Flesh Thinking or Spirit Thinking?

 Romans 8:6-8

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

According to these verses, there are two ways of thinking...Flesh thinking and Spirit thinking.

Flesh thinking is Death (all the miseries arising from sin)
Flesh thinking is hostile toward God
Flesh thinking does not submit to God's ways
Flesh thinking cannot submit to God's ways
Flesh thinking cannot please God.

Spirit thinking is life
Spirit thinking is peace

Flesh thinking and Spirit thinking are opposite of one another. So, one could say that Spirit thinking submits to God ways, it is it's nature to do so and thinking God ways pleases God. That makes sense.

Romans 8:8 Commentaries
So then . . .--Rather, and. Neither can it be expected that those who are absorbed in the things of sense should be able to please God.

Some would say that since they are born again they are automatically Spirit thinkers. Flesh thinkers are the non Christians who are separated still from God. The following verses mess up that idea....

Ephesians 4:17-24
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, they are greedy and practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Those verses tell me that it is possible to remain a "Flesh thinker" as a child of God. It is possible to remain darkened in our understanding and ignorant of God's ways as a Christian. Otherwise, why would verse 17 tell us that we MUST NO LONGER conduct our lives in the futility of our mind. There would be no reason to say this, as a born again child of God, if I have automatically become a "Spirit thinker" when I received Christ. Why would God say to "Put Off" that old man, be renewed in the spirit of our minds and "Put On" our new self? A non Christian would have no option but remain the old self. There would yet be no "new self" to put on!!!

It is a sad thing when we realize that as a Christian, it is still possible to live life as the ungodly do...futile thinking, darkened understanding, still alienated from the kind of life God has available for us (the life of Life and Peace) all because of remaining an ignorant  "Flesh Thinker. As a Christian, I certainly do not want to be calloused, operating according to the lusts of my flesh, greedy, yielding to perverted vices and without restraint ....no, No, NO!!!! This is NOT the way you know or learned Christ!

We are taught to put off, renounce, cast away or throw off our previous way of thinking and living (behavior) which is our OLD SELVES. Choose to think, say and respond to that old man: "This is not what I have been taught! That is my old self! That is not who I am any longer!!! That old man is corrupt. I renounce you, old man. I will no longer continue that thinking and behaving. 

Now, rather than remaining in futile Flesh thinking, which is: Thinking the way the old, ungodly man thinks. Remember.....thinking that is hostile toward God, thoughts that cause death/destruction and thoughts that do not please God and are ignorant of His thoughts. Instead, we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, which is: Spirit thinking....thinking the way God thinks, in accordance with the Word of God, which is Spirit and Life. and to put off the old man, put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

John 6:63

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.

Colossians 3:1-10
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights (minds) on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

Romans 8:1-5
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the powera of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

It is obvious that we have a choice to make as Christians...our choices are....:

#1.  To remain Flesh Thinking in which we still think like a natural, carnal, un-regenerated person, We are still following our senses, our fleshly desires and our ignorant, un-renewed, un-renovated thinking. Therefore, we remain un-transformed and NOT pleasing to God. At the time of our new birth, our Spirit man became alive to God. We became a New Creation. However, neither our souls, which is our mind, will and our emotions, or our body have been changed. That is why our thinking Must change. So, the second necessary choice is to become....

#2.  Spirit Thinking, in which we are learning and submitting to God and His Word. Renewing our thinking to the Ways and Word of God. Learning to Live the life that brings pleasure to God and causes us to begin to live the spirit thinking way of Life and Peace that He has for us.

This is no small thing that we see here today...so,  evaluate your own thoughts.... Am I Flesh Thinking or Spirit Thinking? Many Christians do not realize that the troubles in their lives may have much to do with the thoughts they think. Is your life full of death (troubles, destruction) fultile and ignorant thoughts OR by putting off that old man, putting on your new man and renewing your mind with thoughts that agree with God's way of thinking and being...are you being transformed more and more into the likeness of God, enjoying Life and Peace more and more every day?

Finally, read these following verses...

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.

Where your heart is ..... Is really where your thoughts go. Are you truly with God or are you against Him. Put off that fleshly man and his way off thinking and thus behaving.

The fact is your thoughts controls your decisions and actions, and your actions, to a large extent, controls your results. So, if you think “I am a sinner”, you'll act like “a sinner". ... if you agree with God, thinking "I am the Righteousness of God in Christ. I am a New man, a New Creation, old has passed away, behold New has come" you have begun the transformation process, simply by learning to think like God thinks!!!

Philippians 4:8-9
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Be a "Spirit Thinker" Think the way that God thinks....be in agreement with His Word. 

"I Just Don't Know"

 "I Just Don't Know"

"I Just Don't Know!"

Have you ever said, "I just don't know?"

"There are so many things coming against me. I just don't know.....I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do. I Just Don't Know!!!"

This kind of thinking can promote self-pity. This  perspective can turn into depression. A feeling of hopelessness, despair and defeat. We can get angry, fearful, worried and anxious due to our focus on "I Just Don't Know!!!!"

Psalms tells us not to lean on our own understanding. That's not to helpful right now, since my own understanding simply does not understand! You see....I Just Don't understand!!! I Do Not Know! I feel like Dr. Seuss is launching again. It's time to move on.....

Contrary to common belief, "I Just Don't Know" is NOT a bad situation to be in.

What????? True, if you have the Most High God as your Saviour and your Lord AND you Believe what He tells us in His Word, it is actually not a terrible predicament to be in... To Not Know. 

Why!!! Because we know the Faithful and True God who DOES Know!!!

He holds us in the palm of His hand. His eyes are upon us. He cares for the sparrows, so certainly He will care for us. He never leaves us without help. He never leaves us without hope. He never leaves us alone. He never draws back from us. He never abandons us. He's for us and not against us. He knows all things. His plans for us are good and not for harm. He is a good, Good God. He is Faithful. He is True. He will not lie to us. He cannot lie. It is impossible for Him to lie. Every one of All of His Words are Yes and Amen!!!!

You see, God knows all things, from the beginning to the end. He instructs us in His Word, by His Spirit.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

James 1:5 says:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

So, although we currently do not know and not knowing IS an uncomfortable place to be in, it is not a bad place! We are, actually, in a wonderful position if we look at it all from a different viewpoint. 

We can react to our situation in all the negative, non productive ways (for any good thing, anyway), which are the carnal, fleshy and immature ways of approaching our "not knowing".

Or, we can respond in faith toward God, which is what pleases God. We call on God for help and ask Him for wisdom. We find our peace by trusting that what God says is true. Now, instead of saying, "I just don't know!" We can confidently say, "I do not know yet, but I have called on God and I have asked Him for wisdom. He will answer me. God knows and He will show me what I need to know.  Just call on God for help and put your confidence in Him. Remind yourself everytime the anxious thought,  "I Just Don't Know", begins to attack your mind. Say instead, "I know the God who does know. He is my faithful God and He will not leave me without help!" 

Recently, I received a letter from my foster daughter who, in her insecurity and anxiousness had convinced herself that since I hadn't sent her a letter in 2 months time, that I had written her off and didn't care about her or love her any longer. She has chosen to believe that my quietness meant that I no longer wanted to be a part of her life. The devil and her family history were the culprits in her choosing that particular decision. The truth was that I had been very ill and had trouble even thinking at times. Bad headaches and fatigue were causing me to be fairly non productive as a whole. She did not see what was really going on in my life. So, she actually believed a lie. Similarly, we often assume that since we don't see God at work, that He must not care, He is not listening or "until I get (this) fixed, He won't help me". We Must be convinced that His love is not based on our works. He loved us while we were yet sinners!!! Just because we cannot see what God is bringing to pass, doesn't mean that He is not up to something! He guarantees that He fulfills His Words with signs following. We will do our part....call on Him, ask for wisdom and then trust Him, His character and His Word to do what He says He will do. All the while, putting our faith in Him.

"I Just Don't Know!" Is not a bad place to be when you turn your attention on to the One who Does know and ask Him for help. Then trust Him that He heard you and that He is answering. Rest now in confidence because God is for you and not against you.  He Loves you with a Love that never fails. He is bringing the answer and the wisdom you need, in spite of how it all appears.

When you are in a battle.....

#1 Do Not Be Surprised!

It not unusual for a Christian to be under attack. In fact, we should anticipate that the enemy has us on his radar. His goal is to take us down by whatever of his deceitful methods works. We should not be fearful of him. But we must be wise to his ways and we must know what to do in the battles that come our way so we come out the victor.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-5

Finally when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-workera in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy

#2. What NOT To Do In The Battle

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 17.

The 1st Do NOT Do In The Battle .....

We see that the Israelites and the Philistines were faced off for battle. Goliath, the over 9 four giant, comes out dressed in all his gear and begins his speech.

In verse 8 we begin reading, “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 

Do NOT be intimidated by the appearance of the enemy or give credit to his threats.

The 2nd Do NOT Do In The Battle....

Verse 11 reads, "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid."

Dismayed means: beat down, discouraged, to break down, (figuratively) by confusion and fear --  be (make) afraid, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify.

They weren't just dismayed. They were exceedingly terrified!

     Do NOT permit yourself to be dismayed,.  confused or fearful......certainly not terrified!

The 3rd Do NOT Do In The Battle....

Notice what Goliath did in verse 16. "For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.

      Do NOT pay attention to the continuous                  flaunting of the enemy.

Ephesians 4:27 Don't give the devil any opportunity to work.

The 4th Do NOT Do In The Battle....

We read on in verses 20-24, just as David was entering the scene, "He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. 

     Do NOT be moved by the enemy's taunts.

     Do NOT run away from the enemy for Any             reason, especially NOT fear!

     Do NOT be impacted by the way the enemy           looks.

#3. What TO DO In The Battle

The 1st TO DO In The Battle....

We continue to read in verse 26, "David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel?"

     Realize that the enemy is in defiance of you.   You are the son (daughter) of the Most High God. When the enemy defies you, at the same time he defies (reproaches, disgraces, shames) Your God. You are made in His Likeness. You serve the Almighty God!

The 2nd TO DO In The Battle....

Continue reading in verse 27, "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?

      Take a Stand! Realize the enemy Is NOT on God's side. You ARE!!!!! You are the army of the LIVING GOD! STOP allowing the enemy to harass you!!!

The 3rd TO DO In The Battle....

Reading on again starting in verse 28, "”But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle! “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

     When someone attempts to cut you down, devalue you or falsely accuse you, persist until you get action, do not succumb to their efforts to shut you up.

The 4th TO DO In The Battle....

Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

     Be bold and very courageous.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous.

The 5th TO DO In The Battle....

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

     Be Persistent! Never, Ever Give up!!!!!

     Remember what you have done in the past.

      Always Give God the credit.

      Put your confidence in God again. He                      rescued me before, He Will rescue me now            again.

The 6th TO DO In The Battle....

After attempting to wear Saul's armor, we continue reading on starting in verse 39, "“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

     Be Who YOU Be! Don't try to put on someone else's ways. God has created you the way you are, to do things He has called you to do. Do what you are skilled in. David was a shepherd. He was used to using a slingshot. 

The 7th TO DO In The Battle....

After Goliath's attempts at intimidating David by cursing him and making fun of him, David responds to Goliath, starting at verse 45, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us

      Be confident in the Lord.

     Remember and proclaim in whose authority and power you come in.

     Declare the end at the beginning....THIS IS what will happen. Your head IS coming off!

    Maintain your confident stance in the Lord.

    Give credit to The Lord! This Is the Lord's Battle.

The Final TO DO In The Battle.... 

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

     Do what you are there to do. 

     Don't back away.       

     Do not be fearful. 

     Run toward the enemy.             

    Take that enemy out!!!

     Triumph over the enemy!!!!

Cautious reminders:

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

So....don't go fighting against your neighbors, your relatives or people you meet on the street. They really are not your problems. Your problem is Satan and all his helpers in the unseen realm.

Remember:  

1 John 5:4  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 

Remember:

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Remember:

Jesus is victorious over the enemy. He took the enemy's authority away from him. He won the victory. He gave us the victory. He gave us power and authority over the tactics of the enemy. We only have to reinforce what Jesus has done. Maintain our victory. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is our weapon in battle. We speak God's Word. We stand in authority over unseen powers in Jesus name. We do not bow our knee to the devil. We do not yield to the tauntings of the enemy. We give the enemy no room. We stand firmly against him as we proclaim the truth. We know that because of what Jesus did on the cross, He has made us more than Conquerors. We stand. We do not become dismayed or discouraged. We never flee. We are not responding from fear. Our confidence is in our God and His Faithful Word. We are the Army of the Living God. We fight. We Win. We declare the end result at the beginning. We exalt God and we oppose all that would attempt to defy us or our God. Through Christ we have the overwhelming Victory!!!! Amen!!!!

Deeper in Trust

Earlier we took a look at Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding  Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. Do not be impressed with your own wisdom.

Today, I want to take a deeper look into Trusting the Lord.

First, we must understand what "Trust" means.

1 Peter 2:6 from the Amplified Bible clearly explains trust...He who believes in Him (whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on him) will never be disappointed (in his expectations).

Often, it seems, we read the word "Believe(s)" in the Bible and we translate it in to past tense referring to our believing when we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord at which time we became a child of God and received His righteousness in replacement for our sinfulness. However, that was only the beginning of our relationship with God. It was the first step of the faith in God. We are instructed to proceed in a life of faith toward God in believing (Trusting, having confidence in, having faith in, adhering to, relying upon) God in every aspect of our lives. The just (those who have been made righteous in the eyes of God by accepting the sacrifice Jesus paid for our salvation), shall live by faith. Galatians 3;11; Romans 1:17. Additionally, we are told in Hebrews 11:6 that it is impossible to please God without faith.

So, faith (adhering to Him, relying upon and confident trust in God) is not a one time occurrence. Faith in God is a moment by moment, day by day way of choosing, thinking, being and doing. We LIVE by faith or by trusting Him, relying upon and adhering to Him. We must understand that He and His Word are one. John 1:1. 

So faith, (confident trust, adhering to and relying upon Him) means that we stick to Him and His Word stronger than the best glue. Our attitude, (our position or stance) must be, "This is what God says, I am sticking with what He says. I am Adhered to Him, His Word. I am living by confident trust in Him. I walk by faith. I live by faith".

Last week I found several scriptures pertaining to how the wicked people treat God's Word. These scriptures impacted me as I thought, "Do I ever have this attitude or behavior toward God's Word? If I do, I must realize that is also the approach I have toward God Himself. Take time to reflect upon the following scriptures:

Psalm 119:126     For these evil people have violated your instructions.

Psalm 119:136     Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

Psalm 119:139     I am overwhelmed with indignation for my enemies have disregarded your words.

Psalm 119:155     the wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

Psalm 119:158     Seeing these traitors make me sick at heart, because they care nothing for Your word.

Ouch!!!!!

Now take time to meditate on the following scriptures regarding trusting God:

1 Peter 2:6.    and he who believes in Him (whoever adheres to, trust in, and relies on him) will never be disappointed (in his expectation).

Proverbs 16:20.    He who pays attention to the Word of God will find good, and blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts (confidently) in the Lord.

Psalm 21:7     the king trust in the Lord, through the unfailing love of God, he will not be shaken (fall).

Jeremiah 17:5-8 This is what the Lord says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the deserts, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. But blessed are those who trust the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they will never stop producing fruit.

Psalm 84:12    Oh Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

Psalm 37:4-7     Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 20:7      Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God.        

We will not be like the wicked who violate, disregard and disobey God's Word. They do not bother with the Word of God because they care nothing for His Word.

Let us be the people of God who hold God and His Word in the highest regard. We choose to exalt Him and His Word. We put our confident trust in Him and His Word for they are the truth. They are to us the wise counsel we need. We will surely be blessed in our life of faith toward God because we live the life of faith that pleases Him. We will never be disappointed as we hold tightly to Him and what He tells us in His Word.

True Wisdom

 We seem to be adept at attempting to figure things out in our own way....ahhhh, we think we are, anyway.

When we have a problem, we can think of hundreds of ways to solve it, when actually none of them would be successful and many of them could actually make the problem WORSE!

True wisdom only come from God. The True Wisdom of God is given to us through His counsel. That is by His Word and His Spirit. Somehow, as we seek Him for Wisdom, the Holy Spirit enlightens His counsel, His Word, to us and we have peace and assurance that we have the advice we needed. It may not make sense, it may even seem ridiculous, but God is the All-Wise one. He sees what we cannot see and He knows the best way to go. He has His eyes on us.

We are taught in Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Those words from God are the groundwork for moving forward successfully in this life. How often do we go about year after year trying our own ideas and being frustrated, never finding the success we desire, struggling to find peace? We chase after worldly counsel, self help ideas, this program and that program, yet never arrive at our desired goal. 

Finally we come to our end of striving and we say, "God, I don't know what to do! Please help me!" Now, after all of our efforts, we have finally come to our end and have arrived at God's prescribed starting line. We have laid down our own works and we have come to the place where we are willing to yield to God and trust Him. We now begin to seek after, to pursue to know God's advice. We are no longer pursuing after our own wisdom or the wisdom of this world. Now we have stepped onto the path of true wisdom.

Listen again to the path of God to attain His Wisdom...

#1 Trust the Lord with all of your heart.

      Trusting the Lord means to put your confidence in Him and Him alone. In my imagination I see my grandson standing, well rather crouching, on the edge of the swimming pool at his swimming lesson. His instructor is encouraging him, saying,  "Jump! It's okay! I will catch you. Jump! I promise it will be okay! I promise I WILL catch you! JUMP!" 

      Finally, after much fear and trepidation, bending his knees and straightening them out again, stepping back, then stepping forward again......finally he decides to jump and, of course, his instructor catches him. All is well and his fears subside. The next jump is not as scary, his confidence increases as he continues learning and growing.

      We are much like my grandson in everyday life concerning God. We are crouching at the edge of our problem and God says, "Trust me! I will catch you. I will guide you!"

      We must come to the place in the unknowns of our life to Trust Him and JUMP! Releasing our control is a scary thing to do, but when we are confident of whose arms we are jumping into, our fears subside. We choose to Trust Him and let go of our ineffective, unsuccessful control.

#2 Do not lean on your own understanding.

      In the process of releasing our control to dare to jump into the place of Trusting God we are simultaneously letting go of our own understanding. I have tried and tried and failed to deal with my issues by following my own ineffective ways of thinking and behaving, so now, as I Jump into Trusting, Faith, in God, I am letting go of what I have been leaning on, depending on, trusting in and release all of my understanding into His care for me. I have now chosen a willingness to let go of my ways and yield to His way of thinking and responding

#3. Seek His will in all I do.

     Now, instead of pursuing all of the ways that I previously pursued in attempt to solve my issues, I pursue to know and understand God's ways of thinking, understanding and consequently responding or behaving

     I have taken the first steps already. I have dared to Trust God and Jump into His care while I have  released my ways of looking at things and attempting to deal with it all on my own. I am now ready to be taught the wise ways of God. I am finally willing and desirous of seeking (putting forth my effort into finding out God's ways of wisdom).

     We have made the error of thinking that in amongst all of our self striving, unsuccessful methods of dealing with life, that God would, should and will just step in and overtake our own will and works and just simply fix things for us, in spite of us. 

     However, that is not God's mode of operation. He tells us the Just (those who have been made righteous in His eyes) will live by faith.  

Hebrews 10:37;Galatians 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

     So, until we release ourselves and our efforts  and come into the place that we are willing to  let go of our faith in all the other ways that haven't worked (Hmmmn, would they be our idols, our other god's????? Yikes!!!!!) and put our faith (trust) in Him, we are not yet ready to receive His help. When we yield to Trusting Him with all of our heart and let go of our efforts, we finally welcome Him to rescue us.

     I have heard that when someone is drowning, the rescuer needs to wait until the drowning person stops flailing and fighting before he can attempt the rescue. Otherwise, the struggling of the drowning person can bring both of them down. Perhaps we need to stop fighting against Him so He can be free to rescue us

    How do we SEEK His will, then?

          A. Realize this: Isaiah 55:8-9 

         For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

         We must believe that God's thoughts and His Ways are Higher than our thoughts and our ways. His Ways are the Right Ways. His Ways are the Wise Ways. His Ways are the Tested Ways. His Ways are the Proven Ways. His Ways are the HIGH WAYS!!!!

Some read that and have a passive/defeatist response and say, "See, God's ways are so much higher than my ways, so you know I'll never be able to understand them." Wrong Response!!!!!

God says,

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

He wants to Teach us His Ways!!!! He wants us to Know the High Ways!

Hosea 14:9

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. 

How can we, the righteous people of God, walk in the true and right paths of God if we do not first know what those true and right ways are????

Jeremiah 29:13

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

That is a promise of God!!!!

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Do you truly Love God? If so, here is your counsel and another promise!!!

Proverbs 2:1-11

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.

For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

That is the wisdom of God. What a treasury!

If you want God's Wisdom. He wants you to have it. Pursue Him, pursue His Word, Cry out to Him for help, for His understanding as you pursue Him/His Word. The Spirit of God will enlighten your understanding and you will know what God has to say to you. Search as for a treasure. God's Word is truly a treasure to us. 

Colossians 1:10-11

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

#4. Have confidence......

When you seek His will regarding every aspect of your life that He Will show you which path to take. So, JUMP!!!! He will catch you. 

#5. Again - Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.R

Reallyit is Just Not Worth It to live by your own ways and your own thoughts and understanding. His Ways truly are the High Ways. We will be much better off to pursue to know His Thoughts and His Ways and walk in them!!!

An Authentic Disciple

New Living Translation - Colossians 1:6

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace .

Helps Word Study:

Bearing fruit - fertile, metaphorically, to bear, bring forth, deeds: thus of men who show their knowledge of religion by their conduct. Bring forth a crop.

Growing/increasing/changing Lives-
auksánō – properly, grow (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.). 837 /auksánō ("to grow") is key to authentic discipleship. Indeed, the Lord requires non-stop progress (development) in the life of faith.

Truth - Divine truth revealed to man; reality as opposed to illusion; what is true in any matter under consideration. Thy Word is Truth.

Grace - (preeminently used of the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them").

New American Study Bible - Colossians 1 vs 6
(The gospel) which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

So, after reading and pondering this verse and the Greek meanings of God's Word, this is the statement I came away with....

An authentic disciple will, upon hearing and understanding the Good News, the Word of God, which is The Truth, will be fertile and have results of non stop growth, progress and maturity in his life of faith toward God, knowing that God is Himself, always leaning toward us to help us.

That suggests, to me, that if I am not bearing fruit and growing in maturity in my life of trust and confidence toward God that I am not likely hearing or understanding the truth, which is God"s Word.

Likely, this is why Paul prays in Colossians 1:9-10

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Additionally, John explains true discipleship in 

John 8:31-32....

So, Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 

Notice the word of qualification (IF) and the progression of these statements ...... if, continue, then....if you are truly a disciple of Jesus there are qualifications and a progression. Following that pattern will make you free. You will be fertile and you will be growing in your life of faith with God's aid. He is always leaning toward us favorably to assist us, but we must do our part.

Please ponder these scriptures and truly be an authentic disciple of Christ. Then your life will be changing, you will be growing toward maturity, Freedom And Productivity!!!!

Overwhelmed

 Are you ever bombarded by seemingly everything coming at you all at once from every direction. You have been praying, "God, Help me!" However, the attacks keep coming....getting worse, and then more and more and more..... until you feel as though you have come to the end of what you can handle and the fight in you is almost depleted.

That was me only a few days ago. After many weeks of battle and then more battle from every side, it seemed, I had nearly come to my end of what I thought I could stand against. Then, at the beginning of this week,  I Read Psalm 18. Below are verses 1-19. As you read what David wrote, imagine what he was imagining. Realize that David knew God intimately. He knew God's character, His nature, His power and His Love for him......and....... God knew David!!!!

Please read:

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:

I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. 

Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him  and rained down hail and burning coals. 

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; great bolts of lightning flashed, and they were confused. 

Then at your command, O LORD, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

My first realization after reading David's words was, "God would bust up heaven and earth to get to David and rescue him, if He needed to...He Loved him that much!!!!" It was an awesome revelation to me.

As I pondered those words, I realized that my God never changes. He was that Powerful, that Determined, that Loving, that Faithful...... He had that much Authority.... He made the enemies flee then. The God that David served then is the very same God I serve today. If God would bust up heaven and earth to rescue David, He would bust up Heaven and Earth to rescue me, too!!!!!

Then I had another, even greater realization.....He already has!

He has Already conquered the devil. Jesus paid the price. He won the victory...Satan is already defeated. I am in Christ. He lives in me. Satan has been put under my feet because God has seated me with Christ in heavenly places!  Jesus won the victory. He says "

 “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Luke 9:1-2

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Then listen to this:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18

Read John 14:12

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

It is very clear that we have been given authority, in the name of Jesus, to do the same works Jesus did and even greater works. Well, what were the works that Jesus did? The gospels are repititiously full of "He healed all that were sick", "He cast out demons"....He healed blind eyes, made the lame to walk, restored lepers, set the captives free and proclaimed the truth..  preaching and teaching everywhere he went. 

So, I figured I would start with myself, since He put me in charge of exercising that authority over all the works of the enemy in Jesus name. Not because of anything I have done. But by the authority vested in me, by the authority and command of Jesus Christ Himself. So, I took that authority and responsibility Jesus gave me and put it to work in the Name of Jesus. I did as Jesus did and spoke the my body to be healed and to the efforts of the devil to steal, kill and destrit us andand I am back up on top. My God is my Healer, My Provider, My Deliverer, My Restorer. He he has already won the Victory. He has given me that victory. I declare my freedom, in Jesus name for whom the Son set free is free indeed!!! I am free from every effort of the devil. I speak the truth. The devil will flee from me as in terror. Yes! The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion!

Read, study and meditate on the following scriptures:

Psalm 18:1-18; Romans 5:5: 1 John 4:16: 1 Thessalonians 1:4; John 3:16; James 1:17; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 24:8; Psalm 93:4; Hebrews 6:17;  Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13;  Luke 10:17-19; Matthew 28:18-19; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Colossians 1:14; Galatians 3-13-14; Daniel 7:1-28 (If you ponder these verses you will realize that this vision has to do with what Jesus conquered and the here and now, not the future); Colossians 2:15; Acts 8:7; 1 John 4:4; Acts 17:28; Galatians 2:20; Like 8:1-2; Matthew 10:1; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 13:15; Matthew 10:6-8; Proverbs 28:1.