Our Brother Paul continued to exhort and rebuke early Believer's as he missioned from city to city, telling them not to be conformed to world; but to be constantly transformed by renewing of their minds. (Romans 12:2) Renewing of minds to what? Yes, Gospel of Yahshua (Jesus), but more intently and purposely, that they would discontinue to think and act like rest of world they had been brought out of thru Yahshua's (Jesus's) salvation. Meaning quit plainly, stop pagan and idolatrous ways once walked in out of ignorance. Come out and be separated with power of The Holy Spirit and do not reflect or give homage to pagan practices of world. Whether in Church (Synagogues) or out of Church. Whether in Spirit or out of Spirit. Whether being in bonds or not. Whether in sufferings or not. They were instructed to show fruits of repentance and to live a life now that portrayed spiritual transformation that Yahshua (Jesus) had provided. To daily live from a heart that is cleansed of worldly pollution's. Whether from within religious order or secular order. Yahshua (Jesus) himself admonished people to observe and do as scribes and Pharisees taught regarding Torah, but not to do what they performed in their daily lives. For their hearts were still within pollution's of religious order and worldliness. (Matthew 23)

This same scenario has, and perhaps has never, ceased down thru church ages. Paganism still abounds in cloaked illusions full of deceit. We are experiencing many of its unbridled root symptoms that are emerging at an alarming speed for all eyes to see now and all ears to hear. Strangers in a strange land? Indeed! And so we must be. Or else we will be swept along in tidal wave of lip service with our own pagan traditions and erroneous religious teachings. A stranger in a strange land; according to dictates of our Faith we must be. A stranger in a strange land; according to resolution of our service and work we must be. So if you seem to feel like a foreigner in a strange land, realize it. You are! Rejoice in it, for it is results of your salvation. Embrace it, remembering you are on a journey toward your real home. Be glad you remained as a stranger in a strange land to obtain you rightful destination prepared for you with Yahshua (Jesus).

© C.L. Mareydt d23

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Since we have Spirit of power, love and sound mind at work in us, my wife and I have developed a different approach to what if voices of enemy? Instead of worrying and becoming paralyzed with fear, or eaten up with anxiety, we begin to speak some different what ifs. What if God brings us provision? What if God fixes this broken thing or replaces it? What if God heals us? What if God watches over our children? What if God brings us out of debt? What if God blesses us? In other words, we counter fear with faith, curse with blessing, and anxiety with joyful anticipation.

The devil tries to throw a lot of what ifs at us, but he cannot bring any of them to pass—-unless we start to believe them. On other hand, God has many wonderful promises for us, and if we trust Him, He will bring them all to pass. God is not moved by our worries or fears, but He is moved by our faith in His Word. So instead of repeating any of things devil whispers in our ears, why not start repeating Word of God. The lies of enemy cannot stand up to truth of Word.

The psalm writer said, “In multitudes of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul.” That is, instead of turning himself over to his anxious thoughts, though they were overwhelming, he turned himself over to Lord. Instead of meditating on worry, he meditated on Word. He pressed into his covenant with God. In this way, he experienced comfort of divine love and faithfulness, instead of chaos of fear and anxiety.

This strategy calls for two definite, qualitative, and decisive actions:

First, let go of anxieties. They may come into your head, but do not give them a place in your heart. When devil comes and whispers fear into your ear, do not give it life by speaking it with your mouth. Give it no quarter.

Second, embrace comforts of Lord—His Spirit, His Word, His power, His love and soundness of His own mind. Then open your mouth and, instead of repeating fears, start speaking promises.

In margin of my Bible, at Psalm 94.19, I have expressed it as an equation (not very grammatical, but it works): Let go of anxieties + Embrace comforts of Lord = Delights my soul.