A big part of living life spiritually inclined is learning to become dependant on the Spirit of God. God wants us to worship Him in spirit, not just with our hands and our mouths.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit an truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23
To live in the spirit is to live apart from the physical world that we recognize daily. Living in the spirit and becoming dependant on the spirit is juxtaposed to what we are taught from a young age. In the physical world, dependency is frowned upon, considered an unhealthy behavior that will negatively influence your life. When most of us think about being dependant on something we think about an unhealthy relationship, or drug and alcohol abuse, or gambling addiction. These are earthly situations in which becoming dependant on something will destroy a life, rather than restore it. We can all think of multiple examples of how dependency is damaging to one's life. Yet, spiritually speaking, Jesus tells us that we must depend on Him for our salvation and eternal life: Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. John 6:57
The challenge for me is to understand that physical existence and spiritual existence are opposite in expression. For instance, in the physical world that we live in, opposites attract. If you take a + end of a magnet and place it near the - end of a magnet, the two poles will attract one another and connect. If you place a + next to another +, they will repel, hence like repels like and/or opposites attract. In the spiritual world, like attracts like. This is why Paul sets out how it is we are to think, because it is these things we want to attract into our lives: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is praiseworthy or excellent- think about such things. Phi 4:8 A mentor of mine once told me that what you think about and thank about you can bring about.
The world in which the Holy Spirit has taken residence is the world within- in our hearts and in our minds. This is the battlefield for eternal life. It is this internal spirit world that Satan fights so hard to gain control and it is this world within that must be dependant on the Holy Spirit. Hundreds of passages from the scriptures reflect on this as well as hundreds of books have been written about this. Why? Because as a human, as a sinner, this is our weakness. The mind is the pathway to our heart and therefore we must protect it at all times. Those thoughts and ideas that dominate, or control, your daily thought life are the attractors for what is to come in your present life experience.
Jesus wants us to be dependant on Him. He wants our minds to think about and stay focused on Him. He is the truth, the light and the way. Hallelujah!
This is the day that the Lord has made...
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Stunt Double
I can remember, as a young kid, wishing I had a twin brother. Not because I wanted a brother to play with or hang out with, but because I wanted someone who could take the heat for me when I screwed up. "It wasn't me Dad, it was him!" When I got a little older I dropped the idea of the twin brother and decided I would like to have a stunt double. That would be so much better. With a stunt double, when an imposing situation came up or a job I didn't want to do, I could just substitute him for me. That made a lot more sense to me. There were many, many times in my life where I wished I had a stand-in.
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me, give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:6-7
As I was studying this Psalm, I was caught up in being saved "by your right hand." I have read about the right hand of God many times in scripture but it struck me in a different way today. I did a little quick net research on "the right hand of God" and there is a lot of theological consternation on the topic, information that I had heard before that seemed very "churchy" and inapplicable to a spiritually inclined life. Then I ran across an audio clip of pastor talking about the rule of law in the Old Testament and that when someone was being judged, they had their representative, lawyer if you will, standing on their right hand side. The clip was short and factual and I found myself wanting a further, deeper discussion to this regards of the right hand of God but it wasn't there. I will keep looking.
For now though, to me, this concept makes a whole lot of sense. When I am being challenged by my foes, enemies, Satan or the like, I want to have that person of influence, power, authority representing me. In a way, it reminds me of wanting to have a stunt double, someone to stand in for me who is stronger and better than me. Hmmm.
When a man or woman is accused of something and goes to to trial, their defender or attorney, is on their right side and the accused is on the right hand side of the Judge. It is his or her job to stand in and stand up for the one they are defending, to represent them in their time of need. I know that I am a sinner,I am guilty of failing miserably and that I make mistakes and that I am going to be judged on those things at the end of my mortal life. How wonderful it is to know that, standing on my right side on that day of judgement will be Jesus, representing me, sharing with God that I am one of His. Here is my Lord and Savior, who died on a cross, for me, standing before God, saying "He's with me." Praise God!
Jesus died on that cross so that you and I could be free from the law and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for your saving grace, mercy and unconditional love... and for standing in as my sin-double.
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me, give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:6-7
As I was studying this Psalm, I was caught up in being saved "by your right hand." I have read about the right hand of God many times in scripture but it struck me in a different way today. I did a little quick net research on "the right hand of God" and there is a lot of theological consternation on the topic, information that I had heard before that seemed very "churchy" and inapplicable to a spiritually inclined life. Then I ran across an audio clip of pastor talking about the rule of law in the Old Testament and that when someone was being judged, they had their representative, lawyer if you will, standing on their right hand side. The clip was short and factual and I found myself wanting a further, deeper discussion to this regards of the right hand of God but it wasn't there. I will keep looking.
For now though, to me, this concept makes a whole lot of sense. When I am being challenged by my foes, enemies, Satan or the like, I want to have that person of influence, power, authority representing me. In a way, it reminds me of wanting to have a stunt double, someone to stand in for me who is stronger and better than me. Hmmm.
When a man or woman is accused of something and goes to to trial, their defender or attorney, is on their right side and the accused is on the right hand side of the Judge. It is his or her job to stand in and stand up for the one they are defending, to represent them in their time of need. I know that I am a sinner,I am guilty of failing miserably and that I make mistakes and that I am going to be judged on those things at the end of my mortal life. How wonderful it is to know that, standing on my right side on that day of judgement will be Jesus, representing me, sharing with God that I am one of His. Here is my Lord and Savior, who died on a cross, for me, standing before God, saying "He's with me." Praise God!
Jesus died on that cross so that you and I could be free from the law and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for your saving grace, mercy and unconditional love... and for standing in as my sin-double.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Follow me
My current readings have taken me through the first few chapters of John. How amazing it must have been to be in the presence of Jesus. I mean, can you imagine yourself, at work today doing your thing and a complete stranger walks by and says, "Follow me."
Wouldn't it make sense to respond to that command with a few questions, such as "Where are we going?", or better yet, "Who are you?" Would any rational human being just drop everything that he/she is doing and follow a complete stranger? I would say probably not. So that means that these average Joe disciples were influenced in some way to not question, but to just "know" that they are to follow. Hmmm.
What would it take in a person for me to simply exit my current life to follow him? I can't think of too many things. It certainly wouldn't be his clothing. Nor would it be the fancy watch he might be wearing. I don't even think the fancy sports car he might be driving would be enough to lure me away from my life.
Have you ever been around someone that has a lot of personal power, a strong presence? I believe that what these uneducated men saw in Jesus was certainty. The certainty that he was the son of God, filled with the Holy Spirit. The certainty that he presented because he knew he had a purpose to serve that was bigger than himself. The certainty that one would have when they know that they know that they know they have the answer. The certainty that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
As you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus, there will come a time when the Holy Spirit will whisper to you, "Follow me." Then what? Will you be ready? Will you be willing? Will you have the faith to step forward and follow?
Follow me. Two powerful words that in a blink of an eye can and will turn your world inside out. To follow him means to give up this world for the one he has promised. To follow him is to walk in the light.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:21
Jesus is the truth and the light and the way. When he comes knocking at your door and says, "Follow me", I pray that you don't question, but follow.
Wouldn't it make sense to respond to that command with a few questions, such as "Where are we going?", or better yet, "Who are you?" Would any rational human being just drop everything that he/she is doing and follow a complete stranger? I would say probably not. So that means that these average Joe disciples were influenced in some way to not question, but to just "know" that they are to follow. Hmmm.
What would it take in a person for me to simply exit my current life to follow him? I can't think of too many things. It certainly wouldn't be his clothing. Nor would it be the fancy watch he might be wearing. I don't even think the fancy sports car he might be driving would be enough to lure me away from my life.
Have you ever been around someone that has a lot of personal power, a strong presence? I believe that what these uneducated men saw in Jesus was certainty. The certainty that he was the son of God, filled with the Holy Spirit. The certainty that he presented because he knew he had a purpose to serve that was bigger than himself. The certainty that one would have when they know that they know that they know they have the answer. The certainty that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
As you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus, there will come a time when the Holy Spirit will whisper to you, "Follow me." Then what? Will you be ready? Will you be willing? Will you have the faith to step forward and follow?
Follow me. Two powerful words that in a blink of an eye can and will turn your world inside out. To follow him means to give up this world for the one he has promised. To follow him is to walk in the light.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:21
Jesus is the truth and the light and the way. When he comes knocking at your door and says, "Follow me", I pray that you don't question, but follow.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
In The Morning
I find great joy in some of the simplest things in life, which is why I continuously look for opportunities to challenge myself and to grow. One of my new joys in life is my new alarm. I know it sounds silly, but honestly, I go to bed at night with great anticipation of the early morning salutation.
You see, I, like most everyone else I know, have this really cool phone. It has an alarm function that I have been using to get me up in the morning. When I first got my phone, I downloaded an alarm tone that I thought was really peaceful and neat. It had some kind of harp with chimes and birds as its main sound, and I have to tell you, it could quite possibly wake the dead. When that thing would go off and the birds would do their thing, wow!, I was up. And so was my heart rate! Some mornings it would feel like I had all kinds of crap going on! So I have been using this alarm for months and waking up everyday, startled
The other day I was sharing a new song (on my phone of course) with a friend. The song is "Give me Jesus" and I was telling them that this is the song I listen to in the morning just before I start my Bible study and sit down to write. The lyrics of the first verse are quite simple, yet profound: "in the morning, when I rise; in the morning when I rise; in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. You can have all of this world, just give me Jesus." The song is awesome and has a catchy acoustic guitar riff to open with. After sharing the song and a short conversation, we decided that it would make a great "wake-up" song instead of the "damn birds"!
This whole week now I have been using my song as my alarm tone and I have to tell you, what a difference. As I am lying in bed, I generally awake about 1 minute before the alarm goes off. Then, quietly the guitar starts and before I know it I am lying in bed, singing. The song is then stuck in my head for the rest of the day. At any given time throughout my day, the lyrics will be running through my head and I find myself praising and worshipping Jesus all day.
I know this seems a bit silly, and maybe it is. I do know that it has had a wonderful effect on my morning disposition as well as has helped me stay focused on what is important during the day. This, to me, is just a part of being spiritually inclined. You can choose to have the buzzer or the "damn birds" wake you up in the morning. Or, you can choose something different. It is your choice.
This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it because "they" can have all this world, just give ME Jesus.
You see, I, like most everyone else I know, have this really cool phone. It has an alarm function that I have been using to get me up in the morning. When I first got my phone, I downloaded an alarm tone that I thought was really peaceful and neat. It had some kind of harp with chimes and birds as its main sound, and I have to tell you, it could quite possibly wake the dead. When that thing would go off and the birds would do their thing, wow!, I was up. And so was my heart rate! Some mornings it would feel like I had all kinds of crap going on! So I have been using this alarm for months and waking up everyday, startled
The other day I was sharing a new song (on my phone of course) with a friend. The song is "Give me Jesus" and I was telling them that this is the song I listen to in the morning just before I start my Bible study and sit down to write. The lyrics of the first verse are quite simple, yet profound: "in the morning, when I rise; in the morning when I rise; in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. You can have all of this world, just give me Jesus." The song is awesome and has a catchy acoustic guitar riff to open with. After sharing the song and a short conversation, we decided that it would make a great "wake-up" song instead of the "damn birds"!
This whole week now I have been using my song as my alarm tone and I have to tell you, what a difference. As I am lying in bed, I generally awake about 1 minute before the alarm goes off. Then, quietly the guitar starts and before I know it I am lying in bed, singing. The song is then stuck in my head for the rest of the day. At any given time throughout my day, the lyrics will be running through my head and I find myself praising and worshipping Jesus all day.
I know this seems a bit silly, and maybe it is. I do know that it has had a wonderful effect on my morning disposition as well as has helped me stay focused on what is important during the day. This, to me, is just a part of being spiritually inclined. You can choose to have the buzzer or the "damn birds" wake you up in the morning. Or, you can choose something different. It is your choice.
This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it because "they" can have all this world, just give ME Jesus.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Bug's Life
One of my favorite aphorisms is "Sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you're the windshield." I smile every time I think of that saying because of the harsh reality it defines. At any one moment in time, you're position in life can change from being the bug to the windshield. It would seem that when you are the windshield, life would be pretty easy. Things would tend to go your way as you are zipping through life enjoying the view and the scenery while all of the nuisances in life just bounce off of you.
Likewise, life can be cruel and painful, like that of the bug's life. From this perspective, you can be cruising along enjoying your life, the beauty of God's creation and the magnificence and splendor of...SPLAT! Yes, life can be very unfair. So, how am I supposed to get by? How am I to exist in a world that can seem so cruel and unfair in one moment, and amazing and glorious in the next?
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
I believe that the answer to my 'thought question' lies in the word perception and in my understanding of grace. If I can maintain the attitude and perception that,even in what appears to be the worst of times, there is a blessing for me and that the Lord always has my back, then I can maintain the "windshield" perspective in life. And I know how difficult that is, but I also know how important it is.
And then there is grace. In my feeble attempt to understand the scriptures, I know there are a few definitions, or levels, of grace. The grace I am referring to is the spiritual power that is given to us when we accept Christ as our redeemer, as the one who defeated sin and death. This perfect and complete grace gives us the inspiration to follow in Jesus' footsteps as a servant to fellow man and opens the door to the many gifts He revealed to us when He said "you, too, can do this and more in my name." This grace offers me the awareness that I am living life with God, and how amazing that life can truly be.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at our right hand. Psalm 16:11
With God's perfect grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, what once was lost, is now found. What once appeared cruel, is now a blessing. What once seemed insurmountable, is now conquered. Thank you Lord for your loving kindness, the fullness of your grace and the breathtakingly awesome life that you have given me.
Likewise, life can be cruel and painful, like that of the bug's life. From this perspective, you can be cruising along enjoying your life, the beauty of God's creation and the magnificence and splendor of...SPLAT! Yes, life can be very unfair. So, how am I supposed to get by? How am I to exist in a world that can seem so cruel and unfair in one moment, and amazing and glorious in the next?
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
I believe that the answer to my 'thought question' lies in the word perception and in my understanding of grace. If I can maintain the attitude and perception that,even in what appears to be the worst of times, there is a blessing for me and that the Lord always has my back, then I can maintain the "windshield" perspective in life. And I know how difficult that is, but I also know how important it is.
And then there is grace. In my feeble attempt to understand the scriptures, I know there are a few definitions, or levels, of grace. The grace I am referring to is the spiritual power that is given to us when we accept Christ as our redeemer, as the one who defeated sin and death. This perfect and complete grace gives us the inspiration to follow in Jesus' footsteps as a servant to fellow man and opens the door to the many gifts He revealed to us when He said "you, too, can do this and more in my name." This grace offers me the awareness that I am living life with God, and how amazing that life can truly be.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at our right hand. Psalm 16:11
With God's perfect grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, what once was lost, is now found. What once appeared cruel, is now a blessing. What once seemed insurmountable, is now conquered. Thank you Lord for your loving kindness, the fullness of your grace and the breathtakingly awesome life that you have given me.
Monday, November 1, 2010
A Hard Heart
Part of living life from the Spiritually Inclined perspective requires a softening of the heart. So many people today are living with a hardened heart. I was one of those people for a period of time, I know how it happens. It starts by feeling wronged by someone close to you whom you have shared your inner most fears and deepest feelings with. This heart injury leads to the building of a wall around the heart. When those deep seated feelings of heartache linger, it turns to other feelings of sadness or anger. As one continues to go through life with these feelings of hurt, pain and anger, the "filters of perspective" begin to warp the view of life. At this point, life appears to be more difficult. Nothing may seem to go my way and, shortly thereafter, feelings of angst and sorrow build a fortress around the heart, protecting it from any further injury. This is a hardened heart and it results from pain, injury and self-protection. A hardened heart has no room for the principles of truth and light that Jesus brings to us.
I don't have the insight on how to totally soften a heart. I do know that the book of Psalms is a great place to start as it is a book of praise for the Lord.
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1
Developing a softened heart, this I know for sure, requires the ability to trust in God. To trust that God knows what is best for me, and that He will never leave me or forsake me, is a great place to begin healing. It also requires walking a new path in life. A path that is not always illuminated, easy to navigate or necessarily safe. To walk this new path is to walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that the Lord is my shepherd and will lead me and take care of me and my needs. In Psalm 15 David asks, "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?" and answers with what I feel to be a key passage to living a Godly life, with a softened heart:: He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man...He who does these things will never be shaken.
Our Lord, Jesus, wants to build a fortress of Love in your heart. To do so means that we are open and willing to let him in. We must open our heart to Him. He is standing there, waiting. Unlike anyone else you may know or love, He is not going anywhere. You can trust in Him. Turn your heart over to the great comforter and healer. That is my desire for today.
I don't have the insight on how to totally soften a heart. I do know that the book of Psalms is a great place to start as it is a book of praise for the Lord.
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1
Developing a softened heart, this I know for sure, requires the ability to trust in God. To trust that God knows what is best for me, and that He will never leave me or forsake me, is a great place to begin healing. It also requires walking a new path in life. A path that is not always illuminated, easy to navigate or necessarily safe. To walk this new path is to walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that the Lord is my shepherd and will lead me and take care of me and my needs. In Psalm 15 David asks, "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?" and answers with what I feel to be a key passage to living a Godly life, with a softened heart:: He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man...He who does these things will never be shaken.
Our Lord, Jesus, wants to build a fortress of Love in your heart. To do so means that we are open and willing to let him in. We must open our heart to Him. He is standing there, waiting. Unlike anyone else you may know or love, He is not going anywhere. You can trust in Him. Turn your heart over to the great comforter and healer. That is my desire for today.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Seek Him
Miracles, signs and wonders of God are happening around everyday. Do you see them? Are your eyes open to the miracles of the Lord? Just as Jesus laid his hands on the blind man and his vision was restored, our vision for Christ must be restored.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 14:2
Am I seeking God or am I waiting for Him? Is my faith one of inaction or action? As I look around, I see the fields are white with the harvest, waiting for me to go to work for the Lord. Will the harvest be brought in by someone else, by itself maybe? I think not. If not by me, then who? And if not now, when?
You and I, as followers of Christ, have been called to action by the Holy Spirit. He has given each of us a special anointing that allows us to use our talents and gifts to serve the Lord and our fellow brothers and sisters. When we function within this anointing, blessings abound, miracles happen and wonders are produced. If, by chance, we decide that we can do something else better without the Lord, or think that the grass is greener in another pasture, surely we will find out just how wrong we are. Maybe you don't know the feeling of being in the anointing, but I do. I can remember a time in my life when healings and miracles were an everyday occurrence. Sick and suffering people would show up at church or in the office for a laying on of hands and miracles would follow. Why? Because I knew that I was seeking God with my heart and my spirit, daily, and living in His anointed way for me.
As I look back on my life for understanding, I can see the sin and greed and pursuit of the world that led to my falling away from the anointing in my life. I can clearly see how my selfish motivations and ideas of grandeur led me further away from my eternal purpose and away from Jesus. I can see how the desire for the "more, bigger, better" lifestyle corrupted my thought life and my spiritual life. I became blind and had lost my way because of it.
The Holy Spirit is heavy on me today as I seek a deeper understanding of my relationship with Jesus. I praise God for the Holy Spirit, for His leadership and guidance, for His unconditional love, and for His desire and mercy. And I am thankful today for God's saving grace.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you as well. Matt 6:33
Seek Him. He tells us to do so, He wants us to do so. Imagine how different this life can be and how wonderful eternity can be, by seeking Him now.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 14:2
Am I seeking God or am I waiting for Him? Is my faith one of inaction or action? As I look around, I see the fields are white with the harvest, waiting for me to go to work for the Lord. Will the harvest be brought in by someone else, by itself maybe? I think not. If not by me, then who? And if not now, when?
You and I, as followers of Christ, have been called to action by the Holy Spirit. He has given each of us a special anointing that allows us to use our talents and gifts to serve the Lord and our fellow brothers and sisters. When we function within this anointing, blessings abound, miracles happen and wonders are produced. If, by chance, we decide that we can do something else better without the Lord, or think that the grass is greener in another pasture, surely we will find out just how wrong we are. Maybe you don't know the feeling of being in the anointing, but I do. I can remember a time in my life when healings and miracles were an everyday occurrence. Sick and suffering people would show up at church or in the office for a laying on of hands and miracles would follow. Why? Because I knew that I was seeking God with my heart and my spirit, daily, and living in His anointed way for me.
As I look back on my life for understanding, I can see the sin and greed and pursuit of the world that led to my falling away from the anointing in my life. I can clearly see how my selfish motivations and ideas of grandeur led me further away from my eternal purpose and away from Jesus. I can see how the desire for the "more, bigger, better" lifestyle corrupted my thought life and my spiritual life. I became blind and had lost my way because of it.
The Holy Spirit is heavy on me today as I seek a deeper understanding of my relationship with Jesus. I praise God for the Holy Spirit, for His leadership and guidance, for His unconditional love, and for His desire and mercy. And I am thankful today for God's saving grace.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you as well. Matt 6:33
Seek Him. He tells us to do so, He wants us to do so. Imagine how different this life can be and how wonderful eternity can be, by seeking Him now.
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