Willful Sin- A Spiritual Barrier

 

Are you sinning willfully?

Do you realize there is a difference in willful sin and sin you fight to overcome? This is important. When a Christian commits a willful, deliberate sin, and keeps doing so KNOWING what the WORD CALLS FOR, there are severe consequences. Unconfessed, intentional sin creates a barrier in a believer's daily walk, disrupting intimacy and communion with GOD. Continuing deliberately in sin desensitizes the conscience, making it increasingly difficult to feel remorse or even care that you're going against what you know not to do, eventually resulting in ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit. There are 3 important things many people misunderstand about willful sin. Hebrews 10:26 says, "For if we go on sinning deliberately and living that old lifestyle after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." OH, THAT SOUNDS TERRIFYING! Why does the Bible give such a direct warning?

1) Willful sin is not just weakness it's rejecting the Light. God knows we fall. God knows we fail. He is full of mercy. But this verse isn't referring to a momentary slip. It's about the moment you know the truth, hear the Holy Spirit warning you, and you still choose to sin DELIBERATELY and telling yourself, 'oh I'll change later" .. that isn't just weakness, it's resistance! And that resistance pulls you away from forgiveness because you refuse to obey what Jesus has provided as a way of escape and strength.

2) Continuing in willful sin is spiritually dangerous. Hebrews 10:29 says, "How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved, by the one who tramples underfoot the Son of GOD, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of Grace?" I'm not talking about a single, particular sin you fight against, hate, and are repentant of each time you fail. No, willful sin is a heart that knows the truth, came to Christ to begin anew and a relationship with Him, but hardens their heart in complete rejection of the truth they know to follow, and returns to their sin again and again anyway and essentially walks away from the faith.. or as scripture puts it, "tramples underfoot the Son of GOD." The danger isn't that grace is weak, it's that grace gets treated like a license to sin. When the sacrifice of Christ feels cheap to you your soul is at serious risk, This warning is for the person who keeps choosing sin while ignoring he Spirit of Grace. 

3) If you still feel conviction, GOD hasn't given up. Conviction means the Holy Spirit is still speaking. He's with you. He's assisting you to grow stronger! According to 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, GOD is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." GOD forgives  whenever someone sincerely asks and repents. HOWEVER .. planning ahead to sin and doing so repeatedly while casually asking for forgiveness is not remorse but rather misuses grace as an excuse to keep on sinning. As examples:

NO REMORSE/WILLFUL SAYS:

** I'm saved, so if I do this "thing" God forgives me. So I'll go ahead, He understands.

** Homosexuality, adulterous affairs, and drunkenness are examples of vices people willfully continue to engage in after knowing the truth.

Both examples are wrong.

The opposite is when a person struggles with a vice, prays for help, avoids the temptation as best they can, is consciously convicted, is remorseful, sorrowful, and repentant they gave in but keeps pushing forward following Christ with the desire to do better. That man is forgiven every time he should fail BECAUSE HE IS REMORSEFUL AND REPENTANT AND WANTS TO DO RIGHT AND PLEASE GOD. That's a big difference between a person who continues in sin purposefully without being sorrowful or repentant then expecting  God's mercy to excuse him, using GOD'S grace as a ticket to remain disobedient.

The truly dangerous place is WHEN YOU FEEL NOTHING ANYMORE. When you commit sin without pain, guilt, or regret, and disobey without conviction. Sin usually destroys slowly until one day you don't sense GOD at all. It's not that God walked away, it's that your heart kept pushing Him away.  Hebrews 10:26 isn't meant to crush you, it's an alarm of love, calling you back to draw near. So in love and concern I plead to those Christians who are drifting further and further from the truth that once guided them. You have been given the Truth, guidance and direction, and the ability to understand a life of integrity. You are knowingly choosing a path that goes against everything a believer lives. To willingly throw that away for temporary satisfaction isn't a mistake-it is a deliberate choice to ignore your conscience-the one renewed by the Spirit when you chose to follow Jesus. You need to hear it's not too late to turn around if you're serious. No matter how far you have drifted you have not outrun Grace. Come home.

Until He Comes,

 -Pat-

COME!

YES YOU CAN!!

COME! There's no partiality and no favoritism. Jesus is inviting you.  Listen to these words, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 (KJV) 

 NOTICE what's being said. Jesus is talking about opposites. Read the verse again! 

1. Jew/Greek (no ethnicity)

2. Bond/free (no difference in social status)

3. male/female (no gender comparisons)

4. sinner (from the least to the greatest)

In other words, there is no distinction for anyone in Christ. Everyone is the same. It's talking about spiritual value. All the same. All precious. All one in Him; equal. Jesus doesn't see physical, cultural, or biological "difference" as we humans do. Those IN CHRIST have equal access to God's grace, blessings, provision, spiritual gifts, and salvation as joint-heirs. Race, social standing, and gender do not make one person more worthy of God's love. ONE IN CHRIST. Jesus is no respecter of persons says Acts 10:34, and Ephesians 6:9. God shows no partiality or favoritism. He wants every human being to come, have a relationship, be a part of the family with Him, to redeem those separated from God. Luke 19:10,"For the Son of Man came to save the lost."

Even Jesus was and is One with God. "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) AND JESUS' PRAYER TO THE FATHER, "...may they also be one in us, that they may be one as we are one" (John 17: 22). Inside the family of faith, a slave and a free citizen share the exact, same, spiritual identity. Women are not marginalized or carry a "lesser" spiritual rank,  and men are not superior. 

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" Galatians 3:26. The status of "being in Christ" IS WHAT COUNTS. Old thinking of human superiority (ethic privilege, social class, and gender hierarchy) lose their validity as measures of God's love, mercy, or forgiveness. Because God makes no distinction, it can also be said God loves everyone equally regardless of any evil, injustice, or sins we commit. One person's sin is not one degree or 100 degrees worse than the next person's sin or impiety. GOD hates destructive sin, but He loves His creation! And does not wish for one person to be lost. We were all made in God's image and likeness. Many non believers feel that Jesus could never love them or forgive what they've done, but nothing could be further from the truth. Understand .. really get this: GOD KNEW what you were going to do before you actually ever carried it out. HE ALREADY KNEW! He already saw your intention to sin AND KNEW YOU WOULD CARRT IT OUT! Yet, He's still biding you to come because He loves you. 

***He didn't write you off because of what you've done. He wants you to come DESPITE of what you've done!***

There's no limit to His mercy. He sees no moral distinction between murder, rape, abortion, or telling a lie where you've destroyed someone's life. Wrong is wrong. You and I measure sin in degrees. God does not. To God disobedience is disobedience, rebellion is rebellion, transgression is transgression. None is worse than another because ALL SIN separates us from God. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Your sin is no worse than those I myself have committed. Paul emphasized that there is no distinction whether someone is religious or rebellious, moral or criminal, outwardly upright or deeply flawed. All people share the same fundamental spiritual reality: human effort and good works cannot bridge the gap to God's perfection on their own. WE ALL FALL SHORT because our sins distorts our original created humanity that was to reflect God's image, beauty, and righteousness. Instead of living as God intended, we naturally turn toward self-reliance and personal desires, leaving everyone spiritually bankrupt before a Holy God.

The good news is, because Jesus loves you He came to pay your debt for sin, through justification (a not guilty verdict by absorbing the penalty for sin) BUT by Grace as a free gift (not earned by merit) through His Death on the cross. Instead of you or me being hung there, Jesus took our place and granted total absolution from ALL SIN if we, by faith, will:

Believe His sacrifice

Acknowledge our sins

Repent with the intention to turn from them

And follow Him.

Now the question .. What does it mean to follow Jesus? You've heard the verse, "pick up your cross and follow me." It's a lifelong decision you make putting the direction of your life under the leadership and direction of The Word of GOD. Rather than continuing in your old lifestyle of sin and misdirection (because knowing everything to this point in your life has failed to produce change, forgiveness, purpose, etc) you make a committment to do what's right.  It's like stepping down from being the architect of your own life. It means surrender. Not in an intrusive way; willingly. The honest intention of changing everything that needs changing by placing your whole heart fully in His direction instead of your own and allowing THE WORD (Jesus)- [He was the Word made flesh] John 1:14, to slowly renew your mind as you read His WORD. It has power, as you learn, to transform your thinking, actions, and intentions to those that are Christ-like. You become a reflection of Him. The Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out. He does the work WHEN YOU COME WITH INTENTION, DESIRE, AND HONESTY TO BE BORN ANEW. Following Jesus is impossible using only human willpower or moral perfectionism. His Grace isn't just a pardon of your past; it is ongoing fuel for your present. By intentionally reading scripture to learn His voice, daily communication through conversation/prayer to Him, you'll slowly feel the transformation taking place.. the inner peace, a sense of being, a purpose to live, a desire to do what's right, it all happens within, slowly, steadily. And as you walk in-step and continue in the WORD, your life begins producing what the bible calls FRUIT ( love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control). I personally loved when I could finally taste that last fruit-- self control! That brought peace. You will finally stop trying to force yourself to be good and instead let God change you from the inside out.

So no matter what you've done in secret, God already knows it. Don't let guilt or self-condemnation hold you back from accepting Jesus' gift of grace-the forgiveness of all your sins! NO MATTER WHAT! Maybe you're new to faith, trying to figure out what Christianity is all about. Or maybe your faith is based on information only and you feel a need for a deeper, personal relationship with God. No matter what you've done, where you are, who you are, how bad you think you are, one thing is clear: following Jesus means trusting Him, learning from Him, and shaping your life around His teachings, love, and example. COME! There's no partiality and no favoritism. Jesus is inviting you. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

"To Him That Overcomes Will I ..."

WARNING!!! a deep deep dive

In the book of Revelation of any bible, chapter 21 verse 7 reads, " He that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My thrown, as I also overcame and sat down with MY Father on His thrown." 

Observe the words "HE WHO OVERCOMES." That seems a bit vague, don't you think? 

What does it mean to overcome?  Overcome what? Where? How? How can I overcome something that isn't specified? I asked that years ago. Let's jump right in.

We are shown throughout the Bible that the first foundational victory (overcoming) was achieved by Jesus Himself. As Christians, He is our model, the primary pioneer if you will, who "overcame" as noted in verse 21 above, and paved the way for His followers to do the same. Don't  gloss over that verse. It's too important to miss.

The bottom line is, an "over comer" are those victorious ones who:

1. Master their flesh

2. Prevail over the world 

3. Conquer the devil using the WORD

4. Continuing to be faithful without ever turning back

JESUS ACCOMPLISHED ALL THOSE THINGS

I'll get into all of that but first, if you think further back to chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, all of the letters John wrote to the 7 churches in Asia, all 7 letters ended with the very same words, "to him that overcomes will I give.." The very idea "to overcome," therefore, must be extremely important especially because each church is cautioned with the urgent warning, "HE THAT HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS UNTO THE CHURCHES. HE THAT OVERCOMES WILL I .."  and there it is again.

Observing closely, the word overcome (or overcoming) is always in association with the world .. overcoming THE WORLD to be more specific. Christians are cautioned in 1John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

That's the object then, overcoming the world. It is mentioned throughout the Word of God as a directive to the followers of Christ! This is not a command to isolate yourself, cease playing sports, going to a movie, out to eat, attending a ball game, interacting socially with friends, or avoid enjoying life and other people. Not at all. "loving the world" refers to an organized moral and spiritual system of thought and value that is hostile to God.

So let's address one more question before we proceed and break this all down. "What is meant by "the world" .. to "overcome the world." ?? How can that be done? Jesus was not calling for a physical war by physically capturing people or lands, He WAS talking about spiritual war and the taking down of strongholds, but "spiritual" strongholds. A spiritual stronghold is a deeply ingrained way of thinking, or a lie(s) THE MIND has accepted as true. The very first stronghold began in the garden of Eden at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Serpent's crafty deception at the tree with Eve questioned God's command, misrepresenting God's WORD, by slightly changing the wording of what God commanded of Adam and Eve. In turn, the serpent cunningly sold that deception to Eve who accepted/ate/"took" the bait (represented by fruit). That exchange is found in Genesis 3. In turn, she offered the same (part truth and part lie) to Adam and he willingly accepted- "did eat." Immediately THAT DECEPTIVE STRONGHOLD changed their thinking into that which contradicted God's Word. Thus began the fall of man from grace showing how sin, shame, lust, fear, regret, alienation, judgment, and human mortality entered this world.  Rendering them in bondage to everything associated with disobedience and sin. 

Now engrained in them and to every human born henceforth is a stronghold in our flesh- the proclivity to commit sin and rebel against what's right (GOD). Deep inside, our spirit still knows what is right but our flesh wants what's wrong and these two are contrary one to the other, "THE SPIRIT WARS WITH THE FLESH AND THE FLESH WITH THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:17). Because of the original fall we are all born into sin as Romans 3:23 confirms, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all wrestle with sin, don't we? Our flesh constantly wants to enjoy the pleasures of sin proving the proclivity to sin and strongholds that can drive and rule our desires. Adam and Eve were warned directly by God if they "ate of, "ingested," or "accepted" the forbidden knowledge (from the tree of good and EVIL) they would die. Eating that fruit brought an immediate spiritual death and severance from God, and an inevitable, physical decay setting a process in motion we call dying .. the end of our physical lives.

If you're still with me after all this, it begs the question what is the objective then of "overcoming" spoken of throughout the Word? Here it is:

It is to dismantle self-will, rebellion, and every lie, fallacy, or mixed partial truth we believe or have been told contrary to truth Jesus came to earth to show us. It honestly begins with surrendering ourselves to Jesus, confessing our sins, repenting, and turning from them and running/hiding from God as Adam and Eve did. It involves a desire to take every erroneous or evil thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) by "renewing" by "washing" our minds of evil thoughts and desires and replacing them with God's truth which is THE WORD (bible). This comes by eating (mentally consuming) our daily bread:  Reading, absorbing, internalizing, digesting, and retaining the WORD. "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3) taught by Jesus Himself.

Believers use divine power given them through the Holy Spirit (not worldly weapons) to tear down mental strongholds, and false arguments that oppose God.

According to the Bible, believers are able to overcome strongholds using:

1. God's Word. His biblical truth to expose and counter deception

2. Prayer and reliance on God. Depending on divine power rather than our own efforts

3. Truth and humility. Rejecting pride and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform attitudes and perceptions through the WORD

And the way to do all this is also revealed in the BIBLE. We are to "wash" our minds anew with THE WORD; which renews our wayward perceptions and divergent thinking. Someone once said, "it changes our stinkin thinkin." In other words, taking captive thoughts that run through the mind and examining WHAT we are thinking, rejecting ideas or mental patterns that go against God's truth, and aligning our minds with what Jesus Christ taught. THIS GUARDS YOUR HEART AND RENEWS YOUR MIND EACH TIME YOU READ! Back to this in a minute. A good expression of this is found in Romans 12:2, "Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." All this is right there in scripture if you'll only read. (also referenced in Ephesians 5:26 and Titus 3:5.) Here's an easy, understandable example I thought of myself to help you grasp what shifting your thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives through God's truth looks like.

**Visualize continually pouring clean water into a 50 gallon barrel of muddy, disgusting water until the dirty water is pushed out and the water eventually becomes clear. That's the closest example I can think of when Christians read and study their bibles so that their old habits and sinful thinking patterns are slowly washed out of their minds, then over time, thinking becomes more Christ-like, and we become new creations IN CHRIST. It's part of the new birth. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Washing out our minds with the Word of God results in a manifestation: overcoming evil thoughts, reoccurring planned transgression, every desire to commit sin, every urge to give into lust, aiding in the ability to destroying pride, etc. But it's not done overnight, just as pouring clean water into a muddy 50 gallon barrel doesn't happen instantly. Growing IN CHRIST is a lifelong journey. As you learn, you do. So let's finalize this.

The WORD clearly instructs believer's not to love "the world," neither the things "in the world" that, "and if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15-17)  What is in "the world" that we are instructed to "overcome? "for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are not of the Father, but are of the world." And where have I read a reference to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life before? Oh yes, IN GENESIS 3:6! When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. Why? It contained the KNOWLEDGE of both good and evil they were not meant to know lest their eyes be opened. And the moment Adam and Eve did so, their eyes WERE immediately opened..meaning they understood what they weren't supposed to know, signifying that they had succumbed  to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-(things of the world). The very same things Satan uses against us to lead us down paths of sin and condemnation. Adam and Eve now knew (had knowledge) they were naked (something not known before) so they suddenly felt guilt, shame, and the broken relationship with God driving them to hide themselves. This is WHY YOU have felt the same guilt, shame, and the broken relationship with God when you've committed a bad offense. Your spirit recognizes you listened as Eve did, and were consumed by the proclivity to carry out sin. But you must realize, not one person can overcome his or her desire to sin by sheer will power or human intellect! This is why we need Jesus. Over comers are not “perfect” by any means, but they are always willing to choose God’s will over their own, again and again and again. It is the Spirit doing the work in us as we remain following Jesus.

If we are to be "overcomes" then we will have to remain faithful, loyal, and steadfast in our faith to Jesus, especially when faced with tribulations, trials, temptations, suffering through persecution, and opposition from the world instead of giving up or compromising our faith. In the concordance I use, the word overcome in Greek is a verb meaning to conquer, prevail, or achieve victory. IT DOES NOT MEAN SOMEONE IS SINLESS OR PERFECT. It means enduring in trust and obedience to God TO THE END! Revelation 12:11 says, "and they (believers) overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." MEANING .. their victory comes from Christ's sacrifice and their reliance on His strength rather than their own power. The world we are to overcome has pressure, cultural, social, even Demonic forces that try to pull believers away from Christianly in so many ways by persecution, fear, martyrdom, exclusion, being hated, mocked, scorned, etc.  

Every believer being empowered by the Spirit who by faith remains standing strong and unmovable, rejecting sin, conquering temptation, not listening to Satan's lies, not getting lost in our world culture of sin, darkness, and perversion, etc preserving  their loyalty to Christ by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT will share in the inheritance of all things, being made new receiving a pure, sinless, glorious body (restoration to a pre-fallen state) without sickness, disease, anxiety, or worry. You can overcome. Come to Jesus for forgiveness and a new beginning. Read His Word, and it will not only transform and sanctify you, but peace, assurance, and tranquility will flood your entire being because you will have changed from the inside out to look and be more like Jesus as the good example He was - God's original intention before sin! It's simple, God's power initiating the change and the believers active cooperation.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

I Have To Strike Back

 

As followers of Jesus, all Christians know these words, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21). How difficult is it for you to turn the other cheek when you've been wronged, taken advantage of, mistreated, hurt, or victimized? Then, according to our faith we are to be kind to the betrayer?? Today my prayer is that my blog will help give a little clarity in understanding the reasoning behind not seeking 'a pound of flesh' for a 'pound of flesh' and why we are called to restrain. It actually benefits us! There is power in self control. And by the end of this blog you'll understand why.

When people live by the adage, “An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth,” in all honesty, all we end up with are a lot of toothless, blind people. Instead of such a response, we are called to live by the words found in Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” Because the Lord is our Shepherd, because He is our strong tower and refuge, He asks us to leave retribution and vengeance in His hands if we are ever wronged or harmed by another. I'm speaking personally now, as His child, He puts His hand on my shoulder, places Himself between the perpetrator and myself, saying, “I’ve got this!” 

Over the years I have discovered that if I am ever truly wronged by another and if I lay that wrong on God’s doorstep, He is always faithful to avenge the wrong that was done to His child, in that instance, me. However, more times than not, when I have been wounded by something that another has said or done, it’s not that I have been truly wounded but my feelings have been deeply hurt. And in that moment, if I am not careful, if I am not cognisant, if I let my self give into my flesh and do not place it before God, my greatest temptation is to extract vengeance myself, wanting to collect my own 'pound of flesh' (not in a physical way) from the one who has offended me. I want them to feel what they made me feel. That is why such things need to be laid at the feet of the Lord before we strike out on our own.

Even though I know that God says that vengeance is His, I have often grown so impatient in the past because His timing was never the same as mine. I wanted my pound of flesh now! And in the heat of the moment, I took action myself. When I did this, I could sense that God had stepped back, brushed off His hands and said, “Have at it.” Then, it was only a matter of time before the matter grew increasingly worse. It is then, that I came crawling back to God, seeking His forgiveness and repenting for having taken the matter out of His hands so I could handle it myself. Since then, through the years of spiritual chastisement and growth, I have matured in my walk and am no longer prisoner to my flesh. There are times though, even now, that I bite my lip, pray immediately, and repeat appropriate scriptures, so that I stay aligned with what God wants and expects from my behavior. I now give it all to God and trust all “pay backs” to Him, and when I do, I find peace and also discover when God takes vengeance on my behalf, He is much more thorough that I ever would have been.

To the issue of timing, it seemed that God never rushed in too soon. In one case, His retribution on my behalf took place after four decades! That's 40 years! I have learned to trust Him and His timing. God also, in that 40 year interim, exhorted me to pray for the one who wounded me, which sincere prayers worked/works wonders on personal healing. That's my healing, not the abuser's healing. And when I wait and trust Him no matter how long its taking, I feel my hurts begin to miraculously heal, even though the person may never come and ask for my forgiveness. So ..

Here's the bottom line, will you trust God with your wounds? You are His child, He loves you with an undying love and if someone vindictively attacks you, your Father in heaven, can and will handle it. It can be in the same day, other answers take longer. But keep in mind, God will probably back away from the situation if you feel the need to settle accounts yourself. Because in reality, the moment you strike back to hurt someone, evil has won a double victory--it corrupted them into hurting you, and then it successfully corrupted you into acting like them!  As Christians, it is crucial to realize The WORD OF GOD separates vengence (getting even for wrongs done to us)  from protection/self-defense (stopping active harm). We are not to realiate but understand Jesus' message. When you strike back—whether physically, verbally, or emotionally—you hand the offender continued power over your heart. Turning the other cheek breaks that chain. It stops the cycle, preserves your inner freedom, and leaves justice where it belongs—with God, who sees fully and judges rightly. That doesn’t mean there are no boundaries or consequences; it means you refuse to poison yourself with bitterness while waiting for justice. The famous 4 words,, "turn the other cheek" (from Matthew 5:38-39) is not literal!! Jesus is not saying let yourself get hit, beat up, or abused, or become a passive victim of voilence. Here's the lesson: "Turn the other cheek," is WISDOM. Here's the logic. By not exacting a pound of flesh for a pound of flesh, by turning and not striking back, it takes away the offender's power to control your emotional state!

One final thought: I will now incorporate what I learned working in the mental health field under a highly degreed psychiatrist. What I learned will psychologically tie in perfectly with what Jesus taught. There is wisdom in His words "turn the other cheek." Think of some of your own personal experiences when someone has wronged you for whatever reason. What was their reaction when you would not respond to their anger, undeserved mistreatment, or even their jealousy? When you remained silent? When you would not engage? ---> TURN THE OTHER CHEEK--DON'T FIGHT BACK--DON'T ENGAGE--STAY QUIET. For your aggresser, no response or not lowering yourself to their level, dramatically frustrates them because it strips away their energy. You're feeding them nothing.. no energy, no audience, no fuel to keep fighting or arguing. It leads them into a void with zero emotional return on their investment! The human brain hates unanswered questions.

  See, without a reaction from you, they cannot measure your anger, agree with their narrative,  and their mind begins to scramble! Have you seen it before? Because of your refusal to engage, they cannot figure out what you are thinking so they have trouble controlling the narrative! When you remain calm, silent, never act or respond, refusing to play into their drama after hurting you, forces them to sit with the awkward, uncomfortable reality of their own hostility. Your calm restraint exposes that they are the one out of line, out of control, while you are steady, calm, peaceful, not owned by their emotions ..YOU'RE WALKING IN OBEDIENCE TO  GOD'S WORD. Choosing not to engage, fight back, or retaliate, even if it's a present problem or one that strethes for months or years, preserves your peace because you maitained a higher level of intrgrity by disengaging entirely. Now, watch the promise and the timing from the Lord, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip" (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Open It And Read

 

Open. Read.

*Understand Preparing Yourself*

You've probably watched a lot of "end time" videos, maybe dozens. You know the signs, you know the verses. But I have to say that I am uncomfortable about some things that some people think it's what Jesus wants of us as believers, BUT IT IS NOT WHAT JESUS WANTS. Two things, and the 2nd one I had to deal with at one point in my Christian walk.

1. Information is not oil.

Jesus told a parable about 10 virgins - acting as bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-3) who were waiting to go into the wedding banquet. Five of them were wise (ready), five were foolish (unprepared). Here's the detail so many skip. All 10 virgins KNEW the groom was coming. That was never in question. All of them were waiting for Him. All believed to be ready. But, knowing he was coming was not what separated the wise from the foolish. The OIL IN THE LAMP did. So if watching videos online through you tube, face book, TV specials, DVD's , listening to preachers or opinions has made you "informed," good! But being "informed" is not the same as being ready. Five of those virgins who were "waiting," believed to be "ready" to meet the Bridegroom, were not. They were shut out and refused entance even though they were fully informed! They knew scriptures, even did mighty good works in Jesus Name. Hmm. When they knocked on that CLOSED door, the answer wasn't "you didn't know enough information so you cannot enter," it was "I don't know you' so they COULDN'T enter! That is a relationship word phrase (I don't know you) not a " lack of knowledge phrase. Matthew 7:23 records it as Jesus saying I NEVER KNEW YOU!  Meaning there was never a relationship established with Jesus. Oil in your lamp signifies evidence of the Holy Spirit .. those who walk in the Spirit have an intimate closeness to GOD. You would never open up your own front door to allow someone in you don't know. Neither will Jesus. Does He know you?

2. Here's my 2nd point. 

I was guilty many years back. Albeit done in ignorance, not willfully. It is this: letting someone tell you about Jesus- His WORD (bible)  instead of learning to HEAR HIM by reading it yourself. This was me. I allowed other people for many years do my seeking for me without establishing a personal relationship with Him. I never studied a bible because I did not think it was necessary when friends shared their opinions, radio preachers spoke, and the preacher gave sermons in church. I thought that was enough. I WAS WRONG. I wasn't developing a relationship with Jesus, I was developing an opinion from everyone else's thoughts and understanding. WEIGHING THIS, WEIGHING THAT and from there what sounded right or logical, I clung to. Not knowing I wasn't in a personal relationship. I was just gathering information. And information is not oil!

Jesus said, "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14). Read that last part again. BOTH FALL, not just those who lead. Jesus called some of them blind guides because although they looked and sounded authoritative and well-trained, their hearts were not where they were supposed to be. Not all who teach or preach are guiding you into truth but just giving you information that you'll fill your heart with believing "information" is enough to say you know Jesus. Back in my early days I fell in that trap. I WAS ONLY SEEKING INFORMATION WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS, GOING BY WHAT I WAS TOLD was supposedly what right or what things meant based on opinions. But that's not my point because eventually you will grow, learn more, understand deeper, etc.  My gravest error was, I had no relationship with GOD, just head knowledge. But Jesus wants a relationship with us.. to talk to Him off and on throughout the day by prayer or just conversation. Just like you stay in touch with your best friend, share your concerns, your worries, troubles, trust Him, believe Him, count on Him, confide in Him, ask for help, cry out, lean on HIM, engage with Him. He's the best friend you'll ever have and who has your best in mind! 

Jesus, is the Good Shepherd. He said He knows those who KNOW HIM (never a "I don't know you" response). Jesus affirms, " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). HIS Sheep HEAR, not my sheep hear it from somebody else and repeat it. That's not a relationship with the SON OF GOD. That goes for my blogs too. YOU NEED TO READ THE WORD OF GOD AND DEVELOP A CLOSE, TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ON YOUR OWN, letting Him reveal Himself to you. Sermons and preachers and authors and bloggers can be of assistance or a pathway with arrows directing you to Him, but they are never a coat-tail grabbing guarantee an entrance into heaven! I'm not suggesting you stop watching END-TIME religious videos, TV preachers, or hearing a friend's opinion on Bible scripture. I am urging you to open the pages of the Bible and read it for yourself then begin forming a relationship between you and GOD. Don't let watching religious movies, documentaries, blogs, or opinions replace the Bible that is suppose to lead you to Him. Seek to know with all your heart. That's how you start and continue to put oil in your own lamp so when Jesus returns, your light is shinning brightly, and has continued to burn, never going out,  proving you were a faithful wise virgin and waited with patience for His return.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Plugged In

-I wrote this blog years ago but it bears repeating-

It's 10 PM. You're getting ready for bed because you have an early 5 a.m. call. What is the result when you fail to charge your cell phone overnight and then slip it into your pocket as you head to work? Or what happens that same morning when you slide two pieces of bread into the toaster, walk away, and return one minute later only to find the plug detached from the outlet? Does your cell have a charge? Is your bread toasted? What are the results? Nothing! Nothing fruitful happens. These are simple and understandable examples of what happens in the spiritual realm when we do not plug into Jesus through His Word. The Bible (The Word) is but one powerful vehicle whereby we remain connected to God. Why is that important? The Word of God is like a Vine and the source of our covenant relationship with God. We are the branches that develop off that vine and if we become disconnected, we produce no fruit. "He who remains in Me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 KJV). 

Picture a robust peach tree with fruit blooming forth from every limb. Picture that same tree getting whipped around in a wind storm and one of the branches gets torn away and falls to the ground. What happens to the green leaves of that branch after days of being cut off from the source of the tree? You've seen it! The once, healthy green leaves begin to wilt, dry up, turn crispy brown and eventually wither away. What happens to the fruit on that same broken branch after its source of energy and moisture from the roots of the tree are no longer being supplied? The fruit begins to rot! Notice the five words that stand out in the scripture above. He who REMAINS in me. We must remain in Him, abide in Him, stay connected and plugged into the Power Source because without Him we will not grow, we will not bear fruit and in fact, John 15:6 (NIV) says we will be cut off if we don't remain in Him. "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." The only way to be filled with all the fullness of God is to stay connected if we don't want to wither away from our only Life Source.

Some of us claim we have spiritual lives but really aren't doing anything with them because though connected to the Power Source we aren't really "plugged in." I'll give you another simple and understandable example of what I mean. How many of you have a DVR, a Roku, or cable box that has a light on the front that stays lit when your TV is turned off? You know those three things are drawing some kind of power which keeps the indicator light on, yet none of them are operating the television even though the small indicator light tells you they are receiving electricity. The DVD unit or a Roku unit as an example, are extracting some power yet without the full power between them and your television, making them basically useless because they are not operating in the full capacity they were made for. This example reminds me of people who are "connected" to God verbally but aren't really committed and plugged in enough to want to grow and bear fruit. They will keep siphoning the power of very little knowledge from the Word (Vine)... just enough to keep from dying altogether. Yet they aren't nourished enough to bear fruit because they don't feed enough to grow up into a tree and bear fruit themselves thus feeding others from their bounty.

It is a scary thing when we don't remain in Christ because if cut off from the wellspring of God's Spirit, we begin to wither and die. Reading God's Word is vital! It gives us the instructions on how we conduct and lives our lives. Scripture says, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). The primary way God speaks to us is through the Bible. Period. You should really want to search what purpose God has for you. The more you read, pray, and converse with Him, the more He will reveal His knowledge. Will God reveal how to be a neuro-surgeon, plumber, or painter? No, there are plenty of trade schools and colleges for that. But He will teach you how to learn and keep patience, kindness, charity, knowing your purpose, revealing what happens after death, how to have and maintain peace and happiness in the midst of turmoil, principals to help you cope with problems and anxieties, how to live in harmony and so on. The entire book was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). As you read it, you will begin to understand the heart of God and why He left us His words. It's a book of wisdom, a book of prophecy, a book of love. I know there are parts of the Bible that are complex and hard to understand but with time, with sincerity, with determination to know ... "God rewards those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). And, He will reveal things to you that will have you leaping for joy, Psalm 25:14 " The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant." When you seek Him, want to know Him, love Him, you will say as Psalm 91:10-11 "He is my refuge and my fortress. No evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. He will put His angels in charge over you, to guard you and keep you in all your ways." I say to the reader as in verse 1-2 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Here is the sum of it all: Jesus said, "I AM the vine. You are the branches." DON'T LOSE YOUR CONNECTION! Only a connection to the Vine gives life. Only a connection to the Vine produces fruit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). He is the source of our life, apart from Him, we wither and die. By holding fast to the disciplines of prayer, study, fellowship, and availability to serve, we are assured of fellowship with other believers in the Body of Christ and an everlasting place in the Kingdom of God. Until next time ...

-Pat-

 

"I Was Made In Secret " (and so were you)

 

My morning verse today was Psalms 139:15 "My substance was not hid from You, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." Such an interesting verse. I remembered I once had someone ask me if the part "I was made in secret" refers to God seeing us in our bedrooms during copulation. Well, it was a straightforward curious inquiry I'm going to share with you. To be perfectly honest, though GOD knows all things- He is "omniscient," this is not refering to "watching us" copulate. I think Psalm 139 contains some interesting knowledge that ties in with scientific discoveries that all supporters of abortion should seriously consider. This will not be a judgmental blog but rather, an educational one I think few people know about that they'll find fascinating. 

Did you know? It is absolutely scientifically proven, (you can look it up) that when a single human sperm makes contact with a human egg’s surface (conception), suddenly a flash of light can literally be seen under a microscope and spreads from the point of contact?? The whole surface of the egg is enveloped in light for one instant and then goes dark again!! Think of that! Under a microscope it can and has been seen, even documented by scientists that a FLASH OF LIGHT appears when sperm meets egg at the moment of conception!! Isn't that breathtaking? Now add to that, scripture says, 'That was the true Light (JESUS), that lights everyone that comes Into the world" -John 1:9- speaking to a delegation sent by the Pharisees. . Then John 1: 4-5 says, "IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THAT LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF ALL MANKIND." Jesus Himself claimed, "I am the Light of the world." My point being.. AT THE VERY INSTANT WHEN CONCEPTION OCCURS, GOD IS THERE. HE IS THE CREATOR. FLASH!! LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. AND HIS LIGHT IS PROOF OF LIFE. So, now that you know, let's break down the entire verse. Psalms 139:15 (KJV) states, "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." This verse is part of a beautiful and poetic passage in which the psalmist, David, reflects on God's omniscience and omnipresence. The psalmist acknowledges that God knows him intimately, as he was intricately formed in the secret places of the earth.

The verse begins with the declaration, "My substance was not hid from thee." This indicates the psalmist's recognition that God has complete knowledge and understanding of his being. The word "substance" here refers to the psalmist's innermost being, his soul and essence. The psalmist is acknowledging that even before he was formed in his mother's womb, God knew him completely. This idea is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV), where God tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew you." At conception and weeks following, we are more than a clump of just cells because LIFE BEGAN with a flash. Our soul was brought into being. The verse goes on to describe the process of the psalmist's creation, stating, "when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." This language evokes a sense of mystery and wonder at the miraculous process of human creation. The phrase "made in secret" suggests that the formation of the psalmist in his mother's womb was a hidden and sacred act, known only to God. The mention of being "curiously wrought" emphasizes the care and skill with which God fashioned and personally, and intricately crafts the psalmist as well as each of us. The idea of being crafted or molded reflects the belief that humans are made in the image of God, and that our creation is a deliberate and purposeful act. 

In addition, being "wrought in the lowest parts of the earth" - reference to the darkness and seclusion of the womb and comparing the dark, deep, mysterious enclosure of the womb -to the deep subterranean parts of the earth. In a broader context, Psalm 139 is a meditation on the nature of God's presence and knowledge. The psalmist marvels at how God knows him inside and out, from his thoughts to his actions, and from his beginning to his end. The psalmist finds both comfort and awe in the fact that there is nowhere he can go to escape God's presence, and no depth of his being that God does not already comprehend. So the words, "curiously wrought" metaphorically refers to needlework or embroidery, "for You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb" (verse 13). "Knit in my mothers womb" showing how GOD designs the human body: bones, organs, features, colors, skin types, etc. Your DNA is there in blueprint when sperm fertilizes an egg-the zygote, with 46 chromosomes, including the specific combination of genes that will influence your eye and hair color. And even though DNA  does not act like a finished photograph, rather, it is a complex instruction manual written by God that unfolds overtime, even so,  you are still LIFE, LIVING, A SOUL, ALL HUMAN at conception.

God is intimately aware of every second, moment, and stage of life. We are all a hand-crafted, specialized creation rather than a random accident or clump of useless cells to be flushed out . The themes of God's omniscience and omnipresence in Psalm 139 resonate with the broader biblical message of God's loving care for His creation. The idea that God intimately knows and is involved in the formation of each individual is a powerful affirmation of the sanctity of human life. It speaks to the intrinsic value and dignity of every person, regardless of their circumstances or perceived importance.

I hope I have helped to reveal how profound and deeply meaningful Psalm 139:15 actually is. How marvelous the nature of God's intimate knowledge and involvement in human creation is. It speaks to the mystery and wonder of human life, and to the deep sense of care and purpose with which God has fashioned each individual beginning at conception. The verse invites us to contemplate the depth of God's love and attention to every aspect of our being, and serves as a powerful reminder of our inherent worth in the eyes of our Creator.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

If The World Hates You ..

 

Scripture from this morning as I opened my Bible was from Proverbs 29:27, "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked."

I paused for a moment tossing those words around in my head. Where have I seen this Proverb play out before? Oh, I know. Our political environment! Good people and bad people naturally repel one another. Isn't this the climate in which we live today? It seems all we witness day in and day out is mutual disgust between political parties. Personally, I have given up watching the news anymore. The bickering, the fighting, the lies, the propaganda, and political assassinations! The targeted attacks and plots against national leaders has become too much to bear. I'm reminded of Jesus' words,"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives am I giving to you. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid" John 14:27. I'm staying in that peace. Isaiah 26:3 promises, "You will keep in perfect peace the mind that's stayed on Thee." I DON'T WANT TO BE ANY WHERE ELSE!

The Righteous View: (UPRIGHT IN THE WAY) People who try to live honestly and justly find wicked, deceitful, or violent behavior repulsive and unacceptable.---> An "upright" person lives with honesty and integrity just by doing the right thing. They accidently shine a light on the dishonest behavior of the wicked. Corrupt individuals often rely on cheating, lying, or cutting corners to get what they want. However, the upright person refuses to participate in those games. Psychologically from my background in the mental health field I surmise a clean, respected life triggers a sense of guilt or inadequacy in someone doing wrong. So rather than changing their own bad behavior, the wicked person turns that internal discomfort outward, projecting it as pure hostility toward the good person. Goodness and Corruption are completely incompatible.

The Wicked View: (ABOMINATION) People who live selfishly or wickedly despise those who are upright. ---> abomination: something that causes extreme disgust, hatred, or moral loathing. So fundamentally repulsive and contrary to one's core value that it cannot be tolerated. They despise the upright because a good person's honest life serves as a constant, uncomfortable reminder of the wicked persons own guilt and bad choices. You cannot expect total harmony between two people who are heading in completely opposite moral directions. Goodness offends evil and evil offends goodness.

**Galatians 5:17 the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh.**

Much of society’s perception that Christians are not loving derives from how we interact with those who do not love us. Jesus foretells in John 15:18 that the “world” will always hate Christians (because we do not belong to the world) “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." However, despite that being true, He also instructs Christians in His Sermon on the Mount to “love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Nothing is more counter cultural than Jesus’ command to love those who hate you. That kind of love does not come naturally through our flesh. How many enemies do you love? The power to love those who despise you can only come through the Holy Spirit. So HOW do you love someone so utterly opposes your positions, opinions, choices, all based on your faith? I think the answer has to begin with loving what is unseen – I’m referring to an aspect of our “enemies” that we do not see. When we watch a cable news program or read an article in publications that we know stand against all we stand for, what do we think about the speaker or author?

Many watch the talking head on our TV screens or picture the writer of the words and their blood boils at their audacity to offend our Father and lead so many astray. Yet what we don’t see is what is most important – their souls. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Their souls are eternal, darkened, lost and controlled by Satan. Only when we look past the appearance, words and actions of someone who hates us can we begin to love them. We must look deeper within, at their souls made in God’s image that longs for Him but is prevented from reconnecting with the Lord. Their souls are empty, devoid of hope. True love is not judging based on what we see, but bringing hope to what we cannot see – their souls. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15).

The question for each of us is – do we love their souls or judge their flesh? Their flesh is outward – the combination of their sin (in words and actions) and their appearance (physical). Their souls are inward – a battle for possession by either the Holy Spirit or demons. Satan attacks the soul attempting to wrestle away control through affecting the external – the individual’s circumstances. We will always find it difficult to love those who don’t love us if all we see is the external (flesh and blood), but the mandate to love our “neighbor” becomes much easier to obey when we see our kinship with others as eternal souls seeking reconciliation and redemption through Christ. I have found it easier to do if I remember how I too was once blind and lost. To the world, loving the Unseen – who and what we cannot see – is radical. It’s Jesus’ type of love – a love possible only through seeing individuals as Christ sees them. Jesus spoke dignity into people’s lives. The crowds wanted to follow Jesus because He treated the ostracized tax collector, impoverished fishermen, outcast prostitutes, and untouchable lepers with dignity. He saw their value as souls craving to be reunited with the Father, not as those who had value only in fleshly mind and body.

The Agape love Christ modeled by Christ is unconditional, unable to be affected by how well we know someone, how often we see them, what they believe, or anything they do or say. Agape love, for every person’s soul, allows us to demonstrate compassion to disheveled strangers, evangelism to the lost, generosity to the persecuted, and prayer for those who persecute us in much greater proportion than Christians do today. Likewise, it eliminates our anger toward those who hate us and rekindles our sense of responsibility and urgency to lead their souls back to Christ. I would urge Christians to practice self-reflection, humility, and active Christ like compassion by always examining yourselves first and remember the grace God extended to you. Then finally, pray for others genuinely. Lift people up in prayer asking God's blessing and help for them, rather than praying for them to change to suit your personal preferences. That's the Christ-like way.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Your Religion Is Just A Costume

This blog is for a certain faction of The "Church" which seems to be growing in numbers.  Open your ears and receive this verbal, scriptural, reprimand otherwise known as chastisement. "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of Him. For the Lord loves who He chastens, and corrects every son whom He receives" (Proverbs 3: 11-12). The Bible has many references to correcting, rebuking, chastising, admonishing, and correcting fellow believers (Luke 17:3, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20.)  With love and direction of  the Holy Spirit I am writing this though it may seem harsh. It's best to examine yourself daily but some refuse to. Biblical instruction tells us in 2 Corinthians, " Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."

God doesn't like ugly. I'm not talking about your face, I'm talking about those claiming the label "Christian" who are displaying contemptible, obnoxious, hypocritical attitudes. To those with an Olympic level of hardness and hypocrisy HEAR THIS:

It doesn't matter how many Bible verses you can quote, how many times you say "God Bless," how many Sunday's you spend sitting in a church pew, how loud you shout hallelujah when the pastor says something you agree with, or the amount of money  you throw in an offering plate over and above anyone else. If your heart is ugly your religion is just a costume!

You can wear a cross around your neck and still be the devil in somebody else's life. You can quote scripture from Genesis to Revelation and still treat people with absolute disrespect. You can raise your hands and worship on Sunday morning and spend Monday through Saturday tearing people down- spreading gossip, and criticizing or insulting others. Are you not aware that attacking, belittling, or mocking someone while acting as though your behavior is justified is highlighted and morally wrong by Jesus in scripture? While policing everybody else sins you somehow misplaced the mirror. Jesus had something to say about that. Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck in our brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" In other words, why are you looking at the minor fault of someone else and ignoring your own major faults? It's hypocrisy when you harshly critique a minor mistake of others while completely ignoring severe character flaws or moral failings of yourself.

It is apparent that some people read the Bible like it's a restaurant menu. They choose the parts they like and ignore the parts they don't want.  We need to follow ALL of what Jesus taught not those parts you pick and choose. Jesus speaking in Matthew 28:20, "teach them to obey all things I have commanded you." This message was to those of THE CHURCH to correct those of the Church, not non-believers! This was righteous judgement within the Body of Christ.  You see, faith isn't measured by how loud you praise God. It's measured by how you treat other people when nobody is watching. So when you are tempted to tell everyone how righteous you are and someone else couldn't be, look in the mirror and check your attitude. Check your intentions, check your ugly heart. You can fool some people with your performance but you cannot hide your character forever. If the only thing people experience from your heart is bitterness, cruelty, arrogance, and judgement .. The problem isn't everybody else! 

When you use your faith to look down on others, it contradicts the very core of Christian teachings. True righteousness is marked by humility and love, not by comparing our faith to others. True spiritual maturity is reflected in how we lift others up, not in how we measure our righteousness against theirs. Spiritual pride is dangerous as an example in Luke 18: 9-14, parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

A Bible in your hand means absolutely nothing when the devil is driving your behavior! Let that marinate.

Until He Comes,

-Pat- 

You Must Be A Republican

 

Someone asked me my political affiliation. I asked why they were asking and their response was, "You talk about Jesus alot so I figure you must be a Republican." First of all, for the record: I am a Christian without shame. Being a Christian DEFINES MY FAITH AND PERSONAL VALUES, not a political party. "Christians"  hold a wide variety of political views. If one were wise, they would know being a Christian doesn't automatically tie someone to a political party. I try to let my faith guide how I treat people rather than telling me how to check a ballot!

That said, let me be clear ..

Can you define the following declaration with absolute certainty as being either Republican or Democrat without interjecting a personal opinion or assumption?

I believe Jesus Christ is Lord over everything. Not just Sunday mornings, not just my household, but every nation, every government, and every authority on earth. I believe America was blessed by biblical principals and I refuse to apologize for wanting those principals to influence the future of this country.

I believe the Bible should shape our understanding of right and wrong. I believe marriage and family matter. I believe children should be protected because life is sacred and truth doesn't change because culture changes. And NO, THAT DOESN'T MEAN I believe that the government can force someone to follow Jesus. You cannot legislate salvation! Only Jesus saves. But don't tell me my faith belongs inside the four walls of the church while every other world view gets to influence our laws, our schools, and our culture.

I'm a Christian before I'm an American. My allegiance to Jesus will always come before my allegiance to America. I don't worship America, I worship Jesus Christ. I believe America should be governed by biblical morality as God instructed, that Christians should participate in shaping our nation, and that Jesus is King above every earthly ruler. I'm not ashamed to say I believe those things because my faith isn't just personal. It shapes how I live, treat others, and what I believe is good for my country. The bottom line is, the faith I choose follow does not altogether determine what political party I vote for. I'm an equal-opportunity skeptic; I find plenty of things to roll my eyes at on both sides.

Finally, the Bible was not written to address the proximate problems of political life. Ancient biblical writers did not design Scripture to act as a policy manuel, a voting guide, or a blueprint for contemporary governance, electiions, or statecraft. It speaks of another Kingdom. Yet, though we are citizens of Heaven, we still live on this Earth. While Christians should consult Scripture as they consider their own involvement in the political process (as I am careful not to support anti-biblical causes), the Bible does not include something like a comprehensive party platform. You can search the prophets, the epistles, or the words of Jesus, but you won’t find straightforward answers to today’s public policy questions. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

When you read the Bible everyday ...you change!

 

-Something marvelous happens when you read your Bible everyday- 

 I'm going to use natural food as an example of what happens to help you understand the concept

When you eat an orange, you cannot see the vitamin C. When you eat a banana, you can't see the potassium. Yet, even if you didn't know those nutrients were there you would still receive the benefit of those nutrients simply because you ate the fruit. It's because the invisible things inside the fruit are actually the things that affect your health. That's why if you get a cold, you'll hear "eat oranges" because of the vitamin C it contains.

Think about this: The Bible works in a very similar way. It is filled with things you cannot physically see happening. Jesus said, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)

FIRST POINT: Faith cannot be seen. 

SECOND POINT: God calls faith a "substance." That means that faith exists in a reality beyond what we can perceive without five senses. It carries power and goes beyond what we can see in the natural world. And Jesus said, "Without faith itis impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Faith proves you trust God. FAITH is very important. 

This is powerful .. Even when you read the Words of the Bible and don't understand one word of it, it's still getting down on the inside of you. It's like growing a holy garden inside your heart. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of heaven is within you" (Luke 17:21).

In a sense, the Word of God is God's DNA. As you plant God's DNA on the inside of you, you will become more like God. NOT AS GOD, "like" God .. "Let us make man in our image after our likeness." NOTICE THE PLURAL?? "Our" image and "Our likeness. That's GOD the Father and JESUS the Living Word. 

When you read the Bible day after day something begins to change on the inside of you! You become stronger against sin, more peaceful, more grounded,  less anxious, less fearful, the list goes on. Even though you can't physically see those changes happening. THEY ARE HAPPENING. That's why the Bible instruct in Romans12:2 to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" .. renewing YOUR MIND in God's Word-the Bible -TRUTH at counts, never changes, never fails, and is eternal, not in philosophies, books, chanting, that is only temporary and you won't take with you beyond the grave! But that's not all.

 In Mark 4:26 "The Kingdom of God is like a man that scatters seeds on the ground. He goes to sleep and wakes up daily and the seed grows automatically through the earths natural power without the man fully understanding how. The earth produces the crop itself .. first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain. This is a metaphore. The seed is the Word of God. The ground/the soil represents your heart. So, when you plant the Word of God in your heart every single day, these beautiful things begin happening in your life and the amazing part is verse 26 --you do not know how it happens! This parable illustrates how The Word-the message of God's Kingdom -grows mysteriously and steadily within you through God's powerful Holy Spirit when you read. So the bottom line is this: The Word of God has the power to transform your life in a way no psychologist, no philosophy, no self-help book, no Oprah's bookstore, no world system can match. All you have to do is plant the Word of God in your heart daily and GOD WILL DO THE REST. The Word of God is alive and active! IT IS!! Hebrews 4:12 "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The Bible also says in Proverbs 4:22 about the Word of God (Bible) .. for "they" (the words you read) are life to those that find them, and health to all your flesh" IF you do not let them depart from your eyes and keep them in the midst of your heart. IT'S A WONDERFUL TRANSITION from death to life. From old to new.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Old Law vs The New Law

 

Believe it or not, there are Christians that believe they are no longer under the law (the 10 commandments)- TO KEEP that law, but are somehow magically exempt because of their conversion to Christ. But that is far from the truth! They have yet to understand. WE STILL KEEP EVERY JOT AND TITTLE OF THE LAW. The 10 Commandments were never dissolved.  Luke 16:17. "It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail."  It's easier to keep the law by love instead of by demands. I'll explain shortly. Listen to what Paul added in the book of Romans 6:15 "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." As believers and followers of Jesus, we must not and CANNOT, continue practicing sin because we think the 10 commandments no longer pertain to us. Here's the bottom line then I'll explain. The Old Law (Mosaic/old Covenant) was given to Moses by God (called the 10 Commandments) for the nation of Israel. It also included hundreds of ceremonal, dietary, and civil laws. Included were animal sacrifice, the spilling of blood for the cleansing of sin. The law was given like a schoolmaster or a reflective mirror to show people their own sinfulness and inability to be righteous on their own.The object was to point to their need for a SAVIOR. Law makes us aware we have sinned. Until there is a law, no one knows they are wrong. That's why the law was given. Law is not a punisher, it's actually a good thing.

WE NEED LAW. For without laws there is chaos. Example of laws that keep us safe.

Without a stop sign, people would continue through intersections resulting in multiply accidents.

Without a speed limit sign, people would travel dangerously fast resulting in injury to themselves or others.

Without designated crosswalks, pedestrian fatalties would frequently occur.

Without air-traffic control there would be hundreds of mid-air collisions on a daily basis.

Then further imagine no sanitation laws (resulting in illnesses like choera, hepatitis, typhoid), no building code laws (means structural failure, fire & electrical hazards) no prescription regulations (antibiotics, opiods, psychiatric medications would be available over the counter where children and teens would have access like buying a box of cough drops. on and on. 

So it's obvious we need laws to govern ourselves AND OUR SOULS!

***SPIRITUAL LAWS .. ONLY ONE NOW; love (Matthew 22:36, Mark 12: 28-31). When you love those around you as Jesus commanded, there is no way you can be found guilty of any of the original 10 commandments because you're not going to hurt anyone, steal from anyone, take a life, covet someone's spouse, commit adultery, etc. Nor will you worship another god or bow to an idol. LOVE is easier to understand than hundreds of laws, rituals, ceremonies, animal sacrifices, you can't possibly keep or even remember.. 

LOVE. That's it. "Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself." LOVE fulfills the Law. All of them.  "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Peter 4:8)

Old Covenant law VS the law of love. 

Is it getting easier to understand now?

Instead of laws carved on stone tablets, God now writes His law (LOVE) directly on the hearts and minds of believers. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM OBEYING THE LAW, we keep the law because we love others and do them no wrong.  You see, "obedience" does not come from trying to mechanically check off a list of do's and don'ts under the threat of punishment. Instead, it flows from an inward transformation tolove others and desire to please God energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit giving us power to overcome temptation and ultimately having victory over sin itself. 

And now you're asking ..

"But how do I love those that have done a terrible injustice to me?" Examples: personal betrayal, violent crime, infidelity, gaslighting, scamming you of thousands of dollars, for murdering your child, harrassing you because of your race, a wrongful conviction, trafficking a family member, the dad who abandoned you, the lady who lied and runined your reputation, molestation from someone you trusted, on and on and on. Jesus directly said, "Love our enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those, who hate you, and pray for who spitefully use you and persecute you"  (Matthew 5:44). You didn't want to hear that, did you? First of all, the kind of love Jesus was speaking about is not an emotion, but an action! His love is Biblical love (agape) is not a warm, affectionate feeling toward someone who has hurt you. You're not expected to feel mushy and cordial. It is, rather, an act of the will--choosing to seek their well-being, refusing to harbor malice, and acting with goodwill instead of retaliation. Scripture is not asking you to pretend a terrible injustice is okay, nor does it strip away the reality of pain. Instead, it commands you to hand the scales of justice over to God. "Vengence is Mine, says the Lord. I will repay" (Hebrews10:30).  "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19). Also, as difficult as it may seem, we are to: *Pray for our enemies and persecutors. *Refuse hatred and bitterness. *Practice forgiveness *Overcome evil with good. WE AREABLE TO DO THESE THINGS ONLY WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. He dwells in us and helps us overcome sin and obey God's commands by transforming our inner nature, providing daily guidance and supplying the strength to resist temptation. The Holy Spirit helps us avoid sin by replacing old, sinful cravings, with new holy desires making things like truth, purity, and generosity more appealing than past temptations. I would not have believed it myself had it not happened to me!

Here is a final thought from God to you: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin" (Hebrews 10: 17-18)

Until He Comes,

-Pat-