Mary Ann's Blog: Kingdom Seekers

"Whenever they measure themselves by their own standards or compare themselves among themselves, they show how foolish they are." 2 Corinthians 10:12b There are many different ways we can compare ourselves with one another but comparisons always leads to failure: feelings of jealousy, inadequacy and even bitterness if they are left unchecked. Comparisons put us in a spiritual ‘check mate’ unable to move in any direction because we can’t see the bigger plan or picture that the Father has for us. We become trapped in our own minds and thoughts. The Bible warns us not to compare ourselves against one another for this very reason. Comparisons are a trick of the enemy to keep us stuck in the past, stuck in our hurt, stuck in feelings of inadequacy, or basically stuck in a deep rut of despair and bitterness. Through personal comparisons, what we are saying to God in essence is this; "God I don't like the way I am or the way things are and it's your fault...

By Mary Ann Wray “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as He is.” 1 John 3: 2 When Jesus was introduced by the Father publically on the day of His Water Baptism and at the beginning of His earthly ministry, the Father announced, “This is my beloved SON, in whom I’m well please. Hear Him.” He didn’t say this is my wonderful Savior, anointed evangelist, deliverance healer, anointed prophet, or any other title.   He introduced Him to the world by His identity-a Son….a Beloved Son. However, not everyone heard Jesus’ words, but this reality then and now never dimished His approval by the Father or His sonship. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 7: 14, he said, “You shall bring forth a SON and call His name Immanuel.”   In Luke 1: 35 the angel told her that her Son would be called the “Son of G...

Disciple Apprenticeship... The Spiritual Art of Christ-like Measurement By Mary Ann Wray With the renaissance of the Holy Spirit being poured out in these last days as prophesied in Joel 2: 28 and as the Apostle Peter addressed before the crowd in Jerusalem after the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 14-21)   there has been much interest and emphasis on giftings, callings and talents. While this is powerfully prophetic and part of our New Covenant inheritance, something else of equal and great importance has suffered lack in the Body of Christ. Now more than ever, with the increasing moral landslide happening all over the earth and deteriorating Biblical values in family and social life, character development is extremely critical for any child of God to become effective for Jesus Christ on a long term, lifelong basis. We need both of these godly attributes emphasized in a holistic way, if we are to continue in the Christian Journey for the long haul. My Pastor wisely says...