Know The Spirit That Influences!

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer. I Timothy 4:1-5 HCSB

If we know that Satan’s job is to influence others in stealing, killing, and destroying, encouraging lying since he is the father of liars, and manipulating deception, why are we surprised by anything that happens in the world?

There are two reigning spirits in our atmosphere: Holy Spirit who speaks to our hearts when He resides within and Satan–who speaks to the mind, causing flesh to react to external forces.

Holy Spirit will only speak those things to our hearts which we have learned of God and in living according to God’s Word, reminding us that it’s all about Jesus!

Satan will tell people to do whatever feels good to you. It’s all about you!

Holy Spirit speaks truth as He leads us to living peacefully among all people, doing all things decently and in order.

Satan is the master of confusion and chaos and he is only concerned with the destruction of mankind.

If we’re honest with ourselves–willing to take a good look in the mirror, shedding the scales that blind us to truth--we’ll see which spirit influences everything we think, say, and do. Once we can see truth about self, we can look at others and see truth about them as well, but until we are able to see and accept truth about self–we will never see truth about others.

This is why we have so many people confused about who the best person is to sit in the White House. When people can support bigotry, hatred, racism, and narcissism in a candidate, they are actually saying those character traits reside in them.

There is no perfect candidate in this election year, but we can seek God and allow His Spirit to direct us in all things and we know–because we know who He is and how He operates, that He will only direct us to the person who is more likely to be living according to His Word–full of compassion and love for all people.

When we begin to understand The Word of God is intended to be a blueprint by which we live, and apply it to our lives on a daily basis, we will see the benefits of living according to The Word. The bible is not just some ancient book of myths as Satan has some believing; it is clear instructions for living a Godly life, a life in which one can expect peace and harmony, and enjoy life while here on earth. When we know God–we know love; when we know love, we will not entertain thoughts of destruction or hate. Mankind is God’s most precious creation and Satan hates us with everything in him and will influence the vulnerable and weak-minded into thinking there is no God of creation, and people can do whatever they want to do.

Remember–Satan is the liar–the influence behind all destruction and confusion, hate and bigotry.

Now, who is influencing what you think, say, and do?

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Our God Forever!

“For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.” (Psalm 48:14 NKJV)

The “unseen God” that holds all power in His hands.

The “invisible” God who created all that was ever created,

Before man was–God was and is–The same.

No matter what theory, or philosophy is thought,

One fact remains true, The skies are still above

And the Seas below, higher than the clouds

The Sun, Moon, and Stars yet shining

Mountains still standing–majestic and tall,

And Man, yet flawed, but remains

As a testament to a Living God,

Not made by stones or hands, free

To be in all places at the same time,

Watching over all His children

Guiding us in life, until death,

Here on earth, and welcoming us Home

To be with Him for all eternity.

This is our God, though invisible to the naked eye of man,

His works–created–for all to see, He is

Alive and well in the hearts of all who believe and obey,

The Spirit who quickens our spirits to live

And praise Him forevermore!

Not Like Man!

“God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NLT)

If God is not a man, why do we–human beings–attempt to give Him the attributes of mankind instead of understanding Him as a Spirit being–not needing us or anything He created? He is a Sovereign Being–self-sustaining–was here before anything else was and will be after everything is gone. He is the creator of all things and without Him, nothing, absolutely nothing was ever created. Whether we believe this or not is irrelevant–especially since theorists are still trying to prove their theories–but here we are and at some point in time–we must simply realize that there are things that are beyond our understanding and defy our limited logic in attempts to explain them.

Having said all of that–God has no need to lie.  Why would He? Think about why people lie. They lie to gain confidence over others or to undermine others, to gain control over others or to escape punishment from those in authority over them. Who has any authority over Him? He is The Authority whether we accept Him as authority over our lives or not!

God is not human, but He understands His human creation well and has created us in His image–fully capable of love, but many are influenced by the evil one and their hearts have rejected Love and are full of hate.

God does not change His mind! What He has established remains true, but we have often misinterpreted His intent to fulfill our own desires and lusts. Once we understand His intent for mankind, we have a better understanding of His written Word and The Revealed Word that comes with relationship with Him. Like the human kings who seal “their decrees” with a ring and wax, God seals His decrees in our hearts with Holy Spirit.

If we look closely at the history of mankind and all of the current events, we can see that God keeps His promises–no matter what those promise are–they do come pass and we either reap the reward or the consequence clearly stated in His Word.

God will not tolerate people mocking His Word forever. As He has done in the past, He will do again–all those things He promises for either our obedience or disobedience. We only have to look at the state the world is in today to know–that He is not playing with us. So, why are we flagrantly disobedient to Him? Do we think we know more or can do more than He can? How foolish are we to think we can openly and rebelliously defy God and not suffer the consequences of our actions?

Woe unto us who know to do better, but choose to succumb to the dictates of man, rather than obey God!

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to understand Alpha and Omega and cut away anything in our hearts, not like You so we may glorify You in everything we do and say. Spiritually, deafen our ears and blind our eyes to those thing that are not of You and keep our tongues from saying anything that is rebellious towards You. Amen!

 

Know Who You Serve!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism” (Colossians 3:23-25).

There are times in this life that we forget who it is we really are called to serve.  Notwithstanding that when we work at a job, or for a career, we usually work to pacify “man” or the corporation for whom we work.  Even in that capacity, our approach to doing a job for pay should be done as “unto The Lord” so we can expect a reward and not just a paycheck.

Think about it!  How many times have people gone to work with a poor attitude and did their work halfheartedly?  How many times have people gone to work late and then get an attitude when they are admonished about their attendance?  How many people take far too much time for breaks and lunches and then get frustrated when they don’t complete their tasks for the day?  How many people “steal” from their employees and then attempt to justify the theft? How many people think they deserve a promotion and more pay when they have not been diligent or as productive as they need to be in the position they have and then get angry with a manager or supervisor because they are always overlooked?

Some people think they deserve positions and pay simply because they suffer from the delusion of entitlement.  Some think they deserve positions because they know somebody who knows somebody.  And some think they deserve positions because of family connections, even when they are not qualified to do a job.

On our jobs, within our families, in our communities and wherever else we may be; we must remember that whatever we do, we should do it as unto The Lord and do it to the very best of our ability.  Our rewards, ultimately–come from The Lord.  It is He who touches the heart of those supervising us. It is He who gives us favor with people we don’t even know.  And it is He who also sees everything we do and will allow the consequences of our actions to fall upon us–good or bad.

In order to make sure we always receive God’s best, we should always do our best in serving Him and others.  “Be not deceived!  God is not mocked.  He sees and knows all and when we think no one else is watching, He is!”  Serve The Lord with joy–smile, seek means to do extra to help someone else and watch Him work on your behalf. 

Father, help us to understand what true service is to You so we can be better at serving You through all we do.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!