It Comes Back

 It Comes Back

The power of reaping and sowing

 

The Bible speaks of reaping and sowing. (Gal. 6: 7-9, 2 Cor. Chapter 9, )

When God created the world He spoke forth certain principles. Seeds fall to the ground and make plants. If you plant a seed it will grow. There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. ( Gen. 1: 11-12, Gen. 8:22, Ecc. 3: 1-13)

Now God does not play around. When He does something it is done right. So, His laws are not just physical. They are also spiritual. All creation sees and understands this principle.

When God set reaping and sowing into motion in our world, the creation kept doing it. The process of reaping what we sow is a fact and goes on all the time, because that’s how it was designed. Of course there are lots of aspects that goes with this concept, but it is a biblical truth.

We reap what we sow. Whether good for good or bad for bad.

So, let’s look at three biblical truths that should encourage us or warn us.

1. Give and It Shall be Given Unto You:

Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down shaken together shall men give unto your bosom.” (Luke 6:38)

This is a spiritual truth. If you give, things will come back. And it’s not just spiritual blessings. The verse says “Men shall give”. Men cannot give you a spiritual blessing. This verse is an example of the reaping and sowing law at work in the creation.

But, it’s not just for good. Because if you do not sow, neither shall you reap. (2 Cor. 9: 6-7) If you are not willing to help others or be a cheerful giver. It’s quite possible you will not get blessings or help when you need it as well.

 Which takes us into the next concept.

2. Do Unto Other As You Would Have Done Unto You:

We often look at this saying from Jesus and think it’s a wise moral law. (Luke 6:31) But, what if it’s more than that. Maybe it’s a truth in regards to reaping and sowing. Maybe it’s more than just cause and effect. You are mean to some one, so they are mean back to you. This is true. It happens.

But, what if its more? What if it’s saying that if you are mean to people, you will run into people who are mean to you someday.

If you are unkind, it will come back into your life later on.

It’s the way the creation was designed.

3. If They Will Not Work Neither Shall They Eat:

A lot of Christians use this verse as a reason to not help the poor. Basically claiming that since they won’t or don’t work a job or a satisfactory job, they should starve to death with their children. (2 Thess. 3:10)

That was not God’s intent. He wants us to love and help and give. But, if we find after loving and helping that a person is just taking advantage and not trying to do anything to help themselves, we can withdraw help. But, that is not our first act. That is a last resort. Our first act is to love.

But, keeping in line with the context of reaping and sowing, perhaps the verse is more than physical flesh. Maybe it’s reaping and sowing. We know that if we will not work, we cannot get a harvest. This is cause and effect.

But, consider that if you refuse to do the Lord’s work, you will not be fed spiritually. We learn a lot in our spiritual walk when we step outside ourselves and follow the Spirit. If we refuse or don’t listen we miss the blessing and spiritual food we can gain from God, by working with Him.

So, when some Christians use this verse as an excuse to not help others. They are actually cursing themselves. They will reap what they sow…nothing. And on that day when He comes they will find that they have no oil in their lamps and that they buried their talents in the sand. (Matt. 25.)

***

People will say, “it’s not supposed to be about what you get back or get out of it”

It doesn’t matter what you think or believe on the subject. Reaping and sowing is a law. It occurs whether you like it or want it or not.

It’s like gravity. You can say what you want, but when you step off that building you will fall. Period.

Every thought and action within the creation will bring a return. If you do bad. You will get bad. if you do good. You get good. If you do nothing. You get nothing.

This is why God has told us about it, and warned us about it. His warnings on our behavior is a warning of what will come back on us.

When God created the world, He created it good. But, we fell and death and sin entered the world. Then, God laid down the curse, to get us to turn back to Him.

The creation was not originally designed for evil. The reaping and sowing was designed to bring good. Because everything in the creation would be doing good. So, more good comes in abundance. That’s God. Blessing us.

 But, evil came. Now the reaping and sowing also brings back evil.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons for God’s Law. To help us live in the world.

We know that after the fall humans became totally depraved. We are so evil we do not even understand how evil we are. So, God gave us the Law to show us. The law helps us to see our sinfulness and our need for a savior, Jesus Christ.

But, after we are saved the law works to help us grow, and know what to confess to the Lord. Perhaps it also helps us in living a life where we reap good things and not bad?

My suggestion is to Love God. Love others. Serve God. Help People. Give Joyously, and Do Good.

Because like Paul said “We reap what we sow.” Whether we like it or not.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

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Heaping Teachers In These Last Days

 Heaping Teachers In These Last Days

We avoid deception when we are taught by the Holy Spirit 

 

 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"--2 Timothy 4:3

The scriptures teach that in the last days we shall heap to ourselves teachers having itching ears, because we ignore sound doctrine and follow our fleshly desires.

This is referring to the believer and unbeliever alike.

We are perishing for lack of knowledge. We know it deep in our hearts. We know it in our souls and spirits. Something is wrong and we seek to know what it is. We seek anything to fill that gaping hole that can only be filled by God. (Hosea 4:6)

At the same time, we are surrounded by people who want to be important. They think they are the smartest one in the room and they often make sense or are so charismatic, that they seem wise or command respect. 

So we gather around these people having itching ears and desiring to hear from God through them, or anyone who can give us a spark of insight. These people are shiny. They transform themselves into angels of light. They teach works, and their end will be according to their works. They are from Satan. (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

But, the scriptures teach that God Himself, has gifted teachers and given them to us. ( 1 Cor. 12:28, Eph.4:11.)

A teacher from God is not the same as a teacher from man; or Satan.  God uses the base things to confound the wise. (1 Cor. 1:15-31)

But we are so eager to fill a spot or chase after some preacher or teacher who might not be from God.That we miss the real teachers from the Lord. We want the pretty thing, not the rough thing. We want polished, not the beat up clunker.

I'm not talking about learning a trade from a tradesmen. Although, we should seek to be led by God into that as well.

I'm talking about spiritual things.

So, how do we avoid the false teaching?

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit teaches us and leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)

John said that we have no need for any to teach us but the anointing will do it.(1 John 2:27)

James said, if we desire wisdom we can ask of God and He will give it.(James 1:5)

So, how does this work? Well, first we turn to God and confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in Him. We must be saved, have the Holy Spirit and willing to believe what He teaches and what the Word says. (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:3, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23, Luke 11: 11-13, John 14:16-17)

Then, we ask the Lord to teach us and guide us. (Prov. 3:5-8)

He will open up the scriptures to you. He will open up your mind, heart and life to learn from Him.

You will see things around you and in your life that will grow you and change you and teach you.

God will lead you to the church and the teachers and preachers He wants you to have. Listen to His Spirit as He guides you.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

But, this takes time. 

 

After being saved, Paul went into the desert of Arabia to hear from God. Then after 3 years he talked with Peter, to make sure what he heard was correct. Then, he continued to learn from the Spirit for 14 years as he served.  Even then, he still made sure of what he was teaching. He already had head knowledge from his years as a pharisee. But, he needed heart knowledge, he needed Spirit knowledge, he needed brokenness.  This takes time. (Gal.1:1-24-Gal 2:1-10)

God calls his teachers and preachers as He sees fit. It is a burden. A calling. It's not something you get from a few classes. It's not something you get because you are important in the community and able to attract listeners.

Jesus said "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."---(John 10:25-30)

With so many voices around us, is it any wonder that we can't hear from God anymore? Have you heard His voice? Would you know it? Jesus says you will if you are with Him. Believe it.

 
How do we hear from Him? We listen to the still small voice not the earthquake or raging fire full of fear. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Jesus said " If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:12)

Do you believe the hard things in His Word? Do you believe the crazy things in the Bible? Do you believe in six days of creation and one day of rest? Can you believe in talking serpents and global floods? If you can't believe that,  then how can you believe that He rose from the dead? (Romans 10:9-10) 

 

How can you believe He is coming again? How can you believe He answers prayer or will never forsake you? How can you believe there is an enemy, and how can you believe there are false teachers? Maybe even the one who preaches to you about works every Sunday.

He has given us teachers. But are we listening to HIS teachers? 

 

Like the leaders of Israel ignored and killed the true prophets. Do religious leaders keep the people in darkness today as well? Do we heap to ourselves teachers today thinking we are so smart, or so spiritual?

 

If we trust the Holy Spirit and let Him teach us we will avoid the deceptions of these last days. We will know the truth. This is how the elect avoids deception, in these days of lies. (Matt. 24:24)

 

By letting the Holy Spirit teach us we grow in relationship with God and we avoid heaping teachers based upon our fleshly desires. Whether we mean to or not we have a tendency to want to hear from teachers who are agreeing with what we already know or believe.
 

This verse is not speaking of "desires" in the sense of lusts. No preacher is telling you to commit adultery or steal or kill, or be a drunkard. No one would follow this guy. But, the teacher is teaching based upon the desires of the fleshly mind, instead of the things of the spirit. Teaching a salvation by works, instead of grace. Teaching the religion of the Anti-Christ to come. A religion that twists and ignores the Word. Teachers serving Satan instead of God. A religion of deception and control, in order to lead the people into the Apostate Church to come.

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Start listening to Him right now. We avoid false teachers by listening to the Holy Spirit. He will lead us into all truth and open the Word for us. He will renew our mind. He will change us.

Trust in the Lord.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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There's One Conspiracy

 There's One Conspiracy

There really is only one thing moving behind the scenes.

 

 

What is going on in the world? Why are things like this?

Are you a conspiracy theorist or have you seen things that goes on in history or in the news that doesn’t make sense? Things that seem to be connected, but there’s really no rational way they could be.

Have you noticed that we always seem to head in the same direction, like some unseen hand guides the events of the world and history. Something you can’t prove but you can plainly see?

Have you considered the spiritual element?

Have you considered that humans have a spiritual enemy that seeks to rule over us and to dethrone God?

All those connections you cannot seem to make or that make you feel crazy, are easily made when you consider that Satan, Fallen Angels, Unclean Spirits, Demons, and the spirit of antichrist is working behind the scenes. It’s not just humans doing all the work themselves.

You wanna know who “They” are?

This is them.

“They” are spiritual forces of darkness in high places who direct humans to move us in a certain direction. (Eph. 6:12)

Do you see the pantheons of gods in history? Zeus, Odin, Osiris, Hades, Set?

In every part of the world?

This is them. The Fallen Angels. The Nephilim. The gods.

 They have worked since the beginning of the world to bring it under their complete control, and for Satan to be worshiped as the most high god. (Isa. 14:12-20, Ezek. 28:1-19)

They have done the same thing, over and over again throughout history.

They corrupted Adam and Eve telling them that they would be as gods, getting them to doubt God’s Word and Goodness. (Gen. 3)

This allowed them to be able to take dominion of the Earth from Adam.

They now rule behind the scenes, and have for a long time.

Why does this matter?

Because history is one big story of these guys trying to take over and be worshiped.

It is believed the Fallen Angels came to Earth at the time of Jared in the Bible. (Gen. Chapter 5.)

They corrupted humanity, and abused all of nature. (Gen. 6)

They were with human women and giants were born to them. These were the Nephilim.

Mythology also speaks of “gods” like Zeus taking human women, and demi-gods were born.

The ancient gods were the fallen angels, and their offspring. Like all stories it changes over time. Little details change here and there but the core is the same. These “gods” were known all over the world.

When Alexander the Great of Greece invaded Egypt it is said he was amazed that they worshiped the same gods.

The stories of the gods are the same to some extent all over the world.

Could it have been the fallen angels?

How did ancient people come up with the same beliefs all over the world?

Ok, so the fallen angels came to earth and connected with the line of Cain.

St. Augustine says that the fallen ones in the Bible are referring to the line of Cain corrupting the line of Seth. He rejects the idea of fallen angels.

St. Augustine’s view became the common teaching. Helping to hide the truth. But, one must ask. How does two human groups procreating with each other bring out giants? And the Bible teaches there were giants. Goliath was a giant.

I believe it was both. Fallen angels came, giants (demi-gods) were born, and the line of Cain corrupted the line of Seth.

The world was ruined.

So the Flood came and washed it all away.

Now, when you look at this story and read the Biblical texts. What you will find is that the same corruption is going on in the world today, as we race towards destruction.

By the time the Flood came the humans and giants under the direction of the fallen ones, created a world wide trade system. They built huge structures. Globally. It is claimed that they did lots of evil things. Human sacrifice, Cannibalism, Slavery, mixing of animals and humans, if you can imagine an evil thing, it was happening. It’s believed there was science and sorcery of the most vilest types. Were there really ancient aliens? Or were they Nephilim, and humans directed by fallen angels? Could aliens be fallen angels or demons from another dimension of existence, instead of another planet?

 After the Flood only eight humans survived.

Do you think God believed that a flood would destroy angels and demons? Nope.

Do you think God believed a flood would destroy sin? Nope.

Sin is a corrupting plague.

But He washed the Earth clean, and waited to see if the corruption came back. If it does then it must be burned. And that is where the earth is headed. To be burned with fire.(Lev. 13:47-59)

So, what we see after the Flood, is that the whole world is united. They are led to build a tower. This tower was supposed to unite and protect humans from another catastrophe like the Flood.

It is believed that Nimrod was the king that led in the building of the tower. He is a picture of the Anti-Christ to come. He was led to build the tower by the fallen angels and demonic forces it is believed. This tower is a picture of the New World Order being built today. It is also a picture of the technology that is working to unite the world. (Gen. 10 8-9, Gen. 11)

God came down and confused the languages and the people scattered over the Earth.

This is why there are different names for the gods, and for the first king and his family. This is why the mythologies are the same, but different globally.

Satan and the fallen angels were thwarted again. This is the second time they tried to build a global empire to worship Satan and oppose God.

Do you see the pattern?

From this point in history the “gods” directed humans and led them to create massive empires. To control and unite humans again.

God does not want humans united, unless and until we are finally united under Christ.

History is full of kings who claimed to be descendants from gods, who went forth to conquer and united the world under them.

Do you think that’s a coincidence?

Perhaps they really are descended from the Nephilim?

When you look at history, the Bible, prophecy, mythology, and conspiracy with this mindset, you really see some interesting things. Who is really behind the scenes and why?

When we look at the book of Daniel we see an image of a human, which described global kingdoms throughout history. It shows Babylon, Persia, Greek, Roman, and a future (or present) kingdom. But, the entire idol is one idol. Which means that all these kingdoms are not really separate. They are all united and they are led by Satan, the fallen angels and demonic forces. (Daniel Chapter 2)

This is a very simple picture of the ancient world. Controlled by empires and the “gods’. Which brings us to the time of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was killed by the Roman empire and by the religious leaders. Both of whom were controlled by Satan, the fallen angels and demonic forces. Paul plainly states that the “princes of this world” crucified Jesus. He is not talking about the pharisees or Rome. he is referring to demonic princes, described in Daniel. He is talking about Satan and the fallen angels who are principalities and powers in high places. (1 Cor. 2:8, Daniel Chapter 10, Eph. 6:20)

We read in John Chapter 13, that when Jesus gave Judas the sop of bread. Satan entered into him and he went to betray Christ. This plainly shows that demonic forces killed Jesus. They used Judas to betray, They used the religious leaders to condemn, and they used the Roman Empire to execute him.

But, when Jesus was crucified and rose again He broke the power of the Fallen Angels. We see the power of the “gods” being destroyed globally in history throughout the world.

Coincidence?

What we see from this point is the same thing as before, Empires growing around the world led by Kings, Priests and Presidents. We see great atrocities committed globally. We see the creation of global economies and corporations. We see international bankers and secret societies coming into being.

We see problems created, then solved by the same people who created them. We see money controlling the world, while billions are kept in poverty and bondage.

We see the world uniting constantly under new empires of commerce and ideology.

The world always heading in the same direction. More control. More connectedness.

All of it directed by those who rule behind the scenes. Those who have ruled from before the Flood.

So, when you discuss conspiracy theories, whether it’s the Catholic Church, or The Royals, or the Rothchilds, or the Illuminati, or the Knights Templar, or the Tri-lateral Commision, or the Bilderbergers, or Bohemian Grove, or the Federal Reserve, or any of it.

Make sure you are including the demonic element.

Because that is who is behind it all.

That is who is building the New World Order Kingdom of the Anti-Christ, and have been for a long time.

Satan seeks to be worshiped as god, and to have complete control.

The Bible says he will succeed, and overcome the saints. (Daniel 7, Rev. 13:7)

He will take over the world, until Christ returns and shatters his kingdom and sets up the eternal throne. (Dan. 2:34-35)

Coming soon.

---

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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The Coming Storm

 The Coming Storm

Are you prepared?

For the past week meteorologists have been warning about a coming winter storm. It’s freezing rain and snow will cause problems, they say. And folks believe them. They stock up on bread and milk. They buy icy melt. They break out the snow gear and the shovels. They check on family. They stay home to keep roads clear and safe. They close businesses to keep people safe.

Because they believe what they are told.

The Word of God tells us that there will come a time in the future when the world will face great trouble.

The Word tells us that we will face trouble in our own lives.

The Word tells us that we will face death someday.

A storm is coming.

Are we going to believe it? Are you prepared?

When an ice storm is coming, we listen to the experts. We listen to the people who have seen it before, and we rest in the experiences we have had in the past. This helps us to prepare for the coming storm.

Likewise, we can turn to God to save us and see us through the future storms of life and death. He can save us for eternity. We can trust Him. We can trust His Word.

When we believe the warnings of the ice storm we respond.

When we believe the Word of God we can respond also.

Belief leads to response. Faith leads to action.

Jesus told the paraplegic man to take up his bed and walk. (John 5)

 But, what if the man had not done it. Would he have been healed?

He was healed because He believed and responded to the Word given him.

We are told “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”— Rom. 10:9-10

When we read this verse do we believe it? Or do we doubt?

Do we say “Yeah but there has to be more to it than that. How can a person just say some magic words and get saved? Don’t they have to love God and obey Gods law?”

We make up all kinds of excuses because we cannot believe the simplicity of salvation and the love of God.

Satan is more than happy to give us excuses to get us to doubt God’s goodness and Word. It’s the same thing He did to Eve in the Garden. (Gen.3)

Our belief leads to a response. The response is to turn to God (repent) and confess Jesus is the Lord and He is our Lord, and believe that He rose from the dead. Which is believing the Word we have been given.

Do you believe it? Do you believe He died for you, and rose from the dead? Do you believe He is God?

Yeah but… “Faith without works is dead.” Some will say. — (James 2)

Belief or faith requires a response, and the response is confessing Jesus as our Lord. Confessing is a work. Baptism is a work. Communion is a work.

What did the thief on the cross do?

He confessed Jesus as Lord, then he told the other thief about Jesus.

That’s it. And Jesus said “Today you will be with me in Paradise”–Luke 23

Likewise, when we confess Jesus as Lord, and tell others about Him, we will be with Him in Paradise, when we die or He returns.

That’s it. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”—Matt. 10:32

We confess because we believe. Belief leads to a response.

God’s grace and our belief and confession is how we are saved. That salvation leads to a relationship with God as we see Him moving in our life. Our faith and belief grows in Him.

We trust that He forgives us. We trust that He is with us and will never leave us. We trust that He loves and cares for us and will take care of us, and we see Him moving and doing it. This leads to praise and thanksgiving which helps grow the relationship, faith and trust.

That is belief. That is faith. Our response is to confess Him as Lord, love others and build the kingdom. We are saved and healed so we lead others to be saved and healed in Jesus name.

But, there’s a storm coming.

Storms in our lives and in the world.

Trouble comes, and we can turn to Him and He will move. Stand on the promises of God in His Word. Trust Him. And when you see Him move it will build your faith and relationship.

But, the coming storm will be of darkness without hope. Some say believers will escape, but that has not been proven. God will be with us through the storm. Just like He was with the disciples on the boat, and with Israel through the plagues.—(Luke 8, Exodus)

He will be with us as this world gets worse and worse. As terrible things fall upon the Earth preparing for Christ’s return.

Do you believe it? Are you preparing for the times of trouble and His return? Are you getting people saved, and preparing your own self?

The scriptures are clear that when He returns there will be church people who thought they were saved but were not. People who prayed a prayer, or people who sat in church every week. But, never believed. They never really confessed Him as Lord. They never fully trusted Him to save them but instead trusted their own works. They never had a relationship with Him.

The storm is coming.

But, many do not believe.

These false brethren will fall away when the trouble comes. They will say “Where is the promise of His coming.”. They will wonder why He has delayed His return. —(2 Peter 3:4, Luke 12:45-46)

Then, they will form the apostate church and help the Anti-Christ persecute the saints. They will beat the men servants and maid servants. They will go back to living for the world. They will be like Judas the betrayer. —(Luke 12:45-46, Rev. 6, Matt. 24, )

Why? Because they never believed. They never put their faith in Christ. They never had a relationship with Him.

And when He returns they will be foolish virgins without oil. (Matt. 25)

They will have taken the gifts and talents and salvation the Lord gave them, and buried it in the sand instead of responding in belief and serving the Lord. (Matt. 25)

They will stand before Him saying “when did we see you naked?” Because they never believed and turned and let the Holy Spirit lead them to serve others and love people and help them. (Matt. 25)

They will say “Did we not do many works in your name?” Because they trusted in works, not the Blood of Jesus. (Matt 7:21-23)

They will not be clothed in the wedding garment because they never knew the King. (Matt. 22)

They never had a relationship with Him or confessed Him as Lord.

They just went to church every week, judged others, and tried to obey rules.

And He said “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

The storm is coming. Do you really know Him.

Can you trust Him when they are killing your church? Can you trust Him when they threaten to fire you from your job if you won’t take the Mark of the Beast? Can you trust Him, when people who call themselves Christians lie to you, attack you, betray you and destroy your life, or lead you to death? Can you trust Him when you face homelessness and starvation? or will you turn back like Lot’s wife, desiring the comforts of the world?. (Gen. 19)

The storm is coming, the Word says. 

Turn to Him, and ask Him to save you. Confess Jesus as your Lord. Believe He rose from the dead. Believe the Word, given to you. Tell others about Jesus, building the kingdom.

The Holy Spirit will come and teach you and lead you into all truth. (1 John 2:27)

And you will know Him and have a relationship with Him.

And when the storm comes you will be safe in the Ark, that is His salvation and care.

When the waters rise and beat upon you, you will stand firm because you’ve built your house on the Rock of Jesus Christ, who is the living Word. Not on the sand of your own works and power. (Matt.7)

The storm is coming …soon.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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Standing On Faith

 Standing on Faith

What does it mean to wait upon the Lord?

 

 

There’s a verse in Isaiah that people like to quote.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”—Isa. 40:31

Tough times come into our lives.

It doesn’t matter what kind of tough times, because it all does the same thing to us. It brings us to a place where we are faced with trusting God or not.

When you look at the temptations of Christ, you will find that they all end in the same basic question.

Do you trust God?

Do you trust God to provide?

Do you trust God to protect?

Do you trust God to answer?

Do you trust God to guide?

I am in the same boat. Destroyed and abandoned by people I called friends. People who claimed to be friends. People who call themselves believers in Christ, but do not love the brethren, like He commands.

I’m waiting upon the Lord.

What does that mean?

Well, it means to continue doing the things you know for a fact He called you to do. It means doing what is right and abiding in Him; keeping the relationship with Him.

 He called Abram to follow Him out into the wilderness and Abram went. “Come unto a land that I will show you.”

And Abram followed as God led. It was a daily walk. But, God led him to a place where Abram was fulfilling his purpose.

Abram listen to God’s leading, as frustrating as it is to not know the whole plan. But, the following and the waiting and the learning the voice of the Lord was the real plan. That was the relationship.

And Abram, became Abraham, the father of nations. A powerful prophet in the land where God led him.

As sheep we follow the shepherd. We know his voice because God teaches it to us. We see Him moving and we remember what He tells us. We trust in the things He has shown us and confirmed in His Word.

He leads us by the still waters. His rod and staff comfort us. Not because of where we are, but because of Who is with us. Nothing can harm us for real. He is there.

Our faith grows in the relationship. It grows when we hear God’s Word and we put our faith in it and stand on it despite all odds. His promises are true and no matter what happens He is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We can stand on the Rock of Christ, the Rock of His Word.

Turn to Him and He comes running. Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given to you. Knock and it will be opened. We have not, because we ask not. We are his children, we can come boldly to the throne and seek Him in our despair.

While we wait on the Lord to show us the next step, we stand on faith. We stand on His Word, and the things He has shown us in our lives, which is our testimony. The testimony of the great things He has done for us.

We can trust Him. He is coming fast.

Like the Israelite’s in the desert waiting on the pillar of smoke and fire to move. He will move.

Faith comes by hearing the Word. Speak it to yourself.

“Whatsoever I ask in His name He will do.”

Believe it.

Trust it.

Drive the doubt out of your mind with it.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Say it.

Believe it.

Stand on it.

Let the promises fill you with faith and drive the demons of doubt and fear and infirmity away.

“By His stripes I am healed”

Believe it.

“Take up your mat and walk”

 Believe it.

Get up and get busy.

Do what you can do.

Grab that promise and run with it.

Dance before the Lord and trust that He has your back.

He is coming. He promises.

You will run and not be weary.

Believe it.

Our relationship with Him forever is being built.

We know Him, through the relationship He is building. We know Him as we walk with Him through the desert. We know Him as we wait upon Him and continue in well doing till he comes.

And He is coming.

You will hear His voice and see Him move to help you.

Trust Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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Thorns and Thistles

 Thorns and Thistles

What is the symbolism of sin?

 

 

As Saints we need to understand the Word, and the work we are called to do.

We need to understand the world around us and what is going on in our lives, and the lives of people we are in contact with.

Why do we sin?

Why do we have difficult lives?

The reason is because Adam chose to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, after being warned not to.

This brought death into the world. It caused humans to have a corrupted nature. It allowed Satan to take dominion of this world from Adam.

That is why we sin. That is why we die. and that is why there is a power that seems to rule over this world.

But, God did not leave us like that.

He came and brought a curse, “for our sake”. (Gen. 3 KJV)

The curse did not bring death or sin or Satan, those things already existed because of the fall. And God does not cause us to sin. That is not His character.

We commit sins because of what is in us from the fall. Our corrupted nature. This is important to understand. It’s like the symptoms of a spiritual plague. The plague of Sin.

God laid down His curse not as a punishment but as a tool to cause us to turn to Him and be saved. He is our only Hope.

He created the woman to be a helper to the man. So, the curse plays on her desire to help and nurture. It causes her to seek God for salvation and help, through her desire for family. She needs help and God is the only help.

 The man is not cursed. But, the earth is cursed, so that no matter what he does, it only brings forth thorns and thistles. His hard work, is supposed to cause him to turn to God for salvation and help.

This is literally true. But, there is a symbolic truth involved, because thorns and thistles are symbols of sin.

It means that all his works are sin. It means that no matter how hard he tries he cannot produce good. This symbolism is supposed to teach us that there is nothing we can do to fix ourselves, only Christ can do that.

Everything around us are symbols of the truth of God. Every aspect of reality is interwoven with the truth of His Word.

So, let’s look at more thorns and thistles.

Paul says that Jesus Christ was made sin for us. (2 Cor. 5:21)

God made a sinless Christ into sin for us and nailed it to the cross.

He nailed Sin itself to the cross.

Notice how Jesus was given a crown of thorns and a robe of scarlet. (Matthew 27:27-30)

These are the symbols showing He was made sin for us.

Sin and it’s power over us has been destroyed on the cross if we turn to Him. If we ask Him to save us and confess Him as our Lord. (Rom 10:9-10)

That doesn’t mean we don’t sin. Remember every work we do is filthy rags. It is all sin, unless we do it through and in Him.

And when we sin we confess our sins to Him and He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL sin. (1 John 1:8-10)

But, ALL of our sin is gone in Him. It is as though we had never sinned at all. Christ’s blood washes us clean. So, clean that we do not sin, even in the midst of our sin. It is not held to our account.

But, have we really turned to Him? Do we really know Him?

That is important.

In these last days we need to make sure we are in Christ. He is our Ark for salvation.

The scriptures teach that there will be people who think they are saved, because they are relying on their own works, instead of the finished work of Christ.

Are we relying totally on Him, or are we trying to do things ourselves, and only producing thorns and thistles?

Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”— (Matt. 7)

The fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, do not come from the flesh. They come from the Holy Spirit in us and working in us. Our fleshly works only produce thorns and thistles.

Are you growing in the Spirit? Are you producing good fruits? Are the people you seek to follow as leaders really producing good fruits?

The narrow way that leads to life is Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation. It is not by works. It is not by flesh which produces thorns and thistles. It is not because you quit sinning. You cannot quit sinning, its all thorns and thistles without Christ.

 Jesus tells us of the Sower in Matthew 13.

The Word of God goes forth into the World.

Some people become quickly deceived by Satan and demonic forces and cannot understand the Word, or refuse to receive it.

Others hear it, and are overjoyed that God will forgive them of sins and work in their life. But, trouble comes and people make fun of them or persecute them. So, they turn away from God. They never knew Him. They had no root, in Him.

Some people hear the Word, but thorns and thistles choke it out. They let the problems of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke out the Word. They never turned to God and let Him save them. The sin and flesh in their life overpowered the Word. They relied on their own works and wealth to save them.

But, when we are willing to let God work, and give ourselves to Him. When we are broken enough, like good soil prepared for the Word. We can turn to God and be saved. Growing in Him.

God keeps coming. His Word is everywhere. He does not just try one time and you are done. He keeps working to save us till we are dead.

We might be hard hearted, but over time He breaks us and softens us so that we can hear Him speak and accept Him. Then, His Word grows in us a mighty Oak, that thorns cannot stop. God works to prepare the soil of our heart to receive Him. We cannot.

Never stop turning to God. Never stop relying on Him alone for salvation, not by our works but by His grace and goodness.

By His Holy Spirit working in us, we can produce fruit, instead of the thorns and thistles of the flesh.

The Word speaks that in these last days there will fall away great numbers of Christians who never really knew Him. They will beat the men servants and maid servants. They will give in to persecution and have no root in God. They will have no oil of faith in the their lamp, when He comes. They will be rejected. (2 Thess. 2:3, Matt. 25, Luke 12:45,)

Make sure you are with the Lord.

Time is drawing near.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

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Let The Light Shine In

 Let The Light Shine In

What is Christmas?

 

Christmas is a time for cheer. A time when we slow down and remember the things that matter most.

It’s a time when we celebrate the birth of a King. The birth of a savior. Jesus Christ our Lord.

As has been pointed out many times, December is not the actual date of His birth. It was probably sometime in September.

But, there is a symbolic reason for the choice of December 25th

When you consider the darkness in this world, and the shadows of evil in our hearts.

When you consider that we are in bondage to our wicked ways and the demonic forces of Satan, the usurper.

When you consider the blackness of the souls that are ruling this world and the misery they impose on us.

We can see the darkness.

The cold savage darkness full of torment.

Just before Jesus was born, King Herod commanded that all babies under two years old be slain, in order to stop the birth of the true King. (Matt. 2:16)

Herod wanted to protect his blood line’s power.

But, the demons who really rule behind the scenes wanted to keep the world in bondage to them.

To keep the world in darkness.

 And what is more dark, than rulers killing children?

It was the darkest of days.

But, a light came into the world.

On that day Joy and Love came to save us from death and raise us up to be with Him.

The light came to shatter the deep and break the power of the forces of spiritual darkness in high places.

The true King was born.

And we celebrate it in a symbol.

A symbol of the light, and a symbol of salvation.

On December 21 we have the darkest day of the year.

We have the day the light goes out.

The day the light dies and goes into the grave of death.

Then, three days later the light is born.

A picture of our savior in the belly of the earth 3 days.

Dec. 22, Dec. 23, Dec. 24

December 25th the light is born. The King is come. He is born to be with us. He was born to die for us and rise from the grave, to set us free. And He will return soon to destroy the darkness, forever.

Merry Christmas.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

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