WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO PRAY?

Have you ever felt like everyone around you knows how to pray except you? I’m not exactly sure where I learned the criteria that I’ve accumulated through the years about prayer. While I didn’t learn it in my childhood home, as a young girl I did watch as others “in church” reverently bowed their heads and closed their eyes upon demand. Through the years I’ve also read a lot about prayer and every author seems to have their own set of guidelines to help the reader along in their “prayer life.”

“Stand up! Sit down! Fold your hands! Bow your head! Close your eyes! Kneel! Make a list! Let God lead! If it isn’t in tongues, it isn’t `in the Spirit’! If it’s in tongues, it’s of the devil! Talk! Listen! Contemplate! You must say, `In Jesus name’! Add `Father God’ before and after every sentence! Satan can’t read your mind! You must vocally stand against him!”

I’ve spent years trying to apply the guidelines of many spiritual leaders on prayer. I’ve been inwardly critical of those who weren’t following the “right” standards; “Oh, he can’t really be praying. Why, he doesn’t even have his eyes closed!” I’ve even gone so far as to lead retreats on prayers, as if I had it all figured out!

I’ve dutifully bowed my head & got on my knees, whispered & shouted, closed my eyes & looked toward heaven and contemplated & listened. The eventual result of all this effort was… I felt like screaming and pulling my hair out! The more I labored to apply what I had learned, the more confused I became. All these rules made my head spin! I don’t know, maybe I have spiritual ADHD, but all the “how tos” just don’t seem to work for me! I’ve gotten so frustrated that I’ve even gone through spells of “why bother?”

I’ve heard it said that, "a person’s intimacy with Jesus is based upon the depth of their prayer life." During a period of feeling pretty shallow intimacy with Jesus, I cried out to Him; “I have no clue how to pray!” I didn’t expect this response,

You are right. You don’t! And... no matter how much they act like they do, neither does anyone else! Intimacy with Me doesn’t come from self-effort! You can do nothing, including prayer, without Me!

In the same way also, the Spirit takes hold together with us in our weakness – we don’t know how we are to pray so that our prayers will correspond to the need, but the Spirit super-intercedes with deeply emotional heartfelt groanings. And he who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind, that the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the people devoted to God, in line with God’s plan [Romans 8:26-27].

You pray “fix this problem, heal that illness, protect them from injury, provide this and prevent that! How is it that you know what this or that person truly needs?

Talk about being humbled! I felt like Job must have felt when God asked of him, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?” And you know…my response wasn’t much different than Job’s, “Father, forgive me. I’m sure that I have spoken of many things which I do not understand!”

I learned something on that day about prayer:

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God God is in heaven and you are on earth,
so let your words be few
[Ecclesiastes 5:2].

I’m learning from the examples of Jesus in Scripture, especially His prayer on Gethsemane, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, as you will (Matt. 26:39).

With Jesus as my teacher, I’m learning that

Prayer is a place in my relationship with God: • where pride is adandoned, humility adopted and dependecy upon Him is claimed. • of knowing that He has a panoramic view which I do not.
• of sharing my heart’s desire with Him.
• of surrendering my will for His.
• where I meet the Prince of Peace.
• where I am changed.

Although Scripture does tell us that we are to pray in Jesus’ Name [(John 14:13-14, 16:24, 26; Colossians 3:17], it doesn’t mean that the words are a magical addendum to be tagged onto every prayer. What matters is whether or not we acknowledge that there is nothing in us which deserves the right to stand before God! Instead, it is Jesus’ righteousness which has provided the way to our Father!

According to God’s Word there is no “correct” posture for prayer [Ex. 4:31, 1 Kings 8:22, 45, 2 Chron 20:18 and Matt. 26:39]. In fact, while communing with Jesus among other members of His Body, I find that I’m more aware of His presence while beholding His face in my brothers and sisters as we converse with Him and one another! Yes, that means I have my eyes open!

According to Scripture [James 1:1-4], God uses trials to test and strengthen our faith. When praying for ourselves or others, we need to consider: “Do I sincerely want them/myself to be sheltered from that which may be the necessary means to their/my maturity in faith? While God hates disease, divorce, poverty, etc., His greater concern is the depth of our reliance upon Him.

I become very uneasy in a setting where a group of people redundantly repeat a list of wants and wishes in prayer. While attempting to endure the babbling, which seems to go on ad infinitum, I used to feel guilty assuming segregation in my restlessness. I’ve come to understand however that God is not only unimpressed with our rambling; He likens it to pagan activity!

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him [Matthew 6:7-8].

No wonder I get restless! Why is prayer often reduced to such hocus pocus, mumbo jumbo when God simply desires that we include Him in our thoughts and conversations? If He is ever-present, why aren’t we continually [1 Thess. 5:17] addressing Him:

“Father, we need your wisdom.”
“You are wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom!”
“Jesus, what do you desire?”
“May our words and meditations be pleasing in your sight!”
“Abba, is there any other way?
“Lord, I surrender to your will!”

I have much more to learn about the beauty and simplicity of prayer. Yet, I am grateful for the freedom which God has granted me from the bondage of all the rules and find peace and joy in the simplicity.!


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie Jaeckle

A Response to - NO WILL OF MY OWN

A few weeks ago, I submitted an article regarding Jon Zens’ recent book, "NO WILL OF MY OWN: How Patriarchy Smothers Female Dignity & Personhood". Although I wish that every Christian would read it, there are countless women who would be especially blessed by this book. I wish that I could put a copy in each of their hands!
It is my prayer that the Lord will use this heartfelt response from a sister regarding "NO WILL OF MY OWN" to encourage you to read it and to pass a copy on to every sister in Christ whom you know.

Dear Brother Jon,
The title of your book is far more than mere words! There are those of us who have lived within the nothingness of "NO WILL OF MY OWN".

You see, no will means no heart—nothing left. If a person is beaten down to the place where nothing lives, then all that a person has that is that person becomes null and void in the nothing place of "NO WILL OF MY OWN". Those five little words speak a lifetime of being less, of being not worthy of being.

So many women will read their whole life in those five words. I have lived within those words. Your book title is perfect, because it says it all! I am greatly touched by your heart in Christ for your sisters. You are like a brave and protecting knight yielding the powerful sword of Truth and you are who Father has sent out to protect His precious daughters, and that is not an exaggerated expression of the heart, but a reality in what Christ has done and is doing through you. All praises and all glory be to our Lord Jesus!

First, I thank our heavenly Father for the book "NO WILL OF MY OWN" that He put in your heart and in my hand, freeing His daughters so that we may have our own will, so we may give our will to only Him. May His will alone be done!

On behalf of all our sisters, I also truly thank you our brother Jon.

Your Sister In Christ,

(Name here is omitted)

May Jesus be glorified as more and more sisters are set free through the Truths written in "NO WILL OF MY OWN"!

You may obtain "NO WILL OF MY OWN" through www.amazon.com / www.jonzens.com or contact Jon at jzens@searchingtogether.org, 715-338-2796 or Searching Together, P O Box 548, St Croix Falls WI 54024-0548.

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

HEALTH - Fire & Ice Muscle Rub

Muscular aches and pains of “over doing it” often accompany the invigorating warmth of Spring! Unfortunately, whether they are “effective” or not, most commercial muscle rubs contain a toxic combination of parabens, artificial fragrances and synthetic chemicals! It’s unwise to expose ourselves to such harsh toxins when it is so simple and fun to harness the healing powers which our Creator has given us though nature!

My husband, Gary has a tendency to “push beyond his limits” and this Spring is no different. Consequently, yesterday I set out to find soothing relief for his aches and pains! With the help of one of my favorite resources, Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi, I spent only a few minutes developing a soothing muscle rub which alleviates muscular pain, relieves stiffness and stimulates muscles and joints before strenuous activity!

INGREDIENTS:

4 oz. olive oil

Essential oils:
1 Tbsp.each - wintergreen, lavender, ginger, thuja, camphor
2 tsp. each - cassia cinnamon, black pepper

1 -2 Tbsp menthol crystals
2 ½ oz. beeswax

Place menthol crystals in 2 oz of olive oil in a glass jar with a tight lid. Allowing this to set overnight will dissolve the crystals into the oil. Put remaining olive oil and beeswax into a heat-proof cup. Place this cup in a pan of hot water over medium heat. Combine essential oils in a glass jar with tight lid. When beeswax has melted, slowly pour essential oils and menthol crystal-oil mixture into the oil-beeswax mixture. Stirring until completely dissolved. Pour into jar and cap to prevent evaporation of essential oils. Makes 11 oz.

Don’t be cheated by creams that contain a plethora of hazardous ingredients. Treat your aches and pains with the powerful and natural healing of God’s creation which is also a blessing to your health!


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie



DISCLAIMER:
The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc. Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.

All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. This is best left to the Creator of the universe. In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted. The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified. The author assumes no responsibility

TIME FOR AN ATTITUDE CHECK-UP

My husband, Gary, shared a conversation which had taken place between him and a few Christian brothers about the assassination of Osama bin Laden. With passion, he shared his concerns with me about the common attitude of most who were participating in the conversation. One only has to spend a few minutes in conversation and on Facebook to become aware how prevalent this same attitude is among other brothers and sisters. Consequently, I feel strongly that others need to hear Gary’s heart on this issue.

As a Christian living in America, with a son presently serving a second military tour in Afghanistan, I have listened with interest to the conversations about the recent assassination in Pakistan. Osama bin Laden was a zealot, radically committed to his culture and his religion. I am sure that his prayers to Allah included requests that he be used to bring an end to all who would not “see the truth nor come to the light.” Many of the views that are being expressed by patriotic Americans and even in the name of Jesus sound very similar to what we heard from bin Laden. This attitude deserves attention.

I have no desire to dampen or discourage the freedom of speech which America's Bill of Rights guarantees. Neither is it my goal in this article to debate the “rightness” or “wrongness” of the assassination. However, I do urge thoughtful caution in how we speak. Words usually lead to action. The history of Western civilization is replete with examples of well-intentioned Christians who eventually devolved into the very thing they stood against. Attempting to defeat the enemy at his own game has often led from hateful speech to violent action, eventually culminating in an arrogant, “better than thou” bullying. I fear that an increasing number of Christians may be headed in this very direction.

Those of us who are Christian follow a Savior who is humble and gentle, the Prince of peace. He is able to make us firm without becoming vindictive or mean-spirited.

The God to Whom we belong often reminds us that
He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
I suspect that He says this with a desire for us to
grow into such a godly attitude, as well.

When we rejoice in and celebrate the destruction of an “enemy,” have we not become the very thing which that enemy was? The Scriptures remind us that we do indeed have a very real enemy whom we need to stand against on a daily basis, but he is not Osama bin Lade nor any other flesh and blood opponent. Our adversary, the devil, tempts us into prideful gloating and vindictiveness, desiring to perpetuate division and fighting, rather than the peaceful meekness, kindness and gentleness which Jesus came to bring.

Jesus' life is testimony that the enemy is defeated by love, not by hate. His words were followed by action that did not compromise love with hate. He promises that this truth, that love overcomes evil, is eternal (See Phil 2:1-18). History demonstrates that the words and actions of one loving person have more impact than thousands filled with hate. How will historians evaluate the attitude and resulting consequences of Christian action in this moment and this place? Will our words and the actions which follow prove the truth of Jesus' promises, or will we have slid into one more era of violence and destruction?

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

CHICKEN - THE INSIDE STORY

Chicken is the world's leading source of animal protein. Its consumption has more than doubled since 1970! In fact, the average American consumes 59.2 pounds of these delectable critters each year! Since chicken prices have gone down from $2.22 per pound in 1980 to $1.74 in 2004, who wouldn’t take advantage of these blessings:

• Versatile in preparation
• Lean Protein
• Immunity boosting and cancer fighting – (related to selenium and niacin content).
• Energy producing – (related to Vitamin B6 content).

This all sounds deliciously tempting and health consciously wise until you hear…

THE INSIDE STORY:

Antibiotics

According to the UCS, an estimated 70 percent of all antibiotics used in the United States are regularly added to the feed of livestock and poultry that are not sick! The FDA concluded ten years ago that antibiotics in poultry are causing antibiotic-resistant infections in consumers, yet little has been done to end the practice! In fact, the CDC estimates that there will be about 845,024 cases in 2011, with 76 deaths and about 8,463 requiring medical attention.

The CDC and FDA admit that "thoroughly cooked eggs are thoroughly safe eggs" because salmonella is destroyed by heat. So, why spend millions of dollars to vaccinate chickens in an effort to destroy salmonella?

Arsenic

Although I love white meat, I’ve been suspicious about how chickens get to be so voluptuous! The average live weight per broiler nearly doubled to 5.35 pounds from 1934 to 2004, and it reaches that weight in less time! Are they feeding them steroids? Nope! Arsenic!

Arsenic has been used in chicken feed since it was approved by the FDA in 1994. In fact, in order to promote growth, kill parasites, and improve pigmentation so that the bird looks prettier in the cooler, 2.2 million pounds of arsenic-based compounds are mixed in the chicken feed of 70% of the nations 9 billion chickens produced annually!

According to the EPA, long term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause bladder, lung, skin, kidney, and colon cancer, as well as deleterious immunological, neurological, and endocrine effects. Low-level exposures can lead to partial paralysis and diabetes.

According to EPA estimates, the risk of cancer from 10 ppb of arsenic in tap water is 1 in 2,000, a 50-fold higher risk than that allowed for most other carcinogens. However the standard for arsenic residues in poultry is 2,000 ppb for liver and 500 ppb for muscle! Referring to arsenic-bearing feed, the National Chicken Council concludes that, "There is no reason to believe that there are any human health hazards from this type of use"!

It is no secret that “inorganic arsenic is a Class A carcinogen that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and declines in brain function. While these large breasted birds may be more attractive in blushing pink, the growth of blood vessels caused by the arsenic in chicken doesn’t stop there. It does the same in human cells, “fueling a growth process known as angiogenesis, a critical first step in many human diseases such as cancer.”

Chlorine

Processing chickens commercially is highly mechanized. Consequently, many intestines are torn during evisceration; as a result, the carcasses become soiled with feces! The American way to deal with this is to “sterilize” the birds with high doses of chlorine!

Although many nations have banned poultry imports from chlorine-using countries, the USDA views chlorine as effective antimicrobial even though it has been demonstrated that 83 percent of U.S. chicken that had been treated in chlorine baths still contained harmful pathogens.

There is a reason why chlorine treated chicken carcasses weigh more than those bathed without it. The known carcinogen is retained by muscle tissue, but especially fats and the liver of chickens! Additionally, chlorine treatment causes respiratory illness, heart disease and thyroid dysfunction.

Sterilized Food

Like most foods in America, poultry has been approved by the FDA to be irradiated. Although we are told that this is to protect us against dangerous bacteria, irradiation damages up to 80% of the food’s vitamins and enzymes. Not only this but, lo and behold, when you combine irradiation with existing chemicals (like pesticides), viola!, other chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde are formed!



So what are our options?

Free-Range/Grass Fed Chicken vs. Conventional Chicken

Probiotics (immuno-stimulant) - Antibiotics (immuno-depressant)
No ammonia vapors (smell) - Hyper ammonia toxicity
No appetite stimulant - Routine appetite stimulants (arsenic)
Small groups (300 or smaller) - Huge groups (10,000 or more)
Clean air, lots of fresh air - Air haze with fecal particulate (damages respiratory tract, stresses liver)
Sunshine & exercise - Limited exercise, practically no sunshine
Fresh daily Salad - No green material
Carefully hand eviscerated intestine - Mechanically eviscerated (prone to breaking, spilling feces over carcass)
Cooking loss 9% carcass weight - Cooking loss 20% carcass weight
Long keepers (freeze more than a year) - Short keepers (freeze only 6 months or less)
Low saturated fat - High saturated fat
No chlorine baths - Up to 40 chlorine baths to kill contaminants
No irradiation - FDA approved irradiation (no label required)(cancer causing
Rich delicious flavor - Low, flat flavor
Omega 3 (good fat) up to three times higher
1.5 percent more protein


Search around for a local farmer near you who raises free-range/grass fed chickens. Don’t be shy about asking questions related to their production principles. We are blessed in Ringgold County to have Sam & Vera Miller @ 2982 US Hwy 169, Redding, Iowa who wisely follow strict standards!

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

NO WILL OF MY OWN

Our friend, Jon Zens, has just published a book entitled, No Will of My Own: How Patriarchy Smothers Female Dignity & Personhood. When Jon shared with me that he was working on this book, my heart leaped with excitement! As I read through the manuscript, my enthusiasm elevated. The Lord has done it again! He has used Jon to communicate truths which the Church needs to hear and I can’t pass up an opportunity to encourage everyone to read it!

Product Description
In 1912 Jesse Penn-Lewis noted from Genesis 3 that it was the serpent, not the woman, who was cursed: "The serpent is cursed, but, in effect, the beguiled victim [Eve] is blest, for through her will come the 'Seed' which will triumph over the devil and his seed; and through her will arise a new race through the promised Seed (Gen.3:15) . . . . Henceforth it is also war by Satan upon the womanhood of the world, in malignant revenge for the verdict of the garden" (War On the Saints).

Church history reveals that Roman Catholicism and Protestantism taught and practiced forms of patriarchy that essentially sided with the evil one's disdain for females. Women were not allowed to function or speak in the church, were viewed as existing to serve males, and were seen as conduits of sin and error. John Calvin, for example, rashly affirmed "Therefore all women are born to submit to the pre-eminence of the male sex . . . . Let the woman be content in her position of subjection, and not feel indignant because she has to play second fiddle to the superior sex."

In No Will of My Own, author Jon Zens compares the patriarchy taught to families by the Roman Catholic and Dutch Reformed churches in Holland with an aggressive patriarchal wing of the home-schooling movement in America. He shows that the earmarks of patriarchy doctrine result in varying levels of abuse of young girls and wives. This book serves as a vital warning concerning the misuse of Scripture and church tradition to smother female worth and dignity.

REVIEWS:
In almost every religion around the world, the hearts, souls, and bodies of women are sacrificed on the altar of fundamentalism. In No Will of My Own, Jon Zens takes a sobering look at abuse within patriarchal Christianity. An important book. -- Hillary McFarland, author of Quivering Daughters: Hope and Healing for the Daughters of Patriarchy

In No Will of My Own, Jon Zens, author and apologist for genuine godly relationships within the body of Christ, has bravely taken on patriarchy, one of the most damaging and aberrant trends within the Church today. Comparing the research by Annie Imbens and Ineke Jonker in their 1992 book, Christianity & Incest, with the underlying teachings and attitudes of patriarchy, Jon makes a solid case for further examination and rejection of this movement. From the notion that the father is the center of the home, thus the intermediary between God and his family, to the belief that daughters should not attend college or even be allowed to leave home until "given in marriage," Jon demonstrates that the attitudes that produce these ideas are what leads to physical, mental, verbal, spiritual and sexual abuse of both women and daughters. Having spoken myself with many women whose homes have been destroyed by these very teachings, many who have experienced horrendous abuse, I am so grateful that No Will of My Own has been written. I hope it convinces those who are just wading in the waters of these teachings to go back to shore and critically examine them in the light of Scripture! And I hope that validating its reality will also be the beginning of healing for the precious sisters who have tasted of its bitter waters. – Karen Campbell

Jon Zens writes with a compassionate, loving heart and he dares to reveal a horrid actuality with the candor and boldness of Truth. In NO WILL OF MY OWN Jon Zens brings a hidden, secretive reality into plain sight. I especially encourage the sisters in Christ to read this invaluable little book! – Kat Huff

Jon Zens' comprehensive work documents the aberrant fruit of fundamentalist patriarchy. I pray that the Holy Spirit will set tens of thousands of daughters free through this book. -- Dr. Stephen R. Crosby

You may obtain NO WILL OF MY OWN through www.amazon.com or contact Jon at jzens@searchingtogether.org, 715-338-2796 or Searching Together, P O Box 548, St Croix Falls WI 54024-0548.


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie

The Imperfections of Creation – Were They a Mistake or a Part of God’s Perfect Plan?

Misunderstanding one thing at the outset of anything will likely distort everything that is built upon it. Needless to say, this applies to our understanding of Scripture. I want to understand all of God’s Word and I want to know all that is possible to know about my Savior, Jesus. In order to be in the right position for this, I must start at the beginning and make certain that I have a solid foundation. If I fail to do so, everything else built upon it could be sitting on shifting sand! It is with this in mind that I want to understand the creation, especially of Adam and Eve.

It is assumed by most that God intended to create a “perfect” world.

Moreover, many contend that Adam & Eve were created perfect

and

walked in a perfect relationship with God.

Yet, what Scripture supports the contention that God fashioned a “perfect” creation?



Upon completion of His creation, God considered all that He made, including humankind as being “very good,” not perfect [Gen.1:31]. It could be said that this is a matter of semantics. However, is it reliable to interpret Scripture to say something that it may not say?



Was Satan “perfect?”



Most would say that Satan was perfect until he chose to rebel against God. However, why would a flawless creature in a perfect relationship with God scheme to overthrow His authority? We must consider, from where did such pride manifest? How did this sin enter into God’s creation, if in fact it was created “perfect” as one typically defines perfection?



Many teach, including those who authored my study Bible’s footnotes, that, “the great deceiver clothed himself as a serpent, one of God’s good creatures.” If this were accurate, why would God “allow” Satan to use one of His “perfect” creatures to deceive humankind? If Satan did not “take on the form of a snake” but is that ancient serpent as Revelation 12:9 says, where did he get his craftiness [Gen. 3:1]? Did he conjure it up or did God truly create all things? Job 5:12 tells us, “He thwarts the plans of the crafty!” Unless it was a part of God’s plan, why didn’t He do so here? “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it” [Lam. 3:37]? Can we rightly argue that this does not include Satan’s words of deception?



How is it construed that Adam & Eve were created perfect?



Does “created in His image” [Gen. 1:27] mean perfect, like God? God speaks to His people through Isaiah [46:5] saying, “To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?” Obviously, Adam and Eve were not made exactly like God! Unlike humankind, the perfect Creator does not have the ability to sin! In their “very good” state, Eve was deceived and Adam succumbed to evil. Can this rightly be considered “perfect?”



From what Scripture do we surmise that Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God?



Can we even correctly conclude that God regularly walked with Adam and Eve simply because God was walking in the garden in cool of the day [Gen. 3:8] upon which they sinned?

If in fact, Adam and Eve enjoyed a perfect relationship with their Creator, why would they seek something more? What more would there be? Would a perfect person not be able to recognize the evil one or be willing to listen to his lies? If perfect, would Eve have not noticed the deception and rejected it? Demonstrating loyalty to a cunning serpent which led Adam to separation from his Creator is hardly an indication of perfection!



Could it be?

Could it be that God had no intention of
designing a “perfect” universe with “perfect” creatures?

Or did He make a mistake?

Could it be that God’s “very good” creation was fashioned perfectly for His plan, but was purposefully lacking something? If not, where would the need for a Redeemer, planned before creation [Eph. 1:3-4], fit in?



Could it be that the “very good” state of Adam and Eve meant that they were suited for what God intended them to do? Or did God error when He fashioned their hearts which were obviously more inclined toward evil than good? Should we consider instead that the intentions of the Creator, through Adam’s and Eve’s sin, was to reveal His love and sovereignty to the powers and principalities of His universe? Or can we justly argue against the written Word, “They did what Your power and will had decided before hand should happen” [Acts 4:27-28]?



Most would agree that God created all things. However, they will argue that He didn’t create sin. How then do we explain its existence? Most would agree that God is sovereign over all things, yet will argue that Adam & Eve had free will. Scripture tells us however that God does as He pleases with what is His!

• Consider Eve and the serpent. “In His hand is the life of every creature and breath of all mankind; both deceived and deceiver” [Job 12:10].
  

• 
  Consider Adam’s physical and spiritual death. God told Adam, “when you eat (not if) you will surely die [Gen. 2:17]! Some explain this away by concluding that God foreknew that Adam would choose to disobey. Yet, “Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind” [Job 38:36]? “He who forms the hearts of all” [Psalm 33:15]! Scripture tells us that, “The Lord brings death and makes alive” [Samuel 2:6]!

In considering Adam’s “disobedience” as the greatest disaster of all, how do we explain Amos 3:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord do all these things?” We rightly understand light and darkness in other sections of Scripture to mean both physical and spiritual. Can we ignore that deduction in light of the formation and disaster of sin? “They stumble(ed) because they disobey(ed) the message which is also what they were predestined for” (1 Peter 2:8)!



Is it true that the Creator “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” [Eph. 1:11] or is it not? According to Daniel 4:35, “He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth!” Can we rightly argue that this does not include, Adam, Eve and Satan? Or do we surrender our understanding to the difficult Word that, “God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled” [Rev. 17:17]?





Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie