I recently received this Powerpoint slide presentation and it struck a nerve somewhere due to the society we found ourselves in, so here are my further comments after watching this presentation:
Eastern religion refers to a certain universal cosmic law as “Karma”. According to this universal law, we can choose within each situation (negative or positive) to build up good karma or bad karma for ourselves. Whatever we choose, it will come back to us in a form of rewards or blessings, or as lessons, sometimes painful, but detrimental to our spiritual growth. In other words; many of the good things and bad things we experience in life, comes to us by our own doing and choices we’ve made in the past (and not always from the devil, although we all like to put the blame on someone else sometimes).
Our thoughts, words and deeds (all choices), determine to a certain extend our destiny in life and our future experiences. So, for lack of another word, I will also refer to this principle by this word – “karma”, it is after all only a word defined by people to refer to a principle we can all relate to, even from Bible scripture as I will indicate below.
As you will see in the slide presentation, bad things can happen to good people. Why? Is it due to “bad karma” they have created in their lives in the past? It is possible, but of course, we can never apply this law by judging others, we can never condemn another under the law. (Matthew 7:1). This would be sowing “bad karma” for ourselves again. Rather extend love and compassion to those in desperate situations (creating positive karma). Sometimes, bad people just do bad things to good people unfairly, but even then, it can have very positive consequences for us by the way we respond to the situation, and we can be stacking up “good karma” and blessings for our future in this way.
This means that we will be reducing potential situations where we might experience bad karma and increase the good things happening to us. It explains why the same bad things always seem to be happening to the same people all the time, while others just seems to be blessed. We have a role to play in our destiny and future, nothing happens by accident, chance or due to uncontrollable fate according to this principle. I like this principle as it really underlines our reponsibility to take charge of our own lives and it also gives us the opportunities to create a better future for ouselves through spiritual growth and understanding, this is the very purpose of our lives on earth.
We are spiritual beings, temporary facing the challenges in this earthly environmentand in physical bodies, in order to develop our souls to a higher level.
Influencing our own destiny and even influencing future events to a certain extend, is something I have experienced in my own life, you can read my testimony in my book “Entrance to Power“. We have the creative power from a spiritual dimension to take control over negative circumstances, and even change our destiny and future for the better. We can prevent many of the potential calamities we are originally “destined” to face. By building up “positive karma” and developing our spiritual intuition (God speaking to us through His Spirit), we can be forwarned of approaching, life-threatening dangers and situations, and we can change it! We should learn how to do this!
The principle of Karma is comparable to a bank account in heaven, we can save up riches there, and we can withdraw good things from the account later when needed. But there is also interest to be paid if we go into a negative balance, and we will pay off the debt until every penny is fully paid! That is of course if we exclude the principle of grace.
Sometimes, I believe that God may allow certain negative things for us to go through, and it is normally due to our doing in our past, not learning, not having mercy on someone else for instance. It can also be for the sake of others to learn through our temporary suffering, either way, if you pass the test you will be rewared hundredfold says the Bible. We can read about Jesus teaching this very principle in Mathew 6:15. If we do not forgive others, Jesus said, our Father will not forgive us and we actually cancel out the benefits of mercy and grace in our lives. Then, we will have to learn the spiritual lesson by experience, which in the long run is also for our own good.
Negative situations are excellent opportunities for us to stack up riches in a spiritual realm (Heaven) for ourselves to be drawn upon later. As an example, if someone else is constantly giving you a hard time, start acting in the opposite way, investigate yourself and learn from it, if unfairly accused or treated, do not react in negative defence and backbiting criticism, or this cycle will surely repeat itself in your life. Therefore, the Bible instructs us to bless those that are against use or have wronged us.
Yes, negative karma works both ways, to the one who initiates and exercises it, and the one who is the subject, this principle will draw to them both the lessons that they WILL have to face in future, or the potential blessings it WILL release. It is called the path of spiritual growth.
The fact is, if you cycle through the same negative situations in your life, time after time, again and again, it is because you are not passing the tests. It means that you have not yet learned how to overcome”bad karma”with”positive karma”. So, there you sow”negative karma” again that will come back to you somewhere in the future! Michael Pitts refers to this”seeing of the bigger picture” as “connecting the dots”. We must learn to connect the dots, recognize the cycle and learn how to break the cycle with positive karma. Learn how to connect with other people in a positive way, even if they are responding negatively to you.
It is for your own good to forgive and forget, the rewards are out of this world and your enemies actually becomes a blessing in disguise when you pass the test!
Are you tired of the old job that is frustrating you to your core? One way to make sure you will always have a job (or a boss) like that, no matter where you go, is to keep on murmuring and spreading bad karma everywhere. Excel, break the cycle, once you have passed the test, there is no need for that lesson anymore and your circumstances will change for the better!
The Bible refers to this universal law as follows:
Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
Mat 7:12 So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, …
Mat 6:14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your
heavenly Father will also forgive you.1Pe 4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].
But is there a way to break out of the”bad karma” we might have created for ourselves in ignorance during our past history? Of course, Christian believers know the Gift of Grace (which is a gift from God, obtained by faith in Jesus Christ, who came to fulfil the law in our stead, taking the punishment on our behalf).
When grace is released through faith into our lives, it breaks the cycle of the execution of the law (or the result of “negative Karma” that must be balanced), you become a new creation (2Cor5:17). And when we also practise this kind of love towards others, it cancels out the sins (or”bad Karma”) of others. But remember that after the cancellation of the “bad karma”, you are free, but to stay free requires a change of mind and attitude, some measure of continuous spiritual growth will be expected from you. Those who don’t grow up, might start to see the same law starting to work all over again in their lives. Once you have found the way of grace, grace is the stronger force, always available when called upon, but get out of the cycle!
Isn’t this principle exactly what Jesus taught when one of His disciples has cut off the ear of one of those that came to arrest Jesus? Jesus immediately healed the servant’s ear, and by doing so, prevented his disciple from dying by the sword himself later (balancing his negative karma by a good dead). Jesus then said:
Put your sword back into its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword (Mat 26:52)
Do you see the principle of karma, even in the Bible?
Thank God for the Gift of Grace!
God bless!
Philip
Entrance to Power, an e-Book about spiritual power to live a supernatural life
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#1 by Fanie on 29 March, 2010 - 5:43 pm
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Hi Philip
It has been a while since we spoke, I really enjoy talking to you about the works of God because I always learn so much from you.
I’ve got a question that I would like to ask you about God’s will in our lives.
It is really difficult to understand the difference when you need or want something or let’s say you trust God for something specific in your life and you know that it is something good and positive and in accordance to the bible.
How do you know if it is in God’s will for your life?
For example If I trust God for financial provision, a good job or independancy and it doesn’t happen. The question comes to me “Is it God’s will for my life?”
I know that God wants to bless us all the time, in our finances, in our health and in everything we do.(This is what I beliefe.) But the problem is that very often people talk about God’s will and how a lot of people in the bible were poore and suffering and they were people that loved God, for example Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.
Was it God’s plan for Lazarus to be poor and sick?
#2 by Philip on 30 March, 2010 - 9:28 pm
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Hi Fanie,
Thank you for writing. I will use your request and my answer to publish an article soon.
First let me say that we are encouraged to make all or wants known to God through prayer and thanksgiving:
The Bible states that God knows what we need, even before we ask. So, you can trust God for what you want, and what you need.
Sometimes, we might not receive what we ask for immediately, as we need to work on our motives and soul growth first to qualify, but eventually, you will receive what you have asked for. As you grow in soul maturity, spirit knowledge, and faith, you will find that your needs and wants becomes Kingdom directed. In other words, your motives, ideals and what you have in materialistic means becomes all subservient to your higher call. Your will comes in line with God’s will and you start to see provision, healing and blessings flow into your life as you adhere to this one principle that is the pivotal key to increase and success in life and spiritual power.
Everything you do in life, your work, your riches, independency, all should be directed to bring you into the right circumstances so that you can best utilize your God-given talents and abilities to expand and co-create with the Spirit of God to expand the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is first established and increased in your own life, your family and then others. The presence of God will increase in your life and you become a co-creator with God on earth, empowered to manifest His kingdom by spiritual gifts resulting in miracles, signs and wonders as Jesus has demonstrated.
People who state that it is God’s will for some to be rich and others not, or some to be healed and others not, should then explain if Mathew 6:33 is a lie. If God lies, then He is not divine and He cannot be trusted at all.
Also, we read that:
Jesus said: “ I only do the will of my Father” – John 5:30
Did Jesus heal all the sick that came to him in faith – YES
Jesus said: “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10
The case of Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31
In this passage the story is told to contrast between the rich and healthy man and the poor sick Lazarus. Now what is the actual message of this passage of scripture?
1. To tell us that all rich men go to hell and all poor fellows go to heaven? No, Jesus is showing the people that the condition of the heart, your spirit, and soul determines where you will end up, this is sometimes in contrast with what many on earth might view as success. Jesus is using this contrast between the false security in earthly riches and the meek and humble true nature of a man’s heart to bring the message over. The message is not against riches, but the fallen state of a man’s heart in contrast with his seemingly successful life.
2. To tell us that it is God’s will for some to be rich and others to be poor and sick?
This is even more ridiculous as nothing is mentioned in this passage that Jesus might have walked passed this sick man who was asking for healing, and then Jesus would say: “No, it’s not the Father’s will for you to be healed, stay sick so that God can use your story to show that people who are sick and poor should be contempt with their situation”
So why was Lazarus sick and poor all his life? The Bible doesn’t say because Jesus told this story to emphasize the fact that we are saved, not by earthly status and splendour, but by the ways of our hearts, by faith and living for His kingdom by demonstrating God’s love towards others. What I do know, is that there are other scriptures that directly address the issues of healing and abundant living, we don’t have to refer to a scripture piece that has nothing to do in essence with the concept of poverty, riches or health, to try and prove something that contradicts the rest of scripture.
There are numerous other Bible passages that spells out God’s will for us to be healed and to increase in abundance, in fact, Jesus clearly states that this is the reason He came to earth; to show us the way into victory and abundant living by God’s grace while on earth. Grace is what all we can obtain by faith. Math 6:33, John 10:10, Isa: 61:1, Luke 4:18, 1 Peter 2:24
If you ever wonder what is God’s will, look at what Jesus did and taught. He demonstrated the perfect will of the Father. He healed all the sick and never lacked to pay for anything. Even increased food and withdraw money from the mouth of a fish when the money bag was not at hand.
Why are some good folks sick and poor? Well, one passage states the following: So that God’s will can be demonstrated through their healing and blessings. Let’s look at the the story of the blind man:
This is a clear example of God’s will to demonstrate His love through a healing miracle. Shouldn’t we do the same?
So why are not all our prayers answered to heal the sick and to receive what we want?
Because we don’t walk on water yet like Jesus.
Why don’t we walk on water yet? Our lack of faith.
Why are we lacking in faith?
Because we don’t spent the time Jesus has spent in the presence of His Father every day and from youth to meditate and learn about the things of the Spirit. (See also Psalm 1) We don’t enter into the “Secret Place of the Most High” (Psalm 91) where we can receive this faith, provision, blessings and protection and live a supernatural life. On a soul level we are not fully developed yet, we are trying to accomplish things in our own power and by our earthly intellect instead of believing we can walk on water, heal the sick, calm the storm, increase food, change water into wine etc. etc.
Our spirits can be perfectly saved through spiritual re-birth and becomes perfect and one with God’s Spirit. Our souls our saved through the Word of God that we obtain be reading and meditating His Word and practising these principles in our daily lives, also by spending time in God’s presence to receive revelation and spiritual impartation.
To hide our own lack of spiritual power and shortcoming on a soul level, we then say that it is God’s will for this person not to be healed, or its God’s will that I am poor, or it is God’s will that this calamity has killed so many people.
Whenever I pray for someone and that person is not healed, I look into my own soul, and I can clearly see why… for if everyone is healed instantly, I would probably stop learning and developing on a soul level, I might even become boastful and my own ego might be become too big for me and others to handle.
Every time I fail on a spiritual level, I go back to God, dissatisfied with myself and my lack of spiritual development, and then I try again, and I learn…
That is God’s will!