Spiritual Labels

So what do you call yourself?

Few people really like labeling themselves….because labels don’t always fit or not everyone agrees what the label means.

For example I would and have called myself a “Christian” but that label in my opinion...through the years...no longer fits as well. I have learned to let go of my Christian dogma and I find more and more others are doing the same. So can I call myself a Christian? What do I call myself? What fits?

Some would say “Why do you have to label yourself?” Good question!

I have found myself wanting to define my belief system so I can clearly communicate with you what I believe and what I teach. I am a teacher and it is hard to describe what you teach without first giving yourself a label. People want to know where you are coming from.

So I am searching for a label that best describes who I am.

I know I could call myself a “Spiritual Being” “Child of God” a “Member of the Kingdom of God” but these labels are too broad.

I decided to narrow down my labels by eliminating the ones I knew would NOT fit.
Not to exclude neither myself nor my acceptance of others but to get clear which one fits me the best. I can NOT say I am a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, Jew or Taoist even though I may share with them some spiritual truths. But I quickly eliminated them from my list.

But what about Christian Mystic, New Thought Thinker, a New-Ager, a Spiritualist or a Meta-Physician? Then there other other labels like Light-Worker or Way Shower.

What about you? What would you call yourself? If you had to get in line behind a label… what labels best describe who you are and what you believe?

So I made a video to tell you which spiritual label I have chosen.

Steve Hart

Meditation

Do you meditate and pray every day? Do you know how? What are the benefits of prayer and meditation?

For many years I did not understand how or why it was so important to learn how to pray and meditate everyday. I don’t remember anyone teaching me how to meditate. Most Christians do not know how to spend time in prayer and meditation.

I remember hearing the word meditation used in the book of Psalms but it was a mystery to me for many years. It was not until I let go my dogma that I begin to open myself up to idea. If I had learned how to meditate years ago I am sure I would have saved myself from a lot of stress, heart ache, frustration, and disharmony.

The Hebrew words for “Meditate” used in Psalms means to “murmur” as you might ponder your thoughts as you speak to yourself.

I think it is interesting the medical field uses the word “murmur” to describe an unusual sound emanating from the heart….why, because there lies a secret to meditation.

The secret of meditation is…you must get quite enough to hear what your heart is saying...that means learning how to let go of the all the noise within your head. Releasing all thoughts...notice I did not say stop thinking…why? Have you ever tried to do that? Every time you try to stop your thoughts you only create more thoughts. Instead you learn how to let go of your thinking as you begin to relax and experience the moments between the thoughts. That is when your heart will begin to speak to you.

Breathing

Here is a technique I have found that helps me to relax and get quite...the answer is your breathing!

As you set aside your time for meditation and prayer...do it when and where you will not be disturb by anything around you. Find a quite comfortable place to meditate.

As you begin to relax…focus upon your breathing as you breathe normally at a comfortable pattern...stay focused upon your breathing until your mind begins to quite down. Enjoy this quite time. The longer you do this…in time you will sense a connection to your heart, you inner being, your spiritual being and your connection to God.

Listen to what your heart is saying to you...at the same time the Spirit of God will speak and minister to you….surrender to at least five minutes and later on increase that amount of time everyday until you reach a comfortable time for you.

After you have given yourself to this time you will find it easy to pray your prayer of thanks giving…as you acknowledge your connection with God. Once you have reached that personal connection with God...that is when you make your request and affirmations for what you want. I will not go into detail about how to pray but...end all your request with the words of faith….what I mean by that is...make a statement which affirms your request as though it has already been answered...therefore give thanks.

You might want to write down anything the Spirit has spoken to you during your meditation so you will remember it. If you do this I think you will find great joy, peace and harmony through out the rest of the day.

In Psalms 49:3 it says, “My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.”


Steve Hart

"To Know The Kingdom of God"

What does this mean?

Nicodemus perceived that God was with Jesus since he performed miracles and Jesus told Nicodemus… “Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

This is the scripture where Christian’s get the term the “Born Again” experience. But the Greek word for “Again” really means “From above, or the top” so Christians would do better to say, “Born of the Spirit from above.”

What is more important is the word “See” which in the Greek means “to Know.” Therefore know the Kingdom means to see it conceptually, to perceive its existence.

So the best translation of what Jesus said may be “Except a man be born of the Spirit he cannot know of the Kingdom of God.”

When you are born of the Spirit a shift takes place within your mind and you are introduced to an awareness of Spirit and the Kingdom of God. Until then it has no meaning.

Now there are two Greek words and two meanings for the word “Know.” The Greek word used in John 3:3 for “See” is “Eido” which means to know intellectually, factual knowledge, perceived through spiritual perception.

The other Greek word for “Know” is “Ginosko” which means to experience something first hand knowing, a knowing within. This Greek word is used in John 8:32 “…You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” This knowing is the work of higher levels of consciousness. Note the objective is to “Be Free” not to just know the truth.

This is why 1 Cor.8:1b says, “Knowledge puffeth up but Charity editieth.”

Later in the 13 chapter of Corinthians verse two it says, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

In John 8:55 Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders saying, “Yet you have not known (Ginosko) him; but I know (Eido) him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like to you: but I know him, and keep his saying.” Here we find Jesus telling those who profess to know God, they really do NOT know God, they only knew about him. Ouch! This made them mad enough they tried to stone Jesus.

Jesus is clearly saying…to “know” God meant you must first have an “Eido” intellectual knowing and then have the “Ginosko” inner knowing of God which is a work of the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Cor. 2:14 it explained, “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know (Ginosko) them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

When you are born of the Spirit the “Spiritual Being” within you is awakened. From that point on your assignment is to allow the Holy Spirit to do its work within you for it is the power of God able to give you great joy, peace and love. Transcending out of the darkness into the light…letting go of the things of this world and into the Kingdom.


Steve Hart

Have You Been Deceived?

Take heed that you be not deceived…

In Luke 21:8 Jesus said many would come in His name…and you are not to follow after them. Then He proceeds to describe the end times.

Read verses 8-36….I will spare quoting the scripture. But I do want to point out those who are doing the deceiving are coming in His name….meaning they profess to be Christians.

When I look at Christianity sometimes I wonder if we are deceiving ourselves. We want to be spiritual and still believe in the illusion of this world. We are afraid to let go. Yes we have become our own enemy. Christians have focused upon religion, dogma, dead doctrine, and playing church thinking that this is Christianity. Knowledge alone is nothing without the power of God's love.

Jesus was very clear….His message was love. It was not based upon fear or anything motivated by fear yet I hear the church preaching fear…as though they do not know the love of God. Listen to their words…are they preaching love or fear? Fear is NOT powered from God for God is love. Fear is the absence of love.

Man has been motivated and controlled by fear and its illusion since his beginning. For all evil has been created by man’s fear; greed, lying, pride, disharmony, hatred and murder. Christians have been guilty of making these evils a part of their religion. Jesus did not teach fear or judgement. He taught us how to love.

How do you avoid this deception?

Open yourself up to all that God has for you! Are you afraid that God will ask you to do something you do not want to do….? I know I was. But when I opened myself up to the love of God and He gave me the Baptism of the Holy Spirit….it changed everything.

When Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders He said, “You do error not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.” Matt.22:29 that is why you need the Holy Spirit actively guiding your spiritual growth for it is the power of God. “He (the Holy Spirit)) will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13

This is why Jesus taught the baptism of the Holy Spirit for it is the power of God. In the Greek the word power is “Dunamis” which is where we get the word dynamite.

John the Baptist said, “He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.” Later Jesus said, “John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence....you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you." Act 1:5-8 It began on the day of Pentecost.

If you know the Spirit of God you will not be deceived for it is the power of God which is LOVE! If you are still attached to the illusion of this world you will be deceived.

In these last days it is important you listen closely to the Holy Spirit for your guidance for He will show you the things to come. John 16:13b.

Steve Hart

To Know the Love of God

Do you know that God loves you!

I know you have heard this before…but do you understand what this means?

The God of this universe puts his arms around you and assures you that you are loved by its creator. He created you before you were born into this world.

You are special to Him for you belong to him….you are a child of God. His love is an unconditional love therefore you get to choose to accept His love or to continue to live in the illusion that you are separate from God.

It was a major leap in consciousness when I understood that God loved me. I knew it in my head but until I felt His Spirit and I opened my heart to receive His love…I did not really know the love of God and His son Jesus.

Not long after that I was filled with the Holy Spirit and I was given the power to free myself from my fear, frustrations, and loneliness. He has brought me comfort and companionship in a daily relationship with Him. Everyday I am assured that He loves me and He will never leave me.

How could I NOT receive His love? Why would I want to turn my back to the one who could give me everything I really wanted? Therefore I surrendered my life, my will and my thoughts to Him. God has NEVER let me down and He never will.

There have been times when I did NOT listen to Him and I failed myself but He has always been there to pick me up and give me the power to move on.

If you wish to hear the details of my story you can read about it here:

http://thejesusmovementandersonindiana.blogspot.com/

Look for “Steve Heifner Testimony” Yes that is me. That is my real name.

I assume you can celebrate with me when you discovered God’s love for you or you would not be reading this. Remember the deep revelation of that moment?

Since then my spiritual journey did not stop there….for I have grown so much over the years. My consciousness has taken many leaps into higher realms of the Spirit and I am sure you have too. If not then I invite you to listen to the Spirit and open yourself up to higher levels of understanding. Know what it means to be "One" with God and His son Jesus.

You can experience the Kingdom of God here on earth...right now. The Holy Spirit will teach you and give you the power to transcend this world into his glorious kingdom of love, joy and peace.

“Eye has not seen nor ear has heard…the things that God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things…yea the deep things of God.” 1 Cor. 2:9-10

Steve Hart

Where are God's Prophets Today?

In recent years I have asked, “Where are the prophets of God today?” Who are they and are they sounding the voice of God?

Today more than ever God’s people are seeking to hear the voice of God. They feel the pressures of the world around them knowing that things are about to change. God has always spoken through his prophets to give warning, direction, and comfort.

In the Old Testament the prophet Amos spoke in chapter 3 verse 7 saying, “Surely God will do nothing but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Some would say the days of the prophets are over…

What do you think?

Some would say we no longer need the prophets since the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit became our personal teacher, our guide and comfort. But Eph.4:11 teaches us that Jesus gave us gifts and callings to the body of Christ to perfect us and one of them is the calling of the prophets. The prophets are to minister to us, give us knowledge, bring unity, and speak the truth in love.

God’s people have always had trouble accepting the prophets of God for they would speak the truth when we would NOT want to hear it. Therefore we have questioned their message, their creditability, lifestyles and intentions. The life of a prophet is never popular.

In the Bible the prophets would struggle with God. The prophet knew when they would speak a word of warning of the coming future…if the people listened and changed their ways...God would change the out-come leaving the prophets word in question. Read the story of Jonah.

I believe the church has pushed the prophets outside of its walls just as it has with so many others of its member due to her self-righteous judgments. There are many of God’s people un-churched today because of her judgments. But those same people still seek God for God has not forsaken them, He has loved them and he continues to speak to them.

So I ask again…

Where are the prophets? What are they saying?

Isaiah 21:6 God says, “Go set a watchman...let him declare what he sees.” The watchman stands in the watchtower looking out over the horizon to give warning to what is to come.

Just as the prophets speaks God’s word...listen to the watchman’s warnings. I believe they are alive and well today….can you hear them? Do you know who they are?

Below is an old video of the song “All Along the Watchtower” written by Bob Dylan and performed by the rock legend, Jimi Hendrix. Read and listen to the words of this song for they are prophetic.

Steve Hart

Are you ONE with God?

In John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” Whoa! To say such a thing was really serious…..in the following verses the Jews wanted to kill him for saying that.

Jesus prays in John 17:22 “That they may be one even as we are one.” What did he mean by this? Did he mean in “agreement” or did he mean to be “the same.”

Romans 8:15 says we are given the “Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father” which in the Greek means “my very own father.” Later it says we become “Joint Heirs with Christ.” Ver.17 then is goes further verse 30 which says Jesus was “the firstborn among many brethren.” Yes this means that Jesus is our brother and he was one with God the father.

In Philippians 2:5-6 it says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ. Who being in the form of God thought it NOT robbery to be equal with God?”

Does this mean we too are to be equal with God? Is this possible? Are we not created in his image? Can we share the mind of God? To do so....we must raise our consciousness!

I doubt if I have convinced anyone to start calling yourself “God” but I think these scriptures are challenging us to ask, what is our relationship with God? Can you be one with God?

The reason we struggle with anything like this….we are afraid!

If we knew who we really are....then we would have to change our thinking and stop living in fear, worry, and doubt. To be one with God would require that we let go of our attachment of this world and make no excuses for acting the way we do. How are we suppose to do that?

So we continue to say we are only children of God which is a safe…since we are only innocent children and not therefore responsible for our spiritual growth or the manifesting of God's kingdom here on earth.

Man’s sin and only real sin is how we separate ourselves from GOD! It is WE who separate ourselves from God and from one another. Our egos think that is a safe place to be.

So….a man walks up to the hot dog vendor give him a twenty dollar bill and says, “Make me one with everything,” The hot dog vendor smiles and makes the man his hot dog, gives it to him. The man says, “Where is my change?” The hot dog vendor says, “Don’t you know that change comes from within?”


Steve Hart