SIN, REPENTANCE, AND A CLEAN HEART

 SIN, REPENTANCE, AND A CLEAN HEART

I let myself get emotionally distraught by the way someone was acting, and what did I do about it? The wrong thing! I started bad-mouthing the person in my mind and then it came out of my mouth. By the end of the day, I realized I’d really messed up. But then the Lord reminded me of the times people had said about me that I had a pure heart. Being emotionally mean and having a pure heart just don’t go together. So I repented. I was totally carnal in how I reacted. You know how certain things people do really set you off, and sometimes you just don’t even know exactly why? Well that was me. I was mad and didn’t even bother to ask myself why I was so riled up.

 

Maybe it was because I was reacting to something in myself I didn’t like? That’s often the case. We see something we dislike about ourselves in someone else, and we react to them because it’s easier than taking the time to examine the same thing in ourselves! But the Lord constantly gives us opportunities to change lingering sins from the past and become the new creation in Christ that He’s called us to be.  And by the way, we have at least one angel or two, from the time of our birth, to help us to get to our final destinies. In Matthew 18:10 Jesus tells us: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.’” Angels to minister to us as children, and the Bible never says they’re taken away. Think about that for a minute.

 

Anyway, back to my story. I felt bad about being so weak as to let my emotions get to me, and the Lord urged me to go back in my mind to a time when I was around 15 years old, reading the beatitudes in the Bible in Matthew 5:3-12. I read Jesus teaching his disciples, saying:

 

“³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

 

⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

 

¹¹ “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt. 5:3-12).

 

I remember thinking, “I want to be blessed;” Then asking, “Which of these do I want the most?” Verse 8 rushed into my heart. I wanted to see God more than anything, so I wanted to have a pure heart.

 

So when I was awful last week, and God reminded me of my desire from so many years ago, I went to Psalm 51, which is where the Lord has taken me so many times when I’m not such a nice person. It’s a psalm that David wrote after he sinned with Bathsheba, and killed her husband.

 

¹ “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” Psa. 51:1-3).

 

Notice the word “throughly” in verse 2. That means through and through and through, not just thoroughly. Throughly indicates a deeper cleansing. Iniquities are those evil things that come into us through our bloodline; they have been there a very long time even possibly passed down four generations in our family histories. So they need a through-and-through and often the ministering of a brother or sister in Christ who is practiced and believing in their authority and power in Christ to cast out demons.

 

⁴ “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. ⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa. 51:4-5).

⁶ “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. ⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. ⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities” (Psa. 52:5-7).

 

Psalm 51 is so great, but verse 10 is the one that for me speaks louder than even all the rest:

 

¹⁰ “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. ¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. ¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

 

¹⁴ “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. ¹⁵ O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. ¹⁶ For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

 

¹⁸ “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. [i.e. make us strong] ¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.”

 

The shepherd David, who became a king, could ask God to forgive him, create in him a clean heart, renew a right spirit within him, and make him strong once again. We have the same privilege from the same Lord, who is above even all the heavens, who cares for us.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

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ALL THINGS ON EARTH HAVE A "VOICE," AND GOD GAVE US DOMINION

 

ALL THINGS ON EARTH HAVE A “VOICE,” AND GOD GAVE US DOMINION

I held a small handgun. It was one of the lightest in weight and easiest to handle. That was true, but I was surprised at how I instantly felt the “voice” of power in that gun. It was not a toy. The manufacturer made the gun to be used in a certain way, with purpose. The things of the earth speak of what they are and what they want. Once we realize that, we can choose to respect the voice and go with it, or we can choose to say no to the voice. God has given humanity the rule over earth things. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (Psa.115:16).

 

As far as earth things having a voice, our plants tell us when we’ve neglected to give them what they need, and most of us are tuned into the messages from our pets as well.

 

But there are many inanimate earth things that also have voices. We all know that our cell phones and computers have a voice. They say: “Pay attention! You need to open me right now.” We’ve learned to answer no at work (mostly), and at other times we’ve said yes and found ourselves sucked in for hours.

 

Money has a voice. I have a funny story about that. Jane was working in the computer department at the University. One afternoon at lunchtime, she was sitting on a stone bench by the grass. She put her fanny pack with her wallet in it, at eye level on the column next to her. Jane won a large sum of money at the nickel slots over the weekend, and the money was still in her fanny pack. Her work schedule was pretty loose, and she was free to come and go as long as the work was done.

 

She looked over at her fanny pack, and the money started to talk. “Let’s get in the car and go over to Terrible Herbst Casino and play some slots.” Jane said: “Shut up in the name of Jesus Christ. We’re not going anywhere!” It was quiet for a few minutes; then it tried again: “Let’s go spend some money at Terrible’s.” Jane looked straight at that wallet and told it again: “Shut up in the name of Jesus Christ. We’re getting on that cart and going back to work!” And it never happened again, and Jane never forgot that incident.

 

I had an interesting experience with a Mazda rental car. The commercials on TV always displayed the words “Zoom, zoom” associated with the car. Then, when I went to drive it, I swear, it was really difficult to get the car to slow down. It wanted to go at least 45mph no matter what, even in school zones. That car was a real battle, but I could see why the young people really liked it—“Zoom, zoom.”

 

What inanimate objects are talking to you, and how are you reacting to what you hear?

 

Jesus said: “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Luke 8:17-18).

 

The Lord is saying that we are responsible for knowing what’s going on. We need to be aware of the voices and make good, strong, Godly choices. We’re in charge. Let’s listen carefully and decide wisely.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wings+carolyn+molica&crid=EZNJZZUP3KHG&linkCode=ll2&linkId=db88efb13727dcb484eb29f5b1683284&sprefix=wings+carolyn+molica%2Caps%2C353&tag=jmbcsds-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl

 

 

GETTING TO KNOW HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN US

GETTING TO KNOW HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN US

 Note: This comes from a chapter in one of my books. Getting to know how the Holy Spirit works in us is an exciting and vital part of our spiritual lives in Christ.

 

My best friend and I had been planning a birthday lunch for about two weeks. We were going to a nice restaurant at one of the best casinos on the Strip. But on the morning of the event, she told me she didn’t feel right about going to the place we’d picked out. She described the sensation as a continuous niggling that no logic could get rid of. She suggested that maybe we go to another place instead. As soon as she said it, we both had peace. We felt relaxed about our new decision, and all anxiety of mind and body left immediately.

 

At the same lunch, it was time to order, and I wasn’t very hungry. I usually ordered the ahi tuna burger, which is always delicious. I thought: “I’m not too hungry, so maybe I should get ahi tuna salad instead.” Immediately, the Holy Spirit gave me a picture in my mind of an ahi tuna salad, and I saw myself thinking that it wasn’t so good. What did I do?

 

I didn’t pay attention to the picture and I ordered the salad instead of the burger, and sure enough, the salad wasn’t nearly as good as the burger always is. I was mad at myself for not obeying the Lord’s message. I would have enjoyed my lunch and probably had a half a sandwich for the next day too!

 

Another time when I was going out, I felt pressed and urged by the Holy Spirit to wear certain clothing and wear my hair a certain way. I later found out that it was because of my casual appearance that a woman came up to me while I was studying, and I was able to minister to her concerning her son.

 

These are just a couple of examples of how the Lord is interested in blessing us in everything we do, even down to the choices we make off a menu, or the clothing we wear.

 

You may have felt this nagging feeling. It’s usually the Holy Spirit trying to protect us from something. We’re so much better off if we just listen and obey. The Lord Jesus desires to be a part of our daily lives to bless us in everything. He is not only concerned about the big things, but also the small things.

 

In Old Testament times God communicated to mankind from the outside, but when Jesus was about to leave the earth, he told his disciples they would be able to hear God’s messages from within themselves. He said: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22b). “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). “He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

 

 

The Christ in us will guide us and let us know the will of God in every situation. How does this work? Through the new, spiritual five senses we receive when we get born again and filled with the Holy Ghost. Speaking in tongues builds up the spirit on the inside and helps to sharpen our new spiritual receptors. “But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20-21).

 

But even if a person doesn’t speak in tongues, I believe they can get better at recognizing the messages the Lord sends to them through the spiritual five senses. Hebrews 5:14 tells us we need to exercise our spiritual five senses. To exercise takes time, effort, and focusing.

 

When I was young and just beginning to pay attention to the Spirit of Christ within me, I was working as a nurse’s assistant in a hospital, and I could smell a killing cancer. At first, I thought it was just a smell that came with the cancer, but when I asked, I found out that others couldn’t smell it. God was using my spiritual sense of smell to point out certain patients that needed special prayer.

 

What about hearing? People can hear from their spiritual ears, the voice of the Lord. It can sound several different ways. Sometimes people hear the Lord’s voice as if someone is standing right next to them. It seems so real that they may even look around expecting to see someone there. Messages can also come in a “still small voice” from within. The words can seem like they are in our own voice or the voice of someone we know.

 

I used to do a lot of side work, faux finishing people’s walls, switch plates, etc. but it started to take up all my time, and Jesus had other things in mind for me to do now. I was in my truck, driving home from a side job on a Saturday, and I heard these words in my spirit: “No faux, no mo’.” It was loud and in the voice and dialect of a preacher I’d heard on the internet. There was no mistaking that the Lord was giving me a direct message. After that, I think I did one side job for a close friend, and then I began to put together my books for the Lord on the weekends, rather than do the faux jobs.

 

What about the sense of seeing? As I was focusing on exercising my spiritual five senses, one day I realized the Holy Spirit had been using pictures for years to communicate certain things to me. I was used to Him showing me a picture when I ministered healing to someone, and I would picture their whole body empty, then look with my spiritual eyes for the origin of their ailments, and the Lord would show me, and I would minister to them. But I hadn’t really looked for or expected pictures in other categories.

 

Then one day I wanted to buy some new furniture. I prayed about it, and I remember getting a mental picture of three pieces of furniture: two nice dark cherry chairs and a recliner in the same dark cherry with a leather seat. I kept seeing that picture every time I prayed for my furniture. It was the Lord’s way of assuring me that I could have that nice furniture, and in a couple of months and a little bit of shopping, I found it and was able to buy all three pieces without going into debt. Since then, I’ve been much more aware of the pictures, and when I get one, I catch it with my mind and focus, so I don’t let it go by the wayside like I used to.

 

These visions are Jesus’ seeds to me. If I plant them into the good ground of my spirit, I will get the harvest in the material realm. I don’t want any of those seeds to go the way of the seed in Luke 8:5. “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” How many seeds have been trodden down and devoured, because I didn’t catch hold of them?

 

A spiritual sense of taste? There are times when I've taken a taste of something, and though it didn't annoy my taste buds, I knew I wasn't supposed to eat it. One time I got the message, but I took a couple extra bites anyway and felt sick to my stomach all afternoon.

 

As for the spiritual sense of touch, there have been times when I've nearly jumped away from someone who wanted to touch me and pass on something bad. On the other hand, the spiritual sense of touch comes into play often when I minister healing to someone or pray with them.

 

God can work through any of the five senses, or a combination of them. Some people have described communication from the Holy Spirit as a knowing—they just know that they know.

 

The Almighty finds the perfect ways to communicate with us, depending on what He knows we will be able to receive. I believe that when we pray and ask the Lord to help us grow in this, He will. And in exchange, if we are willing to put some time, effort, and focus on one or more of these spiritual five senses, then we will not only become more acutely aware of His presence and counsel, but live on a higher spiritual level and be of more real help to those around us.

 

One very important thing to be aware of in our communicating adventure with our Lord is that all messages from the Lord will have to agree with THE  WRITTEN WORD of God. Jesus Christ is THE LIVING WORD in every detail. The written word in the Law of Moses gave instructions on all aspects of life, including where to use the restroom, what to wear, what to do when a woman was menstruating, and every detail of their lives. That’s the part of the Bible that people like to skip over, but it’s important in that it is a prototype of what was coming:

 

THE LIVING WORD, JESUS CHRIST, who wants to be in the same kind of nitty-gritty details of our lives today.  He is with us, and in us all the time. As Paul points out in Colossians 1:27: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Let’s get to know Him in the way He wants to be with us. Let’s learn more about who we are in our created spiritual selves by exercising those spiritual five senses He gave to us.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

QUESTIONS FOR PONDERING OR DISCUSSION

 

Has the Lord communicated with you via your spiritual 5 senses? Which ones? What were the results?

 

Are there things you can do to remind yourself to be sharper in catching those messages?

 

What small, daily things can you ask the Lord about, so that you can get more practice for when the bigger things come up?

 

Which of the senses would you most like to look at in the scriptures?

 

 

FRIENDS IN HARD TIMES

FRIENDS IN HARD TIMES

One month after her surgery Anne entered into the familiar storefront meeting room. All her old friends were there, but they treated her differently.

 

She looked pale and weak, not the funny, fearless person they knew pre-surgery. They smiled politely and got involved in other conversations, leaving Anne out. What was going on?

 

The Holy Spirit told me they were afraid. They were used to a person who looked healthy, strong, and wise. She was still the same wise person, but physically she didn’t look healthy and strong like before. They didn’t know how to handle it, so they didn’t talk to her. They avoided her for several months after her surgery.

 

At first, I was mad at them for being so callous and disrespectful, but then I realized THEY were the ones to be pitied.  They were missing out on a great experience. What they could have gained in wisdom, understanding, and guidance, they had given up because of their fears.

 

They just couldn’t seem to see past Anne’s exterior appearance and perceived weakness.

 

People get sick and have things happen to them that change them. That’s just a fact of life. But as Christians, we need to give them the respect and love they need.

 

I was driving home from work, and Jane was in the passenger seat. We were approaching a corner where we’ve seen a skinny, raggedy-looking homeless man many times, waving and smiling at everyone. The Lord told Jane to give the guy $2.00. He was so excited and talked super-fast as he told us he had been off of drugs and alcohol for 15 days now and he could drive, and he could work.

 

Jane and I both told him, “Good job!” He “God blessed” us several times as we said the same back to him. When we drove off, we both realized the guy was not nearly as excited about the money as he was about having someone to tell his story to and them telling him he was doing a good job. People want to be respected and appreciated.

 

Our God looks at the heart of a man or woman. When God sent Samuel to find a king to replace Saul, even the great prophet was only looking at the exterior:

 

“And it came to pass, when they were come, that he [Samuel] looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:6-7).

 

God doesn’t look at race or nationality, male or female, background, culture, sickness, weakness, or health. God looks straight through to the heart, and we need to practice this too.

 

We all go through down times, weak times. We don’t want to abandon people when they’re going through something. James 3:17 says: “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” PARTIALITY means having an unfair preference or bias towards one person or group over another. God loves us all and says: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon ALL flesh” (Acts 2:17b).

 

Jesus spoke to his disciples:

 

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory…Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?’ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?’

 

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’” (Matt. 25:31, 37-40).

 

When people are having a hard time, we need to be spiritually sensitive to their situations. We need to have a little more patience, respect, and love. Isn’t that what we want when WE feel down or weakened?

 

Love, Carolyn

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FREE BOOK THIS WEEK - TUESDAY SEPT. 8 THROUGH SATURADAY SEPT. 12 :-))

 

SAMPLE BOOK with 7 of the 61 chapters from the entire book. In this sample book, I’ve chosen 5 chapters specifically about seeing life’s experiences from a spiritual point of view. Chapters include: OUR SPIRITUAL FIVE SENSES, GOD'S SPIRIT TOUCHES OUR SPIRIT, NO GLASS CEILINGS, GENERATIONAL CURSES, A DIFFERENT TAKE ON ANGER AND FORGIVENESS, PAYMENT FOR SIN, AND TELLING THE DEVIL WHERE TO GO.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

WINGS:

A Journey in Faith from the Earthly to the Heavenly

SAMPLE G:

SPIRITUAL EYES

(7 CHAPTERS)

by

 Carolyn Molica

 

FREE BOOK this week, Sept. 8^th through Sept. 12^th: SPIRITUAL EYES 😊

 

SAMPLE BOOK with 7 of the 61 chapters from the entire book. In this sample book, I’ve chosen 5 chapters specifically about seeing life’s experiences from a spiritual point of view. Chapters include: OUR SPIRITUAL FIVE SENSES, GOD'S SPIRIT TOUCHES OUR SPIRIT, NO GLASS CEILINGS, GENERATIONAL CURSES, A DIFFERENT TAKE ON ANGER AND FORGIVENESS, PAYMENT FOR SIN, AND TELLING THE DEVIL WHERE TO GO.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

https://www.amazon.com/WINGS-Journey-Faith-Sample-SPIRITUAL-ebook/dp/B00JNVX8CY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EZNJZZUP3KHG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IwPskXkKCFFE-hGU4BKnlJNrAxvbgcg5NgrUHdGLMGIxMnReskJh9MzNHZDzb0gVEbXbBDcefeFgGObvmAYZNLXpxsULMJL0X53ddIltKKaqZtthgK0KTZSbdxnwTAVpst2e5GLWlm93SpJgzwaxHH4p-2YB8gMLCn5rLGou6ZI5lAfqe9F7QnMY-1aGjBuEMAGSBEdfSG5T3s1yc4E12e1GnmQKhwbZyLbxkxYhApw.RTJo7_uBvahg6PDm_f5PZGvLR6FayYjg7Y2BVcvGOJU&dib_tag=se&keywords=wings+carolyn+molica&linkCode=ll2&linkId=db88efb13727dcb484eb29f5b1683284&qid=1788820150&sprefix=wings+carolyn+molica%2Caps%2C353&sr=8-1

HALLELUJAH! JESUS HEALS A LONG-STANDING INJURY

HALLELUJAH! JESUS HEALS A LONG-STANDING INJURY

After my best friend Jane passed away last October, there was a huge void in my life. We did everything together: prayed every morning and night, talked about the things of God, shared the insights and revelations the Lord showed us. We had a great life. But I knew that when she passed, I would have to search out a larger fellowship of believers. I checked out several options, and the Lord led me to the most unusual church.

 

At first, I didn’t want to go because some of the doctrines were opposed to what I’d been used to, but the Lord told me to give it a chance, so I did. The results have been phenomenal, and yesterday I even received a miracle healing. Here’s the story:

 

Apostle Philip was out of town, so Rose, his wife, did the teaching. Near the end of her sharing, she said the Lord wanted her to make it available for everyone to come up at the end if they felt led to give the Lord some thanks and praise for things He's done for us.

 

Well, as most of you know, I had a lot of times when He got me out of trouble and even death more than once, so of course I had to go up to the front with all the other people who went up. The Lord wanted me to kneel.

 

I had tried to kneel earlier in the service, but I had an injury 48 years ago on my right knee, and I've had to be careful with it ever since, and it didn't want to kneel, so I sat instead.

 

My knee’s been hinky so long that I haven't even prayed about it for almost that many years too, but when I went up there at the end of the service and the Lord wanted me to kneel, I just did it, and instantly I felt wholeness in my right knee. It felt really different than before, so I started to step up and down and up and down, and I realized the Lord had totally healed it!! His love is sooooo true and soooooo good!! I've never been much of a Hallelujah girl, but that certainly did change yesterday!!!

 

HALLELUJAH, LORD JESUS, A BIG HALLELUJAH!!

 

I’ve included two links to the service, so you can watch if you like. Our God is so good. He never fails us.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

https://www.facebook.com/philip.peters.903674/videos/1012961961774360/?comment_id=1625396302474418&notif_id=1788653543257975&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

 

On the HOLY SPIRIT ENCOUNTERS CHURCH YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/@holyspiritencounterslv
 

GIVING THE LORD RECOGNITION IN EVERYDAY CONVERSATION

GIVING THE LORD RECOGNITION IN EVERYDAY CONVERSATION

Many of us have not realized that we’ve neglected part of our mission as followers of Jesus Christ. “How?” you ask. Well, we just don’t talk about the Lord in our everyday conversations. God does so much for us, and yet when we talk about our daily events, we use phrases like: “I did this and that, and great things happened,” “I was so lucky,” “It was like magic.”  

 

Instead of those phrases, in truth, we should be saying “Jesus did that for me,” “God orchestrated that whole event,” “Holy Spirit showed me what to write,” and things like that.  When we receive an answer to prayer, we give the Lord recognition in private, but too often, we don’t acknowledge Him publicly in our everyday conversations or our posts on social media either.

 

When we’ve taken Jesus as our Lord, our lives aren’t nearly as much about us as carnal beings, but they are about our spiritual selves in a natural body. As it says in Philippians 2:13: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Whether we recognize it or not, God loves us and is personally interested and involved in everything about our lives every day.

 

God has given us Jesus Christ as our Lord, the Holy Spirit as our teacher, and much more. He sees us, communicates with us, and is with us all the time. He’s arranged for signs and wonders to happen around us. He’s given us angels to protect us, warn us, and push us in the right direction at times when we are hesitant. He’s arranged for other Christian believers to befriend us, and He’s even inspired unbelievers to do certain things that end up benefitting us.

 

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God not only rescued us, but He took oversight of us and continues to orchestrate as many of His blessings toward us as we will accept. He certainly deserves our spoken recognition and praise.

 

I love how the King James version translates what Paul spoke in Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” I know that several translations replace the word “conversation” with phrases like “your manner of life” or “how you conduct yourself,” and that is definitely the bigger picture, but what we say out loud is a huge part of who we are and who we represent.

 

I think that the saying, “your actions speak louder than your words,” has been taken way out of context. We have overemphasized the action part and nearly annihilated the words part. But I really don’t think any of us have done this on purpose. It’s been a sneaky play on Satan’s part. He’s slowly introduced a spur into our thinking and culture. So we’ve tried to live for God without acknowledging Him (except in designated praise and worship time at church, or in our private times in prayer). This concept and practice have to change.

 

Jesus told his disciples back then, and he is telling us now: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). We all know that the definition of the Greek word for “gospel” is “good news.” But are we unaware of how easy it is to preach the good news?

 

Every time we tell someone that “Jesus did this for me,” or “God opened that door,” or “The Lord brought that person to me,” or “the Holy Spirit told me what to do to get that person away from us.” All of these verbal recognitions of the Lord’s presence in our lives—these are preaching the good news, the gospel! We’re doing God’s will, and it’s easy.

 

We say it. We recognize the source of the good things that happen in a day, giving our God the recognition in our daily conversation. If we do it, others will start to do it too.  

 

Let’s make the practice of recognizing the goodness of the Lord in our everyday experiences, remembering that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). He loves us, and we want to share that love with others.

 

Love, Carolyn

 

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