Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Transformation
My head is often more tied up in the spiritual than it is in the natural.
That's probably obvious. I'm the classic "no earthly good" type.
I busy myself with the every day stuff, teaching, cleaning, "projects," (that's knitting, my Runestone book, books I need to read, stuff that needs attention around the house...)
But my head is thinking about people and Jesus. As a prophecy nut I am well aware of the trends in society. I'm watching. I am at peace about the future. I do watch the news with interest, and I see people's opinions everywhere, especially on social media.
I have a Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Wattpad, Tumbler, Allo....accounts that I check more or less frequently, and other social media that I check maybe once a month...
Although a classic introvert, I care about people. This post isn't about me, but I have to establish my sources! There is nothing that I care more about than people coming to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It drives me.
It has, for decades.
My mom prayed for one of her children to go into ministry. Though I would not consider myself a professional I am certainly driven by ministry. I think that my two brothers are believers and they try to minister in their own ways too. Mom's prayer answered.
You've often heard the phrase, "God has no grandchildren." Isn't that the truth? Each one of your children must come to Christ on his or her own.
And there WILL be evidence that that has occurred. It's called transformation.
Those of us that have experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit find it easy to recognize in others.
Recently I had a good conversation with my father-in-law about this. How do you find a pastor? How do you pick deep friends? How do you discern your children's spiritual state?
He boils it down to "transformation," and I completely agree with him.
Anyone can say they are a Christian. It practically has no meaning anymore. This week there was a story going around about Christian Wiccans.
That's an oxymoron, an impossibility, but who can blame them? There is Christian Hinduism (yoga), Christian Homosexuality, Christian Abortion, Christian New Age, Christian Paganism....
I'm sorry, slapping the name Christian on something doesn't do it for me anymore.
There MUST BE SOMETHING MORE!
I think it is transformation. I am no judge of anyone's heart. I cannot see the musing and pleas of a spirit to find peace in Christ, but I CAN observe transformative power in a life, and I CAN see change. I can have instant rapport with transformed Believers.
Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. He can deceive me and anyone into believing whatever he wants us to believe UNLESS we are grounded in Scriptural truths and know Christ's commands. This is holy power.
I will not judge others who do not profess Christ, but for those who DO profess Christ I can certainly discern their spiritual state.
We are all at different stages of spiritual growth. I believed certain things as a young woman that I no longer believe. I was a believer then, but I've grown. I've matured. I like strong meat now, not pablum.
I have transformed.
What are the fruits of the Spirit? Do a little study today and learn them. That is a mark of transformation.
What about sin? We all have a sin nature which we must continually battle. The Bible says it is dead in Christ. Why does sin pop up again and again?
We are in the world, dearly beloved!
We have the spiritual power to defeat sin IN OUR LIVES on a daily basis. That's a mark of transformation! Repentance and defeat of sin!
I remember a Christian leader I admired displaying a undesirable side one time. I was privately shocked. It wasn't my affair, but the behavior was done in my presence. I was educated on the sinful side of believers, and their fallibility. I have no idea if he repented. I didn't stick around to see, but I assume that he did clear that up with God. I don't have contact with him anymore.
I hope so.
One thing I look for in those I love and care for is transformation. I care about my children following Christ.
I want to see sobriety, truthfulness, kindness, mercy, humility, clean living, freedom from addiction, clean speech (DO NOT TAKE THE LORD YOUR GOD'S NAME IN VAIN-HE WILL NOT HOLD YOU GUILTLESS!), love for Jesus, love for the Bible, love for hospitality, love for others, forgiveness, peace, sexual purity, understanding, wisdom, discernment, concern for eternal souls, a testimony that reviles evil.
That is transformation, my definition. Am I on the right trail, here? Can you agree? Can I get an "amen?" Jesus saves. There is a mark that is upon his own dear ones.
Do you show that mark?
That transformation?
Lord, may I show that mark DAILY. May those I love be transformed.
May I continually seek your forgiveness for my sin, and rely on your power to overcome it.
That is my daily prayer. If you have not been transformed please cry out to God. He's happy to answer. He WILL answer.
Young people, your time is short. Only Jesus satisfies. Choose that transformation. Listen to your elders! We love you, we want the best for you.
Follow Jesus.
Parents, Grandparents, PREACH the Gospel to your children. You can do nothing but preach, pray, and model Christ. If they don't know they are lost they have no idea they need to be saved. Talk to them about sin. Talk to them about spiritual blindness. Talk to them about a transformed life. TALK TO THEM!
I try to show eternal kindness and love by showing them the path to eternal joy. It's not about this life!!!! It's not about them or us! It's about glorifying God and obeying Him.
We can't change anyone. We must obey the LORD and preach truth to everyone. Our own offspring are our primary responsibility. Have you preached Christ to that young life? Have you seen transformation?
Get on it!
That's probably obvious. I'm the classic "no earthly good" type.
I busy myself with the every day stuff, teaching, cleaning, "projects," (that's knitting, my Runestone book, books I need to read, stuff that needs attention around the house...)
But my head is thinking about people and Jesus. As a prophecy nut I am well aware of the trends in society. I'm watching. I am at peace about the future. I do watch the news with interest, and I see people's opinions everywhere, especially on social media.
I have a Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Wattpad, Tumbler, Allo....accounts that I check more or less frequently, and other social media that I check maybe once a month...
Although a classic introvert, I care about people. This post isn't about me, but I have to establish my sources! There is nothing that I care more about than people coming to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It drives me.
It has, for decades.
My mom prayed for one of her children to go into ministry. Though I would not consider myself a professional I am certainly driven by ministry. I think that my two brothers are believers and they try to minister in their own ways too. Mom's prayer answered.
You've often heard the phrase, "God has no grandchildren." Isn't that the truth? Each one of your children must come to Christ on his or her own.
And there WILL be evidence that that has occurred. It's called transformation.
Those of us that have experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit find it easy to recognize in others.
Recently I had a good conversation with my father-in-law about this. How do you find a pastor? How do you pick deep friends? How do you discern your children's spiritual state?
He boils it down to "transformation," and I completely agree with him.
Anyone can say they are a Christian. It practically has no meaning anymore. This week there was a story going around about Christian Wiccans.
That's an oxymoron, an impossibility, but who can blame them? There is Christian Hinduism (yoga), Christian Homosexuality, Christian Abortion, Christian New Age, Christian Paganism....
I'm sorry, slapping the name Christian on something doesn't do it for me anymore.
There MUST BE SOMETHING MORE!
I think it is transformation. I am no judge of anyone's heart. I cannot see the musing and pleas of a spirit to find peace in Christ, but I CAN observe transformative power in a life, and I CAN see change. I can have instant rapport with transformed Believers.
Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. He can deceive me and anyone into believing whatever he wants us to believe UNLESS we are grounded in Scriptural truths and know Christ's commands. This is holy power.
I will not judge others who do not profess Christ, but for those who DO profess Christ I can certainly discern their spiritual state.
We are all at different stages of spiritual growth. I believed certain things as a young woman that I no longer believe. I was a believer then, but I've grown. I've matured. I like strong meat now, not pablum.
I have transformed.
What are the fruits of the Spirit? Do a little study today and learn them. That is a mark of transformation.
What about sin? We all have a sin nature which we must continually battle. The Bible says it is dead in Christ. Why does sin pop up again and again?
We are in the world, dearly beloved!
We have the spiritual power to defeat sin IN OUR LIVES on a daily basis. That's a mark of transformation! Repentance and defeat of sin!
I remember a Christian leader I admired displaying a undesirable side one time. I was privately shocked. It wasn't my affair, but the behavior was done in my presence. I was educated on the sinful side of believers, and their fallibility. I have no idea if he repented. I didn't stick around to see, but I assume that he did clear that up with God. I don't have contact with him anymore.
I hope so.
One thing I look for in those I love and care for is transformation. I care about my children following Christ.
I want to see sobriety, truthfulness, kindness, mercy, humility, clean living, freedom from addiction, clean speech (DO NOT TAKE THE LORD YOUR GOD'S NAME IN VAIN-HE WILL NOT HOLD YOU GUILTLESS!), love for Jesus, love for the Bible, love for hospitality, love for others, forgiveness, peace, sexual purity, understanding, wisdom, discernment, concern for eternal souls, a testimony that reviles evil.
That is transformation, my definition. Am I on the right trail, here? Can you agree? Can I get an "amen?" Jesus saves. There is a mark that is upon his own dear ones.
Do you show that mark?
That transformation?
Lord, may I show that mark DAILY. May those I love be transformed.
May I continually seek your forgiveness for my sin, and rely on your power to overcome it.
That is my daily prayer. If you have not been transformed please cry out to God. He's happy to answer. He WILL answer.
Young people, your time is short. Only Jesus satisfies. Choose that transformation. Listen to your elders! We love you, we want the best for you.
Follow Jesus.
Parents, Grandparents, PREACH the Gospel to your children. You can do nothing but preach, pray, and model Christ. If they don't know they are lost they have no idea they need to be saved. Talk to them about sin. Talk to them about spiritual blindness. Talk to them about a transformed life. TALK TO THEM!
I try to show eternal kindness and love by showing them the path to eternal joy. It's not about this life!!!! It's not about them or us! It's about glorifying God and obeying Him.
We can't change anyone. We must obey the LORD and preach truth to everyone. Our own offspring are our primary responsibility. Have you preached Christ to that young life? Have you seen transformation?
Get on it!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
The Crazies Out There
IF God created the heavens and the earth there are HUGE implications.
Atheism is a religion, and a belief. There is nothing out there that disproves God. If one human hasn't experienced God that doesn't discount the one human who has.
You can make up all sorts of silly ideas about why a person has experienced God, but the fact remains----some have experienced Him, it is in their experience, and some have not.
Atheists cannot refute experience except to scoff at it.
God, on the other hand, HAS revealed Himself in supernatural and amazing ways. Those who believe in Him see His hand in everything. WE are the ones who have an awakened, born-again spirit, and we KNOW His Presence.
We know that God loves us, that He forgives us through Christ's sacrifice, that He has everything planned out for us and we have a hope and a future.
Does all mankind have hope?
No.
Does all mankind have a future?
Yes, but unless you humble yourself before the Creator it won't be nice.
WORLDVIEW MATTERS, ultimately.
Worldview drives your entire existence. When you have the Creator of the Universe telling you TRUTH you naturally operate on that truth.
Humans are so fickle. God's Word is true, or it isn't. I'm simplistic in that way. Theology and Theologians have messed up so many things in the past.
I love the BBC mini series, "Wives and Daughters." In it a cleric lost his faith and strove to find a different path for his family. That era was rife with existentialism, Darwinism, and liberal theology. It is absolutely understandable that people lost their faith in God---probably at great eternal risk---and began to see the Word of God has fallible.
Bless Science! We now know that the Word of God is entirely in sync with Science! As we find out more about our world scientifically we see the exact truths of Scripture verified. God was always true.
There are so many people who cling to the blindness of atheism OR traditional feel-good religion. It rocks the boat to take the Bible as truth. As people strive to grasp their old ways they become increasingly hostile, mad, and, well, CRAZY!
When you deny the truth you really are crazy.
Truth matters. A worldview based on truth matters.
Try all you want to come up with a god that you really like and approve of---you believe the best your brains can create---and it falls short of the TRUTH.
You can create a world where your god is perfect in your eyes. Many have done so for millennia. Idols are everywhere, in our minds, our homes, our churches.
This isn't truth, though. Truth lies with the One True God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and every single person has gone astray from this Truth. It takes an act of humility to submit to this Person, and few do it. Strait is the gate, narrow is the way, few find it.
Is that because God is mean? No.
The god of this world has control over it for now. The One True God has provided ONE WAY out from deception. JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY way.
If you already know Him, how can you help others find Him? Serve them, love them, tell them.
How shall they know without a preacher?
Each of us is called to preach.
So, preach it, sister! Preach it, brother!
Don't let your loved ones enter eternity without the Truth of the Creator, the truth of God's Word.
Shake the foundations of secularism, of disbelief, of Darwinism, of existentialism. They are already crumbling.
God's Word is true. It's the only sure foundation that we can stand on in these very last days.
The Olive Tree is grown. The Fig is blooming. The Vine is ready for harvest. Don't you just love these tree analogies in Scripture?! We are gifted with promise and hope because God lovingly informs us of the signs of the times. Always watching!
We believe in a supernatural, powerful God. His plans are infinite. WE are His creation, and WE must submit to His power. Suffering the consequences of rejecting the only truth is unthinkable.
Don't be crazy.
Correction: (I wrote this before heading off to school to teach this morning!) The BBC series was another Elizabeth Gaskell work called "North and South" not "Wives and Daughters" Sorry for the mistake. I love both series. "North and South" is about a minister and his family moving away from the south of England to the north and a new beginning.
Atheism is a religion, and a belief. There is nothing out there that disproves God. If one human hasn't experienced God that doesn't discount the one human who has.
You can make up all sorts of silly ideas about why a person has experienced God, but the fact remains----some have experienced Him, it is in their experience, and some have not.
Atheists cannot refute experience except to scoff at it.
God, on the other hand, HAS revealed Himself in supernatural and amazing ways. Those who believe in Him see His hand in everything. WE are the ones who have an awakened, born-again spirit, and we KNOW His Presence.
We know that God loves us, that He forgives us through Christ's sacrifice, that He has everything planned out for us and we have a hope and a future.
Does all mankind have hope?
No.
Does all mankind have a future?
Yes, but unless you humble yourself before the Creator it won't be nice.
WORLDVIEW MATTERS, ultimately.
Worldview drives your entire existence. When you have the Creator of the Universe telling you TRUTH you naturally operate on that truth.
Humans are so fickle. God's Word is true, or it isn't. I'm simplistic in that way. Theology and Theologians have messed up so many things in the past.
I love the BBC mini series, "Wives and Daughters." In it a cleric lost his faith and strove to find a different path for his family. That era was rife with existentialism, Darwinism, and liberal theology. It is absolutely understandable that people lost their faith in God---probably at great eternal risk---and began to see the Word of God has fallible.
Bless Science! We now know that the Word of God is entirely in sync with Science! As we find out more about our world scientifically we see the exact truths of Scripture verified. God was always true.
There are so many people who cling to the blindness of atheism OR traditional feel-good religion. It rocks the boat to take the Bible as truth. As people strive to grasp their old ways they become increasingly hostile, mad, and, well, CRAZY!
When you deny the truth you really are crazy.
Truth matters. A worldview based on truth matters.
Try all you want to come up with a god that you really like and approve of---you believe the best your brains can create---and it falls short of the TRUTH.
You can create a world where your god is perfect in your eyes. Many have done so for millennia. Idols are everywhere, in our minds, our homes, our churches.
This isn't truth, though. Truth lies with the One True God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and every single person has gone astray from this Truth. It takes an act of humility to submit to this Person, and few do it. Strait is the gate, narrow is the way, few find it.
Is that because God is mean? No.
The god of this world has control over it for now. The One True God has provided ONE WAY out from deception. JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY way.
If you already know Him, how can you help others find Him? Serve them, love them, tell them.
How shall they know without a preacher?
Each of us is called to preach.
So, preach it, sister! Preach it, brother!
Don't let your loved ones enter eternity without the Truth of the Creator, the truth of God's Word.
Shake the foundations of secularism, of disbelief, of Darwinism, of existentialism. They are already crumbling.
God's Word is true. It's the only sure foundation that we can stand on in these very last days.
The Olive Tree is grown. The Fig is blooming. The Vine is ready for harvest. Don't you just love these tree analogies in Scripture?! We are gifted with promise and hope because God lovingly informs us of the signs of the times. Always watching!
We believe in a supernatural, powerful God. His plans are infinite. WE are His creation, and WE must submit to His power. Suffering the consequences of rejecting the only truth is unthinkable.
Don't be crazy.
Correction: (I wrote this before heading off to school to teach this morning!) The BBC series was another Elizabeth Gaskell work called "North and South" not "Wives and Daughters" Sorry for the mistake. I love both series. "North and South" is about a minister and his family moving away from the south of England to the north and a new beginning.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Good Ol' Boy Religion
In these last days of Earth, and the reign of Donald Trump here in the United States I am daily shocked by the lack of discernment, lack of understanding, lack of caring that is demonstrated by too many people.
It truly is easier to sit by and anxiously await change. It's harder to protest violently at things that anger one. It's no effort to maintain the status quo. The law of entropy is irreversible.
The religion of Christianity is full of a mentality that everything's gonna be alright.
It's not. Everything is NOT going to be alright.
I may hear that at the local church that has a cross on top of it, but that is NOT what I read in my Bible.
These last few days on Twitter and on Facebook a young writer by the name of Matt Walsh has posted things about his disbelief in the Bible. He is a conservative, Catholic, and very articulate against abortion. I agree with so many of his views.
I don't agree with his stance on Scripture, but his arguments alerted me to a broader problem that seems pervasive in the Good Ol' Boy types of faith.
Good Ol' Boys don't like to rock the boat too badly. Some fish may scare away.
If the Truth of Scripture doesn't agree with your belief du Jour just ignore it. It will go away, right?
Here are some things the Good Ol' Boys just can't seem to resolve:
A young earth
A coming global kingdom
A Jehu-type character in power in the USA
A shocking idea that just maybe things ARE NOT as they seem politically or philosophically
Christ comes with a sword in his mouth
Israel still matters to Yah
All religions are not equal
The laws of science that absolutely negate the idea of an old universe
Satan
Lucifer
Fallen Angels
Spiritual Realities, good and evil
Truth, absolute
People who serve evil
Human nature
Power struggles between the elite and the masses
This is the list that just popped into my head. There is so much deception in the world it could go on almost endlessly.
Once your eyes are opened there is no going back. It's a state of being awakened. There is a Red Pill/Blue Pill analogy that is often used too, and it seems to be an accurate description of the underlying issues that are going on all around us.
Once you see the deeper truths so many conflicts DO disappear. The Good Ol' Boys prefer to remain in the dark with their beer and good times.
Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Good Ol' Boys refuse to believe that. They cling to the old ways, old religions and beliefs. They are unwilling to study the new information that supports the Word of God 100%. It is too disruptive to their customs.
So sad. There is so much more to BE in Christ.
Come out, Beloved! Come out and live.
It truly is easier to sit by and anxiously await change. It's harder to protest violently at things that anger one. It's no effort to maintain the status quo. The law of entropy is irreversible.
The religion of Christianity is full of a mentality that everything's gonna be alright.
It's not. Everything is NOT going to be alright.
I may hear that at the local church that has a cross on top of it, but that is NOT what I read in my Bible.
These last few days on Twitter and on Facebook a young writer by the name of Matt Walsh has posted things about his disbelief in the Bible. He is a conservative, Catholic, and very articulate against abortion. I agree with so many of his views.
I don't agree with his stance on Scripture, but his arguments alerted me to a broader problem that seems pervasive in the Good Ol' Boy types of faith.
Good Ol' Boys don't like to rock the boat too badly. Some fish may scare away.
If the Truth of Scripture doesn't agree with your belief du Jour just ignore it. It will go away, right?
Here are some things the Good Ol' Boys just can't seem to resolve:
A young earth
A coming global kingdom
A Jehu-type character in power in the USA
A shocking idea that just maybe things ARE NOT as they seem politically or philosophically
Christ comes with a sword in his mouth
Israel still matters to Yah
All religions are not equal
The laws of science that absolutely negate the idea of an old universe
Satan
Lucifer
Fallen Angels
Spiritual Realities, good and evil
Truth, absolute
People who serve evil
Human nature
Power struggles between the elite and the masses
This is the list that just popped into my head. There is so much deception in the world it could go on almost endlessly.
Once your eyes are opened there is no going back. It's a state of being awakened. There is a Red Pill/Blue Pill analogy that is often used too, and it seems to be an accurate description of the underlying issues that are going on all around us.
Once you see the deeper truths so many conflicts DO disappear. The Good Ol' Boys prefer to remain in the dark with their beer and good times.
Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Good Ol' Boys refuse to believe that. They cling to the old ways, old religions and beliefs. They are unwilling to study the new information that supports the Word of God 100%. It is too disruptive to their customs.
So sad. There is so much more to BE in Christ.
Come out, Beloved! Come out and live.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)