I’ve been deceived by false teaching, and my deception hurt those around me.

I’ve been deceived by false teaching, and my deception hurt those around me.

I’ve been deceived by false teaching, and my deception hurt those around me.

I’ll confess that I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve been deceived by false teaching, and my deception hurt those around me. I was seeking the mind of God, but my own stubborn will and emotions made me susceptible to deception. Which emotions tripped me? Feeling sorry for myself. Anger. Fear. Bitterness. Worrying that I was missing out. Wanting to be important. Religious pride. Wanting to prove myself right, better, or more understanding than others. Covetousness. Envy. Wanting people to like me. Those aren’t the only possible emotions that could cause problems. Those were my stumbling blocks. Those were the ones that made it hard for me to know the difference between God’s voice and my own voice.

EMPTY ME TOTALLY, MY LORD

EMPTY ME TOTALLY, MY LORD

EMPTY ME TOTALLY, MY LORD

Empty me totally my Lord.
From myself, please set me free.
I reject every part of this sinful heart.
From myself, please set me free.

O Lord, fill me with Your Spirit.
Empty me of self and fill me.
O Lord, fill me with Your Spirit.
Empty me of self and fill me.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Empty Me Totally, My Lord

Cognitive Dissonance: . I just had trouble believing any of it.

.Cognitive Dissonance: I just had trouble believing any of it.
.

Cognitive Dissonance

I just had trouble believing any of it.

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Cognitive Dissonance

I confess that I suffered from cognitive dissonance as God was speaking to me about many of the truths. I grew up in a world of religion without the kind of power God shows you in Scripture. I grew up in a world of Christian Rationalism, Naturalism, and Materialism. As God peeled back the layers, each layer was difficult for me to accept. I kept asking, “Could this be true?” I didn’t just balk at one thing. I balked at many things God showed me. I just had trouble believing any of it. Fortunately, God didn’t unload everything on me at once. He spoon-fed me a little at a time. He was patient with my unbelief.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance

I confess that I suffered from cognitive dissonance as God was speaking to me about many of the truths. I grew up in a world of religion without the kind of power God shows you in Scripture. I grew up in a world of Christian Rationalism, Naturalism, and Materialism. As God peeled back the layers, each layer was difficult for me to accept. I kept asking, “Could this be true?” I didn’t just balk at one thing. I balked at many things God showed me. I just had trouble believing any of it. Fortunately, God didn’t unload everything on me at once. He spoon-fed me a little at a time. He was patient with my unbelief.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation

EMMANUEL, PAROUSIA, APOCALYPSES

EMMANUEL, PAROUSIA, APOCALYPSES

EMMANUEL, PAROUSIA, APOCALYPSES

Emmanuel, God be with us.
Parousia, come, abide with us.
Apocalypsus, remove this fleshly veil.
Lord transfigure us to the righteousness of Jesus,
Let your light shine forth from us victorious.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Emmanuel, Parousia, Apocalypses

Truth is absolute by definition

Truth is absolute by definition

Truth is absolute by definition

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The choice before you is truth or deception. Truth is absolute by definition. Relative truth is at best just an opinion or at worst an outright lie. Reasoning based on anything less than truth is deception.

So, you know all truth and wisdom are hidden in Christ. And you know He is the secret key to knowing the truth. Now, you need some answers. How do you apply this to your life in a meaningful way? How do you discern Christ’s voice from all others? How do you grow up in Christ? How do you mature so it’s easier to walk in truth than to be deceived? Hang on tight. You’ll explore all that in the last section of this chapter titled God’s Endgame.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation

The choice before you is truth or deception.

The choice before you is truth or deception.

The choice before you is truth or deception.

The choice before you is truth or deception. Truth is absolute by definition. Relative truth is at best just an opinion or at worst an outright lie. Reasoning based on anything less than truth is deception.

So, you know all truth and wisdom are hidden in Christ. And you know He is the secret key to knowing the truth. Now, you need some answers. How do you apply this to your life in a meaningful way? How do you discern Christ’s voice from all others? How do you grow up in Christ? How do you mature so it’s easier to walk in truth than to be deceived? Hang on tight. You’ll explore all that in the last section of this chapter titled God’s Endgame.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness

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The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ~ Romans 1:18-20

Other translations say God revealed it, made it evident, showed it, or manifested it to them. God reveals reality through the things He has created. And God also speaks other ways. However, He never contradicts Himself. For instance, we’ve already mentioned no true divine revelation of any kind will ever contradict the Bible since God knows all things and can’t lie. God doesn’t get confused or make mistakes. He knows the end from the beginning and doesn’t need to change His mind or change His plan.

However, you must keep in mind that God’s plan has phases. For instance, God worked differently before Christ died and rose again than He worked after Christ died on the cross. That’s because some parts of the Old Covenant are fulfilled in Christ. God fulfilled some through the cross. God is now fulfilling some in you. For instance, the blood of animal sacrifices was a symbol that looked forward to the real sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins. God fulfilled that sacrifice in Christ. God used circumcision and all the rituals of purification as symbols. They looked forward to the real removal of the flesh and purification of your hearts in this age. God is fulfilling that purification in you. God is removing your fleshly nature. And yet, Jesus said until heaven and earth shall pass away, not even one iota nor one stroke of a letter shall pass away from the law until everything is fulfilled.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation

God’s plan has phases

God’s plan has phases

God’s plan has phases

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ~ Romans 1:18-20

Other translations say God revealed it, made it evident, showed it, or manifested it to them. God reveals reality through the things He has created. And God also speaks other ways. However, He never contradicts Himself. For instance, we’ve already mentioned no true divine revelation of any kind will ever contradict the Bible since God knows all things and can’t lie. God doesn’t get confused or make mistakes. He knows the end from the beginning and doesn’t need to change His mind or change His plan.

However, you must keep in mind that God’s plan has phases. For instance, God worked differently before Christ died and rose again than He worked after Christ died on the cross. That’s because some parts of the Old Covenant are fulfilled in Christ. God fulfilled some through the cross. God is now fulfilling some in you. For instance, the blood of animal sacrifices was a symbol that looked forward to the real sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins. God fulfilled that sacrifice in Christ. God used circumcision and all the rituals of purification as symbols. They looked forward to the real removal of the flesh and purification of your hearts in this age. God is fulfilling that purification in you. God is removing your fleshly nature. And yet, Jesus said until heaven and earth shall pass away, not even one iota nor one stroke of a letter shall pass away from the law until everything is fulfilled.

DRAW NEAR TO ME SAYS THE LORD

DRAW NEAR TO ME SAYS THE LORD

DRAW NEAR TO ME SAYS THE LORD

Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.
Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.

In My Presence, you shall be changed.
I will draw near to you.
In My Presence, you shall be changed.
You can’t come into My Presence and still remain the same.
In My Presence, you shall be changed.
So draw near to Me says the Lord.

Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.
Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.

In My Presence, is fullness of joy.
I will draw near to you.
In My Presence, is fullness of joy.
There is no fear nor anger nor that which would destroy.
In My Presence, is fullness of joy.
So draw near to Me says the Lord.

Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.
Draw near to Me says the Lord,
And I will draw near to you.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Draw near to Me says the Lord

God speaks through those who yield to the Holy Spirit

God speaks through those who yield to the Holy Spirit

God speaks through those who yield to the Holy Spirit

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God speaks through Scripture and every means of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture. He speaks through those who yield to the Holy Spirit, and you see that written here:

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:2-3 Berean Study Bible

The idols were mute. They couldn’t talk. But God speaks through those who yield themselves to His Spirit. And God also speaks through the things He has created. In the first chapter of Romans, God tells you about how He reveals Himself through the things He has created.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #Manifestation

God speaks through every means of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture

God speaks through every means of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture

God speaks through every means of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture

God speaks through Scripture and every means of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture. He speaks through those who yield to the Holy Spirit, and you see that written here:

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:2-3 Berean Study Bible

The idols were mute. They couldn’t talk. But God speaks through those who yield themselves to His Spirit. And God also speaks through the things He has created. In the first chapter of Romans, God tells you about how He reveals Himself through the things He has created.

DON’T LET ME EVER BE DISTRACTED, LORD

DON’T LET ME EVER BE DISTRACTED, LORD

DON’T LET ME EVER BE DISTRACTED, LORD

If I put the Kingdom first, the rest will fall in line.
Let me stay connected to the vine.
Let Your Spirit flow through me in great and mighty streams,
Every day more yielded, Lord, to you.

Don’t let me ever be distracted, Lord
From my walk in the Spirit to the Kingdom of my God.
Don’t let me ever be distracted, Lord, from obedience to You.

Money and what it could buy could keep me from my goal.
Take all love of money from my soul.
Many things would satisfy and make me feel at ease.
Let my whole desire be for You.

CHORUS

Many fears and cares and woes come from the enemy.
You alone can give me victory.
I rejoice in everything; this is the day You made.
I will spend sweet hours praising You.

CHORUS

Many sinful pleasures are around to tempt my eye.
This flesh of mine is what I must deny.
Let me look at You, Lord, until You are all I know.
Every moment, stay in touch with You.

CHORUS

Free me from religious pride. I only know in part.
I won’t allow that leaven in my heart.
Don’t let me be satisfied that I have got it all.
I will always seek for more of You.

CHORUS

Christian entertainment may seem wonderful, it’s true.
But it does not compare to seeking You.
Forgetting all that went before today, let us move on.
I will spend sweet hours seeking You.

CHORUS

Projects, and religious forms of men will all decay.
I must wait for You to show the way.
Lord, unless You build the House, it is no use at all.
It’s not for us to force our will on You.

CHORUS

Theologies and doctrines, Lord, if You are not the source,
Are winds that blow the Saints off of Your course.
I will ask and seek and knock, the Spirit teaches me
Your Word is Life if I will yield to You.

CHORUS

Lord fill my heart with Fire burning with Your holy zeal.
Let me love the genuine and real.
The dross you wish to skim from, me, Lord, help me let it go.
Take everything that isn’t part of You.

CHORUS

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Don’t Let Me Ever be Distracted, Lord

God has been directing us to keep our eyes off the banks of the River and to stay in the Stream. This comes along with a call to unity of the Body of Christ. What does that mean, and how do we do that? What is God asking us to do and not do? I’ve heard some try to bring this down to a very narrow set of rules, and that is actually the opposite of what God is trying to say. The answer is in Scripture.

What is the key to unity?

John 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

They shall hear My voice.

What are the banks and what is the River?

The River is the flow and leading of the Holy Spirit, listening to God’s voice and yielding to His Spirit to the point that He does His works through us. The banks are self effort and everything that springs from self-effort.

Gal 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like

Gal 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Note that the flesh can counterfeit every one of the gifts of the Spirit. Don’t get the cart before the horse or you will end up in the flesh. Everything good begins by standing in God’s presence and listening to His voice. The moment you start feeling stress, anger, contentiousness, strife, tension, or anything like that, make sure you get back into the presence of the Most High.

A word of warning!

A word of warning!

A word of warning!

It does no good to seek Jesus Christ if you expect Him to confirm your preconceived ideas.

He isn’t here to cater to your fleshly thoughts and learned philosophies or theologies. He’s here to shatter every error and replace it with the truth.

You need to come to Him in humility and ask Him to forgive you, correct you, and fundamentally change you. You need a fundamental change to your spirit, mind, and body. You need to allow Him to transfigure your entire three-part being. You have a problem if you think your own preconceived ideas are the right preconceived ideas and better than the preconceived ideas of others. An attitude like that makes it difficult for the Holy Spirit to get through to you as you read Scripture or hear a brother or sister who is speaking by the Holy Spirit.

DON’T BE DECEIVED

DON’T BE DECEIVED

DON’T BE DECEIVED

 

Don’t be deceived.
Don’t let them tell you lies.
The righteous one does righteousness.
Don’t let them tell you lies.

Don’t be deceived.
Don’t let them tell you lies.
The righteousness that Jesus gives,
Is real and genuine.

It’s love, joy and peace,
longsuffering, gentleness,
Goodness, faith and meekness.
It’s temperance.

Don’t be deceived.
Don’t let them tell you lies.
The righteous one does righteousness.
It’s work by grace through faith.

Don’t be deceived.
Don’t let them tell you lies.
The righteousness that Jesus gives,
Is righteousness indeed.

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.
“Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)
Forgiveness includes both pardon and taking away the sinful nature. The “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) is a transformation “from glory to glory” (1 Corinthians 3:18) When we listen to the voice of the Holy One leading, teaching, and correcting us, faith comes, and with faith comes grace, the power for righteousness. Since Christ is doing the righteousness and not we ourselves, the righteousness is real. Righteousness leads to a change in what we are. God is forming Christ in us and removing the rebellious nature.

https://freegospelmusic.org/dont-be-deceived/

You can read the Bible and filter it through your preconceived ideas so you never hear God’s voice.

You can read the Bible and filter it through your preconceived ideas so you never hear God’s voice.

You can read the Bible and filter it through your preconceived ideas so you never hear God’s voice.

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Divine revelation is within reach for every person without exception. Whenever you hear someone reading the Bible, God is speaking to you. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re listening or responding to God. Listening is up to you. For example, you can read the Bible and filter it through your preconceived ideas so you never hear God’s voice. God speaks through Scripture. He also speaks through the methods of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #KingdomManifestation

Divine revelation is within reach for every person

Divine revelation is within reach for every person

Divine revelation is within reach for every person

Divine revelation is within reach for every person without exception. Whenever you hear someone reading the Bible, God is speaking to you. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re listening or responding to God. Listening is up to you. For example, you can read the Bible and filter it through your preconceived ideas so you never hear God’s voice. God speaks through Scripture. He also speaks through the methods of divine revelation mentioned in Scripture.

DOES YOUR LIFE SEEM EMPTY?

DOES YOUR LIFE SEEM EMPTY?

DOES YOUR LIFE SEEM EMPTY?

Does your life seem empty,
Riddled with despair,
Praying into lonesome dark:
“Is anyone out there?”

“Why isn’t my life working?
Is there a God somewhere?”
Then, at last, the answer comes,
“I’m here, but do you care?”

“I’ve often spoken to you,
But you would never hear,
Speaking words of light and hope,
Of purity and cheer.”

“Long ago you heard me.
You thought that I was wrong.
Don’t say your God won’t show the way.
I’ve been here all along.”

“And if you will receive me,
I’ve got my hand out still.
Find me while it’s called today;
If you seek, you will.”

“I’ll guide if you will yield.
I’ll comfort and I’ll feed
If, just, your heart will yield to me.
Just try me. I will lead.”

Bob and Kathy Stenson, Freeware. Use it freely.

Does Your Life Seem Empty?

Christ is fully formed in you, and the fleshly nature disappears. That’s the promise. That’s the certain hope.

Christ is fully formed in you, and the fleshly nature disappears. That’s the promise. That’s the certain hope.

Christ is fully formed in you, and the fleshly nature disappears. That’s the promise. That’s the certain hope.

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Over time, you become more mature in Christ if you listen to His voice and yield to His Spirit rather than doing your own will. You’re transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Christ is fully formed in you, and the fleshly nature disappears. That’s the promise. That’s the certain hope. You’re somewhere on that Pathway to maturity. So am I. With maturity comes discernment. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He’s the Pathway on which you walk. He’s the Truth that lights your Pathway so you can see where you’re going. And He’s the Life you’re approaching. Since you’re on this Pathway, you aren’t staying in one place. You’re moving forward in Christ and changing as you go. It’s possible to go backward but not if you desire God and Truth. If you’re sincere in following Christ, you cannot fail because your success doesn’t depend on you. Christ is the Captain. That doesn’t remove your free will. You still choose to yield to Him or resist Him. He won’t force you.

#SonsOfGod #SpiritualTransformation #HearingGodsVoice #KingdomManifestation