Redeemed from the curse of the law
Here is the good news, in this dispensation under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus, obedience to the law does not mean anything to God (Galatians 5:6). We have been redeemed from the curse of the law.
Can a Christian be gay?
Some years back, I was watching a video online about a man who previously lived a homosexual lifestyle. And how he found God and got saved. At that moment I felt the love of God well up in me as he shared his story. Indeed God`s grace is available to all. After this, I decided to go through the comments only to be met by some heartbreaking statements like, ‘you can be both, gay and Christian’. I was stunned at how the devil has deceived many to think that this statement is true and realized how it spoke volumes to the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:4: ‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.’ Remember, the enemy’s purpose is to taint God’s plan, and purpose for human beings. 2 Corinth 4:4 lets us know how he blinds the minds of unbelievers so they can stay where they are, with this skewed view of themselves, people around them, the world and God. Although it’s sad to comprehend the gravity of the deception of people who are dead set on this lifestyle, it’s a reminder to believers of our mission here on this earth. It challenges us to minister love and bring our brothers and sisters to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. In this post, I would like to address this notion from a different perspective. Most of us are broken, and our response to that brokenness differs. Some broken people abuse others, others will control, while others break down or become anxious or easily stressed, and others simply believe otherwise about their identity. Homosexuality is a coping mechanism that the devil uses just like drugs or alcohol or any other addiction. It introduces the enemy and demonic spirits that take control of your life and gives the enemy legal access. Having studied a number of people who no longer identify as LGBTQ, I have come to realize that this identity is as a result of trauma. Most of these individuals have experienced some level of trauma that has caused them to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Whilst we usually think of obvious trauma such as abuse, violence, loss of a loved one, what we do not realize is trauma can also come from other sources such as bullying, being reprimanded by a parent, and an overly strict upbringing or even severe illness. Our perspective of self can change because of that trauma. Even the not-so-obvious traumas as well. So what you will discover is as a coping mechanism our minds adopt an identity that looks safe. Because of the nature of trauma, the effects differ from person to person. So people take the relief route that the enemy introduces that has nothing to do with God. If one is not founded on the truth of God’s word, there is a tendency to explore other avenues that seem to make more sense. The enemy introduces an unnatural affinity that reshapes our identity. This is not new. The devil is not creative but deceptive. We see in the bible where people’s identity became what they experienced or did in their past 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. If there is no God and His Word, people will turn to the alternative. The counterfeit of love, stress relief, comfort, joy, and peace. The alternatives of the fruit of the spirit. Here is where it gets worse. Any form of relief outside of God’s word gives the enemy access and authority in our lives. This then introduces demonic spirits that possess and oppress an individual causing all sorts of problems in their lives. So those wounds become open doors that give the enemy access to build warped belief systems about yourself, others, the world, and God. Who is a Christian? The word Christian comes from the English translation of the greek word Christos meaning ‘the anointed one’. It is given toany who has surrendered their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And surrender means living by His standards clearly stated in His Word! What does being gay and Christian really mean? Now that we know what being a Christian means, what does being gay and Christian really mean? That’s a question we all want answers to. An attack on identity, relationship with God, and authority is an obvious trick of the devil that he even used on Jesus. It’s not new. He knows if he plants thoughts about your identity it will move you away from God and strip you of the authority you have as an heir in the Kingdom of God. See how the enemy tried to get to Jesus’ purpose through his identity. You might say that LGBTQ+ is a sexual orientation, not an identity issue. However, anything that supersedes the words I AM describing how you perceive self is an identity of sorts. Identity cannot be separated from the spiritual because of its association with God or the enemy. The root of identity is spiritual. Salvation, and redemption are all spiritual miracles. This explains how there is still a void even with the assurance of your identity being true. Unless your identity is in Christ the bible says we shall always thirst and hunger for more. Jesus Christ is the bread that fills us up and the living water that quenches our thirst, whatever that may be. What does the bible say about homosexuality? In as much as many people have mentioned how silent the bible is on homosexuality, tha is completely untrue. The bible is very clear in this. First the most profoud statement God gives in support to this is He created them male and female Genesis 5:2. There is no further evidence of any other gender being created, nor is there example of someone you transitioned. ‘“If a man practices
7 things that happen when a born-again individual becomes a Christian
Receiving Jesus Christ means that He becomes your Lord and Saviour, and the only one you believe in as the way to the Father, our God in heaven, John 14:6 KJV. This is what happens when a born-again individual becomes a Christian.
Idol worship in the 21st century: Alarming facts every believer needs to know
A modern day idol is not a graven image. The danger of these is that, if you are not conscious of this fact, you may be drawn into idolatry without knowing it. Idols mimic what God offers without fully satisfying and the church is not spared in this nature of worship.
3 powerful lessons we learn from Joseph and his multi-colored coat
Many at times when we read about Joseph we are reminded of his resilience, his focus on the vision. I have even heard prophetic messages such as being the “Joseph of the family”, referring to an individual who becomes a vessel that God uses to bring deliverance to a family. Never are we told about his pride. Whilst reading a book, I discovered how prideful Joseph was how this delayed God`s fulfillment of the dream he had seen. From the moment Joseph received the vision that he would be ruler over his family, he boasted to his brothers which made them envious of him. Whether he knew this or not, his high self regard aroused the anger of his brothers. As the last born he was considered inferior, but here he was claiming superiority. His brothers must have thought this seventeen year old must be crazy. Well it wasn`t just Joseph who was guilty of conceitedness, Job in chapter 42:10 mirrors self glorification and selfishness many of us fall prey too. It was only after he had shifted his focus from “me” to “you” that his fortune was restored. After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before Job 42:10 The lesson we learn from Joseph and Job is simple, keep the spotlight on God. We first pick it up Joseph`s pride in Genesis 37:5-9 as he shares the dream with his family. Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. How much more could he anger his brothers? Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” This distasteful trait becomes more evident when he is tempted by Potiphars wife. See how he responds in Genesis 39:9. He says “No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Wow, how much more egotistical can he be? After saying all he had to say, he mentions sinning against God last. Everything else is about him. Joseph is falsely accused and ends up in jail. I believe God was giving him an opportunity to redeem himself. The king`s cupbearer and baker are locked up in prison where Joseph is too. They both have dreams and approach Joseph for interpretation. Again Josephs arrogance takes the spotlight. In Genesis 40:14 he says “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.” It’s just me, me, me. No God in there. See what happens after, the cupbearer is released and forgets him. Two years later, Joseph is finally presented before Pharaoh look at what he says in Genesis 41:16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Something had changed in Joseph. And see what happens then, he is made ruler over all of Egypt. The story of Joseph teaches us three things: Favor comes with honor For he who is least among you all is the one who is great. Luke 9:48 Once Joseph recognized the vision as one whose purpose was to glorify God, once he realized that the spotlight was not his but God, once God worked on his heart and it’s selfish content, the future he had seen did not come to fruition. It was until he died to ‘SELF’ that he prospered in the thing God had spoken to him about. Pride can delay our purpose and blessing It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom. Galatians 5:19-21 Joseph had dreams at age seventeen. It wasn`t until he was 30 that he took charge of all of Egypt. Even Jesus explicitly taught his disciples about dying to self. Our hearts ought to be right before God. God wants us to prosper as our soul(mind, will, and emotions) prospers. Let us not harbor fruits of the flesh, pride, hatred, jealousy, envy, lust, unforgiveness. The gifts of God are without repentance “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Romans 11:29 Although there was delay in what God had called Joseph to do, He still fulfilled it. God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our past does not revoke. No matter what his brothers did to him, with all the work needed with his pride, God still used him. It was a learning process for Joseph. His character was being molded. Although it wasn`t God`s perfect will, He permitted it to fulfill His purpose. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people
Infertility encouragement: 5 life-changing scriptures to help you through
I know infertility or delayed conception months or years in your marriage is hard. It becomes even harder when coupled with stares, and the questions that follow from loved ones, well-wishers, or haters. Here are 5 scriptures to encourage you through your journey of faith
