Mark 1:23 states “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit…” that unclean spirit in the man recognized Christ! And today we think we should love everybody in the church and trust them to be walking our walk. Just a thought
Tag: believe
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What is the real real
I’m struggling to write today. So much in the mind. Are there two realms(dimensions) in this life? I mean is there only this physical realm and its norms. Is there also a world that is not physically seen and experienced with the five senses? A world beyond praying and meditating; beyond the belief system of any religion; a world spirits occupy?
Paul speaks of such a world when he pens “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, (this physical world and all it contains), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Who is Paul talking about. Are we so busy mining the word for what will enrich us in this world that we have become as those that have gained the whole world not seeing the danger of losing our very souls?
Why is the Church not teaching about those that Paul emphasized the fight to be with? Who are these principalities? What is their function/purpose? How do we wrestle with them?
Let’s take time to find answers concerning these that are not flesh and blood.
Problem: lack of knowledge. (it is said about us “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”)
Solution: put time into studying
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Recognizing real love
Whom in your life do you look at, profess to love, that you can honestly say this about — nothing can separate me from this love; not tribulations (problems of life, disagreements), or distress (extreme anxiety – sorrow- pain), or persecution (ill treatment) , or famine (denied food) , or nakedness (humiliation–left bare), or peril (life endangered) , or sword (weapons aimed at you)? Is this not the love shown by Christ and His chosen disciples (minus one but) plus Paul?
This should be a measuring stick of those we join ourselves to, or let join themselves to us. Can you say that about those you claim to love? What about those who claim to love you? If not that person is just an acquaintance, or better yet your assignment, or one to witness to; not one to hang your life on— not your ride or die person.
Problem: not being able to define and recognize real love
Solution: use scripture to learn what real love is compared to all other feelings you encounter in your journey of life that people mistake for love.
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Really?
Does everything coming my way, especially terrible or difficult things, some just debilitating, come from God? or only good things come from God? I have heard “the steps of a good (I assume a saved individual clothed with the righteousness of Christ) man are ordered by the Lord”. This suggests to me that as a born again, bible thumping Christian my walk or life should be that of ease. No?
Nice thought, but just that —- a thought. There are many examples of good men in the bible that disproves the fallacy that just because you have decided to be saved, join the Lord’s army, life becomes your eutopia. Christ is the ultimate example; He was led to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil; not something anyone would volunteer to do I’m sure.
When I veer to the side of self-pity, I think about Paul. With Christ I usually tell myself He was the son of God, so yeah, he could go thru tough times, no big deal. After all Christ was God, I thought His divinity was a shroud about Him; His divinity shielded Him. (that is a topic for another time).
But Paul, my go to, was as human as I am.; I can relate to him. It makes my perspective different. Instead of asking do things come from God, my thought turn to because of being in God. Paul seemed to have a life to ease and peace before being in the service of God. After his encounter with Christ and being born again, this man came into some horrendous situations. He was stoned, imprisoned for the majority of his life, beaten, as well as trialed contineously it seems. I look at Paul’s life and thank God for what in comparison are minor issues I face.
You know we are told count the cost before getting into anything. Did I count the cost of becoming born again? Truthfully no. I thought, based on the teachings I was listening to, that leaving my life for the cross would unentangle me from the mess I was living in. I heard I could get wealthy, have a happy home, and just flow thru life. When this “dream life” did not realize (several years into being in Christ), I had to re-evaluate. What I would advise anyone seeking the reality of being saved is that one is entering into a war zone. It is a daily fight with an invisible enemy. You have to know how to manuever in this war torn zone; and that is by reading the word to fortify yourself so you do not become a casualty.
Come to think of it, when Christ was tempted, the devil presented the very same things to Him that the preachers presented to me — food, world’s wealth, and devine protection from on high when i throw my self into folish dangerous situations.
Yes I am ramblling again, thoughts of an older woman.
Problem: self centeredness, what I can gain is focus
Solution: be as Christ and the disciples; “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” How self-less they were by putting their lives in danger to make life available to others.
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U distinct?
For those in life who find themselves meandering, faltering, falling even in this life—the why must be constant. Forever changing your persona to try and fit so you could enjoy life or at least walk it in peace.
Could the base line, or at least the foundation needed be identifying your identity? When it is just you, alone— who are you?
For the one naming the name of Christ the answer should be simple –“I have been crucified with Christ…” Feelings produced by trying to mirror this world and fit in no longer drive, thus you enter into the realm of “nevertheless I live; yet not I”. Have you died to self? Are your ambitions, desires, thoughts and goals relinquished? Have you now donned a new life with a new perspective? Can you say Christ now lives in you? Is the life you now live in your flesh you live by the faith of the Son of God?
Years ago, there was a saying “what would Jesus do?” Does that ever cross your mind when you are doing what you are doing? Does you get that nagging annoying feeling telling you not to engage in what you are about to do, or even doing?
Today it seems as if we name the name of Christ, and it ends there. Our identity is tied to this present world. We chase after the material things, and pleasures of this world to solidify our identity based on this world, fully agreeing and supporting the standards of this world. Our leaders in the church that we aspire to be like and assimilate constantly attribute their worldly possessions as evidence of being in the center of God’s will (no wonder the “sheep” have gone astray).
Well I’m rambling now. But each day you arise, and that spirit of meandering, wondering deep inside who you are; what you are on this earth for— let it know you are secure in your identity. Let it know Christ resides in you — spirit, soul and body. The person the antag onist knew no longer exists. Resist that feeling (devil)and it will flee.
Problem: not knowing who you are or whose you are.
Solution: read a piece of freedom (Bible), familiarize yourself with it (bible content) , assimilate (copy) and walk in its ways. Your identity is firm. Are you perfect? No, just changed. New perspectives and goals.
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Master change
We all know that in order to change anything, especially self, it starts with your thinking. A famous quote says “And be not conformed (behave according to socially, acceptable conventions or standards or to be similar in form, type; to agree to men’s standards) to this world: but be ye transformed (make a thorough or dramatic change) by the renewing of your mind...”
I think of reactions to situations that we think are beyond our control. Those times we think “I can’t make it”! What does one do? In the Christian Walk one starts begging God to do something, usually not believing He will do something to stop the crazy. Panic sets in and it is downhill from there. How does this happen to a bible stomping, faith filled believer? Yet it happens more than we want to admit.
Problem: the thought process, thus reacting instead of being pro-active.
Solution: Fighting the good fight of faith. Meaning- remind yourself of who you are and whose you are. Find your word (sword) and find the scriptures dealing with that issue. You have changed your victim mantality to that of a fighter! Now affirmations begin. Speak the scriptures out loud— you want you and the situation, demonic spirits, and anyone else listening to hear these words. After all life and death are in the power of what you say. Flip the script on the situation. After all the example that inanimant objects listen and obey is when Christ spoke to the fig tree that it die starting with its roots. Later on when He and His disciples passed it again it was dead. Also remember that you were told as a believer if you spoke to the mountain and told it to be removed unto the sea that mountain would obey you without even a struggle.
The point is change your mind on how you see things, and you can overcome your situation. It will take fighting because most times situations believe they are in charge. You have to take the power from your situation! Fight instead of thinking you are defeated just because the situation dares to chalenge you trusting that you will throw up your hands and let things happen.
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