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: daily prompt
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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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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.
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Forgiven
My thoughts: Jesus taught using parables to help the listener use their imagination. He used things that were very familiar to his listeners to make a point. His main point is always how the Kingdom of God operates as opposed to how this is world does. One of the parables I found interesting was that of the man who had two sons (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son came to his father with a request “give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.” We generally say the son was talking of the inheritance that would fall to him after the death of the father. I don’t think so; follow me for a second. The father’s living is not his properties, rather it is the “earnings” that he receives; how he affords taking care of all under his care. For example, if the father was a farmer (we are not told how this father made his living) then the harvest would net him an income. From that income he would then pay the servants and allot portions to his sons from his profits, right? Even today, when a child is born into a Jewish household (well established families), a bank account is opened the very same day or when the social security is known in the child’s name for their future. This is what the son is saying, the portion that goes to him. Notice the father divided his living(income), not property (all that the father has) to the two sons. As you know the young son squandered all his portion. When he was poverty stricken, he decided to return to his father’s house instead of starving to death where he was. At his return the father showed tremendous forgiveness towards him and took him back in, restored him to his position within the household and threw a party for him. The older brother, who had also received from the father, was upset at all the happenings. When asked why he was angry, he pointed out how he had stayed and did his duty as a son but was never shown such appreciation/a party as the younger brother. The father then answered “Son, thou art ever with me, and all I have is thine.” If the father had given the boys their inheritance (all that the father had) then he would not have had anything to make that claim. Musing again……
Lesson: Likewise, the Father in heaven has forgiven us, given us the ability to become sons of God (those who have become born again and trust in Christ) after all the crazy (riotous) living we were doing in the world. We believed and confessed with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, then submitted to His Lordship. Now we have an inheritance reserved for us in heaven; but while we are still on this earth, there are portions of God’s riches (goods)that fall unto us; God meets our needs and gives us the desires of our hearts as they are within His will.
Problem: we forget ourselves sometimes and just go buck wild as if we do not have a Christ, spending what we get in riotous living, then cry out to the Father, help me.
Solution: Lean not upon your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your steps.
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You ever fall into the why me pit? You are walking before the Lord circumspectly, doing all you know to do, staying before the Lord and yet calamity befalls you. You declare you are walking in Job’s place. You look at the other Christians you know who live anyhow and yet blessing don’t miss them. You declare some of those blessings were yours and can’t figure out how they got them. The thought comes to mind that you should live anyhow also cuz it seems to work.
Check yourself in the spirit. Have you been led up of the Spirit into this wilderness you are experiencing? (Cause you are not in calm waters cuz). Have you already fasted to gain strength, not to have God move what He gave you power to do? With fasting comes clarity and resolve. So you are ready for this battle. Is the voice of the tempter what you hear now with things like “it don’t take all that”? Or “you act like you are better than—holier than thou” or yet “God is love, He will forgive you for any sin committed”. Usually at this point one would fast and pray. But you already did that; now is the time to draw out your sword. You have to come out fighting using scripture pertaining to that situation. How do I know what scriptures to use you would say. Go into the back of your bible, usually before the maps, is your concordance. In alphabetical order you will find the name of your issue; alongside are the scriptures you can use to speak, speak out loud so the devil and his cohorts will hear and be pierced. Don’t tell the scriptures to the Lord; speak directly to problem/ “mountain” that is tormenting you.
Example: Living right according to the word of the Lord. Rms 12:1,2 ” I present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is my reasonable service. And I am not conformed to this world; but I am transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Don’t let the enemy trip you up by telling you that you don’t believe that. Stay the course and keep speaking the word. Anytime you hear anything contrary and meant to lead you off your stance, set your face as flint and keep repeating your scripture(s). This is how you resist the devil so he will flee. Keep ready at all times by feeding yourself scriptures — the old school was all about memorizing the scriptures. Hide that word in your heart so that you may not sin against God, as the Psalmist wrote.
Problem: we don’t give the word credit; we don’t do what it says to do. Solution: Speak to the mountain, not get into your prayer closet and cry out for God to do something. He has given us the keys to the Kingdom, and power to tread on serpents (slimy thoughts in most cases) and scorpions (poisonous imaginations), and over all the power of the enemy….
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Raised for such a time as this.
Continuing in the vein of “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?” churches are in trouble that they either do not see or ignore. As you find yourself in such an environment, do not be dismayed nor confused. At times our mission field is our very own church. Be that person that the righteous leaders can hold onto so they may do the work they are burdened with. You are called to hold up the hands of the man of God, similar to the account about Moses in the battle against Amalek. Remember that as long as Moses had his hand up the battle was for them, but when he got tired and his hand went down, Amalek would be winning. Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a rock while they each held a hand up. Victory was theirs because there was someone there to hold the man of God’s hands up. You are your pastor’s Aaron/Hur. Be prayed up and fasted to do this work because the enemy will come against you personally as he sees you steadfast in accomplishing your mission to keep the man of God strong and moving forward.
There are plenty of preachers that have not bowed their knee to the devil. They preach the unadulterated word of God, thank God. These men surround themselves with those who have proven to be on fire for God and minister to God, enabling them to hold up the preachers’ “hands” so they can run this race they have been given. Not all is lost, but the fight just got real. Be real and lean not on your own understanding, rather put all your trust in the Lord. He will direct your steps, so you don’t miss a bit.
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Who jumped ship? We comin’ for ya!
Thoughts: There are times when life does not make sense. I mean I did not see life in the way it presents itself. You know those moments you think to turn right to get to point A, but life turns you left. Confusion, trauma, anger, disappointment all come emotionally at once. What to do? These are moments that I plug in worship and praise music. Yes escape! I come out of my emotional state and just float with the music. Soon scripture comes forth that just calms me down. Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, huh! Some musical ministers can land you in the very throne room of heaven. I can’t but help thinking that those that are worship leaders at church are to minister and bring one to the very throne room of God, instead most of the time they are performers who have no idea how to get to the throne room for themselves let alone take me there. Musing again……
LESSON: Paul addressed the church with “O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” He continued to berate them by saying “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Today we could say the same to those who are moving from church (faith in Christ) to ancestor worship or witchcraft. These people are drawn to where they experience the supernatural that they are not finding in the church. They learn to cast spells, (calling those things that be not as though they were), and see what they speak forth come to pass. People are hungry for the supernatural, what they were looking for in the church. Those who are endowed with powers by the dark side/satan are usually not chasing fame nor finances. Their interest is in the power afforded them by the demonic and will do whatever it takes for them to get those powers. When encountering these foolish ones, Paul says “if a man (person) be overtaken in a fault (leaving the faith), ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We have to be like the Lord, go retrieve that one leaving the safe ones in house; but get our brother or sister from sure death.
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Tired of the Fight?
Thoughts: Do you pray? Why do you pray? Is your prayer answered? How do you know your prayer is answered? Do you have evident power when you rise from prayer than when you went down? How are you shaking the world around you because you prayed? Lots of questions on prayer! Jesus said His Father’s house is a house of prayer. We do more preaching than praying in God’s house of prayer. Ramblings again I know……
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has abundant mercies for us. How do we know this for sure? The word tells us that God Himself has brought about a lively hope we can hold onto, by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead. The result is that God has brought us into an incorruptible inheritance; one that cannot be defiled, cannot be erased, nor fade away. Where do we find this inheritance? It is reserved in heaven for you and is to be revealed in the “last time” (end of the world). Your job is to be kept by the power of God thru faith, the faith that brought you into salvation.
You may find yourself in a terrible season as you read this, battles that seem impossible to win. Shake yourself and tell yourself this is a trial of your faith. Faith is a day-to-day battle, not something done once and you have made it; fight the good fight of faith. It is a good fight because you daily win!! Hold on to your faith and work it so you will be found praiseworthy and honorable at Jesus Christ’s appearing.
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Treasure
Thought: Christianity is unique in that not only does it have a resurrected Savior, but its key is love of one another. Christ let us know that the world would recognize us as His disciples by the love we have for one another. Our walk is not an independent one , but rather one where actively carry each other’s burdens. Each Christ follower is his/her brother’s keeper. Who did you fast and pray for today? I mean really cry over and assist in anyway possible to help that person(s) navigate their road to our promise? Iron sharpens iron, we do that unselfishly for each other. Just a thought…..
Lesson: If ye then be risen with Christ (are you? If not this won’t make sense), seek those things which are above….in other words, focus on those things the GOD head puts value in; truth (the Word)and worship of the true God. Focus on the Lamb of God and the washing by His blood.
Be about prayer (constant communication with God)and telling those that don’t know truth about Christ and what He accomplished on the cross for them. Let these things be your treasure that you lay up in heaven.
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Selah
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:”
The whole of Psalm 42 is me today. I’m not even going to say I relate to the writer, I am in this instance the writer. Day to day the battle rages with me sitting in my dug out trench, but some days it is hand to hand combat with my invisible enemy. I can whisper within me “in the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.”
I was greatly distressed: but I have encouraged myself in the LORD my God.
Selah
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