Many live in some type of bondage. After all bondage is what Satan uses to keep us oppressed. As a result, it depresses us. Therefore, we have anxiety and a host of negative behaviors and feelings to destroy us.
Jesus invites us to FREEDOM! In John 8:31- 32 Jesus encourages us to continue to follow His Word. This is because His Word represents TRUTH. It is the only TRUTH that matters in this world. Why? It sets us FREE!
The distractions in this world that Satan has blocks us from our freedom. Subsequently, we don’t see it because the distractions are intoxicating. They entice us to go down roads threatening ultimately to destruction. However, Jesus knew this. It is why He gave us John 8: 31-32.
We must always walk in TRUTH. In some ways I believe this is so sweet in how Jesus is trying to direct our paths. Undoubtedly, He knew we would get distracted. We are prone to wonder (Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 119:10, James 5:19). Jesus plainly tells us that the TRUTH will set us FREE! Who would not want that? Love & Blessings!
Galatians 6:7 in the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)of the Bible reads, you can not outsmart God. God is brilliant! He knows all. He sees all. Truth will always prevail. God ensures He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).
We do reap what we show. Further, if we are sowing good fruit we will reap a good harvest. In contrast, if we are sowing bad fruit, we will reap a bad harvest. The choice is ours.
When we continue to read Galatians 6: 8 – 9 it confirms we reap what we sow. If we sow to the flesh and other Earthly desires, we will reap destruction and death. Those who reap of the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Satan’s deceptions lead us to believe because we are not reaping early or right away with our sin, we are okay. Many times we will keep slipping right into a hole. Later we find the struggle of trying to dig yourself out of. It was designed to destroy us. Again, one of Satan’s deceptions.
Reaping of the Spirit brings great Fruit to us on the Earth. We get the Fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace and the rest of the Fruit to live in. This brings us an abundant and victorious life on the Earth.
I believe we miss some of this great Fruit. Sometimes, we become weary in well doing. However, if you continue to read Galatians 6:9, it encourages us not to become weary. Moreover, we will reap a harvest if we will not faint. Continue to live and walk in the Spirit! Amen. Love & Blessings!
Last week we talked about God’s Truth being greater over our truth. This week I want to continue to talk about God’s Truth. Psalm 100 is one of my favorite Psalms. It was a Psalm that was taught to me as a child. A Bible verse that sticks with you as you grow up.
Richard Smallwood wrote a song based on this Psalm called, “Come Before His Presence.” This is a song that brings me to tears. It is the Spirit of God’s Presence that I love so much when I hear this song. Isaiah 66:11 says God’s word will not return void. This means His Word will succeed in its purpose. This is another one of God’s Truth.
When you read Psalm 100 it says God’s Truth endures to ALL generations. That means it goes on forever! You can not change it. We can not change it. No one can change it. His Truth marches on! (The Battle Hymn of the Republic).
So when we become confused, frustrated, disappointed, etc., in life, we go back to God’s Truth. His Truth is what we stand on. Regardless of what is going on in life, God is always good. We may not understand it all the time, but God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
There are some things that God’s Truth proclaims that we may not like. Sometimes we may not agree with it. However, God’s Truth still stands. Again, His truth endures to All generations. We want to change God’s Truth and we simply can not. We either believe God or we don’t. We either trust God or we don’t. This is the importance of us knowing God’s Word for ourselves. His Truth will visit us, prompt us, and in some cases conflict us.
We know that we grow in our Faith every day. It is a journey. It is a process. As a result, we have to be vigilant, because Satan will sneak in and try to lead us into beliefs that are not of God. God has given us ALL that we need to enjoy our life on Earth. It is in the Spiritual realm. Furthermore, Heaven does come and visit us on Earth with the many blessings we receive. Jesus died to give us the abundant, victorious life God promised (John 10:10). God’s Truth will keep us on this path. Amen. Love & Blessings!
God’s truth is everything. We should live and base our lives on His truth. God’s truth gives us our foundation in life. It directs our morals and values. God’s truth is unchanging. It is the reality that we live by.
Satan always likes to take God’s word, principles, truth and add a twist to it. Currently, we hear people declaring, “My Truth.” The problem with this declaration is we place it above God’s Truth. We get so caught up with what has happened to us in life. Although we should never minimize what people’s experiences have been in life, God has called us to a higher standard. We should not conduct ourselves to culture, the world and Satan’s standard.
Christians sometimes forget the standard God has set for us. We get caught up in what culture, the world, and Satan are doing and saying. We start to mimic them! Again, Satan throws in a little twist and we get farther away from God’s best for our lives.
“My Truth,” can leave one in depression, anxiety, panic, bitterness, hostility and the rest. It opens up a flood of emotions, feelings, and memories, that we should cast upon God (1 Peter 5:7). Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal (Revelation 21:4).
God is a healer. Even though we know He can heal instantaneously, most healing is a process. We know that God wants us to look unto Him for our help (Psalm 41:13, 46:1, 54:4, & 121, Isaiah 41:13). God may provide a doctor, counselor, pastor, friend, etc., to help with that healing process. Other times it may be you and Him walking through it together. I have experienced it all recognizing Him as the ultimate source of my healing and truth. Amen. Love & Blessings!
Satan is always on the prowl. He never ceases to try to harass us. The Bible says Satan is our adversary who roars like a lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). That explains Satan does not like us.
It has been said Satan will try his greatest attacks when we are on the brink of God doing something miraculous in our lives. Usually Satan will use fear and/or discouragement to have us abort the things of God. Many will see these attacks as God not caring when in fact He is still working on our behalf.
Recently, I encountered several attacks within days of each other. When we see the word oncology, most of us know that it means cancer. I received a medical report and referral with that word. For a moment, I thought, “Cancer?” That did not ring true to my soul and spirit. It was late at night. So, since it did not ring true within me, I said my prayers and went to bed. God gave me sweet restorative sleep that night. Satan lost that attack.
The second incident involved a situation of Satan trying to drag me into a situation of hypocrisy and inauthenticity. Quickly, it was so clear of what was happening. The Spirit of God asked me if I was going to participate in this. When given the opportunity of being invited into the situation with a big smile from the host, I quickly declined. Obediently, I kept my silence. Satan lost this attack.
Afterward, I had to process the moment. Moreover, there was so much that was going on. Further, it would have been easy for me to have been swept up in that moment. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us in all things if we are paying attention. I thank God for the Holy Spirit. I am able to recognize His prompting telling me this is wrong.
Cancer came knocking again. Although, I needed to make an appointment with the oncologist office to see a hematologist. As a follow-up, I received documents from the office talking about cancer treatment regimens. I thought, “God, did I miss something? Am I in denial about what is going on with my health?” Overall, I feel great.
I called the office. I told them about my upcoming appointment and the documents I received from their office to prepare me for the appointment. I asked her if I had cancer because no one told me! She looked into it. Finally, she apologized for the documents sent to me. Again, another of Satan’s schemes to send fear and discouragement. Satan lost this attack, too.
Instead of me cowering in fear and discouragement, this has encouraged me. I know God is working on my behalf! It is a matter of time for me to see His glory in my life. This is the beauty of knowing our God and how He works in our lives. It is not always easy to follow God’s direction. It usually goes against the crowd and our need for acceptance. These are Satan’s schemes he uses to suck us into things that are not of God.
Last week I blogged about the power of choice. God will always give us choice in the temptations of life. It is up to us if we are paying attention to Him. It is up to us to choose His ways. God wants us to have the BEST He has for us… Amen. Love & Blessings!
We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26 -27). Because we are made in His image, God gave us free will or choice. He did not want us to be robots where He was telling us what to do. Because He so loved us, He wanted us to naturally love Him.
God gave us the gift of choice. It is powerful! We have the ability to choose and dictate the type of life we live by the choices we make. As with Adam and Eve, He loved them. He wanted the BEST for them. Therefore, He gave them instructions on what they should and should not do.
We all know the story of the forbidden fruit. It was something God warned them to stay away from. It was something He told them of the consequences of if they did not heed His warning. I believe God was so hoping they would make the right choice. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
We now realize that choice is powerful. It requires us to use self-discipline to think things through. We walk in wisdom and stability when we seek God in making our choices. God left us His instructions, the Holy Bible, to lead and guide us. Additionally, we have the Holy Spirit to give us promptings and knowings in what to do. This is powerful when we use this wonderful gift God has given us.
Let us not squander our gift of choice. God intends for us to have a victorious, abundant life on the Earth. It is free of worry, stress, and all of the other ill will feelings and matters of this world. God has promised to never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31-6, Hebrews 13:5). We have to make the powerful choice through the gift He has given us to seek Him daily. Amen. Love & Blessings!
Christians are constantly in a spiritual warfare. Our flesh constantly wars with our spiritual being (Galatians 5:17). Once we accepted Christ as our Savior, the war began. We are sinful by nature. We were born into sin (Psalm 51:5). In accepting Christ as Savior, the old man, flesh, must decrease so Christ will increase in our lives (John 3:30). It is what makes us Christ followers.
Dr. Charles Stanley was known for his passion for teaching the word of God. Recently, I listened to one of his sermons where he talked about the, “Battle Before The Battle.” I chuckled when I heard it. He emphasized how the battles that we fight start in the mind first. He proclaimed if you can win that battle you do not have to fight the battle of temptation as hard.
Many times we believe the battle is temptation. Temptation is a battle. However, fighting the thought that enters into our mind that leads to the temptation is where the battle starts. If we do not entertain the sinful thoughts that come to our minds, we can win the battle before the battle.
David is a good example of winning the battle in his mind. Before he actually went to battle with Goliath, he saw himself winning. In this instance, he already knew in his mind he had the Spirit of the living God on his side. This is how he was so bold in asking KIng Saul to take on Goliath. David had the secret sauce, God’s Spirit.
We all have the secret sauce. God’s Spirit dwells in all of us (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9). When Jesus resurrected and left the Holy Spirit with us, we have that power within us to do all things God wills for us to do. If we believe, like David, we can defeat any giant in our lives. So, when the battle in our mind begins we can shut it down. We do not have to waddle in temptation. If it comes, and many times it will rear its head, we can swat it down.
David had the confidence in God that He would give him the win. So much so, he told Goliath he would be defeated by the Spirit of the living God. He told him it would be by cutting off his head (1 Samuel . 17). That was bold and powerful! David did just that with the Spirit of the living God on his side. David won the battle before the actual battle with Goliath took place. We can, too. Amen. Love & Blessings!
Being a Christian is a process. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). As baby Christians, God will often send us signs and wonders of who He is. He will show us His supernatural power if we are paying attention to Him. As we cultivate our relationship with Him, it allows us to grow. Our aim is to be in His likeness. When people see us they should see the Christ in us.
As we grow more and more in Him, God may not use signs and wonders or other evidence to prove who He is. We have to build our resilience, determination, and commitment in Him. Through the signs and wonders it helps to build our trust and faith in Him. But God wants to wean us off of that. He wants us to prove to Him He can trust us. We have to stand on our faith.
In the Bible Elijah believed in God against all odds. In an earlier blog, we talked about Elijah’s bold challenge against idol gods to 450 prophets. God heard and saw that challenge Elijah made to the prophets. God showed himself strong to not only Elijah, but the prophets as well. God consumed the wet soaked altar with fire!
Now, Elijah stands on God’s word again. This time he believed without a sign that God would send an abundance of rain in a drought. He had his servant go and look at the sky to see if he saw any signs of rain. But no sign was in sight, according to the servant. With confidence and stubbornly, Elijah sent him back seven times!
Although it did not look like Elijah wanted it to look, it did not deter His faith in God. We must be the same. If God has whispered something in our spirit or we are standing on one of His many promises and we are honoring God with our lives, He will come through. Invariably, it will be in His time and His way.
We must prove to God that He can trust us. When we prove to God who we are in Him, there is nothing He will withhold from His children that is in His will for them… Amen. Love & Blessings!
Being a Christian is a process. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). As baby Christians, God will often send us signs and wonders of who He is. He will show us His supernatural power if we are paying attention to Him. As we cultivate our relationship with Him, it allows us to grow. Our aim is to be in His likeness. When people see us they should see the Christ in us.
As we grow more and more in Him, God may not use signs and wonders or other evidence to prove who He is. We have to build our resilience, determination, and commitment in Him. Through the signs and wonders it helps to build our trust and faith in Him. But God wants to wean us off of that. He wants us to prove to Him He can trust us. We have to stand on our faith.
In the Bible Elijah believed in God against all odds. In an earlier blog, we talked about Elijah’s bold challenge against idol gods to 450 prophets. God heard and saw that challenge Elijah made to the prophets. God showed himself strong to not only Elijah, but the prophets as well. God consumed the wet soaked altar with fire!
Now, Elijah stands on God’s word again. This time he believed without a sign that God would send an abundance of rain in a drought. He had his servant go and look at the sky to see if he saw any signs of rain. But no sign was in sight, according to the servant. With confidence and stubbornly, Elijah sent him back seven times!
Although it did not look like Elijah wanted it to look, it did not deter His faith in God. We must be the same. If God has whispered something in our spirit or we are standing on one of His many promises and we are honoring God with our lives, He will come through. Invariably, it will be in His time and His way.
We must prove to God that He can trust us. When we prove to God who we are in Him, there is nothing He will withhold from His children that is in His will for them… Amen. Love & Blessings!
The letters that Paul wrote in the New Testament were to the church. He was talking to church folk! There were many things that were going on in the church and its community. Today, there is nothing new under the sun. There is much that is going on today in the church and the church community. God does not change. The Bible does not change. We change! We are transformed by the renewing of our mind, according to Paul (Romans 12:2).
Sin changed the course of life God had for His children. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we live a different life that God once had in mind for us. A depraved mind, in a biblical context (specifically Romans 1:28), refers to a state where a person has rejected God and His knowledge. As a result, this leads to a moral and spiritual decline.
We all sin. We are not perfect. When we sin we repent and turn away from that sin. This depraved mind comes about when a person is practicing evil, wickedness, and corruption. The Bible actually lists these sins in Romans 1: 18-32. Because they refuse to repent, Romans 1: 34 says God gave them over to their lusts.
Imagine a person being “given over” to a debased or reprobate mind, by God. It is characterized by a complete disregard for moral boundaries and a propensity for evil actions. These people, according to the Bible, are no longer capable of discerning right from wrong. Their actions demonstrate a moral corruption.
Woe unto us! The first person we need to examine in all situations is ourselves. There are many mysteries about God that we do not know. Even so, God has given us enough in the Bible for us to know how we should live and conduct our lives as Christ followers. Jesus said you will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). It appears once God has given one over to a depraved mind, it is final… Only God knows. Amen. Love & Blessings.
