So They Cannot See

2 Corinthians 4:4
"The god (satan) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Colossians 1: 12-14
"God the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

From:   Rediscovering the Kingdom, by Myles Munroe

"When God created mankind, He gave us everything we needed to fulfill His original plan and purpose. Because we are designed to lead, the seeds of leadership lie within us, dormant until they are ready to be activated by the power of God. It is a matter of discovering and nurturing those powers of leadership within us. It takes discipline and steadfastness to uncover those core values, because they're almost always hidden behind selfish behaviors or traits that resist being uprooted and cast out.

Some of us question this concept of the leadership potential within you. Maybe you consider yourself a follower and not a leader. Maybe you think you don't have the skills, qualities, ability, or experience to be a leader. What matters is how God sees us, and He sees us as leaders and rulers in the earthly domain. He created us for this purpose and designed us with the necessary abilities to fulfill our destiny.

As Creator, God knows what is inside of each one of us because He put it there. Whenever God speaks to you, He addresses you based on what He knows about you, not on what other people think they know."

Then the question arises: What do you think God knows about you? According to Psalm 139, He knew who you were before the earth was formed, even your ethnicity, your eye color, your skin pigmentation, your parents, and even the number of hairs on your head. He laid out your life from beginning to end, yet gave you the ability to choose your path in life, and even whether to acknowledge His existence or not.

Understanding that God is always present, everywhere, should encourage you to see that God is our Great Creator. It sets you free from the blindness of the unbeliever, and provides you with the vision to see the truth of God… spiritual insight that ushers in light that unveils the error of worldly thinking and living, and shines brightly on Jesus, the Son of God who was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.

What can’t the unbeliever see? The unbeliever does not see Jesus as God’s only begotten Son; he doesn’t see the need to be born again; he does not see God as a reality; he does not see spiritual truth. He does not see the error of his ways, although he is in constant turmoil. Honesty and integrity is foreign to his nature, even though he will argue that it is his very nature. His eyes have been blinded so much, that even though he knows the emptiness inside, the hole that runs deeply through his being is there, he still refuses to acknowledge its presence. It eats at his very soul, yet he feels bound, like he is being held by this invisible force and he can’t seem to break free to think or act on what he actually knows to do. 

All sorts of illusionary questions and reasonings pop up in his mind. His mind starts to come up with panicky thoughts. The ego begins to kick in and begin to think of all sorts of situations where he would look like a fool if he changed. After all, he says, “what about your image?” “What would your friends say?”  “You might or could lose everything!” Sometimes doing something about it seems futile. So, he wants his circumstances to change; wants his life to change, but doesn’t know how or where to start. So he comes up with all kinds of reasons and/or excuses to avoid religion or religious people. The unbeliever sees anything spiritual, other than witchcraft and ghosts, as religious. He has seen what “cults do to people”, therefore he avoids attending any church, after all, the world has removed God and the church from any legitimate place in society. Yet, he never realizes that the “kingdom of darkness” is the largest and most dangerous cult of all. So what happens, he blames external circumstances, other people, and refuse to take action to change himself, therefore he not only remains blind, but also bound.

We have been mentally damaged by the introduction of sin through Adam’s fall by his disobedience. Instead of being led by his spiritual connection with God, Adam (man) was cut off (spiritually) from that Holy connection, and had to live by His five senses. By his disobedience, Adam (mankind) entered into the kingdom of darkness with no hope, no way out, and became in his own eyes a nobody. And without Jesus, man is still in that predicament today.

Romans 8: 6-8 (Amplified Bible)

6) Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].

7) That is because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot.

8) So then, those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.

Some of us feel like nobodies today. Angry at your own situation in life, you live in a sea of negative thoughts and behaviors, never seeing a way out. You have heard about Jesus, yet the negative mindset (the kingdom of darkness) seems to restrain you from seeking His help. The world says that people who believe in God become “Jesus freaks”, and you certainly don’t want that to happen to you. Your heart yearns to be set free; you want to change, but you don’t know where to start. The emptiness grows every day! You are separated from God, just like Adam! You work feverishly trying to find your way, but to no avail. You are lost.

If that person sounds familiar to you, let me assure there is hope. There is a way out. There is a way to freedom, and truth, and love, and joy and peace! Jesus is that way. He is the only “way, truth, and the life”.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Romans 12:2

And 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 and perfect will of God.

Today I am challenged with facing the truth of my eyes being blinded by the adversary because of unbelief; blinded by the world’s system of operation, which is selfishness. I have begun to see the truth about me and why I am on earth. Here's a thought: "If one truly understands the reality of God and His love, choosing anything else but Him as God the Father would be impossible.

Anything and everything else is not real, only an illusion!  Choosing an illusion is the ultimate in unbelief!

To offer NO excuses, but with all the distractions of todays’ world, it is a wonder how we can focus enough to give Him praise on Sunday! Like it or not, we tend to follow the trends of the "earthly" world we live in. Hard as we try, we do not live as the Holy Spirit calls us to do "in the world, NOT of the world.” But with God, all things are possible, even living a Godly life, being led by the Holy Spirit.

What are we to do? If you are not saved, born again, or made a new creature in Christ Jesus, here is the first step;

Romans 10: 9-10 (Amplified Bible)

9) Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 10) For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

Ask the Holy Spirit to remove the blindness so "we can see" the light of the Glory of Jesus Christ. Another question arises:  Do you believe that He will do it? Yes, He will!

The leader in you lies dormant, overflowing with potential, God’s potential He placed in you before you were formed in the womb. Do not waste another moment, drowning in the sea of mediocre living, when God has called you to the greatness He has prepared for you. Look up, listen, He is calling you to your divine destiny.

Jesus opened the door so that the light of truth could be clearly seen; that the love of God can be experienced through the cross and the resurrection; that your sins have already been justified, paid for, and washed away.

Matthew 11: 28-30 (Amplified Bible)

28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Peace, joy, fulfillment awaits all who will answer His call.

Song of Redemption

There is a sweet melody that rings eternal in the heart of man.

A call to love, for which only his spirit understands.

It seems as though the melody is lost, behind the

walls of the human intellect and worldly progress at great cost.

So many search feverishly for that sound from home, only to find

Another lonely road to roam.

Seeking and never finding what satisfies the heart; Their sights are

set on the horizons of life, never looking at the “now” that is within

where salvation starts.

Based on the past one’s thoughts plan the future, never realizing that

Jesus has erased it all.

The cloud of sin and all past deeds, all washed away by His blood;

Eternally erasing the contamination of man through Adam’s fall.

If only one would listen to His Words of Faith that bring eternal life,

a new creature will be born free of sin and strife.

The words of heaven’s melody sing praises of joy; Oh, how the heart

Longs to be free, to sing the melody from the heart of the Lord.

God’s only Son, the light of the world, whose great love righted

Man’s wrongs. He wrote the Song of Redemption, God’s eternal song.

Your senses can’t feel it, or hear it; it is a song for the spirit, a call

from God’s heavenly voice. The words are life; the melody soothes

the soul; played on heavenly instruments while angelic hosts rejoice.

Oh, what is there to fear in knowing the great love awaiting in His

embrace, for it is your destiny, and it is by grace through faith.

The fear of redemption is but an illusion, crafted by satan who is

the father of lies. In him is no truth, no reality, only turmoil and strife.

In and through Jesus was all things made, from the unseen to the

seen. He chose you before you were born, to be a blessing to others,

close and afar. Fulfilling your purpose, bringing His love to mankind,

and much, much more.

The call is clear to those who will listen, to the loving Father who is

calling from the light. The Song of Redemption is always near, softly

playing, the chords of salvation, the melody of eternal life.  Listen with

your heart, your spiritual vision, learn of the Lord and His ways, for

He is calling you to come to Him, to His great love, today.

Power of the Tongue

 Are you living according to the Law of Life in Christ Jesus, or according to the Law of Sin and Death?  Do you speak “words of life”?

Romans 10: 9-11

9) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11) For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. (The word confession here means “speak sincerely” not as making a confession of sin)

Paul says in Romans 8:1-2:

(1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me “free” from the law of sin and death.

There are many other spiritual laws that operate under these two major laws. For example, under the law of life in Christ Jesus (love), there is the law of kindness; the law of faith; the law of love. Under the law of sin and death, there is the law of selfishness; the law of fear; law of hatred. The sad thing is that we can turn on either of these laws by the words we speak. The law of love sets you free from the law of sin and death. You might say that the law of love negates the laws of sin and death, and all other laws associated with it.

2 Corinthians 4:4

For the god of this world [satan] has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

Everything that pertains to life is in the power of the tongue. As you can read in the Proverbs below, how our lives are profoundly affected by the words we speak, be it positively or negatively.  When you speak words according to the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, your life becomes immersed in the blessings of God. When you speak words according to the law of sin and death (worldly), then your life becomes immersed in the circumstances of the world.

Proverbs 18:21

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

·         Success and failure are in the power of the tongue.
·         Health and sickness are in the power of the tongue.
·         Prosperity and poverty are in the power of the tongue.
·         Wisdom and ignorance are in the power of the tongue.
·         Love and hate are in the power of the tongue.
·         Freedom and imprisonment are in the power of the tongue.
·         Power and weakness are in the power of the tongue.
·         Peace and turmoil are in the power of the tongue.
·         Faith and unbelief is in the power of the tongue.

 Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

Proverbs 31:26

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 15:4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 12:18

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Most of us have at least once used a phrase such as “my [back, foot, head, etc.] is killing me”, OR “I feel so-o-o-o bad”, or at least something similar. We do this without thinking about what we are saying. Once we become accustomed to this type of language, it filters over into others aspects of our lives. What you begin to say, are make statements with an attached emotion, and then see evidence of it, that so called “truth” becomes a part of our belief system.  One can actually talk him/herself into sickness, depression, or even death, by saying and believing.

Have you ever noticed how fear affects our bodies versus confidence? When you experience fear, what happens to your body and mind? Adrenaline and cortisol is immediately dispersed to the body, in preparation of fight or flight.

Your heart starts to pumping faster, and your mind starts to racing with thoughts of survival. Just imagine how that “little fear” of not having enough, or what you may consider a genetic curse, or a chronic illness, or the flu, or many negatives that comes from “worldly thinking and saying” affect us.

Things like cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and the myriad of so-called illnesses introduced by drug companies that want to sell their new drugs, introduce these little fears from worldly thinking that actually influence our health both physically and mentally. Yet, the word of God says “to trust Him with all our being… He says He will never leave or forsake us… Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.”

The opposite of fear is love. What happens to your mind and body

And Jesus, the Master said this: 

Mark 11:22-23

22) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever “he says”.

Jesus said many times, “all things are possible to those who believe”. (paraphrase). That includes “all” the things we think and believe.

Have you been living a life immersed in worldly thinking and believing? Do things happen to you that you believe that you did not consciously cause? Remember, when it comes to God thinking (law of life in the spirit) which is love, and worldly thinking (the law of sin and death), which is selfishness, there is NO in between. What is it about believing God that bothers you? Are you afraid (fear) that He is unreliable? Are you thinking that from your past experiences, that believing God just doesn’t work? How do you know? If you say that you tried it and it didn’t work, God says it is all “according to your faith.” Trying introduces doubt. Doing it is believing!

Let me assure you that God is exactly like the Bible describes Him. He is more that you could possibly imagine in a lifetime. He has already prepared a future for you far beyond anything you could think. The truth is stated over and over by Jesus: “According to your faith, be it unto you”, “With God, all things are possible, only believe.”  There it is, in simple terms. The decision is yours.

Today, will you join me in being cognizant of the words we speak. Let us think before we say anything at all, and determine if we are speaking according to the law of life in Christ Jesus, or are we speaking words that are according to the law of sin and death. According to my faith, I believe that those of us who believe and act according to the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, will receive everything that God promises us in his Word.

But the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-25 (New International Version)
(22) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, (23)gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (24) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
 
While reading the above passages, I was led to think about the opposites of the fruit listed in verse 22:

FRUIT                   OPPOSITE
Love                      Hate
Joy                        Sorrow
Peace                    Absence of harmony & serenity, fear, torment
Patience                 Intolerance
Kindness                Inconsiderate, coldhearted, unforgiving
Goodness              Absence of good, badness, evil
Faithfulness            Unreliable, undependable, untrue, treacherous
Gentleness             Unkind in disposition, untamed, rough, crude
Self-control            Selfishness, no control, no resolve
 
In Philippians 4: 8-9, Paul tells us to think on these things:

(8) "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is  right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if  anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. (9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
 
The Bible teaches us that thought comes before action; sustained thought on anything will cause one to act or to be. Thought not only produces action but that particular action produces like fruit.

“Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts, By pursuing this process, a man sooner or later discovers that he is the master gardener of his soul, the director of his life. He also reveals, within himself, the laws of thought, and understands with ever-increasing accuracy, how the thought forces and mind elements operate in the shaping of his character, circumstances, and destiny”… James Allen

The Holy Spirit represents the thoughts of God the Father, who is the source of all goodness, the fruits of the spirit. This is the truth of cause and effect. In Him is all knowledge, wisdom, and love, of which supersedes their opposites… the law of sin and death.

John 16:13

13) But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
 
Would you rather your thoughts cause you to act or produce those things outside of the fruit of the spirit, or those from the Holy Spirit? We can be sure of the outcome if we "think on" the things of the Spirit, for there is "no law against them.” However, the opposite is true of those things that are outside of the Spirit.

“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears. It reaches the height of its cherished aspirations. It falls to the level of its un-chastened desires - and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own. Every thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstance. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit.

The outer world of circumstance shapes itself to the inner world of thought, and both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are factors which make for the ultimate good of the individual. As the reaper of his own harvest, man learns both by suffering and bliss…” James Allen

So then, we have a choice, “think on such things”, or, think on unpleasant things, negative things, or let our thoughts run rampant, never controlling them. If we allow God, the Holy Spirit, be the center of our thought process, we are sure to see success and victory in our lives.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.  Proverbs 3:5-8

I believe today that you have chosen to live and walk in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. It is easy to make the choice when you know and understand that the blessings of God await those who choose His thoughts.
 
I choose God! I choose the fruit of the Spirit!!
 
I pray that you will receive this message as an encouragement, knowing that someone cares enough to think about you and your relationship with our Father God.
 
Let us praise Him, and think on Him with all our being!

That You May Have Peace

In the 14th chapter of John, Jesus knows that the time has come for His greatest work. He knows that he was going to be betrayed and handed over to His enemies for His crucifixion. He and His disciples were at supper in the evening, when He rose and began to wash His disciples’ feet. Afterwards, He began to speak to them, about the  Father, answered prayer, The Helper in the Holy Spirit, and the gift of peace. During this time of turmoil in His own soul, He speaks to them and us about "His gift of peace".

John 14: 27    Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Then again in Chapter 16:33 Jesus says:  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Also in Luke 10:19:

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Spoken from the heart and mind of Jesus, the son of God who only speaks what the Father speaks, tells us that He has given all of us peace. It is the will of God, that we know He has provided everything for us. Then we have freedom to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.  Even our ancient enemy is defeated, and if he rears up to challenge us, Jesus has given us authority over him by using His name. It is by faith we take a stand (in peace) and use that authority.

So as one writer said years ago, (paraphrase)
"If God's Will for you is complete peace and joy, unless you experience only this, you must be refusing to acknowledge His Will. His Will is changeless; it is eternal; it does not vacillate. If or when you are not at peace, it can only be because you do not believe you are in Him. Yet, He is “All in All”. His peace is complete, and as His child, you are included; you must be included in it."

Being born again means that your spirit has become new – a new creation, created by God Himself. Your sinful past has been done away with, and that old self has been cast away, never to be remembered by God. All your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus. So, your newborn “will” is “God’s will”, even though your mind hasn’t been re-born, it now has to be transformed. Paul tells in in his letter to Rome.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Father God, the activities of the day seem to overwhelm us at times, and we forget that in your peace is where we belong, and where all answers lay. We seek your peace, and may the reality of that peace permeate us so that we are totally saturated by its very essence, every moment of every day. As we hold fast to that confession of truth, we receive unspeakable peace and joy. Therefore, we are able to share it with the world around us… In Jesus’ name… Amen.