Right Now

It is a good thing to recognize that at the present moment Jesus is all I need. To personalize and make real for the moment, every promise that God gives us. I have everything I need, right now, for life and godliness. I have all I need, through Jesus, all I need for this morning and this day—whatever it may bring. Andrew Murraying, in Abide in Christ encourages us to not waste time in regret over past failures and mistakes, but instead to at this moment confess and ask for forgiveness and Abide again NOW.

Do it now

Abide now.

In this moment.

Do not wait for some special time, place or feeling.

Don't wait until you get it together.

Abide now.

Surrender now.

Don't worry about what you don't know or understand.

Don't worry about your struggles with sin.

Give yourself wholly to God right now.

Give all to Jesus in this moment.

Don't worry that you may not be able to maintain this abiding.

Abide now.

And every time you are reminded of this word by the Holy Spirit, again, give yourself completely to Jesus in the present moment.

Now.

He is able to do in you all that needs to be done.

You need only to give yourself to him.

Again and again.

In every moment.

Every "right now" moment is a new beginning

A new opportunity to choose to abide 

You are His.

And He is yours.

Say, “Yes, Lord, I will obey. My life is yours right now.”

Receive His thoughts.

Receive His heart.

Receive every good gift that he generously supplies.

Now.  

And when your heart strays

as it surely will

Say again

Oh, master I give all to you again

Right. Now.

This post is a combination of Andrew Murray's writings from Abide in Christ and my words inspired by the Holy Spirit.  

Transcendent God

The Holy Spirit has been speaking so powerfully to my heart lately. Though my body is weak, and tired. Though my knowledge and understanding is limited. Though my time is limited. Though I lack many abilities. HE IS ABLE to use this fragile, weak, frail and "dis-abled" person in order to accomplish His magnificent purposes.

He is a God who transcends our limitations! He's placed His transcendent, Mighty power in these fragile earthen vessels, so that we might know it's Him, and NOT us.

It is through the Spirit of the Living God that we are able to live beyond the limitations of this body.

It is through the Spirit that we experience fullness of life.

It is through the Spirit that we experience peace, though our life's circumstances may be chaotic and crazy.

It is through the Spirit that we experience freedom, though we may be behind prison walls, or imprisoned in our own body through disability, imprisoned to live in a highly dysfunctional family or trapped by some other hindrance outside of our control.

It is through the Spirit that we live as wealthy sons and daughters of the King, though we may live in poverty, debt, or other need.

It is through the Spirit that we are pure, perfect, holy, and righteous though we still struggle with sin daily.

It is through the Spirit that we experience love to the very depths of our souls, though we may not have family or friends that love us.

It is through the Spirit that we experience healing, though our bodies may be filled with cancer, chronic disease, or other illnesses.

It is through the Spirit that we are made wise, though we may be uneducated, illiterate, and dumb.

It is through the Spirit that we are full of incomparable power, though we may have no position or influence in society or we may have bodies that strain to pick up a grain of rice.

It is through the Spirit that we have hope, when there seems to be no hope.

It's a mysterious and wonderful process that cannot be completely understood or explained. We need only to believe in order that this perfectly full life, might be experienced in a world that is FAR less than perfect. We're not doomed by life's circumstances, our own abilities, or our resources. All of His gifts transcend circumstances and abilities.

So we live by faith and not by what we see.

Here are some truths to ponder as you seek to live beyond your limitations.

..The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Romans 8:26

For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom 2 Corithians 3:17

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

2 peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21

Saying No to Religion, and Yes to Jesus

Part of my family and I spent the morning volunteering at a local food pantry.  I spent the time getting to know people, hearing their stories, and re-introducing them to Jesus.  I say re-introduce because Jesus is so familiar, and yet so unknown.  Most people have been inundated with religious jargon, that seems completely irrelevant to our lives.  We've heard that Jesus died on the cross on our sins.  People know they should go to church, pray, read their bibles and try to be good people.  Religion is all about trying to be good.  Over and over I've heard  people talk about going back to church so they can start living better, or get themselves right.  Others go to church so that they hear an encouraging message that will jump start them for the week, then they go back to life as usual.  I spoke with a lady today who was more concerned about God answering her prayers than God himself.  "Yes, I believe God answers my prayers because I always see a rose when he does."  That's cool, but do you know God?  Why would God do something so personal, if he didn't want you to know Him intimately? 

(Many of us want God to answer our prayers, but we're uninterested in actually knowing Him. He's just our Genie-in-a-bottle.)

The American culture is full of religion.   So many of us put on religious masks that keep us from encountering the real Jesus.  We can say the "right" words.  We pray the "right" prayers.  We can quote scripture, and sing the "right" songs.  We go to church and participate in church activities.  But... do we know God(aka Jesus)?

How, you ask?

Great question.  How do you get to know anybody you want to know?  It's quite simple.  By spending time with him or her.  Get alone and spend face to face time getting to know God.  That requires, quite obviously, a recognition that there is a God to be known.  If you don't believe that God exists, why would you ever attempt to spend time with Him?  Once alone, talk to God.  We call that prayer.  If you're going to talk to God, you must believe that He's listening.  Why would you waste time talking to someone who can't hear you, or who doesn't care to listen?  Next you must listen to Him.  That's right, listen.  Of course, that means that He speaks.  Not only does that mean He speaks, but He wants to speak to each of us personally.  He speaks through His words.  Many of His words are written in the Bible.  He reveals to us who He is.  He shows is ways of working in the world.  He gives us examples of others who were His friends.  He teaches us much about ourselves and the world. 

He will speak specifically to us.  About our lives. About our destiny.  About our circumstances.  About who we are.  His words aren't simply printed words on a page, they are words that are overflowing with life, and meaning.  They are relevant and true.  They go beyond our natural understanding. They go deeper than deep.  Those who continue to dive into His word daily find themselves discovering treasure after treasure. There's an endless supply! 

God also speaks to our Spirits in ways that cannot be explained in words.  He speaks in our minds.  He speaks through creation.  He speaks in dreams and visions.  He speaks  in the silence.

And once He's spoken, we must believe His words to us.  What's the use in listening, if you won't believe? And what's the point of believing, if you won't do what He tells you to do?

We can also know Jesus by being around others who know Him--His children.  His children are also known as "the church".  God wants us learning together, praying together, and serving together.  TOGETHER is the key word.  He doesn't want us on our own.  In fact, He promises a special manifestation of His presence when we gather together.  I can't completely explain it, but I've experienced it many, many times.  When we come as humble seekers of the true and living God, expecting Him to speak to us and to do something special among us, He does.  Often, we come with our own agenda, that we expect Jesus to follow.  We often gather with others in order to check off our, Went-to-church-this-week box, rather than with the desire to meet with Jesus, and pour out our love and devotion to Him.

Don't abandon gathering with other true followers with Jesus.  Just find some true followers to gather with.  God will guide your search. He doesn't want you alone.

I'm currently reading a book that is encouraging me in my search to know the "real Jesus".  I want to know Him for myself.  So I'm reading the gospels with new ears, and new eyes, asking God's Spirit to show me the real Jesus.  The author of this book encourages His readers to do the same.  We've painted this flat, uninteresting, powerless, and quite frankly, impersonal Jesus.  We've made Him distant and unapproachable, sorta like the Pope.  That's not the real Jesus!  The real Jesus was continually surrounded with sinners.  Prostitutes. The despised. Thiefs. The sick. The demon possessed--crazies. The destitute. The broken. The  poor. Jesus welcomed these people in His presence.  Jesus isn't somewhere up in the clouds, unapproachable by us.  He wants us to know Him and to live in a continual relationship with Him. 

The last lady I spoke with today talked about her frustration with her church.  She wants more.  She thought that there was more. 

There is.

Religion doesn't fill the deepest longings of our souls.

Jesus does.

Say yes to the real Jesus.

He wants you to know Him.

Notes from the Father III

My people have substituted the internet, books and the experts for me.   Instead of seeking my face, and calling on my name.  They seek many other things.   And I have rendered these things useless.

For I am the Lord your God.
 Seek my face.

Notes from the Father II

Follow the example of the woman with the blood disease.  Stop searching and make every effort to be near me.  For in my presence, is healing, joy, peace, strength, freedom...life.  I am a compassionate and loving God.  I heal all who are in my presence...

At my time.

Through the process I choose.

Ultimately, full healing comes in my presence.

Stop searching and come near me.  I will direct your paths. 

I am Yahweh Ropheka, the healer and restorer.  Trust me.  I will do it.  

I love you and I desire to bring health to your body and healing to your soul.  My grace is sufficient for you.

Keep praying.

Help others to get to me.  Your prayers, your offering of time, energy, your tears, your travailing,will help others to see the path to me.

I just want them and you near me.

 In my presence is Every good and perfect gift.  I hold no good thing from you, or any of my children.   You need only to receive.  Come with open arms, like a child on christmas morning with eager anticipation that I have prepared good gifts for you. 

40 Days of Discovery - Day 27

No, you haven't missed any days.  I just haven't posted in a while.  There's been a lot going on.

I laid in bed this morning praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit.  I thought about the fact that Jesus wasn't able to heal many people in his home town.  BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF.  How could they believe that a carpenter's son was the long awaited messiah?  They would not believe.  Perhaps that's why we don't see many miracles in America.  We trust too many others things.  Doctors, medicine, bank accounts, the gov't, jobs, our resources...  What if we had no hope, no options but God.  I have a feeling that we would cry out in desperation like many I read about in the Bible.  And if we are struggling with unbelief, we would cry out, "Help my unbelief!"  That is my prayer.

I also thought of the scripture that says don't be filled with much wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Drunk people are controlled by the enemy.  Scripture says drunkenness leads to debauchery--wreckless immorality or excessive indulgence of appetites.  It is a tool the enemy uses to lower our inhibitions so that are are easier to control.  Every time I've read about a group of  people who are oppressed, alcohol and drugs are always involved.  As I think of my own family's history, both of my grandfather's did horrible things when they were drunk.  The enemy is a tyrant.  He doesn't ask to rule.  He just takes over and does what he wants, at the expense of the human.  Satan HATES us (humans)! We're made in God's image, and just think, God gave us the opportunity to rule over him.  Boy, he doesn't want us to know that!

The second half of that verse says we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  Unlike the enemy, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, as my friend Tamatha always says. His control brings good to us and to others--the HIGHEST good.  He makes Himself available to us.  He desires to control us, but he will only control us if we permit Him.  We must submit ourselves, saying, "Yes Lord have your way."  Then let Him take control.  It kinda reminds me of a game that my family plays called Family Fun Cranium.  One of the challenges requires one team member to hold a pencil while the another teammate controls the first  person's hand.  Only the person doing the controlling knows the answer.  Every one else in the group has to guess what is being drawn.  I hope that makes sense.  The pictures come out pretty funny looking.  Person 1 (the one holding the pencil) must resist the urge to control the pencil.  He  has to trust the one who knows the answer, even if he thinks he knows.  If they are able to do this, they have a better chance of winning the challenge.

I admit that I really don't know how to let the Holy Spirit control me.  I'm learning though.  I know it involves waiting.  Waiting to hear from Him before doing anything, instead of me just doing what I think.  Boy, I need some re-training in that area!  It involves listening.  Which means I must be quiet and still enough to  His voice.  It involves releasing.  Releasing my own personal desires.  Releasing my need to understand, first.  Releasing sin.  Releasing my desire to look good in front of others.  (Sometimes the Holy Spirit will tell you to do something that will make you look like a fool!)  It reminds me of a story I read recently about a man who died in a car accident and spent 90 minutes in Heaven.  A pastor and His wife happened to be traveling on the same road of the accident.  When he realized that there was an accident, he went to make his services available.  He wanted to know if anyone needed prayer.  Well, the injuries were only minor and another man was already dead.  The Holy Spirit told this pastor to pray for the dead man.  He was absolutely convinced that he was supposed to pray for the dead man.  But the paramedics kept telling him, no, this man has been dead for over an hour.  There was no need to pray for him.  The pastor persisted.  Finally, the paramedic gave in.  I'm sure the paramedic thought this pastor was a complete idiot.  Who wouldn't?   So he crawled into the back of the vehicle, put his hand on the man's shoulder and began praying.  The Holy Spirit even told him what to pray for.  He prayed that the man would have no internal injuries.  He prayed and sang, and before you know it, the dead man began singing with him.  The man wasn't dead anymore! And later, the doctors were amazed that he had no internal injuries!  This man, Don Piper, is alive today!

Releasing is hard, especially in this culture.  The mantra of America tells us to be independent, self-sufficient, strong, and competent.  Pull yourselves up by your boot straps.  Be resilient.  Work Hard.  Don't be a loser.  Don't be an idiot. Make yourself happy.  You deserve it.  No one wants to look like an idiot.  No one wants to appear weak or incompetent.  No one wants to take this Christianity thing too far!  Let's be reasonable here.  God gave us a brain, right?  And yet, when I read scripture, God's people did take it too far!  They were willing to obey, no matter the cost.  All around the world, God's people are joyfully serving Him at GREAT cost.  Their devotion encourages and convicts me.  They have the same Holy Spirit as I.  They are human like me, and yet they are able to withstand great opposition for the Name of Jesus.  I have a hard time withstanding funny looks from people.  Lord make me bold for you! 

If the Holy Spirit is to control us, we must believe and trust.  First believe that we have the Holy Spirit.  Believe that through the Holy Spirit we have been given a power that cannot be compared with any other power--known and unknown.  We must believe that this power is like the working of His mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead.  2nd we must trust the Holy Spirit.  Trust that He knows all and sees all.  Trust that He speaks.  Trust Him enough to obey His leading.  Trust that He will provide and protect.  He will protect us from deception.  He will  provide ALL we need.  Trust His timing. It's often inconvenient, or longer than we expect. Trust His methods. It's often unconventional. Trust that I have more than enough to give freely of His gifts.  Trust that He is completely good.  We can only give ourselves to someone we completely trust.  And even He will teach us how to do this.  Oh, God thank you for that.  Help me to trust you more.  Teach me more about yourself, and help me to believe.  Teach me how to give myself completely to you.  Show me modern day examples.

Hope this makes up for me not posting for a few days.

May the Holy Spirit display His power to you today, and through you for the rest of your days!

Ephesians 5:18-20

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.