Strength for the spiritual journey

10/26/2019

How to See the Difference Between Soul and Spirit

We are a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body.

Many people get confused by the difference between soul and spirit.
If you assume they are both the same thing then reading the Bible can be a confusing exercise in frustration. But understanding the difference between the two really helps unlock much of the New Testament.

Three Part Beings

The Bible teaches that each of us has three parts: spirit, soul and body.
Paul mentions all three in one verse.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.— 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Body

Our body is the easiest part to understand because it’s the part we see. Our body is the flesh and bones we walk around in.
Everything physical is our body. Our skin and bones, muscles, nerves, blood, hair, etc., all make up our bodies.
This is the part of us that decays over time and will eventually cease functioning when we die.

Soul

Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. This is the part where we think and feel. It’s where we plan and organize, the part of us that stays focused or gets distracted. Our soul feels pleasure or perceives hurts from others.
Our soul can be energized or discouraged. It’s where we form words to communicate with others. And it’s where our personality comes to life.
It is in our soul that we become anxious or we rest peacefully. It’s where we worry about bad things or meditate on good things.

Spirit

We are all created as spiritual beings too. Because our spirits are intangible and usually have no direct manifestation in this world, this part gets overlooked and discounted by many folks.
It is in our spirit that the Spirit of God comes to reside when we become new creations upon accepting the payment Jesus made for our sins. When that happens our spirit comes to life because it is finally connected to its intended power source.
The Bible teaches that our spirit is made perfect and sealed the moment we are born again.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise— Ephesians 1:13

Together Spirit Soul and Body

When we put it all together we begin to see that at the very center of our being is our spirit which is surrounded by our soul. Then the whole package resides in these earthly bodies for this life.

We are a spirit with a soul that resides in a body.

It is our spirit and our soul that are immortal and will live forever, long after our earthly bodies are dead and buried.
In the meantime as believers we are in the process of renewing our minds and transforming our souls so that they line up more and more with our already perfect spirits. The only way to do that is to learn the Truth found in scripture to such a point that we “own” it. Then we will find we change naturally and behave in godly ways without working at it.
The effort is in putting the time to learn what the Bible truly says about who we are in Christ once we’re born again. When we’ve done that, the rest of the change comes almost effortlessly.

Difference Between Soul and Spirit Opens Scripture

Now that you see the difference between your soul and your spirit, take another look at the New Testament. I think you’ll find that many things you didn’t understand before make a whole lot more sense now.

09/11/2019

Consider all your greatest achievements as dung when compared to the excellence of Knowing all things pertaining to Jesus.

1. (Phl 3:8) Paul's gain in Jesus Christ.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

a. Yet indeed I also count all things loss: Paul did not only count his religious pedigree as a loss; he counted all things loss - but he counted them as a loss in view of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.

i. Yet indeed: "The translation of five particles, which latter are literally translated, 'yea, indeed, therefore, at least, even,' and show the force and passion of Paul's conviction." (Wuest)

ii. It wasn't so much that those things were worthless in themselves, but compared to the greatness of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, they really were nothing.

iii. Paul here put a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at the very center of the Christian's life. He joyfully accepted the loss of all other things for the greatness of this personal relationship.

iv. In Philippians 3:7 Paul said that he counted; in this verse he said I also count. This first counting was at his conversion; the second - some 30 years later - was in his Roman prison. After all he had experienced, he still counted it worthy to give everything up for the sake of following Jesus.

v. "After twenty years or more of experience Paul had an opportunity of revising his balance-sheet, and looking again at his estimates, and seeing whether or not his counting was correct. What was the issue of his latest search? How do matters stand at his last stocktaking? He exclaims with very special emphasis, 'Yea doubtless; and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.'" (Spurgeon)

b. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things: This counting loss was not merely an internal spiritual exercise. Paul had indeed suffered the loss of all things that he might gain Christ.

i. This is demonstrated by the place and circumstances under which Paul wrote this letter - a Roman prison, where he truly could say that he had suffered the loss of all things.

c. Count them as rubbish: Paul here used strong language. Literally, Paul considered them as excrement - as dung; not only as worthless, but as offensive.

i. The ancient Greek word for rubbish had one of two uses. It could describe excrement from the body, or table scraps that were fit only to be thrown to the dogs. We may suppose that Paul would be comfortable with either meaning in this context.

ii. "The word means the vilest dross or refuse of any thing; the worst excrement. The word shows how utterly insignificant and unavailing, in point of salvation, the apostle esteemed every thing but the Gospel of Jesus." (Clarke)

09/09/2019

Dinner is served.

I Thessalonians 4:9‭-‬12

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 👉that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.👈

09/04/2019

*🇿🇦Prophetic Notice🇿🇦*

*Acts 4:20> For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.*

To all South Africans and and everyone residing in South Africa, I call out to you to join hands in prayer and pray for the nation of South Africa.

The Judgenent of the Lord is upon South Africa and there shall come cleansing in the form of a weather disaster( hailstones), that shall claim lives from men, women and children. The hailstones will fall and purify the nation of its evil and the blood shed; but at the same time, many families will be left desolate, shattered and in tears. South Africa will be cleansed but it shall not escape the wrath of the Almighty. South Africa will cry for her children but will be renewed.

I urge all of you, everyone residing in this nation to join hands as we pray for the grace of God to shine upon us.

*If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land> 2 Chronicles 7:14*

08/30/2019

Greetings everyone. It's time to rise from the ashes and become active members. New people will be joining this group. Get active

08/27/2019

THE TRUTH SETS US FREE.
Jude 1:16‭-‬25

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

08/20/2019

FOOD FOR YOUR SOUL

The Battles Women Face: Boundaries

A year ago I learned something shocking about myself: I was a boundaryless person. I found myself focused so much on being loving and unselfish, that I forget my own limits and limitations. I was exhausted from never saying no out of fear. I felt I did not have the freedom to express my own thoughts and opinions. I was unable to manage my own feelings and detach from the manipulative emotions of others. Sadly, I had not taken ownership of my life.

Thankfully, God’s Word showed me it was time to use biblical boundaries appropriately to achieve the relationships and purposes that God intends for me as His child. I wanted to live a life of love, freedom, responsibility, and service.

The ability to set clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. In relationships, boundaries define who we are and who we are not, which impacts every part of our lives.

Fences are physical boundaries with the message: this is where my property begins. Boundaries define what is me and what is not me. They show me where I end and someone else begins. This leads to a sense of ownership, which gives us freedom. Boundaries indicate what we are responsible for and what we are not responsible for.
Boundaries help us:

distinguish our property so that we can take care of it;

to “guard our heart with all diligence”;

keep the good in (what will nurture us) and the bad out (what will harm us);

guard our treasures.

Whether it is a dysfunctional family, the world, your own religious self-righteousness, or the brokenness of being lost, God can help you go from being an unhealthy person without boundaries to a healthy person with boundaries.

Remember David’s prayer. God’s desire is for you to know where your weaknesses are. Ask Him to shed light on the significant relationships and forces that have contributed to your own boundary struggles. Seek God’s help to protect your heart and to guide you with wisdom. Find that you too can have the ability to say no when it is beyond my limit.

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
Matthew 7:6 NKJV

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 NKJV

08/20/2019

https://youtu.be/1Kc9x_EFgco

Such music leaves me super thankful for everything I face in life both the good and the bad. My favorite song or at least one of them.

Mississippi Mass Choir - "The Lord Keeps Blessing Me" available at www.malaco.com or by calling 1-800-272-7936. Continue listening: https://malaco-music-grou...

08/19/2019

The Battles Women Face: Worry

Worry seems to be a natural part of the human condition. We worry about everything from our kids’ future to what we’re going to cook for dinner that night. Worry has the ability to consume us. In spite of that, we serve a supernatural God who specifically instructed us not to worry.
In our scripture reading in Matthew, Jesus tells us that we can’t “serve two masters”. Then the next verse says, “THAT is why I tell you not to worry…”. Jesus knew that the key to battling worry is tied to our worship.
We see the same concept in Proverbs 12:25. It makes the point that “Worry weighs a person down…”. In the Hebrew, it infers that worry makes the heart of a man stoop or worship. The question is - who or what are we choosing to worship?
When we worry, we have made a decision to submit to something other than the sovereignty of God. In my heart and mind, I have taken God off the throne...and put myself there instead.
So, how can we fight the battle of worry?

Perspective
- Ryan Leak says this, "You will always find it difficult to rest in the midst of a storm when you feel it’s your responsibility to calm the storm." In John 16:33, Jesus tells us we will have trouble but provides the assurance that He has overcome anything this world has to offer. You don’t have to worry - He knew you were going to go through hard times and He’s got it covered.

Put it on His tab
We often give in to worry because we have forgotten what God has done for us in the past. Over and over again in scripture, we see God telling His people to remember. Why? Because we tend to forget. Recalling the faithfulness of God in the past helps remove the feeling of worry in the present.

Pray -
Jimmy Evans put it like this, “Turn your worry list into a prayer list.” Worry accomplishes nothing, prayer changes everything. Instead of talking to ourselves, let’s talk to the One who can do something about it.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:24-25

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV

07/13/2019

Good day everyone. Let's discuss whatever is on your heart and mind. A support system post. Please do speak up.