...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
No question the path a believer is supposed to walk is a narrow one. The initial entry requires an honest decision of soul surrender to a Lord we cannot see with our physical eye. The subsequent walk on the narrow path is in absolute contrast to the wide path of destruction we were on only seconds before.That wide path offers every distraction (and destruction) imaginable.
Our faithful Lord said it this way while He walked the earth teaching us the words of our Father:
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it... the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it."
In looking back on the decision to bow my (very stubborn) heart before God and surrender my soul to Him I'd say now (in the scope of life) it was the easiest part of this 'walk'. If you are a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ you might agree.
Times of surrender that follow are delicious and sweet and pure and clear and glorious! Just like the first time. God ALWAYS honors sincere surrender with holy manifestations of Himself in our hearts.
It is walking and living in the every day of ordinary life that challenges my choices. Sometimes I faint. Sometimes I don't care. Sometimes I lose sight of the prize. Sometimes I allow the conterfeit. Sometimes I wander off and take a peek at that wide path I was on before I believed... with all of its distractions. Sometimes I feel as if something outside of me is pulling me back toward the wide path.
And with each step I walk off the narrow path of my life with God ... I know it because that's when I look for the thrills. That's when I'm unsatisfied in my soul. That's when I retreat inward. I want my way. I become selfish and self absorbed.
Unhealthy. Unstable. Unspiritual.
One step leads to the other. I make each decision to take another step toward destruction.
There's only ONE path that leads to life. It's a narrow one. Believers are admonished to take heed where our feet tread. To guard our hearts. To protect our eye-gate and our ear-gate.
I believe the narrow path was meant to protect us ... not to keep us from enjoying all the so-called fun things while we whisk through this earthly life as a vapor.
When I imagine Jesus holding my hand as we walk down the path together I have no problem staying on it. He is my biggest cheerleader! I'm gonna hang with Him.
Truth be told ... it is when I am more conscious of Him than myself that life is the easiest. He is my fullest satisfaction filling me up with His goodness.
Are you one of the few that has found the narrow path?
Surrender is NOT a one-time thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This post entry originally written by me for a previous blog and reposted here.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Royal Priesthood
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
In the Old Testament it was ONLY the priests who were allowed access to the dwelling place of God. For an Israelite there was no higher privilege. It was the place where God's manifested presence dwelled. And the Priests were the only humans who were given access.
We know , as New Testament believers, we are to look at these types and shadows in the OT as examples. We realize Christians are called a Royal Priesthood, a people for God's own possession (1Peter 2:9). It is eye-opening to examine the life and habits of the Priests as God laid out strict orders for them. Right down to the clothing they were to wear.
What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What joys await us inside your holy Temple. Ps 65:4
The Priests experienced the presence of God daily. Remarkable when you think about it.
But they were required to draw near as servants of the Holy Place. To see to the arrangements of the house, according to God's law, which included many rituals. Too many to list but, in general, it was all about guarding and serving and providing for the dwelling place of the Most High! The key component? They could only enter with the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifice.
Is it possible God meant for us, His children, to live our lives in the same sacred honor of His presence?
It is the precious blood of Jesus that opened the way for EVERY believer to enter into God's presence. No longer the requirement of rituals 'performed'. Instead we have full access into the throne room to obtain mercy and help with the simple utterance of His name.
I submit that acknowledgement and an understanding of the blood sacrifice of Jesus will enlarge the capacity of our heart to experience more fully the manifest presence of God.
Believers are the dwelling place of God. We are the holy temples. And just like the priests had to keep the house in order ... as believers it is the way we live that makes a difference in our intimacy with God. It is our place to guard, to serve, to provide for our temples (the place where God dwells now) in a way that is pleasing to God.
When once we experience the pure, undefiled, utterly pristine and holy presence of God and intimacy with Him becomes our habit the natural response is to long for Him more and more. We desire Him and we want nothing more than to please Him in every way.
In the Old Testament it was ONLY the priests who were allowed access to the dwelling place of God. For an Israelite there was no higher privilege. It was the place where God's manifested presence dwelled. And the Priests were the only humans who were given access.
We know , as New Testament believers, we are to look at these types and shadows in the OT as examples. We realize Christians are called a Royal Priesthood, a people for God's own possession (1Peter 2:9). It is eye-opening to examine the life and habits of the Priests as God laid out strict orders for them. Right down to the clothing they were to wear.
 |
| The Priests' Clothing Illustrated by James Strong |
The Priests experienced the presence of God daily. Remarkable when you think about it.
But they were required to draw near as servants of the Holy Place. To see to the arrangements of the house, according to God's law, which included many rituals. Too many to list but, in general, it was all about guarding and serving and providing for the dwelling place of the Most High! The key component? They could only enter with the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifice.
Is it possible God meant for us, His children, to live our lives in the same sacred honor of His presence?
It is the precious blood of Jesus that opened the way for EVERY believer to enter into God's presence. No longer the requirement of rituals 'performed'. Instead we have full access into the throne room to obtain mercy and help with the simple utterance of His name.
I submit that acknowledgement and an understanding of the blood sacrifice of Jesus will enlarge the capacity of our heart to experience more fully the manifest presence of God.
Believers are the dwelling place of God. We are the holy temples. And just like the priests had to keep the house in order ... as believers it is the way we live that makes a difference in our intimacy with God. It is our place to guard, to serve, to provide for our temples (the place where God dwells now) in a way that is pleasing to God.
When once we experience the pure, undefiled, utterly pristine and holy presence of God and intimacy with Him becomes our habit the natural response is to long for Him more and more. We desire Him and we want nothing more than to please Him in every way.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Flesh Is Weak
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Recently I was doing a job (involving my business) that I had no desire to do. It was a referral from one of my best clients so I felt obligated to accept the proposed project. I whined and complained to those closest people around me about NOT wanting to take it on but feeling like I HAD to (because of this great client). In my spirit I was reminded of these types of lessons God has used over the years to help me 'see' beyond the obvious circumstances. I knew there was more to this project than just the physical doing of it. In my spirit there were nudgings and confirmations of the good outcomes that would result in my participation. Not that I could put my finger on any of them. It was just that urging that comes from deep in my belly that I am so familiar with. (It is those very nudgings that can be heeded or ignored in our daily walk with The Master.)
Still, I dreaded each initial step necessary to get the project moving. I was exceedingly grumbly within, with a smile on my face, while attending the consult meetings and putting the preliminary proposal together. All the while knowing there was more to this than meets the eye.
Then on the way to the site the day I was to begin the final approved work I got honest with God. This was after 6 weeks of said whining and grumbling in various forms and worse... in my heart I was reluctant to let go of my own assessment of the situation. Ahhhh... honesty. Before God. Where I not only KNOW He sees and hears all things but I humbly acknowledge it before Him. And you know what? EVERY time He simply opens His loving arms and draws me into Himself as if I'd NEVER done it. Then... we talk.
I confess. He soothes.
I repent. He affirms.
I cry. He hugs.
I give thanks. He applies His balm of healing to my wounds.
When am I ever going to learn this lesson once and for all?
Among several of the eye-opening results of working with this particular group of people on this job, I'll share one of the most obvious.
There were three sessions scheduled to get the intial phase of the project accomplished and I was working with a group of women who were living in a halfway house. Without going into all the details it happened that on the third session of our outdoor project one of the women became ill and went back inside the house. The next thing I knew we were being alerted to the fact she was having a seizure of some sort inside. There was a lot of confusion at the time and ladies were coming back and forth announcing how bad it was. I had no authority to be inside with them. I simply stepped aside away from everyone and prayed a prayer with all the confidence/authority I've ever gained in the saving power of God. I rebuked the devil and prayed for peace and life in the situation. The ambulance came and took her away. The next day someone let me know she was fine and back to the halfway house safely with medication.
My heart was clear of the grumbling and I had free and open access to the throne of God for the need.
I'm not in any way saying I saved her or that I was the only one praying. I just KNOW that I was there for that moment.
Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38
Recently I was doing a job (involving my business) that I had no desire to do. It was a referral from one of my best clients so I felt obligated to accept the proposed project. I whined and complained to those closest people around me about NOT wanting to take it on but feeling like I HAD to (because of this great client). In my spirit I was reminded of these types of lessons God has used over the years to help me 'see' beyond the obvious circumstances. I knew there was more to this project than just the physical doing of it. In my spirit there were nudgings and confirmations of the good outcomes that would result in my participation. Not that I could put my finger on any of them. It was just that urging that comes from deep in my belly that I am so familiar with. (It is those very nudgings that can be heeded or ignored in our daily walk with The Master.)
Still, I dreaded each initial step necessary to get the project moving. I was exceedingly grumbly within, with a smile on my face, while attending the consult meetings and putting the preliminary proposal together. All the while knowing there was more to this than meets the eye.
Then on the way to the site the day I was to begin the final approved work I got honest with God. This was after 6 weeks of said whining and grumbling in various forms and worse... in my heart I was reluctant to let go of my own assessment of the situation. Ahhhh... honesty. Before God. Where I not only KNOW He sees and hears all things but I humbly acknowledge it before Him. And you know what? EVERY time He simply opens His loving arms and draws me into Himself as if I'd NEVER done it. Then... we talk.
I confess. He soothes.
I repent. He affirms.
I cry. He hugs.
I give thanks. He applies His balm of healing to my wounds.
When am I ever going to learn this lesson once and for all?
Among several of the eye-opening results of working with this particular group of people on this job, I'll share one of the most obvious.
There were three sessions scheduled to get the intial phase of the project accomplished and I was working with a group of women who were living in a halfway house. Without going into all the details it happened that on the third session of our outdoor project one of the women became ill and went back inside the house. The next thing I knew we were being alerted to the fact she was having a seizure of some sort inside. There was a lot of confusion at the time and ladies were coming back and forth announcing how bad it was. I had no authority to be inside with them. I simply stepped aside away from everyone and prayed a prayer with all the confidence/authority I've ever gained in the saving power of God. I rebuked the devil and prayed for peace and life in the situation. The ambulance came and took her away. The next day someone let me know she was fine and back to the halfway house safely with medication.
My heart was clear of the grumbling and I had free and open access to the throne of God for the need.
I'm not in any way saying I saved her or that I was the only one praying. I just KNOW that I was there for that moment.
Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Teach Me; Show Me
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor You. Ps 86:11
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Ps 25:14
Teach me, O Lord, to follow every one of your principles. Ps 119: 33
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. Ps 17:7
Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. Ps 90: 12
Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer. Ps 143:8b
Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the path of honesty... Ps 27:11
The Holy Spirit breathed, Word of the Living God is the perfect resource for prayers uttered back to God in His own words.
When I was a new Christian it is how I learned to pray. As a growing Christian it is how I still learn to pray. So rich and so powerful is the Holy Writ when a believer's faith is added to the words!
Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the path of honesty... Ps 27:11
The Holy Spirit breathed, Word of the Living God is the perfect resource for prayers uttered back to God in His own words.
When I was a new Christian it is how I learned to pray. As a growing Christian it is how I still learn to pray. So rich and so powerful is the Holy Writ when a believer's faith is added to the words!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Live the Life
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Have you ever seen those bumper stickers that say something to affect of "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven"! Or some such nonsense. I don't remember exactly how its worded but those types of quips out of the mouths of Christians are bothersome to me.
In a world where Christians are made out to be the stupid, ignorant sinners who only "talk" about Jesus and sin just as much as the heathen... I am of the opinion those types of "sayings" don't really do anything to help show the way to Jesus. Maybe I'm wrong. But that's what I think when I see that someone took the time to actually peel and stick those words on their car. Why?
That particular saying comes off as arrogant. Like it's okay that I'm not perfect because I'm forgiven ...so there ... I can do what I want and all is well with my soul because I'm forgiven. What's the point? Just LIVE the life and more lives will be directed to our Lord.
I'm not a fan of advertising with words. Oh that we would advertise Jesus with the way we live our lives!
Forget the bumper stickers... Live the life!
Have you ever seen those bumper stickers that say something to affect of "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven"! Or some such nonsense. I don't remember exactly how its worded but those types of quips out of the mouths of Christians are bothersome to me.
In a world where Christians are made out to be the stupid, ignorant sinners who only "talk" about Jesus and sin just as much as the heathen... I am of the opinion those types of "sayings" don't really do anything to help show the way to Jesus. Maybe I'm wrong. But that's what I think when I see that someone took the time to actually peel and stick those words on their car. Why?
That particular saying comes off as arrogant. Like it's okay that I'm not perfect because I'm forgiven ...so there ... I can do what I want and all is well with my soul because I'm forgiven. What's the point? Just LIVE the life and more lives will be directed to our Lord.
I'm not a fan of advertising with words. Oh that we would advertise Jesus with the way we live our lives!
Forget the bumper stickers... Live the life!
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Power of the Blood
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
If there ever was an author I LOVE it is Andrew Murray. His writings speak to my soul and touch the depths of my awareness and knowledge of God while urging me on to dive so much deeper and experience more of my Lord. Murray's connection with God had to be completely intertwined with his every step in life. No man can know the ways and dealings of God like he relates them without having spent a life in complete abandon to the Spirit of God.
It has been his writings that have spoken to and stirred places in my heart I didn't know could be described in words. His intimacy with the living Lord makes me hungry to know Him better and to give Him more of myself.
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So I'm reading back through "The Power of the Blood of Jesus" for the umpteenth time. This little paperback book is so marked up, highlighted, and flagged it hardly resembles a book anymore. YET, I wrote in my prayer journal this week, "Have I ever read this book before now?"
How is it possible I am so dull of hearing! Every time I read it I am blown away and undone in my spirit all at once. His words about the blood of our Lord being the ultimate sacrifice that was poured out for our eternal redemption stirs so many thoughts in me about the missing elements in our modern culture.
Here are just a few thoughts that strike me to the core each time as if I've never heard them before.
"The blood must have the same place in our hearts which it has with God. Our heart will never rest, nor find salvation, till we too learn to walk and glory in the power of that blood." p. 21
"The precious blood of Christ has opened the way for the believer into God's presence;and intimacy with Him is a deep, spiritual reality. He who knows the full power of the blood is brought SO NIGH that he can always live in the immediate presence of God and in the enjoyment of the unspeakable blessings attached to it. THERE, the child of God has the ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE; he experiences and enjoys it. God himself imparts it. He lives daily in the friendship and fellowship of God. In this intimacy with God, he possesses all that he needs; he wants no good thing. His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace, because God is with him. He receives all requisite direction and teaching. God's eye is ever upon him, guiding him. In INTIMACY WITH GOD, he is able to hear the SOFTEST WHISPERS of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the slightest sign of his Father's will and to follow it. His STRENGTH continually increases, for God is his strength; and God is ever with him." p95-96 (emphasis mine)
See what I mean? In the above quote Murray has to be speaking from his own experiences with God and God's dealings with himself. One cannot know these things without a living revelation ~ by experience of them.
How many Christians WISH/PRAY to hear softest whispers of the Holy Spirit! It isn't a hard thing but it is a thing reserved for those children of God who view it as a high privilege and are willing to draw near to God by His blood... the way has been opened. We must "give the blood the same prominent place in our hearts which it has with God."
I'm undone... again.
If there ever was an author I LOVE it is Andrew Murray. His writings speak to my soul and touch the depths of my awareness and knowledge of God while urging me on to dive so much deeper and experience more of my Lord. Murray's connection with God had to be completely intertwined with his every step in life. No man can know the ways and dealings of God like he relates them without having spent a life in complete abandon to the Spirit of God.
It has been his writings that have spoken to and stirred places in my heart I didn't know could be described in words. His intimacy with the living Lord makes me hungry to know Him better and to give Him more of myself.
So I'm reading back through "The Power of the Blood of Jesus" for the umpteenth time. This little paperback book is so marked up, highlighted, and flagged it hardly resembles a book anymore. YET, I wrote in my prayer journal this week, "Have I ever read this book before now?"
How is it possible I am so dull of hearing! Every time I read it I am blown away and undone in my spirit all at once. His words about the blood of our Lord being the ultimate sacrifice that was poured out for our eternal redemption stirs so many thoughts in me about the missing elements in our modern culture.
Here are just a few thoughts that strike me to the core each time as if I've never heard them before.
"The blood must have the same place in our hearts which it has with God. Our heart will never rest, nor find salvation, till we too learn to walk and glory in the power of that blood." p. 21
"The precious blood of Christ has opened the way for the believer into God's presence;and intimacy with Him is a deep, spiritual reality. He who knows the full power of the blood is brought SO NIGH that he can always live in the immediate presence of God and in the enjoyment of the unspeakable blessings attached to it. THERE, the child of God has the ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE; he experiences and enjoys it. God himself imparts it. He lives daily in the friendship and fellowship of God. In this intimacy with God, he possesses all that he needs; he wants no good thing. His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace, because God is with him. He receives all requisite direction and teaching. God's eye is ever upon him, guiding him. In INTIMACY WITH GOD, he is able to hear the SOFTEST WHISPERS of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the slightest sign of his Father's will and to follow it. His STRENGTH continually increases, for God is his strength; and God is ever with him." p95-96 (emphasis mine)
See what I mean? In the above quote Murray has to be speaking from his own experiences with God and God's dealings with himself. One cannot know these things without a living revelation ~ by experience of them.
How many Christians WISH/PRAY to hear softest whispers of the Holy Spirit! It isn't a hard thing but it is a thing reserved for those children of God who view it as a high privilege and are willing to draw near to God by His blood... the way has been opened. We must "give the blood the same prominent place in our hearts which it has with God."
I'm undone... again.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Painful
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Letting go of the control my flesh so desperately grapples to keep is definitely painful. It doesn't feel good.
I don't know about you but sometimes I get so caught up in my own thoughts, drawing my own conclusions, holding onto unforgiveness and anger, cherishing my own perceptions/assumptions and nursing hurts and negative thoughts that by the time I come to a place of admitting it all ... it is painful. My flesh really likes it when I get into a pattern that leaves God out just enough so I can go along in life fooling myself that I haven't left Him out at all.
I didn't realize I could be so good at it actually. I know just the places to go in the Bible where my current sins won't be addressed. If I'm holding unforgiveness in my heart or if I'm angry and just don't feel like giving it up right this minute or if I know the Lord has required a thing of me that I've ignored... I can still pray (on some level), I can still praise Him (on some level), I can still read my Bible (in certain places) without addressing my sin. It's true. You know it is.
But one thing I CANNOT do successfully (while in this fooling myself state) is worship my Lord. Not fully. Maybe it's just me. But I CANNOT.
Worship always requires my yieldedness. It requires honesty. Deep down revealing honesty and abandonment. Once my heart is willing and then yielded fully to the Spirit of God honesty is the result. Truthful honesty.
Wholly and completely in love with God and yielding to His love, His goodness, His mercy, His light... there are no words... It is Him ... as I worship Him He fills me up with His manifest presence. He floods my soul with all that is good and I feel I will burst from the brightness that washes over me. I've nothing left but to freely and without hesitation release all that nasty sinful ugliness I had just a moment prior thought was wrapped up so tidy in my heart for safe keeping.
Why? Why did I ever want to hoard it? Why did I ever let it get to the point of fooling myself that I wasn't doing just that? Sin is tricky. And believers are warned to strip it off/lay it aside as it can so easily hinder our progress* when we don't. Oh, that's right. My anger and my hurt is justified. There is good reason for me to nurse it. After all if I let it go I'll then have to forgive and release all parties involved. Nope. Not doing it. Not right now. It was too awful. I have to figure it out first. Then I'll decide what/if/when/how much I'll forgive. And the cycle of letting my flesh have its way begins. That's how it happens. That's how I get there.
The only solution is time with my Savior. Worship. Yielded to Him fully. Sweet surrender. Honest before Him.
Honesty is painful. Painful to my flesh.
*Scripture reference: Hebrews 12
Letting go of the control my flesh so desperately grapples to keep is definitely painful. It doesn't feel good.
I don't know about you but sometimes I get so caught up in my own thoughts, drawing my own conclusions, holding onto unforgiveness and anger, cherishing my own perceptions/assumptions and nursing hurts and negative thoughts that by the time I come to a place of admitting it all ... it is painful. My flesh really likes it when I get into a pattern that leaves God out just enough so I can go along in life fooling myself that I haven't left Him out at all.
I didn't realize I could be so good at it actually. I know just the places to go in the Bible where my current sins won't be addressed. If I'm holding unforgiveness in my heart or if I'm angry and just don't feel like giving it up right this minute or if I know the Lord has required a thing of me that I've ignored... I can still pray (on some level), I can still praise Him (on some level), I can still read my Bible (in certain places) without addressing my sin. It's true. You know it is.
But one thing I CANNOT do successfully (while in this fooling myself state) is worship my Lord. Not fully. Maybe it's just me. But I CANNOT.
Worship always requires my yieldedness. It requires honesty. Deep down revealing honesty and abandonment. Once my heart is willing and then yielded fully to the Spirit of God honesty is the result. Truthful honesty.
Wholly and completely in love with God and yielding to His love, His goodness, His mercy, His light... there are no words... It is Him ... as I worship Him He fills me up with His manifest presence. He floods my soul with all that is good and I feel I will burst from the brightness that washes over me. I've nothing left but to freely and without hesitation release all that nasty sinful ugliness I had just a moment prior thought was wrapped up so tidy in my heart for safe keeping.
Why? Why did I ever want to hoard it? Why did I ever let it get to the point of fooling myself that I wasn't doing just that? Sin is tricky. And believers are warned to strip it off/lay it aside as it can so easily hinder our progress* when we don't. Oh, that's right. My anger and my hurt is justified. There is good reason for me to nurse it. After all if I let it go I'll then have to forgive and release all parties involved. Nope. Not doing it. Not right now. It was too awful. I have to figure it out first. Then I'll decide what/if/when/how much I'll forgive. And the cycle of letting my flesh have its way begins. That's how it happens. That's how I get there.
The only solution is time with my Savior. Worship. Yielded to Him fully. Sweet surrender. Honest before Him.
Honesty is painful. Painful to my flesh.
*Scripture reference: Hebrews 12
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Utter Dependence
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
I don't think I know what it means entirely. What I do know is that at times when my heart is the softest and most pliable before my Lord it is a phrase that comes up from the deepest parts of me. I boldly say the words to Him in that place of surrender. Those words when voiced aloud to Him seem to have life. Like stirring up all the most important/intimate/meaningful parts of my soul and pouring them out before Him so nothing is left. Nothing to hide. Nothing to keep for myself. Nothing but abandon. And it feels so good!
Isn't it odd? When I think of what abandon involves the very meaning of it intimates loss. Which seems to be the idea. Because what it turns out to be in the most remarkable spiritual encounters is the loss of all hurt, pain, anger, unforgiveness, selfish ambition, revenge, and pride.
There is a PRIMARY thing God requires from his children. It's a thing He will not do FOR us.
Right after James* tells us that friendship with the world makes us an enemy of God and that if our aim is to enjoy this world we can't be a friend of God... He reminds us that God gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires.
So HUMBLE YOURSELF before God*.
Resist the devil*.
He will flee from you*.
When we bow down before the Lord and admit our dependence on Him, He will lift us up and give us honor*.
In my weakest human state of humility and utter dependence on God I am the strongest spiritually. When I'm strong spiritually I become strong in every other area... mentally, physically, socially. Ready to be of use to the kingdom.
More and more grace is available as I let go completely and truly give way to utter dependence on my Master.
It's just the way God does things. And I love Him with all my heart for it.
*Scripture reference: James 4:4-10
I don't think I know what it means entirely. What I do know is that at times when my heart is the softest and most pliable before my Lord it is a phrase that comes up from the deepest parts of me. I boldly say the words to Him in that place of surrender. Those words when voiced aloud to Him seem to have life. Like stirring up all the most important/intimate/meaningful parts of my soul and pouring them out before Him so nothing is left. Nothing to hide. Nothing to keep for myself. Nothing but abandon. And it feels so good!
Isn't it odd? When I think of what abandon involves the very meaning of it intimates loss. Which seems to be the idea. Because what it turns out to be in the most remarkable spiritual encounters is the loss of all hurt, pain, anger, unforgiveness, selfish ambition, revenge, and pride.
There is a PRIMARY thing God requires from his children. It's a thing He will not do FOR us.
Right after James* tells us that friendship with the world makes us an enemy of God and that if our aim is to enjoy this world we can't be a friend of God... He reminds us that God gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires.
So HUMBLE YOURSELF before God*.
Resist the devil*.
He will flee from you*.
When we bow down before the Lord and admit our dependence on Him, He will lift us up and give us honor*.
In my weakest human state of humility and utter dependence on God I am the strongest spiritually. When I'm strong spiritually I become strong in every other area... mentally, physically, socially. Ready to be of use to the kingdom.
More and more grace is available as I let go completely and truly give way to utter dependence on my Master.
It's just the way God does things. And I love Him with all my heart for it.
*Scripture reference: James 4:4-10
Monday, February 14, 2011
Ransomed by Love Himself
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Like Paul, I am less than the least of all the saints, I am chief among sinners, I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. Once I was dead, doomed forever because of my many sins. I used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, following the passions and desires of my evil nature.
But GOD is so rich in His mercy! AND He loved me so very much, that even while I was dead because of my sins He gave me LIFE when he raised me from that death along with Jesus Christ. It was His kindness and the wealth of His favor that saved me when I believed! I take no credit for this. It is not a reward for the good things I've done so I have nothing to boast about.
This mercy, grace, and salvation is a GIFT from God. (adapted from Eph 2)
Sin is a lurking and ever present power always ready to pounce and capture. In my flesh dwells NO GOOD THING. It is necessary to be aware and on alert for the sin that so easily besets. For me, it is necessary to know the triggers that lure me into sin.
While I do not major on sin it is the knowledge and deep appreciation for God's grace and how He saved me from sin that compels me to lean into His grace and it kindles my desire to please Him alone. Staying ever mindful of God's grace is what causes me to crumple before Him in utter dependence on His love. It is the presence of His sweetness, His tenderness, His infilling, and impartation of His own nature that gives me the power to shun the life, the practices, and habits of the life I once lived in sin.
I cannot hold on to any part of it. I don't want to. If I am honest, I know what does and doesn't please my Lord. Sure, it is up to me to be that honest with myself and Him. But ~~when I am~~ I know that if I want the fullness of His presence and power in my life then I also want to walk this walk without those things of the flesh I once indulged in that drew me into the world.
He has not punished me for all my sins, nor does He deal with me as I deserve. He understands how weak I am. But His love remains forever for those who fear Him. (adapted from Ps 103)
He is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry. He is full of unfailing love.
I want my life to represent Him well.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Like Paul, I am less than the least of all the saints, I am chief among sinners, I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. Once I was dead, doomed forever because of my many sins. I used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, following the passions and desires of my evil nature.
But GOD is so rich in His mercy! AND He loved me so very much, that even while I was dead because of my sins He gave me LIFE when he raised me from that death along with Jesus Christ. It was His kindness and the wealth of His favor that saved me when I believed! I take no credit for this. It is not a reward for the good things I've done so I have nothing to boast about.
This mercy, grace, and salvation is a GIFT from God. (adapted from Eph 2)
Sin is a lurking and ever present power always ready to pounce and capture. In my flesh dwells NO GOOD THING. It is necessary to be aware and on alert for the sin that so easily besets. For me, it is necessary to know the triggers that lure me into sin.
While I do not major on sin it is the knowledge and deep appreciation for God's grace and how He saved me from sin that compels me to lean into His grace and it kindles my desire to please Him alone. Staying ever mindful of God's grace is what causes me to crumple before Him in utter dependence on His love. It is the presence of His sweetness, His tenderness, His infilling, and impartation of His own nature that gives me the power to shun the life, the practices, and habits of the life I once lived in sin.
I cannot hold on to any part of it. I don't want to. If I am honest, I know what does and doesn't please my Lord. Sure, it is up to me to be that honest with myself and Him. But ~~when I am~~ I know that if I want the fullness of His presence and power in my life then I also want to walk this walk without those things of the flesh I once indulged in that drew me into the world.
He has not punished me for all my sins, nor does He deal with me as I deserve. He understands how weak I am. But His love remains forever for those who fear Him. (adapted from Ps 103)
He is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry. He is full of unfailing love.
I want my life to represent Him well.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Shutting Jesus Out
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
It is possible. To keep Jesus out.
Not even thinking about unbelievers here. As Christians we can keep Him out of what we want to keep Him out of. We can close places in our heart to Him. There are rooms, if you will, in there... in our hearts... where we shut the door and do not allow Him to have His way. Certain areas of our life we just do not discuss or we try to ignore when we are talking to God. If we talk (pray) to God at all.
Have you ever done a lot of thinking about a thing and maybe even God and His thoughts on the subject came into your thinking. I submit that thinking is NOT praying. For example: If I am thinking about YOU, I am not talking with you... I am thinking. Once I include YOU in my conversation and I'm open to your side of the conversation I am then talking with you. Same goes for God.
It does me good to ask once in a while. What are some of the things that I hide away in my heart and try not to bring up to God?
SO... things that keep me from talking WITH God and often (later when I get it all sorted out) I discover I wasn't ever praying about these things... not fully anyway. But I was thinking about it ALL THE TIME. Hurt, betrayal, disappointment, worry, taking on the cares of the world and on it goes... the effects of them, the people involved, the ripple effect they have... sometimes I just don't really want to have to do what Jesus would do in these situations so it's easier NOT to talk to Him about them. At least not in the "not my will, but Yours" sort of way. Shutting Him out is easier on my flesh.
What's the age old root to the issue? PRIDE. At least that's what I'm discovering in myself. Again. No, it is not a new revelation. It is just that I let pride creep back in ever so slowly (in so many ways) until at times(as ugly a monster as it is) it can be staring me in the face and I don't recognize it.
What's the cure for pride? Humility.
Less of me. More of God. Not my will but His alone. In EVERY single area of life.
Total and utter dependence on His ability, grace, mercy, power in EVERY situation. Oh, what a sweet place to be. Melting in the arms of my Savior. His redeeming love washing over and through all my weaknesses. All my disappointments, hurts, betrayals, selfishness. Cleansing me and making me whole. His love is shed abroad in my heart and His strength empowers me to forbearance and long suffering.
Why would I EVER think I could do anything without Him? When I'm doing it I don't even recognize it much less admit that I'm doing it. PRIDE. That's how it works.
Pride keeps me from going to God and humbling myself before Him. I just move along in life without completely submitting my thought-life, my attitudes, my opinions, my decisions, my disappointments, hurts, and rejections. I try to handle things on my own. And I can even justify my un-Godly actions/reactions...with my knowledge of Him of course. Because I have a lot of that.
Not being prideful when I say that... just honest. It is one of the dangers/traps of mature (knowledgeable) Christians. Knowledge without power. Only God has the power. And yes, I can have it, too, (through Him) but only as I yield my will to His.
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form He obediently humbled Himslef even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Phil. 2: 5-8
I haven't even come close to understanding what being humble is!!!
It is possible. To keep Jesus out.
Not even thinking about unbelievers here. As Christians we can keep Him out of what we want to keep Him out of. We can close places in our heart to Him. There are rooms, if you will, in there... in our hearts... where we shut the door and do not allow Him to have His way. Certain areas of our life we just do not discuss or we try to ignore when we are talking to God. If we talk (pray) to God at all.
Have you ever done a lot of thinking about a thing and maybe even God and His thoughts on the subject came into your thinking. I submit that thinking is NOT praying. For example: If I am thinking about YOU, I am not talking with you... I am thinking. Once I include YOU in my conversation and I'm open to your side of the conversation I am then talking with you. Same goes for God.
SO... things that keep me from talking WITH God and often (later when I get it all sorted out) I discover I wasn't ever praying about these things... not fully anyway. But I was thinking about it ALL THE TIME. Hurt, betrayal, disappointment, worry, taking on the cares of the world and on it goes... the effects of them, the people involved, the ripple effect they have... sometimes I just don't really want to have to do what Jesus would do in these situations so it's easier NOT to talk to Him about them. At least not in the "not my will, but Yours" sort of way. Shutting Him out is easier on my flesh.
What's the age old root to the issue? PRIDE. At least that's what I'm discovering in myself. Again. No, it is not a new revelation. It is just that I let pride creep back in ever so slowly (in so many ways) until at times(as ugly a monster as it is) it can be staring me in the face and I don't recognize it.
What's the cure for pride? Humility.
Less of me. More of God. Not my will but His alone. In EVERY single area of life.
Why would I EVER think I could do anything without Him? When I'm doing it I don't even recognize it much less admit that I'm doing it. PRIDE. That's how it works.
Pride keeps me from going to God and humbling myself before Him. I just move along in life without completely submitting my thought-life, my attitudes, my opinions, my decisions, my disappointments, hurts, and rejections. I try to handle things on my own. And I can even justify my un-Godly actions/reactions...with my knowledge of Him of course. Because I have a lot of that.
Not being prideful when I say that... just honest. It is one of the dangers/traps of mature (knowledgeable) Christians. Knowledge without power. Only God has the power. And yes, I can have it, too, (through Him) but only as I yield my will to His.
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form He obediently humbled Himslef even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Phil. 2: 5-8
I haven't even come close to understanding what being humble is!!!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Steadfast and Confident
...everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
There are times when I can only rely on my heart. My head might be screaming an entirely different message at me. But my heart knows the truth of God's word because I've hidden it deep inside my heart. So when life doesn't add up and/or my flesh is weak I hold onto the confidence I have in God and His keeping power. The 'soundness' of His Holy Scriptures anchor me and make me strong where/when I am weak. His love and His word are my hope and my confidence in the good times and the testing times.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody. Psalm 57:7
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