Symbols

Skulls & Crosses

I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but there has been a sudden surge in the popularity of skulls and crosses in fashion. I still remember when it was only the rockers, punks and skaters that wore skulls on their clothes. Now it has become a statement piece on every type of clothing and accessory item.

Now you see children as young as 2 years old with “fashionable” skull and cross bones sweater and matching beanie on. The confusing part is that many Christians buy these things.

I use to wear skulls and loved them before I gave my life to Christ. As to be expected I was a rocker and did not believe in heaven or hell even though I was promoting hell by wearing the things I wore and speaking the way I did. Likewise people who wear those skulls, cross bones and so on are only promoting death.

On the other hand images/designs of crosses has increased to the point of the cross becoming just another fashion symbol and losing the meaning behind it. Before we use to be able to tell who were believers by the cross around their neck or on the clothing, now everyone wears it as fashion not realizing that they wearing a symbol that is associated with Jesus Christ and how He died on the cross for us (only to be resurrected).

To be continued…..

Prayer

Have you ever been offered prayer, whether in church or in conversation but have kept quiet even though you know you need or want the prayer?

I have noticed that when we are given opportunities to receive prayer that most of the time or instant reaction is to keep quiet. In some cases we wish others would just instinctively know that we need prayer and just pray for us anyway.

I use to think “why is it so hard to go up for prayer?”

I have come to the realization that of course it would be hard for people to go up for prayer or simply express the need for prayer! How can Satan keep us from getting free if we all can come boldly to the altar in prayer or to receive prayer? This is just a tactic of the enemy to keep us in bondage and keep us in a state of fear for anyone to find out what we need prayer for.

Not always, but sometimes we have a need for prayer for something like to do well in an interview-then we hear someone ask for prayer for a relative who has cancer which then makes our prayer request seem so minute and unimportant. 

Don’t shy away when the opportunity to get prayer arises. Stand up! Don’t be ashamed, don’t think that your situation is too small or too big to be prayed for and answered- Don’t think that your request is “stupid” or “small”. All prayer requests are worthy!

Isaiah 55:8

Isaiah 55:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

I have said this many times, but there are constant reminders as to how we all put our own limits on to God. We still seem to have a hard time realizing that God is above and beyond us that our minds can’t even handle how magnificent He is.

I have learned that just because I think one way about something that I may believe is good and pure, it more than likely is not even close to what God thinks or believes. This is why it can be hard to talk to people about God and what He thinks about them and certain current events because we end up placing our own thoughts and opinions in His place. I guess this is why we should be “slow to speak and quick to hear”.

A quick lesson in purifying your thoughts, don’t let your ideas about what and how people are be projected on to the Lord-therefore you won’t have to worry so much about saying something that is far off from what He thinks, believes and what He can do for us.

I do have to tell myself not to think of my own limitations when it comes to believing for something to happen for me by faith. Faith and ability are those concepts that we have to train our minds to not warp the true meanings.

Paths

-Proverbs 16:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

I believe that one of the least talked about topic in churches is the topic of getting on the path that God has for us and how to continue in the Lord’s footsteps and how our path in God’s eyes involves us operating in our purpose.

 From my perspective, finding our purpose can seem like a huge feat, not knowing that if we tap in to where God wants us to be placed we can not only be on the path we are supposed to be on, but fall in to our purpose. Paths and purposes are such deep concepts when we first hear them in the word and in church. However, once we get some areas of our lives in order, these words take on a whole new meaning.

Some areas that we have to get in order to help us get on the right path and on to our purpose are:

A.)  Develop a prayer life-Praying on a regular basis, whether it’s for guidance, wisdom, prayer for another or for ourselves.

B.)  Be planted at a church-Pray about what church you should be in.

C.)  Clear our all hindrances, such as items that are tied to the occult in your house, car and breaking off relationships with ungodly people.

D.)  Be and hearer and a doer of the word-Be quick to listen and meditate the word in order to learn God’s voice for when He speaks to you you’ll know what to do.

To be Continued….

Balancing Act pt.1

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly doing a balancing act? Like you have to be Christian enough to be around other Christians meanwhile still trying to be hip to the things going on in the world?

What some “seasoned” Christians today don’t realize is that we are all living in a different kind of world, todays’ young Christians are faced with so much more than ever imagined. We as young believers have to struggle to find a balance between staying on the right path with Christ and maintaining a connection with the rest of the world. We can’t just cut everybody off and throw out all our worldly items and consecrate ourselves in an age where we grew up with computers, smart phones, elaborate music and new and interesting friends.

It comes down to what are realistic expectations for your life or your children’s lives. How can you find balance?

How can you protect yourself from the demonic influences on the t.v. or internet or even through friends and family?

I myself am trying to figure out how to live my life and still be in right standing with the Lord. There are days where it seems easy to dodge any direct conflicts with the world and then there are days where it seems like I am bombarded with influence by the enemy, Satan.

There will always be temptation around us, but it is about being able to identify it and know how to turn away from it by using the word. Life as a believer will always be a balancing act no matter how “Christian” you may be.

To Be Continued……

Mixed Messages

 In today’s world it can be hard for people to tell who is Christian and who claims to be Christian but goes against God’s word in one way or another.

We have public figures who claim to be Christian, yet they engage in psychic readings and endorse alternative lifestyles in which they cause confusion as to what it is to be a believer in Christ. It has become common for Christians to pick and choose what they believe in despite choosing to follow Christ, they choose to support gay marriage even though in the bible it specifically says not engage let alone support the lifestyle. Then on the flip side, there are those “Christians” who take everything from the bible literally and then back it up with hatred towards a group.

There is a noticeable imbalance in the body of Christ because of this “mix matching” of ideas and behaviors. This is a reason as to why those who are not believers are confused when there friend who is a “Christian” that gets her palms read and does yoga “religiously” is up against a Christian who doesn’t support those behaviors because of their foundation in the bible.

I can easily see how it can be confusing to discern who is Christian and just ignorant of certain behaviors and those who know yet decide to do what they want to do. 

The only advice I can give is to not blindly follow people as role models for your life, especially as a model for your Christian walk. Instead seek the word of God, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through this confusion and mix messages being sent. 

Warfare

There is a spiritual battle going on as we speak and yet many Christians are completely unaware of it. The battle never ceases as long as there are demonic powers at work. We as Christians have to be aware of what is going on around us, we cannot be in the “shadows” so to speak, when it comes to the war between the demonic powers and heavenly powers.

When we pray for protection there are angels guarding us against the constant attacks by demonic spirits that have planned to take us “out”. I have seen angels encamping around myself and family during a prayer meeting, yet I haven’t imagined or heard about how angels surround a family’s home at night like the account of a former bride of Satan whom was defeated by the angels when trying to attack a Christian family in the book “He Came To Set The Captives Free” by Rebecca Brown, MD.

Most people think of angels as little people with wearing white with wings that fly around. That is not true, based on my own account of being in the presence of angels. Heavenly angels are giant-tall beautiful creatures that glow with a beautiful light and when you’re in their presence they provide this comfort and secure feeling. I saw large wings that glowed and blended with their bodies; I couldn’t see any defined facial features-it had seemed as if it was constantly changing behind the glowing light. I had never felt such peace or security before that encounter. By no means were they soft and timid or weak. These angels naturally commanded strength and ability while maintaining a softness. They don’t just “fly around”, they do warfare against demonic powers and yet still comfort us when we are sad.

These angels work for both God and us! We have to use them to do warfare in the spiritual realm for us through our prayers.