Integrity- People of God

Are You Sure, You Know, You are Saved?

Do you have a religion that is just concerned with appearances or do you have a relationship with Christ? Jesus told us to beware of false prophets who look like they are harmless but their heart is greedy and predatory. He told us to look at what is being produced in their lives and then we could tell if they are true believers or not. He said He is not Lord over everyone who says Lord. Just because they said it, does not mean that they meant it. People may say a lot of things, but the actions that follow their words Jesus said, is a true reflection of their heart.

Matthew 7:15-16a Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits….

Matthew 7:17 -18 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. NKJV

Jesus said that some people will have a word of prophesy, which means to be able to give a correct word regarding the lives of others. Others will be able to cast out demons and do many wonders and they may say it was done in Jesus’ name. But Jesus also said, He never knew them because they practiced disorder, unruliness and lack of control and demanded them to leave His presence.

Most people think those who give a word of prophesy, cast out demons and heal the sick are the closest to God. Many travel for miles and stand in long lines to hear and see the miracles performed. But be careful false prophets because their true hearts are revealed by their lifestyle. Jesus said be careful if they practice lawlessness and are boisterous, being loud, disruptive, lacking self-control and are without restraint. They fail to put limits on themselves and allow their appetites and flesh to rule their lives which will eventually end in ruin.

Matthew 7: 21- 23 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” NKJV

Jesus tells us how to discern, distinguish and differentiate between those who are speaking words but whose hearts are not right with God. Jesus said, when trouble, rain and the floods of this life come, a wise person will trust in Jesus as their salvation and stand strong. Their faith is in the completed work of Christ and it gives them the ability to stand when this fallen world’s system comes to destroy.

This shows everyone will experience hard times in life, because it is the consequence of the fall and sin in the world. It is how we manage these crises that will reflect our true beliefs and the true condition of our own hearts. In good times both the false prophets and believers can appear to act the same. But a true believer’s action will show the love of God in difficult times.

Matthew 7: 24-27 therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these saying of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell. And great was its fall. NKJV

We all will stand before God and give an account of our lives and our time on this earth. Many people are going through this life thinking the world owes them something because of all they have been through. While others will allow life challenges to be an opportunity for the light of Jesus to shine in those dark places.

People with false religion may go to church every Sunday for appearances, but may not know God nor love those who are created in His image. False religion will put on a show that appears right but when problems come and their faith is tested by problems of life. There will be a great fall because they did not know the true and living God and Jesus His Son. The greatest opposition to a life in Christ is self-consciousness, self-pity and pride. It is because people are more concerned about themselves, their needs and self-importance that they choose to please themselves rather than save a life for Christ.

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. NKJV

We must ask ourselves; do we truly know Jesus Christ and God as our heavenly Father who loves us? Do we have a personal relationship with Him? Or are we so caught up in just knowing things about God, what He can do and in seeing people perform and still not know Jesus personally, intimately, warmly and confidently. A relationship with Christ is the test of a true believer.

Eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ who He sent to set us free from this fallen world system. In our relationship with God we know confidently, in self-assurance and without doubt, that our faith is in God’s ability to handle all our problems.
Do you know you are saved? Does your life reflect love and respect for God and for others? Now is a good time to ask Jesus to come into your life and receive God’s forgiveness for your sins.

The life God requires us to live cannot be done in human strength. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us and reveals the person of Jesus to us that we are we able to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Children Our Greatest Wealth – Forfeited on the Alter of Possessions

Some may wonder why the young children are having such a hard time in life and in society. It is because their enemy would rather slay them as children than to fight them as men who have been trained in the wisdom and knowledge of God. For this reason we should be vigilant, watchful and cautious of who and what we allow to influence our young children. Many people so freely give the training and care of their children to other people and organizations without any knowledge of the organization’s rooted beliefs, practices, attitudes or persuasions. Some establishments may adversely affect or even be hostile toward their children.

Every child that is born is born in the image of God, a reflection of the Most High King. This in and of itself brings an innate value to every human being. Their worth is rooted in their creator God, who has placed significance on all created in His image. Every child is born as a gift from God whether they are welcomed or not, children are a gift. They are born in innocence without bias and of a clean heart and mind. Their minds are so impressionable and like sponges they soak up all that is put into them, be it the good or evil of life’s occurrences.

Every baby is born to a person who is to be responsible for their nurture and wellbeing and yet so many children are left to themselves or left among people who would prey on their every existence. Every child is born with a pure heart but it can be twisted by life experiences and by the things they are taught. The most important responsibility of every parent and adult is to train and teach these young minds who they are as an Image bearer of God. Their purpose is to be the love of God in the earth and to show His love to a lost and deprived world.

Unfortunately we are living in a fallen world system with an enemy who hates the true and living God and all who are created in His image. The Bible says Satan is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Satan is the enemy. It is not our neighbor, coworker, boss or those of a different race or culture. It is Satan who plants seeds of hate, pride and tempts us to forsake the care of a person’s souls for money, he is our enemy. Satan comes and plants lies and deceptions to cause disunity and cultivate hate among the brethren. He wants to destroy the very thing we are created to be, an image bearer of God.

1 Peter 5:8-9a Be sober, be ]vigilant; ]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith… NKJV

We see a world system that is raising a generation of people to be used and debased through social and educational systems that before a child reach the third grade or 8 years old they are without hope. This system is devised to enslave some children for a life time while others are slated for a life of affluence and privilege. All at the cost of a child’s soul and thereby forfeit their created purpose and this is often for personal gain of others.

It is so much easier to destroy a life of royalty before it has begun or before it has matured into a crown prince who knows and is committed to his true destiny. For this purpose Satan has attacked the lives and minds of children and those responsible for their safety. To have people preoccupied with the things of this world rather than the training and protection of their children.

The societies are being transformed from esteeming Godly qualities such as integrity, truthfulness and honor to becoming obsessed with money, prestige and pride. We are appalled at the killing and the sacrifice of children on altars of pagan gods of old heathen nations and yet we see so many children’s lives destroyed on the altar of gain, possessions, riches, fame and pride.

Many have lost sight of the most important possession they have been entrusted with by God our Creator, the souls of children. Some have allowed these young children to be turned over to a world system that hates, despises and will destroy the very souls.

The enemy is seeking whom he may devour. He does not have the right, because Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. He can only be given permission by the life choices we make. Everyone will make a choice to go after the riches, fame, pride and lust of this world system or they will choose to put the souls of mankind first.

When we put the primary thing first, the kingdom of God, which is concern for the souls of people, then the secondary things food, clothes and shelter, will be given. When we die to self, selfish pride and lust, and choose not go after this world’s systems that we truly win in this life naturally, spiritually and eternally.

We must guard the souls, minds and bodies of these young children and make decisions based on the word of God and not on the basis of some social, economic, racial or ethnic beliefs. When those things are put first our children are at risk. The enemy does not care which method of transportation is used in getting a soul to hell. It could be the luxury white limousine of entitlement, pride and prejudice or the black junkyard car of hate, anger and bitterness.
To Satan, who is the enemy of all mankind, either will do. They both will end in the same place, in hell for eternity. Both positions put self-first and refused the love and forgiveness of God through faith in Christ and neither chose to live a life seeking those things that concern the kingdom of God.

When we value the things that God values, then we will learn how to make wise decisions and better choices in this life. When we value the eternal souls and lives of people above temporary worldly possessions, then are we seeking God’s kingdom. By this we are putting first the most important things to God and He will supply the secondary things, food, clothes and shelter.

Authority – God is a God of Order

Everything God created has order and a line of accountability and responsibility. The Bible says that everything was created by God and nothing was made without Him. Everything was in line with God’s perfect plan but sin entered the world through pride and mankind’s disobedience to God. God’s perfect life for mankind was destroyed by them choosing to lift self above the word of God. They listened to the lie of the devil and refused the truth of God’s word.

We could say, if Adam and Eve had not listened to Satan and ate that fruit we would be ok today and yet we each have the same choice to make in our daily lives. We too have the same chance to choose to obey the word of God or listen to the lies of Satan in this fallen world system. Every day, every morning, evening, night we have a new opportunity to make a different choice to choose another way of doing things.

It is our lack of understanding of God’s word and the lies that we have been told and believe that keep us trapped in dark and hurtful places without hope. But God has sent His Son Jesus to give us another chance and another opportunity to choose life, eternal life, to be born again into the family of God. We have been taught by the world to define ourselves by what we do and what we have or have not. Many people believe and live in that lie that they are less than others or do not deserve another chance because of all that they have done their sins or the circumstances of their birth or because of their race.

This is the same tactic Satan used against Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He caused them to question God’s word and bring doubt into their minds. They saw themselves as less than what God had created them to be, in His image and likeness. Even today we must choose who we will allow to define us and allow to direct our lives, our actions and our decisions whether it will be God’s word or the things of this fallen world system. We make these choices every day and every moment when we choose to speak and act. With our words and actions we are displaying who and what we believe. God has called us every day to make a choice, to choose between life and death, blessings and cursing.

Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” NIV

If we have chosen God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our Saviour, then we are now a new creation in the earth. We are now born of another Father, a different bloodline, a new creation that is part mankind and part Spirit. A baby is born into this world innocent, unlearned and vulnerable, in need of wisdom, instruction and protection from the harm and troubles of this world. So are those who are born again into the kingdom of God. And yet many young born again believers are left without direction, training and the teaching they need to live this new life in the kingdom of God. Many people fall prey to the evils of this world’s system not knowing how to operate in the principles and ways of God’s word and His kingdom living.

God has sent His Son to purchase for us a new life and He has given us His written word, the Bible, to instruct us in our actions, thoughts and how to live this life. God has even empowered us to do and perform all that He asks through the power of the Holy Spirit. The only thing that is required of us is to make the decision to submit our will to His and to desire to obey His word. We are to ask Him to give us a clean heart, to let our thoughts and motives to be pure before Him. It is God who will give us the strength to do His good pleasure.

We cannot live this life in our own power, pride and strength. We must ask God to help us, to set our minds on the things above. God will give us the strength to put to death the things that belong to this world’s system of pride and hate. We should walk in love and compassion towards others regardless of who they are, their race, creed, social or economic status. In Christ there is no differentiation of people they are all Christ’s, created in the image of God and worthy of respect and honor because of their creator.

Colossians 3:1-4, 8-11
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Our duty as believers and followers of Christ is to represent the Kingdom of God on the earth. We have been trained in this fallen world’s system to sacrifice for family, culture and even community groups be it gangs or country clubs. God has given us a new way of living that is to give a sacrifice of praise to God and to let the words of our mouths be that of thanksgiving to God and Jesus our Saviour. We are to do good to others and share the love of God because this is pleasing to Him.

In representing God we are to be like Christ and submit to those who are in authority over us. In doing this we acknowledge God as the ultimate authority knowing He sees us and has made provision for us to make it through the obstacles of life.

Hebrews 13: 15-17 NKJV Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Grace is the Power to Perform His Good Pleasure

Grace is not a pass to do anything we want without consequences or a get out of jail free card, like in the Monopoly game. It is the power of God in us to set us free from the nature of sin and to enable us to walk blameless before God.

In the Old Testament the word grace appears for the first time in Genesis as it speaks of Noah having found grace in the eyes of the Lord. The word grace is from the Hebrew, Chen; well, favour, kindness, precious and pleasant. Grace was displayed in acts of kindness, graciousness and favour which we received from God. Mankind continued to receive God’s favour and kindness.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. KJV

Moses gave the law and regulations of what to do and not do. The purpose of the Law was to show mankind that even their best efforts could not live up to the standards of God’s Holiness and a need for a Saviour. Yet, God in His unmerited Grace and Favour toward mankind, allowed the blood of animals to point to the day that His Son Jesus would shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sin.

In the New Testament the word grace is first seen in Luke. It is from the Greek word charis; a divine influence upon the heart, a reflection in the life, of manner or act that includes gratitude, favour, gift, thanks, worth. In this grace has another attribute. It is not only the favour and gift from God but Grace is the divine power to change and influence our hearts to reflect the life of God in our actions and in the manner in which we live. With the birth of Jesus grace and truth came to empower us with God’s divine influence in our hearts.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NIV

The Bible says grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Now grace is not only the unmerited kindness and favour of God but it is truth. Truth of God has a divine influence upon the heart of those who receive the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus’ life is reflected in the lifestyle and actions of those who have received and believe in Christ. Grace and truth are inseparable. They cannot be separated or taken apart. If we live in grace we live in the truth of God’s word. We cannot live a life in the world contrary to the truth of God and say we have grace, because truth and grace are one, and the same. We live in truth by the grace and power of God.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. NIV

Jesus’ birth and life is the model that all true followers of Christ should live. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we have a new heart, one that is influenced by the Holy Spirit. We too, can grow strong in God’s word and be filled with wisdom, grace, truth and power. God, the Holy Spirit, will dwell in us just as He did in the person of Jesus. We are no longer instructed to follow the Law of Moses because the law was just a school master showing us our inability to perform and the need for Jesus.

Many will try and use the excuse that Jesus was God and of course He could walk in Holiness. However, we too can live a life blameless before God. It is a matter of our “will” the choices we make.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT

Our responsibility is to be willing and open to the Holy Spirit moving in our lives to empower us to perform God’s purpose. It is God by the Holy Spirit Who will empower us by the power of His Grace to do His will. Though our fallen nature does not want to relinquish control over our thoughts and actions, we can submit our will to Our Father.

Father we are willing and pray that You will change our hearts by Your Grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we will do what is pleasing in Your sight.

What Fruit Are You Bearing?

What spirit is alive in us and which spirit is ruling and reigning in our lives? We may say we live for Christ but the fruit we produce may show something different. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space. Salt water and fresh water cannot flow from the same place and if the two should mix one will over power and take precedence over the other.

We can identify a tree by the fruit that it bears and in the same manner we can tell what spirit is ruling in our lives by the fruit we produce. We have been trained to think, we have inherited our disposition and temperament. That is true if we are living in our natural fallen state, but if we have been born again by the Spirit of God, we have a new Spirit that produces love, peace, joy and is gentle and is patient with others and displays self-control.

Galatians 5: 22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. NIV

Those who follow Christ have received His Holy Spirit and they are crucifying or putting to death those things that are not Christ like in their behavior. God the Father is Truth and He loves all mankind. He sent Jesus into this world to redeem and deliver us from the power of sin in our lives. Through faith in the Blood of Jesus we are saved from the old way of living and we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ, which is self-denial and love for others.

Sin is a fact of life, we are all born into it and that is why we must die to the old self and be born into a new life by the Living Spirit of God. Jesus came to deliver us from the power of sin and gave us a new birth, a new Heavenly Father and a new life. Prior to Jesus’ coming into our lives sin was our master and we had no control over it, but God, sent Jesus who destroyed sin and freed us from the power of sin to reign over our lives. The born again child of God is freed from the slavery of sin but they still have a choice, which is an act of the will.

Every person is born into sin and everyone has a “will” the ability to choose who or what will rule their lives. Life is about choices. We will choose what lifestyle will reign in and over us and what we choose to believe and be committed too. We are naturally drawn to the desires and yearning of this world, such as greed, fame and fortune because it is what we have been taught, have seen or believed in as part of that fallen nature.

A determination will be made by our “will” we can choose the love of God or the passions of this world. To serve God may be a deliberate choice and act of our conscious thought, or it could be a subconscious act of sin that we are born with and that rules our lives. A choice will be made and either the love of God will reign supreme in our lives or sin will have dominion over us, but one will die and the other will live.

If sin rules our lives, then the life of God will die and not flourish in us and if God reigns in us, the power of sin will die in our lives. There are no other options. One will rise and reign over us and we will know by the fruit we produce of that spirit. What we give ourselves over to will have sovereignty over us. The battle is truly won or lost in the mind, in the decisions we make that dictate our actions. We are born with a mindset that is naturally bent toward sin and the world cultivates this lifestyle and it is what we are taught from the time we are born; to only think about self. Followers of Jesus are commanded to renew their minds and be transformed into the image of Christ.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV

Jesus is our standard. He is our example and we are told to be Holy as God is Holy but the world says it cannot be done. This is the crossroad for every person, to believe by faith the word of God or to believe what they see lived out in the world daily. What if the Bible is true and we can live the life of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit? What if we can live Holy and blameless before God? We can live with a heart that is perfect before God just as Paul did and have that same love of God in us. We too can choose to walk before God in the knowledge of His word so that when we are taught His word, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us obey it.

We are called to be light in darkness and to be “the right” to all that we see is wrong. We may be the only “Bible” people will read as they see us live out the word of God in our lives. To be Holy is to be in right standing with God and this means we must be authentic with ourselves and others. We will strive to live a life that is prefect and shows the love of God to a lost world and to be quick to turn and change our actions to line up with the word and the love of God if we miss it. A life filled with the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit which is love, peace, joy, patience, tolerance, mercy and self-control in us and for others. We each must ask ourselves, what fruit are we displaying for the world to see and feed on?

Remember, a new birth gives us a new heart by the power of the Holy Spirit which gives us the love of God for people and for all mankind.

The Humility of Jesus – Duplicated In Our Lives

Humility is simply recognizing that we were created by God for His purpose and by allowing God to be all sufficient in all we do. Jesus displayed this when He became the Son of Man, being in subordination to God the Father by giving God the honor and the glory that was due Him.

Jesus constantly gave explanations regarding the work He came to do, which was that of the Father. Jesus would say of Himself, “the Son can do nothing of Himself; My teaching is not Mine; I do nothing of Myself; I have not come of Myself, but He sent Me; I seek not mine own glory; the word which ye hear is not Mine; I speak not from Myself; I seek not Mine own will.”

The constant and relentless theme of Jesus’ teaching was that His life’s work was to do the will of the Father. The Almighty God and Creator could use Him and work through Him to redeem mankind. Jesus emptied Himself and quitted and resigned Himself of His own will and power so that God could be all in Him. Jesus lived a life relinquished of self in absolute submission and dependence on The Father and to do His will.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. NIV

Jesus understood He had lost nothing by submitting all to God and by humbling Himself before men. Jesus knew His Father and knew that God would highly exalt those who humble themselves before Him. This is a spiritual principle, those who will exalt themselves God will bring down and those who humble themselves God will exalt.

Jesus submitted Himself to every railing, beating and even the death of the cross all while trusting God to be faithful to His promise. Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God on high. God honors those who trust Him.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. NIV

The humility Jesus displayed is a state of mind and a disposition of the soul. It is one that deliberately denies self and dies to prideful exaltation, while knowing that The Almighty God Jehovah is engineering and orchestrating every detail of our lives. This humility does not question the Creator or ask, “What have You done? Why am I here? Why have You made me this way? Humility recognizes the Potter’s power and authority to fashion the clay into whatever is needful and without question.

Romans8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Some things we experience are for the glory of God. Our ability to walk through the hard challenges of life in love and in meekness may be the very thing God uses to help someone else to make it through life challenges. Just as Jesus experienced, railing and ridicule against Himself, it was not for Himself but for our benefit. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and we can have peace because of His chastisement. This is humility, Jesus is our standard not our experiences or the sayings of this world.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. KJV

Our life should reflect the life of Christ in knowing that it is God who works in all things and it is our responsibility to yield to God in perfect dependence and in full consent to be a vessel and a channel through which God can manifest Himself to a lost world. The very life of Jesus was a spirit of humility as a servant of God. We must count ourselves servants of God to show men God’s riches, His power, goodness and love.

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that vail removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. NLT

God wants to work through us to be able to do His work of love in the earth. This can only be done in relationship with God, knowing Him as our Abba-Father. The God, who cares, provides and loves us all, while He is transforming us to be like Christ.

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, and the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. NIV

Hebrew 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. NIV

With total trust in God as a loving Father can we duplicate the life Christ lived; in total dependence on God, knowing that He is the Most High God and that He rewards those who persistently seek him.

Redemption From Pride-Rooted in Humility

Jesus came to redeem that which was lost, mankind’s character of humility and fellowship with the Father. Humility is the root character of God. Pride is rooted in the spiritual wickedness of Satan, which has its satanic origin in when he rebelled in heaven. All humanity is now born into a fallen state of pride and rebellion against God. This is a terrible state of spiritual evilness that consumes the natural man. As long as we are blind to the bondage and wickedness of pride, we will never feel the need to be delivered and redeemed. It is not until we realize the terrible strength pride has over us that we recognize the need for deliverance. It is when our eyes are open to the hopelessness and despair of us never being able to conquer pride on our own, that we look to the power of Christ who is able to redeem us from this curse.

Only the humility of Jesus as the Lamb of God can redeem fallen mankind so the Spirit of God may live within us. Every form of evilness has its foundation in pride for it will degrade the highest of virtues. In the beginning mankind’s identity was rooted in the character of God’s humility. Then their nature was changed when they disobeyed God and took on the nature of Satan, which is pride.

Psalm113: The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.

The first Adam sent all humanity spiraling down into spiritual depravity severed from God the Creator of all life. How much more Jesus, the second Adam, the Son of God, is able to redeem us to live a life of true humility? Those who are truly born of Christ will reveal His likeness with humility and love of God in their lives. When we are rooted in Him, His life and power gives us an abiding and overmastering life of humility, because from the root grows the increase, the fruit, of the nature of the tree. The tree is either good or not and the fruit will reflect the true nature of the tree. This is why Jesus tells us you will know them by their fruit. It is not by their conversation or their vocation but it is the product, result, and yield of their lives that you will know them. It is the soil that the trees or plants are rooted in which cause it to grow and gives it the ability to thrive.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

The life of the tree is in seed form and has the potential to grow into a great tree, so is the seed of God, the Holy Spirit, in mankind. The Holy Spirit enables us to live a life of humility, which is total dependence upon God, as we are rooted and grounded in His word. God humbled Himself to stoop and consider the earth and mankind even in their rebellion.

Matthew 12:33- 35 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

We as believers should study the humility of Jesus which is the secret hidden root of our redemption. Our salvation consists solely in being saved from ourselves, our natural fallen state of selfish pride. Jesus gave us the secret to a life lived in the supernatural power of God; to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him. The cross is a picture of dying daily to self and living for the love of God in humility.

Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. NIV

Self is the totality of the fallen nature of mankind and self-denial is our capacity of living like Christ. Pride and self-centeredness is the root of the evil and fallen state and bears the fruit of its kind. Humility is the core of our Saviour and humility is the root of the tree from which His branches bear fruit. Pride and humility are the two master powers. The greatest struggle for eternal life is between pride and humility and the kingdoms of darkness and kingdom of light in the fight for the eternal possession of the soul of mankind.

The virtue of humility in one’s life displays the kingdom of God on earth. The idol of self-elevation is from the nature of fallen man through the first Adam and it is only put to death by the power of the Holy Spirit which gives us the supernatural ability to live in humility. It is our trust in the completed work of Christ and His divine humility that dwells in us and works within and through us to redeem us back for what the Father created us to be; a reflection of His image in the earth.

Blood Covenant of God!

We must speak honestly and frankly about God’s purpose, because it is the truth that will set us free from the lies of this world. We should not live in the darkness and with the lies the enemy has told us about ourselves and God. God said His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

The world walks and lives in darkness but God’s people should walk in the light of His word. So many people perish because they do not know who they are or their created purpose. Too many have allowed the world to define their purpose and pursuits. They have fallen into the same trap as the world because they live like the world and not like children of The Most High God and according to His Kingdom.
This world system is going after the minds and hearts of the children and at a staggeringly young age. In earlier years we would read books and see movies about adults in their 30s learning about love and making life choices. Then times changed and they were having young teens learning of love and making life choices. Now we will see very young children being shown in movies and on media screens engaging in language and activities related to intimate relationships.
These tactics are tools used to ensnare the minds of these children before they are capable of understanding the impact and consequences of their actions. Close intimate acts and decisions are too heavy for these young children to shoulder without grave consequences to their own psychological and mental health. Many mature adults have difficulties navigating breakups of relationships that are physical and have mental soul ties and life’s rejections. How much more devastating for teens and young children engaging in such activities without the help of truth and sound counseling?

Many people fail to understand that an intimacy is more than a onetime act but has life impacting repercussions. Intimacy is not something that should be taken lightly and there is much to be said on this covenant that occurs between a man and a woman which is so important to God.

We must teach our children their value as children of the Most High King. They need to know they are in Christ and they are vulnerable as targets of this world system. This world will try to get them to go after a fallen way and forsake God and His Kingdom principles on earth. People have said children do not come with a handbook, but they do. God has given us His word, the Bible, to teach and instruct us and our children in the ways we should go. So few of Christ followers seek after His word and His way that many ends up living like the world and the world has lost sight of God’s kingdom on earth.

Most people are not asking God to direct their path, their lives and for Him to lead them. They are not seeking His word. God tells us ask Him and keep on asking until it be given, to seek Him and keep on seeking until we find Him; to knock and keep on knocking until the door is opened. Faith keeps going until it has the victory. Yet this fallen world system is trying to trap the minds of our young people into giving up and believing there is no hope, there is no help and that there is no God.

We must live our lives as Disciples of Christ in such a way that people will see the God in us and that His kingdom culture is real. Our lives should be a testimony that God is real. That He is actively involved in the lives of those who trust Him and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. This is not to say we will not have challenges, problems and concerns but to know that God will be with us in it all.

God is a faithful God and we live in a The Blood Covenant of God that has been purchased by Jesus Christ. Jesus shed His blood and we are now joint heirs with Christ. Our lives should reflect God’s kingdom power, His joy, His peace and His mercy and His love for all mankind.

Who and What Defines You? The Creator and Purpose!

The Bible is the one book of documented history that tells all, the good, the bad and the ugly. The Bible tells of the creation in the beginning of time of how God created the heavens and the earth and all that exists and He made time, space and matter. Life began as a beautiful love story of God the Creator and His love for His creation. Mankind was created in His image to reflect His love in the world He created and gave to them.

Life as it was created was destroyed by the deceiver and the authority of this world system was transferred to the deceiver, the father of lies, and the enemy of God. Evil began to reign over God’s creation and systems of lies, deceit and destruction became the method of operation in the world. Mankind lost their God given authority to rule and their ability to discern with spiritual wisdom. They no longer had the Spirit of God in them to show them God’s way. People were living in darkness and influenced by evil until Jesus came and brought God’s kingdom upon the earth.

We are now living in a time that measures most things by the measuring stick of economics, the ruling majority and social media. Society used to be concerned with truth and honor and about doing what was right morally with a standard of loyalty, commitment and honesty. These qualities have been replaced with getting ahead, making a profit, and with social and financial status. We can no longer trust people to heed to a code of conduct that will influence them to do the right thing. Most people will only have regard for the bottom line, revenue, status and influence.

We have allowed our children to sit before media screens or look at cell phones, which displays all types of deceitful lies about our world and who they should strive to be. This is a time when bullying is causing children and young people to take their lives and give up on the precious gift of the life God has given them. This is a sad state of affairs when strangers and people who have no vested interest in the lives of our children, can speak and influence them to a point of despair, so much so, that they are willing to take their own lives.

Parents have lost sight of their created purpose to train up their children in the way they should go. So when the world comes in and tries to steal, kill and destroy them, they do not have the truth of God’s word in them to dispel the lies of the enemy. In these times it seems even the parents fail to realize their primary role, purpose and function is to lead, guide and instill in their children the love, purpose and the design God has intended for them. Many people have allowed the norm of social media and the lies of this world to turn their focus on selfish, self-indulgences. They often do not take time to direct and esteem their children. Children have been labeled a financial burden to their parents or a nuisance by this world system and many people have fallen into that mindset; that trap of not recognizing and appreciating this wonderful gift from God.

This is why it is so important to understand and know where we get our information from, especially the information that tries to define us, our children and our communities. We can be trained by the lies of this world or the truth of God’s word.

Psalm 127: 3-5 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. NLT

God’s word is a stark difference from what the world system says about children. It is no wonder so many children do not have a good understanding of who they are or their purpose. The world is constantly telling them they are a bother to their family and worthless to society.

God has called children a gift and a reward from Him. If people valued their children as much as we value our 401K and our investment streams, we would take more time to instruct and lead them in the word of God and in the wisdom of God. When children are grounded and rooted in the love of God the enemy will not be successful in trying to kill and steal their lives. They can be like trees planted by the rivers of waters and not be moved by the storms. This is not to say they will not experience storms but like the house built on the Rock, they will weather the storm and will remain standing.

Jesus came to earth and payed all sin debt and through faith in Christ we are restored back into the family of God. Then we see the two world systems vying for our time, attention and obedience; the kingdom of God and this fallen world system of death and destruction. We must choose to believe God and trust His word. Then talk to our children about the love of God and choices they will face in life. We are to instruct them on how this world system will try to deceive them and tell them they are worthless but God has called them His Beloved, created in His Image for His glory. Let it be God our Creator, who defines us. Let God be the one who tells us who we are and tell our children they are a child of the Most High King, the apple of His eye and created in His love to be love.