When I want a hamburger, I do not go to a salad bar. (And vice versa.)
When I want Ford, I do not go to GM.
And when I want grace, I do not go to the law.
When I seek freedom I do not seek religion.
Not sure why so many think grace is not Jesus. Or why they would settle for mixture.
If I want to grow, it is not the law that will provide.
I plant myself firmly in the arms of grace.
This morning during worship I saw the following.
I saw a large hallway with many rooms. Some rooms were filled with books and globes and tons of antique furniture. Other rooms were large studies while others contained valuables of the world. The rooms were different. It reminded me of one of the mansions I used to visit of my mom’s friend.
“God? Where are the people?” He walked me to a large hall, and as we walked the echo of our footsteps reverberated. He lead me to a large set of double doors and opened the doors to show me the people. They were milling around the yard, the driveway, the walkways. No one moved towards the doors.
“What is the problem” I asked. “They are waiting for someone to come and open the door.” “Lord, we just opened the door.” “I know. But they do not see themselves as able or worthy to open that door. There is a key that they have already been given. (The Lord gave me a private thought in the midst of this.)
You have the key to the goodness of God. It is already given to you. No man will give you more nor will God. Open the door and come in.
We often talk about potential. A seed has potential, all the DNA of the previous generations. But until it is watered, planted and sunned it is…a seed. Let your potential come forth. Be where you need to be.
There were two families. One was Whys and the other Wise. The Why’s were all about figuring it out and doing more. The Wise were about enjoying what had been done.
The Whys said, when asked how to be with God, “pursue, chase.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Hebrews 13:5
The Whys when asked about their “debt,” responded “pay up.”
The Wise said, “why do you try to pay that which has been paid?”
1 Corinthians 7:23
The Whys said how do you follow Jesus, “die to yourself.”
The Wise said, “why do you ‘die’ when you are already dead?”
Galatians 2:20
The Whys said “let us work hard to get to Him.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Galatians 1:2
Jesus did not die for you. He died as you. The New Covenant is predicated on a covenant between God and God. You have been crucified, died, been buried (those three took care of the Adamic nature) and quickened, raised and seated with Him.
The difference between a servant and a son is how you identify with Christ.
Do not let lyrics or words put you in bondage. We labor to enter His rest. It was on the day of rest, man came forth. It is from rest we move and have our being. Do not ever have to ask “who has bewitched you.” It is not wise to be Whys.
Fear ought not be our rudder nor reaction our sail.
Lately I have been on the meditation of “not I but Him.”
And I have been crucified with The Messiah, and from then on I myself have not been living, but The Messiah is living in me, and this that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of The Son of God, he who has loved us and has given himself for us.
This always unlocks the “next” for me.
Your reclination undoes your declination…
The place of abiding ought be our place of residing. Too often we try to live where we do not live…
Yesterday as I was working, I saw a turkey crossing the field. Unhurried, despite my presence. Moments later a hawk came down to disturb it’s peace. And after what seemed like seconds, a small deer popped into the picture.
Frankly, I miss being in places where those things “happen.” I am sure there was a prophetic picture, I missed, but I was caught up in the “handiwork” of the Lord.
Some times we just need to be caught up.
Maybe it’s my culture or how I was educated, but I am a history buff. I have been there for a lot of recorded history. I have seen amazing things.
As I read the news, I see a growing acceptance of what is wrong, coupled with a sense of hopelessness. Yet I also see an inability of people to determine what to do about it.
The average person probably has never written a letter to a congressman or senator, is unaware of the process to do so and most likely can not name the three branches of government. (Consider taking the simple test here and if you are willing post your score. http://www.expandedschools.org/blog/could-you-pass-us-citizenship-test)
But this is not about politics. I have also noticed a growing trend in the church to revert to “worldly” measures rather than putting faith into play. Do you realize faith can work against you? For instance if you believe the government is corrupt and never be healed, you will never exert your faith in prayer. (Nor will you write letters, vote, put people in play locally or serve.)
Many in the body of Christ have needs. I agree. At the same time, are we not the people who can administrate change? Are we not the eklesia who carries the word of the Lord.
The “citizenship” test for believers is simply to believe. What do you believe? What rights do you exercise? I have noticed growing sickness, addictions and more the last few weeks. It simply should not be.
James 2:14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? CAN THAT FAITH SAVE HIM?15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (Emphasis mine.)
There is a faith that saves and a faith that changes,
Wisdom from Above
13Who among you is wise and understanding? “Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Today I make a personal decision to praise Him.
