Red Pill, Blue Pill

We each carry within our consciousness and subconscious different 'splinters'. One of the world and one of spirituality. For we are each both physical and spiritual in our nature. No matter how involved or invested in one over the other we are or to what degree, at any given time in our lives both are available and present.
 
Now that we have established a new way of examining our thoughts as related to our actions and responses, let me share a real-life example. A friend of mine had an ‘inactive’ spirit and for that reason was living trapped in and by the world's ways. With a focus on self-interests and narcissistic desires, his personal motto was “Anything and everything for money.” He was enmeshed in the ways of the world and wallowed in his successes, while excused, blamed, and transferred his foils when experiencing failure.
 
Having grown up in a ‘normal and average’ dysfunctional home with few expressions of love, while being no stranger to abuse, his focus of self was piled high with the layers of life from childhood to an adult. From childhood cognitions his innate concept of right and wrong had been formed foundationally on 'reward and punishment'. His actions and responses were grounded in his parents' experiential lives. Simply said, the cycle continued. As an adult he relished the freedom and opportunities to enjoy the pleasures life offered with few concerns as to the harm and damage his decisions wrought.
 
And yet the alternate 'splinter' of spiritual acknowledgement persisted to exist in the deep recess of his subconscious. At times "itching" at other times festering, coming to the surface of his conscience thoughts infrequent, yet persistently. Always there yet put aside by the immediacy of ‘self’. Then came the day. The day that choice stared him literally in the face. One of his greatest temptations was immediate, at his beck and call, available thirty feet away arching with desire. Next to that wanton wish was the seed of spiritual consciousness. Eyeing and salivating for his temptress, he chose to sow the seed of spirit by consciously inviting the Lord God into his being, thus activating his spirit by a single decision of action. In that moment one splinter was removed, a fork in the road chosen. He swears to me this happened. I simply share it with you.
 
His final comment to me was, “I’m just an average ordinary guy, struggling. Conflicted by life and its choices. But once I voluntarily removed and replaced the splinter of the world's ways to sow the seed of that latent splinter of spiritual acknowledgement available, it was as if a heavy weight was removed and I could breathe again.” He died shortly thereafter but lives again.
 
We live in a complex world. We are pushed, pulled, and prodded. We are bombarded by ‘wishes, wants, and the 'where-with-all’ of this world. We control nothing more than our thoughts and responses. Remove the world's splinter by inviting spiritual consciousness and the presence of the Lord God through His Son Jesus Christ to dwell within you. Your spirit will be activated, and your life’s choices will become clearer. And as you will soon discover, always in your best interests.
 
Now that we know how to become spiritually active, what do we do with that knowledge power? And how does it work? Before we go further let’s answer the question of, Why? Because ‘Why’ is at the core of everything we want to know about and experience. Why should we desire an active spirit? Only through an actively connected spirit can we prepare for salvation, redemption, and spiritual reconciliation. For the believer eternal presence with the Lord is the essential answer to ‘Why’.
 
With an active spirit we possess the spiritual ‘counselor’ Jesus promised. Now that 'he' is with us, how do we enlist him to work with us? Because He delights in being our advocate, our best interests are always aligned with his. In every situation you now find you are not alone. You now have God’s spirit actively counseling you from within. Therefore, His presence gives strength and power never experienced. You have had this connection since birth, but now it is active!
 
So, how do we as believers employ it? With every choice or decision we make from now on, before responding by words or action, STOP and ask yourself, "What would God have me do? How would He have me respond? (In this situation) What Would Jesus Do?" By asking we will get both an answer and direction. The more energy and time we give to the question the more convicted our direction will be. This is how the Lord’s spirit within works. The more interactive communication we have in thought, words and deeds the more of His spiritual presence we will discover and can trust to rely on.
 
Now comes the quintessential question for every believer in Christ. After you have asked and received, how will you respond? Conscious of the guidance His Spirit gives? Or will you resort to your 'Old Pattern' behavior? Will you do what you desire, even though the consequences may be harmful?
 
Join me next time when we look at the “Key” to making the jump.We each carry within our consciousness and subconscious different 'splinters'. One of the world and one of spirituality. For we are each both physical and spiritual in our nature. No matter how involved or invested in one over the other we are or to what degree, at any given time in our lives both are available and present.
 
Now that we have established a new way of examining our thoughts as related to our actions and responses, let me share a real-life example. A friend of mine had an ‘inactive’ spirit and for that reason was living trapped in and by the world's ways. With a focus on self-interests and narcissistic desires, his personal motto was “Anything and everything for money.” He was enmeshed in the ways of the world and wallowed in his successes, while excused, blamed, and transferred his foils when experiencing failure.
 
Having grown up in a ‘normal and average’ dysfunctional home with few expressions of love, while being no stranger to abuse, his focus of self was piled high with the layers of life from childhood to an adult. From childhood cognitions his innate concept of right and wrong had been formed foundationally on 'reward and punishment'. His actions and responses were grounded in his parents' experiential lives. Simply said, the cycle continued. As an adult he relished the freedom and opportunities to enjoy the pleasures life offered with few concerns as to the harm and damage his decisions wrought.
 
And yet the alternate 'splinter' of spiritual acknowledgement persisted to exist in the deep recess of his subconscious. At times "itching" at other times festering, coming to the surface of his conscience thoughts infrequent, yet persistently. Always there yet put aside by the immediacy of ‘self’. Then came the day. The day that choice stared him literally in the face. One of his greatest temptations was immediate, at his beck and call, available thirty feet away arching with desire. Next to that wanton wish was the seed of spiritual consciousness. Eyeing and salivating for his temptress, he chose to sow the seed of spirit by consciously inviting the Lord God into his being, thus activating his spirit by a single decision of action. In that moment one splinter was removed, a fork in the road chosen. He swears to me this happened. I simply share it with you.
 
His final comment to me was, “I’m just an average ordinary guy, struggling. Conflicted by life and its choices. But once I voluntarily removed and replaced the splinter of the world's ways to sow the seed of that latent splinter of spiritual acknowledgement available, it was as if a heavy weight was removed and I could breathe again.” He died shortly thereafter but lives again.
 
We live in a complex world. We are pushed, pulled, and prodded. We are bombarded by ‘wishes, wants, and the 'where-with-all’ of this world. We control nothing more than our thoughts and responses. Remove the world's splinter by inviting spiritual consciousness and the presence of the Lord God through His Son Jesus Christ to dwell within you. Your spirit will be activated, and your life’s choices will become clearer. And as you will soon discover, always in your best interests.
 
Now that we know how to become spiritually active, what do we do with that knowledge power? And how does it work? Before we go further let’s answer the question of, Why? Because ‘Why’ is at the core of everything we want to know about and experience. Why should we desire an active spirit? Only through an actively connected spirit can we prepare for salvation, redemption, and spiritual reconciliation. For the believer eternal presence with the Lord is the essential answer to ‘Why’.
 
With an active spirit we possess the spiritual ‘counselor’ Jesus promised. Now that 'he' is with us, how do we enlist him to work with us? Because He delights in being our advocate, our best interests are always aligned with his. In every situation you now find you are not alone. You now have God’s spirit actively counseling you from within. Therefore, His presence gives strength and power never experienced. You have had this connection since birth, but now it is active!
 
So, how do we as believers employ it? With every choice or decision we make from now on, before responding by words or action, STOP and ask yourself, "What would God have me do? How would He have me respond? (In this situation) What Would Jesus Do?" By asking we will get both an answer and direction. The more energy and time we give to the question the more convicted our direction will be. This is how the Lord’s spirit within works. The more interactive communication we have in thought, words and deeds the more of His spiritual presence we will discover and can trust to rely on.
 
Now comes the quintessential question for every believer in Christ. After you have asked and received, how will you respond? Conscious of the guidance His Spirit gives? Or will you resort to your 'Old Pattern' behavior? Will you do what you desire, even though the consequences may be harmful?
 
Join me next time when we look at the “Key” to making the jump.



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