God Gives Wisdom, Knowledge and Skill to Perform our Required Tasks

Exodus 31:5-7

5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,

Exodus 35:25-27

25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exodus 35:30-35
30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
34 And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.


The major point of this article is to show we aren't alone when wanting to accomplish various things in this life. God does in fact give us various abilities and skills to bring to perform that which we're called to do - whether it's related to the church or the world.

What I want to immediately say is this wasn't some type of magical thing God did with the men and women mentioned above. The skills they had would have been worked on developed to the point of them being experts in their crafts. The overall thing the scriptures are teaching us here is that without Him, we can do nothing. Even the skills we have, no matter how hard we work at improving them, ultimately come from God; only He gets the glory.

It also should relieve some of us of pressure when we practice and work on improving, knowing it is something we have received from God, but are expected to excel in to the upper limit of the gift. That said, we don't know what that upper limit is, so we need to continue to work on the skill or skills He has given us.

I also wanted to point out that the skills, wisdom, workmanship, and whatever else God has given us, is for the purpose of working amongst His people or in the world. By the world, I don't mean sin, but that we are to have our expertise and calling go beyond the people of God only.

All that means is some of us have different callings, and need to know what the parameters of that calling are at any given time, and operate within them unless God reveals to us something different.
One interesting thing to consider in all of this is the wisdom given to those to work on the tabernacle, was primarily practical wisdom, what we could describe as blue collar work wisdom. The wisdom given to Daniel and his three friends, was wisdom associated with management skills. Both are completely legitimate, and are needed to bring about God's kingdom on this earth.

People Calling for God's Army to Rise Up, Show the Way, and Stand in the Gap on Their Behalf

Never in my life have I ever seen non-Christians, and I mean those of influence too, call out for the followers of Jesus Christ to rise and lead them against the onslaught of the culture that has arisen from the ashes of hell to challenge the people of God, and to destroy those who love freedom.

They see that only the those who profess faith in Jesus Christ and walk in obedience to Him can bring deliverance. Not only do I see that as an extraordinary opportunity, but a solemn responsibility. These non-believers who are trying to fight back against this evil, understand they lack the weapons to do so and win.

Amazingly but not surprisingly, they're starting to see Christianity as their only hope. I've seen nothing like this in my lifetime, or in recent history - at least in the West.

Over and over again across the Internet and social networking platforms, I see non-Christians calling for Christians to rise up and oppose the evil spreading through the land and attempting to smother us with the fruits of it.

When the Soviet Union fell, they cried out for Christians to come over and give them Biblical answers to their challenges and problems. The silence from Western Christianity was deafening. We can't afford to sit on the sidelines anymore as Western civilization collapses under the weight of hopelessness and outrageously evil men and women who hate everything about Jesus Christ and Christianity, and not only oppose us, but oppose those who won't fall in line with their wicked narrative and group think.

We are not those that are called to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The end of that, as revealed in Romans 12:2, is "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Those in the world that have good will are diligently looking to see what that is, and only those walking in obedience to Jesus Christ can show them.
This is the time we have to go past words only, and show them by the lives we live and the actions and deeds we're willing to take.

The ball is in our court. The demand for Christians to rise up in authority has risen in the U.S. and other parts of the western world. Are we going to respond to that openness?

It's incredible to me to see many in the world seeing what many Christians refuse to ... that we are the people to rise up in authority and provide the foundation and parameters for people to live, work and love in. Some may not even respond to the gospel message in the future, but they know their only hope in this life is for true Christians to stand in the gap against the evil they are unable to cope with. They're right.

On the other hand, when they see the visible and powerful response that could cost us everything, I believe we could see the great response to Jesus Christ and the gospel so many have been praying for. It's time to go to war in the name of Jesus and tear down the strongholds that threaten to destroy the world as we know it.

Christian Civilization will be Built by Faithful and Productive Service

We overcome resistance through faithful service to others. It eventually provides us a platform to speak the truth to those that would otherwise resist it.

Liberals, progressive and SJWs have known this for a long time, which is why they offer service to organizations and institutions of all types. They do it for the purpose of taking over an organization and molding into their own image.

Christians, on the other hand, serve to show forth the character of God, with the goal of helping people, organizations and institutions become conformed to the image of Christ. That is ultimately what Christian civilization will look like, and how it'll come about.

This assumes we become productive and efficient experts in our chosen fields, so people will be inspired by our quality of service and answers we have to give.

If we want a Christian culture, we must become first that which we want others to be.



To better understand how social justice warriors work and how they may attack you, the book below is a must read. I highly recommend it.

The Mind of Christ will Transform all Areas of Life

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

There are a couple of things I want to talk about concerning the above passage of scripture. The first is the inherent weakness of the mind of this world, which when measured against the renewing of our minds in accordance with the mind of Christ, as revealed in the Bible. Second, we'll look at the comprehensive accompanying the amazing admonition of being told to renew our minds in contrast to the world itself and what it represents.

The reference to the world here doesn't refer to planet earth, but to the worldliness coming from reprobate minds untouched by the Spirit of God and the revelation of the word of God.

We are told in the scriptures that we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). That is something complete opposite to the world, and one that includes the power that is in Christ. Having the mind of Christ doesn't mean He zaps us with His mind literally, it means we have the mind of Christ in the sense of the revealed will of God recorded in the scriptures; we have access to His mind.

It's similar to the law being written in our hearts. Yes, it has been. But that doesn't take away the fact we have to study the law in the Bible in order to understand and respond to what is written within. It's the same with the mind of Christ. It's there, but we have to cultivate and grow in light of His mind.

The point of all of this is the mind of Christ is based and focused upon eternal things. They are powerful, everlasting, and are overwhelmingly superior to the mind the world embraces. It is death, powerless, and unable to sustainably build anything in this world because of it. That's why attempts to secure civilization and institutions that last always fail.

This goes back to the book of Daniel when it says in the time of the Roman empire the kingdom of God would come and start dismantling all other kingdoms and replace with His own.

Daniel 2:

44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Only those with the mind of Christ will be able to cooperate with Him in shattering these worldly kingdoms built upon the idolatry of man, and build the Christian civilization God has already had in mind for the earth.

There is a lot more to say about this, but in the end, the mind of Christ, and that mind residing in His people, is far superior and more powerful and effective than anything the mind of this fading world has to offer.

Mind of Christ is comprehensive

The second part of the verse of being "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God," is something that will touch all areas of life. There can't be an area in this world and life that is untouched by the mind of Christ as He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit.

God's purpose is to fill the earth with the knowledge of Himself as revealed in His people; but not only His people, the earth is to be conformed to His image. By that I mean taking dominion over the earth and all the creation of God, as we are commanded to do. It will reflect God in the sense of His people embracing God's ways as revealed in the scriptures, and forming and shaping it according to His will. All of it will be done with the idea of doing no harm to our neighbors.

Another thing the transformation of our mind goes through is to we go through a change in our outlook. Those with the mind of Christ will transition from despair to hope, they'll look at life as offering possibilities and probabilities, with the goal, again, of revealing and glorifying God.

In other words, the life we life takes on a totally different dynamic than before we were regenerated. Everything becomes possible, and once we understand it, start to work together with the Holy Spirit in accordance with the scriptures, to have the kingdom come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The heavenly mind of Christ works to be reflected in this world. A truly heavenly mind will be one that knows it will remain restless until what it is responsible for comes down from heaven to reside in the earth. So it should be with us.

That's the power and privilege associated with having the mind of Christ and being transformed by the renewing of our minds in conjunction with His.

Understanding Biblical law and post-resurrection changes

Genesis 2:

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 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 3:

3 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.


Much of the misunderstanding concerning the ongoing validity and requirements of the moral law revealed to Moses, is some continue to believe it means needing to obey the law in order to be saved or regenerated. Even that has been refuted an unknown number of times, it continues to be thrown in the discussion on the matter. 

Here we'll look at some scriptures dealing with the subject, starting with what the major nature of the of sin when it came into the world after the temptation concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

What believers need to know about that is it was the temptation for Eve to autonomously determine what was good or evil. That of course meant whether or not God revealed it or not, or if it was outside of God's assessment, nature or laws.

After the fall, over time God eventually gave the details of the law through Moses, although it was revealed at different levels to some men before that, including Abraham.

Most of us understand this, so I want to go forward to the New Testament, post-resurrection scriptures to talk about the fact some of the laws were rescinded after Jesus Christ was resurrected, while others remain in place to this day, and will forever, as they're a reflection of the very nature of God, which can never change.

Here is the scripture most used that I have come across, which many believe reveals as having completely gotten rid of the law of God in its entirety.

Colossians 2:13-15

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.


Where people get this wrong is in regard to the idea that all the law was nailed to the cross, which is interpreted as also including the moral law. The mistake is made in not taking it into the context of what Paul was writing about.

This was an obvious reference to the law that was written against us, but in particular with the sacrificial part of the law. This is what was nailed to the cross. We would no longer have to sacrifice animals to temporarily have our sins forgiven, because the lamb of God, in His death, had taken away sin forever from those being drawn to and putting their faith in Him.

With that of course is the fact we have had our sins forgiven as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ. The ordinances or laws no longer were taken into account, and forgiven and forgotten forever by God. That is of course Christianity.

What I've heard many suggest is this is a reference to the law as a whole being nailed to the cross. This makes no sense though in light of the numerous scriptures contradicting that assumption, which point to various laws and commandments we're not only to adhere to, but if we aren't adhering to them, are considered to be not in the faith; it's part of having discernment concerning who is or isn't a true believer.

So to conclude the moral law has been nailed to the cross and have the writers of the New Testament, under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, say we're still required to obey those laws, would make them to be utterly ridiculous and schizophrenic.

To press the issue, it would mean a person could murder, steal, rape or pillage the property, wife, children, among other heinous sins, and not be held accountable for it because the law has been nailed to the cross. That's nonsensical. Again, what was nailed to the cross was the law as a means of salvation, not as a means of living out our lives in our interactions with others.

Law referred to here is law of priesthood, not moral law (Hebrews 7:11-28)

Hebrews 7:

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.


Where most make the assertion it confirms the law is no longer in effect is with verse 12, where it says since the priesthood has is "being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
This has nothing to do with obeying the moral law of God, but is in regard to the law concerning the priesthood, which had been supplanted by Jesus Christ as our high priest, and by all true believers now being priests unto our God.

The law concerning the priesthood and all its ordinances, including what they were to where, the sacrifice of animals, and all the rest, had been annulled and had been ended. Jesus Christ fulfilled all of that, and was of a totally different order than that of Aaron. The law of how we are to behave toward others, remained the same.

After all, how could God ever get rid of going good to our fellow human beings? It would cheapen the cross and change nothing. Also, the law was said to have been written in our hearts, which means they remain in place.

Implications of the law and the fall
 

Numbers 15:

37 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them ; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
41 I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God.


An interesting an instructive thing to contemplate is tying in the fall and what Eve saw when being tempted, with the reason behind Numbers 15:37-41 and 1 John 2:15,16. All of them tie into what our eyes are seeing, meaning not in only what we are physically viewing, but in the accompanying lust associated with it.

For example, in Gen. 3:6, it says this about Eve and how she viewed the tree, "that it was pleasant to the eyes."

Also in Numbers 15, we should consider this: "that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:" - this goes back to temptation in garden.

Finally in 1 Jn. 2:15,16, John communicates this strong message:

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

The reason we are to continue to read and remind one another of the requirements of the moral law as revealed to Moses, and confirmed numerous times in the New Testament, is because we're prone to be tempted by our lusts for various things in this world. As a matter of fact, that is the definition of world from the point of view of God. This is what came in with the fall, and a major reason the law still is in force, in order to keep us anchored in the commandments of God from an objective point of view.

It's also why there is so much sin and false Christianity in the world. If we throw out what God commands us, we become gods unto ourselves and do whatever our lusts and emotions drive us to do.
After all, if there is no law and it's been nailed to the cross, God supposedly had removed all restraint from us. The truth is many are literally casting off all restraint in order to live their lives in accordance with their own lusts.

There's a lot more to say about this, but just from these scriptures and comments you can see that God's moral law as revealed in the Bible is still the standard we are to live by, and the cross of Jesus didn't take that away, but reinforced it.

By giving the Holy Spirit to help us, we are able to live an obedient and godly live in this world. There will be times when we sin, but if we're His, we won't be able to live a life of sin.

Images of Jesus' Victory Over Satan - a Defeated Enemy

At times visuals are needed to remind us of the totality of Jesus' victory over Satan. Here are a few images to encourage, inspire and remind us of that victory.

The lion as a symbol of the Lord and His authority over Satan is always inspiring. This is one of my favorites.

I like this visual of Satan and his torment over his defeat, and angry but fearful awaiting of his eternal fate, which has already been sealed.

Another favorite is depictions of the battle in heaven, where Satan and his fellow demons are cast out.

Hopefully you enjoyed this victorious images of Jesus over the devil. Share them to inspire and encourage others.

The Arts: Visual Reminders Help Us to Obey God

Some thoughts on how Christians can use the arts to encourage obedience to God

Numbers 15:38-40

38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

Dt. 22:12

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

Mt. 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

The main concern and requirement of God in relationship to those who bear His name is that they walk in obedience to His commandments. In the verses above, we get a simple but effective look at how God gave instructions so His people could be helped in remembering His commands, and to obey them.

In Matthew 23:5 we also see how something as simple and humble as that was abused by the religious leaders of Jesus' day, when they lengthened the cords on the fringe or tassels, depending on the version being read, for the purpose of positioning themselves as superior to other people. Jesus hated this, and called them out on it, among other things.

The fact this was a law given by God to the children of Israel, meant these were to be seen, in the same fashion we are to let our lights shine before men. We don't do these things in order to attract attention, but neither do we neglect to do them when in the presence of people, or interacting with them. That's why they were commanded to display them for all to see. It reminded them of their responsibility before God, but also revealed it to the world.

The word "borders" in Mt. 23:5 is the same as fringe, cords or tassels mentioned in the book of Numbers.

The point in bringing these verses up is they represent a methodology employed by God to help His people to remember to reflect on the laws of God, and of course to obey them. When the blue cord was viewed it called to their attention the commandments of God and the required obedience to them.

Color Blue

The color blue is mentioned here in reference to the cord because it represented the law throughout the Bible. It was in this case a tool God gave His people to trigger remembrance of what He expected of them.

Four corners of cloak or outer garment

In Dt. 22:12 when it mentions making "fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture" in the King James version, it's simply another way of saying making fringes on the four corners of an outer garment or cloak.

What's important there is the number four refers to creation in the Bible, and it without a doubt means, when included with remembering God's laws, is that we are to take dominion on the earth by doing so in accordance with the revealed will of God in the Holy Scriptures.

Do Not Love the World

1 John 2:15-17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I think it's obvious that Numbers 15:39, when saying these things should be done in order "that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes," was what John was thinking of when penning the portion of his letter above. 

Even when we're attempting to do things for and unto God, it must be done in according to what is revealed in His word. If not, we will only do that which we are seeking for ourselves. It's one of the reasons there is so much failure in works thought to be done in the name of God, when in reality they're works we've conjured up in our own minds and hearts, from what we've seen naturally and in accordance with our own wills.

Artistic relevance

What I wanted to call attention to in this article is that those with interest in the arts, including all segments of the sector - illustration, writing, video, audio, music, audio, and any other means of communicating through artistic skills, should use these verses as a foundation to work from.

Art in all its forms, needs to be primarily used by Christians as a means of stimulating and triggering the memories of people to learn and obey the commands of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This can be done in a plethora of ways - both subtle and obvious - but it should be the end or our artistic endeavors.

The point is the color blue and the fringes or tassels are part of the fashion of the people of God in that day, and they were included in the clothes they wore as part of the means of stirring them up to walk in obedience to God.

In the end, we are to be shown beauty, holiness, God's law, God's character, and all the things revealed in the Bible, by creative Christians, in order to stimulate God's people to remember and adhere to what God has commanded.

The arts have been among the worst abusers of talent, as they have represented, probably more than any area of life, what the world is and enticing people to participate in the "lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."

Christians need to totally buy back or redeem this area of life by creating all sorts of wholesome and compelling works that glorify God and remind, challenge and call people to walk in obedience to Him.

And as the challenge of Jesus to the religious leaders of His day shows, it must be done in a way that the creatives themselves are totally sold out to understanding God's commands and walking in obedience to them. Just doing something creative isnt' enough, it must be reinforced by the lives being lived by the artistic people creating things.

Also important, doing it for the sole purpose of being seen and implying you're more spiritual than someone else, just because you can create a quality piece of work, means we would be doing nothing more than those people Jesus strongly rebuked for doing things only for show.