The Fruit Of The Spirit - In The Mystery Of Christ
Joy - Part 1
Last night God did something special.
It was June 21, almost the longest day of the year. And I there was a beautiful double rainbow - shining very brightly. It lasted until sunset - more than an hour - in fabulous beauty.
My son and I were discussing the colors. Then he said something amazing: "In the old days, they must have wondered where the colors came from - almost like if God made it." Well of course God did make it. But what he meant was that now we understand how a prism breaks light into it's parts, ete etc etc.
And just as soon as we understand it scientifically - or think we do - it loses much of it's "wonder". The same thing holds true with genetics, DNA, and the wonder of the birth of a new child.
My father, who was a research scientiest, said such thinking was semi-insane. When you understand how something works (a little) you have MORE to marvel at, not less. But human pride is such that if we think we understand something, we lose all our humilty and stop experiencing much of the ecstasy of wonder we would have in ignorant humility.
Chistians learn about the bible and . . .
I think you can see where I'm going with this!
That is why we are so INSISTANT that we must REPENT and BECOME LIKE CHILDREN. We must become BLIND so that we might truly SEE. Unless we're born again, in this way, we cannot SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
We've also preached this as an ECSTATIC AND JOYFUL GOSPEL MESSAGE. You need to be SET FREE from your CONTROLLING HUMAN MIND.
But can you now see how your controlling human mind HOLDS YOUR HEART IN BONDAGE?
Your mind is a TYRANT.
This is why people get drunk. And it almost works. And most people would rather be around a pleasant drunk than an UPTIGHT KNOW-IT-ALL bible thumper.
When we think we understand God, WE ARE A FRAUD and misrepresent the truth.
Yes, God's mysteries are all revealed to us in Christ. And the New Testament is the revelation of the Old Testament mysteries. Yet "mysteries" they remain - incomprehensible to the mind of human reason.
God's truths are only truly understood in simplicity and humility.
That's why I laughed until I cried when my father said he thought I should get a "Doctorate Of Divinity".
Yeah God! I've got you ON TOAST. I've got a doctorate in . . . uh . . .YOU!
I'm laughing hysterically even now!
Roll all the theologians up in a ball and pitch them somewhere where they'll do no harm.
Yes, I know some of these guys are super humble.
We're talking about the EXCEPTION here, folks!!
But what about US?
We're all a bunch of junior theologians. And we've made ourselves into ridiculous little "gods".
So now we can't even fully appreciate the beauty of a rainbow - much less the amazingly beautiful things in God's sacred word!
So dive into that beautiful thing called "brokenness".
Trust me, if you weep until your tear fountain runs dry, you'll see the rainbow in a new light.
OH GOD!
I LOVE YOU!
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL BEYOND WORDS!
And, yes, the beauty of God's Sacred Word will be even MORE marvelously revealed to you in true wonder beyond words.
Do not defile it with a "human tool". Build your altar of "unhewn stones".
Handle God's word with true reverance.
Do not defile it with human doctrine and the teachings of denominations and man - or your own foolish human thoughts.
Then you'll discover what LOVE is.
Then you'll experience . . .
TRUE JOY!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Psalm 9 & 10
Psalm 9 & 10 were, apparently, originally ONE PSALM. How do we know that? In the Greek OT, which was translated before Jesus was born, there is ONE LESS PSALM because Psalms 9 & 10 are just ONE PSALM - Psalm 9 in the Greek. Also, it is an acrostic Psalm. It begins with the first 3 letters of the hebrew alphabet and ends with the last four. So what we call Psalm 9 starts with the first 3 letters and what we call Psalm 10 ends with the last four letters. There is another alphabetic section in the middle of Psalm 9 with 5 letters in sequence. Then it jumps to the letter (Kuph) in an obvious way - which begins the final sequence in Psalm 10.
So Psalm 9/10 contain an exceptionally interesting "riddle" for us. And the CONTENT of what is alphabetic versus what is not alphabetic is particularly interesting.
I'd like YOU to have a shot at deciphering this "riddle". So I'll give you the verses.
Here's the break out of the alphabetic and non-alphabetic sections. You figure it out.
First three letters
Verse 1 - alpha ("A")
Verse 3 - beta ("B")
Verse 5 - gimmel ("G")
It skips 2 letters to jump to waw ("W") in verse 7, then stays with "W". It also uses the holy name with the first "W".
Verse 9 - waw ("W") again
Verse 11 - zain("Z")
Verse 13 - chet (hard "H")
Verse 15 - tet (hard "T")
Verse 17 - yood ("Y")
It skips 8 letters to jump to kuph (hard "K") in verse 19. This connects with the holy name. It says "Rise Lord"
Then jump all the way down to Psalm 10 verse 12 where it once again has the kuph (hard "K") with the same phrase "Rise Lord".
Verse 14 - resh ("R")
Verse 15 - sheen ("SH") (Note that 14 should be two verses. It's twice as long. So just think of it as 2).
Verse 17 - tav(soft "T") Tav is the last letter of the hebrew alphabet.
So with this information, you should be able to read Psalms 9 & 10 and see why the non-alphabetic portion is non-alphabetic. The keys to the "jumps" become obvious - especially the second jump - for which I've given you a huge hint.
I have found several amazing "riddles" in scripture. They aren't weird letter games that could be unintentional. These riddles are certainly intentional on the part of the author. The word "Proverbs", in Hebrew, actually MEANS "riddles".
The bible is designed to provide captivating, exciting "food for thought" - just as Jesus loved to tell "parables" - and treated them as riddles - attempting to make his disciples figure them out on their own.
So Jesus will enjoy communing with you as you attempt to "solve" the Psalm 9/10 "riddle".
Then, too, there is an amazing "pattern language" in scripture. An example is the connection between "The Red Sea", the "Jordan River", "baptism", and the concepts of "death and rebirth".
So why aren't we enjoying these "mysteries"? It's clear that they are there by God's design. The early church greatly enjoyed these mysteries as you can see in the writings of the apostles. They held God's word in AWE. The sad fact is that a "wooden literalism" has afflicted fundamentalist churches. In their desire to get away from the "Catholic" heritage of mystifying everything, they threw out the baby with the bath water. What a mistake! Let's return back to a BIBLICAL APOSTOLIC mindset - which greatly enjoys "The Mystery Of Christ" and the other "pattern language" of scripture.
Example:
Psalm 9:3 points to when Jesus made those who were about to arrest him stumble backwards and fall.
Psalm 9:6 "Endless ruin has overtaken them". This connects with the book of Joshua which is a very strong parallel to the book of Acts. The Jordan River is the cross (death and rebirth). The book of Acts has the actual death and resurrection of Jesus providing the VICTORY and NEW LIFE.
So it's both simple and profound. Some things you will see immediately. Other things will require you to study the entire bible very carefully and fully grasp the "pattern language" of scripture.
Don't expect to get this in bible school. Better to just compare notes with your fellow Christian and study the word with humility and awe.
Just FYI. I think Psalm 119 and 122 are perfect accrostic Psalms, with no letters skipped. I think this is the only Psalm using "tricky" acrostics. In all cases, the writer had to have special inspiration to choose WHICH WORD to use for the letter that's next in sequence. You could stay busy from now until Jesus comes back studying Psalm 119 alone! (It's the largest Psalm)
So Psalm 9/10 contain an exceptionally interesting "riddle" for us. And the CONTENT of what is alphabetic versus what is not alphabetic is particularly interesting.
I'd like YOU to have a shot at deciphering this "riddle". So I'll give you the verses.
Here's the break out of the alphabetic and non-alphabetic sections. You figure it out.
First three letters
Verse 1 - alpha ("A")
Verse 3 - beta ("B")
Verse 5 - gimmel ("G")
It skips 2 letters to jump to waw ("W") in verse 7, then stays with "W". It also uses the holy name with the first "W".
Verse 9 - waw ("W") again
Verse 11 - zain("Z")
Verse 13 - chet (hard "H")
Verse 15 - tet (hard "T")
Verse 17 - yood ("Y")
It skips 8 letters to jump to kuph (hard "K") in verse 19. This connects with the holy name. It says "Rise Lord"
Then jump all the way down to Psalm 10 verse 12 where it once again has the kuph (hard "K") with the same phrase "Rise Lord".
Verse 14 - resh ("R")
Verse 15 - sheen ("SH") (Note that 14 should be two verses. It's twice as long. So just think of it as 2).
Verse 17 - tav(soft "T") Tav is the last letter of the hebrew alphabet.
So with this information, you should be able to read Psalms 9 & 10 and see why the non-alphabetic portion is non-alphabetic. The keys to the "jumps" become obvious - especially the second jump - for which I've given you a huge hint.
I have found several amazing "riddles" in scripture. They aren't weird letter games that could be unintentional. These riddles are certainly intentional on the part of the author. The word "Proverbs", in Hebrew, actually MEANS "riddles".
The bible is designed to provide captivating, exciting "food for thought" - just as Jesus loved to tell "parables" - and treated them as riddles - attempting to make his disciples figure them out on their own.
So Jesus will enjoy communing with you as you attempt to "solve" the Psalm 9/10 "riddle".
Then, too, there is an amazing "pattern language" in scripture. An example is the connection between "The Red Sea", the "Jordan River", "baptism", and the concepts of "death and rebirth".
So why aren't we enjoying these "mysteries"? It's clear that they are there by God's design. The early church greatly enjoyed these mysteries as you can see in the writings of the apostles. They held God's word in AWE. The sad fact is that a "wooden literalism" has afflicted fundamentalist churches. In their desire to get away from the "Catholic" heritage of mystifying everything, they threw out the baby with the bath water. What a mistake! Let's return back to a BIBLICAL APOSTOLIC mindset - which greatly enjoys "The Mystery Of Christ" and the other "pattern language" of scripture.
Example:
Psalm 9:3 points to when Jesus made those who were about to arrest him stumble backwards and fall.
Psalm 9:6 "Endless ruin has overtaken them". This connects with the book of Joshua which is a very strong parallel to the book of Acts. The Jordan River is the cross (death and rebirth). The book of Acts has the actual death and resurrection of Jesus providing the VICTORY and NEW LIFE.
So it's both simple and profound. Some things you will see immediately. Other things will require you to study the entire bible very carefully and fully grasp the "pattern language" of scripture.
Don't expect to get this in bible school. Better to just compare notes with your fellow Christian and study the word with humility and awe.
Just FYI. I think Psalm 119 and 122 are perfect accrostic Psalms, with no letters skipped. I think this is the only Psalm using "tricky" acrostics. In all cases, the writer had to have special inspiration to choose WHICH WORD to use for the letter that's next in sequence. You could stay busy from now until Jesus comes back studying Psalm 119 alone! (It's the largest Psalm)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Peace (Part 6)
Many of you are destroying those you love - and not even knowing it.
Or maybe you're just destroying yourself.
We're doing the exact opposite of what they need.
Your children will, normally, want all the marvelous things technology can provide. Computer games, now, make the toys you used to play with look like ridiculous stone age relics. With all the stimulating media, you're lucky to get your kids to enjoy reading, much less doing their homework.
Bible reading???
Forget about it! You may as well try to get the opposing ends of two magnets to stick to each other.
It can become a genuine addiction. I've seen symptoms of painful mental - and even physical - withdrawals. I've EXPERIENCED physical withdrawals. When you pull your children, or yourself, from whatever they use to pass time - everything from wasting their time with their friends, to playing computer games - they will do anything and everything to break your resolve.
As we entertain ourselves, we lose the capacity to function without it. We become very weak. We lose the ability to focus and concentrate. We also lose the ability to function socially.
Many Christians no longer fellowship, not because they don't want to, but because they've completely lost the ability to do so. They literally can not do it - not in their current state.
This is the most prevelant disease in America today. One can trace every evil to this one thing - a lack of inner peace.
People have begun to medicate their children and themselves - with drugs - once movies, games and other distractions, cease to be effective.
There's an epidemic of bipolar and psychotic behavior - even among Christians.
Don't believe what psychologists tell you about a 'chemical imbalance'. All addictions manifest as 'chemical imbalances". It's called "withdrawals".
Consider bipolar behavior. I've seen it end virtually overnight. We'll discuss how in a few moments.
But many "bipolar" persons swing wildly from the "buzz" they get from the stimulation they get when you take them out, or let them chat on the computer, or watch a movie. Since they have become shallow there is nothing there to moderate the swing upward. There's no "resting place". Then, coming down, there is that same lack of a resting place - so they plummet into the depths of dispair.
Chemically, with the high, a large dose of seratonin (a feel good hormone) is released into the brain. I have seen their seratonin virtually zero out on the down swing. I learned alot about this, since my wife's relatives were genetically prone to very low levels of seratonin in their brains. I had a case where one was in absolute anguish. It was made far worse by a low carb diet. This Christian was a sweet, trusting lady. But she got to where her nerves were screaming - as her seratonin went so low that it left her in anguish. They doctors gave her some drugs that barely touched the symptoms. I, famed doctor that I am, prescribed a HUGE pill.
A baked potato.
It worked.
The carbs triggered a release of seratonin and she was completely healed.
But the best prescription, for long term success - BY FAR - is worship and praise. Read through the other posts about how brokenness releases the tyranny of the mind and sets one's heart free. Tremendous healing takes place from that process.
Here's how one adolescent was cured, virtually overnight.
The teen complained of extreme boredom. This teen misdiagnosed his own problem. He thought he needed more social interaction, more fun things to do, less rules and restrictions, and lots and lots of computer time.
He thought boredom was the lack of activity.
I explained to him how I walked in the woods, totally alone, much of my spare time in my youth. I explained that I did not feel lonely or bored. I genuinely pitied my peers who desperately needed to be around others.
One thing I hated, at the time, was that my father was very unpredictable about when he could pick me up after my training as a cross country runner. I would sit for 4 hours, sometimes. I'd sit and watch the sun go from high in the sky until long after sunset. At first, my mind would scream, in boredom, at the slow passage of time. Then my mind sort of 'gave up' - and I experienced peace.
Now I know that brokenness, in the Love of Jesus, can provide me mystical union with Jesus. Then, since I am dead to the agitation which causes boredom, I can experience peace.
One gets addicted to JESUS. Times of prayer and meditation no longer seem long or time consuming. It ends way too soon!
So the teen got up early with his father and half slept through his father's "hour of prayer". He understood that his lack of "inner peace" was his problem - not a lack of social interaction or things to do.
The kids had been in horrible crisis after crisis. That all ended virtually overnight. I realize that is kind of rare. But the effect of TWO THINGS, learning to be still, and learning to enjoy praying in the Spirit, with beautiful worship music, has a powerful impact.
Then, too, you begin to feel things again. You smell scents you never noticed. The sky looks more blue - or storm clouds more strangely ominous and impressive.
Suddenly, you're on a VIRTUOUS CYCLE UP, rather than a VISCIOUS CYCLE DOWN.
I've been through this, too.
So one day it hit me . . .
Why do the birds sing so sweetly?
Why is the sky so blue?
Why do the flowers smell like paradise?
I'm in LOVE!
I'm in LOVE with the source of all life! The Holy Spirit becomes a marvelous comforter. No woman on earth could provide such comfort - though the Spirit works through my friends and family in many ways. I adore my Lord! My heart leaps like John the Baptist at any mention of Him. When we have Communion, I begin to tremble involuntarily and hot tears begin pouring across my cheeks.
My point?
Before I had a PASSION for my Lord. But it could only go just SO DEEP.
After he brought me to a place of greater PEACE, in his dying to the flesh - which I obtain via MYSTICAL UNION WITH HIM - not in THEORY but in reality . . .
Well . . .
Then I felt the Passion of his Love much more strongly.
You get all the depth.
You get all the shades of the rainbow.
Time slows down.
You begin to live.
PEACE is a beatiful thing!
I have to say something kind of jolting at this point.
Running to any and everything else - rather than mystical union with HIM -
even BIBLE READING
can be idolatrous
even Spiritual Adultery.
FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
Go to HIM!!
His words to you:
"What fault did you find in me that you turned to all your other lovers?"
You worship a block of wood and become like it. You cannot see. You cannot feel. You cannot save yourself or anyone else.
So let Him LOVE you!
Let Him HEAL you.
Quit running!
You may experience withdrawals at first.
My body was in anguish all night long a couple of times.
But I just rested in his death and let the waves of nervous tension wash over me until they were spent.
And all the while I worshipped HIM - sleeping with quiet worship music playing in the background.
That's a great idea.
One last thing.
The suffering teen sort of scorned the worship music at first. He didn't want to. But you remember when you were a kid. Your brain sort of mocked whatever your parents were into - no matter how much you loved them.
That passes.
I explained brokenness.
I explained how being broken would open his heart and let the worship music wash through his soul. In the broken state he would stop resisting.
It worked.
And when worship music washes through the human soul, it enlives your heart and soul.
So stop thinking it's love to help our kids avoid facing "boredom".
They'll need your help.
But it's the exact opposite of what they think.
If we lived in the Mystery Of Christ - as spiritual people - rather than keeping busy night and day - we would live in a world of DELIGHT - and save our kids immeasurable harm.
Do you ever yell at your kid?
Uh oh!
You caused the problem.
Now you yell at the kid??? Not good.
Stop!
Get off the world's evil treadmill!
In Jesus, you will begin to TRULY LIVE!
You will have inner peace.
Then, in HIS Resurrection Life, with a peace that surpasses all understanding ruling your heart and mind, you will find yourself in a NEW DAY of freedom.
Or maybe you're just destroying yourself.
We're doing the exact opposite of what they need.
Your children will, normally, want all the marvelous things technology can provide. Computer games, now, make the toys you used to play with look like ridiculous stone age relics. With all the stimulating media, you're lucky to get your kids to enjoy reading, much less doing their homework.
Bible reading???
Forget about it! You may as well try to get the opposing ends of two magnets to stick to each other.
It can become a genuine addiction. I've seen symptoms of painful mental - and even physical - withdrawals. I've EXPERIENCED physical withdrawals. When you pull your children, or yourself, from whatever they use to pass time - everything from wasting their time with their friends, to playing computer games - they will do anything and everything to break your resolve.
As we entertain ourselves, we lose the capacity to function without it. We become very weak. We lose the ability to focus and concentrate. We also lose the ability to function socially.
Many Christians no longer fellowship, not because they don't want to, but because they've completely lost the ability to do so. They literally can not do it - not in their current state.
This is the most prevelant disease in America today. One can trace every evil to this one thing - a lack of inner peace.
People have begun to medicate their children and themselves - with drugs - once movies, games and other distractions, cease to be effective.
There's an epidemic of bipolar and psychotic behavior - even among Christians.
Don't believe what psychologists tell you about a 'chemical imbalance'. All addictions manifest as 'chemical imbalances". It's called "withdrawals".
Consider bipolar behavior. I've seen it end virtually overnight. We'll discuss how in a few moments.
But many "bipolar" persons swing wildly from the "buzz" they get from the stimulation they get when you take them out, or let them chat on the computer, or watch a movie. Since they have become shallow there is nothing there to moderate the swing upward. There's no "resting place". Then, coming down, there is that same lack of a resting place - so they plummet into the depths of dispair.
Chemically, with the high, a large dose of seratonin (a feel good hormone) is released into the brain. I have seen their seratonin virtually zero out on the down swing. I learned alot about this, since my wife's relatives were genetically prone to very low levels of seratonin in their brains. I had a case where one was in absolute anguish. It was made far worse by a low carb diet. This Christian was a sweet, trusting lady. But she got to where her nerves were screaming - as her seratonin went so low that it left her in anguish. They doctors gave her some drugs that barely touched the symptoms. I, famed doctor that I am, prescribed a HUGE pill.
A baked potato.
It worked.
The carbs triggered a release of seratonin and she was completely healed.
But the best prescription, for long term success - BY FAR - is worship and praise. Read through the other posts about how brokenness releases the tyranny of the mind and sets one's heart free. Tremendous healing takes place from that process.
Here's how one adolescent was cured, virtually overnight.
The teen complained of extreme boredom. This teen misdiagnosed his own problem. He thought he needed more social interaction, more fun things to do, less rules and restrictions, and lots and lots of computer time.
He thought boredom was the lack of activity.
I explained to him how I walked in the woods, totally alone, much of my spare time in my youth. I explained that I did not feel lonely or bored. I genuinely pitied my peers who desperately needed to be around others.
One thing I hated, at the time, was that my father was very unpredictable about when he could pick me up after my training as a cross country runner. I would sit for 4 hours, sometimes. I'd sit and watch the sun go from high in the sky until long after sunset. At first, my mind would scream, in boredom, at the slow passage of time. Then my mind sort of 'gave up' - and I experienced peace.
Now I know that brokenness, in the Love of Jesus, can provide me mystical union with Jesus. Then, since I am dead to the agitation which causes boredom, I can experience peace.
One gets addicted to JESUS. Times of prayer and meditation no longer seem long or time consuming. It ends way too soon!
So the teen got up early with his father and half slept through his father's "hour of prayer". He understood that his lack of "inner peace" was his problem - not a lack of social interaction or things to do.
The kids had been in horrible crisis after crisis. That all ended virtually overnight. I realize that is kind of rare. But the effect of TWO THINGS, learning to be still, and learning to enjoy praying in the Spirit, with beautiful worship music, has a powerful impact.
Then, too, you begin to feel things again. You smell scents you never noticed. The sky looks more blue - or storm clouds more strangely ominous and impressive.
Suddenly, you're on a VIRTUOUS CYCLE UP, rather than a VISCIOUS CYCLE DOWN.
I've been through this, too.
So one day it hit me . . .
Why do the birds sing so sweetly?
Why is the sky so blue?
Why do the flowers smell like paradise?
I'm in LOVE!
I'm in LOVE with the source of all life! The Holy Spirit becomes a marvelous comforter. No woman on earth could provide such comfort - though the Spirit works through my friends and family in many ways. I adore my Lord! My heart leaps like John the Baptist at any mention of Him. When we have Communion, I begin to tremble involuntarily and hot tears begin pouring across my cheeks.
My point?
Before I had a PASSION for my Lord. But it could only go just SO DEEP.
After he brought me to a place of greater PEACE, in his dying to the flesh - which I obtain via MYSTICAL UNION WITH HIM - not in THEORY but in reality . . .
Well . . .
Then I felt the Passion of his Love much more strongly.
You get all the depth.
You get all the shades of the rainbow.
Time slows down.
You begin to live.
PEACE is a beatiful thing!
I have to say something kind of jolting at this point.
Running to any and everything else - rather than mystical union with HIM -
even BIBLE READING
can be idolatrous
even Spiritual Adultery.
FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
Go to HIM!!
His words to you:
"What fault did you find in me that you turned to all your other lovers?"
You worship a block of wood and become like it. You cannot see. You cannot feel. You cannot save yourself or anyone else.
So let Him LOVE you!
Let Him HEAL you.
Quit running!
You may experience withdrawals at first.
My body was in anguish all night long a couple of times.
But I just rested in his death and let the waves of nervous tension wash over me until they were spent.
And all the while I worshipped HIM - sleeping with quiet worship music playing in the background.
That's a great idea.
One last thing.
The suffering teen sort of scorned the worship music at first. He didn't want to. But you remember when you were a kid. Your brain sort of mocked whatever your parents were into - no matter how much you loved them.
That passes.
I explained brokenness.
I explained how being broken would open his heart and let the worship music wash through his soul. In the broken state he would stop resisting.
It worked.
And when worship music washes through the human soul, it enlives your heart and soul.
So stop thinking it's love to help our kids avoid facing "boredom".
They'll need your help.
But it's the exact opposite of what they think.
If we lived in the Mystery Of Christ - as spiritual people - rather than keeping busy night and day - we would live in a world of DELIGHT - and save our kids immeasurable harm.
Do you ever yell at your kid?
Uh oh!
You caused the problem.
Now you yell at the kid??? Not good.
Stop!
Get off the world's evil treadmill!
In Jesus, you will begin to TRULY LIVE!
You will have inner peace.
Then, in HIS Resurrection Life, with a peace that surpasses all understanding ruling your heart and mind, you will find yourself in a NEW DAY of freedom.
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Gentleness (Part 1)
Gentleness draws people to the Lord.
So let's consider how the world sees us - and why those who make a spiritual (mystical) experience of Jesus central to every moment of their lives will project a GENTLENESS that is extremely attractive.
The John Michael Talbot tune, "My Yoke Is Easy", opens with a hauntingly beautiful flute melody. It sounds like something you'd hear in the Garden of Eden or the Paradise of God. In your heart you picture a gentle people - a people who would love each other in life or death - a people who would even love their enemies.
Just like most modern Christians.
What?
Not???
Hmmmmm . . .
It's not the message. When Christians were tortured mercilessly toward the end of the dark ages, their tormentors are recorded as saying things like, "They pray for us as we torture them. They love all men. We would almost think they were the very children of God rather than heretics and the children of Satan."
That's because they WERE the very Children Of God.
But they had a simple gospel that had, as its primary goal, to obey, "The Great Commission" - to make disciples, teaching them "to obey everything which I have commanded you". They were crazy that way.
They didn't have Schofield Bibles back then. They didn't KNOW that Jesus' teachings in "The Sermon On The Mount" held "neither the privilege or duty of the church". They didn't have a multitude of "Bible Schools" to teach us how to disobey the bible and feel good about it.
We aren't too dumb.
We're too smart.
Something tells me that if we followed Jesus, in the power of His Sweet Holy Spirit, just seeking to be CHRIST-LIKE, we could be as loving and gentle as the gentle People Of Jesus of old.
The truth is simply this: You cannot live in Romans 8 and be any other way.
We have explained in previous discussions of the Fruit of The Spirit that religion, human effort, and the human "mind of the flesh" are forever stuck in Romans 7. In that realm, you can try as hard as you want - if you even get that far - and you'll still fail.
The frustration of Romans 7 drives people nuts, so they go to liars who speak of a false "grace" which forever leaves them stuck in Romans 7.
What do we really need?
It's very simple.
We need to be broken. We need the closeness and attachment to Jesus that comes when we are before his cross as he pours out his life's blood for us. That causes our religion and pride to snap like a twig. When you see him as Lord, with the humility of one who has been brought to emotional and mental surrender, then you get to have a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" - not before.
You simply can't talk "theology" in Romans 8. I know people claim to. But they are not speaking the truth. God won't live like a lab rat - for you to dissect. He doesn't want you to analyse him - or His ways. He wants you to get rid of your ridiculous pride and submit to him. He OWNS YOU, not visa versa. And he bought you with his life's blood. That's very personal.
In Romans 8, the Law Of The Spirit of Life sets you free from the Churchianity you learned from man. It's real, it's spiritual, it's very "mystical".
In Romans 8 you wouldn't be able to explain why Jesus doesn't mean what he's plainly saying - any more than you'd flirt with the Pastor's wife. It's profane. It's wrong. It's not appropriate.
Spirituality, in Jesus, is always humble, submissive - and gentle.
Gossip goes away. That inner lack of peace is dealt with. More on that later. We'll do another posting on "Peace".
You can tell a tree by it's fruit.
Modern American Churchianity - evangelical, pentacostal, or whatever - does not seem "gentle" to the average unbeliever.
No doubt we are when our knees first hit the floor at an altar of repentance. But then we are educated by the mutant spawn of "Bible Schools". Man takes the place of Jesus.
Once we become much, much dumber - dumb as a little child - we get to see the Kingdom of God.
Could Leonardo paint the 'Mona Lisa" with Crayons? Would you do brain surgery with a screw driver? Would you trim hair with a weed whip?
Your unbroken mind of human reason, full of pride, full of folly, cannot be used to handle spiritual things. That's what Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus. "You must be born again to see the Kingdom Of God."
When we live in Romans 8 we are "Led Of The Spirit'. If are not led by the Spirit, like the Wind, we are not His Children. Spirit gives birth to Spirit. That's why it's "mystical". Our spirits communicate with the Spirit of God. Our communication is in the realm of the Spirit, not the mind.
Jesus' words are "Spirit and Life". But without the Spirit we can't handle them.
So live in Romans 8. Let the "Law Of The Spirit Of Life", in Christ Jesus, mystically set you free from the "Law of Sin and Death".
Not theologically.
Not theoretically.
In your actual experience, in how you think and feel.
Then you will bear good fruit and gentleness will flow out of you like a river.
So let's consider how the world sees us - and why those who make a spiritual (mystical) experience of Jesus central to every moment of their lives will project a GENTLENESS that is extremely attractive.
The John Michael Talbot tune, "My Yoke Is Easy", opens with a hauntingly beautiful flute melody. It sounds like something you'd hear in the Garden of Eden or the Paradise of God. In your heart you picture a gentle people - a people who would love each other in life or death - a people who would even love their enemies.
Just like most modern Christians.
What?
Not???
Hmmmmm . . .
It's not the message. When Christians were tortured mercilessly toward the end of the dark ages, their tormentors are recorded as saying things like, "They pray for us as we torture them. They love all men. We would almost think they were the very children of God rather than heretics and the children of Satan."
That's because they WERE the very Children Of God.
But they had a simple gospel that had, as its primary goal, to obey, "The Great Commission" - to make disciples, teaching them "to obey everything which I have commanded you". They were crazy that way.
They didn't have Schofield Bibles back then. They didn't KNOW that Jesus' teachings in "The Sermon On The Mount" held "neither the privilege or duty of the church". They didn't have a multitude of "Bible Schools" to teach us how to disobey the bible and feel good about it.
We aren't too dumb.
We're too smart.
Something tells me that if we followed Jesus, in the power of His Sweet Holy Spirit, just seeking to be CHRIST-LIKE, we could be as loving and gentle as the gentle People Of Jesus of old.
The truth is simply this: You cannot live in Romans 8 and be any other way.
We have explained in previous discussions of the Fruit of The Spirit that religion, human effort, and the human "mind of the flesh" are forever stuck in Romans 7. In that realm, you can try as hard as you want - if you even get that far - and you'll still fail.
The frustration of Romans 7 drives people nuts, so they go to liars who speak of a false "grace" which forever leaves them stuck in Romans 7.
What do we really need?
It's very simple.
We need to be broken. We need the closeness and attachment to Jesus that comes when we are before his cross as he pours out his life's blood for us. That causes our religion and pride to snap like a twig. When you see him as Lord, with the humility of one who has been brought to emotional and mental surrender, then you get to have a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" - not before.
You simply can't talk "theology" in Romans 8. I know people claim to. But they are not speaking the truth. God won't live like a lab rat - for you to dissect. He doesn't want you to analyse him - or His ways. He wants you to get rid of your ridiculous pride and submit to him. He OWNS YOU, not visa versa. And he bought you with his life's blood. That's very personal.
In Romans 8, the Law Of The Spirit of Life sets you free from the Churchianity you learned from man. It's real, it's spiritual, it's very "mystical".
In Romans 8 you wouldn't be able to explain why Jesus doesn't mean what he's plainly saying - any more than you'd flirt with the Pastor's wife. It's profane. It's wrong. It's not appropriate.
Spirituality, in Jesus, is always humble, submissive - and gentle.
Gossip goes away. That inner lack of peace is dealt with. More on that later. We'll do another posting on "Peace".
You can tell a tree by it's fruit.
Modern American Churchianity - evangelical, pentacostal, or whatever - does not seem "gentle" to the average unbeliever.
No doubt we are when our knees first hit the floor at an altar of repentance. But then we are educated by the mutant spawn of "Bible Schools". Man takes the place of Jesus.
Once we become much, much dumber - dumb as a little child - we get to see the Kingdom of God.
Could Leonardo paint the 'Mona Lisa" with Crayons? Would you do brain surgery with a screw driver? Would you trim hair with a weed whip?
Your unbroken mind of human reason, full of pride, full of folly, cannot be used to handle spiritual things. That's what Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus. "You must be born again to see the Kingdom Of God."
When we live in Romans 8 we are "Led Of The Spirit'. If are not led by the Spirit, like the Wind, we are not His Children. Spirit gives birth to Spirit. That's why it's "mystical". Our spirits communicate with the Spirit of God. Our communication is in the realm of the Spirit, not the mind.
Jesus' words are "Spirit and Life". But without the Spirit we can't handle them.
So live in Romans 8. Let the "Law Of The Spirit Of Life", in Christ Jesus, mystically set you free from the "Law of Sin and Death".
Not theologically.
Not theoretically.
In your actual experience, in how you think and feel.
Then you will bear good fruit and gentleness will flow out of you like a river.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Peace (Part 5)
This posting combines several powerful scriptural ideas that connect in "The Mystery Of Christ".
We will discuss the "Sabbath" concept, being "Dead" in Christ, the scriptural concept of "Sleep" and "Dreams", and - of course - PEACE.
This is for all you "soccer moms" and "soccer dads" - even if your kids are actual Americans who like games where points actually get scored!
The beauty of our society is that we have so many conveniences, and make such good wages per hour of work - far more than what has been available through history - that we should be "living the Dream" like never before.
Well, it turns out that Maslow had it all pretty much totally wrong. When men and women have wealth, health and security, they get shallow and unspiritual. It is the poor who are rich in faith. When people are broken, in danger, suffering, and facing huge obstacles - then they go to God for peace.
Nonetheless, we should have a movement, among Christians, to LIVE THE DREAM.
Picture this:
We establish software companies which generate great wealth. The programmers live in an idyllic paradise. We have engineers, historians - all manner of experts in vitally important sciences.
Our disadvantaged and disabled are given work on farms, or in specially designed workships. Alcoholics and drug addicts get free, and work with their hands. I know of such places. I LIVED in such a place. I started on a hippie farm and plan to end on one.
But we squander our wealth. We run in circles. We look only after ourselves. We don't even give ourselves a break - much less anyone else.
God has one word to us: "STOP!"
I will not take time to quote all the New Testament scriptures about the Sabbath. People argue - is it Saturday or Sunday? Most miss the point entirely. Some rest - snoring like monsters on the couch. Something tells me we don't get it.
The primary meaning of the word "Sabbath" is just this: "STOP".
We stop and get off our demonic treadmills - our religious treadmills - our kid activity treadmills - our running around and shopping treadmills - our self pleasing entertainment treadmills.
We wear ourselves out with all our shopping and entertainment.
And many of our religious programs are just the best excuse we have for not facing ourselves in peace.
We can't face ourselves. We can't rest in God's presense. We are driven, harassed, guilt ridden and oppressed.
Paul goes into great detail to explain how we don't work our way to heaven. But religion, by definition, is exactly that no matter how you cut it.
The "good" is the best weapon of Satan to block the "perfect" - real spirituality.
We're doing God's work??? But our lifestyle is so nasty that no unbeliever would be drawn to it.
How is that doing God's work? It misrepresents God. God's been resting since he got done with day SIX!
"I've been in the WAY OF GOD for FOURTY YEARS!"
God: "Yeah. And if you'd just get OUT of my way I could reveal myself to people!"
We've rejected the mystical (spiritual) side of what it means to be a Christian. This renders our religious activity both shallow and oppressive. And for all who claim that reading the bible is the way to serve God - we sure reject alot of what the bible teaches us!
Stop! Just STOP!
There.
That's better.
Now you can start living the dream. Sure you'll serve. You may find that, like Jesus, you get pretty busy sometimes. But Jesus always had the STOP TIME - alone with his Father.
If he needed it, we do.
And we need a DAY of peace. So plan a Sabbath. The actual day makes NO DIFFERENCE. You may work a swing shift. In that case, it will "swing" with you! There are good reasons for Saturday as a day of rest. It's part of our heritage and reflects God's Seventh Day Rest. But God made the Sabbath for US, not visa versa. So find time for peace. Find time to STOP.
We are dead in Him. Dead people are really good at one thing: Stopping. Jesus called it sleep. And it is completely valid to connect the two ideas. "I lie down and rest. I rise up again because the Lord sustains me." (from Psalm 4). Jesus laid down in the "sleep" of death - as he called it. And he rose up with new life that could never die again. We die daily.
This is all in the Mystery Of Christ.
So this is where I part ways with most bible teachers. Your controlling mind is ever restless. It won't stop. It won't yield control. That's why you run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Your controlling mind wants to keep control. It fears that, if you rest, you will mentally rest and give control of your thoughts to God.
Then what would happen? Your heart is SET FREE! You start living.
So you pull your little controller aside, have THAT TALK, and fire him! The Holy Spirit is going to direct me. No more SLAVE DRIVER. No more Pharoah.
Unbelievers had no week. They had no weekend. When people rested they got BIG IDEAS that should not be coming into their pretty little heads! So we start wanting Freedom! We rock the boat in so many ways!
And Caesar says, "Clearly, you have too much time on your hands."
Jesus is our Lord. The ruler of this age can just get lost. We will NOT submit to his SLAVERY any more. Caesar killed our Lord. Now he can't touch him. We, too, have passed from death to life. They can kill the body but not our Spirit.
So
"Do not submit again to a yoke of bondage!"
You get to enjoy a Sabbath Rest all day, every day.
You don't work.
You may play REAL HARD.
But you no longer labor.
We can live in radically new ways.
Let's wrap up with some thoughts on death, sleep and dreaming.
Do you want to LIVE THE DREAM?
Start with Communion.
When we are in Communion we are mystically joined with Jesus, and each other, in the Spirit.
I know Communion in most churches is a quick snack of crackers and juice. That's not communion folks. Why should we not be allowed to think on Him, join with Him, feel his LOVE, feel all he suffered for us - and enjoy sweet Love toward Jesus and Each Other?
Most church services are exercises in RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.
Wow!
If we can't "rest in Him" in church, how in the world will we do it in the hustle and bustle of daily life???
Ever think about that?
Probably not.
Do you know why? For all our talk about Grace, we often live in the works of religion and works of the law.
And do you know what gets lost? The whole concept of LOVE.
Hug each other quick before the meeting and SOAK IT UP. That'll be all for you.
But when we rest in Him, our love toward each other vastly increases.
We need to "Live The Dream"!
You sleep, you rest - and then you Dream.
This is appropriate isn't it?
What is a dream????
A dream is the beautiful experience we can have, in our sleep, when our controlling mind has it's hands tied behind it's back and has to sit in the corner praying for a nightmare!
Awake or asleep, we dream.
Why?
We are in the sleep of Spiritual death to this world in mystical union with Jesus in his dying.
Our controlling minds, and our habits, must give up control.
Then our hearts are SET FREE.
They are going to burn me as a heretic!
But I'm telling you, when you rest in Him, "Your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams."
And those dreams will SET US FREE.
They won't be able to cram that genie back in the bottle!
Don't get me wrong, folks.
People who live in God's peace serve, submit easily to authority in the church, do not gossip, and gather in the lost sheep. And since they don't run to the mall every hour on the hour, they have plenty of money to give for the care and upbuilding of others.
But don't expect the Pharoahs of this world to let you free without a fight.
And lots of slaves will bug you, too.
But never mind them!
You are free.
And those who the SON SETS FREE are FREE INDEED!
We will discuss the "Sabbath" concept, being "Dead" in Christ, the scriptural concept of "Sleep" and "Dreams", and - of course - PEACE.
This is for all you "soccer moms" and "soccer dads" - even if your kids are actual Americans who like games where points actually get scored!
The beauty of our society is that we have so many conveniences, and make such good wages per hour of work - far more than what has been available through history - that we should be "living the Dream" like never before.
Well, it turns out that Maslow had it all pretty much totally wrong. When men and women have wealth, health and security, they get shallow and unspiritual. It is the poor who are rich in faith. When people are broken, in danger, suffering, and facing huge obstacles - then they go to God for peace.
Nonetheless, we should have a movement, among Christians, to LIVE THE DREAM.
Picture this:
We establish software companies which generate great wealth. The programmers live in an idyllic paradise. We have engineers, historians - all manner of experts in vitally important sciences.
Our disadvantaged and disabled are given work on farms, or in specially designed workships. Alcoholics and drug addicts get free, and work with their hands. I know of such places. I LIVED in such a place. I started on a hippie farm and plan to end on one.
But we squander our wealth. We run in circles. We look only after ourselves. We don't even give ourselves a break - much less anyone else.
God has one word to us: "STOP!"
I will not take time to quote all the New Testament scriptures about the Sabbath. People argue - is it Saturday or Sunday? Most miss the point entirely. Some rest - snoring like monsters on the couch. Something tells me we don't get it.
The primary meaning of the word "Sabbath" is just this: "STOP".
We stop and get off our demonic treadmills - our religious treadmills - our kid activity treadmills - our running around and shopping treadmills - our self pleasing entertainment treadmills.
We wear ourselves out with all our shopping and entertainment.
And many of our religious programs are just the best excuse we have for not facing ourselves in peace.
We can't face ourselves. We can't rest in God's presense. We are driven, harassed, guilt ridden and oppressed.
Paul goes into great detail to explain how we don't work our way to heaven. But religion, by definition, is exactly that no matter how you cut it.
The "good" is the best weapon of Satan to block the "perfect" - real spirituality.
We're doing God's work??? But our lifestyle is so nasty that no unbeliever would be drawn to it.
How is that doing God's work? It misrepresents God. God's been resting since he got done with day SIX!
"I've been in the WAY OF GOD for FOURTY YEARS!"
God: "Yeah. And if you'd just get OUT of my way I could reveal myself to people!"
We've rejected the mystical (spiritual) side of what it means to be a Christian. This renders our religious activity both shallow and oppressive. And for all who claim that reading the bible is the way to serve God - we sure reject alot of what the bible teaches us!
Stop! Just STOP!
There.
That's better.
Now you can start living the dream. Sure you'll serve. You may find that, like Jesus, you get pretty busy sometimes. But Jesus always had the STOP TIME - alone with his Father.
If he needed it, we do.
And we need a DAY of peace. So plan a Sabbath. The actual day makes NO DIFFERENCE. You may work a swing shift. In that case, it will "swing" with you! There are good reasons for Saturday as a day of rest. It's part of our heritage and reflects God's Seventh Day Rest. But God made the Sabbath for US, not visa versa. So find time for peace. Find time to STOP.
We are dead in Him. Dead people are really good at one thing: Stopping. Jesus called it sleep. And it is completely valid to connect the two ideas. "I lie down and rest. I rise up again because the Lord sustains me." (from Psalm 4). Jesus laid down in the "sleep" of death - as he called it. And he rose up with new life that could never die again. We die daily.
This is all in the Mystery Of Christ.
So this is where I part ways with most bible teachers. Your controlling mind is ever restless. It won't stop. It won't yield control. That's why you run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Your controlling mind wants to keep control. It fears that, if you rest, you will mentally rest and give control of your thoughts to God.
Then what would happen? Your heart is SET FREE! You start living.
So you pull your little controller aside, have THAT TALK, and fire him! The Holy Spirit is going to direct me. No more SLAVE DRIVER. No more Pharoah.
Unbelievers had no week. They had no weekend. When people rested they got BIG IDEAS that should not be coming into their pretty little heads! So we start wanting Freedom! We rock the boat in so many ways!
And Caesar says, "Clearly, you have too much time on your hands."
Jesus is our Lord. The ruler of this age can just get lost. We will NOT submit to his SLAVERY any more. Caesar killed our Lord. Now he can't touch him. We, too, have passed from death to life. They can kill the body but not our Spirit.
So
"Do not submit again to a yoke of bondage!"
You get to enjoy a Sabbath Rest all day, every day.
You don't work.
You may play REAL HARD.
But you no longer labor.
We can live in radically new ways.
Let's wrap up with some thoughts on death, sleep and dreaming.
Do you want to LIVE THE DREAM?
Start with Communion.
When we are in Communion we are mystically joined with Jesus, and each other, in the Spirit.
I know Communion in most churches is a quick snack of crackers and juice. That's not communion folks. Why should we not be allowed to think on Him, join with Him, feel his LOVE, feel all he suffered for us - and enjoy sweet Love toward Jesus and Each Other?
Most church services are exercises in RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.
Wow!
If we can't "rest in Him" in church, how in the world will we do it in the hustle and bustle of daily life???
Ever think about that?
Probably not.
Do you know why? For all our talk about Grace, we often live in the works of religion and works of the law.
And do you know what gets lost? The whole concept of LOVE.
Hug each other quick before the meeting and SOAK IT UP. That'll be all for you.
But when we rest in Him, our love toward each other vastly increases.
We need to "Live The Dream"!
You sleep, you rest - and then you Dream.
This is appropriate isn't it?
What is a dream????
A dream is the beautiful experience we can have, in our sleep, when our controlling mind has it's hands tied behind it's back and has to sit in the corner praying for a nightmare!
Awake or asleep, we dream.
Why?
We are in the sleep of Spiritual death to this world in mystical union with Jesus in his dying.
Our controlling minds, and our habits, must give up control.
Then our hearts are SET FREE.
They are going to burn me as a heretic!
But I'm telling you, when you rest in Him, "Your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams."
And those dreams will SET US FREE.
They won't be able to cram that genie back in the bottle!
Don't get me wrong, folks.
People who live in God's peace serve, submit easily to authority in the church, do not gossip, and gather in the lost sheep. And since they don't run to the mall every hour on the hour, they have plenty of money to give for the care and upbuilding of others.
But don't expect the Pharoahs of this world to let you free without a fight.
And lots of slaves will bug you, too.
But never mind them!
You are free.
And those who the SON SETS FREE are FREE INDEED!
Friday, March 30, 2012
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Self Control (Part 3)
I promised to discuss how the Lord "gives life to our MORTAL bodies" as part of the discussion on "Self Control".
We have already noticed that "self control" is the yielding of control - a process of "Sweet Surrender" which releases our hearts from bondage.
In this you have a NEW DAY! Like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, you are now FREE.
Consider the impact of Romantic Love on our hearts. We hear a love song and it's somehow "bigger than life". Why? Most of us don't get as charged up over food - even our favorite food. It's the PERSONAL side of romantic love that opens our hearts to something far bigger and more beautiful than simple sexual gratification.
I had this "Big Feeling" toward LIFE when I came to know the Lord. Romance came later. But that zest for life - all those rich and wonderful feelings - it was all mine. And if you know that the magic comes from the Spiritual World, romantic love grows in it's "magical" quality. If you think the "magic" comes from romance itself, well . .
"Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."
I've mentioned before that one of the biggest hinderances is that people can't let themselves believe that it could possibly "be this good"!
I tell you the truth, "It's better!"
The awesomeness of God is good and deepens and gets better the longer you live - AS LONG AS YOU RECOGNIZE THE TRUE SOURCE OF LIFE.
My son and I wrote a song that expresses this (called "The True Source Of Life") It talks about our former life when we touched the "shadows' of the things we now enjoy. Though you can touch them, they are but "shadows".
And romantic love isn't the only powerful "shadow".
Bob Sieger's song "Like A Rock" expresses the True Manhood of a PRINCIPLED MAN. Then it sadly chronicles how that manhood gets crushed through time and compromise. When he realizes how far he's fallen it's all restored.
But that rarely happens - and almost never with any kind of completeness.
But in Christ I have the Fount of Eternal Youth.
And those who do not fear death truly love.
So we took on the worst of the worst in Detroit - and watched God show his might.
Real humility is the basis of real manhood.
You feel strength pour into you and a Fire begins to BURN in your heart!
TWELVE MEN CHANGED THE WORLD.
Forget the little twerps the world praises. Rousseau, Voltaire, Freud. All midgets.
The great men of God who GAVE THEIR LIVES to overcome the spiritual forces of darkness in time past - IF YOU COULD SEE WITH EYES THAT PIERCE INTO WHAT IS REAL - they were Fearsome Warriors ALL.
David said, "I can run through a troop of soldiers and leap over a wall!"
Real manhood!
Because though Jonathan and David were mighty warriors - and knew the mighty love of a true Band Of Brothers - their warfare with feeble weapons that, yes, defeat flesh and blood . . . well . . .
They are nothing compared to the Shining Warriors of LIGHT!
John the Baptist was the greatest of men born of woman.
The LEAST in the kingdom is greater than he!
Look death in the face and laugh! The risk we faced only energized us and made us stronger.
And our biker evangelists make "Born To Be Wild" sound like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"!
God sees! God knows!
And ETERNITY KNOWS!
Since we see with eternal eyes we hear God mock the pretend strength of rebels and the "Alpha Dog" weaklings of the world.
So strength pours into our minds, bodies and spirits. Our society despises manhood.
We STAND!
We ARE NOT MOVED!
Zorro would don his disguise and go off on mad adventures. My wife would send me off onto the streets - knowing we would court mortal danger like I once courted, and still court, her. And she's a spiritual warrior like "Mrs. Zorro" too! My wife is AWESOME.
Jael kills them with kindness! The demons shudder.
The world sees our weapons and our warfare in mockery like Don Quixote's tin sword and delusional quest for glory. We know better. Just ask Dulcinea. She'll tell you. We freed the Dulcineas of Detroit!
Conquering the demons out where there's blood on the asphalt and setting people free is a joy beyond words. I have dozens of stories that would thrill your souls. As Paul said, "Was it for nothing that we FOUGHT THE BEASTS in Ephesus?"
May God open your eyes to see what kind of MAN the GREAT WARRIOR, the Apostle Paul, truly was. He FOUGHT THE BEASTS! Yes! And he put his FOOTon their NECK in triumph.
But because we see the spiritual warrior, this only brings the battle into focus. Some of our most thrilling stories were fought out in the offices where I've worked. There are stories that give me goosebumps and cause me to weep for joy at the slightest memory of God's mighty deeds of deliverance. If I told you you'd laugh. You'd cry. You'd marvel at God's miracles.
So go forth and CONQUER! Stand your ground in that seemingly insignificant place where you do war for God. Matters of eternal consequence will be decided on that field of battle.
Womankind have their equivilent lifegiving force in the Spirit.
But for me, I feel powerful forces released in my mind and body that renew my youth and God given manhood.
In "The Passion Of The Christ" Jesus crushed the serpant's head in the garden. HE, the Mightiest of ALL warriors!
The true warrior dies daily. His is a bloody fight. And when he takes the body and blood of Christ in Spiritual Communion there is a warrior bond that is off the charts in intensity. We are Blood Brothers with Our Lord!
Finally, in true spirituality
there is the quiet time where the man of God finds one of the greatest victories in Absolute Peace.
He draws near to God in that Sacred Place of quiet meditation.
My wife demonstrated how complete peace equates to great strength.
I used to work as a janitor on the OB unit of a hospital. So when my wife and I had our first child the nurses left us in a room I'd mopped and cleaned innumerable times.
She gets obedient to the point of being "hypnotic" when in labor. If I see an arm muscle, or hand, tighten - I just touch it and she relaxes it. Her body worked with tremendous efficiency. It was no picnic. But she wasted very little strength as she was in perfect relaxation and peace. Without any act of her will the hard work of labor went forward effectively. Her mind focused on complete loving obedience. And in obedience she found amazing peace.
The nurses thought she was sleeping when we knew from our studies that she was within a half an hour to an hour from delivery. The nurses said, "No. This is false labor. She needs to go home until the labor gets real." I just commanded them to get the doctor. She had our first son less than an hour later.
What deed, on earth, is greater than bringing an eternal soul into the world?!
I could never keep her down after a birth. She'd want to hop in the car and go show off her new baby to all her friends. I had to make her rest (for a while).
So, too, the true warrior fights his mightiest battles on the valiant battleground of true spiritual prayer. There's the mighty fight of Gethsemane. But allowing the mightiest warrior of all to break through the veil of our flesh and enter our innermost being is the heart and soul of what and who we are.
So now many of you are beginning to believe that it CAN BE THAT GOOD.
When you feel his mighty strength pouring through your body - and energizing your mind and spirit - you'll KNOW it's true. And it only gets better!
It's not by our strength that we are renewed.
It's by yielding.
You are like the filament of a light bulb. When you throw the switch to turn on the light, it "drops the barrier", closing the circuit and allowing the tremendous power to flow. You burn with a bright light and heat of God's own Passion!
Drop your barriers.
Love can energize you at any time and any place - and will.
But let music be the "carrier" of divine energy.
The emotion in a movie is in the sound track.
My van has a great sound system, and a tiny little screen.
I'd rather watch a good movie in that van than with a "big screen" if the sound system is weak.
God will give YOU a SPECIAL sound track for your movie!
Listen to Susan Ashton's "Here In My Heart" or "Stand". Such songs open a door that help you to see just how amazingly beautiful your calling truly is.
Such GLORY makes "self control" a "done deed". You're ALIVE! You're FREE! It's a NEW DAY! Rise and Live - really LIVE for a change! And end your day in a timeless quiet meditation that makes each day seem eternal. You've ridden on The Wings Of The Wind! Now rest in perfect peace and be one with Your Lord - and with all the blessed ones who are one with you in the Same Spirit!
God makes your "mortal body" ALIVE. That's why we don't boast. God provides the will to obey, the path to walk, and the power to live it.
We are forgiven by his shed blood.
But how are we saved???
BY HIS LIFE!!
We have already noticed that "self control" is the yielding of control - a process of "Sweet Surrender" which releases our hearts from bondage.
In this you have a NEW DAY! Like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, you are now FREE.
Consider the impact of Romantic Love on our hearts. We hear a love song and it's somehow "bigger than life". Why? Most of us don't get as charged up over food - even our favorite food. It's the PERSONAL side of romantic love that opens our hearts to something far bigger and more beautiful than simple sexual gratification.
I had this "Big Feeling" toward LIFE when I came to know the Lord. Romance came later. But that zest for life - all those rich and wonderful feelings - it was all mine. And if you know that the magic comes from the Spiritual World, romantic love grows in it's "magical" quality. If you think the "magic" comes from romance itself, well . .
"Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."
I've mentioned before that one of the biggest hinderances is that people can't let themselves believe that it could possibly "be this good"!
I tell you the truth, "It's better!"
The awesomeness of God is good and deepens and gets better the longer you live - AS LONG AS YOU RECOGNIZE THE TRUE SOURCE OF LIFE.
My son and I wrote a song that expresses this (called "The True Source Of Life") It talks about our former life when we touched the "shadows' of the things we now enjoy. Though you can touch them, they are but "shadows".
And romantic love isn't the only powerful "shadow".
Bob Sieger's song "Like A Rock" expresses the True Manhood of a PRINCIPLED MAN. Then it sadly chronicles how that manhood gets crushed through time and compromise. When he realizes how far he's fallen it's all restored.
But that rarely happens - and almost never with any kind of completeness.
But in Christ I have the Fount of Eternal Youth.
And those who do not fear death truly love.
So we took on the worst of the worst in Detroit - and watched God show his might.
Real humility is the basis of real manhood.
You feel strength pour into you and a Fire begins to BURN in your heart!
TWELVE MEN CHANGED THE WORLD.
Forget the little twerps the world praises. Rousseau, Voltaire, Freud. All midgets.
The great men of God who GAVE THEIR LIVES to overcome the spiritual forces of darkness in time past - IF YOU COULD SEE WITH EYES THAT PIERCE INTO WHAT IS REAL - they were Fearsome Warriors ALL.
David said, "I can run through a troop of soldiers and leap over a wall!"
Real manhood!
Because though Jonathan and David were mighty warriors - and knew the mighty love of a true Band Of Brothers - their warfare with feeble weapons that, yes, defeat flesh and blood . . . well . . .
They are nothing compared to the Shining Warriors of LIGHT!
John the Baptist was the greatest of men born of woman.
The LEAST in the kingdom is greater than he!
Look death in the face and laugh! The risk we faced only energized us and made us stronger.
And our biker evangelists make "Born To Be Wild" sound like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"!
God sees! God knows!
And ETERNITY KNOWS!
Since we see with eternal eyes we hear God mock the pretend strength of rebels and the "Alpha Dog" weaklings of the world.
So strength pours into our minds, bodies and spirits. Our society despises manhood.
We STAND!
We ARE NOT MOVED!
Zorro would don his disguise and go off on mad adventures. My wife would send me off onto the streets - knowing we would court mortal danger like I once courted, and still court, her. And she's a spiritual warrior like "Mrs. Zorro" too! My wife is AWESOME.
Jael kills them with kindness! The demons shudder.
The world sees our weapons and our warfare in mockery like Don Quixote's tin sword and delusional quest for glory. We know better. Just ask Dulcinea. She'll tell you. We freed the Dulcineas of Detroit!
Conquering the demons out where there's blood on the asphalt and setting people free is a joy beyond words. I have dozens of stories that would thrill your souls. As Paul said, "Was it for nothing that we FOUGHT THE BEASTS in Ephesus?"
May God open your eyes to see what kind of MAN the GREAT WARRIOR, the Apostle Paul, truly was. He FOUGHT THE BEASTS! Yes! And he put his FOOTon their NECK in triumph.
But because we see the spiritual warrior, this only brings the battle into focus. Some of our most thrilling stories were fought out in the offices where I've worked. There are stories that give me goosebumps and cause me to weep for joy at the slightest memory of God's mighty deeds of deliverance. If I told you you'd laugh. You'd cry. You'd marvel at God's miracles.
So go forth and CONQUER! Stand your ground in that seemingly insignificant place where you do war for God. Matters of eternal consequence will be decided on that field of battle.
Womankind have their equivilent lifegiving force in the Spirit.
But for me, I feel powerful forces released in my mind and body that renew my youth and God given manhood.
In "The Passion Of The Christ" Jesus crushed the serpant's head in the garden. HE, the Mightiest of ALL warriors!
The true warrior dies daily. His is a bloody fight. And when he takes the body and blood of Christ in Spiritual Communion there is a warrior bond that is off the charts in intensity. We are Blood Brothers with Our Lord!
Finally, in true spirituality
there is the quiet time where the man of God finds one of the greatest victories in Absolute Peace.
He draws near to God in that Sacred Place of quiet meditation.
My wife demonstrated how complete peace equates to great strength.
I used to work as a janitor on the OB unit of a hospital. So when my wife and I had our first child the nurses left us in a room I'd mopped and cleaned innumerable times.
She gets obedient to the point of being "hypnotic" when in labor. If I see an arm muscle, or hand, tighten - I just touch it and she relaxes it. Her body worked with tremendous efficiency. It was no picnic. But she wasted very little strength as she was in perfect relaxation and peace. Without any act of her will the hard work of labor went forward effectively. Her mind focused on complete loving obedience. And in obedience she found amazing peace.
The nurses thought she was sleeping when we knew from our studies that she was within a half an hour to an hour from delivery. The nurses said, "No. This is false labor. She needs to go home until the labor gets real." I just commanded them to get the doctor. She had our first son less than an hour later.
What deed, on earth, is greater than bringing an eternal soul into the world?!
I could never keep her down after a birth. She'd want to hop in the car and go show off her new baby to all her friends. I had to make her rest (for a while).
So, too, the true warrior fights his mightiest battles on the valiant battleground of true spiritual prayer. There's the mighty fight of Gethsemane. But allowing the mightiest warrior of all to break through the veil of our flesh and enter our innermost being is the heart and soul of what and who we are.
So now many of you are beginning to believe that it CAN BE THAT GOOD.
When you feel his mighty strength pouring through your body - and energizing your mind and spirit - you'll KNOW it's true. And it only gets better!
It's not by our strength that we are renewed.
It's by yielding.
You are like the filament of a light bulb. When you throw the switch to turn on the light, it "drops the barrier", closing the circuit and allowing the tremendous power to flow. You burn with a bright light and heat of God's own Passion!
Drop your barriers.
Love can energize you at any time and any place - and will.
But let music be the "carrier" of divine energy.
The emotion in a movie is in the sound track.
My van has a great sound system, and a tiny little screen.
I'd rather watch a good movie in that van than with a "big screen" if the sound system is weak.
God will give YOU a SPECIAL sound track for your movie!
Listen to Susan Ashton's "Here In My Heart" or "Stand". Such songs open a door that help you to see just how amazingly beautiful your calling truly is.
Such GLORY makes "self control" a "done deed". You're ALIVE! You're FREE! It's a NEW DAY! Rise and Live - really LIVE for a change! And end your day in a timeless quiet meditation that makes each day seem eternal. You've ridden on The Wings Of The Wind! Now rest in perfect peace and be one with Your Lord - and with all the blessed ones who are one with you in the Same Spirit!
God makes your "mortal body" ALIVE. That's why we don't boast. God provides the will to obey, the path to walk, and the power to live it.
We are forgiven by his shed blood.
But how are we saved???
BY HIS LIFE!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Fruit Of The Spirit - Self Control (Part2)
I'm praying that what you read, here, will bless you so deeply that you will pursue the Lord with a passion that can scarcely be called "prayer". I'm nuts about my Lord. I stay up to be with Him in peace - and rise early for more of the same.
Why? Because I'm such a strong Christian - disciplined and faithful?
Don't make me laugh!
Jesus has pursued ME, dear friend! I got tired of running from Him and SURRENDERED! I didn't climb some mountain. I wasn't wiser than most. I go to others when I need wisdom. I literally FELL into His Blessings!
If anyone lets on that they are a great man or woman of God - or exceptionally wise - or any other such high and holy claim - you need to bust out laughing.
The key to blessing is to admit the exact opposite. And when you open this door you will fall into His Arms Of Love. You will "fall" alright. You will fall in Love like you've never fallen in Love before!
So if it's that easy, why aren't we all living in a peaceful, wonderful state that would draw unbelievers to us in droves?
As easy as it is, it does require us to cough up our pride. Our religion also stops us. That's just two of the great enemies of God. The Holy Spirit is gentle and kind, like a dove. But you can drive that dove away if you work hard enough at it. Being busy. Keeping that wall up. Feeling guilty. Being fretful.
But most of all: Simply not being willing to believe that it can be THIS GOOD!
Believe it! It can!
Those of you who read yesterday's post may recall that our stubborn unwillingness to surrender will keep us trapped in Romans 7 - where we "Don't do the things we want to do and do the things we don't want to do.".
I've got good news for you! He's pursuing you!!
Give in.
Then you will be set free as "The Law Of The Spirit Of Life in Christ Jesus" sets you free from the "law of sin and death".
If you're flying above the clouds, you don't need to worry about the storms of this world. Even should you be tortured for Christ, God can take you into the heavenlies in the Spirit. We will, in fact, discuss how apathy, being full, comfort, and dullness are far more formidable enemies than pain and suffering. If you can laugh at death itself, in Christ - nothing can touch you.
If the worst brings out the best - and it does - then nothing can separate us from the Love Of God in Christ Jesus!
Tomorrow we'll discuss how God gives LIFE to your MORTAL BODY through the Mystery Of Christ - when you use Faith (Give in. Surrender. Look to Him alone.)
Until then, don't try so hard. Just stop running. Fall into God's ocean of Love! Cast aside all your fears and dare to BELIEVE! I'm telling you, IT'S TRUE. Do you think I'm making this stuff up? And you've already experienced it yourself! But you need to "surrender to God", as you did before - with tears of joy.
And when you do, self control is "automatic" as he takes control of your heart and mind with a love that is beyond the ability of words to describe.
Why? Because I'm such a strong Christian - disciplined and faithful?
Don't make me laugh!
Jesus has pursued ME, dear friend! I got tired of running from Him and SURRENDERED! I didn't climb some mountain. I wasn't wiser than most. I go to others when I need wisdom. I literally FELL into His Blessings!
If anyone lets on that they are a great man or woman of God - or exceptionally wise - or any other such high and holy claim - you need to bust out laughing.
The key to blessing is to admit the exact opposite. And when you open this door you will fall into His Arms Of Love. You will "fall" alright. You will fall in Love like you've never fallen in Love before!
So if it's that easy, why aren't we all living in a peaceful, wonderful state that would draw unbelievers to us in droves?
As easy as it is, it does require us to cough up our pride. Our religion also stops us. That's just two of the great enemies of God. The Holy Spirit is gentle and kind, like a dove. But you can drive that dove away if you work hard enough at it. Being busy. Keeping that wall up. Feeling guilty. Being fretful.
But most of all: Simply not being willing to believe that it can be THIS GOOD!
Believe it! It can!
Those of you who read yesterday's post may recall that our stubborn unwillingness to surrender will keep us trapped in Romans 7 - where we "Don't do the things we want to do and do the things we don't want to do.".
I've got good news for you! He's pursuing you!!
Give in.
Then you will be set free as "The Law Of The Spirit Of Life in Christ Jesus" sets you free from the "law of sin and death".
If you're flying above the clouds, you don't need to worry about the storms of this world. Even should you be tortured for Christ, God can take you into the heavenlies in the Spirit. We will, in fact, discuss how apathy, being full, comfort, and dullness are far more formidable enemies than pain and suffering. If you can laugh at death itself, in Christ - nothing can touch you.
If the worst brings out the best - and it does - then nothing can separate us from the Love Of God in Christ Jesus!
Tomorrow we'll discuss how God gives LIFE to your MORTAL BODY through the Mystery Of Christ - when you use Faith (Give in. Surrender. Look to Him alone.)
Until then, don't try so hard. Just stop running. Fall into God's ocean of Love! Cast aside all your fears and dare to BELIEVE! I'm telling you, IT'S TRUE. Do you think I'm making this stuff up? And you've already experienced it yourself! But you need to "surrender to God", as you did before - with tears of joy.
And when you do, self control is "automatic" as he takes control of your heart and mind with a love that is beyond the ability of words to describe.
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