SPIRITUAL MONITOR
We can monitor our body's condition by checking our temperature, our blood pressure, our heart rate and with medical help monitor with blood tests and other tests. How do we monitor our spiritual condition? Yes, Jesus says, "IF YOU WANT TO HAVE LIFE FOREVER, OBEY THE COMMANDS". The Jesus clarifies which commands by mentioning some of the big ten like "MURDER … ADULTERY… STEAL". Yes, if person killed someone or stole something or committed adultery, most people would recognize they were sinning and would be aware of their spiritual condition being weak. If person continues to sin and does not stop or turn away from their sins, which frequently happens in the sin of adultery, their spiritual condition will continue to deteriorate. Poor spiritual condition may be reflected with other more subtle indicators such as poor church attendance, weak, reduced or no giving, being judgmental, being less loving and considerate, being unforgiving, and in general being more selfish and self centered.
We may monitor our body's condition by how we get out of breath just waking or climbing stairs or by how tight our clothes fit. Many will ignore signs of poor condition until there is a crisis like a heart attack or a stroke. We may ignore God's spirit who "convicts" us of our sins which indicates a poor spiritual condition until a crisis happens in our lives. The crisis can be getting caught in a secret sin or a financial crisis or losing a job or a death or losing a whole family or losing a life. Once there was a person with a lot of manmade religious baggage who was still hurting from losing a spouse in divorce and then lost a car. I remember asking God if now was the time to reach out to the person and God said, "No, they hadn't hit bottom yet". Some crisis that seem like punishment are really just to get our attention so God can help us grow. Jesus tells us regarding bad sinners "God will punish these people terribly". God does not always wait until after death to punish. Getting caught in a secret or private sin is an obvious punishment. Other punishments can be considered a coincident publicly but frequently a person will know in their heart that they are being punished. When God punished Ananias and he "he fell down and died" there was no doubt that God was punishing Ananias. When I was teenager, there was a very respected and successful businessman in town, whose family came to church, that died in his "sleep" at a house of prostitution across town, which may have been punishment for his life style. In some cases, death appears to be the greatest punishment a person can experience on earth and if they move into eternal punish, the first death will seem like no big deal by comparison1.
ADJUSTMENT
If we discover our physical condition is poor, many will use drugs or surgery to try to improve their condition. As a believer in God who created us to live "a hundred and twenty years", we may try to improve our physical condition by life style changes like diet and exercise and seek God help in being set free from illness. We are not created to need drugs to survive. As we detect poor spiritual condition if sin is involved, we may need to as Jesus says, "Turn away from your sins". This may be the time to ask God to "forgive us". If our sin has been around a while, we may need the help of spiritual warfare. Remember Jesus teaches us "Believers will … drive out demons in My name". If there is poor spiritual condition without any current or on going sin, a first step is to do what God said about Jesus, "This is My Son... Obey him". As we seek to improve our spiritual condition by obeying Jesus maybe first we need to pray daily the prayer Jesus said "you should pray". Obeying Jesus or following Jesus is a life style that will lead you to obeying God2.
1. Mt 19:17-18 (IC); Jn 16:8; Ac 5:5 (NI); Mk 12:40 (IC)
2. Ge 6:3 (NI); Mt 4:7; Mt 6:12; Mk 16:17 (TE); Mk 9:7; Mt 6:9 (IC)
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection: God says, "I will punish them for their sins; I will make them suffer for their wrongs." Ps 89:32 (TE)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop
"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."
There is a decrease in sensuality after marriage. Sensuality is like touching, hugging, snuggling, holding hands, light kissing, etc.. Sensuality can be some of what happens on your weekly date night. If you take a walk, hold hands. Encourage habits like hugging and kissing when leaving and coming home.
A kids idea when it is okay to kiss:
Pam age 7 "When they are rich"
Curt age 7 "The law says 18, so I would want to mess with that."
If you are watching TV together, a little cuddling is good. Communicate your desires and check what your partner likes. People change. Some people know how to please their pets better than they do their spouse, try asking. Protect your sensual time together by having a weekly couples meeting.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). If you take a walk, hold hands. Encourage habits like hugging and kissing when leaving and coming home. If you are watching TV together, a little cuddling is good. Communicate your desires and check what your partner likes. People change. Some people know how to please their pets better than they do their spouse, try asking. Even the most selfish, self-center spouse will respond to what they like. Remember Jesus said, "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." (Lk 6:31 NAS)
Hi Followers of Jesus,
Yesterday I rode my fun mountain bike to church. The 10 miles was good for cross training physical conditioning and as I prayed most of the way, it contributed to my spiritual conditioning. How is your spiritual condition?
Email to pastor@jesuscenter.net
Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *