Tag: religion

Born Again or Bored Again

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There are two types of Christians in the world, the born again, and the bored again Christians.

The ones who are born from above, that is from the Holy Spirit, are the born again Christians. The ones who are born from bellow, that is by tradition, religion and the philosophy of this world, are the other types of Christians, they are the ones, born by the flesh.

The ones who are born from above, are the ones who have the living God on the inside of them, and they have the fullness of God in themselves. They are the real, and true Christians, which Jesus cares about, because he lives in them, by his Holy Spirit. They can not be bored, because they have been born from heaven, and nothing in heaven or from heaven, can ever be boring.

​The ones who are born from bellow, that is born by religion, tradition and philosophy, are usually bored, because there is nothing from from heaven in them, since the Holy Spirit does not live in them, and they according to the New Testament, are spiritually dead. Now being spiritually dead is boring, really boring, because the source of life, God himself, does not live in them. They are the Christians, to are such in mind only, but not in heart. Their minds are ‘born again’ by religion and tradition, but their hearts remain dead, because the Holy Spirit, is not in them.

The only true Christians who Jesus would call his own, are those who are a new creation. What is a new creation? Well, that is a human spirit, which has been dead before accepting Jesus as a personal Savior and Lord, separated from God, who is the source of life. But once that person gives their life to Jesus, and accepts him as a Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit comes in the heart or the spirit of that person, and makes it alive, by making it a new creation. The spirit of man becomes born again from the Holy Spirit, and also become one with the Holy Spirit, because whoever is joined to the Lord, is one with him.

​The Christians who are born from bellow, by the flesh, and by religion, tradition or philosophy, are those to whom Jesus will say ‘I never knew you, depart from me, you evil doers’. How could they be born again from heaven, if they are evil doers? You can not be a Christian, and a bank robber at the same time. And how could Jesus tell them that he never knew them, if they were born again from his Holy Spirit, and if he is living in them, being their Lord and Savior. So, obviously, they were never born from above, but what they had, was just religion or philosophy.

Religion vs. Truth-Mark 2:7

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Although Jesus was speaking the truth because he is the Truth, those people did not have the revelation from heaven to be able to see and understand that truth by the help of the Holy Spirit.

They had a doctrine and religion and a lot of legalism but not a heavenly revelation about what Jesus was saying and doing. Today we should be careful that we do not dismiss a spiritual experience of other Christians as not valid, just because it does not fit our doctrine.

They may have a revelation from the Holy Spirit which we do not have. And the only way to understand correctly the Word of God, is by revelation from the Holy Spirit because the Word of God is from him. The rest is about theology, doctrinal interpretation, legalism and philosophy. Yes Theology has its own importance and place in the body of Christ, but there is also a revelation from the Holy Spirit for the body of Christ too.

 

The Holy Trinity Galatians 4:6

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In Galatians 4:6, we can clearly see about the Holy Trinity.

Notice it says that God the Father sent the Spirit of his Son Jesus, into our hearts, which shows that Jesus is omnipresent as God the Father is, and that is another verse, which shows that Jesus is God, being omnipresent.

Also it says, that the Spirit of his Son cries out “Abba Father”.

The Spirit of Jesus in us communicates with God the Father, through us, by being in us.

He does it by using us, and it is not just us crying “Abba Fatter”. Awesome!

Glory and thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ for that!

Legalism vs. Grace of God Luke 6:6-11

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There we are. We have here in Luke 6:6-11 a mighty miracle done by Jesus in front of the pharisees, and they instead of believing in him, and give glory to God the Father, started to plan how they can kill him. All they were looking for, was a legalistic keeping of the Law of God, by keeping the Sabbath (verse 7) and therefore, missing completely the mercy and grace of God, expressed by Jesus healing the man, in front of their eyes.

Even today, we have people who see the miracles done by God, and still try to be religious, instead of giving their life to him, and be born again, by the Holy Spirit. They are satisfied with their religion, and think that they do not need miracles from God. 

The pharisees were concentrated on the Law, and in this case, missed the mercy of God for the man with the leprosy hand. And yet Jesus is the one, giving them the Law, by being God himself. How can any person be furious about a good deed of healing, in which we see the ‘stamp’ of the mercy of God?

No surprise here! Guess who is furious with a miracle from heaven. The enemy of our soul.

Morning Prayers to Start Your Day — Heather C. King – Room to Breathe

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I do not understand the snooze button on an alarm clock. I never have. To me, sleep only works when you’re actually sleeping. The first beep of an alarm wakes me up. From that moment on, my mind is racing on into the day. I’m not sleeping; I’m thinking. Worse yet, I’m thinking without actually […]

via Morning Prayers to Start Your Day — Heather C. King – Room to Breathe

Which door we choose to open?

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In the letter to the Ephesians 4:26, 27 it says, that we should not give the enemy an opportunity. What that means, is that any time we let our anger take the best of us, we open the door to the enemy. That is because, the anger of man, does not do the righteousness which God requires from us, as it says in the letter of James.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said that he knocks on the door, and whoever opens, he will come and have dinner with that person.

We have the choice which door to open daily in our lives, the one where the enemy comes, or the one through which Jesus comes. It all boils down to our own choices every day.

Every time we do the will of God, by doing daily what God requires of us, we open more and more the door for him.

And every time we do the things which God does not want us to do, we could open the door for the enemy.

It is all our choice, and opening one of the doors will bring life, but opening the other door, will bring death. 

He who sows for the Spirit, will reap life and peace. He who sows for the flesh, will bring death.

It is our own responsibility to open the door for God in our life, and close the door for the enemy, on a daily basis, by carrying our cross daily, if we choose to do so.

It is all about what we want to choose to do.

God’s Empathy for Us-Hebrews 4

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Hebrews 4:15, 16

Jesus empathises with us, when we fall into temptation. He knows that we have weaknesses, and most of all, he was tempted just like us, when he was on earth.

Therefore, because he knows from experience, what it is to be tempted, he empathises with us, and calls us to go to his throne of grace, to receive mercy, when we fall into sin.

Because he understands, how we feel, when we are tempted, and knows that we are weak sometimes in our struggle against sin, he calls us, to his grace.

Of course, his grace and empathy for our temptations, is not a permission for us to sin, but just to get right with him, when we sin. We can be confident that his grace is bigger than our sin.

Who is Your Help Continually-Psalm 71

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In our lives, when a difficult situation faces us, where do we go for help continually?

Do we go to God, or we go to other people, who despite their good intention and advice, sometimes can not help us.

For the teachings of Jesus, to be for us, like a house build on a rock, we must choose to go into that house always, and not go somewhere else. Only then we can stand against the storm of life.

Psalm 71:3 tells us, that David always goes to God for refuge and help. He could go somewhere else sometimes, but he did not trust in flesh, but in God.

David did not go sometimes to God, and sometimes else, when in trouble, but was asking God for help, continually.

The woman with the issue of blood, went to many other places continually, for years, looking for healing and help. Those places for her, were like the house build on a sand. That is why, she spend a lot of money, and could not get rid from one of the storms of life, called sickness.

Then she decided to go to the house, build on a rock, which was the teaching of Jesus, and she found refuge and healing.

She finally found after her healing, that when she has trouble, she has to go to the house with the solid foundation continually, and not to a house, which could be gone any time, when the storm comes, because it is build on a sand.

When we face trial, where we choose to go continually, to God, or to something made of sand. David knew where to go each time.

Where to Look When in Desperation-Psalm 13

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When we consider, that it is king David, the man after God’s own heart, talking in Psalm 13, we can see, that he was at the end of the rope. Somehow, because of his enemies, he seems to have lost all faith, or all hope. All he was looking at, was the victory of his enemies over him.

What made David, think that God has forgotten him – Psalm 13:1? He knew that God has cared for him, and has saved him from his enemies before! What made him lose hope?

Thinking about circumstances, instead of thinking about God and his Word. He allowed his attention to dwell more on his enemies and circumstances, than on God and his Word.

But despite all the dark circumstances around him, David decided at some point, to start looking to God, and his care for him. He remembered who God is, and what God’s character is. That made him to gain back hope and faith, to look beyond the circumstances.

We could be in a similar situation, when we are pressed on every side, by the worries of life, and we could be tempted to lose all hope. 

Life could be tough and rough sometimes, and that could attract our attention like a magnet.

But we like David, have to learn to look beyond circumstances, toward God and his Word, because we live by faith and not by sight. He had to learn, that his enemies and circumstances are nothing in comparison to his faith in God, and the promises of God.

The Pharisee and Tax Collector-Luke 18

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Luke 18:10-14

The Pharisee thought that he is good enough, so that he deserves God to pay attention to him. The Tax Collector thought that he is not good enough, so he does not deserve God to pay attention to him.

The Pharisee thought that by good works, he can go to heaven. The Tax Collector thought that he is not good enough, to go to heaven.

The Pharisee thought that he does not need the grace of God. The Tax Collector thought asked God for his mercy.

The Pharisee was self-righteous, the Tax Collector was self-condemned. But even self-condemned is better than self-righteous, because it still makes you think that you need the grace of God.

The Pharisee thought that he is going to heaven. The Tax Collector thought, that he is going to hell. The Pharisee who thought that he is going to heaven, was heading in full speed to hell. The Tax Collector, who thought that he is bound to go hell, was in a full speed to heaven. 

The one was a self made saint, the other was a God made saint.

The Meaning of the Cross

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The cross is all about who God is, and what we as a mankind are.

The cross shows us what we as a human race are capable of doing, and what God is able to do through the cross.

The cross shows us how wicked the human can be, and how loving and merciful God is.

The cross connects heaven to earth.

The cross is the only door to heaven, which is always open, only if you want to enter.

What the cross can do for us, no other human, religion or a thing can do.

The cross binds heaven to earth. The cross is where heaven and earth meet.

The cross is that narrow door, the narrow path, that leads up to heaven. An effort is required to walk on that narrow path, but it is worth it.

The cross shows us, what it means to carry our own cross, daily, so that we can live.

Victory for You-Psalm 23

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Psalm 23:4, 5

The Bible says, that all things work for good, for those who love the Lord. 

Well, all things includes also any negative or bad things, happening in our life. 

God is able to take the ugly thing happening to us, and make out a beauty in our life, out of it, for his glory. God wants to make even the hardest moments of our life, into a victory and blessing, because we are more than conquerors through him who loves us.

In Psalm 23:5, we can see how God works all things for our good, by placing a table, in the presence of our enemies. What do our enemies want to do to us? Kill us. Yet, God prepares a table for us, to sit down, eat, enjoy ourselves, in front of death, and our enemies. 

God wants to show death and our enemies, that he has the final word, about our destiny, and what happens to us. We sit down and eat, have fun, while death and enemies are looking at us, in disbelief, of how can we sit down and have a lunch, while in their presence. Oh yes, that is possible when God is with us, because he wants to work everything for our good, even in the presence of death or enemies. To Jesus our Lord be the glory and thanks! 

What-Who is Taking the First Place-Luke 14:26-33

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What-Who is Taking the First Place-Luke 14:26-33

In Luke chapter 14, from verse 26 to verse 33, we can see that it is all about what or who is taking the first place in our lives.

Are we putting the things of God first? 

The only way for us, to do the first command of God, to love him with all our heart, mind and strength, is to be ready to put wife, children, money, houses, business or our own life on the second place of importance, after the things of God are taking the first place.

That is not easy and we often fall into the temptation to put our stuff fists in our life, and the things of God, second.

But God is either first in our life, or he is not in our life at all.

He will never be second, or on the second place in our life, because God, being the Creator and the source of everything, is the most important person in the Universe, and in eternity. He is the sole reason we exist, move and live on the earth.

He wants to be honoured by us giving him the first place in our life, before anybody or anything else, or he will not be willing to be in our lives at all.

To put anything else, or anybody else on the first place, means that we show God, that those people or things, are more important to us, and he will not have it.

Be Open to Receive-Hebrews 12:9-11

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Be Open to Receive-Hebrews 12:9-11

A flower must open to receive the sunlight, if not, it will die.

We have to open our hearts to God, to receive everything he has for us. We must be opened to receive not only the blessings, but anything God wants to give us, including his discipline. The discipline from God is also a part of the light he has for us, because it produces a fruit of holiness in us. His light could feel sometimes, like burning for us, but that burning will burn all the things in us, which are not welcome in his presence. We can not and should not be open only when we want the good and positive things from God.

God’s discipline is like medicine for us. It could be bitter in our mouth, but it does something good for our bodies, and latter, makes us feel and be better. His discipline is a part of his light for us. His discipline will make us to be like a beautiful flower open up to him, to receive his glorious light.

Christian Bible Study-Where Are We Looking At-Luke 5:5

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Christian Biblical Studies-Where Are We Looking At – Luke 5:5

When Peter was walking on the water, he was first looking at Jesus, and then started looking at the wind and began to sink. 

But in Luke 5:5, Peter was first looking at the circumstances, had an logical explanation and reasoning, but then decided to listen to Jesus, do what he says, despite not making sense for an experienced fisherman, and he got a miracle, and abundance. Let us not reason a miracle.

Christian Bible Study-Content in Whatever Circumstances-Phil 4:11-12

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Learning Contentment versus Happiness-Phil 4:11-12

In the book of Philippians 4:11-12, we can plainly see that Paul was learning to be content, regardless of what he had or did not have. 

That is opposite of happiness described in this world. This world will tell you, that if you achieve your dreams like a good education, having a lot of money, having the best job, driving a nice car, or having a big house, will make you happy.

But Paul said that he is content (happy) in whatever circumstances, poor or rich, hungry or well fed, good job or no job.

Hmm, how can he be content when he is hungry, and there is nothing in his wallet or in his stomach? 

On a natural level, we can be very unhappy and not feel satisfied, when we do not have enough money, and we do not have a nice job, or education. When we are hungry, we could be grumpy. 

But, Paul learned a secret. His secret made him be content on the inside, regardless of what is on the outside. What was the secret? It is in Philippians 4:13

Christian Bible Study-Who Gave More-Mark 12:43

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Christian Bible Study-Who Gave More-Mark 12:43

If we consider the amount the widow put compared to the big amount of money the rich put in the temple treasury, we can see that the rich put more money than she. But in the eyes of God, she put more money.

There was something Jesus saw that she was doing, which the rich people did not. That something made her to put more money, in the eyes of God than all the rich people putting large amounts in. God was not looking at the amount in the box. He was looking for something else, which he wanted to see and was pleased with, which all the other rich people did not see.

Christian Bible Study-Revelation or Information-Matthew 11:25

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Christian Bible Study-Revelation or Just Information-Matthew 11:25

God hides revelation from people, who are not born again from above, especially if they think they know better and rely on the wisdom of the world. 

For those type of people, the Bible is just an information, or a book full with stories. 

But to the children of God, who consider themselves to be poor in spirit, and seek God and his wisdom, God gives revelation, and to them, the Bible is not just an information, but a revelation.

We can read and understand the Word of God, only with our mind, to which it is only information, or  we can read and understand the Bible with our heart, that is our born again spirit, and it becomes to us a revelation.

Christian Topics and Bible Study-Who Walks in Our Shoes?

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Christian Topics and Bible Study-Who Walks in Our Shoes?

There is only one who does not need to walk in our shoes, because he knows everything about us, and understands us completely, and that is God. Every other person in this world, needs to walk in our shoes, because they do not know us, and often, do not understands us.

Christian Bible Study-God Has Victory in Mind for Us-1 Corinthians 10:13

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Christian Bible Study-God Has Victory in Mind for Us-1 Corinthians 10:13

God did not promise us that we will not have problems and difficulties in life, when we became Christians.

God cares for us, and knows all the difficulties and problems we face in life. Therefore, he always will help us endure and pass through any test or trial. He never let us face difficulty without a way out for us, and without a victory. Every time we face a test or trial in our life, he has a victory in mind for us, just as Romans 8:35-37 tells us.

Christian Bible Study-The Lord´s Supper-1 Corinthians 11

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Christian Topics-The Lord´s Supper-1 Corinthians 11

It is all about the motive of why we eat the Lord´s supper. Is it to remember the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross for our sins, or is it just to fill our stomach and satisfy our hunger?

We get together to eat together as the body of Christ, to remember his death.

That is why the Bible says that we should examine ourselves. That is to examine our motive for eating the Lord´s supper.

Otherwise, we will be judged by the Lord, if we eat the Lord´s supper, just to satisfy our hunger. 

In 1 Corinthians 11 we can see that some of the believers, came to eat the Lord´s supper, just to fill their stomach and satisfy their need for food, but not to remember the death of Jesus on the cross. That is why some of them became sick, and some of them have died.

1 Corinthians 11:27, 28, 29

Signs and Wonders and the Power of God

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The Miracles and the Power from God

In 1 Corinthians 2:4, 5, apostle Paul says that his preaching was not only with persuasive words and human wisdom, but with the demonstration of the power of God and miracles from God.

People need to see signs and wonders from God, in order to believe in God. Not all people who see miracles from God believe in him on the base on those miracles. For example, many people saw Lazarus raised from the death, but still did not believe in Jesus, but instead, went and told the pharisees, what has happened.

In the same way, many people saw Jesus raising the dead, healing people, and doing all sorts of miracles, but still did not believe in him.

But there are some people, who just need to see one miracle from God, and they will give their life to him.

Jesus also said in the Bible, in the story about the rich man who went to hell and that if people do not believe what Moses wrote in the Scriptures, even if somebody rose from the dead, they will not be convinced or believe.

Christian Bible Studies-Blessings and Curses

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Bible Study-Blessings and Curses

God cursed the ground, because of Adam’s sin, so the financial curse came to man. But Jesus took the curse of the Law which is poverty for us, on the cross, and gave us his blessing. He took our curse, and gave us his blessing. Jesus came to preach the Gospel first to the poor!

Ephesians 1:3 is talking about spiritual blessings. That means, that all the material or spiritual blessings which we have from God, are divine in their origin, and come from the spiritual realm, before they manifest in the physical realm.

Genesis 1, 2, Revelation 21, 22, Psalm 112:1-5, Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Psalm 9:18, Psalm 17:14, Psalm 37:19, Psalm 118:25, Psalm 103:5, Matthew 6:3,4,11,25-34, 1 Timothy 6:8-10,17-19, Matthew 7:9,10,11, Hebrews 13:5

Christian Bible Study-Prayers of Kings and Priests

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Christian Bible Study-Prayers of Kings and Priests

We are kings and priest of God. Kings do not beg. They receive by faith and thank God – Revelation 1:6

Ask God to do the impossible, you do the possible. Ask him to help you do the possible, instead of asking him to do it for you. 

Do not ask God to put the food you are eating, in your mouth. You do it yourself. 

When you ask God to give you food, do not just sit there, and wait. Go to the shop, and buy yourself some food. 

 

 

No Faith No Receiving

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Without Faith No One Can Please God

God is gracious, cares for us and wants to save us, but despite that, he will not save us. We have also a part to play. We have to do something about it. We have to accept our salvation by faith. We have to make the first step of faith, then God saves us. So with everything else we receive from God. It is by faith.

If our hand remains closed, we will never receive a gift from God, even if he has given it to us.

Measure of Faith

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When Jesus said; ‘if you have faith like a mustard seed’, it is before anyone was born again. But, after we are born again, the Holy Spirit gives to each one of us, a measure of faith – Romans 12:3

By the grace of God, each one of us, receives a different level of faith, the moment we are born again. 

I believe, that we do not all receive the same amount of faith from God, because, God has a different plan and purpose for each of us. Some of us are called by God, to do greater things for him, than others, and so, they need a greater measure of his gift of faith.

For example a Christian who is called by God, to be a healing Evangelist, will need the faith to pray and see people healed by the gift of healing, which God has given them. So they will need to have a greater measure of faith, then other Christians.

All Christians can pray for healing and can flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but some are called by God for a specific ministry, and that is different.

When we become born again, the Holy Spirit dwells in us permanently, and he gives us faith. Even one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is faith. He gives faith to Christians.

According to your Faith

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Jesus said “According to your faith ( the way you think ) be done to you”, not according to your disappointment, according to your depression, not according to what you see in circumstances, because God always uses our thinking and faith, to perform a miracle. Yes Jesus cares for us, and he did some miracles because of his compassion, but that was initiated by him, because of his compassion. When it is initiated by us, it is by our faith. What we put our faith into (think about), the Word of God, or the circumstances?

Isaiah 55:11, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Matthew 14:29,30,31, Luke 8:49,50, Romans 4:18,19,20

Yo Yo Christians

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In James 3:9-12, it shows us, that we can not be a two sided Christians. Sometimes we say a blessing, and sometimes we say something bad to others. God does not like that.

That is called being a double minded Christian, and the Bible says that a double minded Christian will not receive anything from the Lord.

Jesus said in the book of Revelation, that he wants us to be either cold or hot, and that he does not like us to be in the middle, neither hot, nor cold, but somewhere in the middle. He said that he will spit us out of his mouth, if we are like that.

It does not mean that we will always say 100% what is perfect or good, but it does mean, that God wants us to aim to say the good and blessing things to others, as much as we can. And because we are not perfect, and can not be while here on earth, we can aim towards perfection, even if it is impossible for us to be, all the time.

We can not think that we are Christians, and that we please God, just because we go to church, read our Bible, and talk about spiritual things. That is not enough. What God wants us to do, is to stop talking bad things to others, by his grace and by his Holy Spirit in us, so that he can use us, for his purposes. We can not do it perfectly, but we can try, even if sometimes, we make mistakes.

Faith and Deeds

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In James 2:14-25, we can see that faith is very practical. It is not enough to have faith, and it is not enough to go to church. Faith does things.
We are not saved by good works, but good works prove that we are saved.

We are commanded by Jesus to love each other, so that others will see that, and recognise that we are Christians.

You see, others have to see that we love each other practically, and not only with words.

In 1 John 3:16-18 the Bible says that if we see a brother in need, but do not do anything to help him, we can not say, that we love each other. It is not only about feelings and affection, when we love each other. It is about practical matters, that we need to love each other.

It is very easy to say that we love others. Everybody can claim that they love others. But when it is down to showing it in a practical matter, then it proves, how much we love.

Many people claim to be religious, but do not have the power to live it. We who are born again, have the love of God in our hearts, which compels us, and makes us to love one another.

On one side, we have the love of God, in our hearts, but on the other side, we are also commanded to love one another. So, God has given us his love to be in us, but he also wants us to show action of love, about others.

We Have All Broke the Law-James 2:10

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We Have All Broke the Law-James 2:10

In James 2:10, it says that if we brake one commandment of the Law, we have broken all of them.

There is not a single person in this world, who was able to live without sin, and not brake any of the commandments of God. Only Jesus was without sin, perfect as the Son of God.

In fact, we would not need Jesus to die on the cross for us, if it was possible for us to keep all of the commandments of the Law.

The Bible says that we have all sinned and have fallen short, of the glory of God. All means all, and there is no exception.

Although, we do not want to sin, because we have a new nature, a new creation from God, our born again spirit, which is who we are as a Christians, we do sin, by compromising with out weaknesses, and giving in to temptation from time to time, stimulated by the sinful nature which lives in our bodies.

In order for us, to be accepted by God, we need to be 100 percent perfect, all the time. But as we know, that is not possible, because of our failability and the sinful nature in us.

Looking to the Word of God-24/7

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In James 1:22-25 we can see that it says, we should not be like people, who look themselves in the mirror, and then, forget what they look like.

Looking ourselves in the mirror, is like looking to the Word of God, and seeing what it says that we are. We need to look at the Word of God all the time, 24/7, and try not to forget, what the Word of God says that we are. Of course, it is not possible for us to look to the Word of God, 24/7, but that is the aim for us, to try to as much as we can.

Only when we continue to look towards the Word of God, on a regular basis, only then, we can be free and be blessed – verse 25.

God Gives Us Only What is Good-James 1:17

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So many people, even Christians, think that when something bad happens in their lives, that is given to them by God.

Verse 17 shows us, that God gives us only good things. Ne never gives us a bad thing. Even Jesus said that if the earthly fathers, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more, God our Father will give good gifts to all those who ask him.

Some Christians say, that God either gave them the sickness, or wants them to be sick, to teach them a lesson. I personally think, that it is not true. Verse 18 says that we are the first fruits God created, and we are created in his image. Jesus healed people all the time. So obviously it is his will to heal us. And healing is one of those good gifts God has for us.

Wisdom from Above vs. this World-Matthew 11:25

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Very often in this life, many people think, that the more educated they are, and the more they learn in this world, the wiser they become. 

But the Word of God says, that we as Christians, will be wiser, if we get more knowledge from heaven.

One of the reasons why God reveals things to the little children, and hides the secrets of the Kingdom from the ‘wise and learned’ adults, is because the adults think they know enough, and have learned enough in this world, about life, and the things in life. But the little children do not know much yet, and have learned very little in this world. 

Adults could often think, that they know enough already, so why should they need revelation from heaven..

The wisdom and the learning in this world, can become our stumbling block, of receiving the learning and the revelation from heaven.

The revelation from heaven is more of a matter of heart. The wisdom and the learning of this world, is more of a matter of mind.

Do Not Blame God – Revelation 16:9

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough ~ Leave a comment

Very often, when people are in trouble, and are suffering, they tend to say things like “Why did God do this to me?”

In the book of Revelation 16:9, we see that people blamed God, and were blaspheming his name, instead of turning to him, not only because he has control over any calamity, but because he cares for us, to take us out of suffering, and not let us suffer.

He is called the God of hope and the God of peace. He is called also the God of all comfort. That is why, we should not blame God for our problems, or suffering. Suffering comes mainly from the sinful inclination and nature of men, and from the enemy, but not from God.

We should not blame God for anything negative or suffering which happens to us. God is Love, and he is good, and he will never want to hurt us or put us in suffering. What a earthly father would like to put their child in a situation to suffer? He did not create us and put us on this earth, in order to torture us or give us plenty of suffering. Think about the fist people, Adam and Eve. He created the best environment and place for them to live, the garden of Eden. The original word ‘Eden’ in the Hebrew means ‘enjoyment’.

God is perfect, and he does everything in a perfect way. He never makes a mistake. Even when he disciplines us, it is for our good, to make us share in his holiness.

Why Unanswered Prayer is Sometimes Better – Luke 10:38-42

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

We can see in the Bible, it is sometimes, better for us, if God does not answer our prayers.

We say “I have prayed and prayed, and done this or that, but God does not answer my prayers”.

Sometimes, we think, that we will be most happy, and be satisfied, if God answered all our prayers, but God does not think so.

Jesus prayed “not my will but yours be done”.

If we look at Luke 10:38-42, we can see that Mary ‘prayed’ to Jesus, but he did not answer her ‘prayer’. She thought, that if she is serving and preparing a meal, for Jesus, that is what is the most important. But Martha did not even pray. She just sat at the feet of Jesus, and was listening to him. And that is what God approved and said that it is more important.

I am sure Martha was disappointed that Jesus did not want to help her and answer her plea, although she thought she was doing the best thing she could do, to serve her Lord. But, that was not the case.

Very often, we believe that we should pray for certain things, and ask God to help us, and we think, that he cares for that. But look at Martha. She asked Jesus if he does not care about her preparations. And he did not care. 

We often think that God should care for some of the things we do in life, even if they are for serving him, like the case with Martha, preparing the meal. But he does not. 

We have to find first of all, what God considers important that we do, and not we to figure out, what we think is important for us, to do for God. How you do that? Ask him. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask, and it will be given to him”.

Very often, our prayers are not answered, not because we do not have enough faith, but because they are not what God thinks should be given to us, even if we think, that it is.

So obviously, faith is not enough, to get prayers answered. 

Suffering And Prayer-No Despair-Luke 22:44

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

When we face difficulty, we often sink into a despair instead of prayer.

But we can see how Jesus dealt with extreme difficulty. When he was in the hour to be handed into the hands of those who wanted to kill him, he prayed more fervently. 

Instead of talking about the problem, and how big it is, we better pray, and remember that our God is most powerful. 

It is easy when we are in distress, to focus our attention of how we feel, and complain about our suffering. But Jesus did not do that. He prayed more intensively when he was facing one of the most difficult moments, in his time on earth.

More difficulty, more prayer, instead of letting us sink into despair.

Bible Study-Self Righteousness vs. Grace-Luke 18:9-14

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

If we think that we can be righteous enough, by the way we live before God, we cut ourselves from the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Of course, we have to aim to live righteously before God, but that should not be our focus, about our standing with God, because it is all about the righteousness of God in us through Christ Jesus, that God is looking at.

One of the men in Luke 18:9-14, thought that he can be righteous before God, and therefore accepted by God, just by the moral life he lived and the things he was doing for God. He thought ‘I can be righteous enough for God, so that God will accept me, because of the things I do for God’. So the grace of God, did not have place in his life, because he thought that he does not need it. The tax collector, was the poor in spirit man.

The other man, was repentant, and was looking for the mercy and the forgiveness of God for himself. He thought ‘Hey, I need the mercy and the grace of God for me, because I have done so many things wrong’. He just could not see himself able to be right with God, by the way he lived.

In Matthew 5:3, Jesus said that poor in spirit, have the Kingdom of heaven. 

I believe to be poor in spirit, means that we do not think, that we can live righteously enough before God, ever, therefore, we need his grace in our lives. We can never be rich enough in our spiritual walk with God, so that we can fulfill the requirements of the Law, or keep God’s commands always, because it says in the Epistle of James, that if we brake one of the commands of God, we have broken all of them. And we know, that it is not possible for us, to keep all the commands of God, all the time. The moment we realise that, we become poor in spirit, and we need the grace of God, and his gift of righteousness in Christ, in order to be accepted by God as righteous.

You Do Not Need to Fish-Luke 5:6-11

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

We can see very clearly here in Luke 5:6-11, that first of all, it is the blessing of the Lord that brings prosperity and abundance, and not our effort.

Yes, we need to work, and we get blessings by the wages for our work, but God, has a blessings for us, which are not dependent at all, on our work, effort, education, professional experience, but are just based on his grace for us.

Our effort can sometimes be fruitless, as it was for Peter and the others, when they worked whole night, but caught no fish.

And then Jesus comes, and shows them that provision comes from him, first of all, and not from their labour.

Jesus wanted to show them, that when they are with him, there is always an abundant provision. The main thing is to be with him, and follow him.

When Peter saw the amount of fish that they had, after they listened to the instruction of Jesus, he realised, that it is better to listen to the Word of God, instead to figure out, how best to deal with circumstances. Peter just applied his faith in the words of Jesus, and did what Jesus told him to do, and there was the miracle of catching a lot of fish.

That is the lesson for us, to do what Jesus says, even if it does not make sense in our circumstances. Then, we can expect the miracles to happen.

Spiritual Warfare Job 1:6-19

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

If you are are a born again Christian, you have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of light. You are in the light and you have in you, the one who is Light, because the Bible says that God is Light. Ephesians 5:8.

When light comes, darkness disappears.

In the first and second chapters from the book of Job, we can see, that the enemy, can not touch a born again Christian, a child of God, because God has provided a hedge, or protection for every one of his saints, every Christian like he did for Job. If he did it for Job in the Old Testament, how much more he will do it for us, who are under the New Testament.

Only if God permits, the enemy can attack a Christian like he did with Job.

If a Christian walks in the light of God’s Word, the enemy can not touch them. 1 John 5:18

Only if a Christian disobeys God and does not walk in the ways of his Word, only then he opens a door for the enemy – Ephesians 4:26, 27.

That is why, we are commanded in Ephessians chapter 6, to put all the armor of God.

Another thing to notice in Job 1:16, 18, is that people thought that it was God who caused the natural or supernatural calamity, but it was not God doing that. It was the enemy doing that. Often, when something bad happens in the life of people, one of the first questions he or she asks is “Why God has punished me like this, and make me suffer like this?” But that is not God. It is the enemy.

Provision Guaranteed – Mark 8:1-8

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

It is interesting to note here in Mark 8:1-8, that Jesus took the initiative to provide for his followers. 

They have been listening to his teaching, and following him, for three days, and did not have what to eat. But, Jesus did not only look for listeners and followers.

He just saw, that if anybody follows him, a provision for what they need, is guaranteed.

Think about it. God provides even for unbelievers. He feeds them, clothes them, and gives them life, breath, and everything they need, by his common grace.

And we not only follow him, but we are his chosen possession, his children and priests.

Just as he has promised in Matthew 6:33, that if we seek his Kingdom first, everything of what we need, will be provided.

And here is another lesson about giving God a seed to multiply.

Jesus did not just create miraculously bread and fish for them, although he could, because he created the Universe. He asked them to give him something. That was like giving God a material seed to multiply. 

You may be saying ‘But I do not have enough money to give for the Gospel’. Look, he is not asking for much, but he is asking for something for you to give him. He wants you to sow into his Kingdom. Then he takes what you give for his Kingdom, and multiplies it.

As much as we give for his Kingdom, and follow him, a provision will be guaranteed.

Mark 8:1-8 shows that God will never forsake us or forget about us or our needs (Hebrews 13:5). He is watching for our needs to satisfy them, just as he has promised in his Word.

Do Not Give Pearls to Pigs-Mark 6:11

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Sometimes, we as a Christians, are trying to convince non-believers, to believe in God, and accept Jesus as their Savior.

I believe, that we are called to share the Gospel with non-believers, but it is up to them, to believe it or not.

We are not called to persuade them, or make them believe. The Holy Spirit is the one, who will convict them of sin, and will help them believe, if they are willing to accept the Gospel. 

Our logical arguments, will not make their heart born again. 

Jesus said that we should not give pearls to pigs, because they will trample on them.

What are those pearls? I think that is the Word of God. 

We do not need to give the Word of God, to people who completely ignore it, and do not want to hear, what it says. 

The Word of God is the most precious, like pearls, but the pigs can not appreciate the value of it, so they trample on it.

Shake the dust off your feet, and leave that place, because the value of the pearls, is not appreciated there.

Every Blessing by Grace – Matthew 20:9-15

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Very often in life, we as Christians, think that we must work out, earn, deserve any blessing from God. We think that if we do not perform well enough in our spiritual walk with God, then perhaps, he will restrict his blessings to us, until we repent, do better, or work out to earn the blessing. 

That is called self-righteousness. That is what the Pharisees tried to do. They thought that by obeying the Law, they could earn their blessings and salvation from God. It all depended on their performance of how holy is their life before God.

But the Bible tells us that Grace and Truth came by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of John 1:17.

If we look at the parable of Jesus, in Matthew 20:9-15, we can clearly see, especially in verse 15, that God can decide to give free gifts to those he wants to give, without them needing to work for those gifts. 

In verse 15, Jesus clearly says, that giving to the workers who started work latter a bigger wage, was depending on his grace, and not on their performance or how many hours they have worked. 

So it is very clear, that the blessings God gives us, are clearly by his grace, depending on his grace for us, and not on our performance, effort or work for him, and not on how holy we live before him! His generosity came out of his grace.

Difference of Opinions And Disagreements-Philippians 3:15

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Very  often, in nearly every Church, there are Christians, with a different opinions about the same topic. And you ask yourself the question ‘Why different Christians think differently, about the same topic or part of the Bible.’

Now can it be, that we all who are born again, have the Holy Spirit in us, and still disagree, about the same Scripture?

Well, even Apostle Paul permitted other born again Christians, to disagree with him on some topics, and to have a different opinion. 

If you look very carefully what the literal translation of Philippians 3:15 says, you will find out, that it talks about God giving a revelation to that person with the different opinion. 

Paul is saying something like this ‘Well, you think like this, then may God give you a revelation about it.’ 

The reason that Apostle Paul, who wrote a big part of the New Testament, allows other Christians to have a different opinion about the things of God, is because he knew, that the truth about the things of God, can be revealed to a person, by God himself. 

The Bible tells us, that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, and I believe, that He will teach us first of all, all things about the Word of God.

We can have our own human interpretation of the Bible, but there is a revelation from God, about what that part of Scripture means. 

So we have two types of interpretations;

One by our own human thinking, and the other by revelation from the Holy 
Spirit.

Oh, may God the Father gives us more revelation in knowing him, and interpreting his Word, by his Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus! Amen!

Seek First the Kingdom of God- Haggai 1:3-11

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Sometimes, we can fall into the trap of minding our own business first, and then, after that doing the things of God, or for God.

Jesus said that we should first seek the Kingdom of God, and all other things after that. 

God wants to take the first place in our lives, because he deserves it. He is the First and the Last, and he wants to be first always. 

He is either Lord of all, or not at all, in our lives. It is up to us if we give him the first place or not. 

Of course, we are not perfect, and many times we give place to our own ideas, plans, desires and schedules, instead of God’s, but our aim, is to give God the priority. It is not easy to do that, but by his grace he can help us to let him take the first place in our life.

If we give God the first place in our life, then there is going to be a blessing for us, in our daily activities.

We can see very clearly, in Haggai 1:3-11, that because people neglected taking care for the house of God, but did not neglect their own houses, God restricted their daily blessing in various areas of their lives. They had put the effort to their best in the various areas of their life and work, but there was a little result.

Unless there is blessing from God, the rest is just human effort, regardless of the activity or task.

May God the Father help us to put him first, always in our daily life, as he deserves, in the name of Jesus, because only by his Holy Spirit in us, and by his grace, we will be able to do that.

Being Filled With the Fullness of God-Ephesians 3:18-19

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

The Bible talks about us, born again Christians, having the fullness of God. But how?

If you look at verse 19, you will see that it talks about knowing the love of God. 

Now, we know that the love of God is poured out in our heart, by the Holy Spirit as the Bible says. 

Obviously, we will never be able to fully grasp the love of God, and yes, we can experience it, but we can not understand or explain it, because it is too wide, too deep, too high, without limit.

Actually verse 19 says that the love of God surpasses knowledge. You see that? Our brain or mind is too limited to grasp or comprehend the love of God. And anyway, the love of God is in our hearts, not in our minds. And according to verse 19, to have the fullness of God, is to know the love of God, and that is, to not just know about the love of God, but to know it, to have experienced the love of God.

If you are a born again believer, you definitely have the love of God in your heart, and that means you can experience the love of God. And once you ‘know’ or experience the love of God, you have the fullness of God.

Self Esteem – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

What do people look for in this life, when they look for importance and meaning? 

People in this world think that if you are not educated enough, are not looking good, are not having a lot of money and material possessions, and do not have a status or prestige, you are a failure.

But, God never created failures, because we are created in his image. We may fail, and make mistakes, in various areas of our lives, but that does not mean that we are failures. 

God has chosen those who are considered nothing or failures in this world by others, to show that we all have value and potential in God’s eyes, regardless of our weaknesses, mistakes, looks, and whatever the so called “successful” people consider to be lowly or despised. 

No one is despised or considered less or of no value by God. He sees all of us, in the same way, because he has put his image in us.

That is why God chose the lowly, despised things or people in this world, to show those who think that they are more that others, that they are no better.

Jesus said that what men consider of importance is despised in the eyes of God. 

Never look yourself in the mirror and think that you are not beautiful enough, or clever enough, or able enough, for whatever in this life, because God sees you as the beautiful one, the clever one, the able one. We are the crown of his creation, that is the top of his creation.

So no matter who you are, or what others think about you, remember, you are that ‘diamond’, that ‘precious jewel’, the best of God’s creation, and will always be.

Psalm 16:3, says that God delights in you, if you are his child, born of his Holy Spirit, regardless of your education, looks, money, possessions, or else…

Jesus is Powerful in Us – 2 Corinthians 13:3

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Very often, just by looking at our circumstances, all we see, is how we fail, or are weak. But that is not what the Bible tells about us. If you are a born again Christian, then you have the Holy Spirit and his power in you! Apostle Paul said “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

Jesus knows that we have weaknesses, but he always wants to show himself powerful in us and through us. 

The Bible says in Romans 8:11, that the Holy Spirit gives live to our mortal bodies. Do you see that? We have the life of God in us. That live helps us to be powerful. That is why Jesus is powerful in us. He is powerful to help us to resist temptation, to overcome sickness, or whatever other things we may be facing today. He does it, because he said that he will be with us always.

He does not want us to be weak but strong, that is why, his power is manifested in us most, when we are weak.

We are called ‘Christians’. That means that we are like Jesus. Well, Jesus was never weak when he was on earth, but has shown us how powerful he is, by all the miracles he did, like raising the dead, healing the sick, calming the storm, walking on water and many other. That is powerful. And he said that we will do the things he does. How can we do the things he does, if we are weak. No, he is powerful in us and through us, that is why we are powerful to do the things he did, while on earth and forever.

Money to Sow, Money to Reap-2 Corinthians 9:6-15

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

God tells us that he wants us to give financially, according to what amount we really want to give for his work on earth. He does not want us to give, more than we really want to give, just because somebody else said so, or because we must give more, than the amount we want to give! No, he knows what we think in our hearts, and knows exactly how much we really want to give each time. If you give more than you really want to give in your heart, perhaps that will not be well accepted in the same way in heaven.

He accepts the amount your heart wants to give, not the amount you drop in the basket.

Only when we give that amount, according to how much we want to give in our hearts, for God’s work on earth, only then we will become a cheerful giver, because he knows the amount we really want to give, and the amount we are not willing to give.

God wants to bless us in all things, abundantly, at all times, not just occasionally, but at all times, because that is what it says in the Word of God.

And one of the reason God wants to bless us abundantly, is that we can give for his work on earth.

Perhaps you say, “Well, I do not have what to give”. Hhm… Look, the Bible says that God is the one, who provides the seed for the sower. So, if you want to sow financially for the work of God on earth, he will provide you with the seed, that is the money for you to sow. Just ask God to give you the seed, because he has promised to provide it for us.

Another thing to consider when we give to other Christians financially, is that that will produce also a praise and thanksgiving in their hearts to God, for his supplying their need through you! So that not only supplies their need, but will bring glory and praise to God too.

And notice in verse 14, that the reason they could give to others, was because of the grace God has given them. There is a grace from God to us, as a gift, which makes us more willing to give to the work of God on earth. That is his grace working in us too.

You Are a Champion

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

When we fall into all sorts of trouble, often the first thing we look at, is our defeat and weakness. We think that we become a victim. 

But God, never sees as a victim! He just can not, because he never created us to be a victim of circumstances or anything else.

His plan from the very beginning was that we will be created in his image. Do you know what that means? It means that God just can not see us as a victims, no matter what happens to us, because we have been created to be the crown, the top of all his creation. 

We were created to reign on this earth, to rule over all the earth, from the beginning. 

That is why the Bible says that all things work for good, for those who love God. He makes even our worst mess, into a triumph, in his own way. 

That is why he said to his own people Israel, that they will be the head and not the tail.

No matter what happens to us, how much we fail or mess up, the desire of God is always to helps us in some way, and make us somehow triumph above our mess or suffering. He does it, not us. And he knows how.

He wants us to be a kingdom of kings and priests, not a kingdom of victims. He never created a kingdom of victims. In his kingdom there are no victims, but only victors, and that is for his glory! A victor brings the glory to God, by his victory, but a victim can bring only defeat.

Temptations – 1 Corinthians 10:13

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

God is never going to let us be tested, more than we can cope with. That is what 1 Corinthians 10:13 is saying.

The original word for ‘temptation’ in the Greek, also means ‘testing’.

God always provides the solution with the problem, as we can see in so many examples in the Bible. For example, Joseph had to go to prison, but eventually God used his bad experience for good, to save from famine many people, including his family.

The bigger the problem, the bigger the solution.

The problem is with us, very often not being able to see the solution. So when we are in a difficult situation, we often think, that is all that we have got. But not according to 1 Corinthians 10:13, because it says that God will always give us a way out of the difficulty.

It is not easy to believe that when we are in a difficulty, but that is what it says.

He cares for us as much in the problem, so in the solution. He cares for us in a good or bad situation, because he has promised in the Bible, that he cares for us, and because he does not change and is faithful. 

He provides a grace for us to endure and go through the test. 

Spiritual Growth 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Not all Christians are on the same spiritual maturity level.

Some of us need a very simple basic explanation about the things of God, about the basics of our faith. But, others, by using their spiritual senses, have grown to a spiritual maturity, to understand the deeper things of our faith.

When we become born again from the Holy Spirit, we are like spiritual babies. So we need a spiritual milk. But after that, we decide how much we will grow in the things of God.

For example, we decide daily how often or how much we will spend time with God in prayer, or how often and how much we will read the Word of God. Those who meditate on the Word of God and read it a lot, will be spiritually growing and being transformed faster. But those of us, who do not read the Word of God often and enough, will still be like spiritual babies in Christ.

Yes the Holy Spirit in us, makes us grow spiritually, but we also decide how we grow.

Apostle Paul talks about the two type of spiritual food in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:12, 13, 14

In Hebrews 5:14, Paul is talking about the Christians, who have become mature, by using their spiritual senses, and have trained themselves.

Milk and solid food. One for the mature, the other for the babies.

You see, we will not be able to understand the deeper things of God, if we are fed only the spiritual milk. We decide to mature, by spending time with God in prayer, by reading his Word, by going to church, and then, the close we come to him, the closer He will come to us. That is how we grow.

Faith Hope Circumstances-Romans 4:18-21

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

Believing God’s promises in faith, for a change in our circumstances, is not a denial of what is happening in our circumstances, and is not a denial of the obvious facts.

We can see clearly, that Abraham was aware of the fact, that the body of Sara his wife, was old, and that she was not able to have children, and that his own body was old too.

He was fully aware of the facts. But he also knew the eternal Truth, the Word of God.

He did not deny the obvious facts. But the facts were not all that there was. He had the promise of God. He just was convinced that the promise of God is more powerful, than the age of his own and Sara’s bodies. But why did he believe that? 

He had a choice to make. To believe what he sees with his physical eyes, or to believe what he sees with his spiritual eyes. 

Because he knew God personally, he knew who God was. The God who created the heavens and the earth by his Word. That is why, the circumstance had to bend, and obey the Word of God. They had to, like they did, when God was creating the heaven and earth.

If someone is having an illness in their body, they should not pretend that the illness does not exist in their body, but they should pay attention, to the Word of God, because the illness does not have the final word. God, who said ‘I am the First and the Last’, has the final word always. 

Daily Battle Spirit-Flesh Romans 7:22

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

The daily Christian life is a battle, between the things of the Spirit, and the things of the flesh.

We are given a choice daily to choose, which one we will follow, the desires of the Holy Spirit in us, or the desires of the sinful nature in us. The choice is ours. 

The Holy Spirit will give us the grace and strength to fight against the flesh on a daily basis, but we make the choice to take what He has provided, and use it to fight against the flesh. 

The Bible clearly says that we have not struggled against sin to the point of shedding blood yet.

We are tempted, Jesus was tempted just as we are, and Apostle Paul was tempted, everyday.

We see in Romans chapter 7, that Apostle Paul was struggling with the sinful nature in him, as a born again Christian.

We have inherited the sinful nature from Adam, but we also have been given the new nature, our born again spirit, which is one with the Holy Spirit in us.

God will not make us fight the sinful nature in us. But He has given us everything we need to fight it and conquer it, because the Bible tells us, that we are more than conquerors, in Christ Jesus.

Does it mean, that because we have everything from God in us, to fight and conquer the sinful nature, that we will not be tempted and sin? No, it does not! We can fall and sin at any time. But, all that we need to be victorious over sin is in us from God.

Of course, we may fall into sin any time, and in the future, but because of difficult circumstances and pressure, and not because we want.

Our born again spirit, our divine nature given us in our heart, by the Holy Spirit, makes us to desire to do the will of God, and to do the right thing – 1 John 3:9

May God the Father help us to conquer the sinful nature in us, by the help of the Holy Spirit in us, always, in the name of Jesus! Amen! Because, without his help, we are done, we will sin!

Testing of Our Faith – James 1:2-4

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

How many of us, will consider it pure joy, when we are in a tight and difficult place?

I do not know about you, but I am not very often joyful, when I am in a difficult situation. Yet the Word of God tells us, that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

The reason we should consider it pure joy, when we are under various trials, is because, of the end result of those trials. 

You see, the end result by all those trials, is that we become more mature as Christians.

Difficult situations, develop our perseverance, and character. 

We are born with a particular temperament, but we develop a character. And for a character to be developed, it has to go through all sorts of situations, good and bad, and not just the good. 

Our faith will be tested by difficult situations, and if it passes the test, it will develop perseverance in us, and the perseverance will make us more mature in our walk with God. That is why we have to consider it a pure joy.

We Are Protected – Acts 27:24

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

We are protected from God, and the amazing thing is, that nothing can happen to us, if God does not allow it to happen. No sparrow will fall to the ground, if God does not allow it to happen.

Think about it. Just because God wanted Apostle Paul to go to Rome, to see Caesar, God by his grace, did not allow any of those sailing with Paul on the ship, to perish, regardless of the storm and the shipwreck, they had to go through. 

People also tried to catch Jesus and kill, him, but the Bible says that his time had not come yet. So they could not. Only when the time for Jesus to go on the cross came, only then they sized him and crucified him.

We can also think of king David, how God did not allow him to be killed, in so many battles that David had to go through. 

Faith is What We Look At Luke 5:5

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

We will never receive anything from the Lord, and will not have a miracle, if we continue, to analyse, calculate and figure out, what to do in the circumstances of our life, instead of, looking at what God has said in his Word about it. We can work hard, think hard, analyse by our human understanding, but, we will still not figure out, what is best to do, in order for us, to get what we need.

Very often, what God tells us in his Word, to do, will not make a common sense to us, and will offend our way of thinking, and analyzing what is best to do. It will often go against our way of thinking, and would not make sense.

God has said that his thoughts, are not like our thoughts, and his ways, are not like our ways. So, the way he sees our situation will often be very different, than the way we see it.

Our way of thinking about the circumstances of our life, will often leave us fruitless, without the results we want to see.

But, if we choose to do what he says in his Word, instead of what we think is the best to do, we will see a miracle from him, and will get what we need from him, by faith, and not by logic.

Tradition vs. Heart

~ Elements of Christian Breakthrough

There are two things to consider, when we read these passages. The first thing is that God looks at the heart of man. The second is, that man sees only the outside ceremonies, and traditional religious duties, but does not see the heart of other people.

Now, we can clearly see here, that there are many traditional religious things, which a man can invent and practice. There are plenty of philosophies and religions in the world today, but the people practicing them, do not have the Holy Spirit, because, they do not believe in Jesus, and are not born again. And Jesus said that we need to be born again. Only the born again Christians, have a new heart, new creation given from God.

God does not care about our man-made religious rules, regulations and ceremonies. He cares about the state of our heart (spirit), if it is changed and born again from God or not! Because only a born again Christian, can do the commandments of God, because the Holy Spirit will give him power and grace to do that! 

If a person is not born again from the Holy Spirit, he would not have the power and the grace to do the commandments of God, and to live the Christian life! Because the Christian life is supernatural. 

That is why, Jesus did not care about their traditions and ceremonies, because their heart was not transformed and changed by them. 

People can go to hell by taking with them, their religion. Religion is only for the body, and the mind, but does not change the heart. Only God makes the heart a new creation.

That is why in these verses, we can see that Jesus was looking at the heart of people, and not the external form of religion.

God the Father, is looking for people who will worship him by their born again spirits, which is with the heart. Only the born again spirit-heart of man, has eternal life from God, because it has become one with the Holy Spirit.