Who Or What Is Shaping You?

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Steve Simms

Faith unapplied
Is Christ denied.
Let Him direct
You from inside
And make you kind.
Then you will find
True happiness.

A man with an unclean spirit saw Jesus from afar. He ran to Jesus and fell down before Him. Then Jesus supernaturally set him free! Superficial suppositions about God should never replace the supernatural presence of Christ.

You can know Jesus superficially like a subject you were taught in school, or you can know Him as a present living reality ever working in your heart and in your daily life. No human teaching or Bible lesson can take the place of an ongoing relationship with the risen Christ. Refuse to be satisfied with mere information about Him.

You can’t see the living Jesus with your physical eyes. He’s invisible. Seeing Him requires the inner eyes of your heart. You can develop that type of inner seeing by persistently pondering His presence. There would be no benefit from seeing Jesus with your physical eyes if your heart is hard and your mind is blind to His reality.

To be free from sinful intentions and self-focused sensations requires more than willpower, church attendance, and Bible knowledge. It takes persistent focus on and surrender to the presence and power of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Train yourself to set aside every thought and intention that isn’t pleasing to God.

Without the habit of continual attentiveness and obedience to the presence and power of the risen Jesus, Christianity becomes little more than routine religion. Every day, become more familiar with God the Father. Let God the Spirit be your constant guide and cause your attitude, words, beliefs, and behaviors to demonstrate the reality of God the Son living in and through you.

A sinful life is the denial of Christ. It is the defiance of God. It fills people with guilt. The more guilt they feel, the more they try to justify themselves in the eyes of other people. However, the more they surrender to and obey God’s inner kingdom, the less they focus on what others think of them. That’s genuine freedom and true happiness.

Everyone needs God’s forgiveness, including you. Why not run to Him and humbly ask Him for it and receive it today?

Man kneeling and bowing in front of a robed man like Jesus on a crowded subway platform
A man kneels in reverence before a robed figure resembling Jesus on a busy subway platform

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Quotes from The Book “The Jesus Revolution Southern Style”

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Steve Simms

“The Jesus Revolution Southern Style” is by Jimmy Hoppers.

“This is the eyewitness account of God’s revival on a small southern campus. We couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried.”

“The Jesus Revolution was more than what has been portrayed in movies and magazines. It was far more than hippies in California or megachurches or Christian music morphing into secular rock and roll. The Jesus Revolution was something more real than those who weren’t a part of it can ever imagine. It was a few brief years that transformed the lives of thousands, if not millions, all across this great land. From where we stood it appeared that the whole University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) campus was on fire.”

“We had no designated leader save for the Holy Spirit and what we did on those nights varied from week to week. We came together those nights having no preset agenda and no preconceived idea of what the Lord might do. I can’t speak for the others, but those meetings became the anchor of my spiritual walk. We would share what God had taught us individually since we had last come together and then we would seek the presence of the Lord collectively. Sometimes there was prophecy and interpretation, sometimes people would just share. Some were gifted teachers, others were encouragers, and some had the unique ability to gain insight from Scripture than many of us had missed.”

“We had gotten used to God doing something new and unexpected on campus almost daily.”

“There was no pressure to conform to anyone’s expectations. All that was required was that everyone did his best to love God with all his heart and soul and mind and strength. Everything else was optional. Our daily prayer was, like the song says, that we would increasingly become one in the Spirit and one in the Lord.”

“The University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) was fast becoming known in religious circles as a hotbed of spiritual activity and unbeknownst to us, what was happening on campus had become a frequent topic of conversation in local congregations. They seemed to be disappointed that we hadn’t become a feeder route for their individual churches. While we never discouraged attendance at a local church and many new Christians did deside to affiliate, most did not. “

“California and Tennessee are miles apart, not just geographically but culturally as well. We do things differently in the South. And although each of us has been commanded to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, the Lord our God, the Lord is One, and those west coast hippies and we southern hicks will one day stand hand in hand before the Throne together and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.”

“These unassuming students who had come to UTM from a variety of backgrounds had through the years forged a bond that would last the rest of this life and into the next. Even half a century later as I sit at my computer and type this final chapter, I still have to fight back the tears.”

Read more! Here’s the link: The Jesus Revolution Southern Style: Hoppers, Jimmy: 9798996397747: Amazon.com: Books

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What To Do When You’re Feeling Weak

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Steve Simms

Internalize The Storm Calming Jesus

An institutionalized Jesus is stuffy, powerless, and controlled by religious organizations. He’s a different Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:14) than the One presented in the Bible.

The biblical Jesus is peace-giving (John 14:27) and storm-calming. (Mark 4:35-41) He is risen from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:4) present, (Matthew 28:29) and life changing. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He is Emmanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1;23) He is your Creator (John 1:10) and He wants to be your Lord and your God. (John 20:28) He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) He came to save you from your sins. (Matthew 1:21)

Refuse to stay passively trapped and spiritually frozen by the institutionalized Jesus. Internalize the living Jesus so He can be “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) and set your heart ablaze with His words. (Luke 24:32) Let Him continually empower, (Acts 1:8) lead, and direct you from within by His Spirit. (Romans 8:28)

Choose this day who you will serve. (Joshua 24:15) As for me, I will serve and internalize the biblical Jesus.

True Christianity isn’t based on attending institutionalized, human controlled religious services. It’s based on allowing the internalized Jesus to give you inner peace and calm your internal storms. I love being loved by God so much that He sent Jesus to save me from my sins and to set me free to be led by the Holy Spirit instead of by my own thoughts, feelings, and desires.

I can’t see my consciousness in the mirror. However, I do experience it vibrantly working within me throughout each day. The same is true about the internalized Jesus. I can’t see Him with my physical eyes, but I experience Him vibrantly working within me throughout each day!

Man standing on boat raising arms during stormy sea with rowing men
A man stands with arms raised on a boat amid a violent storm at sea
Posted in Christ in you, Christian spirituality, discipleship, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

9 Greek Words That Can Set Your Heart on Fire

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Steve Simms

The world today is awash in technology. The English word technology comes from two Greek words: tekhne meaning “skill” and logia meaning “the study of.” Yet with all of our technology, knowledge, and skills our hearts aren’t filled with love, peace, hope, and joy. Here are 9 Greek words that can heal your hurting heart if you will persistently apply them to your life.

1) Ekklesia — The people God is forming together to encourage, comfort, love, serve, and teach one another.
2) Agapē — How those people love God and love each other.
3) Metanoia — The repentance that opens people’s heart to enter into and continue in an intimate relationship with the risen Jesus.
4) Pneuma — The Spirit of God who empowers a Spirit-led life.
5) Sophia — God the Father’s wisdom that teaches believers how to hear, discern, and obey God the Spirit’s inner promptings.
6) Charismata — The Spirit-given gifts that every believer can receive and contribute to the Spirit-led community.
7) Koinōnia — How the ekklesia shares life together through humble, open, heart-to-heart relationships with one another.
8) Diakonia — How the body of Christ participates in active ministry to one another.
9) Basileia Tou Theou — The inner government (kingdom) and presence of King Jesus that these practices embody and clearly demonstrate for all to see.

I love being loved by God so much that He sent Jesus (John 3:16) to save me from my sins (Matthew 1:21) and set me free to be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:21) instead of by my own thoughts, feelings, and desires. It’s an amazing way to live.

Don’t let God’s love be Greek to you. It’s not supposed to be like reading these Greek words — Christos en hymin. Experience actual presence of Christ in you. Let the reality behind those 9 Greek words set your heart on fire!

Photo by Nick Souckov-Baulot on Pexels.com
Posted in ekklesia, Greek language, Greek New Testament, Greek philosophy, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

25 Flow of God Circuit Breakers

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Steve Simms

1) Pride,
2) Self-righteousness,
3) Religious control,
4) Guilt,
5) Sin,
6) Consumerism,
7) Fear,
8) Anger,
9) Hatred,
11) Politics,
12) Stubbornness,
12) Impatience,
13) Negativity,
14) Unbelief,
15) Lies,
16) Injustice,
17) Impurity,
18) Disrespect,
19) Anxiety,
20) Worry,
21) Unkindness,
22) Disobedience,
23) Rebellion,
24) Love of wealth,
25) Self-focus.

Another powerful way to quench the Holy Spirit is to systematize Christianity into highly programmed churches that are totally dependent on one man’s preaching and control. When sermons have replaced spiritual maturity, pastor dependency has replaced discipleship, and religious programs have replaced the leading of God’s Spirit, Christianity has been replaced by human control.

Unfortunately, the Gospel (the good news about Jesus) has been reduced to a weekly church pill. It has been turned into a sermon capsule that people generally swallow without thinking.

Red, white, and Bible religion is dangerous. Beware of Cross and country confusion. It can cause much corruption and deception.

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25 Pride-Push-Aways

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Steve Simms

If you’ll push away your pride God will work powerfully both inside you and through you. Here’s a list of powerful pride push-aways.

1) Speaking the truth in love,
2) Considering others better than yourself,
3) Praying for those who mistreat you,
4) Blessing those who curse you,
5) Loving your enemies,
6) Turning the other cheek,
7) Forgiving everyone,
8) Asking people to forgive you,
9) Being humbly honest with people,
10) Confessing your sins to someone you trust,
11) Repenting and turning away from your wicked ways,
12) Not holding back when tears come to your eyes,
13) Asking God to search your heart and show you your sins,
14) Obeying God’s promptings even when you don’t want to.
15) Always seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
16) Staying continually aware of the presence of the risen Jesus,
17) Serving other people,
18) Being kind to everyone you meet,
19) Always showing hospitality, even to strangers,
20) Resisting looking for recognition and acknowledgement,
21) Waiting on the Lord and on His timing,
23) Refusing to take offense at what people say and do,
24) Being a good sport whether you win or lose,
25) Making friends, spending time with, and humbly sharing the love of Jesus with people who you disagree with, who have a different skin color than you do, who have a lower social status than you do, who speak a different language than you do, and who are from a different country that you are.

Always push aside both outer and inner pompousness. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Instead of telling people that you’re proud of them, tell them that you are blessed and humbled by something godly that they have said or done. For example: “I am blessed and humbled by the way you’ve grown spiritually lately. #humility #Pride

Man in outdoor clothing reaching out to a standing brown bear in a forest trail
A man cautiously reaches out to a large brown bear in a forest
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Mosaic Assembly

Posted on July 11, 2026 by Steve Simms

Putting it all together . . .

Broken pieces
Of colored tile
Are assembled
Beautifully
By an artist
Of mosaics.

Broken people
With humble hearts
Are assembled
Beautifully
To be guided
And directed
By God’s Spirit.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)

Make Jesus brown skin, black hair
Posted in body of Christ, Jesus calling, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the Head | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Joy Gets Me Through Life’s Hard Times

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Steve Simms

When I pursue happiness in happenings nothing much happens. O, I might experience a laugh or two and a little pleasure here and there but nothing long lasting. Years ago, when I quit seeking happiness and began to seek first the kingdom (inner government) of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) something amazing happened. I discovered gladness in the Lord. (Psalm 32:11) I became joyful in God. (Isaiah 61:10) The joy of the Lord became my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

I discovered that true joy is in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) It is produced by embracing and surrendering to God the Holy Spirit living in and through you (Galatians 5:20-21) and allowing Him to prompt and lead you moment-by-moment. (Romans 8:14)

Now anything that I do without conscious awareness of God’s presence is quite boring for me. However, as long as I stay continually aware of Christ living in me and directly leading me (Colossians 1:27) joy flows from within me like rivers of living water. (John 7:37-39) That’s why I don’t like group activities that distract my attention from God, but I love it when people come together to keep their focus firmly fixed on the reality of the risen Jesus!

I love to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) and to inwardly overflow with His “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8) Whenever I stop rejoicing in the Lord joy begins to drain from my heart, but as long as I stay focused on Jesus, He fills me with His joy (John15:11) even in painful and difficult circumstances. (Habakkuk 3:18-19)

If you have wondered why I am so focused on and can’t stop writing about the presence of the risen Jesus, now you know. I invite you to do the same so that you too can experience such incredible ongoing inner joy!

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Real Deal Christianity

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Steve Simms

Real deal Christianity is about learning to set aside everything that distances you from God. It’s about avoiding anything that hinders your awareness of the living presence of King Jesus. It’s God’s kingdom ruling and reigning within you on earth as it is in Heaven.

Authentic Christianity is doing what Jesus tells you to throughout each day. It’s not a religious service that you sit through once a week. It is a lifetime of inner transformation that aligns your thoughts, word, beliefs, and behaviors with the will of God.

Actual Christianity is not about human effort or human understanding. It’s about God’s grace, revelation, and power deposited directly into an individual’s heart and mind.

Genuine Christianity is open and available to whosoever will personally and fully surrender his or her will and daily obey Christ. All who are willing to be graciously led by God’s Spirit instead of by their own desires, feelings, and opinions are invited to freely “taste and see that God is good.”

Spirit-led Christianity isn’t a religious institution. It’s not a church hierarchy. It’s not just being lectured every week about Bible information. It is Christ living in you and directing you day by day. When doing what God’s Spirit prompts you to do is replaced by passive sermon-hearing, Christianity is left undone.

God’s original Christianity is people who assemble themselves together in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:20) — not in the name of a religious organization or denomination — to encourage one another and to “spur one another on to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) It is Spirit-led meetings (Romans 8:14) where everyone present is free to speak (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Information without the humility of inner transformation will lead you to pride. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Authentic Christianity is a never-ending, living experience with Jesus. Are you ready for that kind of real relationship with the risen Christ? If so, surrender your all to Him now.

If you are in the Nashville, Tennessee area you can experience such a Spirit-led meeting of “actually following Jesus” on Saturday mornings at 8:30. Just waze and go to Chile Burrito, 330 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37207. It’s just past Five Guys and everyone is welcome.

Posted in biblical Christianity, Christian spirituality, Christianity, Mere Christianity, normal Christianity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make God Your Chief Chef!

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Steve Simms

God is a chef who is looking for people to be His Spirit-prompted ingredients. (Romans 8:14) He wants to bring Christians together to demonstrate His glorious presence and power. (1 Corinthians 2:4)

Be an interactive ingredient in the body of Christ, not just a cold vegetable passively chilling in a religious fridge. Humbly receive and surrender to God the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to continually direct and empower you (Acts 1:8) to testify about what He is saying and doing in your life. (Revelation 12:11)

One ingredient can’t make a delicious recipe. One persona alone can’t fully empower people to “taste and see that God is good.” However, when a group of Spirit-led Christians allows God to connect them heart-to-heart and mold them together in His presence as a living demonstration of the body of Christ, if unbelievers come in, ‘the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God exclaiming ‘God is really among you!'” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)

A few songs and a one-man sermon aren’t God’s recipe for meetings in the body of Christ. The Bible says that when Christ-followers meet together, everyone has the opportunity to say something. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26) If you have been redeemed by the Lord, speak up and openly say so! Go beyond the Sunday morning wall of silent, frozen passivity.

Christ-followers,
When you meet
Let the Light
Of Christ shine
Through each person
Like sky blue holes
Of Heaven’s light
Breaking through
A forest
And reflecting
Off the trees.

Posted in Cooking, ekklesia, house church, simple church, Spirit-led | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment