The Mark of Cain, The Mark of the Beast, & Other Fun Stuff.

Tonight, I was decorating my house for Christmas, so naturally I started thinking about Cain's mark and the Mark of the Beast.  Ha! No, I didn't think of that until I was in bed reading. I was thinking how both marks were kind of connected. I don't know if I have heard or read about this before, but I felt compelled to write about it, so here goes.

After sin entered the world, God had told Adam and Eve how a lamb must be sacrificed. This was to point forward to the death of God himself for the human family. God's (Jesus, who is also God) blood would be shed, and as Adam laid his hand on the head of the sheep, confessing his sins, he would then kill it. It was to show the horrible result of sin and how it leads to death and how we are saved by the blood of Jesus.

Adam and Eve had many children; their first son was named Cain, the second named Abel. When it was time to sacrifice, Abel brought a lamb but Cain brought fruit. The Bible says God was not pleased with Cain's sacrifice because it was not according to God's plan. God came down to explain to Cain. "So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”  Genesis 4:5-7

The next sentence is a shocker, "Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field. While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

One step away from the Garden of Eden and here was the first murder. And why? Why was Cain so angry? 

The apostle John wrote, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous."  1John 3:12

"By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead."  Hebrews 11:4

So Abel had faith and obeyed God's directions in the way to worship. Cain did not have faith and worshiped God in a wrong way. Then when God tried to correct Cain, he grew so angry he killed his brother. So, like a teenager who has to come home by 11:00pm, he felt thwarted and dictated to and he wasn't going to put up with that. He rebelled against God.

Cain told God that now someone would probably kill him in revenge. God said, "Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Okay, now to the Mark of the Beast.  "And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain."  

In the last days of earth's history, a power will come on the earth that will try to force its kind of worship on everyone possible. First this power will not allow anyone to buy food who does not obey the new laws. Eventually, they will enact the death penalty for those who refuse to worship in their way. 

"It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name."  Revelation 13:15-18  

It is going to be very easy to keep track of what people buy these days. Everyone will probably have a card in order to buy anything. No big deal in this computer age.

It used to seem incredible that in the modern age this could happen in the West. It seems less incredible now when you see the mixture of religion and politics. Christians are getting more and more involved in politics; the world has become an increasingly dangerous place; the stage is being set for this religious, persecuting power.

All through history religious institutions have persecuted and killed those who disagree with their way of worshiping God. It is going on today all over the world. It will come to a head in the last days of earth. It began with murderous Cain, it continued with religious people who murdered Jesus, and it will end with worshipers of God who will murder those who disagree with them. 

In contrast to the mark, God will set a seal in the foreheads of his people. The seal is the Holy Spirit, who lives in the hearts and minds of those who love God. 

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."  2 Corinthians 1:22

So, Who is God?  

Someone who has warned us about what will happen at the end of the world. Jesus said, "“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.  Matthew 24

Read all of Matthew 24, because all this was important to Jesus.

Who am I?  Someone who feels sad for the people of this world. I feel sad about those people who misrepresent God to the world. I feel sad about death, persecution and the lack of love in this world. But I feel happy about God, because he is doing all he can to reach every heart. I see it all around me and so does my husband. And I feel happy that God is my friend, my brother, my husband and my God.

Get Me Outta Here!

Who Is God?

Someone who cares about where we are in life and what we are doing.

“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’

“ ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

Acts 22:17-21

We don't all get a dream of where God wants us to go, but there are other ways to find out his  will. If you are desperately unhappy with your lot in life - reach out to God. He will show you the way.

Who am I?

I just finished reading, "The Wrong Shade of Yellow," by Margaret Eleanor Leigh. I love the way she writes and I loved her story. The book begins when she has a government job she hates; she calls her workplace "The Ministry of Human Misery."  She writes, "Please get me out of here," I said to God, but God didn't seem to be listening. And then I woke in the surgical ward of Wellington Hospital." She said this wasn't what she'd had in mind, but it was effective. She never returned to her old job. Instead she traveled Europe on a bicycle.

One of my sisters said the same prayer to God. She hated living where she was; but it seemed to her she was stuck. "Get me outta here! she cried. After she prayed, she had to leave that place - there was no choice. She threw away most of her stuff, took off in her van and lived homeless. Her van had a bed already, she just bought a heater, a little stove and toilet. She said to me later, "This is the happiest I've been in my life."

Sometimes I wonder why we stay in situations that make us so unhappy. I guess the answer is fear, plain and simple fear. We fear having no money, starting out all over again at an older age, what the future will hold, etc. So many fears, so we stay in the same job, same house, same life.

God is certainly wonderful to force us to move our butts when we feel immobile. He doesn't say, "Hey, Stupid. Can't you figure this our yourself?"  Nope, he takes the bull by the horns and says, "She/He asked for my help and I'm going to give it. They may not like my methods, but in the end, they will thank me."  And he is right; we thank him. What an amazing God!

God Wants Your Attention.

Jill Clardy

Who is God?

Someone who wants to live inside you.

Jesus said, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."  John 15:4,5

Who am I?

Someone who knows what it is like to live without God and is glad she is now living in God.

I've started to read books by, Charles R. Swindoll. I enjoy them very much. The one I am reading now is called, "So, You Want to Be Like Christ?"  His first chapter is on having intimacy with God.

"God will never adjust His agenda to fit ours. He will not speed his pace to catch up with ours; we need to slow our pace in order to recover our walk with him. God will not scream and shout over noisy clamor; he expects us to seek quietness, where his still, small voice can be heard. "

Swindoll says to create room in our life for God; Christ-likeness is a journey not a destination, 

He writes, "Our responsibility is to pursue time away from television noise, radio chatter, endless and silly commercials and the din of mercenary traffic around us."

One time, I listened to a sermon online and the preacher said, "Ask God what he wants you to do."  So, when the program was over, I went on my balcony and asked God, "Is there anything you want me to do?"  Instantly, I heard him say in my mind, "I want you to stop watching those violent TV shows you watch with your sister."  Then, silence.  Well, it didn't take him long to find something! Lol

My sister was living with us then, she has since moved to Washington State. We were watching Walking Dead, and some other violent shows. We spent each evening watching TV in her room while my husband slept. He has to go to bed at 7am.

I thought to myself, "Well, I don't mind giving up those shows myself, but Liz will be disappointed because we have a lot of fun doing that."  But, I was thankful God had even deigned to speak to me about something he thought was important, so I said, "Okay, God."

I never missed those shows. I spent time with God instead and learned so much and had a great time with him and still do. I searched for lots of Christian sites online and found many. I signed up for newsletters and joined some blogs. I found some new preachers to listen to, which led me to a deeper understanding of God's love for me. 

My sister took it all in stride. She is a Christian too and understood. We sometimes watched some innocent shows (not that there are many).

I think I blogged about this before; you will have to excuse me as I'm 65 and don't remember everything. Anyway, I'm glad I did what God asked me to do. He was right, as usual; I am happier and don't have nightmares as much! And of course, I think the main reason he asked me to do this was to spend more quality time with him. It has been wonderful, top-quality time for me.

God Still Works Miracles.

I loved walking along the sea wall.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awraun/100010260/

Who is God?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Who am I?

I just finished reading, "Beautiful Affliction," by Lene Fogelberg. It is a wonderful book of her journey through illness. Although she was always in pain doctors, in her native country of Sweden, couldn't find out what was wrong with her. They told her she had a heart murmmer but it wasn't too bad.

Eventually, Lene finds out what is wrong in the United States, where she and her husband had to move for his job. It is a story of her great courage and her beautiful family. She had prayed in Sweden for help and help was given to her.

This book reminded me of all the times God helped us in moving to different cities. We lived in Kelowna, BC Canada. My daughter Sandy had been laid off her job at the Gas Company. I was babysitting her two boys. Then the company offered her a job up north in Prince George.

Prince George was 9 hours away. None of us had ever been there. But the real problem was my grandsons leaving Kelowna. They were very upset. When Sandy and I were packing boxes, Craig, her older boy, got his plastic sword and attacked the boxes with all his might.

I said to him, "You are sad about moving, aren't you?" He said he was and started crying. I was also sad, actually I felt devestated to lose them. I didn't know how my husband and I could afford to go up and visit very often.

But, God stepped up and worked a miracle. Soon after Sandy left, my husband's company, the same Gas Company, wanted him to work in Prince George about once a month! They would pay for the hotel, gas and eating costs! We were able to go up there many times over the next year she worked there. It was wonderful.

Years later, Sandy was working in Vancouver. The boys were not happy in their after-school daycare. She wanted me to babysit them, but it wasn't possible as far as we knew. God stepped up again. My husband was asked to work in Vancouver temporarily. They payed for a hotel room we found very near the boys' school. We lived there for a year and then the Vancouver office asked my husband to stay.

I wanted an apartment closer to the school and cheaper than the luxury hotel we had been living in. We prayed about it and went looking. In downtown Vancouver, places get snatched up right away so all they have to do is put a sign outside the building. We drove by the school, and there was an apartment for rent directly across the street. We went in, found the landlady and it was ours!

We lived in Vancouver for 5 years and I learned to love it there. I would walk in Stanley Park almost every day. There was the ocean two blocks away and trees and flowers everywhere. We were very happy.

But my daughter, Christine, was having troubles. Her youngest daughter was obsessive/compulsive and Christine needed to work. It was just too hard for the family to live on one income. I told Christine there were no jobs in Kelowna at the Gas co. but we would pray.

As I prayed, I asked God for a sign on what to do. Christine needed me now. I couldn't move away from my husband without being sure he would also eventually move back to Kelowna. So, I asked for a sign, something I had never done before.

That night, I had a dream. I was in an airplane with my mother. We were landing in Kelowna and my mother said, "We're home."  When I woke up, I knew this was the sign from God. Mom and I moved back to Kelowna right away.

Some months later, Dan's company needed workers in Penticton, which is 45 minutes from Kelowna. The company was opening a new section there. Dan applied and got the job. We were so grateful and amazed at how God worked. Within a year we were together again. We have lived in Kelowna ever since.

When I read of how some people are afraid to trust God with their lives, I think of all the good he has done for me and my family. I know his plans for us are good. When bad things happen, I still believe God will bring good out of the situation. I didn't used to believe that, but experience has taught me a lot. If we give our lives to God and let him do whatever he thinks best, we will never regret it.

Do I Bore God?

My first daughter, Sandy.

Who am I?

I was thinking last night, "When we talk to God, doesn't he find it tedious and boring?" I wondered if it was like if I talked with an ant. I'd say, "Well, how's it going?" The ant would say, "I've been busy toting this crumb home. It's taken me three hours. Now I'm going out to look for other crumbs." Huh.

Then I thought, "No, God made us in his image so it wouldn't be like that. It would be more like a parent talking with their child." Then I thought about the years I spent raising my children. Those were happy years.

I loved being with my daughters even when they couldn't say a word. Seeing their first smile, their first step and their happiness with a new toy. Later, when they could talk, I loved the sound of their sweet voices; I could read books to them and teach them the names of animals and how they sounded.  We would laugh over the book about Grover when he would say, "Don't turn the page!" When they could stand on a stool, I made cookies and cakes with them. Sometimes we used the EasyBake Oven; sometimes we used the real oven.

I took them for walks in the woods, taught them to ride a bike and eventually how to drive a car. I was never bored with their company. I wanted to hear all about their day at school. I wanted to see them laugh and enjoy life. I wanted them to tell me all their hopes and dreams.

So, since God is called our Father, I guess it is like that for him. He likes to see us grow, learn and enjoy life with him. Tonight, I told him how much I was enjoying my new books. I told him how I was excited about the new craft I was starting. Of course, I pray for lots of people and for the world, but I'm trying to have real companionship with God now so I'm praying differently, wanting to include him in everything.

Who is God?

He says about those who believe in him, "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."  Psalm 16:3

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147:11

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."  Psalm 37:23

"For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."  
Proverbs 3:12

"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation."  Psalm 149:4

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  Mark 6:31

Is That What That Verse Meant?

Who is God?

God is a poet.

The Bible is full of poetry, allegories, songs, images and symbols. This is why there are so many different interpretations of scripture. Take hell, I think the "flames" of hell are not real flames that burn you; I think they represent the mental suffering you go through on Judgement Day when you are shown your sins and why you cannot come to heaven.  Most people would not agree with me, but it doesn't make sense to me why God would burn people's skin and body. What would that prove? What would be the point? Revenge? I don't think so. I think the verse below explains the mental pain of people who are lost.

Jesus said, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out."  Luke 13:28

A lot of the things Jesus said confused his disciples. He would talk in similies and metaphors and they misunderstood what he meant. I think that happens all the time with Biblical scholars. That's why we have to figure things out between ourselves and God. Ask him to show us what certain verses mean. We can read the scholars; but we can question if they are right.

Who am I?

A little confused. It seems strange to me that God doesn't just come right out and say what he means in a PowerPoint Presentation, holding a pointer and saying, "No, no, you've got that wrong!"

But God says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9 I always have to remind myself that God knows what he is doing. We will never understand everything in this life. That's where faith comes in.

One thing about it, it is sure fun to finally have an epiphany about something in the Bible. I really enjoy that but then feel upset I didn't see it before. Like I just heard a sermon on the verse, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” John 19:37 I've always thought that meant the wicked people who crucified him. But the preacher said in the context in the original verse, it means us - the ones who love God. We have pierced him with our sins. We have caused him pain and we will mourn for him.

"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. Rev, 1L7

"They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died." Zechariah 12:10

To be honest, I don't know if that guy is right. I'll have to study some on it. I don't think it is vital to know the answer to this, but it just shows how interpretations can be wrong and can skew what God meant to say.

I think the whole arguement about creation and evolution can be explained. The earth as an orb in space was here for billions of years, like the rest of the universe. God created it long ago. He decided to populate a world, came here and did that 6,000 years ago. The trinity moved on the "face of the waters." Water was alread here. "The dry land appeared." It was under the water. 

I didn't know other people believed as I do about creation until I researched it. I'm an "old earth" believer! People who think God created this entire world 6,000 years ago are, "young earth" believers. Huh, I never knew that. Apparently, there are many ways Christians believe God created the earth. I think C.S. Lewis believed God used evolution.

I used to think it was awful there were so many denominations of Christianity. But then I thought maybe it was a good thing because then people can find a church they feel at home in. I don't know. It is pretty crazy we can't agree on some of the simplest things in the Bible. I actually think this shows how stupid we all are.

So, what was the point of this post? Study for yourself. Ask God to show you what the Bible means. Don't take a preacher's word for what the Bible says or what God is like. Search with all your heart and you will find out by yourself.

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  Acts 17:11

Help!

Who am I?

A tired, sick old woman.

I'm sitting here on a Monday night feeling blue. I open my email and read something from Guideposts. This is the verse for today:

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)

I know that this verse is the answer for feeling blue. "Give thanks in every situation..." it says. So I say to the Lord, "You know my situation. It looks like my husband may have skin cancer on top of the carcinoid tumors he already has.  My mother is losing her short-term memory rapidly. I am sick with fibromyalgia and have to rest off and on all day. But you are the God of the universe and you are with me." As always, telling God about these things feels good; but what feels better is knowing God is on my side and will help me through this time in my life. 

I was thinking today, "What if I'm too sick to look after my mother? What if I'm too sick to look after my husband? What will we all do? My oldest daughter lives here, but she just got a new job. She has a husband and two stepchildren and an adult son. I'm not going to ask her to help. 

The only thing to do is live one day at a time and pray for strength. Jesus said, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."  I'm sure each day will bring with it a solution. I can be sure because I've seen God do it before. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

Who is God?

Someone who has promised to help us.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."  Psalm 33:20

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!"  Psalm 121:2