Stand up, Step out.

GIVE! Give of your time, give of your perspective, give of your resources. Bless as you have been blessed. Freely you have been given, freely give!

A responsive God!

God is responsive to our situation when we believe what?

Hebrews 11:6

New International Version And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Berean Study Bible And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Berean Literal Bible And without faith, it is impossible to please Him. For it behooves the one drawing near to God to believe that He exists and that He becomes a rewarder to those earnestly seeking Him out. King James Bible But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Contemporary English Version But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him. Holman Christian Standard Bible Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. New Heart English Bible Now without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

The Great Deception.

It's not one lie, it's many. They come from every direction. Don't focus on the lies! There are to many to comprehend.

Know Truth Himself, you'll see the lie every time...

Proverbs 29:18 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

Eschatology... Hmm.

Choice presumes Freedom!

Choice finds it's root in the substance of truth.

Truth can set us free from the determinism of "cause & effect".

Freedom is the foundation of creative expression.

Ecclesiastes?

As I read Ecclesiastes to the two sons of my old age. Hudson shared his joy in discovering that the Bible expressed how he felt. My surprise was that his response was exactly like mine when I first read Ecclesiastes. Why, because I was so "not churched" and he is so "churched".

For some reason, I think about "the futility of chasing the wind and the importance of loving God".

Sanctification?

It's like the 40 years in the wilderness. God killed off all those who had unbelief.

CALAMITY will be our wilderness. 

Define Context!

Give God a pile of ashes. He takes and compresses it into a charcoal pencil and begins to draw.

Beauty from ashes.

Our story is told in "Context".

Our history can not be separated from "Now". Context is found in the now. It gives hope because the context reveals forgiveness.

Scriptures?

39 You search the Scriptures because you think in them you have eternal life. These are they who bear witness of Me. 40 Yet you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Scriptures? = Authoritative!

Who knew the scriptures better? I'm just asking.

Arguing with God

How is it possible that Moses changed God's mind about destroying Israel? The implications make my brain hurt.

Exodus 32: 7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

11 Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” 14 So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.

Stretched and Strengthened.

Gosh. "Stretched and Strengthened"? Yes, there is a story to be told... Not a story, a "testimony" to be shared. It's beyond me to tell. I wait on Him.

What we know gets in the way of what we need to know

Our willingness to learn is diminished by the success of what we know because we think success is proof we have attained. Intellectual security is based in pride, it guarantees calamity because God loves us.

Choices and Decisions.

We all have a path we are walking. It's a unique path that no one else has walked. When Jesus says "narrow is the way" He is speaking about the path I'm on and how narrow it is. The guard rails are the same, but the lessons to learn are uniquely different. Yet my testimony will be a prophetic glimpse that God wants to work in your life.

Rest in the Lord...

You can only "Rest in the Lord" when you understand that anything more you do will only get in the way of what God wants to do. It is directly related to "Be Blameless".

STRENGTH & POWER = Blameless?

The Strength of Being Blameless. 

BLAMELESS:  /ˈblāmlis/

adjective:    innocent of wrongdoing.

Knowing no accusation is true. Being free of guilt. Allows the possibility of being regret-free.

Caution

Guilt is a function of the spirit. You can "reason" away your sin (the mind), but guilt remains.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (RSV)   For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might on behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward him.

2 Samuel:23-25 (RSV)      For all his ordinances were before me, and from his statutes, I did not turn aside. 24 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. 25 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

Psalm 119:2–3.  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3. who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

WE CAN ONLY BE BLAMELESS IF AND WHEN WE ARE 

WALKING BY FAITH AND BEING SPIRIT-LED

The Power of Repentance.

metanoia (repentance)

Original Word: μετάνοια, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun,

Transliteration: metanoia

Phonetic Spelling: (met-an’-oy-ah)

Short Definition: repentance, a change of mind

Definition: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man.

Here is the verb form:

metanoeó: to change one’s mind or purpose

Original Word: μετανοέω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: metanoeó

Phonetic Spelling: (met-an-o-eh’-o)

• Short Definition: I repent, change my mind, change my ways
• Definition: I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent.

REPENTANCE: Acknowledging the accusation and accepting responsibility, with (Godly) sorrow that leads to a desire for forgiveness and reconciliation/restoration of relationship.

accusation. [ak-yoo-zey-shuh n] noun.  1. a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame.

2 Corinthians 7:9 (ASV)   I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Adam and Eve in the garden

1 John 1: 5-6 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him, there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

potential

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR IDENTITY it is important to understand that God sees us from a perspective of our potential. He knows who He created us to be.

It is this potential that is the foundation of His love, commitment, long-suffering and hope for us.

With insight and understanding of our God-given potential, He rebukes, chastises, encourages and disciplines us with exhortations of humility, honesty, and demonstrations of unconditional love.

He calls us to be over-comers, blameless, willing to admit our mistakes, dependant on His guidance. Willing to serve His purposes. In this light, we should make our decisions! When seeking God’s Will we shouldn’t be asking what does God wants me to do. We should be asking who God wants me to be. It is then He will show us who we are.

Jurisdiction

SYNONYMS FOR jurisdiction...
administration, arbitration, authority, command, commission, control, discretion, district, influence, power, vrule, scope, sovereignty, territory, dominion, orbit, province, range, reach, reign, sphere, sway.

The Threshing Floor.

Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

What's the Point?

A changed life!

Sign of the Times? Or just Current events?

Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  25 Behold, I have told you before.

2 Thes. 2 :1. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Strength in Weakness

Matthew 26:41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

2 Cor. 2:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.

Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Christian Mystics and Now!

I've enjoyed the books of several Christian "mystics". Andrew Murray, Watchman Nee, and A.W. Tozer. These are people that God gave spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. And they shared God's heart and mind, how God felt, and what He thought to their generation.

Their asceticism was simple and did not bring glory to themselves. They knew God, and the things of the world had little appeal to them.

Now...
The mysteries of the believer's union with the Father through the Holy Spirit are being made clear to all of us.

Hebrews 8:11. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 

Acts 2:17-18 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Revelation 19:9. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

1 Cor. 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

VOICES.

A multitude of voices! Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat, all telling me the truth??

A new season is upon us.

Each of us goes through seasons in our life. That is not what I am talking about. The season upon all of us is Global. I'm only one pointing down the path I have yet to take.

Relationships? Who can fathom the complexity?

I know I can't. I am lost. Wait, I know the one that can! I will trust in his guidance, provision and care.

Conviction

First be a man of humility, then be a man of conviction. Because you know what you believe and why you believe it.

Correct a wise man and he becomes wiser still.

Being led by the Holy Spirit

What does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit?

Romans 8:14 All that are led by the Spirit of God they are the children of God.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Isaiah 45:2 “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth;
I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.

Deuteronomy 1:30 'The LORD your God who goes before you, will Himself fight on your behalf.

Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

What does "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" mean?

Can we be led by the Holy Spirit without following? What does it mean to follow?

Is walking by God's principles the same as walking by the Spirit?

Does 2 Chronicles 16:9 have anything to do with being led by the Spirit?

For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him.

Psalm 51

11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Leadership

In the Economy of God's *Kingdom there is no leadership but that of the Holy Spirit.      *Household

Peace

There is no peace for the liar, especially when he lies to himself.

Ain't No Devil Gonna Tread on Me | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible

Ain't No Devil Gonna Tread on Me | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible:

When Jesus Christ came, he crushed the head of the devil. Join We The Kingdom on their 5-day devotional, inspired by their song 'Don't Tread On Me', in which they emphasize the declaration of the truth of God’s Word in the face of the lies of the enemy.

Download the "youversion"  Bible app to most easily go through the reading plan...

https://www.youversion.com

Here's the We The Kingdom video...

https://youtu.be/o4KEgwLDLHw

Evidence that the Spiritual Battleground is our Mind

Cognitive Dissonance? Cognitive Distortion?

Cognitive dissonance may be defined as the state of having inconsistent or conflicting thoughts, beliefs, attitudes or behaviors, which, in turn, produce a feeling of discomfort within the individual.

Cognitive distortions are simply ways that our mind convinces us of something that isn't really true. These inaccurate thoughts are usually used to reinforce negative thinking or emotions — telling ourselves things that sound rational and accurate, but really only serve to keep us feeling bad about ourselves.

Some Distortions:

• Always being right
• Blaming
• Disqualifying the positive
• Emotional reasoning
• Fallacy of change
• Fallacy of fairness
• Jumping to conclusions
• Labeling and mislabeling
• Magnification and minimization
• Overgeneralizing
• Personalizing
• Making "must" or "should" statements
• Splitting (All-or-nothing thinking, black-or-white thinking, dichotomous reasoning)

It's not whether a thought is positive or negative or a "thinking error". The question is whether the thinking is based on truth, which stirs conviction that leads to hope, or on a lie which concludes condemnation which leads to hopelessness.

Renewing the mind...

Taking every thought captive

Pray without ceasing

It All Works Together!

The present "Here and Now", the Presence of God, Led by the Spirit, Authority, Power, The Battle, Righteous Peace and Joy, Kingdom of God, Alert, Awake, Seeing Eyes, Hearing Ears,

Personal Relationship?

Do you have a "personal relationship" with God?

"I am the good shepherd". I know My own sheep, and they know Me,...

The Book of John Chapter 10
1.“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
6. Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
9. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
13. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
15. just a the Father knows me and I know the Father (John 17)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. (The Gentiles) I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd (The Church/Bride).
17. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
18. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”...

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,

26. but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 

27. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

28. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

2.9 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 

30. I and the Father are one.”
31. Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 

32. but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33. “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”? 

35. If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 

36. what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 

37. Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father... 

40. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 

41. and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 

42. And in that place many believed in Jesus.

Faith is not...

trust, or belief, or confidence, or conviction, or credence, or reliance, or dependence, or optimism, or hopefulness, or hope, or expectation, or any attitude or principle you can put into practice.

John 5:39-40 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40. yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.

FAITH IS A RELATIONSHIP! With God the Father, by the Holy Spirit, because of the sacrifice His Son Jesus.

In this relationship, we grow in;  trust, belief, confidence, conviction, credence, reliance, dependence, optimism, hope, expectation, and anticipation.

Hyperfocus: The Ability to "Pay Attention"??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocus

An ability to "Focus" to the exclusion of distractions.

How is this an attribute of someone with ADHD?

"Deficit" of Soul?

God's will is that your balance sheet be balanced!

Deficit: short·fall  /ˈSHôrtˌfôl/  noun: shortfall; plural noun: shortfalls

a deficit of something required or expected.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFICIT  By N., Pam M.S. 

Any cognitive, emotional or behavioral performance of an individual that is below average.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a developmental disorder
• Cognitive deficit, any characteristic that acts as a barrier to cognitive performance.

-------------------------------------------------

Laying in bed tonight I ruminated on the past week; Live in the 'Here and Now", "Be Present", "Be awake/Aware", "Listen/Pay Attention", be led by the Holy Spirit. The word "Deficit" came to mind.

I was reminded of...

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.

And realizing the truth of...

Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Tonight I realized God was going to make a deposit into my account (My Soul)!

He said "As iron sharpens iron, be ready to get your axe sharpened".

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Vagaries? GOD IS NOT SURPRISED!

noun - plural noun: vagaries
an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior.

The vagaries of life are unexpected and therefore cannot be anticipated. But God is not surprised! 

The same is true of "vicissitudes".

"When you talk of the vicissitudes of life, you're referring to the difficult times that we all go through: sickness, job loss, and other unwelcome episodes. No one can escape the vicissitudes of life"

Vocabulary.com

Patterns of behavior.

Identity, Self-conception, interpretation, and a unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our sense of identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective that exists in the now but choice gives us the ability to break patterns of behavior.

Stop relying on your memory and reason alone. Embrace the Lover of your Soul's guidance. Discover who He created you to be, and overcome the lies that have led to destructive habits.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

John 8:31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

And behold, I Am with you always,

There is never a time that the Holy Spirit is not present in our lives.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Luke 12:32  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The Present Moment

I call it the Here and Now.

The present moment is "where" and "when" we exist and have our being. Our understanding resides with our thoughts in the present moment. Our experience is informed by our "perspective" which is derived from a combination of our five senses, our memory of the past that validates the present moment, and our ability to reason, which anticipates the future. Because of this, each individual has a "unique" and limited perspective.

Our perspective, is limited by the laws of physics and the nature of our inertial frame, which is our physical body. This is why the truth of Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6 is so important to understand. And why being Spirit-led is an essential aspect of every believer's walk.

If we are born again, we are conscious of the Holy Spirit's presence. According to His will, the Holy Spirit "informs" our perspective and therefore increases our understanding so that if we trust and obey, we can participate in what He is doing in the present moment (Revealing the Kingdom).

The present moment, the here and now, is the only place where a child of God is led by the Spirit of God. It's where the Holy Spirit reminds us of His leading in the past: John 14:26. It is where He speaks prophetically to us about the future. John 16:13 

The present moment is the only place where we can exercise Biblical Faith as we trust and obey the Holy Spirit's leading in the here and now!

Jesus said, "I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees, present-tense, the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. Jn 5:19

Jesus also said, "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Jn 14:10

The "Here and Now" and the Presence of God

The "Here and Now" is where we pay attention. To pay attention means to consciously focus on one aspect of that which we are aware.

We can be aware of many things in the here and now and still not pay attention to them.

Definition: the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others.

"Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether considered subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention

"Attention is the cognitive process that makes it possible to position ourselves towards relevant stimuli and consequently respond to it. This cognitive ability is very important and is an essential function in our daily lives."

https://www.cognifit.com/attention

"Attention is a complex cognitive function which is essential for human behavior. Attention is a selection process for an external (sound, image, smell...) or internal (thoughts) event which has to be maintained at a certain level of awareness. It is not a stable but rather, fluctuating skill."

http://www.happy-neuron.com/brain-and-training/attention

From all this information we begin to understand that paying attention takes conscious effort.

Two Bible verses come to mind…

Romans 8:14 All that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God.

John 10:27  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

And this one…

Matthew 10:19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.

These verses speak of the present-tense indicative verb of paying attention to the Holy Spirit in the here and now. Not just acknowledging God's presence but recognizing Him and "choosing" to pay attention and to engage in your relationship with Him.

The enemy does not want you to do that. He will use distraction by trying to get you to focus, not on the present situation I call the "Here and Now" but on the past using condemnation/hopelessness or the future using speculation/fear... Or both.

Reality does not exist in the future or in the past.

We exist and have our being in the "Here and Now". It is where we make our choices and decisions that will shape our future. Do you trust in your limited perspective and understanding in your situation, or will you choose to pay attention to the Lover of your Soul and trust in His Guidance and Counsel? "Now" is the time, and "here" is the place we create the future God wants us to have.

Philippians 3:12 (NLT) I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Proverbs 3:5 (CEV) With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.

Choices

Choice is all about your ability to choose. If you say "I have no choice" than you believe a lie. In the old testament, God says "choose you this day, a blessing or a curse". Fundamentally, those are the two choices we have.

In The Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks about making choices...

Matt 18:9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

If your flesh causes you to sin, well you have a choice. From the hyperbole in the Sermon on the Mount to Paul's practical advice from his own experience...

Rom 8:12-14 "Therefore Brethren we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if you through the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the children of God."

Galatians 6:7-8  ESV  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Col. 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

Know this...

1Cor. 10:15. No temptation has seized you, except what is common to man. And God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also provide with the temptation the escape, to be able to endure it.

The only thing you have no choice about is about making choices.

You have a choice! Sow to the flesh and reap the curse. Sow to the Holy Spirit and reap the blessing.

Learning to overcome our fleshly nature through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, this is the process of sanctification. God's will is for us to be overcomers.

Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Romans 14:17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

PEACE

JOY

Play it by ear?

To play it by ear is to act according to the situation. Playing it by ear means you work with what you get.

The original meaning of this term was to play music without sheet music, meaning you improvised from what you heard and did your best to bring everything into harmony with a melody that everyone would appreciate.   Hmm?

Jesus said "I don't do anything except what I "see" (Present tense) my father doing.

I believe this is what it means when Paul said "All that are led by the spirit of God, they are the children of God"

Matthew 10:9 (Luke 12:12)When they bring you to trial, do not worry about what you are going to say or how you will say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you will say.

The natural state of our spirituality?

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to know the Father except through me.

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God they are children of God.

John 14:16. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. 17. the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.…

Colossians 3:15  "The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make;"

Compared to...

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

ADDICTIONS

Ad·dic·tion - noun: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.

We are all addicts of something...

• Alcoholic: addicted to alcohol.
• Workaholic: addicted to work.
• Chocaholic: addicted chocolate.
• Spendaholic : addicted to spending money.
• Sportsaholic : lives to watch or play sport.
• Talkaholic : Incessant talking.
• Tweetaholic : Addicted to tweeting.

The one addiction that trumps them all is the “addiction to self-will”.

"I'm going to do what I want to do!"

It began in the garden of Eden and continues to this day. We are aware of Good and evil and seem to instinctively know when someone has trespassed against us. We don't pay heed to God's guidance and counsel and instead we "trust in our own understanding" as we respond/react to those who have done us wrong. Thus the cycle of self-will reaps ill-will in our hearts and our relationships. And we find all sorts of ways (other addictions) to ease our unhappiness for a moment!

All this happens because we listen to, and believe the lies the enemy of our Soul tells us. He speaks these lies in our thoughts and tries to convince us of "who" we are.

The enemy uses Pride or Condemnation.

1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

This spiritual battle manifests itself in our thought life. The enemy of your Soul can use your self-will addiction to make you believe you have it within yourself to be "happy" and encourage thoughts of self-confidence/righteousness. The enemy of your Soul would be content to leave you there. But…

This addiction to self-will manifests itself in an infinite number of ways. In our pride, most of us never come to realize the destructive consequences that self-will has in our lives. We "manage" the turmoil in our relationships by practicing "self-actualization" and make ourselves feel better by blaming others for our situation. But…

If you trust in your own understanding, sooner or later you will make mistakes. Then the enemy of your Soul changes his tactics. From thoughts of pride to thoughts of condemnation. These thoughts of pride or of condemnation, the enemy uses them with one goal in mind, your destruction.

Luke 5:31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sick and need to change the way they think.

Stop believing lies about who you are and embrace the "Lover of your Soul" He created you and He has a better plan for your life.

Seek Him out with all your heart!

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart don't lean on your own understanding, recognize God in all of your ways and he will direct your paths.

Read this...

https://www.gotquestions.org/seeking-God.html

God has a sense of humor.

The other night I lay in bed and realized how little I understood when compared to God's perspective and understanding. The current circumstance had made me realize this. (Christmas Day 2019)

Then a thought came to mind about the scriptures that mention that God creates the hearing ear and the seeing eye. Then I heard the Holy Spirit say "you'll begin to see better in 2020" Get it? 20/20 vision. I chuckled, then laughed.

I realized then, I didn't need to worry. God had it in hand!

PS. 06/28/2020 He has "Everything" in hand. The global shaking is His "Threshing" floor.

The potential in being "Born Again" of the Spirit?.. Emotional Health!

If we are Spirit, Soul, and Body as most Christians believe, how do I make sense of it?

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

I get "body/flesh", the physical, material container. That has a location and has a perspective that is limited by my 5 senses. But...

Genesis 2:7 states that Man was created as a "living soul."

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

The soul consists of the mind, the will, and the emotions.

Image from: www.salvationandsurvival.com/2019/12/christians-do-you-act-out-of-your-soul.html

In one who is born again, the soul and the spirit are mysteriously tied together and make up what the Scriptures call the heart.

The writer of Proverbs declares, " Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." (Prov. 4:23). We see here that the "heart" is central to our emotions and will.

Our "Heart" is comprised of our Soul and our Spirit. Our soul has free will, emotions, and a mind.

My mind through its intrinsic powers of reason and memory can be informed by the limited perspective that my flesh provides, or by the unbound perspective of the Holy Spirit through my Born Again spirit.

My emotions play an important role in many of the choices and decisions my free will allows me to make.

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-much-of-my-decision-making-is-emotional

Proverbs 4:23
New International Version-
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

New Living Translation-
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

New American Standard Bible-
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

King James Bible-
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Contemporary English Version-
Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.

Good News Translation-
Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Three Classes of People

Carnel, Spiritual and Fleshly

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still fleshly.

Ministry before Relationship

Oh Lord! Do we build the Kingdom of God or our own Ministry?

Do we recognize what you are doing? Then take what you've taught, document it, and then try to replicate it because we believe it was you who revealed yourself. And then seek out our ministry in our understanding instead of trusting you with all our heart?

The Desert

The desert is a place where God “tests” his people. To see if they will obey him or not. Are they trustworthy? 

It is a place where He deals with issues that hinder the true believer from hearing his voice and walking in his ways. As long as we trust in our own understanding as long as we believe we know what to do, God cannot fully (bless) support our activities (the activity isn’t the issue). If we take credit (pride) we prove our untrustworthiness. 

His desire is to fellowship with us intimately. To share His inmost heart, what He thinks and how He feels about everything and everyone around us. If He can’t trust us, He is unable to share as much as He would like to. 

He is the truth, the way, and the life. Can God trust me with great insight and spiritual understanding? Humility – seeing who I am really. Dependence: seeing who God is…savior, Lord. God is the only source of wisdom and understanding. I don’t need principles of life; I need the Author of life. I don’t need things to make me happy. I need the joy that comes from making God happy. Am I committed to the journey? Do I walk according to what I already know? Do I believe that God will hold me accountable?

Are God’s priorities my priorities? (What did Jesus read out loud at the beginning of His earthly ministry Luke 4:18)

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Set the captive free. Mend the broken heart. Declare the acceptable year of the Lord. God wants to give me His heart (love) for those I come in contact with. He wants to tell me what He thinks and how He feels about all of those around me. Can He trust me? Lord I want to be trustworthy, Amen.

The vision to travel all over the world and take pictures for you, the promise to give me a wife and family motivated me when I saw them as goals that would fulfill me. Make me happy? Complete me? Activities? Jobs? Careers? What is God’s will? The promise motivates obedience. As we try to obey, God shows us all our weaknesses. All our sin that hinders. 

You purge us of pride, selfish ambition, selfishness, and self-centeredness. As we try to build our own reputations, as we try to secure our own comfort and security as we try to be happy and successful. You show us life. It’s in you, not apart from you. It’s not in acquiring knowledge of life principles that we find all the things we think we need. Apart from you, everything is vain and empty. Life is found at your feet in humble dependence. Eternal treasure is gained in trust and obedience.

Distraction.

I've come to realize that worry is a distraction. You may think your worry is justified. That the time you spend worrying about it is required because your love for the one on your heart needs help.

Have you done what God asked you to do? Then give it to him.

Pay attention to your present situation. Don't be distracted by what you have no control over. The tomorrow you think will happen, you have no idea. Proverbs 3:5-6

Who is the enemy?

Ephesians 6:12  For our battle is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. 

IT IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. Fought in the Spiritual realm. It is only successful for us in the physical realm, who have been born of the Spirit, when we proclaim "Not my will but yours be done" and then trust and obey His guidance in that moment.

https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-realm.html

"Mindfulness" the latest buzzword for self-actualization.

Usually attributed to Buddhist practice but the Bible calls every believer to be aware of and submit every thought to the Lordship of Christ

https://activechristianity.org/how-do-i-take-every-thought-captive

Remember "truth separated from God becomes deception."

2 Corinthians 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

https://activechristianity.org/is-it-even-possible-to-keep-my-thoughts-pure

The "Situation".

Refers to my inertial frame that exists as an identifiable circumstance even as things change around me

Fundamentals

Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Prov. 29:18 Where there is no Vision (When people do not accept divine guidance) the people perish.

As the Father...

John 20:21-22 (GNT)

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

The Mission of the Christ

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; 

The greatest among you will be servant of all.

I just realized when I'm inconvenienced, that is the opportunity to serve.

Paraclete: The key to "Righteousness, Peace and Joy"

Paraclete first appearing in the Gospel of John

Here is the context of the passage in John 14:15-14:27 with the translation of Paraclete as "Advocate" shown in bold:

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

God's Will?

“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God…or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.” ―Elisabeth Elliot

Salvation, Redemption...?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/salvation

Synonyms and Antonyms of salvation

the saving from danger or evil... We spent the night in the cellar praying for salvation from the tornadoes

Synonyms of salvation:

deliverance, rescue

Words Related to salvation:

ransom, recovery, redemption, extrication
defense, guard, protection, isafeguard, safeguarding, security

conservation, guardianship, preservation, safekeeping

Forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 2 : 9. My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11. in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Transition or paradigm shift?

March 31st to April 1st.

April took me to a place I wouldn't wish for anyone. It started with an innocent pain in the lower abdomen that quickly went away. Little did I know my colon had perforated.

In the middle of the night the pain in my abdomen woke me up. I tried everything in the medicine cabinet. There was no relief.

Deciding to go to the hospital, I was surprised that the "Nurse" that came to the ER waiting room to take me to the examination room was 6' 8" tall and had tattoos all over his arms and neck. He asked if I was Rudolph and I said "yes that's me". I didn't think it was a good idea to correct him. Thus, April began. A Euroclydon of Calamity where God blessed me!

Think about your thoughts

Do you ever think about your thoughts? Have you ever realized that you were arguing with yourself? I'm not talking about a debate on what movie you should go see. I'm talking about putting forth excuses as to why you should do something that you know you shouldn't do. Or trying to convince yourself you should not do something you know you should do. What's up with that?

Paul said it well when he explained "the things I want to do I don't do and the things I don't want to do that I do."

Realizing this is the first step in understanding the " Battle for your Mind".

The enemy is present in your thoughts. When you find yourself arguing with yourself realize you are under attack. The battlefield is your mind.

There are several verses that you need to understand.

Take every thought captive to the Lordship of Christ.  We do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Pray without ceasing.

Mary Pondered in her heart.

Good advise. "Pondered". I take that as thought about it a lot.

I bring it up because I realize now, because of "social media" I can share way too soon. I don't think I'm Mary. I just want to learn from her example.

Too soon, before I've actually grappled with it on a personal level. Too soon, before I've understood what it means to me personally. Too soon before I can be a faithful example.

God's Grace, Favor, Mercy?

• Grace is free and unmerited blessings of God.
• Favor is God’s unusual liking to us.
• Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.

Reference: Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998.

"For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:12

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands..." Psalm 90:17

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

"...but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5

"...By your favor you make us strong..." Psalm 89:17

“My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:15

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him." Matthew 7:11

“And the Lord said...This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17

“The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33

"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." Genesis 12:2

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."Luke 1:45

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." Revelation 3:7

Wait upon the Lord...

At first I thought about "wait" as a postition of inaction. Like waiting for my friend to catch-up with me.

Then "wait" as guidance to fit into the plan He was bringing about.

Now I see "wait" as "pay attention" and do only the thing I want you to do to bring about My plan.

Your situation does not define you.

Just learnt this.

Spend Time vs Pay Attention?

The world is full of distraction. It takes up our time, it occupies our attention.

It seems we have a lot to spare. In fact sometimes I prefer distraction when it comes to my current situation. Why? Because nothing seems to be happening...

At least from my perspective.

So I'm learning about the Bible verse that says... "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength".

God's Grace?

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
God's Guidance = God's Grace! "The path I should go, the steps I should take."

Okay, a relationship where God guides and I am expected to trust and obey. My problem is I have an expectation of result. I seem to remember a promise. It created a hope. I paid attention because of it.

So I listened and obeyed. Okay, I'll admit I may have been distracted. I may have paid less then attention. So the "promise"? He is Faithful. Okay. TRUST AND OBEY! The promise was given on the basis of... "By grace, through Faith"

This is the "Key" to PEACE!

John 14:27. "I am leaving you with a gift... peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

By Grace?

God does nothing except by GRACE!

Is this true? Hmm. What is God's Grace?

A free gift. Unearned. That no one should boast. Okay.

His Grace is enough, the song says.

His Grace is sufficient for me.

So. Somewhere in the Bible I read, "God pours out His rain on the just and the unjust".

Rain/Grace, he pours it out over all of us.

The question He's looking to answer? How will they respond?

How will you respond?!

Foibles, idiosyncrasies?

These are terms that define our uniqueness.

They are terms that from the observer are, to an extent, negative.

They are terms that give evidence to the need of each of us to be Overcomers.

Overcome what you may ask? Society defines the terms. But God prioritises. Fear Him, not man!

Happiness vs Joy

Happiness is reaping the fruit of your labour. Joy is knowing you stand blameless before the Lord of Eternity even when there is no fruit.

"Now" is the time for Joy and happiness. It can also be the time of regret and dread.

It all depends on who you trust and obey.

Peace

The key to peace is Prov 3:5-6.

My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me...

He promises to guard our hearts and minds.

Biblical Faith?

In it's most basic form, it is simply participating in the relationship God wants to have with you through the Holy Spirit.

This can first be understood as a "Father and Child" relationship. 

He is the Dad we all need.

Paradym Shift in Awareness?

At first you think that your family and everything you experience in that sphere is how things are for everyone and you learn to deal with the situation. Then at sometime you experience a paradym Shift in your perspective. There are hints along the way but then it happens. And your perspective gets shaken with additional information that makes you question your previous assumptions.

,This is a good thing!

The Sacrificial Element in "Becoming".

We often tell young children "you can be/do anything you want".  But growing up means sacrificing all the "potential" to be anything and making a choice to be something.

https://youtu.be/JjfClL6nogo

original source: https://youtu.be/nsZ8XqHPjI4?t=2h5m17s

Competence?

To many definitions to firmly understand the meaning, yet...

Many think they are "highly" competent to represent the Kingdom of God. Their proof? Signs and wonders?... But!

1 Cor. 13:1-13

How can God “not” know someone?

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23. And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The Movie - I "Heart" Huckabees: a Comedy!

This is a funny movie.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Heart_Huckabees ....

Existentialism?... The Father of Existentialism?... The "Wisdom" books of the Bible?... Their conclusion?

Acts 17:28

...“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;...

Your Full Potential?

Who am I? Why am I here? What's the point? Does anything matter?

The simple answer is... Yes you matter, you can make a difference, and you are here to be who God created you to be..

Your full potential is "only" found/discovered/obtained when you understand Proverbs Chapter 3 verses 5 and 6...

5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6. In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

Competence?

Is it an intrinsinct quality of character?

Competence?

I need to understand the meaning of the word.

The Promised Land in the old testament

Is the "Kingdom of God" in the new!

Speak the truth in love.

We should break it down.

Speak the truth in love.

3 words...

Speak. Truth. Love.

Inordinate

in·or·di·nate
inˈôrd(ə)nət/Submit
adjective
unusually or disproportionately large; excessive.
"a case that had taken up an inordinate amount of time"
synonyms:excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitant, extreme.

A SIGN OF OUR TIMES!

James 4:17

James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Is it not wisdom to know what the right thing to do is? In doing that right thing, do we not feel justified? Can you do the right thing, all your life, according to your wisdom and Still Not be Justified in God's eyes?

Innocence

The Innocence of obedience? As a child it is unequivocal. But impossible to maintain. Parents are hardly an example to trust, but we are called to obey our parents "in the Lord".

And when you do, you fall into the trust of their own understanding.

Wisdom? The Bible is full of practical wisdom. Wait... Crap!  How does the book of "Job" fit Into your understanding?

Proverbs 3:5-6 makes more sense now.

Distraction?

Back to that I go.

Distraction. Occupy your time. Use it up.

If the enemy can't deceive you he will try to distract you. Not just with worthless entertainment but with causes that we perceive as worthy.

These "causes" satisfy our need to feel justified, but fall short of explicit obedience and trust of God's will for our lives.

MIND boggling - Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

He is able, He will, and even if He doesn't...

They knew what to do. "NOT BOW DOWN". Their trust was in an "Able God" that had the power to save them. Yet. They acknowledged His Will not their own as reason to obey, instead of a desired outcome for themselves.

This is the faith that Jesus revealed on the cross as he cried out in Matthew 27:46...
"ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"

Mind boggling

Unity!

Unity does not equal uniformity. Diversity provides needed perspectives for unforeseen opportunity.

All that are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God!   Romans 8:14

It's His unlimited perspective that provides insight to those who desperately rely on His guidance. They understand, like Job, not to trust in their own understanding. They recognize God's participation in their situation. How He goes before them to prepare the way. Because He has a plan for their life. And He will direct them through the obstacles that the enemy places to thwart God's will. Prov. 3:5-6

When all is said and done they shall proclaim...

HE IS FAITHFUL!