Walking a Fine Line

     When people continue to live a life of "immediate gratification" it WILL result in consequences that will harm, cause pain, and even destroy, not only the one making the decisions but also those around them.

     "If you sow to the flesh, you will of the flesh reap destruction." The only way out of this dilemma is to realize your sin, (and, I believe feel sorry for it)  confess it, and fall on the grace of God. I've noticed lately that it appears that many people, tend to justify their sin even though they are currently reaping the harmful effects of that sin. They either justify it, blame others, or try to minimalize it. I have a hard time praying for these people, because I don't know what to pray.

     I know that I fall into temptation, and that I do succumb to it at times, and I really feel bad about it. I am sorry. I am guilty, and I need God's forgiveness. But, to continue to do the same thing time and time again, day in and day out,  and then to just take for granted God's grace, is a fearful thing to me. I don't know how to respond to people in my life, who do that.

Oh Lord, help those of us who call ourselves yours, walk in the Spirit so we should not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. And help those who do keep sowing to the flesh, to hear your voice and obey your will. Do what only you can do in them, God.

P.S.-Well, I guess I just did pray for them.(It was the Spirit praying through me.)

A Matter of Opinion?

      Recently, I sent out an email asking people I know if they wanted me to continue to inform them when I  wrote a new post on my blog. One of the responses, said that although they didn't necessarily agree with all my opinions, that they wanted to see how other Christians saw things, and remain open and teachable, suggesting that "yes" they would like to continue to be informed. They went on to say that when we get to heaven, that we probably would find that  Jesus would tell us that many of our opinions were wrong anyway. 
     Brothers and sisters in God's great family: I don't write this blog to give my opinion. In fact, I don't even care what my opinion is, if it's not based on the truths in God's heart. This isn't a commentary; a point/counterpoint kind of thing. That would be a complete waste of time.  I'm not saying at all that every word I write is pure truth; that would be arrogant of me, and wrong. But, what I am saying is that during my day, God drops things in my spirit, and yes, they do go through my mind, and then I write them down to share. Knowing you have the Spirit of Truth in you , I trust that you inquire of Him as to whether or not what is truth and what is not. I could have a portion of truth, and you, in your comments, can add another dimension to that truth. We do, as God's children, have the mind of Christ, and, as we grow in Christ we see things clearer and clearer according to what is in His heart. If we give our opinions, and they are from our carnal thinking, they are first of all devilish and sensual says God in His Word. So, opinions are not even what we are after in the Body of Christ. We are after Truth, and that is in who God is and in what His understanding is. That's all that matters.  In all your getting, get understanding.
      Denominational doctrines were formed out of men's opinions about the Word,  and the reason their followers are stuck in a preconcieved mode is that they think they've found the truth, (those tenets of faith) and they haven't even inquired of God's Holy Spirit as to what He meant by His Word; they've blindly accepted what have been handed down by their forefathers. So, if what I write is solely my opinions, I beg of you to reject them wholeheartedly. I could put a whole lot of Scripture references to what I write to try and "prove" they are indeed truth, but I'll trust the Spirit of Truth (which will lead us into all truth) to reveal truth and error to you, and then you decide. If the Spirit shows you that I am wrong in things that I say, it's not that you just "disagree", it's that I am in error!! Opinions are based on man's thinking apart from God, and is really a dirty word of sorts, and one if which we don't want to engage in.
     Of late, I have heard people say, "well, I just don't see it that way." Who cares how we see it? How does God see it? Isn't He truth, and doesn't He define and explain it? He says in His Word that there will come a time , when no man will teach us. Could He mean that in our walk with Him, we are to seek His judgements and ways from the Spirit alone? Even if we hear or read a teaching about God from man, we are to ask Him if this is truth or not, and walk in the ways He alone directs.
    I hope this is not making a mountain out of a molehill, (in your opinion) but something stirred in me with that dreadful word "opinion." It almost represents to me when man built the tower of Babel; acknowledging self accomplishments, talents, ideas, and yes, opinions (how we see it) without God. You could say, "well, that's just her opinion." Have you asked God about it? Maybe it is; God forbid, and maybe it's not. Maybe He wants to show us something through what He has given me to write. You'll never know until you ask. And you still might not then, if you haven't let God burn away your self-will, because then you'll just "hear God" through the filter of your own lusts. Then, again, that's another post.      

Come, and Follow Me.

"You are not your own; you were bought with a price." When we get emboldened to be our own "man/woman" deciding what we will/will not do with our lives, we get further and further away from God. The relationship soon weakens, we begin to feel dry, and, if not remedied overtime, will die altogether. That is a high price to pay for following our own will instead of seeking His. We are taught, by the world, to make our own way, and take care of ourselves because no one else will. That strong-armed independence, if not shed ,when the One who died for us comes into our lives, resists the wisdom, love and care our Heavenly Father offers us, resulting in spiritual death. This can happen anytime in our lives, even if we think we are still in relationship with Him. Oh, how dark is that darkness. Like the parable of the Sower (Mark 4) many don't make it to the end. If we desire the leeks of Egypt, or how it was before our "exodus" ,God promises to send us a wasting disease. That is what I'm talking about. "Better is one day in your courts, (where you and your Will is) then thousands elsewhere."

Death Producing Life

     All the pain we have suffered, whether self-induced or unjustly placed on us by others, is used, if we allow it, to shape us into His image. The other day I was suffering so much emotional pain on the inside; I thought I would bust. God spoke to me, by His Spirit, that I was where I was supposed to be. I told Him that I didn't believe Him. I said that this much pain couldn't be where He wanted me to be. But, as a loving, gracious Father, He just remained quiet and I believe, happy, that I was honest with Him about what I was feeling/ believing at that moment. But still His love and truth (that I was where He wanted me) overode my unbelief and resistance. Later, as I accepted this, He began to use that pain and break me inside. This breaking resulted in more of Him coming forth in me. I could see and feel Him through me. I had a new peace and humility I  hadn't had before. 

     Reminds me of lyrics to a song: "As you hold me to the fire, I will not remove your Hand." I was almost tempted beyond measure to run from the pain, and enact some fleshly solution that would have resulted in devastating effects. Lord, thank you for your mysterious keeping power.   

We must obey God, and not Man

     As this walk with the Lord goes forward, I am finding that the path is getting more and more perilous. He asks more of us as maturing children, and the cost becomes higher. He's shown me that I have, in the name of being nice or hospitality even, have appeased man, and have neglected to follow what He has asked me to do, say and be. I suppose many of us have done that. This has become a pattern in my life, and one in which I have subconsciously followed, in order to attempt to secure my relationships. And, some of these relationships are the very ones the Lord is trying to pry me from, as they were not based on truthfulness. I have unwittingly made agreement with the perceptions of others by being silent, letting the lie I know they see grow to bigger proportions because I didn't present the truth.  He has let the turmoil in me build up due to my silence so that I would not be able to remain silent anymore, no matter the cost. Many times we try to serve God from a safe place, which is really an oxymoron as we put ourselves in a dangerous and vulnerable place when we (consciously or unconsciously) refuse His voice. Lord, help me and forgive me. 
Recently, I didn't keep silent but I presented the truth in an email to a friend. I counted the cost. I could lose her friendship forever. I am hoping that she will receive the truth and be set free from many delusions she operates in. I am willing to lose her friendship for the joy of following my Savior's will. 
Appeasement=Compromise. Lord, help me stay with you, no matter what.