By now you’ve heard me say that there are two kinds of people in the world, those that have been rejected and those that have been rejected more. The good news about rejection, at least here on earth, is that because it is something we will always face, there will likely come a time that it won’t bother us as much as it likely does now. I know, that’s not saying much, but accepting the inevitable – that becoming one with God doesn’t prevent rejection, pain and struggle – hopefully adds to entering that rest of the present. Without the dichotomy of the right and left hand of God in our lives, without the pain, joy stands alone and is taken for granted. And we lose the appreciation for the one and the gratitude for the other that is a hallmark of our relationship with the Eternal.
“The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name.” (Isaiah 49:1)
Jeremiah knew this experience, and stated, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,” (Jer. 1:5). What a glorious, marvelous understanding that all of our life is in the hand of God, known unto Him, and He alone can direct every step. We are fitted into His purpose of the ages in perfect timing because He knew us before ever we were brought forth from the womb. He set us apart to be apprehended and perfected, every part of this plan was fully known unto Him before we began our earthly sojourn.
Paul also repeats this same truth in Gal. 1:15-16, “It pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace to reveal His Son IN me…” But perhaps none saw it any clearer than the Psalmist, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16, Amplified). When we consider that the Lord has called us from the womb, set us apart unto Himself even then, and has absolutely ordered our pathway to this point, then we are able to view our entire past, mistakes and all, without any condemnation, because we realize that He has, and is, using it all for our development, to work in us the wonders of His grace.
Along with the supportive knowledge that we were known of God from our very beginning, comes the next statement that He even made mention of our name. Modern research has discovered that sometimes a child has been mis-named and it causes inner frustration because their being is not in harmony with their name. In the new creation realm we shall, also, have a name. God knows that name, and is preparing us to qualify so that we shall bear it in joy and victory, and in all the nature and character that shall be to His praise.
This week let the Lord draw your attention to any feelings or emotions that may be out of proportion to the circumstance. Regardless of the trigger or stress, if an emotional response lasts longer than 24 hours or is out of proportion altogether, it likely indicates a wound. Ask the Lord if this is a wound He’s ready to heal, and if so, follow the normal procedures to get it taken care of quickly. As always, test the voice to make sure it’s the Lord: “Lord, is that you?” Listen for the voice of the Shepherd in contrast to the voice of the butcher.
Have a great week!
This morning’s Prepare Radio Program focused on keeping focused, by developing goals in all three realms, spiritual, supernatural/soulical, and natural. We’re reminded that as spiritual beings, we no longer have to achieve goals, since we are spiritually complete and one in Him. So spiritually our goals are going to relate to the other realms, supernatural/soulical and natural. Specifically, our spiritual goals will reflect our learning to live as spirit beings in our relationship with God, with our selves (soul), and with others. Next Saturday we’ll look at setting goals in the soulical realm, remembering that freedom = healing.
Click here for this morning’s podcast, and feel free to post any questions or comments on the show.
Don’t rush your decisions anytime, but especially this season. There are factors that have not yet come to the surface, so your conclusion that you have all the information you need may be premature. Ask the Lord if it’s time to make the decision, then ask Him for wisdom. Don’t “sign on the dotted line” until you’ve heard from Him, whether with a specific answer or the assurance that you are heading in the right direction. “Guessing” is NOT the same as “Deciding.” Every decision is an opportunity to gain confidence. Be Bold in pressing in for an answer.
This week pay attention to the details and don’t let the little things slip through the cracks. Pay special attention to legal documents; if you have second thoughts get a second opinion. Listen to your inner warning bells and don’t let yourself be rushed into anything. Be patient this week — and remember you have authority both over your emotions and over time itself. Stretch it where you need to, condense it as well. This is a great learning opportunity regarding discerning subtleties in learning to trust your own judgment coupled with spiritual discernment.
Peace, rest and strength are always available — don’t hesitate to access these resources as needed.
Blessings, and have a great week.
God’s idea of healing may be different than ours. Often, we just want to deal with the symptoms, we just want to feel better or get out of a stressful situation. But God wants to get at the root-causes. “Getting Healed” means being freed and restored from unhealed wounds, whether in the body or the soul, not just the unhealed wounds or afflictions in our physical bodies, though that’s certainly included. But very often the wounds, the burdens, the afflictions that we are carrying in our physical body are the result of wounds in our soul that have not yet been healed.
We are always in the process of being healed. God wants us to be active participants in that process, and He doesn’t want us to settle for anything less than complete healing. Knowing that it’s His idea for us to receive healing, we can actively rely on Him, assured that He will provide the training, He will provide the teaching, and He will provide the insight and the light to show us how to depend on Him for healing. All we need to do is show up for class.
INTRODUCTION
One of the most divisive issues in the church continues to be regarding tithing. Many mis-understand the term, its use in the scriptures and its meaning for the church today. We will be looking at the topic from as clear a perspective as possible, based on the scriptures. The act of tithing is clearly delineated in the scriptures, but a misunderstanding of the ways the term is used in scriptures and what happened at the Cross and Resurrection has caused many Christians to continue to be brought under the heavy weights of the Pharisees.
The scriptures can generally be broken down into the following time-frames: 1. Pre-Codification of The Law (before the law was written down); 2. The Codified Law (the written law); 3. Additions to the Law (included in post-Torah books of the Bible), 4. The Transition (when Jesus taught under the law), 5. The Fulness of Times: Grace! (from the Resurrection until whatever comes next).
For clarity sake, and to see the progression of God’s unfolding plan, we will review the scriptural usage and function of the tithe and tithing within each of these time frames. The scripture verses being discussed are included for clarity sake. References are in The New King James Version unless indicated; please feel free to refer to additional references and versions as desired.
Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Remember Dad already has your week planned out for you and will see you through each day.
Our emotions often respond without checking in with our mind or will. Be on the lookout and ready to respond to attacks from the world system, especially things going on at work with people. Be SLOW to respond. It is better to walk away with nothing to say than to respond out of the flesh. Don’t get caught up in ‘office’ politics.
Obtaining and Maintaining Focus is very important for all of us right now, so we know there will be warfare: we know we will be coming up against our flesh, the demonic realm, and the pressures of this world system. But you are WELL ABLE to maintain focus if you stay dependent on Daddy and His resources to get your information and encouragement.
This will be a long-term issue so you will be receiving similar reminders as this, to stay focused, but thi!s is the way we learn new habits, not just by overcoming distractions but by developing new ‘vision’; clear focus and confidence.
Have a great week!
When tragedy strikes, most of us look for a way to help. If we live nearby, we may consider volunteering, especially if we have a skill or resource that would be particularly helpful. Or perhaps we look for a way to donate ‘in general’ ~ blood or financially, for example.
In some ways we’ve come to expect this response. Watching the news, we are given the ‘up close and personal’ accounts of missing loved ones, details of last conversations, contact information. Then come the concerned politicians and government officials and their promises of investigations. And the event memorials. Then the lawsuits.
Yet I wonder how much of this is done for the good of those actually involved in the crisis event? How much grieving do we do because we are stirred by human compassion? How much because it’s expected? How much for the cameras? To be a part of the bigger event?
Don’t get me wrong. In the condition we’re in now, living for ourselves as we so often do, we are doing good for others. The blood donations will be used by someone in need, the finances and memorials will fill needs as well.
But how much do we rely on feeling compassion to motivate us to reach out and give what is ours already ~ comfort, healing, hope, answers.
I’m confident that as we all continue to be joined to Father and His heart, we will more and more be equipped and ready to be sent where He sends us.
I guess that’s part of the lesson of what is often called “The Great Commission.” Are we ready to go when and where Jesus sends us? Or are we too busy fulfilling the given expectations.
I know we will be ready.
If we want to be.