This sweet boy always comes to say “Hi” anytime I return home.
He runs around, like I’m the greatest thing in the world.
He brings a smile. And that smile is power.
His excitement is Positive Puppy Power.
He doesn’t ask for much.
Food, water and belly rubs.
He loves to play tug of war and fetch with his toys.
He jumps on my lap and will not let me look at my phone until I take him for his walk.
So we go outside, where he can say “hello” to all the stray cats he calls friends. Some love him. Some do not. But, it doesn’t stop him from trying to sniff them anyway.
He just wants friends and to love.
It’s his greatest desire, that no one would ever leave without him.
He can raise my spirits in a moment, just by being near.
He brings joy and life.
This little guy has power.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
What do the scriptures say? When we study the scriptures on a subject, we go by what the entire Word says, based upon the guiding of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead us into ALL truth. That’s how it works. (John 16:13, Jas 1:5) We are surrounded by lots of false teachings, and…
We have a corrupted nature “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”—Rom. 7:21 Romans chapter 7 explains to us the purpose of God’s Law. It’s purpose is to reveal sin in us, so that it can be dealt with. Paul describes the struggle between law and…
Our Peace Comes Through Knowing Him “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 4:6-7 You’ve seen the slogan “Know Jesus. Know Peace.No…
I wanna help. I wanna be nice But Sometimes, You gotta stop.
Stop Caring
You wanna give. Just give it all. But. It’s trouble, Once again.
Stop caring.
It seems harsh. And maybe it is But to protect Yourself.
Stop Caring.
All the pain Can go away, In a moment If you just
Stop Caring.
Not a soul. Would blame you. Nobody will. Judge you if you
Stop Caring.
You can be sly. No one will know. Just give a smile, And let it go.
Stop Caring.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
The signs of the times Meteorologists warn us about coming storms. Whether it’s a freezing rain and snow or a summer tornado. Folks believe them. They stock up on bread and milk. They buy icy melt. They break out the snow gear and the shovels or flash lights. They check on family. They stay home…
We owe Him everything God gave us life. He gives us the things we need and the joys of this world. When we get saved and know Him, we see that He gives us so much more. We realize that everything comes from Him and all of it works together for our good. Our thankfulness…
Spiritual warfare and repentance When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other…
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”—Hosea 4:6
When you read this verse in context, you will find that the people of ancient Israel at this time did not know God.
They had all kinds of information about God. They had priests and prophets. They had God’s Law. But, they did not know God.
God is not concerned about whether we have knowledge of Him, or His laws. He wants us to know HIM. When we know HIM. We grow in our ability to Walk in the Spirit. Which means we grow in our ability to obey His laws. Because like Jesus said,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”— Matt. 22:37-40
When you love. You are obeying. When we know God and are taught by the Spirit, we are in relationship with God. This is Walking in the Spirit.
It’s not about trying to beat yourself up to obey a set of laws because God is going to get mad at you or get His heart broke. That’s what knowing ABOUT God does to you.
But, when you know God, and have a relationship with Him. It’s not about obeying a set of laws. It’s about Him working in your life to grow you, so that you are just walking in the Spirit with Him.
The people of Israel at this time did not know God, and this allowed terrible trouble to come into their lives. Israel had made a commitment to be God’s people. They were supposed to be a shining light on a hill, designed to draw all people in the world to know God.
Every person in Israel was supposed to be so learned of God, and know Him so intimately that they were ALL considered priests, in essence. But, the fact that they did not know God, opened doors for destruction into their lives.
Basically, since the parents didn’t know God. The children would suffer from it. Drunken parents who don’t know God, lead to drunken kids, who do not know God. And when the kids hit rock bottom, they do not know who to cry out to because they were never led to know God.
As Christians we are grafted in to Israel. That means that on a spiritual level; in the eyes of God, we are adopted children. We are in the covenant. We are treated as equals and joint heirs. (Romans 11)
So as believers we look at what happened in the past and we learn truth from it. Paul said,
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” —Rom 15:4
So, we can apply this verse in Hosea to ourselves, and what we see in our churches and our own households, and nation.
We are destroyed because we do not know God. We know about Him. We have heaped to ourselves teachers. We go to Church, Bible Studies, and read the latest fad book, from the best Christian authors. But, do we know Him? We sit in our church or car and clap to our favorite Christian music, but do we know Him?
If you knew Him, you could not help but tell others. You could not stop telling about the good things God has done for you. You could not help but want to grow closer to Him.
Do you tell people about Jesus? Have you read the entire Bible, or is all your Bible knowledge from what your Church told you?
You cannot know Him, unless you are born again and let the Holy Spirit teach you.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Is not about more information. It’s about knowing Him.
Are you saved? Ask God to save you and grow you. (Acts 2:21)
Turn to God and confess to Him that you believe Jesus is the Lord, and you want Him to be your Lord. Believe that He rose from the dead. This is believing God. It is believing what God has told you in His Word. (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:3)
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and teach you. (Luke 11:11-13, John 16:13)
The Bible says, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”—1 John 2:27
This means that God himself is perfectly capable of teaching you. Believe this. Trust this, and let Him. This is the relationship.
Just talk with God. Just be real in prayer. Do you believe He is real? Do you believe He is with you always? Then, talk to Him like He is. Do you believe He is your father and friend? Then, talk to Him like He is. Be real with Him.
Do you really believe He can teach you? Then treat him like your teacher.
When you read your Bible. If you do not understand something. Or get confused. Instead of running to the preacher, or a friend or the commentaries. ASK GOD.
Pray about it. This is part of the relationship and growth. Ask Him. Then trust that He hears you and will open the scriptures to you. Then, move on. Keep reading and living and praying.
It might take time. This is part of learning patience, and learning to trust God. But, as you read and study, one day you will come across a verse that will jump out at you. This is called “Quickening”. The Word comes to life.
Then, the question you asked will be opened up to you, and this new verse, will make connections to the verse you asked about and it will make perfect sense. It will be an “Aha!” moment. This is God teaching you. Not only does this teach you. But, it builds your relationship with God, and strengthens your faith.
But if you run to the pastor, and ask them about the verse or question. You miss the chance to know God. It becomes head knowledge about the author of the Word, instead of knowing the Author. When you take time and care to know the writer, a transfer of relationship occurs. God will teach you. Trust Him.
You must remember that on Judgement day. The worst thing to hear is “Depart from me I never KNEW you.” (Matt. 7:21-23)
What I am telling you is how you come to know Him. Did you really get saved? Or is it just words you spoke and words you hear every Sunday? Our salvation, opens the door to knowing Him. If you never got saved, then you can’t know Him. If you don’t care to know him. Then, you probably did not get saved.
Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
If you won’t tell people about Jesus, then you gotta ask if you really know Him? Are you really saved?
Look at the story of the Gadarene demoniac. (Luke 8)
Jesus cast demons out of a man and saved his life. Jesus then told Him “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.”
That is our testimony. That is how we overcome the enemy. We tell people about Jesus. We tell people about the great things God has done in our lives. (Rev. 12:11)
But if we cannot do this, we gotta ask ourselves, why? Do we really know him? Have we really seen Him doing great things in our lives? Or are we just going to church?
If every Christian told all their friends and family and Facebook friends about the great things God has done in their lives, what would our country look like?
But, you can’t tell others if you don’t know Him.
How else does the Spirit teach us? He teaches us through our lives. If we read scripture and do not understand something, we can ask God. Now, sometimes God might show us in the Word. Or He might bring a teacher to us. Or He might open something else up to teach us from our lives.
For example, we can learn a lot about how God loves us and treats us by looking at how we love our own kids. We are His children. If we love our kids, how much more does he love us?
Does this lead to more questions? Then, ask God and He will show you.
God has gifted people to be teachers of the Word. Teachers of the Spirit. God will lead you to the ones He wants you to learn from. Again, this is something between you and God. HE is teaching you. But, He has led you to someone that is teaching what God wants you to learn. God can lead you to different teachers or many teachers. But, it is God who is teaching, if you let Him guide you to the one He wants you to learn from.
You are not here by accident.
There are times of trouble which can come into our lives. If we turn to God, He will help us and can use it to show us things about Himself. Again, we want to KNOW God. Not know about Him. When we face trouble, and draw closer to God we learn of HIM, when we see Him move in our life.
Our life turns to shambles, when we don’t turn to Him and know Him. This shambles is a call to turn to Him. It’s a chance to know Him.
Do you know Him? Let Him grow you.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
Do We Follow Evil Authority? There’s a Christian concept that I have struggled with over the years. It is the idea that believers are supposed to bow down to Authority. No matter how evil it is. The concept comes from this verse, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no…
Father’s are under attack It’s Fathers Day and probably the sermons you will hear today, and the things posted on social media, will be attacks on Father’s. Little jabs talking about how they need to do better, and are the leaders of the household or some other form of guilt and shame. And we wonder…
God Doesn’t Do Like The World Does. Jesus said. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”—John 14:27 (John 14:1-31–in context) When God calls us, and we turn to Him, confessing Jesus…
It’s Thanksgiving again, and my thoughts are divided. Like our family, and the culture of this nation.
A day to remember, what God has provided. While waiting, to see the blessings to come.
A day to reflect, on the things we’ve lost. It could have been worse; we are thankful it was not.
It’s time to remember, the arguments at the table. And to let it go; do not hold it forever.
Think of our epic dreams, and the past we shared. The good we can do, and the future we can see.
Being thankful fuels our faith. It sees what we can be. It believes it will be so. In a future day to come.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
He is with you. Believe it. There are times in our lives when we feel that God has abandoned us. It seems that He doesn’t hear and we don’t feel His presence or see His movements in our lives. I have experienced the same. God has opened my eyes to the reality of it, and…
Both are working in this world. The spirit of antichrist is mentioned in God’s Word ( 1 John 2:18, 22, 1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7 KJV) but very little is known of it. It is rarely mentioned in sermons or teachings to the saints. It is important to know what this is, because it is working…
We are all called by God to serve. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of…
I oppose abusers with authority they don’t deserve.
I oppose narcissists with authority.
I oppose nit pickers who use authority to make life hard on people.
I oppose lying authority who deceive those under them.
I oppose authority who don’t obey the laws designed to protect the people.
I oppose authority who do not follow their own laws and rules.
Real authority doesn’t need to prove it has authority.
Real authority uses power to love and help people.
Real authority lifts people up.
Real authority is above reproach and doesn’t need to hide.
Hitler had authority.
Charles Manson had authority.
Priests who molest kids have authority.
Kings who murdered entire cultures had authority.
Abusive parents and spouses have authority.
Abusive pet owners have authority.
Abusive bosses have authority.
We should hate authority when it’s wrongly used or wrongly held.
Any authority figure who doesn’t agree is part of the problem.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
What is it really? And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had…
The first mother “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.”— Gen 3:20 She was created after Adam; to be his helpmate. To be his companion. We do not know how long Adam was alone before God caused him to fall into a deep sleep, and removed a…
God calls us to Him “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”— Psalm 30:5 Things happen in our lives. Terrible things that break us and drag us down. Things that we cannot control and ruin us. Things that…
We are called to forgive others. It is one of the hardest things we can be called to do.
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6:15
We see an example of this in the parable of the servant who owed the King.
He could not pay the debt, so the king forgave him. Then, the servant turned around and refused to forgive a fellow servant, so the king removed his forgiveness and punished the unforgiving servant. —(Matt. 18:23-35)
This is scary business.
So, what do we do?
Well, like everything in life we turn to God. We ask him to teach us wisdom and lead us into all truth. (Prov. 3:5-6, James 1:5 John 16:13)
First we need to see what the ultimate forgiveness is. What forgiveness does the King offer?
Jesus Christ coming and dying on the cross for our sins. Dying to offer forgiveness to those who hate Him and killed Him. He says “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24)
That is our image of forgiveness. To die, in order to forgive those who hate us and hurt us.
But hold on because God does not offer a general forgiveness. You must come to Him and bow the knee and ask him to save you and forgive you. You must confess Him as Lord. You must turn to Him. (Romans 10:9-10)
Do you remember Judas? Was he forgiven? He was a betrayer?
If he had ran to Jesus and ask for forgiveness, he would have been forgiven. But, we have no record of him doing that.
When you look at what God does, and you look at the parable in Matthew 18:23-35
You will see a pattern. In every case the guilty party asks for forgiveness, and/or offers to make things right. Then, forgiveness is given. Then, mercy is given.
Notice in the parable of the unforgiving servant.
“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.” (Matt. 18:28-30)
The unforgiving servant, made it a point to go out and find any servant who owed him in a very small matter. Then, demanded payment. He refused to forgive, and sent the man to prison. This is a complete heart issue. This person did not understand the forgiveness offered. This person never knew the King.
Are you hunting down the person who owes you? Is it a petty matter? Are you choking them and demanding repayment for something that you no longer owe? (Remember the king forgave the debt. This is not about getting money to repay. This is strictly revenge.) Did the person ask forgiveness? Did you give it? Did the punishment for the crime outweigh the pettiness of the crime? Are you wrong? Have you really sought God?
These are questions to ask yourself when you wonder if you are really forgiving someone.
So let’s look at a practical example.
Someone does something wrong to you. What should we do as believers?
We turn to God and ask Him to help us. (Prov. 3:5-6, James 1:5 John 16:13)
We settle the matter with God. We say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24)
We let them off the hook between us, them and God.
We look at what we’ve done. We try to fix it. If we’ve done wrong, we fix it as best we can.
We offer forgiveness to the offender as best as we can between us and God.
That’s all we can do. Our goal is to be right with God.
We cannot force the person to accept the forgiveness or to reestablish a relationship. All we can do is offer. Just like God offers.
Jesus tells us that we are to go to the person and try to resolve it. (Matt. 18:15-17 (Sometimes we can’t do this. It can cause more harm or damage. Sometimes it is impossible, they are dead or have removed themselves.)
But, remember our goal is to be right with God. You’ll notice that the verses to forgive are in the same chapter as the verse instructing us to go to our brother to solve the problem. Matthew 18. Forgiveness involves a willingness to resolve.
The bottom line is a willingness to forgive and to be right with God. It is about turning to God and asking Him to help with the forgiveness. This is the same with anything. If you were addicted to drugs, would you not turn to God and ask Him to forgive and help? This is the relationship we have with Him. He helps us.
All we can do is to be right between us and God. We cannot force anyone else to do anything. We listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us in what to do. We follow the Word as best we can, with an honest heart with God.
If a chance comes to express forgiveness or to make right, then we do it.
This is what we do between us and God. No matter what.
But, what about Justice?
What about protecting others?
What about fighting evil?
Let’s say you are a member of a church since you were a child, and let’s say that certain members of the church did sinful things to you. Things that impacted your faith. Things that ruined your life. Things that were illegal. Things that hurt others.
Do you just forgive them and let it go and move on?
You can, but what if you hear that they keep damaging other people? They keep driving people from Christ. They allow others to suffer from the illegal things they do? They stand in the pulpit demanding that you forgive while they themselves have refused to forgive and destroyed others? They treat others as less than them?
Let’s say there’s a child molester in the church or neighborhood. Do you just let it go?
Do you forgive them and let them hurt others?
Let’s say you have a bad employer or manager who destroys your life. They have done it to others and continue to do so. They break laws and treat workers terrible. Do you just forgive and move on? Do you let your employer continue to mistreat people and break laws, because they think they are above the law?
Perhaps God allowed this to happen so that you will stand up and do something. Maybe someone prayed 5 years ago for God to help, and you are the help God sent. Maybe?
If a drunk driver kills your daughter do you just let them continue to drive drunk and kill others? You can forgive, but what about others?
Doesn’t the authority bear the sword for the evil doer? Isn’t that from God? (Romans 13:1-8)
This is why we turn to God in all matters, but especially in the matter of forgiveness. We forgive between us and God, then we follow His Spirit as He guides us. We pray, and watch. We do what He leads.
This is part of our relationship with Him. But, these are serious questions.
“Revenge is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord.” —Romans 12:19
Does that mean we just pray and wait for God to move, while someone continues to hurt others? We can forgive for what was done to us and let it go, but is it love to just let them do evil to others?
Forgiveness is a hard thing for believers to navigate. This is why we let God direct our paths.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
A Word on Being Ready For The Lord’s Return “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the…
Walking in the Spirit is tough. Jesus said, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.— Matt. 6:14-15 Jesus tells us this in explanation of the Lord’s Prayer. After this manner therefore pray ye:…
We are justified in Christ There was only one law in the beginning. Just one. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”–Gen. 2:17 People want to act like God is some eternal killjoy,…
When I was young, poetry was some weird thing that made no sense.
Something we were forced to read, and equally forced to explain and embrace.
The English teacher telling me to obey the rules and follow the forms or it was wrong.
Poetry was rhyme and contrived to create something that sucked to me.
Poetry was destroyed in me, with the stroke of a red pen.
Until I hung that English teacher out to dry, and drove her from my mind.
Then, I could see clearly to create what was real.
I had to reject those rules; and write what came with the flow.
To not care what anyone thought and just do it, without fear.
To put down what I saw fit; in the way that I chose.
I love forms and use them often.
But like speed limit signs they are a suggestion and a guide,
Unless the cops are around.
Have you seen any poetry police?
My fuzz buster says, No.
Learn to spill your guts on the page,
then shovel up what shouldn’t remain.
Poetry can be a prison, where you learn to trick the guards.
or a vast forest where you can wander free.
Poetry is what you want it to be.
That freedom is in you.
Let it out for everyone to see.
I spent a lot of years stifling creativity and my true self. All because of the opinions of people who do not pay my bills, nor give me the time of day when they see me at Wal-Mart. I love freedom in my life. I no longer listen to people who try to contain me. I listen to God, and He is not the slave-driver some folks want Him to be. I listen to love, and the spirit. I seek what’s good, not what looks good. I want to run free.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
Abide in the Lord We all face trouble in life. It is something we can all agree upon. No matter who you are, something bad will eventually come to cause you trouble. Something will break your heart. Something will break you down. Something will make you crazy, concerned or confused. When we look at the…
Satan’s Insanity If you’ve read the Bible, you know that we have a spiritual enemy. Satan fell sometime after creation. We do not know exactly when, but it was because he desired to be “like the most High”. (Isa. 14: 12-17) He wants to be God. This desire led to his fall and corruption. It…
When we are walking with the Lord. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, ……… Wait for it Wait let it sink in for a few minutes Pay attention to how much it bothers you to just rest in Christ Hold Hold Hold Ok ……who walk not after the…
We hear about fasting as part of our spiritual walk. There are many benefits to fasting. But, I am just focusing on a simple one in this article.
Fasting helps us with self-control.
Let me explain, and give some examples of how it can help us heal or change our lives.
When we fast. And I’m talking about real fasting. I’m talking about going without food for a period of time. Let’s say 24 hours or more.
You will come to a point where you will want to eat. Your mind and body will start to scream. “Let’s eat!!”
But you refuse. You wait. Go have a drink of water to calm the pain in your stomach. and keep going with the fast.
Understand, that it is a fact that humans can go 3 or more weeks without food. You are not going to die. All that screaming your body is doing, will not kill you. (We will discuss health conditions at the end.)
Your body and mind are demanding food, because it is used to it or wants it. Not because it needs it. This is like when you meditate and you are trying to clear your mind. But your mind keeps bringing thoughts to you. It is just noise.
You learn to push it away. You learn to ignore it. You learn to go get a drink and find something else to focus on instead of your hunger.
This is one of the things fasting does. It teaches self-control. Self-control is power. You tell yourself, “No. I’m not going to eat.” Then you keep resisting. Go drink water. Change the focus.
It doesn’t matter if you fail in your fast. There are no fasting police. Let’s say you couldn’t make it 24 hours. Who cares. You made it as far as you could and you will do better next time.
It’s like lifting weights. You go to muscle failure, then a little farther. Each time you do better, and you grow over time.
Fasting is a great safe way to practice self-control, and train yourself to resist temptations. This is one reason why so many religions and spiritual paths call for it.
So let’s look at some practical examples.
Let’s say you noticed that you’re drinking a lot of alcohol lately and you are concerned that you’re getting addicted. You want to cut back, and get it under control, so it doesn’t ruin your life.
When the desire to drink comes up, or a friend appears and asks if you wanna go party. You say no. You resist and refuse.
Fasting has given you the practice, so you are strong enough to resist the urge. It will at least help you to overcome.
Let’s say you run across that person who gets you excited. You want to have sex with them, and you know they are willing. It’s all laid out there for you. But, you have a spouse. or you know it will lead to trouble in some way.
Your practice in fasting will help you say no. That burning you feel is the same fleshly burning you feel when you want to eat food. It is flesh. Fasting can help you be able to say no, or turn it around into something good.
Let’s say someone pushes your buttons and you want to tell them off or react violently. Let’s say people have told you about your anger. You know your anger hurts you and others. You know it can destroy your life.
Again, fasting practice can help you to resist the explosive flash of anger. It can help you control your reaction and turn it toward good things. Even if your mind is seething, you have learned to not respond.
Fasting teaches us to have self-control over the flesh. It can help us remain calm when needed. It is like meditation, and works well with it.
Some things to consider about fasting; is that if you are going to fast for long periods of time and you are drinking water. Stay near a restroom. If you feel the urge to pass gas. Go to the bathroom. Trust me. Water in=Water out…
If you have certain medical conditions you might have trouble fasting, or it could be dangerous. BUT… make sure you actually have the condition. Some times our mind and body will scream so loudly, and make us think we are dying or going to pass out. Then, we look it up on WebMD and self-diagnose a problem that is not really there.
I cannot tell you what to do with your health. You need to be safe. But, for me I believe in being free from entanglements. I ask myself, what would happen if the world collapsed and I had to go without food? Would I run and cry to my doctor? No. Because there won’t be any doctors if the world has collapsed.
So, I practice muscling through. And I discover that I can overcome, with prayer, faith, and common sense.
But again. You need to be safe. You do you.
Fasting is a powerful tool. Give it a try.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
The Spirit battles against the flesh This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye…
He is faithful God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.—1 Cor. 1:9 How is trust built? With anyone, whether it’s parents or friends or enemies or government or neighbors, trust is built or destroyed by relationship, and experience. It is the same with God.…
It will happen in these last days “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (The Day of The Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”— 2 Thess. 2:3 (2 Thess 2:1-15) It seems that this event…
Get my Poetry eBook “Against the Man”. Rebel poems speaking against those who think they own us. Get the eBook through the buttons with Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.You can find it in other locations around the internet and world as well.
Get my Dystopian Short Stories eBook “The Future Is Coming”. Stories about where we are headed. Prophecy in fiction. Get the eBook through the buttons with Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.You can find it in other locations around the internet and world as well.
Get my Bible Prophecy eBook “The Latter Days”. A series of articles on Prophecy, Conspiracy, Spiritual Warfare, The New World Order, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going. Get the eBook through the buttons with Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.You can find it in other locations around the internet and world as well.
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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
I’m thankful to Almighty God for delivering me from some of the worst pits humanity has to offer.
Whether of my own making or the inventing of others. My alcoholism led me there.
From an early age. I have been pulled into writing, whether I understood it or not. But my alcohol abuse stopped me from it.
It’s hard for me to read and write when I’m drunk, because all I wanted to do was drink more and chase women.
This activity led me into many escapades and the destruction of my life. Rock Bottom is what they call it, a place where recovery can begin. A place where rebuilding can start.
God gave me my life back, and restored things long dead. He brought love and joy, along with sorrow to grow.
He gave me back the joy and peace of reading and writing.
A purpose to pursue.
Without which, I would not be who I am today.
I would not be writing here today.
For that I am eternally grateful.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.
Have You Tested God? “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6: 38 First, I wanna say that this verse and all…
He rewards those who seek him. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall…
So, we know the seasons. The Bible is 30% prophecy, as some have stated. But, when you consider that the whole thing is about Jesus Christ, and that all the stories and pictures speak of Him, His First Coming and Second Coming, I think its more like 100%. God has called all believers to be…
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