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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)