Unyielded Members

Finding Salvation

When Jesus knocks on the door of your heart and you accepted him to your heart, you are saved.

He also asks you to surrender.

Unfortunately, some Christians have not fully surrendered their lives to God.

They put other things before Him, getting the order wrong.

Marriage (being unequally yoked),

Business (worldly pursuits),

Ministries (motivated by greed, position, recognition, or money),

And life decisions (rash choices based on worldly desires).

#####Surrender your life to God####

The Romans and the Christians in Rome were quite similar to Americans in their dominant cultural influence.

Though they had received salvation, they were still heavily influenced by their environment.

Paul talks about this in Romans 6:13, he instructs them,

"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."

Your old self must die.

What does that mean?

Your hands, which have shed blood, surrender them to God.

Your restless legs, always running from place to place, yield them to God.

Your restless mind, constantly analyzing, processing, rationalizing, yield it to God.

Your strong-willed spirit needs to be humbled. Being too strong makes you unavailable for God's use. You have built a fortress, a stronghold that nobody can break through.

Your wandering eyes, lusting after everything you see—people, possessions, places—yield them to God.

Your gossiping tongue (the Bible has more to say about gossip than about drinking),

Slander, spreading tales, being talkative, gossiping, vain babbling, fault-finding, exaggeration, unholy communication that does not edify anyone (instead, speak as one with the wisdom and guidance of God, 1 Peter 4:11).

Lastly, your heart's desires must be surrendered to God. He knows your heart. Align your desires with His, and He will give you His desires. God's desire is the ultimate higher calling for your life.

Finding the truth of God

Speaking the truth can be a painful experience, but it is also the first step towards healing. It is disheartening to witness the abundance of Christians who are not taking good care of their spiritual well-being.

If you identify as a Christian, it is important to regularly engage with your Bible. Otherwise, please refrain from trying to offer me spiritual guidance, as it may not be beneficial. Remember that while Satan may tempt, it is God who allows us to be tested.

Instead of succumbing to temptation, a believer should strive to overcome trials and testing by relying on God's guidance. Seek truth in your relationship with God and disregard any misleading influences. It can be challenging to find pastors who prioritize truth teaching, as they are unfortunately rare in today's world.

To find a genuine truth teacher and pastor, look for someone who focuses on teaching about God rather than their own accomplishments or selected scripture passages. Their teaching should encompass the entire Bible without compromising its integrity.

The Experience with God.

There are two types of beliefs: knowledge-based and experience-based. Both are valuable, but sometimes people with extensive knowledge of God may falter if they lack personal experiences with Him. On the other hand, those whose beliefs are built on their experiences are not easily shaken by circumstances, as they have had numerous encounters with God that reinforce their faith. It is important to understand that God values our personal experiences with Him more than material wealth. When we accumulate experiences with God, it becomes difficult for the devil to attack us directly; instead, he may try to target those who have limited experience with God. Therefore, it is essential to allow God to mature us so that our experiences with Him can help us remain steadfast in our faith, even in challenging circumstances.

The God who loves me.

The pursuit of God should never feel tiresome; instead, it should be a liberating and exciting journey. Our love for God stems from His initial love for us. Trying to comprehend the depth of God's love for me is a captivating mystery I am determined to unravel. Even though my human reasoning is limited and unable to fully grasp it, this love fuels my desire to seek Him even more. It's truly mind-boggling to think that God loves someone as flawed as me; His grace is something I cannot fully comprehend.

Before we can truly grasp the grace of God, we must first recognize our own sinful nature. It is through this recognition that we can appreciate His grace more deeply. One of the reasons I am drawn to Christianity is because it offers an abundance of grace to pursue a relationship with God. This grace does not encourage me to remain stagnant or become worse; rather, it allows me, as an imperfect being, to pursue the One who is perfect and brings perfection to all things.

The Three Enemies of a Believer

In the life of every believer, there exist two conflicting natures. One strives to adhere to God's law, while the other seeks to fulfill the law of sin. This ongoing battle is a constant part of our existence. Each nature tries to dominate the other, leaving no room for compromise. This struggle persists throughout every season, day, minute, and second of our lives. But this is just one aspect of the battle we face. The next challenge comes in the form of attacks from the devil.

The devil cunningly targets the things we hold most dear in order to divert our focus from God. He never attacks us in areas that we are indifferent towards. Instead, he deliberately goes after our deepest loves and concerns. By doing so, he ensures that we remain consumed by worry throughout the day and night, making it difficult for us to concentrate on God and the assignments He has for us. Moreover, we also find ourselves in conflict with the world, which influences our thoughts and emotions. This conflict arises from various sources such as economic struggles, interactions with non-believers, the fallen state of the world leading to catastrophes like earthquakes and tsunamis, news from friends and countries, as well as sickness and diseases.

In summary, as believers, we are engaged in a constant battle between our two natures, faced with attacks from the devil and the conflicts imposed by the world.

The Wind of Erroneous Doctrine

The issue with doctrinal error lies in the absence of the Holy Spirit, which is a notable factor. When someone shares the word of God, it is important to not only listen to the words but also feel the presence. Is it effortless and genuine, or does it seem forced and manipulated? A struggle to make the word fit where it doesn't belong indicates a lack of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit aligns with the words of the individual, agrees with Jesus, and confirms the words of God the Father. Anything outside of these boundaries is simply a fictional narrative or another doctrine.

Seeing the blessings of today.

The enemy's ploy is to trap you in constant concern for the future, stealing away your present moments. This tendency is especially prevalent in American culture, fueling discontentment with the current state of life. To truly value our blessings, it is vital to find contentment in the present. Success should be accompanied by a sense of fulfillment, which can reveal hidden opportunities that our own perception might overlook. A life filled with blessings only becomes truly blessed when we allow God to unveil and illuminate these gifts for us. Moreover, the true essence of reality often goes unacknowledged unless we approach it with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Profession of faith

Professing faith refers to individuals who once identified as Christians and studied the teachings of Christ, but may not have truly embraced a personal relationship with Him. They claimed to be Christians and believed that they had received eternal life, but their connection with Christ was not firmly established. Imagine a ship docking at a pier without dropping its anchor chain (an analogy for abiding in Christ). When a strong wind blows, the ship is forcefully pushed away from the pier and into a stormy ocean.

Similarly, a professing Christian is someone who accepts Christ but has not yet fully rooted their faith or deepened their connection with Him. They may have an intellectual understanding of the faith, but they have not actively practiced or lived it. These are the individuals Jesus mentioned in His teachings.

Can a born again believer lose salvation?

If you have never had salvation in the first place, that is the only way to lose it. While you may have experiences, doctrine, or religion, without true faith in Jesus Christ, salvation cannot be attained. It is false to suggest that all born-again believers lose their faith or salvation, as this would contradict what Jesus stated in John 10, and we know that God can never lie. Believing in what God has said would become meaningless if one sin could cause us to be forsaken after we have believed, trusted, and obeyed Him.

The Christian family

A man plays a crucial role within the family as a foundation and spiritual leader, while a woman should find stability and support in her partner.

Although a woman's intuition can be helpful, it is important to acknowledge that it is also susceptible to deception. While she can utilize her intuitive abilities to distinguish right from wrong, without a solid foundation in her life, she may find herself adrift, anchoring her intuition in misguided places.

For a Christian woman, it is essential to have a Christian man who is firmly rooted in the teachings of God. This allows her to not only anchor herself in God's word but also in her relationship with the man who follows God.

Similarly, every Christian man also benefits from having a Christian woman by his side who can support him through her intuitive insights and provide for his needs.

Leadership is not for sale

Always remember the importance of sticking to the basics that led to your success. Starting with small tasks and finishing with small tasks demonstrates the perseverance required for achieving greatness.

The true character of an organization can be seen in how they treat the members at the lowest rung of the hierarchy. Showing respect to even the garbage man reflects positively on your organization.

Men of substance focus on the facts, while those lacking strength tend to speculate . Words may come easy, but it is through hard work that honor is earned. The outcome of one's efforts will either be meaningful or fleeting. Those who invest their energy to achieve something substantial will find contentment, while those who fabricate will only consume empty words.

Instead of granting me the power to rule over others, dear God, grant me the strength to govern myself, for I can hardly control my own actions.

The heart of a leader

Leadership holds significant importance in our lives, whether we recognize it or not. Regardless of personal preferences, we all require leadership. A leader is someone who possesses the ability to effectively communicate and guide others. The heart of any movement lies with the leader, who leads by setting an example. However, when leaders start adopting a passive approach, it's a clear indication to abandon your own position and move on. It's wise never to follow those lacking the courage to pursue progressive ideas or go against conventional norms. The world is in desperate need of leadership, but unfortunately, exceptional leaders are scarce. In today's society, many individuals are fearful of taking bold steps and instead find comfort in following others like sheep in a flock. However, what we truly need are more leaders who embody the strength and fearlessness of lions. Some people are hesitant to walk alone, unaware of the incredible power and independence that can be found in solitude. Just like an eagle soaring through the skies or a tiger prowling in the wild, there is great strength in navigating the path alone. Sometimes, it is crucial to embrace the solitude and learn the art of walking alone. Visions are not meant to be divided and shared among followers. They are bestowed upon one brave soul, the leader capable of walking alone. If you must collaborate with someone, ensure they share your vision, for otherwise, it is best to continue walking solo. Work alone long enough to refine your vision before assembling a team. It's essential that everyone follows the pattern you create, rather than reinventing the wheel. Instead of merely stating your intentions, take action and demonstrate your capabilities. Once people witness your competence, they will naturally follow you. The primary reason people hesitate to follow your leadership is simply because they lack trust in you. If you give them a reason to doubt your trustworthiness, they won't listen to you. Therefore, it is crucial to become the leader you aspire to be. When you observe a lack of leadership within your circle, consider that you may have been chosen to take charge and fulfill that role.

Walk out your faith.

The past is behind you, and dwelling on it won't change anything; it's important to move forward instead.

Remove any activities or people that waste your time in your life.

There is immense power in walking your own path, just like an eagle or a tiger. Embrace the solitude and independence.

Overthinking and being too analytical can cause you to miss out on the wonders of life. True faith begins where the inclination to overanalyze ends.

Faith has the ability to move mountains, while an analytical mind may only measure and calculate the steps, eventually giving up.

A Poem of Two Opposing Friends.

Love and trust are both crucial virtues in relationships, although they possess distinct characteristics. Love encompasses both the mind and the heart, while trust primarily resides in the mind.

Love is freely given and easily expressed, whereas trust is earned through time and consistent actions. Love flows with energy and enthusiasm, while trust builds gradually and quietly.

When faced with challenges in relationships, love endures the pain, whereas trust tends to withdraw. In broken relationships, love forgives and covers mistakes, while trust tends to be hesitant and evades situations involving wrongdoing.

Love is something that can be shared with everyone, but trust is reserved for the select few who have proven themselves worthy. Love is unconditional and does not require earning, while trust demands evidence of reliability and integrity.

Despite their differences, love ultimately guides us towards trust, and the only entity deserving of our complete trust is God. If we place our trust in anything or anyone other than God, they will eventually fail us. However, by loving God and adhering to His teachings, we discover a path towards trust and a strengthened love for God and others.

Born for adversity

A person is born to face adversity; God placed humanity on earth to overcome challenges and build. There is a special bond found in those who are born to face adversity together, like brothers. In this journey of life, we will encounter doubt, discouragement, unfortunate events, and conflicts. When these challenges arise, they can form towering mountains that only our closest allies can truly understand. These allies provide the support and strength we need to overcome obstacles.However, dealing with these challenges through mere associations may sometimes worsen the problems, making us feel lonelier and more isolated, leading to despair. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with life's difficulties. It requires a lifelong commitment and true brotherhood or sisterhood within these associations. Although associations can take different forms, it is essential to find a true brother or sister within them.When we find a genuine brother or sister, we discover invaluable treasures in life. However, finding such a deep bond is not an easy task. It takes time to truly know someone, and commitment is becoming scarce in today's world. Without commitment, friendships remain superficial and lack deep roots. Without nurturing these relationships, we can lose these precious treasures even faster than we find them.If one is not ready to fully devote themselves to the commitments and responsibilities of brotherhood, it may be better to face struggles alone and endure solitude. It is okay to have associates and acquaintances, but true brotherhood or sisterhood comes with a higher cost.

Contentment in Definition

To achieve contentment, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what success means to you, rather than solely focusing on the transient feeling it brings. Success should be defined based on your own personal values and aspirations, rather than pursuing an elusive pinnacle.

Attaining true success involves not just experiencing a fleeting thrill, but embracing the reality of it. For example, if your definition of success includes becoming a loving and responsible parent, then true success lies in embodying those qualities. Similarly, if your measure of success encompasses having a home, a fulfilling job, and a loving marriage, then living each day in alignment with those values becomes the true essence of success.

It's important to recognize that success can often appear as a mirage to those who fail to appreciate their current achievements. Some individuals are constantly seeking the thrill of the next big thing - whether it's a new partner, job, or material possession. However, to truly enjoy the fruits of success, one must learn to live in the present and fully appreciate what has been accomplished.

Along your journey to success, it is crucial to express gratitude towards those who have supported and assisted you along the way. By doing so, your success becomes more tangible and meaningful, transcending the realm of a distant illusion.

Detaching from the world, to attach to God.

Not every action should be met with an immediate response. Convenience does not always equate to what is good or beneficial. A clear example is when we are unwell and we have the choice between bitter pills that help us recover or the preference for sugary remedies. The allure of sweetness may be appealing, but it's important to remember that moderation is key when using both options.

This principle extends to various aspects of life, such as excessive indulgence in alcohol, sex, and entertainment. Similarly, excessive involvement in politics and social media can have a corrupting influence on someone who considers themselves a person of faith. Social media, in particular, has a tendency to make people disconnected from reality, so it is advisable to limit the time spent on these platforms.

In the role of a person of faith, it is sometimes necessary to remove oneself from the public square and dedicate more time to spiritual pursuits. It is often in the valleys of life, rather than at the peaks, where significant battles are won.

It is crucial not to give the enemy too much power or attention, as wicked individuals will inevitably engage in wicked acts, while good-hearted individuals will continue to do good deeds.