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Post by tlsitd on Jul 28, 2018 8:49:41 GMT -5
A Different Way Of Thinking About Your Walk With Jesus Christ
It's natural for us to think of ourselves first. It's our default mode of thinking. ("What can I do to please myself and to get what I want?")
Even as Christians, we still have this natural tendency, underlying our desire to please God (to varying degrees from person to person). Because of this, it may be natural for us to think of God's commands as reigns on our life, or as necessary but not especially desirable fences to corral us. We have to be mindful of what God says not to do so that we don't sin against Him, but we still try to live our lives for ourselves as much as possible without breaking the law.
Even good Christians who love the Lord can fall into this kind of thinking, which is a flawed way of thinking about our walk with Christ. The problem with it is that we are still at the center of our life, rather than Jesus. Our will and our pleasure are still our primary concern---we just don't want to sin in the process of pursuing those things. (Do you see how this is imperfect thinking?)
As Christians, it is not our own pleasure or our own will that we should be living for or have at heart, but God's. We should be taking delight in doing what pleases God, and pursuing the knowledge and grace to do the same more and more. What makes us happy should be making God happy. (Really consider this.)
If that is our mentality, not only will we keep His commandments in order not to sin against Him, but we will eagerly and happily pursue the knowledge of the Lord's will for us in all things, so as to please and glorify Him, because we love Him more than we love ourselves and we understand that the purpose of our life is not to do our will but His. A Christian with this kind of mentality will not be looking for ways to stretch or get around what is written, but studying what is written, and praying continually---not just to avoid sin, but to discern what is pleasing to Jesus and to do it, whether it is something that is written or something that is not written.
There are a lot of things that Christians are free to do, which God does not give us commands about or forbid us to do or compel us to do. Much of what we do in our walk with Jesus is voluntary, not compulsory. We can choose between two things that are not sin, but one is a better choice than another.
God may allow us freedom to do what we will with our time, for example, and if we have a more self-centered mentality, we will eagerly spend that time on something that isn't sinful and makes us feel good. We may have worked hard all week or all day, and served others and prayed and read our Bibles, or whatever all we may have done, and we may decide that that's good enough, and go do something that is pleasurable to us. God won't compel us to do otherwise; but if we choose to ask Him what He would like us to do with that time, He might show us an opportunity to do even more.
Now if our mind is on ourselves, we will think that that is undesirable or inconvenient; but if we're thinking about Jesus, setting our heart on Him, it will become something that we want to do---because we live to do His will and what pleases Him. And doing that will bring us both joy and a clear new perspective on things.
So if you feel yourself slipping into the first kind of mentality, turn your thoughts back to Jesus Christ, and remember that we are not here to live for ourselves, but for Him. Our old life was for us; our new life is for God. It's up to us what we choose to do with the freedom that God gives us, but our choices have consequences for our spirituality, and pursuing the will of God leads to greater joy in Him and enjoyment of Him, while pursuing our own pleasure does not. If we want to see things the way that Jesus does, and to share His joy more and more, we have to give more of ourselves to pursuing the knowledge of His will and living according to that---especially when we have the freedom to choose or to have things that please us, which are not sin, but which aren't the best choice if we want to please God to the fullest degree possible.
If you choose to try out this "new" way of thinking, be forewarned that it comes with more accountability to God to live according to what you come to know---including the pursuing of the knowledge of His will when you have the choice not to. With greater understanding comes greater responsibility to live according to that understanding; but if our heart is set on God's pleasure and His glory and not on our own pleasure, this will not matter to us.
Instead of going through your day thinking: "What can I do to please myself and get the most of what I want?", readjust your mind to think: "What pleases Jesus and what does He want; and how can I do the most of that?"
(Grace is available to each of us to be as much of a living sacrifice as we choose to be.)
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 28, 2018 9:30:58 GMT -5
We can choose between two things that are not sin, but one is a better choice than another. Yes, like this:
"So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better." - 1 Corinthians 7:38
or this:
"...Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’" - Acts 21:11
"Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem." - Acts 21:12
"Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”" - Acts 21:13
"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13
The problem is when the desires of your heart starts to let you anxious.
This should not happen, and we must pray about it.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
And do not become excessively worried and enter in a "do or die" mentality when it comes to giving your time to the Lord.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." - 2 Corinthians 3:17
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
"Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called." - 1 Corinthians 7:20
"Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." - Matthew 9:38
"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." - Ephesians 4:7God may allow us freedom to do what we will with our time, for example, and if we have a more self-centered mentality, we will eagerly spend that time on something that isn't sinful and makes us feel good. "...for a worker is worthy of his food." - Matthew 10:10
"He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks." - Romans 14:6
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself." - Romans 14:7
"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct..." - 1 Peter 1:15
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
God bless you all in Jesus' name!
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 28, 2018 10:23:39 GMT -5
The more of our lives and of ourselves we give to God, the more of both He will fill, and the greater our delight in Him will be. Perhaps God allows Christians to hunger and thirst spiritually so that they will desire to give Him more of themselves and more of their lives to fill (which is what He wants---to fill every one of His living temples with His glory, just as the cloud of His glory filled His temple of old). It's not an offering we can make with our lips only and expect God to act upon our request without our any doing anything differently; it is sacrifice of more of our own will and more of our own time, and more of our own attitudes. The joy and power and spiritual satisfaction we seek comes at a cost. And that's probably why many Christians feel restless and dissatisfied in their walk with Jesus and try to find alternatives for what they don't feel like they're getting in their walk with Him (whether by religious or secular means); because they want the benefits of giving God more of themselves and their time but aren't willing to give Him any more than they are.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 28, 2018 11:55:54 GMT -5
The more of our lives and of ourselves we give to God, the more of both He will fill, and the greater our delight in Him will be. Perhaps God allows Christians to hunger and thirst spiritually so that they will desire to give Him more of themselves and more of their lives to fill (which is what He wants---to fill every one of His living temples with His glory, just as the cloud of His glory filled His temple of old). It's not an offering we can make with our lips only and expect God to act upon our request without our any doing anything differently; it is sacrifice of more of our own will and more of our own time, and more of our own attitudes. The joy and power and spiritual satisfaction we seek comes at a cost. And that's probably why many Christians feel restless and dissatisfied in their walk with Jesus and try to find alternatives for what they don't feel like they're getting in their walk with Him (whether by religious or secular means); because they want the benefits of giving God more of themselves and their time but aren't willing to give Him any more than they are. I have experienced this at the very start of my walk and it lasted few months...
it is a huge joy that I felt to seek more and more, a huge desire for the things of the Spirit.The more of our lives and of ourselves we give to God, the more of both He will fill, and the greater our delight in Him will be. Perhaps God allows Christians to hunger and thirst spiritually so that they will desire to give Him more of themselves and more of their lives to fill (which is what He wants---to fill every one of His living temples with His glory, just as the cloud of His glory filled His temple of old). It's not an offering we can make with our lips only and expect God to act upon our request without our any doing anything differently; it is sacrifice of more of our own will and more of our own time, and more of our own attitudes. The joy and power and spiritual satisfaction we seek comes at a cost. And that's probably why many Christians feel restless and dissatisfied in their walk with Jesus and try to find alternatives for what they don't feel like they're getting in their walk with Him (whether by religious or secular means); because they want the benefits of giving God more of themselves and their time but aren't willing to give Him any more than they are. Yes, it requires faith to overcome the feelings of the flesh. As the Lord said: Watch and pray!
And surprisingly, it is much easier than it seems to appear when we are feeling down and restless.
I remember one time, it was like I could feel the difference between being Spirit filled and sold to the flesh...
I was feeling very weak in faith, then deceitful spirits started working and it almost convinced me of obeying the flesh...
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
then I decided to do an act of faith and cry to the Lord... then suddenly words came to appear in my mind and it was like I was given life again.
It caught my attention of how fast it all happened... I was feeling miserable then all of a sudden I was sparkling with energy.
"Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead..." - 2 Corinthians 1:9
Then a thought came to me:
See the difference of you without Me and you with Me. I am with you always, just believe.
Interestingly, it happened after I was facing deceitful thoughts that were trying to convince me the Lord had forsaken me.
"...For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" - Hebrews 13:5
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 28, 2018 12:19:39 GMT -5
The more of our lives and of ourselves we give to God, the more of both He will fill, and the greater our delight in Him will be. Perhaps God allows Christians to hunger and thirst spiritually so that they will desire to give Him more of themselves and more of their lives to fill (which is what He wants---to fill every one of His living temples with His glory, just as the cloud of His glory filled His temple of old). It's not an offering we can make with our lips only and expect God to act upon our request without our any doing anything differently; it is sacrifice of more of our own will and more of our own time, and more of our own attitudes. The joy and power and spiritual satisfaction we seek comes at a cost. And that's probably why many Christians feel restless and dissatisfied in their walk with Jesus and try to find alternatives for what they don't feel like they're getting in their walk with Him (whether by religious or secular means); because they want the benefits of giving God more of themselves and their time but aren't willing to give Him any more than they are. I have experienced this at the very start of my walk and it lasted few months...
it is a huge joy that I felt to seek more and more, a huge desire for the things of the Spirit.The more of our lives and of ourselves we give to God, the more of both He will fill, and the greater our delight in Him will be. Perhaps God allows Christians to hunger and thirst spiritually so that they will desire to give Him more of themselves and more of their lives to fill (which is what He wants---to fill every one of His living temples with His glory, just as the cloud of His glory filled His temple of old). It's not an offering we can make with our lips only and expect God to act upon our request without our any doing anything differently; it is sacrifice of more of our own will and more of our own time, and more of our own attitudes. The joy and power and spiritual satisfaction we seek comes at a cost. And that's probably why many Christians feel restless and dissatisfied in their walk with Jesus and try to find alternatives for what they don't feel like they're getting in their walk with Him (whether by religious or secular means); because they want the benefits of giving God more of themselves and their time but aren't willing to give Him any more than they are. Yes, it requires faith to overcome the feelings of the flesh. As the Lord said: Watch and pray!
And surprisingly, it is much easier than it seems to appear when we are feeling down and restless.
I remember one time, it was like I could feel the difference between being Spirit filled and sold to the flesh...
I was feeling very weak in faith, then deceitful spirits started working and it almost convinced me of obeying the flesh...
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
then I decided to do an act of faith and cry to the Lord... then suddenly words came to appear in my mind and it was like I was given life again.
It caught my attention of how fast it all happened... I was feeling miserable then all of a sudden I was sparkling with energy.
"Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead..." - 2 Corinthians 1:9
Then a thought came to me:
See the difference of you without Me and you with Me. I am with you always, just believe.
Interestingly, it happened after I was facing deceitful thoughts that were trying to convince me the Lord had forsaken me.
"...For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" - Hebrews 13:5I have had and continue to have moments when I did not want to do what I knew the Lord wanted me to do, because it was offensive to my personal pride, or because I was lazy, or because I was angry, or being selfish or whatever; but whenever I ask Jesus to help me to overcome those thoughts and desires, and set my heart to do His will, His Spirit replaces that resistance or reluctance with a surge of eagerness and happiness and resolve, and my joy becomes doing what pleases Him, rather than doing or having what I myself would prefer. Sometimes Jesus will just speak a few words to me in my heart, or bring a Scripture to my remembrance, in those moments of struggle, and it opens my eyes and completely changes my attitude. Spiritual conflict will be a fact of life so long as we live in this tent, but God is with us to help us to do His good pleasure at all times, no matter what the personal cost. All we have to do is ask Him for grace and set our hearts to do His will.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 28, 2018 13:26:32 GMT -5
I have had and continue to have moments when I did not want to do what I knew the Lord wanted me to do, because it was offensive to my personal pride, or because I was lazy, or because I was angry, or being selfish or whatever; but whenever I ask Jesus to help me to overcome those thoughts and desires, and set my heart to do His will, His Spirit replaces that resistance or reluctance with a surge of eagerness and happiness and resolve, and my joy becomes doing what pleases Him, rather than doing or having what I myself would prefer. Sometimes Jesus will just speak a few words to me in my heart, or bring a Scripture to my remembrance, in those moments of struggle, and it opens my eyes and completely changes my attitude. Spiritual conflict will be a fact of life so long as we live in this tent, but God is with us to help us to do His good pleasure at all times, no matter what the personal cost. All we have to do is ask Him for grace and set our hearts to do His will. OK, such feelings are common. I face such things as well sometimes.
Sometimes it may appear very difficult, but just seek to humble yourself and it will soften your heart.
In such cases deceitful thoughts are very common to appear... Stay watchful and pray always!
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." - Galatians 5:17
The ideal would be to avoid to enter in such states, and such battles are usually not easy... I understand.
But the more you seek to walk in love, the less you will enter in such battles.
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16
"Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." - Romans 13:10
God bless you in Jesus' name!
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 29, 2018 15:27:48 GMT -5
Remember, brothers and sisters: The will of God is not merely something that we live by; it's why we live. That is our life! If you stop thinking of the Lord's will as something that you have to do in addition to "your life", and start thinking of it as what it really is---the purpose of your life (sorry Rick Warren ), and of your life not as your life but as Jesus' life---it will transform your perspective on life and your heart attitude dramatically, and will bring you much greater joy and satisfaction in your faith. I guarantee it.
If the words of Christ's doctrine are the food of the new man (the Christian), and those words are our instructions from God for how to live and be in order to please Him and do His will, then obviously the life of the new man is doing God's will, which His word is our food to nourish us to do, and the faith that He gives us concerning all things (if we seek Him about all things as we should) is our wisdom to discern.
We were not raised with Christ to continue living for ourselves with Jesus as our consultant and chaperone; our life actually became His and ceased to be ours when we were raised from the dead; it didn't remain ours with some new rules. And we should live that new life to the full for Him. That is the abundant life of the new man; Jesus Christ living His life through us to do our Father's will, which is what Jesus does and delights in doing. (If more of us really grasped this truth and applied it, it would transform our lives and bring much greater glory to God.)
...He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. (Romans 6:10)
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1,2)
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 30, 2018 16:32:04 GMT -5
Spiritual joy and satisfaction is not merely a matter of us getting more of this or that from God, but of realizing (as He opens our understanding) the worth and purpose of what we already have.
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Post by tlsitd on Aug 1, 2018 8:18:46 GMT -5
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
(Really think on this Scripture, brothers and sisters. Think on what this really means, and what it means for your life. Let us not be like so many, who mistake knowing or quoting Scripture for those things which they know and quote being true of them! Just because Paul, or David, or some other saint, knew something to be true, or something was true of them, does not necessarily mean that it is true of us also. If the same thing that Paul wrote here is really true of us as it was of him, let us strive to make it more and more true---that we, as living sacrifices to God, dead to ourselves, may be so consumed by the Spirit of Christ in all our ways and doing that it is no longer our life being lived with Christ, but Christ living His life in and through us, to please and glorify God, just as Jesus lived to do in His own earthly life.)
...Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:10,11)
And He said to all, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)
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Post by frienduff on Aug 1, 2018 8:28:58 GMT -5
And YES dear sister JESUS words are meat for our soul. By Him we know the truth . And I think many folks don't realize THE DEPTH of this next bit of advice . Did JESUS say Merely I know the truth , the way , and life OR DID HE SAY HE IS , as in IS THE TRUTH THE WAY THE LIFE . IS . JESUS knew the TRUTH , BECAUSE HE IS THE TRUTH . I mean that needs to sink in real deep . He aint like men . We receive the truth from God in Christ . But none of us ARE THETRUTH , we only IN THE TRUTH. JESUS HIMSELF IS THE TRUTH , IS THE WAY and IS LIFE . and yet his words get throwed aside by men as though they KNOW the way better now , BUT JESUS IS THE WAY . How can these men who teach contrary to Christ , even KNOW THE WAY , when they contradict THE WAY . Things like this need to be deeply pondered . cause way too many twist things unto their own destruction .
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Post by frienduff on Aug 1, 2018 8:36:04 GMT -5
Ever wonder why folks like John could say , I am not even worthy to unlatch his shoe , cant even put it on . IS THIS HOW FOLKS TODAY TREAT JESUS . I see zero respect to GOD by many these days . WHY is it when paul seen that wonderous Light of Christ on the road , oh so pure it was , he was even blinded by it . BUT today , I see zero respect for JESUS . JESUS is treated like a bar buddy , as a football buddy and yet CHRIST himself spoke and His desciples spoke against the love of this world . Its high time to learn some R E SP ECT FOR GOD . Respect, find out what it means TO HIM . R E SPECT , FIND OUT . stead of singing songs about how we should be respected LEARN FIRST how to REPSECT AND HONOR GOD . Folks don't realize the grave danger they in . I saw true holy fear in those apostels . I seen them POINT TO CHRIST and not to man .
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Post by frienduff on Aug 1, 2018 8:39:49 GMT -5
OH but let us HONOR GOD and by the power of HIS spirit learn to do all things pleasing in HIS SIGHT . Now let all throw those hands up in praise to the LORD .
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Post by tlsitd on Aug 1, 2018 9:26:04 GMT -5
Ever wonder why folks like John could say , I am not even worthy to unlatch his shoe , cant even put it on . IS THIS HOW FOLKS TODAY TREAT JESUS . I see zero respect to GOD by many these days . WHY is it when paul seen that wonderous Light of Christ on the road , oh so pure it was , he was even blinded by it . BUT today , I see zero respect for JESUS . JESUS is treated like a bar buddy , as a football buddy and yet CHRIST himself spoke and His desciples spoke against the love of this world . Its high time to learn some R E SP ECT FOR GOD . Respect, find out what it means TO HIM . R E SPECT , FIND OUT . stead of singing songs about how we should be respected LEARN FIRST how to REPSECT AND HONOR GOD . Folks don't realize the grave danger they in . I saw true holy fear in those apostels . I seen them POINT TO CHRIST and not to man . I remember a bumpersticker that read "God is my Co-pilot". And that is the attitude many Christians have about Jesus---that they're the ones flying the plane, and He's giving them advice. What? How do you get THAT idea from reading what Jesus said and how He lived or what the apostle Paul wrote and the account of his life? Yes, it is true that we have free will, but if we are not living to do God's will with our free will, we're not truly living the Christian life, only a Christianized self-life. It's not our plane; it's God's plane, and if Jesus Christ isn't the Pilot of it, He's nothing at all---because God never takes second place to anyone. Jesus is Master and we are His love slaves (yes, slaves; purchased with Blood). There is no Jesus who is not Master of the one in whom He lives; such a Jesus is a human fabrication. He leads; we follow. And God never leads anyone who just wants Him to give him some advice on how to do what he wants to do. He leads the one who desires to do His will. (And yes, there is a difference.) Nowadays I think that a more accurate bumpersticker would be "God is my flight attendant": The plane is ours; we're the pilot; and Jesus is just along to make it a comfortable and pleasant flight to heaven! (What blasphemy.)
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Post by frienduff on Aug 1, 2018 11:28:37 GMT -5
WHEN you said that , you know the first scripture that popped in my mind . YE are not your own. OUR TEMPLE is not even OURS . ITS GODS . YOU spot on sister .
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Post by frienduff on Aug 1, 2018 11:32:27 GMT -5
I think many have forgotten that we were BOUGHT at a PRICE . the PRICE OF CHRIST and that we are no longer our own . OUR temple is not ours . ITS GODS . And having this mindset we see why we don't tattoe it , mark it or defile WHAT IS GODS in any way . But many are going to take that mark . That mark from which their is no repentance only damanation . Rfid and like tech is all TIED INTO , the BEAST SYSTEM that hates GOD , that mocks him , that has called lil girls boys ..............I WILL HAVE NO LOYALTY . NOTICE this ITS a nasty lie . Cause LOOK where they want to put this technology . IN GODS TEMPLE , YEAH saints our temple is not our own . ITS GODS so do NOT RENDER unto ceasar that which is GODS . HOPE that helps all to snap too and say NO mark no system is going in or on MY GODS temple. ITS HIS NOT Mans , not even our own .
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