- Jun 20, 2015
Many people have commented through the years about the Natural way I share Jesus and that they find my company "pleasant". It is important to realize the Expression of Jesus has been hindered in the lives of many Christians because the modern day way of getting together has altered drastically when Constantine changed things in 330AD after Christ came. I want to tell you something, and it's this_ JESUS did not want things that way much less commission it.
Constantine was self-commissioned and much of the LIFE in Christianity went out of it.....so we have what we face Today: uninviting to people and to Christians often - they feel stifled by this, unable to breathe, so to speak.
I will share with you a Refreshing View. Come with me.
I like to inspire Christians to share about Jesus in a natural way. It could be conversing naturally in a supermarket or when walking in a park. People are so tired of being badgered with religion and often take the Gospel as religious. But who does'nt like a good story (a personal testimony) that is shared with wisdom and sensitivity? You know, the word Gospel actually means Good News? And it was just that 2,000 years ago when Jesus and His followers introduced it. I mean to say, there were Christian gatherings in houses then with family, friends and fellow Christians. Their numbers grew more by the day because their neighbors and people in their community sought them out. There was much joy and gladness. They would share meals together and sing songs of praise to a wonderful Creator and Savior.
Jesus was the centre of attraction for them, not programs, preachers and sermons.....but they loved the words of Jesus that were shared with joy from house to house. They loved to pray – without religious bondage like the pharisees (religious people of that time). Whole families came to Jesus because the atmosphere was healthy. Yes, before Christianity became institutionalized through the Roman emperor Constantine who instigated buildings and hierarchy as we know it today.....Christian gatherings were inviting to people around because of the new found Love, Joy and Peace in the lives of those who had found Jesus.
Constantine was not really good for Christianity as some suppose because he brought a whole lot of bondage to it that basically kicked the real LIFE out of it and there have been so many religions since then, you can't blame people for not wanting it – they have enough bondage in the world. But they usually don't mind a good healthy testimony – they like to hear some good news! But be careful how much time you take and make things short and sweet. This way they can feel free to remember it as a pleasant interaction. When you have shared your story with sensitivity to their response, trust the Spirit of God to go with that person because He is capable of blessing those words to that person in a timely way. He spoke to my heart once after a man in the market enjoyed something I shared with him “people have a problem with religion but not with Jesus” and I have found this to be true.
A FRIEND OF MINE SHARES SOME EXCITING NEWS ABOUT A CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SHE GOES TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY. BOTH HELEN AND MARK OWN A DAIRY FARM WITH COW SHARES SO PEOPLE FROM MILES AROUND CAN HAVE REAL MILK JUST LIKE THEY DO. THEIR SON HAS STARTED RACING CARS (he has a sponsorship for this) AND SHINES FOR JESUS IN AN AREA OF HIS PASSION. IN FACT, OTHER FRIENDS OF THEIRS FROM THIS FELLOWSHIP ARE GOOD AT SHOWING HOSPITALITY. THEY INVITE SOMEONE DIFFERENT HOME ON CERTAIN WEEKENDS OR WEEKDAYS TO SHARE A MEAL (buffet or roast whatever) AND SHOW KINDNESS TO THOSE WHO LIVE ON THEIR OWN. DIFFERENT ONES ARE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS WITH A DIFFERENCE. IN FACT TWO DIFFERENT COUPLES HAVE RESTORED BARN DANCES (known as the Square Dance) IN THEIR AREA! SOME OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE LOVE ARTS AND CRAFTS. THIS IS REFRESHING, I LOVE TO HEAR OF SUCH THINGS.
- Jun 20, 2015
Our faith is so important, it is our most precious asset in God. A faculty of our spirit that links us to the Voice of God and His Abilities to perform wonders in our lives on this earth.
Sometimes we have hindrances in this area resulting in disappointments. This article is to shed light on a few things that may help you considerably, making your walk with Jesus satisfying.
What is your Faith mixed with? Is it mixed with doubts? Do you have questions?
Is it mixed with negative thoughts? Are you uncertain......undecided?
Or is your Faith mixed with His Words......strengthened by His Spirit?
Is it mixed with Praise and Thanks? Are you confident to thank Him beforehand -
Resting on His Promises?
Do you have Plan B or do you have one resolute desire? Do you believe that
your faith will work for you......that He is happy to honor it?
Faith is a decision. Not so much prayer but Activated Trust......it is moving
your trust into an activated role. Faith is a Verb. Also, the more you use it, the more confident you get.
If you can use it for yourself, you can use it for others. This is part of His Plan and Purpose. The more you use it the better......it was never meant to use occasionally. So don't be sparing......He is happy for you to keep asking...... and remember to believe for others.
ARE OTHERS AFFECTING YOUR FAITH?
Why should my faith be determined by others - what does and does not work for them? We so often feel intimidated by the 'giants' (those who are really good at it) and put off by those 'it did'nt work for'......but they have different mindsets - maybe something negative in their believing that is in force, apart from what they believed for.
Let me explain what this means. It means that a mature Christian or perfectly godly person may believe things like "many are the afflictions of the righteous"...... that is old testament times before Jesus Came......they may be thinking God is dealing with them overtime so to speak. Some Christians are more tuned to refinement than actually having their prayers answered. They may have a wrong attitude they don't care to correct (maybe they're not as godly as you think). Maybe they're lacking in confidence and this is not obvious to you. And it could be that they just plain settle for things the way they are, even if they do love The Lord and pray for or about things.
So why do we stumble over others believing? God knows their mindsets better than we do.
Once, I felt really quenched after a comment made by someone I respect considerably.
I shared something The Lord instructed someone in Heaven (who was sent back) to share with us. The person I mentioned it to said they do that - their circumstances
have been negative for a number of years. these same people have been really faithful.
So the comment daunted me and what I shared was precious!
I think Jesus was sad about this because He was encouraging me and those words were nipped in the bud before ventured. I decided I would be more careful in future. Some weeks later The Lord showed me two areas of thinking and believing that needed correcting for that to 'work for them' anyway, so don't stumble over whatever seemingly does'nt work for others. And especially when they are family and friends because that's when it really affects our faith the most. Ever had a friend say "I don't know why The Lord............" That can be very damaging, even when you are mature.
I had three close friends with unchanged relentless circumstances a few years ago . Their words used to weigh on me. Then one day the Spirit of God showed me something quite simple each one could have done that would change their circumstances - each one was different - and He told me "so don't stumble over them anymore". Actually, He cautioned me a number of years ago about two of them - and they were perfectly nice people (it did not make sense at the time). Jesus knew it would effect me over time. I had to ask the other friend to refrain from repetition (all 3 had been guilty of) and I must say, I am happier for it.
We need the restorative care from the Hand of God when others have been wearing us down that way. Make some boundaries like I did and don't tolerate violators - your faith is precious......"guard your heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life" scripture tells us......it is your wellspring of life. We should all take our own questions and concerns directly to God - He is the One best equipped to handle them and His shoulders are bigger than ours. There is a wealth of wisdom in that. They won't really go to Him as long as they can go to you.
TO BE CONTINUED!
- May 25, 2015
Speak words of life and color your life
Write a New Script and See the Difference!
I wish to share with you some things the Spirit of God brings my way at times concerning the VALUE of Speaking Words of Life when it comes to our life and the lives of others. What you read here could be the most important content you read on this Site if you grasp these principles.
Proverbs 4:7 says
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
I pray that you will richly benefit from this article!
Creative Power of Words
It says in His Word that "God spoke and things were...and we have the same spirit"..... We see on the day of Creation how He said "Let there be light and there was light" etc And He also tells us that "We are made in His Image"......our words have an impact too, in a lesser sense. Our words can create a happy state of mind and circumstances OR chaotic even.
Everything God made, He said was GOOD....and man knew nothing but Good until he touched the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil". Adam and Eve were living in a real Paradise in that Garden of Eden before that..........and then everything changed......... including their words because they lied for the first time and their words would have become negative. They would have experienced the same negative thoughts and emotions we do.
The effects from what they did were passed down to us along with that same knowledge of good and evil that came into the world through their consent - we have experienced depression, anger, frustration and disappointment etc ever since. And we have a vocabulary of Good and Bad things we say every day_ positive and negative; happy and sad; constructive and destructive; polite and impolite; uplifting and upsetting etc
Order your day and life with Good Words
on a daily basis.
Can you believe this, that our words do actually have an impact on our thoughts and feelings and those of others around us. I have witnessed a few families that are very unhappy and upset much of the time because a good amount of the content of their words are full of negativity and worry.......and two families on the verge of separation because one or two members in conflict, with little or no restraint over their words has reaped havoc on the entire family.
Things don't have to be that way, really they don't, if we practice some CARE and caution over the words we speak. It's kind of like making out a Menu - as it were - with the words of our mouths for that immediate day, following days,
weeks or months of our lives.
It's amazing, the difference Good, Wholesome, Healthy Words can make to a day......and......have you ever noticed the way you can change your mood-level just by speaking some positive words (maybe cheering yourself up) on certain occasions? (maybe for someone else's benefit even).
We are Encouraged to do this in Scripture
this is more than worldly affirmations
David said words like "I will Praise The Lord....yes I will Bless The Lord....His Praise shall be continually in my mouth"
In Scripture, to Praise is to speak Highly of and elevate. To Bless is to speak Well of
(His Goodness and Virtues) making a Good Report.
"I will Extol The Lord at all times, His Praise shall continually be in my mouth" PS 34:1
We Lift Him Up in this way....we Elevate Him Above our circumstances....and give Him the Honor and privilege of Reigning in our lives. Negative confession does not do this, it only hinders the process of Good things in our lives....He wants to do....
He has promised us.
You know in scripture, how He desires that we should Praise and Exalt His Name?
Well, He also says that "He has magnified His Word above His Name"
The Hebrew word for this is "Promises"....that's how highly He thinks of
HIS PROMISES TO US!
So do not magnify His enemies by negative words that multiply the 'not so good'
in your lives. Elevate HIM in your Praise and Confession (the words you speak).
For He rightly says "To him/her who Orders his/her conversation aright, I will
Show the SALVATION of God"....it is to be a continual ever-present thing in
the Hearts and Lives of His children who walk in this way.
So "Offer Him Praise and Order your conversation Right"
Psalm 50:23
Don't let sad words and negative words leave you in a hurry
as He once told me through someone prophetically.
He was telling me that I will have the Victory over circumstances
if He has the Victory over my mouth.
(I had been overwhelmed at the time).
ORDER YOUR DAY WITH GLADNESS IN THE MORNINGS
PURPOSEFULLY REJOICE IN THE LORD
AS YOU GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNINGS
SPEAK SOME SCRIPTURES INTO YOUR DAY!
Read more on the following Page
about the importance of our words in Heb 3 and 10
I have a 2nd blog you may like to visit