I dont feel like a Christian?

I don't feel like a Christian?

It seems that I  have this conversation a few times every year.  Someone becomes insecure and doubtful about what a Christian even means.

So they question their faith, or perhaps only see their lack of faith in their life and begin to doubt.

But the Christian life is not dependent on you.
Did you get that?

Its not dependent on you, but it does depend on someone -but that is not you!

And besides, what is a Christian supposed to feel like?

My eldest son and I were having this discussion as I drove him to school earlier today.

I told him that I've asked Christian married men this; "what does marriage feel like?"  And if you don't feel anything (sometimes) does that mean you are not really married?  Something is wrong? 

Maybe, but in most cases NOT.

So, I asked my son: "what does grade 10 feel like?"  or "What does your last name (given any last name of anybody) feel like?"

My point is this, its NOT based on feelings its based on faith or believing!
Feelings can lie to you, and we are never told by JESUS to live by feelings but by faith.
There are times you may feel rejected or alone, or the devil may badger you by telling you that you are not even Christian.  But if you've called on JESUS and want more of HIM and know (by experience) that HE LOVES you, then you have CHRIST in - meaning Christian.
Then you live by faith and not feelings anymore.
Follow LOVE and listen to nothing else. (LOVE meaning what is best for others, not myself).
Don't believe what you see, but instead believe what you hear from the inside where you can hear the voice of JESUS.  Does Faith comes by seeing?  NO NO NO!  Faith comes by hearing! (Romans 10:17)  When you hear what HE says, and how HE leads (in LOVE) then that brings faith to do and act and say, yes and live in a completely different way - way different life!
So get over yourself, and dont depend on feelings or anything you can or might do.  GOD is only interested in JESUS living HIS LIFE through you.

• Its an abundant life.
• Its a powerful life. (over sin, over problems, over devils).
• Its a better life. (there is no other better life than HIS through you).
• Its a loved life. (you will experience and live in HIS LOVE and JOY and PEACE).
• Its a learning and growing life. (going from Glory to Glory).

Now what do you believe?

What the LORD taught me (Waiting & Tables) January 10 2012

Note: This is an actual prayer (which should be dialogue) between GOD (DAD/PAPA) and yourself, in this case me, Eric.

Eric: DAD, you know the wrong I  do, and you know the bombardment of negative thinking that plagues me…I know, more of YOU is really all I need.

DAD: If you think the Fellowship is about:

·         Meeting new people

·         Having fun

·         Singing some songs

·         Eating and Drinking

Did I not say that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

Sure, the above have their place, but that is NOT the Kingdom, if that is what you are looking for!

Eric:  Is there anything else to look for? Is not the Kingdom – everything?  Didn’t you challenge us to ‘seek ye first the kingdom of GOD’? Matthew 6:33

DAD: Then MY Kingdom is about Righteousness, and Peace and Joy, these are ALL ‘Fruit of the SPIRIT’. Which are abundantly produced in you, as you stay focused on JESUS (on ME). If you are looking at how you are going to solve the problem, or like the 12 decide to go fishing – trying to make something happen. Then NO, nothing will happen.

Fishing is your kingdom, but ‘fishing for men’ is MINE. Which world, which Kingdom, do you rather?

Trying both? Getting neither!
How long have you been fishing? Catch anything? Was it worth it?

Eric: But they saw YOU (JESUS) and then you told them to throw the net on the other side of the boat, and they caught so much, the net started to break.  It was amazing, what they caught!

DAD: MY super abundance was right around them, with no wait, no delay no struggle except the struggle that they couldn’t hardly handle the volume. I wouldn’t call that a problem, would you?  Did I not give them exactly what they wanted/needed?  Did I not give the children of Israel Manna and then Meat? Did I not supply power and strength to Daniel, (see Daniel 1:8-13) even when eating the lesser quality foods? What part of ME telling you ‘Not to worry’, are you forgetting?

The temptation and everyone gets this temptation is this; “Can GOD prepare a table in the wilderness?” Psalm 78:19

Because the one that is after MY  Heart says “YOU prepare a table in the presence of my enemies” Psalm 23:5

Which are you?

One is a ‘wicked heart of un-belief’ and the other is someone who is ‘after MY Heart’.

MY WORD is either your building block or a stumbling block – which is it? Either you are looking at your empty boat where you were fishing all night.  Or, you are looking for when I AM will show up. What do you see? The disciples thought that I was dead – so, all the talk and abundant life is over – isn’t it?

The children of Israel all thought that they were brought out into the Wilderness led by Moses my servant and by a pillar of fire and cloud  - just to die there.  And with that attitude, they did! Don’t die in the wilderness son. Look for MY Table – it, like the catch of fish, is right before you isn’t it?

Can’t see? You can see! Don’t ever doubt MY LOVE, stop looking at outward circumstances and outward signs.

Because what you look at is what you become.

Do you see a wilderness or a GOD that leads you through it – or is better for you back in Egypt in slavery? The old life better? You know better than that.

Eric: Thank you DAD for your patience with me, I have no patience for anything apart from your love working in me and I know you provide everything I need.

All supply comes from YOUR Hand, and my answer is just around me, in fact right before me.

DAD: You listen to the enemy, you listen to lies, you get duped easily as all the devil has to do is get you looking at your situation and you are gone again.

Faith sees, Love doesn’t give up. Does a Mother ever give up looking for her son? LOVE never gives up and I AM LOVE. So, it’s not over.

I haven’t given up on you.  My question to you is:  “Have you?”

Eric: Ha, good point! Boy have I lots to learn.

DAD: FAITH works through LOVE, but did I tell you that it works EASILY through it.  If FAITH is a problem and it isn’t working easily – it’s not FAITH!

Did you hear ME?  FAITH works and its simple, it needs LOVE to do it. You easily trust your wife without even thinking about it –don’t you? That is FAITH, and someone who doesn’t trust his wife or spouse, you guys call ‘un-faithful’ don’t you? Is it hard to trust her? Is this some kind of effort on your part?

If it is, then you don’t love her then, do you? Stop trying to build FAITH, and talk about it like it’s some very difficult scientific formula you  have to understand.

You can’t examine it, because it’s either there or it isn’t and its WAY bigger than all of mankind, so you can never dissect it or study it to master it.  You can only join with it and let it (LOVE) (and FAITH in the LOVE) take you for the ride of your life.  So, FAITH works easily with the one who knows he /she is loved, you don’t even have to think about it. Your boys have perfect faith in that they will be fed every day - do you?

Can I prepare a table in the wilderness?

Eric: Ok, show me more please…

DAD: The table comes to you – right where you are, in the wilderness, in front of your enemies.  You don’t go looking for it, it finds you, in the moment of need.

Right where they think you are done, and it’s over –not so fast, MY Table is right there.  MY Table is where I sit and sup with you, and with a table like that your enemies will watch and flee. So, who prepares it (this table) you or ME?  And by the way, don’t go looking for the tables, in your wilderness, that is the trap, because you are looking for JESUS, looking for ME. That table is also MY Communion Table, which reminds every one of the Covenant you are in with ME. Nothing can stop this Covenant you are in with ME. Even if you fail – I CAN NOT! By sitting at this table with ME, you are reminding those around you and your enemies and all your troubles, that Your GOD keeps Covenant.

The hardest part for the children of Israel in the wilderness, was not the walking or eating Manna or even conquering new territories and again in the presence of their enemies, I prepared tables for them.  But the biggest trouble was in the waiting for MY shofar to be played and trumpeted so that they would move again. Like the Disciples, who waited for the ‘catch of fish’. There is trouble in waiting or there is reward in waiting, this is where the victory or defeat are. It is right in the waiting.

Adam and Eve couldn’t wait any longer, some of MY followers left too, as they couldn’t wait anymore. John 6:67

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14

When you wait on ME – I work.

When you work – I wait.

Which is it?

Stay in MY LOVE son, stay in MY LOVE!

Merry Christmas and Lets Eat.

Really hopelessly lost and wretched, we are, without JESUS.  GOD says our ‘good works, are filthy rags’.  Isaiah 64:6  Not telling us  yet about our bad works, but good works.

In the New Testament (New Covenant in JESUS) by Great Exchange.

Paul said it this way; ‘in me dwells no good thing’.  Romans 7:18


Apart from JESUS we are spiritually bankrupt.


Interesting that when JESUS came, HE came as an insignificant baby born with the world rejecting HIM, and no place in their homes/lives for HIM (no room in the inn).  Luke 2:7

 Then born in a manger – a feeding trough for animals.  Very lowly, very sad, very pathetic, very helpless place.

The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew").

So, I don’t know about you, but to have my children born in a barn feeding area is not my idea of the best place to have a child or to keep it.  But that is the place the KING OF KINGS decided to be born.  And that place was also used as a sign to the shepherds who heard the angels say that; “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

The LORD showed me 2 things about this scene just this morning and they are this:

1)      We who are interested in hearing from GOD, hearing HIS voice better (which is a prayer of mine), keep in mind that when GOD came as JESUS, HE went to the least, almost nothing place and to shepherds, who weren’t nobility or the intellectual.  No but only the ‘pure in heart see GOD’ Matthew 5:8.  Those without a divided heart, or a hard heart, but a pure heart (it doesn’t say a heart without sin) but a heart that wants only HIM – not HIS gifts, but HIMSELF!

2)      Placed in a manger, which is the place animals slop their food and eat.  But JESUS later said to ‘eat HIS flesh’ and ‘drink HIS blood’, (see John 6:54-56) because HE is the ‘manna from heaven’ the bread of life (see John 6:35, and John 6:48) and the ‘sacrificial lamb’ that the Jews were instructed to eat at Passover (see 1 Corinthians 5:7).  Cook and eat the entire lamb (see Exodus 12)  You see, if you take JESUS (not religion, not churchianity, not Sabbath keeping, or pew attending but real hunger to eat and take from JESUS only, understanding that  HE is the ‘last supper’ meal, the ‘communion’ of GOD with man – take HIM and HIM only, and when HE fills you, you won’t have room for anything else!  Open your mouth so HE can fill it! (see Psalm 81:10)

What a GOD!

What an Amazing Journey and seeing miracles! HE is our life!

This is the season that reminds us that HE comes to us, and that is the greatest miracle, that HE cares and comes even now to each of us!

HE is the gift.

Heaven’s best for us.

Amen

How Do I Find A House/Home Church?

This question comes up fairly often.


How do I find a home church (in my area)?

Recently this question was asked again, and below is our response, hopefully it can help and bless you as well.


Dear "can't find a home church"


Note: you are looking for an invisible/visible thing.  Not so much a place but a people!


I've noticed that for many who can't find a local 'home church', that they don't pray to find one, and lean on JESUS to lead you, part of HIS true church, into fellowship / unity.

Or, they don't think for a moment (so, they can't pray about it,) that maybe they should be starting one (under prayer and the LORD'S leading) rather than finding one.

Because really you are part of it (the true church) right now - already!
Part of the answer to your question is you...

-eric

Questions Posted "How do you baptise in a home church?"

Question came "How do you baptise in a home church?"

The answer may shock you....




Are you ready....



Here it is....



"Just add water"

(and that is what we seriously wrote)

Note: we think they got the message. Its not complicated, or a ritual, or pretend somber and humble attitude.  But its a 'heart thing', simply someone who realizes that they've died and only live in/for JESUS.

Keep it simple.
Keep it a matter of the heart (make it real).

Amen





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Prayer in the Exchanged Life/Grace Life

Prayer - whats the big deal?  Does it work or how should it work?

"They all met together and were constantly united in prayer"...Acts 1:14

"All the believers devoted themselves apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals and to prayer."  Acts 2:42

The disciples (you and me) "will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."  Acts 6:4

The LORD woke me up yesterday, with this verse;
"All things are yours..." 1 Corinthians 3:21 and similarly John 17:10

And then this question "How would your prayer change if you believed this scripture?"

Complaining prayer? or Praise and Thanksgiving?
Frustration and Fear? or Boldness?

How would you pray, if you new all things were already yours?

And why would the disciples and early church so easily pray, and willing to pray?
Why could they devote themselves to work? to church attendance? to their jobs? NO - prayer!

JESUS often prayed all night or for long periods.  Luke 6:12 and Mark 1:35

Paul said "pray without ceasing".  1 Thessalonians 5:17

Why would they spend all this time and effort just for the religious thing to do?  Or its a special occasion so we should say a prayer. 

NO, it was a HUGE part of their lives and the early church life.

You want to know why?

Because it always got results - often miraculous results!

The LORD spoke to me again, " Do you think they would spend all that time in prayer because it didn't work?"

No!

They spent so much time doing it, because it was so enjoyable and the results 'blew them away'!

Is your prayer life like that?
Have you asked JESUS to teach you how to pray?

Many times you have heard HIS still and gentle and loving voice before, but didn't know it was JESUS talking to you - so you ignored it, or acted on it, but took the credit for it being your own idea and not HIM.  Don't flatter yourself!  HE is speaking to you, even now, in love and edification!
Helping you in the position and predicament you are in.

One of the keys is knowing how much HE loves you.
Second key is you have to 'ask' and 'come'. Being strangers doesn't help does it?
Third is to realize " all things are already yours", so that should effect your prayer life/approach.
and how you approach HIS throne of judgement? ha...no and thousand times no, you are approaching a 'throne of GRACE', so how does GRACE accept you? In anger or gentleness?  Hebrews 4:16

All things are yours....

Kings...

It is crazy with all these people promoting themselves or others as kings.

From the Lion King
to the King of Rock and the King of Pop.
To the "royals", of whom are a history of Kings and Queens.
To various Kings of tribes and countries through time, to many to count.
The King of Swing, and the King of the Hill.
To the King of queens and King Kong.

But there is a shout of a King among us.

No misfortune is seen in Jacob,
no misery observed in Israel.
The LORD their God is with them;
the shout of the King is among them.
Numbers 23:21

When you start to enter into the Kingdom and as mentioned in our
fellowship many times, you can NOT enter the Kingdom without
knowing (experiencing) the KING, this KING changes everything
around you.

Your life, will start to change.

A new confidence will overtake you.

A peaceful boldness will come out of you.

There is a shout of the King among them.

This KING is what scripture calls the KING OF KINGS. Revelation 19:16
By the way, the book of Revelation isn't much about future events as it
is a Revelation of JESUS CHRIST -the KING of KINGS!

Revelation, reveals JESUS CHRIST - JESUS and HIS Anoiting of Power
that is towards and IN us, who believe.

Who believe that this KING lives and breathes through us.
HE will give you thoughts (impressions of LOVE, of leading, not retreat,)
to help the sad and sick world around. 

And this KING and Kingdom, conquers by LOVE.

A LOVE that does not fail!

Amen