Weariness and Change 2020

Many people make new year resolutions. Many people fail at keeping their new year resolutions and they do one thing when they fail. Do you know what that one thing is? One five letter word, they faint.

The word faint has several meanings and we are looking at the meaning to sink into dejection (fail with grief; discouraged) to loose courage or spirit, to despair, depressed.

The problems come in when truly saved people live in this world and continue to live and do things like they did before they were saved. Everything from relationships, family, jobs, environment of our life, decision making and every decision we make we often revert back to doing things the way we were taught by man. We revert back to the world’s ways.

Often people ask why, as a believer now, their life doesn’t appear to change for the better.

The world has their knowledge and their understanding of everything. Then God gives us his knowledge and wisdom. We use our mind to decide who and what we will believe.

As a believer God does not always tell us we need to understand what he is doing in our life. God tells us to hear him and apply his wisdom and teachings to our life. Another words, hear God and obey him and then you will see him do incredible things in your life.

Our struggles come in to play when our mind has been taught the world’s ways and God tells us something completely different.  An example of this is salvation.

For years people were taught the way to get to heaven is doing good. Later they read in the scriptures, good works have nothing to do with going to heaven and salvation. Salvation is based on what you do with Jesus Christ. Do you believe on him and what he did at the cross? Have you received him into your heart as your Lord and Saviour?

When I was studying something out in scripture, God gave me an ah ha moment. Look at Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV.

” 1.  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ”

There it was, an answer. An answer how to make real lasting changes in life. Not only me and my life but you too. You can change your life.

When people get “weary” or discouraged, where does that weariness and discouragement rest? The Lord tells us in verse three, our minds.

You can know God’s word inside and out. You can memorize the scriptures. But if everything you know about the scriptures is only in your head, it will not change your life. Jesus calls the scriptures seed. We make decisions based on our mind. Our mind is where knowledge rests. But notice what Paul said in Romans 10 about how to get saved?

Romans 10: 8 – 13 KJV
” But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ”

Notice the word mind does not appear in these verses? Scripture tells us to hide God’s word where? In our mind? No. Hide God’s word in our heart.

God’s word has got to become more than knowledge to you. Remember Proverbs 23:7, as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.

You see, God’s word has got to become more than knowledge to you. Knowledge does not produce anything. It is when people put knowledge to work in their life, they see action. People take knowledge and put it to work and come up with many inventions that change our life. Examples are the automibile, telephone, television, computers and many other examples. But if you do not put this knowledge to work, these items will not change your life.

Jesus calls God’s word seed. Seed has to be planted in good soil. That soil is our heart. We can read and study God’s word all we want and we will acquire knowledge. But we will not see God’s word come to life in our life until we let that seed into our heart where it can be turned into faith.  So how do we do that? How do we turn knowledge into faith? Believers do not live a life of knowledge,  we live a life of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk by faith and not by knowledge. Why?

Because it is the enemy’s job to put something in front of you that contradicts what God said inside you. That also explains why we live by faith and not by sight.

So we are going to explore this topic in our next few posts, Lord willing. As the new year is born, let us examine our life and things we would like to “fix” in our life or changes you would like to make. Then as we explore this topic of weariness and change, Lord willing, you will see how you can make real lasting changes in 2020.

God created you with a purpose and God has a plan for you. Will you trust him? Until next time.

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Knowledge, How It Works

How does knowledge work?

We are born into this world spiritually dead to God because we are born in sin. We are born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve. As we grow up we are taught and educated in the ways of this world, this physical world we see and live in in our body, our flesh.

When we see things in this world that we “perceive” to be bad, we form an opinion about that situation. We compare our opinion to what we have been taught by our parents, educators and teachers. We make a decision based on all the information we have been provided and then we have a belief about that topic or situation. That belief is called a mindset. Once someone has a mindset about a topic it is very difficult to change their mind.

Education is suppose to teach people the “how” of life. Then people practice what they are taught expecting to achieve the same results as the teacher, educator or parents have taught. Example, teaching someone to walk or read or change the oil in their vehicle, when the student learns the “how” they expect the promised results.

Institutional education today no longer focuses on teaching the “how”. Institutional education today indoctrinates. A teaching group decides what is truth and based on what they believe, they create curriculum that supports their belief. They no longer teach students to think for themselves to come up with an answer. They teach their answers. A good example of this today is evolution.

Someone chose, years ago, to  no longer believe God and the Bible account that God created the heavens and the earth. Someone chose to believe a man named Darwin and what he thought. Darwin taught evolution. Evolution says matter in space collided through a big bang and from this explosion of matter came trees, fish, birds, insects, sun, moon, planets, flowers, dogs, cats, animals, and even human beings. But evolutionists never explain where this original matter came from.

So now, students are taught evolution and not creation. Teachers indoctrinate students by referring to evolution teachings and examples. Creation is no longer taught. So society, through education, has now indoctrinated students since the 1960s, into rejecting God, rejecting God’s word, and believing a man named Darwin.

So when you are being “taught” one conclusion based on man’s decision, you are being indoctrinated, not educated. Education means you are presented all known possible answers, then investigate each possible answer and (I would add, pray and ask God for help) and make a hypothesis aka an intelligent guess.

When you make an intelligent guess you keep yourself open to add more evidence down the road. And when government run education started indoctrinating students and stopped educating them, a huge home school movement started. So how does this fit in with our topic and this blog?

People have been taught for years about God, about heaven and hell, about life after death in this body and many teachings on these topics are man’s teachings. When you decide you will believe God and his word over everyone and everything you can now let God educate you.

One of the hardest things is when you see something in God’s word and you study it out and come to the conclusion,  it does not match up with what you were taught – well then you have a decision to make.

And God is concerned about your mind and your thoughts because the mind is where you make decisions. Your mind directs your body. Your mind affects your heart. And because we are all born spiritually dead towards God, our mind focuses on our flesh and things in this world.

When a person really gets “saved” born again, their spirit is quickened, made alive unto God. Prior to that moment of getting saved, their spirit was dead unto God but by getting saved, all of a sudden their spirit is made alive unto God.

The problems come in when truly saved people live in this world and continue to live and do things like they did before they were saved. Everything from relationships, family, jobs, environment of our life, decision making and every decision we make we often revert back to doing things the way we were taught by man. We revert back to the world’s ways. How is that working for you?

The world has their knowledge and their understanding of everything. Then God gives us his knowledge and wisdom. We use our mind to decide who and what we will believe. The bottom line? People either believe the Lord God Almighty or not. And just because someone chooses not to believe God, does not mean that person is correct. And just because someone does not believe something does not mean it is not true. It means that person’s mind is either blinded or they do not have enough information on the topic. If the person gets the information needed and still chooses not to believe, then as scripture says, Titus 3:  9-11 kjv

” But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10.  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11.  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

People that absolutely refuse to listen to God and his word condemn themselves. Why? Because they choose to believe man and man’s teachings and indoctrinations over God and his word.

So looking at God’s word, as a believer, how can you make changes in your life? Lord willing, we will pick it up from here next time. Until next time.

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Knowledge / Bringing Thoughts Captive

What an eye opener. Let us try to show an example of knowledge and bringing thoughts captive.

Below is John chapter 4 verses 5 through 42, KJV. Keeping in mind our topic, knowledge, what was Jesus trying to teach this woman at the well? Remember,  the woman at the well was “thinking” water from the well. We know she was thinking water from the well by what she said.

But Jesus was not speaking about the literal water in the well. What was Jesus trying to teach the woman?

Here are the verses and next time, we will explain.

John 4:5 – 42 “Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7¶ There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9¶Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10¶Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11¶The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13¶Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15¶The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16¶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17¶The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19¶The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21¶Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
25¶The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26¶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
27¶And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
28¶The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
31¶ In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32¶But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33¶Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34¶Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
39¶And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42¶And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Until next time.

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Knowledge, Ask Questions

This is a short post with a powerful punch. We have heard how God doesn’t change and how God loves us. Yet, many have perceptions of God but not knowledge.

Understanding God’s ways or having knowledge of how God thinks or works in us, in our life and in the world is a puzzle sometimes. Need an example?

Okay. Look at 1 Kings 17. Remember Elijah? He lived during a time of drought and famine on earth. Remember God sent a raven to gather food and feed Elijah. Elijah was near a stream so he had water during the drought. But when the stream dried up, Elijah knew that was a sign that God wanted him to relocate. God even told Elijah to move to Zarephath.

Note: When a stream God is using to help you dries up, God may be telling you it is time to make a change, a move.

So God tells Elijah where to go, what city. But God also tells Elijah in 1 Kings 17: 7-16 KJV
7. “And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
12. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. ”

Knowledge – asks questions.
Why did God send Elijah to a poor poverty stricken widow and not to a wealthy person?

Who would you have sent Elijah to?

But God sent Elijah to a poor widow, why?
I encourage comments on this question. What do you think about this question? Why did God send Elijah to a poor, broke widow woman and not to a “well off” person?

Until next time.

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Knowledge And Thoughts

Did you ever think about where your thoughts come from? Like when you first wake up in the morning and sit on the edge of your bed, thoughts about all kinds of things start going through your mind. Have you ever sat there and wondered, why am I thinking about that? And why am I thinking about that now? I have.

Let me show you how thoughts and knowledge tie together.

Colossians 1:19-22 KJV  ” 19 For it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus Christ) should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

Notice where the thoughts come from? Thoughts that God hates me, thoughts of God is angry with me because I did this terrible thing, or I did this or that. Those thoughts are put into your mind by people, by family, by friends and sadly, even by some preachers and even by the enemy Satan. But what does God say? Read it again, Colossians 1:19-22 above. Read it over and over again until it sinks down into your heart and mind.

Thoughts planted in to your mind can be true, they can be a lie and (like Satan did with Eve) they can be half truths.

If the thought is true, it can be backed up with other scripture verses. As my favorite Old Testament prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 28:9, 10 – ” Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

Notice the topic is knowledge?

So knowledge comes from comparing line upon line and precept upon precept. Remember, knowledge is knowing that you know something. The information you sought was investigated thoroughly and you experiment and test your theories, you ask questions and you
come to a conclusion. When others test your information and come up with the same results you did, then they say you have knowledge in this field.

Some people devote their whole life to specific things. At the end of their life, you would assume they are very knowledgeable of that topic plus they have a lot of experience with their topic of choice.

The reason people get messed up with scripture doctrine is someone plants a thought in their mind. Most people never investigate or research that thought from scripture. They never compare thought or idea (precept upon precept) with other scripture verses. The result? God tells us the results in Ephesians 4:14 ” That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”

The result is we end up with (58) different religious denominations that use (15) different Bibles.

But when you can take a thought and search it out from scripture (AV1611 King James) you will see God will show you the truth from his word. You notice what you were searching out begins to be explained to you, by God himself.

Once you have searched it out in scripture and in prayer, God gives you your answer. Then it is up to you to decide if you will believe God or reject what God shows you or believe the person who put that thought in to your mind. Once you make your decision you have acquired knowledge in that topic.

Now let me say, if you choose to believe the person who put that thought in your mind over believing God, you base your knowledge on flawed information.  An example.

For years people thought the world was flat and they based that teaching of a flat earth on information. But then one day Christopher Columbus sails and discovers other countries and proves when God’s word says the earth is a circle (round not flat) God was proven to be true and correct.

Isaiah 40: 21, 22 KJV ” Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:”

For years people had what they thought was accurate knowledge of the earth (it was flat) only to discover later that their knowledge was based on false information. Christopher Columbus believed God and the scriptures.

People have all kinds of thoughts about God, heaven, salvation and other topics. The question is, where are you getting your information from regarding these topics. Then, are you checking it out, precept upon precept, to make sure your knowledge lines up with the truth of God’s word.

Anyone with any real amount of scripture knowledge can make the word of God teach almost anything.  That is how false doctrine is perpetuated. But to obtain knowledge in the truth, you must search out the scriptures and tackle topics line upon line and precept upon precept. Until next time.

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Knowledge Provides Answers in Life

When you think about it, if you know how to handle issues in life, life can be easier. Knowing how to handle things is knowledge.

The world has knowledge of all kinds of things. People go to schools to obtain knowledge of things in this world so they can get a job in a field of interest to them. The world has figured out ways to get people to pay tens of thousands of dollars to acquire knowledge, from this world, on a variety of topics; It is called college degrees.

The world even programs computers and puts these tiny computers into a box. The world builds a computer frame that appeals to the eyes of humans.  Today, we call it Artificial Intelligence or AI.

But God offers knowledge too. And God does not charge mankind tens of thousands of dollars for his knowledge, God gives it freely in his word. And you get to choose if you want to pay tens of thousands of dollars for man’s knowledge or if you want to believe God and follow God’s knowledge.

You see, before Adam and Eve sinned, God spoke or communed with them (Genesis 2). Check this out.

In Genesis 1:26,27 God creates man in God’s own image. And in Genesis 2:7 we learn, from God, that God created mankind with a body (made from the dust of the earth), a soul (mind, will and emotions) and a spirit (the breath of life God breathed into man). And God spoke with Adam and Eve, Genesis 1:27-31.

We see in Genesis chapter one an overview and details are provided in chapters two and three of the events from chapter one. (Shows a pattern God uses. Say what happens then provide details in the following chapters.)

So Genesis one, God is communing with Adam and Eve. Genesis chapter two provides details of chapter one. Then Genesis chapter three, Satan is introduced to us.

We learn from God, that Satan is subtil. Sneaky. And what does Satan do? Tries to get Eve to doubt what God says. Paul the apostle says Satan does the same thing today. 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 KJV
” But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Satan uses the same tactics today. When God says who we, believers, are in Christ,  Satan tries to get us to doubt what God says. God says believers are justified, redeemed, sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Satan tries to get believers to doubt who they are in Christ, and Satan tries to deceive people. That is why there are believers who think they must keep their salvation by being good and doing good works.

Salvation was never based on how good we are. Salvation is based on the blood of Jesus Christ at the cross paying for all of mankind’s sin once for all. Salvation is based on what we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.

So if Satan can get believers to doubt what God says about believers, Satan succeeds at weakening the effectiveness of the church.

Just like the Garden of Eden when Satan caused Eve to doubt what God said about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Satan tries to get people to doubt what God says about going to heaven. Doubt heaven and hell. Doubt a day of judgment. Doubt creation. Doubt healing and prosperity. Doubt God’s love for us. Doubt we are more than conquerors through Christ.

When you look at who you are in Christ, justified, redeemed, saved, sealed, and many other “things”, you see people who doubt what God’s word says about them, these people are trying to be good enough for God to accept them. Our Salvation was never based on our “good” works but on Christ’s work so what makes these people doubt that? Satan blinds their mind to truth.

When God says one thing about you and your life and you see something opposite happening in your life, you have a choice to make. Do you believe God and what he says about you or not? That is what the book of Job is all about. Job chose to believe God no matter what happened in his life. And Job chose to watch his mouth, be careful of the words he spoke. Remember when Job told his wife you speak as a foolish person when she wanted Job to blame God for their troubles?

Knowledge brings hope. Paul put it this way:

Romans 5:3-5 KJV ” And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Experience means you have knowledge of something. And when you see how Satan works, by causing you to doubt what God says about you, about a problem, about an issue, if Satan can cause you to doubt God about anything God’s word says, then Satan has deceived you just like he deceived Eve.

So what do we do? You have to look at areas of your life where you need answers. Then using a concordance, look up the key words of your question. Then write down the scriptures from your concordance and look them up in a King James Bible. God will give you your answers. Then it is up to you to choose to believe God or choose what you see happening in your life. Then do as Jesus did, speak God’s word to your question. You have to believe God and what he says, in your heart, and confess your belief in his word, speaking his word out loud with your mouth and you will see change. It may take a month, a day or thirteen years like it did with Joseph, but it will happen. How do I know it will happen? Because God’s word says God can not lie. So I believe what God says.

Ephesians 6: 12, 13 –
” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Until next time.

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Knowledge And The Soul

To understand life and living in this world, in the flesh, you have to go back to the beginning. God says he created everything. Man, animals, birds, God formed from the dirt of the earth. When we look at man, mankind, God says he created man in His image. So if man has a spirit, a soul, and a body, guess what God has?

When we look at God’s instructions to Adam keep in mind, God created Adam in his image. Look at Genesis 2: 15-23
” And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18. And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ”

The only tree Adam could not eat of was a tree of “knowledge” . What area of human life does knowledge affect? Remember, we defined knowledge already in previous posts. Knowledge is not information,  it is knowing that you know. So what part of the human body does knowing or knowledge affect? Yes, your mind. And your mind, your will and your emotions are the definition of your soul, not your body and not your spirit.

So when Adam took of the tree of knowledge,  what area of Adam’s body would be affected? His mind. His soul.

So think about this. Before Adam sinned, his mind knew God, he communicated with God and God communicated with Adam. Adam thought like God thinks.

We know from scripture that God told Adam, if you take of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die. We know Adam and Eve took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Did they die?

We know they did not die in their flesh, in their body. So what died? What part of them died?

Again, knowledge affects what part of the body? The mind. And the mind is part of what? Yes, the soul. So what part of Adam died? His soul. Adam’s soul was now dead unto God. Adam’s mind, his will and his emotions were now dead unto God.

So how could Adam know or operate in God’s will if Adam was now, in his mind, in his will and in his emotions, dead unto God? He can not. It is like Adam does not even have a clue what God tells him. Taking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil messed up Adam and Eve’s mind. Not only did it mess up their mind but it also killed their soul towards God.

It is like putting on a blindfold and trying to walk through life not seeing, not hearing not knowing where to go and what to do. Not knowing your purpose. Not knowing why you are here. Not knowing what to do. And because God created all of us with his breath of life, deep in our spirit man, we know God is real. People struggle to find God, search out God, learn about God and why he created them. Why? Because when Adam sinned, it messed up his mind. He died towards God.

That is why all the shedding of blood in blood atonement sacrifices. God shed blood of an animal to cover Adam and Eve. Israel shed the blood of sheep and goats to cover Israel’s sin. It was not until God came in the flesh, in a fleshly body, in Jesus Christ, to shed his sinless blood, once and for all time, to pay Adam’s sin debt.

This is explained, by God, in the scriptures in Hebrews 9:6-28 ” Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9. Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20. Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Not only did Jesus Christ pay man’s sin debt, but he also restored man’s relationship with God. We will pick it up from here next time, Lord willing. Until next time.

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Knowledge Changes Your Life

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. ”
There are many people in the world who say they love God, they believe Jesus died for the world, that heaven is real. Many have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Knowledge illuminates the mind. Knowledge is like a light bulb going on in your mind. For my musician friends, remember when you first were learning to play your instrument and started studying music? It is like hours and hours of learning and practicing. At times you say, why doesn’t it sound better? Why do I keep missing that spot? But you press forward with study and practice. Then one day it is like you say to yourself, Ah, now I get it. Now I “see”. You reach an Ah Ha moment. The light bulb goes on in your mind. Then your practice improves, you start sounding better and your playing seems to get easier.

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge is that Ah Ha moment. People learn about all kinds of things. They are acquiring knowledge about a subject matter, a topic, a field of study. But true knowledge illuminates the mind. The mind processes the knowledge. Let me give you an example.

You can acquire all the information you want on any subject but that does not mean you have knowledge of the matter. You can collect papers upon papers of topics and those papers may sit in a drawer. You could say to others, yes you read about this or that, but you do not have true knowledge. Why?

Yup, you have not “applied” that information. Spiritually speaking, you can read and study scripture all your life, but if you do not believe scripture AND apply the scriptures to your own life, nothing changes. All you have is information.

All of this AI ( artificial intelligence ) “stuff” today is rightfully named. Artificial. It is fake. It is basically a computer programmed with information, not knowledge. Because AI can not apply the information to life because it is artificial, fake, not living.

True knowledge is the key to changing your life. The world offers their knowledge and the scriptures offer God’s knowledge and with your God given free will, you get to choose who you will believe and obey.

So when Paul said, about Israel, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” In Romans 12:2 Paul was saying Israel has a zeal, a passion, enthusiasm, an eagerness of desire to please God. And Israel was trying to do that by keeping the law of Moses.

But Paul explained to them, ” For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” Romans 12:4,5.

So Paul was trying to explain to Israel they had zeal to God but lacked knowledge. So they had information but lacked application.

You see, knowledge is the key to changing your life. We will pick it up from here next time Lord willing. Until next time.

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What Is Knowledge – Define Knowledge

Knowledge is not information. Both words are spelled differently and have different meanings. Define the words.

We could look at definitions in the 1828 Webster dictionary but look deeper. The 1828 defines knowledge as, A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of a truth, a fact.

So knowledge is not information. Knowledge is knowing that you know. A clear and certain perception of something. People have all kinds of knowledge. Cooks have a clear and certain perception if they put cetain ingredients together they know that they know, what the result will be.

Builders know that they know if they build something under certain established guidelines, they know what the results will be.

Doctors know specific issues can be corrected following specific guidelines. Musicians know putting a series of notes together present a pleasant sound. Pilots know following specific established guidelines, they can get an airplane weighing thousands of pounds to lift up into the sky. Mariners know that ships weighing several ton can float on top of water. All these have knowledge. They know that they know a specific fact.

And each of those listed above, often know the keyes to the knowledge in each of those areas. And people, everyday people, put their trust in the knowledge of others when they go on an airplane, take a cruise or eat at a restaurant.

Is it a wonder that people would put their eternal soul in the hands and trust of others? Few people take the time to obtain knowledge on spiritual matters. Most people, as Jesus said, are blind leading the blind. And those religious leaders often take away the key of knowledge.

You see, knowledge illuminates the mind. When your mind is enlightened to a truth, it changes your life. That is why knowledge is the seed for changing your life. And knowledge has certain keys that unlock your understanding. And when you get understanding of a topic, an issue, you discover the keys and it can change your life if you apply the knowledge to you and your life.

In the case of Jesus speaking to scribes and Pharisees, whom Jesus called lawyers because they operated in the laws of God’s word, Jesus tells them they are not going to enter and they prevent others from entering, see Luke 11:46-54 KJV   ” Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”

No doubt, religious leaders often hold people back from obtaining true knowledge of God and the things of God. Some religious leaders do this, not intentionally (I believe they may not know) but many do this intentionally to keep “control” over their flock.

We have today,  plenty of churches full of people but no power of God in the church building. Clouds without water. Lifeless, powerless church services.  Most church services are teach a 20-45 minute long message on a topic. Application is not taught. So church services become a stories.

When was the last time your church taught you God’s way to having a happy marriage? What salvation really is all about?  How to know what God has called you to do? How to hear God speak to you? How to handle your finances God’s way? Budgeting? Helping others? Growing spiritually? How to walk in the Spirit? Live in the Spirit and be led by the Holy Spirit as Paul said in Galatians 5:16-25?

Many churches today have stories, programs, coffee shops, dinner on the grounds and all that is fine. But what about soul winning? Future events coming, aka prophecy teaching? Teaching believers how to disciple others? Teach believers how to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

We have a bunch of defeated Christians walking around because they do not know how to change their life. Why? Because the religious leaders have taken away the key to knowlwdge. Religious leaders focus on stories, on get togethers, on collecting money, on social clubs.

Religious leaders even strive to indoctrinate believers in to specific denominational teachings. This is very bad because it closes the minds of people to the word of God. You limit God and yourself, when you are “un-teachable” . 

This series is looking at knowledge and the keys of knowledge with the goal of helping our readers change their life. Knowledge is the seed of change. Then water and care for the seed and it will bring forth fruit. Are you game for the adventure? Then join us on this study of Knowledge.

Footnote: I just want to say I am humbled that God has sought to have this little blog in (99) different countries. I thank each and everyone of you for your comments and support of this blog.

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Definitions Matter

Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding – what do these words mean? Define wisdom. Define knowledge. What is understanding? Definitions matter. We define saved and we define lost. Definitions matter.

We would not know what sin is had God not defined sin in his word. Most people define sin as an action of the flesh. But notice God defines sin of the flesh and sin of our spirit man. There are two definitions of sin in scripture.

James 4:17 KJV  ” Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

This definition of sin affects our flesh. It requires we do something in the flesh. We do something in our flesh, our body, or we do not do something in our body. A good example of this is the Good Samaritan example Jesus spoke about. Jesus asked at the end, who was more righteous. The answer was the Samaritan. Why? Because he did, in the flesh, something to help the man.

So there is sin in our flesh, our body. But look at God’s other definition of sin from his word.

Romans 14:23 KJV ”  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

Here we see sin is defined as a lack of faith. Another words, God showed Peter in the book of Acts, everything was now clean to eat. If someone eats of something that use to be unclean but he is doubting if he should eat it or should not eat it, he dams himself. He brings condemnation on himself. Is this condemnation on his body? On his flesh? No! It is on his spirit man.

Faith is an attribute of our spirit man, not our flesh. So according to God’s word, whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So if you do not live in faith, you do not operate by faith, you cause your spirit man to sin. Why? Because faith is a spirit man attribute. God communicates with your spirit man. Once you are born again, you can hear God speak to you because your spirit man is “quickened”  or made alive unto God.

Did you ever wonder about when Satan and one third of the angels fell, where did their sin come from? God told Lucier that sin was found in him. Satan did not have an earthly body. The sin was in his spirit man. That falls into the Romans 14 definition. Satan did not believe God. He thought he could overtake God according to Isaiah 14:12-16 and Ezekiel 28:13-19.

When Jesus was offered as the Passover Lamb that takes away the sin of the world, Jesus paid for all sin. Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead and was seen of over 500 people after his resurrection. He paid for all sin, past, present and future.

I can not emphasize enough the importance of understanding the spirit, soul and body. Most people think, live, walk in their flesh only. They do not know about or understand their spirit man and their soul. So when asked to define wisdom, define knowledge and define understanding, do not just look at the flesh, define those words from your spirit man perspective as well.

One verse I keep on my desk is 2 Corinthians 4:18. In context, I will post verses 13 through 18.

“13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Until next time.

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