Saturday, April 15, 2017

Jesus.

His name is JESUS.

He is EVERYTHING.

He is the exact representation of the invisible Father.

No one in history could comprehend the goodness that God has always been. No one could wrap their minds around God's immense love that He has always had for ALL of His creation. The Father has never changed. And to submit to His creation so that they would be able to understand, God sent Jesus, to show us who God is and ALWAYS has been!

Jesus. Sweet, sweet Jesus...

The ONE who set the record straight. He redefined what LOVE was. Jesus, the one who came to serve not to be served. Jesus, the ONE who gave himself to those who called him a drunkard and a glutton. Jesus, the ONE who fellowshipped with those who were the outcasts of the religious society and those who were so disgustingly looked down upon by everyone. Jesus, the ONE who only critiqued the religious for their judgment against those they deemed God was against. Jesus, the ONE who cried out "Father, FORGIVE THEM for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus. Sweet, sweet Jesus...

The ONE who came and embraced us for who we are. The ONE who stood up for those under oppression from those who thought highly of themselves. The ONE who sacrificed his own reputation so that the lowly in society's eyes could be truly accepted and embraced.

Jesus. Sweet, sweet Jesus...

The ONE who set the record straight. The ONE who made it completely clear that we are now ONE with OUR Father! The ONE who loves ALL because he thought it good to die for ALL.

Jesus. Sweet, sweet Jesus...

The ONE who is OUR friend!!!!!!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

What If?

What if Christianity wasn't based on following the Bible but instead on the life of a man named Jesus.

What if we did not devote our time to reading scriptures in pursuit to find God but instead live in communion with the one whom he put into us before the foundations of the world?

What if we are called to follow a man named Jesus who rose from the grave and defeated death.

And what if we just admit to ourselves that we might be tired and stressed out not because we aren't doing enough to seek God but because we don't yet fully know the person who is Jesus: the one who gives rest.

What if we put our daily devotionals down, set aside our scripture reading plans and skip out on our repetitive prayer at dinner and get real with the Trinity.

What if we realize those desires of acceptance and unity are straight from the Lord and He is the one who is enticing us to turn back to Him so that we can be as free as Jesus demonstrated a man could be on this earth?

What if we cast aside our preconceived knowledge that we have learned from so many educated men and instead come as little children to Jesus admitting we have no clue who he truly is in us.

What would happen if we become friends with Jesus who is quick to include everyone? Passionately encouraging us as we live in unity with ALL people?

What would happen if we just stop our religious jargon and just talk normally with the Father? What if we just ask Him to become our friend...really? What if we would pursue personal intimacy instead of prophetic words and healing miracles?

What would happen if we cried out not just in our trying circumstances but also just to know Jesus as a brother and a friend? Or to hear Holy Spirit's voice all day long, to be consumed with their peace, love, joy, kindness, mercy, self-control and humility every moment of the day?

What if we accepted Jesus' invitation that all who come to him who are weary and heavy burdened, He will give rest too?

What would happen if we threw out all the noise and additives that we have added to the gospel to keep us slaves to perfection and normalcy and just ask Jesus directly to give us clarity, show us what is important to his heart? Allowing the gospel to come to life as our own life is now a shining example of his heart because the fruit of the Spirit is effortlessly and bountifully producing!

What if we come humbly as a child and be honest with our Father and say, "Papa.... I want to know you. I want YOU to reveal yourself to me! And if that means that I wait in silence for awhile, that is ok. If that means I don't have an instant encounter, feeling, or revelation I will learn to wait and not pursue a quick pick me up of knowledge to keep a false sense of satisfaction in place of this growing relationship. You have me already Papa, Holy Spirit and Jesus reveal to me how much I already have of you!"

What if we all fall head over heels with a Family that is already head over heels in love with us right now as we are?

What if we ask Jesus to live life with us? Invite him to be with us all day long, taking off the persistent burden that has come with the false belief that we are separated from love because of our failures. Instead, allowing him to show us that he has always been in us and with us, revealing that we are and already have always been ONE!

What would happen if those thoughts of being alone, not good enough, and fearfulness were crushed simply because Holy Spirit spoke to us throughout the whole day about how much we are loved, chosen, desired and protected?

What would happen if every day we asked them as we would a best friend standing right in front of us for advice or just to rant when the day did not go as we expected it? What if we felt so comfortable with Jesus as our friend that we laughed as he jokes with us and sassily joke back with him?

What would happen if when we told people "It's not a religion it's a relationship" it is no longer a catchy saying but instead brings us to tears because every day Jesus personally has been encountering us through every spiritual, natural and physical avenue that we allow him to come to us?

What would happen if we never felt alone again?

What would happen if we always had amazing thoughts running through our heads because Holy Spirit can't help herself but tell us everything amazing about us!!! And because that's all we hear all day long we actually begin to believe her?

What would happen when a tough situation came up and we don't think anymore, "Where are you, God?" But instead reply, "Huh, well I'm going to continue to rest in you... have fun dealing with this issue Jesus!"

What would happen if our friends and family would see us loving and embracing the world and them for who they are right now? Just as the Father does every day with us. What would happen if we just poured out encouragement and kind words as the Holy Spirit does every moment of the day with us? What if we hang out in gay bars because we want to have fun and get to know people like Jesus did.... with no agenda what so ever.

What if this religion called Christianity is not what life is about. But instead following Jesus is what this life is about and we have already arrived because of what Jesus did on the cross?

What if he wants us to be his best friend? What if the Father wants us to talk to him like we talk to our closest confidant? What if Holy Spirit so badly wants to show you all the ways she connects everything, eliminating the idea of bad situations because everything is in Christ, and no matter what they are making things so much better for you?

What if we don't have bad days anymore because we are in intimate communication and friendship with God the Father, Holy Spirit and Jesus all day long because we have their perspective now? And even if we do....we can be at peace knowing that they love hearing our cuss words and outrageous outbursts!

What if we take Jesus up on his offer?

What if there is so much more to this life and it is Jesus who is the one who will reveal our true identity to us... but only in a place of true intimacy and friendship that will flip our world upside down?

What if.... they are all smiling as you read this, nodding their heads, saying "Yes, let's start this adventure of intimacy that is beyond measure, please!"

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Hey baby, this is the gospel!

He is in us and we are in Him. The seamless union was birthed before time had even started, it was made definitive at the cross and brought to our own individual realities when the Father personally drew us to him and made us aware by Holy Spirit within us. Captivated and embraced, your life is now in perfect harmony in Christ. This is the gospel. That we are one with the Creator of the Universe! As we walk out our everyday lives, His radiant glory simultaneously captivates our hearts as well as the culture around us, bringing glory to the Son who was the exact expression of the invisible Father who lives in him and Jesus within us.

Yet we find ourselves so often frustrated and downcast as our lives remain uneventful and what seems to us as mundane. There is this constant propaganda that is being pushed and preached from all angles in society that to be satisfied we must find our calling, be mission driven and find our destiny that God has for us. It's an on going journey to try to figure out what "God" wants and how one can get there. Blinded by these ideals we hit wall after wall. Usually causing us to get stressed out, lose hope and start to view Papa God as a distant father who is enjoying teasing us while holding a carrot on a stick in front of us leading us around with no real destination.

This life that so many well meaning and pure of heart believers struggle with has now been sold to us as the gospel. ""Accept Jesus" and know that even though he is on your side you will be faced with hard times (always emphasizing the HARD in sermons). You are now in a war and you will be held accountable by your actions so find out what your called to do and give up your lives for that mission." So many believers love this tale because it seems as if we have great importance and control in this life... igniting us to strive onward to better things, to keep getting up when we have been knocked down. Yet after the fan fare wears off and the crowds disperse we are left trying to grasp on for something living in the unknown that we can hopefully show that we are 100% committed to this Christian life!!!!

This is not the gospel. The reason why so many feel the growing burden and constant battle is because they are in a fight that is simply not for them. This distraction drains and causes unnecessary toil while they grasp alone in the darkness for a life they deem to be so unattainable.

Because Jesus reunited US with our Father, no longer are we enemies in our minds, we are now at rest in him because our conscience has been wiped clean. Jesus conquered death for us and gave us His faith so that we can effortlessly, walk with Him hand in hand and drink from the living water that satisfies our every desire and fulfills our every need! He has done it all.... it is finished.

As seen in one of the parables of Luke, the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are in the wilderness in urgent pursuit to find and retrieve the one lost sheep that had left the flock; as the shepherd finds him he gently puts the anxiety ridden sheep onto his shoulders allowing the sheep to finally rest his weary legs. The shepherd delighted beyond belief that he is reunited again with his beloved sheep then proceeds to make his way to his home calling to all his family and friends to come and rejoice with great celebration! Every parable with the lost ends with great celebration and being forever united together with their Father! To our extravagant Father, who loves to sing and dance over us all day long, from where he is standing the party has never ended! And now that we are seated with him in heavenly places nor should it end on our side either. The party is for us! We are the bride and Jesus the husband! It's a wedding celebration forever and ever!! We are eternally united and bound to him in perfect oneness! Our seamless union is the joy of the Father who sent Jesus so that all of eternity could be forever celebrated together!!!

Yet, most struggle to grasp this truth. So simple, so freeing and let's be honest what every man, women and child ultimately craves... to not only be accepted for who they are but also to be celebrated and honored, cherished and lavished upon!

Religion sadly has manipulated the simplicity of the gospel in such a way that it distorts not only the core identity as beloved children who are worth so much that the Father would kill the fattened calf just to throw a party for their return. But also has mutated Papa's nature into a harsh task master who only approves when we figure out what "His will" is (let alone walk it out). When one strives out of a place of works this is the reality and mindset that consumes their every thought. Never being good enough. Always having to produce a work to be accepted. This is sadly far from the truth of the gospel.

Our Father had dreamt about who we are in Christ before the world was even in existence. In His eyes we never were separated because He always saw Jesus' righteous union within us. That is why we can celebrate so freely with Him... because He has been celebrating like a party animal for eternity already based on the fact that His will was fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (he was slain before the foundations of the world) and now every moment we realize that our bond is forever sealed in Him, more and more we get to endlessly dive deeper into this love affair! This results in us being right their with Papa jumping for joy and announcing to the world "WE ARE ONE!!!!"

Yet.... we still struggle to get our minds around the truth. The old mindset, those pesky religious thoughts that we thought were true for so long. But in this relationship Papa, Jesus and Holy Spirit want nothing else but to get us to know that they are already so close to us that they welcome us to come along with them as they renew our old mindsets. Once we welcome their invitation they intimately and so lovenly go into every area of our lives revealing to us how great His love is and how much he cares for us even in the trauma and pain. You see, not only did he enter into our humanity, pain, and death 2,000 years ago but he continues to do so today with every person individually. Because he knows that for us to be able to grasp the full reality of our union with Him he must first come and walk through our lives where we might be concealing the secret locked rooms in our heart. Through this process he embraces everything we had deemed as unlovable, unforgivable and unhealable area in our life and with great embrace he reveals his true joy for us and glorious power of love that he has in us. This is where we meet him face to face everyday!! Every moment as we come into communion with our Papa, we see clearly who we truly are.

So many are seeking to DO things for God. Service projects, missions work, even prophesying and healing the sick. Those things are not wrong or not God's desire in any way! But when we pursue that as the gospel, as we pursue "OUR calling" to find what God wants with us we will only fall and sink deep into striving and in turn depression mentality. Because those things will never truly show you the person of Jesus. You will never know the nature of God by doing. Only through intimately getting to know his Will of Jesus the incarnation.... Jesus now in you the hope of glory, can reveal His being and open your eyes to the super charged life that is within you!

Because you see God's true will and desire is that you see who you are in Him! Jesus came to defeat death so that we can be forever in union with Him! So seamless that all dualistic mindsets and separation attitudes fall off the grid. YOU were the joy that was set out before Jesus as he pursued the cross! And now.... You and Him are forever united!!!! Intertwined, saturated with His love. For you to understand your place in the family with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is what ignites the Father's heart more so because that is where you will then see as if in a mirror! Perfect, holy, joyous friendship with the Father who always sees your best side!!! You will reflect your Father's nature as you see your new nature interlocked with Him! You will walk daily like Jesus because you see how Jesus already intimately walks with you! You will be overflowing with joy, hope, peace and love because Holy Spirit will always be consuming your mind!

Yet it's hard to grasp our minds around this fairy tale on steroids as some may call it! And that is where Jesus says boldly, "To learn this well, unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven's kingdom realm, the way a LITTLE child learns, you will never be able to enter in. Whoever humbles himself to become like this gentle child is the greatest one in heavens kingdom realm."

We must become little children. That is our place in the family!When a newborn child is placed in a mother's arms for the first time she holds the child that she has long dreamt of, sings over the perfect creation that seamlessly looks just like her and the father, and she gives the infant nutrients that will satisfy the child's hunger and thirst causing the little one to grow and thrive. It is in this mundane and none exciting moments of life where the child learns early on what their parent sounds like, feels like, looks like and smells like. What takes place in the day in and day out of a child resting in their mothers arms creates such an intense bond, love, adoration for one another it is impossible to break. For the child this bond starts the foundations of trusting which then gives the infant the security to learn and try new things and the understanding that if they fall their parents will be joyfully clapping their hands as they encourage them to get back up. This is why we need to be like LITTLE children.

This gospel is so simple yet it is so deep that the ways of the old "knowledge" based mindset cannot comprehend. But Papa knows that when we come to Him humbly as like a little child comes to their Mama and says, " I don't understand grace! I don't understand how not to strive! I don't understand how to have union with you! I don't get any of this! Please help me! Please renew my mind so that I can freely embrace you back as you have always embraced me!" As a good father would, he will set you on a course of intimately embracing you right where you are and flood you with his wisdom and love that comes from the joy in his heart!!!!

This is the gospel. We are one. His seamless union is his beautiful will that will cause the world to be shaken as it was when the disciples first got ahold of this pure unadulterated gospel. As we see the true reality of our sonship missions will happen through us, service projects will take place, and orphans will be brought into homes because we are in Him... resulting in wonderful life giving rest and joy!!!