God's Contract

 God's Contract

A Word on Service

 

God has moved in my life many times. He has moved to bless me. He has moved to correct me. He has moved to save me, and He has moved to protect me. He has also moved in ways that I have not understood, and still don’t understand. He is God, and we can trust Him.

In my life God often moves because I ask Him. Just simply because I ask. He loves me.

Other times, it’s based upon faith. I trust Him, and step out, believing His Word.

But, other times, it’s based upon sincere brokenness.

I am done.

I am spent.

I can’t do it anymore.

I give myself totally to Him, and I’m willing to take whatever comes.

God knows our heart. He knows if we are being real with Him. He knows when we offer ourselves, unleavened, to Him. He knows.

In the early days of walking with God, I was not living a life I’m proud of. God was working on me, but I was far from where I am today. Not that I’m Mr. Perfect. But, I was pretty jacked up at the time.

Regardless of that fact, Jesus saved me, and was working on me. He was calling me to serve Him, and to draw closer and have a relationship with Him.

I didn’t know what to do, but I knew He was calling. Just like He is calling you.

So, I spoke to a pastor friend of mine and told him what I was feeling from God.

The pastor told me, to pray to the Lord, and imagine in my mind a contract. Just a blank contract. Then, to imagine signing it and giving it to God. Allowing God, the freedom to fill it out as He saw fit. So I did.

This was not my salvation, I was saved long before this. But I do believe this was the beginning of my ministry. The beginning of my service to Him. I became His servant.

After that prayer, great movement occurred in my life. Things started to change, and shift.

I do not want to go into details, but there is no doubt it was Him.

So, if you are saved and confused about what direction God has for you. Try praying this prayer.

Be real with God and surrender totally to whatever He might have.

But, understand that He might remove people from your life. He might do things to make you totally dependent upon Him. He might remove a job. Or give you a different job. He might take your home, and cause you to move. He might shake things so bad that people just abandon you. You might meet new people, or have your life rocked, in order to remove problems, or make you a better person.

When you give yourself totally to God, He must mold you. He must burn off the dross to purify the Gold. He must shake you to get rid of the chaff. He might break you to reshape you, and make you more useful for His kingdom.

It doesn’t have to be all bad. It can be full of joy as well, as you spend more time with Him. But, often we see changes as bad, even when they are not.

God has a purpose beyond our own purposes. He cares for us, but ultimately our eternal security, and blessings are far more important than our current life. Our kingdom work, and helping to save others is what matters most.

So, no matter how God moves. The final purpose is to draw us closer to Him. Every thing that happens, works together for our good. Because drawing closer to Him, and having that relationship is the best thing we can imagine.

God knows you. He loves you. He has what’s best for you. Trust Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Photo by the writer,  an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail

Your Testimony

 Your Testimony

A Word on Spiritual Warfare and Knowing God.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”—Revelation 12:11.

The enemy cannot take our salvation, nor our testimony.

Our salvation is held in God’s hand and no created thing can touch it.

Our testimony is our experiences with God. When Jesus healed the Gadarene Demoniac he said “Go and tell your friends and family the great things God has done for you”

That’s testimony. Testimony is saying “All I know is that once I was lost but now I am found. I was once blind…but now I see.”. It is like Paul said, “I came unto you preaching nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

When we are saved, we have an encounter with God. This moment cannot be taken from you. YOU KNOW there is a God and He rewards those who seek Him. Because if you seek Him, it’s because He first called you, and you responded.

It’s not a belief. YOU KNOW. Then, as you walk with God, you encounter Him again and again. And YOU KNOW. This cannot be taken from you, like your salvation.

They can take your bible, they can take your church, they can take your friends and family, they can cancel you, they can take your income, but they cannot take your salvation or your testimony, because YOU KNOW. If you really KNOW.

In these last days, as things get worse, it is our job to use our salvation, and our testimony to overcome the enemy. Tell people the great things God has done for you. People need it.

Regardless, of what the future holds, people are suffering today. The peace and hope God has given you can help others. Not judging. Just giving them your testimony.

It doesn’t matter if you know the Bible, or if you can’t speak well. It doesn’t matter if you are the perfect little church boy. or a sinner barely getting through.

Just tell what has happened to you, with God. Just open your mouth and you will be surprised what comes out. God will give you the words, if you are willing, and honest.

Just ask Him. He will come running. He will help. He will save. He will show Himself to you. You will KNOW.

And that could be the end of the message. But, I want to go further.

The verse quoted at the top of the page was part of a larger verse. In context, it gives us important information. So here is the entire section:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” —-Revelation 12:7-12

Ok, it is my belief, that at some point in the future there will be war in heaven and Satan along with his demonic cohorts, will be cast down to Earth, and every thing that we think is bad will get a thousand times worse.

I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. So, I think believers will be here until God pours out His wrath. Which means that all the persecution spoken of in Revelation will be coming upon believers.

Just like the first church was persecuted under the Romans and Religious Leaders, the future or present church will face the same tribulations. It’s not wrath, it’s cleansing.

Just like Jesus purified the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, and again, at the end of His ministry. His earthly temple, the church will be purified at the beginning, and the end.

That’s my view.

I don’t want to get into all of that.

My point is that, our testimony has power.

Regardless of your individual views on prophecy, we can agree that things are going to get worse.

And as they get worse, we might lose our churches, we might not be able to own bibles, we might have to meet in secret basements, like so many believers around the world already do today.

We might get thrown in prison and beat. But, our testimony and our salvation will overcome the devil and his slaves.

Our salvation will take us from this world and his grasp. Our testimony will allow us to take others with us. That’s how the devil is overcome.

Remember that, as the day approaches.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the Author, A sunrise in Southern Illinois.

No King, But Jesus

 No King, But Jesus

A Word on Real and False Leaders

 

 

 When we look at scripture, we see Samuel rebuking Saul. He says “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:23)

      

Now, a lot of preachers love to preach that this means we should bow down and obey false authority. But, this verse is talking about rebellion against God. It’s about being stubborn toward God.

      

How are we saved? We are saved by confessing that Jesus is our Lord. We are saved by surrendering to God, and letting Him guide our lives, and sanctify us. When we don’t it is rebellion, and stubbornness.

    

 Some folks will tell you that this is referring to being obedient to them. They put themselves in the position of God. God is real, and He can lead us. He does it through His Spirit, and by such means that develops the fruits of the Spirit in us. He allows things into our lives that cause us to be patient, loving, joyful, and peaceful. Be brings things that cause us to learn these fruits. Not as men see it, but as God sees it.

      

So, where did Saul come from? He was made King by God, when the people demanded a king (1 Sam. 8:1-22)

    

 Before Saul, the people had no king but God Himself. They listened to His Spirit, and went as the Spirit led. They also followed their own flesh and did not follow God. They refused to keep Him in their heart. They refused to keep Him before their eyes. Just the same as we do. They had the law and followed it or not.

      

The scripture says “They did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)  Now, a lot of preachers condemn this. They see it as rebellion. I disagree, because there is no evidence of God condemning it. He had Samuel the prophet, but there’s no evidence that God told Samuel to preach against it. God was fine with the way things were. Not saying God accepted sin. But, this was the system God set up. A system whereby He was in charge, and the people had a means to have their sins cleansed if they continued to abide in God. It wasn’t the sin, it was that they did not really believe, and did not really confess sins on the sacrifice. Why would God oppose His own system?

     

 So, what happened? The people demanded a King. Why? Because they could not handle the freedom God had given them. They wanted someone to control their neighbor. They wanted someone they could buy and control, in order to get their way. They rejected the Spirit of God. They rejected His freedom and grace, for rules and control.

    

 So, they cried out for a king, and God plainly states, “They are rejecting me”. He does not applaud them. He doesn’t have a problem with them doing what was right in their own eyes, because they are listening to His Spirit as He guides them. Not perfectly, but not wickedly either.

      

So, God gives them Saul. Saul is a curse. Saul is there to take over and impose the law, and all of the things God says will come upon them, if they reject Him. (1 Sam. 8:10-18) So, by accepting a king, they are bringing these curses. This is a foreshadowing of what will happen with the Anti-Christ. We accept that king, instead of the real King.

     

 Real authority loves the people. Real authority does not steal from them. Real authority allows freedom, not control. Real authority is a picture of Christ. Not a perfect picture, because we are humans and we sin. But, there is a difference between real authority from God and false authority.  Understand what I am saying here. The scriptures teach that God gives us the Authorities. It teaches that we should respect them for the position they hold, but Jesus said not to be like them. God put Saul in authority, but Saul became wicked. He was put there as a curse and to teach a lesson. Just because someone is in authority, does not change the nature of their authority. Some is real, and some is false.  Understand this, and realize that we have freedom from God to speak against evil, to resist evil, and to not be like them. However, we still respect the position of authority, and try to be wise and fair. Prophets spoke against evil kings. Jesus spoke against evil authority.

      

So, remember the crucifixion of Jesus. He had been beaten terribly, and was brought to Pilate again, and he presented him to the people. The religious leaders, who were listening to demonic entities, got the people to demand His death. They got the people to choose Barabbas instead of Jesus.  They chose Satan, a murderer, rebel, and thief  instead of Christ. This is the same spirit that led the Israelites, to reject God and demand a false king. God gave them Saul. This is the same anti-christ spirit, which will eventually lead people to reject Christ, and choose the final false king. The Anti-Christ. That spirit will likewise use religious leaders who have accepted a one world religion, so they can keep control, wealth and power, just like they always do.

    

 That spirit has worked in the children of disobedience since before the Flood. It led humans to build the tower of Babel, in order to be united and fight God.

      

That spirit is building a tower today, and uniting humans against God; preparing them to choose a different king.

      

Don’t fall for it, no matter what; even if the whole world is facing a plague, and economic collapse, and starvation, and destruction. Choose God. Follow His Spirit. Confess Jesus as your Lord. Ask Him to save you. Choose freedom, and reject the enemy. The love of money is the root of all evil. Be wise. Be content. Love your neighbor enough to allow them to be free.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the writer. The Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Southern Illinois.

But Without Faith...

 But Without Faith...

A Word on Faith  

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”—Heb. 11:6

God has given each one of us a measure of faith so that we are able to believe in Him and believe His promises. That is why we are without excuse. We have the ability but we refuse, or become distracted or deceived by Satan.

God loves us and comes to each of us, asking to have a relationship with us. Trying to save us and give us a hope and get us out of bondage to the enemy.

When we turn to Him He delights in saving us and working in our lives. He rewards us in many ways for putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and believing the promises that God has given us in His Word.

When we turn to Him, and acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths.

Just pray about everything. And you will find Him moving before you and showing where to go before you even get there. Your relationship will be such that you will see his pillar of fire and smoke, going before. You will hear His still small voice guiding your life.

He is real. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When you put your faith and trust in Him you will see His presence.

Are you really trusting Him?

When He says “Whatsoever you ask in my name I will do it?” Do you believe?

When He says “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” do you believe?

Or do you create excuses for why it might not be true?

Stop caring about outcomes, and start delighting in seeing Him work.

He is able. He is able to save, He is able to release you. He is able to heal. He is able to solve the problem.

He is able. Say it.

He is willing because He loves you. Say it.

He is going to do it, one way or another. Say it and trust it. Say it over and over

He is there. He hears. He loves and He is moving. He delights in seeing your faith grow.

Your relationship with Him is all that matters.

Abide in Him and Trust.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 

Photo by the Author. Sunrise over Hot Springs, Arkansas