Tag Archives: Relationship

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Finding Who We Are: Part 5

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“While the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it. For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard and did believe.” (Hebrews 4:1-2 AMPC)

We are a people of faith, believing God and trusting Him with every fiber of our being. That is what God expects from those who are His. That faith to trust and believe God leads us to a life of peace that reveals His rest at work in us.

We are a people who put our trust in the work, will, and way of The Triune God, finding our rest in Him as we lean our entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness. True, abiding faith to trust God unites us with Him in thought, word, and actions.

Thought: all true thought is wrapped up in the Father, the God-head. True thought and true wisdom is from Him, who knows all things, even the date and time of the last day, and He makes truth known, revealing Himself, His will, His ways, to those who wholeheartedly seek Him in earnest. Thus, He calls us to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” and to “think on these things, the higher things that are true, right, pure, lovely, excellent, worthy of praise” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Philippians 4:8-9).

Word (Jesus): Jesus knows and always, from beginning of time, speaks the true Word of God, coming from the very thoughts and intentions of Father, the God-Head. I believe that Jesus has always been the Angel of the Lord, God’s visible manifestation, bringing the Message of God to His people. He always speaks the truth of God, revealing the intent of God, and He came as our Incarnate Lord God to correct our understanding and show the true way of Life in unity with God’s perfection. He is our example, the Lord of our lives, and we are expected to be as He is, following in His footprints.

The Spirit of God is that part of Him that equips and empowers right and true discernment, leading to productive and eternally effective action. We are instructed to be filled and overflowing with Him, cooperating with Him so that His power and affect flow through us.

Surrendering to The Triune in the power and leading of His Spirit, we become one in thought, word, and actions, just as did Jesus. This is the path of ONE, the achievement of the desired unity between The Triune and the Body.

Father led me to look at Philippians 1:6 in The Passion Translation the other day. I love it! The way it reads seems to say that He will keep working in us until He can unveil us to reveal the very image of Christ in us! That is the desire of The Triune for us and it is the desired end of the work of God’s Spirit in us. Love that. Make it so, Father. Grant us faith to persevere and fully cooperate with the work of Your Presence set to overflow in us.

“I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Philippians 1:6 TPT)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Finding Who We Are: Part 4

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“Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house-whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Hebrews 3:5-6 NASB)

I’ve written many times about our being the Temple of God, housing His Holy Presence on earth, fully equipped to represent The Triune and His Kingdom interests in our daily lives. As I looked at this last night and began praying about what I am to cover on this common topic, a list begins to form revealing truths of God’s Temple.

1 – The Temple of God is holy, and that is what you are! And as I often say, wherever we are, we are on holy ground, so behave accordingly. (1 Corinthians 3:17 NASB)

2 – The Temple of God is a house of Prayer, and that is what you are. So pray, realizing that prayer is communion with God, and can – and often should be – more listening for His opinion, heart, instruction, than speaking.

James says we do not have for we do not ask; and we ask and do not receive because we ask with wrong motives so we can spend it on OUR PLEASURES. Having God’s heart and unity with His opinion on life issues is vital to prayers well prayed: prayers I believe will make His heart sing. (Matthew 21:13 NASB; James 4:1-10 NASB)

3 – The house God is making out of us is a place of worship, and that is what you are. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1 NASB)

4 – The House of God is a dwelling place, and that is what you are. The Spirit of God’s Presence dwells in and with us. He wants to live with, in, and through us in active, visible ways that can be seen by all we associate with in any way. God is making us into more than a place to be: He is building a place to live to the full, abundantly, impacting the world around us. (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB)

We are called to be a dwelling for God alone, there is no room for another. He wants to fill every nook and cranny; clearing and cleaning every closet and all dark corners.

As we willingly decrease to allow more room for Him, He fills us up and frees us to be more ourselves than we ever knew we could be. As He cleanses and clears away debris, He finds us, the “me” God intended from before time: a son – a daughter, holding fast to our confidence, the boast of our hope made firm until the end.

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NASB)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Finding Who We Are: Part 2

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Hebrews 1:3, 8-9 NASB

Last post, looking at Hebrews 1:3, we talked of our need to remember who and Whose we are. Looking at Jesus, The Perfect template of who we are, we see that we, too, are to be expressive of the glory of God, The Father, growing daily as an exact representation of His nature.

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMPC)

Following Christ’s example, Him being the Author and Finisher of faith, we grow strong in our understanding, believing and living out God’s Word, knowing that through our believing, receptive, faith, we, too, stand, live, move, and breathe victoriously by the Word of His power.

Today, we glean the Seed from verses 8-9.

“But of the Son He (The Father) says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. …”

First, we fulfill verse 3 as we remember that we follow and serve The Risen King just as He did the Father. We not only follow in His likeness, becoming in nature and action as He is, we also act as His representative on earth, His Kingdom Ambassador, charged with always living as best represents His will and way in fulfilling Kingdom purpose here on earth.

Everything we do and say represents Him, right or wrong. As Christians, we are expected to look and act like Him, rightly representing Him. When we don’t, we sully and slander His good name.

His Scepter is righteous. He has earned the right of sovereignty, and we owe Him no less than our best, which only happens as we surrender ourselves to allowing Him to live out His nature through us in the power of the Spirit (Galatians 2:20 AMPC).

As Ambassadors, we are empowered to live in the power and authority of His righteous scepter.

He is King. We are both: His temple, in which He still lives in the earth, by the power of the Spirit at work in us; and we are His Bride, made part of the Royal Court, the Royal Priesthood, empowered with His authority to act on His righteous desire, will and way.

“…YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS…”

As we grow in power as His representatives to the world, we, too, put on the love of righteousness and the hate of lawlessness. We are tasked to act righteously, stand for righteousness, and BE a righteous lot. When we seek to right a wrong, we always act righteously. We are called to Law keeping, God’s Law first, then man’s law, as long as it does not stand in opposition to God’s Law.

Speaking of being a righteous lot, let’s put a cap to that: righteous Lot. Scripture says of Lot, who was led out of Sodom and spared destruction, that God “rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds).” (2 Peter 2:7-8 NASB)

The righteous hate lawlessness, finding their righteous souls tormented by the lawlessness of of sinful flesh.

I don’t know about you, but my heart breaks with every lawless act that too readily bombards our senses. Jesus wept over Jerusalem for much the same reason. However, though Jesus loved and lived righteousness, and He hated and wept over lawlessness, He still loved and spent time reaching out to the unrighteous, lawbreaking sinners. Hate the sin and do not participate with it, but love the sinner and bid him/her to walk our way, straight into the loving arms of the Savior.

Because Jesus loved righteousness and hated lawlessness without hating the lawbreaker, thus continuing even in His heart break to carry out God’s will in the earth, Jesus was blessed with the oil of gladness.

“…THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”

We can still be joyful, even in sorrow, because God is still God, and Jesus is on His throne; and because we possess the oil of gladness, the very Spirit of God in us. All the promises of God are wrapped up in us, ready to be revealed, as we house within us His Spirit and His Word. One promise of God we watch for is kin to this fulfilled promise to the Christ:

“…When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”

The promise we anxiously await as we serve Jesus in righteousness that overcomes sin’s grasp?

“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:21-22 NASB)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Finding Who We Are: Part 1

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Do you ever have moments of forgetting who and Whose you are in Christ, and because of that, inadvertently resurrecting the old you? I’m sad to say that I do. The enemies of righteousness, the false wisdoms of flesh, world, and demons, know just how to enliven old nature issues like insecurity, fear, pride, and on and on we could go, ad infinitum.

Jesus walked in victory, partly by refusing to forget Who He was. That strength flowed securely from assurance of WHOSE He was; and by the purpose of His life, set in Order by The One He called Father. Jesus came to set things straight, not only revealing truth and becoming our Kinsman Redeemer, but also to set the example we are called and equipped to emulate.

As Jesus lived, so must we, by knowing who and Whose we are. To do that, we look at Jesus.

Hebrews 1:3, 8-9 NASB gives us an excellent starting place. In searching for truths we must apply, we find in verse 3:

“He is the radiance of His glory”

Jesus ever lived to radiate the glory of God. His goal was to always be an expression of God’s nature. He, the Son, looked like the Father, leaving no doubt that He was God’s Son.

When we see a child that is the spitting image of a parent, we say, “Boy! You can’t deny that one!” Jesus lived a life that proved Him as Son. As children of God in Christ, we are tasked to do the same. We must grow in the knowledge of Him, becoming so much like Him, we cannot be denied as being His.

I think of a friend who, in the midst of a life threatening heart attack, was found so calm that the doctor questioned it. The nurse, in response to the doctors stunned query, said, “I’ve seen this before! You’re a Christian, aren’t you?”

We are to live our faith out so brightly that the curios onlooker sees the resemblance we possess in Christ.

“…and (He is) the exact representation of His nature….”

Watching a young child following a parent around can be enjoyable as we observe the child working so hard at being just like daddy or mommy. The child does so by watching the parent’s actions, listening to the inflections of voice tones, embracing the parent’s likes and dislikes, adopting their desires and passions.

We do the same as we look closely at scripture passages like this; closely observing the pictorial passages that describe God in all His forms and fashions.

We also grow to understand Him as we learn to follow the dictates of His Spirit in us, Who stands as intermediary, tasked with bringing out the image of the Father through us, making us one with Him. Just as Jesus is One with the Father, thus is His desire for us.

“…and upholds all things by the word of His power.”

Jesus walked in unity with the Father, being One with Him, because of His assurance and faith to believe. Having strength of character and resolute purpose because He believed in and possessed the Word of the Father, He walked in strength and power. What God proclaimed true of Him, what He authorized His Son to accomplish, Jesus took to heart and walked in the power of that Word. When He spoke, He expressed what He heard from the Father, knowing it to be a powerful and unstoppable truth.

God our Father has given us His Word. In the power of His Spirit, He gives that Word life, empowering it to be living and active in our day and in our daily lives. It cuts through all barriers to inspire our lives, opening to us the life giving morrow, instructing us so that we, too, may possess the abundance and victory He has for us today.

His word is never out of date because His breath is in it. By the power of God’s Spirit in us, we inhale and exhale the truths and wisdom of God found in His Word. As we fully possess His opinions as our own, speaking as best represents Him and His interests, we walk in His power just as Jesus showed us to do.

As we seek God’s power living in us, giving Him full sway to grow and mature us, we, too, can be an expression of the radiance of His glory, rightly and truly representing His nature, being empowered to make full use of His Word to us, fulfilling His purpose in the strength of His supply, to the glory of our God, Father, and King. In Jesus, Lord, make it so!

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

The Narrow Focus

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Listening to a Biblical meditation, the speaker directs to visualize looking as through the big end of a telescope, which makes the view through the small end very narrow in focus. Put that focus on God, refusing to move from gazing at Him. See a temptation come across your field of view, but keep focus on God; refusing to follow the object of temptation. Note that the temptation moves rapidly out of view.

That temptation God allows to float between us is a test meant by Him to prove and strengthen our resolve to keep the focus of our desire on Him. Temptation’s ability to grip and sway us is weakened by our straight and narrow focus on One true and righteous passion: God alone.

Practice keeping a restfully assured focus on Him today, Beloved. When you catch your focus drifting, turn quickly back to your narrow ended telescope, and let that distraction move out of site. Victory over temptation to sin is assured when we maintain that straight and narrow love for God.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. …” (Hebrews 12:1-4 NASB)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Glorious Unfolding

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Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman

The Glorious Unfolding, such an uplifting lyric any day; but on this day!

As I listened to the beginning lyrics, God opened my spiritual ears to hear, with clarity, His “voice” speaking hope to my heart in the words so skillfully sung.

“Lay your head down tonight. Take a rest from the fight. Don’t try to figure it out. Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart. ‘Cause I know this is not anything like you thought the story of YOUR life was gonna be. And it feels like the end has started closing in on you, but it’s just not true. There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold.

“And this is going to be a glorious unfolding. Just you wait and see and you will be amazed. You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over. So hold on to every promise God has made to us and watch this glorious unfolding. …”

Such great encouragement, not just for eternity, but for every difficulty in life today. The heartache of watching a mate lose ground in a devastating health battle. The wayward son or daughter living lives we never dreamed or wanted for them; lives they never saw for themselves. One’s own health or life situation closing a dream path, an opportunity seemingly never to come again. Storms rising to destroy all we have, and life as we know it seems suddenly to end. So many heartbreaking situations; yet the words of this song, the encouragement found there, shatters the hopelessness and helplessness with one fell swoop of assurance in God.

He is up to something marvelous; something amazing; something beyond one’s ability to fathom, much less to dream it. The sudden devastation that seems to end everything may simply be a course change that requires a new beginning.

Nothing is too difficult for God. He is never taken by surprise or unprepared. He is not only writing our story on this road we travel. He is writing HIS story. And He is ready and thoroughly equipped to WIN.

Just like in scripture: it’s not just a bunch of stories of many peoples’ lives. It’s the story of God, at work in and through the lives of many. That story continues in and through us: our lives made complete and beautiful by Him working with and in us. Because of Him, there is a glorious unfolding coming to us who wait to see Him with earnest expectation and hope of glory, trusting and believing and KNOWING that He IS working in our everyday situations.

We are part of His life tapestry, and His tapestry is gloriously beautiful and perfect in every way. Wait for it!

Paint Your Picture by Julie Myer

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Whose Prisoner We Are

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“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus…” (Philemon 1)

The thing that jumps out to me as I read Philemon is this understanding that Paul, captive in a Roman prison for the cause of Christ, considered himself a prisoner OF CHRIST, not of Rome. He knew why he was in prison, because God warned him and gave him clear understanding of the purpose for this season. He knew that he would not find release until the purpose of God was fulfilled. He also knew that he was there at his own choice in following God’s will, not at Roman or Jewish design.

He had a chance to choose to leave, twice – or at least three times, actually, as God seemed to give him warning with opportunity to choose to turn away from Jerusalem more than once, and as Roman authorized judges saw he was innocent and planned to release him. But he chose to walk the path God told him of, he called for the judgment of Caesar. THE POWER OF THE ENEMY TRYING TO DESTROY THE WORK OF GOD THROUGH PAUL WAS MADE IMPOTENT BY PAUL’S SURRENDER TO GOD’S WILL FOR HIS LIFE JOURNEY. He trusted that it was God, Himself, dictating His prison time.

Beloved, what situation are you in where you feel trapped, imprisoned, helpless? What situation are you walking into, knowing God’s call and refusing the naysayer? Could it be that surrendered trust in God, seeing self as the prisoner of Jesus alone, might well be the key to defeating the work of Satan?

If we truly believe that God is Sovereign in all, we have to know that whatever imprisons us is allowed by Him for a purpose of His own will and way. He is Whose prisoner we are: as we, who belong to Him, live this life with assurance that He cares for us affectionately and watchfully (1 Peter 5:7 AMPC).

God has purpose for all He does or allows. Ours is to trust and to seek Him in it, so as to cooperate and partner with Him in fulfilling that purpose. Just a slight change in view point, a clearer understanding of God’s power at work though our confined state, can well be the shift we need to come out victorious in Christ, bearing a testimony beyond comprehension.

“… I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you FOR CHRIST’S SAKE. …” (Philemon 1:1-25 NASB (vs. 6))

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Free Will Choice

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“Without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.” (Philemon 1:14 NASB)

Have you noticed how some people seem to push for rules and regulations that force people to give to the “under privileged” or to care for those here illegally, or any number of other causes? Have you noticed how some seem to enjoy playing the part of Robin Hood? Does it get your back up (an old saying meaning to rile up, like the hairs of a dog standing up when in battle mode)? Do you wonder why that riles us so? Here’s my opinion, for what it’s worth.

God gives us the right of choice. Not only that, but opportunities to give are chances from Him for those WITH A HEART TO DO SO to give without compulsion.

Exodus 25:2 says, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; FROM EVERY MAN WHOSE HEART MOVES HIM you shall raise My contribution.”

I believe that, when God desires a person to give into a need, HE stirs their heart with willingness to do so. God doesn’t want us to give from a forced position. He wants the gift to be from a willing heart, as if giving to the Lord, Himself, for that is what it is in His estimation of things.

When someone forces us to give, it steps all over our right in the Lord, leading to giving begrudgingly. A person can’t take much of that without the heart (their willing love and care toward others) growing cold. People who try to force acts of loving care become part of the problem instead of a fix to it.

Trust in the Lord to inspire the good in others, for only God is good, according to Jesus (Mark 10:18), and “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17 NASB)

God work’s in us, so that He can work through us, to the glory of His Name and the good of our character that grows strong as He works His good out through us who live according to His dictates.

Now, that said, can we get a right attitude in forced servitude? When we live as unto the Lord and in the power of His supply, nothing shall be impossible with God. So put on the Lord Jesus Christ and, in the humility of the Savior, let no worldly rule steal your Joy. Your free will choice is to do every good as unto the Lord and in the power of His supply. Though others require of you by force, they cannot steal your joy of service in and for our Lord, unless you give-in to that begrudging spirit that seeks to still, kill, and destroy the goodness of God in you.

Go forth, and prosper the Kingdom.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Gifted Bondservant FOR

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“Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, FOR the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness…” (Titus 1:1-4 NASB)

Okay, Bondservant of God and ambassador of Christ, what follows your FOR? For the apostle, evangelist, prophet, preacher, teacher, Paul expresses it well. Those called to spread the Good News and apply God’s truth to life in their age, the “for” of their ministry is “the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which (we are) entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

For the gift of helps, it might be FOR the purpose of meeting daily needs so as to free those charged with spreading the Good News so they can accomplish their FOR with less concern for daily need. We all have our “for” in the work of spreading truth. And we all are called to be ready with our testimony, so our “for” may cross over into the area of the evangelist. I.e.: “I use my gift of helps in serving at the food bank for the needs of others with hope of having opportunity to share the work of Jesus.”

We have a work FOR the service of our Lord, and we are responsible to fulfill it. Knowledge of our motivating purpose, our FOR, equips us to serve with greater commitment, effectiveness, and strength of resolve.

Know your FOR. We are all vitally needed in the roll God places in us as part of the body of Christ and the church of the living God. Knowing our FOR is a great help in serving with head high, unashamed.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Instruction in Godliness

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Do not open the chosen passage linked below before reading my instruction to you, Beloved, for this passage provides a challenge for us. In it, Paul is instructing Titus regarding attributes to watch for in choosing Elders for posts he is charged to fill. Now, here’s the thought I want us to consider as we read this passage today.

In life, I’ve oft heard people express opinions about leaders in The Church that leaves the impression that our leaders are to be better people than the rest of us. I believe this is false understanding of the scriptures. I believe that God desires all of His children to live exemplary lives that make each of us ELIGIBLE for leadership positions. Thus, the instruction today as you read this passage is for each individual of us to apply these truths to self. How are we individually doing in our practice of godliness and our life witness?

Every descriptive passage that points to godly character should leave us asking The Father for His opinion of our progress in godliness. With that thought, Beloved, read on!

Titus 1:5-16 NASB

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

You Follow Me!

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“Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”” (John 21:22 NASB)

Following the Lord as He dictates through the work of His Spirit within: that is a goal long practiced, and I am so grateful when the Lord graciously confirms the work of my hands. Especially so when I wonder if I’m doing things correctly or efficiently. Efficiency was my concern on this day.

Feeling so led, I Jerichoed around my town after dropping hubby off to work, one of my frequent ministries in the Lord, but on this morning I couldn’t keep my focus in prayer. Frustrated at one point, telling the Lord my focus issue – like He couldn’t tell 😂 – I prayed, “Lord, I don’t even know why I’m doing this!” Very clearly to my heart came “Obedience.”

That’s all I needed, to know that I was following the dictates of the Spirit to accomplish God’s will. I realized in that instant that, though my focus might be off, the work of God’s Spirit was spot on. Thus assured that He was doing something mighty even in the midst of my struggle, I continued on, knowing that whatever He was doing, HE was doing it.

What freedom of Spirit! To trust the Lord and simply obey. I believe that was one point Jesus was making with Peter. We may not fully comprehend or understand what God is doing in His calling and equipping us, but He is never confused or unfocused. He always knows what He is doing. All He needs from us is willing obedience and faith that trusts Him to be bigger than life in and through us.

Trust in the Lord, Beloved, and have a Glory day.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

The Reignited Gift

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“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NASB)

I’ve been in God’s Word to some degree for over 50 years, since childhood; studying and teaching it with intimate fervor for at least 40 of those years, and it never ceases to amaze me how the Spirit can bring a “Well, dah!” out of me. This passage did it for me this morning.

I’ve always read this with thought of “gift” being that of teaching, or evangelism, or leadership, or whatever Timothy’s undergirding service-gift might be. Today I read it with that start of realization, recognizing that Paul is talking about the gift of the Spirit, Himself. He is saying, “Kindle afresh The Spirit of God within you.”

You see, something was raising up great fear in Timothy, such as to quench the Spirit’s freedom to work in His life. That fear was most likely his youth and the challenge of teaching with authority those he saw as older and wiser, leaders in the community. Paul reminds him that the Spirit in Him bridges that gap, equipping him to boldly and confidently speak and teach the truths of God with power.

Beloved, what quenches God’s Spirit in you? Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you. How? Through trust that believes God; faith that realizes unseen truth; and surrender that submits to Him, even when it doesn’t make sense to our finite thinking.

Trust in the Lord today, Beloved, and do the good He sets before you, working out of the power of His sure Presence within you. Go forth in Him and prosper the day.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Proof of Innocence

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“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 NASB

I don’t know about you, but for me there are few things more testing and trying to my patience than a child who gripes, complains, and argues with every call to duty. I want them to obey willingly and with a right and good attitude that does right and good as unto the Lord. Our passage today tells me that God desires that in our relationship with Him as our Father as well.

There’s a parenting warning tag that goes something like this: Rules without relationship breeds rebellion. I believe that goes both ways. A bad relationship between child and parent makes both rebellious. The child’s rebellion comes out in the ways of disobedience, bad attitude, and more. The parent rebels through impatience – sometimes explosive, crankiness, indifference, and more. A loving relationship is vital for a life that behaves in blameless innocence toward God and man.

Throughout scripture we see relationship with God is mirrored in our relationships with each other. Scripture relates our relationship with God in likeness to a good marriage; the love and care of parent and child; sovereign with servant; and His being the best friend we can ever know. Relationship is important to our God and He wants us to do that well at every level, especially with Him.

For a healthy relationship with God, we are called of God to obey with a willing spirit. Submitting ourselves to God as a living and holy sacrifice that is acceptable to Him as our “spiritual service of worship”, as inspired by Romans 12:1. Our willing obedience, according to Christ, is equivalent to actions of an abiding love relationship with God in Christ (John 15:9-10). Willing service is done out of love for Him who loves us; a love that desires to remain with Him forever, a love that honors Him through blameless innocence toward Him, proving our loving relationship with Him.

So, Beloved, as a child of God that desires a good relationship with Him we must do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that we will prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Recognizing a False Circumcision

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“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”” (John 8:12 NASB)

Look at this beautiful promise of God, Beloved. Do you believe with trusting faith in this truth? Do you seek faithfully to walk it out in life by the power of God’s Spirit? The promises of God are glorious to us who believe. And to us for whom they are sent and received by faith, believing, they are irrevocable. God’s eternal promises are vital to our living a life of abundance.

What about promises like that found in the best known scripture there is? “”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE” (John 3:16 NASB). Do you believe this promise with saving faith? So do I. Does that make us brothers and sisters in Christ? Some would say, “Not that alone.”

Recently, someone I love and respect deeply, and have learned much from through the years, deemed me lost and apparently decided I’m a false teacher because we do not have the same defining parameters for THE CHURCH. Now that has really bothered me. As I said, I love and respect this person, so like the men of Berea, I’ve been seeking the Lord to confirm truth for me.

Lately, every time I read a promise like these stated, the Spirit of God catches my attention to focus me on the fact that those who have a false definition of The Church nullify the promises of God. Example:

⁃ “So, you believe the Word about Jesus? But you’re not in my fellowship of believers, so your faith is useless.”

⁃ “I see the work of God’s Spirit in and through you, the bearing of The Fruit that is found in every true believer, but you’re not of our association, so your work is pointless.”

Sad, isn’t it, that we deny many of the brotherhood (sisterhood) because of what I would call a false circumcision.

Here’s what I’m understanding. A belief like, “my fellowship is right and yours isn’t, so you are lost” denies every promise of God, making God’s promises secondary to our understanding of The Church/circumcision we profess. False circumcisions we deem necessary for eternal grace nullify all other promises of God found in Christ.

Here’s another problem I see with a false circumcision added to the promises of God. That false understanding becomes a trap, a snare, a stronghold against true faith, true worship, and true fellowship. Continuing the “my church or yours” theme, here’s an example.

I know a woman from a church fellowship with the belief described above. She fell in love with and married a man of another church background. He, as spiritual leader, insisted they attend his church. She dutifully did so. Problem? Every time she came, she felt condemned to hell. She was grieved and unhappy the entire time. And though she agreed with every teaching she heard, she could not get past her definition of The Church.

Now, I believe this type of situation falls in under the teaching of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10. Because of my belief of the parameters of The Church, which is true according to my understanding about scripture, I can enter into any fellowship despite our denominational differences, and I can worship freely, even giving my “Amen” to truths taught there. I can do so, recognizing, loving, and enjoying the fellow believers there with a clear conscience and sure faith.

If this woman’s husband has the same faith as I, in my opinion based on my understanding of the teaching of God through Paul, then for the sake of the wife’s conscience, he should have joined her in her church. But here’s the flip side of the problem. What if that husband has the same belief system concerning his church fellowship? Then he cannot join her church with good conscience. These then take the place of the unequally yoked, which is misery for a marriage.

Conclusion: a false belief system that creates a false circumcision, adds the necessity of a work’s action to the salvation equation. That false circumcision then makes the promises of God concerning salvation in Christ alone invalid in ones struggle to keep that circumcision, thus we have a boatload of people believing they are saved while they are leaning on the wrong side of their equation. The person snared by a false circumcision then finds it to be a stronghold that brings separation from much of what Jesus sees as The Church, and even separating them from true faith in Christ. Our false circumcision hinders worship outside of the fellowship that bears that circumcision. Those who demand the bearing of a circumcision take the place of the Pharisee, tying heavy loads on their fellow believer; loads God never intended them to carry. And it brings a false, self-condemnation to the heart of one who finds themselves on the wrong side of that legalism.

Beloved, know this. It is Jesus who knows those who are His, and by His Spirit, He seals and marks them so they have the assurance of their salvation through faith in Him, and so they are recognizable to His true followers. Let’s stop raising up stumbling blocks and walls of divisiveness between us, and let’s walk together in the truth of saving grace through Jesus Christ.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

LOVE or Love

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“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:15-17 NASB)

We don’t see it with our all encompassing word, love, but in the Greek, 2 different words are used in this passage: agapao and phileo.

Most know this, but for those who don’t, agapao is God’s kind of deep, abiding love. Like the Father’s, it flows from who we are as empowered by Him and lands on all, whether love for God or man. It is not gifted by merit of the recipient, but flows freely because of who we are in Christ, thus it loves enemy as well as friend.

Jesus, in verse 15 and 16 uses agapao. The amplified version defines this love as being “with reasoning, INTENTIONAL, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father.” Thus, this love functions solely out of devotion to God who imparts His nature to us, then serving Him out of love as a bondservant, we love others in like fashion.

Throughout this passage, Peter uses “phileo”, which is the affectionate care one has for a good friend. Problem is that this love is too readily subject to the merit system, and does not extend to anyone that is not considered a friend. This love is too easily flesh led and dictated.

Again, the AMPC version defines phileo as “deep, INSTINCTIVE, personal affection, as for a close friend.” Jesus is telling Peter, “ If you agapao me, feed my sheep (“out of that love,” I believe is implied).” But Peter can’t comprehend an Agape’ type love: not yet, anyway. So Jesus, in verse 17, brings it down to Peter’s level, asking, “Do you phileo Me?”

This tells me that Jesus, who agapaos us, loves us enough to accept the love we give. But what joy it is to Him and what benefit to us and others, when, in the power and provision of the Spirit, we possess agapao. How much easier it is to serve God and man when this God-love flows to and through us like a river of life.

Father, empower our love today, making us to be love just as You are love. In Jesus’ mighty name and authority we pray, amen.

John 21:15-17 AMPC

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

What I Do Now

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“… So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” …” (John 13:1-11 NASB)

There is a lot going on here as we watch God incarnate gird loins with towel and go to work doing the job normally given the least of slaves. He removed clothing because it is a dirty job, washing mud and more off the feet of those He served out of love.

The main point we tend to focus on here is the fact that we too easily soil ourselves while walking through life in a lost and dying world. Jesus graciously and lovingly keeps our feet clean. That is a glorious truth for which we must be grateful. But I want to look at something else I see that is going on here.

Do you think Peter was the only one Jesus talked with as He washed the feet of His disciples? I don’t. What I see here is our Lord, taking time to spend with each one as Jesus washed their feet.

He knew each of them: the way they think and react to stress; the fears and insecurities they each struggle with; their beliefs, hopes, and dreams; and He knew the obstacles ahead for them. Jesus chose this time of personal, willing, and loving service for one on one time of ministry to the deep needs of these loved ones, getting them ready for things to come.

Our church does this from time to time. Participants are given time, both in the chair and in the towel. It is a glorious opportunity to encourage and be encouraged by our church family.

Whether we dawn a towel of service, or share a tea time, Beloved, we are to wash proverbial feet as we go through our days, pointing out truth that encourages and lifts to higher ground.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

We Live Christ

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“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”” (John‬ ‭10:37-38‬ ‭NASB‬‬ – http://bible.com/100/jhn.10.37-38.nasb)

Our lives should be a clear expression of this truth concerning Christ. We are His ambassadors, priests unto God, bearing forth His Light to the world around us.

So then, if I (Darlene) do not do the works of My Father, in likeness of my Savior, Jesus, do not believe me; but if I do them, though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father through Jesus Christ, my Lord who lives in me.

Amen????

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

The Unforgivable

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“Truly and solemnly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever abusive and blasphemous things they utter; But whoever speaks abusively against or maliciously misrepresents the Holy Spirit can never get forgiveness, but is guilty of and is in the grasp of an everlasting trespass. For they persisted in saying, He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30 AMPC)

This command / judgment through Christ tells us that those who sneer at and dismiss as hogwash the work of God’s Spirit through Jesus are eternally guilty and beyond saving grace. Denying that Jesus is who He says He is and did all reported of Him by the power of God is the unforgivable sin, blaspheming the work of God in the power and authority of His Holy Presence.

This passage also condemns the misrepresentation of God’s Spirit. Misrepresentation: the action or offense of giving a false or misleading account of the nature of something. So for one to claim a work of the Spirit erroneously or to fail to give credit to the Spirit righteously, is dangerous. The question we must ask is whether the death and resurrection of Christ ended this Law, or does it stand today?

Of course, the requirement to recognize the work of God in Christ that provides saving grace as pictured in the scriptures stands. We must believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life”; that “He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). But what of the work of the Spirit in our day? Can we walk into dangerous territory through denial of the Spirit working in God’s people today? I believe we can.

Scripture teaches that when we come into Christ through salvation, we receive His Spirit as teacher, guide, and power for service. It is Him working in and through us that gives us any ability to accomplish the work and way of God.

Scripture teaches that those who follow Christ in the power and equipping of the Spirit of God are His representatives, having authority and power as ambassadors of Christ and priests unto God to carry on the work of Jesus through the ages.

When someone refuses our authenticity in Christ, Jesus takes it personally. When Jesus directs our lives, instructing our hearts to know His will in a situation, and someone accuses us of hearing and acting out the demonic, the insult is counted as against Christ and His work through the Spirit.

We must be careful in our judgment concerning the way of God seen in our day. Scripture teaches to judge the fruit produced. God’s Word teaches that a word of instruction from Him is known true when it comes to pass, accomplishing His desire and purpose.

Take care against condemning the work and way of God in others. Though our unbelief may not be so severe as to lose The Eternal, it will hurt our witness and it can work division in the Body.

Matthew 7:15-20 NASB

See also Matthew 10:14; John 13:20; Luke 10:16

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Fit – IN Christ

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“And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”” (Mark 1:7-8 NASB – http://bible.com/100/mrk.1.7-8.nasb)

Boy! What a statement, Beloved. John, the baptist, understanding the person and purpose of the coming Christ, overwhelmed by his own flesh nature before Him, pronounces himself unfit to even minister to Jesus’s feet.

The lowest of servants were given the nasty task of cleaning feet at the end of the day. The feet were covered by whatever muck and mire walked through that day. It was a dirty job, cleaning people’s stinky feet. So when John says he is unfit to even unlace the shoes of the Christ, he is referring to himself as being lower in worth than the slave charged with feet cleaning.

Then Jesus came: The Propitiation for our sin, and by that gracious love, He pronounces the true believer, “Fit!”

After reading this passage the morning I wrote this blog, I was still thinking about it when I sat on my stool before my husband to put his socks and shoes on for him. Since his hip replacement surgery, years ago, it has been my joyful task to help him dress his feet. As I bent over to kiss the tops of his beautiful, hard working feet, BLESSing them for this day, thought hit me, “What we do to the least of these, we do to Christ.”

Since Johnny’s cancer entered our journey in life, the weight gain from the treatments makes it hard for him to clip his nails. To me, clipping another’s toenails is the worst of jobs. I hate doing it, but willingly do the best I can out of love for him. With this revelation of Johnny’s feet being the feet of Christ to me, the task is much more palatable to my soul.

Thank you, Father, for opportunity to bless Jesus and serve You through our care for one another. In Christ, Amen!

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Reigning in Life

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“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17 NASB – http://bible.com/100/rom.5.17.nasb)

Think about what this says, Beloved, for it is freedom for us. With the fall of mankind, sin took over flesh to rule through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.

When we surrender to Jesus, He frees us to reign with Him in Life: this life as well as in the eternal; the abundant life He desires for us.

Reliance on grace sufficient and the righteousness of Christ, alive and well within us, empowers us to stand firm against the flesh, the world, and the demonic, to reign with His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-control that is sufficient against sin in Christ’s sufficiency.

Take up the crown of life God gives you today, and, trusting God’s grace, go forth to the victorious life Jesus bought for you.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Clothed and Ready: Part 2

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“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, WHO KEEP THEIR CLOTHING READY so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” (Revelation 16:15 NLT)

Yesterday we began looking at the clothing we are to wear, so we are protected, never having to feel exposed and ashamed. We started with the dawning of the cloak of Christ: compassion, kindness, love, peace, gratitude; these being just a few of the colors found in that garment as defined in Colossians 3. Today, in part 2, we look at the armor of God, which is vital in protecting us from the head hung in shame.

In looking at the Armor of God, making sure we have it firmly in place, let us break down to its parts, Ephesians 6:10-18, which outlines this God-provided Armor:

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].”

The cloak of Christ is a picture that reveals our union with God in Christ. We must be fully clothed in that grace, which is the provision of His strength poured into our lives. God’s grace is the power for our lives of victory. Reliance on God’s all sufficient grace is vital for a life of victory.

“PUT ON GOD’S WHOLE ARMOR [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”

Remember who our true enemy is and, standing firm against that evil, take your stance on truth, righteousness , and the still more excellent way of love. In any discord, there’s an evil force out to bring division and fell the heart, mind, and soul of those who call on God.

Remember when Jesus told The parable of the seed. He makes clear that the enemy of God tries to steal the seed or stop its growth. He brings many down through temptation, and the troubles and worries of this life. We truly need to realize where the true battle lies and then arm ourselves for victory.

“Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins”

Recognizing truth is the belt that holds all in proper position. The belt in the armor of a warrior is used to hold the scabbard for easy access to weapons of defense, and it is used to tuck any lose tails of clothing out of the way so the warrior is not tripped up. God’s Truth does likewise for the warrior of God, empowering our righteous use of our sword and keeping articles of stumbling out of our path.

“and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,”

The breastplate of God’s Armor on us is righteousness, defined in our AMPC version as integrity, moral rectitude, and right standing with God.

Integrity is deeper than honesty. Where honesty may point out or admit to a wrong, integrity refuses any partnership with any evil thing that dishonors God and His Holy Name. It always does right out of honor and loyalty to God.

“And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.”

As I consider the shodding of the feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, I am reminded of the encouragement given that, when taken before the courts, it is opportunity to trust God to reveal Himself through a testimony given in due season. We are always to remember Whose we are and the main purpose of our life in Christ.

This is what Jesus did as He trusted God when His life was threatened before it was His time. He walked out of harms way, unscathed. The Spirit can inspire us as to our times, giving us courage to speak the truth of the gospel, even in the midst of opposition.

“Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].”

The name and sacrifice of Jesus covers us. No true or lasting harm can come to those who faithfully persevere in this Holy Abode. Our eternal lives cannot be stolen away by God’s enemy, as we are shielded by His saving grace. Thus, Jesus and His disciples behind Him walked fearlessly and blamelessly to their appointed times.

“And take the helmet of salvation”

The enemy of God loves to attack us through our thought life. Remembering Whose we are puts God’s helmet over our heads for our protection against his assaults, shielding our minds from the fiery darts of our accuser.

“and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.”

Knowledge that believes God and trusts His fulfillment of every stroke and letter of His Word is the double edged sword we wield. Arm yourself all throughout your day through reading, studying, and meditation on His Word at every opportunity.

The calling and equipping of my ministry through Ponderings is set to aid in your readiness in the fight. We seek to teach, encourage, and strengthen the soldier in the army of God through the sharing of His Word and through our most vital weapon and resource avenue: prayer.

“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).”

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Clothed and Ready: Part 1

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“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, WHO KEEP THEIR CLOTHING READY so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” (Revelation 16:15 NLT – http://bible.com/116/rev.16.15.nlt)

Never to feel exposed and ashamed. How glorious it is to have confidence in Christ and live equipped to hold heads high, with no need of shame. This scroll of Revelation caught my attention and called me to check my manner of spiritual dress. It promises that by keeping our clothing ready, we will not be caught in shame at Christ’s return. Sounds like a great time to take a look in the proverbial mirror of our lives and be sure we are fully clothed.

The first garment we need to make sure we dawn and check for any repair needs is the cloak of Christ. The most clear picture of what that cloak looks like when properly worn is found in Colossians 3, starting with verse 9.

“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him – a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:9-17 NASB)

These garments reveal Christ in us as we represent Him in life today. Look at all the colors that should be visible in the cloak of Christ on us: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience – bearing with one another, forgiving each other. Beyond all these, love – God’s kind of pure, unmerited love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And peace from Christ that rules the heart, coupled with thankfulness to Him Who clothes us by grace through faith.

This first part of our garment makes evident to all that we are made one with God in our following hard after Christ, empowered by gratitude for His grace to live free of shame. Tomorrow, part two.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Love’s Perfect Harmony

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“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Beloved, we are called to live in perfect harmony as the people of God. Though we may disagree on some things we believe true: gifts of the Spirit today, healing, your assembly or mine, your style of worship vs. mine, etc., we can surely agree on these things and find harmony:

* God, the Sovereign Creator, IS Love

* God sent His Son to pay my debt and yours out of Love

* Out of Love, Jesus is returning one day, to bring those who believe, receive, and live for Him home.

* We are to love as He loves us, loving all, even those we would count as enemies.

* Out of love for God and each other, we are called to live together in harmony, encouraging one another in His righteous ways.

I’ve had a unique opportunity to cross divisive barriers and minister in many differing assemblies, and in that, I found Love’s harmony. Think about that word.

In a harmony, each has their rolls, each sings a different part, each moves up and down the scale in seeming opposition, and yet in a beautiful harmony, when each is following the conductors orchestrations. That is what I saw.

As I talked to people of each assembly, I found each group had a major focus on the scale of God’s calling: each having an underlying motivational emphasis that powered their overall obedience in service to God and the fulfillment of His purposes. One group’s underlying heart was evangelism; one’s was ministry to the body, strengthening them for individual service; another’s was a call to purity; and so on it went. All the gifts of God were covered: each group having an empowering call to a focused priority, yet all focused on the whole of God’s professed will and way, powered with passion for their emphasis.

As I looked for the ONE working in and leading each, we all came together in harmony as our love for God and each other coupled with desire for the will and way of God as His witnesses.

Beloved, perhaps what we see as separation is truly the Conductors Orchestra, each movement of every section of His instruments adding harmony to His song on earth. Without being as He is, in a position to see and know all, all we can see clearly right now is self and those within our section. We cannot truly see the whole and recognize the harmony until we hear the recording or watch the video coverage.

Instead of always looking at our differences and messing up our harmonizing by watching how others are playing their part and paying little attention to our part, perhaps we should each look for God and move with His baton to work together in Love’s perfect harmony.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Christ Lives in US

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“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.” (Colossians 3:10-11 NLT – http://bible.com/116/col.3.10-11.nlt)

Paul is talking to those true believers, who have entered into the truth of Christ, recognizing their death to flesh, world, and the demonic, and fully entering new life to God through Christ, in the power and equipping of The Holy Spirit of God.

In Christ, we have died to sin, so that we may live to life eternal. Our full calling and work is to put off the old self and put on the new as a true example that rightly represents Him and His Kingdom interests. Like dawning a fresh suit of clothing, we are to put on Christlikeness as a cloak. It requires a complete change in our way of thinking, speaking, being, and doing, taking up God’s ways as people after His heart.

“IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And SET YOUR MINDS AND KEEP THEM SET on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. …now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it. ….” (Colossians 3:1-17 AMPC)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Heart Check: Hope Rightly Focused

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“But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” (Psalms 146:5 NLT)

Take a minute for a heart check, Beloved. Where is your Hope? If we are not careful, our hope can slip away from God and onto our own ability to have faith. People unrighteously accuse, “Well, it hasn’t happened because your faith is not strong enough.” Jesus said, “with a mustard seed of faith, you can move a mountain.” The smallest seed of a faith planted in the right soil where it is capable of growth is all it takes. That soil is totally rested on God trusting Him.

Hope can slip to land on our idea of what the best outcome should look like. More still is that hope can truly be settled on our own strengths and abilities; or on that of someone or something else we see as hope’s solution.

True hope in God rests on Him with understanding of His care. It trusts His sovereignty. Trust’s hope does not put God in a box made up of our expectations and ability to dream.

God’s Word says that He, by His power that is at work within us, “is able to carry out His purpose and do SUPERABUNDANTLY, FAR OVER and ABOVE ALL that we dare ask or think, INFINITELY BEYOND our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams” (Ephesians 3:20 AMPC).

We cannot even begin to think of the great things of God. When we limit our hope to our expectations, we can miss what God is doing. Because our eyes are set to see what we think will be, we can fail to follow God to the abundance He truly has for us. We essentially box Him into our finite thought, and when we refuse the path of His leading as a result, we put a lid on the glory to be seen.

So, where is your hope, Beloved. Because of God’s grace, “Rethink Possible” (ATnT commercial).

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Visual Acuity

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“Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN the King, the LORD of hosts.”” (Isaiah 6:5, NASB)

God is perfect and His ways are perfect, perfectly fulfilling every intent and purpose.

We’ve talked a lot about all that God is: love, good, light, etc. All His thoughts are pure, His Words are Life, His actions and reactions are dictated by all He is, being intent on pure and eternal purpose. Beloved, God is all that we aspire to and need for ourselves and from ourselves. It is only as we draw near to see Him as He is that we can be the people of His desire and design.

Here through Isaiah, we see that the clearer our view of God, in all His glory, the more we realize our own inadequacies. Only then can we bow to seek Him in ways that make us the people of His design.

Thus, it is vital that we, who are called by His Name, draw ever closer to see Him as He is. Paul tells us, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, NASB)

We are intended to draw near to Him, to see Him as He is so we may become like Him, His image bearers. This is vital, for through Isaiah’s testimony, I discern that, only to the degree that we see God as He is, can we fully discern our lack of godly likeness. People need to see God to know there need of Him, and that is the purpose of God’s desire for us as His image bearers.

We are called to be His revelators, making Him and His ways known by living in stark contrast to those of this world, so those watching can see God in us, recognize their destitute estate, and bow in recognition of their own need of Him. What they need is not constant taps on the head, beating them down for things they can’t fully see without first seeing what can be. That just makes us look like them, being judgmental, unloving, uncaring. They need to see clearly the pure Love, bright Light, true Good that gives visual acuity for realizing their own destitute need of One True God. And we are the portrait God chooses to reveal Himself through.

Take stock, Beloved, draw near, and move out where God’s Light in you is visible to all. Distinguish yourself from the world, so those trapped there may have light for their path to saving grace.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Soul-Dance

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“Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” (Psalms 86:4 NASB)

Soul: our mind with it’s thought-life, beliefs, and comprehensive understanding; our wills, going after what we want in disciplined fervor; and our emotions, too often dictated by our raging hormones and the rush of our bodily chemistry. God desires us to love Him, live for Him and serve Him with ALL OF OUR SOULS. Yet, sadly, many people frown and put down those who let the surge of emotions soar free for the Lord.

God gave us emotions so we can “feel” His Presence and worship Him with exuberance: meeting with Him in the truth of all that we are, overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval. We see it in David, when his joy over the ark of God’s Presence caused him to dance the streets in worship, dressed only in a loin cloth. It took hold of Miriam, who took timbrel in hand and led the women in the excited dance of worship to the Lord, for He delivered them from Pharaoh’s grasp.

God wants our all involved in worshiping Him. He is not ashamed of our dance when done in wholehearted sincerity and in trueness to who we are as an individual. A quiet person, in their quiet, private self, worshipping in silence with whole heart is precious to the Father, Who meets them in the quiet. An emotionally, exuberant person is just as precious to the Lord, and He meets them in the dance flowing from the true of heart.

Beloved, true fellowship with the Father, flowing freely out of sincerity to the true inner person He created us to be is a must in worship. Fearlessly giving our all in love to God is a biblical mandate (Mark 12:29-30 NASB).

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalms 86:11 NASB)

Here David asks the Lord to teach him truly, asking Him to unite his heart in fear’s reverence toward Him. In verse 4, the word in original Hebrew that is translated “soul” is lebab. It means: inner man, the mind, the will, and the heart (the essence of the person that includes one’s emotions). The word used in verse 11, translated “heart” is nephesh. It means “a soul, living being, person, with all their desires, passions, appetites, and emotions.”

The soul. It is the sum of what makes us who we are, and God wants us to use all of it to His glory, even – and I believe especially- our “feelings” – emotions. Like David and Miriam, we’re not to fear getting excitedly emotional over the joy of the Lord and His work in our midst. God loves our exuberance for Him.

So, Beloved, if you are emotionally exuberant in your worship, FROM A TRUE HEART, let no judgmentalism from mankind shame you into silence. And if you, being just as emotional in your quiet way, worship God with your all, let no one make you ashamed of your quietness. However, and here comes the warning for us who are exuberant, be careful that you rule your emotional outbursts.

David marched in the procession, worshipping God WITH OTHERS. Miriam led the PROCESSION of worshiping dancers, with song, everyone joining in with her. These were all worshiping together in timely fashion. There is an appropriate time for exuberance, dancing, and loud merrymaking.

However, we are not to be controlled by our emotions. We must control our emotions, knowing when to express them and when to control the expression. Running around, whooping and hollering while the pastor is trying to preach WILL be used of the enemy to distract the heart of man for the purpose of keeping some from hearing and receiving the Word.

Fear not, Beloved, the expression of true and sincere worship. But do fear getting in God’s way through uncontrolled, emotional outbursts. Tongues is an excellent example. God’s Word says, in the absence of an interpreter, keep the tongue between you and Him (1 Corinthians 14). From my understanding, those who believe they have no control over their audible prayer-tongue are mistaken. It is not to be a constant, loud raucous that can be used by the enemy of God to rob Seed from the heart of others who are deafened by the distraction.

God frees us to be who we are, but He also blesses us with the fruit of self-control. Use your freedom liberally in the controlling power and wisdom of the Spirit of God, and bear much good fruit to His the glory of His awesome, praiseworthy Name.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

A Focus On Light: The Qualified Heir

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“… joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. …” (Colossians 1:9-14 NASB)

Here’s the Good News, Beloved. If you and I are sincerely and wholeheartedly walking with God in His Light as brought to us in Christ, we are saints in Light, and through that walk, we are qualified as joint heirs with Christ – qualified to receive our part of the inheritance that is set up for the children of God.

Often, we as mere mortals hear the word “inheritance,” and we think possessions and position. That is part of it, Scripture tells us so. Jesus has gone before us to prepare for us a place in which to dwell forever more. There we will have no more darkness. The gold, silver, and precious stones we value highly now will pave the streets and make up the walls and doorways. We will no longer hunger, thirst, get sick, cry sad tears, or die. We will dawn the riches of God and rule with Christ. That’s an inheritance beyond belief. But our inheritance is MORE THAN THAT. It is “PERSON” – PRESENCE.

God is our first, most vital need and necessity. We were made for Him to love and enjoy forever; and we were made to love and enjoy Him. In Him we are perfected, made complete as our person and purpose are fulfilled, finished, made whole in the fulfillment of His desired end. So our greatest inheritance is our forever union with the Triune: made One, complete in Him.

What is it that God says we can’t see or have in this life? We’ve covered it before: probably many times. In Exodus 33, Moses asked God to show him His glory. God agreed, telling him what to watch for: His goodness, His Names proclaimed before him, His graciousness and compassions, all of these reveal His Glory. Then He allows Moses to see His haunches once He passed by him, while he was carefully tucked into a crevice behind the Master’s hand, for he could not look Him face to face and live.

I believe that, for us to see God’s face is to see Him as He is, full strength, and our flesh senses would be overwhelmed by His pure, full-on glory. Seeing God as He is in our flesh bodies would cause such a rush of adrenaline, it would overwhelm our delicate chemistry, killing us instantly. Thus God holds us back until we are as He is, enabling us to handle that excitement.

Right now, we see God as if “in a mirror, dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NASB). We know Him from afar with a finite mind that struggles to comprehend the incomprehensible. But one day, Father will lift His Holy hand, and we will see Him face to face, just as He is. That is the inheritance I look forward too.

Beloved, God is our fulfillment. All we long for is realized in Him. Hungry for love? No need to look for it in all the wrong places. God is Love. Draw near to Him with all that longing, and see your need met as never before – and know we see but a fraction, imperfectly in this life. The full, comprehensive, understanding of His love awaits the heirs arrival Home.

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time-He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and DWELLS IN UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:13-16 NASB)

Feel impoverished and in need. God is our greatest riches, and we are heir. If we have Him, we have our NEED. One day, that unapproachable Light will open up to us who are practicing now to be children of Light -children of righteousness.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. HE HAS ENABLED YOU TO SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE THAT BELONGS TO HIS PEOPLE, WHO LIVE IN THE LIGHT. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,” (Colossians 1:9-13 NLT)

Thus concludes our study on this subject. I pray we each go forth and prosper in the Kingdom of His true, pure, and glorious Light.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

A Focus On Light: The Armor of Light

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“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ” YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ” YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Romans 13:8-14 NASB)

We covered the Light of God found in our love relationships with God first and foremost; that love then flowing through us to fellow Light Dwellers. Love unites us, fulfilling the will of God in response to the prayer of Christ that we should be ONE. However, Love does not stop there.

Our Romans 13 passage instructs is to “put on the armor of Light.” This instruction is right in the middle of love’s successes and failures, leading me to the conclusion that Love is this Armor. (Love = Agape = perfect love: perfect meaning “to fulfill, accomplish, or complete its predestined course.”)

Love protects and defends us, wrapping us up in God, Who is love, where we are equipped to be true to Him and to self. Thus, enabled through love of God and a righteous self-love, we love others.

The practice of this Love as Armor requires love to be our only debt, as we owe nothing but love, and that debt is to our God Who, out of love, redeemed us. Out of indebtedness, we owe God a life that honors Him in our love for others.

Love is the fulfillment of God’s Law, because love does no harm to another. Thus, Love reaches beyond the fellowship of faith to all around us; and beyond that, even to those tho would be called “enemy” (Matthew 5:43-48 NASB).

The successes of our walk of love as Armor against sin is seen in the good we do that considers what is best for all concerned. Failure goes in opposition to do harm through such things as drunkenness, sexual promiscuity and sensuality, strife and jealousy. When we fall to things such as these, the chinks in our Armor are evident to the harm of self and others in the breaking of Law.

In breaking the Law of Love, we expose ourselves and reveal our lack of circumcision of heart. Breaking the Law of Love reveals a heart that falls short of wholeheartedness to the Father. Exposed skin opens us to enemy assault. Thus, a repeat is called for:

“…let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. Let us behave properly as in the day…”

(See also Romans 2:17-25 NASB)

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

A Focus On Light: Light’s Proof – Truth

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“… I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:35-36, 44-46 NASB)

God is Light and there is no darkness in Him. Jesus came as God’s Light to us for the purpose of pulling out of the darkness us who believe in His Light. Beloved, one sign that we are God’s Children through Christ is our deliverance from darkness that makes us part of God’s Light.

Our journey to dive deep into His Light so as to understand that Light with comprehensive recognition leads us to it’s defining attributes, beginning with…

Truth

“… he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”” (John 3:19-21 NASB)

John 3:19-21 tells us that God’s Light is first of all Truth: Truth as God sees it, not as this world sees it. God’s Truth is absolute, well defined, and beyond reproach.

Jesus came as the Light of God to pull us out of the lie and into the Truth. Those who believe God in Christ will seek after Truth with whole heart. Those who do not know God will run and hide from God’s enlightenment, for fear that the the lie of his ways will be exposed.

“There it was–the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person….”

The purpose of Light is to illuminate things that are hidden in dark places. This is the purpose of Christ’s coming. Jesus, the Living Word of God, shines Truth on hidden things in and around us, giving us opportunity to deal with sin issues and come into the Light of agreement with The Truth. Standing in agreement with God’s Truth, as He reveals it to us, proves our reception of Him / His Light and our entering His Light with Him empowers us to BE His Children of Light.

“…to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” (John 1:9-12 AMPC)

God’s Light shining into the darkened places of life does not frighten the child born of His Light. They desire to know and deal with the truth of things uncovered by His Light. They recognize the freedom and deliverance God’s Light works for those in love relationship with Him. No darkness in or around us can hide for long. Nor can that darkness (falsehood, evil) overpower His Light in / with us. Darkness cannot put His Light out or absorb it.

Nor can His Light be appropriated (stolen, bribed, or bought). Surrender to Truth is the only currency that can obtain God’s Light and it’s work in its recipient. (John 1:5 AMPC)

Darkness (falsehood, evil, stubborn will) is unreceptive to Light. It takes humble, surrender to Truth (Righteousness, Goodness) for God’s Light to rise up and absorb us, making us one with Him, Who is Light.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.”” (John 8:12 NASB. See also John 9:5; 11:9-10)