Who has studied to show themselves approved unto God as 2 Timothy 2:15 says? One Would say… “I read the Bible everyday, and attend Bible study, and listen to the pastor preach.” or another may say “As a leader I read and study the word and speak the words in the book, and can quote the scriptures of the book as well.”  Both of these will feel as if they are and have studied the words of God to show themselves approved.

History began the day there was a person or persons available to record and report things as they happened, or as they came to them. Historical accounts are what records history, what happened in that particular time, messages sent from the past to be read in the future.  We know the history of Moses because Moses and or those who were there at the time of Moses wrote and recorded that history for us to read about in the future, thousands of years later.  We know the history of the United States or our Respective countries because of the same things, throughout time people have written and recorded historical accounts and events that have occurred, been preserved and passed through to the future for us to know what was said and done in the past and got us to the point of where we are today. 

The Bible is a historical account of things that was said and done from Adam, to Noah, to Moses, to Abraham, to David, to Jesus and the disciples.  From Creation to Christ there were scribes and messengers who wrote the things that happened, things they saw and messages they received.  Historical accounts throughout the old testament from messengers such as Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Malachai, Habakuk, and Hosea included prophetic messages sent by God for their current times and situations, times to be fulfilled within their generations, and for times in future generations, many of the prophecies being fulfilled to the letter.  God spoke with Noah in enough detail to give him dimensions to build an ark.  He instructed Kings in matters of their kingdom and of war.  He even led men to women to birth children that were raised to father great kingdoms and powerful nations. In the new testament disciples such as Peter, Matthew, John, and Mark write historical accounts of the messenger Jesus, the things he said, the things he did, what happened to him, and the messages he received from God.  Unlike the old testament it does not include writings from the messenger himself, but of those reporting of the messenger.

So from Adam to Jesus we have books, chapters, and verses written by God’s people and his messengers, we have God speaking to his people by sending his prophets and them writing his words creating a historical account spanning from the beginning of Creation until about 34 A.D.  After that… nothing.  God apparently stopped speaking, prophets wrote no more and Everything ends with the book of Revelation.  Over 2000 years since the book of Revelation was written, (which is a book of prophecy waiting to be fulfilled))and God has said or done nothing? No Messages? No Prophets? No Books?  If we believe in God we know He still lives and exists even until today.  If we believe that He still lives and exists while we are alive today, then His messages and His story did not end over 2000 years ago with the killing of Christ and the writing of the book of Revelation and that we are living a part of His story unto this day.   So… where is he?  Where is His words, messages, miracles and prophets like in the bible? How come we don’t have historical accounts of the bible that account for history all the way up until today?

History is History, whether it is written in the Bible, a book, a tablet, or a pyramid wall it is still a historical account.

If Matthew 6:33 says to seek ye first the Kingdom of God; then what has happened to his voice? His words? His prophets? Where are those who have studied to show themselves approved unto God?

Does quoting familiar scriptures answer these questions?  One who has studied to show themselves approved will not just read the Bible daily and remember the scriptures, but will also read scriptures such as Jude 1:14 that says:

14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

and will go to the book of Genesis, and Chronicles and see that there was an Enoch born in Adam’s family line, but other than his name being mentioned as being born, there is no other mention of Enoch, his words or prophecies by Enoch.  Yet Enoch is mentioned twice in the new testament as an old testament prophet.  Meaning in the time of Jesus and his disciples their Bible or historical  accounts included a book or account written by Enoch that included prophecy.  Where are the words of Enoch?   Those who have studied to show themselves approved will also know that The era in which Jesus lived was a time in which the great Roman Empire began to rise.  A time when not only were religious books and churches burned and eradicated, but so were the teachers, messengers, and prophets. For 1,500 years kingdoms fought in war against other kingdoms and engaged in religious wars and battles against the people within their kingdoms wanting to establish religion and servitude to their leaders or gods. Eventually in order to establish more uniform religion within their societies and kingdoms; books and scripts that were found to be acceptable per governmental and societal standards were put together and translated from one language to another, and then from that language to others with varied texts, words and scriptures edited or removed to help improve interpretation/understanding of the words forming approved and accepted forms of the bible.  The terms of these approved versions were accept them or die, causing many to forsake their sacred books, texts, laws and religion in order to keep their lives.  Literally.  The verbiage and books of approved / accepted versions of the bible have been broken down even further today in order to help improve understanding of the scriptures contained within, or to fit the standards of the religion that uses that specific translation of the bible.  Then each religion or church teaches it doctrine based off of their interpretation of law and the bible based off of the approved supplied documentation.  

There was a young man of about 17 years, preparing for his 18th birthday.  He was very excited about this birthday because he felt this was the birthday that would bring him into manhood and he would finally be an adult.  He planned a big party and invited lots of guests and expected lots of gifts and festivities.  The day of his birthday came and no one attended his birthday event.  He called his grandmother disappointed and sad because no one came and he was so excited just to be let down and disappointed.  His grandmother invited him over saying “sit with me while I make you a birthday dinner.” and so he went to his grandmother’s to have birthday dinner.  And she sat and talked with him while she gathered the ingredients to make her grandson a dinner. He spoke of how depressed sand and disappointed he was while she comforted him saying “Grandma knows all about depression and disappointment, I’m gonna tell you my stories and how life has ups and downs but grandma is still here and smiling and i’m gonna make you soup that’s gonna knock that feeling right off you grandchild.  You will wake up tomorrow better than ever.”  so they talked while his grandmother cooked, and he listened to his grandmother’s stories about her life and her friends and their lives, and he began to picture his grandmother at his age in the stories she told, and then pictured her as his parents age, and the way she spoke was almost like a movie. It was easy to picture her character and hang onto her words because she spoke with a funny accent.  She was raised in Panama the first 10 years of her life and sometimes mixed her native language with engish words.  Before he knew it a deliciously smelling soup was steaming in from of him with dumplings, rice, chicken and different herbs and spices.  The first taste was so good he had to take a break to take in the goodness of the flavor before he took another bite. While he waited it was as if he could feel the warmth of the soup traveling through his body until it reached his heart.  He began to eat more as he listened to his grandmother speak, and the more he ate the warmer he felt and it was like all his sadness and depression began to melt away as he ate and focused on his grandmother  and her stories of triumph over sadness and disappointment.  As sad as he had been when he walked through her door, he no longer felt that sadness and disappointment.  In fact he felt better than he ever had.  Almost equal to the day he graduated high school.  As simple as it was he knew that this would be a birthday and a gift he would always remember.  He told his grandmother so as he thanked her and then went home to sleep.

“just because someone doesn’t come to your party doesn’t mean they don’t love you, think about if they were there when it wasn’t a party or joyous occasion, was that person there when no one else was?”

That night when he slept, he slept comfortably and soundly, and dreamt dreams over his grandmother talking to him saying things like “life is full of ups and downs, and you will always be let down if you trust in others to provide the things you need for yourself.”  and “just because someone doesn’t come to your party doesn’t mean they don’t love you, think about if they were there when it wasn’t a party or joyous occasion, was that person there when no one else was? That is love grandson”.  The next morning he called his grandmother and said “grandma I don’t know what you put in that soup, but I feel good, I learned a lot and I thank you”.

People Watching a Movie

As the young man grew older and entered college and developed relationships life began to get tougher for the young man.  It was close to graduation time, the studies were harder and the relationship he was in began to dwindle because of the demand in studies, classes, and keeping afloat.  Against what he really wanted to do he felt he must end his relationship so that he could ensure his graduation.  Contrary to what he thought he found out ending his relationship was harder than he thought and found that’s all he could focus on his pain, and wondering if the other person was ok.  He called his grandmother to explain his dilemma and how bad he felt.  She once again invited him over saying “It sounds like you need some of gramma’s good soup.”  So he grabbed his books and headed to his grandmother’s.  He once again sat and listened to his grandmother’s accent as she told him stories of her previous relationships and endeavors.  How being a single mother between relationships and sometimes jobs she had to do what was best for her children and what was best for the situation.  As he listened to her and ate of her good soup his mind began to relax and he felt as if he knew what he needed to do with a new determination and clarity.  He thanked her once again for her wisdom and hospitality and headed home to study for a few hours and and the get some rest.  That night when he slept he dreamed dreams again of his grandmother speaking to him saying things like “life is about priorities and creating a balance between what is important.  People who are willing to make life work with you will compromise in order to help keep things in balance.  Think of scales.  If too much weight is put on one end then that end will begin to fall while the other rises.  The scales will not move if there is a perpetual balance.”  and “Your life is your bank account.  As you add to it, your balance grow.  If people begin to remove from your account then they are removing from your life.  Think if someone is adding to your life/account or debiting from your life/account and is what you are removing from the balance worth the cost it is taking from your account/life.”  The young man woke up the next morning and began to reevaluate his priorities making sure he put graduating first even if it meant he had to suffer a few things.  He called his grandmother to tell her his revelations and she said “that is a great thing grandson.  You will do well.”  The young man graduated less than a year later with high honors, thanking his grandmother as inspiration.

life is about priorities and creating a balance between what is important.  People who are willing to make life work with you will compromise in order to help keep things in balance.

As a few years passed and the young man entered into a career and life, his grandmother began to take very ill. She told him she would probably not going to be on this earth much longer and it was almost her time to go.  “I’ve made some soup grandson, come sit with your grandmother one last time and talk with me.  I want to make sure my grandchild will be okay before I leave.”  So the young man headed to his grandmother’s house and sat with her.  The soup had already been prepared and he ate at her bedside saying “Grandmother you want to make sure I am ok, but you are the one who is sick, Im here to make sure you are okay and get better.”  she said to him “Grandson I am going to get better, just not here.  I’m tired of this place and my body is sick and I do not want to fight any more.  I have live more than a full life and fulfilled my purpose here.  Know that I love you and always will.  Remember my stories and they will help you on your path as well grandson.”  and he said to her “Grandmother you and your soup has helped me through so many difficult times and has helped me grow.  I don’t know how I will be able to grow without you.”   and she said to him “You may not know how you will yet but you will, because you have to.  And you know you have to do what you have to do.  I put some soup in the freezer for you, because i know this may be a difficult week for you.  If you fetch me a pen and paper i will write down my secret soup recipe.  I’m giving it to you and no one else, too much soup can get you in trouble.”  So the young man went to look for pen and paper so his grandmother could write down the recipe.  When he finally gathered the two he went back to his grandmother’s room to see she had fallen asleep with a sheet of paper on top of her blanket that read:

Soup

Pan, arroz(ah-rohz),

sopa (soh-pah)

pollo (poh-yoh),

Hierbas y mota (ee-air-bahs)(moh-tah),  

❤❤❤❤❤

Ingles

He took the note and kissed his grandmother and left so that she could rest.  He went home and slept and dreamed dreams of his grandmother and her speaking to him saying “sometimes in life you have to let go even when it is hard to do so.  Sometimes letting go means learning and fulfilling lifes lessons and destiny on your own.  Sometimes letting go means giving strength to someone else to do it on their own as well.  There comes a time when no one is there and everyone will have to look to themselves.  What will they do if they never had to do it on their own?” and “ I have journeyed with you from childhood until now, it’s time that I make this journey alone.  If you love me like I know you do grandson you will know that you have to let me go and make this journey.  My body is old, tired and weak here.  I have to see if I can find a new one.  Do you want me to keep this body here with you? Or would you like me to find a new one, and when you make this part of the journey I can lead you to yours just as I led you in the body that you have now? You are smart, and you love me, so I know you do not want this for me.  Remember my stories and my teachings.  And if you need me you always have Grandma’s soup.”

The next morning he found out that his grandmother had passed the night before.  Just as his grandmother had said, that week was a very long week for him ending with the funeral of his grandmother.  With all the emotions he experienced that week all he wanted to do at the end of it was talk to his grandmother but knew he couldn’t.  But he remembered she had put some soup in her freezer for him.  He got the soup and warmed it up.  The first bite was almost like sitting there with her.  He got the sheet that she wrote the recipe down on.  He read the words knowing the parenthesis mean pronunciation.  He began to pronounce the words in her accented tongue so he could figure the ingredients of the soup.  

Pan.. well of course you need a pan to cook it in

Arroz (Ah Rohs) Sounds like she’s saying a rose, maybe rosemary?

Sopa (Soh-Pah) Sounds like soap?

Pollo (Poh-Yoh) He knew every time she meant chicken she would say pollo

Sopa and chicken must mean clean the chicken.

Hierbas y mota  that looks like herbs and spices. Maybe tomato because she always had trouble with that word.  Be he didn’t remember tomatoes being in the soup

Ingles is a grocery store she would shop at so he knew she was telling him where to buy the ingredients.

After finishing the soup he went to lay in his grandmother’s bed and fell into a deep sleep.  He  dreamed of his grandmother saying “The service was so nice today, it was so good to see everyone and that you all let me go with grace.  I knew you would eat the soup and it would bring you to me. I must go now, I’ll see you again.  You have the recipe for the soup.  I love you.”

The next day as he helped his family clean out his grandmother’s place he began to get sad as he went through her things resurrecting memories and even recognizing mementos from some of the stories she had told him.  

Backstage Preparations

Remember in the bible when God created Adam and he said “Adam I have made the whole earth, and have hidden eggs all over the four corners of the Earth.  Thou must find them.  Follow the Bunny and the Rabbits and they will lead you.  If you find not all the eggs I will forsake thee and they children.”  he then commanded the children of Israel.  Go out into the earth and find the eggs that your forefathers could not find lest I smite ye all from the earth, whosoever finds the most eggs is whom I approve.”  and then he commanded the 12 disciples ” Go ye therefore into the world preaching the gospel of the eggs and the bunny, and because my children and prophets are killed on crosses we are going to use that as a sign to celebrate the weapon used to kill my children.”

You don’t remember those stories? Well neither do I.  What I do remember is this Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.  1 Samuel 12:10 And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

I also remember Jeremiah 27:22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.  Here’s a little tidbit about the gods they served in Babylon. One of them being Ishtar:

Ishtar is the Mesopotamian East Semitic (Akkadian, Assyrian and Babylonian) goddess of fertility, love, war, sex, and power.^[1] She is the counterpart to the earlier attested Sumerian Inanna, and the cognate for the later attested Northwest Semitic Aramean goddess Astarte.

Well what does that have to do with anything?  Well the eggs represent fertility.  Fertilize the egg you get life.  Rabbits and Bunnies represent sex and their strong ability to repopulate and reproduce quickly.  Ishtar is the cognate or same as the Aramaic goddess Astarte which is the same as Ashtaroth. When you celebrate the god of eggs and bunnies you are giving celebration to the god of sex and fertility.  Ashtaroth as she was called in Aramea, Ishtar as she was called in Babylon, and Easter today.

Were not the children of Israel greatly punished for serving and turning to these gods and not serving the God of earth who is greater than these Gods?  Were they not put into captivity over and over because they chose to serve strange Gods including Ashtaroth and Ishtar and serve them even more when they were taken into the countries in which they were captive?  Didn’t he give the children of Israel a time to turn from those gods and back to Him before he destroyed those cities as wicked?

Having a fun activity for the kids to do with the purpose of fun is one thing; but doing  things that give celebration to other gods is what Israel was, and has been punished for.  Mark 7:⁷ Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.⁸ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.⁹ And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  2 Timothy 2:¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.¹⁸ Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.  2 Thessalonians 2:¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Study to show thyself approved.  Happy Ishtar !!