Found Lacking Wisdom in the Sight of God

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As I read this passage from Matthew 11... three of these verses spoken by Jesus stood out from the rest.

The first verse:

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]."

The second verse:

“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,”

Note that "generation" is a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, and character.

The third verse:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].””

MATTHEW11:12, 16, 19

So I started journaling

The kingdom of heaven is under violent assault yet people act like children.... They do not know the times in which they live. They have no real discernment.  They lack restraint.  They act like they don’t have any accountability for their actions.

People calling to each like "group" of children in the market place... "playing games".

They are always trying to be justified and vindicated by their peers for how they want to be seen ... and whatever they want and do.  They judge by mere appearances.  They are not free from the sinful wants that steer put downs and enticing words from their lips.  They compare based on what they value in their own little group... but will their judgments mean anything when they stand before God?  

They are not wise or cleaver in the sight of God.  Why value the opinions of such people more then God? They are like a wildflower in a field. Here today gone tomorrow.  They cannot see what is right in front of them.  They put down God to His face.

People's opinions matter very little when it comes to God.  John The Baptist, did he play to whatever tune people wanted him to play?  No He did not.  He spoke whatever God had him speak.  He did whatever God had him do.  He was not sway like a reed by every breath of wind.  He was not afraid to speak the truth and did not deny me when pressed, even with the earthly consequences that ended in his beheading by the wicked.

To put hope, trust and reverence in God, above all things, that is wisdom and life and life eternal.  People who lack wisdom act like spoiled children.  They act like the world, which is full of hypocrisy, stubbornness, selfishness, foolishness, pride, deceit, and lust of power.  They war and violently assault what they don’t care to understand.  They war against life itself for what, for things that will perish and come to nothing?  They care more about the love of the world then the everlasting love of the Father.

This has caused much unrest in people's lives.

The “generation” that disregards God's word publicly shows its filthy ignorance, immaturity and their path to destruction.

Wisdom comes from God not our own understanding... Wisdom works when you fear God and follow Him.  Wisdom works when you actually listen and respond to God.

The fact is a child who has faith in God has more wisdom flowing through them then those who act as the world does that controlled by Satan.  (Powerful)

In the passage Jesus denounces certain cities and their destruction for not turning to God.  These were cities he did the most miracles in...

They did not have wisdom to see God's goodness and mercy. They took it for granted.

Then Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

Matthew 11:25-30

This is wisdom... This is the remedy for living in a world that lacks wisdom.  This is the healthy alternative... to help us to stand firmly, securely and peaceful in God.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3  

They could have the kingdom of heaven if they just would submit and see their need for God.

The Oil and Water of the Refugee Crisis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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.

Lift Up You Gates!

Photo by Jeff Johnson

Is it true that when we close off God we close off “Life”?

We often get confused with the “fleshly” term life, what we see and perceive in our own understanding as being “life” when “LIFE” is really about living in the spiritual mindset of God which allows God to manifest and shape His perfect, pleasing and good will in our life.

Someone might say, “Look at the house and car that guy has, he must be living the life!” In fact the very opposite might true... He may be the most miserable guy on the planet.

Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart.” Luke 6:45

Everyone agrees that the thoughts and contents of our heart shape our actions. But what is shaping your thoughts to stir your heart? Is it God or is it your own understanding? And WHO or who are you opening the gates for? Who was shaping the thoughts of that man who killed those police officers? Definitely not God. We know examples of people who opened the gate to all the wrong influences and others have paid dearly.

Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

I have found we can accept God’s words to different degrees in our life. Some just become head knowledge but not heart knowledge. And then there are those same words that actually “live” in the heart such as hope and joy and love and peace. They live in the heart because the Spirit of God is allowed to live in them. He brings them to life, points them out, highlights and uses them to empower His children.

So here’s the question, “Are we accepting the words of Life in the Spirit so we may have Life more abundantly? (Note John 10:10)

It all sounds good but are we allowing the Spirit of God to put them into practice in our day-to-day lives? I mean... there actually is a difference between “existing” and actually living what is truly LIFE isn’t there?

What would the benefit of being a Christian if you didn’t allow the Spirit of God to be living and active in your life? There would be NONE! That is religion not faith.

Psalm 24:7 says, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”

Jesus is the King of glory. It’s by His Spirit being allowed to work in us that we are lifted up and encouraged and empowered.

Isaiah 58:11 says "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”

Notice the LORD is the source.

Jesus says, “But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

God wants us to live and drink deeply from His water. He wants us to live in that understanding that is beyond us. That understanding that gives us peace, joy, hope, love, grace, etc…

This is why the Apostle Paul wrote: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:17-20

For Jesus to dwell/live in our hearts we all must open up the gates of our thinking “daily” for a gated soul to the Lord is like a putrid, foul dark dungeon with no air flow and no so-called life but all the attributes of death such as hopeless, fear, dread, the mundane, and so on.

God says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher then your ways and my thoughts then your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s words are LIFE… BUT there is no LIFE in wisdom unless the Spirit is making that wisdom come alive. Solomon one of the wisest people who ever lived missed this point. He started living by his own understanding and living became meaningless because He started living without the counsel
of God. (Note: Ecclesiastes 1)  Alters were built to the so-call gods of his wives who followed the practices of human sacrifice and the sacrifice of babies to appease their gods.  How did this ever happen?  It happened because Solomon ignored God.  

Life is living in the Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, and Strengthener who is the Spirit of God. (Note: John 14:16)

And without opening the gates to Him we would not experience the things we now know or imagined.

It is just as the word of God says, “Things which eye has not seen or ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

I was reminded of a vision I had sometime ago. Though I was physically sitting in a chair at the time, in the experience I was actually hunched over in this kneeling position on the floor when a figure walked before me wearing this long golden glimmering gown. Ever time the figure took a step this kind of smoke or fog came out from under the gown until it filled the entire floor. When I looked up at the figure, I saw a man with long shoulder length white hair and white hair on his chin. I looked into his eyes and when I did I was drawn into them. I was seeing the complexity and depths of the endless universe. I then looked at his face and in an involuntary way I uttered, “Father” and like a super beam of light His presence shot upward and disappeared into the depths of space above. And I was back sitting in my chair. (Now I think: Perhaps He didn’t shoot into space at all- but it was I coming back here.)

Experiences like these would not happen to us if we did lift up our gates. This should EXCITE YOU… for the bible says “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…” Note 2 Chronicles 16:9

God is actively looking for those who are fully committed to Him- that they have their gates lifted up and are seeking Him. I can’t even imagine or think what God can accomplish in us if we surrender, stay “grounded” and rooted to Him in faith, and allow Him to “live” in and build us up.

So lift up your gates and let the glory of the King come in. Amen!

What Have We Learned?

As we hear Texas lawmakers ensuring religious freedoms, and those opposing them by fear tactics, I thought what have we learned?

We have learned the certainty of Amendments mean very little.  They have become like many good things in this world… uncertain.  The Constitution, a great document created by the founding fathers- is and was to ensure freedoms to those in living in America. 

John Adams, our second president, said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Has it become inadequate?  And if so why is it inadequate? What does it say about the condition of America?

 

We have learned the Amendments have to be continually re-enforced as “this” group and “that” group act like termites attacking and gnawing away at the pillars that upholds an American civil society.   What are these pillars?   Glad you asked….

George Washington, General of the Revolutionary Army, First President of the United States of America, Father of our nation, wrote "Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society."

Proverbs says “A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!” 29:18

Just as there is peace and order in our life when we seek and trust in God so it true when a nation seeks and trusts God.  

Peace and order come from God who gives wisdom but if you are against God, how are you going to receive sustaining peace and order that come from true wisdom? You are not.

 

When one excludes the divine truths of the bible, in their own life and the in governing policies of the people- you have no law and no law to protect it’s people and the rights of its people.

James Wilson, U. S. Supreme Court Justice and Signer of the Constitution wrote: "Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is divine. . . . Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other."

We have learned we have to make laws in our states to assure certain religious freedoms and protection.  And we have learned we have to make more laws to bolster and reinforce those laws.

We are society of two peoples, while one people puts up a stone to build a wall to protect another is there to take down that same stone.

This country is divided.   

Jesus says, “A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.  A home divided against itself is doomed.”  Mark 3:24-25

“Wisdom shouts in the streets.  She cries out in the public square.  She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall.  “You simpletons!”  She cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How will you mockers relish your mocking?  How long will you fools fight the facts?  Come here and listen to me!  I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.”  Proverbs 1:20-23

They will never have wisdom if they never turn to God.  For God is the one who gives it.

“For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.  He is a shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.”  Proverbs 2:6-8

We have learned to be passionate over words, that were once just taken for granted, but this passion is misplaced if not in God.

As I thought of these things in some quiet time with the Lord, I heard a thought of a whisper…

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

And in this word came like a flood that nourished my soul.

And we have learned nothing sustaining… until we have a relationship with our LORD Jesus Christ!

Don't Count On You

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

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you remember what Jesus told Paul?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 This question also came to mind later…

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

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.

Capricious

Three words awoke me a recent morning.  It was 4:24AM.  I wrote them down on the palm of my hand in the dark.  Capricious, Rebellious... and one other I couldn't read or remember so I have since given up on the third word.

Capricious isn't a word I use in either my verbal or written vocabulary.  Those who know me and have read this blog know this. 

To be completely honestly, I didn't even know what capricious meant exactly until I looked it up.  

I wasn't even sure if "capricious" was even in the bible but to my surprise it is.  

"And I will make mere lads their princes, and capricious children will rule over them." ISAIAH 3:4 

Children: The English translation is "children" but what does it say in the Hebrew?  This word "children" means servant or a young man or women in their twenties.  This is someone much older then a what we would think of as a child.  Then we must also think in terms of how God looks at human race...  we are but children to Him.   
  
Capricious: So what does "capricious" mean when translated? One who acts childish...  one who is ill-tempered, unreasonably ill-tempered, presumptuous, arrogant, insulting in manners, insolent, rude, disrespectful, impertinent or improper as to question God, a grown-up or one with more experience.

Princes:  In the Hebrew the root word prince means: leader, commander (especially over soldiers, or a royal body guard, a cup bearer, of a city, a prison, or cattle.  They are representative leaders of the people.  And in the book of Daniel 10:13,20 ) the term is used a "princes of angels"- the archangels that interceding with God. Then I was reminded of a dream I was given that had "princes" in it. 

When I referred to my notes, the dream was at the end January. In the dream, a friend (unknown to me as of right now) and I,  were given a large round box to deliver....  My friend and I went to deliver the box and when these group to earthly kings/princes came out and saw what we had to deliver they told tell us, "We don't want it because it is covenant."  So what were we to do... it was cold so we crossed the street with the unwanted box where it began to burn a fire inside of it...  Oddly stuck my hand into the box and did not get burned as a rummaged through it's contents.   Inside was a wood medallion as big as a dinner plate and underneath it some rings.  The rings don't seem to be anything of value to the human eye.  They look to be made of aluminum with strips of thin paper attached to on the top as if reminders.   At the bottom of the box was a cashiers check written to the United States of America but the amount of the check was left blank.  A blank check from God? And they didn't want it because they didn't want a covenant with God which meant they would have to obey the very statutes of God that bring life not destroy it.

These princes/kings looked at God's gifts as cheap and religious.  God was giving the princes and kings of the United States a blank check but they didn't want it... they would rather govern and dictate in capricious ways then submit and obey God.

The means of capriciousness..... 

A capricious person is one who casts off restraint.  

• They do what is right in their own sight. 
• They do not seek godly truth, godly reason or godly direction.
• They chase and follow and fall into every whim.  
• They stay away from, obscure and diffuse the light or what is right. 
• They are double minded and unstable... James 1:8  because their allegiance isn't solely on God.    

"Arbitrary" is another close description of capricious.... which describes a course of action or a decision that is not based on reason or judgment but on personal will or discretion without regard to rules or standards.  

I am reminded of our last ballot.... "Should those in government abide by the same laws as their they they govern?"

Is this type of capricious thinking preached and taught in television shows?  Revenge and lawlessness is okay as long as it gets what you want.  Sex is okay if it gets you what you want.  Lies are okay if it gets you what you want.  The list goes on and on.   It is without regard that all will have to stand before God.   Without saying it implements bad faith and erroneous thinking.   There is no godly logic or understanding.... and yet how many times have we seen this in history?  And how this has become the framework of oppressive rulers who do hideous things.   Think about when the anti-Christ comes to rule the world.  How difficult will it be for him to take reign when godly reason and logic are not even whispers in the streets?   And even though there is a God their minds and hearts will blind to Him like dark clouds that put a veil in front of the sun.     

Are we not living more and more in a capricious society? 

A society with complete disregard of the things of God.   A society that is estranged from God.  A society that believes "Whatever goes except God."  And it seems the more we try to better ourselves in our own understanding the more unrecognizable and undefined morality becomes.

Again... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding." says the bible. Proverbs 3:5

It is as if everything on this world (that isn't anchored to God) is on a slippery slope and it has nothing to grab hold of to stop it from slippery further.  It is helpless to stop itself.  

Is any government not submitted to God not becoming more indifferent, arbitrary and capricious?  

Are they not deciding what is best based on their own reasoning and whims?

Yet why does God put such people over our lives?   Read Isaiah 3.  What will God take away from an unfaithful nation? Those with wisdom have been let go of... and in their place are put individuals who do not have the experience or know how.    People makes decisions based on what they think is right but they aren't anchored to God's statutes. 

Now lets look the log in our eye?   Let us humble ourselves before God seeing our erroneous thinking and knowing God has no favorites. 

Have churches in the past and are some churches today capricious in not abiding in what is written clearly in the bible?

Leaders! Ask yourself, are you estranging people from God and the things of God to make yourself comfortable and others comfortable?   Is your reasoning conducive to God or just to people?

I am reminded of Moses who chased of the shepherds away who wouldn't allow the woman to come and drink and water their animals at the well.  Is the bride of Christ not being allowed to drink from the well? Are they only given what you dictate?  If Moses only chased them away, what will Christ do to such shepherds when he comes?   

Church, those who claim Jesus is Lord and Savior, examine if you have become capricious in anyway? Examine if you in your ideals of "comfort" have favored people over God? Examine if you have become ashamed of God in anyway? Is the bible true from cover to cover?         

God is not capricious.... He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Clearly man left to only his own "tactic" is capricious.   A capricious man doesn't say, "Lord willing" but he goes right ahead and does it anyway suffering the consequences of his godless ways.

Faith..... is submission to God is it not?

For in the measure of faith given and grown and tended to by the Spirit of God- capriciousness is limited and put in restraint.  The lungs that breath such godly understanding do well and gracefully grow in the unlimited resources of God- not the limited understanding of man or the whims of the man.  

When the Spirit is allowed freedom in one's life it becomes evident of the anchor one has in the love and wisdom of God.    

Capriciousness is born and bred from our own selfish understanding which limits us.  For our own "fickle" understanding is like a barrier stopping us from entering the will of God.  For this we already know through experience but in capricious thinking we make a fatal error- thinking God is capricious as well in all he decides and orchestrates. 

AND in capriciousness that is where the bad type of fear has it's place towards God.  Where can a man stand in his faith if God is capricious?  No where!  No man can stand on what is unsettle.  Praise God! He is called our ROCK!  He does not change.

God maybe unorthodox but he is not capricious in his ways and all he has set up from the beginning.

AND God hasn't given us the spirit of fear - but gives us the ability to have a sound mind.  For the Spirit goes to work taking the selfish rebellious sword in all it's capriciousness and turns it into a godly plowshare.  He, the Spirit, tills up the hard ground of erroneous capricious thinking so new godly growth can flourish in what was veiled before by our own selfish understanding.  For mere human might or power does nothing but by the Spirit of God accomplishes what God has purposed and ordained.   

For who can find the well of life in the desert when one can only see sand?  And who can bring life to a desert?