Born For Adversity/ Brothers' Keepers

"Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity! "
Psalm 133:1

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

We live in times of adversity! Take a look around, in any realm you choose, and listen closely, you can hear the sabers rattling, forces of darkness lining up against forces of Light. The stage is being set for the Battle of the Ages, and as we are brothers and sisters, soldier's in the Lord's Army, we are to sharpen each other, to edify, encourage, and sometimes carry one another, keeping each other accountable, sometimes pulling and sometimes pushing one another back up onto the Narrow Way, when we stumble or fall.
There are no "lone rangers" in God's Kingdom; we have been bought with a very high price, we all belong to Him, and we are all members of the same Body, inextricably connected, and necessary to one another, just as our human bodies' organs are different, specific and necessary.
How do you view others? Do you hold others, regardless of personality, political views, idiosyncrasies, physical appearance, race, socio-economic status, with the same regard? Do you see them through Holy Spirit, Jesus-filtered vision, where the Lord looks at the heart, and since He is no respecter of persons, none of these factors matter? I can't say that I'm totally there yet, but I am pushing forward, this is part of the race being run.
Today beloved, make it a point to have your brother's and sister's backs.

Surpassing Knowledge

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17b-19

Paul's prayer is that we would be given the ability to grasp and know what is otherwise impossible with a natural mind, which is the vastness of Jesus' love for us. In the natural, when I think of a visual representation of "vast" as in "wide, long, deep, and high", I think of the Grand Canyon, or the Atlantic Ocean.
We "know" that Jesus loves us, and that He shed His blood for us, His death being the propitiation for our sins, but there is a huge difference between academic-head-knowledge "knowing", and that revelation of Jesus' raging, furious, willing-to-die-for-us love that He has for us, his Bride. There are simply no words that can explain what the Holy Spirit reveals about how He loves us.
Why does Paul pray this for us all? Because when we "get it", everything changes ....everything. It is this revelation that fueled Paul, John, James, Stephen, John Bradford,Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, and the countless others that have taken their place as part of the great cloud of witnesses we will someday dine with at the ultimate wedding feast.
Have you gotten it, do you "get it"...to know the unknowable, beloved?
Grab hold of it today, hang on to His furious love.

Lessons From Solomon/ My Portion

Solomon's Heart
 3 Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”
6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [d]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself [g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
 15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
1Kings 3:3-15

Affirmation and Warning
 1 Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all [a]that Solomon desired to do, 2 that the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 The LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 4 As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
 6 “But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 8 And this house will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’ 9 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them, therefore the LORD has brought all this adversity on them.’”
1Kings 9:1-9

7 Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9

It has been said that Solomon was renowned as a wise young ruler, but he died a foolish old man, swerving off the path the God had mapped out for him...he died surrounded by idols, foreign wives and concubines, and false prophets who worshipped idols. All of it was like "chasing the wind", as Solomon himself declared in Ecclesiates. In 1Kings 3, the Lord appeared to Solomon, with promises and a clear warning...In 1Kings 9, God appeared to him for a second time, and very specifically again warned Solomon. Now, Solomon himself heard and saw the Lord, and yet he fell into the very things God Himself, not an angel or a seraph, told him to stay away from! I have considered this on a number of occasions and realize that if it happened to King Solomon, who started out wanting nothing more than to follow the Almighty with all his heart, it can happen to anyone. Including me. I have written before about the narrow path we are walking, and how we need to, absolutely must, guard our hearts, our minds, our eyes, just how easily we can wander off like a stray sheep, and deny God, the One who gives wealth, when wealth becomes an idol and wrongly handled.
My prayer today is that of Proverbs 30:7-9... Lord, thank you for providing my portion, just enough, not too little or too much! Thank you for looking deep inside my heart, and knowing me better than I could know myself.

Hard To Miss

"Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.
Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.
Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. "
Gen.7:1,16,23

"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
Matt.24:37

"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."
John 9:4

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jer.29:13

Yesterday I was having a conversation with friends, and we were discussing the times we live in and the days of Noah and the construction of the Ark came up. We talked about the scale of the work that Noah was doing, and the Holy Spirit showed me this image of the location of where Noah lived and built the Ark...it was right there in the center of the community he lived in, not out in the middle of nowhere! His work went on and on, and everyday the people had to pass by it, even detouring and going around it. It was undeniable, unavoidable, and in their faces...and yet they did not grasp the signs of the times, or consider seriously what was before them. Business was good, they enjoyed life, doing what they wanted as evil prevailed and they engaged wantonly in their debauched lifestyles. Right up until the rain fell, and as they pounded with their fists unanswered on the already sealed Ark ... they finally understood... but it was too late.

Now take a look around us...this present darkness, and the evil days we are living in. Jesus told us that His return would be like the days of Noah- the signs are before us, around us, undeniable and unavoidable, and we are paying attention. But what about friends, family, co-workers, and others whom you interact with? We need to point out the signs to them, make them aware, grab them by their faces and show them "the Ark" that they have been detouring around and avoiding, help those to want to seek after it, while there is daylight. In a sense, the Ark is being loaded up right now...the Ark, of course, is Jesus.

He doesn't do things off in a corner, He is everywhere, undeniable, arms wide open, but how long do we have?

Beloved, work while we still have light.

Psalm 23, Expanded

Psalm 23
    A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, He is my Guide, my compass, if I listen closely I can hear His voice directing me
I shall not want. He gives me all that I need, and more, even when I am undeserving and unexpecting
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; bringing me to a place where my body, mind, and spirit, can find rest when I an totally spent and exhausted from trials and toils of this life
He leads me beside quiet waters where I can be healed like the sick at the pool of Siloam, His love washes over me and I am refreshed
3 He restores my soul; deep calls unto deep, and I cry out to my Abba and He answers me
He guides me in the paths of righteousness, as I seek His face and his will for my life and not my own
For His name’s sake. I belong to Him and His seal is on me: "Holy to the Lord"
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You are my Sun and shield, what can man do to me? The battle is yours, Lord, I trust in you alone; so shall I be delivered from my trials
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; even as my adversaries watch, you satisfy as only you are able
You have anointed my head with oil; you renew, strengthen, and heal me
My cup overflows and in you I have abundant life
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, as I take shelter and hide myself in you ... Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Pitiful?

"If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."
1Cor.15:19

" I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
   Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1Cor.15:50-58

I was an atheist until late into my 29th year. As an atheist I regarded Christians, especially those who were "born again" ( I had no idea what that meant) with a sense of curiosity, disdain, and pity. I considered them to be like the "church lady" from Saturday Night Live, and I thought them deluded and weak, people who needed a crutch - the crutch of religion. These were some of the things that I had gleaned from college life, where it's often taught and understood that the triumph of humanity is attained by human will and academic achievement. I quoted those such as Karl Marx': "Religion is the opiate of the masses", a hypnotic drug-like philosophy to make everyone feel better through their miserable lives until death comes- and it's "game over".
I had no idea what I was talking about.
On the day that I believed and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my hard heart was changed in a moment, as was how I perceived myself, others, God and all His manifold natures - everything. I believe that in the same way our bodies, whether alive or dead, will be changed from flawed flesh to glorified radiance at the last trumpet sound, as the Scriptures assure us. Needless to say, it is not Christians whom I pity now, but those who are in a perilous place and don't even know it-my heart aches for them. It is my prayer that God's Word would continue to run swiftly and be honored (2Thess.3:1-2) received by those who are still walking in the same darkness we were delivered from.
Beloved, let's stand firm, and not be moved. Our labors for His kingdom are not in vain, victory over sin and death is assured us through the Master/King of the universe.
He is coming soon.

Giving Him Our Best

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:22-23

"I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service"
Romans 12:1

It seems to me that excellence is hard to find these days. The standard that many people use has much to do with pleasing themselves, and doing what is convenient and comfortable, and often very little with "doing our best". But as lovers, bondservants, disciples of the Lord Jesus, we need to remember it is Him that we are working for and serving. He deserves our utmost...after all, He gave us His absolute best... we are to be living sacrifices, giving Him the purest, finest gifts and offerings we are able to present, in every way, shape, and form ... not the leftovers of our lives, and definitely not that which is mediocre. In the workplace, in our relationships, with our resources, in our lives- we are to present our very best to Him, in everything that we have been given stewardship over.
Today beloved, give Him your very best...He is deserving and more than worthy.

Jesus

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Col.1:15-20

 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5

"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:9-14

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine"
Songs of Songs 6:3a

As the cares, concerns, and debris of this world swirl around me, my heart's desire is to remain focused on Jesus. He's the Alpha and the Omega- He is the beginning, He was there from the beginning, He is the end, and will be there at the end, the end of my earthly life, as I pass into eternity, and He's there every moment in between. Quite simply, He is everything that is good, holy, beautiful, glorious, the Light, created all things, maintains all things, even as all of Creation awaits His glorious return. He is what makes me "tick", the Answer to the Big Question, the Reconciler of all things, on earth and in heaven.
Today Jesus... come and take your place in the center of my heart.

Interesting Contents 252

"Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,  which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.  Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover."
Hebrews 9:3-5

"The Lord said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of The Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against Me, so that they will not die." 
Numbers 17:10

The Ark of the Covenant, aka the Ark of the Testimony had three items inside:
A gold jar of manna, Moses' brother Aaron's staff that had budded and flowered almonds, and the stone tablets (the Ten Commandments). I found these items to be quite a curious collection, so I asked the Lord about the meanings of these things and that combination, since the Master does everything for a reason, nothing is haphazard or coincidental...
Here are the spiritual impressions I got:
The gold jar of manna: The jar being made of gold, not pottery, has to do with purity; the manna is a symbol of provision and faithfulness. The manna never stopped, from the time God's people left Eqypt until they crossed into the Promised Land. It was never late, always there as promised, and there was always more than enough.
Aaron's budded staff: during the time of Korah's rebellion, the Lord told Moses and Aaron to put that staff with the rebels' staffs, in front of the Ark of the Testimony, inside the Tent of Meeting, and God would chose the staff of the man who was carrying the mantle of authority. The Hebrew word fro almond is Sha-KED, the shoresh or root word is Sha-KAD, and means to be watchful, alert, vigilant, and sleepless (The Lord God never slumbers or sleeps...no one can pull a "fast one" on Alpha and Omega). We are to remain vigilant- to guard ourselves against the wiles of our enemy, and our own backsliding away from our most important, essential, and precious relationship with our Abba/Bridegroom/King.
The Stone Tablets, aka The Ten Commandments: The outline for triumphant living. God knows the heart of man is deceitful and our natures are flawed and fallen.

When put altogether, I see this message: Do what is right in God's eyes, not our own, recognize the Lord as our everything and stay under His authority only, and He will provide everything we need for abundant triumphant life.

Seals

But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:22

The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai.
Esther 8:2

Place me like a seal over your heart,
   like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
   its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
Song of Songs 8:6

In Luke 15, the father puts his ring on the finger of the prodigal son who has repented and come home, and in Esther, the King himself takes off his signet ring and gives it to Mordechai. These rings are symbols of power, and whatever crest or intricate pattern the ring bore was used to stamp out a wax seal, authenticating edicts, orders, personal letters, etc., and also a symbol of ownership, a title or deed. Whoever owned the ring had ultimate authority and power in the name of the King.
In Song of Songs 8:6, the Lord, our King, takes his "ring", and places not one, but two seals on us, when surrender and revelation of who He is comes: one on our heart and the other on our arm. Psalm 119:11 reads, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"...our hearts are sealed to protect that which has been "down loaded" by the Holy Spirit -spiritual programming, of sorts,, and a sign that we belong to the King. The seal on our arm is prominent, visible, and empowers us to do the King's bidding, carrying out His orders...the Lord says to us, "THIS IS MY WAY, THEREFORE WALK IN IT".
Today beloved, remember the seals you bear. You may not see them in the natural, but they are present nonetheless...we belong to Him.

More Than Enough

"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2Corinthians 12:7b-8

"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"
Job 13:15a

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. "
Philippians 4:12

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal
It is well with my soul-
First 3 stanzas, It Is Well With My Soul, Horatio Spafford, 1873, penned after the death of most of his children who drowned in a trans-Atlantic ocean liner ship wreck

Recently, I was told about a godly young woman who had battled bone cancer,. after treatment and surgery, she enjoyed a period of good health, but the cancer came back and had spread...she and her family were told there were no more options, and as her family greived, and asked the question- Why her, God?" ... the young woman calmly replied, -"Why not me?"

Is Jesus enough for you? When things are going your way, when the wallet and bank accounts are flush with cash, when health is robust, when careers, marriages, or other relationships are going great, we will surely echo how good the Lord is, singing loudly the chorus to , "I Surrender All"...but when health fails, when terrible accidents happen, when storms destroy a dream home and a life's work, when a trusted doctor makes a mistake with awful consequences, when a business closes or rounds of layoffs come, or financial disaster comes...is Jesus enough for you?
He is more than enough! Peace, grace, and mercy radiate from Him, He is the Rock that is higher than We are. This life is a roller coaster, and Jesus has told us ahead of time, that troubles will come, sooner or later, in one form or another, storms will come. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, salvation is assured, yes, and also, He gives us the ability to proclaim - "It is well with my soul".
Beloved, Jesus is not a "baby in a manger anymore...He's not a broken man on a cross" ( Thanks Misty Edwards)- Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Abundant Life, the Answer to all the questions, everything we need.
In Him we are to take heart...He has overcome.

Who Do You Say That You Are?/ Labels

"But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 10:33

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
   “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
   After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Mark 14:66-71

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness."
Col.2:6-9


How do you identify yourself, what label or title would you give yourself? If asked the question: "who are you?", how do you respond? What do you say to others about the importance of Jesus, and what sort of priority does He take in your life? I ask the question again: Just how important is Jesus in your daily life, as we move about in a culture that separates out the Lord and Master of the Universe from every place except church? Are your eyes fixed on, focused on, Jesus- is He the headline, main story in your life, or an op-ed on the back page? If pointed out and asked in an accusatory, non-complementary manner if you are a follower of Jesus, "one of those who were with Him", especially when persecution increases for Christians in America as it has elsewhere in the world (which is even now on the rise)- How do you answer?
I want to be a reflection of Jesus first, above all else - Jesus first, just as He put us first, and loved us first. Nothing else will matter or last- only Jesus.
We were created by Him, for Him, to be in relationship with Him, we are His Reward.
Make Jesus your utmost for His Highest.

Apprehended

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
Phil.3:12

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8

 "1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. "
Psalm 42:1-2a

Recently I heard, and identified with, the testimony of a good friend who talked about being apprehended by the Lord...it is a term that means to be caught, to be seized, grabbed, gotten hold of. I, too, have been apprehended by Him ... He has pursued me, grabbed hold of me, shaken me down, embraced me. Now apprehended I find that there is new meaning to his words, "Seek my face" ... It's no longer like playing hide and seek, chasing something elusive, no, He is right there with me, "his left hand is behind my head, and his right arm embraces me."
It is all the pieces of the puzzle coming together, the answer to the question of why I exist...to worship Him, to return His amazing love, to dwell in His courts. There is nothing that can bring real satisfaction or fulfillment besides Him... No career, no amount of wealth, no other person, nothing. Only Jesus can satisfy that deep down longing in the heart.
So i want to ask you : Have you been apprehended, grabbed hold of, shaken down, has the Lord grabbed you, have you answered the call of your heart?
Grab hold of Jesus, apprehend Him who wants to apprehend you today...only He can satisfy.

Pouring In/Exhortation, Not Exasperation

 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Colossians 3:20

"Train up your children in the way that they should go; when they are old they will not depart from it."

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

As a child, then as a rebellious teenager, I remember being exasperated and discouraged by my parents. They were not believers, and my father would get frustrated and say things to me such as, " You will never be half the man I am ", and other things that were deeply wounding and damaged my self esteem for decades. I knmayday dad loved me, but he had no spiritual base, and I was haunted by a sense of worthlessness and failure, those words from my father echoing deep inside of me all those years later.
As a son, and a father, I know how I am to be with my children. I am to view them the way my Abba in heaven views me, to draw them with lovingkindness. It doesn't mean that it's always easy for me to do this, especially when my daughters don't respond immediately to me. But I try to remember how my heavenly Dad deals with me, how much He loves me and understands the power of the word that is spoken forth. Talk about the things of God with them, prophesy over them. Words of life must be poured into them, tell them about the secrets to the Kingdom of Heaven, how famous they are in the unseen world- that there are myriads of angels who know their names, how much they are loved- both by us and their heavenly Father. My soon-to-be 18 year old daughter is stepping into her prophetic fulfillment even now, as she is in the middle of an intense worship and praise 6 week program. I'm sure there were plenty of times that I did/do exasperate her, made plenty of mistakes, but words of life have been poured into her...The Lord is doing amazing things with her, and as her dad it's so exciting to see the fruition of things spoken over her, and into her, come to pass.
So when there is tension, when you are frustrated, remember to try not to exasperate. Remember to treat your children in the same manner that our Father treats us.
The baton will soon be passed.

Jesus Freak

 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
   45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-45

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
Phil.3:7-9

"He went away and sold eveything he had, and bought that field... "It's all worth it, both in this life and the eternal life to come. The Pearl, the treasure of inestimable value, is, of course, Jesus. Philippians 3:7-9, is embedded in my spirit... Nothing I desire compares to knowing Jesus, Lord and Master of my life. He is quite simply, my All in All, He's worth it all...the Fountainhead. Some may say I'm overboard, the pragmatic viewpoint being " everything in moderation is good", I flatly disagree. Perhaps some who know me now versus even one year ago consider me a Jesus freak, or a fool. I agree- and gladly accept the label, "Jesus freak" or "fool for Christ". If it was good enough for Paul, Peter, James, John, then it's good enough for me. So please do call me a Jesus freak. To count everything else as garbage is a privilege, my price, small, the value proposition in favor of knowing and having Jesus, huge.
I am a Jesus freak.
How about you?

Petition/Permission

 1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
Esther 3:1-3

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Phil.4:6

"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
John 14:11-14

At a moment of tremendous need and crisis, Esther prepared herself, clothed in her royal robes, and went to the court of the King...the scriptures record the King saw her, and extended his scepter. In the spirit I saw this as a beautiful picture of how we can approach our King in prayer. Favor is the royal robe we are clothed in, Jesus is the "scepter", by Him we have holy permission, an invitation really, to enter the inner courts. In His name, we can pour out our hearts, minds, thoughts, tears, as we move from standing in front of an intimidating throne to being beckoned by the King/Master/Father to hop up into His lap and tell Him everything (that He already knows of course). Jesus says, "whatever you ask in my name"... these are requests that move our lives in a holy direction, not a shopping list of things that are actually worthless idols.
Let us seek and beseech Him with His purposes in mind for us. Remember that real victory in our lives comes through total surrender to the One who loves us and knows what is best for us.

Illumination

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:15-25

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Jer.17:9

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:4-5

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matt. 5:14-16

"There is no good thing in me..." Paul said it about himself, Jeremiah said it about mankind as a whole, and as I look in the mirror I agree: Apart from Jesus, His light, goodness, and holiness there is no good thing in me. Anything that resembles goodness in myself is His reflection, like the sun to the moon, as I am turned towards him, my face to His face, an intensity that is greater than if I were to look up towards the sun on a bright summer day.
The light is always available to us...the "on" switch, the requirement, is for us to turn towards the Son, our gaze locked on Him.
Keep your eyes locked on Jesus today, beloved, and let His light shine.

Taking Hold

" 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:7-14

When I read this, as it soaks into my spirit, I feel two ways:

On one hand, I see myself as the Prodigal son, I am full-out galloping through a desert, the mirror-like mirage effect shimmering in the heat, sweat and tears pouring from me as I exert everything I am, running towards my Father... I can see Him as He full-out runs towards me, arms extended too, but it's as if I am watching it in slow motion special effect, like you'd see in a movie. I have left behind everything that I strived to acquire that was treasured by worldly standards that I finally realized was worthless, and straining ahead to take hold of Him that finally got hold of me...the ultimate treasure, Jesus and all that He is.

On the other hand, I see myself as an Eric Liddell (legendary Christian Scotsman runner) type, running a track and field event, the ultimate race, 10,000 meter or marathon with huddles(!) running in stride, with my eyes firmly fixed on the finish line. I can hear the roar of the crowd, the cheers and encouragement of those who had passed before me, and I am not even getting winded, even as I feel weak in myself My Father's strength courses through me and I am able to sail over the obstacles, and I am way out ahead, the prize now visible at the finish line...

The prize, the Goal is within reach. Everyday that passes here is another day closer to being with my Beloved. I am fueled by His love, grace, and mercy, and so I keep running and my focus on My Father/Bridegroom/King. When I fall down, I get back up again, never taking my gaze from His Face.
Maranatha...come Lord Jesus!

Yoking/Associations

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
Romans 8:12-13


"Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
James 4:4

We are in the world but not part of the world system, anymore than Jesus was when He was with the societal "untouchables" - tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, and others. He was with them, ministering to them, healing them, but He obviously did not participtate in or embrace their lifestyles. When we were born again and awakened to spiritual realities, we were also sanctified- separated and called to be apart from the fakeness and vanity of this present darkness. There is simply no way to mix opposites. There is a saying : "opposites attract"... that may be true for magnetic polarity, but in other matters, such as our spiritual identity, principles and our witness as disciples of Jesus, I think there is always a dominator, there is compromise, spiritual erosion. So don't be unequally hitched - to anyone or anything- it doesn't go well, and it won't end well!
So let's be salt and light, we are ambassadors of God's truth - That there is nothing that the world has to offer that compares to Him.

Spiritual Algebra

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 28:7

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b, Prov.12:25

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning."
Psalm 30:5

 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil.4:4-7


In light of the fact of how God, our heavenly Father, views us, that we are all His favorite sons and daughters, that He has a great plan for us as we listen and obey Him, that " He is our Sun and Shield, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly " (Psalm 84:11), how should we really be in any other state of mind but joyful, glad, and cheerful? God Himself is our counselor, our Great physician, His great love for us is boundless! So where does anxiety and sadness come from? Not from the Spirit of God!...if "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, and "perfect love casts out all fear",(1 Jn 4:18), then these emotions come from the enemy, the destroyer. "Cheer is good medicine for the bones" Prov.17:22,(brings health)...anxiety in the heart of a person weighs them down(causes sickness). So joy equals strength and health, part of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Now this doesn't mean that we should be surprised by trials and the troubles of life, because Jesus told us difficulties would come, this is how we are refined and purified...we can endure them, and push through them, conquer them, with the joy that comes from our assurances in who our Father and King is.
Rejoice in Him today.

Testifying

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death."
Rev. 12:11

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11

Amazing things happen in our lives, not because of our own strength, wisdom, or other qualities, but because of God's power, mercy, providence, goodness, lovingkindness, grace, and many other myriad qualities. Prayers answered...deliverance and success in the face of impossible and insurmountable odds, prodigal children come home, health restored when doctors had no answers except to tell the patient to get their affairs in order...
Beloved, we are to testify, giving all praise and glory to the Lord...our words, our stories, our histories, our victories in Jesus, are woven into his Banner over us. Our testimonies are powerful, giving and restoring hope and faith to others, and much more is activated in the spiritual than we will know, until we stand before the Bridegroom, and finally see how all the pieces came together.
Today, and at all times, share with others what the Lord has done for you, don't hold it back...it is valuable, even invaluable. We are overcomers by our testimonies, and the Blood.
Testify today.

Holy To The Lord 245

"On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar."
Zech.14:20

   22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23

Being born again is like turning on the floodlights in a dark place, like tearing blackout curtains down as the brightness of the Son floods your heart, minds, spirit, and soul. We becomes transformed from ignoble, broken-down, and battered vessels, filth and dark things thrown out, into bright and shining vessels made for holiness, the seal of our ownership placed on us: HOLY TO THE LORD. We are bought with a very very high price, and no longer do we belong to our ourselves - we become stewards of the temple of the Holy Spirit- heart, mind, body, spirit, all holy vessels, all marked with the Lord's seal.
Holy vessels are made for holiness and Godly things, pure, beautiful, joyful, righteous, love-laden, edifying things. How then should we allow unholy things into these holy vessels? I'm referring to filth and corrupted junk - literature, music, movies, TV, internet, culture- stuff foisted on us as "harmless entertainment", - murder, death, adultery, filthy talk and cursing, occult, pure darkness and unholiness ... these things have no place, no part in us as holy vessels, and when each of us listens closely to the voice of the Lord, the Holy Spirit is saying to you, and you can and will hear it: "This is my way, walk in it, have nothing to do with these unholy and filthy things." A person cannot scoop burning coals into their lap and not be burned...do not deceive yourself.
Is there some house cleaning in order today? Today is a great day to go through your bookshelves, email, movie collections, radio stations, facebook, Internet favorite places...let the Holy Spirit that gives discernment guide you, no second guessing.
Today is a new day, let holiness reign in your holy vessel.
You are made for holiness.

Blessed Assurance (Don't Leave Earth Without It)

 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
Luke 12:16-20

"Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed"
Ecclesiates 12:6

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."
John 3:16-18

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction....This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life"
Deut. 30:15,19-20

My wife's former doctor died last week, it was a huge shock, surprise to us. The obituary read: "... 49 years old, died suddenly last Friday of a cardiac arrest. Survived by his wife and children, his parents and siblings, etc. All his earthly accomplishments, Chief at the hospital, fellowship, credentials, etc. . He owned two beautiful homes, one in Florida, and one in the Hamptons, NY. We recall how he had talked about socking away the money until he was really comfortable financially, and how he would retire young, in a luxury lifestyle. He was a good man, but not a Godly man.
There's only one problem with that plan. No one knows how many days, much much time, remains in your account! People plan for this world, for the "golden years" but often times they sadly neglect eternity. Any of us could be standing face to face even as you are reading this- not one of us is guaranteed even our next breath.
Jesus said that whoever believes in Him has eternal life and will not perish, but... whoever does not believes stands condemned already...condemned already! so I want to ask you right here and now - If you have danced around the issue of salvation, but you are not sure of where you'll spend eternity, settle this right here and now. If you have that blessed assurance, but others that are dear to you do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, have you been holding back because you don't want to "offend them", or perhaps your family has a policy about avoiding topics like politics and religion? Eternity in torment and darkness away from God will be much, much more offensive, of this we can be sure! Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior...acknowledge and thank Him for paying the death penalty for you and making a way for you to spend eternity in heaven, and avoiding the torment of hell. Tell everyone that you know about His goodness, His lovingkindness...He's not slow in coming, He is giving more opportunity for more souls to come into the Heavenly ark, before it's too late. This is the single most important decision a person can make, The Lord will not make this choice for us, it's up to each of us.
Choose wisely.

Heaven Minded/Hungering and Thirsting 244

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Psalm 27:4

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?"
Psalm 42:1-2

These days, I find myself in one of two places; either I am in His courts, wading in the River of the Spirit of God, the inner secret place with my King, on my face hearing the voices of myriad seraphim and angels, or I am hungering and thirsting to be there, desperately desiring, seeking Him. Moving through this world I feel as if I get dusted with the junk of this world, like a man trudging through desert dunes, but then as I crest a really big dune, there it is, the oasis I have desperately been looking for.
There is simply nothing I desire that can compare to Him, no place I'd rather be, I hear His voice calling to me: "Seek my Face". I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine, and the greatest revelation of my life, the reason why I exist, is to worship the Lord, my Lord, the Lover of my Soul, Father/Bridegroom/Master... and the reality that He is there waiting for me, to commune with me, as He walked with Adam in Eden. He is not my Sunday timeout, a sideline, the last line on a Facebook or twitter profile. He is my everything, my identity is totally in Him. Everyday that passes in this life is one day closer to spending eternity uninterrupted in His presence.
Beloved, today if you are in His courts, rejoice, and if you're not, find that quiet time and place, crest that dune and go to that oasis.
In His Presence there is fullness of joy!

Valuable

   12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:12-14

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrew 12:2

 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Matthew 6:26

In a world of uncertainty, where so much is conditional, it is essential to know how valuable we are to our Father! I remember a relative telling me that a person's worth is directly related to the worth of their assets! But this is not how the Lord of the universe looks at us... We are so valuable, so loved, that He sent Jesus to "pay our tab", to take our death penalty on Himself, so we could be rescued, delivered, freed, walking in vibrant and abundant newness of life. We are so valuable we are referred to as the joy, the Reward- "May the Lamb of God receive the Reward of His suffering".
So valuable that He promises to be with us, and help make a way for us, making us overcomers, more than conquerors, through His love.
How do you see yourself? Do you understand how loved you are, do you have the peace that surpasses all understanding, or are you plagued by self doubt, low self-esteem, inferiority complex, chained by chronic depression, or other lies from the accuser of the brethren?
Today, walk in newness of life, understand the inestimable value Our Abba Father has placed on you...rejoice in the Lord, as the Word says- ALWAYS.
We have great reason to!

Return

1 Return, Israel, to the LORD your God.
   Your sins have been your downfall!
2 Take words with you
   and return to the LORD.
Say to him:
   “Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
   that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3 Assyria cannot save us;
   we will not mount warhorses.
We will never again say ‘Our gods’
   to what our own hands have made,
   for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
 4 “I will heal their waywardness
   and love them freely,
   for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
   he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
   he will send down his roots;
 6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
   his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade;
   they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
   Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
   I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;
   your fruitfulness comes from me.”
9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
   Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the LORD are right;
   the righteous walk in them,
   but the rebellious stumble in them.

As Israel went, so goes the United States of America. This nation rose from a tiny group of British colonies to the envy of the world in less than 200 years, as the people worked acknowledged, praised, thanked, and worshipped the Lord God as Master/King/Father, with the Bible as the Owner's Manual. But here as in ancient Israel, as life became easier, the people have become idolatrous, running after other lovers, turning away and denying the God who loved and blessed them. The only differences between this nation and Hosea's Israel were language, culture, and technology. We have some rulers who spurn the Almighty, who base their trust and hopes in the economy, the military, they have the spirit of Nebuchadnezzar where haughtiness and pride ooze from them ... we have sown the wind, and even now the whirlwind approaches. They have built a house of cards and dominoes.
It is not too late though, beloved. It's time to return to the Lord, and we must be active, and activated. The time for slumber has passed. Just as the destruction of Nineveh was averted, so the judgement that is coming, and even now comes, can be averted, but much has to happen. As Christians we must know that the battle lines have been drawn, we have been deployed, We must take up our battle stations. It's time for all believers to open the vast armories and wield the weapons of our warfare that our heavenly Commander-in-Chief has given each of us when we became believers.
The prayers of the righteous avail much.

Heirs

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire."
Hebrews 12:28-29

 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14-17

Did you know that you are an heir to unspeakable riches and the greatest kingdom? A kingdom that will never fall into disrepair or corruption, unshakeable, beyond our wildest imagination, with colors beyond description, where the light is the illumination from the Lord Himself? Do we realize how close we really are to this inheritance, as our lives here are just a vapor, the blink of an eye, and we pass from this life to the next.
As born again believers we have passed from death to life, both in this present and relatively short one, and the eternity to come. Everyone is bound for eternity...it's just the matter of where one chooses to spend it. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, if we make the choice to respond He comes in and dines with us. Why would anyone deny Jesus, pass on eternal abundant life, and choose eternal torment?
As co-heirs with Jesus it is incumbent on us to let others know that this inheritance is also for them, to deliver "the good news". In worldly estates, the more heirs there are, the smaller the inheritance, but our heavenly inheritance is not reduced, we all will fully enjoy the treasures that have been laid up for us.
Share the great news with someone today.

Refocus

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Phil. 4:8

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Cor. 6:19b-20

20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal. 2:20

 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Living in a post modern world, where there are no absolutes, where everything is permissible and relative, where schools teach falsehoods, and God is outlawed from public life, it is important to refocus on what's important, on Jesus. I need to, want to, hunger to be in my Beloved's presence, to fix my eyes on Jesus alone, to hear His voice, to remember owns meditate on the four letter word- LOVE. He is Love Come Down, the Purchaser of my Salvation, and I am his bride, his Beloved, and His desire is for me! I desire to bathe in His holiness, to have streams of Living Water wash away the filth of this world. I want His light to shine on me, in me, and through me, I want His light to stream through my cracks and brokenness, that others would see only Jesus.
Today let's refocus and fix our hearts, minds, and spirit on what's eternal and matters most- Jesus.

Upside Down, Inside Out 256

The spiritual principles that bring real life are the opposite of what this present and temporary world operates under. The principles of real life, spiritual life, are upside down and inside out compared to the natural world. Things that are considered to be valuable here generally have no eternal value. Here are three; there are many more.

Spiritual Principle 1: The world says "Show us and then we will believe", but the Holy Spirit says, "Believe, and then I will show you."

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away.
Matthew 16:4
"As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah."
Luke 11:29

Spiritual Principle 2: We have to die to ourselves to really learn the meaning of true life and how then to live.
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 16:25
"Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."
Luke 17:33
" I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf."
Gal 2:20 NKJV


Spiritual Principle 3: To go higher, you need to lower yourself rather than trying to force your way higher.


"Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time"
1Pe 5:6
"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased,
and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted."
Mat 23:11-12

Even as believers we can get carried away, becoming confused. The spiritual world is "unseen", and leave us "spinning our wheels", working to amass things, fodder for future garage sales and Goodwill giveaways. There are often huge homes and expensive cars, wealth amassed of which not one cent can be carried into eternity. When John D. Rockefeller died, his attorney was asked,
"How much did he leave?" His response was simple: " He left all of it."
I have no idea as to whether or not he was saved, but knowing the little I know of his life, I doubt it.
This world lies to us, focusing on superficial veneers, shallowness, physical beauty, wealth, and position, things that often become idols, all of which will rust, decay, and pass away.
In 100 years, or even 20, none of these things will matter. Only the treasures that have been laid up in heaven will last. it is humility, and remembering we are to worship, adore, and serve our Creator God. He is to be our only Master.
Beloved, today remember the real principles that are involved in kingdom life, and the life to come. Consider where we will spend eternity and prepare for it, moment by moment, day by day.