Worth

As I headed back out of a nursing home... a man on the sidewalk started up a conversation. He liked the car I was using while I was in Washington.

 A smoldering cigarette dangled in between two of his fingers as he spoke about cars he used to race and now owns.   He then said he was visiting his mother who was in the assisted living part of the building.  I don't know exactly what I said next, but he said, “We live in a throw away culture and unfortunately we throw away people as well.”

It wasn't too long after I left, his statement lingered.  I don't know if people figuratively throw people away but I noticed that many people had this cloud of a burden hanging over them... It seemed like they were preoccupied with self.  I don't know if I immediately started off being a "rail changer"... but just using good manners people seemed "receptive".   It was then I decided to show everyone I met that they had value and worth.

I decided that people deserve courtesy even when they don’t seem to give us courtesy.

I mean isn't that what God did when he sent the world Jesus? (John 3:16)

The golden rule says... "And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way." (Luke 6:31)

So I would try to remember and call people by their name.  I thanked them and showed them my appreciation.  I smiled.  I held doors open.  I gave a well timed funny remark.   I genuinely asked them questions about their day.  I took time to listen.  I constructively spoke to others in truth and love.   I gave people a hand shake, a pat on the back and or a hug.  I commented on the pleasant weather conditions.  Just old fashioned respect of others.  

And you know what? I could see a visible difference in these people.  From the time I saw them- to the time I left them.
 

We may not be able to fix the world but we can show others they have worth… and a person who feels "worth" can be empowered to do many positive things.   Imagine a world where we showed worth to one another.  Not prideful but humble worth in one another.  (And sometimes we mistake giving someone worth by agreeing with their wrong but that is not at all true and not for discussion at this time.)

Why don’t we always show others they have worth?

Are we really that busy? Are we really that self-focused?  Do we got some kind of entitlement complex?  Really?

Ever return home after being away for a time and in those awaking moments in the morning - the mind has to figure out where you actually are?  You kind of feel like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole as you try to place out your surroundings and gain your cognitive bearings. “Where am I? 

We need to ask ourselves?  Where are we spiritually?  Am I living in the ways of God?  Would others know if they saw me?  Basics go a long way!

In Proverbs 23:7. It says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….”

Ever think something false about yourself?  Ever believe in lies…. I am sure some good intended grown ups told me lies … some for the worse and some for the better… but were they the reality God wanted for me? 

Our human understanding- the way we see the world, others, and ourselves can be misleading and even destructive.  We can actually live in a "false" reality were we are literally handicapped by false thoughts and impressions.   We can hold on to past resentments, tainting what is for today.  Ever feel mediocre or life is mundane? Do ever feel anxious or depressed or angry?

Often these feelings occur when we are not surrendered and submitted to (as a Christian) to the mind of Christ who works in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said I give you peace not the peace the world gives.  The Holy Spirit helps and counsels us to live above erroneous things that burden our soul.

Sometimes we don't even know the problem... it's like we have this corrupt data that spiritually slows us down or leads us tumble down the rabbit hole of wrong thought.  And then we wonder how in the world did we ever get here?!!!

But when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our day, He is like the utility program on my Mac.  He repairs all the my permissions data... so I can run more efficiently and not get bogged down…

There are a lot of bogged down people… no wonder why Jesus said, “And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life.” Matthew 6:27 AMP

In other words, we are robbed of the goodness of life- we lose God’s perfect and pleasing will for our life when we allow the things of this world to be placed on the throne of our hearts instead of God.

We miss opportunities to make a positive impact in other people's lives and lead them in the right direction.

(Now I must admit that sometimes my lovely wife, that God has given me, has that job as well and reminds me, “Jeffery get out of your head.”

Accepting and giving value and worth to others – is not hard WHEN we have made God the source of our strength and worth.   And it often is accompanied with humility, genuine peace, grace and self-control.

Godly change cannot be attained in us if we are a willing participant in a false or wrong or sinful pattern of thought.  Worth is not tied to the man but God who first loved us.

  "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Higher Perspective That Takes Some Work

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A “positive” perspective takes effort.  There are so many things that want to draw our attention to the negatives- from social apps, mainstream media, people we come in contact with but negativity can   come from us as well.

While growing up I dreaded school more then most.  Anxiety would race through my body even before my ear piercing alarm would go off.  No amount of studying seemed to calm the apprehension of a test or quiz day.  Change brought nervousness and queasiness.  Failure brought depression and frustration. 

I preferred solitude.  I still prefer a quiet place where I can “gather my thoughts”. 

Today I have to make an effort to be sociable with large groups of people.  I seem to be an observer of people.  I often pay close attention to people’s verbal tones and actions.  I still collect people’s actions like data- especially where I sense tension or some kind of judgment towards me. 

In these cases I have to fight the urge to withdraw.  I have to fight sinking into the quicksand condemnation.   I have to let go of “feeling less” then….

I always felt different and to this day I still sometimes feel awkward around others.  My mind at times seems to fail me -shutting my access off to its’ vocabulary banks where I easily forget people’s names and words causing conversation blunders.

Assessing these matters, I have pondered if these insufficiencies and failures have strengthened me in a strange way- where I have had to yield myself to God’s abounding grace instead of what wants to impede and deter from “higher/constructive” perspectives.    

It takes work to not fall into the habitual practices of the past.  It is probably one of the most difficult things we can do- to learn to submit, let go and accept God’s authority over our life so we can walk in the resilient buoyancy of God.     

Paul wrote, “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of the faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NASB

 

We often look at out our calling in a broad sense but our calling is also “intimate” and “eternal”.  If you are a Christian, your calling is being a child of God.  There is no higher calling.  It is allowing to God to empower you in all things great and small in the day… no matter in success or failure, sickness or good health, richer or poorer, older for older and so on… 

Our calling is believing that God is the author and finisher of our faith…  He helps us become conquers over the old habits of self and the hindrances of this world.  We put our hard “investment/effort/work/” into trusting that the LORD is LORD of our life.

And in return for our hard mental work: Life has… goodness because He is LIFE, which is our higher perspective/power amongst everything else. 

Think of all the benefits there are to your soul, mind and body in living in our calling.

  

Grace

“May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 6:24
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To attain the realization of the grace we have received and continue to receive from God through our Savior Jesus Christ is good but more fruitful- is it to not just know of it but receive it and accept into ourselves daily.
 
For if we do not care for our soul in this manner, how in the world can we graciously and humbly give it to others -who we might think are undeserving of it?

Was the Nazi who was responsible for the deaths of Corrie Ten Boom's family members deserving of grace? 

The more we understand acceptance of God's grace, it seems- the less we try in ways of the flesh and the more satisfying our Christian experience is in the Spirit.  I find living in the mindset of grace frees us up- it stabilizes our emotions.  It is to know the peace of "grace".   It is to know Jesus better. 

A man by the name of Ellicott wrote that the power of grace increases when put it into use but diminishes when we neglect it in our life which we then neglect to give it to others.

Grace isn't excusing the wrong/sinful, or perplexing, misunderstood or what is mundane or what will soon one day become meaningless but grace is allowing the overwhelming abundant grace of God to empower you and I to overcome those things that bother and irritate the soul.... but still it's more... Grace is God's glorious resources intertwined in strengthening the tapestry of our life.

I believe grace to be "serenity" when attributed to really allowing God to be God of our lives.
Niebuhr wrote, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference."

Hope

As I thought about this special week, one thing kept coming to mind. 

It is a truth the world badly needs. 

It’s a truth we aren’t born with.

A truth that gives us a realization that comforts - brings peace and stability amongst all the unknowns in our life.

It’s a truth that is our lifeboat to our thoughts amongst the storms and struggles; it’s a safety net, a rising airship that lifts our mindset above all the sticky burdens and cumbersome thoughts. 

As Isaiah wrote “it” renews our strength.  Makes us soar like eagles, run and not grow weary and walk and not faint.

I think of martyrs who clung and lived in the “beyond”, who knew personally the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

What is the belief that has enable believers to endure even through harsh treatment, torture, and death throughout the ages?

What was this ultimate saving grace that empowered their mindset to transcend the natural? 

It was… “Hope”.

Every human desires hope. 

Some have unfortunately placed their hope in the things of this world only to pay dearly when those things fail them. 

Real hope isn’t some kind of “wishful” thinking but a confidence that wells up in the believer in Jesus Christ.   It is like the stiff wind that keeps our kite flying.  It is part of us but alien to us as well -for we could not manufacture or accomplished this hope by any means of our own.  It was gifted to us -when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

For when we were part of the world and thought and lived as the world, we didn’t have this hope and oddly we instinctively looked for this alien hope as if were a genetic spiritual code built in us by our Creator and passed down through all generations of humanity.

Man has tried to satisfy this need in their soul in many things - by loving the things of world, which could never satisfy.

1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

It is apparent when it came to these individuals -when it came to the few grains of sand in their hourglass they were gripped by sadness, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and ultimate emptiness.  No human means (money, popularity, fame, power, relations, self-righteousness) could save them… 

Before Christ, we had no spiritual passport to take us to a place our soul always yearned for- “a true reality of hope”.  We were stuck but thank God, when we called out to God from the dark hole we found ourselves in -God lovingly reached down and rescued us….

King David wrote, “I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:1-2

When the Spirit of God rescued us, he took the blinders from our eyes, leaned over our shoulder and pointed us to a door of light- “a gate of hope itself” (Jesus Christ). 

In this there was this moment of clarity where we knew this was an invitation from God.  We accepted and in doing so received a great renewal that had it roots in hope and a love we are still yet beginning to understand for it is so great.

I ponder this in my heart… what is true wisdom?  What is true knowledge? What is true power? What is true authority? What is true peace? What is true joy?  Is it not hope living in all its abundance?

Take a moment…. 

The bible refers to hope as a confidence, a confidence in our salvation in Jesus Christ.  (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Hebrews 6:19 says, “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

This hope in Jesus Christ anchors the soul to things that prospers it and keeps it away from what wants to steal from it.

This hope in Jesus Christ is to give us life and life more abundantly. 

The believer has been given the keys to God’s house.  So if our soul isn’t prospering – we must ask ourselves – “Where have I put my spiritual keys- where have we put our hope? 

Where is that spiritual access card that allows me to have access into the things of God like peace, love, joy, faith, renewal, confidence, grace and so on?”  Where have I put my hope?”  What have I mistakenly placed before God in my life?

John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son (Jesus Christ) into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Jesus came into the world to save it and give it a lasting hope… but it is our choice to come to him be spiritually sustained by Him or not.  It is our choice to love darkness more then the light of hope in God.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Think about it…  This is a message for you who are saved and you who haven’t given your life to the Lord yet.

Hope are you living in it?   

Kingdoms

As bro Taylor gave us a message this morning…

I thought about certain moments in my favorite movies where the master, king, teacher, leader, lord confides in those he considers a true friend, brother, son.

Jesus says in John 8:35 “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.”

When we give our lives to Jesus we become a son/daughter to God.  We became family members to an everlasting kingdom.

Jesus also uttered these words, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

Our Lord and Savior Jesus confides in us does He not?  He shares with us the mysteries of God to encourage and elevate our thinking/understanding beyond the pretenses of this world’s ideologies-walls that surround us.

We become ambassadors of Christ.  Our authority, rights, desires, needs come from God who is the source of all good things- His good, pleasing and perfect will.  We desire joy, peace, God’s gracious and merciful love, wisdom and we receive without limit as we yield everything - soul, heart, mind over to Him.

We are God’s domain after all… for He has translated us by His Spirit and blood.

The kingdom of God (not always ushered in with visible signs) comes in the knowing He has changed us supernaturally inwardly.   And with our continual hope and trust in Him we will be continually established in what God has intended in Himself.

Think about that last phrase for a second… “And with our continual hope and trust in Him we will be continually established in what God has intended in Himself”.

We “are” because of Him. 

For in us Jesus Christ’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit that reveals the deep things of God) lives in us…. We get to everyday by our choice to participate in the everlasting, renewing, strengthening things of God or not.

Robin Longstride, in the 2010 Robin Hood movie, speaks….

“If you're building for the future, you need to keep your foundations strong, laws of the land enslave the people to a king who demands loyalty but offers nothing in return, I've been to the South of France, Palestine and back, you build a kingdom the same way you build a cathedral from the ground up!”      

We used to serve the kingdom of darkness.  We used to serve the prince of darkness- Satan.   We willing participated in darkness and even let the tormentors of fear, hatred, lust and depression come sit at our table.  That kingdom never offered us peace. That kingdom never offered us peace.   That kingdom never offered us grace, mercy and undeserved love and privilege.  It was weak and faulty and always making us thirsty and hungry.  And we know that dark kingdom will be destroyed with time itself when the everlasting kingdom comes and takes its place.  A kingdom without time. 

A kingdom whose foundations are strong because they are set on God himself- Jesus Christ.

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” 1 Peter 2:5

God is saying,  “Come…. mediate, confide and trust in Me.  Trust in my Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  The one who opens our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and sets us free from those things that want offer us nothing but enslavement.   And as we yield, trust, confide in God and His word- He gives us thought provoking, encouraging and elevating things of Himself…

Things that enrich, revive, liberate and last forever for the child, friend, priest of God.

Things that we can pass on and share with others- others who are endangered of an eternal doom because they are serve a kingdom of darkness instead of Jesus Christ who is the truth, the way and the life.  John 14:6

          

The Oil and Water of the Refugee Crisis

 This is what came to mind this week:
 
The horses stands ready for battle but when it's time for battle the warriors lose their hope and nerve and go home.

Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord"

They have the numbers but their words and posture were false.  And when the flood of reality came, it undermined their thinking and they could no longer stand united together.

"Knowing their thoughts, he (Jesus) said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand." Matthew 12:25

Fragile we are.... Fools we are to not think so.... oh how we should cry out for wisdom for we would see the enemy clearly.... Like the Vikings of old who did not simulate but came to conquer- so there are those today who want to do the same.  They come for benefits not to simulate.

We have cultures that are oil and water - that are impossible to merge.  They do not share our values and knowing we have no comprehension of this they take advantage of our goodness.... Think! We are not dealing with individuals who grew up in Europe and have Judaeo Christian  values.

You are dealing with the exact opposite. They do not honor our courts.  They have already set up their own courts in Europe and right here in the USA in New Jersey. They have taken over neighborhoods by force, rape women and beat Christians and Jews.   I am talking about those who are Muslim.  Those who have come not for refuge and peace like some of the Syrians refugees...  no they come in a Trojan horse hidden amongst the genuine refugees....  They have killed, injured, beat, stolen ... how much is it going to take?  They have no respect for you and I.  Just do some research... look what is happening in England, France, and Sweden.  Look what is happening in New Jersey.  They don't want what most of us take for granted, they want what is Muslim and they don't care what you want!

The enemy knows our value system and is taking advantage of it because we do not use wisdom.  They know the values we were raised with but since we do not take discernment from Spirit of God- the enemy is stealing, killing, raping, beating and pillaging in the name of our "political correctness".  I want to remind you there is no political correctness with them.  Listen to them speak.

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/march/why-mass-immigration-may-mean-the-end-of-britain


It is important to know truth not just in intellect but in Spirit.  Not knowing the truth we have nothing to stand on and without Spirit of God we lack conviction to stand in the truth and do what is right.  We throw pearls to swine and wisdom yells in the streets and in front of the court houses, "What are you doing!!!"

Wisdom fed up will laugh at our nations' destruction. Read it for yourself in Proverbs 3.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the Bible, when God's people would no longer listen to him, He let them be overcome by their enemies.   When God's people no longer stood up for truth but went along with the surrounding society - what happened to them? Who simulated who? Who conquered who? 

NOTE: You want a rapist to be tried in a Muslim court or an United States Court? A rapist would suffer nothing in a Muslim court and courts overseas have been letting Muslims deal with Muslims in Muslim courts.



Why were God's people conquered?  Because they no longer "knew" the truth.  It didn't live in their hearts.  They no longer had anything to stand on and nothing to stand on they had no conviction.

In a recent dream a police officer told me this is an unsafe neighborhood... lock up what you have...  in other words these are unsafe times, hold on to what you have been given by Christ.  Let no one persuade you away from the truth. Hold tight to the living truth in your soul.

Jesus said "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown." Revelation 3:11
 

Time of Perfection

What has captured my attention this week is this verse written by the Apostle Paul.  “For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face.  Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 1 Corinthians 13:12

In college we would sculpt pieces of clay into an art piece… we would then encase it in sections of plaster. 

When the plaster dried we would open the plaster pieces and take out the clay. 

We would then put a sealer on the inside impression left in the plaster by the clay sculpture. 

Afterward we would put the plaster pieces together again where we could pour a “liquefied medium” such as clay slip, plaster, wax, cement, rubber latex and so on into the plaster mold.

When the medium hardened/cured inside the mold- we would open the plaster pieces to reveal the art piece in its new material.

In a way we are like clay works of art encased in plaster.   God sculpts our clay vessel. He seals it … and one day the clay vessel that will return to the earth where soul will enter the everlasting body! 

With the everlasting body God gives us, we will never know what it means to be tired or out of breathe or sore.  We will be able to run all day long and have more energy then even a wild stallion could muster.  We won’t have to deal with getting sick, ill, old, hot or cold.  There will be no need for spectacles, medicines, special diets, genetic disorders in heaven.  There will be no disabilities and no handicap signs in heaven.   All will be new… and kept anew!

Our bodies of clay will be swallowed up by death but the new bodies we receive in Jesus Christ will be swallowed up and clothed in life! (2 Corinthians 5:2, 5:4)

What we knew… what we matured in… what we spoke of… what yielded to in Spirit…  will no longer have to share room with the earthly flesh but will be fully transformed- as God has known.

A Witness of the LIGHT

Oil Painting by Jeff Johnson

As I was thinking about a name for a painting, “A Witness of Light” came to mind.

I have seen the Light of men. I have seen Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Matthew 6 says those with a pure heart will see God.   I saw Jesus in a vision and the effects of seeing Him instantaneously changed what was going on inside of me.  I went from discouragement to joy, the instant Jesus smiled at me. The Creator smiled…

You know Jesus doesn’t even have to say a word- for He has said and paid for everything for us with his blood and resurrection.  Jesus smiled and like a gate of goodness pouring forth- my discouragement left me and I began to laugh.  

Sounds insane?  I think for the most part -wonders are insane.  They can’t be explained.  The world loves to explain things away that it can’t understand but God doesn’t fit in the confines of human wisdom and understanding.

I have seen the Light of men and women on several occasions so I don’t have the excuse, defense, reasoning for not believing in Jesus Christ.  But in saying this--- I do not share this for my benefit (though my soul has benefited greatly from what no human eye has seen) but I share for the benefit of you! Yes you!

I share with those who haven’t seen.  I share with those who haven’t believed.  I share with you that you may believe in my testimony and turn to Jesus and believe in Him as your Lord and Savior and He may come and live within.

Jesus says we are Christians are the light of the world --not because we are the Light but because we have the Spirit, the flame of God, living within us.

“John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.” John 1:8

We, just like John, are testifiers of God….

Jesus said, “While you have the Light, believe and trust in the Light [have faith in it, hold on to it, rely on it], so that you may become sons of Light [being filled with Light as followers of God].”  Jesus said these things, and then He left and hid Himself from them.  John 12:36 AMP

We are individuals, where we do what John 12:36 say – Our souls inside these earthen vessels are being empowered and clothed with God’s glorious light.  Our soul is the only thing we take with us when we leave this earth- - our bodies will turn to dust and join the earth.  So we must… invest our soul in what is everlasting- The Everlasting God who clothes our soul with His Everlasting Spirit… the mysterious glory of God.  The Spirit of God that the world isn’t looking for…

Jesus speaks of a time when we enter heaven but the only ones allowed in heaven are the ones who have the Spirit of God living in them.  Their soul, no longer clothed with the flesh of this world is clothed with the Spirit of God-- and the only one to give the Spirit of God to us all is Jesus Christ- in whom we need to place our faith.

Jesus said, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of my message] will not continue to live in darkness.” John 12:46 AMP

Jesus also said, “But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are –accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].” John 3:21 AMP

We are prompted by God’s Spirit to live life beyond the constraints of our often frustrating faulty human understanding.  That we may be testifiers of God’s goodness because we have experienced it and rely on it daily…

In a dream I was on a double-decker bus.  I was up on the top deck with no rails or no real seats… We headed up this steep mountain slope.  There was a steep drop off on one side of the bus and steep cliff on the other…. The bus swerved back and forth as it rolled up this snaking slope.  The bus driver drove fast around the curves and it felt as if the bus would tip.   I thought, “What is the bus driver thinking driving this fast on this narrow road?  Someone is going to fall off the edge.”

Seeing a child next to me I instinctively held tight on to him until we reached a white city with breathing pools of water.

It was then I saw all my fretting was for not.  

Sometimes in this narrow snaking road of life we think, “What is God thinking?”

During those times we must hold onto our childlike faith- seeing God, full of goodness, has everything under control- so fret not.  Doing this will help us continue to be testifiers of the LIGHT living within us.

 

What Does God Say About Authority

Authority

  

Recently I listened to some of the recent press conference President Trump held and found it surprisingly refreshing.  He wasn’t ranting and raving like the mainstream media was trying to make him out to be… it was all done in good but honest humor.

I also got to listen to Israel’s Prime minister and Trump's recent sentiments to each other and appreciated their open genuine support for one another- for we know the bible says, “A nation that blesses Israel will be blessed”.  

We have seen throughout history to now, many have tried to make it their so-called role to have control through various ways of manipulation.  We have seen political parties (foreign and domestic), senators, gangsters, thugs, religious fanatics, mainstream and social medias and even in past church history try to take the role of “authority” only to have foolish and even disastrous results.

I don’t agree with all of Malcolm X’s sentiments but this I do agree with,

“This is the press, an irresponsible press.  It will make the criminal look like he's the victim and make the victim look like he's the criminal. If you aren't careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”

 Just because the mainstream and social media have framed up someone to look and sound a certain way- that we don’t politically agree with- doesn’t mean it is true. 

I find people hate people, out of sure lies and they are too quick to love the words of people who are telling lies…

They trust sources they shouldn’t trust…. But maybe they just don’t care… they have such a dislike and bias for such individuals -that they don’t care if they are lies or not- if it sounds/looks “good” then why not spread the smelly phony baloney.  I hate baloney. I love truth, what is right, justice... and pepperoni. :)

Logic tells us a partial truth is not the truth at all but a lie…   You know who is a master at telling partial truths? Satan… and one of his names is “The father of all lies”. John 8:44

People who practice lies are following in the steps of the Devil.  They are a follower of darkness.  Do you want to be a follower of darkness?    

Distinguishing You?

God and I had a little sit down the last week over the word… “Authority.”

We all know authority is to “Let” someone or something have authority over you. 

In the Christian life we (LET) submit to God, that we can live beyond the natural tendencies to live in the liberating life giving spiritual disposition/character/ temperament of the Spirit of God.

We will either let the fallen world and the flesh manipulate us- where we become a slave to darkness or we can be “yoked to” (LET) God… where we become co-workers with God/Christ Jesus.  This is not only beneficial to persist, endure and persevere but required, vital, and mandatory.         

 Jesus’ beloved disciple writes, “Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  By this the children of God and the children of the devil are distinguished: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10

One cannot be faithful without God for he/she without God produces the things of death by what pours forth and is produced by his/her mouth and actions.  For sin results in death and we are only redeemed, saved, released from sin by our faith in Jesus Christ who took upon our sin on the cross that we may have life and eternal life in heaven.  Faith is relationship not religion.

By Jesus’ holy innocent blood, He is Savior, Lord, King.  He has been “authority” over every soul who wants to turn to Him and be free eternal damnation and Satan, the god of this world.  Matthew 28:18

The Apostle Paul writes, “If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people are perishing.  Satan, who is the good of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.  They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.  They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”  2 Corinthians 4:3-5

In Whose likeness are we being created in as we mature in Christ?  Did man create man out of the dust of the earth?  Could man ever put the Spirit of God in himself?  No.  We know it was only by God who did these things. 

Who defines us?  Who do we submit to define us?  Who are you giving authority to define you?

Unseen Authority and Seen Authority

If one can’t submit to a seen authority, how can one submit to an unseen authority?

There are people like myself who believe in these words, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God” Romans 13:1

Can you imagine in a world of people who didn’t believe in these words?  I believe without God’s people living in the Spirit of God, earth would be very different place filled with anarchy.

When President Trump became President the Lord said to me, “Be cautiously optimistic but prayerful.”

To me this meant to have “gratitude” but continually petition God in prayer for our leaders.

Trump is not the fixer of our nation, and I don’t mean that in any negative sense… but we need to see the LORD as the one who needs to direct our hearts as well as our President’s heart…

 For the Word says, “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 says “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions  and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,”

All need to see God has “established” Trump as President and to not see this- goes against what God has established... you are no longer fighting a man but God.

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.” Daniel 2:21

President Day is truly a day, as a nation under God, to pray for our President that God's good, pleasing and perfect will to be done.  Amen.

The Prodigals

Who waits on the porch looking up the driveway?
Who waits sitting up at the kitchen table?
Who waits by the telephone?
Who waits looking out the window?

Who prays?
Whose heart is heavy?
Who paces the floor?

Who smells the clothes left behind?
Who looks at the pictures of better times?
Who rereads the cards and notes and letters?

The prodigals have left, they have gone into the world, looking else where, only to enter an empty dark house filled with stupid possessions that mean nothing.  They know their soul lacks and you can tell it by what comes of their mouth and actions.

For once they ate from the table of their Heavenly Father.  They had plenty but now they live as if they never knew the Heavenly Father.

The Heavenly Father awaits for them....

"Come home my son. Come home my daughter."

"Don't worry about your brothers or sisters.  Come home.  I do not think any more or less of them as I do of you.  This they should know as well."

"Come and sit at my table once again.  Share a meal.  I want to listen and talk with to you.  Come and stay... find what you have been missing.  Come.  Remember there has been more then enough."

"It has been a long time.  It has been too long but my love is still the same as when I first created you.  I love you with an everlasting love.  Oh I knew the way in which you would take but I hope you hear me now..."    

"Come home my son."
"Come home my daughter."

"Let us start afresh and new."

"Love your
Heavenly Father."

Preeminent

Webster dictionary wrote this about the word "preeminent ".

"What is noteworthy about the following sentence? "Mount McKinley is a prominent eminence in the Alaskan landscape." You very likely recognized two words that are closely related to "preeminent" - "prominent" and "eminence." All three words are rooted in the Latin verb stem -minēre, meaning "to stand out." But did you note as well the related word mount? Not too surprisingly, "-minēre" is related to "mons," the Latin word for "mountain." That relationship leads us in turn to "paramount," a word closely related in meaning to 'preeminent.'"

—The mountains in the Pacific Northwest are the head of the landscape- well on a sunny day.

Everything from ski parks, cabins, houses, lakes, highway overpasses, forests, wildlife refuges, and the sprawling picnic blankets of the cities sit below the the beautiful but need to be respected mountains. They reach the heavens and bring fresh water and life to the streams and rivers.  They bring enjoyment, recreation and relaxation, wonder, and peace to those who wander their parks and trails... Jesus Christ, God, is the "Mountain" of our life.

As I think about this I think how people who live in the Pacific Northwest can ignore the mountain... Baker, Adams, Rainer, Pilchuck (lol), Helens, Olympus... they drive by them everyday not always admiring their beauty and what they provide...

Then I think about Jesus Christ and how we can ignore Him the Mountain and not see all He provides.  How he should be admired and respected. How in Him is life and that life comes as we make him preeminent in our daily lives. Think about....

Who To Trust?

In Christianity we are told to love people but not trust them.  We are shown it is not good to trust our fellow brother or sister in Christ- for we could easily elevate them to a place where only God belongs.  Who hasn't learned the hard way and witnessed the "fall" or "hurt" from Christians who we thought we could trust? 

Some might ask, “Well if you love someone, don’t you trust them?” 

A parent my love a son or daughter, who steals from them, but doesn’t mean they have to trust them.

God’s word is a safe guard for our soul- God knew if we place our trust in mere humans it could be disastrous to our faith.

Have you ever thought where bias, partiality, unfairness, preconceived notions, favoritism stem from?  It comes from placing faith in people not God.

Why is justice portrayed as a woman with a sword in one hand, a scale dangling from her other hand and a blindfold covering her eyes?  She looks to the unseen God not the biases of society.

Justice only is justice if it uses the wisdom of God.  Justice becomes a joke when it is polluted by a society that doesn't fear God.  

Proverbs 1:7 says,  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Jesus told us, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6

You treasure liberty, the pursuit of happiness, truth, and justice?

Who do entrust those things to protect, honor, and keep?  If it is humans and especially humans that don't fear God then you and I have a real problem.

We can point our blaming finger all we want for the unrest and failure in the United States and the world but it will mean nothing if we don't first take the log out of our own eye.   We must sincerely ask if we are truly seeing clearly? Are we getting all the facts or are we just listening and going along with men and women because they sound agreeable, because they are the "media", because they hold some position, degree and so on?   Are we in line with God's word and using Godly wisdom to protect and guard what we are truly to treasure?  Who are you entrusting your eternal soul too?

Consider the climate of the world today.  Where is the wisdom?  I will tell you where she is … she is calling from the streets and pleading for people to listen to her but no one is listening.  One day she will laugh in our face, have no sympathy at our demise because we chose not to listen to her… (If you don’t believe me look it up in the bible in the book of Proverbs.) People would rather listen to the media, college professors, political party, social organization, themselves then to God’s wisdom.

When a nation or people turns away from God and look upon it’s own faulty understanding and make it god – we have mess.   People start to believe whatever suits them about God.  They believe whatever they want about God’s people? Deplorable? Really? Do you even know what the word means?

God is not a salad bar or a buffet dinner where we get to pick and decide what we want to believe of God.   A god we have made up in our mind is a false god and a false god does not save our soul.

Because people trust the opinions of man and don’t trust God- people believe in sin… sin becomes rampant and sin separates people from God.  Nations become a mess and the dogs and swine of this world have their way.  A house against its self will fall but a people that look jointly to God are like strong pillars in time of trouble. They don't stand, rest or trust in man but stand, rest and trust in God... where true wisdom and life come from.

“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than trust in people.” Psalm 118:8

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.  For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5-7

“Don’t put your trust in mere humans.  They are as frail as breath.  What good are they?” Isaiah 2:22

“But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature.” John 2:24

No wonder why our founding fathers believed in God’s truth and principles and created a nation upon them… for without them a nation we have known would have never come into being... for what was seemingly impossible became possible because they didn’t trust in the opinions or tactics of man but choose to be in nation under God.  They walked by faith not by sight. 

What a picture this should be in our hearts as Christians.  it is not just a picture of the future but can be our lives now….

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Trust not in man but in God.

Breaking Ranks 3

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 The Invitation Has Been Sent Out

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”  Let each one who hears them say, “Come.”  Let the thirsty ones   Let them come and drink the water of life without charge.” Revelation 22:17

come- anyone who wants to.

Thirsty? Come! 

No matter who you are, no matter how long you have or have not been a Christian- God wants to change your life!   I believe he said, “Life and Life more abundantly.” 

I believe if life falls short of “abundantly”….

It’s time to break ranks. 

Just as people cannot break free from the bondage that holds them, people cannot break ranks unless they turn to Jesus, repent, let go and start letting God/Jesus teach you to live in the understanding/will of the Spirit of God.

Let this be a refreshing living word for us

Romans 12:2 says “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”

I think we can get into this rut or believe some lie that holds us back and from breaking rank where we truly experience what God wants for us.   

To truly live as God intends us to live we must “let” be reliant on Him in all things.  I mean how much of the burden do you carry? Are you “yoked” with God or not?   

Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ lived in this way of thinking… and because He did, He continually broke ranks with the ways of men.  Think about it.  He crossed lines that men set.  He went against the grain of society norms.  Men hated and resented Him and do to this day because of who He IS -not truly understanding He is God- not us.

 

He even breaks ranks in the people He chooses to represent Him expecting us to break ranks as well and live by His example- in only being captive in Spirit (Him/God), not to ways of men. 

When we start to believe we are contained by “something” other then God what happens? I can tell you it’s pretty lousy.

But what happens to our cup when we allow God to stir and fill it up?

 Psalm 23:5-6 says…

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.   Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

 And Proverbs 21:1 says…

“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases.”

 Think about it....

Breaking Ranks 2

 

…. God says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

I was reminded of a passage written by the prophet Ezekiel.  A man (probably Jesus) showed Ezekiel water that was coming up from beneath the threshold of the temple.  The stream passed to the right of the alter and went though the south side of the east gate. The man measured the stream every 1750 feet.  He did this four times and each time told Ezekiel to cross the stream.  The first time it was up to Ezekiel’s ankles.  The second time it was up to his knees.  The third time it was up to his waist and the fourth time the stream had turned into a river that was too deep to cross without swimming.  The man led Ezekiel back along the riverbank and to Ezekiel’s surprise there were suddenly fruit trees growing on both sides of the river producing a new fruit crop every month.  This fruit was for food and the leaves from these trees for healing (Revelation 22). The river then flowed into the desert where it entered the Dead Sea where it turned the salt water into fresh water.  Fish of every kind abound there and fishermen would stand along the opposite of shores drying their nets but the marshes and swamps did not become purified but became sources for salt.  (Note Ezekiel 47:1-12)

What a WONDROUS illustration this should be to us….

Combined God’s word and Spirit (the stream/river) is the source of power and life for His temple (us).  His Word and Holy Spirit purify and flow from within, maturing, sanctifying and clothing us.

1 Corinthians 3:16 says “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?”

His Spirit brings an understanding of His GREAT love until we are literally swimming in it (Ephesians 3:17-20, 2 Peter 1:5-8).  God’s Spirit goes where? The desert.  He sought me out in the desert.  He brought me life and he planted me along the riverbank (Psalm 1) where we produce the fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

His Spirit brings life to where there was nothing.  He touches people of every kind and leaves us examples of what happens when we don’t trust God, try to control, are not obedient to HIM and look to and practice sin -hence the salt marshes and swamps where nothing lives and death remains.

God is the God who makes all things new.  His thoughts are higher then our thoughts and His ways are higher then our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Revelation 21:5)

Without God’s Spirit at work within us, we are naked. 

Jesus said to the Laodicea church, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!  You say, ‘I am rich.  I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable, and poor and blind and naked.”  Revelation 3:15-17

 

We have no relationship with God if we don’t have the Spirit of God at work within us... Remember the foolish brides/virgins in Matthew 25?

 

A people, who experience spiritual death and spiritual birth/LIFE, should break ranks.  They should want to experience renewal and LIFE and not settle.  Remember God speaking to the dry bones in the valley and giving them tendons and them with flesh and skin and breath again? (Ezekiel 37:1-14) 

Breaking Ranks 1

Just as there is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones, there is a time to close ranks and a time to break ranks.

New Christian Jews grew up with the law and though they could not live up to them, they had a difficult time leaving them behind.  The law was what the Jews “knew”- this living by the grace of God through Jesus Christ was all new to them.  They were breaking ranks with the old ways.   No longer did they have to bring their sacrifices to the temple for their sins, which were “tangible”… and made them feel in this sort control but now they had to trust in the “intangible”. 

In all honesty, churches in this age have the same problem.  They want “comfort” that is controlled by them. 

This past December my wife and I walked into a young man's hospital room whom we loved and appreciated.  Just by looking at his body you would have thought he was just sleeping.  Even the monitors in the room recorded a steady heartbeat but upon closer examination all brain function had stopped.

A life support machine gave his body the appearance of "life" keeping his organs and tissue viable for transplant.  

The church can be on "life-support".  It can look alive but spiritually "dead".  It can have the appearance of "life" with programs, events, bible studies, teaching and so on but "activity" doesn't necessary mean it's spiritually" alive "

Jesus said to the church of Sardis, "I know all the things you do, and you have a reputation for being alive- but you are dead." Revelation 3:1

 … the intangible is unpredictable, challenging, unorthodox and at times irrational in our understanding.  I am sure when Jesus told the man to fill the containers with water and pour some for the master of ceremonies, he probably thought, "How can water be mistaken as wine?"     

I was given a picture once.  The Spirit of God was like a beautiful wild stallion and He comes when we are still.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

The Spirit of God cannot be tamed.  He does not fit or can he be contained nor does he feel welcomed by wayward hearts, lip service, man made customs and rules learned by rote. (Isaiah 29:13)

 He is the Spirit of God that must be FREE not shackled and directed by unreliable men!

This same stirring and restless should live in the believer!
 

For a people to live as GOD intends us to live, we must not only break ranks with the unjust ungodly rules, social norms, and sinful ideals of this world but religious mindsets.  

Ever hear, “That is the way we have always done it”?   

How about thinking and living too much in the past? What does this mean to the new Christian?!!!    How about compromising the word of God to appease the views of the world? Who is the church to reflect? God or the world?
 

Look at the beautiful cathedrals and church buildings in Europe where God’s people used gather.  Do you wonder why some nearly stand as empty shrines for tourist to visit and held religious ceremony?   
Why did they become to be this way?  What became law in their hearts? What encroached and infringed? What became censored?  How were they scrutinized? Were they persecuted?  Were they tamed by society? Did they compromise the word of God and in doing so... God became no one to honor or fear? 

When churches become like tombs, God becomes an absent “god” in people’s minds.  He becomes that “unknown God” that people give little thought to even when they walk through shadows of steeples that hold up a cross.  And the signs are obvious... a rot and decay of society... the suffering and loss of souls for lack of knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6).  The church building soon becomes just a social gathering place, a club for “Christians”.

Do we see this happening in America?

Comforts

A Christian church will die if:
1. It compromises to the ungodly pressures or thinks it's doing the world a service by agreeing with it's sin.   This is dangerous, laws are made in people's hearts and legislation and soon "anything evil" goes.  (Sin separates us from God.)

2. If it thinks it has "arrived".   It has experienced worldly success and soon sees no need for workings of Spirit of God.  It does what it feels is best without consulting God.

And just as the" law" did nothing for the Jews except to show their guilt of sin so are these so-called “comforts” that are like a plague to a church.

For as children of God we have heard these words, “The law kills but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)

The “comforts” of man do little to sustain our spiritual house in fact I have found they actually weaken and brings instability into our life and those around us- for sanity and peace are gifts from God to those who trust and are guided by Him. 

 Colossians says," Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." 2:8