I think the reason for much of our lack of faith comes from 2 things:
1. We do not think often on the greatness and infiniteness of God. No attribute that He possesses has limitation. All created things flow from and exist in Him. He is called the Great I Am, and everything else is within Him. He is boundless, limitless, and infinite.
Paul speaks of God in this way: God..."who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see..." (1 Timothy 6:16). The book of Job tells of our absolute dependency on this infinite God: "If He should set His heart to it and gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust." (Job 34:14-15)
There are countless other Scriptures and examples of the infiniteness of God our Father and our utter dependence on Him. The point is, we need to think on the infiniteness of Him and our complete dependence on Him. If we were only to know the truth of the above verse in Job, that your being is wrapped up in His life-giving breath, perhaps we would not worry as much about our own lives. He holds us. And in this infinite Being of God is His love for us.
2. When we think about the Father, we often deceive ourselves by thinking that we can understand Him. My first point, thinking on the infiniteness of God, is not so that we may grasp it, but so that we may understand more and more that the mind cannot grasp it. And as we realize this, coupled with the the revelation of His infinite love for His children, we may be able to strengthen our faith in Him.
Novatian wrote, "...all mental effort is feeble. For God is greater than the mind... He is greater than all language, and no statement can express Him." We cannot comprehend Him. A created thing cannot overtake its Creator in any way. So why think on it? To learn our complete desperation and reliance on our great Heavenly Father. When we fill our minds with the infiniteness of God, we may have faith when He says, "My ways are not your ways." Then we may respond, "Yes, Lord, I will fix my trust in You, the great Unthinkable God."
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Word
I looked up all the Greek translations of the main words in John 1:1-5 and expanded it a little, using the definitions. I like the last verse the best. Here is what it looks like:
At the beginning of all things was the Word uttered by a living Voice. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was present with God at the origin of all created things.
Every thing received being through the Word of God, and apart from Him no thing that existed came into existence.
In Him was life, and this life manifested itself in men through light.
And this light is made evident to the darkness by men, and the darkness did not take it by force, nor understand it, nor extinguish it.
At the beginning of all things was the Word uttered by a living Voice. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was present with God at the origin of all created things.
Every thing received being through the Word of God, and apart from Him no thing that existed came into existence.
In Him was life, and this life manifested itself in men through light.
And this light is made evident to the darkness by men, and the darkness did not take it by force, nor understand it, nor extinguish it.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
A Stilled Soul
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." Psalm 131:2
A strange way to describe yourself, eh? I couldn't help but think about this verse for a while, wondering what it really meant. The definition for weaned is: Accustom (someone) to managing without something on which they have become dependent or of which they have become excessively fond. At this point in a child's life, a child no longer needs his mothers milk and is usually able to simply say, "I'm hungry," rather than cryin' and fussin' until his momma feeds him. A weaned child is no longer concerned or worried that he will be fed - he knows and trusts his mother to give him food - but he is satisfied by being with her.
I think the point that David is making here is that he no longer troubles himself with the elemental needs of life, such as food, but his soul is free from worry because of the trust he has that His God will provide. He has been weaned off of the cryin' and fussin' for milk. His soul is still and is able to find the true joy that comes from the Presence of the Lord.
I'm one of many Christians who has had trouble moving from the infant stage of Christian life mentioned in Hebrews 5:12. But I've had glimpses of how wonderful it can be once we move past that to fully know and trust our Lord for our needs, and be stilled and satisfied by the joy of His Presence. He is Emmanuel - God with us.
A strange way to describe yourself, eh? I couldn't help but think about this verse for a while, wondering what it really meant. The definition for weaned is: Accustom (someone) to managing without something on which they have become dependent or of which they have become excessively fond. At this point in a child's life, a child no longer needs his mothers milk and is usually able to simply say, "I'm hungry," rather than cryin' and fussin' until his momma feeds him. A weaned child is no longer concerned or worried that he will be fed - he knows and trusts his mother to give him food - but he is satisfied by being with her.
I think the point that David is making here is that he no longer troubles himself with the elemental needs of life, such as food, but his soul is free from worry because of the trust he has that His God will provide. He has been weaned off of the cryin' and fussin' for milk. His soul is still and is able to find the true joy that comes from the Presence of the Lord.
I'm one of many Christians who has had trouble moving from the infant stage of Christian life mentioned in Hebrews 5:12. But I've had glimpses of how wonderful it can be once we move past that to fully know and trust our Lord for our needs, and be stilled and satisfied by the joy of His Presence. He is Emmanuel - God with us.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Stand Your Ground
"...give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians4:27
The 2nd chapter of Ephesians explains our seat with Christ. We are seated, present tense, in the heavens with Christ. Obviously, this is not our physical bodies, but our spirit. This is why Paul always directs us to live by the Spirit and not the flesh; because it's much better to acknowledge our position in Christ than our position in this world.
The enemy's attacks are in attempt to get us to relinquish our position with Christ in the heavenlies. He attacks our flesh to get us to respond in the same way; the flesh. He knows that if we will respond on his terms, we give up our heavenly positioning to fight on his terms, where we have no power over him.
We have to be watchful, giving him no opportunity in which to catch us off our post. Often it is a storm aimed to blow us physically off our post. Other times there are distractions and curiosities that lure us away, seemingly harmless, but they cause us to relax our watch.
Then there is the secretive attack on reason when the enemy uses "good sense" to reduce our perspective back to earth and dethrone the Almighty God in our minds. This is a most covert attack, and is often the most effective. Be careful how much thought you give to reason. Reason cannot accept the dead risen to life.
In all these things, the natural response is that of the flesh: fear, worry, sickness, stress, arguments and dissensions. Whenever we respond in the flesh, our post is abandoned, giving opportunity to the devil to take yielded ground. He cannot take ground unless he is offered it by our flesh. Resist him and he will flee from you. Stand your watch, using the Sword of the Spirit as your weapon.
"So I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
The 2nd chapter of Ephesians explains our seat with Christ. We are seated, present tense, in the heavens with Christ. Obviously, this is not our physical bodies, but our spirit. This is why Paul always directs us to live by the Spirit and not the flesh; because it's much better to acknowledge our position in Christ than our position in this world.
The enemy's attacks are in attempt to get us to relinquish our position with Christ in the heavenlies. He attacks our flesh to get us to respond in the same way; the flesh. He knows that if we will respond on his terms, we give up our heavenly positioning to fight on his terms, where we have no power over him.
We have to be watchful, giving him no opportunity in which to catch us off our post. Often it is a storm aimed to blow us physically off our post. Other times there are distractions and curiosities that lure us away, seemingly harmless, but they cause us to relax our watch.
Then there is the secretive attack on reason when the enemy uses "good sense" to reduce our perspective back to earth and dethrone the Almighty God in our minds. This is a most covert attack, and is often the most effective. Be careful how much thought you give to reason. Reason cannot accept the dead risen to life.
In all these things, the natural response is that of the flesh: fear, worry, sickness, stress, arguments and dissensions. Whenever we respond in the flesh, our post is abandoned, giving opportunity to the devil to take yielded ground. He cannot take ground unless he is offered it by our flesh. Resist him and he will flee from you. Stand your watch, using the Sword of the Spirit as your weapon.
"So I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Presented Blameless
"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh (or bitter) toward them." - Colossians 3:19
Wow! I was convicted this weekend about the above verse. The Lord showed me that this harshness and bitterness is not about actions or words as I have always believed; it is about the condition of my heart and my thoughts toward my wife. It starts with my thoughts of her. Ouch. Ephesians 5:27 tells me to present my wife to myself as though she is to be blamed for nothing; that she has no faults, no sin, nothing that would cause me to lower her status in my mind of reigning queen.
How can we do that? Because we have the example of Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Jesus Christ alive inside of us. The Lord "does not treat us as our sins deserve" (Psalm 103:10). This is the grace of God. Not only that we don't get the punishment that we do deserve, but that we do get the reward that we have no right receiving. In His mind He has elevated us, despite our corruption, and counted us worthy to be in right relationship with Him. The whole reason that He has overlooked our faults and rebellion toward Him is because He wants to be with us! The God of Creation desires you!
Following the Lord's example, my thoughts, actions, words, and everything about me is to be in love with my wife, in the same way that Jesus Christ is in love with the Church. Yes, I believe it is my choice to continue to fall deeper in love with my wife. It is not up to anyone or anything but me, by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Once we make that decision, there can be NO CONDITIONS.
God often relates the rebellion of His people to adultery. Yet He has always been there, in love with us. The Cross of Christ has solidified my place in the Kingdom. In the same way, following His example, I will be crucified to this world that my wife may be in right relationship with me; even to the point of adultery. Her position in my life is not based on her actions, but it is based on who she is: my wife. This must begin in my mind. It is up to me to present her to myself, in my thoughts first, without any blame or fault.
"...and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Ephesians 5:27
Have you presented your wife to yourself as a spotless and blameless bride today?
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Weeds
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing...By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:6 & 8
"Weeds are anything in your life that is taking up valuable resources but does not produce fruit." - Pastor Brady Boyd
I so want to be someone who is not caught up in the things of the world. My spirit longs for the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and life in His Spirit. I love the quote above about the weeds in our life. Pastor Brady goes on to say that these weeds are not necessarily bad things; they are just using us up without any good produce. Great sermon - watch or listen to "The Law of the Farm" here: New Life Sermons.
Pray for me tonight, as I struggle through the worldly decisions of life, that I will remain "unspotted from the world"; that I may bear good and acceptable fruit from the resources of the Holy Spirit.
Rachel and I, as I wrote a few posts ago, are partaking in The Whole 30. It's basic purpose is to take 30 days to eat only things that produce good things for our body. We're learning that this is so true in our lives as well. Rachel has been reading! Our hope is that our lifestyle, as well as our diet, begins to feed us with things that only produce good fruit. Sometimes we have to do natural things so that we can better understand the spiritual things (1 Corinthians 15:46). I'm thankful that the Lord is showing us spiritual things as a result of taking care of our natural things.
So I say, get in shape! I said it. Get off your butt and go work your body out. Make it hurt; discipline it unto subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27). When you learn how your body grows in strength and endurance, you'll also learn how your spirit and mind grow in strength and endurance. Use your resources for the things that produce good fruit. Lord, help us to see with Kingdom eyes, that we may partake in Kingdom activities, thoughts, and prayers.
P.S. - this is a good song: I Will Exalt
"Weeds are anything in your life that is taking up valuable resources but does not produce fruit." - Pastor Brady Boyd
I so want to be someone who is not caught up in the things of the world. My spirit longs for the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and life in His Spirit. I love the quote above about the weeds in our life. Pastor Brady goes on to say that these weeds are not necessarily bad things; they are just using us up without any good produce. Great sermon - watch or listen to "The Law of the Farm" here: New Life Sermons.
Pray for me tonight, as I struggle through the worldly decisions of life, that I will remain "unspotted from the world"; that I may bear good and acceptable fruit from the resources of the Holy Spirit.
Rachel and I, as I wrote a few posts ago, are partaking in The Whole 30. It's basic purpose is to take 30 days to eat only things that produce good things for our body. We're learning that this is so true in our lives as well. Rachel has been reading! Our hope is that our lifestyle, as well as our diet, begins to feed us with things that only produce good fruit. Sometimes we have to do natural things so that we can better understand the spiritual things (1 Corinthians 15:46). I'm thankful that the Lord is showing us spiritual things as a result of taking care of our natural things.
So I say, get in shape! I said it. Get off your butt and go work your body out. Make it hurt; discipline it unto subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27). When you learn how your body grows in strength and endurance, you'll also learn how your spirit and mind grow in strength and endurance. Use your resources for the things that produce good fruit. Lord, help us to see with Kingdom eyes, that we may partake in Kingdom activities, thoughts, and prayers.
P.S. - this is a good song: I Will Exalt
Selfish Pursuit
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38
I've recently pulled out my old journals that I write in during my time spent with the Lord. If you were to read through them, you may think I'm a little selfish. You'd be right! My desire for the past 6 years has been to selfishly pursue the nature of God. It hasn't been about praying for others or learning what is right and wrong. If anything, those things have often gotten in the way of my pursuit of Him.
Please don't misunderstand, we should often pray for one another and should seek to do what's right in the sight of God. But we can't start there. We must learn to press through the "wind and the waves" of life to see Him and learn His nature. We must learn to use the gift of a sound mind to focus all of our thoughts on Him.
From that place of intimacy with Him will flow all prayer and righteous living. As the Scripture at the top says, we must first go to Him, then the living waters will flow into the avenues of life. Selfishly pursue the nature of God. Know Him for yourself. Don't let anyone else tell you about Him (as I am doing right now). Go and see.
Remember, intimacy with God is right now, not yesterday and not tomorrow. It must be found in the moment with no agenda of my own or thoughts of what I must do today or even who I must pray for today. Pray that God will teach you to live right now and not worry yourself with the next thing. God's Presence is just that; present; now; present tense. When we learn to live in the present tense with God and seek His nature, we will be greatly refreshed as we immerse ourselves in His Spirit.
I've recently pulled out my old journals that I write in during my time spent with the Lord. If you were to read through them, you may think I'm a little selfish. You'd be right! My desire for the past 6 years has been to selfishly pursue the nature of God. It hasn't been about praying for others or learning what is right and wrong. If anything, those things have often gotten in the way of my pursuit of Him.
Please don't misunderstand, we should often pray for one another and should seek to do what's right in the sight of God. But we can't start there. We must learn to press through the "wind and the waves" of life to see Him and learn His nature. We must learn to use the gift of a sound mind to focus all of our thoughts on Him.
From that place of intimacy with Him will flow all prayer and righteous living. As the Scripture at the top says, we must first go to Him, then the living waters will flow into the avenues of life. Selfishly pursue the nature of God. Know Him for yourself. Don't let anyone else tell you about Him (as I am doing right now). Go and see.
Remember, intimacy with God is right now, not yesterday and not tomorrow. It must be found in the moment with no agenda of my own or thoughts of what I must do today or even who I must pray for today. Pray that God will teach you to live right now and not worry yourself with the next thing. God's Presence is just that; present; now; present tense. When we learn to live in the present tense with God and seek His nature, we will be greatly refreshed as we immerse ourselves in His Spirit.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Whole Food
"...he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:8
Rachel and I just began an food challenge called the Whole 30. We are only able to eat meats, eggs, fruits, nuts, and lots of veggies. Not too bad really, but I didn't realize how much sugar and grains I was taking in. The basic idea behind the plan is that you cleanse yourself of things that aren't "whole". After the cleansing you begin to feel like you have a new body - you realize that you were sick and didn't even know it because it felt normal.
Of course, I'm going to go spiritual with this. Galatians 6 talks about sowing to the flesh vs. sowing to the Spirit. Our culture has conditioned us to think that constant worldly concerns and activities are what we are supposed to be putting our time into (yes, I mean TV, Facebook, and 401ks). It's normal and everyday routine so we aren't realizing that the things we're feeding our spirit are making us sick. We're sick and we don't know it.
"God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" Galatians 6:7. We fool ourselves and mock God in the process by thinking that we can spend all of our time on the computer or watching TV and still reap a lifestyle that lines up with a disciple of Christ. If you eat twinkies all day, you will get fat and sick. The substance of what you take in will show itself in the fruit of your life, good or bad.
Think about your day; how much of your time, thought, and energy is sown to the world, and how much is sown to the Spirit? Are you eating the twinkies of life that the world says is normal? The fruit of the Spirit is born out of seeds sown to a lifestyle in the Spirit. It is a constant sowing to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Let's eat the good whole food of the Spirit of God.
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live..."
Isaiah 55:2-3
Rachel and I just began an food challenge called the Whole 30. We are only able to eat meats, eggs, fruits, nuts, and lots of veggies. Not too bad really, but I didn't realize how much sugar and grains I was taking in. The basic idea behind the plan is that you cleanse yourself of things that aren't "whole". After the cleansing you begin to feel like you have a new body - you realize that you were sick and didn't even know it because it felt normal.
Of course, I'm going to go spiritual with this. Galatians 6 talks about sowing to the flesh vs. sowing to the Spirit. Our culture has conditioned us to think that constant worldly concerns and activities are what we are supposed to be putting our time into (yes, I mean TV, Facebook, and 401ks). It's normal and everyday routine so we aren't realizing that the things we're feeding our spirit are making us sick. We're sick and we don't know it.
"God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" Galatians 6:7. We fool ourselves and mock God in the process by thinking that we can spend all of our time on the computer or watching TV and still reap a lifestyle that lines up with a disciple of Christ. If you eat twinkies all day, you will get fat and sick. The substance of what you take in will show itself in the fruit of your life, good or bad.
Think about your day; how much of your time, thought, and energy is sown to the world, and how much is sown to the Spirit? Are you eating the twinkies of life that the world says is normal? The fruit of the Spirit is born out of seeds sown to a lifestyle in the Spirit. It is a constant sowing to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Let's eat the good whole food of the Spirit of God.
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live..."
Isaiah 55:2-3
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Greatest Gift
Read slow and examine yourself...
"Love...
is paitient
is kind
does not envy
does not boast
is not proud
does not behave rudely
does not seek its own
is not easily angered
thinks no evil (keeps no record of wrongs)
does not rejoice in iniquity
rejoices in the truth
bears all things
believes all things
hopes all things
endures all things.
Love...never...fails"
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
20 minutes ago I told my wife that I loved her...then I read this section of Scripture...then I repented for lying to my wife. The absolute only way to have true love is by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life. Without Him I have no hope.
"Love...
is paitient
is kind
does not envy
does not boast
is not proud
does not behave rudely
does not seek its own
is not easily angered
thinks no evil (keeps no record of wrongs)
does not rejoice in iniquity
rejoices in the truth
bears all things
believes all things
hopes all things
endures all things.
Love...never...fails"
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
20 minutes ago I told my wife that I loved her...then I read this section of Scripture...then I repented for lying to my wife. The absolute only way to have true love is by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life. Without Him I have no hope.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Wilderness
"But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10
A man tops out on a low hill overlooking a vast expanse of wilderness. His own belief has brought him this far, but now he sees into a world that surpasses his own understanding. He looks out in fearful anticipation of trudging into the wilderness after the Voice that calls him, "Deeper, deeper." He has nothing with him; no pack, no food, no water, nothing to weigh him down in his journey - all were left at the end of belief.
A constant stirring of Wind keeps his senses alert. He knows that with each step into the wilderness he gets closer to the Voice of the One who seeks him. There are no enemies in the wilderness, but he is aware of a terrible Danger. Yet from deep within the Danger, overshadowing Danger itself, there seems to be a tremendous Longing that consumes all that he is. "Fear the Danger," says the Voice, "But do not shy away from it; for its Longing is greater than its Danger."
Many have come to this point and turned back, wearied by the vastness and not wanting to leave their things behind to seek the expanses of Uncertainty. With each step the Voice on the wind seems closer, drawing him. His desire is to get lost in the wilderness because he knows that is where the Voice resides. Not far off there is a River leading into the beginning of rougher terrain; mountains of which he can see no Summit. He can't explain it, but the River seems to be flowing in both directions. He is drawn by the Voice to the River. "Be washed, drink deep, and continue on."
The terrain is rough, yet his foot always seems to fall solidly. Whenever he looks away from the horizon, he can see out of the corner of his eye what seems to be light from a magnificent Fire. But when he looks up, he sees only the Rising Sun, somewhat obstructed by thunderous clouds. It is as if the Fire is diverting the direct vision of his eye because it cannot be directly taken in, and so diverts the eye to the Sun. Even the the Wind directs him, "Follow the River to the Sun, through the mountains and into the thunder." With each step Danger increases, as does Longing.
Many have been called, but few have continued on once a they've glimpsed the vast Uncertainty of the wilderness. Many believe in the Lord; few have gone beyond belief to search His heart. The Voice is calling, the Way is clear, and a River of Life is the reward. Seek Him, you seekers. One requirement remains: whatever you brought with you to the end of belief must be left behind. There are no hindrances here; no burdens; no concerns. Step out of your own belief and into the Heart of the wilderness.
A man tops out on a low hill overlooking a vast expanse of wilderness. His own belief has brought him this far, but now he sees into a world that surpasses his own understanding. He looks out in fearful anticipation of trudging into the wilderness after the Voice that calls him, "Deeper, deeper." He has nothing with him; no pack, no food, no water, nothing to weigh him down in his journey - all were left at the end of belief.
A constant stirring of Wind keeps his senses alert. He knows that with each step into the wilderness he gets closer to the Voice of the One who seeks him. There are no enemies in the wilderness, but he is aware of a terrible Danger. Yet from deep within the Danger, overshadowing Danger itself, there seems to be a tremendous Longing that consumes all that he is. "Fear the Danger," says the Voice, "But do not shy away from it; for its Longing is greater than its Danger."
Many have come to this point and turned back, wearied by the vastness and not wanting to leave their things behind to seek the expanses of Uncertainty. With each step the Voice on the wind seems closer, drawing him. His desire is to get lost in the wilderness because he knows that is where the Voice resides. Not far off there is a River leading into the beginning of rougher terrain; mountains of which he can see no Summit. He can't explain it, but the River seems to be flowing in both directions. He is drawn by the Voice to the River. "Be washed, drink deep, and continue on."
The terrain is rough, yet his foot always seems to fall solidly. Whenever he looks away from the horizon, he can see out of the corner of his eye what seems to be light from a magnificent Fire. But when he looks up, he sees only the Rising Sun, somewhat obstructed by thunderous clouds. It is as if the Fire is diverting the direct vision of his eye because it cannot be directly taken in, and so diverts the eye to the Sun. Even the the Wind directs him, "Follow the River to the Sun, through the mountains and into the thunder." With each step Danger increases, as does Longing.
Many have been called, but few have continued on once a they've glimpsed the vast Uncertainty of the wilderness. Many believe in the Lord; few have gone beyond belief to search His heart. The Voice is calling, the Way is clear, and a River of Life is the reward. Seek Him, you seekers. One requirement remains: whatever you brought with you to the end of belief must be left behind. There are no hindrances here; no burdens; no concerns. Step out of your own belief and into the Heart of the wilderness.
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Thundering Silence
"...be quick to listen, slow to speak..." James 1:19
In order to speak we must be silent. This thought sounds a little like John Moore's quote, "In order to dream we must wake up." I have a tremendous desire to speak the word of God into peoples' lives to bring healing and purpose. The problem is that my desire to speak often overshadows my desire for the word of the Lord - I want to be heard; I want to make my opinion known to others.
I am praying and seeking the Lord for the humility to be relieved of the burden to be heard. As I was praying and repenting for that this morning He clearly answered, "In order to speak you must be silent." My commission is to seek His voice, not a place to speak it. When His voice becomes clear, the place to speak it will also become clear. I cannot reverse the way of things and find a place to speak but have no word to say. That's when John Paul gets loud rather than the voice of God. Not good business.
Lately, in the humbling of John Paul (answer to prayer), I've been prone to tears. That's right, call me Nancy if you like - I can't help it! These are not tears of joy or tears of sadness; they are tears of silence. God has been rendering me speechless because He wants a turn in the conversation. I can say that it has been some of the best times in God's presence that I've had. I've had several of my friends ask me if I was ok, "You seem quiet; is something wrong?" Yes and no. "How are you?" Wrecked and wonderful.
We think of a prophet as a man who speaks the word of God - he is identified by what he says. But a true prophet is a man who has first listened to the Silence. We see only the words, but we do not see the hours, days spent in silence before the Throne. In the days to come, the pure and unhindered word of the Lord will go out from His prophets. But those true prophets will be men who are accustomed to silence; men who seek the thunderings from the Throne, even hating the sound of their own voice.
"Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.' But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not." Jeremiah 20:9
In order to speak we must be silent. This thought sounds a little like John Moore's quote, "In order to dream we must wake up." I have a tremendous desire to speak the word of God into peoples' lives to bring healing and purpose. The problem is that my desire to speak often overshadows my desire for the word of the Lord - I want to be heard; I want to make my opinion known to others.
I am praying and seeking the Lord for the humility to be relieved of the burden to be heard. As I was praying and repenting for that this morning He clearly answered, "In order to speak you must be silent." My commission is to seek His voice, not a place to speak it. When His voice becomes clear, the place to speak it will also become clear. I cannot reverse the way of things and find a place to speak but have no word to say. That's when John Paul gets loud rather than the voice of God. Not good business.
Lately, in the humbling of John Paul (answer to prayer), I've been prone to tears. That's right, call me Nancy if you like - I can't help it! These are not tears of joy or tears of sadness; they are tears of silence. God has been rendering me speechless because He wants a turn in the conversation. I can say that it has been some of the best times in God's presence that I've had. I've had several of my friends ask me if I was ok, "You seem quiet; is something wrong?" Yes and no. "How are you?" Wrecked and wonderful.
We think of a prophet as a man who speaks the word of God - he is identified by what he says. But a true prophet is a man who has first listened to the Silence. We see only the words, but we do not see the hours, days spent in silence before the Throne. In the days to come, the pure and unhindered word of the Lord will go out from His prophets. But those true prophets will be men who are accustomed to silence; men who seek the thunderings from the Throne, even hating the sound of their own voice.
"Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.' But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not." Jeremiah 20:9
Friday, March 4, 2011
Do Not Castrate the Gospel
"...but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:7
A few months ago, my Dad gave me the gift that keeps on taking...a bloodless castrater. That's right. What a cool guy, huh? It was originally intended for use in men's ministry. I'll let your mind wander into what that message to men could be. But lately, the castrater has been in my mind often. I even carry it with me in the house so that it is in view.
The Spirit has been saying, "Do not castrate the gospel." What is a castrated gospel?
1. Castration removes the ability for reproduction. Have you ever played that game where one person whispers something, and the secret travels around the room and the last person states what they heard? Usually it's not even in the same language as it was in the beginning. Without knowing the Spirit and Nature of God firsthand, we'll be "tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 14:4), unable to reproduce an effective and true gospel, as it was in the beginning. We must know the Source.
2. Castration enables a horse/bull to be ridden. A castrated gospel has had its power removed so that it can be "ridden". The gospel we often teach is "palatable" or acceptable to the world. Therefore the true gospel is not reproduced and we get only pieces and parts (denominations). Can you ride the gospel in your own strength? Do you even have need of the Holy Spirit?
3. A castrated gospel considers safety. If you've ever hunted deer before, you know that the best time to get a big buck is during the "rut", or mating season. During this time, the deer care about 1 thing only - reproduce. Safety is not considered. But if you were to castrate a deer, this rut would not happen. No balls, no rut. Safety is again considered and no reproduction occurs. In the same way, the most common direction we give to our children is "be safe". Jesus never said this to anyone. Never. But we drill it so far into each others' heads that it is our first consideration. We need to get back in the "rut". Yes, there will be deaths, but the Spring will bring about new life.
An un-castrated gospel comes only from the revelation of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 1:12). Lord, reveal Yourself to us so that we may live a pure, un-castrated gospel. "This is not a time for Hobbits!"
A few months ago, my Dad gave me the gift that keeps on taking...a bloodless castrater. That's right. What a cool guy, huh? It was originally intended for use in men's ministry. I'll let your mind wander into what that message to men could be. But lately, the castrater has been in my mind often. I even carry it with me in the house so that it is in view.
The Spirit has been saying, "Do not castrate the gospel." What is a castrated gospel?
1. Castration removes the ability for reproduction. Have you ever played that game where one person whispers something, and the secret travels around the room and the last person states what they heard? Usually it's not even in the same language as it was in the beginning. Without knowing the Spirit and Nature of God firsthand, we'll be "tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 14:4), unable to reproduce an effective and true gospel, as it was in the beginning. We must know the Source.
2. Castration enables a horse/bull to be ridden. A castrated gospel has had its power removed so that it can be "ridden". The gospel we often teach is "palatable" or acceptable to the world. Therefore the true gospel is not reproduced and we get only pieces and parts (denominations). Can you ride the gospel in your own strength? Do you even have need of the Holy Spirit?
3. A castrated gospel considers safety. If you've ever hunted deer before, you know that the best time to get a big buck is during the "rut", or mating season. During this time, the deer care about 1 thing only - reproduce. Safety is not considered. But if you were to castrate a deer, this rut would not happen. No balls, no rut. Safety is again considered and no reproduction occurs. In the same way, the most common direction we give to our children is "be safe". Jesus never said this to anyone. Never. But we drill it so far into each others' heads that it is our first consideration. We need to get back in the "rut". Yes, there will be deaths, but the Spring will bring about new life.
An un-castrated gospel comes only from the revelation of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 1:12). Lord, reveal Yourself to us so that we may live a pure, un-castrated gospel. "This is not a time for Hobbits!"
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Fix Your Eyes
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28
I heard a great quote yesterday on a radio show, "We're not looking for the Anti-Christ; we're supposed to be looking for Jesus Christ." Amen.
What are we looking for? There are so many accusations and assumptions of the Anti-Christ and the end times these days. The Kingdom of Heaven is near, and we do need to know the signs of those times. But the instruction of Jesus regarding these times is not to be stirred to anger and "shout at the darkness" from the safe comfort of your home and church. His instruction was to "look up", because He is coming soon; fix your eyes on Him.
The title of this blog, "Prepare His Return", comes from this very subject. John the Baptist's message was to "prepare the straight way of the Lord". This message is a call to action for those who are in Christ to live in a way that does not hinder the straight way of the Gospel; to prepare a straight path for His return. Test your actions: are your efforts stemming out of a fear of what can be taken from you (American way of life), or are they stemming out of a zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? American freedom was won by Godly folks who had a zeal to worship their Lord freely. This freedom was a gift from God to men and women who had their eyes fixed on Him.
Remember when Peter walked on water? I'll use this story often. Peter walked on water when his eyes were fixed on the Lord. But when he looked at the wind and the waves (the world around him) he began to sink. Where are your eyes fixed?
"...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:20
I heard a great quote yesterday on a radio show, "We're not looking for the Anti-Christ; we're supposed to be looking for Jesus Christ." Amen.
What are we looking for? There are so many accusations and assumptions of the Anti-Christ and the end times these days. The Kingdom of Heaven is near, and we do need to know the signs of those times. But the instruction of Jesus regarding these times is not to be stirred to anger and "shout at the darkness" from the safe comfort of your home and church. His instruction was to "look up", because He is coming soon; fix your eyes on Him.
The title of this blog, "Prepare His Return", comes from this very subject. John the Baptist's message was to "prepare the straight way of the Lord". This message is a call to action for those who are in Christ to live in a way that does not hinder the straight way of the Gospel; to prepare a straight path for His return. Test your actions: are your efforts stemming out of a fear of what can be taken from you (American way of life), or are they stemming out of a zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? American freedom was won by Godly folks who had a zeal to worship their Lord freely. This freedom was a gift from God to men and women who had their eyes fixed on Him.
Remember when Peter walked on water? I'll use this story often. Peter walked on water when his eyes were fixed on the Lord. But when he looked at the wind and the waves (the world around him) he began to sink. Where are your eyes fixed?
"...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:20
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Awake, O Sleeper!
"Awake, O sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14
A dream is an expression of our subconscious mind. If we're honest, most of us either do not remember our dreams or our dreams are so filled with random appearances and happenings that we simply write them off. Because of us not paying attention to our dreams, and our thoughts being dulled by useless activity, we have eliminated a tremendous tool to hear in clarity from the Living God (see Job 33:14-15).
John Moore says, "In order to dream, we must wake up!" We live very active lifestyles here in the U.S. We do not, however, live very substantial lifestyles - lives of SUBSTANCE. Without substance, we fall asleep, and eventually die. Just as if you lived on a diet of twinkies - your body can only use so much twinkieness. While the twinkies definitely add to the "space" of our bodies and fill up our stomach (schedule), the nutrients are useless. Useless activity is more detrimental than inactivity.
In the same way that our minds are asleep because of useless activity, the desires of our heart (dreams) go unrealized because of our delight in vanity. The Lord says that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). We must awaken in the Lord so that He will shine His light on our true desires. Pray that the Lord will draw out the desires of your heart. Seek Him to know Him, that you may find delight in Him.
(My thoughts today come mostly from the writings on John Moore http://johnlmoore.com/, and the Holy Spirit.)
A dream is an expression of our subconscious mind. If we're honest, most of us either do not remember our dreams or our dreams are so filled with random appearances and happenings that we simply write them off. Because of us not paying attention to our dreams, and our thoughts being dulled by useless activity, we have eliminated a tremendous tool to hear in clarity from the Living God (see Job 33:14-15).
John Moore says, "In order to dream, we must wake up!" We live very active lifestyles here in the U.S. We do not, however, live very substantial lifestyles - lives of SUBSTANCE. Without substance, we fall asleep, and eventually die. Just as if you lived on a diet of twinkies - your body can only use so much twinkieness. While the twinkies definitely add to the "space" of our bodies and fill up our stomach (schedule), the nutrients are useless. Useless activity is more detrimental than inactivity.
In the same way that our minds are asleep because of useless activity, the desires of our heart (dreams) go unrealized because of our delight in vanity. The Lord says that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). We must awaken in the Lord so that He will shine His light on our true desires. Pray that the Lord will draw out the desires of your heart. Seek Him to know Him, that you may find delight in Him.
(My thoughts today come mostly from the writings on John Moore http://johnlmoore.com/, and the Holy Spirit.)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Desperation
"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him." 1 Samuel 22:2
There was one thing in common about the army that gathered around David, the anointed king of Israel: desperation. They were a group comprised of homeless, thieves, drunks, murderers, adulterers, IRS agents, fallen out government officials, church-goers, church-haters, you name it. But all of them had one thing in common: desperation. They had given up on any fulfillment that the world could bring them. They saw the anointed king of Israel, who was, at that time, and outcast from his own kingdom and on the run for his life.
This group of desperate men sought to know the king as their only hope. As a result, the future "mighty men of David" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) were trained by the king; men of great exploits...giant-killers...lion-killers...men of war, unaffected by pain and fear. The great men of valor that would comprise the Great Army of God's children began with 400 desperate men seeking a king who was not governed by the things of this world.
Today, we have a new King over Israel. But the requirement for the army is still the same: desperation. If this world holds value for you, you are not fit for the King's warfare, and you'll simply be a civilian casualty. A comfortable world does not need a Savior. A comfortable, polished, civilized church congregation crucified our Lord Jesus because He threatened their way of life.
Have you reached the point of desperation for your Savior?
There was one thing in common about the army that gathered around David, the anointed king of Israel: desperation. They were a group comprised of homeless, thieves, drunks, murderers, adulterers, IRS agents, fallen out government officials, church-goers, church-haters, you name it. But all of them had one thing in common: desperation. They had given up on any fulfillment that the world could bring them. They saw the anointed king of Israel, who was, at that time, and outcast from his own kingdom and on the run for his life.
This group of desperate men sought to know the king as their only hope. As a result, the future "mighty men of David" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) were trained by the king; men of great exploits...giant-killers...lion-killers...men of war, unaffected by pain and fear. The great men of valor that would comprise the Great Army of God's children began with 400 desperate men seeking a king who was not governed by the things of this world.
Today, we have a new King over Israel. But the requirement for the army is still the same: desperation. If this world holds value for you, you are not fit for the King's warfare, and you'll simply be a civilian casualty. A comfortable world does not need a Savior. A comfortable, polished, civilized church congregation crucified our Lord Jesus because He threatened their way of life.
Have you reached the point of desperation for your Savior?
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Refiner's Fire
"...And he who rules his spirit (is better) than he who takes a city..." - Proverbs 16:32
Lately, I've been faced with some questions that I couldn't really answer clearly and quickly. So I'll share them with you. I think it is important to be ready to answer these 5 questions at any time. We cannot rule our own spirit, as stated in the above verse, if we do not know the state of our own spirit. This comes only by seeking the Lord.
1. What is the reason for your faith? (see 1 Peter 3:15)
To be a good salesman, you must believe in the product. We must have a personal testament of why we have made Jesus Christ Lord.
2. How has God moved in your life recently? (read the story of the Chariots of Fire in 2 Kings 6:8-22)
We must have fresh reason for thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on the move, but we must ask Him to open our eyes that we may see Him.
3. What do you need prayer for (spiritually speaking)? (see Hebrews 12:25-27)
We must constantly let the Lord search our hearts for what is hindering us from Him, and be ready to put to death all disobedience.
4. What are you working toward? (see Proverbs 29:18)
We must have fresh revelation of purpose and vision for our lives.
5. What is the Spirit speaking to you today? (see Matthew 4:4)
We are given life by the spoken Word of the Lord. What is He moving you to do today? What is He telling you about Himself today?
These are simple questions, but to truly get the answers, we have to get down and dirty in the Lord's Refining Fire. This takes time and diligent seeking, but the reward is a spirit and life that is in step with God.
Lately, I've been faced with some questions that I couldn't really answer clearly and quickly. So I'll share them with you. I think it is important to be ready to answer these 5 questions at any time. We cannot rule our own spirit, as stated in the above verse, if we do not know the state of our own spirit. This comes only by seeking the Lord.
1. What is the reason for your faith? (see 1 Peter 3:15)
To be a good salesman, you must believe in the product. We must have a personal testament of why we have made Jesus Christ Lord.
2. How has God moved in your life recently? (read the story of the Chariots of Fire in 2 Kings 6:8-22)
We must have fresh reason for thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on the move, but we must ask Him to open our eyes that we may see Him.
3. What do you need prayer for (spiritually speaking)? (see Hebrews 12:25-27)
We must constantly let the Lord search our hearts for what is hindering us from Him, and be ready to put to death all disobedience.
4. What are you working toward? (see Proverbs 29:18)
We must have fresh revelation of purpose and vision for our lives.
5. What is the Spirit speaking to you today? (see Matthew 4:4)
We are given life by the spoken Word of the Lord. What is He moving you to do today? What is He telling you about Himself today?
These are simple questions, but to truly get the answers, we have to get down and dirty in the Lord's Refining Fire. This takes time and diligent seeking, but the reward is a spirit and life that is in step with God.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Grasping for the Wind
“ 'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities! All is vanity'.” - Ecclesiastes 1:2
We're committed to so many things that we don't have time to be devoted to anything. In our culture, commitment has no meaning, and devotion has no place.
I guess that's all I have to say today.
We're committed to so many things that we don't have time to be devoted to anything. In our culture, commitment has no meaning, and devotion has no place.
I guess that's all I have to say today.
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Sure House
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Your fight is never with your spouse. Can we live in a marriage free from contentions and fights? I believe so. Not only do I believe this, but if I'm reading the Word of God correctly, we're not supposed to fight against our spouse...at all...ever. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that. That's a tall order, but I'm not going to give us an "out" by saying, "well, it's bound to happen."
We must learn to recognize the deceit of the enemy. As we learn to discern, we can go before the Lord in prayer for our spouse, for ourselves, and against the enemy. This is cannot be just a "dear Lord prayer", but a prayer of battle. By the way, husbands, I'm challenging us to go to the front lines.
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Matthew 12:25). The enemy turns us against our spouse by using emotions, fatigue, hormones, moods, hunger, sickness, pain, my plans and agenda, finances, sex (or lack of), possessions, etc. Adrian Rogers said, "The Jesus in me won't disagree with the Jesus in her." If we are not in tune with the Spirit of God, all we see is what's in the flesh, and we see our attacker as our spouse; we are blind to the true enemy.
Husbands, is your wife blameless in your sight today (Ephesians 5:27)? Have you presented her to yourself as such? Wives, do you respect your husband as minister unto the Lord for you today (Ephesians 5:33)? I now pronounce you man an wife - join together and pierce the darkness!
Your fight is never with your spouse. Can we live in a marriage free from contentions and fights? I believe so. Not only do I believe this, but if I'm reading the Word of God correctly, we're not supposed to fight against our spouse...at all...ever. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that. That's a tall order, but I'm not going to give us an "out" by saying, "well, it's bound to happen."
We must learn to recognize the deceit of the enemy. As we learn to discern, we can go before the Lord in prayer for our spouse, for ourselves, and against the enemy. This is cannot be just a "dear Lord prayer", but a prayer of battle. By the way, husbands, I'm challenging us to go to the front lines.
Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Matthew 12:25). The enemy turns us against our spouse by using emotions, fatigue, hormones, moods, hunger, sickness, pain, my plans and agenda, finances, sex (or lack of), possessions, etc. Adrian Rogers said, "The Jesus in me won't disagree with the Jesus in her." If we are not in tune with the Spirit of God, all we see is what's in the flesh, and we see our attacker as our spouse; we are blind to the true enemy.
Husbands, is your wife blameless in your sight today (Ephesians 5:27)? Have you presented her to yourself as such? Wives, do you respect your husband as minister unto the Lord for you today (Ephesians 5:33)? I now pronounce you man an wife - join together and pierce the darkness!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Lord's Beloved Sanctuary - Marriage
"Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves..." - Malachi 2:11
Familiarity without intimacy is breeding ground for insecurity. Are you intimate with your spouse, or are you just familiar with them? Is your marriage a sanctuary? Is it a place where anything can be brought at the feet of your spouse and no shame be passed from one to the other? Is it a place where there is no record book for past offenses (1 Corinthians 13:5)?
Intimacy has seen the deepest darkest places of the heart and chooses to cherish the beautiful things, of which we all have been given by the Lord. Most of us are very familiar with our spouse, but very few of us are intimate with them. What offense or fault in your spouse preventing advancement in the fulfillment of the sanctuary that the Lord loves?
Shame, insecurity, and offense are abundant in many marriages. But true intimacy without shame can only be cultivated by the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Where these fruits are abundant fullness of life is found. And the fruits of the Spirit cannot be grown without the Spirit. They are not called the fruits of John Paul. Let Him cultivate your life and His fruits will nourish your marriage, and all relationships that the Lord plants you in.
Make it your goal today to spend time in prayer for your spouse. Pray that the Lord will lift him/her up in His grace and draw out the beauty of their heart. Pray that He would use you to draw out the beauty in the heart of your spouse. Then, pray with your spouse. Come together in the Lord. Make this a daily practice, to bring your marriage before the Throne. If you pray for nothing else, pray for your marriage. If you pray with no one else, pray with your spouse.
Familiarity without intimacy is breeding ground for insecurity. Are you intimate with your spouse, or are you just familiar with them? Is your marriage a sanctuary? Is it a place where anything can be brought at the feet of your spouse and no shame be passed from one to the other? Is it a place where there is no record book for past offenses (1 Corinthians 13:5)?
Intimacy has seen the deepest darkest places of the heart and chooses to cherish the beautiful things, of which we all have been given by the Lord. Most of us are very familiar with our spouse, but very few of us are intimate with them. What offense or fault in your spouse preventing advancement in the fulfillment of the sanctuary that the Lord loves?
Shame, insecurity, and offense are abundant in many marriages. But true intimacy without shame can only be cultivated by the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Where these fruits are abundant fullness of life is found. And the fruits of the Spirit cannot be grown without the Spirit. They are not called the fruits of John Paul. Let Him cultivate your life and His fruits will nourish your marriage, and all relationships that the Lord plants you in.
Make it your goal today to spend time in prayer for your spouse. Pray that the Lord will lift him/her up in His grace and draw out the beauty of their heart. Pray that He would use you to draw out the beauty in the heart of your spouse. Then, pray with your spouse. Come together in the Lord. Make this a daily practice, to bring your marriage before the Throne. If you pray for nothing else, pray for your marriage. If you pray with no one else, pray with your spouse.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Humiliation of the Lord
"...He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death..." - Philippians 2:8
I've been praying a lot on humility, asking God to enable me to live a humble life. Jesus was a humble man because He positioned Himself as one who did the works of His Father. He humbled himself first before the Lord, not before men (1 Peter 5:6).
This began in Heaven. Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, and at His Word all things were created (John 1:3). But the will of the Father required that He empty Himself of all divinity (Phil 2:7 NASB) and take on what we could not. A.W. Tozer points out that the act of Jesus becoming a man put Him as a subject under the very laws of Creation that He Himself put in place - the Creation that we corrupted with sin. The Word that brought forth all Creation became flesh to be governed by the perishing dust of a corrupted creation. He ate, He drank, He slept, He was tempted, He lived, He died.
When He was in anguish before His death (Luke 22:39-46), I don't think that His fear was of the physical pain He would go through. I think His inner turmoil was because He was about to be subjected to the very thing He came to abolish: death. As mortal men and women I don't think we'll ever truly understand this. Though I pray we all gain more revelation into it. Jesus is Life. Life itself was handed over to the hands of death, that He might destroy it from within it. All this so that you and I might one day exist in Life as we've never known. This is the will of the Father.
Lord, give us understanding into Your humiliation, that we may see past our short, perishing perspective, and take on a perspective of Life. Thank you for humbling Yourself before the Father, that we may exist in Life.
I've been praying a lot on humility, asking God to enable me to live a humble life. Jesus was a humble man because He positioned Himself as one who did the works of His Father. He humbled himself first before the Lord, not before men (1 Peter 5:6).
This began in Heaven. Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, and at His Word all things were created (John 1:3). But the will of the Father required that He empty Himself of all divinity (Phil 2:7 NASB) and take on what we could not. A.W. Tozer points out that the act of Jesus becoming a man put Him as a subject under the very laws of Creation that He Himself put in place - the Creation that we corrupted with sin. The Word that brought forth all Creation became flesh to be governed by the perishing dust of a corrupted creation. He ate, He drank, He slept, He was tempted, He lived, He died.
When He was in anguish before His death (Luke 22:39-46), I don't think that His fear was of the physical pain He would go through. I think His inner turmoil was because He was about to be subjected to the very thing He came to abolish: death. As mortal men and women I don't think we'll ever truly understand this. Though I pray we all gain more revelation into it. Jesus is Life. Life itself was handed over to the hands of death, that He might destroy it from within it. All this so that you and I might one day exist in Life as we've never known. This is the will of the Father.
Lord, give us understanding into Your humiliation, that we may see past our short, perishing perspective, and take on a perspective of Life. Thank you for humbling Yourself before the Father, that we may exist in Life.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Witness the Crime
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
We all are called to be witnesses to "the crime" of Jesus Christ. You may say, "I don't have a very strong testimony," or, "I'm not really sure how to witness to someone." I've struggled with the same thoughts. But what makes a "good" witness or a "powerful" testimony?
In a court of law, witnesses come forth to tell the courtroom what they've seen as it relates to the case. The most valuable witness is not one who has the most dramatic tale of the crime seen, but the one who has seen the crime seen most clearly.
My dad has a very powerful testimony. Many would say that it is because of the dramatic turnaround in his life from drugs, alcohol, etc. to ministry. Glory to God for those things. But I would say that the strength of his testimony doesn't come from the dramatic turnaround, but from the fact that he has seen his Lord clearly. His vision of God by the work of the Holy Spirit lead to the dramatic turnaround, not the other way around.
We must see "the crime" clearly to be able to give accurate and effective testimony. For those of us who have been raised in a Christian home and have not had a huge turn of events to turn us to God, we must take drastic measures to ensure the truth of our testimony. We must engage the Holy Spirit, for He will reveal Jesus to us (John 26). It's not hard to be a witness for something that you've clearly seen; you just convey what you saw. Have you seen Him clearly?
We all are called to be witnesses to "the crime" of Jesus Christ. You may say, "I don't have a very strong testimony," or, "I'm not really sure how to witness to someone." I've struggled with the same thoughts. But what makes a "good" witness or a "powerful" testimony?
In a court of law, witnesses come forth to tell the courtroom what they've seen as it relates to the case. The most valuable witness is not one who has the most dramatic tale of the crime seen, but the one who has seen the crime seen most clearly.
My dad has a very powerful testimony. Many would say that it is because of the dramatic turnaround in his life from drugs, alcohol, etc. to ministry. Glory to God for those things. But I would say that the strength of his testimony doesn't come from the dramatic turnaround, but from the fact that he has seen his Lord clearly. His vision of God by the work of the Holy Spirit lead to the dramatic turnaround, not the other way around.
We must see "the crime" clearly to be able to give accurate and effective testimony. For those of us who have been raised in a Christian home and have not had a huge turn of events to turn us to God, we must take drastic measures to ensure the truth of our testimony. We must engage the Holy Spirit, for He will reveal Jesus to us (John 26). It's not hard to be a witness for something that you've clearly seen; you just convey what you saw. Have you seen Him clearly?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Salvation: The Greatest Part
"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself." Colossians 1:19-20
If the best part about Salvation to us is that we don't have to go to hell, then we've missed God. We'll become complacent and unthankful. We were created in His likeness for relationship with Him. We were saved for the same reason: relationship with Him.
My desire is to become more and more desperate for God Himself; not what He has saved me from, not what He can give to me (possessions in this life), but Himself. I did not get married so that I would simply not be unmarried anymore, nor for the things that my wife would do for me. I got married so that I would be able to experience my wife in relationship for the rest of my life. In the same way, I must seek after the greatest part of Salvation: God Himself. In this is true thankfulness - a constant awareness, not of what I was able to miss, but of Who I was able to gain.
Out of this fullness of relationship with God come the fruits of God and the blessings of God. Seek first His Kingdom - then comes the rest (Matthew 6:33). The fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 do not come by me practicing them. They come by seeking after the One who owns them, that He may bestow them to me. In the words of A.W. Tozer, "Press on into the deep things of God," where all fullness dwells.
If the best part about Salvation to us is that we don't have to go to hell, then we've missed God. We'll become complacent and unthankful. We were created in His likeness for relationship with Him. We were saved for the same reason: relationship with Him.
My desire is to become more and more desperate for God Himself; not what He has saved me from, not what He can give to me (possessions in this life), but Himself. I did not get married so that I would simply not be unmarried anymore, nor for the things that my wife would do for me. I got married so that I would be able to experience my wife in relationship for the rest of my life. In the same way, I must seek after the greatest part of Salvation: God Himself. In this is true thankfulness - a constant awareness, not of what I was able to miss, but of Who I was able to gain.
Out of this fullness of relationship with God come the fruits of God and the blessings of God. Seek first His Kingdom - then comes the rest (Matthew 6:33). The fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 do not come by me practicing them. They come by seeking after the One who owns them, that He may bestow them to me. In the words of A.W. Tozer, "Press on into the deep things of God," where all fullness dwells.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Lavished Upon Royalty
"...It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12:32
I've got a story for you. This fella, after 10 years of marriage, took his bride to Maui, bought her the wedding dress of her dreams, a new wedding ring, and got the country's top wedding photographer to capture it all as they renewed their love. He lavished gifts upon his queen. Here's the link if you care to read: http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm
Often I've asked God, "Father, what can I do to better serve you today?" And just about every time He pointed directly to Rachel, "Lavish love upon My daughter, your Queen." He has put it in my heart that she will always be my "New Bride". I was convicted recently in my Christmas gifts to Rachel. With every purchase I thought of what that gift would take from me - new home, supper, retirement, you name it. I felt like the north end of a southbound jackass.
As husbands we are directed to love our wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for her (Eph 5:25). It was the Father's good will to give me the Kingdom. He also gave me His daughter, and I will make it my tireless quest to give all of my kingdom to my wife, my Queen. We live in a culture where savings accounts, budgets, and retirement are more important than giving. And we call it wisdom!! Good stewardship!!! Meanwhile, marriage fires dwindle because more wood is added to our worldly investments than our wives.
And it's not about money. The issue of money just seems to be the thing that restrains giving of ourselves entirely. It's about giving all of myself to her as Christ gave all of Himself to me. I'm not saying to abandon wise investment choices - those affect her too. But when my wife looks back at life with me, will she say, "He invested wisely", or, "He treated me like Royalty"? I hope for the 2nd.
I've got a story for you. This fella, after 10 years of marriage, took his bride to Maui, bought her the wedding dress of her dreams, a new wedding ring, and got the country's top wedding photographer to capture it all as they renewed their love. He lavished gifts upon his queen. Here's the link if you care to read: http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm
Often I've asked God, "Father, what can I do to better serve you today?" And just about every time He pointed directly to Rachel, "Lavish love upon My daughter, your Queen." He has put it in my heart that she will always be my "New Bride". I was convicted recently in my Christmas gifts to Rachel. With every purchase I thought of what that gift would take from me - new home, supper, retirement, you name it. I felt like the north end of a southbound jackass.
As husbands we are directed to love our wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for her (Eph 5:25). It was the Father's good will to give me the Kingdom. He also gave me His daughter, and I will make it my tireless quest to give all of my kingdom to my wife, my Queen. We live in a culture where savings accounts, budgets, and retirement are more important than giving. And we call it wisdom!! Good stewardship!!! Meanwhile, marriage fires dwindle because more wood is added to our worldly investments than our wives.
And it's not about money. The issue of money just seems to be the thing that restrains giving of ourselves entirely. It's about giving all of myself to her as Christ gave all of Himself to me. I'm not saying to abandon wise investment choices - those affect her too. But when my wife looks back at life with me, will she say, "He invested wisely", or, "He treated me like Royalty"? I hope for the 2nd.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Trap of Time
"And they shall reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:8
We were created to reign with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom. When we pass from this life to the next we will will have great realms of authority and responsibility to oversee, just as we do now. Only we'll have unhindered relationship with the Father. It will be challenging and engaging, action-packed and fulfilling.
I think an inaccurate view of Eternity has lead us to be "strapped for time". We think this is it and then we go float around on a cloud. So, until then, we're consumed with rushing around soaking up all we can in this life because the time is getting away from us. As Luke 1:33 says, "His Kingdom shall have no end"!!! There are no time constraints.
Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). This includes time - we are do not be trapped by the time of this world. Instead, "be transformed by the renewing of of your mind" (also Romans 12:2). Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind that you may be eternally minded, unhindered by time. Seek Him that you may live out of His unending resource of time. Eternity has already begun - it encompasses this life. Don't be in a hurry to accomplish all you can in this life - you have the rest of eternity.
"It will cost something to walk slow in the parade of the ages, while excited men of time rush about confusing motion with progress. But it will pay in the long run and the true Christian is not much interested in anything short of that." - A.W. Tozer
We were created to reign with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom. When we pass from this life to the next we will will have great realms of authority and responsibility to oversee, just as we do now. Only we'll have unhindered relationship with the Father. It will be challenging and engaging, action-packed and fulfilling.
I think an inaccurate view of Eternity has lead us to be "strapped for time". We think this is it and then we go float around on a cloud. So, until then, we're consumed with rushing around soaking up all we can in this life because the time is getting away from us. As Luke 1:33 says, "His Kingdom shall have no end"!!! There are no time constraints.
Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). This includes time - we are do not be trapped by the time of this world. Instead, "be transformed by the renewing of of your mind" (also Romans 12:2). Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind that you may be eternally minded, unhindered by time. Seek Him that you may live out of His unending resource of time. Eternity has already begun - it encompasses this life. Don't be in a hurry to accomplish all you can in this life - you have the rest of eternity.
"It will cost something to walk slow in the parade of the ages, while excited men of time rush about confusing motion with progress. But it will pay in the long run and the true Christian is not much interested in anything short of that." - A.W. Tozer
Sunday, January 16, 2011
"Woe is me, I am ruined!"
"So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." Daniel 10:8 (American Standard Version)
I try not to be part of the "version police" who completely write off certain versions of the Bible and accept only a select few - God is not limited to "versions" of His word. But I do prefer some over others in my personal study. Specifically because there are some words that completely transform a verse into different perspective and meaning. In other versions of the above verse, the description is that Daniel, upon seeing a vision, turned physically pale and sickly-looking. That may be true, but I think the American Standard Version takes it to another level. The phrase "for my comeliness was turned in me to corruption" shows what Daniel was truly seeing - he was pure filth in the presence of holiness.
Daniel saw what other prophets saw: himself in comparison to the holiness of God. Isaiah also was filled with fear when he saw a vision of God Almighty in Isaiah 6:5 (see the title of this post), as did many others. I'm not trying to preach some hellfire message of horrible people and the wrath of God. My point is simply this: until we are granted a perspective of our holiness in comparison to God's holiness, we'll never truly understand what it means to be saved and born again. We'll go about our lives expecting blessings from God as if He owes us something. But when we are able to gain understanding into the Holiness of God, we become desperate for Him. Our need for Him is exposed. We seek Him without end. We find Him and realize that He owes us nothing, but He desires to give us all things.
In the words of my infinitely wise brother-in-law, "A Savior is most glorified where folks need saving" (Barten Conner Pope Latner, III). All folks need saving, but not all folks know it. Are you amazed at the fact that you have been saved? Perhaps we don't expect miracles because we can't see the greatest miracle of all - an infinitely holy God saved me and loves me despite myself and my insistent denial of Him in the way that I live. Seek God and ask Him to show you Himself and His holiness, that you may become desperate for Him.
I try not to be part of the "version police" who completely write off certain versions of the Bible and accept only a select few - God is not limited to "versions" of His word. But I do prefer some over others in my personal study. Specifically because there are some words that completely transform a verse into different perspective and meaning. In other versions of the above verse, the description is that Daniel, upon seeing a vision, turned physically pale and sickly-looking. That may be true, but I think the American Standard Version takes it to another level. The phrase "for my comeliness was turned in me to corruption" shows what Daniel was truly seeing - he was pure filth in the presence of holiness.
Daniel saw what other prophets saw: himself in comparison to the holiness of God. Isaiah also was filled with fear when he saw a vision of God Almighty in Isaiah 6:5 (see the title of this post), as did many others. I'm not trying to preach some hellfire message of horrible people and the wrath of God. My point is simply this: until we are granted a perspective of our holiness in comparison to God's holiness, we'll never truly understand what it means to be saved and born again. We'll go about our lives expecting blessings from God as if He owes us something. But when we are able to gain understanding into the Holiness of God, we become desperate for Him. Our need for Him is exposed. We seek Him without end. We find Him and realize that He owes us nothing, but He desires to give us all things.
In the words of my infinitely wise brother-in-law, "A Savior is most glorified where folks need saving" (Barten Conner Pope Latner, III). All folks need saving, but not all folks know it. Are you amazed at the fact that you have been saved? Perhaps we don't expect miracles because we can't see the greatest miracle of all - an infinitely holy God saved me and loves me despite myself and my insistent denial of Him in the way that I live. Seek God and ask Him to show you Himself and His holiness, that you may become desperate for Him.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Have You Seen Him?
"My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job 42:5
Have you seen the Grand Canyon? Me neither. But I hear great things, and the pictures other people have taken and the stories they tell are great. But I haven't seen it. All I know is that it's really big. Still, those who've seen it in person remember in awe at what they saw. They say, "You have to see it in person! There's nothing like it."
Until you've experienced something for yourself, you can only guess what it is really like. All you have to go on is comparisons of what you've previously experienced. So I ask, have you seen God? Have you experienced Him for yourself? Do you have a firsthand faith in Him, or are you relying on other people's word, living off of another man's faith? Friends and family are great for showing us pictures of God, but don't you want to trade in what you've heard and experience your own truth? Do you believe that you can have a personal relationship with Him?
Moses' prayer to God was, "...teach me Your ways so I may know You..." (Exodus 33:13). Moses wanted to know God firsthand, to see Him. Moses gives us great insight as to how to know God:
1. Ask Him - if you want your wife to pass the salt, you ask her.
2. Follow the ways He has laid out for us
The statutes of God are not simply rules to suppress us like some angry dictator. They are designed to keep us on track to knowing Him fully.
God wants to know you. By the "good pleasure of His will" He has adopted us as children (Ephesians 1:5). Have you seen Him for yourself? Do you know your own Father? Where has your picture of God come from - is it one somebody gave you as a "postcard", or did you take the picture yourself? Ask Him to show you Himself and I promise that He won't deny you.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7
Have you seen the Grand Canyon? Me neither. But I hear great things, and the pictures other people have taken and the stories they tell are great. But I haven't seen it. All I know is that it's really big. Still, those who've seen it in person remember in awe at what they saw. They say, "You have to see it in person! There's nothing like it."
Until you've experienced something for yourself, you can only guess what it is really like. All you have to go on is comparisons of what you've previously experienced. So I ask, have you seen God? Have you experienced Him for yourself? Do you have a firsthand faith in Him, or are you relying on other people's word, living off of another man's faith? Friends and family are great for showing us pictures of God, but don't you want to trade in what you've heard and experience your own truth? Do you believe that you can have a personal relationship with Him?
Moses' prayer to God was, "...teach me Your ways so I may know You..." (Exodus 33:13). Moses wanted to know God firsthand, to see Him. Moses gives us great insight as to how to know God:
1. Ask Him - if you want your wife to pass the salt, you ask her.
2. Follow the ways He has laid out for us
The statutes of God are not simply rules to suppress us like some angry dictator. They are designed to keep us on track to knowing Him fully.
God wants to know you. By the "good pleasure of His will" He has adopted us as children (Ephesians 1:5). Have you seen Him for yourself? Do you know your own Father? Where has your picture of God come from - is it one somebody gave you as a "postcard", or did you take the picture yourself? Ask Him to show you Himself and I promise that He won't deny you.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Be Clear-Minded
"And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her'." Luke 10:41-42.
What thoughts are filling your mind today? Where is the allegiance of those thoughts? I heard a sermon on worry once that said the Greek word for worry means to "divide the mind". When my mind is anxious, I can't fully love the Lord with all of my mind. When my mind is out of it, my heart and spirit will follow.
I'm not much of a worrier when it comes to worldly things. I have, however, recently discovered a great source of anxiety - my own agenda. I was in Dallas recently, visiting my in-laws for Christmas. I had absolutely no agenda or plans for most of the time I was there. And it was some of the best time I've spent with God in a long time. I had nothing to take my thoughts away from Him. It was true, unhindered intimacy with God. He spoke great and powerful things to me. And I was able to hear Him because my mind was clear and at ease.
In one version of 1 Peter 4:7, Peter says, "Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." Self-control is often taught, but clear mindedness is a forgotten practice. It's almost impossible to be clear minded and live a normal American-cultured life, but the Lord did not direct me to conform to a culture. The sad thing about our culture is that it has enabled us to justify a lot of our busyness. Most of our busyness seems harmless, but it divides our mind from Christ. This is why Paul says that we should "aspire to lead a quiet life" (1 Thess 4:11) - so that we can turn our thoughts to Jesus.
The Lord has shown me that the only time I can truly seek Him is when I lay down my agenda, concerns, and worries and let Him fully invade my thoughts. I have the power and authority to do this, as I wrote about in a previous post. He has given me a sound mind (not ADD) so that I can fully focus all of my thoughts on Him. Ask Him that He would show you how to fully train and equip your mind so that you can enter into all that the Lord has for you, and be unhindered in your intimacy with Him.
What thoughts are filling your mind today? Where is the allegiance of those thoughts? I heard a sermon on worry once that said the Greek word for worry means to "divide the mind". When my mind is anxious, I can't fully love the Lord with all of my mind. When my mind is out of it, my heart and spirit will follow.
I'm not much of a worrier when it comes to worldly things. I have, however, recently discovered a great source of anxiety - my own agenda. I was in Dallas recently, visiting my in-laws for Christmas. I had absolutely no agenda or plans for most of the time I was there. And it was some of the best time I've spent with God in a long time. I had nothing to take my thoughts away from Him. It was true, unhindered intimacy with God. He spoke great and powerful things to me. And I was able to hear Him because my mind was clear and at ease.
In one version of 1 Peter 4:7, Peter says, "Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." Self-control is often taught, but clear mindedness is a forgotten practice. It's almost impossible to be clear minded and live a normal American-cultured life, but the Lord did not direct me to conform to a culture. The sad thing about our culture is that it has enabled us to justify a lot of our busyness. Most of our busyness seems harmless, but it divides our mind from Christ. This is why Paul says that we should "aspire to lead a quiet life" (1 Thess 4:11) - so that we can turn our thoughts to Jesus.
The Lord has shown me that the only time I can truly seek Him is when I lay down my agenda, concerns, and worries and let Him fully invade my thoughts. I have the power and authority to do this, as I wrote about in a previous post. He has given me a sound mind (not ADD) so that I can fully focus all of my thoughts on Him. Ask Him that He would show you how to fully train and equip your mind so that you can enter into all that the Lord has for you, and be unhindered in your intimacy with Him.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Partake in His Nature
"...as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature..." 2 Peter 1:3-4
When I was growing up, my father taught me, corrected me, disciplined me, played with me, enabled me, etc. With each year came a new level of relationship with him and a new level of responsibility with me. As a toddler, I would fall and he would pick me up, laughing with me the whole time. As a boy in elementary school, I would fall and he'd say, "Get up, boy. What's wrong with you?" He had taught me how to walk and expected me to do it - I grew up to different levels of relationship with him.
Throughout these years he taught me obedience and the difference between right & wrong. I got a lot of whippin's when I was young, but they decreased with age. As I grew older, he enabled me to make more decisions by myself, even if they were wrong, because I was becoming a self-functioning human. As I grew older, He trusted me more and more to years of his teaching and modeling.
Through many times of joy and discipline alike, and some rocky college years, I have grown to become my father's friend. Apart from my wife, I consider him my closest friend. He no longer has to put me over his knee or ground me from going out on Saturday. I now partake fully of his nature. He will often call me and we'll talk about what's going on in our lives and he'll tell me about what he spoke on recently, only to find that I wrote nearly the same thing in my journal the other day. I partake of his nature because he raised me up in it so that I now truly know him at his core. I grew strong in him. I practiced his ways. I am my father's likeness.
My father modeled for me the relationship between God the Father and His son or daughter. Bill Johnson says, "There is a point in our relationship with God where obedience is no longer the primary issue." This is because I have grown up in and adopted the Father's nature. For a time, our Father teaches us, disciplines us, and picks us up when we fall down. And our obedience enables us to grow and take on more responsibility. But as I grow, I learn to walk rather than have Him carry me on His shoulders. My whippin's decrease in number. I talk on my own out of His language that He has taught me (See 1 Corinthians 13:11). We talk to each other, not as Father to naive boy, but to a grown man, mature in mind and spirit. Our conversations flow easily because we are of the same mind. He raises me up in His ways so that I may partake with Him in His divine nature.
In John 15:15 Jesus says, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
As we grow in Christ we begin to partake in His nature, so that we know what our Heavenly Father is doing on earth, and we are able to co-labor with Him in His Kingdom purposes. I am no longer a child wondering why my Father is making me do something I don't like. I am no longer a teenager fussin' because I can't go out and do whatever I want with whomever I want on Saturday night. My nature is now that of my Father's. My desires co-labor with His desires - there is no conflict and we both are well pleased and fulfilled. There is no untruths or disobedience hindering our conversations. I am not ashamed before Him because of uncovered disobedience. I withhold nothing from Him and He withholds nothing from me. We speak as the closest of friends.
I always honor Him as Father, just as I always honor the authority of my earthly father. I am always learning from Him, just as I still seek the wisdom and direction from my earthly father. The difference now is that He can trust me to partake in His nature because I have fulfilled my obedience to Him. He has raised me up in His ways and I partake in His Nature. Let the Lord train you and raise you up as a father trains a son, so that you may fully partake in the divine nature of Jesus Christ.
When I was growing up, my father taught me, corrected me, disciplined me, played with me, enabled me, etc. With each year came a new level of relationship with him and a new level of responsibility with me. As a toddler, I would fall and he would pick me up, laughing with me the whole time. As a boy in elementary school, I would fall and he'd say, "Get up, boy. What's wrong with you?" He had taught me how to walk and expected me to do it - I grew up to different levels of relationship with him.
Throughout these years he taught me obedience and the difference between right & wrong. I got a lot of whippin's when I was young, but they decreased with age. As I grew older, he enabled me to make more decisions by myself, even if they were wrong, because I was becoming a self-functioning human. As I grew older, He trusted me more and more to years of his teaching and modeling.
Through many times of joy and discipline alike, and some rocky college years, I have grown to become my father's friend. Apart from my wife, I consider him my closest friend. He no longer has to put me over his knee or ground me from going out on Saturday. I now partake fully of his nature. He will often call me and we'll talk about what's going on in our lives and he'll tell me about what he spoke on recently, only to find that I wrote nearly the same thing in my journal the other day. I partake of his nature because he raised me up in it so that I now truly know him at his core. I grew strong in him. I practiced his ways. I am my father's likeness.
My father modeled for me the relationship between God the Father and His son or daughter. Bill Johnson says, "There is a point in our relationship with God where obedience is no longer the primary issue." This is because I have grown up in and adopted the Father's nature. For a time, our Father teaches us, disciplines us, and picks us up when we fall down. And our obedience enables us to grow and take on more responsibility. But as I grow, I learn to walk rather than have Him carry me on His shoulders. My whippin's decrease in number. I talk on my own out of His language that He has taught me (See 1 Corinthians 13:11). We talk to each other, not as Father to naive boy, but to a grown man, mature in mind and spirit. Our conversations flow easily because we are of the same mind. He raises me up in His ways so that I may partake with Him in His divine nature.
In John 15:15 Jesus says, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
As we grow in Christ we begin to partake in His nature, so that we know what our Heavenly Father is doing on earth, and we are able to co-labor with Him in His Kingdom purposes. I am no longer a child wondering why my Father is making me do something I don't like. I am no longer a teenager fussin' because I can't go out and do whatever I want with whomever I want on Saturday night. My nature is now that of my Father's. My desires co-labor with His desires - there is no conflict and we both are well pleased and fulfilled. There is no untruths or disobedience hindering our conversations. I am not ashamed before Him because of uncovered disobedience. I withhold nothing from Him and He withholds nothing from me. We speak as the closest of friends.
I always honor Him as Father, just as I always honor the authority of my earthly father. I am always learning from Him, just as I still seek the wisdom and direction from my earthly father. The difference now is that He can trust me to partake in His nature because I have fulfilled my obedience to Him. He has raised me up in His ways and I partake in His Nature. Let the Lord train you and raise you up as a father trains a son, so that you may fully partake in the divine nature of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Renew Your Mind
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
I love the term "sound mind". When you have a sound wall or barrier, that means that there are no weaknesses; nothing can get through without specific provisions/alterations being made. Our mind is the same way. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit now enables us to transform our whole way of thinking.
One ability and practice that Christians seem to miss is the act of learning to direct the thoughts that enter our head. Bill Johnson calls the mind the gatekeeper that allows the heavens (good and bad) into our lives. I have the ability of a "sound mind" to do what I wish with what enters my mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Paul says:
"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
It starts with an awareness of the battle. The mind is the home base of the army. No one gets in if they are not under the authority of Christ. What does that look like in my mind? Every thought that enters must agree with what I know to be true about Jesus Christ. If it does not, it is cast out immediately. Some things in this life are not obviously evil, but at its heart, a thing, thought, mindset may "exalt itself" above Jesus Christ. Learn to discern what that looks like. The enemy is a deceiver. He's crafty and sneaks in under other identities that seem harmless, but at their root there is an exaltation above the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For some, knowledge in Christ may be limited, but you have to start somewhere. Latch onto everything you know to be true about Jesus Christ, His power & dominion, and what that means for yourself. Every thought that enters your mind must submit to and obey the truth and authority of Jesus Christ. We must begin to build within ourselves a fortress of thoughts unto the Lord and His truth. Cling to what you know and build on that. Cast down and punish anything that says otherwise.
As it is now, your way of thinking is habitual. So it will be like breaking a habit. This takes time and practice, but the Spirit of God will be your guide. Soon, you will form new habits and ways of thinking, depression will lift, offense will transform into honor, lust will turn to love, insecurity will rise in confidence. Scripture memorization is so powerful for this practice. Learn about the army of thoughts in your head - what is a common thought you have that does not agree with the life of a man/woman of God? Find a Scripture to combat that thought with. Every time that way of thinking enters your mind, quote your Scripture over and over until the thought is no more. Soon that Scripture will be a permanent soldier of thought in your mind.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2I love the term "sound mind". When you have a sound wall or barrier, that means that there are no weaknesses; nothing can get through without specific provisions/alterations being made. Our mind is the same way. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit now enables us to transform our whole way of thinking.
One ability and practice that Christians seem to miss is the act of learning to direct the thoughts that enter our head. Bill Johnson calls the mind the gatekeeper that allows the heavens (good and bad) into our lives. I have the ability of a "sound mind" to do what I wish with what enters my mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Paul says:
"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
It starts with an awareness of the battle. The mind is the home base of the army. No one gets in if they are not under the authority of Christ. What does that look like in my mind? Every thought that enters must agree with what I know to be true about Jesus Christ. If it does not, it is cast out immediately. Some things in this life are not obviously evil, but at its heart, a thing, thought, mindset may "exalt itself" above Jesus Christ. Learn to discern what that looks like. The enemy is a deceiver. He's crafty and sneaks in under other identities that seem harmless, but at their root there is an exaltation above the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For some, knowledge in Christ may be limited, but you have to start somewhere. Latch onto everything you know to be true about Jesus Christ, His power & dominion, and what that means for yourself. Every thought that enters your mind must submit to and obey the truth and authority of Jesus Christ. We must begin to build within ourselves a fortress of thoughts unto the Lord and His truth. Cling to what you know and build on that. Cast down and punish anything that says otherwise.
As it is now, your way of thinking is habitual. So it will be like breaking a habit. This takes time and practice, but the Spirit of God will be your guide. Soon, you will form new habits and ways of thinking, depression will lift, offense will transform into honor, lust will turn to love, insecurity will rise in confidence. Scripture memorization is so powerful for this practice. Learn about the army of thoughts in your head - what is a common thought you have that does not agree with the life of a man/woman of God? Find a Scripture to combat that thought with. Every time that way of thinking enters your mind, quote your Scripture over and over until the thought is no more. Soon that Scripture will be a permanent soldier of thought in your mind.
"Transformed". Anyone watch Transformers growing up? Or the recent movies? These guys would transform from ordinary looking vehicles of the common road into weapons of mass destruction. That's what we do when we let the Spirit of God transform us by the renewal of our mind; we transform from ordinary, harmless humans into soldiers ready for any battle. Our way of thinking cannot align with the rest of the world. As our minds are renewed, we become dangerous in the Kingdom of Heaven, able to pull down any stronghold. Let the Lord equip you. Ask Him diligently to increase your faith and teach you what is acceptable unto Him, that you may think on those things. Soon your renewed mind will begin to transform your environment.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
In His Nature
And Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." - Mark 9:23
All things? Do you believe that? Do I believe that? In other places Jesus is asked the question, "Lord, if You are willing..." To which He replies, "I am willing." To me, and to others I know, this has been the question that restricts our faith. We know God has the power to do anything, but we are so stuck on the prayer of Jesus, "Not My will, but Yours," that we are constantly wondering if His will is to heal and perform miracles. "It must not have been God's will", we say. But He said, "All things".
In the last conversation Jesus has with His disciples, Jesus says, "Ask whatever you wish in My name, and it shall be done for you." He actually says this six times in some form or fashion in one conversation (John 14-16). Then He says, "Until now, you have asked nothing in My name (John 16:24)." But the disciples had already gone out, spoken His name, and performed many miracles. Yet He said they had not yet asked anything in His name??
When you look at what a name really is, it is a title that is used to describe the nature of someone or something. So, what if Jesus was really saying, "Ask whatever you wish, in My nature, and it shall be done for you." In other words, put on the mind of Christ and align your thoughts and actions with the things of His Kingdom. Live in His Kingdom.
I fully believe that speaking the name of Jesus will do many things, but living our your life in His nature is when your world will begin to be shaken and transformed. Pastor Brady Boyd says of faith, "Faith is not measured by the fact that you believe God is able to perform miracles, but it is measured by how much of your life is surrendered to God." Faith in God cannot be restricted to believing in the moment for a miracle, it must be lived out in every avenue of our lives. That is why Jesus kept getting frustrated with His disciples, they were believing in certain moments, but it was hit or miss as to when their faith would show. So the question changes. Jesus already said that He is willing. He said you will do "all things". So the question now is turned around, "Are you willing?" That is, am I willing to demonstrate a faith that shows a complete surrender to the nature of Christ in every aspect of my life?
I'm not speaking out of any experience, but out of conviction and God's revelation. I've been searching for the opportunity to perform the miracle, while relying more on God to align my everyday life. I think I'm backwards - God performs the miracle, I seek to know Him so that I can align my life with His nature. I've been burdened with looking for opportunity for miracles, and therefore limiting my works to my world rather than submitting my world to the nature of Jesus Christ.
One of the first miracles that was performed at the hands of the disciples they stepped into without even looking for it. Jesus said when the 5,000 were hungry, "You give them something to eat (Mark 6:37)." The miracle was distributed at the hands of the disciples by obedience to the nature of Christ. They didn't even realize what was happening. So, as I align my life with the nature of Jesus, I'm praying that God will build my faith by leading me into miracles in a way that I can in no way attribute anything to myself, but only to the power of God. God provides all of the power, I hand it out.
All things? Do you believe that? Do I believe that? In other places Jesus is asked the question, "Lord, if You are willing..." To which He replies, "I am willing." To me, and to others I know, this has been the question that restricts our faith. We know God has the power to do anything, but we are so stuck on the prayer of Jesus, "Not My will, but Yours," that we are constantly wondering if His will is to heal and perform miracles. "It must not have been God's will", we say. But He said, "All things".
In the last conversation Jesus has with His disciples, Jesus says, "Ask whatever you wish in My name, and it shall be done for you." He actually says this six times in some form or fashion in one conversation (John 14-16). Then He says, "Until now, you have asked nothing in My name (John 16:24)." But the disciples had already gone out, spoken His name, and performed many miracles. Yet He said they had not yet asked anything in His name??
When you look at what a name really is, it is a title that is used to describe the nature of someone or something. So, what if Jesus was really saying, "Ask whatever you wish, in My nature, and it shall be done for you." In other words, put on the mind of Christ and align your thoughts and actions with the things of His Kingdom. Live in His Kingdom.
I fully believe that speaking the name of Jesus will do many things, but living our your life in His nature is when your world will begin to be shaken and transformed. Pastor Brady Boyd says of faith, "Faith is not measured by the fact that you believe God is able to perform miracles, but it is measured by how much of your life is surrendered to God." Faith in God cannot be restricted to believing in the moment for a miracle, it must be lived out in every avenue of our lives. That is why Jesus kept getting frustrated with His disciples, they were believing in certain moments, but it was hit or miss as to when their faith would show. So the question changes. Jesus already said that He is willing. He said you will do "all things". So the question now is turned around, "Are you willing?" That is, am I willing to demonstrate a faith that shows a complete surrender to the nature of Christ in every aspect of my life?
I'm not speaking out of any experience, but out of conviction and God's revelation. I've been searching for the opportunity to perform the miracle, while relying more on God to align my everyday life. I think I'm backwards - God performs the miracle, I seek to know Him so that I can align my life with His nature. I've been burdened with looking for opportunity for miracles, and therefore limiting my works to my world rather than submitting my world to the nature of Jesus Christ.
One of the first miracles that was performed at the hands of the disciples they stepped into without even looking for it. Jesus said when the 5,000 were hungry, "You give them something to eat (Mark 6:37)." The miracle was distributed at the hands of the disciples by obedience to the nature of Christ. They didn't even realize what was happening. So, as I align my life with the nature of Jesus, I'm praying that God will build my faith by leading me into miracles in a way that I can in no way attribute anything to myself, but only to the power of God. God provides all of the power, I hand it out.
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