I chose two different Christian Hip Hop artists to share with you today.
“Mr. J. Medeiros” & “KB”
These two very powerful songs have amazing lyrics!
Related posts:
Archive | My Thoughts RSS feed for this section
My own little world
May 14, 2013 
25 Comments
This video really challenged me to look at the mission field between my own two feet. I hope it will challenge you too to realise that there is such a huge need right on our own door steps or in our own town/city. It helps show that if we really loved these people around us instead of judging the way they look, act or the situations they find themselves in, then we can understand and show the compassion, grace and love of Jesus and help transform lives!
Related posts:
The A21 Campaign
May 14, 2013 3 Comments
At our church meeting on sunday morning i was moved by Rebecca West and her talk about the A21 Campaign, and how she is running a 10k run to help raise money and more awareness for this great charity. Rebecca started by playing the video above then told us a little about what she was doing to help.
Rebecca’s message:
Hello, me and two other friends are doing a 10 k run on the 18th of May, called We Own The Night, in London Victoria Park!
We wanted to use this opportunity to raise money for an amazing charity called A21. (More details below)
The charities aim is to abolish sex slavery across the globe and provide medical care, life skills and job training so those that have been effected by slavery.
There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.
BUT! we can start with one life and the little amount you can give will release a life of slavery into a life of freedom.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you so much for your support!
Rebecca West
Heres how you can find out more about A21 and donate through Just Giving.
How you can donate on the Just Giving Site
Related post:
FX Photo Studio Pro
May 13, 2013 5 Comments
App 4 2day! – “FX Photo Studio Pro” for Mac, iPad & iPhone by Macphun
Description from the Mac app store:
Description
- New version. 50% for a limited time! Back to $40 shortly ✮
- Your pictures will never look ordinary
- FX Photo Studio is a digital powerhouse for your artistic photography. Easily give images stunning new look with hundreds of photo effects, filters, frames and pro editing tools.
Intuitive, inspiring and feature-rich! Here’s what you get:
★ Mind-blowing variety of over 170 photo effects & filters
★ Dozens of photo frames and borders from classic to lomo style
★ PRO image editing tools and color controls
★ Masking with effects and Color splash tool
★ Integration with Aperture, Lightroom, iPhoto, Photoshop
★ Intuitive user interface
★ Sharing via most popular social networks and more
My Thoughts 💭
After more amazing comments on my photos I thought I’d share another fantastic app with you. I use this to edit my photos to get some great effects and frames.
This is another great powerful app that is really easy to use and the interface is so clean.
Please have fun , go check it out!
Also please could you let me know what apps or programs you use and/or like, I am just interested and curious to know how you all get your amazing images! 😀
Related posts:
✞ Music 4 2day by Christy Nockels
May 13, 2013 10 Comments
After i enjoyed playing “Hosanna” on the drums at our church meeting yesterday, it inspired me to share a few songs by one of my favourite worship leaders.
This next song brings me such comfort. So many people believe there isn’t a God or that God wants to punish them in some way so spend their whole lives running, but he just wants to Love you, so just ‘Be Loved’
Related Posts:
My Recent Spiritual Attack
May 2, 2013 42 Comments
💬 Quote From My About Page by Broken Halo
Steve, what an amazing testimony you have! I am so thankful that when the world took sight from you God gave you a new vision and perspective. What a blessing that God graced your life with a love in Sarah when your life was at its darkest…I pray that God continues to bless you both…. ~*~
My Thoughts 💭
After receiving this lovely comment on my About page from Broken Halo, it convicted me to write about the recent spiritual attack I have been battling with.
A couple of people have said to me that if I just had more faith or if I believed just a little more then God would heal my Sight!
The God I love and believe in is awesome and bigger than I can imagine, so I know he can heal anyone or anything if it is his will.
In the amazing book “Where is God when it hurts” by Phillip Yancey, I’ve read how destructive and poisonous peoples comments can be, it makes me wonder what they think about people like the truly inspiring and faith filled follower Joni Eareckson Tada?
Would they say f she just had more faith would she not be disabled and her amazing ministry Joni and Friends that helps transform lives and bring so many into the kingdom of God not even exist??
Can anyone please help me clarify?
All I know is, if God didn’t arrest me from my old life where I spent every day abusing my eyes with all kinds of wrong things,then I would never have had a relationship with him, never have found such a loving wife, never have this blog to hopefully inspire people, I would be another wasted lost soul.
The eyes of my heart are truly open and I’ve never seen so clearly since I’ve been blind, and if God thinks our relationship could be improved by having the sight that veiled me for so long, i’m sure he would give it me.
I know the apostle Paul talked about the thorn he lived with that God would not take away as it was for his own benifit that he didn’t receive healing.
I would love to hear your opinions on this!
Reprogramming
May 2, 2013 10 Comments
📖 Verse 4 2day!
Romans 12:2
New International Version (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
My Thoughts 💭
I have had a real impression on my heart to focus on the pollution that goes into my body through the filter called my face.
Travelling into London on the train I felt a real conviction to listen to what God was trying to tell me in that moment. As I was stood up and squashed into the carrage, I could just make out a few people intently reading books, magazines and newspapers and I thought about their brains as the most advanced computer on the planet and how they were programming it with the computer language from the stories they were reading. My thought process continued and as wondered how that code would affect their behaviour when they left the train to meet people,
Reprogramming….
On my iMac (desktop computer) there is an app called Terminal, if you type in a simple piece of code it can change the way the iMac responds, reacts and behaves for the rest of its life, or until you remove that piece of coding.Billions of pounds (maybe more) are spent trying to protect and secure ourselves when using a computer, smart phone, tablet etc, yet we fail to protect ourselves from this creeping death that we choose to let into our immeasurably more advanced brains as we watch TV, listen to music, audiobooks, Read magazines, listen to gossip etc we’re failing to empty our own trash and also stop more from seeping in and reprogramming our brains and hearts!
So…how is your programming doing? Are you using “wholesome” or “Worldly” code?
Are you aware of the code you use and how it affects your life and the people around you?
Or do you wear a face filter?
📖 Another Verse 4 2day!
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Shadow Of The Beast
April 23, 2013 7 Comments
Shadow Of The Beast
by Steve Rebus
A tortured soul, wriggling with sin,
So much horror to know where to begin,
The black hands of Satan hold me from within.
Lord of my heart, Father to my soul,
Stop the firey darts, and take control,
Give me a new start and fill this black hole.
You hear my call, from the shadow of the beast,
No giants too tall, no longer a feast,
Your blood saves all; even the least.
The eyes of my heart are now open,
Reading the words you had spoken,
Your light shines brighter through the broken.
My Thoughts 💭
I’m not sure if this is a poem or if it will turn into a song, but I thought I would share it with you anyway, hope you enjoy! 😀
Related posts:
Prince Of Darkness
April 21, 2013 18 Comments
My Thoughts 💭
I am writing this post after being completely stunned by just listening to an Alice Cooper song that I spent most my adult years (aged 14-30) listening to, singing to and rocking out to, but had no idea what it meant! I simply can’t believe this and how I could ever miss it!
This instantly brought me to the verse below and got me thinking just how thick the veil must be as I wore it for so long. I sit here in complete disbelief that I could have missed what the song is about and I knew every word. This is the first time I have heard this song as a Christian and it just stopped me in my tracks,
📖 Verse 4 2day ~ 2 Corinthians 4:3(NIV)
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
📓 Lyrics 4 2day!
Alice Cooper ~ Prince of Darkness Lyrics:
An angel fell one stormy night
From Heaven’s Glory
He split the earth to reign in Hell
He fears the light
He fears the truth
He fears what’s going to be
He spits on life
He spits on God
He spits up death for you and me
Prince of Darkness
Studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness
Ready to baptize you in lies
Heart of evil, soul of blackness
Prince of Darkness
He saw that man was just a boy
With a baby’s mind
He swore damnation of God’s creation
He lives for hate
He lives for tears
He lives up to his name
He knew the light
He knew the one
Who was crucified in pain
Prince of Darkness
Studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness
Ready to baptize you in lies
Heart of evil, soul of blackness
Prince of Darkness
He fears the light
He fears the truth
He fears what’s going to be
He spits on life
He spits on God
He spits up death for you and me
Prince of Darkness
Studies the world with hungry eyes
Prince of Darkness
Ready to baptize you in lies
Heart of evil, soul of blackness
Prince of Darkness
He smells the breath
Of sweet human sin
And deeply breathes it in
Prince of Darkness
More Thoughts 💭
I feel pretty silly revealing this to you but I felt I needed to share this, I have read this verse so many times just lately as I am praying for the salvation of my family, but today I sit amazed how the word of God is right there in everything, and they simply can’t see it through the veil.
The irony is that I was fully sighted when I was blind to the truth, and now I am registered blind I can see! 😀
The Armour Of God
April 19, 2013 8 Comments
📖 Verse 4 2day ~ Ephesians 6:10-18
The Armour of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
My Thoughts 💭
Each morning I like to pray the armour of God prayer to ask God to equip me for the day. When not in prayer, and when I hear the words armour of God my mind shoots back to the image above, which is my fave armour (T51b Power Armour) from the Playstation 3 game Fallout 3.I know that video games get a lot of negative abuse, but I would just like to share this with you. No i’m not losing sight of reality, please bear with me. 😀
A little about Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is an action role-playing open world video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It is the third major instalment in the Fallout series. . Fallout 3 takes place in the year 2277, 36 years after the setting of Fallout 2 and 200 years after the nuclear apocalypse that devastated the game’s world in a future where international conflicts between the USA and China culminated in a Sino-American war in 2077, due to the scarcity of petroleum reserves that ran the economies of both countries. more on Wikipedia.
The game is based around Washington DC (the Capital Wasteland). The player faces all kinds of moral choices, situations, people, mutants and feral l ghouls (and worse), as he tries to find his father and the truth. As you encounter more powerful enemies without much armour yourself, you keep wishing that you will find the location of the power armour (see image above). The game (like life) is full of choices, you can choose to do good or you can choose to do bad, and the consequences of these choices send ripples throughout the game and change the way people receive you.
My point……
For us to stand any chance of surviving against the devil’s schemes, powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, we MUST choose to put on the spiritual armour. Unlike the game we know the location of this armour is in prayer.
Ready…..Aim..…Pray!
Each and every morning I urge you to pray on the literal Armour of God Ephesians 6 (as listed above). Take a moment and carefully consider the power, purpose and reality of each piece as you put it on. Whether you pray this prayer or a prayer like it, make it a daily routine that you take seriously.
🙏 Prayer 4 2day!
“Lord, please help me this day put on the Full Armour of God.
Help me put the Helmet of Salvation on my head that I might always remember I am saved, and who I belong to, that my mind is guarded in Christ Jesus, and that I may have the mind of Christ and that I may think the thoughts of Christ and reject all others.
Help me put the Breastplate of Righteousness on so that I may walk about in Righteousness and others may see your Righteousness in me, and that my heart is guarded in Christ Jesus, and that I may have the desires of Christ and reject all others.
Help me keep the Belt of Truth securely buckled on my waist, that I may always be secure in the knowledge of the Truth and always speak the Truth.
Help me fit my Feet with the Readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace, that I may stand firm in the Gospel, and spread the Gospel of Peace wherever I go.
Help hold the Shield of Faith with which to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one, strengthen my arm and help me hold it high, that I may use it to protect myself, my family, my household and those under my care, and help me use the Shield of Faith to press ahead and push forward for the kingdom of God.
And Lord, help me take up the Sword of The Spirit which is the Word of God, and use it every day, help me us it to protect myself and others from the evil one through the power and authority of Your Word, and to strike the hearts and minds of those who do not know You calling them towards repentance and salvation, help me use Your Word – the Sword of the Spirit – to cause those who know you but are backslidden to repentance, obedience and service, and to help awaken those who know you, but are asleep so they may obey and serve you, and please help me use your Word to bring, encouragement, strength and wisdom to the Remnant of God through your Word.
Help me serve you this and every day. Please use me Lord. These things I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Amen”
The Crossroads
April 11, 2013 2 Comments
📖 Verse 4 2day – Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, “We will not walk in it.”
The Message (MSG)
God’s Message yet again: “Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. But they said, ‘Nothing doing. We aren’t going that way.’
📖 Another Verse 4 2day – John 14:23-27
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
My Thoughts 💭
Why do we choose to set our ‘Simple Disobedience’ button to on in our human settings, even when we know God loves obedience from us?
Are there any switches that need turning ‘OFF’ in your obedience walk?
Do you have the ‘Holy Spirit’ set to ON?
🙏 Prayer 4 2day!
Holy Spirit, open my eyes today as I stand at the crossroads. Guide me away from where my flesh wants to go. Give me the wisdom to obey and hear your loving words as you gently guide me towards the light, Amen.
The sound of my eyes!
April 10, 2013 18 Comments
A curious blogger asked me a fantastic question “Do you have a support worker or a friend to read these posts & comments to you? Or is there some other way?”
As my sight is too poor to read print, i use the built in synthetic voices on my iMac to read aloud every post, comment, scripture, quote & prayers. I made a short video so you can hear some of the different voices and get a little insight of how technology can be used to help blind people stay connected and share fellowship with you great people!
If you have any questions please comment or email me at: steverebusblog@gmail.com
Thank You All!
April 8, 2013 7 Comments
I was checking my notifications this morning and I was stunned to have found this badge. When I started this blog I had no idea of what the Lord had in store for me, only that he wanted me to share my story on here. I have no writing experience (as you may have guessed by now) and I’m a listener, not a talker so words don’t come easy for me.
Reading all of your comments of love and encouragement, and being able to learn so much through your personal testimonies, truly wise teachings, amazing photography and building friends through fellowship I feel deeply touched!
What I am trying to say is… THANK YOU ALL!
I hope I can continue to be a small blessing or inspiration to you! God bless you all!
Draftin’
April 5, 2013 3 Comments
My Thoughts 💭
is your heart causing a draft over people?
Are you the ice cold draft that puts a chill into people even before you meet? If someone were to say your name does it make them sigh and say “Oh no I haven’t got the energy.” Or does your name bring a smile to their face as they can’t wait to meet up again.
Or are you a draft project?
Not quite finished or ready to be published yet, a broken toy forgotten on a shelf complaining because you feel your days are over. Are you sat waiting to bury your dead? waiting for your inheritance which you think will heal you. Then, and only then you decide to let Jesus walk alongside you but NEVER in front.
Or do you create a backdraft?
Are you opening doors you know you shouldn’t be opening? Are you letting the flames consume you and pollute your mind?
Or are you draftin’?
Are you letting Jesus lead? Are you following really close behind as he pulls you along, while leaving you with the energy to help others and become your own draft?
Bible.is app
April 5, 2013 2 Comments
Free App 4 2day! (accessible with Voiceover)
“Bible+“
Description from iTunes app store:
The FREE Bible app with the most translations in the world! 600+ languages including dramatized Audio! And now The JESUS Film Project too! Over 25,000 Five-Star ratings! READ the Bible, LISTEN to the Bible, and SEE the Bible as never before with anyone in the world.
This app is fantastic, I listen to it all the time and the dramatised bibles are amazing! It works seamlessly with the ‘Voiceover’ screenreader and once you quickly set up a free account, you can sync your bookmarks, highlights and reading plans between the Bible+ app on multiple platforms. I use this app on my iPhone, iPad and I also use the main website too.
Also see – accessapple
Ben Joins iChristian! :D
April 3, 2013 3 Comments
I’m so excited today as my great friend and brother in Christ Ben accepted his invitation from me to post his spirit led writings on my little blog for us all to enjoy. Ben leads our new small mens group ‘The Dynamic Force‘ and much more. He also helps disciple me each day with encouragement, conviction and prayer.
I pray that his writings will help encourage, challenge and bless you as we all travel along this amazing journey.
Check out his first (and hopefully not last) post ‘The Dynamic Force‘ and also check out his blog ‘The Most Excellent Way‘
The Screwtape Letters App
April 2, 2013 0 Comments
App 4 2day! (accessible with Voiceover) see accessapple
The Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis
Expand your enjoyment of literature with THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C.S. Lewis (unabridged). This interactive mash-up experience contains a multitude of features and content to help take you beyond the words, by providing a 5-star professional reading, background extras, and more.
My Thoughts
I love this book, it is a must read and I highly recommend it for everyone. I always have it installed on my iOS devices!
A Walk of Witness – The Cross Walk
March 29, 2013 4 Comments
Quote 4 2day 💬
“The Cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace, a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing, a picture of death, yet the key to life. – David Watson
Epsom town centre was blessed with the incredibly moving reenactment of the events of Good Friday. It was really emotional to be apart of it. The actors were fantastic and it really drove home the message of how Jesus suffered and died for our sins.
A big thanks to my Christian brother Ben for taking my camera and getting some great shots of the costumes and the cross for me as I was in the crowd and couldn’t see anything! 😀
Camera used – Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
© Ben Scadden
Depression
March 29, 2013 0 Comments
Whilst writing “My Testimony” I found this song hiding in my hard drive.
Depression
Written by Steve Rebus
As I wake up I slowly realise,
That I face another day with darkened eyes,
As it hits me I have to refrain,
From the thoughts wishing me dead again!
Pure isolation, I dream of escape,
My hopes and ambitions I’ve had to forsake,
Panic, despair, my hand grips the knife,
I pray for the strength to end this sad life!!
(chorus)
Depression,
Comes like the darkest night,
Depression,
No glimmer of hope, no sign of light.
I feel the torment build deep inside,
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
It has to happen now, I need a release,
I hope suicide will finally bring me peace!
(chorus)
As I look back with love in my heart,
My Chains are gone, i have a new start,
The Lord is my refuge, my strength, my home,
The darkness has gone, I’m no longer alone!
© Steve Rebus
📖 Verse of Hope
John 14:1-4
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
More songs:
Not afraid to die
March 29, 2013 0 Comments
This song came to me as I was with Sarah at another Eric Bibb concert, we were sat very high up in the eaves of Cadogan Hall and I felt a sudden sense of danger. I pictured the whole place collapsing and I was trapped under all of the seats etc.
When we got home I picked up my acoustic guitar and this song (lyrics & chords) just came straight out. I havn’t edited it since and this happened around 2005.
Not afraid to die
Music & Lyrics by Steve Rebus
Verse 1 G, D/F#, A Asus
On that fateful night
In Cadohan Hall
Eric Bibb’s Blues filling wall to wall.
Verse 2
A big explosion
And you were scared
But I was the one trapped beneath the stairs
(Chorus) Dsus, G, D/F#, G, A
Please save yourself, before it’s too late
Please save yourself, but don’t you cry
Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die
Verse 3
You let go of my hand
With tears on your face
The look in your eyes, as you left this place
Verse 4
I can feel the heat
Of the flames on my skin
The creak from the roof as it finally caved in
(Chorus)
Please save yourself, before it’s too late
Please save yourself, but don’t you cry
Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die
Solo
Verse 5
Remember me
And the life we had
Share your smile and never be sad
(Chorus)
Please save yourself, before it’s too late
Please save yourself, but don’t you cry
Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die
When you’ve got the Lord in your heart…..don’t be afraid to die
© Steve Rebus
I am not sure if this is an outpouring of my love for Sarah and how I would die for her, or if its trying to show how much inner peace I feel now I follow Jesus, maybe its both?!
Please comment and let me know your thoughts! 😀
More songs:
Password??
March 15, 2013 2 Comments
📖 Verse 4 2day!
John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
My Thoughts 💭
When we struggle with Guilt, worry, fear, people or any problem at all, the Bible says that we should take it to Jesus and he will free you from your chains and give rest to your soul.
So why, when we know the correct password to unlock all of these problems and issues is “Jesus”. Why do we constantly insist on entering the wrong one!
Are you screaming at the issues for not accepting your password??
Try “Jesus”
📖 another Verse 4 2day!
Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
🙏 Prayer 4 2day!
“Dear Father,
I need you now because I am full of stress and anxiety. Reading your Word brings comfort, as I ask you to come and take my heavy burdens. I take each burden, one by one, and lay them at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don’t have to. Replace them with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today. I receive your gift of peace of mind and heart. I know that you, Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me, Amen”
Diet or Die✞ – Part 1
February 3, 2013 Comments Off on Diet or Die✞ – Part 1
Romans 12:2 (VOICE)
Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.
We see and hear all around how the world tells us about “Another fantastic new Diet that will transform our lives and bring us happiness.”
Is this true?
I know from personal experience that any diet is very short lived. Whilst growing up I was encouraged to overeat so I’ve always had this particular struggle. After seemingly endless attempts at dieting over the numerous years I’ve tried losing weight. I’ve always managed to put on more weight than I lost!
Things finally changed for me on New Years Eve 2012. I read Pete Briscoe’s ‘Experiencing Life Today‘ where he was talking about people always making New Years resolutions but failing all the time and then repeating this each year. He said that you need to have an inner “Revolution” NOT “Resolution” – resolutions rely on your OWN strength!
So I jumped straight into Prayer and asked God for an inner REVOLUTION and as I’m in Christ, for him to grow the fruit of self control within me. It’s now the beginning of February and a few days ago I had a Vision/Dream (the photo at top of my post is the picture I designed to help me remember it).
I felt God was telling me that if I continue to live in the flesh and follow worldly Diet’s, then I’d be caught in this cycle for the rest of my life. But if I crucify my flesh as Christ did for me then what Paul said in Galatians 5:24 is the path he’s given me to follow.
📖 Verse 4 2day!
Galatians 5:24 (NIV)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24 (MSG)
Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good – crucified.
I was told by my lovely wife Sarah and my true friend and Christian brother Ben to post this on my Blog. I am not a writer by any means but my hope is that this may help you as it’s helping me.
I’ve tasted the self control fruit – the Spirit has freed me from alcohol abuse, stopped me swearing and ended the uncontrollable anger and rage that I felt whilst I was coping with loosing my sight at the age of 24. Now I Pray that I’ll finally knock down this giant that has been taunting me my whole life!
” If you focus on the giant then YOU will stumble but if you focus on GOD the giant will stumble.”
“Are you allowing the Holy Spirit, who is inside of you, to have His way with you and your body? Or are you trying to control things yourself? The answer to these questions can make all the difference in the world for you today!” (Pete Briscoe)
🙏 Prayer 4 2day! “Jesus, I thank You for my body. Thank You for giving me this temporary vessel to live in on this earth. Today, I offer myself to You. All of me. Take my body and make it an instrument of Your righteousness. I surrender and ask that You would take control of it. Use it for Your glory as an instrument of worship, prayer, and loving service to those around me. Amen.”
Follow up Posts
Part 3 (Dec 2013)
Don’t Believe Like the Demons Believe!
November 13, 2012 0 Comments
i have been attending an Alpha course for the last few weeks and i have been struggling to put into words how, once you have asked Jesus to take over your life and the experience of change that happens from the inside and things that you were doing just seem wrong or just not funny anymore! So when i read this article by Probe Ministries i just had to share it! 😀
Don’t Believe Like the Demons Believe!
One of our pastors shares a favorite story: a young man in Sweden, while trying to get rid of the watermark on his trial software so he could use it illegally, did some online research that led him to a YouTube film clip from our church (Watermark Community Church) making the case for waiting to have sex before marriage. The twenty—something had never heard of such a thing, and while it sounded crazy to him, he continued to watch more clips, which intrigued him further, and he did more research that led him to the conclusion, “Wait a minute, there’s something really different about these people.”
So he called the pastor. From Sweden. “Hey man, I don’t know your God, never heard of your Jesus, but I want to know Him. I’ve been tracking with you guys online, watched a ton of sermons, and I want to know that God.” J.P. led him to the Lord, and he trusted Christ over the phone in Swedish.
He called again some time later. “Hey, we always go out and get drunk, and I’m having a hard time doing that all of a sudden. Yeah, we always pride ourselves on taking some girl home that we don’t know, and all of a sudden that doesn’t feel right to me. What’s wrong with me? This isn’t any fun anymore. Something happened!”
That’s what lifechange looks like. That’s the kind of transformation that happens when someone puts their trust in Jesus Christ and surrenders their heart and their life to a new kind of supernatural God—life. The New Testament talks about two kinds of life—the merely physical, and the supernatural, eternal, abundant life Jesus said He came to bring us (John 10:10). This eternal life invades our merely physical life.
I’ve been engaging in an email conversation with a dear man who is wondering why he hasn’t experienced any lifechange stories like the new Swedish Christian. When I asked his understanding of what it means to be a Christian, he indicated he had prayed a prayer that Christians had told him to pray. But nothing had happened, nothing had changed. In decades. When I asked him who he thinks Jesus is, he said whoever Christians told him He was. He’s now considering that all this time, he hasn’t been a Christian after all, and I think he’s right.
His dilemma illustrates a heartbreaking truth: there are a lot of people who think they are Christians because they have prayed a prayer or they mentally assent to some spiritual truths. But then they don’t see anything different in their lives, because they have been offered a false gospel of “say this prayer” or “believe these things” and they think they’ve got their going—to—heaven ticket punched. But they continue to live the same way, simply adding Jesus to their mental cubbyholes, ready to call on Him at the moment of death.
The people who saw radical changes in their lives in the New Testament were those who opened themselves to being invaded by Jesus Christ’s startlingly different, supernaturally powerful eternal life. As the true gospel spread, fueled by God’s Spirit manifested through Jesus’ lifechange in these people, the world was changed forever. I love how Dallas Willard writes:
So, C.S. Lewis writes, our faith is not a matter of our hearing what Christ said long ago and “trying to carry it out.” Rather, “The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself. He is beginning, so to speak, to ‘inject’ His kind of life and thought, His Zoe [life], into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin.” (The Divine Conspiracy, San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998, p. 20)
Why do so many people not experience the kind of lifechange of our Swedish friend? I respectfully (and, to be honest, somewhat fearfully) submit that their belief is that of demons. They believe the same thing the demons subscribe to, but it’s not a saving, life—changing kind of faith. Biblical faith is about trusting our entire self into Jesus’ hands, not merely nodding in intellectual assent or saying the words of a prayer. James 2:19 says, “You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear” (emphasis mine).
“I believe in God.” So do the demons.
“I believe Jesus is God’s Son.” So do the demons.
“I believe Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world.” So do the demons.
“I believe Jesus rose from the dead.” So do the demons.
What the demons don’t do is repent, turning 180 degrees from going their own way to surrender to Jesus, receive His love, and follow Him in obedience. They don’t entrust themselves into Jesus’ care. They don’t receive Jesus into the core of their being (John 1:12), as a response to Jesus drawing them into the core of His heart.
But we can. We must.
Biblical Christianity is about relationship. The Father, Son and Spirit invite us into Their circle of mutual love and affection, glory and grace. Jesus made it possible for us to be reconciled to God by taking our sin, that horrible barrier to relationship with His Father, out of the way at the cross. Biblical Christianity—being “injected” with eternal life—is SO not about mere intellectual assent or praying a prayer. It’s about surrendering to an amazing love and an amazing relationship.
Make sure your faith is about trust, and surrender, and joining the circle of God’s family. Make sure your faith is so much more than what the demons believe!
A Good Rule For Reading
September 27, 2012 0 Comments
It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. – C. S. Lewis
My Thoughts:
As i am registered Blind i read a lot of audiobooks and found myself getting distracted and missing little bits as its easy for your mind to wonder when listening rather than reading. So i tried this rule and it has really helped me in remembering!
iChristian 
Recent Comments