Through Love Serve One Another

Upon reading my previous blogs I realized there is a topic dear to me, that I have not covered.  And that is, the area of serving. In Mark 9:35 Jesus told His followers something very profound, and very different from the world system in which we live.  He said, "If anyone desires to be first he (or she) shall be last of all and servant of all."   Worldly leaders, on the whole, do NOT have this mindset, but...in God's Kingdom it is so!
 Remember the night the Lord was betrayed it says in John 13 "...knowing that HE had come from God and was going to God...laid aside HIS garments...and began to wash the disciples' feet..."  What incredible, mind blowing humility!!  The God of the universe kneeling down and washing feet!! (and this also included the feet of Judas His betrayer.) He follows it up by saying, "...you should do as I have done to you."

So the question...what does this look like in my home? As a wife--do I have this attitude toward my husband--one of humbly serving his needs? "doing him good all the days of my life."  As a mother--am I willing to forego some of my pleasures to make sure the needs of the children are met?   How about as an older brother or sister?

As a sister in the Church--am I regularly serving in some practical way, however the Lord prompts me?  This could include so many various areas: phoning someone to encourage them or pray with them; visiting someone or having them come to my home to care for them; buying a gift; cleaning the Church building; helping organize an event which purposes to bless another in some way; purposing to pray for those who meet with us, or others the Lord lays on our heart; helping disciple a new believer by spending time in the Word with them regularly.   These are some of the ways the Lord continues to show me that I can be a vessel He will use to bless someone else.
 Galatians 5:13 says, "...do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another..."  
Truly, precious believer, this is part of our calling as His followers.  HE desires to use each of us as HIS vessel in many different manifested ways...and we will not; no we can not be fulfilled without this function!

Of Job, whom we read to be a man who suffered the loss of almost everything in his life, it is written in chapter 42: 10 "And the Lord restored Job's losses (turned his captivity, his prison) when he prayed for his friends."

What a wonderful remedy  to overturn the focus on self and all our problems!  What an antidote to a world that has become so very small!  What a marvellous way to release the flowing of those rivers deep within everyone of us as believers!
The mother of Jesus said it well, "Whatever He tells you to do, do it."  We were made for this!

So Thankful for Amazing Care

This past week I had a surgery which was more major than anything I had undergone before in the almost 69 years of my life.  I knew it had to be done, and there was no inner conflict about that, but it is a challenge to consider that I would be putting myself completely under the control of the surgeon, the nurses, and the anesthetist...a very vulnerable position indeed.   Now, as a former worker in the medical field I full well know that there are imperfections and errors that can happen in times like these.

One my dear sons texted me the verse, "Let not your heart be troubled. My peace I give to you."  And that was a sweet reminder...one I was able to share with another lady who was very frightened with the thought of the same operation.  I also knew that many others were praying, or had already prayed for me, and of course, so had I.  I was actually IN HIS HANDS.

I was so very impressed with the professional, caring way each of the staff members interacted with me...all but one decades younger than I! The nurses who introduced themselves and verified my information, the young man who started the intravenous, the young resident anesthetist and the older man who oversaw it all. And then of course my Dr who was to do the actual surgery, with her resident assistant. Really!  How encouraging to meet such alert, competent, caring people!  Even in the operating room, before being put 'under' I was impressed with the professionalism...and when I next woke up to consider they would be beginning...voila!  It was all done!
I'm not sure how to take the anesthetist's comment that I should never allow someone to give me a spinal through the centre of my vertebrae but only through the side as it would take a hammer to get a needle through the calcification there!  I guess that could mean that I am really getting to be "an old fossil?"

I am quite amazed again by the goodness of the Lord as I now relax at home, recovering.  My dear husband watching over me, family and friends texting and emailing and phoning...and several suppers being brought so I don't have to think about that for a couple of weeks.

Although I'm not saying I would like to be a patient any time soon again, I am so extremely thankful for HIS care through people--even when they may not yet know Him.  And--how wonderful when those who love the Lord take up these careers.  Truly  they do become "God with skin on!"

Mid Wives can be Amazing!

The other morning I awoke with the theme of  "Thy Kingdom come" on my mind.  Jesus asked us to pray that His Kingdom would come to this earth.  But how does that happen??  Is it just a 'suddenly' when the Lord returns...or is there something unseen going on right now?

In Luke 1:38 young Mary has an encounter with an angelic messenger who told the startled girl, "Don't be afraid." After hearing what the messenger said Mary responded with an amazing statement! "Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Be it unto me according to Your Word."  This after hearing that she would bear a Son by the Holy Spirit...before being married!
Think about the mindset she had...that of a completely surrendered 'maidservant'...basically a slave to HIM.
And what did this birth cost her?  The young man she loved was going to reject her.  Her reputation would be questionable in that village and among her extended family for the rest of her life! She would be suspect and misunderstood.  When she brought the baby to the temple an aged man called Simeon prophesied that "a sword would pierce her heart." And indeed we can only imagine her pain as she stood at the foot of the cross and watched her beloved Son die! Yes, we've read the whole story and know she would see Him resurrected, but she had to walk through the whole process BEFORE seeing it.
BUT consider, muse on this...in surrendering to this whole process of HIS birth and in loving Him, did she not bring forth the Kingdom?!

Now let's shift gears and go to Genesis 35 where Rachel. so many many years before,  is travailing in birth with her last son, Benjamin.  Listen to what the midwife told her as she was dying, "Do not fear, you will have this son also."  As the mother breathed her last she named him, 'Ben-omi which means 'son of my sorrow'...and indeed he was; BUT...what did his father, Jacob call him? 'Benjamin' which means 'son of the right hand.'   Have you ever considered what  a picture, a foreshadowing this was. of the Messiah Who would later come, live through the whole process of human life; die  and then be resurrected now to sit at the Father's right hand?!

When we bring forth something of the Christ life we, like Rachel, may experience travailing sorrow, even a type of death BUT in doing so,  we also are granted the privilege of producing something Divine...something of the Kingdom which one day will be completely manifested on this earth.   In those times of our lives we may need a faithful midwife, telling us not to fear...not to shrink back!  We can have this experience of Christ also...and it will be worth everything!!!

Let's now go to Exodus 1 where midwives were helping the women of God with their births in Egypt.  These ladies are actually named in the holy Scriptures!  Shiphrah which means 'splendid, royal canopy' and Puah which means 'brilliant, glitter.'    I'm pretty sure that is how God sees those who assist people of God in their 'transition' moments of bringing forth more of Christ in their lives! They were told by the then world ruler (who is not worthy to have his  name recorded by God here) that they were "if a son, kill him."    Scripture says, "But the midwives feared God...didn't do as the king of Egypt commanded but saved the male children alive."
When confronted by the ruler they said " the Hebrew women are 'chayah'-lively, revived, quickened- so didn't need them for the birth.   As a result of their faithfulness Scripture says, "Therefore God dealt well with 'them'...He provided households for them because they feared Him."  "And the people multiplied and grew very mighty."

Precious believers, can we "settle it in our hearts" that we will not shrink back in our travailing moments?  Are we willing to assist those who are in 'heavy labor' around us?   I am convinced that by doing so...one by one; and trial by trial in this way His Kingdom is coming!!

The High Praises

Recently a book by a man called Merlin Carothers came to my attention.  I was strongly encouraged to read it and what amazing timing!  I can only conclude this was my heavenly Father directing me.
This brother has been with the Lord for some time now, but when here he had incredible revelation about the matter of praising the Lord at all times, for all things.  There is a verse in Ephesians 5:20 which does instruct us to do exactly this.
But why thank Him for all things?  There is something divine that happens when we do. In fact, "the Lord inhabits, dwells in the praises of His saints."  When trials come as they will, do we not want HIS Presence with us in them?  Absolutely!   Our soul is so easily distressed, but praising in the midst of trials subdues the anxiety, the sadness, the negative moods of any kind.

The Bible says that we believers have "the mind of Christ."  When I checked the Greek meaning for 'mind' in this Scripture I found it includes not only thoughts, but also emotion and desires.  So.o.o.o....it looks as if we have two minds--HIS and our unrenewed one.  Which one will rule us?  Which one will "have dominion over" the other?    I am finding in a very wonderful way, that by verbally praising out loud, the Lord causes HIS mind to subdue my natural one...and the 'double mindedness' that I have so often endured is ended. Will there be more battles this way? Sure! But I can "settle it in my heart"  that I will praise Him!
Again in Psalm 149 there are some amazing verses. (I just love the Bible!!) "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand."  Have you ever considered what the 'high' praises are??   In Hebrew here, the word indicates the abundant, satiating, running over, flowing almost to produce a sense of drunkenness.
Then the "two edged sword in my hand."  So,o,o,o  we praise first, and then we discover we have authority in the battle!  The next verses go on to say..."to bind the kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron. This honour (magnificent splendor) have all His saints."
Oh, to just dare to actually do this at every times...in every trial!!!
Many people I know have been undergoing severe trials in their lives. I believe our Lord is teaching us how to endure in victory!  Let's dare to praise Him...to "always rejoice!"

Does HE always delight in HIS children?

And now  the summer is over again.  We sold ALOT of corn...beautiful delicious cobs...for only $5 per dozen.  So.o.o many customers returned to say how they absolutely delighted in it!! And- "please! You simply MUST grow exactly this brand again next year!"  To sell it produces a very busy time for us; and we could not do it without the help of our older grandchildren.  The wonderful thing is...they love helping! (and we do spoil them with treats a little while they are with us.) So we are very blessed; and if the Lord continues to give us good health we will persevere next year.

I have a question in my heart, though...unrelated to my  comment above. And it is this, "Does the Lord 'always delight' in His children?"  Some say, "yes."  But, I cannot see that to be true.
Humanly...although we always love our children; we do not always 'delight' in them. When they are rebellious we are saddened.
And when I am turning my heart away from the intimate position of abiding in Christ, with His Spirit within me, I sense that I am grieving HIM.  In His Word we are told NOT to grieve the Holy Spirit, so we know it is possible to do it.  I realize this does not make Him love me less BUT...according to that Scripture  it is possible to cause HIM grief.
We are also told to live ...to guard our heart in such a way, that when we see Him we will not be ashamed before Him.   And so...it is possible to experience a sense of shame.  Why?  Because at times we know very well that we have not obeyed His promptings. We have as it were, 'tuned Him out.'

That is the bad news.  The good and wonderful news is that we do not have to stay 'out of fellowship' with Him!  In an instant; upon realizing our trespass, we can confess and come to Him!   When I think of how many times in my life that I have had to do this, my heart becomes overflowing with love for Him...His mercy and compassion!!!   And I can relate completely when He said, "To whom  much is forgiven, the same loves much."

Throughout the decades while attempting to follow my Lord, I have become painfully aware of the battle within.  Old nature, flesh wants dominance...wants control. And new nature, spirit wants HIM!
Maybe that's why I love my early mornings with Him so much...as the song says, "The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. It's time to sing Your praise again."   Each new day is one of hope.  HE has 'laid hold of us'...HE is praying for us!  HE is operating within us! And..."greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world."

May we each encourage one another to "run the race set before us."  May we "exhort one another daily" to do this...and to "redeem the time"...finding our turned away moments of shorter and shorter duration, until we find ourselves "dwelling, abiding, remaining continuously in the secret place of the Almighty."

Does HE always delight in HIS children?

And now  the summer is over again.  We sold ALOT of corn...beautiful delicious cobs...for only $5 per dozen.  So.o.o many customers returned to say how they absolutely delighted in it!! And- "please! You simply MUST grow exactly this brand again next year!"  To sell it produces a very busy time for us; and we could not do it without the help of our older grandchildren.  The wonderful thing is...they love helping! (and we do spoil them with treats a little while they are with us.) So we are very blessed; and if the Lord continues to give us good health we will persevere next year.

I have a question in my heart, though...unrelated to my  comment above. And it is this, "Does the Lord 'always delight' in His children?"  Some say, "yes."  But, I cannot see that to be true.
Humanly...although we always love our children; we do not always 'delight' in them. When they are rebellious we are saddened.
And when I am turning my heart away from the intimate position of abiding in Christ, with His Spirit within me, I sense that I am grieving HIM.  In His Word we are told NOT to grieve the Holy Spirit, so we know it is possible to do it.  I realize this does not make Him love me less BUT...according to that Scripture  it is possible to cause HIM grief.
We are also told to live ...to guard our heart in such a way, that when we see Him we will not be ashamed before Him.   And so...it is possible to experience a sense of shame.  Why?  Because at times we know very well that we have not obeyed His promptings. We have as it were, 'tuned Him out.'

That is the bad news.  The good and wonderful news is that we do not have to stay 'out of fellowship' with Him!  In an instant; upon realizing our trespass, we can confess and come to Him!   When I think of how many times in my life that I have had to do this, my heart becomes overflowing with love for Him...His mercy and compassion!!!   And I can relate completely when He said, "To whom  much is forgiven, the same loves much."

Throughout the decades while attempting to follow my Lord, I have become painfully aware of the battle within.  Old nature, flesh wants dominance...wants control. And new nature, spirit wants HIM!
Maybe that's why I love my early mornings with Him so much...as the song says, "The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. It's time to sing Your praise again."   Each new day is one of hope.  HE has 'laid hold of us'...HE is praying for us!  HE is operating within us! And..."greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world."

May we each encourage one another to "run the race set before us."  May we "exhort one another daily" to do this...and to "redeem the time"...finding our turned away moments of shorter and shorter duration, until we find ourselves "dwelling, abiding, remaining continuously in the secret place of the Almighty."

The Great Struggle Within

The other morning upon waking, I found my heart musing on the story of Rebecca in Genesis 25.  After being barren for about 20 years she had finally conceived, but "the children struggled together within her."  This was not a normal kind of movement because the Hebrew word brings out the meaning of "to crack in pieces, to crush, bruise, oppress."  And in fact, the mother asked, "If all is well, why am I like this?"...and she went to the LORD.   HE spoke to her, to say, "Two nations...two  peoples shall be separated from your body, one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."

As Esau, the first one grew, he was stronger; and because he loved hunting his red meat he was later called Edom (red).  Jacob, the younger one spent his time more 'in the house' as his mother's favorite. Likely she pondered the prophecy given by the Lord.  In those days, the firstborn was to get a double portion of blessing BUT one day when Esau was pressed with hunger he gave up his birthright for a good meal!  "I am about to die, so what is this birthright to me?" (was he REALLY dying?? Not likely, but discomfort tempted him to sell out.)
Jacob obviously schemed to get what the Lord had already said would happen, and of course this did not go over well with Esau who lost the birthright completely.  "So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and 'he' said in his heart..."I will kill my brother." 

If we now fast forward to Galations 5:17 "For the flesh lusts (passionately, fiercely over) against the Spirit and Spirit against the flesh..."  We can see that the two brothers are a picture of this struggle.   The flesh can never repent, even though it may talk as if it wants God; and therefore it MUST be ruled over by the Spirit!

Remember that God said in Romans 9:13 "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."  If we can look past our natural thinking we can understand that God loves the Spirit, but cannot tolerate the flesh.  And so must we!!

Hebrews 12 is a chapter on God's discipline.  Don't despise His chastening...don't be discouraged when rebuked by Him...whom He loves He chastens.  Be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live!  Even when it is so very painful, chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness "to those who have been trained (exercised) by it."   Pursue this peace so that what is lame may be healed.  That is truly the Lord's purpose in difficulties we pass through. 

And finally in this same chapter, He warns each of us " look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble (vex/harass) and by this many become defiled (tainted, contaminated.)... like Esau who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." He was called a profane person...one who had contempt for God and for sacred matters.

This is a serious warning, but also such a necessary vision for us to see!  There are two peoples within each of us as well. The flesh which just wants its own way, and the spirit which desires God.   Dear reader, pray that you will clearly see this, and reject what God rejects by putting off that "old man" and putting on the new one in Christ.  We CAN do this! HE is living within us to accomplish it as we cooperate with HIM!

The Self Existent , Eternal One is my Shepherd

The Self Existent, Eternal One is my Shepherd

Last week while on a walk I thought to pray through Psalm 23, and what an abundance the Lord gave me while I did this verse by verse!

The Lord is!  Right now, HE is!  And HE is "my" Shepherd!  All the pronouns in this Psalm are in the first person...so very personal!  He is MY Shepherd (which makes me one of His sheep, so I shall not lack (the old word for this is 'want.')

"He makes me lie down in green pastures"...a place where it is comfortable, pleasant and plentiful in nourishment!  "He leads me beside the still waters"...waters where I can easily drink.  To be fed richly and to drink plentifully brings us to the next verse, "He restores my soul."  Oh how our mind, emotion, and will needs restoring!  We have inherited by birth, a soul that has been afflicted with sin, but when nourished with the Lord's Presence and His Words, our soul truly begins to be restored--transformed.

It goes on to say, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." And yes, He can lead us into wonderful places--uplifted places as He heals the way we think, feel, and choose...and in turn, His name is glorified!

Interesting that the next step appears to be testing: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil."  Our Shepherd knows we need these tests, but look how gentle and wise; in that they didn't come until we were somewhat restored.  Yes, they will 'feel' terrible perhaps.  IF we can only see that even these are under His control we will not panic! "YOU are (present tense again) with me;  His rod and His staff comfort me."   He NEVER leaves us to walk through these alone, but also gives us a sense of authority (even when being disciplined) with the rod; and supported/defended with His staff.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." He wants us to learn to feast on HIM, even though the enemies of our soul are still present. This is wonderful victory because- even before it looks like it- they are defeated foes!!

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over."  Priests and kings were both anointed by men of God in the Old Testament; and in the New Testament, I Peter 2:9 says that we believers are called a "royal priesthood.". This is our portion to foretaste right now! No wonder it says "my cup runs over." We have an anointing right now...every day!

The Psalms ends by saying, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Notice "all" the days...each and every day of MY life!...and to dwell is to 'sit down/remain/settle' in His house.   I love the sequence though these 6 verses.  No wonder it has been one to commit to memory for so many generations of people! Thank YOU wonderful LORD!

x

Do we not at Times Feel like a Valley of Dry Bones?

March 7, 2015

Recently I was teaching children about grace, that wonderful gift of God's favor actually flowing into us and adjusting our hearts.  I was reminded of Ezekiel 37 where the Lord brought His prophet into  a valley of very dry bones, and then asked him, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel was not bold enough to say yes, but instead said, "O Lord God, You know." 

How often I have responded like that when faced with something in myself or others that is such a blockage to His flowing life.  Some situations, some who believe, at times surely look so dead that they are virtually "dried up!"

Thankfully this is the not the end of the account, for God then told this son of man, "Prophecy, speak what I tell you, and I will cause breath to enter into them, and they shall live."   Ezekiel then did speak as he was commanded and there was a noise...suddenly a rattling, and the bones came together!

God then gave His servant something more to speak and again he spoke exactly as God commanded, and the Bible says, "...breath came into them and they lived, and stood on their feet..."  

 These were God's people who had been saying, "Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we are cut off."  Is this not how many, or maybe all of God's people feel at times?   The obstacles to victory just seem too insurmountable, too crushing, and so very unrelenting!  Praise the Lord, the One Who sees! He has the answer, and allows, actually invites us to be part of the solution.   His grace flows into us while we open our hearts and desperately, hungrily  come to Him in the Word again. Something more of His truth ignites our deepest part , and we realize the God of the universe has quickened, has made alive another truth that we can now pray and speak and declare  out loud!    As we do this  we have the awareness that "life just entered us!"   

And then later, in the gathering of the Church  this same enlivening is moving deep within, and we in turn prophesy, speak out what He has given us to say.  In the mysterious, yet oh so real realm of the Spirit, others are then enlivened as well, and they in turn, speak what the Lord is giving them...and wonder of wonders there is a rattling, a noise, and yes! We are being raised up together!

Isn't this a wonderful vision! I truly believe that  in this kind of mutual fellowship, whether in a larger gathering, or just between 2 or 3 believers,  we are entering into the reality of Ephesians 2:22 "...in Whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Midwives Help to Bring Forth Christ

Feb. 15, 2016
There is a picture I have had in my mind for several years, so I thought I'd try to express it now.
When a woman is in labor to bring forth her baby there is generally ALOT of discomfort; especially in the transition stage, which happens just before she is able to push the baby out.
It is at that point that many of us would have "changed our minds" about the whole process (if that had been an option!)  It has occurred to me that "bringing forth Christ" in our trials is similar. 
We have fiery trials in life that produce anguish in us, and are sorely tempted at those times, to shrink back; to quit walking with the Lord. "It's just too hard! or "It's not fair! or "I didn't sign up for this!" we may say, and indeed it does seem to be the case.   However...these trials ARE what we need.  God causes (and uses) ALL things to work together for good for those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose...predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." ( Rom 8:28,29)  When we first received Christ we most likely had no idea that God Who called us has a plan to conform us to His very image...and to accomplish this we MUST be trained; changed by Him.  and...HE is a Father Who is very intentionally purposing that this will happen!

 I am reminded of  Gen 35: 16-18. When Rebecca was bringing forth Benjamin, her midwife said, "Do not fear, you will have this son also."  In her dying words Rebecca called him, "Ben-oni: son of my sorrow" but Jacob called him "Benjamin: son of the right hand."
Yes...to bring forth the Christ life in our sorrow will cause a kind of dying...at least to our 'self''!   Death and resurrection power go together.  II Cor.4:12 "So then, death is working in us but life in you."  Rebecca's experience "son of my sorrow" is one aspect; and Jacob's "son of the right hand" is the glorious result!
Both are necessary.
Several of us were spontaneously realizing that we can each have the job of midwives.  When loved ones are spiritually experiencing the 'transition stage'...having overwhelming pain, we can come along side to encourage each to keep their position in HIM...and not to despair!   There is life after death!!  More of Christ will be manifested through these trials IF we don't faint.   We will reap! We will become more like Him!
There are His promises in Rom 8:18 "...the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  And II Tim 2:12 "If we suffer/endure, we shall also reign with Him."

Keep Drinking the Living Water

Jan 2016

Recently I have been reading through the 4 books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as a "Harmony of the Gospels."  It's pretty neat to do this, as the sequence of events in these biographies of the Lord is put together in a step by step way.

In John 4 is the account of the Samaritan (a group despised by the Jews) woman...one who had made many bad choices with morality, and was somewhat shunned by the other women in her town. But the account reads, "He needed to go through Samaria."  He, Jesus the Messiah, had a divine appointment with such a woman!...and it took place by a well.

I have been impacted with the "well scenario" before. In Gen 24, Eliezer the servant, at a well found Rebeccah, the bride for Isaac the son; Jacob later met  his bride at the well in Gen 29; Moses met his bride at a well in Ex. 2; and Solomon's Shulamite bride is described as "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed...a well of living waters" in S of S 4:8.

----and now, in John 4 we read how our Lord met a woman by Jacob's well.  And He initiates the relationship, speaking these words, "If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is Who says to you...you would have asked...and He would have given you living water." And a few verses later He says, "...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst...the water I shall give will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

There are so many verses in the Word of God about flowing water, and wells!  In John 7 Jesus cries out saying, "If anyone thirsts come to Me and drink...out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living water!"  And in the last chapter of the last book, Revelation 22 we read, "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come!...And let him who thirsts come...take the water of life freely."

The Bible can be likened to a huge puzzle, with pieces that we can diligently pour over, and then put together to form an amazing picture.   As I was reading, and recalling the above verses my mind also went to Ps 46 where it says, "There is a river, whose streams (flowing) shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the most high."   And again in Eph 2 where the Word says, "the whole building...grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in Whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Even in the beginning Adam was placed in a garden with several rivers flowing; and in that setting God "built" a woman of whom Adam said, "Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh...she was taken out of man!" (out of his side)  Finally at the cross, something flowed out of the Lord's side...blood and water! for redeeming us and for building His Bride.  

Can you see this Divine, incredible picture?! God initiates a relationship with us. He calls us into the fellowship of His Son, and after placing His very life within us, begins to flow like living water into, and out of us!  As we co-operate with this; "drinking Him in, and allowing Him to flow out freely  from," He is invisibly building His forever temple...where the Triune God will live eternally with His purchased and matured believers---His Bride!

We Believers Really are Brand New!

Jan 23, 2016

I have been enjoying the Word so much lately.  First of all I have re read the book "Born Crucified" (by L.E.Maxwell) which has had a huge impact on my "seeing" what happened on the cross, and how ALL of my sin has been put on there---then put to death---and then a new life given me which is one with the Lord Jesus! I LOVE how this gives everyone a new level playing field!  

 As much as we "see" we can claim to be ours at that very moment!  No wonder the Lord had Moses erect the pole in the wilderness and put a serpent on it; and then tell everyone, "Look and Live!" Look and see how your old, ugly self has been put there! REALLY SEE that and you will LIVE!  It's the good land--our inheritance to walk about in right now while we live on this earth. We simply co-operate with HIS working in us, and gain  the victories He has won!

Another small book called "Victory in Christ" by Charles Trumbull has reaffirmed this truth.  "My grace "IS" (present tense) sufficient for you."

These 2 books, put together with what I have digested from Dan Mohler and Tod White have been such a help in my ability to pray in the secret place...my prayer closet (the car while driving or the treadmill while walking works for me lately.)

Adding to the above, I have been convicted afresh to hide God's Word within me, and therefore have committed to heart, Psalms 103, 25, 34 and 46.  Some are a review...but at this point I can pray through them without looking and the reality of the Lord's Presence while I do this has at times  been almost overwhelming!! I am so very sold on this activity! (good for my aging brain too!)

This also is helping me to pray, to declare with hope, over  saints at Faith, and other loved ones in our lives-- even when some may not yet be living with much victory in the new creation that our Lord has purchased for them.