PSALM 128
The way for me to get out of a bout with discouragment or to break a bad habit or to eliminate unbelief in my life is to open up the bible and start reading it and to start talking to God about my problem. That's because God's word is like water and it has never failed me. But even when I know this I continue to neglect it more than I would like to admit. The truth is I'll never know how much the words of the bible will FULLY cleanse me until I dive into it. I mean like dive head long into it without any string attached without anything competeing against it in my heart! I desperately need to start reading the bible like I read my favorite magazines, or like I watch my next blockbuster movie, or search the internet for the latest current events around this tumultuous world. How passionate are you towards your media entertainment compared to God's word? What's the quantity and quality of time that you spend in the bible vs your media or shopping? If you're like me your quantity and quality time is spent away from God's words doing other things. This is called idolatry and it is a serious problem.
Idolatry is a serious problem because it removes God's rightful place in our lives, and the result of this is disastrous. So even though I have been convicted about this in my walk with God I haven't done too much about it. God has allowed me to do this media thing and at the same time he is allowing me to experience the disastrous consequences of it. Which could be described as a very subtle and slow chipping away of all that is good. It's like nicotine or caffeine quick addiction but slow health decline. As a Christian, I hate that I have something inside of me still that won't prioritize my time with God and give him complete Lordship of my life. This is something God is still working out of me. So I finally decided to shut my door and start reading and praying to God to help me come out of this media thing and back to him in a right relationship. And God in his faithfulness sang a song to me in Psalm 128. I have to say that all along this journey of putting things before God that he, in his caring faithfullness, has shown me exactly what is at risk of being eroded away. All of which are the most important things to me: My relationship with Christ emotionally, spiritually and physically, My relationship with my wife and children and their health and quality of life, my work, the bride of Christ, Jerusalem. These are truly the things in my personal life and heart that matter most. And so this song God sang to me was Psalm 128 and it is a song that consists of everything that is crucial to me but in its right condition. The word of God has started cleansing me because it brings hope. Everything he told me I was slowly losing by putting this media thing before him will be restored IF I do my part. My part is the first verse of Psalm 128. It says it all and it is where I am going to plant my heart. Please pray for me if you are one who can identify with this struggle. I don't want anything to be before God's rightful place in my life.
1 How joyful are those who fear the LORD— all who follow his ways!2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home.Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.4 That is the LORD's blessing for those who fear him.5 May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Compelled by His Kindness...
It is an impossible thing to fully express how kind God is to adopt a person as his child when they come to believe in His Son Jesus. But those who do confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life have come to know a little bit of His awesome kindness because of the unending grace and mercy they receive in their new life with Christ. Their new life is rougher not smoother then before because the love they have for themselves is still there fighting against the new way they are to live...which is to love and choose Christ in ALL things. Their new life is rough because it is to be lived strictly through God the Holy Spirit's strength but their natural strength keeps rising up. It is rough because it is not easy or popular to live for Jesus Christ...the One who said, " I Am the Truth."
And so the one who is experiencing this spiritual battle is the one working out their salvation with fear and trembling. They wake up, live life and go to sleep working to beat down their old flesh through the Spirit of God. In this daily battle the reality brings both victory through obedience and at times set backs by choosing sin, but it is at those places of victory and defeat that the child of God still sees the awesomeness of His lovingkindness. They see that the ultimate battle of life and death has already been won through Jesus' death on the cross and Jesus' life through the resurrection, and by this they know without a doubt that they have been forgiven of all their past, present and future sin. They know they are dying with Jesus daily and that they will be raised with him in a moment. They know they already have victory through Christ's works and not their own. They come to learn that God is truly Kind.It is this kindness of God expressed through His Son Jesus Christ that compells a person to turn away from their self pleasing life to a life that is God pleasing. It is God's kindness expressed through His Son Jesus Christ that fuels the heart to hate sin and to sincerely turn away from it. The one who loves God will not turn away from Jesus Christ. The one who believes in Jesus Christ loves Him and will not keep on sinning. The reason to keep trudging ahead is because of his kindness towards us!
The following quotes are by Francois Fenelon in the book The Royal Way of the Cross. Fenelon's books are mostly an archive of personal letters that were written by him to his friends during the late 17 century. I have been blessed reading Fenelon because he cuts to the chase in regards to how we naturally love ourselves more than Jesus himself. He helps the mind bring its spinning wheels down to the ground so there's more potential for faith seen in action.
“Do you want the consolation God can give, or do you want God Himself?”
“What right do we have to complain? We suffer from an excessive attachment to the creature-above all to self. God orders a series of events which detach us gradually from the creature first, and finally from self also. The operation is painful, but our corruption makes it needful, and therefore it is we who suffer so keenly.”
“That is false humility which believes itself unworthy of God’s goodness and dares not look to it with trust. True humility lies in seeing our own unworthiness and giving ourselves up to God, never doubting that He can work out the greatest results for and in us.”
“You wait to be familiar till God shows a smiling face; but I tell you that if you will open up your heart thoroughly to Him you will cease to trouble about the aspect of His face. Let Him turn a severe and displeased countenance upon you as much as He will, He never loves you more than when He threatens, for He threatens only to prove, to humble, to detach souls.”
“Leave it all to God; it is not your business to judge how He should deal with you, because He knows far better than you what is good for you. You deserve a certain amount of trial and dryness. Bear it patiently! God does His part when he repulses you. Try to do yours too, and that is to love Him without waiting for Him to assure you of His love for you. Your love is a guarantee of His; your confidence in Him alone will disarm Him, and turn all His severity into tenderness. Even if He were not to grow tender, you ought to give yourself up to His just dealings, and accept His intention of nailing you to the cross in union with His beloved Son, Jesus.”
It is an impossible thing to fully express how kind God is to adopt a person as his child when they come to believe in His Son Jesus. But those who do confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life have come to know a little bit of His awesome kindness because of the unending grace and mercy they receive in their new life with Christ. Their new life is rougher not smoother then before because the love they have for themselves is still there fighting against the new way they are to live...which is to love and choose Christ in ALL things. Their new life is rough because it is to be lived strictly through God the Holy Spirit's strength but their natural strength keeps rising up. It is rough because it is not easy or popular to live for Jesus Christ...the One who said, " I Am the Truth."
And so the one who is experiencing this spiritual battle is the one working out their salvation with fear and trembling. They wake up, live life and go to sleep working to beat down their old flesh through the Spirit of God. In this daily battle the reality brings both victory through obedience and at times set backs by choosing sin, but it is at those places of victory and defeat that the child of God still sees the awesomeness of His lovingkindness. They see that the ultimate battle of life and death has already been won through Jesus' death on the cross and Jesus' life through the resurrection, and by this they know without a doubt that they have been forgiven of all their past, present and future sin. They know they are dying with Jesus daily and that they will be raised with him in a moment. They know they already have victory through Christ's works and not their own. They come to learn that God is truly Kind.It is this kindness of God expressed through His Son Jesus Christ that compells a person to turn away from their self pleasing life to a life that is God pleasing. It is God's kindness expressed through His Son Jesus Christ that fuels the heart to hate sin and to sincerely turn away from it. The one who loves God will not turn away from Jesus Christ. The one who believes in Jesus Christ loves Him and will not keep on sinning. The reason to keep trudging ahead is because of his kindness towards us!
The following quotes are by Francois Fenelon in the book The Royal Way of the Cross. Fenelon's books are mostly an archive of personal letters that were written by him to his friends during the late 17 century. I have been blessed reading Fenelon because he cuts to the chase in regards to how we naturally love ourselves more than Jesus himself. He helps the mind bring its spinning wheels down to the ground so there's more potential for faith seen in action.
“Do you want the consolation God can give, or do you want God Himself?”
“What right do we have to complain? We suffer from an excessive attachment to the creature-above all to self. God orders a series of events which detach us gradually from the creature first, and finally from self also. The operation is painful, but our corruption makes it needful, and therefore it is we who suffer so keenly.”
“That is false humility which believes itself unworthy of God’s goodness and dares not look to it with trust. True humility lies in seeing our own unworthiness and giving ourselves up to God, never doubting that He can work out the greatest results for and in us.”
“You wait to be familiar till God shows a smiling face; but I tell you that if you will open up your heart thoroughly to Him you will cease to trouble about the aspect of His face. Let Him turn a severe and displeased countenance upon you as much as He will, He never loves you more than when He threatens, for He threatens only to prove, to humble, to detach souls.”
“Leave it all to God; it is not your business to judge how He should deal with you, because He knows far better than you what is good for you. You deserve a certain amount of trial and dryness. Bear it patiently! God does His part when he repulses you. Try to do yours too, and that is to love Him without waiting for Him to assure you of His love for you. Your love is a guarantee of His; your confidence in Him alone will disarm Him, and turn all His severity into tenderness. Even if He were not to grow tender, you ought to give yourself up to His just dealings, and accept His intention of nailing you to the cross in union with His beloved Son, Jesus.”
Thursday, August 09, 2007
EMBRACING
Where does the unending hunger to do the right thing come from?
I listened to Proverbs today and the verse that stood out was:
A MAN THAT DOES WHAT IS RIGHT FEARS THE LORD, BUT A MAN THAT DEVIATES FROM THE LORD DESPISES HIM.
God's ways are upside down and opposite of my human methods and understanding every time. I think if we enter into every conversation or small group or quiet time with this on our mind it changes everything. The Spirit of God wants to move but there is so much pretense built on pride. It's like having a cup of water and human understanding says keep the cup upright so the water can be used "at my time in my way" so it doesn't go all over the place. But God says, "No. Let go of the cup altogether so I can flip it upside down and make a little mess if I want, so I can direct the water where I want it to go, or so I can flip it upside down and keep the water from coming out if I want.
The Lord will bring us to the same location of struggle until we yield to Christ in it. I see that in order to yield or obey I am going to have to be willing to embrace the possible pain, fear, loss, of letting go for Jesus. It's the final resolve in each issue and season of life: Embracing the unknown that happens when we yield. Jesus embraced the pain of the cross that came after choosing to do the right thing.
Controlling the cup of water is really a deviation from the Lord... and it's sobering to think that this can lead to despising the Lord. Embracing all the possibilities of the unknown that come after yielding to the Father matters a lot.
How nervous would you be if you new you were going to be nailed to the cross in two hours and left to die? Do you see yourself embracing the pains of your cross like this today? Take up your cross and follow me. This should make us nervous...its serious business to work out our salvation with fear and trembling in the right way.
Help us embrace for your glory Lord!
Where does the unending hunger to do the right thing come from?
I listened to Proverbs today and the verse that stood out was:
A MAN THAT DOES WHAT IS RIGHT FEARS THE LORD, BUT A MAN THAT DEVIATES FROM THE LORD DESPISES HIM.
God's ways are upside down and opposite of my human methods and understanding every time. I think if we enter into every conversation or small group or quiet time with this on our mind it changes everything. The Spirit of God wants to move but there is so much pretense built on pride. It's like having a cup of water and human understanding says keep the cup upright so the water can be used "at my time in my way" so it doesn't go all over the place. But God says, "No. Let go of the cup altogether so I can flip it upside down and make a little mess if I want, so I can direct the water where I want it to go, or so I can flip it upside down and keep the water from coming out if I want.
The Lord will bring us to the same location of struggle until we yield to Christ in it. I see that in order to yield or obey I am going to have to be willing to embrace the possible pain, fear, loss, of letting go for Jesus. It's the final resolve in each issue and season of life: Embracing the unknown that happens when we yield. Jesus embraced the pain of the cross that came after choosing to do the right thing.
Controlling the cup of water is really a deviation from the Lord... and it's sobering to think that this can lead to despising the Lord. Embracing all the possibilities of the unknown that come after yielding to the Father matters a lot.
How nervous would you be if you new you were going to be nailed to the cross in two hours and left to die? Do you see yourself embracing the pains of your cross like this today? Take up your cross and follow me. This should make us nervous...its serious business to work out our salvation with fear and trembling in the right way.
Help us embrace for your glory Lord!
THE BEST & FINAL DECISION
If you want to accept Jesus into your heart today and invite him to be Lord and Savior of your life please pray this prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I have come to understand who you truly are. I have also come to see who I truly am. I thank you for being God and for coming to this earth to live a perfect life. Thank you for living the life that I can’t live. I need you to forgive me for all my sins. I confess to you that I am a sinner and that I have been living for myself. I confess that I am not capable of earning my way to heaven by anything that I have done or will do. I trust you have done all that is necessary for me to receive salvation and I believe you came to die on the cross for me personally. I thank you Jesus for going through all that pain and suffering for me so that I wouldn’t have to. I believe that you rose from the dead because in you is the power of life, and I trust you will raise me from the dead to be with you for eternity. Please come into my heart today and become Lord and Savior of my life. I desire to live and follow you all the days of my life. I commit my life to you today. Please come and live inside me and guide and direct me to live by your Holy Spirit in everything that I experience. You are a Wonderful God. All Merciful and so Forgiving. So Just and Right on all you do. Thank you for saving me in your loving kindness. I love you!
If you sincerely prayed this prayer you are now God’s child! You can expect God to do wonderful things in your life. Get to know Jesus by reading the Bible. The more you practice the faith you’ve been given the more you will come to see and understand that everything you have always wanted is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember this life you live in your body is going to be 75-100yrs max. Compare that to eternity with God in paradise. You now have an awesome hope.
God bless you and may your relationship with Jesus grow!
If you want to accept Jesus into your heart today and invite him to be Lord and Savior of your life please pray this prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I have come to understand who you truly are. I have also come to see who I truly am. I thank you for being God and for coming to this earth to live a perfect life. Thank you for living the life that I can’t live. I need you to forgive me for all my sins. I confess to you that I am a sinner and that I have been living for myself. I confess that I am not capable of earning my way to heaven by anything that I have done or will do. I trust you have done all that is necessary for me to receive salvation and I believe you came to die on the cross for me personally. I thank you Jesus for going through all that pain and suffering for me so that I wouldn’t have to. I believe that you rose from the dead because in you is the power of life, and I trust you will raise me from the dead to be with you for eternity. Please come into my heart today and become Lord and Savior of my life. I desire to live and follow you all the days of my life. I commit my life to you today. Please come and live inside me and guide and direct me to live by your Holy Spirit in everything that I experience. You are a Wonderful God. All Merciful and so Forgiving. So Just and Right on all you do. Thank you for saving me in your loving kindness. I love you!
If you sincerely prayed this prayer you are now God’s child! You can expect God to do wonderful things in your life. Get to know Jesus by reading the Bible. The more you practice the faith you’ve been given the more you will come to see and understand that everything you have always wanted is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember this life you live in your body is going to be 75-100yrs max. Compare that to eternity with God in paradise. You now have an awesome hope.
God bless you and may your relationship with Jesus grow!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR FINAL DECISION : PART 4
When all is said and done Jesus will be proven faithful as the one who gave each of us every opportunity to escape the consequence for our sins. If you know for certain that you have not put all of your trust into Jesus then I encourage you to be thinking about why your heart stands this way towards Jesus. Ask yourself what is so important that you haven’t dealth with the unbelief in your heart towards him. Answer these questions honestly and privately. Do you know who he really is and what he really says to you personally about rejecting him? Do you know how he lived his life? If not then find a bible today and read the book of John so that you can make a genuine and honest choice for or against him. I can live with somebody choosing against Christ only if they really knew who and what they were choosing against. But I can not live with the thought that I did not encourage you to take the antidote or put on the life jacket, or apply the bail money that Jesus is before you die. I also can’t live with the thought that I watched someone I love and care for sleep walk themselves into a disastrous situation without at least trying to wake them up first. And so I am trying to stay awake and also wake up others to this most critical decision.
I encourage you to be the one who is not influenced by the chaos, the subtlety of half truths, or loudness of blatant lies that are coming at us from all sides. And as the strength of international opinion increases I hope you will find the character to still stand up for what is true. Get quiet, ask questions, and get real with Jesus by yourself. There is too much at stake! And the truth is if I were to die today or if you were to die today I would want to share this with you…. I keep thinking of how time is slipping bye…precious time…. and how important you are in the midst of the passing seconds.
Jesus has not left you in the dark about the ramifications of your decision. You must read the bible if it's the last thing you do!
The great thing about Jesus is that he will not force you to trust him. He wants a genuine relationship with you and he has made this very clear in the bible. Please read it for yourself!
Read the bible to find out how kind God is. For it is His kindness that will give you the desire to turn from your sinful ways.
When all is said and done Jesus will be proven faithful as the one who gave each of us every opportunity to escape the consequence for our sins. If you know for certain that you have not put all of your trust into Jesus then I encourage you to be thinking about why your heart stands this way towards Jesus. Ask yourself what is so important that you haven’t dealth with the unbelief in your heart towards him. Answer these questions honestly and privately. Do you know who he really is and what he really says to you personally about rejecting him? Do you know how he lived his life? If not then find a bible today and read the book of John so that you can make a genuine and honest choice for or against him. I can live with somebody choosing against Christ only if they really knew who and what they were choosing against. But I can not live with the thought that I did not encourage you to take the antidote or put on the life jacket, or apply the bail money that Jesus is before you die. I also can’t live with the thought that I watched someone I love and care for sleep walk themselves into a disastrous situation without at least trying to wake them up first. And so I am trying to stay awake and also wake up others to this most critical decision.
I encourage you to be the one who is not influenced by the chaos, the subtlety of half truths, or loudness of blatant lies that are coming at us from all sides. And as the strength of international opinion increases I hope you will find the character to still stand up for what is true. Get quiet, ask questions, and get real with Jesus by yourself. There is too much at stake! And the truth is if I were to die today or if you were to die today I would want to share this with you…. I keep thinking of how time is slipping bye…precious time…. and how important you are in the midst of the passing seconds.
Jesus has not left you in the dark about the ramifications of your decision. You must read the bible if it's the last thing you do!
The great thing about Jesus is that he will not force you to trust him. He wants a genuine relationship with you and he has made this very clear in the bible. Please read it for yourself!
Read the bible to find out how kind God is. For it is His kindness that will give you the desire to turn from your sinful ways.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR FINAL DECISION: PART 3
Yes, you have a problem. You see, we all have the same critical choice because we all have the same serious problem. All the sins you and I have ever committed is our problem—the lies, the stealing, the adultery, the idolatry, the carelessness of how we treat God and his Name, the sexual immorality, the murder, the envy, and jealousy, the gossip and then the unseen sins of pride, selfishness, anger, vanity, lust, greed and on and on and on ……….The problem is we are all guilty and deserving of just consequences. If you have done any one of these things even in the slightest you are guilty as charged and you either need an antidote, you need bail, you need a life jacket or you need to stand up in your own strength and receive your just consequence. The bible says that the natural consequence of sinning against a holy God is complete and utter separation from him which is just another way of saying …Death for eternity. God is not only Holy but he is also Righteous and Just and just like Truth these attributes of God are slowly squeezing in on the world and there will come a time when you will be facing him square in the face! He is Just not to allow your wrongdoing to go unpunished and He is Loving to provide you a way out and escaping that judgment. Yes, God made a way for you to get rid of your problem. Listen! God proved his love for you already and you must look with your heart to see how he did this. Your way of escape is Jesus Christ! If you have not made Jesus your personal Lord and Savior by believing and confessing he is Lord of your life and following him and living a life of continual change for him, if you have not put him on like a parachute or life jacket then the just and right penalty you deserve for your sins will consume you….even while you rationalize and try to justify your motives for doing such things. I recently listened to a teaching on Hell and it honestly scared the Hell right out of me. Both you and I need to be reminded that our sins are a real problem and they cost God a great deal. If it were not for his Son Jesus Christ willingly choosing to go through hell for you and I physically, emotionally, and spiritually we wouldn’t have Him to take as an antidote or put on like a life jacket or parachute. He is the only cure for our sin problem because He IS the forgiveness for all our sins. If you choose Jesus then God sees Jesus’ death as a good enough payment for your wrong doing. And He gives you eternal life! If you reject Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your soul then God sees your eternal death as a good enough payment for your wrongdoing. It’s that simple! It’s that serious! It’s that justified!
And so I say again that I am writing this because there is urgency in the air. I ask myself often who prepares for coming storms, floods, wars, diseases, conflicts even though they are not here yet. Who is preparing for a chaotic world that cannot be controlled because it is being controlled by evil spiritual forces. Is it for no reason that the bible says that the real fight is not against flesh and blood but against the evil powers, principalities and spiritual forces in the air that desire to destroy you and blind you and deceive you from knowing truth? Those who prepare for battle are the ones who know it is coming. Those whose house doesn’t collapse during the storm are the ones who built their house properly and on the only foundation that can withstand the power of the storm. And yet we sit bye knowing great storms are on there way because we sense it. We sense it because of the messages coming at us in bumper stickers, commercials, movies, news, culture shifts, political shifts, religious shifts, the Middle East and Israel, Europe, Iran, North Korea, Russia, America, the World, war, disease…it’s all moving forward as Jesus said it would …. but are you considering his words? Are you considering the truth as you walk along? Jesus warns each one of us to keep WATCH and to not be deceived in the ensuing chaos on earth. Listen to what Jesus said to us in Matthew 24:
“Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.* And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations* will hear it; and then the end will come."The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration* standing in the Holy Place." (Reader, pay attention!) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones."Then if anyone tells you, `Look, here is the Messiah,' or `There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. "So if someone tells you, `Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, `Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man* comes.Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. "Immediately after the anguish of those days,the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light,the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.*And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.* And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world*—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. "Now learn a lesson
from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door I tell you the truth, this generation* will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.* Only the Father knows."When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left."So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, `My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Yes, you have a problem. You see, we all have the same critical choice because we all have the same serious problem. All the sins you and I have ever committed is our problem—the lies, the stealing, the adultery, the idolatry, the carelessness of how we treat God and his Name, the sexual immorality, the murder, the envy, and jealousy, the gossip and then the unseen sins of pride, selfishness, anger, vanity, lust, greed and on and on and on ……….The problem is we are all guilty and deserving of just consequences. If you have done any one of these things even in the slightest you are guilty as charged and you either need an antidote, you need bail, you need a life jacket or you need to stand up in your own strength and receive your just consequence. The bible says that the natural consequence of sinning against a holy God is complete and utter separation from him which is just another way of saying …Death for eternity. God is not only Holy but he is also Righteous and Just and just like Truth these attributes of God are slowly squeezing in on the world and there will come a time when you will be facing him square in the face! He is Just not to allow your wrongdoing to go unpunished and He is Loving to provide you a way out and escaping that judgment. Yes, God made a way for you to get rid of your problem. Listen! God proved his love for you already and you must look with your heart to see how he did this. Your way of escape is Jesus Christ! If you have not made Jesus your personal Lord and Savior by believing and confessing he is Lord of your life and following him and living a life of continual change for him, if you have not put him on like a parachute or life jacket then the just and right penalty you deserve for your sins will consume you….even while you rationalize and try to justify your motives for doing such things. I recently listened to a teaching on Hell and it honestly scared the Hell right out of me. Both you and I need to be reminded that our sins are a real problem and they cost God a great deal. If it were not for his Son Jesus Christ willingly choosing to go through hell for you and I physically, emotionally, and spiritually we wouldn’t have Him to take as an antidote or put on like a life jacket or parachute. He is the only cure for our sin problem because He IS the forgiveness for all our sins. If you choose Jesus then God sees Jesus’ death as a good enough payment for your wrong doing. And He gives you eternal life! If you reject Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your soul then God sees your eternal death as a good enough payment for your wrongdoing. It’s that simple! It’s that serious! It’s that justified!
And so I say again that I am writing this because there is urgency in the air. I ask myself often who prepares for coming storms, floods, wars, diseases, conflicts even though they are not here yet. Who is preparing for a chaotic world that cannot be controlled because it is being controlled by evil spiritual forces. Is it for no reason that the bible says that the real fight is not against flesh and blood but against the evil powers, principalities and spiritual forces in the air that desire to destroy you and blind you and deceive you from knowing truth? Those who prepare for battle are the ones who know it is coming. Those whose house doesn’t collapse during the storm are the ones who built their house properly and on the only foundation that can withstand the power of the storm. And yet we sit bye knowing great storms are on there way because we sense it. We sense it because of the messages coming at us in bumper stickers, commercials, movies, news, culture shifts, political shifts, religious shifts, the Middle East and Israel, Europe, Iran, North Korea, Russia, America, the World, war, disease…it’s all moving forward as Jesus said it would …. but are you considering his words? Are you considering the truth as you walk along? Jesus warns each one of us to keep WATCH and to not be deceived in the ensuing chaos on earth. Listen to what Jesus said to us in Matthew 24:
“Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.* And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations* will hear it; and then the end will come."The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration* standing in the Holy Place." (Reader, pay attention!) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones."Then if anyone tells you, `Look, here is the Messiah,' or `There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. "So if someone tells you, `Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, `Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man* comes.Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. "Immediately after the anguish of those days,the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light,the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.*And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.* And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world*—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. "Now learn a lesson
from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door I tell you the truth, this generation* will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.* Only the Father knows."When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left."So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, `My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR FINAL DECISION: PART 2
I am writing to you about this because it’s the most important issue in your life whether you believe it or not …. and because there are major consequences if Jesus is denied in your heart as the one He said he was! I am also writing you because truth is being trivialized, minimized and diluted in the hearts and minds of people around the world and more and more in our country. This is not to say that the truth is changing. It is to say that people are changing. People are rationalizing the truth so much that there’s a blanket over many people’s eyes and the ears of many people are plugged up preventing the ability to discern right from wrong and good from evil. I often ask myself if I am one of those who are being deceived into believing lies, and I wonder who in my life is being deceived into believing what is not true. I cringe at the thought that I would ever want to accept anything or live in anything other then what is really true even if it’s challenging to do so. Truth is good, honesty, love, doing the right thing, caring for one another, helping and supporting one another, forgiving, repenting of wrong in our lives and so much more. Truth is the WAY Jesus lived! That’s why Jesus said what he said. He was living out the way to true and
real living. The kind that will last forever! I want to be living this kind of life. Do you? Maybe you have never heard of this very important analogy that Jesus said many times over again…that basically our eyes are meant to see the truth and our ears are meant to hear the truth so that we can have the opportunity to put our faith in it. I’ll say that a different way. That basically your eyes are meant to watch Jesus and your ears are meant to hear Jesus so that you can have the opportunity to put your trust in him… and thus the importance of reading the bible for yourself is made known because Jesus and his ways can only be found by reading the Bible. There are many who have eyes but they are not really seeing. Nor can their ears really hear. Are you one who is not interested in seeing or hearing or living out what is true? If we have not too quickly forgotten Truth cannot evolve, be controlled or be made up. Being a truly wise person is to admit and accept that Truth is not relative…but rather absolute. It’s to admit that truth is bigger than all of us and it can not be divided or watered down or ignored. We should be thankful for this because our souls are at stake! And so Jesus is to be believed upon or rejected in your life.
There’s no doubt our world is on the verge of major changes. And I am one along with many others who desires to make clear and make known to you the real and bottom line issue at stake even if doing so causes an intense stir in your heart. You have to get your true heart out on the table and wrestle with the truth until you see clearly enough to turn away from Jesus or receive him. Jesus makes claims on your soul that you must be aware about! This is a true life and death decision you have to make. The motive behind my writing to you like this is classic in example: If I was on the verge of death because of an illness, because of drowning, because of an any number of things I would appreciate it if the one with the antidote or the life jacket would give it to me so that I might remain alive. APPRECIATE! Think of the meaning of that word in context. Think of how appreciative you would be if someone gave you the only cure for your terminal disease! Jesus said there is no greater love then when a person lays down their life for another. And so I ask you, who in your life is laying down their life for you and for your sins? Are your friends holding you accountable to what is true? To what is right and wrong? Is anyone sharing Christ with you if you don’t know him for who he really is? Are you actively searching for the cure to your problem? Do you even know that you have a problem?
I am writing to you about this because it’s the most important issue in your life whether you believe it or not …. and because there are major consequences if Jesus is denied in your heart as the one He said he was! I am also writing you because truth is being trivialized, minimized and diluted in the hearts and minds of people around the world and more and more in our country. This is not to say that the truth is changing. It is to say that people are changing. People are rationalizing the truth so much that there’s a blanket over many people’s eyes and the ears of many people are plugged up preventing the ability to discern right from wrong and good from evil. I often ask myself if I am one of those who are being deceived into believing lies, and I wonder who in my life is being deceived into believing what is not true. I cringe at the thought that I would ever want to accept anything or live in anything other then what is really true even if it’s challenging to do so. Truth is good, honesty, love, doing the right thing, caring for one another, helping and supporting one another, forgiving, repenting of wrong in our lives and so much more. Truth is the WAY Jesus lived! That’s why Jesus said what he said. He was living out the way to true and
real living. The kind that will last forever! I want to be living this kind of life. Do you? Maybe you have never heard of this very important analogy that Jesus said many times over again…that basically our eyes are meant to see the truth and our ears are meant to hear the truth so that we can have the opportunity to put our faith in it. I’ll say that a different way. That basically your eyes are meant to watch Jesus and your ears are meant to hear Jesus so that you can have the opportunity to put your trust in him… and thus the importance of reading the bible for yourself is made known because Jesus and his ways can only be found by reading the Bible. There are many who have eyes but they are not really seeing. Nor can their ears really hear. Are you one who is not interested in seeing or hearing or living out what is true? If we have not too quickly forgotten Truth cannot evolve, be controlled or be made up. Being a truly wise person is to admit and accept that Truth is not relative…but rather absolute. It’s to admit that truth is bigger than all of us and it can not be divided or watered down or ignored. We should be thankful for this because our souls are at stake! And so Jesus is to be believed upon or rejected in your life.
There’s no doubt our world is on the verge of major changes. And I am one along with many others who desires to make clear and make known to you the real and bottom line issue at stake even if doing so causes an intense stir in your heart. You have to get your true heart out on the table and wrestle with the truth until you see clearly enough to turn away from Jesus or receive him. Jesus makes claims on your soul that you must be aware about! This is a true life and death decision you have to make. The motive behind my writing to you like this is classic in example: If I was on the verge of death because of an illness, because of drowning, because of an any number of things I would appreciate it if the one with the antidote or the life jacket would give it to me so that I might remain alive. APPRECIATE! Think of the meaning of that word in context. Think of how appreciative you would be if someone gave you the only cure for your terminal disease! Jesus said there is no greater love then when a person lays down their life for another. And so I ask you, who in your life is laying down their life for you and for your sins? Are your friends holding you accountable to what is true? To what is right and wrong? Is anyone sharing Christ with you if you don’t know him for who he really is? Are you actively searching for the cure to your problem? Do you even know that you have a problem?
Monday, August 06, 2007
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR FINAL DECISION: PART 1
To Whom It May Concern,
I keep thinking of how time is slipping bye…precious time…. and how important you are in the midst of the passing seconds. It’s an amazing thing to realize that the most critical choice in life is the same one for each of us and in light of this most critical choice and the relative calm before the impending storms I did not want to wait a moment longer in sharing with you what is on my heart.
What in this world would ever convince you to take seriously the words you’re about to read? And I conclude what else but a heart that desires to be brutally honest with you about your purpose in life. I pray you would hunger for what is true not for what makes you feel good or what makes you popular or accepted in the hearts of others. What you’re about to read is an invitation to you to not let another day go by before you sincerely make your final decision about the most important choice in your life.
The time is nearly here when you and I will have no more time to sway back and forth or have a middle ground or fence to stand on regarding a number of very important issues we face today in our world. More specifically, it’s a time when ignoring, rationalizing or putting on hold the ultimate decision of life will be impossible. That ultimate decision is whether or not you and I will choose to receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. It’s a choice that each of us must make for ourselves. A final decision must be made about this in your heart because it is impossible to remain neutral about it. Why? Because it is the truth and the truth as a whole does not allow neutrality or apathy. The truth has an inevitable way of squeezing in on you so tightly that eventually it’s not possible to ignore it. Truth wakes people up because its final destination is to be right in front of you in such a way that it is exactly as if you are looking squarely in its eyes knowing that you have to receive or reject it for what it really is. Right now we’re still in the middle of the funnel where there’s still room to breathe but it is a very certain fact that we will soon be at the narrow gate of the funnel of life facing our ultimate destination for all eternity. No matter how great the pressure this is how truth works and so we should remember and seriously consider Jesus’ words. Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” And Jesus is also the One and only person who can save people from the coming judgment on the sins committed by both individuals and nations. Ultimately every single person will either be in agreement with truth or not. The sobering thing is that you will be responsible for making this final decision for yourself about Jesus. The major questions at hand are, “Will I accept Jesus as my personal Savior by believing in him? By believing he is the one who died in my place because of my sins? By believing he is the one who rose from the dead so I could also be raised up with him and escape an eternity void of God? Even if it initially makes me uncomfortable, will I accept this truth knowing that it will require that I humble myself and admit my wrong and my need to be saved from my sins? We should never forget that it is only Jesus Christ who has willingly done what is necessary to bring forgiveness and salvation to us. No one else has or ever will have the resolve, the lifestyle, the authority and power, or the passionate love necessary to save you and me from our sin nature.
To Whom It May Concern,
I keep thinking of how time is slipping bye…precious time…. and how important you are in the midst of the passing seconds. It’s an amazing thing to realize that the most critical choice in life is the same one for each of us and in light of this most critical choice and the relative calm before the impending storms I did not want to wait a moment longer in sharing with you what is on my heart.
What in this world would ever convince you to take seriously the words you’re about to read? And I conclude what else but a heart that desires to be brutally honest with you about your purpose in life. I pray you would hunger for what is true not for what makes you feel good or what makes you popular or accepted in the hearts of others. What you’re about to read is an invitation to you to not let another day go by before you sincerely make your final decision about the most important choice in your life.
The time is nearly here when you and I will have no more time to sway back and forth or have a middle ground or fence to stand on regarding a number of very important issues we face today in our world. More specifically, it’s a time when ignoring, rationalizing or putting on hold the ultimate decision of life will be impossible. That ultimate decision is whether or not you and I will choose to receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. It’s a choice that each of us must make for ourselves. A final decision must be made about this in your heart because it is impossible to remain neutral about it. Why? Because it is the truth and the truth as a whole does not allow neutrality or apathy. The truth has an inevitable way of squeezing in on you so tightly that eventually it’s not possible to ignore it. Truth wakes people up because its final destination is to be right in front of you in such a way that it is exactly as if you are looking squarely in its eyes knowing that you have to receive or reject it for what it really is. Right now we’re still in the middle of the funnel where there’s still room to breathe but it is a very certain fact that we will soon be at the narrow gate of the funnel of life facing our ultimate destination for all eternity. No matter how great the pressure this is how truth works and so we should remember and seriously consider Jesus’ words. Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” And Jesus is also the One and only person who can save people from the coming judgment on the sins committed by both individuals and nations. Ultimately every single person will either be in agreement with truth or not. The sobering thing is that you will be responsible for making this final decision for yourself about Jesus. The major questions at hand are, “Will I accept Jesus as my personal Savior by believing in him? By believing he is the one who died in my place because of my sins? By believing he is the one who rose from the dead so I could also be raised up with him and escape an eternity void of God? Even if it initially makes me uncomfortable, will I accept this truth knowing that it will require that I humble myself and admit my wrong and my need to be saved from my sins? We should never forget that it is only Jesus Christ who has willingly done what is necessary to bring forgiveness and salvation to us. No one else has or ever will have the resolve, the lifestyle, the authority and power, or the passionate love necessary to save you and me from our sin nature.
Monday, October 23, 2006
ACTS 9:32-43
What impressed me about Acts 9:32-43 was how Peter went about ministering to the family and friends of Tabitha. They were all very sad and weeping but Peter sent them out of the room. I’ve been asking myself why Peter went about it this way. That fact is what makes my heart so impacted by this scripture. It is just Peter and the body of Tabitha. I’m trying to put myself in Peter’s shoes. Was it dark in the room with a few candles lit and the faint cries of those down stairs coming through the walls? I want to know how Peter got here. I want to know the working of the Holy Spirit on his inner man. Peter was once a fisherman carrying on as his usual self. You know that rambunxious, reactive, out of control usual self. The one that had enough sincere passion and zeal to supply an army of souls with devotion but still misguided. But here in this upper room he is a changed man working out the power of God bringing about the impossible- bringing death to life! How did this happen? What happened in Peter’s inner chamber where both his and the Lord’s spirit work things out together? It’s obvious that Peter is interested in something other than public witness or public affirmation because he sent them out of the room! Now it was quiet. What would you do in this situation? Where would your thoughts be? Would fear over take you? Would unbelief fill your heart? Would you ask the women back in to witness the event? Have you ever been alone with a body whose owner was missing? What was Peter thinking, feeling, and seeing? His Savior and Lord is no longer with him as he once was but here he possesses the character of Christ in such a way that he never had before. Oh! What died in Peter during those days of bitter weeping to bring about this better life in Christ! Remember, he was once trailing the steps of Jesus in such a way that he ran a head of him, in a way where he said things he did not understand. Can’t you just hear him, “It is good for us to be here! Let’s cook up some food and pitch a tent,” “Don’t just wash my feet Lord, wash my whole body,” “I will never deny you my Lord!” Peter indeed witnessed the miracles performed by Jesus and served faithfully, and the moment even came when there was not a doubt in his mind when he answered the Lord’s question, “Who do you say I am Peter?” But it was this same Peter who answered correctly that still hadn’t received the fullness of the Spirit of God in him. Why? Because he still had not seen the weight of his sins. He knew he was a sinner in need of a Savior and he accepted this but he did not truly see or understand his utter depravity! He did not see himself for what he really was. So, think over those moments when Peter saw himself as he truly was because it was at that moment when he started to die! Peter started to really die inside himself when he heard that third crow from the rooster and while he simultaneously gazed into the eyes of his beaten, bloodied and dying Lord under that cross. Is it possible that Peter realized at that moment that Jesus was carrying his sins under what was supposed to be his cross? Christian, has the Lord brought you to this place yet? The place where he shows you how messed up you really are? Is the Lord beckoning you to this place, but you are not going because you are still too rambunxious, reactive, out of control, do you think you know enough of what it means to be “Christlike?” Do you still have your own agenda for your life and your friend’s? Do you fear admitting you’ve been going about your ministry or your “service for God” in the wrong way? The understanding and reasoning of man is limited and futile and Jesus cut through it to make things very clear. You need to ask yourself but one question, “Do I want to know my Savior? If so, then go to your cross, lie down on it and get ready to die on it! It’s not enough to just watch Jesus hanging there for you or to talk about how painful it must have been for him. To live The Abundant Life - The Holy Spirit Life - you must get on your cross and die. This is the rawest place! It is a place of bitter weeping over how depraved you really are! It is a place where you are alone! It is where your nerve ends! It’s where your stubbornness is renounced! It’s the place where you turn down your anger! It’s the place where you resign your prestige! It’s the location where you abandon the very essence of who you are Christian! Peter had to go here in order to walk into that upper room, pray and without hesitation speak with the Holy Spirit’s power, “GET UP TABITHA!” If you want to live this Holy Spirit led life Jesus will bring you to the place where it all happens, and even when you are at your lowest Jesus will still faithfully ask the purifying questions, “Do you love me? Do you trust that I can and will raise you up from this death you are now dying into a new life? Remember, Jesus was before Peter in a resurrected body and Peter was still broken and ashamed. That’s why the third “DO YOU LOVE ME PETER?” stung him so much. Jesus was in a sense saying “IT’S TIME TO GET REAL.” No more quick answers, no more half hearted commitment, death to your prideful ways Peter, to the cross with the way you think church should be, to the cross with it all and I will raise you up in ME by my Spirit. Look at me Peter I died but now I am alive! We Christians may think we are living but until we are brought to the end of ourselves we will never live in the Spirit of the Living God.
What impressed me about Acts 9:32-43 was how Peter went about ministering to the family and friends of Tabitha. They were all very sad and weeping but Peter sent them out of the room. I’ve been asking myself why Peter went about it this way. That fact is what makes my heart so impacted by this scripture. It is just Peter and the body of Tabitha. I’m trying to put myself in Peter’s shoes. Was it dark in the room with a few candles lit and the faint cries of those down stairs coming through the walls? I want to know how Peter got here. I want to know the working of the Holy Spirit on his inner man. Peter was once a fisherman carrying on as his usual self. You know that rambunxious, reactive, out of control usual self. The one that had enough sincere passion and zeal to supply an army of souls with devotion but still misguided. But here in this upper room he is a changed man working out the power of God bringing about the impossible- bringing death to life! How did this happen? What happened in Peter’s inner chamber where both his and the Lord’s spirit work things out together? It’s obvious that Peter is interested in something other than public witness or public affirmation because he sent them out of the room! Now it was quiet. What would you do in this situation? Where would your thoughts be? Would fear over take you? Would unbelief fill your heart? Would you ask the women back in to witness the event? Have you ever been alone with a body whose owner was missing? What was Peter thinking, feeling, and seeing? His Savior and Lord is no longer with him as he once was but here he possesses the character of Christ in such a way that he never had before. Oh! What died in Peter during those days of bitter weeping to bring about this better life in Christ! Remember, he was once trailing the steps of Jesus in such a way that he ran a head of him, in a way where he said things he did not understand. Can’t you just hear him, “It is good for us to be here! Let’s cook up some food and pitch a tent,” “Don’t just wash my feet Lord, wash my whole body,” “I will never deny you my Lord!” Peter indeed witnessed the miracles performed by Jesus and served faithfully, and the moment even came when there was not a doubt in his mind when he answered the Lord’s question, “Who do you say I am Peter?” But it was this same Peter who answered correctly that still hadn’t received the fullness of the Spirit of God in him. Why? Because he still had not seen the weight of his sins. He knew he was a sinner in need of a Savior and he accepted this but he did not truly see or understand his utter depravity! He did not see himself for what he really was. So, think over those moments when Peter saw himself as he truly was because it was at that moment when he started to die! Peter started to really die inside himself when he heard that third crow from the rooster and while he simultaneously gazed into the eyes of his beaten, bloodied and dying Lord under that cross. Is it possible that Peter realized at that moment that Jesus was carrying his sins under what was supposed to be his cross? Christian, has the Lord brought you to this place yet? The place where he shows you how messed up you really are? Is the Lord beckoning you to this place, but you are not going because you are still too rambunxious, reactive, out of control, do you think you know enough of what it means to be “Christlike?” Do you still have your own agenda for your life and your friend’s? Do you fear admitting you’ve been going about your ministry or your “service for God” in the wrong way? The understanding and reasoning of man is limited and futile and Jesus cut through it to make things very clear. You need to ask yourself but one question, “Do I want to know my Savior? If so, then go to your cross, lie down on it and get ready to die on it! It’s not enough to just watch Jesus hanging there for you or to talk about how painful it must have been for him. To live The Abundant Life - The Holy Spirit Life - you must get on your cross and die. This is the rawest place! It is a place of bitter weeping over how depraved you really are! It is a place where you are alone! It is where your nerve ends! It’s where your stubbornness is renounced! It’s the place where you turn down your anger! It’s the place where you resign your prestige! It’s the location where you abandon the very essence of who you are Christian! Peter had to go here in order to walk into that upper room, pray and without hesitation speak with the Holy Spirit’s power, “GET UP TABITHA!” If you want to live this Holy Spirit led life Jesus will bring you to the place where it all happens, and even when you are at your lowest Jesus will still faithfully ask the purifying questions, “Do you love me? Do you trust that I can and will raise you up from this death you are now dying into a new life? Remember, Jesus was before Peter in a resurrected body and Peter was still broken and ashamed. That’s why the third “DO YOU LOVE ME PETER?” stung him so much. Jesus was in a sense saying “IT’S TIME TO GET REAL.” No more quick answers, no more half hearted commitment, death to your prideful ways Peter, to the cross with the way you think church should be, to the cross with it all and I will raise you up in ME by my Spirit. Look at me Peter I died but now I am alive! We Christians may think we are living but until we are brought to the end of ourselves we will never live in the Spirit of the Living God.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
1 Peter 1 and 2 have been redirecting me this week. It’s so easy to not think clearly and exercise self-control and to fall into the trap of pretending to be good. Peter says that of all things it is the thought life that defiles us and to get rid of all evil behavior, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. In regards to this, I spoke with a good friend of mine this week about how many Christians are “dancing” to whatever beat is thrown at them. The “religious dance”, the “all is well dance”, the “image dance”, the “financial dance”, the “party dance, the “popular dance, ”the “idle dance”, it’s endless. Then I heard a man speaking about how if we are in Christ we have license to rebel against anything that is not the will of God. I was reminded and encouraged because those who know Jesus have true freedom to stand still when the world’s dance or someone else’s dance is going on. As awkward as it might be it is ok to stand still!! I’m laughing right now because I’m envisioning the dance I do. You know the dance – just the little swaying back and forth with a snap of the finger and maybe a quick turn here and there. Ha! I’m asking for the character to stop dancing when I need to for the Lord simply to please and worship him. I’m also asking for the character to dance the “Real Dance” for the same reason- to simply praise and worship him. The challenges and temptation to do our own dance are great and it is concerning because many who are in the faith are just doing their own funny thing. In some way or another we’re all doing it. I pray that we will show the Lord that we are willing to rebel against the noisy beat of our hearts and of this world to stand still with him no matter what happens. What’s AWESOME is that the Lord knows how and when to do the REAL DANCE without pretending to be good, and pretty soon we’ll all be moving to that truly good and eternal beat. We’ll be in the “Real Dance.” I pray for all of us that we will begin that Real Dance with Jesus and each other now, but to always be ready to stand still with him even when it gets really awkward or lonely.
Being Close to Death
This journey in faith we’re on is incredible. It’s about abiding in Christ right now and His true rest is available right now. I’ve noticed that when a person dies those near to that person are closer to understanding what it really means to rest then at any other time. It’s because the people stop doing things and are forced to recognize that the important thing about life is that it can end. Even if the people are doing a good work for the Lord the magnificent reality of a soul entering into eternity eclipses everything and we are forced to stop. Being close to death both physically and spiritually ushers in the invitation and opportunity to rest. Since my sister died I have been living in the moment more then I have before and it has brought me more rest. I am trying not to go anywhere accept one place. Jesus’ daily life is so attractive because he was full of real rest even while he was working the kingdom into our lives and being doubted or shunned. I see words like surrender and trust being synonymous with the word death in terms of letting go of self. This is so challenging but it is the only place I feel the Lord wants me to go and to be focused on. I am silenced by Jesus because there are more mornings that I choose not to lay down on my cross and live in His resurrection life. I forfeit His awesome rest because of it but He keeps telling me it is the only worthy battle to keep fighting. I pray that we will abide with Jesus and rest with Him in the now moments of our lives. When you’re with your family or alone, when you’re being shunned or praised. At all times even when you’re not sure where He’s taking you. The wonderful truth that empowers us to live in this seemingly impossible way is that Jesus is on his throne right now as we read and write. He is alive and well!! beckoning us to sit down with him in His throne room. He’s knows the storms are raging around us and within us. How awesome was it that Jesus was resting in a raging storm? Please help us Lord to have faith now and to sit quietly with you
This journey in faith we’re on is incredible. It’s about abiding in Christ right now and His true rest is available right now. I’ve noticed that when a person dies those near to that person are closer to understanding what it really means to rest then at any other time. It’s because the people stop doing things and are forced to recognize that the important thing about life is that it can end. Even if the people are doing a good work for the Lord the magnificent reality of a soul entering into eternity eclipses everything and we are forced to stop. Being close to death both physically and spiritually ushers in the invitation and opportunity to rest. Since my sister died I have been living in the moment more then I have before and it has brought me more rest. I am trying not to go anywhere accept one place. Jesus’ daily life is so attractive because he was full of real rest even while he was working the kingdom into our lives and being doubted or shunned. I see words like surrender and trust being synonymous with the word death in terms of letting go of self. This is so challenging but it is the only place I feel the Lord wants me to go and to be focused on. I am silenced by Jesus because there are more mornings that I choose not to lay down on my cross and live in His resurrection life. I forfeit His awesome rest because of it but He keeps telling me it is the only worthy battle to keep fighting. I pray that we will abide with Jesus and rest with Him in the now moments of our lives. When you’re with your family or alone, when you’re being shunned or praised. At all times even when you’re not sure where He’s taking you. The wonderful truth that empowers us to live in this seemingly impossible way is that Jesus is on his throne right now as we read and write. He is alive and well!! beckoning us to sit down with him in His throne room. He’s knows the storms are raging around us and within us. How awesome was it that Jesus was resting in a raging storm? Please help us Lord to have faith now and to sit quietly with you
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
UNHINDERED & UNSTOPPABLE
We live in interesting and exciting times, and the following questions might be heard from individuals who recognize this sobering world climate: Where is this increasing potential for war coming from?, Why is there more and more unbelief in God?, and Why are so many catastrophic events occuring around the world? I believe the answers to these questions are rooted in two facts: 1. That willful people along with great spiritual forces are trying to stop the pure message about Jesus Christ which is found in the Bible from being heard, understood and believed, and 2. These same willful people and spiritual forces are trying to prevent God's plan for the nation of Israel from being fulfilled. For these reasons and because the truth about Jesus Christ the coming Messiah is unhindered and unstoppable our world will continue to experience increasingly troublesome side-effects. As a result, it would be wise to seriously consider the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 24 and 25:1-13, and to remind one another that as we begin to witness the fulfillment of his words that we are not to be relying on our own explanation and understanding of these events. It is because of Jesus' love that he forwarned people of these coming trials and tribulations that will occur shortly before he returns. Ultimately, the truth to be relied upon and proclaimed is that Jesus voluntarily offered his life as a substitutionary death for the purpose of forgiving our sins, and that those who claim this reality for their sin can be confident their sins are forgiven. Those who put their trust in Jesus are the ones who will find rest in an increasingly troubled world.
A surfer peers out into the ocean to find the swell of the next big wave. When he sees it he will then move into position so he can ride that wave properly. In the same way, those who have been trained to watch and make sense of the times we live in are those who have been reading the bible as it is meant to be read. These people are the ones with 'the' surf board and they have been equipped and are positioning themselves in front of this rising swell of biblical prophetic significance in an unsettled sea of social, religious, economic, and political upheaval. For nearly six decades this has been occuring. This swell was created when the nation of Israel dropped out of nowhere onto the face of maps in 1948. Since then it has been gaining strength and momentum in spite of the increasing opposition. As God has been drawing his people back to himself and into the land he gave them in Genesis Chapter 15 he has been proclaiming that the way to know and be with Him is solely through his Son Jesus Christ. This is God's message to the world not a man made idea and throughout the generations this message has never changed. Salvation through Jesus Christ the Son of God is the message God is proclaiming in both the Old and New Testaments. But it is the unbelief, pride and rebellious nature in the heart of people that prevent them from claiming this truth for themselves.
We live in interesting and exciting times, and the following questions might be heard from individuals who recognize this sobering world climate: Where is this increasing potential for war coming from?, Why is there more and more unbelief in God?, and Why are so many catastrophic events occuring around the world? I believe the answers to these questions are rooted in two facts: 1. That willful people along with great spiritual forces are trying to stop the pure message about Jesus Christ which is found in the Bible from being heard, understood and believed, and 2. These same willful people and spiritual forces are trying to prevent God's plan for the nation of Israel from being fulfilled. For these reasons and because the truth about Jesus Christ the coming Messiah is unhindered and unstoppable our world will continue to experience increasingly troublesome side-effects. As a result, it would be wise to seriously consider the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 24 and 25:1-13, and to remind one another that as we begin to witness the fulfillment of his words that we are not to be relying on our own explanation and understanding of these events. It is because of Jesus' love that he forwarned people of these coming trials and tribulations that will occur shortly before he returns. Ultimately, the truth to be relied upon and proclaimed is that Jesus voluntarily offered his life as a substitutionary death for the purpose of forgiving our sins, and that those who claim this reality for their sin can be confident their sins are forgiven. Those who put their trust in Jesus are the ones who will find rest in an increasingly troubled world.
A surfer peers out into the ocean to find the swell of the next big wave. When he sees it he will then move into position so he can ride that wave properly. In the same way, those who have been trained to watch and make sense of the times we live in are those who have been reading the bible as it is meant to be read. These people are the ones with 'the' surf board and they have been equipped and are positioning themselves in front of this rising swell of biblical prophetic significance in an unsettled sea of social, religious, economic, and political upheaval. For nearly six decades this has been occuring. This swell was created when the nation of Israel dropped out of nowhere onto the face of maps in 1948. Since then it has been gaining strength and momentum in spite of the increasing opposition. As God has been drawing his people back to himself and into the land he gave them in Genesis Chapter 15 he has been proclaiming that the way to know and be with Him is solely through his Son Jesus Christ. This is God's message to the world not a man made idea and throughout the generations this message has never changed. Salvation through Jesus Christ the Son of God is the message God is proclaiming in both the Old and New Testaments. But it is the unbelief, pride and rebellious nature in the heart of people that prevent them from claiming this truth for themselves.
Friday, December 02, 2005
THE TRUTH IS WORTH CELEBRATING
So keep your heart, soul and mind on Jesus. Not the Jesus that is falsely testified about or created from the minds and hearts of people, but the true God/Man who is found by reading the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament books of the Bible. This Jesus is the coming Messiah and the one whose life is celebrated around the world this time of year for reasons that many still have not heard about, understood or believed! The countless lives that have been changed because of God’s unfathomable gift, however, have done so only by reading the bible and receiving the truth in it for themselves. They have learned that the birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end of eternal spiritual death! This is the real reason why Christmas is a big deal and is something worth celebrating!
So keep your heart, soul and mind on Jesus. Not the Jesus that is falsely testified about or created from the minds and hearts of people, but the true God/Man who is found by reading the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament books of the Bible. This Jesus is the coming Messiah and the one whose life is celebrated around the world this time of year for reasons that many still have not heard about, understood or believed! The countless lives that have been changed because of God’s unfathomable gift, however, have done so only by reading the bible and receiving the truth in it for themselves. They have learned that the birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end of eternal spiritual death! This is the real reason why Christmas is a big deal and is something worth celebrating!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
THE LIFE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
The awesome reality to understand and believe in this Christmas season is the same as years past that God has made it possible for us to know him personally! He did what only he could do and took on a human face. He came to earth as a man and called himself Jesus Christ. God did this so he could feel our pain, be tempted and tried as we are, and to show us his nature. He wanted us to be able to relate to him. The bible calls Jesus the express image or the exact likeness of God. He is the same as the Father in all ways. If we get to know Jesus for who he truly is as communicated in the bible we will see that he lived a life that only God could live: a sinless life. Jesus never lied, stole, committed adultery or lusted after another person, coveted, murdered or hated someone, worshiped idols, or used his Father’s name in vain. Because Jesus was truly righteous and never turned his back on his Father the blood he shed on the cross for our sins is the only thing valuable enough to free us from our sins. Just like a gift we must claim the blood of Jesus for ourselves. Have you ever lied, stole, committed adultery or lusted after a person, coveted a persons things, murdered or hated someone, worshiped idols, used the name of God in vain, or dishonored your parents? If so you need to be saved from the eternal consequence for those choices: eternal separation from God which is death. All of us will die once in the body. But those who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins will not die twice. Have you claimed for yourself the blood of Jesus Christ? It is God’s free gift to you for the forgiveness of your sins!
The awesome reality to understand and believe in this Christmas season is the same as years past that God has made it possible for us to know him personally! He did what only he could do and took on a human face. He came to earth as a man and called himself Jesus Christ. God did this so he could feel our pain, be tempted and tried as we are, and to show us his nature. He wanted us to be able to relate to him. The bible calls Jesus the express image or the exact likeness of God. He is the same as the Father in all ways. If we get to know Jesus for who he truly is as communicated in the bible we will see that he lived a life that only God could live: a sinless life. Jesus never lied, stole, committed adultery or lusted after another person, coveted, murdered or hated someone, worshiped idols, or used his Father’s name in vain. Because Jesus was truly righteous and never turned his back on his Father the blood he shed on the cross for our sins is the only thing valuable enough to free us from our sins. Just like a gift we must claim the blood of Jesus for ourselves. Have you ever lied, stole, committed adultery or lusted after a person, coveted a persons things, murdered or hated someone, worshiped idols, used the name of God in vain, or dishonored your parents? If so you need to be saved from the eternal consequence for those choices: eternal separation from God which is death. All of us will die once in the body. But those who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins will not die twice. Have you claimed for yourself the blood of Jesus Christ? It is God’s free gift to you for the forgiveness of your sins!
Monday, November 21, 2005
SEEKING THE CREATOR'S FACE
Knowing the Creator of all things including our souls is possible! But how? God revealed to King David that to know him and to be close to him requires a personal endeavor of seeking his face...
When a person begins to 'let go' of their ideas of who God is and starts to accept the truth of who he is their heart begins to shift into the condition necessary that develops 'ears that will hear' and 'eyes that will see' all truth including spiritual truth. This heart condition cries, "I just want to know my Creator. Give me the truth about who he is!" The awesome reality is that the Spirit of God is wanting to reveal to each one of us individually about himself that he is personable, reachable and can be known intimately when we decide to accept the Truth about how he has made himself known to us. The daily discovery of the death of our 'self' is what all of this hinges on, and the questions to be answered are:
Knowing the Creator of all things including our souls is possible! But how? God revealed to King David that to know him and to be close to him requires a personal endeavor of seeking his face...
When a person begins to 'let go' of their ideas of who God is and starts to accept the truth of who he is their heart begins to shift into the condition necessary that develops 'ears that will hear' and 'eyes that will see' all truth including spiritual truth. This heart condition cries, "I just want to know my Creator. Give me the truth about who he is!" The awesome reality is that the Spirit of God is wanting to reveal to each one of us individually about himself that he is personable, reachable and can be known intimately when we decide to accept the Truth about how he has made himself known to us. The daily discovery of the death of our 'self' is what all of this hinges on, and the questions to be answered are:
- Am I willing to die to my 'self' completely and in absolute surrender receive the truth of God that he has given to me in the bible?
- Am I willing to read the bible for myself and accept the truth about how God has made himself known to me?
When the Creator says to David, "Seek My Face" he has a very specific meaning in that. This call from our loving God is to hunger and thirst for the lifestyle that is a perfect reflection of his image and an exact representation of his likeness. In other words God is saying to all of us, "If you want to know me hunger and thirst for the One who's lifestyle exactly represents who I am."
- Are you willing to say that your lifestyle or the lifestyle of anyone you know is a perfect reflection of the likeness of God?
- Is there a person, in all of history, whose lifestyle reflected the likeness of God perfectly?
Sunday, November 20, 2005
PSALM 27:8
- Is the Bride of Christ / The Church asleep or awake?
- How many Christians love the Lord but sense there is something missing in their lives?
- Would the Bride of Christ / The Church say that their Pastor/Teacher is seeking the Jesus in the Bible?
- Can faithful Pastor/Teachers say the people filling the meeting place are seeking the Jesus in the Bible?
- Are Christians leaving church feeling that their soul is downcast with unmet spiritual longing?
- Are Pastor/Teachers being pressured to put on a program for the "sensitive seeker"?
- Is the Church wherever the Lord's presence is manifested?
- Is God's house a house of prayer?
- Have you made your house one of prayer?
- Is your heart set to seek the Lord's beauty until you get to know him?
- Can you say, "I'll fix my eyes on him until I see something that so attracts me I know it will satisfy me to the end?
David saw the barriers that were in the way of him and the people truly getting to know God. He knew going to the priests over the matter would not fix the problem, and he knew abandoning the house of the Lord would not correct it. So he went and made his own house one of prayer and sought for the uninterrupted communion with his God. Then God answered simply, "Seek My Face". Verse 8. Seeking God's face means seeking his reflection or his likeness. Learning of God by reading the bible, living out biblical principals, praying to him for understanding, waiting on him in faith, and accepting and loving the truth about Jesus Christ are required in seeking God's face. David responded to God, " When you said, 'Seek My Face,' my heart leaped in response. My heart said to you, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.'"
Saturday, November 19, 2005
PSALM 27:4
- Do you seek God in urgent and intense prayer?
- What is your life goal focused on? Is it that one desire, one ambition, and one thing found in verse 4?
- Do you live life passionately and experience many blessings, but recognize there is still something missing in your fellowship with the Lord?
- As you look over your life and into your heart do you see a need in your soul that is still unmet? Are you crying out to God over it?
- Is there a way of living you are now seeking? Is it a settled place in the Lord that your soul yearns for?
- Do you want uninterrupted spiritual intimacy with God the Father?
- Does your heart yearn for something in the spirit?
- Is your heart saying that there must be more than a S,M,T,W,Th,Fri,Sat-day worship meeting?
- Do you sense there is something of the Lord you have not obtained?
- Do you believe there is a beauty, a glory, an excitement about the Lord you have yet to see in your life?
- Can you say that your heart's cry is to have uninterrupted communion with your God?
- Even in your victories, defeats, and observations of God's miracles do you still long for something unshakable?
- Can you say you want your life to be a living prayer? One that will see you through the rest of your days?
David was fed up with empty ceremony and religious ritual. He was sick and tired of watching priests and worshippers go through lifeless forms of religion that had no power. David knew it was all wrong and that it was the reason why people dropped out of worship to idols. He recognized the beauty that was lacking and that there was nothing of passion. He missed life and hated the dead teaching and knowledge about the law. He hated leaving the temple with his soul cast down. David saw that there was something missing in it all. He wanted to know the life and the reality behind the religious rituals. He wanted to know who was the sacrificial lamb and the reality behind the incense and candlesticks. David's heart yearned to know more about his God and he made a decision not to go on as usual. He had enough and simply was not satisfied living with unmet spiritual longings. He resolved his life to one goal and pursuit: Verse 4
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
EARS TO HEAR and EYES TO SEE
There are two major dimensions we participate in daily. One is physical and temporal the other is spiritual and eternal.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfullness, Gentleness and Self-Control come from the spiritual realm and originate in the Spirit of Life. All of these things can manifest through our physical bodies. Pride, Bitterness, Envy, Lust, Hate, Fear, Malice, Greed, and the like also come from the spiritual realm and originate in our soul and in the spirit of death. These things can also manifest through our physical bodies. When a person decides to step out of the dark and into the Light they are choosing to surrender their soul to the one who called himself the Truth. When the Truth is accepted and pursued after daily an amazing thing happens. The spirit of death and its power to keep us in darkness is broken and the Spirit of Life comes inside of us and works his Way in us.
We must realize that our physical bodies are a temporary house for our real person-our soul, and that this physical body will die. Our soul, however, will not end but will continue to be concious and aware for eternity. The most critical to understand is that what we surrender to and believe during this short time in the body will determine where we spend eternity. We are at a crossroad. If we live for ourselves in the dark while in the body we can also expect our soul to exist in eternal spiritual darkness when our body dies. But if we accept Love and his forgiveness for what we have been doing in the dark we can expect to exist for eternity in the Light. We can expect to have eternal Life which is dependent on what the Truth has promised. We must use our minds and hearts to identify with the unseen and spiritual side of us. We must hear and see with our hearts.
There is something in all of us that says there is more to this physical life. Our consciences confirm that and the great thing is that the Truth affirms it as well. The reality is that eternity has been written on our hearts. We are free to choose, act, think and believe what we want and next to eternity our 75 years in the crossroad is inexplicably significant.
There are two major dimensions we participate in daily. One is physical and temporal the other is spiritual and eternal.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfullness, Gentleness and Self-Control come from the spiritual realm and originate in the Spirit of Life. All of these things can manifest through our physical bodies. Pride, Bitterness, Envy, Lust, Hate, Fear, Malice, Greed, and the like also come from the spiritual realm and originate in our soul and in the spirit of death. These things can also manifest through our physical bodies. When a person decides to step out of the dark and into the Light they are choosing to surrender their soul to the one who called himself the Truth. When the Truth is accepted and pursued after daily an amazing thing happens. The spirit of death and its power to keep us in darkness is broken and the Spirit of Life comes inside of us and works his Way in us.
We must realize that our physical bodies are a temporary house for our real person-our soul, and that this physical body will die. Our soul, however, will not end but will continue to be concious and aware for eternity. The most critical to understand is that what we surrender to and believe during this short time in the body will determine where we spend eternity. We are at a crossroad. If we live for ourselves in the dark while in the body we can also expect our soul to exist in eternal spiritual darkness when our body dies. But if we accept Love and his forgiveness for what we have been doing in the dark we can expect to exist for eternity in the Light. We can expect to have eternal Life which is dependent on what the Truth has promised. We must use our minds and hearts to identify with the unseen and spiritual side of us. We must hear and see with our hearts.
There is something in all of us that says there is more to this physical life. Our consciences confirm that and the great thing is that the Truth affirms it as well. The reality is that eternity has been written on our hearts. We are free to choose, act, think and believe what we want and next to eternity our 75 years in the crossroad is inexplicably significant.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE
It's more than ok to be quiet and it's wise to be silent. Hidden within the word 'silent' is another word that can help us know what's True in this world. What this word defines is a discipline that will help us to really know someone.
Who do you have in your life that L-I-S-T-E-N-s to you. Who responds in context to what you are saying? Who doesn't compete for the next word? Who really knows you? We can know many people but we will really know and understand the one's who listen. In our day silence is now perceived as a threat and solitude a waste of time? Could this be the primary reason we don't know the Way to live, the Truth that pierces the darkness, and the Life that will last for eternity.
The Light reveals that those individuals who have come to know Love have listened to what the Truth said. The Light also reveals that no one can really know Love except those who receive the Truth into their lives.
Love says, "Be quiet and still so you can really know me. Stop listening to yourself and what other people are saying and listen to what the Truth has already said about me. By doing this you will really get to know me. Go spend some time alone and be silent before me. I really want to show you my Way. Don't be threatened by the silence because I am Love. I forgive you. Don't feel alone in solitude because I am right there. I am a Spirit and you can only hear me if you listen with your heart. I love you and I forgive you."
It's more than ok to be quiet and it's wise to be silent. Hidden within the word 'silent' is another word that can help us know what's True in this world. What this word defines is a discipline that will help us to really know someone.
Who do you have in your life that L-I-S-T-E-N-s to you. Who responds in context to what you are saying? Who doesn't compete for the next word? Who really knows you? We can know many people but we will really know and understand the one's who listen. In our day silence is now perceived as a threat and solitude a waste of time? Could this be the primary reason we don't know the Way to live, the Truth that pierces the darkness, and the Life that will last for eternity.
The Light reveals that those individuals who have come to know Love have listened to what the Truth said. The Light also reveals that no one can really know Love except those who receive the Truth into their lives.
Love says, "Be quiet and still so you can really know me. Stop listening to yourself and what other people are saying and listen to what the Truth has already said about me. By doing this you will really get to know me. Go spend some time alone and be silent before me. I really want to show you my Way. Don't be threatened by the silence because I am Love. I forgive you. Don't feel alone in solitude because I am right there. I am a Spirit and you can only hear me if you listen with your heart. I love you and I forgive you."
Sunday, September 25, 2005
ON LOVE
We are meant to receive and give Love and we can die spiritually, emotionally, and physically if we choose not to learn the Truth about what Love really is.
Love is our greatest need but there is great confusion about what Love really is. Many people are searching for it in places it can never be found.
What and where is Love? Many things are given, experienced, or expressed in our world today in an attemp to show love, but there is still an incredible longing for real Love to be experienced and known. If Love is not found in emotions, in the act of sex, in the giving away of money or gifts, or even in the words 'I love you' then how can it be known and given away? How is it possible that doing, feeling, and saying these things can still leave us empty and longing for Love?
Quieting our hearts and minds and turning from all that distracts us from the Truth will bring about the necessary condition required to know Love. What distracts us from learning the Truth and living in the Light? A comfortable lifestyle? A fear of justice? A seared conscience? A desire for more? What distracts you?
Love is powerful enough to free us from our pride and spiritual blindness. Love wants to reveal himself but he can't be made up, redefined, or intellectualized. Love is tough and uncompromising. Love endures nails in hands and feet, thorns in forhead, whipping on back. Love is tough and always does what is best for the other person even when it is undeserved. A hard and sobering Truth is that this Love can be rejected. An incredible and freeing Truth is that this Love went far enough for each of us so we could have the option to step out of the dark and into the Light.
Love is the reason why the Light shines in the darkness. Without Love there is no humility. Without humility there is no surrender. Without surrender there is no salvation. Without salvation there is only spiritual death in darkness. Without Love there is no kindness. Without kindness there is nothing that leads us to repentance and sorrow for the things we do in the dark. Without Love there is no mercy but only fear of perfect justice.
The Truth is that Love is a Spirit. The Truth says, 'I am the image of the Spirit of Love and my Way is meant to be received into your life so that I may be known by you personally and so you can be known by me personally---forever.'
We are meant to receive and give Love and we can die spiritually, emotionally, and physically if we choose not to learn the Truth about what Love really is.
Love is our greatest need but there is great confusion about what Love really is. Many people are searching for it in places it can never be found.
What and where is Love? Many things are given, experienced, or expressed in our world today in an attemp to show love, but there is still an incredible longing for real Love to be experienced and known. If Love is not found in emotions, in the act of sex, in the giving away of money or gifts, or even in the words 'I love you' then how can it be known and given away? How is it possible that doing, feeling, and saying these things can still leave us empty and longing for Love?
Quieting our hearts and minds and turning from all that distracts us from the Truth will bring about the necessary condition required to know Love. What distracts us from learning the Truth and living in the Light? A comfortable lifestyle? A fear of justice? A seared conscience? A desire for more? What distracts you?
Love is powerful enough to free us from our pride and spiritual blindness. Love wants to reveal himself but he can't be made up, redefined, or intellectualized. Love is tough and uncompromising. Love endures nails in hands and feet, thorns in forhead, whipping on back. Love is tough and always does what is best for the other person even when it is undeserved. A hard and sobering Truth is that this Love can be rejected. An incredible and freeing Truth is that this Love went far enough for each of us so we could have the option to step out of the dark and into the Light.
Love is the reason why the Light shines in the darkness. Without Love there is no humility. Without humility there is no surrender. Without surrender there is no salvation. Without salvation there is only spiritual death in darkness. Without Love there is no kindness. Without kindness there is nothing that leads us to repentance and sorrow for the things we do in the dark. Without Love there is no mercy but only fear of perfect justice.
The Truth is that Love is a Spirit. The Truth says, 'I am the image of the Spirit of Love and my Way is meant to be received into your life so that I may be known by you personally and so you can be known by me personally---forever.'
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
APPRECIATING THE LIGHT IN DARKNESS
Long lasting and fulfilling relationships are built upon solid, eternal and effective characteristics and values that originate in the very heart that we are meant to beat in rhythm with. The effect of these characteristics and values on our lives is like the influence a lit candle would have in the center of an enclosed and dark stadium. They can be seen and identified by those in the dark, but only by those who are really looking. Those who are tired of living in the darkness recognize the contrast and will be attracted to this small but effective Light. They will focus and come along side it because there is an identifiable difference. The values and character that reflect this Light into dark places always point to its source. That source is Love:
Love is defined and experienced when these values and characteristics shine:
PATIENCE - KINDNESS - TRUST - PERSEVERENCE - SINCERITY - GOODNESS - HONOR - ZEALOUSNESS - SERVICE - FAITHFULNESS - FORGIVENESS - PRAYER - HOSPITALITY - SHARING -REJOICING WITH TRUTH - PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER - BEING HOPEFUL - GENTLENESS - SELF CONTROL - HONESTY - HUMILITY -
Love is the only one who can compel those in the dark to hunger for Truth and desire to completely surrender themselves into the Light.
Love is the only one who can establish and sustain real eternal life in those who choose to live in the Light.
As we willingly surrender our thoughts, emotions, opinions, capacities to understand, doubts and everything our physical bodies once craved in the dark to the Light of Truth we will start seeing and understanding with spiritual eyes what it means to really be alive.
Long lasting and fulfilling relationships are built upon solid, eternal and effective characteristics and values that originate in the very heart that we are meant to beat in rhythm with. The effect of these characteristics and values on our lives is like the influence a lit candle would have in the center of an enclosed and dark stadium. They can be seen and identified by those in the dark, but only by those who are really looking. Those who are tired of living in the darkness recognize the contrast and will be attracted to this small but effective Light. They will focus and come along side it because there is an identifiable difference. The values and character that reflect this Light into dark places always point to its source. That source is Love:
Love is defined and experienced when these values and characteristics shine:
PATIENCE - KINDNESS - TRUST - PERSEVERENCE - SINCERITY - GOODNESS - HONOR - ZEALOUSNESS - SERVICE - FAITHFULNESS - FORGIVENESS - PRAYER - HOSPITALITY - SHARING -REJOICING WITH TRUTH - PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER - BEING HOPEFUL - GENTLENESS - SELF CONTROL - HONESTY - HUMILITY -
Love is the only one who can compel those in the dark to hunger for Truth and desire to completely surrender themselves into the Light.
Love is the only one who can establish and sustain real eternal life in those who choose to live in the Light.
As we willingly surrender our thoughts, emotions, opinions, capacities to understand, doubts and everything our physical bodies once craved in the dark to the Light of Truth we will start seeing and understanding with spiritual eyes what it means to really be alive.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
THE BEGINNING OF APPRECIATION
As we choose to live in the Light of Truth daily we also choose to actively pursue what's in the Light. We deliberatley forfeit sitting by the wayside, and with intent begin living a life that searches for and receives the Truth in all things. As a result, we receive and develop the same characteristics that are found in the One whose image we are meant to reflect. This pursuit means he will develop the capacity within our spirits, souls, and bodies to enjoy and experience the real and satisfying relationships we so long for with one another. Learning to relate in this Way is possible only when we as individuals step into a new and personal relationship with the one who lived in this Way toward us. With the one who can show us how. A refreshing and real daily experience with the one who called himself the Light will be the beginning of appreciation in our hearts and minds for one another.
As we choose to live in the Light of Truth daily we also choose to actively pursue what's in the Light. We deliberatley forfeit sitting by the wayside, and with intent begin living a life that searches for and receives the Truth in all things. As a result, we receive and develop the same characteristics that are found in the One whose image we are meant to reflect. This pursuit means he will develop the capacity within our spirits, souls, and bodies to enjoy and experience the real and satisfying relationships we so long for with one another. Learning to relate in this Way is possible only when we as individuals step into a new and personal relationship with the one who lived in this Way toward us. With the one who can show us how. A refreshing and real daily experience with the one who called himself the Light will be the beginning of appreciation in our hearts and minds for one another.
Monday, September 12, 2005
ON THANKFULNESS
To step into the Light means we have chosen to leave behind our old way of doing things in the dark forever. It means we have chosen to receive an eternity of undeserved blessing in the Light instead of an eternity of naturally deserved consequence in the dark. The Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Light are all one and the same, and as we daily humble ourselves before him our spirits, souls, and bodies will be changed by him: What was once in the dark is now in the Light...
What was once prideful is now humble
What was once in despair is now in hope.
What was once cursed is now blessed
What was once out of control is now in control.
What was once deceived is now in Truth
What was once insecure is now secure.
What was once guilty is now innocent
What was once worried is now at peace.
What was once in fear is now in love
What was once impatient can now wait.
What was once weak is now strong
What was once blind spiritually can now see spiritually.
What was once in self is now in service
What was once in doubt is now in faith.
What was once rejected is now accepted
What was once dead is now alive.
This is just the beginning and it is in this knowledge, new way of living, and new way of thinking that we can become truly content and thankful in hard and easy times. If we lose our homes, if we are hungry, if we are unappreciated, if we are sick, if we are ridiculed, or alone, and if we are rich, if we are healthy, if we are respected, if we are happy, if we are at peace, or have things we can remain in the Spirit of Thanks. Thankfullness does not depend on our circumstances, our feelings or the condition of our bodies. It depends on our deliberate awareness that we were once dead and in eternal darkness, but are now alive and will always live with new purpose in the Light.
This new spiritual life is in the one who provides, sustains, and remains faithful in all situations. If we make it a point to keep Truth at the forefront of our minds we will see everything around us in the new Light and our families, friendships, and other relationships will become more united because of it.
To step into the Light means we have chosen to leave behind our old way of doing things in the dark forever. It means we have chosen to receive an eternity of undeserved blessing in the Light instead of an eternity of naturally deserved consequence in the dark. The Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Light are all one and the same, and as we daily humble ourselves before him our spirits, souls, and bodies will be changed by him: What was once in the dark is now in the Light...
What was once prideful is now humble
What was once in despair is now in hope.
What was once cursed is now blessed
What was once out of control is now in control.
What was once deceived is now in Truth
What was once insecure is now secure.
What was once guilty is now innocent
What was once worried is now at peace.
What was once in fear is now in love
What was once impatient can now wait.
What was once weak is now strong
What was once blind spiritually can now see spiritually.
What was once in self is now in service
What was once in doubt is now in faith.
What was once rejected is now accepted
What was once dead is now alive.
This is just the beginning and it is in this knowledge, new way of living, and new way of thinking that we can become truly content and thankful in hard and easy times. If we lose our homes, if we are hungry, if we are unappreciated, if we are sick, if we are ridiculed, or alone, and if we are rich, if we are healthy, if we are respected, if we are happy, if we are at peace, or have things we can remain in the Spirit of Thanks. Thankfullness does not depend on our circumstances, our feelings or the condition of our bodies. It depends on our deliberate awareness that we were once dead and in eternal darkness, but are now alive and will always live with new purpose in the Light.
This new spiritual life is in the one who provides, sustains, and remains faithful in all situations. If we make it a point to keep Truth at the forefront of our minds we will see everything around us in the new Light and our families, friendships, and other relationships will become more united because of it.
Friday, September 09, 2005
ON FORGIVENESS
In order to truly forgive someone we must love them. The depth to which we will forgive someone is in direct proportion to our knowledge and understanding of how far and deep Love can go to cancel the offences we commit in the dark.
It's critically important to recognize that forgiveness in and of itself does not depend on our emotions or reasoning skills. Just as Truth is beyond the dictates of our reason so forgiveness is beyond our limitations and expectations. We are not the source of forgiveness. A spirit, soul, and body that absolutley surrenders themselves into the Light of Truth will, however, become a part of its source. Because a person living in the Light of Truth has experienced forgiveness for everything they have done in the dark, no matter how serious the action or thought, they are now capable to lovingly forgive in the same Spirit and to the same unfathomable depths. Those who have come to know Love personally realize they have been forgiven in a way that flips their inevitable eternity upside down. Instead of eternal death fueled by unforgiveness and pride it has become eternal life fueled by love, forgiveness and humility.
The forgiveness that is found in the Light of Truth is born out of an unconditional love that defies our reason. As a result, we cannot grasp Love totally, but we can know Love and be Love to those around us. If you haven't done so already step into the Light where the Truth will expose all you have ever done in the dark. Then receive the forgiveness that is offered in Love.
Who defines Love? Who defines Light? Who defines Truth? Who defines the Way? Who defines Life? Who defines Humility? Who Surrendered Everything? Who has the power to Forgive?
The only Name under heaven by which men will be saved!
In order to truly forgive someone we must love them. The depth to which we will forgive someone is in direct proportion to our knowledge and understanding of how far and deep Love can go to cancel the offences we commit in the dark.
It's critically important to recognize that forgiveness in and of itself does not depend on our emotions or reasoning skills. Just as Truth is beyond the dictates of our reason so forgiveness is beyond our limitations and expectations. We are not the source of forgiveness. A spirit, soul, and body that absolutley surrenders themselves into the Light of Truth will, however, become a part of its source. Because a person living in the Light of Truth has experienced forgiveness for everything they have done in the dark, no matter how serious the action or thought, they are now capable to lovingly forgive in the same Spirit and to the same unfathomable depths. Those who have come to know Love personally realize they have been forgiven in a way that flips their inevitable eternity upside down. Instead of eternal death fueled by unforgiveness and pride it has become eternal life fueled by love, forgiveness and humility.
The forgiveness that is found in the Light of Truth is born out of an unconditional love that defies our reason. As a result, we cannot grasp Love totally, but we can know Love and be Love to those around us. If you haven't done so already step into the Light where the Truth will expose all you have ever done in the dark. Then receive the forgiveness that is offered in Love.
Who defines Love? Who defines Light? Who defines Truth? Who defines the Way? Who defines Life? Who defines Humility? Who Surrendered Everything? Who has the power to Forgive?
The only Name under heaven by which men will be saved!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
ON HUMILITY THROUGH SURRENDER (Part 3 of 3)
Stepping into Light from the dark places in our spirit, soul and body is the most significant decision we can make. The outcome of such a decision flips our world and perspectives upside down, because the Light allows us to really see ourselves as we truly are and empowers us to do what we could never do in the dark by ourselves. Absolute surrender changes the location of our eternity and enables us to be humble.
I was once in the dark and in a dead and disordered state. I was divided and incomplete and I wanted help out of it. A man who came to understand humility said to me step into and remain in the Light where you will be exposed in the Truth. I did because the dark is lonely, unfulfilling and much worse. This Light completely exposed the reality of my condition: I was dead in my spirit, soul, and body. But the Absolute Truth was there: the Truth that was beyond the dictates of my reason and expectation. I was anticipating justice for who I was in the dark, but the Truth didn't throw a punitive hand, a clamor of disgust, a turn of rejection or a verdict of guilty as charged. He offered me forgiveness past, present and future because he already took the perfect justice for my carnal, diseased and disordered state. If I would receive his mercy so undeserved I would never receive his justice so rightly deserved. It was at this point that I experienced what humility was. I received forgiveness and surrendered completely to the way of living that is in the Light of Truth.
Stepping into Light from the dark places in our spirit, soul and body is the most significant decision we can make. The outcome of such a decision flips our world and perspectives upside down, because the Light allows us to really see ourselves as we truly are and empowers us to do what we could never do in the dark by ourselves. Absolute surrender changes the location of our eternity and enables us to be humble.
I was once in the dark and in a dead and disordered state. I was divided and incomplete and I wanted help out of it. A man who came to understand humility said to me step into and remain in the Light where you will be exposed in the Truth. I did because the dark is lonely, unfulfilling and much worse. This Light completely exposed the reality of my condition: I was dead in my spirit, soul, and body. But the Absolute Truth was there: the Truth that was beyond the dictates of my reason and expectation. I was anticipating justice for who I was in the dark, but the Truth didn't throw a punitive hand, a clamor of disgust, a turn of rejection or a verdict of guilty as charged. He offered me forgiveness past, present and future because he already took the perfect justice for my carnal, diseased and disordered state. If I would receive his mercy so undeserved I would never receive his justice so rightly deserved. It was at this point that I experienced what humility was. I received forgiveness and surrendered completely to the way of living that is in the Light of Truth.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
ON HUMILITY THROUGH SURRENDER (Part 2 of 3)
When we surrender our spirit, soul and body to the Light it allows us to see our true spiritual need and that those things we have been doing in the dark steal the best that Truth has to offer us, namely, real love, real joy, real peace, real relationships, and real eternal life. None of these can be experienced unless they are given and received in the Spirit of Humility. This humility is fueled by Love.
As we remain in the Light we will be sustained by it because in a sense we have "plugged into its power" through a chosen state of willfull surrender. Partial surrender to the Light is no surrender at all because it is an incomplete and divided decision. It's been said that whoever surrenders their spirit, soul and body into the Light of Truth will receive its eternal spiritual Life, but whoever remains in the darkness will lose their life in that same eternal and spiritual darkness.
Real Love, Joy, Peace, Hope, Relationship, and Life are all available to us when we humble ourselves through surrendering to the Light of Truth.
When we surrender our spirit, soul and body to the Light it allows us to see our true spiritual need and that those things we have been doing in the dark steal the best that Truth has to offer us, namely, real love, real joy, real peace, real relationships, and real eternal life. None of these can be experienced unless they are given and received in the Spirit of Humility. This humility is fueled by Love.
As we remain in the Light we will be sustained by it because in a sense we have "plugged into its power" through a chosen state of willfull surrender. Partial surrender to the Light is no surrender at all because it is an incomplete and divided decision. It's been said that whoever surrenders their spirit, soul and body into the Light of Truth will receive its eternal spiritual Life, but whoever remains in the darkness will lose their life in that same eternal and spiritual darkness.
Real Love, Joy, Peace, Hope, Relationship, and Life are all available to us when we humble ourselves through surrendering to the Light of Truth.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
ON HUMILITY THROUGH SURRENDER (Part 1 of 3)
If humility means lowering ourselves in the attitude and spirit of Truth to that place where we see others as more important than our own interests, then surrender means to consistently and consciously enter into the only realm that empowers us to live in such a Way.
Consistently achieving a humble heart in the seconds of our lives is to come to a place of absolute surrender in our spirit, soul and body. This absolute surrender is a deliberate step we take into the Light, and it is motivated by Love not fear. It is motivated by sorrow over those things we have been doing in the dark and a willingness to stop doing those things once and for all.
If humility means lowering ourselves in the attitude and spirit of Truth to that place where we see others as more important than our own interests, then surrender means to consistently and consciously enter into the only realm that empowers us to live in such a Way.
Consistently achieving a humble heart in the seconds of our lives is to come to a place of absolute surrender in our spirit, soul and body. This absolute surrender is a deliberate step we take into the Light, and it is motivated by Love not fear. It is motivated by sorrow over those things we have been doing in the dark and a willingness to stop doing those things once and for all.
Monday, September 05, 2005
ON HUMILITY
"The greatest among us should be like the youngest, and those who rule like those who serve". This is the Truth
What is humility and who among us sets it as their focus for each day? If we begin to understand and pursue humility in the truest sense of the word then apply it, we will experience life as it was meant to be. We will become more complete.
Humility is the opposite of our pride:
"Humility is the proper estimate of oneself."
"If you are looking for an example of humility, look at the cross."
"It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is geat and rare achievement."
"Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility."
"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish yourself to be."
"Humility is the most difficult of all virtues to achieve; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of oneself."
"The greatest among us should be like the youngest, and those who rule like those who serve". This is the Truth
What is humility and who among us sets it as their focus for each day? If we begin to understand and pursue humility in the truest sense of the word then apply it, we will experience life as it was meant to be. We will become more complete.
Humility is the opposite of our pride:
"Humility is the proper estimate of oneself."
"If you are looking for an example of humility, look at the cross."
"It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is geat and rare achievement."
"Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility."
"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish yourself to be."
"Humility is the most difficult of all virtues to achieve; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of oneself."
To be humble is to flip our world upside down. It is to do what is unnatural. It is to do what is uncomfortable. When we pursue recognition, glory and praise for ourselves we are doing what's natural. When we want to control, be first and not wait, or impress those around we are doing what comes natural. This is not humility.
Humility is a conscious decision that is born out of a Spirit that is beyond us. If we choose to receive this Spirit we will become humble. We will become servants without pride in our marriages, families, friendships, and other relationships. Without the pursuit and application of humility we will eventually lose everything.
To be people of humility we must make ourselves nothing in our spirits, souls and bodies by taking in the Spirit of Truth. We must become dead to ourselves and concider the only Way that can produce unity. If you are a King or Queen, President or Prime Minister, Father or Mother, Husband or Wife, CEO or Manager, Teacher, Friend...Whomever, let's take on the role of a servant with joy. To make ourselves nothing we need live in the Light. Here there is no division.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
ON TRUTH AS LIGHT
Absolute Truth is Light. Just as light exposes things that are in the dark so Truth exposes the problems that cause division and spiritual death inside and around us.
Our spirit, soul and body long for inner peace but that Peace will never be experienced if we don't first step into the Light of Truth that can reveal to us our real need. Our real need is to be free from ourselves and united with the one whose image we reflect. It has been written that the only reason we would not accept Truth or step into the Light is because we love to lift up ourselves in the dark. We love pleasure and self-reliance more than Truth. We tend to stay out of the Light of Truth because it is the only thing that can expose what we do for ourselves in the dark. This means we are afraid to be found out and punished for those things we know deserve justice.
I want to be in the Light of Truth so that I can be known by my wife, my family and friends, and others I interact with. I desire to be undivided and without hypocracy so I can be known by the Light. This is a worthy goal. A hard goal but well worth the sacrifice of self. It means real living, peace, health, contentment in all circumstances, and true friendship.
Absolute Truth is Light. Just as light exposes things that are in the dark so Truth exposes the problems that cause division and spiritual death inside and around us.
Our spirit, soul and body long for inner peace but that Peace will never be experienced if we don't first step into the Light of Truth that can reveal to us our real need. Our real need is to be free from ourselves and united with the one whose image we reflect. It has been written that the only reason we would not accept Truth or step into the Light is because we love to lift up ourselves in the dark. We love pleasure and self-reliance more than Truth. We tend to stay out of the Light of Truth because it is the only thing that can expose what we do for ourselves in the dark. This means we are afraid to be found out and punished for those things we know deserve justice.
I want to be in the Light of Truth so that I can be known by my wife, my family and friends, and others I interact with. I desire to be undivided and without hypocracy so I can be known by the Light. This is a worthy goal. A hard goal but well worth the sacrifice of self. It means real living, peace, health, contentment in all circumstances, and true friendship.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
ON TRUTH
Without Truth the most valuable thing to us is our own self-righteousness. It is possible to spend a whole lifetime without knowing what is True and in this condition we naturally choose an independant approach to meet needs that we ultimately cannot meet for ourselves. If we think about it a natural consequence to this is that we spend our whole lives forming a good opinion about ourselves that is built and relys solely upon self-praise and self-justification of our actions and motives. We build a monument to our own goodness as defined by our own reason and call it "truth." We deceive ourselves and make Truth relative when it is really absolute. This is our natural tendancy and it is dangerous because it divides us. If we don't consciously recognize it and surrender to the Absolute Truth we will end up putting ourselves above the only power that can unite what is divided in us. Absolute Truth is the only thing that can conquer the eternal death in our souls and spirits, our fears, our guilt, our shame, our insecurity, our apathy, our self-hatred and our self-worship.
Without Truth the most valuable thing to us is our own self-righteousness. It is possible to spend a whole lifetime without knowing what is True and in this condition we naturally choose an independant approach to meet needs that we ultimately cannot meet for ourselves. If we think about it a natural consequence to this is that we spend our whole lives forming a good opinion about ourselves that is built and relys solely upon self-praise and self-justification of our actions and motives. We build a monument to our own goodness as defined by our own reason and call it "truth." We deceive ourselves and make Truth relative when it is really absolute. This is our natural tendancy and it is dangerous because it divides us. If we don't consciously recognize it and surrender to the Absolute Truth we will end up putting ourselves above the only power that can unite what is divided in us. Absolute Truth is the only thing that can conquer the eternal death in our souls and spirits, our fears, our guilt, our shame, our insecurity, our apathy, our self-hatred and our self-worship.
Friday, September 02, 2005
THREE IN ONE / TRUTH = LIFE
WE ARE MEANT TO LIVE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE AS WHOLE INDIVIDUALS AND WE ARE MADE UP OF THREE PARTS THAT ARE TO BE IN SYNC. FIRST, WE ARE A SPIRIT THAT WILL LIVE OR DIE ETERNALLY. SECOND, WE ARE A SOUL WITH FREE WILL TO BELIEVE AND CHOOSE, WITH EMOTIONS ,PERSONALITY, AND ABILITIES TO REASON AND DISCERN. ALL ARE UNIQUELY EXPRESSED THROUGH A HEART OF HEARTS THAT BEATS WITH THIS SAME RHYTHM FOR ETERNITY. THIRDLY,WE ARE A PHYSICAL BODY THAT ALTHOUGH LIMITED HAS A PURPOSE TO TEMPORARILY EXPRESS THE SPIRIT AND SOUL WITHIN AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD WITHOUT. OUR BODY CAN TAKE IN ALL THAT LIFE OR DEATH HAS TO OFFER. WHAT WE CHOOSE TO TAKE IN DIRECTLY EFFECTS OUR SOUL AND SPIRIT FOREVER.
YOU (YOUR SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY TOGETHER) REFLECT A MYSTERIOUS AND GLORIOUS IMAGE THAT IS MEANT TO BE PURSUED, UNDERSTOOD, RESPECTED, ADORED AND REVERENTLY FEARED. OUR SPIRITS, SOULS AND BODIES ARE NOT MEANT FOR DIVISION WITHIN OURSELVES OR IN RELATIONSHIPS. WE ARE MEANT TO BE COMPLETE IN SPIRIT, SOUND IN HEART AND MIND, AND PURE IN BODY. WE ARE MEANT TO BE FREE FROM REJECTION. WE ARE DESIGNED TO BE APPRECIATED AND ACCEPTED.
ENCOMPASSING ALL OF THIS IS TRUTH: TRUTH IS THE MYSTERIOUS AND GLORIOUS IMAGE! IT IS THE WAY THAT HAS EXISTED BEFORE TIME, AND IS THE LIVING REALITY THAT IS BEYOND THE DICTATES OF OUR REASON BUT NOT THE WILL OF OUR CHOICE. JUST LIKE US, TRUTH CAN BE REJECTED OR ACCEPTED BUT JUST LIKE US IT IS MEANT TO BE ACCEPTED AND NOT REJECTED! TRUTH IS THE SOURCE FOR UNITY IN OURSELVES AND IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. THEREFORE, WE ARE MEANT TO KNOW,ACCEPT AND PURSUE TRUTH SO WE CAN BE FREE TO EXPERIENCE LIFE AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED REJECTION IN OUR LIVES DIRECTLY AND/OR INDIRECTLY THAT HAS LEAD TO A COMPLETE OR PARTIAL BREAKDOWN WITHIN OURSELVES AND IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. AS I OBSERVE, LISTEN, AND RESPOND I CAN DISCERN THAT THE SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT IN UNISON. THE EXAMPLES ARE ENDLESS AND THERE IS A PROBLEM, A BARRIER, A DISEASE PREVENTING US FROM EXPERIENCING LIFE AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED. THE RAMIFICATIONS OF CONTINUING IN A DIVIDED STATE ARE SERIOUS BECAUSE NOTHING DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CAN STAND.
I WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND TO BE HUMBLE TO ACCEPT IT BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CAN UNITE WHAT IS DIVIDED IN ME.
WE ARE MEANT TO LIVE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE AS WHOLE INDIVIDUALS AND WE ARE MADE UP OF THREE PARTS THAT ARE TO BE IN SYNC. FIRST, WE ARE A SPIRIT THAT WILL LIVE OR DIE ETERNALLY. SECOND, WE ARE A SOUL WITH FREE WILL TO BELIEVE AND CHOOSE, WITH EMOTIONS ,PERSONALITY, AND ABILITIES TO REASON AND DISCERN. ALL ARE UNIQUELY EXPRESSED THROUGH A HEART OF HEARTS THAT BEATS WITH THIS SAME RHYTHM FOR ETERNITY. THIRDLY,WE ARE A PHYSICAL BODY THAT ALTHOUGH LIMITED HAS A PURPOSE TO TEMPORARILY EXPRESS THE SPIRIT AND SOUL WITHIN AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD WITHOUT. OUR BODY CAN TAKE IN ALL THAT LIFE OR DEATH HAS TO OFFER. WHAT WE CHOOSE TO TAKE IN DIRECTLY EFFECTS OUR SOUL AND SPIRIT FOREVER.
YOU (YOUR SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY TOGETHER) REFLECT A MYSTERIOUS AND GLORIOUS IMAGE THAT IS MEANT TO BE PURSUED, UNDERSTOOD, RESPECTED, ADORED AND REVERENTLY FEARED. OUR SPIRITS, SOULS AND BODIES ARE NOT MEANT FOR DIVISION WITHIN OURSELVES OR IN RELATIONSHIPS. WE ARE MEANT TO BE COMPLETE IN SPIRIT, SOUND IN HEART AND MIND, AND PURE IN BODY. WE ARE MEANT TO BE FREE FROM REJECTION. WE ARE DESIGNED TO BE APPRECIATED AND ACCEPTED.
ENCOMPASSING ALL OF THIS IS TRUTH: TRUTH IS THE MYSTERIOUS AND GLORIOUS IMAGE! IT IS THE WAY THAT HAS EXISTED BEFORE TIME, AND IS THE LIVING REALITY THAT IS BEYOND THE DICTATES OF OUR REASON BUT NOT THE WILL OF OUR CHOICE. JUST LIKE US, TRUTH CAN BE REJECTED OR ACCEPTED BUT JUST LIKE US IT IS MEANT TO BE ACCEPTED AND NOT REJECTED! TRUTH IS THE SOURCE FOR UNITY IN OURSELVES AND IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. THEREFORE, WE ARE MEANT TO KNOW,ACCEPT AND PURSUE TRUTH SO WE CAN BE FREE TO EXPERIENCE LIFE AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED REJECTION IN OUR LIVES DIRECTLY AND/OR INDIRECTLY THAT HAS LEAD TO A COMPLETE OR PARTIAL BREAKDOWN WITHIN OURSELVES AND IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. AS I OBSERVE, LISTEN, AND RESPOND I CAN DISCERN THAT THE SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT IN UNISON. THE EXAMPLES ARE ENDLESS AND THERE IS A PROBLEM, A BARRIER, A DISEASE PREVENTING US FROM EXPERIENCING LIFE AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED. THE RAMIFICATIONS OF CONTINUING IN A DIVIDED STATE ARE SERIOUS BECAUSE NOTHING DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CAN STAND.
I WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND TO BE HUMBLE TO ACCEPT IT BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CAN UNITE WHAT IS DIVIDED IN ME.
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