To Explore Angel numbers, one must first know what Numerology is. Many people today are unaware of what Numerology is. Some don’t even know what it means and presume it is just the study of numbers in a mathematical sense. Well of course that is true to some degree. However Numerology is deeper than just superficial numbers – It is the intrinsic nature of the way numbers relate to our world and can represent a genuine deeper meaning through a synchronistic event or feeling. Everything that the world and universe consists of also consists of numbers. Numbers rule the Universe. Exploring the history of numbers shows one the distinct ways numbers have and create deeper meaning to reveal a synchronicity or matrix-type knowledge to a person.
According to Numerologists, numerical patterns infiltrate everything in our world and nothing happens by accident; everything happens because of numbers. Each number contains a specific vibration that it emits. In fact, even the alphabet is a man-made communication tool originally derived from numbers. Thus the vibrations and feelings we express are the roots of the alphabet which originate from numbers. Beyond this, numerology is used and expressed to this day in many modern ways as well.
Numerology of “Angel Numbers”
The topic of Angel Numbers is popular today in many media outlets. Whether it is an article on how certain repeating numbers symbolize a new path in life, or a Youtube or Tiktok video on how your angels are trying to speak to you through numbers, there’s no denying that it is a popular topic of interest to many today. But what do Angel numbers ACTUALLY mean? Are they just coincidences that we assert our own meaning and projections onto? Or is there a genuine cause for these repeating numbers in some ones’ life? The answer is not black and white, but there are a few theories that can explain the anomaly.
a. The presence and noticing of Angel Numbers means you are “in alignment.” When you start seeing synchronies of numbers, it is highly likely that your inner path and physical path are aligned; noticing the numbers is just a confirmation of that. Behind the scenes of the 3-D, we cannot see this “spiritual path” we are on, so sometimes numbers act as the evidence that the merging of the spiritual path and physical path is happening. When this happens, often strange things happen such as first noticing the synchronicities of numbers that also exist and transcend beyond our 3-D world.
b. Numbers are the root for vibrations, so when someone starts to notice a specific repeating number, it could be the physical world projecting back to them the vibrations and feelings of their inner world. There is a theory that the universe is like a boomerang – it always gives you what you put out, including your vibrations and feelings. Thus Angel Numbers could simply just be a confirmation of one’s own inner world thoughts, feelings, and vibrations. However there are several interpretations of what each specific digit 1-9 means, though they often have similar meanings since each number has a specific vibration. Below is an example of what each number can mean when seen or noticed repeatedly.
Did this article on Angel Numbers resonate with you? Let us know in the comments below!
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Let me first just say, something you come to realize after some time is that something nobody can take from you is your journey in life. Everyone’s journey is uniquely beautiful – kind of like how every sunset is uniquely beautiful in it’s own way. We all have the freedom to flow and explore life however we desire, in order to get to a place where we feel aligned and closer to source. The weird thing is, God doesn’t judge anyone’s journey back to Him, He just wants to make the journey easier for us. However sometimes we’re still just young and dumb and think we can outsmart God (Pfff…) They say the best way to learn is from other people’s mistakes, but sometimes we just need to make our own mistakes to realize the magnitude of the value of how we approach that specific area of life. There’s something beautiful in the juxtaposition and naïve-ness of not knowing something, allowing the hurt to chisel and refine us to our core, and coming out of it smarter, wiser and more beautiful on the other side. Sure, you may have been way better without going through it. But the mistake happens, and the great thing is that there is hope and you’re not stuck there – we have the power to 100% restore and heal ourselves back to our vibrant exuberant selves even after whatever mistake we made or allowed in our naiveness. And so sometimes you just have to go through those toxic unhealthy self-destructive phases to realize – oh wait, it’s not working, it’s only keeping me in a cycle and bringing temporary happiness. God was right all along (like He always is).
You’re also allowed to pause and disassociate from the notifications on your phone in order to do some soul navigating. Maybe you’ll let down a few people by not responding to texts about nothing, but you’ll definitely impress God by your willingness to get serious about the essence of life. You’re allowed to exist without proving your worth. That is one of those things you’ll quickly realize if you just put away the distractions and stare at the ceiling for a bit. That your merits are not what define you. How you help others, yourself, and the community plays a big role – Yes. However that also doesn’t define us. We are worthy just as we are- just existing. We are worthy just by blissfully existing. Yes, that’s a fact but don’t get me wrong, it’s also not an excuse to do nothing.
Although we are human-beings, we are also human – doings. We were created to do just as Jesus did. The fact that Jesus wasn’t even married or in a relationship and he was still deemed to be the happiest person on earth. Hm, maybe that’s the key to happiness. Kidding. Although it does prove that being or not being in a relationship doesn’t really matter in the things of God. Much of it had to do with Jesus simply loving what was right and hating what was wrong. It’s that simple. That is why He was “anointed with the oil of gladness.” Aka, God gave him happiness. Of course in our day and time, these things are easy to say but hard to do. We are surrounded by a plethora of influences making us question whether we’re too old-school or whether we should adapt to the modern ways. But it’s simple really. Love what is right. Hate what is wrong. People always wonder – well, what is right? that is so vague, you don’t understand my situation, like the bible doesn’t really talk about my situation. Okay. Well, just ask yourself – What would Jesus do or what do you think Jesus would tell you? Most people know the answer but are still influenced by modern views or their emotions. Guess what. God doesn’t care about your emotions or feelings.(Harsh, I know, sorry.) God cares that what you are doing is right, and is backed up by His Word. Sometimes we have to realize that yes – tuning in with our emotions is healthy. However letting emotions control you is not. We need to let emotions do what they do, and let them pass like a storm, and then get back to our normal ideal selves by doing what is right. So yes, God doesn’t care about your feelings. He cares about you doing what is right so that you can experience unending joy because of that. Because afterall, God is always on our side. Joy is a long-lasting state of being, not necessarily a feeling or emotion. Joy is promised by God and something we should strive towards. Those who possess the holy spirit can tap into that fountain of joy from God whenever they want to, really.
There is so much joy ahead for us. In Romans 14:17, it states, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
In Psalm 16:11, the psalmist writes, “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
Sometimes in our everyday lives we can get so used to our every day habits, emotions, diets, etc. that we don’t really stop and question why and where they came from. Do our habits and thinking come from our own source of original thought, or are we influenced somehow to beleive “this is the right way to do it”? A common phrase is, “Well, that’s how I’ve always been taught.” Whether it be how we think, how we stay fit, what foods we eat, what emotions or words we express, or our expectations. Most often, though not with every single aspect, there is at least one area of our life that we do based on traditions – whether it be cultural tradition, societal tradition, or family tradition – that influences the way we do certain things. And so, whether we know it or not, sometimes the traditions may be more detrimental than helpful to us. Let’s explore a few common subtle traditions or thought patterns that are stumbling blocks to knowing the truth about God.
Subtle Stumbling Block #1 – Thinking we can save ourselves
Sometimes, especially for a non-believer, one might say – “Well, whenever I decide to, I can just pull myself up by my bootstraps.” in an effort to give oneself the credit of success and the flexibility and freedom to save one’s self. This is an old phrase basically meaning that one can succeed or elevate themselves without any outside help. The problem with that way of thinking is that it is limited. Yes, we may be able to help ourselves become better to a certain extent, but we cannot ultimately save ourselves from ourselves – we need an outside force. The same can be said about the physical realm, from something as simple as observing Newton’s first law of motion. “Newton’s first law states that if a body is at rest or moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed unless it is acted upon by a force. ” So why do we think that the spiritual realm is any different? The spiritual realm has many of the same laws as the physical realm, even if we do not realize it or cannot see it with our own eyes. So let’s stop falling for the cultural lie that we don’t need to be saved or don’t need God’s help because you’ve adopted the common thinking of “well, I’m a good person and that’s all that matters.” That itself is a societal thinking norm that is totally false. Even if you ask people in jail, many of them might even say the same thing. So needless to say, saying “I’m a good person,” is solely based on each person’s own thinking and not based on God’s thinking. For scriptures even say, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.It is the Lord who judges me. ” So let’s make The Word of God and Jesus our point of reference for being saved and for our thoughts, instead of relying on our conscience which is unreliable according to scriptures. Even in the physical realm, ” In Aristotelian mechanics and in ordinary experience, objects that are not being pushed tend to come to rest.” Similarly in the spiritual realm, spirits that are not being pushed (by God) tend to come to rest (die). So let’s not follow the new age religion of self gratification and instead pull ourselves up to rely on Jesus to save us and help us. He is the best counselor for our success and saving.
Stumbling Block #2 – Misunderstanding the goodness of God
Many often question if God is real or if He is a good God because of all the evil things He “allows” to happen. Imagine if someone was watching a baby in a pool drowning and did not use their power to pick them up to save them from drowning. Of course, that is not good. In fact, I’m sure that kind of person would go to jail. Oftentimes, people think of God in a similar way – but it is a misconception. God is not involved in the evil of the world. That is Satan’s work – the prince of the air. So, we know that there is another entity in charge of worldly evil wrong-doing, yet somehow some people still blame God for the evil? The Misconception is that people forget that God is inside of us. He resides within human beings on earth and we must declare his power and presence in order for God to work in that situation. Thus, it is humans that are responsible for any evil that happens or does not happen. We live in a corrupt fallen world that is bound to have evil things happen. Our world is cursed by sin – what does one expect? God resides in heaven, and God also resides within people for helping us on earth. Thus, we cannot blame God for evil. For God is only in the goodness of the earth. He wants goodness, peace, healing and light more than we want it. “Now yes, yes creation sometimes screams a confusing message – fear, pain, grief,. Fire burns, rivers food, winds go hurricane, the earth shudders so hard it levels cities. But you must remember – this was not so in Eden. Mankind fell, surrendering this earth to the evil one. St Paul says that creation groans for the day of its restoration, making it clear that everything is not as it was meant to be. People come to terrible conclusions when they assume that this world is exactly as God intended. (An assumption that has wrought havoc in the sciences.) The earth is broken. Which only makes the beauty that does flow so generously that much more astounding. And reassuring. ”
Do you know any other important or noteworthy stumbling block thought patterns believers should avoid? Let us know in the comments below!
Why are cults so believable and hard to leave or get out of? This question is loaded with many different perspectives, lenses, and opinions. I am exploring this through the perspective of a current non-denominational Christian.
First, we need to know what a cult is. Many often associate cults in a negative perspective. A cult by definition is ” a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous”. You may find definitions worded a bit differently, but they all have the same general meaning. It is basically a group of people or a club in which people become a little too obsessed with the thing in which they are devoted to. It’s not always religious. Though in modern times, cults are often formed in religions because they take an idea too far or too literally. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the church or religion make certain ideas or rules the object of worship which inadvertently is the slippery slope into a cult that uses mind control on its members to keep them.
So we must ask ourselves, at what point does a group or club become a cult? Are all churches cults? What is the difference between a cult and a good church?
Let’s be honest, when the average person thinks of a cult, they may often think of a certain church or religion, and honestly that’s where a majority of cults are at. This is not to say that church is bad. Or that religion is bad. I think it really has alot to do with each individual church. What are they teaching you? Does it apply to modern day age? Is it backed by historical text (The Bible)? Is the church gaslighting you in a negative way? (I’ll explain later). Is the church growing? These, and more, are all factors to consider when figuring out if you’re going to a healthy church versus if you’re a part of a cult. Like many already know, sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. Let me help by explaining the many subtle differences between what goes on in a cult versus what goes on in a genuinely good and healthy church.
1. A cult gaslights you and keeps you in a cycle.
If a church gaslighting you sounds crazy, you may want to think again about what exactly they’re telling you. Are they telling you you’re worthy? For women- that you’re beautiful inside and out? For men- that you’re strong and courageous, etc. That you’re made in God’s image, capable of great things like following your dreams or starting that business? That you’re worthy both as a single person and as a married person?
Or, are they like businesses that create consumers by hypothetically creating the problem? (Like almost half of companies that exist) Similarly, in a church that operates like a cult, they might try to convince you or directly tell you “you’re a sinner” (contrary to telling you you’re worthy), and then they treat this word like it’s a disease. Next they explain how to “cure” this disease. They create the problem and then offer the solution. But wait, you can’t get the cure all at once, no no, you need to come back again and again, at least once a week – for the rest of your life. I’m not saying that going to church every week is bad. What I’m saying is that if that’s you’re mindset for going to church every week (to get rid of your sin “disease”), then you are going to church for all the wrong reasons. You’ve been bamboozled into a very convincing and false cycle of lies. Let me explain this further.
First off, the church should not continually be calling you a sinner. Though it is hard to wrap our minds around, even if we do sin, we are not sinners because Jesus already successfully did his part to remove that chain and identity from us. When I say “us,” I am referencing those who beleive Jesus is the savior. We call Jesus the Savior, not the ultimate guilt trip, yet for some reason why do some churches often feel like that? The church will tell you that you’re a sinner and then tell you not to sin. That doesn’t even logically make sense. Its like telling a dog they’re a dog but not to do dog things. The church instead needs to tell you you’re not a sinner. That you’re worthy and wise and spiritually competent to take on life. So, what does your church do? Does it give sound and true uplifting words of truth into your life for you to be the best version of yourself & the best citizen of society? Or does it make you take a guilt trip almost every time and create a cycle of repentance from the “church”?, like a business that just received a customer and uses ethos pathos and logos to keep them coming back for the product. Furthermore, the church might even try to convince you that your salvation is dependent on going to that church, when in reality, once a person receives God into their life, salvation and God are within us and not a far-away object needed to be continually obtained our entire life. The purpose of church is for the holy spirit to be present, fellowship, worship and teaching. The church facilitates salvation but it itself is not salvation. So if you’re having a hard time figuring out if you go to a good church or if you’re unknowingly part of a cult, the first step is to simply examine the verbiage used. What are they telling you about you? Are they creating a hypothetical problem within you, telling you you’re such a rascal and you need to repent every time you sin? Or, are they giving uplifting words of encouragement or truth to elevate your spiritual grounding and wellbeing?
2. A cult uses black and white language or thinking, often with little to no explanation.
Black and white language fits well with cults because they like to portray things as an extreme. For example, if you grew up going to church, you may have been told in a sermon that “sex is bad.” (Just an example of many of a plethora of topics). Here’s the thing, sure maybe premarital sex is not okay. But even more so, I do not know of one friend who had a pastor explain the why behind this. As if teenagers are supposed to know why it’s bad. I think the church should be more open about those topics. Like, instead of saying a black and white blanket statement like “sex is bad”, “the devil makes you lust,” or “if you sin youre going to hell if you dont repent” which invoke guilt, how about explaining it a bit better, in a more human way rather than in a religious way. Like – wait till marriage to have sex because physical touch or intimacy creates chemistry, which can mess up and dramatically alter one’s perspective of their partner. It can deceive you to think that someone who obviously isn’t the one for you, is the one for you, because the physical touch (the feel good feelings) messes up your ability to really see them for who they are. When a church uses such vague blanket statements as the one’s previously stated as examples, without explaining them, they leave a big gap for false teaching and is a red flag for being a cult.
3. A cult tries to make their imagination your reality.
So what do we mean by making someone else’s imagination a reality? In a church this can often be seen when a preacher talks about a dream, or if there is a prophetic word in prayer. Let’s explore these in more detail. When a preacher talks about a personal dream, they are explaining their own subconscious world. It is one thing to talk about a dream, which is totally fine. However it is another thing to say that one’s dream represents what is happening or will happen to the church. Sure, dreams may have been predictions in biblical times. However, today we cannot rely on dreams to tell someone else or a group of people their future. Dreams are not from God, they are simply programming’s of each person’s inner world. We should not be projecting our dreams onto others. The second one is when there is a prophetic word during a prayer. Members of churches often take these very seriously, yet often times we do not even know if the person saying them has been reading the word and in prayer. What if they just had an impulse to say what is on their heart? That is not from God, that is simply a word from that person – yet people think that they are hearing from God. If a preacher’s dreams are being interpreted as the future of the church or the world, or if prophetic words are being told from someone who was not prepared, you may want to rethink if you’re in a healthy church or in a cult.
Again, it really all comes down to the verbiage used and the lack of explanation of things in cultish churches. This is because if you feel you’re on the good side of the spectrum, members of the cult often feel very entitled or holier than thou, wanting to stay in that mindset. This is the sign that it’s too extreme. Nobody can be perfect. So the next time you visit a new church or even just at your own church, at least take note and examine these three things, 1. Does the church gaslight you and make you feel like you’re in a constant cycle? 2. Does the church use black and white language with often little to no explanation? 3. Does the church try to make an individual imagination everyone’s reality? Life is too short to get trapped in a mind game of lies within a cult. My hope in sharing this is that you take the time to find a genuinely good church that stays clear of all of those previously noted points, and instead uses God’s word to encourage you be the best version of yourself and the best citizen within society by looking towards Jesus.
When someone thinks of sacrifice, they probably think of old biblical traditions, or something people do in those one weird religions and cults we hear about. Honestly that might be true, but sacrifice holds a whole new meaning when we use it for our own good. Here’s what I mean. Sacrifices exist. They have been a part of history for as long as we can remember. You may have read in books about people sacrificing to their gods in return for something better, such as a good crop or rainfall, etc. This is not the type of sacrifice we are talking about here, though it holds similar concepts. Those kinds of sacrifice were often associated with the dark world, it they were even real. The sacrifice we are talking about is the one God gave as a gift to mankind to help him become unstuck, or to elevate to our higher selves. Let’s explore what that means in further detail.
To believers, we know exactly what that means – or at least have a general idea of sacrifices, offerings and tithing. When we sacrifice, we give up something in exchange for initiating change in ourselves and to give stuck situations the opportunity to get unstuck, to progress and to make permanent change. So how does it really work? When we offer something up to God, He changes it by blessing it and then returns the changed sacrifice to us so that we can be changed by partaking it. God tells us that an acceptable sacrifice to God is by a portion of our finances. We sacrifice our money to God and He blesses it and changes it by using it for ministry and then we are sanctified by being changed by our participation in that ministry.
However, a common misconception is that sacrificing money to God will come back to make you rich. Sometimes that happens, but it’s just temporary. The point of the sacrifice of money is not to become financially prosperous – It’s to become spiritually prosperous.
Why does this work?
Consider how much anxiety, anger, selfishness, worry, etc go into our whole approach to money in the modern age. This is ripe for all kinds of addictions, blaming, and focusing on other people’s perceived dysfunctions. When you tithe, you take back responsibility for yourself. When you tithe, you are sacrificing, or giving up that sense of control, so that you can be exorcised of that reactivity or addiction.
We do it not to satisfy a budget or because we hope God will help us win the lottery or hope to get a raise – none of that is the point at all. We sacrifice (tithe) together because we need to get unstuck and because we need to get serious about offering something to God for His blessing and transformation – for an eternal prosperity.
Let’s face it, most of us have an interest when it comes to a series or a movie predicting the afterlife. Humans are curious creatures in regard to the unknowns of life after death, and this is no secret to pop culture. Pop culture takes this idea by the horns and runs, using it to influence our modern world and plant counterfeit ideas. Using a spiritual truth lens, let’s take a deep dive into a new popular show airing called “Upload.”
Upload is an original show broadcast on Amazon Prime, created by the same producers as a popular hit TV show, “The Office.” Thus, obviously the show is good in a technical sense – the breathtaking views, great locations and actors, and an interesting scheme to capture the viewer’s attention. There’s no doubt about it – it is visually appealing and well put-together. However, just like anything, just because something looks nice, doesn’t mean it’s values or message is truthful. The show Upload is full of a plethora of anti-Christian ideas.
The show is set in a futuristic age where technology has advanced to let people “upload” their consciousness to an accessible VR (virtual reality) dimension after they die. The main character, Nathan, dies in a complex accident and his girlfriend uploads him into this virtual reality afterlife dimension named Lakeview. However, a viewer will notice how he slowly starts falling out of love with her and instead falls in love with his “angel,” who is really a regular day-job worker working as his assigned customer support aid, having access to his consciousness and avatar features. The plot is obviously good, but let’s explore the flaws in portraying truth. I’d like to emphasize that this is in regards to the first season of the show. There may be several interpretations, especially as the show progresses into the second season, but this is just one interpretation.
1. The whole premise of the show emphasizes technology, despite it’s glitches, as the savior – not Jesus.
2. The uploading of consciousness implies that humans are nothing more than that – mere consciousness. There is no acknowledgment of a human’s soul.
3. There is no mention of God and even no appearance of a god-like figure, ruler, or King in the perceived uploaded afterlife.
4. In order to live in luxury, a person has to essentially store up treasures on earth (money), in order to have wealth or the best upgrades in the digitized after life – which portrays the complete opposite of what scripture tells us
5. The idea of humans uploading other humans’ consciousnesses to a digital afterlife creates the doubt that there is no afterlife
In conclusion, we can see that Upload may just be the ideal afterlife for the modern anti-religious person. What’s more concerning though is what kinds of seeds pop culture is trying to plant in the minds of kids and teens who make up a large portion of viewership of the latest shows. This show essentially sends the message that heaven is not real, and our only hope is in technology to save us. Of course it is just a show, however creating these kinds of shows sets up a precedent and influence on young generations to give up on an imagination or faith in something far more greater and powerful than humanity itself.
A belief in God offers more than faith in a higher power; it allows us to believe that the confines of human achievement are only a fraction of what exists in the universe.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably had a few jobs in your past. Perhaps your first job was simply to have some extra cash, to get you through college, or maybe to save up for your first car. The next job or two were most likely for the paycheck and to add to your resume for your career goals. It seems that many focus on secular values when it comes to securing a job – The paycheck and the status the job holds. These are of course reasonable things to consider. You need the resources that money provides and your ego wants to hold onto a status from a job title. However I think sometimes there is one part to the equation that many often neglect -applying for “jobs” that fit our calling. In other words, how often do we forget to ask God if He is hiring for spiritual work? This might seem silly, but it truly is an important aspect to wellbeing.
As believers we know that there is a spiritual realm that resides in our midst. Oftentimes we may forget it is there because we experience the physical world with our five senses, while the spiritual realm only has one sense – often referred to as the sixth sense. How powerful must the spiritual realm be if we have only one sense to access it, yet it is the ultimate sense, the one that transcends all others?
Oftentimes a person gets in the cycle of trying something new that they are passionate about, failing, and ends up doubting the process, themselves, and if they even have a calling all at the same time. “Lord, I take refuge in You from cowardice.” These are the words of a college professor used to silence his fears. One might think, what does cowardice have to do with our calling? Most of us often doubt ourselves instead of doubting our doubts. In other words, a coward lacks courage. It is someone who discredits their own abilities to be who God created them to be. In a way, when someone has cowardice, they are more aligned in their ego instead of being aligned with God to bring out their best & higher self. We all have the capability to activate our high selves; it just takes a genuine desire and a genuine inner work ethic.
“You start by getting out of your own way.” That is a saying I’m sure many have heard for a plethora of different endeavors. Predictably, This idea also applies to getting hired by God. One might think, “What does getting hired by God even mean?” I believe there are many answers to this question because it depends on what kind of spiritual work God has called you to. Oftentimes many people are living in God’s calling without knowing it, while others don’t know if they are. To truly know if we are working for God, we must get to the heart and core of ourselves and ask the “Why” questions. If the answers include something along the lines of “to help others, to make an impact, to bring people closer to God, to teach others, to bring others into the kingdom of God, to make people happy, etc” you know for sure that your heart is in the right place: aligned with God. If the answers to your “Why” questions includes things such as status, fame, luxury, money, etc., you may want to reflect on where your heart is at. The most ironic thing that we even see in scripture, is that those who do God’s work on earth often will receive the rewards and luxury we all want; but not in the physical word. Scriptures give us constant assurance that these things will be among us in the spiritual realm; we will have endless abundance in the kingdom of God.
As I Obey and serve you, I spend my days in plenty and my years in prosperity. I eat the good in the land.
Job 36:11
The Lord brings me into my promised land and gives me great and splendid cities which I did not build, houses full of all the good things I did not fill, vineyards and olive trees which I did not plant. The Lord satisfies me with good things; I eat and I am abundantly satisfied.
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
Mark 10:17-31
We can see that God has endless abundance for those who enter the Kingdom of God. After reflecting on these verses and the idea of working in the spiritual realm, one can’t help but reflect or reconsider their job or career goals. Are we prioritizing secular work and careers over spiritual careers? Yes, money is important to have resources for ourselves and our family for day-to-day living. However, how much more important is the wealth we create for our spiritual realm which is eternal? Perhaps the next time you are in-between-jobs, consider whether God is creating space for you to talk to you, align you, and re-direct you into your spiritual calling – whether within or outside your career. As they say, “rejection is just divine redirection,” and honestly that is a deeply true cliché. Whether you incorporate your spiritual work into your career, or you find time for spiritual work outside your career, you can know deep down that God is so proud of you for doing the spiritual work you are called to do in the spiritual realm, that it is recognized, and it will be rewarded.
This Sunday the preacher’s sermon was powerful. I can probably say that about every sermon, but I just loved the simplicity behind the sermon. In my own words, I’d name the topic is “Talk is cheap.” This is a common phrase that is used – in songs, in quotes, a saying in conversations. Although I wonder if we know what it actually means. It seems like this is a universal saying, though not many know there is also a spiritual Interpretation behind this saying when it comes to God’s Kingdom. We can even find it in scripture.
“I will come soon, if the Lord let’s me, and I will find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power”
1 Corinthians 4:18
I mean, Wow. I think that was the first time I’ve really noticed this verse. Some people might see the Bible as a historical book about our ancestors,, but honestly it is far more that that. It indeed contains the blueprint for spiritual living. It’s so amazing how many golden nuggets scriptures contain. Revisiting the previous verse, we can see how irrelevant our talk is if we lack the substance of God in our life- God’s power and God’s love. Having God’s power and using it means we are confident in Him and confident in using Jesus’ name for both big or small problems in our life. These two are far more important than becoming a scholar in Theology and being able to refute points in a speech or argue. Knowledge can puff us up, but God’s love will edify and soften us. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the semantics of theology, that we need to go back to the basics and simplicity of God and the calling of God’s children: To love others, live by God’s power, and share it by being a living example of that.
This is an excerpt from Tim Tebow’s recently released book called Mission Possible. I think he has created so much enlightenment in his writing for those who are trying to figure out God’s purpose for their lives. His words of wisdom bring more clarity for those on their journey to figuring out their vocation or calling in life.
” Lately, I’ve heard a lot of questions like, “What is God’s will for my life?” Or some- times it’s phrased differently, like, “How can I find my calling?” or “What is my purpose?” I’ve often wondered what those words even mean when we use them like that. I know what Merriam and Webster have decided, but how often have you heard those words dropped as a cliché in conversation? What do they really mean? When people ask these kinds of questions, what kind of answer are they looking for? Are they hoping for a general answer: “to love and serve God and others”? Or a specific answer about career: “You should become a doctor”? Or just an answer about making a difference: “helping the poor or those who are underprivileged”? Or are they looking for something more glamorous, like becoming a best- selling author or winning an Emmy? Am I asking too many questions when you’re hoping to find some answers? All these questions about purpose remind me of a comedic conver- sation in The Hobbit. After finishing his breakfast, Bilbo Baggins is stand- ing by his front door, when none other than Gandalf comes waltzing by. Bilbo nods at the old wizard and says, “Good morning” It’s a typical early-day greeting that requires nothing more than a nod and a smile. But Gandalf is too deep for that. He says to Bilbo, “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”1 I suppose we each have a little Gandalf in us. We can get hung up on questions or confused by semantics instead of taking action, even just one little step. “
I love how transparent Tebow is being here – we all ask these questions and on one hand we may know what we’re talking about, and on the other hand, we may also have a vague idea of what “calling” is referring to. Is it our jobs? Our roles as parents or spouses? Our contribution to charities? Our contribution to our local church? Our impact on others? We may all have a different perception of what a calling is. Are we overcomplicating and overthinking this just like Gandalf was overthinking the phrase “good morning”? As we read on, Tebow reminds us how clear the Bible is on what our (a beleiver’s) calling is.
” Scripture gives us one shared and big-picture purpose: to glorify God. As believers, we honor and serve Him with our lives, our natural gifts, our resources, our bodies, our worship, and our decisions. The list is vast, but the goal is clear. In His last instructions to His disciples, Jesus commanded them to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all the na- tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20) Now, this scriptural charge doesn’t mean that you have to become a missionary or plant yourself on the other side of the world. Nor does it mean that you have to sing worship songs during every waking hour (though if you feel a tug on your heart to do that, go for it!). But it does mean that your big-picture purpose is to bring glory to God wherever you are. After, and only after, you latch on to that God-given, big-picture purpose, there’s a way to identify what your personal purpose might be. Within that greater purpose of glorifying God, you find your purpose in what you do every day. Simply put, purpose is about being mission driven in your ordinary life.”
It’s hard to live mission possible when we don’t fully believe that we are made in God’s image, hand-chosen by Him and fully equipped to carry out works of eternal significance. It’s actually impossible. You will never come to believe that your life counts if you think you are here by accident or you’re stuck in a space where you’re just going through the motions.
God has designed you so that you don’t have to bumble your way through life. I believe He wants you to find your purpose. There are times we’re already walking in our purpose and we might not even know it! Sometimes God makes it clear, and sometimes it might not feel that way. That’s why it’s called living by faith, not by sight.
Tim Tebow
Don’t live with the goal of just getting by. Live with a greater significance than achievements, accolades, or an impressive bio. With purpose, your life overflows with meaning. You are alive because you are connected to the source of all creation. God has a plan for you to love and care for people. You honor Him through that mission.
God has really been pressing information about His Kingdom to the church lately. Isn’t funny how most of us haven’t even been a part of a kingdom on earth, so naturally we just assume God’s Kingdom will be like a country? (Because that’s what we’re used to) Yet, surely we should know that a Kingdom is far different from a country in how it operates. It’s worth thinking about and preparing for a Kingdom-like lifestyle, because ultimately we will one day be ushered into the new heaven/new earth where we will live with the King (God) and all His people. Sometimes we get so caught up in earthly things that we forget about this reality and new earth and lifestyle that will sooner or later come to be✨ (and is already in our midst in the unseen world)
We know that many kingdoms function similarly, so maybe perhaps we can expect The Kingdom of God to have similar qualities, which are:
All kingdoms have:
A king and lord–a sovereign ruler
A territory–a domain
A constitution–a royal covenant
A citizenry–a community of subjects
The law–acceptable principles
Privileges–rights and benefits
A code of ethics–acceptable lifestyles and conducts
An army–security
A commonwealth–economic security, and
A social culture–traditions, protocol and procedures
And so, although we have the ability to enjoy a variety of experiences and enjoy pushing ourselves in different endeavors in this lifetime, we should also remember we have a different life ahead of us. “Remind us how brief our time on earth will be. Remind us that our days are numbered- how fleeting life is. You have made our life no longer than the width of our hand. Our entire lifetime is just is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing…” Psalm 39🌸
