THE COACH

Who is the coach of your soul? Who inspires you? Who challenges you? Who disciplines your ways of understanding? 

 

I think we all have had moments in life where we get tested, tired… weary… fail… doubt, want to presume, want to become indifferent, want to not care or even want to throw a temper tantrum like that 3 year old in Walmart.

 

But who brings you out of those moments?

 

Jesus… says to His bride (His church), “Hey love, who do you love? You know who you want to be looking at? Let me take your burden. Let me erase your doldrums. I will answer your need. I will be your cheer squad. I will give you reason to smile and help you overcome the cares of this life. I will give you “living” purpose and reason. I am all you need.”

 

Sounds like some love song, but is it SO true when it comes to Jesus? Jesus is the lover of our soul.

 

But to go about life as “usual” and to “ignore” God is to lose… lose… lose.

 

Some may say, “I want to go to heaven but I don’t care to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.”

 

Let’s challenge that thinking for moment: You would never tell the coach of the team you want to be on, “I am going to be on the team coach but I don’t want you coaching me.” We know it doesn’t work that way… so why would we think that would work with God?

 

Jesus is our LIFE COACH. He is the Sustainer. He IS the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. (John 14:6) No one gets into heaven without Him and no one succeeds in the things that truly matter in life without Him.

 

From His unlimited resources at His grasp Jesus is about us learning to live in Him… His reality from start to finish...

 

Hebrew 12:1-2 which says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish…”

 

What is the reality of our day… how is our outlook? Is our perspective skewed by monotony, apprehension, dread, doubt, worry, fear, hopelessness, cares of tomorrow, cares of yesterday, or the cares of what the world says are important?

 

This is what Jesus said about this kind of thinking: “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:19

 

No wonder why the word of God ALSO says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

And

 

“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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

 

There is NoTHING routine about the WAYS of God but how often have we gone about our day, taken the bait, and swallowed or surrendered to ROUTINE thinking instead of newest of God who lifts up our soul? How many times have we allowed “baited thinking” to put up it’s umbrella to divert that living water of God from pouring in our cup? If you find yourself there ask yourself: Where is the newest of this day? Where is the Spirit to stir up a fire in my soul?

 

Spiritual athletes just as athletes, to accomplish the feats in their path, must not yield to "baited thinking" but look beyond themselves.

 

* We most love God MORE then the things that add no COLOR to our day .

*To thrive… to endure… God’s breathed renewing Spirit must guide us in all things.

*God’s living word most be protected in our hearts and minds and not get choked out.

 

Jesus is our LIFE COACH. He must be given access, to teach, counsel, instruct, heal, inspire and to drive us to greater lasting and satisfying things.

 

That we may be spiritually equipped for what only God knows and awaits us.

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

Good way to start, is to lay down the oldness of yesterday. Look to what God has for today. Surrender your thoughts and seek living words that God is going to point out and drop into your heart and mind and let them manifest Him in us through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in the course, court, trail, and field of life.

 

“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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

 

Just as a coach has plans for his players, God has a plan everyday for us but it’s our choice to listen to the LIFE coach of LIFE or not.

 

“From one man he (Jesus) made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:26-28

 

Are you ready for the LIFE coach to move you? Are you ready to win with the one who has already experienced victory? Pretty awesome to think that God the Father sent His Son to make sure we would not only make it to heaven, for those who believe, but we would have life and have life to the fullest.

 

... Jesus is the answer.

 

Thanks for reading.

Prospering the Soul

Everyone wants to prosper his or her soul.  They purchase things to try to prosper their soul, they travel to try to prosper their soul, they make personal connections with others, they eat things to try to prosper their soul, exercise, practice religions and/or precepts, work hard accumulating successes and even drink, do drugs and party - thinking they will somehow prosper their soul.  And though some of these are good things, they will never satisfy the yearning soul.  What they thought would satisfy soon lacks it’s “luster” and they are once again looking for something or someone else to satisfy their soul. 

Strangely they avoid or skip and/or neglect the very "One" that is suppose to prosper their soul.    

David wrote,

“The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV)

Wow! What a thought! Lacking nothing…

WHERE THE LACK BEGAN

Before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they “lacked nothing”… except maybe clothing. :) 
Their souls were “satisfied”.  And in them was this empowering glory of light that prospered their soul.

Their soul prospered in the things of God.  Gratitude, serenity, peace, love, hope, wisdom, mercy, grace, and goodness super-naturally manifested in their life.

BUT once they ate the forbidden fruit we notice right away a sudden spiritual deficiency. (Genesis 3)  Contempt, fear, anxiety, pride, anger, blame, rudeness filled their mouths as they brought forth of what now suddenly polluted and filled their hearts.  The music of their souls was suddenly darkened by sin.  The strong internal compass that once pointed due north to God’s love was now malfunctioning.  What spiritually protected their souls was stripped from them.  Sin was then free to taint their thoughts and reality.  This sickness and disease did not just affect them but their offspring… us.

They not only have to leave their home, the Garden of Eden because of disobeying God, but in a big sense lost their spiritual home as well to their soul.  The good pleasant sustaining reality they had lived in was now gone.   

We are all born with this spiritual deficiency.  Our reality is skewed…  We lack the very ONE who prospers and satisfies the soul.  We are born with this immense need for the reality of God’s love. 

In short, God created us to be reliant on Him and without Him... the soul is certain not only to not prosper but spiritually deteriorate. 

Think for minute ... How many times have we tried to control, fix, and deliver ourselves by "our means only to end up serving things and dark emotions instead of being delivered from the those things by God.  We make things and emotions gods over our soul then turning to THE DELIVER of our soul.

We get hurt by someone so we turned to revenge, anger, and hate.   We wanted to stop being addicted to one substance so we exchange it for another substance.  We get on antidepressants to cover up our symptoms depression never dealing with the root reason(s) for why we are depressed... and the list goes on and on and on....   

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

 BUT HERE is the good news …

The Word of God says, Jesus himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases. (Note Matthew 8:17)

Through faith in Jesus Christ we can walk in what Adam and Eve lost.  We can be cured from the curse of Adam and Eve.

Jesus came not only to save us from hell but also to deliver us from the mindset of bondage....

The word of God says, "WHEN HE (Jesus) ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." Ephesians 4:8

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 they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

We can grow and mature (prosper) in the “knowing” of God’s love. We can know where our spiritual home is for our soul that leads the our heart and mind.  That is something Adam and Eve lost.
 

 It’s only in surrendering our life to Jesus Christ, can God take down the blinding and deafening deficiency in our life and we can partake in the prospering unlimited goodness God wants and intends to enrich and clothe our soul.
  

Often limited and trapped by our own understanding, God tells us not to depend on our own understanding but seek Him and reverence Him above all things and he will give us health and vitality.  (Proverbs 3:5-8)

THE HEART AND SPIRIT
Spiritual health and vitality (the capacity to mature and endure) are vital in our soul prospering and they are also dependent upon the condition of heart and spirit in which a person lives.
    

In the book of Ezekiel, God says,

If we stop looking to “things/idols” to prosper the soul and turn and give our life to Him, He will put a new spirit within us and take away the undiscerning heart of stone and give us a tender heart instead.  He will give us a heart that receives and acknowledges and feels the good prosperous things of God in our life.

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

And one of my personal favorites:

        "God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
 
God is the only one who can make our heart pure, we obviously can't.  When we have this transformed heart and God’s spirit living in us, our soul should not only prosper but God’s goodness and glory should be seen in our life.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3

KNOWLEDGE
Man has a lot of knowledge but the type of knowledge I am talking about is “LIVING” personal knowledge that God has put in each believer in Christ Jesus.  It isn’t something we have learned by rote but knowledge that dwells in the soul of the believer.  It’s “personal” knowledge that God, is at work in our life.   This living knowledge not only prospers our soul but also enables us to persevere in the challenges of this life.

John writes: “Beloved, I pray you prosper concerning all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

HEALTH
There is that word “health” again.   This word “health” in the concordance means:

Health of the “soul”: to be sound, to be well, to be in good health

1.     Christians who opinions are free from any mixture of error (like our understanding and erroneous doctrine.)

2.     Christians who keep the graces and are strong in faith (caused by a dependence and trust in God.) 
 

What emanates from us when we trust in things and/or ourselves and not God?  What happens when those things fail?  What emanates from us when we trust God and trust in what God’s word says?

PERSEVERANCE

James writes, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

Perseverance doesn’t happen by itself.  It needs us to draw close and surrender to God, so God can empower our daily lives.  

Our plans maybe to accomplish a great many things but what does it matter if our soul doesn’t prosper in God?  I mean… one day we are going to have to leave behind all our worldly ventures and accomplishments… what then?  Did we take the time to know God? Did we give your life to God? Have Him become the patron of our soul?  If not then God isn’t our God at all and our soul really has what… nothing?  What a waste.  God gave us free will to trust HIM or not.  The choice is ours but God does have plans for us if we only turn to HIM.

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11

God is the one who prospers us as an individual, a husband and wife, a family, a church and the entire body of Christ. 

HE doesn't want us to live lacking.... 
 

So the question is, are you going to allow God to prosper your soul?    Do you want to see God work in your life?  Do you want to see and know God?  Did you want to live beyond how you are living now with peace, hope, love, grace, joy, maturing in faith, wisdom and mercy?  Then what is stopping you?  

Take that step and give your life to Jesus Christ.  It will be the first of many greatest steps in allowing God to prosper your soul. 

If you are feeling the Holy Spirit drawing you with this message- it is your opportunity right now.  Don't waste anymore of your precious time.

Call on Jesus with your own sincere words and heart.  Tell Him the truth- if you are scared or uncertain, tell him that.  He won't mind.  It's not like He doesn't know already.  I remember feeling if I gave my life to the Lord I would no longer have any control over my life.  I thought I would be like some kind of puppet.  But that was not at all true but a lie from the pit of hell to keep me stuck and pinned down and keep my soul from prospering.   The plain fact is- do you have any real control over today or tomorrow?  No.  So why not give your life to God who can empower and prosper your soul with HIS love.  

Jesus said. "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.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

Take some time now... and if God is speaking to you, give your life to him and receive the prosperity your soul as been looking for in Jesus Christ. 
 
God Bless

Relentless 4

How the Race Changes Us

The obstacles in our life helps bring the impurities "the slag" to the surface where they can be skimmed off. When we see these "imperfections or irritations" we can ask ourselves, "Are we really letting God empower us?"

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:2-5

WHO simplifies the matters of the Heart and Mind... is it not GOD?
  

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” Isaiah 40:3-4
   
He not only simplifies but tell us, He is with us.
 

“When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2

God  has already been through the race and yet He loves us SO MUCH, He is willing to go through the race with each us individually.  This is a wonderful thought?

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15

Have you thought what Satan must of felt when he saw the relentlessness of Jesus taking up the cross?  He must of shook in fear.  Jesus is the picture of our Relentless.  He was beaten, whipped, chastised, tried, and tested, tortured but wanting to fulfill the will of the Father- nothing could stop Him. 

“I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7

That same relentless Spirit of Jesus is in us, Christians… that we too can set our face like flint on Jesus.   Our roots can go and surrender deep into God’s marvelous love that liberates.  

I hope this has encouraged you!

 “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  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 really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” Ephesians 3:17-21

Relentless 2

In the movie, Tomorrowland, there was a quote I appreciated but without changing the meaning, I am going to exchange the word "wolves" with "spirits".

There are two spirits who are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. The question is… which spirit wins?
 
... The one you feed.

 

What would the difference be, in our life, if we continually laid aside the things that weigh us down and entangle us? What would it show the world, about WHO is your Lord?

Hebrews 12:1-3 says:

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What kinds of things can we lay aside?

·      We can lay aside this perverse world- all it approves, all it encourages, all it hates, all it denies, all it strikes at, resorts to, conspires, fights for and tries to hide.

“We do not fight flesh and blood but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” 

·      We can lay aside the enemy.  Satan hates God and those who represent God and those formed in the image of God.  Satan often uses what he hates to destroy what he hates.   Satan is a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy.   He is the father of all lies and deception.  He has an enchanted tongue -manipulative, slippery and dangerous.  He loves to draw us in for a fight but when he comes soliciting a response ask Jesus “Will you get that?”  

But if you take the bait, and find yourself down on the mat of this life and Satan starts counting down… remember he is not the refereeing official of your life but God is.  And by God’s amazing mercy and grace, get up because He who is in you is greater then he who is the world.  

Remember Jesus has won the fight for us- now we just have to finish the race and we aren’t even to do that alone.

·      We can lay aside circumstances of life, the false illusions of what the world calls life, and the burdens of this life that so easily tires us.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

·      We can lay aside the subtle things that cause us to inadvertently step down from the ROCK that gave us LIFE and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY.  Stay alert of precarious rickety ladders of consciousness that set the mind in motion to themes of bleak, mundane, barren, hopeless outlooks. Watch out for fears, anxieties, imaginations, ideals of productivity, human philosophy, and unsatisfying self-filling prophecy that gets the best of us.

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

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Jeremiah 1:9

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
 
  ·   And finally lay aside the sin.  Don’t travel down sins tempting highway, seek Jesus who was tempted by never sinned.  Ask God to show you a way out.  

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Sin leads to death… Sin steals our joy, peace, hope… it separates us from living in the power of God, which gives us life.  Shame and guilt of sin keeps us from speaking the truth to others and if we do speak it, it feels false because of conviction of sin.  When we sin our mindset is tarnish and our reputation is hurt and even destroyed.
 

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9

But undeservedly, there is renewal and strengthening of one’s soul when one genuinely confesses their sin to God and seeks Him for forgiveness because Jesus, who is paid for our unrighteous, separates us from the burdens of our sinfulness that we may learn from our mistakes, remain hopeful and finish the race.

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12

So let me ask again ... What would the difference be, in our life, if we let go of these things that weigh us down and entangle us?  What would say about the LORD of our life? Would they aid in helping you remain in God's relentless Spirit?

Spiritual House

These past few weeks, I have been in great thought over what the LORD has given to me.   It so deep I do not know if I could ever possibly write down in words and have it be as meaningful to you as I want for you.   Some things just have to be experienced and taught by God for you to really understand them but I will give you what the LORD has given me.

I want you to let the LORD speak to you about being a spiritual house as you experience your day in Him.  I want you keep an open mind.  I don't want you to presume but give God a chance to take you deeper into understanding.  Be mindful of your spiritual house.

I believe you will find the meaning of your spiritual house insightful and you may even want to have God help you be more aware of what lives and echoes in your spiritual house.


Here are some things you might want to think on about your spiritual house.

What draws you? What kind of light in your house?  Are the windows open letting in the warm sunshine and refreshing breeze?  Are your windows closed and curtains drawn?  Are the windows hazed over where there is some light and visible shapes but everything outside is still obscured?  How might light speak of your faith?  What recordings still play on your answering machine?  What pictures do you hang up on your walls?  What spiritual junk mail ends up in your mailbox?  What things do you keep that aren't yours? What kind of neighbors do you keep?  What's playing on the radio in your house?  What is cluttering up your house?  What satisfies and sustains your spiritual house? What brings peace to your spiritual house? Where does your spiritual house sit?  Who is the builder of your house? What power supply is your spiritual house connected to? Who comes to steal and rob your spiritual house?
       
Here are some verses that might stir up your mind as God is speaking to you about your spiritual house. 

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

 

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer” Psalm 78:35

Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Isaiah 43:18

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

 
 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception." 1 John 4:4-6 

 

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.  Jeremiah 31:3

  Jesus said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:9-10

 ^“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5

I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.  I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. Hosea 11:3-4

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:18-21

 

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19

"Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."  Colossians 2:6-7

 

“Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.  Keep your minds on things that are above, not the things that are on the earth.  For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah in God.  When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you too, will be revealed with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4  

 

 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matthew 6:23

 ^“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:7 

"Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:9

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  Isaiah 58:11

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul…

“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' "And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. "Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." Luke 11:25-26

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36

"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a might one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over  you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17 
 

"'And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD 'And I will be it's glory within.'" Zechariah 2:5

"For God has not given us the a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline (sound mind)" 2 Timothy 1:7

"No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. "The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. "Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.…” Luke 11:33-35

 "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor is vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain." Psalm 127:1

SURRENDER

“The strongest position one can be…

 is complete surrender unto God.”

Do you believe COMPLETE surrender unto God is our strongest position?

If this quote doesn’t find a place in our heart then we must ask ourselves why don’t we agree with such a statement?  And we must also ask what then echoes in the catacombs of our heart?

This quote finds or does not find a place in our heart based on the understanding of LIFE and who is LIFE.   For the one who is LIFE transforms our heart and creates a LIFE.

Our existence is like a written journal we keep tucked underneath our armpit as we walk the streets and a tower that chime the hours of our days.  This weathered volume we try to keep safe and hid, is held by the deficiencies of human frailty. And one day we will drop it.   Down it will fall to the cold pavement, its worn leather cover will unsnap, the pages will quickly fan and spill from it’s tattered bindings.  The pages will be trampled… scattered into the wind… memories and thoughts will drift into reflective puddles where the ink will bleed from them.  The perfume scent will leave them and they will be as important as Sundays discarded paper in Monday morning’s garbage.

“Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah.  Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.” Psalm 39:4-6

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2

Like the bar fly is able fool many people we can’t fool God and what is really written in the secretive pages of our life.

We walk physically as well as spiritually.  We physically speak but we spiritual speak as well.  We mentally think as well as spiritually think.  There are landscapes in which we physically live and spiritual landscapes in which we live as well. 

One might spiritually walk streets where fear, anxiousness, depression and doubt thrive.  Another might walk the same physical streets but spiritually live where there is resurgence, renaissance, hope, peace, enthusiasm, clarity that comes from the warm tangible assurance of God’s governing love. 

One might live under a spiritual dictator of slavery of hate, addiction, lies, deceit, slander, and blind self- ambition.  Another might live in God where there is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  NOTE: Galatians 5:19.

One might have a poor side of town and rich part of town in their soul.  One might have unstable “spiritual” currency while another has a stable “spiritual currency no matter what the times or season.

19th century American writer Henry David Thoreau, wrote "It is not what you look at that matters.  It's what you see."  

Reminds me of that U2 song entitled "Beautiful Day".

 

Ever honestly ask what are the landscapes of my heart? How do they affect how I see the experiences in life?

I don’t see a city in my heart. I see a secluded private place.  I see long golden wheat grasses bathed in the warm of the sun.   I see tall green thick bark trees where great eagles nest and softly chant.  I see the most perfect mountain in the spring topped with snow.  And amongst all this majestic scenery stands a lowly cabin signaling a warm welcome meal from its stone chimney for the occasional friend and guest.  Does the challenging experiences affect my landscape? Do they change my landscape... I am certain they have and do at times.. some for the better and some for the worst, that is why I and everyone else need God. The bible says, "And he (God) is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.  Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need."  Acts 17:25 

 I find experiences come and go... they can't be our temporary god in which we look at life.

Here are some of the verses that have helped me lately keep such a landscape in my heart... 

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh but envy makes the bones rot.” Proverbs 14:30

Who gives me a tranquil heart? Jesus says, "I give you peace, not as the world gives.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.  When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5

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

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8

"And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

I have found living in the quiet moment at a task with the the peace of God as your guide is much better then trying to imagine what is next moments ahead will be... especially when they are a bit "Trying".

Along with asking, "What are the landscapes of my heart?, other questions to ask ourselves, are... "Why did I pick those particular landscapes?"  Was I being honest with myself when I choose the things in my landscape.   And if I was being honest, what subconsciously drove me to pick those things for my landscape? 

-->IS God transforming those landscapes of my heart?  WAS God transforming the landscapes of my heart and has He stopped?  What changed?  What got between me and God?" 

If God has not transformed the landscapes of your heart….  then you may be standoffish, cold and hold what I share as… fiction.  But just because one doesn’t want to believe something is true doesn’t make it untrue.   

What is your typical perspective and response on the things of God?  Do you throw all things “god” and “God” in the same organizing bin?  Are you cynical or indifferent?  Do you regard the things of God as old fashioned, religious, cultish, ritualistic and just plain creepy and weird?  Are you curious?  Are looking in the windows of “this” and “that” hoping to get a glimpse of God?  Are you hoping He is for you and not against you?  Are you one who says, “If I can’t see it, I can’t believe it.”? Well you can’t see air or the wind and yet it is there and all around us. 
 

-->

I have found our feelings and opinions keep us restricted from God.  It is only when we surrender ourselves to Him can He awaken and transform our heart.
  

In the book of Ezekiel God says:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” EZEKIEL 36:26-27

In the book of Revelation God says:

“So I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.” REVELATION 3:18

In other words we have “invested” or “entrusted” our soul to God, to became a “new” person… a new creature…to see things differently ... because God is now living inside of us.  It wasn’t about “us” but Him living "in us".  And God's word has been like refined gold  proven in the trials of this life. 
  

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did.  And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.  2 Corinthians  5:18
 

We have all walked in those dark spiritual landscapes but God is willing to change the landscapes of our heart if we let him.

“Through you I am saying to the prisoners of darkness, ‘Come out! I am giving you freedom!’  They will be my sheep, grazing in the green pastures and on the hills that were previously bare.  They will neither hunger nor thirst.   The searing sun and scorching desert winds will not reach them anymore.  For the LORD in his mercy will lead them beside cool waters.” Isaiah 49:9-10

--> Jesus, who knows all hearts, knew there would be many who would not come out of darkness, for they loved the darkness more then the light who is God.  I tell you don’t be like them who condemn their own soul by not surrendering to God.  Your life is but a vapor and shadow.  Note: John 3:19 

“For God says,  ‘At just the right time, I heard you.  On the day of salvation, I helped you.’   Indeed, God is ready to help you right now.  Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 

 If Jesus, who created your soul, has a plan for your life, aren't you missing the point of your life if you aren't giving it to him to guide?

 
Jesus said, "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." Matthew 16:25
 
We in our own means are reckless and careless with our "short" existence on earth.   We in our own human understanding give little care for our soul which is eternal.

Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

 But to have what God wants to give us we must give ourselves back to the one who created us and this is not just a once type of thing but a daily and sometimes and hourly thing.  
 

The strongest position one can be…

 is complete surrender unto God.