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: lifestyles
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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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