Tag: christianity

The Binds That Bind Us

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The Binds That Bind Us

These two links are other posts about the persecuted church.

https://thearrowpreacher.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/hiding-in-the-shadows/

https://thearrowpreacher.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/go-and-dont-die/

Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV) 3“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” The Holiday hustle and bustle has started as millions prepare this holiday season, Thanksgiving then moving towards our saviors birth in our CHRISTmas. We take for granted our freedoms to celebrate freely, even the term Christmas is slowly being replaced. The persecution by man has not yet become persecution by our government. Not every message is positive, but every message that comes from the Lord is necessary. “With great power comes great responsibility.”(Uncle Ben)We have a privilege in the Lords blessings, while many are not living in a place where they can pray, preach, or teach. Some places this is illegal and can end in prison, or even execution as the persecuted church is very real.

What are you wiling to do for the Lord? What is the mission the Lord has called you to do? We can ignore the truth but the denial is not a replacement for the truth, the only truth. The bonds that exists are very real but the Lord does not call to hear our excuses. The Lord makes no mistakes, and every calling comes with a cross to bare. How many have heard the call but created an excuse, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and even in the book of Acts, Ananias was called by the Lord to venture to Damascus to face Saul the Pharisee who persecuted and murdered Christians. Ananias was given a word of grace and hope from the Lord to put fear aside and baptize Saul who would be known as Paul. Persecution still happens and we are called to live in grace and as the body is in bonds so shall we remember and never forget the truth.

We are warriors for Christ. We are called to lift up the church and bare the burdens the body bares. Facing torture, persecution, death is a way of life and we cannot forget them. We must fight the cloud of darkness that creeps towards the West. The nature of this is very real, and we cannot remain close eyed to what is truly happening around us. We need Jesus Christ, and we must latch on to that hope. We must ask the Lord how we can serve and as we all have our own gifts, our own purpose God has for us. We as Christians can still allow Christ to shine through us and when we let go of our own excuses, let go of our fears, and allow the Lord to touch us with what we need to fight the fight, we can stand tall. Whether it’s a voice of God, the pen of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the calling is very real. Christ wants us to go, plant seeds, and trust Jesus Christ who calls us to work during the day. We cannot whither away in luxury, allow ourselves to become complacent in a peace that is a true lie. The peace is not that of a life without danger, but peace knowing that no matter what happens to our lives, or our own bodies, we find peace in Christ alone.

When we hear the life of those living through real dangers and maintains faith in the Lord, how foolish are we that we are so spoiled and easily swayed away from Christ at the first hiccup when life gets a little hard. Do not turn away from the Lord, no, turn towards our Savior and place your trust in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth is the journey is hard, and we are never promised ease or a life without troubles. The enemy attacks in the dark and attempts to create the divide, and as we’ve seen over the years of mankind, horrific events that have caused immeasurable amount of pain and suffering. The persecution of the Jews, the mass executions of the Christian people worldwide. We cannot forget them as we celebrate the birthday of our Savior. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” We renew our strength through the never ending waters of the Lord. Jesus Christ our king suffered so we may only suffer a little. We suffer in this life so when the final breath is taken we leave this fallen world behind for one of perfection. Isaiah 40:31  (NKJV)“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

We can either choose to be bound in sin, living in suffering, or we can live in a bind under the blood of Christ that gives us eternal hope. We choose the bonds we live in, one of freedom, or one of suffering. As for me, I choose Jesus Christ, and I choose to be a warrior, and to never allow the great deceiver to gain ground upon me. He may attack but he can never break the bond that I have with my Father, and His perfect Son Jesus Christ. Never again do we have to be afraid of the emptiness of sin and the lies of the Devil. Spread cheer and remember this Christmas to be of joy, and yet to pray for those who live in persecution. We are one body, and when one part hurts, it hurts us all. Remind those in pain of the joys of Jesus Christ, and never give up that hope.

Put A Little Celebration In Your Heart

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Put A Little Celebration In Your Heart

I was watching a movie recently where they were dancing to swing music. Do we have a spirit of dance? “Dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.” (Britannica) We don’t allow our spirit to dance in the delight of the Lord. We allow Satan to stifle our spirit and dim the light within us. As we move forward in this Christmas season are we doing so with a spirit of Mr. Scrooge, or that of Suzie Who? 

I know so many people who have suffered so much loss that the holidays cause them to be depressed. Depression is common this time of year with the lack of sun, and the stress from family, and shopping. Even the stresses from work, trying to finish year-end projects, analysis papers, etc. What can be done about the holiday blues? What can be done to stay off the blues? A change of perception can often be the simple fix, but how do we do that?

Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” The joy we find in the Holy Spirit is abundant and never ending. Nothing can take your joy from you when you know the joy of the Son Jesus Christ. When we know the hope in the this world comes from the Lord, and our eternal salvation comes from pure love, what then do we have to loose our joy too? We may not always be the happiest, or the most cheery, but we always have something to count our joy. Romans 15:13“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Do not look to your past regarding what you have lost, instead look to today and count the blessings of what you have. We have so much to be thankful even just living in this country of the United States, but if you live abroad, there are still many blessings for you in your home country. There is nothing on this earth that is worse then the Hell Fire we would have had if it weren’t for that baby boy we celebrate this season.

Satan wants to stop your heart from dancing, but it’s up to you to not let him. Dance your heart, and celebrate that little baby boy.

Truth Without

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Truth Without

The truth is over the last week or so I’ve felt pretty low. I’ve struggled to sit down at my computer and write up anything. It’s not from a lack of content because I have a few weeks of drafts I could use, it’s been something else. I don’t know if I’ve got a case of the holiday blues, or something else. The fact right now is I need to fall back on scripture and trust in God to see me through whatever is going on in my heart to make me feel disconnected and distant. I know Christ can see into my heart and even when I cannot Christ knows. Jesus has a way of cutting straight through all the fluff and getting straight to the heart of the problem. I have been putting a lot of thought in my spiritual growth this last year, and as we enter into Christmas I consider where I am now verse where I was two years ago. Two years ago I was a broken man. I was sad, and struggled to find any happiness at all in my life. It’s not been almost 3 Christmas’s since my ex wife’s leaving and I can honestly say I am not the same person I was years ago. I look at my life and while I admit I’m not where I would like to be, I know that I’m exactly where the father wants me.

In my time of despair I turn to scripture. 1 Peter 5:7“casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I turn to Christ in my time of need not knowing what is causing my distress, but knowing that in Christ all things are possible. No matter how low you are, there’s always time to turn to God. No matter what cloud you are floating on do not forget to turn to God and thank Him for both the good and bad times. We endure all things in the name of Christ, and it’s for us to remember who’s in control and who we live for to serve. Christ alone, and no matter how you feel this holiday there is joy and God will ensure you have a way to find it. 

This is a birthday celebration and we must remember how to act. It’s not about the gifts, or the mistletoe, or the food, it’s about a baby born to be the salvation for everyone. Be full of joy and let the worries pass away. I’m not sure what’s going on with me, but I’m sure it will pass.

Be Lonely No More

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Be Lonely No More

Many of us move through life and from time to time that lonely feeling takes hold. The deepness of that lonely feeling is one that leaches on with almost no end in sight for relief.

Psalm 139

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”

Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!

Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

20 For they speak against You wickedly;

Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.

We often feel lonely because we don’t have someone with us. Sometimes we can be in a crowded room and still feel like we are all alone. For two years I felt lonely from a companion standpoint, but somewhere along the line I found comfort in Christ. I wasn’t sure I’d meet anyone but when it came down to it, my biggest problem was my lack of trust in the Lord. When we truly take some time to think about Paul and his journey can you imagine how hard those would have been? Being lonely in your heart is an absence of Jesus. When we take some time to look through the psalm above, we can see David talking about how deeply God knew him, how God knew every part of him and his heart. When we put some thought, real thought in how special we must be to God knowing the creator of the universe also knows us intimately. We don’t have to live alone in this world because we are never alone so long as we allow Jesus to remain in our hearts.

Being patient with the Lord isn’t easy. We know that the Lord doesn’t want us to be alone, but there is a season for everything, and sometimes we are meant to be alone for a while. We don’t always know why, but when we put our faith in the Lord and we know that God has plans for us to prosper not for harm. God may not give us the relationship we want, but He always provides what we need. We need to focus on what we do have, not what we want. Trust in the Father to look out for you and know that He is truly with you while you’re sleeping, while your awake, knows when your naughty, and knows when you’re nice.

     I have spent a long time feeling lonely. I have watched and longed as friends dated, friends married, friends have had kids and even some have had grandkids and I have sinned with envy. I felt lonely of companionship but my brain and my heart were at odds. Knowing my God is with me always. Knowing God knows of all my heart and of my tongue. I cannot hide away from the Lord. If I cannot hide my transgression, then too shall I ever be alone? No, truly Jesus Christ loves me enough to comfort my heart, to bless me daily, and has delivered me from Hell Fire.

I’m not a perfect man, no I’m the farthest thing from. I have so long placed my hope in people to satisfy the lonely heart I had. That’s not to say you won’t desire someone, but be careful how strong you allow the desire to be. Do not allow yourself to place any heartfelt wish above Jesus Christ. If you cannot focus on Jesus, if Christ isn’t your first, you are last. Be open to the Love of God and hold fast to God’s plans. 

Bringer Of Light

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Bringer Of Light

There is only one cause of hope and that’s the son Jesus Christ. The world we live is fallen, full of sin and sinew. Who brings these troubles upon the world? Mankind brought the pain upon ourselves and we continue to reap the sins of the forefathers. The hope we have is that in Jesus who washes our sins, makes us new, gives us a tomorrow free of pain and suffering. The season we find ourselves, the season of good will, a season of giving, not to receive but to give as a small token of what Christ gave us. The wise men gave frankincense, myrrh, and gold. As gifts were given, so do we give. A birthday party to celebrate our savior that gives us more than trinkets, but life itself. The life we are given is not on this early plane, but that in Heaven with the father. 

What is it about people that we want to blame everyone except for the one truly responsible? We like to focus on particular aspects and usually we are wrong. I’ve heard so often that God is responsible for peoples suffering. I’ve heard it’s other peoples fault and never their own. Here’s what it seems like to me, first people need to take responsibility for their own actions. If you walk down a path doing questionable things don’t be surprised when it catches up to you. Second, don’t hang out with people who do questionable things, their sins will become your own. Lastly, the Devil often influences people around you, and sometimes you, and thus causes problems. Don’t blame God for these things. No matter the horrible things that happen it’s still an opportunity to live in the light, and resist the darkness. God only brings suffering when it’s needed for correction, we are after all, his children. It’s not easy thinking of God as our Father, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. God loves his children, and wants the best for us. We are stubborn, and selfish, and often rebellious. Thankfully Jesus Christ is full of love and patience. We are given so many blessings and even when the going gets tough, we have abundance. Romans 8:28“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

This Holiday season look at the beautiful Christmas lights, the decorations, the sparkles, and remember what it all represents, a child born to live with us, and to be the eternal light. The rest is nice, but Jesus is the way. 

What Dwells In Your Heart?

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What Dwells In Your Heart? 

Colossians 3:16-17“Let 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. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If you live life focused on just yourself, your heart I daresay is not with the Lord. If you make decisions without care of others, their feelings, or even their well being, I would say you are missing out on love and your sin is making you believe you are on high above God. We are called to live in love and if we become selfish we don’t love others, you love yourself.

Are you allowing Jesus to shine through you? Do you feel bad when you hurt someone? Thankfully there is hope for our lies and there is a time for change and the time is now. In the season of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we can be like the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge or we can allow our hearts to grow three sizes today.

I have heard often I’ve hurt to many people for God to save me. I’ve done so much wrong for God to love me. The excuses are far and wide, and yet none of them are true. There is always a path to redemption if someone is willing to give up their once selfish ways. Allow Jesus to enter your heart and the love will spread from the source through your soul and out into other parts of your life. Ephesians 3:17“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” 

I’ve seen a lot of selfish in my day, and I’ve been hurt by a lot of it in the process. Someone asked me recently how I managed to deal with loosing my ex wife, and the answer was simple, time, prayer, love, and respect. Nothing is too big for God and nothing is too much for God. This is the season of joy and good will towards Men/Women. Are we truly willing to live our lives in hate, or even fear? We need to let go of the dark seed that dwells within us, and face the light of truth. Jesus Christ is the only light we’ll ever need, and the only hope we’ll ever have to have.

There’s never a time that’s too late to turn to Christ and let go of the darkness within. 

The Fog Lifts

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The Fog Lifts

The darkness is thick and heavy. The weight presses down upon you like a boulder. What is this darkness you ask, why can’t I see? The fog that sits, and is so heavy is sin. We cannot hope to remove the sin on our own. We cannot lift the boulder that’s placed on our shoulders like Atlas. The sin in our lives will multiply and divide until we are so buried under it we have no chance to move. Thankfully there’s a cure for this great cancer and the cure is Jesus Christ.

There are other kinds of fog that will set on our lives, but usually it all comes back to a situation that was caused by sin, and leaves behind darkness. For me, even though I didn’t cause my spouses affair I was left in the darkness of trauma, fear, self-loathing, and I couldn’t see my way out. During my trauma something happened and a light shined through the darkness and acted as a lighthouse shining a way for me to travel. One might ask, if God was so great why didn’t He just tell me all the answers, or show me all I needed to know? While those are legitimate questions, the truth is very simple, God wants us to grow on our own, and when we grow in Christ the right way, we learn, we experiences, and God wants us to do this on our own with His guidance. So I was left with a light shining the way, and over the last two years I have found a path that shines brightly. There was one area of my life that was still shrouded in darkness, and that was my love life.

As my love life continued to fail, I often prayed to God asking for answers, or at least a path. As I mentioned in yesterdays post, I wasn’t specific with my prayers, and if you were God of the universe you’d probably have a sense of humor also. God thinks answering prayers in a way we don’t expect is funny. When we aren’t specific and He has a plan, often times we look at them and don’t always take them as blessings, but our tiny feeble little minds cannot possibly understand the big picture as God does.

We must trust in the Lord and not be ridged in our own ways because the moment we think we know more then God, is the moment we will be cast down a dark path. Trust in the Lord for as said in Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I’d like to take a closer look at this passage and focus on the word hope. As we enter this holiday season we focus a lot on ‘Good Will’, and ‘Cheer’, and ‘Joy’, but were does all this come from? We have joy because we know Christ came and we know that he prepares a room for us in Heaven, but more important then the joy, is the Hope we received knowing that Jesus Christ would overcome death, and without Christ we had no hope, just eternal darkness and fire. Because of that hope we know that our future is bright. No matter what comes our way in this life, no matter how bad things get for us here on Earth, we are not doomed to this life forever. We live in this life to prove ourselves to Christ, to show we carry the love of Christ in our hearts, so we may enter the gates of Heaven.

As my path has changed since God spared my life, I was struggling in one area of my life, and that was companionship. I prayed daily for God to send me someone and while He delivered it wasn’t exactly what I originally had in mind. God’s sense of humor does not escape me, and as I have realized, God often does the exact opposite of what I say I’m going to, or not do. I told God I wasn’t going to go into the ministry, and well….. That didn’t go as I had planned. I told God I would never get into a long distance relationship, and well, again, that went about as well as the first plan of not going into ministry. You’d think I would have learned to stop telling God what I’m not going to do. The path I am on is not easy, and it in fact may turn out to be slightly more complicated then I would have liked, but I often think back to Romans 8:28 (NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  As my new relationship continues to go well and we grow, I see that God’s plan was to have my life connected to the Philippines in some way. This path will both give me the opportunity to go there and to minister while I’m there, but also fulfill the promise to offer me companionship. God saw fit to answer two prayers at once, and I cannot fault Him for his creativity and ingenuity.  God’s funny that way, and whenever I think I have God figured out, and think I know where He has be headed, He throws a curveball and I find I knew very little all along. Though, even though I try not to count the steps now, I see the fog lifting on the last part of my life, and I see light in every corner. God truly does deliver when you are following His path. That’s not to say there won’t be hardships, or hurt, or pain along the way, on the contrary those things are promised. Don’t let the fog set in on your life and drain you of hope. While we may not always see through the fog in every situation, we know that God will guide us through. We have hope knowing that Jesus Christ was born, lived, died on the cross, and on the third day rose again in fulfillment of the scripture. 

It Takes Guts

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It Takes Guts

Have you ever had an argument with God? Have you ever won an argument with God? Very few in history have ever actually been able to stand up to God Almighty but there was one man who not only argued with God but was able to barter with Him.

Genesis 18:22-33(NKJV)

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”

So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”

29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”

So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”

30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”

So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”

So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”

32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”

And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

Do we ever think we’re going to win over the perfection of God? While Abraham was indeed right, there was a righteous family left in Sodom, it came at great personal risk. Scripture is clear, Deuteronomy 6:16 (NKJV)16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.” As it was written in the ancient world, the law was written do not tempt the Lord, do not try to bribe or barter with God. 7 Matthew 4:7“Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not [a]tempt the Lord your God.’” 

Are we so foolish to think we can bribe the Lord to bend to our will? I have often tried to make deals with God. Patience has never been a strong suit of mine, and especially when it comes to matters of the heart. God has a sense of humor. As I have been praying to God to bring me someone special into my life I guess I wasn’t specific enough. God thought it would be funny to have someone special come into my life who lives 8,683 miles away. While I’m sure God’s plan is perfect, His sense of humor is always a joy to see. Knowing how much I desired a companion in my life he saw it fit to make things complicated, and if I know that God’s plan is perfect, then so I know that there’s a reason sending the right lady into my life, no matter how far away she lives. I am grateful and thankful the Lord answered my prayers, and if I’ve learned anything it’s not to barter with God, and not to test God’s sense of humor. While I was lucky enough that God thought His answer was funny, I am thankful I did not tempt the Lord to wrath. God certainly thinks things are funny, and when I don’t think things will ever turn around for me, God always tells me “I’ve got this.” I’m not worthy of His grace and mercy, but I receive it in abundance every day. I have no idea where to go from where I am, but I trust in God’s plan. Now, I must learn to take my hands off the wheel and trust that God knows where I’m going. God’s got a plan, and it’s bigger then I could ever know or understand. God can lift up, or destroy. God can save, or doom. God can bless or curse, and I know which side of the fence I am on. I know where I’m meant to be, and I will continue to praise Jesus for everything I have seen and unseen. I will thank Christ for the amazing woman He’s placed in my path, and I will take each day as it comes.

God’s Way

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God’s Way

It’s amazing how God works things out. It’s amazing how beautiful the plan, and where blessings can come from the most unusual of places. There are things in my life I never would have guessed that would have come up, but now that they are in my life, I couldn’t imagine how it could be improved. God’s way truly is perfect, and when we live in Christ’s light we are sure to be blessed for our faithfulness, our strengths and our weaknesses. Trusting in God is an option, but the alternative is terrifying. God can do anything He wants and as he dwells outside the realm and laws of science and physics. The idea of miracles is a far off concept, and we look at them as religious mumbo jumbo, but there are historical accounts of these miracles. Is it so far to think that maybe, just maybe there’s truth to the accounts of these miracles? I think not, and the more you dive into the evidence the more it points to truth.

I was thinking about the story in Acts 19:14-16 and I thought of the scene in Casper when Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) runs out of the mansion and says to call somebody else. Acts 19:14-16 (NKJV)14 “Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”It’s interesting to think about an evil spirit being real, and not some made up story, but when you do the research you will find that the acts of Jesus and Paul are not just something found in the Bible but also in both the historical accounts of Josephus and the Qu’ran. Josephus was a Jewish historian who had no interest in proving who Christ was, but the evidence to the miracles that occurred can be seen far and wide.

There are things that happen all around us that we don’t usually see. Life is full of extraordinary things, but we don’t open our eyes to see the mystery of the Lord. Demons are very real, and we battle every day against the forces of darkness. Though we do not battle against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”It’s hard to wrap your head around, but when you truly take time to look around, to quiet the world around you, is it so hard or far fetched to believe?

We must know and understand that everything big and small is affected by God’s Holy presence. We are strengthened and in all things in the glory of God are possible. We must go forth in our life with pure hearts for the Lord. We must diminish and allow the Holy Spirit to thrive within us. After seeing the miracles of Paul a small group of charlatans attempted to perform an exorcism but for their own glory, not for God. Acts 19:15. The outcome did not go well for them, and it’s a lesson we must take away in our own lives. When we do things for our own glory and not for God we too will see the rotten fruit spring forth. I have seen miracles in my own life, and just that fact I am still breathing is one of them. I should not have survived on more than one occasion, but God saw fit to keep me around. I know that in my walk through this thicket, the thistles, the thorns, the quicksand, and many other traps the Devil lays for me, it’s God that sees me through. I do not rise each day for my own glory, my own purposes, but that of my Father on high.

In my past I think I have been guilty thinking God couldn’t pull through for me, and as Luke Skywalker said to Kylo Ren “Everything you just said is wrong.” I think God has shown me wrong every single time, even when I hadn’t acted on my own accord. God is capable of doing anything, and it’s not for us to put God on a shelf thinking He isn’t big enough to handle our hopes, our dreams, or our problems. We must hold fast to faith, and allow it to grow and fill our cup. Christ is the gift of life, and we cannot downplay the importance of our faithfulness, and hope in Jesus. The truth will set you free when you put your trust in Jesus, knowing that in all things God is working things for good, and hope is eternal with Christ. Don’t underestimate your blessings from God, and don’t be surprised with what you are given, especially if it’s something you’ve wanted a long time. Love can come from anyplace if we only believe.

The Veteran

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The Veteran

No matter the politics, or which side of the fence you sit on, the veteran serves this country. The constitution that all of you Americans enjoy the freedoms given, was paid for and continues to be paid for by the veteran. No matter what you’re faith, your heritage, respect for out veterans that gives us the protection we so appreciate. It is by the blood we have the greatest gift we could ever hope for. Beyond our beloved country we have the kingdom of Heaven we fight for. I am a United States veteran of foreign wars but beyond that and more importantly I’m a veteran of this spiritual war we fight daily. I am a soldier for CHRIST AND I’M THANKFUL TO CALL MYSELF A VETERAN FOR GOD.

Just as veterans shed blood for our freedoms, Christ’s blood was shed for our sins, Hebrews 9-13-14“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the [b]purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without [c]spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” While there is no more blood needed to be sacrificed, the continuing war rages on and we are on the front line of an invisible war, that we cannot see, but we feel the effect every day. Satan and his demons interfere in our human affairs, but no matter the day, Christ still sits at the right hand of the father on high, and we are always on the winning side. Freedom always takes blood, and blood with no spots was shed for you and me, and all those before, and all those to come after. How wonderful it is to know the army of saints in which I fight for. God, Jesus Christ is the greatest general of all time. Jesus Christ’s war plan is perfect, and we soldiers of Christ shall fear not for we know the way the story ends. We shall not fret over the lost, and do not cry for saint’s who’ve fallen in the name of the Lord who were beautiful soldiers who live for the Lord, instead rejoice and be glad in their new home seated in front of the father in Heaven. Be grateful for the saints who’ve been slain in the fight against darkness, for they are at peace now. I shall not fear the evil for I know who art with me who protects me. Psalm 27:1-2“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me. To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.”

I fought a war of men, and now I fight a war, waged in the spiritual. We sacrifice by picking up our cross and letting go of this world. Much like picking up a weapon giving up a life at home with families, soldiers prepare for battle, rush into danger and fight the war. The sacrifice is never in vein and we shall be blessed for more than we could ever hope for. Stay focused on our General and trust with every breath we take until the last. We will be rewarded for fighting the good fight, and finishing the race.