Man was 'pegged' in the Garden

That's right. Man was 'pegged' in the Garden of Eden. Yeah, the old tempter, Satan, cunningly brought up an idea to Eve, which tempted her in her weakness, which was her flesh, to desire something she hadn't wanted before, and Adam fell for it, too.. Satan's appeal was directed at their flesh, taking their attention away from the spirit. Adam and Eve disobeyed God because their flesh couldn't refuse the temptation, they disobeyed the Spirit, and so sin was born, and God expelled the first couple from paradise. Yeah, they were 'pegged'.  Satan discovered if he presented something to man or woman in such a way that it looked enticing, attractive, desirable, juicy, or pleasurable to have,  Man couldn't walk away,  even if God had given them an entire Garden to live and have sweet fellowship with Him.  Man wasn't satisfied, man's flesh wanted more and what was forbidden.  Satan's plan worked and it's still working beautifully for him today.  Sadly, we were 'pegged' and nothing has changed over the centuries. Man is still falling into the same snares set by Satan, and the trap is not only getting larger, but hotter as well.

Lust of the flesh is our weakness causing us to sin against God.

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Our carnal mind controls our fleshly desires, and is VERY STRONG!  Satan doesn't have to work very hard to get Man to do anything if he can dangle it in our faces while making it sound and look so tantalizing, irresistible and appealing, that we begin craving it and believing we can't live without it.  Our flesh is very selfish, and ever so hungry for more. Our flesh does not enjoy being denied.  Our flesh wants to be satisfied again and again because it never stays satisfied. Our flesh wants what it wants, and it wants it now.  It's the flesh that causes us to sin. Now, there's nothing at all wrong with feeling good and wanting nice things. However, when that is the driving force, you are not being spiritually minded. Satan is very pleased when we're not spiritually minded. He wants our attention to be far from the things of God or the Spirit.  The adversary and our flesh are at odds with things of God, because God is Spirit.  And our spirits, when not saved, are at odds with our carnal, fleshly bodies. But when you ask Jesus into your heart, by taking and trusting Jesus as you Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit quickens your spirit to become alive and connected with the Spirit of God.  You've become spiritually born, which is called being born again. Your spirit nature is now alive inside you which was dormant before.  But not until we leave this fleshly body will we be free from the constant pull of our fleshly desires of our old nature.  It does take effort and prayer to knock the old nature back down from time to time, but before being 'saved' you obeyed your carnal self without any regard to things of the Spirit at all.  Satan places appealing things in front of our 'weak flesh' to get our eyes off God on a constant basis. Satan prefers Man to desire anything and everything contrary to God. Satan's sin has gotten himself a special place designed for him and his gang, and I don't think it's designed for pleasure or relaxation for any demon or human spirit. Satan is the master of covertness in leading many people away from the things of God.  Man would rather accept Satan's deception and lies rather than believe God's truth and love.  Satan has lead many blindly into the frying pan by appealing fleshly lusts and desires.  Sadly, many continue to ignore the fire under the frying pan which is slowly getting hotter and hotter.  Over time, when your flesh is continually gratified, you become accustomed to sin and you're not wanting to leave your residence in the frying pan. Some even want the heat turned up to be hotter. Ouch! 

The old frying pan is getting hotter- are you in it?

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 You see, with everyone wanting to gratify their own flesh, the world has changed for the worst.  Yes, there are more people in the world than there were centuries ago, but it's more prevalent with each generation the alteration from the traditional father/mother design of raising family and it's resulting effects; addictions caused by weaknesses to refrain from harmful substances and practices; children being exposed to grown up things long before they're adult or mature; marriages failing and ending for selfish reasons after vowing and promising to honor and cherish for better or worse; illegal drug use is rampant and has become the ruin of so many lives and families, but the flesh overlooks that fact but because the flesh wants what that drug provides, never mind the damage it's gonna do to your brain and body; and the list goes on and on with all types of crime, gluttony, and seemingly no conscious thought that the action is harming or detrimental to themselves and others.

That pretty trap is to snare you prevent you from escaping-  you're dead

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Our flesh is 'selfish' ,'self-seeking', and often 'self-centered'.  When our flesh wants something, it's gotta have it and will walk over anything and anyone in it's way in order to satisfy itself.  No wonder prisons are busting full; no wonder we're so mixed up about what's morally right and wrong; no wonder man wants laws changed to make his immoral actions be legal; no wonder Man wants to take God out of everything so he won't have to be reminded of God at all; no wonder the pursuit of more and more money is the driving determination for getting ahead in life; no wonder adults have turned to satisfy their lusts using children, and 'sex sells' everything. Man has literally given God the boot.  To the flesh, satisfying itself IS right. To the flesh, what it wants IS right.  And Satan has helped man devise and come up with every excuse to make sure Man is continually thinking and believing what feels good to the flesh is RIGHT. Satan is smiling because his deceptions are still working well at keeping Man focused on his flesh (carnal) and not the things of God (spiritual).

Your carnal flesh is usually at odds with your spirit and the things of God

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What's tempting your flesh causing you to disobey God?

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God's plan involves nothing which will hurt us.  Following Satan leads us down the road to destruction and devastation. Because Satan fell from grace, he wants to take as many of God's precious creation (mankind) way down with him.

It's up to you. God gives you and I every chance to decide which road you want to travel. Satan's road is a super highway, and continued traveling on it with the masses will take you to a dark destination. Is your flesh so weak that you don't care at all where your soul will be forever?  The way that God has for you is not bad at all. It's full of joy and contentment to the flesh and very satisfying beyond description, but, without hurting yourself and within safe protected boundaries God has laid down for his creation.  Like a parent protecting their child by warning them to not play in the street.  Don't you know God is loving enough to know and meet your every need?  But most of all, when you stay on the narrow road now, this destination leads to the best that's ahead in heaven for your soul. So, it's your choice. Continue being 'pegged' and follow Satan's way to satisfy yourself and contend with all the dangers doing it the selfish, fleshly way, or follow God's way of having your needs met without the perils, but within his hedge of protection, and then look forward to your soul residing in splendor beyond description in heaven?

Question I've pondered- Is my flesh causing me to sin against God? To really know the answer, I went to the source to see what God's Word reads to know what He has to say about this. The Bible is not the easiest to read, but everything's there to find with some effort. And I'm not taking anyone else's word about it unless I know for darn sure they know God's Word better than I do. I'd rather find out for myself and I think everyone should do likewise as well.

Video about how to walk in the spirit




Ponder and act on this- If you chose to not be reborn, you can't be any way but carnal minded. You're spiritually dead, so there's no way you can see things of God? God is Spirit. Not until you accept Jesus as you Lord and Savior, are you spiritually alive. In an instant, you're made alive spiritually, your sins are forgiven, and you're made an heir to the promises of God. Those are all spiritual gifts you receive from God.  Accept Jesus and receive life.  If you die( this is the first death) without having accepted Jesus, your spirit cannot reside in heaven, but rather Hell, then later the Lake of Fire to always be exiled from the presence of God, which is the second death.  Born again Christians will not experience that hot, hellish second death, because they are promised by God a mansion in heaven for their glorified bodies.



We're spiritual beings created in the likeness of God, residing right now living in fleshly bodies, and we have a soul-three parts making us whole. Satan focuses on the flesh.

      

Video on the origin of Satan, the author of sin, and what he's about,





BONUS- God made a way and the way is recorded, written by Spirit inspired men, kept and passed down so even today anyone can read about the great story of God's love for all mankind in the Holy Bible, starting with Adam and Eve, and on down to Abraham, Issiac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Israel, Esther, and so on.


Exercise your power of choice to accept God's gift and your ultimate destination

What's important in eternity is our spirit.  Now that you know this, resolve to stop allowing satan to have you "pegged". 

Check out these scripture references for yourself: 1 Cor 5:44; 1 Cor :17; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 1:13-16;  2Peter 1:4; 1John:2:16-17; Romans 5:12,19-21; 8:1,3,9,13;13:14; Gal 5:16, Matthew 6:13

Persecution, prayer, and freedom

I received email today from a friend and after reading, I thought it was excellent.  I started thinking that throughout history, Christians have been persecuted.  No need to keep questioning why, it's just been that way. But that's alright. God is still in control and can still take just a few to show and demonstrate to the world mighty things. When things look the worse, hopeless and doomed, God's people rise up and there is no question that the mighty hand of God is upon them. It can't be anything or anyone but God.  With the continued persecution Christians face concerning prayer,  we will continue to hold firm in our faith of our mighty God, who is always right on time. Praise God for those who have wisdom and strong faith in His Word, and the courage to speak up and speak out.


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It's a privilege and honor to pray. It's our freedom and right  to pray.

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Below is the email I received - It's about what a school principal said about prayer over the PA system before a high school football game.


I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT.


Tennessee Football  This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.


"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."


Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.  As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.


I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK..


I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control."  If someone is offended, no problem...


I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology".


I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple-minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment..."


However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.


This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.


Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical.  I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally.  I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.


For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.


" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.  As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."


One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.


They prayed in the stands.  They prayed in the team huddles.  They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!


The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of 'Justice' in the 'one nation, under GOD.'


Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!


JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."






Now, I say, " Pray on Christians! The world needs prayer more than ever. Pray without ceasing! Exercise your freedom to pray."  And keep on the narrow road that's lined with persecution after persecution, but keep going forward with Jesus as your guide and Savior. Amen.

Are you justified?

The word 'justified' is one you don't hear much of.  I looked up several definitions of the word on the on-line dictionary and, also found some very interesting passages on 'justification' in the Book.

Type the keyword 'Justified' in the search box below and see 17 scripture references the Bible.  Then type in 'justify' and see 8 scripture references. Finally, type 'justification' and see 5 scripture references.

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Justify and justified- is to show, demonstrate or prove to be just or right.
Justification- is the act, process or state of being justified by God.



From my understanding, Jesus justified you when He died for your sins. His act of dying on the Cross paid your sin penalty in full. His blood atoned for your sins, and God sees you as if you had never been a sinner. When you accept the gift of Jesus into your heart. in the spiritual realm, Jesus step in and paid your sin penalty for you. You're off the hook, set free from the death that sin demands, and you're in right standing in God's eyes...justified.  When you have Jesus in your heart, God doesn't see the sinful you anymore, because you have been justified through His Son, Jesus.

View and listen to this song about being justified by faith.



Once you are justified, you are
1). No longer an alien, stranger, or enemy of or to God.
2). You are in 'right standing' before God's eyes.
3). You are at peace, tranquil, non-warring with God.

What's so amazing about this is God send His Son to die so that you could be justified. God did that for you.  And there's no other way under the sun to be justified. No matter if you spent your entire life living as a nun or a Mother Teresa, or gave a billion dollars to charity, you could not buy or earn or work enough to be justified in God's eyes. God only sees the atoning blood of His Son, Jesus as the completed work of justification.  In other words, it's Jesus and Jesus alone. Jesus is your only ticket for right standing before God.

So, get Jesus, and be justified.  Then, your bonuses on top of that are many heavenly perks associated with being justified. Click to see 7 of them. Don't you dare miss out.


Are you serious to invite Jesus into your heart today. View this video about repentance.



Sinners need to repent & put away our 'old selves'
to serve the Lord with our 'new better reborn selves'.


Then view this video about letting Jesus take control of your life.




Okay, now, what about it? "Are you justified?"




Walking along that narrow path that leads to the Light that shines eternally.

Mary Stewart Relfe, Ph.D.-My Tribute

I got news that a very dear friend, Mary Stewart Relfe, Ph.D, has completed her work on Earth and has been called 'home' by God the morning of August 7th, 2011.  Mary Stewart Relfe was an amazing woman. She was a woman with a mission that has spanned the globe affecting the lives of thousands of people in need of a loving hand and heart, while ministering to their souls, most importantly, so they can know of the goodness God has for them now and forevermore.  She was a faithful praying, Christian woman. She was a giving woman. She was a smart and talented woman. Her gifts and talents of speaking and authoring #1 best seller books were all put to use unselfishly to help others.  Authoring timely newsletters and compelling books, she poured her all into them until the finished products were completed, and all without need of fanfare or a pat on the back. Many times when I was at her home I saw or heard by way of Sally of Mary working hours on end, and never did I ever hear or know of her thinking of taking a vacation. She was a perfectionist because she didn't do anything unless it was done right, because too many precious lives and souls were at stake.

Honoring the life of Mary Stewart Relfe, Ph.D.

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I hadn't seen Mary in two or so years and heard that she was barely eating. She was always on the thin side and being very watchful of what she ate. Mary was so generous to me in giving me a job of cleaning her home when I needed additional work every couple weeks and I will always remember her the generous wedding gift she gave me in 1999, and her wise counseling she took time to offer me when I told her of my marriage problems.  I first met both Mary and Sally, her faithful assistant, in1988, when they came to my very first office on Walnut Street in Montgomery after Mary read about me and my services in the local newspaper.  Immediately we become friends, which has deepened over the years since then.  Many hours while I helped ease the tension from Sally's back with massage therapy I learned of League of Prayer, it's mission, and of Mary and those by her side operating her global mission.  In the years since, I'd been invited to League of Prayer functions and their home in Montgomery and Prattville. The newsletters written by Mary over the years were always so descriptive about people in various countries League of Prayer was assisting in education, jobs, food, clothing, spiritual health, you name it, League of Prayer was fulfilling a necessary need to hurting people.  I witnessed when League of Prayer had a food pantry, went to Russia, and later when the League of Prayer website was launched.  Mary extended her love by outreaching and touching the lives of many showing the love of God out to the small and forgotten children, women, and men literally around the world. There are really no words to fully describe what this woman has done for so many locally and on the other side of the world. She had a shining, pure heart of gold and her heart beat to do the work of God. God blessed her for that, without a doubt, and I know that's what sustained her until her work was complete. She gave and gave until she was escorted by angels to her heavenly home.

I'm sure Mary's legacy, League of Prayer, will continue on. It has been the lifeblood to many people around the world for years. League of Prayer was her heart, hands, and feet and her blessing to the world exuding the love of Jesus. I pray I can be just one-tenth the respected, Christian woman she showed the world she was.  I can honestly say it was she who inspired me to be a better, Christian woman.

Remembering Mary Stewart Relfe, Ph.D

Photo credit: matthew_hull from morguefile.com

Books authored by Mary Stewart Relfe, Ph.D.

                                    


On August 7th, 2011, Mary entered into her heavenly reward. I bet she has a truckload of crowns to cast at the feet of Jesus. That thought makes me happy for all her labor she so tirelessly gave for so many. God bless her soul.


Look at the many scripture references on rewards for your labor the Lord.


As my dedication to Mary, I'm gonna strive even harder to be more like Jesus. My prayer is you strive for that also. The days are shorter then we think.