Humanity is confined to thinking “rational” thoughts, that is, what we can see, touch, hear, smell and taste. Science is the closest we humans can delve into hypothesis and theory. Beyond that is the spiritual realm. One of the first to acknowledge this realm was Job in the Holy Bible. Then came Enoch who was transported to heaven without having died. Then there were other men of God who also experienced this closeness to their/our creator. We refer to them as prophets; they are men to whom God revealed the things to come.

In the Old Testament, Moses opened this new awareness to us when he talked to God face to face (as it were) on Mt. Sinai and gave us the Ten Commandments as a result, and that for our own good.

God seems to be very selective about those He chooses to “talk too.” Not all who claim that God talks to them really do, and you can usually tell who they are by their “fruits.”

Today, we have the Holy Spirit who teaches us ALL things and gives us Spiritual Discernment. This gives us the ability to think outside the box, primarily through scripture.

When we discover that there is life outside this earthly realm, we inevitably expand our horizons and look to the future with expectations of a more fulfilling future, but here is a caveat in receiving this intimate information and insight: that is, one must receive Christ who makes the Holy Spirit available to each and every believer.

Of course, there are those who think of doing harm to others and only think of pleasuring themselves continuously through acquiring wealth and power over others. This is a clear manifestation of demonic activity in one’s life. And this applies to church goers as well.

Consider the president of a Christian University who was caught with his pants down and has a wife who loved pleasure so much that she slept with any young man who caught her fancy. Disgraced, they were asked to step down from their lofty position and given a ten million severance pay to do so. This man and woman obviously weren’t thinking about the things of God and could only see (with wanton eyes) the things that would bring pleasure. This overtly hefty man and wife who live in the lap of luxury have some explaining to do – but really have no excuse for their varied sins.

Yes, I know we are all sinners, but come on, a Christian college president! And this charade was carried on for years. People like that give Christianity a bad name. Some people in high places can even quote scripture and try to make us believe they are pious. Is it any wonder atheists and even fools ridicule us? It is a dangerous thing to put fallible man on a pedestal to look up to and admire.

It is important to think outside the box of human reasoning we are confined to. We must look at things with spiritual discernment. The Bible says we can justify our every inconsistency. And so, faith comes into play as we read God’s Word and act upon it. The more we study, the more insight we gain into the spiritual realm – things that really matter; all else eventually passes away.

Every apostle and prophet was given this ability, some more than others. When a person makes it his objective to pursue the things of God, they inevitably draw closer to Him; and He will, in turn, reveal Himself to them and strengthen them with resolve to become overcomers with the ability to think outside the box. In fact, the scriptures admonish us, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,” and “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”

The more “spiritual,” and by that I mean a person that is finely attuned to the things of God is the one who is in constant contact with Him. That isn’t to say that God reveals everything to them, but endows them with special insight so that they might become all that He would have them to be and makes the person in question a conduit to help others understand – leading the way by example.

And so, we study to show ourselves approved, workmen that need not be ashamed – rightly dividing the Word of God.” Thus, the time inevitably comes when fear of men, fear of the future, and all else fades into the foggy midst of doubt and despair.

NOTE:

I saw Bill since my last article, and he acted as if he was still my friend, albeit he was leaving the pier in disgust because of a bunch of rowdy young people at the end of the pier where he likes to hang out.

Incidentally, the pier and surrounding beach were jam packed over the Labor Day weekend. Many of them from Miami and New York. Some were wearing masks.

Also, my nephew now claims to have received Christ over ten years ago and even got baptized. I hope so. But it’s funny how he managed to keep it a secret for so long. But then again, some in the church are just as secretive about their faith as he.

One last thing – I would remind you that the presidential election is drawing close; and although we may not agree with everything Trump does or says, he appears to be the person standing up for Christian values. The Godless Democrats care nothing about values and the sanctity of life, and everything they touch is set up for destruction.

So, if you like our country the way it once was, the police to help keep us safe, your church building and congregants and singing and hugging – do yourself a favor and vote for him.

Waiting for that blessed hope, the rapture of the church.

YBIC

Jim Towers

Write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com or click on to www.dropzonedelta.com. “Warriors following Christ.”

Most of us have heard the saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.” The same can be said for human beings. You can lead them to living water, but you cannot make them drink.

Jesus said, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). By that he meant that we all thirst for clarity, hope and consolation. Although we thirst for the life-giving water that He offers, many refuse to drink for one reason or another.

Although my friend Bill at the pier has let me give him countless rides home and let me pray for him, he doesn’t seem to be responding to my promptings and asks no questions. Maybe he thinks he’s something special because I always encourage, overlook a person’s foibles and treat them like a friend. Like I said in the past, Bill is a highly educated man and I respect him for that. Also, he was a drummer and writer for a music magazine back in the day (I enjoy talking to intelligent people), but like I said in my last article, I, in essence, called him a fool for not believing in God by quoting the scripture that says, “The fool has said in his heart: there is no God.”

There seems to be something about drug-addled liberals that take pride in not believing in God, and they let you know it. The next time we meet up, I will have to lay it all on the line once and for all, not knowing what to expect. After all, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink. Bill saw me yesterday from a distance walking out onto the pier, and he went around behind the snack bar to avoid bumping into me. I’ll just have to leave him in God’s hands as always.

As most of you know, I’ve been an evangelical Christian for many years and have led numerous people to faith in Christ. Unlike some who keep score, I never felt it was gaining me any brownie points in doing so, and I seldom if ever use the Roman Road tactic, but instead I rely on God’s prompting.

After receiving Christ, I made it a point to learn all I could about this living water, which for me was very gratifying. With this mindset, I’ve been able to lead all seven of my siblings to faith in Christ and mentor them in understanding scripture, since we were brought up in a broken home devoid of Godly things. I, being the eldest, had to set the pattern for right behavior even though I faltered at times. I even baptized my baby sister in the ocean when she thought she had cancer, which later proved to be malignant. She made her way to Florida from Michigan to have me baptize her after I led her to faith in Christ.

Today I found out that a nephew had just had an operation for stomach cancer, but the doctors couldn’t get it all taken out, so he will have to undergo chemotherapy. Amazingly, I had just been thinking about him this morning when I received the call from my “born-again” younger brother who had received Christ ten years ago after much prompting by me.

The first thing to enter my mind is – was this nephew saved? He claims to be a Christian, but although he doesn’t smoke, drink or use drugs and is a good man, I was skeptical since he never talked about God nor went to church. Knowing this, I phoned him at the hospital, but he was indisposed. Since he is over a hundred miles away and that region is in lockdown because of Covid 19, I had to leave him a message. I made it a priority that he should know how to be saved, step-by-step, and told him I would be praying for him. I’m sure he was glad to hear from me, since I’m his favorite uncle.

(At his urging, I had portrayed Fagin in the musical “Oliver” for his drama class in the new auditorium in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, for graduation. Everyone was elated that a professional would step into that role, in that place, and the whole town turned out. I received a standing ovation for the closing spotlight number. It was very gratifying for me too.)

In any case, I hope my nephew will receive Christ and that his children follow suit, but I have yet to hear back from him.

Yesterday was an unfruitful day, or so I thought. I had met a group of young people as I was preparing my gear to do some serious fishing and walked out onto the pier. After a few short minutes, I saw the young lady with a teenaged group coming my way. When she finally reached me, I said, “What are you doing out here by yourself?”

“They’re on the beach and swimming,” she said as she sauntered over to me.

“Looks like you just wanted to be alone with your thoughts,” I replied.

As she approached, I could tell something was bothering her, “Do you want to tell me about it; maybe there’s something I can do?”

“Nobody can do anything for me,” She whimpered as she began to cry.

“God can help you with anything.”

“My boyfriend dropped me yesterday – and I am deeply hurt.”

“Let me pray for you.”

“Please do,” she said as tears fell from her eyes.

I said a short prayer for the healing of her broken heart; and after a few minutes, she began telling me her life’s story – how that no one in her family had ever prayed for anything, that her grandmother was a Jehovah’s Witness, and that her boyfriend worked for the Lutheran church. I knew then that this was a spiritual battle, a divine appointment after I discerned what was happening. After talking awhile, she regained her composure. Now, I was concerned for the state of her soul.

“These are perilous times in which we live, and who knows what will happen next. Maybe even the rapture.”  I asked her about her spiritual life, and she said she had none. I told her about God and Jesus Christ and quoted scripture. Soon I asked if she would like to receive Christ as her Savior, and she replied, “Yes, but I’ve never prayed before and don’t know how.”

“Just repeat after me – if you feel led.” – Father in heaven, I confess that I have ignored you. Please forgive me. I now receive Jesus Christ into my heart and life, so change me and give me peace.”

YBIC

Jim Towers

You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com

Visit my webpage www.propheticsignsandwonders.com

Or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com