Man on Earth 2

"But the people's minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:14, 16, 17)

Mental Block
We don't understand because we stay in our own circumstances, experiences, understandings, and our ideals instead of coming to the Lord. We are hardened by what we see on this world not paying much attention of what is being orchestrated for our benefit from up above to wake us up, build us up and set us free. God has a PLAN for our life! That PLAN means changes. Sometimes small changes sometimes major changes.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Obviously this is not a thought by man- for man wants to work by the means he is familiar with as if he has some real control and is in-tuned to the very microscopic details of the present but in reality man is doing nothing lasting and spinning his wheels if not following the Spirit.

Most often I have found that those who follow the Spirit, may not even know what God is up to and is going or about to happen but because he/she has followed the Spirit, they were able to be a vessel of God just by following the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Sad but True
In man's ignorance, he acts as if his efforts somehow matter all by their lonesome but it is by the Spirit of God in which a person's actions truly matter and are lasting and where one truly reflects the Lord's glory. I can read God's word to anyone but it is the Spirit which gives its meaning and power. It is the Spirit who picks the scriptures for me to share and puts meaning and power behind them.

Go with the Flow
Again God's word is alive! The Spirit of God needs to direct and instruct a person in what to say and speak and act. That is where there is freedom. Freedom from the weight of holding up to some ideal (good or bad) we have lifted up within ourselves. Freedom from the human "what-if".  Freedom from the ticking minute.  Freedom from the opinions of others and ourselves.

Encouragement in the Spirit
There is also encouragement in both the parties giving and receiving in the Spirit- for God himself is the true encourager.

Men may have a lot to say to bring us up or down but God is the one that truly matters in the end for all men and women will let us down at some point in our lives but God will never let us down.

God makes us feel like our efforts are worthwhile even though no one else may see or hear of them and we are feed spiritually. The person in need receives and the person waiting and listening in the Spirit of God sees and hears fruitful results even if their superiors, equals and those under them see nothing- BUT all will be known in the end. Those qualified by the Spirit of God know it is only God not themselves who can and does "such" things. He (the vessel/ the servant) is content being carried on the Father's shoulders for he knows who should get all the credit and he/she is more then content to have the opportunity for God to work through them as a vessel.

OOPS!
I believe the only time we are NOT content is when we DO NOT work via the Spirit but by some man made means and/or putting too much emphasis on the present.

Again "man made means" are our own understandings, ideals, schedules, fear of man instead of God, and having to do things that don't address the immediate needs of those we are suppose to serve.

Food for Thought
Imagine being a nurse and having a specific treatment that would help your patient heal and get well faster but you were unable to administer that treatment because your supervisor told you to use something else. Imagine being a teacher that had a better learning method in helping students learn to read but you could not use that method because the school district didn't allow you to teach that technique. Imagine being a Spirit filled Sunday school teacher that wanted to address the needs of those in their class but was forced to always stay to a denominational nationwide curriculum which does not address those immediate needs of those attending that church class.

Hebrews 4:12 "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."

THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE! And it is by Him (The Spirit of God) that we reflect the Lord's glory.

INTENTIONS MATTERIf you came to church seeking God to fulfill a need or want (that you know falls within God's plan for your life) and you received nothing at all to answer or fulfill or address that need or matter- would you not feel discouraged? Sure you would! That is why it is important that seekers of God seek God's will for their life and leaders, vessels, and servants of Christ listen to the Spirit.

Those seeking God must keep their eyes, ears and heart (quietly and humbly) open knowing everything is in God's timing. We must not twist God's word to fulfill a need or want in our life but genuinely seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction and purpose for our life.

And when God does give you that guidance and direction it may not always be easy for those looking from the outside at your situation but God puts in us the gumption without hesitation to do what he directs. If it isn't in the Spirit of God's love then it isn't of God.

In the Spirit of God's Love
You ask what is the Spirit of God's love?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love is does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Spirit gives us the assurance that what we are doing is right and is in line with God's love.

The combination of God Spirit direction and God driven assurance gives us the gumption without hesitation, guilt or condemnation. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes we don't understand the reasoning until after the directive.

In God's love and in quiet humble belief- God works in some amazing ways. God may not answer that need or want right away for it may not be the time to answer that need or want but don't you think God will "address" that need in some way-shape-or form? He may say,  "be patient" or "wait on the Lord" or "I hear your case" or "I know more about "that" then you do."  Sure He will answer- if we are actively waiting for Him to answer.

Our Thinking?
Why do you come to church? Is it out of some human rational? It is because that is what you are suppose to do every Sunday? It is to punch some ticket with God or to look good to others? To follow some high philosophy or rational or legalism?  Please DON'T DO THAT!

We must come to church looking to receive from God. We go to praise His name - where we can enter His presence with other believers. We go to learn God's word and to learn to walk in the Spirit and be encouraged and be an encouragement to others as we walk on this earth.  We should go knowing God wants to move and do MORE in our life. (I am not just talking about gifts of the Spirit but moving us out of trappings of life and being tied up in the affairs of this life where we cannot satisfy the ONE who enlisted us into His army.  To not just do good works for sake of doing good works but do good works because we have that love for Jesus.  "That love" we first had when we discovered the reality of Him in our life.)  

We are only endanger of glorifying ourselves, encouraging, building up no one and possibly even doing the devils work if we do things in the flesh not the Spirit of God.

So let us encourage one another to live in the Spirit of God which is more satisfying in the end. Let us pay attention and take heed of what the Spirit of God is telling us. Let us meditate on the words of God that come to mind for they teach, encourage, bring peace and comfort and assurance that God is for us not against us. If you take a step- God will take a step and his step is deeper then we can imagine. In Jesus Name - Amen. Amen. Amen.

Man on the Earth 1

I am going to skip the intro and get right to the morsels of truth.

Now take a look around and deep down.

It is ludicrous and prideful to think we are kings and lords of our life.

Men may disagree but the Spirit knows all good and bad rumors of the heart.

He knows the ways of life. Life.....

So make a causeway- through the wilderness and wasteland of the heart to let the miracles be known.

Make the road straight and smooth.

Fill in the valleys and level the hills.

Straighten the curves and sand down the rough spots.

Then the glory of the LORD will be known….

For who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his teacher or be his counselor? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s help? Could we ever advise him on what is good and best?

Have we never heard or understood? Are we so deaf to the words of God- the words he gave before the world began?

So why, why, why do you listen to people who are like grass. Who are like the flowers in the field? Since when did the words of men ever justify the means to a way? Really?

I am not religious but I am not going to jump off a bridge just because they say it is so or that is the way it has always been done. God does not live in a box nor will I put him in one.

Hey grasshopper, what are you watering? Are you watering anyone who is thirsty and in need? Who is need of the living word of God, the all knowing, all powerful, all present word of God?

Hey drop in the bucket what will you triumphs be in a month, year from now or when you stand before the the Almighty Living God?

Oh hear the voice, voice, voice….

Oh hear the voice, voice, voice. Make a pathway... in your heart and have that assurance and encouragement. Know God holds your life in his hand where there is purpose and confident hope.

Oh the volumes of contradictions we have in our heart. From the useless someday hopes, to traditions and how we think things should be, to grace and mercy, to concerns for today and tomorrow, to confusion, human understanding, circumstances, self-doubt, pride, prejudices, conflicts, goals, loyalties, faithfulness, forgiveness, dreams, achievements, loss, gain, reassessments of life, resentments in life and the list goes on and on.

And we hold these volumes on our shelves like they are some kind of pieces of success or failure or self. We rattle these book shelves with our thoughts certain they will fall on us. We hold these volumes with no simplification in our life. If we stay here we will always be surrounded by a library of records we have kept ourselves instead of seeing the door and the destiny God has for us. I don't just speak to you but I speak to myself as well.

God says clear the pathway! He says "I know your troubles" and "I hear your case". Make a pathway through the messy experience of life so HE can help you address things going on in your life so you can find a way out of all life's circumstances and experiences.

He says clear a pathway in your crowded assumptions and prejudices and "ways it's suppose to be" so HE can use you to touch other people's lives.

For God makes you qualified and capable of walking through this life in a healthy life changing manner.

God not only knows all and wants to help us but he says," He gives power to those who are tried and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

But He can't do that unless we make a pathway. He cannot do that unless we lay down our to due lists and make time to clear our mind and wait on him.

Reference Scriptures:

“Listen! I hear a voice of someone shouting, “Make a highway for the Lord through the wilderness. Make a straight smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill in the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!” Isaiah 40:3-5

“… Shout that people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field. The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD. And so it with people. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40:6-8

“Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who know enough to be his teacher or counselor? Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advise? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best? No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands as though they hand not weight at all.” Isaiah 40: 13-15

“Have you never heard or understood? Are you deaf to the words of God- the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?” Isaiah 40: 21

He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and their works withers. The wind carries them off like straw.” Isaiah 40:23-24

“O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case?” Isaiah 40:27

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

“He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

“But when someone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit- makes us more and like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18