The Mystery of Unbelief

Pictures drawn, metaphors, crafted images, symbols, old wives tales, quotes, devotionals, one liners, poems, music lyrics, analogies, catch phrases, elephants or gorilla's in the room all speak when we want them to, yet what are any of them when we can't get them to say what  we WANT them to say?

Are not all the above only mediums used in order for the soul to (ex-press) reach "Out" from the otherwise silent confines of our being?

Can the same thing be asked of God's words?

Think for a moment about the words of God. Though we perceive them as though leather bound sitting silently on our night stand, when do those words get the opportunity to speak?

We have the highest opinion in all things available to us as believers, yet how often do we seek out that same opinion?

Do we refuse them because we have no one to interpret them? Is it that we do not have access to our preacher in our moments of need? Are you on a waiting list to receive their counsel, but you need answers NOW?

We'll go ask one or two friends what they think about our situation, we'll sift through and take what we want to hear from them and then go out and do whatever is we decide within ourselves.

Why are so many seemingly addicted to other peoples opinions? Is that we know ourselves well enough that we will eventually need someone else to blame when plans do fail?

Where is a word of knowledge in the moment? Where is discernment and the need for it? Where is interpretation when we do not know (trust) the wisdom that's been stored within ourselves over time?

Religion and it's poor history has all but shut off the avenues where such things were originally intended to find their way into our lives. By way of discounting said, "Gifts given" to the church by way of the spirit that were intended for her edification, what has been thrown out with the bath water?

When does Gods word get to speak as though a friend? Is that even a fair question if we prove ourselves by way of the friends we ourselves also choose?

The words of God declare they are "Alive and Active". In terms of their ability to cut or slice it's also said they are sharper than any two edged sword. In terms of division it's said they are able to divide thoughts and attitudes of the heart, joints and marrow and spirit and soul.

When would one's soul need to be divided from a spirit that's not a friendly spirit? When would the words we've allowed into our minds need to be divided one from another? How do we grow familiar with the sound of but one voice and that of the Holy Spirit?

Ps 83:5
With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you
NIV

Said believers that claim once they have been "saved" and now have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them, "They" are then no longer capable of succumbing to demonic influence. Where then is faith as the need for the leading of the Holy Spirit from on moment to the next?

If you believe that, you've been deceived once more and are now more of a threat to yourself and the body of Christ than you were when you saw yourself a sinner that needed saving.

Basically you've become a door without a hinge or a doorway that has no door that can be closed if it needs to be closed.

We all want to be heard, right? We all want to be understood and accepted, yet what about the "WHY NOT" factor?

Where is silence given the opportunity to invite wisdom? What does the venue look like when wisdom does enter the room? Do we alone get to decide what shape and form wisdom inhabits when it does come?

Where's the strength found in words such as commonality, mutuality or plurality?

As such that somehow serves in the capacity that would otherwise "Unite" that same inner silence that's said to be in all of us as a Christ creation?

A man says something straight forward yet what is heard? A child says something and what is heard?

Now apply a "wise' man says says something or the "innocence" of child says something? Now what do we then hear?

Is the essence of what's heard derived from what's "Known" about the one that's speaking instead of the substance of what's actually said? When we sift a persons words, what are we using for a filter screen?

How do we convey that we don't trust someone in our relationships? Enough that it's something universally understood and accepted as though validation of the person we're trying to convince ourselves that we also know?

When a Father and son (parent/child) effectively communicate, how often does context need to be established before both know what's being understood between them?

How many conditional questions do you need answered before you find yourself able respond to that question just asked? Do you find your self needing to know more about this father and son before you do comment?

How does the stealthy notion of "Divide and Conquer" get in and then have its way ?

Ps 83:4
"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."
NIV

Who is the Us and who do we consider to be "Them" when we base all the above on what we as if alone then believe?

Wasn't it once said of Israel, they are God's chosen people"? Who said such a thing?

Was it God or did the people claim the same God as their own or did each claim each other?

Once again, how many questions do you need answered before you in turn can respond?

Ps 25:3
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse .
NIV

What truly takes place when a child feels the need to hire the mother (to campaign) as though intercessor to the father? Is it only because the father has been considered a tyrant?

As such that only knows how to dole out the word "No"?

2 Cor 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes " in Christ. And so through him the "Amen " is spoken by us to the glory of God.
NIV

Just because we were accepted the way we were, should not also cause us to rely on our own history in order to conclude our present condition as though activities of our own choosing we are trying to consider acceptable.

Is it even possible to truthfully consider ourselves without outside "Help"?

How many times do we ask ourselves, "How many times do I have to do this or that before I figure out it still hurts when I do it"?

Until we reach the conclusion that we are broken beyond self being able to fix us, only then have we taken our first steps out of darkness.

Ask your self, who "helps' you choose what you do? Now ask your self "Who helps you choose, and then that choice made doesn't always turn out to be helpful?

How soon do we forget who's who as our enemies or our helpers?

What is it within our relationships that governs what's being interpreted as though conclusions that get drawn in advance ? Is it simply a quick survey of our historical interaction with each other? Does the results of that survey then mandate what the future holds in store?

How do WE or can WE approach the things we do have in common instead of working harder to insist OR convince others to accommodate what WE do NOT hold on to as though mutually inter-rest-ing?

Now allow this if you will, is it only You that's been able to enter Gods rest OR is their room so that WE can enter into Gods rest?

In an earthly relationship some might say that the father is in control or is Lord over His family, but IS that an accurate assessment being made? Is that just something the Father alone states as if about himself or does the family hold to that same assessment because it's been mutually understood?

Do we treat what we're trying to accuse as if a family as though a democracy instead?

At what phase does every member acquire equal voting rights? Is it only when everyone agrees with the father or when the ballots are all collected and counted?

Back to the child that hires mom to campaign for them, does the child know that the mom knows as though the way into the fathers heart or are both mother and child confirming to each other what THEY mutually already know?

Who was Jesus' intercessor and why did He not need one?

Is it as simple as observing a common interest as though "One"?

John 5:19
 "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing , because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
NIV

If Jesus had been found guilty of sin as though an offense to God, what would have been the root cause?

He was found guilty among men that "Assumed" they not only knew God, but this same God they thought they served also justified everything that they saw fit to do.

Why though?

Why was it possible for God NOT to find Jesus guilty of sin, yet said Holy men of god DID find Jesus guilty of blasphemy and Sin?

Some today having the advantage of time and what assumed they've acquired as knowledge, might say that is was because they (father and Son) had a special telepathy working for them.

Someone else might hide behind the "Blind" of  what they say they do not understand as if to say, "What you're asking is something that man doesn't have the answer to"!

If we don't, then why would God ask that we be like Him?

Does God tell us to be like him only to see us fail, or so that we will ALL eventually come to see (Ob-serve) Him to be the only one that is "Righteous"?

If that is thought to be true, then why prepare a placed called "Hell"?

When is Jesus a liar? When is God as a father unapproachable?

Believers in Christ willing to accept that the Apostle Paul received his wisdom (revelation) from the Lord, yet was that wisdom ONLY for Paul's benefit?

As many more are willing to accept that every personality that performed great things throughout the recorded stories in the bible (miracles or people that heard directly from God) all had a special gift from God because God chose them.

Is this true? Yes,  I personally believe it is, BUT were any of them prefect in what they were doing at the time when He did call them to serve in the capacities we get to read or be told about today?

that was "For their eyes and ears only which then enabled them  alone to do great things. 

If Jesus did not have or need an intercessor in His relationship with His Father and we can accept the simplicity of His response when He was asked why He did what He did while here, what might one conclude?

That He could see and or hear what no one else could?

2 Cor 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal .
NIV

Now ask yourself, "What am I NOT able to see"?

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy as though a son.

Paul never wrote to the likes of Timothy, "I'm proud of you son". Instead Paul addressed Timothy on equal terms with more divine words.

In one letter he wrote, Paul opens with and addressed Timothy as "Man of God".

1 Tim 6:11-16
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.

What they had was a common vision, a common hope, a common and divine vocabulary enough that both understood each others speech because it always pertained to the same thing, "Eternal Matters".

I've only been able to find one mention in Paul's writing where he spoke about his parents. I've also only heard him mention one time his admired teacher that had indoctrinated in terms of him also being a Pharisee (Gamaliel).

When a Father and son communicate how often does context need to be established before they both know what's being said or asked?

Once again the rule of context rushes in.

Is it any wonder why today, when two people communicate there almost has to be a remedial course of spirituality presented as though context in order for the next thing that comes out of our mouth is ALSO received as though a spiritual communication we want to be "Heard".

The road for such words are usually prefaced with, "Now, I'm serious when I say this"!

God is spirit and His words are Life and this life is the life that's been given.

The question is, "Do we seriously "Observe" words the same way the One we call Lord does or only when we find them conveniently introduced as part of what we say and do?

Why can't this said "Man" respond to the question being asked among mere men the "Way" it's presently being dispensed?

Is it because it's the "Way" it's being presented or because we use what we know about each other as our defensive shield? How could perfection penetrate such a strong heritage of imperfection it having united and convinced itself there's nothing more to be done?

I believe there is no terminal shame in having a demon, yet refusing to acknowledge there's one in our refusal to have it removed speaks to so much more.

Jesus was teaching on hypocrisy and suggested the need to remove the plank from our own eye so that we CAN see. He wasn't also suggesting that we learn to live with a plank in our own eye. Instead so that WE can be of use to our brother.

Maybe spiritually because we are all claiming to still be under the influence of sin, what is seen is that everybody is walking around with a 2 x 10 in both eye's with a pair of tweezers in hand.

We need to contemplate why Jesus did ask, Will I find faith when I do return as well what could cause the love of many to grow cold towards the end?

Surely we can NOT prevent true prophecy from coming to pass, yet those who do believe and Can see should put to GOOD use the clear evidence we do see it coming and soon.

How often is context NOT clear in our daily conversations in terms of "What we see, "Who' Is teaching and "Why" so many have failed clearly understands the mutual need to listen?

It must be concluded that we're only considered righteous when WE are FOUND to be in Christ and only then are we justified in what we say or do.

I think it's clearly understood that God is a big God, yet that should not also make Him to be the target we blame when we fail to see what He says we need to righteously "Ob-serve".

If you do sin (and we all do) confess it as "Sin" then sincerely repent in keeping with the evidence that's God alone consider's believe-Able.

Heb 10:26-27

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
NIV

1 John 1:8-10

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
NIV

1 Tim 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:

He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
NIV

So who is it that's asking all the questions these days and why is so important we know the type person that's asking?

If it were accepted and then understood that we are only tempted where we lack self control, then would that not also explain why eternal matters are always just beyond what we've failed to truthfully consider?

Is what you can't see, also unbelief or is it just the dominate voice of what you choose to ignore having claimed to have know the truth?

What do you see because of what others have failed to observe? Now judge yourself.......

Heb 3:18-19
And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief .
NIV

Who are you and what's been accredited to your account?

If our whole life experience were intended to provide the evidence that we were ALL at some point in time lost without a savior, what have any of us learned from our experience enough that we don't repeat certain "Episodes" of uncertainty (doubts about what we've believed) over and over?

When is someone truly Lost and how are they saved?

If you don't know that you are lost or how a person CAN truly be saved or what they are saved from, what hope that is also real do we have in doing the will of God as it pertains to anything or anyone else?

Especially when we've primarily been taught that finding "Ourselves" saved and to then protect that hope so that we go to heaven, what's has that naked notion made this life is all about?

How could we see anything else if it crossed our paths if the whole event is about making sure that our repeat offending personage somehow remains saved enough to where we go to heaven?

Many make too small the importance of a mans integrity.

Paul wrote as though he'd never been married and for that matter it's insinuated that he'd never slept with woman or desired sex enough to take for himself a wife.

How so? He said so, yet do we believe Him if only we compare Paul to our personal history in order to somehow see His person as though the least of us?

Look at this way, If Paul could be proved a liar on any point of his writings and by anyone else but Christ who actually does forgive us our sins, what would that do to the rest of his testimony concerning Christ in the minds of men today as if part of our hope while believing the testimony of this witness?

Once proved a liar what hope should any of us have today while struggling to believe everything that he tells us about another named Jesus the Christ?

(Sounds like a modern day attorney talking doesn't it?)

Jesus took the time to make certain in the minds of His Apostle's in that they "Knew" their mission enough that He (Christ) knew they not only understood despite their past living, but could also be trusted with the power that's also given as part of their (commission) mission moving forward.

God commended them because they also believed the person they were sent of and In whose Name they were sent so that they too might find enjoyment in their commission concerning the truth without respect to the circumstance they were placed in by the leading of the Holy Spirit

If you can't hear what I just suggested by way of what Paul wrote, then I don't know what else could be said about His devoted integrity towards Christ Jesus unless we allow him to testify on his own behalf. Everything else we know (read) about Paul is what he used to do before Christ undeniably called him to service.

In my own struggles to find myself beyond what mere man have taught me, I must also be truthful in what I ask of God. I'm still stuck with what to ask, how to ask and what to expect when I do muster the courage to ask.

In terms of throwing the whole kitchen sink at Him as though full of request, what good is all the asking if I don't take inventory periodically except maybe every other full moon?

I used to wonder why I was reluctant in my youth to go and DO for God the things everyone else seemed to be telling me to do. They would say "You need to be doing this and You need to do that", but I was still stuck with me and how little I truly understood in the midst of all that said "Going and Doing".

It's one thing to be asked to do something, yet it's a completely different consideration when asked to "Go and Do" after you've been completely convinced of your identity in Christ/God and that identity then goes with you in order that you can GO beyond doubting.

I don't know if you've ever heard the phrase "Winging it" before but that's how I still feel at times. Should I have any real hope if theirs nothing to gain and that only for the sake of myself as well My own eternal future?

In my short spiritual history I've been told more about what I should NOT expect because of "What I do" than I was that all things that are possible when you "Go WITH God".

My present day summary would be, you can forget the American express card, "But don't ever leave Home without the Lord" wherever you Go!

I can all but hear, "So what's your point dude"?

My point is, If you haven't  been prepared before assuming you're sent, then don't Go until you have been made ready" (doubt).

If you haven't  been called then don't answer until you know you've been called, and if you're not being called then "Go" ask someone that knows you better than you know yourself.(doubt)

The trouble these days is that most don't know who to ask in part because few are trusted enough with such vulnerability.Why? Because of the innumerable reasons that can be drawn upon, few truly don't know you that well. Hmmm... then again maybe they do? (trust)

The other part is due to pride much like the student that refuses to raise their hand in class when they don't have clue about the bigger picture as to the "Why" they are in the class to begin with. (ignorance)

Why as though without power should I then believe that I will see GOD"S glory (power/virtue) show up if I did "Go" where I say that believe I've been lead and sent if I'm not sure that I've been called, prepared and sent by God?

Should I not consider the evidence of what is missing or do I blame someone else? What are the humble beginnings and what do they look like as we hope to move forward and IN Christ? Do I rely on mere men for that evidence who look just like me?

Do I hang on the words of just anybody as though My personal cross or do I place my trust in what's been given as though from the mouth of God that tells me where I should go, who I should expect to meet there and what I should expect from Him?

A Christ that is without Power? No thanks but that's not the God I place my hope in.

Don't let yourself be duped into believing that Christ is not for you. If the the Christ (savior) that's being preached is one that is also a silent said savior or one that can only be heard through the mouth of man then don't waste your time listening.

Still don't believe in miracles? Still not willing to believe the greates miracle of all is yet to come and usher you into paradise?

Do you still stand firm in your claim that you can't can't hear His sweet voice or that God does not talk to mankind today?

He's not asking you to be perfect, He's asking you to be willing to be MADE perfect as if a work that's still in its progressive stages.

You can now claim you've not been told, but will that claim still be the truth when asked face to face?

Read on friend..read on

John 10:25-30

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep . My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."  
NIV
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John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. 
NIV

John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep.
NIV

Selfish Saints

I want to begin this in saying that it is never my intent to coddle those that choose to read nor attract critique's who take delight in bashing others or other specific groups of people.

I'm also not recruiting members to my said "Church" nor am I attempting to organize an institutional entity of any kind. No, my plea is to those that claim Jesus as their Lord to begin to focus on the "True" purpose for the redemption of those that chose to believe IN Him.

There are times when a said "fleshing out" needs to take place, yet only when the motivation for participating is also for a healthy outcome.

Let's begin with the question "What does the word Dubious conjure in your mind when heard? Now let's add context in the form of what most believe to be applicable in the life of a said believer in Christ.

Just how much of what we say we believe soon becomes a derivative of  how much of ourselves we're willing to make available and for the sake of Christ?

Now ask yourself the same question except this time substitute the word Christ with the "Gospel"?

More often when the word "heart" is heard people generally associate that to mean the "Whole" person.

When we hear someone say, "Put your heart into it" as if a motivational plea or "Your heart's just not in it", wouldn't that suggest something that's not being applied? An even more specific use of this word can be seen when we want to be HEARD, "You and I need to have a heart to heart discussion"!

Think about it, the physical body can be present and surely the brain still resides in the confines of the cranium? We can still breath, eat, drink, drive cars, watch TV and even TALK without our heart being an active participant in those events can't we?

Now add to that thought "Your treasure is where your heart is".

Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing , but the body is weak."
NIV

In terms of rounding up or down, what happens when we then consider the participation of our soul, our mind and strength as part of the whole (heart)?

What is the athletic coach suggesting as they scream from the side lines to their players "Focus", or the school teacher that sends a report home with your child whose comments read, "Failure to focus" or consider the symphony conductor that taps his instrument as if the gesture made in hopes of being able to  "Conduct"?

What if the said "heart" instead of it being considered as the whole person were broken down into smaller participants which make up the "Whole" (heart), what might one see? Let's put that consideration in color for the sake of hi-lighting the thought.

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. NIV

If you will, now let me ask a question about commitment based on percentages and the above criteria, "Who or What has become your personal God"?

What are we suggesting when we use the word "Personal"?

We can ask our friends about their new relationships by inferring something specific when we ask, "Just how personal is this relationship" only then to hear our suspicion confirmed "We've become intimate"

We can use this word to thwart forward questions when we choose NOT to directly respond, "That question is too personal"! We'll even hear people use this word when they are talking about store bought items with respect to their shielded privacy items?

We hear specific words used all the time which remove doubts in others with RESPECT to being clearly understood.

Has Christianity been robbed of the meaning of all our words that are used in order to express a divine thought while communicating with this world? Is the world now using what used to be specifically defining words against us?

You ever watch one of those movies or shows where the convicts of a prison make weapons out of just about anything? I've even seen one where a tooth brush handle was shaved down to a point to be used as a dagger.

Which of your words when used against you end up defining who your enemies are?

Ps 64:3
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.
NIV

Now let's consider a few choice words to hi-light this point. What about when we hear words such as Faith, Gospel, Church, God, Saint(s), Angels, Spirit, Soul, Heart, Evil, Righteous, or Righteousness?

Often times this passage gets reserved for the admonishment of preachers when the accusation is made concerning the use of God's word to profit the preacher. Think on it this way, are they the only ones that have a testimony concerning Christ in their daily lives while in this world?

Words these days don't seem to mean to much to humanity, yet we must remember that our creator through the exercise of speaking "Words" created what we see and who do we also believe that we are as His heirs?

2 Cor 2:14-15
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

To the one we are the smell of death ; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
NIV

Think how often you hear the surrounding world that has not accepted Christ as Lord using such words to hi-light the point (perspective) they're hoping to suggest from a worldly perspective?

Where today is the divine perspective being heard? Where is that place where devine "Words" have the affect on the hearer as the reason they were spoken to begin with?

More importantly what is it about their presentation that could possibly suppress (obscure) the truth which is their strength?

What do divine words conjure in the mind of a listening audience?

Maybe believers (in Christ) are not focused on what we're saying because we have lost sight of our TRUE "concern"? More concerned that is for what we are broadcasting as though our (owned) personal gain while being "Read" by the world around us?

Maybe what's been said to be a "heart to heart" visit is in order?

2 Cor 3:2-3
You yourselves are our letter, written on ---> our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, ----> the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
NIV

Maybe because we've been more concerned with our personal view points to where we've become so desperate wanting to be heard that we've had to borrow from words which were traditionally used in order to express a specific and divine understanding?

Now copy and paste that same context to the place where one can observe the overall participation within an institutional setting such as maybe a corporate setting. Now consider just how long it might take before the decision makers pick up on the said "Non-participants" whose hearts are not in the matter at hand?

Is the church of this day suffering a loss in terms of its faithful attending membership OR is it's membership growing strong because of what it now finds acceptable from its members?

What seems to be the resounding message from the pulpit each week? You're going to heaven with no concern for what we now do?

Being saved is not like a purchased ticket given to you so that you get into an amusement park. Being saved is to suggest that you're not presently being judged for your sins committed.

Being is an active word, yet if your over all being is not also a willing participant, what does that say about what you've placed your faith having only skimmed over the truth of the matter?

Jesus in the only righteous one, yet we have been justified by the shedding of His Blood.

We too must be weighed by the truth. Believers have been justified but for what reason?

So that the evidence is found to be True upon whom our hope has been placed and only seen as the Christ of humanity.

Have you been saved so that you can look and act like the world and those that love it so who have a destiny to be burned with unquenchable fire?

Wake up! Just because you say it doesn't make it true no matter how many times you say it.

You've been justified for the sake of love and not for the sake of a selfish soul which daily refuses the spirit of God that looks to transform us into a living epistle which testifies to the Gospel God sent in the form of His son.