What about sickness or pain? March 29

Are we to handle sickness or pain any differently as people of faith, as Becomers?

Yes, we will still hurt like others. Yes, we may not avoid the trials of pain in this world. Yes, we will ache like everyone else. But wait!

Jesus said in Mt. 8:17 he has fulfilled Isaiah 53:4 which says, “he has carried our infirmities and sicknesses.”

There is a path of endurance for the believer. Our partnership with Christ helps us “go beyond” in ways the world does not accept. We build upon faith, trust, endurance given by God himself as a buffer for pain.

There is a huge difference between hurt which offers NO relief and hurt laced with spiritual and eternal hope.

Even when you vomit, Christ holds your hand. Hold on!

What Difference? March 28

 

Some have asked, what difference does it make to have the extra strength of God’s Spirit to help us go beyond our circumstances? For instance, what difference does it make when you are angry?

There is some truth to the idea that our imagination sometimes outranks our ability. But we have a working suggestion in Romans 12: 17-21 and Eph. 4:26. The effort falls within the “conquer evil with good…”

With the generous power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit we can “go beyond” by practicing a new approach to living.

And here it is. . . we have the opportunity to trade for better emotions. Through forgiving yourself and others, the Spirit can help move anger away from fear and into forgiveness.

Another BEYOND March 27

 

    Since we are to seek first the kingdom of God, then this means he will clear the way. Nothing gets zapped for us, necessarily. Sometimes hours must flow.

Yet, struggling through any trial, remains a promise,” …And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Mt.28:20]. Whoa! He is with us always!

    If you feel alone, if loneliness attacks, stop, and say, “I am never alone.” Because we are not. Christ is always there, holding up our shield of faith so we become more like him.

We are to practice His presence because we are still becoming the new kind of people Jehovah intends.

Say: ABBA, FATHER.

What Meaning of Faith? March 26

 

    For the true believer and follower of Jehovah God, one foundational meaning of faith remains; God is answering any prayer. The result may not be what we thought because we do not understand all the connections in the universe that are time linked. But God is always hearing prayer because he is ever present.

So, we look to another beyond measure in Mt. 6:33.

We ask God to clear the way. Give us the right guidance as we try to seek first his established kingdom. He will show the best way through any troubling condition.

Live as if the best is already true.

Today. . . go beyond. March 25

                                      

Because we can now “do all things in Christ” as we look forward instead of backward? [Phil 3:13], what is our beginning energy? Are we left on our own? What quality of life must we exercise?

When crisis comes, Jesus gave a story and example of the kind of energy needed. It jumps at us in Lk. 8:22-25. And the main question is in verse 25.

For those of us who believe, the start of beyondedness gets displayed in this story.

Think about the one word.

A Promise for Becomers March 23

 

Are the Psalms good today? We would say YES.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” [ Ps.34:17-18, NIV]

So, a guide for going beyond. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Mt. 5:4]

 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes…” [Rev. 21:4].

No believer has to be alone through anything, especially those who hurt deeply.

What Next? March 22

 

Since we are true believers in Christ and answered prayer, what challenge comes next?

We are given other scripture and knowledge that we are becoming a new race of people in Christ. “I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” [Philippians 4:13]

Earlier the Apostle had said” …forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” [Phil.3:13]

What is that new race of people? We are growing as BECOMERS. We now possess the Holy Spirit energy to “go beyond.”

In the days ahead, watch for topics to “go beyond.”

Is God Even Hearing? March 21

 

A word from us to God can happen at the same time a word from God to us.

Think about it. We pray into a Divine listening. He hears us because he is already listening BEFORE we pray. How He answers lies buried in our faith.

“Heavenly Father, Lord of all, and son Jesus……”

3rd Step in Answered Prayer March 20

 

The point here is not saying if you just do these steps your prayer will be answered.

I am saying if you take on the principles laid out for us, God WILL hear you.

1)   “Love the Lord with all…” [Lk.10:27]

2)   “Love all as Jesus loved…” [Jn.13:34]

3)   NOW: “If you ask me to do something, I will do it.” [Jn. 14:14]

These are not taken out of context.

They are rather strung together as a growth pattern for any Christian. You see, if you ask after you are doing the first two, God can complete the conversation because His Son stays involved with the asking.

Our challenge/struggle is truly living the first two. We try to skip those and say God must owe us so he should do the third anytime.

 He still hears the prayer, but he waits on our proper growth to fulfill his purpose which is a loving harmony. 50% commitment is not enough but 100% willingness can make a better conversation [ two-way event] with the Almighty.

Continue 3 Stages of Prayer March 18

Remember the first stage was Luke 10:27, “Love the Lord your God…” And we mentioned that could take a lifetime of continual growth.

The second stage follows as Jn. 13:34, Jesus said, “I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.”

This is another lifetime growth pattern because we have to learn love. We can’t just get it like a shot in the arm, one time to cover all infections. There are days when we accomplish Jesus’ love, and then there are times we miss it totally. However, we can get better at it when we allow the Holy Spirit to make the right connections of Grace.

So, to have assurance of answered prayer:

1)Step one we love God with all.

2)Step two we love as Jesus loves.

3)Step three follows as a huge surprise. See later.

Where is the Kingdom of Heaven? March 17

The scripture surprises us in Luke 8:10.

In the Nestle’s Greek Text translation, Jesus says to his followers: “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables.”

What does this mean?

 First, followers of Jesus will understand certain God-truth that non-believers won’t ever get.

Second, he is saying that the kingdom of heaven works within the substance of what is real. [ all around us]

So where is the kingdom? It is more than a place. It is couched in truth and reality, not sham, pretense, or lies that we excuse and now just call “manipulated data.”

What are the mysteries? Truths that the non-believers miss. Truth that will never trick us by confusing data.

Stages for Answered Prayer March 16

 

While we think about growth-progress in God’s Kingdom, there may exist three stages needed to actually realize answered prayer, especially the most difficult prayer requests or at least, giving us some assurance that God is listening. When Jesus said, Jn.14:14 [“If you ask me to do something, I will do it.”]       Why aren’t all prayers answered?

I think there is a growth pattern as we look:

1)   Loving the Lord with all takes a long time and maybe a lifetime, so Lk.10:27.

2)   Seeing what Jesus said may come next. Well… what were the old commandments of growth about love? Love your neighbor, love yourself, love your enemies, now…love all AS Jesus loved. “I’m giving you a new commandment” [Jn.13:34].

3)   So how do we get that love? Does it float around like wind? NO.

Of course, the Holy Spirit has to instill in us the kind of devotion that Jesus has, and it is foundational, and we have to build the house upon love. So, the right praying helps to build the house.

Can we ask Anything if we are not building the house correctly? It is hard to stop a leaky roof if you keep allowing holes in it.

A Thought About Prayer March 15

 

Maybe one of the fulfilments of Col. 3:17 is how we address Jesus in prayer.

Maybe our prayers would give as much dynamic to God as we give emotion to our request if we addressed the part of God concerned. In Christ, God may be one but has many functional names for us to understand.

“Oh bread of life” [John 6:48], thank you for the abundance of food you give.

“Oh God of Light” [Ps.104:2], thank you for a new day! 

Addressing God’s name with that part of your prayer you want answered certainly helps our prayer language.

Heavenly Father may not need the distinction, but we do, so we can grow in our praying language.

What Comes Next? March 13

 

After we practice putting on the whole armor of God, we are more ready to accomplish Lk.10:27 based on Deut. 6:4-5 which Jesus has the lawyer quote, “love the Lord your God with all…”

• All your heart… [every emotion]
• All your soul… [self as decision-maker]
• All your strength… [every physical cell]
• All your mind… [intellect and insight]
• Love neighbor as yourself… [all potential persons]

Every Christian has intentions. But we have to move from intention to invention, finding our personal ways of growth-progress.

Before the really tough prayers become real, we may need to move through the above as a first stage for answered prayer.

        And remember, authentic prayer is not just one-way bargaining, but a two-way conversation with God. Speak-Listen-Do.

Complete Armor of God March 12

 

Does a person have to wear the whole armor to get protection from the Tempter? First see the whole suit of Eph.6:10-19.

• Waist/ Truth
• Breastplate/ right doing
• Shoes/ Holy Spirit peace
• Shield/ Faith
• Helmet/ Salvation
• Sword/ God’s Word
• Prayer/ perseverance

Experiencing only one protection can help a specific temptation. You may not have to wear the whole armor at once to repel a temptation but LOOK at the power if you do.

More growth happens by practicing all each day to partner with the Holy Spirit’s presence.

 

Where to Pray? March 11

 

When Jesus told his followers to go into “your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father…”, [Mt.6:6] ---what did he mean?

Some scholars have interpreted the word room as “closet.” Well, I don’t think Jesus was necessarily being literal. Most of the houses in Jesus’ day were just one room with only a door in and out. No closets.

But an important message is still here and that is no matter how we may hide any personal subject, God still knows it all. We don’t have to say long worded prayers for God to hear us. In fact, most of the time, God often answers us with one word: Yes, No, or Maybe.

Also, an emphasis here may be that Jesus is reminding us that there is a special place to go between you and God that no other can enter. Life thrives on conversation between you and God when you two are alone.

The physical place may not matter, the emotional heart-position does.

Scatter Prayer or Detail Prayer? March 9

 

How do we learn who God really is? How do we stay alert to Creator God?  How do we recall His existence?

In His word [ Eph.6:18-19] we are reminded to offer prayer as an alert effort to remember who God is. When the word talks about praying at all times, it refers to a perseverance toward all people but especially for “all the saints and also for me” continues the writer, Apostle Paul. So perhaps this request is a reminder to pray for all, but especially those who preach, those who speak boldly for Christ in whatever form.

Does God need to be reminded of such praying? Not really. Then why pray?

Maybe through prayer we help make a connection for the Holy Spirit to operate more specifically in our earthly dimension.

Praying is not some magic formula or cake mix. But it may be an evident practice to be a part of the connections we are unaware that God is already doing.

Thank you, Lord, for the connect.

What is the final Arm of Defense? March 8

Since the Bible words and Jesus’s words last forever, as we continue to review His instructions, another powerful protector is displayed to use. We always have prayer [Eph.6:18-19].

Not everyone believes prayer is a weapon, but it is as a protection. One translation says to pray in the Spirit and use every kind of prayer there is, specially make requests for ALL people. Prayer is not a weapon of aggression [Lord, strike em down!] except as aggressive love [Lord, interrupt their stubbornness]. But it is another shield of our faith, given to block the tempter. [Lord, I hold up Christ’s banner for you].

How we pray matters. We need to grow in prayer language, so we appeal to the feature of God with the right name and theme. Too many people go to God and ask like someone goes to a librarian and asks for a hammer.

Some pray: “Oh God, why is all this happening?” Instead: “All merciful Creator, you who own everything, reveal your Grace to us about all creation.”

Words matter.

What is Personal Defense for us? March 7

 

After Jesus came and introduced a new way of a kingdom, one of submission instead of might makes right, are we to fight about anything?

Even the scriptural teaching of “turning the other cheek” concept has in it a kind of defense idea. There is of course a better defense part of the body than your cheek [like a thrown-up elbow for instance] but I think a Christian has some right to defend, especially those that have weaker moments, and ourselves as well.

So, when Eph.6:17 talks about a sword of God to ward off the Tempter, there exists a defense. It is the Word of God, a sword of the Holy Spirit that lasts forever. Jesus is the Word; Jesus is the Sword. And a sword has two edges, it protects us coming and going along our journey.

Our full protection is to know and remember God’s Word.

What protects the Head? March 6

 

Footballers wear helmets. Motorcyclists wear helmets. Soldiers wear helmets. History has shown that day after day, people have tried to protect their heads. Why? Well basically the head houses the computer for the whole body, right? The head houses all comprehensive intelligence. We often think and so we are.

The scripture [Eph. 6:17] declares another significant helmet, a protector helmet of salvation. The Holy Spirit helps us snuggly strap on the divine knowledge of Jehovah God. He is the great I AM who eases into our brain, giving us divine moral intelligence that we can live, that will protect our thinking ability because it gives us a better choice to keep us from moral harm.

So, we have placed on our heads the helmet of salvation, the Good News that Christ, the Son of God will help us think through every challenge, every circumstance, every disappointment, every perception that temptation of evil throws at us.

With the true God as our helmet, nothing can knock it off.

What Instrument Protects? March 5

 

In our automobiles we have wind-shields that protect. We have glass windows in homes that protect us from the elements. We have eyeglasses that shield. We have wrappings that protect food. There are literally all kinds of shielding available.

For the believer, we have a shield of faith. [Eph.6:16]. This shield protects from the fiery darts of evil. We have the Holy Spirit to help us grow faith that can throw up a shield of trust. The shield of faith helps deflect the fiery darts of evil that try to penetrate us daily.

While evil is no longer in control since Jesus came, the tempter still attacks us with evil principles and powers of lust [whether for persons, money, or power in the form of significance]. Evil still wants us to think we can outdo death and become our own gods.

Increased faith helps us throw up a shield of trust to block temptation.

We are never alone. Ask.

Third Piece of Protection March 4

 

We live in a day when we are bombarded with different ideas of what life should be. We are constantly told new things, new places, new diets, new clothes, new ways to worship, new technology can be had to make life more enjoyable. While some of these are not bad, all of a sudden, the scripture tells us to put on a certain kind of shoes. [Eph.6:15].

Of course, the literal shoes we wear are extremely important. We spend immeasurable hours on our feet. But the Bible shoe is a kind of shoe of Good News that brings peace.

The Bible shoes are not literal, but symbolic, reminding us to not allow the worldly stuff to cause us anger. The Good News of Christ in us covers our feet [our coming and going] in such a way that even though we see so much happening in the world that is not Godly, we can rest in peace as we walk in God’s plan with Holy Spirit guide.

Spiritual shoes belong to the believer. When temptation comes, walk in the right shoes.

Second Piece of Armor March 2, 2024

 

After a belt of truth protects a vital part of our body, the scripture mentions a breastplate of righteousness. [Eph.6:14]

Maybe the only equivalent item today would be something like a bullet-proof vest. Of course, we also wear other modern vests for style, but I do not know how much they protect except from the cold.

A vest does cover the upper body. In the days of Breastplates, they served as shields to deflect arrows and sword strikes. They were especially important to deflect unnoticed arrows, sneaky deliverers of death wounds.

In the spiritual realm, a breastplate protection of right doing, which covers the heart and emotions, points to the suggestion that the heart [life blood] of a person needs to put God there to retrain the other 5 senses. While this is happening, the breast-cover helps protect the sneaky attacks of evil, those issues that appear good but disguise evil.

Seen and Unseen Protection March 1

 

Sometimes people wear belts on clothes that show and other times hidden. Typically, so goes God’s truth being present.

But the scripture says to put on the belt of truth regardless. This is the reference of Eph. 6:14. Before putting on the belt, we are to “stand therefore” which indicates taking a stance of truth.

What does this basically mean? Are we to be honest with ourselves and others? Are we to be honest with all people? Are we to be honest with those who do not accept our Biblical values?

Honesty should be the result of living integrity with all circumstances and all people. Honesty includes living the correct moral values of Jehovah God.

We may even have to say to loved ones who do not follow Christ’s teachings, “I am a sinner saved by Grace and I am still learning what it means to be a Christian.”

According to scripture, symbolically, a belt helps to hold a position of right doing, so goes Truth.