Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Exodus 20:7 You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Matt 12:36,37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of
John 8:34 Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 7:14-25 This is a long paragraph of verses, which I feel are very important to me, but suggest reading for yourself if you find yourself wanting to not sin and yet are being pulled and led to do so “just this once. Just give it a try.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Philippians 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our LORD and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
1 Peter 3:10 For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
Do you have good control over your mouth? I do not. I love food, but especially desserts, baked sugary enticements, and chocolate, although now I have skipped the grocery store chocolates and tend to head to Burry’s chocolates and indulge in the almond milk chocolate bark. Hmm-hmm! If I’m going to fulfill that sweet tooth desire, I should at least indulge in something rich, and can then be satisfied with a smaller indulgence, and have it last for a couple of weeks.
I also love good food and can be satisfied and impressed even at some meals I’ve thrown together. It’s been a privilege to go to different countries and experience their meals and cooking. Occasionally, there are some I would try again, but for the most part, I love the experimenting, and it’s rare for me to totally be disdainful of a meal or a part of one. I know I have been blessed to live in different areas and experience all that that area might have to offer whether with foods, bakeries, and the people and cultures.
But my mouth fails me, through my heart and sinful nature still—and I feel this should NO longer be an issue I am still dealing with. What comes out of my mouth aloud sometimes is so horrifically harsh, earthly, and in fact cursing and nasty. I do NOT want to continue repeating the same sin from my mouth/heart that I have been doing for years. Am I not enough of an “adult” Christian and follower to have this 100% corrected? UGH! But I occasionally still find myself gossiping, and still with some vile language when frustrated. Yes, I know my periods of gossiping and coarse language spurts are far less often, but they still occur. And, I do the same thing when I hear myself spewing awful words that I do when hearing something I don’t like on tv—I cringe and decide to turn it off. When it comes out of my mouth, I cringe, and apologize and seek forgiveness, but feel decidedly discouraged. How can I continue to do the same things repeatedly when I do not want to commit these sins? (Romans 7:14-25)
Wow! Our mouths can bring such pleasure in the tasting of foods, not over-indulging but tasting, enjoying each flavor and trying to determine the seasonings, being thankful, and appreciating the way God has designed our bodies to stay healthy and receive nutrients. If done wisely, and not selfishly, taking in more than required, food and drink can be a pleasure. But it is easy to abuse. I am one who overeats—which is part of being selfish and a glutton. As can be seen with the many verses above, that is a sin.
But then our mouths can spew gossip, brag about accomplishments, tear others down, spit out anger and frustration and use the Lord’s name disrespectfully. Hatefulness and destruction can be uttered so quickly leaving a large and debilitating inward scar to the recipient. The old adage of ‘sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me’ is one of the LARGEST LIES ever. Unthinking angry, frustrated, hateful words can destroy a person, allowing him/her to walk around, take in nourishment, but they are crushed within their self-esteem, their own thoughts, and their confidence.
We need to put a mental clamp on our mouths. There needs to be a hesitation period before responding, especially when angry, frustrated, and wanting to strike out. You may not even want to show your anger, and it comes spewing out to someone who should not have to receive it at all, perhaps a child, spouse, someone who has nothing to do with your anger—your anger has nothing to do with them—yet your words, actions have caused an inner wound that probably lasts their lifetime. Even if an explanation and apology is given, the remembrance of those words will allow doubts to eek forth.
But then there are the folks who just complain about anything negative and seem unable to look for the positive points in life, in a day, and their comments tend to pull those around them into a more negative frame of mind. So much can be seen in the frame of the mouth—lips tightening in, jaw clenched, and it is apparent how they feel. Mouths can cause pleasure—smiles, congratulations, encouragement and so forth, and also make apparent negative emotions–with or without words.
Lord, I am so very sorry for the times I was not thinking and empty, sarcastic, or caustic, hurtful words spewed forth hurting others or you, and I am sorry I have been a glutton time and again. I have imprinted many of these verses so when the devil again comes to entice, I can shove him aside with disdain, and not submit. Thank You for encouraging me to write on this subject today.
Thank You for your grace and forgiveness and having the Holy Spirit show me the areas I still need to improve and make new. Thank You, my Lord, for all You do for me and ’mybellaviews.’
Some cute quips:
Best advice to a dieter–no thyself;
The trouble with what melts in your mouth is the way it bulges in front of the mirror.
You never realize what a poor loser you are until you try dieting.
James 2:12-15 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God;” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when itis full-grown, brings forth death.
Romans 6:11-14 (NIV) In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the Law, but under grace.
Romans 6:11-14 (NKJV) Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our LORD. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
2 Peter 2:9 then the LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
Galatians 5:16-17 I say then, walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things you wish. (such as giving into fleshly desires)
Are you like most people and frequently fighting the temptation to do something you want to do that is not in your best interest, something that Jesus would rather you didn’t do? I have several things I battle—overeating, sweets, imbibing in alcohol, and having some impatient thoughts when things are not going smoothly or interrupt my day. I could probably in all truth create a gargantuan list.
I have overcome some of the detrimental habits I used to indulge in; the most negative in my book was my heavy smoking. I could smoke 1-2 packs a day for several years. Finally, I did not want to smoke any longer, so I reached out and asked Him for help. And He gave it.
For a while it was difficult. I liked smoking. I did not like the negative effects it was doing to my body, the secondhand smoke that surrounded my family, the expense, and the stench, and the negative public opinion.
As each time to indulge “in just one” smoke, I prayed and within moments the urge was released. I did some crazy breathing exercises that made sense to me. I brushed my teeth often, practiced holding my breath and counting slowly, and all sorts of tricks I thought help me beat this nasty habit. After several days, it all became easier.
Were there times initially within the first couple of years when smelling cigarette smoke had me wishing for a quick puff? Yes, at times. But I had a cigarette after a couple months of non-smoking and immediately I was dizzy, slightly nauseous, and disgusted with myself. What and where was the great attraction I had felt for years?
Now, if I smell cigarette smoke, I either raise my car window or hold my breath as I travel away. I find it disgusting. I’m just thankful that my friends and family tolerated me until I quit.
I have more difficulty with over-eating and sweets. I love a good meal and will eat until I am overstuffed. I know that unpleasant sensation—FULL and UGH! I love the taste of the foods, but to overeat and be horrifically overstuffed is SO unpleasant. And after doing it for years, at least on Thanksgiving, I would know to moderate and NOT do it. Alas, maybe this year.
And sweets. . .man, I love sweets. Do I know they are some of the worst things to intake? Yes, does that stop me? Hmm, not often. I can tell myself, ‘just this one, have one for tomorrow, then throw the rest out.’ That doesn’t happen often.
Anyway, bottom line is I deal with temptations and fail to fight them as often as I would like. So, although I have many verses I have copied over the years, the above list I have written and now have taped to my bathroom mirror as well as the refrigerator, and near my chair and computer. Handy. Read, and re-read, and imprint in your brain, and ask the Holy Spirit and Jesus for help in beating this temptation back. And I am working on remembering to shove Satan out of my brain, and away from what I am being tempted to sin with. I have to be diligent, and I am relieved to say and acknowledge that the Holy Spirit has put some of these verses into my brain as I am reaching for a cookie, brownie, or ice cream—and I am stopped, well at least hesitate. I will admit that I have walked away from the temptation most times, well, 75% of the time. At times, I have gone back after saying, “If I still want it after 15 minutes then I’ll have a SMALL piece.” But most of the time, remembering the verses, remembering it is NOT that good for me, I am able to resist. I am not as successful as I would like to be, so the Holy Spirit and I are still working on this, but with each time I am successful, I feel He is pleased with me; and I am pleased with my success.
I am a work in progress. I hope to look over these writings in a few months pleased that my desire to do the right and healthy thing, working with the Holy Spirit and knowing God has given me the tools to beat any temptation, that the success of no more sweets is behind us, and I am doing nothing except thanking God daily for this.
Thank You for my previous successes, continue to be with me while I try to continue to please you with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Quips: To master temptation, let Christ master you. Every temptation is an opportunity to flee to God. Don’t keep your eye on temptation while praying not to be led into it.
Deuteronomy 31:27 for I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the LORD while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die!
1 Samuel 12:14-15 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
Psalms 106:43 Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion, and they wasted away in their sin.
Proverbs 17:11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not in my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.”
Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
Romans 8:7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Hebrews 3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
2 Peter 2:4-10 You should read this for yourselves. A great verse!
How we rebel! How we are so into doing what we want to do first, then conferring with God, or seeking His will for what we are doing. We are so into our wants, and often think we are “good people” and therefore we try to justify our choices. And our choices are not always what God would choose for us.
For instance, I used to shop a lot and bought many things I truly did not NEED. ‘I want that shirt, those slacks made me look a little thinner than actual, that sweater would be warm and almost looked like an Irish knit…’ but did I need the shirt, the sweater, the slacks? How many pairs of black slacks does one need? How many shirts does one woman need…tops you can only really wear maybe ten in one week IF you start off with one in the morning then have somewhere else to go in the evening. But I’m betting mostly, you need only one per day.
As much as I love Irish knit sweaters and the intricacy of the knit patterns, wool makes me itch always. So why did I purchase it? Only to donate?
In actuality, there is a nudge, a slight warning, hesitation to purchase, yet, instead of heeding it, I disregard and purchased anyway. Later, I wondered, with shame and disappointment, why had I done this? Why did I purchase these things I truly do not NEED? That’s a rebellion. No matter how one looks at it, it is still rebellion. Therefore, sin. It is doing what I want to do instead of what He is directing me to do.
Rebellion is anything we do that goes against God’s directives, the ten commandments, and the love and forgiveness that Jesus preached, taught, and demonstrated while on earth. And His teaching and way of life so touched many of His closest followers that they were willing to be martyred to continue getting His word and message out to all. Per His command, ‘Spread the Word to the ends of the earth, so all may know and be saved.’
We are rebellious when we participate in gossip, unforgiveness, anger that we hold onto, maligning a co-worker, over-eating, over drinking, doing things that are negative in any area against His temple—our bodies, and so much more. . . that is all rebellion, and rebellion is sin. Sin prevents fellowship with God. (1 John 1:6).
Sin is a barrier for both Christians and non-Christians. Sin keeps us all from experiencing God’s love. . . what is sin? It’s more than cheating, lying, immoral behavior, and so forth. These actions are only the results of an attitude of sin. A simple definition of sin is doing what we want to do instead of doing what God wants us to do, both in actions and attitudes. It is our attitude that first leads us into sin. . . wanting what we want instead of what He wants us to do.
I admit I still have periods of rebellion and feel the urge to buy things I don’t need, BUT I am more aware of His message of warning, and I heed it more often. (No claims to be a saint. . . but I am working more with budget than spontaneity!)
Lord, it is a growing process walking with You—and I feel like I remained a toddler Christian for a long time, but I am heeding better, and growing more in our relationship and therefore, my obedience. Thank You, Lord, for leading, guiding and remaining with me even when I rebel, You continue to reach for me and guide me in Your paths. Thank You for all you have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Exodus 20:2-5 I am the LORD your God, who rescued you out of the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. you shall have no other gods before Me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
Leviticus 19:4 Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God
Judges 10:14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble
Psalms 16:4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips
Isaiah 45:20 Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.
Jonah 2:8 Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them
1 Corinthians 10:7, 14 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”. . . Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry
Galatians 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry, and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like, I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 John 5:21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood–idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
I knew I didn’t have wooden or metal objects that I loved, but what were some potential idols in my life? I had a couple favorite objects, but I didn’t worship them. They were mementos handed down from family members. Certainly, I would be disappointed to lose one of them–it was more an emotional attachment that a parent or another favorite family member had given me something, had it for years, and suddenly it was gone. But I didn’t pray to this object–a gold cross about an inch in length purchased by my parents when they went to Germany to see friends from their time living there in the 1950’s. They left me and my siblings with relatives for that week, then returned with small gifts for each of us on their return. Mine was this beautiful, but simple gold cross. I had that cross for almost 30 years and lost it a couple of months after my mother’s passing. I think it hurt more that it was one of the most precious memories and gifts I had ever received from my parents, and now both were gone. But I never thought the cross had special powers or could direct my path or answer prayers.
I truly have a difficult time understanding those who create something out of metal or wood, then attribute it to have abilities to help you. You created the thing. How could it then have any powers to help you, to direct your steps, or answer prayers. I get lost with that and shake my head with the frequency that the Israelites and other peoples did have created idols and were seeking them for advice, answer to prayers and so forth. God repeatedly said “I AM the LoRD your God, and you will have no other gods before Me.” That seems clear to me.
But that is created idols. What about foods, gambling, drinking, and other behaviors where you have a subtle unease when you are partaking of the behavior or telling yourself you will just have 5 bites of a favorite food; or just one glass of wine; or you will just play 2 games of Blackjack or some other gaming thing, then leave. But the nudging, urging is there even though you have the inkling you should NOT be engaging, and then try to excuse it by giving yourself permission to “only do it for a couple minutes, or hands, or mouthfuls….
Jeffrey Curtis Poor wrote an article in Practical Faith, January 4, 2022 “We tend to think of idolatry as a sin of the past or something in eastern mysticism, idol worship is contained to those who look to little wooden trinkets, a golden calf, or other images of good for their needs. . . Since we don’t do those things, we assume we don’t have idols.”
His definition given in the article is “an idol is when something or someone becomes more important that God.”
For some that is food, money, work, and the others I have mentioned, but Mr. Poor starts his list off with IDENTITY. He states “Our identity might be one of the biggest idols worshiped today. We have largely abandoned who we are in Christ and placed our identity in other things.” His article goes on to list ten.
Then he references #1 as social media our position at work or school, our accomplishments in sports or educational achievements and so on.
#2 Money/Material Things We all need money to pay bills, to acquire needs and some desires, but by making money your goal and only thing you primarily care about achieving is wrong. With the speed of the way smart phones and other computers have improved since they were first available for normal people to purchase, if yours is a year old, it is considered OLD–get new, it’s on sale!!
#3 Jobs/Status People like to be associated with certain titles and looked at in admiration for a specific thing–doctor, lawyer, CEO, high ranking military officer, and on and on
#4 Physical Appearance Our culture pushes for more beauty products, and adjustments to change the face and/or body God gave you. Botox, freezing fat, having fat sucked out of areas, surgical procedures to help you lose weight.
#5 Entertainment Are the shows you watch blatantly violent? sexual? Would you care if your child or grandchild was watching it?
#6 Sex Porn, watching blatantly flirtatious behavior between two people who are married, but not to one another, bisexual relationships
#7 Comfort We love being comfortable–not too hot, not too cold, just right, not too soft, not too hard, just right, not too tart, not to sweet, just right. . .
#8 Smartphone Addiction Isn’t it amazing to go to a restaurant and the people at the table are not talking together–they each have a phone in their hands and are typing away. No communication between them (which, silly me, I would have thought was the purpose of the get-together.)
#9 Family/Children Mr. Poor admitted he hesitated before including this, but once reading his explanation–and he was very frank to state in his first sentence that families are blessings from God, but if we make our families’ achievements, their company, their accomplishments more important than the relationship we have with God, that is idol worship of them, and not honoring and worshiping God.
#10 Influence/Fame I still have difficulty reading how much a ball player, actor or even a ‘fired college football coach’ receives. Our priorities with many pay schedules are skewed, but in light of the number of homeless and hungry, this is a subject that can heat me up.
Anyway, I appreciate Mr. Poor’s take on modern day idols. I can say with all truth, I know God has blessed me. Thank You, God, for all your blessings to me and ‘mybellaviews.’
1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understand every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” (I highlighted SEEK in each passage to stress frequency and importance)
Job 8:5, 6 If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplications to the Almighty. . . and restore you to your prosperous state
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.
Matthew 7:7, 8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ****
Luke 11:9 “So I say to you; Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. . . if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.
I was raised in church but must admit it was not a bible teaching church. Many of the friends, family I have who were also raised there, have left that particular teaching and sought other churches that do stress bible teaching, as well as encouraging their members to read the Word for themselves. Others who were also raised in that first church environment have chosen not to have anything to do with church.
Many, including myself at one time, have tried to change God’s words over the years to suit our desires. But He has not changed since He created all. He is constant, loving, patient, and His statutes are for our protection. How confusing and horrific the world seems now with youngsters saying they want to be a different sex than their birth sex. Parents, do you remember the joy you felt when you held that son or daughter for the first time. It’s humbling! And now, for a few moments that child wants to change its sex? God does not make mistakes. What happens a few years after the “change” — (in my growing years, change meant menopause.) BUT now means that what God created with care, precision, and love can be surgically changed. But when those chromosomes rise and now this daughter is a son? Or vice versa. What happens with this daughter who has now been made into a “son” decides she really wants to birth a child. I cannot even guess how the suicide rate will soar, when it is already so very high in this country. He made us the way He wanted us to be, and never said it was okay to change to something He never created, or to sin because this seems to fill our desires…
I remember reading the “ask, knock, and seek” long time ago from Matthew 7:7,8. I believed at the time, that since I believed in Jesus, that ANYTHING I asked would be granted. Not so. There’s another bit that says it must be according to God’s will for your life. . . So, what is that? What is God’s will for MY life? I missed that the first couple of times reading through the bible. So, I had to reconsider Matthew 7:7,8 and Luke 11:9. . . I had to realize God is NOT Santa Claus. He wants me to sincerely and truly be seeking a RELATIONSHIP with Him. He does not want me, us, to be beseeching Him like He is Santa Claus. He is God Almighty, Creator of the entire world, and galaxies.
Understanding increased, dawning brightened my dark thoughts, and I began to yearn for more. I still had difficulty with much in the first 5 books of the bible, BUT. . . I kept at it. I listened to bible teachers—Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, Joyce Meyer, Andy Stanley and my understanding grew. I, too, at one point was one to say, “that was said 2000 years ago, times have changed.” Yes, 2000 and more years ago these words were written . . . but as of this moment, God has not said to His world, “Ok, never mind. You can do damaging things to yourselves. . . drink too much, overeat, starve yourself, cut yourself, smoke cigarettes, pot, crack and more, or go and enjoy sex with multiple partners. I created sex with Adam Eve so you could enjoy. Go, spread the wealth.” GOD HAS NOT SAID THAT, NOT EVER. NO MATTER HOW WE HAVE DECIDED TO INTERPRET OR CHANGE HIS WORDS; THEY STAND. THEY ARE THE SAME THEN AS NOW. HE HAS NOT WRITTEN AN ADDENDUM.
We are born with is an inborn desire to know God, or some higher being. There are some persons who recognize they are missing something. . . Some fill the desires with phone, social media, games, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other means of distraction; and therefore, don’t find the TRUE fulfillment of the emptiness in their lives. The knocking and seeking and having our requests answered is to FIND, Know, LOVE and REVERE God in the entirety, and then our wishes, desires will be fulfilled in His will. He does have a plan for happiness, safety and good things for those who believe in Him.
These verses of knocking and seeking are about us looking for Him. Or as Pierre du Plassis suggested in a devotional I heard a few days ago; perhaps it is Jesus knocking on your door, He is seeking you. Most of us interpret the ask, seek, knock (ASK) verses that it is us seeking God. But perhaps it is Jesus seeking us. It doesn’t matter to me if I found Jesus because I was seeking, or if He was seeking me. The bottom line is I win all the way around with the relationship I have with Jesus.
I am so grateful I persisted at reading my bible, was led by some television preachers, found bible teaching churches and ministers who preached only bible truths, I persistently read and tried to understand, and I was able to expand my knowledge. You answered my knock, my seeking. As always, my Lord and God, thank You for all you have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!