Strength Bridled by Love

 I heard Jordan Peterson talking about the verse in Matthew that says “The meek shall inherit the earth” because he was puzzled at the word “meek” and what it really meant.  He says he looked into the original word and it means something to the effect of “He who has a sword and keeps it sheathed will inherit the earth.” I think in the Church, we have understood this for a long time, though not really contemplated it. 

A child of the Living God is very powerful when they understand their identity, but it’s not their power that is remarkable as much as their restraint, and ultimately their charity. In fact, to know your identity in The Kingdom is to know both power over your circumstances and a reverence for all life as being equally sacred, and intrinsically valuable.

 

Outside of the cross, I’m not sure this balance of power and love is even possible. Jesus is both archetype and substitute for us.  In some ways, the harbinger of the new man, and in others, the picture of the dead flesh of the old (which Paul encourages us to shed). But respective of his meekness (which is really strength subject to loving patience and restraint), he is archetype, capable of calling down all the angels of heaven to remove him from the cross and annihilate his opponents, yet restraining himself on their behalf.

 

I’m not sure I’ve ever really understood this quote as fully as I do now, because it is a call to strength and a call to love. I’ve heard the adage “Meekness, not weakness” but do most Christians think in these terms when they read Matthew 5:5? I don’t think they do. Western society is gradually becoming more openly hostile to the values of Christianity for a host of reasons, some of which are our fault. And our response to that is to strengthen ourselves by inhabiting and resting in Christ, and to see our opponents with the kind of love that will enable us to take this message as far as it will go.  There is no eventuality that merits violence against those who oppose the Gospel. Jesus didn’t leave us that option.

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!!!!!!

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!"

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!!!

The (Un)Prodigal Son

Luke chapter 15 tells the story of two sons.  We spend a lot of time talking about the Prodigal, even referring to the parable by that son only.  I'm neither the first nor the last person to examine the other brother, but I did realize something about him recently that's worth sharing.

At the end of the story, the older brother, presumably with sweat on his brow, and callouses on his hands, impunes his father saying "All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to, and in all this time you never even gave me one young goat for a feast with my friends.  Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!" (Luke 15:29-30, NLT)

And the father responds with "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have will be yours when I'm gone." (15:31)

I know that when I was younger, growing up in a pretty mainstream evangelical church, I identified with the older brother.  I can recall thinking, "You know, he has a good point there." and wondering how we as Christians were supposed to celebrate for these Johnny-Come-Lately's who have a deathbed conversion while the rest of us were slaving away on the farm the whole time like we were supposed to.  And furthermore, how come the younger son gets his inheritance, while the faithful older son has to wait for the old man to keel over before enjoying anything.

Except I lied. That's not what verse 31 says.  It says "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." (15:31 without intentional mistakes)

When we look at the dialogue between father and son at the end of the story, I've come to realize that one of the crucial aspects of this story is that both sons have their inheritance upon request. When the elder asks his father why he never gave him a goat so he could celebrate with his friends, the father does not say, everything I have will be yours when I'm gone". He says "everything I have is yours."

Maybe we, in the church, often condemn ourselves to a lifetime of drudgery.  Maybe the whole time God's giving us the freedom to work, all the while patiently waiting for us to look up and say, "Let's call the neighbors over for some steak and beer!"

Maybe the drudgery of modern day evangelicalism is something we invented.  Maybe life in the Kingdom is meant to be more about working when we want to, and partying with our friends when we want to.  If we understand that we can enjoy the fruits of his kingdom any time we want, we're much more likely to excitedly invite prodigals to the party, welcoming them to join instead of grumbling in the corner. All we have to do is ask, and the fatted calf is ours.

An Honest Prayer

I used to think that prayer was about subjecting ourselves to God's will.  I thought it was a time for us grovel before a master, who needed us to first debase ourselves before daring to approach him. I thought that having to ask for everything kept us constantly reminded of our smallness.  I thought it was an instrument of removing our pride.  I'm not sure that's all wrong, but this Monty Python clip shows how far down that rabbit trail we can go:

Don't misunderstand me.  We are small, and He is big, but it's less about groveling and more about agreement with a loving Father about his nature (goodness) and his will for us (freedom from the curse).

Consider Daniel. When was faced with becoming a crunchy snack, it says that he went to his house and opened the window towards Jerusalem and he thanked God. In the face of a violent and gruesome death, he reminded himself of the things that he had to be thankful for. He spent time remembering God's graciousness and goodness towards him, and that was how he conquered the fear that was ready to devour him long before he faced the lions.

We should be talking to God in prayer because we want to, not out of fear or obligation.  If you don't desire time in prayer, if you're not excited about it, consider not doing it.  Maybe you need to ask God why you don't desire it. (I know that's a prayer too, but feel free to keep it short.) :)

Paul says in Romans that he prayed all day and night for the Roman church, and I don't think he did that as a burden.  I think he saw it as opportunity to speak life and blessings over fellow believers that he loved, and partner with God to get a peek at his heart of love toward them.

When you feel His love for someone, you only want to be closer to Him and know Him more.  That's what prayer is supposed to be about.  Let go of the burden of prayer, and pick up the opportunity of seeing how Jesus sees you and others around you, and no, he doesn't want to boil you in oil!

Is Christianity Losing Its Power?

As I mentioned in a recent Facebook post, Daddy God has been talking to me a lot about the difference between receiving the Holy Spirit, and getting baptised in the Holy Spirit. This is in response to me crying out,"Lord, why are people in the Church struggling so much with sin and purity? How do I help them?"
I'm so excited to share His response with all of you today!

We'll start in John chapter 20. Here we see the remaining disciples locked away in a room, gripped by fear. This is precisely the state of the world we live in today! People have locked themselves away in so many different fashions, out of fear. Whether it be addiction from the fear of their current reality, crime from the fear of a lack of provision, promiscuity from the fear of being unwanted and unloved, etc.
Jesus appears to each and every one of us, just as He did them (although not always bodily), repeatedly telling us to have peace.
"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.' When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (Verse 22)
When the we decide to take Jesus at His word, and receive His forgiveness, which includes receiving His Spirit, this is called being born again. This is done through faith AND water baptism. The modern day church has turned water baptism into "an outward demonstration of our inward faith" and thus robbing it of its power. First of all, our FAITH should NEVER be "inward"! It should always be lived out loud for the entire world to see, AND be transformed by! Secondly, water baptism has NOTHING to do with showing anyone anything, and has EVERYTHING to do with partaking in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
Romans 6 in the Passion Translation, eloquently puts it this way...
"Sharing in HIS death by OUR baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed WITH Him, so that when the Father's glory raised Christ from the dead, we were ALSO raised with Him. We have been co-resurrected WITH Him so that we could be empowered to express an ENTIRELY NEW LIFE. For if we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a death like His, then we are permanently grafted into Him to experience a resurrection like His AND the new life that it imparts. Could it be any clearer that our former identity is NOW AND FOREVER deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with Him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would NOT continue to live ONE MOMENT LONGER submitted to sin's power. Obviously, a dead person is incapable of sinning. And if we were co-crucified with the Anointed One, we know that we will also share in the FULLNESS of His life." (Verses 4-8)
People can argue this fact all that they want..."So you're saying that our works are what save us?" Jesus said it! Not me!  Here's the thing, if Jesus said "repent AND be baptized", is it not by faith that we get baptized and are thus born again?  Jesus is even recorded in Mark 16:16 saying,"Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved..." So it is faith in Jesus that allows us to receive His Spirit AND partake in His death, burial, and resurrection through water baptism.
BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE!!!
Jesus told His disciples to stay in a particular place, a prayer room of sorts, until He finished what He intended to do in them! Why is the Church stopping at a sinner's prayer (that isn't even biblical by the way), when Jesus has clearly shown that there is so much more!?!  He never intended for someone to pray a random prayer in a church building, conference hall, or street corner, and then go on with life as usual! Jesus said stay put until you're clothed with power from on high! (Luke 24:49)
Don't stop at acceptance!
Don't stop at death!
Don't even stop at resurrection!
You MUST be clothed with power!
You MUST be baptised in the Holy Spirit!
What does that look like, you ask?
Check out Acts Chapter 2.
"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Verses 2-4)
The disciples didn't stop at being filled! They pressed in, fervently praying, believing what Jesus told them...
they would receive POWER from on high!
It may not LOOK the same for all of us. It didn't LOOK like Acts 2 for me, but there IS one thing that remains constant in EVERY experience...
IMMEDIATE 100% TOTAL TRANSFORMATION!
The Apostle Peter went from angry and afraid, to determined and bold.
The Apostle Paul went from murderous pride to loving humility.
I went from a selfish and suicidal addict to a generous and joyful world changer!
IN AN INSTANT!
Once you've given yourself FULLY to this gospel, and received what He wants to give you, there is no lengthy painful process! There is only instantaneous transformation! Sure, we move from glory to glory, as we get to know Him more and more deeply, but it BEGINS at glory!!!

Friends, many of us have been duped into believing a "gospel" that is really no gospel at all! The word gospel means good news! Where is the good news in believing that we are all sinners, destined to sin, because we live in a fallen world of which we're prisoners until we die? Where is the good news in believing that we will all struggle through this life, trying to resist temptation, but we're expected to have good cheer while doing it, so that we can bring glory to a distant God, who puts bad things in our lives, to test and strengthen us, and allows horrific things to happen, because He's in control? Where is the good news in believing that any power that the gospel held died with the original apostles?
What is the point?
Where is the hope?
Why even give yourself to a "gospel" that is dead and depressing?
The Truth is, that ISN'T the gospel!

This is...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation. THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY; behold, THE NEW HAS COME ."
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a NEW person. The old life is GONE; a new life has BEGUN!
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV & NLT

"And these signs WILL accompany those who believe: in My name they WILL cast out demons; they WILL speak in new tongues;  they WILL pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it WILL NOT hurt them; they WILL lay their hands on the sick, and they WILL recover." Mark 16:17-18

This, my friends, is the WILL of God, in Christ Jesus!
Don't stop at "letting Jesus in your heart"!
Give Him your life!
Press in,
fervently praying,
KNOWING
you WILL receive
POWER from on high!

Run with me Church!
Www.purusamor.com

Everything's coming up rainbows!

Seems like about half of Facebook is posting rainbows to their profiles.  Awesome!  May we all be covered with markers of our Dad's lavish grace!  May we walk the earth, covered in God's promises to "remember [our] sins and [our] lawless deeds no more!" (Heb 10:17) May His blood be upon us! (Matt. 27:25).

Christian, take heart! His grace is so much bigger than any sin, any policy, any nation, any government, any movement, any political party, any tragedy, and ANY WORK OF THE ENEMY in your life!  Place your hope in that.  Rest in His power, and marinate in His goodness.  He delights in you not because you are good, but because He is good, and it's not your burden to reform (by law or otherwise) the behavior of those around you.  He will do that when they're ready.

Your only task is to rest in His love for you, and let it fill you, overflow, and bring the Kingdom wherever you go.  When that happens, you'll rejoice in every rainbow you see, for you know its creator, and that depth of HIS GOODNESS!

Wishful Thinking

What if the Jesus story was really more about what He did than what we do?

What if we had a God who replaced our flaws with His perfection and became for us everything we couldn't be?

What if the great deception isn't about doubting God so much as it's about doubting His GOODNESS?

What if His goodness was so thorough, so complete, so unmitigated, and there was never even a hint of darkness in it?

What if Jesus finished all the work for us on the cross and we rested in that?

What if the only act of obedience to the faith was to be content in HIS righteousness, HIS provision, and HIS acceptance of us?

What if the "good" news, was really the GREAT-AWESOME-AMAZING news that actually changed people's lives, freed them from the curse, and allowed them to rest from their efforts and enjoy the gifts of freedom and grace?

What if the Church was a group of people who were so immersed in the Father's unqualified lovingkindess of them, that they couldn't help but love each other and the people around them?

What if witnessing was something we did all the time to everyone, believers and non-believers alike, because we just couldn't contain the truths within us?

What if confession wasn't about talking about our sin as much as it is about proclaiming the truths about a good God and his power over that and every other evil in this world?

What if Jesus actually meant it when he said we would do even greater things than him?

What if we could actually tell people that suffering wasn't God's will for them?

What if we replaced "what if" with "I believe"...

Believers Can Do Anything With Their Freedom

Believers are the most free and loved people in the entire galaxy.  God himself lives inside us.  We call him Dad; or friend, or brother.  His love for us is very powerful and very real.  Spending time with him, being held, is a relaxing and real sensation; unmatched by anything else.  We were made to live in his warm, intoxicating love…staring at him while he smiles back at us.  

The enemy hates how we feel when Dad smiles at us (which is 24/7).  We feel safe, desired, and loved.  The enemy can’t stand this.  So he accuses us; night and day.  And sometimes we hear the accusations.  These cause us to turn back within ourselves and away from that beautiful face that never stops gazing at us with love and approval.

So, let’s look at a few verses which give us permission to rest; allowing us to do what we really want: snuggle up with Dad as he holds us in his brilliant love.

A.D. 55.  Paul writes a letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians).  These people had the pure message of grace from Paul for a year and a half.  After he leaves, however, the church condones sex with prostitutes, incest with mothers, court trials against each other, consummation of food sacrificed to idols…and its leaders do nothing.  How does Paul begin his letter to them?

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way…you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that YOU WILL BE BLAMELESS on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor. 4-8)

(Of course, Paul goes on to tell the church their behaviors are not consistent with children who know they are dearly loved…however, they still are and will forever be blameless!)

A.D. 62.  Paul writes a letter to the church in Colosse (Colossians).  Essentially, the church was beginning to stray from the truth that Jesus Christ did everything for everyone.  What does Paul say?

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds, doing evil deeds.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, WITHOUT BLEMISH and free from accusation.  (Col. 1:21-22).

A.D. 75.  Jude (the brother of Jesus) also finishes his one-chapter book with the words:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence WITHOUT FAULT and with great joy… (Jude 1:24)

So, what’s the point of all this?  The point is you have permission to keep staring at Dad and never leave his presence (like we even could anyways).  We are allowed to continue soaking in his warm light.  We get to hear him defend us while we feel that unconditional love, acceptance and happiness towards us.  We get to have long conversations with him every day and feel his kisses on our necks.

Without this knowledge, the enemy would have you focus on a much more boring issue: sin.  You will spend your days thinking about sin; constantly looking at yourself while you try to rid yourself of that filth so that you can be clean enough to enjoy God’s presence.  Well, here is the truth that most people are afraid to say out loud: You do have a license to sin!  You have a license to do anything you want!  If you get saved, but then live a sinful life…nothing will happen to you!  You will get to heaven and be presented to God without fault.  You WILL be blameless! But why would you choose sin? 

I know why. 

You would choose sin because you think it delivers.  You think God doesn’t want you to be happy like that.  You think God only gives lame gifts, but sin has much more enticing things to offer.  You think God won’t give you ice cream.  Ice cream would be too dangerous for you.  God only gives vegetables that taste nasty, but are nevertheless good for you.  If you want ice cream, you have to get it yourself.  God will have no part in that.  Satan has ice cream, but God just has sugar-free, dairy-free popsicles sticks that are good for you. 

Here’s a news flash: sin never delivers. 

The enemy is a liar. 

Dad loves you very much! 

Dad has given, and will continue to give, all of your heart’s desires (Mat 21:22, Mark 11: 24, Luke 11:9, John 14:13, 15:7, 15:16, 16:23).  Everything you want comes from Jesus: Love, peace, acceptance, happiness, pleasure, power and freedom. 

You are the disciple who Jesus loves!  But you won’t fully experience this until you tell your mind how free you truly are!  You can do anything in this life (good or bad) and nothing will stop Dad from holding you every minute of every day; all the while smiling at you.  It matters not what the enemy tells you, or the preacher, or your spouse, or yourself…you will always be blameless! 

So why not chase the person who actually delivers?  The guy who doesn’t give just ice cream, but a double-fudge brownie covered with ice cream topped with cherries and whipped cream…made with an ingredient that prevents stomach aches and weight gain.  Why not spend time with an amazing Dad who is madly in love with you and will give you anything you want! 

“And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more!” (2 Samuel 12:8). 

(Dad talking to King David during the height of his reign). 

Inherit All Things: Now (or Later)?

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Rev 21:7

Who is it that overcomes? Is it the people with a lot of faith? 

What time period is this promise for? Is it only for the future in heaven? 

Lets ask the man who wrote the book cited above (John). If we go back to a smaller one of his books, in 1 John; in 5:5, John asks this question and then immediately answers: “Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 

Simple question, simple answer. You, believer. You are the one who overcomes... (Yes, even the world). 

Jesus was faithful FOR you. Jesus was faithful AS you. You inherit all things BECAUSE OF JESUS who finished God's work at The Cross and now lives IN you. 

This makes God your God, and you HIS Beloved Son. 

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What about the "all things?" Well, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone be in Christ he IS a New Creation—old things have passed away (past tense). He then excitedly tells believers to BEHOLD "all things" that have already become new (in Christ)! 

Look at the “all things!” This is how displaying Jesus on earth works. We look at Him and the "all things" God has brought to us through Him, and we become like Him (2 Cor 3:18, 1 Jn 3:2-3).

This is the New Creation. In the center of the New Creation lies the New Man. With The New Man comes The Son's inheritance. It is laid up in heaven, and God desires to bring it to earth through Jesus' Body. Believers. His Bride. His children. All who live IN His Son. 

He desires to do this because He actually loves the people of this world and passionately desires to restore them all back to Life WITH Him (Jn 3:16, 17:3). 

Jesus is a present reality. He lives. If you are a believer, He lives in You NOW. He is EAGERLY waiting  to reveal Himself to you so that He can display Himself through you. This is how His Kingdom gets established on earth like it is in heaven. 

For this to be accomplished, we need His inheritance. Thankfully we have the best gift Jesus had to give; Holy Spirit. One of Holy Spirit's main roles is to teach us (His beloved children) about the things God has FREELY given to us in His Son (1 Cor 2:12).

This does NOT begin in heaven. (Once we are there, we will already be experiencing ALL of the "all things" without any hindrance.) This begins NOW! Receiving His inheritance starts the moment we become a believer and Jesus begins to make His home in us. How much He is able to do this TOGETHER WITH US and IN US depends on how much we receive and submit to His goodness (Rom 11:22). 

In the present time, we have A LOT to look forward to as the Sons of God (Gal 3:28)—we get to manifest (Rom 8:19)! Manifesting as a Son of God means displaying the glory of God in us (Christ). It means showing His goodness in this dark and dying world by bringing life and light where there is death and darkness--just like Jesus did when he walked this earth in the flesh.

Christ in you IS THE hope of glory (Col 1:27). The knowledge of the glory of God (Jesus living in His children) will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14). This will happen as the Sons of God awaken to the fact that Jesus is very much alive IN them.

The world is waiting for Jesus to be revealed IN and THROUGH us. Let's show them!