Not According to the Flesh

2Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-6‬ ‭- For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

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Just as I have learned that we cannot totally rely in any man, nor government, to bring about anything this world is in need of...like peace, provision or safety...we cannot rely on our own knowledge when sharing Christ. It must be Spirit-led, as the scripture states. 

Not according to the flesh...not carnal but mighty in God...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 

In Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to this Spirit, we are called to preach the Gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ.

In Christ, we are are told, we are:

*new creatures

*one in spirit with God

*children of light, delivered from darkness

*a holy priesthood 

*ambassadors of Christ

*a people called out of darkness, ready to proclaim His excellence

*the aroma of Christ to God

*are led through Christ to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge

We will not always be received but we are to be obedient, being the salt and light in a fallen world. Do we look at circumstances of life through our eyes, or political eyes, or through God's eyes? Do we share what is the hope of our calling? 

When we see disasters in this world and people can't understand why they are all happening, do we share we live in a fallen world? Do we 

share that these things were predicted in the Bible? That just maybe we are looking at days when it would be wise to know God before it's too late? This recent shooting in the very small Texas church should be a clue that we never know when our last day will be. Who would have expected this...on a Sunday...in a church...in a very small town?

I share about Christ and the Bible because I know what it means to have been changed on the inside. I'm certainly not perfect and never will be, but I have heard the truth, have experienced a change in my way of thinking and seeing in the world. 

We do not war against the flesh. It's a spiritual war, people. This is what we need to understand. All God has ever wanted from us is acknowledgment of who He is, devotion and obedience to Him. Without these we have no hope for the future and any hope we have in man and his government, policies, laws, are meaningless. Man is not perfect. But God...is! 

Ask Him to reveal Himself to you today. I will ask Him to open the hearts of men to receive this valuable, life-saving knowledge. I will ask Him to show you what the hope is in Him. Just knowing who He is is not enough. Going deeper is the answer. Hearing Him, responding to Him. Being touched by Him. That's where it's at. A relationship...with God...not the church, not rituals...but the Man, Jesus Christ. A life-changing encounter.

Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

ACT

Hebrews 5:13-14 - For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I read Oswald Chambers' devotion for today. Although I may have read it one way today and next year will see it in another light, it fell in line with things I'd been pondering lately. It dealt even more about truth, a subject I can't shake. His opening statement was: It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God. The responsibility must be left with the individual, you cannot act for him, it must be his own deliberate act...The paralysis of refusing to act leaves a man exactly where he was before; once he acts, he is never the same. My view on the word act for today is knowing the truth of the Bible.

I've been thinking lately, and have discussed with friends, how we are seeing a definite change in the way life is presenting itself. It's a growing concern and one that will affect our lives. But those who see it through the eyes of God have a totally different slant on it. We see it because we have acted as far as learning from the Word of God. If we refuse to act, as Chambers said, refuse to learn, we will be exactly where we have always been. Our heads will be buried in the sand. But this is a decision you need to make on your own.

Again, life is all about God. It's all about His Word and the truth in it. Although we see a positive thing happening politically, I think it's minor in the grand scheme of life. We see where there's a great number of people who still don't get the fact that what's happening is askew. These past midterm elections might bring about some positive change, but it's still going to be an uphill struggle to undo the wrongs. And some still believe it is God who needs to be acknowledged as the One who is able to bring about the changes.

If we choose to hear what God's Word has to say, if we crave the meat and not the milk, we can see where we are going. The Bible makes it very clear. 

A few years ago we would not have believed all that we see would happen. There have been some in the past who have claimed to know that Jesus was returning soon. They even told us he'd return on a specific day at a specific time in a specific year. And He didn't. Those who have some knowledge of the Bible know that there still are certain things the Bible tells us need to happen before Jesus will return. They just have not happened. But little by little my friends and I see the changes taking place right before our eyes.

My thoughts, not quite my prayer, have been that Jesus would return quickly before the things of this world get so out of hand. But I know, as do many others, that we will have to go through some difficult times before God releases us from these present and future troubles. And there are still many who need to know what truth is. That's why it is not my prayer. My thoughts/prayers are only "Come, Lord Jesus, come. Open eyes."

Dig into the Word of God and see for yourself. Don't believe me. You may not find it in your church. Some churches will not acknowledge the hard things of God's Word, (they desire to share only the milk). They are afraid of being called lunatics or fanatics because they talk about uncomfortable subjects, don't want to scare off possible congregants, are afraid of offending. We need to know these meaty things...even if we don't see Jesus return in our lifetime. It can't just be hinted at; it needs to be preached. We need to keep the prophetic word alive. 

We need to be prepared. We cannot live as if everything will continue as we've known it most or all of our lives. Troubles will occur. And when they do I wonder how many are going to understand what just happened? When one knows the truth, it's freeing. I know we're in for some tough times. When is only something God knows. But by all accounts, it's creeping in. And it's creeping faster than before. Today's news shows this, although mainstream news media don't recognize it through the eyes of God.

It is important to know the signs of the times...through the truth of His Word...to realize that what we see happening in this world is to get us to open our blind eyes, to turn ourselves back to God and trust in Him. These signs are from Genesis to Revelation. We're somewhere at the back of the book and our time is drawing to a close. We need to instill this revelation to the generation(s) behind us. The Church must take a stand. We all need to know and speak the truth, despite the hardness of the word. But...we don't need to be fearful. There is hope.

I mentioned one time about how the Jewish priests wore little boxes, phylacteries, on their foreheads or forearms. They contained scripture, and were to be as reminders of God's Word... They believed the Word had to be passed down from generation to generation, that it never be forgotten. Who is willing to do this? Act.

Desire to know the truth...of God's Word. It is good for our knowledge. We all need to see where we are headed so that we will not be surprised. Continuing to believe that man will be able to control and change circumstances is a slippery slope. It must start with trusting God. Psalm 119:50 tells us that This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. When we have this knowledge in our  hearts we can know that despite our troubles there is a good ending. Without that knowledge there is only confusion and fear. As Chambers suggested, act...a good place to start is to get into God's Word. Once you act you will never be the same.

Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Counting All Things as Loss

Philippians 3:8-9 - Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith... 

Yikes. How do we known when we have counted all things as loss? How far do we go? What do we let go of?

It's not that we do things to please ourselves but that we use the gifts God has given us in a way that would honor Him. It's not about us; it's about Him in us. If we keep this in mind we will know when we're doing it for our own gain and leaving Him out of the picture. If we do it in a way that pleases God He will allow us more success than if we did it without His guidance. Do you see?

The excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus...through our knowledge of Him, we we learn what's true and right and just and we act this out. What is the heart motive? Truthfully...can we identify that motive? Do we work only so that we may have things in our lives or do we work because we enjoy it and we know we're good at it (and acknowledge that as a God-given goodness) and that we are giving of ourselves for others, not for ourselves? Do we thank God for the wisdom He has given us or do we take the credit?

The answer to the questions above, of course, is to give up all things that do not glorify God. But we cannot do this on our own. He does not honor drunkenness or using His name in vain. He does not honor cheating or lying. He does not honor pride and self-centeredness. The first step that needs to take place is our admission that we are a sinful people, in need of salvation...acknowledge it, repent of it and receive Christ into our lives so that we might be filled with His Spirit so we might hear Him speak. Then be obedient to what we hear. He will reveal to us what needs to go.

This is a life-long process. The reason we need to remove things is so we become more like Christ...ourselves but with a Christ-like attitude. He wants us to look more like Him in our earthly bodies. I'm sure there are some who just can't comprehend this idea. He has created us all as individuals; no two are alike. We don't lose our own identity, but with Christ's help and guidance, we can be more than we are. I think I have a long way to go. I often wonder what He thinks of me. How much farther do I have to go? Am I in His will today? Am I as obedient as He desires?

Oh, but there's the point. It's not about me. I don't need to know everything. It's about me doing what He would want. I think not knowing makes me press on, wanting to please Him. It's about His working through me. I am in Christ...and He is in me. Unity, righteousness. My step of faith that I took years ago...it may only be a small mustard seed of faith, but it's there just the same.

I received an email the other day that included a video. This shows how God can use even the smallest bit of faith if we just obey His voice, sometimes no matter how foolish it might seem or how foolish we might appear...if we just listen and respond to His prompting. It especially works when we realize how impossible some things seem in our own human logic but through our obedience He brings the miracle.

We need to fully grasp the power we truly have in Christ. Not man's strength and power, but His. That begins with letting go of our own ideas of what we can and cannot do. I don't profess to be able to heal anyone, but if God so chose to use me, as long as I obeyed, I believe I could. (Healing, by the way, can be no more than leading someone to Christ.) I've been the target of obedience and some stepping out in faith: starting a Bible study, praying on the spot for someone. They seemed impossible in my own mind but through stepping out in faith, believing it was by the direction of the Holy Spirit, the path was set before me and things were put into motion. It's exhilarating, especially when one realizes it was Him causing things to fall into place. It's easier than our striving to make something happen.

Counting your thoughts, your perceived plans, your insecurities as loss because Jesus walks with you to guide you is a learning process. I want to hear Him more often and then to be obedient in all that He tells me to do. When you see Him at work and you see the perfect way He works through you, it becomes easier to take that next step. I sometimes even wonder if this blog is coming from me or the Holy Spirit. Forgive me, Lord, if I have ever gone out on my own. The motive, I don't believe, is not for my own gain; it's wanting to bring the truth to life.

That's part of our righteousness. It does come by faith. And what does the Word say...and faith comes by hearing...the Word of God. Know that God desires you. Seeking Him through His Word. You are not giving all of yourself. He is peeling away the things that hinder you so you can be a better person, in and through Him. It's a concept that today's world struggles with...letting the Almighty God who knew you before you were born, developed certain traits and characteristics in you at that time, be the One who will direct you through life in a perfect way you cannot even imagine. I know, it sounds like all He wants is manipulate you. I don't know how to explain that it's not so. Just know you don't lose yourself entirely. You just see things in a different way; you know the truth; you end up doing what is right...through Christ.

When He speaks to us, He desires obedience. He knows us better than we know ourselves and all we do is get in our own way. When we have heard Him and obey it only stands to reason it increases our faith...the faith that we can do all things through Christ. He only wants the best for us and wants us to be stripped of our own egos and pride.

I will press on and not let the knowledge and truth of who He is out of my sight. But I do, in my own mind, have a long way to go. It is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His being first and foremost in our lives. He has a plan for each of us...that we gain Him, attain His righteousness, have our faith strengthened through our obedience to what He knows is best for each of us. He seeks us so this plan can present itself.
Philippians 3:12 - Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

It's A Mystery

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Mysteries. Unless you don't know Christ personally, life can be a mystery. We all have some sense of understanding about how life works, birth to death, in ourselves and in nature. But the greatest mystery is how it all began. For some it's all a scientific phenomenon. For believers, it's all about God's handiwork. It's a mystery requiring nothing more than faith. Faith itself is a mystery. It goes beyond what we can see. Life started with God and that's that. We may not fully understand how, but, hey, we only need to realize that it did.

God is a mystery in a way. He's unseen, unheard, untouchable to some. To those in Christ He is seen in His creation: nature, in all forms of life and even in how He works in our personal lives. He IS heard in the spirits, through His Spirit, of those who have received Him. We may not be able to touch Him, but He's there and available to us. There are times when I have sensed His touch on me, felt His arms holding me. Yes, it's a mystery, but it's God. 

I don't question why things are the way they are in this world anymore. God knows the beginning from the end. It's His job to keep things either disorganized that we might look to Him or organized that we might glory in His plan. His plan for this world began and will end in His timing. We who are in Christ only need stand in the strength He has given us knowing that He will give us what we need when we need it. Even all that can be a mystery...how does He know? I don't question anymore. I just know that He knows. I just know that because I am in relationship with Him, I have only to ask for whatever it is I need. I have the understanding, the faith, to believe this.

The Apostle Paul continues to encourage the church in Ephesus on these matters. He describes the mystery in Ephesians Chapter 3: it was by God's own revelation through His Spirit that the mystery was made known. The mystery is this, that God became a Man (Jesus) and dwelt among us so that He might introduce Himself to us, that we might know Him, see the miracles, trust in Him, believe in Him, carry this knowledge down from generation to generation so that others might believe. Did you see that...through His Spirit He reveals the mystery. We receive that Spirit when we receive Christ.

The Old Testament is filled with history about God's presence with His people, Israel. But they constantly rejected Him or walked away from Him, even doubted Him. After so many hundreds of years of this, God grew weary and remained silent for four hundred years until He introduced Himself as His Son! Those quiet days were spent in war. In time they realized their need for salvation from this life. And God knew. He was behind the scenes all the while "planning" to reveal Himself once again, but this time not just to Israel, but the whole world. That plan was Jesus Christ.

If we allow this country, this world, to eliminate God from the picture (and I've read we may be in the throes of yet another time like the 400 years) He may again cause us to be without His presence. Do we truly want this? He has been our provision, our strength, our wisdom. We will falter again without Him. So how does that grab you? 

Glenn Beck and others have been sensing that another spiritual awakening is about to happen. I hope so. I'd like to see people I know come to a better understanding of Jesus Christ than they already have. Someone who would fill their lives not with the things of the world but with the things of God. Until we get a full understanding that nothing we own can satisfy--another mystery--like Jesus, we will not truly live. I'm certain I still do not have a complete understanding of this myself. But I have taken the right step in the right direction to know this.

God is a mystery. He has created each of us with a touch of spirituality built right in that we might seek Him. We can either choose not to heed the call to seek or take a chance that what lies ahead after seeking Him might be the best thing that ever happened...and that we will be given the ability to preach, as Paul tells us: about the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:8-9). Unsearchable riches of Christ: not our homes, our hobbies, our families, our leisure time activities, our addictions, our lusts. None of these can satisfy like the knowledge of the wisdom of Christ in our lives. We tap into the mystery by receiving Christ.

Wouldn't you like to be part of the fellowship of the mystery, something that is and always will be a mystery...without Christ? Wouldn't you like to have the manifold wisdom of God? Listen to what Paul tells us we have if we allow ourselves to believe: we have boldness and access with confidence, we can have strength through His Spirit, He will dwell in our hearts, we will be given the wisdom to understand the width, length, depth and height of the love of Christ that we might be filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:12,16-19). He will dwell in our hearts... That part that is existing in us from birth is not totally activated or transferred to our hearts unless we ask Him to do this. A hard word? You might ask: Doesn't God live in all our hearts if we believe in Him? You just said there is part of Him built in. There is a difference. It's a 6" difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge...that knowledge of knowing who He is and knowing Him personally. 

I'm the kind of person who always wants to grow in knowledge. Right now what I know is I prefer to grow in understanding the width, length, depth and height of the love of Christ. I want the fullness of God in my life. That means knowing His love and His judgment. I never want to become content where I am spiritually. Oh, that others would have this same desire. Oh, that God would unveil the eyes of so many wandering this life without this wisdom of this mystery.

Won't you desire that this mystery be revealed, the fullness of God's wisdom? Won't you desire to know the love only Christ brings, to realize God's plans for you? He is, after all, our all in all, if we choose Him. Won't you desire to know that your life, protection and needs are all secure...through Him?

2 Corinthians 9:8 - ...God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Obedience Greater Than Sacrifice?

1Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

I awoke at 1:49 this morning with this question on my mind. For some reason I needed to think on this...now. So at 1:52 I was up. Hmmm, I wondered, What is God asking in this scripture? Isn't obedience a form of sacrifice?

Saul was king over Israel. He was sent by God to destroy their enemy, the Amalekites. The LORD expressly told him through Samuel, the priest, to not spare anyone or anything, man, woman nor beast. Saul went out and attacked them but did not heed God's word. They spared the king and took the best of all their animals to use as a sacrifice to God. It says "they were unwilling to utterly destroy them" (vs 9). Saul disobeyed. 

Ouch.

This could be a very hard word for us too. Imagine the disappointment when we choose not to obey His Word. Let me see if I can wrap my head around this somehow. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The Word is Jesus....and we are to come to Him, we are to listen to Him, we are to be obedient to the Word.

The priests and people made literal sacrifices to God. It was their way of being atoned for various sins. So here they thought they were doing a good thing by taking the best of the animals that they might sacrifice them...that weren't even theirs in the first place. True they captured them from their enemy but God didn't want them... He was more interested in obedience. In his own mind Saul thought he had done right. God was upset and called his act evil. 

I was talking with a woman the other night. I can't remember how we got to this subject but she said this: I think believing in God and being a good person is what it's (whatever it is) all about. I sensed a bit of unsurety in her as she said this, almost as if she wondered if that was true. It was too late to get into a deeper discussion and I said we should pick this up again when time permitted.

I'm reminded of the words that tell us that we cannot work to receive our salvation. It's so we cannot boast over an accomplishment (Ephesians 2:9). If the Word tells us that there is none righteous (Romans 3:10), I believe that's a good argument against this "good person" thing. We are only good through Jesus's work for us, His sacrifice, not ours, our obedience to receive His work.

Hosea 6:6 tells us: For I desire goodness and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. There you have it! The knowledge of Jesus is way more important. This is that personal relationship issue. We cannot work to receive it; we accept it as a free gift. It is an inward form of worship (from the heart) rather than the outward (from our works). Oh, we still do good deeds, but now they come from a heart that has first chosen to know Jesus, to be in relationship with Him. God doesn't want our works, He wants us. He wants our hearts. He needs nothing from us except that relationship.

We are all called to obey the voice of Jesus. He is the Shepherd who calls us into relationship with Him. ...the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3). We hear the words and we obey. That's the most important thing. Jesus became the final sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27). And it's He that we are to know first and foremost. We show Him He is our heart's desire...and then the sacrifice comes in our devotion to Him. Psalm 40:6-8 tells us Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."

Does this make sense? He wants our thankful praises for His work of salvation for us. We are to come with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. These God will not despise (Psalm 51:17). To come to Him with our works is boastful. To think He will recognize those good deeds before knowing Him personally will not work. 

This concluding scripture shows us that "by Him" the sacrifice was made. We no longer need to make a "works" sacrifice. He is our sacrifice. We receive Him, we give thanks for His sacrifice. That is obedience.

Hebrews 13:15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.