yxboom
April 24th 2003, 01:27 PM
http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/images/articles/NSM.jpgNATURAL SPIRIT MINISTRIES (http://www.christianity.com/naturalspirit)
The Road to Spiritual Awareness
By Gary Piper
Staff - Content Creator
What is Spiritual Growth?
There are a great many manuals on spiritual growth. In this one I have chosen to use spiritual awareness instead of spiritual growth because I believe spiritual growth is something that occurs automatically. Not automatically in the sense that we set back and let it happen but automatically in sense that deep within each of us is the need to be spiritual and as our awareness deepens our spirituality will adjust itself accordingly. And even thought it occurs automatically it is something we have complete control over. If you drop a heavy object it will automatically fall toward the ground. It does so because the force of gravity pulls it in many ways spiritual growth is similar.
Our spirits are always growing yet unlike the earth’s gravity the sources of “Spiritual Gravity” are twofold. There is “pull of God” and if we focus our lives in such a way that we become more aware of God and his desire that we join him in eternity then we automatically move toward Him. There is “pull of Satan” and if we focus our lives in such a way that we become more aware of Satan and his desire that we join him in eternity then we automatically move toward him.
It is the intent of this article to help make you aware of God so your spiritual direction will be toward him. However, in order to do so we will also need to be aware of the opposite direction.
Satan is real!
The outcome of following him is real.
Some time ago I read an article in “Christianity Today” by a writer who stated one of problems in our world today is that Hell has somehow lost its power. I believe that to be true. I also believe it is true because Satan does an excellent job of working in the background and shifting awareness away from him! A perfect example of this is the Book of Job. Satan gets everything started in the first two chapters then moves into the background and it isn’t until the last 2 or 3 chapters until God’s awareness becomes more evident!
Experiencing Satan’s awareness is serious business. Appearing as an Angel of Light Satan has tricked more people into following him then we realize and during the end times he will even trick the “Elect.” However, with a firm belief in Jesus Christ who is the Revelation of God and who is focal point of our spiritual awareness Satan becomes transparent and powerless.
The greatest need facing mankind today is Jesus Christ! It isn’t smarter smart bombs. It isn’t faster computers. It isn’t greater medical technology. It isn’t cloning! It’s Jesus Christ!
Fernando Ortega sings, “You can have all this world. Just give me Jesus!” We do not need a Theological based Jesus we need a Useological based Jesus. We need a Jesus with dirt under his fingernails, with callused hands, and with strong spiritual muscles to carry us when we need to be carried.
Jesus once said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” {John 14:9 KJV} To become aware of God we must first become aware of Jesus. It is my prayer that when you have read through this booklet your awareness of Jesus will start you on the journey of a lifetime.
The following pages consist of Focal Points designed to focus your attention on the Subject. Prayerfully they will be a starting point for you to develop, or deepen your own belief (Useology). They are written from my own Useology and therefore are imperfect.
Each Focal Point is presented in such away it can stand alone, yet like pieces of a puzzle they need to be assembled to form the complete picture!
Focal Point One: The Introduction
A word of caution. There may be a tendency on the part of some who consider themselves rock solid Christians and who think this booklet is for those who are undecided about following Jesus. I would suggest to them that the decision to follow Jesus is one that occurs every day.
This article is about fighting fires. It is about fighting the fires of hell and lighting the fires of heaven! Perhaps you are familiar with term controlled burn. A controlled burn is use to control and eventually extinguish forest fires. This booklet is about starting a controlled burn in our lives by using the fires of heaven.
This is a booklet about the end of creation as we know it. It IS a booklet about which flames (heaven or hell) will consume you when your time runs out and creation expires. Even though it is about an event yet to happen it is about what you do with everyday circumstances of your life right now because it is the little things that add fuel for the fire.
It IS an article you need. Not because of anything I say or write in it. Not because it is such a great booklet. You need it because of YOU and no one else!
Here is part of John’s vision.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” {Revelation 20:12 - 20:15 KJV}
No one stands still. Even when you stand in one place you are still moving through space, you are still spinning with the earth. This article IS about moving in the right direction. Moving - - -
Beyond our earth.
Beyond our universe.
Beyond all universes.
Beyond our time.
Beyond all times
There exists a world untouched by human hands, it is world of Perfection, it is the World of the Creator.
Within all worlds, Spiritual and physical there is the Power of the Father, the Power of the Son, and the Power of the Holy Spirit. To those of us who walk the earth they are known as the Trinity and their power is unparalleled!
However - -
Within the world we live there is a fourth power. It is the power of evil, the power of Satan. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” {Ephesians 6:12} But the fourth power is small and insignificant in comparison to the power of the Trinity.
However - -
When viewed with human eyes the fourth power has the appearance of being stronger than the power of the Trinity. But when seen with the eyes of our spirits the flames of the fourth power diminish and the Flames of the Trinity become as a conflagration!
The road leading to spiritual awareness is seeing through the “principalities and powers” of this earth and into the Heart of the Trinity.
As stated earlier is not a journey around adversities it is a journey through the very heart of them.
Because - - “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” {1st John 4:4 KJV}
Focal Point Two: Spirituality
Life is a journey.
Some see life as a journey from birth to death, from life to eternity.
Some see life as a journey through hell.
Some see life as a time to climb a social ladder and gain riches.
Some see life as a burden to be endured, as a series of
pleasantries.
In whatever way you see life of this you can be certain, the journey began with God and it will one day end with God.
So - - -
The journey through life is a time to prepare yourself to meet God. There is only one complication. God does not exist as you and I. God is a spirit and those who would prepare themselves to meet God must do so in the Spirit.
To journey into spirituality we must use all of life’s complexities to discover God because he is in and through all things. The journey into spirituality is not a journey on smooth roads through peaceful mountain meadows it is a journey on roads of victory and defeat, roads of joy and depression, roads of good and evil, roads of hope and hopelessness.
The journey into spirituality is one of mystery where storms rage outside yet peace reigns supreme within. Where the only one choice we have is our destination. It is a journey of a life and death. It is an adventure of lifetime.
Focal Point Three: The Search for God.
The search for God is a journey into an unknown world where in spite of the Creators love for us we are the enemy. We are enemies not because of God but because we walk in paths of our own choosing.
The search for God is not an intellectual journey, although God can be experienced in our intellect.
The search for God is not a theological journey but each of us will develop our own theology (Useology).
In the end we will discover it is God who is seeking us!
We will discover God reaching into our world through the powers of the Holy Spirit bringing life where there is death, light where there is darkness, hope where there is hopelessness, peace where there is fear, and love where there is apathy.
We will discover God's grace opening a Gateway whereby we can experience the power that transforms us from enemies to residents living forever in his kingdom, walking with him forever.
We will discover that God has sent His Only Begotten Son into our lives as Keeper of the Eternal Gate.
Focal Point Four: Do I Follow Jesus?
Do you follow Jesus or not?
That is the single most important question of your life! You will be confronted with it more times in a day than you can imagine.
If you do follow Jesus all the shadows that are cast by your life
will be illuminated with the Light of Eternity.
Jesus is the Divisor. He divides Light from darkness, Right from wrong, Good from evil, Eternal from temporal, Sacrifice from selfishness, Victory from defeat, and Forgiveness from unforgiveness.
To follow Jesus is to go with him into the everyday minute by minute struggles of life and all of life’s complexities. It is to follow him into the struggles of others on their journey; it is to be a
Divisor for Jesus. It is rolling up your shirt sleeves and getting dirt under your fingernails as you
Focal Point Five: The Journey of The Holy Spirit
Standing ready for orders from the Creator the mystery of all mysteries, the power of all power, and the Light of all light waits. A glowing pure white light illuminates the figure’s human characteristics.
Suddenly a faint voice calls for help and reaches the figure’s sensitive ears and with blinding speed a flaming sword moves from his side to his right hand. Massive wings once unseen now stand ready and the lone figure begins pacing waiting impatiently for a single command from the Creator, for a two letter word spoken from the throne of God.
“Hold fast my friend,” a voice calls out, “The timing must be just right. To move to soon would serve no eternal purpose.” The figure relaxes a bit, yet still remains ready.
Again the faint voice is heard and again the two letter word remains unspoken. The lone figure gets more restless, more impatient. A third time the whisper reaches anxious ears.
Suddenly vibrating across time and eternity the one short two letter word sets in motion the most powerful force ever. “Go!”
And the journey of the Holy Spirit begins. The Spirit’s mighty wings move with such speed and force that the barrier separating time and eternity explodes in an invisible flash of pure white light. With sword in hand the Spirit moves toward the earth many times faster than the speed of light toward the source of the faint voice. In another blinding flash of light the Holy Spirit instantly transforms into the image and likeness of the one who cried for help and the two hearts beat as one. And the power used to create and sustain the universe is now one with the human voice. Thus begins the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Who is the faint voice you are wondering? It is the voice of your spirit reaching out and asking for help.
The story you have read although fictional contains truth. I suspect it may have happened in past maybe it is happening right now. If not I know for certain it is waiting to happen!
Are you laden with heavy burdens?
Are you fighting for your life?
Are you fighting to free yourself of addictions?
Are you seeking help in making far reaching decisions?
Is your life pressed down by the powers of Hell?
Are you seeking to fulfill your dreams?
Are you struggling with financial difficulties?
Are you being abused in anyway?
Do you feel alone, like no one cares?
Are you struggling with forgiveness?
Are you trapped in a bad relationship?
Even as these question filter through your life your voice is reaching into the wings of eternity and a lone figure listens poised and ready for the command to Go.
God will not let you be tempted or carry more than you can. When the time is right, when the time is of God’s choosing you will experience and become a living witness to the journey of the Holy Spirit.
You need only be Ready!
Are you ready?
Focal Point Six: The Journey of Satan
Long before God’s greatest creation was placed in the Garden of God there lived in heaven a powerful arch angel named Lucifer. In the court yards of heaven Lucifer stood tall and erect and was among God’s chosen angels.
One day as Lucifer walked the in the Garden of Creation he saw Adam and Eve had a perfect life. He saw the relationship they had with the Creator and instantly he became jealous and wanted them to worship him.
And so the plan of evil began.
Mustering an army of one third of all heavens angels Lucifer sought to gain the human’s worship by overthrowing God. So war broke out in the heavens but Lucifer’s defeat was sure and fast. God then changed his name to Satan and banished him and his followers from heaven forever. As he left heaven he turned and screamed back at the Creator, “I will win. Your greatest creation will be mine and they will worship and follow me.” Satan deceived Adam and Eve and they became blind to the Spirit of God who gave them life.
But God also had a plan.
His plan took form on a hill called Golgotha where his Only Begotten Son hung dying on a wooden cross. Three days later when Jesus Christ burst forth from the grave the Deceiver, the fallen Lucifer, Satan, the devil received his final defeat never to win again.
However, Satan had deceived himself so bad he could not accept his defeat and still journeys the earth thinking he can take those who belong to God. But because God’s plan is superior Satan can never have anyone who is unwilling to follow him.
“Resist the devil,” God says, “And he will flee from you!” Even Satan is bound by God’s laws so if you tell him to leave you alone he is bound by God’s law to leave you alone. And the day will come when any repeated attempt to win your soul will end in failure. Because ALL journeys begin and end with God. Even Satan’s!
Focal Point Seven: The Pool of Siloam
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he. Others said, He is like him. But he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? H!
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight." {John 9:1 - 9:11 KJV}
And his disciples asked him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind
If you have ever questioned why bad things happen to good people here is the reason, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
I wonder how many times and how many people blamed God for the man's blindness? How many times and how many people blamed Satan for the man's blindness?
I wonder how many times over the years spent the man asked the question, "Why me?"
But fixing blame does not answer the question!
Here’s a new twist for you. If it hadn’t been for his blindness he may have never come in contact with a carpenter turned miracle worker named Jesus from Nazareth! How many lives would have never been changed because his story wasn’t in the Bible? Because of the man's blindness he became part of history, your history, and my history.
I hope someday to meet the nameless man in this story and if I do I want to ask him if he thought his years of blindness was worth experiencing the works of God manifested in his life! I'm sure he'll say something like, "You better believe it was worth it! It was worth every second of anxiety I felt. It was worth the pain I suffered each time I fell or bumped into something." I know that's what I'd say!
Adversities and burdens are focal points. Not to focus blame or wallow in self-pity but focal points for spiritual awareness. The next time you find yourself facing adversities deep inside you will hear two voices. You will hear Jesus say, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." You will hear Satan whisper, "If God loved you would he do this to you?"
If you think for minute you have done something to deserve a life filled with adversities and burdens here is one more point to remember, "He (God) that spared not his own Son (Jesus), but delivered him up for us all!" {Romans 8:32 KJV}
There is no doubt you will grow spiritually from your adversities.
The only question is in which direction!
Choosing to listen to God’s voice the flames of hell will begin to diminish and the Flames of Heaven will burn higher and higher. Choosing to listen to Satan’s voice will diminish the Flames of Heaven and will eventually consume you! Which brings us to
Focal Point Eight: The Young Rich Man
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. {Matthew 19:16 - 19:24 KJV}
If you think this story is about knowing “the law”, you’re right! If you think this story is about the real value of possessions and riches right again! If you think this story is about getting into heaven that makes three in a row!
If you think it is about only those then you’re wrong! This story is also about choice, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
It is about spiritual awareness and the subsequent spiritual growth!
It is about choosing where we will spend eternity!
In the end no matter what you have read here, no matter what you will read in the Bible they will mean nothing unless you choose to glean the truth from them.
You will not need Jesus until you say you need Jesus! It is your choice.
The young man in the story knew the “letter of law” before he even asked. When he did ask, Jesus knowing the man’s deeper need revealed to him the “spirit of the law” and left the final decision to him. Because he rejected the spiritual law you may think he walked away spiritually empty. But he didn’t his spirit was filled, filled with the spirit of this world!
Remember spiritual growth is automatic in one direction or another you do not sit still!
If we were given the opportunity to ask him today if his riches were worth the price he paid I wonder what his answer would be? What would be your answer?
Today the Spirit of Jesus stands before you with open arms. He is ready to reveal God to you, he is ready to open the Gate of Spiritual Awareness and walk with you into a better life. It is your choice.
He will beg you.
He will plead with you.
He will work with you.
He will forgive your sins and prepare a way for you.
But he will not force you!
And on that final day when you have reached spiritual maturity if you are with those whose name is not written in the book of life Jesus will cry for you but he will honor your choice! “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” {Revelation 20:15 KJV}
Although you may choose not to believe in what I have written.
Your choice does not alter the bits of truth I have written.
Although you may choose not to believe in the Bible.
Your choice does not alter the truth of the Bible.
Although you may choose not to follow Jesus.
Your choice does not alter the truth that you need Jesus.
Focal Point Nine: The Plan of Salvation
Perhaps you will think I should have put this Focal Point first but I have chosen to put it last because I believe establishing the need is paramount. The old adage “never judge a book by it’s cover” can be re-written thus, “never say you don’t need to be saved until you discover you need to be saved” also applies. Hopefully and prayerfully you are at that point where you need the plan of Salvation.
Before finishing I’d also like to make mention that being born and raised into a church family does not mean you have taken Jesus into your spirit! Even though spiritual growth is automatic you must be on the right path. There has never been a time in my life when church was not a part of it but it wasn’t until my early forties that my spiritual trek began. My trek began shortly after I discovered I knew more about the church I attended than I did Jesus! I discovered Jesus had taken on the identity of the church and not the other way around.
With all that in mind let’s begin.
Stage one: Acknowledgement.
You are dead, go ahead feel your pulse, blink your eyes, feel yourself breathing.
No matter how you try to convince yourself you are alive you are still dead, D-E-A-D! You are a living breathing, heart beating dead person (spiritually dead that is).
When did you die you are asking? The very last time you committed an evil act against yourself, fellow humans, and God.
How did you die you are wondering? Each time you (or I) commit one of those dastardly deeds we call sin we enclose ourselves in an airtight (spiritual) container. What happens without oxygen? Right, suffocation and eventually death.
Breathing a big sigh relief because we’re talking about a spiritual death and not a physical one? Don’t breath to easy the difference between physical death and spiritual death is like the difference between getting hit with a feather and getting hit by a seventy mile an hour freight train. Spiritual death is sometimes tasteless and odorless but it is always more deadly. Remember the second death from Focal Point Eight?
Ready for some good news?
There is an expert in SLR (spiritual life resuscitation) waiting to revive you, his name is Jesus.
The first thing you want to do is cut through all the deep theology surrounding him and simply tell him that you are spiritually dead and you are sorry for killing yourself. Once he has put his mouth on yours and breathed into your lungs the breath of life and used his nailed scarred hands to massage your heart back to life, simply do your level best not to repeat those dastardly deeds.
And when you do falter under great duress simply repent, seek forgiveness, and walk with Him hand in hand. Keeping in mind that repentance is a whole new way life not a one time act of saying your sorry! So, go ahead feel your pulse, blink your eyes, feel yourself breathing, then choose Life.
Jesus waits to give you SLR.
Stage two: The Response
This one sounds easy, “Ask and ye shall receive,” the scriptures say.
“Jesus I am a sinner. Please wash away my sins with your blood. I need you to be my Savior. Amen,” you pray. Simple words for a simple request yet deep in the heart and spirit things are not so simple.
The simplicity disappears because Satan is a sore loser! Once you have chosen to follow Jesus there are more bells and whistles going off in hell than you can imagine! Instantly Satan adds more fuel to his fires and then fans them!
This stage is very crucial because immediately following the request the real war begins, the battle for your soul. It is in this stage where your faith will be put to the test. It is this stage where the words of the Apostle John, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. {1st John 4:4 KJV},” will begin to rob the flames of Satan of oxygen to stay alive!
The battleground for our souls is fought in “everyday grind” of life that is why it is so important to know the resources God makes available to us
On the journey down the path of life there are deep canyons in which we are unable to bridge, high mountains we are unable to cross, dark winding tunnels we can not traverse, and wide oceans we can not cross. - - -
A small rock of crack becomes a mountain.
A newly handicapped man finds himself in a dark impassable tunnel and life becomes impossible.
A woman sees her life filled with feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
A young couple struggles to make a marriage and raise a family encounter a mountain of impossibilities.
A wife or husband is suddenly faced with the impossible task of dealing with the failing health of their spouse.
Every minute of every day we find ourselves on road not of our own choice and we are confronted with the impossible. Limited people facing unlimited impossibilities, a formula for failure.
Limited people facing unlimited impossibilities, a formula for the power of God, for the power of teamwork.
Impossibilities are transformed into possibilities as you walk the streets of God’s kingdom on earth. Impossible you say? God’s kingdom is not on earth you say? Think again, but do not look for streets of gold, do not look for neighborhoods where the sun always shines. Jesus Christ, the King says, “The kingdom of God has come upon you and is in you.”
The kingdom of God winds and twists through life’s impossible rough roads.
The kingdom of God is one of endurance, long suffering, companionship, support, compassion, and love.
In the kingdom of God you will find hands reaching out making the impossible powerless, you will find encouragement and strength. In the kingdom of God you will find that your life counts, that no matter what you face it will never be bigger than God.
The kingdom of God goes beyond the words in this verse.
In the kingdom of God - - -
A person reaches for a rock of crack and suddenly they are flooded with friends reaching to help and with inner strength from God the mountain disappears.
A newly handicapped man with the help of others overcomes and sees light at the end of the tunnel.
A woman experiences her of feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem melt away when she discovers she is loved for who she is.
A young couple find friends and family willing to help them and the impossible becomes possible.
A wife or husband discovers the help and support they need to face the task of dealing with the failing health of their spouse.
Stage three: Enduring until the end.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. {Galatians 6:4 - 6:9 KJV}
As I bring this article to an end and put “the ball in your court” I have chosen to include the above scripture because in the end it is consequences of our choices that will accompany us into eternity. That is not say we are left alone to the contrary we are not alone unless we choose to be!
It is also one of greatest promises we have from God, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
It is also one of greatest warnings we have from God, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I sometimes wish (we’re not suppose to wish) I could somehow describe heaven but I can’t. I know if we had a complete picture of what awaits in the mansion that Jesus has made for us we could endure anything thrown at us but for reasons beyond our ability to understand God has chosen not to reveal that to us.
There are no words that could really do it justice anyway.
Focal Point Ten: The Conclusion
At the risk of ending on a negative note I’d like you to take a short journey with me. Perhaps by understanding the alternative we can choose to Jesus and live and not choose Satan and die!
On the road of life there are two final destinations that await each traveler.
One is heaven the other is hell.
The road to heaven is narrow and the road to hell is wide. Heaven is an eternal journey of peace, hell is an eternal journey of torment.
The journey toward heaven is a journey of discovery, of enlightenment, of overcoming, of love, of grace, of peace, and of life.
The journey toward hell is a journey of discovery, of denial, of self indulgence, of submission, of revenge, of hate, of prejudice, of selfishness, and of death. You will find it to be a journey of illusions a journey where power becomes weakness, good becomes evil, love becomes prejudice, giving becomes getting, peace becomes torment, riches becomes poverty, and where life becomes death.
As you approach the edge of hell the Jesus will plead and beg you to choose the journey he has for you if you refuse his light will grow dimmer and dimmer and the blackness that pulls you in will get stronger and stronger. Eventually you will find yourself falling a cold damp wind will blow across your face. In the distance you hear the painful sounds of people screaming, crying, and calling out the name of Jesus, "Please Jesus save us from the torment of our own undoing." There will be no response the still small voice of Jesus will remain silent. As you continue falling a mysterious hand will grip you tight and all creation will disappear and you be alone.
From of the abyss of hell another hand will reach out and grab your soul and will begin squeeze the joy and happiness from you. A giant movie screen will appear and begin showing your life but many of the scenes will be strange and unfamiliar and a voice will call out to you, "This is your life as it might have been." After final scene has been played you will again find yourself in darkness and with the darkness the painful cries and groans return.
Instantly fear will begin choking you and all the voices will fall silent and the only the sound that remains is the beating of your heart and the sound of air filling and leaving your lungs. And the fear will grow. A second time the movie screen will reappear and begin showing your life. With each scene the feelings of coldness, of fear, of hopelessness, of loneliness, and of death grow stronger and stronger. After the final scene has played the darkness will return as will the painful cries and groans.
As you listen to the voices your anxiety will grow and your heart will beat faster and faster. Suddenly there will be an explosion and the darkness is gone and you are surrounded by light, slowly your fear will begin to subside then echoing across the immensity of the Light you will hear a voice, "Guilty by reason of an unrepentant spirit." And the light will disappear and leave you standing alone facing the darkness, the iciness, and the emptiness of hell.
Again and again for all eternity the movie will keep repeating itself. Again and again for all eternity you will hear the voice saying, "Guilty by reason of an unrepentant spirit."
And the journey in hell will go on and on, and on, and on forever!
All heaven awaits your decision will there be tears of joy or tears of sorrow?
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A word from the founder of Natural Spirit Ministries...
Natural Spirit Ministries was established January 2001 as a way of displaying my writings. Christianity.com offered the site to me as compensation for writing articles for them about Bible translations. Since then NSM has grown to the site it is today with five staff writers and several guest writers. We update the site every Saturday and have at least one new staff article featured. Along with our staff writings we have articles from the Christianity.com's network and several resources such as links and tools for Bible study. Natural Spirit Ministries also supports MSUWG, Michigan State University Writers Guild. This is a group of Christian students that get together for worship, prayer, and writing.
NSM believes that the Internet is one of the next areas that Christians have to evangelize. More and more people log onto it everyday and we feel they need a place they can go without fear of compromise. We have a need for Christian writers and poets to send in their views and ideas to keep us going and staying fresh. Feel free to send in anything you think might meet the needs of Christians and those seeking.
Ephesians 5:11
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them ( NASB )
Natural Spirit Ministries
www.christianity.com/naturalspirit
Naturalspiritministries@hotmail.com
R. Adam Quigley
TheologyWeb is pleased to have Natural Spirit Ministries associates GPiper and DantheRIM, as well as founder NSMinistries as regular members at this forum, and thanks them for their faithful support of this site.
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The Road to Spiritual Awareness
By Gary Piper
Staff - Content Creator
What is Spiritual Growth?
There are a great many manuals on spiritual growth. In this one I have chosen to use spiritual awareness instead of spiritual growth because I believe spiritual growth is something that occurs automatically. Not automatically in the sense that we set back and let it happen but automatically in sense that deep within each of us is the need to be spiritual and as our awareness deepens our spirituality will adjust itself accordingly. And even thought it occurs automatically it is something we have complete control over. If you drop a heavy object it will automatically fall toward the ground. It does so because the force of gravity pulls it in many ways spiritual growth is similar.
Our spirits are always growing yet unlike the earth’s gravity the sources of “Spiritual Gravity” are twofold. There is “pull of God” and if we focus our lives in such a way that we become more aware of God and his desire that we join him in eternity then we automatically move toward Him. There is “pull of Satan” and if we focus our lives in such a way that we become more aware of Satan and his desire that we join him in eternity then we automatically move toward him.
It is the intent of this article to help make you aware of God so your spiritual direction will be toward him. However, in order to do so we will also need to be aware of the opposite direction.
Satan is real!
The outcome of following him is real.
Some time ago I read an article in “Christianity Today” by a writer who stated one of problems in our world today is that Hell has somehow lost its power. I believe that to be true. I also believe it is true because Satan does an excellent job of working in the background and shifting awareness away from him! A perfect example of this is the Book of Job. Satan gets everything started in the first two chapters then moves into the background and it isn’t until the last 2 or 3 chapters until God’s awareness becomes more evident!
Experiencing Satan’s awareness is serious business. Appearing as an Angel of Light Satan has tricked more people into following him then we realize and during the end times he will even trick the “Elect.” However, with a firm belief in Jesus Christ who is the Revelation of God and who is focal point of our spiritual awareness Satan becomes transparent and powerless.
The greatest need facing mankind today is Jesus Christ! It isn’t smarter smart bombs. It isn’t faster computers. It isn’t greater medical technology. It isn’t cloning! It’s Jesus Christ!
Fernando Ortega sings, “You can have all this world. Just give me Jesus!” We do not need a Theological based Jesus we need a Useological based Jesus. We need a Jesus with dirt under his fingernails, with callused hands, and with strong spiritual muscles to carry us when we need to be carried.
Jesus once said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” {John 14:9 KJV} To become aware of God we must first become aware of Jesus. It is my prayer that when you have read through this booklet your awareness of Jesus will start you on the journey of a lifetime.
The following pages consist of Focal Points designed to focus your attention on the Subject. Prayerfully they will be a starting point for you to develop, or deepen your own belief (Useology). They are written from my own Useology and therefore are imperfect.
Each Focal Point is presented in such away it can stand alone, yet like pieces of a puzzle they need to be assembled to form the complete picture!
Focal Point One: The Introduction
A word of caution. There may be a tendency on the part of some who consider themselves rock solid Christians and who think this booklet is for those who are undecided about following Jesus. I would suggest to them that the decision to follow Jesus is one that occurs every day.
This article is about fighting fires. It is about fighting the fires of hell and lighting the fires of heaven! Perhaps you are familiar with term controlled burn. A controlled burn is use to control and eventually extinguish forest fires. This booklet is about starting a controlled burn in our lives by using the fires of heaven.
This is a booklet about the end of creation as we know it. It IS a booklet about which flames (heaven or hell) will consume you when your time runs out and creation expires. Even though it is about an event yet to happen it is about what you do with everyday circumstances of your life right now because it is the little things that add fuel for the fire.
It IS an article you need. Not because of anything I say or write in it. Not because it is such a great booklet. You need it because of YOU and no one else!
Here is part of John’s vision.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” {Revelation 20:12 - 20:15 KJV}
No one stands still. Even when you stand in one place you are still moving through space, you are still spinning with the earth. This article IS about moving in the right direction. Moving - - -
Beyond our earth.
Beyond our universe.
Beyond all universes.
Beyond our time.
Beyond all times
There exists a world untouched by human hands, it is world of Perfection, it is the World of the Creator.
Within all worlds, Spiritual and physical there is the Power of the Father, the Power of the Son, and the Power of the Holy Spirit. To those of us who walk the earth they are known as the Trinity and their power is unparalleled!
However - -
Within the world we live there is a fourth power. It is the power of evil, the power of Satan. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” {Ephesians 6:12} But the fourth power is small and insignificant in comparison to the power of the Trinity.
However - -
When viewed with human eyes the fourth power has the appearance of being stronger than the power of the Trinity. But when seen with the eyes of our spirits the flames of the fourth power diminish and the Flames of the Trinity become as a conflagration!
The road leading to spiritual awareness is seeing through the “principalities and powers” of this earth and into the Heart of the Trinity.
As stated earlier is not a journey around adversities it is a journey through the very heart of them.
Because - - “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” {1st John 4:4 KJV}
Focal Point Two: Spirituality
Life is a journey.
Some see life as a journey from birth to death, from life to eternity.
Some see life as a journey through hell.
Some see life as a time to climb a social ladder and gain riches.
Some see life as a burden to be endured, as a series of
pleasantries.
In whatever way you see life of this you can be certain, the journey began with God and it will one day end with God.
So - - -
The journey through life is a time to prepare yourself to meet God. There is only one complication. God does not exist as you and I. God is a spirit and those who would prepare themselves to meet God must do so in the Spirit.
To journey into spirituality we must use all of life’s complexities to discover God because he is in and through all things. The journey into spirituality is not a journey on smooth roads through peaceful mountain meadows it is a journey on roads of victory and defeat, roads of joy and depression, roads of good and evil, roads of hope and hopelessness.
The journey into spirituality is one of mystery where storms rage outside yet peace reigns supreme within. Where the only one choice we have is our destination. It is a journey of a life and death. It is an adventure of lifetime.
Focal Point Three: The Search for God.
The search for God is a journey into an unknown world where in spite of the Creators love for us we are the enemy. We are enemies not because of God but because we walk in paths of our own choosing.
The search for God is not an intellectual journey, although God can be experienced in our intellect.
The search for God is not a theological journey but each of us will develop our own theology (Useology).
In the end we will discover it is God who is seeking us!
We will discover God reaching into our world through the powers of the Holy Spirit bringing life where there is death, light where there is darkness, hope where there is hopelessness, peace where there is fear, and love where there is apathy.
We will discover God's grace opening a Gateway whereby we can experience the power that transforms us from enemies to residents living forever in his kingdom, walking with him forever.
We will discover that God has sent His Only Begotten Son into our lives as Keeper of the Eternal Gate.
Focal Point Four: Do I Follow Jesus?
Do you follow Jesus or not?
That is the single most important question of your life! You will be confronted with it more times in a day than you can imagine.
If you do follow Jesus all the shadows that are cast by your life
will be illuminated with the Light of Eternity.
Jesus is the Divisor. He divides Light from darkness, Right from wrong, Good from evil, Eternal from temporal, Sacrifice from selfishness, Victory from defeat, and Forgiveness from unforgiveness.
To follow Jesus is to go with him into the everyday minute by minute struggles of life and all of life’s complexities. It is to follow him into the struggles of others on their journey; it is to be a
Divisor for Jesus. It is rolling up your shirt sleeves and getting dirt under your fingernails as you
Focal Point Five: The Journey of The Holy Spirit
Standing ready for orders from the Creator the mystery of all mysteries, the power of all power, and the Light of all light waits. A glowing pure white light illuminates the figure’s human characteristics.
Suddenly a faint voice calls for help and reaches the figure’s sensitive ears and with blinding speed a flaming sword moves from his side to his right hand. Massive wings once unseen now stand ready and the lone figure begins pacing waiting impatiently for a single command from the Creator, for a two letter word spoken from the throne of God.
“Hold fast my friend,” a voice calls out, “The timing must be just right. To move to soon would serve no eternal purpose.” The figure relaxes a bit, yet still remains ready.
Again the faint voice is heard and again the two letter word remains unspoken. The lone figure gets more restless, more impatient. A third time the whisper reaches anxious ears.
Suddenly vibrating across time and eternity the one short two letter word sets in motion the most powerful force ever. “Go!”
And the journey of the Holy Spirit begins. The Spirit’s mighty wings move with such speed and force that the barrier separating time and eternity explodes in an invisible flash of pure white light. With sword in hand the Spirit moves toward the earth many times faster than the speed of light toward the source of the faint voice. In another blinding flash of light the Holy Spirit instantly transforms into the image and likeness of the one who cried for help and the two hearts beat as one. And the power used to create and sustain the universe is now one with the human voice. Thus begins the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Who is the faint voice you are wondering? It is the voice of your spirit reaching out and asking for help.
The story you have read although fictional contains truth. I suspect it may have happened in past maybe it is happening right now. If not I know for certain it is waiting to happen!
Are you laden with heavy burdens?
Are you fighting for your life?
Are you fighting to free yourself of addictions?
Are you seeking help in making far reaching decisions?
Is your life pressed down by the powers of Hell?
Are you seeking to fulfill your dreams?
Are you struggling with financial difficulties?
Are you being abused in anyway?
Do you feel alone, like no one cares?
Are you struggling with forgiveness?
Are you trapped in a bad relationship?
Even as these question filter through your life your voice is reaching into the wings of eternity and a lone figure listens poised and ready for the command to Go.
God will not let you be tempted or carry more than you can. When the time is right, when the time is of God’s choosing you will experience and become a living witness to the journey of the Holy Spirit.
You need only be Ready!
Are you ready?
Focal Point Six: The Journey of Satan
Long before God’s greatest creation was placed in the Garden of God there lived in heaven a powerful arch angel named Lucifer. In the court yards of heaven Lucifer stood tall and erect and was among God’s chosen angels.
One day as Lucifer walked the in the Garden of Creation he saw Adam and Eve had a perfect life. He saw the relationship they had with the Creator and instantly he became jealous and wanted them to worship him.
And so the plan of evil began.
Mustering an army of one third of all heavens angels Lucifer sought to gain the human’s worship by overthrowing God. So war broke out in the heavens but Lucifer’s defeat was sure and fast. God then changed his name to Satan and banished him and his followers from heaven forever. As he left heaven he turned and screamed back at the Creator, “I will win. Your greatest creation will be mine and they will worship and follow me.” Satan deceived Adam and Eve and they became blind to the Spirit of God who gave them life.
But God also had a plan.
His plan took form on a hill called Golgotha where his Only Begotten Son hung dying on a wooden cross. Three days later when Jesus Christ burst forth from the grave the Deceiver, the fallen Lucifer, Satan, the devil received his final defeat never to win again.
However, Satan had deceived himself so bad he could not accept his defeat and still journeys the earth thinking he can take those who belong to God. But because God’s plan is superior Satan can never have anyone who is unwilling to follow him.
“Resist the devil,” God says, “And he will flee from you!” Even Satan is bound by God’s laws so if you tell him to leave you alone he is bound by God’s law to leave you alone. And the day will come when any repeated attempt to win your soul will end in failure. Because ALL journeys begin and end with God. Even Satan’s!
Focal Point Seven: The Pool of Siloam
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he. Others said, He is like him. But he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? H!
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight." {John 9:1 - 9:11 KJV}
And his disciples asked him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind
If you have ever questioned why bad things happen to good people here is the reason, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
I wonder how many times and how many people blamed God for the man's blindness? How many times and how many people blamed Satan for the man's blindness?
I wonder how many times over the years spent the man asked the question, "Why me?"
But fixing blame does not answer the question!
Here’s a new twist for you. If it hadn’t been for his blindness he may have never come in contact with a carpenter turned miracle worker named Jesus from Nazareth! How many lives would have never been changed because his story wasn’t in the Bible? Because of the man's blindness he became part of history, your history, and my history.
I hope someday to meet the nameless man in this story and if I do I want to ask him if he thought his years of blindness was worth experiencing the works of God manifested in his life! I'm sure he'll say something like, "You better believe it was worth it! It was worth every second of anxiety I felt. It was worth the pain I suffered each time I fell or bumped into something." I know that's what I'd say!
Adversities and burdens are focal points. Not to focus blame or wallow in self-pity but focal points for spiritual awareness. The next time you find yourself facing adversities deep inside you will hear two voices. You will hear Jesus say, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." You will hear Satan whisper, "If God loved you would he do this to you?"
If you think for minute you have done something to deserve a life filled with adversities and burdens here is one more point to remember, "He (God) that spared not his own Son (Jesus), but delivered him up for us all!" {Romans 8:32 KJV}
There is no doubt you will grow spiritually from your adversities.
The only question is in which direction!
Choosing to listen to God’s voice the flames of hell will begin to diminish and the Flames of Heaven will burn higher and higher. Choosing to listen to Satan’s voice will diminish the Flames of Heaven and will eventually consume you! Which brings us to
Focal Point Eight: The Young Rich Man
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. {Matthew 19:16 - 19:24 KJV}
If you think this story is about knowing “the law”, you’re right! If you think this story is about the real value of possessions and riches right again! If you think this story is about getting into heaven that makes three in a row!
If you think it is about only those then you’re wrong! This story is also about choice, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
It is about spiritual awareness and the subsequent spiritual growth!
It is about choosing where we will spend eternity!
In the end no matter what you have read here, no matter what you will read in the Bible they will mean nothing unless you choose to glean the truth from them.
You will not need Jesus until you say you need Jesus! It is your choice.
The young man in the story knew the “letter of law” before he even asked. When he did ask, Jesus knowing the man’s deeper need revealed to him the “spirit of the law” and left the final decision to him. Because he rejected the spiritual law you may think he walked away spiritually empty. But he didn’t his spirit was filled, filled with the spirit of this world!
Remember spiritual growth is automatic in one direction or another you do not sit still!
If we were given the opportunity to ask him today if his riches were worth the price he paid I wonder what his answer would be? What would be your answer?
Today the Spirit of Jesus stands before you with open arms. He is ready to reveal God to you, he is ready to open the Gate of Spiritual Awareness and walk with you into a better life. It is your choice.
He will beg you.
He will plead with you.
He will work with you.
He will forgive your sins and prepare a way for you.
But he will not force you!
And on that final day when you have reached spiritual maturity if you are with those whose name is not written in the book of life Jesus will cry for you but he will honor your choice! “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” {Revelation 20:15 KJV}
Although you may choose not to believe in what I have written.
Your choice does not alter the bits of truth I have written.
Although you may choose not to believe in the Bible.
Your choice does not alter the truth of the Bible.
Although you may choose not to follow Jesus.
Your choice does not alter the truth that you need Jesus.
Focal Point Nine: The Plan of Salvation
Perhaps you will think I should have put this Focal Point first but I have chosen to put it last because I believe establishing the need is paramount. The old adage “never judge a book by it’s cover” can be re-written thus, “never say you don’t need to be saved until you discover you need to be saved” also applies. Hopefully and prayerfully you are at that point where you need the plan of Salvation.
Before finishing I’d also like to make mention that being born and raised into a church family does not mean you have taken Jesus into your spirit! Even though spiritual growth is automatic you must be on the right path. There has never been a time in my life when church was not a part of it but it wasn’t until my early forties that my spiritual trek began. My trek began shortly after I discovered I knew more about the church I attended than I did Jesus! I discovered Jesus had taken on the identity of the church and not the other way around.
With all that in mind let’s begin.
Stage one: Acknowledgement.
You are dead, go ahead feel your pulse, blink your eyes, feel yourself breathing.
No matter how you try to convince yourself you are alive you are still dead, D-E-A-D! You are a living breathing, heart beating dead person (spiritually dead that is).
When did you die you are asking? The very last time you committed an evil act against yourself, fellow humans, and God.
How did you die you are wondering? Each time you (or I) commit one of those dastardly deeds we call sin we enclose ourselves in an airtight (spiritual) container. What happens without oxygen? Right, suffocation and eventually death.
Breathing a big sigh relief because we’re talking about a spiritual death and not a physical one? Don’t breath to easy the difference between physical death and spiritual death is like the difference between getting hit with a feather and getting hit by a seventy mile an hour freight train. Spiritual death is sometimes tasteless and odorless but it is always more deadly. Remember the second death from Focal Point Eight?
Ready for some good news?
There is an expert in SLR (spiritual life resuscitation) waiting to revive you, his name is Jesus.
The first thing you want to do is cut through all the deep theology surrounding him and simply tell him that you are spiritually dead and you are sorry for killing yourself. Once he has put his mouth on yours and breathed into your lungs the breath of life and used his nailed scarred hands to massage your heart back to life, simply do your level best not to repeat those dastardly deeds.
And when you do falter under great duress simply repent, seek forgiveness, and walk with Him hand in hand. Keeping in mind that repentance is a whole new way life not a one time act of saying your sorry! So, go ahead feel your pulse, blink your eyes, feel yourself breathing, then choose Life.
Jesus waits to give you SLR.
Stage two: The Response
This one sounds easy, “Ask and ye shall receive,” the scriptures say.
“Jesus I am a sinner. Please wash away my sins with your blood. I need you to be my Savior. Amen,” you pray. Simple words for a simple request yet deep in the heart and spirit things are not so simple.
The simplicity disappears because Satan is a sore loser! Once you have chosen to follow Jesus there are more bells and whistles going off in hell than you can imagine! Instantly Satan adds more fuel to his fires and then fans them!
This stage is very crucial because immediately following the request the real war begins, the battle for your soul. It is in this stage where your faith will be put to the test. It is this stage where the words of the Apostle John, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. {1st John 4:4 KJV},” will begin to rob the flames of Satan of oxygen to stay alive!
The battleground for our souls is fought in “everyday grind” of life that is why it is so important to know the resources God makes available to us
On the journey down the path of life there are deep canyons in which we are unable to bridge, high mountains we are unable to cross, dark winding tunnels we can not traverse, and wide oceans we can not cross. - - -
A small rock of crack becomes a mountain.
A newly handicapped man finds himself in a dark impassable tunnel and life becomes impossible.
A woman sees her life filled with feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
A young couple struggles to make a marriage and raise a family encounter a mountain of impossibilities.
A wife or husband is suddenly faced with the impossible task of dealing with the failing health of their spouse.
Every minute of every day we find ourselves on road not of our own choice and we are confronted with the impossible. Limited people facing unlimited impossibilities, a formula for failure.
Limited people facing unlimited impossibilities, a formula for the power of God, for the power of teamwork.
Impossibilities are transformed into possibilities as you walk the streets of God’s kingdom on earth. Impossible you say? God’s kingdom is not on earth you say? Think again, but do not look for streets of gold, do not look for neighborhoods where the sun always shines. Jesus Christ, the King says, “The kingdom of God has come upon you and is in you.”
The kingdom of God winds and twists through life’s impossible rough roads.
The kingdom of God is one of endurance, long suffering, companionship, support, compassion, and love.
In the kingdom of God you will find hands reaching out making the impossible powerless, you will find encouragement and strength. In the kingdom of God you will find that your life counts, that no matter what you face it will never be bigger than God.
The kingdom of God goes beyond the words in this verse.
In the kingdom of God - - -
A person reaches for a rock of crack and suddenly they are flooded with friends reaching to help and with inner strength from God the mountain disappears.
A newly handicapped man with the help of others overcomes and sees light at the end of the tunnel.
A woman experiences her of feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem melt away when she discovers she is loved for who she is.
A young couple find friends and family willing to help them and the impossible becomes possible.
A wife or husband discovers the help and support they need to face the task of dealing with the failing health of their spouse.
Stage three: Enduring until the end.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. {Galatians 6:4 - 6:9 KJV}
As I bring this article to an end and put “the ball in your court” I have chosen to include the above scripture because in the end it is consequences of our choices that will accompany us into eternity. That is not say we are left alone to the contrary we are not alone unless we choose to be!
It is also one of greatest promises we have from God, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
It is also one of greatest warnings we have from God, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I sometimes wish (we’re not suppose to wish) I could somehow describe heaven but I can’t. I know if we had a complete picture of what awaits in the mansion that Jesus has made for us we could endure anything thrown at us but for reasons beyond our ability to understand God has chosen not to reveal that to us.
There are no words that could really do it justice anyway.
Focal Point Ten: The Conclusion
At the risk of ending on a negative note I’d like you to take a short journey with me. Perhaps by understanding the alternative we can choose to Jesus and live and not choose Satan and die!
On the road of life there are two final destinations that await each traveler.
One is heaven the other is hell.
The road to heaven is narrow and the road to hell is wide. Heaven is an eternal journey of peace, hell is an eternal journey of torment.
The journey toward heaven is a journey of discovery, of enlightenment, of overcoming, of love, of grace, of peace, and of life.
The journey toward hell is a journey of discovery, of denial, of self indulgence, of submission, of revenge, of hate, of prejudice, of selfishness, and of death. You will find it to be a journey of illusions a journey where power becomes weakness, good becomes evil, love becomes prejudice, giving becomes getting, peace becomes torment, riches becomes poverty, and where life becomes death.
As you approach the edge of hell the Jesus will plead and beg you to choose the journey he has for you if you refuse his light will grow dimmer and dimmer and the blackness that pulls you in will get stronger and stronger. Eventually you will find yourself falling a cold damp wind will blow across your face. In the distance you hear the painful sounds of people screaming, crying, and calling out the name of Jesus, "Please Jesus save us from the torment of our own undoing." There will be no response the still small voice of Jesus will remain silent. As you continue falling a mysterious hand will grip you tight and all creation will disappear and you be alone.
From of the abyss of hell another hand will reach out and grab your soul and will begin squeeze the joy and happiness from you. A giant movie screen will appear and begin showing your life but many of the scenes will be strange and unfamiliar and a voice will call out to you, "This is your life as it might have been." After final scene has been played you will again find yourself in darkness and with the darkness the painful cries and groans return.
Instantly fear will begin choking you and all the voices will fall silent and the only the sound that remains is the beating of your heart and the sound of air filling and leaving your lungs. And the fear will grow. A second time the movie screen will reappear and begin showing your life. With each scene the feelings of coldness, of fear, of hopelessness, of loneliness, and of death grow stronger and stronger. After the final scene has played the darkness will return as will the painful cries and groans.
As you listen to the voices your anxiety will grow and your heart will beat faster and faster. Suddenly there will be an explosion and the darkness is gone and you are surrounded by light, slowly your fear will begin to subside then echoing across the immensity of the Light you will hear a voice, "Guilty by reason of an unrepentant spirit." And the light will disappear and leave you standing alone facing the darkness, the iciness, and the emptiness of hell.
Again and again for all eternity the movie will keep repeating itself. Again and again for all eternity you will hear the voice saying, "Guilty by reason of an unrepentant spirit."
And the journey in hell will go on and on, and on, and on forever!
All heaven awaits your decision will there be tears of joy or tears of sorrow?
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A word from the founder of Natural Spirit Ministries...
Natural Spirit Ministries was established January 2001 as a way of displaying my writings. Christianity.com offered the site to me as compensation for writing articles for them about Bible translations. Since then NSM has grown to the site it is today with five staff writers and several guest writers. We update the site every Saturday and have at least one new staff article featured. Along with our staff writings we have articles from the Christianity.com's network and several resources such as links and tools for Bible study. Natural Spirit Ministries also supports MSUWG, Michigan State University Writers Guild. This is a group of Christian students that get together for worship, prayer, and writing.
NSM believes that the Internet is one of the next areas that Christians have to evangelize. More and more people log onto it everyday and we feel they need a place they can go without fear of compromise. We have a need for Christian writers and poets to send in their views and ideas to keep us going and staying fresh. Feel free to send in anything you think might meet the needs of Christians and those seeking.
Ephesians 5:11
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them ( NASB )
Natural Spirit Ministries
www.christianity.com/naturalspirit
Naturalspiritministries@hotmail.com
R. Adam Quigley
TheologyWeb is pleased to have Natural Spirit Ministries associates GPiper and DantheRIM, as well as founder NSMinistries as regular members at this forum, and thanks them for their faithful support of this site.
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