Spiritual Awakening

Whether rich poor young old, we all can relate in needing transformation. Such as Saul, who had an extremely hard heart, who eventually had an awakening and transformed to Paul. 

The dedicated believer Paul was speaking about himself before he trusted in Christ in Acts 22:4. He wrote, “and I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering them into prison both men and women.”  In his former life he was completely anti Christian, fighting against them and putting them to death. Before becoming one of the greatest saints in the Bible, Saul had to be completely transformed to Paul. 

We all have the opportunity to be transformed from our old ways to new, no matter your past sins. Paul is a beautiful example of how God can awaken us. Despite his old ways, Paul became a man who God used to write many spectacular books in the Bible and to reach out to the gentiles. “Of this gospel I was made minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given to me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:7-9 Isn’t it nice to know that God can use you, in spite of your sins?

So how can you go from being a Saul to a Paul? Turn away from your old sinful ways and believe in Christ. Sin will still be a struggle, but with Jesus as your guide, He will open your eyes and illuminate the correct path. Read the Bible, find a church, fellowship with other Christians, and pray. Stay strong, and don’t fall back to your old ways. As Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

 

Debunking the Hoodwinker

We humans are much more sophisticated in comparison to animals who have collars and leashes. While animals are lead around by their owners (well…except for cats), we humans should not allow ourselves to be directed by the whims of the world, instead by the Holy Spirit. 

The Bible warns us not to become so easily coaxed by mankind, instead, follow God’s guidance. As it says in Psalm 32:9, ”Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” This is where we can use our spiritual maturity and listen to God. To attain wisdom we need to be reading the Bible daily so we are not lead into the devil’s snares.  

Paul warns us about these tricks in Acts 13:10 speaking about Elymas the magician, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is not right! You are full of all kinds of trickery.” We need to always be ready so we aren’t hoodwinked by satan, instead, open our hearts, ears, and mind to Christ. He will debunk the devil and not allow us to fall into his deception.

Holy Healing Hands

Being spiritually healed through Jesus is the only rational answer opposed too just being healed by chance. 

There is no wisdom in simply wishing for the best and believing in luck of the draw while knowing Jesus is the only logical answer of being healed. It is by the holy hand of Jesus Christ we are made well, as in the aw-stunning moment when the sick fellows back in Jesus’ day were looking for help. Acts 5:15-16 says, “insomuch that they were brought forth sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude of cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed every one.” 

Jesus is perpetually saving the day, no need to look up down or all around. Simply trust in His Spirit, let it work through His hands. This not only pertains to the physical, but most importantly to the mental. My life is proof of both physical and mental spiritual healing. At the beginning I only looked to my own power, with the goal of getting out of the wheel chair and feeding tube by myself. Then the transition happened where I leaned on God’s power and not only did He make me physically better but spiritually as well. God is still helping me out today. 

I thank Christ for my continued recovery, to wake up every morning and say, “God has given me another day to put my ankle brace on, have a few cups of coffee, and see how the Spirit wants to use me today. I wonder who God will lead me to help today?” 

Don’t Be a Dumbo, Follow Christ’s Lead

Insulting someone by calling them a dumbo wouldn’t show the love of Christ. Instead, living by example, we should always speak in love and exemplify them. The Bible encourages us to be good examples to nonbelievers, showing the love of Christ through our actions and words. As Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Hence, making our likeness to Jesus, who loved everyone though they didn’t quite care for him, we too should follow his example.

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 

Put On Your Godly Spectacles

We all start from the beginning, especially with our walk with the Lord. First we need to attend preK class for it is necessary to learn the ABCs of God’s love and how to live for Him. After you’ve properly learned to use scissors and draw shapes you continue your education, you study the Lord’s wisdom and how to live for Him. In school you don’t want to remain in kindergarten and only learn the alphabet and nothing else, you want to be able to read books like “The Chronicles of Narnia” or “Lord of the Rings“. The same concept applies for our education in Scripture. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” 

As the years pass in our walk in the Lord we should be developing and continuing to grow, not staying stagnant. You need to slip on your spectacles and start learning! Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principals of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Learning how to cut out being hateful or living in the world, and replacing that with the wisdom of the Lord, you learn to grow in your walk. Though we all start in preK, we shouldn’t be in that class for years! Whether a kid or an adult who is just learning about God, we can start growing at any time. The Lord is waiting to reach us to gain His wisdom, and He is more than willing to supply us with His grace, for all who seek will find.

Defending Yourself From the Devil’s Schemes

Living your life with God being the source of continual guidance is the proper mindset and the first step in the right direction. Even when the world is nipping at your heals, having your mind centered on Christ will help you not be mislead into centering your life on worldly things. Money, for example, may lead you to feel as if having your bank account overflowing with cash will make life easier. The allure of money may lead to a false sense of security and it becoming the center of your life instead of having the benefits of God being your main focus. The worship of fortune rules your mind. Before you know it you fall into the devil’s schemes, and the sin of worshiping something before God takes over. 

To help fight this you must put on the full armor of God to defend yourself from the devil’s tricks. As it says in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” As John MacArthur puts it, 

“The armor of God is just another way to pull all of those components together in a memorable fashion, in a mental image of a soldier. We have the best outfitted army ever. We have the best Commander in Chief...But if you go out without your armor, you’re going to be vulnerable. Put it on and you can handle anything the enemy brings.”

If you are mentally armored up with God’s Word as your sword and His wisdom as your helmet you are ready to handle anything. 

Start the New Year Off Right

 Wear your mask in public areas and be sure to wash your hands before touching doors. This was the motto of 2020. Catching the confusing plague known as COVID-19 is scary yet perhaps if we didn’t focus all of our attention on this crazy disease but rather see how this mayhem forces us to look to God. The Lord’s love is so adamant He is allowing these trouble times to come to produce patience and peace in Him. As it says in James 1:2-6 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let that patience have it’s perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it will be given to him.“ This is a superb verse to assist you in 2021, to help you search for wisdom during these chaotic times. For the average day in the USA is taking a masked up adventure and that’s all right. America is currently facing struggles, yet remember what James 1:2 says to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials”. As the new year begins remind yourself that these storms come and go, but God will always be there for you. As the song says:

“I lift my eyes unto the hills.

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The maker of Heaven and Earth.

And I’ll praise you in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For you are who you are

No matter where I am.

And every tear I’ve cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise you in this storm

Though my heart is torn

I will praise you in this storm.”

Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns