He really is the Reason

So I was sitting in our Christmas Eve service last night and the running theme from last Sunday and last night was how Christmas isn't about the event as it is about the purpose of the event, Jesus. As I sat there there was a manger which is now empty, then behind that on the wall is a wooden cross which is also empty, then I looked at an alcove area that reminded me of the tomb which is also empty. I was reminded that even though they are empty there was evidence left behind, His DNA marks all that He touches nothing is left the same.  But there is also the glaring fact that He is still alive and well, and He is no longer in these places because He is seated at the right hand of the Father and alive in all that call Him Savior. He is  Emanuel, God with us and He will never leave us or forsake us.

Jesus is truly the reason for the season!!!

thanksgiving

Today is the traditional day set aside to come together and give thanks for our blessings and the provision we have been given. It was started by a couple of different groups of people that had varying doctrinal beliefs that came together under their common belief in Christ to escape religious tyranny that was happening in England. They came together as"Pilgrims", trying to find a new place a "promise land" where they could worship freely without interference from the government. They were met with many tragedies along the way, but pushed on under their common Thread. They came together with the so called"heathens", that helped to teach them how to survive in this new land, and they had a big party and feast to gives thanks for the harvest. They came together and shared their first fruits together and no one was left out, status didn't matter, skin color didn't matter, clothing styles didn't matter. What mattered is that they came together in unity with a common bond and a common focus, to give thanks to the Creator of all things and for the abundance He provided them.
So today is not only a day to hangout watch football and eat turkey. It is a day set aside as a memorial to give thanks to Abba for all He has provided, it is a day to be shared in unity with others expressing the heart of the Father and His love for all of us.

Colossians 2:7 "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

because He loves

This is one of those mornings where I went to read a couple of verses and ended up reading the whole chapter. The parts where the psalmist talks about how awesome the act of creation was really spoke to me. Having a reminder of how we were created to be in relationship with Him, that was His intent from the beginning we as people are the only things that He fashioned with His own hands, then He held us in those same hands and breathed His life and Spirit I to us. Pretty stinking awesome if you ask me. It also amazes me that after so many centuries of the people He created to love and be in relationship with turn their back on Him that He continues to love and make a way for them to come back to Him. Many times I see Him more like the father in the story of the prodigal son, as he sees his son coming home, he forgets that his son basically disowned his family, he doesn't care that the stinks and is filthy . In fact he covers the filth and throws a party. This is the heart of the Father that we need to show the world.

Psalm 33:1-22 "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You."

kids and fruit...not what you think

It's an awesome thing to see and hear about your"kids" walking out their destinies and using the gifts that Abba placed in them and realizing their identity in Him. When you can bear fruit that bears fruit there is success and His Kingdom will be added to.

3 John 1:2-4 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents]. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth."

Getting a little wound up here.

Getting a little wound up here.
Isaiah 55:8-11 “I don’t think the way you think.The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.
I was reading these verses this morning and when I got to the part where God says that His word will not come  back empty handed or void,but "They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them." When I read this I heard Him say "you are My word that I am speaking of, you and the rest of my saints. I spoke you into existence I breathed life and My Spirit into you, you are My message to the people I love, My desire is that all have the opportunity to know Jesus and to have a relationship with Me, through Him. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians you are a living epistle of Christ, you are to carry His message to the lost and broken, you are to bring His healing and reconciliation to Me, you are to reveal the loving heart of their heavenly Father this is reflected through compassion and love not through judgment."
Needless to say I'm a little wound up in my spirit this morning, partially due to excitement for what He is about to do. But also because of some conviction thinking about what letter people read when they see me, the Lord knows I need help, but also know He is willing to give it.
2 Corinthians 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart

pride disguised as fear

I read this scripture the other day and it has stuck with me, probably for a couple of reasons.  One which many have a hard time believing and that is that I  used to not want to speak in front of groups of people, heck there was a time I didn't like speaking one on one much either unless I  knew you very well. There was a time when I I would stutter and stammer a bit when I talked. There were times I was made fun of for how I talked even as a kid moving to Connecticut and having a southern accent I was told I talked funny. This and other things caused me to be a quiet observer only speaking when I had or needed to. I wasn't and still am always good conversationally. But Abba had a different plan for me. It's hard to make disciples if you aren't willing to open your, you can't share the gospel or speak the things that Abba tells you into peoples lives if you can't or won't trust Him to give you what you need to say. If it's not from Him its generally pointless anyway. The you are afraid to sound stupid reason usually comes from one of two things. One is you were probably made fun of at some point and that stole your voice, so let's pray for you so you can get some healing and work through forgiveness. Or two you are more in tune with your pride and would rather be rebellious than take the chance of being exposed as not being spiritual enough.

The other reason I think this stuck with me is because one of the things that my wife and I do as part of our ministry is help coach people in how to pray in ministry settings. Generally in small groups where there is an environment of safety. The biggest reasons people give us for not praying are "I don't know what to say", "I'm afraid that I'll sound stupid" and "I don't want to say the wrong thing".  So, you don't know what to say, that's perfect. Why? Because He will give the words you need to speak and you are out of it other than being a willing mouthpiece. The I don't want say the wrong thing, is probably the most easy to work with. Why? Because for me that runs through my mind everytime I open my mouth, especially in times of ministry. Many times it means I am kinda willing to pray but it scares me a little and I have seen other people say things that were hurtful or judgmental in the past and I don't want to be that person.  My answer to that is trust that Abba is talking to you and if all other words fail you can never go wrong if you speak love and encouragement. And ma y times in just opening your mouth and trusting Him the words come and the people are blessed.

I guess what it comes down to is I don't want to be like Moses. I don't want Abba to use someone else speak the words He has given to bless others with. I want to walk in a place where I can fully trust that if He prompts me to speak that I will do so willingly, without argument, without fear and with love and grace. Because that is what He has created us to do, to bless others in His name. And like Moses, I want to set the captives free.

Exodus 4:10-12 "But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “OLord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

rivers

Ever notice that whenever Jesus addressed a crowd it was about teaching the Kingdom, performing miracles, signs and wonders to get through to peoples hearts, and ultimately show Abba's love and promises for us that we receive through Jesus.  So why then do folks feel the need to go to the crowds carrying signs of doom and hate, shouting judgment at people they have no relationship with and they wonder why people shy away from the church. When we encounter people we HAVE to demonstrate His Love, His Heart, His Kingdom. The signs we carry should be about how much He loves us not written on cardboard but written on our hearts communicated through words and acts of kindness with some signs and wonders mixed in to breakdown barriers and bring healing.
If we are to fulfill the great commission we must be carriers of Abba's heart, being willing to invest ourselves into others so that disciples can be made. We need to provide the rivers of living water, via the Holy Spirit, to the lost.

John 7:37-39 "On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)"

fearless safety

When Abba is our desire when we keep Him at the center of our lives, nothing in the world can successfully come against us. He will cover and protect and provide for us. His desire for us is to be able to come and sit at His feet, a place of safety, when we are there fear has no place in our lives. He gives us victory!

Psalm 27:1-14 "The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. Hear me as I pray, OLORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, OGod of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. Teach me how to live, OLORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

vomitted into your destiny

When I first committed my life to Christ one of the first Christian men I met was this guy named Leon, he was a stocky concrete guy, you could tell he had been through stuff, but he had a light in his eyes that I can still see. I shared a little of what I had recently gone through that got me on my knees. He simply put his arm around me, smiled and said sometimes we need to hit bottom before you look up. It was so simple and so freeing. 
When we run from our calling and destiny, it is like running into the deep dark places that cause us to hit bottom and when we choose to cry out to Abba He is quick to forgive and to set us on the shore of our destiny...
Jonah 2:6-10 "I went down to the bottoms and the very roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever. Yet You have brought up my life from the pit and corruption, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted upon me [crushing me], I earnestly and seriously remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who pay regard to false, useless, and worthless idols forsake their own [Source of] mercy and loving-kindness. But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord! And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."

salvation soapbox

I have been seeing and hearing a lot lately about our light shining into darkness. I think however that in in order for our light to shine the brightest that we need to have a good understanding of salvation and our condition before and after. Ephesians 2 gives us that. Did you know that on average most Christians will lead more people to Christ within the first three years of their salvation than through the rest of their walk. Two things are factors in this. First is that their experience is fresh and exhilarating and the "have" to share it and then secondly, the sad part really, is that they get sucked into programs and service to the church and lose sight of that initial excitement and zeal. I believe the lack of discipleship that happens is a disservice to new believers instead of learning how to mature their excitement and continuing a deep relationship with Christ, they are generally reduced to religious robots. This pattern I feel is starting to be broken, I believe that in order for the church to fulfill the great commission it needs to shift its focus from building a building and getting people to come to it to support it, to going out and making disciples and partnering with Jesus in building His kingdom.


AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins In which at one time you walked [habitually]....
http://bible.us/Eph2.1-22.amp

how's your love

Abba's love is what its all about, He gives it so we we can share it. Others should know who we are by seeing how we love others and each other inside the body. We should be radical lovers for Abba.
John 13:34-35 "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."

27 years... and the adventure has just begun

I was thinking this morning when we bother mentioned how our life together has been an adventure and it.made me smile. It made me think of the girls whenever they had an opportunity to discover something new even if it was something in Grandma's backyard how they called it going on an adventure or climbing on hay bales and exploring old barns or when Bug would go to that little hill of dirt covered with trees in the park and he was excited about his adventure in the woods.  I look at how simple those adventures were and compare that to some of ours, ya we have had a few "big" adventures, but seems like the little ones the simple ones are the ones that have brought the most joy. I guess to some finding something new in Grandma's backyard would seem boring and a waste of time, I think they have no sense of what true adventure is. They haven't figured out that sometimes the simple things are the ones that matter the most. I appreciate our little adventures, our times discovering new things about the world around us, each other, and our walk with Abba. I love that we can laugh at pretty much anything. I thank Doug Smith for helping to release laughter in me and for not letting it get bottled up again. In Proverbs 18:22 it says: "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD." I say when that treasure is also a partner in an adventurous life he has received double favor and blessings.
I really believe that our adventures have just begun and that Abba has some things ahead of us that are new and exciting.... Here's to the future
I love you!

transparent

This doesn't need much expounding. We just need to be transparent with Abba so He can forgive, lead and guide.

Psalm 32 "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

never ceases to excite

So there is something that happened at prayer last night, that never ceases to excite me. It was one of those moments where you could see that God was showing someone some stuff about the person that was getting prayed for, and after pulling them aside and talking to them about what they're hearing you say "you need to share that" and they say" I don't know how" and you tell them to just simply share what God put on their heart and trust the Holy Spirit with the rest.  And they do it and the Spirit moves and its really cool and people are blessed. I always love seeing people being released and that Abba allows us to be a part in it. 

In Ephesians 4:11-12 it says that it is our job to equip others to minister. "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."
Who are you equipping, discipline and loving on?

who ya gonna fear?

It seems for some reason that I know several folks that would be labeled conspiracy theorists. While there may be some truth to some of what they say, I find that they live in constant fear. Fear of the unknown or hidden secrets. Sometimes they produce more propaganda than the goofed up media system they always seem to be at odds with. But what I see is they both use the same tactics, they both use fear to invoke emotional responses from their audience. Don't get me wrong I think we should be informed of what's going on around us, but we need to be careful of where we get our info. When I watch the news it is usually to check the weather and catch up on sports. I try to find other sources for the "news". But we need to be careful that we watch for the spin that is used to support opinion. I have found the best spin filter is the Holy Spirit yep I'm serious He is the source of Truth and discerner of hearts.  So why would you not rely on Him?  When it comes down to it when we fully trust in God fear of the things of the world has no place in our lives. We need to be different and bring a balance that is based on Abba's heart and not emotion driven fear.

Isaiah 8:11-13 "The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble."

transformed

Many would read these verses and immediately correlate it to our great nation, others would try to convince you its not so bad. Honestly I feel we are somewhere in the middle heading towards this demise. But there are things I know to be true about God in all this that brings hope.  You see there are many in the church today that would stand and call the fire of heaven down to burn up and destroy the iniquity that we have allowed to creep in and dominate areas of our society, kind of how the John and some of the apostles did in the new testament. At that time they didn't have a full understanding of the Father's heart but remembered the stories of a harsher time in the world and their history. I would also say that anyone today that would call down fire from heaven to destroy the people that are propagating the mess do not know the heart of the Father.  You see even buried in this Old Testament chunk of scripture is verse 9 that in my paraphrase says that because there is a remnant of believers the others will be spared. Oh and another thing that is called out is the ineffectiveness of those in the church that bring meaningless offerings to make themselves look good, to give an appearance of being connected to the Father but in fact are just going through the motions.  You see I fully believe that Abba wants to send fire from heaven to devour the unrighteous, but not like what happened in Sodom. He wants to send His holy fire through His Holy Spirit. He wants His remnant to be so full of His love, fire and passion to be so connected to Him that they live and breath His heart, His breath, His desire that all be saved. There is still hope for our country and our world but the hope comes from Him not in protests and standing on street corners corners shouting judgment at folks, but by first cleansing ourselves, then going out and building relationships and making disciples, true followers of Jesus that a full comprehension of Abba's heart that when asked why they are doing what the are doing respond with "I only do what I see the Father doing". We need to make a transformation like John did, he went from calling down fire from heaven to fully understanding the heart of Abba and taught the importance of love and worship to gain victory. We need to be transformed.

Isaiah 1:2-13 "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up sons and have made them great and exalted, but they have rebelled against Me and broken away from Me. The ox [instinctively] knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib, but Israel does not know or recognize Me [as Lord], My people do not consider or understand. Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of  evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised  and shown contempt and provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they have become utterly estranged  (alienated). Why should you be stricken and punished any more [since it brings no correction]? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint (feeble, sick, and nauseated). From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no  soundness or health in [the nation’s body]--but wounds and bruises and fresh and bleeding stripes; they have not been pressed out and closed up or bound up or softened with oil. [No one has troubled to seek a remedy.] [Because of your detestable disobedience] your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; your land--strangers devour it in your very presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens. And the Daughter of Zion [Jerusalem] is left like a [deserted] booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city [spared, but in the midst of desolation]. Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant [of  survivors], we should have been like Sodom, and we should have been like Gomorrah. Hear [O Jerusalem] the word of the Lord, you rulers or judges of [another] Sodom! Give ear to the law and the teaching of our God, you people of [another] Gomorrah! To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me [unless they are the offering of the heart]? says the Lord. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts [without obedience]; and I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or of he-goats [without  righteousness]. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you that your [unholy feet] trample My courts? Bring no more offerings of vanity (emptiness, falsity,  vainglory, and futility); [your hollow offering of] incense is an abomination to Me; the New Moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure--[it is] iniquity and profanation, even the solemn meeting."

who's in control

This is one of those mornings where I was reading "the scripture of the day", which for ne never ends up just being the one or two verses they give you, I like to read around the given verses to see what else is going on to provoke this to be written. As I was reading around the provided verse there was one in the middle that reached out and said "hello you need to look at me because I'm important". You see both verse 105 and 114 in this selection from psalm 119 are well known by most Christians, however tucked in between is verse 109 which says: "My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law." notice he didn't say my life is in Your hand, but it is mine. Earlier I reposted a quote on Facebook that said that no where in the Bible does it say God is in control, this verse says that I am in control of myself. This does not mean that I do not fully rely on God for every aspect of my life or that He is not my source. What is saying is that I have a choice to make on daily even hourly basis on how I am going to live my life, will it be for Him or for what the world says I should do.  Paul tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control, when we allow ourselves to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit we are taking positive control of our lives...  So who is in control? It's your choice.

Psalm 119:105-114 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. I am sorely afflicted; renew and quicken me [give me life], O Lord, according to Your word! Accept, I beseech You, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances. My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I do not stray from Your precepts. Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever,  even to the end. I hate the thoughts of undecided [in religion], double-minded people, but Your law do I love. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word."

what are we dying to?

I came across something this morning that talked about "dying to self" and that it is a requirement in becoming a true believer of  Christ. One of the main scriptures that is used to support this is Romans 6:11-14. But I don't see anything about dying to self here, in fact when I read the Bible what I see is that Abba wants us to.discover our true identity that we have in Him. So our Christian walk becomes about discovering self, not about killing ourselves. This scripture talks more about dying to who we used to be, because when we are in Him we are new creations the old sinful nature is dead.  The identity that the world has given us is no longer valid, so in this we are. Not dying to self we are to the lie so that we can truly discover who we are and what we were created for. It's time to let the old dead us rest in peace, so that we can move forward into life.

Romans 6:11-14 "Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal  (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness. For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy]."

gifted by design

There are two things that bug me when it comes to people and moving in the gifts that God created them to move in, and Paul does pretty good at calling them out in Romans 12. In verse 3 he says "I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance]," this is the first thing that bothers me those that are prideful and are trying to make a name for themselves or drawing attention to themselves and using anointing as a means of manipulation.  The other is also addressed it is those that have the whole "I'm unworthy" or "it wasn't me it was Jesus, I'm just surprised He's used because I am an awful sinner". To be totally honest there have been times I have had to exercise serious self-control in not slapping them upside the head (in love of course). This attitude so down plays the love and of what Jesus did for us in His crucifixion and ascension. Paul again tells.us "rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him."  He is saying be realistic about the gifts that Abba has given you and how He designed you to function. You need to know, understand and have confidence in your place in the body. When you try to elevate yourself to something your are not it adversely affects the body, when you promote self instead of the body you bring division which harms the body and when you think less if yourself or not confident in where you fit in the body then you bring weakness to the body.  Don't get me wrong part of our journey with Jesus is finding where we fit, and sometimes we need to make several attempts to figure that out.  That is where the 5-fold gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11-12) come into play, it is their job to help identify, coach and mentor others to be able to move and function in their gifting, so that they can be fully functional in who they were created to be.

Romans 12:2-11 "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn  everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to  serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest  endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord."

wwjd... revisited

Remember a few years back when in the Christian world there was the big WWJD thing? Everyone had bracelets, t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers asking a simple question"what would Jesus do ?"  Many asked the question but I don't think many ever took the time to hear the answer. But the question is still valid, and there many situations in life that should cause us to ask this question. But we need to be willing to wait and hear the answer and then obediently act on it. Like Jesus did in John 4 we have to be willing to go where the religious and those that are afraid of the retaliation of the religious would go. We need to be willing to go into the places where people need to experience the love of the Father, to the places where self righteous, religious bubbles can't exist because the people need a real touch the need to experience the Light that penetrates the darkness, so they too can become disciples of Jesus.
John 4:4-5 "But He needed to go through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph."
When you are willing to be obedient and rely on Him, then WWJD, becomes a lifestyle not a catchy phrase?

love & obedience

In this scripture Jesus is telling us that if own and understand the things He has told us to to do (His commands) and that when we are obedient to these things it is proof that we love Him. There are two things that I ask myself here, "what is it that He commands?" and "who do we need to give proof too?"

Let's start with the commands Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the first and great commandment.   And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’; so the greatest thing for us to do is love.  Then Jesus says:"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” and then He says: "And He said to them,  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

So to sum it up we are to love God, love others, make disciples, teach them how to love, and share the gospel which is about love. Are you catching the theme here?
Now for my second question "who do we need to give proof too?". Well my immediate head response is that God knows my heart why would I need to prove it to Him, but my heart response reflects on my daughters and grandsons and that thing I get deep inside when I hear them say " I love you daddy or Papa". Sometimes we forget that God is emotional and He loves to know that we love Him and to hear it and see it. There are others that need the proof too, those that have not experienced the heart of the Father and especially the ones that have been damaged by religious spirits.

So how about being obedient today and love some people and show them Abba's heart.

John 14:21-24 "The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.] Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us and not to the world? Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him. Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me."

Psalm 23... it's about life

I always wonder why Psalm 23 has been associated with death and is used quite often in funeral services. To me it speaks of our relationship with Abba, His love, guidance, protection and provision. In fact this one of the few scriptures that says He "makes" us do something, and what it says He makes us do is to rest in a place of comfort and provision. Thinking I have a totally awesome God that knows what I need better than I do.

Psalm 23:1-6 "THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I  shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my  self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place."

leaving the past behind

Ever have one of those weeks where there seems to be more that goes wrong than right? Not anything majorly wrong but a compilation of little things along the way that brings discouragement. In the back of your head you keep saying " I can't wait for Friday to get here", but when it does it feels like a bad Monday on steroids.  So this pretty much sums up my week and then I get up this morning and read this scripture and I felt Abba whisper "I got you". This is one of those scriptures that has so much bigger, deeper meaning but can be applied to your day to day (or in my case week to week).

You need to understand I'm not whining about my week, it was what it was, and yes I had a little pity party last evening and got over it. So now I have a choice, I can choose to wallow in what is behind me or I can choose to learn from what is behind so I can move forward and make some corrections so those things don't happen again. I know that I was created to be a victorious Overcomer and in knowing who I am supposed to be it helps me to pick up and move forward.  So I know what choice I need to make... Do you?

Philippians 3:13-16 "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that."

a choice

When you read the Psalms you get a really clear picture of the man that David was, many say that God said that David was a man after His own heart was because he was quickly repentant and I believe that was definitely part of it. But repentance alone does not make a man. I also believe that part of what he did that captured Abba's heart was his attitude and how he chose to deal with life. Even when he made some stupid decisions he never lost his site of the Father, when he was feeling down and had some bad days (or years at times), he recognized that through it all Abba still loved him and was there for him. He knew how to be real with God, he would tell Him when he was happy, sad, frustrated, afraid and angry. And yes he would even question God and what He was doing. You really only get to have these conversations when you are in relationship, relationship that is cultivated and invested in where you know without out a doubt that no matter what comes out of your mouth in a moment of passionate discussion will be met with love, a relationship that may mean sitting in a field with a guitar singing, watching sheep and killing predators, or hiding in a cave with a band of brothers that have the same desire and drive for victory, or dancing in your draws because the joy of the Lord is so overwhelming all you can do is dance.

But it all comes down to a choice ...

Psalm 42:7-11 "I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “OGod my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!"

lowest common denominator

I was reading this morning and kept hearing "why do people try to make Abba human?"  This is a good question because I  think at some point in time we all have done it. Generally when we can't fully understand or comprehended something we try to reduce it to the lowest common denominator. The danger in doing this allows  for fear and other things take a higher position in our lives than our God, if we can't see a God that is bigger than anything that confronts us in life than we lose hope and fall into despair and then usually blame Him for not coming through for us.  We need to remember that we created in His image and likeness, but the fullness of who He is cannot be fully comprehended. I guess for me I find comfort in knowing that Abba is greater than anything I can fully grasp and understand, but I also find great joy in knowing that He wants to have a relationship with me where He reveals to me His ways, His heart and His mysteries. The goal in life is not for us to try and make Him fit in our box, but for us to be transformed further and further into His likeness. That is where we find our strength, purpose and joy.

Isaiah 40:26-31 "Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. OJacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? OIsrael, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

leadership or position?

So I was reading through Acts 3 & 4 this morning and Abba impressed on me the example of leadership that was portrayed by Peter and John, vs the control and fear that came from those that held position in the Jewish community at that time. One of the things He showed me was those in the religious positions got there on their own at the expense of others, and they were ultimately ruled by fear. Fear that someone might come in and establish themselves in a higher position than they could obtain. True authority and power scared them, which is why Peter and John had been arrested and brought before them.
But the example that Peter and John set was different in fact polar opposite.  Here are some things that set them a part "Acts 4:8 "Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them..." they were filled with and fully obedient to the Holy Spirit. In verses 11-14 they spoke truth with boldness, truth that made it apparent that they had spent time with Jesus. The third thing is they demonstrated and brought unity to the people. Acts 4:24 "And when they heard it, lifted their voices together with one united mind to God and said, O Sovereign Lord, You are He Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them,"
And
Acts 4:31-32 "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage. Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, ..."
The leadership they brought did not invoke fear, except from those whose positions felt threatened. It brought confidence, unity and love. And ultimately  they were also submitted to authority as Jesus was submitted to the authority of the Father.
So I guess the question is are you trying to strive for position and control, or do you want to be an example for others that brings glory and honor to Abba?

V8 moment

Ever been in kind of a dry spot spiritually, you know not quite in the desert but definitely not in the rain forest kind of spot? Anyway because of just life distractions, work, etc you kinda get a little detached and then you read some Scripture, familiar scripture you know ones that have been prayed and prophesied over you that you have highlighted in your Bible, written it in your journal more than once. But then you get in this spot and you conveniently forget it exists and all of a sudden here you are reading a devotional  and it slaps you in the forehead like a V8 commercial and it sparks something inside that makes you say "duh I knew that time to get refocused."  Well here is my V8 Scripture of the day, hope it encourages you too.
Isaiah 61:1-11
"THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of  righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will  speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours. Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold  recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people]  shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them. And their offspring shall be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them [in their prosperity] will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word]."

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]?"

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)!"

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

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?”

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);"

stand

Sometimes shortly after we gain a victory we notice that maybe some of the things that were overcome aren't quite dead yet and start trying to raise their ugly heads even though they have been crushed underfoot. You see this over and over again following retreats and conferences and revival meetings. It always seems like there are some that have great testimonies about what God did and how they were changed but a few weeks later they are back doing whatever it was they were set free from.  And then discouragement creeps in and whispers doubt and lies that victory can never be obtained that we are stuck where are and can never move forward. These are lies from the pit of hell. Part of the problem is that the people have been trained for a sprint but the are running a marathon. Our discipleship is falling short because we aren't showing how to maintain a long term healthy deeper relationship with Abba that is the true source of our sustained victory. If our leaders cannot encourage themselves in the Lord as David did, how can we expect the people they are leading to stand firm too?
Ephesians 6:10-13 "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to  resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]."

blessed are....

I love the Beatitudes especially in the Amplified version. Here are a few of them. Happy Friday !!!
Matthew 5:5-10 "Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous--possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and  especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God! Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"

portrayals

So many times when we talk to pre-Christians they will say that they believe that there is something bigger and better out there, but they just don't want to have a whole new set of rules and restrictions that they will have to live by. This statement makes me sad mostly because it tells me that they have had exposure to Christians at some point in their life and that exposure was damaging. They were met with a religious, manipulating spirit that told them what they had to give up,quit and leave behind. Instead of being met with love, honor, acceptance and grace. In case y'all missed it Jesus didn't come to condemn or control but to love and to lead us into a relationship with Abba that goes beyond anything that we can imagine. Jesus did what Abba taught Him, said what Abba told Him, and so should we. When we seek Him and pursue and walk in His truth we become free, truly free. Does this give us license to go do whatever we desire? Yes as long as these things line up with what Abba is doing, you see the closer we get to Him the more our hearts and minds will be like His. This close relationship can't be obtained by just reading the Bible, the Bible says we must worship in spirit and in truth we need to have a mixture of both. Abba's desire is for us to be fully alive and free in Him. This is the life that we need to be showing others and not just those outside of the church, but also those that are sitting bound in religion in the church.
John 8:28-32 "So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught Me. And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him. As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted,  relied on, and adhered to Him]. So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."

coming in the opposite spirit.... a repost

I felt the need to repost one of my posts from last November. We need to be careful of who we surround ourselves with and what we allow them to speak. Remember gossip and backbiting is always divisive and breaks unity in the body.
So this morning I thought it would be good to wrap up Romans 12. I think for many Christ followers these verses are some of the hardest to live by, partly I think because we think that we have a responsibility to ourselves to standup to and defend against those who do us wrong, hurt us, lie about us and curse us. Many times we give these folks way too much or our head space and time. We had a special speaker at church last night one of things he said was "that he would much rather count his allies than his enemies." I personally have been a big fan of coming in the opposite spirit, these verses are a prime example of how that works. When you continue to bless and be nice to those that are trying to come against you it confuses them and ultimately it gives you control over the relationship. When you allow them to suck you into being negative and defensive you are giving them control. In Matthew 5 Jesus says "“But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."  He isn't telling us to let others beat us or to be whipping posts, He is telling us to not let others (especially the evil ones) to control our reactions. Even though in the natural we could probably really hurt them, if we turn it to the spiritual and bless them the natural will be overcome.  Romans 12:14-21 - Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things]  and  give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself  or  be wise in your own conceits.  Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest  and  proper  and  noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.  If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.  But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.  Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good

Victory is mine, says the Lord

Psalm 108:13 "Through and with God we shall do  valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries."
Recently there has been a lot of talk about going into battle  and having confidence in our victories. It's the kind of talk that gets your inner warrior stirred up and ready to engage. But sometimes that inner warrior can get a little too rambunctious and cause us to get ahead of what Abba is doing. We need to remember that not every opportunity to enter the fray should be answered, only Abba knows what battles He has for us to partner with Him on. Only He knows what we are ready for and truly capable of. I guess some of this is coming from personal experience it is no fun getting battle wounds because you engaged in something that wasn't yours to engage in.  I look at the children of Israel when they went to battle against Ai without God's blessing and the got their butts handed to them or the seven sons of Sceva that ended up beaten and naked because they didn't have the authority to engage. Even when the warrior is stirring and is ready to go we need to remember that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit we need to wait until we receive direction, and need to be quickly obedient to Abba's guidance. Another thing that we need to watch for is not get so focused on battle that we spend all of our time looking for and pursuing the enemy, we are not called to pursue him. We are however called to pursue people sometimes the greatest battles we engage in is showing the world the love of the Father breaking through crusty exteriors built up by wounds inflicted mostly by religious people. When we engage from the kingdom of God our strategy changes we don't engage as the world engages, many times victory is found in death, death to self, to lies, to traditions, to whatever is blocking our victory.
Romans 8:37-39 "Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 John 5:4-5 "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and  relies on that fact]?"

not just a get outta jail free card

During the Easter season we hear a lot about the cross and Jesus dying there for our sins. What we need to realize is that this is just the gateway to so much more. You see Abba's original intent for His creating man was to have someone that has the total freewill to want to have a relationship with Him. Someone that He could spend time with, converse with, co-labor with as a father does with his son. In accepting Christ as our savior and when we ask for forgiveness it is granted, but that forgiveness comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption into the family of God that includes a great inheritance and eternal life in His Kingdom. So when things get rough in life (and they will) we have the ability to live above or outside of our circumstance, because we are sons and daughters of the living God, the Creator of everything and our citizenship is with Him and not the world.
You see the cross is much more than a get outta jail free card. It's the gateway to an adventure that is more than anything we can imagine if we truly choose to follow Him.
Romans 8:11-18 "And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh. For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba  (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own  spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!"

don't quench the Spirit

When it comes to the prophetic the spectrum of what people believe it is or what it looks or sounds like varies greatly. The spectrum is just as wide for how prophetic words are received. According to the apostle Paul prophesy should be one of the most desired gifts, yet it is the treated with the most fear. I remember when I was first discovering the prophetic one of my early spiritual leaders told me that I need to be careful with that. I have seen people who are perfectly happy praying in tongues all day will accept a little healing here and there but will run and cower when it comes to the prophetic. I believe there are a couple of reasons for this wariness one being gift abuse, there are too many that use the prophetic to manipulate others, which is witchcraft, or the use it to try and look spiritual and draw attention to themselves, or they use the gift to rain condemnation down on folks.
We need to remember that the heart of every gift from Abba is love. His desire is for us to use them in love. When He shows us the treasures that He has hidden in people it is so we can speak life into them and call those things out. When He shows us areas of struggle or sin in peoples lives it isn't to condemn or shame  them, it is so we can pray for those things so they can gain victory, it gives us a strategy to invade the enemies strongholds in their lives so that we can speak to that thing in them that will cause their spirit to rise up and be victorious.
One other thing is when prophets have words for churches, communities, states, countries or even specific people groups especially when they see things that could bring potential disaster they still need to respond to these words with Abba's heart of love and not condemnation. I believe He shows you these things so that you can get the intercessors praying into whatever will bring life into those situations. Remember He sent Jonah to Nineveh even though they were ridiculous murders so that they could be redeemed.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 "Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy]  Spirit; Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast."

joyful and thankful

This sounded like good scripture to start the week with.  We need to be joyful and thankful despite our circumstances. Doesn't mean we need to stay in our present circumstances but that we need to adjust our attitudes toward them so that we can with a positive attitude push toward the best things that Abba has for us.
Have a great week, happy Monday.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."

knock it off

One thing that I am sure of is that being a part of the body of Christ is essential to our growth as Christians and people. Whenever you detach yourself for any length of time your health declines, but it also makes it so a part of the body is missing. If I were to cut my finger finger off I would have 2 choices I could just leave it behind get the closed up and just continue to move through life without the finger would I get by yes but I wouldn't be whole, and the finger would rot and die because it no lo ger has a connected source of life. My other choice would be to pick that finger up get to the hospital so a skilled surgeon can reattach it and hopefully have complete restoration with care and time.
One of the enemies tactics is to get us divided from the rest of the body. He tries to convince us that when we get our feelings hurt by another Christian or when we start feeling unworthy that we are better off detaching because we and them will be better off. Then once you are separated he's convinces you that you don't need to rejoin that you can do it on your own, but its a lie from the king of liars. If you stay detached you are no longer a part of the True Vine that is the source of life, you will eventually shrivel up and die.
Don't get me wrong sometimes being a part of the body isn't easy, you will get you feelings hurt people will say and do stupid things including the leaders in the body. We have a responsibility in how we react to those things and even in making sure we aren't setting unfair expectations on ourselves and others. We can only achieve fullness of life and Christ when we stay in relationship and build and encourage and love on one another.
So if you are detached trying to do it on your own knock it off and find a body to connect to so you can get healthy and enjoy the fullness of all God has for you. If you are in a body and you are judgmental and condenscending knock it off you aren't better than anyone else learn how to love better and be more full of grace helping to be restorers, so the body can be healthy again.
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up  (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing  (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you  see the day approaching."

dust it off

What are the gifts that Abba has given you? It is our responsibility to keep the passion for gifts stirred, continuing to function in them.  He does not give them to us to horde or to put on a shelf as trophies. He gives them to us to use and grow in so that we in turn can give them away. In His economy when He gives to you and you take that thing and hive it to others doesn't mean you lose it, because as you give He gives more. We need to pull them off the shelf dust them off and put them to good use.
And when it comes to functioning in our gifts we can't let fear of others thinking bad things about us to keep us from doing what we are called to. Moving in and functioning in our gifts should be normal, and those around us should welcome them because of our character, evidence of self-control and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 "That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."

ever have one of those mornings?

Ever have one of those mornings when you wake up tired and all you want to do is go back to bed, but you have to be responsible and get ready for work anyway?  Up that's me this morning and twice in my internal whining to myself I am shown the verses in Ephesian's that talk about putting on your armor. Think someone is trying to tell me something? Then it was impressed upon me that sometimes when you are tired is when you especially need to armor up, not as much to engage fully in the battle but for self protection in a time of vulnerability. Bill Johnson says that he doesn't need to put his armor on in the morning because he doesn't take it off at night. Another thing that stood out to me was that when we put the armor on we are to "stand" and "pray in the Spirit".
So if you took your armor off last night, put it back on this morning. It is a protective gift from Abba. Just in engaging in that process improves our attitudes for the day and causes us to rely on His strength and not our own.
Ephesians 6:10-19 "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to  resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right  standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),"

not just one

To truly know the fullness of Christ you need to have both knowledge of and experience with Him. It can't be solely based on one or the other.
Ephesians 3:17-19 "May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through  experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!"

focus focus focus

Sometimes we need to focus more on the incredible things He has already provided us, instead of the things we feel that we deserve and haven't received. He has already given more than enough. Changing your focus adjusts your attitude, where are you focused today?
Romans 5:1-5 "THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared  righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely]  stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of  experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."

walk it out

Sometimes we need a reminder of Abba's viewpoint on where He has placed, His intentions for us and the authority we were originally designed for. Do you have a desire to see His majestic name fill the earth? Then walkout who and what He has created you to be.
Psalm 8:1-9 "O'LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O'LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!"

journaling

Anyone that has spent any time with Laura and I have heard the importance of journaling, something that I learned from my mentor. A friend of ours shared this excerpt from one of James Goll's books I thought it would be good to pass it on.
James W. Goll:

Journaling As a Tool of Retaining Revelation

Do you need help retaining what you have already received? Then I have a simple remedy for you – journal! Yes, it is one of those awesome spiritual disciplines! Journaling is a tried and tested spiritual tool that will help you retain revelation and grow in your capacity to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. I have tried it, and it works!

Basically, journaling is simply a method of keeping notes for future reference. It can take many forms. Your journal may consist of your prayers, a record of God's answers as you perceive them, and/or a record of what you sense the Holy Spirit is saying to you through His various delivery systems. Journaling is a fundamental and clearly useful Biblical discipline.

Some Believers express concern that journaling is an attempt to put subjective revelation on the same level of authority as Scripture. This is not the case at all. The Bible alone is the infallible Word of God. Journaling is just another tool to help us retain and be more faithful with what He speaks to us.

God speaks to His children much of the time! However, we do not always differentiate His voice from our own thoughts, and thus we are timid at times about stepping out in faith. If we clearly learn to retain what He is speaking to us, we will know that He has already confirmed His voice and Word to us. Thus we will be enabled to walk out God's words to us with greater confidence. Journaling then becomes a way of sorting out God's thoughts from our own.

As it has been for so many, the simple art of recording revelation may prove to be one of the missing links in your own walk of hearing God's voice. Continuity of language, divine suggestions and reminders, and also learning the proper interpretation of symbols, will occur as you use journaling as a creative tool of storing up, and later deciphering, revelation.

I strongly encourage you to start journaling now if you have not already done so. The principles, tips, and suggestions in this chapter will help you get off to a strong start. Those of you who are already engaged in journaling, I urge you to continue!

To encourage you as to the value of journaling, let me share some thoughts on the subject from another elder friend, Herman Riffel. Herman is one of the "patriarchs" of modern-day visionary revelation – an authority not only on dreams and their interpretation but also on journaling as an effective method of retaining revelation.

In life we keep the treasures we value. Unwanted mail that comes is tossed away with just a glance. But bills, whether we like them or not, are carefully laid aside until we pay them. Checks are deposited in the bank so that no money is lost. Diplomas and certificates of recognition are hung on the wall for others to see.
What do we do with the promises the Lord gives us? They are worth more than any amount of money. What happens to the lessons we have learned through difficult and costly experiences? Too often we forget within a day or two the words of encouragement God gave us. The promises vanish away in the midst of new problems, unless we make a proper record of them.
I know by personal experience. Lillie and I pray for our children regularly, often for specific needs. Then we wait on the Lord for His answer, and graciously He gives us a word of encouragement.
Recently one of these words came to us: Salvation shall spring forth like the grass and you will rejoice with joy unspeakable, for I will do what I have promised. Therefore, wait in patience and trust in Me, for I am faithful.
This was an encouraging word and we did rejoice in it. Just a few days later, however, I asked Lillie if she remembered what the promise was that God had given. She did not remember, and neither did I, for problems had absorbed our attention again. Since I keep a journal, however, we were able to check it, find the promise, and again receive encouragement.
[Herman H. Riffel]

never ever ever....

Our old sinful nature will never ever ever be stronger than the Holy Spirit. We give strength to what we feed. If we continue to choose to feed our former selves then we are choosing to bear bad fruit, giving strength to that which is dead. We need to choose to follow the Spirit in all aspects of our lives so that we continue to produce good fruit that produces life. The choice is yours Abba will not force you, He created us with the free will to choose and He respects that. He doesn't want blind robots (if He did that is what He would have created) He wants people that accept Him and pursue Him freely of their own freewill.
What are you gonna choose?

Galatians 5:16-25 "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."

fresh start

For some reason this Scripture seemed appropriate as we start this new week. Everyday we have been given is a new opportunity to leave our past behind us and walk into our destinies with Jesus to rely on Him and to become more and more like Him.  I used to be the great procrastinator but as I have matured I have figured out that in procrastinating you are just continually dragging what should have been handled yesterday into today.  So as we go into the day let's not put off to tomorrow what we need to do today, especially if we need to extend forgiveness or need to call that person Abba has put on our hearts that just needs to hear a voice of kindness and love.
Colossians 3:10-17 "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

relationship

It's all about relationship and fellowship and caring for and building each other up. You can't do it alone it's not how you were created.  Sometimes doing the above is risky and yes you might get hurt but in the end the love overcomes the pain and you end up being stronger and have greater understanding when you deal with others.
Happy Friday
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up  (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing  (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you  see the day approaching."

persistence

You know sometimes in life I think we give up to quickly, especially when it comes to prayer. Our culture has become so much about "I want what I want and I want it now" that if we don't get it "now" then we blame Abba and say "oh it must not have been in God's will".  This attitude has even infected our church services, you know you have 3 songs, announcements, a message that better not go over 20 minutes or you will half the congregation looking at their watches complaining that it went over again. The reactions we used to get from folks when they found out our church services would last 5 hours on average, were kind of funny. But once they came they understood why. I guess there were some things we figured out kind of by accident, we found that sometimes sitting around a living room with a snack and other Abba loving folks is a great form of ministry His love flows and stuff just happens, it's ok to stop and back up to make sure everyone is ok or to have a teaching moment, that when we are praying for people that we need to not let time interfere with what the Holy Spirit is doing and in that sometimes persistence is the key (Jesus tells us to ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking) these things take time and commitment.
We need to maintain our focus keep our eyes on Him, let Him know we are serious about being the overcomer's  that He has called us to be. That doesn't happen when we have a drive-thru, microwave mentality. It takes persistence and pursuit of what Abba lays before us.
Luke 18:1-8 "ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up). He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither reverenced and feared God nor respected or considered man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and  saying, Protect and defend and give me justice against my adversary. And for a time he would not; but later he said to himself, Though I have neither reverence or fear for God nor respect  or consideration for man, Yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will defend  and protect and avenge her, lest  she give me intolerable annoyance and wear me out by her continual coming or at the last she come and rail on me or assault me or strangle me. Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect  and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?"

choosing who we trust

I think there are many that become wary or even afraid of the Holy Spirit, mostly because of gift abuse or sheep abuse, where people misuse the Holy Spirit for personal gain or use the gifts to manipulate and control others. However, when you look at the names that Jesus gave the Holy Spirit you don't see manipulator in the list what you do see is this; Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate,  Strengthener, Standby. Personally I welcome the Holy Spirit and everything that comes with Him, its not always easy and sometimes the things He leads you to do or deal are a little scary, but that is when trust and faith come in. We need to do what Jesus told us to do through the power of the Holy Spirit we can take control of our hearts and not let them be troubled or afraid. That is a choice we have to make and in doing so we can overcome fear and dispel manipulators.
John 14:26-27 "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate,  Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"