Welcome, if you've landed here, it must be God's will. Please Explore and see.
I had an overwhelming urge from the Lord to write this this morning.
Here in my feeling is not only the attributes of Christ we get as we grow, but the attributes Christ displayed during HIS walk on earth. Can you recognize your level of maturity?
There is no particular order to these, although you may decide for yourself how you have been changed in your growth cycles by the Holy Spirit.
Remember one thing in all this, Christ could read the hearts of people before they spoke, He knew the pasts, present and futures of the people wherever he was.
You start seeing people as spiritual victims of their naiveness or stubbornness in many cases for not accepting Christ and HIS ways. 1st Corinthians 1:18 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
You stop worrying about what people think or say about you. Ephesians 4:23,24 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
You stop judging people altogether and start seeing them for who they really are. (mostly victims of their environment) Romans 14:13 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way
You recognize that the spirit of anti-Christ sometimes will repel you from people in certain ways whether by their repulsive behavior or their rejection of you because they are judging you instead. Hebrews 5:14 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
You can handle rejection a lot better than you used to. John 15:18 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
You start giving of yourself at different times and enjoy giving tithes to the most needy of people you may see on the street. 2nd Corinthians 9:7 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
You are walking along and see a beggar or needy person and you don't feel the leading of the spirit so you walk by without giving them anything. John 3:8 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You are prompted by the Holy Spirit to just give someone money, and if it's a friend, you make sure they understand it's not a loan but a gift. Luke 6:38 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
You start spontaneously praying for people you see on the street and ask God to manifest Himself in their lives or to send someone across their path to save them if their not saved already. Romans 12:12 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
You have a conscious thought pattern where Christ is never forgotten in your daily activities as you go about your business. Philippians 2:5 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
You stop shying away from talking about God with your friends, associates or strangers. 2nd Timothy 4:2 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
You can look at people now and discern them according to God's word in a spiritual way and understand whether they are in or at a spiritual growth level and pray for them accordingly, or recognize whether they are spiritually or morally bankrupt and don't have a clue. 1st Corinthians 12:7,10 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.... 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;....
You recognize opportunities now where God puts you in a unique position to just plant seeds for him or even harvest a soul he has prepared for His Kingdom. Matthew 13:3 ....Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
You get spiritual inspirations sometimes when your mind is calm and you're not being bogged down by earthly thoughts, and sometimes you even wake up in the middle of the night when it happens to you. Sometimes you even journal them for later prosperity. Romans 12:7 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
You often ask God within yourself what you are supposed to do. Matthew 21:22 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
You talk to God under your breath because you know He's listening all the time. Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
You realize that with Christ being in you, he is with you and aware of your daily routine and so you treat him as an invisible friend all the time. Romans 8:9 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
You often thank God for the very little and insignificant things that happen in your daily routine both good and bad, because you know God is watching out for you and teaching you every step of the way. 1st Peter 4:12,13 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
When God reveals something to you you don't question it's validity or reasons. 1st Corinthians 12:12 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
You always feel a hunger for reading, hearing and learning God's word or spiritual lessons as they manifest themselves in your daily lives. 1st Corinthians 12:13 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
You no longer avoid learning lessons that come and go, and you have a better ability to retain the things God taught you at any particular time in your spiritual walk. Proverbs 4:5-7 5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
You have the ability to exercise more patience in the face of adversity. 1st Thessalonians 5:14 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
You have decided to find out what your natural spiritual gift is that everyone has been given so you can be aware of using it in a Godly fashion. 1st Peter 4:10 10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
You recognize how God has already changed you and you thank Him at times when you're hearing a good sermon about spiritual growth or reading a meaty devotional. Ephesians 4:14,15 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
You no longer criticize the things you used to, but instead you look at them for what they are, maybe part of the curse that was given when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. 1st Thessalonians 5:18 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
You no longer succumb to criticism and let it bother you if it is baseless because your self esteem is at a godly level and not an earthly level. 1st Peter 5:5 ....Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
You now can recognize the evil that lurks about in the world even in the littlest things in our daily lives. 1st Thessalonians 5:22 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. Ephesians 5:15,16 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Your spirit is so sensitive that you bind Satan in the name and by the blood of Jesus when you feel an ungodly thought or emotion trying to manifest itself in your life to instantly take you out of God's will and throw you into a self-willed state of mind or leading. 2nd Corinthians 10:4,5 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
You now avoid the temptations that you know you are susceptible to, instead of saying to yourself, I can do it, or I can avoid it even when wholly confronted with it. 1st Corinthians 10:12,13 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
When you pray for people your prayers are only focused on one thing, and that is that a person who is not saved will get saved and a person who is saved, but out of God's will, will be brought back into obedience to his word, knowing that God is already aware of their needs and that most things that cause depredation are from our own worldliness and sin. 1st John 5:14,15 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
You have gotten to a point in your spiritual walk where you question God as he leads you. For example, whether to intervene in someones suffering or to let them suffer but just pray that God's will be done because you realize that it's through suffering that we are all refined and brought into a more obedient place in our spiritual walk. 1st Corinthians 2:10 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
When you see someone suffering you are lead to talk to them about God in a way that either tries to direct them back on course if they're a believer already, or bring them to a point of asking God to come into their lives and save them. Mark 11:24 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Your prayers are often focused on being able to do God's will and hear his leading, of that still soft voice of the Holy Spirit that's guiding us. Galatians 6:6 6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
You have come to realize that you are really saved, and you are weak unless Christ is working through you, and you have your short comings and you don't criticize yourself for them, but instead ask God for strength when you need it. Romans 8:27,28 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
You realize that Christ is the strongest when we are the weakest and you realize that everything you do good is an attribute of the Holy Spirit living inside you. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
You no longer think you have to do great things in your walk with Christ and you're satisfied with the way God uses you no matter how great or small it maybe at any particular moment in your life. 1st Peter 5:6,7 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
You have grown to a point where you're not always trying to decipher if you are being obedient, or if God is present in your daily routine and your obedience and your walk is one of spontaneous prayer, and thanks giving for where you are as a saint. 1st Peter 13-15 13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, ....
You quit doing so much planning of your life because you realize the more we are in control of our own lives the less the Holy Spirit can lead. James 4:13-15 13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
You quit planning every minute of your day and wake up asking God what he has in-store for you today.
Romans 12:12,13 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
You no longer complain about anything, and accept that whatever happens is part of God's will for your life, even when you have or haven't done your best in a given situation.
You go into any situation saying Lord, while I may not feel the best about doing this, the consequences are up to you because I know you lead me to this point and I will accept whatever happens from here on out because I know there's a greater purpose in your will. Romans 8:28 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
You're no longer scared of stepping into the unknown areas of life, because you realize it's when you do those things, that God manifests Himself in ways you could not have possibly imagined. Romans 1:17 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
You are able to do a spur of the moment change or action when the spirit is leading you. John 3:8 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You are able to look back on your life and recognize where your growth events have taken place and how God has miraculously taken things out of your life that impeded HIS will and your spiritual growth, because you sincerely prayed about them after being convicted about them asking God to remove them or change your way of doing things. Matthew 21:22 22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
You stop holding grudges and recognize that grudges are nothing but a tool of Satan to get us out of a oneness and union with Christ. Luke 17:3,4 3Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
You have stopped worrying about earthly things and the burdens that weigh you down. You have a heavenly mind set, and you realize it's not about the responsibility of living, but the insertion of the kingdom of heaven in our lives minute by minute. 2nd Timothy 1:7 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
You sometimes get excited wondering what God will do next in your life. 1st Corinthians 2:9 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
You realize the reality of what God's word says in many parts of the bible like John 3:8, 2nd Corinthians 12:9, Romans 8:26-28, Ephesians 1:9, John 14:26 and finally 1st Corinthians 2:9-16.
You spend more time meditating on God's word and the spiritual things in your life, and allowing some deep thinking to take place about what your mission is as a believer, and how can you as an individual with certain spiritual gifts, be most useful in the Kingdom without getting in God's way. Colossians 3:15-17 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
You realize that our spiritual witness, our spiritual presence, and our spiritual leading isn't about being a great and significant personality that everyone should recognize. It's about how God uses us behind the scenes, and in the most insignificant ways to usher in His kingdom, and His will in others lives through our useful and obedient humility, and Christ's loving ways that are manifested through us when we are letting God have HIS way in us.
GOD FIRST
Put God First in Trust. "Jesus did not commit Himself unto them ...
for He knew what was in man."
John 2:24-25
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=joh+2:24-25+&sr=1
Our Lord trusted no man; yet He was never suspicious, never bitter,
never in despair about any man, because He put God first in trust; He
trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for any man. If I put my trust in
human beings first, I will end in despairing of everyone;
I will become bitter, because I have insisted on man being what no
man ever can be - absolutely right. Never trust anything but the
grace of God in yourself or in anyone else.
Put God's Needs First. "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:9
A man's obedience is to what he sees to be a need; Our Lord's obedience was
to the will of His Father. The cry to-day is - "We must
get some work to do; the heathen are dying without God; we must go
and tell them of Him." We have to see first of all that God's needs
in us personally are being met. "Tarry ye until. . . ." The purpose of this
College is to get us rightly related to the needs of God.
When God's needs in us have been met, then He will open the way
for us to realize His needs elsewhere.
Put God's Trust First. "And whoso receiveth one such
little child in my name receiveth Me." Matthew 18:5
God's trust is that He gives me Himself as a babe. God expects my
personal life to be a "Bethlehem." Am I allowing my natural life to
be slowly transfigured by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God's
ultimate purpose is that His Son might be manifested in my mortal flesh.
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My hope for you is that you have had a prayer of salvation,
and if you haven't and you want to ask Christ into your heart and life,
then I offer these words for you to repeat,
but only if your heart is sincere,
because God knows it if you're not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear God, I now know I have needed you and have
rejected your calling, so today, right now,
I ask Jesus Christ to come into my heart and my life,
and forgive me from all past sin and Lord cleanse me
from my unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus was
crucified for my sin, died, and was buried according
to the scriptures. I want you forever more to be
my guide and I want to follow you as a believer.
I ask for your strength to change my heart and
my earthly ways so that I can become a better
child in your kingdom. Show me how to depend
on you in all things. And show me how to do
your will in my life. I thank you and pray this
prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
The Covenant of Marriage (a Poem)
The Truth about Pride (a poem)
May 27th, 2012 - 17 rev.