--- Are You a Real Boy or Girl? ---
Did you know there people who are not?
Many are walking around dead and don't even know! (John 5:24)
Do you want to be a living son or daughter of our Creator?
A true friend of our God יהוה? (Isa 41:8)
Like Pinocchio, is "your" desire to be real?
(2 Cor 6:17 of 6:14-7:1; Psa 110:3 of 1-3; Acts 2:16-21)
Written: June 2024

This is a copy of a personal letter written my uncle as a part of my attempt to understand and talk about what he and I face in our lives; in our lives today with our old age along with living in this dangerous world. After writing it, I decided I really wanted to say it to all my family. And then, I decided I wanted to say it to you! So... Rather that rework it for you, I just decided to post a copy of his original letter.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Hey Lowell and all,

I hope this finds you well and having peace. Nice talking with you Uncle Lowell.

You said something like “If God is going to do something to help, I wish he would hurry up so I can get some help," or something like that. Amen! Amen! Amen! In my own case, I sometimes feel a bit selfish for feeling like that. But, I do know God told us in Heb 11:6 that “all” who come to God must believe that he exists and that he becomes the rewarder of those who seek him out [all who believe He is good]. So, it doesn’t seem wrong to hope for his promised reward. Seems right! (Mark 11:24)

Something else to think about with regard to our hoped for relief; something maybe we can do to benefit ourselves: Jesus said in

[(Mat 24:14) "when the good news of the kingdom has been preached throughout the earth for a witness to all the nations; 'then,' the end will come."]

Doesn't it seem like lots of people all through the earth must be having conversations similar to this. Isn't talking about our world's problems, and how Jesus specifically foretold them all and promised their fix, isn't that making the good news of Christ's Kingdom known? Isn't that helping people hear about their one simple need… (Mark 9:7) Could, then, our talking with others about what is happening “speed” us to the end and expedite our relief? (Isa 60:21-22 of 18-22; Mal 3:16-4:3) Note Jesus did say the good news would be preached throughout the earth, “and then,” the end would come… Doesn't that make the "timing" of our relief, to some degree, our own responsibility? The preachers of this world just don’t seem to be making the truth known at all. They mostly just want to get members for their church, and then, get their money to build it bigger or to buy a faster jet plane. They do offer up some plan of help for their sheep: Their encouragement seems mostly to just go on suffering until we die; and then, pop to heaven. The idea that God is going to step in to help seems foreign to them. That means the churches are not telling people about God’s simple solution, including Jesus's warning we must avoid sectarian memberships. (Mat 23:1-15; Mat 24:23-28) Rather than follow God's simple instructions to just pick up a Bible and read the words of His Christ, (Mark 9:7) so as to provide ourselves deliverance through faith in what we know personally are Jesus's teachings; (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) the churches each want to convince you of your need for a membership in their sect. How foolish! The more of us talking about and praying for God’s arrangement through Christ, and warning people they must each one listen only to Jesus, (Mat 23:1-15) the sooner our relief will come. That would seem to include knowing what God's promises are, and why He needs to act; and why now seems the time! As has happened in past periods, righteousness is being systematically choked out in the earth; well, apart from God's protection of faithful individuals. (2 Pet 2:7-9 of 1-9; Gen 6:9-13) The earth is in turmoil everywhere you look and there are no signs it is getting better. Conversely, there is every sign it is getting worse. Everyone needs to be told and helped to understand what is happening to them, and why: That knowledge is the good news of the Kingdom. People are being rapidly divided by Jesus into one of two groups, (Mat 25:31-34 - see below) not according to church membership or approval, but by their own personal faith in the words they actually know Jesus Christ spoke; and that from their having personally read his words! Those who believe Jesus words, recognize what we see happening in the world is the sign [or signs] of "the end" Jesus promised.

[(Matthew 24:3-7) 3 While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.
(Mat 24:11-14) 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. 13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.
(Mat 24:21-22) 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones (or those being chosen) those days will be cut short.]

All the while, those without faith say only foolish people believe God is going to intervene, (2 Pet 3:3-4) expressing “their hope and belief” mankind will work out his problems by governments and rule of law, or by religious establishments and the supposed love they show. Jesus did also say we should be happy when we identify the problems indicating the last days; the days he told us to watch in anticipation of.

[(Luke 21:25-28) 25 “Also, there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and (its) agitation, 26 while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift YOUR heads up, because YOUR deliverance is getting near.”]

This, then, is what we now see:

[(Matthew 25:31-34) 31 “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world (or from the creation of the earth).]

Are you in expectation of [or recognizing] Christ's kingdom as it takes over rulership of the earth; completely?

Those who don’t have faith in Christ will scoff and say “where is this promised presence of his.” (2 Pet 3:1-7) That, or course, amounts to their own judgment of themselves.

[(John 3:16-21) 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent forth his Son into the world, not for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him. 18 He that exercises faith in him is not to be judged. He that does not exercise faith has been judged already, because he has not exercised faith in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. 19 Now this is the basis for judgment, that the light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. 20 For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. 21 But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.”]

As you stated you hoped, I too would like to be one to avoid the sting of death, (Heb 9:27; 1 Cor 15:54-57 of 51-58) one of those whom Jesus said will "never die at all," (John 11:25-26) even as Job also promised we can do:

[(Job 33:17-18) GNB God speaks to make them stop their sinning and to save them from becoming proud. (18) He will not let them be destroyed; he saves them from death itself.
(Job 33:22-25) GNB they are about to go to the world of the dead. (23) Perhaps an angel may come to their aid--- one of God's thousands of angels, who remind us of our duty. (24) In mercy the angel will say, "Release them! They are not to go down to the world of the dead. Here is the ransom to set them free." (25) Their bodies will grow young and strong again;
(Job 33:28-29) GNB He kept me from going to the world of the dead, and I am still alive." (29) God does all this again and again;]

In addition to our need to talk with everyone we know about God’s deliverance from this present tribulation, at or by his destruction of the wicked at Armageddon, is our need to consider the power of prayer; the power of “our” prayer, if we are lovers of God and followers of His Christ.

[(James 5:16) . . .A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force.]

We all need to understand, every single word God speaks becomes an oath we can then rely on.

[(Isaiah 45:22-24) 22 “Turn to me and be saved, all YOU [at the] ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no one else. 23 By my own self I have sworn—out of my own mouth in righteousness the word has gone forth, so that it will not return—that to me every knee will bend down, every tongue will swear, 24 saying, ‘Surely in יהוה there are full righteousness and strength. . . .] You should recognize יהוה to be God's Hebrew Name as written in stone by the finger of God Himself. (Exo 31:18)

And another promise יהוה has spoken:

[(Isaiah 55:11) . . .so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it.]

Once we learn some of יהוה's promises, Jesus tells us we should ask for them in full expectation of receiving them.

[(Mark 11:24) This is why I tell YOU, All the things YOU pray and ask for have faith that YOU have practically received, and YOU will have them.]

Then, while heeding Jesus's warning to avoid sectarian organizations that imagine they are elevated to judge who is pleasing God [with each sect teaching their approval equates with the approval of God, (Mat 23:1-15)] we "can" join with others who actually are Christians; made so by their personal faith in the teachings of God’s Son. We can join those looking intently at the chief agent and perfecter of our faith! (Heb 12:1-3) We must realize, however, we are joined to other humans only by our common faith and by our personal prayers, joined because their prayers are the same as ours. Our membership roll is seen only by יהוה! (Luke 10:20 of 20-22) We pray for the same basic things all other individual Christians pray for. We may and should love people who say they are Christians! But, we are not judges of whether they actually are; nor can we know the sincerity or value of their prayers... God knows! All Christians have learned from Christ what we should pray for, and then, are all asking for God’s will to take place. Then, we all “expect” what we know to be God's will to happen… God has spoken it! Our united prayers, from all around the earth, rise up before יהוה both by day and by night. (Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3; Pro 15:8; Psa 141:2)

[(Mat 18:19) Again I truly say to YOU, If two of YOU on earth agree concerning anything of importance that they should request, it will take place for them due to my Father in heaven.]

I don't think Jesus was talking about asked once and forgotten prayers, but a constant asking for and expecting our deliverance; about our constantly looking to God's becoming our very way of life; becoming who we are. (1 Cor 8:5-6; Eph 1:8-10; Eph 3:14-21; Col 1:26-29; Col 3:5-11)

[(Luke 11:9-10) 9 Accordingly I say to YOU, Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. 10 For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened.(James 1:5-8) 5 So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from יהוה God, 8 for he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.]

Just imagine what force with God a whole cloud of Jesus’s followers, all throughout he earth, praying for their deliverance at his hand, can have! That might indicate the Good news of the kingdom has been preached throughout the earth. (Mat 24:14)

Join me, then, in praying this oath of God recorded by the prophet Malachi, as we both “expect” it to happen [along with the many other individuals we can share this truth and prayer with]:

[These scriptures have God’s Hebrew Name restored. God's Name was given Moses on stone tablets written by the finger of God. (Exo 31:18) And, The Name was used over 6000 times in the original Bible text. God’s Diving Name ( יהוה ) sounds like "

" to English speakers (“yea” go team followed by “Vah,” like the first letters of vault).]

[(Malachi 3:16-4:3) MWT ...At that time those in fear of יהוה spoke with one another. יהוה kept paying attention and listening, so that a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared him and esteemed his name. (17) "They shall be mine, says יהוה of armies, in the day when I make up my special property (gather my chosen people), and I will protect them just as a man shows compassion for his own son who serves him. (18) Then you will see the distinction between the righteous one and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
(Malachi 4:1-3) MWT "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be like stubble for the flames. The day that is coming shall set them all ablaze, says יהוה of hosts, so that I will leave them neither present life nor future hope (offspring). (2) But for you who fear my name, the sun (son) of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (3) And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act in justice says יהוה of hosts.]

As to those who scoff and do harm, by promoting salvation by the governments or Religionists or the other works of men; with some even saying we already have “peace and security” [such as news people and politicians telling us not to worry, there is more good news than bad, and all is well], let them taste the destruction Paul warned God has in place for them:

[(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, YOU need nothing to be written to YOU. 2 For YOU yourselves know quite well that יהוה‘s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.]

I have enclosed my 2 most recent webpages. ["Deliverance?" and "The Antichrist?"] They amount to my current Bible studies and I go over the scriptures in the “Difference?” study most every day. Those Scriptures are what I believe. They are my hope, and, I think, they keep me going; literally… I don’t see how "all" the scriptures from the Bible could spell out any different hope. These studies are probably not a one sitting read. In my mind they are a summation of the entire Bible, but, the scriptures they reference are what is important.

Better to read these enclosed webpages ["Deliverance?" and "The Antichrist?"] online if possible. All the referenced scriptures are then just a mouse click away. These are not on the thumb drive I gave you. Your thumb drive can be updated any time. Or, a new one can be created. If Noah should want to refresh yours, I would be pleased to show him how.

Righteously inclined people seem a bit like Pinocchio from the childhood fable [apparently written to teach children about the value of integrity, obedience to parents, and trying to do good to others]. Pinocchio was a fictional marionette who was somehow given life, but not real human life. That left Pinocchio with a burning desire to be a “real” boy! And, making us somewhat like Pinocchio, we are all born from imperfect parents, thus having been given life but still not “really alive”... [Adam and Eve, having chosen to make themselves imperfect by their sin, were left with only imperfection to pass on to all of us.] So, all are born imperfect and dying and headed to the grave. (1 Cor 15:21-22) None have tasted the true and everlasting life God intended; the life He gave Adam and Eve at creation. That leaves all of us seeking to become “real” boys and girls; boys and girls who will live forever… God wants that too. (1 Tim 6:17-19; Rom 2:3-7 of 1-11)

There is another way we are all born like puppets on strings [like Pinocchio]. Newborns have no experience of life or history. They know nothing of what is acceptable loving human behavior, and what is bad. They must rely totally on those who surround and care for them to give direction to their lives. Their parents [and others] pull the strings that control every aspect of their lives. But once again, that is not really being alive! They are each one still dying... Every newborn immediately starts to learn about God, from those who are pulling their strings, and from others they see. Hopefully, they have loving parents who direct them from infancy to the true God of the Bible. (2 Tim 3:14-17) Sadly, many are surrounded by people who don't know God and thus "suppress the truth" in an unrighteous way. (Rom 1:18 of 18-20) Such string pullers have nothing to give in a righteous way. Even with no righteous persons to help, every individual, young or old, has God's Creation to draw them to God and to the Bible and to Christ. God makes a way for every person who is desiring to know him, (2 Chron 16:9) everyone desiring to become a real boy or girl, to hear about him and deliverance through faith in His Son. (Rom 1:20 of 18-23) If you suspect someone hasn't heard about Christ, tell them. (1 Cor 15:34) Just from being born into his wonderful creation, God's children can reason out his existence. (Heb 3:4; Eph 3:8-12) It is the fool who says otherwise. (Psa 14:1; Psa 53:1) Real boys and girls, then, are no longer marionettes; jerked about by the strings pulled by their religious leaders or the other humans in their lives. (James 1:5-8) The problem for you is this: You are surrounded by wannabe puppeteers desiring to give you life directions, and, every one of us is convinced we are right. What each one believes has absolutely no value, of course, unless it happens to be what the Bible actually teaches. Then, it is the most important thing in life. Deciding what Bible truth is, is the purpose of your existence. (Acts 17:26-27 of 22-28) This, then, is what I believe the Bible teaches: If you are satisfied to "hang out" with a sect or gang of people, religious or otherwise, and are looking to them for your approval and direction and even your purpose, (John 5:44 of 39-44) I believe the Bible teaches you will soon be dead. (Mal 4:1-3) That is not to offend! Jesus said we will all be dead soon, if we aren't among those being protected by Holy Spirit. (Mat 24:21-22) I'm just trying to be among those protected! (Mal 3:16-18) To receive God's gift of life, you must start by being a person searching for him, (2 Chron 16:9) and then, be drawn by God to take to heart the words of his son; (John 6:65 John 6:44 of 37-45; Mark 9:7) thus making yourself a real boy or a real girl. Christians awaken every day with a purpose that we happily and freely work toward: (John 15:11; John 16:23-24) Talking with others about the Good News of Christ's Kingdom. (Mat 9:35; Acts 5:42 of 38-42; Rom 1:14-18) Jesus said everlasting life is taking in knowledge of he and his Father. (John 17:3) Christians have accepted the glorious freedom that comes from our willing submission as slaves of God and his Christ. (Rom 8:18-21) That doesn't mean we are slaves without freedom. Actual freedom comes from submission to our heavenly Father, because everything God does is good and perfect. (John 8:31-32) That means, any deviation from יהוה's will causes harm! Jesus set the perfect example of submission to his Father. (1 Cor 15:24-28 of 12-28) We must each one follow Christ's lead in our own personal submission to our God and Father. (1 Chron 29:10-13) Our happy submission to our Father helps him complete his creation of our perfect home; so everyone can have the real life, and, enjoy that life forever. (Mat 25:34 of 31-41)

So, don't you now understand, יהוה sent His Son to teach us all how to become real boys and girls. If we just listen to Jesus and follow “his” example and directions, we gain everlasting life. (John 8:31-32; John 10:27-29; John 12:50 of 48-50; John 17:3) Important to understand about our hope, however, no human or group can grant it or even know who has it. Only heaven knows! (Luke 10:20 of 20-22) Jesus warned you not to expect to find a group or sect to lead you. (Mat 7:15; Luke 13:24-28) Jesus is our only leader. (Mat 23:1-15) Knowing me won’t help you [except as you hear me encourage you to read and take to heart Christ’s words for your-own-self]. No membership in any religious sect can help. Becoming a real boy or girl is a decision and effort you must make for yourself. You must cut all your controlling strings. That amounts to realizing “only” Jesus Christ can be depended on to guide and direct you; because none of the rest of us are yet real. Like you, the very best of the rest of us are just "trying to become" a real boy or girl. And, none of us can be quite sure how free we have yet become, (John 8:31-32) or how hung up by strings we still need to break free of. (1 Cor 4:1-5) That's one of the reasons God appointed Jesus to teach you... (Mark 9:7; Mat 17:5) To set you free! (John 8:31-32)

Best always, “your favorite nephew,” [I do know that’s highly ~~debated~~ "contested" among your other nephews.]

Joe

PS: I wrote this to you Lowell, but I now find I want to say it to the rest of our family as well. Then, I find I want to say it to everyone alive. If it is OK with you, I would just like to publish this letter on JustBibleTruth.com as is. [It is under the link: "Real Boy Or Girl?"] If you are uncomfortable with that, I will be pleased to rework it or to remove your names and post it as anonymous. Let me know.

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