As I Follow Christ

     Who are you being "led" by? Of course, on the most basic level, we, as Christ-followers, are led by the Holy Spirit of God. But God also gives us human examples, in the Body of Christ,  to follow in our walk with God. And it's not the same person, at all times.
     Paul said to follow him as He followed Christ. Then there's the picture of Jesus Himself, being the supreme, servant leader as He washed the feet of His disciples. Throw in the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians, and read over the definition of Love in I Cor.13, and you will have enough guidelines to compose a picture of who to "follow." That doesn't mean you adore or worship any human being, but only that God has put people and their fruits in your path to paint a picture for you to "emulate" or "this is the way, walk in it." So, people in and out of our lives are actually used by God, even unknowingly to them, for us to be able to see Christlikeness manifested. Making an icon out of certain people and worshipping them, as if they were righteousness personified is not God's way, as we know that the source of anything of true value in these "earthen vessels" is only the light of Christ anyway.
     My husband and I have gone to India, two times already. When we go there, we are received with so much love. The saints there, especially in the immediate family we are welcomed in to, demonstrate more servanthood and humility than I have ever seen. This makes me want to go more so that I can be "exposed" to a picture of Christ's heart in His Body. I NEED to see that often to encourage me along the way of Life.
     Than there are others God has used in my life to show me pictures of "motherhood" in the Lord, or "families" in the Lord, or even "women of God", shown by the fruit that is displayed through them. I don't necessarily tell the people how God has used them to help me see Him, unless led by the Spirit to do so. These examples, though, have been the true "leaders" in my life, as I attempt to follow them as they follow Christ. It's the true ecclesia of God in action. 

P.S.-In what is manifest in the natural realm, we need to be careful, by listening to the discernment of the Spirit in what we think we see. God tells us that there are also followers of satan who masquerade as "angels of light," and so we are to check what spirit people are from. Another important consideration is if that person is established in the truth. That also, is by the discernment of the Spirit, if we will but surrender to it by not trusting in our own perceptions, but in His. Submission to Him in this is in asking Him. If we do, than no problem. Our God will keep us from falling.

He Will Restore our Souls

        Recently it has been brought to my awareness that 2 of the basic components of love that a  human being needs to grow in "soul" (mind, will, emotions) health are acceptance and a sense of belonging. God designed this to happen within the context of family, with 2 parents who give those things to a child.With the reality of so many in this world who have not received these 2 vital elements, as evidenced by the inner turmoil and conflict within (and without) ,leads to a question which begs to be answered. The question is: If a human being does not receive these 2 necessary things in their foundational years, is the fate of that one futile, or can they be instituted later, even when a person is well along in age? Plainly,  is there any hope for that one ever being at peace and being whole?
     The answer is encouragingly, "YES."  Jesus, our Shepherd, says that He will restore our souls. (Psalm 23) This process is major and life-changing. If we will but receive what He has to offer, He will impart to us, supernaturally, as only He can, these foundational "gifts".
     How do we receive? What do we do? We simply let Him give to us. We acknowledge our need, and rely on Him to do the work inside of us. This may go through many stages in our lives, but be assured that if  Christ is living on the inside of us, His light can not help but dispel the darkness. Soon we will discover that we are feeling more and more secure in knowing that we are accepted by Him, and that He chose us, and we belong or are welcomed by Him. Those realities will help the former reactions we've had, due to our insecurities, to disconnect, and the peace will come, and even grow over time.
     His light in us brings new life. Even if our souls have been "killed" so to speak by neglectflul, or permissive, abusive, and even hateful parents or no parents at all, it is God that makes all things new once we come to Him through Jesus Christ. It IS NOT HOPELESS. In fact, it is hopeful. You may think you are too much of a project because of your "screwed-upness," but He doesn't. In fact, it's not even hard for Him. He can get rid of all the hate, all the jealousy, all the anger, all the depression, all the guilt, all the fears, and the other junk that has been programmed into you, if you will believe and receive from Him, the only life giving source, from who all goodness and grace comes from.
     Be patient with Him, though, and know that He knows you, and knows what you can take, and how much at one time you can take. The process isn't pain free, unfortunately. In fact, this transformation is pain-filled. The old ways "die hard." We are comfortable with being sick. So, He slowly gives us a little medicine (the acceptance and belonging of His Love) at a time, until we realize it's a good thing, and want more and more of it. Some of us have been so fearful to trust anyone for so long, that we are even afraid to trust God, and He knows that about each one of His, and gauges the "prescription" accordingly.
    So, THAT'S GOOD NEWS, isn't it? HE RESTORES OUR SOULS. YES, THERE IS HOPE AND ACCEPTANCE AND BELONGING FOR YOU, AND HIS NAME IS JESUS. 

Christ in Us; the Hope of Glory!! (Let Him Out)

     I like to read books and articles on our life in Christ. Sometimes an author can say a "truth" of God in a different way than another author, and it becomes "rhema" (life-giving) to us, or they state a truth that reaffirms what God has been speaking to you which can quell some confusion you may have had about an issue.
     For quite awhile now, I have been wanting to use quotes from things I 've read which have just seemed to say it nicely in order to share with you, and to get your comments. I've decided not to disclose the authors, as sometimes, because of our hidden biases or prejudices for or against a certain author,  we can't fully embrace the truths of the statements and benefit from them.
     Below are some quotes from a book I was reading from this morning, I'd like to share:

"Immediately after a person is saved, and has received the Lord's life, he must see the way of the cross. He must know that he has to be broken and dealt with so that the life of Christ can be manifested through him. When the life of Christ is manifested in the believers, the functions for the services will be manifested through them. Newly saved ones have the life of Christ, but their functions are not discernable. After they have grown in life, passed through the breaking of the cross, experienced consecration, and dealt with their natural life and flesh, then Christ can be manifested through them.
The manifestation of function is absolutely not through human inciting nor through human encouragement. Please remember this principle: Any work stirred up by men is useless. Christ can be expressed only by our ministering the life of Christ, experiencing the way of the cross, and dealing with the natural life and the flesh. The various services can be manifested only through the manifestation of the life of Christ."

In other words, if we let ourselves "die" Christ can live through us, and then all will fall into place. His church will be built, His way, and He alone will be "Head".