"that which you possess, possesses you"

Norman Grubb, once said that (and this is my paraphrase of what he said), was that you start out looking to learn a new language, trying to possess it, capture it.

There is a long time when that doesn't happen, but 'out of the blue' if you will, the day comes when you possess that language. It becomes yours, but deeper still it becomes part of you and you part of it.

Oprah has used the saying "what you focus on expands". I am not anything close to an 'Oprah' fan, but in this case, she is close to truth.

JESUS is truth. Remember Truth is a PERSON!

Now the bible does say to "fix your eyes on JESUS". Hebrews 12:2

You see the key to scripture is JESUS, every verse and all of creation points to HIM.

We are also told to "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2). Things like LOVE, and PURITY, KINDNESS etc...

You can't set your minds, on your own effort. The Christian life is NOT your effort, but it is rather the LIFE of JESUS flowing through you. So, if you want the proper mindset, what do you do? You believe and receive - all by Faith in HIS GRACE!

If you are a Christian in the SPIRIT, then you don't ever beg GOD to do anything. All things are yours already! See 1 Corinthians 3:23

You simply thank HIM for it, and go out your day believing that you are blessed, and your mind (which is HIS mind) is on JESUS.

For you have the mind of CHRIST - its not your mind anymore! Do you believe? 1 Corinthians 2:16

There is no benefit to look at selfish things at all/ or worldly things/ or things that give us cravings, like lusts. Things that feed your own pride/ego, things that you only think you need, yet will destroy you and others around you. That is exactly what sin does, it brings destruction, problems, sickness, trouble, evil to you and those around you.

And as you believed in your heart it gets spoken out of your mouth. JESUS simply said, that we can tell what people 'love', is by what they talk about. Luke 6:45

And that will effect you (for good or for evil).

The Hand of God by Oswald McCall
Contributed by Heather Myers.

Be under no illusion, you shall gather to yourself the images you love. As you go, the shapes, the lights, the shadows of the things you have preferred will come to you, yes, inveterately, inevitably as bees to their hive.

And there in your mind and spirit they will leave with you their distilled essence, sweet as honey or bitter as gall, and you will grow unto their likeness because their nature will be in you.As men see the color in the wave so shall men see in you the thing you have loved most.

Out of your eyes will look the spirit you have chosen.In your smile and in your frown the years will speak. You will not walk nor stand nor sit, nor will your hand move, but you will confess the one you serve, and upon your forehead will be written his name as by a revealing pen.

Cleverness may select skillful words to cast a veil about you, and circumspection may never sleep, yet will you not be hid. No.As year adds to year, that face of yours, which once like an unwritten page, lay smooth in your baby crib, will take to itself lines, and still more lines, as the parchment of an old historian who jealously sets down all the story.

And there, more deep than acids etch the steel, will grow the inscribed narrative of your mental habits, the emotions of your heart, your sense of conscience, your response to duty, what you think of your God and of your fellowmen and of yourself. It will all be there. For men become like that which they love, and the name thereof is written on their brow.


-eric

Real Church! Part 2

My suggestion, is to give the Church back to JESUS.

Here are some (I think) real important beliefs and steps:

1. You have to enter by GRACE (leaving all religion, effort and church rules/traditions out).
2. LOVE is what the Kindom is about, and LOVE does no wrong to his neighbor, so sins decrease under this GRACE is about - GRACE is GOD'S LOVE in action.
3. We only talk about the LOVE of JESUS, so that LOVE means our hearts are changed by HIM, and we look out for what is best, and what is only for the good for others (not self).
4. There is no leader in the CHURCH (House Church or what we like to call 'Party Fellowships') the only leader is the HOLY SPIRIT, who is the SPIRIT of JESUS.
5. Since LOVE is the Wisdom of GOD, then LOVE is the benchmark, LOVE tells you what to do and how to live - esteeming others better than yourself! Philippians 2:3
6. The more you 'give up' and replace with ' JESUS ONLY' the more revelation you receive and grow further in the KINGDOM of GOD.
7. Church is a group (small or large) of believers that put JESUS first and themselves last in community or fellowship with GOD and that then spills over to True Fellowship with each other!

-eric