A Witness of the LIGHT

Oil Painting by Jeff Johnson

As I was thinking about a name for a painting, “A Witness of Light” came to mind.

I have seen the Light of men. I have seen Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Matthew 6 says those with a pure heart will see God.   I saw Jesus in a vision and the effects of seeing Him instantaneously changed what was going on inside of me.  I went from discouragement to joy, the instant Jesus smiled at me. The Creator smiled…

You know Jesus doesn’t even have to say a word- for He has said and paid for everything for us with his blood and resurrection.  Jesus smiled and like a gate of goodness pouring forth- my discouragement left me and I began to laugh.  

Sounds insane?  I think for the most part -wonders are insane.  They can’t be explained.  The world loves to explain things away that it can’t understand but God doesn’t fit in the confines of human wisdom and understanding.

I have seen the Light of men and women on several occasions so I don’t have the excuse, defense, reasoning for not believing in Jesus Christ.  But in saying this--- I do not share this for my benefit (though my soul has benefited greatly from what no human eye has seen) but I share for the benefit of you! Yes you!

I share with those who haven’t seen.  I share with those who haven’t believed.  I share with you that you may believe in my testimony and turn to Jesus and believe in Him as your Lord and Savior and He may come and live within.

Jesus says we are Christians are the light of the world --not because we are the Light but because we have the Spirit, the flame of God, living within us.

“John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.” John 1:8

We, just like John, are testifiers of God….

Jesus said, “While you have the Light, believe and trust in the Light [have faith in it, hold on to it, rely on it], so that you may become sons of Light [being filled with Light as followers of God].”  Jesus said these things, and then He left and hid Himself from them.  John 12:36 AMP

We are individuals, where we do what John 12:36 say – Our souls inside these earthen vessels are being empowered and clothed with God’s glorious light.  Our soul is the only thing we take with us when we leave this earth- - our bodies will turn to dust and join the earth.  So we must… invest our soul in what is everlasting- The Everlasting God who clothes our soul with His Everlasting Spirit… the mysterious glory of God.  The Spirit of God that the world isn’t looking for…

Jesus speaks of a time when we enter heaven but the only ones allowed in heaven are the ones who have the Spirit of God living in them.  Their soul, no longer clothed with the flesh of this world is clothed with the Spirit of God-- and the only one to give the Spirit of God to us all is Jesus Christ- in whom we need to place our faith.

Jesus said, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of my message] will not continue to live in darkness.” John 12:46 AMP

Jesus also said, “But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are –accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].” John 3:21 AMP

We are prompted by God’s Spirit to live life beyond the constraints of our often frustrating faulty human understanding.  That we may be testifiers of God’s goodness because we have experienced it and rely on it daily…

In a dream I was on a double-decker bus.  I was up on the top deck with no rails or no real seats… We headed up this steep mountain slope.  There was a steep drop off on one side of the bus and steep cliff on the other…. The bus swerved back and forth as it rolled up this snaking slope.  The bus driver drove fast around the curves and it felt as if the bus would tip.   I thought, “What is the bus driver thinking driving this fast on this narrow road?  Someone is going to fall off the edge.”

Seeing a child next to me I instinctively held tight on to him until we reached a white city with breathing pools of water.

It was then I saw all my fretting was for not.  

Sometimes in this narrow snaking road of life we think, “What is God thinking?”

During those times we must hold onto our childlike faith- seeing God, full of goodness, has everything under control- so fret not.  Doing this will help us continue to be testifiers of the LIGHT living within us.

 

THE TREE

I was shown a vision.   There was this dark gray forest, a forest I thought at first were hairs on a dog in the moonlight.  But as I looked more closely I realized these were no hairs of a dog at all but trees.  They were trees without any limbs or branches.  There were thousands of tree trunks and they were all leaning like a great wind at blown them in all the same direction but within this sea of grey slivers I was guided to a single warm yellow light.  I looked closer and realized it was a tree, a tree of light.   It was small and I would had probably missed it if it hadn't been pointed out to me.  It had branches and leaves and it was standing upright.  A tree of light.... in a "barren" wilderness.

It does remind me of dream I had of a ocean and a forest.  A ocean that was pouring onto the land stripping the trees of their bark and laying their fruit to waste.   The trees were no longer getting their water from the mountain but the poisoning ocean.

If you have the Spirit of God living in you, you know the ocean is the sea of immoral humanity.  It poisoned the trees with it's sinful values, rules, mandates, human understanding and so called "improvements".  You can also figure the mountain is God, the source of life.      

The forest in this vision also had been stripped.... and a darkness had come upon it.

When you think of the word “gray” what does it mean to you? 

Gray isn’t black and white.  When things are not black or white, then there is no real sense of right and wrong.  When these things become gray how do we define things like justice, morals, sin, love...? 

When people do not stand on what is right or wrong or know right from wrong then they are blown this way and that way like grass in the wind.  They can believe anything is right and true even though it is not.   Truth is not a matter of opinion.  Truth comes from God, what is written in His word.  When you have no REAL truth living in your soul then you just have a "barren" existence.

Think how those trees were stripped... why were they stripped?

Existing isn’t life but “Life” happens when God (TRUTH) is allowed to be engaged in a person’s soul.  JESUS made this possible.  

Christians, God wants us to be that tree of light in a gray world.  He wants to sing in our branches-so to speak.

Yes Jesus said.... “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  But He ALSO continued with: “ But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.  And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come…” Matthew 23:12-14

Has the end come? No! Of course not, so why act as if it is so…  Our true HOPE is Alive and Well. And that hope in us is contagious because God, unlimited in encouraging resources and trustworthy promises, is OUR SOURCE!

  

Jesus spoke and there was light.  Jesus came into our life and a newness beyond our imagination came into our life.  We were transformed were we not? Light had come into our life! Truth had come into our life.

Jesus said “I am truth, the way, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John said "God is light" (1 John 1:5) and if you have Jesus then His light is to shine in you for He is the light of mankind. (John 1:4)

Jesus said to those who believe in him, “You are light of the world- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all.”

Let the goodness of God flow through you!  TRUST and call upon His goodness with expectation… and in this, the calm peaceful pleasant perfect centering will of God will be manifested in your life! Yes Joy!  And the dark things of this world will become POWERLESS in your life... as the saying goes.. "This too shall pass..."

Do you remember what Psalm 1 says?

"Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 
 But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.   They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail.
  Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.  But this is not true with the wicked.  They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.  They will be condemned at the time of judgment.  Sinners will have no place among the godly.  For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”  

Be that tree of light! No matter how small a tree you might think you are- God notices and points you out.
  

Internalizing Our Faith

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During the Christmas season we often "externalize" our faith with Christian activities and gifts but what needs to come forth as we participate in all these festivities is the light that comes from internalizing our faith.   

Internalizing our faith is the most important thing we can do for others and ourselves. 

What does internalizing our faith mean?

Internalizing our faith is what God has been quietly stirring and growing, producing and maturing in us in our daily relationship with Him.

Let Your Light Shine

 ^“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

We often think of good deeds as “deeds” alone but deeds are to be actions and genuine words that result from us looking  to God.

Think about the moon.  It doesn’t produce it’s own light but has light because it faces the sun. We have light because we are inwardly submitting and looking to God- the source of our light.  We aren’t denying God but allowing God shine from within.

John wrote,

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5

LIFE! Life isn’t a life of activity and possessions.   Life is experiencing the presence of God working in our life.

One might say when we internalize our faith in God then everything else will take care of it’s self.

IS THIS AN EASY TASK?

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

If continually internalizing our faith were an easy task, do you think Jesus would have to go venture out away from the noise, static, clutter, and distraction of world?

Even Satan tries to keep us from internalizing our faith.

Remember when the Holy Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness for forty days? Satan showed up to try to divert Jesus from the Father’s objective to save humanity from their sin and restore their relationship with Him.  If Satan did that to Jesus do you not think he will command his demons to divert our attention away from God as well?

No it’s not easy.  We live in a world of go, go, go.  We go from one activity to another activity and even when we have a chance to sit and be still we become preoccupied on our electrical devices.   If you ask some who have retired, they are busier now then when they had a full time job. 

We need to continually be reminded to take time to be with the Lord.  We have a brother in Christ who set’s reminders on his cell phone to take a few moments to retreat into God.

We can get carried away and overwhelmed in this world.   The mud puddles of world can soak us as we pass by.  The thorns of agitations can take hold.   We can forget what good bread tastes like or there is a sun above the gray clouds.  We get the dust of world to clog our spiritual filter and if we not checked and maintained we can reflect the fallen mindsets and conditions of humanity.

 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Think if Jesus had to get away from the messes of everyday life to pray then we ALSO must do this to find that CENTER- that sweet spot.

That CENTER where GOD enables us to live in “this quiet satisfying resilience” which comes when one internalizes their faith

This CENTER is impossible to have without prayer. 

The word says,  ^“pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is a constant surrendering- a humbling submission that includes a genuine heart of gratitude where the seed of self -dies and we grow and abide in Christ but what happens when the plant or tree isn't watered and the warmth of God isn't allowed to shine on it?  The plant or tree will wilt, it's leaves will fall from it and it's fruit will turn and dry up on it's branches and it will die.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 

What happens when we pray?

I don’t know about you but when I challenge my doldrums and my lowest low in prayer, I am lifted out of those conditions.  I knock on God's door and door opens.  There is an unexplainable spiritual change that takes place inside of me.  What was impossible to reach moments before becomes possible through prayer and even song.  God gives me something to eat to nourish my soul and encourage me on in the day ahead. 

If I don’t seek God, who is the light, I can slip into deeper darkness and I can become ineffective as a vessel of God.

Think how the devil uses this to his advantage because so many do not challenge what comes against them in prayer.  

When we pray we are turning, submitting to God.  When we pray we are challenging everything that comes against us/ everything that tries to put our light out and get our focus off of God.

^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Let’s take a moment….

Thank You LORD that you sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross and he rose from the grave to forgive our sins and empower us with a relationship with you through your Holy Spirit.  Lord, forgive me for offenses. Thank you LORD for your correction.  Thank you for your mercy and grace and unfailing love.  Thank you LORD that you are protecting and touching my family and providing for all their needs this day.  Thank you are protecting our minds and hearts this day.  Thank you LORD you are giving me renewed strength this day.  Thank you LORD for your guidance this day and ability this day. Thank you LORD you are touching “this need” right now.  I thank you LORD for your provision.  I thank you LORD for all the things I take for granted such as clean water, a bed and a pillow, electricity, a vehicle, a heater, a job, warm clothes, food in my refrigerator.  I thank you LORD you know my every need.  Thank you LORD you are giving me the words to speak.  Thank you LORD for ironing and straightening “this” situation and closing the doors that need to be shut. Thanks for the Spiritual bread you have for me to feed my soul this day and spiritual oil to keep my lamp burning bright for you.  Thank you LORD you are healing this person this day.  Thank you LORD you are encouraging this person this day.   Thank you LORD you touching this leader with your Spirit to make the right decisions.  LORD direct my footsteps and enable me to reflect your light to others around me this day.  Help me to stand fast when it is needed and difficult. In Jesus name Amen  

It’s amazing what happens throughout our day when we watch and take note and are made aware of what God does for us everyday.  Thank Him and watch what He does to gladden and enrich your soul.

… And the peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

There is A Sun Rising Up

When I awoke, the lyrics from one of Dave Crowder's songs were being said in my head.  They were:

"There's a sun rising up in my soul. Lord in my soul."

I then read the word for the day...

"For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O LORD of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you."  Psalm 84:11-12

So what are the chances of the word "sun" being mentioned twice in a short amount of time?   

I decided to see what the Hebrew word for "sun" meant in this scripture. I figured if the Hebrew word for "love" encompasses more then one word and meaning so might the word "sun".

Sun

1. Sun
2. sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west ) of direction
3. Sun (as object of illicit worship) Object not sanctioned by custom or law; improper or unlawful to worship.
4. Openly, publicly (in other phrases)
5. Pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining) 

 Here are a few things that came to mind as I read these translations. 

1. God is our beginning and our end.  

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.…" Revelation 22:13-14

Strangely I must note I had a dream early this morning of a white city.  It is under the tab labeled "Personal Notes".

2. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

3. God is the light of His people that cause them to grow and grow spiritually.

"The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

4. In a paradox, God being God is for some reason becoming more and more unacceptable to nations around the world.  His ways are seen to them as improper and unlawful even.  It is even improper to pray and worship him in some public places.  Though the evil things of this world are embraced, celebrated, and are encouraged.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12 

"Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1: 28-32

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers." Matthew 24:9 

5. The "public" evidence of God is all around us.

^"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.   For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles." Romans 1:20-23

6. Jesus, who is God, will soon come back in a brilliant light.

"For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes." Matthew 24:27

Wow! May not go with rising and setting of the sun but goes right along with the "east" and the "west" part.
 
7. God is our glittering and shining fortress.  He is our high tower.  A pinnacle in which our soul is secure from all that comes against it.  For those things are nothing at the feet of God.

"My loving kindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?" Psalm 144:2

The Lord is coming....

David Crowder Band - My Beloved (Live Performance from Passion) from david-crowder-band on GodTube.

 



 

KNOW GOD is INFINITE

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On the way home, driving in the evening sun, I flipped on the radio to hear a pastor speaking… but what he was speaking made the Spirit rise up inside of me.   He was speaking that manifestations in the book of Acts don’t happen anymore.   I should have just turned the radio off but I thought what if people who were listening didn’t know those manifestations, that he openly denies, do still happen today.  God is not a god of religion and dry bones but a GOD of faith, who makes those dry bones come ALIVE.

He is God who puts muscle and flesh over those bones and gives us a new heart and Spirit.  He is one who feeds us, encourages us, establishes us and empowers us.   

How could he, a pastor… a man of God, not experience the manifestations of the Holy Spirit?  One might ask, “Does he really know God or has he just accepted an aspect of God? 

Knowing he doesn’t believe in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, who then leads him in what to preach to his congregation?  Is it by his mere thinking, wisdom and reasoning?   

“But He (Jesus) answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted.  Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:13

Seminary taught or not… Who is to be our TEACHER?  God is to be our teacher who knows what HIS children need to hear and see. 

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.”      1 Corinthians 4:20

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Is it not God who removes the veil? Is it not God is who infinite? 

I do wonder how a person can speak of God’s life changing power and then flat out deny the gifts and manifestation of God’s presence.  Does that not seem strange?  Are we not a manifestation of His transforming love? 

I am sure everyone has an aspect of ignorance when it comes to God but I am thankful God helps us overcome that ignorance as we allow Him to reveal the wonderful things of Himself.  

We must not deny something in the bible just because we have never experienced it or told by mere men it doesn’t exist anymore? 

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:5-8

   We know the Old Testament is the New Testament revealed.   And is God not the same God as in the Old Testament?   So why would God change from what we see in the New Testament to now? 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”   Hebrews 13:8

God is same yesterday and today and forever… He is infinite.  He is unorthodox- granted but this doesn’t mean He doesn’t bestow the gifts of the Spirit and manifest Himself anymore….  God is ALIVE not dead!  And He does not conform to the ideals of men, no matter what their title may have. 

“Great is our Lord, and mighty in power, His understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5

“God is not a man, so he does not lie.  He is not human, so he does not change his mind.  Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has He ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19

Can you think of what God knows?  Here is just a tiny list.

He knows our hearts.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."  Jeremiah 17:10

He knows every detail of our bodies.

 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

He knows how long we will live here on this earth.

“You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” Job 14:5

He knows when we are tried, tested and tempted.  He knows when we turn our back on Him.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.  So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

He knows when we will fail.

But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me." Luke 22:34

He knows where every resource is to help His people.

“However, we don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us." Matthew 17:27

He knows where we are and where we will be.

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” Acts 9:10-12

UNDERSTANDING

And how often does God tell us and show us in various ways to not depend on our own understanding? 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”                                                                    Romans 12:2

For the word of God will never fail. Luke 1:37

"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” Isaiah 29:13

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26

We are talking about our infinite God that is beyond the understanding and complacencies of men taught and untaught.  

God touch those who teach such falsies and believe in such falsies.  If I were to share with these men right now, the miracles I have experienced they would call me a liar and yet call God a liar.

I have seen Jesus.  I have experienced the varied presences of God.  I have experienced things as the prophets of old.  I have experienced heaven.  I have spoke and sung in tongues.  I have heard and told people things that only God knew.  Things I without a doubt spoke because God’s Spirit assured them to me in my soul that they were true.  Strongly directed by God, I have prayed over the sick and they have been healed.  This is not to boost about me for I know one of reasons I have been shown these things is due to of my lack of faith and ignorance.   I have been doubting Thomas, questioning Philip, hypocrite Peter, and religious prideful Saul who became the Apostle Paul.  I speak my testimony.  I speak of these wonders of God to only speak the truth about GOD.  I feel if I don’t many will not know the wonders that are revealed through Christ Jesus.  They might feel God is unreachable and unknowable.  It is God not me who has done and shown me these things and he has no favorites.      

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness, And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.  Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3

God had only to speak and the universe and the earth came into existence.   God had only to speak light over the earth and there was light.

And how we too were much like the earth.   How we were clothed and blinded in darkness until we surrendered to God and He breathed light into our life changing us from the inside out.  And He awoke us to the reality of Himself.  The same Holy Spirit that hovered over the earth testified mightily to our soul that Jesus is LORD over our soul.  How we need to remember that, how we need to remember our first love everyday of our lives.  How we need to remember our need for Him and how far He has brought us.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.   We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”  2 Corinthians 4:6-7

"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--he will testify about me.” John 15:26

This same infinite Spirit, this Great Teacher, that people of this world aren’t even aware lives in us thanks to Christ Jesus. 

“that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:17

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13

When I think of God being infinite I think of this verse in Ephesians,

“Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” Ephesians 3:8-9

Think about it… the boundless riches of Christ. 

“KNOW GOD is LOVE.  KNOW GOD is Infinite,” flashed on the screen of my mind a few days back and now I am starting to understand why.

His infinite understanding is much higher then our ways and thoughts.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Where we might think appearance, human power, strength and some level of higher intelligence or education are necessary but God says, “No. It’s the heart and my Spirit that are important.”

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. Zachariah 4:6

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”  Matthew 5:8

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

Think of David, a young shepherd boy who is anointed as king of Israel.  Do you remember what happened after he was anointed as king?

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:13

For David to be king of Israel he needed to be anointed by the Holy Spirit and David knew nothing else could sustain him to go into the role and do that role without the Holy Spirit in his life.

I love you, Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” Psalm 54:4

It is no different for us as Christians.  The Holy Spirit needs to be active in our lives to sustain us to walk out our faith.    

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

No wonder why John reads,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

Note: John is speaking of Jesus –the Word.

God is LIGHT.  Light that is never overcome by darkness.  Light that is infinite.  Light that wraps/clothes our eternal soul for eternity.

Why is it important to know God is infinite?

God wants us to rely and live in Him who infinite, so that we might live beyond our sometimes often burdening, shortsighted, limited understanding and circumstances.  God wants us to learn to continually abide in Him who gives us daily refreshment for our soul. Through Him come the companions of peace, joy, love, mercy grace, hope, and an empowering faith.

 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

Think to know Him and experience Him… is walk the road less traveled (mentally/ physically and of course spiritually).  It is to see life in a whole different way/light.   It is to have manifesting presence active in our life by looking and submitting to God who is INFINITE.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20

Know God is Infinite.

Sin & Homosexuality

How is it some are so easily persuaded away from the truth.. saying such things as "If God is the God of love then why does He hate homosexuals?  This is made worse by Christians who spew hatred of homosexuals instead of watching where they stand.  

Homosexuality is wrong but it's not a Christian's job to judge but God's job.  Sin is a sin.  We are to hate the sin but love the sinner. 

Some churches/church leaders are embracing the ways or values of the world and because of this they have allowed the floodgates of sinful society to poison and corrupt.  Their congregations must wonder... "The word of God says this but you are contradicting what the word of God says by your words and actions."  

Have we gone into the dark ages? 

The Word of God is the Authority of the Body of Christ
Man was never to dictate the morals and values of the church.  God has set them in stone and when the morals, values, principles are not followed the dark evil root of uncertainty aims to kill, steal and destroy.  Truth is solid ROCK… lies and deceits are sand and will soon be exposed for the winds of God’s time will show their nakedness.

Society is angered when Christians speak the truth and don’t embrace such social topics as  homosexuality.  Of course the way the truth is spoken has a great affect on how it is received.

Homosexuality  

Homosexuality is wrong but it is not all by itself in the wrong column list.  It is just as wrong as murder, lying and adultery.  There isn't any degree difference.  A wrong is a wrong. 
  
The World Media
World media is controlled by public opinion, mostly liberal public opinion but why doesn’t the media just consult the bible instead of asking these so-called “religious experts”?  I mean "THE SOURCE" itself is better then hearsay every time.

I come to these two conclusions about the media when it comes to the word of God.  Either the word of God is so veiled to them that they cannot read and comprehend it or they don’t want to read it and be convicted themselves by what the word of God says.   They rather go by hearsay, that way they won’t be responsible… but that is self serving ignorance and regardless of this ignorance... and if they want to admit it or not, they know right from wrong.
  

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”  John 3:19-20

Minister Matthew Henry wrote: “Sinful works are works of darkness.  The wicked world keeps as far from the light as they can, lest their deeds should be reproved.  Christ is hated, because sin is loved.  If they had not hated saving knowledge they would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance.  On the other hand, renewed hearts bid the light welcome. A good man acts truly and sincerely in all he does.  He desires to know what the will of God is, and to do it, though against his own worldly interest.”

Jesus said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Romans 2:14-16 says “Even the Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.”

What is scary is people are going to doctors for answers to homosexuality.  Doctors are people, they are not God.   Don't put your soul in the opinion of men/women (no matter what endorsements they may have hanging on their wall.)  Put you soul in what God's word says. 

If you want to know the truth… consult the source, not people who can be easily persuaded, manipulated, play favorites and give into pressure.

What does the Bible Say?

The bible DOES say homosexual is a sin and is wrong. It is as wrong as murder, lying and contradicting the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News (Jesus is the ONLY WAY into heaven- just another thing the world has a problem with.) 
 

Let’s read 1 Timothy 1:5-11.  “The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith.   But some teachers have missed this whole point.  They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking about foolishness.  They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident.  We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended.  But they were not made for people who do what is right.  They are fore people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy who murder their father and mother or other people.  Theses laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”

God/Jesus considers a marriage to be between a man and woman.  Jesus/God created a woman for a man and NOT a man for a man or a woman for a woman, if homosexuality was God’s intent, he would had created Adam and Steve or Eve and Eva not Adam and Eve.
   
Jesus says, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In the Old Testament before Jesus came in the flesh to earth- there was no grace given to homosexuals or man and woman who committed adulterous acts.  The punishment was death.  If you were caught you were killed.  (Read for yourself in Leviticus 20.)  Jesus came that we might turn away sinful ways, be healed and be saved. 

Yes there are people who have been healed of homosexuality.  Look it up for yourself.  This isn't out some religious obligation but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in a person's life.
 

Look at 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” 

Now read Romans 1:26-32 “ That is why God abandon them to their shameful desires.  Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other.   Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.  When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud and boastful.  They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.  They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.  And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”

The only way out of such a death sentence is to acknowledge and turn to God and admit you have sinned against God and be sincerely sorry/repentant for your sins.  The only way out of such a death sentence is to give your life to Christ/God who took your punishment of your sins on a cross 2014 years ago.   Only he has the power to forgive you, transform you and give you the ability to overcome sin in your life by His Holy Spirit. 
  

Am I a hater of those who claim to be homosexual? Of course not! If so I would have to hate all people who do not acknowledge God and fall into sin. 
   

Besides hate is to be unforgiving and I don’t want to go to hell for someone else’s sin for the word of God says if we don’t forgive then we won’t be forgiven for our sins.  Matthew 6:12, 6:15.   We are to hate the sin that shackles people to death but love the person, hoping they will come to Jesus to be set free from the sin in their life.

Why do I say this? Because GOD is the only one and has the right to judge.  And people are the ones who make the decision to sin - so really they are condemning themselves by the sinful lifestyle.

If you are hating homosexuals think about this:
 
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11. 

Jesus who, could have had the woman stoned, stopped the woman’s condemners by saying, ““He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

They all knew they were guilty of “some” sin in their life so they could not stone her.   We are all guilty of some sin in our life so who are we to “throw” judgment?   Jesus was kind and merciful yet he spoke the truth.  That is the way he wants us to be.

You are living a sinful lifestyle think about this:

Jesus being God told the woman to, “sin no more”.  Don’t you think, rescued from sudden death, these words from Jesus were swallowed with a deep sense of weight and gratitude that remained with her the rest of her life?

For this woman who committed adultery knew what were the consequences of her actions if she got caught.  She knew she would be stoned if she got caught but like the rest of humanity, she thought she would not be caught. She thought she could get away with it.

Why does it seem the reality of our judgment takes a back seat?   Why doesn’t it take a prominent seat?   Why are we so careless with our soul? 
 

Maybe you have read something in this blog post that has awakened you to your carelessness of your soul.  Maybe you are not guilty of homosexuality but one of the other things mentioned and God is saying to you “Make it right now, make it right before it is too late”.

The reality of the matter is if we get caught in this life or not, we will still have to answer for our sins by God.  The reality of the matter is no matter if the world thinks our ways are right or not, we will have to still answer to God for our sin.

There is no way in our own facilities to get away from the punishment of our sins.  We cannot pay them off or work them off or barter them off by putting them on a scale and weighting our good deeds against our bad deeds.  For God knows who we truly are.

The only saving grace we have is if we turn to Jesus for our redemption/salvation, Jesus who paid for the punishment of our sins on the cross so those who accept and believe in him and his sacrifice will not perish in the hell but have everlasting life in heaven.

Romans says, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, not matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Jesus Christ, who has freed us by taking away our sins.  For God sent Jesus to take the punishment of ours sins to satisfy God’s anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us…” Romans 3:22-25

Some people may take the sacrifice of Jesus for granted and think they can go right ahead and keep practicing sin but sin only leads to death.  Note: Romans 6:15-16 It should be that by your faith in Jesus that you have been given power to not give into sin and don’t want to sin.  After all God changes the heart and gives us His Spirit.  

“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.  And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” Ezekiel 36:25-27

People need to know what is wrong in the sight of God.  God is the one who condemns.   

God’s church is to speak boldly the truth (Scripture) in the Spirit of love. “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 2 Timothy 3:16 AMP

The spirit of this world makes it sound like if you tell someone you don’t agree with them or what they are doing is wrong that you are judging them or hating them but is that true?

 God’s Word is like a word of warning, telling us the stove is hot but some don’t listen.  Many touch the hot stove and many souls have been lost because they simply don’t care or want to listen.

We are living in the end times.  The signs are indicating the end is near.  These signs of people loving the things of sin and darkness and not the light.  Jesus said, “Just as the gathering of vulture shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”  Matthew 24:28

Jesus also said “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.   And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved.  And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally the end will come.”  Matthew 24:9-14

Read the word of God for yourself.  Don’t take a well-known Rev. or Pastor’s word for it.  Some of them of have poisoned and seared their conscious, they may have a form of godliness but deny the power of God’s word in what they say and do. 

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”   1 Timothy 3:2-5 

For those who are being mocked, persecuted and lied about for standing up for what is right, I am reminded of a scene in The Lord of the Rings, were Gandalf stands up against the Balrog in the caverns Moria.  Gandalf is on a narrow bridge and he makes his stand against a monstrous fierily horned beast armed with a giant cleaver and ever stretching whip of fire.   Gandalf makes a stand against the Balrog to allow his companions to escape.
 

 He declares to the beast, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”  And with a blow of his staff, the bridge of rock crumbles underneath the beast’s feet.  The beast falls into the deep but not easily defeated the Balrog snags Gandalf off his perch and takes the old man down with him.  As they tumble Gandalf takes his sword and repeatedly smites the beast.  The battle continues onto a mountain where Balrog is finally defeated.   Gandalf awakes after the battle as Gandalf the White instead of Gandalf the Gray.

Sometimes we must take a stand against the Balrog situations in this life. Those situations where there is unrighteous and injustice and lies and deceit.  We must stand against the Balrogs in life for the sake of others.  We must speak the truth when others have been persuaded, manipulated and belittled not to.  The battles cause us to seek God who is greater then ourselves and in the process we not only see God’s word (the Sword) is true but we are transformed and encouraged in the things of God.  We go from the Gray (old) to the White (new).

For the word of God says “He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:6

In word of love and caution, J.D. JOHNS