Masterpiece Biblical Counseling
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Testimonies
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Events
    • Classes
    • Seminars
    • Sign Up
  • Resources
    • Counseling Forms
    • Videos
    • Recommended Reading
    • Products >
      • Scope Ministries Materials
    • Affiliates >
      • Network220
      • Scope Ministries International
      • Creekside Christian Fellowship
  • Contribute

Look At Yourself

11/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Ps 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

Never noticed before that the Psalmist is praising God as HE LOOKS AT HIMSELF! 

Most often when we look at ourselves we see our flaws, failures and struggles, yet when we stop and see what He sees and stop judging ourselves we get a glimpse at the wonder of 'us', fearfully and wonderfully made. A person created perfectly, skillfully knit together by the God of the Universe. 

The gospel - the good news - reveals the truth of who we really are and causes us to dance and sing and praise our Creator who made us perfectly and -in Christ- perfected us. 
​
Wow! I get to look at me and see the perfection of HIS work. That draws me even closer to Him, encourages me to be 'real' with Him and blesses me with seeing what He made and sees - a new creation - holy, righteous, pure, a masterpiece, a one of a kind never before seen being... This truth transforms my life. This draws me to live according to the truth - to be who I be. I don't have to try to put on Christ as an outer garment that covers my flaws to be acceptable and work to keep that garment in place covering my flesh that tries to escape its confines. Rather, I get to take off the layers realizing that at my core, my innermost being is His life in mine and it is gorgeous and captivating.
Picture
0 Comments

November 25th, 2019

11/25/2019

0 Comments

 
Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I think the usual way these verses are shared carries the implication that the Kingdom of God is over there, and we are to set our focus, attention and effort on traveling from here to over there, on the other side of the fence where we find His grass greener and able to provide for our every need. But we need to get there.
There is a different view that I find more theologically sound. Consider…
What is the kingdom of God? “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) What is the kingdom? It is good news. If we have received good news today, it just flows into our tomorrows.
“The kingdom of God is righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17). If we have these things, our “today” is perfect. We have no need for worry or concern for tomorrow, for we are fully in the present with Him, in Spirit.
When will the kingdom of God come? “One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs…” (Luke 17:20-1) Looking around for evidence of the Kingdom will never reveal it for it is invisible, a mystery. The Kingdom manifests to those open to receive it.”
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?...” (1 Cor 6:9) The kingdom of God is for today, not sometime in the by-and-by after we’ve died. Only those that are alive are inheritors. They - the alive - inherit because someone else died and left them an inheritance. Jesus died to leave us His inheritance. Today two thousand years after His death we continue to receive our inheritance. He left us righteousness, peace and joy - good news, for today.
Where is the kingdom of God? “You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:22) According to Strong’s NT 1787 ἐντός, the kingdom is within you, inside, in the midst of you. And that was written 2,000 years ago.
“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God (and He did), then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28) (comment, mine). The kingdom of God has been ours to experience for more than 2000 years.
Who made it possible for us to be in the Kingdom of God? “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
What does the kingdom of God look like? “For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
When did you become righteous? “The Spirit convicts you of righteousness.” John 16:10 This means that the Spirit reminds you, confirms to you, that you ARE righteous. You realize your righteousness when you hear the Spirit remind you.
Do you see the connection?
We are instructed to seek the kingdom of God – given to us as an inheritance by Jesus, the substance of which is good news, righteousness, peace and joy; the power of God within each of us. When we seek and find that the kingdom is within us…when we realize it is ours to behold, to live in and participate in – with Him, we realize that within us is everything we need for life and godliness and we need not worry about tomorrow. For every day of our lives is a today in which we realize our joint righteousness, live in peace and joy and need have no concern for our tomorrows.
0 Comments

Would You Join Me In Enjoying Him?

11/22/2019

0 Comments

 
Intimacy with God isn't a quick fix to get our day in order. We don't go get a little from Him and then rush to give to others what we received or share what we heard so that they too can benefit because, 'after all they need this too'. It isn't about getting to give, or getting to bear fruit, or getting to mature.
Rather it is giving ourselves fully and unashamedly to the Lover of our soul, allowing Him to love us well and love us long. It's each party savoring the time together and each other’s presence. Not to be crude but intimacy with Him is slow, beautiful lovemaking. It's not rushed or about running to get to the next activity or demand in life, but rather enjoying and being enjoyed. It's being fully loved and fully known. It changes us. Moses was in the presence of God, Paul was in the 3rd Heaven, John saw Him high and lifted up, David took time for conversations with God, each life was affected. They KNEW God.
This remains the hunger of my soul. This is what my spirit continues to call me toward. This is again the reminder that Mary chose the better thing (sitting at Jesus feet) than Martha who had a clean house and was the 'perfect' hostess. There are better things in life. There are higher things in life. There are finer things in life. There is God.
Enjoying Him and enjoying Him enjoying me. Would you join Him too?

​
Picture
0 Comments

    Author

    My heart's desire is to walk with people until they believe every good thing that God says about them. This happens as they are introduced to intimate relationship with the lover of their soul. 

    I love living in Utah with my husband and know a Broadway song appropriate for every occasion in life. I  typically get jokes two minutes after they are told.

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Christ In Us
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    Identity
    Isaiah 40
    Masterpiece
    Tired

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.