I do not follow the Law, the Law Giver lives in me I follow Him.
If I would be following the Law, I would not be following the Law Giver, He, Jesus Christ works in me, it is not me that works in myself.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
It's About the Holy Spirit
I am so sorry to have to block people, but I just cannot have friends who are stubborn when it comes to "Law keeping". They argue and fight after being given many Scriptures to prove that we are not under the Law. They simply can't wrap their minds around the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as our guide, teacher, comforter and everything else we need.
Perhaps it's because they don't have the Holy Spirit, they have never experienced His promptings and felt compelled to obey, even without thinking, just like breathing.
We know when the Holy Spirit speaks, it is unmistakable. It is knowing His Word, but it is much more than that, it is knowing specific actions needed in situations, He speaks to those who seek Him.
Luke 4:1
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness."
Mark 1:12
"Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness."
Acts 13:2
"While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Isaiah 59:21
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "from now and forever."
Galatians 5:25
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
Matthew 10:19-20
"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Perhaps it's because they don't have the Holy Spirit, they have never experienced His promptings and felt compelled to obey, even without thinking, just like breathing.
We know when the Holy Spirit speaks, it is unmistakable. It is knowing His Word, but it is much more than that, it is knowing specific actions needed in situations, He speaks to those who seek Him.
Luke 4:1
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness."
Mark 1:12
"Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness."
Acts 13:2
"While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Isaiah 59:21
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "from now and forever."
Galatians 5:25
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
Matthew 10:19-20
"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
I Do Not Follow The Law
I do not follow the Law, when Christ came to live in me, He changed me into a new creation, I no longer wanted to do the sinful things I used to love,
I had a new heart change in me, along with that came the desire to do what pleases Christ in me. Christ changed that heart in me. I did nothing to change myself, He did it all.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
When I stray or disobey, He Who lives in me, chastises me, teaches me and compels me to return to obedience. I don't have to think about following the Law, it is a part of me, I love the Law Giver Who lives in me. If I merely followed the Law, it would be fleshly, but now my Spirit Who lives in me compels me because of my love for the Law giver.
I had a new heart change in me, along with that came the desire to do what pleases Christ in me. Christ changed that heart in me. I did nothing to change myself, He did it all.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
When I stray or disobey, He Who lives in me, chastises me, teaches me and compels me to return to obedience. I don't have to think about following the Law, it is a part of me, I love the Law Giver Who lives in me. If I merely followed the Law, it would be fleshly, but now my Spirit Who lives in me compels me because of my love for the Law giver.
Walking the Walk is Best
If we are not walking the walk, then we have no reason to expect others to believe our words.
The evidence is in the actions, love is an action word, based on selflessness.
Obligatory gifts and attention are not acceptable, God wants our hearts. The same is true of human relationships. No one wants a gift that is given out of obligation to satisfy the givers own need to feel good about themselves.
It matters why we give a gift and that it is from the heart, desiring to bless one for which we have appreciation.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘ These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
God despises gifts given to him to glorify self.
Mark 7:5-7 "…5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.” 6 Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’…"
It is best to learn honor and respect for others than to give a gift when there is no honor and respect. Gifts are only as good as the intent of the giver.
Let us remember too that gifts with strings attached are burdensome. When we give a gift we should never think of it again, whatever happens to it is the choice of the recipient. It is not love to make demands on what happens to the gift or how it should be used.
A gift given to others has no attachments or expectations associated with it, only that the one receiving it would be blessed.
This is why God said that He loves a cheerful giver! He wants us to give because we love without strings!
The evidence is in the actions, love is an action word, based on selflessness.
Obligatory gifts and attention are not acceptable, God wants our hearts. The same is true of human relationships. No one wants a gift that is given out of obligation to satisfy the givers own need to feel good about themselves.
It matters why we give a gift and that it is from the heart, desiring to bless one for which we have appreciation.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘ These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
God despises gifts given to him to glorify self.
Mark 7:5-7 "…5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.” 6 Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’…"
It is best to learn honor and respect for others than to give a gift when there is no honor and respect. Gifts are only as good as the intent of the giver.
Let us remember too that gifts with strings attached are burdensome. When we give a gift we should never think of it again, whatever happens to it is the choice of the recipient. It is not love to make demands on what happens to the gift or how it should be used.
A gift given to others has no attachments or expectations associated with it, only that the one receiving it would be blessed.
This is why God said that He loves a cheerful giver! He wants us to give because we love without strings!
It's Boot Camp, Keep Moving Forward
It helpful to me when things get rough, to remember that we are in boot camp here on earth.
Everything we go through teaches us things, about people, about ourselves and skills in dealing with situations.
We also gain discernment when we have to endure something and depend on God to bring the understanding and actions needed.
One of the signs of a maturing believer is their ability to slide through their sadness and trouble, fully trusting Christ. Notice I said "through their sadness and trouble." We don't pretend the hurt is not there, but we go through with joy in the midst of our tears.
Anyone who thinks sadness or tears is a sign of lack of faith, is arrogant and lacks understanding.
Luke 22:43-45 "…43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.…"
Sorrow and tears is not lack of faith! Those who think it is are pretending to appear more spiritual, but what they reveal about themselves is their lack of empathy for others. It is easy to feel nothing when there is nothing inside. Pretense is the killer of the soul, weakening our walk in Christ. Genuineness builds character and strength.
The devil wants us to believe our strength is in depending on false persona within ourselves. Pretending to be strong in the flesh is a denial of how Christ made us. It also prevents the prideful from seeking Christ in their own times of hardship. If denying our emotions were of God He never would have told us this;
Psalm 38:17-19 "…17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.…"
Our emotions are a real part of our being, just as Christ prayed during His emotions, He never allowed them to lead Him in disobedience.
Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Psalm 147:3
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
You see! God never chastises His children for having emotions, He does however remind us that He loves us and is working on our behalf, no matter how hard things seem now. Hallelujah!
Everything we go through teaches us things, about people, about ourselves and skills in dealing with situations.
We also gain discernment when we have to endure something and depend on God to bring the understanding and actions needed.
One of the signs of a maturing believer is their ability to slide through their sadness and trouble, fully trusting Christ. Notice I said "through their sadness and trouble." We don't pretend the hurt is not there, but we go through with joy in the midst of our tears.
Anyone who thinks sadness or tears is a sign of lack of faith, is arrogant and lacks understanding.
Luke 22:43-45 "…43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.…"
Sorrow and tears is not lack of faith! Those who think it is are pretending to appear more spiritual, but what they reveal about themselves is their lack of empathy for others. It is easy to feel nothing when there is nothing inside. Pretense is the killer of the soul, weakening our walk in Christ. Genuineness builds character and strength.
The devil wants us to believe our strength is in depending on false persona within ourselves. Pretending to be strong in the flesh is a denial of how Christ made us. It also prevents the prideful from seeking Christ in their own times of hardship. If denying our emotions were of God He never would have told us this;
Psalm 38:17-19 "…17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.…"
Our emotions are a real part of our being, just as Christ prayed during His emotions, He never allowed them to lead Him in disobedience.
Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Psalm 147:3
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
You see! God never chastises His children for having emotions, He does however remind us that He loves us and is working on our behalf, no matter how hard things seem now. Hallelujah!
Just Like the Days of Lot
I can see why Lot was vexed daily in Sodom as he endured the evil of the people all around him. Perhaps we are watching the return of this very mentality in our culture, while enduring that which we would like to be freed.
I had to share this! This is what has become of our culture because of the teaching of self esteem. People are fearful of speaking boldly against sin. The reason I have been put out of the lives of my children and their spouses, is because I have spoken boldly when they have been rude. All one has to do is call a rude person on one thing and you have their contempt for the rest of your life.
I prefer to speak truth and be free of contemptuous people, being alone seems preferable to being treated badly. Thankfully I have no need of people, I love them, but Christ is my fulfillment. If my choice is to have nothing but rude people or to have no people at all, I will choose no people.
Thankfully that is not my only choice. I have come in contact with lovely, kind and caring people over the years, they are welcome, the evil contemptuous and rebellious types, can keep moving past me.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Celeste Ruppelt wrote this to show us what has happened to our culture in America.
"Conversation at Dinner this evening with the diner at the next table. She's a educational trainer; she does PD sessions for teachers, and travels across several states doing this. Despite her claim that she's has been doing this for more than 45 years, you'd never tell it by looking at her. She's professional, well-spoken, well-dressed, and nicely groomed. She trains teachers, so not much fazes her, but yesterday she was walking in the halls of an elementary school. A SIX year old boy came up behind her, bumped into her and said, 'Get out of my way, you old hag'.
How have we allowed our youth to become this way? In my day, I'd not have survived to speak another word. Not even an apology fixes this gross rudeness to an adult."
I had to share this! This is what has become of our culture because of the teaching of self esteem. People are fearful of speaking boldly against sin. The reason I have been put out of the lives of my children and their spouses, is because I have spoken boldly when they have been rude. All one has to do is call a rude person on one thing and you have their contempt for the rest of your life.
I prefer to speak truth and be free of contemptuous people, being alone seems preferable to being treated badly. Thankfully I have no need of people, I love them, but Christ is my fulfillment. If my choice is to have nothing but rude people or to have no people at all, I will choose no people.
Thankfully that is not my only choice. I have come in contact with lovely, kind and caring people over the years, they are welcome, the evil contemptuous and rebellious types, can keep moving past me.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Celeste Ruppelt wrote this to show us what has happened to our culture in America.
"Conversation at Dinner this evening with the diner at the next table. She's a educational trainer; she does PD sessions for teachers, and travels across several states doing this. Despite her claim that she's has been doing this for more than 45 years, you'd never tell it by looking at her. She's professional, well-spoken, well-dressed, and nicely groomed. She trains teachers, so not much fazes her, but yesterday she was walking in the halls of an elementary school. A SIX year old boy came up behind her, bumped into her and said, 'Get out of my way, you old hag'.
How have we allowed our youth to become this way? In my day, I'd not have survived to speak another word. Not even an apology fixes this gross rudeness to an adult."
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