Human Being vs. Human Doing Part III

Please start at Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I"

As I was saying in Part II, to be an effective Christian as God planned, you MUST spend time talking with your Heavenly Father in prayer...get to know His Son through the Word...let the Holy Spirit move in your life guiding you daily. To be a victorious Christian in your daily walk, you must be armed with the armor of God to defend yourself against the wiles of the enemy.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

If you are not being armed with the armor of God by doing reading and studying of the Word, how do you plan to defend yourself against the enemy? What is your plan of attack? Or are you still being a being still resting doing nothing?

Does any of God's Word seem to indicate that we are to be "resting" while God is doing all of the work? NO! This requires active participation on your part! I challenge you today, to stop being a lazy Christian and get busy getting to know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

O God, how I love You, and thank You that your transforming words are sweeter than honey to my mouth, and life to my bones!

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Human Being vs Human Doing - Part II

Please start at Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I"


In spending time with Jesus in the Word, the Bible becomes more than a mere book, it becomes LIFE...it becomes ALIVE in your heart and in your life in a way that is literally unexplainable...you have to experience it for yourself! Jesus is the Word made flesh...how else would you get to know Jesus intimately unless you made a concerted effort to spend time with Him by reading the Word, getting to know Him?

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

As you start spending time in the Word, the Spirit of God has this lovely way of transforming your thoughts and your heart, causing your spirit to be convicted when you are not behaving properly in the will of God. This Holy conviction in turn brings about willing self correction with the help of the Holy Spirit to different areas of your life that God wants to make more Christ-like.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1, 2

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Timothy 3:16

Now, if you adopt the attitude that "God is in me doing the work" without any "doings" on your part such as reading the Word, spending time in prayer, spending alone time to hear from God, just how do you expect to grow mightily so that you are equipped for the great commission? (I'll expound on that thought later in Part IV or V).

The Apostle Paul says that we are to:

"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2: 12b-13

So it seems that we are continuing to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (in full reverence of the Most Holy God) because He is working in us to fulfill his good purpose for our lives.

To be an effective Christian as God planned, you MUST spend time talking with your Heavenly Father in prayer...get to know His Son through the Word...let the Holy Spirit move in your life guiding you daily. To be a victorious Christian in your daily walk, you must be armed with the armor of God to defend yourself against the wiles of the enemy.

Please continue on to Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part III"

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Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part I

I will preface this by stating that some of you are going to be offended. I am sorry about that, but the truth of the Lord shall prevail. Please read, and be willing to let God guide you in taking action for change.

I am sick and tired of hearing the lame excuse that "Jesus did all the work, and now all I have to do is rest in Him" "God created the earth, then He rested" "We're human beings, not human doings"...I heard someone one say that again recently, and all I could do was walk away, because I knew I would lose their friendship over our clear disagreement in bible doctrine. But I will not walk away again. The truth of God is the truth, and I will not hold back ever again.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22

Yes, God did create the earth, then He rested...but He did not rest forever! He has been intimately involved in our daily lives from day one! Start reading from Genesis through Revelation to see for yourself!

By God's design, Jesus did do the work on the cross that created the way for us to have redemption for our sins, healing for our bodies, victory over the enemy, and the gift of eternal life.... these same people think that all they have to do is accept Christ, and that is it...they have no more responsibility for their spiritual growth and maturity in Christ!

That doctrine seems to mean that you can do anything that is considered un-Christian-like or ungodly, (risking losing others to the faith who are watching you) but have the lame excuse of "I am a human being, not a human doing...God is doing the work in me!"
My goodness, dear ones how you are being robbed of a rich and deep relationship with Christ! The enemy is blinding you terribly!

Granted:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5:17

So in their defense, no, you are not obligated to do anything else, but in your thankfulness as a new creature in Christ, why wouldn't you? In any relationship on earth with mere people, don't you get to know the folks involved by talking with them? By spending time with them? In spending time with them, you learn all about them, to the point where you develop an intimate knowledge of what makes that person tick. Why would you not desire that same type of intimate relationship with the God who created you? The Jesus who saved you from your selfish self? The Holy Spirit who made you into a new creature?

Please continue on to Human Being vs. Human Doing - Part II"

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My Heart Overflows With JOY!

My heart overflows for You Lord...

I thank You for Your presence,

Your inhabitation, Your love,

Your grace, Your mercy, Your

Wonderful, Holy Spirit that resides in me,

and fills me...

Thank You for continuously changing me

to be more like You...

Purge me, dwell in me, burn in me...

empower me to share Your love with others...

Let the enthusiasm that You've given me

for You, (like fire shut up in my bones),

run over with contagion to others...

Freeing them of their inhibitions...setting them free

to truly worship You for who You are!

For there is NO ONE else like You,

for You ARE GREAT, You are MORE than

worthy to be praised...

I love You, Lord...Halleluyah!

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Beware of the 'O' Factor

In this video clip from The Oprah Show, you can see Oprah ask "What about Jesus?" and other anti-believer statements. It takes one's breath away when you consider her vast sphere of influence.

Beware of the 'O' Factor
By Andrea D. Hedlund
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com – Oprah, perhaps the most influential woman in the world today, has undeniably left a stamp on modern culture. Her talk show has been number one for 21 consecutive years. She is the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. We love Oprah’s big giveaways and flock to the bookstore to pick up the latest selection for her book club, which has approximately 1 million members. An endorsement by Oprah is golden. Her show has thrust the likes of Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray into mainstream America.

I have never been a devoted viewer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, but I always seem to catch some of her most memorable TV moments. Who can forget the infamous day Tom Cruise proclaimed his infinite love for Katie Holmes by jumping up and down on Oprah’s couch?

I remember how Oprah gushed over Barack Obama during an interview with him on her show before he rose from his obscurity to emerge as the charismatic figure of "change" for our country. It wasn't surprising to me when she stepped out and publicly endorsed him.

Like it or not, Oprah has great influence on our society today, and with that power comes responsibility. But a huge question remains: is her personal spiritual agenda leading the masses astray?

According to some CBN.com viewers and author Carrington Steele of Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid: Oprah, Obama, and the Occult, the answer is yes. The deeper Oprah delves into new age philosophies, the more dangerous she becomes. This doesn’t mean these skeptics are Oprah-bashers or think she is a “horrible” person. Instead, there is a genuine concern for the state of her soul, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”(Matthew 16:26).

Stop Embracing the Church of Oprah

Oprah came from humble beginnings, overcame many obstacles, and has sought to be a positive voice in the world. She encourages us and is like a loyal childhood friend.

Like a chameleon, we have also watched her spiritual colors shift over the years. Raised in a black Baptist church in Mississippi, she rebelled against the establishment after being sexually abused by her own relatives. Later, she repented and returned to her spiritual roots. At one point she was linked to Obama’s former (controversial) place of worship, Trinity United Church. More recently, a 2005 Washington Post article called Oprah’s popularity the “Church of Oprah,” or the church of possibility. Self-help and self-awareness became her faith of choice.

Every so often while watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, do you get that feeling in your gut, “the spirit of discernment,” that urges you to flip the channel? If so, you may not be the only one.

Steele writes that she first had that feeling about 10 years ago. She wrote, “Oprah was interviewing a guest named Gary Zukav, author of the book, The Seat of the Soul. I decided after hearing some of the conversation, that since it didn’t seem to correspond with my Christian beliefs, I would just not watch that day.”

But how many unsuspecting Americans don’t change the channel? What happens when the Holy Spirit whispers to Christians and we don’t listen? Are we contributing to the demise of our society?

“My comfortable, familiar routine was now the source of something that is on the brink of changing America. It has slithered into our homes and we are not even aware of it, in fact…we’re embracing it,” Steele admits in Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid.

Search Oprah on GodTube or YouTube to watch video clips from her show where she openly states “there are many diverse paths leading to what you call God.” She argues with several audience members who say Jesus is the only path to God. Christians understand that worldly success doesn’t equate with true victory, nor will good works earn us a spot in Heaven. We know Jesus is the ONLY way (John 14:6).

We should be alarmed by Oprah’s increasing hostility toward the truth of the Gospel and recent embrace of New Age philosophies like Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth and “The Secret.”

“Oprah has developed an open philosophy for learning and delving into spiritual matters,” Steele writes. “It appears on the way to her quest to find the answers, her ‘truths’ have come from a variety of sources that complement each other because they ultimately come from one source; the deceiver, Satan.”

New Age Philosophies Exposed

In Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid, Steele offers a quick overview of some of the pervading philosophies presented by Oprah to her audience. These supposedly "new" ideas are really just old schemes of the devil wrapped in pretty packaging. New agers recycle the same idea that every man is a son of God, man can be like God, and that we are the source of our salvation.

Most recently, and arguably most lethal, Oprah launched a virtual classroom to promote and encourage Tolle’s A New Earth, which is a selection for her book club. Ten million-plus students met online once a week for 10 lessons earlier this year and became “awakened,” or mind trained by Tolle and Oprah. This interactive teaching is still available on Oprah.com.

Basically, Tolle teaches:

* A glimpse will initiate awakening, which is irreversible.
* We are the light.
* Sin means missing the point of exit.
* We have a choice: evolve or die.
* Heaven is not a location but an inner realm of consciousness.
* The source of all energy is within you.
* Jesus is an archetypal figure. He is every man and woman.

Of Tolle’s A New Earth, Oprah says, “Being able to share this material with you is a gift and a part of the fulfillment of my life’s purpose.”

Unbelievable! Did you know Oprah’s name was supposed to be Orpah, a biblical name meaning “stiff-necked” and “turning back?”

We must step in and intercede for Oprah and others of the new age philosophy and pray that their eyes and ears would see and hear the Gospel and no longer be deceived (2 Timothy 4:3, Mark 13: 5, Romans 12:2).

Pray specifically for those who practice new age beliefs, such as:

* Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret who believes we think things into existence.
* Eric Butterworth, author of Discover The Power Within You, who says we are each God and sin is “self-inflicted nonsense.”
* Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of The Soul, who considers Jesus the most evolved of our species and mixes Hinduism with everyday beliefs.
* Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love, who says we are all sons of God, it is our destiny to be as Jesus, my holiness is my salvation, my salvation comes from me, and there is no sin.

We cannot allow false prophets and those with great power to lead us astray any longer (1 John 4:1). Let’s pray for our broken nation to once again stand on the rock of true salvation.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Meet Him today.

Comments? Email Andrea D. Hedlund, the author of this article.

You are free to comment here on this blog also.

Yes, you can....

This is a true story about Dick and Rick Hoyt, who together comprise 'Team Hoyt'.

The son asked his father Dick, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?'. The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together.

Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.

For those who don't know, the Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island Father and son went on to complete the race together.

View them together in the Ironman race below. This is an incredible video about the relationship between a father and son.... and if you think about it; God's incredible relationship with us.

This goes a long way to prove that, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENETH ME!"

Yes, you can....Halleluyah!

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The beautiful song playing in the background of the video is 'Redeemer' by Nicole C. Mullen. Thanks Lucy, for sending this moving story our way to be shared with countless others !

Do you REALLY Love Me?

Think back to when you met that special person that you just knew would be 'the one.'
Remember when you realized and admitted to yourself that you really loved him/her.

Now remember how much you wanted to act like you were in a movie, and proclaim out loud to everyone in the football stadium 'I love (his/her name here)!'

You told all your family and friends how perfect he/she was; he/she was just what you were looking for.

Well, I told THE LORD that I loved Him today.

And He said to me, “How MUCH do you love Me?
You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you.
You haven't shared how perfect My love with anyone.
You haven't spread the Good News in your circle of influence.”

“You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or even how you knew it was Me who got you a better job…”

“You haven't shared with anyone how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but also would have cost you that man/woman whom you felt was the perfect one that you were looking for.”

"So I must ask you again, HOW MUCH do you REALLY LOVE ME ?"

So I told Him for starters, that I would share with my family friends just how wonderful, perfect, merciful, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and I know God to be.

He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in.

But even more than that, He has saved me from destruction I couldn't even see coming...and gave me the gift of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ.

He gave to me the peace of knowing Him, the surety of my future, and the assurance that He will never break a promise, for He is not a man that He should lie.

Truly He is the BEST thing that ever has, and EVER will happen to me!

And I stand in my stadium today (this blog) to tell to you all,

“I LOVE THE LORD!”

BE BLESSED and PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

This was written by an Unknown Author, but I took the liberty of making some amendments.

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Zion is Calling Me (and You!)

Zion is Calling Me by Clint Brown

"Zion is calling me, to a higher place of praise, To stand upon the mountain, and magnify His name To tell all the people and every nation that He reigns, Zion is calling me to a higher place of praise."

Just so you know, my blogs are extremely soul baring for me...yet I am expressing my core essence to you in hopes to encourage you to in turn share some of your own experiences with God with others. Your relationship with God is personal yes, but it does not have to be the world's best kept secret! With people being proud to "come out" and everything else going on these days, it sure seems that anything pertaining to God and the wonderful news of the gospel, is worthy of discussion.

Have you ever stopped to consider the wonderful aspect of belonging to a God who actually desires a relationship with us? In all of His Supremacy, Omnipotence, Purity, Holiness, the mere thought that He loves us so much that not only would He provide a way for our salvation and bridge the gap between us and our sin, but that He actually wants to be a part of our everyday lives! I know this to be factual based on the Word, and my own experiences, but the mere thought of this still gives me goosebumps in wonderment at times.

"It becomes my highest praise, When all that I am, responds to who You are"

We sang this particular song two Sundays ago in church, but this past Sunday, as I was singing praises thinking of His wonderfulness, this experience mentioned here in the lyrics again became alive in me! In the midst of praising Him, forgetting about myself and others, it feels like my soul somehow connects to God! It is really unexplainable...words cannot express it, but it is a phenomena actually occurs when you are focused solely on Him!

"It becomes my highest praise, Just to know You Lord."

I am continuously bowed over by His grace and love that He has for me that He would make a Holy provision to allow me to get closer to Him day by day....

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John:14:18

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