When we refer to something as “spiritual” we are saying it is from the same place and made of the same stuff as God; it is therefore eternal, righteous, perfect, holy, loving, kind, pure, unchanging, unchangeable, gentle, true, etc. If a concept or thing doesn’t fit this description, it is not spiritual, but fits into either the natural or supernatural realm.
We often think that if we can hear God’s voice clearly and consistently we’ll never have to make decisions on our own, that He’ll just give us His wisdom and we’ll know what to do. But God is pouring His character into ours, so that as our mind, will and emotions are healed and freed, and our soulical senses are finely tuned, we can, in our selves, judge righteously. We bring that judgement to God for His review, but there will be increasingly little feedback, as He sets us free to try and fail and make mistakes and succeed as part of the learning process. Take every opportunity that God has arranged for you to objectively evaluate the situation, even if you’re not involved, to develop this badly needed leadership skill — Sound, Objective Judgement.
“And He said unto me, Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (Isaiah 49:3)
It is a lofty position to which we are called, and for which we are being prepared. Sonship, yes. Kings and priests, yes. But why equipped with such power and glory? TO SERVE! For it is written, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, AND MY SERVANT whom I have chosen”, (Isaiah 43:10).
When we think of witnesses, we cannot refer to the old idea of a soap-box in a park where one preaches away at the passerby. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me…” The Greek word for ‘witness’ is ‘martus’ from which we get our English word MARTYR. A martyr is one who gives his life for the message he declares. It requires the enduement of the holy Spirit to enable us to BE OUR MESSAGE, our whole life given to manifest that message. A state of being that proclaims the truth regardless of whether we speak or not.
To witness to the truth is to give your life to that truth. Even more, we read that it was to “BE witnesses UNTO ME”. Not to talk about Him, not just to build cathedrals in His honour, but to live and give our whole life UNTO HIM, so that every action, every word, all that WE ARE is a declaration unto Him, pointing others to Him, exalting Him.
Furthermore, receiving the inflow of the Spirit gives us the power to be able to lay down our own self-life, that HIS LIFE might be lived through us. “God so loved the world that HE GAVE…” Our giving is first unto Him, and then dispersed abroad to all those who are in need of Him. Of the same Israel that it is written, “Ye are My servants,” it is also written, “And in thee shall all nations be blessed”, (Gal. 3:8). Right now the greatest service that we can give to others is to die out to all our own ego-self, that the living of HIS LIFE becomes its own declaration that it is truly the best life, to His glory and praise.
This week be aware of new ideas and creative approaches to problem-solving, conflict resolution or even new concepts or products. As a spirit being, you are a creative person, regardless of your temperament, though that creativity may be filtered by your temperament for now. By increasing your awareness, you accept God’s flowing in and through you in a new way, bringing your soul into greater alignment with your spirit in this area. As always, test this idea; “Lord, is this something I can move forward with?” In this area, unless you receive a “no,” move forward, as it may also be an area where the Lord wants to stretch your judgment. Have fun, realizing change causes stress, but stress is something we no longer avoid, but actively manage instead.
Have a great week! Daddy is Proud of YOU!
The Tri-Annual Tithe and Declaration of Fulfillment of the Law (Deuteronomy 26:12-15)
12″When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, 13then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me. 15Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”‘”‘
Every third year was instituted as “the year of tithing.” After they have fulfilled their responsibilities toward the Levites and the needy, the Israelites are also instructed to pledge before the Lord that they have fulfilled the requirements of His commandments, followed by their petition for blessing and the fulfillment of His promise. We clearly see the Lord’s emphasis on both hospitality and charity. Notice also that in both this case and the previous, the needy were to “eat within your gates and be filled.” This was not meant to be a petty portion, but to fully satisfy those that came for help.
There is no true “spiritual” warfare, that is, between spiritual beings or in the spiritual realm. By definition, that which is spirit is one with God, and in Him is no controversy, disagreement, or disorder. Therefore, the only kind of “spiritual” warfare going on now is actually between the spiritual and another realm, either the natural, the supernatural or both. Even these battles are completely under God’s control.
As a leader, we recognize that we are on assignment representing our King. So there are standards of character that are to be presented on His behalf, with the goal of drawing others to Him as well as avoiding being a hindrance to any work He is doing through us. There is at times the concern that we are merely “acting” as a leader — pretending to be patient when we don’t really feel patient, faking courage when we are scared, posing as wise when we don’t have the foggiest notion if what we are saying will work…
You’re NOT faking it! As long as you are depending on God, through your spirit, to provide the strength, character and wisdom, you are “acting” exactly according to your true nature. This is the distinction between relying on the reality of your spirit identity and trying to meet some standard to fulfill perceptions through your strength of soul. Before we were re-inspirited, it was impossible to meet the requirements of leadership character. Now that we have been re-inspirited, all requirements have been met, and we now embody every leadership character, regardless of appearance. So we are merely learning to act according to the truth about who we are.
Over time, the Lord will indeed provide opportunities to observe these qualities in yourself and others. In Him, there are no boundaries, and He withholds nothing from His beloved.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”, (Eph. 6:13). Time and space prevent us from examining all of the armour, but we would mention “the helmet of salvation”. Here the word salvation could equally be translated as DELIVERANCE. When the helmet, which is placed on our head, is covering our entire mind with THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE, then we cannot think thoughts of defeat. Would to God that whatever the situation is, the helmet that protects our thinking, and forbids us to think anything else, would be thoughts of victory, of His salvation.
We make the point clear, we do not teach, as some, that there is no evil power or devil. There are those instances of demon possession, and the demons must be cast out. But our point is our own personal relationships of where we LIVE IN HIM. We do not have to worship or give allegiance to any other force as in control of our trial or situation. We are to worship God as in control of all things that pertain to our life and walk in Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, our whole body shall be filled with light. Don’t worry about the things that are filling the atmosphere with the dust of confusion and turmoil. With His helmet of salvation upon our heads we can “mind the things of the Spirit”, and have a realm of victory even in the midst of our enemies. Though we watch the circumstance deteriorate, becoming steadily worse until our flesh would tremble in fear, we can gain dominion over it, rising to live above it all, when we wear the helmet of salvation, and allow only the truth of our God’s deliverance to control our mind.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength.” (Hab. 3:17-19). He gives me thoughts of deliverance!
Yes, this is a time to focus on change, but balance comes from realizing “change” is something we will always have with us. God also intends for us to enjoy this life, to rest and recreate, to re-energize and re-focus. So include enjoyment in your schedule on a regular basis, even if it’s merely to appreciate the life you’ve been given. You will be strengthened and flexed willingly, so God may not have to force you to relax :).