Nancy Demary

Keeping Your Brain Secure

Published on March 23, 2019February 14, 2021 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

Brain and mind studies interest me. We are told now that our brains can be “hacked” by computer algorithms (persuasiveness) and we need an anti-virus for our brain. As soon as I heard this, I thought: and God provided it! It’s truly wonderful that God has already precluded our problem by giving us the protection for our brain long BEFORE technology arrived. I find that amazing; yet, few people apply God’s protective measures.

I am often thinking about how powerful God’s Word is. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB). Our Father gave us instructions about renewing our minds daily so that we would have a habit of protection, providing us security from the world; He knew how desperately we need it. In the day we are living in, many still do not realize how much our brains have been affected by technology.

The mind is immaterial, unlike the brain which is organic/material. The reason there is so much controversy in the world over mind and brain studies is that opinion differs depending on your world view. God has told us so much about the minds He gave us and how to have a healthy one. If we adhere to the understanding which God our Creator provides, we can know His purpose and design for highly functional, pure, and fruitful minds.

Scripture tells us that our minds are seated in our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 [ David’s Charge to Solomon ] “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.”

Matthew 22:37 ESV And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Philippians 4:7 ESV “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 10:16 ESV “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”

1 Peter 5:8 ESV “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Romans 8:5-6 ESV “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

We see this all around us as our culture continues to accept as normal, very destructive, and harmful influences. Some professing believers seem to have fallen into a trap themselves of believing the Kingdom of this World’s thinking over the actual Word of God. This can be seen in our lives, churches, small groups, everywhere. Our thinking has been greatly influenced by the culture we live in. This is not new, but with powerful persuasive technology that we willing give ourselves to, we are sucked into a vortex that perhaps we don’t realize has gotten us.

Anti-virus Protection

The wise solution for any generation is dousing your mind in God’s Word; this is our only safety-net from hidden invaders. While technology is very persuasive, we can choose what we set our minds upon and respond well to attacks. Remember: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)

When I listen to techy millennials like Tristan Harris talk about technology and what it is doing today to people’s minds, I cannot help but realize once again how smart God is! He’s given us the brain security we need — the question is: Will you apply it?

Tristan Harris on TEDx (17 minutes)

Photo Credits: Pixabay

Writing Delights

Published on March 16, 2019December 23, 2020 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

Writing is a delight to me! It is a way we can express the wonders that God places within. Out of our hearts proceed all of the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” One way to get to know your heart is to write!

Our good and loving Father has the ability to show us our hearts is various ways throughout life’s journey. This is crucial to our development and dependence upon Him. Without His loving care and correction, we’d be lost. In Hebrews 4:12 we are told of the importance of God’s Word to do surgery within our hearts. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” How powerful is that! Then verse 13 goes onto say, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” So really, God’s already sees us, knows us, and desires closeness with us.

Writing is a good way to reflect back to yourself what’s within your heart. It is a great way to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you truth about yourself and your chosen course.

For many years I struggled with frustration and anger in my soul. I used a journal to write it out, look at my reality, and wonder how God would change it. On occasion, I’ll pick up my journal(s) and read a few pages; I’m absolutely amazed at God’s awesome faithfulness along with how often I allowed fear to derail me! This practice has also revealed to me how God has been with me, never leaving, even when I felt very alone. What a treasure and delight to know this.

What we think upon will eventually work its way out. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

May I encourage you to write! Whether for yourself or others, it’s a way of expression that can free our souls. Better than words that cannot be taken back, writing gives the ability for self-examination, sorrow over sin and adjustment. God is so good; He redeems us from the curse of sin and gives us new life in Him! I’m forever grateful for His grace.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Jesus Christ – A Wonderful Savior

Published on March 9, 2019November 8, 2023 by Nancy Demary1 Comment

No matter what you have done or what has been done to you… one question remains: What will YOU do with Jesus? He’s done everything possible for you. God loves you dearly, He’s demonstrated that clearly, what else can He do?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
My Response
True relationships are reciprocal, they cannot be one-sided only. There is a unique difference between human relationships and one with our Holy Creator. We were born under the curse of sin, therefore relating to God must be through Jesus Christ who has paid the penalty for our sin. There is a choice involved. To ignore His gentle call means by default rejection of Him because the Holy Spirit is continuously calling us unto the Father. His love is bestowed without favor, He loves unconditionally at all times. Only He can know our hearts completely and how to best work in our lives to bring about true and lasting fullness of joy. No human relationship can ever replace the intimacy we can experience with Jesus Christ.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. “ Galatians” 6:7
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23
In God’s loving-kindness, He made a way for us to reciprocate our love to Him. If we choose to recieve this provision for our sin, our name is written in the Book of Life. If not, He’ll is the default destination for those who reject Christ’s offer of salvation.

And at His appointed time, God will avenge all evils committed, and only the blood of Christ will protect us from the judgment of God. Each soul will stand before Him, naked, without excuse one day. We decide now what our standing (legally) in His courtroom will be. Will you accept the Advocate He provided? Embracing this wonderful Savior is the wisest decision you can make.

To receive Christ: acknowledge that you have sinned. Repent of your sins which means change your direction, turn toward pleasing God, rather than your sinful nature. Confess that you believe Jesus Christ died for you. That He took your sins upon Himself on the cross. Humbly accept His love and forgiveness. And tell others about Him!

If you choose to recieve Him and become His child, then find a local family (church) to become a part of where you can grow to understand God’s Word. Seek to know Him in full relationship through His Awesome Words. The Holy Spirit will guide you. Read the gospel of John first to understand this.
Photo Credit/Pixabay: Magnolia/Jose Alba, Cross/Dennis Gries

A Symphony of Surrender

Published on March 2, 2019December 24, 2020 by Nancy Demary6 Comments

He walked onto the stage, bowed, stepped up on the podium, tapped the stand and raised his baton… they were ready; all eyes were looking up to him. The conductor had their attention.

This is a beautiful description of a life surrendered to God, our Chief Conductor. Do you know that He is ready and waiting? For some, it’s performance season–you’re ready to go, it’s what you’ve been in training for; for others it’s waiting, allowing others to catch up, but all are practicing for the grand finale. Through various circumstances (James 1:2-4) [1], He is fitting you to play your part in the Symphony He is conducting.

Consonance is used in music to describe accord or agreement; a harmony of sounds. Wikipedia says, “Consonance is associated with sweetness, pleasantness, and acceptability; dissonance is associated with harshness, unpleasantness, or unacceptability.”

Five years ago marked a turning point in my life; my symphony of dissonance was revealed. My emotional world was falling apart, I was desperate and needed help; I ended up temporarily separating from those I loved most to find it. I couldn’t see it then but it was the beginning of something good; it began my difficult journey from there to where I am today. It has involved great loss, pain, and grief of soul; I did not know it was possible for a human being to experience this, and still live. Yes, I had been through various types of suffering prior to this point; much of it physical pain in my body. But the greater pain was the inner pain of my heart, aware that something was wrong, and yet I did not understand how to make it right. Thankfully, our Good Father brought me through it by teaching me, humbling me, and showing me what to do. Now, I am making joyous music for Him.

Perhaps you feel like the suffering you are experiencing right now is overwhelming, David felt that way. When we read Psalm 143 we see in verse 4 he says, “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.” Like David we need God’s guidance and help, we must cry out to Our Father (Matthew 6:9-13). This is where God meets us; especially in our distress.

Throughout my journey, I would have to say that without the tests, trials, and temptations (James 1:2-15) I’d have very little to offer to anyone who is suffering in this deep interior way. By God’s grace and merciful love to me, He has truly taken the ashes of my past and turned them into beauty. Only our God can do that. He has taken the parched places and made them into streams of living water. There is no way to fully thank God for the riches of His goodness to me; I’m grateful and desire to live harmoniously with Him. Romans 5:3-5 says, More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV).

DESIRE
The first step in becoming a member of God’s Orchestra is developing a desire to become a part of what He is doing. He is pulling together a people that are making a lovely symphony of music for Him; yes there are squeakers among us, and loud basses playing at the wrong time perhaps, but the Conductor has a way of shaping us into something beautiful. Joining up involves learning from the Great Master and being willing to surrender to His leading.

PRACTICE
We’ve all heard the old adage: Practice makes perfect. Realizing that we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, we only need to practice becoming like the One who is perfect — Jesus the Christ, our Messiah, and Savior. Being in-tune, a ready player in God’s orchestra requires that we prepare ourselves for the lifting of His baton.
I found this excellent example of how the Holy Spirit works in us when we are prepared: “All musicians in an orchestra must be proficient with their individual parts, but a conductor of an orchestra has to learn entire scores because he or she functions as a musical traffic director, cueing musicians so they enter or leave the musical highway at the right time.”[2] In many ways this is how God uses our lives as we are surrendered to Him. It is so rewarding to live under His direction, guiding, leading and anointing, in whatever He has orchestrated.

DETERMINATION
Have you been to a symphony recently? I recall a fun school outing with our four children in Lake Placid to see the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra perform. It was a “School Performance” and we met up with some fellow homeschooling friends to attend and have a picnic. I was so impressed with the skill and excellence with which they performed; united as one, in purpose and determination.

Our level of determination, undergirded by our willing surrender to the Conductor, reveals our level of participation. People are looking for consonance, they want to know that there are people representing God who are united and in harmony with one another. Our determination in this task is a key factor as to whether we will be authentic ambassadors for our King.

We will face tests along the way. In the Bible, we are warned and encouraged to endure through many trials (1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV). [3] We are reminded that this life WILL involve suffering. Jesus told us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV).

LOOK UP
Do not lose heart. Look up to the Master Conductor, He will guide and direct you. As stated earlier, He will give you direction onto and off the highway at the right time. How you ask? By knowing the score and the script found in the Bible. When we have desired, practiced and determined to live by God’s Words we have placed ourselves in a position to look up and have His nod, His eyes looking at us, letting us know whether to go ahead or wait. What a treasure we have in being a part of His Symphony!

[1] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (ESV)

[2] Leading the Orchestra> Learning Specific Scores https://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-conductor-of-an-orchestra-actually-do.htm

[3] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)
Photo Credit: Pixabay

Opting Out is Not an Option

Published on February 22, 2019April 26, 2020 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

Satan is real. He desires to sift us like wheat. He prowls about looking for someone to devour. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8

In visiting with a woman recently I realized that she is spiritual but does not know God. There are lying spirits that deceive people into thinking they are good, insightful and okay because they are spiritual in some way. Someone may create their own form of spirituality, but various forms of mystic enlightenment do not equal salvation and Truth. “… for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) created everything, organic physical life and immaterial spiritual/soul life. The immaterial world is manifest in the physical; for good or evil. But many have never gone to the Manual (the Bible) to see how these two worlds powerfully interact, instead they walk on blindly according to a god of their own making. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

We know that Satan is very real because Jesus said he is. John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Just as the Holy Spirit longs to dwell within a physical body and bring godly self-control and fruit into the heart, so Satan desires to dwell within working with our carnal nature to bring forth evil. Satan desires to have you, if not fully through possession, he will be satisfied to influence you; you’re mind, thoughts, desires – especially against Christ and His Kingdom people. Don’t be a pawn in his hand. 2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” God is not mocked, whatsoever you give yourself to, that is what you’ll reap (or become).

God’s Word is a sure foundation and He equips us for this spiritual battle by the empowering Holy Spirit within. Jesus said in John14:15-17 (NKJV) “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

Opting out is not an option, you’re already in. Wisdom says, humble yourself and reach for God’s Hand and be found in Him, sure, steadfast, not only in this short life but for all of eternity. Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Opt-in and pray. Fight on your knees. You have authority in the Spirit to pull down strongholds, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2Corinthians 10:3-5)

Photo Credit: Pixabay