Steve Simms's Blog, page 7

I’m Traveling to Greater Inner Freedom

Daily writing promptWhat are your future travel plans?View all responses

I’m planning to continue my decades long trip that is taking me higher and higher to greater and greater inner freedom. It’s a long journey and a slow process, with every step along the way being a challenge, but the closer I get to the destination the higher my spirit soars. (Isaiah 40:31)

A massive circuit breaker (Romans 6:23) has turned off the current and stopped the flow of God’s Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) within human hearts causing an apocalyptic power outage. (2 Timothy 3:5) This has led to a worldwide spiritual blackout. (John 3:19) Now we humans live our lives in bondage (John 8:34) to distorted and corrupted feelings, desires, thoughts, opinions, habits, addictions, and other deceptions (Isaiah 53:6) and mostly ignore God’s offer of freedom.

The risen Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) is the truth (John 14:6) who has come to restore God’s inner power flow (Acts 1:8) and set people free (John 8:31-32) to be led by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14) Through Christ, God the Father wants to shine in your heart and give you light, (2 Corinthians 4:6) so that your mind can be free from fear (1 John 4:18) and you can live in the never-ending inner flow (John 7:38) of His power and love. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Jesus is the light of the world. (John 8:12) No one who says they believe in Him should stay in darkness. (John 12:46) Cast off your stubborn hardheartedness (Acts 3:19) and humbly and courageously come and continually surrender to the Light of Jesus. (John 3:19-21) Begin to spend your every moment aware of and obedient to His presence (Matthew 28:20) by letting Christ freely live in you, (Colossians 1:27) lead you, and be your absolute Master — your Lord and your God. (John 28:20)

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I’d Like to Change the Way Christianity is Presented

Daily writing promptWhat would you change about modern society?View all responses

Modern society sees Christianity in a boring and legalistic way that focus on Sunday morning church attendance and puts a lot of people off. It also presents Christianity as political. I’d like to change that. Better laws and more church attendance, without better people, can never bring the kingdom of God. God’s government must begin in human hearts.

Christianity is so much better than most people think. If going to church isn’t producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in people’s lives, it’s missing the point. It’s best not to attend a church where you’re being manipulated and controlled. (John 8:32)

It’s good not to attend a church that contradicts what the Bible says about Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:3-4) It’s dangerous to attend church without searching the Bible to see if what’s taught there is true. (Acts 17:11) Jesus, Himself, said: “Beware of false prophets.” (Matthew 7:15)

When church attendance is a greater focus than an ongoing, heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus, it has become an idol. It’s not good to attend a church that makes you feel like it’s not good to be excited about Jesus. (Matthew 6:33)

There is so much more to Christianity than passively attending church. (James 1:22) Be a ceaseless radiator of Christ’s presence and love, not merely a weekly spectator at a religious service. (2 Timothy 1:6-9)

God doesn’t want people to do religious things with a hardened heart. (Matthew 15:8-9 & 22:37) Fully open up your heart to Jesus. (Revelation 3:20) Trust Him with your wounds and let Him give you “a new heart” (Ezekiel 36:26) — “a noble and good heart.” (Luke 8:15) Refuse to hinder what the Holy Spirit wants to do in your heart and through your life. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

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Music to My Ears

Daily writing promptWhat do you listen to while you work?View all responses

I listen to and nurture the best, most uplifting thoughts that come to my mind. They are music to my ears. Meanwhile I resist, refute, and reject the impure ones. I use discernment to recognize which are which. I find the thoughts in my mind to be more entertaining and challenging than anything else I can listen to. I especially focus on the thoughts and insights that come to me from God.

I’ve learned that things look different from God’s perspective. I allow God the Holy Spirit to train me to see the way He sees (1 Samuel 16:7) by continually devouring and savoring the writings of the ancient prophets and the earliest Christians and letting those Bible words unceasingly burn in my heart. (Luke 24:32) That gives me discernment to recognize which thoughts are from God, which are from me, and which are from the invisible enemies of God. (Philippians 4:8)

The invisible kingdom of God (Luke 17:20) has come close by. (Mark 1:15) This is how it is manifesting and growing. (Matthew 13:31-32) God is actively releasing His thoughts and insights. (Matthew 16:16-17) Hungry human hearts (Matthew 5:6) day by day are humbly seeking (Matthew 6:33) and receiving God’s direct, personal revelation. Then they align with, surrender to, and obey His supernatural revelation through their internal and external actions of eager repentance. (Acts 3:19) Repentance then leads to the ongoing discipleship of Spirit-led, (Romans 8:14) heart-to-heart relationship with the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:20) and with His faithful followers. (1 John 1:1-3)

God is wanting to work His kingdom through and transform every aspect of your being, the way that yeast works all the way through a big mass of dough. (Matthew 13:33) Will you let Him?

Isolation is not a spiritually healthy thing for Christ-followers to do. We need to listen to God together and help each other hear, heal, and grow. The New Testament tells us more than 50 times to minister to one another in various ways. It also says for us to not give up meeting together. (Hebrews 10:25) There are many ways Christ-followers can meet together besides gathering to passively hear a sermon. For example, we can assemble, listen to God the Holy Spirit together, and then allow people to say and do as they are led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14) Unfortunately many Christians isolate in their seats on Sunday morning.

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My Go-To

Daily writing promptWhat’s your go-to comfort food?View all responses

I’m never going to be good enough while living on this planet. I’ll always need mercy and forgiveness. If I write something that offends you, I might even need your forgiveness. But mostly I need God’s forgiveness. He is my go-to for mercy and deliverance.

King David, speaking of the wicked, wrote: “In your heart you devise injustice.” (Psalm 58:2) Isaiah had a broader view of evil. He wrote: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) Paul wrote, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) Peter, referring to Isaiah’s words wrote this about Jesus: “He Himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25) The Bible boldly proclaims Christ’s power to forgive and deliver a wretch like me.

The body of Christ is the community of the forgiven–the undeserving recipients of God’s mercy and deliverance–and I am one of them. Are you? The essence of what it means to be the body of Christ is genuine Spirit-led community, not a classroom style lecture. Christians need less sermon-hearing and much more Spirit-led doing. (James 1:22 and Romans 8:14)

What you know about Jesus by personal experience with Him and direct heart-to-heart revelation from Him is much more powerful than anything you can learn about Him from a merely human teacher. A relationship with Jesus is personal not institutional. What matters most is what you allow Him to do in your heart, not a religious program.

Jesus speaks to humble people who will listen directly to Him with an open, humble hear. Will you?

When the Holy Spirit begins to move some people almost always rise up and try to stop Him. I’ve seen this happen many times. About two years ago I discovered a group (not a church) that let people share as the Holy Spirit led them. People opened up and shared their heart. You could strongly sense God’s presence. At times as many as 50 people were present. However, some people were uncomfortable and worked to limit the Spirit’s freedom by bringing in human programming and control. It was amazing while it lasted but sad to see it stopped.

True worship can take place anywhere. It’s not confined to a particular place, time, or organization. (John 4:21-23) Make humble, heart-felt worship and an intimate obedient relationship with the risen Jesus your aim, not church attendance.

Don’t wait for
A church service.
Talk to Jesus.
Listen to Him.
Let Him lead you.
Let Him explain
The Bible to you,
Here and now.

The funny movie “Lucky Louie” (available on Prime) vividly illustrates this point, especially in the final few minutes. It will touch your heart.

The Game of Life

Daily writing promptWhat’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?View all responses

My favorite game is the game of life. It’s much less routine and much more exciting than most people realize.

There’s so much scenery in my “ordinary” backyard. What amazing views! Every leaf and every bunch of leaves sways with its own unique shape. Every cloud is a special sight to see. Even in the dark the stars and moon delight my eyes. Yet in the midst of such extraordinary vistas, often all I see is the ordinary. God the Father calls us to see more! (John 1:29)

The Bible teaches the direct opposite of the “let the preacher do it” mentality. It teaches that the role of spiritual leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) is to train ordinary Christians to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4;11) not merely to lecture a passive congregation. Both Peter and Paul teach that Christians are supposed to be active in Spirit-gifted ministry. (1 Peter 4:10-11 and Romans 12:6-8) So why aren’t preachers focused on training, encouraging, and releasing the people in their congregation to minister to one another and to be Christ’s light to whoever God the Holy Spirit leads them? Religious tradition is holding pastors back and preventing them from training and releasing the people they preach to. (Mark 7:13)

A relationship with Christ is free but it’s not easy. Jesus Himself said that it requires self-denial (going against our own thoughts, feelings, and desires), cross-bearing (not running away from struggles and trails), and discipleship (continually following and obeying Him). (Luke 9:23)

The idea Christianity is just something you listen to instead of something you do has mislead many people. (James 1:22) Active, Spirit-led and empowered Christianity is the key to true success (happiness, inner peace, deep heart connection with other people, freedom from mental and emotional bondage, guiltlessness, heart-swelling love) in the game of life. The “let the preacher do it” mentality has greatly inhibited the spiritual growth of many Christians.

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Living Bread

Daily writing promptWhat foods would you like to make?View all responses

Have we Christians, like the ancient Israelites in the wilderness, rejected the land that God wants to give us? (Numbers 14:31) If not, have we wholeheartedly entered into it? Christ has so much more for us than religion that lacks the power to truly set us free and to radically transform our life. (2 Timothy 3:5) He wants to give us living bread. (John 6:51)

The Bible tells Christians that our individual body a temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19) You don’t need to go anywhere or attend any event to be in a place of worship. You are that place. If Christ is in you, no matter where you go there He is.

Worship is supposed to happen everywhere. God never intended for it to be confined to church buildings. (Philippians 4:4) The risen Jesus is active and available anywhere and anytime people call on Him. (Matthew 28:20)

Without the actual active presence of Christ, a church building is merely a man-made structure. A few people worshipping freely in a house is every bit as valid as programmed worship in a church building. (Matthew 18:20) When the Bible tells Christians not to “forsake the assembling of yourselves together,” it’s not talking about a meeting in a church building. (Hebrews 10:25)

The Bible tells Christians to look unto Jesus, to fix our eyes on Him not on a religious organization. (Hebrews 12:2) The body of Christ is about community, about disciples encouraging one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) It’s not about always learning but not actually doing what you’ve learned. (2 Timothy 3:7 and James 1:22) Christ came to set people free from religious pride and formalism. (2 Timothy 3:5) He doesn’t want us entangled in religious bondage. (Galatians 5:1-6)

The place to worship God is wherever you are. Worship needs to be in the Spirit, not in a particular building. (Philippians 3:3) The best place to be on Sunday (and every other day) is “in the Spirit.” (Revelation 1:10)

The body of Christ is “living stones being built into a spiritual house” not a building or an institution. (1 Peter 2:5) If you attend church but your heart isn’t fully there, these words of Jesus describe you: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8) Religion that conforms to the world and is approved by contemporary culture isn’t from God. (Romans 12:2)

To see if you are entering and living in the land that God wants to give you, frequently run a Holy Spirit search of your heart. (Psalm 139:23) Continually download to your heart the fruit and the gifts of God the Holy Spirit.

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The True Source of Comfort and Companionship

Daily writing promptDogs or cats?View all responses

People need comfort and companionship and search for it in many different ways and places. Here’s one of the ways that I find comfort in my life.

A prayer chair helps people catch “a different spirit.” (Numbers 14:24) It helps to connect people directly with God the Holy Spirit who gives them a hunger and thirst to wholehearted follow and obey the risen Jesus.

Many times, I’ve sat in the healing seat of prayer covered by caring hands and hearts flowing with God’s love. Each time, I’ve been touched by the tender presence of Christ radiating from ordinary people who love Jesus and are willing to verbally and humbly direct His love toward me. Many more times, I’ve been among those who have opened their heart and their mouth to gently place their hands on and pray for someone needing encouragement.

The prayers that I’ve heard in such a setting are some of the sincerest and most Spirit-led prayers I’ve ever heard. You can instantly see their effect in both the person in the chair and the people gathered around. Eyes become moist. Tears flow. Sighs of relief are released. Hugs are shared. God’s love fills the air.

Like the Bible says: “Pray for one another that you may be healed. (James 5:16) Frequently the people doing the praying are touched and healed as powerfully as the one being prayed over.

Christians are called to continually experience the caring community of Spirit-led, heart-to-heart interaction with one another. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) So why is meeting together around a prayer chair so rare?

Someone in a chair
Surrounded by prayer
By people who care
And tenderly share
The pain that they bear
Is so very rare.
It’s time we go there.
People everywhere
Need that kind of prayer.
Go offer a chair.
(James 5:14-16, Galatians 6:2,
and 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

When a religious presentation replaces the heart-felt presence of the risen Jesus Christ, Christianity is off track. Remember the prayer chair! Don’t forget to pull up a chair.

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Heart-Felt Christ-Focus Slows Down Time

Daily writing promptWhich activities make you lose track of time?View all responses

When I’m intently focused on the presence, power, and majesty of Jesus time slows down. What seems like it has been 20 minutes will have been a few hours. That has happened to me many times, the most amazing being at the Asbury Awakening.

I was in an auditorium with about 1,500 people at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Someone was playing a grand piano on the far side of the stage. A couple of people were playing guitars and singing (without making any comments) behind the piano. The rest of the stage was empty. I’ve never seen so many people focused on pouring out their heart in adoration to Jesus for so long. (It went non-stop for weeks with individuals reverently coming and going. Every few hours someone would read a Scripture or share a short testimony and then everyone would quickly return to passionate adoration of Jesus.)

The two days my wife and I were there flew by. It was the closest thing to the glorious timelessness of Heaven that I’ve ever experienced.

“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed.” Numbers 14:17

During this hour
Words without power
Are not what we need.
Preaching men’s wisdom
Won’t build God’s kingdom.
O for believers
Who will demonstrate
The Spirit’s power,
Who will do God’s word
Not simply hear it
But trail the Spirit.
(2 Timothy 3:5, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, James 1:22, & Romans 8:14

If you want to experience actual demonstrations of the reality of the risen Jesus, are two keys:

Set your thoughts and affections on things above, on Jesus and His present reality. (Colossians 3:2)Avoid unsafe thoughts and unsafe emotions. Guard your heart and your mind. (Philippians 4:7)[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://hopethoughts.com/wp-content/u..." data-large-file="https://hopethoughts.com/wp-content/u..." src="https://hopethoughts.com/wp-content/u..." alt="" class="wp-image-43990" />Photo by Matheus Guimaru00e3es on Pexels.com

It Bothers Me When God The Holy Spirit is Quenched

Daily writing promptWhat bothers you and why?View all responses

“For His name’s sake . . . “

Speaking about God the Holy Spirit, Jesus said: “He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.” (John 16:14:15)

The Holy Spirit has come and is present and active in the world to glorify Jesus. Christ-followers are called to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) not by our own thoughts, feelings, desires, beliefs, and opinions. Unfortunately, many Christians have a Holy Spirit phobia and are afraid to fully and openly surrender to God the Holy Spirit. Thus, we (often unintentionally) “quench” and “grieve” the Spirit.

(The genuine fear of God doesn’t make a person afraid of the presence and power of Holy Spirit. It causes people to be overcome with awe, with adoration, and with surrender to God the Spirit.)

I believe that Holy Spirit phobia is the greatest problem of contemporary Christianity. It causes us to continually dodge the presence of God. Holy Spirit phobia can be called theophobia. It’s the fear that seeks to avoid the reality of God the Holy Spirit and it’s quite common, even among religious people.

To allow being afraid of God the Holy Spirit to cause you to ignore or resist Him (or to pretend like He isn’t actively and lovingly pursuing you) is to avoid Him who perfectly loves you, who wants to heal you, set you free, and fill you with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

When people become aware that the Holy Spirit is present, they realize that He can shake up the status quo and disrupt their comfort zones. People with theophobia don’t trust God the Holy Spirit and dread what He might do. Thus, they (often unconsciously) do all they can to avoid the literal presence of the Spirit.

Holy Spirit phobia involves numerous things: The fear of being misled. The fear of the supernatural. Fear of the loss of personal control. The desire to protect our religious traditions and spiritual comfort zones. The fear of change. The fear of the controversial. The fear of intimacy with God. The fear of what God the Holy Spirit may tell us to do. Anxiety about what God the Spirit may show us about ourselves.

Holy Spirit phobia causes Christians to avoid the “righteousness, peace, and joy” that the Holy Spirit brings. (Romans 14:17) It keeps us away from ongoing intimate connection with the Source of all that is good.

There is a cure for Holy Spirit phobia. It is trust, reliance, and obedience. Refuse to allow fear and discomfort to cause you to quench God the Holy Spirit. Learn to trust the Spirit by courageously surrendering to His presence. Step out in faith. “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

Deeply and fully realize that if you ask God for the Spirit, He won’t give you something bad. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

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Be Encouraged. There is Hope.

Daily writing promptList 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.View all responses* Life can be better.
* Choices matter.
* Hurts can be healed.
* Attitude matters.
* Guilt can be forgiven.
* Thoughts and words matter.
* People can change.
* Encouragement is powerful.
* Hope can arise.
* Jesus became real to me in an instant and I've been joyously passionate about following and obeying Him ever since.

To teach people information about Jesus without training them to daily listen to and obey Him misses the point of Christianity. We need to go beyond that.

Make a strait path for the Lord to work in your heart. Remove all of the obstacles out of His way. (Matthew 3:3)

How Long Will You Wait?

Enlist
In God’s army.
Untwist
The hardness
Of your heart.
Insist
That your every
Thought, feeling,
And desire
Align with Christ.
Resist
Any that don’t.
Persist.

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