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Tag: faith

  • You Got Got?

    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.

  • I have fallen, but getting back up!

    I have fallen, but getting back up!

    Sorry I have been missing for these last two days. If you see me missing, pray cuz he (the enemy) has landed a punch that has me staggering or I’m down. The scripture that buzzes around in my head is “Lest satan should get an advantage of me, for I am not ignorant of his devices.” I have to examine how he keeps tripping me up! I suddenly realize I am in trouble when I struggle getting up in the mornings—usually fighting depression as it tries to overtake me. Like I said in previous postings, depression is a spirit come to wear you down as it attempts positioning you in death row. satan never changes strategies until the one that has always worked no longer works. So, learn what puts you on your face, then devise strategies for them to die at first attempt. You know I used to hear it said that if you have a problem with alcohol, to defeat that issue don’t hang with those that do and find other ways to get to where you want to go either than routes that will have you pass liquor stores. Once those major pit falls are dealt with, all the other helpers will be easy to spot and get rid of. Now this is how the world deals with grave issues of life, how much more I who has the Holy Ghost! Discipline is the key; renewal of the mind is paramount in my strategy. Another thing that I have to keep in mind is that the enemy is real and the battle is fierce. Timothy said fight the good fight of faith; I believe that is a daily thing from morning till night.

    No lesson today, just a plea for help. I know for years I have thought a Christian who is following the Lord, strong in the Lord should not have moments of being knocked down; show strength and never waiver all the time. So, when I get tripped up, I feel like I have to go back to where I must have left my Helper. Now I realize He carries me in my down times, when He deems, I am strong enough to continue the journey on my own feet, He puts me gently down. I just have to thank Him and keep walking alongside Him.

    Thank you to those who had the wisdom to put my name before the Lord.

  • Believer’s Superpowers

    Believer’s Superpowers

    In Matthew 10, Christ gave his 12 disciples powers against sent them out. With this power they could cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Christ directed them to specifically heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and to cast out devils. In all of this the disciples were to do all of this free of charge to the people, after all they received the power free of charge. The disciples went forth and accomplished what they were sent forth to do to their own amazement.

    After Christ resurrected from the dead, He appeared to the eleven as they were eating. At this point these men were in fear for their lives, besides being in confusion. Unbelief and hardness of heart was where they now lived. I can only imagine how they must have been thinking how they had left everything and put in those years following Christ and learning of Him to only come to this. They had seen their hopes and dreams actually die on the crucifix. When they were told that Christ was alive by those who had seen him, they frankly were not buying it. Now Christ comes to them as they are at the table; He “upbraided” them for their unbelief and their hearts posture; had they not learned anything from those three years He poured all of Himself into them? Christ then gives them the commission that was handed down to us today–go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Those who believe and are baptized into Christ shall be saved. Signs will follow them that believe–they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents (yuck), and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover.

    These things are what we believers (not just the clergy) have been empowered with. Notice there are no pre-requisites to a believer performing these miracles. All this was a package deal when one became a believer. Freely we have received this package, so freely give.

  • Untitled post 229

    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….

  • Raised for such a time as this.

    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.

  • Who jumped ship? We comin’ for ya!

    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.

  • Flesh Issues?

    Flesh Issues?

    Lesson: You ever fall and just give in to that thing you know the Word says not to be in or even associate with people that are into that thing? Then guilt and shame overwhelm you when you come back to your senses? We all want to prevent the fall, but if you don’t, then what?

    The answer? ” This I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” I’m guilty of thinking this verse is talking about sextual sins one can fall into only. But really it covers much more. The word clarifies what the deeds (lusts) of the flesh are; ” Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witch craft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, raveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. We who are the sons of God once walked in such manner intentionally and joyously. But having been saved we now shun such behavior. When we do fall we know to pick ourselves up and remember that there is now no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus, enabling us to keep walking this narrow path we are on.

    To fortify our resolve to stay saved and stay away from all of the above that we are weak in, we have to learn to walk in the Spirit. But what exactly is walking in the Spirit? I used to think abstract was the way to go, you know basically meditating. But when meditating I would sit thinking, then get up and do what I thought. Am I the only one? Ok. But walking in the Spirit means going into the word each time you have a doubt, or wonder; or thinking what should I do in this case. You have to take the time to get your counsel from the word. It covers all things that we come face to face with and directs on how to handle the matter. In this way you will ” live a life guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Ghost). Reading what the word has to say about your situation is you actively seeking and following the Spirit’s lead. You no longer rely on your impulses or ideas to traverse this world. So confidently walk in the Spirit.

    Thought: today’s bible says God is a Spirit (confining Him). When I first learned that scripture it said God is Spirit, able to be everywhere at the same time. satan is a spirit, confined to being in a place like we as individuals—but not in every place at the same time like God. And I have heard some say God is not in Hell, but the word says He is everywhere. He is not consumed in what hell does. Ramblings? Think about it. The bible is being tweaked, words missing, words added. That is why it is important to have the Holy Ghost teaching you as you read the word. Ask old people to recite verses that they memorized as young people and see if this is not so.

  • Is this You?

    Is this You?

    My thought of today: Do churches fast nowadays? I remember when I was first saved, our church fasted as a whole twice a week. Now I don’t hear too much about fasting so one can have power. I do hear people fasting to arm wrestle God so He can do as they want/say. Some believe God is our servant or servicer. Fasting used to be about turning your plate down so you could get closer to God, so you could hear Him more clearly. What happened? Have we become so comfortable that we no longer need what brought past generations to this point? Just musing……

    Continuing to look at the gifts set/put in the Church. “And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after those miracles, then gifts of healings…” Today we will look at the gifts of helps. I generally think of the ushers in this category. But this gift covers so much more. “The gift of “helps” is a spiritual gift in Christianity that enables individuals to recognize and fulfill the practical needs of others, both physically and emotionally, in a way that supports the overall ministry and well-being of the church. It’s about serving others, often in a humble and unseen way, to ensure that things run smoothly and that the needs of other are met.” I couldn’t have said this better myself. This group of gifts to the body are never seeing for recognition or attention to self. They are fulfilled with being able to help, sometimes anonymously they give. I remember at my very first church, as a single mother I couldn’t even afford a burger for my children. One of the older sisters came to give me a hug and handshake. I had never noticed her in the church. With a smile she quietly and quickly put some money in my hand and went about her way (after service was over) I was so humbled and touched that God had sent her my way. Is that gift still in operation? You know as a young new Christian this act solidified my trust in that God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son for me. I was all in after that!

    Most times I see this gift being allocated to those who service the pastor or elders of the church; these are often the ministries of helps; or the benevolent ministers. The gift of helps is so different, these individuals are never seen but by those they assist quietly, they don’t draw attention to what they do so as not to embarrass or offend. Their goal is to serve while protecting the privacy of those they assist. What a benefit to the body!

  • Unity in the Body

    Unity in the Body

    I once tripped up on a story where the wife was waking the husband up so they could go to church. The husband responded “I don’t want to go”. The wife insisted he had to get up and go. He asked why, she said because you are the pastor. My take away? Those in ministries are not jumping at the chance to fulfill the call on their lives all the time. The times one does not feel like it are the times one finds out why they do what they do. As you can imagine it is how I am feeling today. The Spirit reminds me being called is not for fame or wealth, but the love of the Father being spread at no charge. Jesus spoke of leaving the 99 to gain that one…. Yes indeed ramblings…..

    Yesterday I left the post encouraging you to think about the gift of miracles being set in the very body of Christ where some individuals possessed the gifts of working those miracles set in the church. That in itself is a revelation. God repeated this combination with the next gift set in the body, the gifts of healings with the individuals given the ability to work healings. God did not only put healings in the church, he put individuals equipped to perform the healings.

    What we need is people to step up unapologetic, unfearful, focused and ready to do the will of the Lord by recognizing their gifts and engaging in their church. These gifts are to profit everyone in the body. We are so afraid of being out of order and out of favor with the pastor. Is the pastor the only one who hears from God like in the days of Moses? We should remember the Holy Ghost is the one in-charge of where, when, and how these gifts are used in the church. As long as you are yielded and following directions from the same Spirit that directs your pastor, there shall not be a conflict of interest. We have to remember that the Holy Ghost directs everything in the service. The Holy Ghost will let the pastor know what he is doing in you. The pastor then supports you and encourages you as you fulfill the assignment given by the Holy Ghost.

    Problem: the members of the body are not in one Spirit, not unified in the Spirit.

    Solution: engaging in prayer together under one roof to hear from the Lord, to become adapt at moving in the Spirit as one.

  • Untitled post 158

    Thought of the day: I am perplexed; I tend to think of thinks in the spiritual aspect first, automatically. I guess my “problem” (as I have been told) is that I think others view this spiritual walk the same way. One day as I was in a Christian group sharing, one of the individuals said “my therapist…”. I could not tell you the rest of the sentence cuz I got stuck at the first two words. I’m thinking what demon or disembodied spirit did you take to therapy? I’m thinking that as a Christian you either cast a demon out (or get help to do it) or you go toe to toe with a spirit spitting out “it is written….” We have changed the dynamics of fight the good fight of faith. I know, I know, I’m extreme (as I have been called).

    Continuing with the second set of giftings. This set starts with the people that have been given for the edification of the whole body. We looked at the “sent ones”, the apostles on a previous post. The next is “secondarily prophets”. When I think of prophets I think of the Jeremiahs, Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, the ones who came with “thus sayeth the Lord”, They directly heard and had a conversation from/with God and re-laid a message to the people or specified individuals. We need such individuals to keep the body on track, With these people in place, much of the foolishness we witness in some of our churches would be eradicated.

    Thirdly are teachers given to help keep the body on track. These are the ones that spoon feed the flock the word of God. They make the word of God clear and simple for the understanding; thus, enabling the hearer to be a doer of the word, not just a hearer. There is no excuse for wrong living when these are in their place; the word is sent forth with power as a living word. Sound doctrine, you must agree is very blurry in today’s teachings. The pulpit is full of one’s interpretation of the word of God (“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”.)

    Problem: Prophets are hailed as Gods, some claim to be; teachers teach what they learned at religious institutions over what the word says. Most Prophets and teachers use the word for private interpretation and use.

    Solutions: Immerse yourselves in the word; be like Bereans of old, check what you heard—is it scriptural.