Life is not the problem; it’s the Answer…

At times God will permanently place something in my heart and no matter how I try to over look it; it just want allow me to be at peace.  I was talking to my daughter (Tamika) the other day, about how annoyed I get every time I hear someone - especially Christians say: “Sometimes life will just hand you a bunch of rotten eggs or throws you a punch in the face”.   She said to me: “Mommy I remember when we were studying the Purpose Driven Life; the one thing that stuck out to me was when the author said if something continually annoys you, it means you are suppose to do something about it.  Perhaps your annoyance is God’s way of telling you to do something about it.”  I have to be honest and tell you that when she said that to me, my first thought was “But how?” 

I communicate with people all the time, who feel that life has not been fair to them, and according to them, they’ve tried going to church, returning tithes, the whole nine yards; and they feel like they believe in God - but they can’t understand why He’s allowing them to have such a bad life.  Ok, I do share in that way and when I do, they often ask “Well why is it that sometimes my Pastor says life can be hard, is he not a man of God, shouldn’t he know the truth?”  Today I realized that God has given me another way on a greater scale to answer this question, “My Blog”.  According to the reports I receive on this blog, I get a great deal of views, so I should be good.

Now here I am today informing whoever will read this that “Life is not the problem; it’s the Answer.”   The longer I remain a Christian the more I realized the importance of reading and knowing God’s word for myself, this is why His word informs us to:

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).”

As a Believer, meaning one who believes the word of God; that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1), that it gives life (1 John 5:11), that it is a lamp unto our feet (Ps. 119:105), and more importantly that Jesus came, lived and died so that we could have LIFE and have it more abundantly (John 10:10); I often find myself grieved when I hear Pastors and other Believers say “Life is not fair, that Life is hard, or that it will throw you a blow that seems to knock you off your feet.”  When I hear such contradictions, I wonder if they really are who they say they are - if they really are believers in the word of God or could it be that they’re just not thinking before they speak.  Before I go any further let me just give you the meaning of believe: it means to see something as reality, to see it as truth.  It’s important for you to really know the meaning of believing; Believer, because when you get this truth into your mind you’ll be better off – for it is with the mind we serve God (Roman 7:25).

Too often as Christians we follow the crowd by somewhat for a better like of words “Speaking out of both sides of our mouth”- we say one thing out of one side then go back and contradict it out of the other side.  How in the world of truth! Can you encourage someone to know that God gives life and that life is in His son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11) but then at the same time, say life is hard or that sometimes it can throw you for a loop....  This is something that just does not sit right with me, it would be better if we simply said situations can be hard or can throw you for a loop.  Understand it is not life because LIFE came so that we could live – in abundance!

All throughout God’s word I read how He has giving us choices but then He turns right back around and tell us what choice we should make; as if He’s saying “Ok, I have set out there this and that but it would be better if you choose this.”   If we would be truly honest with ourselves, and look back at all the stuff we’ve gone through, all the hardship we’ve experienced – we‘d come to realize, it was not life but choices that made the situation.  It could have been your choice, your parent’s choice - someone made a choice, someone decided to do what they did to make that situation what it was or is.  Life is a gift, and when you are given a gift, you have a choice to make it what you want it to be, to use it how you decide to use it.   It’s your choice to determine if you will live life in its fullness or live it settling for whatever situation comes your way.

This thing is so in me that I could write about it for days, but instead, I'd like to challenge you to know God for yourself, because when you know Him, you’ll realize that Jesus is life (John 14:6); you’ll also realize that God is good – all the time (Ps. 100:5).... and there is no contradiction in that.  Please know that God and His son Jesus Christ are one, if Jesus is life then God is life, if God is good then Jesus is good (John 1:1, John 10:30) – please don’t make it difficult!  It’s really simple when you just learn to accept it. 

God’s word say’s: “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:20-22).” 

Each time you complain about life, what you're actually doing is saying - what Jesus came to do is of no effect.  You show your lack of respect and disbelief in the power of Life, which is Jesus Christ, in the power of the Giver of life and if He lives in you then it is He who gives you life and what can be wrong about that, what could be bad about that Life.  So watch how you speak about your life, and for all you Believers, the next time you feel the need to complain about life, to speak ill of life, remember Who you’re talking about.  Life is good because God is good, and that never changes even when situations occur.  Remember, Life is not the Problem but it is the Answer....

Below you will find a few verses to reflect upon but please, search the word for yourself.

Grace & peace….

New Testament verses:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will
never be thirsty.  John 6:35

I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.  John 8:31-32

 

Old Testament verses:

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. Deuteronomy 30:14-16

I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:18-20

“See now that I myself am he! 

There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

 He said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.

 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-48

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

 all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

The Spirit Within

There is a voice inside all of us that inspires us to keep moving even though we often feel like giving up and throwing in the towel.  If you truly believe in the power within you to succeed and fulfill your destiny, you will take heed to this voice because He knows your potential, and the results of what is awaiting you ahead if you just continue to press.  Does this voice have a name? I’m glad you asked.  His name is “Holy Spirit” He is the one that Jesus left with you as a comforter (an encourager) and He already knows who you were meant to be, what you were created to do, and all that you were meant to possess here in the earth.  So the next time you feel like giving up, listen to that voice of reasoning that says, “Don’t give up, You can do it!”  - if you do, you want regret it.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.  1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Prayer:

Father, I pray that you would encourage every soul that reads this blog to continue to press in whatever You've placed in their heart to do.  You know the vision, the inspired dream, their creative ability and all that awaits them if they continue to move forward.  I believe that You've equipped them with every thing they need to succeed and live in the purpose You have destined for their life.  Now, Father in the name of Jesus I ask that you would strengthen them for the journey, and make them attentive to the voice of Your Holy Spirit that they may not turn around or throw in the towel.  Help them to realized that Jesus has already won the fight and gain the victory on their behalf and now if they would only trust You; no matter what maybe going in the world, what the economy looks like, or even the resources that may seem to be lacking – You yet have a plan in for their life.  One that will not only meet every need but every desire but only if they adhere to the voice, I believe it’s done and I touch and agree with them in the spirit that they shall walk in all that You have prepared for their life, in Jesus name. Amen

Grace & peace!
Bertha

Dealing with the original instructions - conclusion

Replenish – to make full or complete, by supplying what is lacking – to fill again.

This third instruction is no doubt one of my most favorite as it speaks to our ability to really be like God.  Through this one word He instructs mankind to complete what He’s started, to go out and fill the earth and whatever or wherever is lacking.  This one word speaks volumes:

To Fill

To Furnish

To Provide

To make Provision

To Refresh

To Renew

To Restore

To make better

To gather resources

To transform

To contribute

To revive

To give life

To minister or serve

Sourceful

All this from one word and I find that the greatest of these definitions is the word serve because in serving we’re able to effectively do all the others.  Serving is a way of saying; meet the needs; make what needs to happen; happen.  So as we examine these instructions (be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth), we find that there are some very important requirements expected of us by God, and He’s requiring these things because He knows that He has given us everything we need to complete the assignment.  He’s given us everything needed to be fruitful (increase) in what He’s placed within us, and multiply (duplicate) the gifts He’s given then replenish (serve) in all that He’s given.  And there has to be some importance to it because even after His frustration with sin and He destroys the earth with water, He still comes back in Genesis 9:1 and repeats the same instructions to Noah. God gave Noah the same instructions He originally gave to Adam and Eve-He hasn’t changed His mind about this thing.  Apparently there’s something in this that God meant and still means for mankind to do. 

Now it seems for some time there’s been something called the Gap Theory going on were people are trying to figure out exactly what this word replenish meant and it seems that some have through this theory come to the conclusion that because God said replenish the earth there must have been others here in the earth besides Adam and Eve.  I’m not going to try to get into this theory as it bares no truth to me according to what my bible says.  But I will get into how significant these instructions and this word replenish is to us and how God intended and yet intends for us to walk here in this earth.

 

As noted the word replenish can also be seen as to serve.  To serve means to provide with a regular supply, apparently there is something that we have that the earth is in need of, and God says He wants us to supply it regularly.  In Romans 8:19-25 we’re told how the earth is in frustration and groaning waiting for us the children of God to be revealed, which simply tells us that even the earth understands the need for God’s created image to be in their rightful place because until that day comes nothing in the earth is free to function as it ought.   

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

 ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 

This passage speaks to our need to get back to the original instructions because in those instruction is a place of order, and without that order nothing can operate as it should.  Now what is our rightful place; in this same passage in verse 23 it speaks of those who have the firstfruit of the Spirit, meaning those who believe the truth that our God has spoken and yet speaks. What is rightful place?  It’s in the firstfruit, it’s in possessing the Spirit of God because when we do, we realize that God has given us everything we need to live in this earth realm effectively, (productively, increasingly and sourcefully).  I find it amazing that the act of God giving mankind power and dominion over the earth simply means He allows us to be the source (power) with authority (dominion), another meaning for replenish is sourceful, to supply.  When we get back to the original instructions and realize who we really are, possessing the Spirit of God within us, it’s then realize that He has given us everything we need to live abundantly here on the earth and stop using the excuse that we’re waiting on God and realize that He is waiting on us because He has equipped us to be the source for everything here in the earth.  When we provide the universe with what it needs-the sons of God walking in power and dominion, bearing God’s likeness “fruitful”, increasing in our God given gifts “multiplying”, and being the source for everything “replenish” by speaking life and showing our godship; then the universe will yield to us whatever we ask.

I could go on and on with this because it excites me to know that God has entrusted us with so much and yet, at the same time, it also grieves me because we have yet to realize how much we posses, and how resourceful we can be here in the earth to restoring unity and harmony as God intended.  So although I could go on because there’s so much in God’s word that declares to us our ability to do the exceeding great work that Jesus says we would do, I’ll stop here and hope that you would search God’s word for yourself and allow Him to reveal unto you truth, so you can walk in your God given image.

Grace and peace.

Dealing with the original instructions - Part 1

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

First instruction - Be fruitful
I'm always floored at the fact that many Christian today although we confess to live according to God's word we often forget the initial instructions He gave. This idea of fruitfulness deals with a range of things: productiveness, character, the way you speak and the words you accept for your life.


Productivity:
In His instructions, the first was to be fruitful, the definition of fruitful is to be productive. And although for years this was referred to as having many babies God desires for us to do more than just have babies, and the idea that He would give us a vast of abilities gives proof to this. We have the ability to produce fruit from our hands, lips and mind. We have the ability to be creative in a range of ways and yet many Christians today are looking for a sign in order to give some indication on if they should step out and be productive in their abilities-in their gifts. Remember the initial instruction was to be productive, this has not changed - it's still in effect; therefore, the only sign needed is in Genesis 1:27-28.

Character:
There are fruits that we should bare in our character, and although it's becoming a rarity in what is non as the church body it's still a requirement. Perhaps if we remember that we are associated with the body of Christ and become sincere in our living in Him this spiritual character will become and often trait seen in those of us who call ourselves Christians. Galatians 5:22-26 shares with us this expected character:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited (opinionated), provoking one another, envying one another.

In my traveling I meet many leaders from small to mega churches and it seems as many of these people reach what is seen as an elaborate lifestyle, suddenly this spiritual character is no longer needful. However, God still requires it, which often leads me to thinking if He's really as please with them as we tend to think based of how they're living. However, before you mistake me as one who depicts the leaders of the church let me say that this lack of character extends beyond leaders but is also seen in much of the Christian body. We must - and I say we, because I too maybe looked upon as one who lacks spiritual character (I pray that I'm not, but you never know); however, we must become conscious of our character and work on the lack of, so that we're able to do the true will of God which is to love, because in loving we draw others to Him. If we don't get this straight we too will take part in what Jesus is speaking in Matthews 7:21-23:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The way you speak:
Proverbs 18:20-21 tells us how we will eat the fruit of our lips:

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

How you speak is very essential to your life and the life of others depending on if they accept what was spoken. To often I hear the conversations of those who call themselves Christians and after listening to them, it leaves their confession to be questionable. Your conversation should be clearly evident of your confession as a Christians (God's child, a Believer). Situations and circumstances are subject to change and how you speak over them can affect the change for the better of for the worse. Your words are seeds and they literally affect your life through the harvesting of how you speak. Depending on the type of fruit you desire for your life, you'll need to seed words which will yield what you're hungry for. If you desire to obtain all God has for you; you must learn to speak according to His word, you must learn to speak positively in your life.

Words you accept for your life:
As you should know at the beginning of creation God, breathe life or spoke life into mankind; as He continues to do with each of us. If you understand anything about words and how they react in your existence you know that words are like seeds and depending on whether or not you accept what was spoken it has the ability to produce a harvest in your life. Don't allow negative, deadening words spoken into your life affect how you live. God desires for you to live this life happy, fulfilled and prosperous in every area of your life. One of the greatest gifts God has ever given mankind if the gift of choice- you do have a choice. You can choose to accept or reject whatever words you don't want to harvest in your life.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.3 John 1:2

God expects us to be fruitful in every area of our lives; in our productivity, our relationships, on our jobs, in our conversations, our character, our life style, our body (healing), in the manner of which we prosper and in our influence in this earth. So let's be fruitful so we can manifest as God desires in the earth.

Grace & peace

Bertha