Don't Listen!

 In any given day, we all are bombarded with a gazillion thoughts. These thoughts can be about anything good or bad. We all know this and experience this everyday. What we decide to think  on determines our lives. If we want a good life, we can't just listen to any old thought that pops into our heads and act on it. We have to trust in God to guide us.

That's why God said:

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.

He also said "Guard your heart for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23. Other translations say, "Guard your thoughts because your thoughts run your life." Why? Because the heart, which is our thoughts, can mislead us. Our emotions can mislead us. They can deceive us! 

(*Note: Same verse, different translations)

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

[9] “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:9 NIV

[9] The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9 NIrV

[9] A human heart is more dishonest than anything else. It can’t be healed. Who can understand it?

So our thoughts and emotions cannot always be trusted as a gauge for our lives. 

Our thoughts and emotions can also be manipulated by the enemy, the devil. We know this. When crazy thoughts or emotions pop into our minds and we know we would never think that, it came from the dark realm by either the devil or his helpers.

Thoughts and ideas can also come through other people. 

So we have to examine our thoughts and emotions and make them obedient to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

[5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

Ask ourself, is this a thought that would come from Jesus or the devil? Is what I'm feeling from Jesus or the devil? 

We can examine and scrutinize our thoughts or emotions this way. 

Then, accept it or reject it. 

This is how we make them "obedient to Christ." Accept or reject. 

This will prevent the devil or anyone else from making a stronghold in our minds, which is something to harm us, negatively impact our lives, or destroy our influence for Jesus.

Simply? Don't listen to the junk that doesn't come from Jesus, by His Spirit in us, or by His Word. 

Don't listen to the junk from yourself or others, because Satan can influence all of it.

Keep our eyes on Jesus!!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

 Love you all.

Jeffrey Post

Be Prepared

Remember the movie "The Lion King?" Remember Scar? Mufasa's older brother? Remember the musical number where Scar is singing with all the hyenas? I remember the main hook of the chorus he bellowed out for all to hear. He sang, "Be prepared." Remember? Thus, the topic today. 

Be prepared. Prepared for what? For works of service. Why "works of service?" Works of service is teaching and helping others in the Church. Using whatever gifts He has given you to help the Church grow into mature Christians.

Why? We all help everyone along the way so the Church will be built up in Christ, have unity, and be mature Christians. Whatever you do, do in love.

Ephesians 4:11-15 NIV

[11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

 [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

[14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 

[15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

When we all help each other then we will not be "tossed to and fro" with all kinds of crazy teachings and misled by people who are up to no good.

So, be prepared. Use whatever gift he has given you to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Prepare yourself for action. We're all in this together.

Be prepared!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

 

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Live for Jesus!

 Being Christians, being new "creations in Christ" (II. Cor. 5:17), being "born again," "born of the Spirit," we do not belong to ourselves anymore. We belong to the Lord Jesus. 

Romans 14:7-8 NIV [7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

So, we can see why He wants us to "deny ourselves daily" and follow Him.  Lose OUR life, which is living for ourselves, because we belong to Him.

Luke 9:23-24 NIV [23] Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

So, what do we do? We live for Him.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

We find out, through the Word, what pleases Him.

Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV

[8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. 

So, we literally live for Jesus. Now we can see why it says this,

Colossians 3:17 NIV [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

because we belong to Him. So great. He is so awesome. Look at how awesome He is:

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

So as we live out our days here, remember who we represent and who we belong to. So great!!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

 

Love you all, 

Jeffrey Post

When Under Attack

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For your comfort:

When God has the purpose for your life, and you are doing it, do not think for one minute that you will just breeze through life carrying it out. Satan is real and his helpers are real. I say this in advance so you know what you are up against. 

God wants everyone to be saved and Satan wants the opposite and he throws everything at you to try to make you stop doing what God has assigned you to do. 

Using myself as an example, God uses me to write this blog, to "spur one another on to love and good deeds." He uses this blog to reach people who are not saved and for helping those who are saved already.  I have faced the most attacks, the most opposition from the dark realm since I started this. I have never faced such attacks in my 54 years of life. 

Most of these attacks are in my mind and some come from external sources. Whatever the case, they are very real. Even now, as I write this, he is flinging "fiery darts" at my mind. It started tonight when I woke up to get ready for work. This is where it starts, when you first wake up. Then it escalates from there. Well, tonight it carried over well into my shift at work. I kept praying about it. I even said what Jesus said, "Away from me Satan" in the name of Jesus. It escalated to a full on battle, like it does sometimes in my mind. I walked outside to pray and take a break and God spoke in my spirit. He said, "Be still and know that I am God" which is Ps.46:10. I said, "Okay I will," and it all vanished in an instant. God is always faithful. Just believe Him at His word like when He says:

1 Peter 5:10 NIV [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

He always comes through. He always brings the attack to an end. He has never let me down. Praise God! 

So, whenever things start happening that are just crazy and you don't know where it's coming from or why it's happening, you are probably under attack from the dark forces. 

Ephesians 6:12 NIV [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Remember God is with you and will see you through it and will bring relief to you when you need it. He diffuses. He brings it to an end. Depend upon Him, pray to Him through it,and His help is on the way. You cannot do it yourself. Only God can tell them to quit!!

Then you can do what I was taught when I was in the United States Marine Corps thirty-something years ago. They said, "Keep on marchin'," and that's all any of us can do. Just keep on marchin'. Just keep movin forward. Keep on keepin' on. Trust in God and never stop. Do what He called you to do so others will be saved. Keep on Marching!

Note: After this was published, God told me this:

Isaiah 41:9-13 NIV

[9] I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. [10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [11] “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. [12] Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. [13] For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

And this:

Isaiah 43:1b.-3a. NIV

[1b.]...“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. [3a.] For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

 

Exalt Others?

Within my human nature, I did not want to present this, but the Holy Spirit said do it. So here goes.

I did my Bible study tonight and I learned some stuff right out of Jesus' mouth.

Paul said:

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 

So here goes, using the Word for correction.

Let's start with the passage:

Matthew 23:1-12 NIV

[1] Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: [2] “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. [3] So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

 [4] They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. [5]  “Everything they do is done for people to see: 

They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; [6] they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; [7] they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

 [8]  “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. [10] Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 

[11] The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

Jesus was pointing to the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees but applies to us today.

He said do not do things like they did for praise from men, to"be seen by men." Live your life to receive praise from God.

He said do not exalt others in the Church because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all equal. Do not cater to people's pride and arrogance in the Church by exalting them with titles. We do this all the time in the Christian and Catholic Churches. 

People have titles like Reverend, Bishop, Prophet, First Lady of..., Pastor, Man or Woman of God in the Christian world.

In the Catholic world they have many titles, Pope, Father, Bishop, Arch Bishop, Parishner, Sister, etc.

See? What a mess.

The world does it too: calling Dads "Fathers" or having "Father's Day."

Let's review what Jesus the Son of the Living God said. He is the only authority here:

 [8]  “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. [10] Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 

Why not exalt people with these titles? Because these people are your servants who do what God called them to do. Most importantly, Jesus said not to.

[11] The greatest among you will be your servant.

By exalting them, you are catering to their pride, arrogance, or conceit. You will add to the problem, not absolve it. 

We want to love each other and make sure none of us fall into sin like the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees did. This doesn't help anybody and can prevent people from being saved. This can intimidate people from coming to the Church because they do not have any sort of title. Remember the purpose for any of this; so that people will be saved.

We are all equal. We are all God's children and are all servants. So let's get rid of all self-serving titles and just be the Church. Forget religious tradition and do what Jesus said. Humble ourselves before God so He will lift us up. Love everyone and treat all with love because love never fails.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

 

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

What IS Sin Anyway?

 Whether Christians or not, we are all taught by our parents what right and wrong is, good or bad. The world has adopted laws and standards for living all over the world as to what they consider right or wrong. In the United States these laws have been adapted from "Christian-Judeo" ethics, but let's simplify what sin is now. Let's make it relevant for today. So we can do away with it, once and for all. It is not an abstract. It is clear and certain in the Bible, so that no matter where you live on this planet, you can know what sin is.

-All wrongdoing is sin. 

1 John 5:17a. NIV [17] All wrongdoing is sin,...

Wherever you live in the world, whatever you do or say, if you do something that is wrong, it is sin.

-Anything not done in faith is sin.

Romans 14:23b. NIV [23b.] ...and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

What does that mean? As Christians, anything we do while not trusting in and depending upon God for is sin. 

-When you know to do good and you don't do it, that is sin also.

James 4:17 NIV [17] If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

So, sin is anything that the world or the society you live in considers wrong. It's doing anything with the absence of faith, or doing things without God. It's also knowing to do good and not doing it. 

So whatever that looks like for you, wherever you live, that's what sin is.

However, don't be deceived, go to the Bible for specifics because some things that are sin in the Bible are not sins by the world's standards. Just a word of warning. 

Now, having said that, how do we deal with sin in our lives?

-Get it out of your life QUICKLY! Don't let it settle into your life. Don't let it take "root" in your heart, your spirit.

Matthew 18:8-9 NIV [8] If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. [9] And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. 

Jesus is saying deal with sin directly and immediately. Do not let it slowly meander its way into your life. Flush it out and have nothing to do with it. It WILL destroy you. Have that mindset when sin or temptation comes around, which it will, trust me.

-Next, as part of rejecting sin, don't use any part of yourself for sin whether mind, body, or spirit:

Romans 6:11-14 NIV [11] In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. [12] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. [13] 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. [14] For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. 

Offer your whole self to God, not sin. So awesome.

Last very important thing to mention here, do not cause others to sin because of the sin in your life.

Matthew 18:7 NIV [7] Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 

Jesus realizes that sin must come in this fallen and broken world. He knows sin will exist. Don't you be the one to bring it into people's lives. Whatever that might be, don't be that person.

Remember, "no man lives to himself, no man dies to himself." We affect and influence those around us everyday. Influence people for good, not evil.

As Christians, let this help as the Holy Spirit guides us everyday.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

If you're not a Christian yet, please read my post, "Are You Saved?" 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

 

Love you guys,

Jeffrey Post

Be Made New

 As Christians, how can we escape how we used to be before we became Christians and live the new life we have in Christ Jesus? Live the life God intended for us to have?

It's like standing around at a New Years Eve party and at the stroke of midnight everyone starts singing that song "Let old aquaintance be forgot and blah, blah, blah." "Out with the old, in with the new." That's once a year. However, for us it's an everyday process. "Out with the old, in with the new."

Ephesians 4:22-24 gives us the key to live this new life, which is getting rid of who you used to be and becoming who God meant for you to be. How?

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Our "old self," which is living naturally, has to constantly be ignored or disregarded. It's constantly bugging us everyday to do what we've always done, be who we've always been. It tries to bug us with "deceitful desires" that are always rearing their ugly heads everyday. That's why Paul said follow the Holy Spirit and we will not think of ways to satisfy the "flesh" which is our old sinful nature.

Galatians 5:16 NIV [16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

Paul says it this way also, Colossians 3:2 NIV [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

So the key in Eph. 4:22-24 above is verse 23, "to be made new in the attitude of your mind."

Everyday you have to "renew your mind", "be made new" in your thinking. You have to remind yourself who you are. You reset your thinking to who you are in Christ and that you are not that person you used to be.

When you do this you are "putting on your new self." You are "walking in the Spirit." You remind yourself that you were "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Everyday remind yourself of who you are:

I am a child of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am in Christ forever. I am a new creation in Christ. I am born again by the Holy Spirit. I am in the family of God, the kingdom of God. I am holy, unblameable, unreproveable in His sight. I am in the royal priesthood, a holy nation. My citizenship is in heaven. My name is written in the Lamb's book of life. I have the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord. We have the peace of Christ, the mind of Christ. God is not the author of confusion, so we don't have a confused mind. We have the rest of Christ. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is just a taste of who we are and what we have in Christ. There are all kinds of other passages telling us who we are in Christ. 

So, forget who you used to be, remind yourself who you are now. It has to be done everyday. Renew your mind everyday.  

When trials, temptation, or trouble comes, or old patterns of thinking come around just say "Nope, that's not who I am anymore," until it goes away.

See? "Out with old, in with the new."

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Bad Roots

 We all know the world we live in today. It is fueled by fear, anger, conflict, fighting, etc. Just look around. We all feel the tension all over the world. How do we as Christians wrestle with these things in our lives? 

The answer? We can't let them get down into our spirit and take root. 

Heb. 13:15 NIV- See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 

Bitterness, which is a crappy outlook on life, affects everyone around us in a negative way, which is "defiling many."

Our main purpose is for God to use our influence so that everyone around us will be saved.

If He uses all the Church, the whole planet can be saved. 

Now we see why Satan works so hard all around us and even in our lives to produce all the negative stuff. 

So what can we do?

Don't focus on it. Don't dwell on it. Don't let it take root in you. Acknowledge it and move on. We don't "bury our heads in the sand" and pretend everything is fine. That's living in denial. We see it for what it is and move on. Don't let bitterness spring up in us and grow.

Otherwise, it can produce other bad stuff like Paul talked about in Colossians 3.

"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Col.3:8a. NIV

Focus on and do the good stuff which is rooted in love:

Colossians 3:12-15 NIV [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

When troubles come and they will, tell God about it in prayer, trust Him to handle it, and move on. See? No time for it to take root in our heart.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Remember you are not the only one going through stuff and after we've suffered a little while, God will stop it. Don't let the junk take root in your heart.

1 Peter 5:8-10 NIV [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Just like the purpose for my blog, I hope this post will "spur you on to love and good deeds."

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Be Set Free

 I just learned an awesome phrase from Joyce Meyer that I have to give to you. 

She said simply, "Say NO to self, to say YES to God."

This is so profound, yet so simple to use in our everyday lives. We can use this everyday at any given moment to live the way God wants.

Important to note here that He wants us to take care of ourselves and not neglect ourselves. 

This aforementioned phrase is saying don't be selfish but live for God.

Granted, we are never alone and the Holy Spirit guides us everyday to walk out the life that pleases God, but this little sentence will help. It can be a gauge for everything in our lives. A "cheat sheet" if you will. 

Why?

Jesus said, Luke 9:23 NIV

[23] Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 

We decide to follow His ways instead of our ways.

Also, we don't even belong to ourselves anymore as Christians. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 14:7-8 NIV [7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 

We were bought at a price and belong to Jesus now. He died and shed His blood. That's the price that was paid so that we could have the gift of eternal life. 

So, we don't live for ourselves anymore. We live for God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV

[19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

This phrase can really help with whatever we face in life. It can be used for anything. Take any example and fill in the blank, "no to self, yes to God." So cool. I'm going to start using this right now!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Children of Light

I just read this and it is chock full of goodies!

Read and take notes if you like. Wow!

Ephesians 4:17-32 through 5:1-21

     [17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of geed. 

     [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

     [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 

     [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. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

     [1] Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them. 

     [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. [14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 

     [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

     [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

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Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Follow Jesus!

People do what reaps some kind of benefit. If you don't like something, you probably won't do it or continue to do it.

This is where Satan decieves people. He gets them to try something they think they will like and the next thing you know, they are enslaved by it. This is seen in drug addiction, alcoholism, or any addiction. These are extreme cases, but Satan will do it with whatever he can deceive you with.  

For example, think negatively so you won't be dissappointed in life when things don't work out. Talk about people so you feel better about yourself. Be tough and mean so people won't mess with you. Store up money and possessions so you won't ever have to do without. Think only about yourself because "if you want something done you have to do it yourself." These are just a tiny, miniscule amount of the ways that Satan weaves deception into our culture, into our perspectives, into our minds. Oh, here's a big one that isn't even in the Bible, "God helps those that help themselves." Not true! 

It's all a big mess of deception. 

So, don't accept ways of thinking that have seeped into culture. Don't let people influence you or try to get you to act or think a certain way. 

"Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Romans 12:2a.

Base your life on God's word. Base it on how He wants you to live on this planet because He loves you and only wants the best for your life.

Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. 

Ignore the rest of the stuff that wants your time and attention. Because Satan uses whatever to entrap you, enslave you, and destroy you. Don't fall for it.

Remember, we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37 NIV

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21 NIV 

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Don't Be Deceived

 First let me say that Satan did NOT want me to write this post.

 Ever since I started this blog, I have been getting seriously attacked by the dark forces. In one way or another, they have tried to fill my mind with lies, or put negative thoughts in my head, or doubts. "Why are you doing this?" "No one cares." "Who is going to listen to you?" "Who do you think you are?" These are some examples of the crap I have to put up with from those guys. They have literally tried everything to stop me from doing this. Even using people or situations to distract me. Serious storms rolling through.

However, tonight I have endured the strongest barrage of attacks because of my subject matter. The Holy Spirit whispered to me, "Offense," which I took to mean I had to get on the offensive and do this post. 

Having said that, I say to you don't be deceived by Satan filling up your mind with lies. He influences you with thoughts, with influence from things of the world, in culture, through people, places, and things. The biggest ones are those things he tries to get you to indulge in, trying to make you think that it would be a blast to get into. I'm not only talking about things we know are bad for us, but things that seem good for us too. He'll use anything to try to draw you away from God, plunging you back into sin. He wants to destroy you and he'll never stop trying. 

1 Peter 5:8 NIV [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

Realize he is a liar. Any thought he plants or external influence he uses are all lies and deception. He cannot tell the truth, so knowing that in advance will help you to ignore him.

John 8:44 NIV[44] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

Realize the great deception, which is doing things and not seeing the consequences. He wants you to rush into things quickly, so you won't see the consequences. This is true even for good things. He is hoping you will rush into things compulsively. He is hoping that you'll do what everyone else is doing, which is conforming to "the world" or world system; how the world does things. Paul said in Romans 12:2 "do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." He is hoping you'll just destroy yourself by falling away from God like he did.

2 Peter 2:20-22 NIV [20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. [21] It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. [22] Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

Don't be deceived. Just like a farmer, whatever you sow into your life, you will reap a harvest, whether good or bad. This is the passage the devil never wanted you to read:

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV [7] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

If you do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do, there is life there. If you do what your human nature wants to do that leads to death. 

Satan will try to deceive you like he always does. He's been deceiving people since Adam and Eve. He has no new tricks. So ignore all the lies that he disguises as truth. 

Everything has consequences whether good or bad. You have to ask yourself, "Will this bring me closer to God? Or will it pull me away from Him?" Asking those questions before rushing into anything will help you see the consequences of whatever.

God only wants what is best for you. Satan only wants to destroy you on every level. Whatever the situation, person, place, thing, or activity, do not blindly rush in whether they are good or bad. A lot of "good" things don't have bad consequences, but are not fulfilling over the long haul. They provide a temporary happiness but are useless over time. They could be a "stumblingblock" to others and you don't even know it. They could make you develop bad behaviors in your life. There could be a number of adverse effects when doing good things. So just really look at it before you jump in feet first. Slow it all down when everybody else is "Go,Go,Go!!!"

 Again, Satan doesn't care, he'll use whatever, good or bad, to destroy you.

Recognize lies when you hear them. Anything that is saying the exact opposite of the Word of God is a lie. Anything that promises happiness, joy, or contentment apart from God is a lie. Satan and the world system promises everything but delivers nothing. 

Please don't be deceived!!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

When It's Crazy

 How do you "love" (decide to treat a person good) someone when they won't let you? When it's a difficult encounter or their interaction with you just sucks?

Whether a customer is irrate or a friend or relative is going off on you, how can we love like Jesus loves?

Difficult people really need to feel God's love in the moment, which I find can be so hard to do. Plus, while they are throwing a temper tantrum, most of us could care less about them or their problem.

How do we go beyond how they make us feel? How do we stay calm and really treat them how we would want to be treated?

We "agree with our adversary quickly" as Jesus said.

Proverbs 37:8 says, "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath: do not fret-it leads only to evil."

Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

We empathize with them, we diffuse the situation by verbally taking control of the situation. Show them we care and are ready to help if we can. 

When you show people you care about them and the situation they are going through by being patient and kind with them, a lot of times this will calm a person down.

What if that doesn't help? If it's a customer then get your manager. If it's a friend or relative grab someone close by for help. 

I have found in these situations that if you remain calm and diffuse the situation, that will usually bring them around. 

This is practical stuff I deal with all the time. When we love people, we have already decided in advance how we will treat everyone when the trouble comes such as found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV:

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Why do any of it? Remember we represent Jesus. Remember the main reason for any of this is so that they might be saved. We have to keep it together in these hard situations, even if we don't want to. Our reactions can help Jesus or hinder Jesus from saving that person. 

So I hope this helps in those hard times. Pray about this in advance for the Holy Spirit to work through you with love for when the time comes. Take care.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Storms of Life

We all have heard that phrase "the storms of life." We can equate that phrase for when trials, temptations, problems, difficulties, or unpleasant things show up in our lives. They always come to everyone because we live in a fallen broken world. Jesus told us why in the Sermon on the Mount. He said it "rains on the just and the unjust." You've heard that question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" They just do. Good or bad. Doesn't matter. No one on the planet is exempt. That's what sin has left us with. 

It's just like when a cloud rolls across the land. Eventually the cloud gets saturated with moisture and has to rain down on us. It doesn't care who it rains on, it just rains. Things just happen to whoever whenever because we live on planet earth. So we all know we can't get around this fact. So you may be thinking, "What's your point?"

One thing...it always rolls on by. It never lasts. The storm is always just passing through. Whatever we experience for whatever reason has a big expiration date stamped on it. You know, like on a milk carton?  It always ends.

I find that "storms" can happen a gajillion times in a day or be ongoing for weeks or months on end. The duration or frequency of our storms is not important. What matters is that we always remember that they will not last. Why not? Because God loves you and will not allow something to keep hammering you in life. 

Remember Job? Remember his life? Remember the crap storm he went through? If not, go read the book of Job which is right before Psalms in your Bible. Job lost everything and everybody in his life, except for a few friends and his wife. He even lost his health. As you read the book of Job, you'll see his reactions were the same as ours which center around self such as "why me Lord?" He freaked out as much as we always do when the "crap hits the fan." However, he never blamed God, never renounced God, never left God. He always trusted in God. God made it come to an end, like storms always do and he blessed Job afterwards. 

Job 42:12a. NIV

[12] The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. 

God will never leave you or forsake you:

Hebrews 13:5b.NIV [5b.]... because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV [6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV [8] The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged

Things happen, but we're not alone. Remember He loves you and will see you through ALL things, good or bad. 

Storms don't last, but God's love for you does!

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV [3] The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

And nothing will ever separate you from His love:

Romans 8:38-39 NIV [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Remember it just rains on everybody and God loves you and will deliver you from any and all "storms" we face.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

May the Force Be With You!

 In the movie "Star Wars," there is a force that flows through the Jedi which works through them to accomplish whatever they need. Hmmmmm.

Where did George Lucas come up with such a cool idea for his movie franchise?

Simply? The Holy Spirit. As Christians, having believed, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, is deposited into our spirit when we are born again, when we are saved. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

He is deposited into our spirit guaranteeing our inheritance which is to come, which is eternal life.

Now the Spirit flows within us to accomplish all God desires for all humanity which is drawing people to Himself so they can be saved too. God's love is given to us by the Holy Spirit inside us to make this happen.

Romans 5:5 NIV

[5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

So Jesus works through His Spirit in us to bear fruit that will draw people to God. So cool!!

John 15:5 NIV

[5]  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

What fruit you may be asking? All the good stuff!!

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

So by the "force within us," which is the Holy Spirit, Jesus can use our lives to draw people to God with His love so they can be saved!! 

So, "may the force be with you always."

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

We Are In Good Company!

 As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven:

Philippians 3:20 NIV [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 

Everyday we are in the presence of God and the heavenly host. This was so awesome when I learned this. Let this bring you happiness and peace today. This is truly mind-blowing!! 

Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

[22] But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, [23] to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, [24] to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Can you imagine? Wow! So awesome!

If you are not saved, you can be right now. (Read my post "Are You Saved?") Then you will be added to this awesome spectacle!!!!!

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

This Little Light of Mine

 Dear reader, do you remember that children's song "This Little Light of Mine?" It was so simple, yet so profound. It comes from Jesus' teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. 

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV [14]  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

What does it mean? You are an influence to everyone around you. As Christians, people should see Jesus through us. They should feel the love of Jesus surging through us. They should experience the love of Jesus through the good deeds or the "fruit" He bears in our lives by the Holy Spirit working within us. 

Just like the moon shines because it reflects the Sun's light, we should reflect Jesus in our lives. The moon doesn't try to reflect the sun's rays, it is just in the right position to do so. We are in the same positon. We are God's children, so we are positoned to reflect the love of Jesus in our lives everyday. 

Just like there are "influencers" all over social media, we are influencers also. Be available for Jesus to use the gifts and talents that He has given you to influence the world around you. He will bear the "fruit"in your life, by His Holy Spirit within us. He will accomplish His goals through you, which is people getting saved and added to the family of God, the Kingdom of God. People will see our good works and praise God for it!!

"Let it shine all the time, let it shine!!"

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

I would like to encourage you to share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues. Subscribe to my blog to be notified when I add new content on here. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post