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Preparing for the Kingdom of God
I recently read a hub by a friend of mine that changed my life—Aguasilver's "It only takes a second to change your life."
I have had many experiences this lifetime that have changed my life. I love it when things like that happen. I have always cultivated an openness to learn new things. Many times, what I learn might be interesting but unacceptable to my current world view. But I'm always cognizant that it is my worldview and not "Truth."
Aguasilver's hub made me vitally aware that I needed to prepare for the coming Kingdom of God. Not only that, it helped me realize that I was still too attached to this world—to my projects, to my books, to my computer and software—and even to my physical body. My friend's hub, and the videos he references, acted as a much needed kick in the pants that I didn't know I needed. Happy circumstance, that.
In the forums, I have long cautioned others—atheists and believers alike—to remain humble. My hunger to learn has kept me open to tidbits of wisdom that others might have to share. With Aguasilver's hub, I received a veritable banquet.
I also realized that I am not prepared for Judgment Day. What a humbling realization that was. I only hope that I have realized in time and that my efforts from this day forth bear worthy fruit.
The Bible
I realized that, though I have studied the Bible for years, I have never read the entire book all the way through. I have several different versions. I have books of biblical commentary and reference. But now I need to get personal with the entire book. Why hadn't I done this before? It's a big book. I suppose a part of me thought the task too daunting, but think about it. In one year, with a handful of verses each day, you could read the entire book. Say you read 67 per day, six days of the week, and 201 on the Sabbath. Depending on your version of the Bible, that should just about fit the entire year.
So, this year, starting on my brother, Terry's birthday (August 28), I am reading the King James Version, right up to my wife's birthday (August 27). Next year, God willing, it will be another version, perhaps NIV (New International Version). I have many versions to consider. CEV (Contemporary English Version), for instance, has a modern English voice, but at least one verse (and likely others) has been shortened (possibly crippled of meaning)—Numbers 14:18—because certain details were left out. Having multiple versions, including the Lamsa, helps achieve a greater level of understanding.
A Life of Service
I have always been busy. As an artist, writer, software engineer, avid amateur astronomer, and reader of a wide variety of topics and sciences, my days have been full.
But now I realize that I have been too selfish. I need to give more of myself and my time. I need to be more like our Lord Jesus and put my talents to work for his cause ahead of my own.
Like it says in Matthew 16:24, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me'" (NIV).
Each one of these conditions can have multiple meanings to each of us, but there is only one truth. I remain humble to find that truth so that I can meet each of these conditions.
Understand What Happened in the First Worldwide Disaster
This book is from years of my own research into a biblical timeline compatible with those of mainstream science. I wasn't surprised that God's holy book would match his own creation (reality), but there were many surprises, including discovering through science the target of Noah's Flood -- a species which went extinct at that time.
To deny myself currently means to me to place my needs and aspirations aside. I need to remove selfish importances and replace them with humble responsibility. Taking up the cross means to me to serve selflessly (especially anonymously), but also to be grateful for all things that come my way, no matter how painful or uncomfortable—to smile in the face of adversity.
To follow Christ means to me to follow his commandments—to love God above all else and to love my fellows as much as I love myself. And, of course, it means to love our Lord Jesus Christ as the best friend humanity has ever had.
I need to anticipate hungrily the establishment of the Kingdom of God. No one knows when it will come, but I suspect it will be soon. We may already have some of the signs—the foundation of modern Israel, the great star named "Wormwood" which poisoned a third of the planet (Chernobyl [Ukrainian for "wormwood"], 1986), perhaps the 9/11 attack on New York and the Pentagon, and perhaps the crushing blow dealt to Iraq in the second Gulf War (the iron and clay feet of Nebuchadnezzar's dream?).
What kind of service? I will continue to ask God about this, but my wife, Juvy has done volunteer work in the past and is particularly fond of the group founded by Mother Teresa. No doubt, this is the start of a wonderful new adventure with an entirely new focus.
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Comments
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Thanks for the "heads up," Deblevey. Yep, the kingdom is within each of us.
BTW lonestar, the Kingdom of God is at hand, as we speak...as it always has been, as it always will be.
We are most certainly in end times. All that is needed for the completion of 'end of the age' is the revelation of the gospel to all the world, which shrinks daily. Be ready! The Son of Man will come like a thief in the night.
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Thanks, LookSeeNow. Yes, the internet is pretty wonderful. New Jersey, huh? I used to live in Maryland, just outside of D.C.
Me, well educated? Sometimes I'm not so certain about that. I didn't finish college until I was 54. Didn't start till I was 45. I'm glad you stopped by.
Wonders of the internet, I see you’re from the Philllipines, and I can communicate with you. I live in New Jersey U S A.
You are well educated I am not. I worked my way through grammar school, and High school. I left home at eleven years old and never went back. My stepfather farmed me out, but I loved it.
I’ve been studying for the priesthood for more than five decades. I’ve written several books, but none have been published. Most of my work is published free on HubPages. I’m reluctant to sell what I received free I wish to give free.
Anyway, from your portfolio I see you are a very interesting man. I’ll read some of your posts.
I vote you up Awesome! jrryghn
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Thank you, Cathleena. I'm not sure how straight it seems to Cags, and I have let my own ego get involved on occasion, but I try to emulate the master. Not easy.
Thanks for your kind words of wisdom.
You set the record straight for Cagsil in a humble and loving way (like Jesus does). He ruffled my feathers a bit once (Cagsil), and now that I've read some of his other posts, I see he enjoys doing that.
I agree with you Lone77star, that we as believers need to prepare for the Kingdom of God, so when Jesus comes for us, we will be the brides who are ready with plenty of oil in our lamps for the celebration at hand.
Following you too and looking forward to reading more of your hubs. May God's blessings be abundantly on you and your family.
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WBA, thanks for your own warm words. May we all receive His blessings.
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Timothy, thanks for the links. A most interesting set of videos.
I think Mr. Schmaltz hints at the same thing to which I was referring.
The story I read was a photocopy of a chapter of a book, and I don't know the name of the book. But it talked of a Buddhist monk called to a town which was experiencing a drought. The monk did nothing out of the ordinary -- fixed tea, washed his clothes, ate, slept... and after three days it rained. Then he rolled up his mat, packed his belongings and went on his way; mission accomplished.
The concept there was that of "allowing" the desired thing to happen. It hinted at "faith," but it also hinted at clarity of purpose, but also humility.
lone77star- Thank you for your heartfelt words! I to have been recently encouraged to be a man of the word. I'm starting in Genesis and planning to consistently read the Bible cover to cover. As you said, we need to daily commit ourselves to putting God first so that we are not only prepared enter to kingdom of God but to extend his kingdom here on earth. As Jesus prayed "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"! We have a commission to extend the kingdom of God as Christ's ambassadors. Blessings-WBA
lone77star, You mentioned “The Rainmaker Principle” in one of your comments above and I was intrigued. After searching around, I discovered only one source that I think, may explain what may be implied by [being] a rainmaker (in a spiritual context, especially as it pertains to Christianity). I therefore would like to include, for the benefit of your readers these three links to YouTube, and the contributor, MASchmaltz:
Rainmaker Introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHdPY1z0s8
Rainmaker Perceptions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afOxXthG0vA&fea...
Rainmaker Speak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKUEulU0UOc&fea...
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...hopefully helping others. Amen to that, John.
Hi Carl,
Apologies for not getting here earlier, thanks for the compliment, totally unexpected, maybe that hub was just for you! who knows, well God knows actually, we can agree on that!
What a varied walk you have taken, no wonder we have affinity! and thank God we both ended choosing the same destination and are prepared to walk towards that goal, hopefully helping others find the path as we go.
Have an idea for a hub to be done... more later.
John
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Thanks, Skye2Day. Amen.
Lone77star Praise the Lord Brother. You have written a heartfelt, lovely, humble works here. Yes God says we are not to have any idols, He is numero uno. Your hub makes me to look at my walk with Christ closer still. Keep shining the Light of Jesus U will Phil 4:13 Hugs lone77star. All Glory to God bro.
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Deblevey, thanks for your insights and your experiences. We all struggle. And I'm glad we'll have the kingdom some day, hopefully soon.
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Thanks, A.J. I appreciate the words of wisdom.
lone77star you have such a kind way of setting someone straight, I commemend you! Like you, I have struggled, still do at times, to correlate my unfathomable faith with the doctrine I grew up with (it is at times a poor fitting) and with the doctrined of other...what should I say here...denomination? religion? Philosophy? Just 'other' sums it up. I groan under the burden of trying to align all which I believe and don't believe about my Maker and Redeemer with one... any... singular... accord(?) It feels like I don't fit anywhere. As has been the case so often in my life, I find myself striving to fit my star shaped peg into a round hole, and I can't. Maybe I'm not supposed to. I still seek Him. He remains coy and elusive at times, but when the need is there in my life, He reveals Himself with a mighty hand, He assuages my uncertainties and I know,with all certainty, as only a Child of God can know, that every thing is going to be all right. Even more so!
Mean time, I don't think I worship Him enough, I feel as if I'm failing His mission for me to spread His Good News and feed His sheep. My mind cannot comprehend what possible use He has for me, in these terrifying but awesome days that have been prophesied of old, surely I am not fit to carry anything let alone His message... But I digress...God's kingdome is surely at hand, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen!
We are as efficient in doing whatever we want to do ,as we are ready and prepared to do so.
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Thanks, Cags. I appreciate your insight. I continue to learn.
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Thanks, @hschica. And best wishes on your journey.
Hey Lone, interesting post you posted as a response to my comment. However, since I'm not likely to get offended by what you say, I guess you statement "blind man", is only your projection of conflict which still resides in you. Good to know.
Thanks for writing. I enjoyed reading what you wrote about the Bible. Since I have ended my life as a follower of Christianity, my desire to read the Bible has gotten stronger, mainly because I would like to read it from a more objective point of view.
Also, I enjoyed reading the comment you posted and think that it is great how exploring all of those different religions has made you a wiser person. I believe that I am at the beginning of a similar journey right now. While I feel, at the moment, that I will never come back to Christianity, who knows? What I am most concerned with now is learning all that the world has to offer and satisfying my hunger for knowledge! Best wishes to you!
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Thanks for stopping by, DebLevey, and may God bless you, too.
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Hi Cags, I'm not surprised you would say something like that. I can see the viewpoint of the skeptic, having been skeptical myself. In fact, as a boy, I came to reject my Southern Baptist minister grandfather's church. Something did not feel right with his brand of "hellfire and brimstone." My grandmother was torn with anguish, bless her soul.
I've seen a lot of interpretations. I've even tried a few on for size. I have long used the same critical analysis on them that I use on learning any science (mathematics, logic, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, etc).
My worldview has changed over the years. I started out a Southern Baptist, became a Scientologist (experienced some of my greatest miracles, and remembered thousands of past lives), then left to study Buddhism (later even marrying a cute, Thai Buddhist, but that didn't work out; alas!), and studied Judaism, the Kabbalah and Taoism, returning to Christianity a far wiser individual (in my own estimation). In each of these spiritual fields, I learned great wisdom. Perhaps that is why I am a member of a denomination of one. I decide what path I take, or if I take any path.
But sometimes, I gained wisdom from a supposedly "chance" encounter, like one fellow I talked with only once, but during the conversation he ran to his office to get a copy of an article which changed my life -- "The Rainmaker Principle." It was all about how the Buddhists learn to "allow" something to happen. My greatest miracle had already happened 8 years earlier, but this helped me understand what actually had happened. It helped me refine my "mechanics of creation."
Even if I had videotape of my most remarkable miracle, I suspect you would remain skeptical, thinking that there was some physical trick to it.
This subject area is like the DVD player you can't seem to get to work because you don't understand the controls and remain skeptical that it would work in any event. So, you offload the thing at a garage sale. Pity. That kind of garage sale skepticism won't get you very far in the spiritual realm.
So, my dear blind man. When you want to see, simply open your eyes (your spiritual eyes). The fact that you cannot see what I see is only your decision to remain skeptical. And I can't press the button to open your eyes for you. That's entirely within your control. And that's why God doesn't show himself to those who don't want to look. Such a display would be counterproductive and only drive the person deeper into their shell of disbelief and skepticism. I still don't understand that entirely, but it might have something to do with ego and the sense of entitlement to be "right." Good luck with that.
Hey lone I gotta respond but busy right now...good question! Later n God Bless!
Hey Lone, I saw the title of this hub on the feed and came by to check out what exactly you were talking about. Knowing what I know, I guess I'm not shocked that you have fallen into the trap, just like everyone else, who has taken up "religious" views. It's a shame. Maybe I can help with just a tidbit- separate out Jesus' teaching from religion, go in search of the metaphors Jesus was teaching his disciples and forget the religious clap-trap parables. Learn to read Jesus' teachings with the metaphors. It's truly revealing.
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