Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you?Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? ~~~~~~2 Kings 5:26
Sometimes we take the sky for granted. We do not look up unless it looks like it’s going to rain. When it rains we pay more attention to the wetness of the water-soaked ground or the forgotten laundry in the backyard. We do not look at the sky or the rain. We look at things affected by the wetness. We also think about the inconvenience like the expected traffic jam on our way home after work or after school when all cars slow down due to the slippery roads or due to other more trivial reasons.
We look at our watches. We think about the possible lateness in appointment, the potential missed opportunity of pleasing someone dear or important to us, the probable mishap that might occur due to the delay, pros and cons of profits and losses in terms of resources spent or not-spent due to the delay in the traffic jam etc.
We think of loved ones waiting with disappointments and perhaps anxieties.
We think of the cold dishes we would have to force ourselves to eat when we eventually reach home. We think of the shower we badly need. We think of the bed…
It could be unpleasant to be caught in a traffic jam in heavy rain.
On the other hand there are a few who feel comforted by the rain. They look at the weeping sky. They see things that others do not see. They see an opening of the storehouses of water. Unseen hands unlocking and pouring. Unseen faces smeared with tears. Unseen eyes swollen with crying…with them as they cry in the cars or at the windows somewhere away from home or having none to return to.
There are also a few who like being in the rain. To them, walking in the rain is like taking a nice, cool, long shower. They enjoy the touch of the water droplets on their faces. They love the music of the wind and rain orchestra. They stroll leisurely and unhurriedly. They watch the others stuck in the cars, anxious and bored faces watching them in return. Sometimes they sing and dance along with the raindrops.
The sky is neutral. We put labels on it whenever it suits us. The sky weeps. The sky smiles. The sky is friendly. The sky is hostile. The sky is foreboding. The sky is welcoming…labels.
Today when you happen to be near the sky look up and see what you want to see.
Spiritual explanatory notes for the two latest haiku on the subject of ‘royalty’ and ‘day one’. I am a spiritual blogger and write mostly from spiritual perspectives. The royal color does not refer to the colors we normally see and associate with in the physical world. Race and skins mean nothing in the spiritual. God sees spirits (which we refer to as ‘hearts’). When we are born again in our spirit we become royal -as the children of God. We are who we are not because of our external physical presentations. We are created to bear the image of God (our Father in heaven). Our brief journey on earth is a journey home.
Genesis 1:1 New Life Version (NLV)
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God made from nothing the heavens and the earth.
And have made us kingsandpriests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
John 3:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
For a long time, the traveler travels. He (or she) sees life, tastes life, lives life. Sometimes he mirrors life. Sometimes he evades life. Often he sits around at an invisible corner and watches life.
He likes a story named, Velveteen Rabbit. Here are quotes that impact his young life.
“Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’
‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.
‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’
‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’
‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
Does being real matter? Being hurt. Being worn out. Being very ‘shabby looking’ to those who do not understand the meaning of being real. The traveler once asked (when he was very young and tender).
The traveler traveled for a long time to many foreign lands and sat at the corner of many different events, sights, sounds, colors, purposes, missions, programs, activities, chores, causes, systems, worlds.
And he found that he actually had hind legs! Instead of dingy velveteen he had brown fur, soft and shiny, his ears twitched by themselves, and his whiskers were so long that they brushed the grass.
He gave one leap and the joy of using those hind legs was so great that he went springing about the turf on them, jumping sideways and whirling round as the others did, and he grew so excited that when at last he did stop to look for the Fairy she had gone.
He was a Real Rabbit at last, at home with the other rabbits.
At Last! At Last!
Autumn passed and Winter, and in the Spring, when the days grew warm and sunny, the Boy went out to play in the wood behind the house. And while he was playing, two rabbits crept out from the bracken and peeped at him. One of them was brown all over, but the other had strange markings under his fur, as though long ago he had been spotted, and the spots still showed through. And about his little soft nose and his round black eyes there was something familiar, so that the Boy thought to himself:
“Why, he looks just like my old Bunny that was lost when I had scarlet fever!”
But he never knew that it really was his own Bunny, come back to look at the child who had first helped him to be Real.
~~~~~~~~~~~~(Note from the traveler: The real rabbit is not shabby looking. He is beautiful.)
How To Deal With Grief ? (Click this and visit the original site of audio teaching series by Andrew Wommack)
Quote: “Grief is something that each one of us encounters sooner or later. It cannot be avoided, but it can be dealt with in a positive way. Some of the most influential people in history became better and more compassionate because of the way they dealt with grief; others were thrown into a destructive spiral. This series will help you to come out of grief on the victory side.”
The series covers the following topic:
Your Situation Isn’t Unique
It Came To Pass
God Is Not The Cause Of Our Grief
The Source Of All Grief
Here is an excerpt of the article by the same author, Andrew Wommack.
quote: “The dictionary defines “grief” as, “deep sadness, as over a loss; sorrow” (NAHD). This is not limited to, but certainly includes, the loss of a loved one. It includes the sense of loss that many feel for those who died in the terrorist attacks. People grieve over the loss of relationships, careers, youth, innocence, and many other things.
Those who have lived any length of time are well acquainted with grief and know that it is an inescapable part of life. We cannot avoid all grief, but we can avoid all the destruction that grief can cause.
One of the first things I always minister to those experiencing grief is that their situation isn’t unique. I think this is very important. One of the devil’s most deceptive ploys is to make you think that no one else knows what you are going through. There have even been songs written about, “Nobody knows the trouble I feel, nobody knows my sorrow.” That just isn’t true.
The Scripture says very plainly, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man” (1 Cor. 10:13). Any situation you find yourself in is not only experienced by others, but it is a common experience to us all. This is very important to understand. If Satan can make you believe your situation is unique, then you automatically exempt yourself from all help that is available. Regardless of how others attempt to help, you remain beyond their reach because, in your mind, they haven’t experienced your loss and therefore can’t understand or help you. That isn’t true….
In the early days of our ministry, people stayed away from our meetings by the droves. I was having a hard time coping with that. It was causing me grief. Then I went to some of Kenneth Copeland’s first public meetings.
He rented the Will Roger’s Memorial Auditorium in Fort Worth for a three-day meeting. That auditorium seated 3,500, but he only had one or two hundred there at the most. When I saw that Kenneth was experiencing the same numbers problem I was, it really encouraged me. It didn’t bless me that people weren’t coming to his meetings, but I took courage that someone whom I knew was anointed was experiencing the same problems that I was. Those experiencing grief need to see that others have experienced similar things and have lived through it. In fact, people go on to thrive, not just survive. .. Another very comforting thing to remember in a time of grief is that the situation is only temporary. One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is, “It came to pass.” That’s why it came: to pass. No tragedy is permanent. Even death is only a temporary separation.
This is exactly the logic the Apostle Paul used to comfort those who had lost someone they loved. .. Death is not a permanent split for believers. It is just a long separation. We will be united with those who have died. Remembering this will bring comfort (1 Thess. 4:18) and can even provide a lot of positive motivation.
Putting all our tragedies into the perspective of eternity also minimizes their impact on us. .. Romans 8:18 says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Paul suffered more persecution than any of us ever have… His affliction wasn’t light because it was less than ours, but because he put it into a different perspective. He said his afflictions were light because they were “but for a moment” (2 Cor. 4:17). After a million years in the presence of the Lord, all the hardships of his life would seem like nothing. That’s true for all of us.
I once had a woman tell me about her terrible situation and ask for prayer for her marriage… I said, “Now, let me get this straight. You aren’t a Christian, and you know you are headed for hell; yet you want me to pray for your marriage and not your salvation?” She said, “Yes.” I said, “After you’ve been burning in hell for a thousand years, you won’t even care whether you were ever married or not. Your marriage isn’t the important thing. We need to pray for your salvation!” She agreed and I had the privilege of leading her to the Lord! We then prayed for her marriage…
Probably the most important thing I minister to those experiencing grief is that God is not the source of their grief. I believe this is absolutely essential. Anyone who believes that God directly causes their grief, or indirectly allows it to happen, is headed for trouble.
Many people are totally shocked at that last statement…
Look at 2 Peter 3:9. It says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” You can’t get it any clearer than that. It is not God’s will for any to perish, but they do…
The Lord does everything possible to stop people from going to hell. He sent His only begotten Son to earth to bear our sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to convict us and draw us to Him. He sends laborers across our paths. Any person who goes to hell will have to climb over all these roadblocks that the Lord has put in their way. It’s not God allowing them to go to hell. It’s people’s own free will that God gave them which causes their destruction, not God…
The Lord is not insensitively standing by and allowing us to suffer. He is touched with our feelings (Heb. 4:15) and has sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us in whatever trial may come (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
This article covers only a very small portion of the material included on my four-part album entitled, How To: Deal With Grief. This is not just for those who have lost loved ones. It will reveal principles that will work to overcome all of life’s disappointments.”
Further thoughts on the word ‘return’. it is all about God. God’s definition on ‘return’. Let us look deeper and allow the current of the Holy Spirit teach us to swim in this vast ocean of uncharted waters. ‘Return’ is all about “Come back to God!”
(Bible verses from 2 Corinthians 5 (in parts) in NLT version.)
Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view… This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
I am led to read ancient history and ponder further on the meanings of names and the destiny of a man changes with the choices he makes. The choices one makes in the physical realm impact the spiritual and open spiritual doors to life and death. Blessings turn to curses. Honor turns to shame. But God is merciful and allows repentance.
In the case of Aaron: he was duly inaugurated as the prestigious first high priest for the nation of Israel by Moses according to very detailed instructions (commands) given by God. It was a whole life appointment with hereditary continuation for his descendants to all generations after him. But on the very day of this inauguration his two elder sons took the matters lightly, did not know the importance to strictly follow the words of God, which are spiritual and not carnal. They used their own flesh (human ways and desires) to serve the holy God. Of course they were instantly killed by a consuming fire.
God’s words have spiritual implications and are not to be taken as man’s words. Jesus has declared, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Jesus also warned, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life.”
Aaron’s response: Aaron has learned from the tragedy. He accepted it and continued to submit to God and align with God’s words. His two younger sons followed his godly example and succeeded this prestigious hereditary appointment by God. The curse turned to blessing. Shame turned to honor, just as his name meant to him, exalted.
In the case of Balaam: he was given a chance to repent too. God allowed the donkey to see the angel with the drawn sword against Balaam and thus saved him from death. But Balaam did not repent. he continued to the way of self-destruction, just as his name meant to him, destroyer. He caused destruction to himself.
What the two events meant to us: the two names were interspersed with mountain and valley. Aaron started at the highest lofty mountain top, then he fell to the lowest valley spot (in the eyes of the Jewish congregation), but he soon recovered through obedience to God, and was restored to the originally exalted position again.
Balaam started on high position too. He could see the superficial spiritual realm and seemed to understand the matters of God’s plan for Israel. He also seemed to know God’s unchangeability, unlike man. But he fell to the bottom when he decided to follow the dictate of his heart which was filled with greed for wealth and power. He was nearly killed by the angel of death during the first incidence of his attempt to go and curse Israel because Israel’s enemy was willing to pay him a large sum. But because of his faithful donkey which could see the angel and saved his life twice, the mercy of God spared Balaam. God gave him a chance to repent and turn to the true God. But he preferred to worship mammon, worked for the enemy of Israel to kill many Israelites, until he himself perished at war.
We too experience high and low in our Christian walk. Our individual choices (regardless of names) make the key difference between honor and shame, life and death.
“The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them.” (Joshua 13:22)
Balaam’s wrong choice of God caused him eternal damnation
The divine breakthrough has finally come when the words of truth is being obeyed and applied in our daily lives in Christ. The mindman has discovered.
The revelation: Why are souls so easily held in captivity by the enemy from the spiritual realm? Because the mind is idle and embraces anything that does not require mind function.
It started with TV program. There is no requirement of the mind to be involved. A variety of ‘entertainments’ has become easily accessible and readily available at any point of time. Unlike books or even newspapers, there is no effort on the part of the viewers -captive souls.
Now the screen is at hand in the form of mobile phone or similar digital smart pads/tablets. One can access to anything which does not require mind work at any point of time at anywhere!
The limits of time and space have been overcome. A false sense of power surges in every viewer. One can even view another person’s (even stranger’s) life in the privacy of one’s own space and time.
Really, the attraction is incomparable given the current state of the human mind.
Revelation: How are souls being captured by the enemy? Is there no defense? (Not even for the Christians’ souls -minds and emotion)?
In my previous blog I have uncovered the fact that the mind has become accustomed to symbols and short utterances in lieu of words and languages. There is no real substance in those symbols and sounds (not human sounds designed by the Creator originally for our survival as human). The replacement of real words and sounds have taken away thoughts in the mind.
Mind without thoughts. Thought without words. The new generation of ‘human’ is here.
Why are words being robbed by the enemy? Why does the enemy bother with giving such rich variety of goodies of entertainments to replace words?
The Jews and the Christians who believe in God’s words know the reason.
The words of God are the power of God. When we feed our soul (mind and emotion) with God’s words and use His words which are planted in our spirits, we are saturated with His power. The power to live the life from God. The power to overcome the devil. The power to reign as ‘more than conquerors’ through Christ who loved us. The power to live the super-abundant life promised and given by Christ Jesus.
The robbing of words from the mind is therefore a key and deadly hit.
How do Christians counter this increasingly surging violent and yet subtle tidal wave that has robbed, stolen, killed and destroyed so many minds (and happiness) in so many families?
Our weapons are:
the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:13-18
the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16
sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
sober mind 1 Peter 1:13-16
the peace of God. Philippians 4:7
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy..” — 1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Philippians 4:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
“that He (Christ) might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26-27 (ESV)
A word of warning on how not to pollute our minds: Proverbs 17:4 (NLT) 4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
1 Peter 4:7 New American Standard Bible The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Strong’s Concordance σωφρονοῦμεν (sōphronoumen) Verb – Present Indicative Active – 1st Person Plural Strong’s Greek 4993: To be of sound mind, be sober-minded, exercise self-control. From sophron; to be of sound mind, i.e. Sane, moderate. be clear-minded. NASB Translation: have sound judgment (1), right mind (2), sensible (1), sound judgment (1), sound mind (1).
The flow of words is like a river. Sometimes the surface is calm and still. But the current below continues. The mind tends to think words and meanings out of past knowledge and established wisdom. The mindman does not want to put those into writings as it would be a mere copy of something from the past.
So he waited and he waited. What is this undercurrent that he can perceive but cannot really grasp on the surface?
Here they are today. A few gems here and there at random. The respective list is not exhaustive. Each believer must do his or her own digging at the treasure mountain (the Bible)!
There are words that link to one another. They are like a group of friends. When you read one you must read the others. For example, here is a group of heavenly words that belong to one family (at random, except for the first three): God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, word, power, heaven, Almighty, divine, holy, glory, Lord, Savior, Son of God, righteous, authority, kingdom of God/heaven etc. what is their common denominator? They are heavenly. They are spiritual. They are linked to God.
Words that are used to describe just One. For example, God, Lord, Light, Love, Life, Almighty, Healer, Provider, Creator, Father. Another example is: Jesus, the Word, Son of God, Son of Man, Christ (Messiah), Savior, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Deliverer. However, because Jesus and God are One, the words that describe One may be used to describe another. For example, Lord, Light, Deliverer, Redeemer. The Holy Spirit too is God and addressed as Lord too (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).
Pairs of words that are opposite: for example, spirit vs flesh (body and soul – mind and emotion). Faith vs unbelief. The things of God vs the things of man. God’s way vs Egypt (Satan’s way).
Words that come as a group as a result of an action. For example, with salvation comes: forgiveness of sins, righteousness, justification, sanctification, healing and deliverance, abundant life, sons of God status, Holy Spirit as a deposit/guarantee, Abraham’s descendants’ inheritance by faith etc.
Words and phrases that signify a victorious disciple’s life: living by faith not be sight, spiritually discerned and having the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), walk according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), led by the Spirit and not by flesh (Romans 8:1, 14), always watchful and prayerful (Luke 21:36), Bible-reading and believing (Ephesians 5:26), Christ-centered, Denial of self (Luke 14:33), living faith with works (James 2:22), joined to the Lord and one spirit with the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17), and overcome the enemy of God (Revelation 12:11).
Pairs of words that bring out the same result: such as, living by faith and walking by the Spirit.
Jesus said: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) The grouping of words here bring out one interesting but essential truth: Jesus+Spirit+life+words of God+the truth+liberty (when read together with 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; John 14:17, 26; John 8:32)
The word of God is light. The Lord Jesus is light. God is light.
When the word of God is read with faith and in the Spirit, it gives light. God is light and in whom there is no darkness. All dark things (including illness, physical and mental) must flee. Let God arise in us, and let God’s enemies be scattered!
Let all believers of Jesus as Savior and Lord enjoy the victorious life in which we can be totally free of the tormentor which came to steal, kill and destroy our peace, joy, and rest as promised by Jesus in the abundant life He has brought.
Today we only read one word ‘form’. A very powerful and crucial word for every Christian.
FORM: this is God’s special word. Only God formed. He created man in His image. He formed people for Himself, that they will declare His praise. (Isaiah 43:21)
Human do form physical building and organization structure. But in the spiritual realm they are of no permanent value. The only permanent structure is God’s creation. He created/formed human for eternity (having the image of God). There was no need for hell or death. However, man fell into the snare of the devil and lost the original design. The original heavenly form was corrupted and man encountered sins, sickness, and decays due to the power of death which entered since the spiritual fall.
When we read the word ‘form’, think of the majesty, the beauty, the awesome creation of God’s original design which bears His divine nature, His divine mark, His divine power.
I have taken the verses from Isaiah 43 to illustrate how God really cares for His people, those He had formed:
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.”
7 Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
10 “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”
The following verses is a beautiful illustration of how much God, the Creator loves and cares for those whom He has formed (do sing them and meditate on them).
43:18 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
To give drink to My people, My chosen.
21 This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.”
Jesus told us how we may become God’s new creation:
John 3:3,5-6 “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
The Apostles taught us how to receive this re-birth
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
What happens when we receive this new birth?
1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God,that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
2 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (in v18, we read that the Spirit of the Lord transforms us into the same image of the Lord from glory to glory).
16 Therefore from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”
17 “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
How did God create/form us? How do we know?
Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
The search for God’s words and meanings continues. And the gems that come forth are real treasure.
Atonement: this word means making amends. In the Old Testament, it meant covering of sin (uncleanness), sins transferred to a scapegoat.) But in spiritual reality, it cannot be done by humans or animals for good. No matter how hard we may try, many claiming “I have done my best-my way!” it will only end one way, complete failure to meet God’s ultimate holy standard. The only acceptable atonement is God’s own atonement, God’s Way. The only qualified atonement is Christ Jesus’ atonement. He paid for all. He paid it all. That is the true meaning of the word in God’s Book.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Hebrews 9:22 “…and without shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin).”
26 “He (Christ) has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
28 “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.”
10:14 “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
Blood: Atonement is linked to blood, which is synonymous with ‘life’ (Gen.9:4). Christ’s blood is the only blood worth mentioning. It is the basis of the following which mankind cannot do without:
redemption: Romans 3:24-25 “propitiation by His blood”.
reconciliation: Ephesians 2:13-16 “have been brought near by the blood of Christ”.
eternal life: John 6:53-56 “whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life”.
justification: Romans 5:9 “…justified by His blood,…saved from wrath through Him”.
sanctification: Hebrews 10:29 “the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified”.
communion: Matthew 26:26-29 “drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins”.
Overcome/victorious: Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb…”
Body: we cannot talk about blood without mentioning the word, body. Again, there is only one body that counts for us to enter and live the life in the Kingdom of God. The body of Jesus Christ. Jesus sacrificed His perfect body to redeem us. He was the perfect Lamb of God. Prior the cross, He gave His body to bear the thirty nine strokes for us. Because of His stripes we are healed. However, the Bible also mentioned the importance of another body, our body, which is required by God as a sacrifice to Him. Believers of Jesus have undergone a supernatural transformation, we became members of Jesus’ body, of His flesh and of His bones. Our body also became a building, a temple for the Holy Spirit. Awesome!
Hebrews 10:5-7 God prepared Jesus’ body as a perfect sacrifice, to do His will.
1 Peter 2:24 “Who Himself bore our sins on His body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.”
Romans 12:1 Believers are urged to present our bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
Ephesians 5:30 “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Ephesians 1:22-23 “…to be head over all things to the church, which is His body…”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Today’s Bible word is GENERATION. The spiritual question is: What generation are you in? There are only two to choose from. Either you are in one or you are in the other. As all are in “this generation”, this question must be answered by all. Tip: choose number 31!
But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perversegeneration, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”
But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
[ Seeking a Sign ] And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “This is an evilgeneration. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.
So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
It is difficult for the spiritual mindman to choose which words to include in this spiritual journey through God’s words. Every word becomes alive and says, choose Me. Indeed the Word of God is Jesus. He became man and came to this earth once. He will come again soon. We are living in daily expectation to see Him! The words of the Bible show us Who God is and how we may know Him and follow His will. Jesus said very clearly that only those who do God’s will will enter the Kingdom of God.
Here are some of the words which came first. Enjoy your word journey!
Lord: This word is rich and powerful.Yet it is defined by the person who calls another ‘Lord’. That means you need to first know Who He is to you before you can call Him Lord from your heart and not just by lip service. If you define your Lord wrongly you will be calling Him Lord Lord in vain. Read what Jesus said as follows:
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Mammon: This is the enemy of God. Jesus said you cannot give allegiance to both. Note that money is not synonymous to riches in God’s Kingdom of Heaven dictionary.
Matthew 6:24[ You Cannot Serve God and Riches ] “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.
Luke 16:11Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Name: This means authority and status given to the citizens in the Kingdom of God. Using the name of Jesus signifies your supernatural citizenship protection, entitlement and total submission to Jesus, your King.
John 14:26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:16You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
John 16:24Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 17:11Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
John 20:31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Open: This is a wonderful and powerful word. Indeed, miracles happen when it is used by the Son of God. When one becomes a son of God by believing in Jesus and be born again into the Kingdom of God, one can use this powerful command word to set the oppressed free too!
Mark 7:34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
Mark 7:35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
Luke 11:9[ Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking ] “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Prepare: There are several consequences for this word. God prepares (invites and rewards). His servants are required to prepare (or face terrible consequences)!
Matthew 3:3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”
Matthew 22:4Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’
Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
Luke 12:47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not preparehimself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Question: A very meaningless word by itself. It does not always mean what it says. The true meaning hinges on the person who questions, what spirit he has.Beware of the enemy of God asking questions. Jesus walks in the Spirit and always sees through their evil intents and addresses their spirits accordingly.
Matthew 22:35Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
Mark 11:27[ Jesus’ Authority Questioned ] Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.
Mark 11:29But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:
Matthew 22:46And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
Repent: No visible action word can compare with this under the letter R in terms of its powerful spiritual effect. A troop of angels in heaven rejoice when witnessing this miraculous event on earth, a sinner whose soul is worth Jesus dying and shedding His precious blood, actually acknowledges that God is right and turns away from his sin and return to God’s way. This word, however must work hand in hand with the word, salvation. Note: repent is a visible action. No visibility in changed lives, no true repentance. Repentance results in forgiveness. This is an assurance from the Lord Jesus. But for the disciples they admit that they need faith to forgive!
Matthew 3:2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:8Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
Mark 1:15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 17:3-5
(NKJV)
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
Why does the spiritual mindman start this new journey to read God’s words? Because he has navigated the uncharted waters previously and known how tough it is to sail without a pilot or a navigation guide. So in this dictionary he records everything he perceives in his spirit to share with his spiritual novice friends and brethren. This is not a conventional Bible words dictionary. It is a compilation of his spiritual notes while reading the Bible.
Here are the Bible verses as his solid foundation and plumb line for his notes and for all readers who have purposed in their hearts (spirit) to read the Bible afresh and be led by the Holy Spirit.
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1 Corinthians 2
English Standard Version (ESV)
Proclaiming Christ Crucified
2 And I, when I came to you, brothers,did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Wisdom from the Spirit
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
The mindman cannot keep still. The words of God burn. The words keep coming like an avalanche, with little time or space (in the mind) for any other thought. He has been praying for the ‘mind of Christ’ taking over his mind completely recently, more intensely. Here are some of the answers.
(1 Corinthians 2:16“For who has understood the mindof the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mindof Christ.)
__________________Words of God as understood in the spirit (led by the Holy Spirit). Today we focus on ‘paradox’ in God’s dictionary.
Freedom:This means ‘not free’ in human or natural terms. A very difficult word for the human natural mind. How to be free and yet not free? Yet in the supernatural (spiritual realm, this is real freedom!)
Romans 6:21-23 (ESV)
21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Great: Again, this means not great in human or natural terms. But in the supernatural (God’s dictionary) realm, this is real greatness!
Matthew 18:3-5 (ESV)
3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
Luke 6:22-24 (ESV)
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
Hardness: This word ties with another word, love. The heart, which is a spiritual state, can be hardened by lovelessness. The cold sets in and ice forms like crust. All these happen not in the unseen but real realm. This word also ties with the word unbelief. Again, this is a spiritual state. It means you do not believe in the spiritual reality of God.How to remove this spiritual crust? Spiritual love of God.
And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
[ The Great Commission ] Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
I: This is a paradox word. The ‘I’ must die so that another ‘I’ may live. No death, no life. Who am “I”? It is not what I think I am. It is what God thinks “I am”. What God thinks will qualify you to enter His kingdom. Jesus said, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Galatians 2:20-21 (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Romans 8:13For if you live according to the flesh you willdie; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
John 3:6-7 (NKJV)
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Jesus (Yeshua): This word is defined by each believer of Jesus. No one can force you to use a definition which means nothing to you. What you believe is what you get.
Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
King:There are only two kings. The one to whom you give your full trust and loyalty is your king. Your king issues decrees and since you are his subject you will need to follow. Royal decrees cannot be changed or broken. Your king has absolute right and authority over you. When you end up in the place where the real King assigns you, you will know which king (King) you have submitted to all your earthly lives.
Here are some examples of the outcome when you disobey your real King (the Son of God, Jesus):
Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
There is a new dictionary which is not exactly new. It has been hidden to many who do not venture into the spiritual realm. The mindman has discovered this new way of reading words, really important words, the words of God. So he begins his real journey on the rough uncharted waters.
Here are some of the new meanings of words or phrases he has found on the way. Enjoy your own navigation through the spiritual mind journey!
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Anger: it means murder when you think anger in your mind concerning your fellow Christians.
Matthew 5:21-23 (NKJV) Murder Begins in the Heart 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Bravery: If you think of men and fear them and do what they like you to do, you are a coward. Only when you mind the matters of God and do the will of God regardless what men may say or do to you, you are considered brave, Jesus is the best example of bravery. Peter is a typical example of the opposite.
(Matthew 16:23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:22-24 (in Context) Matthew 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations )
Consider: means accounting action. Many think this is just a matter of thinking in your mind. But in the new dictionary it means real action. For example, it is same as the word count or account. When you consider something in your mind your account in heaven starts updating with debits and credits being input into it!
Romans 6:11 (EXB) | In Context | Whole Chapter11 In the same way, you should ·see [count; consider] yourselves as being dead to ·the power of sin [L sin] and alive ·with [to; with reference to] God ·through [or in; in union with] Christ Jesus.
Defile: it means even your thoughts are action words. Mark 7:20-23 (ESV) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Excellence: come in two forms: the power of God (the Holy Spirit); your spiritual knowledge of God.
2 Corinthians 4:7[ Cast Down but Unconquered ] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellenceof the power may be of God and not of us.
Philippians 3:8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
sound mind journal 