As I Disappear, He Appears. Is This Possible?

 

Man was created in the image of God. However sin entered the human race through the Fall and man lost his original place on earth. Man became a slave to sin. Sin thus controlled man, but Jesus came to reverse the power of sin over man. Yet man continues to suffer under the burden of sin. We are assailed by sickness and disease. We face death daily. Stress is a way of life for we face pressures from within and without. This is the state of man despite the salvation wrought through Christ. Who can deliver us from this state? God has provided the means.

 

We must take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. This is the only way we can overcome sin, the world and the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. We are to do the same. Yet what we see is that the devil is destroying us. Why has the church lost its initial glory? The early church was full of power. Jesus did not leave us alone but sent His Spirit to indwell us. Yet we live like we are under siege. We live in fear rather than faith. We have wandered away from our first love. We excuse our lack of faith and blame it on the devil. It is time to wake up and take our place in Christ.

 

The only way we can do this is through total surrender. Jesus was dependent on His Father all the time. He only did what He saw His Father doing. We have to do the same. This is only possible as we turn from our own independence and walk in dependence on Him. We must disappear if He is to appear. As we become less He becomes more. There is no other way the Spirit can conquer through us. God has provided for us and we must depend on His provision. John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) . This is the only way. Is this possible? It surely is. Only believe.

Your Spirit Is Born Again And Redeemed. Your Flesh Is Being Sanctified.

 

Man is made of body, soul and spirit. Man was born in sin and so his spirit was dead at birth. Man is made in the image of God but his spirit is dead due to sin. Now he has a form of godliness but his spirit is dead. Man needs to be born again in the spirit to be made new. This is the reason Jesus came. Through His death and resurrection He was able to impart His Spirit into man. When His Spirit is received he becomes a new creation in Christ. This is called the born-again experience. Man now lives forever in his spirit. However the body and the soul are still not redeemed. The body and soul are still subject to man. God resides in his spirit but only those who walk according to the Spirit can subdue the body and soul.

 

The flesh which is a term for body and soul needs to be sanctified. Sanctification is a life-long process. To be fully sanctified is to be like Jesus. His Spirit in us does the work of sanctification as we submit to Him daily. Many don't understand this process and so remain infants in their spirit. To grow in the spirit one needs to be filled with the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us and He leads and guides us. He is our Helper, Comforter and Teacher. He is always communicating with us. He gives us His thoughts and feelings. All we need to do is listen to Him. When we acknowledge Him as Lord, He takes over. This is a daily surrender to His will. Remember, we are in a battle.

 

The battle for our soul is called spiritual warfare. The devil and the world conspire to distract us from our submission to the Lord. God is on our side but He has given us a free will to choose whom we will serve. Jesus had many following Him but only a few stuck with Him. So also today many are happy to be saved but few want to be His disciples. Many start well but then fall away due to the pressures of the world and the devil. We see this in every area of life. The battle can get fierce and some have lost their lives in following Jesus. We must surrender all to Him daily till we are called home to Him. There is no better life to live than in total surrender to Him.

What Is Your Filter? Is It The Word Of God?

 

What is your filter that allows your perception of what you hear and see? All of us have filters that help us to process the information we receive from our senses. These filters enable us to accept and reject information. They are like inbuilt defences. Negative information is rejected. Our filters are like our conscience. Our conscience helps us to be sensitive to the voice of God and to others. Without a conscience we will be like animals that have no conscience. We were made in the image of God. The rest of creation was not. Therefore it is sacrilegious to say we have evolved from monkeys. This is why we need to know the word of God to counter the nonsense from the opinions of man. Man was born in sin and therefore our knowledge and wisdom are fallen and partial. Our knowledge of truth is partial till we know the Truth.

 

Jesus is our Truth. He came to redeem us from our fallen state. Now He is our filter. When we acknowledge Him as Lord, He becomes Lord. He is not just our Saviour but also our Lord. He becomes our conscience. This is why we face so many battles in this life, for truth is always attacked. The world does not know Him. He came into the world but the world knew Him not. When we are born again in the spirit we come to know Him as God. Yet despite this we still see so many versions of Christianity amongst His followers. Why is this so? Our spirit is redeemed but our flesh is not. Our flesh continues to be influenced by sin and is susceptible to sin. 

 

What is the way out of this dilemma? Paul addresses this issue in Romans 8. Only in the Spirit can we find true freedom from the desires of the flesh. We could be in the spirit but still walk in the flesh. This is why we say a lot of right things but then live like the world.  We need to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. These days the church is like the world and so has lost its light and salt. We are called to be light and salt in the world. We need to repent for our tastelessness and darkness and return to His light. When we do this, we usher in the glory of God into our midst. We need to filter out all ungodliness and worldliness and become holy in His presence. This is the only way to cause a revival to break forth in our midst. Let us start today and continue daily till we are called home to His heavenly abode.

 

Resting In God Is A Faith Position For Those Who Know God.

 

Resting in God's promises is only possible for those who know God intimately. The place of rest is a place for all who believe and trust in Him and His word. God rested after He did His works. We need to enter into His rest now that He has completed His works. Why then the restlessness in our hearts? We are restless only because we have not entered His rest, which is a place where we trust all things into God's hands. He is the Creator and we are His creation, who should know His love and therefore rest just like a child knows his father's love and rests. What a place of peace and trust and no man can buy this rest. This rest is only available through intimacy with God.

 

Intimacy is a well-known term but few understand the depth of its meaning. To be intimate is to be exposed to another and be vulnerable. One cannot be intimate with another if one is not exposed. God knows all things about us. We cannot hide from Him. He knows our deepest thoughts and the intent of our heart. We may think we can fool others but we can never fool God. We must come to Him openly and bare all to Him. In this place we will know the Father heart of God and know His rest. We trust Him and He trusts us and there is no doubt. “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give” will be our daily song.

 

What a good place to be when all around us appears to be crumbling and falling down. Man-made structures and monuments can be easily destroyed. His word never changes and is eternal. His word is a light that shines through darkness and shows up the hidden areas that need to be exposed. In this process of exposure is our deliverance. We are at rest for there is no fear in perfect love. Others may deride Him but we choose to trust Him and His completed works. Hallelujah what a salvation we have in Jesus. We rest because He rests and is seated on the right hand of the Father. Come and enter into His rest today.

How To Translate Your Faith Into Action In Jesus’ Name.

 

Faith is easily said but many do not understand the depth of this word. Many have tried to define faith as trust, hope, evidence of things not seen. It is all that, but more. God created the worlds by faith. The blind man was healed by faith. The lame man walked by faith. Water was turned into wine by faith. So what is faith? Words fail to define faith because it is something that God has dealt in measure to each one (Rom 12:3).  As Christians, we all have a degree of faith and therefore are able to see the invisible realm to a degree. However God imparts faith to not only see the impossible but also make it possible. 

 

To have faith in God is to believe in Him. Without faith no man can come to God. God has imparted to us a degree of faith to be able to believe in Him. However to do exploits in God we need to have the gift of faith given by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:9). This is the faith of God. This is supernatural faith. This is faith that believes beyond all doubt. This is the faith that enabled Peter to walk on water. There are so many examples of this faith in action in the Bible. Recently I heard of a testimony of faith in a prophetic word for compensation to come to pass. In natural terms it was impossible but faith in the spoken word broke through the barriers.

 

We too can see the prophetic word come into action. Faith without works is dead. Faith must result in works. God promised us that He will do what He promised to do. The Apostle John prayed for health and prosperity even as our soul prospers (3 John 2). We either believe His word or walk in unbelief. I choose to walk by faith. I will  believe till I see the fruit of my faith in God's promises being fulfilled daily in my life. We can grow in faith as we walk by faith. Choose to walk by faith today and see the impossible become possible.

The Word Of His Power Transforms Like No Other

The word of His power is not the same as the power of His word. The word of His power is not limited since His power is unlimited. The power of His word on the other hand is limited by the word. See the difference? When you meditate on God's word it takes you into different dimensions of His power. This is why reading His word is not enough. We need to meditate on His word, because His word has many dimensions. When we tap into His word we are changed from one state to another. God spoke His word and created the universe. Jesus spoke the word of healing and the lame man walked, the blind man saw and the deaf man heard. How can a spoken word have so much power to change a person from one state to another?

 

We have listened to talks where we became convinced of a subject by the power of the speech. Words are powerful to induce change. We know of talk therapies that induce change in the recipient. Words induce a change in perception. Lies can do the same and induce fear, whereas loving words can elicit feelings of love. Words are powerful change agents in everyday life. Advertisements bombard us daily through words and images to convince us to buy a product. There is power in words. However God's power is not limited by words. His power is limitless and His word carries His unlimited power.

 

God's unlimited power can change anything. He operates in the realm of the impossible. When we meditate on His word we get empowered. Fear loses its grip. We can soar on eagle wings. We will renew our strength. How can we live without meditating on His word? God says that man will not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Yet we neglect His word. We would rather listen to the opinions of men, showing how stupid and careless we are to reject His word. We hear of the Ten Commandments being removed from institutions which were founded on them. Religious education is belittled in schools. When God's word is belittled the nation regresses into moral depravity. It's time we meditated on God's word and released its power to change lives and nations.

Transformation In The Spirit Affects Your Body And Soul.

 

Transformation is a powerful word that changes you from what was to what is. We are a new creation in Christ when we receive the Spirit of Christ in us. This is not just a change of mind set but a transformation of our spirit. Our spirit is born again. Our born-again spirit now has the potential to transform our body and mind. The Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and to fill us. As we are filled in His Spirit, we become more like Jesus on earth. We begin to reflect His image. His presence now pervades us and we transmit His presence to all around. This is a supernatural encounter. Only the Spirit of God can do this. This is true conversion.

 

Our transformed spirit now begins to transform our mind and our body. The more we are filled in the Spirit and walk by the Spirit, the more we are transformed. This is a process. For some it happens in a twinkling of an eye. For others it is a life-long process. It is all dependent on the extent of our surrender to Him. He has given us a free will and He waits for us to call on Him. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He helps us in our walk. Jesus said He has not left us alone but has sent His Comforter. Now we need to cooperate with Him daily to walk according to the Spirit. 

 

When we become one in the Spirit we could be raptured into His presence. This is the glorious presence of being with Him in heavenly places. Some have experienced this transformation and visited Jesus in heaven. The extent of the transformation is limitless. God is limitless and with Him anything is possible. He walked on water, healed the sick, delivered the captive and rose from the dead. We too have the same potential since He resides in us. Only in the Holy Spirit is this possible. He is calling us to a deeper walk with Him. Will we heed His call?

Everything On Earth Is Temporary. Nothing Is Permanent.

 

On earth everything that we see and know is temporary. Death is a reality. Everything has a time limit. All things made will fade over time. Some things increase in value but they are still destructible. Nothing is permanent. Yet we put so much time and effort into these things, both animate and inanimate. Why are we so stupid to think that what we have will last forever? We fail to comprehend the truth because we live mainly in denial of the impermanence of life as we know it. Yet God has promised us eternal life in Jesus.

 

Jesus came to restore us to the original state, which was designed to exist for eternity. Adam and Eve were like God and enjoyed a freedom and authority on earth like God. But through the Fall everything became limited due to death. Death became the cause for a lot of destruction through the ages. Man turned against God and God turned against man. This sad story continues today as we continue to rebel against God. We want to conquer death through our own means and be like God. How can the created be like the Creator?

 

In our foolishness we gave up what God intended for good and exchanged it for our own selfish desires. We became god created in our own image. Therefore God gave us up and let us go our own way. We see the consequences of the Fall in everyday life. We have become so immoral and selfish and worship ourselves and our achievements. We were made in the image of God and so have the potential to achieve much, but it is all in vain. Death hounds us in every corner. What is the way of escape? Only Jesus promises us eternal life and a restoration back to the original design. Choose Him today to be your Lord and Saviour and enjoy eternal life now.

Thy Word Is A Lamp To My Feet And A Light To My Path.

 

God's word is like a lamp that shines in the darkness. We need light when we walk in darkness. Without light we will grope in darkness. Watch the blind man walk and you will observe how he gropes around using his other senses to direct him. So also when we walk in darkness we need a light to shine and reveal the path we need to take. God's word is a light that shines and reveals the truth and directs our paths.

 

In these days of fake news the only hope we have is in His Word. His word was given to us so that we would know His ways. However most people choose to reject His word. God has given us His written word, the Bible, to know His will. He has also provided us with His living Word, Jesus. His word and Jesus are the same. His written word became flesh. This is a mystery but so true. When we read His written word it becomes flesh to us. His word is living and it changes and transforms us into His image. 

 

The light of God’s word keeps us sane. His word is so powerful when added to faith and results in signs and wonders. God spoke His word and created the world and all that is in it. We can speak His written word and see. It illumines our mind. Once we walked in darkness. Now we walk in the light as He is in the light. Let us meditate on His word and see Him manifest in our lives.

The Spirit Of Man Is In His Seed

 

We are all familiar with seeds. When we sow a seed we expect to see the fruit of that seed. Apple seeds will produce apples. Orange seeds will produce oranges. A good seed will produce good fruit. A bad seed will produce bad fruit. This applies to all creation. Adulterated seeds will produce fruit that are adulterated or mixed. We hear of animals of pure breed. This means that the ancestral line of that animal is from a pure stock and unadulterated. The pure breed has the spirit of its ancestry and carries value. God planted His seed into us and this is imperishable seed. This happened when we were born again. The imperishable seed of God was implanted in us and we are now called children of God. We have a Heavenly Father.

 

Human seed likewise carries the spirit of the person. A child carries the spirit of each parent. The characteristics of the parents are handed down through their genes to their children. Some personality traits of the parents can be seen in their children. We hear of the common phrase, Like father like son. If a son steals, the blame is put on his father. If the father has a short temper, his child may have the same trait. How does this apply to human transmission of spirits through artificial insemination?  Seeds of both parents are passed on to the child. What effect does this have on children where the seeds are not of the parents? Is this a form of adulteration?

 

How does God see such children? God hates adultery. Does this apply to artificial insemination too? These are tough questions for parents who are unable to conceive either due to lack of their own seed or other issues. God joined a man and women to procreate and bear children of their own. If this then crosses boundaries what is the cost to the child? Yet God has provided a way of escape. The natural seed of the parents only applies to the earthly life. There is a higher life that each person can receive through the imperishable seed of God. This seed cancels all other forms of inheritance as it is eternal. Natural seed is perishable and therefore limited to this life. Praise God He has provided an imperishable seed that replaces and provides eternal life. This is the seed of the Holy Spirit.

Partisan Politics And The Rule Of Justice.

 

Many of us have been bombarded through the main stream media of the results of the recent election in USA. There appears to be a great deal of exposure of corruption in the system. Yet the corruption is only voiced by one side. Why is this so? I believe we have all been taken up by the story of one side whether liberal or conservative. Our beliefs will determine the narrative that we support. In this world we are faced with fake news and corruption and not the absolute truth. This is how the world operates and the god of this world infuses the minds of people to embrace lies. Lies appear to have a power greater than the truth. This battle is fought on different fronts: personal, family, community, work place and politics. Therefore don't be surprised when Christians too take sides.

 

Truth takes a secondary place when power and greed take over. We see power battles everywhere in the world we live in including the church. Jesus came to cancel these evil powers and show us the path to peace and truth. He said He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). When we seek to acknowledge Him as Lord then we choose to walk in His way. Why then do we still see divisions amongst Christians? Well there are unbelieving Christians and believing Christians. There is always the false amongst the true, the tares amongst the wheat. This is what we have to live with. We are called to live a higher life and for a higher purpose, the Kingdom of God.

 

The Kingdom of God has one King and His Name is Jesus. When we acknowledge Him as Lord then all other kings have to bow down to Him. It is not politics but righteousness and justice that should lead us. We need to pray for truth and justice in all areas of life to prevail. In this way the Kingdom of God will be established on earth as it is in Heaven. This is where the spiritual warfare takes place. We need to dethrone Satan and enthrone Jesus. We are called to be a body united for this purpose and appointed to take a stand in all areas of life. Who will heed His call? Will the church rise up and take a stand during these days of trial and challenge? It starts with each one of us.

Toxic Relationships And How To Manage Them

 

Relationships are important but there are good and not so good relationships. We were born into a family and we have no choice in who our parents and siblings are. However we still have a choice even in our families who we will trust and who we will keep at a distance. Friendships we can choose. Good friends are like gold as they last for life and build us up. Toxic relationships destroy and we have to say goodbye to some. Jesus chose twelve disciples yet all of them left Him when He was arrested. One even betrayed Him and got Him arrested. 

 

Toxic relationships are difficult to change. Like an alcoholic some people become dependent on certain relationships even though they are destructive. Change is difficult and sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we take charge. We need to be wise and not get stuck in relationships that are not helpful but hurtful. We see this in domestic violence situations where the woman repeatedly hopes that her partner will change in time. Many don't, as in most of these relationships the couple are stuck in a co-dependent relationship. One person must decide to leave the relationship for the sake of both.

 

God wants a relationship with us. His love is unconditional and non-judgemental. We need to cultivate our relationship with each other in a similar way. We cannot afford to continue in relationships that lack respect and love for each other. The time will come to say goodbye to some. Foster the ones that build and are dependable. We need to cultivate this in all our relationships to stay healthy. It is not an offence to leave relationships that are toxic. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. We need to be wise in who we choose to call friends. Don' t waste your time in trying to save those who do not wish to be saved.

The Law Of Attraction Is Demonic In Nature And Based On Familiarity.

 

Many have heard of invoking the law of attraction to attract wealth and prosperity. This law states that what you believe will come to you. If you think and believe in wealth then you will attract wealth. This is quite a popular theory and many have been seduced by it. However the underlying spirit could be demonic in nature. Why do I say this? Attraction can be a familiar spirit. A seductive spirit will attract similar seductive spirits. This seduction is evil although it may look innocent. Any spirit in me will be attracted to a similar spirit in others. A lustful spirit will attract other lustful spirits. Birds of a feather flock together. This is what the law of attraction is all about. If one does not discern the spirit behind a movement then it is easy to get trapped into it.

 

This will also apply to other areas of life. Addictions are a good example. If I am addicted to alcohol then I will be attracted to other alcoholics. The spirit of alcohol is the attraction. Alcohol is not evil in itself but once it controls my life then it becomes an addiction. So also other deviations, sexual or physical, can result from the attraction of similar spirits. Could this explain how many get into trouble because what appeared innocent now has become a problem?  Money is not evil in itself but the love of money is.

 

What is the way out of this situation? Firstly it is difficult to see it is a problem till the addiction becomes a problem due to its consequences. Gambling is not a problem till it breaks up a marriage or bankruptcy results. One can see how an innocent activity has become a snare. This is where such addictions are demonic in nature. One needs to repent and be delivered from the spirit of addiction. With Jesus this is possible. He came to set the captive free. There is no other lasting solution. Today be aware of attractions that may end up in addictions.