The Spirit-and-Flesh.com Blog

God’s Word cuts right through all profession of faith, stripping away that which is merely natural from that which is truly spiritual.

A person may weep at the Lord’s Table or shout his hallelujahs at the testimony meeting; however, his emotions may be carnal just as easily as spiritual. God’s Word divides between the soul and the spirit. A man may have a thorough grasp of Bible truth and be a walking encyclopedia of scriptural knowledge and yet not be spiritual. A person may have a strong will and determine that he is never going to indulge again in a questionable habit and carry out his resolve, but that does not prove him spiritual.

It is only the Word of God, brought to bear upon the issues of life, which can reveal what is carnal and what is spiritual. It is a “discerner” (4:12), a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart. As we read the Word of God, it probes into the inner recesses of our beings and explores all our motives.

It also exposes all mankind. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (4:13). The word opened literally means “to have the throat exposed” as when, for example, an athlete would seize his opponent and bend back his neck. It pictures a throat exposed to the slash of a sword. What an illustration of man’s total exposure and vulnerability to God and His Word!

So, then, the writer of Hebrews again confronts his readers with Christ. He is preeminent, able to do what neither Moses nor Joshua could do: bring His people into genuine rest because He is a superior Savior and because the provisions of salvation available through Calvary are superior to anything found in the Old Testament.

In view of this, it is imperative that we make sure of our salvation, lest we be found to be mere professors of Christianity. We must take to heart the example of the Israelites who, although saved and separated from Egypt and all that this meant typically, never entered into Canaan and thus missed God’s rest. God expects His people to avail themselves of all He has for them in Christ. And how can a person be sure of his salvation? By exposing his heart to the piercing sword of God’s Word, for sooner or later, that sword will find him out if he is a mere pretender.

Dr. John Phillips

An old boy was fumblin’ around one day
In a women’s clothing store
He’d found his wife a Christmas coat
And was headed for the door

When he bumped into a little boy
That looked like he was lost
And he said “Mister can you help me
Find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas
And the nights are gettin cold
Winter time is on us
And my mom don’t have a coat

I’ve been workin for the neighbors
And saving for a time”
And in his tiny outstretched hand
Was a dollar and a dime

His gaze went from that big eyed boy
To that pretty Christmas coat
And he finally cleared away the lump
That had gathered in his throat

He said “Son that’s just what this coat costs
We’re lucky that we found ‘er”
And he turned around and gave a wink
To the lady at the counter

She put it in a pretty box
And wrapped it up just so
And went off in the back
And found a big red Christmas bow

He said “I thank you for your help sir
And I kindly thank you ma’am
I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas
Cause now I know I am”

Well the old boy walked home busted
Except for the dollar and the dime
Thinkin he’d just have to buy
The coat another time

He told his wife that Christmas this year
Wouldn’t be much fun
And he gently took her in his arms
And told her what he’d done

She said “ why you old softie
I wouldn’t trade you for a farm
I’ve got two or three old coats
And your love to keep me warm “

She put that money in a matchbox
And placed it beneath their tree
And said “that is the grandest gift
You’ve ever given me”

The years went by like years will do
When people are in love
Their marriage was a golden bond
That was forged by God above

Then one day came some bitter news
That filled his heart with fright
The doctor told the old man’s wife
That she was going to lose her sight

He said “there’s an operation we can do
But it puts me on the spot
Cause it’s a quite complex procedure
And it’s going to cost a lot”

The old man said “doctor I’m a failure
I’ve made no preparation
We don’t have the money
For that kind of an operation “

The doctor got the strangest look
And he sat there for a while
And then he slowly nodded
And he broke out in a smile

He said “ why sir you can’t fool me
You’re a very wealthy man
You long ago invested
In the world’s best savings plan

I’ll see she gets the best of care
She’s going to be just fine
And the total cost to you old friend
Is a dollar and a dime”

The old man stared in disbelief
Then he recognized that smile
The one he’d seen those years ago
On a loving thoughtful child

He said “what you gave to me that day
Was more than just a coat
You gave me the gift of giving
And you gave my mother hope

My mother’d been mistreated
Neglected and abused
But she gave life just one more chance
And it was all because of you

Now every year she takes that coat
And lays it beneath our tree
It represents to us the things
That Christmas ought to be

She says that when we leave this world
For a better home someday
The only things that we’ll take with us
Are the things we gave away.

What does Love mean to 4-8 year old kids?

Slow down for a few minutes to read this…💕

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does love mean?’ The answers they got were broader, deeper, and more profound than anyone could have ever imagined!

‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore… So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca - age 8

‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy - age 4

‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’ Karl - age 5

‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’ Chrissy - age 6

‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri - age 4

‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’ Danny - age 8

‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.’ Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka - age 6

(we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet) ‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.’ Noelle - age 7

‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy - age 6

‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy - age 8

‘My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’ Clare - age 6

‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’ Elaine - age 5

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’ Chris - age 7

‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.’ Mary Ann - age 4

‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’ Lauren - age 4

‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image!) Karen - age 7

‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’ Jessica - age 8

And the final one: The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.

And then go be a child again today!………

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:

1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.

5. I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already told that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.

6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.

7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank You.”

8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.

9. I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.

10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.

11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.

12. I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.

13. I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.

14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can’t we practice this at any stage and age?

TwoEdged Sword KJV, on FB, says “Not at all surprised Osteen said this. Billy Graham or Ravi Zacharias never did expose the errors of Mormonism. That is because they like so many others are cowardly compromisers.”

“QUESTION: [From an interview of Joel Osteen by Chris Wallace, 12/23/07]:

C.W.: And what about Mitt Romney…? Is a Mormon a true Christian?

J.O.: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said he believes in Christ as his savior, and that’s what I believe…. I am not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are….Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me. I don’t think anything would stop me from voting for him.

ANSWER: Osteen is either astonishingly ignorant about Mormonism or about biblical Christianity, or both. Here are just a few of the facts about Mormonism that he apparently considers to be “little details” of no importance–raising the solemn question whether he is a true Christian himself.

The “god” Romney believes in is only one of an infinite number of such “gods” whom, in distinction to the others, Mormons identify as “the god of this world,” one of Satan’s titles (2 Cor:4:4). He is a glorified once-sinful man who was “redeemed” by another “Jesus” who died on another cross on another planet (one of an infinite number of each in Mormon theology). Over eons of time, this Mormon man, having gone through the temple ceremonies on that “earth,” died. His spirit ascended through further temple-like initiations and finally became the “god” who created this earth on which we live.

Mormonism teaches, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Joseph Smith holds each Mormon’s destiny in his hands. His successor, Brigham Young, warned, “No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter the Celestial Kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith….He holds the keys…” ( Journal of Discourses , 7:289). Another Mormon President, Joseph Fielding Smith, declared, “[There is] no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith..” ( Doctrines of Salvation , Vol 1, pp. 189-90).

Romney is going through the essential secret temple ceremonies. As a “temple Mormon,” he wears the magic “temple garment underwear” day and night for protection from evil. He has the ambition to become another god who will create its own earth with another Adam and Eve and fall. Sex with his many wives will produce a multitude of spirit children (including another spirit “Jesus” and “Lucifer”), another “Mary” for him to have sex with to provide a body for the “spirit Jesus” to inhabit in order to become a god after dying on another “cross,” etc. Mormons such as Romney must believe this fiction in order to get to Mormon heaven.

The “Christ” Romney believes in, (making him the “Christian” Osteen says all Mormons are), was the half-brother of Lucifer in the pre-existent state. They were each born to the same polygamous “father god” but probably to a different one of his many, many wives.

Brigham Young said, “The devil told the truth [about becoming gods]. I do not blame Mother Eve…for…eating the forbidden fruit.” Like Joseph Smith, he taught that only polygamists can become gods ( Doctrine and Covenants , Sec. 132).

The salvation and “eternal life” Romney looks forward to is exaltation to polygamous godhood, which could take eons of time after death. Woodruff, fourth LDS president, declared, “If we were to do away with polygamy…then we must…give up our religion altogether…” ( Journal of Discourses , Vol 13, p. 166).

Among the many bizarre Mormon beliefs: when the gods with their physical bodies have sex with their many “goddess” wives who also have physical bodies, the babies they produce to populate the earth (that this “heavenly father god” created) do not have physical bodies but are spirits. Yet, oddly enough, babies born to people on earth have physical bodies.

Thus, each spirit baby produced by the gods in heaven must come to earth to inhabit a newborn baby in order to get a physical body–as did “Jesus.” Mormons have large families because so many spirit children, youth, or grown-ups wait anxiously in heaven for bodies to live in on earth.

Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt explained why we don’t remember our pre-existent spirit state in heaven: our spirit bodies had grown so large that when they were squeezed into a baby’s body on earth it caused a loss of memory.

Romney’s Jesus Christ was not born of a virgin but to the “Mormon Mary” after the “god of this world,” in his man’s body of flesh and blood, had sex with her. For documentation of the above (and much more), see The God Makers book and or DVD.

I don’t think that a man who bases his hope for eternity upon such delusion could possibly be fit for the White House.”

— Dave Hunt

Mormonism is not Christianity. It is a curious mix of Satanism and Freemasonry. Joseph Smith was a con man, a storyteller, and one who communed with demons who were posing as dead people.

See: Link To Mormonism Article at spirit-and-flesh.com

For an in-depth look at the foolishness called Mormonism, obtain a copy of Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, from Utah Lighthouse Ministry, P.O. Box 1884, Salt Lake City, UT 84110. Go online at Utah Lighthouse Ministry.

Also view the online book The Changing World of Mormonism by Jerald and Sandra Tanner at The Changing World of Mormonism eBook.