Rebellion Against an Illusion or Shadow Boxing (Take 1)

Look out! Here comes the truth ... but wrapped in hype if we don't ask a very important question......what is that question? Hey people!! keep reading and when you find in your soul ..THAT question...don't answer without knowing what God says:
"WE NEED WEAPONS ....TOOLS OF TRASH DESTRUCTION ...THEY ARE THERE FOR OUR WIELDING ...TAKE HOLD ... FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!"

II Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

And all of the congregation were so moved to a euphoric state of excitement, mobilized with such a feeling of victory, and in gleeful unity they shouted a hearty "AMEN!" ... but probably didn't even begin to realize they were heading towards one more "Christian" disappointment. One more scene of spiritual carnage as they would fumble about in the air trying grab hold of What ??????? No one asked the question ... no one sought for an answer, though there was a tension in their souls... maybe they didn't want to ask the question for fear of real victory; and at this moment it was so much more profitable to gather gifts up after such a successful pity party.

(All that is in the the world in an illusion ... a desire ...not the touch of the forbidden but the desire to touch, not the sight of the illicit but the desire to see it, not the possession of position but the desire to have it over others ....MINE and even God can't have it.)

I John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but isof the world.

IF WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST AN ILLUSION, (BUT SO DEADLY IT CAN CONTROL US ...SO DEADLY IT CAN ENSLAVE US ... SO DEADLY IT CAN DESTROY US)
...we can't shoot it,stab it, blow it up, or destroy it with any weapons of modern warfare, for it walks right by these devices...

What are these eternally powerful weapons that are ours to wield and win? ....Any don't you dare settle for your answer ... GET GOD'S ANSWER.
If we make this a trite cliche-ic issue we are defeated ...and will be again and again!

Challenge ... write back only His Word,

HLFA,

Jeff
Psalm 55:21 (Picture of the enemy)

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, .........What ? The enemy is a smooth talker?
but war was in his heart: .........Go figure!
his words were softer than oil, .......... Soothing Words of comfort from the one who hates my soul?
yet were they drawn swords. .........I didn't see this coming!
Pretty creepy ...but everyone of us have had conversations with the enemy.
Usually the conversations are quiet but heavy. There were several times in my life where I could tell my conversation was being listened to, only to be used against me later....my words ripping back to me ... twisted, gnarled, barbed and cutting. These confrontations usually leave our trust damaged.

"STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HURT ME" - Recognise the phrase?? When we were young, many of us were taught this little phrase to combat the effects of crude words vented toward us. It was spoken to ward off any adverse effects of the cutting expressions coming our ways.This phrase though, is a lie from the pit of Hell.

Words always affect us.
Words mold and change us.
Words make us or break us.
Words can take away our freedom...forever, or bring us everlasting life.

Shooting your mouth off? Buttering people up (not in direction though)? Lying to get your own way? Promising but not performing? Cursing and not blessing?

The battle of the tongue is the last continuous battlefield for the devotional child of God ... so hard to control and many times so out of control. You can dress up, fess up and all appears well BUT then the lips begin to quiver, the tongue begins to shake, the pressure grows and the explosion happens! Someone will bear the shrapnel and we will bear the reproach of our words. If we don't get better control of the tongue we will end up much like the enemy we despise.

A lipless generation would be a strange sight ... immaturity's mouth characteristic "shooting off" is obvious. A generation, in whose words was found no guile, ....Wow! Jesus heard in our daily lives ...sooooooo needed...

Daily, pray the prayer of the Psalmist below:

Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

It is easier to bring praise to our King when our lips are in control of a heart being controlled by His Thoughts.... His Word. Read His Word, yield to His Word, love His Word, Speak His Word .... In Love.

HLFA,

Jeff

Cranberry Walnut Bagel, French Toast, and Isaiah 65

Breakfast in the Redding house is all but normal sometimes, the preparation can be challenging. With the Coffee brewing it is hard to keep the Duchess asleep to surprise her with a Breakfast completed ...see... you have to sneak out of bed, not bang the pots and pans too loud and get r' going: Steel cut oat meal(which she later will make enticingly delicious but adding nuts, berries, spices and secrets), Black bean scrambled eggs w/ melted provolone cheese, bacon (prepared crispy not burnt),fresh grapefruit and clementine slices, and Cranberry Walnut Bagel French Toast (deadly) ....and SoMe white tea. All that preparation to let the Duchess of Redding know she is special, she is loved, and she is all the world to me.

What does Isaiah 65 have to do with breakfast (not much but hang in there):
Isaiah 65:1 - I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not:
I said , Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
The next 22 verses will describe a New kingdom for those who respond to His call...those who receive His love...a wonderful place where love overwhelmingly is serving up lasting satisfaction and joy.
24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call , I will answer ; and while they are yet speaking ,
I will hear.

Oh if there was a way we could breathe in the Heavenly preparation daily ... let it overwhelm us with its aroma of sweet intoxicating security. Oh if we could hear the still small voice, feel the mighty rushing wind, sense the cleansing rain, by truly knowing Jesus and the power of His Resurrection.

STOP...Hear His call: Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour
• grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil or burdens or grief)
• labour with wearisome effort, to toil of bodily labour
and are heavy laden,
• burdened with an unwarranted load - GUILT
• loaded one with a burden of rites and unwarranted precepts - SPIRITUAL DUTIES
and I will give you rest.
• ceasing from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect strength
• giving rest, refreshment, to provide self rest
• quiet, calm and patient expectation

THE CROSS ... THE EMPTY TOMB... THE RISEN LORD all prepared for you, calling your name, telling you: You are special, you are loved, you mean all the world to Him ....
BUT will you COME TO HIM or remain in the guilt of your sin?

Keeping my sin ensures eternal Hell, Trusting Him with the payment of my sin ensures Heaven as my home..... While I was ungodly, while I was an enemy, while I was a sinner ...Christ Died for ME.
Cranberry Walnut Bagel French Toast...don't just look...taste and see!

HLFA,

Jeff

Falling Birds, Dead Fish, and Hyper Senses

Just walking along minding my own business, when all of a sudden (What the...?) I'm beaned with several hundred birds falling from the sky...dead...not me, the birds. After I shake this off, I continue to my favorite fishing spot and stand aghast at hundreds of fish floatings at the surface...dead again, (still not me but the fish). I rush back home (OOOOO it's the end of the...) and I immediately prepare for the "Apocalypse".

Just so you know ... this didn't really happen but I could have .....woooooooooooo!

Getting the shivers because of a few birds falling from the sky? Feeling that the end is near because fish are floating? WOW ....what are you going to do about it?
Sorry but stuff will continue to happen, but when God's wrath is let loose it won't be a few birds, or a few fish...it will be COMPLETELY DEVASTATING. Read the little glimpse into the real deal below (and only a small portion of the catastrophes):

Revelation 8 

1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him
much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound .
7 The first angel sounded , and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up , and all green grass was burnt up .
8 And the second angel sounded , and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part
of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died ; and the third part of the ships were destroyed .
10 And the third angel sounded , and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became * wormwood;
and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter .
12 And the fourth angel sounded , and the third part of the sun was smitten , and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened , and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
13 And I beheld , and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound !

What is the worry? Isn't your life securely hid in Christ and Heaven for sure? Not sure???? Get sure! THEN ...reach out to others if your senses have hyper-activated...make sure they know.

It appears that we grow closer to His coming than when we first began this journey. Don't take time for granted...take it as a gift to live for Him and redeem this time gift for the sake of others.

HLFA

Jeff


Please don't be affraid to contact me if you feel unsure about your relationship with Jesus.
ralph_spinach@comcast.net