“Do not be Afraid’

 

 

“So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17”

“Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken”. Psalm 62:2 

 

Clearly, a shield is vitally important to a soldier. It provides a blanket of protection. It is meant to be taken up in all circumstances. It is the first barrier against the enemy’s attack. For me it’s our ‘Book’.

 

A fitting name for all who frequent, for all time. It’s a book like no other, in a class by itself. About 40 different human authors contributed to this wonderful book, which was written over a period of about 1500 years. The authors were kings, fishermen, priests, government officials, farmers, shepherds, and doctors. From all this diversity comes an incredible unity, with common themes woven throughout. "What is this book?" The Bible! Its unity is due to the fact that, ultimately, it has one Author—God Himself. The Bible is “God-breathed”. 2 Timothy 3:16 

 

If we have to speak of a single purpose of the Bible, it would be to reveal God to us and “All” Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

 

Some of the Bible is spoken directly by God Himself, and other parts are spoken by men whom He guided—but all of it is His Word, and all of it is beneficial and authoritative. Scripture shows us the way of salvation. Furthermore, it will teach us, rebuke us when we are wrong, and train us how to do right so that we may be ready to do God’s work. The Bible is God’s self-revelation to humanity. “who we are, from where did we come?” “Why we are here?” and “What happens to us when we die?” It tells us of our sin and of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Our reassuring,” spoon full of sugar” words and promises of God. 

 

 Let us draw on the power of Scripture—the Word of God using his Spirit’s sword as we pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God as we help those who are afraid within their life’s. We live in a world that offers plenty of chances to fear, and we can be rather creative in thinking of new things to be fearful of. Maybe that’s why one of the most oft-repeated commands in the Bible is do not be afraid. Of course, the Bible does more than issue the command; it gives us good reasons why we do not need to be afraid. 

 

For some of us to listen to a person experiencing the bad news of the world, is a hard process. We are trained to give our opinion before we hear the whole story as we dive in with a fast food fix solution. Blurting out everything that comes into our heads. James 1:19-20 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. Be a servant, “This is what we’re here for”.

 

 

Trust in God. This has to be the starting point. Do we trust God or not? What’s the hold on you? Are you free and Born Again? Because there’s suffering of, oppression, conflict, grief, sickness, death and tragedy that could use some grown up good news; like the gospel of the bible. A special kind of medicine that when given can produce a clinical translator of words that sound like, “you make me proud”. But, more than that, the Bible is God’s Word. Reminding me to “Trust in God” which will counteract the effects of fear. The Bible’s admonition to not be afraid naturally implies faith in God. If we’re honest “Faith, which is trust, and fear are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust” constantly reminding us that the letters of fear are twofold: False, Evidence, Appearing, Rear which is relying on the self of idol. While the greater thing, the other fear(reverence), is being overcome with God’s Glory as we run to the father in victory.

 

Don’t focus on the fear. We choose what we dwell on. To focus on the source of fear is to engender more fear; to focus on the One who takes fear away is to find solace. We can choose to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. We “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”. Philippians 4:8 As Jairus the synagogue ruler was bringing Jesus home to save his daughter, he received news that his daughter had died (Mark 5:35). Immediately, Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (verse 36). In other words, Jairus must forgo the natural focus on the tragedy and fear and focus instead on faith and the Lord’s nearness. In choosing to not be afraid, we remember that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”. 1 John 4:4 

 

Combat the temptation to fear. We are in a spiritual battle, and one of the enemy’s tactics is to promote fear. In His grace, God has given us spiritual armor to wage a successful battle. We have “the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one”. Ephesians 6:16 There’s a wonderful promise here. The shield we wield extinguishes the flames of all the devil’s darts, including the temptation to fear. Faith overcomes fear of any kind, and it is with confidence in Gods word that we take our stand. Part of combating temptation is following the path of wisdom and obedience, which always brings good results: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet”. Proverbs 3:24 

The song, “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds,”, expresses the hopeful spirit within the believer as a foot soldier who serves the Commander of the Lord’s army Joshua 5:14. 

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.”

 

God Bless You And This Ministry!

 

 

“A Taste of Honey”

“The simple believe everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps”. Proverbs 14:15

 Today I’m in thought about what to say, trying to find the words when ever you call me God. It’s been a dream, one of starting all over again daily, with a completely clean slate as I wipe my tears leaving those fears and failures behind and beginning a new life. Does It make your natural man rise as the deadly sin or lack of understanding of this human nature? Both, describing one whom you grapple with; which does not understand God’s words and thoughts. Yet still unsaved and cannot appreciate spiritual truths. The supernatural work of God is to change the natural man into a spiritual one especially as we believers serve our neighbor out of gratitude for the riches we have in Christ.

 

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive”. 1 Corinthians 15:22

 

Your ever been lonely for simplicity or ever wonder about your Naivety to the core teachings of Christianity, for so long that it seems like it’s affecting your happiness? Knowing your gospel words to society hasn’t changed, one heart or one life at this time? With timeless questions, of what to do as you join Jesus on this mission?  Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What was it that Israel did not know, and why was that lack of knowledge so dangerous? Welcome to heart of hearts respite. As you breathe remember, “The mission of the Christians is not to strive to take worldwide dominion and set up a Christian kingdom but to share the gospel of salvation with the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). 

 

But you just can’t get used to hearing from that non believer, as we convey through words and actions,” I care about you and your trials, but I care most of all about your relationship with God in Christ. I know you are hurting somehow and are probably experiencing a mixture of emotions but I am willing to walk with you during this time. Desiring to be a vessel that will help you find your strength in God, hoping you taste His sweet honey full of love, compassion and faithfulness somehow through me. Yet there is silence, adversely affected by sin. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

 

Verse 6 helps to explain to us as we fight against this flesh, “I know how hard the battle is between the flesh and the spirit under the heavy cross of affliction, when no worldly defense but present death doth appear”. Because you have rejected knowledge, “I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children”. It’s important to note the structure of the verse: “rejected knowledge” is parallel to “forgotten the law.” This fits the context of the opening verse of the chapter, which states that Israel failed to acknowledge the LORD as their God (Hosea 4:1) The people did not simply lack knowledge; they actively rejected it. Our young hearts are running away.

 

Do you know why we pretend or reject? Sin. For a minute we create a gauge for, our mind, our heart that appraises to be more important over whom we belong too. Coach yourself up. Come, “loving Me” is my new dialogue as our call, to love our Lord. Life is all about relationships with God and with others. If the “only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love, Gal: 5:6 then maybe our biggest problems are doubting God and being self-absorbed?

 

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:16

 

We realize,” The Lord knows you, better than anyone.” But you say,” I’m a grown man or women”. Really? Your dreams and regrets are no secret to Him because every day of your life is laid before Him like an open book. That it’s pretty common knowledge for a 6^thgrader, Think, about it. Again, where are all my Christian friends to have this kind of conversation with me, at work, church or amongst family that our youthful mind has, who claim to be grown? Ah, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" Romans 7:14-24 

 

Today as you listen to his word, involve God in this new start! Make Him a part of your desire to start all over again, to no longer walk in the perhaps painful ways of your past. He will breathe new life, new thoughts, into your heart. God is mapping out a pathway of peace and life and will accompany you all along the journey! The coming of Jesus Christ illustrates God’s love to the fullest degree. Jesus died for the sins of all people, offering every person the opportunity to come to faith in Him (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). To those who do believe, Jesus is “wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30. Because of Christ, there is no need for anyone ever again to be “destroyed from a lack of knowledge.”

We cannot force people into a Christian kingdom. Rather, He has called us to proclaim the message of salvation—the redeeming power and life-transforming message of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection (Romans 10:9-11). The past is no longer; begin anew today! May the Holy Spirit direct our hearts and minds to our Father’s love and to the perseverance of Christ (2 Thess. 3:5) for the praise of His glory, Amen

God Bless You and This Ministry!

 

“Investment Tip”

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps”. Proverbs 16: 9 

As a Christian I’m always trying to look to God’s word in order to learn about how I should be living all parts of my life, when it comes to my spiritual life, my personal life and career life. The above scripture is reminding us, what is going to happen is what God wants to happen. Seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt 6:25-34), don’t worry for tomorrow, live in his presence right now, and watch him unfold his perfect plan before you.  This means live according to his principles in his Word, and lay down your life for him and for his Kingdom.  You cannot even imagine what he has in store for those who trust in him.

 

You know that old saying, "There's no such thing as a stupid question"? Yeah, we all know that's not true. There are stupid questions, and kids (and even adults) ask them often. Like, your teacher asks you on the first day of school things like part of your name, estimate your height, know what school you have attended last, know what languages you speak, where did you travel during your summer break. They are trying to get a sense of what school–at least so early in the year–seems to ‘mean’ to you. But as a business teacher I often would ask my students this question. “what is the greatest invention in the world’ I use to think but what else should you know to get them to “Think” and be engaged mentally? 

 

Most would response by saying from the wheel to the first use of pigment, and also say many of mankind’s most influential innovations are impossible to trace. Some would say more recent inventions, like the priming press, google, the steam engine and the satellite are some that are more easily credited. Regardless of where they originated, these inventions speak of who we are, or where our mindset is and of course, where we are headed. But I wanted to leave them with a lasting “Investment Tip”. My answer to them would be, “Compound Interest”. They would say, what is that?

 

I have a way of life that has evolved over the years. It’s based on our natural ability of forming habits. We are slaves to our habits because they control how we act, and thus determine whether we succeed or fail. To change your habits, you must replace bad habits with good ones. I decided to start afresh by building good habits daily to replace mediocrity and bad habits by spending time with the Lord in (his word, journalizing and prayer) silence when I wake up in the morning after lunch and just before I go to sleep. I call this the part, part, whole method of spiritual repetition. This has help me greet each day with love in my heart and approach everything and everyone with love.

 

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love”. 1 John 4:8

 

It has helped me through every disappointment throughout my life. It has helped me be calm have serenity and oftentimes I can rise above every distressing circumstance while moving on with courage and hope. My grandmother shared with me many old school sayings with me before she passed away, one was, “what looks like the end of the road,” she would say is only a turn in the road, the beginning of a new and more profitable experience. You are never beaten unless you give up. “I have tried hard to live by this philosophy, but sometimes I just need a better investment tip that would guaranteed me to never fade.

 

Listen to Jeremiah 9:23-24 , Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the lord. The only true road to me is to try to understand and know God. God says that the source of our joy and sense of importance ought to come not from our own wisdom or abilities or possessions, but from the fact that we know Him. From time to time during quiet times, can you imagine for a moment living way back in the first century with the apostle Paul. I request him to write a letter or investment tip prayer for us today. What do you think would be his first trip to God for us? Believe it would be that we increase our knowledge of God and know our history. A knowledge that is more than an intellectual knowledge of God but one of a personal kind. We must realize that it is possible and we must desire to know that salvation is not the end of the Christian life, it is merely the beginning. Is it comparable to birth? 

 

How can we increase our knowledge of God? Can we be content with only a casual acquaintance with God? How can we know Him better? These are questions that continually we will ask and search for. I ask, “are you closer to God now than you were ten years ago?”. I am thankful that God chose to reveal himself in such a way that we cannot only apprehend him but also have a personal relationship with. Truly recognizing God involves our commitment to obey what we read in the Scriptures. After all, we were created to do good works Ephesians 2:10 in order to be part of God’s plan of continuing to reveal Himself to the world. We carry the responsibility to live out the very faith that is required to know God. We are salt and light on this earth Matthew 5:13-14, designed to bring God’s flavor to the world and to serve as a shining light in the midst of darkness. Not only must we read and understand God’s Word, we must apply it obediently with Love in our heart and remain faithful .Hebrews 12:1-3. 

 

“May the words of our mouths and the mediations of our heats be pleasing unto You, our Rock and our Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

Mental Brakes

Have you ever driven your car with the brakes on? I suppose that most of us who have driven for any length of time have had that experience. I can remember times when I have arrived at my destination and reached down to apply the parking brake, only to find that it had been on the entire time I had been driving. Yet without realizing it I had moved from point to point with my brakes partly set. The horsepower was there, but the car’s vast potential was blocked, bottled up, and restricted. 

 

My Mental brake use to distort my view of God and others. Sometimes it was such a hindrance that it contributed to my sinful behavior. God has compassion for our struggles. He can help us learn to manage our mental curbs and even bring healing. Only if we look as if it’s a spiritual battle which the Bible exhorts us to prepare for and wage diligently. “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12); “Endure hardship . . . like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3); “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). 

 

Just like signs and signals that regulate traffic, spiritual strength things or signals for obedient that regulate our spirit filled life for truth sometimes are padlocked. But when you stop because of the red light on your “mental dash-board,” what are the real reasons that you hit the brakes? Have you asked, am I stopping for realistic reasons, because I hope to avoid some impending danger, or am I stopping because I do not believe myself capable of reaching my next spiritual objective?” How do you view yourself? Are you driving with your mental secular brakes on? If so, release your brakes and avoid all unnecessary stops. We are saved by faith.

 

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them”.2 peters 2:19

 

The strong point here is the ability to know we must hear the gospel and do the good will of God, sharing the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Give yourself an opportunity to detect and oppose wrong, in all of areas of your spiritual life. We must believe—fully trust the Lord Jesus (Romans 1:16). This involves repentance, a changing of mind about sin and Christ (Acts 3:19), and calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:9-10,13). Growth requires change; our resistance to change could actually be a resistance to growth. So, when change occurs, just consider it to be a season of growth. When our human nature protests the change and begs to resist, remember that God has not changed. He is up to something good.

  

 A wise man is strong. A man of knowledge gains in strength. Fools are weak. They do not know what they should do, they do not do it, nor can they understand or resist what they should not do. As a child of Christ, you may say, for every answer there are two responses, a God one and everyone else’s worldly response, sin”. But I chose Christ! “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15. 

 

Another important verse in understanding the filling of the Spirit filled life is John 14:16, where Jesus promised the Spirit would indwell believers and that the indwelling would be permanent. It is important to distinguish the indwelling from the filling of the Spirit. The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but for all believers. The Holy Spirit is a gift given to all believers in Jesus without exception, and no conditions are placed upon this gift except faith in Christ (John 7 :37-39). 

 

 

Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. We may be riding around with our spiritual brakes on but believe me God is working in our lives and when we decide to take off those spiritual brakes be reminded by the message in 2 Corinthian 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold the new is come.” Only our obedience to God’s commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

 

what are the keys to success in spiritual warfare that facilitates those mental brakes? We rely on God’s power, not our own. We put on the whole armor of God. We draw on the power of Scripture—the Word of God is the Spirit’s sword. We pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God. We stand firm (Ephesians 6:13-14) we submit to God; we resist the devil’s work (James 4:7) knowing that the Lord of hosts is our protector. “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2). 

 

Oh, heavenly Father thanks that you work in our lives, that we can be different people because of you. God, we have a need to grow spiritually and to be different. Break in our hard hearts “that just the way that I am, “that we might humbly submit to you, your way, your truth and that your will for us is to reflect the likeness of Jesus Christ.

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

“Why Me God?”

 As a college athlete, my love for the game was greater than my love for the process of life it was secretly preparing me for. When it came to the daily schedule of college football, it was the process that got me hooked. Being able to drive the human body’s progress with something as grown-up as being on time, discipline, hard work, being a team player was incredible to learn from football.  As I learned more about the intricacies of the college life for a student. There is a great quote or question from one of my professors, who doubled as a Christian mentor that touched my soul and stayed with me the rest of my life.

 

“What would You Attempt if You knew You could not Fail”?

 

This spoke to me on many levels during my life. I use to think, I had to make the most of every moment every day, even though that is good advice or practice. That quote is like a voice in my head singing today, “We cannot stand idly by” as the race divide increases. Life is not simple. We face many bumps and turns along the way. So, with that mindset of not failing, we are to remain focused on Christ and being obedient to Him and remain salt and light in the world.

 

The race is real, the battle continuous, and the painful experiences of my spiritual poverty pierced my heart. Leaving me often with the question, “Who invented Race”. However, our circumstances should not define who we are. You see today we are in a time of victimology of the past which is devoted not to action but to grievance for its own “self” sake and it at times, confuses me. By preference, as believers our behavior in every situation should honor the Lord Jesus, and our identity should always be based on the salvation He has provided for us. So why do we feel guilty and why am I angry? Sin. 

 

 

This is the wrath of man (anger), of which we are told “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19-20). Jesus did not exhibit man’s anger, but the righteous indignation of God.

 

Some would say, What is this popular “narrative” about race in America that many subscribed to? Is there a problem with the narrative? Does it represent reality, and is it constructive or helpful. Can this narrative be a rhetorical criticism used to examine words, seeking to understand the instigator’s mindset and how they affect the intended, spiritual poverty audience? 

 

We must remember that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and nothing else can be allowed to take priority over our conformity to His will.

 

Thinking, let us offset this by the nature of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Christ’s fundamental order to the church was not “go and print Bibles.” His directive was to practice discipleship. The relationship between a more mature Christian and a less-experienced one offers context and understanding in truth as a Christian disciple as a believer in Christ and possesses new life through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because we love Christ, a Christian narrative will and should be an obedient disciple (John 14:15). 

 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

 

 

Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

 

Those who pursue lifestyles characterized by anger, divisiveness, drunkenness rhetoric, etc., are giving evidence that they are running to sin. It is also important to know that when we properly handle sin in our lives, our lives will change, and we will “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:9).

The Bible is clear that willful, unrepentant sin is an indicator of an untransformed heart (1 John 3:6,9; Romans 6:1-2.) If you are living a lifestyle that the Bible condemns as sinful, then there is a spiritual poverty problem. Do Christians get angry and sin? Yes. Do they willfully continue in sin? No.

 

We can so easily be distracted from prayer, worship, or a kind act by hunger, service exhaustion, race, bad desires of self, feeling too cold or too hot, thirst, pain, and even a persistent itch for control. The flesh shouts loudly when it wants something, and the ruckus it makes can easily drown out the desires of the spirit. Even when the spirit is willing to do whatever God asks, the flesh remains weak. The answer is Jesus, watch and pray. 

 

Prayer is straightforward. We know that we can ask God for whatever we need. Jesus made a special point that whatever we ask “in His name” He will do (John 14:13). Watchfulness is the other weapon we have against the weakness of the flesh. Watch for the “way out”. Spiritual watchfulness sees the temptation coming and prompts prayer. The apostle Paul said, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty”. Proverbs 22:3

 

It isn’t to make the most of time, but to make the most of the time with Love for Christ. What say you? Often, the most of time during painful events make choices different and difficult to think about love. Sometimes, the right course of action during a moment, will also hurt us in some way. This is where we need grace the most. Are we really willing to suffer for the glory of Christ?” Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” .1 Peter 4:1-2

 

May Galatians 3:28 be completely realized, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. “Therefore, call upon Him to infuse you with His power and wisdom, and obey anything He calls you to do. Remembering through him, “What would You Attempt if You knew You could not Fail”? For your sovereign God can use everything that happens to you for your blessing and His glory.

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

 

Amidst the Stillness

 

What do normal Christian people think about? “Sarcastically, with grace, it depends on, “who you are” as far as your uniqueness?  Now, "normal" should be used loosely because we all have our own little distinctive unique aspects of ourselves with conformational bias, and I truly believe a lot of us struggle in the world today with the words, “who am I”? 

 

A majority of us petition to be born again Christians. But what makes it so hard to take these formal requests seriously? Perhaps many think they are Christians because they once confessed Christ in the antiquity and that’s plentiful? So, Is it a new day? Or perhaps a day based on life that’s repeating itself? Like me are you doing the same things that you did last week? Performing actions that give the minimum that just gets you by. After all, you have done all this before. If you are just going through the motions of world-weariness, you may need to change your ritual of withering your time. As the expression goes, in our daily lives is there enough evidence to convict us of being Christians? 

 

Think about your answer to this question. Is it to get rid of all “outward things and focus just on “spiritual” things? No, the big problem with that. As humans we are physical as well as spiritual. We don’t just learn things by thinking; we learn by doing. We don’t just add to our knowledge by ideas, but by experiences that add up to the motions of, “who am I” in Christ. First and foremost, God says I am His beloved child: “I challenge you to See, read and learn what great love the Father has lavished on you/us. 1 John 3:1 

 

 

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. So does the new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service? You ever met someone new, and they ask probing questions trying to establish who your identity is. For me they look at my physique and then they response, “where did you play at”? In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life.

 

If you identify yourself as more than one alphabet, does it leave you with a feeling of neglect for your other ABC parts? Leaving you with lovey milk toast thoughts like, “are they trying to throw dirt on my other “essential” nuts and bolts of me.  Stressing the drama as “a spoon full of sugar”; hearing voices that echo or imply that strange,” Mary Poppins mindset, an agent of moral self-change?” Retorting, “Don’t they know I’m a former feel in the blank. Leaving us with the question, Do we as Christians no longer prefer to love, vs our sin? We wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. 

 

Praise the Lord, we have the victory in Christ: “The word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2{14).

 

 When we are excited, afraid, worried, or elated, we tend to chew over our conversations or actions we either participated in or wish we hadn’t. We may have spells of overthinking when we are engaged in a major transitional thought, such things as political identity, diversity requirements; starting a diet or even what we tithe to the church. Maybe your, who I am identity comes from a disease or condition you have?  Or maybe God is urging us to practice our faith? That involves both what we do and help other people and what we do to work on our relationship with God.

 

Part of the problem goes all the way back to the First Commandment: You shall have no other gods. Anything we put our fear, love, and trust in more than God becomes an idol. And no idol can hold up to that kind of pressure. Our idols will let us down, and then we’re left with a broken who identity.

One way to avoid overthinking this worldly identity subject is to incorporate Scripture and prayer into one’s thoughts as we join Jesus on his mission. The psalmists give us excellent examples of this Psalm 94:19 says, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” 

 

The plethora of details about who we are in Christ, whom we belong to and our purpose, can be spoken in declarations as " I am a child in Christ?" that’s with you daily. So, what does that mean? Should It consume our thoughts for a short normal time? Or Thinking about it daily and giving it to the lord in prayer, with study and action which is good, but overthinking can turn a simple God honoring matter into an overly complex one.

 

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 God says I am His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20), His light in the darkness, and His witness to the world (Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:8). God has entrusted us with the job of making disciples (Matthew 28:19).

 

Today, let us celebrate and remember God just didn’t go through the motions with us, He sent His Son Jesus into this world to live a whole life in our place and then die a death for us.  That is what frees us to know who we are and do the actions of our faith daily. It is what Jesus called in our Gospel lesson every day to be a “light” and “salt “of the earth. With a God honoring mindset. 

 

When we are in Christ, “we are more than victors through Him that loved us” (Romans man’s 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ! That’s Who we are God’s church, a community that’s united as one! 

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

 

 

 

 

“The View of my Heart”

“So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” 

Galatians 5:16

 

In this passage, Paul is speaking the truth to the Galatian Christians. That truth applies to us as Christians, even today. He says to the believers not to waste their freedom in Christ on serving their own self, “flesh” and selfish desires. Instead, he has told those free in Christ to serve each other in love a life of self-sacrifice lived out in response to god’s love for us.

 

Have you ever been in a mindset spiritually where your reason, because of pain or sufferings, makes seeing one picture of Faith twice, overlapping and leaving you disoriented? Thinking I need an all God’s creatures’ minute, but having feelings of spiritual emptiness. Wondering what happed to my love of truth and commitment to the Word of God. Where has it gone. So much like a trance questioning, what is the God honoring move? God knew it would happen and has given us a lot of helpful advice in His Word. 

 

Sing the following Lyrics:

 

All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher,
Some sing out loud on a telephone wire,
Some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got now

 

James warns that we can be double-vision or double-minded (literally, “double-souled”) in our understanding and relationship to God. When we pray or think about the Lord, does a competing thought or picture enter your mind, such as a lust for money or distaste over God’s intervention in our lives. Suddenly, a real contest arises over which vision we prefer. Then we have doubts, and doubts have a way of multiplying, producing a double-minded soul. This is a serious challenge to our faith. 

 

As much as we view that spiritual emptiness from day one of our journey of faith until the very last day, we (the righteous) must live by faith. Whether we are brand-new followers of Christ or seasoned, mature believers who have walked with the Lord for many years, we must trust God “from start to finish” and rely on His mighty power—the power of the gospel—to change our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

 

By its nature, sin is never satisfied. It demands more and more that makes us rebellious against God. As we speak of the sin nature, we refer to the fact that we have a natural inclination to sin; given the choice to do God’s will or our own, we will naturally choose to do our own thing. Which causes our feelings of double-minded emptiness—possibly? Or how we feel physically which impacts how we feel spiritually. The sin of apathy toward God or sluggishness in our daily lives need never be truly so because all who are born again have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit the moment they believed in Jesus. So, the key to overcoming spiritual emptiness is to “fill up” with the help of the Holy Spirit. Maybe that sounds obvious enough, but how exactly does one do that?

 

It is done by conquering the enemy within, we must yield to the Holy Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The power to win does not come from within us, as we are just jars of clay; rather, “this all-surpassing power is from God” (2 Corinthians 4:7).  

 

Jesus spoke of this danger, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money”. Matthew 6:24, This is double-​mindedness, and it blows cold air on a heart aflame. Which is so impossible. Those who try to love both will become unstable in all their ways. If someone struggles with being double-minded, he or she should read, study, and memorize the Word, for it is the Word of God that produces faith (Romans 10:17). And he or she should pray for faith. God freely gives what is good to those who ask Him (Luke 11:9-12), and it’s good to ask for an increase of faith (Luke 17:5; Mark 9:24). 

 

If our trust in God is going to grow, we have to learn to step out in faith, moving out of our comfort zone and taking chances goingfrom faith to faith echoing a progressive, daily development of faith “from one degree of faith to another” akin to the “ever-increasing glory” of 2 Corinthians 3:18.

 

 If we believe that God will sustain us for that day, we can be free to carry out His will, regardless of the consequences. Whenever we face temptations, God will always provide a way out so that we will not be overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). We need to look for that way out, and praise God when we find it. First Peter 1:7 says He will use trials to test our faith and to make us stronger Christians; we will be given much honor if we can stand strong and not waver. “Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news – the Good News about Christ” (Romans 10:17).  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25). 

 

God Bless You and This Ministry!