On aging GRATEFULLY

 

Psalm 37:25

King James Version

25 I have been young, and now am old; 

yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, 

nor his seed begging bread.

Are you afraid of getting old?

Or are you already old, and getting afraid?

In April 2024, we've written about the various generations:

"Which GENERATION are you?"

That means, the Greatest generation, the Silent generation, the Baby boomers, and Generation X, are the aged, and aging population all over the world right now.

Cats normally have nine lives, but humans don't.

Never believe anyone who claims they're immortal.

We don't have such luxury.

Lucky are those who have aged gracefully; not heavily.

Lucky are those who remain cheerful; not grumpy.

Lucky are those who are in good health; and not ill health.

But blessed are those who have given their lives to GOD, in service to the LORD, and to others.

Most blessed are those who followed JESUS' command to be "born of water and of the Spirit".

They are unfazed by old age.

They only care to follow His commands.

Because they know that life is but a "vapor":

James 4:14

King James Version

14 Whereas ye know not 

what shall be on the morrow. 

For what is your life? 

It is even a vapour, 

that appeareth for a little time, 

and then vanisheth away.

They know how to grow old gracefully, through GOD's GRACE.

They give thanks to the LORD all the time.

They have enough wisdom to know everything goes according to GOD's plan.

And that all happen for a reason, mostly known only to GOD.

But when you're born again, you begin to truly understand.

Only because the HOLY SPIRIT teaches you about JESUS, and Scripture.

We can understand heavenly things, through JESUS, the SON of GOD.

As JESUS declared:

John 3:12-14

King James Version

12 If I have told you earthly things, 

and ye believe not, 

how shall ye believe, 

if I tell you of heavenly things?

The mature born again looks forward to the Rapture.

He knows it can happen any time GOD wills/wants it.

And then believers all meet JESUS up in the clouds.

Oh, what a glorious day that would be for believers, both the living and the dead!

Who would envy cats with nine lives, when the believer gets eternal life with JESUS.

Believers know their "citizenship" is in heaven.

Would any sane person want to be anywhere else, but with JESUS?

2 Corinthians 5:8

King James Version

8 We are confident, I say, 

and willing rather to be absent from the body, 

and to be present with the Lord.

Through the Cross, JESUS conquered sin, death, and the devil:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

King James Version

55 O death, where is thy sting? 

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; 

and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, 

which giveth us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:14

King James Version

14 Forasmuch then as the children 

are partakers of flesh and blood, 

he also himself likewise took part of the same; 

that through death he might destroy him 

that had the power of death, 

that is, the devil;

Sure, humans are but flesh.

Subject to ails, aches, and pains.

But we have JESUS, "The MAGNIFICENT Healer".

We only need to call on the LORD, that we may be saved.

Romans 10:13

King James Version

13 For whosoever shall call 

upon the name of the Lord 

shall be saved.

Saved from what?

Perhaps, people don't realize we need to be saved from our sins.

Sin causes physical, and spiritual death.

Many of our aches, and pains -- even diseases -- are caused by a malevolent "spirit of infirmity".

Sin can distort our face, bodies, minds, souls, and spirit.

Well, we have JESUS to save us, only if we cared to know more about Him, and the POWER He has.

Once you walk with JESUS, and walk in the SPIRIT, things become clear.

You become a new person, even if you're an "old" person.

2 Corinthians 5:17

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, all things are become new.

You lose your fears.

You don't lose your tears.

But your tears are more meaningful now.

You grieve over your sins, and how you've hurt others.

You grieve at how you've displeased GOD, now that you know His laws.

You have tears of joy, at how much GOD loves you, in giving you His SON, to save us from our sins.

JESUS asked believers carry our own "cross", too.

Luke 9:23

King James Version

23 And he said to them all, 

If any man will come after me, 

let him deny himself, 

and take up his cross daily, 

and follow me.

That's what aging gracefully means.

We thank GOD for everything.

We become grateful.

Be like a contented cat.

A graceful, old cat, who's lived his years.

He may have lost his feisty playfulness, but he hasn't lost that grace.

Let our souls be as limber as ever.

Ephesians 2:8

King James Version

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves: 

it is the gift of God:

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Image: Two Cats. Lithograph by Thomas Hunter, 1881. (Library of Congress)

DISTURBING the PEACE

 

1 John 4:1

King James Version

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, 

but try the spirits whether they are of God: 

because many false prophets are gone out 

into the world.

Cats are sensitive creatures.

We jump at the slightest scare.

And boy, did we have quite a scare.

When we heard that cackle.

Which raised our hackles.

Will she be president?

Will she rule the world?

Most days we don't understand her.

Babbling of some sort.

We keep trying to figure it out.

Making sense of her words.

But so, far, no success.

On our part, at least.

Even her "guru" remains baffled.

We try not to joke about it.

But really, it's downright cruel.

Playing tricks on our poor minds.

Forcing us to understand all that babble.

Which leave us in a bubble.

And that grating cackle.

That's enough to make us scoot.

And seek shelter somewhere.

I perceive we shall have nightmares.

What will happen to our world now?

What will happen to her country?

What will happen to her people?

Will her country be a joke?

Will our world fall apart?

We felines shall leave it all in GOD's hand.

He will protect us from her.

And those putting her in power.

Maybe she won't have us change our genders.

Maybe she won't have us abort our kittens.

She better not.

Or it's gonna be a real cat fight.

Many, many moons ago, we had a disturbing dream.

We dreamt "trouble" from a frightening woman.

And another woman who supports her.

They didn't feel "human".

Maybe this is the fulfillment of that dream.

Only GOD can tell.

Sure, this politician has beauty.

It's just that cackle.

And all that babbling.

We're also getting a feeling of something else.

Something that emanates from her, as she speaks.

Disdain.

Superiority.

Vengeful sort of character.

Confident in her looks.

Confident in the money thrown her way.

Apostle Paul did warn us of the last days:

2 Timothy 3:1-7

King James Version

3 This know also, 

that in the last days 

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 

covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, 

trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, 

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, 

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, 

but denying the power thereof: 

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, 

and lead captive silly women laden with sins, 

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, 

and never able to come 

to the knowledge of the truth.

May it not be a CAT-astrophe.

May we all not turn CAT-atonic.

Methinks we cats need to board our CAT-amaran.

And CAT-apult.

Head for CAT-alina island.

Far away from it all.

Where we could not hear that cackle.

NOTE:

We don't really know who influences Harris.

But the satirical video above seemed fitting.

And so very spot on.

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PEACE and CONVERSION

 

Colossians 3:12

King James Version

12 Put on therefore, 

as the elect of God, holy and beloved, 

bowels of mercies, kindness, 

humbleness of mind, meekness, 

longsuffering;

How much power does man have?

How much influence do they have to institute change?

What power do we really have?

They must take cue from the cat.

Especially the cat who understands Scripture.

Which, only the SPIRIT of GOD makes possible.

When this post is done, you'll see the reason for our ease.

That's why we were surprised at Martin Luther.

You know, the Protestant reformer.

Who once preached to the Jews.

Then turned against them.

He taught this about salvation early in his ministry:

Luther taught that salvation and, consequently, eternal life are not earned by good deeds; rather, they are received only as the free gift of God's grace through the believer's faith in Jesus Christ, who is the sole redeemer from sin. Luther's theology challenged the authority and office of the pope by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge,[4]

-- Wikipedia 

So, we thought he understood GOD's way:

Luther's first known comment on the Jews is in a letter written to George Spalatin in 1514:

Conversion of the Jews will be the work of God alone operating from within, and not of man working — or rather playing — from without...[2]

-- Wikipedia

Over time, the Jews disappointed him.

An Alsatian shtadlan, Rabbi Josel of Rosheim, asked a reformer Wolfgang Capito to approach Luther in order to obtain an audience with the prince, but Luther refused every intercession.[5] In response to Josel, Luther referred to his unsuccessful attempts to convert the Jews: "... I would willingly do my best for your people but I will not contribute to your [Jewish] obstinacy by my own kind actions. You must find another intermediary with my good lord."[6]

-- Wikipedia

Luther's attitude towards the Jews changed.

Heiko Oberman notes this event as significant in Luther's attitude toward the Jews: "Even today this refusal is often judged to be the decisive turning point in Luther's career from friendliness to hostility toward the Jews."[7]

-- Wikipedia

How is it, that Bible-believing Martin Luther missed this part about Scripture?

Romans 11:25

King James Version

25 For I would not, brethren, 

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, 

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; 

that blindness in part is happened to Israel, 

until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

That was one of the EARLIEST, and MOST POWERFUL, verses SPIRIT taught this cat early on.

A true eye-opener.

That got our thinking right, and has been the basis for our "salvation" article.

Once you understand that verse, you get salvation right.

The salvation of Jews is tied up with the salvation of Gentiles, and vice-versa.

How, then, can we judge each other harshly?

We're all in this together.

GOD designed it that way, hello.

Did Martin Luther also forget these elements?

Which pertain to GOD's plan of salvation.

In relation to Jews, and Gentiles:

Romans 11:32

King James Version

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, 

that he might have mercy upon all.

Romans 11:11

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Have they stumbled that they should fall? 

God forbid: but rather through their fall 

salvation is come unto the Gentiles, 

for to provoke them to jealousy.

Romans 11:19

King James Version

19 Thou wilt say then, 

The branches were broken off, 

that I might be grafted in.

GOD never gave up on the Jews.

No matter their many transgressions.

He never will.

Why should we?

Yes, there will be judgment.

But there will also be a remnant.

Let apostle Paul remind us of GOD's love for Israel:

Romans 11:1-4

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. For I also am an Israelite,

of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people 

which he foreknew. 

Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? 

how he maketh intercession to God 

against Israel saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, 

and digged down thine altars; 

and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? 

I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, 

who have not bowed the knee 

to the image of Baal.

Now you see why we're at ease.

GOD's in charge.

He knows who are His.

2 Timothy 2:19

King James Version

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God 

standeth sure, having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

It's only GOD who can change hearts.

In His own perfect way, will, time, and purpose.

Especially when it comes to His chosen people.

Ezekiel 36:24-28

King James Version

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, 

and gather you out of all countries, 

and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, 

and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, 

and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you: 

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, 

and cause you to walk in my statutes, 

and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land 

that I gave to your fathers; 

and ye shall be my people, 

and I will be your God.

As workmen for GOD, we need to have patience.

JESUS taught us patience.

For He knew prophecy.

He is the "spirit of prophecy".

He understood what was in man.

He knew the hearts of men.

John 2:24-25

King James Version

24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, 

because he knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: 

for he knew what was in man.

That's why He told His apostles:

Matthew 7:6

King James Version

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, 

neither cast ye your pearls before swine, 

lest they trample them under their feet, 

and turn again and rend you.

Matthew 10:11-15

King James Version

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, 

enquire who in it is worthy; 

and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy, 

let your peace come upon it: 

but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, 

nor hear your words, 

when ye depart out of that house or city, 

shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, 

It shall be more tolerable for the land 

of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, 

than for that city.

Matthew 10:16

King James Version

16 Behold, 

I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: 

be ye therefore wise as serpents, 

and harmless as doves.

Let us not bewail the fact people don't want to believe the gospel.

With man, things seem impossible.

But with GOD, all is possible.

Matthew 19:25-26

King James Version

25 When his disciples heard it, 

they were exceedingly amazed, saying, 

Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, 

and said unto them, 

With men this is impossible; 

but with God all things are possible.

As born again, we share the gospel.

But we can't convert people, through our own energy.

We don't have such power.

Only JESUS does:

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

Before JESUS went up to heaven, He told His apostles:

Luke 24:49

King James Version

49 And, behold, 

I send the promise of my Father upon you: 

but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, 

until ye be endued with power from on high.

We need anointing from the HOLY SPIRIT.

That we may rightfully share the gospel of CHRIST.

We can't give up on the Jews.

We're not perfect ourselves.

We must not be arrogant.

GOD has not given up on anyone.

Why should we?

2 Peter 3:9

King James Version

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; 

but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish, 

but that all should come to repentance.

We really must have faith in the LORD.

We must keep on the path.

And be strengthened by SPIRIT.

Knowing JESUS always helps His faithful.

Isaiah 26:3-4

King James Version

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 

whose mind is stayed on thee: 

because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: 

for in the Lord Jehovah 

is everlasting strength:

Wikipedia references:

2 Martin Luther, "Luther to George Spalatin Archived 2007-07-02 at the Wayback Machine," in Luther's Correspondence and Other Contemporaneous Letters, trans. Henry Preserved Smith (Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1913), 1:29.

4 Ewald M. Plass, What Luther Says, 3 vols., (St. Louis: CPH, 1959), 88, no. 269; M. Reu, Luther and the Scriptures, (Columbus, Ohio: Wartburg Press, 1944), 23.

6  Luther's letter to Rabbi Josel as cited by Gordon Rupp, Martin Luther and the Jews (London: The Council of Christians and Jews, 1972), 14. According to "Luther and the Jews". Archived from the original on 2005-11-04. Retrieved 2017-03-21., this paragraph is not available in the English edition of Luther's works.

7 Heiko Oberman, Luther: Man Between God and the Devil (New York: Image Books, 1989), p.293.

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On MAN's plans

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Thank GOD, I'm a cat.

Trusting in the LORD alone.

Imagine, He even gifted me with NINE lives!

The Bible says man has only one life.

Hebrews 9:27

King James Version

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, 

but after this the judgment:

And I'm just a tiny, furry, inconsequential creature.

But GOD loves me so.

All the more reason to be grateful to my Creator.

But man is a different story.

He is proud, vain, willful, envious, covetous, power-hungry.

In case you think I'm imagining it, I've got something to back me up.

SPIRIT and Scripture confirmed it.

Through real stories, parables, and GOD's laws.

Genesis 11:1-10

King James Version

11 And the whole earth was of one language, 

and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, 

that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; 

and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, 

Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. 

And they had brick for stone, 

and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, 

Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, 

whose top may reach unto heaven; 

and let us make us a name, 

lest we be scattered abroad 

upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, 

which the children of men builded.

6 And the Lord said, 

Behold, the people is one, 

and they have all one language; 

and this they begin to do: 

and now nothing will be restrained from them, 

which they have imagined to do.

7 Go to, let us go down, 

and there confound their language, 

that they may not understand one another's speech.

8 So the Lord scattered them abroad 

from thence upon the face of all the earth: 

and they left off to build the city.

9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; 

because the Lord did there 

confound the language of all the earth: 

and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad 

upon the face of all the earth.

10 These are the generations of Shem: 

Shem was an hundred years old, 

and begat Arphaxad 

two years after the flood:

Jeremiah 22:13-17

King James Version

13 Woe unto him 

that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, 

and his chambers by wrong; 

that useth his neighbour's service without wages, 

and giveth him not for his work;

14 That saith, 

I will build me a wide house and large chambers, 

and cutteth him out windows; 

and it is cieled with cedar, 

and painted with vermilion.

15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? 

did not thy father eat and drink, 

and do judgment and justice, 

and then it was well with him?

16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; 

then it was well with him: 

was not this to know me? saith the Lord.

17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not 

but for thy covetousness, 

and for to shed innocent blood, 

and for oppression, 

and for violence, 

to do it.

Psalm 33:10

King James Version

10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen 

to nought: 

he maketh the devices of the people 

of none effect.

Psalm 33:11

King James Version

11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, 

the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Proverbs 16:2

King James Version

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; 

but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:9

King James Version

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: 

but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 19:21

King James Version

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; 

nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, 

that shall stand.

Luke 12:15-21

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: 

for a man's life consisteth not 

in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, 

The ground of a certain rich man 

brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, 

What shall I do, 

because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, 

This will I do: 

I will pull down my barns, 

and build greater; 

and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, 

Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; 

take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, 

Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: 

then whose shall those things be, 

which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, 

and is not rich toward God.

James 4:13-15

King James Version

13 Go to now, ye that say, 

To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, 

and continue there a year, 

and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. 

For what is your life? 

It is even a vapour, 

that appeareth for a little time, 

and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, 

If the Lord will, we shall live, 

and do this, or that.

I'm not gloating.

Just thanking my lucky stars.

I'm happy not to have the intellectual capacity of man.

My needs are simple.

GOD, just GOD.

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