Glory to God on High! The Christmas tree is up, the pine scent from Bath and Body Works is in the air, the $7.00 Christmas shirt is on the dog and the Yule Log DVD is "burning" on the TV screen: (see below for fun):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLmwmX-mni8
What can I say? I need to keep it light at times and especially leading into this topic. Audience: This is for the married, the single, the homosexual, the confused, the lonely and the curious! The subject of sexual purity needs to be discussed.
Can you remember when you lost your purity? (I am not talking about virginity.) Did you find your dad's Playboy under the bathroom cabinet? Did your friends show you a X rated video? Was there a slumber party that you wished you would not have gone to?
The sad thing is, many of us who claim that the world now is saturated in sex (yes it is, and it is getting worse), ourselves found sexual situations very early in life, and easily.
Unfortunately, the way my parents handled sexuality was somewhat normal. My parents were born in 1933 and 1935, and this generation seemed to handle things by not talking about them so they do not happen. This, I believe has to do somewhat with the Great Depression, and their parents way of surviving. Many in that generation give themselves a pat on the back that they went through it. That they survived it. God was not given the Glory always for feeding the mouths, providing jobs and keeping people in shelter during that time. In part, this and the previous generation grew hard and cold. Also, this generation or at least my parents offered little understanding as we made mistakes. There was no room for "education" as we made mistakes. An iron fist was the way to go. What is strange is that neither of my parents came from this type of home. I think the fear of the deterioration of society in the 1960's drove them to really hunker down on us. That is my only explanation. I forgive them. But, I learn from this. We need to talk to our children. We need to keep the door open for their questions. We need the Bible available for backup.
I got pregnant at the age of 18. It is absolutely my fault. (and my boyfriends) We truly were just drinking buddies who thought we loved each other. We got married. My husband really didn't want to, even though it wasn't absolutely obvious at the time. Now, I look back and his heart was not in this. He got into drugs within 2 years of our marriage. We lasted 5 more. It was the most miserable 7 years of life I can imagine. I tried so hard, but he did not accept my love. He left, filling a paper grocery bag with items on a Saturday. He went to live with his parents, and later lived with a girlfriend. He was killed two years after he left, a passenger in a drunk driving accident. I have two children by him. They were 4 and 9 at the time of their dad's death. If you ask me: It all is surreal and a fuzzy nightmare that just could not have happened to me. I was blessed with two children, and in that I knew I was made to be a mommy. Through crisis and turmoil in this marriage, I held my head high for my children and celebrated life with them. In Christ, I can do all things. Philippians 4:13.
How can I change this paradigm for my children and grandchildren and express this to any and every soul that wants to listen?
First off, let's talk about what is pure and good and what our heavenly Father wishes for us! A Good Father wants the best for His children. He wants to protect. He wants the best for them. He wants them free from diseases (STDs and HIV). He wants them to have children in the beauty of marriage. He wants us guilt free.
He does not want us to view pornography in any form, ever. He does not want us to watch racy TV (NBC at 8pm is filth!) He does not want us to go to Passion Parties. To steer away from books that titillate us, to edit the sexist jokes, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, the soap operas and the cleavage bearing shirts, ladies.
I am not a prude. I am born again in Christ. The Lord has healed me from many things since the Holy Spirit filled me. One is that He granted me purity, and an ability to be free from this "want". He shared the yoke with me, and it is light. It is not hard for me to be pure, now.
Do you understand the New Covenant? Well, prior to your conversion, you will be under the Old Covenant, even if you fight it. The Old Covenant was necessary and Jesus came to fulfill it. It is/was good. But there is more to the Old Covenant. You are under condemnation (The Law), that Moses established through God. That is why you are restless. You are seeking to fill that hole. You are a sinner, just like a Believer, but you cannot quit sinning. Your habitual sins have control over you. You are waking up Sunday morning anxious about the night before. If you are like me, this condemnation increased in intensity. It included more "symptoms": Palpitations, intense anxiety and depression, anger, increase in alcohol use and GUILT! You see, guilt is a gift before you are born again! I believe that! There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
You (like I did), live like the world when it comes to sex. Us ladies try to restrain. We try to "establish" the relationship as committed before we have sex. Guys know this. Us ladies bargain with God. We say things to God like, "Count this as being married, because I plan on getting married to him". God knows the animal in man. Women try to ignore it. Outside of marriage, women who are sexual to their partner lose all control of the relationship after giving in, even though we think we have control.
Then, the woman lets the man live with her. She thinks this is the next step towards marriage. Actually, it is a bargain for the man. He splits the bills, gets regular sex, and gains time now to delay an engagement because they are "trying this out instead". And usually it ends in a breakup and the female has another heartache. A baby comes along as well.............With no intention of marriage.
Ladies: Knock it off! I see women driving men around in cars all the time and these hard working 20+ year old girls are being used! The lady is working hard, letting the man live with her, sharing her hopes and dreams and expecting a miracle. We women had better learn to live alone and wait for the right partner. An abstinent partner. Yes, it is possible.
Many churches have "singles" groups, but no abstinence or purity groups. I know who goes to single Christian groups, because I used to go to them in the '90's because I was lonely and looking for a "good Christian man". Boy, will you find all kinds of "Christian" gals and guys out there. Be careful. I beg you, be careful. There is typically tares planted within the wheat.
I haven't yet dated a man who wasn't "Christian". I will not listen to that line, now. If I date again, I am looking for a surrendered to Jesus Christ man. A man who has received and understands the revelation of purity. Yes, it is a revelation. But, sex is too fun, so most men think it is impossible. (and women) Lack of faith puts man and woman into a void when it comes to this revelation. So, God will not grant it. Faith is more than believing in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. That is just the beginning. (But the most important thing you will ever do). After that, there can and will be innumerable revelations available to you, if you get yourself humbled in prayer and Bible reading and surrender. Have Scripture that you do not understand or fight with? Ask God for revelation. Be patient. Be alert and on the look out for His answer.
Singles: It takes a long time to get to know someone. There are mask wearers out there. Someone who claims to be born again could be a liar. Anyone who is truly born again will eventually shed their sinful habits of the past. They will continue to have victory over them. They will not resemble someone of the world. If they are all "talk" and no fruit, get away from them. Look at their fruit. Realize yourself that if sex was a weakness ever for you yourself, you need to be in prayer about it often and on guard. The enemy will try to use it against you over and over again.
If you lose your heart to someone (this can happen in matter of moments), you are in grave danger of not being able to see who they really are. A spell is cast. You know what I mean. Once that love spell comes over you, it is very, very difficult to see the reality. How do we do this then?
Hand holding! Maybe a peck on the lips or cheek! Yes! It is great. Lots of time together during the day, not at night. Do things in groups. Be careful when you are in each other's homes.
The light cannot stand the darkness. John 1:5 states "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Ephesians 5:8 states "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light".
If you date this person long enough, the darkness will be revealed. This will mean months and more likely years. Are you a child of the light yourself? If you are not sure, you need to find a Bible believing church. You need to pray and seek the Lord. You need to confess your sin and repent (turn). You need to believe that you are WORTHY of this! You belong in the Kingdom. Yes, you. Regardless of your sexual past. Take your sexual past to the Lord.
If the Lord can heal me of the sexual bug, he can heal you: A homosexual, lesbian, transgender, confused, bi-sexual, multiple and many partners person! He can heal you in your "living together" situation. He will fill that void. He is the ultimate lover of your heart, and He is desiring for you to be obedient in this matter. He commands it of us.
Yes, I believe some are born with tendencies outside of the norm. This is true in every way. Some of us are fringe people. Personalities are on the fringe, and sexuality could be your "thorn". Many people are intrigued by the same sex. It doesn't mean that you need to act on it. Throw the thoughts out of your mind, minute by minute. Jesus wants to heal you from this. He wants to take on your burden. Yes, Satan will come in your dreams. Be a warrior for Christ. Pray before you get into the situations that cause you to stumble or nearly stumble.
Honestly, you ask, how do you know this, On Fire For The Lord, Blogger lady? I know when a miracle happens and it has happened to me. Jesus wants to heal you. He healed the lady at the well. He healed me in the same way. He forgave her, He forgave me. It is behind me. I put my head on my pillow each and every night now, with peace in my heart, that I am pure for the Lord. No regrets now.
It is supernatural. You will not be able to do this all on your own strength. But, it can start with you taking a stand and talking to your partner and stating the truth of the Bible. It can start with you "fasting" from your partner who is engaging you in fornication, lustful married sex, homosexual sex or inappropriate sex. All sin outside of marriage, all homosexual sin, all lusting is SIN! It is one and the same. The married people are not protected, just because they are married. If they are lusting after magazines, laptops and the co-worker they flirt with, they are committing the same act of sin as the single people, straight or gay.
Ladies: This book changed my life: It is called "Every Woman's Battle" by Shannon Ethridge. It speaks to ALL women regarding sexual purity in marriage and outside of marriage. Men: Read "Every Man's Battle" by Stephen Arterburn.
Beautiful, healthy, Godly sex is for marriage. Billy Graham is not shy, talking about sex in marriage and the delight of it, the pleasure of it. Check him out. Not a prude!!!! Get on some God and enjoy life in Christ. You can do it. If once boy crazy me can do it, anyone can!
Please enjoy this video for encouragement as you consider a life of purity and how "Nothing Is Impossible"!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z20Q95IPWQ8
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Jesus-type Love For The Divorced
Glory and Honor to our heavenly Father. He exceeds all expectations. He gifts beyond imagination. He is the Answer. The only Answer. He loves and the world does not know love. I am so thankful for my Father in heaven. I am thankful for my journey. I praise Him for the past, and I also praise Him that I realize my sin and my need for Him. He found me in my sin. He will never leave me.
Isn't that glorious for a lady divorced twice to type? How do you get there? How do you go from complete hopelessness, disgrace, abandonment, and then rebellion on the sin wagon to being thankful for the broken road? Let me tell you. Getting remarried was not the answer. I found my Saviour. I finally found true love in Jesus Christ. I am single and in love as never before. Cosmic love. Love that gifts purity. Supernatural love that my married friends may envy.
I want you to be on the look out: If you are at Walmart or Target and you see a person alone, frowning and they have in their shopping cart a broom, a toilet brush, a waste basket and coat hangers, be kind. Why would they be setting up shop at their age of 30 or 40? Why wouldn't they move those things from their last house? It is most likely because they are going through a divorce, and have to start all over.
Unfortunately, our society has a "no fault divorce" attitude. We don't even ask why our loved ones are divorced. We don't sit across a coffee shop table and care and look into their eyes and try to know them. We might want the "scoop" so we can pass it on, though. We look at divorced as people who don't try hard enough. People that must have partied or cheated their way out of the marriage. Oh, that they are just like the 50% divorce rate, who are lumped into this category. Actually, you might be surprised at their pain. Their anguish. Their deep loss and heartache. How hard Sundays and holidays are for these people
Many divorced are women like me who gave it years of trying. Many women were/are treated miserably. The spouse in our situation was/is loved by society. The spouse is a professional. The "world" may adore the spouse.
Many of these broken marriages had nothing to do with alcohol, drugs, pornography, bar life, flirting or aggressive wives.
There are seeds of evil in each and every one of us. There is a sin seed for every possible sin in each of us. Can you handle that? You better humble down and try. It helped me to completely forgive my former spouse. It helps me to pray that he will be born again in Christ, and ushered into eternal life with Jesus.
God hates divorce and I believe I know why. Moses provided a law for divorce, and that was greatly abused. Jesus speaks frankly about divorce in Mark chapter 10. A hardenen heart is what produces divorce. In all of biblical times, a woman could not file for divorce. Only a man could. Women, look at these words of Jesus with love, as He knew how women were treated. Jesus, I believe is having a bleeding heart for women, here. Remarriage? I am waiting for revelation from God on whether I am to be remarried or not. The Scriptures speak to me presently that it is not for me. Only revelation from God will reveal something differently. Yes, Jesus speaks of divorce and certain circumstances for it. But, He still hates it.
Honestly, the religious talk radio shows are pretty cruel at times at they address divorce. I have to turn them off at times. The cold talk about divorce and statistics. Why, why why???..... Dr. James Dobson goes on and on. Bless him, and I respect him. But, reality shows its ugly face in that, just as the author Luke displays, these are facts of life, and no psychology degree is going to reason away the sin of Adam in our world, to women. Thank you, Jesus for showing up in the Gospels to broken women, when Jewish society cast them away. The bleeders and the divorced. The living in sin woman. The woman caught in the act of adultery. (Jewish law states that BOTH parties were to be stoned. The Pharisees decided to only throw the woman in front of Jesus for judgement. Imagine that.)
In my opinion, due to the abuse rate in homes towards women and children, the Christian programs better ramp up and balance their discussion about abuse. My heart is broken for the other listeners as well who are divorced due to abuse. I did not chose to be divorced. I do not like being divorced. I planned on being married, forever.
My marriage was one filled with family and church life. Volunteer work. Meals around the table. Nice home and cars. Many women are in my category.
I knew the spouse 5 years before the abuse even started. This is very common, as I speak to other women.
I am not a liberal minded woman. I have to shovel, paint, mow and repair my home because I do not have a husband. I work 45 hours a week because that is what I have to do. I have to be head of my household, because that is what I have to do. Many women are like me. Don't be intimidated. We are not trying to take a man's place in this world. Also, because we are single it does not mean that we are interested in you any more than a married woman would be.
Let's move on to the Glory of what Jesus Christ does in lives:
After leaving a horribly abusive event, I fell into sin. I moved out and filed for divorce. I am a grave sinner, now saved. I can share these things because my guilt has been lifted. I can share so others may learn. My masks are off. Many wear masks, and unfortunately, I am good at recognizing the mask wearers now. Oh, my. Many mask wearers in the church, especially.
I found myself single, not yet divorced. Some pit falls for me: Watching Sex In The City, increasing my drinking, finding a population of men that wanted to date me, fleeing my pain by finding new friends. My relatives provided comfort, but typically in atmospheres of alcohol.
The Holy Spirit was trying to speak to me. I remember my dreams at night, from 2005-2007 that I lost something, I forgot to do something. I would wake up and was somewhat tormented by that "thing" I forgot to do and couldn't find. That was God calling me to Him. Oh, Lord. I love You so!
I went to a Catholic church in another town and sat in the back. I left crying over and over again. My tears of pain. I didn't realize the conviction I was under, because I didn't necessarily feel guilty. It was almost like I felt I had to run out of that church. My rebellion was justified, I felt. This was my lot in life, having two abusive marriages. So, this is what I guess we do now, divorced people.
The Holy Spirit (I didn't get that this was the Holy Spirit!) was telling me in August 2006, "You have got to start somewhere". I didn't know exactly what that meant.
My journey began with reading self help books and then management books. From Dr. Phil to Covey. Then, the Bible in January 2011. The progression was in that order.
April 2011, the Holy Spirit pretty much grabbed me as though electricity went through my body. It changed my life forever, supernaturally. There is no way to explain this in human terms. From that point on, I knew there was a purpose for my life, and pretty quickly, I proclaimed the words, "Born Again", even though I did not know what that meant. Sanctification happened quickly from July 2011 on, as I quit fighting what God was trying to gift me with. He was giving me revelation about sexual purity and alcohol abstinence. He was showing me a protected life from the world, if I would abstain from impure music and entertainment. He explained discernment and that "feeling" I had much of my life, about "doom" and that when you feel that "doom", you need to move and get safer.
I found really no one but the Holy Spirit, through reading the Bible, writing in a journal to God and praying to explain this to me. Humans were of very little help. God wants us to rely on Him.
I loved my former spouses in the worldly way I knew how to. They were in the same boat. We all were worldly. We were all under the curse of sin and death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Please understand that you must be born again. You see, I was a religious woman, married. I volunteered more for the church than I worked. I taught religious education, played the piano for the church, led up a woman's circle, and more. I was a good, good mom. I loved my husband. I did not know Jesus Christ personally, and really didn't care that I didn't. I was propped up on everything but the Blood Of Jesus Christ.
Sin happens in this world. Evil things happen to people. Religious people do evil things to people. I propped myself up on my marriage and religious activities. I gave no intimate time to the Lord. I only got on my knees on the kneeler at church, as a ritual, and if I read the Bible, it was like reading a Social Studies book. I loved everything more than Jesus Christ. I knew of Him, and I thought that was enough. That pride of comfortability was dangerous. God expects and desires our love. I will tell you again and again in this blog that you must humble yourself to the Lord. You must plead with Him in prayer to fill your very heart and soul. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enter your being. Decide that there is something missing and you will be honest enough to admit that, being a religious person. Read the Bible to see that the religious is who Jesus came to scold, and the admittedly sick is who He came to seek out. Admit you are sick and need a Saviour. Dare to take off your mask of religion. Bare bones believers He seeks! Raw, weeping children we are to be.
There will be an obvious turning point in your life. You will be able to pin point that season or day in your life when you knew your life had taken on the meaning of what God intended for you, and that you are a child of God. For most, that happens after they experienced religion.
You will be able to forgive the unforgivable. You will be able to pray beautiful things for those that brought havoc on to your life. That is when you know you are saved. When you can love those, just as Jesus did, approaching a cruel death. An execution on the cross. Hanging there, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". Luke 23:34 See below the song about me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zIOcBiTGg
Isn't that glorious for a lady divorced twice to type? How do you get there? How do you go from complete hopelessness, disgrace, abandonment, and then rebellion on the sin wagon to being thankful for the broken road? Let me tell you. Getting remarried was not the answer. I found my Saviour. I finally found true love in Jesus Christ. I am single and in love as never before. Cosmic love. Love that gifts purity. Supernatural love that my married friends may envy.
I want you to be on the look out: If you are at Walmart or Target and you see a person alone, frowning and they have in their shopping cart a broom, a toilet brush, a waste basket and coat hangers, be kind. Why would they be setting up shop at their age of 30 or 40? Why wouldn't they move those things from their last house? It is most likely because they are going through a divorce, and have to start all over.
Unfortunately, our society has a "no fault divorce" attitude. We don't even ask why our loved ones are divorced. We don't sit across a coffee shop table and care and look into their eyes and try to know them. We might want the "scoop" so we can pass it on, though. We look at divorced as people who don't try hard enough. People that must have partied or cheated their way out of the marriage. Oh, that they are just like the 50% divorce rate, who are lumped into this category. Actually, you might be surprised at their pain. Their anguish. Their deep loss and heartache. How hard Sundays and holidays are for these people
Many divorced are women like me who gave it years of trying. Many women were/are treated miserably. The spouse in our situation was/is loved by society. The spouse is a professional. The "world" may adore the spouse.
Many of these broken marriages had nothing to do with alcohol, drugs, pornography, bar life, flirting or aggressive wives.
There are seeds of evil in each and every one of us. There is a sin seed for every possible sin in each of us. Can you handle that? You better humble down and try. It helped me to completely forgive my former spouse. It helps me to pray that he will be born again in Christ, and ushered into eternal life with Jesus.
God hates divorce and I believe I know why. Moses provided a law for divorce, and that was greatly abused. Jesus speaks frankly about divorce in Mark chapter 10. A hardenen heart is what produces divorce. In all of biblical times, a woman could not file for divorce. Only a man could. Women, look at these words of Jesus with love, as He knew how women were treated. Jesus, I believe is having a bleeding heart for women, here. Remarriage? I am waiting for revelation from God on whether I am to be remarried or not. The Scriptures speak to me presently that it is not for me. Only revelation from God will reveal something differently. Yes, Jesus speaks of divorce and certain circumstances for it. But, He still hates it.
Honestly, the religious talk radio shows are pretty cruel at times at they address divorce. I have to turn them off at times. The cold talk about divorce and statistics. Why, why why???..... Dr. James Dobson goes on and on. Bless him, and I respect him. But, reality shows its ugly face in that, just as the author Luke displays, these are facts of life, and no psychology degree is going to reason away the sin of Adam in our world, to women. Thank you, Jesus for showing up in the Gospels to broken women, when Jewish society cast them away. The bleeders and the divorced. The living in sin woman. The woman caught in the act of adultery. (Jewish law states that BOTH parties were to be stoned. The Pharisees decided to only throw the woman in front of Jesus for judgement. Imagine that.)
In my opinion, due to the abuse rate in homes towards women and children, the Christian programs better ramp up and balance their discussion about abuse. My heart is broken for the other listeners as well who are divorced due to abuse. I did not chose to be divorced. I do not like being divorced. I planned on being married, forever.
My marriage was one filled with family and church life. Volunteer work. Meals around the table. Nice home and cars. Many women are in my category.
I knew the spouse 5 years before the abuse even started. This is very common, as I speak to other women.
I am not a liberal minded woman. I have to shovel, paint, mow and repair my home because I do not have a husband. I work 45 hours a week because that is what I have to do. I have to be head of my household, because that is what I have to do. Many women are like me. Don't be intimidated. We are not trying to take a man's place in this world. Also, because we are single it does not mean that we are interested in you any more than a married woman would be.
Let's move on to the Glory of what Jesus Christ does in lives:
After leaving a horribly abusive event, I fell into sin. I moved out and filed for divorce. I am a grave sinner, now saved. I can share these things because my guilt has been lifted. I can share so others may learn. My masks are off. Many wear masks, and unfortunately, I am good at recognizing the mask wearers now. Oh, my. Many mask wearers in the church, especially.
I found myself single, not yet divorced. Some pit falls for me: Watching Sex In The City, increasing my drinking, finding a population of men that wanted to date me, fleeing my pain by finding new friends. My relatives provided comfort, but typically in atmospheres of alcohol.
The Holy Spirit was trying to speak to me. I remember my dreams at night, from 2005-2007 that I lost something, I forgot to do something. I would wake up and was somewhat tormented by that "thing" I forgot to do and couldn't find. That was God calling me to Him. Oh, Lord. I love You so!
I went to a Catholic church in another town and sat in the back. I left crying over and over again. My tears of pain. I didn't realize the conviction I was under, because I didn't necessarily feel guilty. It was almost like I felt I had to run out of that church. My rebellion was justified, I felt. This was my lot in life, having two abusive marriages. So, this is what I guess we do now, divorced people.
The Holy Spirit (I didn't get that this was the Holy Spirit!) was telling me in August 2006, "You have got to start somewhere". I didn't know exactly what that meant.
My journey began with reading self help books and then management books. From Dr. Phil to Covey. Then, the Bible in January 2011. The progression was in that order.
April 2011, the Holy Spirit pretty much grabbed me as though electricity went through my body. It changed my life forever, supernaturally. There is no way to explain this in human terms. From that point on, I knew there was a purpose for my life, and pretty quickly, I proclaimed the words, "Born Again", even though I did not know what that meant. Sanctification happened quickly from July 2011 on, as I quit fighting what God was trying to gift me with. He was giving me revelation about sexual purity and alcohol abstinence. He was showing me a protected life from the world, if I would abstain from impure music and entertainment. He explained discernment and that "feeling" I had much of my life, about "doom" and that when you feel that "doom", you need to move and get safer.
I found really no one but the Holy Spirit, through reading the Bible, writing in a journal to God and praying to explain this to me. Humans were of very little help. God wants us to rely on Him.
I loved my former spouses in the worldly way I knew how to. They were in the same boat. We all were worldly. We were all under the curse of sin and death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Please understand that you must be born again. You see, I was a religious woman, married. I volunteered more for the church than I worked. I taught religious education, played the piano for the church, led up a woman's circle, and more. I was a good, good mom. I loved my husband. I did not know Jesus Christ personally, and really didn't care that I didn't. I was propped up on everything but the Blood Of Jesus Christ.
Sin happens in this world. Evil things happen to people. Religious people do evil things to people. I propped myself up on my marriage and religious activities. I gave no intimate time to the Lord. I only got on my knees on the kneeler at church, as a ritual, and if I read the Bible, it was like reading a Social Studies book. I loved everything more than Jesus Christ. I knew of Him, and I thought that was enough. That pride of comfortability was dangerous. God expects and desires our love. I will tell you again and again in this blog that you must humble yourself to the Lord. You must plead with Him in prayer to fill your very heart and soul. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enter your being. Decide that there is something missing and you will be honest enough to admit that, being a religious person. Read the Bible to see that the religious is who Jesus came to scold, and the admittedly sick is who He came to seek out. Admit you are sick and need a Saviour. Dare to take off your mask of religion. Bare bones believers He seeks! Raw, weeping children we are to be.
There will be an obvious turning point in your life. You will be able to pin point that season or day in your life when you knew your life had taken on the meaning of what God intended for you, and that you are a child of God. For most, that happens after they experienced religion.
You will be able to forgive the unforgivable. You will be able to pray beautiful things for those that brought havoc on to your life. That is when you know you are saved. When you can love those, just as Jesus did, approaching a cruel death. An execution on the cross. Hanging there, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". Luke 23:34 See below the song about me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zIOcBiTGg
Saturday, November 17, 2012
One Full Year Of Christian Television....
Glory to Our Father! Praises from Iowa. The Lord has blessed us abundantly. May you find this post enlightening. May you also find time to read your Bible as much as you spend time on the computer investigating religious material. The time in the Word is your most blessed investment.
I had gotten rid of most of my cable a year ago. I was spending $170.00 for cable, internet and telephone (land line). I made some bold moves at home. God was working on me with waste, and this was part of it, to get rid of the DVRs and mega cable package. What I was left with was essentially the Discovery Channel and religious channels. This proved to be a blessing for our home.
You see, my 13 year old is a sports nut and now we do not have ESPN or other sports channels. We discovered we never really watched the TV that much, and our home is even more quiet now that the TV does not scream "Wheel Of Fortune" at us.
What I discovered were TV channels that had 24 hours of religious material on them. I have a Catholic channel, a 7th Day Adventist channel and TBN and The Church Channel.
I have gotten to know Paul and Jan Crouch, Fulton Sheen, Perry Stone, a nun in a habit, Andrew Wommack and Creflo Dollar to name a few. (Yes, I am aware of the scandals.......)
I found this refreshing last fall, to have at least 2 channels of Christian television. I still do, but I am discerning more and more what God's Word says versus what man says on TV. Also, I feel we all have a right to point out what is out of balance in the religious worlds. As Deitrich Bonhoeffer puts it in his book, The Cost Of Discipleship, " It is just not true that every word of criticism directed against contemporary preaching is a deliberate rejection of Christ". (He wrote this circa 1940's)
On my religious journey, 44 years now, you really treasure what is to be treasured, and that which is not, you weed out. It takes time to learn to weed. I pray to be more and more skilled at efficient, expedient weeding.
I can say that an old classmate from my high school days emailed me after he realized I got born again and warned, "Be careful of false teachers. I am really warning you, be very careful out there".
At the time, I didn't really know what to think of his email. He didn't specify where these false teachers are, or where they will come out from. I took it seriously, though. The Bible speaks often of false teachers, and I was aware of that.
Here are warning signs that were being made more clear to me through the Holy Spirit regarding these channels:
1) Beware of the broadcasts that don't first ask that you tithe to your home church. If they neglect to remind you of this as they are asking for your money, beware.
2) Scripture is not part of their message. They should be peppering the message with memorized Scripture passages.
3) An overemphasis on prosperity preaching. Remember: John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease".
4)The overarching message is typically pleasant and comforting.
5) The words: Jesus, born again, repent and hell are missing from the message.
6) They don't seem to be trusting that God will provide their financial needs if your pocket book doesn't.
7) They don't urge you to find a church home and to worship there weekly.
8) They omit telling you how difficult the true Christian journey is.
Here is who I discovered to be lining up with the Word of God, in my opinion: Greg Laurie, Fulton Sheen, Andrew Wommack, Billy Graham (of course!), Jack Graham, Dr. D. James Kennedy, David Jeremiah, Rabbi Kirt Schneider, Brian Houston and Dr. David Swanson. (There are more. Sorry if they are omitted)
Here are some that I greatly enjoy and respect. I would like to hear them preach more of repentance and then being active for the Kingdom: T.D. Jakes, Perry Stone, Ron Phillips, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Father Cedric Pisegna.
They all have their own style and delivery. Many have an emphasis on some point of the Gospel. I will just assume that the Holy Spirit is who has instructed them to weigh that point of the Gospel out more than the entire message of the Gospel.
It is difficult to gage in that evangelists are expected to be speaking to the unsaved, while preachers in their home churches are expected to be speaking mostly to the saved. If you ask me, we should always assume the unsaved are in our midst.
For the sake of all, I will not list the preachers who I think are completely out of balance. These preachers are emphasizing the large portion of their message about "me". My health, my bills that need paid, my income, my future, my stuff, my getting more stuff. The majority of the message should not center around life applications. This can be part of the message, but it should not be the entire message. We need to hear about all that Jesus had to say. All that Paul, Luke and John wrote. Let alone, Moses, David and Isaiah. All of Scripture is God breathed, and so no "God" message can be truly delivered without it. If you claim to be a preacher, teacher or evangelist, you better take note of what the Bible is saying, insert it often and on all occasions of speaking of Jesus. Otherwise, please just call yourself a life coach. Thank you.
The out of balance preachers are not crying out to the masses to reach out to the unsaved and those hungry in other countries, sex trafficking; all of the present horrors that need prayer and workers. To look outside of themselves. Think of it this way: They really keep asking you to look in the mirror. Keep looking at what "you" need. What happened to "you" in your past. "Your" addictions and habitual sins. We need to move on to: You were saved by Grace, you repented, you are being sanctified. Now go out there and save other people!!! Let's move on, folks. Quit sitting and stewing on your salvation buttocks.
Reading 2 Peter chapter 2 is extremely helpful. Also, remember this as you match up God's Word to the person speaking it over the TV: James 2:5 "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" We yearn to be poor in the eyes of the world. To be more and more like Christ.
I enjoy many of the religious programs. There are some I do not watch at all anymore. Like I have said before, some of the best knowledge you will obtain will be from those from the past. Those who are not with us any longer. Please spend time in the Word of God daily. If you find free time after that, please engage yourself with the deceased greats. Please enjoy below Bishop Fulton Sheen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX-Htjo-Gxw
I had gotten rid of most of my cable a year ago. I was spending $170.00 for cable, internet and telephone (land line). I made some bold moves at home. God was working on me with waste, and this was part of it, to get rid of the DVRs and mega cable package. What I was left with was essentially the Discovery Channel and religious channels. This proved to be a blessing for our home.
You see, my 13 year old is a sports nut and now we do not have ESPN or other sports channels. We discovered we never really watched the TV that much, and our home is even more quiet now that the TV does not scream "Wheel Of Fortune" at us.
What I discovered were TV channels that had 24 hours of religious material on them. I have a Catholic channel, a 7th Day Adventist channel and TBN and The Church Channel.
I have gotten to know Paul and Jan Crouch, Fulton Sheen, Perry Stone, a nun in a habit, Andrew Wommack and Creflo Dollar to name a few. (Yes, I am aware of the scandals.......)
I found this refreshing last fall, to have at least 2 channels of Christian television. I still do, but I am discerning more and more what God's Word says versus what man says on TV. Also, I feel we all have a right to point out what is out of balance in the religious worlds. As Deitrich Bonhoeffer puts it in his book, The Cost Of Discipleship, " It is just not true that every word of criticism directed against contemporary preaching is a deliberate rejection of Christ". (He wrote this circa 1940's)
On my religious journey, 44 years now, you really treasure what is to be treasured, and that which is not, you weed out. It takes time to learn to weed. I pray to be more and more skilled at efficient, expedient weeding.
I can say that an old classmate from my high school days emailed me after he realized I got born again and warned, "Be careful of false teachers. I am really warning you, be very careful out there".
At the time, I didn't really know what to think of his email. He didn't specify where these false teachers are, or where they will come out from. I took it seriously, though. The Bible speaks often of false teachers, and I was aware of that.
Here are warning signs that were being made more clear to me through the Holy Spirit regarding these channels:
1) Beware of the broadcasts that don't first ask that you tithe to your home church. If they neglect to remind you of this as they are asking for your money, beware.
2) Scripture is not part of their message. They should be peppering the message with memorized Scripture passages.
3) An overemphasis on prosperity preaching. Remember: John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease".
4)The overarching message is typically pleasant and comforting.
5) The words: Jesus, born again, repent and hell are missing from the message.
6) They don't seem to be trusting that God will provide their financial needs if your pocket book doesn't.
7) They don't urge you to find a church home and to worship there weekly.
8) They omit telling you how difficult the true Christian journey is.
Here is who I discovered to be lining up with the Word of God, in my opinion: Greg Laurie, Fulton Sheen, Andrew Wommack, Billy Graham (of course!), Jack Graham, Dr. D. James Kennedy, David Jeremiah, Rabbi Kirt Schneider, Brian Houston and Dr. David Swanson. (There are more. Sorry if they are omitted)
Here are some that I greatly enjoy and respect. I would like to hear them preach more of repentance and then being active for the Kingdom: T.D. Jakes, Perry Stone, Ron Phillips, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Father Cedric Pisegna.
They all have their own style and delivery. Many have an emphasis on some point of the Gospel. I will just assume that the Holy Spirit is who has instructed them to weigh that point of the Gospel out more than the entire message of the Gospel.
It is difficult to gage in that evangelists are expected to be speaking to the unsaved, while preachers in their home churches are expected to be speaking mostly to the saved. If you ask me, we should always assume the unsaved are in our midst.
For the sake of all, I will not list the preachers who I think are completely out of balance. These preachers are emphasizing the large portion of their message about "me". My health, my bills that need paid, my income, my future, my stuff, my getting more stuff. The majority of the message should not center around life applications. This can be part of the message, but it should not be the entire message. We need to hear about all that Jesus had to say. All that Paul, Luke and John wrote. Let alone, Moses, David and Isaiah. All of Scripture is God breathed, and so no "God" message can be truly delivered without it. If you claim to be a preacher, teacher or evangelist, you better take note of what the Bible is saying, insert it often and on all occasions of speaking of Jesus. Otherwise, please just call yourself a life coach. Thank you.
The out of balance preachers are not crying out to the masses to reach out to the unsaved and those hungry in other countries, sex trafficking; all of the present horrors that need prayer and workers. To look outside of themselves. Think of it this way: They really keep asking you to look in the mirror. Keep looking at what "you" need. What happened to "you" in your past. "Your" addictions and habitual sins. We need to move on to: You were saved by Grace, you repented, you are being sanctified. Now go out there and save other people!!! Let's move on, folks. Quit sitting and stewing on your salvation buttocks.
Reading 2 Peter chapter 2 is extremely helpful. Also, remember this as you match up God's Word to the person speaking it over the TV: James 2:5 "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" We yearn to be poor in the eyes of the world. To be more and more like Christ.
I enjoy many of the religious programs. There are some I do not watch at all anymore. Like I have said before, some of the best knowledge you will obtain will be from those from the past. Those who are not with us any longer. Please spend time in the Word of God daily. If you find free time after that, please engage yourself with the deceased greats. Please enjoy below Bishop Fulton Sheen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX-Htjo-Gxw
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Tender Hearts Prevail!
Glory to Our Father! May you find this blog helpful in your journey in Christ. How refreshing. It does not cost you or I anything. I am not asking you to "sew a seed", as the evangelists on television do. I am simply following what the Holy Spirit seems to instruct me to do. Actually, the title for this blog came to me in my sleep last night, which is also where "Do You Love Me x 3, Peter" came from, this weekend. (You should see my writing in the dark at 1am!) Honestly, many of my dreams are instructional, and it appears they are from the Lord. I test out everything. Our revelations typically come in waves, lapping up from the sea in our soul. I sit and wait on instruction of this nature. I pray about it, ask the Lord to speak to me through His Word about it, and am especially aware instruction may come from humans as well. All to put the pieces together on what God has in store for me and you.
Tender Hearts: My dad called me a tender heart when I was a young lady. I think it was over crying about an injured animal, something like that. Tender hearts can callous as they age. I did.
Ezekiel 36:26: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Now that I look back into my life before I was a Holy Spirit filled believer, I see the callus: The biggest evidence was successfully holding back tears at funerals.
This takes incredible skill, energy and acting. I was really good at it. I was proud that I was not a crier.
Yes, I can rewind and go back to childhood and point out the things my parents didn't do to comfort, to encourage, to let feelings roam free. But, I have come so very far in my sanctification process that my testimony now includes so little about the pain, and more about the victory in Christ.
Can you remember the first time your heart was truly broken? I remember watching a few movies that really haunted me as a child. One was the Elephant Man. Another was a movie I have no idea of the title, but it had to do with a boy who had a pet bird, and his "friends" stoned it to death. These movies truly will not leave my mind (heart).
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=36jtwfSTGZs&feature=relmfu
I remember when my oldest sister left the house at age 18. I remember grabbing her and crying and really being a mess for days. I also remember crying horribly at her wedding!
All of these items happened before the age of 12. From there on out, Jr. High comes, teasing comes, puberty comes, and the masks come on. That is when I believe I started "unbelieving" that I had a tender heart, or that I should have one.
As a born again Christian, I bet I cry or weep 5 days out of 7. I thank God for that. Many times it is during worship or personal prayer.
I finally started weeping about my oldest children's father's death, which happened in 1996. I heard the song by Tim McGraw, "Live Like You Were Dying" on the radio, and it hit me. And I said, "Lord, bring it on. It's about time"......
Don't we all stuff feelings? Exchange feelings for feelings?
This is the meat of this blog: We are a little complicated, especially those following Christ. Feeling a little bipolar? Typical. Feeling extremely high one moment and under attack the next? Typical.
The follower of Christ will exhibit a tender heart. A heart that bleeds for others to also follow Christ. This tender heart will be broken over and over again mostly by other believers. It will be broken by those who want to clip her wings, save her from some catastrophe of nose diving from her first "baby Christian experience". That is what is incorrect. I, myself have never met a born again on fire for the Lord who nose dived and walked away from the faith. It appears that happens, but the people I meet who appeared to "find Jesus" really never did commit and leave the world, so they really were never born again. They didn't have the repentance part, they didn't have their heart circumcised. They were kind of like me when I thought I was having a religious experience in 1998 (and yes, it was part of my journey, and I thank the Lord for it), but it ended up with me becoming Catholic, reading all of Dr. Laura's books, hiking myself up on works, and then crashing when my marriage dissolved. I was not born again. It was not my time. Pride had to be dealt with. Sin had to be dealt with, all the way back to childhood.
Let me remind you that God decides who the elect is. Whether we choose to respond is our choice. Ultimately, God decides. He desires all to be His children.
That paragraph above is one reason I weep. I can't believe God would love us so much. But He does and it is amazing! And none of this makes much sense if you haven't truly repented for your sin. Oh yes, I thought I did. But, my heart didn't agree. I repented with my head and not my heart. I skimmed over my sin list and moved on. I didn't truly "feel" for my sin. I was using "works" to get on with it. Looking around was always easier. To look at others sin and gasp! At least I wasn't doing this or that.....
I am blessed that a tender heart was installed in me at birth. I believe that. I remember very early memories of crying, feeling, aching for others. So weary at times, helpless to help so many. It was not depression. It was a gift. Yes, my gift got hidden away under layers of hard shells of walls I had to built up, and walls I decided to built up for my own selfish reasons. But, my tender heart has emerged again, starting a couple of years ago. What can we say? That Jesus Christ, the Rescuer, Redeemer, Friend, Father, Lover, Brother, Lord and Almighty has knocked enough on my heart to get those shells broken off, that I finally broke free!
There is no other path, my friend. Your path is so similar to mine, whether you walked the broken road or you walked the safe road. You need to repent and realize your sin. Your heart will continue to callous, and the more miles you walk in your own ways, the harder the callus.
Then, you may join in on the weeping, hills and valleys journey. A crazy ride, it is! All I can say, is that I am so, so very glad that my heart is now exposed to the world, and I gave it all to Christ. A fool for Christ I may be! Not drunken with wine, but drunken with the Spirit!
Tender Hearts: My dad called me a tender heart when I was a young lady. I think it was over crying about an injured animal, something like that. Tender hearts can callous as they age. I did.
Ezekiel 36:26: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Now that I look back into my life before I was a Holy Spirit filled believer, I see the callus: The biggest evidence was successfully holding back tears at funerals.
This takes incredible skill, energy and acting. I was really good at it. I was proud that I was not a crier.
Yes, I can rewind and go back to childhood and point out the things my parents didn't do to comfort, to encourage, to let feelings roam free. But, I have come so very far in my sanctification process that my testimony now includes so little about the pain, and more about the victory in Christ.
Can you remember the first time your heart was truly broken? I remember watching a few movies that really haunted me as a child. One was the Elephant Man. Another was a movie I have no idea of the title, but it had to do with a boy who had a pet bird, and his "friends" stoned it to death. These movies truly will not leave my mind (heart).
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=36jtwfSTGZs&feature=relmfu
I remember when my oldest sister left the house at age 18. I remember grabbing her and crying and really being a mess for days. I also remember crying horribly at her wedding!
All of these items happened before the age of 12. From there on out, Jr. High comes, teasing comes, puberty comes, and the masks come on. That is when I believe I started "unbelieving" that I had a tender heart, or that I should have one.
As a born again Christian, I bet I cry or weep 5 days out of 7. I thank God for that. Many times it is during worship or personal prayer.
I finally started weeping about my oldest children's father's death, which happened in 1996. I heard the song by Tim McGraw, "Live Like You Were Dying" on the radio, and it hit me. And I said, "Lord, bring it on. It's about time"......
Don't we all stuff feelings? Exchange feelings for feelings?
This is the meat of this blog: We are a little complicated, especially those following Christ. Feeling a little bipolar? Typical. Feeling extremely high one moment and under attack the next? Typical.
The follower of Christ will exhibit a tender heart. A heart that bleeds for others to also follow Christ. This tender heart will be broken over and over again mostly by other believers. It will be broken by those who want to clip her wings, save her from some catastrophe of nose diving from her first "baby Christian experience". That is what is incorrect. I, myself have never met a born again on fire for the Lord who nose dived and walked away from the faith. It appears that happens, but the people I meet who appeared to "find Jesus" really never did commit and leave the world, so they really were never born again. They didn't have the repentance part, they didn't have their heart circumcised. They were kind of like me when I thought I was having a religious experience in 1998 (and yes, it was part of my journey, and I thank the Lord for it), but it ended up with me becoming Catholic, reading all of Dr. Laura's books, hiking myself up on works, and then crashing when my marriage dissolved. I was not born again. It was not my time. Pride had to be dealt with. Sin had to be dealt with, all the way back to childhood.
Let me remind you that God decides who the elect is. Whether we choose to respond is our choice. Ultimately, God decides. He desires all to be His children.
That paragraph above is one reason I weep. I can't believe God would love us so much. But He does and it is amazing! And none of this makes much sense if you haven't truly repented for your sin. Oh yes, I thought I did. But, my heart didn't agree. I repented with my head and not my heart. I skimmed over my sin list and moved on. I didn't truly "feel" for my sin. I was using "works" to get on with it. Looking around was always easier. To look at others sin and gasp! At least I wasn't doing this or that.....
I am blessed that a tender heart was installed in me at birth. I believe that. I remember very early memories of crying, feeling, aching for others. So weary at times, helpless to help so many. It was not depression. It was a gift. Yes, my gift got hidden away under layers of hard shells of walls I had to built up, and walls I decided to built up for my own selfish reasons. But, my tender heart has emerged again, starting a couple of years ago. What can we say? That Jesus Christ, the Rescuer, Redeemer, Friend, Father, Lover, Brother, Lord and Almighty has knocked enough on my heart to get those shells broken off, that I finally broke free!
There is no other path, my friend. Your path is so similar to mine, whether you walked the broken road or you walked the safe road. You need to repent and realize your sin. Your heart will continue to callous, and the more miles you walk in your own ways, the harder the callus.
Then, you may join in on the weeping, hills and valleys journey. A crazy ride, it is! All I can say, is that I am so, so very glad that my heart is now exposed to the world, and I gave it all to Christ. A fool for Christ I may be! Not drunken with wine, but drunken with the Spirit!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Quit Living Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop
Blessings and Glory! Oh, Lord that you will work through this blog. That You will enable others to see something they have not yet seen. That they will experience a hunger for your Word. That a curiosity will spark in their being, a craving for Truth.
Let me tell you of wonderful deceased preachers/authors so you may hunt down these inexpensive books or view Youtube sermons to see the unchanging wisdom, some of it from our previous century. Check out Andrew Murray, Francis Schaeffer, C.H. Spurgeon and Chuck Colson just to name a few.
Hanging around with people that keep warning you of the impending danger, being a Christian? People reminding you of a possibility of God deciding to hide Himself from you, Job moments to come, Holy Spirit hide and seek? How about spiritual warfare just on the horizon?
Well, yes these are all realities to some degree. First question to ask is: "What is going on in THEIR life?"
There is a depression bug that seems to plague Christians. This is historically seen in prophets and evangelists. The outspoken for Christ are under incredible warfare. Martin Luther's biography is amazing. He was pursued by demons and depression, yes. Modern day Perry Stone is pursued by demons. Most of us that God chooses to be bold for the kingdom will battle this. It is a won battle, daily. I can attest to that. I have victory in Christ and there are very, very few people I can share intimately what I encounter. If you do not experience spiritual warfare, that actually is not a good signal of your taking part of God's plan to spread the Gospel. You are left alone because you are not a threat. Many do not speak out for the Kingdom because they are aware of the challenge of the unseen world. What they do not understand is that the victory in Christ as we win each and every one of these battles actually propels us higher into realms of fearlessness that few can understand. As I put it recently, "I step on the heads of the demons so I may reach higher ground". But, also understand Jude vs. 9:
"But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
I had a friend point out that we are to respect the underworld of demonic spirits. I now am more careful of my terminology towards them. I have used abusive statements about and to them. If you are under attack, just as Jesus did, you need to quote Scripture. No conversations, no nothing but Scripture.
We live our Christian life moment by moment. We do not wring our hands about the future. We do not "wait" for the other shoe to drop. We read God's Word daily and pray and praise Him daily on our knees. Our alarm goes off in the morning and we rise and say, "Oh, Lord, thank you for protection in my sleep. For another day. For my breath that I may praise you. Something good is going to happen today, thanks to you, Lord".
If your clique includes downers, I suggest you migrate towards the light, as you are treading on dangerous ground. Limit your time with Christians who seem to seep of jealousy of your joy, who seem to be self elevated due to their "decades of walking in the Lord". True leaders are servant leaders. True elders should be servant elders. There is a muzzle on the Holy Spirit in many churches and man attempts to put the muzzle on the Holy Spirit. John 3:6-8: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit".
You see, the Holy Spirit will not be muzzled. But it will blow where it wishes. I would HATE to limit It! I see this so much, in so many. Jesus wept so much, and I weep so much for the Spirit is limited by man. I am simply a born again, Holy Spirit filled woman. God blows me where He wishes. This is true submission to the One who saved my soul. Why would you continue to not submit? This is not a game. You can't win if you win in this life.
Also, read the book of Job, but read it with anticipation of great things. Through study, I have found that Job's dealings of loss were actually over a period over about 11 months. It was not a lifetime of tragedy. It was an intense, short period of a loss of his health, his children and his occupation and belongings. As another test, God let him "keep" his wife and friends, who actually were the devil's advocates to further test and torment him. If you think you have had a "Job" moment, think again. Job was as spotless a sinner as they come. I don't know of anyone who had lived a more obedient life as Job. So, no, you are not having a "Job" season. You are simply having a loss, so look around and see what God is doing in your life. You may need to make some changes. To say you lived an experience like Job appears to be pride in your life.
Let's also discuss the filling of the Holy Spirit. Do you fear that the God that created all of the universe wants to torment you? Good fathers do not torment their children. Good Father (Heavenly Father) will take good care of His children. (Are you His child or are you of the world?) Do you think He would just fill you partially with His Self (Holy Spirit) and then yank it away? If He did do such a thing, it would only be to teach you, to prepare you, to enable you to do greater things. Let this be of comfort: Andrew Murray, author and preacher puts it this way in his book, Experiencing The Holy Spirit: "The full pentecostal blessing is for all the children of God. Christ is not divided; He that receives Him receives Him in all His fullness. God does not give a half portion to any of His children.
Romans 8:14: As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
So, please, beloved: God is not mad at you, He is mad about you! There will be no shoe to drop because you already should have surrendered your children, grandchildren, profession, hobbies, health, spouse, schedule, lifestyle and earnings to Him! So, this puff of smoke time on the earth will vanish in such a minuscule period of time, as you should comprehend to a greater degree, eternity, as a recreated in Christ creature!
Decide: Are you so in love with this world that you will pace back and forth and wear the carpet out about what may happen here? Look to the heavens! Live in the heavenly realms, now! The Lord Almighty has given you this ability. Fill with the Holy Spirit. It is not automatic. You must submit your life to Christ, after giving your life to Christ. You may have missed the submit part. There are no works to do. That will push you farther into the pit. Get on your knees, ask the Lord to examine your heart, and realize you are a sinner in need of a heart "transplant". Let the sanctification begin!
May you that have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you continue to take "heart". Find those other butterflies out there that weep over the ones lacking. Find those others that have a joy unmatched on this earth. No wonder the church of America looks at them with confusion.
May you that are not sure, please, please: You will know if the Holy Spirit dwells in you! It will be the light suddenly turned on in the cellar, the 40 lb weight lifted off of your neck, the winning of the lottery feeling. Unmistakable!
Glory to God on High! Keep heart, my friends. Keep praying. Keep submitting further and further as you let go of this world and its treasures that will soon fade away. Our Savior Jesus is at the helm of this ship, He has you covered in all ways. His blessings on earth cannot compare with the tactual things you have shed.
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come"! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Do You Love Me x 3 Peter?
Glory to God! May you find this blog inspirational. If it makes you uncomfortable and irritable, let this be a blessing down the road. This is not a 1/4 of the Gospel type blog. Olsteen and "Oprah" have their versions, but my blog is about sin, repentance and the full life of Christ that He intends for you. You can't short cut the sin and repentance part. This is a full Gospel blog. It is my intent to do that. I pray that each preacher out there will intensify their message, not to leave anyone out of the power of the Good News. Also, as I talk of the Holy Spirit walk with Christ once you are born again, I will talk about the realities of the bitter/sweet journey.
Ever wonder about Cain and Abel? Cain's offering and what was lacking in it? Was it lacking or was it his attitude?
Ever wonder about Peter's sin vs. Judas'? Was it really that different? Notice the evil of money exchanged....vs. Peter's plain fear.
The prodigal son vs. the older son? (See image above) Which is worse to be?
One thing I have discovered is a simple truth of the entire Bible. There are two ways to look at most every incidence in the Bible. The parables are blinded from unbelievers (and unbelief in believers) and all other Bible passages could be justified in fleshy terms, thus missing the Majesty, Righteousness and Glory of our Father in His dealings with man. Sometimes this includes death and earthly punishment.
For instance, we could start with Cain. It was not automatic that I understood "God's" side of this. I felt sympathy for Cain until recently. I would recommend that you buy a Bible Commentary for assistance. I found The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary for $19.99 (with a coupon). This has both Old and New Testament commentaries.
I took the shallow, automatic worldly view that God somewhat was unfair. Obviously, God created all, so God may do whatever He wishes. What I dug deeper to discover is that it is in Cain's attitude, (Genesis 4:9--"Am I my brother's keeper?") exposes the heart issue. And this is after he murders his brother. One thing you see here and with Judas, is no repentance during discipline or warning. Cain is warned after God sees his downcast demeanor, "...that sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it". Genesis 4: 6-7. What a warning we all would love to receive from God, prior to our next huge life mistake. I think it best that I put that on a 3" x 5" index card, as I do other helpful Scriptures.
And let's go to the prodigal son. (Luke 15: 11-32) You see again the jealousy issue with the older brother, working away in the fields. Recently it was pointed out to me an interesting hidden story in that. The older brother was resting in his "works" and never could get beyond that. If we measure in "works", we never experience divine love and therefore cannot produce divine love, as our Father loves us. That stuck out so severely at me. You see the deep seeded hatred the older brother obviously had all along. Toiling away, sweating in the fields. And here comes the misfit brother. Notice this point: The father gave away his inheritance willingly (after the younger son asked for his) to both sons at the same time. What is a gift is a gift. Or is it in your books? The father in the story is our Father, and you see the love he has for his long lost son. So much so that "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him". Here is a story that completely explains our "religious" way of life, until we are born again. The "righteous" religious will have a harder time than a lost son who has lived an outward, sinful life. Either way, the Father will run to meet you and kiss you, if you turn from your sinful ways. Unfortunately, the Pharisees struggle to see their sin, as they calculate inward, justifying. There is no game in Jesus Christ. Believe me. I was one who bargained, hid, rebelled, ran and finally came to the end of myself. I was a Pharisee. But, also an outward wretched sinner for periods of my life.
Oh, and now on to Peter. Why would Jesus ask him three times if he loved Him? Let's start with me. This is how I would have answered before knowing Jesus personally, and surrendering to Him: I would have answered just like you would have as a religious person: Well, I love you because I go to church most weeks. I also show I love you because I play piano in the church. I love you because I pray before most supper meals................
All based on works. Just like Cain, just like Prodigal son's brother and the rest of us until we grab the hand of Jesus who is offering to rescue us from the pit of life and the pit of eternal damnation.
See Peter's heart: He simply answers, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
No works involved.
And now if Jesus would ask me if I loved Him, my answer would be as plain as Peter's. I do not boast in these things. I would say, yes. Just as I do daily as I speak to Him and praise Him.
May you search your heart how you would and do answer that question. Just as if someone should ask you, "If you died today, do you know without a doubt where your soul will go?". Simple question. Simple answer. Yes, or no?
Blessings my friends in Christ. Blessings that you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that you be filled if you are not sure. Get rid of all hindrances. Get rid of pride, anger, unforgiveness, idols and worldly pleasures. Keep shedding and praying so you may be filled.
Ever wonder about Cain and Abel? Cain's offering and what was lacking in it? Was it lacking or was it his attitude?
Ever wonder about Peter's sin vs. Judas'? Was it really that different? Notice the evil of money exchanged....vs. Peter's plain fear.
The prodigal son vs. the older son? (See image above) Which is worse to be?
One thing I have discovered is a simple truth of the entire Bible. There are two ways to look at most every incidence in the Bible. The parables are blinded from unbelievers (and unbelief in believers) and all other Bible passages could be justified in fleshy terms, thus missing the Majesty, Righteousness and Glory of our Father in His dealings with man. Sometimes this includes death and earthly punishment.
For instance, we could start with Cain. It was not automatic that I understood "God's" side of this. I felt sympathy for Cain until recently. I would recommend that you buy a Bible Commentary for assistance. I found The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary for $19.99 (with a coupon). This has both Old and New Testament commentaries.
I took the shallow, automatic worldly view that God somewhat was unfair. Obviously, God created all, so God may do whatever He wishes. What I dug deeper to discover is that it is in Cain's attitude, (Genesis 4:9--"Am I my brother's keeper?") exposes the heart issue. And this is after he murders his brother. One thing you see here and with Judas, is no repentance during discipline or warning. Cain is warned after God sees his downcast demeanor, "...that sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it". Genesis 4: 6-7. What a warning we all would love to receive from God, prior to our next huge life mistake. I think it best that I put that on a 3" x 5" index card, as I do other helpful Scriptures.
And let's go to the prodigal son. (Luke 15: 11-32) You see again the jealousy issue with the older brother, working away in the fields. Recently it was pointed out to me an interesting hidden story in that. The older brother was resting in his "works" and never could get beyond that. If we measure in "works", we never experience divine love and therefore cannot produce divine love, as our Father loves us. That stuck out so severely at me. You see the deep seeded hatred the older brother obviously had all along. Toiling away, sweating in the fields. And here comes the misfit brother. Notice this point: The father gave away his inheritance willingly (after the younger son asked for his) to both sons at the same time. What is a gift is a gift. Or is it in your books? The father in the story is our Father, and you see the love he has for his long lost son. So much so that "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him". Here is a story that completely explains our "religious" way of life, until we are born again. The "righteous" religious will have a harder time than a lost son who has lived an outward, sinful life. Either way, the Father will run to meet you and kiss you, if you turn from your sinful ways. Unfortunately, the Pharisees struggle to see their sin, as they calculate inward, justifying. There is no game in Jesus Christ. Believe me. I was one who bargained, hid, rebelled, ran and finally came to the end of myself. I was a Pharisee. But, also an outward wretched sinner for periods of my life.
Oh, and now on to Peter. Why would Jesus ask him three times if he loved Him? Let's start with me. This is how I would have answered before knowing Jesus personally, and surrendering to Him: I would have answered just like you would have as a religious person: Well, I love you because I go to church most weeks. I also show I love you because I play piano in the church. I love you because I pray before most supper meals................
All based on works. Just like Cain, just like Prodigal son's brother and the rest of us until we grab the hand of Jesus who is offering to rescue us from the pit of life and the pit of eternal damnation.
See Peter's heart: He simply answers, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
No works involved.
And now if Jesus would ask me if I loved Him, my answer would be as plain as Peter's. I do not boast in these things. I would say, yes. Just as I do daily as I speak to Him and praise Him.
May you search your heart how you would and do answer that question. Just as if someone should ask you, "If you died today, do you know without a doubt where your soul will go?". Simple question. Simple answer. Yes, or no?
Blessings my friends in Christ. Blessings that you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that you be filled if you are not sure. Get rid of all hindrances. Get rid of pride, anger, unforgiveness, idols and worldly pleasures. Keep shedding and praying so you may be filled.
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