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Articles from Mark Virkler | Selfgrowth.com
- Biblical Meditation Uses Imagination! - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Mark VirklerI received a question the other day from a pastor. He has been teaching about how to hear the voice of God, which includes using one’s imagination to visualize. However, he had received questions from several in his congregation asking where in the Bible we are told to ‘picture’ or visualize ...
Views: 44 - Coincidence or Prophetic Dream? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Mark VirklerSome dreams are just dreams. However, some dreams are prophetic, given by God. Especially if God has called you to be a prophetic intercessor and this sure seems to be the case with Danielle Brown-Davis, who states: "I have been a Christian all my life. I was practically born in the church. I ...
Views: 37 - There Is Evil Around, So…Be at Peace! - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Mark VirklerThe world today is filled with corruption and evil. It’s not hard to take a look around, watch a few newscasts, and get completely disgusted and utterly depressed, saying, “There is no hope” and then simply sink into despair. If you’ve already reached this point, then praise the Lord! You now ...
Views: 24 - Can You Have a Corporate Prayer Meeting That is Spirit-Led? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Mark VirklerThe other day I received a question from someone via email. The person’s question was regarding corporate prayer at their church. People pray in different ways. At many churches people tend to like to create prayer lists to guide them through their prayer time so that every prayer need gets ...
Views: 25 - Lord Give Me Revelation - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Mark VirklerRevelation is something available to all Christian believers. This is not something that only occurred two thousand plus years ago. It happens all the time today, God providing revelation knowledge in the hearts and minds of his followers. An illustration of this revelation knowledge is when you ...
Views: 73 - Breaking the Curses of Freemasonry - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Mark VirklerFreemasonry is an international society which has many aspects to it, including a spiritual feature, though perhaps “foundation” is a better word than “feature”. There are many spiritual elements to Freemasonry, including vows and curses which are used during ceremonies. I recently received a ...
Views: 63 - 15 Godly Uses of the Eyes of Our Hearts - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Mark VirklerMan can still see visions from the Lord. Some teach that visualization is not Biblical. Yes, if a person chooses what they desire to picture and visualizes that, then, indeed, that is wrong. However, God can grant you a dream or a vision. In the Bible, Jesus paints parables and the Bible tells ...
Views: 59 - The 12 Principles of Non-Traditional Christian Education - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Mark VirklerEducation within the United States has been focused primarily on left-brained studies. Reason and memorization have been emphasized far above creativity and innovation. In higher education, classes are taught based on a curriculum instead of allowing the teaching to be based on the needs of each ...
Views: 48 - The 5 Unacceptable Religious Choices - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2012 from Mark VirklerThroughout history, mankind has sought to know God. The vast majority of people believe God exists. Where we differ is who/what we believe God is and the method we believe will allow us to know God. Though the number of religious and sects is great, they can really be boiled down to five ...
Views: 42 - Living the Lifestyle of the Garden of Eden - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2012 from Mark VirklerMankind is on the verge of a new reformation that revolves around the fulfillment of God's passion, which is an intimate love relationship with you. When God created man, Adam and Eve experience a lifestyle of an intimate love relationship with God, but this was lost when sin entered the world ...
Views: 42 - Visions are a Pathway to God - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2012 from Mark VirklerJesus saw visions all the time. Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the ...
Views: 66 - God Speaks To Us Spontaneously - by Submitted on Dec 22, 2011 from Mark VirklerGod does indeed speak to people today, just has He did in the past as we see in the Scriptures. However, in our society which is so wrapped up in rationalism, we have trained ourselves not to hear God’s voice or even to think that we can hear God’s voice. We can hear God’s voice and there are ...
Views: 42 - How To Hear The Voice Of God - by Submitted on Dec 22, 2011 from Mark VirklerCan you hear God? Does God even speak to people? The time in which we live is so wrapped up in rationalism and cognitive, analytical thought that we often disbelieve or even mock when we hear of someone actually claiming to be able to hear the voice of God. We wonder, is that person crazy ...
Views: 58 - 22 Characteristics of a Great Christian University - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2011 from Mark VirklerOne of the blessings we have in the United States of America is that due to religious freedom is we are not forced to attend a secular college for secondary education. There are many Christian colleges and universities for people to choose from. So, how do you choose which Christian college or ...
Views: 46 - The Ultimate Goal of Christian Arts - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2011 from Mark VirklerThe ultimate goal of the Christian Arts is to portray and release God’s love and creative blessing to His children. This is done in a thousand ways: through anointed writing, anointed painting, anointed music, anointed preaching, anointed inventions, anointed sculpture, anointed dance - the list ...
Views: 43 - How Exactly Does the Christian Article Capture the FLOW of God? - by Submitted on Dec 16, 2011 from Mark VirklerThe creative flow of God comes most often as a spontaneous thought, pictures, emotions, music, etc. which lights upon one’s mind and heart. Spontaneity is key and is a right-brained function. This is in stark contrast to analysis, which is left-brained function. It’s the shifting away from ...
Views: 51 - How Einstein Received the Theory of Relativity - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2011 from Mark VirklerEinstein was one of the most creative geniuses of the past century. He said, “I want to know God’s thoughts, the rest are details.” And know God’s thoughts he did. The theory of relativity, E = MC2, gave birth to quantum physics and altered forever how scientists look at energy and matter and ...
Views: 41 - 9 Steps To Restoring Godly Creativity - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2011 from Mark VirklerMost people have had the creativity of God squashed in their lives through various damaging experiences. Perhaps is was being ridiculed about something creative they had done or even seeing someone else ridiculed for their creativity and allowing fear of the same redicule to hold back the ...
Views: 54 - The Best Way To Let God’s Creativity Flow - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2011 from Mark VirklerThere are four key steps to connecting to the creative flow of God: 1. Quiet yourself down both from outside distractions and your analytical mind. 2. Look for vision, possibly triggering this vision by visuallizing in your mind. 3. Hearing God’s voice and allowing the Holy Spirit to flow ...
Views: 50 - 7 “Must Dos” To Prepare For An Emergency - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerI have felt, for the past several months, that the Lord is leading me to prepare myself and my family for emergency situations. Aside from any possible spiritual possibilities, the multitude of natural disasters in recent history such as the floods in the middle of the US, the earthquake and ...
Views: 173 - A Common Misinterpretation of Mark 1122 - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerIn many translations of the Bible, Mark 11:22 has been inaccurately translated. This had led to a significant misinterpretation of what the verse is teaching us which has implications on our lives and faith. “And Jesus answering saith unto them, ‘Have faith in God.’” (Mark 11:22) The word ...
Views: 127 - Can Demons Speak Through Your Dreams? - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerI received a question the other day that intrigued me. The person was asking whether demons can interact with us during our dreams and, if so, do we have any defense against such an attack. His question was as follows: “I am trying to understand how dreams can be a medium of communication ...
Views: 103 - A Different Method For Training Missionaries - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerWhen many people think about missionaries, they think about men and women from one place traveling to other parts of the world the spread the Gospel. With this method, the missionaries not only have to be trained in various theological studies and evangelical skills, but they also have to learn ...
Views: 50 - The Best Way To Let God’s Creativity Flow - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2011 from Mark VirklerThere are four key steps to connecting to the creative flow of God: 1. Quiet yourself down both from outside distractions and your analytical mind. 2. Look for vision, possibly triggering this vision by visuallizing in your mind. 3. Hearing God’s voice and allowing the Holy Spirit to flow ...
Views: 143 - Connecting To God’s Creativity as John Did in Revelation - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2011 from Mark VirklerOne of the keys to connecting to God’s creative flow is switching from the typical western, left-brained, rational based thinking to an intutional thinking which is based in the right side of the brain. There are several internal triggers which can help one shift from left-brain thinking to ...
Views: 156 - Connecting To God’s Creative Flow - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2011 from Mark VirklerThe voice of God comes most often as a spontaneous thought which lights upon one’s mind and heart. The vision of God comes as spontaneous pictures which light upon one’s mind and heart. The emotions of God come as spontaneous emotions which light upon one’s mind and heart. The key idea here is ...
Views: 95 - How To Overcome All Odds and Release Divine Blessing - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2011 from Mark VirklerWe all face obsticles in our lives. We make plans and those plans go awry. Even when we are pursuing the will of God and acting out of his Spirit in our lives we face challenges. This isn’t necessarily an issue of whether we have faith or not. God isn’t necessarily stopping us because we are ...
Views: 106 - Whose Thoughts Are Your Thoughts? - by Submitted on Jul 10, 2011 from Mark VirklerWe are always thinking. Sometimes we are intentionally thinking about a topic or issue and other times thoughts seem to just pop into our heads spontaneously. Many people believe that all the thoughts we have are our own, but they aren’t. The spiritual does exist and thoughts are entering your ...
Views: 119 - The Blessings of God Come to Those Who Hear and Obey His Voice - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2011 from Mark VirklerDeuteronomy 28:1-14 contain a list of some amazing blessings which are for the children of God. In verses 1 and 2, God gives the conditions of these blessings; however, depending on the translation of the Bible you read the conditions of these blessings seems to change. These conditions are ...
Views: 86 - Are Christians Supposed To Be Creative? Here Are Some Biblical Examples Of Creative Flow - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2011 from Mark VirklerIt is the creative stream which is the heartbeat of the artist, the composer, the musician, the singer, the performer, the author, the inventor, and even the businessman or leader. The creative river within is to be the foundation of the Christian Arts. Creative Leaders of the ...
Views: 83 - 12 Must Know Bible Verses To Defeat Satan - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2011 from Mark VirklerSatan is always trying to put his thoughts in our minds, but we can identify them and reject them with the Word of God. Below are 12 types of thoughts Satan tries to inflict on us and the Bible verses to keep in your mind to counter Satan’s thoughts. 1. I can’t... “I can do all things through ...
Views: 246 - The Damage to Creativity by the Western Educational System - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Mark VirklerCreativity flows from the heart through the right side of the brain. Creativity is an expression of vision and intuition. These two faculties are both right-brain functions. Other right-brain functions include music, three-dimensional forms, and art awareness. These stand in stark contrast to ...
Views: 95 - Do Christians Think On Their Own? - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Mark VirklerMany in society today focus on people's ability to think for themselves. This is usually a good thing in the sense that people are not swayed by the popular trend of the moment, but rather they are able to defy the consensus when they see it as foolishness. But what does God tell us? "For ...
Views: 77 - Who Are You In Christ? - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Mark VirklerIn Christ we are a new creation. We no longer live by the “self I”, but rather by the “Christ I”, Christ lives in us and we are unified with Him. We do not do things of our own initiative, like Christ, should do things only what the Father would have us do. So, what are the distinctions ...
Views: 69 - Where Does Christian Creativity Come From? - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2011 from Mark VirklerThe river of God within the believer offers everything in life that one could possibly want, extending into every area. Since God is concerned about all of life, He allows His voice and His vision to provide us with "over the top" experiences in each and every area of life, whether it is arts, ...
Views: 112 - What was crucified with Christ? - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2011 from Mark Virkler“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20 Christ Jesus was crucified on a cross, but it was not just Christ’s body being ...
Views: 81 - Does God Improve Our Old Self Or Make Us New? - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2011 from Mark VirklerI was praying one day and thinking about two differing Christian theories. One theory is the idea that with salvation our old self is replaced with a new self. The other theory is that our old self is gradually improved over time into a new self. So, I asked God about these theories. Below is ...
Views: 81 - How Should We Talk About Ourselves In Christ? - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2011 from Mark VirklerIn Christ we are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. We have a new reality in Christ. We are no longer our old dead selves, but we live through Christ. Yet, many people still refer to their old selves when they speak of their new life in Christ. Is this how we should ...
Views: 73 - Why Do We Need Spiritual Healing If We Are A New Creation? - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2011 from Mark VirklerWe are a new creation in Christ and yet we need inner healing from the Spirit? Why is this? This is the question I was think about one day while praying. So, I asked the Lord and He answered. Below is what the Lord told me. Q. So then, why does one need inner healing if self is gone and ...
Views: 150 - Is The Pursuit Of Rationalism Really Rational? - by Submitted on Jun 20, 2011 from Mark VirklerIt has been discovered that in the United States, when a person graduates from high school, the left side of the brain weighs slightly more than the right side. How is that for a culture out of balance, a culture which has worshiped at the throne of rationalism so long that it has caused an ...
Views: 42 - 14 Reasons Why Using the Eyes of Our Hearts Is Important - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerThe concept of using the eyes of our hearts is not unfamiliar with most Christians. We talk about sing songs about opening the eyes of our hearts and we pray to see God with our hearts, but do we really seek to use the eyes of our hearts and it is important to God that we do? Let’s find out ...
Views: 103 - What Does the Bible Say About Curses? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerAre curses real or are they just imaginary concepts from a superstitious culture? Does the Bible talk about curses and, if so, what does it say? The Bible does, indeed, talk about curses. Curses are very real and affect our lives. So, what does the Bible say about curses? 1. A curse ...
Views: 167 - Are Our Schools Destroying The Creative Minds Of Our Children? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerCertainly, western teachers want the best for our children. They want to give our children knowledge and prepare them for the rest of their lives. But, consider this. At age five, about 92% of all children rank high in creativity. After being in school for two years, only 10% of children ...
Views: 166 - Are You A Vessel Of Christ? - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Mark VirklerI teach at Christian Leadership University. While teaching one of my seminars I felt a sense of confusion and discomfort. I was teaching about being a vessel of Christ, but something didn’t feel right. So, went to the Lord in prayer and asked several questions. Why was I uncomfortable? How do ...
Views: 94(1 vote) - Can We Really Predict The Return Of Christ - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Mark VirklerThere was a lot of noise recently about Christ returning on May 21st 2011. And yet, May 21st 2011 came and went. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Even few years someone comes along and claims to know the day Christ is returning. Even the man who predicted the May 21st return had ...
Views: 85(1 vote) - Can Christians Be Cursed? - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerWe don’t talk much about curses these days in Western culture. But people do still utter curses and the Bible, itself, talks about curses. They are real and they do still affect people. But what about Christians? Are Christians immune? Can Christians be cursed? The Bible says: “A curse ...
Views: 129 - 7 Critical Elements of Starting Spirit-Anointed Ministries - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2011 from Mark VirklerPeople and churches are continually starting up new ministries. This is usually a good thing, but the way you start a ministry and even the focus of the ministry you choose to start in general can greatly determine whether the ministry is reasonably effective, is a magnificent success, or is a ...
Views: 148 - The Seven Steps of Biblical Meditation – How To Read The Bible - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2010 from Mark VirklerAn example of revelation knowledge is when you are reading the Bible and a verse leaps off the page, hits you between the eyes, and God says, “This is for you right now.” These are precious experiences for the believer. However, for many, they do not happen often enough. There are seven things I ...
Views: 344 - What Does The Bible Teach? Mind or Heart, Faith or Reason - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2010 from Mark VirklerThinking, reason, study and the mind have less than 1/10 the verses that faith, hope, love and heart/spirit have! And now ABIDE faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13:13) Following is a study of the three abiding realities and what these abiding ...
Views: 551 - Western Study vs Biblical Meditation - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from Mark VirklerStudy (Greek/Western): “Application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge” (Webster) When we look at the human brain we see that we have two hemispheres, a right hemisphere, which includes artistic creativity, music, and intuition, and a left hemisphere, which includes ...
Views: 195(1 vote)