What is Karma?

                                                                         

What is Karma?

We have all heard this word, Karma, and although it is not a Biblical word, it is evident that those  embracing its laws have borrowed its meaning from the Bible and God's Prophets of old.

Karma is a topic that can be a bit confusing. The concept is a part of many traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and more. Many people hold a very loose understanding of what karma is, how it affects us, and what it means in our practice and daily lives.

I call this idea karma, That Both good or bad actions have consequences; or “ what goes around comes around.”

The laws of karma suggest - that all of our thoughts, words and actions begin a chain of “Cause and effect,” and that we will personally experience the effects of everything we cause.

Today we will take time to review what the Bible has to say about Sowing and Reaping, and how it will effect our lives today and our tomorrows.

Jesus speaking in Matthew chapter 7 verse 12 reminds us - Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus is referring to the Law and the Prophets, and as we study we understand that with every promise that God gives and desires to grant to us, there is a condition and with each there is a clause: “IF you will do this then I will do that.”

My desire is to establish that this principle of cause and effect began Early in the Bible. Regarding God's commandments, we see in Genesis 19:5,6 as God spoke to Moses – The Lord said: Now therefore, IF you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to my people.”

Referring again in the Old Testament to: Deuteronomy 28:1 IF you will obey, then I will bless - - “Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”

Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster. (Therefore chose Life and prosperity.)

The Prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 1:19 If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land: It is expedient that we have both a willingness and a desire to obey God.

Jesus often gave similar contrasts by saying IF you will Ask, you shall receive, IF you will SEEK you shall find, and IF you will Knock, it shall be opened to you.

Jesus often asked the seeker to BELIEVE and you shall receive. Our finite minds often find it difficult to grab hold and take for ourselves what God is offering to us. We think to ourselves, “I can believe for others, but I find it hard to believe for myself.”

This is the way we have taught ourselves, because in the past we have failed to understand how much God loves us and is willing to pour out his favor upon us in the form of physical healing and health, financial blessings, to reveal to us how to solve difficult problems, and to enlarging our spiritual capacity to understand and receive all He desires for us.

Do you need financial help? Centuries ago the Lord through Malachi the prophet, gave a formula that gives a solution for these problems, when God said: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

People have tries various ways to skirt around this promise of blessing and I have heard some of them. One gentleman, told me, I volunteer instead of giving from my income, because my time is valuable if I were to charge. Another friend said, he took his tithe money and purchased Christian music CDs to feed his spirit. Another said, I spread my tithes around to various religious organizations and some of it goes to my church. It is good to review this promise to see what it actually says and to prove God at His word. “Hello – are you listening?”

What do you need? Do you need food? Do you need clothing? Do you need freedom from worry? Do you need Healing physically or mentally? Do you need a Miracle? Matthew 6:33 instructs us NOT to be anxious or worry about our needs:  But seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Are you needing more of God? Jesus reminds us that we must ask for the Holy Spirit and we shall receive, because God is a Good God and he delights to pour out blessings on his people.

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 11: verse 13: “If your child asks for bread, will you give him a serpent? If you then, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” 

Jesus told his followers to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit and to ask in prayer to receive. On that day, in Acts chapter 2; the Holy Spirit fell upon them with power like lightening and struck each of them with tongues of fire as they spoke praising God in languages they had not learned.

Why did the believers need this experience in addition to being born again? It is evident that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit come with this blessing of being filled with the Holy Ghost.

Tongues as a prayer language adds power to your prayer life, Prophesy is granting blessings and encouragement to others, Words of wisdom will cement relationships and enlarge understanding. Words of knowledge are often terrifying as God reveals the secrets in the hearts of others. Healing and Miracles are outside of the normal agreement of two or three, and these gifts come with power. Interpretation of tongues is when you have a knowing of what you are praying for but not exactly the full picture.

All these powerful gifts are for those willing to Ask, Seek, Knock, and you will find.

God says, If you will do this - - then I will do that - -