Funerals - Three in a Week

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I've used this graphic before - first on Baptist Funerals, and again writing of funerals. They happen. People die. Expectedly. And, extremely unexpectedly.

Friday we attended the funeral of a friend from church. That same day another friend from church died. His funeral will be this Thursday. Saturday morning the daughter of a church friend experienced a ruptured aneurysm. Her death Sunday morning was still a shock. Three deaths within a week's time of people we knew.

The first thing we are able lto do is to pray, and my first thoughts in those prayers take me to a verse I've used on this blog many times for a variety of occasions:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)

Those verses are not a prayer - they are an explanation about prayer. We've been given instructions about prayers by the very person who is our intecessor in Heaven. He began by explaning how NOT to pray:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:5-8)

Did you get the part "your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him"? Reminds me of "And he that searacheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit." God knows exactly what just happened in our lives - every single moment in our lives. There are no surprises to Him as there are to us. From the last breath of a loved one in hospice to the staggering shock of an unexpected loss, God knew it was coming and He knows what we need.

My second thought about preparing to speak to someone who has experienced a loss is II Corinthians 1:3-4:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter Jesus spoke of in John 14, and among those verses is:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Remember Pentecost? When the Holy Spirit first came upon Jesus followers? From then on, believers' baptism included the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the comforter who was to teach us and help us remember all that Jesus taught. How do you get that education Jesus taught? Bible reading. 

Reading God's word with prayer brings us closer to understanding where we are, why we are where we are, where we need to be next, and trust God's presence in placing us where He wants us to be doing His will.

I knew two of the three people who died this week, and the mother who lost her daughter. Three families with multiple generations are missing someone who meant life to them. They need comfort. It is available in a number of ways.

First is contact at home, letting them know there is help with transportation, planning, and guests. Food is needed, and they have little attention left for meals. That is easily provided. The funeral can be attended as a sign of caring support - and in our church, a meal afterward is available with a variety of simply awesome comfort food. Key word remains "comfort." Never forgetting there is a Comforter provided by God through Jesus Christ for every event in our life, good, bad, or deadly.

Each of these people made a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, based on biblical beliefs that go beyond John 3:16:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

It also encompasses:

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

Obedience to walk with God goes beyond public words. I'll be adding a small prayer for my readers:

Oh, Lord, my strength in all that is around me, I pray for those that stop and read your words here that they will reach for the full, so very Holy, Bible. Your messages to us over millennia carry history and hope for every living person. I pray it is opened and read, read and prayed over, understood and carried out that your will is done in our lives. Comfort us, Lord, in our losses, and restore joy in our blessings. Guide and directd our lives as we seek Thy will in our daily lives. Amen.

Come With Prayerfulness

 

Every time I pray for help in writing this blog, words flow. When I try to do it on my own, I have writers block like a train tunnel bricked up at both ends. There is no light at all in that particular tunnel.

From the beginning of the Bible to the very last chapter, there are examples of people - all kinds of people, rich, poor, smart, dumb, old young, Jew, and gentile - all prayed directly to God. Priests were available, not required until the Mosaid law, and I only found one instance where I have questions about that:

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matthew 19:6-8)

In this, and a couple of other instances, I'd like to have the answer. But, I know I have to "know as also I am known", as Paul wrote. So I will wait upon that particular answer and stick to ones not ambiguous.

Best examples are the good things done in the Bible that worked well - and talking with God is outstanding. Priests handled sacrifices, prophets spoke to the people, but everyone had the opportunity to speak to God, and answers were available. Why do we often ignore that today?

Be careful when you start studying pray/prayer(s)/prayerfulness - there are over 450 matches in the King James Version. ESV has 321 (Hmmm. How about that?) ASV has 515. DRB has 505. No matter which version of the Bible you choose to study (I personally use more than one), it will take time to reach a personal conclusion regarding your own prayer life.

Jesus taught us a prayer - but we do not have to follow each and every word to reach Him. Matthew's (6:9-13) is longer and more familiar, given as part of the Sermon on the Mount. It includes phrases like "on earth as it is in heaven" and concludes with deliverance from the evil one. Luke's (11:2-4) is shorter and more concise, given in response to a follower's request. It uses the word "sins" instead of "debts".

Never in the Old or New Testaments is there a reason given to pray to a person here on earth in order to have our prayers reach God. Often, when someone asks for prayers in support, I will send them this:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)

Or:

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

God Himself hears our prayers. We are saints (do not doubt that) and our prayers are sweet to Him:

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8)

In his letters to churches, Paul asks for prayer:

Romans 15:30-32, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians 4:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, and Hebrews 13:18 (Yes, I am one of those who thinks Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, perhaps with Luke writing it down and getting it out of prison. No, I do not want to argue about it. Research on your own and reach your own conclusion.)

Of course, our own best example is Jesus, in the Garden, with sleeping disciples, alone with His father, knowing exactly what was approaching down the road. Once, twice, and the third time, He prayed: 

Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42; and Mark 14:36.

He also prayed for His disciples, then for you, me, and all the others who believe Him:

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:20-22)

Please take a moment to pray to our Father in remembrance of His unspeakable gift of eternal life to all who believe His promise:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

It really is that simple.

What Comes To Mind

 

Copyright - not for reproduction

That light colored mass is behind my right eye, pressing into my right temporal lobe. Has been for over a decade, and for a variety of reasons, is considered inoperable - unless it reaches out to touch my optic nerve, which it hasn't. I decided to call it Henry - much more easily pronounced than meningioma, which fortunately usually represeents a benign tumor. We use annual MRIs to track Henry, who has grown in millimeters, not centimeters, which is fortunate. I just set up my annual appointment, so Henry is back on my mind.

What comes to mind when you have something growing in your body that you cannot see, and is measured in ways you don't understand? Odd thoughts. 

Henry was discovered when I took my headaches to my primary care physician and he requested the first MRI. The results sent me to a neurologist who sent me to a neurosurgeon. That's when I learned a complication meant the only removal option was cyberknife. Since Henry was slow growing, we all decided to remain on watch-and-wait. Frankly, as a septuagenarian there would most likely me something else that ended the watch. Fortunately, wait continues. My "time" has not come.

"Wait" has a lot of religious connotations for Christians. Jews waited for a Messiah. We think He came, but Christians have been waiting a very long time for His promised return. We continue to hope - to expect - 

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:30-36)

The single "hope" in this example Jesus gives is the only time the word is used in the four gospels. However, the word is used another 60 times in the remainder of the New Testament. Mostly in verses similar to:

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: (Acts 26:6)

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:24-25)

That "hope" is faith that God has given us instructions to follow, and when we do, we reach Him. Simple, isn't it? Then why are there so many different denominations, undenominational churches, and disputes within denominations who all claim to be the right path to God?

My personal opinon is too many people deciding they know what is right over what is biblically correct. Add that error to a personal falibility in mankind - to chose what is liked over what is necessary.

Wasn't that how the world saw Jesus? How many in the world see Him today? Too many of us do not like a specific area Jesus taught, so we change what was said to fit our current view of the world view. Very famous world leaders have done that, and so has a neighbor down your street. It began with Eve. Adam and Eve were given simple instructions:

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)

Of course God knew - Peter knew:

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:19-20)

Nothing surprises God, but His interference does not occur as expected, and has usually been foretold. Best to keep it simple, as He has put before us. If we think something spiritual comes to mind, test it!

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (1 John 4:1-2)

Witnesses Testify Truthfully

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7, KJV)

The other day I posted verses. Today a new thought came from them. That happens a lot when we read Scripture with prayers to see what God has to tell us. Earlier I was thinking of the Holy Spirit and about both the just and the unjust who can have the same experiences of good and bad. 

Today I was struck by:  or if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 

Jesus had a choice. He has the same human choice all people face - faith that God can do what He promised and follow instructions, or do as you please. 

We think of Jesus as being tempted once and coming through a test. That is not humanly possible. We are tempted daily. You and I both know that. Simple things, like bread. That's what Satan used first with Jesus:

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:1-4)

How simple that would have been for the man who fed thousands with a few loves and fish to have bread in an instant. But He used what we should when we are tempted - scripture. That "every word of God" should be very important to us, but do not take things out of context. God will never ask that we break His commandments in order to follow His words. Question what we read, prayerfully and keeping in mind that God has given us a Comforter.

How can you - or I - use scripture if we don't know it? How do we get to know it? By reading it every day and memorizing when we can. The more time we spend with scripture, the more we read, question, prayer about, and eventually understand what God has in there that we've missed before.

I use e-Sword on my phone and on my computer more than I do a printed Bible. I find it extremely handy and helps me search for scripture when I am only certain about a word or two. It allows me to highlight and take notes, just as the printed Bible does, but it is easier to search in for specific words or phrases.

For example - where Jesus gives the most important law. I love those verses and can remember one phrase used there "second like unto" so I search for all three of those words, which only occur in one verse. But it takes four verses to get the gist, and it takes knowing the Ten Commandments to know why those two are the most important. The Bible is always more important than a single verse. Context is absolutely necessary in seeing beyond tradition and teaching errors.

It takes the whole Bible - from Genesis to Revelation to see why Jesus had to die - God has given His life story through prophets from Genesis forward. If Jesus took Satan's offer, what would happen? Frankly, heaven only knows. "If" truly is an illusion that never does occur when God's plan is followed. 

Who better to follow it then the human God created specifically for the purpose, in whom the Holy Spirit dwelled. Where was the Spirit between calvary and Pentecost? We can't know, and it makes no difference in our instructions. 

Until His return, His disciples were told what to do:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8, KJV)

When we believe on Him we make a public profession of faith. At Pentecost, believers were given the Holy Spirit for the first time. It no longer comes with "tongues of fire," but we are still to be witnesses unto Jesus both at home and into the uttermost. 

How is your witnessing? 

He Has Character

That's just a snippit of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling -  the hand of God reaching out toward Adam's - one man's vision of the creation that doesn't match the Bible at all, but is a beautiful painting. God allowed but one man to glimpse Him as He left - and Moses did not leave a detailed description.

I have my own concept of God, gained by reading His word and my prayers to Him:

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12, KJV)

Indeed. Like Paul, I know Him. Another Paul quote:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

The God I worship is all powerful, omnipotent, capable of keeping the life I gave Him even if I'm incapable of doing all He asks of me. In previous blogs I have included a few assurances verses. These two scriptures are specific assurances that God is capable of keeping our souls that we put in His keeping. 

Our Father has inspired a wide variety of authors to get His story to us. Some of the authors remain anonymous - such as the oldest book - Job. Even so, there is a wealth of information about God's character - even if we are left with questions about Satan's character, location, and relationship with God.

My resume has some unique businesses, but two of them remain international firms with a wide range of employees. One in particular offered a position where co-workers worshipped god's dissimilar to the Judeo-Christian God of the Bible.

Saddest in my view was one co-worker who had been raised in a Catholic family, left their faith to seek "something that was missing," and was open with their Wiccan beliefs. "As it harms none, do what ye will." It was understood there were spirits involved, which the Bible faced much earlier:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

My co-worker specifically rejected Jesus as being any part of God, or their being a God who inspired the Bible. Another co-worker worships a variety of gods who report to a single, more powerful god - but definitely require sacrifices and worship for themselves. There are idols representing them, whether they be major or minor gods.

Some see Christians as worshipping a trinity of gods, but God is singular. I've written about that often, the most recent being last week's "Let's Start With Baptism" so we won't spend time there except to say Jesus was killed because He continued to equate Himself to God. God was here in a natural, human, body, and fulfilled all the scriptures that pointed to His coming.

Yet there are a couple of religions that reject that. One is actively growing today, the other was more active in the 18th century.  While Christianity is often thought of as a separate religion, it should be considered a branch of Judaism, a continuation of Jewish prophecy. When we read:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (Deuteronomy 6:4)

We also read Jesus Christ's confirmation in Matthew 22:36-40 and again in Mark:

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)

Thus, in a continuing story since the very creation of this world, a single deity has remained involved with His creation. God is a spirit:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23)

That is where we are. Waiting with His commands in our lives for the remainder of the prophesies to be fulfilled. He has tasks for each of us. With His presence you will find your specific task. Do it as long as you are here. There's a marvelous reward for doing so.

Along Came A Spider

 

Let me expand the information from that graphic. A friend posted on X that she had taken the time to rescue a wolf spider inside her house. She had cleaner in her hand, sprayed the spider, caught it in a paper cup, rinsed it off, and placed it safely outside. Another poster write the above and I did a screen capture on this particular sermon.

Indeed - looking through the Bible there are a virtual mountain of examples where God took someone from a place theiy shouldn't be, put them in the place they should be, and proceeded with His eternal plan that we continue to wonder whether or not it exists - and if it does, why doesn't He share it with us now? Don't tell me that question hasn't run through your mind. Surely you know it ran through the minds of people who dealt directly with God.

First, of course, would be Adam and Eve. The first three chapters has that story pretty well covered. Knowing exactly what they would do with Eden, God moved them into the real world to get on with the rest of the story.

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (Genesis 3:23)

Then there was Abraham, who pretty much did what God told him to do - leave home and settle in a new place. It took some wandering around, the loss of his nephew's wife, but he was promised land for his descendants:

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (Genesis 12:1-2)

Isaac wasn't Abraham's first born son - and that particular battle is being fought after a multitude of millennia! Isaac had to accept the wife his father had brought to him, put up with battles between his two sons, and one had to go to an uncle. This uncle foisted off one daughter after seven years service, then another seven for the second daughter, before Jacob could return to his family.

I'm certain both Isaac and Jacob would understand the wolf spider's confusion at his move.

Joseph - Jacob's beloved son - right? He had literal dreams of sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him. He was his father's favorite son and ten of his brothers had a problem with that. By this time Jacob's name had been changed to Israel, and he was the leader of several tribes - within a couple of generations, they were all in Egypt, bound as slaves - and we are only in the first book of the Bible.

Every one of the above people were placed where they needed to be by following God's instructions. Note that there was some deviation on the part of each person. None of us are perfect. God uses the people who respond to Him. That particular choice is explained in Esther - about half way between Moses and Jesus' times:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

Simple. All Esther had to do was go to a place where people had been killed for sitting foot. It depended completely on the whim of a man who had complete control over her life and had been known to send people to their death for approaching him. What would you have done?

Oddly enough, God's name, titles, nor Judaism in any form other than birth is mentioned in Esther. Yet everyone knows the fate of the tribes of Israel were decided in the actions described in this book, and are celebrated among the Israelite people even today. 

I could go into detail about where we live today, but it would take a couple of chapters to explain how God brought it to specifically the right place to watch the conversion experience that convinced us we were moved here at the right time. Instead, let me turn again to the Bible to show how well God plans:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)

Armageddon

 

Armageddon (circle of Pierre de Cortone)

"The extraordinary iconography of this work is an almost literal interpretation of the Book of Revelation (16: 1-14), which describes the final battle between Good and Evil on the day of the Last Judgment. Seven angels pour out the bowls of God’s wrath on the Earth, each one unleashing a new plague. The dragon on the right represents the false prophets, from whose mouths issue ‘unclean spirits like frogs’. Although it depicts a subject rarely tackled in Italian painting, this work was certainly executed by an artist close to Pietro da Cortona, as suggested by the mysterious heavily draped figures that close the composition on the left."

I am as curious as the next person as to what the descriptions in Revelation might mean. Were they limited by the vocabulary of the times? How would a person in first century describe one of these flying:

I've read one author that described a battle where helicopters fit well into Revelation 4:3-11. May I explain right now - it doesn't matter.

There are many such explanations, assumptions, ascertainments, and guesses about when the Battle of Armageddon will occur, who will be left on earth when it does occur, and firm statements that it cannot occur because God does not exist. Not one of those statements concerns me.

I hope it doesn't concern you either. We are only promised right now. Any portion of the future we are in is to be considered our allotted time, but it may last for decades, or it may end now. We've all seen death occur around us. I imagine any of my readers would have experienced the death of a family member, perhaps extended or close, or a friend, or co-worker. Everyone is aware that we spend our lifetime without knowing when it will end.

We reach out to people who have made it clear they are unhappy with that arrangement and wish to meet death quicker and on their own terms. For a variety of reasons, people do take their own lives - and we work hard to keep them from accomplishing their goal. We search for reasons to continue.

As Christians, we have been given assurance that there is more than this life on earth, but not everyone is a Christian. There are other religions that belief life continues, but not in the manner Jesus taught. As His followers, He has made it plain that we are to accomplish His purpose, and at the correct time we would be joining Him. 

I do love the assurance verses:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

Those are only a few that confirm Jesus' word to Nicodemus in John 3:16. That entire conversation is an excellent read. Even a very educated Pharisee came to Jesus with questions. Can you imagine the bravery it took for him to ask for permission to bury Jesus?

As Christians, we need to be prepared to work God's will in our lives. It may not be a noticeable position, and we may feel that no one is paying attention to us - you'd be very surprised. 1 Corinthians 12 explains it much better - read before and after this:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (1 Corinthians 12:23)

One of my most memorable ladies lacked a strong educated background, but she was an awesome prayer warrior with a long list that she laid before God with fervor. 

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8)

That is something we can all do, along with gathering together in worship and fellowship, as long as God has us here. He places His children where He needs them when He needs them. Read Esther. She was placed for one specific purpose where she could accomplish God's will to save Israelites. Why? Only God knows the totality of His plan. But we are given a glimpse and instructions. 

Enjoy your curiousities, but don't live your life in/for anything expect the closeness God offers through prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowshipping with like minded believers - and enjoying the fruit of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Proof of Life

 

Fetal Anomaly Ultrasound Scan in Navi Mumbai.jpg

A composite image displaying six distinct ultrasound views captured during a fetal anomaly scan (often referred to as a mid-pregnancy or TIFFA scan). The sonograms provide detailed visualization of fetal anatomical structures, clearly showing the hands with visible digits, the facial profile, and skeletal elements. This type of detailed prenatal imaging is a routine part of maternal-fetal medicine and is commonly conducted at diagnostic imaging centers and maternity hospitals across Navi Mumbai, including areas such as Vashi, Nerul, and Kharghar, Taloja, Kalamboli, Kamothe, Panvel, Seawoods, Ulwe, to monitor fetal development and screening for potential congenital conditions.

I just finished a book written by J. A. Jance entitled "Proof of Life." It's a mystery, one of her series about a man through his employment as a police officer, homicide detective, into his retirement. Not until the end of the book do we discover the answer to: "Why this title?"

Google's AI search informed me that "proof of life" refers to verification methods used to confirm that an individual is alive and well, often through a photo, video, or message. This concept is commonly applied in contexts such as hostage situations, pension verification, and benefits programs. I posit that an ultrasound gives that same proof of life to the entities we term as: zygote, embryo, fetus, preborn, or unborn. 

Women seeking an abortion, legislators creating laws, attorneys questioning those laws in court, and judges coming down on the side of choosing whether or not a woman completes gestation have never accepted that conception indicates a stage of life for humans. Surviving birth isn't the final legal step, either, as some babies have been left (or assisted) to die simply by withholding medical care.

Two verses bring to mind a spiritual knowledge of life as a preborn:

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalms 139:13-15)

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

Another in the New Testament concerns two separate pregnancies:

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:41-45)

Please do not explain to me that I am judging women who choose abortion. I am stating facts that agree with science that upon conception a unique human being is formed. Totally dependent on its mother for nourishment and protection, that human being has certain inalienable rights that include life. American rights to life and liberty were first written in the Virginia Declaration of Rights on June 12, 1776, and shortly after in the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776.

However, some people - man, women, parents, mothers, fathers - who should protect babies have found them to be inconvenient in a list of ways. The child may be short-lived, born deformed, unable to live a "normal" life, an impact on the family finances, not wanted by the person(s) who participated in conception, or an embarrassment to a family or its honor. There is an entire list of reasons people have used to remove a living human from the mother's womb.

If the fetus dies in the womb of natural causes, there are methods of showing proof of death just as there is proof of life. For any physician to deny a woman's request for those tests and for the removal of the dead child, that refusal should be considered malpractice - shouldn't it? What reasons should exist for removing a fetus?

Convenience has become a valid reason, and in some places that removal can be done up to the moment the fetus enters the birth canal during labor.

How did my country reach the point that it approves abortion by request? That took place in our extended family. I expect there are few families in America who have not lost an expected member through abortion - millions upon millions have been done for decades.

There's another verse that comes to mind:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

I have not had a vision from God - it is in my own mind that I wonder what it would be like to find in Heaven that we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses during God's judgment. What if each inconvenienced human met the soul of their aborted child? From biblical verses that describe specific events, the outcome will be known:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Let's Start With Baptism

Baptism of Christ - by Sebastiano Ricci

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

J. Warner Wallace is an author, teacher, apologist, and was a homicide detective. His personal search for the truth behind Jesus is well worth reading - or listening to. A recent podcast on the question of Jesus' deity brought to mind questions I've heard or read, and some thoughts that have been shared with me. 

There is no doubt in my mind that not only are Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 valid eplanations, but they cover the very same personages. One of the first things that bend the rules for me is the question of time. It is defined by the "rising of the sun" and the "setting of the sun" plus divisions inbetween that can be tracked by a sundial. That is total nonsense on any other planet in our own solar system, isn't it.

We base our reality on what we know, along with what mankind has discovered over an innumerable rising and setting of our star, the Sun. Do not confuse Sun with Son, though several civilizations did worship the Sun. A huge number of named deities have been worshipped, usually associated with a large number of equal or lesser beings.

The Children of Israel worshipped one singular God who promised a savior, a Messiah, one who would restore and lead them. Prophecies were written that remained unfulfilled for hundreds of years. Until a child was born in Bethlehem.

Let's start with his baptism, though, because that is one place where non-believers can point to Christians worshipping a trio of Gods. My experience has been that if God wants us to pay attention, He repeats information. Jesus' baptism is mentioned in all four gospels:

Pastor Jason Elder's website

Indeed, this is very important because believers are asked to follow in baptism as a public profession of faith, an outward sign of the death/burial/resurrection of Jesuis, as well as the commitment of our lives to be lived for Him. There is nothing biblical that I have found that shows baptism in and of itself is the salvation process. The belief that Jesus is God incarnate, dying for the sins of mankind, acceptance of His gift, is required. The firmness of that belief will bring changes to our lives, which become focused on God's will in our lives and sharing His good news with others. The very reason for this blog.

At the close of the baptism, we are told by witnesses that they heard God's voice affirm Jesus was His son and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove. John in particular identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the earth.

John is the very best chapter in understanding the deity of Jesus. As Christians claim, following Him confessing to being monotheistic has other religions questioning our worship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are two specifics that helped me understand. 

The first is words that describe me: daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a few others in work and personal environments. I exist in a single human body. 

God is described as a spirit in multiple places in the Bible, but Jesus is described as being born, growing to adulthood, preaching, and dying. Sounds like many humans. But He is also described as being God, a spirit that can be in multiple places at any given time, offering the body He created as the sacrifice He required. At Jesus' Baptism, all three aspects are mentioned: God the Father's words, the Holy Spirit descending as a dove, and the physically human Son of God rising from the water. 

That is one spirit which happened to include one human body that was created by God to hold the Spirit of God for three decades on earth. That does not confine the Spirit of our creator by any means. Jesus explained to the woman at the well in Samaria, who during their conversation said:

"Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."
Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.' (John 4:20-24)

Wallace's podcast is much longer than this one subject blog, but he covers 21 specific instances in the book of John where Jesus specifically mentioned that He and the Father are one. The death sentence He ws given was because equated Himself (correctly, I believe) with God. Yes, men crucified God, but He gave Himself as the sacrifice as promised:

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8)

Tarry In Jericho

 

This graphic is not available for copying

Have you ever been so shamed that you couldn’t face anyone?

2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 tell a story of a kindness by King David that turned into a very painful situation for servants of King David. We have no information on how many servants, nor do we know their names. They were physically insulted.

In their culture it was a double insult to their manhood when their hair on one side of their beards were removed, and their clothing cut off to display their buttocks.  Apparently one person was not so treated and was able to go ahead of them, and get back in time to tell them to “tarry in Jericho” until their hair had grown back. 

Google gave a quick answer as to how quickly a man's beard grows - an average of half an inch a month was one site's conclusion. The author went further and stated:  "... the average man could have a beard of up to six inches in length after a year of growth with minimal trimming." Therefore, David basically gave his servants a year in Jericho.

This made me wonder what a person would do if they had a year off, but continued their employment, yet could not go home to family and friends. Think about it for a moment. You do not wish to be seen, for it is physically possible for people to see what you consider a shame filled time for yourself - but there's a whole year for you to tarry away from home.

Not too often are people in the Bible told to tarry, which basically means the same in Hebrew (abide, continue, dwell, endure, remain) as it does in Greek (abide, continue, dwell, endure, sit) but there are are 50 verses that use that word in the King James Version.

Beloved Husband grew a beard this year. From January to July 4, to celebrate our country's 250th birthday. It was not a long one. Yes, he had it shaped a couple of times, but not cut back. In our culture beards are a personal decision - but in this biblical story, they were so expected that it was better to hid away from home then to be seen. 

Today, in our culture, people appear to lack any shame. Recognizing sinfulness in our lives may bring a feeling of shame, but repentance is a necessity to allow God's joy to fill our lives. With His plan of salvation, our sin is gone. 

That is God's promise. Not mine. Do you know where the Bible tells us it is His?

A Song From Sunday's Service

Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Dec 2, 1873. Page 1

 We begin Sunday worship services with singing. When you open the YouTube app and it shows the countdown to starting, the switch to live takes you right into music. It is a regular part of our service, bringing us together to focus on the pulpit and the choir loft behind it.

Among the songs Sunday was "It Is Well With My Soul." Betcha you've heard it, though you may not know much about it. I've written more than once about Horatio Spafford. Highlights of his life are: a wealthy lawyer with investments in Chicago; had a beautiful wife and four lovely girls; was a Presbyterian for many years; founded the American Colony in Jerusalem, providing medical care, shelter, and soup kitchens to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Several tragedies could have overwhelmed him: the Chicago fire, which burned his investments, leaving only charred property, the loss of his four daughters in a shipwreck, financial loss, but not a loss of faith.

The lyrics were sung a couple of years after the collision of two ships that sank the Ville de Harve in less than fifteen minutes. From the above news story, Mrs. Spafford and the girls were sailing with friends from Chicago - while Horatio remained behind due to business concerns.

His wife's telegram, "Saved alone. What shall I do?" speaks volumes. After receiving that, he traveled to New York and sailed to be with her. As his ship crossed the spot, the captain told him they were sailing over where the ship had been lost.

How does any one handle such loss? I don't know. I cannot begin to imagine the loss of a child, much lose all of my children in a single accident.

However, I do know a bit about having faith through tragic loss. I know bad things happen to very good people, and good things happen for very bad people. I know we live in a fallen world that God provided natural resources that can damage property and people, too. 

Matthew quoted Jesus in teaching us to love our enemies: 

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matthew 5:44-46)

In the middle, Jesus let us know that God is aware natural things happen to both the just and the unjust. Those with faith continue to love God and also understand:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Jesus told His disciples that after His death a Comforter would be coming:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:7-8)

Let's go back to Romans 8:

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:24-27)

That brings to my mind the blessed assurance of salvation:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

For me - that is the foundation for facing death - not just my own eventual, but the very real loss of parents, nephew, grandson, friends, and an innocent child in our community. Faith in God.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Paul's Life Gives Me Hope

 

Saint Paul

I've written about Paul before. I've been reading some social media posts that are not hopeful. fortunately, I'm sufficiently familiar with Bible stories the give examples of why I continue to believe:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)

Not an eye witness to biblical events, I can have faith in their validity. No one can prove the historical events did not happen, plus archeology continues to confirm history contained in the Hebrew Tanakh. Judaism retained belief for hundreds of centuries following Moses' leading Israelites out of Egypt, back to land they had grazed through generations until the moved to Egypt. 

Judaism had divisions when Christ was born, just as they, Christianity, and Islam do today. Scholars, who while disagreeing on some doctrine, believed in a singular deity, just as today. 

Paul was such a scholar. As a student under a member of the Sanhedrin, he was zealous in defending their faith to the point of seeing Jesus' followers (not yet called Christians) in prison or dead. 

What changed Paul? 

He never denied his own religion. Israel's being the focus of God's interaction with mankind remained the foundation. Jews were looking for action from God. The land promised to them had passed through many hands and they wanted it back. Scriptures promised there would be a future for the Jewish people and the timing was just about right for the promised one.

Paul had studied all those scriptures in Jerusalem, the center of Judaism and Jewish culture. The High Priest conducted ceremonial offering just as they had been done as Aaron did in the Tabernacle, only Paul saw them done in the third - and so far last - temple. Paul took pride in being a Jew, a Pharisee, and being taught by Gamaliel:

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. (Acts 22:3-4)

Apparently Paul did not heed Gamaliel, who stood up in the Jewish Council and said:

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. . . . And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:34-35, 38-39)

What hope of salvation was there for a man who sought Jesus' followers and persecuted them unto death? Frankly, the same hope of all sinners -  which is everyone in our world today. Paul had that same hope. His renowned teach even said to the Council that they could be found fighting against God.

What changed Paul? A face to face meeting with the resurrected Jesus. The whole story is in Acts, and I've referenced it before. Either take my word for it, or look it up. It does take a meeting with Jesus for us to realize what is meant in John 3:16-18. The majority do not have that brilliant meeting Paul had - but we don't have the job God gave Paul. And for that I am extremely grateful.

I do have the same hope of salvation that Paul preached for the rest of his life. It is as simple as John 3:16 and as difficult as the entire book of the Bible. Accepting Jesus as God's plan of salvation is totally based on faith - which is:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

What is faith to you? When did you discover you had faith? Can you share specific events of faith with others? Paul did all of that - defined faith, discovered it on the road to Damascus, shared it with people for the rest of his life. Let's do our part. Share the substance of things you hope for. With anyone.

Walking On Water As A New Christian

Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water, c. 1907.jpg

 A Facebook post this week caught my eye. There was an error in the headline, but what was important is that Jesus was not the only person the Bible says who walked on water. Peter did, too:

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:29)

Even in Commons Wikimedia, very few of the paintings had Peter standing on the water. In most, he was half way in, with Jesus holding his hand. In many, the painting indicated a storm - but to me that when Jesus was getting some sleep in a boat, not this same instance. We know what the fishermen were doing:

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:22-24)

The blue in Tanner's painting doesn't show tossing waves, but it does convey the attention of the crew:

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (Matthew 14:25-28)

Isn't that the way new Christians are? "Lord, I believe in you. Direct miy life." Stepping out in faith the same way Peter stepped out of the boat and "he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." Then we are faced with reality:

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30)

That's not confined to happening with new Christians. Experienced, older and wiser, Christians can come down from a "mountain top" experience and find the wind - temptations, old friends, debts, existing or new problems - and become afraid, beginning to sink. When that does happen - and it will, Peter's example remains the best for us: "Lord, save me!"

Not from sinning, not from being lost, not even from dying (which we all will do eventually) but from the fear that our actions have separated us from Jesus. His answer to Peter is the same for us:

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31)

We doubt because we are human. I love what one man say when Jesus asked if he believed:

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:21-24)

We were sinners, unforgiven, before coming to Jesus in belief. We remain sinners, forgiven, because we have faith in Jesus' words that confirm God's promises. Peter and Paul quote ties in the Jewish faith in God's promises to the Christian's:

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 

(1 Peter 1:9-10)

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:7-10)

Stepping out at Jesus' call did not cause Peter to stumble. Fear did. Renewal of faith had him reaching out for Jesus to save him. When we do fear, seek the love that overcomes:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

Read Hebrews 11th chapter. Faith grows in the loving relationship with God. Not a man, not a building, not the Church, not the congregation, but in our individual relationship with God who is active in all of those.

Not Being A Catholic

 

From Wikimedia Commons, used by Creative Commons Attribution permission

"A mission of compassion for the world"

It is not easy not being a Catholic. You see, we do not have a priest we can confess to and lay all of our sins in his ear. He would then give a Catholic a number of things to do, and absolve the parishioner of all confessed sins. Then they are ready for the next Mass.

Non-Catholics have to confess their sins direct to our Father. Oh, He knows them anyway, but He has requested we acknowledge them, with remorse, too. There are no "Hail Mary's" and we've already spoke directly to our Father, which means in most cases we already know what we were - and are -  supposed to do.

The important thing is, our sins are gone. The ones we prayed to Him about, that we regret that have caused a separation between Him and ourselves. We can do this any time, any place, just as a thief on a cross could call across to the man in the middle:

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42)

A bit further back in the Bible, King David was speaking directly to God after a reminder from his pastoral authority figure, the prophet Nathan:

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:2-4)

Oh, we all need an intercessor - someone who speaks for us before a higher authority - but as not being Catholic, ours is God:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

There are other verses, but no need to fill pages here - the message is simple, as long as scripture is where we find God. Bereans did:

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12)

I believe scripture is of great importance - partly because the Bible says so. But, not being a Catholic, this comes easily:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Oh, yes, not being a Catholic, I'm not confined to fish on certain days, and our pastors know what family life is like because they live through it, too:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

Peter had his own experience with changes in dietary laws that opened his heart to non-Jewish believers:

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (Acts 10:13-15)

There is much to learn in Acts 10. The story of Cornelius and Peter has great depth, and comes to me when I'm reading other verses as confirmation that God speaks to those who speak to Him.

No - I have not had any specific experience where I believe I heard God's voice. But - I could spend pages here showing His hand in where and how I am now. As Paul, I've kicked against the pricks that are designed to lead me on the right path, but I learned better before I took a road to Damascus:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Acts 9:4-5)

Few have such a direct meeting with our Lord. And that's fine with me. His judgment seat is enough for me to consider. Not the first one - I know I'll make it through that because I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who died as prophesied, and rose again on the third day - as He told His disciples. They forgot. They didn't have the gospels, the letters to the churches, the Revelation to John. But, they had Jesus for another 40 days, then received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and they turned the world upside down. Or, at least people tlhought so.

Spend time with your Bible in prayer to our Lord. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. We've been given instructions on how to deal with wrong spirits:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:1-4)

Why? Because reading the Bible brings us closer to our Father. In fact, look beyond the verses here. read chapters especially John, who tells why he wrote:

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)