Too many Christians have been trained for spiritual inaction

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Steve Simms

Christianity is meant to be implemented, not circumvented by political venting. It has been over-taught and under-implemented. Too many Christians have been trained for spiritual inaction, not for daily obeying the now Jesus. However, God’s grace was never meant to replace Spirit-led action

Grace isn’t a call to Christian inaction. It’s the power to daily obey the now Jesus!

To claim Christianity, but not live by Christian character and principles, is to create a work of fiction. Christianity’s the lifestyle of pursuing righteousness, love and the now Jesus. (See Matthew 6:33.)

Christians with no strategy for obeying the now Jesus, easily get sidetracked. Too often Christianity hasn’t been implemented, but substituted by human strategy. Traditional church tends to focus on proclamation, but ignore Gospel implementation. Too often church is a sermonic lecture that goes unimplemented by the listeners

The Bible’s a handbook for implementation, not a fairy tale for adoration. Biblical Christianity’s not about fans in the stands, but kind boots on the ground.

Here’s an example of information without implementation: People know that Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” and “Bless those who curse you.” Few do it. Kindness is a great idea. Implement Christian kindness today!

The “way” to implement early Christianity is by continual surrender to the now Jesus.

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The now Jesus will wow you

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Steve Simms

Let the ever-present Jesus wow you now. The now Jesus is like the now air, yet we’re often unaware that He’s keeping us alive.

Let the risen Jesus out of the religious past. Free Him from the distant future. Now! You won’t find the now Jesus by rummaging thru the past or hoping for the future. The place to follow the living Jesus isn’t the past or the future. It’s the now.

Jesus–when His story becomes present day reality, not just history, life exudes joy. The reality of Jesus is expressed much better by His presence than by any sermon. To exchange the ceremonial Jesus for the now Jesus is to revolutionize your life.

In a moment, the now Jesus became the focus of my life and has wowed me ever since. I love spending the moments of my life with the now Jesus. Looking to Jesus shouldn’t just be an “end-of-life” measure but our daily joy!

The now Jesus was with me then and will be when, and will be all the nows between. Study the past Jesus and the future Jesus, but love, adore, and obey the now Jesus!

When I was discouraged, the now Jesus kept me going! When I was mistreated, the now Jesus helped me forgive. When I was tormented by guilt and bondage, the now Jesus forgave me and set me free. When sadness tried to consume me, the now Jesus replaced it with joy.

When pride raised me up, the now Jesus showed me my desperate need for His grace. When fear came near, the now Jesus flooded me with hope and peace. When I disagreed with people, the now Jesus gave me heart-felt love for them. What’s the now Jesus done in your life?

The less aware Christians are of the living Jesus, the more we want religious forms. Church (and Christianity) can get boring, if you’re out of touch with the now Jesus. Perhaps the structured-Sunday-morning-Jesus has blurred our vision of the now Jesus. Too many Christians want to hear what Jesus has said to preachers, but not what He is saying to them now.

The now Jesus will disrupt your present. The past Jesus is easier to ignore. How we need the now Jesus today! If Christians would listen to and obey the now Jesus, we’d all be on the same page. When kindness leaves, the now Jesus grieves.

When Christianity is separated from honesty, humility, and holiness, it becomes a show instead of a lifestyle. Grace is empowerment to live a godly lifestyle, not an excuse not to. To be content, continually implement faith.

Wow! The now Jesus is POWerful. He’s my Supernatural Hero! When’s the best time to connect with the now Jesus? Right n _ _. There’s no waiting list to encounter the now Jesus. He’s ready when you are.

Check out my handbook for following the now Jesus.

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Not the “critical” but the “biblical” view of race.

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Steve Simms

Skin color doesn’t mean that people are “different” than you. There’s no need to say, “I’m not racist.” If you aren’t it will be noticed.

What’s racism? Perhaps it’s as simple as treating people differently because their skin doesn’t match yours.

Racial fiction causes much friction. The truth is: We’re all equally human beings. The very concept of race is itself a work of fiction.

Many people who loudly proclaim they are fighting evil, are just mirroring it. The evil we most need to overcome is the evil in our own heart. (The most important thing you have is your consciousness and it’s invisible).

This is not critical race theory. It’s the Bible: “You have not followed My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law. Do we not all have one Father?” (For biblical views of race, search for: Off the RACE Track–From Color-Blind to Color-Kind.)

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If we focus on church, do we distort our focus on Jesus?

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Steve Simms

For centuries church has been the focus of Christianity, but the risen Jesus is calling us to make Him the focus. The personality Christians need to follow and popularize, isn’t a contemporary pastor or politician. It’s the living Jesus.

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He didn’t mean, “Just be a church attendee.” A “Call to Worship” is an invitation to adore Jesus. “O come let us adore Him.” A church “Benediction” isn’t a spiritual eviction. Leave the building, but continue to adore Jesus Christ thru out the week.

To go to church for a weekly sit-thru, does little good, unless you walk thru life, following the living Jesus. (Perhaps we make too much ado
About a weekly sermon sit-thru.)

It’s easy to be
A church attendee;
But hard to say,
Jesus send me,
And then obey.

People remember what they walk thru, but quickly forget what they just sit thru. Make church memorable. Let people walk out the Bible together. After an hour, church is through with you, but the living Jesus calls for 24/7/365.

It takes great confidence in God to truly humble yourself. To change your focus, sort your thoughts for kindness, truth, and hopefulness. Toss out the ones that don’t measure up. Learn to admire beauty–to be in awe and ponder the wonder of its magnificence.

When it comes to Jesus, take in the air of admiration; let your heart be amazed at His presence. Jesus said to “make disciples,” not church attendees. Christianity’s about God’s fire burning in you, not sermons that you sit thru.

No matter how many sermons you’ve sat thru, it boils down to this: Are you daily following and obeying the risen Jesus?

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Understand– stand under kindness to overcome hostility

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Steve Simms

Perhaps people don’t understand each other because they don’t want to or try to. Perhaps when anger flares up we should tuck it back in & obey Jesus’ command to “love your enemies.”

If people do their own thing, feelings rule; if their own thinking, logic can. However, the mind has fake thoughts and fine thoughts. It’s important to know the difference. For example, worry is a choice, not an obligation, however, if you don’t bring peace to yourself, you can’t give peace to anyone else. Perhaps things are about to get better at any moment & your discouragement is a lie.

Assumptions, accusations, and conspiracy theories sweep too many minds downriver. Perhaps your attitude is influencing your circumstances, more than the reverse.

True thinkers must think. They’re unwilling to merely absorb other people’s information. Accumulating information’s fine, but it’s better to train your mind to think and your heart to care. If we spent as much time using our brain as our phone, we’d all be brilliant. Creative thinkers don’t fit easily into political categories.

Here’s a way to get some thinking going. People you disagree with have reasons for their opinions. Why not find their reasons? Ask yourself: “Why do some people disagree with my opinions? It’s easy to think of ways to retaliate; harder to think of ways to kindly respond. Perhaps when we give our opinion we should say “perhaps” instead of “the truth is.”

It doesn’t have to bother you when people disagree with you. That’s their right. Unfortunately, people who can’t refute an opinion, often choose to insult the opinion holder.

Wanted: Christian thinkers–Christ-followers who will think with the mind of Christ. For me, the perfect thought is “Jesus.” I love to think His name over and over.

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Had we all been albino . . .

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Steve Simms

Perhaps if God had made everybody albino, humans wouldn’t have invented race. Then we could just be humans.

Outbreaks of peace during riots, aren’t called peaceful protests. So why are outbursts of violence during peace protests called riots? Law and order can compel people to comply, but kindness can cause them to want to.

Perhaps glorifying white history while ignoring black history is a prejudiced way of dealing with the past. Maybe we should thoroughly combine the two with complete openness and honesty.

Perhaps there’s a better way to discuss race than name calling and insulting those who disagree with you. Learn how to go from being color-blind to being color-kind. Search for: Off the RACE Track book.

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Systemic religion vs. freedom in the Spirit

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Steve Simms

Religion is systemic. The Holy Spirit flows. Sometimes they contradict.

Sermon-free, unprogrammed, Spirit-led worship is an amazing thing to experience. Spiritual awakening focuses on the living Jesus, not on preachers, churches, or politicians.

When church allows attendees no function but programmed sitting, they become functionless. Then the people of God become a Sunday morning blob, instead of the interfunctioning body of Christ.

Jesus didn’t follow religious systems, so 1st century religious groups resisted Him. Even today, the living Jesus and organized religion sometimes conflict. Jesus often disturbs religious people today, like He did in the Bible.

Perhaps Christianity isn’t about aligning with a religious institution but about daily following the risen Jesus. Perhaps humility is designed to free us from solitary confinement in the prison of our pride. Perhaps when tears come to your eyes, it’s best to let them flow.

Religion tells people that they are “good.” The Holy Spirit convicts people that they are sinners who need Christ. To self-identify as a “good person” is to contradict the Bible in several places.

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e-quality4K & unity

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Steve Simms

E-quality4K means: Everyone qualifies for kindness. If we won’t treat everyone as our equal, how can we complain when we’re mistreated? Equality’s easily proclaimed, but it takes humility to treat everybody as your equal.

If inferiority exists, it’s not based on appearance, but on disrespect for others. I admire people who are equally kind to everybody. Equality doesn’t mean everybody being alike, but everyone being equally valued.

Equality isn’t an attitude of violence or a threat to American society. Equality is “radical ideology” that was written into the American Declaration of Independence. The Bible is even more radical by going beyond equality. It says: “in humility value others above yourselves.” Without the “we,” “we the people” are divisive and hostile.

America was founded by declaring equality as “self-evident,” but making it elusive. When police kill someone before he’s tried, “liberty and justice for all” is denied. Unsubstantiated claims are un-American and violate, “innocent until proven guilty.” To look down on people is to renounce the American idea of “self-evident” equality.

Before God we’re all equally flawed people. Let’s show mercy and kindness to everyone. If you won’t resist evil in your own heart, you can’t overcome it anywhere else. If you won’t overcome negativity in the words you hear, read, and say, you won’t overcome it in your lifestyle. Open your heart to moments of insight and “aha” changes in your perspective.

You can tell how much people love God by how much kindness and compassion they show people. Christians should be Spirit-led and overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit, not spiritually dead. Repentance is to align your lifestyle with God, not with your feelings and desires.

Churches have failed to unite, but individual Christ-followers have heart connection. All genuine Christ-followers are united. The same Jesus lives in each of us. Therefore, we diverse Christ-followers don’t have to achieve unity. We just need to recognize that the living Jesus in each other.

Mountains are a chance to climb to new heights and view life from a higher perspective. However, merely projecting what you want without project-ing (working to make it happen) does little. It takes effort to improve yourself or your circumstances; none to deteriorate.

When the risen Jesus changes your life, He doesn’t create illusions; He dispels them. A managed mind, fine tuned to the voice of the living Jesus, makes life amazing!

Are you right with God? Asking for my friend, Jesus. I love listening to and talking with Jesus. Just praying . . .

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Belligerence boomerangs, loving humor heals

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Steve Simms

A belligerent leader generates and emboldens belligerent followers. Before you embrace bombastic and belligerent boastings engage your brain.

Belligerence tries to justify itself by insulting its opponents. Belligerence boomerangs.

When people enjoy warm-hearted humor together, then anger and belligerence diminish. Belligerent humor mocks people. Warm-hearted, uplifting humor, helps them heal. Notice how you laugh. You can laugh with joyful kindness or vindictive belligerence.

God created laughter to connect people heart to heart. Never use it to belittle. Use laughter to release heart-felt joy; never to put anybody down. Good, anger dispelling, friendly laughter, makes life so much better. (Everyday I order a supersized laughter & kindness combo. They’re amazing!)

Anyone can be rude and unkind to people but it takes guts to be compassionate and caring. Kindness is more powerful than belligerence and doesn’t create a wake of hate. God give us deliverance from continual belligerence.

If you will continually show kindness to people, they will eventually respond with kindness. A kind appeal to make a fair deal is more effective than making people feel insulted. I admire people who are kind to everybody!

It looks like all Americans could agree that it’s wrong for police to treat blacks differently than whites. Kind, warm, supportive, heart-connecting humor can help stop and heal the glaring wounds in America. Check out my book, Off the RACE Track–From Color-Blind to Color-Kind.

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The living Jesus gives joy / demons bring torment

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Steve Simms

Biblical Christianity’s about inner rivers of elation that flow from “Christ in you.” The joy that the living Jesus gives is beyond description. He frequently causes my heart to soar with elation. I love to bask my heart in the inner currents of Jesus’ rivers of living water.

Following the living Jesus is a wonderful way to be elated without being medicated. Jesus often fills me with elation, far beyond my expectation. The greatest antidepressant is the joy of surrendering to the risen Jesus.

Perhaps it’s time to set aside your debate with God and let the living Jesus elate you.

Badness will bring you sadness, but Christ’s forgiveness will fill you with gladness. Positive anticipation produces a better attitude than negative anticipation. Hope! Instead of focusing on things you dread, focus on things you hopefully anticipate.

Christians are called to be beyond hostility, bullying, and hate. “Love your enemies.” But too many Christians, called to be peacemakers, are stirring up hostility and hatred. Demons influence people to be hostile; love releases kindness. Christians, be careful that you don’t support behaviors that violate God’s love. “I do not want you to be participants with demons.” –1 Corinthians 10:20. If you don’t believe demons are real, notice the hostility and hate being spread today.

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