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I Like Your Christ, But Not Your Christians
I think we’d be surprised to know how many people in this world actually like the person of Jesus Christ, but aren’t keen on becoming a Christian. Sound familiar?
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Romans 12:10.
We must not allow ourselves to become self-absorbed and so forget the claims of God and humanity upon us…. God would have us more kind, more lovable, less critical and suspicious. O that we all might have the Spirit of Christ, and know how to deal with our brethren and neighbors!
We must forget self in loving service for others…. We may not remember some act of kindness which we do, it may fade from our memory; but eternity will bring out in all its brightness every act done for the salvation of souls, every word spoken for the comfort of God’s children; and these deeds done for Christ’s sake will be a part of our joy through all eternity.
When we pursue toward our brethren any course save that of kindness and courtesy, we pursue an unchristian course. We should manifest courtesy at home, in the church, and in our intercourse with all men. But especially we should manifest compassion and respect for those who are giving their lives to the cause of God. We should exercise that precious love that suffereth long and is kind; that envieth not, that vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked and that which is not evil.
Where Jesus reigns in the heart, there will be sweet love, and we shall be tender and true to one another.
You should give no occasion for faultfinding. A moment’s petulance, a single gruff answer, the want of Christian politeness and courtesy in some small matter, may result in the loss of friends, in the loss of influence.
God would have you appear at your best under all circumstances—in the presence of those who are inferior to you as well as in the presence of equals and superiors. We are to be followers of Christ at all times, seeking His honor, seeking to rightly represent Him in every way.
Let self drop out of sight, and let Jesus appear as the One altogether lovely.
We should seek to live for His glory alone, not that men may praise us.
If Adam Choose God over Eve, What Would Have Happened to Eve?
If Adam chose God over Eve, what would have happened to Eve is one of those hypothetical questions that gets asked on a regular basis. While we are sure he wouldn’t have made Adam suffer the results of sin, we’re really not sure what would have happened to Eve?
We’ve probably got two or three options. The lord may have enacted the plan of salvation for Eve because he loved both Adam and Eve equally. However, this is all speculation which is worth nothing. To be blunt it’s a tough question that can not be answered.
To the Girl Who Wants a Husband More Than Jesus
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.”
But how strange the sight! While one of those so closely united is engaged in devotion, the other is indifferent and careless; while one is seeking the way to everlasting life, the other is in the broad road to death.
Hundreds have sacrificed Christ and heaven in consequence of marrying unconverted persons. Can it be that the love and fellowship of Christ are of so little value to them that they prefer the companionship of poor mortals?
Is heaven so little esteemed that they are willing to risk its enjoyments for one who has no love for the precious Saviour?
To connect with an unbeliever is to place yourself on Satan’s ground. You grieve the Spirit of God and forfeit His protection. Can you afford to have such terrible odds against you in fighting the battle for everlasting life?
Ask yourself:
“Will not an unbelieving husband lead my thoughts away from Jesus? He is a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God; will he not lead me to enjoy the things that he enjoys?”
The path to eternal life is steep and rugged. Take no additional weights to retard your progress.
Conformed to the Image of Christ
The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17.
Christ will be to His people all that these words express if they will heed the invitation to come to Him. He will be to them life and power, strength and efficiency, wisdom and holiness. God calls upon us to live the Christ life, to reveal this life to the world.
We can, we can, reveal the likeness of our divine Lord. We can know the science of spiritual life. We can honor our Maker. But do we do it? Oh, what an illustrious example we have in the life that Christ lived on this earth! He has shown us what we can accomplish through cooperation with divinity. We are to seek for the union of which He speaks when He says, “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). This union is deeper, stronger, truer, than any other union and is productive of all good. Those who are thus united to the Saviour are controlled by His will and are moved by His love to suffer with those who suffer, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to feel a deep sympathy for every one in weakness, sorrow, or distress.
Wherever I go I shall urge the people to keep Christ uplifted. He is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever, always seeking to do us good, always encouraging and guiding us, leading us onward step by step. What He is today—a faithful high priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities—He will be tomorrow and forevermore. He is our guide, our teacher, our counselor, our friend, ever bestowing His blessings upon us in response to our faith. He invites us to abide with Him. When we do this, when we make our home with Him, all friction, all ill temper, all irritation, will cease.
I know that when I ask the Lord to be my helper He will not deny me, because it is my one desire to do His will and glorify His name. I am weak, but in depending wholly upon Him, I obtain strength. In laying my burden upon the Burden Bearer, I find comfort and strength and hope. This is my desire—to find abiding rest at His feet. While I keep firm hold of His hand, He leads me safely. The living God shall be the joy and rejoicing of my soul.
A Perfect Man
As we advance step by step in the path of obedience, we shall know how true is the promise that they who follow on to know the Lord Jesus Christ shall know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. Clearer light is ready to shine upon all who follow Him who is the Light of the world. Every one who takes upon him the yoke of Christ, with full determination to obey the word of God, will have a healthy, symmetrical experience. He will enjoy the blessings that come to him as a result of the hiding of his life with Christ in God.
In business life he will work out the principles laid down in Christ’s sermon on the mount. He will renounce the bag of deceitful weights and will despise the fraud of tricks in trade. He has an abiding sense that he is a part of the heavenly firm and that it is his duty to trade upon the talents given him by God. He realizes that he is adopted into the family of God and that he must act toward all as Christ acted when He was upon this earth.
What a diligent, constant work is the work of a true Christian. Ever he wears the yoke of Christ. He has genuine modesty, and does not talk of his qualifications and accomplishments. Self-admiration is not a part of his experience. There is much to learn in regard to what comprises true Christian character. It certainly is not self-inflation. The glory and majesty of God should ever fill our souls with a holy awe, humbling us in the dust before Him. His condescension, His wide, deep compassion, His tenderness and love, are given us to strengthen our confidence and remove that fear which tendeth unto bondage. The Lord wants us to give Him all there is of us in a steady, evenly balanced Christian life.
Let us not endure the thought of being religious dwarfs. We must ever be growing unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, till we are complete in Him. Christ will come and abide with every soul who will say from the heart, Come in. He loves every one who has a desire to follow Him.
What Is Blessedness?
What Is Blessedness?
“Bless You!”, “God bless!”, and “Blessings!” are commonly used expressions for well-wishes. Society has a concept of what it means to be blessed. Most relate it to material prosperity and success. While that may include such, blessedness entails much more than that. The Beatitudes in Matthew and many other Scripture passages grant insight about what blessedness is for the child of God. From these, we see that it’s not all about material abundance.
Dictionaries explain the word “blessed” as “endowed with divine favor and protection.” Tracing it from the Latin, we find it to be associated with the concept of “bliss”. In Matthew 5, “blessed” uses the Greek word “makarios”. The word points to believers being in a “fortunate” position of receiving God’s favor, a position of access to the benefits God extends. “Makarios” closely associates with faith because by placing genuine faith in the redemptive work of Christ, the Christian is placed in this special position of blessedness.
Blessedness is about having.
Blessedness is about having endowments we enjoy now. 1 Timothy 6:17 tells us about our living God who gives us things for our enjoyment. Some may think blessedness is achieved mostly by striving, this verse tells us that blessedness comes by trusting IN the God who graciously grants us things for enjoyment (not enslavement nor dependence).
Blessedness is also about having endowments to enjoy in the future. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation [the people] whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for his inheritance.” Hebrews 11:1 talks about faith that serves as the very evidence of the things we hope for though they yet remain unseen. We don’t see heaven and all the things God has promised for our inheritance now, but in faith, we have assurance, we have the unshakeable certainty of this endowment right now in this earthly life.
Blessedness is about being.
That God is our father makes all the difference in the world. Understanding and living that truth gives us confidence and resilience amidst changing situations in this life. We are God’s children, His heirs, His beloved. We are the apple of His eye and nothing will ever separate us from His love. There can be bliss when there is chaos. There can be peace when there is pain and turmoil. There can be contentment when resources are lacking. There can be trust when things don’t make sense because I have experienced that my Father is good and He has promised never to abandon nor forsake me.
Blessedness is about doing.
In God’s Word is guidance. In His Word, we glean insight into the nature and character of God and His plan and direction for our life. Luke 11:28 says blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep [observe] it. Psalm 19:11 says that in heeding God’s Word, there is a great reward.
Time spent with God’s Word is never futile. It empowers us. It prepares us for what’s ahead by positioning our hearts and minds to right understanding and responses. When we give room for God’s Words, we allow it to work in our hearts and correct us of wrong thoughts and behavior. The child of God understands by experience that as he is transformed by God’s Word priorities begin to change and pursuits clarify. One begins to desire what is lasting over what’s temporary. One starts seeking what truly fulfills not just what temporarily pleasures. One learns about the right expectations and starts appreciating life, current possessions, and people more. One becomes more gracious with others as God has been gracious with him.
Feeling Low? Here are 2 Certainties About God
Every religious sect has its own idea about God. The idea about God can greatly vary depending on the sources or references of belief. One who professes true Christianity finds God in Scriptures and in his daily experiences of doing life with the God He has put his faith in. A deepening faith discovers more and more about God. By faith we see that God is more and more certain. He is trustworthy. He is unwavering and never changing. These hold true when life is hard and unsure.
God is just.
To be just is to be righteous. It is to be on the good and right of all things. God is unprejudiced. He is fair-minded. He is impartial. He is non-discriminatory. Psalm 145:17 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” At all times we can be sure that God treats us with fairness and faithful love. Parents may be guilty of playing favorites. But to all His children, we can expect God’s love and support to be the same on us all. The abiding Christian and the wayward one are both loved greatly. Now, He may deal with them differently according to their spiritual need at the time. But all His actions and purposes for the 2 remain the same, that is, to guard and guide them in His Agape love.
The Bible also says that even to the unbelieving God remains just. In Matthew 5:45 Jesus reminds us to have the just heart and mind of our Father who “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
As for prayer requests and heart desires, there is no bribing God. There is no manipulating Him. He will not grant the request of someone because he “does Him lots of favors”. When God responds to our prayers, He does so out of wisdom. He grants what will benefit us in the long run and His denials will always have our best interest in mind.
God remains good when life is bad.
Job couldn’t understand what was happening nor why. He tried his best to delight Himself in the Lord, living for His pleasure and honor. He dared not question God, He just wanted understanding. At his lowest point his wife told him to just forsake God and resign himself to “fate”. But Job chose to keep faith and trust in a God who knew what He was doing. In Job 13:15 he said “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”
We may find it hard to grasp this truth during trials and persecutions because of the hardships and pain we are currently suffering. But God remains good and He remains loving. He is never indifferent to our plight. Psalm 119:68 says You are good, and what you do is good.” Romans 8:28 assures us that as we try to walk in His ways and abide in His love, we know that He is continually working things out for our good. Psalm 9:10 encourages us to keep trusting and discovering more about God thru our circumstances. It says, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.” Proverbs 3:5,6 exhort us to trust in the Lord and not depend on our limited understanding. In due time, He will straighten things out for us and make things clear for us.
God is just and He remains good when life is bad. Don’t believe otherwise. Stay the path. Keep the faith.
The Squeezed Orange of a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist was preparing for class and decided to take an orange with him. He began to talk to a bright young man in front and asked him, “If I squeeze this orange, what will I get?”
He looked at the Psychiatrist and answered, “Juice, of course!”
The Psychiatrist said, “Don’t you think I could squeeze apple juice from the orange?”
Laughing, he said “No.”
“What about grapefruit juice?”
He said, “Nope.”
The Psychiatrist asked again, “What would I get from this orange?”
“Orange juice, of course.”
He repeated his question, “Why? Why would I get orange juice from an orange?”
He answered, “Well, it is an orange, and that is what it has on the inside.”
The Psychiatrist nodded and said, “That’s right! Let’s think that this is not an orange, but it is you.
Someone puts pressure on you and says something you don’t like.
You get offended. Fear, bitterness, hatred, and anger come out of you. Why did this happen?”
The boy answered, “Because those things are on the inside.”
Now we have to consider what’s inside of you and me, because Matthew 15:18 says,
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Jesus was squeezed and forgiveness, love, and mercy came brusting out of Him.
He taught us that regardless of people insulting, beating, humiliating, and treating Him worse than a criminal that we should afterwards show love and forgiveness! It was under the mighty impulse of love that Jesus took our place in the universe and invited the Ruler of all things to treat Him as a representative of the human family.
He identified Himself with our interests, took our guilt and its penalty, and offered in our behalf a complete sacrifice to God.
Jesus identifies His interest with ours. He represents Himself as personally affected with all that concerns us.
If we are wronged, maligned, treated with contempt, our sufferings are registered in the books of heaven as done unto Him.
If we would become like Christ and receive His fashion of character, we must in little things train the soul to daily progressive sanctification. Acts make habits and habits constitute character. There is no fear of overlooking great things, but there is peril in overlooking and undervaluing little things.
Let’s be filled with that love that comes from God, and let’s live each day by His side.
Now the question that we must ask ourselves is: “What comes out when we are squeezed?”
12 Scriptures About Becoming More Christlike
How can imperfect people like us live a Christ-like Life?
Is it even possible?
What does the Bible say?
For the Christian, heaven is not a goal; it is a destination and becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. We bear the name of Christian. Let us be true to this name. To be a Christian means to be Christlike. It means to follow Christ in self-denial, bearing a banner of love, honoring Christ by unselfish words and deeds.
In the life of the true Christian self is dead as there was no selfishness in the life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our nature, He lived a life wholly devoted to the good of others. In word and deed, Christ’s followers are to be pure and true. In this world — a world of evil and corruption —Christians are to reveal the love of Christ. If we will die to self, if we will enlarge our idea of what Christ can be to us and what we can be to Him, if we will unite with one another in the bonds of Christian fellowship, God will work through us with mighty power. Then we shall be sanctified through the truth and showered with grace. We shall indeed be chosen by God and directed by His Spirit. Every day of life will be precious to us because we shall see in it an opportunity to use our entrusted gifts for the blessing of others.
You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be completed here on Earth. It will only be finished when you get to Heaven or when Jesus returns.
We today lack a theology of growth. And so we need to learn how we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. God’s purpose is to make us like him before he takes us to Heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.
Read these 12 Bible Verses about living a Christ-like life ”¦
1 John 2:6
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 Corinthians 11:
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Peter 2:21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
John 13:13-17
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Ephesians 4:22-24
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Titus 3:1-8
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, …
Romans 8:29
For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 8:2-8
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Are one of these verses particularly meaningful to you? Share your thoughts in comments? Want to add another verse? Add it in comments as well”¦
You Cannot Serve Two Masters
You Cannot Serve Two Masters. Every individual in our world will stand on one of two sides — the chosen and loyal under the blood-stained banner of Jesus, and all others under Satan’s banner.
The God of Christianity and the god of money are irreconcilably opposed.
There is to be no compromise with the powers of darkness. Individually we must take our stand. If we are not at war with the prince of darkness, the serpent, his folds encircle us and all our powers and his sting will be in our hearts.
All who range themselves under the blood-stained banner of the Jesus will henceforth count Satan as a deadly enemy, and will in God’s strength oppose him. They will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
What should you do in order to hold your ground?
Pray always with supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18).
We should be quick to discern danger. We should see the hateful character of sin and should expel it from the soul. The followers of the Word know that in Jesus there is strength, which becomes their own by faith. They are clothed with righteousness that God will accept, for it is the righteousness of Christ.
Clad in this armor of God, they successfully resist the Satan’s temptations. Not one soul has a moment to lose. The concerns of eternity are of sufficient importance to take precedence over every other issue.
What must you do to be saved?
This should be the great and solemn question for every believer in Christ now.
We wish that all could appreciate the wonderful working of God on behalf of man. For fallen angels there has been no atonement; but for fallen man a full and ample offering has been made, to save to the uttermost all who shall come unto God by Him.
God beholds in all His children the image of His only-begotten Son. He looks upon them with a love greater than any language can express. He holds them in the arms of His love. The Lord rejoices over His people.
Mammon /ˈmæmÉ™n/ in the New Testament of the Bible is commonly thought to mean money, material wealth, or any entity that promises wealth, and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain. “You Cannot Serve Two Masters” or “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
The Dark Web…A new frontier for Christianity?
Have you heard about the deep, dark side of the Internet?
In mid-2014 it was estimated that more than three billion people (about 42% of the world’s population) used the Internet.
The Internet, very much like the real-world. Only virtual. Yes it has a good side, but also it also has a dark side. And by the dark side, it’s not just adult websites that we’re talking about, but something even bigger and more complex. Commonly known as the dark web.
what’s the dark web?
The Dark Web or Dark Net is a subset of the Deep Web with a seething matrix of encrypted websites – also known as the TOR. It’s a virtual underworld where everything is anonymous and unmonitored, far away from the prying eyes of intelligence law enforcement agencies across the world.
Much like Ebay, transactions take place in online Dark-net markets — hacking or sale of drugs, arms, confidential information, etc. in exchange for money or information. However, while the Dark Web is full of criminal activity, it’s also a place where dissidents and whistle-blowers can anonymously share information!
Driven underground.
Despite the challenges facing law-enforcement agencies, it would be a serious error to characterize the Deep Web as exclusively a cybercrime ecosystem.
For years, the darknet has been viewed as the criminal underbelly of the internet. In a lot of ways, it is exactly that, but many don’t realize that there is a silver lining to it as well.
The darknet is the home of the whistleblower.
As the underground network provides an environment that protects valuable user privacy useful if you’re a whistleblower or in fact a Christian living in a part of the world that has banned Christian practice. This is because it’s a place where views can be expressed freely without fear of retribution. Considering that whistleblowers, are the enemy of most corporations and governments around the world.
By broadcasting their messages, whistleblowers effectively put their physical, financial and mental wellbeing at risk of harm from their powerful enemies.
The dark-net whistleblower websites therefore provide a means to communication under the cover of anonymity.
Whistleblower Sites
Dedicated whistleblower sites are numerous on the darknet. Starting with the most famous one of all, WikiLeaks, each one of these sites is dedicated to providing whistleblowers with a platform to express themselves openly to get the right kind of coverage.
The truth.
We found that many Tor sites (called onions) today lie somewhere between tame and useless. Furthermore new research suggests that the few extant onions that remain are heading towards extinction.
The draw of Tor is its purported ability to keep users anonymous through the “onion routing” that gives Tor its name.
Question.
Do you know Christians who use the deep web or dark web to avoid being persecuted?
We have heard of some missionaries who use the Tor when communicating with their home church. However, some Christians argue that we should avoid it for the simple reason that we are taught NOT to hide, despite the persecutions that will come because of it. What are your thoughts and suggestions?
The Seabin Project: the Debris-Sucking Saviour of the Oceans
Pray Without Ceasing: What Does it Mean?
What does it mean to ‘pray without ceasing’? Is that even possible? Many Believers have asked this question, perplexed at the command- because that is what it is, a command. We know that we are to obey God in all things, so how can we possibly ‘pray without ceasing’?
I think that we can all agree that it is impossible to physically pray without ceasing. By physical I mean lifting your voice to the LORD in prayer, raising your hands to Him, getting down on your knees to pray- you get the picture. There is no way that we can physically do it because then we would never get anything done. You cannot attend a lecture and concentrate on what the lecturer is saying if you’re too busy praying, you would not be able to have a conversation with your spouse if you were deep in prayer, neither would you be able to attend parent meetings if all of your time was devoted to prayer. These are just a few things you wouldn’t be able to do- I’m sure that you could think of a hundred more other things, but you get the picture, right?
However, the words ‘without ceasing’ may not mean what you think. The Greek word for ‘without ceasing’ is adialeiptos. It doesn’t mean non-stop like we may assume, but it actually means ‘constantly recurring’. This changes things, doesn’t it? Instead of trying to pray constantly, all the time and all day, what we can do is interrupt our moments with intervals of recurring prayer. Perhaps this idea of recurring prayer still confuses you, so I’ll break it down even further.
Prayer should be a way of life for every Believer. We understand prayer to be an act of communication with our Father- we are essentially talking to Him and with Him. What is wonderful about praying to our Heavenly Father is that we can talk to Him about anything and we know that He will be listening. I believe that GOD wants us to involve Him in every aspect of our lives, whether you are traveling to work, trying to bake an elaborate birthday cake or hiking up some mountain. Think of Him as a parent (an all-powerful and all-knowing parent!); many of us enjoy telling our parents about what is going on in our lives. Some of you have parents that will call you every day just to find out what you’re up to! They do it because they love you, not to irritate you. Perhaps your parents are not as interested in your life, but GOD sure is. When He created us, He didn’t make one type of person, He didn’t give us the same type of personality, features or talents. He made us all different and unique, and He is interested in what we are doing with what He has given us. I’ll let you in on something: GOD loves spending time with you! So how do we punctuate our moments with intervals of recurring prayer?
We need to be continually in an act of prayer. For example, when we see a beautiful sunset, we should give thanks to the LORD for being able to witness such a thing. When you arrive safely at work, knowing that many others around the world have probably just died in an accident, you thank Him for His protection upon your life. Perhaps you’re writing an exam, so you speak to Him and ask Him to help you remember what you’ve studied. Do you get the picture? In so doing this, all of life’s thoughts, actions and circumstances become an opportunity for you to commune with your Heavenly Father. In this way, you constantly set your mind “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth“ (Col 3:2).
Let me take this one step further. From the Scriptures, we learn that we have a physical body, and we have a spiritual body. Let’s examine some Scripture pertaining to this: I pray GOD your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:23), and, For the Word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow (body), and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). To tell the truth, I get incredibly excited when I talk about this! We also know that there is a spiritual realm co-existing with the physical realm (I have firsthand knowledge of this). We know this because of the number of heavens spoken of in the Scriptures. Go and take a look for yourself- I urge everyone to not just take my word for everything stated in any of my articles but to search the Scriptures for yourselves.
This all brings me to this one Scripture: What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also (1 Cor 14:15). What on earth, Paul? Pray with your spirit? Oh yes! I firmly believe, that when you have studied the Word of GOD, memorised scriptures, living by faith and not by sight, depending on the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things, seeking GOD with your whole heart… then you will be more aware of your spirit body, but only under the control of the Holy Spirit. We should never ever seek to have control of our spirit bodies as those in the occult do. It’s what they call the third eye. By this eye, which is really your spiritual eyes, they can willfully see what is going on in the spiritual realm. Only GOD should allow you insight into the spiritual realm for His purposes. Make no mistake: being in control of your spirit body will lead you away from GOD. If you do have control over your spiritual body, I urge you to repent of that right away and to ask GOD for forgiveness, or at least seek Him on this; let Him reveal to you why it is so dangerous, but be careful that the father of lies (Satan) does not fool you either.
You can pray in the spirit- Paul would not have said it if it were not so. You may be walking about, talking to people etc., but your spirit can be praying. Just remember, your spirit can only know what you know, so make sure to study GOD’S Word and memorize Scripture.
Ending Thoughts: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). I cannot cover everything about our spirits, the spiritual world, our spiritual weapons etc all in one go- it’s too intensive for that. Let me tell you this though: events take place in the spiritual realm before they manifest in the physical realm. Remember to use the Word of GOD in your speech- the spiritual realm is waiting on your words.
These Wild Animals Will Make You Laugh Out Loud
Animals with a sense of humor showing off their hilarious side have been given the spotlight today.These photographs prove yet again that animals have a really cool sense of humor we only need to spot it and yeah probably have a good pair of lens handy too.
The best part about animals is that they’re totally unpredictable and therefore totally hilarious. From dozy cows, preaching cats, to a cheerful deer eating an apple, and many more, we’d like you to vote for your favorites, and if your pet has decided to act up, don’t forget to upload your submission to our list!
A Prayer for My Stressed-Out, Hardworking Husband
No one gets a free pass from stressful times. As Christians, prayer and the Scriptures are our greatest weapons against this stress epidemic.
Father,
I praise You for my husband, Your unique creation. Please guard his heart and mind, Jesus. Protect him from temptation and fill him up with the good things he needs. You’ve promised to fill his soul with what he needs and I ask You to do just that.
You are the God of peace, Who heals all our ailments and cares for all those that love and trust You. Lord, You know the many pressures my dear husband has been facing, from both his work and from the family, and Father, I am concerned that it seems to be affecting his health. Lord, this additional stress seems to be making my husband irritable and I know that he is finding it increasingly difficult to sleep at night.
I know that You care about each of Your children and are interested in every area of our lives – and so I pray that You would ease the stress and pressure that seems to be mounting up in our lives and quickly remove it, and please Lord, help my husband to rest in You and to cast all His care upon You, day by day.
Lord, I pray that You would bless my husband’s work. That he would be diligent and prosperous. That You would give him wisdom and discernment. God, I pray You would give him the strength to walk the opportunities you provide.
Thank You, Lord for being there for us and I pray that You would hold us both in Your arms of love,
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety and Stress
“I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:8, NLT)”
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)”
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT)”
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV)”
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV)”
