Affections

-->
A backpack loaded down and full of essentials… water bottles, and few nature bars close at hand and up the trail our hiking boots took us into massive green blanket of the forest where the monotony of switchbacks is rewarded with an eye full of natural wonders.   I can still see those crisp clear mirroring lakes, trickling streams, thundering waterfalls, roaring snow melt rivers and slow moving creeks filled with pacing mountain trout.  I still can see those green grassy inclines planted on the cliffs at the edge of the forests.  How the massive trees below looked so small.   I can see the curious squirrels looking for handouts and the whistling rock badgers playing hide and seek in the boulders.   I still can see the eagles soaring in the quiet air and the camp robber birds sitting and flying from the sparse hardy wind blown trees amongst the snow covered slopes of the mighty mountain.   I remember hiking through the mist and above clouds where the peaks got to see the last moments of evening sunlight.   It felt like it was just us and mountain.   Oh how I enjoyed hiking the mountains of the Cascades.

Of course there were those not so fun hiking trips as well.  Those times where the cold blowing rains were relentless and we were trenched to the bone, where my aching tired muscles yearned for soft bed and hot shower, where our bug repellent seemed to attract the mosquitoes then keep them away and we were more or less chased off the mountain by the swarming blood suckers.

During such trips my thoughts would rewind on what landmarks I saw along the path towards the beginning of the trip…  a fallen tree, a bridge, salmon berry bushes, a boulder, a stump, an exposed root, a sign, an abandoned mine, another switchback… “How far was that from the trailhead?” I would think.   

When we start paying “more attention” to the growing darkness and evil in the world we too can become tired and discouraged.  We begin taking more then just “tabs” on the “happenings” of world but we begin saying to ourselves, “There is another landmark Jesus spoke… now how much further was that to the trailhead so we Christians can go home?   This “happening”…. where does that fit in to the relation of Christ’s return?

Jesus words in Matthew 24 are referenced more frequently in our mind, are they not?

BUT we must be careful about this “OVER FOCUSING”….

For this negative focus is like putting a noose around your neck and just waiting for the floor to drop from under you.   This negative focus puts us in compromising positions and can even cause us to sin because we aren’t living in the hope of our salvation.  We, who are in Christ, have been set free from this life but focusing too much on the evil and darkness of the world can keep our soul captive and make us unproductive in Christ. 

For our life is not based on the temporal things of this world but on the eternal.

“Set your affections on the things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

I won’t pretend and say the things that we are seeing and are hearing aren’t disturbing but God is reminding me to set my affections on him not this world.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and is certain we can carrying nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Many sorrows hath the wicked; but he that confideth in Jehovah, love-kindness shall encompass him.” Psalm 32:10

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

So as we continue to see the gathering of vultures, remember it's a journey and we are only passing through.
God has equipped us for such a journey.

May God reminds us daily....

Pursue who we are in Christ.

Live a godly life by being thankful towards God.

Live by faith by focusing on the things, which are eternal.

Love by abiding in His love.

Have perseverance through hope in God’s faithfulness and our salvation in Him.

Live in gentleness and humbleness by living in reverence for God.

"The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD.  The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 29:19

 “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”  Hebrews 13:21

The Best Pathway For Our Life 2

The world loves to show us the best life is one full of fortunes and riches and this makes one think of one as prosperous.   This worldly way of understanding can mislead one to chase after fortunes and riches and never be happy or at peace.   I know from experience that money causes more problems then not having money.  You have money- you have to put it in a bank that isn't going to charge you for using that money, you have to spend that money or it can be used against you, you have to protect what you spend the money on and then in a few months or years you have to replace what you bought for something newer and more efficient.

So what does God say prosperity. 

PROSPERITY

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace.” Jeremiah 33:6 (NLT)

In the original Hebrew translation "prosperity and true peace" is translated into "abundance of peace and truth."

Being rich to God is you and I really understanding the depth of His love for us.   It is trusting God to a point you and I have a sound mind no matter the circumstances in life.  It's not about having peace because we are rich - it is about having peace because we have God who is all truth.  Riches "can" bring one under captivity of the world.  I say "can" because there were rich people such as Abraham and Job who were rich but they saw a relationship with God was more important then any amount of material wealth. 

"The name of the LORD is a strong fortress: the godly run to him and are safe.  The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.  Haughtiness goes before destruction: humility precedes honor." Proverbs 18:10-12

CAPTIVITY

"I will be found by you,” says the LORD.  “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.  I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:14 (NLT)

Interesting enough the word “fortunes” is translated in the Hebrew word “Shebuwth” which means “captivity”.

"I will end your captivity and restore your captivity.....?"

Some might say, "That doesn't make sense" but in God's perspective it makes perfect sense.

We must understand in God's understanding that we can either be captive to the world or captive to God.   Remember Jesus saying we can't serve two masters both God and money? (Matthew 6.) 

Being “captive” to God is understanding we are his prized possession.  Is understanding our heavenly Father already knows all our needs and he will give us all we need from day to day if we live for him and make the Kingdom of God our primary concern. (Matthew 6)

“He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.  And we, out of all creation, become his prized possession.”  James 1:18

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Being prosperous and captive in the Lord can be illustrated and seen in Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  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 blessing.  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.”

KNOWING WHERE LIFE IS

John speaking about Jesus: “He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn’t make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and darkness can never extinguish it.”   John 1:3-5

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”  Johns 14:6

Jesus said, “Yes, I am the gate.  Those come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go free and will find good pastures.  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:9-10 (NLT)

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

“Abundantly” means to exceed our expectation in this life.  God wants to exceed our expectations in this life.  He wants to show us things that we didn't even think were possible in this life.  These are treasures no one can steal.

Knowing life is Jesus and Jesus is God.  What should that path of our life look like in him? 

It will reflect Jesus not the world

Look at the concordance with me.  Life defined by God's word.

A. Life is the absolute fullness of life both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both the "hypostatic “logo” and to Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature. 

 B. Life- real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world to those who put their trust in Christ, and resurrected after this life in a more perfect body to last forever.

WANTS AND DESIRES

Some people do and some don’t want to hear God is the path for them.   People don’t want to hear they are captive to either this world or to God.  They want to believe they are "free spirits" but free spirits of what?  Free spirits of whatever their flesh wants?  Sounds great but what does it harvest in the end?  And to whom and what ideals are they really serving?  Love you free spirits but you are being tricked and into dangerous falsehood that endangers you very souls.

Jesus said to the disciples: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose yours own soul in the process?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."  Matthew 16:24-27

I was there once there myself and God is continually showing me His Path in Him (Life) for me.

People want to follow their own path, which is often directed, by their own fleshly wants and desires.   Those who follow such thoughts, wants and desires find themselves in a world that is never content or at rest.  And we cannot live with one foot in both worlds.   Our heart and mind will either be captive by this world or captive to Christ.   Either we will be content and not want in Christ or we will be not contented and continued to want in this lost hamster wheel world -- for you don’t have to look too far to see proof of that.   Those captive to Christ overcome this world in their trust and faith in God.

So you and I have peace and are rich and prosperous if our heart, mind, and soul seeks and trusts God for we will see God in our lives and know we are God’s very own possession.   You have true life if you are devoted to God and you overcome this world if you trust in God.

Need and Want

Is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?

I may "want" a Toyota 4Runner or a FJ Cruiser but God says your "need" for a vehicle can be met with a used Toyota Corolla.   I may "want" a large flat screen TV with surround sound and endless selection of movies to watch from Netflix but is that what I really need?  We may "want" a lot of things but what is the basic "need" that needs to be met?  Is television really a need or a want?  Is a cell phone really a need or a want?  Is all that texting more a "need" or a "want"?

Sometimes our "wants" can take us away from more meaningful experiences with our family, friends and others God puts in our path. We can be so busy doing this and that "want" - that we don't even see what really matters in life.  We live in a culture that tells us what we "need" when in fact it isn't a need at all but a way to manipulate us to "want" something.  They make us feel like everyone has it so we need it too!  Think about that for a second.   We have to have that "thing", that emotion, that experience and so on.  Is that coveting?  

THEY HAVE IT WE NEED IT TOO
But that is not true.  I have been to third world countries where people don't have televisions, don't have cellphones, and may not even have a car.  Their primitive homes are not filled with material objects but hospitality and love.   They share what little they have with us who have abundance.  Cookies and some soda pop are graciously given without any second thought.  They shared what is a special treat with us without a motive of getting something in return.   They had so little but they were not concerned if they had enough for tomorrow- they were just grateful for what they had for that day and they shared it.  They knew God would meet their need.

We strive so hard to gain and earn and scrap together.  We stress ourselves out to live just beyond our means -to hold up to some human standard of what we think is "the good life."  What we think we need.  We want more and more until the gravity of the wants make us a slave to them.   I don't know about you but I don't want to keep up with the Jones or anyone else.   I just want to live within my means which probably is still more then I really need.   Do we realize and understand the difference between a want and need?

Jesus says "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:24-33

"Those who love money will never have enough.  How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Ecclesiastes 5:10

 Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  Matthew 16:24-26

So I guess in a way we can technically win the version of life we "wanted" but "lose" in the end because we didn't live the life we needed to live.

Again, is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?