Delving Deeper.

Delving Deeper.

When we know how to study the bible as against just reading it, we find all the hidden gems. In a previous post to this one (Getting the Most out of God’s Word), I wrote on how to dig deep into God’s word. In digging a little deeper even in just the first few chapters, right from the beginning of the bible, we can see what we haven’t seen before. And that works all the way through the Good Book. Delving deeper will bring greater clarity and further understanding of God and His word.

Gen 2:17 God told Adam not to eat of the tree, before He made Adam a helper. Eve wasn’t there to hear the version of that conversation, although Adam must have passed this knowledge on to Eve, otherwise the serpent wouldn’t have queried as to whether God really did say not to eat of the tree. Eve did embellish the story, when she said “we must not touch it.”

When God speaks to us, we must be careful also, not to embellish. Moses over emphasised when he struck the rock in anger (Numbers 20:8-11) and water flowed out of that rock. This embellishment, this over emphasising, resulted in him being unable to enter the promised land.

Gen 3:15 The serpent had seed, but it was Eve’s Seed which will bruise. Seed with a capital S. And He shall bruise the serpent’s head and the serpent shall bruise His heel…that’s because, later Jesus trod on the serpent (evil), as He overcame death.

This was a promise of future fulfilment. The word enmity indicates a blood feud. The woman’s Seed, Jesus, was killed by satan (no, I won’t capitalize this evil name) but He rose again. The blood feud having taken effect, the but future fulfilment of the Risen Lord was the fatal blow to the serpent. He knew it then and knows it now and it fills him with dread and terror.

Gen 4:7 Sin lay at the door and its desire is for you (every man). Rule over it, or it will rule over you. (When we’re dissatisfied, we’re more vulnerable to sin.) If we put our soul satisfaction before our relationship to God, we will more easily be enticed into sinning. The secret to living in joy is in Spirit-dwelling and in being content, whether rich or poor.

And after you sin you shall be, according to Gen 4:12, a fugitive and a vagabond. After Cain murdered his brother, he dwelt in the land of Nod, which means to wander. Nod; defined as moved, agitated. A Hebrew root of the verb; to wander.

So, you can see, as you delve deeper, as you study, and as you look at the concordance, and find articles on the internet, you’ll peel back the layers within the word of God and He will show you great and might things. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Don’t read your bible just to tick a box on your to-do list. Read it with the intention of getting to know God, His character, His love for His people, His winning strategies for war. Then you shall live a life of peace, abundance, success and love and they’re all promises of God; promises you can count on for God’s word doesn’t lie.

Break Those Bad Habits.

Break Those Bad Habits.

Repetitive behaviours, whether good or bad, form pathways in the brain which fire in an automatic sequence. That sequence plays out whenever triggered and without much thought behind it. The triggers can be obvious, or so subtle, you don’t even know what the trigger is.

When the behaviour is an undesirable one, this leaves a person feeling a failure, as they try to fight the issue through the flesh, when it can only be resolved by the Spirit. This is why we need to renew our mind and to renew daily. The mind needs to be taught to move from the destructive to the constructive. It takes radical commitment to remove a destructive behaviour.

Stop buying what’s harmful. Drive a different route home, so you’re not passing the store. Get off the internet, if that’s the issue. Have a trusted accountability partner. Spend more time in God’s word. Love more, give more, expect more from yourself and slowly you can turn things around.

This passage is by no means exhaustive. There are many ways to overcome behaviours you wish to change. Different things work for different people. Search for a pathway which works for you and keep searching until you find it. Read books, watch clips, speak to others who have overcome what it is your trying to conquer. Learn from them; do as they did. Most of all, turn to God. His word promises we will be overcomers and His word doesn’t lie. He will direct your steps.

And when you fall off the wagon, which you will at times, don’t quit. Get back up and go again and keep going until the issue has broken off you. Then you too, shall be an overcomer, able to help others in their need.

You then can be a solution to other people’s problems.

Be solution-focused not problem-focused. When you grasp the understanding of the power of the tongue, it will change the course of your life. Speak positive, encouraging, uplifting statements, not statements of doom, gloom and disaster. One way of speaking brings life and joy. The other; darkness and depression. Your mouth can bless or destroy, not only in your life, but in the lives of those around you.

After a while, what you say becomes habitual; what you say becomes who you are. What you put out in the world, is what’s reflected back at you. Season your speech with grace. Take hold of the words God speaks to you. (If you’re not reading your bible, you won’t hear what God’s saying.)

Take words of illness out of your vocabulary. Remove words of poverty. Sprinkle words of love liberally, rather than words of hate and anger. Replace sickness and poverty speach with words of health and abundance and watch your life change. You can do this with any negative in your life. You must replace the negative with a positive.

You can’t just eliminate a negative and leave a ‘hole,’ otherwise something else will come in and it might be something you don’t want. Replace your negatives with positives and wait for the fun to begin.

When you take this seriously and do the work, you will see results.

Getting the Most out of the Word of God.

Getting the Most out of the Word of God.

Zechariah 2:7-13

“Up Zion. Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” For thus says the Lord of Hosts: “He has sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

When studying scripture, there are questions we need to be asking, for it's not enough just to read God’s word. It's in asking questions and taking notes that we learn and remember. What questions should we ask, I hear you say?

1. Why is the phrase included in the scripture?

2. What does it mean for me today?

3. What eternal truths can I learn?

When it comes to learning, we can come at it with one of two mindsets – opened or closed. When closed, your mind cannot take in the information you want to learn, so be open to learning. It’s easy to say I can’t focus; I can’t understand what I’m reading. It’s harder to take the time to look deeply.

Be open to learning new things. Believe there’s always more you can learn on any topic. Look back and forth between your notes, study guides and the internet. Write down your findings.

Ask questions, such as why does it matter? How does it fit in?

To get the most out of what you’re learning, mind map and create summaries. Look for the important relationships between your ideas. Which are the most important? Look for similarities/differences. Analyse and judge. Justify your hypothesis.

With the Bible, even simple words can have great meaning. Take the word 'surely' for instance, from the biblical verse above. The word surely here means to emphasize a firm belief that what the writer says is true. That's there is no doubt.

That the writer speaks of surely, without doubt, is an important part of the text and we could have easily overlooked such a simple word. There is considerable meaning behind every sentence sitting within the pages of this great book.

When reading a passage, we need to ask; What does that mean for that bible verse?

*Why is the phrase included here?

Why Zion and Babylon? What does it mean; sent Me after His glory? Who were the plundering nations at the time of writing? Are there plundering nations still around today? If so, where are they? Who are they?

To be sent after His glory; the Devine mission, restoration and honour, judgement and vindication. Can we delve deeper here?

What else do we need to know within these few sentences?

*What does it mean for me today?

We’re told to sing and rejoice and that’s important, for that connects us to the Almighty. The Lord dwells in our midst and we connect to Him through our praise and worship.

*What eternal truths can I learn from this passage?

The eternal truths are the availability of God’s presence and protection. God’s love for His people. Rejoicing over His promises and God’s sovereignty, the ability for God to bring about His plans and a future hope (something sadly lacking in today's society).

These truths provide comfort and encouragement. They show God’s character and His plans for His people.

Here I've just scratched the surface of this passage. You can go as deeply, or as shallow as you have time. Some days I have plenty of time to dive deep. Other days not so much. Here though, is a guide for you do work towards as you try to understand all that God has for you.

The bible is a book to savour, not a book to rush through and if you want to make the most out of the words God is speaking, it's worth taking the time to do a deep dive.

Jacob’s Town.

Jacob’s Town.

In a small village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, there lived a humble farmer named Jacob. Jacob was known for his kindness and generosity, always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbours. Despite his hard work, Jacob’s farm had been struggling for years. The soil was dry and infertile and his crops barely yielded enough to feed his family.

One day, while tending to his fields, Jacob stumbled upon an old, tattered book buried in the ground. Curious, he dusted it off and opened it and found it to be a Bible. As he flipped through the dirt encrusted pages, two verses caught his eye:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

Inspired by these verses, Jacob decided to put his faith in God to the test and trust that better days were ahead. He began to pray daily, asking for guidance and strength to overcome his struggles. He also started to share the teachings of the Bible with his neighbours, encouraging them to have faith and support one another.

As the weeks passed, Jacob noticed small changes happening around him. The once dry and barren soil began to show signs of life. Tiny green sprouts emerged from the ground and his crops started to grow stronger and healthier than ever before. His neighbours, too, began to experience positive changes in their lives. They became more united as a whole, helping each other with their daily tasks and sharing their resources.

One evening, a severe storm swept through the village, causing widespread damage. Many homes were destroyed and much of the village was left without shelter. Despite the devastation, Jacob remained hopeful and continued to pray for God’s guidance. He reminded his neighbours of the various Bible verses which had given him strength, urging them to trust in God’s plan.

In the days that followed, the villagers came together to rebuild their homes and their lives. They worked tirelessly, supporting one another and sharing their skills and knowledge. Jacob’s farm, which had once been a symbol of struggle, became a beacon of hope and prosperity. His crops flourished, providing enough food, not only for his family but also for the entire village and all the visitors who came to see this transformation for themselves.

As the village thrived, Jacob’s faith grew stronger. He realized that the challenges he had faced were not obstacles, but opportunities for growth and transformation. The Bible verses that had inspired him became a guiding light, reminding him that God’s plan was always at work, even in the darkest of times.

Years later, Jacob’s village became known as a place of abundance and harmony. People from neighbouring towns would visit to learn from the villagers’ example of faith, resilience, and community. Jacob’s story spread far and wide, inspiring others to trust in God’s plan and to support one another in times of need.

In the end, Jacob understood that the cause of his struggles had been to strengthen his faith and bring his community closer together. The effect was a thriving village, united by their trust in God and their commitment to helping one another. The Bible verses that had once been a source of comfort became a testament to the power of faith and the goodness that can come from trusting in God’s plan.

Jacob’s journey was like a seed planted in the ground. At first, it seemed small and insignificant, buried beneath the weight of the earth. But with faith, patience, and care, it grew into a mighty tree, providing shelter and sustenance for all who sought its shade. And while this was a fictional work, written by AI no less, what is written of here is exactly how God works in the life of his people. That which starts as a small seed, grows into a huge tree. Why don't you give it a go and find out for yourself?

You Are The Light Of The World.

You Are The Light Of The World.

Matthew 5:14 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His disciples about their role and responsibilities in the world. The verse states, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” This metaphor emphasizes the importance of Christians being visible and influential in society, much like a city on a hill that cannot be concealed.

The verse highlights the idea that followers of Christ should shine brightly through their actions and teachings, guiding others and making a positive impact on the world. It underscores the responsibility of believers to live in a way that reflects their faith and brings light to those around them.

Just as all plants and animals need light to grow, just as physical life is impossible without light, so too is spiritual life impossible without light. When you commit your life to Christ, you’re turning on the light, for He is the light of the world. Jesus also stated: “You are the light of the world.” As a follower of Christ, you should also be a light amidst the darkness.

Matthew 5:14 can have profound personal significance today. Here a few ways it might apply to your life:

Influence and Visibility: Just as a city on a hill is visible to everyone, your actions and character can have a significant impact on those around you. By living with integrity and kindness, you can inspire and guide others.

Responsibility: Being a “light” means you have a responsibility to reflect positive values and principles. This could involve helping others, standing up for what’s right, and being a source of encouragement and hope to others.

Authenticity: The verse motivates you to be true to your beliefs and values, not hiding them but letting them shine through your actions. This authenticity can attract others to the positive qualities you embody.

Community Impact: Your influence isn’t limited to personal interactions. You can contribute to your community by volunteering, supporting local initiatives, or simply being a positive presence in your neighbourhood.

Spiritual Growth: Reflecting on this verse can also empower personal spiritual growth. It can remind you to seeks ways to deepen your faith and understanding, and to let that growth be evident in your daily life.

Matthew 5:14 offers several eternal truths that can be deeply meaningful:

Light as a Symbol of Goodness: Light often symbolizes goodness, truth, and purity. This verse reminds us that expressing these qualities can have a lasting impact on the world.

Purpose and Calling: Everyone has a unique purpose and calling. This verse aids you to recognize and embrace your role in making a positive difference, no matter how small it may seem.

Influence and Responsibility: Your actions and choices matter. Living with integrity and compassion can influence others and create a ripple effect of positive change.

Visibility of Good Deeds: Good deeds should not be hidden. By openly living out your values, you can inspire others to do the same, creating a community of support, encouragement, and empowerment.

Hope and Guidance: Just as light guides people in darkness, you can be a source of hope and guidance for those around you, helping them navigate challenges and find their way. A mentor and champion others can look up to.

Eternal Impact: The impact of living a life of light and goodness extends beyond the present moment. It contributes to a legacy that can inspire future generations. Not just in your direct family but within the lives of everyone you touch.

Reflecting on these truths can provide a sense of purpose and direction in your daily life.

For carnal man the light of the world often denotes the sun. The sun makes visible what the darkness hides and brings a beauty in form and nature that would otherwise be hidden. The term light is often applied to teachers of religion and as such, in Christ Jesus in particular.

I read recently; Your battles will be fought one day at a time, one giant at a time and the Lord will deal with your issues; one at a time. Position yourself to win. Stand. Do not fear, for He is the light of the world. Not a light. Not one of many lights, but The Light of The World. All we need to do is trust.

Jesus is, in the moral world, what the sun is in the natural world. Christian ministers, disciples and apostles are all considered the ‘light of the world,’ not only because they are but also because Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 that; “You are the light of the world.” Jesus passed the baton on to us. Christians, by their example, show and teach what God requires. That is the duty of the Christian; to be the light of the world and show the way to peace, joy and happiness.

Let Jesus shine through you, so those living in the dark will find the light as well. 

Bringing into Life the Creative Miracles of God.

Bringing into Life the Creative Miracles of God.

When you change your vibration, you change time and then you can enter into the creative miracles; those miracles of God, which you want to see in your life. Your vibration rises depending on your mental and physical state.

Changing your vibration is a powerful way to align yourself with positive energy and manifest your desires. Used in conjunction with prayer is the fastest way I know, to achieve your dreams. As a Christian, God values the use of imagination and this is one aspect of where using your imagination can help bring about your desires.

Here are some steps to help you elevate your vibration:

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps you stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings. This awareness allows you to consciously choose positive thoughts and emotions, raising your level of vibration.

Gratitude: Cultivating gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have. By regularly acknowledging and appreciating the good in your life, you attract more positive experiences.

Positive Affirmations: Repeating positive affirmations can reprogram your subconscious mind. Statements like “I am worthy” or “I attract abundance” help you embody the energy you wish to attract.

Healthy Lifestyle: Eating nutritious foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep are essential for maintaining high energy levels. A healthy body supports a healthy mind and spirit.

Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Let Go of Negativity: Release negative thoughts, emotions, and relationships that no longer serve you. Forgiveness and acceptance are key to moving forward.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can raise your vibration level and create a more positive, fulfilling life.

To see creative miracles means aligning yourself to God; to His wants and desires for your life. God will manifest in the way you see Him. A healthy outlook of God is what you need. The more you see of Him, the more you’ll get to know His character and the more you’ll be able to do through Him.

God didn’t speak until His own presence preceded Him. Genesis 1:2 speaks of the spirit of God (which is the glory of God). Glory plus the spoken word brings creative miracles and it takes consistence and tenacity with God. You can’t stop once you start. You have to be consistent in your approach. Longevity is what you’re aiming to do.

The Word needs an atmosphere, which results when we live from the heavenly realm and when we stay in our secret place; the place of continual praise and worship. In doing so, you will carry that atmosphere and then the creative miracles can happen.

When you bring the glory of heaven to earth, then you’ll be able to perform the creative miracles that Jesus was able to perform. Because you’re living in the heavenly realm, you’ve brought heaven to earth. Just as the disciples vibrated with love and gratitude, you can too, especially when you don’t want to do what it is you have to do.

You bend time by enjoying the moment - even if it's a moment you're not enjoying. Move into love and you will enjoy what you're not enjoying. Time pushes through quickly when you’re having fun in what you are doing and this is how you bend time to your will.

Quantum Leaping.

Having already written articles on the topic, today I’d like to delve a little deeper into Quantum Leaping.

The concept of a “quantum leap into timelines” often refers to the idea of shifting one’s reality or experience by making significant changes in perception, energy, or consciousness. This idea is inspired by quantum physics, where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and can “leap” from one state to another.

In a more metaphysical or self-help context, quantum leaping involves visualizing and emotionally connecting with a desired outcome that is different from your current reality. By consistently focusing on this desired state, you can supposedly shift your energy and consciousness to align with that new reality, effectively “jumping” timelines.

I say supposedly because I have used this method and it has worked for me, most of the time. Sometimes it’s taken longer than at other times. And for some quantum leaps, I’m still awaiting the desired results.

Below, I’ve listed a few key points about quantum leaping into timelines:

Visualization and Emotion: The process relies heavily on visualizing the desired outcome and feeling the emotions associated with it.

Consistency: Regularly focusing on the desired state is crucial to supply enough energy to make the leap.

Energy and Consciousness: The idea is that by changing your energy and consciousness, you can shift into a different timeline where your desired outcome exists.

This concept is often used in personal development and spiritual practices to help individuals achieve their goals and create positive changes in their lives.

An example of quantum leaping would be as follows;

Imagine you want to become a successful public speaker, but currently, you feel nervous and lack confidence when speaking in front of others. Here’s how you might use the concept of quantum leaping to achieve your goal:

Visualize Your Desired State: Spend time each day visualizing yourself as a confident and successful public speaker. Picture yourself on stage, speaking fluently and engagingly to an audience that is captivated by your words.

Feel the Emotions: As you visualize, try to feel the emotions associated with being a successful speaker. Feel the excitement, confidence, and satisfaction of delivering a great speech and receiving positive feedback from your audience.

Take Aligned Actions: Start taking small steps that align with your desired state. This could include joining a public speaking club, practicing speeches in front of friends or family, or taking a public speaking course.

Consistency and Belief: Consistently practice visualization and take aligned actions. Believe that you are already the successful speaker you envision. Over time, this consistent focus and action can shift your energy and consciousness, helping you “leap” into the timeline where you are a confident public speaker.

By following these steps, you are essentially creating a new reality for yourself, one where you embody the qualities and experiences of a successful public speaker. This process of shifting your energy and actions to align with your desired outcome is what quantum leaping is all about.

The timeframe for seeing results from quantum leaping can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the individual’s consistency, belief, and the nature of the desired outcome. Here are some key points to consider:

Consistency and Focus: Regularly practicing visualization and taking aligned actions can accelerate the process. Some people might start noticing small changes within a few weeks, while more significant shifts could take several months.

Belief and Emotional Connection: The strength of your belief in the process and your emotional connection to the desired outcome play crucial roles. The more you genuinely believe and feel as if you are already living in your desired reality, the faster you might see results.

Nature of the Goal: The complexity and scale of your goal can also impact the timeframe. Smaller, more immediate goals might manifest quicker than larger, long-term aspirations.

Personal Factors: Each person’s journey is unique. Factors such as mindset, energy levels, and external circumstances can influence how quickly changes occur.

In essence, while some might experience rapid changes, others may need to be patient and persistent. The key is to maintain a positive attitude, stay consistent with your practices, and trust the process.

There are several common obstacles that people might encounter when attempting to successfully quantum leap into a desired timeline. Here are a few key challenges:

Lack of Belief: One of the biggest obstacles is not fully believing in the possibility of quantum leaping. Doubt and scepticism can hinder the process, as belief is a crucial component in aligning your energy with your desired outcome.

Inconsistent Practice: Quantum leaping requires consistent visualization, emotional connection, and aligned actions. Inconsistent practice can disrupt the energy flow and make it harder to achieve the desired shift.

Negative Mindset: Holding onto negative thoughts and emotions can block the energy needed for a successful leap. It’s important to maintain a positive and optimistic mindset to support the process.

Fear of Change: Fear of the unknown or fear of change can prevent individuals from fully committing to the process. Embracing change and being open to new possibilities is essential for quantum leaping.

Lack of Clarity: Not having a clear vision of the desired outcome can make it difficult to focus your energy and efforts. It’s important to have a specific and vivid picture of what you want to achieve.

External Influences: External factors such as unsupportive environments or negative influences from others can also pose challenges. Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people can help mitigate this obstacle.

By recognizing and addressing these obstacles, you can enhance your ability to successfully quantum leap into your desired timeline.

What are the strategies to overcome these obstacles?

Overcoming doubt and scepticism in quantum leaping can be challenging, but it’s definitely possible with the right mindset and practices. Here are some strategies to help you build belief and confidence in the process:

Educate Yourself: Understanding the principles behind quantum leaping can help reduce scepticism. Read about quantum physics, the law of attraction, and success stories of others who have used these techniques effectively.

Start Small: Begin with smaller, more achievable goals. Seeing success in these areas can build your confidence and belief in the process. As you experience positive results, your doubt will naturally decrease.

Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Regularly practice visualization, meditation, and other techniques associated with quantum leaping. The more you engage with these practices, the more natural and believable they will become.

Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with communities or individuals who support and believe in quantum leaping. Positive reinforcement from others can help bolster your own belief.

Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce your belief in the process. Statements like “I am capable of achieving my goals” or “I trust in the power of quantum leaping” can help shift your mindset. For the Christian minded person, the bible states; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help quiet the mind and reduce negative thoughts. By focusing on the present moment and your desired outcomes, you can diminish doubt and scepticism.

Reflect on Past Successes: Think about times when you achieved something you initially doubted. Reflecting on these successes can remind you of your capability to overcome doubt and achieve your goals.

Seek Evidence: Look for evidence of quantum leaping in your own life and in the lives of others. Success stories and personal experiences can provide tangible proof that the process works.

By incorporating these strategies, you can gradually overcome doubt and scepticism, making it easier to embrace and benefit from quantum leaping.