Steven Garofalo
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FOUR POSITIVE THINGS TO START YOUR DAY
By Steven Garofalo, May 3, 2023 (Copyright 2023)
May 03, 2023

FOUR POSITIVE THINGS TO START YOUR DAYGetting up and getting motivated each day seems a bit harder with the world in such disorder and lawlessness. As a result, it seems harder to get up and start our day with joy, vigor and motivation. Today, I want to show you four ways or three things that God’s Word tells us regarding how we can start each day with a new pep in our step. I pray this helps you today and each day forward.

Before we look at the first of these four ways in which we as Christians can start our way in the Spirit of God as a positive day, I want to mention one way in which are NOT to start our day, which is that we are not to be slothful or lacking in our zeal for the Lord and the present day of life He has given us. It is very easy to feel sorry for ourselves or get down and depressed about the state of the country, economy and part of our personal life in light of the first two. So let’s start by AVOIDING being slothful in our zeal for life-the present day the Lord has given us and for the gift of our relationship with Him in this lost world. Why? Because we actually have God as our provider and compass when most in the world do not. That is enough to motivate us to avoid slothful zeal for the Lord and the present day. Let’s now move onto four simple things the Lord tells us about how TO start our day and each day forward in a positive light that will change your life and mine!

  1. FIRST: With a zealous spirit for the Lord, let’s look at a life in terms of SERVING THE LORD with all we have been given. That might mean serving the Lord as a mom, dad, manager at work, business owner, neighbor, or church leader. The list can go on regarding ways in which we can serve the Lord daily. If we do that, we will focus less on ourselves and feel as though we are making a positive difference in our negative world; helping others to see the Lord Jesus Christ in our godless society that is presently, but temporarily driven by evil. That’s number one.
  2. SECOND: Make sure to REJOICE in the hope the Lord has given us. This reflects back on number one in terms of our gratitude for all the Lord has given us to do on this earth. Most people live without purpose and meaning, but followers of Jesus Christ don’t lack such meaning and purpose, as we see life through an eternal, godly, biblical lens, not a fatalistic-secular one as the world does. Let’s make certain that we start each day in prayer-rejoicing in the hope that we have been given by the Lord in His Word for the incredible life opportunities He has given us to serve Him today in this world and the perfect, painless joyful life yet to come in eternity. 
  3. THIRD: Let’s do our best to be PATIENT in and through the current TRIBULATIONS that comes our way daily. We can all attest that there is no shortage of tribulation in our world today and in our daily lives. It seems at times as though we are being held underwater; only let up for a brief breath of air before being pushed down once again. God tells us that if we are patient in tribulation that He will use that tribulation to form us more so in His image through sanctification, trials, endurance and spirit. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will recieve the crown of life tht the Lord has promised tothose who love him" (James 1;12). "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:2-5). We need to trust Him on this one because it’s the hardest thing to do in life.
  4. FOURTH AND LASTLY: Let’s be deliberate about being CONSTANT IN OUR PRAYER LIFE. It’s easy to pray quickly once or twice a day and check the box. Prayer is our conduit to God and we are missing out if we are not praying throughout our day for small things such as for a parking spot at the gym as well as for big things life world peace. It’s easy to feel as though the small things burden God and the big things we pray for are too big for just one person like you or I to pray for. Nothing is further from the truth in that God wants us in a constant connected state of relationship with him-depending and relying on Him so that we see that He is at the helm of all things small and large. God knows the number of hairs of each person’s head (Luke 12:7). He also knows each parking spot in every shopping center, as well as the hearts of all world leaders and when they will come to terms with world peace in God’s timing. 

In closing, God tells us not to be slothful in our zeal for God and the life He has given you. The word here can mean “in diligence”, meaning that Christians should not offer their serve half-heartedly or in a lazy manner. Instead, Paul encourages the Romans first and you and I today to serve eagerly and with sincerity and intense conviction (v.11). This means serving God fervently like the boiling of water. The believer who is to constantly praying will be “Rejoicing in hope”. He will be “patient” (Gk.hupomeno) and enduring, “in tribulation. It never ceases to amaze me regarding how God provides for us in in a way that we not only survive, but also thrive in today’s crazy world. Lastly, we are to be constant in prayer.” (Romans 11:12). For this is our lifeline to the living and all power God of the universe who knows every detail of our life, our needs, wants, and every thing thing going on in the universe; from the parking lot at the gym to world peace, to the state of the climate, to the things that effect your family, job, health, and life in general, and all other things. Before we leave I want to leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:11. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:11-12)

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DO PETS GO TO HEAVEN?

When I was in seminary, the question was raised as to if pets or animals in general go to heaven. Our professor, Dr. Norman Geisler said this: “Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross for the human race, not animals.” I was working out at the gym one day when one of the regulars, who had just moved to Charlotte, NC from California told me that one of her beloved dogs died; and would that dog go to heaven. I have her the same answer. But, was that the whole story? That’s what we are going to look at today.

In a peace by Michael Housman, Founder of GotQuestions.Org, Housman wrote that “The BIble does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets or animals in general have souls, or spirits, or whether pets and other animals will be in heaven.

His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

If pets and other animals do have a “soul” (or spirit or immaterial aspect), it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pets and other animal “souls”  do not continue in existence after death.

Another factor to consider regarding whether pets will be in heaven is that animals are a port of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the NEW EARTH as described in (Revelation 21:1). 

In the end, there will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitely whether some animals of these animals might be the pets we had here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever that turns out to be.

So, there you have it. I think that’s the best answer on the subject in all honest. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and check out StevenGarofalo.Com for exclusive content and early release of our two weekly podcast.

Until next time, I’m your host Steven Garofalo, and this is your reason for truth for today.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
By Steven Garofalo, May 2, 2025

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ECONOMY

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

WHAT DO PROTESTANTS BELIEVE?

A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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