Parallel Comparison - Human Cultivars

A cultivar is either a single type of plant or group of such differing plants. We are God’s “cultivars.”

Even further than that, as Christians who have accepted Christ as their Personal Saviour – we have been separated out of the mass planting on this earth to be His particular and peculiar cultivars.

Propagation is a process where plants are replicated from a parent plant. Sometimes they are grafted to created unique specimens with specific qualities that can be multiplied and spread.

We are cultivars of Christ when we accept Him as our Saviour. We should graft ourselves to the Word and become even more unique and peculiar – not ornamental as the plant variety. Our ultimate Parent is God Who Himself has assigned the qualities of Christianity through His Son Jesus Christ.

Ever Wonder Why Whales Beach Themselves?

Do you ever wonder why whales beach themselves?

Did you ever stop to think and ponder that since God does not audibly speak to us in New Testament times, that He could be trying to get us to remember something very important.

My wondering took me wondering in this direction:

God gave Jonah a command to go to Ninevah. He did not ask Jonah to go...He told him to go:

Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the LORD (Jehovah) came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh (God said go, not go the other way - interjection mine), that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

What did Jonah do? He disobeyed - blatantly:

Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD (did Jonah really think he could flee from the presence of the Lord? - my interjection), and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it (he must have thought he could hide - that's what he did in the hull of the ship - my interjection), to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

How did God respond (God never reacts!) to Jonah's blatant disobedience?

Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. (God is always in control - the ship was "like to be broken", but not breaking.)

How did the mariners react? (People usually react before they respond.)

Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god (note the small g), and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them (they really didn't have to lose their merchandise - God was in total control!). But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship (remember - he was ignorantly hiding); and he lay, and was fast asleep (wonder how he could have slept so well? - he was fleeing from god!).

Now, how did the mariners respond now that God had their attentions?

Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God (wisdom!), if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. (Those men were willing to trust another mans' God (note the capital G) to save them from the raging sea.)

Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. (Hmmm...all fingers pointing at Johan? - not a mistake - God is still in control!)
Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? (Lots of questions for the man, hiding from God. At least they were inquisitive enough not to hastily throw him overboard - again - God working in the lives of not just Jonah, but in each of the men's hearts on that ship.)

How did Jonah react to the men's fears knowing that he was not able to flee from God?

Jonah 1:9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. (I believe Jonah was wide awake now and could not hide any longer - from God - or deny God himself or before those around him.)

Further reaction by the mariners:

Jonah 1:10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. (At this point, the men are "exceedingly afraid" - even unbelievers can feel such emotion at times of severe tribulation. They knew there was a punishment for sin.)

They all searched for the answer to still the storm:

Jonah 1:11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. (The mariners believed that Jonah's God would be merciful even to them if Jonah would make things right with God.)

Jonah is convinced he had to suffer for his sins and not these other men:

Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. (Jonah was willing to perish to save those men's lives - even though Jonah still had hate for the folks of Ninevah and was willing to go down into the deeps in disobedience, he still retained the faith that God would indeed calm the storm for these other men.)
Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. (The mariners continued to try to weather the storm and not to cause the death of Jonah.)
Jonah 1:14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. (These men could have perished and themselves gone into the deeps of hell by drowning, but God was working in their hearts to see Who He was and the power He has. They turned to the God of creation and prayed to Him, believing!)
Jonah 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. (They fought the storm of the sea until the choice was made to do as Jonah had said.)
Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. (Now, those men "feared" which here is respected with reverence Jehovah God and offered up Jonah for God to deal with alone. They fought the storm of life believing in their gods that did not help them and turned to the God that held their very lives in His hands.)

God prepared a place for Jonah:

Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (This great fish is believed to be a whale - for that is what we in mortal minds can determine large enough to swallow a man. Can you imagine being in the belly of a whale with all the other krill and seaweed? - not to mention all that seawater?)

How to Jonah respond?

Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
Jonah 2:3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (Are you realizing here that Jonah is aware of everything round about him and he has physically drowned? - Even though he was physically dead - he knew where he was and what was going on!)
Jonah 2:4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
Jonah 2:5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
Jonah 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. (He was dead yet aware he was wrapped up and hostage in the deeps of the sea.)

Jonah 2:7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. (Out of the ship's hull into the deep - he knew when his body died, yet Jonah remembered God and was seeking Him.)
Jonah 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. (Jonah came under complete submission to God. He knew he could no longer run and hide. Even in death judgement will come. Jonah lied to himself. He loved the LORD and believed yet he still failed. And, God still had mercy upon Jonah.)

I know...it was a long trip on this ship to why whales beach themselves...but here it is:

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

God had Jonah's attention and had judged Jonah severely. God said "go to Ninevah." Jonah was ready to go now, even though he hated the Ninevites. He had to overcome his flesh.

The whale vomited Jonah up on dry land. To do this, the whale or big fish, had to be on dry land to perform this delivery.

Could this be a reminder to those of us who know about Jonah and the whale to obey God?

I think so.

Next time you hear of a beached whale - remember God and ask if there was a command He had for you. Next time you hear of Jonah - remember there is a judgement for not obeying.

God knows all about our fleshly Adamic nature. He will have mercy on us and forgive us when we are in submission to Him.

He has prepared a place for us too.

Eternal Relevance

Sitting here tonight with my mind rambling in thought a flicker surged this quote:

"There is not one person dead, alive, or conceived for whom the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is not eternally relevant." csgroff © January 8, 2013

There is one decision each person has to make in his or her life that has eternal relevance. That decision can only be made by the individual. No other person can make it and the impact is everlasting. No end once the decision has been made...or in some cases...forever "unmade."

What impact has the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ had in your life?

It will have eternal relevance.

Are you ready for eternity?

New Year...New Beginning?

A new year has rolled into existence and many make resolutions, which ultimately go by the wayside.

There is a new beginning that will not end, will not be forgotten, will make a difference...eternally.

It doesn't matter what your name is, where you were born, where you currently live, what skin tone you have, what language you speak, what color your eyes are, what color your hair is, how tall or how short you are, the level of education you have, the amount of money you have, where you have been, what you have done to this very day up to this very moment your eyes are reading these words.

God (Elohim, Jehovah, Creator, King of kings, Lord of lords) Who controls the very ticks of time of which He is not bound to, nor space which He is not bound to, gives anyone and everyone who wants a new beginning, a new beginning.

The only thing that separates us from God from the moment of conception is sin. Every man, woman, and child is and were born with the "Adamic" nature - a sin nature. Adam and Eve brought sin into their descendant's lives through the act of disobedience. We, being their descendants, inherited a sin nature and the only escape from the penalty of that before God is forgiveness.

Children and mentally unable persons, up to the age of accountability (that time in each individual life that a mental capacity for understanding what sin is and what forgiveness is and how to obtain it) is safe from the punishment and wrath of God for sins committed.

Any person who is able to understand what "good" and "bad" is, and what sin is, has a choice to make. That choice will make an eternal impact on you. Do you understand - AN ETERNAL IMPACT (said sweetly with passion). This is the point where you make the choice for your new beginning.

God made the way for you to receive forgiveness for every sin you have ever allowed to come between you and Him. God is as loving as He is wrathful. That is a "hard pill to swallow" - wrathful; however, it is a part of every persons life to make a decision about.

His love is endless. His forgiveness, endless. His punishment for not accepting His Son as your Saviour - eternal wrath.

Satan lied to Eve and he has lied to every person ever born. His goal - for you to suffer the wrath of God eternally dying in the place known as Hell. God's goal - for you to live eternally with Him in Heaven.

Jesus Christ, God's Son, willingly suffered and died -  bleeding - tortured and painful was His death on the Roman cross - for you. He, through the greatest of love, has provided the way to forgiveness. You, must choose.

It's a New Year, it's here and there is no way anyone can turn back the hands of time. Faith in a New Year will only provide you with the knowledge that you are living in a new year.

There is a New Beginning waiting for you if you haven't already begun. Faith in God and believing on Jesus Christ for your forgiveness and salvation, well, that changes things dramatically and eternally. That faith will give you the knowledge that you are living eternally.

God loves you. His Son, Jesus Christ - the Messiah, died for you.

Salvation isn't difficult.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 KJV (born again means "from above" - to be accepted by God)

If you believe in God and on His Son, Jesus - you are close. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given amoung men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12 KJV; "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:15 KJV; "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10 KJV

If you believe that Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead (defeating death) for you - you are much closer. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 KJV; "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 KJV

If you will repent of your sins - sincerely and honestly repent - you are very, very close.

If you will ask Jesus to forgive you for every sin against you - you are very, very, close. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 KJV

If you will ask Jesus to come into your life and be your Personal Saviour - you are there! - forgiven! "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 KJV

Salvation is the New Beginning on a personal level that lasts eternally. No man can take your salvation from the grasps of your hands. It is a gift of God supplied by His Son - for you.

"Christianity is the relationship between man and God based on the life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ." - Elmer Towns

The New Beginning...

Romans 5:1-2 KJV "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

God loves you tremendously. He sacrificed His Son for you and desires a personal fellowship with you now and for all eternity:

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God's Son, Jesus Christ, died the deaths that were ours to die.

We were born into this world and into a sinful nature. That human nature has failed us and God. Every person has sinned against Him:

Romans 3:10 "As it is written there is none righteous, no, not one."

The result is the same as having our backs turned toward Him.

Our Heavenly Father loves you greatly; however, there is punishment for keeping our backs turned against Him: 

Romans 6:23a "For the wages of sin is death..."

This 'wage' refers to spiritual death. All who die physically without having believed on God’s Son Jesus Christ is spiritually dead and will be punished by being eternally separated from Him by being cast into the lake of fire.

Because God loves us so much, He made it possible for us to be reconciled to Him. Jesus has suffered the punishment for all of your sins...all of them:

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus paid it all. You do not have to suffer for your sins, unless you reject Jesus and deny Him as your Savior.

Having suffered the punishment for you, if you will by faith believe that Jesus died for you,  He will forgive your sins and provide eternal life in Heaven with Him:

Romans 6:23b "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

You can be reconciled to God and begin your personal relationship with Jesus as a Christian immediately:

Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord:"

Repentance means to be truly and sincerely sorrowful for your sins. By repenting, you will allow Jesus to remove the sins that separate you from God and He will give you a new beginning free from sin.

Please, would you invite Jesus into your heart and life this moment as your Personal Savior?

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

If you truly believe in your heart:

1. Jesus is the Son of God

2. He died for you

And if you will:

1. Sincerely repent and ask His forgiveness

He will:

1. Erase all of your current sins

2.  Extend grace to you rescuing you from sin's punishment

3. Send the Holy Spirit to indwell your heart as your constant companion

4. Never leave thee or forsake thee

5. Fulfill all His promises to you as recorded in God's Word

If you want to know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, pray. There is a simple "Sinner's Prayer" Page to help you. Click there and pray. He will hear your prayer and save you.

Then, do not stop there. Spiritual growth is imperative. Future posts will teach God's Laws - Biblical doctrines to help you have a deeper understanding and wisdom.