This is not a post about 2012, though I did go see it while I was in SC and it was a sore loser, save “most” of the effects.  Flee from the deception to come surrounding the return of Christ!

I have been in this flesh long enough to know I don’t know much, but what I do know is what the Father says in His Word about it.  He gives us instructions on planning our paths, seeking, planting, and much more.  All this of course, is to be mingled with the counsel of the Father (in Word and Spirit).

Here are some tips for your planning and seeking:

• take 5-10 minutes every day and read verse by verse the bible.
  • “Proverbs” is a great place to begin if you have never read the bible.
  • Read in a place by yourself.
• spend 5-10 minutes every day in prayer (speaking in your mind) to the Father.
  • Be alone and meditate when you pray.
  • Repent, Ask, Find, Triumph  (RAFT)
• if you have more time, or find yourself bored, do one of the above.

By blocking out time and following your plan, you will find yourself more at peace and connected in the spirit than ever before.  Obviously, some people will have a larger appetite, so just schedule more time in and commit to it.

If it be in the Father’s will, I plan to be bringing you weekly bible studies, networking and video tutorials in January 2010 via GoChrist.org and other venues.  I will keep you posted as things progress!

So what are you doing differently next year?

What is your plan to glorify the Father?

I look forward to keeping in touch as we draw near to the conclusion of the matter concerning 2012 and many other things.  Don’t get too excited or hyped up over any “good news” to come, save the good news of Jesus Christ.

Joshua Jones shares his thoughts about parenting with some no fluff parenting advice and tips for new parents.

In day to day life, I try to think about things from the Father’s perspective. I’m not talking about a flesh and bone father, but the Father of our souls. It’s a battle though.

The flesh is continually at odds with the spirit – but one thing always helps bring me back to focus.

My Kids

Being a father myself, I tend to be a very loving yet strong and stable helper for my children. Just like the Father who wrote His law for man and for the spirit, whereby we could rest sure in the eternal salvation presented therein.

They whine and complain when I tell them they can’t have something. They try to ask my wife for something I’ve already said no to. Much like when the Father is trying to guard us from harm, but “WE WANT IT!”, or we try to go about getting it “our OWN way”.

They demand so much and yet, when they show the smallest act of love and charity, or they speak with clarity and respect in public, I’m reminded of just how much I love them and how long I am willing to suffer for their sakes. So too does the Father smile down on us when we present Him with these works.

When my kiddos mess up, I require that they repent to whomever the offense was against immediately. So also, when Christ paid the price for our sins, He required us to acknowledge our sins and repent.

There is so much wisdom to behold as a man in the role of a father. We all fall short, but at least do your very best to set forth a good example, encourage and love on your spouse and children and enjoy the fruits the Father has given you.

I hope you got a chance to lift up a father on Father’s Day and I hope you took a moment to give thanks and praise to the Father of our souls.

Joshua Jones

To all the husbands out there, I implore you – if you are not comfortable with your marriage now, or if you happen to be recently engaged – take heed.

I talked before about being unequally yoked in marriage – you’re going to need to set some ground rules, and if it be possible, rules according to the Father’s recommendations.

Take a look at some passages here – I recommend you go look these up for yourself to gain the context of each passage:

Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

These aren’t harsh or irrational, though the programming we have received via the education system, religious systems, economic and political systems have told us otherwise.

The fight for women’s rights was certainly justified in it’s time, the Father never intended that only men make decisions, just that the man be the leader in the team, so long as he serves and loves the Father above all else.

It’s quite interesting to see the types of relationships scattered all throughout the scriptures. There is much wisdom to be had therein. For example, Christ mentions this passage from Micah, and husbands – you will be wise to keep this in mind:

Mic 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Listen to the love there – it’s not your spouse that’s going to save you – they are not your salvation, but rather a help mate and lover. A thing to be cherished and if the man be bold in Christ, let him rise to the occasion and lead his wife by the spirit and grace of God in Christ, and love his wife as Paul taught us to love them (this whole chapter was just too good to leave to your imagination):

Ephesians 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Wives, my prayer is your husband loves the Father more than you, so that he is pleasing to the Creator of you both and leads you into good pastures.

Husbands, my prayer is that God send encouragement to your soul that you may lead your wife in love and in Christ to the glorifying of the Father through you both.

Thank you for reading, I welcome your comments!

Joshua Jones

When we get married, we’re literally joining up our spiritual energy.  In this process we begin to war even more with the carnal things of this world and specifically our flesh.  This is especially the case when a new couple finds that they are unequally yoked (another subject altogether, reserved for another post).

These flesh desires are the most common reasons for separation and divorce, so they warrant some discussion.  These include, but are certainly not limited to: finances, status, security, possessions, etc.

My wife and I started experiencing this battle about 3 months into our marriage and, thankfully at that time, we were reading the Word together on a regular basis.   As a result, we would remind each other, with particular sayings, to “snap us out” of the flesh and back into our spiritual walk.

I wanted to share a few in hopes that you can open up with your spouse, be certain that your yoke is indeed equal and ensure that things of this world will not tear down that which God has put together in your marriage.

“We are about inwardly things, not outwardly things.”

“Who are you fighting?”

“We are in the world, not of the world.”

“We walk in the spirit.”

“Faith is belief in things unseen, but hoped for.”

“You are my gift from the Father.”

“The beginning of wisdom is to Love God.”

“Acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.”

“Your soul is precious.”

“This flesh is only temporary.”

“We already have the victory in Christ.”

Never forget, it is the things that come out of our mouths that defile us.  So, be sure that you repent to your spouse for the negative words you utter.  Our egos need not participate in this exchange.

One more note about my marriage in particular, that I pass on as a recommendation for newlyweds.  Get on the same page early on in your marriage, even if you have semi-heated discussions about your differences.  Once you are both in agreement that you love God and His Christ more than each other, it will lay a foundation that can always be restored with humility, repentance and the subsequent forgiveness.

I hope this has been a help to you in you marriage.

Joshua Jones

I know some will want to flak me for this, but frankly it’s truth and it needs to be told.

Did you realize that God himself declared His purpose for man and that He’s been repeating it for thousands of years now?  It’s pretty amazing, let us examine further:

In the Old Testament:

2Kings 17:13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jeremiah 25:5 They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Jeremiah 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Zechariah 1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

In the New Testament:

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:   47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

My point here is, when and where is it being preached?  I’ve been to many churches throughout the west and southeast coasts of the US, listened to hours upon hours of preaching streamed over the net and it’s sad to say, the key to God’s will (repentance unto the forgiveness of our sins) is rarely taught, let alone the rest of the meat in God’s Word.

We all fall short, so it’s not even up for debate that we all sin.  So if we continually sin (being prone to it while in the flesh), then we have need to wipe the slate clean every now and again, if not at every occurrence of this plague of the flesh.

We hear all kinds of preaching about “come on down to the alter and get saved“, “let Jesus into your heart“, “be born again!” and again you hear even more mundane and vague sermons like, “Once saved, always saved!“, “Just believe!“, and “Just sow your seed in us and God will give you a bountiful harvest!“.  It’s so ridiculous today that these false preachers and lovers of men more than lovers of God are taking over the airwaves of the Christian broadcasting networks.

If all God wants is for us to repent of our evil ways and listen to His Word, why wouldn’t we just do that?  It seems like a pretty clear call and consistent theme throughout the Word.

I’ll tell you why: because the message is all garbled up with the traditions of men, and these traditions are like a veil placed over the saving arms of the Father who created our souls.  You can read of this kind of covering and what God thinks of it here:

Ezekiel 13:17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,  18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?  19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.  21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.  22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:   23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

The charge is pretty serious, and frankly it’s high time we all get to checking out what people say instead of just going with the flow of opinions, propaganda and hate.  Spread the good word; the gosepel of a risen Christ is a promise of eternal life in righteousness for those who believe on Christ and repent of their error and folly.

When the time comes for the white throne judgment all shall answer for those things beside their names in the Book of Life, the true record, kept up to date by our Father from the foundations of the world.  When you truly repent, He blots out the sin and it is forgiven.  Without Christ as the sacrifice, we would have run out of livestock many years of go offering up sin offerings for the world.

I hope you got some value and perspetive on God’s will and the purpose of His Christ here.   Thanks for reading!

Joshua Jones

Honestly, when was the last time you paid for a hug from a loved one?  Or a compliment from a stranger?

Chances are, never!

This may seem like an overwhelmingly basic concept, but thing this way with me for a moment.  Do you give your love away?  Are you passing out hugs to loved ones, or paying compliments to strangers?

The list of best things in life that are absolutely free, is absolutely astounding!

Did you realize that you have the power to brighten someones day?  You better believe it!

In an economic season of trial for some, many are paving a path to success and longevity.  Why is that, do you think?  I bet those folks are more worried about giving away their free “gifts” than what they will receive in return.

More often than not it’s how we percieve a thing that dictates how we react or interact with it.  That directly correlates to mental programming.  I’m sure you’ve heard that one before, right?

What are you programming yourself with?

Are you of the school of thought that says everything in this world is mine to give freely?  Or are you the type to think, what can I get free out of this world?  Think about it, do some soul searching and you may find that you are lacking something.  A precious catalyst that will unlock worlds of abundance in your life and business.

There was a time when I was worried, constantly, about how I could make things happen – how I could rake in the dough – and while I am still very much an entrepreneur and earning an income that keeps my wife home so we can play with our children rather than slaving away and never spending time together, it was the change in my mental process that I’d like to point out to you.

Back then I was full of fear, convinced I had nothing to offer the world, and that, my friends, is traveling down a slippery slope to destruction.  Once I was awakened to Christ, who is the living word of God, all thing started to become clear.  Now, here I stand – though it is never all pearls and cake – willing and able to give the best things in life away for free!

Think about it, it will change your life!

Joshua Jones