Side by Side Hand in Hand

Luke 10:23 (Jesus said to His beloved disciples) “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”

We say, “I’ll BELIEVE it when I SEE it!”, thinking that our eyes are the unbiased, truth telling, witness of all that is FACT and should not be disputed!

Until of course the hypocrisy of the heart kicks in and says, “Well maybe it’s only MY eyes that can tell the truth!” Or maybe… “My eyes have DECEIVED me!”

But the truth is… we don’t believe because it’s not what we WANT to see. We only want to SEE what we want to BELIEVE! Our eyes and every other bodily part, is ruled over by the one and only authority of my life. We use our eyes – and our ears – and any other bodily part available, to PROVE… above all else… that I… the DECIDER of all things… I AM RIGHT!

The eyes don’t control our belief (faith), nor does what we hear, or any other bodily function (like all those emoticons).

The core of everything I believe, the throne of settled truth is the throne room of I AM… the place where all of my lifeblood flows to and from… my heart! Information comes in by way of the life we live and the environment created around us.  We “partake” so to speak. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing – or seeing – or tasting…

Faith, and every other demand for choice, knocks on our door… thoughts of meaning and purpose and possibilities are raised in our minds… and brought before the king, sitting on the throne.

The one wearing the crown of MY WAY, then JUDGES and dispenses sentences. Will the information received, be useful to the kingdom and therefor be given the certificate of truth or will it be taken captive and tortured (re-educated) until it succumbs to the DECLARED TRUTH of it’s king.

From Genesis to Revelations, God tells us and shows us His heart… Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. (Exodus 6:7)

From our first breath to our last… we CHOOSE the heart we wish to share!

Either a veil lies over our heart (2 Corinthians 3:15), and we deny access to anything God.  

Or we, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Faith comes calling and our heart is hidden under the veil of unbelief. Or it proudly gives the crown of belief to Jesus, whom God gave that we should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The difference between unbelievers and believers is not in the “EYE of the beholder”… SEEING is not believing! The difference is in the heart… VEILED and unable to see God or UNVEILED, beholding the glory of God and because we have given Him the LORDSHIP of our lives.

BELIEVING is seeing… and being transformed!

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 

We aren’t sinless, but sin (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life) no longer stands in the way of life changing sight. We KNOW the Truth (Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life) and He has set us free. The Lord our God, brought us out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (those things we are enslaved by).

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, You will be saved;

The difference between a saint and a sinner is BELIEF.

I BELIEVE therefor I SEE!

Not because I am wise and intelligent or I’ve seen the transformation, but because I and all my fellow Jesus Freaks are BEING transformed by the power of BELIEF!

Call me crazy (and many have), but Jesus calls me His BABY…

Luke 10:21,23 At the very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to the infants…

Don’t wait to SEE the proof… BE the proof! Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, You will be saved!

Take it from this Jesus Freak…

When you BELIEVE, the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.  SEEING is guaranteed! (Ephesians 1:18-19)

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

THE RACE SET BEFORE US…

From Day 1 of Creation God spoke into being His plans. Plans that were made for us… “Let us make man in our own image”. Plans that did not change EVEN when we tried to cheat God out of His and His alone, RIGHTEOUS PLACE. 

Our sin, with the help of our enemy, tore us away from our created land and we have been in a race against him and our sin nature ever since. A race back to our Creator and his Kingdom.

A cloud of witnesses surrounding us… (those who came before us without benefit of Instagram or Facebook)

By Faith… (Hebrews 11)

Abel… offered a better sacrifice than Cain (who couldn’t have cared less what God wanted)

Enoch… pleased God for he believed God Is and sought Him above all others

Noah… heeded God’s warning and prepared an ark

Abraham… obeyed God’s GPS for his life

Sarah… considered God faithful in His promises

By Faith…

Abraham offered up Isaac (his only begotten son – a familiar song)

Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau with things to come

Jacob as he was dying blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshipped God

Joseph saw a future exodus and made arrangements for his bones to go along

Moses was hidden in plain sight by the Pharaoh’s daughter – gave up pleasures of sin in the palace – left Egypt – returned to his Jewish roots of faith – led the people through the Red Sea on dry ground and watched Egyptians drown on the very same path

Walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days

Rahab, the harlot, did not perish for she welcomed God’s spies in peace

Gideon – Barak – Samson – Jephthah, David – Samuel – the prophets, who By Faith…

Conquered kingdoms… performed acts of righteousness… obtained promises… shut the mouths of lions… quenched the power of fire… escaped the edge of the sword

From weakness were made strong… became mighty in war… put foreign armies to flight…

Women received back their dead by resurrection;

A MARATHON of Faith… the race, which once started, must be run to FINISH LINE through faith alone. They didn’t have the testimonies of the WINNERS like we have!

And others experienced mocking and scourging, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned… they were sawn in two… they were tempted… they were put to death with the sword;

They went about in sheepskins… in goatskins… being destitute… afflicted… ill-treated

(Men of whom the world was not worthy) – wandering in deserts and mountains and  caves and holes in the ground

By FAITH… a belief that transcends every should’ve, would’ve, could’ve… an altar upon which every desire, every wish, every HOPE is ready to be sacrificed upon… a foundation so secure that fulfillment of all promises made, is unquestioned! THY WILL will BE DONE! A faith powered and sustained by THE WORD of God!

Are you breathless yet?

All these, having gained approval through their faith, did NOT receive what was promised, BECAUSE God had provided something better FOR US, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)

God planned and peopled this race of faith, so that, THE REST OF US would not be left behind! God did not wish for ANY TO PERISH without a Savior!

Now it’s our turn to RUN OUR RACE of faith…

Line up at the starting line – Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 

Wearing His colors – Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 

Ready to run – laying aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us

The nations are watching – a cloud of witnesses surrounding us

Running with ENDURANCE…

Need a little winning strategy? A little body building? A little practice running?

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road (no endurance generated here). The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away (not much in the way of staying power). And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (endurance yes but ends in discouragement). And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty (race winning, crowd cheering athletic fruit!). (Matthew 13:18-23)

We are Running with the “In” Crowd… 

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Our Marathon of Faith… Back to the Promised Land… Running BACK to God!

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 

We have what it takes!

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

RUN WITH FAITH!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

 

Luke 18:40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 

Have you ever thought about your answer to this question?

Is your answer, “Oh boy, oh boy, Santa Claus is coming to town!”

or…

“I may have only ONE chance as He’s walking by!

Yesterday, in my Journal/Portion/Me & God Time (a little of everything time), this question asked by Jesus came with the power of a KNOCK OUT PUNCH. I’ve been known to whine to Him (and anyone who would pretend to listen) about NOT KNOWING what to pray for, much less KNOWING WHEN to pray. Yesterday I was struck SPEECHLESS!

About time, huh?

I know a little about prayer… ask – seek – knock… I’ve even blogged about the little I know.

This was different! This power punch by Jesus wasn’t just about a “topic of faith”, this was about a face to face, look into my eyes, see into my heart, Holy Spirit led recognition of Jesus speaking directly to me.

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

It’s one thing to read (and form opinions/commentary) about God’s Word and Work in the lives of all His saints, it’s quite another to stand before Him… looking full in His wonderful face… immersed in His eyes looking at you, with true and complete knowledge of every cell of your being, and love that is not blemished by the not so beautiful use of those cells – which is NOT Hidden from His sight.

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

It’s all about the eyes!

I finally realized I am blind!

Not physically but spiritually… “O ye of little faith”… the eyes of my faith see so little I might as well call it BLIND FAITH 

Matthew 17:20 “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you”

Mustard Seed Faith? How can I say to a mountain move if I cannot see the possibility of God-given power and authority answering such an audacious request?

Mountain Moving Words? How can I identify the mountains needing to be moved if I look through worldly eyes of lust/sin?

Trained Up and Warrior Ready? How can I respond with confident and masterful steps if I can only see shadows of the truth and it’s freedom promises?… you shall know the Truth (Jesus) and the Truth (Jesus) shall set you free. (John 8:32) If… you continue in My word…

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Luke 18:41 And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 

I just have one tweak… I want to have YOUR sight, Jesus!

I’ve been trying to regain MY sight… I’ve been imagining the world as I SEE it…   I’ve been asking for MY view to BE the view!

I’m done with it… “Lord I want to see with Your eyes!”

Yesterday I was speechless. Last night in the Throne Room I was changed. The mountain of my worldly eyes, blind with lust and pride of my flesh, has been MOVED!

I’ve been struggling to climb the mountains of need and suffering in this world.

I’ve been bruised and bleeding from tumbling down from lofty places when my declarations of God and His desires are shown to be more about me than about God.

I’ve been defeated and humiliated by the wicked who taunt me with their, “Where’s your God when you need him?”

Move me, Lord, move THIS mountain! I feel like the remnant in Nehemiah…

Nehemiah 1:3 They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”

I survived the captivity… I once was lost but now am found… “For God so loved me and you, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I survived captivity but I am in great distress and reproach… my wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire. I live not as a heaven bound saint (set apart) but as a citizen of this paradise ruled by Satan, trying to mitigate all of his ghastly destruction. Last night, in God’s Throne Room, I was indeed changed… When I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned … before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4)

And God said… “What do you want Me to do for you?”

No more Santa visions of sugar plums dancing in my head… no more rubbing magic lamps of Genie wishes… no more eyes blinded by what the world and my fleshly nature lust for…

… but this kind (this kind of mountain) does not go out (move) except by prayer and fasting… Matthew 17:21

Whatever it takes, Lord… for as long as it takes, Lord…

“Lord, I want to SEE!” 

“Lord, I want to SEE and BE SEEN by You!” 

Yes, I definitely had ANOTHER (so many!) “Come to Jesus Moment”!

Now it’s YOUR turn… Jesus is asking YOU… His eyes of LOVE and TRUTH are upon you!

Face to face, look into my eyes, see into my heart, Holy Spirit led recognition of Jesus, speaking directly to you…

“What do you want Me to do for you?” 

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

Genesis 13:18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, and there he built an altar to the Lord. Have you ever noticed how our ancestors, the men of God built altars all the time… even before the Law was given… it’s what they did at every remarkable life event. They built altars of remembrance and gratitude.

Yesterday was my birthday! MMmpht 66 years old… and I was thinking (still do that occasionally)… I too build altars and I encourage others to build them, both to remember and to offer up sacrifices of praise to our God.

But I was wondering, have I indeed “grown up” as I built those altars of gratitude? Are my altars maturing?

Back in the day, I wondered if I ever would! I wondered if I ever would reach that time in life when I would be given the KEYS to the kingdom. When I would KNOW it all (let me rephrase that  when “THEY” WOULD KNOW that I knew it all). When I would have the RIGHT to declare all I knew as THE TRUTH. When certain people would bow down to my opinion and work to establish my view of the way things are.

Then I met Jesus! And I built an altar in my heart and offered all that I am to Him.

Thirty Five years ago I built that first altar and declared myself His ALL STAR DISCIPLE. Looking at everything from my viewpoint, He CHOSE me… He BOUGHT me… He DRESSED me in His team logo… I just figured He did all that cause He was the best at putting together His team(s).

Then I set out to become an even better player than He began with. I built an altar at every goal I or my mentor(s) set as the path of becoming the best.

Hey! Don’t get uppity with me! I know some of you have been there (maybe still are) too. Back in the day that was the ONE THING to do… become a Jesus Disciple and make Jesus Disciples.

Luke 7:31-32 “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Children want to play… children want to be on stage… children want to play music… children want to sing… and dance.

And God loves His children to do all those things! WITH HIM!

We love to perform FOR Him but we sometimes fail to submit ourselves to His (fully deserved) position in this theater production called “Our Life and Appointed Times”. I built altars at every growth marker. I built altars MY way… for MY use… with MY choice of offerings. And I became an expert builder of MY ALTARS.

But God…

Luke 18:35-39 As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

… showed me I was building BLIND!

Luke 18:40-41 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 

… He gave me a HUNGER to build with His sight!

Luke 18:42-43 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. 

And God began the work of training me up with His eye for beauty – His view of people, places, events, and things – His desires for HIS PEOPLE ON HIS TEAM.

He began His work of Growing Me Up!

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a woman, I did away with childish things. (If the truth be told – I didn’t “do away” with them quickly nor easily. If the truth be told – I sometimes hoarded and hid some of the toys… just in case God wanted me to use them &/or recycle them.)

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. Every birthday (like yesterday) I go back to my childhood altars and “see” if my vision is becoming less dim – if my view is becoming more fully God’s – if my mind is processing His word into pictures I can know fully and be known fully.

Every birthday I am more and more GRATEFUL… yesterday I realized, though I am not yet fully grown, I am more and more grateful and less and less anxious… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I AM GROWING UP…

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

I’m beginning to see what He sees – I’m beginning to want to see what He sees – I’m beginning to build the altars He desires and offer the sacrifices from my “herds” that He chooses.

I realized yesterday that I see less of the negatives of life (mine and other’s) and more of God’s hands/work in each of our lives.

I’m not naive, we live in this FALLEN WORLD. I see sin – my own and my neighbor’s. But… I now know it is not mine to judge but to stand in the gap, like Joseph with his brothers. Genesis 50:18-21 “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Our sins are never meant for “good” even when we try to convince ourselves and others they were/are, but God is GOOD ALL THE TIME, and all the time GOD IS GOOD. Over these last thirty-five years this is the ONE ALTAR I worship God at, and offer ALL that I AM and ALL that I HAVE to Him and Him alone.

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 

Isaiah 55:11-12 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

God is in control and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope

He won’t go by my plans and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL.

I don’t MAKE myself or anyone else a Jesus Disciple and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL.

But this one thing I have grown up to know… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) and you can too!

We can grow up together!

Gotta go…need to build my 2017 altar today… while I’m thinking of it!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

Matthew 23:24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! It’s what we do…

“I’m a good person!”

“I haven’t done anything REALLY bad!”

We slice and dice and make spirals out of the “nuances” that might look like wrongdoing BUT the intention was pure.

We don’t sell our WHOLE soul to the devil, we save some of it for the really important stuff – like the end justifying the means. “I’m SURE God wouldn’t want me to suffer needlessly!”

It’s that darn Law… what we don’t know won’t hurt us… if it weren’t so picky about behavior… OUR behavior to be exact!

“After all… Jesus said… It is finished! It being sin (the gnat) and it’s cost (the camel) called DEATH.” Lucky us… no more worries!

Peek-a-boo… Jesus hears the unspoken words of your mouth and sees the meditations of your heart!

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Jesus didn’t take away the STANDARD (our Creator), He IS the standard of measuring/judging our substance… He paid the DEBT –  the BILL of SALE, due and payable to the master of evil, Satan (our Enemy) –  the immediate consequences of SELLING our fearfully and wonderfully made selves in order to eat of the fruit of LUST and PRIDE.

Jesus WON the victory and stamped the bill PAID IN DULL and now sits at the right hand of the Father, judging the living and the dead, for heaven’s sake.

Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 5:18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

What?! The Law is STILL alive and applicable? But… But… But…

I thought!

You strained out the gnat – I’m free… and swallowed the camel – I can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING my heart desires.

But God… Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

You can(and will) do anything and everything – legalistically  speaking, Jesus paid our legal fees.

But it is our HEARTS that God wishes to change, and that requires the Spirit of the Law. Righteousness is not about following the Law to the letter – it is about allowing the Letter of the Law to write God’s Will and Word upon your heart.

Jesus is/was/will be God’s PERFECT fulfillment to accomplish His plan!

Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I (Jesus) say… everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 

I certainly haven’t (the gnat) murdered anyone recently but just about everyday I might as well have because my anger and bitterness (spoken or unspoken) toward my neighbors and siblings (the camel) is EQUAL TO MURDER!

Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; But I (Jesus) say… that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

I haven’t (the gnat) been physically disloyal to my marriage bed but I have (the camel) more often than not stepped into his position as head of household!

Matthew 5:31-32 “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; But I (Jesus) say… everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

I may not send my husband away (the gnat) but I don’t fully honor the vows (the camel) I freely made, for richer for poorer – in sickness or in health – till death do us part… nope my loyalty and encouragement is dependent upon my insatiable desire to be pleased!

Matthew 5:33-34 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I (Jesus) say… make no oath at all… let your ‘Yes be Yes and your No be No’.

I always MEAN (the gnat) to fulfill my promise but I RARELY MEAN the promises (the camel) I make.

Matthew 5:38-41 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I (Jesus) say… do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 

I’m a giving person (the gnat) but I have my limits (the camel) if you cross me or take advantage of my graciousness!

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I (Jesus) say… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

I certainly love those (the gnat) who make it easy to love them &/or those I HAVE to love, but “WHOA” an enemy (the camel)?!

Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees

Oh, you thought (and have been taught) that Jesus was talking about THOSE people – not YOU!

You thought (and have been taught) that Jesus’ death on the cross produced your license to become God’s holy BRAT!

You thought (and have been taught) that “saved by grace” means your work to become righteous is over!

You/me (the gnat) better get ready… the camels (our way – our plans – our demands) are coming home to roost so to speak.

Jesus gave us the opportunity to become Sons/Daughters… now begins the wrestling, and training, and disciplining that won’t stop until we are at last ready (as spotless on the inside as the Breastplate of Jesus covering us on the outside) to be made immortally perfect just as our heavenly Father is perfect!

 

If left up to us we would be more than satisfied just Straining Out the Gnats… but no… Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

It may not be pretty, and I guarantee it won’t be pleasant (from our viewpoint) as EVERY CAMEL we have swallowed (Come on! I can smell it… Mr/Ms Camel Breath!) in our journey to self – rule will be herded out, the stables cleaned until they are spotless, and our heart pressed down, shaken, full and overflowing with God’s image… THIS IS the complete and everlasting fulfillment of every WORD God spoke into creation.

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God created and made. (Genesis 2:3) God has not changed (He loves His creation). His Word has not changed (He upholds His creation with it). His Will and His desire have not changed (an eternal Sabbath WITH His creation).

For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)

When Jesus said “It is finished.” He wasn’t talking about the Law, He was talking about the His victory over evil. The Law was put into place to protect creation from itself and it’s lust and give knowledge of the battle being waged by the enemy of God.

The Law is not finished nor replaced, it is alive, active, and sharper than ever!

Try as we might we will not be allowed to change it to suit us gnats… it will not return to God void… it will accomplish everything it was/is/will be sent to do in our lives.

“Head ’em on up – move ’em out. Rollin, rollin, rollin, keep them doggies camels moving” Praise God! His Will, WILL BE DONE! On earth as it is in heaven!  

Give us this day our daily bread… No more diet of camels… No more camel breath! Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24) 

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Thayer’s Biblical of Biblical Definitions defines Faith as; 1. conviction of the truth of anything… generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it…

Yes, faith, man’s faith, next to God’s character, is the most spoken of topic of the Bible but that does not mean that it is ONLY a characteristic of “those” religious freaks.

Everyone has “faith” in someone or something. Everyone builds their life on a collection of beliefs and principles which they have processed through their minds and taken to their heart as the foundation upon which all else is rested on. Though some may deny they have FAITH because they think it is strictly a religious term, nonetheless they put their faith in “EVERYTHING BUT GOD”.

Faith is one of the actions of being human. It is the result of thinking, and choosing, and putting into place those things that would cause us to move and act in a certain way.

Faith is the consequence of being made in the image of God… the fruit which comes from FREE WILL – the freedom of choice, the freedom from being totally driven by instinct alone. We choose whom or what we will serve and then put our faith to the task of serving our master(s) well.

I’ll admit, some people are driven by what seems to be uncontrollable and thereby hard to imagine as a choice, however, short of a physical/metaphysical reason, no one can truthfully claim to have NO CHOICE in life, it’s environment, or our response to it.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23) 

We KNOW suffering, and though we cannot control and/or escape what the environment throws at us, we ALL react and respond in some way.

Our reaction, and our response to that reaction, is the catalyst that  DEMANDS we choose “our conviction of TRUTH”. If we refuse to choose (and this too is a choice), we will be tossed to and fro with all kinds of possibilities. We will not be able to sustain OUR world because we have not chosen OUR truth.

But faith isn’t just believing something… faith is believing with a conviction so settled it is WORTHY to build our “house” upon it. Even those who refuse to choose their “truth”, are putting their faith, their conviction in their belief that there are MANY ways to build (and as soon as I discover THE ONE, I plan to build the biggest and best kingdom of all).

My point is… everyone has FAITH! And.. to everyone their faith makes sense! Until… it no longer works!

As long as our belief supports our conviction of the truth we use as the foundation to build upon, we have no need to change our belief  or conviction. What is the support that upholds our faith? I believe it is our sense of happiness, our sense of security, our sense of “all is right with our world”… one could even call it RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Thayer’s Definition: Righteousness… 1. In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God – a. the doctrine concerning the way which man may attain a state approved of God b. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting 2. in a narrower sense: justice or the virtue which gives each his due

State of him/or her who is as he/she ought to be… Justice, or the virtue which gives each his due… the state of (happy, healthy, wise) and the justice – the “what you give is what you get” so to speak.

Back to being made in the image of God… there is a choice – there are results to every choice – but there is also a STANDARD that determines (judges) the rightness of our choice. Just as EVERYONE chooses the object of their faith, so EVERYONE judges the outcome putting that faith into action. I believe the OBJECT we view through our faith becomes the STANDARD by which we judge.

God CHOOSE to “Let us make man in our own image”… the RESULT of which was mankind – creatures above all other creatures. God’s STANDARD was Himself – PERFECT (righteous) in every way.

And it was PARADISE – results without flaw – NO SUFFERING!

This, paradise, was God’s Will for such a beloved creature. He walked with His beloved in the perfect garden He provided. He talked with His beloved and trained His beloved in the ways of being the ruler over creation. He was willing to give His beloved the authority and responsibility of sustaining all He had made. And He gave this beloved creature, his very own partner so that he might have a physical completion to the love and desire to be loved, God placed in his heart. God gave!

So, where does this idea come from that “if God” was real, or loving, or perfect, “He would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” come from? For most of us it comes from a SELECTIVE MEMORY. We selectively remember WHO done/did the deed that CHANGED creation and DEMANDED a judgement and brought RESULTS groaning and suffering to all of creation.

Well, you might ask, WHY didn’t God fix what mankind screwed up? A “good” parent wouldn’t want a child to suffer…???…right???

Not unless the child suffering is the ONLY WAY to save their life!

Sin, apart from simply eating a forbidden fruit, is really about taking our freedom of choice, and using it to choose anything less than The Author and Perfecter of our faith, The Alpha and Omega of all things. The God who Is, and Was, and Is to come!

Isaiah 26:9 At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 

Choosing our own desires (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh & pride of life – Genesis 3) to be the standard upon which we would build our kingdom, demanded, quite frankly, not just punishment but DEATH – wages of sin is death (Roman 6:23). If we were to remain in perfection – Paradise, it would demand our death. If we were allowed to live, perfection would be gone – sin/evil would rule and there was a great possibility we would find the source/the gate to eternity. And then there would be NO HOPE!

And this my friends, might just be the reason God does not take away all of our suffering. Not only does FREE WILL demand a choice freely made, love demands the opportunity to desire to choose it freely… without bribery/threat. When things are going swimmingly, we don’t NEED to assess our choices and we woulds each for a way to make this life forever. It is for our safety and security that we have all every opportunity to change our wicked ways. Suffering, i.e. trials do provide us time to assess our life and the choices we must make.

But God so loved His beloved… Yes, He sent us out of Paradise and put up a barrier to eternity until the price (wages) of sin could be paid, until every one of His beloved would seek Him, and He and we could be (because the universal price of death was paid) brought together in intimacy and fellowship again… this time FOR ETERNITY! Not just Paradise but HEAVEN – God’s Kingdom!

By Faith!!!

Romans 10:9-11 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes , resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For Scriptures says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

More than just a I believe… I BELIEVE with the conviction that I WILL build my life – all that I am and all that I have and all that I do on this assurance of things hoped for!

I KNOW that my conviction of things not seen will be PROVEN (justified) to be the ETERNAL RIGHTNESS.

Justified by FAITH… Are you ready to put your money where your mouth is? Are you ready to put your “conviction of belief” on the table and make the ALL IN  bet for your eternity?

Isaiah 29:13 Then the Lord said, “ this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote

Is your foundation stable? Does it hold your life securely and prove itself to be the right way? Do you take FULL OWNERSHIP of the belief you hold and therefore full ownership of the results of that choice? Are you SURE that the faith you hold, whether it be in yourself, or in other man-made and controlled vehicles of living (science, religion, government), will take you to the place you want to spend your eternity in?

There is a way to be sure! So sure you can bet your ETERNAL LIFE on it! For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Jeremiah 29:13-14 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 

Justified by faith… I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 

The question of the day (seems like everyday!) is… Who or what is to blame for ALL OF THE GARBAGE going on in our world?

The EYES have it… the technical term being GIGO… Garbage In Garbage Out… the things that proceed out of the mouth comes from the heart, and those defile the man. (Matthew 15:18)

What’s in YOUR heart today? Or an even better question… WHO’s in your heart today? Who do you see as the one you DESIRE most to please. Who do you regard as the EXPERT on all things you? Who do you consult when your heart is cracked and your world is less than the perfect world you had in mind? Who do you BLAME when it isn’t? I would venture to guess it would be everyone and anyone EXCEPT yourself and the choices you build your castles on?

If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.

If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 

Consumed by GIGO! Who is to blame for all the garbage?

The truly evil one… our adversary, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:15)?

The people who disagree with “us” (the truly informed ones)… our perceived adversaries, the ones we try to bite and devour? ** Just a note to ourselves and our neighbors on the right and left of us take care that you are not consumed by one another. (Galatians 5:15)

Or do we secretly (and sometimes vocally) blame God… EVEN THOUGH we take every opportunity to kick Him out and keep Him out of our lives – our children’s lives – and our society’s lives.

After all… He didn’t/doesn’t keep us from all pain and suffering… so, what good is He?

Zechariah 7:12-13 They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets;

In this world… in this country… in this society WE (every one of us) have built, there is a SOP (standard operating procedure) of setting our hearts like flint! 

Right or wrong, whatever I choose to build my life on, I will stake my heart, my mind, and my soul on it. I will NEVER admit WRONG or wrongdoing, NEVER change my choice and NEVER let you see my fear of the end of all things self!

There is indeed an end! We see – we choose – we act!  Then comes the results!

And after the results (the fruit of our labor)… the end we fear the most… comes JUDGEMENT! (Please let me be the judge, jury and executioner!)

Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

I wanted good things – good times – good results… I worked hard for good things – good times – good results… I believed it was all good!

Operative word here is I… I wanted. I worked. I believed.

Now add billions of I’s together and see who is in control of the definition of “good”.

THIS does NOT MAKE ME HAPPY! “Fault Finder, find the guilty bearer of fault for all our UN-HAPPINESS and we will GO TO WAR! I will fight to the death (preferably your death… just saying) for our RIGHT to HAPPINESS!”

James 4:1-3 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. 

Can we talk? Laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25) We only have ourselves to blame for what we allow to fill our hearts!

Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

GIGO input… insatiable pleasure, lust, envy. GIGO output… war, murder, fights and quarrels.

Or…

TIFO input… God’s word, following Jesus. TIFO output… knowing and being freed by the truth.

You do the math and choose!

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Who’s to blame for our garbage? The one who CHOOSES the treasure!

Me, you, we, choose what to fill our lives (our treasure chest) with… the only thing we have to give is from that treasure chest.

Satan offers, from his treasure chest of evil, pure hatred.

God offers, from His treasure chest of perfect goodness, pure love!

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) He won’t always give us HAPPINESS but He will always give us HIMSELF!

GIGO… You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:2-3)

TIFO… His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105)

Whether you believe in Him or not, whether you agree with Him or not, whether you trust Him or not, the truth is… He IS, WAS, and always WILL BE!

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

Philippians 2:10-11 at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Are you as tired of hearing about it… talking about it… thinking about it… as I am?

IT – the SILENT protest that proclaims the “goodness of the hearts” just trying to “speak” for the little guy – the victimized – the poor and fragile who are at the mercy of ????…

Everyone knows – No, EVERYONE believes they know what the ???? is.

Not that each and everyone taking a knee has been asked to explain &/or confirm their personal motive… BUT… even if we don’t REALLY know the motive, we, who won’t give away our loyalty to just anyone,  are the MEAN – STUPID – UNCARING – IDIOTS who won’t join in unity and TAKE A KNEE in solidarity with so and so, in order to show this other so and so what they can or can’t do. Because… because… well, because WE SAID SO! You know… we… the ones who FOLLOW THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE who lead us in the right way.

Are you tired of IT yet?

Yes, I am tired of it too and I GROANED when Take a Knee, People, were the words I heard as I sat down to write this Wednesday Website Blog! I wrestled with the Holy Spirit to “Take THIS cup from me”… but then He said…

Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:  

For me, there is only ONE ANSWER… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

So… here I groan go…

Whenever I am faced with understanding (or trying to understand) something, I TRY to identify the who, what when where, how and why.  I TRY to understand the facts and put the passionate opinions (mine included) to the side… for at least a moment!

Who… for me it is almost always about (I know – it should be ALWAYS) God and His kingdom… But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)… my knee will ONLY bow to Him – whether in prayer or in worship – He… my LORD and my GOD… will be the one I SPEAK my needs/wishes/hopes/dreams/concerns… with all due respect (NEVER in protest) because, quite frankly, I have learned that my temper tantrums just really don’t work out well.

Who was the focus of this weekend’s Knee Game? I don’t know, and lest I try to take a splinter out with a log in my own eye (Matthew 7:5), I will have to suffer a 5 yard penalty away from the kneeling crowd. I know what the media said was the reason for the season of hate toward our country…INJUSTICE! But I do not know WHO each person was focusing their judgement of accountability and responsibility onto. WHO are they trying to convince &/or impress? Before I can kneel beside them (each and every one of them) I must know if I can be part of their social justice army. WHO are they blaming and WHO are they mad at? WHO isn’t giving them the desires of their heart?

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. 

Which brings us to… What…

Admittedly, as protests go, SILENT is always better for parental (or whoever is in authority) sanity. Asking for a change of mind, isn’t wrong. Seeking a more congenial plan of action, will insure the buy-in of at least some of the ones who will be doing the major portion of the work to accomplish. Knocking on the doors of all the doers and shakers and benefit takers, is indeed the path of unity which will most times lead to the greatest harvest for good.

But… you KNEW there would be a BUT!

Luke 11:9-10 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 

We go back to the WHO… in all these protesters, WHO decides WHAT needs to be done and WHO needs to do it? Before I can join my voice knees in partnership, I have to know WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE! Because, if we are not, you… or I… or even those we care so much about… will not be satisfied with the product of our partnership! We could be demanding cake made from our own personal recipe (Let them eat cake!) when what they REALLY WANTED… what they REALLY NEEDED was… the ability and tools and the partnership to make and eat their own cake.

How… On camera and in makeup… Quiet on the set! Take #It’s been done so many times before!… ACTION…

Yeah, this provided hunger filling – need satisfying – hugging love to the needy in our midst (who probably weren’t watching and didn’t know it was given) cake, with icing and all the bling we could throw onto it.

Matthew 25:37-39 ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 

Good Question… Well, I talked about it! I demanded someone to do it! I threatened the slaves when they didn’t do as I commanded! … ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ (Matthew 25:41-43)

But Lord… when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 

Interestingly, BOTH the one’s who actively pursued DOING and the one’s who elegantly bragged about doing but NEVER DID, ask the same question.

I bet you can guess WHICH side I want to take a knee with!

Actually, the when where, how and why are all answered in the question and answer above.

Wit just one caveat…

Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 

On camera, with millions watching, seem like the perfect audience… the most arms at one time one can twist… a gold mine of possibilities!

Maybe not… “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; (Matthew 6:19-20) Those Monday morning quarter backs will always be available with plenty of moths and rust to spoil the party!

I’m just not that into taking a knee for the purpose of building an earthly treasury of sparkly would’ve, should’ve, could’ve, if only you would give me – give me – give me.

I like Tim Tebow’s purpose for taking a knee so much more (just a reminder that the same press that had orgasmic passion for this protest, hated him and his Knee Day)… Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Note to Tim… “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

Ok… THAT was crossing the line, Mary!

Just so you know… I won’t be joining the protest because I “suspect” the protesters and I aren’t on the SAME KNEE.

My God supplies all my needs! If I am unhappy with my lot in life, or suffering with underserved toil and trouble, there is only One I can go to about that issue. There is only One I can “blame” for my wishes going unfulfilled. There is only One I can turn to or turn away from, who has my LIFE (eternal life) in His hands.

There is ONLY ONE Who love me and will wrestle the devil out of me!

This earthly life is but a moment – here today and gone tomorrow. ABSOLUTELY I am called to participate in this life and participate WELL. But I do not seek to make this life perfect…(Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.) I seek God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness and I proclaim His good news of great joy to the captives, all the while rejoicing that I have THIS DAY, He has made for me to SPREAD THE NEWS with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with and my whole mind and with my whole body…

Philippians 2:13 It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure! 

Take a Knee, People!

Our future is on the way… at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I beg you… Take a Knee… Let’s do it together!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Rarefied Air for sure!

I first heard the term “Rarefied Air”while working in the corporate world. It was “Best Practices”, used to encourage “your people” to , think higher, strive higher, shoot for the stars, be above the average worker, live in the lofty places from which one can rule the world.

Yep… PRIDE! Along with lust of the flesh (for the VERY BEST) and the lust of the eyes (to have and hold the MOST of EVERYTHING). Pride (the CORE of our sin nature), is the tool we can depend on to instill the desire which will guarantee many hours of the biggest bang for the corporate bucks spent on slavery labor. 

My boss knew not everyone could or should attain such a throne of success, but he knew most of our eyes would light up at just being “invited” to party (the party he spent his life living in) where the cheese (becoming his very best friend) in the corporate mouse trap might just be “awarded” to… ??? me??? little “ol me???

I confess, back in the day, I bought into it.

There is no excuse… I was a born again Christian… yet I was living as the same heathen I was before Christ. It was so easy, in those newborn days, to revert back to the sin that so easily claimed me. It’s only taken 30 plus years to BEGIN to acknowledge I am a SINNER by nature. Thirty plus years to understand that being saved by grace does NOT give me license to pursue my lust of my eyes, my lust of my flesh, and my pride of my life. God did not save me in order to give me MY WAY!

Yet, “MY” way aptly labels (defines) mankind’s pursuit of his own rarefied sense of himself (the air surrounding him/her) Isaiah 14:13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 

The Dictionary (Dictionary.com) App on my computer, defines rarefied air as (1) extremely high or elevated; lofty; exalted: the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium or (2) of, belonging to, or appealing to an exclusive group; select; esoteric: rarefied tastes… just one question… WHO rarefies the air?… the dictionary does not specify!

Who, INDEED! I have discovered, after thirty plus years, man’s “Rarefied Air” really is an altar (where some of us pray and offer sacrifices) to the god of success. And the god who sits upon this altar???… the sinful nature of (wait for it)… man!

Psalm 2:4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 

It is good that our God of gods… our ONE TRUE GOD… Who sits in the TRUE rarefied air…(The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19) has a merciful and loving sense of humor and doesn’t wish for ANY to perish. 

However, I find it very hard to laugh at myself and all of my fellow rarefied air pursuers, now that I know how foolish our wasted YEARS of pursuit have been. Foolish and dangerous!

But God…

Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Please don’t think I am judging my former boss… he was no more foolish than I and much more successful in the use of the corporate toys for building an earthly kingdom. I desired to build, I just didn’t have skills necessary. For many years I have been jealous of those who wield the hammer to the nail with power and authority, but age brings wisdom and I now see as Ecclesiastes says, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

I just discovered the TRUTH as I pray all of us eventually will!

From the moment God said, “Let Us make man in our image” until the time He formed us from the dust from the ground and breathed into our nostrils the breath of life 

EVERY ONE OF US has within us the MOST RAREFIED of air!

The BREATH OF GOD!

And if You believe in your heart and confess with you mouth, your faith in Jesus… you SIT in the highest of the rarefied air! …Seated with Him in the heavenly places 

You have been made by the Holy Spirit… the RAREST of RAREFIED… and given life by His breath.

Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 

FINALLY… I get it!

No longer do I jealously wish for the corporate success, nor do I immaturely abide in man’s version of prideful boasting of living a “rarefied life”… “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

I LONG to DELIGHT my Lord!

I long for breathing His Rarefied Air in His ETERNAL delight…

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

Rarefied Air!… INDEED!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible

 

 

 

In the Beginning… What was…

Titus 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

What is…

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

What will be…

so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

In the beginning, we once were not a people; you had not received mercy

But now… you are the people of God; you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9 you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

It isn’t a fairy tale with wicked stepmothers, or godmothers, or genies in bottles, or princes sent to save… though is about the God of gods – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Who wishes for NONE to perish.

It isn’t a novel with fictional heroes, villains and  damsels in distress… though it is the story of a creature fearfully and wonderfully made – it is my story and your story!

It is a love story… the greatest love story – for God so loved story.

It is the story of good news of great joy… our Messiah has come.

It is the never-ending story… our debt has been paid.

It is the story of our future – eternal life.

It is the story of our beginning.

From the birth of our world, when God spoke into being all things and everything we could ever imagine with the added blessings of CHANGE and SUSTAINING power to provide an earthly habitat until we, each individual, meet – greet – and give ourselves to His Way, His Truth, and His Life.

God’s Story, written from His heart to our heart.

The Bible… What was – What Is – What Is to Come.

Not to be read just once, but over and over to discover His Way… the BEST way. Not to be memorized and pulled out for a game of trivia, but to fill ourselves with – press down – shaking – and overflowing our minds and souls and hearts with every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 

It is history… it is a documentary… it is prophecy… it is a complete concordance of best practices… it is a love letter… it is an autobiography… it is God’s last will and testament – NOT because He is dead but because He does NOT CHANGE and therefore His promises and the inheritance He has given, is – was – and always will be the ONLY ONE for eternity.

I/We can only imagine His Kingdom coming… but it is not changed by my/our imagination. It is in our best interest to understand that, though we inherit the kingdom as His children and His heirs, we do not have the power nor authority to make it our own creation. His kingdom will not be changed… WE WILL BE CHANGED!

Philippians 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

It is time to begin “What Will Be”our story… time to start BEING CHANGED!

1 Peter 1:8-9 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 

I/We can’t do it for ourselves… in the beginning I THOUGHT I coulda – woulda – shoulda… only to end up in the never-ending spin cycle of want to – plan to – meant to.

But God!

Telling us in His Word, the who’s, why’s, where, when, what, and the hows, of the changes necessary and the position (on the altar like Isaac – Genesis 22:1-14) I must put myself in. Showing us His mercy (by paying our debt, Himself – John 3:16). Making sure we can NEVER be separated from Him again (Romans 8:38-39)

In the beginning I WAS lost… NOW am found… and WILL BE with Him forever more!

Therefor… in the here and now… I will seek Him and He will be found… Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

In the here and now… For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I cannot get to the future and hope He has for me, by myself. But this one thing I/we can do… this one thing I/we will do… this one thing I/we MUST do!

Let’s DO IT… Let’s make it the BEST STORY ever told… Search us, O God, and know our heart; try us and know our anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in us, and lead us in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24)

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible