Before the fall of man, when Adam walked in fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden, he experienced God’s glory with a spiritual connection. He was alive spiritually. His entire Spirit, Soul, and body functioned together, as designed by God, on whom he was totally dependent. Adam had the perfect relationship with God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. He knew them as the three, and the one. He had a relationship with them and saw them face-to-face.
When Adam disobeyed God and fell, everything changed. He died spiritually and his connection to the spirit realm of God was severed. With his spiritual eyes now closed, he was left with a lost soul and a body of flesh. The glory was gone. Not only was Adam’s ability to see into the spirit realm gone, but the glory that had rested upon his physical body was gone as well.
Oh, that old serpent was right when he told Eve that their eyes would be opened to know good and evil, but his deceptive lie did not reveal to them that their spiritual eyes would be closed. The realm of God, yes, even God Himself was darkened to them. They left the presence of the glory of God and entered into a dark world of flesh…of sin.
Up until then, Adam had lived a sinless life and was destined to live forever, as was his offspring. However, just as God had warned, on the day that Adam ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he died spiritually and so did all of humanity within him. He became a new creature, a beastly, sinful natured human being, and so did we, as we were all in him.
What Granddaddy Adam lost for himself, and all of us, was unfathomable. And you just know that for the rest of his life he wanted it back. What did he want back? He wanted to be as he was, and to walk in fellowship with his Father, our Father. Try as he might, even with all the sacrifices, he would not get it back. It would take a miracle. It would take a savior. It would take the Word of God made flesh to dwell among us, and take upon Himself the blame, the shame, the sin, and the punishment.
The Lord Jesus did just that on Mount Calvary! Then He rose from the grave, after leaving our sin behind in hell. He ascended back to Father, and reconciled humanity back to Him. We are dead in sin no longer. Once we, with our free will, repent of our sins, accept Christ as our savior, and invite Him into our hearts, we are born again into the spirit, into the kingdom of God, and into God Himself! Our spirits are alive unto God as Granddaddy Adam’s was in the beginning. When our bodies die, we will live eternally with Him, with them! Praise God!
But one little thing… Yes we are born again, but like babies in the womb, our eyes are not open. That is, our spiritual eyes. In order to regain everything that Granddaddy Adam lost for himself, and us, in the garden, we must regain our sight.
Our spiritual eyes must be opened so that we might once again fellowship in the Spirit with our Father, Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But wait! Did Jesus leave that out when He left this earth? No. As recorded in John 17:24, Jesus said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.” Jesus wants us to walk in the spirit with Him and see!
He also promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He told the Disciples to wait for the Comforter. They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and so have we! We are born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Though we feel and sense His presence in the Spirit, one little detail remains. We want to see in the Spirit. Proverbs 29:18 say that where there is no vision the people perish. We must have our spiritual eyes opened so that we may see the Lord! We must regain the final portion of what Granddaddy Adam lost! We want to fellowship in the Spirit!
In Ephesians 1:18 Paul wrote, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart be enlightened in order that you know the hope to which He has called you.”
The gift has been given, so let us receive it. Our prayer is, ”Lord, open our spiritual eyes and let us see your glory, and fellowship in the Spirit with you.”
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Amazing Place
There’s a place in you that only God can fill. As born again believers, in Christ, we understand this fact. When we receive Christ and the void in our life is filled, a new life begins and peace that passes all understanding floods our soul. But did you know that there is another aspect to our relationship with God?
There’s a place in God that only you can fill! Yes, He needs us as much as we need Him! I know it’s hard to believe but it has taken years for Him to pound that into my head. I know that I’m not worthy and you’re not worthy either, but our worthiness has nothing to do with His love and need for us.
He has prepared a place for us, a secret place that is unique. It is a place where only He and I, or He and you, may meet, abide, and fellowship. This can be a place of refuge in times of trouble, a place of refreshing in times of fatigue. But without you, it is an empty place for Him. He longs for you to fill it.
Remember, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
This is truly an amazing place. Seek and you shall find.
There’s a place in God that only you can fill! Yes, He needs us as much as we need Him! I know it’s hard to believe but it has taken years for Him to pound that into my head. I know that I’m not worthy and you’re not worthy either, but our worthiness has nothing to do with His love and need for us.
He has prepared a place for us, a secret place that is unique. It is a place where only He and I, or He and you, may meet, abide, and fellowship. This can be a place of refuge in times of trouble, a place of refreshing in times of fatigue. But without you, it is an empty place for Him. He longs for you to fill it.
Remember, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
This is truly an amazing place. Seek and you shall find.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Independence Day
On this great day in which we Americans celebrate the founding of our Nation, I can't help but reflect on another independence day more than 2ooo years ago. It wasn't a flag that was raised, but never the less it became the greatest symbol of freedom of all time. I am referring of course to the cross.
The cross...the symbol of our independence from bondage to the most incidious slavery ever know to mankind. The slavery to sin and all that it brings.
Our Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father paid the most costly price ever paid for someone's freedom. We mere mortale cannot calculate that cost. Only God knows the totalitly of what it cost them. Freedom isn't free.
Our forefathers paid a price in blood, as well, for our nation's freedom from slavery to a King. Freedom isn't free.
As we lift our nation's flag today to rightly celebrate the success of our forefathers' sacrifice and victory, let us also raise the cross in celebration of our Lord's victory over sin and death, giving us our independence, and His life forever.
The cross...the symbol of our independence from bondage to the most incidious slavery ever know to mankind. The slavery to sin and all that it brings.
Our Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father paid the most costly price ever paid for someone's freedom. We mere mortale cannot calculate that cost. Only God knows the totalitly of what it cost them. Freedom isn't free.
Our forefathers paid a price in blood, as well, for our nation's freedom from slavery to a King. Freedom isn't free.
As we lift our nation's flag today to rightly celebrate the success of our forefathers' sacrifice and victory, let us also raise the cross in celebration of our Lord's victory over sin and death, giving us our independence, and His life forever.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Communion Part 2
Let us go back to that night, so long ago, when Christ Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover one last time. This would have normally been a joyous occasion, sharing the Passover meal with friends to commemorate their forefathers release from bondage in Egypt.
But this night, all that would change for the Lord Jesus was going to institute something new, a new covenant, and commemoration of man’s release from the bondage of sin.
The Master’s heart was moved with compassion for each of His disciples. They knew things had changed, but they didn’t really grasp the magnitude of the coming events.
He took the cup and held it up for Father to bless it, and in doing so, He held Himself up. Raising His eyes heavenward, He said to Father, “This is my body,” then He looked at them and said, “which is broken for you.” Then He passed out the bread to one at a time saying, “Take it, eat it, and do this in remembrance of me as often as you come together.” In the future when they did this, He was in their midst, as He is in ours.
Next in the Passover celebration, He was to hold up the cup to Jehovah to bless it. His mind must have gone back to the spotless lamb that was slain for the sins of another, and how that blood was sprinkled to make holy what was not holy. On this night He did something so shocking, so radical, that His disciples must have been stunned.
Let us go back to that night, so long ago, when Christ Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover one last time. This would have normally been a joyous occasion, sharing the Passover meal with friends to commemorate their forefathers release from bondage in Egypt.
But this night, all that would change for the Lord Jesus was going to institute something new, a new covenant, and commemoration of man’s release from the bondage of sin.
The Master’s heart was moved with compassion for each of His disciples. They knew things had changed, but they didn’t really grasp the magnitude of the coming events.
He took the cup and held it up for Father to bless it, and in doing so, He held Himself up. Raising His eyes heavenward, He said to Father, “This is my body,” then He looked at them and said, “which is broken for you.” Then He passed out the bread to one at a time saying, “Take it, eat it, and do this in remembrance of me as often as you come together.” In the future when they did this, He was in their midst, as He is in ours.
Next in the Passover celebration, He was to hold up the cup to Jehovah to bless it. His mind must have gone back to the spotless lamb that was slain for the sins of another, and how that blood was sprinkled to make holy what was not holy. On this night He did something so shocking, so radical, that His disciples must have been stunned.
I can see Him now, as He held up the cup with His eyes raised heavenward and said to Father; “This is my blood. This is my blood!” Then He looked at His disciples and said, “Which is shed for you!” With that, He passed the cup around and they all drank.
We must grasp the revelation that we are in communion with Him in the Spirit. Everything that is His became ours; His righteousness, peace, love, His grace, patience, longsuffering, wisdom, His relationship with Father and His complete inheritance.
He doesn’t have to come all the way from heaven to hear us or heal us. He is here! He is within all of us to touch us, and each other. Receive all you need from Jesus, and give to each other all the Jesus you need.
But this night, all that would change for the Lord Jesus was going to institute something new, a new covenant, and commemoration of man’s release from the bondage of sin.
The Master’s heart was moved with compassion for each of His disciples. They knew things had changed, but they didn’t really grasp the magnitude of the coming events.
He took the cup and held it up for Father to bless it, and in doing so, He held Himself up. Raising His eyes heavenward, He said to Father, “This is my body,” then He looked at them and said, “which is broken for you.” Then He passed out the bread to one at a time saying, “Take it, eat it, and do this in remembrance of me as often as you come together.” In the future when they did this, He was in their midst, as He is in ours.
Next in the Passover celebration, He was to hold up the cup to Jehovah to bless it. His mind must have gone back to the spotless lamb that was slain for the sins of another, and how that blood was sprinkled to make holy what was not holy. On this night He did something so shocking, so radical, that His disciples must have been stunned.
Let us go back to that night, so long ago, when Christ Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover one last time. This would have normally been a joyous occasion, sharing the Passover meal with friends to commemorate their forefathers release from bondage in Egypt.
But this night, all that would change for the Lord Jesus was going to institute something new, a new covenant, and commemoration of man’s release from the bondage of sin.
The Master’s heart was moved with compassion for each of His disciples. They knew things had changed, but they didn’t really grasp the magnitude of the coming events.
He took the cup and held it up for Father to bless it, and in doing so, He held Himself up. Raising His eyes heavenward, He said to Father, “This is my body,” then He looked at them and said, “which is broken for you.” Then He passed out the bread to one at a time saying, “Take it, eat it, and do this in remembrance of me as often as you come together.” In the future when they did this, He was in their midst, as He is in ours.
Next in the Passover celebration, He was to hold up the cup to Jehovah to bless it. His mind must have gone back to the spotless lamb that was slain for the sins of another, and how that blood was sprinkled to make holy what was not holy. On this night He did something so shocking, so radical, that His disciples must have been stunned.
I can see Him now, as He held up the cup with His eyes raised heavenward and said to Father; “This is my blood. This is my blood!” Then He looked at His disciples and said, “Which is shed for you!” With that, He passed the cup around and they all drank.
We must grasp the revelation that we are in communion with Him in the Spirit. Everything that is His became ours; His righteousness, peace, love, His grace, patience, longsuffering, wisdom, His relationship with Father and His complete inheritance.
He doesn’t have to come all the way from heaven to hear us or heal us. He is here! He is within all of us to touch us, and each other. Receive all you need from Jesus, and give to each other all the Jesus you need.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Communion Part 1
Matthew 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-19, I Corinthians 11: 24-25
The act of communion is ingenious because it illustrates what happens to us in the Spirit when we are born again. It demonstrates our position in Christ and clearly shows the benefit of being born again. He is the only way. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Down through time, even in the most primitive civilizations, men could understand the concept of communion. They believed that when one ate the body and drank the blood of another, usually a vanquished enemy, the strength and life of that person became theirs. As the victor digested the vanquished into the body, they became one.
So, as we take communion, and the bread and wine is digested into our body, it becomes one with us, mingled into our body and bloodstream. We can’t determine where it begins and we end, and vice versa. This demonstrates what happens to us when we receive Christ.
Father puts us in Christ and our spirits are mingled. You can’t tell where we end and Christ begins etc. Everything of His becomes ours as we become one with Him. We are in Him and He is in Father. Father is in Christ so through Christ, Father is in us. This is why no man comes to the Father except through Christ. He is not guarding the gate. He is the Gate!
So, we do this in remembrance of Him. Not just for what He did for us on Calvary, but in remembrance that as born again Christians, He is in us and we are in Him…Them!
The act of communion is ingenious because it illustrates what happens to us in the Spirit when we are born again. It demonstrates our position in Christ and clearly shows the benefit of being born again. He is the only way. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Down through time, even in the most primitive civilizations, men could understand the concept of communion. They believed that when one ate the body and drank the blood of another, usually a vanquished enemy, the strength and life of that person became theirs. As the victor digested the vanquished into the body, they became one.
So, as we take communion, and the bread and wine is digested into our body, it becomes one with us, mingled into our body and bloodstream. We can’t determine where it begins and we end, and vice versa. This demonstrates what happens to us when we receive Christ.
Father puts us in Christ and our spirits are mingled. You can’t tell where we end and Christ begins etc. Everything of His becomes ours as we become one with Him. We are in Him and He is in Father. Father is in Christ so through Christ, Father is in us. This is why no man comes to the Father except through Christ. He is not guarding the gate. He is the Gate!
So, we do this in remembrance of Him. Not just for what He did for us on Calvary, but in remembrance that as born again Christians, He is in us and we are in Him…Them!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Walking With God
Introduction, by the Holy Spirit
“I was there when you were conceived. I formed you. I customized you. Every cell, every vessel, I placed carefully within and without you. At the moment of your creation I placed within you, all the skills and abilities that you would need and could possibly ever use in this life. When I breathed your spirit into you at the moment of your creation, I placed within you everything you could possibly use in the life to come, that is, eternity.
I draw a gift out in seed form to let you know that it’s there, then bury it to let it grow. Sometimes it will grow, blossom, and produce in this life, sometimes in the next. But you have within you already, magnificent riches and gifts. Allow my Son Jesus, who joined us to your spirit when you were born again, to bring these gifts out. Not the least of which is the right and ability to walk with me, with us, the three.
How close do you want to be? How much of yourself will you deny to gain me? “Be careful the company you keep” is not just a wise saying, it is a dangerous truth. For you tend to become like the company you keep. So, if you walk with me, with us, and keep our company, it is possible that you may become somewhat as we are. That’s not really a bad thing, is it? Ha! The choice is yours. You are welcome. Come. Let us walk together.”
Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.
“I was there when you were conceived. I formed you. I customized you. Every cell, every vessel, I placed carefully within and without you. At the moment of your creation I placed within you, all the skills and abilities that you would need and could possibly ever use in this life. When I breathed your spirit into you at the moment of your creation, I placed within you everything you could possibly use in the life to come, that is, eternity.
I draw a gift out in seed form to let you know that it’s there, then bury it to let it grow. Sometimes it will grow, blossom, and produce in this life, sometimes in the next. But you have within you already, magnificent riches and gifts. Allow my Son Jesus, who joined us to your spirit when you were born again, to bring these gifts out. Not the least of which is the right and ability to walk with me, with us, the three.
How close do you want to be? How much of yourself will you deny to gain me? “Be careful the company you keep” is not just a wise saying, it is a dangerous truth. For you tend to become like the company you keep. So, if you walk with me, with us, and keep our company, it is possible that you may become somewhat as we are. That’s not really a bad thing, is it? Ha! The choice is yours. You are welcome. Come. Let us walk together.”
Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Stuck Between “The Old Days” And “The Next Level”
It’s funny how believers who have been at church a long time, maybe all their lives, become dissatisfied with the way things are and find themselves desiring more. They either want to move up to the “Next Level” or long for the “Old Days.”
When we look at others around us, the services at church, etc., we tend to scrutinize and analyze everything except a mirror. Let’s face it, everything is changing in the church and the world in general, so we must hold fast to the faith and the fundamentals that we were brought up with as long as it is locked steadfastly into the Word which never changes.
However, we must realize that God is always doing something new in the earth. The world may be spinning too fast for some people and too slow for others but God has the perspective from being the same yesterday, today and forever because He actually lives and exists right now in the past, present, and future, all at the same time.
So. What do we do to become satisfied? How do we escape from being stuck between the “Old Days” and the “Next Level?” It’s simple. Plug into the eternity of God. Delve into Him. Eat, sleep, and drink Him. Face the mirror and become so filled with Him that as you gaze into the mirror, you behold more of Him than you. Look into the mirror and see Him. Then you will have achieved all that is!
When we look at others around us, the services at church, etc., we tend to scrutinize and analyze everything except a mirror. Let’s face it, everything is changing in the church and the world in general, so we must hold fast to the faith and the fundamentals that we were brought up with as long as it is locked steadfastly into the Word which never changes.
However, we must realize that God is always doing something new in the earth. The world may be spinning too fast for some people and too slow for others but God has the perspective from being the same yesterday, today and forever because He actually lives and exists right now in the past, present, and future, all at the same time.
So. What do we do to become satisfied? How do we escape from being stuck between the “Old Days” and the “Next Level?” It’s simple. Plug into the eternity of God. Delve into Him. Eat, sleep, and drink Him. Face the mirror and become so filled with Him that as you gaze into the mirror, you behold more of Him than you. Look into the mirror and see Him. Then you will have achieved all that is!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Money Is Killing Our Relationship
Dear Friends,
This word from the Lord is complete, unedited, and presented exactly as I received. I share it for your benefit.
Yours In Christ,
Gene
"Son, Do you think the message I have for you to give is an easy one? Men have been ridiculed, harrassed, belittled, persecuted, and killed for giving my message. I have tried to give it at every step of it's development. You are right, the New Testament church of the first three generations was the model. However, as with every revelation and gift, as you know, I give it in seed form first. Then I let it grow.
The entire plan for the church is designed, and blueprinted in my Son Jesus. Remember, He is the vine. Then, my first three generation church was the fleshing out, in seed form, of my kingdom, church, family, it's government, policies, techniques, growth and service strategies, and operational design.
Now, have my servants always followed my plans? Of course not. You know that. However, a measure of my plan has always been carried out.
The enemy has beat down my church but I have never, even in it's darkest days, forsaken my church nor allowed it to be destroyed. In the early days, the enemy used persecution to destroy my church family. It didn't work. My people survived and their resolve became even stronger.
In the middle days, the enemy used church government and political control to destroy my relationship with my church family. It didn't work. My people's faith survived, they protested, and my church was restored.
In these last days, the enemy is prospering my church and trying to destroy our relationship with financial gain for the leaders, and the hope of financial gain for the congregation.
Money is killing our relationship! Those who have it, trust in it, not me. Those who don't have it, resent me for not blessing them. Money gives power and prestige to the leaders and an excuse to sin to the congregation. What leader will offend someone who has and gives money? They have become giants of justification-justifying why they can't offend givers.
Meanwhile, they have become rich and increased with goods, not knowing or even considering that they are really poor, naked and facing judgement. Haven't I said that before?
What really hurts me son, what really hurts me, is the fact that my chosen leaders... they have lost their first love...Me. And so many never had me to begin with. And my church, my family has a distorted view of me and a complete lack of knowledge of the relationship that they could have. The enemy knows how to hurt me. The only way is to separate us and hurt my church, my family.
Son, I have given you my heart. Please...tell them what I am really like. Tell them of the times we have spent together and what I really think of them. Let them know of my complete unshakable love for them. What more can I do? What more can I give? The enemy knows his time is short. Fight him! Fight!"
This word from the Lord is complete, unedited, and presented exactly as I received. I share it for your benefit.
Yours In Christ,
Gene
"Son, Do you think the message I have for you to give is an easy one? Men have been ridiculed, harrassed, belittled, persecuted, and killed for giving my message. I have tried to give it at every step of it's development. You are right, the New Testament church of the first three generations was the model. However, as with every revelation and gift, as you know, I give it in seed form first. Then I let it grow.
The entire plan for the church is designed, and blueprinted in my Son Jesus. Remember, He is the vine. Then, my first three generation church was the fleshing out, in seed form, of my kingdom, church, family, it's government, policies, techniques, growth and service strategies, and operational design.
Now, have my servants always followed my plans? Of course not. You know that. However, a measure of my plan has always been carried out.
The enemy has beat down my church but I have never, even in it's darkest days, forsaken my church nor allowed it to be destroyed. In the early days, the enemy used persecution to destroy my church family. It didn't work. My people survived and their resolve became even stronger.
In the middle days, the enemy used church government and political control to destroy my relationship with my church family. It didn't work. My people's faith survived, they protested, and my church was restored.
In these last days, the enemy is prospering my church and trying to destroy our relationship with financial gain for the leaders, and the hope of financial gain for the congregation.
Money is killing our relationship! Those who have it, trust in it, not me. Those who don't have it, resent me for not blessing them. Money gives power and prestige to the leaders and an excuse to sin to the congregation. What leader will offend someone who has and gives money? They have become giants of justification-justifying why they can't offend givers.
Meanwhile, they have become rich and increased with goods, not knowing or even considering that they are really poor, naked and facing judgement. Haven't I said that before?
What really hurts me son, what really hurts me, is the fact that my chosen leaders... they have lost their first love...Me. And so many never had me to begin with. And my church, my family has a distorted view of me and a complete lack of knowledge of the relationship that they could have. The enemy knows how to hurt me. The only way is to separate us and hurt my church, my family.
Son, I have given you my heart. Please...tell them what I am really like. Tell them of the times we have spent together and what I really think of them. Let them know of my complete unshakable love for them. What more can I do? What more can I give? The enemy knows his time is short. Fight him! Fight!"
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Sharing In The Solitude OF Christ
Have you ever felt alone? How is it possible to be lonely in a world with the most technological advances, and various methods of communications in the history of the world? We walk down a crowded street, and yet we might as well be in a desert. We sit in a church with dozens of smiling faces all around worshiping and serving the same Lord, yet we might as well be floating in a raft adrift in the vast atlantic ocean. This doesn't seem right! It makes you want to scream, HEY!!!!! I'm here! It's me!
What is going on? How can God allow this? Well, did you ever think that just possibly God could be causing your solitude? God gave Adam a woman, a help mate, because it was not good that he be alone. And yet, there was a place in Adam that couldn't be filled by Eve. There is a place in us, once discovered, that can only be filled by the presence of the Lord.
Once you've known God's presence, nothing, no nothing can satisfy. Nothing else fulfills the longing and desire deep down in our spirits for Him. While in His earth walk, Lord Jesus suffered loneliness unmatched by the lonliness of anyone else. Imagine the shock to His system being on the earth in a human body restrained by the limitations of the gravity of mankind. We couldn't understand His lonliness, yet as we become more aware of Christ in us, we become more aware of every feeling, every experience, every thought, and everything that is Christ.
Homesick? Sure He was homesick for the glory and fellowship He shared with Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven. Yet He loved us so much He suffered that lonliness for our sakes.
So, what is it for us to suffer a measure of that lonliness? It is a small price to pay, to know Him in the fellowship of loneliness. To really know Him, it is a blessing to share in His surffering loneliness. This, and all suffering is earthly and one day, we will shed it like a cocoon forever. But until then, we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our suffering. Loneliness in a crowded world seems incredulous, but it happens to most people including believers.
So don't resent God, no, embrace loneliness as a gift of God used as a tool to draw us even closer to Him. And the best thing is, that He is acutely aware of every fiber of our being in our entire spirit, soul, and body. So loneliness in the world is nothing as compared to the glory of walking in the Spirit in fellowship with Them, the Three.
What is going on? How can God allow this? Well, did you ever think that just possibly God could be causing your solitude? God gave Adam a woman, a help mate, because it was not good that he be alone. And yet, there was a place in Adam that couldn't be filled by Eve. There is a place in us, once discovered, that can only be filled by the presence of the Lord.
Once you've known God's presence, nothing, no nothing can satisfy. Nothing else fulfills the longing and desire deep down in our spirits for Him. While in His earth walk, Lord Jesus suffered loneliness unmatched by the lonliness of anyone else. Imagine the shock to His system being on the earth in a human body restrained by the limitations of the gravity of mankind. We couldn't understand His lonliness, yet as we become more aware of Christ in us, we become more aware of every feeling, every experience, every thought, and everything that is Christ.
Homesick? Sure He was homesick for the glory and fellowship He shared with Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven. Yet He loved us so much He suffered that lonliness for our sakes.
So, what is it for us to suffer a measure of that lonliness? It is a small price to pay, to know Him in the fellowship of loneliness. To really know Him, it is a blessing to share in His surffering loneliness. This, and all suffering is earthly and one day, we will shed it like a cocoon forever. But until then, we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our suffering. Loneliness in a crowded world seems incredulous, but it happens to most people including believers.
So don't resent God, no, embrace loneliness as a gift of God used as a tool to draw us even closer to Him. And the best thing is, that He is acutely aware of every fiber of our being in our entire spirit, soul, and body. So loneliness in the world is nothing as compared to the glory of walking in the Spirit in fellowship with Them, the Three.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Mommy, who is Jesus?
A little child asks mommy, "Who is Jesus?" But what does mommy say? How does mommy answer. What if mommy doesn't know? How many modern day christians sit in church every week and listen to song after song, sermon after sermon, and yet would still find it hard to answer that question? Think about your own life. Reflect back on your last month, or year of church services, and pretend that what you learned was all you ever knew about Jesus. Would you be able to answer the little child as to who is Jesus?
If your answer is no, then you would be like many Christians in our society today. We have a certain knowledge of Jesus which revolves mostly around the historical story of His life. But if you were sitting in a restaurant and Lord Jesus sat down at the table behind you and began to speak loud enough for you to overhear His conversation, would you recognize His voice? Would you recognize the inflection and manner of His speech, the tone and tenor of His speech? Would His gentleness and kindness make you sit up and take notice? Would His laugh make you turn and stand to your feet and address Him with joy?
He says in the word that His sheep know His voice. Well, do we? Is there anything we can tell the child about Him from our knowledge? Not the knowledge we received from listening to others, but I mean first hand knowledge. Impossible? Rediculous, you say? Then why does the word say His sheep know His voice?
We are all capable and more than welcome to come into a personal intimate knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is His desire for us to know Him and to have fellowship with Him in the Spirit. Our head knowledge of Him can only be limited and two dimensional. It takes our following Him in the Spirit to come into the perfect place where friendship can develop and grow.
Through that friendship, Lord Jesus becomes three dimensional in our lives, and the reality of His precious presence fulfils our entire spirit, soul, and body. This relationship is possible for all believers, and enables us to answer the child with joy and confidence as we tell about our Lord, Master, and friend Jesus.
If your answer is no, then you would be like many Christians in our society today. We have a certain knowledge of Jesus which revolves mostly around the historical story of His life. But if you were sitting in a restaurant and Lord Jesus sat down at the table behind you and began to speak loud enough for you to overhear His conversation, would you recognize His voice? Would you recognize the inflection and manner of His speech, the tone and tenor of His speech? Would His gentleness and kindness make you sit up and take notice? Would His laugh make you turn and stand to your feet and address Him with joy?
He says in the word that His sheep know His voice. Well, do we? Is there anything we can tell the child about Him from our knowledge? Not the knowledge we received from listening to others, but I mean first hand knowledge. Impossible? Rediculous, you say? Then why does the word say His sheep know His voice?
We are all capable and more than welcome to come into a personal intimate knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is His desire for us to know Him and to have fellowship with Him in the Spirit. Our head knowledge of Him can only be limited and two dimensional. It takes our following Him in the Spirit to come into the perfect place where friendship can develop and grow.
Through that friendship, Lord Jesus becomes three dimensional in our lives, and the reality of His precious presence fulfils our entire spirit, soul, and body. This relationship is possible for all believers, and enables us to answer the child with joy and confidence as we tell about our Lord, Master, and friend Jesus.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Master Encourages a Beloved Friend
“I am never disappointed in you. You have never let me down. You and I are tight. We go through everything together. I hold you up, defend, and protect you. I lead, and you follow. I feel comfortable with you. You make me laugh and give me great joy. I look forward to your waking every morning so we can spend our day together. I dread your sleeping; for though I am there, you don’t always know it. I look forward to the day when we never have to part. But until then, Lo I am with you always.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Why Spirit Fellowship?
I have found through the years that the Holy Spirit will lead us into a deep and rewarding friendship, and fellowship with Himself, Lord Jesus And Father. The goal of this Blog is to simply share that friendship with you and encourage you to seek a deeper walk in the Spirit. There are unending heights and depths in God yet to be discovered by us all. He beckons. Let's go!
Do Christians Have A Split Personality?
The temple of God, as described in the bible, was divided into three distinct areas. The outer court where anyone could enter, the holy place where the priests enter and make sacrifices, and the holy of holies where only the high priest was permitted to enter, and then only once a year in order to make a sacrifice for all the people. It is the most holy part of the temple, the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and the presence of God met and communicated with man. There is a trinity to the make up of the temple.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and there is a trinity to our make up as well. We are a spirit; we possess a soul, and live in a body. Our body is like the outer court of the temple. It is there for the entire world to see. It is our connection to the world, without which, we could not be in nor communicate with the world.
Our soul is like the holy place in the temple. It’s between our spirit and body. It’s our connection between spiritual and physical, heaven and earth.
Our spirit is like the holy of holies, the innermost sacred part of the temple. It’s the place where God is, where heaven is, where we meet God.
Our spirit, soul, and body are in a constant rivalry. We determine in our soul if we are going to be more body oriented or spirit oriented. This is the struggle we endure. The pull and tug between our fleshly body, which craves the things of the world, and our spirit, which craves the things of God, can become fierce unless we keep our body under control and seek God through our spirit. Our body will rule us unless we die to self and embrace the presence of God through our spirit.
We become born again by asking Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and come into our heart. Our spirit becomes alive to God when this happens and we have a new relationship with Him through our spirit. The split personality we were born with becomes one in Christ, and we are accepted by God as a temple He can dwell in through the Holy Spirit.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and there is a trinity to our make up as well. We are a spirit; we possess a soul, and live in a body. Our body is like the outer court of the temple. It is there for the entire world to see. It is our connection to the world, without which, we could not be in nor communicate with the world.
Our soul is like the holy place in the temple. It’s between our spirit and body. It’s our connection between spiritual and physical, heaven and earth.
Our spirit is like the holy of holies, the innermost sacred part of the temple. It’s the place where God is, where heaven is, where we meet God.
Our spirit, soul, and body are in a constant rivalry. We determine in our soul if we are going to be more body oriented or spirit oriented. This is the struggle we endure. The pull and tug between our fleshly body, which craves the things of the world, and our spirit, which craves the things of God, can become fierce unless we keep our body under control and seek God through our spirit. Our body will rule us unless we die to self and embrace the presence of God through our spirit.
We become born again by asking Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and come into our heart. Our spirit becomes alive to God when this happens and we have a new relationship with Him through our spirit. The split personality we were born with becomes one in Christ, and we are accepted by God as a temple He can dwell in through the Holy Spirit.
A Salesman's Prayer
Dear Father,
I pray you grant me wisdom, strength, and love to share with my customers today. Bless them with your favor, as you bless me through them. Help me to meet their need with my product, and them to recognize that need and seek my help. Rebuke the devourer for our sakes. All honor, praise, and thanksgiving go to you, dear Father. Amen.
I pray you grant me wisdom, strength, and love to share with my customers today. Bless them with your favor, as you bless me through them. Help me to meet their need with my product, and them to recognize that need and seek my help. Rebuke the devourer for our sakes. All honor, praise, and thanksgiving go to you, dear Father. Amen.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Growth
Why does growth usually hurt? Remember how when you were a kid, you'd have a growing spurt which were accompanied with pains or soreness in your legs? When our bodies grow they stretch, and stretching hurts. It's a fact of life.
Spiritual growth can hurt as well. There are trials of faith, growing spurts, which are accompanied with pain. However with spiritual growth, there is no medicinal pain reliever we can take. No, we must ride it out and pray that the Lord will ease the pain until we get through yet another trial of our faith.
The good news is that we do make it through, and come out stronger, taller, and more developed into the maturity of our faith. Then get ready for the next level of growth. When someone says pray the Lord to take you to a new level, I brace myself and pray, "According to thy will Lord. According to thy will." There is a cost for each new level, but the rewards are really worth it. Just trust Him to give the growth when He knows we can handle it. Selah!
Spiritual growth can hurt as well. There are trials of faith, growing spurts, which are accompanied with pain. However with spiritual growth, there is no medicinal pain reliever we can take. No, we must ride it out and pray that the Lord will ease the pain until we get through yet another trial of our faith.
The good news is that we do make it through, and come out stronger, taller, and more developed into the maturity of our faith. Then get ready for the next level of growth. When someone says pray the Lord to take you to a new level, I brace myself and pray, "According to thy will Lord. According to thy will." There is a cost for each new level, but the rewards are really worth it. Just trust Him to give the growth when He knows we can handle it. Selah!
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Tip Of God’s Spear
Today, while in prayer for our troops in Iraq, God gave me a vision. In the Spirit, I saw an aerial view of Iraq and the surrounding countries. There appeared a giant spear stuck in the city of Baghdad. It was as large as the city and the shaft extended out high into the sky.
As I surveyed the scene, I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Your nation is the tip of my spear. I am using it as a stopgap to hold back the tide of what is to come. I do this so that others might have time to find my grace.”
This vision was quite unexpected because it came to me during a Sunday school class prayer over the needs of the class. Someone requested prayer for our troops and God responded.
I have learned that there are three aspects to a vision such as this. First, is the visual image shown by the Spirit. Second is the verbal expression, the words that the Spirit says. And third, is the aspect which is the most difficult to describe. It is the feeling you have as you discern the emotion and feelings of the Lord, which comes through as the Spirit speaks.
In the Spirit, I could feel the strength of His determination and control over this situation in Iraq. We Americans debate over how to conduct the war on terrorism depending on our political, religious, or social perspectives. But we Christians must pray for God’s will in Iraq. Our nation is not only the tip of God’s spear in the natural world, but we are the tip of God’s spear in the spiritual world. We must pray, pray, pray!
We are not only in a war on terrorism in the physical realm; we are in a war on terrorism in the spiritual realm. As our nation fights this war in the physical realm, let us fight this war, in prayer, in the spirit realm.
We are the tip of God’s spear!
As I surveyed the scene, I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Your nation is the tip of my spear. I am using it as a stopgap to hold back the tide of what is to come. I do this so that others might have time to find my grace.”
This vision was quite unexpected because it came to me during a Sunday school class prayer over the needs of the class. Someone requested prayer for our troops and God responded.
I have learned that there are three aspects to a vision such as this. First, is the visual image shown by the Spirit. Second is the verbal expression, the words that the Spirit says. And third, is the aspect which is the most difficult to describe. It is the feeling you have as you discern the emotion and feelings of the Lord, which comes through as the Spirit speaks.
In the Spirit, I could feel the strength of His determination and control over this situation in Iraq. We Americans debate over how to conduct the war on terrorism depending on our political, religious, or social perspectives. But we Christians must pray for God’s will in Iraq. Our nation is not only the tip of God’s spear in the natural world, but we are the tip of God’s spear in the spiritual world. We must pray, pray, pray!
We are not only in a war on terrorism in the physical realm; we are in a war on terrorism in the spiritual realm. As our nation fights this war in the physical realm, let us fight this war, in prayer, in the spirit realm.
We are the tip of God’s spear!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
The River Of God's Will
Being in the will of God is like being in the
center of a fast flowing river.
In the center of the river is where
the flow is strongest and fastest.
The further away from the center you drift,
the slower and less directed the flow.
You still flow, but not as strong nor as sure.
When you get out of the river,
you must make your own way.
On your own way,
you find it more difficult to move forward.
There are obstacles.
You may move parallel to the river,
but because of obstacles
that you must move around,
you usually end up moving in a different direction than the river.
You could go back
to the place where you left the river,
but that is not practical.
Your place in the river has moved on without you.
Maybe your place was filled with another,
or maybe your place in the river remained unfilled.
Do not fret,
for there is another place in the river for you.
Make your way to the river
at whichever point along your journey you are now.
Wade out from the shore and into the flow.
Don’t be satisfied with an ankle deep,
knee deep, or waist deep place in the river.
Abandon yourself, head over heels,
to the center of the river
where the flow is strongest
and most sure.
Flow
In the
Will of
God.
center of a fast flowing river.
In the center of the river is where
the flow is strongest and fastest.
The further away from the center you drift,
the slower and less directed the flow.
You still flow, but not as strong nor as sure.
When you get out of the river,
you must make your own way.
On your own way,
you find it more difficult to move forward.
There are obstacles.
You may move parallel to the river,
but because of obstacles
that you must move around,
you usually end up moving in a different direction than the river.
You could go back
to the place where you left the river,
but that is not practical.
Your place in the river has moved on without you.
Maybe your place was filled with another,
or maybe your place in the river remained unfilled.
Do not fret,
for there is another place in the river for you.
Make your way to the river
at whichever point along your journey you are now.
Wade out from the shore and into the flow.
Don’t be satisfied with an ankle deep,
knee deep, or waist deep place in the river.
Abandon yourself, head over heels,
to the center of the river
where the flow is strongest
and most sure.
Flow
In the
Will of
God.
Monday, January 8, 2007
God Is The Same
God is the same today as he was yesterday. He does not change. He is the same as he was two thousand years ago. He will be the same tomorrow and two thousand years from now. His word remains true. His ways remain above our ways. We have not achieved to the level of his excellence nor shall we ever. He is God. We are not god. We are not in control, He is. His word is law. His word is truth. We can dilute it, pollute it, try to explain it away, and disbelieve it, but none of that changes the truth of Gods word.
Never has a man been so foolish as when he believes his intellect is superior to the intellect of God. God is the creator of all things. Man has not created anything outside the realm of God. Man has taken his god given talents and perverted them, fooling himself into believing in his own deity. Even good men have fallen prey to their own success. Men who used to bow the knee to God now order Him around like a servant. They expect their will to be supreme and God to work His will into their plans. Oh stupid man! Who do you think you are! Do you not know that God has your very breath in the palm of his hand, and yet you are so audacious as to try to manipulate the creator and sustainer of life?
Is it any wonder that god destroyed almost all man and creatures on earth once before through the great flood. He promised Noah that He would not do that again, but he must want to. The very offences of man that caused God to flood the earth once before, and repent of ever making man, have not only resumed, but they have been taken to the level of an art form. Woe unto man! Woe unto us who dwell on the earth and do not reverence He who has all power and might.
He who created uncountable stars in un-chartable galaxies is the one whose word we reject. How dare we not believe, when He is good enough to provide us with his Word? How dare we not obey, when he is so good as to give us chance after chance to repent and follow his son Jesus Christ into His presence and divine fellowship. How dare we not follow his commandments and precepts?
Any wisdom, truth, and knowledge worth having comes from him. He has not changed, we have. He is the same. We're not. To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise! And may He have mercy on our souls.
Never has a man been so foolish as when he believes his intellect is superior to the intellect of God. God is the creator of all things. Man has not created anything outside the realm of God. Man has taken his god given talents and perverted them, fooling himself into believing in his own deity. Even good men have fallen prey to their own success. Men who used to bow the knee to God now order Him around like a servant. They expect their will to be supreme and God to work His will into their plans. Oh stupid man! Who do you think you are! Do you not know that God has your very breath in the palm of his hand, and yet you are so audacious as to try to manipulate the creator and sustainer of life?
Is it any wonder that god destroyed almost all man and creatures on earth once before through the great flood. He promised Noah that He would not do that again, but he must want to. The very offences of man that caused God to flood the earth once before, and repent of ever making man, have not only resumed, but they have been taken to the level of an art form. Woe unto man! Woe unto us who dwell on the earth and do not reverence He who has all power and might.
He who created uncountable stars in un-chartable galaxies is the one whose word we reject. How dare we not believe, when He is good enough to provide us with his Word? How dare we not obey, when he is so good as to give us chance after chance to repent and follow his son Jesus Christ into His presence and divine fellowship. How dare we not follow his commandments and precepts?
Any wisdom, truth, and knowledge worth having comes from him. He has not changed, we have. He is the same. We're not. To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise! And may He have mercy on our souls.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Angels Study God
Angels in heaven worship God continually. They sometimes focus their worship on the different attributes of God. Once an attribute of God is studied, they model it through their own person. How much more should we, His children, study His attributes and try our best to model ourselves after God and His ways.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Is Your Faith Worth Squat?
The tensions of this earthly life become unbearable in disobedience to the word of faith. But simple submission into obedience relieves the stress that the world, and disobedience impose. Doubt is crippling. Faith is empowering. Faith in action is victory! The Bible says that faith without works is dead. I have learned that faith with works (action) is alive. Faith without works (action) becomes an unfulfilled fantasy. For if I have faith that God is leading me but do not follow, my faith becomes doubt and my inaction leads to death, the death of my faith and the death of my dream. This is a horrible state in which to exist.
Unfulfilled faith creeps into one’s life like oil into water. It pollutes, leaving a nasty film, which ruins the purity of the water. Doubt solidified by inaction covers the purity of faith and renders it polluted, unfit, unusable, and something to be avoided. Faith activated by works (action) skims the doubt that covers the water of life, cleans it, and recovers the purity of the gift that obedience brings to fruition.
We must be doers of the word and not just hearers. It is so human to hear the word, rejoice in what we hear, then…. ponder. Pondering grows into procrastination, the tree that bears the poisonous leaves of inaction.
We must be like good soldiers and jump to attention, springing into action at the orders of our commander, the Lord. But what do we do? We hear the order, then squat to jump, but inaction and hesitation causes us to get caught in the squat and we fail to jump. What a sad sight, to see the army of the Lord squatting before Him! How undignified!
Better to jump and fall than be stuck in the squat. The squat is a horrible place to stay. You can’t sit down. You can’t rise up. You can neither rest in your success nor stand in the knowledge of a job well done. Go ahead and jump! You can ask how high on the way up! Better to relieve the tension and stretch in the jump than the constant strain of being stuck in the squat. Obedience in the jump is the better way. Disobedience isn’t worth squat!
Unfulfilled faith creeps into one’s life like oil into water. It pollutes, leaving a nasty film, which ruins the purity of the water. Doubt solidified by inaction covers the purity of faith and renders it polluted, unfit, unusable, and something to be avoided. Faith activated by works (action) skims the doubt that covers the water of life, cleans it, and recovers the purity of the gift that obedience brings to fruition.
We must be doers of the word and not just hearers. It is so human to hear the word, rejoice in what we hear, then…. ponder. Pondering grows into procrastination, the tree that bears the poisonous leaves of inaction.
We must be like good soldiers and jump to attention, springing into action at the orders of our commander, the Lord. But what do we do? We hear the order, then squat to jump, but inaction and hesitation causes us to get caught in the squat and we fail to jump. What a sad sight, to see the army of the Lord squatting before Him! How undignified!
Better to jump and fall than be stuck in the squat. The squat is a horrible place to stay. You can’t sit down. You can’t rise up. You can neither rest in your success nor stand in the knowledge of a job well done. Go ahead and jump! You can ask how high on the way up! Better to relieve the tension and stretch in the jump than the constant strain of being stuck in the squat. Obedience in the jump is the better way. Disobedience isn’t worth squat!
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