The Spiritual Life

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Bless the Lord!

This past Friday I was given the opportunity to go up to Lubbock, Texas for some fellowship with some brothers and sisters in Christ. The circumstances came together in an interesting way, with some friends and brothers here receiving invitations to come up from several sources independently of one another. Regardless, it was clear that the Lord wanted us to experience this time of fellowship and revelation. One of the verses that comes to mind in relationship to the whole trip is this:

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  -Ephesians 3:10

The Lord really taught me a lot on this trip. It was a wonderful time and I met some really wonderful brothers that I know I will be connected to from this point forward, even though I have seen them for just but a few hours. Bless the Lord! He is so good!

Here is a song that seemed to be thematic or at least resting on my mind having to do with the trip as well. It is called “Spirit Fall” by Phil Wickham.

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A friend handed me this book and said, “Read this.”

The back cover reads, “The Heavenly Man is the intensely dramatic story of how God took a young, half-starved boy from a poor village in Henan Province and used him mightily to preach the gospel despite horrific opposition. Brother Yun is one of China’s house church leaders, a man who despite his relative youth has suffered prolonged torture and imprisonment for his faith. His account challenges any complacency about the situation in China, where international economic investment ignores the brutal fact that religious persecution is still a daily reality for millions. Instead of focusing on the many miracles or experiences of suffering, however, Yun prefers to emphasize the character and beauty of Jesus. This astonishing book will form a watershed in your spiritual life.”

God used this book to teach me so many things. The testimony of this man’s walk with God demands a re-evaluation of my own. He even used this book to speak directly into my life!! He had been showing me Isaiah 30:15 all week… through several conversations and teachings, and in my own time with Him. It says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” I knew this was something I needed to learn. Then, Brother Yun writes on page 199:

“If you are a servant of the Lord, let me encourage you to please, please, humbly watch that you don’t slip into the same error I did. The Lord God jealously desires us for himself. He is the lover of our souls. If we ever put anything before our relationship with Jesus – even our work for Jesus – then we will be ensnared. If you are burned out, stop! Rest! Your lamp needs a constant infilling of the Lord’s oil or your light will be snuffed out. Remember that ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..’ Isaiah 30:15.”

Loud and clear. : ) What a gracious Father.

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Living for the Lord

I have been compelled tonight to write something in my blog. I don’t know if anyone will even see it, but that doesn’t matter.

I find myself challenged by the Spirit to live truly and completely for the Lord. If I was to do that, completely and with all of my heart, what would it look like? I have heard it preached from the pulpit many times: “What would our lives be like if we really forsook all else and lived for God?” But it always seemed like pie in the sky thinking. Like an unachievable goal. But why would God ask us to do something that is impossible? Aren’t we supposed to seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness? And ALL these things will be added unto you? Why don’t we believe that? The spirit of unbelief is so prevalent and sinister. 

I think in the past when I have heard this kind of message from anyone, my soul very clearly sided with the spirit of unbelief. But the Holy Spirit tugged at me. The radical difference in living for the Lord the way we are supposed to is all but unheard of. How would people react? What would they say, and what would they think?  But we are not to fear the judgement of man. (1 Cor. 2:15) I want to live for the Lord.

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Holy over me

(by Christy Nockels)

Your love has come and taken over me

Your love has caused these blinded eyes to see

You come and fill this empty life I bring

You’re holy, holy over me.

 

Holy, holy over land and seas

Holy, holy over galaxies

Holy, holy over deepest needs

You’re holy, holy over me.

 

Your love does not depend on what I do

Your love is freedom and it pleases you

You come and cover me in loving truth

You’re holy, holy over me.

 

 

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But praise be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ; and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

2 Corinthians 2:14

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Hosanna

Lift up your hands to His holy place, and bless the LORD. Psalm 134:2

I see The King of Glory – coming on the clouds with fire – the whole earth shakes…

I see His love and mercy – washing over all our sin – the people sing …

Hosanna in the highest!!

I see a generation – rising up to take their place – with selfless faith…

I see a near revival – stirring as we pray and seek – we’re on our knees…

Hosanna in the highest!!

Heal my heart and make it clean – open up my eyes to the things unseen – show me how to love like you have loved me…

Break my heart for what breaks yours – everything I am for your kingdom’s cause – as I walk from earth into eternity…

Hosanna in the highest!!

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The Meaning of Life

God uses Tim Jr. to teach a small collection of His Body made up of MP staff, neighbors, homeless who have stayed the night on Tuesday, and other friends and acquaintances on Wednesday mornings at 10am. We discussed such a beautiful truth this morning that I am compelled to share it with you:

Why did God create mankind?

1. (To have sons, heirs.) Galatians 4:14 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons. Because your are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

(What promise?) Genesis 17: 6,7 “I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”

But, men continually reject God’s fatherhood as in Deut. 5:23 – 27 (The leading men and elders of Israel push away from I AM who has offered relationship in His presence because they are afraid. So they send Moses up to be with God.)

(God made provision for us before he began Creation) Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

(That is, Christ) – John 1:29 … John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

2. (To have image-bearers) Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule…. over all the earth….”

In Genesis 1:3, we read the first words of The Creator, “Let there be light.” (Keep in mind that the sun, moon, and stars are not created until later – in verse 14.) If not from these, what is that “light?”

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said,”Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to he people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

(And, finale:) Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world…. let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Wow.

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Pure Joy

May God hold us close enough to Him to clearly hear His voice. Lord, grow me up – and into You.

I don’t want to be content as a spiritual babe, longing and asking only for what you can do for me, give to me; But to delight in You and knowing You – for the desires of my heart to line up with yours. Give me your desires. Use me for your purposes, and show me your ways.

Psalm 37: 4Delight yourself in The LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Matthew 6: 33Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and (He will provide for your needs).

Hebrews 6: 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation (of elementary teachings).

James 1: 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Joy is hearing God speak to us…. Joy is knowing we are obeying….. Joy is knowing The Lord, Himself.

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