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Day Twenty-Five, Under-the-Influence

September 13, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty-Five

 

Arise and Shine!

 

“Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life!] Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!” (Amp Is 60:1)

 

          Before Moses was commissioned by God to go deliver the Hebrews out of captivity in Egypt, their bodies were bowed under the strain of their evil taskmasters.  Their heads were bowed under the oppression of a system that only cared about what they could produce.  But their hearts remained attached to the belief that a Deliverer was coming to free them.  He did, and has freed – US ALL!  Yet – you and I today can often slide into a place of captivity and forgetfulness of that deliverance and freedom.  We can lose our perspective and thus our position through Christ.  There in that place of being weighed down, our heads are bowed, and we look like captives.  Even as believers, if we are not watchful, the cares of this world can choke and suffocate the Word that is in us (Mt 13:22).  But dwelling within us is the very Presence of the Most – High God, Who is more than a conqueror in us!  To be engaged with that Truth we must receive it, know it, and keep it as a light before us to walk out.

          Think of yourself like a balloon filled with helium.  Under normal conditions you are buoyant.  You float!  That is a picture of the Spirit-Filled life.  You are an over-comer.  But if you change the external conditions and begin to increase the pressure on the outside of the balloon – the balloon begins to struggle and shrink under that greater pressure.  The only way to avoid the collapse of that balloon is to increase the internal pressure to match that of the outside atmosphere.

          In life, when our focus is stayed on the world and its cares, our buoyancy begins to subside.  The problem is:  we are focused on the wrong thing.  Yes, we can be aware of the problem and issues – but we focus on the Lord!  Like Col 3:2 says, we set our minds and keep them set on things that are above, not on things on the earth.  To focus on the cares of this world steals our buoyancy and our over-coming strength in Christ.  This strength dissipates (leaks) anyway over time – so we must constantly fill up and be filled in the Spirit.  We do this by focusing on Christ, meditating on, and memorizing His Word.  We let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly.  We put on the love of Christ and enfold ourselves with His bond of perfection (this helps slow down the leaking process) 🙂(Col 3: 14-16).  And we allow His peace to rule in us – this stabilizes agitation and upheaval in us that stirs us to fretting and worry.

          So then focusing on Christ, constantly connecting and filling up on His Word, being enfolded in His love, and having His peace fill and rule in our hearts  — these are the ways we keep our lives in a place of faith and strength before Him so we can indeed arise and shine in His glory.  These are the ways we throw off the shackles of prostration and depression that the enemy would like us to be captive to.  These are the ways we keep our spiritual life buoyant and inflated with the Presence of the Lord!

          Beloved – we are free!  Our circumstances may be pressing hard against us.  We may be perplexed.  We may be pursued or persecuted.  We may even be struck down by events – but we are not struck out and destroyed! (2Cor 4:8-10) Within us resides by God’s grace everything we need to overcome every situation and circumstance.  But our success lies in keeping our focus on Him, His word dwelling in us richly, enfolded in His love, with His peace ruling over our hearts! We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!

          Arise and shine — beloved!

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Day Twenty-Four, Under-the-Influence

July 29, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty-Four

 

Of Greasewood or Mesquite

 

“And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones.  And you shall be like a spring of water whose waters fail not.”

Is 58:11

 

          There is a place where drought and dryness is of more consequence than in the geographic territory where you physically reside.  Drought and dryness are worse when they permeate the landscape of your spiritual life – because you have neglected prayer.  Prayer waters the life of your spirit and feeds the life of Christ in you.  To not pray feeds your natural life and the life of sin in you.

          The Lord showed me a dramatic analogy of this as I walked along the desert terrain where I live.  Mesquite and greasewood compete across this basin for very limited water resources.  When rain has been really scarce (like it has been here) – the mesquite looks quite green alongside the brown and struggling greasewood.  But mesquite is vicious.  It harvests poisonous thorns of an inch long or better.  It spews toxins in the soil which restrict other plant encroachment within a perimeter of 2ft. around it.  It dominates the terrain in dangerous ways.  When rain has not fallen for months, mesquite provides an illusion of health while greasewood looks virtually dead.

          Mesquite is like what proliferates in the landscape of our heart when we neglect prayer.  The worst things in us arise, and while giving the appearance of vitality – they are thorny, deadly, and vicious.  When we neglect prayer it is like the desert where rain has failed to fall sufficiently to support better foliage – like the greasewood.  So in a sense, rain to the geographic terrain is like prayer to our spiritual terrain.  A shortage of rainfall allows thorny mesquite to arise and dominate.  A shortage of prayer allows our thorny, deadly, natural life to gain ground and dominate.  Good rainfall shifts the balance for a better more profitable ground cover of greasewood to thrive.  Increased prayer strengthens the life of Christ in us, and spiritually we look like well watered gardens. 

In the desert, we often become devoted to praying for rain when it has not come.  But it is time to pray more passionately for the prayer lives of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

          So what about you?  Are you looking dry and parched and thorny in the spiritual state?  Is that the life that is dominating in you?  Or are you that well watered garden – the springs of which never fail and can even water others.  The Lord would have you be so and more.  He has made every provision for it.

          Be lush, be watered, be-loved!

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Day Twenty-Three, Under-the-Influence

July 14, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty-Three

 

To Tread, Or to Walk Upon

 

“… Take courage!  I AM!  Stop being afraid!”

Mt 14:27

 

 

                The other day the Lord showed me a comparison of what working in my own power looks like versus working in the Spirit.  Working according to my own nature – in my flesh, even with my best stuff in operation – is like me treading water.  You really don’t get anywhere, you get really tired overtime, but it does keep your head just above water.  What the Lord is looking for however in His saints– is the work that is done through faith in Him that overcomes – even our faith.  It is work done through love, in the Spirit.  This kind of work looks like Peter – walking on the water!

          Now I have heard that Peter was disobedient, reckless, all kinds of things negative because of this water-walking episode.  But interestingly enough, the Lord’s only rebuke to him was that he doubted!  In the Matthew verse above, Jesus had just spoken to them as a group and commanded them to stop being afraid.  Under the canopy and faith ignition of that word, Peter – in exuberant spirit – says to the Lord, “If it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  The Lord did then command him to come.  Only after Peter allowed his attention to move from the Lord to the wind and waves did he succumb to fear and began to sink.

          But notice this.  Jesus had already made a perfect provision for Peter to walk on the water, and walk without sinking!  When Jesus said, “I AM!  Stop being afraid!”  He was laying out a blanket statement which made it possible for Peter to walk on water.  His query to Peter about doubting did not pertain to Peter’s walking on water.  It pertained to Peter’s doubting the very veracity of Jesus’ word which He had just spoken.  The same word released faith in Peter initially to walk – but was dissipated in the face of the contesting wind.  The cares of this world do indeed choke the word that is within us!

          Peter, had by faith in Jesus, overcome his natural fear to walk on water because of the power of Jesus’ word.  But then Peter’s focus gave way to the wind and waves (the world) to overcome the word in him!  This was his failure, and though momentary it brings a glorious demonstration for us.  You see – ignited by faith in the Lord’s word through love, we too are called to be overcomers of every situation that life hands us. 

          Can you believe this?  John 16:33 tells us this very thing!

                   “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

 

Also, 1Jn 5:4 further develops this concept:

          “For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world even our faith.”

 

          Whatever is born of the Spirit of God – is spirit!  This spiritual power (of faith through love) has the capacity to overcome every thing which the world can throw at it – even our faith.  This spiritual power is  the very life of Jesus operating within us as believers!  Hence, this Scripture (1Jn 5:4) is a depiction of Peter walking on the water.  Walking on water: – the truth of the supernatural life in Christ.  Treading on water: — the natural power of man’s own natural life on display.

          Can we believe Jesus’ word even now – even for today?  He still says: “Take courage!  I AM! Stop being afraid!”  It is just as true today!

          Be-loved!

 

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Day Twenty-Two, Under-the-Influence

July 8, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty-Two

 

Are You — Sowing to the Flesh?

 

“For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Gal 6:8

 

            This is an area of foundational teaching that often gets left in the pursuit of what seems to be more “cutting edge” Biblical teaching.  For that reason, much of the Body of Christ does not comprehend what it means to sow to the flesh or the spirit, and its great importance.  Tied closely to the doctrines of walking in the Spirit (or conversely walking in the flesh), it is an enigma to many believers.

            In Day Twenty-One of this devotional, we looked at the dangers of flattery because of the component in us which flattery feeds – the flesh.  So this notion of sowing to the flesh is closely linked with the topic of Day Twenty-One.

            Once a believer is born again he carries within him two natures.  He retains his old nature – his soul (comprised of his will, intellect, and emotions), and his physical body.  His soul and his body are something he received because of a natural birth.  They are his flesh.  While they are not “evil” (unless they are engaged in sin) – the soul and the body together are always flesh!  They can do good, but they can also easily sin.  Satan counts on you continuing to operate in the flesh even for good – for then it is a small leap to bring you to sin in the flesh.

            The believer also now carries within him the life of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Holy Spirit) within his own regenerated spirit.  You received this supernatural life when you were born again.  This new life in Christ gives the believer the mind and will and intentions of Christ, and the ability to be led by the Spirit.  But remember, these two natures are completely adversarial in what they want and their posture.  Hence, a struggle is introduced into our lives that we have never known before we became a believer:  the struggle between the flesh life, and the spirit life; the natural life and the supernatural life.

To sow to the flesh simply means that the believer is drawing upon his old flesh nature to live his life, instead of drawing upon his new nature in Christ.  The word  sow in Strong’s is #4687 speiro.  Speiro means to scatter, i.e. sow (lit or fig):- sow(-er), receive seed.  It also says that is it probably strengthened by #4685 spao, which means to draw out.

Now think of your flesh life and your spirit life like two different bank accounts.  When you live your life drawing on the assets of your flesh (your will, intellect, or emotions, or the demands of your body) – you are sowing to the flesh.  Not only do you live a flesh-centered existence, you are continually preferring the flesh and gratifying it, but that flesh-based currency can only extend the flesh.  So as you try and minister or witness to the Lord, if you are relying on flesh currency – you will only extend and draw out the boundaries of flesh.  That is what happens both within you, but also within those you minister to or teach.  You strengthen the flesh life in yourself and them, and therefore you reap only flesh and from it decay, ruin, and destruction.

That may seem harsh.  After all, as a believer, your desire is most likely to serve the King!  The truth is, however, we can only serve Him on His terms and those terms are to serve Him through the nature of Christ in the Spirit of Christ.  Only in that way is there spiritual success!  Only in that way do we work in righteousness!  When we work through our spirit and the Holy Spirit we are drawing our “currency” out of the Spirit of the Kingdom of God.  What is extended then is of the spirit – it is extending and drawing out the spirit life.  It is both bringing life in the spirit, and also strengthening that life.  Only currency in the spirit can do that – not currency of the flesh life.  But sowing to the spirit reaps eternal life for ourselves and others who receive it!

Now the enemy counts on us spending our lives drawing on the flesh to try and build the Kingdom of God.  He counts on us remaining ignorant of the concept of sowing to the flesh or the spirit.  Why?  As said before – when we live our lives drawing upon and out of our flesh – it is easier for the enemy to move us into sin which brings us under condemnation.  Also drawing out of our flesh currency is a futile exercise.  All that we strengthen, all that we extend remains of the flesh nature – and only flesh.  This brings no profit in the spirit.  This effort will ultimately reap ruin and destruction for the lives involved.

             So what are we to do?  Live as Jesus has provided – by His Spirit Life!  We live and move and have our being in Him – in His life, no longer in our old life!  Learn how to discern if you are walking in the Spirit, or are you walking in the flesh.  But learn to draw everything that you work with, live by, build with, and share — from the assets of your spirit “currency.”  The first part is to understand that this issue exists.  The second part is to pursue knowledge from the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God for living righteously according to the Spirit of Life in Christ.  May you be blessed to have your eyes fully opened and walk according to this provision!

            Be-loved.

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Day Twenty-One, Under-the-Influence

July 6, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty-One

Be Careful What You Are Hearing

“… The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you – and more [besides] will be given to you who hear,…”

Mk 4:24 Amplified

 

 

            We live in a precarious time – much more than is realized.  It is an age of measured, careful words, political correctness, and grave concern over dealing in truth and love.  Truth is parsed, modified, and watered down.  We love to be stroked and complimented by words.  We believe the ones who truly love us will tell us things that make us feel good about ourselves.  Between truth and flattery – it appears we prefer flattery.

            So is it wrong for us to compliment, or flatter?  Is it dangerous to desire to build someone up?  Well — let’s look at this.

            When we compliment a person, what are we strengthening in that person?  Are we strengthening their spirit man — or simply their flesh?  Am I complimenting their skills, thought processes, speaking ability and delivery?  Am I amazed at their erudition, their grasp on an issue or their ability to unpack that topic with eloquence and simplicity?  Please understand – if I am a servant of God and doing His work – then it is His work that we are seeing unfold in a servant, and our praise should be to Him alone.  To God be the glory!

            Philippians 2:13 is very straightforward:

                        “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” 

So as we set the matter or task at hand before the Lord, asking for Him to establish the work in us according to His will (Prov 16:3), then truly we cannot safely take credit for its outcome or success.  Indeed, I would say that it is dangerous to do so for it feeds in us the very same soulish/fleshly nature that we are called to surrender and put to death as a living sacrifice, before being able to do this work according to the spirit.

            The greatest difficulty in the Christian walk is to continuously walk according to the spirit of God.  Galatians 3:3 confirms this with its biting truth: “Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?”

            Romans 6:16 further affirms this in showing us that what we surrender to rules over us for either sin, or obedience.  If I surrender to a belief that my flesh is worth accolades from man, if I take in flattery as truth, then it is a very easy step to believe that I am “something worthy of flattery!”  That in essence negates the need for the cross, because my flesh is good.  This part of my flesh is ok!  Saints – NO FLESH IS EVER GOOD!!!  So complimenting flesh becomes a dangerous slippery slope that I myself do not want to walk on, or place others on either.

            But you say – “Well flattery can’t be all that bad, right?”  In the Book of Job, a righteous man (Elihu) puts this light on flattery.  He says:  “I will not [I warn you] be influenced by respect for any man’s person and show partiality, neither will I flatter any man.  For I know not how to flatter, [wasting my time in mere formalities, for then] my Maker would soon take me away.” (Job 32:21-22)

            So why are flattery and compliments dangerous?  They cause us to regard ourselves again, and they take the regard off of Christ where it should be.  After submitting our flesh and ourselves before the Lord, to render them inoperative – why would I want to again awaken or inflate again those elements of the flesh?  I would not!

            If something is good, if it is of merit, if it is true, or praiseworthy – I can be very sure it did not originate with me.  It was given to me by Jesus through His Holy Spirit.  Then I am called to give praise where praise is due – to Him!  It is His effectual work!  I cannot even take credit for my effort and surrender, because even in that it is not in my own strength – but in His working in me!  So if you must compliment – give it in praise to the Lord for the work He has been able to do through that person.  Not for the person themselves!

            Be-loved, be-warned!

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Day Twenty, Under-the -Influence

June 17, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Twenty

 

The Battle for Your Belonging

 

“For this is why the good news (the Gospel) was preached [in their lifetime] even to the dead, that though judged in fleshly bodies as men are, they might live in the spirit as God does.”

1Pet 4:6 Amp

 

            Every day, every hour you live a battle rages.  You don’t necessarily feel it, although you might become aware of the pull as the struggle increases.  If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ – this struggle doesn’t exist for you yet.  But for the believer, it is all out warfare.  It is the battle for who you belong to!

            There are two choices.  If as a believer you are following your natural self, your own ideas, feelings and preferences – you still belong to the flesh.  You are still carnal – and what predominates in you is the flesh even though you are saved.  But if you have surrendered your flesh to the Lord, daily for crucifixion, and are instead following the leading of the spirit – then according to Watchman Nee you belong to the spirit and are increasingly becoming a spiritual man. 

            This is the will of God for you; this living in the spirit.  It is what is referred to in the Scripture above.  As believers, our flesh is judged already.  It is condemned and dead by virtue of its sin and guilt.  Thus, if we agree and live not according to the dictates of the flesh but according to the spirit – the cross has been applied to ourselves by the Holy Spirit and we begin to then walk according to the word of God.  Now the promises of God, and the life of the spirit predominates in us and our lives become testimonies of the overcoming power and victory of Jesus Christ.  Though we are dead – we walk in the resurrection power of a living God!  Though we still live in the world – He has overcome the world – even our faith!

            As we obey the spirit – we become spiritual.  Our affiliation with God increases and our affiliation with the world and all of its draw and attraction decreases.  This is what is meant by 1Peter 4:1-2 in the amplified Bible: 

“So since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God].

For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.”

 

            Do you seriously hunger to be a spiritual being?  As a believer in Christ there is only one way – belong to the Holy Spirit!  This is the place where the power of God can begin to be manifested through you for the glory of God!  But it is not for the carnal, the selfish, or the fainthearted — for it will cost you everything!  But for the willing – it will open the destiny of God in your life.  Are you willing?

            Be-loved!

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Day Nineteen, Under-the-Influence

June 14, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Nineteen

 

 Obedience—The Gateway to Habitation

 

“… and you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service].” Amp Eze 37:6

 

            Chapter Thirty-seven of Ezekiel is an amazing study of the progression that must take place for a person or a people to become the dwelling place or habitation of God.  It is worth much study and meditation.

  1.  We must hear the word of the Lord.  Before Christ’s life can enter us – His word must enter us.  The word makes a place for His life to dwell.
  2. We must believe His word.   As the Lord commanded (by His authority) Ezekiel to prophesy in verses 5-6, so that word likewise has to be received and believed in our hearts – according to His authority.  The Lord has elevated His word above His very name.  It is in complete agreement with Him.  It is a reflection of Him to show us His character.
  3. Obedience participates with the word to accomplish what the Lord desires.  Ezekiel obeyed exactly what the Lord instructed him to say.  The bones also had to be obedient and receive what the Lord commanded (breath, spirit, life, sinews, flesh, and skin – and then breath and spirit again!).  This is an obedience of surrender – we can only agree and receive.  We have no power ourselves.
  4. We must recognize we are dead in our selves!  The breath and spirit of God had to come upon these bodies again, just as in regeneration our spirits are first made alive, and then the Holy Spirit also comes and fills our newly enlivened spirit.  Romans 8:10 explains that if Christ’s life lives in us then our natural body is dead by reason of sin and guilt.  But God the Father through the Holy Spirit restores life to our short-lived perishable body (Rom 8:11).  We are called to daily reckon ourselves as being dead to sin and all relation to it, but we are now alive in the new life afforded to us by the resurrection life of Christ.  This is an obedience of faith (not sight) – I must agree by faith with the word.
  5. We must put off our old nature!  Romans, Colossians, and Ephesians (just to name a few) all call us to strip off/ put off/ or otherwise deaden our old nature (the flesh – which is everything that you had before being saved).  This actually means putting our old man (our soul with its will/intellect/and emotions and our physical body) at the foot of the cross and renouncing all first use of it. This is also something that must be done daily.  Otherwise the flesh will continually try to assert itself and reassume control over the spirit life in you.  We are now called to walk according to the spirit, and indulge nothing of the old flesh life in us.  It must die.  This too is obedience to God’s word, by faith.  It means now obeying God’s life in us – not our old nature.
  6. We must put on the new nature!  Ezekiel is told by the Lord (Eze 37:11-12) that the newly clothed population will say that their hope is lost that they are cut off.  God explains that He will open their graves and cause them to come out of their graves.  He will bring them back home – to Israel.  This is much like our walking out a new life in Christ as a believer – for we have risen up out of the grave of our baptismal waters to a new life in Christ.  But this is something to do and realize daily so that in our obedience the word would be true in us: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in this body I live by faith in God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)  Again, Ephesians, Colossians, and Romans speak of the need to put on this new nature.  One must understand this to be able to walk according to the spirit in their new life in Christ. 
  7. Be God’s People.  Ezekiel 37:21-28 describes being the people of God.  We will be separated from every other people.  We are under one Kingdom.  We will no longer pursue idols or detestable things, we will be saved.  We will be cleansed.  We will have one King.  We shall dwell in His Kingdom. We will live in peace.  Our dwelling will be with God and His with us, and we shall be His people.  This is not us living our life in His name.  This is us living His life, in His name, for His glory!  While the text of Ezekiel does refer to the Israelites (I am not adopting replacement theology here) – the things God requires here from Israel for habitation is also required of us – namely first and foremost our obedience!  For additional support check out the Scriptures 2Cor 6:14-18, and 2Cor 7:1.  Also realize in Ephesians 2:14-16 Christ has made a way in Himself to make one new humanity out of Jew and Gentile.  So we are all one people of God – in Christ!  Hallelujah!
  8. Be-loved.

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Day Eighteen: Those who seek honor for themselves

May 24, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Eighteen

 

More on Habitation

Those Who Seek Honor for Themselves

 

“He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself. …”

Jn 7:18a (AMP)

 

 

          On Day Sixteen we first began looking at the habitation of the Lord.  Today we continue that topic with a look at something that can block the Lord’s habitation in our lives: having a wrong motivation – which is a motivation not from the Lord.

          The Body of Christ has allowed waters of disobedience to muddy and cloud truth in our hearts by retaining motivations from ourselves — yet believing they are from the Lord.  This passage in John 7:18 deserves much focus and meditation.  Jesus clarifies that if we speak according to our own authority (what I believe I know/understand/trust in my own soul) I speak to win honor for myself. 

          Have I sent myself to a task?  Have I taken up a cause or obligation where the Lord has not sent me?  Have I pursued action and busy-ness — racing to do things for the Kingdom that appear good from every logic angle I inspect, but have not been requested or sanctioned by the Lord? If I do not have His yes – His Amen – in me, if I have not made a “practice” of surrendering to Him my life and my works and motivations, then I am quite probably operating on my own authority for my own honor.

          Many would quickly say to this, “Well God gave me a brain to use – to decide things.  He would not have me be just sitting around not using it!”  And indeed God did give us a great brain – a wondrous computer to compute with.  But He wants it to be brought under submission to Him in every way.  The Lord does not want us to operate as loose canons working independently of Him!

          Does a musical conductor allow you to play any note you want at any time you desire?  Does your own body allow your hand to go off seeking its own plan and fulfillment?  No – of course not!  Yet the Body of Christ consistently presses against the constraint of God’s love to do exactly what it believes is the correct thing to do – without waiting for the leading of the Lord.  It was this same independence that got us into trouble in the Garden.

          Listen to the second part of John 7:18:  “…But He Who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent Him, He is true; and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him.”  You might see that and say it’s ok because it’s talking about Jesus – He was supposed to do only and all that the Father said to do…, and you would be correct!  But you see – Jesus is the Head of His body.  And that same body (His Church) should be constrained just “as He is” … by His rule, His authority, His leading, and His instruction.  1Jn 4:17 says that “…as He is so are we in the world.” To be otherwise – is acting independent of His authority, is seeking our own honor, and is in fact rebellious and resistant towards Him.  This simple independence will preclude and interfere with the Lord entering habitation with us – everytime.

          Be-loved.

 

 

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Ode to the Twenty

May 11, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Ode to the Twenty

 

 

My fallen friends so strong and true,

Not slacking – but faithful, stalwart troops.

Perimeter guards of yonder ground,

Your passing raises grief profound.

 

Though quiet in your duty held,

A fragrance sweet your bodies meld.

And wind would sing through piney boughs,

A lullaby to sooth those raw.

 

Mighty and strong with arms outstretched,

Inviting beauties of captive-ness

You blessed us with a scenic pose,

Evergreens in tidy rows.

 

A few as babes seemed slightly odd,

Knobby limbs with fir-like blobs.

Little Alice-the-Goon so sweet,

A friendly welcome from one petite.

 

But now she and nineteen passed,

Taken in the wintry blast.

Unable to such cold endure,

All life flow ceased will flow no more.

 

Now the howling chain-saw blades,

Usher in silence and empty lanes.

Where once a field of twenty loomed,

An evergreen memory is entombed.

 

 

©2011 Sandra Gilloth

Two of Twenty

 

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Day Seventeen, Under-the-Influence

May 10, 2011 by insolomonsporch

Day Seventeen

“Our Alabaster Flasks”

 

“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the Leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.  Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.”

Mk 14:3 NKJV

 

        This flask that Mary of Bethany broke to anoint Jesus for His burial was a product of worldly commerce.  It was earned as Mary plied her trade in the world – but as she surrendered her life to Him back in the city of Nain (Lk 7:37-50), both she and all that she possessed were committed into His Hands (specifically this costly ointment as well as all other things were brought into the Kingdom of God).  Thus, what was worldly became part of the kingdom and qualified to now anoint Him for His burial.  In truth, it is actually a picture of resurrection more than death, but to understand it we must look further.

        When Mary chose Jesus – she chose the better portion.  In surrendering to Him as Lord she was in fact choosing to renounce her own soulish existence and to now live for Him through His life in her.  This is what every Christian is called to – to in the spirit live out the resurrection life of Christ in place of our own lives.  Romans 6:13 describes it as yielding our bodily members and faculties to Christ as though we have been already raised with Him to new and perpetual life.  Verse 6:5 shows us that because of His death and our sharing of that death (by identifying with His death on the cross and losing our own soulish life), we share His resurrection by living a new life for Him now – through His Spirit in us.

        The alabaster flask was costly and broken, to be poured out for Him.  You and I are also costly clay flasks that are broken for Him and His service when we find Him as Lord and Savior of our lives.  To lose our lives for Him (to essentially lose sight of ourselves and our will, intellect, and emotions – our soul) is the call of the higher life in Christ.  Not only is this often ignored in Christian teaching today, but it is often put aside completely.  Thus we have much of the Body of Christ living and looking like the world instead of Christ.

        This, however, is not the true destiny of believers.  We are called to be a fragrance – an aroma which seems to be wafting from death to death, but is truly a sweet fragrance of Christ which ascends to God.  To those who are perishing (unsaved) we are the aroma of death, but to those who are being saved we are the aroma of life, a vital fragrance, living and fresh! (2Cor 2:15-16)  It is because in sharing His death we receive His life – a fragrance that is most pleasing to God!

        Be blessed, be that fragrance, and be-loved today!

 

(For more on this topic –check out the Essay: “The Memorial: A Case for Mary of Bethany” also at this blog.)

Posted in Under-the-Influence, Devo Shorts 2011 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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