Don't Count On You

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Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:31-35

This may seem absurd that Peter told Jesus, who is God, who knows all... who is the author and finisher of his faith -that he wouldn’t do something that God already knew he was going to do.  Jesus was not speaking over Peter’s life.  He just knew what would come against Peter. 

“Simon, [Peter] Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. ³² But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:31-32

Satan would sift Peter with Peter himself.   He would use Peter’s own understanding against him.  He would have Peter rely on his own mental capacities of will power, might, strength, intellect and so on... Things that would be sure to fail him because God was not empowering or guiding them.

Peter's understanding was boat with a hole as big as Jesus in it and as soon as it touched the water it was going to sink.
  

Yes, Peter lived with the Word of God.   Yes, Peter knew the Word of God.   Yet like us at times… Peter got caught up in himself.  Think when Israel got caught up in the moment and decided to go into battle without God... what happened?  They lost but when God did go with them int battle, it didn't matter how out numbered they were God gave them victory.

Satan, wants to us to unintentionally separate ourselves mentally from God who enables us to overcome.   Satan knows our weak esteems, fears, anxieties, pride, prejudices, and so on and when we aren't aware of what we are figuratively chasing or being chased by, we step right off our firm foundation, which causes us to stumble, trip and fall. 

“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.” Proverbs 3:4-8

"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" Zechariah 4:6-7

Not submitting, humbling himself and drawing close to God robbed Peter of being empowered by God’s peace, assurance, grace that are included in His love.  Those things were there for Peter but he turned inward toward himself instead of towards God.  Can you think of a time when you have done this? What were the results? 

Do you remember what Jesus told Paul?

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

We are not to be separate from God as Christians but find our fullness and completeness in God through submitting to God and seeing our need for God.

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3

When we do this, it is no longer us but Christ within us doing the heavy spiritual lifting. We understand in the Spirit that it's Jesus who gives us LIFE and is our life.  Our existence isn't run by our understandings, fears, anxieties, imaginations, false hopes, frustrations, and so on but God who gives us peace, love, hope, joy, patience, faithfulness, contentment and so on.
 

As I was speaking about this with a brother in Christ, I saw a vision.  It was of a person lying down on their back where I could see the inside view of the stomach area.   The outer surface of the body/flesh had the appearance of charcoal wood and it was crumbling away in small cube like pieces to reveal the brilliant colors that translate Christ within.  I was then reminded of these two verses.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

"You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." Matthew 5:14-15   

 This question also came to mind later…

“Why do people put so much into what is perishing instead of letting go and letting God build up the soul man?"

What Has Been Amplified to You This Christmas?

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Besides the circumstances and tests that tried to take away our joy of the Christmas Season, what message was God amplifying to you and I during that last few days?

Here are some that came to mind.

1.     A closer Spirit guided/directed relationship with Him (God) where we are continually surrendering our day to Him and appreciative of what He is doing and what He has done and is going to do. One might call these continual sanctifying moments. (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6, Galatians 5:25)

2.     Pray for others. I find we might not be able to provide for all needs (such as deliverance from hatred and depression, sickness, a coma, a destructive marriage) but we can certainly pray in faith for the needs of others to be met by Jesus Christ. For Jesus can reach what the enemy meant to kill, steal and destroy and awaken, deliver, soften and heal. (1 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 5:43-45, Philippians 4:6-7)  And like it or not God made us to encourage one another in Him not ourselves. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

3.     We are all needy people even if we foolishly think we are not.  We all need God- doesn’t matter how long we have been a Christian or not. I find people don’t just need to know they are saved from Hell when they give their life to Jesus but Jesus came to give them LIFE and LIFE more abundantly.  Jesus came to help us to transform our thinking from the past and the mundane.  Jesus came that we may not live by our strength but God’s Spirit that overcomes the many circumstances that want to trip us up.  (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 6:5, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 23:1)

4.     Jesus is God. Jesus has no beginning and no end. (Genesis 1:26, James 4:8, John 14:11, John 1:1&2, 1 John 1:1-4, Revelation 22:12-13)

5.     We as Christians are a priesthood that has no beginning and no end for our priesthood comes through Christ Jesus.  (Hebrews 5:4-6, 1 Peter 2:9)

6.     God kept infant Jesus safe from the dangers of King Herod. His plan will succeed. (Luke 2:1-17, Revelation 12:1-17) 

7.     All blessings flow like the narrow part of a flask through Jesus Christ. (James 1:17-18, John 10:9, John 14:6)

8.     God knows all. God has perfect timing. (Psalm 139. Matthew 6:8, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Psalms 37:7)

Dream

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On November 1 of 2015 I had a dream. 

In the dream other members of other congregations join a congregation but the congregation remains the same size.

The number people always remained the same.  Is the body of Christ like a string of individual threads?  We may go to separate faculties, building, homes, services, groups but we belong to the one string, the one Vine, the LORD who is Jesus Christ.    

 “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

I was attending a service in the dream.  People were working on homework.  Some were lying down on the pews as if they were beds where they snuggled in with their pillows and blankets.   I told one by me,  “This isn’t an appropriate time to sleep”.  People sang the songs but didn’t know the words of the song.

“For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” 1 Corinthians 11:30.

What is to separate the church from the world? 

Once I shared this dream with a couple brothers in Christ who attend different churches I heard several familiar themes.

One. People in the church can read the Bible but they can’t seem to carry out/live out what the words says in their life.

Two.  People do not know who walks with them.  It’s if they are walking this Emmaus walk in life but don’t realize it’s the LORD who is walking beside them.

Ask yourselves these questions?

IS it like the words in Isaiah?  “Oh how deaf and blind you are toward me!  Why won’t you listen?  Why do you refuse to see?  Who is in all the world is as blind as my own people, my servant?  Who is as deaf as my messengers?  Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?  You see and understand what is right but refuse to act on it.  You hear, but you don’t really listen.  The LORD has magnified his law and made it truly glorious.  Through it he had planned to show the world that he is righteous.   But what sight his people are, for they have been robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped.  They are fair game for all and have not one to protect them.   Will not even one of you apply these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you?” Isaiah 42:1-23

IS it like the words of Matthew 15:8?  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

In the dream the pastor/clergy is frustrated as if nothing is getting through to his people.  I walk outside of the church to get some fresh air, as I too am discouraged.

I look to the sky and see the sun and a cloud of vapor before it that is imitating the sun’s shape.

It reminds me of the scriptures that say that people are but a vapor and though he/she is a vapor, they are to be imitators of Christ.

“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1      

The word Saba is then mentioned in the dream.  I don’t know this word yet it is spelled out for me in my mind.  Who or what is Saba?  Does it pertain to the congregation or me?  Is it some kind of influence?

Saba, in the Hebrew, means “Seven” or “An oath.”  It is the number of completeness and perfection of wholeness.  It is God and man working together in God’s divine intention in our daily lives.

In the dream I walk on a street with older people.  They smile, as I pass by them.   Then with great fire and vigor I start to proclaim, "God lives in me and who is greater then He!”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1

The dream then turns and I am suddenly standing in front of a congregation encouraging others in Christ.

The dream ends and I wake with the song, “Raging Fire” by Phillip Phillips playing in my head.

May God Inspire You and Me.... Part 1

Have you ever asked God to inspire you?  I mean REALLY inspire you?

Why do people forget or don't ask God for inspiration?

Do people not ask God for inspiration out of some erroneous ideal of independence.... or ignorance... or perception to impress God... Honestly.... can anyone really impress God?     

  Is it because they are shackled in some doctrine, tradition, or human understanding or philosophy?
 
  Does God ever say, "Now that you are saved go do this life alone?  I think NOT... I have read, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
 MATTHEW 28:20

Do they feel God is untrustworthy in some way?

But the question that follows, "If we don't trust in God, who do we trust?"

Who do we trust?  Who do we trust to inspire us?  Do we trust in ourselves?  Do we put unhealthy amount of trust in people as if they are to never let us down?  People are people and they are just as fallible as we are.

JEREMIAH 17:5 says: This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD."

Do people feel they might be testing God when they ask for inspiration?

Why does the bible say? "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which knowest not.
JEREMIAH 33:3

And if God/ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and God has no favorites (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34) and we are looking at Jeremiah 33:3 then why wouldn't he want to inspire us?

If the men and women of the bible were inspired by what they saw, heard, and experienced from God, are we not to be inspired by God today as well?

The Word of God, the bible, says,  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 TIMOTHY 3:16

If GOD cares and provides for our physical needs then WHY would HE not provide for our SPIRITUAL NEEDS that ignite and fuel our life to do good works?     

If the bible, that is inspired by God..... then is our life not to be inspired and qualified by what the bible says?  Has He not shown the reality of these things in the bible to be true?  Why would he stop?  Why would he not take us DEEPER?

 "But God has given us the revelation of these things through his Spirit, for the Spirit makes search into all things, even the deep things of God." 1 CORINTHIANS 2:10

 Paul writes: "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."  EPHESIANS 3:16-21

Again... the "infinitely more than we might ask or think"

Does this not speak of the empowering or enabling effect of inspiration GOD is to have over our lives? 

Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." MATTHEW 18:3

When we were small children, nothing seemed impossible or unreachable.  We were inspired so easily.....  Why then in our older ages have we at times accepted human opinion, imaginations, fears... things we can only physically see over what God has said and wants to inspire us to live and be?   
  
How might a child of God be empowered, encouraged and be invigorated and refreshed to live higher then "ordinary" lives?

How might we all reach what we thought was never possible?   How might all Christians step into what God has prepared for them?

 But just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."  1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  EPHESIANS  2:10


Just think, we, God's handiwork....  and God knowing every intimate detail of our "being" has just the  "RIGHT" keys to unlock the inspiration we need "personally" to aspire to His will for our life...
I say "personally" for we are not all the same but we all need God to inspire us in different ways. 

Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  JOHN 10:10

Think about this for a moment.   Have you asked God to inspire you?   I have asked God to inspire me more.  I know...  As if you and I could ever catch the entire deluge of God's inspiration in the paper cup of our entire being.... but that's precisely the point.

You know this verse......? "..... Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psalm 23:5

 "My cup runneth over".... means to me that God exceeds our expectations in all his goodness, grace and love.

Think about this, Think about David who wrote these words... think about his life.  God inspired Him and through that inspiration gave him encouragement and strength.  He went from a shepherd boy in the field to the king of Israel.     

 "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

GOD needs to INSPIRE us.

Bias 2

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Biased is not only “for” something but opposed to something.

JESUS said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” MATTHEW 12:30

Clearly GOD wants us to favor HIM over the world (things & others) and/or ourselves.  

Ever fought evil with evil?  Ever fought fire with fire?  Why did you do that?  You gave favor to evil over GOD.  What happens if you repay evil for goodness?   God doesn't want us to oppose HIM in our actions or words but join with him so his goodness can pour into our life.  We are driven by God's goodness instead of evil. 

Jesus teaching his disciples to pray said, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” MATTHEW 6:10 

GOD wants us to “favor” HIM to produce God driven actions and words. God wants to the show us the power of being cognoscenti of HIM and the reality of HIM.

I don’t know why this is but in my coming forward in my weakness I am strengthened by GOD and GOD has revealed Himself in the most extraordinary ways.  I used to believe I had to be “strong” to appease the LORD as if it was my way of showing faith but faith is not trying to be strong in your own accord but strong in HIM. 

As the apostle Paul wrote, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-11

God wants to show his consistent faithfulness in an inconsistent unfaithful unpredictable world.   

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” ISAIAH 41:10

GOD wants to help us but I find in order for Him to help us we must not put anyone or anything above Him   Biases must be in their rightful places.  

“But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Think about these verses for moment:  Think about this in the simplest of terms.

Jesus said, “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” MATTHEW 7:9-11

We are all as children…. before God.  We all come to God with nothing.  We come to God with brokenness.   We all come to God with hurts and failures.  We all come to God thirsty and hungry?   We all come to God asking for help?  We all come to God seeking joy and peace.  We come to God for comfort and encouragement. We come to Him knowing there is no other way to be saved.

So what does it take for person to break down their biases to come to God?  Hopefully it not as much as it took me. 

GOD - THE LIFE CHANGER. Pt 2

The SPIRITUAL CREATION in CHRIST

Religion is of man BUT faith in Jesus Christ has to be birthed by GOD.

JESUS said “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.  Humans can reproduce only human life but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.  So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again.  Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.” Ezekiel 36:26

For no born-again Christian, really understood what faith in Jesus Christ meant until the Spirit of God transformed them.  For once we lived and understood as the world lives and understands but when God touched us a new WAY of understanding was birthed.  It is an understanding that is hidden to all men until they submit their lives to God/ Jesus Christ. 

Birthed by the Spirit of God, we no longer find encouragement and nourishment in the world as we once did.   Those things died to us and became strangely dim to us when Christ came into our life and we began to abide in HIM.  

In fact when we put our eyes on the world and try to find encouragement and worth or meaning in the world we quickly lose peace become disillusioned and discouraged because our soul’s can no longer "feed" on what the “worldly system” provides.

JESUS said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

A man does not truly live until the words of GOD come alive in HIM.   God gives power to His words.   A man may use God's words but no power is given to them unless the Spirit fills them.  God speaks and encourages His people through HIS Spirit.   He gives understanding where there was no understanding before and deeper understanding to build upon understanding he has already given.

GENESIS 1 said GOD made the heavens and the earth.  He spoke them into exist.  From out of nothing he made them.  This is no different then our FAITH.  It is a mystery is it not… “Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”   

God formed us in our mother's womb.  Doctors still find this a wonder of how this takes place- how this choreography of cells divide and come together.  Oddly some doctors kill what they find a wonder in a woman’s womb when it's LIFE made in the image of GOD. 

ROMANS 1:20-21 states.  GOD is our CREATOR.   Without God none of us would be here today.  WHO do people instinctively pray to when they are in trouble?  Is it not GOD?  Why do those who don't even praise Him or worship Him do this?  God gave us a measure of knowing “of” God – that we might perhaps come to HIM to be saved and the "knowing of" would become FAITH of “knowing” HIM.    

A FAITH that we did not even know existed or could possess came into us.  Where we are filled with the fullness of God. (EPHESIANS 3:19)  Our faith was not birthed by any know how or understanding of man- all we did was give GOD our life and GOD awesomely and mercifully answered back.

Our soul has been awakened to the truth of God   A DOOR out of the darkness was graciously OPENED to US.  It was like HE was always there… we could see traces of the things he had done in our life but do to PRIDEFUL ignorance and understandings and worldly desires we always separated ourselves from HIM. 

In a sense we have been made aware of the "matrix" that holds people captive to the lusts and empty cares of this life.   Satan and his demons (who I have already told are real), hate ALL humanity.  It doesn't matter if you are Christian and not....  If God created you then he hates you for you are the likeness of GOD.

“So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.  God blessed them and told them, ‘Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.  Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.’” GENESIS 1:27-28

Satan, the poor loser, defeated by GOD now goes after the GOD’s chosen creation to get back at GOD.   He subtly and shrewdly went after Adam and Eve.  And since he has blinded people of this world with the corrupt understanding that has been passed down from Adam and Eve.  Satan and his minion puppet, manipulate and entice the human race.  

Ever see someone use the exact right words to figuratively rip someone's heart out or hinder them?  Who do you think gave them those precise words? That is why the scriptures say, "For we do not fight flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms?" EPHESIANS 6:12.

Satan doesn't just want to keep his existence secretive but wants to keep his schemes as well.   Satan, knowing his DOOMED fate wants to take as many souls with him to hell.  He doesn't want people to come out of the dark cloud of haze or wake up and hear about JESUS!

EPHESIANS 5:13 says: “But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are.  And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds.  This is why it is said, ‘Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’”

People of this world are feed death not knowing it is death in which they drink and enjoy.

But those who have been awakened and changed by the Spirit of God can now only spiritually feed on the things of God.  Our spiritual make up has changed and can no longer serve this fallen and perverse world without doing harm to our souls.

Some may say we have become narrow minded in our conservative views but if our narrow mindedness comes from God what does that say about the rest of the world?  If we are submitted to will of God where does that leave the rest of the world?

Remember Noah and his family?  They seemed to be the minority in how they lived and believed until God flooded the earth with his judgment.  Who was being narrow minded then? 

“It was by faith that Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood.  He obeyed God, who warned him about something that had never happened before.  By his faith he condemned the rest of the world and was made right in the sight of God.” HEBREWS 11:7

The circumstances that were to happen seemed impossible yet Noah built an ark by FAITH.

We are told in Matthew 24:37-42 that our faith will have the same affect as Noah's faith when the impossible happens and JESUS comes to take us HOME.

"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.   That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man,  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

God’s ways are not the world’s ways.   God does not share the same lens as the liberal, compromising, perverse world wears in fact GOD has PERFECT vision.

GOD says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.:  ISAIAH 55:8-9

Liberty in Christ

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

Liberty in Christ
What does that mean?

• Freedom from the Mosaic law which only tells us we are guilty of sin and blinds us to what Christ Jesus has accomplished for us with his life, sacrifice, resurrection, - as our Teacher, Shepherd, Savior, High Priest and Creator.
• Freedom from being dominated over by corrupt desires, which allows our soul to walk in the Spirit/ the will of God.
• Freedom from the restraints and miseries of the earthly frailty.  Our bodies may be dying but our Spirit is being refreshed, assured and matured in the love of our Lord.  We can have joy, peace, love, hope, and faith when outwardly there is no reason why we should have such wonderful things.
• We are Christ minded not worldly-minded. (Note: 1 Corinthians 2:16)
• This liberty has only been given to us as Christians because we have accepted the blood covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ, which paid the penalty for our sins.  This covenant made it possible to have a relationship with God.
• We are not self-assured by good deeds or works or even those we surround ourselves with, for these things can give us a false sense of security.  We are to be assured in our Lord Jesus Christ alone.

To Be Liberated
We can try to do many things to “change” -for what “we “ think is better but unless there is a heart and mind change nothing will change.

We are doomed to repeat the same things over and over again.  Ever hear people say they are going to do something to make their situation or life better but their “idea” of better is pitiful next to God’s plan.  Then you have those who like to TALK but don’t even follow through at all.  Maybe it’s because of fear, maybe it’s not sure how to pursue their objective, maybe it was a temporary desire, maybe the passion was snuffed out, maybe they didn’t seek God’s direction.

Ever give advice “inspired by the Holy Spirit” to someone and it sounds and looks like they were listening but in following up in conversation their situation and mindset is still much the same.

Jesus said, the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Our sheer “will” power of the flesh is weak, inconsistent, and easily distracted.   It wants to give in to the screams and naggings of the world.  The flesh has a difficult time getting out of mundane themes and feelings of yesterday to a fresh perspective on the here and now.  It is captured in the cocoon and familiarity of the days before.  The dust we have accumulated from yesterday’s life is never brushed off with the renewing assurance (hope) of the Lord.   And since it is transfixed on yesterday and it’s cloud, it finds it difficult to seek God’s face and partnership in the tasks at hand.  If finds it difficult to stand because it never considers who wants to stand with them.  It finds it difficult to see God’s mercies and grace are fresh and anew everyday.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23

The flesh finds it difficult to be humble and submit to God and not this life.  We forget who is our caretaker at times who makes all things new- including our perspective on day.

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Pslam 118:24

“Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”  Psalm 54:4

Life without God is very lonely and trying and meaningless.

So what does a person need to be liberated?

• One: People need to give their life to the Lord Jesus Christ- EVERYDAY!  Don’t try to give him only parts because one part affects all the other parts.  I know this from experience.  Give him the entire engine- not just parts of the engine. Give him ALL you are able to give.
• Two goes with one: Admit you have been wrong in your thinking and understanding and you need God’s help.  Only a fool admits he/she doesn’t need God.  I need him everyday to keep a sound mind!  (Note Galatians 5:22-23)  Sound mind isn't our way but God's way.
• Three is very important: Submit to His Spirit and not our flesh.  For God changes our heart when we give our life to Him and He makes us want to please Him.   We no longer want to submit to our sinful and weak nature but walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
• Four goes with 1,2 & 3.  Read the Word of God for yourself.  Ask God to guide your reading and study and meditate on the words that seem to pop off the page.  God wants to liberate your life through His Spirit! (Holy Spirit)
• Five: Stop quickly when you feel you are being seduced into horizontal thinking… where it’s just you tackling the things in life and the world and God seems to be absent or at least very distant in your mindset and heart.

God says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”  Ezekiel 36:26

“A heart of flesh” in this case is not talking about the sinful nature but a heart that is receptive to God and the things of God.  It is a heart of “moral” character, conscience, resolution, and determination.  And God is to be not just the compass of that heart but the strength of that heart.

“I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” Jeremiah 24:7

“This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

Have you ever tried to please God by your own “will” power or strength.   It is not just the most frustrating thing a person can go through but you feel like a complete failure as a Christian.

More then a decade ago, I remember being on the phone sharing my predicament to my grandmother.  I had just been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit weeks before.  Life had turned from night to day and I was trying to share this new reality with everyone I knew but as I started listening to the radio ministries and reading my bible I found myself off kilter, I knew I had been swept clean by the Holy Spirit.  I no longer had those resentful feelings I used to have.  I knew I could finally read God’s word to where it now made sense.  I was now enjoying church. I was like a spiritual sponge soaking all I could from the pastor’s sermons.  I even liked that “Christian” music.   I had become a new creature in Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

BUT when I compared my life to other Christians, I found I didn’t measure up.   I didn’t want to crawl, I wanted to walk and run like everyone else and that is where I inadvertently stepped into a hole.  Ever play out in a green field and step into a hole that was covered by some long blades of grass? What happens?  Well that is what I did.

In my haste to “catch up” (figuratively speaking) “I” was trying to please God with my own "will" power.  That was my first mistake.   Second mistake was not comprehending all the spiritual warfare I was now standing in.  No one told me once I became a Christian I would suddenly be a target on Satan's hit list.  I wondered why if I am a Christian why are these sinful thoughts popping into my head from no-where?   I didn't even give it the remote possibility it was Satan whispering in my ear to sabotage my faith.  I thought it was ALL me.   These thoughts really bothered me until I was thoroughly frustrated.  (Sinful thoughts would had not bothered me before but since my heart had changed, they bothered me now.  After all Jesus says if you even think it, you are guilty of sin.)  Was the thought something I conjured up and hunted down and sequestered OR did I put those "thoughts" into the production line?  I didn't... so what did?

Go tell those "thoughts" to go take a jump off a high high high cliff so when it hits the ground no one can tell what it originally looked like.    That is way the word says "stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil".  But I at the time did not know that.   And do to the confusion and junk thrown at me, and thinking - that  junk was my problem ... and thinking I had to be perfect by my own strength I was now stumbling over mere ideas that came into my mind.







Hebrews 12 calls this life “a race” but I find the only competitor in this race is MYSELF.  I am up against myself, my wandering mind, my feelings, my desires, my wants, my needs, my understandings, my perceptions, my lack knowledge when it comes to the word of God  and so on…  That is why it is important to be in the word of God so you can stay liberated in God.   Satan is the big bully on the sidelines- heckling you and throwing whatever he can in your path to try to stop you.     We "compete" against ourselves in all the different facets of this life.  And this race is “figuratively” more like a three-legged race where Jesus is to be our partner and we are depend on his leading not ours.  We move as he moves.  

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Acts 17:28

Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our  faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

He is the author and finisher of our faith- not us. When we try to be the author and finisher of our faith we get all ensnared in life and live in disobedience.  

Let’s go back to the hole I was ensnared in …. And as I flipped through the pages of my bible and listened to my grandmother’s words of encouragement, my eyes directly fell upon this verse.

“….. It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.” Zechariah 4:6

Tears came from my eyes… all this time I had been trying to be “perfect” by my “own” strength when all I had to do was turn and ask for God’s help.  God is the one to aid us as we live this Christian life.  

I remember this relief came over me.  I spoke the verse's words out loud, my grandmother’s voice smiled on other end of the line. “That’s right!”  She replied.  “God loves us. He doesn’t want us to try living this life without Him.”  This revelation sank within me; God is going to assist me. God is going to help me.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Thank God for THE Shepherd who picks us out of all the different kinds of holes in life.

We are all like sailboats without wind for our sails when we try to go through this life without God’s help.  Yep- all kinds of dangers there.  Pirates, sharks, dehydration, the unpredicted squall- to name a few.  We are just aimlessly walking and groping through the darkness when we go it alone.  Yep- there too! Those left behind Legos, walls that come out of no where, the bed post that seems to find your toe every stink'n time, and the eluding light switch.

SO before we can be liberated we must see some of the symptoms of what we need to be liberated from.  Here are a few.

•      Legalism.
•      Counting your good deeds as a way to find favor with God.
•       Measuring your own goodness against other people's "lack of goodness".
•      You finding yourself closer to fears then to God.
•      Trusting yourself more then God.
•      Hypocrisy, holding to a doubt standard towards others, partiality.  
•      Lies, deceit and deception and slander.
•      Being conceited and prideful.
•      Jealousy, anger, hostility, foul abuse language.
•      Envy, coveting, greedy over what the world considers the “good things” in this life.
•       All the different forms of worldly addiction. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, immoral sex,    hording, gluttony, internet and video game addiction and so on.
•      Impure and/or lustful thoughts.
•      Idolatry.  The worship of things and people instead of God.
•      Not upholding truth, denying the truth.
•      Participation in demonic actives, witchcraft, fortune telling, mediums or spiritualist.
•      Accepting our circumstances in life as a measure of who we are in Christ.
•      Living in your own understanding and perception.
•      Thinking everyone is wrong except you and your own little group.

Quite a few are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. 

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13


“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

“Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?  Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?  It is exactly as the scriptures say, “For you we face death all day long.  We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.”  In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.  I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love- not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below.  Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:35-39

(God is the everlasting hand of friendship and faithfulness)

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side.  Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. You died, which means that you life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. Christ gives meaning to your life and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory” Colossians 3:1-4

(Set your heart on what is eternal not temporal.)

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8

In the liberty of Christ we find all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us.

The dark churning skies of "our" world are blown away by a refreshing wind which reveals calm clarity in the mind and heart as we humble ourselves before God.  His quiet compass of our soul keeps us away from the religious Bermuda Triangle.  His anchor for our soul keeps us from becoming estranged from his love.   We sadly see those who only live to serve this world and its always-unsatisfied appetite of meaningless.  We are reminded with His pure light, God gives our life meaning; he satisfies our eternal souls with his eternal constant love.  What more does the soul need but God?

Sin & Liberty Don’t Mix
Some even now think God’s liberty gives them the right to sin and live immoral lives but sin only brings you back under bondage.  It separates you from God.

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”  Galatians 5:13

God has no favorites.  God is not impartial.  God is not a hypocrite.

“But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.”  Colossians 3:25

Liberty & His Return
The good work happens when we trust in him and his liberty.  It won't matter when the day the Lord comes because you will be living and growing in his liberty.  You will be ready!
  
“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that day that Christ Jesus returns. I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices.  Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ Jesus returns.  And until that day, Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.” Philippians 1:6, 9-11

Wearing Liberty.
“Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” 1 Samuel chapter 18

According to one of MANY Jewish customs this was one way to show a covenant.  Jonathan is saying to David, “Whatever is mine in yours.”

This covenant also illustrates the covenant we have with Jesus Christ- if we have made him Lord of our life.    Not having a robe of righteousness ourselves, Jesus has given us his robe of righteousness, which not only makes us holy and acceptable in the sight of our Heavenly Father, but it allows us live in God’s righteousness by his Holy Spirit.

Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Galatians 3:27  “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Ephesians 4:24  “and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Colossians 3:10 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Liberty is being clothed from head to foot in what God has given us. Think about the armor of God.

“A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power.   Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.  Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth, and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10-18

Think about the parable Jesus shares with us about the Story of the Lost Son. (Note Luke 15:11-32

The son has lost his entire inheritance. He has been living the way of the world and being used by the world.   He ends of in the lowest of low jobs - feeding the swine.  Seeing nothing to lose he decides to go and ask if he can be a servant in his father’s house but as he approaches the road to his father’s house a man, who recognized his saunter from the distance, comes running towards him.
As the man got closer, the son realized it was his father.  The father did not have rage or disbelief as he looked at his son standing there in soiled and tattered rags for clothes but one of tears and a smile.  The father embraced and kissed his son as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time.  Ashamed the son said to his father, “Father I have sinned against both you and heaven, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”
The father wiped his son’s tears of repentance from his face.  It wasn’t long after when some servants approached.  The father said to his servants,  “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen.  We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life.  He was lost, but now he is found…”

The Father of Heaven has given us the best robe that His house can offer - the robe of HIS righteousness - a sign of a loving covenant with you as his child.  He has only offered it to you through Jesus Christ and Him alone.  You are accepted by God because of this covering of righteousness.  You can live in His liberty because of this covering.  Living according to the Holy Spirit not the flesh.  He has placed a ring on your finger - also a sign of a loving covenant with you through Christ.  This ring is also a sign of authority and “restored” relationship and “honored” position- for you are God’s child and you have authority over sin in your life and evil trying to smother your light.   He has given you sandals for your feet- which represent the peace that comes from the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Jesus has saved us.  We were once lost in sin and this world but now we are found.  We have been saved and restored and liberated in Christ.

The devil and sin have no power over us.  Evil has no power over us.  No wonder why the Devil and his evil forces want to destroy us.  Fortunately he can only kill our bodies not our souls and to be absent from the body for a Christian is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

THINK ON THIS-
Are you liberated in Christ?  Have you accepted his liberty?  Are you assured in Him alone? ARE YOU A PRISONER SET FREE?  God wants you to be.  Have you been living as the rest of world does and used by the world and found yourself empty?  Come to Him just as the Lost Son did and find how much God loves you.  Come to Him.  He doesn’t want you to live this life without Him.

Jesus may those who read this take to heart your words and apply it to their lives.  In Jesus Name Amen.

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