Blog Posts

Why only the feet?

6/2/2018

John 13:10 Jesus said to him (Peter), "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean..."

Why only the feet?

Feet walk in the dust. They touch the earth. They step on the 'natural'.

Your head may think it, mouth may speak or eat it, hands may touch it, but ultimately, metaphorically, your feet bring you there.

Here is the picture - only the part of you that touches the worldly, natural, carnal gets soiled. Only the 'outer' can get soiled. Inside you, in your spirit, you are a new creation. HE SAYS you are a saint, holy and blameless, precious in His sight, absolutely righteous.

Consider this, the Biblical definition of repentance is to do a 180 degree turn from where you are to the exact opposite. We turn ON OUR HEELS and WALK the other way. It's a feet issue. If our feet didn't touch and interact with the natural we couldn't get dirty outside and believe lies about ourselves inside.

The key is, it is not about getting soiled, but rather that you ARE ALL clean. You are perfect in Him. He has perfected you, the real you, the spiritual you in union with Him - is complete. Only when we walk in the earthy, carnal, worldly do we get soiled. The cure? Washing off of that which does not truly stick, which can't change the truth about you...under the dust you are A MASTERPIECE.

Through years and centuries mankind has picked up grime that is lovingly, gently, perfectly and completely removed by a Master Restorer revealing once again the perfection below.

Was the soiled canvas any less a work of art or highly desired? No! It just required the Master to restore it.

We can't even cleanse ourselves. The painting can't fix itself and neither can we. We wait and trust our Master Restorer for He is faithful to do so.

Let HIM today wash your feet of the lies and behaviors causing shame and guilt.

Let Him close enough to cleanse each nook and cranny revealing to you, again, your PERFECTION and His great joy in you, His masterpiec

As you let Him close, talk with Him. In intimacy and relationship with Him you CAN walk in the spirit and not satisfy the lust of the flesh. In the spirit your feet don't touch the ground.

Why 'should' we?

Not because it separates us from Him in 'sin' but it separates us from His truth and causes us to think we are something we are not - dirty and unacceptable.

The truest thing about you is what He says. He says, 'let ME wash your feet...let me prove to you that you are.....ALL holy, ALL perfect, ALL righteous'.

Selah

What If?

5/27/2018

What if?
I read today in 2 Sam 12:25 that when Solomon (name meaning “peaceful”) was born God sent Nathan to tell David the child’s name is Jedidiah, “Beloved of the Lord.” My first thought was I don’t think I ever recall Solomon being called Jedidiah and I had never noticed this verse before.

Saul becomes Paul and the Bible calls him Paul. Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai – Sarah, Jacob – Israel, and the same with others. But Solomon the wisest man ever, is not called by this name again. I went to some Bible tools to confirm that Solomon was never referred as Jedidiah again. It turns out, 2 Sam 12:25 is the only instance of that word/name used in the entire Bible. Why?

As I sat, lost for an explanation I was reminded that our name is our nature. Simon becomes Peter, a rock/stone (who became the boldest of speakers). Saul becomes Paul, small/little (perhaps to counter the greatness of his revelation and mystery).

Having a name change did not mean that these men never failed again. Abraham gave his wife as his sister twice, one as Abram and once as Abraham. But Abraham knew who he was. He knew who God called him to be (Abraham means, “Father of a multitude”).

The truth I see, the picture that God is showing me is that Solomon, blessed with everything the world had to offer including wives, wealth and wisdom was left longing and disillusioned as he aged. He did not know his identity. He did not know how God saw him or what God called him or at least the Bible suggests it wasn’t a significant part of his story.

This is not a statement about behavior. Rather it is a statement of the state of our soul and spirit. Solomon knew God, but in some way, he did not know who he was with respect to God’s thoughts toward him. Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; “I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

What is it God has named you? Who are you to Him? Who is He to you?

Fulfillment in life comes not from the externals but must start with the internals. Are you, “beloved of the Father”, “one He is especially fond of”, “loved with an everlasting love”, “precious in His sight”, “cherished”, “the evidence that He loves ‘quirky’”?

Take a moment today. Ask God your name. Ask Him His thoughts toward you. Ask Him who He made you to be and what you are. I know the answer to this last question. You, my friend, are His masterpiece.

A light in the Darkness

5/22/2018

Acts 13:47 I have made you a light to the gentiles to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth (from Isaiah 49:6)

What is the purpose of a light? It illuminates what is around it. So many Christians believe their walk, their life, is intended to look perfect so that people will see the result of their faith in Christ.

This is so mistaken!

All through Scripture God does not look at appearance, He looks at the heart. Our heart, our light, Christ within, is reflected in our situation, circumstances, and trials; but that is NOT the fullness of the truth.

Consider it this way. We stand in the world which will bring trials and tribulations according to Jesus’ own words. It is in the difficulties, in the dark times that our light shines and is seen most clearly.

On a clear, bright, sunny day a lit bulb goes unnoticed, but in the darkest tempest it becomes a lighthouse leading others from the storm to safety.

Christian, do not think that you bear salvation to others only in the easy days of summer. No! Rather be encouraged that it is during the storms, tempests and trials, bearing an eternal light of glory-in-grace that others find you real, pertinent, trustworthy and a safe harbor.

Do not despise the trials around you. Do not despise the difficulties you are in for they bring attention to the Eternal Life and Light within you. Be not concerned to judge your maturity during the hard times, for it is Him who causes the seed to grow and bear fruit.

Rather, look to Him to be reminded of your heart – His heart within – a perfect heart.

Stand recklessly in the wind and rain that will not move you. Stick out your tongue, catch the rain. Spread wide your arms to feel the power of the storm. Dance wildly in the puddles and play in the mud for this is your life – a light to the gentiles and a wonder to behold. Selah.

It's In The DNA

1/31/2018

Can a child act like a monkey? Does that make him one? Can a dog or cat speak words as a human? Does that make them a human? No! DNA is independent of action/behavior. We function best when we function in accord with our DNA, but when we do not it does not change our DNA. As a child, I was a Leventhal. Certain behaviors were expected of us, but when I did not act in accordance with these behaviors (and I did not at times, surprise) I was still born of Bernie and Sandi and would always be a Leventhal with Leventhal DNA. A deeper truth is that I am a child of God with His DNA. Somehow my parents DNA is a subset of His DNA. I'm a Leventhal-Child of God. You may be a Jone's- or Martin-Child of God. And in the same flow as the child and dog/cat above, I don't always act in accordance with my DNA...but my DNA is the truest thing about me. I'm the baby bird with wings that doesn't know how to use them yet. Or at least not fully. Yet, everything I need is wit me, and I'm growing in the truth and the ability to walk in the fullness of who I am in Christ, according to my DNA...Christ in me IS the hope of glory and HOPE is not a future event as in the English language. In Greek, it is a hope ASSURED.

New Year's 2018

12/31/2017

I do not know what the New Year holds for me, however, I know where I will spend it...

The "In Christ" fact is the vital side of the Plan of Redemption; it is always in the present tense.

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ he is a New Creation."

The New Birth is an "In Him" fact.

Righteousness comes to us, "In Him."

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them the are in Christ."

When we were born again, we came into Christ.

That is the vine and the branch life.

You are grafted in to Christ.

You become a part of Christ. His nature flows through you.
His ability belongs to you.

Just as your blood flows through your body so does eternal life flow through you.

We cannot understand it any more than we can understand the circulation of blood in our own body.

It is, "In whom we have our Redemption"

Satan's dominion, power an authority are broken over you, "In Him."

"We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him."

We have come into the New Life of oneness "In Him."

"In Him was life and that life was the light of men."

I am "In Him."

In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and life, and I am "In Him."

E.W. Kenyon
Artwork by Rick Fry

Your Name Has Been Changed

12/26/2017

In the Old Testament, to behave differently required a name (nature) change - Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel.
We, New Testament people were crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and raised to new life in Christ. Scripture tells us we ARE a new creation, the old is gone the new has come.
Our name change?
From In Adam to In Christ
From Lost to Found
From Prodigal to Beloved Son and Daughter
Today, within you is everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). You can be every good thing you desire, for you already are. The source of the life you desire is within you and the fact that you desire this life is proof He is within.
Walk in the truth as He is in the truth.

What If?

12/26/2017

What if, "It is finished?" What if the "rest that remains for the people of God" is yours today? What if He has given you "everything you need for life and godliness"? What if He really does "love you with an everlasting love"? What if He "remembers your sins no more"?
What if these things are true?
How might your life experience at this very time be different

Encouraging Me Till The Lies Go Away

12/25/2017

Cherishing me is all that you do
At all times and every day
Encouraging me till the lies go away.

Completed, finished, resting in You
That's all I've ever wanted to do
Finding peace upon your knee
There I sit, a refugee

Bruised and battered from the world
Around me all the garbage whirled
Yet now I know and now I see
Your love for me is full and free

Oh, to be loved by You
Cherishing me is all that You do
At all times and every day
Encouraging me till the lies go away

Thank You Father, thank You Son,
Thank You Spirit, to you I run
The race on earth, successfully
Knowing You are pleased with me.

All my love I give to You
Worshipping You, I gladly do
You are God and Lord and King
I'm in Your Son and NOW reigning

I'm in Your image
I look like You
Your glory upon me
All the day through

I AM TRUTH, I SET YOU FREE
GO, BEAR MY IMAGE, BRING MANY TO ME
IT'S BY THE SPIRIT THAT MEN I DRAW
THAT IN THEIR HEARTS, FOR ME, WILL BE AWE.

Free to Celebrate

12/24/2017

Reading in Zechariah this morning, and I come across chapter 7:5-6, where God speaks to the people and says (paraphrased), “was it really for me when you were fasting and even now in your holy festivals aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?” In other words, the source matters. Eating has no value on its own, nor fasting.

Consider these verses (paraphrased):
Rom 14:23 Anything not done with faith is sin.
Allow God to speak to your heart. Walk in these things. Don’t do because you should, do because He has freed you to do whatever He leads you in. Don’t judge it. We don’t see fully, rather, trust Him in all things.

1 Cor 3:13 Each man’s work with be revealed with fire that will test the quality of the work.
(quality = kind) Did this thing arise from our will and the performance-expectations of the world, or did they arise in the heart of God within you? This isn’t about fear of being exposed, rather about the freedom that walking in His freedom, even when others judge it, is acceptable, peaceable and profitable. Trust Him.

Luke 7:33-34 John the Baptist did not eat bread or wine and was considered demon possessed, while Jesus feasts and drinks and you call Him a glutton and a drunkard.
The world judges. No matter which way you go. This world of performance-based approval has us trying, doing, restraining and always questioning if we are good enough. You are...you are His. It’s not about effort but identity. It’s not about appearance but intimacy with Him who loves you.

As we celebrate the birth of the King, may we be free from the performance of “restraint.” May we be in reckless abandon and freedom in celebration at this miraculous time of year.

Once, years ago, leading a small group, I was trying to lose weight. I was bombarded with the thoughts, ‘My body is the temple, honor the temple, gluttony is a sin,” etc. As I struggled, God spoke clearly to my heart, “Vicki, you are “safe”. You are “huggable”. You are a port for these to rest with. Be who you be.” He spoke and I was given the freedom to be who He made me to be, size, weight, appearance – at least for that season. It was in listening to Him, that I walked in the weight I carried, allowing Him to order my steps in choices, and not concerned with what people would say, for He had spoken.

Today and tomorrow and through the new year, many of us will feel the need to restrain, to hold back, to exercise our will and refrain from the fullness of the celebration.

I just want to encourage you, that eating or not, drinking or not, is of no value unless Spirit led. Talk with Him. Ask Him what celebration look like for you and put aside all manner of performance-based approval. Hear His heart for you and celebrate in the beauty of the freedom He has given you. It was God who designed the temples and gave instruction for their dimensions and design, not the builders and not the worshippers. It will look different for each of us. Cookies and eggnog for me, different for others, yet as we walk in the space He gives, honoring Him, trusting Him we find the fullness of enjoyment and peace…without restraint.

Getting Past the BUT of Our Problem

12/1/2017

From E. Stanley Jones: "Forgive me when I put the blame elsewhere than on me for the way I am."
I think the hardest thing in this life is to realize we were not created to live independent of God and when we do often life goes wrong - or we experience life, "wrongly".
Consider: In this life you will have tribulation, BUT be of good cheer…, and, Lord if it is possible remove this cup, BUT not my will but Yours….
It isn't in our identifying our victimhood or past, but uncovering those hidden lies and beliefs that are affecting us. IF we could get past our defense mechanisms and see what is there we could process, grieve, accept, forgive, learn, grow, change and move forward. It is in our desperate attempts to hold the pieces together that we fall further apart, kick, scream and blame in our temper tantrum. After all, it's about us, right?
Rather, it is in release and rest we find that He has always held us together - He knit us together and our essence can never be lost.
In returning (to your Creator) and rest (He's got you and your best interests at heart) you will be saved (liberated, freed).
It isn't in holding your edges close to protect yourself, but rather in exposing your nakedness with Him that you find yourself fully covered, protected and prospered in Him.
The problem isn't outside. It isn't your circumstances. We experience our life as troubling. We blame others. We lash out at those times we lose sight of the great love He has for us. These are times we have forgotten the intimacy we have with Him and chosen to live our lives independently.
Perichoresis, a view of the Trinity defined by Alister McGrath, "allows the individuality of the persons to be maintained, while insisting that each person shares in the life of the other two.”
In living intimately with God, in the presence of His indwelling Spirit, we do not lose who we are, rather we are elevated to live our lives from Him, in Him and with Him. From this place, we live life at its fullest and find we can survive and even thrive in life’s difficulties.

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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