Luck and Miracles Which is Real?

Many people have no problem believing in good luck and bad luck, yet they have a lot of trouble believing in miracles. This might be because not a lot of people know miracles are for, well in order for me to tell you what miracles are for I need you to know about luck.

Luck is something that man has come up with in order for us to cope with the good things and bad things that happen in our lives.

But the truth is luck is fake; in all the stories I have read about someone saying that they were “lucky” or had “bad luck” it usually has no real purpose it just happened.

But in the bible it says:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Since everything in life has a purpose then that means luck cannot exist, however there is one thing that does have purpose and that is miracles.

Miracles are what we ask for in a time of need and if it is not a selfish request God will grant it.

For example when I was a child I had an almost fatal case of pneumonia I was going to have to stay in the hospital for a while for observation and to get well.

I didn’t know this when I was a kid but while I was there I kept on getting sleepy, and every time I tried to sleep my mother or a doctor would wake me up. But what I didn’t know was that if I had fallen asleep I would have died.

Now the part that was a miracle was a missionary from Africa had flown all the way to America to deliver my mother and I a message. He said that I would be better in two days and that by that time I would be going home.

And so after two days and all the prayers it came to pass and I was able to go home.

Now I am sure your wondering why bad things happen since there is no bad luck. Well there are some Christians who like to believe that all bad things happen because the Devil is just wanting to attack us, well that is partially true. The Devil does like to pick on us but the Devil does not have the power to do so. He must have permission to do this, when we disobey God by sin or by not doing what he asks of us. That is like giving the Devil the keys to your life.

God does not just take his protection from us if he does it is because we sinned against him and it is us who has pushed God’s protection.

There is a scripture that talks about God’s protection

Ezra 8:22

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."

Someone who has true faith that Miracle’s can happen they will feel ashamed if they ever have even a little doubt in him and his protection.

If your not ashamed of doubting him and his protection then you remove God’s protection and that will leave room for the enemy to attack.

If you notice there is a reason for Miracles to happen and there is also a reason for the Enemy to attack you. Both should make you want to run to God.

Miracles help you with life’s troubles and being attacked by the Enemy is something we bring upon ourselves when we disobey or doubt God.

So I suggest you have faith in Miracles and what God can do over Luck because it can come back to bite you in the butt.

Faith in the Impossible

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

These are not just words but a way of life; in life all things require faith. When a miracle happens it is because someone had the faith that a miracle could happen, and that God would be the one who could make it happen.

When someone asks for a miracle and it doesn’t happen it is because there was no faith in the heart of the one who asked. When you ask for healing would you ask with faith that you can be healed? Or will you question if it can happen?

Faith is needed to believe in events that are normally impossible

A Miracle is an "event" that occurs in a normal context, but which is normally impossible by the laws of nature.

Examples are the virgin birth, the resurrection of Jesus, Mohammed's night ride to Jerusalem and so on. Some people believe that miracles still occur in the present. Some people believe that miracles only happened in the past but some of the most amazing miracles happen today.

An example of one was when I was in the 3^rd grade I had the worst case of pneumonia I could have died but God had other plans; I was healed within 2 days.

Another is of my little sister she had hit her head so many times that eventually she had a seizure and died. But my entire family prayed and she was healed the same night.

These are but a few there are millions that I don’t even know of. Some people will try and say it is luck, let me tell you luck is something that happens on it’s own for apparent reason which means luck is impossible since all things happen for a reason and are pre-planned.

I am sure a lot of people would prefer to believe in luck over faith, since faith requires work and a strong spirit and a strong connection with God.

But God never said that Life would be easy and that miracles would just come out of nowhere. It takes faith for the impossible to happen, not luck or something you plan yourself.

Sometimes a miracle happens differently than what you asked for, God doesn’t give you what you want but what you need. He will bless you with the desires of your heart but he will not give you something you were not meant or need to have.

These are things that you need to think about…

Do you have faith in the impossible?

If you need something will you have faith that it can happen?

Will you question if a miracle can happen?

Will you accept what God gives you or will you complain?

Time to be Strong!

When bad things happen to good people, they tell themselves that it is God’s fault, or we blame ourselves for doing something wrong. Let me tell you that it is not always your fault, for people who are walking in line with God’s word and in his purpose; It means they are doing their job on earth. The Devil does not like it when we do things right.

The Devil wants to make sure we fail, he will attack you in many different ways emotionally, physically and mentally and the like.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

We can never think if something bad happens to us that it is God’s fault, he does not harm people, he loves us completely even our flaws. The devil tries and uses our flaws against us, to make us feel like God is not near.

Many people say they have the same experience: the closer they walk with the Lord; the stronger the devil seems to attack them. A closer walk with Jesus makes one more sensitive to what is going on in the spirit realm nearly all the time.

1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." From that passage, it almost appears that he doesn't care particularly who he is attacking; he's just looking for opportunity. Our job is to; "Resist him, steadfast in the faith."

Many Christians blame everything bad that happens in their life on the devil. That is not really true. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. Solomon said in

Ecclesiastes 8:14; "There is a vanity which occurs on the earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous."

There are ways you can fight this, the most stupid way is by hiding and turning away from God. The right thing to do is battle against it full force, First make sure that you have repented for anything you might have done wrong, and ask God if you have wavered in your faith.

If not then attack! There are many ways this attack can take place. One thing that works for any attack is wielding your sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:17-18"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

Declare God's Word and his promises over your life. Assert who you are in Christ because of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Confidently proclaim that; Isaiah 54:17"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn."

It is one thing to do those things but you also need the presence of God with you, you need the closeness of his strength and love. The best way to make sure of that is by praying everyday all the time. Read your Bible and practice your faith. Also the most important is to praise him, thank him for everything he has done for you and to love him.

Something I once read is;

“Remember that nothing on this earth lasts forever. Attacks come, attacks go. Things change and you will have seasons of rest and refreshing again. You may have to fight now but later God will give you a furlough for a time and then you will probably return to battle again. –Barbara Lardinais

Christmas Time is Here!

Christmas a time most people believe is for buying gifts, but let me tell you Christmas is not a time for receiving gifts it is a time to give and a time of remembering the gift that God gave to us.

People say they don’t know why the holidays make them feel so thankful or so full of joy. That is because they slightly remember God giving his only son.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

See he gave the ultimate gift, his son and with his son, and through this gift we have been given eternal life.

If we could all remember what this season was about for a few weeks. Then maybe we could remember him and his gift to us all the time.

Remember to be thankful of him all the time, is only half the fight we should also stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking of others. We waste so much time buying gifts for our families and thinking how good it make us feel to spend so much on a gift that might not last long.

We forget to help those who really need it, there are people who are in need of food, shelter and even love and yet we are spending money on people who may or may not like what u got for them.

Kids are so caught up with what they want for Christmas and if they are going to get what they asked for, That they forget that their parents need help around the house.

Let’s change things up for once, kids and teens you need to stop asking for stuff and start helping your parents. Don’t wait for them to tell you what to do. Just ask them if they need help and trust me that will feel much better than unwrapping a gift on Christmas.

And adults and parents instead of just spending money on your kids, try teaching your kids the true meaning of Christmas by blessing another family who needs help. Or give whatever God puts on your heart and spend time with your kids while doing it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Theopneustos T.

God can do all things

It’s amazing what God can do when you have faith in him. When I first tried starting Genesis2.7 Media every time I tried to get help, adults would tell me I was too young to be anything more than a kid in school, that I would never amount to anything until I was a full grown man and had pastoral experience.

But what they didn't realize was there are millionaire teens that start their own businesses, and I had 6 years experience as a pastor and teacher before I was 15.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

God made every adult that ever talked down on me a fool; he made them eat their words. And all I did was believe in God and what he could do through me.

Even King David was made king when he was just a boy. Read for yourself:

1 Samuel 16:1-13 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'

Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."

Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"

Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the LORD."

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one."

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these."

So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome feature. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

If you feel like God is telling you to do something and all you get from people is: Criticism, hate and discouragement. Just go for it and have faith that God will make it happen.

Is it time?

Everything in life has its time, when you are waiting for God’s plans for you to happen often times it is either because he is testing you patience and how much faith you have in him.

But when you try and make his plans happen before their time, it will not work: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

It can be hard sometimes to know exactly when God’ plans are suppose to happen. He will tell you when it is time, but it is up to you to be patient and trust in him.

Every now and then I struggle with discerning when God’ plans for me, and the ministry are going to happen, and a few times I almost led the ministry astray, because of foolishly trying to make his plans happen in my own strength or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

The Bible says not to lean on your own understanding but even that is difficult sometimes because your mind will often argue with your spirit man, especially when Gods plan doesn’t make sense.

But something you must always remember is your spirit man is never wrong and when your mind argues with your spirit man it is always the Devil trying to separate you from God, so that his plan can fail.

If you trust in the Lord and in his plans, lay aside your pride, and let your spirit man be first instead of your own understanding. Then Gods plans for you will succeed, and you will prosper.

Psalm 125:1 Like Mount Zion are they who trust in the LORD, unshakable, forever enduring.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Trust in him and you will not be put to shame. Do not rely on your own strength, but say, ‘Lord in my weakness may your glory be seen.’

Fasting

Fasting is something I finally was able to experience; the first thing everyone has to know about fasting is that it’s not about you, it is about God and the time you spend with Him.

You don’t just choose what your going to stay away from, God tells you what He needs you to avoid until your fast is over.

That means you cannot just choose the one thing u rarely do and say that is what your going to fast. God usually chooses the one thing you can’t stand to give up.

For me it was the Internet, I had spent so much time Online that I almost forgot my Real Life goals and purposes. The most important was that I had forgotten to spend time with God.

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some, or all food, drink, or both for a period of time.

An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature (see: Intermittent fasting). Fasting practices may preclude sexual and other activities as well as food.

In a physiological context, fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, and (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and some diagnostic tests are used to determine a fasting state. For example, a person is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. Metabolic changes toward the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after a meal); "post-absorptive state" is synonymous with this usage, in contrast to the "post-prandial" state of ongoing digestion. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8–72 hours depending on age) conducted under observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia. Finally, health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, have recommended extended fasting as therapy for various conditions from ancient to modern.

When Followers of the Lord fast, they are suppose to put aside their worldly ways (things that have been put before God) and spend as much time with God as they can, so that he can tell them all that he needs to tell them.

In Joel 2:12 it says, “That is why the LORD says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

It isn’t easy to fast, one reason being it is very hard giving up what you are so accustom to doing. But the main reason is because the Devil will try and stop you from fasting by tempting you at certain moments when you are most vulnerable.

I was tempted to use my phone to get online; it took a lot of prayer and God’s strength not to get online.

Don’t be ashamed if you feel tempted to walk astray from your fast, even Jesus was tempted.

If you read Matthew 4:1-11 it has the full story of Jesus being tempted during his fast.

And now the last thing you should know is, do not fast to make other people like you, respect or adore you more, because that is not what fasting is for.

Matthew 6:16-18

"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad. The hypocrites do that. Don't be like the hypocrites. They make their faces look strange to show people that they are fasting. I tell you the truth; those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you fast, make yourself look nice. Wash your face. Then people will not know that you are fasting. But your Father that you cannot see will see you. Your Father sees the things that are done in secret. And he will reward you."

We do not pursue the spiritual disciplines to gain us notoriety and respect. They are of value when we offer them to God and go about our daily routine as if nothing were different, except our character. Our character is to be transformed to be more like our Father in Heaven. A fast to God is not about looking like we're fasting on the outside, but that we're being transformed on the inside. That transformation will show itself over time, and in the meantime, the fruit of fasting will be its own reward.

Be on Gaurd!

Has someone ever told/asked you: “You have left a door open to something evil”

“Have you left a door open for the enemy to attack?”

If you have and don’t now what it means, let me explain it to you; when you do something that is not right in God’s eyes, basically anything that your ‘conscience’ tells you is wrong and you do it anyway, then that will open doors to the enemy.

Because the Devil loves it when you disobey God he will wait patiently for you to mess up and when you do he will attack.

INVITATION.

This means that we actually invite him into our lives to set up a stronghold. Whenever, we seek knowledge, or power from the supernatural other than through God, we are giving the enemy an invitation to come into our souls and set up a stronghold. This usually happens when we rebel against God, or authorities over us.

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king" (I Samuel 15:23).

Whenever, a Believer seeks a psychic, or looks to a horoscope for answers, he is vulnerable to the enemy entering into his life. I know of a Christian young man who rebelled against his father and got involved in Satanism. It can even be dangerous going to a "fortune teller" at a church Halloween Party. Solomon gives us a grave warning,

"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27).

TEMPTATION.

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Remember what happened to David. "And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (II Samuel 11:2). It is like what may happen to the man who is going through marriage difficulties. In the midst of the difficulties, a younger and more attractive woman than his wife happens to show up on the scene and opens the door to adultery through flirtation.

IMAGINATION.

(Romans 1:21). "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). A man can in his imagination undress a beautiful woman in his mind, but Jesus warns us about doing so. "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

FEAR, WORRY, or ANXIETY.

We see this clearly in the life of Job. Although Job didn't sin with his actions, or by cursing God. He opened the door to the enemy through "fear". He offered sacrifices for his sons just in case they might have sinned, he had many guards for his possessions, and he was afraid of losing his health. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came" (Job 3:25-26). Basically, he was saying that he did what was right, but knew it wouldn't do any good anyway. In contrast, Peter states, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:7-8). We have the option either to cast all our cares upon the Lord, or face the roaring lion and he will devour our lives as he roars. He is not toothless as some well meaning preachers have advocated.

This is why it’s important to put on your FULL ARMOR OF GOD!!!

Each piece protects something: The Helmet of Salvation protects your mind from sinning. The Breastplate of Righteousness protects your heart from fear, unforgiveness and offences and keeps you obedient. The Waist belt of Truth of course reveals to you all truth. The Shoes of Peace help you in your walk to follow his lead through the word. The Shield of Faith guards you from the attacks of the enemy, it helps you to stay strong in your faith. And last but not least The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word, it helps you to fight back with the word not your emotions.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

"I learned my lesson” a phrase most of the earth’s population has had a few chances to say, but do they really mean it?

Everyone has made some sort of mistake that they would never want to repeat.
An example; quite a few people have cheated on some kind of test, a crucial thing most cheaters never want to happen is get caught.

When most cheaters get caught they often say, “I learned my lesson, I promise I will never do it again.” But do they really mean it, most of the time what they r thinking after they get caught is, “I’m sorry I got caught.”

It can be hard learning your lesson the hard way, but the reason why we must is so we can carry this lesson with us at all times. It is to prevent us from ever doing it again, or to help someone from making the same mistakes as you.

One thing you should know is God doesn’t make bad things happen to us to learn a lesson, we simply bring it upon ourselves and God moves out of the way so we can learn our lessons.

When you really learn your lesson then you will never make the same mistakes, but if you shrug it off and forget the lesson you learned then you never really learned your lesson.

I am sure most of you have noticed the name of my blog is Lessons learned the hard way, well the reason why it is, because the best lessons I ever learned were learned the hard way.

Revelation 3:3 So remember what you received and heard. Obey, and change the way you think and act. If you're not alert, I'll come like a thief. You don't know when I will come.

Isaiah 42:23 Which of you will listen to this, or pay close attention in time to come?

Don’t keep yourself from learning your lessons just because you don’t like them, because in the end they will make you a better person.

The Arrogance of Man

This blog is about arrogance, there are many ways to be arrogant but God specifically wanted me to share certain forms of arrogance with you.

First form of arrogance is failing to acknowledge a persons work.

Now even though God tells everyone not to seek recognition from man, but God still says to give credit where credit is due; plus everyone still has a natural curiosity of what is being said about them.

I have been personally experiencing this all this month, I almost worried that I wasn’t making a difference. But I failed to listen to what God and even what my own family was telling me. God told me so many times that I am doing a good job.

My parents told me that I was doing well. But I still wandered why my ‘friends’ would not even talk to me. Then people that I never even met, people from around the world (China, Africa, Brazil, CA, UK, Ireland, & still some stateside; OH, OK, & AL) told me how much they loved my work!

Even in the Bible, Jesus asked his disciples, "who do they say I am?” not because he wanted credit, though he was worthy of it, but because he wanted to know their thoughts of him, because he cared about them, and because he was naturally curious.

So now I know it wasn’t that I was doing wrong, it was that people were so arrogant and consumed by their own pride to give credit to anyone else.

My Mother posted on my face book this story about Jesus:

Even Jesus when he healed the 10 lepers, only one had the humility & gratitude to come back & tell him Thank You! Jesus said, where are the others? & Because the 1 came back, Jesus, not only healed him,

but he made him whole! Isn't it common courtesy to come back and thank someone when they have helped you? Don't you at least tell someone thank you when they've allowed you to use their restroom to throw a dump in it? You have more courtesy to them, & more gratitude IT SEEMS… Sometimes it's just common courtesy people-

My Mom told me this and I want everyone who has experienced this to avoid the people who treat you like a water fountain, only coming to you when they are thirsty & walk away.

The other form of Arrogance I want to talk to you about is, failing to help someone who is down just because you see yourself better then them.

For this I want to tell the story of the Good Samaritan:

“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant [b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

I am not saying that all pastors (but also the people that claim to know God) are like this but; when we see someone in need of help and decide to pass them by, that is both prideful and arrogant, and neither of these things will reserve you a place in Heaven.

The one who is Compassionate and acknowledges and helps the person in need will have eternal life.

The same applies to those who fail to acknowledge that they appreciate the work you do, or the help you’ve given.

The least a person can do is say, “Good Job” or “I like the work you have done”, or “Thank You!” “I appreciate all you!” (With a sincere heart)

It is so simple.

The Credit for this blog and all others I have written go to God.