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| The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures |
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The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures
Imagination is a powerful force. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly operating in the power of our imaginations. In other words, we think in the pictures.
I believe we actually have at least three sets of eyes. We have these outward physical eyes that allow us to see things that are in the physical realm. Additionally, we have these spiritual eyes that allow us to see glimpses of the heavenly realm, or through the Eyes of Our Heart. And then we have this internal set of eyes that is forever painting elaborate mental pictures, deep within our minds. It is with these eyes, in my opinion, that our lives go in the direction in which they do.
If I were come to your city and stop you on the street for directions, you would visualize, in your mind, the steps required for me to reach my desired destination. You would see, internally, each of the turns and roads required to get me there. You would not have this information instantly available. You could not immediately recite the directions without thought. You would have to dig into the internal photo album of your brain and bring to the forefront the picture, or map if you will, in accordance with your previous travels.
Thankfully, we have the ability, or the choice, to decide or control which pictures we keep on display. I know in my own life, there are some really dark photographs from a former life, that I have chosen to obliterate. Maybe I shouldn't use the word obliterate, because in actuality, they still remain, but I have chosen to no longer view those photos. They remain locked up and tucked away in an old unlabeled box way back in the corner of my attic. Covered with dust and worn by the elements, may they forever lay dormant, never used to give faulty directions again.
Occasionally, the enemy will start flipping through my photo album in an attempt to duplicate or replicate a picture of who I used to be. But I have come to realize that he, and the dark-toned brushes of his deception, are precisely that, deception. Sex, lies, and videotape. That's old news. I can't imagine following that worn out blueprint any longer.
One of the words that was used to translate imagination in the Old Testament is conceived. Our ear-gates and eye-gates are two major avenues of conception in our lives. From these venues come many of the internal slide shows which constantly play over and over again in our minds. While we cannot stop the reels from turning, we can however choose the film. We can grab the real reel, so to speak.
Our lives are going to go the direction of our most dominant thoughts. We are the cartographers that layout the navigational guidelines for this journey called life. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We cannot go anywhere in the natural that we have not first been in the mind. If we can see it, then we can be it.
That sin that so easily besets you, and those weights that continue to slow you down, they didn't just come upon you like a seizure. You've just been watching the wrong movie. James put it like this:
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Thoughts produce actions. As a man thinketh so is he. I guess you could say that in accordance with your internal eyes, or as a result of the photos you see, there you are and there you go. Life achieved from thoughts perceived.
But how many of you know that our God is far greater than any Hollywood producer will ever be. He is the Master Artist. He always colors between the lines. God has created for us, in His Word, a powerpoint presentation like no other in history. He has composed multiutdes of extraordinary, full color, and high resolution images and put them on his FTP site, available for all to download, free of charge.
If we load these images up in a slide show and watch them over and over again. Soon we will be able to impersonate Him. We can take on His expressions. We can quote lines from His movie. We can call all of our friends and tell them about some of our favorite scenes. We can even imagine what it would be like to have a role in the movie. We may even be called in for an audition. And, we can definitely pull up the map with our internal eyes and give impeccable directions to those that are lost, amen?
In closing, I would just like to encourage you to consider the pictures that are running through your mind today. What is it that is directing your life? Is it thoughts of who you were once were? Is it thoughts of all the things you are not, especially when you look in the mirror? Is it sex, lies, and videotape from days long since gone by?
Or, is it that you are seeing in the spirit that you are the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? Can you see yourself seated with Christ in the spirit realm? Can you see that you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing? Can you see yourself healed? Can you see yourself as a conqueror, no, more than a conqueror? Can you see that you have been sanctified, set apart, filled with the Holy Ghost, and that all things have been made new?
There is one very consistent picture painted over and over again throughout the scriptures. The love of God. And that is a picture of an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and all-mighty God with His arms reached out and ready to embrace you. God's love for you is immeasurable. Get a picture of that. Paint your own picture of that. Use lots of colors and textures. Be creative. Be imaginative. Recreate the masterpiece.
And when you do, save that all important digital image using the greatest number of pixels possible, only limited by the amount of room you make available. And then, gather up some of the highest quality print paper you can find, load a brand new cartridge in to your high-tech printer, and print that bad boy out. Once printed, I recommend using thumb tacks, super-glue, and duct tape to permanently affix that image to the inside of your forehead.
After that, when the devil tries to find that old box of pics in the corner of your attic, and when things in this world begin to get you down, just simply look up, on the inside, and absorb the beauty of who God says you are, and what God says you have. God's creativity will extend as far as your imagination will allow. But don't stop there. God's love is the big picture, and that one picture is all you need to be forever entertained, sustained. And, as there is no limit to His love, likewise His love is not the limit. There is always more yet to be seen.
The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures
What is it that you want to see?
And that's a wrap! Now, on with the show!
In love,
Michael
(Please see my follow-up blog entitled, "Vain Imaginations")
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| More posts from Michael Moore |
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| To add a comment to "The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures" |
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Jimmie November 20, 2008
WOW!!!Keep up the the good work...Real good stuff!!! |
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Craig November 20, 2008
Yes! [Happy Birthday Michael!] The two phrases that are the key to the wealth of wisdom and knowledge: in Him and through Him. We have to understand [see Romans 5] that there are two men in all of History...then everything clicks into place. There is Adam and Christ [the last Adam; the first of a new creation]. In Adam all must die, all have been predestined to wrath; in Christ all will live, all have been predestined to life. Death came through "one man's" offence! Life came through the obedience of "the one man" Christ. Because God has put us into His Son, His history has become our history and His life has become our life. We no longer walk by an external written code whose sole purpose is to show us our great need; but we walk by a new law written on our hearts, by the Spirit and in the Spirit. [Adam][me] ----> [me][Christ] 1 Corinthians 1:30 But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]. One of the greatest tragedies of the Christian life is to live and perish in the wilderness, having been redeemed but never entering in to the life of the Spirit; many Christians are left in the bitterness of the desert trying to become, or to get God to make them, who they already are in Christ. Instead of drawing on the life of Christ in us we are deceived into trying to produce that life: instead of depending upon the love of God to flow through us we end up trying to produce a very pour substitution through gritted teeth, all the while being told that God's love isn't a feeling. Righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit = the kingdom of God. In His presence is the fullness of Joy. See my blog for some great books. Great blog Michael! Craig |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
Thanks Jimmie. Seriously. I appreciate you my friend.
And, thank you Craig. Yours are most definitely welcomed words of wisdom. I'll check out that list.
The Word itself says that we are actually small gods. Not capital "G", but lower case. We are supposed to be little-christs. Vice-gods, if you will. You agree? There are only a handful of people that I would even ask that question for many take that as arrogance on my part. But like you said, perishing in the wilderness never having grasped life in the spirit is a terrible tragedy. Of course, I know that it's not me that has the power. It's most definitely His power, just contained in me, and the hearts of all those that will receive.
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
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Craig November 20, 2008
Michael, I agree with the word, it says what it says. There are things that I believe and at the same time I cannot get my head around...so I leave that to further insight from the Lord. So yes I believe it because Christ said it, but I make sure and [logically] "and" it will all the other scriptures that speak to this mystery. 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 6:17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. This all must be "and" with those about our doing nothing apart from Him, and as He walked so do we (e.g. we do not walk on our own initiative). That keeps us from mistakenly thinking that we are our own independent god. God the Father is making Jesus' enemies a footstool for His feet; and we are his feet. We insult the Spirit of Grace when we refuse to believe who He says we are in Him, and who He says He is in us. Blessings!
Craig |
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Brother Todd November 20, 2008
you came up with this all by your self? Wow! That is an excellent use of your giftings! Jesus used parables to teach all the time. He took what was familar and made a spirutal lesson about it. You do the same. I have much admiration for your gift. God layed out the blue print for us to follow and we must imitate Him. Great blog! |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
What Todd? Have you no confidence in me my brother?
I heard a teacher talking about imaginations last night and almost immediately the title to this blog came to mind. I laid in bed for hours last night pondering the topic. I could not wait to get it off my mind! It's amazing how much the bible has to say about imaginations. One could spend a year just meditating on that subject alone.
I appreciate you and your comment Todd, thanks. |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
Oh yeah Craig, I forgot to mention that it's not my birthday. It's THIS GUY'S birthday. |
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Joey Dogzbiskit November 20, 2008
Michael, this is totally, wonderful. Thank you, and God bless you!
Joey |
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Mike N Laura November 20, 2008
Michael, great blog, very creatively written! But I think we have to reconsider the notion that we are "gods". A "god" is a worshiped thing, and we are told throughout scripture that there is one God (Ex. 20:3-5; Deut 6:13-15; etc.), and nothing else in the universe is worthy of our worship. In fact anything that is worshiped apart from God is an idol. Satan became a god b/c he was worshiped, not b/c he had authority. I have no desire to be worshiped, no desire to be a "god". Neither a vice-god, nor a little christ. Yes we reflect his character or nature as he lives in us and through us, but that's different than the idea that we are some sort of copy or clone of Christ.
In Psalm 82 God called the unrighteous judges of Israel "gods." This is b/c they accepted worship, they became idols. In the verse right before the one you quoted (v.5), God says of them, "They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness." Some gods! These judges were appointed by God to "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Ps 82:3-4) Yet they were not doing their job.
As I said, I agree w/the main point of your blog, which is that what we believe (about God and about ourselves) goes a long way in determining what our life will look like. A great point, written by a great writer! (Seriously, you have talent dude.) |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
Thanks Joey.
Mike, I admit that the verse I quoted in my comment was taken out of context, yet there is a point still to be made. In other places in scripture certain men were called "gods" because they had been given divine authority, not deity. Which is really the point I was trying to make. We were created in the very likeness and image of God. We have God's genetic makeup. We have been given dominion and authority over this realm, and we are called to rule and reign. In other words, partakers of the divine nature, as Craig pointed out from 2 Peter 1:4.
I am in no way trying to imply that I, or we, or anyone or anything other than GOD is worthy to be worshipped. But we are in fact called to be representatives and ambassadors of Christ. The hope of all glory is Christ in us.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
I appreciate the compliment my friend. |
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Craig November 20, 2008
Yeah, the verse in question is: 10:31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 10:32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?" 10:33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God." 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), 10:36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 10:37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 10:38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." 10:39 Again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. I agree however, that emphasising this one verse to the exclusion of all else is a deep pit indeed. Again, 2 Corinthians 4:7 makes it very clear that the power is never ours but rather we are it's container. At the same time when He returns He will be marveled at in all who have believed. Who can really get their mind around it? I think we'll just have to wait for the day when we know are we are fully known. :-) Happy Birthday in advance Michael [Lord willing!] :-) |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
From what I understand Craig, there has been much controversy regarding those verses.
It is difficult, quite difficult in fact, to wrap our minds around the truth that we have raising from the dead power within us. But without acknowledging that truth, how in the world are we suppose to fulfill the command to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons?
I can't grab hold of the thought that "greater works" does not include these things. And, I can't grab hold of the thought that these works were not intended to be performed "in this world".
There is a reason why we have been given "the faith of Christ"!
My real birthday Craig, or shall I say re-birthday is Christmas Eve. In just a little over a month I am going to 4 years old! Yippee! That is of course, as you say, Lord willing! |
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For His Glory November 20, 2008
GREAT BLOG BROTHER MICHAEL! LOVE STU! |
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Mike N Laura November 20, 2008
Hey Michael, no prob. I'm pretty sure I understand your point. "Partakers of the divine nature", an amazing concept! I was hesitant to go into all that stuff about gods, I'm just a stickler sometimes for words and their meanings, and using words correctly. For instance, you said "We have God's genetic makeup." Again I understand what you are getting at, we are made in the image of the Creator! But when we look carefully at the words you used, we realize this statement is misleading b/c scripturally we are adopted children of God, and therefore do not contain the same dna (genetic makeup). hehe, I guess rather than play the same role you played on Steve's blog (lol), I'll bow out. I appreciated your blog, you really are a good writer with some unique ways of presenting ideas. Thanks for sharing them! Craig, as you prob. know, John 10:34 is a quote of Psalm 82. Lest we take either of these out of context and apply them to all believers, we have Jer 10:11 and 1 Cor 8:4-6 to clarify the context. Thanks for sharing your biblical knowledge, bro! |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
If I become grafted into an olive tree, is it not possible for my branch to bear olives? |
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Craig November 20, 2008
Right Michael, and nothing I wrote was meant to appear to contradict anything you've said. I'm only saying that you cannot necessarily go clear a hospital any more than Jesus could clear his own hometown of the sick. Acts 2:22, it was God doing the works, not Jesus doing the works; it is Christ doing the works not us doing the works--but not without our faith, and obedience to the prompting of His Spirit. So in both cases the works are done by God through men. We can do nothing apart from Him and everything we do apart from Him is nothing. Go to a few hospitals on your own initiative and you'll get a clearer picture. ;-) [I have by the way.] Craig |
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Craig November 20, 2008
One hospital...twice. :-) |
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
See I agree that apart from Him I can do nothing. And truthfully, apart form the rest of the body I am not so certain I can either. I guess what I am saying is that corporately, we need greater numbers in the body with like precious faith.
Is it not true that in third world countries they see greater manifestations of healing, etc. because they have been exposed to less unbelief?
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Michael Moore November 20, 2008
Hey Craig, speaking of hospitals. Are you familiar with John G. Lake?
I heard someone speaking of him just the other day. John G. Lake had a powerful healing ministry in Spokane, Washington in 1914. According the an article I read,, " During a five year period (1915-1920) Lake and his team of “Divine Healing Technicians” were used by God to effect over 100,000 healings."
I have not read the entire article as of yet, but the story I heard was that because of the large number of manifestations of healings through his ministry, they did in fact close down a hospital, or at least a major portion of a hospital and allowed him and his "DHT's" to operate from there. No medicine at all was administered during that time.
For what that's worth. You can read more about him HERE. |
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Craig November 20, 2008
Michael, you wrote:
"Is it not true that in third world countries they see greater manifestations of healing, etc. because they have been exposed to less unbelief?"
Bingo!
Hey, tons of people received the gift of the Holy Spirit with tongues before folks were taught that God didn't give it to everyone, that you received when you were immersed in water, and/or you received when you were born-again. I was there in 1975 and I saw how it was quenched by the teachers in the 80's...all you need is to sow a little doubt and they are headed for a mouthful of water.
So I was/am also associated with my first Pastor who went to South Africa and started a church there. There were always signs wonders and miracles and lots of deliverance's and healing...now all that is being taught against there too and they are having the same results...no signs wonders and miracles! They still happen out in the townships where the natives live...because there is no reasonable alternative to faith there.
Know about Lake too...they came to him. See the same thing these days when people press through the crowds to Him.
:-) Craig |
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Loriinfj November 20, 2008
WOW what a powerful blog! I'm going to have to come back and comment later...reading these comments is so interesting as well...I'll jump on tomorrow...I'm just too tired right now...but AWESOME Michael...see I told you that you should write...AND YOU SHOULD it would be a shame for you to bow out and not let others read the enlightenment you are so gifted in writing about...Be back later, Lori |
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Craig November 20, 2008
Mike, amen. We take it all together and we have the context; like you said. [Rabbit trail warning] So how many times does the Greek word for "pastor" appear in the New Testament without respect to Christ? Do you think that leads to a similar problem? [End of rabbit trail]. :-)
Craig |
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Loriinfj November 21, 2008
Or, is it that you are seeing in the spirit that you are the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? Can you see yourself seated with Christ in the spirit realm? Can you see that you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing? Can you see yourself healed? Can you see yourself as a conqueror, no, more than a conqueror? Can you see that you have been sanctified, set apart, filled with the Holy Ghost, and that all things have been made new?
That is one of the great paragraphs in this blog....so as a man thinks he is...so as long as we see our-self wretched rags of sin we will stay right there...
It was you who told me that until you can see yyourself a certain way you could not become that, and I think it is true....it wasn't until I saw myself healed in my mind that I became healed in my body...one follows the other...in the same way when we sin we generally imagine that sin long before we do it...there are certain things I have to take my focus off of for that reason....I will confess my MIL and I never really got a long there were times I would dream about her in a coffin...I had to readjust my thinking to not really enjoy that dream and instead see her as someone that God loved as much as He loves me...He wanted her set free...Bless her heart! I think I obviously wanted her just gone...I never ever has a sense those dreams were a foreboding of anything but they seemed birthed out of my desire to be honest...tuff stuff but it was there...I had to readjust my thinking of her...it was that simple...but yet a hard task to do because I felt the emotion on this and besides that I was right!...I had to see myself having grace for her long before I actually had the grace...
I guess the other thing I think of here is those that are sick, for some playing the victim role is one of the most rewarding things you can do, people give you attention and lots of it...if your healed you have to let go of that...some people would rather not make the trade and I see that everyday in my practice....so as a man thinks he is. I know that is going to get a reaction out of some people but in the body of Christ we have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired before we ever obtain healing... |
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Craig November 21, 2008
Yes Lori! The victim thing is a tough one; no matter how gentle you are, when you point it out, great offense can be taken. All I know, is that everything elaborated above, in the quote, is in fact real not just positional. Saying something is positional means--to me of course--that it's just God pretending, and He isn't. So, the key is to chose to believe those scriptures before we ever have understanding of how they can be true--that is the beginning of not letting our own natural intellect be Lord...after than spiritual understanding and wisdom come...it is rational but not based on circumstances. Thanks for sharing that, it is an encouragement to me, and a confirmation about something I've been going through. Craig |
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Michael Moore November 21, 2008
Amen Craig - "the key is to chose to believe those scriptures before we ever have understanding of how they can be true"
Wow, I can certainly attest to that Craig. Proverbs 3:5&6 were the first verses that ever pierced my heart. And it was freeing to hear the Lord say I need not understand, but to simple trust. Now, the more I trust, the more I understand and still have the freedom of not having to lean on it!
Well said once again Lori. Not just this line "we have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired before we ever obtain healing.",but your entire comment. You are so smart lady. |
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Michael November 22, 2008
The Truth is....a Merger...ONE-Ness...The Same Spirit Manifesting & Be-ing...The SAME.
Same Person & Personality in US...The Same Person ...The Father ...that Was & is in JESUS.
Why would HE BE any Different in YOU ??
Unless one does NOT ALLOW HIM [ Jesus] to Be Himself...& Who He is [The Father] in You.
That is the Worth-Shipping of ...other God's of [SELF]... the form of Godliness & Then [YOU]
(((( DENY )))) Him of Effectively Demonstrating Himself in You & ALL of His POWER through You.
If You Claim to Worth-Ship GOD ...then ...
You MUST Allow God to Be Fully God Living Through YOU.
So Get out of the Way of [Self]....&....Get into The Way & Will of GOD !! |
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