The Correct Interpretation of This Biblical Verse Sets You Free, Philippians 4:13

Buddy

Buddy’s veterinarian has nicknamed Buddy “The Energizer Bunny” because he’s quickly adapted to being lame. In the photo above he’s acquired a stance that stabilizes him while eating.

Despite the critics, I have found Pastor Norman Vincent Peale’s books very helpful and inspirational. When I ran Cross Country in high school, a teammate gave me a copy of his book, “You Can If You Think You Can.” I wasn’t raised in a Christian religion, so the book was not only the first Christian book I’ve ever read, but was also the first book that presented Jesus, and God, in a friendly light.

But I believe his broadly applied application of Philippians 4:13 is not quite correct.

“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”

I can repeat this verse out loud as my own personal mantra, but in my heart of hearts, I know that not only I cannot do all things, but God hasn’t designed me to do all things.

I not only have limitations, but God has created me with certain skills and heart desires to guide me in a particular direction. And no one person can do all things. The Church praises the superstars, but most Christians are part of a group accomplishing great things for Christ.

I think Pastor Andrew Farley has the correct interpretation, based upon verse 12, preceding the oft quoted verse 13:

“I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

Pastor Farley says verse 13 is not about being enabled by God to accomplish a particular goal, but is about God walking alongside us to face every circumstance of life.

The Bible has multiple verses about our Great Shepherd leading and guiding us, the most famous being Psalm 23:4:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”

When interpreted correctly, Philippians takes the pressure off of me that God has the expectation that I can be a Super Christian and accomplish spectacular results with Christ’s help.

It’s freeing to realize that Christ actually promises to help be through whatever circumstances this life throws at me.

And as we know, “The truth sets you free (John 8:32).”

I think this takes the stress off our shoulders to accomplish spectacular deeds or achievements, and reassures us of God’s attention to survive or thrive during our sojourn here.

Hope this helps you as it did me.

God bless.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

The best thing that’s ever happened to me was to give my life to Jesus, to accept Him as Lord—God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23)—and Savior: Who died for all our sins.

Won’t you please give your heart to Jesus now? And experience the joy of knowing that the God of the Bible is real?

If so, please repeat the below, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask You to forgive my sin and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I’m sorry for my sin and want new life in Jesus. I ask Jesus to be both my Lord and Savior. Please give me Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Please teach me how much You love me. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

If you’ve prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. Please start reading the Bible as it’s your soul food and the main way God speaks to you. I suggest starting with the book of Matthew and reading forward.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) or http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

God bless you as you start your new walk with Jesus. May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.

It’s Not About How You Feel, 1 Thessalonians 4:5

I love Buddy with all my heart, but some mornings I’m tired and want to be left to myself. But I have to get up and walk Buddy, as we live in a condo with only a balcony. Then I prepare his breakfast and pills before my own. Some days I just don’t feel like doing it, but Buddy is my responsibility.

Similarly, there’s times when our feelings don’t match up with God’s commands. As Christians we’re under grace and not the Law, but God’s rules still work to help us lead happier and more prosperous lives. We’re also commanded not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and we do that by not listening to Him and disobeying His leading.

One area people are particularly susceptible to disobey God and follow their feelings is in the area of sexual relationships. God’s commands demand one behavior, but our feelings pull us strongly toward a relationship, or behavior, we know displeases God.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God…Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”—the Apostle Paul, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 8

Now as Christians we can still choose to disobey God and, thereby, grieve the Holy Spirit; since He indwells the believer, we’ll be miserable till we repent. We still have free will as believers.

But we are supposed “to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).”

Do we please God by following our passions? Because feelings are not only fleeting but changeable.

Or by obeying His Word, the Bible?

God promises that we’re blessed when we obey Him:

“But without faith it’s impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”—Hebrews 11:6

I’m thinking about this because in the past I tried so-called Christian dating sites and the majority of the men wanted to engage in premarital sex, which God expressly forbids (Hebrews 13:4). So I left the sites.

Every day, as believers, we can choose to disobey God and be miserable—or defy our feelings, obey God, and be blessed.

It’s all a matter of whether we trust God more than our feelings.

He loves us. And wants to lead us in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).

God forgives our sin. We can always confess our sin and choose to repent and get back onto the right path.

It’s all a matter of: Do you want to be miserable?

Or content, knowing God is in control and not your feelings?

It’s all up to you—and me.

And the Holy Spirit. We’re not left alone in our struggle.

“Blessed be the Lord , because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”—Psalm 28:6-7

Prayer, honest conversation, and singing praises helps a lot.

And maybe a brisk walk.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

If you do what you know is is wrong, but don’t feel God’s Holy Spirit convicting you, then you should truly examine your heart whether you actually believe Jesus is God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23), died for your sins (1 Peter 2:24), and rose bodily from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Please don’t let pride get in the way of recognizing the truth about yourself. God loves you and wants to be your Lord and best friend. Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake His followers (Hebrews 13:5). But you must submit to His authority to be saved. The demons believe that Jesus is God and rose from the dead, but they aren’t saved.

Don’t be like the demons. Choose life obeying Jesus instead.

If you’re ready to receive Jesus, please pray the following, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m sorry for grieving You and ask for forgiveness of my sins. I also ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I believe that He is God, died for my sins, and rose bodily from the dead. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. And show me how much You love me. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. And please start reading the Bible as it’s your soul food and the main way God speaks to you. And please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized.

If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that‘s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.

God bless you as you start your new life in Christ.

Are You Afraid Of The Future? Buddy Brief

Interior stare-case

Buddy is 16.5 years old and his eyesight has weakened, so his depth perception is off. He cannot climb down a staircase without risk of a misstep and tumbling down the stairs. He’s fine with me carrying him down the exterior stairs which must be scary looking to him, being pebbles set into concrete.

But he sure gets quite upset when I pick him up to carry him down the interior stairs. The photo above shows how it must look to him. But unless he permits me to carry him, Buddy is not guaranteed a safe journey to the lower floor.

After the arrest, merciless beating, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus Christ, his apostles were terrified of the future. The man they thought would establish God’s kingdom on earth and rescue them from oppression under the Roman Empire seemed utterly powerless to protect Himself from death.

They went into hiding, fearing the same, brutal death.

The future looked terrifying!

Maybe they wondered if they were wrong to believe He was the Christ. He died just like anybody else. Those who hated Him “without a cause (John 15:25)” had won!

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”—John 20:19

Although Jesus had told the disciples on multiple occasions that He had to suffer but would rise again, they either didn’t believe or understand what He was really saying.

Even after His resurrection, the apostles still didn’t get that Jesus was establishing a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one (per my Pastor Jon Bjorgaard this AM, thank you).

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’”—Acts 1:6

Just as Buddy gets scared and doesn’t trust me to carry him safely down the interior staircase, so, too, we often get terrified at what lies before us. The unknown future looks frightening! We don’t realize that Jesus has total control, not only over our lives, but over history and the universe!

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”—Psalm 103:19

The apostles were afraid of the future because they didn’t understand God’s plan.

Just as you and I can be fearful when we look around at our deteriorating culture and the evil in our world.

But even though we don’t always understand how His plan is unfolding, we don’t need to be afraid.

Just as I won’t let go of Buddy and will get him safely down the staircase…

…God will carry you safely through the unknown future into Heaven.

He’s got this!

God bless you.

“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”—Psalm 139:5

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

PS. I’m human just like you. I get scared as I see prophetic events unfolding, so I recall the psalms above to calm myself, remembering God’s power.

Too Lovey Dovey? Buddy Brief

If you read my blog regularly, you know Buddy was rescued out of an abusive situation. Because he was so terrified of me, I didn’t enroll him in an obedience class.

Now he sometimes acts like a spoiled little brat. For instance, demanding I give him my chicken lunch through continual whining and fussing, even after gobbling down his own portion in his dish.

I was thinking about this verse recently, something Jesus said, recorded in Matthew 10:16:

“‘Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.’”

There seems to be an expectation in the Christian community that every leader, even politicians, should always be sweet and loving.

Lovey dovey.

But the Bible has multiple examples of leaders who were quite outspoken, bold, loud, even obnoxious at times.

The Old Testament prophets Elijah and his successor Elisha, and John the Baptist in the Gospels, were fiery, aggressive orators; definitely not men you’d call sweet and kind.

Elijah mocked and taunted the false prophets of Baal and even ordered to have them slaughtered (1 Kings 18:40).

Elisha cursed the “youths” mocking him and calling him names, so he “pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the youth (2 Kings 2:24)”. Because you don’t show disrespect to God’s appointed prophets!

And John the Baptist “saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’ (Matthew 3:7)”

Even Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple in Jerusalem, and took a whip of cords and chased the money changers and their animals out of the building.

There seems to be a theme here:

Sometimes you gotta act “not nice” when confronting evil.

In summary, God uses all sorts of personalities to accomplish His will.

Please don’t discount someone as a servant of God because their manner is more brash or forceful than yours.

Acting like a dove means avoiding sin but, also, sometimes knowing when to show grace to a sinful person.

But, in my opinion, sometimes being shrewd means knowing when to stand up and confront evil with strong words and actions.

Because some hearts are too hard; evil’s strong grip on a soul may require a good yank.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

PS. Please check out this great sermon by pastor Dr Charles Stanley. It’ll bless you.

https://www.intouch.org/listen/radio/when-we-feel-burned-out-part-1

We Are All Light Bulbs, Buddy Brief

You can see that Buddy wasn’t feeling cooperative when I asked him to pose with a lightbulb. Since he’s totally dependent on me for his welfare, you’d think he could do this little favor for me.

Nope.

Why is Jesus the only path to eternal life and heaven (John 14:6)?

An easily understood metaphor is to see everyone as a lightbulb.

Lightbulbs exist but are not fully functional until they’re connected to an electrical power source.

They can be in boxes, on a self, and even screwed into a light socket…

But as long as the electrical switch is turned off, or the fuse in the electrical box isn’t functioning properly, then the bulb won’t shine with light.

There’s no power to come to life!

The potential to come to life is present in the bulb, but it needs electricity to shine.

Likewise, every person needs to be plugged into the power of the Holy Spirit to operate properly spiritually.

A person may appear to be plugged into that spiritual socket, attending church or expressing “spirituality” by following some other teacher than Jesus, but there’s no spiritual life flowing through their soul, resurrecting their dead spirit.

After Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s authority over their lives, every person has been born spiritually dead.

And the Holy Spirit is only sent to indwell a person after they accept Jesus as their Savior, Who died for their sins and was resurrected bodily to give them life.

This spiritual electricity, the Holy Spirit, is free!

You don’t have to pay a power company to provide this spiritual electricity.

But we are all totally dependent on God to give us spiritual rebirth.

You gotta ask for it.

Jesus said:

“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”—Luke 11:13

Don’t be a dead bulb. Ask Jesus into your life.

And if you’ve already become born again, trust that your heavenly power source, the Holy Spirit, will help you shine.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

Just Wasn’t “Feelin’ It”, Buddy Blog Nonpost

Hi. I try to post the regular longer blogs on Friday evenings, but I had a big project due this Tuesday (Am I crazy to go back to school and worry about getting my homework in on time?) and was feeling exceptionally cranky Friday night. I’m still not proficient in some popular graphic arts programs and miss being able to draw mostly by hand.

So, I’m just as human as everyone else. And have days I feel great, or not so great. Am joyful, thankful, and elated—or am crabby, worrying, and critical.

Thank goodness, just as I love my spoiled and demanding Silky terrier, Jesus still loves me—even on my bad days.

Just as the love Buddy and I have for one another is unconditional, so is the love of my God and Savior.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!”—the Apostle John, 1 John 3:1

I write these posts, not because I think I’m holier than others or the most knowledgeable, but because the best thing that’s ever happened to me is to become born again by the love of Jesus.

I want that same wonderful relationship for everyone.

Have a great week.

Love you,

Dawn

Not Everyone In The Church Is A Christian, Buddy Brief

Happy doggie.

I know my furpal. If another dog walked into my home who wasn’t Buddy, I’d immediately wonder why and who its owner was.

Because that dog does not belong in my home.

But we don’t use that same discernment in the church. We just assume that everyone who sits in the pews is a born again believer or is interested in knowing more about Christ, or that anyone who preaches has the Spirit of the Lord.

But there is an event in the Bible that warns this is not necessarily true.

“Then He (Jesus) went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths….Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him,…”—Luke 4:31, 33-35

Not only was there an opponent and enemy of God hanging around in the congregation of sincere followers of God, but who also wanted nothing to do with Jesus.

The demonically possessed man was also perfectly capable of speaking openly and emphatically within a group of believers gathered together.

This is a warning not to assume everyone knows, loves, and obeys the Lord who attends or teaches in a church. Always use discernment and evaluate their teaching. If they disobey, or reject Jesus’ clear teachings, do not follow them. And do not allow them to influence you to disregard what God teaches in the Bible.

Please be respectful, as everyone is made in God’s image and He loves them.

But there might be a time to reprove or bring false teaching to the attention of leadership.

And if it’s the leaders who disobey God’s Word, leave the church.

Not everyone who walks through the doors of a church building is owned by Jesus.

God bless.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

The Lord Is My Shepherd? Psalm 23:1

Bud is admittedly spoiled. Which greatly concerns me as he’s willful and doesn’t like to listen to me. A family member let him slip out the front door this afternoon, so I panicked, knowing that Buddy wouldn’t listen to me call for him to return to the house. However, he was more interested in following me back through the doorway to safety than running away.

If Bud ran off, he’s too quick for me to catch him.

Some people won’t like this post. But if I’m only repeating what’s already posted out there on the internet ad nauseam, then why bother? I could just post links directing people to other material.

Many Christians have memorized Psalm 23; some have even read the excellent book, “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller; and many follow the Shepherd of our souls; but how many “sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3)” actually trust Him?

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want… He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake.”—King David, Psalm 23:1, 3

Jesus made it clear several times what His attitude toward His flock is.

1. If they wander off, He goes in search of them:

“What do you think? If a man had a 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he souls find it, assuredly, I say to you , he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray?”—Matthew 18:12-13

Jesus doesn’t just wave goodbye when one of His children stray away from the faith. He takes action and goes in search of that Christian to return them to the fold.

2. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep in the paths of righteousness for “HIS namesake” (Psalm 23:3).

Jesus takes action to correct His wandering sheep because His reputation is at stake when someone claims to be born again but is willfully, or deceived by Satan, disobeying.

3. Jesus promises that we’re united with Him through the Holy Spirit once we’re born again. As a result, He will never abandon us to evil nor can anyone or anything separate us from Himself.

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”—John 10:27-28, 30

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (the Apostles); that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me…I in them, and You in Me…”—John 17:20-21, 23

So, if you believe you can lose your salvation, you may not either understand what being born again means and your salvation—or you are trusting in your own works and efforts to maintain your relationship with Him. You are not trusting Him to seek his wandering sheep and return those sheep back into the safety of His flock.

You don’t have temporary life until you die. You are promised eternal life if you are in Christ Jesus (John 3:16, John 10:27).

Apostle Paul strongly admonished the Galatians about this teaching in his letter, Galatians 3:1-3:

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your eyes Jesus was clearly portrayed as crucified? I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”

Christ’s crucifixion put to death all human self effort. You’re either one with Christ or not, trusting in Him or yourself.

So you have a choice, dear brother and sister in Christ: standing on sifting sand or on the rock of Jesus Christ; trusting in Him to keep you—or in your own shifting, unstable efforts and moods (Matthew 7:24-26).

Your salvation is not at stake.

But, rather, your ability to rejoice in your salvation and truly feel grateful for being delivered out of slavery in the kingdom of darkness to becoming a sheep in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:13).

You can exhaust yourself with fear on the hamster wheel of insecurity or…

Dance with joy, little sheep, trusting in His work on the Cross, not your works.

He promises to “never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)”.

So who is your shepherd?

You?

Or Jesus?

***

Please trust in Jesus for your eternal life. Only He can send the Holy Spirit to indwell you and resurrect your dead spirit into eternal life. Other religions can teach you how to behave better, or experts can guide you in self-improvement programs, but only Jesus can give you life (John 5:40).

I spend the time to write these blogs because I waited till I was twenty-eight-years-old to give my life to Jesus. I only regret not doing it sooner. Becoming born again is the most wonderful experience—to know that God is real and loves you—and I want this for you too.

Please, heed my plea and give your heart to Jesus now.

Tomorrow is never guaranteed to any of us.

Repeat the following prayer out loud, if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m sorry for my sin and for being my own worst enemy. I call on Jesus Christ to be both my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Please change my heart and teach me how much You love me. Thanks for hearing my prayer. I ask in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. Please start reading the Bible daily as it’s both your soul food and God’s letter to you. Just as your body needs daily nourishment to be healthy, so does your soul.

And join a Bible believing church or Bible study, and get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

There are other godly ministries out there, but it’s easy to be misled by legalism or false teaching till you know the Bible fairly well.

God bless you. May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

Sometimes There’s No Sound, Buddy Brief

Buddy has been my fur pal for over thirteen years now. I almost always know what each unique look communicates, even when Buddy is not making any sound to emphasize his point.

I grind my own beans since I have the time to do so. I dipped some fresh grounds into the paper sleeve of my coffee machine Monday afternoon but still had some residual left in the grinder. I swiped my fingers around the inside and tipped the machine over the coffee filter, but didn’t hear anything. Did the grounds drop into the filter?*

I looked inside the grinder and the grounds were gone, so apparently they dropped into the filter but I didn’t hear anything.

God doesn’t usually shout that He exists. The Apostle Paul said everyone is without an excuse not to believe there’s a God, because everyone can see the evidence of a Grand Designer in nature (Romans 1:20).

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.…There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard.”—King David of ancient Israel, Psalm 19:1, 3

When I’ve recently read about how complex the human heart is or how many functions the liver performs, it shocks me that there’s still people in our modern world who deny God’s existence.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

Confusion About The Kingdom Of God, Luke 17:20-21

Buddy has this cute habit of placing a front paw on one of my feet when he wants my attention. He’s making sure that I’m aware he’s there or wants to ensure that he’s not forgotten.

I had a disturbing conversation of a sort with a blogger who claims that being in union with Christ means that we are God. And had a twisted interpretation of what Christ meant below:

“Now He was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom of God was coming, and He answered them and said, ‘The Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed…For, behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.’”—Luke 17:20-21

The Pharisees believed that the Messiah would usher in a physical kingdom by vanquishing all of Israel’s enemies and freeing them from bondage to the Roman Empire.

But Jesus was declaring that the kingdom of God was a person Who was standing in front of them, right in their midst.

Just like Buddy places a paw on my foot so that I won’t miss seeing him, Jesus wanted the religious leaders to recognize Who was speaking to them: their long awaited Messiah.

And though the Pharisees knew the Old Testament Scriptures and prophecies thoroughly, they weren’t able to get beyond their own interpretation to understand the truth.

Many people nowadays mix New Age mysticism with Christianity. This error is illustrated by a comment made in the movie, “Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade,” by Indy’s sidekick, Marcus Brody:

“The search for the Grail is the search for the divine in all of us.”

This comment both captured my attention and greatly bothered me, because too many people believe it, even those claiming to be Christians with a knowledge of the Bible’s teachings.

1. We are born spiritually dead, separated from our Creator by our sin until we repent and give our lives to Jesus. The “divine” or “divinity” does not exist within every person.

“But God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…”—Apostle Paul, Ephesians 2:4-5

2. When we become born again, we become spiritually alive, no longer in bondage to Satan, the world, and the flesh, but are now members of God’s kingdom:

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,…”—Apostle Paul, Colossians 1:13

Until Christ’s Second Coming, the manifestation of God’s kingdom is a spiritual one.

3. This kingdom is God’s kingdom, not our kingdom. Jesus paid the price in His blood to take authority back over His kingdom. He rejected the devil’s temptation to skip the Cross and redeem it back, claiming the Father’s promise in Psalm 2:7-8:

“‘The Lord has said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”’”

We dwell in God’s kingdom through faith in Christ, but we’re under His authority. We do not kick God off His throne.

4. Lastly, it is a mystery how we can be united with Christ and part of His body, but He is still the head of the body. We are not coequal with God. We do not become a god nor are we God.

We are created “in the image of God (Genesis 1:27),” but are not gods. We cannot “manifest” reality not speak it into being, like God can. He is the Creator, not us.

Jesus, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, created the heavens and the earth, but are distinct from creation. He spoke the universe into being; it didn’t arise out of His own essence.

To declare that a person is divine and a god is to fall for Satan’s lie to Adam and Eve that they could be like God (Genesis 3:5).

When you repent of your sins and declare Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you’re reversing the effect of the Fall in your life by rejecting the devil’s deception: declaring that the Creator is your moral authority and Lord of your life—your boss—and that Jesus died for your sins and is your Savior, because you’re helpless to atone for your own sin.

“He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He will come to have first place in everything.”—Colossians 1:18

This will always be true:

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all.”—Psalm 103:19

You are not God and never will be.

Becoming born again doesn’t mean you’ve become a god.

Please do not believe Satan’s lie.

The devil never changes his tactics because they always work on those unwilling to submit to the truth.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

Maybe you’re unhappy because you’re trying to be your own god instead of submitting your life to the Lord and trusting in His guidance.

Jesus is omniscient and omnipresent. He sees the future. What seems the right course of action to a person may actually be leading toward disaster. Only God knows where a chosen path will lead.

Jesus died to pay for your sins. He lived a perfect life as a human being so that He could pay for the sins of others, having no sin of His own to be punished for. After His crucifixion, He rose from the dead to prove that He is also God, that He has the power over death.

You don’t have to continue living a life of regret and defeat. But becoming a Christian doesn’t guarantee health and wealth, as false preachers claim, but does set you onto a new path leading away from self-destructive behavior.

A new Christian is like a baby: You’ll crawl, then totter on wobbly legs till you learn to walk steady. I’m encouraging you to give your life to Jesus, because it’s wonderful to be in relationship with God. But I also want you not to get discouraged after doing so. It takes time to learn about God’s love for you and how He works.

Are you ready to make Jesus your Savior from sin and your Lord, the God Who rules your life? If so, please repeat the below prayer, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m sorry for my sin and ask for Your forgiveness. I call on Jesus to be both my Savior and Lord, my moral authority. I give my life to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. And teach me how much You love me. I want to learn to trust You. Thank You for hearing my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. You should begin to experience new attitudes and a desire to obey Jesus as you’ve been given a new heart by the power of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. You’re starting to walk a new path in life, so please be patient with yourself as you learn and grow in the knowledge of the Lord.

Please start reading the Bible daily. And join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I recommend these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message). There are other godly ministries, but it’s easy to be misled by legalism or false teaching until you know what the Bible teaches fairly well.

God bless you. May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.