Your Will Be Done

This is the heart of the issue of "trust in the Lord." To come to the place of "knowing the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." We can't know this until we have come to the place of surrending our will to His. It's not a simple decision, but a vital one.

All through our lives we have based our decisions about life on the information we have received from the world. Mostly through our five senses, and our mind. Some through experience. And others by association with others. The most critical to our choices has always been "self-preservation". For if we couldn't keep ourselves alive, then the rest is immaterial.

The ability to give ourselves to the will of some-one else can only be done one way. In love. Love is the only thing stronger than survival. Where there is love there is self-sacrifice, to the object of that love. This love comes from the knowing of the person who is loved. Not in a theory, but in a fact. By introduction and experience. With understanding and full acceptance of the worthiness of the person.

This is to be our walk. So that as we come to know God, we are changed into willing vessels of His love. To be so secure in His love that we no longer count our lives dear to us. But rather to be spent on the will of God. We are called to "die to self", and live for the glory of God. Such was the walk of Jesus. This is done by the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. As Jesus said; "that the world may know that I love the Father, and always do what pleases Him." Even unto death, and that on a cross.

This is totally different from the natural man. A whole different mind set. To spend our live for the will of another. Even to be willing to die, if it's expedient to the will of God. This is the fruit of the Spirit, the supernatural endowement of love. It is not in man, but in God. That one would lay down his life for "his enemies". Neither is this a trial after the flesh, but a high calling, to "share in Christ's suffering." To glorify the Son of God, by following in his example.

This is not a work of happenstance or the wiles of the devil, but of the love of God. Ask Peter; three times Jesus asked, Peter do you love me? Then after commissioning Peter, Jesus told him how he would bring glory to God in his death. This after the love was confirmed in Peter. This is a work in the mature, those who have gone to great heights in their walk with God. Those who by experience have come to grasp the love that God has, and the perfection of His will. Counting anything else rubbish, to abtain to the high calling of God for their life. To be counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake.

Being Fruitful

In Proverbs it talks about a man who would look to the skies before planting seed in his field. The conclusion was that he'd never plant, and never reap a harvest. The point is there will never be a perfect situation or time. But to the man who sows freely regardless of the circumstances, he will have an abundant crop. We can take this to show the trap of waiting for the right time to sow the gospel.

As we walk through this life the Lord will give us many opprotunities to sow seed of the kingdom. But it will never "feel comfortable to the flesh". There will always be distractions, there will always be a dissenter. The results will never be known, weither the word will be recieved or rejected. If you will be appreciated or laughed off. But this is the way. In the parable the sower; sowed. It's always the right time to sow. The word in our hearts must come forth in words and deeds that show that we are from God. We must be involved, we are God's hands and feet and voice in the world.

This doesn't mean we are to give a whole bible presentation every time we see someone. But it is the word of encouragement or hope and love. It's the giving of the knowledge of the life of God with-in us freely. To tell others of the grace that we have recieved from the Lord. Many people will never darken the doors of our churchs. The proclaiming of the gospel is the work of the body in general, not for only the teachers and preachers.

If we will throw off the "feel right" attitude, and our pride or shyness. Or maybe we don't think we are worthy or smart enough. What-ever it is, get over it and do the work that is with-in your realm of influence. We are the hope of the world, and we are to tell of this great hope. It will never be the right time, it will never be the right place. It will never be the right situation. Just do it. Again, JUST DO IT.

The Lord has said; "open wide your mouth, and I will fill it". Again, "when you are brought before men, take no thought of what you should say, for words will be given you of my Father". So be bold, the Lord is with us to prosper us and to witness to the truth of his gospel. We are His vessels. This is a way to crucify the flesh, and walk after the spirit in love and grace.

When ever a new direction is taken, there is a time of timidity. After it becomes a practice, the confidence grows and the footing is sure. Then we will have the certainity of the experiences of the power of the Lord with us to hold us to our course. The gospel will be presented, the people will be drawn to the truth, and the Lord will be glorified.

I can tell you from experence that the Lord will use us to fulfill his work in the earth. I've prayed for people in gas-stations, and seen the Lord heal! The place or manner in which we witness is not the issue. It's will we allow the Lord to use us in all situations. And at all times. Not waiting for a "leading" other than the love of God that already lives in us. Not waiting for some-one to tell us it's okay. But to know that Jesus has already told us to "Go, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Balance

With out a doubt the greatest thing that can happen in life is to recieve Jesus!! This is the hope of the gospel. To come into a living fellowship of life with the creator. To share in His eternal life and goodness and love. A person can't know God apart from Jesus. All the discussion and arguements and questions are only answered in the love of God the Father through Jesus his Son by the Spirit of God.

Paul gave this instruction; we know God by the word and the Spirit. So here is a two part glue; the word and the mixing with the Spirit. This is the way we grow in the knowledge and love of God.

There has been to this point in the church history an imbalance in this growth. The majority of growth has been by diligent study of the word. This is good, and the Spirit of God enlightens us as we search the word. We have gained great knowledge in our minds of the word. Not all study is profitable, as some try to use the word for their own purpose, or to prove things that it doesn't give a clear answer on. But for the most part we have benifited.

The gape of growth in the Spirit is large. We have not kept pace with the growth in the Spirit. This is the experiences of the manifestations of the presence of God. Both with-in us, and to those we minister. Wheather in the work place, or in social settings, or as we happen to come in contact with people who are not believers. We are always the ambassadors of the kingdom of God. As such we should be equipped daily with fresh oil, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

This lack of spiritual growth is evident in the lack of support and ferver for prayer. The place of pray is where we come into the presence of God for equipping and the joy of knowing God. Prayer is misunderstood. To understand prayer as a communication between us and God, is a truth we know in our minds. We also need to know it as fact. By prayer we can know this. I suppose that there are many books on prayer, and examples of others who had a practice or method for praying. We can only be ourselves, and what worked for them is not always going to benifit us.

For myself I find the fellowship of God by praying in the spirit (tongues). The life of God in me is refreshed and I am concious of His presence with-in me. I've started my life of prayer with talking and rejoicing in the Lord. Waiting in worship upon Him as the goodness of the Lord has filled my soul. To this day I would rather worship the Lord and stand in His presence than hear the greatest preacher in the world.

This is the place the church needs to come to. Where the whole church comes to minister to the Lord. So no matter which way will work for you, find a way. Either weeping, or joy, or tears, or petitions, quoting the word, reading prayers. In all ways and at all times to be concious of His presence with you is the goal for the church, and for all believers. To be as Mary and just sit at His feet. And take in His love and grace. Not to ask for something, but to rejoice in Him alone. To spend our time with Him, and be changed by the Spirit.

Friends, let me make this a clear as I can. I love the word of God. I'm instructed by it, and taught how to live by it. The wisdom of God is revealed in it. All the counsel of His word is good and right. By the word I learn the will and ways of God. But, the Spirit of God takes this word and works it in me. He take the words and enlarges the meanings. He causes this word to be alive in me, and I become a partaker of the word. The word is life, and the Spirit brings it alive in me, and I am changed into His image. I have been given many manifestations of His power and love, and am enlarged by them. I would like all believer to know by experience the personal work of the Father through His Spirit. That we all come to the true knowledge of the love and power of God working through the finished work of Jesus.

Deliverance to the Captives

I would like to start this post with an excerpt from a Prophet of the Lord's. His web-site shows his work and calling. His name is Roberts Liardon.

What is preaching deliverance to captives? The Lord showed me a vision once of people in a cage. All of them had weird smiles. The Lord said, "Go up there and look at them. This is what many of my churches are like."

So I went and saw there also were people walking by outside the cage. I looked more closely and realized that the people in the cage thought they were free and thought the people outside were in captivity! They were deceived into thinking
that captivity was freedom!

Preaching deliverance to captives is boldly speaking the truth in love and breaking the bondage of deception. That takes strength and anointing. The Church needs this kind of preaching, because so many are captives of sickness, captives of the flesh, captives of soulish theology, captives of the past, captives of bitterness, and so forth. Many are deceived and ignorant of the enemy's devices. The anointing blasts through those deceptions and brings the liberty of the truth. (John 8;32.)

The whole of his message is real meat of the word, more than I could say, definitly a great read, and instruction.

I have no problem with any of this, my problem is I can't see where I'm in error. Like everyone else, it's the things that I can't see that trip me up. To go from a life of darkness into the liberty of the Lord, is a huge step. I know that it's for freedom that I have been set free. But freedom is foriegn to my mind and soul, and my mind has to be trained to see truth with understanding. My soul needs to be restored. Those and other areas being transformed is what we call santification. This has to be a work of the word and the Spirit.

So then I find I'm at a loss with-in myself to help me. That is in my our strength and understanding. Thank God for the Spirit. He is with me and in me to teach and enable. This requires submission, and earnest diligence. Although His ability is given to live in me I have to develope in our relationship. As I've said I'm the weak link in this arrangement.

So here is my solution: I will fake it, till I make it. I will pretend to be what I ought it be. I'll use my child-like faith, and imagine myself to be as my example Jesus. I'll play that I'm as He is. Devoted to the Father. Full of the Spirit. Full of compassion and love. Bold in asking. Expectant in receiving. Joyfull in life, and live with great confidence. Master of all situations, overcoming all obstacles. Able for any task, and power for helping all who come to me. Some one has said; "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull". So this is my stand. And you know what? In this I'm closer to the truth of the freedom of the gospel of God. As Paul said; "be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ."

Is this folly? No, by faith. Calling forth those things which do not appear, as though they do. God is pleased. And Jesus is exalted. And the work that my Father has for me will be done. You see; "it's Christ in you, the hope of glory". And as I walk the Holy Spirit will teach me and instruct me in the things I need to hear. And show me things I need to see. And give me wisdom and understanding of those things I need to know.

The Advantage of the Church Age

Jesus said before his crucifion:

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." John 16:14,15

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:25

Imagine with me for a moment, if we could be one of the disciples. Whenever there was a situation we didn't understand we would go to Jesus and ask, "What does this mean". In our daily life we would be amazed at the grace wisdom and goodness manifest in this man Jesus. Our eyes would be filled with wonders that the world had never seen. Our ears would hear words expressing thoughts that were beyond the minds of natural man. We would see authority with power to heal, deliver, and set free. The lame to walk the blind to see and the dead raised to life.

By this time we would know his voice, know his nature, see his love and be overwhelmed by the acts, even the elements are subject to him. Truly we would know that we are in the presence of God. Yet Jesus says; "it's good that I go away." What could be better? That he desires to live IN US! In his body the glory of the Son was veiled by the flesh. The eternal God the Son in the earth suit of man. Three disciples saw his glory on the mount of transfiguration, and were awed by him.

This same Jesus now resides in his people, with the same nature and wisdom and power. This is the result of the new birth into God. As Paul said; "in Him we live and have our being". There is a fellowship in spirit with the Lord. In this manner it is better for us. We are partakers of his very life. He is always with us to instruct, to comfort, to teach and share his joy.

In my opinion the first thing we should concern ourselves with is to develope a intimate relation with the Lord. In every way and in all prayers, to be sensitive to the Spirit. Jesus first work was to seperate himself unto God, with prayer and fasting. We need to do the same, to seperate ourselve unto God, to learn his voice, to learn his leading, to find his wisdom, and to be quick to obey. I'm sure that this is available for us, as to think that we can't know God with this intimateness would not be better. But Jesus said it was, so then he wants us to persue him in this. We should do what ever it takes to discover this personal God who lives in us. To grow in the knowledge of him, and the exceding greatness of his love. This was Paul's prayer for those to whom he had brought the gospel of Christ.

Living Inside Out

What grace we have recieved, that we should be called sons of God, and that is what we are. The eternal all-powerful life of God has become our life. The nature of the Lord is now become our nature. The Spirit of God to do the works of God has taken up his residence in us. We are the very body of Christ. We are the very sons of God. We now bear the image of the eternal God, as we have been born again after His kind, the God kind. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him.

This calls for a radical change in the way we live. In the past we all lived according to our own thoughts and desires. But now we are called to live after the Spirit, where we are in communion and joined with God. We are not two, but one. Just as the Father is in Jesus, so Jesus is in me. The old life has died, and the life of God has started. We are to walk in this new life. It's not a mixture of the old and new, but a new creation.

To walk in this life we have to live from "the inside out" where all the treasures of Christ are hidden. These are not hidden from us, but for us. We are to draw out these treasures from the well of salvation. We are to draw on the communion of the Spirit and receive the blessings of God. Both for us and to minister life to the world. We are to train ourselves to hear and obey the promptings of the Spirit. To live in companionship with him. To walk with God.

Let's look at the work of the Spirit. In Acts 2:17

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

The Spirit of God will empower us to speak new things, the things that the Lord has layed up for this time. He will show us things to come. Things that we have not yet understood, and that we have not seen. The Spirit gives revelation and knowledge and wisdom from God. So that we might walk in the paths that have been prepared for us. Who then is the visionary, where is the dreamer? Is it not us! Have we neglected our higher calling by substituting knowledge and intellectual study for revelation and wisdom from the Spirit? What of the wonders and signs, and miracles. We all have received the same Spirit. Then we are the people to whom this work has been given by the Spirit. We should therefore make every effort to enter into this work of God.

The Lord has said; "not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." The time has come for us to put away our own thoughts, and ways. The work can only be accomplished through and by the Spirit. We have to get in step with Him. We have to seek the plans and purpose and will of God. I look around and see a lot of discussion of different areas of God. But see little of the prophetic word and revelation of the Spirit. I want to hear of the manifestations of His power. I want to hear prophesies of His plans for the people's of the nations, and other things that I haven't even considered. Of the signs, wonders, and mighty acts. This is what sets the church apart from the world; the power of God. As Paul said; "the kingdom of God is not a matter of speech, but of power".

This is our heritage, and our inheritance, to walk in the power of God. To proclaim the mind of God. To demonstrate the life that is within us, in signs, wonders, and mighty acts. Anything less is settling for the traditions of men. The presence of God should be obvious to those around us. It should be said of us, as it was of Jesus; "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know."

Do You Like a Challenge

Here is my answer to those who think I'm all wet. I want to dare you to do what you think you can't do. I want to challenge you all to lay your hands on sick people and command healing to their body's. To take the Name of Jesus as your weapon against the illnesses and diseases and works of the devil. To allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow through you into these body's to affect a cure and a healing and a deliverance to those who come to you. If you need to, find another believer to be with you for support. "If two of you agree, it will be done for you". Try this and see what the Lord will do. If you have a church, do it in the services. "Pray one for another so that you may be healed."

If your conscience won't allow you to because your faith is not really active, then to you I have and alternative that will allow you to do this. Mary told the servants; "whatever he (Jesus) says, do it. To Peter, Jesus said launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch". So here we see that obedience to the word pleases God. It doesn't have to make sense. In all these the glory of the Lord was revealed, and God will alway honor anyone who will obey Him. The word of Jesus as the authority to do this; "In my name they will lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". You have no reason to disobey, so obey and do this, as Jesus said to. So then there is no reason why you can't do this, all you can lose is your pride. But I know that if you will expand you faith for healing, God will show himself strong.

Finally, if you leave comments they are appreciated; if you will do this and then leave comments, we will have testimonies of the goodness of the Lord. And much more interesting discussions. You see I know a secret; when-ever anyone asks in the name of Jesus for healing, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit is released to bring glory to God through the Son, every time!

Where is the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God does not come visibly. That is to say, it's not in the physical realm. The Kingdom of God shall be within you. The hidden man of the heart is the place of residence for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This transformation is called "being born again". And is the life of God imparted into us making us new creatures in Christ (alive in God). At conversion we are introduced to the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. We are now "sons of God" through Jesus Christ our Lord. As such we are given His commission to reconcile the world to God. Who offers this grace to all who believe in the atoning work of Jesus and his resurrection.

Seeing that this is a spiritual beginning, it only makes sense that the work continues in the same fashion. By the Spirit. Through revelation, and insight or preception of the knowledge and wisdom of God. The words of Jesus are spirit and they are life. The natural mind can't grasp the things of the Spirit, they are spiritually discerned. A man without the Spirit can't know them. But they are revealed to us who have the Spirit. So that we may know the things freely given to us by God. Each believer can testify to this truth by the word of God and the witness of the Spirit in our hearts. As we were all once blind to God's truth, but now we see.

So now the Kingdom of God is with-in, as well as the heavens are the abode of God. This admonition to; "seek you first the Kingdom of God" now has a double meaning. There is the heavenly realm, where God lives, and the earthly realm where God lives in the lives of His people. The deposit of the Spirit brings to us indivually the gifts and calling and equiping for the work that we were ordained to do. "For we are His workmanship, created onto good works."

All these things are hidden in Christ for us, and revealed to us by the Spirit. The call to pray is now more imparitive. We are also told to stir up the gifts and calling in us. How? By prayer and supplication. With the spirit, and with the understanding. At all times having the attitude of communion with God. Being always ready to pray and intercede. By fellowshiping with the Lord in our daily lives.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN FULLNESS IN CHRIST, who is the head over every power and authority. Col 2:9. Here we have the cruz of the matter. If your life is not measuring up to this standard, it's your fault. God has already given us every thing we will ever need for life and godlyness. No one else to blame, just ourselves.

Relative Truth?

This is a real great danger in society, that "what's true for you is not true for me." This is a teaching that invades every aspect of man's understanding. A source of deception. If everything is relative, then nothing is truth. In this senario no absolute can exist.

In my last post I stated; "the will of God can be known". This is an absolute. This is quite a different stance from that of the world. Even the christian mentality of a lot of believers. This is opposed to the thinking of men. And is seen as a threat, or error, or presumption. It's okay to have gifts, or visions, or revelations, or faith. But don't say you know the will of God!

In the old Testament God warned about calling good evil, and evil good. Jesus said; "either make the tree good and the fruit good; or make the tree bad and the fruit bad". This sounds to me like an absolute! As another absolute; "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." Or, "I am the Lord and I change not".

I wonder why the Lord bothered to write and preserve His word, if there no way to know His will. Hasn't He stated his will in His word? I think so, the Holy Spirit thinks so, and Jesus also thought so. Isn't Jesus; "the word made flesh"? Doesn't He uphold all things by the "word of His power"?

I have been accused of presuming to know without proper guidance and understanding. Well then, so be it, leave me to my folly. I will go on believing the words of Jesus. I'll go on beleiving that God is impartial, and eager to do good things, and not evil. I'll go on believing "that it's the goodness of God that leads to repentance".