Greetings,
My father-in-law,Frank Heck, made the transition from this life to his eternal reward at 6:00 p.m. Sunday 9/09.
As a reflection on his life ,I want to share a story of two men,[Frank and Jesus the Nazarene] and an attitude of a "servants heart".
The first man in this story is Frank Heck ,and the legacy he left behind as seen through the eyes of several people who knew him for a substantial part of his life,or in the case of his daughter Toni ,and one of his grandchildren,RandyAnn all of theirs.
Ferd grew up in the neighbor hood with Frank.Owen came into Frank's life in the 9th grade.These men remained a major part of Frank's life right up to the burial of their dear friend.In answering the question as to why Frank remained their closest friend for so many years,their answer was eloquent in its simplicity;Frank left a legacy of loyalty,trust,honesty,and NEVER said a negative word about anyone,also,my interpretation from their words,Frank possessed a "servants heart".By the way,a consistent theme from everyone who knew him;from the post office men,Dan and Brett,where Frank worked right up to the DAY he was taken to the hospital ,to the ladies at the Dorcas Library of Carey,where Frank worked for over 25 yrs.Owen shared with me that Frank's passing was a 3 dimension event in his life;the passing of his youth,his connection to his home town of Carey,and most sadly,he lost his closest "bud".Toni will always carry in her heart ,a father that loved her unconditionally,no matter where or what was happening in her life ,never questioning,always answering.Randy Ann;the patient and loving answers from a grandfather who took the time to let her know ,from a little girl to a grown woman that she was important to him.Pam ,Shari and Randy,the stepchildren,to know that Frank,as Pam said it,"Frank made us feel as he loved us as his own".
The most important part of this story is;the part where Frank found Jesus the Nazarene in his life through the ministry of Billy Graham,one of the most known evangelists of our time and culminated in the giving of himself to Jesus,our lord and savior, at the kitchen table ,with his beloved daughter Toni and me several years ago.All glory to God!
Jesus was the only man that said "I am God,You will kill me and three days later,I will come back from the dead,and he DID.That is why we have faith in being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.I quote from his word,the bible,John chapter 5v24"I tell you the truth,whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will cross over from death to life".John chapter 6v29"The work of God is this:to believe in the one he has sent".
Frank has made the transition,he trusted and believed Jesus told the truth,John chapter 3v16 "for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".
When are you going to be able to say,I have been transformed to a new person,I believe in the words of Jesus the Nazarene?Frank Heck; a legacy indeed!
I am praying for all blessings on your journey towards YOUR eternal reward,Joe
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Have You Seen Ed?He Was Just Here!
Greetings,
One of my brothers-in-law Ed, is in the end stages of Alzheimer disease;a terrible,debilitating to both mind and body scourge for the person;and a physical sapping,faith challenging, trial for the family.
Eds mind is not there for us anymore.Where is it?Where has it gone?The only answer for some people is, we don't know,and we will never know.Can there be another truth,another answer,another something?You be the judge;based on the following experience my sister Joan,Eds wife, shared with me today.I want to give you some background,we have been praying that in spite of what we see,that our father God is letting Ed know, in his spiritual heart, that He is with him, and will never leave him. Jesus said,in Matthew,chapter11.vs29 and 30"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me ,for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls,for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Ed, most often, does not recognize Joan or his children.He does not speak coherently,however,this is what he said to my sister.'I want to go through the gate"My sister asked ;is there a light?Ed replied,"yes,it is beautiful,there are many people there."Is our prayer being answered?Is father God letting us know that we are not to worry?Is Ed protected by his promise,he will never leave us?God says his love for us is all encompassing ,does that mean Ed has spiritual peace?Psalm 23;verse4"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ,I will fear no evil,for you are with me,your rod and your staff,they comfort me".
As a Christian,I believe Ed is being comforted by our God as he goes through this valley, the end of his earthly life.Who are we to poo-poo what we don't know,and not grasp what our father God 's word tells us?
I pray for Ed,Joan and their family,when God speaks to us ,let's discern his truth from our unwillingness to hear it.Where is Ed?Where God wants him:In his arms.
May you find God's eternal truth in your walk through this life. Joe
One of my brothers-in-law Ed, is in the end stages of Alzheimer disease;a terrible,debilitating to both mind and body scourge for the person;and a physical sapping,faith challenging, trial for the family.
Eds mind is not there for us anymore.Where is it?Where has it gone?The only answer for some people is, we don't know,and we will never know.Can there be another truth,another answer,another something?You be the judge;based on the following experience my sister Joan,Eds wife, shared with me today.I want to give you some background,we have been praying that in spite of what we see,that our father God is letting Ed know, in his spiritual heart, that He is with him, and will never leave him. Jesus said,in Matthew,chapter11.vs29 and 30"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me ,for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls,for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Ed, most often, does not recognize Joan or his children.He does not speak coherently,however,this is what he said to my sister.'I want to go through the gate"My sister asked ;is there a light?Ed replied,"yes,it is beautiful,there are many people there."Is our prayer being answered?Is father God letting us know that we are not to worry?Is Ed protected by his promise,he will never leave us?God says his love for us is all encompassing ,does that mean Ed has spiritual peace?Psalm 23;verse4"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ,I will fear no evil,for you are with me,your rod and your staff,they comfort me".
As a Christian,I believe Ed is being comforted by our God as he goes through this valley, the end of his earthly life.Who are we to poo-poo what we don't know,and not grasp what our father God 's word tells us?
I pray for Ed,Joan and their family,when God speaks to us ,let's discern his truth from our unwillingness to hear it.Where is Ed?Where God wants him:In his arms.
May you find God's eternal truth in your walk through this life. Joe
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Let Me Be Frank;About Frank
Greetings,
My wife Toni and I are in Ohio visiting and caring for her father Frank,whom has various types of cancer throughout his body.The doctors give him anywhere from 3 to 6 months to live.
Toni and I are comforted by the fact that Frank is a born again Christian, and with his body breaking down ,he is ready to leave this life and start his eternal one with Father God,his son Jesus,and the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of this letter is to share with you,from my perspective, the legacy that Frank will leave behind.My vocation in life caused me to live in various states in my career and to travel to many company retail stores throughout the United States sharing my expertise to "partner"in their continued success.I met and worked with many company executives all the way up to the CEO;also ,I was very active in various community areas which caused me to meet many community leaders and various politicians, to include the president of the United States.I am only sharing my experience background to give some validity to my comments about my father-in-law Frank Heck,valid observations,in my opinion.
Frank has lived all of his 84 years in a little village called Carey Ohio,a community of approximately 4500 people ,with Toledo,Ohio 45 minutes to the north,and Columbus,Ohio,the state capital,one hour to the south.
Frank had a typical upbringing in an agricultural setting that remains basically unchanged to this day.He graduated from Carey high school in 1946,he served in the navy during world war 2[he doesn't know how to swim,pretty ironic,:)],he returned to Carey and had various jobs including,owning his own garbage pick up business,his own dry cleaning store, drove a school bus for the Carey school system for 20 some years,was a janitor for the same system ,head custodian for the Carey library,and lastly,CONTINUES to be employed at the Carey post office.Frank is, and I quote from the ladies at the Dorcas public library at his retirement gathering"One of the most knowing people on the ins and outs of Carey's most successful businesses and influential citizens".He has been inducted into the Carey High School Hall of fame, and is considered a man of trust and integrity by the whole of Carey,Ohio.
The Bible says,and I quote from Mark ch8vs36,37"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,yet forfeit his soul?Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
I frankly say that Frank Heck has gained the love of the whole community of Carey Ohio,because of the generosity of his being, and Father God will welcome his soul to be with him for all of eternity. I also, am frankly proud to say I am the son-in-law of Frank Heck,a man to be emulated.
Until next time,all blessings to you,Joe
My wife Toni and I are in Ohio visiting and caring for her father Frank,whom has various types of cancer throughout his body.The doctors give him anywhere from 3 to 6 months to live.
Toni and I are comforted by the fact that Frank is a born again Christian, and with his body breaking down ,he is ready to leave this life and start his eternal one with Father God,his son Jesus,and the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of this letter is to share with you,from my perspective, the legacy that Frank will leave behind.My vocation in life caused me to live in various states in my career and to travel to many company retail stores throughout the United States sharing my expertise to "partner"in their continued success.I met and worked with many company executives all the way up to the CEO;also ,I was very active in various community areas which caused me to meet many community leaders and various politicians, to include the president of the United States.I am only sharing my experience background to give some validity to my comments about my father-in-law Frank Heck,valid observations,in my opinion.
Frank has lived all of his 84 years in a little village called Carey Ohio,a community of approximately 4500 people ,with Toledo,Ohio 45 minutes to the north,and Columbus,Ohio,the state capital,one hour to the south.
Frank had a typical upbringing in an agricultural setting that remains basically unchanged to this day.He graduated from Carey high school in 1946,he served in the navy during world war 2[he doesn't know how to swim,pretty ironic,:)],he returned to Carey and had various jobs including,owning his own garbage pick up business,his own dry cleaning store, drove a school bus for the Carey school system for 20 some years,was a janitor for the same system ,head custodian for the Carey library,and lastly,CONTINUES to be employed at the Carey post office.Frank is, and I quote from the ladies at the Dorcas public library at his retirement gathering"One of the most knowing people on the ins and outs of Carey's most successful businesses and influential citizens".He has been inducted into the Carey High School Hall of fame, and is considered a man of trust and integrity by the whole of Carey,Ohio.
The Bible says,and I quote from Mark ch8vs36,37"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,yet forfeit his soul?Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
I frankly say that Frank Heck has gained the love of the whole community of Carey Ohio,because of the generosity of his being, and Father God will welcome his soul to be with him for all of eternity. I also, am frankly proud to say I am the son-in-law of Frank Heck,a man to be emulated.
Until next time,all blessings to you,Joe
Saturday, June 30, 2012
What Is The BB Club?
Greetings all,
The transformation of my life from an "earthly"driven life to a" spirit" filled life has evolved over a period of time as I matured in my Christian faith.
I promised our Father God that whatever amount of time I have left on this earth,I would spend it giving Him honor and glory by using my "gifts" to bring more of His children to Him .I asked the Holy Spirit to help me prepare my heart to listen to Him as He guides me to fulfill God's plan for me.It was time for me to "pick up the shovel"and make myself available to see the opportunities.I have been teaching a Bible study at one of our manufactured home parks,I have been involved in my home church, Faith Assembly of God,He has given me a servants heart to follow through wherever the leadership felt I was needed.The heart to expand beyond the church family along with my brother in Christ, Mr.Ted Gaines.Our prayers are being answered as we recognize and develop new ministries involving other faith based organizations.We are starting a "Living Free"series Monday at our local mens Teen Challenge.We are in conversation with Lee County Correctional Center to start a program from" F.amilies I.n T.raining " out of Bradenton Florida.A program for men that are in the transitional phase towards being released into society.There is much opportunity and I am in a hurry.I humbly ask for your prayers as Ted and I embark on this journey.
What does all this have to do with a BB club?What is a BB club?It all has to do with my being transformed {see first sentence}The BB club is this:
"We are Blessed by the grace of God
We are a Blessing by emulating Jesus."
This is the "Club" I want to belong to ;I recognize the wonderful gift of eternal life our Father God has given us through his son Jesus"s death on the cross;by his stripes,by his grace. I want to be a blessing by emulating Jesus for the rest of my earthly life.{recognizing the spirit is willing ,the flesh is weak},However,I will stay the course.
Have you been transformed by his saving grace?Are you not blessed?Don't you want to emulate Jesus?If you answered yes to these three questions,you are a practicing member of the "BB Club".
For those of you who know me,you will hear me sharing the fact that you are a BB person,as I see you emulating Jesus through your words and actions.Now you know what it means.Let's spread the word!
With Christian love,Joe
The transformation of my life from an "earthly"driven life to a" spirit" filled life has evolved over a period of time as I matured in my Christian faith.
I promised our Father God that whatever amount of time I have left on this earth,I would spend it giving Him honor and glory by using my "gifts" to bring more of His children to Him .I asked the Holy Spirit to help me prepare my heart to listen to Him as He guides me to fulfill God's plan for me.It was time for me to "pick up the shovel"and make myself available to see the opportunities.I have been teaching a Bible study at one of our manufactured home parks,I have been involved in my home church, Faith Assembly of God,He has given me a servants heart to follow through wherever the leadership felt I was needed.The heart to expand beyond the church family along with my brother in Christ, Mr.Ted Gaines.Our prayers are being answered as we recognize and develop new ministries involving other faith based organizations.We are starting a "Living Free"series Monday at our local mens Teen Challenge.We are in conversation with Lee County Correctional Center to start a program from" F.amilies I.n T.raining " out of Bradenton Florida.A program for men that are in the transitional phase towards being released into society.There is much opportunity and I am in a hurry.I humbly ask for your prayers as Ted and I embark on this journey.
What does all this have to do with a BB club?What is a BB club?It all has to do with my being transformed {see first sentence}The BB club is this:
"We are Blessed by the grace of God
We are a Blessing by emulating Jesus."
This is the "Club" I want to belong to ;I recognize the wonderful gift of eternal life our Father God has given us through his son Jesus"s death on the cross;by his stripes,by his grace. I want to be a blessing by emulating Jesus for the rest of my earthly life.{recognizing the spirit is willing ,the flesh is weak},However,I will stay the course.
Have you been transformed by his saving grace?Are you not blessed?Don't you want to emulate Jesus?If you answered yes to these three questions,you are a practicing member of the "BB Club".
For those of you who know me,you will hear me sharing the fact that you are a BB person,as I see you emulating Jesus through your words and actions.Now you know what it means.Let's spread the word!
With Christian love,Joe
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
I'm a Miracle;Why are You so Surprised?
Greetings,
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a miracle is:
1.an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.
2.an extremely outstanding or unusual event,thing,or accomplishment.
What does this definition have to do with me or,for that matter,you?
I know that without a study of God's word, our being "born again"by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior,asking forgiveness of our sins,and inviting Him into our hearts bringing the Holy Spirit to live within us could seem like an experience yes;not the life changing,I GET TO LIVE FOREVER
I want to ask this question:why do you not wake up EVERY DAY,no matter what is going on in your life,with great joy because of the miracle of your choice to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior that through His grace,you are going to LIVE FOREVER?Does this not meet the definition of a miracle?Are you not a miracle walking because of what our Father God has done for us through His Son Jesus?We believe in God,do we believe His word?Here is what Jesus said;and I quote from the book of John chapter3v16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE".We say we believe him,are you walking it?Talking it?Standing tall with his truth?or do you sometime wonder if you are really going to heaven ?He does not change his mind,only you can change yours,to follow or not follow.I submit the insecurity we have regards the question,am I going comes from a lack of knowledge of his word.He said it,WHAT DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT HE SAID?
For those of you reading this letter who haven't concerned themselves with what happens when you leave this earth,I would suggest this is the most important question to find the answer to in your entire life!Research for the answer,work at finding the answer yourself,don't make "light" of the single most important miracle that will ever happen to you!
I pray that you will experience the miracle of God's love for you,Joe
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a miracle is:
1.an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.
2.an extremely outstanding or unusual event,thing,or accomplishment.
What does this definition have to do with me or,for that matter,you?
I know that without a study of God's word, our being "born again"by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior,asking forgiveness of our sins,and inviting Him into our hearts bringing the Holy Spirit to live within us could seem like an experience yes;not the life changing,I GET TO LIVE FOREVER
I want to ask this question:why do you not wake up EVERY DAY,no matter what is going on in your life,with great joy because of the miracle of your choice to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior that through His grace,you are going to LIVE FOREVER?Does this not meet the definition of a miracle?Are you not a miracle walking because of what our Father God has done for us through His Son Jesus?We believe in God,do we believe His word?Here is what Jesus said;and I quote from the book of John chapter3v16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE".We say we believe him,are you walking it?Talking it?Standing tall with his truth?or do you sometime wonder if you are really going to heaven ?He does not change his mind,only you can change yours,to follow or not follow.I submit the insecurity we have regards the question,am I going comes from a lack of knowledge of his word.He said it,WHAT DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT HE SAID?
For those of you reading this letter who haven't concerned themselves with what happens when you leave this earth,I would suggest this is the most important question to find the answer to in your entire life!Research for the answer,work at finding the answer yourself,don't make "light" of the single most important miracle that will ever happen to you!
I pray that you will experience the miracle of God's love for you,Joe
Saturday, May 19, 2012
I Want To Be A Godly Hero
Hi All,
I had a dream last night where I was the hero ,you know,scored the winning basket in the basketball game,saved the family from the villain,etc..I believe most of us,certainly boys, grow up wanting to be the hero.
I want to share with you today the fact that I want to be a different kind of hero;a "Godly" hero.I want you to also recognize that all of us have the same opportunity to be a "Godly hero.
In a previous letter I asked the question"What are you preparing for?',my answer was ,we need to be preparing for eternity.This letter can be a starting guide on how to ensure our eternity will be filled with love and joy spending it with our Father God ,Jesus and the Holy Spirit .I refer from the bible,Hebrews,chapter11commonly referred to as the faith chapter.
The first step in being a Godly hero is to have Faith in what God tells us, verse1"Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".
verse5""By Faith Enoch was taken from this life,so that he did not experience death"
verse7"By Faith Noah,when warned about things not yet seen,in holy fear built an ark to save his family"
verse8"By Faith Abraham,when called to go a place he would later receive as his inheritance,obeyed and went,even though he did not know where he was going".
These are some examples of Faith in God's word please read chapter 11 for more examples.
The second step is to be Commended by God;verse4"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.By faith he was Commended as a righteous man ,when God spoke well of his offerings,and by faith he still speaks,even though he is dead."
continuing with verse5"Enoch could not be found,because God had taken him away.For before he was taken ,he was Commended as one who pleased God.And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who earnestly seek him".
The third step is to believe in Creationism verse3"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command,so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible".
The fourth step is "This world was not worthy of them".verse7continues"By faith Noah when warned about things not yet seen,in holy fear built an ark to save his family.By his faith he CONDEMNED the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
To review:
Believe in Creationism,God created ALL things,your 25% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Have Faith in God's word,by reading his word consistently."If you want to know me,know my word"your 50% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Be Commended by God,please know you are Commended by God when you follow his commandments,when you emulate his son,Jesus every day of your life.Your 75% on your way to being a Godly hero.
THE WORLD IS NOT WORTHY OF YOU when you follow what God says,the 10 commandments,emulating Jesus.Your 100% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Please know,you are going to fall down,that does not take away your potential to be a Godly hero,just as it did not the heroes of the bible.
I welcome all that are near Faith Assembly of God church in N.Ft.Myers,Fla. to join us for an in depth study of Hebrews chapter 11 each Sunday evening at 5:30-7:00pm through our Living Free ministry.
I pray each of you have found the spiritual truth of God's word in your life,God bless each of you,Joe
I had a dream last night where I was the hero ,you know,scored the winning basket in the basketball game,saved the family from the villain,etc..I believe most of us,certainly boys, grow up wanting to be the hero.
I want to share with you today the fact that I want to be a different kind of hero;a "Godly" hero.I want you to also recognize that all of us have the same opportunity to be a "Godly hero.
In a previous letter I asked the question"What are you preparing for?',my answer was ,we need to be preparing for eternity.This letter can be a starting guide on how to ensure our eternity will be filled with love and joy spending it with our Father God ,Jesus and the Holy Spirit .I refer from the bible,Hebrews,chapter11commonly referred to as the faith chapter.
The first step in being a Godly hero is to have Faith in what God tells us, verse1"Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".
verse5""By Faith Enoch was taken from this life,so that he did not experience death"
verse7"By Faith Noah,when warned about things not yet seen,in holy fear built an ark to save his family"
verse8"By Faith Abraham,when called to go a place he would later receive as his inheritance,obeyed and went,even though he did not know where he was going".
These are some examples of Faith in God's word please read chapter 11 for more examples.
The second step is to be Commended by God;verse4"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.By faith he was Commended as a righteous man ,when God spoke well of his offerings,and by faith he still speaks,even though he is dead."
continuing with verse5"Enoch could not be found,because God had taken him away.For before he was taken ,he was Commended as one who pleased God.And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who earnestly seek him".
The third step is to believe in Creationism verse3"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command,so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible".
The fourth step is "This world was not worthy of them".verse7continues"By faith Noah when warned about things not yet seen,in holy fear built an ark to save his family.By his faith he CONDEMNED the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
To review:
Believe in Creationism,God created ALL things,your 25% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Have Faith in God's word,by reading his word consistently."If you want to know me,know my word"your 50% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Be Commended by God,please know you are Commended by God when you follow his commandments,when you emulate his son,Jesus every day of your life.Your 75% on your way to being a Godly hero.
THE WORLD IS NOT WORTHY OF YOU when you follow what God says,the 10 commandments,emulating Jesus.Your 100% on your way to being a Godly hero.
Please know,you are going to fall down,that does not take away your potential to be a Godly hero,just as it did not the heroes of the bible.
I welcome all that are near Faith Assembly of God church in N.Ft.Myers,Fla. to join us for an in depth study of Hebrews chapter 11 each Sunday evening at 5:30-7:00pm through our Living Free ministry.
I pray each of you have found the spiritual truth of God's word in your life,God bless each of you,Joe
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
My Two Sense Worth!
Greetings all,
I received a message from my cousin Tony regards one of my posts where I referred to the impetus to write the letter came from the "Spirit"in my heart;my cousin suggested it was common sense.I have not taken the time to have a dialogue about his thoughts compared to mine,however,it did cause me to wake up at 3:30 the next morning where something-"spirit sense" or "common sense" suggested to me that I write a letter regarding the difference between the two senses.Knowing how my brain works,I know the "Spirit" in my heart was gently leading me to research the difference between the two
Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts."
There are many scriptures in the Bible concerning the "Spirit,spiritual discernment and knowledge of the spirit.For example, in 1Corinthians chap.2v13-14 the Apostle Paul writes"This is what we speak,not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit,expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,for they are foolish to him,and he cannot understand them,because they are spiritually discerned."Later in 1Corinthians chap.12v1-11 Paul writes;"There are different kinds of gifts,but the same Spirit.There are different kinds of service,but the same Lord.There are different kinds of working,but the same God works all of them in ALL men.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,to another faith by the same Spirit,to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,to another miraculous powers,to another prophecy,to another distinguishing between spirits,to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he gives them to each one,just as he determines."
Common sense can be a quick study;for example ,if someone says to you "don't put your finger on a hot stove,you will get burned" and you don't believe ,and do it because of your non belief; after your "OUCH,THAT HURTS",you will have common sense not to do it again.Spiritual sense takes a different path,you must know God through His word in the Bible,you must believe and have faith in what He says and receive the truth of his word through the Spirit that sits within us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.In other words there is nothing "common"about our spiritual sense,we receive it through the grace of God.
Until next time,God bless you on your walk towards Him,Joe
I received a message from my cousin Tony regards one of my posts where I referred to the impetus to write the letter came from the "Spirit"in my heart;my cousin suggested it was common sense.I have not taken the time to have a dialogue about his thoughts compared to mine,however,it did cause me to wake up at 3:30 the next morning where something-"spirit sense" or "common sense" suggested to me that I write a letter regarding the difference between the two senses.Knowing how my brain works,I know the "Spirit" in my heart was gently leading me to research the difference between the two
Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts."
There are many scriptures in the Bible concerning the "Spirit,spiritual discernment and knowledge of the spirit.For example, in 1Corinthians chap.2v13-14 the Apostle Paul writes"This is what we speak,not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit,expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,for they are foolish to him,and he cannot understand them,because they are spiritually discerned."Later in 1Corinthians chap.12v1-11 Paul writes;"There are different kinds of gifts,but the same Spirit.There are different kinds of service,but the same Lord.There are different kinds of working,but the same God works all of them in ALL men.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,to another faith by the same Spirit,to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,to another miraculous powers,to another prophecy,to another distinguishing between spirits,to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he gives them to each one,just as he determines."
Common sense can be a quick study;for example ,if someone says to you "don't put your finger on a hot stove,you will get burned" and you don't believe ,and do it because of your non belief; after your "OUCH,THAT HURTS",you will have common sense not to do it again.Spiritual sense takes a different path,you must know God through His word in the Bible,you must believe and have faith in what He says and receive the truth of his word through the Spirit that sits within us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.In other words there is nothing "common"about our spiritual sense,we receive it through the grace of God.
Until next time,God bless you on your walk towards Him,Joe
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