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Tag: jesus

  • Let’s Dig In 3

    Let’s Dig In 3

    Oooooooh, I got a nugget! I always wondered why God was good with Able’s offering but not Cain’s. Surely just because Cain brought grain and Able blood sacrifice was not the reason one was good and the other not. I John 3:12 says of Cain, “Because his works were evil….” My thinking is that Cain was always evil thus his capability of killing his own flesh and blood. I know rambling again….

    We fight against principalities (established territories-Let’s Dig In 2), and against powers…… Again, let us look at the definition of the word powers so we are all on the same page. The definition of power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or influence the course of events.

    The principalities have a ruler that then has influencers– those that are able to direct courses of events within the territory; those that have the ability to influence behaviors of others.

    An example of what I am understanding here is that over my city sits a principality. The principality monitors all that occurs in the city, especially the houses of worship. The ruler and influencers know each person in our territory, our strengths, our weakness, our relationships even our assignments on this earth.

    Doesn’t this remind you of the sci-fi movies/cartoons showing a dual world that parallels this world with some individuals able to teleport or use a portal to go in and out of both worlds. The one example we all know about is satan’s travels. He presents himself with the sons of God before God in heaven (spiritual realm); we see satan appearing to Jesus for the temptations in the wilderness (here on earth).

    Don’t mistake these beings for demons. Satan did not cloth himself in a human body to approach Christ. Satan is not a demon, he is a created being that was kicked out of heaven with the “body” that he ran around in.

    Examples of demons: the account where the seven sons of Sceva (chief of the priests) called those men they knew were exorcists with evil spirits in them and said, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth”. “And the evil spirit answered, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Demons possess people and are under the rule of the principalities and powers; they are generally on assignment here on earth, they do not reside in the territory with the principalities.

    Problem: we think this is just someone’s imagination put into theatre, not thinking where they got the ideas.

    Solution: read the bible asking the Holy Spirit to reveal unknown things that the heavenly father said were ours to know.

  • Let’s Dig In 2

    Let’s Dig In 2

    Put your helmet on, this is mind boggling; easily seen as childish imaginations. Truely own who you are—that blood washed, blood bought, son of the living God, victorious in every situation, more than a conqueror as we walk this part of this journey! Know that you are not of this world.

    “Fear not: for they that are with us are more than they that be with them.” Mmmmh you are probably wondering where we see this. Remember when Elisha prayed to the Lord (evidence of the invisible world) to open the eyes (natural eyes to see in the spiritual realm) of his young man who then saw the chariots and horses of fire round about Elisha? But Elisha said “those that be with them” — who are they?

    Paul admonished “For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities…”. The dictionary’s definition of a principality (also called a princedom) is “a type of monarchial state or feudal territory ruled by a prince or princess. It can be either a sovereign state or a constituent part of a larger political entity”. Since we are privied to live in such a tech society, AI has an overview of a biblical “definition” that states a principality as “hierarchical order of spiritual beings or authorities… understood to exert influence and rule over various aspects of human life and the world, including nations, institutions, and even individual lives.” Let reality hit you.

    Each local, whether it be state, city, county, neighborhoods, even down to individuals, fight against a territory with an identified ruler, who wields authority. This is an organized, well thought out, and an undeniably devastating infestation. They are the beginning of your sorrows.

    Problem: we know close to nothing about our enemy, but they know everything about us. We don’t even acknowledge their existence. Instead, our fight is to gain material possessions as we die by degrees.

    Solution: read the Word of God for yourself asking the Holy Spirit to aluminate it for you.

  • Let’s Dig In

    Let’s Dig In

    I usually post in the mornings but today has been one distraction after another. My car had to go 2 hours away for a dealer to fix the “recall” issues on it. My poor servicer’s response to any question posed was “I have to find out for you”. Anyway, that was five hours spent to end up with “we have to have a project manager look at the car to determine what to do”. No use complaining right? I know, rambling again!

    So let us look at what Paul says we must have or wear for the battle ever before us. Once you see that the real world is this unseen world, and every issue you have stems from here, you have to realize the weapons you have learned to use in the physical world will not work for you in this realm. Paul says to put on all of these—-not one, two or a few of these as gear. All of them must be on your person for your life’s duration.

    The first piece of armor is the belt of truth. Truth will cover your loins (that is your region of sextual organs, the source of erotic or procreative power). What comes to mind here are the strong erotic sextual thoughts that land in the mind from time to time. Pornography, human trafficking, prostitution, adultery and fornication are only the tip of the iceberg used by the enemy to cripple our society. The enemy knows how human can be bound using sexuality. The word of God delves into what is clean and unclean sextually, so be fortified with that information.

    The second piece consists of your preparation of the gospel of peace that you move in. Simply put, wherever you may go, always study and be prepared to speak the word. Season your speech with the word of God. At times it may be to inform, and at others it will be for your defense. Nothing is more powerful than the word of God, no matter what it looks like. Be prepared.

    The third piece, the most important piece, is your shield made up of your faith. You will put out all fires ignited against you, all fiery darts (missiles)aimed to take your faith down. Know instead of ignore your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities. Face them. There is nothing worse than being hit on your blind side. The enemy is not playing patty cake with you– he has come to steal, kill and destroy. That is his end game.

    Fourth, the helmet. A helmet is used to reduce the risk of serious injuries or death. Helmets absorb any impact when you are hit, they protect the brain from trauma. Yes, the snicky devil will traumatize you to stop you. How often do we hear these days how trauma has highjacked people’s lives. It even leaves some damaged beyond repair for life (mental well- being). So, what you think is paramount in the battlefield, you have to know who you are. Our salvation gave us a new identity. This is what we pull out to absorb the nonsense that is thrown at us to get us off balance; to manipulate us, or to make us delusional. Your identity has to be intact at all times, at all times know who you are!

    Sixth is the one weapon we wield fiercely, our sword of the Spirit. What is this powerful weapon that is quick, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart? The Word of God. It cuts those unseen enemies that dare attack you.

    I had always wondered if speaking the word hit its target. I now see that it does every time, quick, power -filled, and sharply. These enemies hurt like I do – how satisfying!

    From just the effort and admonition that Paul sees fit to prefix the identity of these enemies; we have to emphasize the importance of learning all we can about these enemies.

    Next, we will look at who the principalities are and their function.

    Problem: no armor on, or how is it on?

    Solution: know each part, secure it on your person

    See you on the next post!

  • What is the real real

    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

  • Reflect

    Reflect

    Just churning over in my mind how Christ had to die spiritually before obediently being on that cross. I’m sure He had witnessed crucifixions before and was well aware of the brutality endured.

    Christ was so troubled that He went to prayer three different times about it. He had to pray to His Father alone; the disciples fell asleep if you remember. This was an occasion where He spoke to God, but God did not reply.

    In His prayers, Christ emptied Himself out to His Father. In Luke 22 one sees Him praying (He took to the spiritual realm) in agony to the point where His sweat coagulated as it dropped on the ground (and you think you are stressed). But when He rose from that last prayer, he was spiritual dead—he gave over totally to what was to come.

    Christ prayed thru, as we used to say in the olden days. Praying until you hear a release in your spirit; praying until the burden falls off.

    Problem: how we deal with our issues, large or small

    Solution: spend time in prayer about the situation. The answer there will equip you to handle the issue in the natural.

  • Just a thought

    Just a thought

    Its’s amazing to me how the very scriptures used to promote getting wealth, power and overall success in this world are attributed to the one man who lost all of that when he became a Christ follower—–Apostle Paul

  • Really?

    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.

  • U distinct?

    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.

  • Master change

    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.

  • Guilty?

    All of us are born into a sin filled world, a sin loving world. Thus, it is our nature to sin! Romans 3:13 testifies against us in saying “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

    But you say, I’m a good person. I don’t commit crimes, nor do I do things that would land me in jail. That should be enough to get me into heaven—-is this your thinking? Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies “For by grace are ye saved…, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…”. You are not in control, you either take the gift or not; it is available to everyone.

    Most people attend church somewhere, especially now that churches rock and are not so restrictive in how one presents themselves. Shoot, church music is the same as club music with just a change in lyrics. (Mmmmmh that is a subject for another time.) Certainly, most of us have heard this verse, even if you just attend church and are not a staunch believer of everything in the bible.

    Personally, I see different ways to take the gift (be saved). 1) Romans 10:9, 10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness (right standing with God; remember sin knocked humanity out of this position); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 2) the jailer, (Acts 16:30,31) “…said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they(believers) said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” 3)Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

    In the above verses I do not see where one has to do as we do today, repeat what someone says as prayer to be saved, and be pronounced saved. You can do this on your own, just you and God. So, what keeps you from taking the gift provided today? This gift is health to your life, gives you mental stability as you walk the journey, as well as build strong relationships with those that believe as you do; but most of all you gain the power to become a son of God. What an awesome gift! It wipes your guilty verdict (Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”) to being guilt free (” but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)

    Take the gift.