Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

The following will help you know why billions of people–those of the past and of those of the present–trust the Scriptures, using them as a guide for their lives.

For instance, the Bible has 66 books written by approximately 40 men. These authors lived in numerous places over a 1500 year course of history with varied backgrounds: one was a physician, another was a priest—and one was a tax collector.  King David of Israel wrote much of the book of Psalms. Several were prophets correcting and guiding the people through their books within the Bible. Peter, a disciple of Jesus, wrote the book of Acts. He was a major player throughout the New Testament, alongside ten other disciples who authored numerous Biblical books.

 Aside from the Bible being penned by different authors over 15 centuries, its multiple books of holy inspiration hold no contradictions. Imagine that, along with the fact no errors can be found in any of the Biblical books.

Each author presented different angles and assessments, but they all proclaim the same truths about there being one God. Plus, the ultimate message totally supports the fact God has expectations of us while also being helpful, merciful, forgiving and loving.  

 The Bible shows many truths about us, our lives and what is to come. And, here is what we see about God: We humans are comprised of one person with three parts: body, mind, spirit.

Believers recognize this truth about God: Our Creator has a vastness beyond us as Jesus was both one with Father God and one with the Holy Spirit. So God is three persons in One. The term used to describe the Son, Father and Holy Spirit (three-in- One) is “the Trinity.”

The Holy Spirit of Jesus and the Father–through the power of the Holy Spirit–breathed the truth into the minds and hearts of writers recorded in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. That is why the Bible is believed to be “the Word of God.”

The ultimate proof that the Bible is God’s authentic message to humankind comes from the explicate fact that it changes lives powerfully and wondrously. Ask people you know who are Christians, “How did you come to believe in Jesus Christ being the Savior of the world, the Son of God?” You will hear some amazing and absolutely awesome stories.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed [are those] that trust in him,” (Psalms 34:8).

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in up to 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view FREE her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board Certified Chaplain

As years slip by, do you feel you are accomplishing what you want in life?

 My next birthday will be here in a couple of days.  The numbers keep growing. Am I living my dream? And what is my dream?

Being a mother of sons who have grown into their destinies, being highly able to love–exceeding able to endure the challenges life rolls onto the screen for them–is one of the greatest accomplishments of  being here on Planet Earth. Being in a gainful marriage for 57 years . . . loving and serving together in adventuresome ways is another.

But the most challenging feat of all lies with seeking to live perpetually comfortable in my own skin. Am I enough? Have I done enough? Why can’t I live without making mistakes? Why, why, why . . .

I have always tried to look my best . . . and believe me, aging takes a whack at that! Big time. So, best laugh about what the mirror is trying to tell me!

Then I think, why did God create me? Probably His best hope is that I keep on loving and helping the ones I love get through this life. Sometimes, I am asked to keep loving while taking some “blows” undeserved. And, sometimes I am the sender of the “blows.” The other day I told my sister, “Don’t be so bossy.” Then I wondered, “How loving is that?”

Perhaps speaking honestly to one-another does more than to help clear the air of our souls. We can, at appropriate times, help each other see our blind spots. Still, I wonder how loving I came across with my sister during that moment.

While journaling, I often talk to God through writing questions then writing what I perceive to hear. Recently, I wrote, “Lord, what is the real purpose you foresaw for us humans when you went to so much trouble to create such a marvelous and beautiful place for us to live and breathe?”

I heard back, “To love and be loved.”

More came as I listened, but this part is for sharing: I am to know that for this time in life it is enough to just be who I am, doing what I enjoy doing—as long as it comes from the love of my heart. Perhaps the best of all we grandmas and grandpas do while still here is to simply  be a living, breathing example, exhibiting huge amounts of patience while dealing with gradual losses—both physically and mentally. After all, the brain shrinks a bit once we get into these higher numbers. There are some memory blips and focusing on ‘what to do next’ gets harder. These changes can be quite unnerving at times and it can be easy to lose our sense of worth. Plus, “Old pappy time” elbows in with the truth that the end is just around the bend.

Ultimately, within the aging process it is a time for opening our hearts more and more fully to God, talking to Him like He is our closest Pal. After all, God knows the “going” is getting tougher—even really tough at times. God is with us in this race against time; but He asks us not to make it a race.

“Cool your jets. Enjoy the time that’s left,” was heard while listening last week.

Why should we be afraid to listen to the Author of Love whose Holy Spirit abides and is with us everywhere we go?

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

###

Healing-with-Joy.com — VIEW FREE– – Joy’s children’s book titled: The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

Please know there are over a hundred helpful articles at Healing-with-Joy.com–FREE–for people who are struggling with varied difficulties. Find these along with this author’s four books.

Copy articles if you wish, while crediting this website.

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

Scripture indicates there is an unforgiveable sin. But, only one. 

Mark 3:28-29, “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; ²⁹ but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— ³⁰ because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

They later part of that verse shows specifically what, within the claim of the Pharisees that comprised “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.”

I have encountered Christians who were tormented through believing they may have committed the unforgiveable sin. Yet, it is God who draws people to Himself. Consequently, if you have any inclinations to pray, this is because God is drawing you to Himself. Clearly, if you had committed the unforgiveable sin, a desire to pray would not exist. You can rest assured by letting that tormenting question go is a good idea. It holds no reality within your spirit.

John 6:44 assures us that, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” So, it is God who initiates prayer.

Below is an excerpt from GotQuestions.org website offering excellent commentary on this topic:

“The term blasphemy may be generally defined as “defiant irreverence.” The term can be applied to such sins as cursing God or willfully degrading things relating to God. Blasphemy is also attributing some evil to God or denying Him some good that we should attribute to Him. This particular case of blasphemy, however, is called “the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” in Matthew 12:31. The Pharisees, having witnessed irrefutable proof that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, claimed instead that the Lord was possessed by a demon (Matthew 12:24). Notice in Mark 3:30 Jesus is very specific about what the Pharisees did to commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: “He said this because they were saying, ‘He has an impure spirit.’”

There are three passages within the four Gospels that specifically address this matter. In (Matthew 12:24, we find what Pharisees specifically said: “‘This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.’”

God is not mad at people. God loves people! He inspires and enlivens us as we make our pilgrimage here on earth. We do encounter times of making choices contrary to God’s holy Word and beneath the goodness God is instilling in us. Yes, we make mistakes. Ideally, we learn from our mistakes. We discover what works and what does not work for our own good and the good of others. Life with God at the helm of our lives is a grand learning experience.

2 Corinthians 3:18, encourages us along the way to know there is glory ahead, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

We are given a lifetime to pull ourselves together for growing into all we can be–for the glory of God (not our own). John 6:44 promises that: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

However, we ought not to waste time, leaving our “doing business with God” for another era within life. For another pertinent truth is made clear in the very first book of the Bible in Genesis 6:3: “So, the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh.” The rest of the versus assures us that our days shall be numbered, No one gets out of here alive. The fullness of life comes through answering the call of Christ who will then abide continuously with us through His Holy Spirit.

Revelations 3:20 makes it plain that Christ intends for us to respond to Him so He can enter our lives, “dine with us” as He abides within our souls. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Jesus Christ walked on earth, lived, the died carrying our sins on a cross, Why? So that we might be free. He alone will be the judge over all the living and the dead in the last and final judgment of humankind prophesied in the Book of Revelations. Matthew 25:31-46 shows the picture of what will happen on that ominous day:

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

John 5:22, tells us, “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” 

He has prepared the way for us to live in His love, having an inner peace that the world can observe, but never understand.

“At that time Jesus said, “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, (Matthew 11:25). 

It takes becoming as a little child to enter into the Kingdom of God (trusting and leaning on God’s provisions.) Matthew 18:2-5 explains: “Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation, (2 Corinthians 6:2).

It is simple to talk with God. Speak your thoughts and let Him know what you desire.

Many things spoke of the Power and Presence of God. The hardness of marble altars, stone floors and wooden pews spoke of strength. Then I looked at the people. They were soft. Vessels of earthen clay, yet filled with spirit.

Many shy away from being called “soft.” But the softness I saw was holy. That which makes us vulnerable, malleable and capable of love.

Back home this truth was clearly seen when I visited the home of friends who had just lost their 24-year-old son in death. Neighbors, family and friends from their parish came, some with arms loaded with food. Many offered prayers from caring hearts. And as they left each carried away a piece of the pain. So much pain to be borne there in that home. Yet the grieving family knew through the people that they would not be bearing this alone. The softness of human love was leaving its impact, as love in action extends strength.

At times like this we often feel inept. Words may seem inadequate. But what we do have to give is enough. That is empathy, wrapped in flesh. When we are weak, then we are strong. The Apostle Paul exhibited that throughout the letters he left for believers who would follow “the way,” which Christ revealed to him.

When we see a fellow human hurting, something incredible occurs. There is an urging within to stop—set aside what we are doing—and go. “Be there.” It is love in action, coming from the treasure of one’s heart. Tears convey release, as solace is received.  Such “holy water” grants clear vision that this love, as it flows from others, is a healing force.

We all endure grievous trials during this life? 1 Peter 1:7, portrays how it is through these hardships that our faith comes forth “much more precious than gold that is tested by fire.” So, there is a refinement process and if we yield ourselves to it, enrichment results. And, God is praised.

While alongside my friends, I saw no anger or resentment. No bitterness spouted, although these dear people had lost another son a mere 13 months before. God is their ally, not their foe. And because of this, peace reigns in their home. Philippians 4:7, refers to this as “a peace of God which passes all understanding that guards our hearts through Christ Jesus.”

So here we are as humans, ideally all “soft covers”—no “hardbacks.” Fragile, destined for much wear and tear. Yet durable beyond comprehension. Filled with strength, having quite enough to share.

People. Earth’s richest resource. Vessels deemed worthy by God to carry His love. A love experienced most vividly when seen flowing from one to another. Oh, holy ones of God, we belong to each other.

Thank God for our hearts of flesh, capable of expanding, stretching, growing—even at the risk of breaking. Yet it is in the breaking that we are formed afresh. As Christ’s body, broken in the Eucharist and given away for the nourishment of many, we live on loving life and one another. The “breakings” do come, challenging our souls and in the end, what is remembered is that faith does hold strong when we depend on the power of the Spirit. This is what makes us more than flesh . . . And able to live forever.

I would like to suggest a gift that we could give to ourselves with no cash lay out. No monthly payments hazarding 2021. Living in the now could be one of the greatest gifts ever received. It is something we alone can give to ourselves. And, doing so will benefit everyone around us. (Even God and the neighbors.)

Notice how ”the now” is where children live. Given the passing of time, most of us adults have forgotten how to do that. Life finds us letting that go. As adults, we are habitually inclined to press toward tomorrow, next week, or what we can make happen years from now. Yet, the habit of favoring elusive tomorrows with fervor and anticipation robs our todays.

When we are not projecting our thoughts into the future, we regress into the past. But what of “this moment”—as living is best done in the now.

Some hold a rather fatalistic view of the future, as Matthew Prior wrote in Human Life, “What trifling coil do we poor mortals keep; Wake, eat and drink, evacuate, and sleep.” Yet, life is so much more.  A 16^th century monk said it best: “Not where I live do I breath, but where I love.”

The Bible says we carry a precious treasure within these “earthen vessels.” This takes pondering to perceive the truth of it.

Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God being within us, righteousness (right doing), peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, as Romans 14:17 explains.

It seems the glory of God is most fully seen in us humans when we are daily submitting ourselves to the essence of that spiritual kingdom. This exemplifies enjoying the now. 

Of course, living in the now, does not always mean our experiences will be joyous. There are other emotions to be lived—and when we are honoring and identifying them, hard as they may be, at times, we are truly alive as we work through them.

Notice what happens when we are stopped in the present, prevented from rushing into the future? This can bring discomfort to our busy days. We can get “antsy” while waiting in line at the supermarket or waiting in the doctor’s office. What’s it like when brought to a halt in heavy traffic? Could this be a time to hum a tune, sing a song, or visit a favorite memory lived out with a loved one?

Why is it that we so often seem unable to receive these moments as gift? These times can be used for seeing more fully what is around us, even to notice people in more depth, here and there. Sending a blessing their way. Why not send them some love? We have a lot to give, right?

Rather than to rush past this truth in our hurry to grab the next moment, let’s stop to ponder the length and depths of what we are doing with our lives. This can show us our true heart’s desire. And, within the process of this exploration, we are living into the present moment.

 In a way, we are all “one”–all breathing the same air, most likely each of us are waiting to be set free of “the wait.” Do we really want to plunge into future moments, skipping the now? How about savoring each day that nourishes the soul.

We had three sons, Ted, Tim and Todd. When one of them would bicker with another, I would make him stop and think. At times, when one failed to share a goodie treat, I’d say, “Look closely at your brother. He has a tongue and a taster, too!” This worked, serving to make the little “perp” think beyond himself and remember that sharing is loving.

Surely, each of us shares a certain poverty. Not one of us can be certain of a tomorrow, a next year, or even the “next moment.”  We have this moment—tis all.

Do we love ourselves enough to live into this gift of “the now?”

Her life pain was increased by the pandemic—now Christmas is around the corner. Countless people are suffering similarly. Having presents under the trees may not be the most concerning factor for many this year. We can thank God for food banks as they do their best to assure families are fed. It is an awesome time! So where is Jesus? And, what is He doing about this?

Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostle Paul assured us Jesus is “at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us,” (Romans 8: 34). Intercessory prayer for one another is a great thing, but imagine the Lord Jesus Christ pulling for us as we tackle our problems and struggles in life—even those that are self-inflicted by our poor decisions that we make without having prayed for guidance.

He alone holds power to lead us to green pastures and still waters. He alone can turn all that happens to good. Even our hardest of happenstances are teachers. We gain patience, as we hang in there and master them! And, it is patience that makes us “complete, lacking nothing,” (James 1:2).

Our trials find us trusting God more and more fully. We become the hurdlers, leaping above the obstacles facing us. Our growing faith motors us, while also comforting us during the hardest moments. Kneeling, praying and asking for discernment is how we get through it when we hurt so much we can hardly bear it . . . and settles us when we seek to comprehend.

Methods many use to escape the difficulties of life, like drinking to gain escape is by far not the same. This is true, too, of using pills to surmount the throes of life. These cannot take a person high enough to satisfy the cravings developed. Consequently, many are dying through overdoses while trying to reach an ultimate “high” once again.

Billions of people over the past 2,000 years have found through Scripture that Jesus is the only steadfast answer. And, as the Apostle John assures us, Jesus did not just come at Christmas. No. At the earth’s beginning, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him, (John 1:10).”

John knew Christ as “the Word.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it,” (John 1:1-5).

We celebrate December 25, with many lights—in remembrance of when Jesus came to us visually to live among us as a human being in a body of flesh like our own. Why? To be with us and teach about the Father’s love for us and about a kingdom that is ours while here, one of ”righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17).

Right here in the midst of earthly realms, there is this great and mighty kingdom of goodness (“Godness”). Jesus prayed to His Father for us, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,” (John 17:14-16).

Father God allowed him to come here, to die for us and pave the way for our having eternal life once we leave this earth. God knows we are sinful—and He cannot look at sin. When He sent His son to be with us God was extending His nature to us . . . making it possible for us to take on His very own nature.

Our nature is naturally a “fallen nature.” All humans are prone to follow it. God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son to be a surrogate for us. Jesus’ purpose was many faceted, yet majorly to die for us. He carried our sins as the Roman soldiers crucified Him. From there on, we have only to trust, knowing our sins are covered by the Savior’s blood. His blood is our covering. ”There is therefore now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit,” (Romans 8:1).

As Christmas approaches, the greatest thing a person can do in life is to recognize the truth of who Jesus is, and to know He has paved a way for us to be sin-free as we believe in His name and put our trust in Him. This is “the way” we come to relying on the help of His Holy Spirit day-by-day. In this way, Jesus is with us now, and has said, “. . . lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

So, how do we have a “Merry Christmas” in the midst of the troubles we face? The answer is simple, come to know who Jesus is—besides the one we remember at “Christ-mas.” Reading the Gospels (the “Good News”) allows us to see that Jesus is here—able to live in our hearts, doing through us what can relieve the pain of others. How? As the Lord’s Holy Spirit nourishes us, our spirits are uplifted, fortified and enable. Who can find a greater “merriment” than this?