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1 Corinthians 7:27-28 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. (28) But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. (KJV)
Williams New Testament Translation for 1Corinthians 7:27-28 27. Are you married? Stop trying to get a divorce. Are you unmarried? Stop looking for a wife. 28. But if you do get married, you have not sinned in doing so. And if a girl gets married, she has not sinned in doing so. But those who do will have trouble in their earthly life, and I am trying to spare you this. One of the common mistakes being made among Christian believers is the illusion that marriage will make their life complete, even if it means marrying someone who is an unbeliever. Paul not only spoke of this, but as we see in verse 28 he was bringing a warning to the people so that they could avoid the trouble they would encounter for their actions; which let’s face it, is based more on a carnal desire than on a spiritual one. Rather than seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness many try to fill a spiritual void with a physical solution, or so they think, and then wonder why they end up crashing. Like with a roller coaster ride it may go up slowly but once it peaks it will go downhill fast. Another common occurrence that takes place is the believer marrying someone for their potential; that someday they will change into a Christian just because you decided so, rather than making sure ahead of time it was so. Rather than holding your ground and not caving into your own desires you bought into the highlight reel the devil was showing you of all the things you were missing out on, how complete and fulfilled your life will be with this person. So a life that you said was the Lord’s and you were dedicating to Him is now replaced with another influence, something you claim you just can’t live without in order to serve Him. Getting involved with people because of what you perceive as potential, someone you think you can mold and shape into something Christian or Christ like is flirting with disaster. A common occurrence I see taking place in the Church. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV) How can two walk together and continue to stay together, like minded and in agreement unless they are of one mind and one heart? The fact that you decided to enter a relationship on iffy ground, or a foundation built on sand, tells me that the compromise has already taken place; and rather than hold your ground you are caving in. You think you can handle the situation, no problem, ‘what’s the big deal? He or she is a nice person’. Well let me give three names just for starters, and you can go back and see the common denominator in what they allowed into their walk with the Lord, and how much good it did them; Samson, David, as well as his son Solomon. Isn’t there enough to deal with in our walk with the Lord without inviting another distraction into it? You think you’re strong in the Lord and can handle the situation, but the truth be known just the fact you engaged in these relationships in the first place says a lot about where you truly stand with the Lord and how quickly you were willing to compromise your beliefs. Matthew 7:17-18 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (KJV) You know, you get into the middle of these situations and then wonder why it doesn’t work out the way you thought it would? If you plant a weed, should you expect potatoes or apples to spring up? If someone isn’t rooted and grounded in the truth then they are not going to bear the fruit of the Spirit. It’s just that simple; and that is why we see the warnings in the Bible. Know this also, the euphoric ride you have been on will come back down to earth in the form of reality, and then you will have to deal with the long term effects of your decisions. It’s interesting that if one was walking toward a busy street they would take their time and look both ways before crossing, yet when it comes to our spiritual life many are quick to run forward without looking both ways; in other words, not just looking at the highlight reel of our decisions but the consequences also. You may violate man’s laws at times and not get penalized but be assured when one violates the law of faith there are definite consequences, not only in this life but in the one to follow also. 1 Corinthians 7:29-35 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; (30) And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; (31) And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (32) But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: (33) But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. (34) There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (35) And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (KJV) When things are written in the Bible they are written for your benefit, whether you believe it or not. God is not trying to rob you of a blessing or holding back from you as the enemy would like you to think by getting you to buy into the lie that everyone else you know has that special someone in their life and now it’s my turn. If two are walking together in the things of the Lord they will be agreed, not only with themselves but with the Lord. However if you are in a relationship that is not truly based on the Lord then you will find it is a distraction; something that takes away and pulls you down rather than building you up. Before you engage or decide to become engaged with someone, for your own sake make sure your motives are for the right reason and make sure it is based on reality and not potential (someone you hope to mold and shape into a godly person). I have seen too many well intentioned believers fall for the illusion that the person they decide to hook up with will become a good husband or parent, only to find out that when their reality check comes in it ends up bouncing for lack of truth. So don’t be fooled and don’t think that the enemy isn’t aware of this weakness, and like a wolf will prey on those who didn’t take the time to pray on this matter truthfully and act accordingly as well. Mark 10:4-9 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. (5) And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. (6) But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. (7) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; (8) And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. (9) What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (KJV) The hardness of the heart that is being spoken about is the fact that the children of Israel married outside of the people God had commanded them to, and then ended up worshipping the false gods of these foreign nations. Sound familiar. You know that thing about evil communications corrupting good morals; well it has been going on for a long time, and like a virus continues to spread even today. There is big difference between what God joins together and what our lower fallen natures become attached to. While God’s intention is for two to become one and walk together in the realm of the Spirit, the enemy would like nothing better than to see the believer unequally yoked with the nonbeliever and end up with a big distraction. So before you put on your rose colored glasses and allow your imagination to run wild in some fairy tale land, make sure you look both ways before saying I do, because the devil will only show you the highlights while the Lord will give you the truth as far as consequences. Many a good intentioned Christian have been taken down and blindsided because they chose to flirt with disaster rather than deal with the reality of their decisions, which are based more on a carnal desire than a spiritual one. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ezekiel 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV)
Now keep in mind that this heart transplant is referring to the spiritual realm, so in order to operate in it we need a new heart. Once you receive this new heart you will then be able to receive the things of God and walk in the realm of faith. A new spirit will open the eyes of our understanding and allow us to see the things of God. Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV) Our old man was having heart attacks, unable to ward off the virus of sin which was corrupting him/her, and eventually would lead to death if not dealt with. So in order to restore spiritual health one needs to take out the old stony heart and its hardened arteries and replace it with a new heart which will renew the mind and keep the new man healthy. The old stony heart is like the old tablets that the Ten Commandments were written on which were heavy and hard to deal with. The new heart is like one of clay which the potter, our Lord, can mold and shape a lot better than the stony one. Our old heart was limited to the things of this fleshy realm and unable to see beyond it. The new heart is one of the Spirit and gives us access to the spiritual realm of God, one that is able to receive and give us an understanding into the things of God. Thayer’s definition for the heart: 2588 kardia- the heart a) that organ in the animal body which is the center of the circulation of the blood, and, hence, was regarded as the seat of physical life b) denotes the center of all physical and spiritual life a) the vigor and sense of physical life b) the center and seat of spiritual life 1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors 2) used of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence 3) used of the will and character 4) used of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions c) used of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate Our new heart is able to take the life changing things of God and pump them through our body and into the mind so that we can keep ourselves renewed and reminded of who we are in Christ. A spiritual man requires a spiritual heart so that they can come to an understanding of how to live in the Spirit and no longer be in bondage to the things of the flesh. I think of the heart as being similar to a distributor in a car, it takes all the electrical energy and distributes it to the headlights and other electrical parts so that the driver can have a clear view of the path in front of them. Though many Christians still try to comprehend God from their own thinking, with limited head knowledge, it’s only those that serve Him from the heart, with a new heart, that will be able to see and understand how to walk effectively in this realm of the Spirit. Matthew 13:15-16 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for wax gross: 3975 pachuno- 1) to make thick, to make fat, to fatten 2) metaphorically, to make stupid (to render the soul dull or callous) An interesting definition for the phrase ‘wax gross’. When the heart and its arteries thicken, it begins to slow or stop the life giving flow of blood to the rest of the body, which eventually will lead to the body shutting down, thus requiring a transplant. Unless there is a flow of the word of God continually going through your spiritual man you too will find the heart hardening, cutting off the flow from it also. Many people today still push and promote head knowledge and Bible memorization, thinking that will draw them closer to the Lord. But unless one has a change of heart and allows the word of God into their heart, they will not come to an understanding of who God is and what their place in the body of Christ is either. Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (KJV) When one trusts in his/her own heart, they are leaning back to their own understanding, and are about to fall. When one walks wisely in the wisdom of God they are able to keep the body in subjection to the Spirit and continue in the will of God, which is being delivered from this present evil world and not entangled with the affairs of it. Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (KJV) Without faith, the ability to hear the message delivered by Christ, you will not be able to come to an understanding or comprehend the love of God which is being shed abroad in your heart. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because rather than allowing Him into the heart you are still trying to comprehend and operate according to the old carnal fallen nature, which will leave one on the outside instead of a partaker of His love. This love of God and the fullness of it, go above and beyond anything we could ever ask or think; and once you have truly experienced it for yourself, it is not something you ever want to let go of or neglect. Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (KJV) With a new heart will come a new desire; not for the things of this life but for the things of God. These are the desires that God will give to those that love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul. Where your treasure is this day, right now, is where your heart will be, and will get rooted and grounded in, whether it is the things of God or the things of the world. Do you desire to partake of the new spiritual treasure that God has for His people? Then it will require a new heart with a whole new way of thinking in order to access this eternal treasure of the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, (4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (KJV)
The word deliver in verse 4 means to rescue; and being that we live in a fallen world we are constantly surrounded by its influences and cheap imitations of what we think will bring peace and fulfillment to our lives. Where you look and what realm you look to, will be the determining factor of where you will spend your eternity. So will you continue looking to this world for the answer or will you seek those things which are above, to find an eternal one? It is the Lord’s will that none should perish but that all would come to repentance. So now the question is, are you willing to continue in this plan of salvation or have you been sidetracked with the cares of this life? What would you think if you saw one of your own children drowning and when you threw them the life preserver they ignored it and perished? Basically that is what mankind has done to their heavenly Father; they ignore His plan of salvation and His spiritual life preserver that was sent to us, and they end up over their head drowning in destruction and despair. So how are you doing today? Are you keeping the ship afloat and heading in the right direction, or have you gone off the deep end and going under? 1 Timothy 6:6-9 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (KJV) Have you forgotten how you arrived in this realm, wearing nothing but a smile? All those things you have been fussing and fighting over, not a one of them are going with you when it is time to depart this realm either. Have you learned to be content with the fact that today you have food and raiment? If not, just try going a day without them and see how overlooked and taken for granted some of these simple things we have are discounted as nothing. The food and raiment is not just limited to the physical either; have you taken the time to seek your spiritual meat as well as being dressed in the full armor of God so that you can quench all the fiery darts the wicked one will fire your direction? Stop and ask yourself this honest question, are the things that I am so concerned with today, the priorities I have established in my life, really leading me to a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father? Or is it something in this realm that may actually be drawing me away from Him; something that I am getting so wrapped up in, and has nothing to do with my eternal life? Matthew 16:25-26 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV) You have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm in Christ, and yet do you hang onto the things in this world thinking it will fulfill and bring peace and joy? Can you even imagine for a moment what it will be like to stand before our Father some day and see all that was available in His kingdom only to find out that you missed out on it because you decided to hang onto the things of this life? Can you name one thing that is really worth hanging onto in this world that would keep you from inheriting your eternal reward? It’s only those that are willing to let go of their own life and desires that will find a new life in Christ and be able to inherit His eternal reward; those that were willing to look above and beyond what this world would ever have to offer. So can you honestly say that the will of God, His desire for you and your desire to serve Him are one in the same? Or are you still hanging onto something in this world that is choking the life from you slowly but surely? Is it worth exchanging your soul, which translates to eternal separation from God? A question that is not only being asked today, but one that will be asked again someday when we stand before Him and give an account of how we walked in His plan of salvation; was it truly a walk, or just a lot of talk. Ephesians 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (KJV) You wonder why your life seems stagnant and unfulfilled at times, it’s simple, you keep looking to stagnant and unfulfilling things to bring you joy. Right now, this moment, there is a God who is able to do above and beyond what you could have ever thought or imagined; but how would you ever know this or experience this unless your priority is with the spiritual things which are above and beyond anything you will experience in this realm. When you pray and seek God and His answer, are you truly expecting the best, are you experiencing the love of Christ which goes way beyond our knowledge and limited carnal thinking? Do you know God hears you, and do you expect nothing short of victory in your life? Or are you still settling for the leftovers of this world and whatever they are willing to hand out? God has never failed His people and never will. So why are so many still hesitant to seek His counsel and deliverance from this present evil world; hanging onto the anchor instead of the life preserver? Are you yoked together with Christ today, letting Him handle the burdens, or have you unhooked yourself having decided you can handle things by yourself, and then wonder why you are so worn out and frustrated? Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV) Do you desire better results? Do you seek a more confident prayer life? Then start looking above and don’t limit yourself to this realm if you truly wish to have our Father’s results which are above and beyond anything we could ever ask for or think of. We as humans had been limited to this carnal realm, and could only operate according to what our outward vision and senses would dictate. But now in Christ we are able to see the things of God, and operate in a truly higher dimension; one that will bring joy, peace and an eternal victory to those of us that look to the Lord for His answer. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV) In order to be risen with Christ it means you have let go of your life and its desires, and to have chosen a new life in Him. We are in this world, but we don’t have to be in agreement with it, or limit ourselves to what this world has to offer and its cheap imitations. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. So if you wish to experience something that is out of this world, then start looking beyond this realm so that the Lord can open the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing above and beyond what you could have ever thought or asked for. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalm 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
My desire Father is to give of myself, dying daily as the Lord leads for our family. I want it to be out of a pure heart. I don’t want to be a respecter of any man’s person. But to love by laying down my life for my brethren as my Lord did for me. My desire Father is to see the beauty in all things through your eyes, and to hear the beauty through your ears. My desire Father is to be intimate in the Spirit with you and to experience what a father really is. My desire Father is to see the value that you see and know is in me. Psalm 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. What is your heart’s desire? Take a look at John 17; what heart’s desire do you see? Jesus Christ laid down His life for you and me, which enabled Him to perceive the love of God. All of these desires are based on a heart seeking to please our Father in heaven; groaning to be more Christ like in all manner of life, and to do these things based on a pure motive, the heart of God, and not that of ourselves and what we want or desire out of this life. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (KJV) If your spirit is groaning for a deeper relationship with our Father, and to be more like Him, and to share His love with others then your heart’s desire is unto righteousness. He knows the thoughts and intents of our heart; and He will discourage any wrong thing that is in us from forming, and He will encourage every good thing that is in us to flourish. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in Spirit and in truth; so, delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Let’s just make sure that our heart’s desire is in serving Him first and foremost. That being said, my beloved brethren, my heart’s desire is that you lay down your life, continue in truth, and continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless. |
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