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Desire the Plant, Not the Fruit

4/12/2019

The very hardest thing in the Christian life is to be OK with not being “OK”; to trust that you are exactly in the perfect place. To more and more, GET YOUR EYES OFF OF YOURSELF (your behavior, actions, attitudes) and just remind yourself who He is, what He has done and who you are IN HIM.

Practice...it makes perfect: NOT in behavior, but in continual connection with Him. When that happens, when you sit with Him, there is no good or bad, there is just you and Him, abiding and enjoying each other. There, when you aren't even aware and haven't been focusing on it - poof! change happens, growth occurs, and fruit is seen.

Ps 1:3, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Both the fruit and leaf are mentioned.

It isn't ALL about bearing Christian 'fruit', but additionally about abiding by the river of His living water which keeps us in a state of readiness to bear fruit - in season and out.

Note that the fruit is seasonal, but the leaves are always present. We are always ready to bear fruit, for there is no season of lifelessness in the Christian who abides.

In your abiding you are perfect, whether or not you are "in fruit". Relax. Rest. Trust His seasons.

It's Not "Which Way," is it?

4/7/2019

Perhaps you are in a place, where you are questioning God concerning a decision you need to make.

The truth is you do have a sense of His leading. That is the problem. It differs from what you think the decision should be. After all, your response seems safer, responsible, wise, prudent and logical.

Walking your road may appear smart, but it carries risk for catastrophe. Now consider His leading. If you step in it, you demonstrate trust and faith in Him, although catastrophe remains possible. Remember, His way are not our ways.

There is a very real truth that until catastrophe happens, you are less willing to trust, and demonstrate faith in Him. When you have nowhere else to turn, you turn to Him. We all do. The challenge is trusting Him when you do have a choice and that choice carries the potential for negative outcomes. We can never know the future - health, finances, relationship, employment - nothing is assured.

Know this...He is there, whichever choice you choose.

God often uses negative circumstances in our lives for good. You can't judge whether or not the decision is correct by the outcome. The outcome can look 'good' and be of God, yet it can equally look 'bad' and be of God.

So, the question becomes - in what choice do you want to experience possible negative circumstances? Additionally, in what state will positive outcomes be most rewarding? When you follow His leading or yours?

I think your decision has just become obvious.

Messages From God

4/1/2019

Us: Lord, hear my prayer. I have “things” going on in my life, “stuff” weighing on my shoulders, “concerns” that preoccupy my mind.

God: I can’t help you in the future, I live in your “now”.

Us: I thought I was supposed to bring my prayers and requests, my troubles and challenges to you.

God: You bring them to me, not to abdicate responsibility and control but to come to the place of trusting me with your “things”, “stuff” and “concerns” and to be unburdened in the now, with Me.

Us: That is what I want to do, but I can’t. The ball is rolling towards me, I have to keep track of it so I can get out of the way if it turns bad. Help, Lord!

God: As long as you are thinking about other things for tomorrow, the next hour, minute or moment you are not present with me. Remember, I live in you and you live in Me.

Us: How do I get there?

God: I’m so glad you asked. You’ll probably remember many of these reminders:
- In returning and rest you shall be saved
- Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord
- The battle is the Lord’s
- God is our refuge and strength
- Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, for I am the one who goes with you
- I will not fail or forsake you
- Tribulation will come but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world
- I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
- Before you call I will hear and while you are still asking I will answer
- Come to me when you are weary and tired and I will give you rest
- You will find perfect peace when your mind is on Me, when we are connected
- Be still and know that I am God
- Come and shelter beneath my wings
- I am your strong tower, your fortress and refuge

Us: Yes, Lord. Thanks for reminding me. My eyes are turning. I’m seeing Your eyes. I see your heart for me…such love! Once again you show me how much You love me and have my best in mind. Yes! Yes! I get it. At this moment, my concerns about tomorrow seem small. Oh, I love my time with you.

God: Yes, I love you. So much! We’ve got this. Why don’t we just rest and talk for a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself, with a little help from Me, and from Our embrace you will remember that with Me you can do anything.

Inside Out

3/16/2019

“God keeps creation both good and new—which means always going somewhere even better or, in a word, evolving. God keeps creating things from the inside out.”
Richard Rohr

There is a birthing, a release of the Christ-life from within us to external manifestation and experience.

It’s the baby learning to crawl or the bird learning to fly. The potential and ability were ALWAYS there but they had to be harnessed and trusted and experienced.

This process of His life, more and more becoming the experience of our life, is like the woman in childbirth. There is expectation (Lord, you say, “be holy as I am holy” – that means it’s possible, probable and will happen, or You say, “I have given you everything you need for life and godliness” and I can’t wait to experience that), there is anticipation (“Lord, I’m hungry to know and share unconditional love, when will it happen?”) and there is manifestation (“Lord, where did that reaction, response, thought or feeling come from – it wasn’t from me?”, or, “Lord, I hate this thing I keep doing” [the fact that you hate what is ‘ungodly’ speaks of the fact that you know it isn’t the real you and that you are in fact, godly]).

We must acknowledge that the outer manifestation of ourselves is not the full truth about us. There is a seed within us, that WILL grow, that WILL produce, 30, 60 or 100-fold.

Living this new life, this Christ-life, evolving into the fullness of who we are requires us to remove duality. We must acknowledge that the carnal person we see is not the truth and fullness of who we are. We must realize that our outer wrapper can be shed, in fact must be shed, in order for the fullness of who we are to be released and experienced.

Too many embrace the outer as the truth of themselves. Too many are thwarted in manifesting and experiencing their perfection (in Him) because they don’t know this truth. They are looking outside of themselves for a solution to their issues.

The eternal answer, however, if found in “Christ-in me”, that lives the hope (1680 elpís (from elpō, "to anticipate, welcome") – properly, EXPECTATION OF WHAT IS SURE (CERTAIN); hope) of glory.
Crustaceans, amphibians and even some mammal find their skin/shell abandoned as they grow, naturally. May we all, children of God, trust Him in the timing of our shedding the old (over and over) and the every expanding revelation and living the new until all that remains is Christ – our life hidden in Him; our sense of who we are apart from Him totally abandoned. It’s an evolution of the inside out, where flesh, ego and self are swallowed up as we trust His timing, and rest as He births from within us the wonder of the Godhead bodily.

Col 2:6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Suffering

3/15/2019

Reviewing a students answer on the Christians and Suffering final. The question, 'Is suffering beneficial or detrimental to the life of a Christian? Explain your answer and give examples.'
A thought came to me, I find myself assessing what my answer to this question is today in my walk and God brings a tidbit to ponder.
We are told by Paul, James and Peter that suffering has value (Rom 5:3-5, Ja 1:2-5 and 1Pe 1:6-8) in a Christians life - God's love poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of righteousness and our faith being able to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
What IF trials/struggles/difficulties serve to separate the Christian (living His life) from the people that are with the program but not yet of His life - perhaps through no fault of their own. There are Christians that have never really heard about the Spirit filled life. Many heard that it is for those 'charismaniacs' and is not Biblical. Many do not know that they actually ARE a new creation with HIS life living in them, that their life died 2000 years ago on a cross when Christ drew ALL MEN into Himself. Maybe they have been introduced to the Holy Spirit but do not know how to live His life, this life that costs them EVERYTHING.
What if suffering, in part, serves to help these people come to the end of themselves? What if it reveals their place and struggle? NOT for condemnation but for the correction that the Holy Spirit brings that they CAN live this new creation life that is now theirs not in their power, ability or strength but in their simple trusting Him who brought them here to walk them through.
I think those that struggle apart from His life within, when faced with trials may turn from Him. They may see Him as demanding. May find a way to medicate the pain of the reality of their inability. I think some may not hang on in the trial and may turn away. I know that in these times there is opportunity to actually meet the God of the Bible and His ability.
So what if the struggles, the refining fire, the crucible brings some to LIFE as they embrace their self-death in His Life in them and brings others to consider their spirit as dead as they embrace their self-life? What if the purpose of suffering is truly to cost US (me, my flesh, my desires, my expectations and standards) EVERYTHING. It costs every remnant of the flesh, the life that WAS lived so that His new life within is the ONLY life manifest through us?
Am I there yet? No! That is an emphatic 'no'. Yet I am further along at identifying those self-life lies that cause me to protect self and prevent His life from being released. The I cant's I wont's, I don't wanna's, the it's not fair, the why me God voices that derive from my flesh. Yet, am I on the way and do I see the value of suffering in causing this growth to take and flourish? Yes, I do and I believe that is why Jesus said that 'in this world you will have tribulation yet I have overcome the world.' KNOW trials come. KNOW they have value. I think 2 Cor 2:14-16 pictures it well... Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place, for we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death and to the other the aroma of life leading to life."
Lord, as You bring me to the end of myself may I learn to trust Your life within. May I submit to it. May I put off the desires of the flesh and walk only in the newness of life, by Your ability. Teach me Lord, for Your child is listening.

Two Sides of the Faith

3/5/2019

Perhaps you have been here. You attend church. You study the Bible. You listen to teaching, preaching and take copious notes. You read constantly. You purchase and study the latest, most brilliant Christian authors and books and attend every advanced discipleship, marriage, and deeper life conference you can find. Yet your Christian life isn’t working for you. You are stressed, anxious, feel guilt and lack joy.
What if we have had it wrong. If we do-to-be…accepted, holy, righteous and approved we spend our days on a treadmill with a never changing view.
It is when we function from be-to-do, when we know our identify, when we know we are His kids, accepted, loved and cherished by God that we develop a rich life of intimacy with God. When we know Him and know that He loves us and do not have to cower in fear, guilt or shame, we GET TO choose where we place our attention and what we put our focus on.
The outer appearance looks the same, but that is the only similarity. It’s been said before, “Know God, know peace…no God (no true, intimate relational knowledge of God), no peace.”
Masterpiece Biblical Counseling and many others are eager to turn things inside out with you.
(The first paragraph was adapted from a Dan Camp post)

You Always Have A place Here

2/17/2019

Sometimes we need someone to help us on our journey.

Some process externally and need a listening ear.

Some have lost their voice and need a friend encouraging them that the thoughts they hide can be spoken aloud, safely.

Some in grief need someone to check in on them, ask and listen to how they are doing, and confirm that they are taking care of themselves.

Some need to know that they are acceptable, worthy and loved. (Don't we all).

A good counselor will "hold space" with you. To hold space means that "we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they're on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control." (from The Art of Owning Your Story)

When we hold space for another, we send a message that they matter. We offer them the gift of presence. We invite them - in their time - to allow themselves to be fully known. At some point on their journey, they may invite our input into their circumstance, however, that is truly optional.

Don't be afraid to reach out. There are people holding a "you"-shaped space, desiring to join you on your journey.

There are many resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Child Protective Services (varies by state), Utah 1-855-323-3237
Churches, Synagogues, Mosques
Human Resources at your place of employment

And of course, Masterpiece Biblical Counseling is here to serve your needs.

Seeing may be Believing, But Thoughts are Real

2/1/2019

“As a man thinks, so he is.” “Take your thoughts captive.” “Renew your mind.”

We have all read these directives. We have believed and practiced these truths as best we can, but often do not find a change in our circumstances.

“Just as you have believed, let it be done to you.”

What do you do when your efforts fail; when your faith isn’t producing? Have you gone the route of trying to move God’s hand through prayer or fasting or some other discipline, because your faith alone isn’t working? Have you believed, “if it’s to be, it’s up to me?” Have you prayed like an unnamed man, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief”?

Unbelief, doubt, faithless thoughts haunt many as we struggle to live this life in Christ. It doesn’t make sense that it should be this hard.

For some of us, reading the words does not appear to be enough to change our beliefs, thoughts and behaviors.

Are we doomed to feeling like inadequate failures never experiencing the change we desire? We learn that Christ is in us and we are in Him, but life isn’t working.

What if there were information that came from a non-Biblical source that can help increase our faith. Would you be interested? Or would you say, “heresy”, or “you can’t add to faith from non-biblical sources.”

Have you considered that the Bible contains truth, but it does not contain all truth. It doesn’t tell us how to build a bridge, bake a cake or drive a car. It does present truth’s that can impact the way we do these things, but not the specifics of which nail, which ingredients or which gear.

Stay with me, please.

Sometimes we need help unpacking a truth so we can access it and apply it in our lives.

If I am chased by a bear, my first thought is “oh, no!” Adrenalin is released which stimulates the fight-flight-freeze response. I hope “flight” is activated and I can outrun the bear. A real event causes thoughts that trigger a biochemical response in my body.

What if I’m watching a scary movie and the music is building, building, building and then the monster appears…I jump and scream. An identical neurotransmitter response occurs as with the bear. My body releases adrenalin (and other neurotransmitters) and the fight-flight-freeze response is activated.

Did you catch that? My body responds whether the circumstance is real or not. The mere thought of fear or terror causes an identical same response. It doesn’t matter if it is a bear or a picture on the big screen. Similarly, when I’m in engaged with a friend in an uplifting conversation, walking in the mountains, or watching a Hallmark movie, oxytocin, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin (the happy hormones) are released.

This truth raised me to a new level of belief and increased my faith…It did not come from the faith community, but no coloring was outside the lines. My understand and appreciation for the truths were enlarged.

“Thinking is a physical process. This has been shown by experiment and our experience agrees with experiment. MRI (magnetic resonsance imaging) experiments have shown how different parts of the brain have chemical and electrical activity which corresponds to thought. Different kinds of thought processes light up different parts of the brain. Anger finds itself in one place, rational analysis another, and fear still another place in the brain. When we are thinking, brain wave patterns corresponding to those thoughts happen and neurons fire in somewhat predictable ways as that thought is happening. Besides, our common experience tells us that thinking is physical. When we think hard and long we get headaches and we get physically tired. Thinking can be exhausting, which proves that thinking is a physical thing.(Oakes, 2016)

"I Am" Two of the Most Powerful Words, for what you put after them shapes your reality." (Hensel, 2016)

“A sizable body of research exploring the nature of consciousness, carried on for more than thirty years in prestigious scientific institutions around the world….suggests that human thoughts and intentions are an actual physical "something" with astonishing power to change our world. Every thought we have is tangible energy with the power to transform. A thought is not only a thing; a thought is a thing that influences other things.” (McTaggart, 2007)

Thoughts are real. Thoughts are “things”.

When I think happy thoughts, I feel warm and accepted. When I think negative thoughts, I feel anxious and afraid.

It’s wonderful when we trust God’s word, but it’s acceptable for us to doubt and question. Thomas doubted and Jesus visited him personally to address his doubts. I believe God prefers we question and wrestle than pretend we get it and see no change in our lives.

As I think…so I am.

Science confirms truths of Scripture. Because my background is science, it is sometimes easier for me to believe reproduceable, scientific experiments that answer the “why” and “how” questions than to have to work up blind faith when the experience of the truth evades me.

Yup, it’s a struggle for me too.

Science has served to advance my faith. Science confirms Biblical truth. It proves to me that my thoughts do impact how I experience my life and encourages me to “think on these things…whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy…meditate on these things.”

I hope this encourages you. You can trust and wait on Him. He will open an avenue for you to step naturally into experiencing His great faith within you. Count on it. Think on it.

No Buts About It

1/5/2019

A great lie exists when we believe we are unworthy of the good things of God for today. So many struggle to be worthy to receive from Him and miss the beauty, wonder and awe of what is ours, today. How will you change your step to align with these truths?

Today (now), according to Ephesians 1:3-14, you have or are,

Blessed with every spiritual blessing…in Christ
Chosen…in Him…before the foundation of the world
Predestined to adoption…according to the good pleasure of His will
Accepted…in the Beloved
In Him…redeemed
In Him…forgiven of sins
Have wisdom and prudence abounding toward you…in the riches of His grace
Know the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself
In receipt of an inheritance…in Him
Predestined by His purpose
Trusting…in Him and sealed with Holy Spirit of promise

“May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may now what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according the working of His mighty power” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Read this a second time and allow yourself to pause. Where does He catch your breath? What word(s)? What truth buts up to the lie around you? Close your eyes for a brief moment and consider the truth; breathe, slowly, gently and ask Him to reveal the truth of these words that are caught in your heart. Listen…quietly…with a willingness to hear…the truth WILL set you free.

Righteousness Removes Anxiety

11/25/2018

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.

Whenwill 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 elsedied 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 alreadyamong 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.

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.

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