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/

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The Spirit of AntiChrist

 The Spirit of AntiChrist

The One Conspiracy To Rule The World

 

The spirit of antichrist has been working in the world since before the Flood of Noah, even till today.( 1 John 2:18, 22, 1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7 KJV)

It has one job. To create the Anti-Christ system in preparation for the appearance of Satan's messiah, the Anti-Christ in these last days

When you see in the Bible the world being taken over by evil before the Flood of Noah. That was the spirit of antichrist. When you see Nimrod building the Tower of Babel and uniting the world against God. That was the spirit of antichrist. 

When you look at history and see all the world conquerors. That's the spirit of antichrist. When you see the idol of Daniel, showing the kingdoms of history. That is the spirit of antichrist.

When you see the 20th century and the struggles between capitalism and communism and fascism for global control, and control of the mind. That is the spirit of antichrist. 

As you see the uniting of the world through torment and destruction, and fear. That is the spirit of antichrist.

The word antichrist, does not mean against Christ. It means "instead of" Christ. It's job is to unite the world under the Anti-Christ, and get them to worship, another god. That god being Satan who desires to be the most high. 

The spirit of antichrist does not care about our politics. It uses all sides to push its agenda. It works through individuals, groups, religions and governments to gain more control and build the infrastructure for the Beast system.

There are humans who rule this world, and have submitted to the antichrist spirit and other demonic forces. These humans from top to bottom are deceived slaves.

Even good Christian people can and are used by this spirit to help push the agenda.

The Holy Spirit and God's Word, helps us to fight these things if we are Saved and Spirit led. Remember, Satan can quote scripture and use it to oppress people. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into all Truth. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that quickens, the Sword of the Spirit.

We are called to fight the good fight of faith against the enemy in all its forms. But, we know we have already won, and the final victory must be Christ's. 

When they say Christ has come, do not be deceived, you will know when your Lord comes.

When they say you are an extremist. Rejoice for so persecuted they the prophets before you.

When they threaten you, and strip everything from you, and beat on the door to come in, fear not for He is with you.

Remember, all these things must happen but the end is not yet.....for He is coming...quickly.

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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“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

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

Photo by the author The Washington Monument in D.C. 

By Faith...

 By Faith...

Faith Matters

 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”—Heb. 11:1

Translation: Faith is made up of hope for things we do not see and have never seen, but have evidence for.

If we rightly divide this verse we first need to understand what “Hope” is.

Hope is not a “Gee I sure hope so.”

No, it’s “more like “My only hope”. It’s like a life preserver or like a harness that a steel worker wears when he is on a high rise and needs a safety line to prevent falling.

We hope for things we have never seen, but have been given evidence of.

We have never seen God. We have never seen heaven or hell.

But, things have happened in our lives that have given us evidence of the reality of these things.

We have seen God move in our lives and answer prayer. We have seen people get healed of disease. We have seen blessings come to us and to others. We have seen the beauty of nature and the signs it holds. We have felt God in our spirit, comforting us.

This evidence is our lifeline to God. God provides this evidence so that our lifeline will be stronger and cause us to reach out to Him more and trust Him more. God Himself is our lifeline and He provides faith for it.

He gives us faith at birth, and He builds our faith to believe in Jesus Christ and put our faith and trust in Him. Then, He continues throughout our life to build our faith. If we know Him.

Hebrews chapter 11 is called the faith chapter of the Bible. This is where we can get a definition of what faith is.

The very first thing it mentions is having faith in God’s creation. Belief that God created all things out of nothing, simply by speaking it into existence.

We believe in creation because God told us in His Word that this is what happened. So, by faith we believe His Word. Our belief in His Word makes us righteous. Abraham believed God and it was counted to Him for righteousness. When we are told of Jesus Christ, we have the chance to believe or not. If we believe, then we are believing the Word of God, and we put our faith in Jesus Christ and we are declared righteous. Jesus is the living Word of God. (Romans 4:3 Rom. 3:22)

God washes us and places us in Christ. This is what happened to all the Old Testament saints. They believed God and God declared them righteous and placed them in Christ. Just like us.

Remember God is not bound by time or place. God is not filled with doubt. He knows for a fact that His plans will succeed. So, when an Old Testament saint died, having never known Jesus, God places them in Christ because they believed God’s Word.

So, if that saint was alive to today, and heard a sermon on Jesus. This saint would have accepted Him. I know this might not be liked by some believers, but every person who has ever been saved has been saved by grace, through faith. Not by works. They did the works because they believed the Word God gave them.

Grace comes from God and we see evidence, then choose to put our faith in Him at His Word.

Obedience or works are nothing without faith.

They are just rule keeping or going through the motions.

There are some things we cannot do without faith first. Like Confessing Jesus is the Lord, or believing He came in the flesh. (1 Cor. 12:3, 1 John 4:1-3 )

Like Abel sacrificing the first of his flock, as a picture of the future sacrifice of Christ. That’s what ALL sacrifices are. (Heb 11)

He did this because He received a Word from God, or believed the Word of God given to Him from Adam.

He then became a picture of Jesus, when he was killed by His brother because of envy. Like Christ was killed by His brethren for envy. (Gen. chapter 4, Matt. 27:18)

And they were sent to wander the earth.

We see that Enoch walked with God. He had a relationship with him, just like we are called to have a relationship. But, it started by first seeing evidence of God from God, or it came from a Word given from God by someone else. Perhaps from Seth, or from Adam himself. (Gen. 5:22-24)

Remember Adam often walked with God in the cool of the day.

Do you see that our faith leads us to know God and walk with Him. it leads us to seek Him and turn to Him and let Him direct our paths.

It’s a relationship not rule keeping. No one is saved by keeping the law. We are saved by knowing Him. By confessing Jesus is the Lord and having a relationship with Him by faith. (Rom. 3:20-31)

Noah built an Ark. Because He believed the Word given to Him and he acted upon it. Who in their right mind would build an ark in the front yard?

Our faith might lead us to do crazy things. It might lead us to look strange or be persecuted. But, it might also lead to the saving of our family, friends and world.

We see that Abraham believed the Word God gave Him, and he was made righteous. He went unto a land that was not his own and trusted God. He trusted God even though Abraham never saw the promise fulfilled.

There are things we are trusting God for. And we might never see it fulfilled, until we stand with him on that day in glory. When we cross into Paradise to be with Him, and we see the new heaven and new Earth to come.

We seek a city, a country, a future place with God called Home. For this place is not our home.

Sara believed that God would give her a child in her old age. Even through her doubt, God provided. Despite her laughter the promise came and she was written in this book. Because God’s promises are not based upon our faith, and obedience. But, on His might, grace, and goodness. He does it. Not us. (Gen. 18)

Our faith often leads us to reject things in this life, knowing God has a better plan.

Like Moses who chose to reject the high living of Pharaoh and suffer with His own people. Because He knew that he would be the Deliverer and knew that Christ would deliver us all. (the book of Exodus, Acts Chapter 7, Hebrews 11:26)

All of the Old Testament saints teach us that God gives us a Word, and by faith we believe that Word and follow Him.

Jesus is that Word. And when we turn to Him by Faith, He saves us and directs our paths through His Holy Spirit and the relationship we have with Him.

Even through persecutions and a tough life we keep turning to Him and calling out to Him in faith trusting His Word.

And even if we do not see the promises fulfilled in this life, we know that there is a better day.

So, since we are surrounded by the great saints of old and the lives they lived we can turn to Jesus and trust Him through faith like they did. Setting down our burdens and letting Him wash away our sin. So, we can be free to live the life with him that he called us to live. (Heb. 12:1)

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He wrote it, and will bring it to pass in our lives. Not by our works but His.

And it was a joy to Him to endure the suffering and shame of the cross for us. Then sit down at the right hand of God in power. (Heb. 12:2)

Through faith we are saved and our faith grows as God builds it through our relationship. And every bad thing we face, and every good thing we receive, all works together to build our faith as we turn to Him and trust Him.

And His promises will come.

They come today. They come in the future. And they come forever.

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“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

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

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Serving God

 Serving God

We were created to serve God

 

 

“Seek ye first my kingdom and my righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”–Matt. 6:33

When we read scripture we need to “Rightly divide” it. (2 Timothy 2:15)

What does that mean?

Well, every word in scripture has meaning. They can often be linked to other parts of scripture. When we want to understand or define something, we need to use scripture to do it.

So, what does it mean to “Seek ye first my kingdom”? It means to put the building of God’s kingdom first in your life. So, how does that look? Well, it means that spreading the Gospel is the most important thing to you. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18)

You tell people about Jesus personally on a one to one basis. You tell people about Him publicly; and you support ministries and missionaries that actively spread the Gospel. You have a desire for people to get saved, and you step out in faith, to let the Spirit work through you in doing that work.

On top of that, we support and participate in Kingdom building activities, such as loving people, healing people, helping people, protecting people, growing people, serving people and feeding people. All of this is done in His name, and with an eye toward Kingdom building. Not being fake, or having an ulterior motive; but being real in our purposes. We want people to realize that there is a God who loves them and wants them saved, and that process starts now in this world.

Now when I say this, it makes it seem like I’m saying that you need to become a preacher, or go door to door, or become a missionary. I’m not saying that. God has given each of us different personalities, different gifts, and different callings on our lives. Build your relationship with God, and step out to do the small things and you’ll be shown by Him what directions to take. But, be real. You don’t have to take mission trips, or go to seminary. But, when a friend or neighbor falls on tough times are you there? Do you tell them about Jesus? Do you exercise your gifts at work? Not being preachy or holier than thou, but someone that is approachable, helpful, and keeps a confidence? 

 We do this out of our salvation. We do not do it to be saved, but because we want to tell people the great things God has done for us.

What is “My Righteousness”? We are made righteous, because we believe God. We believe what He has told us in His Word. We believe what He has spoken to us in our hearts; and we believe He has called us. We believe what He tells us about Jesus Christ, being the Lord, and we confess Him as our Lord. We agree with God that we are sinners and need Him.

We believe our personal relationship with Him; and the great things He has done in our lives. This causes us to live rightly as He grows us. We study and live by His Word. We seek to grow our faith and our relationship with Him. Not obeying rules, but growth through faith and relationship. Seeking His righteousness, is to seek the relationship with Him, and we grow in faith and spirit through it and Him. We cannot be righteous without Him, and faith in His Word. (Rom. 4:3, Rom. 10:9-10)

“And all these things shall be added unto you.” What things? The things we need, and even in many ways the true desires of our hearts. God knows what all humans really need and want. He also knows us personally. He is more than happy to provide these things. But, always remember that our spiritual condition, our relationship with Him, and His kingdom are paramount. Sometimes that will lead to great hardship.

God is not shocked when you desire success or abundance or any of “these things”. But, as we seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness; our desire for, and our definition of “These Things” starts to change. We become humble. We become meek, like a wild horse broken and trained for battle. We become less needy, because we have all in Him. We succeed, but our success is not apart from Him. He is always at the forefront of our minds and what we do.

Now when I say that, I’m not saying we don’t sin. I’m not saying we don’t forget God. I’m saying that He is a constant fixture in our lives, and grows in it. It’s a growth in Him. If you’re not experiencing this, ask God to give you more of Himself and He will.

John tells us that we will sin and fail, but we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (Unbelief) and He will. Then, when we are washed we are as though we never sinned. god remembers it no more. (1 John 1:8-10, 1 John 3:9)

Terrible things happen in this life and in this world. But, even in the midst of these situations or places. “Seek ye first my Kingdom, and my righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” is a promise. It might not manifest the same in everybody or in every situation. You might even be miserable for a while as He works things out in your life. To be honest, there are believers who died serving Him, and being in Him, long before any of “these things” manifested in their lives. But, I can promise you they have “these things” today with Him. I can also bet that the families they left behind were blessed. God is just. He pays His workers.

But, like most of God’s promises it requires faith to get started. Do you trust Him? Step out and start doing the little things and begin to grow. He will lead you and guide you; just go. He will move. It doesn’t matter where you are. Seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Do it from a pure heart, wholeheartedly. If you can’t, then ask Him to give you a clean heart, and help you to be pure in your motivations toward Him and others.

Then watch your views of what “these things” are change and turn to what He wants you to view them as. Your relationship is with Him; no one else. We answer to Him. Build His kingdom, and He will build yours.

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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“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

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

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God Will Come Running

 

 God Will Come Running

 When we turn to Him

 

 

 

 Jesus tells us a story about a young man who left home and went to make a name for himself. (Luke 15:11-32)

It could be a kid going to college with his parents credit card.

Or a kid chasing a dream with his fathers support and blessing.

We know this guy. We have seen him or her in our families or neighbors. We have seen them in ourselves.

We are free. We don’t have to answer to anyone.

We are trying to make it. We are chasing a dream or forced to take care of ourselves.

But we get pulled off the path.

Like the man in Jesus’ story.

He started riotous living. He started making friends in low places. He was meeting all the best guys or best girls. He was getting drunk and using drugs of all kinds. He was down at the club, or local bar. He woke up next to all kinds of people.

And all the dreams died.

We’ve been there, or seen people there. We can smell the smells, taste the tastes and hear the sound of the music thumping. We’ve done the beer runs, and smoked the things that make us wanna go get some more.

They are living for the party. Living for friends. Maybe living the dream. But, it’s not the real dream. It’s not real hopes and dreams.

Jesus says that trouble comes. A famine in the land.

 And trouble always comes. The party always ends.

It could be an accident that causes it. Maybe a divorce or break up. The loss of income and friends. Illness.

But, the party ends.

This causes us to get desperate. These times of trouble can lead us to draw more into the party life, trying to hold on. Drinking and drugging more to try to numb the fear and pain. Chasing things that is not good for us. Trusting people we should not trust. Waking up in places we do not want to wake up in. As our friends abandon us.

And we break. We have no choice. We are ruined.

Jesus said, the man went and got the worst job possible. The lowest of the low, just to keep himself from starving.

But, even that wasn’t working. He wanted to eat the pigs food.

We might end up homeless, digging in the dumpsters. We might even consider a life of crime. Stealing, selling drugs, stripping and prostitution to survive.

We hit rock bottom. We are as low as we think we can go.

Do not be deceived. There are always worst things that can happen. Rock bottom has a basement.

Jesus said, that the man woke up. He was willing to be a slave in His fathers house.

How desperate are you? Are you desperate enough to turn to God and say “I can’t do it! I don’t know what to do! But, I need you! Do whatever you want but please save me and help me.”

Are you so desperate to be free from your troubles and addictions and life, that you just give it all to God, and even if He kills you or throws you in prison or cripples you, it’s ok.

How desperate are you?

Jesus said the man went to see his father. He was desperate. He had ruined his life and was not worthy for anything good.

But, the father saw his child a long way off, and ran to him. And hugged him and held him.

That’s God.

 He sees our broken and desperate heart, long before we even get to Him. And He comes running. He comes running to save us and help us.

He wraps His arms around us and makes us His child. He brings us a robe and a ring and we are with the father forever.

And our life changes. We see things happening. Good or bad, but it’s ok because the Father is with us. He shakes it out and gives us hope. He grows our faith as we draw closer to Him. And we see him move. And more faith grows.

The dreams come back to life and we see them growing in Him. We see good things coming into our life, and it comes even more abundantly.

God himself is working in our life and everything is fine.

He blesses us where we are because we are His. We are His child and we turn to Him and know Him.

And He always comes running when we turn to Him. He always moves to help us, even when we can’t see it. He is working and it will work out. He is with us.

And we will be with Him

Forever.

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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