Recipient of God's love

"To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:19

Nothing edifies the soul more then accepting and being recipient of God's love.

A submitted soul living and growing in the knowledge of God's love builds a house on a solid foundation.  This love that not only builds but restores a house and repairs a house.

The real heartfelt knowledge of God’s love establishes one's soul in Christ.  Promotes growth in ways the soul will probably never fully understand.    God’s love gives a wisdom that renews the chambers and hallways and rooms of our heart.  It grows and promotes affection for others.  It gives the warmth of grace where once only hardness fossilized the attitudes of the heart.  It bestows virtue by means of understanding the Lord of one’s life.  It waters with a blessedness that rust and moth and even time itself cannot touch.  God’s love preserves the soul as the petals of the heart seek and face the light of His love.

In short God loves helps us do all these things....
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7

The more we accept God's love, his Lordship and his authority as overseer of our life the more we can live in His love. 

His love emboldens an individual- not in himself/herself but in Christ Himself.

What is understood in the understandings of man as obligations of faith are carried out not in some kind of chore or rule but the freeing Spirit of God.  It as if the religious laws have disappeared because we accept God love that enables us to endure all things.       

God’s Spirit helps us live in the moment instead of our own thoughts of the moment.   Not by some human plan but God's plan.   Someone say that is crazy to relinquish control to God but I say if God knows what is best for me- then God's will be done.  Romans 8:28  says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  

Besides who are we fooling by thinking we have control.  Do you really in the scope of things have control?  And what happens when you try to control?

Spirit and Truth- It is not us but Him....

In high school a couple of my friends and I went on an overnight hike up in the mountains.  We camped next to this lake and when we awoke and emerged from our tent the lake was still and it perfectly mirrored the majesty of mountain standing over it.  

I find some of the most powerful times we can have with the Lord are times were we have just quietly submitted ourselves to the Lord.  Where the waters of our soul have become still like that lake in the mountains.  Where the waters of our thoughts mirror God’s loving majesty standing over us.

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19

We all have to ask ourselves everyday, where is our heart looking?

Example: I find when we have a powerful time of singing, worship and praise together... it is very organic. It is very genuine and very sincere.   It is often very spontaneous in how things are carried out, gifted and given -as souls are yielded to the Spirit of God.  And though things are spontaneous, they are somehow still orderly.  The time is not filled with disorder but harmony.   It reminds makes me of a tapestry or a patchwork quilt.  One might be singing with ordinary words, another words of angels, another utterances of praise, one words of prophecy, some dancing, some bowing, some with hands raised high, some hands spread out low as giving an offering and then you have the musicians and singers who are also playing and moving according to the Spirit.  All different yet we see each piece is sewed and threaded together in the Mastery of the Spirit of God.  Again this wasn't birthed out of some human plan but God's plan as we submitted ourselves to Him and mirror what we receive from His majesty.

When we strive for “some” affect.... because we had or someone else had previous success we resort to shallow “fleshly” thinking- where we are not submitted to God’s Spirit.

Success only comes when God works through the vessels and hearts of those vessels.

"And though they worshiped the LORD, they continued to follow the religious customs of the nations from which they came. And this is still going on among them today.  They follow their former practices instead of truly worshiping the LORD and obeying the laws, regulations, instructions and commands he gave the descendants of Jacob, whose name he changed to Israel." 2 Kings 17:33-34

How often do Christian denominations and churches follow "religious" practices they have passed down from generation to generation instead of truly worship the LORD?  They do it "this" way because that is the way they have always done it. 

"Religious" practices do nothing for the soul.  I do not mind people thinking about former days -especially if it stirs them up in the Lord but there are these days as well.  For the word of God mentions times when people no longer called on God and stirred themselves to take hold of Him. Note Isaiah 64:7 

Live in these days as well as you remember the faithfulness of the Lord, looking forward and anticipating what else He wants to do in our lives.  

"He" not us... (think about Psalm 23) 

How we forget and allow ourselves to be thought of less of by circumstances and actions of others when God has called us into his kingdom and for  “such a time as this.”

 As the body of Christ, the Apostle Paul says we shouldn't hold on to the past or live in the past.

I find no maturing and knew revelation of Christ can be built upon just living in the past and even more foolishly deciding that we have already apprehended all there is to know of God.  Paul says he's forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to those things that are ahead that he might walk deeper in the call that Jesus Christ apprehended him for.

You and I cannot walk deeper in the call/purpose/the love unless our revelation of Jesus Christ deepens in our heart not just our mind.   That we might know how wide, how long, how high, how deep his love really is....  For in Christ our Father has glorious unlimited resources for us to gain a greater confidence in him, to be encouraged, to grow and mature, and have a growing relationship with Him which is made possible by His Holy Spirit.

Remember what Paul wrote:  [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death….” Philippians 3:10

It is not by might or power but by His Spirit! (Note Zechariah 4:6). Those lost in the world cannot receive from His Spirit because they aren't looking for Him and don't have Him living inside of them- for when we gave our lives to Christ He not only changed our heart but gave His Spirit to us as well so we might (by our choice) become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly. 

Jesus says, "I am the truth, the way and life, no one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.   I have found this statement to be more then true.

No one can receive from God deeper building revelations of God unless they give their lives to God.

 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 says  "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, more ear heard, nor have entered the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has reveal them to us through His Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even  so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." 

God wants us to have a deeper growing revelation of Himself so that we might live in the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  I am reminded of all .... Ephesians 3:14-20

To think that the Creator of all the universe wants to share this with us is amazing yet so many ignore this fact. 

I read this morning- there is no such thing as chance. "For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways." Note: Isaiah 64:4-5

It is important to wait for Him.  To thank Him, to do right,  and remember in thought and deed the ways of God.  All very difficult and even impossible without the assistance of God in one's life.  

How often does God do the same thing the same way every time… even during our personal devotional time with Him?   For He makes all things new does he not?

Our devotional time may start with us submitting to Him but from then on out it is Him that is guiding and directing.  And sometimes this can be frustrating because just about the time we think we know how God works it seems He changes it on us.

 I have found God doesn’t like when we try to fit Him in a box in our mind.  I think He doesn’t want us to put Him in a box because He doesn’t want us to live in a box.   After all we are to live/abide in Him and His Love.   We are to discover nothing is impossible with God but with a box you are limited to the possibilities and you are limiting God as well.

God wants us to know that He works in many ways- not just in the ways we think He works in.   

Have you ever seen the wind caught in a box?  Me either.      

     

So trust Him…. Let God work and He will reveal more of Himself to us and as we mature in His wonderful loving revelation of Himself -we will manifest Him in ways we didn't think possible because He was allowed to have control.  We come open handed, no agenda, no presumption, submitted and seeking Him with anticipation.  All eyes and hearts on Him, who is our hope, strength and all and all.    

How I ponder these things in my heart and am thankful for them.

To Know Him- Continued

“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  Cry out for insight and understanding.  Search for them as you would lost money and hidden treasure.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.  For God grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.  He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.  Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.” Proverbs 2:2-10

From knowing to knowing.

We can all “know” the mechanics on how to do something through how-to-books, tutorials, YouTube videos and so on but if we do not apply the knowledge in experience- the knowledge just sits there in our heads.

We can listen to someone tell us how to ride a bike but unless we actually try riding a bike we won’t “know” how to ride a bike.

I find that true with the knowledge God gives us.    God doesn’t want us to just “intellectually” know about him and his wisdom and store it some mental grain elevator never to be used or eaten but he wants us to take that wisdom and apply it to our life through the situations and circumstances and trials in our life.   

Have you ever thought about as God’s people asked God why, what, who, when, where and so on...  was God’s faithfulness not also being tried and tested as well in the human soul?

What is being poured into the human soul? What is being cast inside the human soul in the furnace of life? Who’s likeness are we being formed into as we trust in God?

“… And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more…” Note: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Quick note:

We must live our lives in a manner that won’t bring sorrow or quench His Holy Spirit for we receive God’s wisdom and power through the Holy Spirit. 

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:30, John 16:13-15, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 & 5:19

Look how beautifully the Lord has dressed them.  They live in the Lord and the Lord lives in them.  Look and see how the Lord takes care of them.  Look and see how the Lord takes cares of them as they trust in him.  The Lord will not let evil overtake them. Look at the simple soul who trusts and holds tight to God – they glorify Him in their life.  Look how God clothes them.  And how they glorify Him in ways they didn’t even imagine.

Look at the peace that adorns their humble sincere façade.  They are intimately acquainted with God knowing he is constantly watching over them and involved in every detail.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit

This reminds me of Jeremiah 17:7-8, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 8:11-14, Isaiah 11:2-5, Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 22:1-14, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:6-7,

Peter writes: “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.  He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!”  2 Peter 1:3

His divine power at work in our heart

Paul’s writes,  “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19

His divine power is the intimacy we have living in our heart….  And in the heart the things of hope, faith and love grow.  And there they season and flavor the thoughts of the mind which produce godly words and actions.

Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

Quick note:

Experience:  (I won’t belabor this point.)  Definitely we know experience brings credibility of God in our life.  Experiences with God build intimacy between us the creation and our creator.  

The experiences we have are not just for us but also for others. 

For Romans 10:14-15 says: ^“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Quickened by the Holy Spirit.

As we mature and grow in God we find instances of “quickening”.   Quickening as I have come to know it is a godly spirit driven thought or urging that doesn’t come off the top of our head or our intelligence.  It is a word or truth or unveiled truth/revelation either heard in the ear or mind or seen in a vision of the believer.  It is used to warn, educate, direct, remind, encourage, correct, heal and empower.   You didn’t come up with it on your own.  It didn’t come from our “immediate intelligence.” It just showed up.  And when we think about it we know we can’t take credit for this because of how it came but it is just another reminder that God deserves all the credit and He is alive and working in us.

Quickening: Is for you or the one God wants you to minister to.

I am reminded of Peter in Acts 2 where is quotes Joel 2:28-32.  The Holy Spirit has been poured upon the believers of Jesus Christ.  The believers started speaking in languages they didn’t know -about the wonderful things God had done.  Some people wondered how this was possible for these people to speak their specific language when they weren’t even from the same region they came from.  Others started to mock the speakers saying these people were just drunk.  It just sounded like their language.  But Peter stepped forward and corrected them and the Holy Spirit dropped in his mind the scripture from Joel.  Think about it, out of all the Old Testament Peter picks that one scripture.

Often when we quietly and humbly seek God for help, He quickens our soul with a word just for that moment and season.

 David wrote, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD according unto they word.” Psalm 119:107

I remember feeling overwhelmed recently and God whispered, “Don’t worry, just pray.” Instantly a peace came over my soul.

So what does the concordance say about the word “quicken”?  

“Quicken” means: “to make alive”.  When I think of that phrase I think of the word “manifest.”  We a believers in Christ are to manifest God.  

1 Corinthians 12:7 says “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”  

To quicken means

1.           spiritual power to arouse and invigorate

2.          to restore to life

3.          to give increase life: thus the physical life

4.        to endued with new and greater powers of life 

We know this is only made possible because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

God quickens us to share a word with others and because it came from Him, the hearers have assurance that what we have said is true.   “…. It was not only with words but also with power for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true…” Note: 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Sometimes God quickens us to action or to do something.   

I remember a pastor told us a story of him and his family driving on a mountain road.  A man directing traffic told him to stop in this specific place but then God told the pastor to move the car to another place.   It was only a few moments later a big truck lost its brakes and came roaring down the hill and through the very place him and his family were told to park a few moments before.   If they had not moved, they would have been plowed over by the truck.

Even right now as I write this blog God is giving me instruction and insight.  He is stirring up and invigorating me and inspiring me with his word.  I have never gone to bible school or college.  It is He, the Holy Spirit, at work in me that is teaching.

Spirit and truth

How can you worship someone if don’t know them.  Have you ever wondered about that? 

I am reminded of Romans 1:21 “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  The result was that their minds became dark and confused.” 

Jesus said “But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in 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 in truth,”  John 4:23-24

When we think of  “worship” we tend to think of it as “praise and worship”.  I remember going to church before I was saved and getting nothing out of praise and worship – and the reason I didn’t get anything out of it was because I didn’t know God.  I didn’t know the truth of God and God’s Spirit was not living in me.  So how could I have worshipped God in spirit and truth?

I have been finding in life that “worship” is more the “praise and worship” - it is a way of life.    Worshipping God is realizing and growing in whom God is… He is to be feared, respected, loved and we are to abide/live/and trust in His Spirit.  And in knowing Him we gain peace beyond our understanding, vitality in our being, strength of heart, comfort, and joy. 

One last thought:  Worshipping God in spirit and truth is to love God.  God gives us this commandment to love him but the commandment is not so much for him as it is for us.

If we know God who is love… and his love sustains and empowers us then to know Him has great power does it not?

Love is partnership between you and God:  His love helps us bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. His love never fails.  Note: 1 Corinthians 13:7

  

"That I May Know Him" Philippians 3:10

 Know Him
Paul is saying not that I may know “of” Jesus Christ but know Jesus as who he is as Lord and Savior.

This type of “know” is to know and understanding someone on a very personal level like a spouse or a best friend.

The Amplified bible reads: [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death….”

When people are around someone with good or bad habits, people tend to pick up and be influenced by those same habits do they not?   Paul is saying the same thing, the more I get to “know” Christ more deeply and intimately the more I can let go of who I am (feelings, perceptions, understandings, etc) and become like Christ. This is a good thing!

Paul writes: “ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Paul also writes:  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

If Paul is allowed to live, Christ will continue to be Paul’s source of strength and encouragement and if Paul dies or is put to death for his faith, he will finally be off this world and with Christ in heaven.

Paul’s relationship with the Lord has helped him know nothing can separate him from God’s love.  This has given him a lighter burden to carry.  He isn’t concerned for himself as much as those he might leave behind.

The words of Jesus come to mind, “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, and you will find rest of your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28

Death… we all will face it.  To those who know Christ it isn’t something to be afraid of but to those who don’t know Christ it should be something to be very afraid and be anxious about.

So without doing a lot of shadow boxing, ask yourself this question, “Are you prepared for death right now?

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

You like myself have seen the very young to the very old die.  Death doesn’t care what your age might be- it isn’t bias.

I have learned from sorrow and suffering –that which I could not learn had I not witnessed and experienced sorrow and suffering.  Sometimes "what" we consider "not good" is actually "good" because of what comes from it.
  
In fact Jesus says, "But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it." Note: Matthew 11:19.

For man learns nothing from the empty foolishness of life.  Think about it.   For a man sees his need for God -in all his weakness and seeing the foolishness of life can never satisfy him.
 
Seeing this need can only be satisfied and answered by God, he seeks God from the depths of his heart and God approaches.

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3

“A good name is better then fine perfume, and the day of death is better then the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning then go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”  Ecclesiastes 7:2

We see life has no guarantees and without notice we can find ourselves on the doorstep of our eternal destination.   And depending on if we know or don’t know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior will determine our eternal destination.

Most of us have read or heard of this verse, “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

So knowing Jesus is the Son of God who He sent to save us…

“I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will live because of me.” John 6:57

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

….. Have you made a choice to “know” Jesus Christ?

Where is your heart and mind when it comes to your eternal destination?  Have you given it any thought at all?

Have you put your soul in the words of mere men and what they have rationalized in their own minds?  If so, you are in a very dangerous and precarious position… We can’t take the words of man as fact- we must know if they are true.  Most often that comes with the trials and fires of life.  With the trials and fires of life, God's love bleeds more visible as we earnestly seek him.

You can’t put your soul in the hands of man’s theories and ideas.   The words of man mean nothing when it comes to the threshold of eternity.   Would you step out of an airplane onto a cloud of vapor thinking it would support you?  Of course not!  Words are just words until they are proven true.

So while you still have the grace of God put some time and investment into your soul not in things of this world- for you can’t take them with you.

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

Don’t leave your soul’s destination up to chance and take the cop-out/excuse that you don’t know what you really believe.

No one should have to plead with someone to search for truth in God and Jesus Christ for someone else's soul’s sake.  A person should want to do that for themselves but I understand sometimes it takes someone to bring it mind because we are lost and blinded by the busyness and cares of this life -but this life is only temporary my friend and eternity is forever.

So if you don’t know what you really believe.... you are going to do nothing?  Don’t be fooled by thoughts that stop you in your tracks.  Earnestly seek God and he will reveal himself to you. 

God says in the book of Jeremiah 29:13. " If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."  

Most people don't even try and because they don't try they never find him.

What is your soul’s destination worth?

I have found in this short (oops) it's been more then 12 years now journey -God is more real then I even imagined and my revelation of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior has deepened.   I hold to this truth dearly for my soul’s sake and sanity.   For it is clear this place is not my home.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-19

Remember what we read in Philippians 3:10...... (might want to go back up and read it again.)

* (Here is a little star if you forget your place)

The ways of human security (money, possessions, our degrees, our achievements, human rational/reasoning, other people we know, etc.) are no security at all -when all those human securities are taken away, what then?

Where will their hope be then?  Human security can only take you so fair.  They definitely do not carry into eternity.

When the world crumbles and storms on the seas and in the skies come like increasing birth pains and people are only out to save themselves- where will their hope be then?

When Jesus comes to get his own- how will the unbelieving world explain what has happened to us?  There are approximately 6.9 billion Christians in the world, can you imagine them all disappearing at once?

But those left behind will have this passage to refer to:

“For when the Son of Man returns, you will know it beyond a doubt.  It will be as evident as the lightning that flashes across the sky.  But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation.  When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah’s day.  In those days before the flood, people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all.  And the world be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business- eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building- until the morning Lot left Sodom.  Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.  Yes, it will be business as usual right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns.  On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack.  A person in the field must not return to town. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife!  Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it.  That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left.  Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”
“Lord, where will this happen?” the disciples asked.
Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate the end is near.” Luke 17: 24-37

Just think where people’s understandings carry them now, where will their understandings take them then?

Who’s Understanding?
God word says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.   Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

We as Christians are not to let our own wisdom and understanding master over our sails of our soul.  God himself is to be the wind that encourages our sails.

Just as one might turn their boat or let the boom of the mast catch the wind, we too must let go and turn our attention on to God not our circumstances.  There, our interior sails will straighten out from their sag and find the right mind and heart set in God instead of our own strength and understanding.  The Christian soul no longer runs efficiently on the things of this world but on the things of God.  Mind, heart, Spirit (Note Ezekiel 36:26)

“…. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:18-19

That place we can only find and come in through by Jesus Christ who is the narrow gate.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Matthew 7:13

 “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” John 10:9

In God’s good pastures we will find good things to help our soul endure and thrive.

Who’s understanding we use matters greatly.  Who we trust matters greatly. Who we know matters greatly.  Read Matthew 6:19-34

Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise) Hillsong

How true... the reality and revelation of Jesus Christ doesn't come until we give our lives to God.  Where were we become a new creation.   And now we live in Him.   

Liberty in Christ

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

Liberty in Christ
What does that mean?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life without God is very lonely and trying and meaningless.

So what does a person need to be liberated?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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







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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

(God is the everlasting hand of friendship and faithfulness)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newsboys - Live With Abandon (Official Lyric Video) from newsboys.