Sunday, December 30, 2012

Good News

I know this is lengthy but it is worth the read!!

So why are there so many "bad" things in life? What I mean is, why do we believe so many bad things about ourselves, others, God, just the whole world which surrounds us? Is it really true, is it all as bad as we believe it to be? If you believe it, then yes, it is very true...but what would happen to our mind, body and soul if we didn't believe bad news but good news. For instance, sugar doesn't really rot your teeth out, or that person over there is not out to get us (because they look like a "criminal"), or that the planet is going to explode. Okay, so you touched on things I may consider to be bad about myself, someone else, and the planet but I definitely do NOT think bad things about God, after all He is the only Good thing in my life...contrary to that thought, by believing in bad news, we are inevitably thinking badly about God whom we "serve." What?? Think about this logic. If I am believing in bad news, am I believing in good news? No. If I am NOT believing in good news (GOD, gospel, Jesus), then what am I getting saved from today? Hopefully something, but many are awaiting their salvation, to cash that ticket in at the gate...until then all else pretty much is what it is. This is NOT true, and it is this kind of thinking which Christ was sent by our Father to show us in the flesh just how NOT true it really is, as He conquered EVERYTHING (EVEN DEATH) to show us just how much is really not impossible with God. Everything is possible with God. Why is this kind of thinking just not true, well look at the blessings and curses in Deut. 28, I personally do not see that kind of favor (blessing) of God currently in the world which surrounds me, people are getting their butts kicked and handed to them by the enemy everyday, without even putting up a fight...willingly letting the enemy rule in them. I know because I do it too, but it is high time to wake up from this slumber!! God is too vast for me to think that there is even one thing that He can't handle. Why were Adam and Eve kicked out of the garden, because they believed bad news after eating the forbidden fruit of knowledge between good and evil. What bad news? They were ashamed, thought they were naked, were afraid of God as Adam blames the whole thing on Eve, etc. What was in the garden. The tree of life, which would have let them live forever as long as they had access to it. Therefore, God stopped them from being in misery forever by banishing them from the garden.

Once you look inside yourself and see your belief system for what it is, it is really astonishing to know just how much of what we believe is based off of bad news or fear, but the bible says that perfect love casts out fear!! Why does fear need casting out? Because fear affects our belief, and turns us away from the One who knows no fear but is the giver of abundant life!! You may be asking yourself, so what's next? The goal is to totally be immersed in God and His good news that we believe the gospel only and not any bad news. I'm talking about the new covenant in which God transforms our minds and hearts that we may truly be pure. To show you just how real this enemy is, think of a good thought and count how many negative ones just pop up in your head...even we, being evil, put a pop up blocker on our web browsers to hinder those from coming through affecting our computers performance. Our only job is to figure out how to be with God always, always being like ripened produce of His Spirit that can be regarded as succulent and fresh, the best of the best. Then, and only then are we effective against this truly real enemy, this foe which keeps us from believing the good news because he knows just how powerful it is.

So on the day when many I know are in church rejoicing and sharing fellowship with one another, when you do fire your computer up, I implore you to (if you feel you need to) re-evaluate yourself, find a way (the best that works for you) to not take in the bad news, but to rebuke it. Take all your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, and be a son or daughter of God. Know what that means and let God (our Dad) show you just how much possibility is found in Him...I know I am! The world is negative, but He has conquered the world! Hear His voice within, resonating the sound of love and truth and "...let His peace which surpasses all understanding be with you. Amen." Remember, bad news is out there, we just don't have to let it rule in our hearts keeping us in bondage to it, allowing the enemy to rob from us the love, joy, grace etc. that our Father told us we can and should receive!! I will leave you with a word from the book of Titus:

"For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. TO THE PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:10-16 NKJV)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

So What is the Lie?

Saw this photo on Facebook and had to post about it because I want people to know the raw uncut gospel, that is good news of Christ the savior!  Here's the link for the photo and my Facebook post on yeshua4sinners Facebook page that goes with this story.

In case you didn't look at the post, which you should to get the full effect, the story is about a Christian girl that survives a bombing by Islam peoples.  I then posted the practical view on Luke 13:1-5 which states:
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” 

This is why we NEED a savior!  Now, this girl did survive the bombing, however, I believe that Christ would save me from even getting blown up some, however, it is not only the physical affirmatives alone that He is dealing with. He is speaking of the internals of repentance (fruit of His Spirit...love, joy, peace, etc) I know there will be those who will try and discredit this post on the fact that the girl lived, and that's fine if you want to, however, what about all the other news stories around the world where the folks actually do die.  God saw it fit to let this one live a while longer to repent!  This my friends is the real, practical Jesus Christ that probably many would view as radical, and very well, it is radical but it's true!  Repent for the kingdom of heaven is attainable today in Christ Jesus...this is why we NEED Christ!

Before you think to yourself, this is one cold hearted person, I am actually the opposite! If I didn't care, I wouldn't point this truth out to the glory of God!  You see, if anyone is not following Christ, they are dead in their trespasses already.  I want you to live!  As does God, which is why while you are against Him, He still had your back and sent Christ to the cross to die for you!  Praise God!  He gives life more abundantly to those who want it!

So, what is the lie?  Anything that tells you God is not utterly amazing!

Monday, November 5, 2012

God and Government

This post is derived from one of my comments on my Daily Focus Page. With all the political "stuff" going on I figured it would be appropriate to post.  It seems that for every election, presidential especially, people tend to get all worked up.  "My view is the best view" is the common attitude among the population.  Who says?  What if all yours and their views were a waste of time, and what is planned by God is going to happen regardless if you are kicking and screaming about it?  Why get all worked up?  I mean, does it really, for real, do any good for you to get your blood pressure shooting through the roof?  There are probably alot of heart attacks and strokes around this time I year, I would imagine.  My Daily Focus scripture reference is on Romans 13:1-7, which Paul addresses submission to government.  In this reference, Paul is actually talking to the Romans under the rule of Nero and we see his practicality and logic in this manner:

 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:1-7)

This is good news for us who are willing to submit to God.  Think about this logic, if you are unwilling to submit to an earthly authority (whom you can see),  how much more would you not listen to a spiritual authority (whom you cannot see)?  God has placed earthly authority over us, however, Jesus is the "King of kings" and the "Lord of lords" as it is written.  That means that we worship Him, and He will tell us what to do.  Therefore, we worship God and submit to earthly authority, not worship earthly authority.  There is a huge difference in the two that I will discuss in another post.  So, the good news is there is practicality with God if you want it regarding this matter.  Have fun voting!

 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Music In My Posts

I'm thinking about putting music in either most or all of my posts from now on, simply because I enjoy it, what do you think?



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Is Jesus Controversial?

So, is Jesus controversial?  I have heard this topic being discussed (argued) among some theologians, and it can get quite interesting.  Well, in the bible Pilate could find no fault with Jesus, (Luke 23:4), however, the majority of the Jews said He blasphemed against God and wanted to see Him crucified.  So I would say, yeah, Jesus can cause some disputes.  But why?  Is there something wrong with Jesus,or the gospel...maybe it is what He says?  Actually, the problem herein lies not with Jesus, the problem is us!

What!?  I'm outraged!  Sorry about that, but it's true.  Our pride is a suit that our flesh wears that makes us  impervious to the Holy Spirit.  I would liken it to a child that is pouting and stomps off mad...he ain't gonna listen until he's humbled.  It is not until we are humble, can we even begin to be receptive to any of God's grace, since it takes faith in Christ to receive it.  So the question, "Is Jesus Controversial?" Extremely!  However, not to the humble, only the proud...not to the sinner, but to the righteous.  The gospel is good news, but only for those in need of a savior, to everyone else it makes no sense at all.

Think about it:

Do you see Christ as a controversy in and around your life?  Look deeper into that if you truly want a quality relationship with God!

Note: For those who may not know what I mean by Christ being a controversy, that would be to say that He and His ways are causing a severe conflict, even disputes in yourself and/or the folks that surround you.

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Is It Biblical?

I have heard the question asked many times..."Is it biblical...?"  Generally, when I hear this, the person asking it is gearing up to make their point from a biblical perspective about a certain topic in order to prove their righteousness.  I often see that it doesn't really matter what topic follows the question, as people can make just about everything biblical and claim that their point, based on "these" verses, is  right. So I say, what's the point?  People want to be right!

Practically, being right is a good thing, and God agrees too!  However, what many believe to be right, is merely them being "wise in their own eyes," which the bible warns us about. I think it is easy to get caught up on this and fuel our own pride, especially for those who have been "schooled" at say, a seminary.  I'm not saying that everyone who goes to seminary school is guilty of some Pharisaic traits, however, it is common.  If we are genuinely seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness, then being wise and prudent in our own eyes really gets us nowhere, as we then are apart from Christ (not following His Spirit).  An assumption? Nope, the truth.  His Spirit never leads us back to ourselves to look at ourselves and our glory, instead, His Spirit reveals to us the glory of the Father, to receive our all from Him!  This is grace apart from the law, which is the righteousness of God. 

So, how do we live in righteousness?  Only by God's grace through our faith in Christ Jesus who saves from sin, in whom there is no boasting!  If we are to produce much fruit of His Holy Spirit, then we have to walk in His Spirit and be guided in His Truth.  Practicality is what works, and therefore God is very practical for His way is the only way, that is, Christ!  So, is it biblical or not...?  I say, turn to Christ and away from our own interpretations of the bible because the kingdom of heaven is at hand!!

There will be another post to follow that will cover the topic, "Thinking Too Much." I had an issue with this myself, thinking I was right all the time, over thinking problems, just being what could be called 'cerebral.'  God then connected my heart and mind together and made me see, spirit and truth simultaneously!

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Don't be Decieved!

This post originated as a post on my "Daily Focus Scripture" page.  As I was writing an explanation to the scripture, I found myself being lead further and further into focus by the Holy Spirit and must share!  So here it is:

Click here to go to my Daily Focus Scripture Page to see the post titled Saturday, November 3, 2012 

There you will find a deeper look into Psalm 91:8!  Enjoy!