GOD IS SPIRIT

We can never know God through human intellect. If our relationship with God is purely academic then we have no relationship at all. ~

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:17)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1)

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. (Romans 8:9)

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 1:17-21)

One Way To God

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6)

     Jesus was a great man when He walked the earth. He is the only one who ever lived a sinless life, and He stands as a great example to all of us. But if we stop there we will never know God, and Jesus can be of no help to our eternal salvation.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)

     Jesus claimed to be the only way, the only truth, and the only life. He didn't claim to be a gate or a point of entry to salvation. He said He is the only gate, indicating there is only one access point...and He is it. Anyone claiming to honor and have relationship with Jesus while advocating other ways to get to God, to know the truth, or to have eternal life apart from Jesus alone is deceived and deceiving others. Jesus' claims about Himself being the only means of salvation leave no room for doubt. He is either all He says He is, or He is the biggest liar in history. The fact is He was God in the flesh. Any other religions, even some claiming to be a form of Christianity, which recognize Jesus and His teachings as great examples but don't believe He is the only way to achieve salvation...are false. Quite simply they are operating under a spirit of antichrist (which is anything that doesn't recognize the precious blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ as a necessity). "and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." (1 John 4:3 ESV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

     John revealed to us that Jesus was the Word made flesh, the Living Word, and Jesus said He is the truth. The words written in the Bible are alive and active, they are the way for all believers to enjoy victory in all areas of life and to come to know and understand God's ways and to discover who they really are as Children of God. The Word is Christ, the Word is truth, the Word is full of faith and grace, but we cannot approach it from a merely academic standpoint.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)

     The Bible teaches that God is spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and truth.  The Bible (The Word of God) is a spiritual book written by men under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps better said, it is a book written by God about Himself. The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to His children. It can not be comprehended with our natural minds apart from the influence of God's Holy Spirit. This is why so many have a hard time understanding the Bible; some saying it contradicts itself, that it is a book written about God by men, claiming some parts as truth and discounting others, or even giving it their own private interpretation.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) 

     When we read our Bible we must pray for the Holy Spirit to speak directly to our hearts. Our level of education puts no limits on God's communication with us. We must trust God, and humbly open up to His loving ways.

Jesus is the only way to God the Father.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

      I pray He gives you the faith to believe this. If you ask Him I guarantee there is no truth regarding your life and salvation He will withhold, but He will not change and agree with you on any point in which you disagree. You must approach Him with an open heart and mind, and if on some point He shows you to be in error, just repent. Change your mind to agree with Him and move forward. He will help you if you ask, but He is a gentleman and will not impose upon you in any area of your life in which He has not been invited. Let Him in today, put your trust in Him and begin to study the Bible together with Him...He loves you more than you can imagine.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Feeling Unworthy? Trust God

   As we begin to grow in our salvation it can be like a roller-coaster ride for our emotions; all the more reason to learn and meditate on the Word of God.
   When we are born again our spirit is changed immediately. No longer held captive by the spirit of Satan, our old nature is crucified with Christ and our new nature is that of our Lord Jesus. There is no dual nature as some have erroneously taught; The Spirit of God would never share a body with the unholy spirit of Satan.
   Once born again we have the power to always choose God's way... but our body and soul did not change at salvation the way our spirit did. Neither our math skills or vocabulary changed, and if we were overweight at salvation we were still overweight the next day. Our natural mind wasn't changed right away, it is our spirit that was made new.
    Since we can't see or touch our spirit, and this fallen world has taught us to believe a polar opposite of who we really are in Christ...what do we do? How do we handle this colossal identity crisis? God's Word is the only way we can find out who we really are as born-again children of God .
    Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63 ESV). We must fill our minds with the Word of God...then meditate on it until it becomes revelation to us, with the helpful illumination of the Holy Spirit. 
   Our great identity crisis and feelings of unworthiness (sometimes strengthened by religion or well meaning religious folks), will begin to diminish as our faith muscles begin developing. This happens as we begin to believe and to trust in what God's Word says happened in our spirit more than what we can see in the natural. 
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

I'M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

An unsettling number of Christians receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, but then never develop in their Christian life because they don't get proper instruction in the Word. Some say there are over 3000 promises of God to His children in the Bible. It is full of them! From the Bible we also come to understand the true nature of God, and who we really are in Christ. As a new believer it is a natural response to crave more understanding; so we come to God with an open heart, and mind...a clean slate if you will...like a little child.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18)
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," (1 Peter 2:2)
And (Jesus) said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

We are born-again as spiritual infants into God's family. It is only proper that we humble ourselves and acknowledge this and not be rebellious children, but instead submit ourselves to His loving instruction through His Word.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)

God loves us and to the extent we submit to His leading and authority in our lives He will shower us with all the love, affection, and gentle correction we need. But we need to watch out for the influence this world can have on us.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ (Romans 12:2)

When we were saved, we became just like Christ in our born-again spirit. Knowing that helps us to be mindful about the fact that we need to renew our natural mind to agree with the mind of Christ which is in our spirit. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
God is growing us up to think and act just like Jesus! Oh how He loves us!

AM I SAVED?

When you hear God's Word, Satan immediately tries to steal it from you. Don't let him. His only weapon against you is deception. The only way he can deceive you is if you don't have understanding. Comprehending your salvation is essential for preventing the devil from talking you out of your benefits for this life. This is why it is not just good, but essential for Christians to be deeply rooted in God's Word.

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:9-10 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 ESV

The Word says whosoever, meaning anyone can participate. Aren't you a somebody...a whosoever?
Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord? (confessing Him as Lord means that you recognize Him as master, giving Him complete authority in your life. It means you put your complete trust in Him to do what His Word says He will do)
Do you believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead? (if you do not believe in His resurrection, then all bets are off. This would make Christianity, just another religion. Without the resurrection Jesus would not be who He said He was, and we would still be in our sins)
The moment you "sincerely" committed your life to Jesus Christ, you were saved. Congrats! Heaven is your home.

Grace for Today

Christians are never given more than one day to live. It is called today.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest... So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts... ~ Hebrews 3:1,7,8

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. ~ Isaiah 51:6

Jesus said...
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:35-36

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ~ John 14:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27

What's In Your Hand This Christmas?

Our gifts do not have to be monetary. Everything in our care can be a gift/seed, whether it be a dollar, time, a smile, an encouraging word, a prayer, or any material thing. But one thing for sure; when we give out of a loving heart...God will always multiply and return the gift to us. Never believe that God doesn't want to use you. He is ready and willing, and is simply asking us to release, by faith, the things He has already given us.
 God asked Moses, "What's in your hand?". He said, "a rod"...and with that rod God worked many mighty miracles and upset the strongest army on earth.
"What's in your hand Samson?"..."the jaw-bone of an ass"...and with it he slew 1000 Philistine enemies of God.
"What's in your hand David?"..."a slingshot and five smooth stones", and with one of the stones David killed a giant who challenged and insulted the people of God.
"What's in your hand son?"..."five loaves and two small fish", and with that little boys lunch Jesus was able to feed 5000 men, plus the women and children.
Today God is asking you to trust Him with whatever you have at your disposal. Maybe it is your time, your love, or some worldly possession. You will never be able to out-give God. If He can get it through you, He will get it to you. Be a funnel of God's love and blessings. You will not regret it.
-"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~ Luke 6:38 NIV
-“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. ~ Mark 10:29-30 NLT