“Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He is not God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to Him.”

Luke 20:37-38

Biblegateway.com

Opening My Heart

Lord, what will happen when you open my heart to your all-consuming presence?  I see a heart filling with contentment, softening its demeanor, less sarcasm, and increasing mercy. Insults and innuendos are not absorbed into my psyche and mess with my identity because they bounce off your shield of grace.

My focus will change from temporary pleasure to eternal pleasures. The mind once narrow expands its limited thinking beyond this span of time. Your word says you are not the God of the dead but of the living, for all are living to you.

Since Jesus is referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob being alive before the Father, the truth of living souls is clear. Their souls remain alive while their bodies await His return and their own new resurrected immortal bodies. Peter, James, and John are amazed by this reality as Jesus opens their eyes during His transfiguration.

He was transformed in front of them, and His face shone like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here! If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
Mathew 17:2-4

A Sense of My Loved One’s Spirit

Not only are their forefathers speaking with Jesus in person, Peter recognizes who they are without being told. A taste of the afterlife is physically present for Jesus’s inner circle and for all of us who’s hearts are open to receive this truth, for all are living to Him.

Sometimes, I think I get a small taste of my deceased great-grandmother’s spirit when I’m engrossed in my favorite hobbies. As I am digging in the dirt to remove weeds or plant seeds, I feel a connectedness I cannot explain. It’s almost as though she is there with me and I cannot see her.

Grace, fed her ten children from the soil of her garden not far from the ground where I dig. I believe our souls are so enter-twined that her love of the soil and all God provides through the seeds of vegetation are present with me.

The same thing happens to me when I make soap and body creams. I think of Grace, who mom tells me rendered the fat from her hogs every fall to make her own soap.

Walking through the garden, picking vegetables and feeling that connection with her is a great pleasure to me. I see it as a small gift, or part of her she left behind. Her soul is with Jesus, while mine longs for the day of living beyond this place and time in His presence.  

Therefore, awaiting Jesus’ return is assuring to we who have lost loved ones. Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, each took their last breath, died, and were gathered to their people (Genesis 25:8, 35:29, 49:29). I get a sense of being reunited with family members spiritually with the last breath, while the body is placed among their remains physically.

Living Forever

Solomon emphasizes the spirit and body separation upon our last breath in his reminiscing, he says,

“… man is headed to his eternal home, and mourners will walk around in the street;
⁶ before the silver cord is snapped, and the gold bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken into the well; ⁷ and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12: 5a-6

So many people confuse Jesus’ words of “falling asleep” as though the soul is asleep when our bodies die. However, his message and the apostle Paul’s do not indicate that concept at all. It helps to listen closely to what Jesus tells his disciples when Lazarus was sick:

Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on My way to wake him up.”
Then the disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”
Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought He was speaking about natural sleep. So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”
John 11:11b-16

He is not referring to sleep as a living state, but of death. Jesus later gives them a glimpse of the resurrection when he brings Lazarus back to life. What sweet assurance we have abundant life here with Christ and eternal life with him in heaven! The apostle Paul’s description of living in God’s presence is something to behold! He says:

Promise of a Future Home Living with God

“Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight, ⁸ and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:4-8

Yes, one day we will be out of these weak, decomposing bodies and at home with the Lord. Our souls live forever and God gives us the opportunity each day to choose where we will spend eternity. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever we understand he exists outside of time. My focus on this temporary body might change if I could live in the Spirit more and grasp how limited my body is. Although I am to be a good steward of this tent, use it for his work, and nourish it with his provision in the garden; I am not to be bound by its appearance and desires.

More importantly, my heart will be open to his promise of a future home with him. I may even get to know Grace a little more. Her soul, her essence, her spirit is there with God while the dust of her body awaits the return of Jesus here on earth. She may be getting to know Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in His presence because ALL are living to God.

For More Bold Faith Articles click here:

Who is the gentle spirit in your life?

The gentle spirit of my friend comforts me in my times of distress. Yes, even those of us who walk closely with Jesus experience heartache and longing. There are times, as a mother, when I want to fix the problems of my child as if she is still a youngster. The battles my child face are not insurmountable but I want to take them on as my own, to be the gentle spirt walking alongside her. Under waves of uncertainty I’m sure her circumstances feel overwhelming.

Questions that plague her are the same ones I experience: “Am I raising my children right? Is this the best decision for me and my family? How can I be all things to all people, ALL the time?! Yikes, so much pressure! I want to be a comfort for her, like my friend is for me. Paul says in Galatians 6:1 to restore a person with a gentle spirit.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 

Galatians 6 ESV – Bear One Another’s Burdens – Bible Gateway

The context of this verse is about wrongdoing and warning followers not to be ruled by temptation. However, the gentle spirit in my situation is helping my daughter through worry and thinking she’s doing something wrong. Carrying the burden of my hurting child is a privilege. My goal is to walk alongside her and reassure her that God sees and He knows. He sent his son to experience and take on the deepest burdens she desperately tries to hide from others.

The Gentle Spirit of Jesus

I want her to know he not only sees those deep burdens, but He also cares!

Jesus says,

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mathew 11:28-29).

My study bible describes the yoke as a harness placed on two animals who pull a cart together. The older more experienced animal receives the larger harness so the younger animal can be trained and guided by its mentor (The Holman Cristian Standard Bible p. 1537).

The metaphor gives a beautiful example of Jesus carrying our burdens and walking alongside us in our distress. I too, can take his example and show my sweet girl how to navigate self-doubt, indecision, and striving to be all things to all people.

 She and I can talk to Him when we are uncomfortable sharing our stuffed fears, even with people we trust. We don’t have to worry about Him thinking we are crazy as we try to rationalize thoughts of catastrophe that never materialize.

What a relief to know rest is available to all and not just a select few. Jesus calls all of us to him, for the rest only He can offer. He is a gentle understanding Savior who has walked where I have walked, felt the agony I have felt, and offered to stand in my place and take the punishment for my mistakes.

Moreover, the yoke of his teaching and the way he lived his life as a suffering servant is a beacon of light for my child swamped with doubt and “what ifs”. I feel the earnestness of his humble heart strengthening me to be a solid example of hope to her. He is worthy of my surrender and hers because in His presence we will find true rest. Only then, will I truly find the gentle spirit walking alongside me.

Form healthy recipes using God’s garden and encouragement check out these posts:

My friend, does it surprise you, the perfect listener is not the guy who owns my heart? Can you relate to what I’m saying? Only he and a couple of other people have the power to come in and trash my good mood instantly. It makes me think long and hard about how and why this person can dash hopes so quickly.

For instance, my husband asks, “How was your day?” As I begin to talk, he distractedly looks through the mail and starts walking out of the room as if I am not speaking at all. Mumbling, “What?” on his way out, causes me to raise my voice in answer, but it also changes the tone.

The pleasant exchange is fading as the slight annoyance of disregard is rising.

Who is Listening?

In a matter of seconds, he grabs the change in tone and hurls a sharp rebuke in response. In effect, he is setting off an emotional upheaval.

 The dart swiftly and accurately pierces a place of vulnerability. My husband does not see or hear me,  and he does not care.

Ok, emotions, back up just a bit.

Let’s have this conversation with the Lord before involving the love of my life. The apostle, Peter, speaks to this very well.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

1 Peter 5 HCSB – About the Elders – Therefore, as a – Bible Gateway

Peter is talking about younger men being subject to their elders. It is right to show the elders respect and courtesy. The same courtesy he advises wives to show their husbands in chapter 3 of 1 Peter:

In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, everent lives.

1 Peter 3:1-2

Jesus Sees Me, He Hears Me

A key phrase for me here is “the way their wives live.” Including the way she speaks, responds to harsh words, or even distraction. Why is this so important? Because the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking to see who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). He wants my marriage to end, he wants my hopes dashed, and he wants my life destroyed. All because I place my hope and trust in Christ. I choose today to hang onto Him.

Jesus does see me; He does hear me, and He does care. I’d say chances are, so does the man who owns my heart forever. However, mentally he is not in a place to deal with me right now. Ok, then, why ask how my day is?

He’s trying. Although he thinks he’s ready for the onslaught of words and the speed at which they flow…he is not a perfect listener. Honestly, neither am I. The communication failure is as potent as my hand grazing the oven rack when cooking his dinner. So, I must face the facts; my husband is not equipped to listen well.

Timing Is Everything

Therefore, I must be an investigator. What’s his body language today? Is it receptive and open or aloof and distracted? Should I say something like, “My day was perfect, when you’ve showered and rested, we’ll talk about it.” Or maybe, “It was crappy actually, so when you’re ready to hear it, I’ll talk.”

Offering a set of options seems to work better with my guy than spontaneously divulging my subtle details as soon as he walks in the door, regardless if he asks!

But I must tell you thirty-two years of marriage does not take the sting away when I miscalculate my opportunity to speak. The most tender area of sensitivity is in my life-long love for this man. Any sign of discontent or distractedness threatens that in small ways to this day.

God’s word says bring my words to Him first. He’ll deal with the husband, just as He’s already dealt with the devil! Although good moods come and go, I hope to sustain the relationship I have with my spouse. In the meantime, I can boldly place my mundane or tumultuous thoughts before Jesus because He is the perfect listener.

This Kind of Gratitude Overcomes Fear & Anxiety

Satan wants my mind divided into a thousand pieces. In fact, that is what the Greek word for anxiety (merimna) means, “dividing and fracturing a person’s being into parts “(1). I believe if you and I have this thorough definition in mind when anxious thoughts begin to take over our minds, we can place them where they belong much faster; under the feet of Jesus. 

If I have received Christ Jesus and I’m walking in Him, Satan cannot divide and fracture my inmost being. He has been defeated and his powerful attempts to dethrone the King of my heart are futile. 

I am established in my faith and knowledge of who Jesus is and have been taught the power of my King over evil. I am so grateful! 

He Provides Contentment

It’s Jesus who puts my fragile ego in its proper place. Moreover, it’s Him who fills my heart to fullness when I look back at my life and see where he walked with me. I see the times I walked away from him and the times I put him last. I remember my bible sitting on my night stand gathering dust and never being opened. 

Yet, he knew the effort to stay afloat in this materialistic world would never be enough for me. And he was right. No career, person, relationship, or place can compare with knowing Him as my personal Savior. 

Every divided and fractured part of my being has been slowly put back into place and He makes me whole. My friend, he can make you whole today too! The contentment He provides is above and beyond all you can imagine when you receive Him. Have you received him today? 

Luke 11:13 says, “If you then who are evil, give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Therefore, I ask God today, for more of His spirit. Especially when hurtful words are spoken to me in haste. Although the person who speaks them unintentionally has the power to shoot sparks of anxiety deep into places of lingering self-doubt, those words will not prevail.

The words of life will! It takes practice and concentration over heated emotions, but long stretches of time in His word train me to ask and expect the Holy Spirit to show up in times of unrest.

I pray you ask him for more of His spirit today as well! With Him, fear and anxiety cannot flourish. God bless you and keep you!

Click Here for Bible Study

I am learning to value every experience the Lord provides to teach me something about following Him. Now I must tell you, loving every encounter or conflict has not been my attitude in the past. I begin to question or doubt myself, and look inward instead of upward. But how much better is my mindset if I look outward and upward instead?

Take, for instance, a chronic illness alongside a difficult relationship. I may perceive my circumstances as unfair or be unsettled with difficult people around me behaving a little greedy, selfishly, or speaking rudely. Perhaps, our value systems begin to expand in opposite directions, and trivial things grate on my nerves.

Sadly, this spiritual grating manifests as a physical symptom over time, and my spine or my heart, starts feeling the pressure. Do you know what I’m saying? The nerves of both are affected in a way that is deteriorating. My thoughts become negative and self-deprecating as well as judgmental.

Valuing Change in Perspective

What if I changed my perspective of the situation? If I choose to view a negative experience as a valuable opportunity to learn something the Lord wants to teach me, two people benefit.

Take the fact-driven account of Elijah and the widow from Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-16, for example. God calls Elijah to the enemy territory during a three-year drought to stay there with a starving widow and her son. Elijah doesn’t question God or remain by the dried-up brook; the text says he “got up and went to Zarephath.” This poor woman gathers sticks to make one more fire for her and her son’s last meal. Savor this next verse, my friend, and let God speak to you through his prophet:

“Then Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first, make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the LORD God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty, and the oil jug will not run dry until the day of the LORD brings rain on the surface of the land.”

1 Kings 17:13-14

The focus here appears inward as if he is asking for her last morsel of bread. But the reality is he is looking up to the One who provides all things in perfect timing. She is from a pagan land that worships and practices evil—the home of his arch-enemy, Jezebel. Yet, God calls Elijah out of Israel and to her in this pagan place.

What makes me stop in my tracks here is the fact that he does not hesitate to go. So, the question for me to internalize is, “What extreme circumstances are going to bring me to the place of following God without question?” Who do I fail to witness to and empower because of my distaste for confrontation? “Live, and let live” and “To each, his own” are cliché’s Christians are called to lovingly challenge with a physical demonstration of caring provision and a voice of truth.   

Embracing Every Problematic Experience

The dying widow didn’t know or like this stranger, and she didn’t have the same religion or values he had, but she listened to him. In contrast, the behavior I display is retreat or avoidance. It doesn’t matter when someone grates on my nerves or believes something opposite of what I think; I don’t have the courage to engage them in conversation. My response is to smile and turn away or shrug my shoulders and change the subject. I do this, so I don’t have to engage them in a deeper, life-changing conversation.

I stuff the opposing emotions and belief differences down upon the very nerves already taunt with physical deterioration. And we both suffer for it. I suffer from undue tension and regret, and they suffer because they lack the faithful forgiving, loving, merciful grace of Christ.

The resulting pain makes me begin questioning where I internalize situations I need to be placing before God. Instead of avoiding complex attitudes towards Christianity and righteous living, I can share the fulfilling reality of surrendering to Christ. If I learn to embrace every problematic experience as an opportunity, I’ll become proficient in expressing the love He so freely offers to me and others. Even people who don’t believe in Him. It’s the kind of bold faith I long for and pray for every day.

Jesus, shows me how I can truly learn to value every experience!

For more on Bold Faith click here:

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:13

biblegateway.com

Born Again?

The giant sign, “You Must Be Born Again” greets thousands of us as we exit the baseball park. The faithful servant of God stands silently waiting for someone to approach him and ask what it means. On the other hand, he may be hoping the Christians among the crowd will answer the few people grumbling the question out loud. I’m not sure, but I get the impression the concept is alien to the young baseball fans leaving the park. As a matter of fact, the comments I hear resemble the remarks of Nicodemus, who sought Christ under the cover of darkness .

Born again? What does that mean?

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.”

Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.  (John 3:1-9)

biblegateway.com

Born of The Spirit

I like to think of it this way; we are three-part beings, just like the trinity. However, unlike God in three persons, we have a soul, spirit, and body. We are born to our parents in the flesh and it houses our soul and spirit. Although we are temporary children of our parents in flesh and blood, we are eternal children of God if we receive his son.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But not everyone is going to be born of the Spirit. They will remain in the flesh because they like the way they live. Lord of their own lives, not answering to anyone. Chained to a way of life that destroys the soul and the mind slowly.

Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. John 3:18

The One Who is From God Listens to God’s Words

The Pharisee’s knew they were the chosen people descended from Abraham. So, they believed living by the law, freed them from sin’s curse. The news of being born of the Spirit confused them as much as a billboard of empty words confuses people today. Without explanation, the sign means nothing and without the empathy, hope and compassion of our witness, they will remain lost.

Jesus Offers an Explanation of Born Again

 Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.  A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you.  I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; therefore, you do what you have heard from your father.” “Our father is Abraham!” they replied. “If you were Abraham’s children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did. But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.

Abraham did not do this!  You’re doing what your father does.” “We weren’t born of sexual immorality,” they said. “We have one Father—God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on My own, but He sent Me.  Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word.

You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don’t you believe Me?  The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.”  (John 8:31-37—biblegateway.com)

biblegateway.com

Jesus offers this explanation to the Pharisees so they might believe and have eternal life. However, like many we will witness to today, they refuse to believe and live.

Action Steps to Help Others Understand

The action steps of bold faith today are to speak truth to the people within our influence. Moreover, we can live before them the life Christ calls us to live. A life of joy, peace, generosity, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Our children, friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors will see this and want it for themselves.

In fact, our lives will be born of the Spirit when we encounter Jesus on a personal level. The revelation and movement of our mind and soul toward pleasing Jesus is the first sign in our lives that we are committed and truly believe in Him. Therefore, we are born again. New creatures who die to our old self and arise anew in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The beauty of this rebirth is not only a changed heart and new life while still in this old body, but the promise of eternal life in a new body someday. I’d love to explore the concept of a new body further with you in the 15^th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. However, today I’ll settle for understanding Jesus’ words of born again.  Until we meet again, my friend.

For more blog post on bold faith click here:

The Coping Gifts

The mind is a tricky thing, isn’t it? Since it is so tricky, we learn early in life different ways to adapt and cope. Some will say we are given a gift, a natural ability or talent. For instance, we develop mechanisms ranging from thumb sucking, blanket squeezing, and toy holding as comforting in childhood and advance to make-up piling, starving ourselves, people pleasing as adults.

We fill ourselves with music, reading, learning, art, nature, or people looking for our own gifts to fill us. Gifts we strive to develop so we can attain or maintain some sort of internal peace. Although, the reality is, peace is not found in our gifts or coping ability. It can only be found in the gift of peace Jesus offers.  

In fact, apart from the peace of Jesus, all these attempts fail. We realize at some point, we are masking an underlying restlessness. As the temporary comforts of the world fade, we reach for something else to take their place.

Unlike Jesus, who offers us a gift of eternal peace, the world’s gifts dissolve. He bestows the kind of peace that keeps us calm, when the world shuts down and we don’t get the “things” we think we want.

Furthermore, the gift of peace Jesus offers is a deep abiding comfort permeating our souls. A peace that remains even when the job or relationship we hoped for doesn’t work out. More importantly, it’s a gift shining through the turmoil of our emotions when the people we love don’t return our devotion.  Yes, my friend, His peace truly is a gift worth leaving to others! Do you want that kind of peace today? I sure do!

Prayer For the Peace Jesus Offers

Prayer: God in heaven, you see our troubled thoughts from afar and you know how our minds stray from you. I ask you, Father,  in Jesus’ name, to give this lady peace today. I pray your gift of perfect peace become the hallmark of her walk with you. As others see her contentment with your blessings and her gratitude for another day, you are high and lifted up. May the troubles of her heart be placed at your feet for healing and assurance. May she always remember, You are in control, You do everything in your timing, and all we have to do is trust in You. Thank you, Father, Amen.

For more encouragement in Bold Faith click here:

Music to sooth your weary soul as you soak in the peace Jesus offers!

The Glory of His Presence

I commute an hour to work along the hill crested valley of the Ohio river. In the morning, the sun surrounds the winding road, casting a pinkish-crimson glow across the water. The evening ride home comforts me too as the soft peach and orange hues settle over the hilltops. With so much time on my hands, it is important to use it wisely and bring my mind under the control of Jesus.

I can hear the Psalmist’s words of praise to God hemming him in, behind and before. As I see His glory unfold every morning, I feel Him going before me. It is a time of prayer, listening to hope filled music, and messages of the Christian faith.

One morning, when listening to the radio, I heard a message about “carnal Christians”. As I’m listening, I remember another preacher referring to the lifestyle of a famous singer when talking about the same subject. In all honesty, I’m feeling that cognitive dissonance that occurs when something I hear doesn’t line up with the bible. In fact, carnal means a person is relating to physical, especially sexual needs and activities, that are not Christ-like at all.

Under The Control of the Flesh

The message on the radio is calling “carnal Christians” people who remain new, or baby Christians throughout their lives without ever growing in faith. The pastor said, these people know Christ, make a confession of faith, get baptized, then continue to live their same old ways. He he was in no way condemning to this “churched” population. In fact, I thought he was trying to reach them in their current state of faith.

Apparently, many people are stuck in a state of living for themselves and the desires of the flesh. A place I remember finding comfort in during my twenties and early thirties, all too well.

Who Am I Lifting Up?

I was a believer who put education, family, and building a home above God. As a result, I was delayed in finding true contentment. Looking back, I can see the difference of living for myself and living for Jesus. In addition, it helps me see where we, the church, can come in boldly for “new” Christians. We can invite them to our homes and mentor to them through our behavior and attitudes. The bible calls it, righteous living. Its an opportunity to answer questions and teach God’s word in small groups. Not only that, we can share our excitement about true freedom as we study God’s heart and intention for our lives in His word.

After all, it’s digging into God’s word where we understand His character and holiness. We see equal amounts of love alongside His justness. Moreover, we understand His intolerance of sin, because of its destructiveness and power to separate us from Him…for eternity. It is also where the healing power of Jesus changes our own hearts to be in alignment with His.

How I Feel

I’m afraid carnal Christians are either unaware or unaccepting of this important reality; the healing power of Jesus. Those failing to find freedom in Christ are the people I understand and long to minister to most. However, my question for these ministers is, how can carnal Christians remain that way for years and not experience change?

According to the bible I am either under the control of Jesus, myself or the devil.

How short lived that clarity is for the people of Jesus’ day! Unfortunately, it resembles the people of today.

What Do I Do?

The freedom from the law, the right to do anything, is directed to people in Christ, not people apart form Christ. The freedom in Christ is freedom from the punishment of the law, but it does not take away our love for the right way to live.

Therefore, I don’t see carnal people claiming to know Jesus brought under the control of Jesus, but only themselves. Their desire is to please the flesh over pleasing Christ.

I want to ask the pastor on the radio, “Does your message glorify the power of Christ’s death and resurrection or does it diminish it?” If you describe these people as followers of Christ, and they’re just immature and stuck in the ways of the world “for years and years” how does that compare to the apostle John’s observations?

Brought Under the Control of Jesus

The apostle John says:

This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.

1 John 2:4-6

The apostle Paul says:

For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5 HCSB – Freedom of the Christian – Christ has – Bible Gateway

Yes, it is a process and we will fail time and again. But Jesus gives us a desire to please him, to hunger for the things he hungers for, and in the process He turns our lives upside down! It’s with Him, that we long to spend hours of our time. Those things of the flesh are no longer appealing. So, if I’m struggling in an area, I need someone to help me get out of it.

Moreover, I need to be there for someone else to help them along.

Me or Jesus?

Maybe the intention of the pastors is to help people struggling see there is a better way. I do understand that process, I just don’t understand the terminology; carnal and Christian are not in the same category or sphere of influence. I know because I’ve been there and still struggle with the consequences, many years later! Therefore, I have no condemnation for anyone stuck where I was.

In fact, my heart for this group of people is to identify their struggle, hold their hands, and offer them support. However, giving them comfort without giving them truth is an eternal death sentence. I don’t want them to suffer the destruction that awaits people who are deceived! Nor do I want them to live defeated, afraid, or guilt-ridden. They need my help. Someone who is familiar with the pain of being under the control of the flesh and not under the control of Jesus.

Even though it took me years to figure this out, it doesn’t have to be that way for them! They can come to know Him fully and be enveloped in His presence from every member of church and through their prayers.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

James 5 HCSB – Warning to the Rich – Come now, you – Bible Gateway

Although, the landscape of the culture may look bleak, the unfolding glory of God’s presence has never diminished! His mercies are new every day in the shadows of persistent sin and His word is still available to bring myself and carnal Christians under the control of Jesus. Praise and glory be to God the Father for sending His only Son to take the punishment I deserve. May I not only see it daily, but share it with those in need.

For more Bold Faith Messages Click Here:

I’ve never been the kind of person who bows to peer pressure. In fact, when the pressure heats up to behave a certain way or do a certain thing, this stubborn introvert digs her heels in deeper to stay right where she is. After all, one good friend is worth more to me than a dozen who roll with the times. I say all of this because of the mounting pressure to conform in today’s culture. Are you feeling it too?

Do you find yourself turning off the news because you hear the same repeated message delivered? Although different phrases and pictures are used the message is the same. I feel like I’m under the voice of a hypnotist sometimes. He’s warning me of the doom and gloom fast approaching and consuming me and the ones I love. His fear tactics are only superseded by his strategy of divisiveness.

Fortunately, followers of Christ can see the driving force behind these fear and divisive-based attacks and hang onto hope! Primarily because this enemy has already been defeated. Since, he knows his time is short, he is in a frenzy to accuse, discourage, and persuade every follower of Christ to doubt who is really in control.  The entire situation in our culture today reminds me of the old testament story of the twelve spies.

Feeling the pressure to Conform

For instance, the overwhelming pressure to conform appeals to my emotions. Also, my sense of responsibility, and accountability are piqued. Just as it is for Joshua. The intensity of pressure laid upon he and Caleb was intense. All because they were not afraid to enter Canaan under the direction of the Lord. One leader from each tribe was instructed by Moses to report what the land was like. They were to find out if the land was fertile or unproductive. As well as if the people were few or many, strong or weak. Do they live in fortified cities or encampments? (Numbers 13:18-20).

Although, twelve men were sent to scout out the promised land, only two came back with a hopeful report. Ten of them were fearful because of the very large people they saw. Canaan’s fortified cities, and their ability to devour its inhabitants terrified them (Numbers 13:31-32).

The intensity of this report incited the people to fear. They wanted to stone the two spies who gave a good report.  Much like an easily swayed population turns against those who place their trust in God instead of those in power. Money holders’ rule behind the scenes over policies, guidelines, and messages that affect the way people think. I take hope in Joshua’s response to the people.

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite community: “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. (Numbers 14:6-8).

Numbers 14 HCSB – Israel’s Refusal to Enter Canaan – Bible Gateway

Looking beyond the size of the people, Joshua and Caleb looked at the size of their God. They knew deep down the promises of God are real despite the circumstances. Not only was the fear uncalled for, it also showed a lack of trust in God. Moreover, the distrust sparked complete rebellion and disregard of His good-natured promises.

God is Bigger

Friends, He is with us and His promises are true for us too. He implores us to trust Him. Although the giants we face are present and actively changing values of the people around us, we can stand firm. Yes, the reports of death are real. However, the number of people dying today is no different than those who died this time last year. There is just a sensational amount of attention placed on one specific cause over another.

Even though the enemy of disease has a huge presence in our lives, we cannot forget God is bigger. He determined before we were born, when, how, and the day we will die. If it happens to be the current predominant disease, then that is His will. No matter what measures we take to prevent it, we will not escape His predetermined route of our leaving this earth.

However, we can rejoice because our souls are promised to be with Him in glory! He gave his son to die on the cross to save us from our own distrust and rebellion against Him. He urges us to not conform to the pattern of this world.

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

(Romans 12:1-2)

I can’t describe the comfort this verse has brought me over the years. As I struggled to figure out who to follow, what to do, and who to believe. One traumatic year can change my self-perception and that is just wrong. I can bow to the pressure or use God-given discernment.

Bold faith says, “I am who God says I am. So, I only bow to Him in decisions that change my genetic code forever.” In doing so, I respect my friends’ decision to do what they feel is right. I also cast aside the crushing weight of this world and embrace a different perspective. I feel the tender presence of Jesus reminding me not to get too comfortable here . Mostly because this world and all its pressure is temporary and will pass away.

Knowing Jesus like you do, are you starting to feel it too?

Read more articles on Bold Faith Here.

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.”

Philippians 4:10

I hear the undertones of sadness in my sweet friend’s voice. I would love to see her in person and give her a hug. She is holding on to what she knows to be true amid overwhelming doubt and uncertainty.

Although I’m not sure of the deep questions in her heart, I can tell the damaging thoughts are taking their toll on her self-perception. Recalling her days of cheer and laughter, I’m tempted to bring her out of her sadness with memories of good times.

This might work temporarily, but if I continue to speak truth into her pain and pray God uses it to nurture His perception of her that would be better.

Several years ago, I too struggled with self-image, depressive thoughts, and uncertainty about who I am. The world tells me I must be pretty, smart, and a certain size in order to have value.

The thing is, I don’t have extraordinary characteristics of any of those things. My sense of self needs a greater hope. Thankfully, for me, and hopefully my friend too, Jesus fills our painful, never-ending strive for approval.

He says, “Let go of the shame, let go of the past and live for me”.  He heals all my twisted thoughts with his loving word. It is an anchor for my soul. He tells me a different story of value, redemption, and love than the world does.

He is sufficient is sweeping confidence in the flesh away, too. The talent, passion, and ability he provides are to glorify him.

Therefore, all the achievements, status, and education the world esteems are of no use if I don’t use them to show my sweet friend Christ. No matter how far away, she is. She may be out of sight, but she is never far from my heart.

How many times was I concerned about her and lacked the opportunity to show it due to distance? Like Paul and the Philippian church, the care they showed him resounded in rejoicing in the Lord.

As a result, he learned to be content in all circumstances. Although his circumstances referred to physical shortage and my friend’s is mental, the application is the same.

He knew they cared! The gift I send my friend is not a solution to her problems, but my love. I also give her the encouragement of the God’s healing and powerful word.

 He is not distant either, He is holding her close during her uncertainty. The secret for Paul being content in all circumstances can be a reality for the two of us as well.

Who knows when the round of discouragement will come my way again, as it did for Paul and my friend? Comfort and ease in life is fleeting, as doubt and uncertainty come and go.

However, my hope is in the One who cares, he too may be out of sight, but he is never far from my heart.

More about bold faith here: