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Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (KJV)
Those that are truly narrow minded have narrowed their search to the realm of the Spirit and are not tossed to and fro like a tumbleweed in mans’ long winded doctrines. They truly realize that anything outside the realm of the one is done. 1 Corinthians 8:5-7 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (KJV) Many claim to know God, it’s the Son they miss out on; not knowing who the Lord really is and what name He goes by. Some today claim that Jesus is Lord, when they should be confessing Jesus Christ, the name above all names. In other words they only see Jesus the son of man after the flesh because of the narrow minded doctrines they teach. Had they been open to who our Lord is revealing throughout His word they would have seen the Son of God who was within this man, Christ. Ephesians 4:18-20 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; (KJV) Narrow minded carnal people have tunnel vision, and are unable to see the light at the end of it. Until one is able to see light of the gospel of Christ for themselves, they will narrow their search for Him according to the outward and miss out on who He really is. Ephesians 4:21-24 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 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) How about expanding your search to a new realm which is not according to the outward man, but according to the truth inside Jesus of Nazareth, the same truth that is inside you; wouldn’t you like some inside information? Stop looking to the outward and renew your mind daily so that you can keep moving forward in your walk with the Lord, growing up and maturing Spiritually the way He intended for you to. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (KJV) My prayer for you today is that you narrow your search to the things that are not seen by the outward carnal man, that you narrow it down daily to the Spirit. Hopefully every day that goes by is another day where you let go of your old narrow minded thoughts and ways and become open to an unlimited way of life where nothing is impossible to you any longer. God bless and hold fast to your profession of faith. Have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Matthew 7:13-15 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (KJV)
The path that leads us home is a narrow one, straight and narrow because it only operates according to one Lord, and by one faith in Him. It’s a hard path because it totally contradicts the carnal mind and what we think works. The plan of salvation is like a filtering process that weeds out the pretenders and wannabe’s. John 10:1-2 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (KJV) Something I have heard from people trying to justify many of mans’ doctrines is that all paths lead to the same place, but the reality is that they don’t. Anytime you add an “s” to the Word, whether it is door, faith, or doctrine then that path does lead to the same place, just not the place our Lord intended for people to end up in. Hebrews 6:11-12 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV) We have talked this week about miracles, outward signs, and wonders that our Lord said of those who are seeking in this realm, they are looking in the wrong direction. These are people we see in society today who are looking for quick fixes. Your growth and maturity in the Lord comes with faith in how He chooses to use you, and that word that the flesh hates to deal with, patience. Remember Church, only those that endure to the end will truly be saved. James 4:2-4 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (KJV) An evil and adulterous generation is seeking confirmation in the outward realm and this aptly describes the world and its way of thinking. It’s sad to say this mindset has been adopted by many who claim to be of God, but still talk and walk just like the world. Ephesians 4:13-15 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV) The road less traveled is not the most popular one and it’s not a road where you will always get your way. Instead it’s learning to submit yourself to the only way, truth, and life that will get you home. Are you on your way home today, or are you still stuck in the narrow mindset of the flesh? Dearly loved, have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (KJV)
Let’s look at the above verses and see what it is they represent today. For those that truly know who they are in Christ, they are able to cast down imaginations and anything else the devil tries to throw at them to keep them in bondage. By knowing who you are in Christ, you are able to demonstrate and encourage others to hold fast their profession of faith without wavering. Serpents refer to the enemy, so instead of being taken captive by him at his will like he was able to do in the past, you now have the weapons to send him fleeing, and to filter out any tainted doctrines before they harm you. Many today are spiritually sick and weak because they have leaned back to their own understanding. Mark 16:19-20 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV) Our Lord led the way for us to follow, leading us who were in captive to sin into freewill prisoners of the Lord. You also have the ability to rise up daily and take a seat with our Lord and know where He would have you to walk today; and when you step out in faith, He will confirm His will for you. Ephesians 3:10-12 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Do you really desire to have confirmation that our Lord is working in you? Then come before the throne with boldness, boldness because you now have access to the throne by your confidence in the inward man. John 14:11-13 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV) Our Lord is still able raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and perform any miracle He chooses. However, He has taken it to the Spiritual level so that we could be raised from a spiritual death into a new life in Christ. So let’s open ourselves to a greater dimension in Christ and not be so narrow minded. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 4:22-24 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
Some of us have been brought up in traditional doctrines, doctrines that appeal more to the outward man than the inward man that our Lord is pointing us to. Some of us have become so used to our old way of thinking and doing things, that when something different comes along we think we need an outward sign to confirm it is of God. The fact is that you are going to have to learn to trust and rely more on the inward man, the peace of God, when making your decisions, even if that peace is something totally contrary to what you thought or did in the past. Luke 5:36 And he spoke also a parable unto them; No man puts a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new makes a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agrees not with the old. (KJV) Many false prophets today preach doctrines that are the best of both worlds, which puts them in the middle; what our Lord describes as being lukewarm. Sometimes the new things that the Lord would like to have you move into becomes something that is tearing you apart, because you have been so used to doing things your own way; seeing before believing. Luke 5:37-39 And no man puts new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he says, the old is better. (KJV) Seeing is believing Church; now the question becomes which eyes are you looking with? The limited realm of man has tunnel vision and it keeps them in the dark. While the Holy Spirit can enlighten the eyes of your understanding to see beyond this realm into the one where all things are possible. John 20:27-29 Then says he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus says unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (KJV) The Bible tells us to know no man after the flesh, and even though we have been brought up with many illustrations of our Lord according to the outward man, we will no longer be able to reach Him that way. Upon the resurrection of our Lord, the search for him changed from the outward realm to the inward, which is the sign that He spoke of concerning Jonah. Matthew 12:39-40 But he answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (KJV) The Bible states that our God is a God of the living and not the dead. So where are you looking today to find life, in the grave where our Lord was left or are you looking above to the resurrected Savior who is seated at the right hand of our Father? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 7:13-15 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (KJV)
Some people are referred to as being narrow minded, which can either be a bad thing or a good thing depending on which realm you are operating in. Some become narrow minded if something is brought before them that is different than what they have heard before, and they consider it out of bounds, or out of their comfort zone, even when it comes to things of the Spirit. They keep God in their carnal boxes when it comes to doctrine. Church, don’t let yourself get boxed in by mans’ doctrines, but move to the path that truly leads to the life which Christ says we should be experiencing in abundance. When you find this path you will find that it is not crowded, rather it is the road less traveled. Matthew 12:38-40 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (KJV) There are false prophets today who advertise their ministries as performing signs and wonders, miracles if you would, but these narrow minded people are actually heading in the wrong direction. The sacrifice of our Lord is pointing people in a different direction; the realm of the Spirit. There are still miracles that take place today, however they happen as the Lord desires and not when man dictates them to happen. The greatest miracle taking place is happening right in front of us, but many miss out on it because it is happening within; the experience of being the born again because of what our Lord did on our behalf. John 6:28-30 Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, what sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? (KJV) The truth is miracles, signs, and wonders don’t really make a person mature in Christ. Look at what the children of Israel saw, or those that walked with our Lord during His ministry, many of which ended up walking the other way, demanding for him to be crucified. If you are looking and waiting for something to happen in the outward realm first, then you won’t last long with our Lord. Your search needs to change from the narrow minded limited realm of the flesh, to the eternal realm of the Spirit which is located right inside you, the believer. Hebrews 2:2-4 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him? 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (KJV) The fact is that if God chooses to do a miracle or perform a sign or wonder, it is according to His will and not mans’. So today, stop looking outward and focus within; focus on Christ within you. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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