Eyes trained by the Flesh
As we mature in the Lord one thing becomes clear that controlling sin in our life is the monumental task, At first the joy of our salvation keeps us through the excitement of our salvation bringing honor to the Lord and joy to our hearts. To be sure we want to become part of the Glory to come. This is mostly a work of God’s Love through the Holy Spirit and our submission to Him, which means sanctification. Therefore, we must seek to hear His Voice for direction and our security. This comes by picking up our cross to follow Christ, staying humble before Him, and partaking of His Word with prayer
Being born again that we may see the Heart of God and His Kingdom we have an obligation to live our best always striving toward the goal of being called His child. An outward sign to those around us by bringing glory to the Lord “Whom” gave so much through His suffering. The Bible says He went to the cross despising the shame for the joy set before Him. That joy was making us His brothers and sisters. Even better, His Bride to live in eternal intimacy with our God.
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Being born again that we may see the Heart of God and His Kingdom we have an obligation to live our best always striving toward the goal of being called His child. An outward sign to those around us by bringing glory to the Lord “Whom” gave so much through His suffering. The Bible says He went to the cross despising the shame for the joy set before Him. That joy was making us His brothers and sisters. Even better, His Bride to live in eternal intimacy with our God.
Read More...
The True Cost of Love
Heb 5:8
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Love requires the death of the one who has been offended! WOW that is a pretty radical statement. In the scripture above we are talking about Jesus.
However when it is written Matt 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. What? Does that mean we cannot enter heaven without dying to self?
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Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Love requires the death of the one who has been offended! WOW that is a pretty radical statement. In the scripture above we are talking about Jesus.
However when it is written Matt 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. What? Does that mean we cannot enter heaven without dying to self?
Read More...
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
From the psalm I wrote: The Faithful Soldier…
The veil of Death is religious arrogance, blindness mostly caused by religious traditions 2Cor 2:3
Read Gal 3:14 The baptism of the Holy Spirit removes any Blindness of the soul. When we were baptized (immersion) in water, it represented our death because the water represents the Word. Since none of us are pure, sin puts us to death by the law in the Word. When we are lifted from the water it represents a new birth with our repentance. Now when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we emerge in God's will and Truth. When we dwell in this state we are equipped with the power and knowledge of God ready for every good work. The good work is a result of God's will working in us as a witness to His Glory. The works have nothing to do with salvation that is already secured at repentance and receiving Christ into our hearts. If we endure in our seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, His purpose and gifts will also be attached.
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The veil of Death is religious arrogance, blindness mostly caused by religious traditions 2Cor 2:3
Read Gal 3:14 The baptism of the Holy Spirit removes any Blindness of the soul. When we were baptized (immersion) in water, it represented our death because the water represents the Word. Since none of us are pure, sin puts us to death by the law in the Word. When we are lifted from the water it represents a new birth with our repentance. Now when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we emerge in God's will and Truth. When we dwell in this state we are equipped with the power and knowledge of God ready for every good work. The good work is a result of God's will working in us as a witness to His Glory. The works have nothing to do with salvation that is already secured at repentance and receiving Christ into our hearts. If we endure in our seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, His purpose and gifts will also be attached.
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Eat MY Flesh
John 6:53
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
What is the Lord saying? Many think He is talking about communion and indeed He is. However not just a wafer and some grape juice But real communion (fellowship)
John1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The first part is easy when we realize His Word is His flesh. Therefore He is saying we are to partake (eat) of His Word For communion (fellowship)
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Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
What is the Lord saying? Many think He is talking about communion and indeed He is. However not just a wafer and some grape juice But real communion (fellowship)
John1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The first part is easy when we realize His Word is His flesh. Therefore He is saying we are to partake (eat) of His Word For communion (fellowship)
Read More...
Guide to The Faithful Soldier
As you may guess many forms of poetry are hard to understand and need some interpretation. I have decided to help a little those hungry to know the Lord. Remember that the Lord promised show Himself to those who diligently seek Him. Eternity is worth it! (Proverbs 8:17)
This Psalm opens with the question of Who. (Please keep your Bible with you when you read this so you can access all Scripture referenced.) Of course we are looking at Jesus but how is does come to be. (Colossians 1:12 thru16) says He is the first fruit of all at creation and all things created were made through Him and for Him. Sound familiar? If you remember the Gospel of John In the beginning was the Word.
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This Psalm opens with the question of Who. (Please keep your Bible with you when you read this so you can access all Scripture referenced.) Of course we are looking at Jesus but how is does come to be. (Colossians 1:12 thru16) says He is the first fruit of all at creation and all things created were made through Him and for Him. Sound familiar? If you remember the Gospel of John In the beginning was the Word.
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Reality and Gravity do have something in common.................
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
7. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Luke 12:4-5
4. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
5. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
I left this title statement open ended for contemplation. There are many that seldom think about the forces that are at work in our lives or the consequence of their decisions. We could call that impulse living; my parents called it flying by the seat of your pants. My parent’s phrase was used for someone who refused wise counsel and instruction for direction in life.
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7. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Luke 12:4-5
4. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
5. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
I left this title statement open ended for contemplation. There are many that seldom think about the forces that are at work in our lives or the consequence of their decisions. We could call that impulse living; my parents called it flying by the seat of your pants. My parent’s phrase was used for someone who refused wise counsel and instruction for direction in life.
Read More........
Success may be measured by our generation but be sure of this; it is ultimately measured in eternity.
Matt 6:20-21 (NIV)
20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Many look at success by the standard of their peers. But what is success? Indeed we must make a place for ourselves in this world and God has nothing against that. In fact He has given us the intelligence and the wisdom to accomplish that very premise. Problems start when we measure our success by the place we make forgetting that God has given us the ability and the wisdom for that success.
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20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Many look at success by the standard of their peers. But what is success? Indeed we must make a place for ourselves in this world and God has nothing against that. In fact He has given us the intelligence and the wisdom to accomplish that very premise. Problems start when we measure our success by the place we make forgetting that God has given us the ability and the wisdom for that success.
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What about those who had never known Christ before their death?
What about the person that has never heard of Jesus? When people bring up the subject of those who die without knowing Christ they are really saying is how can God be just if we cannot be saved outside of Christ?
Be careful not to fall into the trap of judging God for His fairness because you want to justify yourself. Those that do this show they know nothing of the love displayed through Jesus Christ. He is the Word and Authority of God the Father and displayed God’s love even before His appearing in the flesh. There are those that walked with God before Christ came in the body to deliver salvation through His suffering. Those who approached God in a spirit of humility have always seen the qualities of His love. This is why the book of Romans Chapter One talks about the power of God's love and the responsibility for all to recognize His sovereignty through Creation.
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Be careful not to fall into the trap of judging God for His fairness because you want to justify yourself. Those that do this show they know nothing of the love displayed through Jesus Christ. He is the Word and Authority of God the Father and displayed God’s love even before His appearing in the flesh. There are those that walked with God before Christ came in the body to deliver salvation through His suffering. Those who approached God in a spirit of humility have always seen the qualities of His love. This is why the book of Romans Chapter One talks about the power of God's love and the responsibility for all to recognize His sovereignty through Creation.
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The Crucifixion preceded creation that wisdom may remain absolute and God’s love unbroken.
2. Tim 1:9-10 (NIV)
9. (God) who has saved us and called to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
10. but now revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
1Cor 2:7 (NIV)
7. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
God’s love is absolute wisdom!
How is this statement true? Another strange statement is this: Jesus was perfected through the things He suffered. This suffering was determined before creation. God had pledged His love to us before He created us.
What is absolute wisdom? What is creation? What is creation to God if He has the power to create whatever he desires? What is the one thing He cannot create that would not be in the futility of a self-serving whim? What prize would fulfill God’s heart.
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9. (God) who has saved us and called to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
10. but now revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
1Cor 2:7 (NIV)
7. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
God’s love is absolute wisdom!
How is this statement true? Another strange statement is this: Jesus was perfected through the things He suffered. This suffering was determined before creation. God had pledged His love to us before He created us.
What is absolute wisdom? What is creation? What is creation to God if He has the power to create whatever he desires? What is the one thing He cannot create that would not be in the futility of a self-serving whim? What prize would fulfill God’s heart.
Read More....
Love grows through the courage born of humility. God's truth is welcome there!
Proverbs 24 :16 (NIV)
Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. But wicked are brought down to calamity.
“The wise understand they cannot prosper in love outside humility”
The humble person has the courage to love! The cross of Christ is their example. Understand this: absolutely no sin can represent Love.
We cannot hold truth guilty if exposes our sin. True courage is allowing God to judge sin in us putting it to death (separating it from us). No flesh dies easy and it would be foolish to say “I have it handled”. This is why Jesus introduced grace through the Cross. This grace is given to the humble because God knows they will repent before making excuses for sin.
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Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. But wicked are brought down to calamity.
“The wise understand they cannot prosper in love outside humility”
The humble person has the courage to love! The cross of Christ is their example. Understand this: absolutely no sin can represent Love.
We cannot hold truth guilty if exposes our sin. True courage is allowing God to judge sin in us putting it to death (separating it from us). No flesh dies easy and it would be foolish to say “I have it handled”. This is why Jesus introduced grace through the Cross. This grace is given to the humble because God knows they will repent before making excuses for sin.
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The biggest detriment to a person's character is the lack of internal security!
Knowing the Lord’s love changes everything… You could stop right there and meditate the rest of your life on all that this statement encompasses. Once you understand and trust that His Word is what He does and His love proves the same. At this point it would be good to know what He says and take confidence in that truth.
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Satan wants to fuel doubt in God's Love because he rejected it.
God has provided the door but it is up to us to walk through it. An important key is humility. Avoid being arrogant and rejecting God's love.
Understand this: God has determined that each child becomes a living soul at conception. This was determined when He told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. The Devil hates our ability to multiply therefore he raises up evil men to destroy life. lt is my personal belief, we who are children of Love by choice have great purpose. We will replace Satan and his fallen angels in the realm of eternity. Rejecting the Lord of Glory because of arrogance choosing their personal power and beauty over love for God. The Devil knows his doom is imminent and is angry at all creation as God's children. Because it is God's love that makes a child His not birth. This principle is also true for mankind. Therefore God also determined that each person choosing His gift of love for redemption becomes a child of God. Born of the Spirit.
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Understand this: God has determined that each child becomes a living soul at conception. This was determined when He told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. The Devil hates our ability to multiply therefore he raises up evil men to destroy life. lt is my personal belief, we who are children of Love by choice have great purpose. We will replace Satan and his fallen angels in the realm of eternity. Rejecting the Lord of Glory because of arrogance choosing their personal power and beauty over love for God. The Devil knows his doom is imminent and is angry at all creation as God's children. Because it is God's love that makes a child His not birth. This principle is also true for mankind. Therefore God also determined that each person choosing His gift of love for redemption becomes a child of God. Born of the Spirit.
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What is the meaning of being disabled?
I have been asked to write a piece for my friend's web site. This is my attempt to pen with my heart the things I have seen which are to me nothing short of miraculous. Disability Road denotes that there is something to be traversed and a destination that must be reached.
Let's talk about the word disabled. There are many forms of disability; some disabilities are more visible than others. ln many ways I have been more disabled than my friend for whom I am writing this commentary. With the utmost respect for Steve and what he is trying to accomplish through this site, I am in holy fear and understand the responsibility to the reader.
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Let's talk about the word disabled. There are many forms of disability; some disabilities are more visible than others. ln many ways I have been more disabled than my friend for whom I am writing this commentary. With the utmost respect for Steve and what he is trying to accomplish through this site, I am in holy fear and understand the responsibility to the reader.
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No act of love can transpire without a sacrifice!
Luke 6:27 – 28 NIV
27. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
28. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
True repentance is the first sacrifice that the Lord accepts because His covenant of love is established with us through the cross. Since we will be judged by our motives the purpose for our sacrifice should have eternal weight. Because Jesus voluntarily became sacrifice for our sin, He has been made Lord over all. Without first accepting His sacrifice of love at the cross what could our motive be for any sacrifice? For glory? Can we administer tough love without it being for our own convenience? Will not our sacrifices quickly fade if they are centered in self? Will our sacrifices [acts of love] carry the objects of our love into eternal glory?
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27. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
28. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
True repentance is the first sacrifice that the Lord accepts because His covenant of love is established with us through the cross. Since we will be judged by our motives the purpose for our sacrifice should have eternal weight. Because Jesus voluntarily became sacrifice for our sin, He has been made Lord over all. Without first accepting His sacrifice of love at the cross what could our motive be for any sacrifice? For glory? Can we administer tough love without it being for our own convenience? Will not our sacrifices quickly fade if they are centered in self? Will our sacrifices [acts of love] carry the objects of our love into eternal glory?
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A blind man has this advantage over others: they must see a person’s heart before making judgments about them!
John 9:30 – 33 (NIV)
30. The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
31. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.
32. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
33. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
A humble person can see an act of love and receive it but for many their eyes see only what the flesh desires!
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30. The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
31. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.
32. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
33. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
A humble person can see an act of love and receive it but for many their eyes see only what the flesh desires!
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Unanswered prayer exposes true faith and strengthens resolve!
Unanswered prayer is one of the most difficult subjects to explain but I will attempt to give an answer from the perspective of revealing true faith and trust in an all-loving God.
A relationship constitutes a form of love based on trust. When circumstances arise that seem to put a damper on a relationship we should be able to revert to trust based on the love or the character of the person with whom a relationship is established. In the case of a lack of character to some extent we can rely on God's character demonstrating selfless love to give the relationship grace. Yet, how can two walk together unless they agree?
Before we go any further, a relationship with the Lord must be a part of life for anyone hoping to tap into spiritual strength and grace concerning answered prayer. This would indicate our first prayer would need to be one of repentance by asking Jesus to be our Lord and savior. How can we go to a Father who is not ours and ask for favor? Once salvation is secured we can have the grace for a relationship toward others founded on the love we share with God. Therefore, because He will be involved in every aspect of our life, including prayer, we have confidence for a miracle or what we call answered prayer.
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A relationship constitutes a form of love based on trust. When circumstances arise that seem to put a damper on a relationship we should be able to revert to trust based on the love or the character of the person with whom a relationship is established. In the case of a lack of character to some extent we can rely on God's character demonstrating selfless love to give the relationship grace. Yet, how can two walk together unless they agree?
Before we go any further, a relationship with the Lord must be a part of life for anyone hoping to tap into spiritual strength and grace concerning answered prayer. This would indicate our first prayer would need to be one of repentance by asking Jesus to be our Lord and savior. How can we go to a Father who is not ours and ask for favor? Once salvation is secured we can have the grace for a relationship toward others founded on the love we share with God. Therefore, because He will be involved in every aspect of our life, including prayer, we have confidence for a miracle or what we call answered prayer.
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A person's strength is not determined by their failures;
It is determined by their willingness to confront those failures. Through repentance they will master life!
by Rev. Callender
When we speak in terms of strength and failure it is obvious some standard of measurement must be used. If I have found anything to be true in life it is the inconsistency of mankind. When trying to please man the rules and guidelines change not only from person to person hut .also from day to day~ So how do we know when we have been strong or have failed?
The Bible, in the book of John: Chapter 1 shows us the Word of Creation who through all things were made. It only takes common sense to understand that the source of our being is the truth of our existence. Once Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Gen 3:3-5 at that very moment they were no longer innocent because at the same instant they broke the command their guilt was understood. Now we have inherited what I like to call the seed of self, planted in our nature through our ancestors by believing the lie. What is the lie? That they would not die (natural and spiritual death).
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The Bible, in the book of John: Chapter 1 shows us the Word of Creation who through all things were made. It only takes common sense to understand that the source of our being is the truth of our existence. Once Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Gen 3:3-5 at that very moment they were no longer innocent because at the same instant they broke the command their guilt was understood. Now we have inherited what I like to call the seed of self, planted in our nature through our ancestors by believing the lie. What is the lie? That they would not die (natural and spiritual death).
Read More...