DOES GOD KNOWS YOU?
Yes, God knows you a whole lot more than you know yourself. Following are scripture that supports this.
Psalm 139:1-5 (NIV) 1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
John 10:27 (NIV) 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Philippians 2:13 (NIV) 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Matthew 10:30 (NIV) 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
There are many more scriptures that show that God knows you. Now, I have to ask a more important question; DO YOU KNOW GOD? Around 95% of Americans say they believe in God. Believing in God is not the same as knowing Him. In order to make the answer clear, a person needs to answer these questions. Have you ever heard God call your name? Have you felt the touch of His Spirit? Has He reveal Himself to you through His Word (the Bible). God is constantly calling out to everyone through His Spirit wanting us to know Him.
You will never really know God unless He is revealed to you through a personal experience. How you come to know about God is quite different from knowing God. It is like this, I know a lot of people but I do not know them personally. The difference between knowing about God and knowing God is having a personal relationship with Him. You may say that God is not a person. How can I have a relationship with Him? Let me say that God is a person and that person is Jesus Christ. God came down to earth so He could reveal Himself to us. God exists in the relationship of three persons – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. John 10:30 (NIV) I and the Father are one.
I understand that it may seem difficult to really understand how incredible God is. The main problem comes from what we have been taught and listening to what others say about God instead of coming into a personal relationship with Him through His Word. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about Him. If we listen to false teachers, unbelievers, and those who spread fear about God we will never understand Him. Most of us were taught to respect and obey our earthly father. God the Father is asking for the same thing. God created you with the freedom to choose between Him and the world. The choice is yours. The promises of the Bible share that God in and through Jesus Christ is waiting for each person to come to a personal relationship with Him and share His eternal life.
We have to be faithful and want what God has to offer. There is an old saying: if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. I am one who claims the following verse: Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV) 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
God specializes in love, mercy and grace. His love for each person is beyond our understanding. All we need to do is come into a personal relationship with Him and get to know all that God has to offer. You will be surprised if you already don’t know. He is standing at the door knocking and will come in and dine with you if you open the door. The door is your life. If you know God, you would love Him and want to be like Him. Love to all.
PS – I want to explain my absence on my blog sites. I changed providers and was unaware of the waiting period I had with the new provider. I cancelled my former provider without knowing that there was not an immediate switch over. I apologize and pray that I will be able to be more obedient to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit
WHERE IS YOUR BIBLE?
WHERE IS YOUR BIBLE?
If you have a Bible and I’m assuming you do as a poll shows that almost everyone has at least one Bible and some have at least four, where is it? Is it hidden away or on a shelf gathering dust? A poll shows that people realize that the Bible has value that would help them in their daily lives and spiritually, but they just don’t read it. The majority (57%) only read the Bible four times a year or less and then only in a crises. Only (26%) read it more often. What category do you fall in? You may ask, how many Bibles do I have, dozens, and many different translations along with many study aids such as commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, etc.
It is evident that America is in a moral decline. It appears that the Bible has little influence on our society today. According to a poll, a third of our population believe that the moral decline is due to lack of reading the Bible. I have to agree as in my almost 80 years, I have witnessed events that have altered the course of this country. I remember when I was in school, we learned the Lord’s Prayer, pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, learned patriotic songs of our country. We crossed our hearts when the Star Spangled Banner was played or removed our hats when the great USA Flag went by. In just my short span in life, there has been disregard for such things and is growing worse each day.
Our younger generation (18 – 28) seem to be moving away from having any connection with the Bible. It may be due to fact that parents ‘are too busy’ with their own desires that have neglected the importance of the Bible. Regardless of the reason, we are becoming a nation of biblical illiterates. The general pattern is evident in the way people are compromising God’s standards in areas of homosexuality, marriage, drugs and alcohol use, sexuality, language, and the list goes on and on.
I want to share a few Bible verses that may show how important the Bible is:
Matthew 4:4 (NIV) 4 Jesus answered, it is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
John 15:7 (NIV) if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) for the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
I want to add that the Bible has an answer for any subject that you may have a question. It is important that you realize that in order for you to understand the true meaning of God’s Word you must have given yourself to Jesus Christ by a born again experience. The truth of this can be found in the Gospel of John chapter 3 especially in verses 3 thru 7 and it comes from Jesus himself. In order for a person to know the truth of the Bible, they must have the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only comes to those that have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Notice that I included Lord as that is what Christ expects to be in your life. Don’t be misled by thinking that you can worship God and worldly things at the same time. It has to be one or the other as God is a jealous God.
Today, pick up that Bible and read what God is saying to everyone. If you have a hard to understand or hard to read Bible, get yourself an easy to understand version of the Bible so you are not discouraged and neglect one of the most important areas of your life. Love to all.
IS GOD GETTING A BAD RAP?
IS GOD GETTING A BAD RAP?
For some time it appears that when things go bad or there are terrible disasters that God seems to get the blame. There are many problems we have to face in this life, but God is not and I emphasize, is not behind our problems whether it is financial, health, employment, or whatever it may be. I don’t know how many times I have heard when something terrible happens to hear people say, “God, why did you let this happen to me or why did you do this to me?”
Almost always when there is a natural disaster you will hear it is an “act of God.” Is this type of mentality a lack of knowledge or do we need to blame something or someone and since God is God, we will blame Him? I assure you that God is not the problem, He is the answer to the problems. There is someone that believes he is a god and that is the devil. Satan does have and uses his power to cause all kinds of problems so people will blame God. To realize this, you need to get acquainted with Jesus and invite Him into your life so that you will come to know the truth and then the truth will set you free. The Bible has all the answers on how, when, and where we should live our lives.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For those that do not have Jesus Christ in their lives as their Lord and Savior are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They are not able to understand the message of Christ Jesus. In John 10:10, Jesus is very clear regarding the work of God and the work of the devil. The devil is behind all the evil in this world. What is so sad is that people continue to let him do his evil deeds through them because they are conformed to this worldly life. Instead of rebuking the devil as Jesus did, do we fall prey to his ways? I ask, are we not to become like Jesus? Who is in control of your life? Are we children of God or are you under the control of the evil one? Jesus makes it very clear that you cannot belong to Him and of the world. You will forsake one or the other and in most cases it will be Jesus. Then when things go bad as they will, you will blame God.
When Jesus redeemed mankind on the Cross of Calvary, He restored dominion of this world to the born again believers and left us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us in all that we do in the name of Jesus. God through His Son Jesus Christ gave us dominion on earth over all things as stated in Luke 10:19. In James 1:17 it says that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. God and Jesus are givers, not takers. Your problems are because of you, not God. Jesus is waiting for you to receive Him as Lord and Savior and repent of your sins. Don’t delay. Love to all.
WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
What is your choice?
Are you playing games with the Lord God almighty? If you believe in any way that God is in the game playing mode, think again? All you have to do is read the Old Testament of the Bible and you will see that He does not play games.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
God’s word, the Bible has several illustrations of people making the choice between God’s way and the world’s way. The outcome was not pleasant.
We must either grasp God completely or the world completely. We will fail if we try to serve both.
Revelation 3:16 (NIV) So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
This verse comes with regards to one of the harshest of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor. Jesus made it clear that the church at Laodicea was a dead church because of its deeds. Why? Because the church as a whole was spiritually uncommitted to God and His ways.
Many people consider themselves to be “Good Christians” and think they are going to Heaven. I ask you, do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Are we really choosing God’s way or are we juggling His way with the world’s way in hopes everything will come out right? Are you so caught up in things of the world that you are not considering what you are missing in the big picture? In today’s world, it is easy to forget what the Lord wants from you instead of focusing on what you want.
The devil is the great deceiver and he will deceive you into thinking that you are serving God while your heart is devoted to the things of the world. If you are holding on to some things like lust, evil speaking, drinking, covertness, pride, worldliness, and the list goes on, they are false gods. God said He will have no other gods before Him. God is a jealous God and He wants you to be totally dedicated to Him. Hebrews 12:1 says that we should “lay aside every weight and the sin which easily ensnares us” so we can run with endurance, unencumbered by the world.
I know that there are going to be some people that will offer excuses and some will even quote scripture as an excuse. In some cases, those that quote scripture, will pull it out of context. For example, if you believe that drinking alcoholic beverages is OK, you may say that the Bible says that you should drink wine for your stomach sake. What about the other forms of drinks. I just want to ask one question about drinking, do you realize that the industry that produce alcoholic drinks are the cause of so many problems and deaths in our society today? Do you believe that it is right to support such a worldly way? How does anyone justify defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Matthew 4: 2-11 tells us of how the devil tempted Jesus on different occasions. The answers Jesus gave satan is exactly what we should do when we are tempted by him. We can learn many things regarding these accounts of Jesus being tempted. The devil’s snare is to cause you doubt of whether something is good or bad, right or wrong. Your choice is going to be between God and other gods which cannot offer you anything except temporary pleasure for a season. It is easy to follow false gods. Are you following the Lord or are you on another path?
I have attached a link below for your viewing. I pray that you have the courage to watch it in its entirety. Love to all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9vINvMb4R8&feature=player_embedded
YOU REAP WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN.
YOU REAP WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN.
Galatians 6:7-8 (KJV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
This illustration comes from the Bible regarding farmers planting their crops or sowing their crops. If bad seed is sown, then bad crops will grow. If good seeds are sown then good crops will grow. Many people will relate to this explanation than to the above Scriptures.
You are given one life here on earth. During your younger years, you are dependent on others for guidance regarding what is put into your mind and body. As you grow older you eventually reach an age of accountability. This is where you are able to understand right from wrong, or good or bad. Your end of time is not based on your happiness or how well you are, but on holiness. God’s plan for you is that you become one of his saints. I ask you, is that your goal or is it to live it up today for tomorrow I may die? I don’t believe that is why God created you.
You may say, ‘I know that I need to do what is right,’ but do you? In order for a person to know what God wants for their life, they must read and reread and then study God’s Word to know the truth. Have you ever thought about the seriousness of the sacrifice God through His love gave to us? He put His Son, Jesus Christ through severe beatings, ridicule, and suffering on the Cross of Calvary so that we could join Him in His new Kingdom. God knows the thoughts and the intents of our hearts. All of us have sinned, and we all need the mercy of God. That is why Christ came and shed His blood for our sins. He died on the cross and rose again. God loves us in spite of all our sin, and He will forgive us if we come by faith to His Son, Jesus Christ, confessing our sin. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). There is a high price to pay for low living, and sin is no respecter of persons. The only way for sin to be taken away is at the cross.
Logic tells us that if you sow sunflower seeds it produces sunflowers, if you sow watermelon seeds, it produces watermelons and so forth. Now logic should also tell you that if sow good deeds, good will come to you. On the other hand, if you sow bad or trouble, you can expect bad to come to you. It is not your intentions that cause good or bad, it is your actions. If you keep sowing bad seed you will reap what you sow. You need to come to the understanding of cause and effect.
For example, if you smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, use drugs, cheat, lie, steal, lust, be jealous, be involved in pornography, eat unhealthy, or any of the other sinful acts, you are going to reap what you sow. We need to be mindful, that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is watch the daily news and someone is reaping what they have sown. I know that there are going to be some who say that I won’t get caught or I’m careful. I’m sure that is what the ones who are paying the price have said. What people are failing to realize is that the Bible says they will reap what they sow and the Bible is the truth that sets you free. In Proverbs 6:12, 14-15 we read, “A wicked man devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Notice that we have to confess and forsake (turn away from) our sins. All of our actions have consequences so don t be surprised when they come back to haunt you. Many of our problems regarding our health are lifestyle related. Just think about it.
Leviticus 19:19 says, “You shall not (is a command) sow your field with mixed seed.” The devil sows tares. That is what he does. Tares are a species of rye grass that are a strong soporific poison. It has appearance of wheat until the ear appears and only then the difference is discovered. The devil, his demons are real and they are dangerous. All sin originates with the devil and it is poisonous. If you attempt to claim ignorance, you are mocking God for He has given you the resource to know what is right or wrong, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. God created you with the hope you would depend on Him for your needs. No one can live the Christian life on their own regardless of whether you believe it or not. You need to realize that God is in control of everything. Sure you are free to choose, just remember, you reap what you sow. You may think you are right but are you? You have to live with the results of your actions.
Many people think that going to church on Sunday is enough as long as it is a feel good sermon, they don’t like a sermon that hits home. They think that if they read a couple Bible verse during the week or say a little prayer during the day is all that God wants. Think again for the Bible says different. Read it and find out what the truth really is. God wants total surrender.
God’s Word is the final word so put your faith in Him in every area of your life so that you reap what God wants you to have in this life and the one to come and trust Him for the outcome. He loves you and so do I. Love to all.
Sacrific of Praise
SACRIFICE OF PRAISE
What does this mean?
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks …
When we hear the word ‘sacrifice’ we usually think of something that is going to cost us. On the other hand, when we hear the word ‘praise’ we think of something good. These two words seem to be opposite. It appears that we are to offer the sacrifice of praise continually and it is to be by Him. In God’s spiritual realm these two words are woven together. When we offer praise to God or someone else, it does not cost us anything. Most often, I believe that most people are generous with praise to God or to someone when something good takes place.
Now, I ask the question, how about when things don’t go as we want? Are we inclined to praise God or do we begin to moan and groan. When God has blessed us, answered prayers, or put His protection around us, we find it easy to praise Him. This type of praise is not a sacrifice because we can see it and we receive the benefits. I want say that it is good and worthwhile, but it is not a sacrifice. Our praise must not be based on only when good things happen.
Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV) 13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.
As you will note in the above verse our praise is not based on what we think. It is based on what is on our hearts. We are not to treat praise to God as some type of reward we give Him for blessing us. What I believe we need to understand is that God through the Holy Spirit can only make changes in us when we are born again. We are transformed into His likeness when we surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ. Otherwise we cannot understand the truth and the truth sets us free.
Real praise comes from a surrendered heart to Jesus and continues regardless of whether the circumstances are good or bad. Sacrificial praise comes when God doesn’t seem to be present, when things seem to crashing in on us. Everyone knows of such circumstances as we all ask God, why?
Despite the pain life is dishing out, we need to understand what God requires from us in order to receive from Him what our hearts desire. We need to honor God in spite of what we think. The following verse sums it up best:
Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Jesus loves you and whether you believe it or not, He only wants the very best for you and there are thousands of promises for those who put their trust in Him.
Love to all
ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS OR FOR YOURSELF?
ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS OR FOR YOURSELF?
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) “5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,”
If you are truthful, how do you act around unbelievers and sinners? I’m sure there are many reasons that people give one way or the other. Some will say that Christians should not cast their pearls before swine. As for me, I look at what the Scriptures say regarding how Jesus acted toward sinners including me. Everyone has their own beliefs and that will be their witness regardless of what the Bible says. The truth will come out on judgment day. I can only repeat what the Bible says: “study to show thyself approved.” I don’t believe that any excuse will stand the fire of God.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as those who are without.
Grace is the salt that seasons our discourse, makes it savory, and keeps it from corrupting. We need a great deal of wisdom and grace in order to give proper answers to anyone regarding their situation(s). Are you prepared to give answers to questions regarding your faith, objections to your beliefs, why does God let bad things happen to good people, etc.? Maybe people don’t see a Godly image in your life, then that is your witness!
I believe that there is a great temptation to witness to unbelievers by what a person has been taught to believe in their church or denomination instead of what the truth really is. Like I said in one of my posts: ‘Do not let the word (Bible) prevent you from knowing the Word (Jesus).’
Not everyone is on the same level of understanding the truth, so do we convince an unbeliever of the real truth by arguing and trying to convince them that our way is the only way? I observe many posts by individuals that believe their salvation plan is the only way. Usually that comes from their church or denomination. Don’t people know that there are no denominations in Heaven and there is only going to be one way and that one way is the ‘Way of Jesus Christ?’ John 17:11 [Jesus prayed] Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they be one as We are. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The Bible makes it very clear that false teachers will cause many people into believing false doctrines. In order for you to know that you are right with God is to come to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ and to trust Him rather than men. Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
1 John 4 (KJV) 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
Are you going to rely on what men teach about your salvation or are you going to seek and find the truth.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.
Matthew 7:7 (NASB) ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.
John 8:31-32 (NASB) Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When you hear or read verses like these, do you really understand what God is saying to you? There is only one teacher that we can know for sure that speaks the
Truth when He speaks and that is the Holy Spirit. This privilege is not given to everyone. It is given only to those that are born again. Those who surrender their life to Jesus and He becomes Lord of your life. The phrase “born again” literally means “born from above.” John 3:3-7 Jesus speaks of this.
In conclusion, I have to ask, are you serious about your salvation in Jesus Christ or is it something that takes second place? I believe that God takes the salvation plan very seriously because of the suffering and sacrifice that His Son went through so that you could be part of His Kingdom. Jesus died and shed His blood for you because He loves you. Do you love Him? Love to all.
WHERE IS YOUR CITIZENSHIP LISTED?
WHERE IS YOUR CITIZENSHIP LISTED?
According to the Bible there are two forms of citizenship. First, all human beings are born physically of this world within a country of which they become a citizen. In America you are not only a citizen of the United States but within the boundaries of the state where you were born. What we need to realize that no human form of citizenship will last and will eventually come to an end.
The worldly citizenship is under the influence of Satan. Here in America, we have Satan’s influence in politics, among the different races, and even in our religious groups. There is racial unrest and instability, killings, robbing, destruction, without regards for the laws of the land and no consideration for human life. Satan is becoming the god of this country and the world. The present age is becoming more and more evil. Slowly, each generation is adopting the culture, practices, and desires that Satan wants through people’s unfaithfulness, untrustworthiness, greed, disloyalty, and misguided views.
For those that have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, you should not feel comfortable in this world, you should feel out of place, it is because this world is not your home. Do you feel like strangers in a foreign country as stated of Abraham in Hebrews 11:9? When you are born again by faith in Jesus, John 3:3, you are born into the Kingdom of Heaven. When you have that spiritual rebirth, God grants us citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven and we become new creatures, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
With this spiritual rebirth, God sends His Holy Spirit to indwell with our spirit and our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins to transform our sinful nature and desires into the will of God. How long this takes depends on your surrendering of self to the will of God. Some will give themselves over to the Lord completely, some will take a little longer, and some will turn away from God. God’s goal is to make us as much like Jesus as possible in this life before making us citizens of His Kingdom. Our time in this physical body is short and the older you get, the faster time seems to go by.
Because God loves you beyond your understanding, He has given you the privilege to accept His invitation to become a citizen in His eternal Kingdom. God is not going to beg you, threaten you, or entice you to accept His invitation. It is a free gift by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ who suffered and died on the Cross of Calvary and shed His blood to cover our sins. You have the freedom to choose (and I mean freedom) to make your choice. You do have to make a choice. You can follow Jesus or you can follow Satan. You cannot ride the fence so to speak. In Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) Jesus says: 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. In Matthew 6:24 (NIV) 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. In other words choose your place of citizenship.
For those whose name is written in the Book of Life, their citizenship is in Heaven and those that are not, their citizenship is in Hades. Revelation 20:12-15 (NIV) 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire, and in Philippians 3:19-21 (NIV) 19 their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Please make a choice today as you have no promise of tomorrow. As for me, my citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. I pray that yours is there. Love to all.
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Who Do You Think You Are?
Have you ever thought about your creative being? The Bible tells us that we were created in three parts: body, soul, and spirit. We need to understand that the soul and spirit are not the same although they interact. Man is a triune being because he is created in the image of God. The Bible is very clear on this subject.
Genesis 1:26 – 27 (KJV) 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 27 So God created man in His own image, male and female created he them.
Since God created us in His image, it would stand to reason that we have a spirit.
John 4:24 (KJV) 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.
Spirit beginning with a capital “S” refers to the Holy Spirit. Spirit beginning with a small “s” refers to mans spirit. The above verse indicates that man must worship God in spirit, small “s.” In other words, the Holy Spirit must connect to man’s spirit in order to have a relationship.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit (Holy) does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Let us look at the makeup of the body, soul and spirit of man.
* The body of man is the outer layer of his being. It is made up with the five senses: ‘Sight,’ ‘Smell,’ ‘Hearing,’ ‘Taste,’ and ‘Touch.’
* The soul(mind) of man is the next inner layer of his being. Genesis 2:7: and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
The soul (mind) is made up of man’s ‘Imagination,’ ‘Conscience,’ ‘Memory,’ ‘Reason,’ and ‘Affection.’
* The spirit of man is the innermost part of man.
The spirit and the soul (mind) of man will have an interaction with each other. The spirit of man receives communication from the Holy Spirit with regards to ‘Faith,’ ‘Hope,’ ‘Reverence,’ ‘Prayer,’ and ‘Worship.’ Now, these elements must interact with the soul (mind). This is accomplished by what is stated in the following verse.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (soul). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Man’s natural desire is to satisfy the needs of the body and he loses sight of what God wants. Your body is not the real you, it is something you possess. You need to remember that the body will go back to dust. The soul (mind) and spirit continue to exist at the discretion of God.
Let us look at what John 3:6 – 7 (NIV) says: 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit (capital “S”) gives birth to the spirit (“small “s”). 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, The Spirit (Holy) gives birth to spirit (man). The part of you that is born again is your spirit. The spirit sends a message to your soul. Now, you are in communication with the Holy Spirit who will lead you into the truth.
Only one thing blocks man’s spirit from being born again and that is his will. When you surrender that will, the Holy Spirit is able to take up residence in your spirit. You are to bring your body and soul (mind) under control. You control these by what feed your mind with. It is written that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him, 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Many people are content to remain in the same old condition. Yet, they confess that they get little or nothing from reading the Bible. Oh, they may attend church regularly and even read the Bible regularly. The key to a regeneration is spoken by Jesus Christ and written in John 3:7: you must be born again. The deep things of the Bible and Jesus Christ will never be understood outside of the spiritual realm. Only when the Holy Spirit is connected with your spirit will you ever know the truth and then the truth will set you free, John 8:32. Don’t let satan rob you (and he will if you let him) of the blessings God wants you to have, if you continue to resist surrendering your will to Jesus Christ.
One day and it may be soon, Jesus will return to gather His believers. Also, you are not promised tomorrow. The Bible is clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJ): Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Notice that spirit is mentioned first.
According to the Bible, there is only one way for salvation and that is by and through Jesus Christ. Seek and you will find the truth. Love to all.
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