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Monday 8 July 2013

The old man is now dead

A Christian friend rang me the other day, and during the conversation said she had been singing one of my songs.  I couldn't remember all of the words and went into my files to look it up.  In doing so I came across something I had written a long time ago which I feel at this moment in time is a very fitting prayer for how I want to be regarding the Lord's word to me personally. 


Thy Word

Thy Word means more to me than life Lord, for without it I cannot have life.  That which appears to be life is only death in disguise, death which has put on a covering.  The Lord of that death has tried to entice my soul with the things that would appeal to my carnal mind.  Close thou mine eyes to the things which do not profit my soul Lord, and open them to those things that are not seen but by faith, that I might know the things of God, seen through the eyes of Jesus.

The enemy can be very cunning, trying to work through the carnal mind, particularly if I am going through trials and testings.  The old man is now dead and I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, not being spoken to by the enemy through the carnal mind or through false doctrines, but being spoken to by the Holy Spirit enlightening the scriptures as I try to act on the word spoken to me.


Just before I awoke this morning I had a dream.   I could see through a glass panel in a door that a bird was trapped in a room, there was no food in the room for it and it was hunched in a corner, two cats were also in the room.  I entered the room, called to someone who was outside the room, handed the two cats to him and then  picked the bird up.  It was in a terrible state, barely alive.  

I thought to myself 'I have plenty of bird seed, I will get a dish of it and a dish of water and bring this little bird back to health', then I woke up.  I love the birds, and they remind me spiritually of what we are in Christ, 
( Ephesians ch.6 v.2 )'And God raised us up with  Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus'.  
The dream reflected to me how easily we can be spiritually starving and in a bad spiritual state without our heavenly food and how there are spiritual predators around also.  It reminded me of the parable of the seed and how I must receive that seed, the Word of God, in my life.  There are four choices I have.


Luke ch.8 vs.11-15 reads:  'This is the meaning of the parable:  The seed is the word of God  Those along the path are ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.  They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.  The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.  But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it and by persevering produce a crop.'

I do not want to be like one who believes for a while, but in the time of testing falls away.


I spoke about a necklace that I have in my post 'Removing the lie', written on the twenty fourth of May this year.  It has eight keys, three of which have a heart attached to them which remind me of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Yesterday, one of these heart keys fell off the ring on the necklace that they are threaded on, the tiny ring at the top of the key had worn.  It was the third one which represents to me the Holy Spirit.  I will be getting it repaired.    John ch.14 v.26 came to mind ' But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.'   I do not want to be robbed of what the Holy Spirit is enlightening to me by the devil trying to re awaken the old man through carnal thoughts that are not in line with what I am being shown.

I believe absolutely that the dream, scriptures and my prayer have been brought into my life at this present time, as an encouragement to trust one hundred percent in the Word that has been enlightened to me by the Holy Spirit no matter what tries to oppose it.

36 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Brenda,
One of the loveliest pieces of Scripture is found in Luke 11:13, which reads;
"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!"
This verse is probably the greatest demonstration of God's grace found anywhere in the Bible.
The Holy Spirit available just by the asking. Surely, it can't get any better than that!
God bless.

Never Forsaken said...

Hi Brenda,
Yes, the birds seem to be one of God's special creatures which He has always used to communicate to us. It was a dove decending upon the Lord when He was baptized, and he even sent ravens to deliver food.
I love that He counts His sparrows! I always feel so bad whenever I forget to feed the birds that come to my feeder in the yard...like today when I ran out of suet for the woodpeckers.
It revealed to me that God was disappointed because I had my mind on other things of no spiritual value latlely, and that can make me neglectful of the things that are important!
It is no accident that I came to your blog to read this today...The message was recieved, confirmed.
~Blessings and love, Lisa

Brenda said...

Amen Frank,
I was baptised in the Holy Spirit over thirty years ago and the Lord has been instructing me, reproving me, comforting me, correcting me and helping me to mature and renew my mind in Christ, and I still have much to learn. It can not get any better than that

Brenda said...

Hi Lisa,
You sound just like me in your love for the birds. My cat is usually very good as far as not touching the birds is concerned, but she has been a bit naughty hiding in the bushes near them and they are so tame that she may harm them, so she has had to have a little bit of discipline lately. She is lovely though. Yes Lisa, the way the Lord communicates with us is so beautiful and shows that He has so much love for us. He wants us all to mature in Christ and I love the way that we might not know one another physically but in Christ we are all one. God bless you Lisa. Have a beautiful day.

Brenda said...

And God bless you too Frank, hope you have a lovely day as well.

Laurie Collett said...

Beautiful dream and post, Brenda! If He cares for the sparrow, how much more does he care for us? His Word is our spiritual food, and His Spirit lifts us to high places with Him.
God bless,
Laurie

Brenda said...

Amen to everything you have said Laurie. God bless

Just Be Real said...

Wonderful post Brenda. Love the bird and how precious they are to the Lord. Oh yeah the enemy is very cunning. I am always reminded as I look at my parakeet how much my Heavenly Daddy cares for him that He cares just as much for me. Some times it is hard to accept that. Still......

Brenda said...

Hi Grace,
Our Heavenly Father cares more for us than we could ever comprehend, and that is why He sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment that we would have inherited under God's wrath and the curse. I love the way the Holy Spirit teaches us about that love. The enemy was a liar from the beginning. God bless

Nikki (Sarah) said...

love the pic of the bird.....

Brenda said...

Hello Nikki,
nice to meet you. I adore birds and can't seem to stop taking pictures of them.

child of God said...

Hi Brenda,
We really need to feast on Scripture and put what we read into practice otherwise we will wither away.

I love your dream about the bird. I wish Father would speak to me in dreams more than He does. I love to dream.

The enemy is out on the rampage trying to take down the children of God. If we are humble and cling to His Word doing as He tells us then the enemy can try to bring us down but he won't succeed.

Hugs my friend,
<><

Brenda said...

Hi child of God
Yes the Holy Spirit is our comforter, teacher and sometimes warns us in dreams what the enemy is trying to do. The lovely thing is that if we draw close to God through what He is saying to us through our daily manna then the devil will flee from us. He is no match for our Lord Jesus. Hugs to you too my friend

S. Knowles said...

I think the enemy has been trying to make me think the old man is still here and that I am not really changed. Making me think a lot of what if's. I even start to wonder if the Holy Spirit was helping or what was going on with me. I think the enemy has been trying to cause me to doubt certain things. But your words and others words of encouragement have helped me to stick in and continue the race.

I came across a scripture a few days ago, and it really made me feel hopeful, because sometimes I despair and worry and a deep sadness comes over me. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33. I even came across the scripture you shared in your other posts i believe, the one that goes, "Remember the word to Your servant, by which you have caused me to hope, it is my comfort during my affliction, your word has given me life" Psalm 119:49-50. These scriptures are encouraging and also, "He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6. I have been really feeling many different emotions over the past few weeks, but God has restored my joy each time. I am glad and rejoice in the hope that He has given to us, these things are comforting.

I also don't want to be the one who falls away after testing. I don't want to believe for a while but forever, the enemy doesn't want me too though. The enemy wants us to faint and honestly Brenda I felt that way last week immensely, like I was about to faint, but I didn't, God helped me. I cried out to the Lord for help, a sister in Christ and I even had a little laugh about how sometimes all we can do is pray a "Help Me prayer" a prayer where all you can say is help me. I am can testify that God hears our cries in the midst of our despair He hears us and He answered.

I think I have been focusing on the storms around me instead of focusing on Jesus. When I stop focusing I lose me balance for a bit but just like Peter in the water, God still restored His balance. I am grateful for His mercy, it indeed endures forever. God is my refuge and strength.

Brenda said...

That is right Sateigdra, and He is a very present help in time of need. The only reason the enemy is trying to badger you is because he knows that the Lord has given you a ministry. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus and the enemy has always been a liar and thief from the beginning. Your trials that the Lord allows you to go through will make you stronger if you persevere and trust the Lord to bring you through. I know you will get stronger because I know you love the Lord and the Holy Spirit is with you. God bless you, we don't fear the enemy when we have the God of creation on our side.

Pamela said...

Isn't it awesome that the Holy Spirit reminds us of the things Jesus taught us? So many times I needed His reminder. His reminder blesses, corrects and guides.

Laurie Collett said...

We have been enjoying the cardinals, finches, and other birds in our back yard, where they chirp and sing as we read devotions on the porch! God is so good!
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Brenda said...

Hi Pamela,
yes the Holy Spirit is a wonderful teacher who is able to mature us all in Christ Jesus. God bless

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
We get a lot of pleasure out of the birds in our back garden too. There are so many new types coming I shall have to find out what they are. Blessings to you and your family Laurie.
Brenda

BRAVE AFRICAN said...

I am reminded of a statement I make every other day... I die daily. And out of the ashes of our dying, the name of the Lord is and will always be glorified. Best wishes ma'am. SHALOM

Brenda said...

Hello Brave African,
what beautiful words you have written in your comment. I totally agree. God bless you and Shalom to you too.

Just Be Real said...

Hugs to you dear one....you are an inspiration.

Brenda said...

Hi Grace,
I loved your post about 'mould me shape me'. That post was very inspiring. God bless you.

Brenda said...

Hi Grace,
I don't know if you occidentally left a comment on my previous post, Laurie left one on that post too, but I will answer it on this post just in case. It is a pleasure to correspond with you Grace. I know just how real our God is and what He has done in my life, and we are all one in Jesus who has sent us the Holy Spirit, the best counsellor, comforter and teacher we could possibly have. God bless you.

Wanda said...

This line really caught my attention, " That which appears to be life is only death in disguise". Oh how things in this world give the illusion of sustenance but in the end brings no lasting fulfillment.

Brenda said...

Hello Wanda,
absolutely true what you have said. The devil was a liar and deceiver from the beginning. Nice to meet you.

Aritha V. said...

Thank you for this great writing. Thanks for the spriual lesson in the dream! Blessings!

http://sieraadvooras.blogspot.nl/

Brenda said...

Hello Jedidja, you are very welcome. I have been going through a bit of a 'Job' trial for a while, but feel I am coming through slowly. There is nothing better than believing what the Lord is saying to us as individuals. He is not a man that He should lie. God bless you.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda -- He is faithful and true, and cannot lie. May His Spirit guide us always. Love in Him,
Laurie

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
yes it is so important that His Spirit guides us and nothing else. I have heard so many 'additives' that don't tie in with scriptures that it is very important to encourage, as my father always used to say, 'Let's see what the Lord says.' God bless you Laurie.

David C Brown said...

As the hymn says,
Thy word, Thyself reflecting,
Doth sactify by truth,
Still leading on Thy loved ones
With gentle, heav'nly growth.
This still the work proceedeth
(The work begun by grace)
In each, made meet, yet training,
To dwell before Thy face.

Brenda said...

That's right David,
we are still being led on by the word of the Lord, just like the children of Israel were in the wilderness (who are there in the Old Testament as examples to us as we journey through our wilderness and pick up our daily manna.)

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda -- we must rely on the Word alone for truth and wisdom, and practice discernment when we hear teachings to determine whether they line up with Scripture. May God richly bless you and your ministry.
Laurie

Brenda said...

Absolutely Laurie.
When I first became born again something my father had always spoken when I and my sisters and brothers would argue came straight into my mind. During our arguments we would turn to my father and say 'Dad, who is right?' He would always answer 'Let's see what the Lord says', reach for his Bible and always find there an answer to our arguments. It was amazing that he always knew where to look, maybe Proverbs or whatever, to find an answer to our arguments. May the Lord richly bless your ministry too Laurie.

S. Knowles said...

Just wanted to drop by and say hello. You have come across my mind often and I try to keep u in my prayers thanking God for you. Your words have encouraged me in times when I really needed encouragement, I really appreciate it. God bless you Brenda.

Brenda said...

Hello Sateigdra,
it is lovely to hear from you. The Lord has been teaching me about faith and belief. There are so many truths in the Bible that are not actually in Christian lives today. I want the kind of belief that contains no doubt, and I know that is the kind of belief the Lord is trying to instil in me. God bless you Sateigdra, always continue to seek the truth and you will find it.