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: bible
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Mmmmmh
Something running in my mind….
You know becoming saved, taking salvation that is offered is all spiritual. My spirit ( John 4:24 “God is Spirit…”) Genesis 1: 27 ” So God created man in his own image,…”)is saved, it is locked in (Ephesians 1:13-14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”.)
But my body and mind (are a whole other story. Nothing instatanious in this duo. Paul says I have learned that in whatsover state I am in there to be content. My body and mind seem to be tethered onto the sins of this word—no not the devil. The body relishes in what the devil offers. (Sin is fun for a season). The devil does not tell the whole story, just the fun part. Then when he has got you dependent on his stuff, he shows his true colors to ones despair.
Anyway, back to the learning part. See there has to be a desired end goal—generally (like Paul’s—I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.) Being present with the Savior! The mind has to be renewed (Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”) meaning a set or specific narrow path has to be followed without deviation. The path is spelled out for me in the Word of God—his collected letters to those that are saved. (Remember the word if it is hid, it is hid to them that are lost (those outside the Kingdom of heaven—to outsiders it is all foolishness). So for my dynamic duo here (mind and body) I have to read His /word or be hooked onto my GPS(God’s Personal Strategy) daily until I get to my destination.
My mind seems to be in charge of the body, although the body can rebel as it is firmly rooted in this world and its goodies. That is why it becomes paramount to read especially when I don’t want to. This is one of those daily grinds, one has to be patient and steady, but consistent. (Sounds like getting on a diet). Facing that there will be falls, failures, panics, and at times quitting is part of the journey. ( this journey’s goal is given to them that endure)
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Words of Life
My thoughts….
Behold, a sower (Jesus the Christ) went forth to sow; and when he (Jesus the Christ) sowed, some seeds (the words of life) fell by the wayside (no one heard), and the fowls ( those speaking against the words of life) came and devoured them up (telling hearers the words are not literal):
Some (words of life) fell upon stony places (dead churches) where they had not much earth: and forthwith they (the words of life)sprung up, (hearers heard) because they had no deepness of earth (unrelenting hearts), when the sun was up (doubt), they (the words of life) were scorched (burned); and because they had no root (no basis, no foundation), they (the words of life) withered (died) away.
And some (the words of life) fell among thorns (churches with the word, but deny the power of it), the thorns (ruling figures) sprung up, and choked them (the words of life):
But other (the words of life) fell into good ground (places that put their lives in the Christ, believing the whole word given)and brought forth fruit (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, long suffering, gentleness, faith, modesty, self-control, and chastity in the hearers), some (words of life brought) a hundred fold (total repentance), some sixtyfold (hearers trusting God’s word and growing in their resolve), some thirtyfold (hearers learning and accepting God and His word).
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Simply let the words of life in and yield to them). What a solution to life!
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Divisions
Paul wrote “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Which rang in my head when I look at our denominations today. Each denomination sees themselves as the ones having the truth of Christ. How do when we don’t agree— we are not of the same mind.
Then I look at other religions which do not know our truth/Christ and each has a united front. Do Muslims have denominations? Buddhist? Or any other religion? I admit I have to research that matter as I don’t see it. Anyone knows?
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Why go to church?
Have you ever asked yourself why you attend church? I mean what is it that you are looking for or to get from attending your church? I love listening to preaching whether in person or over you tube. I know there are those who do not put much stock on YouTube, but I find much wisdom in some programs. Anyway, I was listening to a preacher who answered why I should be going to church to my surprise. In recent months that has been my inner question—a seeking that was heavy on my heart.
Upon truly reflecting, I see I was attending because I wanted the things that this world has to offer—-money, houses, cars, etc. I listened carefully on how to use scripture to get what I was looking for; my prayers were directed to God for Him to open doors so I can prosper in this life. You know what I felt when I had “arrived” to my targeted goal? Empty! Like vanity, vanity is all that kept echoing in my head.
So my search started all over again, why am I attending church? Usually when I have something in my heart that is so important to me, it seems to touch the Holy Ghost. I know He hears my cry, so I am sure He made it possible for me to hear the correct answer to why I should be attending church. It is not in looking for signs and wonders–the word tells me that those things are supposed to follow me as a believer. I then should be performing those things, not looking for them. Its not in seeking the things of this world, especially money. The word lets me know that money or mammon is a god, so seeking money is idolatry.
So what should I be seeking in a church? Seek the knowledge and growth in Jesus Christ–the Jesus that died, was buried and resurrected so I may mirror Him everywhere I go. How simple! Eternal life is the goal, Christ is the way. Having or not having things of this world are a by product of being a sojourner of this world as we run this race to eternal life.
Indeed, this answer has me refocusing; I have clarity in my why? What is your why?
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FLEX!
Can anyone tell me if I am the only one that has demons tagging each other in and out of my life trying to put my lights out? What’s it about? I find myself in the depths of despair over “nothing”. I try to look at my life to see where I have missed it, where did I go wrong, how did I open the “door” for these attacks? I know God, I walk with God. I admit to not being perfect, or not being most times on point, but why the heavy hitters at my door? Enemy tactics! Do not be ignorant of his devices.
In my silent time, I hear deep within me that it is not about me. There are those out there in the trenches that I have to field/cover/pray over; these days we call it being an intercessory prayer warrior. Some of us are behind the “stage”, but have to be “body guards” for those that are seen. It is not glamorous, visible nor desirable, but our battle position.
Upon reflection, I have to admit my battles are not in the physical but rather are spiritual, indicated by heaviness mimicking depression, wrestling to overcome me. I just regret that I waste time questioning self, thinking it is about self; instead instantaneously tagging into the battlefield to the aid of those in the front lines.
Are you in this place? Pray. Prayer is not about how much time you put into it, it is about doing it.
FLEX!
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Inner turmoil
At times I don’t think the LORD and I are on the same page. Things appear to fall apart one after another. I feel like I am drowning and faith is slipped from under me. I can’t see anything above where my help comes from, so I just sit—- engorged on every side by false evidence that appears so real. A whisper comes saying slow down. Thus a second wind is revived in me, I can choose to pick up my faith and continue my journey with my new bruises and old scabbed over scars and follow my LORD. I seek only to be in HIS presence, that’s all that matters, being in HIS presence. I am then alright.
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Ponzied?
Thoughts: Today I heard a rather disturbing statistics. It was said that the majority of individuals bamboozled in ponzi-scams are Christians. I’m thinking how can that be? But come to think of it, a Christian has been taught to give so they can receive “some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold”, (Matthew 13:8) so that the idea of someone telling them that if they give a certain amount of money they could receive say 70% of their monies as profit it would sound reasonable– the idea is already strongly in their minds from church teachings. And at church we are taught that we are sheep, ok. But then again you will hear taught that sheep are dumb animals that just follow. No one ever says how sheep are very strong minded, loyal, and don’t just follow anyone. If you constantly hear yourself being compared to a dumb animal don’t you think that will sit deeply in you and subconsciously you start thinking of yourself that way? The enemy uses what you hear to manipulate you to his ways. The fight is real, 24/7 with no time outs.
That is why the word tells us to guard our hearts, or “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” You have to protect “one’s thoughts, emotions, and intentions, as they are the source of one’s actions and ultimately, one’s life”. So when you heard that scripture being read at offering time about giving and it would be multiplied back to you, if you are not guarded you will easily use that theory outside of your walk with God. You have to examine yourself and ask yourself what you heard, and how you would use it going forward.
Teachers of the word and ministers of the word have to be so diligent as they will have to answer to the Lord how they taught the word. They will have to account for how the sheep ate the word. Was it what they taught that led the sheep astray?
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A Goodbye
Thoughts: Today I found out that a friend passed away yesterday. You know how God just gives you people that make life seem a little bit easier? My friend and I were spiritually connected. We never had a heart to heart, or deep conversations. My friend accepted me as I am, there was never any condemnation emitting from him, just a soul who loved life and shared it joyfully with others. Just being around him made the day seem less intimidating.
Anyway, when thinking of how to describe our connection I thought of soul ties, thinking of the connection between David and Jonathan. So I decided to see where in the bible it speaks of soul ties; and is what I had a soul tie. (You know today I hear people talking about soul ties as between romantically involved individuals. Again, my friend and I were platonic–more like brother and sister.) That is why some homosexuals claim David and Jonathan were lovers because they were said to have had a soul tie. Anyway, my friend and I did not have a romantic involvement, just a brother sister connection.
I quickly went into the word to see what scriptures contained “soul ties” in them so I could see the biblical meaning. To my surprise there are NO scriptures talking about soul ties. Instead, private interpretation once more of scriptures (such as I Samuel 18:1, Genesis 2:24, I Corinthians 6:16-18, Ephesians 5:31) said to be referring to soul ties. Now I go into the internet to search out soul ties. To my amazement (don’t know why it is a surprise to me at this point of my life) soul ties is a term straight out of New Age. I found “In New Age thought, soul ties are explained as powerful, often intense, spiritual connections between two individuals that transcend physical and temporal boundaries. They are believed to be pre-arranged agreements, or contracts, between souls that can span across lifetimes and influence relationships in the present.” Under pre-arranged agreements: “Soul ties are often described as pre-birth contracts or agreements between souls, setting the stage for specific interactions and relationships in this lifetime.” What souls do we know to exist before being birthed into this crazy sin filled world?
How in the world are we Christians running with this? I thought soul ties was in the bible the way we Christians are always spitting that verbiage out. This is why the Bereans always ran home to search out the scriptures for themselves. If I had been as diligent as they, I would have looked to see where these words are in the bible the first time I heard them, instead of just believing. We have to discern true spiritual guidance from false. All interpretations of the word of God is not the truth of the matter, go back to what does the word say. The word tells us “That the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David….” and now we hear that they had soul ties. This is a prime example of worldly things floating into the church, and the church approving it without examining it. I wonder how many other Christians believed soul ties to be biblical and run with it.
But in all this, I say goodbye to a wonderful soul that was knit to mine.
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You Got Got?
Thoughts: I love listening to the word of God every moment I can. I heard today “The Son of God became the Son of man so He could empower the sons of man to become the sons of God.” But even in that, He let it be our choice.
Looking back at my Christian journey, I see why I am where I am today. I feel so bereft spiritually. The gospel I was listening to was but another gospel. The emphasis was on how to get prosperous in this life. The scriptures used were of course the standard “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper …..” and the favorite Jer 29:11. Now the KJV says “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Now this same verse in the NIV bible, the King of prosperity bible the verse all of a sudden says “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD (watch for the change) ” plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” this is private interpretation— but Peter said “that no prophecy of scripture is for private interpretation.” The reason given for using the NIV is that it has a better handle for today’s language. And then when you compare it to the KJV you are told the people who interpreted the KJV made errors in interpretation. My thinking is where was the Holy Ghost who is the originator when these errors were made and given to people as the gospel truth? And how are the present NIV interpretations most accurate and did not make errors in their interpretations of the scriptures?
Anyway, before I started my ranting, my thoughts and feelings were that the word is true in saying you cannot serve two masters (God or mammon). What I learned was how to use God to get to mammon. The takeaway is that mammon is superior to God and chasing it would end all my problems. Yes, I know I had itchy ears and went to what I wanted to hear (an admonition I did not head out of the bible).
Jesus’ coming was an education as to how we are separated from God; how we were/are born into a sin filled world, a world that does not gravitate to goodness. If this separation was not corrected with the death and resurrection of Christ, we humans had only one place to go—hell. Our eyes are now open to choice in life, Christ bridged the gap, we can choose God or stay where we are with the knowledge that hell is the result of not making a choice. Choosing life with Christ brings about prosperity in all areas of life and in the upcoming life after death.
Instead of going where the motivation is what you think you need to make it in this world, seek the Kingdom of God and all else you need and desire will be added unto you. When these things are added to you, you will not care about them because the love relationship you develop with the Holy Ghost will outweigh everything this world has to offer you; then you will experience real life, peace, and satisfaction with life.
Don’t fall for the okey-doke–the teaching that consumes you with chasing riches to fulfill your “thirst” in this life. What does the teaching offer you in the life after this one? Look for Christ, and when you are found by Him, hold on for a rough ride till you meet Him face to face. The kingdoms of this world will shake you till the day you go six feet under to loosen your grip on this treasure you have found so you can slide to hell with them.