Letting Go of Control

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Remember the song, "Everyone wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears?

Since Adam and Eve’s fall in Garden of Eden, humanity has been trying to “control” what they can’t control.   They have used God’s name to control and denied there is even a God so they can feel in control. 

Come to think of it, one’s own justification for salvation comes from the idea of control.  Ever hear, “I should be able to go to heaven because I am a good person”.  Some people want salvation based on their works (control) instead of what God has done through His Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to heaven but through Jesus Christ.   

Man was made to be an instrument for God, to be used by God.

Don’t think of control as a bunch of puppet strings but a supernatural living conduit where the soul is weaved together with God’s spirit.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

One is either submitting to God or the ways of the flesh that are easily manipulated by evil.

Of course those who think they are in control would call this nonsense and that is their choice but what is steering their choice?

God gives us the ability to choose what we submit to.  We can submit to God and discover what LIFE is or be manipulated by Satan who comes only to kill, steal, destroy. 

When what personal control evaporates in a person’s life what happens to that person?

When I forget God is in control I become discouraged, spiritually tired, stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, worried, and sometimes even physically ill.

No wonder why the Word says,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

If God is in control why does he allow suffering?

Suffering is part of the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions in the Garden of Eden.     Their minds and hearts had become corrupted and this defect was passed down to all their offspring (that would be us).  And now those enticed, lured and persuaded by the world -yearn to have things their way.  They essentially want to be their own god.  This is not only sinful, self-centered, but causes trouble and heartache for anyone else around them and hence suffering occurs.

One of probably many reasons, God sent Adam and Eve into the world was to discipline/teach their souls to trust Him and show He is the one to be rightfully in control and without Him there is only destruction and havoc.   

Some might disagree but how many times did suffering awaken and reveal to us, as Christians, the realities of God?  How many times has our soul prospered in God through hardship and challenges in this life?   And have we not learned, as Christians, God needs to be in control, He trustworthy and He loves us?

Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”  

Knowing God is in control brings comfort, strength and stability to our soul.

That is not so when we think we have control -in fact it is down right destructive.

I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of what it says in Galatians 5:19-21 and Romans1:28-32 and all these instances have to do with not acknowledging God in our lives.  They all have to do wanting some type of control instead of submitting to God’s will.

They also have to do with us hanging on to our life and losing our life and instead of giving it to Jesus to save it. (Matthew 16:25)

But look what it says when we allow God to have control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy1:7

Power, love and sound mind come from submitting to God who is really the one who needs to be in control.

Charles Stanley Sermon "When we don't understand why."

http://www.intouch.org/listen/featured/when-we-dont-understand-why

IN Name Only- A Dream of Two Sisters

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If you have any American cash or coins, take a minute to look at them.  Can you find the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on them?

Like streets signs you pass by everyday but pay no mind to their name, so goes the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on American currency that gets shoved into our pockets, wallets and purses.

Does America trust in God, considering it’s present undertakings and falling morality?

Annuit Coeptis?  God certainly would not favor America’s present positions.  We would have to be ignorant to His Word for one and brash to think God would continue to favor America and let America get away with such immorality.

Present lawmakers, by their choices, seem to think they can govern and make a nation great without God. This is far from the heart and mindset of the forefathers of the United States who established America’s republic in the everlasting truths of God. 

“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Charles Carroll, Congress 1854

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.” – signer of the Constitution - Charles Carroll.

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they, therefore, who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments”- Charles Carroll

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” - George Washington 

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”– George Washington

“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” - John Quincy Adams

Further these present politicians seem to distance themselves from God, and only use God’s name when to suits them.  They forget God makes a nation great and without God, men make a nation and themselves a disgrace.  

It has become like the quote, "History has become legend and legend to myth."  This has only happened in 239 years.

 Two Sisters

In a recent dream, there were two sisters.  There was a younger sister and an older sister.  The younger sister is certain the groom is going to marry her.  In haste she buys her wedding gown and tells people about the wedding but the groom isn’t interested in her but instead her older sister.  He has been in love with her for sometime.  She is not brash like her younger sister but conservative in outer appearance and attitude.   The groom tells the mother he can’t marry the younger sister because he doesn’t know her.   His heart is solely for the older sister.  He “knows” the older sister intimately.  They have danced and he has lain down with her, consummating the marriage. 

I had to look this up but in the Hebrew the word is “ginōskō“.   It is to sexually/intimately know. 

Example of this is Joseph did not “ginōskō” Mary until after Jesus was born. 

“And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name JESUS.” Matthew 1:25

The groom in this case “knows” the older sister intimately and sexually.  Like Mary, who was a virgin, who became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  Note: Matthew 1:18

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23

However I believe these sisters are illustrations.  They are not two human sisters like Mary and Martha or Leah and Rachel but are illustrations of two countries.

Ezekiel 23:2,4 uses similar language as the dream when speaking of the sisters. 

" Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother."  The older girl’s was named Oholah and her sister was Oholibah, I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters.  I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

   

I believe the mother, is the illustration, of the belief/faith that birthed these two countries.

I could only think of Israel and the United States as two such countries born from the belief faith in the ONE TRUE GOD.

Historically speaking, Israel would be the older sister and United States would be the younger sister.

Knowing of someone is different then knowing them, trusting, depending, looking to and so on…  The present spiritual state of United States- the powers that be, shows it only wants “relations” with the worldly narrative and society.  It trusts not in God but in worldly elements such as money and popularity.   It may want the benefits of God but she has shown herself unfaithful to God.  If you were God, would you want to marry/support a country that has adulterous and idolatrous actions and thoughts in her mind and heart?  How could God bless a nation that goes against Him?  

God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Who does America trust?  Does it trust in itself?  Does it trust in money?  Does it trust in its past reputation?  What lusts drive it?  Does it have any self-control or does it continue to fall deeper and deeper into sin?

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

James 4:6 says “… God sets himself against the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

United States in a nation who turns to God in crisis but then forgets Him.

We see lies and injustices in government officials and courts, a mounting tidal wave of debt, a rise in drug use, and an American holocaust where babies are killed for convenience and profit.  We see people calling what is good bad and bad good.  We see discontentment and distrust in government leaders, we see same sex marriage become legalized and celebrated even in and on the White House.   We see our government falsely accusing Israel of terrorism for going after those who have hurt and killed their own.  We see our government publically declassifying private information about Israel?  Is that a way to treat a sister?   We see America’s government unable and unwilling to rescue and negotiate for American citizens to be released from a Muslim country but give this same Muslim country billions of dollars to support their “nuclear development technology”.   Further this Muslim country hates Israel and its people chant death to America on public television.  America reminds me of the church of Laodicea who said, “ I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing! And God said to it,  “You don’t realize you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  Further America now persecutes Christians with jail time and fines for not following the rules of the land, rules that go directly against God’s word.

How backward American has become, this nation founded on principles and truths of God is now persecuting those compelled to live by the principles and truths of God.    

Followers of Christ remember this:

Jesus said, “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians will be like the prophets who spoke out and lived out their faith while their nation fell to sin, was taken by its enemies and was even destroyed.  Christians will suffer by and for actions of unbelievers.  In a way, if we are not taken up before then, we will taste a little tiny measure of what Christ suffered for the sins of the world. 

Jesus said, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”  Also “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.”  Matthew 24:9

Again God does not “know” a country that denies him.  He does not propagate a nation that does not follow, pursues, trusts, submits to, and loves Him.

I know this isn't an uplifting message and seems harsh but sometimes the truth is the truth, no matter if it's comforting or not.  But I want to share one more thing.  God spoke this to me this morning as I was relieving some burdens, "There are very many moments that come and go on the Christian stage but stay faithful to what you do know so you do not give up hope and become weary."  

 

The Age of You

My wife and I watched the Age of Adaline.  It is about a woman who, after a car accident, never ages.  Being a secular movie, it takes on mostly a worldly morality but several things struck me while I watched this film.

The first is Adaline’s tells her boy friend, “Tell me something I can hold onto forever and never let go.”
And her boyfriend replies, “Let go.”

Reminds me of the verse Jesus says to us, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it, but if you let it go you will save it.” Matthew 10:39

It’s human nature to hold onto things of this life and connect our lives with the things of this life.  They give us meaning, comfort, purpose, a sense of reality of who we are- no matter if they are true or false.  

Have you ever allowed people and/or circumstances tell you who you are?  Have you ever lost a sense of meaning in life when you lost someone special in your life?

Have you ever invested time, energy, money, heart into something that failed and since it failed- it soured you from putting in that much effort into something ever again?  

Thank God, He doesn’t do that to us.

How about when you fail you?  What happens then?  What happens when your body or mind starts to fail you? 

What happens when we hold onto and put our hopes in people and things that are not going to be here forever?
  

Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Don't get me wrong here... It is good to invest our lives into other people’s lives, it is good to love others and pray for them and see them as gifts from God.  But when people and ourselves out rank God in telling us who we are, then that is a problem.  We can’t assume since people think of us in a certain way that God thinks of us in the same way. That goes for both the positive and/or negative.
 

It does not matter if we are loved or hated by the world- what matters is are we for God.  Are we being influenced by the world or by God?  What context are we living in, seeking, trusting in?  The temporal or God the eternal?  This determines how the heart will be guided.
  

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

What gives light to your soul -regardless to the difficult circumstances in this life?

LIVING VERSES LIFE

Harrison Ford’s character, in the same movie says, “How is this possible? For all those years you’ve lived, you’ve never had a life.”

How true it is that people “live” but have never had a “life”?  They seek “life” but it only in the these temporal forms and way but they never find LIFE.  Think of the richest people who have ever lived but have never found LIFE.  

People instinctively seek what God gives such as joy, peace, love, goodness, and so on but they don’t look to Him.

Even intelligence and wisdom of God's word won't get us there!  

Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23

Adam and Eve decided on the “temporal” in the Garden of Eden instead of God who is eternal and always and they lost what was essential, the Spirit of God, in their life.  They may have had the wisdom and knowledge and truth but the Spirit of God was not there to help them live in that wisdom, knowledge and truth.  So they lived but did not have life.

God not only creates the living and provides for the living but also gives LIFE to the living. 

Jesus says, “I am the truth, the way and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6

John says, “In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:4

Life is through the Holy Spirit -which God gives through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is not conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2

How our heart sinks and goes to dark places when we trust in and look to the temporal things of this life.

The last thing that struck me in the movie, was when Adaline finally decides to stop running from the truth and.... she receives her life back. (Sorry spoiler coming!)  She ceases from just living and begins to have life she never thought would be possible.

Is this not true of our spiritual life as well?  It’s only when we “stop running” from God and turn to God in whatever condition we are in- that we realize and grow in Jesus who is the truth, the way and life.  We find LIFE and value, freedom is in Him not the temporal things of this world.

Yep... "He has made everything appropriate in it's time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end" Ecclesiastes 3:11

For each of us has an eternal soul that God has created.  A soul that is to live forever.   God has set eternity in our hearts, which is LIFE, and we only discover this LIFE and find and get to experience it in Him.  That we don’t have to continue make the same mistakes as Adam and Eve by seeking life in the temporal but instead -the eternal.  God is to be the author and finisher of our faith/life but in order for that to happen we must surrender and continually surrender to Him.  And in doing so we discover and experience what God has planned for us from beginning to end in Him.

In a manner of speaking this is the age of you.  Jesus came to... what did he say, "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Note John 10:10
 
We all have decide is if we only want to just live or if we want LIFE.