Steve Simms's Blog, page 312
July 29, 2016
All lifestyles are not equal. (Is yours working?)
All lifestyles are not equal:
–America teaches that there are a vast diversity of lifestyles, however, Christianity teaches that there are only two basic lifestyles. We can live our life following and obeying our thoughts, feelings, opinions, and desires. Or we can live our life following and obeying the Spirit of the living God. “Those who live according to the flesh (human nature) have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
–Those who seek to go against their human nature and instead live in obedience to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit are a small minority. Jesus called these two lifestyles the “broad way” followed by many and the “narrow way” followed by few. Is the lifestyle you are living working for you? If not, perhaps, you need to embrace the minority lifestyle.
–The best government is the government of God, not human government. That’s what Jesus talked about. He called it the kingdom of God — the territory that’s under God’s authority and rule. He said that that territory is established inside of people, not built with outward boundaries. Are your thoughts, emotions, opinions, and desires surrendered to God’s authority and control? If not, you are in rebellion against His kingdom and that means that your life is malfunctioning and out of alignment. Rather than looking to human government, Jesus challenged people to repent — to realign themselves with God and His government.
July 26, 2016
“The right to choose,” falsely says “Some lives don’t matter.”
Why don’t prenatal lives matter in America? Why have we devalued the most innocent form of human life? Why are prenatal lives offered no respect, no protection, and no rights?
The place to start with “ALL LIVES MATTER,” is in the womb. It’s foundational. If we say that human life doesn’t matter in the womb, then we have declared that a certain group of human lives doesn’t matter! Black, blue, and all — surely life matters in the womb. After all, prenatal care makes no sense if a baby in the womb is nothing but a disposable piece of tissue.
“The right to choose,” falsely says “Some lives don’t matter.” By teaching people that life in the womb is worthless our nation has to some degree devalued all human life and opened a door to increased violence in our culture.
America slowly replaced the words “Thou shall not kill,” with the words “The right to choose.” Now society is reaping consequences from this change in perspective. If we really want all lives to mater, lets begin by making prenatal lives matter again!
#DemsInPhilly #DemsinPHL
July 24, 2016
Love or sentimentalism?
If you’re impatient; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re unkind; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re envious; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re boast; it’s sentimentalism,not love.
If you’re proud; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re disrespectful; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re looking out for number one; it’s, sentimentalism, not love.
If you easily turn to anger; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you keep score; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you enjoy watching evil; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’re not honest; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you don’t protect; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you don’t trust; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you’ve lost hope; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
If you give up on someone; it’s sentimentalism, not love.
The Bible puts it this way: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
July 22, 2016
The Trek Beyond: (Back To The Original Star Trek)
We’re Trekkies and Trekkers who are following the inner Star. We’re trekking beyond the bounds — outside the ordinary; over and above assumptions; out of the reach of routine; out of range of religion; past human performance and control.
Like the original Trekkies, our enterprise is to boldly go where few men have gone before. Those wise Trekkers saw a star and were inspired to leave home, family, country, and culture behind, in order to follow it. The star led the original Trekkies to an infant King and they worshiped Him.
Now a new Star Trek movie is calling our culture to be like the wise men who sought Jesus. In this age of Dones, when millions of people “done with church,” we are being challenged by God to pursue the inner Star and go beyond religion — beyond church as usual — back to the original Star trek, the passionate pursuit of the presence of Jesus Christ.
Our goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to “beam us up” to new spiritual heights. We realize that “resistance is futile” and that quenching the Holy Spirit is “highly illogical” if we want to “live long and prosper” in God, because ignoring the Spirit is like shutting down our connection with Starfleet Command.
Therefore when we gather in Jesus’ name we pursue His active leadership and direction by setting aside our own plans and agendas and allowing anyone present to share testimonies, words of encouragement, Scriptures, prayer requests, gifts of the Spirit, short teachings, prayers, etc. as they feel prompted by the Spirit. According to the New Testament (our Star Fleet Manual), this is the way the early Christ-followers met to worship Jesus. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.) In the Greek language it was called ekklesia, but the word was dropped and replaced with the English word church.
So do you want to boldly go beyond? If so read Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia available here in Kindle or paperback. Also if you are ever in Nashville, trek over to The Salvation Army Berry Street on Sunday mornings at 10:45, 225 Berry St., 37207 — where ordinary people show and tell what God has done.
.
July 20, 2016
America needs “J” for JOY
I made a “J” (for “joy”) with my hand in front of a map of America. We have relentlessly pursued happiness — but somehow we have missed out on joy. Happiness depends on happy happenings; but joy flows from deep within. It transcends and overcomes our circumstances. America desperately needs joy!
Joy radiates love and peace.
–America currently appears to be full of anger, fear, sadness, name calling, depression, anxiety, hatred, retaliation, bitterness, insecurity, unforgiveness, pride, hostility, etc. — but where is the joy?
–JOY is a 3-step process (and unlike happiness, joy doesn’t depend on circumstances): Step 1) J: Put Jesus first in your life. Step 2) O: Put others 2nd. Step 3) Y: Forget about yourself so that God’s joy can flow through you.
Our violent land desperately needs Christ-followers to demonstrate Jesus’ command to bless those who curse us and to love our enemies. Yet we’re not even effectively demonstrating blessing and loving those of a different “race” or political party. Is your love growing cold? Are you being desensitized? (“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” –Matthew 24:12.) Joy can empower us to love unconditionally.
We can’t stop the anger in our society, by name calling or violence. That just breeds more of the same. Only demonstrations of the supernatural joy and love of Christ can transform a heart from anger to love. Do we have the courage show others Christ’s sacrificial love and forgiveness?
If we don’t learn to experience the inner joy of the living Jesus we will continue to wallow in and swallow the hollow pursuit of personal pleasure, self-satisfaction, unhealthy competition with others. Outward bravado can talk tough; but it takes inner joy to love and forgive.
July 19, 2016
Make church ekklesia again! (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Make Church Ekklesia Again! (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Ekklesia,
It will free ya,
Let you speak out,
Overcome doubt,
Drive away fear,
Bring Christ so near,
Make Christ so dear!
It’s time to make church ekklesia again. (Ekklesia, the lost word of the Bible, is the what Jesus called His body in Matthew 16 when He said: “I will build My ekklesia.” An ekklesia was the city council of a Greek city/state where everyone was equal and anyone could speak out in the meeting. More @ http://amzn.to/29I4tVW)
July 16, 2016
Why America needs to say, “Black Lives Matter”
Why America Needs To Say “Black Lives Matter”
In its early years America said
That black lives don’t matter
By subjecting millions of black lives to:
Human trafficking and abuse;
Lifelong bondage and work without pay;
Cruel separation from their families;
And brutal whippings if they didn’t obey.
Then America set black lives “free”
And turned them over
To a cruel system of separation
That denied their newly bestowed
Constitutional rights through:
Ongoing name calling, social abuse,
Harassment, bullying, torture,
Murder, and terror;
Resulting in the illegal lynching
Of more than 4,000 black lives,
While authorities turned their backs
(Or even assisted in the evil)
And the US Congress
Refused to make a resolution against it
And say that black lives matter.
Today it’s way past time to
Shout it from the housetops,
And write it on all of our hearts,
That black lives matter
Every bit as much
As white lives do!
Black men get a bad rap in America. Learn the truth about black men here.
July 15, 2016
Trash talking takes away truth and trumps trust
People trash talking other people isn’t helping our situation. Let’s try some kindness instead!
To trash talk people is to disobey Christ and be tactless. Trash talking tarnishes truth, trumps trust, tramples on tenderness. Should we trash talk others; or to speak the truth in love? That is the question.
–When we attack people, put them down, and/or call them names on social media (or in other places) aren’t we disobeying Jesus? Should our words beat people up, or build them up? Shouldn’t Christians obey Jesus and find a way to disagree with people without verbally beating them up?
–Jesus said “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27=28)
Should Christ-followers verbally beat people up with bitterness, rage, anger, slander, and malice? Or build them up by being kind, compassionate, and forgiving?
–“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
Right wing? Left wing? How about we stop being so cantankerous and center on bringing our life under God’s wings?
–“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” –Psalm 91:4
–“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” –Jesus in Matthew 23:37
It’s time to turn from unkindness to kindness . . .
–“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” –2 Timothy 2:24
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” –1 Peter 3:9
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” –James 3:9-10
Feel like you can’t stop trash talking others? Jesus sees us caught in sin and shame and frees us from our chains so we’ll never be the same.
July 13, 2016
Christ-seminar or Christ-encounter?
Let’s trade Sunday morning Christ-seminars for Christ-encounters. Why should we meet for a weekly Christ-seminar when we can meet to encounter Christ through one another? This is described in 1 Corinthians 14:26.
When a person in a pulpit replaces the power of Christ’s presence, Christianity becomes a historical presentation rather than a present revolution. If Jesus Christ can run the Universe all by Himself, why don’t we let Him run church services all by Himself?
Perhaps the one-man pastor system where the pastor functions as the CEO (and has replaced Christ as the head) creates abuse. That system requires passivity and silence from the members. They are required to listen in church but aren’t allowed to express themselves in the service. This carries over into their relationship with the pastor. They are made to feel like they can’t offer feedback to the pastor. If someone gets the courage to give feedback, the pastor often sees that feedback as a threat and turns to defensiveness and sometimes even aggression against the member.
Individual pastors are caught up in this abusive system. They get their livelihood from it. The system makes it difficult for pastors to be humble, submissive, tender, and open toward the members. Pastors are made to feel like they can’t be who they are in front of the members.
Perhaps we need to get back to the New Testament and set worship up according to 1 Corinthians 14:26. This would put an end to abuse. Here’s how we can go beyond the traditional church system.
July 12, 2016
Awakening to mental health
Awakened with thoughts about mental health:
Last night I posted this question on Facebook: “How much evil, craziness, and demonic activity will 21st Century America have to experience before we realize that we desperately need the help of the living God?”
I woke up this morning with this definition of mental health running through my mind: Mental health is “the determination to denounce, defeat, and drive out destructive, dehabilating desires and deliberations, deposited by demons into your heart and mind.”
When I got out of bed I felt prompted to open a book called The Philokalia and it fell open to this:
“From whatever side a distractive thought may appear, before it has come to completion and assumed a form, the intellect immediately drives it away and destroys it with the invocation of Jesus Christ. From this point onwards the intellect begins to be full of rancor against the demons and, rousing its natural anger against its noetic (internal) enemies, it pursues them and strikes them down . The rest you will learn for yourself, with God’s help, by keeping guard over your intellect and by retaining Jesus in your heart.” Symeon The New Theologian (949-1022)
“Through tears of repentance purge your heart of all the defilement that comes from coupling with impure thoughts and giving your assent to them.” –Symeon
Are you ready for some mental health? The magic of mental health takes mystical muscle, not mundane mediocrity. Ya gotta fight for it! “Fight the good fight of faith.”
