"Your Spiritual Connection"

  Good morning all, it's been a while since my last post. The Lord was working me over for the past few weeks & my brain needed a few days rest to absorb it all. Messages were coming to me, people needed counseling. And on top of it all, my grandparents and lil cousin are home & well, but like children, they still require much attention & care. So please keep me lifted in prayer as well.  In my absence, I hope you all were able to come back and meditate on previous post to help with your spiritual growth.  Today's post is about your spiritual connection.  When we baptize in submersion, we do so out of obedience of Gods word, Which is called "The Great Commition" Matthew 28:18-20 says: 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Jesus commanded his appointed disciples, taught them all they needed to know about the word of God and gave them specific instructions to go unto all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. He even gave them a promise, that he will be with them even till the end of the world. That means that when this world is no more, Jesus will be with us in heaven. Well, those who have that spiritual connection with him. In the Greek language, the word baptize means to be submerged. Some churches or originations think that just a sprinkle of holy water will do. But as ministers and delivers of the word in truth, we are to lead by example and be obedient as to what our instructions are and teach what the word of God says as it is written and not try to change it to what we think it says. True understanding of the word of God comes from a real & genuine spiritual connection with the Lord. Spiritual revaluation can only be obtained through diligent hours of study of the word and one has to be in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. There's your spiritual connection. Its the only way to have a true relationship with the Lord. And To have a relationship with Him is to fellowship with Him. And, this is very important, you have to except Jesus Christ as your Lord & savior. Plain and simple.  In the book of John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Again, your spiritual connection. Jesus tells us that he is our way into heaven. I've heard many people say  "My relationship with God is just that, mine". But they fail to explain what they mean by that. I'll tell you what they mean by it, it's a cop out to try and justify their wrong doing in the world, & still try & live Holy. Too heavy? Ok, well lets see what the word of the Lord says. The book of James chapter 4:4-5 says 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? Here in the book of James chapter 4, we learn that James was talking to the people of Israel, Spiritual Adulteress, those unfaithful to God. So he referred to the Church, us, as Spiritual Adulterers, the unfaithful bride of Christ. James was emphasizing on the common problems amongst the people. Their unsatisfied selfish desires. Instead on going to God in prayer, they were bickering with one another.   We cannot be a lover of God and a lover of the world. The Holy spirit doesn't lust or envy. The things we desire of the world is of us.  Someone that doesn't have a spiritual connection will not see that what they are doing is wrong nor will they understand the work or gifts that God has given you if they don't have that spiritual connection with the Lord themselves. One thing I've learned is you can't live unholy mon- sat and try & live holy on sun from 9am-1:30pm. (that's church hours for some folk) That way of thinking is like premeditated murder. To heavy again? Let me explain. A Premeditated murder charge is when a person thinks about killing someone, plans it and then carries out the act. Soooooo, let's call this life style premeditated sin. You can't live sinfully mon -sat then expect to sit in church, shout & praise & fall out, and live holy for a few hours then go back to sinning. Your spiritual connection is now broken & you are labeled as to whatever you are, a sinner. And no one sin is greater than the other, sin is sin. And God hates sin. So wheather you're a drunkard, adulterer, thief, fornicator, bi-sexual, gay, or whatever, it doesn't matter. It's all sin in the eyes of the lord. Read Lev. 18 the whole chapter. Might make your stomach turn. If that dont make you repent........... Listen, God hates sin, But he loves the sinner and wants to set them free. This is where repentance comes in. It's how you regain your spiritual connection. You have to change you way of thinking and turn from your sinful ways that are not except able to God.  Romans 12:2 says  2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Sums up just about everything I have been saying don't it? Once you change your thought process & except Jesus as your lord & savior, you will feel a different spirit in you. You will fond peace. Absolute peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. You may not achieve absolute peace, because there are always test & trial in our lives. But You will be transformed by the renewing of your mind if you don't let the world consume you. And the peace that you do have in Christ Jesus will help you to go through life's obstacles with a clear mind and a most importantly, you will be kept by the precious blood of Jesus.  Meditate on this and other lessons. Restore your spiritual connection with the Lord. Repent and be transformed by renewing your mind and do the will of God. That which is good, acceptable and perfect to God.    Have a safe blessed day.       ~Rev. Tai Birch~