Visitors -Mormons

We had two young men come to our doorstep. I could tell right away by their age, black suits, ties and name tags they were probably Mormon boys. Soaked by the rain and they greeted me with a smile, their names and a handshake.

I give them credit for getting out there to spread their religion no matter what the weather might be.

Armed with their little blue book by Joseph Smith they asked me if I knew whom they represented and I said yes. Though they may sound like they are followers of Jesus Christ and will tell you they think highly of Jesus Christ they are disrespecting him all the same. For Jesus Christ is LORD and Savior. There is no other way to heaven except through him.

Respectfully, I simply told them I didn’t believe in their prophet and I respect what the scriptures says about not adding or taking anything away from what the bible says. This ended our conversation rather quickly but as they shook my hand I looked both of them in the eye and with a genuine Holy Spirit filled word said, “There are false prophets.” I was rather concerned for the younger one as I held his hand the longest. The older one said, “We know there are false prophets” and then they quickly left. I know God's word never goes void.

In all honesty, I didn’t want to answer the door once I saw who was standing behind it but then I was reminded of whom I represent and what my actions say about the one who transformed me- God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

For I came to the Father first, who then gave me the Son (Jesus Christ) who then baptized me in the Holy Spirit.

I felt sorry for the lads but fortunately I have known several people have turned from Mormonism to true Christian faith.

Mormons have many rules, which require some strong devotion but this is what the bible says about that.

Colossians 2:23 “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.”

Mormons want to claim they are Christians but they are false apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 “But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Mormons are like the false Christians in Paul's time who wanted Christians to follow Jewish regulations. Regulations are a way to control people but faith in Jesus is what makes you Holy and acceptable to God.

Galatians 2:4-5 Even that question wouldn't have come up except for some so-called Christians there--false ones, really --who came to spy on us and see our freedom in Christ Jesus. They wanted to force us, like slaves, to follow their Jewish regulations. But we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you.

This is what the bible says about False Prophets such as Joseph Smith.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.”

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.”

Know where you stand when you speak to a Mormon or any other false religion such as a Jehovah Witness.

1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Mormons come in Jesus’ name to lead many astray.

Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.”

Jesus is God. Mormons don’t believe Jesus is God.

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

1 John 1:1 The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.

Revelation 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

Mormons have added and disregarded God’s word.

Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.”

Revelation 22:18-20 “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

A certain faith is not going to get you to heaven. Only the faith that Jesus who is GOD, became flesh, died and rose again will save you. If you are Mormon or you are practicing Mormonism or you are seeking God and have found yourself in the Mormon Church, I will strongly urge you to question what Joseph Smith has written. It is not the bible. It is not too late to come to the real Christ. If you care more about what God thinks then followers of Joseph Smith think- then ask God and he will reveal the truth to you.

All these verses that I was led to in the BIBLE should make it pretty plain and clear but ask him anyway.

“But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8)

Watching What You Think & Speak

Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Like a sponsored rock climber reaching for his next hand position I reach not just for myself but those around me and my God. Our actions speak of whom we represent and I cannot get that next hand position if I find competence in myself for I would look down from my position and become worry because the height is so high. I might as well become prideful of some sort of accomplishment and then lose sight of the entire point of the climb of life. So with no competence in myself I look up to the LORD. There he guides my hands and feet and I can see vistas that many may never see but they have seen me. They have seen my life and what it speaks. Just like a soldier in uniform speaks of whom they represent and what he/she is committed to.

Self-preservation did help spread the word of the Good News but it is not always helpful if it is constant in your and my life. Not if it freezes us up and never enlightens others. Self-preservation can make us “too” aware of our surroundings and cause us to slip and fall.

So we must watch what we think and speak into our life. Opportunities and time are precious. What better use of our time then to focus on God. By God’s powerful grace and love we don’t have do depend on our own faulty perspective of others or ourselves.

God puts the clouds in their place, which are only vapor, and has the sun’s rays reflect off of them. They can’t claim credit for the beautiful colors that they become in the morning, afternoon and evening sky.

Christ who lives in us does so via the Holy Spirit. He is our compass and counselor to guide us in all his grace, love, power and wisdom. A part from Him we can do nothing. So why limit ourselves by what we believe and what we think?

Give your life to God. Read and soak up the truth. Grasp and hold onto it tightly and live out the truth not as you -because within us is the ability to become ignorant and prideful but let Christ within you live it out. Then and only then can righteousness be achieved and you will understand it is not you that lives but Christ within you…. And then and only then you will feel and see freedom.

They Sense It.

It is interesting to listen to different pastors and speakers on the radio and how often there is this commonality in their subject matter. I will be brought a topic by God to share with the group and often that topic will also be shared in some scope or dimension on the radio and even our Pastor on Sunday morning.

The theme that God has been sharing lately has been Jesus’ return and living and trusting in God. Which for many may see broad in scope but is it really when you just narrow it down to our personal lives and our relationship with Jesus. God has been reminding his messengers to tell his people of His Son’s return.

Along with this encouraging and urgent message there has been, at least in my life, this lack of luster of the things of this world. This understanding that the material things are very temporary in usage and satisfaction.

Christmas has come and gone and it seems the world has gone back to business as usual.

For some however it hasn’t been business as usual. Some have lost family and friends over the Christmas break. Some even though they have been careful and good stewards of their money have found extra expenses they had not foreseen do to medical, home, and car repairs. I believe these people might be the most fortunate for they will have to look to God to help them fulfill their needs as they continue to tithe. These families won’t take for granted the simple pleasures such as water, electricity, and a roof over their head and food to fill their stomachs. They will cling to God and through this relationship of dependence will see the workings of God more clearly then those who don’t have any extra circumstances in their life to deal with. To others they are may seem unlucky, unfortunate, and tried to extremes but when there is nothing to cling I found there is always God who helps me see and live past my circumstances even though they may difficult.

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” MATTHEW 5:3

Luke 17:26-37"When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all. "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-- until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be `business as usual' right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns. On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town. Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

"Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

The values we live by either will make us die spiritually or be uplifted and encouraged spiritually. Even the smallest gift of kindness isn’t ignored when someone is in need.

Our words and actions can nourish those around us or be tools for the enemy to bring down those around us.

What we embrace will affect our life. Is it the world ideals or God and Jesus? There one brings death and one brings life.

God does not share these messages to scare his people but to prepare his people because he loves them. And if we are scared, think why we are fearful of this message.

1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

1 John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”

It is hard to keep up a meaningful relationship with someone when there is no communication.

I am finding it is difficult to depend on anything in this life except God. People though how lovely will misunderstand you and presume things of you. Things will breakdown and need repairs. The places that you thought you could depend on for permanence or being trustworthy will leave you stranded or take advantage of you. Nothing stays the same and sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes is a bad thing if you put prominence in that thing or place. Your body will even fail you.

Things will become just things. They are here today and quickly replaced tomorrow.

Sometimes it seems like people are running on a hamster wheel running to get nowhere.

Before I let the mind do what it wants let us ask where is the accountability? Where is the self-control?

Where do we stand at the end of day with God? Where to we put our trust? Where do we put our security and rest? Tangibles or intangibles? If it is tangibles, what happens when those tangibles fail us? Value is in what? What we can or not take with us after this life (that is but a breath and a passing shadow) is over?

I guess what we ought to ask ourselves is what are lasting values that really matter in the end and do they parallel to what God thinks is important.

Matthew 24:12-14 "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."

2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!

May God help us live as if Christ were coming back tomorrow and knowing there are no guarantees for tomorrow.

Renew

A few years ago my wife had a boy in class that came to school as a different superhero everyday. One day he would be “Superman”, the next “Batman”, the day after “Spiderman”, the day after that “The Incredible Hulk”, the day after that “Wolverine” and so on….

He would not just wear the iconic shirts to show who he was but would come into class acting like those characters. The door of the classroom would open and in came flying superman in pre-1^st grade stature. The door of the classroom would swing up and in jumped a grimacing clutched fists miniature “Incredible Hulk.” This became so normal in her classroom that it never became a problem. Mr. Superhero would come in, do his entrance, hang up his backpack and my wife would just have to remember to call him by his right superhero name throughout the day. And my wife, not a real big superhero fan did a pretty good job remembering his identity for that day.

Can you imagine how fun it would be to wake up as a little kid and have the ability to be whatever superhero you wanted to be for that day? Everyday would be a new day. You would put on that superhero shirt and presto chango- you were the “Green Lantern.”

Why can’t we do that? I’m kidding of course but in all honesty why can’t we “renew” ourselves? Sometimes I think we are so stuck on what we can and cannot do or see in ourselves that we simply go about our daily lives as if this normalcy was all there is. We accept only the realities we can see not even considering the ones we can’t see.

It’s like there are all these “rooms” full of possibilities for our life but we limit ourselves to that one room in which we choose to stand. There are so many realities waiting for us to find but we limit God on what he can and cannot share and show us in our life.

God is continually making things new. Each day is new. Each season is new. Each year is new. Look at all the things that he created that are constantly changing from the mountains, to the forests, to the valleys, to the seas, to the skies to the stars above the skies.

He constantly is reinventing things. God said, “Look I am making all things new!” Revelation 21:5.

God is constantly doing good works some not always easily seen but hopefully understood in the future.

He renews our lives via the Holy Spirit (John 3:14) And through the Him we discover all the passages, meanings, rooms, worlds, experiences and advanced things to come as he prepared for us and are yoked (Matthew 11:29-30) and empower by Christ who works within us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Psalm 119:40 “I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.”

In his goodness we are renewed and clothed in the best that God has to offer and we can fly through that classroom door of life knowing God who is our supernatural life is with us.

Have you asked him to take you into all the other rooms he has prepared for you? Ask Him. Ask while the leaves are still green in your life and the acorns haven't fallen from your canopy so when the leaves do change color and fall gracefully to the earth and the acorns are seeded- you and the others you leave behind will see God's mighty hand upon your life.

Suicide

Bloodied bodies dead and wounded lay on the ground- scattered all the way up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. Saul and his three sons and the remainder of his troops fought shoulder to shoulder. It had become clear that this battle would not end with their triumph but their demise. So with every ounce of loyalty and strength they fought with spear, sword, fist, rock and tree branch. They had taken down many Philistines in this last stand.

A row of Philistine archers took aim up to where Saul and his men stood. Their commanding officers ordered them to fire. Instantly their arrows shot into the blue and came down without warning like rains from the skies. Men fell on all sides of King Saul, some silently and some in the screams of horror and agony. Saul somewhat shocked stood with an arrow in him. He had seen this kind of wound before and it was always fetal. He slowly got up as he leaned on one of his dead.

Philistines went after the men who managed to escape the fiery of arrows leaving Saul alone. His armor bearer who had only suffered sacrificial cuts from the onslaught pushed a dead warrior who had fallen on him off him. It was then he heard the exhaled groan of his king.

The king’s legs shook as they tried to hold up his weight. A stony deathly expression filled Saul’s face.

Quickly his armor bearer went to his side. “Your majesty,” he said in disbelief as he saw the arrow sticking through the king’s armor.

Slowly and carefully the armor bear lifted the armor on the king and saw a large amount of blood netted in the king’s tunic where the arrow had entered.

Seeing his armor bear’s expression, Saul shook his head in confirmation to his belief of his wounded condition.

Armor bear slowly recovered the king’s wound with his armor seeing there was nothing he could do.

“Take your sword and kill me before those pagan Philistines run me through and humiliate me,” the king growled in disgust as he took the feathered end of the arrow and broke it with his hand.

The armor bearer was shocked. His pledge was to protect the king not kill him. He stood up and walked a few steps away as he considered the king’s request. He looked down at all the lifeless pile of bodies around him. A sense of hopelessness filled him. “Was this all there was to life? The heroic dreams he once carried faded like steam in the wind.

Saul knew the heart of his armor bearer. He knew he wouldn’t kill him and all this waiting only meant his enemy would have a greater chance of fulfilling his worst fears.

Saul took his sword and laid the handle on the ground. He then pointed the other end up under his armor and against his stomach. He then let go of the spear where his body weight fell sharp against the blade and into his unprotected gut. His body armor sounded as it hit the ground.

The armor bearer quickly turned and saw what Saul had done to himself. A man who had given in some type of value and hope was gone. He was an armor bearer to a dead king. He was nobody now. Hearing the galloping of horse, he looked to see dust rising into the air from the enemies’ approaching chariots below. The enemy would certainly not have mercy on him. He then took his own sword and fell on it for what was a good death for his king was a good death for him as well.

It wasn’t long after this when an Amaliekite hiding in the forest crossed the area where Saul, his sons, and men had fallen. He imaged everyone dead but surprisingly he heard someone still alive clutching on to a pole of spear. The man recognized that this was no ordinary man but one of royalty. “How may I help you lord?”

Saul had not finished the job he had hoped by falling on his sword. He tried to find a way to hide himself but he could not. He looked up to the man who appeared only as a dark silhouette in the sun’s light. “Who are you?” he asked in a short breath hoping he was not a Philistine.

“I am an Amaliekite,” the man answered.

“Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die,” Saul requested.

The Amaliekite knowing the man’s wounds would kill him shortly anyway helped the badly wounded man onto the ground. He put one hand over Saul’s eyes. One knee on Saul’s chest and with quick deadly precision removed Saul’s sword from his gut and thrust it back in again.

There Saul’s body shook and then went motionless.

The Amaliekite quickly scoured the dead man’s body for riches and to his astonishment he found a royal crown and gold and silver bracelets.

Hearing some men approaching, he quickly grabbed Saul’s crown and one of his large gold bracelets and disappeared into the dense forest.

There in the safety of the trees he heard that the man he had put out of his misery was no other then King Saul.

Biblical story information came from 1 Samuel 31 & 2 Samuel 1 in your bible.

Suicide.

Suicide is not some heroic act. Suicide is an act of selfishness. The road to suicide is only seeing one’s value in material possessions and the way people see you. Suicide is driven by hopelessness and a lack of ignorance and understanding of God and His love and grace.

Saul’s tried to commit suicide why? What led him there?

Ahithophel, advisor, committed suicide because his advice was no longer sought out as worthy by Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:23)

Judas, the disciple who the devil entered and betrayed Jesus committed suicide because of guilt. (Matthew 27) Once Judas fell for the devil's temptations, he used him until he was no longer useful to him and then he dropped him in the pit that Judas himself had dug.

Jesus said, “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)

The only way out of a situation a person has found themselves in (because of their own sin) is through God.

People are “played” by the devil. People who think they are serving God by killing themselves and others are being “played” by the devil. Your actions either serve the devil or serve God.

“For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting--and any other commandment--are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9

If you love yourself, as God wants you to love yourself, you would not kill your neighbor.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.”

You would never easily let a lion devour you…

Remember the true lion, the lion of your salvation- Jesus Christ. The lion of Judah, the lion that is portrayed as the great Aslan of Narnia. Your faithful friend and protector.

People who are being played by the devil open themselves up to every suggestion and temptation he has in his arsenal. They open the door of their soul and let the enemy of their soul steal what they instinctively know what is right from wrong.

“Yes they know God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.” Romans 1: 21

“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, worst yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Romans 1:28-32

What is a person encouraging by committing suicide… more suicide.

Satan will manipulate a person into thinking suicide is the only option. He convince you that you are surrounded and there is no way out. He will make an individual so overwhelmed in his or her own thinking and emotions that they can see no way out. There is no clarity of God in those who commit suicide.

I am not talking about someone who takes a bullet for someone they love for that is murder by the hand of another human being -not suicide. Jesus Christ didn’t commit suicide. He willing and supernaturally laid down his life for our sins because he knew our sins would lead to our eternity in hell without his sinless sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

People have killed themselves because they lost every cent in the stock market… People have killed themselves because they have seen no cure to their disease. People have killed themselves because of pride and feeling humiliated. People have killed themselves because of failure. People have killed themselves because- who they thought was the love of their life had left them. People have killed themselves because they believed no one loved and appreciated them. People have killed themselves because they saw no reason or point in their life.

Strongholds of the devil in the human mind are to kill, steal and destroy a human being and those that surrounded that person. The devil wants to sift you. He wants to find your incompetence and use it against you.

That is why it is so important we don’t take God’s grace, love and wisdom for granted.

A person who commits suicide has either forgotten about God’s grace or knows very little about God’s grace. That is the same for God’s love and wisdom as well.

God’s grace is to empower us even in our weakest moment. God’s grace can be a powerful weapon. It can help us overtake and rise above where others and ourselves have failed. Be mindful of God's presence in your life.

A person who commits suicide has taken their destiny out of God’s hands. They have placed their destiny in themselves.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen."

Where is your hope and future if you have not placed it with God?

A person who commits suicide either has no hope or has a false hope and no future.

Do not take God for granted. Do not take what God has given you for granted.

Lamentations 3:22-26 “The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.”

Overcoming Thorns

Yesterday my youngest child and I were putting up cedar branches on our porch with lights and there are some thorns on those branches. Ouch! We got bit by a few but thank God they weren't permanent painful reminders of the 60 minutes we dressed the porch up for Christmas.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the Apostle Paul is writing to the Corinth Church near Athens about a thorn in his flesh that just will not go away.

“I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a throne in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting me proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NLV)

I have heard several scholars speak on this passage and some say this infirmity was Paul losing his eyesight but as I read it I find it has more to do with issue of pride not some physical infirmity.

Paul’s weakness was his temptation to become prideful or boastful which stems from pride. He speaks of being boastful several times before in the previous verses. (Look at 11:16, 11:21, & 12:1.)

He says in 11: 23 “They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!” He then goes on to list all the things that have happened to him and then stops as he realizes where his thoughts have taken him and says “I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it. I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message.”

It’s like Paul is realigning his thoughts here… when he says, “But I won’t do it.” He has however has "done it" in a matter of speaking because he wrote it down and sent it to the church of Corinth. Maybe he sent to show the church of Corinth his true colors and he was just as human as they are… I don’t know his reasoning.

Paul then speaks of this “thorn” in his flesh (Verse 12:7) and says it is a messenger from Satan to torment him and keep him from getting proud. (Often in scripture- "thorn" refers to "people" actually being a thorn in our side.

 

How many times has our own flesh and people's actions tempt us to sin?

A thorn in the Greek is translated as sharp stake. This “stake” isn’t going anywhere. It’s this presence that continually reminds Paul of his human weaknesses (Tendency of wanting to being prideful). So instead letting this dark presence overcome him, God has shown Paul a tool to overcome this "Thorn".

This tool is to bring light to his weaknesses,  to be submitted to God rather then his flesh in this thorny trying tempting situations.

Genesis 50:20 says, “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” (NLT)

God can turn what was for evil for good in our lives if we focus on him.  We can be that light for Christ regardless of whom or what we face.

Sometimes it is a challenge to align ourselves with God but as soon as we get on the track that God is on we can move through what we perceived as a challenge or losing battle.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians verse 12:8-9 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” (NLT)

How often do we plead with God to take some of the thorns from our side away but in the end we see how that thorn has helped change us and become stronger as an individual in Christ? Ever notice how, a Christian, faced with a terminal condition becomes stronger spiritually? Their love becomes more refined. They no longer seem concerned for themselves but others. What changes in a person’s mindset with all the different kinds of thorns in our life?

I would have not become the person I am today and gained the knowledge I have today without some kind diversity, hardship, and challenge in my life.

Final verse: God says to Paul. (I like the New King James translation from the Greek to English better.) 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (NKJV)

Grace (Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense). When God's grace moves in us through a situation wonders happen in us and often in others as well. 

We submit ourselves to God -our worries, anxieties, troubles, circumstances and/ or oppressions and God’s quiet strength works through us. Paul adds “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

“Rest” in the Greek is to take possession of, to live in, descend upon, to work within and to give help to.  Similar the "rest" mentioned in Matthew 11:28 which is translated from the Hebrew word anapauō. Which means to keep quiet, be calm and have patient expectation. A “patient expectation” that God is watching over you and is working on your behalf. When you are patient you are often filled with the sense of peace. You are quiet inside. Your mind isn’t racing into dark corners and rabbit holes. It isn't depending on the justifying yourself an/or looking for a sift come back. You are calm.

When something rests upon you, it “overshadows” your life. You don’t "just" see God overseeing what is going on in your life but taking an active role in your life and that he is in charge. And as you let God’s Holy Spirit work within -you see and understand and are more appreciative for God working in your life as you enjoy his peace, comfort/hope, and joy.

CHRISTMAS not just another Holiday.

With all this talk about people having to replace Christmas with Happy Holidays it makes me wonder about the value of the word “Christmas”. I mean we value the words faithfulness, justice, freedom, love, hope, kindness, goodness, and unselfishness but where did those words originate? I maybe talking to the wrong crowd but what is the ultimate expression of these things that we value? How are they empowered in our lives and whom empowers them in our life?

You know, sometimes we are willing to give up something because it doesn’t mean much to us anymore.

Have we as a nation forgotten the true reason for the Christmas season so we let the few voices of opposition to the word “Christmas” make us tear down the things that say Christmas because it makes a few uncomfortable?

Are we suddenly a nation that changes just for a few? Are you willing to change what you wear, what you listen to, what you drive, what you watch just because someone doesn’t approve of what you like?

Someone doesn’t approve of Christ, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and Savior of all humanity so you get rid of the word “Christmas”?

What does the word Christmas mean? What happened to the Good News…? The Good News isn’t about being comfortable but about why Jesus Christ came.

“Christ”…. Are you ashamed of Christ? If you are ashamed of Christ what did Christ say about you being ashamed of him?

Christmas is suppose to bring glory to God’s son, Jesus Christ not about the other things the advertising industry makes it to be.

You say but what about the other holidays… What about them? You celebrate them then celebrate them but Christmas is Christmas. I don’t tell people they can put up the name Kwanzaa or Chanukah. In fact Chanukah is when the light triumphed over darkness… Christ is the true light that triumphs over darkness.

You who allow Christmas to be replaced by Happy Holidays, you have made the word Christmas worthless and false.

I was reading Isaiah and this is what it says. “Why do you keep parading through my courts with your worthless sacrifices? The incense you bring me is stench in my nostrils! Your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath day, and your special days for fasting- even your most pious meetings- are all sinful and false. I want nothing more to do with them. I hate all your festivals and sacrifices. I cannot stand the sight of them! For now on, when you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen. For your hands are covered with the blood of your innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.”

Then it says in verse 1:21 “See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them take bribes and refuse to defend the orphans and the widows. Therefore, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, says “I will pour out my fury on you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove your impurities. Afterward I will give you good judges and wise counselors like the ones you use to have. Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful City. Because the LORD is just and righteous, the repentant people of Jerusalem will be redeemed. But all sinners will be completely destroyed, for they refused to come to the LORD.”

What does that say about America? It has become a prostitute. It accommodates who ever comes along. It calls murder of infants a choice. Justice and righteousness only come from the Lord and you want to allow a few to take down the name Christmas that points to Jesus Christ who is the only one who can save them from eternity in hell? People have watered down the meaning of Christmas to Santa Claus and his reindeer and the young who’s parents don’t attend church have no idea what Christmas means. I don’t even need to start with leaders…..

How much are you willing to let people take from you? Are you willing to prove to God and yourself that Christmas isn’t just some “Holiday”? Does the Lord’s birthday mean something to you?

Think about it.

Godly Strategies

Universal's Robin Hood

“I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done.” Revelation 20:12

Knowing God, who knows everything- has books about our good and evil deeds what do you think about Satan, our accuser having records on us?

Knowing Satan isn’t all knowing –isn’t always-present -isn’t all-powerful… he (our accuser) and his demons must have some sort of record system to remember every sinful thing in our life when we stand before God’s throne.

I don’t know if Satan can use God’s books as a reference library or not but knowing God is a fair and just God and Satan is allowed to accompany the angels on certain occasions. (Job 1:6) I would believe he would have access to “deed” information just as two opposing lawyers on a court case would have access to the same information.

Satan and his kin don’t just keep records on us but they use the records against us. They know our strengths and weaknesses. They know what irritates, temps, oppresses us, hurts us and makes us prideful. They have records on all our strengths and weaknesses and as long as we're willing to continue down these rabbit holes of human understanding and thought they will always win.

We are challenged everyday if we are living for God. Satan and his devious underhanded fork tongue bunch want to kill, steal and destroy us!!! They don’t want to go to hell alone, they want to take us with them.

All it takes is an unguarded moment, some stress, lack of focus, and/or not remembering God’s love -for Satan and his demons to strike us or someone we hold in high standing to affect our life.

What did Jesus say to Peter about Satan wanting to sift him like wheat? (Luke 22:31)

We know our sinful deeds only serve evil and our good deeds only serve God and only good deeds can be produced by God’s love working through us.

We need to look at trials and tests not as something to overcome us but enable us to become stronger in our faith. God allows certain things to come just as he did with Job. Satan even tempted Jesus and since Jesus is our teacher do you not think he will tempt the teacher’s students as well?

Through the taste of failure and/or success we learn. Tests put the information we learn to work. Beside how would we learn the strategies of the devil if we weren’t tempted and oppressed by the forces of evil? How would we learn to trust in God if we didn’t have challenges in our life?

We may possess a lot of knowledge of the bible just as we possess a lot of tools in our toolbox but they are useless if we don’t put them to use when God’s spiritual temple is being.... "enlightened".

I have the seen the weak and I have seen the strong and often they are the opposite of what most people think of weak and strong. Does it take more strength to hold back or retaliate verbally and physically according to the flesh desires? We are strong in our weakness only if we turn to God. Then and only then can God share strategies to help us overcome the tactics, temptations, and traps of the devil.

Until Lambs become lions. I like that saying. We don't give up because God does not give up on us. God is teaching us how to reflect and imitate the greatest strongest lion ever known…. Jesus Christ.

By God’s wisdom, love, grace, and Spirit we move supernaturally to defeat the evil influences around us.

For in God’s Spirit we see:
1. God is love and God loves us. (1 John 4:8)

His Spirit lives in us and is greater then the spirit who lives in the world. (1 JOHN 4:4
His love is brought to full expression through us as we align ourselves with God in thought and Spirit. 1 JOHN 4:12). Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. (1 JOHN 4:18)
Fear causes us to act wrongly just as pride causes us to act wrongly. Say it. “God is love and God loves me.”

For in God’s Spirit we see:
2. Perspective. We see who our enemy really is. We see the problem producer manipulating those of the flesh around us. “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in Heaven.” (MATTHEW 5:44-45)

“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (EPHESIANS 6:12)

For in God’s Spirit we see:
3.A relationship with Jesus is powerful.

(ACTS 19:13-20) A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus. The incantation they used was this: "I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this.
But when they tried it on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul. But who are you?" And he leaped on them and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and badly injured. The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing magic brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.
So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

Doing good wins out over evil.

(ROMANS 12:20) Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."

(Isaiah 58:6-11) "No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. `Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. "Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

For in God’s Spirit we see:
4. All God is, all He is going to do, and all He had done.

"And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, how deep, his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more then we would ever dare to ask or hope.” (EPHESIANS 3:17-20

(PHILIPPIANS 4:6-8) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

For in God’s Spirit we see:
5. Authority in God’s love.

(MATTHEW 10:1) Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

(LUKE 10:19) And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

May God help you use these strategies.

Simple Yet Effective

Christians may have a great understanding of the bible and what it says. God may even be able to help us build on that understanding giving us greater understanding but sometimes greater understanding- however GREAT is not always effective in those quick, spare of the moment decisions.

We must live in the Spirit of God.

Where does the mind go in conflict, struggle, persecution, oppression, sadness, frustration, anxiety and so on....?

The mind seems to have no speed limit at times and if not watchful and alert will give us disastrous results.

We know what sin does to our lives. We know where our hope and confidence should be. We know how we should love and where our focus should be.

We know God is love and what can be built and not built from His love -which is foundational.

But sometimes all this understanding, however very helpful, needs to be simplified for that split second where the mind needs to go from human understanding to spiritual understanding.

When we are in a stressful or high tension moment- our mind sometimes moves way too fast and before we know we have either said or did the first something that came to mind or we feel like "we" have to gather all these pieces of Godly wisdom together before we speak or move and before we know it the moment is here and gone and we have not spoken anything of God's love or truth "into" the situation.

No I am not saying we do not need to be prepared by reading the bible and going to church and spending time with the Lord. Rather I am saying be prepared by also putting your mind on the starting line where you can receive what God wants you to say and/or do in that split moment.

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to give you are spirit and life."

Romans: 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of the this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."

Exercise your mind for a moment. Think of a situation that is a challenge to you. Now without saying it as something hokey but in truth- say to yourself: "God is love and God loves me."

What just happened to your mind when you did this? If you believed that God is love and he loves you then your mind restructured its thinking to Holy Spirit thinking.

From this point peace "can" rule and this peace helps align your thoughts to where it should be and how it should act.

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence."

Psalm 147:11 "Rather, the LORD's delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Simple yet effective... God is love and God loves me.

Depression

Depression can be very enabling emotion for anyone. It seems to quickly work from the mind to the rest of the body. It can cause blood flow to slow down, headaches, back pain, muscle aches, joint pain, chest pain, digestive problems, exhaustion, fatigue, sleeping problems, change in appetite and weight and no doubt dizziness or lightheadedness.

Emotionally it can cause difficulty in concentrating, remembering details, making decisions, feeling hopeless and/or pessimistic. An individual can feel guilt, worthless, helpless, irritable, restless, sad, anxious, suicidal and having that “empty” feeling.

Depression has also been well documented in the bible and by Christian writers and figures.

Depression is a spiritual battle. It starts in the mind -in our thought process. And just like fighting the thoughts of condemnation, pride, lust, hate, revenge, jealousy, etc, we have to make a strong effort to redirect our thinking when it comes to depression. We have to realize our joy, peace and love does not come from others or ourselves but from God. God is our source of our strength to battle depression.

Psalm 42:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!”

Isaiah 50:10 “ Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon lie down in great torment.”

In depression we warm ourselves in destructive ways and thoughts. And if you don’t think so -think about where our heart goes when we are depressed? What are we choosing to treasure when we are depressed? Where are our eyes?

When my step dad passed away this last summer I suffered from a bout of depression when I returned home. The Lord helped me take care of my dying step-dad in his home and take care of things that needed to be done after his passing but after I returned home, images and certain smells bothered me... and as I began to process everything that had happened during those previous weeks I began to consider everything as meaningless and no point. Waves of sadness would come and go and then I would feel “empty” void of all emotion. The Lord had shown me some great things during those previous weeks but I had been so overwhelmed by depression that I had momentary forgotten those things.

I had allowed depression to take a seat and blur my focus and I had to make a choice to allow depression to be welcomed or not. I had a choice to remember all the good things about my step-dad’s life or the holocaustic condition his body was ravaged in… and how stiff his tent became after the angel grabbed him by the armpits and took his soul to heaven.

Focus is where it “all” starts. The scientific word is “cognitive restructuring which leads to a behavioral change. God knew this and shared this with Paul who wrote:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he had done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ. And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9

This positive peaceful focus will not just motive us in Godly ways but change our physical habits as well.

We will want to participate in more pleasurable experiences such as working with others in a building project, volunteering, enjoying the wonderful outdoors on foot or bike, playing sports, creating something, traveling, and spending more quality time with loved ones.

Remember focus is where it “all” starts.

Making Voting Easier for US Voters

Voting. It can be a somewhat confusing and frustrating task. Here is a website that might help you find the government official that best represents your position.

It is a website called vote smart.
http://www.votesmart.org/voteeasy/

And below is a you-tube video on Project Vote Smart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkIxnsvSVOo&feature=player_embedded

The Door That Is Opened By A Tiny Measure Of Faith.

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.”(MATTHEW 7:8 NLT

10 years I saw it. I was in a dark space and in front of me was this door of light. This light is not white but had a yellowish warm tint to it. I have seen this light several times in different visions that that Lord has given to me.

When I gave my life to God, I instinctively knew this was the door that God had opened for me. It was a sign to show I was welcome. It was an invitation to join him.

I have reflected back on that door many times but it was today that I thought about why there is a door.

Obviously God controls the door of light but before we are saved we aren’t even aware that there is a door of light. We are missing this spiritual sight and hearing that the Holy Spirit gives us, to helps us to understand and mature in the things of God.

I believe we all know before we come to God that there is “something” that keeps us from seeing spiritual things of God. Someone may share the things of God but they don’t adhere to our understanding. We don't retain everything they say about God. In fact Jesus refers to this when he says, "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The old skins would burst from the pressure spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. That way both the wine and the wineskins are preserved." MATTHEW 9:17 NLT

Some of us are even unaware that sin separates us from God because we believe things like, “I haven’t murdered anyone” and “I know I am not as bad as that person” but God doesn’t care about human comparison because he looks at sin on the same perspective except for one particular sin.

“Those” sins- that God looks at on the same perspective, are all forgivable by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven of our sins only by our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not just, “I believe” in Jesus Christ because even the devil “believes” in Jesus Christ but by faith which is a change of heart that only comes when one gives their life to God and trusts in our beloved friend Jesus Christ. This change of heart is a transformation of our life (new wineskins) in which we no longer "practice sin" but grow and mature in the things God now is teaching us.

So if sin separates us from God and we are blind and deaf to the things of God what opens the door?

I believe the door is opened in this measure of knowledge that God puts in our hearts. (ROMANS 1:19). This measure of knowledge is as tiny a mustard seed. (MATTHEW 13:31) We instinctively know there is a God because this measure of knowledge he put in us when he created us. It maybe tiny but have God water it and see what happens. A person can’t make their faith any stronger or more sincere without God’s help. It is impossible. In fact if that is what a person does- all they have is a religion. A religion is ritual that is as ritualistic as washing the dishes every night. Faith is a relationship. You don't have a relationship with your dishes but with God.

You have to have a measure of knowledge of God to ask. You have to have a measure of knowledge of God to seek. You have to have a measure of knowledge of God to knock.

This instinctive measure of knowledge is what God uses to open the door to any heart but as always it a choice with God. God didn’t want us to just be some creature without a will but he wanted us to freely love and worship him and come to him to be freed from our spiritual blindness and deafness. He wanted us to come to him so we would be saved in his Son, Jesus Christ and grow mighty in the faith of Jesus Christ. He had a second birth in mind for us, to be born in the Spirit of God.

Are you asking? Are you seeking? Are you knocking?

God has left a trail of breadcrumbs in your life- some have been eaten by the birds of life and some stolen by the rodents that live in darkness but He made sure there would always be enough of a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way home to him.

A LIFE WITHOUT WALLS

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." Jeremiah 1:5

It is startling to think that before we came into being, God had a plan for our life.

That should speak volumes about God’s love for us.

As an artist, I like for whatever I create to have a purpose and a future. I don’t want to create something that is going to be forgotten in a few years or stuck in a closet or an attic…

I believe God is the same way. He doesn’t create things that don’t have a purpose…. I may not understand that purpose of a mosquito but there is a reason for all the things he created.

Have you ever tried to put God in a box? How about your perceived notion of God in a box?

I find that when I try to put God in a box and tell God what He can and cannot do in my life I only put myself in a box.

A place with walls feels safe but it doesn't allow us to see or experience any further then those walls.

God never puts walls or limits upon us but we do. We are the ones that hinder God’s plans in our life when we decide what He is capable and not capable of doing in our life. We are the ones that hinder his love from touching our life.

God isn’t going to force himself on anyone. That is why he gave us a choice. He loves us too much to put walls up around us for he has a plan for our life that is without walls and limits.

That life, however, comes with trusting God not us or others.

Sometimes we put other people’s opinions over what God thinks we are capable of doing.

We believe in circumstances over what may come out of those circumstances.

We are the ones who dash our hopes.

Would a tree that is pruned ever grow back its fullness, if it were capable of holding its misery?

When we trust in God, nothing is impossible. When we trust God, it doesn’t just affect our lives but the lives of others as well.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

What kinds of negative things do we hang on to? What do we treasure that hinders God’s plans in our life?

Do we treasure the potholes of life over the healing rain that fills them? What would a child do in rain puddle? They would jump into it with pure joy and delight spreading it all over everyone that is near them. God isn’t about potholes but filling those potholes with his love.

I would have never dreamed up the things God has done in my life and is still doing if my life.

Remember God isn't about putting up walls in our lives but helping you tear those walls down.

"Born-again" Christian?

Jesus replied, “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.”

“Born again” Christian, I had always thought that was an “odd” term before I became one.

Ever try to play games such as Chinese checkers, chess, Cribbage or Mancala without knowing the directions? Ever try to build one of those Lego models without instructions? How about painting a picture of a landscape without knowing the basic principles of perspective, dimension, scale, and color?

Those things would be difficult to do and even harder to appreciate without some kind of knowledge or direction.

That was what it was like before I was a "born again" Christian. I couldn’t appreciate, behave, act or live out a Christian life because had not received the Holy Spirit from heaven. Before I was “born again” I saw Christianity as a religion even though I considered myself Christian. And I only regarded myself Christian because I attended “Christian” churches as a child and believed in God not Buddha, Muhammad or some other god.

I knew some bible stories but the stories didn’t make this collective cohesion that made total sense. I would also try to read the bible but it either didn’t bring much meaning or didn’t stick. Church services… I might as well been wearing earplugs.
It was like I had this great treasure map but the “X” to mark the spot to change my life was invisible.

You could have told me that Jesus is the “X” on the treasure map but it would had made no difference. I would have been blind and deaf to the fact that Jesus was the “X”.

Christianity didn’t start make sense until I was “born again”.

Just as Ananias placed his hands on Saul and he received the Holy Spirit I too had received the Holy Spirit when a woman, a total stranger, prayed and placed her hand on me when I went to church as a courtesy to some family moving out of state . (ACTS 9:17) A new spirit had come within me. Figuratively the Holy Spirit had turned on the lights.

The Holy Spirit let me see the things of God and the importance of the role of Jesus Christ in our lives. He let the words and messages from the bible and our pastor make sense as I soaked them up like a sponge. A tender heart that was receptive to what God was showing and teaching me had replaced the stony heart. In short not only was my blindness and deafness healed but I had been given new life.

The love of the Father God and Jesus had birthed me a new spiritual life by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 35:5 “And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf.”

Ezekiel 11:19 “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulation. They will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”

OUT OF THE HOLE

I have been speaking to others who have found themselves in a hole in which they have dug themselves. They have tried to claw their way out of this hole and no one has been able or willing to help them out of this hole they have found themselves in.

Their calls for help have been ignored.

They have been enabled by others and professionals such a doctors who write up subscriptions to mask the effects of the root of the problem.

They have been encouraged to stay in their hole in hopes it will all pass in time.

They have been spoon fed this idea that it is everyone elses fault that they are in this hole.

They have been beat back into the hole with remarks that they will never change and/or deserve to be stuck in that hole.

They have been threatened and lied to and fear a life outside the hole.

They have gotten so used to “misery” and “burden” that they have decided to make them their constant living companions.

I can’t get them out of this hole. You can't get them out of this hole. I could throw them a rope and if I some how convinced them to climb the rope, they would probably end up coming to the top of the hole- taking a quick look around and jump back into that hole again.

I have seen one of those holes first hand and you would be surprised what a person can get used to after a while.

Nope… the only way a person will want to come out of that hole is when the hole starts to collapse and it’s life or death threatening and they still won’t be able to get out of that hole themselves.

God’s is the only one who can retrieve a person from a hole they have dug themselves

No way out and no one to turn to… I gave my life to God and he seeing something of value in me, that I could not, pulled me out of that hole and gave me a new life, a new perspective which is maturing and growing everyday under his watchful and loving eye.

If you are in that hole….

Do yourself a favor and give your life to God. He created you. He knows what you need and he will give you a life that you did not even know was possible as long as you trust Him.

From there he will give you to Jesus who will give you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you greater insight of why Jesus is so important in your life and through this growing understanding you will gain greater maturing insight about life, hope, love, joy, and peace.

You will overcome many of the things in your old life and have a "continual" testimony to share with others for many years to come.

You will still have trials and struggles but through the new insight that God gives you, you will overcome all of them with "his" help.

If you aren't in a hole but know some who is, don't give up on them but continue to pray for them and ask God to give you the words and actions for when you do speak to them.