"Why does there even have to be a Hell? Why can’t God just make those He hates disappear? The answer is simple: if he did that, then there would be no incentive to follow his law, and the evil would get off the hook ..."—
I read this statement off of some Christian site and I found that I just could not let this statement go without some comment on it.
How can any so called Christian believe that hell is an incentive to be good or to believe in Jesus? If a Christian is only a Christian because he or she is afraid of Hell, then my friend they have missed the point. The bible states that we love God because God loved us first, we love God because God loves us as we are, but love us so much that He will not let us remain as we are when we come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, who I might add is the only door way to God.
Is prison an incentive for people to be good and obey the law? So far I have not found that to be the case . Prisons are so full now that they are having trouble enough trying to find places to put the criminals. The death penalty , is it an incentive for people not to commit murder? So far it has not done a good job of it.
Do Christians really believe there is in fact a Hell as described by Hell fire preachers and the Catholic church? If people truly believed in this fallacy they would be knocking down the doors of every person trying to convince them of their fate. This my friend is not happening.Hell as we have been taught does not exist . PERIOD!!
No one is in Hell now, no one has been judged yet, no one is being punished after they have died, in fire and brimstone now .What kind of God do they worship any way? A God that hideous who will torture people before the Judgement day, and a God that will torture all who refuse to believe in Him for all eternity, is frankly not the God of the Bible, PERIOD.
""Hell" Is Not an Old Testament doctrine:
Popular myth : Hell is an established Biblical doctrine that is in the Bible from start to finish. This is not true! Two thirds of the Bible (the Old Testament) does not mention Hell at all. ("Sheol," the Old Testament word that is sometimes translated as Hell, only means "grave" by definition, and it is where everyone in the Old Testament went when they died--good or evil, Jew or Gentile). Thus the Old Testament does not contain the concept of Hell!
Think about it...
If Hell is real, why didn't God make that warning plain right at the beginning of the Bible? God said the penalty for eating of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was death- -not "eternal life" in fire and brimstone.
If Hell is real, why wasn't Cain warned about it, or Sodom and Gomorrah , or any of those who committed the earliest recorded "sins?"
If Hell is real why didn't Moses warn about this fate in the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Covenant consisting of over 600 laws, ordinances, and warnings? The Mosaic Law simply stated blessings and cursings in this lifetime.
If Hell is real, why are its roots in paganism, rather than the Bible? Many nations surrounding Israel in the Old Testament believed in Hell-like punishment in the afterlife, for they served bloodthirsty and evil "gods," while Israel simply taught the grave (sheol) and a hope of a resurrection. If Hell is real, why was the revelation of it first given to pagan nations, instead of God's covenant people? Did God expect Israel to learn about the afterlife from the Pagan Gentiles? If so, why did He repeatedly warn Israel to not learn of their ways?
If Hell is real, why did God tell the Jews that burning their children alive in the fire to the false god Molech, (in the valley of Gehenna ) was so detestable to Him? God said that such a thing "never even entered His mind" (Jer. 32:35). How could God say such a thing to Israel , if He has plans to burn alive a good majority of His own creation in a spiritual and eternal Gehenna of His own making?
**FACT: The King James Bible erroneously translates the word "Sheol" as Hell a total of 31 times in the Old Testament, thus setting a foundation for that doctrine in the New Testament as well as the majority of Bible translations to follow the KJV. Even so, most new translations have completely eliminated Hell from the Old Testament, as honest and better scholarship has demanded. The Jewish version of the Old Testament (the Tanakh) has no concept of Hell in it. The importance of this fact cannot be over-emphasized. If a doctrine does not appear as seed form in the books of the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms, it cannot fairly be taught as a major biblical doctrine, if indeed it can be taught as biblical at all! Hell Is Not a New Testament Doctrine:
Popular myth: Jesus spoke of Hell more than He did of Heaven. This is not true! Jesus warned the Jews many times of impending destruction, both nationally and individually. He used several different terms to refer to punishment/destruction, some of which were erroneously translated as the same word, "Hell" by Bible translators. I do not deny that God will indeed judge the whole world, nor do I wish to make light of His judgments. I am challenging the belief that His judgment on sin and unbelief is eternal torment/Hell and never-ending punishing . Certainly, Jesus spent a lot of his ministry warning people to repent or reap the consequences, (particularly "Gehenna.") But could we be reading more into His warnings than He originally intended?
Since the concept of Hell doesn't exist in the Old Testament, how could Jesus and his disciples teach that salvation was deliverance from a place that is not even found in their Scriptures? And if He was introducing the subject for the first time, why did He do it so casually, as though His listeners already understood what He was talking about? If Hell is real how could the Apostle Paul (who was especially commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the nations) say that he had declared the entire counsel of God (Acts 20:27), when indeed he never warned of "Hell" in any of his letters? If Hell is real, wouldn't Paul, of all people, warn of it repeatedly?
Hell Contradicts The Work of the Messiah:
Popular myth: Jesus came to save the sinner from his destination of everlasting Hell. Not exactly true! Hell was never a place that the Jews were hoping to be saved from, since they didn't even believe in it! But they did need to be saved from their sins and consequences of them; namely death. Jesus came as the Anointed One to fulfill all of God's plan for the earth-that through Him might come the salvation, deliverance of sin, peace, kingdom of God and all that God had promised through the Old Testament scriptures.
Traditional teaching among Christians is that the benefits of Christ's sacrifice are only available to those who believe. "God doesn't send people to hell -- people send themselves to hell by choosing to reject the Christ's loving sacrifice on their behalf." Or to paraphrase C. S. Lewis, "hell is the place for people who get what they want -- and what they want is a life apart from God."
(Quoting from HELL FIRE, A Twisted Truth Untangled, by Joe Crews) "There are two extreme views in current circulation concerning the punishment of the wicked. One is Universalism, which contends that God is too good to allow anyone to be lost. The other is the awful doctrine of endless torment which would perpetuate for all eternity a dark abyss of anguish and suffering. Both are wrong. The truth lies in between. God will punish the wicked according to their works, but He will not immortalized evil in the process" by keeping evil men and women alive forever. How many truly honest souls have been turned away from God because of their revulsion at this misinterpretation of His character? They cannot love someone who would ... keep evil people in endless torment with no purpose in view. ... Only a vindictive spirit of revenge could be served by such an unspeakable arrangement We know from Scripture that God is not like that. He is a God of Love (but also a God of righteousness and judgment). The Bible tells us that pain and death will be done away with, along with the old earth and heavens.
If Hell is a place that the unbelievers go and are tormented for ever then we have to conclude that the bible must be wrong for it states that both death and Hell will be destroyed, so how can people be in hell forever?
Death and hell will not be immortalized forever. They will cease to exist when they are destroyed in the lake of fire. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. (1 Corinthians 15: 26) Then death and Hell were thrown into the Lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20: 14) Finally, this is when hell truly freezes over.
Of all that Jesus taught about hell, the most important thing is that Jesus is the solution to the problem. In him, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). He is the way, the truth and the life eternal.The bible states very plainly what the punishment of sin is, and that is DEATH. "The soul that sins IT shall die."Ezekiel 18 is not really a tough chapter at all to the person who understands the difference between eternal life and physical life. When God said through Ezekiel that "the soul that sins shall die" (vv. 13, 18, 20), He meant just that. That is, the more one sins, the more one comes under God's judgment and the more likely it is that he or she will die. This same principle is restated in the New Testament as well (e.g.,James 1:15, 21). The wages of sin is death. While the believer escapes the eternal death which is part of sin's wages, the believer does not escape temporal death which comes from sin.
For the following 1,000 years,After Jesus the Messiah returns, God’s government will be administered across the world, bringing peace and prosperity for all (Isa. 9:7). Then will come the second resurrection, in which every man, woman and child who has ever lived—but who had not yet received an opportunity for salvation—will be brought back to physical existence (Ezek. 37:5; Rev. 20:12-13). All will be given a chance to learn God’s way of life and to overcome the way of sin. Those who do will be given the precious opportunity to change to immortality. Those who chose not to will not be given eternal life. My belief is that most will choose life.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
CRYSTAL THRONE OF THE LORD
Christians are programed to fear anything that any other religion might use. For instance Crystals and their use in our lives. If a Pagan or a New Ager uses them then it must be of the devil, apparently God was not privy to that doctrine, He decorated His Throne room and the New Jerusalem in precious stones.Crystals and their many uses are a gift of the Most High, and we miss out on a lot if we fear using them in our lives.We must realize that in this world we will see the manifestation of the Real and the True,along side of that which is counterfeit and false. the Non Believer or New Ager's use of Crystals and herbs and other approaches to Healing will be sprinkled with enough truth to keep these people where they are, but we have a more sure word of truth. We know that All things in this world were created good, and that with the fall all things in this world has been tainted to some degree by that fall, but the truth is ,all things are of God,and so we should always with prayer and discernment use the gifts of nature that God has given us. We as Christians know that crystals do not contain 'spirits' but energy which is neither good nor bad, it is the person's intent and motives, that determine the kind of energy that will be used, whether something is bad or not.We all know that electricity is energy that is neither good nor bad but the person determines its use, if used to light homes, and for appliance it becomes good, if used to kill or cause harm, it becomes in the hands of the person ,evil.Man determines whether something is evil or good, by the intentions of his heart and the reasons he is using it, that is what determines the difference. Here is an interesting article from the book of Enoch about Crystals:
Blessed be so be a blessing
We have to get away from the fear of crystals, and understand them as a creation of the Lord and HIS DESIGN , and even as the building material of His THRONE. ... from the BOOK of ENOCH, a BOOK mentioned by Jude and Peter of the BIBLE "And the vision was shown to me thus: Behold, in the vision clouds invited me and a mist summoned me, and the course of the stars and the lightnings sped and hastened me, and the winds in the vision caused me to fly and lifted me upward, and bore me into heaven. And I went in till I drew nigh to a wall which was built of CRYSTALS, and surrounded by tongues of fire: and it began to affright me. And I went into the tongues of fire and drew nigh to a large house which was built of CRYSTALS: and the walls of the house were like a tesselated floor made of CRYSTALS, and its groundwork was of CRYSTAL. Its ceiling was like the path of the stars and the lightnings, and between them were fiery cherubim, and their heaven was clear as water. A_flaming fire surrounded the walls, and its portals blazed with fire. And I entered into that house, and it was hot as fire and cold as ice: there were no delights of life therein: fear covered me, and trembling got hold upon me. And as I quaked and trembled, I fell upon my face. And I beheld a vision, and there was a second house, greater than the former, and the entire portal stood open, before me, and it was built of flames of fire. And in every respect it so excelled in splendour and magnificence and extent that I cannot describe to you its splendour and its extent. And its floor was of fire, and above it were lightnings and the path of the stars, and its ceiling also was flaming fire. And I looked and saw therein a lofty throne; its appearance was as CRYSTAL. ... Chapter 14" "And he showed me all the secrets of the ends of the heaven, And all the chambers of all the stars, and all the luminaries, Whence they proceed before the face of the holy ones. And he translated my spirit into the heaven of heavens, And I saw there as it were a structure built of CRYSTALS, And between those CRYSTALS tongues of living fire. (Chapter 71: 4,5) " This agrees completely with what Ezekiel saw when viewing the Lord's THRONE ."And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a SAPPHIRE stone, and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.: And I saw as the colour of AMBER, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. (Ezekiel 1: 26,27). Sapphire being a precious stone, which means it is crystalline and has order and geometry and therefore beauty in its compressed hard structure. And it is for this reason that we are called the precious stones of the Lord, that comprise His Temple, and make the Wall of His Temple.. (....) And Amber, is similiar as it is the solidified sap of life of a tree, and in this spiritual case it represents the SAP of the TREE OF LIFE. ..the life force and unseen strength of the Tree, which is His SPIRIT And as John the Revelator saw this..... these crystals make up His Throne and surround His Throne.."And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto CRYSTAL: and in the midst of the throne, .... Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a STONE most precious, even like a JASPER stone, clear as CRYSTAL; ...... And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as CRYSTAL, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 4: 6 - 21:11 - 22 : 1).
Blessed be so be a blessing
We have to get away from the fear of crystals, and understand them as a creation of the Lord and HIS DESIGN , and even as the building material of His THRONE. ... from the BOOK of ENOCH, a BOOK mentioned by Jude and Peter of the BIBLE "And the vision was shown to me thus: Behold, in the vision clouds invited me and a mist summoned me, and the course of the stars and the lightnings sped and hastened me, and the winds in the vision caused me to fly and lifted me upward, and bore me into heaven. And I went in till I drew nigh to a wall which was built of CRYSTALS, and surrounded by tongues of fire: and it began to affright me. And I went into the tongues of fire and drew nigh to a large house which was built of CRYSTALS: and the walls of the house were like a tesselated floor made of CRYSTALS, and its groundwork was of CRYSTAL. Its ceiling was like the path of the stars and the lightnings, and between them were fiery cherubim, and their heaven was clear as water. A_flaming fire surrounded the walls, and its portals blazed with fire. And I entered into that house, and it was hot as fire and cold as ice: there were no delights of life therein: fear covered me, and trembling got hold upon me. And as I quaked and trembled, I fell upon my face. And I beheld a vision, and there was a second house, greater than the former, and the entire portal stood open, before me, and it was built of flames of fire. And in every respect it so excelled in splendour and magnificence and extent that I cannot describe to you its splendour and its extent. And its floor was of fire, and above it were lightnings and the path of the stars, and its ceiling also was flaming fire. And I looked and saw therein a lofty throne; its appearance was as CRYSTAL. ... Chapter 14" "And he showed me all the secrets of the ends of the heaven, And all the chambers of all the stars, and all the luminaries, Whence they proceed before the face of the holy ones. And he translated my spirit into the heaven of heavens, And I saw there as it were a structure built of CRYSTALS, And between those CRYSTALS tongues of living fire. (Chapter 71: 4,5) " This agrees completely with what Ezekiel saw when viewing the Lord's THRONE ."And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a SAPPHIRE stone, and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.: And I saw as the colour of AMBER, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. (Ezekiel 1: 26,27). Sapphire being a precious stone, which means it is crystalline and has order and geometry and therefore beauty in its compressed hard structure. And it is for this reason that we are called the precious stones of the Lord, that comprise His Temple, and make the Wall of His Temple.. (....) And Amber, is similiar as it is the solidified sap of life of a tree, and in this spiritual case it represents the SAP of the TREE OF LIFE. ..the life force and unseen strength of the Tree, which is His SPIRIT And as John the Revelator saw this..... these crystals make up His Throne and surround His Throne.."And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto CRYSTAL: and in the midst of the throne, .... Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a STONE most precious, even like a JASPER stone, clear as CRYSTAL; ...... And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as CRYSTAL, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 4: 6 - 21:11 - 22 : 1).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Bible Medicine for sin sickness
The Bible provides the only known source that offers cures for afflictions that plague the human soul. The only hindrance is our unwillingness to swallow the medicine that God has provided.
Prayagra -- Remedy for spiritual impotency
Symptoms: Prayer dysfunction, mental confusion, and a host of other faith-related problems.
Usage: Prayagra's active ingredient is 100 percent prayer. A daily dosage will go a long way towards healing the body and soul.
Prescription: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Mat. 26:41).
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Repenticillin -- Helpful in treating persistent cases of diealitis
Symptoms: Sufferers refuse to believe they are spiritually sick and deny the existence of God.
Usage: Along with the forgiving power of the blood of Christ, Repenticillin works instantly at cleansing the soul.
Prescription: "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die" (Ezek. 18:21).
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Jackasspirin -- The pain remedy that goes straight to the source
Symptoms: People making donkeys of themselves by always wanting to get their own way; swelling caused by bloated pride.
Usage: Apply generously to stubborn mule disposition.
Prescription:"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Gal. 6:3).
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Sudafast -- The quick-acting fasting aid that also benefits the waistline
Symptoms: Gluttony, selfishness, materialism, lack of control of fleshly desires.
Usage: Effective in reducing cravings for worldly goods.
Prescription: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mat. 15:24).
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Praiselox -- For those times when you just don't feel like praising the Lord
Symptoms:A pessimistic attitude; defeatism; difficulty realizing what God has done for us.
Usage: Praiselox works with the Holy Ghost to remind people that the Lord is the source of our eternal joy.
Prescription:"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation" (Heb.. 3:18).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lust-X -- Treatment for over-active libido
Symptoms: frequent bed-hopping, sexually transmitted diseases, and broken relationships.
Usage: Drug of choice for controlling impure thoughts. When symptoms appear, take one with a cold shower.
Prescription: "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live" (Rom. 8:13).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ibeprayin -- New and improved prayer remembrance formula
Symptoms: The lack of motivation to pray; dusty Bibles; some sufferers say the last time they prayed a lottery ticket was involved.
Usage: Ibeprayin is in the same family of drugs as Prayagra. This drugs works by reinforcing the commitment to pray.
Prescription: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jam. 5:16).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slipitor -- Helps promote conviction for chronic backsliding
Symptoms: used for the prevention and long-term treatment of weak faith, nagging doubt, and the God-doesn't-love-me syndrome.
Usage: A regular dosage will remind sufferers that Jesus is the foundation we need to grasp.
Prescription: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" (Heb. 4:15).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Declaritin -- For timid believers who have trouble sharing the Gospel
Symptoms: tight lips, week spine, shaky knees and other fear-generated signs.
Usage: Contains the active ingredient: boldness. Use while firmly standing on the Word of God.
Prescription: "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Rom. 10:11).
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Trialinol -- For lasting relief of tribulation fear
Symptoms: A nagging perception that daily trials are beyond our endurance; the desire to cut and run.
Usage: Fortifies the knowledge that true hope is not in this life. Gives strength to overcome hardship.
Prescription: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (Jam. 1:12).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayagra -- Remedy for spiritual impotency
Symptoms: Prayer dysfunction, mental confusion, and a host of other faith-related problems.
Usage: Prayagra's active ingredient is 100 percent prayer. A daily dosage will go a long way towards healing the body and soul.
Prescription: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Mat. 26:41).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repenticillin -- Helpful in treating persistent cases of diealitis
Symptoms: Sufferers refuse to believe they are spiritually sick and deny the existence of God.
Usage: Along with the forgiving power of the blood of Christ, Repenticillin works instantly at cleansing the soul.
Prescription: "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die" (Ezek. 18:21).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jackasspirin -- The pain remedy that goes straight to the source
Symptoms: People making donkeys of themselves by always wanting to get their own way; swelling caused by bloated pride.
Usage: Apply generously to stubborn mule disposition.
Prescription:"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Gal. 6:3).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sudafast -- The quick-acting fasting aid that also benefits the waistline
Symptoms: Gluttony, selfishness, materialism, lack of control of fleshly desires.
Usage: Effective in reducing cravings for worldly goods.
Prescription: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mat. 15:24).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praiselox -- For those times when you just don't feel like praising the Lord
Symptoms:A pessimistic attitude; defeatism; difficulty realizing what God has done for us.
Usage: Praiselox works with the Holy Ghost to remind people that the Lord is the source of our eternal joy.
Prescription:"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation" (Heb.. 3:18).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lust-X -- Treatment for over-active libido
Symptoms: frequent bed-hopping, sexually transmitted diseases, and broken relationships.
Usage: Drug of choice for controlling impure thoughts. When symptoms appear, take one with a cold shower.
Prescription: "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live" (Rom. 8:13).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ibeprayin -- New and improved prayer remembrance formula
Symptoms: The lack of motivation to pray; dusty Bibles; some sufferers say the last time they prayed a lottery ticket was involved.
Usage: Ibeprayin is in the same family of drugs as Prayagra. This drugs works by reinforcing the commitment to pray.
Prescription: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jam. 5:16).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slipitor -- Helps promote conviction for chronic backsliding
Symptoms: used for the prevention and long-term treatment of weak faith, nagging doubt, and the God-doesn't-love-me syndrome.
Usage: A regular dosage will remind sufferers that Jesus is the foundation we need to grasp.
Prescription: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" (Heb. 4:15).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Declaritin -- For timid believers who have trouble sharing the Gospel
Symptoms: tight lips, week spine, shaky knees and other fear-generated signs.
Usage: Contains the active ingredient: boldness. Use while firmly standing on the Word of God.
Prescription: "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Rom. 10:11).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trialinol -- For lasting relief of tribulation fear
Symptoms: A nagging perception that daily trials are beyond our endurance; the desire to cut and run.
Usage: Fortifies the knowledge that true hope is not in this life. Gives strength to overcome hardship.
Prescription: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (Jam. 1:12).
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Friday, May 15, 2009
THE UNIQUENESS OF CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is different from other religions in that the prime suspect, God resides within the believer or follower in this religion through His Holy Spirit.In most other religions ,the gods either represents the forces of nature, or are no better than their followers ,in fact many are worse than ordinary humans ,the gods have many moral dilemmas and are definitely not perfect beings, or they dwell somewhere outside of the follower, or they are some universal unknown consciousness without personhood.Not so in Christianity God came down to us in the form of a man Jesus Christ, experience the human condition, and did something about it, you just can not compare that with any other gods. Within Christianity, the believer is transformed not by what they try to do to better themselves but they are transformed by God Himself from the inside out. Other religions have all kinds of rituals, and ceremonies, or works that one must do to appease their gods or to be accepted, even in many denominations within Christianity that do not understand that there is nothing we can do , nothing at all to change our nature into something that is holy without the Spirit of God doing that for us.In Christianity God is interested in each person and enables each person to live as God would have us live as holy unto Him. In Christianity we have a written code inspired of God to assist us in all of our endeavors, a word that assist us in knowing how God works in the world and within individuals. By the word, the Bible, we are given the needed information into what the will of God is and who God is. We do not have that in other religions.
Many would say that the bible keeps God in a box, but what the bible does is show us that each individual character that is written about within the bible, was dealt with in ways that were unique to them. God requires the same from all of us, but the ways and means of carrying that out is unique to each believer. Some are told not to do some things, others are not. The Christian path is molded to the unique personality of the believer and their personal walk, and development on their journey.Christianity is not a one size fits all conformity that many believe it to be. Yes we are asked to conform to the image of Christ, but in ways that are unique to each of us individually . Yes all the laws apply to us in that we do not murder, commit adultery and so forth,but the amazing thing is that God transforms us with our person-hood still intact, we don't lose our sense of self and who we are, but that Who we are is changed for the better ,our personality ,our laugh, our mannerism, those things that make us who we are remain but are perfected and molded into the perfection of God that we were always meant to be. In a marriage a man and woman commit to be in relationship with each other the ideal is that we are in partnership with one another but we are not to lose our identity within the relationship , but that the 'relationship' becomes our purpose together.The wife should still have her personality and the husband has his ,but they join together and each fills in where the other may lack to make a whole unified being.
You just do not find this sort of relationship with God in any other religion. Within Christianity we are co -labors with Christ, we are in partnership with Christ,we become a unified being with Christ.
In Christianity God is lovingly concerned with our welfare, and is interested in all aspects of our being.God accepts us as we are, we do not need to change one thing about ourselves to make God love us, we come to God as we are, and we thank God that He does not leave us in that condition but perfects us as we continue on in relationship with Him until we die. Christianity is truly a unique experience with God, and no other religions come close to it.
for what it is worth,
blessings
Friday, May 8, 2009
Celtic prayers
Grant, O God, Your protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God.
God and all goodness.
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God.
God and all goodness.
May the strength of God pilot us.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the shield of God defend us.
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us.
Christ be above us.
Christ be in us.
Christ be before us.
May our salvation O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the shield of God defend us.
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us.
Christ be above us.
Christ be in us.
Christ be before us.
May our salvation O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
God guide us with Your wisdom,
God, chaste us with Your justice,
God, help us with Your strength,
God, fill us with Your fullness,
God, shield us with Your shade,
God, fill us with Your grace.
For the sake of Your anointed Son who died for us, let us depart in peace and love.
God, chaste us with Your justice,
God, help us with Your strength,
God, fill us with Your fullness,
God, shield us with Your shade,
God, fill us with Your grace.
For the sake of Your anointed Son who died for us, let us depart in peace and love.
(Amen)
Biblical Meditation
Meditation and Contemplation , we hear a lot about these words and practices lately especially in some circles of Christianity, is it a Pagan practice? Or is it biblical?Is it of the Devil or the Holy Spirit of God?
How does Christian meditation compare with other forms of meditation? There are various forms of meditation in our world, it is important to determine how Christian meditation compares with other forms of meditation. Christian meditation is similar to other forms of meditation in that it involves a deliberate act on our part, in carving out some of our precious time ,to set aside purposefully and with intention to ponder or think. Christian, meditation may arise naturally as we spend time prayerfully studing the Bible. The traditional meditator who often has set a certain time in their day to meditate as a way to free them self from stress and turmoil.There are two major differences, between traditional forms of meditation and Christian meditation.
In traditional forms of meditation, the individual seeks to empty one's self; in Christian meditation the believer seeks, to be filled.
In traditional meditation, the object is self, the higher self as they like to say, whereas in Christian meditation the object is God, who is high above all. During the practice of meditation, the non-christian strives to clear his or her consciousness of all thoughts, concentrating intensely until in a prescribed period of time a bare minimum of thoughts has been allowed or entertained in the consciousness. Often, a tool called a mantra is used which may be a word or a series of sounds that a person repeats continually until they are completely empty. This is supposed to achieve the ultimate relaxation and cessation of stress. When the meditator wants to obtain peace in the midst of a tumultuous situation he or she can just call to mind or repeat the mantra and the desired result is obtained.In Christian meditation, the believer seeks to fill his or her thoughts with truths about God. Christians can achieve this by focusing on the Word of God, as the psalmist said: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Psalms 1:2). Rather than emptying himself, the Christian fills his mind with hope and encouragement from the promises that God has given in His Word or on good things that God has done for them. Or they may simply just think on the wonder and majesty of God. In so doing, the believer is assured of peace."Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things (Philippians 4:8).In seeking to reach one's higher self, the traditional meditator may achieve their goal, but has really achieved a state which has no real value. At the pinnacle of their self every individual is but base and low, since all are sinners. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Therefore there is no perfection to be obtained from within. Paul rightly said in his epistle to the Romans, "I know that nothing good lives in me…" (Romans 7:18).Jesus Christ alone is our source of righteousness and, therefore, peace. Seeking to reach one's higher self is to reach for nothing; it may achieve a state of thoughtlessness and cessation from stress, but the individual will still remain empty and unfulfilled. The only path to peace and fulfillment is through God. If an individual, with purpose and intent, will meditate on God, he will achieve the highest of heights, including joy and peace. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
In traditional forms of meditation, the individual seeks to empty one's self; in Christian meditation the believer seeks, to be filled.
In traditional meditation, the object is self, the higher self as they like to say, whereas in Christian meditation the object is God, who is high above all. During the practice of meditation, the non-christian strives to clear his or her consciousness of all thoughts, concentrating intensely until in a prescribed period of time a bare minimum of thoughts has been allowed or entertained in the consciousness. Often, a tool called a mantra is used which may be a word or a series of sounds that a person repeats continually until they are completely empty. This is supposed to achieve the ultimate relaxation and cessation of stress. When the meditator wants to obtain peace in the midst of a tumultuous situation he or she can just call to mind or repeat the mantra and the desired result is obtained.In Christian meditation, the believer seeks to fill his or her thoughts with truths about God. Christians can achieve this by focusing on the Word of God, as the psalmist said: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Psalms 1:2). Rather than emptying himself, the Christian fills his mind with hope and encouragement from the promises that God has given in His Word or on good things that God has done for them. Or they may simply just think on the wonder and majesty of God. In so doing, the believer is assured of peace."Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things (Philippians 4:8).In seeking to reach one's higher self, the traditional meditator may achieve their goal, but has really achieved a state which has no real value. At the pinnacle of their self every individual is but base and low, since all are sinners. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Therefore there is no perfection to be obtained from within. Paul rightly said in his epistle to the Romans, "I know that nothing good lives in me…" (Romans 7:18).Jesus Christ alone is our source of righteousness and, therefore, peace. Seeking to reach one's higher self is to reach for nothing; it may achieve a state of thoughtlessness and cessation from stress, but the individual will still remain empty and unfulfilled. The only path to peace and fulfillment is through God. If an individual, with purpose and intent, will meditate on God, he will achieve the highest of heights, including joy and peace. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
The primary difference between pagan disciplines and Christian disciplines is WHO or what is the main focus? Other gods, self, or the One true God, and Jesus Christ? Many Christians become fearful and find fault because they think something that a Christian is doing is Pagan because Pagans do similar things ,which is similar to what is done by some Christians in the Mystical tradition so therefore they think that it is Pagan, and nothing can be further from the truth. Most religions pray to their gods, that does not make it pagan, many light candles or light incense to their gods, that doesn't make it pagan, many Pagans celebrate the seasons, and so do some Christians, that does not make it a Pagan .Many sing songs, and say affirmations , that does not make it Pagan. The difference is , who are they doing this for? Their many gods? Their 'higher self'? That would make it pagan, but when our focus is on the One true God, the Creator of All and Jesus Christ, then that makes it a Christian practice.
Not all meditation is Transcendental Meditation. In fact, the Bible commands us to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God tells us to meditate on His word day and night so we will obey it. The words, "meditate" or "meditation" are mentioned 20 times. But meditation's association with New Age philosophy and Eastern mysticism has frightened off many Christians.In the Old Testament there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation. Haga, which means to utter, groan, meditate, or ponder. Sihach, which means to muse, rehearse in one's mind, or contemplate. These words can also be translated as dwell, diligently consider, and heed.
Meditation: One historic form of meditation that has been used by Christians since at least the 4th century is the lectio divina. It has been traditionally used in monastic religious orders and is enjoying a resurgence today. Lectio divina means "sacred reading" and has four stages: lectio (reading), meditatio (discursive meditation), oratio (effective prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). In the lectio (reading) stage, one finds a passage and reads it deliberately. The next stage, meditatio (discursive meditation), is where one ponders the text. In the oratio (effective prayer) stage, one talks to God about the reading, asking Him to reveal the truth. In the final, contemplatio (contemplation) stage, one simply rests in God's presence.As we can see, meditation is simply pondering or thinking over something. The subject of a person's meditation, and the purpose of the meditation, is what differentiates one kind of meditation from another.What we choose to dwell on and focus our thoughts on make a profound difference in our outlook on life.We need to find out more on how to focus on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8, NASB.
Meditation: One historic form of meditation that has been used by Christians since at least the 4th century is the lectio divina. It has been traditionally used in monastic religious orders and is enjoying a resurgence today. Lectio divina means "sacred reading" and has four stages: lectio (reading), meditatio (discursive meditation), oratio (effective prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). In the lectio (reading) stage, one finds a passage and reads it deliberately. The next stage, meditatio (discursive meditation), is where one ponders the text. In the oratio (effective prayer) stage, one talks to God about the reading, asking Him to reveal the truth. In the final, contemplatio (contemplation) stage, one simply rests in God's presence.As we can see, meditation is simply pondering or thinking over something. The subject of a person's meditation, and the purpose of the meditation, is what differentiates one kind of meditation from another.What we choose to dwell on and focus our thoughts on make a profound difference in our outlook on life.We need to find out more on how to focus on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8, NASB.
BENIFITS OF MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION
I have found that Meditation and contemplation of the truths,and promises of the Bible is the BEST way to combat Depression.
Depression happens when we replace healthy thoughts with negative and debilitating thoughts which for the most part are false, and if we let depression get a hold of our minds it will affect our moods and emotions. These destructive thoughts become so embedded in our thinking that they cripple us. The longer depression goes untreated the more debilitating our lives will become. One key factor in overcoming depression is reprogramming your thinking (renewing your mind), but that can be difficult to do when you are so deep in the pit of depression that you can hardly get yourself out of the bed.I know from personal experience that when I am depressed, I don't want to do anything, I become easily bored and even though doing something or anything would alleviate the depressive boredom I can not seem to get myself to do it.How can Biblical meditation help? Christian meditation picks you up out of the pits of despair and gets you moving in the right direction towards healing and recovery. If we make it our practice and consistently meditate on the Word , I know that in many cases of depression that Christian meditation will help you to control your thoughts and renew your mind with God's word. Worry is fear and comes from not trusting God to meet your needs, depression is when we take our focus off of God and Jesus and focus our attention on self and our circumstances. What many do not understand about the process of Salvation is that it is not a one time event but a process that continues progressively until our deaths, and this process is by the continual renewing of our minds from how we use to think about life , and our circumstances and our selves to how God wants us to think and have the mind of Christ. Christian Meditation and contemplating , study, and prayer is the Holy Spirit of God's way that this is done..
In his light
Spring blessings
Endura,
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
THE PROMISES OF GOD, FOR YOU IS?
Yellow rose begonia, from last year garden.I was never one to make plans in my life, I usually just reacted to what came my way and went from there. Every time it, would seem to me, that I made plans, specifically more detail plans about what I would do or how I was going to spend my day , some how or other it never went the way I planned. So over the years , if I had to make some kind of plan, I would make what I call non specific plans , just planning the essential details and allowing God to do as He wills. Because of the fickleness of life , life just happens and I just go with the flow. I find it best to say if God wills when making plans, and many times my will and God's will don't seem to line up!!!! but I find it scriptural and best to say when and if I must make some plans I just say , 'If it be His will".
But many believers believe it is always God's will for what ever they decide they want to do or believe , is it?
In some Christian circles , it would seem that they would pick up on a certain scripture, a promise that was spoken to some specific individual in the bible and make it their own, with out the Holy Spirit, placing that particular promise in their spirit , as belonging to them personally. By doing that , it makes for a lot of disappointments when that promise given by the Spirit to someone else does not seem to manifest in their own lives. I know that has happened to me. We can not willy nilly apply any promise in the bible to ourselves unless the Holy Spirit lays it in your spirit . I have found that if a particular verse or promise seems to just jump out of the bible at me, that in order for me to make the connection that it applies to me personally ,I ask the Holy Spirit for another witness to confirm what I had received from Spirit in my Bible reading. For instance recently, as I was reading, a scripture which was speaking about the Pharaoh , and this verse specifically applied to Him , but every time I read it , it seems to me that the Spirit was also telling me that it also applied to me, but in a different way. So I asked the Holy Spirit that if this applies to me, I need a witness or two, so that I know it is mine. The scripture is found in :
Romans 9:17 TNIV
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
As we can see in this scripture and promise, that it was spoken to one individual, it was intended for him, but in actuality it speaks to us all, does it not? But back to my example about the 2 witnesses that I needed so that I knew that God was speaking to me as well but for my good, not as in the case of the Pharaoh who was used negatively for the purpose of God , I left may bible reading that day and went on to read other blogs, or other Christian websites, and on 2 different sites, this scripture came up, and it was unintentional on my part, it just happened that this scripture was sited for various reasons, so I had my 2 witnesses, and I know that in agreement with my own conviction that it applied to me as well , I could then claim that verse to me in that the very purpose of my life is so that God's power may be shown in me, and His name declared or proclaimed in all the earth!
As we can see not all scripture can be applied to our lives unless it is Quickened in us by the Spirit of Truth, and when it is, we must verify it with a witness of some sort, otherwise we go around claiming health and prosperity and all kinds of promises , when it may not apply to us.So we claim it as ours making assumptions on God and when it never comes about we begin to doubt the promises of God and His truth, and we become discouraged. We are told in the Word that through much trial, and tribulation and suffering we enter into the Kingdom of God, and we must remember that.
BUT , we must remember that it is impossible to boldly claim, by faith, a blessing that we are not sure God offers. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
We could not claim even begin to believe that we are saved and made righteous because of Christ without first knowing that it is so and it is God's will.
If it is not God's will to save everyone and only saves some then we do not ever have any basis for faith unless we have a 'special revelation' that we are among the 'favored' ones.Our faith must rest on the will of God alone and not our desires and wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing that God CAN but that God will.
When it comes to healing, of which I am in great need of I might add, I know that there is no doctrine more clearly taught,that it is God's will to heal ALL who have need of healing so that we all can fulfill the number of our days according to His Promise.I also know that sickness is oppresion from the Devil and not from God, although it is allowed into our lives for a reason. Divine healing and salvation of our souls can go no further than the promise of God. Our God does not promise that we will not physically die but He does say .....in Ex.23:25,26 "I will take sickness away from the midst of thee...the number of thy days I will fulfill." and in Psalm 90:10 TNIV
10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 102:24 TNIV
24 So I said: "Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
If we recall that all those that Jesus called back from the dead were young and they had not lived out their fullness of years..........so if our allotted span for life on earth has not been spent we have a right to claim God's gift of health in our lives especially since there are an abundant amount of scriptural promises of health and healing that apply to all.
We can see in the Old Covenant, and our New Covenant which is much better, that Universal Health in the nation of Israel was continued as long as conditions of God were met, but when they did not meet the conditions they were not given Divine health. In all cases where God's conditions were met they had health, and it always applied to ALL.
In Psalm 91:16 TNIV it says:
16 With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation."
Now the individuals that were healed of Jesus in the Gospels was for them, we can't claim their personal gift of healing but we can claim what was given to ALL on Calvary. It is very clear that all of the instances cited in the Old Covenant , that it was God's will to heal all who met His conditions. Where ever forgiveness was offered, healing was offered.
We know or we should know that Jesus was the full expression of the Father's will. His life was both a revelation and a manifestation of the Love and will of God.Jesus literally acted out the will of God for Adam's race. The healing of the sick by Jesus was done as a revelation of God's will for man." And I might add that up unto His death on the Cross He was still working under the conditions of the First 'OLD' Covenant with the people of Israel. Do I or any believer have to depend on Divine revelation for Healing instead of believing what the promises are in Scriptures on this topic? We have a sure word in scriptures what the Will of God is on Healing in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV it says 13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
If you or I was in those crowds that followed Jesus 2000 years ago and He healed all of them, you and I would have been healed just as they were !
Many people believe that Jesus healed ONLY to make it known that He was of God, but the scriptures clearly teach that this was not always the case many times it says in Matt 12:15-16...."15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him."
Many believed healing was just for people of that time, but we have evidence in the word that healing occurred 30 years later in the last chapter of Acts 28:8-9" 8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed"
The same healing was available after Pentecost that Christ had displayed before!!! The word says that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law Gal.3:13 The curse of the law contains All diseases known and unknown .
Many believe that the suffering we are to go through includes sickness, really? does it say that? IF sickness and disease is of God for us to learn something then why do we go to the Doctor? Aren't we thwarting Gods will for us to be Sick?Does God use sickness and disease to 'chastise' us? Yes when we disobey sickness may be permitted as discipline but God has told us how to avoid and avert this "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world." 1Cor.11:31-32.These chastisements come to save us from final judgement. When we see the cause of the chastising and turn from it God promises it shall be withdrawn.As soon as we judge ourselves and learn our lesson then we are promised that we shall not be judged. By self judgement we may avoid chastening. Divine healing is not unconditionally promised to all Christians regardless of our conduct, it is for those who believe and obey.
Soteria is the Greek word for Salvation and it means or implies deliverance, preservation,healing,health, soundness. It is applied to the soul sometimes and sometimes to the body only. Sozo is Greek for saved and it means healed,made sound, made whole. It means both salvation and saved for our spirits and our bodies . In Ephesians 5:23..... even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
I don't believe disease and sickness is the 'suffering' that the Christian is to go through, This suffering, the trials and tribulations that we go through is because we are Christian, and is done to us for that reason. Or because of the word, Sickness or what ever else that is permitted because we have allowed something in our lives that is not Gods will for us and so because we have not continuously judged ourselves God allows things to happen in order to get us back on track for the Glory of God, sickness is not holy neither is poverty, but it is permitted because we have allowed it so by not keeping God as our focus in some aspects of our lives. Sickness and poverty does not make us holy, God does, Sickness and poverty does not glorify God, but if we are dealing with them we can glorify God while there, but it would be better not to be there in the first place, you think?I am not saying that we all should walk in health and wealth all the time, but I do know that God created our bodies to heal it self when given the right conditions of nutrients, sunlight, living water , exercise and so forth. I know from my experience that I was more likely not to follow the path of Christ when I was healthy and busy and on the go and I was the main focus ,but then when I got to the point that I no longer could do what I use to because of chronic pain and arthritis and a hip no longer able to handle walking, that Christ became more of my focus, so I know that in my case disease was used to get me back on course.
How much faith does it take to say that the Lord is Able? The devil knows God is able and he knows He is willing.But the fact that God is willing, Satan has deluded us from knowing this. We can magnify the Lord's power but this is not sufficient basis for faith, but that God is compassionate and is willing are a basis for our faith.We must first know that The Lord is Gracious and IS willing to save our bodies as He saves our souls. We must come to know that God is both able and willing to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! Are you aware that Healing is the greatest evangelizing agency that the Lord ever used?
We are not preaching nor are we living the same Gospel/Good News that was preached by Jesus and His Apostles! At least I have not been!!! The Good news, the Gospel did not end with the Apostles, it began , it started then and is ever progressing today until He returns. This Gospel the one Jesus proclaimed, is to be preached in all the world, is it?
The 7 blessings of His covenant are-His Presence, as Provider,Peace/Shalom,Victory,Shepard,Righteousness and as our Physician.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BOLDLY CLAIM BY FAITH A BLESSING THAT WE ARE NOT CERTAIN GOD OFFERS. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
Our faith begins where the will of God is known, our faith rest on the will of God alone, not our desires or wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing God Can but that He Will. Those who believe in healing or salvation of our souls but only say one word in favor of it but 10 words against it, can not ever produce faith for healing or salvation of our souls.
Faith is expecting God to do what we KNOW it is His will to do.This faith comes by hearing the Word the promises of God to do it.
Acting our faith by praising and thanking God in advance has been throughout history, His appointed way for our appropriation of all His blessings. Heb.13:15 teaches that it is our thanks offering, our sacrifice of praise offered in advance for the blessing God has promised us.Faith is what we have before we are healed or saved, when it is done, it is fact.
So in conclusion, is the promise to someone only spoken of in the Bible?In some cases it is unless God quickens it in our spirit that it is meant for you in that instance, but the promise of salvation is for ALL and we have a sure word on it , that it applies to you and I, and when we know it applies to all, it is ours . When it is for a single individual in the word, we then need a few other witnesses that it is ours, then when we have it, by faith we can have it.
So yes we must suffer, have trials and tribulations, there is no escape from that, but this is for the word sake, and for Christ and for being a Christian that this is mostly talking about , I believe, sickness and disease is not given to us because of our walk as a believer, but may be permitted in our lives because we did not judge ourselves, I am no scholar and I am aware that God is God and what ever is permitted in our lives we must after prayerfully checking in and seeing whether or not we have got off tract, and once we know we must deal with it in light of the Spirit's leading,we can be sure that God knows what is best and needed in our lives and like Paul we need to be content with that and thank God in all circumstances of our lives. So we must always be alert and listen to what God speaks to us from our spirits.
So what do I say to myself, and to others who have not been healed, we need to look at our lives more closely and by the spirit receive what is being said to us in this sickness, did we miss the mark somewhere? We must also come to a place in our walk with God to be steadfast and assured of His promises and know that what ever the reason , God is in control, and that His purpose IS being worked out in our lives , we must be able even when we do not see the answer to stand none the less and be like the 3 faithful witnesses of God mentioned in Daniel 3:16-18 KJV 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
In some Christian circles , it would seem that they would pick up on a certain scripture, a promise that was spoken to some specific individual in the bible and make it their own, with out the Holy Spirit, placing that particular promise in their spirit , as belonging to them personally. By doing that , it makes for a lot of disappointments when that promise given by the Spirit to someone else does not seem to manifest in their own lives. I know that has happened to me. We can not willy nilly apply any promise in the bible to ourselves unless the Holy Spirit lays it in your spirit . I have found that if a particular verse or promise seems to just jump out of the bible at me, that in order for me to make the connection that it applies to me personally ,I ask the Holy Spirit for another witness to confirm what I had received from Spirit in my Bible reading. For instance recently, as I was reading, a scripture which was speaking about the Pharaoh , and this verse specifically applied to Him , but every time I read it , it seems to me that the Spirit was also telling me that it also applied to me, but in a different way. So I asked the Holy Spirit that if this applies to me, I need a witness or two, so that I know it is mine. The scripture is found in :
Romans 9:17 TNIV
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
As we can see in this scripture and promise, that it was spoken to one individual, it was intended for him, but in actuality it speaks to us all, does it not? But back to my example about the 2 witnesses that I needed so that I knew that God was speaking to me as well but for my good, not as in the case of the Pharaoh who was used negatively for the purpose of God , I left may bible reading that day and went on to read other blogs, or other Christian websites, and on 2 different sites, this scripture came up, and it was unintentional on my part, it just happened that this scripture was sited for various reasons, so I had my 2 witnesses, and I know that in agreement with my own conviction that it applied to me as well , I could then claim that verse to me in that the very purpose of my life is so that God's power may be shown in me, and His name declared or proclaimed in all the earth!
As we can see not all scripture can be applied to our lives unless it is Quickened in us by the Spirit of Truth, and when it is, we must verify it with a witness of some sort, otherwise we go around claiming health and prosperity and all kinds of promises , when it may not apply to us.So we claim it as ours making assumptions on God and when it never comes about we begin to doubt the promises of God and His truth, and we become discouraged. We are told in the Word that through much trial, and tribulation and suffering we enter into the Kingdom of God, and we must remember that.
BUT , we must remember that it is impossible to boldly claim, by faith, a blessing that we are not sure God offers. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
We could not claim even begin to believe that we are saved and made righteous because of Christ without first knowing that it is so and it is God's will.
If it is not God's will to save everyone and only saves some then we do not ever have any basis for faith unless we have a 'special revelation' that we are among the 'favored' ones.Our faith must rest on the will of God alone and not our desires and wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing that God CAN but that God will.
When it comes to healing, of which I am in great need of I might add, I know that there is no doctrine more clearly taught,that it is God's will to heal ALL who have need of healing so that we all can fulfill the number of our days according to His Promise.I also know that sickness is oppresion from the Devil and not from God, although it is allowed into our lives for a reason. Divine healing and salvation of our souls can go no further than the promise of God. Our God does not promise that we will not physically die but He does say .....in Ex.23:25,26 "I will take sickness away from the midst of thee...the number of thy days I will fulfill." and in Psalm 90:10 TNIV
10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Psalm 102:24 TNIV
24 So I said: "Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
If we recall that all those that Jesus called back from the dead were young and they had not lived out their fullness of years..........so if our allotted span for life on earth has not been spent we have a right to claim God's gift of health in our lives especially since there are an abundant amount of scriptural promises of health and healing that apply to all.
We can see in the Old Covenant, and our New Covenant which is much better, that Universal Health in the nation of Israel was continued as long as conditions of God were met, but when they did not meet the conditions they were not given Divine health. In all cases where God's conditions were met they had health, and it always applied to ALL.
In Psalm 91:16 TNIV it says:
16 With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation."
Now the individuals that were healed of Jesus in the Gospels was for them, we can't claim their personal gift of healing but we can claim what was given to ALL on Calvary. It is very clear that all of the instances cited in the Old Covenant , that it was God's will to heal all who met His conditions. Where ever forgiveness was offered, healing was offered.
We know or we should know that Jesus was the full expression of the Father's will. His life was both a revelation and a manifestation of the Love and will of God.Jesus literally acted out the will of God for Adam's race. The healing of the sick by Jesus was done as a revelation of God's will for man." And I might add that up unto His death on the Cross He was still working under the conditions of the First 'OLD' Covenant with the people of Israel. Do I or any believer have to depend on Divine revelation for Healing instead of believing what the promises are in Scriptures on this topic? We have a sure word in scriptures what the Will of God is on Healing in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV it says 13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
If you or I was in those crowds that followed Jesus 2000 years ago and He healed all of them, you and I would have been healed just as they were !
Many people believe that Jesus healed ONLY to make it known that He was of God, but the scriptures clearly teach that this was not always the case many times it says in Matt 12:15-16...."15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him."
Many believed healing was just for people of that time, but we have evidence in the word that healing occurred 30 years later in the last chapter of Acts 28:8-9" 8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed"
The same healing was available after Pentecost that Christ had displayed before!!! The word says that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law Gal.3:13 The curse of the law contains All diseases known and unknown .
Many believe that the suffering we are to go through includes sickness, really? does it say that? IF sickness and disease is of God for us to learn something then why do we go to the Doctor? Aren't we thwarting Gods will for us to be Sick?Does God use sickness and disease to 'chastise' us? Yes when we disobey sickness may be permitted as discipline but God has told us how to avoid and avert this "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world." 1Cor.11:31-32.These chastisements come to save us from final judgement. When we see the cause of the chastising and turn from it God promises it shall be withdrawn.As soon as we judge ourselves and learn our lesson then we are promised that we shall not be judged. By self judgement we may avoid chastening. Divine healing is not unconditionally promised to all Christians regardless of our conduct, it is for those who believe and obey.
Soteria is the Greek word for Salvation and it means or implies deliverance, preservation,healing,health, soundness. It is applied to the soul sometimes and sometimes to the body only. Sozo is Greek for saved and it means healed,made sound, made whole. It means both salvation and saved for our spirits and our bodies . In Ephesians 5:23..... even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
I don't believe disease and sickness is the 'suffering' that the Christian is to go through, This suffering, the trials and tribulations that we go through is because we are Christian, and is done to us for that reason. Or because of the word, Sickness or what ever else that is permitted because we have allowed something in our lives that is not Gods will for us and so because we have not continuously judged ourselves God allows things to happen in order to get us back on track for the Glory of God, sickness is not holy neither is poverty, but it is permitted because we have allowed it so by not keeping God as our focus in some aspects of our lives. Sickness and poverty does not make us holy, God does, Sickness and poverty does not glorify God, but if we are dealing with them we can glorify God while there, but it would be better not to be there in the first place, you think?I am not saying that we all should walk in health and wealth all the time, but I do know that God created our bodies to heal it self when given the right conditions of nutrients, sunlight, living water , exercise and so forth. I know from my experience that I was more likely not to follow the path of Christ when I was healthy and busy and on the go and I was the main focus ,but then when I got to the point that I no longer could do what I use to because of chronic pain and arthritis and a hip no longer able to handle walking, that Christ became more of my focus, so I know that in my case disease was used to get me back on course.
How much faith does it take to say that the Lord is Able? The devil knows God is able and he knows He is willing.But the fact that God is willing, Satan has deluded us from knowing this. We can magnify the Lord's power but this is not sufficient basis for faith, but that God is compassionate and is willing are a basis for our faith.We must first know that The Lord is Gracious and IS willing to save our bodies as He saves our souls. We must come to know that God is both able and willing to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! Are you aware that Healing is the greatest evangelizing agency that the Lord ever used?
We are not preaching nor are we living the same Gospel/Good News that was preached by Jesus and His Apostles! At least I have not been!!! The Good news, the Gospel did not end with the Apostles, it began , it started then and is ever progressing today until He returns. This Gospel the one Jesus proclaimed, is to be preached in all the world, is it?
The 7 blessings of His covenant are-His Presence, as Provider,Peace/Shalom,Victory,Shepard,Righteousness and as our Physician.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BOLDLY CLAIM BY FAITH A BLESSING THAT WE ARE NOT CERTAIN GOD OFFERS. THE POWER OF GOD CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN.
Our faith begins where the will of God is known, our faith rest on the will of God alone, not our desires or wishes.Appropriating faith is not believing God Can but that He Will. Those who believe in healing or salvation of our souls but only say one word in favor of it but 10 words against it, can not ever produce faith for healing or salvation of our souls.
Faith is expecting God to do what we KNOW it is His will to do.This faith comes by hearing the Word the promises of God to do it.
Acting our faith by praising and thanking God in advance has been throughout history, His appointed way for our appropriation of all His blessings. Heb.13:15 teaches that it is our thanks offering, our sacrifice of praise offered in advance for the blessing God has promised us.Faith is what we have before we are healed or saved, when it is done, it is fact.
So in conclusion, is the promise to someone only spoken of in the Bible?In some cases it is unless God quickens it in our spirit that it is meant for you in that instance, but the promise of salvation is for ALL and we have a sure word on it , that it applies to you and I, and when we know it applies to all, it is ours . When it is for a single individual in the word, we then need a few other witnesses that it is ours, then when we have it, by faith we can have it.
So yes we must suffer, have trials and tribulations, there is no escape from that, but this is for the word sake, and for Christ and for being a Christian that this is mostly talking about , I believe, sickness and disease is not given to us because of our walk as a believer, but may be permitted in our lives because we did not judge ourselves, I am no scholar and I am aware that God is God and what ever is permitted in our lives we must after prayerfully checking in and seeing whether or not we have got off tract, and once we know we must deal with it in light of the Spirit's leading,we can be sure that God knows what is best and needed in our lives and like Paul we need to be content with that and thank God in all circumstances of our lives. So we must always be alert and listen to what God speaks to us from our spirits.
So what do I say to myself, and to others who have not been healed, we need to look at our lives more closely and by the spirit receive what is being said to us in this sickness, did we miss the mark somewhere? We must also come to a place in our walk with God to be steadfast and assured of His promises and know that what ever the reason , God is in control, and that His purpose IS being worked out in our lives , we must be able even when we do not see the answer to stand none the less and be like the 3 faithful witnesses of God mentioned in Daniel 3:16-18 KJV 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Sometimes there is alot of time gap between our prayer of faith and its results, and it is in that time period that our faith is being tested , as the bible gives witness to in the lives of the faithful like Joesph and Abraham and so forth, many years passed between what was promised and it's fulfillment, and so it will be with us as well. Even in Daniel we have 2 instances of his prayers both were answered immediately in spirit, one fulfilled quickly the other took a 21 days.Read Daniel9:20-23 and in 10:11-14. So just because our prayers don't seem to be answered especially as we stand on His promises that we know are ours, we must remember that there are many things behind the scenes that we are not privy to , and so must in faith continue to stand, as is said in Eph.6:13 that after we have done all that we know to do,STAND. What is it we must do, judge ourselves , check and see that we are obeying what we KNOW to do, check the scriptures to know that we are standing on the sure word of truth and that His promise does apply to that situation, pray in faith, and then stand, and praise God for the results!!!!
There is no silver bullet,there's no formula for a miracle and no other criteria for healing except GOD'S WILL for the person. When He speaks it, He brings it to pass, man's sickness is an opportunity to see God's glory. He also heals through doctors, modern medicine, and any other means He chooses to deliver us from what oppresses us.The long and short of healing is that when God speaks it, we are healed; if He doesn't, we're not.The only thing that keeps me sane is knowing God has a purpose for it all, and it will be for our good and His glory.
But although health and wealth would be nice to have, our main focus in life is Seeking our God,Knowing our God and walking with our God, and everything else will be took care of in God's time and in His will and plan.
Blessings in His Name
ENDURA
This Was From Me
Orthodox Holiness
This Was From Me
This Was From Me
The Spiritual Testament of St Seraphim of Vyritsa (1866-1949)
Written to one of the saint's spiritual children, a bishop who had been imprisoned, this testament is in fact addressed to us all.
Have you ever thought that all that concerns you
concerns Me too? For that which concerns you
concerns the apple of My eye.
You are precious in My sight, of great worth,
and I have loved you, and so it is a special joy for Me to feed you.
When temptations rise up against you, when the enemy surges up like the sea,
I want you to know that
This was from Me.
That your infirmity needs My strength
and that your safety consists in you
giving Me the chance to defend you.
Are you in difficult circumstances,
among people, who do not understand you,
who do not consider what is pleasant for you,
who cast you aside, -
This was for Me.
I am your God, Who decides on your circumstances,
and it is not by chance that you are where you are:
it is the very place that I appointed for you.
Did you not ask that I teach you humility?
And behold I have placed you in that very place,
that school where this lesson can be learned.
Those who are around you and those who live with you merely do
My will. Do you have difficulties with money,
is it difficult for you to make ends meet, know that
This was from Me.
For I dispose of your means and I want
you to come running to Me and know that you depend
on Me. My reserves are inexhaustible. I want
you to be convinced of My faithfulness and My pledges.
May they not be able to say to you
in your need: Do not believe in your Lord God.
Have you lived through the night in sorrow?
Are you parted from those who are near and dear to your heart -
This was sent from me to you.
I am the man of sorrows, who has known illnesses,
I permitted this, that you might turn to Me
and find everlasting comfort in Me.
Have you been betrayed by your friend, by one
to whom you had opened your heart, -
This was from Me.
I permitted this disillusionment to touch you,
that you might see that your best friend is the Lord.
I want you to bring all things to Me and speak to Me.
Have you been slandered, leave this to Me
and in your soul cling closer to Me, your refuge,
To shelter from disputing tongues,
I shall reveal your truth like the light
and your destiny like the noonday.
Have your plans come to naught, is your heart weary
And grown tired -
This was from Me.
You made your plans, you had your intentions,
and you brought them to me for Me to bless them.
But I want you to leave Me to decide and guide the circumstances
of your life, for you are only a tool,
and not the leading role.
Unexpected failures in life have come to you
And despondency has taken hold of your heart, know -
This was from Me.
For I want your heart and your soul
always to be aflame in My sight
and to conquer all faint-heartedness through My name.
Have you not received news from people near
and dear to you,
in your faint-heartedness and weakness of faith
have you fallen into murmuring and despair, know -
This was from Me.
For through this weariness of your spirit I am testing
the strength of your faith in the unchangingness of your pledges
and the strength of boldness of your prayer for those near to you,
for was it not you who entrusted your cares for them
to my providential love?
Is it not you who now entrust them to the Protection of My Most Pure Mother?
Has serious illness befallen you,
whether passing or incurable,
and have you been bedridden -
This was from Me.
For I want you to know Me even more deeply
in your bodily infirmities and not to murmur because of this
trial sent down to you,
and not to strive to comprehend My plans
for the salvation of human souls in diverse ways,
but to bow your head without murmur and in submission
beneath My goodness for you.
Did you dream of doing some
Special task for Me
And instead of this did you take to your bed of illness and infirmity -
This was from Me.
For then you were taken up with your affairs,
And I could not draw your thoughts to Me,
but I want to teach you My deepest thoughts
and lessons, that you might be in My service.
I want to teach you to realize that you are nothing without Me.
Some of My finest servants are those
who are cut off from outward activity,
that they may be taught
to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer.
Have you unexpectedly been called to take up a difficult
And responsible position, relying on Me,
I entrust these difficulties to you,
and for this your Lord God will bless you in all your affairs,
in all your ways, in all things
may your Guide and Instructor be your Lord.
This day I have given into your hand, My child,
this vessel of holy oil,
use it freely.
Always remember that every difficulty that arises,
every word that offends you, every vanity and condemnation,
every obstacle in your work
that could vex and disappoint you,
every revelation of your infirmity and inability
will be anointed with this oil -
This was from Me.
Remember that every obstacle is a Divine instruction,
And therefore take to heart My word,
that I have proclaimed to you this day -
This was from Me.
Guard these words, know and remember - always wherever you may be, -
That every pain may be made dull, when you learn
in all things to see Me.
Everything has been sent by Me for the perfection of your soul -
All this was from Me.
(Translation by Fr Andrew, from St Seraphim of Vyritsa, compiled by Alexander Trofimov, Theophania 2004)
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Home Page
This Was From Me
This Was From Me
The Spiritual Testament of St Seraphim of Vyritsa (1866-1949)
Written to one of the saint's spiritual children, a bishop who had been imprisoned, this testament is in fact addressed to us all.
Have you ever thought that all that concerns you
concerns Me too? For that which concerns you
concerns the apple of My eye.
You are precious in My sight, of great worth,
and I have loved you, and so it is a special joy for Me to feed you.
When temptations rise up against you, when the enemy surges up like the sea,
I want you to know that
This was from Me.
That your infirmity needs My strength
and that your safety consists in you
giving Me the chance to defend you.
Are you in difficult circumstances,
among people, who do not understand you,
who do not consider what is pleasant for you,
who cast you aside, -
This was for Me.
I am your God, Who decides on your circumstances,
and it is not by chance that you are where you are:
it is the very place that I appointed for you.
Did you not ask that I teach you humility?
And behold I have placed you in that very place,
that school where this lesson can be learned.
Those who are around you and those who live with you merely do
My will. Do you have difficulties with money,
is it difficult for you to make ends meet, know that
This was from Me.
For I dispose of your means and I want
you to come running to Me and know that you depend
on Me. My reserves are inexhaustible. I want
you to be convinced of My faithfulness and My pledges.
May they not be able to say to you
in your need: Do not believe in your Lord God.
Have you lived through the night in sorrow?
Are you parted from those who are near and dear to your heart -
This was sent from me to you.
I am the man of sorrows, who has known illnesses,
I permitted this, that you might turn to Me
and find everlasting comfort in Me.
Have you been betrayed by your friend, by one
to whom you had opened your heart, -
This was from Me.
I permitted this disillusionment to touch you,
that you might see that your best friend is the Lord.
I want you to bring all things to Me and speak to Me.
Have you been slandered, leave this to Me
and in your soul cling closer to Me, your refuge,
To shelter from disputing tongues,
I shall reveal your truth like the light
and your destiny like the noonday.
Have your plans come to naught, is your heart weary
And grown tired -
This was from Me.
You made your plans, you had your intentions,
and you brought them to me for Me to bless them.
But I want you to leave Me to decide and guide the circumstances
of your life, for you are only a tool,
and not the leading role.
Unexpected failures in life have come to you
And despondency has taken hold of your heart, know -
This was from Me.
For I want your heart and your soul
always to be aflame in My sight
and to conquer all faint-heartedness through My name.
Have you not received news from people near
and dear to you,
in your faint-heartedness and weakness of faith
have you fallen into murmuring and despair, know -
This was from Me.
For through this weariness of your spirit I am testing
the strength of your faith in the unchangingness of your pledges
and the strength of boldness of your prayer for those near to you,
for was it not you who entrusted your cares for them
to my providential love?
Is it not you who now entrust them to the Protection of My Most Pure Mother?
Has serious illness befallen you,
whether passing or incurable,
and have you been bedridden -
This was from Me.
For I want you to know Me even more deeply
in your bodily infirmities and not to murmur because of this
trial sent down to you,
and not to strive to comprehend My plans
for the salvation of human souls in diverse ways,
but to bow your head without murmur and in submission
beneath My goodness for you.
Did you dream of doing some
Special task for Me
And instead of this did you take to your bed of illness and infirmity -
This was from Me.
For then you were taken up with your affairs,
And I could not draw your thoughts to Me,
but I want to teach you My deepest thoughts
and lessons, that you might be in My service.
I want to teach you to realize that you are nothing without Me.
Some of My finest servants are those
who are cut off from outward activity,
that they may be taught
to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer.
Have you unexpectedly been called to take up a difficult
And responsible position, relying on Me,
I entrust these difficulties to you,
and for this your Lord God will bless you in all your affairs,
in all your ways, in all things
may your Guide and Instructor be your Lord.
This day I have given into your hand, My child,
this vessel of holy oil,
use it freely.
Always remember that every difficulty that arises,
every word that offends you, every vanity and condemnation,
every obstacle in your work
that could vex and disappoint you,
every revelation of your infirmity and inability
will be anointed with this oil -
This was from Me.
Remember that every obstacle is a Divine instruction,
And therefore take to heart My word,
that I have proclaimed to you this day -
This was from Me.
Guard these words, know and remember - always wherever you may be, -
That every pain may be made dull, when you learn
in all things to see Me.
Everything has been sent by Me for the perfection of your soul -
All this was from Me.
(Translation by Fr Andrew, from St Seraphim of Vyritsa, compiled by Alexander Trofimov, Theophania 2004)
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009
My devotion and prayer today
Psalm 139:7-12 TNIV
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Are we really aware that Our God is everywhere! We don't need to go anywhere to search for our Maker, for He is everywhere we are. Where ever I go You Lord are there!
Is that nothing but awesome! We go on our daily search to find God, and there He is in all the Creation! For the Creation , the Mountains, the Seas, the Deserts, the Valleys all declare the glory of our Maker, our Divine Parent who visited us in the lowly form of a man and we call His name Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah , Christ, and we need not look no further than Him to understand the love, the compassion, the mercy, the forgiveness, the reconciliation of man to God, and it was all done through the life,crucifixion ,death, and power of the resurrection!
Jesus Christ IS the clearest way to grow , and the only way to be in the presence of God and to be in a personal relationship with God.It is done by the very power of His Spirit who resides within the believer who has accepted the gift of the Grace of God given to us by none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh the power of this knowledge.
Can I join in song with Mary the Mother of Jesus and adore Him!
Mary's Song in Luke1:46-53
46 And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
I join with Her, for Mary represents to me How I too have been given from the Holy Spirit of the Most High, Jesus Christ within me, who is being formed in me so that when He comes again that I too will be like HIM.Mary , to me represents how we submit and humbly accept His spirit in us so that it will grow and come to full maturity in us. Oh the thought of that.
Psalm 51:1-3 TNIV.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise
As God the lover of my very Soul, cleanses me I can be assured that He is ever with me where ever I may go.
Psalm 23 TNIV
1 The LORD is (truly) my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Let me rest, 0h God, in the thought that all that matters is that I should rejoice to be thy daughter, a child who can never fall out of your loving care, and let me be willing to follow the pathway of Your will in each circumstance that arises without chafing to be here or there or to do this or that.
So, I pray to you My God, bring me to the end of this day without dishonor and to my journey's end in Shalom . Hear me now as I make Intercession for:
FOR President Obama, his wife, and his family.
For those who are working for the peace/shalom of the world.
For all who serve in the Cabinet and in the Senate and House of Representatives.
For all who hold positions of responsibility in universities and colleges.
For all who teach in schools.
For all ministers of the gospel.
For all fathers and mothers and guardians of children.
For all whose written words in books and newspapers influence the thoughts and actions of others.
All who bear responsibility. All who contribute to either peace /shalom or strife.
Grant, 0 Lord, that their influence may be used always to bring peace/shalom to the world, peace/shalom within the
Church, peace/shalom in the life of the home, and peace/shalom in the hearts of men.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.
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