"Take Up Your Cross"

Don't lay down. Keep going.

Jesus said to, "take up your cross and follow Me." He wasn't talking about carrying a physically heavy, wooden-beam, cross. However, what He was saying is important to know. In the 9th chapter of Luke verse 23, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." There is alot to reap from that verse! Let's break it down.

The cross was an instrument of death. Period.

In the verse above, it's not referring to the fancy gold and silver crucifix we adorn around our necks, nor is it referring to the symbol we hang on a walls in our homes. A cross in this case represents suffering, surrender, and death. So when Jesus said "take up YOUR cross" He was saying that if you are going to follow Him you have to die to YOURself. The cross, YOUR cross symbolizing dying. What is dying to "self"? Simply it means dying to your flesh, dying to YOUR own way, to YOUR pride, to YOUR sinful habits, to what YOU want that's wrong, to the "old version" of YOU that wants what it sinfully wants more than obedience to GOD.

This is why Jesus said first, DENY YOURSELF BECAUSE following Jesus is not just about believing in Him. Even demons believe says James 2:19! The Bible contains several other passages  where demons and unclean spirits not only recognize, address, but acknowledge the identity of Jesus or God. Are they saved? No they aren't. If you're interested when reading your Bible next, here are those verses besides James 2:19

Matthew 8:28-29, Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28, Mark 1: 23-24, Luke 4: 33-34, Mark 3:11, Luke 4:41.

More than just believing, following Jesus is about surrendering to Him. Following is about the relationship between faith and actions. Hear me. Merely intellectual belief-intellectually acknowledging that God exists is not enough for salvation. It calls for true, willing, surrender. Beginning with a desire to die to self, especially when self never seems to work out! In my personal case when I first had a desire to change my life I was literally sick of myself to tell you the truth. I was not happy with me, my actions, my decisions, the path I was on, the hate and bitterness I carried from my childhood abuse, always trying to fill my life with things I thought would fulfill me: alcohol, sexual experimentation, taking risks smoking doobies handed to me that wound up one time being laced with something that nearly killed me. My life was like so many others .. full of rebellion, self-hatred, being lost, drifting aimlessly, feeling alone, nothing turning out like I wanted. Somebody was praying for me at the time I had no idea! Jesus heard those prayers. The Holy Spirit began answering by placing a desire in my heart to attend a Bible study with a friend. I was curious. Thoughts filled my mind .. I could always leave. Never go back. What if they are weird? Bible thumpers? What if they ask me to read or introduce myself? At least I would have tried. It all started there! It wasn't weird. It was quite pleasant. Nice ladies, coffee, crumbcake, acceptance, smiles, warmth! I kept going back again and again. I've never quit studying and learning God's WORD in over 40 years.

James speaks of demons to highlight the same thing I'm stressing today, that even evil spirits recognize the reality, power, and oneness of God, However, their "belief" (like so many)  does not change their allegiance or behavior. Do you understand what I'm pointing out? Alot of people believe Jesus exists, fill church pews, say prayers, wear religious jewelry, etc but they no more follow Christ than a non-believer. BELIEVING is always followed by a transformed life, genuine devotion, and not just mental agreement. I've been asked, "So what does taking up your cross look like if it's more than acknowledging that God exists?" In a short answer, it's literally denying self - obvioius through changed actions and behavior. Here are a few examples:

1. Forgiving someone when your flesh would rather get revenge. (I've been there)

2. Walking away from a friendship that God has told you to let go of. (I've been here)

3. Obeying God's command regarding immorality even when your flesh aches to fulfill a desire. (Been there-this was the most difficult to overcome)

4. Stepping away when you hear co-workers begin to gossip even if they make fun and mock you. (I've walked away)

5. A transformed life no longer wants to participate in what looks, sounds, or is evil. (Yes, sin disgusts me now. I avoid it. I have no desire for it. I abhor what is evil) 

Surrender is choosing what's right even if it costs you your comfort, popularity, your own plans.  It's a daily surrender of your will so that your will remains in line with God's WORD. Surrender's goal is not simply denying yourSELF just to do it but the goal is to become more like Jesus. Why? Our flesh wants what it wants .. its own way, now, regardless! If we surrender our will to Jesus, be willing to have His way in us, our lives should begin to produce fruit (actions/results) that look like Christ.

People should see the character of Christ in us by the way we live, the way we love others, the way we forgive, the way we walk by the Word Jesus taught, the way we respond to hardship, hatred, sin, as a witness of God we have to have a TRANSFORMED life. Not only are we called to follow Jesus for ourselves, but we are called to disciple others toward truth pointing people to Christ and to live in a way that helps others to see who He is. So taking up your cross is about dying to the flesh so Christ can be seen through your life.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Would God Ever Reject Someone Who Calls Jesus Their LORD?

Is Calling Jesus "LORD" Enough? Would God reject someone who calls Jesus their LORD? Here's the uncomfortable truth. Calling Jesus Lord and telling everyone He is, does not automatically mean He is your Lord. Jesus Himself asked, "Why do you call me LORD when you don't do the things I ask?" (Luke 6:46). Notice what Jesus addresses. Not their vocabulary or their words--THEIR CONTRADICTION! They knew what to call Him, but they refused to honor His Word.

 

How about you? Ask yourself:

Is moral conduct an inconvenience? 

Is it too much to ask you to cease infidelity?

Too much of a hassle to give up corruption?

Living morally seems ill-timed for your lifestyle right now because you have people to impress? 

Is adhering to sensible, moral living bothersome? 

Does the thought of choosing Jesus as supreme Lord seem awkward to admit in front of your friends? 

Are Biblical standards unacceptable for the reckless lifestyle you want to continue living? 

Does Christianity disrupts your idea of evolution? 

Does opening a Bible pose a conflict with your spirit?

Biblical faith isn't just a profession with your mouth, attending services, or reading a Bible. Faith produces submission and a change in the direction with your life..but not forced submission! WILLING submission. That's the  difference between "religions" and choosing a personal, one on one relationship with JESUS and adhering to His WORD. The words of Jesus are more than a vocabulary or casual conversation. Scriptures prove His words are active, alive, and powerful. John 6:63 quotes Jesus, "the words I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

 

That verse alone should make people pay attention because what Jesus spoke, what He taught, what He left us, and His speech if its received by UNWAVERING, UNDOUBTING faith, has commanding power to literally move a mountain. After that, I kind of want to hear all that He has to say don't you? Especially because miracles were worked by His hands. His messages for humanity are there for or learning, our guidance, our mental stability, for peace, joy, assurance, transformation and salvation. Who doesn't want any of that? With Jesus, you don't have to be perfect. In fact, He calls and accepts sinners and the lost just as they are. With Jesus you are: 1) not required to worship cows or hold them as sacred. 2) You won't have to ascend to Nirvana by fulfilling the Nobel Eightfold path. 3) Nor will you ever be required (tabur) to beat your back to a bloody mess with chains and blades as asymbol of sacrifice. 4) Women will never be guilty or be blamed for men's weaknesses commanding them to cover their entire face and bodies because men refuse control their bodily urges. 5) No Christian will ever be required to slit the throat of a lamb for remission of sins or any other SELF-EFFORT cleansing. If we could actually rid ourselves of our own sinfulness or climb to heaven through self effort, goodness, or sacrifice, there would never have been a need for Jesus. We are flawed. We need the only one who ever gave His life for us, overcame death, resurrected and lived so we could live also.

Jesus makes the warning about calling Him LORD even stronger in Matthew 25:1-13 giving a parable about 10 virgins as an metaphorical warning regarding spiritual readiness. **Be aware that His referrence to "virgins" is not related to being sexually untouched. The connotation in His parable symbolizes a "spiritual condition" of pure, un compromised, loyal devotion to Christ. This clean, "unblemished status" fits the spiritual point Jesus wants us to understand which is: genuine readiness and spiritual watchfulness for the return of Jesus.

 

The paradox of the 5 foolish virgins falling short and "lacking oil" in their lamps highlights the crux warning of the parable! That being, 5 of the 10 virgins (that's half in any number) had the outward appearance of devotion, but lacked the internal reality required to endure. It speaks to us today-- you must maintain your own personal readiness and spiritual reserves BECAUSE preparation cannot be borrowed or transferred from anyone to you especially at the last minute even if it were possible. You cannot give someone your faith, or your good standing with God. Let me break it down further. In the parable, all 10 women look identical at first. They all wear the correct bridal garments, carry the same lamps, belong to the same bridal party, and even fall asleep while waiting for the groom. Notice, THE 5 WISE VIRGINS had an internal, lasting supply of oil which kept their lamps alive; useful. And notice, they also kept their wicks trimmed, symbolizing cutting away anything bad (habits, vices, sin) as they grew in Christ which resulted in a brighter, purer flame! The other 5, THE 5 FOOLISH VIRGINS, had a superficial preparation and "love" for Jesus. They assumed their immediate presence and good intentions were enough to get into the wedding feast, but they failed to secure a lasting bond and connection to the source! Their lamps went out being careless, not watching, lacking oil. They weren't evil they were negligent leading to complete exclusion.

I'll go a step further. Remember this is a parable from Jesus Himself.. His Words are spirit, life, truth so pay attention because His parables are always for us to learn, for those with ears to hear. While the group of 10 collectively represents those who claim loyalty to Christ, the split shows nominal or surface-level devotion IS NOT ENOUGH! Understand because this is so important. In biblical prophecy and parables spoken by Jesus, being CALLED to the wedding represents an invitation and an association with the faith, but it does not guarantee a true, living relationship. Why? MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN (Matthew 22:14). Remember those words?? In the parable, the Bridegroom delayed His coming. Pay attention! There was then AND IS RIGHT NOW IN 2026 a delay and a reason for such a delay. Here it is: Everyone claiming to be a follower of Jesus, claiming to be "saved," claiming they are a Christian, etc. are being tested. Yes, tested. You, me. In the parable, the true state of their devotion was hidden until the Bridegroom was delayed. Think about that. How many people mock: "Jesus isn't coming," or "it's been too thousands of years people have been saying this," or "people have said this <bleep> for years." Have you heard it, thought it or said it yourself?  Even so- called stable Christians are falling away due to this 'testing delay.'  True devotion is resilient (look up that word) and prepares for the long haul regardless of hardships, set-backs, or delays. Superficial devotion burns out in time when things take longer than expected. Jesus used this comparison to show that a person can have the reputation, the look, and the association of purity (a "spiritual virgin" in the eyes of the community) but still lack the genuine, enduring spiritual life needed when He returns. LOVE WAITS. Artificial affection eventually burns out.

The breakdown: All 10 virgins had lamps, burning, lit, waiting. Meaning all included in His parable were (are now) the persons on earth (men & women) claiming faith in no other religion/philosophy/belief/or doctrine but only to Jesus Himself. All 10 were waiting. All 10 were invited to the wedding party ("many are called but few are chosen" Matthew 22:14). All 10 even fell asleep. Yes, even the 5 who had enough oil fell asleep! So I wondered myself and maybe you have too. Doesn't falling asleep carry a negative connotation in disqualifying you in some way? NO! Even Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, when suffering severe emotional and spiritual agony asked His disciples WHO HAD FALLEN ASLEEP A TOTAL OF 3x, "Couldn't you watch one hour with me?" Even Jesus understands the long delay of the bridegroom tires out even the prepared ones. Physical exhaustion affects everyone, including sincere believers and close followers. Even I have asked at times, "How long Lord do we have to wait it's getting so bad here .. trafficking of children, pedophilia is rampant, wars, division, corrupt ministers, pastors, priests, Satanism is practiced the open, naked gay parades on display in cities across America, we allow cross dressers and homosexuals teaching in kindergarten classrooms where those "adult" choices have no business, on and on). Even in my waiting, NOT ONCE have I ever felt like walking away from my faith or my devotion to wait on the one I love. The one I believe. The one I have full faith in.

Here is the crux. These 5 virgins I've highlighted are the subjects Jesus is speaking to in Matthew 25: 11-12. When they approach THE WEDDING SUPPER Jesus is standing there to greet the invitees. These 5 previously had quickly left the first five virgins (who had plenty of oil still fueling their lamps) to rush and secure oil elsewhere they had not stored in preparation themselves. They came to Jesus because the entrance door had now been shut. They began pleading, "Lord, lord, open up to us." Remarkably Jesus answers, "TRULY, I say to you, I do not know you." Those same words can be found elsewhere in another of His parable in Matthew 7:23 where people approached Him also wanting entrance into the wedding feast. They pleaded, "have we not cast out demons in your Name and done many wonderful works in your name." I mean, these people certainly weren't atheists, agnostics, or religious zealots!  Atheists, agnostics, and religious zealots cannot perform anything in Jesus Name, but Christians can. Jesus words, "I do not know you"-Matthew 25 or "Depart from me you that work iniquity"-Matthew 7 implies exclusion from salvation. But if 5 virgins are so-called Christians yet excluded, how? Here's why: Because 5 virgins took their walk and bond with Jesus seriously. These watched, never doubted through a delay, and stay ready by making sure they had enough oil burning their lamp to shine brightly, without shame, without fear, despite scorn, being ridiculed, vilified, ostracized, harassed, oppressed, tormented, excluded, and bullied. The other 5 were careless and didn't have what they need to be ready. Their so-called "readiness" was not genuine. It was insincere, lighthearted, frivolous, flighty, having no real heart connection. At the last minute they ran- a last-ditch effort to attempt to get oil off of others to make it look like they remained watchful and serious. And it fails. 

 Now, Jesus final warning we need to heed today: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour your Lord will come." Watch therefore is the point of this blog. The point is not to literally look up watching starring at the sky, but pay attention. He's given us signs every where be ready at all times. Don't get lazy, don't get distracted by the world, don't tire, don't back off. The message isn't centered around falling asleep because all ten slept..the wise ones, the foolish ones-even His own disciples in (told in Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46. Stay spiritually alert, awake to your calling,  awake to Jesus words, to prayer, to the way of life in Christ. If you treat the Lord like he's unimportant you won't enter the feast no matter how long you've worn a gold cross, sang in a choir, volunteered for mission trips, never missed a Sunday service, thrown thousands of dollars into a collection basket, on and on. It won't matter. Unless you devote all of your heart to Him, these other things are of no purpose. Christianity is not simply saying the right prayer, using the right language and then living carelessly, superficially, expecting to get serious after you do this or that first (Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9: 57-62)

IN CONCLUSION: Preparation is a personal responsibility and not just for believers in Christianity. Faith cannot be borrowed or outsourced. When the trumpet sounds signaling the Bridegroom is coming for his virgin church, our readiness-or lack of it- will speak for itself. Don't wait for the doors to close, keep your lamp burning bright.

 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Distractions In The Church

 

-A Distracted Church is Satan's Favorite Playground-

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:7-8).

Jesus called people hypocrites back in the day who came into His presence mouthing words of praise, but whose minds and hearts were preoccupied. Preoccupation and distractions are still prevelant today, albeit in a worse way, as people are primarily pulled away by digital devices. You've seen it I'm sure of it. Just the other day as a national televised baseball game aired, several fans could be seen texting on their phones rather than watching a currently active game. You've seen drivers behind the wheel of their cars doing the same. Or even yourselves sitting across from a friend in a restaurant who excuse themselves to answer a call, then remains on the phone for the next 20 minutes while you sit there basically feeling alone. And now, unfortunately, the same distractions have moved into the churches! We have become a culture of instant gratification that pulls attention in multiple directions every minute of the day!

 

A Distracted Church is Satan's Favorite Playground. Isaiah 29:13 basically says, 'You give Me your mouth and your lips but your mind is somewhere else. Your heart is far from Me.' What about you? Most likely you are present in God's house for an hour every week. So, your body is in church but where is your mind? Your mouth says, "I worship You, Lord" but is your heart a thousand miles away? Where do your thoughts take you during worship and praise? Does your mind become drawn to personal or family problems? Do you become preoccupied with a business matter that's been hounding you? How distracted do you get during that hour in church? Keep in mind that the people Jesus addressed were worshipers who had "drawn nigh unto Him." They were believers who had gathered in God's name to worship corporately. Jesus said they honored Him with their words. Maybe they even raised their hands and praised loudly. Indeed, what He describes sounds like great, forceful worship.  If they were distracted in thought, then their worship was hypocritical; worthless! Their bodies may have been in the sanctuary but their hearts could have been anywhere else in creation.

 

Would you dare walk into church on Sunday morning carrying a straw dummy, set it down in your favorite seat, then go home and watch TV? Preposterous, you say? A mockery? If your heart is not engaged in worship, if your mind is not present, your thoughts not captive to the obedience of Christ, you might as well put a straw man in your seat. At least it's more honest than coming into God's house with no mind and heart! We are told to worship God in spirit and in truth. Christians are now in such a hurry they don't even want to get out of their cars. Some churches offer drive-in worship, where people can roll down their windows and listen to a service through a speaker. Other Christians don't even get out of bed to go to church! How will these people stand before the judgment seat of Christ and answer His command: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). There are literally millions of so-called Christians that gather for an hour every Sunday morning for what is called "worship service." Thousands of choir voices sing praises to God with instruments blaring, soloists singing, songbooks flipping open, congregants praising. Yet, much of this so-called worship never gets past the rafters! Instead, it falls flat on the ground, unheard, unaccepted, a total loss. Why? It's because people's minds are on football games, sports, television, THEIR PHONES! Wives fret about their Sunday roast. Their lips and mouths speak praises but their hearts are far from Jesus! I'm just being honest.

God does not accept weak, boring, halfhearted worship! And the reason many Christians do not worship in church with power, excitement and zeal is because they have no intimacy with Jesus at home. Does God bless and honor those who merely show up in His house? Not if we've left our mind somewhere else! We don't get "spiritual credit" just for planting our body in a pew. Our bodily presence is of no value if we show up drowsy, distracted, half asleep, etc. It's as if we expect God to hear prayers we don't even hear as we pray them! We want Him to accept worship we don't even remember offering. Why are we so distracted in worship and prayer? Let me give you some reasons:

 

1. We Fail to Bring Every Thought Captive to the Obedience of Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5).  The flesh constantly wars against our spirit. Our wandering thoughts aren't always of the devil. Sometimes they simply crowd in on us: thoughts of business, family, problems, difficulties. But they must always be brought into captivity — because we are at war!

2. There Are Satanic Distractions! Satan will resist every true worshiper who draws near to God! James instructs: "...Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God..." (James 4:7-8). Satan's chief work is to hinder prayer and corrupt pure worship, especially in those who are serious about following Jesus.

3. Finally, I Want to Talk About Those Who Have Gone Beyond Distraction to a Condition of Total Neglect Of the Lord! "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number" (Jeremiah 2:32).

 

Oh, how this last passage frightens me! It always drives me back to the secret place, crying, "Oh Lord, I don't want to forget You!" That last point and verse is even more frightening when we consider the context of the passage. God is saying to His people, "I planted you as a noble vine, a wholly right seed. You started right, and you had My touch. You once were holiness unto Me, and I blessed you. But now you have forsaken Me! You don't worship Me anymore. You have forsaken the fountain of Living Water!" 

Being honest, I had become distracted once too through social media. I had become lazy about the things of God, having forgotten all His blessings, neglecting Him for days on end, pursuing my own time, my own pleasures. I left an opening and by doing so Satan took advantage of that! I became quite ill, was hospitalized, serious enough that my organs could have quit functioning and me die. I was scared! And it was that incident, that serious condition that brought me back to prayer, and back into His presence! It was the way I WOKE UP and realized my neglect and how far I had drifted away making other things an idol by allowing distraction. And although I suffered all throughout the ordeal, I'm glad God allowed that experience. Understand!! .. He did not cause it! He "allowed" it without interference knowing that is what it would take to make me realize where I was going! Hebrews 2:3 says, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation." The word neglect here in Greek means "carelessness." This verse speaks of those who allow the Word of God to drift from them! THAT WAS ME! If you don't worship God with all your mind and heart, little by little neglect will creep in — and you'll begin to worship merely out of habit or perhaps with a guilty attitude and minimal effort to do something.. a short 5 minutes of reading scripture, perhaps just 1 minute of prayer then right back to the phone or social media! People who really love God, WANT a relationship with Jesus without distractions interfering with time spent with Him. No one person, not even God, is asking you to give up sports, clean entertainment, your cell phone, or family time. God is directing us to LOVE GOD FIRST with no other gods before Him. How annoying and hurtful is it when you're trying to have a conversation with your spouse, teenager, or friend, and they keep cutting you off, interrupting you multiple times by answering their phone. That's what God feels like .. as if other things are more important than Him -- AND THEY ARE, Him becoming a second or even a third thought! If you are distracted and YOU KNOW you have drifted from your relationship with God, I'm encouraging and urging you to repent, turn around, and come back home. He's still waiting, still forgiving, still anxious and willing to resume the relationship. He loves you so much!

 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A Completely New Mindset

 

Scripture instructs every believer or those wanting to follow Jesus..: “Do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 (KJV)

So questions would be: What’s wrong with the human mind? Why does our mind need renewing? And what does this renewal look like? How would I go about this? First of all, there are many who think that the only problem with the human mind is that it doesn’t have access to all the knowledge it needs. So education becomes the great instrument of redemption — personal and social. AI has really stepped up to play a bigger role in knowledge we seek. But this is not the mind knowledge Romans 12:2 is talking about.  It's so much deeper than man's finite wisdom. It's spiritual wisdom we're talking about here and the Bible has a far more profound analysis what this "renewal" is. In Ephesians 4:23 Paul uses a striking phrase to parallel Romans 12:2. He says, “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” Now, what in the world is that? “The spirit of your mind.”

The mind or consciousness has a “spirit.” In other words, our mind has what we call a “mindset.” When you think about that, you realize the mind doesn’t just have a view, it has a viewpoint. It doesn’t just have the power to perceive and detect; it also has a posture, a demeanor, a bearing, an attitude, a bent. Scripture urges us “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” The problem with our minds is not merely that we are finite and don’t have all the information, the problem is that our minds are fallen. They have a spirit, a bent, a mindset that is hostile to the absolute supremacy of God- Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh: and these two are contrary one to the other." Thus naturally, our minds are bent on not seeing God as infinitely more worthy of praise than we are, or the things we make or achieve. And there is an end result if we do not follow Romans 12:2 --Let this sink in ..“Since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind" (Romans 1:28). Whoa, so we can see how important our minds are when dealing with what our bodies want and pursue. God won't fight your free-will, He allows your choices and will let you walk away into the life you choose for yourself. If you persist, He simply let's you have what you want. If you lock the door He's not going to break it down! WE CHOOSE not God. I'm reminded of a secular song released in 2014 by artist, Selena Gomez, "THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS" (even to our own hurt) often overwhelming our carnal senses and thinking process. This is where we get into trouble with sin! The battle between the flesh and what it wants and the spirit that knows better. So to combat the enemy, scripture points out we must train our minds to think differently for success in defeating this enmity (Romans 8:7).

Most people on this planet have no desire to know or see God as worthy of knowing and treasuring above all things even though every breath you take is authorized by HIM! GOD is the author of life and death. He sanctions life and decrees death. We have no power over either!

People that have been transformed know how little effort they once made to know Him, and how much effort it takes to make your mind getting to know God better. The Bible says people have “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man” (Romans 1:23). And the image in the mirror is the mortal image we worship most .. PAUL WARNED, IN THE LAST DAYS PEOPLE WOULD BE LOVERS OF SELF MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD. Can you see it today?? I certainly can. Modern narcissism is on full display on the Internet snapping endless pictures of  ourselves and posting online.  People are so self-absorbed and have a constant need for external validation, entitlement, on and on. It all begins with the mind.  The body follows.

Actually, in a spiritual sense, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God which is our spiritual service of worship according to verse 1, that is, our whole active life — as a living sacrifice which is our spiritual service of worship. What does that mean? It's not something difficult for those who are serious regarding their relationship with God. It simply means to display Christ in us by living what we "preach" not as hypocrites! BUT, in order for that to happen, our minds must be renewed. Again, our minds are not by nature God-worshiping minds. They are by nature self-worshiping minds. So, how do we do this, this "transformation"?? We begin by CHANGING OUR THOUGHTS, HABITS, AND FOCUS not by our own failing efforts but through the WORD actively living in us. The Word? The Bible? YES! We are transformed in the mind when taking on the mind of Christ- not through our own methods of self improvements- but by His very Spirit He works in us when we yield to Him. HIS WORD is the power that changes. And it's not only free, it's thorough!

To enable us to do that, the Spirit must do a double work. Spirit must work in two directions: from the outside in and from the inside out. He must work from the outside in by exposing the mind to Christ-exalting truth. That is, He must lead us to hear the gospel, to read the Bible, to study Christ-exalting parables, words, direction, and guidance. AND HE PLACES THAT DESIRE IN YOU when you're ready! But just know, this is exactly what our great enemy does not want us to do according to 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” SO, the Spirit must work from the inside out, breaking the hard heart that blinds and corrupts the mind.

The Spirit must also work from the outside in, through Christ-exalting truth, through truth-embracing humility. When you change your thoughts, Habits, and focus through reading the WORD OF GOD, the brain actually begins to miraculously transform! Realize, much of your daily thinking runs old familiar programming from the past. That has to go by replacing it with good thoughts and positive Christ-like thinking contained in the WORD. Here are 5 useful tips:

1. Practice mindfulness and mediation..not through yoga, tai chi, breathings, body meditation, mindful dieting, etc. I'm not saying those methods aren't helpful. What I am saying is, total, truthful, lasting, mind transformation can only be accomplished successfully through the WORD. Daily Bible reading is where it begins, even if you start with just one paragraph a day. Even that helps to quiet any automatic emotional triggers planted there by any former trauma because it builds strong, mental clarity. And because you are making an effort to learn and let the SPIRIT CHANGE YOU, that one paragraph a day feels like soothing success and it takes less than a minute. Eventually, you'll begin to hunger for more not even knowing why: one paragraph, a few more, a page, then a chapter. It just happens without feeling dread or boredom. AS IT UNFOLDS it gets easier and more understandable because the Spirit of God HIMSELF is enlightening you and showing the mystery and power of His Word!

2. Consciously swap out destructive thoughts you know are self destructive. Those self defeating ones that creep in and weaken the flesh. REPLACE THEM WITH JESUS' WORDS. Make it a daily habit. He said,"Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4) So you have the power to succeed by His Spirit living in you!

3. Actively direct your way into a new way of thinking through reading God's WORD. Begin by making an effot to limit entertaining old habits and seek others who support your spiritual growth and can encourage you on your journey. Maybe that's a small bible study group of 3-4 women all learning to grow together. Or perhaps just one friend you know that has studied and been transformed themselves that can encourage you or answer questions.

4. Always ask the Lord to guard and direct your mind. The object of regular thinking will determine how your days, years, and ultimately your life plays out. Everything starts in the mind. So treat it well.

5.  Rest in the truth that you are accepted in Jesus Christ. Keep this in mind ..through faith in Jesus Christ, we are at peace with God. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). In Christ, we are children of God and heirs along with Jesus. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8:16-17) THIS IS FAMILY. THIS IS CLOSENESS. THIS IS RELATIONSHIP.

Ultimately, God wants you and I to be transformed to be like his Son, Jesus. God doesn’t condemn you if or when you're distracted, so just know any thoughts of self-condemnation are not from Him. There is no fear in God’s love, so if or when you feel afraid or defeated, you can safely ignore those thoughts. You are transforming and your identity in Jesus Christ is the central fact that influences your present circumstances and determines your eternal future, and it is available by faith alone. Don’t doubt; don’t wonder; don’t question it. Jesus was totally focused on the will of the Father. Because that was true of Him, it will increasingly be true of YOU…and someday, that work in YOU will be complete. Accept God’s gracious gift and rest in it. His Kingdom will be yours.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A Driver Without A License

 

Picture this: A young, headstrong teen jumps in behind the wheel of a car having never operated a vehicle in his life. He has no drivers license and is blinded by his own confidence and supported by what he's heard: "It's easy," his friends persuade, "Push the accelerator to go. Apply the brakes when you want to stop."

So recklessly following his friends definition of driving, the young teen takes off giving no thought of the danger he's heading into. He starts weaving in and out of traffic like a mad man with no sense. With the accelerator shoved down to the floorboard, he's hauling down the road disobeying every speed limit sign. He races dangerously around curves (sometimes on two wheels), flies over railroad tracks without looking at the "X" and two "R"s signage warning him to watch and listen for oncoming trains. He ignores a bright red sign- the "slow down bump ahead." He ignores a neon yellow crosswalk sign clearly displaying the walking person symbol. Then, yet again, he slips right past the  another yellow warning: "sharp curve ahead." Other metal signs he disregards are the - "school zone," - "deer crossing," -"lane ends, - "low clearance, - "merge left" " - oncoming traffic," -  and the ever so important, "STOP AHEAD." He ignored them all! Who would do that? Who breaks every core traffic law, creating serious safety risks and legal trouble??

Why do you think he was so foolhardy to disregard every posted  warning sign that was not intended for the purpose of restricting him, but for his safety!?

There are two reasons:

#1. He believed the incomplete, partial opinion & misguided advice given by his friends regarding operating a vehicle safely on the road. There's more to driving than just stop and go as they told him. He adopted their opinion as fact WITHOUT DUE DILIGENCE. And for him with itching ears, he did just what he wanted to hear. Tremendous amounts of important facts were missing from what they told him most likely because they lacked all the facts themselves!

#2. He never bothered to open and read his state drivers manual to know if what his friends told him was correct or thorough. So he PAID NO ATTENTION TO THE WARNING SIGNS, what they meant, or had any inkling they were placed strategically to keep him safe. There's a reason for every kind of a manual .. for instructions, guidance, clarity, even to ensure safety. Manuals or regulations, instructions, even laws aren't designed to limit your potential, but rather to ensure your protection.

The analogy above illustrates the same 'danger' a person, any person, is in who recklessly believes other peoples opinions about the Bible, Jesus Christ, and what the big "manuel," (THE BIBLE) says about laws, instructions, how to stay safe on lifes road, even about Jesus whom it's all about. But you cannot travel this life and safely protect your soul without reading and applying God's manual for yourself! Did I lose you there? Are you the lazy-type? Don't want to "waste" your time? Don't want to hear something that might uncover what you're doing in the dark is wrong?

We simple cannot adopt another persons opinion, interpretation, or believe everything we hear from others regarding who or what God is without His manual verifying TRUTH of what we  hear! Including what you read in my own blogs! Spiritual direction and guidance comes by reading, seeking, and examining the Good Book ourselves. Let me ask you ..

*Would you attempt a culinary dish prepared for a dignitary not knowing anything about its preparation without seeing a recipe?

*Would you attempt to jump-start a car when you know nothing about positive or negative terminals?

*Would you feel safe grabbing a fire-extinguisher during a bazing fire without knowing how to operate it first?

*Would you attempt CPR on a person or child without knowing the thorough instructions of chest compressions at the right depth and rate?

Then why would you believe any general consensuses about the Word of God offered  through the "opinions" of scoffers, doubters, agnostics, and atheists without ever having read the Bible manual for yourself proving if their statements are biblical facts? 

Such false opinions as: 

That everyone goes to heaven. 

That all faiths lead to God. 

That Jesus was just a prophet and not the Son of God. 

That there was never a resurrection. 

That Mary becoming pregnant without sperm was and is impossible.

That Noah could not have built such a large boat by himself without saws or drills. 

That Christ is not the only way to heaven. That's too restrictive.

That there isn't such a truth as talking in tongues unless you are mentally unstable.

That God's reported infalable Word isn't pure , flawless, or without error.

That the parting of the Red Sea is just a made-up story. 

That the earth wasn't created in just 6 days. 

That God did not inspire the apostles to write the four gospels.

That women cannot teach others regarding scriptures. 

That no donkey ever spoke, nor can rocks cry out.

That no giant fish ever swallowed a man called Jonah.

That walking on water is a myth, logically an impossibility. 

That Simon Peter never found a gold coin in the mouth of a fish placed there miraculously by Jesus to supply Peter his need to pay taxes.

Shall I go on? My question would be, what do you believe about these things?

Are you believing others OPINIONS? Others DEDUCTIONS? Other's VIEWS? Others PERSPECTIVES? Other's THOUGHT PROCESSES? Have you ever opened a Bible?? Are you accepting so-called truths at face value without doing research? Have you ever questioned or doubted what you've heard all your life and settled with? NO? Then how do you know what is true? Do you care that without the real truth you're like a blind man driving toward a cliff? 

Ask yourself why you won't open a Bible? Why won't you look in it? Why won't you research what it claims? There isn't a possible way to prove what you've been told, heard, or taught is correct unless you compare it to the Good Book. But you can't do that if you never open a BIBLE! You may actually discover what you have believed through your own logic, or adopted as YOUR TRUTH from someone's elses opinion, has been nothing but a reckless drive through lifes roads and hiways. A drive without any warning signs to keep you safe from dangers that you have no idea you're in. Please, I urge you to open a Bible. Ask God Himself to show you Truth and assure your safety now and especially after you take your last breath.

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

Better Give Some Thought To Being "Caught up"

- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17-

I got in late on a conversation and heard someone mocking another Christian, "Caught up? What caught up? On paying my bills? (then a burst of laughter) "You mean THE RAPTURE?? It's been proven that word doesn't appear in the Bible, you people are fruit loops." 

Upon hearing those words and watching that conversation online, I felt the Spirit tug at my heart to write this blog. It is a true statement the word "rapture" doesn't appear in that English form. But it does in Latin. That word being "rapere" or RAPTURE.  The Latin form rapere comes from the Greek word "harpazo" meaning to"be caught up" or "snatched away. "The Bible has to be studied rather than occasionally picking it up or adopting someone else's interpretation or opinion without looking into things yourself. Do you believe everything you hear? You shouldn't when it comes to the Bible either. Not even me! You need to look within the pages for yourself although I try to make it easier for you by includng scriptures that back what I say.

Scripture makes CLEAR in more than one location that a "rapture" is coming..a "snatching up" is coming .. a being "caught-up" is inevitable.

So let me reiterate the first Christian's admonition. People better give some thought to the RAPTURE because EVERYONE OF US ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY IT whether we are a Christian or not a Christian. Let that sink in .. Non-believers will be affected too! Which will be explained in this blog. If you're a Christian when Jesus comes back at the time of "rapture" of the "snatching away" He's going to call all His faithful believers UP off this earth to spare us from the intense end-times events described as the Great Tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21, Mark 13:19, Revelation 7:14 and chapter 13: 11-19. Those are clear scriptures anyone can look up. Even the Old Testament referred to the coming day: Daniel 12:1 mentions it as a time "such as never was since there was a nation" and Jeremiah 30:7 describes it as "the time of Jacob's trouble" and finally, Joel 2:1 calls it "the Day of the Lord."  

Who is included in the rapture? The followers of Jesus both dead in graves AND STILL ALIVE AT THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING. These scriptures prove that. READ CAREFULLY: " In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" at the last trump, for the trumpet will sound, THE DEAD (that's talking about all believers who have died already) will be RAISED" ....(brought out of their graves imperishable- found in Corinthians 15:52) AND THEN THE LIVING STILL ALIVE AT THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING- found in Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds (those that died and we buried) to meet the Lord in the air." And from there we will enter heaven.

If you're not a Christian at the time of Christ's appearing, you have a problem to deal with, and that is, the RAPTURE IS IMMINENT. It's going to happen. We don't know the exact day, nor the exact hour, but Jesus left hints of the "season" it would take place and it looks closer than ever because circumstances strongly point to it growing closer each year. All those who follow Jesus and study scripture see the signs CLEARLY and are shouting to others 'you better give some thought about where you stand with the Lord BEFORE He comes for us.' To the unbelievers, if you are left behind because you doubted the Bible, you had no time to listen or consider, thought it was bunk, or just couldn't believe the truth that Jesus died for you, it's going to be catastrophic and you'll be in the center of it! If you don't believe the gospel story, you reject it, don't want to hear it, sadly you're in danger right now, but you still have time to change though the hour glass is running out.

If you step out trusting (even though you don't understand everything at first) and put your faith believing in Jesus Christ as the only, "way, truth. and life" (John 14:6) as spoken by Jesus Himself in John 14:6, "no one come to the Father except through me." JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY. HE IS THE DOOR. If you'll take that step and ask Him to help you believe, help you understand, ask to save you and show you the way, IF YOU REALLY DESIRE TO KNOW HIM, He graciously and in mercy includes you in His family as saved.. come just like you are: confused, scared, full of sins you've committed, etc. You don't clean up first before coming because you can never accomplish that! And you can never earn goodness, cleanliness or heaven on your own by being good, kind, gentle, etc. if you come with a humble sincere heart, Jesus takes it from there. He places His Spirit within you to save you, guide you, lead you, protect you. And it costs you nothing but surrender to Him. And when Jesus comes to take His believers home in the rapture, you'll be included!

Now understand, there are people, lot's of them, who talk religious "talk" but they are not saved. Why?? They had no real relationship with Jesus. They went to church out of routine but never took the time to read a bible, talk to God, include Him in their life through prayer or alignment with Him, never asking for advice, never making a heart-effort to understand and want Him, to include Him in their daily thoughts with a thank you or a "good morning Lord", never worshipping Him with words of praise and thanksgiving before starting their day but they wear silver and gold crosses around their necks. Ornaments! Not true professions of faith!  Don't you greet family members, a spouse, a friend, or a loved one with "good morning, I love you." We should love Jesus enough for saving us from our sins that we want Him everyday of our lives. Alot of people say, I'll consider Jesus offer later, right now there's too much on my mind. Understand, there may be no "later."

Please believe the gospel, come to Jesus. The hour glass is running out. When Jesus comes for His Church (the believers) it will be in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye .. about how fast a blink is! You must be ready it will be so quick-- the world will be stunned that millions of people in graves and out of graves, babies and children have disappeared and left behind doubters, scoffers, atheists, and agnostics. As I've stressed  before, Jesus died for the sins of the world, YOUR SINS, over 2,000 years ago IF PEOPLE WILL ONLY BELIEVE AND FOLLOW. Hear me!! People will not be left behind because of their sin (He already paid the penalty on a cross)..it's their unbelief!! People will remain and experience the Great Tribulation who refused to believe. Even then, Jesus will have mercy on those who come in their suffering, BUT WHY WAIT THAT LONG?? You can be saved now and have assurance to escape what has been prophesied to come. Do you want to give your life to JESUS? You can simply say a similar prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner standing before a Holy GOD and I asked you to forgive me because I know I've comitted sins. And Lord, I pray that You will save my soul as I come in faith believing You're the one True God. I want to devote my heart to following and know You for the rest of my life."

He''ll lead the way. Trust Him!

I'm encouraging you right now, give your heart to Jesus before it's too late.

Until He Comes To Rapture The Church,

-Pat-

 

"Out of Context" ---> Ephesians 5:22

 

If there is one verse that gets me fired up and defensive about, it’s Ephesians 5:22. Perhaps it's because I've not only seen people but know a few who use and abuse this verse for improper means and coercive control. This Scripture needs to be adequately defined, especially regarding the concept of submission. After listening to a young lady speak about her current marriage I decided I needed to share what the Bible means by:

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)

First, what do you think that scripture is asking of women who have entered into marriage vows? Think it through.

I'll get straight to the point. The number of men who use this verse to get their wives to do whatever they want when they please is humiliating and abhorring.

In Context: According to Scripture, Ephesians 5 was written by the Apostle Paul during the same time frame as Philippians. Calling us to walk in love, Paul explains how to love ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ and then extends this love to husbands and wives. Calling us to be careful how we walk, I find it highly ironic that so many men tell their wives "you have to do X" because Scripture says, "wives submit to their husbands." Sadly, this X is often filled with forced sexual pleasures, household duties, or whatever they see fit at the time.

While Scripture does make it clear that a husband and wife hand over their conjugal rights to one another once they are united as one, it is said that they do so out of love. It is not suitable for a husband to pressure or even force his wife to have sex with him. Is that love as Christ would love the Church as instructed in the Bible? Absolutely not. The scriptural wording is, "Husbands love your wives AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR IT." Nowhere is it mentioned here or anywhere in scripture that sex can be used as submissive or coercive control. Reducing any verse in the Bible specifically about  marriage and this topic is twisting and reducing GOD'S Word  down to just sex and gives leeway to be used as a weapon . It is unconscionable and out of biblical context.

Often men pull that single sentence from Ephesians 5:22 without reading what comes right before or after it. Men will grab onto "sumbit submit," 'you have to do what I say" FOR SHEAR  CONTROL. Yet, just one earlier verse #21, the Bible explicitly tells BOTH husbands  and wives to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Submission (and I'll get to that in a minute) is suppose to be a two-way street of humility, not a one-way hiearchy! You see, right after tellng wives to submit, the text commands husbands tolove their wives as Christ loved the church-which meant DYING FOR IT. Scripture is instructing men toward .. TOTAL SELF SACRIFICE, PROTECTION, AND LIFTING THE WIFE UP, never intimidating, dominating, or demanding physical compliance. (And yes, there is such a thing as spousal rape/marital rape and it is ILLEGAL IN ALL 50 STATES!)

The Christian marriage and commitment -WATCH THIS- given to men and women through mutual submission are spiritual. The Christian marriage and responsibility given to men and women through force, coercion, and unequal submission are secular and deathly. Unfortunately in our modern culture the word "submit" sounds like slavery, weakness, or having no say. In the original Greek context of NewTestament, the concept was about voluntary alignment and cooperation to create order and harmony just as Christ asks of His Church, and NOT ABOUT one person owning or controlling the other person's body. When a man feels entitled to control a relationship, he will naturally look for ways (in many cases even secular men using and somehow "knowing" that one verse from the Bible) in order to give him power. Thus reducing "submission" to sexual availability often using it as an excuse to satisy a selfish desire while trying to make that control look and sound "holy." Inevitably I will hear from males who want that control ask, "What about Corinthians 7:4-5? That tells me my wife's body belongs to me and not to deprive me. Isn't that saying she has to give her body to me everyday, every hour if I want?" In all fairness that verse talks about both bodies belonging to each other in fidelity and yes, empasizing mutual agreement.. MUTUAL .. equal rights your bodies belong soley to each other-it forbids one partner forcing or demanding anything from the other!

True BIBLICAL "submission" has nothing to do with forced  intimacy, control, or being a doormat. It's always been about mutual respect, safety, and love. I can understand these Biblical principals both from a faith/religious perspective, but also from a psychological aspect coming from a medical/mental health employment background. It makes sense both spiritually and naturally! Controling a marriage or another person's body can stem from several realities: a lack if empathy on the husbands part, culural brainwashing, fear of vulnerablility, etc. Being controlled in a marriage, especially sexually, IS NOT A SPIRITUIAL DUTY or sign of "A GOOD WIFE." A marriage certificate is not a license for ownership. You didn't buy a slave.  TRUE FAITH never demands that a woman surrender, consent, or inherent dignity to satisfy another person's demands.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Give No Place To The Devil

 

Ephesians 4:27

When Paul says, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27), he isn't saying that we should live in fear that the devil is constantly trying to enter our lives. The word "place" means an opening, opportunity, or foothold. Paul had just been talking about anger: “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Anger itself isn't necessarily sinful—it is a normal human emotion. The warning is about what we do with the emotion. If anger is continually fed, it can become resentment, bitterness, hatred, or destructive behavior. That's the “foothold”.. allowing something destructive to gain increasing influence over us.

This is especially important when we experience any destructive trauma or deep emotional wound. Being hurt, betrayed, abandoned, frightened, or mistreated isn't something we necessarily chose, and the emotional reactions that follow can be very human responses to what happened. Fear, sadness, anger, grief, and even intrusive thoughts don't automatically mean the devil is responsible. An unresolved wound can sometimes become fertile ground for destructive beliefs and behaviors" IE: I can never trust anyone,” “Everyone will hurt me,” “I hate them,” or “I'll hurt others before they can hurt me.” The original injury may not have been our fault, but continually feeding bitterness can give that injury power over the person we become. This happened to me because of an abusive childhood. My trauma turned into bitterness and hate. And I did not, could not, recognize the path it led me down.

The same principle applies to temptation. A temptation or unwanted thought appearing in our minds isn't the same thing as choosing sin. We can experience an angry thought, a sexual temptation, a desire for revenge, or another destructive impulse without surrendering to it. The important question is what we do next. Do we entertain it, nourish it, and eventually act upon it—or do we recognize where it is leading and choose another path? Scripture repeatedly warns us about allowing destructive things to take root because what we continually nourish can eventually influence our words, choices, relationships, and character. THIS IS SO TRUE.

So “give no place to the devil” can be understood very simply: don't give evil room to grow inside you. You can be angry without becoming hateful, wounded without becoming bitter, tempted without surrendering, and afraid without allowing fear to control you. What happened to you may not have been your choice, but you can choose what you allow that experience to produce in you. And that is key! The goal isn't to become frightened of the devil; it's to become aware of the doors we can accidentally leave open—and to close them by choosing truth, forgiveness, self-control, and what is laid before us through God' WORD. Personally, for me: if an awkward thought comes into my mind I know is of the flesh, I immediately quote THE WORD AGAINST IT--it is my defense and in like manner I will pray (praying aloud is even better since the words go out into the universe) .." I cast down every imagination, every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. I cast you out, now! I cast you down, now! in the Name of Jesus, the WORD of GOD.  I will replace and think on that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely as instructed BY THE WORD. Those 2 powerful scriptures I just quoted (2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8) chase away and dispels any evil or dark thoughts immediately. James 4:7 promises, " Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Bible doesn't say Satan "walks away," it says he FLEES!!  Flee has a very specific and dramatic meaning compared to the phrase "walks away" or even "goes away" The word FLEE means to run quickly because of danger, fear, or a threat. ALL Scripture is a threat to demons, and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go! The WORD OF GOD IS GIVEN TO EVERY TRUE BELIEVING,FOLLOWER as a powerful shield over our minds Use it!

The WORD OF GOD is powerful.. a sharp 2 edged sword.. a weapon for the spiritual battles we face in this world that war against our souls (minds) and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go. THE WORD CAN:

Obliterate corrupt thoughts

Subdue lawless impulses

Censure malicious intent

Purge unjust thoughts

Rebuke wicked designs

Ward off corrupt influences

Shield the intellect from malice

Guard the conscience against vice

Annihilate impure, sexual thoughts

Eliminate harmful habits

Hebrews 4:12 tells us the WORD OF GOD is living and active! Let that sink in! It's alive and working in every believer as a defense against evil. It cuts into a persons mind and life to separate truth from lies, holiness from sin, spiritual motivation from selfish desires. It's like a masterful surgeon holding a sharp scalpel that goes in and removes the rottenness Satan plants there as a spiritual cancer. And not only can THE WORD OF GOD remove what should not be in your mind, it is also a healing balm, "life to those that find them and health for the flesh" (Proverbs 4:20-22) We were given a gift .. the Word of Life. Use it to fight your battles!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

“What are you building your life on?"

 

Ask yourself,  “What am I building my life on?” Because the storm reveals the foundation—not the appearance of the house.  Jesus gives us this picture in Matthew 7:24–27, 

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Jesus then describes another person who builds his house on sand. Both houses look fine—until the storm comes. Let's break it down on a personal level.

Jesus lesson: Your “house” isn't a building. It's you. Your life:

Your relationships.

Your decisions.

Your beliefs.

Your values.

Your character.

What you trust when you're frightened.

What you do when nobody is watching.

Realize, every day, you're building something. But the real question isn't whether you're building. The question is: “What are you building on? A wise person doesn't merely hear Jesus.

Jesus says they BOTH HEAR AND DO His sayings. That's important. Why? You can know Scripture and still build on sand, you can attend church and still build on sand, you can call yourself a Christian and still build on sand. See, the foundation is revealed by what you actually trust and live by! The rock is putting your trust in Christ and allowing His words to become the foundation by which you live. It's not perfection .. it's direction. When you fall, you return to the Rock. When you don't understand, you seek the Rock. When the world tells you one thing and Christ tells you another, you have to decide which foundation you're standing on.

Are you building your life on sand? Sand represents anything we build our lives upon that cannot ultimately support us. Like what? It can be money, success, other people's approval (that's a big one), possessions, pleasure, power, a relationship, our own wisdom, religion without a changed heart, even our own feelings. And here's something really important .. Sand isn't necessarily evil!  That's what makes the illustration so good. THINK OF IT! Money isn't evil. Having a family isn't evil. Having a career isn't evil. Enjoying life isn't evil. No, the problem occurs when something temporary becomes the foundation of something eternal, because you can have money without money having you. You can love someone deeply without making that person your god. You can enjoy the world without making the world your foundation. BUT THEN, a storm!  Jesus says: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew…”

Notice something fascinating. The storm came to BOTH houses! 

The wise man's house wasn't protected from the storm.

The foolish man's house wasn't protected from the storm.

Christianity doesn't give us a storm-free life. The difference isn't: “One person had trouble and the other didn't.” The difference was: One had a foundation that could withstand the trouble.

That's huge. Sometimes people think, "If I really trust God, why am I going through this?" But Jesus never promised there wouldn't be storms. He showed us what happens when the storms arrive. What can we consider storms? They can be almost anything loss, grief, betrayal, financial hardship, Illness or disease, loneliness, disappointment, fear, temptation, failure, and death.

But sometimes something even harder takes place .. when everything you believed gets shaken! For a Christian, that's the worst kind of storm because that's when the foundation becomes visible. And because when everything is calm, sand can look just like rock.  You don't really know what you're standing on until something shakes you. A person can say they trust God but

then something terrible happens. Suddenly they discover they trusted their circumstances. Examples:

1. Someone says: “My family is everything.” Then they lose someone.

2. Someone says: “My success gives me security." Then they lose their job.

3. Someone says: “I know exactly how God works.” Then something happens that they cannot explain. And suddenly… the foundation is exposed. The storm didn't create the weakness. The storm revealed it!

Now to the house that falls. Jesus says the foolish man's house: “fell: and great was the fall of it.” Notice that He didn't say the foolish man didn't build anything. He built a house. It probably looked perfectly respectable. That's an important lesson too because a life can look beautiful on the outside and still have a terrible foundation underneath. You can have the house, the career, the marriage, the church attendance, the reputation, the money, the accomplishments, the appearance of having everything together. But underneath it all can be sand. 

The wise man, however, did something different. He didn't merely admire the Rock. He built upon it! That's the difference. You can admire Jesus. You can believe Jesus existed. You can read His words. You can talk about Him. But Jesus asks something deeper: “Will you build your life upon what I have told you?” That's what makes the foundation real.

When you ask yourself, “What am I building my life on?” Don't only ask, “Am I religious?” Ask: “What do I run to when I'm afraid?” “What determines my decisions?” “Where do I go when life falls apart?” “What matters most to me?” “What would still be standing if everything I owned disappeared?” And perhaps the deepest question: “If everything I currently depend upon were taken away, would I still have Christ?” If the answer is yes, then you have discovered something the world cannot take from you regardless of storms!

This is important ..

Being built on the Rock doesn't mean you'll never make mistakes. It doesn't mean you won't sin. It doesn't mean you won't question. It doesn't mean you won't cry. It doesn't mean you won't become frightened. It doesn't mean you won't sometimes feel like your faith is hanging by a thread. It means that underneath all of that, there is something deeper holding you. You may stumble. But you have somewhere to return. You may fall. But the foundation hasn't moved. You may lose almost everything. But the Rock is still there.

 So perhaps Jesus' question to us isn't really: “How beautiful is your house?” It's: “What is underneath it?” Because eventually every person's life encounters a storm. And when the rain falls, the flood rises, and the winds beat against the house, the storm will tell you what your foundation really was. And that's why Jesus says: “Hear these sayings of mine, and do them…” Not merely hear. Hear and build. Because you can build an enormous life on sand. Or you can build a humble life on the Rock. And when the storm comes… the Rock will still be there. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Sinners Are Blind By Default

Sinners are blind by default. That is not a degrogarory remark. It's a sad one. When you are talking to a  person who is not a Christian you are talking to someone who is categorically BLIND. They cannot "see" (perceive or understand) ANYTHING regarding ANY message of the gospel. I can say that because I too, long ago, was blind to the things pertaining to GOD and ETERNAL LIFE. Borrowing those famous lyrics from the song Amazing Grace'

"Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, WAS BLIND but now I see."

How do you explain the sun to someone who can't see? If no one has ever seen the sun, then they don't know what you're talking about. All they know is darkness, and so even their assessment of the darkness, to them, it makes more sense than your confession of the Light. Regarding this conversation (as one with sight) I need to be patient. I need to have empathy. I also need to be prayerful because it means I am actually participating with God in helping and leading the blind to see.  2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "The god of this world (Satan) has blined the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD." So when I speak or you speak the gospel to your family, your cousins, your friends, whoever, and YOU don't understand why they don't get what is easily and clearly is understood (seen) by you, it's because they have been blinded by an unforseen enemy (the god of this world!) The enemy is keeping them from SEEING/UNDERSTANDING Jesus/WORD/gospel. REMEMBER John 1:4 testifes Jesus WAS THE WORD MADE FLESH. 

Paul says, 2 Corinthians 4:5.. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as LORD, with ourselves as your servants for HIS sake." I hear so often (from the blind), "Don't tell me what to do." But we, as those with sight who were once in those same shoes, aren't trying to usurp authority over you, or tell you how to live your life. We are simply passing along the WORD OF LIFE (Jesus), His teachings as a helpful guide, as a  map if you will, hoping it will bring peace to you the way it did for us. IT'S NEVER ABOUT CONTROL OR POINTING FINGERS (who am I to judge when I was once blind), it's just sharing good news of how to find your way to see the Light and let you see a path before you you never knew existed.

When we speak the WORD of knowledge and direction, we're not speaking law, condemnation, or guilt. Hell or consequences are never brought up unless it's a part of what happens WHEN YOU REJECT JESUS. As I've said before, the bottom line is, it's not the sins that condemn you in the end, I've committed many, some too embarassing to bring out into the open, but I've been excused of them, cleared of them, washed clean of them! How? 

Did I do them? Yep. Does Jesus know about them? Yep. Every detail? Yep. And so have you .. we all have a transgression list, some miles long. So what's the difference between me and an unbeliever? NOT THE SIN, it's unbelief! If you stand in unbelief, you're condemned already says John 3:18, "but whoever does not believe is condemned already because they have not believed in the son of GOD" and followed up by two other verses backing is John 16: 8-9 AND Mark 16:16. I would encourage anyone to open a Bible and look at just those passages. Trusting in Jesus leads to salvation w/o judgment or condemnation. Jesus died ONCE on a cross  for the sins of the world (yours included), but He cannot make you belief it. Your sins are washed away, nailed to the cross, now believe it to be saved. He made a way, He's the door. Go through Him.

Making Jesus the centerpiece, sharing His Word is, a Christians call. It comes easy! It's like this: Say you are on the 22 mile hiking trail on one of the most dangerous trails known to man.. the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii. Another hiker, a complete stranger passes you and turns "off the path" headed in the direction of Crawlers Ledge. You see this hiker making a wrong turn because you've done it before too.  He's headed for an area notoriously narrow, a crumbly section that leaves no room for error. So many die there. Though this guy is a stranger to you, and you don't even know his name, still, don't you feel an urgency or at least a nudge to yell out something to the effect of, "Hey, hey you. You're off the path and headed for Crawlers edge. You're in danger. Don't go that way-you're liable to slip off and die. Can you see the warning signs everywhere? Did you not see them? I would avoid THAT PATH and turn to the safest one. Let me point  it out for you." Would you not offer a betterway? A safee way?? 

Though he's a compete stranger, wouldn't you speak up? That's the Christian to the unbeliever. I've seen the danger. I've been in danger. I was on the wrong path too but someone called to me, "You're on the wrong path, turn around" even pointed me lovingly in the right direction. I listened, took the right path and was saved from possible (spiritual) death.

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness" (from Genesis 1:3) has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Simply, the very LIGHT at the beginning of creation is comparable to the spiritual awakening GOD performs inside A BELIEVER, replacing inner darkness (blindness) with TRUTH! The same creative Omnipotent power required to speak the physical universe into existence is required to save the human soul and there is only ONE who fits that bill .. Jesus Christ. No one else ever died for you, cared about you, or loves you like the One calling out you're heading the wrong way. Remember, Paul warned that Satan (the god of this world/planet) on which we live has blinded THE MINDS of unbelievers so that they just can't see the truth. As a believer whose eyes have been restored to see truth is now telling you the divine antidote is JESUS who shatters that satanic blindnesses by giving spiritual perception, allowing a person to truly know and recognize God's supreme worth and beauty. HIS SAVING GRACE!

Sharing the gospel is the means by which God gives people the abilty TO SEE HIM. So sight, seeing, breaking through blindness, is a gift and a grace that comes by giving and sharing the gospel of Truth. God wants to use believers to bring light into the world because He channels His goodness through us as instruments in a darkpace. And as long as I have breath I'll keep lifting the veil from the eyes of those I perceive as taking the same path I did.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-