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]]>“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came; the Word of the Lord tried him, (Ps. 105:17-19).
Those who are called to be a part of the first rank and order, find that they travel a lonely journey, to blaze out the trail for those who follow. The whole family of Jacob, all the sons, their wives, their children, were destined to make a sojourn in the land of Egypt, but “He sent a man before them.” One had to go first, and his journey was not the same as those who followed later.
It was an adventurous trip when Jacob and all his family came down to Egypt. Pharaoh had sent wagons to carry him, and all his cattle and goods came with him. But it was far different then the trip Joseph made, being the “man sent before them.”
Joseph’s brethren sold him as a servant. He was separated from his brethren. He knew the agony of rejection and loneliness. He knew the heartache of ‘holding a vision” that seemingly did not have the remotest chance of fulfillment. All the outward circumstances were in opposition to that which his heart yearned after. He became a servant to the mundane!
To the natural mind there is no continuity to the process. Sent by God, sold for a servant. Called to be a preserver of the people, his feet shackled with fetters, hemmed in, restricted, he was laid in iron. To use the vernacular of present times, these things just do not compute.
The inner vision says one thing; the outward circumstances are seemingly saying something else. This is the perplexity that faces those who spearhead the way from the old into the new. Only our Lord Jesus Christ has gone before us.
But the dreams and visions, which Joseph held, became a reality. After the Word of the Lord had fully tried him, his deliverance came, and he was made ruler in the land – and able to provide for his whole family in due time.
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]]>The post GRACE first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>The Bible calls God, “the God of all grace.” Grace is not just a THING God does; it is a characteristic of God Himself. Thus, God is a God who GIVES – it is His nature to give free of charge. But God will not give free of charge if His giving will do spiritual harm to those who receive.
Thus, in most cases, we must become rightly related to God before God can give, and before we will receive. That right relationship is that we become fully dependent upon God.
We see this principle in the Truth of grace. The only way to receive grace is if you have nothing to give in return. You must be fully dependent upon God. The moment you try to buy grace, or merit grace, you cannot see or recognize grace.
But the moment you realize your utter helplessness and dependence upon God, you will embrace grace. Thus, we see the relationship God desires. He wants to provide. But we must be dependent.
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]]>The post Your Purpose Is In a Seed first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>What are you looking for in life? Are you only after a better life? Are you just seeking some “choice” blessings from God? Are you looking to make someone love and care for you? Are you working your butt off for the “Good Life”? How does your life compare to the people in the Bible who waited on God expectantly?
Much of the Christian work we see all around us is related to materialism, the size of things, and their outward appearances. Ministries that seem to only do things to be seen, generally looking for immediate, instantaneous results. They are the least concerned with the eternal value of what they do, which is what God is most concerned about. God does not judge things by their size or by appearance. Nor does God look for instant remedies and big results.
The way that man chooses is often the popular way that pleases everybody. In the ministry and the work of God we are often pressured and compelled to go the same way the masses are going. Just because a ministry takes the name of the Lord before they do anything, and has a bunch of people in attendance, does not mean that what they do is initiated by God. We need to understand this. Everything we do as Christians, needs to, not only be initiated by God, but also continually led by God.
there are works that are of God, and there are works that are of men. Therefore, and hear this well, there are two starting points, one of man and one of the Lord. The way of man is usually to start with largeness and greatness……giant sized publicity and organizational structures with glitz and glamour. Man tries to impress others so that they will be drawn to the bigness being displayed. This is how man usually starts when he is going to do something for God.
We are spiritual people going for big meetings, big crusades, and big seminars and conferences. I hear people say, “ our God is a mighty Big God, and He is worthy of something gigantic and big. Do we really honor God by doing things in a BIG way? This may sound logical and reasonable, but it is actually full of deception. Certainly, God is worthy of our best efforts, but generally there is a hidden agenda in all that the carnal or humanistic man does. On the face of it, all he seems to do is for God’s Glory but the spirit behind all that he does points the honor and fame solely of himself.
On the other hand, God’s beginnings are always humble, simple, and unnoticed. God brought something “small and insignificant” when he sent His Son to earth. He was born like any other baby but in a dirty, out of the way, “barn”. During Christmas season we like to call it a “Manger” and we pretty it up, but it was a dirty, stinking stable where animals were kept. God Almighty displayed the ultimate humility appearing in the form of a man and in the eyes of man being born as a “little” baby….Miraculous!
God’s beginnings are so small and appear so little. This is what we can observe throughout the Bible in the principle of “The Seed”. It starts out in God as such a small thing yet look at all the potential in that small seed. If you can receive it, God has planted that same “Seed” within you. And that is the “Seed” of Himself. It is “THAT” Seed containing God’s own creative power and potential that when cultivated and nourished develops meaning and purpose in your life.
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]]>The post Tribulation Or Pressure? first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>When I first became saved, I had read the words of Jesus, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). At the time I was unable to find comfort in such a statement. I had reasoned, how does his overcoming help me? Sure, it is easy for him to say ‘Be of good cheer’ since he had overcome the world. But I had not and cannot be of any such cheer until I also have overcome like he had. These were my thoughts so many years ago.
Jesus said ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation’. What did he mean ? What is the world? It is rather simple. The Greek word for world is ‘kosmos’ which means the order or arrangement of things. It is the method or state of affair in which everything around us operates. In the world is the methodology around us, the system in which everything functions
Furthermore, I think the commonly used phrase, ‘they are of the world’ has an altogether different meaning than how it is used today. Often, not always, it is intended to imply that the party in question is of the flesh, mindful of earthly things, living under the influence of the devil, etc. Yet if we held to the definition of the word ‘world’, we would find that most every business, religion and activity would fall under this category. They are of a particular method, order and arrangement of things, in accordance with their day. Such is the case when one finds that they are operating according to the methods of their day.
The Greek word used in this verse is “thlipsis” and has been translated as tribulation, persecution, trouble, affliction, anguish, and burden. It is also related to another word which has the meaning of narrow and crowding. There is yet another word offered by Strong’s concordance which probably makes more sense for our present-day vocabulary – PRESSURE. Whether on the job, at home or among family and friends, everyone at one time or another has experienced pressure.
Jesus said that in the world you will have pressure. He did not say that you would have peace but rather pressure. In other words, the world operates on this principle of pressure. Whether it is to perform at work or to conform with family and friends, it is all the same, it is the order and method in which the spirit of man functions. Yet, Jesus tells us to be of good cheer since he has overcome the whole method, order, or arrangement in how things operated in his day.
In fact, he also said, “I am not of this world.” He never manipulated others by using pressure, he never controlled others by subtle tactics and emotional powerplays. Nor was he ever influenced or moved by the very principle in which everything around him operated. He overcame and conquered such outside behaviors of others. Indeed, he was able to come above any pressure since he lived in another order, another sphere, another world!
Religion has done very well by using this principle of pressure. Rather than “blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”, they have become the pressure makers! They have devised all sorts of doctrines, from using the book of Revelation and its imagery and symbolic language to frighten people; to taking other scriptures out of context and applying events to another time and generation, giving no regard that it may have already been fulfilled. This is particularly true regarding the theory of the GREAT TRIBULATION. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). Any bible teacher worth listening to would tell you that this was referring to the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by Titus.
In fact, the first century writings of Josephus have described that the Roman Empire had killed so many Jews, they were unable to lift their sword to the slaughter of another. Yet ironically, bible teachers would err by proceeding to explain to us that the remaining portion of prophesy was for another time and another people, namely our generation! Why has it become so difficult to believe the simple words of Jesus. “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matt. 24:34). Jesus said it would come to pass to ONE generation. He started and ended his discourse with one particular generation in mind, his own. Clearly, it does not pertain to our day, nor does it suggest a coming ‘great tribulation’. Such fables ought to be discarded from our very conversation.
I have observed that many Christian circles seldom have answers for those among them who are having a difficult time in coping with pressure. They often present the Christian way as a trouble-free, lopsided impression of life. As if the famous musical song by Simba and his friends in the movie Lion King were an accurate representation of our conversion and new life. Remember the tune as he wanted to put his past behind them……”means no worries for the rest of your days, its our problem free philosophy, Hakuna Matata”. For those who saw this delightful film, Simba realized that he was to take his place in the great circle of life, accepting that he could not change his past. As he recognized that his father Mufasa was alive in him, it enabled him to defeat his oppressor before he could take his rightful place as king. And so it is with us as we take our place in the great kingdom of God and the sphere of his life, he enables us and teaches us through many trials and afflictions, through daily chastening if need be, yea… through periodic walks in darkness if required, to turn us back and take our rightful place as kings!
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]]>The post The Autobiography of God first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>Clay was piled on top of Clay until a lifeless shape appeared on the ground. The entire garden came to a halt to take in the spectacle. Cherubims and Seraphims ascended and flew, stretching their wings.
Several eagles perched on the nearby rocky cliffs to take in the scene.
Materialists will fall in love with God, he promised. “You were designed to love Me, the universe, and to reflect My glory in the heavens, because that is how you were made. In Ps. 19:1, The only difference is that this one will be able to make his or her own decisions based on what I have decided.
The silence was deafening as something unseen, a seed, was extracted from the Creator’s body “Seed of the woman, it is known as “Man.”
Holy Spirit protected the seed until Messiah was born (Gen. 3:15). The silence of creation was broken only by the screams of the frightened creature.
Then the angel said, ” “Is it possible for him to “choose not to love?” The work of God has been completed!
I’ll show you when you come.” In the future, God and the angel were free of the constraints of time. See the fruit of man’s seed, which can be both sweet and sour.”
Angels have never seen anything quite like this before; the angels gasped at what they saw. His heart was warmed by the affection of the Adams family. His ears were filled with the laughter of Eve and her daughter, his eyes were drawn to the food and burdens that were shared, and his heart was filled with wonder at the warmth.
It’s time to see the bitter side of things, now that you’ve seen the sweet.”
The two of them were enveloped in a foul odor. The angel screamed in disbelief:
“What’s this?!” Only one word was uttered by the Creator. “Selfishness.” Having never seen such filth, rotten hearts, ruptured promises, forgotten loyalty, or children of creation wandering blindly in lonely corridors as they passed through centuries of repugnance, the angel stood speechless.
There was a choice to be made here, right? asked the angel Yes, but the creature (creation) was subject to vanity, not by choice but because of the One who subjected it in hope. Rom. 8: 20.
“YES”
“Won’t they ever return?”
There will be some who do and others who don’t, but in the end they’ll all do it. When I say, “Return you children of men,” I mean it literally. The third verse of Psalm 90. “No one can stand in my way.” Rom. 9: 15-22. Only one person can be in charge at any given time.
“What will it take for them to pay attention? “, I wondered.
Eventually, the Creator arrived at a tree that would one day serve as a baby’s cradle, and he could smell the hay and the dung that would surround Him even then.
His gaze fell on another tree that stood alone, its trunk thick and strong, a stubborn ruler on an otherwise barren hillside. With another step into the future, he stopped before the tree. As soon as they had finished cutting it up, they were going to hang it from another hill, and soon after that, Jesus would be nailed to the cross of that hill. His back was yet to be covered by the wood. Hands that had yet to be formed by the nails piercing his skin. Crown of thorns driving through his skull, which had not yet been fashioned into its final form
The angel asked, “Will you go there?”
“I’m going to do it.”
‘No, there isn’t’
“Isn’t it simpler to avoid planting the seed of man altogether? Wouldn’t it be more convenient if the man didn’t have to make a decision?
The Creator said, “It would,” in a measured voice. To take away the ability to make a decision, on the other hand, is to take away love. He surveyed the landscape and imagined a scene of three crying-out figures dangling from a cross with their arms outstretched and their heads bowed in the wind.
In John 19:18, Jesus tells his disciples that he is crucified in the middle of two thieves.
The trio was surrounded by men dressed in military garb, who sat on the ground and played games in the dirt with them. Arrogant and cocky men in religious garb stood to one side, smiling and boasting that they had done God’s work by killing this false one. One by one, females in mourning are gathered at its base. With their mouths quivering and tears streaming down their cheeks, they tried to lead his mother the other away, but she wouldn’t budge.
“I’ll stay,” she whispered softly. “I’ll stay,” she replied.
Heaven and Earth were in awe of the Creator, but he did not command them to intervene.
This has to be done…” He said, and then walked away.
The cry that He would one day scream was audible as he traveled back in time.
Sheathed in the pain of tomorrow, he writhed in agony. “It would be less painful,” the angel said again.
The Creator’s voice was soft and hushed. “But even so, a man wouldn’t love,” I countered. Once more, they entered the garden, and as the Creator gazed intently at the clay sculpture, a torrential downpour of love poured forth from Him. Before he created anything, He had already died for it. 8th verse of Revelation 13:8. The sculpted face was bent over by God’s form and he breathed. The new one’s chest rose, cracking the dark mud, the cheeks grew fleshy, a finger moved, an eye opened, and dust stirred on the lips. Those who were able to see the unseen gasped at the sight of the movement of the flesh.
There’s a chance that the wind said it first, and that the star’s blinking is a direct result of what it saw at that exact moment. As far as I can tell, “It appears to be exactly like Him!” Rather than focusing on the face, the angel was focused on the spirit, not the body. Ecclesiastes 3:21, 11:7
As the saying goes, “That this will never end!” There is no doubt in my mind that it is him! Another gasped.
God has sown a divine seed in every Redeemed man. a seed from which he grew Earth’s masterpiece was created by the God of Might. As a result of the Creator creating another creator, the One who chose to be loved created a being that could be loved in turn.
“Using my hands, I created the earth and put man on it, stretching the heavens and commanding their hosts. The Lord of Hosts says that he will build my city and free my captives, not for money or reward, and that he will guide him in every step of the way.” Bible verses from Isaiah 45:12-13
Because of Jesus, we now have a choice: Do we love our Father, the Creator?
When Jesus tells his disciples that they didn’t choose Him, He doesn’t mean that they didn’t choose Him; rather, He means that He chose them and ordained them to go and produce fruit, so that “whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name He may give it to you.” In John’s Gospel, verse 16.
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]]>The post Generosity: What Does It Really Mean? first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>Giving to others without regard to personal gain is commonly referred to as self-sacrifice. Gifts, time, resources, support, emotions, etc. are all forms of giving that can be given to others.
But what if we conduct good deeds for others because we know we’ll get something in return? Is it still altruism if that’s what you’re doing? For ages, scholars and philosophers have been debating this question. Is there such a thing as a selfless act of altruism? Or is it always driven by the desire for one’s own benefit?
For example, we laugh to make others happy, but also for our own amusement, or because we have a desire to make the other person like us more. As you can see, it’s tough to separate the various factors at play here.
Acts of kindness have a similar effect on others as laughter does on us. However, this very thought makes the altruism of selfless giving questionable: Are we doing it to be awarded as virtuous, or are we doing it because we really want to give?
We might also ask ourselves the following questions when pondering these thoughts and reflecting on our own motivations:
As a result, is it more important for us to feel healthy and connected to others, or for others to feel cared for and significant?
Answering these questions is up to each and every one of us. While you’re waiting, here are some of the most significant components and outcomes of giving.
Fortunately, they’re all good.
Giving Is Good for Our Well-Being.
Many studies have looked at the link between kindness, positivity, giving, and other such positive actions and human health, especially since the advent of psychological science.
People who are generous and selfless are more likely to live longer and healthier lives, according to research. Pain and discomfort are less prevalent in their lives. In terms of lowering your risk of death, studies have shown that volunteering is more important than exercising four times a week–almost as significant as giving up smoking.
For those with chronic illnesses, Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine, found that willingness to donate to others can boost their immune systems.
When it comes to our mental health, acts of generosity and kindness also serve as a preventative measure. Dopamine and endorphins are released in the brain as a result of such behaviors, making us feel happy and uplifted. This has a profound effect on our thoughts, feelings, and psyche, and boosts our self-esteem, confidence, and self-assurance. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns can be avoided this way.
It’s hard to comprehend how this is possible. In order to understand why giving is so beneficial for our physical health, we need to answer the following question:
This way, instead of excreting “bad” neurotransmitters and hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that alert our organism and harm our health, we are much more in balance with our entire being.
People reported feeling more energized, less depressed, and more self-respecting after helping others, both physically and emotionally. Giving back has the power to make you feel euphoric.
Giving, in addition to boosting our energy levels and making us healthier and more energized, it makes us joyful. Dopamine and endorphins are released when we engage in acts of kindness or volunteerism, as we’ve already explained.
This all suggests that giving is more essential than receiving when it comes to happiness.
When we are able to give, we feel as if we are making a difference in someone’s life, which inspires us to do more good and help others. Volunteering has been found to have a strong association with happiness, according to research. As compared to their classmates, teenagers who are driven by altruism are happier, more enthused, engaged, involved, and active than those who are not. As a result, they are more socially savvy and confident as well.
Giving encourages others to do the same. Instilling positive ideals such as these is simply one of the benefits of giving. In addition to feeling grateful for being a part of someone’s life, recipients often become motivated and want to give back in some way.
Furthermore, if you give to others, you are more likely to be rewarded and to receive something in return, whether it is from the same person or from someone other than that person. The foundation for other positive emotions and values, such as trust, cooperation, intimacy, and life happiness, can be found in these types of interactions.. Additionally, giving improves the beneficial ties and collaborations within a social community.
As a general rule, communities where everyone knows one another and participates in communal activities together (such as babysitting one another’s children and exchanging/borrowing one another’s things) tend to have lower crime rates and higher levels of satisfaction in life.
It’s surprising how both the giver and the recipient can feel appreciative in the act of giving. It’s possible that the giver is showing their appreciation for something while also encouraging the recipient to feel the same way.
Grateful people are happier, healthier, and more connected to others, according to current studies. It is yet another modulator of perceived stress that helps us to be more resilient and cheerful when life gets difficult.
Giving to others is a wonderful way to spread the joy of gratitude. The more you appreciate what you have, the more inclined you are to want to share that happiness with others.
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]]>The post What Is the Meaning of “Giving”? first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
]]>For millennia, spiritual leaders have emphasized the importance of placing the needs of others before of one’s own. Exactly what is it about the act of giving one’s self that is so valuable?
This question has made me realize how difficult it is to answer without referencing some moral or ethical value system: What is life all about? Our lives aren’t just about the “law of the jungle,” or “the one with the most toys when they die,” but rather about a “higher” value or purpose, something that isn’t just “the one with the most toys when they die.” It’s like a compass pointing to the heavens. Is there any significance to this? Religious systems have mined this territory extensively over the millennia, but they have also sometimes mined the soil. There are many theological justifications that sound implausible or self-serving (“We give because virtuous people go to Heaven,” “giving brings you good karma” etc.). As a result, it can be difficult for us to explain why we should act in accordance with something “higher” when there is none. No, I don’t believe that
First and foremost, put the welfare of others ahead of your own.” —Muhammed
Humanity’s renewal comes from a kind heart, kind words, and a life of service and compassion.
—Buddha
Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
—Jesus
By giving rather than taking, “life seems to be better,” “friendlier,” “more linked,” “more entire,” and “more flowing”
Start with what’s right in front of us, and then think about what we can learn from it. In addition, giving “feels right”—in fact, it’s a pleasure to do so. When we participate in life by giving rather than taking, it appears to be more pleasant, friendly, linked, whole, and fluid. We also contribute our attention, our listening ear, our commitment, and our presence, not just money and stuff, but also our time and effort. After giving, life tends to calm down and deepen as well. Friendliness and trust begin to grow as a result of these interactions. It acts as lubricant for the gears of life.
In addition to money and belongings, “giving isn’t only money and possessions; perhaps more crucially, we give ourselves to the recipient.”
Michael Brown, a contemporary spiritual teacher, has a fascinating answer for this. That “Giving is receiving” is the electromagnetic frequency that our cosmos is attuned to, he explains. Dissonance and discord in our lives are immediately caused by any other method of exchanging energy.”
This is a good bet, not a philosophical assertion. Try it out for yourself. See if you can spot the connection Michael makes: A sense of harmony in life can only be achieved by allowing things to flow freely, rather than attempting to stifle them, shut them off, take, defend, or hoard anything. The harsher and more hostile life becomes the more we sequester ourselves and our resources. It’s easier to enjoy life when we’re in a state of “giving-is-receiving.”
“We don’t wait till we’ve reached a certain level of safety and abundance before we donate” (some would say that point is never reached). Giving creates a sense of safety and abundance since it is the act of giving. Even if it’s “puzzling,” “check it out”
Moreover, the order in which it works is completely nonsensical. We don’t wait till we’ve reached a certain level of safety and abundance before we offer (some would say that point is never reached). As long as you’re providing, you’ll feel comfortable and secure. If you’re bewildered, don’t give up.
The word “abundance” has the word “dance” at its core. Dance, movement, and flow are all part of it. A few years ago, I read that “mercy” is derived from the same root word as “merchant,” “business,” and “commerce.” It is all derived from the Etruscan word “merc,” which translates as “exchange” in English.
Exchange, like “currency flow,” is essential to the well-being of both the human spirit and the economy. In that system, the driveshaft, giving and receiving appear to be intrinsically linked. God’s Mercy is made visible when we join in that “dance”: as goodness, connectedness, and a deep feeling of purpose. As long as we’re not dancing, these so-called “divine traits” remain unreachable to a world in desperate need of them.
We create meaning in the world by our actions. It’s not about getting to heaven after we die, but rather about generating a small taste of heaven here and now.
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]]>“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
There is a principle to be found in spiritual truth and experience which can briefly be stated this way: the highest order of anything is to become that very thing. Thus, in relationship to our Lord, whatever it was that was spoken of, be it a door, a way, a shepherd, every symbol, and type was personified in Him, as He declared, “I am the Way” – “I am the Door” – “I am the good Shepherd,” if you look for the fulfillment and consummation thereof, look to Me, for I AM.
Over the years the Spirit has quickened the fact that this same principle ultimately is to be wrought in His people: that the highest form of praise is not just to lift our hands and say “praise the Lord,” but that our very life and being becomes His praise. The highest form of prayer is not to bow the knee and offer petitions, but when our whole state of being becomes a prayer, an out-breathing of desire for God’s will to be fulfilled in the earth. So it follows, whatever we see in Him, then being joined unto Him and being brought into His fullness, we are also to become expressions of these various attributes which are found in Christ, until it shall be said, “because as He is, so are we in this world.” (I John 4:17).
When we are totally one in Him who is Love, and we are fully a partaker of His divine nature, we shall literally manifest love because it is our inherent nature to do so. Whatever the Spirit applies this principle to for you, as He focuses His illumination upon that thing, to work it into your life, praise God, that vision becomes prophetic of your destiny.
“For He made Him to be sin (Greek, literally, a sin-offering) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Cor. 5:21). Be made – literally, TO BECOME, become the righteousness of God in Him. “Because it hath been written, become ye holy, because I am holy.” (I Pet. 1:16, Young’s) “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, I BECOME (Greek, BECOME.” (Luke 22:42). Amen!
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]]>Nothing follows us around like a persistent sense of judgment when it comes to living a Christian lifestyle. We consider ourselves to be such failures, and we appear to be completely fruitless. We’re experiencing a lot of ups and downs. We’re such cowards and cowardice is in our blood. It is not so much that we fight against the great sins — the things we do or don’t do — as it is that we fight against the dragging feeling that we are of no service because we are such a mess. We look around and notice that other people appear to be doing well, and we begin to wonder why we are such failures. We are continually burdened by a heaviness in our hearts and minds. However, we don’t feel intelligent, we don’t feel compassionate, and we don’t feel spiritual; rather, we feel out of touch with the outside world, dull and dry, and helpless.
It displays itself constantly in the way we constantly denigrate ourselves as useless, more of a burden to God than a help, so rebellious, so disobedient; and we are fond of claiming that if God uses us at all, it is because we are doing something wrong..
It is quite important to understand how we can accept ourselves without feeling condemned. It is our inability to grasp this concept that causes us to lose all of our vitality.
If our salvation hinged on our choosing Him, we could be tempted to put it off indefinitely, because we couldn’t be sure He would accept us. But He selected us — and He chose us unreservedly. “It was not you who picked Me; it was I who selected you”.
He chose us just as we are, with all of our flaws and flawless aspects of our humanity. We can certainly marvel at the absurdity of His choices, but it is not our place to do so. He paid the ultimate price for us – the price of His own Son’s blood — so we had best get busy choosing ourselves if we want to remain in His grace and blessing. It is an insult to Him if we do not accept those He accepts.
In truth, we need to do a full spring cleaning of the damning, disparaging, and guilty notions about ourselves that we have inherited or picked up in some other way. The transparency of today, while shocking many because of its excesses, is actually much healthier and closer to the truth than the secrecy of previous generations of Christians. Which is why it is a good thing for everyone. And there is no book that can be opened with more confidence than the Bible. There, a spade is never referred to as anything other than a spade.
Allow it to sink in that there isn’t a single reaction that we may have as humans — not a single response of our bodies, thoughts, emotions, or imaginations — that is fundamentally incorrect. God desires for us to experience all of these normal human feelings.
As a result, instead of criticizing instincts or impulses — and instead of attempting to pretend they are not there as so much religious play-acting does — let us investigate how misuse might be replaced by proper usage in the first place.
The negative is to state that something is wrong and to try to conceal it if at all possible. The constructive way to deal with it is to acknowledge it and consider how God’s goal is to use that particular inclination as a channel via which He might show Himself in your life.
“All things are worked out according to the counsel of His own will,” says God. “It is in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure,” He says. The Bible says that when we are called by God and accepted by Him, “all things [positive and bad] work together for good.”
Every scenario we find ourselves in is a result of God’s perfect plan. It is, in fact, the one that is required. So thank God for each and every circumstance! No matter what situation you are in. Never question or criticize yourself since this is what causes the bondage of spirit that has brought us all so much sorrow. Instead, embrace yourself exactly as you are and as you are feeling at any given moment.
Don’t stress yourself out by trying to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself. Realize that as long as you are honest with yourself and with others about who you are and what you do, there is no room for criticism.
In the words of Jesus, “God justifies, and who is the one who condemns?” At the same time, acknowledge that Christ has become your very life. He has taken the place of your previous self. This then allows you to be genuinely free as yourself — as the Christ within you — as a result of the experience.
Only He has the ability to transform whatever attitudes or feelings you may be experiencing. As a result, don’t strive to accomplish anything other than what comes naturally and readily to you. Simply carry out the actions that occur to you as a result of your spontaneous inspiration. Take the stance that, in Christ, you are dead to everything but dwelling in Him and nothing else matters.
But often that death includes those aspects of ourselves that we would truly wish to keep. However, we must be comfortable with being whatever He decides to be in us at any given time. “If it is necessary, you are in a state of heaviness as a result of numerous trials,” Peter explains. When you are faced with one of these difficult trials, accept the heaviness and sorrow that comes with being human and do not attempt to change the situation. You just have to accept it as God’s direct will for the time being and give Him gratitude for doing so.
You have no way of knowing what God has planned for you or what future reasons He may have in mind for the events you are going through right now, so don’t waste your time trying to figure it out. Continually carry out the tasks you believe He is assigning you at the time. He has a perfect reason for everything that is occurring around you, even if that reason is not immediately apparent to you. So keep your attention fixed on this liberating truth.
The single eye of faith of which Jesus spoke allows us to remain free within, regardless of the situations and appearances around us on the outside. We are not to be deceived by the circumstances or disappointed by them. In order for His life to manifest in us, we must embrace our current circumstance completely — both the external situation He has placed us in and our internal feelings toward it. We must do so knowing that it is for His life to manifest in us.
While sorrow and temptation abound — as well as failure and apparent defeat — our entire responsibility is to remain calm and at peace inside ourselves, knowing that we walk with Him alone, that He walks within us, and that He will direct our steps in His direction.
His determination to lead us down this path means that He does not notice the uncertainty, heaviness, or bewilderment we are experiencing, but simply the next step in His perfect plan for us. And He in us is the One who will bring it about when we fully embrace and enjoy in the present moment, trusting that, despite the appearance of the moment, all things genuinely do work together for our good.
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]]>The Illusion of Independence and the ability to BECOME more spiritual must be exposed for what they are: the Illusion of Independence and the ability to BECOME more spiritual. There is only ONE life that is Holy. As a result of my oneness with Jesus, I am a partaker of the Life that He offers.
Christ is the center of Christianity. The Bible teaches that Christianity is His character manifested in my actions, and it is this belief that distinguishes me as a light for the world. Because of my relationship with Him, I become what He is fundamentally: His Manifestation (mirror). (I Corinthians 6:17)
No one can earn a Holy life, and no one can replicate it, copy it, WWJD it, or do anything else to make it happen. It’s not something you can memorize your way into or seminary your way into. You’re curious as to why? Due to the fact that it is already yours IF Christ is in you.
Living a holy life is not a goal to strive for. There is nothing you can do to increase your holiness by your own efforts. A commodity like holiness, love, or patience is not something that can be obtained in greater quantities! You will not be able to obtain any of these spiritual “qualities” by exerting further effort.
Holiness is not a thing; it is a Person. Love is not a product; rather, it is a Person. When it comes to patience, it is not a commodity; rather, it is the fruit of A Person—the Holy Spirit. Although “The Word” is His written record, “The Word” also refers to a Person: “In the beginning was The Word, and the Word WAS GOD…”
Because of my deep inner oneness with God, I am the manifestation (mirror) of everything that God IS for me intrinsically in the world for the rest of the world to perceive. In the same way that when Jesus was asked to show the disciples the Father, He exclaimed, “He who has seen me has seen the Father,”
In the same way that when Jesus was asked to show the disciples the Father, He exclaimed, “He who has seen me has seen the Father,” (See also John 14:9) The beautiful, the bad, and the ugly things that happen to me in this life are all intended by God to disclose to me that I am a person who lives by the Life of Another. Namely, His Life.
5:19, 30, Jn.6:57, Jn.7:38, Jn.12:49-50, and II Cor.6:16 are all references to Jesus. The Bible with an amplifier.
The post Rest in Him first appeared on My Love Link - Love.
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