Pathway 4

COMMISSIONED

“Everything has already been decided.  It was known long ago what each person would be.  So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.”  Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NLT)

“Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger then he is.” Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NKJV)

Look at the word “named”.  It stuck out to me so I looked it up in the concordance.

Named: to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow.

Since then I have been shown examples of God appointing people.

Joshua 3:7, Samuel 3, Esther 4:14, Haggai 2:23, Matthew 28:19, Acts 26:16 

Being commissioned by God is an order from God.  It is a command from God.  It is your destiny and path, which one should walk and was created for….”such a time as this.” 

It is not the easiest path but the more we trust God the more peace we have.   We also see the path in which God has for us in no chance or accident.  Think of all the people God appoints and commissions for his work to be done. 

“And now God is building you, as living stones into his spiritual temple.  What’s more you are God’s holy priests, who offer spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

What sacrifices does God require? Immediately, the Holy Spirit reminded me of this verse….

“No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8

"People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.   The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices." Proverbs 21:2-3

Do what is right; do justly, which comes from trusting in God in all situations.  Love mercy – do what is good and kind, love good then evil.  Remember you too are in need of mercy everyday from God to get you through the day in a godly manner or fashion.  So don’t try to get even or revenge or try to justify yourself in some fleshly manner.  Know you can't do right and love mercy without seeking and humbling yourself before God.  We only become ignorant and prideful when we don't humble ourselves before God but... understanding what is right, loving mercy and walking humbly with your God shows maturity and wisdom in Christ Jesus.  In order for all three to come into action, Jesus must be our Lord and Savior and we must put our trust in him not just in the mind but the heart as well.

POWER

“God is my strength and power, and he makes my way perfect.”  2 Samuel 22:33

When a person steps into that role or position God has for them they receive power and wisdom from God for that role and/or position.  Again we should not approach and live in this role in an arrogant manner but take the same position as Christ.  Though he was God he took the humble position of a slave. (Philippians 2:7)

Power comes through a humble trusting faith not religious thinking that is empowered by fleshly desires, pride and arrogance.

“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:8

The Spirit cannot work unless we give him an open, relaxed, and still mind and heart.  We are not looking at ourselves or anyone else or even the circumstances but God to give us the strength and power to walk and do what he wants us to do in every instance of our lives.

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT HAPPENS
I had a wonderful dream where I could play the piano.  Now playing this piano gave me much joy.  I could play anything tune from memory and with no sheet music and even make the music sound better then it had originally been arranged.  I was a prodigy of sorts hammering and tickling the keys in a dazzling manner as if I was a master BUT when I started to think how I was doing this in my own understanding, I began to lose my special ability to play the piano in such a supernatural spectacular way.

We do that when we take ourselves out of the Holy Spirit’s hands or flow.  We try to understand “the how”…  and in doing so we drift from the anointing flow and get all tripped up in ourselves.  It's like we switch the tracks when we do this. 

Times with a great moves of God, we try to reproduce the same wonderful results only to be disappointed because we tried to do whatever it was in our own understanding.  Not understanding God doesn’t do the same exact thing the same way all the time.  God doesn’t fit into some box in our thinking and if he did our faith would become quite boring.    

We also lose our special ability or anointing to do the assigned task because we try to control the movements of God.  God needs to guide and direct us on an issue or topic and our focus in which the flow is directed.  In the Holy Spirit flow, God directs the topic and the His word and builds upon it.   It’s not the man’s doing.  The man is only the willing vessel in which God works through- so it is God who receives the glory not us.

In the same thought, God needs to work the same way in our daily lives as we partner with him do to what is good and what he requires of us.

God can take a man who thinks of himself inadequate and make that humble obedient soul skilled in the task he (God) wants the man to perform or carry out.  That happens only with trust and turning over the reins of one’s life to God.  It is putting away and getting rid of any assumptions and understandings of yourself and trusting God.  Trusting God I believe starts and is ignited with a heart that is thankful and is retrospective.   The heart that thinks about all God has done, shown you, continues to do and promises to do.  There it builds a path which God can move and work.

“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:8

FAMILIARITY
We can have plenty of biblical knowledge and education but it is powerless without God guiding and directing it.  When we try do things in our own strength and understanding- it only leads to a religious routine.   Religious routine makes a rut in our lives.  It makes us feel comfortable and then we don’t even seek God for direction.    Religious routine doesn’t allow the Spirit to work, which is vital to our faith and relationship with the Lord.

“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19

The way in which we see, understand and perceive can stifle the Holy Spirit- causing us to not do justly, not love mercy and not walk humble before God.

 God wants us to find comfort in HIM not religious routine. 

“We can make our own plans but the Lord gives the right answer.”  Proverbs 16:1

What would happen if your world you knew changed instantly and you had just depended on the routines of life and the shallow truths of your faith?   I say shallow truths in the sense that even though God’s truths were great you never allowed them to sprout, mature and root deeply in Christ Jesus because you found comfort in routine and/or religion not a life of faith in Christ Jesus and not the path God had set up or ordained for you.

We have a false sense of security or lack true security when our faith is based on religious ideals, routines and our own understanding.  We lack security when we think we have to earn salvation in some way.   It’s only when the trials and challenges (the fires of life) come and we see our faith is weak and need a true genuine trust in God.  That we can do nothing good without God.

A sound mind comes when those seeds of faith are challenged with the fires of life and are allowed grow and dive deeper into the rich living nourishment of Jesus Christ.   Challenges help us see our need for Jesus and where the source of our strength needs to come from. 

Of course someone could always take the easier path but again what would their faith look like when disaster came or tragedy struck?  Would anyone be able to tell the difference between them and someone who wasn't a Christian? 

If someone took the easier path and Jesus Christ showed up would they shy away from him?  If the Holy Spirit manifested himself -would they shy away from him?  Of course they would.  The truth would be right there before them and they could not deny their relationship was weak at best.

Given the same questions how would we answer, how would we measure our relationship with God? Weak or strong? Chaff or wheat?  A stiff necked goat or a sheep? Ashamed of Christ Jesus or not ashamed of Christ Jesus?

What do your actions say?  Do you demand on God and trust God to do what is right?  Do you depend on God to do what is good, kind and merciful?  Do you walk humbly with God seeking his counsel and guidance?  What is the Holy Spirit telling you right now? Are you truly walking the path God wants for you?

Jesus says “If anyone acknowledges me publically here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven.  But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Remember Jesus telling the story of the farmer scattering seed in Matthew 13?  In the shallow comfort of familiarity in God’s word we lack confidence and trust and wilt under the pressures of life.

Familiarity brings lack of passion or even displaced passion.   We can be passionate in a religious manner instead of where the passion should really count which is our first love- Jesus Christ.  We can be passionate about the things of this world that will not matter a month or even a year from now.

Jesus says “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And Honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”  Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

Familiarity brings attachment or a firm grasp on life and the things of this life, which can be easily be taken away.  Routine as mentioned brings a false sense security, that we are in control, that we know how things should be and be carried out or be done BUT when we do this we only shut the door on God in our life and where we gather in a body of believers. 

In familiarity we may even think “this is the way" or “that is the way" things should be done in other people’s lives – where we force our opinions on them and try to manipulate and control others with our perspective confusing and jerking them around from what God is trying to do in their life.  That is why it is better to stay out of the affairs of others and focus on our own path Jesus Christ is taking us on.  Live it don’t just say it.  

How easy we forget our life is not our own but in God’s hands.

We lack spiritual sight, strength, power and depth in our faith because we have allowed this world and prince of this world who is Satan to steal the word from our minds before it can take root in our hearts – assurance comes with heart felt meditation and exercise in trusting in Jesus Christ.  Faith is not just some surface thing or bible trivia we pick up and memorize from a Sunday sermon but God’s word lived in and drawn up and nourished in the Holy Spirit.  It is a path empowered in purpose created by God just for you and I to share with the world.

Satan comes to steal the word from people with the affairs of this life and we don't live out the word because our own desires not to want to suffer and sacrifice our lives for purpose of the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

“But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.  Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!  For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household.  And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those ho never obeyed God’s Good News?  And also, if the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to the godless sinners? So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to God who created you, for he will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:16-19 NLT 

Through familiarity, the church in America has gotten lazy and has even fallen away from God’s powerful truth and principles.   I believe God is creating clean hearts and renewing a right mind and heart within the body of Christ.   God is calling willing participants that he can equip and live their purpose he has planned of them.   We need to follow his Spirit and do what pleases Him not what makes us or people feel comfortable.   Jesus, the Master of the house of God will be coming back, and he will see what we have done with his word and promises and gifts.  Thank God for the experiences some of us are facing now.

TROUBLE & CHALLENGES

How do you and I react to trouble?

Do you and I seek God for refuge and strength in troubling times?  What is our initial reaction?  What do we turn to first?  What do you do when trouble comes?

Persecution of the church did not just spread the gospel but has always focused the church on where their true refuge and strength comes from – which is God. 

Their circumstances and trails were so deep that their relationship with the Lord also deepened.   With the fiery challenges in life came anticipation of God’s help, comfort, strength, refuge, and encouragement. 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us.   For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”  Romans 5:3-5

They knew God’s help was present in trouble.  They only had to seek God and trust God to receive it.  Trouble and circumstances brought them to genuine faith.

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, just must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too.  For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.  You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

The only thing that mattered in their life was God.   They had suffered to a point that all the worthless desires and affairs of this life had been burned away.  The only thing that made them satisfied was doing the will of God.  

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad- because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.  Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of the God will come upon you.  If you suffer however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.  But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.  Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name!” 1 Peter 4:12-16

Trouble brought with it genuine faith and intention to focus and trust and seek God.  Spiritual eyes were opened wide for the Lord’s work to be done and they knew no matter what happened to them – God loved them and this love filled them with peace that encouraged them on in the faith.   They didn’t just know what the word of their faith said but lived within it and the Spirit of God flowed regardless of their trials and circumstances.

This life of faith, this path is definitely one less taken but their is no question when one of genuine faith takes their last breath that they will be with their Lord, who they trusted and have grown to know with every experience in this life.  The Lord, through his faithful love, gave them: strength, encouragement, peace, quiet wisdom, and direction.  And through this real and living love of Christ they were able to touch other people’s lives as well so they might come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

"God saved you by his special favor when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."  Ephesians 2:8-10

You and I have two paths before us.  One path that is ordained for us, made specifically for us, to give us a life we never expected or imagined, a life full of guidance and assurance, a life with meaning and purpose that includes a life changing building partnership with God.  And then we have another path.  A path filled with our own desires, filled with manipulation, intimidation, pride, lack of self-control, misplaced hope and trust that will mean nothing in the end if we stay on it.

 Knowing this, what path are you going to take?

The Best Pathway For Our Life 1

I would love to just break free of this life and go supersonic any direction I thought looked good like a kid running ahead of his parents at amusement park.   I notice when those kids do that however, their Mom and Dad says, "Where are you going? We aren't going over there.  We are going over here first and then we will do that."

I believe God sometimes does that to us.  God brings us to this amusement park of life and says, "Where are you going? or "No you aren't going over there" or "No we aren't going over there just yet, we are going to do this stuff first."  I think that is good that God does that - I mean can you imagine all the parents at the amusement park just letting their kids go running off where ever they wanted and doing whatever they wanted?  Life is strange enough thank God he has some of us paying attention- well some of the time.   

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life and I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

God knows this amusement park of life, he knows the best pathway and the best times to get on certain rides - and the rides we just need to stay away from.       

I remember before I gave my life to Christ, thinking "Why would I give my life to God?"

I thought if I gave my life to God I wouldn't live a satisfying life.  My life in this amusement park of life would be no fun.  What God wanted was WAY different than what I wanted from life and that was true BUT looking back - if my life didn't change and I continued down that road I was on I would have been still a very unsatisfied person.  I would still be seeking to replace the things that were no longer satisfying me.  Looking for the next greatest thing, and in the end... it would have not only been a never ending fruitless quest in life- but if I didn't see my need for God in my life I would spent eternity in hell not heaven.

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Gal 6:8

I wanted to be the one in control of my life but looking back I think that was pretty naive.   Is anyone really in control of their life?  Does anyone have any guarantees that they will live their life to a ripe old age?  No.... Does anyone have any guarantees that their ventures in life will be successful? No...  Life is short no matter what our age.

It is a comfort to know as a Christian that if we trust and seek God- he promises to guide us along the best pathway of our life and he will advise us and watch over us no matter how long or short this life on earth might be.

Imagine the God who created you and I, the God who created the universe has not just a plan and will for us but wants to take us along the BEST pathway for our life and advise and watch over us as we go along this temporary experience we call life which is nothing compared to eternity.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "they are plans for good not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when seek me.  I will be found by you," says the LORD."  Jeremiah 29:11-14  
 
The question we need to really consider is: "Do we really earnestly seek Him?  Do we believe and trust God will guide us along the best pathway for this temporary experience we call life?"

Most of us Christians would say, "Yes" at first but after considering some of our actions we would have to honestly say, "Not to the depth we wish to trust God."   Life throws a lot of things at us but I believe in the depth we look at God's word will determine how we look at life.  It will determine how we perceive our life and react to life - not only that but it will determine how we respond, understand value our relationship with God.

I believe God will give us nothing but the best if we just believe it.   He will give us something more then sufficient to brighten even our darkest days.  Why do I believe this?  I believe this because IF God, WHO IS THE BEST, became flesh in Jesus Christ, died for us, rose again and gave us the Holy Spirit then He has to have the BEST pathway for our life as well.   

Jesus said "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly. " John 10:9-10

Mediate on these truths as you seek God's path for your life.  Amen

Commiting to the Will of the Lord.

SEEK & REMOVE
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established."

The word "commit" stuck out to me as I read this scripture.  The context of the word "commit" comes from the word "galal" which also is a place in the bible that you can find in Joshua 5:9.

As a way to show their commitment to the Lord, all the males that were camped in Jericho waiting to enter the the Promise Land were circumcised.  "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.'  So that place has been called Gilgal to this day."

Hope I don't lose you here.  We too can be slaves to "Egypt"  Egypt can be used as an illustration of the world.   We can be a slave to the world.  We can become a slave to the ideals and social norms of this world.  Do as the world does.   Egypt was full of false gods, was rich with resources, and used it's influence to manipulate and enslave people.

Before we came to Christ we were slaves to this world BUT when we "commited" ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ our sins that were counted against us were "rolled" away.   They were removed.
  
This might help us see the context of the word "galal" better.

The Hebrew context of "galal is to: "roll, seek, wallow, trust, commit, remove, run down."

This context of "galal" we see in proverbs 16:3 and Joshua 5 really has two meanings that come together as one if we look carefully.  "God removes your shame/guilt/sin with your seeking, trust and commitment to him (Our Heavenly Father, Son -Jesus Christ- Holy Spirit)."

TRUE COMMITMENT
The Holy Spirit reminded me of what Paul wrote in Romans:  "For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.  No,  a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God.  And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit.   Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people."  Romans 2:28-29

That goes the same for Christians.  God knows if our conviction is in Him, if we are devoted to Him, if we are sincerely seeking Him,  and if we are truly trusting Him.  Just because you were born of Christian parents and because you go to church doesn't make you a true Christian.  Just because you are standing in a parking lot or a library doesn't make you a car or book.   A true Christian is one whose heart is right with God.  It is a change of heart produced by the Holy Spirit when you committed and continued to trust and seek the Lord.  That is faith.  You walk with God.  You can not please God without faith.  "So it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."  Hebrews 11:6

We have to seriously consider, again and again, are we truly continuing to walking that path God has for us or have we snatched our life back from God where we lose the life God has desired for us.

You seek God's will and you will find yourself living in the desires of God for your life.   There will be a departure from your wants to God's wants.  He will give you the strength to do his will for what is required for the tasks he wants you to do.  You will not be seeking praise from people but God.

So one might say, "Lord what is your will for my life?  What is your will for this day?"

I believe God can do that but my tendency is when I do ask those questions and God answers- I become so narrow minded I don't see the little or big things God is bringing up to help me become more like Christ because I am I so focused on a particular aspect of what I think is the conclusion or major point or the climax to the crescendo.  And because I get so narrow minded I miss out on the building lessons of the Holy Spirit and the instruction and direction in those life changing lessons.

When I do that I am no longer working in the Spirit but in this task oriented mode which can easily be distracted by how things are are or are not getting down in the way I think they should be done - which drives me to unsound thoughts or actions in the flesh or just plain and simple wears me out.  

Sometimes I feel a little bit like I am experiencing a preview to a movie and if it looks like a good movie I want to not just see the preview but the entire movie especially if it has a good ending.  (Knowing God wants the best for His children we know life is going to have it fair share of ups and downs but in the end it is going to be GOOD!) 

We want the big picture of what God is doing and when we don't get the big picture we lose patience and jump the gun.  We can go an entirely different direction than God wants us to go because we become impatient and then we wonder why we aren't satisfied and confident in that task or direction we chose.  Then that leads to inner conflict- BUT hopefully with repentance, learned lessons, we get back on the path and plan God wants us to be on too.

Seeking God with patience God will give us direction and with that direction, He gives us the confidence and gumption to do what He has asked and has directed us to do.

Now I could manipulate God's words to make them sound like what I want them to say.  For example a person could say the bible says, "There is no God" because they only chose only to hear what you wanted to hear.  And in reality the bible says, "Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!" Psalm 53:1

You can say "I will commit this or that plan 'I' have to the Lord and it will succeed and it will be established."  And I know people do that and sometimes that turns out good and sometimes it turns out not so good.  But the question is- "Is that really God's plan for your life?"  Ask and follow God's plan not your plan.

I could run this race of life and win and come to find out as I stand before the Lord that I really won the wrong race.  I could have done many good things and lived what I thought was a good life but the Lord say to me, "I never you."  I don't know about you but I want to be sure I'm doing the Lord's will in my life, don't you?  The only way to do that is to follow the Holy Spirit's counsel and direction and that only happens if we take time to each day and throughout the day to listen and read God's word. 

"Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws." Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Matthew 7:21-24

Notice he says, "the will of my Father".

Doing the will of the Father is learning to trust Him in all things in life even in the plans He has for our life.  God knows exactly what is inside of you and me that He can use for His glory and you and I know- He knows what is good and still needs more work.  His plan/will- will get us to the full stature or measure of Christ Jesus- not our plan.  My plan may look and sound good, it may even earn me a bunch of money and benefits and lots of nice things but I would be chasing the wind and life would be meaningless in the end because I chose to the dollar and material things instead of Almighty God who gives me everything I need and a life full of thanksgiving.  I want my life to be secure and built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Again it would be easy after reading this to point your finger and say "well so and so doesn't do this and that".   Please don't do that.  That is something else at work and only tears down and does not build up.  Keep your heart and thoughts diligent on the Lord.  Be mindful of your relationship with the Lord - not anyone else and you will make a greater difference then if you pointed your finger and grumbled about others who you considered superficial in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Seek and pray to God with me as we seek the Lord's will and plan for our life.  In Jesus Name Amen.  

Art Imitating Life

I had a dream I was back in art school. I can’t remember much about the dream but when I woke up it reminded me of some of the last words my stepfather spoke before leaving this life and stepping into heaven. The words were, “To receive, to become part of the process, to artfully leave.”

In Jesus Christ there is life for He is life.

John 1:1-4 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.”

We are God’s craftsmanship. We are continually being molded, shaped and refined as we look to Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We as Christians are to imitate Jesus.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

We are to imitate Jesus but that is impossible if first God has not transformed us by his Holy Spirit and second if we are depending on the physicality and mentality of ourselves. If we are focused on our own perceptions or our physical ability we cannot imitate Jesus.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Ephesians 4:23 says “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness- righteous, holy and true.”

Being able to imitate Jesus not only has to do with our transformation of the Holy Spirit, which is essential and required BUT a focus and surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ.

In his glorious authority Jesus Christ molds us into the person/ vessel we were meant to be. He knows our make up. He knows our soul’s periodic table. He knows the elements, which we are made from. He knows us better then we know ourselves. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He made our unique recipe that is uniquely us- knowing exactly how to use that recipe to honor and glorify Him.

But in like all secret and special recipes it needs it’s creator to prepare it. Only then can it be exquisite. Then when the Master Chef serves it, everyone who tastes it and looks back on the dish will appreciate and give honor and praise to the Master Chef that has caringly prepared it. We are a spiritual dish to serve others by God and that dish cannot claim credit -for we were made and transformed by God. We are not own creator.

So how does this moving and breathing recipe not become self-absorbed? How does it not think just on of the earthly things of this life that are here today and gone tomorrow?

Remember we are only a recipe -and it is only satisfying when prepared by God. Like a dish seasoned and prepared with the finest wine- the Expert Chef cuts and trims and separates the good stuff from the bad stuff but the amateur who does not know what he/she is doing cooks it all together and the dish is ruined and has to be tossed out. Expert Chef God is but we are not.

And as a beautiful work of art receives accolades- it only does so because of its creator. And so it is with us as we allow the Master’s hands to continue His good work in us – it brings Him and his Son glory and we get to experience some of that glory for ourselves even though we don’t claim any credit for it whatsoever.

Why is the Cross a Threat?

Jesus said "They hated me without cause." John 15:25.

The cross... the cross signifies Jesus and the Father's love for us. So why is the cross a threat? Why do people hate the cross without cause?

To the devil and the demons it is a very big threat and they will use any organization and individual to get rid of any cross. Just think if a single cross in the Mojave desert has gotten the attention of organizations and individuals who have this unexplainable hate or extreme dislike towards the cross- then you know the cross is a major threat to Satan and his demons. Who would of thought that a post with a vertical and horizontal post put together would be such a problem. Think about. Other symbols don't seem to be a problem to these groups and individuals - just the cross. Where the simple cross stands- "the" saving message stands and that message is a great threat to our spiritual foes. We don't fight against flesh and blood but Satan and his demons. Those poor human saps don't know what they are doing and who they are serving when they fight to take down the cross. If they knew who they served they would stop.

If so called atheists see the cross as a threat - and they calm there is no god. Then what threat is there in the cross? Why are they fighting "something" that they say doesn't exist? Seems like a waste of money and energy to me.

Satan and his demons want the saving message of the cross to vanish from view in hopes they can take as many souls with them when they finally meet their destruction and judgement by God. They want the message of the cross to vanish because they know if the message of the cross is remembered and passed down then they are defeated and the blindfolds come off of those who are spiritually blind and that means those set free- set more people free in the freedom of Christ Jesus. And if you are reading this and you think Satan and his demons are not real- let me tell you I know for certain that they are no myth. I thought Satan was some fictional character until God brought down the spiritual veil and I got to see him first hand.

The cross... People have been murdered because of the message of the cross. They have been persecuted? They have been haunted down. They have been slandered and misquoted because the message of the cross.

"Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:20-21

Why do atheists and groups like the ACLU want to ask you and force you to take down your crosses? What is this repulsive response and hatred they have towards the cross alone? Why not any other symbol?

Is the cross offensive? No. It should be the most wonderful sign we have as God’s creation. Are there groups out in this world that use the cross in offensive ways? You bet.

The cross of Christianity is not a threat to the human. It is not a fashion symbol or a symbol of hatred and prejudice.

The cross is a sign that without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins- there is no way to Heaven. (There is no way to Father except through the son- Jesus Christ.)

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Before I was saved and Holy Spirit filled my understanding of Jesus was tiny and as I grew in the ways of society and men I hated when “true” believers would use the name Jesus Christ.

"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4

I lived NOT according to God's will but the world's will- mostly afraid that if I gave my life over to God I would lose all "fun". Unfortunately I held onto this philosophy for so long I became a very unhappy and unsatisfied person in a deep hole that I couldn't get out of. I saw my life as worthless and so I did the one thing I thought I would never do- I gave my life to God. Who saw worth in my life and He reached down into that deep miserable hole gave me a new life- a life I did not deserve and wasn't even expecting. From living in spiritual blindness to living a new life in His Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 45-21-24 “Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me." The people will declare, "The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength." And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.”

Before I gave my life to the LORD, I wanted to believe that God would not send me to hell- I had not killed anyone and I was a “good person” BUT my definition of “good” was in my comparison to other human beings not to God himself who is perfect. We all fall short of the glorious standard of God.

When we look at the law -murders, liars, thieves, covetors and adulators all stand the same fate without Christ Jesus. We all fall short and are guilty of breaking God’s law. The law shows us how we all have served sin and sin has been our ruler not God. Exodus 20:1-17

Romans 3:19-28 “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.”

People who choose not to believe that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life in heaven are not just fooling themselves but if they keep their false hope they are going to hell. Hell is very real place. I have heard the blood curdling screams and seen Lucifer/ Satan above it.

The cross says we cannot get into heaven by our own efforts. For if we could get to heaven by own efforts Christ Jesus (the only sinless man to walk the face of this earth) would had died in vain.

Those who want to get rid of the cross- do not know they serve Lucifer who wants to take their souls to hell. Lucifer is revengeful and comes to kill, steal and destroy. Some might say, isn't God able to protect his chosen creation? He is but if his chosen creation chooses not to seek Him and have confidence in Him and put their hope in Him- they are running from God not to God. Lucifer has been at this for quite some time. He is an expert at seduction and influencing understandings and encouraging false religions and manipulating and twisting God's truths.

People don’t seem to know God created them for purpose. They are continually unsatisfied because they look for this purpose but they never find that purpose because they don’t seek God to show them their God given destiny. People's prideful thinking make them believe they themselves create their own destiny and are made right with God by their own good deeds.

Isaiah 64:6 “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

People do good deeds in their own human understanding and these ways do not to honor God. They do it to make themselves feel and look good. They do it for pleasure, power and popularity. They do it for their own benefit not to honor God. When these good deeds are tested with fire they will just be ashes because God was not in it.

The symbol of the cross of Jesus Christ is powerful. It claims that faith alone in Jesus Christ will give you eternal life. And in this faith in Jesus Christ- we are free from the law of sin -for when we truly give our lives to Jesus Christ we are transformed. We no longer practice sin and serve the spirit of this world but God.

Romans 2:29 “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

The spirit of this world (Satan) does not want you to find your true destiny that God has created you for because then you would be against him and against him you will be empowered by God's Holy Spirit which defeats him and the forces of evil. Lucifer rather keep you captive and try to satisfy you with temporary pleasures and counterfeit promises until the day when you will be thrown into hell with him- for he already knows his fate..

In the cross- comes your true life and if some deem the cross to be a crutch then so be it. I rather be empowered by the Holy Spirit and living my true life that God has created for me then be tricked and side tracked to live some lie that takes my fate to hell. I rather be empowered by the Holy Spirit and to fear nothing but God himself. I rather know and seek God for He is limitless in what He wants to show and have me experience. He wants to enrich our lives spiritually beyond our imaginations.

In the cross we are set apart, heaven bound, liberated and empowered and hopefully now you can see why the enemy of our souls would want the cross to be forgotten and silenced.

It’s not “who” you know but "in whom" you know.

The church secretary brought a rather excited young man to me. After a dizzying and hurried introduction on his part he asked for prayer because he was having a very important meeting with some people that could drastically change his life in funding a project he had proposed to them. He said he was from Seattle and I originally from Seattle asked him if he knew my hometown. It was clear by his answer that even though he might have come from Seattle he did not know where my hometown was which was a bit odd but we continued in our discussion. He then quickly told me about all these “important” people he knew which I didn’t know -which he took as a shock as I calmly shook my shoulders. We prayed over the jittery young man. I prayed for God’s will to be done in his life and that he be himself and have peace during the meeting. I also prayed that he depend on God’s grace. He prayed for wisdom and the our church secretary prayed that he live for God but after it was all said and done a thought came, “That young man is depending on “who” he knows not the one who knows his purpose and plan for his life.”

To seek God in counsel is to know God. You cannot know God unless you seek him. In fact when you look up the definitions of “seek” and “know” in the bible concordance you will find the same definition. (Qal and Niphal)

This young man wasn’t seeking God out of the right motives. He was seeking God out because he wanted God to give him something that he desired for his own life. “He desired” … was not the same thing as “what God desired” for his life.

Understanding this principle is very important. Your destiny was planned long ago by God -but we as humans so often ignore that destiny and find ourselves in the endless search to be satisfied. God knows what will satisfy us because he created us for a specific purpose.

Sometimes we even complain until we get what we want and then when we get what we want we become sick or tired of it.

Take these records into account.

“And tell the people to purify themselves, for tomorrow they will have meat to eat. Tell them, ‘The Lord has heard your whining and complaints: “If only we had meat to eat! Sure were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. And it won’t be just a day or two, or for five or ten or even twenty. You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and have complained to him, “Why did we ever leave Egypt.” But Moses said, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you promise them meat for a whole month! Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Is there any limit to my power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” Numbers 11:18-23

"Look," they told him, "you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have."
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.
"Do everything they say to you," the LORD replied, "for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don't want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.
Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them."
So Samuel passed on the LORD's warning to the people who were asking him for a king. "This is how a king will reign over you," Samuel said. "The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use.
He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.
When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you."
But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. "Even so, we still want a king," they said.
"We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle."
So Samuel repeated to the LORD what the people had said, and the LORD replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king." Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home. 1 Samuel 8:5-22

They gave up God’s prophet and judge Samuel for a human king because he was old and they wanted to be just like everyone else who had a king so they weren’t the oddity. Appearances…. Hum?

I rather be an oddity. I rather be the oddity that serves God then mold myself to a society that decides what is good, bad and crazy.

I rather know God than know who is who and what is what in a society that rejects God. I rather seek God and be different and make a difference in the soul God has created.

Jeremiah 2:13” For my people have done two evil things: They have forsaken me- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”

Jeremiah 2:17 says “And you have brought this on yourselves by rebelling against the Lord your God when He wanted to lead you and show you the way!”

Yes I rather seek and turn to God then be lost in something that doesn’t matter at all. I don't want to gain the world and lose my soul. I rather walk a straight line then run in circles and never get to the destiny God has for me.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12

God wants to empower his creation, his vessels, his beloved, his forgiven by his mercy and grace- so they can touch and set others free but that can not happen until they seek and walk and know Him -even though God is so great we will never stop learning to know about Him and His ways.

We all know there is a God but do we really take the effort to know him? Our culture and society pushes Him out of the way. We forget about God and His values and principles. We instinctively know right from wrong- for God has put those in us but we choose to ignore because we don't want to look prejudiced and out of place from society's practices. We push God out of the way and disasters fall upon us and we ask where is God? We wonder why there is such a moral decay in society and why justice seems slanted and bias and we ask where is God? And God says, "Right were you left me." You see we leave God, God doesn't leave us. We are to turn and draw God - And God empowers and individual, a people and a nation but without Him we are wasting our breath and time.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring" Acts 17:24-28

For just as we learn from our human fathers we are to learn from our heavenly Father as well but how can we learn from our heavenly Father if we don't take the time to seek and get to know him and know him better?

No one can walk in the glorious power of God unless they surrender and obey him. Our soul is at stake when we don't obey and surrender to him.

Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher then your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." 55:6-9

Many religious people know there is a God but do they really know HIM? We all must understand God is the one who created us (who knit us together in our mother's womb) Psalm 139:13 and He created us for a God given purpose and destiny. And to walk in that purpose and destiny we must seek and get to know God daily so He can direct us.

You weren't meant to gain the whole world and lose your soul in the process. You were meant to seek and know God and in doing so he would truly show you direction and your God given destiny.

The Soul & God’s Will

In Genesis 2:7 says “And the LORD God formed a man’s body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.”

Adam did not become a “man” until God breathed life into his body. He did not become a man until God breathed his soul into him.

The transliteration of the word “soul” is psyche.

Each soul God makes is unique. The word soul in the Hebrew is translated in Strong’s concordance as breath, the breath of life, the vital force, which animates the body and shows itself in breathing of animals and in men. Soul is life, that in which there is life, a living being, and living soul. The soul is the seat of feelings, desires, affections, and aversions (our heart, soul etc). The human soul is so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness. The soul is regarded as the moral being designed for everlasting life. The soul is an essence, which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death. It is distinguished from other parts of the body.)

The soul, given use of the "right" use of “aids” offered by God can help him or her attain the highest results and secure eternal blessedness.

1. An aid would include the Holy Spirit, where a person is “born again.” You can only be born again if you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. You truly believe he is the the SON of God and "is" eternal life itself. He laid down his life and had the power to pick it up again. Not some lie silly that spirit of this world has made up. Those in Jesus Christ are no longer influenced as those with the spirit of this world but are filled by the Holy Spirit - who secures their entry into heaven (The Kingdom of God). Jesus Christ gives his Holy Spirit to aid his workers “see” and do what needs to be done. He (the Holy Spirit) shows us what is wrong and right in our lives. He helps us overcome what is wrong in our lives. He does not just leave what is wrong in our lives but helps us overcome the things that are wrong in our lives. John 3:5

2. An aid would include Holy Spirit gifts. 1 Corinthians 12

3. An aid would include the desires, affections, talents, abilities, skills, feelings and even dislikes that are uniquely you.

Please note that the bible is the instruction manual to life and we have a difficult understanding the bible without God's Holy Spirit. Believe me, I tried when I was not a Christian and the words might as well been ink splatters on a white page and what I could read I could not retain.

God has given the soul these things not so we will waste them but to use them to give us a purpose and to further the kingdom of God. it is hard to imagine but God has prepared our souls for success in this life but we have to use the right aids and use them appropriately.

"Our goal in loving other people is that they will see in us the love of Christ. Not all of us do this in the same way. God has equipped each of us individually with gifts and abilities, interests and inclinations, that He will use to make our service to Him exactly what the people around us need." 1 Peter 4:7-11

What do people need? They need God. I need God everyday. I can not do what I do for the service of Christ without God's help. My life would be in tatters if I tried to live this life in my own ways, own understandings and my own strength.

Each of us, each soul, has a choice to serve God or serve the spirit of this world, which is Satan. (I have already given you my account of Satan. He is very real. So I will not go over that experience again.)

Satan can make you what the world calls "successful" in this life. You can tackle the things in this life by the spirit of this world - where you will succeed in the things of this world but the things of this world will continue make you a slave to them -for they are only as good as “mirages” once you possess them and if you possess them for "selfish" reasons. The things of this world will keep you searching and looking for something more to try to satisfy your unquenchable thirst brought on by your own human understandings and lack of respect for God.

You might be what the world considers rich but inside your soul penniless.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Spirit of God is the only one to satisfy your thirst. He offers true life and eternal life in heaven unlike the spirit of this world, which blinds and tricks you. People who live according to this world have freely allowed these chains to be put on them and if they continue, those chains will drag their soul to hell. God has given us Jesus Christ but if our choice is to serve the spirit of this world and not Jesus, God will turn away from us and let the chains of bondage take us to hell because we did not heed his warnings. Jesus Christ is the key to free you from the chains of hell. He gives the Holy Spirit who gives true life and eternal life in heaven.

Matthew 10:28 Jesus says "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Proverbs 9:10 “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

Proverbs 14:27 “Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.”

This may sound harsh to some of you but everything is black and white to the LORD.

Matthew 16:23-27 Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Why gain the world’s respect? Why do as the world does? Why understand as the world understands? What do you really gain? Why be as the world wants you to be? Why serve the world that will only take your soul and plunge it into the dark pit of hell?

Who are you soul? Who are you serving soul? Have you lost who you are by living the world’s way or are you living by God's Spirit? There are plenty of people who could be used by God but they sit there because they don't trust God, follow the Holy Spirit's leading, and have turned who they are off because the world and themselves didn't appreciate the soul God made.

Just as it was for me… there is still hope if you are still breathing. There is only one who can reach into the deep hole you found yourself in. There is only one who can lead you to and show you your true destiny and that person is Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

How can love yourself if you are living and serving the world and not respecting the soul God breathed into you? How can love your neighbor “ (1 Corinthians 13) the right way if you don’t love yourself the right way. How can you love God if you don’t love yourself the way you are suppose to love yourself? Your hours and days of this life are a waste if you don’t love as God has said. (1 Corinthians 13.)

Who are you soul?

God made each of us special. He has plans for us but its kind of hard to go ahead with God’s plans if we don’t know what we are starting with or have been living a waste of a life.

Ever heard the proverb, “When you dig a well, you may fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you! When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax! Such are the risks of life.”? Proverbs 10:8-9

Such are the risks… when you are on the quest of being the person God created you to be.

Are you being suppressed, oppressed, taunted, abused, tempted, belittled, knocked down, told you're not good enough, pressured to be someone you are not? If so ask yourself: "What is the danger of being me?" Who am I a danger to? Was Jesus Christ being Jesus Christ a problem to others? Facts are there is no need for the devil or anyone else to come after you if you living a life of sin and/or are not living your true identity. The devil wants to keep captive whom he has. He doesn’t like turncoats. You are a danger to him if you want to be the soul God created you to be. Are you willing to live a lie to appease others? You want to serve Satan instead of God?

Who are you?

It’s our choice to embrace those God gifted talents, interests and qualities or not - and even a choice to use them for Him or for our sinful and selfish ways. Our sinful ways will always leave us empty. Living the ways of this world, wanting to appease others and living by others expectations instead of living as the SOUL God intended you to be -cannot just leave you empty but be very dangerous.

Sometimes we try to hang on to life by putting who we are to the side and we do that to try to gain the love and respect of others but in the end we are lost and destroyed. We must not be ashamed of Jesus or the person God made for Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-16 says “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”

What lays hidden within you? What did God create in you to serve Jesus?

Sin leads to sin. What is the root of sin?

Do you love yourself? Not talking of a prideful love, which has been seeded and influenced by the spirit of this world.

NOTE-And so people don’t twist my words this has NOTHING to do with a person's right to be homosexual, gay or a lesbian or living immoral lifestyle. The bible is clear - those things are wrong. Children: You being you doesn't mean you have a right to be rude and disrespectful to your parents. Remember everything not done in love of Christ is useless.

Have you allowed the spirit of evil to "seed" things into your life and you are now being awakened to that fact? You have now been able to reached out of the heap of this world and feel freedom with your fingers?

Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23: "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you."

Has there been anything planted in your soul that is being grown and spreading like weed or a curse? Have spoken things into your life and others people's life that is destructive to your soul and their soul. "I can't, I will never, you will never, you are..."

Do you have no room for God who made your soul?

Jesus says in John 8:44-47” For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God."

Are we truly accepting what Jesus has said or are we believing the world? Who is influencing our decisions?

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Have we been blinded some way?

Do you love who you are -if you don’t know who you are? Can you love anyone else effectively if you don’t effectively embrace the SOUL God made you to be? Can you love God with all your heart, all your soul and your entire mind if you don’t know whom you are?

Is there any rest or any assurance if you don’t appreciate the SOUL God has made and trust in God who knows why that soul was made- the way it was made? Can you move ahead in the pursuits God has for you?

There is a fine line between living a lie and a sacrifice. Christ never forgot who he was when he was down here on earth. Your guide should be Jesus Christ who can and has set you free from the rules of this world. He has set you free from the spells and curses of individuals. God has put the possible and possibilities in you- in accordance to his will.

With God’s will + your true self, (your soul) in Christ = they are like an eagle and it’s wings.

How can you do what God has asked of you and made you for if you aren’t you? How can you really love God enough to do what he has asked of you if you aren’t living the true you?

You not living who you are is like a person with a medical condition- who doesn’t do anything because of the medical condition. It is like an over weight individual who doesn’t do anything because they are over weight.

Jesus said “I am the true vine, my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:1-2

The Gardener has planted Jesus Christ in the true Christian heart. He has also planted our soul with his breath so we might serve Jesus with all our heart mind and soul. We might serve him with our entire true self.

God wants to trim and weed out all the stuff that isn’t of you- the stuff that burdens you and doesn’t produce good fruit- the stuff that keeps your mind occupied on matters that oppress and hinder you- the stuff that makes you a victim instead of a victor.

Jesus didn’t lay down his life as a victim but as a victor- to lay down your life without love is pointless.

Your true self- your soul that God made is not useless and to be wasted but again it’s our choice.

Just as ruin starts in the heart so does successful Godly control start in the heart. It’s a choice. God’s ordain destiny cannot take place if you don’t appreciate the SOUL God created. Come to Jesus. Find out why God created you and see how he can use the things he put into you to give you a purpose while furthering the kingdom of God.

Before you started putting away who you were as a child, or a young adult or adult full of circumstances… Before you were trying to live something you were not. Before you became this shell of a person lost and unfulfilled and trying to be something you were never meant to become… who were you?

If you are dating someone and you have to hide who you really are… Ask yourself this question. “When things start to get serious and things lead to marriage -is the person your marrying – marrying you or marrying someone you are pretending to be?

In Narnia “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” there is a girl named Lucy who wants to look and be her older sister Susan so she speaks a spell over her life and not realizing her value and God’s ordained destiny she found she “could” not just actually speak herself out of existence but out of the role God has for her to walk out.

Satan wants to steal God’s work in you. He wants you to forget and make you choose not to be the soul God made you to be.

Don’t doubt your value and run from whom you are.

Walk in the things that God put in your soul. Fear and respect God and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance which Jesus alone gives to his followers, build on those things as you continue in your relationship with Jesus and you will be a mighty heaven bound vessel of God