PRETENSE
Halloween is a time when we can pretend to be someone or something else. We can disguise ourselves to the point where no one knows who we are and we can even project a demeanor that represents the character we are dressed as. At some point, however, the pretending is over and the disguise has to come off and we have to return to the person we are.
Unfortunately, when the costume comes off, some of us are still not free to be ourselves and actually hide behind a self-imposed “front” that we believe others will like better than who we perceive we are. We do this because we are not fully convinced as to who we really are. Satan would love to keep us in ignorance and God, by His Holy Spirit, wants us to know what he created us to be. |
This is why the born-again experience is so important. We have all sinned against God and have come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). Glory in this verse means “the opinion or estimation of God. God has greater standards for us than we often have for ourselves. God “foreknew” us is one of those mind-boggling things that only faith can cure. Somehow God had knowledge of us before we were born and at some point in time, when we realized that something was missing in our life, we asked God for help. He then revealed Jesus to us and on accepting the sacrifice that Jesus made, we were adopted into the family of God and are thus “children of the most high God.”
In this world, people put on stuff to make themselves appear to be something that they are not. We put on clothes to impress, attract, or fit in. Women put on makeup, jewelry, false eyelashes, padded bras and wear high heeled shoes. They have face lifts, tummy tucks, implants, etc. Men are judged by their athletic prowess or lack thereof; muscle development, clothes, money, or cars. Even children now are encouraged to cut off body parts to appear to be something they are not. How then can we throw off this baggage and be changed to a Christ-like child?
Only by the Holy Spirit of God can we be transformed. Just as we put our trust in Jesus for salvation, we must ask the Father for the Holy Spirit to transform us. (Luke 11:10, 13) God provides the Holy Spirit to be our Helper (John 14:15-17), he will lead, guide and correct us along our path. We must develop a relationship with Him in order to be changed but also to understand who we are.
We begin by knowing we are sinners who have been saved by grace. (Eph 2:5,8) We understand that we are not our own. (1 Cor 6:19). We belong to God and have been adopted into His family. We have been made kings and priests. (Rev 1:6 and Rev 5:10) Some are apostles, some are prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, and healers. (1 Cor 12:28) We are overcomers (Rom 8:37) and much more.
Our ideas and morals are changing from worldly to heavenly. The Holy Spirit begins teaching and helping us to understand how we should think and live. We begin to display the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We begin walking by the Spirit and not our flesh. (Gal 5: 16-23). Pretense is just a lie, a deception. Why would we choose to have to lie about ourselves when we are so blessed by God? The motivation to lie or be fake is always FEAR. God reminded us over and over again “Do not fear.” |
There is no need to live in pretense any longer. You are now in a place of approval by God because of the salvation of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to appear to be holy, you are being made holy. The Holy Spirit searches out the deep things and knows as well as makes known the truth of our hearts to us. If you walk closely with the Spirit, you will also be able to discern whether someone’s heart is truly with you and for you, or if they harbor hatred and malice towards you, but also, he will reveal your true intentions and motives and feelings towards others as well.
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake. |
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Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for the upcoming Corridor Connections meeting @ May Farms in July
-Pray for PL for her continual guidance from God.
-Pray for our neighbors who are cleaning up from hail and floods.
-Pray for RG, he is home from rehab, but still needs healing for his back.
-Pray for LQ and his family. For healing in his sister in law's body and rest for all of them
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior],
he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit];
the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away.
Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
2 Corinthians 5:17 Amplified Bible
he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit];
the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away.
Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
2 Corinthians 5:17 Amplified Bible