Something lighter: Thoughts about creation 1 of 4, Why am I here?
 
Hi all,
I was sitting in an airplane in the summer of 1992, part way through a very long flight headed for Russia to help start churches. Out of boredom I grabbed an old magazine from the seat pocket in front of me and was stunned to read that scientists had proven by DNA that we all came from one man and one woman, based on studies started in 1987. And to think the book of Genesis had stated that all along. How nice of science to confirm scripture I thought. :)
 
I had seen charts where researchers had worked backwards to find the origins of man using population figures. Working backwards from the billions on the planet today, figuring birth rates, disasters natural and man-made, plagues and such, they calculated that around the time of Jesus there were about 170 million people alive. Working further backwards estimates for the time of Abraham in about 2000 BC show around 5 million were alive.
 
Here is an easy to read chart:  https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-by-year/
 
Is the world held in place on the back of a turtle? 
I'd long sought answers to explain apparent contradictions between Genesis and science, and believe that science merely discovers how God does things using natural law. But filling in those gaps between Bible and science is more difficult. 
 
There is a basic rule of learning: Man can only write and think about things he is familiar with. Therefore creation stories that reference things familiar to man prove themselves to be from man's imagination, and not of divine origin. If there are explanations of natural things clearly not found in things familiar to ancient man, we can only conclude that information came from outside of man. 
 
For example, the creation story from Babylon says fresh water and salt water mixed which created the gods and goddesses. One of which was murdered and half of her became the land and her other half became the waters. Another that the earth is on a turtle's back (Hindu). The Norse had a cow that gave birth to Buri as she licked a salt lick, and so it goes. Some Native American creation stories include a raven creating man from a pea pod and the Celts believed a white mare (horse) gave birth to the first god...It is interesting that many of these have a Father who produces a son, like Buri above, who had a son by a means not explained, named Boor, who came into being over 3 days. 
 
Outside source of knowledge
But the Bible is very different as you know, with thoughts and concepts clearly sourced from outside nature and things familiar to ancient man. For instance Genesis saying God created mankind from one man and one woman in His likeness and image. We didn't come from a pea pod nor a cow, but how could ancient man know that except from a source outside themselves? 
 
The book of Job is the oldest book of the Bible. It is ancient Jewish poetry and wisdom, which is why it is included with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and 'Songs', and takes place after Noah but before Abraham - as noted by no priesthood, individual offerings to God, God talking to Job from a whirlwind, etc). 
 
Job 26:7 reveals God 'hangs the earth on nothing' in 'the empty space'. How did Job know about the emptiness of space or that the earth 'hangs' there on nothing? That knowledge is outside normal human experience. Job didn't say the earth sits on a turtle - the knowledge of earth hanging in empty space came from outside man's thinking. 
 
The Bible indicates the earth is round: An example is Genesis 1:9 that says all the land was gathered in one place and the waters gathered together separately. With gravity holding all things together, if you remember your high school geometry, that can only happen on a sphere. 
 
If that's hard to understand, try pouring water on a table and then spin that table and see if the water stays put. Even with a center of gravity at the middle of the table, the water would fly in all directions in a disorganized mess. Only a sphere can retain land and water at equal distance from the gravity source. The earth is rotating around its axis at 1000 mph (1609kph), and if it wasn't a sphere with gravity at its core, everything would act as water on your table top if you spun it. 
 
The person of Wisdom describes how He was present when the Father created the earth, stating in Proverbs 8:27: "When He established the heavens, I was there. When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep..." That's a circle. How did ancient man know that? 
 
The theory of evolution 
The Biblical creation story demonstrates we are each created, thought up by God, who has a purpose for us and each part of creation. God reveals Himself as the I AM, the ever present one, the one who will be what He will be. That means our best days are ahead of us for we are in Him and He in us: He is the God of the future, of never ending ages in Him.
 
By contrast the theory of evolution says all the universe is a giant cosmic accident, a chance occurrence of the meeting of molecules. Therefore man is an accident. And if man is an accident then morals are what man says they are. Right and wrong is a matter of opinion. If one thinks it is moral to loot and steal and another believes it is wrong - both are right! It's all an accident that provides no framework of absolutes by which to measure life. 
 
What is the point? If I am an accident, my purpose in life is my own decision; If I decide I don't have a purpose I can end my life. What does it matter? Evolution is a hopeless existence. A few atheists have told me, "When I die it's like a bug on a sidewalk, I'll just cease to exist." That thinking is the end result of believing all the universe is an accident. 
 
My response has been that I can prove we are eternal beings very simply. Most will readily acknowledge that inside themselves they feel the same as they did when they were young, but their body has changed around them. Their body has aged while inside they have not. That unchanging, ageless inner self proves we don't need our earth body to live, for our unchanging internal selves have shown over the decades we are eternal and will live on after our body ages to the point of ceasing to function. 
 
Paul wrote in Romans 1 that seeing God in creation and acknowledging God as Creator is the most basic way to know Him. Romans 1: 20-31 says if a person rejects Him as Creator, He will allow that person to go their way, allowing them to think all kinds of ungodly thoughts leading to a life of sin. 
 
That foundation of God as our Creator is what allows the rest of our faith to be built properly. If a person believes the theory of evolution is fact, while also claiming to know the Father and Lord, the house of their faith has a cracked foundation and a few cracked walls. They will be off in other areas as well, without even realizing it quite often. 
 
Most every person wonders first within themselves 'Why am I here?' and 'What is my purpose in life?' Those questions are the first opportunity to acknowledge God exists, that we and nature were created, and not a cosmic accident. 
 
Genesis isn't a science book, and there are many voices out there lending confusion to the issue, but unanswered questions should not be a cause for us to dis-believe. About all else, we know faith in Jesus is eternal life, beyond that the answers can wait.
 
But filling in some blanks can be helpful...So here are some thoughts that may explain some things you've wondered about...and we'll get into that next week as we look at macro-evolution and micro-evolution. One is Biblical, the other is not. Until then, blessings,
 
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org and email me at cwowi@aol.com

Hi all,
Today we will close out the series comparing the works of the flesh with the fruit of the spirit. Have you noticed in the New Testament very little is blamed on the demonic? The authors of the NT focus on Christ in us and how we have already overcome the devil in Christ, and how we can live from our spirit which has been recreated by the Spirit of God. 
 
The fruit of the spirit
In Galatians 5:16-25 Paul contrasts the differences between the human flesh and the human spirit. Among the works of the flesh he lists these in v19-21: "The works of the flesh are these: Adultery (sexual lust), fornication (sex with someone other than your spouse), uncleanness (various sexual acts), idolatry, witchcraft (manipulation of others or circumstance to put yourself in a better light or position), hatred, jealousy, fits of bad temper, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like that..." 
 
Paul says they are works of the human flesh. No demons involved, this is what the human flesh can do. Satan can tempt, but the actions are human flesh. Ephesians 2:3 says we used to be sinners by nature, but now our nature has changed. In other words: Sinners sin by nature, Christians sin by choice. 
 
Be honest and take responsibility
For instance, in I Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul lists various sins in v9-10, and then states: "And such were some of you. But now you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." 
 
Paul makes a similar list of sins in Ephesians 4:17-24 and then says: "But you have not learned Jesus following these ways. If indeed you have heard and been taught the truth in Christ Jesus, then put off the old man which is corrupted by desires which are deceitful, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which by God has been created in righteousness and the holiness of truth..."
 
The flesh likes sin, deal with it. Deal with why that particular sin is a temptation to you. Wrestle with the desire for pleasure of the flesh or the depths of God in your spirit. It is a good process. Once you establish how you love the Lord and hate that grievance of sin, sin will lose much of its attractiveness. You will learn to live from your spirit...
 
Fruit of the spirit
In contrast to the 'works of the flesh' of Galatians 5:19-21, Paul sets the 'fruit of the spirit'. The subject is how to live out of one's spirit, so the context is indeed a comparison of the human flesh and the human spirit. 
 
Some translations and many Christians mistakenly (in my opinion) think Paul is listing the 'works of the flesh' and the 'fruit of the Holy Spirit', but that doesn't make sense grammatically nor is it consistent with his points in this text, nor is it consistent with the other scriptures on this topic, listed above in I Corinthians 6 and Ephesians 4. Paul is comparing the human flesh with the qualities of the born again human spirit. 
 
"But the fruit of the spirit are these: Love, joy, peace, patience (consistency at all times), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ have crucified their old nature and all that it loved and lusted for. Since we live by the Spirit (of God) let us live by the spirit. For we should not be boastful which provokes others to envy." 
 
Fruit is for reproduction
Paul's comparison between the actions of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit place the responsibility directly upon us to live out of our spirit man. Fruit is the reproductive means of a fruit tree. Fruit has life to eat for now, and seed for the next generation to plant in their hearts. When we live in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness - these are like a delicious ripe fruit on a tree for someone to see, consume, and be strengthened. They will reproduce that fruit in their own lives if they take the 'seed' of that fruit of the spirit. They can 'pick' the fruit of our spirit for their situation - when we give them love, gentleness, goodness - they need that and they consume what we offer. 
 
Our spirit is one with the Source of the fruit, the Holy Spirit who is these qualities, so if one 'picks' the fruit of joy that we offer from our spirit to them for their situation, more joy will be produced from the Source of that joy - we will never run out!
 
When we walk into an opportunity for the fleshly work of hatred or strife and instead allow the fruit of our spirit to dominate - that of love and joy and gentleness perhaps, the people caught up in strife and hatred consume the fruit of our spirit, our life, and are bettered - they see Christ in their midst when we live from our spirit. 
 
For instance, in James 1:2 he says to "Count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, tests, and trials, knowing that the trial of our faith exercises patience (consistency) in you..." (Joy and patience are fruit of your spirit)
 
Notice he used the word 'joy', and not 'be happy'. Joy is listed in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the spirit. When you are faced with difficulty, focus on and 'pull up' from your spirit, joy, the joy of the Lord in the midst of trying to remain consistent, which is another fruit of your spirit. You can do it - remain consistent. 
 
Paul said if you live from your spirit you won't fulfill the lusts of the flesh. It is that simple, and that difficult. 
 
In Matthew 10:12-13 Jesus said when we come into a house let our peace settle upon it. Barb and I used to do that when traveling for a holiday to her parents' strife-filled home. Before we left on the trip we would take authority over spirits of strife and any demonic in that house, pray for her parents, and say to the Father; "Father, we let our peace which is from you, dominate that house and our time together, that strife and all the rest won't be able to manifest because of our peace, your peace, settles upon that house." or words to that effect. It worked every time. 
 
The fruit of the spirit is sourced in the Spirit of God, there is no law against love, joy, peace....living from your spirit means you and the Lord can dominate in any situation, whether the people realize it or not. Some will be like Laban was with Joseph in Genesis 30:27 - he knows he is blessed but can't figure out why work is better off with you: "I have learned by experience I am blessed because of you." May that be true of all we interact with. 
 
Live from your spirit....
New subject next week, until then, blessings,
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org and email me at cwowi@aol.com

Hi all,
My hope is that as we examine the qualities of our spirit man we can know in our minds if something is of God or of us. I've not seen a teaching on the spirit of man before except for the negative elements of the non-born again spirit. So here are more qualities of the human spirit that is born again, submitted for your consideration: 
 
"And He turned and rebuked them, saying, You don't know what manner of spirit you are of." Luke 9:55. 
This statement is related to our topic because there are many in our day just like the disciples. The context is Jesus was headed to Jerusalem quickly and some wanted Him to stay overnight with them, and offended that He declined their invitation. James and John asked if they should call down fire upon them like Elijah did, but Jesus said they don't know what spirit they are of, for He came to save people not destroy them. 
 
We are still in the time of salvation, today is the day of salvation. We are not in the Old Testament times and how He dealt with opposition then. He allows people to suffer the consequences of their actions, but He isn't calling down fire upon those who oppose the Lord today.
 
But like James and John, the 'sons of thunder' as they were called, people can be stirred in their spirit and want to act. The key is knowing we are in NT times not OT times - so grace and patience is needed, not fire and brimstone. God is moving people towards salvation at this time, not fire for the opposition. We have to know the qualities of our spirit man, and know of 'what manner of spirit' we are, and walk with Him in these NT times. 
 
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it really is me. Touch me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see me have." Luke 24: 39 as the risen Lord appears to the disciples. Notice your spirit man does not have flesh and bones - but your glorified body will have flesh and bones. Your spirit man being in the image of God, fills the space within your body so your spirit has arms and legs, and indeed looks like you albeit perfect in appearance - the things of the world and aging have no effect on the spirit of man. Notice also Jesus didn't say 'flesh and blood' but 'flesh and bones'. His holy blood was once poured to pay for the sin of the world. 
 
"...true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is looking for people like that to worship Him"...."God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4: 23-24.
 
The word 'worship' is 'proskuneo' and means 'to kiss towards'. The Father is looking for people who will express love towards Him, 'kiss Him' but only in spirit and truth. That means from their spirit, their deepest being, and with no ulterior motives. In Jesus' day as in ours, a kiss is an act of covenant. A kiss on the cheek in much of the world is a kiss of the covenant of friendship - that I will not dishonor our friendship, betray, use, abuse our relationship. That is why Judas' betrayal by kiss was mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke - it was a horrific act and cruel of him. His kiss of covenant as he betrayed the Lord was an insult of such magnitude it gets lost on us today. 
 
Your spirit is the inner most part, yet sadly, many Christians only worship from their soul. And more sadly, many worship only the Lord Jesus when He plainly said worship is first to the Father. Many are conflicted worshipping the Father because they hold on to inaccurate images of Him perhaps from the Old Testament, or perhaps from an angry earth-father or pastor. But we are to worship out of our spirit - we can pray and sing in our spirit to Him, we can and should pour out our hearts in transparent honesty to Him. Many who are more 'cerebral' find it difficult to 'get in touch' with their spirit man - but in privacy think through why you walk with the Lord, why you are thankful. And from that deep place start to worship Him...
 
"It is the spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63, Jesus talking, our focus should be on spiritual things, not our own flesh or the world's fleshly focus. Paul would later write of the Roman custom of braiding jewels in women's hair and wigs, saying it is better to adorn the inner man with godly things than outward shows of wealth. Our spirit man makes us alive, the eternal part of us, by comparison the flesh of this earth is nothing. Hunger for the Words that produce Life in us, that impact our spirit. One day in His courts is better than thousands elsewhere. Have that priority and truly love that Presence within more than anything else, and make your world revolve around that love and Presence. 
 
"He groaned in the spirit" and "He was troubled in spirit" from John 11:33 and 13:21. The first was when He saw Mary crying over the death of her brother, Lazarus, and the second is when Jesus realized the time of His betrayal was upon Him. These show our spirit man can sense the weight of something spiritually. An event can affect our spirit as it does also our soul (emotions). 
 
The death of a friend, the betrayal of a friend. Our mind can perceive that grievance, that weight, that heaviness in our spirit. At times the Father uses that as a signal we need to pray in the spirit and do spiritual battle for someone. At times it is to lift the burden of a friend, as when Jesus raised Lazarus, taking the burden off Mary and Martha (Lazarus and his income and estate would have been the source of their housing, food, and life). 
 
"...his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the whole city given to idolatry." and "Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified..." and "...Paul purposed in the spirit to go...to Jerusalem." Also, "I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what things will happen to me there..." Acts 17:16; 18:5; 19:21; 20:22
 
These verses show what many take for their own emotions, to be of their spirit. Paul was stirred, or provoked in his spirit about the idolatry. He perceived that in his soul. Together, spirit and soul were stirred and he acted. We might call that 'righteous indignation', a holy anger or provocation about something that is wrong - so much so it says Paul was 'pressed' in his spirit and testified. He first testified to the Jews living in the midst of such error, and then he went to Mars Hill to speak to the city leaders. 
 
He was 'bound in the spirit' to make the trip to Jerusalem. There are times that deep inside we know that we know we must do 'that thing' and it must be now. It may be as minor as a project around the house the Lord urges you in your spirit to do in the morning that you had planned for the afternoon, but you obey without knowing why. Then unexpectedly that afternoon you are called out or a friend stops by, taking the whole afternoon. The Father put in your spirit to do the work earlier because He knew you afternoon would be filled. 
 
It may be that you know that you know you must attend a funeral or wedding or other event - you are pressed in your spirit, bound in your spirit to attend. Paul didn't know what awaited him, but he knew he had to go on that trip...
 
Many people become provoked in their spirit and need to speak about an injustice. There is still a need for order and wisdom as demonstrated by Paul - first he went to the Jews, then the Gentiles. He had an order of sharing and with whom to share what he felt in his spirit. He didn't go nuclear in an outburst of wrath or preaching. 
 
I'll close next week talking about some qualities of our spirit you may not have realized is of your spirit. And the series after this has to do with how the Holy Spirit and our spirit work together in us....until next week, blessings,
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org and email me at cwowi@aol.com

Hi all,
The previous series was about knowing the difference between your spirit and the Holy Spirit. It is in our spirit man that we know Him, that we sense Him, not our minds. Our minds 'perceive' what is happening in our spirit man, but Christ is in our spirit man, not our brains.
 
There is a need to share the qualities of our spirit man, which when we realize these things, it will help answer the question: Is it me, or is it God? 
 
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Jesus observed this when the disciples fell asleep as He was praying in the Garden before His arrest. Paul would later write that in our hearts we want to do what is right, but in our flesh we find we want to sin. The spirit man is eternal, and when recreated by the Holy Spirit, is awake 24/7 and always wants to do what is right. But for now, our spirit is housed in a body of the earth, and is 'weak'. Matthew 26:41, Romans 7:14-25
 
"And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit they reasoned these things in themselves..." Jesus lived and ministered as a Spirit-filled man, but what these men were thinking was something He perceived in His spirit. The Holy Spirit didn't speak to Him, He perceived it. Mark 2:8
 
This tells us our spirit man perceives things in other people. In the previous series I mentioned how a person growing up around alcoholics, once an adult, will be able to perceive in their spirits when they interact with a person who is an addict. This is because they know in their own spirit what that (evil) spirit feels like. 
 
Each person's life story is unique, and each person's spirit will perceive different things at different times from different people. One may perceive lust because they experienced people with lust earlier in life. Another may perceive a person is a Christian or not far from the kingdom because of a witness in their spirit. The Holy Spirit is not speaking or giving revelation, making them wonder, but in their spirit they can sense that other person is either a Christian or at least godly in their life. 
 
"My spirit has rejoiced in God my savior." Luke 1:47. Mary responded saying this when her (pregnant) cousin Elizabeth told her how the baby in her womb leapt for joy at the sound of Mary's voice. Mary's spirit rejoiced. Have you ever awakened and your spirit was full of joy, had an excited feeling, but your mind didn't know why? That is your spirit rejoicing in you, having received or knowing something your mind does not yet know. 
 
Often we don't know why our spirit leaps and experiences such joy that it bubbles over into our soul, but we recognize it. The Holy Spirit in us isn't revealing what it is; it is just our spirit rejoicing in the Lord. 
 
"And the child grew, and became strong in spirit..." Luke 1:80, of the boy John the Baptist. The Greek word 'strong' here is from 'kratos' and means 'exerted power', 'strength'. Do you know someone who is a 'strong spirit' or 'strong in spirit'? I think very often today we say a child is strong willed. John the Baptist was strong willed for God and refused to compromise. The text tells us he spent most of his time out in the wilderness alone with God until the start of his ministry. 
 
This is a quality of the spirit man. Very often it is taken as rebellion and it can be, but steered in the right direction this person's spirit can be raised to be strong in righteousness. I have observed many strong-willed, strong in spirit people struggle with their walk with the Lord due to their sense of righteousness. When life happens and it is unfair, they struggle reconciling God and the injustices in life. The encouragement here is to turn to the Lord in spite of not understanding - remember John was called to prepare the way of Messiah, but he started baptizing people before he ever saw Jesus and pointed Him out os the Lamb of God. Until then, John was blindly doing what he knew to do in life without any questions answered, until one day Jesus came to him to be baptized. 
 
"And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." Luke 2:40
 
This is speaking of young Jesus before age 12, before he became separated from His parents who later found Him in the temple discussing theology with the elders of Israel. Luke 2:40 speaks of His childhood, that He was strong in spirit, wisdom, and grace. 
 
This word 'became strong' is once again based on 'kratos' meaning exerted power, strength. Jesus was strong willed for righteousness, and grew in wisdom, which is how to channel that strong will - teach a strong in spirit young person wisdom. Wisdom is how to apply knowledge, so they need to be taught the reason the parent is saying no, or the reason for yes. This person needs to know as Jesus did, what is the reason behind the reason - that's one reason He was in the temple at age 12 talking with the teachers - He wanted to know the wisdom behind the knowledge. Parents - explain why you are saying and doing what you are doing to such a child. Explain the reason, the wisdom behind your commands, expectations, and encouragements. (and punishments). 
 
These are only a few qualities of the spirit of man, but look at what I've shared thus far: The spirit of man is willing to do anything for God, to go anywhere, even to die for our faith. But the flesh it is housed in is weak. Inwardly we are bold lions ready to take on the world. Outwardly we are cowardly lions who roar loudly but not much else. 
 
We can perceive in our spirit at times what others are thinking, their motives. Our spirit can rejoice, overflowing to our soul which pours out praise to God, while our minds cannot grasp why exactly our spirit rejoices. We can be strong in our spirit, setting our lives for righteousness, yet needing to couple that strong spirit with wisdom and grace....there is so much more! What do you perceive in your spirit? What do you know about yourself? More next week, until then, blessings,
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org and email me at cwowi@aol.com