There is one thing common to all of us on the planet... we are born and we die. This is inescapable. However, there is something else that is totally overlooked by the great majority... all will have to answer to God (who is their creator), for the things they have done with their lives.
Part 2 of When Truth Doesn't Matter. The world has very quickly moved to the point where the truth is not the driving force behind most decisions. Tribal loyalty and desired opinions are more important than facts, because people prefer their own reality and build upon their own 'truths'. Throughout the western world, reality and provable science have given way to the 'science' of personal beliefs. This 'science' is also selectively applied... eg., I might choose to believe that I am female, even...
The world has very quickly moved to the point where the truth is not the driving force behind most decisions. Tribal loyalty and desired opinions are more important than facts, because people prefer their own reality and build upon their own 'truths'. Throughout the western world, reality and provable science have given way to the 'science' of personal beliefs. This 'science' is also selectively applied... eg., I might choose to believe that I am female, even though I am genetically, physically ...
The sequel of two earlier talks by Pastor Brad Smith, Led Of The Spirit 211121, and, Washing Of Feet 211123. Being led of the spirit is not just knowing what is right or wrong, it is practicing what is right. To serve God (to be led by the spirit) is to serve others .
The same notes as used for Led By The Spirit..The Holy Spirit is the energy or power of God in action, just as our deeds (as opposed to our thoughts assets) display our nature to those around us. For those who are anointed/filled with the Spirit, it's God's intention that we utilize the same power for the salvation of others, so God's purposes can be established in us. Thus, we become the children of God, because our spiritual DNA is the same as God's... we are his offspring rather than the worl...
The Holy Spirit is the energy or power of God in action, just as our deeds (as opposed to our thoughts assets) display our nature to those around us. For those who are anointed/filled with the Spirit, it's God's intention that we utilize the same power for the salvation of others, so God's purposes can be established in us. Thus, we become the children of God, because our spiritual DNA is the same as God's... we are his offspring rather than the world's and we are motivated to act accordingly.
In the popular Charles Dickens story 'A Christmas Carol', the mise Ebeneezer Scrooge worked his long suffering employee Bob Cratchit to breaking point (this is where we get the insulting term 'scrooge' from... meaning someone who has plenty, but is not generous or caring to those who don't). He provided only minimal heating, expected Cratchit to work on holidays and constantly displayed an air of criticism and suspicion. No one would want to work for a boss like Scrooge, who represented the wors...
By the act of confusing spiritual priorities and values, it becomes clear why people build unfulfilled lives based on powerless spiritual precepts. Gods Spirit is still bound by the accuracy of his word... we cannot add nor subtract from those things which the Lord has laid down. If we start letting small things slip by, or add little things that please us that are not in his word... then they can accumulate to the point where destruction is assured!! Safety margins are an act of wisdom when it ...
There are promises which surround us in everyday life, from lifetime commitments to the daily expectations towards and from other people. However, the expected outcome and fulfilment of promises made are rarely guaranteed in the fluctuating and inconsistent society in which we live, as rules, laws, and personal conflicts run interference with the decisions and commitments we seek to maintain. Only the promises of God are yay and amen, being assured to every person who walks according to His will...
We choose how to spend our time. God counsels us to spend some of that time on higher purposes...setting our affections and renewing our minds in Him.
The apostle Paul, when writing in the first chapter of his epistle to the Romans, commented on how man had become focused worshipping the creation and not God... the creator of all life. Today, many in society are following the same pattern of focusing on the issues on how mankind manages the environment and fail to acknowledge God the creator. As the apostle Paul wrote "worshipping the creation and not the creator".
If you have a victim mentality, you will see your entire life through a perspective that things constantly happen 'to' you. Victimisation is thus a combination of seeing most things in life as negative, beyond your control, and as something you should be given sympathy for experiencing, because you deserve 'better'. At it's heart, the victim mentality is a way to avoid taking any responsibility for yourself or your life. By believing you have no power then you don't have to take action... and it...
The following thoughts and activity are presented in the interests of being able to follow and trust God... even if we are or a bit confused or don't understand all that is happening. We are not asked to stress or strain our understanding... rather we are asked to be obedient. Therein is our victory and therein God is given room to work. We don't know how God does what he does, but we know that he does it... that is what we stand on.
Part 2. The human race now has the ability to overcome their original fall. Jesus Christ has opened the door to the tree of life once again. Through repentance, water baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we are returned to the eternal future which was ours from the beginning. However, Satan has not changed, he is still out to deceive and destroy. Satan teaches Christians first to doubt, and then to deny. We need to manage our sins as God says, not by natural logic. It's in our interest ...
The human race now has the ability to overcome their original fall. Jesus Christ has opened the door to the tree of life once again. Through repentance, water baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we are returned to the eternal future which was ours from the beginning. However, Satan has not changed, he is still out to deceive and destroy. Satan teaches Christians first to doubt, and then to deny. We need to manage our sins as God says, not by natural logic. It's in our interest to learn...
Two thousand years after Christ, the Holy Spirit is being poured out like never before, but the power is not properly understood. The way the Spirit is received and used is often compromised through ignorance or pride. Humans have a great need to improve or modify the effective and powerful ways of the spirit. It is Gods will that we be aware of these failings and to protect people from this type of compromise. The simple but powerful promises in the bible are more than enough for all Christians...
The New Testament began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit... a new and living way that is able to deal with all the sins and failings of all the people (all backed up with signs).
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden they lost their innocence and became aware of many things. They understood both their physical and spiritual nakedness and that they could not appear before God that way. God clothed them in the garden. Scripture makes it clear that the spiritual covering we need to be right before God is righteousness. We cannot clothe ourselves in righteousness no matter how hard we try.. only God can provide the robes of righteousness and the garments of s...
Jesus’s crucifixion was part of God’s plan. This world celebrates the birth of Jesus in the main more than the death of Jesus. We celebrate the death of Jesus because without it we would not have the Spirit to know and understand God and his plan. Our faith is based on Christ crucified. All things are happening as part of God’s plan and he has us under his care. God’s plan is revealed to us via the Spirit.
Firstly, the Holy Spirit is an intelligent, personal force... the effectual 'conscience' of God. The bible proves this point by describing the loving and caring manner of how the Spirit acts for those who faithfully obey God. So we see that the Holy Spirit is much more than a source of power alone. It is the life and breath behind all creation and life... and continues to do so.
The concept of a person who is perfectly suited to another in temperament and purpose being called a 'soul mate' or 'one true love', originated from the Greek comedy playwright, Aristophanes around 450BC. It is interesting to note that the bible reveals a broader idea on the concept of a 'soul mate' and that originated 4000BC. The bible adds a new twist to this saying revealing a much bigger plan than what many imagine.
To those that are in right standing with God; the first death at the end of natural life is a temporary sleep before being resurrected into a new spiritual body. Those who have died are not even aware of death; the dead do not know they are dead; their cycle of awareness is over. God explains that the natural life of the unsaved as being little different than being dead. We are encouraged to make wise choices before our time runs out (not just leaving it to the last moment). No one knows how lon...
Our salvation has been sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is really a down payment of greater things to come. We see through the glass darkly, we see a limited view of the future. God knows more about us than we do!! God has unlimited resources (riches) to help us.
There is an intriguing scripture in the gospel of John that alludes to our works surpassing that of Christ's. John 14:12. It is interesting for two reasons... the first is the statement that we will have the potential to do the works of Christ (miracles)... and the second, which is the most amazing, reveals that we have the potential to do even greater works then Christ.... how can that be? What is something that Jesus did not do, or could not do while he was on the earth as opposed to what we c...
The sign of the prophet Jonah is only one of approximately 350 prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ that were recorded up to 4000 years before he was born. Prophecies act as signs and proof of the credibility of God and of his ability to save people from certain death. The salvation message that Jesus made possible, is also built upon prophetic signs, miracles, and wonders. The sign of speaking in tongues is the confirmation of being anointed by the Spirit. The sign of the prophet Jonah is a pre...
When it comes to the things of God, most people have no understanding of what they are dealing with. God is trying to save people from permanent extinction (death), but most are blindly adhering to lifestyles that are more appealing to their human nature. God is not demanding a life of permanent denial and abstinence of all pleasures. He is trying to save people from certain death. Our natural perspective is short term and certainly devoid of any spiritual awareness. Spiritually speaking, the hu...
