God spoke to me through my dog.

Here in Australia it is Winter and it has been getting quite cold in the wee hours, cold enough to have to wear socks to bed! 😀 I know that is nothing compared to some places around the world in Winter, even some places in Summer. I’ve been to a ski resort where the temperature read -9C, but I honestly don’t remember it being cold because we were too busy skiing and having fun to notice the chill. (Although the snow that sometimes got through the holes in my gloves told me that it was cold. haha)

So, back to my dog.. The other day I decided to put her jacket on as it was very cold, so I went and got her and started to put it on. The front legs going through the holes were fine and easy, but trying to do the zip up from underneath was a pain. She wouldn’t sit still for me to do the zip and I was getting frustrated with her trying to move, and her squirming, or trying to put her paw on my arm etc. She was making it almost impossible for me to do what I needed to do in order to make sure she was warm and comfortable. She was getting in my way, so in a firm voice I said “BE STILL”. It really didn’t work, surprise, surprise, but oh how the Lord used that moment of me chastising my dog to speak to me!

How often do we squirm and wriggle through the hard parts or seasons of life and forget that God tells us to ‘be still’ and to trust Him? How often do we get in God’s way by resisting the temptation to step in and allow Him to work all things together in His perfect timing? How many times do we hamper God’s efforts by trying to do things ourselves, and failing?
If you are anything like me it will be nearly all. the. time!

As an aside, I was involved in a conversation on a ‘Christian’ fb page and the topic was creation. The person who posted asked a question along the lines of ‘for those professing Christians who believe God used the “big bang”, where did the matter come from to cause the ‘big bang’? A rather lengthy conversation ensued, and a lot of people used scripture while a lot of people used reasoning, and reasoning by way of questioning (questioning the length of time it took God to created and how could there be light before the sun {easy questions to answer if you ask me, but they seemed intent on not taking God’s word for, well, God’s word} ). Me being me I couldn’t help but add my 11c worth. 😉 I shared some verses and went back and forth for a while until it basically all just phased out. In the day or so since the conversation I have ‘coincidentally’ seen, or remembered verses related to the topic, so I went back to the page today to add a bit extra. One last verse came to mind as I was writing my last comment, which I was also aiming at myself as well, was Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
I know that God has a sense of humour, because I just went to check the verse of the day on the Bible website I use and Heb 11:6 is the verse of the day. He is definitely trying to let me know that He is listening to me and to trust Him, to be still and know that He is God.

I am so thankful for His grace and mercy. He knew before He even created the world that we would still sin and be in need of His grace. He knew the struggles we would face in this world and the grace we would need to trudge through them, hence my using the photo with the verse that I did.

Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come to you and ask that you would give me, and everyone who reads this, the grace to weather the storms of life. Help us to be still and leave our worries and troubles in your capable hands. Lord, we know that without faith it is impossible to please you, so please fill us with more faith, grow our mustard seed of faith into the kind of faith that trusts you with all our heart and leans not on our own understanding. Thank You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If this little ‘devotional’ resonates with you in any way, please leave a comment below. Facebook has stopped me posting from my EiF page so this is my contact with you all in the outside world at the moment. haha Also, please feel free to share this if you think someone will be blessed by it.
God bless. 🙂

Believe in God but not the bible?

Do you believe in God, but don’t believe in and follow the bible?
I ask you, how then does God speak to you? How do you know what He expects of you, and make no mistake, He does expect things from you.
How do you know if you are pleasing Him or the opposite? Is there even a way to tell? Yes, there is, it’s called the bible. If you do not believe that the bible is the word of God, then you are in some serious trouble. God Himself tells us that it is His word and what His word is for.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16

Here is proof that it’s not just a belief in God that gets you to heaven.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7:21,22 (The capitals are my emphasis, and the next verse is below, Matthew 7:23.)

Yes, God is the only one who can judge you. He is the only one who can judge whether you go to heaven or hell. When the day comes, you will hear one of two things:
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23
OR
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23

Which one are you going to be? The faithful one who does the will of God, or the one whom God doesn’t know?

Following is a prayer if you feel led to say it. But make no mistake, this will not get you an automatic ticket into heaven, as you can see in the verses above. And it will not make your life all fluffy clouds and rainbows, but, if said sincerely, with a repentant heart (admitting that you sin against God and want to turn from the life you are in now and turn to God and His will), then your life will begin to change. You will be refined and molded into what God created you to be. You will want to give up certain things, and you will also have to give up certain things. Are you prepared to give up partying, fornication, friendship with the world* and even friends? Because it will happen. But you must remember, your rewards are not on this earth, they are in heaven**.
*”Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
**”In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3

“Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Saviour and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of you. My greatest purpose in life is to follow your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

You can find me on facebook, under the same name, if you have any questions. I’ll do my best to try to answer them for you. 🙂

Are you are a new creation in Christ?

Too many think that if they just believe in God, or say a “Sinner’s Prayer”, then they are saved. Here’s what I think about that.
You know, it’s not enough *just* to believe in God/Jesus.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19
If it’s enough just to believe in God and be saved (go to heaven), then logically speaking, it means that the devils (demons) will also be saved and go to heaven, because they believe in God. (They know how real and powerful He is because they tremble at Him.)
That’s why I say that it’s not enough just to believe.

Here is more proof that not everyone who just believes in God will get a free pass to heaven.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

If yours is a genuine conversion to Christ though, then your life will change. You will change.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
You will not stay the same person you were beforehand. The things you once loved will be important no more.

For example, the music that you used to listen to won’t be as appealing anymore.
The language you use and the way you speak will change.
The friends that you had will not be as appealing anymore (unless they were already Christians) because you will find the things they do (drinking, partying, sleeping around etc) will not interest you anymore.
The tv shows you watch will lose their appeal as you see how banal and pedestrian they really are.

You will start to focus more on the things of Christ.
You will be interested in hanging out with others who are believers, so you can speak about your beliefs with others who understand.
You will start to see the world in a whole new way, and you probably won’t like it very much.
You will want to be obedient to God and not live the way you did before.
You will also probably lose friends and family, because they just don’t understand where you are coming from anymore. (“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14)
All these things are good though, it means that God is refining you and preparing you for a life in His Kingdom in heaven.
Our treasures and rewards aren’t on this earth, they are in heaven with our Heavenly Father. 😀

Some people give the Devil too much credit.

As some of you know, I was in a cult like group a few years back, and thankfully, the Lord got me out of there some years back.
I was so excited to be in the group because supernatural things were happening (thanks to a few introductions to the occult as a child), we were supposed to be like family and it was all supposed to be about God. (Well, it was at first, but then things took a turn for the worst.)
I used to tell everyone about the group, and even got some people to come along, but they didn’t last long.
Most people that I used to tell about the group said it was so negative and so dark.

Eventually, things started to become all about demons; how to recognize them and how to recognize them in people, how to learn who/what they were, how to cast them out and so on. I didn’t think twice about it because I thought it was all necessary to the ‘job’. So, I delved into demonology (not too deeply thankfully), I started researching all things demonic and started trying to see if I could figure out who had what or which demons and I tried to figure out which demons I had. (Something all of us in the group did was to try to figure out which demons we had so they could be cast out.)We would look for demons under every rock, behind every door and in all the nooks and crannies. And do you know what, we found them. We found them in people, in movies, in churches etc.

We, as a group, were led to believe that we had been chosen for this by God, because we were a group of warriors. We were meant to fight demons and set people free.
We were led to believe that everything outside the groups was demonic, including our friends, families, churches and just about anything else you could think of.
We had to do what the leader of the group expected of us and if we didn’t, she would have meetings so she could tell us what we had done wrong, according to her. If anyone dared to question her or the group, they all had some sort of high ranking demon that was making them do that, and if anyone left the group, we weren’t doing God’s will, therefore we weren’t under God’s protection anymore.

Looking back now, I can see how totally demonic all *that* actually was.
There was no grace of God taught. There was no love of God taught. There was basically doctrines of demons being taught there and we were more encouraged to research about demons instead of reading our bibles. I say all this because I see people who speak of nothing much else except for demons. (I realize I have been guilty of doing similar, but I think it’s still a ‘hangover’ from being in the group. It takes a while to de-program from being in a group like that, and I’m still learning, so bear with me. lol)
Yes, it’s great to inform people that they (demons) are real, and to be alert, sober and aware, but where’s the grace of God? Where’s the love of God? Where is the sovereignty of God?
If you are constantly focusing on Satan and what he does, you are giving him more power in your life.
The Christian isn’t meant to be afraid of Satan, we are meant to fear God!
“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:17
“Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7

How is making people aware of them going to do any good if they are not also being taught about God?!
Stop giving the devil so much credit, and God none. God is sovereign and far more powerful than those pesky little demons are, so lets stop giving them so much credit. Anything that happens in this world is all meant to happen to fulfill bible prophecy. The devil and his minions are allowed to have their fun, for a while. But soon, God will have His way and they will be no more.

As Christians, we are supposed to look up, look to Jesus. He is what our focus should be on, not nothing but demons.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

That verse says it all really doesn’t it?!

*I really hope all that makes some sort of sense. Sometimes I can’t write down what I’m trying to say without it being really long and involved, so I try to keep things fairly short. Because of that, the meaning behind what I’m saying doesn’t always come across as I intended.*

Don’t forget to read this post about how some people don’t give the Devil enough credit. This might seem contradictory to what this post is about, but if you read it you will find out what I mean.

Just a couple of things. (Researching the bible and calling yourself a Christian.)

Number 1. When doing research, in particular, research about the bible, it is always wise to check out the person who is doing the article.
What is their belief system? What are their motives? And what is the spirit behind the article?
Many, many people have written about the bible, and unless they are true Christians, they will not write the truth. 
If they do not have the Holy Spirit in them and they are writing about the bible, you can probably bet your superannuation on the fact that it will not be (entirely) correct and accurate.
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;” Romans 3:4
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44

 

Number 2. Do you call yourself a Christian? Many people do these days, but you wouldn’t know it by seeing their lives in action. 
Lets look at what the word “Christian” means, according to the Strong’s concordance. 

The word “Christian” means “a follower of Christ”. How do we know who Christ is and what we are to follow?
Look in your bible! You will find all his attributes, his personality and what he stood for in it. You are not going to learn about him, or what it means to follow him, if you do not read the bible. You can’t just get that knowledge about Christ, and what he was all about, out of thin air. It just doesn’t work that way.

I’m noticing that many people who identify as Christians don’t want to believe in the bible or adhere to it, so how can you call yourself a Christian if you do not follow his ways, his commandments, which are all in the bible?

The bible has this to say about those people: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:11,12
(If you are unsure what this is referring to, read the Parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25.)

 

 

Do you doubt your Salvation?

I’ve just had a bit of a, moment, if you will. You might get a glimpse of how my brain works here.   Careful, it could be dangerous. 😉

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8

I was thinking about people (professing Christians) being convicted by the Word when they hear it. I was also thinking about people (professing Christians) who do not get convicted by the Word when they hear it.
I was wondering if the latter are actually saved. I was then thinking that it’s so sad that friends I know probably aren’t actually saved*, even if they think they are; there’s a difference in being saved and thinking you are saved.

I then went on to thinking that I often doubt my salvation, and it was then that I realised that I doubt my salvation because I always doubt myself. I doubt myself and my abilities, my Christianity (am I in God’s will and do I want to do God’s will?) etc.
It was then that I realised that it’s not me who saves myself, it’s God who saves me. (Logically I know that, but deep down it’s always been something I haven’t quite been able to fully comprehend. I don’t think I have fully comprehended it yet still, but at least I have a glimpse now, and it’s something I can meditate on.)
I can’t keep doubting my salvation because that means I’m doubting God and His Word, and what Jesus did for me on the cross.

I guess I will always doubt myself and think that I am not good enough for God, or doing enough for God, or a ‘good enough’ Christian, but that’s just my nature, my carnal nature.

What it all boils down to is this; I have to trust in the Lord that I am saved because His word says I am**. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be in this life (a hard thing for anyone to accept, lol), but God is working in me and refining me and I’m sure I’ll keep growing in the Lord and will bear more fruit as the refining continues.

So, if any of you doubt your salvation, look inside yourself (but not in the new agey type of way though) and see if it’s really YOU that you are doubting, because God will never let us down and He promises us eternal life, if we just repent, believe and obey***.

*“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

**“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30,31

***“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:8,9

{Just a point of interest here. I included Hebrews 5:8 to show you that even Jesus learned to be obedient. So, if Jesus learnt to be obedient through suffering, we should also, instead of being self willed and rebellious.}

Betrayed. A poem doing the rounds.

BETRAYED

Friend, I stand in judgment now

And feel that you’re to blame somehow,

On earth, I walked with you day by day,

And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory

But never did you tell His story,

My knowledge then was very dim,

You could have led me safe to Him.

Yes, I knew He’d made the earth,

But knew not of that second birth,

And now I sit this day condemned,

Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things that’s true,

I called you “friend” and trusted you,

I learn, now, but it’s too late,

You could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,

And yet you showed me not the light.

You let me live, and love, and die,

And knew I’d never live on high.

Yes, I called you “friend” in life,

And trusted you through joy and strife,

And yet, on coming to this end,

I can not now call you “my friend”.

**Author Unknown**

I don’t want people to say this about me when the time comes. I want everyone to hear about God and how good He is from me.
It is up to them to decide what to do with the information I give them, but I hope that, at the least, I am planting some seeds.

Can Christians be deceived?

                                                                                …

Should we have to have proof of God’s existence?

‎”At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Matthew 18:1-5

We are called to have faith like a child. A child believes things without needing proof.
For example; children believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy because their parents/society teaches them that, even though we (adults) all know they aren’t real. But the children believe because they trust that we are telling the truth. (even though they are big fat lies)

I admit, at first I wanted some hard and fast facts or evidence in my life that God was working, but over the last year or so, with lots of prayer and wanting to change, God has revealed Himself in my life more and more.
He has really helped me out by answering a few prayers, one of them quite major, and I’m so grateful.
I think also, that the more I see Him working in my life and the more I fellowship with other believers, the more I am learning to trust in Him.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:22,23

I am learning more and more not to trust myself and my actions, but to believe that God has a plan for me and my life, and if I try to get ahead of Him instead of it being in His perfect timing, it will be disastrous.

Do you need proof to believe, have you got a testimony, or do you (for whatever reason) just believe?

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Come out of her my people.

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:1-5

It is commonly thought that Babylon is the current world system, and I tend to agree.
I know most of you probably won’t agree with what I’m about to say, (and that’s ok, it’s between you and God) but look at all the pagan influences in the world today. Christmas, Easter and Valentines Day are just some examples that are thoroughly pagan in origin.
I personally don’t celebrate and of those things anymore since learning of their pagan nature.

As Christians, God tells us not to be like the world:
“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.” Romans 12:2
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:” 2 Corinthians 10:3

We are to be different than all the worldly people.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

If we are acting just like the world, how are they going to know that we are Christians, and how can they see the love of God in us? They won’t want to aspire to what we have because they will not see it if we are just like them.
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47

Christians please, come out of the world system so that unbelievers may know the light and love of God through us.