THOUGHTS OF LIFE AND TIME STRATEGIES FOR LIVING A COMPLETE LIFE WYNE INCE Thoughts of Life and Time Strategies for Living a Complete Life © Copyright 2017 by Wyne Ince. All rights reserved. This book is an evangelical tool, but please be mindful that it is a copyrighted effort. Write to Wyne Ince PO Box 481439 Charlotte, NC 28269 Website: ThoughtsofLifeandTime.com Feedback: wince@thoughtsoflifeandtime.com ISBN-13: 978-1973754886 ISBN-10: 1973754886 Library of Congress Control Number: 2017911571 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, North Charleston, SC Copy Editors: Cindy Draughon and Rebecca Ince Cover Work: Priscilla Pantin Last Update: May 26, 2019 Throughout this text, all sections of scriptural references that are bolded, underlined, and italicized were done in this manner by the author for the sake of emphasis. Readers should be aware that Internet websites offered as citations and/or sources for further information may have changed or disappeared between the time this was written and when it is read. However, the author has made a conscientious effort to choose sites that demonstrate enduring qualities. The primary reference is the 1769 King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible (also known as the Authorized Version). Public Domain. Some verses are from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. The text of the New King James Version (NKJV) may be quoted or reprinted without prior written permission, but must meet certain qualifications: 1. Up to and including 1,000 verses may be quoted in printed form as long as the verses quoted amount to less than 50% of a complete book of the Bible and make up less than 50% of the total work in which they are quoted; 2. All NKJV quotations must conform accurately to the NKJV text. Any use of the NKJV text must include a proper acknowledgment as follows: "Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved." However, when quotations from the NKJV text are used in church bulletins, orders of service, Sunday School lessons, church newsletters and similar works in the course of religious instruction or services at a place of worship or other religious assembly, the following notice may be used at the end of each quotation: "NKJV." Created with Vellum DEDICATION This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who adds significant meaning and value to my life, and the Holy Spirit of God, who guides me (and all of us) with his wisdom and truths. I wish to thank my wife, Monica, and my daughter, Rebecca, for all their support during the writing process. Both of you have encouraged me so much throughout the development of this manuscript. Thanks also are extended to my mother, Adina Samuel, and my aunt, Versel Bennett. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1 2. Summary of Thoughts 14 3. Foundational Thoughts 125 4. What Is a Human Being? 159 5. What is a Sin? 198 6. A Desire to Live Forever 225 7. The Rescue Mission 240 8. Following Jesus Christ 259 9. My Area of the Canvas 267 10. Redeeming the Prodigal 291 11. The Reason for My Action 308 12. Seven Lighthouses 326 13. The Power to Create 336 14. The Power to Choose 345 15. Investment and Compensation 358 16. Cannot Set It and Forget It 385 17. Destined to Win 391 18. Timely Repentance 406 19. Protocol and Energy 416 20. Misperception of God 426 21. The Perfect Character 438 22. More than a Word 446 23. A Father’s Day Gift 459 24. Coping with Life and Time 464 25. Lifetime Support 474 26. Preparation for Market 482 27. Returning to Heaven 486 28. Salvation: Joy and Obedience 496 29. We Must Be Born Again 505 30. Biblical Sustenance 513 31. Growth Through Prayer 517 32. Fervent: A War Room Event 537 33. You are Loved 540 PREFACE Thank you for your interest in this book. In your hands is a rele- vant, inspirational guide that I am confident will help us on our journey through life. You are embarking on a personal tour into a wellspring of knowledge that only God could have established. Over the course of this journey, you will be motivated and possibly amazed at times by what you read, but much more so by what your mind will be asked to comprehend and embrace. Try not to criticize or condemn. Instead, pray about the messages and thoughts that might challenge any preconceived notions, false teachings, or, worse yet, any unwillingness you may have to accept these biblically supported truths. Each chapter is designed to be self-contained so it can be read on its own. Because of this, you may notice some repetition of verses and points. Nevertheless, the goal here is to admonish and help prepare each person for their final, ultimate appointment with God beyond the veil of this Life, transcending the limits of Time. Bear in mind, I am not a theologian, nor a preacher, or even someone who is academically trained in the delivery of God’s instructions and commands. I am a technologist and a former adjunct lecturer on computer information systems. However, I have been a follower of Jesus Christ for more than 30 years, and during that time I have gain some wisdom by reading the Bible — along with praising, praying, fasting, and trying to live a life that is pleasing in the sight of God. Despite all of my striving toward a life of holiness, there were moments in which I failed quite miserably, hurting both the Comforter and my family. However, those were merely moments, and I can thankfully say that my life and my journey of disciple- ship is significantly better than it used to be. Every day, our Deliverer whispers his instructions to us. Sadly, only a few can hear his voice through the hubbub of our hectic, hurried society, and even fewer pay attention. This book began with one such whisper. In 2014, on a Saturday morning in early May, I got out of bed and decided to relax by taking a familiar, leisurely drive to reflect on life. But God had other plans for me that day. As I walked into the bathroom, a soft, breeze-like sound whispered into my ear, and I paused. Jesus said, “Start to write.” I remained still, expecting to hear more, then turned slightly, but that was all I heard that morning. However, this inspirational resource is the result of that divine prompt. The writing process wasn't initiated because I made a mindful decision to compose this book. Instead, this book of encourage- ment came about because I was supernaturally instructed to write. I feel blessed to provide this information because I believe that ignorance is dangerous. While each person may be an expert in their particular field of expertise for their job or hobby, very few people know or study to learn more about the life beyond this earthly visit. As the Bible says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) This devotional guide is an attempt to share what the Lord has revealed to me, and it is my pleasure to do so. Jesus loves you! QUESTIONS & NAMES This guide will answer the following questions: 1. Why should we never envy or desire to be like another? 2. Why should we fear God, not the Devil? 3. What is the relationship between God and infinity? 4. What is the difference between witchcraft and disobedience? 5. How does sin affect us internally? 6. What is a word? Why is the skill or privilege of speaking more than mere communication? 7. How does pride misappropriate God's glory and why is it betrayal? 8. What is the difference between Hell and the Lake of Fire? 9. Is Earth the distant land in the story of the Prodigal Son? 10. Why does free-will represent unlimited temporal authority? 11. What does it mean for God to be in control? 12. How do we avoid doubting the presence of God, our Immanuel? 13. What is spiritual adultery or prostitution? 14. Why is it utter and absolute foolishness to say or perceive there is no God? 15. Would you agree that a human being is, in part, a binary-based spiritual decision engine? 16. Is Earth the inflection point of spiritual conversion? 17. Why are souls in Hell unable to love each other? 18. Is there growth, albeit negative, in Hell? 19. Is God actually angry with the unrepentant? 20. How do we see and interact with Jesus every day? 21. What happens when we communicate with others using lies, profanity, hatred, or gossip? 22. What does Numbers 23:19, which says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent…," tell us about the unchanging nature of God? 23. In John 6:63 the Bible says, “The flesh profits nothing,” so what value is the flesh, and why are our souls veiled in it? 24. We often proclaim our love for the Lord, but what does it mean to truly love Him, and how do we properly express it? 25. How does a once-vibrant human being end up in eternal ruin? 26. Jesus is the most loving person each of us will ever know, but He is also the most serious. Do you agree? 27. What do trees and animals have in common with humans? 28. If Earth is a classroom, and each of us is a student, how should we approach our assignments to avoid being distracted or copying others? 29.