jesus calls God, "my Father." The Bible added to Jesus' position by telling us that Jesus is God's "only begotten Son," so Jesus is far higher than any sons of God, whether angels or humans. No other being has this special position as the only begotten Son of God. (John 1:18)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is Yahweh's active force, His creative power, which He uses to perform any and all tasks. For example, He used the Holy Spirit to impregnate the virgin Mary so she could give birth to Jesus. (Luke 1:35)

The Holy Spirit played a very important role in Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles:

"…Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38)

Yahweh also used His Holy Spirit to resurrect Jesus from the dead. Likewise, we will be resurrected by the Spirit in the same manner. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit dwells in each child of God to give power and life: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)

While dwelling in us, the Holy Spirit develops godly quality in us called the fruit: "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Besides developing the fruit in us, the Holy Spirit also empowers us to be powerful witnesses of the Gospel: "But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we would be powerless in and against all things, not just in our ministry.

Since the Holy Spirit is Yahweh's active and creative power, the Spirit is involved in countless other activities, including the restraint against Satan, the giving of spiritual gifts to all Christians, the provisions of the revelation and wisdom required to understand the Bible, guidance and protection, the demonstration of God's love and power, among others.

If you'd like to learn more about Yahweh God Almighty, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I strongly advise you to pick up a copy of the Bible and carefully read and study it on a regular basis. This is how you can begin to develop an intimate relationship with Yahweh. A relationship with God is the most sacred and fulfilling of all relationships, so don't delay; start deepening your knowledge about your Heavenly Father today!

(All Bible quotations are from the American Standard Version of 1901 unless otherwise indicated.)

For other basic facts about the Bible, visit "Bible FAQs" at http://www.shirleycheng.com

Dr. Shirley Cheng (b. 1983) is a blind and physically disabled award-winning author with twenty-seven book awards, proclaimer of Yahweh God's good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, Bible teacher, founder of Ultra-Ability.com Ministry, summa cum laude graduate with Doctor of Divinity, motivational speaker, poet; and author of nine books (including "Do You Love Jehovah?"), contributor to twenty-five, and an editor of one. Shirley has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. Back then, she knew only her ABCs and very simple English; other than that, her book knowledge was non-existent. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. http://www.ShirleyCheng.com

Do you have questions about the Bible? Something you don't understand? Do you need a bit of guidance in developing a relationship with Yahweh? Then Shirley would like to help you! Please contact her via her site at http://www.shirleycheng.com and she would be more than glad to do her best to answer your questions! Never hesitate to ask questions, for no question about the Bible is ever too small or stupid.

Inspiration from a Blind: Tempted and Want a Way Out?

Happy holidays from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com!

On a wintry morning, shoppers scuffled through the streets of New York, wining in and out of crowds. Amid the crowd was a young woman walking along the shops with a slight frown. She looked at the toys displayed in the windows, but quickly turned away with a sigh. She just did not have the money to buy them for her two kids, not even for this Christmas season. After her ex-husband had walked out on her, she could only provide food on the table; and at days, even that had been hard to do. Then something from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She moved toward the brown object lying by an Italian restaurant. A wallet. She opened it, and blinked. A wad of cash. She fingered through it and calculated that it could pay off this month's rent; maybe even the next month's. If nothing else, it would be able to supply more than decent presents for her kids. She rummaged through the wallet and found a drivers license, which showed an address in a wealthy community. She could take some of the money and drop the wallet off with the police; the owner of the wallet definitely wouldn't miss his missing money. What a great temptation she held in her hands!

What would you do if you were in her shoes? Would you be overcome by the temptation and take the money, or would you overcome the temptation and give back every penny to the rightful owner?

As you think it over, let's talk about temptation. "Temptation" is something or someone that entices or allures someone to do something that is against God's will. People can be tempted due to their personal want or need. A temptation can be harmless in itself, such as the wad of cash in the wallet that the woman found in our story. At other times, a temptation can be evil in itself, such as pornography.

The Bible says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God,' for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death." (James 1:13-15, WEB) This tells us:

a) God never tempts anyone to do evil

b) Only the person who gives in to temptation is to blame

c) A person is tempted when something entices his desires or lusts. But if he ignores his lusts, he will not commit any sin. However, if his lusts overcome him and he falls for the temptation, then he has sinned. Then the sin leads to spiritual death (separation from God). So if the woman in our story took some money from the wallet, she would be overcome by the temptation, thus committing the sin of stealing (Exodus 20:15). However, if she returned the wallet without taking a dime from it, she would overcome the temptation and remain acceptable in God's eyes.

Every one of us has faced temptation at least once in our lives. There is no unique temptation, even though our situations may be unique; all types of temptation are common to humanity (1 Corinthians 10:13). But just because all of us encounter temptations does not mean that we will always be overcome. In fact, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:14)

So how can we overcome temptations? To help us answer this question, let us see how Jesus Christ overcame his own temptations, so we can learn from the example he has set for us. Jesus' account is found in Matthew 4:1-11:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'"
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

Here, we have three recorded temptations that Jesus victoriously overcame. The lessons we can learn from them are:

1) The first temptation involved human need, the strongest force that pulls a person into a temptation's trap. After Jesus fasted forty days, he was naturally very hungry. Taking advantage of his hunger, the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy his need. Since Jesus was to live a life solely dependent on God, to meet his needs on his own by turning stones into bread would be against God's will for him. But Jesus overcame the temptation by focusing his true need on God and God's Word. To fight off the tempter, he quoted from the Scriptures: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4 from Deuteronomy 8:3)

When our strongest needs for life's necessities, such as for food and clothing, tempt us to do something against God's will, such as stealing or committing robbery, we must turn our attention from our physical needs to our spiritual needs: the need to obey God's will. Our spiritual need is the true need, because when we are able to satisfy this need, we will be satisfied eternally, for those who do the will of God will have an eternal sacred relationship with God that no one and nothing can take away from us. On the other hand, to satisfy a physical need by disobeying God is to satisfy a temporary need in the expense of our spiritual need. When we satisfy our physical need by doing something against God's will, we will jeopardize our relationship with God. Thus, if we are placed between the choice to meet our temporal needs and the choice to meet our eternal spiritual needs, we must choose to meet our spiritual needs over our physical needs. Of course, if we can meet our physical needs without having to fall for a temptation, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

2) The second temptation involved faith in God. Jesus was tempted to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple in order to express his faith in God. But as pious as it seems, this is actually an act to put God to the test, to see just how faithful God is when it comes to saving His people. Testing God is a grave sin. Does what is created have the right to test its Creator? Even though God promises to help us overcome our temptations, we have no right to test His promise. Thus, Jesus quoted from another verse of the Scriptures: "You shall not test the Lord, your God." (Matthew 4:7 from Deuteronomy 6:16)

When we face a temptation, we must not head straight into it, thinking that God will save us. We have the responsibility to live with common sense, caution, and prudence. To live a reckless life and expect God to save us regardless of how irresponsible we act is to put God to the test. Thus, if we purposefully go to a certain place that we know will tempt us to commit sins, such as going to a strip club where people engage in fornication, and expect God to protect us, we would be testing God, something we must avoid doing at all times. So whenever possible, we must avoid things and places that greatly tempt our lusts.

3) The third temptation involved one's ultimate devotion and worship of the only true God. Jesus was tempted with the world's kingdoms, which would belong to him if he bowed down to the devil only once. However, he knew that "You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only," which he quoted from God's Word (Matthew 4:10 from Deuteronomy 6:13). Since there's only one true God, and that's Yahweh, then only He should be worshipped, exclusively. Thus, Jesus gave up the world's riches when he refused to perform a single act of worship of the tempter. He overcame the temptation by focusing on his ultimate purpose in life: to glorify God alone, not the devil, and not even himself.

If we are given the chance to receive great material riches in the expense of the exclusive worship of the true God Yahweh, then we must choose God over the riches. No worldly riches can ever surpass the value of the eternal wealth: a sacred relationship with God and Jesus in God's forthcoming Kingdom on Earth.

Now, notice that there's a common thread running throughout Jesus' defense in all three temptations. Can you tell what it is?

That common thread is the Word of God. Each time, Jesus used the Word of God (the Bible) to fight his temptation...and won. Thus, whenever we meet a temptation, we must remember what God's Word says, and apply that to our situation. Even though the Bible was written thousands of years ago (the earliest portion is about 3,500 years old), its principles are ageless, and therefore, they can be applied to any circumstance no matter where we are or what we do.

Tempted to steal? Remember: "Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need." (Ephesians 4:28)

Tempted to insult someone back for insulting you? Recall: "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

Tempted by a married woman's charms? Heed Jesus' words: "I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)

Yes, God's Word is "the way of escape, that you may be able to endure" and prevail over your temptations, anytime! (1 Corinthians 10:14) So next time when you're tempted, you'll know to where to turn. :)

~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley~*~

Question: How do we know that we can trust the Bible as the Word of God?

Answer: We can trust the Bible as the Word of God because the Bible is proven to be:
 

1) Historically accurate: Archeologists have unearthed evidences of certain people, places, and events described in the Bible, and historians have attested to the Bible's historical accuracy.

2) Scientifically sound: The Bible stated certain scientific facts thousands of years before scientists proved them. No contradiction between Bible accounts and scientific facts exists.

3)  Prophetic: Hundreds of prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled exactly as they were foretold hundreds and thousands of years before the events actually took place. Only a handful of prophecies are yet to be fulfilled, and they concern all of humanity.
 

Biblical prophecies are downright amazing. And we shouldn't be surprised at this because we can't expect anything less than amazing from the Creator of the universe. Here are just a few examples of literally fulfilled prophecies (again, there are hundreds of prophecies in the Bible that have been fulfilled to the letter so far):

a) Isaiah 13:19-20 accurately prophesied the eternal destruction of Babylon about two hundred years before it happened. What was once the world power lies in ruins to this date, exactly as the Bible foretold. It was something unimaginable when the prophecy was given, because it is like saying that the crowded New York City or Shanghai will be totally uninhabited forever in a month from now. Not only was the destruction of Babylon prophesied, but also by whom and how the city would be destroyed and conquered were foretold. About 200 years later, after the ruining of Babylon was prophesied, Persian King Cyrus captured the entire city by complete surprise, finding its own gates wide open--exactly as foretold (Isaiah 45). In addition, the Bible prophesied Cyrus releasing Israelites from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem, and it came true.

b) Daniel 8:20-23 foretold the reigns of Media-Persia and then Greece, prophesying that four kingdoms would come from the first mighty king after his death (referring to Alexander the Great), but those kingdoms wouldn't experience the power that the first king had. All came true exactly. Keep in mind that this prophecy was given during the reign of Babylon. (Also foretold in Daniel 11:3-4.)

c) The book of Nahum foretold the utter destruction of Nineveh.

d) Daniel 9:25 prophesied the exact year that Jesus would be anointed as the Messiah about five hundred years before it took place.

e) The book of Obadiah prophesied the eternal destruction of Edom.

f) Daniel 11:6-31 foretold several historical events that took place exactly as prophesied. Here's a very brief outline of the foretold events:
 

Ptolemy Philadelphus gave daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theos in marriage.

Laodice, Antiochus Theos' ex-wife, murdered Antiochus, Berenice, and her son, and put her own son, Seleucus II Callinicus, on the throne.

Ptolemy Euergetes, Berenice's brother, captured Syria, and took much booty back to Egypt.

Antiochus the Great defeated Egypt.

The short reign of Seleucus Philopator.

Antiochus Epiphanes, who became a ruler through flattery, received much glory from his advances against Egypt, but his second campaign against Egypt failed. Then he invaded Jerusalem, robbed the temple, set up an idol of Jupiter in the temple, and destroyed any copies of the Scriptures that he found.
 

The ability to accurately prophesy events hundreds and thousands of years in advance is the striking trademark of the Bible, a feature unique only to this book.

Since all prophecies of events that should have come to pass now have indeed come to pass, wouldn't it be wise to heed its messages about our future and how we should respond to them? Since all scientific statements in the Bible made thousands of years ago are now proven to be accurate, wouldn't it be smart to trust it? If a weather forecaster has been 100% correct from the beginning, wouldn't it be in our best interest to heed his tornado warning for tomorrow?

Therefore, when we receive the Word of God, we accept it "not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)  

The Bible is "God-breathed," (2 Timothy 3:16) because God Himself authored the entire Bible through about forty men, who acted as secretaries, in a period of 1600 years. The Bible's historicity, scientific soundness, and fulfilled prophecies, among other unique characteristics, attest to its divine origin, setting it apart from all other books. No other book has the credentials the Bible has.

~*~Dr. Shirley's Corner~*~

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These titles are also available as Nook ebooks from Barnes and Noble. Just search for my name, Shirley Cheng, on http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks

My friend Heidi is currently looking for someone to be the new webmaster of her great site www.everythingblind.com as well as her newsletter Inspirations, as she has lots on her plate now, being a happy newlywed and all. Thus, if you're interested in taking over the site and newsletter, please e-mail me and I'll get you in touch with her. Thanks!

May the grace and peace from Yahweh God and Jesus Christ be with you.!

Content Copyright by Dr. Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved

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Best regards,

Dr. Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards

Founder of Ultra-Ability Ministry

Proclaimer of Yahweh God's Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ

Author/Contributor/Editor of 35 books by age 27, Bible Teacher, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate

Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club

http://www.shirleycheng.com

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Yahweh God haul you high!"

Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com


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Inspiration from a Blind: The Death That Brings Life

A November hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com!

Here's a riddle for you: what death brings life?

Answer: the death of Jesus Christ in our place.

But how could Jesus' death bring anyone life? Why did particularly Jesus have to die in our place? Why die in our place at all? Finally, how should we personally respond to his death? Our eternal destiny entirely lies in knowing the answers, so let's discover them together.

First Man, First Law, First Sin, First Penalty

God, whose personal name is "Yahweh" in the Hebrew language, created two people--Adam and Eve--who were perfect and sinless. Back then, God established that death will be the penalty for sin. (Sin is an offense we commit against God, just as a crime is an offense we commit against one another. Many crimes are actually sins, too, because God doesn't want us to treat one another badly. When we treat one another in a bad way, we are actually sinning against God.)

Yahweh gave Adam and Eve--and all humans after them--a precious gift called "free will." That means we have the absolute freedom to make moral decisions for ourselves on our own, to choose between right and wrong. If God hadn't given us free will, we would be robots, doing the will of God, not our will.

Along with free will, Yahweh established one simple rule for Adam and Eve. The rule gave them the opportunity to exercise their free will. How they use their free will and the extent of their obedience would demonstrate the extent of their loyalty and love for God. That single command was to not eat from only one tree, out of the numerous fruit trees in the Garden of Eden where they lived. If they kept it, they would live forever; if they didn't keep it, Yahweh told them that they would certainly die. God could have made any other law to give them the opportunity to express their obedience to Him. He could have commanded, "Don't jump for five days," if He wanted to. Was jumping itself evil? No, but when it became a law not to jump, then breaking that law would result in sin. Likewise, the tree itself was not evil; but when it became a law not to eat from that tree, it would result in sin if humans broke the law.

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve broke God's single law by eating from the tree, so God punished them with death just as warned. To not punish them the way He warned would make Him a liar. God promises both blessings and curses; He always keeps His word according to what He promises. Enforcing promised disciplines is how He can get His messages and orders taken seriously.

After Adam and Eve sinned, all their offspring and their descendants to this date have followed in their footsteps by sinning as well; consequently, everyone dies since death is the penalty for sin. So "sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12, WEB) (For more on the spread of sin, read the Q&A section below.)

Will sin and death poison the human race forever? Thank God, the answer is a definite "no!"

The Solution for a Sinning World

Sin is humanity's gravest problem. It's worse than our most feared diseases, because sin is the root cause of death; if humanity hadn't sinned, no cancer or heart disease would be able to take away our lives. We grow old, get sick and die only because we have sinned.

Worse yet, sin alienates us from God. Yahweh is a holy God; He cannot live among a sinful world, so sins separate us from Him. We cannot have fellowship with Him as long as we are sinning. Every person is a sinner with no exception, so all deserve God's eternal wrath and condemnation. We all are hopelessly doomed! But wait, this is where God's pure grace kicks in:

Yahweh has made provision for everyone's forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ: Jesus' death in our place to save us from sin and the penalty of sin--eternal death.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die in Our Place?

It is necessary for Jesus to die and shed blood in order for us to be forgiven, to save us and give us eternal life after our future resurrection. But why? And why particularly Jesus, and not anyone else?

How could Jesus' blood let our sins be forgiven and give us eternal life? To understand this, we need to know how God's sacrificial system works. The books of Exodus and Leviticus in the Bible extensively talk about sacrificing livestock, such as cattle and sheep, to cleanse the people of their sins so God could forgive them. Animals used in the sacrifice must be without any defects (they must be physically perfect), and priests must perform specific steps during the sacrifice, including pouring out their blood upon the altar for atonement.

Why is the pouring out of blood necessary? What is important about blood? Yahweh answered this question in the Bible: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life." (Leviticus 17:11) Blood represents the life of a human or an animal, so when the life of a perfect sacrifice is poured out, the sacrifice dies in your place and pays the penalty for your own sins. Simply put, the substitution dies so you won't need to die for your own sin. This is called substitutionary death for atonement, the forgiveness of sin.

Hence, in order to wash away the sins of a great multitude, God chose His Son to die in sinful humanity's place. No other man ever lived could be perfect enough to take our place, because no one is perfect or sinless as Jesus. This was why Jesus had to be our substitutionary sacrifice: only he was perfect enough. Ultimately, the life--Jesus' blood--was poured out as a ransom to redeem our own lives.

The sacrifice for salvation had to be perfect for another reason. In Yahweh's justice system, the restitution had to be of equal value as the original (Leviticus 24:17-20). Therefore, when Adam was a perfect human being, another perfect human being had to be sacrificed to set things right.

Even so, after an explanation of God's sacrificial system, you still may not comprehend it fully; you may find it too extreme for God to have sacrificed Jesus, and to me, it was. But as mere creations, do we have the capacity to completely understand Yahweh and His ways? Yahweh Himself best said it: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Salvation: How You Can Receive It

Now, we're left with the most important question: how can we have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life. Yes, Jesus died in our place, but does that automatically give us a ticket to eternal life?

While Jesus' sacrifice for us is the most important thing he has done for us, his sacrifice doesn't automatically ensure us salvation. Each person has to personally respond to it. A person is saved the moment they 1) repent of anything bad they have ever done and 2) accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord means to accept his teachings and diligently apply them to our lives. Simply believing in Jesus (a passive belief without works) does not give us salvation. If belief is all that's needed, then Satan can be saved, too!

Once a person comes to trust in Jesus alone as their Lord and Savior for their salvation, believing that he is the Son of God who came to Earth, died for our sins, was buried, resurrected on the third day, and ascended back to heaven, God will forgive that person of all their sins, impute Jesus' righteousness on them, and give them the Holy Spirit that helps them live a whole new life that's pleasing to God. Then in the future, all True Christians will be resurrected whereupon they will live forever with God and Jesus in God's Kingdom of sheer bliss, love, and security. On the other hand, those who willfully reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will also be resurrected, but they will be judged and then sentenced to eternal death, with no chance of a resurrection ever again. Without Jesus, every person is lost, helpless, hopeless, and destined to eternal death.

As you can see, each person's eternal destiny is up to that person. Each of us has one decision to make: eternal life or eternal death? This decision is the most important decision we'll ever make, as it determines our eternal destiny. We mustn't delay, for upon our passing or when Jesus returns (whichever comes first), the door of opportunity for us to decide and repent will close.

What decision will you make? Will you accept Jesus as your Savior and Master?

Jesus died for us and was resurrected unto eternal life so we can die and be resurrected unto eternal life as well. This is the precious gift he has given us. Will you accept his gift?

Will Jesus' death bring you life? That's entirely up to you.

~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley ~*~

Question: Why is every person a sinner?

Answer: To answer this question, we need to understand how sin entered our world by reviewing the spiritual condition before and after the first man, Adam, sinned.

When the first man Adam was made, he was perfect and sinless since he was made in the image of God. His spiritual condition was "very good." (Genesis 1:31) So he was sinless before he broke God's law. But when he broke the law by eating from the forbidden tree, he sinned. This sin is called the "original sin." After he sinned, Adam no longer was spiritually perfect. His spiritual condition was smudged. The spiritual likeness he had of God got ruined, yet not destroyed. Think about a brand new car. When it was first manufactured, it was perfect. But when the driver of the car crashed it, the car got dented. It no longer was perfect, yet it was not destroyed either. Likewise, Adam's spiritual condition got "dented" when he sinned. That dented spiritual condition is a sinful spiritual condition. Now, he possessed a sinful nature, and reflected God's likeness imperfectly.

When Adam had children, he passed down his sinful spiritual condition or nature to all of his offspring. Then his offspring passed down that sinful nature down to their own offspring, and so on. So every one of Adam's descendants, from his firstborn to you and me, has inherited his sinful nature. We inherited this sinful nature from our parents in just the same way we inherited physical features (like the color of our eyes) from our parents.

This sinful nature we inherited causes us to commit sins. The sins we commit are different from one person to another. Some people are liars, while others are thieves. This sinful nature is very powerful. We sometimes are overwhelmed by it, even when we really want to do good and ignore the sin nature inside us. Daily, we struggle with our sinful nature (Romans 7:15-24).

Since everyone has inherited a sinful nature, every person on Earth, past, present, and future, is a sinner. A person does not need to commit any sin to be a "sinner." A person is a sinner because he was born a "sinner." Therefore, a newborn baby is a sinner, even though he has not committed any sin.

In conclusion, every person is a sinner for two reasons:

a) We inherited a sinful nature, making us sinners at birth

b) And our sinful nature causes us to commit sins, making us sinners who commit sins

What a terrible situation we are in! But thank God for providing us a way out of our miserable condition! Anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be rescued from our misery. A Christian, once resurrected in the future, will be sinless, and will live forever, for the penalty of sin (which is death) will no longer have power or control over Christians. This is why the Gospel message is so important and urgent. If we don't spread it and if people reject it, people will die in their sins and will never receive eternal life. Instead, they will all perish (die) forever. So the Gospel message is a matter of life or death--eternal life or eternal death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Romans 5:12 summarizes the passing down of the sinful nature to the whole human race from Adam: "Sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned." This single statement sums up everything, that 1) sin passed down to everyone from Adam, 2) that everyone dies because of sin, and 3) that everyone sins.

~*~Dr. Shirley's Corner~*~

Want autographed books to give as holiday gifts for booklovers in your life? Then stop by http://www.ShirleyCheng.com

To those of you who are following me on Twitter, you're probably wondering where I've been. Well, ever since they switched to the new Twitter, I've not been able to make a single tweet. And lately, I've not signed in to even try again, as I'm busily enjoying teaching the Bible. Therefore, the best way to keep in touch with me now is via e-mail. Thank you for being my loyal followers for the past couple of years!

~*~A Biblical Wisdom Nugget~*~

"Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim." (1 Samuel 15:22, 23)

God is happy with us so long as we attend church regularly, sing psalms to praise Him, and donate to church activities...or is He? Does our church activities alone please God, or does He require something else from us? We can learn the answer to this question by seeing how God Himself feels about religious rituals without a godly lifestyle to back it up.

In ancient Israel, people regularly performed religious rituals that God had asked of them. Each day, after they fulfilled their ritual requirements, they resumed their normal lifestyles, which consisted of bribery by the judges, dishonest dealings by merchants, adultery by men and women, and even murder by kings. While committing all such sins, they felt immune from God's judgment because they had performed all the necessary rituals. Certainly, God must be pleased by their pious customs, right?

Wrong! This was how God Himself responded to their religious yet ungodly lifestyles:

"What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me? I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I don't delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats. When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts? Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies. My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:11-17)

Yes, our religious and worship rituals are all vain to God if we do not obey His commandments or do His will. Our religious performances will not and do not grant us permission or the right to live our lives however we want in rebellion to God's will. When we go to church on Sundays and lie and cheat on our employees, friends, and family during the other six days of the week, would God nod and smile just because we have paid Him respect on Sunday? If we think our religious obedience alone make us God's good buddies, then we must think again!

Do you truly want to worship Yahweh? Then worship Him the way He wants to be worshipped. Worship Him in His way, not in our way, however clever that may be. For proper worship, heed God's words:

"I am Yahweh your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go. Oh that you had listened to my commandments! then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:17-18)

Worship should be the life we live, seven days of the week. Seeking justice for the wronged, caring for needy family members, and showing respect to others equally, are all forms of worship that God desires from us. When we do such will of God, we glorify Him. This is true worship.

So whether we eat, or drink, or whatever else we do, let's do all to the glory of God! (1 Corinthians 10:31) Amen.

May the grace and peace from Yahweh God and Jesus Christ be with you.!

Content Copyright by Dr. Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved

You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Dr. Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com

Did you get this from a friend's forward and would like to subscribe? Then send a blank e-mail to subscribe@shirleycheng.com from the e-mail address you'd like to sign up under.

Read previous issues of Inspiration from a Blind at blog.shirleycheng.com

Best regards,

Dr. Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards

Founder of Ultra-Ability Ministry

Proclaimer of Yahweh God's Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ

Author/Contributor/Editor of 35 books by age 27, Bible Teacher, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate

Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club

http://www.shirleycheng.com

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Yahweh God haul you high!"

Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com


Please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html

Inspiration from a Blind: Got an Empty Heart and Want to Fill It?

October greetings from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com!

Do you feel fulfilled? If you have spent time trying to find fulfillment in material possessions, in traveling and sightseeing, in good food and fine clothing, in fame and power, have you been able to find what you're looking for? If not, do you know why not?

Delicious food leaves us patting our bellies, while partying with our friends helps us forget our troubles. Our great possessions make us proud, and we enjoy showing them off. But when our stomachs are full, does that fill the void in our hearts? When our friends leave us after a long day of conversation, don't our problems and pressures come back to haunt us? And if fire burned all that we possess, what would be left for us to show off?

So where can we find true, lasting fulfillment that is solid? My friend, we can find it in Yahweh God Almighty.

If we want to fill the void in our hearts, we must know God. When our friends leave us for the day, God will stay with us (after all, He needs no rest or sleep!). When fire or a natural disaster has taken everything away, we still have the best thing to brag about: that we know and have a relationship with God.

Why know God for fulfillment?

What is created has been created from nothingness, and can therefore return to nothingness; and those who have entrusted their livelihood to material wealth can well attest to this when fire destroyed all they had. On the other hand, since Yahweh is the Creator, only He is real, unchanging, stands forever; therefore, only He can provide the only solid reliance in life, Someone we can hold on to now and forever after our resurrection.

Thus, God is what makes our lives complete, as Anna Williams, the director of operations of Appalachia Mission of Hope, says: "God Almighty makes life complete. He will be your Counselor, your Confidant and your most faithful Friend. He will shelter you from the storms of life and lead and guide you through the difficult times that come your way. He is the hope you cling to when you need to feel loved, cherished or nurtured. He loves unconditionally and that assurance allows you to work through situations and circumstances that would otherwise shatter your life."

When we know Yahweh, our knowledge and intimacy with Him helps us align our walk with His perfect will, fulfilling our purpose as part of His overall plans. We will have peace of mind, knowing we are moving in the correct direction with the right support. Otherwise, we would be like travelers in the wilderness without maps and a compass to guide us onto the right path to our destination.

Author Zohra Sarwari agrees: "It is important to know about the Creator, because that is what motivates us to do the right thing, and stay away from the evil things in life, to follow His guidance that He sent down to us. We all know that if you create something you must give it a manual so people learn how to use it. The Almighty did the same for mankind; He created us then told us to follow a certain way of life, and if we do that we will be successful; if we don't do that we will fail the test of life."

Alya Nuri, 11-Year-Old Author and Speaker, echoes Zohra: "By knowing God, you know Who to turn to when you are stuck in life and you feel like you can't get out of the situation that you were put in. God teaches us to pick right from wrong, and it is our choice to pick right, and reject wrong. Lastly, by knowing that God will judge all of our deeds on the Day of Judgment, it makes me want to listen and obey Him more and be a better person."

Alya adds, "It is important to know God, because He gave us everything: family, food, health, wealth, and much more."

That takes us to the most important reason to know Yahweh: to fulfill what is most right and just: our responsibility in rightfully crediting our Designer.

Every product in the supermarket displays the manufacturer on its label and packaging; every automobile we drive is emblazoned with its company's name; and every article of clothing we wear bears a tag that shows its brand name. When every manmade product has been credited to its maker, should not the most awesome creation--our universe and all it contains--be especially credited to our Creator as well?

We are grateful for the moment when our children first learn how to talk, for the kisses and hugs we share with our lovers, and for the delectable dishes on our tables; but without our Creator giving us our lives, we would not have had the privilege of enjoying any of these in the first place! Therefore, let us thank Him for honoring us with life, so we may delight in all His creations!

Yahweh deserves our full and deepest worship, our praise, our love, every minute of our lives, for we owe Him our very existence, and because He is love. All wonderful things bloom from love, so when Yahweh is love, all goodness comes from Him. And as Aaron Taylor, author and missionary, says, "The way to know love is to know God. And the only way to truly know God is to know His Son Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His love for us by bearing our guilt, our shame, and our suffering at the cross. As I read through the four gospels, I'm left with one inescapable thought. If God is like Jesus then He can have my heart!"

Jennifer Maggio did just that: she gave her heart to God, and has experienced the power of God's love ever since. She says, "Having been molested, beaten, and malnourished as a child, I did not feel God would ever care about me or that I was worth of Him caring about me. I hit rock bottom in my teen years. I finally desperately sought some type of validation in my life. Knowing God took me from homeless, unwed teen mom with no hope or future to successful corporate executive full of joy and hope. As I learned more about God, I learned more about my need and desire for Him. I could not ever be a whole person without His guidance and wisdom. My faith has now led me into full-time ministry for a Single Moms Ministry."

Becky Harmon, CTA, CLC, feels the same way. She says, "From a theological point of view the reason it is important to know God is because without knowing Him, we cannot experience peace, righteousness or joy. Because He is a just God, our sin separates us; but through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, by faith, we are joined with Him. For me personally, I have continually experience His supernatural provision that has translated me out of continual self sabotage and into His presence where I alone am loved for know other reason then His grace. It has truly been life changing to receive so much affirmation and pure love. I owe Him my whole existence and for that I will be eternally grateful."

Got an empty heart? Then give it away!

To whom? To Yahweh and Jesus. Give your heart to God and His Son to embrace complete and total fulfillment!

Yahweh's Word says, "He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17, WEB) Jennifer and Becky have accepted God's invitation to freely drink in His water of life, and have been refreshed and filled. Will you be next? To take the water of life, simply embrace Yahweh and His Son Jesus in your heart, and experience total fulfillment. Come, quench your thirst, today!

~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley~*~

Question: What will life on Earth be like after the future resurrection?

Answer: There are two phases of life after the future resurrection. The first phase lasts one thousand years when Jesus will rule on Earth as God's appointed King over us. This period is called the Millennium. During this period, Jesus and his co-rulers (people chosen from God's most faithful Christians) will restore the Earth's spiritual condition as it was originally meant to be: overflowing love, peace, joy, security, justice, holiness, etc. The following conditions will also characterize this time period:

a) People will have a lengthened lifespan, living as old as the trees

b) People will not have any illness at all; the blind will see again, the disabled will walk again

c) People will be able to experience absolute peace with all animals, playing with lions and tigers and snakes

d) People will live in complete peace

e) God's moral laws will be taught, enforced, and observed throughout Earth, with Jerusalem as the Earth's religious center

f) People will live in prosperity

g) People will still live in houses and have families

h) As for work, people will build houses, plant crops, and thoroughly enjoy the work of their hands, and never labor in vain. The Bible doesn't really describe people having jobs, but if we will have jobs, our jobs will be thoroughly enjoyable and profitable--no more bad bosses! If we will have jobs indeed, some of our jobs we currently have won't be needed. For example, there won't be doctors because no one will get sick.

i) From the descriptions in the Bible, this first stage will be comfortably similar to our lives right now, but without any negative aspects. There will be similar geographical characteristics, such as mountains and rivers, but the Earth will be prosperous, without poor, unfruitful land.

After the Millennium ends, all those who have died during the Millennium and all the wicked who were not resurrected prior to the Millennium will be resurrected to be judged. The righteous--who trusted in God and did His will--will live on to the second phase. The unrighteous will be judged and destroyed forever (they will not be given another chance). Along with wicked people, Satan and all evil angels will be destroyed, ending evil completely and forever. Then after this final judgment, the second phase will begin: this is the eternity stage. This means that all the righteous will live forever with God and Jesus.

To usher in the final stage, the eternity stage, God will create a new Earth. This new Earth will be humanity's "heaven," where God will dwell. Night won't exist--yes, it will be all daylight, and the "daylight" won't be from the sun--it will be from our Creator Himself and His Son Jesus! Can you imagine that? I think it's just too good for us to imagine now, because we're so used to our dark world and conditions. The best part is that it won't be too good to be true.

As you can see, the future life for humanity is too wonderful, beyond our imagination. But the thing is, we'd have to be found righteous to enter the Millennium after the initial resurrection. Sadly, the Bible is very clear that only a fraction of humanity will make it to the final eternity stage; each of us will have a loved one who will not make it. The goal of every person therefore is to be found righteous in God's sight right now before Jesus returns and ushers in the Millennium. How can we be righteous? By believing and trusting God and Jesus and doing God's will. This is why I've been stressing to everyone that we must read the Bible, because its only in the Bible where we can know and understand God's will. We won't ever be righteous on our own, no matter how many good works we do in our lives. Our own self-righteousness is evil in God's sight. It's God's will that we must do, and its in Jesus that we must believe and trust.

Do you see the urgency of this matter? Every day, people are dying without realizing God's purpose for them. They have entered eternal death, because when they are resurrected, they won't enter eternity; instead, their life would end again, forever, after their resurrection and judgment. So we must do God's will and tell others to do the same. Telling others about God and His will is the best way we show our love for others; it's the best thing we can ever do for anyone, for if they accept God, they will have accepted the gift of a lifetime: eternity with Yahweh and Jesus.

~*~Dr. Shirley's Corner~*~

Many of you know that I'm a board member of the World Positive Thinkers Club, which is comprised of positive thinkers from all walks of life who bring positivity into people's lives through charitable causes. Membership includes the late President Reagan, Lance Armstrong, Governor Sarah Palin, Zig Ziglar, and Chuck Norris.

The WPT Club has contributed to hungry Children in Appalachia and will now contribute to wounded soldiers. Would you like to be a part of the club's worthy causes? Then become a sponsor of the WPT Club to spread the positivity and goodwill, while expanding your own business image. Watch this video to see what benefits you can reap for your own business when you become a sponsor: http://budurl.com/WPTVideoInvitation

You're welcome to visit their radio show page at http://budurl.com/WPTRadioShow as well as their Facebook page: http://budurl.com/WPTFanPage

~*~A Biblical Wisdom Nugget~*~

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

About four thousand years ago, Yahweh chose one single man from among the entire human population to bless unconditionally. This man was Abraham from Mesopotamia. In His blessing, God promised that He would make Abraham into a nation, and that his reputation would be great. In addition, Yahweh said, "You will be a blessing. All of the families of the earth will be blessed in you." (Genesis 12:2, 3)

Here is a principle we must all know: God blesses us, not just for our own benefit, but for others to be blessed through us. God wants us to be a blessing to others. When God blesses us, do we bless others or hoard our blessing? For example, if God blesses us with material wealth, do we share our wealth by clothing the naked and feeding the hungry? When we receive God's gifts, we are to share the gifts with others. God doesn't give us so we can keep; God gives us so we can give.

John the Baptist said, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise." (Luke 3:11)

Remember, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" and "God loves a cheerful giver." (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

So how was Abraham a blessing to all the families (nations) on Earth? The answer is: because of Jesus Christ!

You see, Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham. Thus, anyone who trusts in Jesus for their salvation will be blessed beyond measure through Abraham, for Jesus came through Abraham's line. This is how Abraham continues to be a blessing to the entire world even though he had been dead for 4,000 years!

Have you been blessed through Abraham? If you have not yet received the ultimate blessing of eternal life (salvation), then come to embrace the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in your heart and experience the blessing of a lifetime!

May the grace and peace from Yahweh God and Jesus Christ be with you.!

Content Copyright by Dr. Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved

You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Dr. Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com

Did you get this from a friend's forward and would like to subscribe? Then send a blank e-mail to subscribe@shirleycheng.com from the e-mail address you'd like to sign up under.

Read previous issues of Inspiration from a Blind at blog.shirleycheng.com

Best regards,

Dr. Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards

Founder of Ultra-Ability Ministry

Proclaimer of Yahweh God's Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ

Author/Contributor/Editor of 35 books by age 27, Bible Teacher, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate

Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club

http://www.shirleycheng.com

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Yahweh God haul you high!"

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Inspiration from a Blind: Want to Be a Doctor?

Happy September from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com!

Have you ever wanted to be a doctor or a nurse? Wanted to wipe away a tear and make the pain go away with a kiss? Well, now you can, without even going to medical school! How? By being a spiritual doctor and taking up the Great Commission of the Doctor in Chief, Jesus Christ.

Jesus' specific order to us is: "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, WEB)

First, let us study the experience our head Doctor had with his patients, so we can learn from the example he has set for us.

Throughout Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, he surrounded himself with the spiritually sickly, going to their houses and dining with them. His relationship with the sick brought words of distaste from the self-righteous, who thought they were in top shape when, in fact, they were spiritually dead. In reply to their scoff, Jesus said, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17)

Jesus was commissioned by God to preach repentance so those who were spiritually ill could receive the gift of salvation through Christ. Those who had not repented of their unhealthy ways were then revived through his teaching and care.

Through his talk and walk, Jesus set an example to all his apprenticed doctors: that we, as Christians, should go where the sick are, in order to heal them. Instead of avoiding the sickly, we must embrace them and teach them what Jesus taught us.

However, many Christians have not taken up Jesus' Great Commission. We have avoided the sick rather than going to them. We have hated the ill instead of lovingly rebuking them and bringing them back to God.

Jesus relationship with the ill teaches us another important principle: he personally cared for the sick by setting good examples for his patients to follow, while not catching their illnesses himself. Therefore, our responsibility as Christians is to heal the sick using God's treatments, not to catch their disease. If you help a thief, you don't help him to steal, nor become a thief yourself. Instead, you would help him stop stealing.

If we see a friend falling into distress, taking a route opposite of God's path, we must speedily go after him to bring him back onto the right road. Why speedily? Because we all know that when a fever gets too high, when you experience trouble breathing, medical emergency must be sought; otherwise, it might be too late.

So speedily, we must help our friend. We do this by identifying their wrong action, rebuking them for their decision, and correcting them using God's Word.

No one enjoys taking medicine. But when the bitter tastes in your mouth subsides and is soon replaced with soothing effects in your body, you will forget about the past pain and rejoice in your new health. Your patients may struggle with you; they may turn their mouth from the spoonful of medicine in your hand. But do not let their initial refusal discourage you. Instead, encourage them in accepting God's medicine, and remind them of the positive outcome. Ask them, "Do you want to remain sick or be healthy?"

Most will tell you, "I want to be healthy!" Then have them accept your spoonful of medicine. Soon, both of you will share the joy of a renewed health.

However, if your patient refuses to listen to your counsel, no matter how many times you tried, move on to your next patient. Jesus told us to do so. Moving on allows us to care for a friend who will benefit from our care. We have little time to waste, for Jesus will soon come, to reward the doctors who treated his patients--for we are just stewards of his patients--and to take up the patients under his care to time indefinite.

But moving on does not mean abandoning those who refused our care. We should stand by and be on call at all times. If they call out to us, we should go straight to their side, and help them with what they need. A doctor shouldn't refuse to treat a patient just because they had refused treatment before. We should be available to make house calls 24/7, not just working from nine to five on business days.

How do we care for the sick? To properly care for the ill, we first need to read God's manual on good health, and that is the Bible, the book God wrote to help us maintain good health. And in order to care for others, we must care for our own selves first. Unhealthy doctors won't have the strength to properly care for their patients, don't you agree?

The Bible is filled with medicinal wisdom, and provides cures for all types of diseases. The below are just some of its instructions to staying fit, as well as warnings of poisons to avoid.

The two magical ingredients to any cure are:

1) Love Yahweh God Almighty

2) Love others as you love yourself

Our head Doctor Jesus Christ said this about these two ingredients: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)

Therefore, all remedies are based on these two ingredients, which will fix any and all known diseases, including "adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies," and the like (Galatians 5:19-21)

Yahweh God, who is the Boss and Supervisor of our head Doctor, leaves us some words to live by, so it is definitely wise to heed His words. Here is what He told us: "I am Yahweh your God... You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol...you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them... You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (Exodus 20:2-5, 7)

Our Heavenly Father, who is the Parent of all parents, instructs us to: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12)

"You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13)

"You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)

"You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15)

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16)

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife...nor anything that is your neighbor's." (Exodus 20:17)

Absolutely, we will be very spiritually healthy when we obey the Boss!

Here are a few words from our fellow doctors, who had been faithful unto their deaths, to help us stay fit:

From apostle Paul: "Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:7-10)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

From apostle Peter: "...in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-11)

Warnings of things that will make us unhealthy and that will ultimately lead us to death:

From apostle Paul: "Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God. Flee sexual immorality! Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18)

From Yahweh Himself: "The cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

The second death is eternal destruction. Those doctors who do not watch over their patients, but instead let them die, will be met with their own deaths for eternity.

To all the faithful doctors who treat their patients with tender love and care, this is what Yahweh promises: "I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son." (Revelation 21:6-7)

All faithful doctors will inherit the Kingdom of God, where love, peace, and happiness will reign for all eternity.

The tabernacle of God will be with men, and He "will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:3-4)

You've always wanted to be a doctor, haven't you? Now, this is your chance to show your love, care, and concern to others! And this is the best doctor position you'll ever be in, for the fruit of your love will last forever, not merely until retirement!

Remember Jesus' specific order to us: "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

So Go! We have instructions from the Bible to guide us all the way, and our head Doctor will always lead us.
Start caring now...start with your family, friends, and your next-door neighbor! Remember, if anyone wanders from the truth, and you lead that person back, know that "he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley~*~

Question: Isn't God cruel for condemning anyone who doesn't accept Jesus Christ alone for eternal life?

Answer: If we think that God is cruel for not saving those who reject Jesus Christ, then we have not yet grasped the seriousness of human sin, nor the absolute grace of God. Let's imagine this scene:

A boat is sinking in the middle of a stormy ocean, and everyone on board is drowning. Then another boat comes to the scene to rescue them. Anyone who gets on the rescue boat will be saved; anyone who refuses to get on the boat will be lost.

Every person on Earth is drowning because every person is a sinner (spiritually ill and dying). The penalty of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). But God, in His pure grace, offers everyone a way out of their doom. Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ will be saved; those who reject Jesus will be lost. Jesus is the rescue boat that will save anyone from drowning only if they accept him. This is the only way out of the stormy sea. So everyone's fate depends on their decision: to accept the boat or refuse it.

God sends out the rescue boat. He offers the only way out. This is pure, undeserved grace. Would it be right to blame God when people reject His rescue boat? Surely, a drowning person in an actual sea who refuses to get on a lifeboat cannot blame anyone for not providing a way out! It's either the lifeboat or death.

The problem is that many of us do not know we're drowning. Some who do know we're drowning are seeking to be saved in lifeboats with holes (in false gods and falsehoods). Jesus is the only sturdy and trustworthy lifeboat that can save absolutely anyone.

But the major problem is that many of us feel that God actually owes us, that it's up to Him to patch up our sinking boat, and we don't have to respond to Him in obedience and reverence, as though God's here to serve us, rather than the other way around. But the truths are that 1) no one deserves salvation, and some are saved only because of God's undeserved grace; and 2) that God does not owe us anything.

Yahweh is the Creator of all and the Life-Giver of all. If He wills, He can destroy the entire universe in a split second, and absolutely no one has the right to protest a single word! He gave us life as He willed, and He can take our lives away anytime if He chooses. How could we, the created, dare question Him and criticize Him? Yahweh does NOT owe us anything. Conversely, we owe Him everything! So if we reject the only trustworthy lifeboat (Jesus) God offers, then it's our problem, not God's.

Is a God who offered up His only beloved Son to save undeserved sinners cruel? Would you give up your beloved children to save murderers, rapists, and those of your worst enemies?

~*~A Biblical Wisdom Nugget~*~

"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Teaching his disciples how to pray to God, God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ, began the model prayer with, "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." (Matthew 6:9, ASV)

When we pray "Hallowed be thy name," we are seeking sanctification and glory for God's name.

Putting this at the start of his model prayer, Jesus indicated that our first priority in life should be glorifying God's name.

But in order to glorify God's name, we first need to know what it is. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) tells us God's personal name nearly seven thousand times. His holy name is Yahweh, from YHWH, which means "He Chooses to Become" or "He Who Causes to Be." What a perfect name for this Awesome Creator! Truly, no other could rightfully own this name.

Now that we know God's name, we must keep it strictly holy and sacred. In Exodus 20:7, Yahweh tells us: "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

We take Yahweh's name in vain when we use His name or "God" in meaningless ways, such as saying, "God bless you" when people sneeze, exclaiming "Oh, my God!" as an interjection, and cursing, "God d*** it." We also take His name in vain when 1) we do something bad and say God told us to do it, 2) blame Him for our problems, 3) do anything sinful in His name, 4) joke about Him, His name, His nature, and His plans and purposes; and 5) when we do not honor Him for who He is.

Therefore, God's name means more than simply a label. His name signifies His nature, His essence, His complete and absolute glory.

Hence, when we sanctify God's name, we are sanctifying more than a name--we are sanctifying Yahweh Himself.

But how do we glorify God? Is saying, "Oh, God, let your name be sanctified" all we need to do? No, that is not enough.

Before we can discover the ways we should glorify Yahweh, let us define "glorify" first. "Glorify" means to praise, honor, exalt, extol, and to show respect. To glorify God is to show our highest devotion to Him, to hold Him in the highest place in our hearts. It is worshipping our very Life-Giver. In essence, glorifying Yahweh is loving Yahweh; it all boils down to true love.

As you can imagine, we have countless ways to glorify Yahweh. Paul, one of the greatest apostles of Jesus Christ, said, "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Well, how does yours truly personally glorify Yahweh? When I'm able to recognize all of the blessings Yahweh has graciously bestowed upon me, I glorify Him. When I put all my dreams, hope, and faith in Him, I glorify Him. When I learn about Him, I glorify Him. When I spread His Word, I glorify Him. Simply put, all my works are to glorify God, just as all of Jesus Christ's works are to glorify God. But I don't do all this on my own--Yahweh helps me with everything.

How about you? How do you personally glorify Yahweh?

May the grace and peace from Yahweh God and Jesus Christ be with you.!

Content Copyright by Dr. Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved

You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Dr. Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com

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Best regards,

Dr. Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards

Founder of http://www.shirleycheng.com

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Yahweh God haul you high!"

Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com


Please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html

Inspiration from a Blind: How Should We View Gay Marriage?

August greetings from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com!

On June 24, New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage. Gays and non-gays alike erupted into cheers. After the initial celebration died down, some questions about this important topic affecting millions of Americans still remain, and they are: How should we view gay marriage? If it's about two people who love each other, then there's nothing wrong with it, right? And since God is the Creator of the universe who doesn't make any mistakes and since homosexual relationships have been in existence since ancient times, then it must mean that God approves homosexuality and gay marriage, doesn't it?

To answer these questions, we must turn to the ultimate authority of humanity: Yahweh God Almighty. Let's know His principles regarding His judicial system, and then apply them to our topic.

Principles:

1) Yahweh God Almighty alone has the authority, knowledge, and capability to set standards for our lives

Who has the authority, knowledge, and capability to determine the proper use or handle of a product, the maker of the product or the user? If you agree that God is the Creator of all, then do you not also agree that He alone has the right, knowledge, and capability to lay down laws to govern our lives? Who else would be more knowledgeable and capable to decide what is best for us? Since God is the Originator of all things, all things are below Him. The Creator is higher than the creation, never equal or under it. So doesn't God have the capability and authority, and even the responsibility, to set the standard principles for our lives?

2) Yahweh grants us free will, the right for us to make our own moral decisions

When God created humanity, He granted us with the gift of free will. "Free will" means we have the freedom to make moral decisions. We are not like robots who do not have the ability to choose either right or wrong. As free moral agents, we have the freedom to choose to lie or not, to steal or not, to fornicate or not, etc. However, how we exercise our freedom will be judged by God. Thus, each of us is responsible for our actions, by which God will judge us.

3) Yahweh has set laws for us to voluntarily obey

By what basis will God judge each person? By the laws and principles He has set for us. Just as He has set the laws of nature (i.e., law of gravity), He has likewise set moral laws for us. If there's no law, there wouldn't be anything to obey. If there's no law or principles for us to choose, free will to make moral decisions would be obsolete. But now, when there's law, each of us will be judged according to that law.

4) Yahweh's permission is not the same as His approval

When God grants us free will, that means that He permits our actions, good or bad. In His law, He tells us not to steal or to lie, and He permits us to choose whether to obey or disobey it. Thus, when we disobey His commandments, it doesn't mean that He approves what we have chosen. People since the beginning of humanity have disobeyed God's laws. We steal, cheat, accept bribes, murder, commit adultery and fornication, and so on. Does this mean that God approves these actions? No, it simply means that God has kept His Word: He permits us to exercise our free will.

5) Obedience to Yahweh's laws leads to His approval, not salvation

While our obedience to God's laws is His will for us and is commanded, it alone doesn't grant us eternal life or salvation. No amount of good works we do by our own efforts will earn us salvation.

6) Yahweh offers everyone the gift of salvation only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ

God hates all sins, and every person is a sinner with no exception, so all deserve God's eternal wrath and condemnation. We all are hopelessly doomed. But wait, this is where God's pure grace kicks in: He has made provision for everyone's forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. Once a person comes to trust in Jesus alone as their Lord and Savior for their salvation, believing that he is the Son of God who came to Earth, died for our sins, was buried, resurrected on the third day, and ascended back to heaven, God will forgive that person of all their sins, impute Jesus' righteousness on them, and give them the Holy Spirit that helps them live a whole new life that's pleasing to God. Then in the future, all True Christians will be resurrected whereupon they will live forever with God and Jesus. On the other hand, those who willfully reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will also be resurrected, but they will be judged and then sentenced to eternal death, with no chance of a resurrection ever again. Without Jesus, every person is lost, helpless, hopeless, and destined to eternal death.

For more information, read:

What's salvation and why trust in Jesus of all people? Read my article:

http://blog.shirleycheng.com/2009/10/15/what-is-salvation-why-did-jesus-christ-have-to-die-to-save-us-from-what-are-we-saved.aspx

Want eternal life? Read my article:

http://blog.shirleycheng.com/2011/01/01/inspiration-from-a-blind-want-to-receive-the-best-new-years-present-ever.aspx

Application:

How do God's judicial principles apply to homosexuality and gay marriage? This is how:

1) Since Yahweh is the Creator of men and women and the Originator of marriage, He alone can set the laws and principles to govern sexuality and the marriage arrangement. No one else, neither a king or an emperor, has such right. God determined and purposed marriage to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman. He gifted us with the pleasures of sex only for a married couple. Anything else outside these laws is a sin, not condoned by God, whether we like it or not.

Besides setting laws for marriage, God has also set marriage as a significant symbol:

The marriage union is the greatest symbol of the relationship between Yahweh and His chosen people, and the relationship between Lord Jesus Christ and all Christians (the "assembly" or "church"). God describes marriage as a most sacred union, when the husband and wife become "one flesh," meaning union on every level: spiritual, emotional, physical (Genesis 2:24). This passage best describes it:

"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 'For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.' This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:22-33, WEB)

If we alter the aspects of God-ordained marriage in any way, the marriage's symbolic meaning would be lost. Our American flag uses certain colors and elements to symbolize specific truths and concepts. If we add to, subtract from, or alter the elements, the original intended meaning would be lost or nullified; in essence, it would no longer be an American flag. Likewise, when we go against God's law concerning marriage and sex, we're not only disobeying God but distorting or nullifying the greatest symbol of the love between God and His people or between Christ and his body, the church. This is one reason why we must take sexual sins and marriage unfaithfulness most seriously.

2) God permits us to either obey His commandments regarding marriage and sex or to disobey them. He doesn't control our hearts. He desires obedience that stems from love. Thus, we can choose to live a heterosexual lifestyle (in obedience to God) or homosexual lifestyle (in disobedience to God), to commit adultery (in disobedience) or remain faithful to our spouses (in obedience), to have pre-marital sex (in disobedience) or remain as virgins until marriage (in obedience), etc.

3) Even if our government approves gay marriage, our manmade law doesn't override God's law on marriage, by which will be the standard for God's judgment. What is legal in our manmade laws (i.e., fornication) is not always legal in God's laws. Thus, when our laws conflict with God's laws, we should choose God's. When people tell us to disobey God, "we must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)

4) Just as with any other sinful lifestyle, a homosexual lifestyle may be the grace of God, but it's not because He approves it, but because He permits it and allows us enough time for us to repent and be saved: "The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

If we want to defend gay marriage or a homosexual lifestyle, or any other sins we practice, we have the freedom to do so (this freedom doesn't nullify the consequences for our rebellion against God). But we must not defend it by saying that God supports or condones it. We must not say that God supports something when He does not. That is blasphemous. We must not equate God's permission with His approval.

It's true that homosexuality has been in existence since ancient times, for thousands of years. But so have blindness, deafness, and a slew of other disabilities, not to mention the practice of all known sins. Does this mean that all these are what God truly wants for humanity? To use the longterm presence of something as evidence for God's ultimate approval and desire is flawed according to God's own Word.

So while our premise ("God doesn't make any mistakes") is correct, our conclusion ("God approves homosexuality") is blasphemy. Yahweh Himself said, "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7) We must be very careful with what we say about God. Obviously, God isn't just anyone--He is our Creator, Life-Giver, Sustainer, and Judge, so He deserves our greatest honor, respect, devotion, and love. We can approach Him only in reverence, humility, and worship; this is the very least we can do in gratitude in light of what He has done for us.

5) While we have the free will to continue living a homosexual lifestyle, understand that God will judge us according to His laws. Only God is our Judge, so it's to Him we will give an account. Know that neither the unrepentant "sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

But there's something that must be stressed here: even if we repent and live a seemingly perfect, virtuous life in accordance with God's laws, it would be meaningless if we don't come to trust in Jesus alone for our salvation. It's only Jesus + repentance that will bring us salvation. Apart from Jesus, we're all lost, regardless of our sexuality.

My friends, carefully consider your lifestyle in light of God's commandments, not just in the area of your sexuality but every facet of your life. Consider how you should respond to God and to Jesus. You have the choice to conform or not to conform to God's will, and you'll be held responsible for the choice you make. No one can decide for you. Your eternal future is up to you. I urge you to come to God and Jesus for your salvation if you haven't already: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn't believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:16-18, 36)

The Bottom Line

The bottom line to all this is the answer to the most important question: do you love God? Love for God is the bottom line. If we don't love God, nothing else would matter, regardless of whether we believe in Him. It's only when we love God with our whole heart, spirit, and might will it be a joy for us to obey His commandments to the best of our ability. Without love, the best we could do is obey Him grudgingly. Love for God is to love Him for who He is, to love His Son, to love His commandments, and to love one another. We can't say that we love God if we don't love fellow creation. Thus, our love for God is expressed through and proven genuine by our love for others.

When we commit any sin, from gossiping to hating others for any reason, it shows that we love ourselves more than we love God. We all know the golden rule, but Jesus took it a step further: we are to love others, not only as we love ourselves, but more than we love ourselves. Since we are to love others more than we love ourselves, then how much more ought we to love God and Jesus more than we love ourselves, the God who has given us our very lives and Jesus who died for us to give us the chance of an everlasting life! To return their love is the only proper response.

Indeed, loving God and Jesus is self-sacrificial love. But what we sacrifice would fall embarrassingly short of Jesus' sacrifice for us. If you think about it, what little sacrifice we make is really no sacrifice at all, for when we give up temporal things, we would gain eternal treasures, as Jesus said: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds." (Matthew 16:24-27) But don't love God and Jesus for their rewards; love them for who they are and what they have done for you.

Well, my dear friends, I pray that God will give you a heart to love Him and His Son ever increasingly and unwaveringly, and that you will come to trust in Jesus alone as your Lord and Savior for your salvation. Decide wisely and carefully, for it'll be the most important decision you'll ever make, as it determines your eternal destiny. Do not delay, for upon your passing or when Jesus returns (whichever comes first), the door of opportunity for you to decide and repent will close. Then Judgment Day will come, when each unbeliever will face God and, defeated, they'll finally acknowledge God as Creator and Jesus as Lord. Amen.

~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley~*~

Question: In the Old Testament, God required "an eye for an eye," but in the New Testament, Jesus said, "Whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Is that a contradiction?

Answer: No, "an eye for an eye" and "turn the other cheek" do not contradict. Allow me to explain and clarify this common misconception of the Bible.

The principle of "an eye for an eye" is how God's perfect justice system works. This means that in a court of law, the criminal should be punished in proportion to the crime they committed. A person who committed a big crime should receive a tougher punishment appropriate for their crime, while a person who committed a less significant crime should receive a lesser punishment. For example, if I steal something from you, I should not be punished with a death sentence. Thus, "an eye for an eye" promotes fair judgment and punishment, and prevents unfair judgment and punishment. "An eye for an eye" should be followed/practiced in the court, not in personal, everyday matters.

However, after God gave this law, people began abusing this law by using this in their personal, non-criminal matters. For example, if I slapped you, you would slap me back. If I pulled your hair, you would pull mine. This promoted personal revenge. This is the issue that Jesus dealt with. This is why he told us to "turn the other cheek," meaning that we should not take revenge. Slapping someone on the cheek, especially the right cheek, was a form of great insult in ancient Israel. So when Jesus said, "Whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also," he meant, "If someone greatly insults you, don't insult them back at all. Even let them continue to insult you without protesting." This follows God's principle: do not overcome evil with evil, but overcome evil with good.

"An eye for an eye" should be used in only dealing with criminal matters in the court, while "turning the other cheek" should be used in everyday matters. Jesus is the most perfect example of "turning the other cheek." When he was insulted, hit, and spat at, he kept quiet. He never took revenge.

As you can see, there's no contradiction concerning "an eye for an eye" and "turning the other cheek," because each principle is used for different purposes in different situations.

~*~A Biblical Wisdom Nugget~*~

"Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. He made the rib, which Yahweh God had taken from the man, into a woman, and brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:21-22)

After creating the first man, Yahweh said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18) Thus, God created the first woman and brought her to the man. Upon seeing her, the man proclaimed, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken out of Man." (Genesis 2:23) He said this since Yahweh made the woman from his rib.

Why did Yahweh make the woman from the man's rib? After all, He could have used any material or simply made her from nothing. I believe that God used the man's rib to create the woman to achieve the greatest intimacy. It is like a mother giving birth to her own child; many people agree that a mother feels more intimate with her child if she has given birth to him as opposed to adopting him. So when the woman came from the man's own body, they have that intimacy to begin with.

In the intimate union we call marriage, "a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) Here, two bodies become "one flesh," signifying spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical oneness or unity. This unity is to last till death shall part the couple, for what "God has joined together, don't let man tear apart." (Matthew 19:6) For this reason, divorce should be the option only in cases of fornication (sexual immorality, such as adultery). Note what Jesus said, "Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9)

Hence, the purpose of marriage between a man and a woman is companionship and intimacy on every level. Two people who fully grasp this purpose of marriage will avoid entering into marriage for the wrong reasons, and will avoid mistreating their marriage partners once they do enter into the sacred union.

If you're a husband, are you treating your wife as your own body? She is indeed the flesh of your flesh, the bone of your bones, a part of you that is to be loved and cherished for life. Likewise, you wives out there, respect and love your second halves in return, for remember, you are one flesh with your husbands for life.

May the grace and peace from Yahweh God and Jesus Christ be with you.!

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Best regards,

Dr. Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards

Ultra-Ability Ministry

Proclaimer of Yahweh God's Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ

Author/Contributor/Editor of 35 books by age 27, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate

Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club

http://www.shirleycheng.com

"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Yahweh God haul you high!"

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