Category: Spiritual

By His divine power, God has already given us everything we need for living a godly life.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. ” (2 Peter 1:3)

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Psalm 138:2)

Whether you realize it or not: God has already given you everything you need to live the life He’s called you to.  You don’t need to feel stressed out, worried or afraid. You don’t have to wonder if you are ‘good enough’ to receive from God because God’s blessing has nothing to do with your performance.  He has already blessed you and given you everything you need by His divine power!

The next time you start thinking “I can’t…”, or “I don’t have what it takes…”, attack those negative thoughts with the truth by declaring, “According to His will, God can give me what it takes; my faith will enable me; and I am equipped by His divine power at work in me!”

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing [which includes fears, depression, etc.] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

You say:       I’m always worried and frustrated.
God says:    “Cast all your cares on Me.”  (I Peter 5:7)

You say:        I don’t know what to do.
God says:     “And I will direct your steps.”  (Pro 3:6)

You say:        I don’t have enough faith.
God says:    “I have given everyone a measure of faith.”  (Rom 12:3)

You say:        I’m too tired.
God says:    “I will give you rest.”  (Matt 11:28-30)

You say:        I can’t do it.
God says:    “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” (Phil 4:13)

You say:        I can’t make ends meet.
God says:    “I will supply all your needs.”  (Phil 4:19)

You say:        I can’t handle this.
God says:     “Cast your cares on Me and I will sustain you.”  (Psa 55:22)

You say:        I can’t go on.
God says:     “My grace is sufficient for you.”  (2 Cor 12:9)

You say:        I’m exhausted.
God says:     “Those who wait on Me shall renew their strength.”  (Isa 40:31)

You say:        I’m all alone.
God says:     “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb 13:5)

You say:        I am not able.
God says:     “I am able.” (2 Cor 9:8)

You say:        I’m not smart enough.
God says:     “If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask Me for it.”  (James 1:5)

You say:        It’s impossible.
God says:     “What is impossible with men is possible with Me.”  (Luke 18:27)

You say:        I am afraid.
God says:     “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
(2 Tim 1:7)

You say:       It’s not worth it.
God says:     “You will reap a harvest if you do not give up.”  (Gal 6:9)

You say:        I can’t forgive myself.
God says:     “In Christ, I forgave you.”  (Eph 4:32)

You say:       Nobody loves me.
God says:     “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  (Jer 31.3)

“Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be healed.”  (Jer 17.14)

 

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In running a web site with over 900+ articles, thousands of hits per month from all over the world, and hundreds of e-mails per week, I have come to realize, with time, that there is a terrible problem in Christendom today. The problem stems from an existential subjective view of the world that has filtered into the church from secular society, but also from the teachings of heretical wolves who have taught an entire generation of churchgoers completely unbiblical methods of discernment or to get rid of any discernment altogether.

Let me start out this chapter by telling you what methods are being used for “discernment” today that don’t have biblical support, then I will move on to the ways in which the Bible does tell us to test teaching, prophecy and actions.

The following criteria are what many people who call themselves Christians are using to test reality and truth today:

(1) Experiences, manifestations

(2) Feelings, emotions

(3) Numbers of followers

(4) Numbers of people who claim to be saved

(5) The size of a church or movement

(6) Signs and wonders, purported miracles (whether real or false)

(7) Subjective testimonies

(8) Hearsay and rumors

(9) How successful and rich a teacher is

(10) If a person speaks with authority

(11) The atmosphere of a meeting

None of the above criteria being used by many churchgoers today are cited in the Bible as ways we are to test, discern and judge rightly.

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Ben wanted to say something, but no words came. This conversation had gone wildly different from the ones he’d rehearsed.

Judah wasn’t quite done though. “Now look at us, you and me. How fitting: two prodigals standing here on Prodigal’s Point. But how ironic: the wandering prodigal has come home, while the homebound prodigal has not. That’s why you found me here, Ben. I’ve been trying to get up the nerve to return home.”

Ben, simultaneously laughing and crying, said, “Well, Jude, if you’re looking for an experienced guide, I’m your man — having recently become something of an expert in returning home. But I should warn you: when you speak to Dad, you won’t get more than a few words out before you find yourself swept away in a current of fatherly affection.”

“Yeah, I know,” Judah said, smiling. “Our father and his prodigal sons. But before you so expertly guide me home, I need to say something to you, and I’m probably not going to say it right. But forgive me, Ben, for what I’ve done to you through my terrible, sinful selfishness.”

Ben’s wordless bear hug was all the response Judah needed.

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• Attraction to or attracting dangerous situations or people
• Frequent illness or accidents
• Estrangement from family, sibling issues, bitterness, unforgiveness
• Anger towards opposite sex, anger towards self
• Denial of the past, denial of pain, inability to cry, dissociation from emotions
• Addictive behaviors, eating disorders, isolation, introversion, existential depression
• Avoidance behavior, avoiding foods, places, activities, memories, situations or people
• An exaggerated sense of responsibility for the underdog
• Giving more than receiving, personal gains always followed by losses, over-functioning, overworking, under-rewarded
• Unwanted supernatural or spirit presences, inexplicably sensitive, large antennas for sensing danger
• Excessive introspection, thinking, contemplating, worrying, working to figure things out, survival strategies

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• Bothersome or worrisome health issues that don’t show up as positives in lab tests (no medical validation)
• Neck, spine and back problems
• Muscle weakness, muscle pain
• Digestive problems, e.g. IBS
• Immune system problems
• Skin disorders
• Myofacsial pain syndrome
• Environmental sensitivities
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuralgia

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Experiences and manifestations can be from many sources; physical, emotional, mental, paranormal/demonic, or from the Lord. ALL experiences need to be tested against the testimony and teachings of the tried and true written word of God. “Slain in the spirit” is an occult technique imported into Christianity, and has nothing to do with what we are taught in the Scriptures. The prophets, Apostles and Jesus Christ did not do it or teach it as something that should be done. If you have an experience, you had better check the source. Think twice before you submit to people laying hands on you for whatever reason.

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