I am led to share more of my experiences as a result of the dysfunction now being experienced in the world: the root of which is in the family and what the Word of God has to say to enlighten our understanding.

So every one who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in Heaven; but whosoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in Heaven.   Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a Sword.   For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household.  (Mathew 10:32>36 RSV)  (Ref. Matthew 10:1>42, 5:17>48, 18:15>22, Mark 13:1>37, Luke 6:46, 1stCorinthians 6:1>20, James 4:11, 4:1>17, John 14:26, 14:1>31, Matthew 7:20, 7:12>29, Romans 8:23, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:9, James 1:23>25, Revelation 22:11)

I will focus on sharing my understanding of the text from the Word I sighted, however I have made references for a reason, which I hope to will become clear.

So what of Matthew 10:32>36 :       So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in Heaven, but whosoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in Heaven.   1.(In order to acknowledge someone or something, you must first understand who or what is being represented)2.(Only those who know and accept; Jesus the Word of God as a man, the teacher, the Christ, the Lord and King, the Son of God; Who reveals the Will of God the Father to His children, can in truth acknowledge Him and to do less is denial)

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.   I have not come to bring peace, but a Sword. 1.(Though it was announced that He came to establish peace and good will toward mankind, it remained up to the individual to receive or reject what He offered)2.(The Sword of the Spirit; which is the Word of God; will make the division between those who accept Him and those who reject Him, and the offer He represents)3.(This division is the root cause of the dysfunction that I speak about; in the family, the community, the state, the country and the world of mankind)

For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 1.(Though it is God’s desire that mankind be drawn together in cooperation and the bond of Love[Those who choose the Way of Life, are called to Love one another equally to themselves, as they enter the Kingdom not of the world]; the ruler of the world, desires those who serve him to be involved in competition and hatred [loving self above others] of the other, which is at the root of dysfunction 2.(This is the Spiritual Warfare, that of opposing influences, spirits, that sets one against the other)

And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 1.(The indwelling Spirit of God in the Heart of mankind, is and always has been; in opposition to the indwelling spirit of the world in the heart of mankind) 2.(In the Eyes of God, every individual will be seen and judged according to the spirit, the influences, they have received to rule their heart’s, which directs their words and actions, without exception, and it is the Spirit or the spirit that divides mankind)

The Kingdom of heaven on earth is where those who accept the Kingship of the Christ, their Lord; and though in the world, are no longer of the world, who await the return of their King; whom they now serve in His absence, coming to take possession of His Kingdom.  Even where those who await the Kingdom of God; yet to be established, now reside, in it is where all division will have been abolished and harmony reigns.   Those who experience it now in the Kingdom of heaven on earth, have the Promise of their Dwelling being prepared for Eternity.

This is within the understanding that I have been given in which I now put my trust and faith, and thus far I have received nothing that admits doubt.

My perspective, the way I now see things, comes from my path of becoming and being sanctified, through the process of becoming Spiritually matured; the path of the Narrow Way.   Consider: Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word Is Truth. (John 17:17 KJV) (Ref. John 17:13>26, John 10:36, 17:19, Acts 20:32, 26:18, Romans 15:16, 1st Corinthians 1:2, 6:11, 7:14, 1st Timothy 4:5, 2nd Timothy 2:21, Hebrews 2:11, 10:10, 10:14, 10:29 and Jude 1:1>2, 1:1>25)

And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 1.(the spirit of competition, threatened the bond of Love that Christ was seeking to instill among those who were to become His brethren and was dealt with instantly and appropriately)   But Jesus called them to Him and said, you know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 2.(in the world there are those who are esteemed to be above others)   It Shall Not Be So Among you; but whosoever would be great among you Must Be your Servant, 3.(the servant has been prepared to understand how one is to serve the body of Christ)   and whosoever would be first among you Must Be your Slave; 4.(the slave serves as directed without questioning one’s duty, without regard to ease or difficulty in humility)   even as the Son of man came not to be served but to Serve, and to Give His Life as a ransom for many. 5.(Christ came to Serve and willingly accepted the role of a Slave, which was His Duty) (Matthew 20:24>28 RSV) (Ref. Matthew 20:20>28, Mark 10:45)

To those who have come to Faith, our Heavenly Father sets each member of the Body of Christ where they best serve His purpose; Christ the Head (the Mind and the Heart of the Body) and all others in the capacity for which He has prepared them to serve. (Ref. Matthew 20:23, 1st Corinthians 12:1>27, 20:28>31)

In the hope that I have properly laid the foundation from God’s Word sufficient to enlighten the point I wish to make. I will do my best, considering the possibility that my experience in some way will relate to others.

Earlier I shared that I payed attention to my father and the role he had in the dynamics of his family and community. As one who had received the servant spirit, he was content to serve others. My mother and my siblings, by degree, were content to be served by my father, as their provider and in truth were not always satisfied with the level of his provision. From my perspective, my mother acted in some ways as though he was a slave, not sufficiently fulfilling his duty to her and her children. So he labored to fulfill unrealistic wants, born of a false standard of needs and could never do enough to satisfy. Although my father got less help than he deserved, he appreciated what help he got from his family and his community. As a result my father was respected and loved, less than he deserved. Such are the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and world; where the Spirit of Love and the spirit of the world are in competition against the other.

I received the servant spirit from my father, as I saw that it is the key to the good life, knowing that my father loved me. I and all who recognized him for what he was, respected and loved him deeply. I believe for him that was enough to sustain him, though in this world he experienced disappointment. So must all who seek and find the better Way of cooperation providing mutual benefit, the Kingdom of heaven on earth. As opposed to those content with the way of world of competition, the world of successful winners, those they allow to survive not thrive and the often despised unfortunate ones thought to be losers, time will tell.

Well it is written for a reason: a house divided can not stand, because love and hate are incompatible and to remain divided is a choice, but it is not the only choice. To believe less in the end will prove to be unwise, as it is the path that leads to futility.

So beloved reader I believe that is enough to ponder for now. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise too high I will endeavor to proceed to chapter 5. Until then my Hope is that you have a truly blessed day and every day hereafter.

In Sincere Love, Michael

December 12th, 2022 @ 20:29