Lead me to Calvary

 

Could it be that I’m the only one who has experienced what it feels like to be fully redeemed and yet have let the dynamic of the new birth - - yet seem to be little more than what all people (Even unsaved) are experiencing in their daily life.

When the transforming power of the gospel seems to have lost its energizing force in my daily walk.  Where spiritual truths are less influencing than the daily news on the T.V. 

My theme song is “Them dry bones” speaking spiritually.

What do you do if that is the case? Perhaps it is time to recall the words of the song “Where could I go but to the LORD.” Yes that’s the place to go alright but why have I come to a place where this is necessary.

The problem might be that being blessed by GOD has become so common place that we don’t remember the difference between being saved and unsaved. Having no condemnation is normal and the Holy Spirit not convicting you of your spiritual death condition causes the reality of salvation to longer energize us. 

Is it possible to become so used to being in a saved condition that we can’t appreciate our transformation from death unto life? Is it possible for this to happen to a seemingly successful church member? Andre Crouch’s song take me back speaks of such a one;

Take me back, take me back dear Lord

To the place where I first received you.

Take me back, take me back dear Lord where I

First believed.

What I need to remember is; I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day. Still praying as I’m onward bound, LORD plant my feet on higher ground.

Walking with GOD is a proactive pursuit and no passivity allowed.

The next time I begin to slow down in my onward pursuit I must obey the scripture found in Jude 1:20-21a But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcPzkNGp_oo

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

LINKAGE

 

There are many things that are linked together, that is where one is present the other is always nearby.

One of the easiest to observe is where there is lying there also will be deception.

A person wants to deceive and the lie is the vehicle that accomplishes the deed. A clue in discovery of this dirty duo is the oft times smile that is used to detract from the lie/deception act.

We find this duo in play in all avenues of life and the practitioners of said device are expert in the practice of them. One of the most prevalent places we find the linkage is use is in politics.

It is there where it has been taken to the scientific level.

There is another level where this linkage prospers and that is where our enemy Satan and his familiar spirits find the welcome mat out for them.

The lying/ deception spirit inspires the person to higher levels of deception to the point where lying and deception is so natural for them it is woven into their personality.  It is so delicately that it is hard to discern except by the revelation of the reborn spirit of man.

I perceive by the spirit that within the presidential race there is one or more candidates who have embraced this vile spirit of lying and are in the process of trying to deceive the spiritually dead in America.

Should you perceive that this is the case in your spirit then use the power found in; Matthew 18:18 Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

In other words; Bind the spirit of lying and loose the spirit of truth. Let the Spirit of God direct you in doing this!

 

WHERE DID THE COOL COME FROM

Then It Cooled - but Where did the Cool Come from?

 

WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF THEROIST ALL WITH OPINIONATED EXPLANTIONS ABOUT THE ESISTENCE OF ALL THINGS

A theorist is “someone who considers given facts and comes up with a possible explanation.  Theorists observe various phenomena and use reasoning to come up with practical ideas that must be proven.” Vocabulary.com

Most Theorists are college educated persons and have the same strengths and weaknesses as the rest of us who are functional yet lacking in higher education.  Scientist are among the theorist crowd and are constantly looking for some solid evidence to hang their hat on.

The reason I pose the question; ‘Where did the cool come from” stems from a line of thought called; “Big Bang Theory.”

Elizabeth Howell says; “The Big Bang Theory is the leading explanation about how the universe began. At its simplest, it talks about the universe as we know it starting with a small singularity, then inflating over the next 13.8 billion years to the cosmos that we know today. In the first second after the universe began, the surrounding temperature was about 10 billion degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 billion Celsius), according to NASA. The cosmos contained a vast array of fundamental particles such as neutrons, electrons and protons. These decayed or combined as the universe got cooler.” Hence the Question; “Where did the cool come from?”

Accountability is a must before theory becomes fact and to bestow eternality upon “cool” requires some basis of fact which is sorely lacking within the above stated premise.

The big bang theory requires a beginning and remains a question as to where the components of the bang come from.  For scientists to answer a theory with a series of theories is not acceptable factual evidence. Be that as it may the multiplicity of theories as to how the universe and beyond found existence are lacking in factual evidence and requires ignoring that fact in order to teach it to the uninitiated.

The world of science acceptance of the Big Bang factual evidence is mendacious at best and mythical and deceptive at worst.

Another theory put forth is Creationism. It has been label by the evolutionist as being a myth. Of course Evolution is a total myth in and of itself. It ignores the fact it requires a creation in order to establish the evolving process. The time factor is a key to the evolving of the species which came from nothing.  It brazenly skips over a beginning and eternalizes the universe. Without a factual thesis of the beginning evolution it is nothing more than a myth taught to the uninitiated.

As to the creationism premise it starts with an eternal being which answers to the need for a beginning. The creation was by an act of will of the eternal being and uttered into existence. It further supplies an answer to the nature and being of humanity. The emergence of man was total and complete and imaged after a spiritual creator in the heavenlies and then clothed in flesh on earth.

The evidence of Creationism fact is based upon everyday interaction with the eternal being as an ongoing experience. There is communication with the eternal being by those who have breached the gap of theory and have entered the realm of reality.

So we continue to ask where did the cool come from and from whence came it?

 

 

TWO TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS TO ANSWER

 

At this point you may be wondering what could those questions be?  In the first place Christians don’t want to be asked these questions for one is upsetting and the other requires a lot of Introspection.  So let’s get on with this supposition.

Number one; Are you willing to die for your faith?  This presupposes that if you deny Christ you will live.  (Live for now - -until you die.)

To choose to be a martyr instead of living is a serious decision and it would do every Christian well to reinforce themselves with the Scriptures that build into them the understanding that there is no life without Christ.  Seek out the promises of GOD pertaining to the afterlife in the presence of the Almighty.

Jude 1:20-21 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

A key component of building yourself up is; “praying in the Holy Spirit.” This is to be a daily practice.

Number two; Are you willing to live for Christ, walking in the light as he is in the light?

2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 

This means not cutting yourself any slack, and living up to the commandments instead of ‘missing the mark.’  Being forgiven isn’t a pass to do as you please.  This question isn’t a yes or no question but the answer is in how you go about your daily life.  Your life - - the totality of your being is on display before GOD and the world.  Are your answers satisfactory to you? More importantly, are they satisfactory to GOD.

Well I told you Christians you may not be asked these questions but in retrospect perhaps they are important to our Christian walk. 

 

  http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/09/11/iraqi-christian-isis-terrorist%E2%80%88held-a-sword-to-my-throat-but-i-refused-to-convert/

 

WHATS IN A NAME?

 

Suppose I substituted the name Angel for Alien, and the big bang for “GOD spoke and it was created.” The invisible things for spirits and evil personified as the devil.  Would that view point be more acceptable to the masses?

Probably not, but why not?  It is because of that old bug-a- boo “the free will” which in and of itself a misnomer.

All wills are influenced by something.  One of the most forceful drivers is selfishness. Connect lust with selfishness and you have a GOD resistant driving mandate. 

Like it or not both the unsaved and Christians are resistant to the plan of GOD.

It just happens that Christians are a little more in tune with Him than non-Christians. A list of questions could be drawn up that would show what our weaknesses are.

Do you always tell the truth or do you fudge a little at times.  Are all your thoughts pure and clean when you see some desirable member of the opposite sex. Do you get angry and sin not?  Ephesians 4:26  New Living Translation; And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry. Do you always win that battle?

How about this one; But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Whoa now, I might have trouble not resisting that one! 

There are a lot more serious ones than the ones mention and those things keep us from enjoying all the benefits from GOD. They tend to make us double minded and you know what double mindedness causes.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Our unstableness may be the bane of our Christian experience.

The Christian life is a whole and must be taken as a whole not just accepting it in parts. Do you know what the expression “Going whole hog means?”  It means to do something to the fullest extent. That is our portfolio, so lets us go forth and be ambassadors for Christ.

Much controversy straight arose,
These choose the back, the belly those;
By some 'tis confidently said
He meant not to forbid the head,
While others at that doctrine rail,
And piously prefer the tail.

William Cowper

MY CHRISTIAN WALK

Walking by Faith

Sincere Christians seek to improve themselves constantly.

They joyfully accept criticism, educate, and judge themselves to see if they are in the faith.

We start out with the consciousness of Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.   From there comes the gradual progression unto our perfection.  First is perfection in our salvation which is a product of GOD and then in our daily walks which is a pursuit of holiness. 

 When GOD is viewed as our leader and guide, we see his job as being to inspire trust in us.

Oft times the missing link is our acceptance of what HE is trying to accomplish in us. He will further inspire us with meaningful stewardship which inspires our creativity and potential.

God has given us our enablement’s to be successful in our walk before HIM and it is up to the believer to maximize those empowering gifts.  Perhaps we are too short sighted and only see our Christian life in the near term instead of a lifetime project.

There is much more to the Christian life than the beginning (When born again) and the ending (our trip to heaven).

The life in between must have a game plan.  High expectations should be the norm and laying out the course to accomplish them is a must.

If we are constantly hindered by thoughts of failure we will never arrive where God wants us to be.

Make this your creed; “A failure is but a stepping stone to success, I’m going to fulfill GOD’S plan for my life and weaknesses can’t stop me.”

Always view your life as a whole and go forth fulfilling His purpose in you on a daily basis for life is made up of todays.

Didn’t have a good day today?  Move on!

Completely failed today? Move on!

Don’t let seemingly short comings hinder your progress for GOD sees things in a different light than we do. As the old saying says; “Keep on, keeping on.”

When you adopt this attitude your victories will out distance your short comings because just remember; “You are working out your Salvation.”

 

Homophobic???

 

Definition of HOMOPHOBIA:  irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals

When one accuses a person of being Homophobic it is a tad short sighted because it is an unreasoned accusation. Unreasoned because it is supposed to be the ultimate put down often used by those who favor a homosexual lifestyle against those who object to it.

There is no consideration of the motivation for the reason behind the Homo-phobia.

Christians are often defined as being in the forefront of Homophobia a classification we agree to readily.

There is part of the equation that is conveniently omitted and that is while admitting to being Homophobic we are also Hades-phobic.

It would be far easier to just accept Homosexuality as being normal but we would have to ignore the fact that according to scripture the final resting place of those who practice said Homosexual life style is in an unimaginable torturous eternity in Hades.

Romans 1: 26-27 for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, ²⁷ and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

The so called friends who encourage this life style are not the friends they purport themselves to be for they care not if there is a judgment waiting for them.

Those who they suppose to be their enemies are the ones who do not want them to suffer this eternal fate.

The only hope for those who choose this life style and those who encourage them in it is to repent and walk according to scripture.  They wish to believe there is no creator God and those who violate His original intent won’t be judged by Him.

Why should someone to change their life style they are accustom to is a question many must ask themselves and the simple answer is there is one who will judge us all according to what is written in the scripture.

In any case I am one who wears the Homophobic badge proudly because I do care.

The Normal Christian

The Normal Christian

 

While many desire to be flaming heralds for Jesus; I have wanted to be just a normal Christian.

The problem with that idea was I had to find out what was being normal in the world of Christianity was.

In the process of discovery I found that it was the duty of the believers to search out what their calling was.  Once they knew for sure found their place in the body of Christ then the next step was to equip themselves to fulfill their position.

This entails educating themselves to do what was required of them; Whether it was teaching, or counseling, or only sitting in the pew.

There is much to be learned about pew sitting. Briefly it requires an attentive mind, a prayerful spirit, and a receptive heart. The minister needs the support that the pew sitter can give him while it is his duty to be in tune with the needs of his congregation and GODS solution for their problems.

As the minister looks at the congregation it is needful for the member to be in a receiving mode and not have a rejecting spirit. There is much more for the successful pew sitter to learn to be the normal Christian.

Whenever you find your place in the body of Christ fulfill that place with all your heart and might. Then be willing to be moved up and be more productive for Christ. It is normal for the maturing process to increase you value to the cause of Christ. Then most importantly allow the Spirit of GOD to increase your spirituality.

From the beginning of your Christian experience the Holy Spirit is calling you to a higher plane. The words of a song goes something like this; 

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYCkqCG933M

TIMIDITY IS NOT A CHRISTIAN GRACE

TIMIDITY IS NOT A CHRISTIAN GRACE

 

Related Words to TIMIDITY  are ; bashfulness, constraint, embarrassment, inhibition, limitation , shyness, skittishness; hesitation, indecision, wavering, irresoluteness, irresolution; alarm , anxiety, apprehension, concern, discomposure, dismay, fear, panic, upset, worry; cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, spinelessness.

Near Antonyms of Timidity are; assurance, confidence, self-assertiveness, self-assurance, self-confidence; composure, coolness, insouciance, nonchalance, backbone, decisiveness, determination, fiber, firmness, fortitude, gameness, grit, gumption, mettle, resoluteness, resolution, spunk; bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gutsiness, intrepidity, intrepidness, valor; brazenness, cheek, effrontery, gall, temerity

And antonyms, audaciousness, audacity, boldness, [slang], guts, nerve.

Hebrews 11 The chapter where many heroes of the faith are spoken of, all of which were strong in stance and in the Lord.

Being truly strong in the Lord will cause one to see themselves as being small and meek as did Moses but when the chips were down he became a force to be reckoned with.  

Hebrews 11:26 He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward.

The church is under attack as never before because of the increase in would be Anti-Christs and their access to the media.

It is a time to show forth your testimony for Christ without being obnoxious.

Only speak words fitly spoken as in Proverbs 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Always measure your response carefully to those who are by nature contrary but do not hesitate to speak firmly; 1 Peter 3:15  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Fear and intimidation flee when we walk, listen, and obey the Lord we serve.