What you really Believe

by Dr. Karen Colvin on December 11, 2020

in ZUncategorized

As I recollect one of the greatest sorrows of my life in which I was betrayed by someone I dearly loved and trusted, I can vividly recall a voice in my spirit saying, “Now we’ll see what you really believe.” – Sessions in Pain pg. 48

Author’s Comments: True faith is revealed in the hurting heart. As you conclude this difficult year, it is a unique opportunity to assess your faith through your actions and reactions through the pain, losses and disappointments. It is time for true introspection as to what you really believe. How did you behave? Did you believe God? Did you help your neighbor? I believe God allows challenges in our lives to force us to these questions about ourselves. If you have scored low on these questions, God invites you to draw nearer to Him as you go forward. He does not condemn you but invites you closer.

I thank God for the lessons and challenges of 2020. It has shown me who I really am when faced with trouble, change and uncertainty. Did I press into Christ or did I allow myself to be consumed by the darkness?

I have found that the Word of God has remained true and strong through the days of 2020. It says: “

35 Who shall ever separate us from the love of [d]Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written and forever remains written,

“For Your sake we are put to death all day long;
We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39 AMP

THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE!

Picture credit: philosophytalk.org

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That Day in Eden Pt. 3

by Dr. Karen Colvin on March 6, 2020

in ZUncategorized

Tree of Life

That day in Eden, the purity of our flesh was lost. We were

originally created in the image and likeness of God. Humanity was made a perfect union between flesh and spirit. We could enjoy the living on earth and have communion with God. We were created with the power of God to be masters of the earth. Our mind and thought processes were in line with His. We had perfect peace and unity with the Godhead. 

The Matthew Henry Commentary notes: It is the soul of man that especially bears God’s image. Man was made upright, (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in hisknowledge;  his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them.

Following our choice for sin, all of this changed, and humanity became contaminated with all kinds of evil thoughts  and behaviors. Our flesh became vulnerable to all types of sicknesses, diseases, and disorders, and we began to age.  Our peace with the Godhead was lost, and we began our walk in the way of Babylon. We began to live in conflict with God, conflict with the earth, and in conflict with each other.

Leaving Babylon Pgs. 27-28
Picture Credit: michaelberg.net

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The Agenda of God

by Dr. Karen Colvin on January 3, 2020

in Word of the Week

What is the agenda of God?  The agenda of God for you is eternal; it transcends this life and carries you into eternity with Him.  You could not contain it all even if He revealed it to you.  It is your work to simply love, trust, believe and obey Him. Session in Pain, pg. 133

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: As you enter a new year consider that the Agenda of God is the most important agenda of all. His agenda encompasses your past, present, and future and streams you into a magnificent life plan. You could never have imagined the wonder He holds for your life. God’s Word promises, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

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PEACE ON EARTH?

by Dr. Karen Colvin on December 6, 2019

in Word of the Week

Peace on Earth

LEAVING BABYLON PG. 32

Human governments at every level became necessary systems for protection and survival. From nations to families, we needed governments to rule, protect, and provide for the survival of the human race. With our human governments in place, we began to separate into various groups to manage this care and protection. This separation led to the development of diverse loyalties as each group looked out for its own interests. In our arrogance, jealousy, and greed, we began to fight wars over what we could take from others. Throughout human history, we have seen the conquering of smaller nations and the abuses of minorities and weaker groups. Anyone who did not live within a fair and strong system of government was at risk for abuse and death.

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: As hard as we have tried within our own ways and means, Peace on Earth still eludes us. Many have come to the conclusion that the only way to Peace on Earth is through the Christ. The Savior of the world, who came over 2000 years ago to bring the only way to Peace of Earth. Through His sacrifice men and women have become brothers and sisters bound together by His Holy Spirit who brings PEACE.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14

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He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

by Dr. Karen Colvin on November 1, 2019

in Word of the Week

John baptises Jesus

I understood why so many people live in pain today because of unfulfilled dreams.  Whether it is family plans, financial plans, or overall lifestyle plans, if it is not subjected to the agenda of God, it is in critical danger of failure.  I believe it is good and wise to get an education, plan financially and make plans for our family’s future, but our plans must never take precedence over the direction of God. — Sessions in Pain pg. 115.

Author’s comments: One prayer that I have learned to pray over the years is, ” Lord, You must increase and I must decrease.” These were the words of John the Baptist as Christ was coming on the scene and his life as the forerunner of the Christ was coming to a close. John knew it was time to yield his ministry to the greater One. May we all have such a heart before God, to yield our will to His; to lay down our agenda at His feet, trusting in His plan for our lives. Like John, we must learn to think of the eternal as we lay down the temporal.

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with  water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” – Mark 1:7-8 NLT

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Desperate in Babylon

by Dr. Karen Colvin on September 20, 2019

in Word of the Week

Leaving Babylon pg.17: In Genesis 25, the Bible records the story of two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Esau, being the older brother, was promised the family birthright blessing. Jacob, the younger brother, through the planning and manipulation of his mother, took advantage of his older brother during a time of desperation and obtained his brother’s birthright. Esau sold that which was most precious to him, his father’s blessing and his future, for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:28–34). In the same way, Babylon takes advantage of the people of the earth. She pushes them to sell themselves and others for what they are desperate for and what she has trained them to desire – power.

In Genesis 25, the Bible records the story of two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Esau, being the older brother, was promised the family birthright blessing. Jacob, the younger brother, through the planning and manipulation of his mother, took advantage of his older brother during a time of desperation and obtained his brother’s birthright. Esau sold that which was most precious to him, his father’s blessing and his future, for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:28–34). In the same way, Babylon takes advantage of the people of the earth. She pushes them to sell themselves and others for what they are desperate for and what she has trained them to desire – power.

We have new terms to describe the ways in which we exploit each other today. Cyberbullying is a term that our current culture uses to describe exploiting someone on the Internet. Cyberbullying involves posting pictures or other harmful information about others on the Internet. There  are  websites designed  to  pay the creator of any type of works based on the number of hits (people accessing the information) that they receive. Gathering an audience rules over what is ethical. The human casualties are growing as people become drunk with betrayal and crave money and fame over human lives.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13 BSB

Picture credits: wgvunews.org, dailysabah.com

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THE HERE AND NOW?

by Dr. Karen Colvin on August 17, 2019

in Word of the Week

The Apostle Paul longed to know Christ at this level, for he said, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…”(see Philippines 3:10).  Do you know God at this level?  Do you know Him beyond the limitations and cares of this temporal life or is your entire existence confined to the here and now?  It will all pass away my friend.  We see it pass away for many people each day as they slip into eternity, many without warning; and yet we continue to cling to what is here and now.                      Sessions in Pain pg. 137 (edited for blog)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: We must learn to think in the eternal and live in the eternal. Make decisions that effect eternity rather than just tomorrow. Love and give of yourself as if today was your last day living in the temporal – it just might be.

 

Picture credit: Echoes in Eternity

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CHOICES: TO SIN OR NOT TO SIN

by Dr. Karen Colvin on July 12, 2019

in Word of the Week

Leaving Babylon pgs. 83-84

The children of Babylon seek to rid the world of righteousness.They hate the light because it exposes them for what they really are. Cain killed his brother because Abel exposed the poor quality of his gift. Cain then attempted to deceive the omniscient God concerning the murder. Babylon pushes us to hate the light of God’s truth and encourages us to seek to hide in the darkness of lies. Remember,Cain always had a choice. God told him,“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Gen 4:7, nkjv). God sought to help Cain. God  described “sin” as having a desire (a willful and purposeful appetite) for Cain. Babylon has intellect and purpose, and if we choose to ignore its desire for us, it will take over our lives. Cain chose to reject God’s truth and chose to kill his brother. God made it clear to Cain that he could rule over the desire of sin. Humanity always has a choice to sin or not to sin.

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BEGIN AGAIN

by Dr. Karen Colvin on June 21, 2019

in Word of the Week

Speak to yourself with psalms and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord.  I promise:  He is faithful.  Trust God to carry you to a better and liberating place.  I know the hurt was great, but God is greater; and the One who can heal all wounds invites you to begin again.

Sessions in Pain, pg. 121

“O You who hear Prayer, to you all mankind comes.” Psalm 62:2

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THE SWEET MILK

by Dr. Karen Colvin on May 31, 2019

in Word of the Week

Leaving Babylon pgs. 42-43

As Babylon soothed our flesh, we became fond of her. We saw her ways as the best way, and even the only way to live in this world. Her methods of living became our first nature. She dictated the way to live so that we could continue to feel good. We believed that her way of doing things is the ultimate “right way,” and anyone who would suggest another set of values was repulsive and foolish to us. We believed that what is seen and felt rules over that which came by faith. Therefore, we clung to mother Babylon, believing she was the source of everything we needed in our lives.
We learned to like sin. It is her sweet milk. We promote it, condone it, and legalize it. We soon learned that sin made us feel good for a season, but it eventually soured in our stomachs. In recent years, Colorado and several other states have legalized recreational marijuana growth and sales for adults. As citizens, we were told that the tax from marijuana sales would go to our schools to help our children. Following this legalization a hard truth became clear as “pot shops” and “pot gardens” rose up in our communities and neighborhoods. I have some dear friends whose next-door neighbor grows marijuana in his backyard. Each night when it’s warm, they can smell the pot smoke in their home as their neighbor has pot gatherings at his home. The incidents of marijuana found in our schools with our children rose along with the incidences of dangerous and fatal marijuana-related acts in our communities. As a physician, I have a deep concern about the impending negative impact on the overall mental and physical health of our citizens in the coming years.
However, we continue to drink from the breast of Babylon, for we had become addicts. We are dying but blinded to the alternative. So we cling to her breasts as we spiraled out of control. Our world, our communities, and our families—all on a collision course with death. It is only the arousal brought by the Holy Spirit that makes us aware of her poisonous effects. It is only the hand of God that can pull us out of the chaos on this ball of confusion.

“A man’s temptation is due to the pull of his own inward desires, which can be enormously attractive. His own desire takes hold of him, and that produces sin. And sin in the long run means death—make no mistake about that, brothers of mine!” James 1:14 Phillips

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