Tuesday, May 21, 2013

taking it up

It always baffles me how this scripture has been miss used over the years. Too many take this statement about the cross as we have this huge heavy burden that we have to carry around as we we kill ourselves and beat ourselves into submission.  The truth is the disciples and the folks around Jesus when He made this statement didn't really understand what was about to happen  that Jesus was about to literally take up a physical cross and make what seems to be the ultimate selfless sacrifice.  He laid down His life so that we could enter back into unhindered relationship with the Father. They didn't understand that taking up the cross ultimately results in freedom.  You see when we take up our cross when we deny our old selves and press into Jesus, when we make the decision to walk out the call Abba has placed on our lives to fully pursue Him and to share His heart with others, to prophesy life into their spirits, then we become who we were made to be. When that happens when we discover our true identity that has been crafted by Abba Himself and we walk in that identity then we become truly free and the cross no longer is looked at as a burden or something we are bound to but a key to freedom.
Mark 8:34-37 "And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and  said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. For whoever wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God]. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life [in the eternal kingdom of God]? For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a  ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life [in the eternal kingdom of God]?"

Sunday, May 19, 2013

grow in knowledge of Jesus

Today we have an opportunity grow in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus, who He is and what He has provided for us. When we gather we have the ability to help build each other up and teach each other. Remember that your testimonies and the things Abba is showing you are valuable so share them and help someone else grow these things were given to be shared.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and  recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory  (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!"

Saturday, May 18, 2013

we need relationship

Those who do not settle down and find a church home seldom bear much real spiritual fruit in their life. - Rick Joyner
this is very true but I think "church home" needs to be talked about a bit.  Many would assume this means you need to find a traditional Sunday morning sit in a pew and listen to the preacher kind of church. But we need to remember that church is people and relationships. A church home is a place to develop relationships, to disciple and be discipled, to give and receive love, to have like hearted "family" to walk through trials with and to celebrate victories with. It's about learning how sit at the feet of Jesus, about learning to hear the voice of the Father and collectively encouraging one another into a deeper relationship with Abba. This can happen in many forms, house churches, coffee shop churches, Sunday morning churches... It doesn't really matter where and how you gather it matters that you Do gather frequently we are called a body for a reason. We need to be in a place where that body can be strengthened and is growing. Life needs to be apparent in the body and the Father's heart needs to be what is the source of that life.
Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another
Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—  that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me

Monday, May 13, 2013

it's time

Many times as we go through life people ask us questions about our dreams, our desires, how we view success. As we grow and mature many times the answers to these questions will change or vary depending on where we are in our lives. Very seldom do we take the time to get out of ourselves and circumstances to get the big picture view of what Abba has for our lives. I have been discovering for me that anything I desire or have vision for can only be achieved by developing a deeper more intimate relationship with Him. The things that He has for me requires that I invest of my self with my time and my heart and that I maintain an obedient lifestyle. I think that Abba is calling many of us deeper in this season, the question is are you willing to do what it takes to get there?
Psalms 42:1-2 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God’s presence?”

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

be encouragers

These verses really spoke to me this morning. Lets encourage each other and have a contagious attitude that brings joy and light to any situation. I know for me the part that says to be patient with everyone can be pretty difficult at times, but just because it's difficult doesn't mean I stop trying and because I haven't quit I am much better at it now than I used to be.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-16 "Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and  edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and  respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and  seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);"