Reflection of Purpose

Welcome my fellow sojourners! Welcome back to the garden of life. I hope you’ve had an interesting and “exciting” past few months as I have thus far in 2024 – uncovering ‘why is it that most of us fall short along this earthly journey’. Where is the disconnect happening as we analyze Godly perspective in comparison to this worlds viewpoint?

Long story short, we are relational creatures. We are all invited into the heavenly Kingdom, (God’s family), to get to “know” our Maker practically, “so that the manifold (visible) wisdom of Divinity might be known to the invisible rulers and powers of earth realm” through You and Me my friend! {Ephesians 3:10-11}. This takes place via His Promises that RICHLY dwell in our heart, for what purpose?.. for ministering to one another. THIS IS the fellowship of Holy Spirit – Who reminds us all things, teaching us ALL things, searching even unto the depths of God’s own heart.

Our invitation is to intentionally posture ourselves daily extending mercies towards our fellow men,consciously choosing to be unoffendable when other humans hurt us (as they act out as undisciplined children). This “demonstration” of Agape love takes place when we stay focused on His Truth, the Divine Empowerment, daily praising and lifting up His name. This is Grace.

 

Warfare Principles

Truly, our earthly walk is a spiritual skirmish, yet God equips us with appropriate spiritual arsenal so that we may be trained and established in the proficient utilization of those weapons, gaining territory as we march in a rhythm of obedience; all the while remaining connected to and under command of the Leader, the head of the church body (the ecclesia). Therefore don’t stop short, revive your hope, and endure till the very end! Keep showing up until those giants are gone!

For in Hebrews 11:30 we read that is it “by Faith the walls of Jericho fell down”. So speak the Word against that oppression, speak against that spirit of division, speak against those walls and obstacles which you face. The living sword of the spirit is when the Bible that’s within me makes its way out – through my mouth! Yes, God still works miracles today, though frequently we are invited to “participate” along the journey (process) to experience true victorious living.

 

Humility = Foundation

In January, we’ve examined how Resolution is a decision or an expression of opinion vs Foundation being of architectural nature: the laying of groundwork or forming the bedrock to that which gives rise or a support. Foundation therefore being the definition of sturdiness itself. The question was asked: ”Am I building my life on the right foundation?”

James reminds us: “God gives grace to the willing & humble. Yell a loud “NO” to the devil and Quit dabbling in selfish carnal desires (gravitational pull of sin). Purify your inner life/man. Bend the knee for it’s the Only Way to stand up firm on your feet (as you walk).” – James 4:6-10.

Each of us needs a guide, an architectural plan mapping out the correct perspective on what really matters in this lifetime on earth. We need a helper assisting us to make the best choices that Last a lifetime via reprograming our mindsets (repenting) from our old carnal reasoning (our natural human perspectives and tendencies) to a New way of soundness (putting our hope in Jesus) trusting Holy Spirit to shape us into our Creator’s original intent.

 

Power of Transfiguration

Repentance (new mindset) therefore is the bedrock of a new lifestyle, a daily commitment to being a faithful lover, obeying as the Spirit of God leads and influences us through the process called sanctification. Sanctification thus is a lifelong vow, a journey of transfiguration. We are to simply turn away from the unhealthy thoughts and attitudes and turn towards something eternal. Turn away from Worldly sorrow, (feeling sorry for ourselves when we’re challenged, critiqued, or caught red handed) since worldly sorrow has no true power to deliver or transform you as a divine being that you are.

Godly sorrow, however,  is where we are able to see ourselves from the true perspective, becoming willing to do whatever it takes to experience an actual alteration of lifestyle, following Holy Ghost’s conviction and leadership. This is truly a gift from God! This is also a “relationship”, for God’s actual love language is our obedience, which is what truly gets Him all fired up!

 

Eternal Intimacy

It is how we relate to Him: “Jesus is Lord”, therefore we pledge to follow and obey. It’s far more relational than we conceive; a mystery that is equated to the union of a husband and wife who exchanged vows, ultimately committing to a covenant which expresses, “I choose You above all others, forever.” This is the eternal foundation of a true everlasting relationship. 

We won’t be perfect as human beings, but we trust in our exclusive promise to put each other first for the rest of our lives, with one goal in heart and mind: to grow in consideration and faithfulness of each another for the rest of their lives.

Our daily “yes” to our Partner is how we grow in our ability to demonstrate a life of holiness and commitment, a genuinely devoted lifestyle. He doesn’t expect us to reciprocate in our performance – but He does expect faithfulness in our hearts! Truth be told, humanity has an obedience/faithfulness issue, which is actually a love problem –  for we’ve lost our way by giving over our hearts to something else. As James states, we’ve become “Adulterous people, cheating on God, wanting it our own way, flirting with the world every chance we get, thus ending up as enemies of God and His way!”

 

Abundant Living

But God calls us back to an Eternal Life of relationship. A life of quality for which we were originally created to experience. Built on the foundation of  Epignosis, which is knowing our creator practically, being aware of our lover.

By God’s grace this foundation is laid; the one and only, true foundation. A wise person thus builds on Jesus Christ, putting words and lessons into actual practice of life, hence building his house on solid rockwhere nothing can dislodge that house. A solid foundational Cornerstone, which sets the alignment of the entire structure. It’s based on a relationship with Jesus as the foundation for life, so that we may never be terrified or anxious. Therefore we place our faith in Christ.

“ We Need Something Eternal To Place Our Trust In & Build Our Lives Upon. “

 

Inner Life

Faith needs friends, hence we rub shoulders with family and community – “iron against iron”. Germination needs time and a process to flourish. Sharing by pouring into the lives of other humans is indeed a painful process as they will let you down and constantly hurt you! But discipleship harvest results in a tremendous impact: when an apprentice develops into a master.

At the end of the day though, the real crises we face is within ourselves. So, focus on your inner peace first, wrap your façade in your cloak and wait upon the Lord at the entrance of the cave. Stand at your guard post. Maturity in the body of Christ is experiencing the fullness of the completed work of Jesus on the cross, which is the only way to lead the next generations into eternal completeness, manifesting it here on earth today, as it is in heaven!

 

Counselor

In John 14, verses 26-27 we read: “But the Helper (Counselor), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My place, to represent Me, will teach you all things. He will help you remember everything that I have told you. Peace I leave with you. My perfect peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Therefore, do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.”

Jesus offers healing to His bewildered disciples not through a miraculous spectacle, but through pointed questions. We all believe that what we want is a predictable, wand-waving, miracle-working God. A God who heals through prescriptions, like a doctor. But in resurrection, we’re offered healing of another sort. Jesus calls the Spirit ‘Helper’, also translated as a ‘Counsellor’. A counsellor is one who brings healing by asking certain deep questions. Pointed questions which uncover my deepest pain, thus making deepest healing possible. All the more we grow in trust (intimacy), the more depth of healing we experience. But the more often we jump off that cross, the more we rot away and perish.

 

Entanglement

Why is it though that we jump off the cross and throw down the very tool we’re charged to pick up as we follow Christ? What actually takes place in our soul and emotional world that overtakes our beliefs and the pure desires to live-out righteous, holistic lives? What in the world do we become entangled with that ensnares and weighs us down with every step?

How does my heart become so callused, bitter, broken, and essentially closed off to true life? Deep within I yearn and moan with every ounce of my being, desiring to walk and communicate responsibly, ethically, and impactfully. Yet with every turn it seems that I stumble again and again. Am I the only one friend? Do you hear the voice of your spirit crying out to your soul to wake up? Read with me a passage from 2 Timothy 2:4-7:

“No soldier in active service gets entangled in the ordinary affairs of civilian life; he avoids them so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. And if anyone competes as an athlete in competitive games, he is not crowned with victory unless he competes according to the rules of the game. Just the same, a hard-working farmer who labors to produce crops ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 

 

Goal = Reward

Paul then continues to invite Timothy to “Think over the things I am saying, for the Lord will grant you the insight and understanding in everything.” Let us consider together friends. Stay with me here for a few more minutes. There are a few items at play here, all of which are intertwined as one main theme.

In the few verses mentioned above, we are presented with a comparison of 3 various figures or participations of lifestyles. Each uniquely different, yet all have the same goal = a reward or a harvest to look forward to. Paul very specifically highlights that fact. Each of us just as much has a desire to achieve a prize or possession for our efforts, especially when we press into the journey of co-laboring with our Lord through deeper intimacy.

There is no secret here, for thus humanity lives: you work, hence you get paid in wages of monies, food, shelter, etc. You maintain your relationships and you get a byproduct of great collaboration with coworkers, friends, and love from close ones. That is simply the message of verses 4-7. Now, let’s backup a few verses to understand the context, vs 1-3:

 

Doctrine of Treasure

“So you, my son, be strong and constantly empowered in the Grace that is found only in Christ Jesus. The doctrine (teachings of the gospel) which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others. Take with me your share of hardship, passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 

Now let’s weave it all together. In vs 1-3 we see Paul instructing Timothy essentially to be strong in the grace of Christ – grace meaning the power or ability that enables us to walk out our purposes in full capability and capacity as we were predestined to. This comes to us through the doctrine of the true gospel message, which we are diving deep into here. This message is the ultimate treasure that is for everyone to receive, yet we clearly see that not everyone is able to pass this treasure along onto others in its purest form. Paul instructs Timothy to entrust this treasure “to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others”.

What does this mean? Let’s simplify. Who all loves math? Ready for some equations to crunch? Just kidding. Friends, here is the simple truth of this entire journey that you and I are called to walk. It comes down to living a worthy lifestyle. Reflecting the true doctrine (the treasure) in its purest form = a lifestyle of holiness, a lifestyle as a disciple, a lifestyle as an apprentice.

 

Discipleship = Apprentice

Huh? Disciple? Apprentice? Treasure? Come on man, spill the beans already. Dear one, remember thy wonderful days at school. Aren’t you craving to go back to those days? Of course, if you’re like most of us, your answer is “No!”. I don’t blame you. But I am attempting to help paint a picture of comparison. Teacher. Student.

Teachers teach. They supply the students with information, which the student soaks up, then continues in his or her lifestyle, and who knows whether or not that information was transformational or not (and all parents say “I hope so!”). Isn’t that why we send our kids to school? To learn. Why of course you say. Absolutely, and you’re correct in that.

Then, something interesting takes place. Children turn into adults. Many adults go into deeper specific fields of training in pursuit of mastering a specific vocation, whether it be in a medical, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or law sphere. There are many others, yes. The point is that these “trade schools” are very intentional about how they present the education. There is plenty of “informational knowledge”, most definitely.

Yet they take it a step further and the ‘student’ has to come alongside a more experienced “technician, or master” – thus becoming what’s commonly known as an “apprentice”, an intern. Someone who shadows the master while the master oversees their “practices”, always correcting, adjusting, and offering counsel and wise feedback to help the apprentice perfect their skills. This relationship goes on for a certain number of hours and years before one can achieve a “Masters” certificate.

 

 

The Cross

Now I hope you’ve got a clear picture of what we’re talking about here. You and I are called to be as our “Master and Lord, Christ Jesus”, essentially taking up our cross and following Him. Follow means to imitate. We follow with commitment. We follow while obeying the rules. We follow with dedication, looking to the goal, recognizing whatever snares of life we have and one by one shaking them off. “Shake the dust off your feet” says Jesus. Day by day we follow, step by step we submit, we obey; we reflect our master’s every move. We imitate and become a replica. He is head, we respond as a body (to the heads instructions/leadership).

Essentially – we mature and thus reflect the “oneness of a marriage union”, so that together with Paul we can echo:

“It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me..”

“For through the written Law (preached religion) I died to it and its demands on me [because salvation is provided through the death and resurrection of Christ], so that I might now live onto God. I have been co-crucified with Christ, therefore it is no longer I who live (through my body vessel), but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body (in obedience) I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”– Galatians 2:19-20

 

Relationship

The hardest step for any human is to choose to get in the game. Typically, once in the game there are many who “fall out”, and in bitterness, from pain and suffering, from undealt with emotions and mindsets (strongholds) shout that the whole faith journey or belief lifestyle is not for them. These brothers and sisters have not yet come to the realization of true Grace, the power which gives them the ability to perseverethrough any circumstance and collect their reward. Our prayers extend towards them, for truly God keeps His own and He is faithful to the end.

Once in the game though, there are a number of other folks who have a deeper sense of meaning and understanding of the words “commitment, covenant, union, oneness, devotion”. They don’t fully grasp it all but they persist. They get back up when they stumble and try again, and again, and again. They don’t believe in giving up or breaking a covenant. They keep searching, seeking, knocking. They get back in the ring for more training and discipline. They surround themselves with wiser and older counsel. They plug into more groups and start serving in church, all amidst other broken humans, who quiet often keep lashing out at them. Why in the world do they press in? Why keep fighting the majority? Why keep going through all that noise? What do they see? What is the joy set before them?

Friends – the joy is eternity. The joy is the reward of family! Not just the reward in heaven one day someday, but “behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35. People get married to have a family. God created us in His image for that very same reason (which is why we keep multiplying). Dear one, the call is for us to step up our game and realize that we are here to serve our family – our brother and our sister – our neighbor and the nations.

 

Family

A true disciple is one Christ follower helping another to take their next step. Just as Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go therefore and make disciples (apprentices) of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

So therefore we follow as replicas of Christ, aka: Christians. This is a true Christian. The one who daily serves others, and all we really need is a willingness to keep taking steps in our own individual walk with Christ, along with a true desire to help others take the same steps of faith in pursuit of their savior and lover, no matter how many times we all trip.

This union with Christ produces other family members, spiritual children – brothers and sisters who are all on the same path, searching life for its meaning and purpose. We’ve just covered all this, for indeed true happiness is being in union with the family and with our true lover of our souls!

 

Blueprint

Gentlemen, the gameplan remains the same. Ladies, the blueprint and strategy is the unchanged for us all. The goal of Christian Faith is to make disciples who make other disciples, thus growing the family and spreading the Heavenly, Divine Kingdom throughout the entirety of earth.

I charge you all, and especially men – I charge thee: keep showing up! Be faithful. Be relentless in your pursuit of the Lord. Stop pursuing your wife. Yes, you read that correctly. Allow me to clarify: never stop loving her and most definitely lay your life down for her (your fleshly, carnal nature) and serve her daily. But do not allow your desire for earthly affection to overcome your divine nature and destiny to become ONE with your true lover! This is the only true and proven way that our women will therefor reflect our walk and become one with us, just as much as we desire to become one with them and earn their respect.

Think of how much more Christ is pursuing your heart and mine?! Yet He obeyed the Father first, even unto the death of the cross, and encouraged us saying “Remember continuously that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” – John 15:20

 

Yoke

Take heart brother, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple/apprentice], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find true Rest for your souls.” Your influence will create trust (and restore any lost trust from stolen years). Your influence is also a growing responsibility before God the Father.

Remember, we aren’t drawing anyone to ourselves. We lead them deeper and deeper into intimacy with Jesus, and we do that by demonstrating – not by speaking only, as James so wisely informs us: “Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his good deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom” – James 3:13

Jesus has given us a promise to be with us till the very end. This is truly a co-mission. He commissioned us to go make disciples, and that takes guts, sweat, and blood – getting into the ring, rolling up our sleeves, and getting to work first. First and foremost on ourselves: perform that inner work. Allow Holy Spirit, the Counselor to dig deep within you. Process those emotions and mindsets as David did, before the Lord. Open up your heart and let that pain out before His feet. Cast your burden upon Christ and take His yoke. Yoke means it’s a partnership. Allow Christ to support you, but you just as well will have to walk alongside, keeping the course.

 

Pleasure?

Keep taking necessary steps dear one, you can never outgrow, there’s always room for greater blessing and favor. Jesus challenged us to do greater works than He did. The Kingdom HAS to show through us! Don’t tie yourself with worldly affairs, mindsets, or pleasures. The fruit of it is bitter and the end is death:

“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” – Proverbs 5:3-6

This isn’t just talking about worldly prostitutes. Dear brother, dear sister – this is a worldly example written for our carnal minds to grasp, speaking about the end result of having an affair with the world death system, its pleasures and pursuit of happiness in mammon, in temporarily reliefs of numbing agents (whether intake or output). Die to that carnal self. Die to desires (lusts) that keep us attached to earthly pleasures and entertainments.

Cut off that hand, pluck out that eye. Search for that lost coin, find that treasure in the field! That is true pleasure, as John writes “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my spiritual children are living out their lives in the Truth.” – 3 John 4

 

Every battle that we face in life will be over God’s word

Responsibility, Authority, Power

Humanity as a race is in a battle. Every battle that we face in life will be over God’s word. You see, in the Garden of Eden, God drew a boundary around the tree, and the enemy challenged the woman (our emotions, our weaker self) to violate that boundary. To listen to the lower desires of our flesh instead of being one with Adam AND Christ. You see, Eve gave to Adam (our thoughts, logic) and he ate too! Adam wasn’t carrying out his God given responsibility but succumbed to his wife’s offer (his emotional state). He didn’t present it to God (our Savior, the higher thought, the born again and awakened spirit) but rather he reasoned his way through his emotions and fell short of the target of obedience, he sinned.

We see man’s adversary first described as the most cunning of all creatures, and he straightforwardly demonstrates his heart – he’s a boundary violator. He twisted facts and causes mankind to doubt, to reason without higher guidance, to be led astray. Thus we can take notice that the enemy indeed initially had power, but he lacked authority. Adam could have resisted that power because he still carried authority from God Himself over all creation. But once Adam and Eve bit into the lie, they handed over the authorityto the enemy, to satan, the accuser of man (which is the flesh or carnal nature).

After the “fall of mankind” we see a common pattern throughout all history and even today. We wear ourselves out by doing what’s not meant for us to do and thus we wear others out by making them do what’s not their job to execute either. Man tries to exercise his power and authority upon women, without realizing his responsibility first (to lay your life down and love her). Women hence reflect that broken presentation before their eyes and replicate the man (emotionally swayed, disrespecting their husbands, over-ruling) blaming others and acting out in fear instead of pressing into the heart of their head (husband), and together pressing into the Lord.

 

Image of Divinity

We don’t know any better because we truly don’t press into Christ as into our true lover. We have been badly bruised and abused by those closest to us who were supposed to love, protect, and flourish us, therefor we are afraid of trusting Jesus as our true lover. We were hurt through humanity, so we project those pains unto God. That deep unprocessed pain prevents us from pressing deeper into him as it eats into our souls, causing physical sickness, deformations, and essentially death. We face family challenges. We fear of falling short again or being blamed or guilt-tripped again. Or we like the “customizable Jesus” where we pick and choose what we want to believe and adhere to (tickling of our ears) and reject the fullness and holistic Gospel.

Here’s the reality though – it truly does take a faith step, everyday! He give us grace, yes and amen, thank you for Grace Lord! Yet it still requires us to take daily steps, step by step, one day at a time. You got hurt? So did I. You were rejected? So was I. Right now you may be thinking “you don’t understand my pain, I went through so much abuse, so much abandonment, so much…” SO DID I says the Lord! I went through the worst of all humanity, I was marred so much my own mother didn’t recognize me!

Jesus therefore came to earth through a different source than Adam. Adam was created “in the image of God” whereas Jesus WAS “the express image of God”! He still is friend. He was that perfect lamb of God that was sacrificed and eaten by the Israelites during the time of Passover, when the Angel of death swept through Egypt killing ALL the firstborns who did not have the mark of the lamb’s blood on the entry posts and beam. This blood represented our freedom from the brokenness of Egypt (this world system).

 

Lamb of God

That lamb had to be slaughtered. Isaiah 53:3 describes it as:

“But He was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions (rebellion),
He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing];
The required punishment [for humanity] for our well-being (shalom, peace) fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed (made whole, alive).

He bore our wounds for our transgressions. His hands and feet (this is what we do life with and walk on) were pierced for our rebellion. He was crushed for our wicked lifestyles. Our punishment fell on Him.

13 lashes (stripes) across each shoulder muscle, and final 13 down the spine (39 total for even the cruel Romans of that day believed that 40 would kill someone). Each lash in sets of 3 to cover healing in all 3 realms of existence. With both torn shoulders and back muscles and not being able to stand any longer on the cross, His ribcage was crushed for our iniquities, (how we feel internally) for His body flowed both blood and water (a medical sign of a broken/ruptured heart).

Punished with immense migraine from the thorns on His head, (for our corruptible thoughts and vain imaginations) through which we now obtain peace of mind. We are healed by His stripes so that we could be saved holistically in all realms of existence!

 

Scars of Love

God truly demonstrated inexplicable love for the lost human race (who fell into deep soul sleep) by enduring this sacrifice for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

The scars or wounds on Christ’s glorified body will remain throughout eternity to testify to the Creator’s infinite love for humanity. “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends” – Zechariah 13:6

Friends, let us keep sharing the lamb with one another: Exodus 12:4. Father God says “My house will be filled” Luke 14:23. Lift up thine eyes, pull yourself out of that pity party via the Grace that’s feely given to us, but what cost Jesus everything – His entire life!

 

Maturity of Spirit

Physical growth depends on time. Spiritual growth, however,  doesn’t depend on time, nor does it depend on knowledge (gnosis, theoretical). That is why the Pharisees could quote the Torah yet failed to recognize Christ in front of their very own eyes. We see the same thing happening today with religiosity who can quote written text yet fail to demonstrate love (which is why our women cannot respect us men, might I add).

Spiritual growth is a function of and limited to suffering (spiritual discipline or training is a more accurate expression) as we read in 1 Peter  4:1 “whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] has ceased from sin [having stopped pleasing the world and our flesh-man],”. Ceasing or abstaining from sin is an expression of spiritual maturity.

“Though He was a son, yet He learned obedience through suffering” says Hebrews 5:8. We continue to grow spiritually as we obey and learn while in the midst of trials, thus growing stronger as we submit to Gods wisdom (Truth). It’s important to note that the word “suffering” has to be understood properly. The suffering occurs for the flesh man (as the old man ‘Adam’ doesn’t want to die), however, in a truer aspect – it is “discipline or training” for our soul and spirit, such as for an athlete or another profession as we will discuss below.

 

Relentless in Heart

Joseph had to relentlessly resist (suffer) all kinds of reasonings, arguments, thoughts, and imaginations that exalted themselves against God. He was mistreated by family, sexually harassed, mistreated by his masters and so called friends. He had to remain firm in his belief of God’s promises. The question arises: when God sends us other people who get blessed by us, can we at that time still proclaim the faithfulness of God when we seemingly do not see one shred of God’s faithfulness in our own life yet? We get dreams and prophetic words of leadership and honor, yet nothing came to existence yet! Where do I choose to stand? “We walk by faith, not by sight, for God IS faithful to his promises”.

But what about what I feel? Or better yet – what I don’t feel for my wife? ..my husband? ..my fellow neighbor? Let me pose a question – if I feel sadness, does that make me a “sad being”? How about another perspective – if I practice law, I am referred to as a “lawyer”. If I practice medicine I may be referred to as a “doctor”. We often phrase what we do for a living or what we feel as if that is who we are. My friend, dear one – our doings and emotions are NOT who we are. Our sexual desires or lack of are NOT who we are. Our inner lusts and cravings do NOT identify us – they are simply feelings and chemical reactions which our bodies experience.

“Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God, and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God].  For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin and profanity]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality;  that each of you know how to control his own bodily vessel in holiness and not to be used in lustful passions, like the unbelievers who do not know God and are ignorant of His will.. For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated and set apart by behavior that pleases Him], So whoever rejects and disregards this is not merely rejecting man but the very God who gives His Holy Spirit to you, to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

The most powerful weapon for direct combat  is ‘to stand firm in obedience to Gods Word: thinking, speaking, and living out His Truth!’

 

Powerful Weaponry

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. Speaking the word actually isn’t the most powerful weapon! The most powerful weapon for direct combat  is ‘to stand firm in obedience to Gods Word: thinking, speaking, and living out His Truth!’ “Where are those who are valiant for truth on the earth?!” – Jeremiah 9:3

Be relentless in obedience to meditate, to speak, and to live out the word of God boldly in order to reap a bountiful harvest of fulfilled promises, matured character, greater authority, and demolished strongholds for our ancestors and legacy! His plans were set for me and you before we were set in our mother’s womb, and that plan is an immense call for Greatness!

Since Jesus was victorious over sin and temptations of this world, I can be so too. Since Jesus faced trials and temptations with joy, I can face them with just as much joy too! This is what union with Christ means – having an abundance of joy that is not dependent on any circumstances, feelings, possessions, or lack of any of those. Nor is it dependent on getting what I want or desire; rather its only dependent on what Christ has already accomplished. Self-denial = Joy in Christ! Hence us taking up the cross brings God the Glory and freedom to our family.

 

Deviation

Are you satisfied toiling in shackles as you watch your siblings being spiritually raped and abused by the demonic oppressions of this world system? Watching humanity lost in their identity as they cannot separate their attractions from who they truly are? There’s an old Chinese saying: “a millimeter discrepancy leads to a thousand-mile loss”. So what will it be? Resolution, which is treated like a contract (which is compiled because of its tendency to be broken). Or foundation, commitment, devotion. Temporary, false pleasure which fades away like withering grass? Or eternal salvation full of joy, peace, rest for our souls, and abundance of favor!

When our starting point is wrong, the deviation in the end will be overwhelmingly enormous. Everyone knows that it’s not how we start that matters, it’s not even how we are in the middle, but it’s about how we finish the race. How we finish the training. The course. Completion. Our Lord went through the entirety of the suffering discipline, even unto death, led by Holy Spirit from the wilderness unto the cross.

“How you see yourself will directly impact how you think, the choices you make, and all the relationships you build”

This is the same Holy Ghost who wants to lead you from a poverty lifestyle of blunders, pain, and dissatisfaction into greatness, impactful and powerful movers of nations – if you’ll so allow it and submit to your Groom. Can you see yourself as His bride now? Do you understand the depth of this covenant a bit more now? For how you see yourself will directly impact how you think, the choices you make, and all the relationships you build – for how you identify yourself is what you will gravitate towards and attract into your experience.

 

Exhortation

The bible is our written foundation as Christ followers. Every facet of the world around us points to the intentional design and purpose of our Creator. As a Creator, He is the only One who has the authority to define who we are, and the only power that can get in my way is ultimately me. We may think our spouse is disobedient or disrespectful, or our neighbors are from hell or from a religious mental institution, but the call is for each one to look within and deal with your own log first (in your eye).

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” – Mark 7:21-22

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may prove the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Grace to the glory and praise of God” – Philippians 1:9-11

“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do is forgetting what is behind me and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s divine call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. – Philippians 3:12-15

“I have written to you briefly exhorting and testifying that this (the ability to relentlessly obey) IS the true Grace (power) of God in which you stand.” – 1 Peter 5:12.

 

Grace Be With You All

Let us never again view God’s Grace as a mere covering for sin or a ticket to heaven. It is so much more than that – for by His grace is how we distinguish ourselves for the absolute glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The joy in trials is the understanding that sanctification is a process of being made holy. It’s a preparation for spiritual conflict. This means we are a step closer, day by day to that amazing lifestyle as confident, truly liberated from any bondage or baggage, established human beings! Now who doesn’t want that? There is no trouble-free life, for when we believe we sign up for battles we’ve never faced before, but we don’t need to lose: for we have authority and power for anything coming our way as there’s nothing new under the sun. God will never let me or you down my friend, God will never permit it beyond our power to remain firm, to beat up the enemy and gain even more ground for the kingdom!

God gets the ultimate glory by affording room for a conflict wherein man might crush his enemy by the same freedom of will which has made him succumb to satan in the first place, and it enables man to worthily recover his salvation by a victory. In this way the devil receives a more bitter punishment by being vanquished by man (the believer, overcomer) whom the devil has previously injured, and by these means God is discovered to be so much the more good.

“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body for I am completing what remains of His body: the church” – Colossians 1:24.  Our privilege today is finishing the work that’s needed for advancing the kingdom to the ends of the earth through a victorious suffering. Hell itself cannot hinder us!  “I boast in my weakness and infirmities” says Paul. Then God replies, “My kindness is all you need, My power is strongest when you are weak”. Therefore if Christ gives Me His power, I will gladly brag at how weak I am. If I must boast, I will boast in how weak I am!

“For it is our faith that overcomes and conquers the world’s way, bringing it to its knees!”

 

Overcomers

“Be strong in your faith. Remember that your brothers & sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering (living as God wants us to live) just as you are” – 1 Peter 5:9. You never have to lose! You’ve been given authority to overcome ALL the power of the devil and nothing will hurt you, for it is our faith that overcomes and conquers the world’s way, bringing it to its knees. We win over anything the enemy throws at us for Jesus has already overcome ALL things of this world, and our faith is the pipelinethat brings His Grace/power into any situation we’re dealing with, need to overcome, or which we face –  for Grace is sufficient to win any and every adversity we may face!

“Let the one who boasts therefore boast in this: that he understands and acknowledges Me; that he honors Me as God and recognizes Me without any doubt, that I am the Lord who practices lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for in these things I delight,” says the Lord.” – Jeremiah 9:24

Wow, so profound and so powerful friends! Oh how beautiful is our Lord and His ways – how wonderful are His mercies and His faithfulness! May we tame our emotions and bring down the strongholds in our minds as we step out in boldness, courage, and holy confidence today to take yet another step and reclaim additional holy ground (in our personal lives and our families) as we serve all humankind around us. I Love you all and thank everyone of you for your prayers, love, and support along with your authentic hearts. Be blessed in your walk today and forever, may Shalom and His Ruach (breath/Spirit) ever be with you.

WORTHY IS THE LAMB – LORD GOD, YOU ARE WORTHY AND ALMIGHTY!  WE WORSHIP YOU FOREVER AND AMEN.

“Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne… He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne. When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth”

Revelation 5:6-10

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