Very interesting piece of information regarding the importance of Coptic Bible fragments:

"Because the climate of Egypt is especially favorable for the preservation of antiquities—desert conditions prevail south of Cairo, as one goes up the Nile Valley—an astonishing number of very early Coptic manuscripts have been discovered, dating from AD 300 onwards, and the number continues to grow.

"Coptic literature, which survives in a number of dialects, comprises both original works and translations from the Greek and was mostly intended for use in the non-Greek churches and monasteries of Egypt. It includes several translations of the Bible made from Greek starting about AD 300, which are a very early indirect attestation of the Greek text and a direct indication of an Egyptian (perhaps Alexandrian) understanding of what it meant: the Coptic versions are of great importance to modern scholars of Biblical textual criticism." ~COPTIC IN 20 LESSONS by Bentley Layton - Professor of Religious Studies and Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University.

More information on the importance of ancient Coptic bible texts By Tommy Richards

Read free online: "Coptic Biblical texts in the dialect of Upper Egypt" by Budge, E. A. Wallis, Sir, 1857-1934

"Contains Coptic versions of the Books of Deuteronomy, Jonah, and the Acts of the Apostles, from the papyrus Codex Oriental no. 7594, and the Book of the Apocalypse from the paper manuscript, Oriental no. 6803."

"The oldest known copy of any translation of ... the Greek Bible."

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Budge says in the Preface: "The texts in the papyrus Codex are of great importance, for the script in the Greek hand which comes at the end of the Acts of the Apostles proves that the volume cannot have been written later than the middle of the fourth century. Hence it is now certain that copies of some Books of the Old and New Testaments, written in Coptic, were in circulation among the Egyptian Christians early in the first half of this century: and it is legitimate to conclude that the origin of the version itself cannot be placed later than the third century. The Codex is, in fact, the oldest known copy of any translation of any considerable portion of the Greek Bible: indeed it is probably as early as any copy now in existence of any substantial part of the Bible."

That was in the early 20th century. Not long after, an incredible discovery was made. In the forward of Crum's thousand-page Coptic Dictionary, we read "...Only in rare instances did a Coptic document preserve a text, or part of a text, whose Greek original was lost, in which case it became the only source..." "All this changed dramatically with the discovery late in 1945 of the Nag Hammadi codices. The discovery consisted of thirteen Coptic codices copied about the middle of the fourth century C.E. (A.D.)..." "Suddenly, learning Coptic became the middle-age crisis of the New Testament and Patristics scholars and produced another language requirement for their doctoral students." "The thirteen codices contained fifty-two tractates, but since six are duplicates, there are only 46 works. All are translations from Greek, and most were composed in the second and third centuries C.E." ~Forward by James M. Robinson (The forward contains many more important details which you may read after purchasing online, as I have done.)

As you can probably (hopefully) see, there is good cause for attention to be paid in this field of study!

If anyone is interested in learning basic Coptic language and grammar, I recommend reading and/or printing the [free] book found online: "Layton, Bentley. Coptic in 20 Lessons: Introduction to Sahidic Coptic With Exercises & Vocabularies. Leuven. Paris and Dudley. Peeters, 2006." which is required for Washington University's "COPTIC 101 A: Introduction to Sahidic Coptic".

Best wishes to all, in and through Christ Jesus!

Tommy Richards
https://septuagint-lxx.com
https://spirituallysmart.com

Why ancient Coptic bibles are so important:

The Coptic language is an incredible language based off the Greek. It was in use between 200BC and 1700 and many ancient bibles were translated into Coptic from Greek and was used to preserve the Bible! Yet ANOTHER proven fact of how important and popular the #Septuagint #LXX was and IS. Here is a graph I put together comparing the Coptic alphabet with the Greek alphabet, and a link to the page where I am gathering information and PDFs of Coptic Bibles with Greek and English notes, Coptic dictionaries, Bible commentaries and a learner's Grammar. https://www.septuagint-lxx.com/coptic

May God Almighty bless you through His Christos Son, JESUS. Amen.

Hebrew, Latin, and Greek ~John 19:20

"Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek." John 19:20

Important verse to think about and consider. Those three languages were very popular in that region. And this verse amplifies the importance of the Septuagint Greek Old Covenant writings. Because that was the MAIN bible at that time. It was practically all they had, studied, and quoted from. As the New Covenant writings hadn't been written yet.

In chapter 6 of the book of Acts we read how "...the Grecian Jews ("Greek-speaking Judeans" = "Ἑλληνιστῶν") began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food." Acts 6:1b "daily distribution of διακονία." διακονία = "waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration." (Strong's concordance).

So seven GREEK - Jews were chosen.

"Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them and devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  Acts 6:3, 4

"This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism." Acts 6:5

If you study these 7 names you will see they were all GREEK names!

Again, we see how important Greek was right in the New Covenant writings!

On a more personal note, Greek and Latin are easiest for me to study and understand because the English language is largely based on them. I see many whole and partial English words right in these ancient languages. And this helps to UNDERSTAND these WORDS OF GOD *BETTER* (GREAT EMPHASIS ADDED). And the IMPORTANCE of this, cannot be expressed adequately with words!

Written by Tommy Richards of septuagint-lxx.com and spirituallysmart.com to the glory of God the Father by and through His Christos Son Jesus. Amen.

HOW TO BE SAVED:

Amen, to what Peter says in this verse! This, he said in response to the Gentiles officially being accepted into God's family through faith in Christ. And the event was confirmed through the giving of, immersion of, the baptism in God's holy Spirit. Cornelius and his household were born again, anew, fathered, begotten from above. Just like the Judeans were on Pentecost, as Jesus promised. According to Bible historians, Cornelius and his household being accepted by God was approximately 10 years after Pentecost. The Gentiles being justified by and through faith in Christ was somewhat shocking to the Judean believers. But they could not deny what had happened to Cornelius and his friends and family. And they could not deny all the Scriptures which foretold of this event. Peter being the important vessel God used to introduce this fact to the Judeans in Jerusalem. PAUL then became God's main ambassador to the gentiles. He was perfect because no one was more offensive and contrary to God than Paul. If God could save Paul, God could save the gentiles and offer all His promises to them through faith in His Christos Son. And indeed, God has done just that. Gentiles have an ADDITIONAL reason to worship, thank, and praise God the Father through Christ.

The two verses that came to mind while writing this were:

1. "Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too," (Romans 3:29)

2. "Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." (Romans 11:22)

Because, do you think that the knowledge of such an incredible act of God's love and mercy, and His bestowal of His Spirit to us through the death and shed blood of His SON is for nothing? After becoming witnesses of God's reality through the baptism in God's Spirit through faith in Christ, do we pretend nothing happened? Were we not indeed made a new creation? Should not all our thoughts and actions be carefully weighed through prayerful study of God's word? And should we not repent at the reading of His word and allow God's fire to burn away anything other than God's pure teachings? Should we not DO as PAUL teaches us gentiles? Did he not warn them straightly over and over, with tears? Did he suffer everything he suffered for nothing? Isn't this what God's Spirit is pressing upon you when you read His written word? I hope so. Otherwise, our hearts are still like stones. The new heart is needed for God to be able to sow His seed. The perfect soil for planting and growing. That needs to happen FIRST. THEN we can grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ, eventually. We must be born anew. Like the Judeans on Pentecost. And like Cornelius ten years later. And we must strive to do everything PAUL wrote to those who received the Spirit of Christ. As he said, "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9

So what can we do to receive God's Spirit? We must first BELIEVE. And only through the unmerited, unearned gift from God can we have this faith. And how does one receive faith from God? Answer: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  "So, Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:13-15, 17

That's how you become saved, the gift of God opening your hearts to His gospel and His enabling us to endure to the end of our lives. And how does one become condemned? Jesus tells us through the book of John. During His incredible conversation with Nicodemus, He says, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” John 3

And there you have it. The direction from God. Go to Him for forgiveness. He will grant you forgiveness through His Son. One will only seek forgiveness if one feels sad about what they have done. And one feels bad because our sins separate us from God and His blessings.

At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have HIDDEN these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children [(those small in their own mind)]. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25-26

It's the lowly sinners who hear the message of God. If you feel sad for your sins, that's a blessing. Turn to God now and trust in Him for eternal life.

Here is a prayer I said when I was born again. Say it to God;

"My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."

Written by Tommy Richards​, to the glory of God the Father through His Anointed Son Jesus. Amen.

THE LAST HOUR

The basis of this message I am writing is found in the first epistle of John. He writes, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” 1 John 2:18-20

John tells us we are in the last hour – This is 2000 YEARS AGO which would most likely mean that we are possibly in the last minute of time.

John says that “antichrist (ἀντίχριστος) is coming (ἔρχομαι). In the very same sentence John states, “…and already many such antichrists have appeared. This is how we know that it is the last hour.”

Appeared = γίνομαι. And is a very common Greek word in the NT and fundamentally means "become" (becoming, became). Therefore, I think the emphasis in this verse is on the fact that there were many antichrist[s] already presently there.

John, the apostle. One of the original 12 disciples picked out by the Lord Himself. Author of: The Gospel of John; 1, 2, 3 John (epistles of); and Revelation or "Apocalypse" (ἀποκάλυψις) is a Greek word meaning "an unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation."

John therefore had the authority to say assuredly, “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:19)

I’m writing this because I have seen representatives of churches, sects and cults try quoting this scripture when someone leaves their group. But I say that in most cases they have no authority to do so. The apostle John was a proven leader in the body of Christ. NOBODY else can lay claim to this kind of authority. Therefore, people should be very careful when they try and call someone “antichrist” because someone left their group. People who carelessly accuse people of being antichrist can often wind up looking more like the antichrist than the one they are accusing. I say this because of the reasoning they employ when drawing their conclusions. The accuser/slanderer (διάβολος), are imagining that their group is the one and only bonafide church of God and anyone who leaves it is antichrist. In other words, they are putting their faith into this idea and not putting their faith in the person of CHRIST. This very work puts them in place of Christ. Or instead of Christ. Which is the very definition of “antichrist.”

The reason why someone would imagine that their little cult, group or sect is the one and only body of Christ is because they are deceived. And most likely due to pride. Of which, God says He is at war with those who are proud. “But gives His grace (gift of unmerited favor) to the LOWLY.” (Proverbs 3:34 LXX; 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6).

The opposite/antonym of pride which is humility is a prerequisite for properly serving Christ and is the signature of authenticity of a true born of the Spirit follower of Christ. The true believer full well knows his unworthiness and therefore is always looking for Christ’s guidance. As the true believer knows who and what he was before Christ saved him. This guidance, John refers to in the very next verse. The word is often translated as “unction”, but is more properly translated as “the result of the anointing” (χρίσμα) and is where we get the English word charisma.

John says, “You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” 1 John 2:20 (and see 1 John 2:27 to see all the usages (3) of this word (χρίσμα) in the New Covenant writings.)

John then says, “I have not written you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.” 1 John 2:21

John is talking to members in Christ’s body, firstly. People who have never truly been saved like to imagine they are anointed leaders of God and that all the Bible verses apply to them in a context that was never intended. They throw around heavy duty verses and accusations and they feel that makes them look important. These are the ones who never truly entered into God’s fold through faith in Christ and the initial immersion in God’s holy Spirit at the time of conversion. These are the “antichrists” John is talking about! And their day of judgment and negative verdict is coming very soon. These are the ones who have entered into the fold, not through the Gate (Christ), but “some other way.” The same is “a thief and a robber.” John 10:1

Just as John is warning in his epistles; “they did not [ever] belong to us.” And “their departure made it clear that none of them [ever] belonged to us.” (1 John 2:19)

These antichrists were never saved! Then, when someone who IS saved visits their group and depart when the spiritual bankruptcy of the hypocrites is manifested, the wolves in sheep’s clothing begin pacifying the others by incorrectly quoting John’s words about antichrist. Except the roles were actually reversed. The antichrists rejected a true born of the Spirit converted follower of Christ and therefore “departed” from Christ’s body without even knowing it. (2 John 1:7; Luke 10:16; Matthew 10:40; John 13:20)

John then says, “Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22

“Denies” is the English translation of the Greek word ἀρνέομαι and means: “(refuse); hence, contradict, refuse to affirm or to confess (identify with); disown (repudiate).”

Those who never knew Christ are easily deceived and manipulated by demons. They naturally repudiate, deny and disown JESUS and those who belong to Him. And before we knew Christ, we all did the very same thing! (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:3; Colossians 1:21)

But when we were confronted with God’s truth and through God’s mercy accepted it, the antichrists on the other hand denied it, repudiated it and contradicted it (Matthew 21:44; Luke 20:18). And again, John fills in the pertinent information in the all-important third chapter of John. He says, “And this is the verdict (“condemnation” - KJV): The Light has come into the world, but men loved (chose) the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” John 3:17, 18

Those who are Christ’s go to Him every day and confess their faults and express to Him their need of God’s grace and forgiveness. This allows God to exercise His mercy to us (1 John 1:7). This shows that we are affirming and confirming God as the good and gracious God He is, while we are displaying our humility and need for God’s forgiveness. And THIS is the most important part of God’s work in Christ. As Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but [I came to call] sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:31, 32

Jesus WAS BORN into this world for sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15; Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:10; John 3:17).

But the antichrists will hardly ever admit they are wrong at all. And therefore, these types do not need Christ. And therefore, reject, deny and repudiate Him.

Paul also often speaks of these deniers of God, but does so very specifically in 2 Thessalonians 2. Paul says, “The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10

And because they refused, denied, repudiated and were hostile toward “a love for the truth,” “For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie,” (The lie that THEY are the anointed of God and everyone who leaves them are antichrist!) 2 Thessalonians 2:11

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The holy Spirit tells us all the same things so many times and in so many ways in God’s old and new covenant writings. And I tell you, and echo the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and all His messengers, apostles and prophets; And that is the fact that we need to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We need to seek Him persistently. To read His word prayerfully. And To constantly commune with Him in our heart. And to never stop until we breathe our very last breath!

You can be saved!

God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!

Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."

Tommy Richards​


https://spirituallysmart.com/antichrist.html

Baptism in God's Spirit! The promise is to ALL ... (Acts 2:39)

"And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9b

Anyone who does not have God's Spirit dwelling within them, they are still orphans! This is true, but I doubt you will hear this anywhere in "church land." I never heard this out there. But the Lord showed it to me very clearly in many different ways (in His Word coupled with His Spirit). Not just for me to know, but to highlight the scriptures and share with YOU and the world. So please read my six-part series on the baptism in God's Spirit as soon as you can. https://spirituallysmart.com/six-part-series-baptism.html

Because as Paul tells us, "Test yourselves and find out if you really are true to your faith. If you pass the test, you will discover that Christ is living in you. But if Christ isn't living in you, you are counterfeit." 2 Corinthians 13:5

This is no joke. We have to put all our heart into this. We can't be phonies and go to heaven. No matter how religious, nice or kind we are. We have to be authentic believers in Christ (truly knowing and loving Him). And we must know and teach that Christ is our redemption and justification and FINAL JUDGE in the end!

I pray God the Father open our hearts and understanding today to our spiritual condition and give us an urgency to react and adjust ourselves, before it is too late! I only ask through Christ Jesus, the Anointed Son of the Father. Amen.

Tommy Richards

First Gospel Tract entitled: JUDGMENT with link to download, print and distribute

JUDGMENT - Link to word document so you may download, print, and redistribute: https://spirituallysmart.com/judgment-tract.docx

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men…”

ACTS 17:30,31 “Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all men everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

ECCLESIASTES 12:13,14 “The conclusion of the WHOLE matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”

HEBREWS 9:27 “Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,”

MATTHEW 12:36,37 “But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

JOHN 12:48 “There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”

REVELATION 20:13 “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.”

MATTHEW 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day ….. ”

WE HAVE ALL heard bits and pieces about Jesus. Mostly because of two major holidays many observe. On “Christmas” many acknowledge Christ was born. On “Easter” many acknowledge Christ raised from the dead. Major religions like Roman Catholicism also show quite plainly that Jesus died on the cross. We have all seen their crosses everywhere which they call the “crucifix.”

Unfortunately, Jesus, these symbols and holidays have been turned into a weapon of oppression world-wide. Many war-mongers and insane people have claimed to be “Christian.” That is why I will not use that term any longer. As it has been hijacked as a tool of deception, hate and death. Most of those claiming to represent God’s interests have been false.

But Jesus warned us 2000 years ago that this would happen.

God and His Representative/Son Jesus are not like so many professing to know and represent God. God proved this through His physical appearance in this world through His Son, Jesus the Christ. Jesus conducted His life as a total expression of God’s love.

God’s love is expressed in many different ways. And Jesus expressed them all. And those who truly follow Christ, are obligated to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6).

The Bible was written in ancient Greek. And the Greek words which were originally written often have a much more expansive definition than the English counterpart. When the apostle John wrote we are to “walk as He (Jesus) walked”, that actually means, “conduct one’s life as Jesus conducted His.” John says, “Whoever claims to abide, remain in Him (His commands) are obligated to, indebted to, walk as Jesus walked.”

And how did Jesus “walk”? In total love of God and for others (His neighbors), putting them first, as God has always intended for mankind to do for each other. That is how God intended man to “conduct their lives” from the very beginning of time.

As Jesus taught in the very heart of Israel, He was tested with a question by the Jewish religious leaders there. The question was asked by “an expert in the law [of Moses].” He asked, “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Jesus says!

With this in mind, it should then be somewhat easy to see if someone is actually a representative of God. Do they teach what Jesus taught? Do they walk as Jesus walked? Now ask yourself. Do YOU walk as Jesus walked?
More than likely, the answer is “NO.”

But we need to walk as Jesus walked if we want to fare well in the final judgment. And God is offering us all a chance to do just that! And THAT is exactly what we will find if we begin to honestly and earnestly seek God for answers.

One of the most important teachings by Jesus is that He tells us to do just that. To seek God. Jesus said to seek God and not give up. To never give up until we receive an answer. Any of us can do this. And we don’t have to be in a church building or speak with a church leader. Anywhere we are, we can talk to God without even saying an audible word. Because God knows our every thought.

Technology is amazing isn’t it? Think about all the different things humanity can do through technology

technology. And think about all the things the government and large companies can do with and through technology. For instance, it’s been shown that people who work in this capacity can practically read our thoughts and know what kind of people we are just by how we browse the internet. Some companies do claim to offer ways to keep these things private.

But with God, NOTHING is private.

God has the most advanced technology humans will never be able reproduce. God has a recording device built into each and every one of our souls. Right in our heart. And on judgment day, that recording is going to play and expose every thought, word and act that we ever thought, said and committed. However, this technology can be used for our benefit and the benefit of our fellow man.

God calls this technology PRAYER!

That’s right. And it is through PRAYER that we CAN talk to GOD. And that’s just the very beginning. God is also the source of all energy. Energy which can power billions of power plants. Matter of fact, His energy is LIFE and the LIFE of every living thing on this earth. Everything is operating just as God created it…. …EXCEPT MANKIND
We have all been disconnected from service. God had to pull the plug. Now we all only have a very short lifespan. Some, shorter than others. Matter of fact, we never know when our lives will completely be cut off.

THAT IS WHY WE NEED JESUS THE CHRIST, NOW.

Through Christ we can all be plugged back into God’s wonderful and powerful ENERGY. With this energy in us, depression and anxiety doesn’t stand a chance. God provides perfect peace within our heart. Peace we never thought possible. I know. I had suffered from acute anxiety for years before God healed me.

And it was through prayer that God heard my cries and personally delivered to me salvation through the most powerful act of love no one could ever imagine. And He did this directly through His Representative, Jesus the Christ. The resurrected Savior.

In the end, God will judge us through Christ. While we still have a breath in our body, we need to seek Him for forgiveness and eternal life. This, God WANTS to give to us all. We only need to ask.

You can be saved!

If you have never repented of your sins and been saved and feel the desire to do so now please say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully saved 20 years ago!

Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."

Contact Us

Email: email@spirituallysmart.com
Web: www.spirituallysmart.com
Converted to Christ in 1997
Written by Thomas Richards – Please copy and redistribute free of charge!

Have you been ENERGIZED?

The word "idle" is the English translation of the Greek word ἀργός and is an adjective. The word describes someone who is inactive, not working. It is the antonym of, opposite of "working" (adj). As in a "working (ἐνεργής) laborer" vs a "non-working (ἀργός) laborer."

In Matthew chapter 20 verses 1-16 we read about the Lord telling a parable about laborers/workers in the vineyard. He begins the parable by saying, "For the kingdom of heaven is like....", so those who are listening can safely apply this earthly allegory to their spiritual lives.

The main point of the teaching is that all who enter the harvest field and work for the Lord will receive the same pay when they are finished. But in the course of the parable many other important truths are revealed. The point I want to highlight is the very fact that if someone is inactive, idle, and not working, this person has not yet received and/or obeyed the call from the Lord. Or worse, they have gone astray, are being disobedient and/or have fallen away back into rebellion against GOD. (The Lord touches upon this fact in The Parable of the Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32)

When we become inactive (idle) after being made "hot" when we were first converted, we are then considered to be lukewarm. We then become fitting recipients of the Lord's rebuke in Revelation 3:15, 16 (“I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!”). Before we knew Christ, we were all "cold" (dead, spiritually). But when we were made alive (“quickened”), we were energized and began to move around and heat up. The more work we do by being joined to and walking with Jesus, the more we heat up. And when we heat up enough we boil over which is the very root of the definition of the word zealous (1, 2, 3). This is right where we (and the Lord) want us to be! It's where we are obligated to be! (1 John 2:6)

The Lord is willing to allow anyone and everyone to go to work for Him. When He hires us, we enter into an agreement with Him. Just like in the Parable of the Vineyard Workers, the master of the house hired (entered into an agreement) with the workers. Another word/synonym for agreement is covenant. So, you can probably see how this parable so aptly describes the kingdom of heaven. God has talked to us in very simplistic terms. But that is not how we will understand these terms. We will understand these terms if and when God allows us to understand them. And Jesus praise God the Father because God revealed the mysteries of the kingdom to babes. But hid them from the supposed wise and prudent. (Matthew 11:25, 26)

When the owner of a business wants to hire someone for money, the thought of that payment energizes the worker into doing work. We're talking about long hours and very hard work. They think of all the things they are going to buy with that money. With the Lord, it is much more powerful and we receive a payment that can't be compared to a day's wages. When our understanding is enlightened to what God is offering us, many things happen. But the main thing that happens is we become energized to do God's work. The gifts of God, His love to us, the faith He gives us and most of all, His holy Spirit. All these things energize us! "The word of God is ALIVE and FULL OF ENERGY." (Hebrews 4:12a) The Greek word is ἐνεργής (adj) and the noun form of that word is where we get the English term ENERGY. Paul says God's holy Spirit is the source of energy which results in all the varieties of spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:6). Paul again says, "Does God lavish His Spirit on you and (in turn) energize (energetically produce) miracles among you because you practice the Law, or because you hear and believe?" Think about how power plants energize whole cities. Now think about GOD who energizes the power plants. And think about the fact that He WANTS to, DESIRES to energize us to do His incredible work that He has for us through faith in His Christos SON!!

So why do we stand around IDLE? Have we not been ENERGIZED by God through Faith in His living LOGOS, THE Anointed Son of God? The bread of LIFE? This energy is available to us FOR FREE!

When we are hired by God it will be through the gift of faith in His Son. THE Christos (Anointed, Messiah) Son of God who is Creator, Lord and God over all. When we are hired by God to work in His vineyard, we are entering into covenant with God. The covenant is to accept the incredible, ineffable love God has shown to us by coming down to this world and dying for us. Us acknowledging this miraculous fact will enable God to cleanse us of all prior sins. That makes us a clean container for Him to enter into us via the giving us of His holy Spirit which is also called being "born again", anew, for a second time, fathered from above, made a new creature, receiving the Spirit of adoption and THIS makes us actual witnesses of God's reality. And in due time, God will make us able ministers of the new covenant.

Now this powerful experience changes us forever. Because it is when God enables and energizing us so we can then begin the work God has for us (i.e. to work in His vineyard for payment). At first, like any beginner of a trait or job, we are unknowledgeable and quite sloppy. "Carnal" and spiritually immature. But as we go to Him every day and yoke up with Him and learn of Him, we will become skilled workers. We GROW. As this is what God has showed us from the beginning. God's energy and life makes everything alive and causes it to be fruitful. That is "good" as God says (Genesis chapter 1).

When God's Spirit enters us, the same will happen. God's Spirit (Christ in us) will push us and provoke us to do what we are supposed to do. And what we are supposed to do is all we can to convince the world of its spiritual condition and what God has done to fix it. Yes, and we can only do that if we are actually participating with God in His work and according to His rules. And If we have entered into and are not breaking covenant, but are seeking to love Him with all our heart. Because not only is that the "first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28), but that is what we agree upon when we enter covenant with God through the confession that we are sinners in NEED of a Savior, and that Christ's shed blood and death upon the cross was the payment made for us to redeem us to God. God in Christ gave all and we give all in return. It is only natural. And yet, supernatural. 

Paul says,

“I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people.”

“I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side+ in heaven.” ~Ephesians 1:17-20 (CEV)

Dear heavenly Father, please let these powerful words of Yours be burned forever into our hearts. With the result of us being energized so we may bring You the glory due to You. We ask only through the work You have done in and through Your Christos Son Jesus, our only hope. Amen

~Tommy Richards

Father of Nature

“Solomon composed three thousand proverbs (parables), and his songs (odes) numbered five thousand. He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. So all the peoples came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and he took gifts from all the kings of the earth, as many as heard his wisdom.” 1 Kings 4:32-34

God’s creation testifies of, yea, heralds His majesty. Solomon spoke of these things (i.e. “nature” - see fn 1) because God wants us to look at His creation, see Him in it, and in turn, give Him the honor and reverence due Him. Recognizing and meditating on these facts would naturally provoke us into seeking Him with all our heart, to the end that we may learn to be more like Him and represent Him in this world. This brings balance into the cosmos. Our positives from God neutralizing the negatives from ignorance and Satan. God created everything perfectly balanced. “A false balance is abomination to the LORD:” (Proverbs 11:1a) Man then quickly threw everything off-balance. God then began working to rebalance everything again. That "balance" came to us through Christ, God's Son (Romans 5:19), to the glory of the Father. The only part of His creation which has faltered is mankind. And that is solely the fault of each and every individual, and each individual will be repaid on judgment day for what they did or didn’t do.

“God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil,…” Romans 2:6-9a

Solomon’s father David, the second king of Israel, also made many numerous references to God’s creation in songs while prophesying in Spirit. Right from the very first Psalm we read how happy is a man who doesn’t follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of the sinner or join in with mockers. Instead his delight is in the Lord’s instructions which he meditates on night and day. David says, “He is like a tree planted beside the streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1)

Fn 1: “from Latin natura "course of things; natural character, constitution, quality; the universe," literally "birth," from natus "born," past participle of nasci "to be born," from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget."

When in trouble, he described the trouble through analogies found in nature;

Psalm 7 reads, “Lord my God, I seek refuge in You; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, or they will tear me like a lion, ripping me apart with no one to rescue me.” Psalm 7:1, 2

When victorious, he described the joy through analogies found in nature;

¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
¹² Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
¹³ Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
    he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96

Somewhere else we read,

“There once was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.” (Job 1:1)
 

And Job declares: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

Jesus also made many references to nature in His teachings.  And even more pointedly, Jesus illustrated God’s love and care for us from examples through His creation. (Matthew 6:25-34)

In every circumstance and situation, kings, prophets, men of God and Jesus Himself have done the same. As nature so aptly declares all the wonders and hardships of life.

I felt compelled to write this message after inadvertently viewing a clip of a nature program on Netflix. The narrator was bringing out marvelous observations about the incredibly delicate balance of nature. He then adds to the statement, which we have all likely heard before, “…It has taken millions of years to evolve in this manner.” That statement is very insulting to anyone with even a mustard seed of faith. As if by adding millions of years into the equation this earth could somehow provide the perfect environment allowing every living thing to thrive so beautifully. To try and rob God of His honor by espousing this ridiculous man-made theory is absurd. And much of mankind is doomed for denying the existence of God right in the face of His brilliant and complex creation.

“For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. “

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts….” (Romans 1:19-21)

Instead of acknowledging this wonderful (lit. full of wonders) - God. They instead gave His glory to the created things and have attempted to cut God out of the equation altogether. And that willful ignorance landed them on the slippery slope to an extremely miserable life on earth and an even worse hereafter.

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:22, 23)

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.” (Romans 1:25)

“Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and hatred. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. (Romans 1:28-30a, 31)

There are no clearer verses in scripture describing the penalty of this sin than in Romans chapter one. And we can see how important acknowledging God through His creation actually is! Those who fail to do so end up paying tremendously for their arrogance. And unfortunately, the world seems to be full of these kinds of people.

I must admit, being that God is such an awesome God as He is, it’s hard to fathom it all. Some people even spend their entire lives observing one single species and still do not get close to knowing everything about it. But society usually hears about it through the filter of “God-hating” scientists who attempt to cut God out and instead give the credit to a natural occurrence which took “millions of years” to magically produce.

The Almighty God created it all within six days!

How do I know that? Because God has made it “PLAIN” to us! And yes, God is THAT powerful and wise to be able to do exactly what the record of creation states. And so much more. This earth is obviously tailor made for us to live on. Custom fit! A few more degrees either way and nothing could survive! Scientists know God created it all. None of them can draw any other logical conclusion. Seeing them attempt to explain it all in their own way is embarrassing to watch!

And God’s word says the same, “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20

Yes, God has done this from the beginning and continues to this very day and will remain so until the very end of the age when everyone is judged.

Even a child can see what God has done. And for them to constantly see adults push a false narrative is depressing. Record numbers of children and adolescents are on anti-depressant/psychotic drugs. These same adults see exactly what is going on and they know why it is happening. They don’t care. Because as Paul says in chapter one of Romans, They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. And I say that no matter how hard these same people pretend to be caring, God has labeled them and the label will remain upon their lives until they cease being senseless, faithless, heartless and merciless and make a 180 degree turn from their foolishness and give God the credit He deserves.