"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?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
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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