Higher Perspective That Takes Some Work

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

  

A Witness of the LIGHT

Oil Painting by Jeff Johnson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Who To Trust?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trust not in man but in God.

Hindered Prayers Part 3

“The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or the water, trying to kill him.  Have mercy on us and help us.  Do something if you can.”

What do you mean, “If I can?” Jesus asked.  “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24

Have you ever said to God/Jesus Christ... “God touch this situation if you can?”

I have. And most likely in a difficult situation, like this one, you prayed in some kind of hope but not an expectant hope.

This word “unbelief” (in the text above) in the Greek is translated “apistia” (ap-is-tee’-ah).

Its definition is “a want of faith and trust”.

It is also means, “withholding belief in the divine power, or in the power and promises of God; in the divine mission of Jesus; in opposition of the gospel, with the added notion of obstinacy (stubbornness /inflexibility), and/or weakness of faith.”

Another way to define this idea is a “divided house” and/or a “divided mind”.

It’s being “double minded” which makes a person unstable in all their ways. James 1:8

Jesus made an interesting comment in Matthew 12:29

“How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder the house.”

The weight of doubt can lead to things like fear, depression, emptiness, and unfaithfulness.  Doubt is a way the “thief” of our soul blindfolds and chains us up to plunder what belief we do have.  Jesus says, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

In doubt we can find ourselves in need of grace and mercy.  In doubt we can find ourselves in need and want of belief and trust in God.

And in part this is not bad.  For one of my favorite verses in God’s word is, “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3

But if doubt stops us from “receiving” the things God has to give us that is problem.

For how can anyone walk in the authority of God, the love of God, the grace of God, the hope of God, the promises of God, the truth of God and so on… if doubt stops and ultimately robs us?

How can we expect to actually “receive” if we are hindered by doubt?

Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” Matthew 6:21

When we are faced with doubt we must consider carefully and honestly what we are treasuring in our hearts.  Are we treasuring doubt?  Are we treasuring to be a victim? Treasuring what people have said over what God has said... Or are we treasuring life and life more abundantly regardless of circumstances? Difficult to swallow but is this not true?

I had a friend who was living with a rare cancer, she fought the good fight, ran the race well and instead of becoming a victim- she trusted in God and gained a deeper relationship with Him.  People would come to see her and there was not this victim mentality but a warm, confident, courage because of deep trust in God.

In times of doubt and pain we might only see one set of footprints in the sand and think we are alone, but what if those footprints in the sand aren’t really ours but Jesus carrying us?

 If we realized this we might be healed from our doubt and see life differently. 

The man asked what of Jesus?

“Help me overcome my unbelief.”

Let us not become a victim but place our unbelief in Jesus hands- that he may transform them into “life and life more abundantly” amongst the challenges and difficult circumstances that come. May His mercy and grace abound in our life and we know His love more deeply.

Amen.

He Set's Us Free (Knowledge of the Truth)

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“Voice of Christ

My child, you must strive diligently to be inwardly free, to have mastery over yourself everywhere, in every external act and occupation, that all things be subject to you and not you to them, that you be the master and director of your actions, not a slave or a mere hired servant.  You should be rather free and a true Hebrew, arising to the status and freedom of children of God who stand above present things to contemplate those which are eternal; who look upon passing affairs with the left eye and upon those of heaven with the right; whom temporal things do not so attract that they cling to them, but you rather put these things to such a proper service as is ordained and instituted by God, the great Workmaster, Who leaves nothing unordered in His creation.”

Quote from Thomas A Kempis’ book entitled “The Imitation of Christ” pages 99-100

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be one of those people who is always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.  Many Christians know what God’s words says but are still held captive by religious and worldly traditions/practices, ideals, understandings, mentalities, and perceptions about life then where God wants us.   We are living in a shadow far from how God wants us to see, breath and live. These things may not be obvious to us but when seated next to someone totally surrendered to God- they stick out.

Some might say we act like a dog chained to a tree.  The dog wants to be in the sun but the tree’s shadow is just a bit larger then the dog’s chain can reach.  We think, like an elephant chained to a little stick.  God wants us know there is no chain or stick.  God wants us to know we no longer have to live in the shadow of the tree of good and evil but are free to enjoy and eat and be nourished from the tree of life! The tree of living wisdom.

“Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.…” Proverbs 3:18

Again coming to the knowledge of truth. 

Today (Nov 19th) as I was listening to Stuart Briscoe on the radio, he too was speaking about this!  His message was entitled “By Living Like Enoch”.

I know this wasn’t a matter of chance. God knew exactly when I would be listening to the radio.  He had prepared Stuart Briscoe to speak on this subject and knew when radio program would be airing the message.  God was in control of all the aspects and delivering them as a living word, a living word that was not only confirming what He (God) spoke to my heart but also encouraging me to live in the liberating reality He wants all His people to live in.

These are some of the verses Stuart Briscoe used.

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Letting go of control- not being conformed to this world, who thinks it has some kind of control.  Presenting our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God by resigning our selves to God.   Renewing and transforming our mind- by believing and seeing God as above all things. 

In other words,

“We walk by faith not by sight.”  2 Corinthians 5:7

 It is to really know…

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

To come to the knowledge of this is to learn to live more attentive to His Presence, who orders our thoughts and contents of the heart, than being attentive to the naggings and cares and affairs of this life that often try to exalt themselves in our life over God.  And many times, when we are unaware, unguarded, tired, and overwhelmed- they can easily entangle us- they can succeed and cause things like depression, fear, anxiety, frustration, worry, and just plain yuck!

We forget that despite all things that come and across our path,  

“Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love”.

The love that sets us free… look at the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 1:13

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed everyday; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

We forget to let go and pray knowing God is more then capable.   

“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

God wants us to come to the living understanding that by the grace of God we will overcome not be overcome – all things will pass even death but a life in God is never lost.

God wants us to understand that in our reliance on Him and His love our entire attitude and mindset changes and there is self-control that is beyond us.

God wants us to understand He is with us in the most mundane to the direr of situations. 

He is our peace.  He is our strength. He is our humble confidence because we have allowed Him to be in his rightful place in our hearts and minds and because we have done so His power and goodness is reflected in our lives.

We submit and honor God in Spirit and truth and in turn God gracefully honors and empowers our inner soul to overcome despite the circumstances.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

I find at times the church misses aspects and spiritual mechanisms of this power and pride, ignorance, false piety, take over putting those who misunderstand this to shame and even endanger because they know the words of the truth but are not resigned to it in the manner they should.

In the same manner I believe man should not assign or assume the route in which God is to take us throw but know God will continually be with us to help persevere and continue to mature in our faith in HIM not us.  For who knows what can achieve what the LORD wants for the soul but the LORD?

We may look at failure negatively but God may look as failure as a way of achieving success for our eternal soul- and strengthening our dependence/ reliance on Him.  How many times has failure brought good fruit in one’s life?

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

What we must ask is what kind of mentality is God trying to achieve for our soul that He loves?

So next time you face something that stretches you think, who has control? Who am I resigning myself to? Who am I trusting and depending on?  And see how God renews and transforms our thinking. See how perfect His will is in the knowledge of the truth- that God/Jesus is above all things and we stand with Him.

AND IN DOING, - Spirit and Truth

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-->Jesus said, “But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth.  The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:23

So what does this mean to you to worship God in Spirit and truth?

One of the ways to help us define what is living in Spirit and truth is to see what God considers the opposite of living and worshiping God in Spirit and truth is. 

“And the Lord said, ‘Because the people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,” Isaiah 29:13-14

“They fear the LORD and served their own gods according to the custom of the nations from among whom they had been carried away into exile.  To this day they do according to the earlier customs; they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances or the law, or the commandments which the LORD command the sons of Jacob, whom He named Israel.” 2 Kings 17:33-34

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…” 2 Timothy 3:5

“Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7

So living and worshiping God in Spirit and truth is NOT:

1.             Head knowledge alone.

2.            Religious tradition

3.             Repetitious prayers or words.  

4.             A complacent or false love for God.

5.             Denying the Holy Spirit in one’s life.

6.             Disregarding a personal relationship with the True and Living GOD.

7.             (What did the Spirit point out to you in these scriptures?)

Spirit and truth.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Think…. This ever-growing revelation of Jesus being “the way, the truth and the life” didn’t come until the Holy Spirit came upon us and resided within us.

For the truth to become “active” in our soul the Holy Spirit must make it “living” in our soul.  For instance scriptures on a page are just words until God’s Spirit awakens them in our soul with meaning, insight, assurance, confidence and ability.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

Do we hear God?  Do we hear God some of the time?  How much do we hear God?

We shut off God by denying him within our daily lives either consciously or unintentionally.  We can get carried away in daily tasks that we leave God behind instead of Him having him central amongst the tasks of life.  We tend to follow the path of least resistance (our own humanness) if we aren’t mindful, and that path is our ignorance, imagination, our insecurities, our pride, our perceptions, our feeling, our routines, our order of things, our orthodox reasoning, our experiences and even those we surround ourselves by.  We limit God when we think we have God all figured out and know it all.  We shut God off when we think we know His Word in all its richness and fullness.  We shut God off when we think we have “arrived” in some kind of spiritual self-sufficiency.  In such cases God’s Spirit becomes minimized, dormant, and even irrelevant in our lives.

I love this these verse...

“Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” Psalm 23:7

How of often does our human intellect and understanding become gates separating us from God?  Where we try to figure out everything on our own.  I find even in the best of intentions in seeking or pursuing God in our ways, we miss God because it’s about us and not us surrendering us to God.  But God’s word says, “Lift up your heads, O gates and be lifted up- that the King of Glory may come in!”      

If we build and base our day on just our self what do you have in the end? Have we gained any greater mindset or heart? Has our relationship with God grown?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead fear the LORD and turn your back on evil.  Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.” Proverbs 3:5

For as long as I have lived I have never known anyone to gain renewed health and vitality in themselves.   How could anyone gain renewed health and vitality without living in Spirit and truth of God?  How could anyone the catch the fire of God when God isn’t allowed in any and all aspects? For this LIFE giving principle of trusting in the LORD and not depending on our own understanding makes us persist and endure in all things!  It’s where we cease and where God’s loving, comforting and encouraging Spirit takes over!

I am reminded of what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2

“I know all the things you do.  I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance.  I know you don’t tolerate evil people.  You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not.  You have discovered they are liars.  You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.  But I have this complaint against you.  You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen from you first love!  Turn back to me again and work as you did at first.  If you don’t, I will remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” Revelation 2: 2-5   

For those who have ever fallen in love, I want you to think on what it meant and felt like to be “in love”. What was that glow?  What was that want to be near that person?  How you threw yourself at that person with a special trust.  You seemed to want to do just about anything for that special person of the opposite sex.  It was no burden or hassle at all.  You seem to be almost floating…  You seem to have this renewed health and vitality about you, did you not as you walked in this unexplainable thing called “love”.  Now put God in that place… Do you see this?.

A. W. Tower wrote: “Behind the veil is God, that God after Whom the world, with strange inconsistency, has felt, ‘If haply they might find Him.’ He has discovered Himself to some extent in nature, but more perfectly in the Incarnation; now He waits to show Himself in ravishing fullness to the humble of soul and the pure in heart.  The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of his Presence.  The instant cure of the most of our religious ills would be to enter the Presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and that God is in us.  This would lift us out of our pitiful narrowness and cause our hearts to be enlarged.  This would burn away the impurities from our lives as the bugs and fungi were burned away by the fire that dwelt in the bush.”

Jesus said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37

How quickly we dismiss such words out of familiarity not realizing they are the key out of cage of ourselves and everything else that chips and nags at us.  We don’t necessary see them as what we are to build and pour our life into but just orders and commands.  But God gives us these words to liberate us from the monotony of close-minded themes that keep us captive within the world’s ideals and ourselves.   Instead God says, “Come to ME, LOVE ME with all your heart soul and mind and I will show you what it means to LIVE.  Take a moment to think how this pertains to living Spirit and truth.

God wants us to develop, grow, endure and mature in the supernatural grace and the glorious unfolding of His daily invigorating love.

Paul writes with great and humbling admiration:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you might inner strength through his Holy Spirit. 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 God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s peoples 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 the 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.” Ephesians 3:16-20

I don’t know about you but my soul says, “Wow!”  Staying in Spirit and truth, which is to stay in the ‘knowing of God’s love’ brings about the fullness of life and the power that comes from being in His Love.

Is this an easy task? Of course not, for the things of self, love to be our obstacle.   They like to barge to the front of the line and make their demands and in the process redirect our focus away from God.

As A.W. Tozer so eloquently points out, “Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us.  It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction.” 

Realizing this we must make a personal effort to live a circumcised life in Spirit in order to enjoy the encompassing elements of God.  For we were meant to have such a wonderful outlook as Paul speaks yet many times we find ourselves settling for far less.

“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

How many times has Christ Jesus overcome for us and shown us His goodness?  Why has he continually made a way where their seems to be no way?  Why has he kept the path clear for us?  This path we love to discover and walk upon but somehow… forget throughout our day.  But Jesus calls to us… Can you hear Him? “Let me be LORD OVER ALL THINGS!”

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the LORD.  “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”

Is this not REFRESHING!!!  God’s thoughts and ways are HIGHER then our thoughts and ways!  Some may ask, “Why is this a good thing?”  This is a good thing because we who have been born-again in Christ Jesus can live in, by HIS SPIRIT, in God’s thoughts and ways. We can be in-tuned with God.

“Who can know the LORD’s thoughts?  Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

This morning’s scripture verse reads,

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to the Him;  He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”  Proverbs 16:3

And this is what the Spirit said to me, “Your thoughts of the day’s tasks are transformed when you give and entrust them to the Lord and they become satisfying and liberated because they are in His will which is perfect, pleasing and good for the soul.”

You don’t just see natural contexts of life but in the contexts of life you walk in the spiritual contexts as well -instead of just the tendencies or leanings of our selves.

As we digest these things, “What is established and success in God’s eyes?”  Is it being materially rich? I don’t remember my Jesus ever being materially rich.  And I have seen many who are materially rich who are yet unsatisfied.  So that is not being established or a success in God’s eyes.  Is it having a degree?  Did Jesus have a degree?  How about the completion of many tasks and worldly successes?  We can complete many tasks yet still feel unsatisfied…  God has shown me what is established and a success is those things God put’s His hands to.  It’s allowing God to work in us as his holy priest.

“And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple.  What’s more you are God’s holy priest, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that pleas him because of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

What is established and a success is how we go about those tasks in life by His Spirit.  I am reminded that everyone’s life’s work will be tested by fire.   Are we doing those tasks in the ways and thoughts of God (Spirit and truth) or are we doing them with burden, only as obligation, self-sufficiency, self-promotion, egotism, etc?  These things neglect the Spirit’s love, counsel and encouragement and without the Spirit there is no “edible” fruit to partake from for us or anyone else.  For the good fruit is our witness of God working in us and manifesting Himself in us.

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

“If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25

“But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law- the law that sets you free- and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:25

Anyone can accomplish something but it’s in how we accomplish that something that matters most to God.

GOD who inspired the words, “We walk by faith not by sight,” wants to graciously bestow upon us a new perspective daily and hourly.  A perspective only He can give.   No wonder why the Word of God states nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Note Romans 8:39

  Acts 17:28 says “For in Him we live, and move and have our being; as also certain of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”

Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.…” John 15:4

To quietly and humbly surrender to the Spirit and truth is to pass through the veil of our stumbling and burdening understanding and have every need… want… thirst… hunger… thought … circumstance… and experience to be “spoken to” and satisfied!

“And God spoke ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

God wants us to know that in Him we lack nothing….

Romans 8:37 says… “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

I find in many experiences in life we find ourselves out of our league.  We live in this world but we are not of this world.   Most of us are aware of our moment-by-moment need and if we are cognoscenti of WHO can hold and carry us and encourage us through our need we are the most lucky and blessed individuals on the planet. 

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

And it becomes overwhelmingly clear we can’t have this unless we give our life to the son- Jesus Christ, who is God’s most greatest gift of love.

 ^“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:9-19

As I was writing the early parts of these pages a song came on.  I don’t think this was by accident.  Here are the lyrics to “You are my Vision”

You are my vision, O King of my heart
Nothing else satisfies, only You Lord
You are my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Your presence my light

You are my wisdom, You are my true word
I ever with You, and You with me Lord
You're my great Father, and I'm Your true son
You dwell inside me, together we're one

You are my battle-shield, sword for the fight
You are my dignity, You're my delight
You're my soul's shelter and You're my high tower
Come raise me heavenward, O power of my power

I don't want riches or man's empty praise
You're my inheritance, now and always
You and You only, the first in my heart
High king of Heaven, my treasure You are

High king of Heaven, when victory's won
May I reach Heaven's joy, O bright Heaven's Son
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

 

Jesus said, “But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth.  The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:23

Does God Challenge You? 5

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EXPECTATIONS

Recently others and myself were challenged again when God sent Pastor Onesmus from Kenya Africa to our little church in the hill country.

Sunday, the day of Onesmus' arrival I received this word….

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on our own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes… I know I have read this many times… I got it… but did I really get it? Did I really take it to heart the way I should have? 

Ever come with expectation to something? How about a movie, a destination, a new purchased item, a project, a new member of the family?

We set high expectations and low expectations.  We even set expectations of unbelief. We write them down with our invisible pens as if we are authors of our days and when these expectations are broken we are usually either discouraged or pleasantly surprised.

But then again there are other times when they are just… challenged.

I think expectations can be good but expectations we set up in our mind about how God works verses the complexity of how God really works can be hard hurtles to cross over at times….  Especially when God does the unexpected.   

Again…. If you think you have figured out how God works… watch out!!!

  

Expectations need to be on God and God alone.... not your own preconceived notions of what may or may not happen. 

EXPECTATION MEET THE UNEXPECTED

I am not certain what my expectation was... I knew there was going to be some "unconventional" happenings with Onesmus' visit but I was challenged by what God had Him do.

Some of the things seemed down right cruel and rude and MORE unconventional then I expected. 

Onesmus, hands COVERED in olive oil, began to do as directed by the Spirit, the congregation – some who came all the way from Arizona, Houston and Austin, prayed.

Onesmus would not just speak to the ailments but he would have the sick themselves speak to the ailments.  In his Kenyan accent he would say, “Cancer go back to your father!”  Deafness go back to your father! Confusion go back to your father!”  He would refer to the sickness as the devil.   “Devil go!”  He would have the people repeat after Him…

He would do all kinds of unorthodox things such as blowing on people, spitting in one person’s eyes, pouring olive oil in a person’s ears and then pouring water on their back, rubbing his hands on their body, and some would scream in terrible pain…. 

Yet when these seemingly cruel, rude and strange things were over- people were healed of their ailments, sicknesses, solicitations and oppressions.  And they had smiles on their faces...  What smiles?  How could this be?  What just happened? 

GOD- THE LIFE CHANGER. Pt 3

THE GATEWAY TO LIFE

So knowing this about God’s thoughts and ways… we must also understand the way in which we enter heaven is not the same open ended views as man foolishly and dangerously assures himself in.

JESUS said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” JOHN 14:6

JESUS said, "But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." MATTHEW 7:14

It is difficult because people want to make their own way into heaven but there is no other way to be saved except through JESUS CHRIST – the SON of GOD.   The blood of GOD was GIVEN for all humanity but not all humanity want to accept this FACT. 

JESUS speaking of Himself said: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life,”  JOHN 3:16

The corrupt understanding keeps people from knowing GOD like a loaded down camel trying to pass through a narrow gate.  The man must be relieved of his sinful understanding just as the camel must be unloaded of his baggage to pass through the gate.  GOD IS the ONLY one who can GIVE one NEW UNDERSTANDING.

I remember there were times I didn’t want to surrender to God afraid God would take something from me or turn me into something I didn’t want to be but what I wasn’t aware of was GOD HAD PLANS for me and had I realized GOD had plans for me I might had not wasted so much energy, time and money being something was not meant to be.  

It is just as JEREMIAH 29:11 says: "'For I know the plans for you,' says the the LORD.  'They are plans for good not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

God made you and if HE made you then HE made you for a reason and purpose but in order to find the plans God has for us we must GIVE YOURSELF to YOUR rightful MAKER and trust HIM.

FAITH and TRUST

ISAIAH wrote:  "Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.  These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Have you seen cypress trees?  Not far from my house is a park that has a river. Along the river's edge are these enormous cypress trees.   Where the water gets high at times, the water has exposed it's large roots and you can see them reaching deep into the water.  It is like JEREMIAH 17:7-8

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried about long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit."  JEREMIAH 17:7-8

That is FAITH.  Sometimes we see a person’s faith, the “roots” of their faith when exposed by different situations and we see them reaching and trusting in GOD which gives them an anchoring peace in those trying and difficult times.  A person’s faith is like a canopy of shade on those hot dry days as they stick their roots in the cool refreshing waters of God’s love and faithfulness.   Is not a trusting faith a sign of God’s power and love?

REMEMBER IT IS GOD WHO DOES THE TRANSFORMING IN PEOPLE- IT IS NOT FOUND IN THE UNDERSTANDINGS OF MAN OR THE DEVICES OF MAN. 

Come to HIM.  Be SAVED.  Be TRANSFORMED.  Become and live the DESTINY GOD planned for you long ago as you EXPERIENCE and come to KNOW HIM.

MercyMe - Shake (Official Music Video)