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Acts 2:36-38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
Jesus of Nazareth was made a little lower than the angels and was born into this realm, having been a partaker of flesh and blood. The Bible states clearly that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So after His death, burial and resurrection, He was then glorified by God having accepted the blood sacrifice for the sin of the world and is now elevated to the position of Lord and Christ, the one mediator between God and man, seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Matthew 26:63-65 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (64) Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (65) Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. (KJV) When we see the reference to Christ the Son of God as well as the Son of man sitting on the right hand and coming in the clouds, the statement is truth, making reference to what we just saw in Acts 2:36, of these two God has made one new man so making peace, which culminates in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is now no condemnation to those that are in Christ; and those that choose to follow the same leading of the Holy Spirit will find an abundance of peace in the new man God is forming within them also. Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (KJV) We too have access to the same Spirit. And the more we allow this Spirit to bear witness to our spirit, the more we are reminded of our inheritance in Christ, and how we too can receive the reward of inheritance and a glorified body so that we can be together with Him for an eternity. The more you receive this witness from above the more you realize that you are truly a son of God and will start acting like one of His also. So who is it or what is it you are bearing witness with? Because the Bible clearly states that whatsoever is not of faith, the message delivered by Christ, is sin. Without faith and this Spirit bearing witness with our spirit then it is impossible to please God, we end up thieves and robbers trying to access the Father by our flesh and blood carnal thinking which cannot inherit His kingdom. Galatians 4:19-21 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (20) I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice for I stand in doubt of you. (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (KJV) It pained Paul to see the people who were born again into the realm of the Spirit by their simple hearing of faith, only to see them fall back to their old ways by the works of the law. There is a new creation within you, ready to birth and come to life within you so that you can be a new creation in Christ and leave the old man and its old ways dead and buried behind you. So are you nurturing that new man within you by giving it a steady daily dose of the word of God, or are you trying to feed him with old dead, decaying, unhealthy doctrines of man? Colossians 2:8-10 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV) If any man has not the Spirit of Christ working within them and bearing witness to them of who they are in Christ, then they are none of His. Our Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, and having received a glorified body is now a part of the Godhead. Some refer to the Godhead as the trinity; the Bible speaks of three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, which these three agree in one and operate in unison together as one. We too become one with God through Christ, and we are complete in Him when we receive His witness as truth and let that set us free from the traditions and rudiments of this fallen world. Our Lord Jesus Christ is an active part of this Godhead, having taken His place at the right hand of the Father; and by His sacrifice has prepared a place for us with Him as well. Ephesians 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (KJV) A Gentile is a reference to an unbeliever, someone outside the realm of faith and not walking in God’s plan of salvation. Some have tried to link the mystery of the gospel as the Jew and Gentile coming together as one, which is based on the outward and not the inward. The mystery of the gospel is Christ in you and me, someone that was on the outside of salvation, an unbeliever who was in the flesh and only knew how to operate in that realm, but who has now been reconciled to God by His Son and His Spirit within us. Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (KJV) It began with the Son of man, a child born unto us Jesus of Nazareth, and it culminated into the Son of God, Christ, the Son given. Of these two God made one new man so that we could be more like Him, Christ like, and continue in the peace of God. Is there new life springing forth in you also, are you letting His Spirit bear witness with your spirit so that you can be one with Him and be that new creation in Christ? You have the mind of Christ; and the more you let Him witness to your mind the more you stay one with Him and in agreement to what God is asking of you today. It’s when we become double minded that we end up unstable and are no longer receiving the things of God. Who’s number one? We are, if we continue to let this new man take over and leave our old nature in the graveyard. God bless. And have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (KJV)
Listen to a person talk and it only takes a few minutes or less to hear what realm they are operating in, and what their priorities in life truly are. We have been talking this week about the things of God which are spiritual, and the things of man which only deal with the physical realm. Once you are born anew into the realm of the Spirit it takes a daily dose of prayer and the word of God to keep your mind renewed on the things of God, or else one will fall back into the things of this fallen realm looking for peace and fulfillment in things the Lord has asked you to let go of. The mind is the battle ground for the believer because that is where they will either hold God to be true and man the liar, or they will fall into the category of where man tells God that He is the liar because of simple unbelief in His word. Romans 8:8-10 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (KJV) So what do you think? What is your mind being filled with today? If your priority is in this realm and pleasing those of this fallen one, then it will not be pleasing to God. If you don’t have the Spirit of Christ and a working knowledge of the spiritual realm of the Son of God, then you are none of His. Are you listening to the good news of the gospel of Christ, or are you spending all your time caught up in the news of the world which is old news and leads to a dead end to those stuck in it? With an election year coming upon us, and so many promises of liberty and freedom, in the end no matter what man tries to accomplish in the flesh as long as there is still mans’ fallen lower nature ruling these people, things will continue to spiral downward until the Lord returns and sets things in His order. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) The mind is a terrible thing to waste; and what a waste it will be to those that find out what they had access to and how they neglected the gift of God, and ended up settling for some cheap imitation of the devil. Christ in you is the only hope of glory. So the more you step out and operate in His realm, the more you will think on the things that He does and truly be an imitator of Him and not of man. Christ is the Son of the living God, and so are you if you continue in the faith grounded and settled in the things of the Spirit, not letting your outward senses rule and dictate your outcome, but rather allow His word to accomplish the things that are pleasing in God’s sight. So how do you see things today, at this moment? Are you looking at life and expecting the best, confident your outcome is victorious and complete knowing you have done all to stand in the things of God, or are you still coming up short and frustrated because you are still leaning to your own understanding, and limiting God? Philippians 4:7-8 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) Do you desire to keep this peace of God working in your life? Then what are you meditating on today? Do you see victory and confidence in your walk the way Christ Jesus was able to walk, or are you thinking the worst and just hoping someday it might happen, or some people have all the luck? By the way, that word luck should not be a part of a Christian’s vocabulary, which sad to say still is. The word luck means chance, and leaves one on iffy ground rather than operating in the blessings of God which are a sure thing. So if you are waiting for a lucky break to come along in your life, the only break you will end up with is between you and your heavenly Father; trying to serve a spiritual God on fleshly terms and conditions which are not on His turf. Keep your mind out of the gutter, and keep it in the heavenly realm (verse 8) if you wish to get the desired results you have prayed for. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) When an army goes into a battle zone they make sure ahead of time that they are prepared and armed for the situation so that they can protect themselves. With the access to the things of God which He has provided us, why would you enter your day not taking the time to arm yourself also? The devil and his workers are still launching fiery darts so that they can inflame our lower nature, and try to get our old lusts burning again. Like with wildfires, the fire department will stay around and keep dousing the hot spots so that they don’t flare up again and cause more death and destruction. The same holds true in the spiritual realm, our shield of faith which is kept up and running by the renewing of the mind will continue to keep those darts quenched with living waters. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) There are a lot of talkers, who claim to be of God and know Him, but they act just like the people of this world, and are still stuck in the realm of the flesh because they haven’t renewed their mind with the things of God. It takes one to know one; so if you want to act like a man of God then you need to get to know One personally so that you can break free from this fallen realm and operate in a higher dimension of the Spiritual one. If you don’t have the mind of Christ then you are none of His, and unable to walk in the Spirit. It’s a God thing, and it is available to any that are willing to forsake the things of this life and walk in the things of His. God bless and expect the best because you serve the best. 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. Genesis 1:11-12 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. (12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (KJV)
Have you ever sat around and heard stories, versions of things that took place or those that claim they took place and how sensationalized they would become the more the tales were told. Whether it’s a fisherman, hunter, or even truck drivers they either caught the biggest fish, or made the most impractical shot, or drove their rigs through the most impossible situations; tales that are told to impress others without much regard for truth. Hey let’s face it, we all have told our own versions of things and added our own interpretations to make ourselves look and sound better than what really took place. Sometimes this mindset continues into the realm of the Church or what man claims to be the church, and the truth gets stretched, fabricated and told in a way to impress or to get the attention of others with little regard to truth. The verses in Genesis above are specific in the fact that what God created and how it continues to grow results from the seed; and only a certain seed will produce a certain offspring. To say something grows from a different seed is a fabrication and contrary to the word of God and is quite an exaggeration to say the least. Genesis 6:4-5 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (KJV) Ever hear the one about fallen angels and women procreating and then there were giants? Talk about a knee slapper. That is as bad as any fishing story I have ever heard; talk about a whopper of a tale. How this tale continues to grow and spread! So many are taken in by this sensationalized version of something that sounds more like the X-Files than anything that is Biblical. Fallen angels are no longer considered the sons of God. Once they are expelled they are no longer a part of the heavenly family. Only those that belong to His family are able to partake of His name and inheritance. Before you choose to spread this any further it may do you good to take the time to see what this really refers to concerning giants. Strong’s definition for giant: 5303 nephiyl (nef-eel'); or nephil (nef-eel'); from 5307; properly, a feller, i.e. a bully or tyrant: KJV-- giant. As you can see from the definition, a giant is nothing more than a bully or tyrant, and not some offspring of the devil and women. Today we have the same issue within the Church realm also. Godly people marry the wrong person for the wrong reason and end up with a giant problem. Today we still have many bullies and tyrants. We see them in the pulpits, those who preach fire and brimstone and demand that the congregation live a rigid Biblical lifestyle which most of them are not willing to live by themselves. We see it in the workplace also, the hearts of many have waxed colder and colder; the love of God is drowned out by bottom lines and corporate stockholders rather than what’s fair and just for the employees. Our elected officials rule by force. Those that were elected to serve the people are in reality only serving their own special interests and desires. 1 Corinthians 15:38-40 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. (39) All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. (40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. (KJV) Paul also wrote of seeds and that only a certain seed can produce a certain result or offspring. You don’t see fish and birds cross breeding and producing a half and half offspring. Man and animals don’t cross breed either, although man keeps trying to act like them. So how did this simple truth get so stretched and farfetched? I see absolutely no where in the word of God where fallen angels developed gender between heaven and earth. Yet to this day, this doctrine has spread and is preached whole heartedly as truth and not for the fabrication that it really is. Matthew 7:15-18 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) 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) Again we see how simple and obvious the word of God is concerning the seed and what it produces, and how one seed cannot produce a different crop or harvest. Do you want to hear a tall tale? Then go get a tabloid magazine. But if you choose to be speaking on behalf of the Lord and are sharing His precious word of life, be much quicker to hear and slower to speak, especially when it comes to second hand fabricated versions of the word of God. Matthew 22:24-30 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. (25) Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: (26) Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. (27) And last of all the woman died also. (28) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (KJV) Mankind has been trying to equate the physical into the spiritual realm, and continues to miss the mark because of their lower carnal thinking. If angels are not given in marriage in heaven, then how could the fallen angels be when they supposedly landed here on planet earth? By not taking the time in the word of God and rightly dividing it, instead of standing on a rock solid foundation, you will end up falling for any tall tale man comes up with, and believing any gigantic fabrication of simple truth. Don’t be bullied around with a bunch of nonsense and sensationalized doctrines which produces more questions than answers; which by the way someday those that spread this stuff will have to answer for it. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (KJV)
The way that we are able to hold our peace is when we let go and allow the Lord to do the fighting for us. Our fleshly human nature has a tendency to add fuel to a fire that the enemy has lit because it gets hopping mad and begins to imagine all that it is going to say and do to justify itself and make things right in its eyes; which we already know that the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. Now if we have placed our flesh in subjection to the Spirit, allowing it (the Spirit of Christ) to rule and reign, we are able to extinguish with the living waters the fiery dart left by the enemy. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Obedience is better than sacrifice (having to ask for forgiveness). So my beloved brethren, hold your peace; fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life, and let the Lord fight for you to the end so that in all things you can boldly say the Lord is my helper, my redeemer, my strength, my fortress, and my Rock. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 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)
The nice thing about salvation is that we no longer have to be bottom feeders, which is where this world and its way of thinking is located, at the bottom. You can go as high as it gets which is all the way to heaven to get your instructions. The more you realize how much higher our Lord and His way of doing things is, the more you will not keep lowering yourself back to this world and its fallen ways. I John 2:26-28 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (KJV) So how far do you want to go in your walk with the Lord? According to verse 27 you can take it all the way if you desire. Your good standing with our Lord is based on how much you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and not be seduced by mans’ limited knowledge. His wisdom is there for the taking and not something that you should be taking for granted. You have been granted access to the things above; and that will only take place when you walk away from your own desires. Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV) Sometimes the church spends so much time blaming the devil for all their mishaps. The devil is a defeated foe, a being who had the keys of hell and death taken out of his possession. The truth is we are our own worst enemies when we lean back to our own understanding, looking more to the outward for confirmation than inward. It goes without saying then that the enemy will come along when he sees or hears weak prey who have forgotten how to pray and hold fast their profession of faith. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Sometimes we become filled with imaginations when we associate ourselves with the wrong crowd, you know those pretenders and wanna be religious people? Our Lord is ready to work on our behalf, but only when we are willing to make the proper changes, which is what verse 6 is referring to. Our Lord is not going to take you into the new with an old way of thinking. Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) Maybe that frustration you have been experiencing lately is a reflection of how you have been treating our Lord and His plan of salvation. It’s time to take up your spiritual cross again and nail all that doubt and unbelief back on it, and then walk in a resurrection of victory. God bless and let the dead bury their dead. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (KJV)
We all came into this new life of faith with some old baggage, stuff that needs to be discarded if we are ever going to really take off toward our heavenly goal. Sometimes we ask the questions “does it ever get easier and when will it end”. Well yes, it does get easier, but it doesn’t end until we cross the threshold into our eternal reward and receive a glorified body. Until then it will be a tug of war between the Spirit and the flesh, with the Spirit having to continually put the flesh in its place of subjection. Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV) As long as we are in these carnal bodies we are still subject to the law of sin and death which is why the enemy keeps attacking and trying to pull us down again. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law; however, we now need to walk in the new law of faith in order for this to be accomplished in a way that is pleasing to our Lord. People who think once saved always saved, or who think they have eternal happiness when one makes an emotional commitment during an alter call, boy are they in for a surprise if they think that’s all that is required of us. Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (KJV) Just because you were saved years ago doesn’t mean that is the end; it should only be the beginning of a new life in Christ and an end to the old disappointments of the flesh. Paul was able to see what was hindering his walk because he chose to examine himself and not blame someone else for his shortcomings. He realized that his joy and peace was not based on others changing first, rather the change had to take place within him. The reason it is so vital to spend quality time with our Lord first thing in a day is so that you can arm yourself with the mind of Christ which is the only way to understand the law of faith. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) You will find it is a lot easier to put your lower nature under arrest when you are armed with the mind of Christ. Instead of grieving the Holy Spirit how about not letting the flesh whine and fuss by putting it in its place. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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