Living Light

Stirring The Deep

Tag Archives: Love


by 53 Comments

Worshipping False Images of God

Worshipping False Images of God

If you are worshipping a God who torments souls forever, you are worshipping a false image of God crafted by Satan.  This is a WAKE UP call to not be deceived into believing a false image of God and to seek to know God in truth and spirit.  Christ is at the door, and no one wants to be as one in the verse below who thought he/she was worshipping Him, but wasn’t, but instead was serving a false image of the lawless one…

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:22-23

Seek God face to face outside the church system ways and doctrine, which proliferates this false images, and you will find a different God; a God of true, powerful, and righteous love. Not one who says, worship me or torment forever. But One who gave His life that you might be purified, sanctified and abide with Him in holy, righteous love forever.

False Images of Religions

Throughout religions there are an abundance of false images of God. And yes, the religion of Christianity has them too. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 One of the main ones is this concept of God torturing souls for eternity. It’s monstrous. It’s a doctrine/belief grounded in fear, torment, pain, and suffering. It’s used to scare people into “accepting Christ”. It’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance, not fear. Romans 2:4 Perfect love, which is God, drives out all fear. 1 John 4:18 Satan is of fear. God is of love. They are on opposite sides.

This image along with others is why believers are leaving the church system. The churches are worshipping false images of God. Why would you worship at a pagan temple? You wouldn’t. That’s why they leave. Lamentations 2:7, Matthew 24:5, 2 Corinthians 6:14

Satan’s Image of God

Satan makes himself to be as God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 He creates images which people worship, thus they are worshipping him. Revelation 13 As for the image of a false God in Christianity, we see it illustrated in Daniel 3 in the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, where all people were commanded, for it was law, to worship the image of him, he set up. If they didn’t they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Daniel 3:6-7 Sound familiar? Mainstream Christianity teaches a strikingly similar thing; if you don’t worship their God, then you thrown in the fiery furnace of eternal torment. This has been a prevailing “gospel” in much of Christianity; worship Christ or be eternally tormented. Is this the Christ, or an anti-Christ, standing where he shouldn’t and showing himself to be God?

Satan is far more shrewd than mere humans. He knows the scriptures and twists them so those who are who untaught by the Holy Spirit aren’t able to discern but believe his lies. 2 Peter 3:16 He is a roaring lion of fear.

Satan is the Father of lies and a murder from the beginning and many have fallen for his lies; as testified by this world of depravity.

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

The description of a God of eternal torment ISN’T who the true living God of love is. This isn’t who Christ Jesus showed God to be at all! But the opposite. He came and demonstrated His love, mercy and compassion on a deceived, lost, broken and fallen humanity. Christ came to show us the love of the Father; His forgiveness of us while we were dead in our trespasses. Colossians 2:13 The message of His salvation for mankind and the message of eternal torment are in opposition to each other. Christ came to redeem souls; souls that can’t save themselves. He conquered death. His salvation plan entails restoration, regeneration and abundant love and mercy. If you deny what He did, you don’t know Him, and you deny Him.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

God’s Judgment

Yes there will be a judgment of flaming fire as our God is a consuming fire. 2 Thess 1:7-8 People are judged for their works, their beliefs.  But it’s of love because it destroys the wickedness that destroys us, and brings in His kingdom’s reign of righteousness and love. His judgment brings correction which leads the world learning righteousness. Isaiah 26:9 God’s plan of salvation is to save this lost world where no one sought Him. Isisah 53:6 It’s to train and establish their hearts in righteousness so they can walk in His ways and abide with Him in love for eternity. Hebrews 8:9-11 God loves us. In that love, He destroys wickedness that torments our souls; He doesn’t proliferate it for eternity. Wickedness will perish and all will know Him and praise Him for His abundant mercy on mankind.

Imagine living for an eternity knowing that your neighbor is being tortured for eternity. This is contrary to God, His character, and His plan of salvation that is the fulfillment of His righteousness, holiness, and love.

Be clear about the huge distinction between a god of fear, Satan, and a God of love, the One True God.  The veil is being lifted on the images that Satan has set up; the anti-Christ who shows himself to be Christ, yet the opposite. Don’t give into the delusion. If you deny that Christ came to deliver this world from death .. then you are denying the true Christ, for this is who He is. 1 Corin 15:55 He is the victor. He is life. He will be all and in all.


by 39 Comments

Response to Hell Series

Response to Videos

on Hell as Eternal Torment

This post is in response to the videos I posted last week on hell which challenged the wide-spread belief that hell is eternal torment. I scripturally demonstrated the righteous love and mercy of God, which knows no bounds. Romans 8:38-39 God’s love will prevail, nothing less till He fills all, for He is love.

Over the years of seeking to know God in truth and spirit, God has revealed Himself to me to be far more merciful and loving than I ever imagined; a different God from what I learned in the church system. I realized what I previously held was an image of God taught to me by others as I never truly sought with all my heart, soul and mind to know the true living God. God is beyond all religions and mankind’s imaginations. He is life. He is love. He is. Religions, though each holds an aspect of truth thus their appeal, craft false images of God. This is why Christ didn’t establish a religion, but gave us two commandments. Mark 12:30-31 He removed any “system” and gave us Himself.

As I’ve sought to know God as He is, His righteous love and grace have astounded me, and it continues to. We dwell in the shadow of death, when you get glimpses of life, it’s far more beautiful, pure and of righteous love than anything on this earth. The god of eternal torment isn’t God, but the God who gave His very life so that all torment in a deceived mankind would come to an end. 1 Corinthians 15:55

In the videos, I presented some aspects of what God has taught me thus far about His amazing plan of salvation, far bigger and more perfect than mainstream philosophies. What I found exciting in the perfect righteous love it contained, other professing Christians strongly rejected because it didn’t include their understanding of hell as eternal torment. They weren’t willing to consider the scriptural reasons opposing the concept of eternal torment. They held tight to their doctrine rejecting anything contrary, even a message of eternal mercy and love.  Some cut me off so that they would no longer “buy and sell” with me, because I didn’t bear the mark (belief) of a god who torments souls forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 It was an eye opening experience, and thus this post.

God has shown us throughout history how easily deceived and misled mankind can be, even His people. He has shown how people are trapped in death and lies and can’t see true life, even when He is standing right in front of them. Luke 23:34 They can’t save themselves. They are blind. They can’t believe in the truth to walk and follow the voice of God that leads them into true eternal life. They’re bound by deception for the world is under the sway of the wicked one. 1 John 5:19

Therefore, in Christ, He will give them a new spirit and a new heart to be able to know and walk in His ways. Joel 2:28, Ezekiel 36:26, Hebrews 8:9-11, John 3:8 Without this new spirit, no one can truly know God. We are all dead in our trespasses. This giving of His spirit is the salvation and grace of God. One day all will believe in Christ, because He will be reigning. (True belief is walking in His ways of truth/righteous love not just acknowledging Him, even the demons believe and tremble James 2:19). Every knee will bow to the One whose love delivered them from the pits of hell; from death. God is love. His righteous love will reign. He will fill all and be in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28 All will be holy, all will be righteous, all will be love. That means there will be no more death; nothing left of death or of sin, except the remembrance that it’s no more. This is an AMAZING plan of love and grace that’s been diminished by the eternal torment doctrine.

My encouragement and warning to you is to seek to know God as He is. I say this over and over for I long to you to know the Living God. Learn from Our Teacher. Matthew 23:8 He will teach you all things, if you TRUST HIM. Don’t put your trust in images of God crafted by mankind. Every truth you hold of God bring into question and seek to be taught by God Himself. He will for this is the new covenant and His desire for you.

For those who trust in the image of God as a God of eternal torment, the shame and condemnation will be so great, for they will realize it was an image crafted and powered by Satan, the ultimate lying spirit. Satan crafts many images to deceive and put us in bondage. But God has given us everything we need to know the truth, His Spirit. Learn to listen and be taught by Him.

God is pouring out His spirit to prepare this earth for His return. This spirit teaches us all things which leads us in the paths of righteousness and life. It’s the still small voice saying walk this way. Isaiah 30:21, Hebrews 12:25 Don’t listen to the roaring lions of the enemy seeking to destroy, seek to hear His voice and pray for courage to follow it for it isn’t of the world because it’s the voice of life.

A Few Concepts to Consider:

  • Holiness of God can’t have what isn’t holy existing for eternity; why He destroys wickedness. Yet in His love for us, He delivered us, who had wickedness, from being destroyed by giving us His Spirit; possible in Christ.
  • God is love. In Christ, He has forgiven mankind, thus can infuse His righteous love spirit into them, thus righteously saving and redeeming. All will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9
  • God is doing what we couldn’t; by His Spirit He enables us to believe on Him in a world covered in sin and deception. He truly is the Good Shepherd over a very lost fold.
  • God is love and righteous. He isn’t one or the other but always both. We can’t split the two to justify man’s intepetation of doctrine. Why would you want to?
  • A hell of eternal torment gives Satan, the deceiver of mankind and murderer, the victory.
  • Eternal torment makes Satan more powerful than God; for God was unable to save those He wanted to.
  • Christ came to save those who couldn’t save themselves; this eternal torment goes against Him, thus the spirit of the anti-Christ.
  • It’s counter to the truth, Christ has victory over death.
  • It strips the true God of power in the minds of His people and gives it to an image crafted by mankind, powered by the lying spirit of Satan.
  • The image blocks people from knowing the true God, thus worshipping a false image.
  • It’s a doctrine of fear, not of love. The goodness of God leads to repentance.
  • It proliferates the spirit of judgment of ourselves and others instead of abundant grace and forgiveness.
  • The list goes on and on …

Seek God’s understanding in this topic. I know some will question my words. Bring your questions to God; don’t shut your ears or harden your hearts to His voice and the amazing love that He has to give you.


by 4 Comments

Making Cookies & Worship of Our Work

Making Cookies & Worship of Our Work

Don’t let the picture fool you, this is a VERY IMPORTANT truth to understand.

 

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

There is a saying around our house when we think we are doing anything to “help God out” that reminds us it’s all Him and nothing of us; we’re just making cookies. Anything “good” or “useful” we do for God is Him working in and through us and not us at all.

As a young girl, I loved helping my mom bake cookies; especially my much needed role as taster <smiles>. In my young mind, I believed I was a much greater help than I actually was. It was ALL my mom’s doing. Yet, my mom graciously allowed me to delight in the fun of baking with her. She gave me little tasks to do like stirring the ingredients together, which she always gave a few extra swirls. Yet to me, I was making some of the best cookies in the world!

She encouraged me in “helping” her because it was a wonderful bonding time for the both of us. She wanted me to “help”, but it wasn’t for my amazing assistance but because she loved me and took pleasure in making them together and seeing my joy in playing a part.

We are like the child who is helping their mom make cookies. We don’t do anything of good on our own; it’s all God. He lets us take part because it’s a delight to Him and us. We are able to do what we do because He is governing, directing and performing all things for us. We can’t throw God off; we won’t mess up His plans; and He works out all perfectly. In every action and word, as His offspring we can trust He is faithful in directing and using us according to His ways, which are not our ways.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Establishing our own Righteousness 

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

“Making Cookies” serves to remind us, we are not to be crafting our own righteousness, because we can’t. A twisted truth derived from the religious community is how we serve God. We want to be serving, working and doing for God because deep down it makes us feel like a better person; which is establishing our own righteousness. Instead of wholly relying on the righteous of God to fill and govern our lives, we are relying on ourselves.

Worshipping the Work of Our Hands

Isaiah 2:8 Their land is also full of idols; They worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made

This mentality leads to worshipping the work of our hands. It’s looking to our ability; as in to provide, protect, heal, redeem, teach, and fix situations; the essence of self-reliance, self-sufficient, being in control and independence. Matthew 7:22-23, Proverbs 14:16

Our Part: Abide

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

God is spirit. We are flesh and spirit. To experience God in the flesh, we have to allow our spirits to be united, influenced and governed by Him. When we do, His nature manifests in our lives in the forms of peace, rest, power, joy, blessing, and righteous love.

Our part is to abide in unity with God. In fellowship with God that leads to unity, we are listening, obeying and gaining trust to relinquish all control to God’s ways and work. As our self-will steps aside, He runs our souls and lives. We cease to judge and work and He governs.  If I didn’t bake cookies with my mom, then I wouldn’t have taken part in that bonding time with her or the fruit of our interaction, yummy cookies. God moves through us. But any goodness or good works are of Him, not us. Big difference. Are you getting it?

Rest is Power

Psalm 57:2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.

Being attached to the vine and God moving through us as He wills is central to abiding in His rest. Hebrews 4:9-11 At rest, our self-will is nullified, and God’s will is ruling. We cease from our works and God works. In this rest, the power of God flows.

You see the true power of God, when you stop efforting and let Him work. To be governed (also used by) by God is to let go of all control, and let God determine each step; steps often counter to what you, religion, or the world would dictate. It’s letting go of all images of who and what you should be doing, and let God direct you daily. It’s following His still small voice, daily. Your life is His venue to work as He wills in you and others. In this our lives become a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 In this state, we lack the awareness of what our left hand is doing from the right. Becuase its not us, but God.

Matthew 6:3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

This framework removes self-righteousness, because you aren’t doing anything but obeying His voice. It removes fears that you aren’t doing enough or did or said the wrong thing. In this truth, our hearts overflow with peace, praise and joy. So delight in making cookies and don’t make any more of it.


by 13 Comments

The Kingdom Come

The Kingdom Come

You are profoundly loved by God. You are cherished by Him, for you are His creation. He desires for you to know Him, intimately. He is waiting for you to daily come to Him in truth and spirit, which is a teachable heart to know Him as He is beyond the worldly and religious images and for your spirit to be deeply acquainted with His. No person can give you God. You have to find that unity with Him yourself.

Kingdom Being Established

God has been largely misrepresented and misunderstood in this world of lies, but the time is upon us that all will know Him as He is for His Kingdom of Righteous is being established upon this earth. His Kingdom is of righteous love. All who are a part of it are a part of God thus governed by Him and living in and by His righteous love. Where there is righteousness there is no sin, thus no death, thus eternal life. Life is at the door, now is the time to open it. Revelation 3:20 Now is the time for the power of Christ to be revealed in this earth.

When you come to God and begin to learn of Him from Him, you will learn of His love for you. He gives you the desire and power to walk in His ways of righteousness for that is what it means to be a part of Him.  As you spend time each day as you would with a friend over a cup of coffee, your life will begin to manifest His presence. It’s not about religion or religious activities. Knowing God is abiding in your life as you are uniquely created grounded in rest, peace, joy, contentment and righteous love.

Hope Fulfilled

Up to this point in time, people have lived with the hope of this life in the Kingdom of God. The hope in itself is powerful, one to change lives and two because of the Holy Spirit given as a guarantee of the time to come. 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 BUT NOW as God’s power flows to set up His Kingdom in this earth, there will be a significant transformation in people as they are consumed with His righteous love, rest and peace. The transformation comes by grace as we seek His face. God’s grace is being poured out, step into that grace and you will step into His power leading to a new life in His Kingdom.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Evidence of the Kingdom: Rest

The evidence of God’s Kingdom manifesting on in this earth is a Holy Sabbath reigning in people’s lives. The Sabbath is a place of eternal rest inside and out because God is living through you. It’s being at rest from all your own efforts (no self-will) as God’s power governs each step. Hebrews 4:10 In rest, you trust in His love in every situation, thus are without fear. 1 John 4:18 In rest, peace is ruling in your heart, because where there is nothing that causes angst there is peace. Colossians 3:15 In rest, His power is manifested. This depth of rest is evidence of His Kingdom; a Kingdom that starts as a mustard seed in this earth and in your heart. Matthew 13: 31-32 The transformation will be a testimony that you are in truth and will compel others to step into God’s grace as well.

As you abide with God, the gospel (truth) of peace will be established within you by His hand. Hebrews 8:10-11 He will write His truths upon your heart, truths about how to live this life that will manifest His presence and thus all that you deeply desire. For it’s God’s will to give you the desires of your heart; desires void of corruption. As this gospel of peace is established in the souls of mankind, His Kingdom will spread to fill this earth purging the darkness of sin and the death it creates.

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Conquering of Death

The world consists of truth and lies. Truth is the thoughts, actions and ways that bring all that is of life (love, joy, peace, rest, satisfaction). Lies are the thoughts, actions and ways that bring all that is of death (pain, suffering, stress, fear, angst, death). At the breath of His mouth, God will set up His Kingdom. Isaiah 11:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 His Word of truth will take root in the hearts of mankind as never before, as now is the time for His Kingdom to become a reality and no longer just a hope. As truth starts to spring forth from the fountain of life, it will defeat the lies thus the consequences of them; error/sin leading to death.

Death has been conquered; thus the Father of lies, the source of lies, has been conquered. John 8:44 Now we will see the manifestation of that victory.  As a result, wicked works will be destroyed. Wickedness and evil will implode upon themselves and righteousness will conquer and reign. Proverbs 12:7 Through it all, God’s grace and mercy will abound.

God’s power makes streams in the desert and makes the wilderness bloom. This Kingdom will be established by His power not ours. It will be established by us abiding in rest and God flowing through us. Though some will cling to their ways, the growing rest in the lives of others and the growing angst in their own as the sin implodes upon itself, will lead them to the point of turning to God. 1 Corinthians 3:13 When you see Him (peace, rest, joy, love), it becomes much easier to believe. But blessed are those who believe when they didn’t see. John 20:29

Step into the Kingdom by plugging into the source of life. The gates have been opened for God’s living waters to flood this earth, and they are flowing your way.


by 11 Comments

A Slave or A Child

A Slave or A Child

 

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Free will – freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention

What is it to be free? What kind of freedom do you really want?

Every belief, thought, decision and action we take is influenced by many sources; our experiences, past, lies, truth, friends, culture, traditions, manipulation, media, family, teachers, knowledge or lack of. Making a free will decision isn’t realistic, many things influence us. When you boil it down, what influences us are either based on lies or the truth. Lies and truth make up our beliefs. And, we are governed by our beliefs, meaning we serve them. In other words, we are a slave to them. Thus we are either a slave to lies or to truth. Though the word “slave” has negative connotations, being a slave to what is truly good is a good thing.

In this life we have two options; we can serve the truth, God, or we can serve lies, anything that opposes God’s ways. We can be a slave to righteousness or a slave to unrighteousness/sin. This is the only real choice we have.

1 John 5:9 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Which will you serve?

The answer seems straight forward … truth. But it’s not that easy because the very nature of a lie is that you think it’s truth. If you believe it’s truth, you don’t question it, but continue to act according to it until it’s revealed for what it is. When we live according to lies, our lives produce what we don’t desire; sickness, poverty, lack, suffering, pain, anger, bitterness, envy, oppression, hardship, and afflictions.  Aren’t these elements of death what we really want to be free from?

Slave to Righteousness

Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

If you chose truth, then you will seek truth from the one who is truth, God. Only in seeking truth are the lies revealed for what they are. By seeking God, we see the lies for what they are and chose to believe His ways, which we learn are of peace, joy, fulfillment and love. In chosing His ways and will, we chose to believe in His words over another’s in every situation and our actions follow. James 2:20 In choosing God, we give up our ways and the ways of the world, and embrace His full governance over our lives as He deems good, because we’ve learned only He is truly good.

Because of God’s love for us, though we are heeding all His ways and thus a slave to righteousness for He is righteous, abiding in His truth is more of being a child than a slave.

God is perfect in righteous love. Therefore everything He does is for our very best and will truly satisfy us. God is the perfect Father; as it’s His will to provide, protect, care, help, nurture, comfort, lead, guide and love us. Luke 12:32 Imagine being under the care of the perfect father who had every resource at His finger tips? Being a recipient of this love is what it is to be God’s child.

As His child, you are not only governed by His perfect righteous love, but you are a part of Him. Therefore, your desires become His desires. Thus, He gives you the desires of your heart because they are His for you as well. Psalm 37:4 Like a child, 1. you abide in complete rest as God cares for all that concerns you and 2. you follow your desires. To abide in rest and live by your desires is what it means to be a slave to righteousness. Incredible truths.

The core lie that keeps people from seeking truth from God is that He’ll make our lives less somehow. That we’ll miss out. That He’ll leave us and we’ll be worse off than before. But these are all lies that keep us from obtaining the abundant peaceful and restful lives we desire.

In this choice, we are far more than a slave, because we become a part of God. (Led By Spirit of God)

Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Slave to Unrighteousness

Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

In not choosing God, so we don’t seek Truth from God, we default to being a slave to unrighteousness and the elements of death, for God is life and anything counter is death. We become slaves to lies by believing them to be truth. By believing and thus acting on those lies, we manifest a life of things we don’t want; pain, suffering, fear, hardships and so on.  We may “conquer” one issue, but the underlining belief hasn’t changed so it’s redirected and manifests in another way. We are left feeling trapped, overwhelmed, discouraged, oppressed, discontented, and wanting more.

When we serve unrighteousness, our decisions are based on the world’s messaging. We’re directed by the conglomeration of external influences, whichever messages are impressed upon us the strongest. Lies are lies. Though they take on many faces the results are the same; a spirit lacking in truth, righteous love and peace. We trust what we know, and we make choices on what we know. There is no free will, just decisions manifesting pain.

Two paths, two very different results … which will you serve?

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.


by 5 Comments

Led By the Spirit of God

Led By the Spirit of God

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Last week, I discussed the Path of Salvation and how it’s not only knowing and believing in God, but becoming a part of God. God is life. When we are a part of Him, we have eternal life. Becoming a part of God involves seeking, hearing, and obeying for to be a part of Him is to become as He is. 1 John 3:2 This journey is working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12-13

Working out our salvation is walking the narrow way of truth. Matthew 7:13-14 It’s learning from God, then obeying as we are taught. When our thoughts, will, and desires are one with God, we are His sons and daughters because we are a part of Him. We reflect His nature, as a true son or daughter would. We mirror the result of His ways; His holiness, love, truth, mercy, compassion, and righteousness. If we are truly fellowshipping with God, we will see these characteristics expanding in our lives, as light expands to fill the darkness.

To be led by God means we are no longer led by our self will. It means learning God’s ways, then acting according to His ways and no longer our own. It means setting aside our judgments and letting Him judge. It means letting Him rule our lives. It means abiding in rest as God moves through us. It means seeking and listening; for how else will we know His will to live it?

This turning from our ways to follow His ways is repentance. Repentance occurs when we learn that God’s ways are better, thus they become our desire and passion. For example, God tells us to honor all people. 1 Peter 2:17 To each one of us, He will specifically direct us to what that looks like. He will teach us through our circumstances and in accordance with the Bible. As we listen and obey to His specific counsel to us, we experience the positive effects of walking in God’s truth. We each learn first hand His ways are far superior and in response our souls start to long for His precepts as we see the perfection and righteous love they possess. Psalm 63:1

John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Obedience, the core of repentance, is born out of love. His words are righteous love, thus as we know His words, we desire to walk in them. In repentance, our core passion changes from following self to following God, thus we have a love for the truth of God and our lives reflect that love.

It’s essential to understand the power of God as THE Teacher in our lives and the necessity for us to TRUST Him to be. Matthew 23:8 As we fellowship with God each day, He transforms us so that we are crafted in His truth. 2 Corin 5:17 This doesn’t happen when we listen to others talk about Him. In learning from God, we aren’t simply gaining knowledge of His ways; He transforms us by the power of His spirit moving in us as we commune with Him. This power is how we are able to walk as He leads. The power is available to us through His abundant grace. 2 Corin 9:8 Without His power working in us we couldn’t walk as He commands. Therefore, His commands aren’t burdensome. We desire them and live them by His power.

1 John 5:.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

As God teaches us, He transforms us, which enables us to walk as He leads. Ephesians 1:19

Through this process of seeking, listening and obeying, our lives start to manifest the qualities of God (His holiness, righteous love, peace, rest, power) because we are becoming a part of Him. As the kingdom of heaven matures within us, we experience abundant life. John 10:10 If we aren’t experiencing increasing abundant life, we are following the wrong shepherd.

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Each of us has to walk our own narrow path. No one can do it for us. We each have to be taught, led and shepherded by God for those are the ones who become a part of Christ, the Word. John 6:45 Those are the ones who lay down their self will and ways and are transformed by the Truth. This is the path of salvation, thus eternal life, because it leads to a point of desiring to be completely consumed by God, who is life.

This narrow way of seeking, listening and obeying to a point of holy rest where God governs all is why many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 Most are governed by mankind’s doctrines, thoughts, opinions and ways and not God’s. Only God’s ways lead to eternal life. His words in accordance with His power purify us to a point of becoming one with Him. What Christ did was beyond powerful. He gave us the ability to possess the spirit of God that we might live in truth because His perfection can abide within us.

1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


by 10 Comments

The Ultimate Choice: Choose Life

The Ultimate Choice: Choose Life

Would you rather be operating by God’s mind or by your own? God is giving you the choice.

The Choice

Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

The pilgrimage through this earth comes down to a singular decision. Will you choose to be TOTALLY governed by God or self? What you choose depends on the life you will have; the first manifests true life and the second death. It’s one or the other because God is life and anything contrary is death. Most people unknowingly choose death because of the lie that has kept people from God; that life fully governed by God is less than what they can give themselves. When in reality, the only things you miss out on are the things of death.

The life we desire; peace, joy, righteous love, truth, rest, contentment, and blessing, comes when our souls are united to God’s Spirit so that His spirit operates our being in every way. This life is manifested when our self-will is literally dead, silenced, and God’s Spirit takes the reigns. Galatians 2:20  

The ultimate blessing is to be completely directed by God so that our every desire, thought and word is of Him, by Him and through Him; a place where we are fully governed by the Spirit of God and nothing of our self-will. Lamentations 3:24 In this state abundant life is manifested in us and in our lives.

Isaiah 58:13 If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,

The eternal Sabbath is being at complete rest, so that you are totally powered by God’s spirit. When you are governed by Him, you are at rest because it’s all Him and nothing of you. John 15:5  In rest, you do nothing of yourself. You give up all your ways, pleasures and words to God and He drives your life. If you aren’t working, efforting, striving or exerting your will, then His will can prevail. You cultivate no trust or confidence in anything of this flesh existence. The exterior life is nothing but the shell that is powered by God. In this state, you are a complete slave to God and His righteousness and know no other greater delight, for He is life. Acts 17:28

Romans 6:18   And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Imagine if ALL you did was directed by God who knows everything … the outcome and ripple effect of every action?  All you do would be done in truth and righteous love. Imagine how your life would blossom into all it was meant to be. This is what Christ came to create, God’s spirit abiding within souls of mankind, Immanuel.

How to silence your self-will?

What is the path to make this choice; to be completely governed by God?

  1. SEEK God in TRUTH and SPIRIT. You need to know the difference of your self-will and God’s will and the extent of its control in your life. If you don’t seek truth FROM GOD, you can’t make this decision because you don’t have the knowledge of what the decision entails. You can’t choose what you don’t know. How can you know without diligently seeking daily and above all else?

Jeremiah 7:13 And now, because you have done all these works,” says the LORD, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer

  1. BUILD a relationship with God so you can TRUST Him. To honestly let go of all, you have to trust God and nothing of yourself. How can you trust without an intimate relationship?
  2. ACT on His instruction specifically to you. As you act according to God’s counsel and witness His faithfulness, you come to a point of forsaking all to be completely governed by Him – then the choice is the result. How can you act if you aren’t listening to Him?

In our limited awareness, we have no idea the outcome of what we do. If we hold onto our own judgments about what is good (essence of religions), we’ll make errors (sin) leading to pain and suffering in our lives and others. No matter how good our intentions, we don’t know the beginning and the end. Thus, anything done of ourselves, no matter if we judge it good or not, is sin. Sin equates to death. Therefore, we need to be at rest and letting God flow through us as He wills which is accomplished by forsaking every aspect of our self-will and letting His will rule. John 5:30

Seeking God and His truth with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, abiding in rest, and experiencing the fruit of His Spirit testify that we have chosen His will over ours; a life we can start experiencing now. When we come to this point, we are ruled by God’s Spirit thus walk in His commandments, because He is living through us and His righteousness taking us over.

More Discussion on this Topic


by 51 Comments

Don’t Forsake the Assembling of Yourselves

Don’t Forsake the Assembling of Yourselves

Any important video on the meaning of Hebrews 10:22-26 … and not forsaking the assembling of ourselves .. in otherwords, getting ourselves together for the coming Bridegroom.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling;


by 12 Comments

Increasing Faith through “Buying & Selling”

Increasing Faith through “Buying & Selling”

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

A middle aged man wakes each morning scanning the Wall Street Journal while he enjoys his caffeine charge. On the train to work, he pours over his latest business magazine, one of many, soaking in the new trends seeking to be the best leader he can be. He’s proficient in implementing what he has learned and is seeing some results; though not enough for the advancement he wants, so he pushes on. After putting in extra hours at the office in hopes to earn a promotion (adding to his responsibility, time at the office, and stress) he heads home and gives the leftover energy and time to his family. He works hard and makes extensive sacrifices for the sake of his family. The next day the hamster wheel begins again. As the years close upon him, he battles between pushing harder and growing apathy as the youthful competition is at his heels. On the weekend, he goes to a conference in his industry in hopes of gaining insight on how to obtain his goals; the ultimate goal being to rest, enjoy his accomplishments and relax. But for now, the sacrifices must be made; it’s just the way it is, or is it?

Another middle aged man wakes each morning and spends time in communion with God as he enjoys his cup of steaming coffee with cream and sugar. He seeks for wisdom and prays for his employees. He receives specific counsel and instruction on pending business issues. He heads out to the office enjoying a relaxing drive after rush hour. He handles problems with astuteness, formulates creative business solutions with ease and proficiency. Because he trusts that God is in control and the provider, an atmosphere of joy, true care for the employees, and rest permeates the office. After a productive day, he heads home at 4PM before the traffic and enjoys an engaging evening with his family. On the weekend, he enjoys doing what he wants and continuing to abide in peace and rest.

Faith is acting on a concept or idea because we believe it will fulfill a hope. One man had faith in the wisdom of “successful” business practices of his effort, the other in God’s wisdom and His work.

Faith is increased in an idea by “buying and selling”.  This exchange is how we manifest “our truth”.

We “buy and sell” when we learn a concept, then mix our belief with it (faith), then act on it and see the results thus gaining more faith than we started with (selling). The process continues, back and forth. One man learned a business concept (put in more hours at the office), believed it would help him reach his goals, and acted on it.  If you receive (buy) the concept that working 12 hours a day will advance you in your career, then you mix your belief with that concept, and act on it and see results and continue in that direction, you are “buying and selling” that concept.  When you see some results, your faith grows that you are on the right path even though your end goal hasn’t been accomplished. Thus, your faith is established and increased in that concept.

We can “buy and sell”, or establish faith, with one of two kingdoms, which I mentioned in a previous post. One kingdom and all its ways are of God, and the other is counter to God. Thus, when we are buying from one, we can’t buy from the other.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

When we buy from one kingdom, we sell back to the same kingdom with our actions thus we serve that kingdom because we serve its wisdom and ways.  Which kingdom we have cultivated a relationship with, or “buy and sell” with, is the one we have faith in, thus serve and bear the mark or name of. Revelation 13:17, Deuteronomy 30:19

We glorify and worship with our lives the kingdom we “buy and sell” with. The first man chose the kingdom of worldly wisdom, thus serving its ways and king. 1 John 5:19 John 8:44 The second man chose the kingdom of God’s wisdom, thus serving its ways and King.

In Revelation, Christ Jesus tells us to buy gold refined in the fire from Him. Revelation 3:18  He is instructing us to “buy and sell” faith in Him. Gold is our faith. 1 Peter 1:7  The refinement in the fire is the purifying of that faith that occurs as we continue to “buy and sell” and increase our faith through acting on His ways and truths in our lives.

Here is how it works. We learn a concept from the Holy Spirit. With our current level of faith, we act on that concept; we see the positive results and our faith is increased. As we continue this back and forth exchange, faith in God and His ways grows in our lives and our lives bear the fruit of it:  peace, rest, joy, satisfaction, purpose, and unchanging value.

We “buy and sell” from one of the two kingdoms in all areas of our lives; health, relationships, work, hobbies, purpose, value, etc. Our lives will reflect which kingdom we’ve been fostering faith in and much more as the Day of the Lord dawns.

Which kingdom are you buying and selling with? Are you buying gold, which has been refined in the fire, from Christ? Do you experience the riches from having that precious gold? Or are you a serving the one that will never deliver what you truly seek but manipulates your hope to keep you holding on? Only an investment in the Kingdom of God will return to you what you ultimately seek.

Psalm 57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.


by 5 Comments

See as God Sees & Know Love

See as God Sees & Know Love

Obviously we can’t fully see as God sees, but as we draw near to Him we start to see life more from truth and spirit, thus from God’s perspective. One of the most transcending outlooks is seeing others from a framework of love, God’s love.

Each one of us is a beautiful creation of God. We are precious to Him whether rebelling or walking in His will, thus we should be valued to one another. Certainly God doesn’t like it when we rebel for it creates extensive harm to us and others, and conversely it delights Him for us to walk in truth, but His love is for all. 3 John 1:4 John 3:16 We are cherished children beloved by God no matter the mud (corruption from going our own way) covering us.

Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We are to love others as God loves us. John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” When we see others from a perspective of God’s love, it testifies to His love in us. His love is merciful, forgiving, void of pride, rejoices in truth, unchanging, not self-seeking, pure, patient, thinks no evil, and everlasting. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As we treat others, so we treat Christ, their Creator. As we treat others is how we treat ourselves.

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

In Christ all is forgiven. As we abide in the Truth (discipleship), the corruption or mud is washed away, and God’s magnificent creation starts to shine through. Wherever we are in our “deep cleansing”, God sees past all the corruption to the soul He created to be a reflection of Him. He sees us this way because He has already dealt with the corruption in Christ. Though a very important process, becoming restored in His righteousness is simply a fulfillment of who we already are in Christ. Colossians 2:10 Hebrews 13:21 Phil 1:6

John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Today, pray and seek to know God; to know how He sees you, others and His love for us. It will change you and the world around you. Pray to be able to look past the mud and to the souls loved by God and needing to be free, thus needing to know His love. Seek to be filled with God’s love to give those souls a love of mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and patience. Don’t judge for there is no condemnation in Christ, He paid it all. Romans 8:1 Don’t condemn you or others. And there is no room for pride, for we are all the same, God’s workmanship, just at different stages of becoming truly clean.

By God’s counsel, as you start to see yourself as you are, you become who you were meant to be because the lies fall away. Give others this same gift.

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

Mark 12:30-31 ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”