This entry comes from a reminder I received today of what the Lord spoke to me in September 2008 and I have to say, as I re-read it, I am once again in awe of God and how He moves; putting everything in place in His own perfect timing and as He sees fit. With 27 days into 2010, the Lord is making me a firm believer that I shall see what I have said and what I say... Lord, help me to mind my words, that they align with your word, plans and thoughts for my life and the lives of others, in Jesus' name - Amen... Enjoy!
(Danielle, there's your 2010, it was all wrapped up in 2008... Call those things that are not, as if they were - because they are. Thanks for helping me stay focused...)
Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light'. (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)
Today, God is speaking to those who are tempted to grow weary; you're tempted to be weary of what's being done, what's not being done, what's being said, what's not being said, what has happened; what has not happened; what is seen and what is not seen. Basically, there is no rest and no comfort. You've grown out of a current situation; yet have not received or come into your new situation. (What this looks like is, a child's pair of pants that have become too short, but instead of being replaced with a new pair, the hem is continued to be let out. This can cause the child to feel discomfort, because not only are they too short, but also too tight. The child may also feel embarrassed by the way he looks to others, in the pants that are obviously too small.
This is what is taking place in the Body of Christ; many have taken on a new look; new speech; new attitude; new desires; new (deeper) love for God; and new understanding for who God is and what He desires for our lives and the lives of His people. We're feeling the shift of 'New Beginnings', and while this is an exciting shift, many have forgotten or just failed to realize that in order to receive and/or come into anything new, something old has to move [die] (a metamorphosis must take place). While we celebrate the life of a new born baby, oftentimes, we dismiss the fact that the metamorphosis that is taking place is because this baby had become cramped and hard pressed on every side, forcing him to move from [die to] the only life ever known, in the womb; and yet, this is still glorious... What an awesome exchange of death to life!
And what an awesome exchange Jesus offers to us, especially during this season of transition. The Scripture tells us to learn of Him - come unto Him and take knowledge of who He is and what He did (why His yoke is easy and His burden light). And so, I'm reminded of His transition from heaven to earth and back to heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God, the Father. On earth, He endured 33 years of an uncomfortable situation (not fitting in where He was, yet not fully ready to come into His new place/position/situation/dwelling). What did He do? He prayed; He fasted; He healed; He taught; He listened; He visited the shut in; He did the most unto the least; He loved; He forgave; He spent time praising and glorifying His Father; and instead of murmuring and complaining, He cast His cares upon His Father—confident of His great concern for Him; He lived; He died; and He LIVES with resurrecting power.
How are we going through this transition? Have we completed the metamorphosis, which is to die of ourselves (our flesh) and surrender to living a life of power and rest [in Him]? We are created in the image of God, so heaviness, weariness and burden do not fit us. As with anything that does not fit, we eventually need to get rid of it, and exchange it for something new.
Prayer: Lord, there are some thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, people and positions that no longer fit into my life. I give them to you, for your Word tells me to cast my cares upon you, because you care for me; and you also said you would give to me the garment of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness. Forgive me for trying to carry that which is too heavy for me - I give it ALL to you and today, I take upon me your yoke, for it is easy and light. Exchange! In Jesus' Name - Amen.
Showing posts with label Edify. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edify. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, November 29, 2009
In This World, But Not Of This World...
God's revelation is truly liberating - like approaching the mirror and approving of the reflection staring back.
My recent revelation deals with being reborn as a Kingdom citizen - understanding the Scripture that states that we are in this world, but not of this world. The Blood-washed believer has dual citizenship. We have both dwelling (where we live) and in-dwelling (who lives in us); and our in-dwelling causes us to triumph in the places where we dwell. Our in-dwelling, which is God's Holy Spirit in us, makes us leaders and victors; He gives us entitlement, though we may not have titles that are viewed as worthy in the world's eyes.
This in-dwelling gives the title of servant and friend from the one who promises nothing short of life to those who, by grace, wear His title.
Months ago, I heard the Lord say to me, "Stop shrinking from greatness". What I come to realize He is saying is to quit trying to accommodate others, by becoming small for their sake. Quit trying to live within earthly titles and the limitations of people; quit quenching the Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit is great, making us great and when we try to live beneath that greatness, it is to quench His Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is Light and light's function is to illuminate. Because light overtakes darkness, darkness cannot exist in light. What I have found myself guilty of is trying to dim the Light in me, so that others would not feel intimidated or that I would fit into their expectation of me, based on how they see me, what they have labeled me, and/or what they perceive as my professional and social capital. Based on their assessment of my assets, they have determined my worth/value to them.
Truly, I feel like the Israelites coming out of the wilderness after 40 years (how significant my age). I KNOW that my value does not rest with man, but with God alone! I am walking in the healing deliverance that God's opinion of me, makes everyone else's irrelevant.
So, how does this tie to the increased revelation of dual citizenship? I'm looking at the example of Jesus, who came to the earth, fully God and fully human. He was Light and had ALL power, yet people constantly reduced Him based on His age, His family background and relationships, His earthly trade and people's perceptions of His abilities. He had the power to save and give life, yet the people didn't see the need for what He provided; they only had expectation of the abilities and governance of an earthly king, not realizing He was King of kings - coming to establish His Kingdom. He lived in a system that was far beneath who He was - The Bible says that He condescended to the low estate of man. So, what did He do while living in a system as an outsider? He did exactly what He was sent to do - He shone as Light in darkness. He was not concerned that His very presence challenged those in darkness. He did not shrink from who He was called to be. He knew who He was and was not ashamed. He didn't wait for others to validate and affirm Him, but instead He was confident - understanding that His confidence was not contingent upon His comfort. He didn't come seeking comfort and the approval of men, but He came to seek and save that which was lost.
In the world, the Blood-washed believer may not ever be comfortable but we can't focus on this dwelling place, but on the one who in-dwells us. Christ in us, the hope of glory!
My prayer is that God's Holy Spirit would continue to comfort us as we live in this system which by, rebirth and the anointing of God has caused us to outgrow; that we would receive our growth and not be tempted to shrink and become small; that we would shine as light - overtaking darkness, in Jesus' name.
My recent revelation deals with being reborn as a Kingdom citizen - understanding the Scripture that states that we are in this world, but not of this world. The Blood-washed believer has dual citizenship. We have both dwelling (where we live) and in-dwelling (who lives in us); and our in-dwelling causes us to triumph in the places where we dwell. Our in-dwelling, which is God's Holy Spirit in us, makes us leaders and victors; He gives us entitlement, though we may not have titles that are viewed as worthy in the world's eyes.
This in-dwelling gives the title of servant and friend from the one who promises nothing short of life to those who, by grace, wear His title.
Months ago, I heard the Lord say to me, "Stop shrinking from greatness". What I come to realize He is saying is to quit trying to accommodate others, by becoming small for their sake. Quit trying to live within earthly titles and the limitations of people; quit quenching the Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit is great, making us great and when we try to live beneath that greatness, it is to quench His Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is Light and light's function is to illuminate. Because light overtakes darkness, darkness cannot exist in light. What I have found myself guilty of is trying to dim the Light in me, so that others would not feel intimidated or that I would fit into their expectation of me, based on how they see me, what they have labeled me, and/or what they perceive as my professional and social capital. Based on their assessment of my assets, they have determined my worth/value to them.
Truly, I feel like the Israelites coming out of the wilderness after 40 years (how significant my age). I KNOW that my value does not rest with man, but with God alone! I am walking in the healing deliverance that God's opinion of me, makes everyone else's irrelevant.
So, how does this tie to the increased revelation of dual citizenship? I'm looking at the example of Jesus, who came to the earth, fully God and fully human. He was Light and had ALL power, yet people constantly reduced Him based on His age, His family background and relationships, His earthly trade and people's perceptions of His abilities. He had the power to save and give life, yet the people didn't see the need for what He provided; they only had expectation of the abilities and governance of an earthly king, not realizing He was King of kings - coming to establish His Kingdom. He lived in a system that was far beneath who He was - The Bible says that He condescended to the low estate of man. So, what did He do while living in a system as an outsider? He did exactly what He was sent to do - He shone as Light in darkness. He was not concerned that His very presence challenged those in darkness. He did not shrink from who He was called to be. He knew who He was and was not ashamed. He didn't wait for others to validate and affirm Him, but instead He was confident - understanding that His confidence was not contingent upon His comfort. He didn't come seeking comfort and the approval of men, but He came to seek and save that which was lost.
In the world, the Blood-washed believer may not ever be comfortable but we can't focus on this dwelling place, but on the one who in-dwells us. Christ in us, the hope of glory!
My prayer is that God's Holy Spirit would continue to comfort us as we live in this system which by, rebirth and the anointing of God has caused us to outgrow; that we would receive our growth and not be tempted to shrink and become small; that we would shine as light - overtaking darkness, in Jesus' name.
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