Questions I Have Concerning "Assembling"

     Oh, Lord-how do you want us to gather, or do you want us to gather? Why, when we do, is a person always made the center of attention? Why do we want to worship only that which we can see? And not You only-the One true God? And what would that look like anyway? What is in Your heart and mind concerning  "gathering together" in Your name? Someone has said You are presently just wanting us to meet in "twos and threes"? If this is true, is it because if there were more, we would be more tempted to have a head, other than You? Would we then justify it because our rational reasoning would tell us that when there are many people, we "have" to organize them, and then the hierarchy would begin? When you said we are to "assemble ourselves together" did you mean we are to "wait" and see what You will do with us, or are you prompting us, by Your Spirit, to make a move? And, another thing, can women who are married, be the one you move on to take the initiative, or not? Or can she only gather women, and pray about the rest? Are my questions o.k. to have, or do they show a lack of patience or faith? If so, forgive me and work those things in me. 

Celebrating New Year's Eve

     Since New Year's Eve is tomorrow night, I was impressed to look at the Scriptures that reinforce my present understanding of God's instruction in I Peter 4: 1-6.  These Scriptures spell out some past behaviors people had before coming to know the Lord Jesus, such as "living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." He tells us that we have spent enough time doing those things before, (I know I did)  and that we shouldn't spend the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (vs. 2) He also says we will have to give account to God for how we live here, and be judged accordingly. (vs. 4,5)
     I looked up the word "revelings" which is used in both Peter and Galatians, and it means "to let loose." Whenever we choose to "let loose" or choose not to let the Spirit control us, our flesh, which is always close by, knocking at the door, will come in and try and fulfill it's lust. Nothing ever good comes out of this! In fact, something bad always does. Sin. Sin, I am finding out in my years on earth, ends up hurting us and others, and erodes our spiritual lives. Yes, God will forgive, but if we go into it knowing it is wrong, and do it anyway, expecting God's forgiveness, that is another thing, which I would not dare try and judge, but it is a situation, which seems very precarious and daunting, and one we would be wise not to make a habit of.
     I think you can see the connection here with New Year's Eve celebrations. Alcohol is usually involved, which leads to the temptation to " let loose" in all other areas, because of it's effect on our mind and emotions.
     Today, a great number of people who call themselves His, are "wine drinkers." Many of them think this is a sophisticated form of alcohol, which is harmless. But, my friends, alcohol is alcohol, whether it is drunk out of a beautiful wine glass with bejeweled decoration on the crystal stem, or  from a dark bottle in a paper sack by a homeless person in the gutter. The former just "looks" better, and is actually more deceiving to the individual, as to it's harm , because of this.
     Consider your ways this New Year's Eve. Is it really necessary to have to "celebrate" it? What exactly are you celebrating? Are you just doing it because "the world does it?" This is telling in itself. The most important question, though, is how does God feel about it? Have you committed it unto Him? We have One and only One to celebrate, and we don't need to use alcohol to do that, because we have His Spirit.



      

That He May Have the Preeminence

     I am reading a book entitled, The Torch of the Testimony, that tells about how the movements of God, which started out by personal spiritual experience, resulted in recovered truth, turned into hierarchies, which ended up tainting the truth.  The reason this happened was because people began looking to man instead of God and, as a result, Christ stopped being central. It shows that, whenever this happens, as it seems to always do, a new "sect" is formed which only causes more division in the Body of Christ.
     How can people keep Christ central, as they gather, and not begin to look to a physical man as they do? Is it even possible? Not without mature men and women, being led by the Spirit, among them. Those who by, letting God work inside of them, by crucifying themselves daily, are then enabled to "let the Spirit have his way." Sometimes, in the gathering, that could mean being quiet and letting the carnality of other men be exposed, and sometimes it can mean speaking up and letting Him guide through a human vessel. Whatever means the Holy Spirit uses,(and they are endless) men must be submitted to them, for Him to have the preeminence.
     For example, if a man has much knowledge and understanding from the Word, or by the Spirit of God, and he is gathered with saints, he would be ever vigilant to seek the Lord as to what and when to share. If he dominated the group, each time they gathered, by espousing all he knows, he would become the focus. Either he would repel people, if they resisted him, or he would attract them. It is a very precarious thing, to hold the treasures of God, and be entrusted with them. In humility, a man must "decrease, while He increases," so as the attention will be on Christ, and not him.
     I have "dreamed" of being part of a group where all understood that God has an agenda whenever we meet, and, as each one submitted to that voluntarily, that agenda, by the Holy Spirit would come forth. It would be glorious to see what He had in His heart and mind, as He revealed Himself among us. I know it would be so multi-faceted as His ministry was allowed to flow. I have seen this begin to happen, but then when a man "took over" the Spirit stopped flowing. I grieved.
     Father, make us One with you, as we submit under Your leadership and Kingship, for you alone are worthy!!! Forgive us for taking your place as we gather in Your name, suppressing Your desires, and allowing ours to dominate. In doing this, we have missed the many blessings that you had for us; blessings that would have brought us light and life! Instead we have tried to minister out of our own carnality, and have brought death to those around us, because we had taken the preeminence. We have wanted to be noticed, and You remained in our shadow, instead of the other way around, as it should be. We're sorry. We humbly submit unto You in all of this, trusting in your power, only that enables us. Amen.

Free to Now Serve Him in Newness of Life

     Because we have been "free from the law of sin and death" does not mean that the 
law of love, or the law of righteousness is gone or removed. It means that the power that caused us to sin, does not now have dominion, because the Holy Spirit within us has conquered that power, when Jesus triumphed over the powers and principalities through His victory on the cross. Through His Holy Spirit, He imparts to us that same power. Now, we are free to be "slaves of righteousness" which we are happy to be, with a desire to bring glory to our Lord. We now want to stay with Him and serve Him all the days of our life.
    
    

He Will Make the Crooked Places Straight

     There are so many interpretations of the doctrines of the Bible, I stagger. Whenever I am seeking understanding about a particular thing from the Lord, sometimes I read what other people have written on the subject. Most of the articles, are chuck full of Scripture to verify their beliefs, but still they believe differently. What is the truth, someone might ask. Is it a matter of, "pick a card, any card"?
     I am reminded of Pontius Pilate starring at Jesus and asking the same thing about truth, and Truth was looking back at him, but he didn't recognize Him. Truth is Jesus Christ, and all truth comes from Jesus Christ, by means of His Holy Spirit who promises to lead us into all truth. So, when we read His Word, we can be assured that He is, and He will do that for us. Maybe not right at that second, but "in His time."
     There are many Bible scholars who want knowledge just for the sake of knowledge. I am referring, though, to seeking understanding of God's will, and to know His heart and mind on things for the purpose of applying it to our lives, so that He may be glorified through it, and so that we may bring Him pleasure. When we say, "I delight to do your will, O God," He must say, "I delight that you are delighted."
     Wading through all the different beliefs, though, is daunting, and without the aid of His Holy Spirit, becomes confusing and many times, defeating. When I first came to the Lord, and listened on the radio to many who I felt knew better than me, and then realized their beliefs contradicted each other, I was frustrated, and didn't know what to think. Who was right, and who should I believe, I mused.
     Over time, though, as I grew in Him, and understood, about the promise of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth, and learned to hear His leading, I became more relaxed. Many times, I am just doing a menial thing, and He drops His understanding in my spirit concerning something I have wondered about for years. He decides when to reveal truth to us, I believe.
     In His Word, He talks about people who are carnally minded, and that they cannot understand the things of the spirit. If we are not allowing Him to change us on the inside, by the cross He says for us to "take up" then we will not be able to "hear His voice," and will follow carnally minded (or flesh driven) doctrines which will be false, and will lead us astray, although we won't know it. Perhaps that is why there are so many different beliefs "out there." People aren't letting Him crucify their flesh, and so, it is leading the charge in their lives.
     When God's followers are wanting Him to have His way in their lives, and are letting Him do His work on the inside of them, which involves much pain and sorrow, the Spirit within them will begin to dominate and they will begin to understand His heart and mind concerning the truth He enables us to walk in. Even though all are not at the same place in this, if they continue, they will be at the same place, because they are moving in that same direction. Oh Lord, help us continue to surrender to You, so that our beliefs will be based on Your truth and not on our own carnal reasoning, which will lead us astray every time. Amen.

    
    

Be Careful with Revelation

     As God shows a person things by revelation through the Holy Spirit, how much of that are they supposed to share with others? Why is revelation given? In I Corinthians 14:16, the Word says that when we come together (gather) that God has given things for people to share, including revelation, but then qualifies it by saying that it should all be done for edification; to build up the Body. So, I guess then it should be determined how and when to share revelation according to His discernment, by asking Him, and responding accordingly. 
     He has given my husband and I revelation concerning 2 things in our culture that are so deeply engrained in many people, both in Christianity and in the world. Living without them in our lives has put us in a position of being separate or even alienated; and yet we've chosen that, based on His revelation to us. Others have received this same revelation, but we didn't receive the revelation from them. He has given it to them individually, as they've walked with Him, and then we found ourselves at the same place.
     These two things, when participated in, interfere with, distract from, and even taint, relationship with Him. And that is hallmark. But if I were to tell you what these two things are, and you haven't been prepared by Him to contain them, it wouldn't "build you up" but may traumatize you, akin to many children's reactions when they find out there is no Santa Claus. (In other words, you have been indoctrinated to believe a lie, and then find out the truth. Truth, like light, can blind the ones who have been in darkness for so long.) But, if you are ready to receive, and He has in fact, started showing you things about them, and then you hear what they are, it will serve as confirmation to you. Then, this will encourage, or build you up, because it will help you know you have indeed heard from God.
     I'm sorry I am being so mysterious, and if I've teased your curiosity. I haven't meant to. What this writing is to further understand the revelations we get from God, and to discern on a deeper level, when, and to who He would have us share them. I am seeing that it is on an individual basis, as they are only for the ones He has prepared, and not for "wholesale distribution." So, as He reveals things to you, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and, as He has assured us in His Word, He will lead you into all truth, in all things.
    
      

Hate, Right and Wrong, and Forgiveness

     It sure does hurt to be hated. We yearn to be loved and understood, but I am deducting from my 61 years thus far on this earth, that the only One who can and does this, is God. People judge us and then hate us, as a result of those judgments. I have yet to learn myself how, when someone does something hurtful to me, especially if it's intentional, how to not judge that as a wrong action. And I'm not sure if God wants us to not judge it as wrong. It certainly isn't right. I'm reminded of what God has already told us in His Word when He says there will come a day when people call "good, evil and evil, good." I believe those days are upon us. We do need to recognize "right from wrong" but then there is the subject of forgiveness.
     And I still really don't understand it. I can see so clearly about it whenever a person comes and tells us they are sorry, and then the offended one offers to not hold it against them. I get that. The offender has acknowledged what he has done with his confession, and is obviously sorrow he did the action. He puts himself "at the feet" of the other person, so to speak. He realizes who he has sinned against, and he humbles himself before that person, needed something (forgiveness) from him. But I don't get it whenever the offender seems to justify his sin by ignoring his offense or makes light of it. How can someone else forgive that person, if they are not even wanting forgiveness, because they are too proud to acknowledge what they have done?
     I've read a lot about forgiveness such as comments about it like, " it's really for the offended one and not for the one who has done the offense," "you haven't asked Jesus for forgiveness for every sin and He's forgiven you," and "if you are angry it shows you haven't really forgiven," etc.- but all these explanations don't ring true for me. I'm not saying I would refuse to forgive, but it only makes sense, if that person came to me, confessed and asked. I mean, how can we give something to someone if they don't want it, or haven't even acknowledged any wrong-doing? And, our anger is an emotion of the soul, which may take time to be calmed, even though, we have truly forgiven someone.
     Then there is the argument from the Word that says if someone doesn't forgive, God won't forgive them. I believe God looks at the heart in this matter. He knows those who "would" forgive others, if someone came to them and asked, and frankly, I believe that, if they would,  He counts it as righteousness. The question becomes, "does a person have a forgiving heart?"
     Unforgiveness, I believe, is when someone asks someone else to forgive them, and they refuse to. Granted, there have been so many horrendous travesties committed on this earth, that forgiveness may come in layers, as the person who has been sinned against works through things in their souls, but if they desire to forgive, I believe God will help them do it completely.
    
    
 

Intimacy=Into Me See

     Yesterday, I made a confession to the Lord about some disappointments in my life which I've carried for a long time. They are things I didn't want to admit in an attempt to hide them from myself, even though they were "in there." It felt right and good to just say them, to get them out, and to put them before the Lord. I told Him I couldn't do anything about them; that I didn't know how. In this way, I was declaring defeat in my ability to make things better. We reach the end of ourselves in many different ways.
     In the past, I had been careful to confess to Him the things in me which were "sin" but one of my weaknesses has been to cover up my wants from Him. Because I had thought they were selfish, I just denied I had them. That didn't make them go away, though. In fact, they festered and added up, until I finally couldn't contain them anymore. I needed to get them out, and just say them, and I did. Sometimes, I deny things are there (in me) if I don't think they should be. I know, it sounds crazy, but I didn't know anything else to do with them, until yesterday.
     I am seeing that anything that remains "in the dark" is not good. To admit or confess brings them out into the light-His light, which cleanses and purifies. I found myself, not only confessing that I had "wants," but that I didn't admit them to the Lord, and tried to hide them. When I finally did, something good happened, and that He was pleased. I don't know what He will do about them, but I know that I can't.
     I think the next step will be to tell Him what my wants are. Laying ourselves before Him, the good, the bad and the ugly is a good thing and paves the way for Him to do the marvelous work that He does in us, as He makes good soil in our hearts.


   

Facing the Music

     Do you ever just want to quit? Give up? Retreat? Go somewhere to get away from your struggles? From others and yourself, who keep being hurtful and never seem to change? Eventually, there remains no where to go.
     I think when I feel like this,  there is something the Lord is wanting me to deal with, and I don't want to. I want to do what I think is easier or less uncomfortable, like one of the above. All of what I wrote in the first paragraph indicates a desire to run away, instead of facing, whatever it is, head-on.
     Now, for the "whatever it is." It' s a build up of some of the things that I haven't dealt with in the past, whether in myself or my circumstances, and it's come to a point, that if I don't do it now, more problems will result with, and the fallout will be unavoidable. But, I don't know what to deal with first, or how. I guess that is where seeking the Lord, and trusting Him comes in.
     In yesterdays post, I had written about being in His Kingdom, as opposed to in the kingdom of the world. Maybe me feeling this way now, is either an illusion sent by the enemy because I was onto something true, or maybe it is God telling me that I am using "being in His Kingdom" as a means of escaping what He wants me to face, in my life here on earth. I am thinking now it is the latter. If that is true, it still makes me want to run and not deal with it. (The tendency of the flesh)
     Facing our reality is important. Even Abraham knew that he was past bearing children (reality) but believed God still. Sometimes not facing reality requires no trust in God at all. In Abraham's case, if he and Sarah were of child bearing age, when she became pregnant, how would that have demonstrated to them that it was a miracle from God?
     In my case, if I deny that anything is wrong, if things get better, I may attribute it to my own efforts or in the natural flow of circumstances changing, as in "eventually things just seem to take care of themselves." And so I would miss God's hand in my life. But, if I admit my own reality, either in how I am feeling, or in what is truly painful or hurtful, and commit it to God, then when it does change, I will know that God Himself, took an interest and moved on me, the situation or others, and will know more of His love and power. Then it will be obvious to me, that it was Him who did it,  and to Him only will be the glory!

 

In the Presence of the King

     I am experiencing more of what it means to be "in the world, but not of it." It is a place in Him where a person is cocooned; a place where you are aware of what is going on around you, and of what is being said and done by others who are in the world, but also a place of protective isolation as you allow yourself to be kept by Him, under His Wing. When a person experiences this, it is almost surreal. One's inner thoughts may go something like this: "I know I am here, and I know I am in what many call 'reality,' but I am also somewhere else at the same time. I am not engaging the world, except as He gives me utterance or prompting, and my soul is at peace and rest."
     I am in and out of this state, because it takes so many washings of the world and the flesh, (or crucifixions, whatever you may call them) in someone to remain out of the world and into His. One of my weaknesses in this area, is of wanting to be "included" and "valued" by others who are eating and drinking of this world. I want to be a part because of loneliness, and feeling different and ostracized, which are uncomfortable feelings to have.  I am learning, though, that I never will be embraced by those living in another kingdom, and that His Kingdom is the better place, and the only place for those who desire to be conformed to His image.
     As He's enabled me to accept these realities, I am finding that under His Wing, I find true comfort, peace and acceptance from Him, and because of that, I am finding I want to remain in this sacred place, more and more.

 

Anchored for A Purpose

    Have you ever wondered what it means for Christ to be "the anchor of your soul"? That phrase dropped in my spirit last night as I was washing dishes, and my mind went to a time a few days ago when I experienced this. Right now, I can't remember exactly what had gone on, but something triggered my emotions to the point of my flesh wanting to vent full force and do some thing that would have resulted in a very bad scene. As these emotions pulsed through my veins, something beyond my control, restrained me, and I knew it was Him. It was as if, even if I had wanted to give my flesh it's way, His presence in me prevented it. Only His power in me, could have overcome my flesh like that. It was a situation, where I knew, He knew, I really couldn't control myself and so He stopped me. He anchored my soul.
     It's comforting to know that "when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against him" in us. (Isaiah 59:19) Not when we don't care if our flesh has our way, and attempt to justify it, as in "I'll do what I want when I want it, and nothing can stop me," but when He knows we are not wanting to let our flesh have it's way, but the empowering force of satan is aiding it, against our wills. I believe it is then, that He comes to the rescue, and fights the good fight inside of us, and it's incredible. That is when we see that "greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world."
     The song below voices someone who is  praying to God for His will, and asks Him to "overcome us in our weakness, so we can stand up and fight." Sometimes we find ourselves on the floor of the boxing ring and desperately need a power greater than our own, and a Champion comes to fight for us; one that has already won the fight on the cross!!! And, once again, we are anchored, never having to fear, that if we truly desire His blessed Will, we will never "go off the deep end," for He will protect us from that. After all, His preserving us is not just for us. It's for His Sovereign plan and purpose of the "restoration of all things."



I Would Have Gathered You

     "The sky is falling; the sky is falling!" I am remembering the story of  chicken little who yelled these words when an acorn hit her head one day, reacting out of fear, and influenced her friends to be afraid also.
     There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there today. Some are acorns; some are not. Since we have access to the internet and can hear about all the gruesome and terrible things that are happening in the world, it can influence us to be afraid, and it's hard to discern which things to be aware of, and which ones to disregard. Our intense preoccupation with these things, can only add to our awareness, which, if we don't watch it, can turn into fear.
     Then my thoughts go to Jesus when He was saying that He wanted to put Israel under His wings, like a mother chick does her babies, but they wouldn't be comforted, and this grieved Him so. He wants that same thing for us, too. He wants us to trust Him so much, that we "stay put," under the shadow of His wing. Only in that place, do we have protection; maybe not physical protection always, but truly eternal. And that is where peace is.
     How do we stay there? We get out of the way, and let Him lead. I am finding out that the less I try and do, and be in control of, the better off I am, because it is then, that He takes over, and I experience peace. What makes me vulnerable is my pride, which really believes it can handle things better. Oh, how it gets us in trouble every time. We get out from under His protective hand, an acorn hits us on the head, and we find ourselves saying that "the sky is falling" and then try and convince others of the same thing. We find ourselves in fear and panic, and then we run back under His hand of grace for protection. Why don't we just stay there? When we learn to do that, we won't be "chicken little", anymore, but we will be the blessed little chicks, all warm and comforted by our Nurturing and Loving Shepherd. Which chick would you rather be?

Journeying to the Holy City

     Let's look at a Christmas song in a new and different way, from a spiritual point of view.

Oh,come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Oh, come ye, Oh come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels.
Oh, come let us adore Him, Oh come let us adore Him, Oh come let us adore Him-
Christ the Lord.

The ones who are being called to "come" here are those who are faithful, joyful and triumphant. They are full of faith, or faithful. They are triumphant because they have let Christ purge the old from them, and be renewed with the new on the inside. They have let Him work by means of sorrow, tribulation, and trials in their lives, and let Him get what He wanted from them, moving towards the place that He, Himself is in-that of having "overcome the world." In that way, they are triumphant in this victory He has won for them. Then, they are filled with joy, and even before this process is complete, knowing the outcome before them, and because they know God will be glorified, as a result of this process.
And who do these ones "come to?" Do they go to a place called Bethlehem, where Jesus was born? If we went there today, would we see Him? No, they go to "the House of Bread," which is the meaning of the word Bethlehem. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life." These overcoming ones, not only come there, they stay there, as they've learned there is no other sustenance to fill them than the very Life of who Jesus is. This Bethlehem is a place in the spirit where He is; it is the promised land of milk and honey where God lives, a place where His broken and contrite ones can "eat of Him, and drink of Him" without limit. It is known by other names too-Mt. Zion and Jerusalem.
Adoring Him is the automatic response from those who live there with Him, and see who He is  more and more, as they let themselves be swallowed up in Him.

Let's see past the baby in a manger. Let's see Christ who is our all in all, and worship Him in spirit and in truth! He is a victorious King of Kings, who has fulfilled everything, and who fills everything!!! Go there. Come there. Eat there. Drink there. Adore Him!!!
    

He is Shaking All that Can Be Shaken

     This past year my husband and I experienced "being ripped apart on the inside,"  because  a ministry we had been involved in, and gave money through, for about 18 years, was shaken. This shaking was due to radical and sudden changes that divided many people, and was in response to allegations among people we had come to love and trust. As a result, we experienced a lot of emotional hurt, and also doubt entered in, and our trust was violated. We had wanted to believe everyone, but with contradictory responses, everywhere we turned, that became impossible. The result was that, to this day, we do not know who is, and who is not telling us the truth. The email below was written to pastors we were supporting, and who we had come to know personally when we visited India 3 times. It is in response to repeated emails from them, wondering why we no longer give to them. I believe that it is from the heart of God to them. Changes in life like this are hard, but as is expressed in the email, God is doing something in and through all of them:

Dear Pastors in India-

Because of the changes in the ministry, and the doubt that was put on us with relationships there, we don't know who to trust now. For the innocent, this is very grievous. It is obvious a few people, perhaps many, have been deceiving us, and so we don't want to give money, if we don't know who is real and who is not. I truly hate that this has happened; that we can't know the truth, but I have to accept that it has happened. It could be the devil lying about people, because of jealousies or hatred, or it could be God exposing those who were truly being deceptive, but we cannot function in that atmosphere with any degree of certainty that our monies, and really ourselves, are not being used, in all purity and honesty. I feel guilty at times, knowing the needs, but God is assuring me that He is well able to take care of His own in ways outside of us and our supply. I believe He is also trying to show people things within themselves that need to be changed, as He did in me.

 I loved India and it's people blindly, in almost a delusional way, and was prey to be "taken advantage of" because of this. So, I had my part too. I didn't want to look at some questionable things that we saw there, which was probably the Spirit of God trying to show me. I didn't want to give up India, so I ignored possibly the voice of God. Now, He has sharpened my eyes, as the delusion has been removed, and I am better equipped to let His voice lead, guide and protect me, as is His will.

So, that is the bottom line, as I know it from God's heart to mine, concerning why we have not continued giving. We now are opened to other places besides India to give, and even to needs we may see anywhere, as He quickens us to give. Instead of giving regularly (month by month) we give as the Spirit urges us. The other way started to seem like a "religious act" and became a ritual of sorts, which blocked out the voice of His Spirit.

He knows your needs, dear ones, and what is true for me is true for you. As we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, all these things (your daily needs) will be added unto you. You are in our hearts, and we will pray for your needs, as you trust Him to meet them.

Satan's Attacks are Swallowed Up in His Victory

     Someone I know sent my an email last night asking for prayer as they were feeling the attacks of satan. I am posting my response to them below, in hopes that if some of you are also in this place, you may receive some hope and encouragement by some things the Lord has shown me concerning this:

The finished work on the cross is yours. One of the major things Jesus died for is the victory He won over satan in our lives. As I stood in the gap for you this morning, I found myself thanking Him, on your behalf, for this sure victory. Be assured this victory is the standard He raises when the enemy comes in like a flood. It is the standard that He raises that prevents the enemy from destroying us. I know you have heard it before, but it is a sure thing: satan can not cross the blood line which protects the children of God, through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Even when its seem like we are being destroyed mentally, emotionally or even physically, it is not unto death, meaning that spiritually we will never die because of His sacrifice. Sometimes when God is working in us to change some of our former false beliefs to His true ones, I've found that is when satan attacks most, because in this sense we are coming out of darkness and being brought into His glorious light or truth, and satan would have us stay in a place of deception. I've also discovered that God uses these attacks, to do something in us; either He is removing things or adding things, but we can be assured that our purification awaits us on the other side, each time this happens. So, we need not be afraid whenever satan assails us like that,  as He's already won the victory for us, and we are left with only trusting Him, the One and Only Trustworthy One, to get us where He wants us, even as He uses these attacks for His glory!!!

A Precious, Holy Union

      In the natural, something is wrong with my rib and it hurts! I just had a flash of Adams' rib, which I, as a wife, am. Taken from the side of the man, woman was. There's something to that! And, what if, when something is wrong with Adams' rib (his wife) it hurts him, because she is part of his body? That so begs to be pondered!
     If she is not whole, but is injured in body or soul, he is affected in some way. Either he is hurt out of compassion for her, because he loves her deeply, or he is hurt by her, as she lashes out at him because of that hurt. Both ways cause him pain. She is part of him.
     So, it behooves her to get healing from the Only One who can, by the power of His shed blood on the cross. She  must submerge herself under this healing fountain, for not only her relief and release that wholeness brings, but also for his healing. The synergy of them being "one" works like this. They are "one" by design and are becoming "one" as they both immerse themselves into this stream, and as they do, His Spirit flows more and more freely between and through them, that the world may know He has come. A precious, holy union it is. It's about Christ and His Bride.

 

 

And another one to enjoy-

 

 

I Can Do It-NOT!!!!

     "Putting our body in submission"(I Cor. 9:27) is one of the hardest things to do, when referring to making food choices that bring health, instead of death. For almost 2 years now, my husband and I have changed our eating style from "eat whatever you want" to "eat mostly greens, fruits, eliminating dairy, breads, pasta, and sweets, with a little meat thrown in there every once in awhile." (Alkaline diet)
     At first, we both lost 25 lbs., and were well on our way. We had cut up bell pepper, celery, and green snap peas in a container in the fridge at all times. We drank a "green smoothie" everyday. We maintained this pattern for approx. a year and one half.
     We still do most of this, but in the past few months, we have gradually allowed the "death foods" to creep back in, and I don't like it. I think I don't like the fact that we can't do it consistently as much as the fact that the foods are getting in us. Which, of course, leads me to look once again, at my own helplessness in light of doing anything consistently, without relying on the self-control the Lord provides, as a fruit of the spirit.
    I do believe that, even in the area of what we eat, we can "start out in the Spirit" and "end up in the flesh." Even though Paul, expressed this principle to the Galatians, I believe it is a universal one, which transcends time, that can be applied to all areas of our lives. When we begin to fail in our own strength, this can show us, if we will but yet see, that somewhere along the line, even unconsciously, we grabbed the ball, and began to "try" to "do it ourselves." The fact that we are slipping can be the impetus to begin again, to ask for His help daily, if not all through the day. He is beckoning us back to what He is after in us all, and that is complete and total dependency.
     I thank Him for my failures and for showing me that I can't do anything consistently without Him. Whenever His Word tells us to do anything, and the New Testament is full of directives, in our behavior or otherwise, we need to understand that if we try to do it "in our flesh" we will fail. He tells us "to do" this and that, and He expects us to realize,  through our repeated failures, that it is only by His strength and the abilities He has imparted to us, that we can succeed in anything. It's not us, but Him.
     As we submit to Him and ask for His power to help us in all things, He will then fulfill His plans and purposes through us and the reasons for us walking this earth will be completed, and He will be glorified. This is the best motivation I know of to want to "mortify the deeds of the flesh." (Rom. 8:13) Oh God, overcome through us in all areas!!!
    

Teach Me, O Lord

     Depending on only one teacher or preacher to "hear God's voice" is not only unwise, but is dangerous also. It's dangerous because that person is also growing in Christ and is not yet perfected, and may even be in error. If you aren't a student of the Word yourself, and he/she quotes verses to make their points, which are misapplied, you wouldn't even know it. Another scenario might be that you are in active sin, and your own ability to discern truth would be impaired; or they may be, unbeknownst to you. If you believe, hands down, that what they are saying is true, than the discernment the Holy Spirit gives you will be discarded, and will set you up to possibly believe error, and then begin to walk in it.
      Eloquence and even a charismatic personality, coupled with a good delivery or a great literary style and flair, is no reason to automatically believe that what a teacher or preacher writes or speaks about is true, according to the heart and mind of God. And to attach oneself to only one or two of them exclusively can lead you astray. For one thing it can cause you to substitute your own time with God, rather in the Word or in communion with Him, and cut off your own personal relationship. Subconsciously, you begin to think, as you watch TV or read a book, that you are spending time with Him, but in reality, you are just getting more attached to a particular person, and you begin believing everything they say as "gospel."
     The Word says:

     …15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,…

     According to this Scripture, one's favorite teacher or preacher could be unstable, untaught (by the Spirit), or unprincipled, and you wouldn't even know it because you don't know their daily lives If this is the case, and you are "eating from this one trough" you, too will be influenced wrongly, whether you intend to be or not.
     So, God's voice speaks to us in many ways and through many people and things, and not exclusively through one. He gives us His Holy Spirit to identify "the way we should go" backed up by His Word which should be hidden in our hearts, by having read it ourselves. These are indicators God gives us to stay away from getting off and from being influenced by those in error.
Again, He says of some teachers:


Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

2 Peter 2:3
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

1 Timothy 6:4-6

⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
    
     These are just a few of the cautions in Scripture that speak of false teachers. We must not be attached to certain teachers exclusively. As we mature in the Lord, He will direct you concerning which ones are trustworthy, however. It's the soul attachments that are dangerous.
     If you find yourself always talking about a particular person and their "teaching" or "preaching", instead of about God and what He does and is doing in your life, you may have a dangerous attachment, or soul tie, with them, making you subject to having false teaching, or untruth, infect you, and clouding your discernment as time goes on.  Only by asking God about it, can you find out, repent, allow Him to sever that attachment, and turn back to Him, the One and Only True and Faithful One.

Cross references:

1. 1 Timothy 6:4 : 1Ti 3:6; 2Ti 3:4
2. 1 Timothy 6:4 : S 2Ti 2:14
3. 1 Timothy 6:5 : 2Ti 3:8; Tit 1:15
4. 1 Timothy 6:6 : Php 4:11; Heb 13:5
5. 1 Timothy 6:6 : 1Ti 4:8

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Transition From Error to Truth

     Someone wrote recently on their website that if someone is presently believing something that is not true (meaning from the reality of Christ) , and they have the Spirit of truth within them, they will experience "doubt." This doubt causes someone to question the current, "false truth" they are believing in order to see it's error, and so that they will receive the "real truth." And, I am adding, that this process happens many times over when someone's mind is being renewed, and they are being transformed into His image. When we doubt our doubt, it could be that we are pushing away the very truth the Holy Spirit is moving us towards. Only God, by His Holy Spirit, can help us respond to His changing us in a safe way, maneuvering us through the web of deception. As we put our trust in Him to do it, we can be assured that He will, even through our false thoughts, confusion, or if we make wrong turns. We don't have to figure it out, or understand how He does it either! Who else, but God, could do that in us, but God?

P.S.-This process is currently happening in me. I feel like a "snowglobe," and God is shaking me up, with all the little snowflakes whirling and twirling around, never knowing where they will fall. But, I know that after the shaking within us occurs, even to the core, at times; how we end up, after the snow settles is ALWAYS better than before. (But it is unsettling!!!!) Sigh.

The Dangerous and Subtle Lure of Self

     Yesterday I walked the streets of gold, and indulged the "lusts of my eyes." What I mean by this is that I went to a dress shop which had beautiful clothes, whose price was 3 times what I normally pay. Even with the 25% discount, they were still expensive, by my standards. I was interested in 2 pieces, and even tried them on. Of course, they fit perfectly and made me look luxuriously "stunning." And I was seriously considering buying one or the other, or even both. Then I saw a pearl necklace I thought was pretty. Because I am not an impulse buyer, I told the sales clerk, I would think about them. She wrote the items down for me with the "reduced" prices on them, so I wouldn't forget what I had looked at. We had had a nice conversation, and I liked her "to boot." While I was there, I felt like I was somebody important.
     Then I went to another dress shop, which also was expensive, but not so exclusive as the previous one. I bought a unique shirt which cost more than any top I had ever purchased. I couldn't believe I was doing it. I actually imagined the "comments" I would get from others, when I wore it. The only problem was that I really didn't have any place to wear it, and so I was trying to think of some place to go where I could. Then, in the back of my mind, I thought that would cost money, too.
     Since, the store has a return policy, with receipt of 7 days, I now plan on returning it. Why the change, and how did God wake me up out of this flesh driven stupor I was in?
     On the way home from shopping in town, I listened to a sermon on the radio, custom made for me. The speaker was telling about temptation and how it presents itself to cause someone to "eat of the world's goodies." I knew this, but at this point in my life, I needed a reminder. He said that it is from 3 sources: "the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes." My little shopping experience had all 3 of these present, and I almost fell prey. I now know that if I would have, I would have entered into a new and more dangerous level of embracing the world, which would have affected greatly my love for God and following Him with my life. Another thing the man on the radio said was the Scripture that said just that-"If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you."
     Then this morning, God answered a question I had asked Him about which also involved what it means to follow Him, in this world, and why so many who call themselves His, are going in different directions. Finally, something happened in our personal lives, which further cemented the path I must continue to take with God, by resisting the lures of this "golden city" in America; the very values of Babylon itself, and how dangerous to our walk with God this can be, if we do not resist. (by His Spirit, of course.)
     I'm grateful He had my back, and because of this, I did not give into my fleshly impulses, but withdrew from the situation, and was open to His voice and leading. This is the path of righteousness for His Name's Sake.
     Lord, when you say "go" thank you for the power to "go." When you say "stop", thank you for the power to "stop." May I rely on, and use this power you have put inside of me, so that Your desires will be fully met through me.


I John 2:15-17
Do Not Love the World
15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.