What Causes a person to abandon “belief” of God?
Notice, I did not ask, “what causes a person to abandon belief IN God?” because most of the time, the people who do so never believed in him anyway. Sure people have heard and some have even read about God, but there is a difference in knowing about God and knowing God. You see, I have come to the understanding that information and knowledge are two very different things. For example, when Jesus asked Peter the question “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Jesus responded with, “flesh and blood have not given this to you but it has been revealed to you by my father in heaven.” What was Jesus saying in that? Well, we know that for a good amount of time, Peter as well as the other disciples had been learning from Jesus a good many things. They had received a lot of information. However, it wasn’t until they got a revelation or an impartation of knowledge or some experience with the father, that they really began to believe in God. This knowledge that Peter had received did not come by way of his learning at school, or even a good sermon. It did come by way of a personal experience or a moment with God the father.
Again, although he had spent a good three years with Jesus, seen all his wonders, heard him speak, walked with him, talked personally with him, ate with him and just all around been with him, Phillip did not believe in him until he had a revelation from him. Don’t believe yet, remember when the disciples came back from the tomb and said to the others “the lord is risen” Phillip said “until I see him with my own eyes and handle him [or touch his physical body] I will not believe!” Right after he said that, Jesus showed up and then he believed. But Jesus did address the situation. He said to Phillip “because you have seen me, you believe, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Friends what do these examples show us? It shows that no matter how much information is put out there about God, many people still won’t believe simply because their heart isn’t open enough to believe.
Now, some may say, “well, these men got to spend time with Jesus. How can we be expected to believe if we haven’t spent time with him?” Little would they know that by their question, they prove my point – experiencing God helps a person believe in him. But how can a person experience God in this day and time? Well, back in those days, the people didn’t have a bible to read. All they had were testimonies or eyewitness accounts and displays of power from those who believed to go on. In this day and time, we have the bible. God has given mankind his word. Whoever would dare to do what
Proverbs 2: 1-5 says, “My son, if you would accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Did you read that? No the end, did you get the end? If you do all that those scriptures say do, gathering your information, pondering it, praying for insight, acting as if on a quest for a peculiar treasure and searching in the information of God for hidden truths, THEN, you will find the knowledge of God. Then God will reward you with revelation. Then you will begin to experience God and know it. Then you will believe in God. Then you will believe in Jesus. But you cannot and will not attain the knowledge of God without doing these things.
Now your next question may be, “how long does that take?” It is entirely up to you. It can take a whole lifetime or 15 seconds. It’s all up to you. The moment you decide to learn of God, or the moment your heart longs to hear or receive insight from God, an answer from God will be sent to you. This happened to Daniel. After fasting for 21 days, an angel appeared to him and said, “from the first day you set your heart to receive understanding an answer was sent.” You may then say, why then did it take 3 weeks to get to him? Well, the angel respected Daniel enough to give him a reason for the delay; he said to him “I was delayed by the Prince of Persia 21 days.” He also called Daniel “you who are highly esteemed.” Look in the book of Daniel; I’m not making this up. You see, when there is respect factor present, you won’t get frustrated at God concerning how long something takes to happen because you know that his angels will do their best to answer you. And they will always answer you no matter what. But even that knowledge comes by way of revelation.
Look around you. Are people craving for the word of the Lord? Are people reading their word, studying it and searching it out? Are people praying everyday for insight into the things of God? Or, do you see individuals going to church to hear someone else tell them of their time with God? Are people quick to ask God for things but slow to ask for wisdom which is insight into the thoughts and purposes of God? Are people judgmental of God based on what they get? Jesus said, “Take heed for covetousness [craving for material things] for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
As time moves forward, each will have to ask themselves the question “do I desire the things of God?” Each individual will have to choose for themselves as Moses said “If God is God serve him. But if Baal is God serve him. Choose this day whom you will serve.” I like it like this – choose this day whom you choose to know. But don’t judge God unfairly because of your slackness to get to know him. Don’t say harsh things about him, when all you have is information and no revelation or imparted insight from him. Unless you do what Proverbs 2: 1-5 says to do, please do not think that you will come to know him. One more thing, if you find yourself talking harshly about his son Jesus, then you do not know him. If you find yourself not persuaded that Jesus is the son of God, although you agree that his was a nice man, then all you have is information and no revelation. You do not know him. If you believe the information about him, but don’t believe all the wonderful things he said about you, then you are a prisoner of fear and need more experiences with him for the bible says “God is perfect love…and perfect love casts out ALL fear.”
I urge everyone who reads this to ask God for revelation or imparted knowledge about him. Next I encourage everyone to take to your bible like virgin husband takes to his newly wed bride. Finally, may the God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ hear you and give you grace.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Fear: No More
I hate fear. I hate it with a burning passion. I hate it with an eternal zeal. It is the fuel for defeat. It is the foundation of lies. It is the womb of all falsehood. It is the snare for souls. It is the beginning of destruction. It is the child of the eternal liar.
The power of desire: It’s probably the most important tool a person can have to rise above many obstacle is desire. Desire is the most powerful force that caused motion in the lives of individuals. According to the bible, “through desire, a man separates himself and intermeddles with all wisdom.” Now, wisdom is the principle thing. Thus the bible says in all your getting, get wisdom.” However we see in the first quote that the way to intermeddle as intercourse with all wisdom requires a separation of oneself from all former of familiar things and the way to do that is by having a desire to do so.
We see that the most important element of growth change is desire. You can’t make a person change if they don’t have a desire to change. You can’t help a person change if they don’t have a desire to do so. The first step for an individual to change their circumstances, either for the good or bad is having a desire to do so. For example, if a person says I can’t read my bible or I just seem to forget to read my bible is that they don’t have a desire to do so. Consider the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus and was healed. The bible tells us that she said to herself “If I just touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed.” Now she desired to touch Jesus but where did that desire come from? It came from what she heard. Now where did what she heard come from? It came by way of a witness account of what Jesus did. Now where did what Jesus did come from? It came by way of his physical presence. You see a person can only desire that which is possible. And as far as a natural man understands, what is possible is based on what can be seen. You have to believe. Search for yourself. Look in your heart. Then search the scriptures and compare. Whatever doesn’t line up has to be adjusted. You can’t change the Bible. But you can change your mentality. Do what you can. You're not always going to be perfect. But improve.
The power of desire: It’s probably the most important tool a person can have to rise above many obstacle is desire. Desire is the most powerful force that caused motion in the lives of individuals. According to the bible, “through desire, a man separates himself and intermeddles with all wisdom.” Now, wisdom is the principle thing. Thus the bible says in all your getting, get wisdom.” However we see in the first quote that the way to intermeddle as intercourse with all wisdom requires a separation of oneself from all former of familiar things and the way to do that is by having a desire to do so.
We see that the most important element of growth change is desire. You can’t make a person change if they don’t have a desire to change. You can’t help a person change if they don’t have a desire to do so. The first step for an individual to change their circumstances, either for the good or bad is having a desire to do so. For example, if a person says I can’t read my bible or I just seem to forget to read my bible is that they don’t have a desire to do so. Consider the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus and was healed. The bible tells us that she said to herself “If I just touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed.” Now she desired to touch Jesus but where did that desire come from? It came from what she heard. Now where did what she heard come from? It came by way of a witness account of what Jesus did. Now where did what Jesus did come from? It came by way of his physical presence. You see a person can only desire that which is possible. And as far as a natural man understands, what is possible is based on what can be seen. You have to believe. Search for yourself. Look in your heart. Then search the scriptures and compare. Whatever doesn’t line up has to be adjusted. You can’t change the Bible. But you can change your mentality. Do what you can. You're not always going to be perfect. But improve.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Kayla
You can only give what you have and nothing more. I believe that is a good thing because we all have a lot. The best gifts come from the heart. This letter is one of my best gifts because it comes from the heart. As I write this letter, I write it with you specifically in mind. That’s why I give it to you.
Let me properly introduce myself: You’ve known me as your teacher. A science teacher, a staff at GSC. You’ve known me by my name, but you haven’t known me as I truly am. You haven’t known me as I am when I hold nothing back. I show it to you because I believe you can appreciate it. Remember I said that you can only give what you have, Well I am a Child of God. I am a Christian. I wear it proudly and without shame. I live it, breathe it, crave it, I’m relentless with it. There is nothing I love more than spending time with God, reading his word, speaking to him, hearing him speak to me. I came to GSC because God told me to. Nothing more. I go where he wants me to go and do only what he wants me to do. Yes I hear from God all the time. He is my very great reward. I know him and he knows me. I fear nothing and no man because he is with me. All I have to do is read his word, go into my quiet place, pray to him and listen to him and I win every time. It’s that simple for me. I have discovered a way to live in this life that gives excellent peace and freedom from fear. I have discovered a system of doing things that allows me to understand things that I did not understand. I am no longer afraid. Yes, I really do not fear much in life all because I hear God.
Kayla, I tell you these things so you can have a clearer understanding of why I say the things I say in this letter. I write these words because I care about you. I want you to succeed in life. I want you to have all the things that God wants you to have. And believe, he wants you to have a lot. I write you these things because I see your tears and I am here to give you the help I have to give. My greatest gifts are my words. So please, read and reread and remember that Jesus loves you. All of those visions I put on the board all come from the Bible. However, because of the school system, it was watered down some. If not, each vision would have ended with “In the name of Jesus. Amen!”
My greatest encouragement to you would be to Speak the language of the Bible. Speak what the Bible says to every one of your situations especially when things are rough and tough and hard and you can’t seem to find a way out. Especially if you find yourself crying late at night in despair because no one seems to recognize the hurt in your heart and you don’t want to let it show. Especially when you don’t feel like it. Just do it.
Commit your heart to living for Christ. There is so much good waiting for you. Regardless of if things seem to be dismal. There is always so much good waiting for you. But you must be in the right place. The right place makes all the difference in life. Always remember that. The right place is the place where God wants you to be. If you ever find yourself in the wrong place, remember that no matter whatever ‘appealing’ thing you find there – you found it in the wrong place, be it a thing or a person. There are three things that trap people in this life:
(1) The lust of the eyes – that means that people are captured by the colorful, beautiful, THINGS that they see. Be careful what you allow your eyes make you desire.
(2) The lust of the flesh – inappropriate and uncontrolled sensual pleasures that include sex, food, clothes, popularity, affection, attention, anger, hate, revenge, jealousy, gossip, all these THINGS are not good and they make a person blind to seeing what life is really all about.
(3) The Pride of life – this is a thing that keeps a person wanting to have THINGS so they can show off to others. Boasting about how much better one is than another person, bragging about stuff or strength or anything that makes a person look good at the expense of another or by putting down another person.
Kayla stay away from all these things. However, the truth is unless you stay in your Bible, you will not be able to. If you do things your own way in life, you will be living in Pride. Pride is not the proud emotion you feel when you do something you thought you could not do before. On the contrary, Pride is the act of doing things your own way without consulting God. The interesting thing about it is that your Bible says “Pride comes before destruction.” No matter how long it takes, pride will always produce destruction in some area of a person’s life. Be it in their very life or in relationships, jobs, money, reputation, or whatever. It always produces death in some area of a person’s life. You desire to do things the right way, which is why I write to you with such a serious tone. Take these things seriously. This is how I know to live and this is what I give.
Kayla pray. The Bible is loaded with promises for every possible situation you can encounter in life. Even physical healing. This is what you do:
(1) Identify your problem
(2) Find a scripture that tells of God’s help specific to that problem.
(3) Go into your quiet place and ask God for help using that scripture.
(4) Expect to hear a voice speak to you after you done praying. Always Listen for it.
(5) Never Speak contrary to that scripture of promise.
Do these five things and you will not only succeed all the time but you will begin to hear clearer and clearer from the spirit we call the Holy Spirit. He is the one you must begin to talk to on a daily basis. He will be that ‘staff’ you need when you need someone to talk to. Simply go to your quiet place. I tell you of Christian things. Bible things. Life things. Good things. Spiritual things.
I write you these things as the most powerful advice I could ever give you. It gets no deeper than this with me. If you ever come to a place where you may wander what I would say about a thing, well, that is what I would tell you. Always remember that people are not your source of satisfaction in this life. People may disappoint.
Your Bible says that ‘A mother’s love may fail but God’s love will never fail.’
Always be in control of your emotions. Always smile. Always speak good. Always keep a positive outlook on circumstances. Always be courageous. Always do the right thing. Always be in the right places. Always try your best to do these things.
Let me properly introduce myself: You’ve known me as your teacher. A science teacher, a staff at GSC. You’ve known me by my name, but you haven’t known me as I truly am. You haven’t known me as I am when I hold nothing back. I show it to you because I believe you can appreciate it. Remember I said that you can only give what you have, Well I am a Child of God. I am a Christian. I wear it proudly and without shame. I live it, breathe it, crave it, I’m relentless with it. There is nothing I love more than spending time with God, reading his word, speaking to him, hearing him speak to me. I came to GSC because God told me to. Nothing more. I go where he wants me to go and do only what he wants me to do. Yes I hear from God all the time. He is my very great reward. I know him and he knows me. I fear nothing and no man because he is with me. All I have to do is read his word, go into my quiet place, pray to him and listen to him and I win every time. It’s that simple for me. I have discovered a way to live in this life that gives excellent peace and freedom from fear. I have discovered a system of doing things that allows me to understand things that I did not understand. I am no longer afraid. Yes, I really do not fear much in life all because I hear God.
Kayla, I tell you these things so you can have a clearer understanding of why I say the things I say in this letter. I write these words because I care about you. I want you to succeed in life. I want you to have all the things that God wants you to have. And believe, he wants you to have a lot. I write you these things because I see your tears and I am here to give you the help I have to give. My greatest gifts are my words. So please, read and reread and remember that Jesus loves you. All of those visions I put on the board all come from the Bible. However, because of the school system, it was watered down some. If not, each vision would have ended with “In the name of Jesus. Amen!”
My greatest encouragement to you would be to Speak the language of the Bible. Speak what the Bible says to every one of your situations especially when things are rough and tough and hard and you can’t seem to find a way out. Especially if you find yourself crying late at night in despair because no one seems to recognize the hurt in your heart and you don’t want to let it show. Especially when you don’t feel like it. Just do it.
Commit your heart to living for Christ. There is so much good waiting for you. Regardless of if things seem to be dismal. There is always so much good waiting for you. But you must be in the right place. The right place makes all the difference in life. Always remember that. The right place is the place where God wants you to be. If you ever find yourself in the wrong place, remember that no matter whatever ‘appealing’ thing you find there – you found it in the wrong place, be it a thing or a person. There are three things that trap people in this life:
(1) The lust of the eyes – that means that people are captured by the colorful, beautiful, THINGS that they see. Be careful what you allow your eyes make you desire.
(2) The lust of the flesh – inappropriate and uncontrolled sensual pleasures that include sex, food, clothes, popularity, affection, attention, anger, hate, revenge, jealousy, gossip, all these THINGS are not good and they make a person blind to seeing what life is really all about.
(3) The Pride of life – this is a thing that keeps a person wanting to have THINGS so they can show off to others. Boasting about how much better one is than another person, bragging about stuff or strength or anything that makes a person look good at the expense of another or by putting down another person.
Kayla stay away from all these things. However, the truth is unless you stay in your Bible, you will not be able to. If you do things your own way in life, you will be living in Pride. Pride is not the proud emotion you feel when you do something you thought you could not do before. On the contrary, Pride is the act of doing things your own way without consulting God. The interesting thing about it is that your Bible says “Pride comes before destruction.” No matter how long it takes, pride will always produce destruction in some area of a person’s life. Be it in their very life or in relationships, jobs, money, reputation, or whatever. It always produces death in some area of a person’s life. You desire to do things the right way, which is why I write to you with such a serious tone. Take these things seriously. This is how I know to live and this is what I give.
Kayla pray. The Bible is loaded with promises for every possible situation you can encounter in life. Even physical healing. This is what you do:
(1) Identify your problem
(2) Find a scripture that tells of God’s help specific to that problem.
(3) Go into your quiet place and ask God for help using that scripture.
(4) Expect to hear a voice speak to you after you done praying. Always Listen for it.
(5) Never Speak contrary to that scripture of promise.
Do these five things and you will not only succeed all the time but you will begin to hear clearer and clearer from the spirit we call the Holy Spirit. He is the one you must begin to talk to on a daily basis. He will be that ‘staff’ you need when you need someone to talk to. Simply go to your quiet place. I tell you of Christian things. Bible things. Life things. Good things. Spiritual things.
I write you these things as the most powerful advice I could ever give you. It gets no deeper than this with me. If you ever come to a place where you may wander what I would say about a thing, well, that is what I would tell you. Always remember that people are not your source of satisfaction in this life. People may disappoint.
Your Bible says that ‘A mother’s love may fail but God’s love will never fail.’
Always be in control of your emotions. Always smile. Always speak good. Always keep a positive outlook on circumstances. Always be courageous. Always do the right thing. Always be in the right places. Always try your best to do these things.
The Same Old New Christian
The New Christian is the same old christian that is represented in the Bible. However, I call it the New Christian because examples of the same old Christians have not been widely publicized. Jesus said greater works than he did will we do when the Spirit comes upon us. Now, the Spirit has been available for over 2000 yrs. We need to keep increasing in works like Jesus did. What work is it you say? The work of spreading the truth. There are many kinds of 'Truth' but for the New Christian, there is only one. The New Christian is bold enough, brave enough to dare believe God over any and everybody else. This is the individual who will not compromise their integrity for the things of God despite what ever hand life deals them. This New Christian understands how life works. He/She lives, breathes, craves, desires, and thirsts for the wisdom of God. This person is willing to bet their entire life on the promise that God will take care of them. This is the person who lives life without fear. This is the person who fights injustice with prayer. This is the person who speaks and sees what they say. This is the person who in strong and mighty in the things of God. This is the person who is sharp in the ways of the wise and the fool, rightfully judging between the two. This is the person who is not easily broken but who can break, tear down and destroy the root to any type of problem. This is the person who knows how to use the word of God, skillfully, intelligently, and fiercely to accomplish whatever needs to be accomplished. This person is never tired because they move with patience. They are ever enduring with good temper. If this person is male believe he is a MAN! If this person is female, believe she is strong WOMAN! No fear and No hesitation are the mindset because his or her thoughts are governed by strength - the Word of God- and power. This is the New Christian.
Newbie
I've decided to do something with my space and use it to talk about my relationship or encounter with God at this moment of my life.
I consider myself privileged to know so much about God, that simply put, I know him. I also know enough to know that we all have knowledge and knowledge can make people arogant or puffed up. That is why the only thing that really matters is learning to love others (1Corinthians). I simply want to create an environment where people of all walks of life can voice their opinion to my words and follow me in my journey as I read through the scriptures and give my understanding for what I read.
Ultimately, I hope to inspire you to pursue your walk in Christ and really dig deeeeeeeeeeep to see what God has placed in you. Then when it is found, go sell all you have and be sold out to it (Matt 13:44).
I consider myself privileged to know so much about God, that simply put, I know him. I also know enough to know that we all have knowledge and knowledge can make people arogant or puffed up. That is why the only thing that really matters is learning to love others (1Corinthians). I simply want to create an environment where people of all walks of life can voice their opinion to my words and follow me in my journey as I read through the scriptures and give my understanding for what I read.
Ultimately, I hope to inspire you to pursue your walk in Christ and really dig deeeeeeeeeeep to see what God has placed in you. Then when it is found, go sell all you have and be sold out to it (Matt 13:44).
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