Dream of the Rapture

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Before I speak briefly about this dream I want to share with you the sentence that has been repeated to me by the Spirit.  “It will be as the time as Noah.”

It will be like it is now… people going about their daily business. 

Remember what happened when Lot left Sodom?  After Christians are “taken up” one terrible destructive event will follow another as we have read in Revelation.

God has warned His people and will continue to do so until that day which I sense will be soon or else God would not be doing all this warning as He is now.   Let us hear… Let us see… Let us pray for those loved ones blinded by the world and themselves that they come to Jesus Christ before those terrible days unfold. 

I have also been reminded by the Spirit of this verse, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

Do you know what that means?  It means people loved the things that were sinful.  They enjoyed the empty pleasures of the world.  They loved things that lead to death and spiritual death.  They gathered around those sinful things like vultures around stinky carcass- on the Texas roadside…. They choose death instead of seeking God who is LIFE and gives one the ability to live in goodness and away from sinfulness.  Do we not see that now in America and all over the world? 

The dream is the third part… and may it be a strong warning to us all.

In the dream I was a witness to this “happening” where people vanished in this golden twinkling dust.  People did not all vanish all at once like the “Left Behind” movie -but some vanished before others.  

It was just as Jesus speaks…  “On that day a person out on the deck of the roof must not go down into the house to pack.  A person out in the field must not return home.”

If they all vanished at once, which is the opinion of some, why would Jesus have to tell us not to go down into the house to pack or not to return home?  People, in the dream, were witnessing others “disappearing” and Jesus is warning us as we witness others raptured -not to go here or there, but watch and wait.  Some will lose their nerve even though they know what is happening and they will back or duck into doorways.  It will be an amazing event… one we must be ready for… in Spirit and truth.

Are we prepared for that great day? How is your supply of oil? Are you watching like watching for a thief? Are you preparing your soul for that soon coming day?

These words are not just for you but me as well.  It is for the greatest of us to the least of us.  Let us have the Lord show us where we are not right with Him.  Let us have Him convict us of our sinfulness, shortcomings and laziness of faith.  The fear that some may not making it bothers me greatly.  But in repentance to His Holy Spirit conviction we are allowed to see and live as we should in reverence towards Him.

No one likes discipline but I rather be disciplined by God now then be around when all those horrible things come.

Let’s read the words of Jesus.   

Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won’t see it. ²³ People will tell you, ‘Look, there is the Son of Man,’ or ‘Here he is,’ but don’t go out and follow them. ²⁴ For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes. ²⁵ But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation.

²⁶ “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. ²⁷ In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— ²⁹ until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. ³² Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! ³³ If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. ³⁴ That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

³⁷ “Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

LUKE 17:22-37

I feel it is my obligation to share this…

Relentless 4

How the Race Changes Us

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope this has encouraged you!

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

Relentless 3

The Race (Note) Hebrews12:1-3
 

Have you ever thought about “this” race of faith we live?

I have found that even though we may all run in the same race and even side-by-side, we all see the race in different perspectives.  The race of faith is individually personal.

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” Proverbs 14:10

We hear and experience God in personal ways, do we not?  I may receive a word from God that is so “real” and “living” in the moment but when I try to share, convey and repeat that word with someone else they can’t fully share its joy along with me.

Many times that is what happens in our race of faith …but let me add something here… Have you ever seen the affects of God’s partnership with the one in the race and be encouraged and inspired?   

The influence of God shapes them and dresses their countenance and actions.  They shine when there are no outward reasons to shine.

I have had friends and family who have been handicapped and sick with cancer but they continued in their race despite the physical circumstances.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

They stayed the course… they found what it truly meant to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength and doing so was empowered by the reality of God. 

It is no different everyday of our life.... We all have a choice to surrender to ourselves and what might be happening around us or God.   Besides who whispers stressful, mundane, long, strenuous, tedious themes into you ear when you first wake up?  WHO changes that?

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Psalm 119:30-32

Is this not fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith?

“Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:4

And when we reach that small gate at the end of this race...  what do you want to hear?

“Well done good and faithful servant.”

Relentless 2

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

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

 

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

Hebrews 12:1-3 says:

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

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

What kinds of things can we lay aside?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relentless 1

The “Way” was the name for the Christians before they were called  “Christians”.  They were called the “Way” because they followed Jesus Christ who is the “Way”.

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

Peter, John, Paul, Philip, Thomas, Luke and so on… lived in the “Way” which empowered them to think outside the confines of the fleshly understanding.  Their reality, birthed by the Holy Spirit, expounded into the reality of God.  They lived in the world but knew they were no longer of the world system of understanding.  So when they found themselves in physical restraints and circumstances they endured and accomplished many great and mighty things in God/ Jesus Christ.   

Has the name Christian, however good, somehow caused us to forget the “Way”?  Has it become like the word “Faith”, used but absent of relationship with God and guidance from God?

Some say action is faith but is it? We can do many “well-meaning” actions that are not spearheaded by God but of out of human traditions and understandings.  And I have seen the bed ridden have more faith in their eyes and heart then those using their mouths and hands.

The first church body had to deal with a great many entanglements including persecution from the world in which it lived but it was fueled and living by God’s RELENTLESS Spirit.

Jesus said,

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
  

The Way is living outside mirror maze of ourselves,our ideology of faith and of course the world.  It shatters those mirrors so we can see outside the box that has kept us captive and a stranger to reality of God.    

We are start to see each day, hour, minute are from God - and that we are to live and learn to live in the relentlessness Spirit of God.  He pulls down all the strongholds that try to exalt themselves over God. 

I am reminded of the words of Gamaliel as he strongly warned the Sanhedrin…

“I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin it will fail.  But if is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

In a manner of speaking, we don't want to be fighting against God in our life- we want to live in the "Way" which God intends for us... That not men, circumstance, day, month, year or evil can stop us from living the relentless life He prepared for us, planned for us, paved for us and wants for us. 

Lord give us fresh eyes as we read these verses… eyes that no only see the words but what is being revealed behind the words, and allow what we see to be set alive by your Spirit in our soul- that it will do what it was intended to do in this time forward. 

There is A Sun Rising Up

When I awoke, the lyrics from one of Dave Crowder's songs were being said in my head.  They were:

"There's a sun rising up in my soul. Lord in my soul."

I then read the word for the day...

"For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O LORD of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you."  Psalm 84:11-12

So what are the chances of the word "sun" being mentioned twice in a short amount of time?   

I decided to see what the Hebrew word for "sun" meant in this scripture. I figured if the Hebrew word for "love" encompasses more then one word and meaning so might the word "sun".

Sun

1. Sun
2. sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west ) of direction
3. Sun (as object of illicit worship) Object not sanctioned by custom or law; improper or unlawful to worship.
4. Openly, publicly (in other phrases)
5. Pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining) 

 Here are a few things that came to mind as I read these translations. 

1. God is our beginning and our end.  

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.…" Revelation 22:13-14

Strangely I must note I had a dream early this morning of a white city.  It is under the tab labeled "Personal Notes".

2. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

"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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

3. God is the light of His people that cause them to grow and grow spiritually.

"The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

4. In a paradox, God being God is for some reason becoming more and more unacceptable to nations around the world.  His ways are seen to them as improper and unlawful even.  It is even improper to pray and worship him in some public places.  Though the evil things of this world are embraced, celebrated, and are encouraged.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12 

"Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1: 28-32

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers." Matthew 24:9 

5. The "public" evidence of God is all around us.

^"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.   For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles." Romans 1:20-23

6. Jesus, who is God, will soon come back in a brilliant light.

"For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes." Matthew 24:27

Wow! May not go with rising and setting of the sun but goes right along with the "east" and the "west" part.
 
7. God is our glittering and shining fortress.  He is our high tower.  A pinnacle in which our soul is secure from all that comes against it.  For those things are nothing at the feet of God.

"My loving kindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?" Psalm 144:2

The Lord is coming....

David Crowder Band - My Beloved (Live Performance from Passion) from david-crowder-band on GodTube.

 



 

Is Praying For Yourself Selfish?

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I find it odd- this philosophy that it is selfish to pray for one’s self.  In fact last night as I put my head down on my pillow this philosophy was still on my mind.   It did not sit right in my soul.   In my mind I saw it as thorny stem.

I could be misunderstanding the perspective of such teaching but prayer- is it not communication with the LORD who is to be the source of our LIFE?   To deny communication and help from the LORD is to deny LIFE itself from living within us.

As I write this word comes:

“Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”  Colossians 2:8   

The Lord is my strength and that is why I pray for myself, for without Him I am lost within myself and the things of this world can easily overwhelm me.

I am reminded of the Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus says: “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

God is gives me the daily spiritual bread to sustain my faith- like I said before- a living word not a religious word.

In what manner is one praying for one's self- selfish? I am not praying to be materially rich however I am praying to be spiritually rich in Him.  For the things of this life never satisfy but God who is boundless never ceases to amaze me and He will BE forever as those things of this life will disappear and vanish. 

I pray for myself on a daily -sometimes even on an hourly basis.  I pray that God transform my thinking that I may live as God intended.   I pray for God's liberating will to work in my life.   Is this selfish or is this surrendering to God to allow Spirit and truth to live in me?

I do not think praying for yourself in this manner is selfish.   For if one strives only in the flesh and prays in the flesh and lives accordingly to flesh...  can they see their obvious need for God?  Where is the Spirit working in our life if we do not pray for ourselves to be refreshed, encouraged, inspired by God?  I believe to pray in this manner (for refreshing, encouragement, inspiration, guidance, etc) is to deny our fleshly understanding and agree and consent with God’s will for our life.  In deed how refreshing it is just to think about prayer in this life giving way.  Now think about how a refreshed, encouraged, inspired soul behaves?  It is a light that is put on a stand.  It is a city on a hill.   It is salty.  It is a soul of beatitudes living in us!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NLT 

Thank you Lord that you are doing all these things in my soul this day! In Jesus Name Amen.

Prayer does changes things but it first starts with the one who prays.

Abound in Hope

I seldom wake all bright eyed and bushy tailed...  Before I move my body it seems to remind me it is
still there with these aches and pains.  Then with a little heave I lift my body and let my feet greet the cool tile floor.  Then somewhere between the bed and the bathroom, I am reminded of my need.

"Lord give me a living a word...  A word that will wake my soul." 

I don't want a word that is tasteless that I have to drag out of my head like not finding a clean shirt and having to resort to pulling on a dirty shirt from the laundry basket and trying to ignore the stench as I pull it over my head...  No, I want something "refreshing" that only God knows will touch the very root need of my soul.  Not a religious word but a "living" word that God puts power in... that is what I need.  Something that quenches the thirst and puts oil in my lamp. 

A living word that answers the:

Lord revive...
Lord refresh...
Lord energize...
Lord strengthen...
Lord enlighten...
Lord inspire...
Lord... I don't know what I need but I need you to touch my soul this morning.

The Spirit just said, "Seek first the kingdom of God...."

"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34

Seek His kingdom and His righteousness...

His kingdom that is supernatural.  His righteousness takes us beyond our understanding so we might live righteously in the real hope that has been revealed to us and empowers us as we genuinely seek Him in our most basic but important spiritual need as we live in these temporary bodies.  Remember God is looking for those who will worship/seek/abide in Him in Spirit and truth.

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

God is our daily hope to live beyond the confines of ourselves, to be let loose. 

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Joy and peace in believing...

It find the joy and peace often doesn't "carry" with us if we aren't mindful of Him, we slip into this mode where life in general can creep up on us.   We get lost in our own thoughts and tasks and fellowship ceases and we get bogged down.  When you think about it, how could anyone be renewed in their own thoughts?

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
 
 The word of God says, "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It's this continual fellowship which allows us to live in joy and peace and abound in hope.   It's this exchange of giving up what is burdening and taxing on our minds which allows our lamp to burn and burn more brightly.   

Do you see your need? 

I see mine daily. Lord for those who see their need fill us with your joy and peace in believing, that we will abound in your hope through your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name Amen.

Drizzled Light...

I can still hear the sounds of the riggers chiming in the soft breeze against their metal mast, the wet clapping kiss of the docks and the seagulls singing their hinging warble.  I remember looking down into the dark water.  The big reflections didn't catch my attention as much as the smaller ones that seemed like drizzled colors of light.  Thin ribbons of fragile light drawn momentarily on the dark moving canvas-

These spontaneous patterns coming from perfectly ordinary and even still objects were made beautiful by the undulating flow of salt water and sunlight.


"Be still and know I am God."

These reflections did not strive to make something beautiful or be something they were not but in the sunlight and water they became something they could not even imagine.

Think how that is also true in our life as we trust in God.

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. " Psalm 46:10 





   
   

Morning Thoughts

Thoughts of the day.

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Both to "will" the soul
Both to "work" the soul

To empower the soul in another mindset besides it's own.

For his good pleasure....

'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:10-11

That we might know his will... which is what?

"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 12:2

The sweet liberating spot in God not the influencing factors of ourselves (the understanding of flesh) or the world.

Your Spiritual House, A Palace for Whom? 4

About a year ago my youngest brother was living on his own.  A friend came over with an acquaintance (a person my brother did not know) to play video games.  My brother played video games for a while with them but then told them he was going to bed.  

Sometime later that night my brother awoke to a knock on his bedroom door.  My brother asked who was it and his friend answered.   Come to find out the friend’s friend was acting strangely.   My brother got up and indeed something was very wrong.   The young man was talking with a different voice and his behavior was anything but ordinary.  After several times of asking the young man to leave and him not doing so my brother called the police.   

When the police arrived they too asked the young man to leave.   The young man grabbed a knife from the kitchen.  The police seeing the threat drew their guns and ordered the young man to put the knife down.  He said, “ok” but resumed coming towards the officers with knife in hand.  Again the officers told him to put down the knife.   The young man rushed the officers and shots rang out in the night.
 

The young man incurred several serious gunshots was rushed to a nearby hospital.  I don’t know what came of him... if he survived his injuries he is probably in some mental hospital somewhere.

Knowing some law enforcement officers and being related to several these aren’t unfamiliar stories.                    

Jesus says, “For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.  Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” Luke 11:21-26
 

This scripture has repeatedly come to my mind often these past few weeks as we have discussed our spiritual house.

Jesus refers to a person influenced by evil as a “palace for Satan".

Only by the power and name of Jesus can one cast out and over power Satan and strip him of his weapons and free the people in bondage to Satan.

Jesus says "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Jesus then says the evil spirit leaves the person to seek rest in the desert.  Interesting is the word “desert.”

A desert in most cases is a dry place almost entirely void of water. 

But water is also an illustration of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Living Water.

Jesus says the evil spirit goes to the desert to get away from God but can’t because God is everywhere.

“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24

David said, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7

So finding no place to hid from God, it returns to the person it left.  Interesting it goes back to the person from in which it came.   It goes back to the person who can deny God as LORD of their life. It’s like a person can be a stronghold for an evil spirit and they, blinded by the evil spirit, aren’t even aware of it.  They are blind to what is real and God who is not only real but life giving.  

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

A human, created by God, is given the ability to choose to love God or not love God, to accept God or deny God, to trust God or not trust God, to obey God or not obey God, to find life or stay lost to life.  He is either a vessel for God or a vessel against God.

When I gave my life to the Lord I remember looking for those dark influencing “feelings” I once had before but they were gone.   They were instantly gone but what had come of them?  I didn’t know at the time but the living power of the Spirit of God chased them away and kept them from coming back.  He then supernaturally put a seal on me telling evil I was now a child, possession and temple of the living God.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promise of the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:3

^“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

When the Holy Spirit comes into us, who believe Jesus as Lord and Savior, He fills us up like a glass of water to the top so nothing else can be poured in and He, being Living Water, continues to keep that glass full. 

Jesus says “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14

This is not true of someone who doesn’t give his or her life God.   

I have often wondered about those who hear the life saving news of Jesus Christ and they seem to accept it with joy in their hearts.  There is this moment of clarity in their life and they seem relieved of their spiritual pains but after a short time they go back to their old way of life and live more rebelliously then they had before.  So even though they had their spiritual house “swept and put in order” there was no genuine acceptance in their heart- so no seal was given by God and the seven more evil spirits then the first come in to their lives and they are worse off then before.  They live as the rest of the world or worse.

So a word of caution here... when praying over those burdened by evil.  Are they "only" wanting relief from the burden of evil or are they wanting Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior over their life?  If they are only wanting relief from the burden of evil then you are doing them no favor but could be be making their situation worse off then before.      

Jesus continues his thought with:

“But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28

I find “putting the word of God into practice” is not just reading the word of God and trying to orchestrate those things on our own but us seeking and surrendering God to make those things become a reality in our life.  Where our spiritual house is His palace.