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Finding Your Spiritual Identity

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I Corinthians 2:14-16

[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This was Paul’s message to the natural person. It was the type of person that Paul was most concerned over.

A Natural person

–        Has not been born again

–        Cannot understand spiritual things

–        Thinks the spiritual things are foolish

–        Turns away from the bible with thoughts and imaginations

The destiny of the natural human being without Jesus Christ is destruction. The need that all mankind has is salvation.

Romans 3:23

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All people are naturally lost

John 6:37

[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

All people can be saved

Once we are saved we are no longer without hope. Something amazing happens!

I Corinthians 2:11-13

[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[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.
[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.

The Spiritual person

–        Was once a natural person

–        Salvation through faith in Christ has transformed them

–        Was once doomed, now delivered

–        Was once lost, now found

–        Was once bound for hell, now bound for Heaven

–        The spirit teaches the spiritual person

–        The spirit discerns (understands) all things

–        Sees the work of God in the world and in their personal lives

–        Spiritual things are not easily understood by others

Jesus warned of these things: John 15:18-20

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

V 16 – As we become spiritual we put on the mind of Christ

I Corinthians 3:1-4

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Carnal person

–        Is confused

–        Knows what is right but does not do it

–        Knows the world is lost but clings to it

–        Is like Lot lingering in Sodom

–        Needs full commitment to Christ

The natural person lives for the moment. The spiritual person lays up treasures in Heaven. The carnal person tries looking in both directions. Finding the balance in your life is done successfully when the spiritual part of you leads.

The Difference

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What makes you different? What separates you from others? What breaks the mold of the world? Some are going to go to Heaven when they die and some will not. Some will be ready for Christ’s return and some will not. To better know who you are that makes you unique in this world you have to realize the difference that lives inside of you. Jesus Christ has made the difference in all of our lives.

Philippians 1:21-23

[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

We recognize that there are two different perspectives between the flesh that wants to work in this world for gain and the spirit that desires to depart this world and to be with Jesus. So we know that if we know Jesus then we are going to have a better place to go and not have to stay in this world.

II Corinthians 5:8-10

[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We also know that when we go to appear before Christ that the things that were once our hindrances will no longer hold us. We will appear so that we may be accepted. So what makes you different?

“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again”

The key to this is faith. We must believe by faith. To believe is to trust.

Acts 16:31

[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

As we believe we are saved. We believe and are then made sure by our confidence of Heaven. When people do not believe they do not possess that hope of Heaven; lost forever. To grow in God and be a witness for others you must learn to see and recognize the difference that has been made in you by God.

Be A Lively Stone

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John 3:3

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The new birth is necessary. Why? When we consider the substance within us that is without Christ it is totally susceptible to the temptations of the enemy. Without salvation our soul is not prepared for what is to come when this vapor of life is over.

John 8:44

[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We had to be born again from sin and brought into a new life everlasting. We are made into a new creature through Christ, leaving the nature and failures/mistakes of the old creature behind. We no longer have to look at the past with regret and fear; for we have been forgiven and have overcome with the blood of Christ and the spirit of God!

John 1:12

[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

If there is no spiritual birth through Jesus Christ there can be no spiritual life through the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:9

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Life is only come through God’s manifest of the Holy Spirit! Without it our natural lifesource within our bodies will fail and will come short.

1 Peter 2:2

[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If there is no life there can be no growth.

Ephesians 4:13

[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Without growth there can be no perfection (maturity) through our trials.

Romans 8:21

[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

If there is no maturity there can be no liberty in the anointing of the spirit!

Romans 8:15-17

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

With no liberty we are not able to hold the inheritance of maturity through sanctification of the spirit on a consistent basis.

In other words…same old trial ups and downs, etc.

Without using the opportunities in our lives to grow by surrendering to God in the hard times we will find defeat in repetition.

So Where Do You Go To Church?

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I am going to be very clear about this topic, as I feel it is beginning to take more of a hold on people than we may realize. Don’t let the politics of an church or institution destroy your worship. Trust me, I could be a rich person for every time that someone has told me “that’s now how we do it at our church”! Please be careful to not let your life be made into religion or institutionalized when God has made the way to be free from that. If you would like the perfect test of how institutionalized or how much a church is open to everyone, just try attending a church of another denomination than your preference. If you find yourself being closed off to how the spirit of God can move because of being afraid of how you are received, then the power of a doctrine or tradition of that church may be greater than the liberty of Gods freedom to work in the people. If the church is open and loving to your anointing, know that there is nothing holding you back from yielding to God and having an amazing place to attend.

I am in places all the time where I am loved greatly until the very moment when I was asked the classic questions, such as: where do you go to church, who is your pastor, what do you all believe, what version of the bible do you use, etc. Some of the reactions have been null if at all, while in other cases I have been witness to the countenance change and addition of opinions/attitudes.

If I had a recommendation to give you as God leads my thoughts, it would be to be proud of the God that blesses you and your church rather than the institution itself. A church will fail you at some point (no matter how many people attend or outreach programs they have), but God will not! People will surprise you when they was cold on an indifference of what they believe versus you, but God will never leave you or forsake you.

On a very personal note, I have found in my life after attending many if not most of church varieties over the years that one thing is always present in a church that is growing and on fire: there is an abundant love for every person and no respect of person, period. I still know people even today that refuse to attend one church and only prefer their own institution, and it breaks my heart that we all cannot be open to work, worship and serve God together. Hear me if you dare, please please please do not fall into the pitfall of men’s ideals! Paul was not mad at the fact that roman Orthodox Jews condemned the Gentiles; in fact he was sorrowful by realizing that the only people that Sony have a free life in Christ are those bound by their own laws and ideals.

I am not attempting to start a revolution nor making an announcement of a denomination from my interpretation; I am as Paul, who claims to know nothing (free from institutions or mans binding ideals) but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He said as he was referring to his metaphor as an athlete, “I look not to the right or left”, or in other words He was to the value of the prize of Christ alone.

Let nothing steal the joy of your life in Christ! Find a church that doesn’t promote being a church that’s good at abiding in denomination, but that is filled with Gods love for everyone (and actual signs of it!).

Ezekiels Vision Of The Waters

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John 7:37-39

[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The rivers of living water are representative to the spirit of God that fills the inner dwelling of our fleshly temples. It is the connection that will not only prove your love for others but for God above all. The promise of the comforter is come and here for whosoever will receive this great blessing!

Ezekiel 47:1-9

[1] Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
[2] Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
[3] And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles.
[4] Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
[5] Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
[6] And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
[7] Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
[8] Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
[9] And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

* A note on verses 3-5

When we stay on the bank, we will never believe receive the salvation of the Lord. When we are in ankle deep, we receive the sweet initial spirit of God (mixed with the faith we stepped out with of course) drawing us to have salvation. There is more though! When we are in knee-deep, we do the best we can with the Holy Spirit as it was given with salvation, but without the fullness of the Holy Ghost. There must be more of the spirit of God and anointing in your life to be able to overcome and have dominion over the influence and temptations of the world today. When we are waist-deep we have that fullness and can feel the potential for more but yet have a fear of going deeper. God wants us to be more faithful and launch out into the deeper things in Him. He did not put within us the spirit of fear, but of sound mind! Take off out into the next step of your life with a deeper anointing. How much confidence could you have (good question!) with a stronger anointing? As we step out more and begin to be in over our heads, we are no longer in control and the spirit is in complete control!

Acts 1:4-5

[4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
[5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

The promise of that power is what we need to use to sustain our every day victory!

The River Lives In You

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John 7:37-39

[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

A river reaches places where it source never knows. If we have received His fullness than the rivers will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even to the ends of the earth. Hence Acts 1:8:

Acts 1:8

[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

There may be objects or obstacles that may attempt to prevent the flow, or your continual relationship to God. The river of the spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. We never need to focus on the obstacles nor the difficulty.

John 4:10-14

[10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
[11] The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
[12] Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
[13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
[14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

‘By this living water’ is meant to represent the spirit of God. Jesus showed that Jacobs well yielded a very short satisfaction. Whatever that we consume in life will prove itself unable to satisfy our lives. Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal means. If we learn to start partaking of the spirit of grace and the comforts of the gospel we shall not be in want of that which will only satisfy temporarily. Allow nothing to keep you from your sovereign source!

Wow God, You Are Amazing

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How awesome is the God that we serve? How wonderful has God proven true for us? The amount of victories could never possibly be told. The benefits are excellent considering it is at a minimal cost to us. The joy is unspeakable. The peace is beyond understanding. The love keeps not only you but everyone who believes. When in God’s service your enemies will be caused to be peaceful with you. If you are faithful to see a mountain move it shall get out of your way. Not only are the hairs of your head numbered but your tears are even kept in a jar. The metaphors are speaking directly towards not only God’s knowledge of your life but the know-how to handle everything hard for you.

Not one battle has been lost. Not one time did the comfort of the spirit fail in its intended purpose. Not one moment of suffering has passed that God did not see and understand. Not one is sent away when it comes to having everlasting life. Not one is left behind even when we feel that all has forsaken us.

We not only have references to lead us into tomorrow, but we have the spirit of God to lead us to His perfect will. We not only have the ability to soothe our spirits with singing but will sing a song that the angels cannot sing. We are redeemed. We were purchased for a price that we were not worth. As many as believe in Christ will never taste the sting of death nor be bound for hell. We are a freed, healed and delivered people!

Take a moment to encourage yourself every now and then. You may be surprised with what you get up with after empowering yourself with just the simple thought of how amazing that God truly is!

Wait A Second, You Mean To Tell Me That Actually Matters?!?

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When it comes time to really show how much that we care about one another, the actions that seem to make the biggest impact in the long-run are the small things we do.

Oddly enough, there is a very large connection between why we do not perform the small things and how busy we get about taking care of the business side of life. I am sure that at some point in time we have all been in the same train of thought. Have you ever thought or said that “I work hard all week long and don’t have the time or energy” or the classic “you know I care about you”. This almost sounds like something all too familiar, right? You see, no matter where it hits home for you (marriage, friendship, church fellowship, family relationships, work colleagues) there is a great lack in the actual demonstration of Godly love and compassion. Another big reason there is a great lack in the efforts made for others is that this would actually pull people out a state of single-self-consideration (i.e. selfishness). Having an “what’s in it for me” attitude ALL the time tends to lead towards a general disregard for the needs God wants to use us to help in.

I cannot stress this enough, especially as someone who is a devoted advocate for the small things: if you take the time for the small things in obedience, people will receive the witness of the love of God in you. Churches often times try to demonstrate the love of God in a church by how many show up and how great different parts of their services can be, but in doing this are in turn being single-self-minded as a group to only think about the church itself. Please always remember that Christ dwells in you, and your temple is the REAL church that people attend every day. It is by how you carry and conduct yourself through good and bad that people are drawn by the power of God; for they are drawn by how you let the strength of the spirit of God keep you!

So in conclusion, do the small things. Hug someone and tell them that you love them at church. When someone steps out in church or is making a stronger commitment, give them encouragement and a role model. Be at peace with your enemies as God will work the peace in them for you! Be benevolent and give as God leads you. Write your companion a love letter. Lead people to a merry spirit by your joy and laughter! Be that person who stands up first to worship. Surprise people and start participating in outreach ministry. Give that testimony and break the ice! When someone is in need as God shows you, be bold and tell them that you will go with them. Say something nice to your boss even though you feel like you deserve it. The list goes on and on. Learn to prefer others before yourself, and realize the answer to the title of this message!

“Wait a second! You mean to tell me that doing the small things matter?” Yep, it sure does.

 

Jesus Is Where The Need Is

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Matthew 8:2-4

[2] And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[3] And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
[4] And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Christ is found with the leper, those so ill all had forsaken them. The spirit of God wants to perform works to where the needs are, yet when we are not in the place to let it dwell within our temple (personal life) we may miss that very season of time to see it done.

John 5:5-8

[5] And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
[6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
[7] The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
[8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

Jesus is found where friends neglect and religion and tradition loses its ability to have compassion. I am so glad I was not saved by the church service timesheet structure. I am glad that when we break our own rules sometimes that we come to realize that God is neither on a timeframe nor structure. There is a Holy appointed structure; it is called the will of God! There is also a guide to following it as well? It’s the word of God that lives in you and that which you read from the pages of life (bible).

Matthew 9:27-31

[27] And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
[28] And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
[29] Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
[30] And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
[31] But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Jesus is found where the blind will not only walk in faith but believe!

Matthew 18:28-35

[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Christ is found where the poor are persecuted and are put under bondage!

The Word Of The Hour Is: Press On My Friends, Press On

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I send a word of encouragement and power to our everyday readers and new visitors today: Press on!

Press on when others are telling you just to “hang on”. It is easy to just grab your seat on the ride of life and just coast, but God wants you to propel into forward motion! Coasting eventually comes to a halt when you reach the hills, right? When it becomes tough around you is when God is looking for you to be propelled by His presence!

Press on when others would discourage you. One of the greatest blessings that I have personally experienced in my entire life was when I could not have felt more alone. In the poor state that I was in I had no vision of holding on, let alone pressing forward. I was just trying to “exist”. However, the sweetest move of the spirit of God came for me and let me know just how real the word that we read about the promise of the comforter is. Now? Whether I am discouraged, rejected, or even to the magnitude of persecuted I NEVER have to fall that low ever again. I can stand confident in the comfort in the spirit of God!

Press on in your obedience. If I could emphasize one act more than the rest, I would say that this emphasis needs to be on prayer. We simply are not praying enough (none of us). There might be a few of you out there that are on the Daniel plan (3 times a day), and I commend you for it! But I hope that we know that it is not so much in the number as much as it is what you pour out and dedicate during the times that you do. Remember this: 5 minutes of heartfelt humble surrender to God goes so much further than 2 hours of requests for “stuff”.

Most of all, press on for the mark. There is a place that God wants us to aim for. It is a place that in more depths of study reveals the perfect love of God within us. It shows the like-mindedness of Christ within our thoughts. It shows through our acts the charity that came out on its own that no one had to beg out of you. It’s a mark that once someone strives for that others begin to be drawn by. In other words, press on to put down our doubts and fears that lead us not to believe in the living spirit of God within us! Live and let live the word of God within you!