Challenging History

By Gerald Berube

Purpose of this book is to hopefully encourage

readers that history is a resource an open mind

can learn from in order to help make better useful

decisions. This book exposes events in the American

history of people that made decisions to benefit

self and others based on bibical standards. Some

of my personal testimony was mentioned in order to

encourage who so ever to see and accept themselves

as they are because God does, and He didn't create

anyone or anything inperfect.

My past and present helped me to prepare for my

future relationships and decisions. The people

noted in this book made decisions according to the

satus quo within their environment and made a

decision on how to witness a better way to live.

Hopefully you as a reader or one searching for

answers can find self worth by encouraging you to

dig deep into reviewing history, scripture and your

soul in order to receive that connection.

I encourage you to look up some of the events

noted within this book and see for yourself how

the truth written in history can be relevant

for decision making for today and tomorrow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639611966

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Challenging History

Gerald Berube

Copyright © 2022 by Gerald Berube

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Beginnings

History

Standards

Sojourner

Judgments

MISC

Choices

Status Quo

Crucifixion

Relationships

Salvation

Fellowship

Prayer

Beginnings

All life is a reproduction from a seed. To every rule, there’s an exception, but to this one, there are two exceptions:

God the creator had no beginning and possesses omni-power and omni-wisdom.

All life was created, then the reproduction from seeds began after its kind.

Attributes below apply to the Godhead:

Omniscience = Infinite wisdom

God: With whom did He take council, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding? (Isa. 40:14).

Christ: That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the assurance of understanding in the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2–3).

Holy Spirit:

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man except the spirit of man which is in him. Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Cor. 2:10–13)

Omnipresence = Universal presence

God: Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord, And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord (Jer. 23:23–24).

Christ: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Christ] was in the beginning with God (John 1:1–2).

Holy Spirit:

Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your right hand shall hold me. (Ps. 139:7–10)

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:8)

Omnipotence = Infinite power

Creative Word. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day (Gen. 1:31).

Endurance: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understandings is unsearchable (Isa. 40:28).

Christ authority:

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of council and might. The Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isa. 11:2)

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and the power to take it again. This commandment I have received from My Father. (John 10:17–18)

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know you are the Holy one of God! But Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him! (Mark 1:23–25)

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Rom. 8:11)

But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I have said to you. (John 14:26)

Exemption to the laws of reproduction are angels. Angels are faithful messengers of God.

John 1:1–3: Creation by and through Christ (not an angel).

Colossians 1:16: Angels created by Christ.

Hebrews 1:14: Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to those who will inherit salvation.

Luke 1:26–49: Angel announced the birth of Christ to a virgin named Mary.

Acts 12:3–12: Angel released Peter from prison with four squads of soldiers guarding him.

Acts 12:23: Angels can bring sudden death because of not giving glory to God.

Psalm 103:20: Angels are powerful and do the pleasures of God.

Luke 15:10: Joy over sinners repenting.

Matthew 22:30: No marriages in heaven, but like the angels of God in heaven, sexless.

Isaiah 37:36: One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian warriors.

Matthew 28:2–4: Guards at tomb shook with fear and became as dead men when they saw the angel.

Psalm 8:4–5: Man a little lower than angels.

Hebrews 2:7–9: Christ made a little lower than angels.

1 Corinthians 6:2–3: Angels judged by us the church.

Revelation 14:15: Angels to thrust sickle to reap harvest.

Ezekiel 28:12–15: Describes the fallen angel due to pride.

The above describes some of the ministries angels preform. Leaders in the army of angels similar to leaders in the earthly military forces. Angels are as different as the purpose of a man and a woman but similar as to supporting each other. They are numerous in numbers, powerful, loyal, wise, and relational beings. They protect while the Holy Spirit gives gifts. I firmly believe angels protected me from a serious accident due to the quickness of how the end came about. I could have rear-ended a car and be rear ended by a car when I realized I was in the breakdown lane.

Since angels are not ordained to judge and are created and cannot create disqualifies Christ as an angel. We are to judge angels and would also judge Christ if that was the case but Christ is our judge. Christ lowered Himself by putting aside His glory to redeem us but reclaimed it when He returned to heaven. This view is confirmed by God as seen by writers of the gospels who witnessed hearing a voice from heaven acknowledging Christ as His Son.

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (At baptism of Christ, also found in Mark 1:11 and Luke 3:22, Matt. 3:17)

While he [Peter at the mount of transfiguration] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! (Matt. 17:5, also found in Mark 9:7 and Luke 9:35)

Apostle Peter had a distinctive personality both in the physical and the spiritual but he was a man of wisdom and commitment. He not only received the keys of the kingdom, he also became a spokesman for Christ.

For He [Christ] received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Pet. 1:17)

One needs to remember and realize the heart of Christ which was to please the one He loved. He placed Himself second to the desires of His Father as seen when He said as in John 12:28, Father, glorify Your Name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.

God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent (Num. 23:19a).

Just as God made man a man and woman a woman also defines Christ and angels differently. Angels like man and women are created to minister, worship, and serve God and created with intelligence to minister, free will, and emotions. Man at the present are a little lower than angels but in eternity we will be above angels. We can reproduce here on earth but not in heaven. Creation—something from nothing. Man invents by taking material to achieve a useful creation. This creation is from an existing matter while God spoke matter into existence.

Seeds are the resource for new life of any being, animal, bug, and plant. They all need good water, soil, air, and light. The first seed of any species derived from its first parent as stated in Genesis 1:1–31. Both the good and bad need to be known before making a decision. The love of God equals forgiveness. We see after creation that it was judgment that resulted in some sort of change as seen in the status of the serpent, Adam and Eve, and the earth. God doesn’t destroy any part of His creation, but He does change its status. There are certain times to sow or plant and certain soil conditions and climate are needed for certain plant forms of life. Some life forms can’t survive in extreme hot or cold conditions. It’s the seed that determines the appearance and endurance. Also after the fall, it’s the soul of man that changed but seed still continues to reproduce as by its created design.

Mankind, due to our limitations, has to use natural resources created by God to meet our needs. God made us free agents to live and enjoy life as we please, but He also gave us the consequences if we don’t follow instructions. It’s like not following instructions for planting, pruning, irrigation, and fertilizing. There’s times when parts of the crop is discarded due to being unripe. So it is also with people that leave the faith as in 1 Timothy 4:1, by giving head to deceiving spirits. At times, it isn’t noticeable looking at a crop seeing which is good or bad. Likewise there’s those who have faith and a contrite heart and those who say they do. Philip, a deacon of a church in Jerusalem, became a missionary. Peter, an apostle, spent three years trained by Christ. Up to this point, who seems to be greater? God can use any personality as seen by the twelve that were chosen. Peter trained, Philip heard, and Paul transformed. People don’t know of God until a connection is made to know Him.

Even with our sinful nature forgiveness is free for the asking. Christ said in John 12:47–48, If anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. The word is relevant today regardless when it was said and written. Forgiveness is paramount in any relationship by accepting others for who they are. It’s like not being charged for a bill we can’t pay. A free gift and respect is given by relationship, not earned.

The mysteries of God are to be taken by faith. We have faith when we plant a certain seed that it will produce after its own kind. So it is in the spiritual when one surrenders to Christ and becomes a new creation spiritually. This is the good seed of love from Christ while the seed of bitterness is from Satan. Scripture or the soil in this case clarifies the difference. Harvest depends on the condition of the soil and weather the farmer discards the spoils. So it will be when Christ returns with His angels as mentioned in Matthew 25:31–33, when the sheep (good seed) and goats (bad seed) are separated at time of harvesting.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Light is the word: 1 John 1:5, Luke 4:4, Luke 8:11

Blood is the fellowship: Mark 14:24, Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 10:19, Rev. 19:13

Water is the soil: Psalm 24:1, Psalm 29:3, John 3:5

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6)

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear. and immediately blood and water came out. (John 19:34)

Does one always sense a sick body? A person needs a doctor to find the extent of your illness and put you on the road to recovery. Christ can also heal your soul and do a greater work of rebirth. Light brings peace. We can choose what seems to be right but in reality it can be wrong. Many as we age tire out more easily so we may sit and relax more. Little by little more energy and maybe desires are lost. With little desire to complete a chore due to lack of energy, we become a couch potato. On the flipside, if we convince ourselves to be more active and exercise we would have a healthier life outlook. We can cater to our flesh and do as we please and die at the end or we can cater to our spirit and enjoy life even if our flesh doesn’t and live at the end. One doesn’t have to be an intelligent being with degrees to figure out the best choice. In reality, we’re all intelligent. It’s the choices we make that determines the quality of life now and later.

There’s three beginnings: creation, salvation, and a new heaven and earth. Christ is the creator, redeemer, and our restorer. It’s the church that will enjoy victory upon His return. Why didn’t God destroy Satan when he rebelled? We don’t understand the mysteries of God, but He has a solution. God doesn’t destroy any part of His creation, but He transforms. We can walk the fence and produce as it seems good fruit, but the inside is rotten. Spiritually speaking the Apostle John spoke of a church which can apply to us. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Rev. 3:15–16).

Only good seeds through the righteous of Christ will be planted in heaven. We have an enemy who has an agenda to sow if possible bad seeds into any soul. We need to be on guard because unaware, Satan can plant bad seeds by having something look good through our senses. As by this example in Matthew 13:25, While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went on his way.

Wheat and tares looks alike but wheat is used for food while tares is poisonous. The ways of the world and Christ often contradict each other. We have the wheat which could represent the spiritual needs and the tares could represent earthly desires. Things we see and need are not bad things since God has given them to enjoy. They are for our enjoyment while we sojourn during our earthly visit. It’s a time of preparation for our final abode. You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little while and then it vanishes away (James 4:14).

The question is, how deep and what kind of soil is our roots receiving its nutrients from? We’re watered by the word as we grow into our potential. An enjoyable life awaits for us to reach for it. We can rest that the light will clean out our temples if so desires. By experience God has proven to have the best qualifications.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:1–2).

The principles God has set up are not what we interpret at times. The start of the church (which is a seed) had its roots started spiritually speaking on the day of Pentecost. Nutrients are given to our spiritual being as we read, pray, and serve to be healthy. Just as in any garden there are weeds, but they’re uprooted when we rest in the seed of faith that we are not alone. We’re taught on how to plant seeds by listening and seeing examples. Two things are needed to start. We must accept ourselves as we are and place ourselves in a church that lifts up Christ according to scripture so you can serve and bear enjoyable fruit. The word has various types of fruits as in the fruits of the Spirit but all for the same purpose.

Principles are absolutes but methods are variable. God may use different methods to fulfill His absolute principles through your life. Your God-given abilities becomes a concept and that can become a way of life. God gives you insight or wisdom in how to apply that idea. As an example of being a tither, you expect miracles from your seed. We’re in control of our decisions but God has the ultimate control. Keep in mind there two channels.

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3:7)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man [or woman] sows, that he [or she] will also reap. God is no respector of any person. (Gal. 6:7)

Peter said that God shows no partiality to anyone (Acts 10:34). God clarified this by the vision Peter saw in Acts 10:13–15, And the voice from heaven replied, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ Another example of this is seen in 2 Kings 5:1–17, As when a Syrian commander named Naaman inquired of a prophet Elisha of being healed of leprosy was granted. Syria and Israel were enemies at the time but when God is approached He may grant an answer to a request from His people on the behalf of others. God can reveal and implement His purpose, plan, and execute it even through our imperfections. It’s seeing ourselves through our own eyes that holds us back. We need to see ourselves as Christ does. Many see God as only someone in heaven while others relate to Him personally. Regardless of how close or far a person is to God the same love can be received.

Research, experience by hands on, and seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit can keep us from making wrong choices. Lessons on how and why are taught at an early age in order to become independent and we follow that example. Later in life choices are resolved on dependence of own desires regardless of external input. If this is what life is all about, we shortchange ourselves. There are times we could have avoided tragedy not only by our senses but also by external input. Just like giving a deaf ear to a suggestion is at times victory to Satan. We may wonder where was God when we needed Him, but He was ready through the Holy Spirit to encourage and give just by asking for wisdom.

I have figurines of Christ and Jefferson. Some may think of them as unimportant and at times under fire, but what would we have today if it wasn’t for them? We can limit or extend our means by how we view things. Relationships of various types have a basic need of giving and receiving.

Examples are husband and wife, employer and employee, fans and athletes, teachers and students, but the top of the list is God and His creation. The Word in flesh, ambassador of God the Father, the I AM, went through everything together except when Christ was on the cross and carried the full burden of sin. God so loved His Son but hates sin. Christ said we will have trials and tribulations, but He has overcome them. We can also restart our journey by allowing the Holy Spirit to draw us to Christ.

Being self-sufficient is a small person relying on self, which makes one alone at the end of the race. Starting and ending the day with God gives present and eternal peace. Admitting our faults removes the guilt God will respond to. God is willing and ready for you before you’re willing and ready for Him.

For as the heavens