Posts Tagged 'Characteristics of Believers'

We are Who We Spend the Most Time With

Published January 31, 2023 Characteristics of Believers Leave a Comment
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Since we can’t control other people, we need to stay ever vigilant in who we are partnering with.  This includes watching what we do and say and guarding our heart by being mindful of what we are watching on TV, social media, and watching who we hang around.  I heard a couple of good quotes recently.  One by Matt Fox that states, “you will become like the people you hang around with” and Jim Rohn said “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”   Our flesh is easily susceptible to the influences of this world and our willpower is easily eroded when we are around the “wrong” people.  By “wrong” people I am meaning the people that are not on the path of truth and commitment to Jesus and obedience to God and His will.  This is why we need to have more wisdom in identifying false prophets, teachers and “Christians” that are not aligned with the Word of God and are more aligned with the things of this world.  It is important not to align ourselves with them, watch them, follow them or condone or defend their behavior or we will slowly adopt their behaviors and beliefs.  I believe that this is what has happened to so many “Christians” who are exhibiting rebellious actions and exerting their “rights” and unloving influence over others. 

Check your circle of friends.  Are you a good and godly influence/example to them?  Are they good and godly, speaking life to and about others with and to you?  I admit that we don’t always have complete control over who is in our circle, such as family and co-workers but, we can limit our time with them and make sure we have prayed for our hedge of protection and grace of God to be in place.  Know that when we press into God and commit to do His will to love His people, He will remove people from our circles.  It might be hard in the moment but remember that God always has our best at heart!  Know that many times it is because we are growing in a direction that does not include them or that they might hinder our growth!  Take some time to pray over your circle and ask God to only keep the people in your close circle that He wants you to associate with in this season!

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How to Protect Yourself From False Spiritual Teachers and Prophets. Part 2

Published January 16, 2023 Characteristics of Believers , Hearing God , Holy Spirit Leave a Comment
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We can only discern or identify false teachers and false prophets by comparing what they say/write with truth and this means the truth of God.  Remember that the enemy knows the Bible as well or better than we do and he uses twisting and misstating the Bible to draw us into his lies.  As you may recall, Jesus was tested by the devil in the wilderness (see Matthew 4 and Luke 4), the devil quoted the Bible.  But he quoted it out of context and with nefarious motives and Jesus saw right through it and corrected him.  For instance, Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and the devil appeared and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:3-4).  Jesus knew the devils’ motive was to tempt him to break his fast for God and to show his power.  Jesus was stating that for us to feast on the Word of God (The Bible) and be nourished by our Father in Heaven and not to worry about what is happening in the world or what people think.

The best way to discern whether the teaching/word is a lie is to judge it against the word of God in the Bible.  I like to read the commentary in my study Bible for the verses I am reading.  The commentary are those little footnotes at the bottom of the page but you can also google the commentary for the scripture.  I also use an app called the “Blue Letter Bible” because you can also zip into the Greek or Hebrew words and their definitions or usage.  Know that reading and studying the Bible starts to build up your Spirit, knowledge and wisdom and soon you will be able to quickly spot the lies because the truth will be strong and hidden in your heart!

Are You a Peacemaker?

Published January 14, 2023 Characteristics of Believers Leave a Comment
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“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3.

In this scripture, Paul is speaking of the unity of the body of Christ or the Church, but I can’t help but apply it to this world we live in now.  The commentary in my NIV Bible says “It is the heavy responsibility of Christians to keep that unity from being disturbed.” Remember that Jesus states in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.”

Are you are peacemaker (unity keeper or builder) in this world?  In your family? At your job? In your household?  This does not mean to not speak truth or correction but do you do it with peace and love?  Take a few minutes before you respond in every situation to ask if the words you want to say are your flesh (indignation, anger, hurt or resentment) or from God spoken in and with Love.  The truth of how you feel about something does not always need to be told!

God Will Never Leave Us  

Published January 12, 2023 Blessings , Characteristics of Believers , Comfort Leave a Comment
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Do you ever feel like God left you or forgot you?  Perhaps we left Him.  I say this because He said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13:5).  When we feel like we have been overlooked, that is the time to press in and make sure we are studying the Bible and we are praying for others and looking for God’s hand in everything we do.  I have felt that I was not plugged into the God circuit as strongly as I wanted to be and when I focused on my time with God and praying and blessing others, I was able to see God at work again. 

This year of 2023 is a year to realign with God and refocus on learning about God and being obedient in loving and blessing others.  When we take the focus off of ourselves we can see God at work in others and affirm that He never leaves us!  If nothing else, just look around at the beauty around you that is all created by God for us to enjoy!

We Reap What We Sow.

Published January 11, 2023 Blessings Leave a Comment
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Reaping and sowing is a world principle also know as planting and harvesting.  What is it that you want to harvest and have in abundance this new year?  Health, love, peace, joy, finances, blessings…?  2 Corinthians 9:6  states, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  Think about it, if you plant 2 seeds will your harvest be different than if you planted 2,000 seeds? YES!  So when we sow into others we will receive in proportion with how much we sow. 

Many people will think they want more financial benefits and think they will just work more, but we can have so much more when we operate with Godly or Kingdom principles by sowing financial seeds into others to grow our finances.  Sowing into others by donating money to organizations that take care of people, giving money to the homeless, helping a ministry or taking care of the needs of someone with a financial blessing to them.  This is the same principle with other things.  You want love – love others, you want peace – be peaceful with others, you want joy – find joy in everything. 

Oh, by the way, when you sow ugliness guess what you get?  Yep, ugliness!

Guess what?  We can sow many types of seeds at the same time and have it ALL.  I call it blessing others.  Ask God to show you who to bless and watch your joy, love, peace, health and finances grow!

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