Musings on the Joy of Jesus

03/04/2025

07/12/2024

Adam & Eve -
There’s a main part of the beginning of the story of humanity that I’ve never heard about in church. Yes, taking & eating the fruit was the first sin, going against what God said - “you must not eat from the tree” (Genesis 2:17). But what was the tree? Was it an apple tree or some other sort of fruit God arbitrarily commanded them not to eat? NO! It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
“but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)
Why have we not been taught what the significance of the tree being the knowledge of good and evil is? And what does it mean, “for when you eat from it you will certainly die”?

04/27/2024

Yes!

03/20/2024

END TIMES???
Someone should make a video or write an article about what has been happening in the world (and in the church) that are in line with scripture that speaks about what will be happened when the end-times begin to unfold. Not the stuff that none of the Biblical scholars agree on - like what’s going on in Israel, the red heifer, etc. But the simple things that everyone can see is happening.
Maybe I should do it. Take some time to research and make a short video. Would that be helpful for any of you?
The churches and denominations are increasingly being exposed for quite grievous sin - both in their sexual abuse of women and what they teach in their churches - more importantly, what they don’t teach or talk about.
Many HUGE influential ministries have been exposed for sexual and spiritual abuse. The ministry that helped me mature in the faith is currently going through an exposure of sexual scandals and spiritual abuse - the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC). And there’s been more. In the past few years Hillsong and Willow Creek have had sexual and spiritual abuse scandals. These have been some of the most influential ministries in the world for many different denominations.
I’m not saying I believe we are in the end times. I’m saying it would be helpful to get some accuracy as to what is going on in the world and our country - and the clearly agreed on passages of scripture that explain what will be happening right before the end times begin to unfold. 1 & 2 Timothy give some very clear explanations as to what will be occurring in the world and in the church:

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NLT)

01/06/2024

The mysterious spiritual gift -
Someone asked, “What is the benefit of speaking in tongues regularly.”
I did a little theological study and gained some good clarity. It’s actually personally praying in tongues Paul is referring to in the passage below. Speaking in tongues before people is a different usage for tongues. For this there needs to be someone with the gift of interpretation of tongues for it to work right. Otherwise, no one will be able to understand them and be edified by the message. I’m writing about praying in tongues.

1 Corinthians tells us:
“Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves…”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ (NIV)
The key word in the verse is “edifies.” The Greek word for edify is “oikodomeō.” Its specific usage in this verse means “to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). The word has its roots in “to build.” So we are building ourselves up to receive more of these things and able to put them into practice.
In the next verse Paul says:
“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues...” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭5‬ ‭(NIV) He says this because he knows the power of it to build us up.
I hope this helps some of you get a little more clarity on this mysterious yet glorious spiritual gift. 😎🤙

12/31/2023

“Sacred cows make the best hamburgers.”
- Author unknown

11/02/2023

Some Christians would have told David to pray for Goliath instead of slaying him.

10/23/2023

If I made a short teaching/encouragement video what would you like to hear about?

05/08/2023

👏👏👏