| But you say, my life doesn't seem like a heaven on earth! And I wasn't the one who sinned, Adam and Eve did, not me! Why should I pay for their mistakes!? First of all, if Adam hadn't sinned, someone soon after him would have. If no one had sinned before you, it's likely that you would have, because what he did was a common mistake that any human could have made under those circumstances. Remember that although Adam and Eve SAW God and knew Him as a friend, they were "babes" in experiences. There was nothing but trees, plants, natural things. No libraries, books of past history etc. No houses, cars or even neighbors!!! There were no children born yet, and as far as we know, not even a human sexual act. That doesn't make what Adam and Eve did any less severe, because they knew God well, and they knew of His great power and mercy. They SHOULD have obeyed, but we can't let ourselves feel superior to them, because we WOULD have sinned too, most likely. Now, because of their sin, and the fact that we are their descendents, we share their blood line. Until we find a scripture that says some of us are implanted aliens from Mars, we MUST understand that we're all in the same boat. All men, women and children, from the moment of birth, are born dying. This is the consequences of past sin. The Glory is, that those of us who choose to live, have the freedom to do so. We can claim Jesus as OUR personal savior, and immediately be a part of eternal life. This eternal life, "salvation", includes having all of our needs met, all of our sicknesses healed, all of our heartaches soothed, and a best friend/husband/Father/counselor/Lord/King who is Jesus. Why haven't you experienced this kind of power and blessing in your life? Examine your lives, beloved. How much of your day is spent in thinking about Jesus, prayer, fasting, working for the kingdom? When someone insults you, do you instantly forgive? Or do you insult back? When you see someone who is in need, whether it's from their own sins or mistakes, or if they are genuinely not at fault, what is your reaction? Do you forgive them and seek to help all? Only the Holy Spirit can bring your spirit to life and only constant feeding in the Word can bring you the anointing. The Anointing is the power of God to accomplish what would be impossible in man without God. You see, even Jesus had to have the anointing. He took himself away to be alone, pray and study often. He sought the anointing and protected it by keeping his ears and eyes off of things of the world. Few of us can honestly say we have done nearly enough to have in place a life of blessings and peace. Yet we are still saved from much worse, because we say we believe in Jesus. I urge you, beloved, go beyond what you have ever experienced before! Begin with praises. Try to remain in an attitude of worship and praise, day and night. Sing songs to Him, those you know and then make up your own. Tell Jesus how you feel. Ask Him how you should react, and what He would have you to know. Trust Him and the Word. Obey it and you won't go wrong. Speak scripture verse and phrases, it's all right to word the verses into modern language and to say them boldly as positive affirmations. (See power tools of scripture) |