This book, the Bible, means more to me than I could ever explain.
It contains words of LIFE. That sounds cliche, but it is true.
Satan had beaten me down and taken away any confidence or sense of normalcy I had known. I had to rebuild who I was by who GOD said I was in His Word.
Are you in that place? Do you feel like your foundation has crumbled? If so, build your spiritual, mental, and emotional house on the truth contained within the pages of the Bible.
John Paul Jackson (Streams Ministries International) reminded me of something yesterday. He stated: Fasting removes the scales from the eyes and the wax from the ears. It allows us to hear what God is saying.
Jesus expects us to fast.
Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I guess because our earthly flesh is still from the seed of Adam, it is always at odds against the Spirit of God that lives within us. It is imperative that we crucify this flesh!
I was just chatting with a friend (hi Pam) about my flesh feeling out of control where food is concerned. It is like an all or nothing type of thing. If I allow myself to eat preprocessed foods — the race is ON! CRAZY! Our flesh wants what it wants and it wants it when it wants it! Mine is no exception to the rule.
Our senses are HEIGHTENED when we fast. A cracker can suddenly look like a 3 course meal to our flesh. The smell, the texture, the salt. Our mouths water over a rice cake if we have denied the continuous demands/screams of the pleasure it beseeches from us.
It isn’t just that way with food, but with whatever vice our flesh demands. Some deal with pornography, alcohol, lust, tobacco … whatever. Our flesh wants what it wants!
The good news is, breakthrough does come through fasting and I needed that reminder. The more we deny the flesh – the more control we have over it.
I am reminded of the days when the demons would whisper into my ears about panic attacks. I didn’t realize what I was up against and I didn’t resist the voices. I came into agreement about the fear and the game was ON! They had a great time using me as a victim of their lies. But the game stopped once I read the Bible and realized who my battle was against.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
As I RESISTED, he began to flee.
As we resist the voice of our flesh, it will quiet down too. And as we fast our SPIRITUAL SENSES are HEIGHTENED.
Even with the voting process … people want want want. Their flesh doesn’t want to hear “NO” when it comes to the desires they have in their hearts. Even if it is absolutely against the words written within the pages of the Bibles they have in their homes. It is more important to people to get what they WANT, no matter what it does to society or to themselves spiritually.
My friend Angie and I were discussing things yesterday and she brought up a great point about LOVE versus tolerance. I told her how many on Facebook began sharing the “love one another,” “blessed are the peace makers,” scriptures and how we are to fall under the authority of leadership. I don’t disagree with any of those. I also agree we should pray for our president, our government, our leaders at every level. But love and tolerance are not the same.
My sister posted this on her FB wall:
My question that I am asking of the Lord is WHAT can I do? How can I take a stand on His Word without being accused of being racist (yes, I was accused of that — even though I disagreed with Bill Clinton’s platform too), close-minded, and someone disturbing peace, etc … ? Seriously, if someone stands up and says, “Wait a minute. Something isn’t right” then they are hushed. I was told America has a new breed rising. Well yes, that lady was right. And Jesus will return when the times are like they were during Sodom and Gomorrah.
So this is what I say to my sister’s photo she posted of Albert Einstein: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink!
It saddens me that God’s Word is just thrown aside — even in the lives of those who say they love Jesus. Certain scriptures are just overlooked. Honestly, I am beating down my flesh today because I don’t even want to go to church with people who would vote for abortion and same-sex marriage. It isn’t that I dislike them, but I am beyond disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, we all need Jesus — ME ESPECIALLY. I am a lost cause without Him and I’m sure I use up a lot of that mercy that is given to me each day. Maybe the fact that I don’t even want to go to church with those who would believe “that stuff isn’t a big deal” means I need a lot of prayer! Maybe something is wrong with ME.
But …
I am looking for answers.
I need for my spiritual senses to be heightened.
Obviously I am not out to win a popularity contest. People HATE for their motives to be questioned. I have yet to have a Christian who voted for abortion or same-sex marriage explain to me how it is right in light of the scriptures. I’m not stupid. I know that the days are only going to become more evil. And I also realize that we all see in part … not in whole. So if I’m missing something, I would certainly like for someone to show me.
Tolerance is not love. And who decided that a difference of opinion (that isn’t politically correct) was hate?
Our pastor said Sunday that he has gay friends and he loves them (pointing that out to destroy the rumor that Christians hate homosexuals). I have gay family members that I love dearly. I think they are awesome people with precious personalities. I have one male cousin in particular that it adorable! I wouldn’t want to hurt him for anything in this world. His partner also seems to be a very nice man, friendly, great personality. I love people. I’m not a hate-filled person. Only those who know me personally can attest to this. But, when it comes to truth versus desire — I have to stand on God’s Word. I love people, but that doesn’t mean I love their choices. It doesn’t mean I say right is wrong and wrong is right.
So here I am … searching and listening.
Thanks for visiting me today.
