Get real!

As a person of faith, have you ever been told you are living in unreality?  If you have, its probably a good thing, since most people's thinking ( including believers) is bound by their 5 senses and space-time concepts of reality, which are really two of the biggest enemies of faith.  If we are going to be consistent in our beliefs and responses that God is not limited by space or time, (Isa. 46:10 - he sees the end from the beginning) and that he is omnipotent and omnipresent, and unable to be defined by any concept we have of dimension- then we will begin to behave radically different than most others around us.   Especially if we believe that,  "as he -(Jesus) is so are we in this world-" I John 4:17.   If all the  fullness of God's essence dwelt in Christ bodily and Christ is in us- ( col. 2:9) then what are the implications for our sense of reality?  Human beings are the only created beings that are able to be in touch with both realms simultaneously.  ( Eph. 2:5-6, 1:21-23, Heb. 10:19)
Faith declares that the flow of reality is from Spirit to the physical or material, or in other words from causal to effect, calling those things that are not as though they are ( Rom. 4:17).   Holy Spirit is always attempting to change our perspective or transform our thinking ( Rom. 12:2) from temporary to eternal ( I cor. 6:17)  What the scripture teaches possible is that the Holy Spirit inside of us and outside of us simultaneously will use the faith image we hold as inner reality to change the outer reality and conform to that faith image.  ( Heb. 11;1, Heb. 4:12, Ezek. 37: 3-10)- Still working on that, but getting close.
Spirit reality has already been established in the eternal, heavenly realm based on the word of God and the Holy Spirit and we can have confidence in declaring that word for our personal life,  it is more real than the temporal or non-eternal realm than what we can discern with our created senses ( Psalm 33:6, Gen. 1:2, Heb. 11:1-3, I Peter 4:11, 2 Cor. 4:18)
I am not there yet, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,  I can see these truths in the word of God.  Sometimes I operate in faith and other times I don't and I know that most of the time I don't its because I don't believe who I really am. I believe the lies and  lack of identity this temporal realm preaches to me instead of who I am in Christ. 
Irregardless of my feelings or appearances in the natural, I have determined  to be intentional in my thoughts and words in declaring and acting upon the truth of who God says  I am and operate out of the real, eternal, causal heavenly realm.  I am in the kingdom of God and completely out of the power of darkness ( col. 1:13) far above all demonic powers and I also am intentional in viewing people and circumstances from God's vantage point, seated next to him in heavenly places on the throne.
I have all the things God has declared and that I need, available to me purchased by Christ's blood  including:  peace, love, joy, faith, authority, wisdom. and I can do all things throuch Christ who strengthens me. ( Phil 4:13)

Its hard to change your own diaper

           My very earliest and most vivid and detailed memory was when I was just under 2 years old.  I was walking already and toting my bottle wherever I went.  I only spoke a few words, but understood everything my young mother said.  This particular memory and experience was one of those in which my awareness to my surroundings was extremely heightened.  It was so impacting to me for certain reasons ( both natural and Spiritual) that I can still to this day, see in my mind's eye, everything in the apartment, and where it was positioned. I can see the color of the couch and the old T.V. set with the giant knob that had to be turned by hand to change the channel.  I remember that I was wearing a multi-colored striped shirt and a diaper only without pants.  I remember my mother's typical 60's hairstyle and capri pants and her giggling with her friends on the phone which was in the kitchen.             The scene begins with my mother calling me into the kitchen and telling me she is going to be on the phone for a few minutes.  She tells me to not to go anywhere where she cannot see me which is basically in the living room that has a direct sight into the kitchen.  She also sternly asks me to please not poop in my diaper since she had just changed it.  Having been given that charge I immediately head off to the living room and begin playing with my loop stacking toy.  Either coincidentally or just because I was told not to, I needed to go number 2 almost immediately.  When the deed was done and I felt the guilt of doing something wrong, my first reaction ( at under 2 years old) was to hide the evidence and  to cover it up.  Since there were no fig leaves available, after I took off my diaper and hid it under the couch, I went and got a new diaper and tried to put it on.

          I remember my mother coming over to me and smiling, almost laughing and asking me what happened to my diaper as she surveyed the scene of me standing there with a fresh diaper squeezed together between my legs, but hanging to the ground with no pin and poop all over my backside.  I shrugged my shoulders as if it was a great mystery, but I am sure she found it eventually.  She didn't punish me or scold me probably because she was so amused, and I realized that neither was I able to hide anything from her nor was I able to cover it up. 

       I received Grace from my mother even though I had made a mess and tried to cover it up.  Grace is not a license to sin or a hiding away of sin or even a mere forgiveness of my sinfulness.  Grace is not just a cover up, acting as if the incident didn't happen.   Grace actually completely eradicates sinfulness itself. ( Rom. 6, Gal. 2:20) Grace, ignores my futile attempt to cover up my sin and wipes my butt clean, because I can't reach it. I wasn't designed to and neither God nor my mom expected me to change my own diaper.  Grace is not a freedom to sin, its a freedom from sin.  Even though I could not have verbalized or conceptualized it in my Toddler mind back then, I was exposed to a truth that God's Spirit highlights to me on a regular basis.  I cannot eliminate sin in my life by my own effort.  The adamic nature will always eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, (self righteousness) instead of the tree of life and then cover up with a fig leaf.  The adamic nature will always try to hide the diaper under the couch and cover up the dirty butt with a new diaper, but the butt is still dirty. 

Walking my dog and running into God

Meditating on the song "show me your glory" from the latest Jesus Culture CD all day long today and as I meditated on it and turned it into an earnest prayer I was surprised at the way God answered it.  

I got home from work today and my wife Lesley asked me if I wanted to walk the dog so off we went before it got dark.  It was a normal beautiful sunshiney day and there were all sorts of people smiling and happy, riding bikes, jogging, pulling their dogs to the side so our ferocious chihuahua terrier Duke didn't attack.   Our neighborhood is a very nice upper middle class neighborhood in the hills of South Corona in California at the base of  a mountain, so that's why he stood out.

 We found out later his name was Juan.  He just looked out of place and nervous as if he had done something wrong or was about to get busted for something.  As he saw us walking up to him about a block away, he got up off of the grass that he had been laying down on propped up by a huge back pack.  He obviously felt awkward. He was scarecrow thin, even gaunt and  his pants were tied with  a rope instead of a belt so they didn't fall off.  He was a short young man, with a friendly demeanor and large eyes that seemed hopeful, but hurt. Lesley approached him first and with special skill  and gentleness, extracted critical information.  He was from Rialto Ca., and  had been kicked out of the house by his father for something very petty.  I would find out later that he was the third child to be kicked out after being abused and beaten by a religious father who had a problem with rage.  I knew then that this was a divine encounter and we were somehow supposed to demonstrate the  heart of  the father that loved him and wasn't mad at him. 

We could tell that he was a little slow mentally and really  didn't have a well thought out escape plan with no money or food or transportation.  His idea was to get to San Diego and cross the border into Mexico ( without any paperwork) and find his distant relatives in Guadalajara.  We were both concerned and wondered what we could do for Juan, but at that point we blessed him, prayed protection and safety over him as he walked towards the 15 freeway from about 2 miles above it.  We were concerned and as we got home the plan formulated in my mind.  Lesley got me  20 dollars out of the Dave Ramsey envelope book that was earmarked for food and I drove down the street to find him and feed him.  I pulled up next to him in my car and asked him when  he had eaten last and he said 2 days ago.   I asked him burgers or tacos?  He smiled and said " In and out is my favorite", so we pulled in and I bought him some food and gave him the change from the 20 dollar bill and we made small talk.  I didn't say anything profound or spiritually encouraging because that wasn't what he needed, but I looked him in the eyes and listened to him and  smiled at him and he knew I genuinely cared about him.  Praying in the Spirit under my breath, a detail came to my mind.  Lesley was going to be in San Diego on Wednesday.  I said "Juan here is my card, call me if you get into trouble and my wife will come find you"  It just so happens  that she knows the location of a good homeless shelter in San Diego and my gut feeling is he will be calling us when he figures out he can't get across the border without documentation.

I pointed Juan to the 15 freeway just a block away as he profusely thanked me for the food and money and I could n't help but feel guilty as if there was something more I could be, should be doing.  I immediately went to L.A. fitness and lifted weights with my earphones in and music on and it was as if I had entered a completely different world.  The gym was filled with young people about Juan's age who were completely oblivious to the rejection, need and hopelessness that I had just encountered in this young man, many of them had passed him by on their way to the gym.  I was semi-stunned and knew that this "chance encounter" was just as much for me as it was for him.  The song came on my headphones "show me your glory"  and as clear as if it was an audible voice the Holy Spirit said to me-  I just showed you my glory in the face of Juan.   I was immediately overcome with revelation and emotion and had to hide my face so no one could see the tears forming at the corner of my eyes.  Lots of threads of scriptures came to my mind and I am sure that I will revisit this experience again and God will reveal even more of his glory.

 ^{Matthew 25: 31-33}"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

 ^34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

   I was hungry and you fed me,
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
   I was homeless and you gave me a room,
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
   I was sick and you stopped to visit,
   I was in prison and you came to me.'

 ^37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

Winning battles through rest

There are so many lessons to be learned from the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, but one of the most important ones that Holy Spirit has been speaking to me is about the battle- that it is his and not ours.  We all want to see supernatural deliverance like the red sea swallowing up our enemies, but rarely put ourselves in the position to where we have to trust God for the miracle or we will be destroyed.  The kind of confidence that puts you in front of the red sea with your enemies behind you comes out of a deep and abiding trust that many think is absolutely nuts.  

The fame of what God did at the red sea went ahead of  the people of God so that all of their enemies were quaking in their boots. When you let God fight your battles it is the gift that keeps on giving.  You are able to rest and he is glorified and the next enemy in line has already given up.  The enemies would have all given up without a fight and let the Israelites pass- remember Rahab at Jericho who confessed as much.  When we survey the enemy and determine our chances in the battles ourselves, we align ourselves with the 10 spies instead of Joshua and Caleb and the 40 day journey turns into 40 years giving our enemy more time to gain confidence and us more time to forget what God has done.  God called the Israelites ( minus Caleb and Joshua) an evil and unbelieving generation for not believing that they could enter into the promised  land  ( rest).  They couldn't get past trusting in their own ability to displace the enemy  to take posession of the land and God called that Evil and unbelief.  

Remember this is the generation that saw many miracles of supernatural provision, including Manna, quail, water from the rock, shoes and clothes that lasted for 40 years etc.-  Supernatural occurrences were not the evidence of faith, Rest is the evidence of faith. God wants us to trust him in the battle, the more seemingly overwhelming the odds, the more glory he receives.   Think about all the examples in scripture where God is jealous to do battle for his people:

*Jericho,  the Israelites marched in a circle and worshipped and God crumbled the walls

* God sent an angel who killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night who had laid a seige on Jerusalem

*More than once we see the example of mass confusion and the enemy ends up fighting amongst themselves because the Lord puts a spirit of confusion on them and they are confounded.

* Remember the severe punishment David received for numbering his soldiers and trusting in those numbers instead of the Lord

* Remember Samuel's rebuke of Saul who did not honor God by performing the sacrifice before battle

The principle is true spiritually for the church age as well.  Jesus has already defeated every enemy in every battle and there is nothing we can do to make the victory more complete, nothing we can add to his sacrifice. It really comes down to trust, believing that what he did was enough for everything we will ever have to face.

Do you see this woman?

"Do you see this woman ?"   Is the question Jesus asked Simon the pharisee who had invited him over for dinner.  This was a loaded question as are all questions that Jesus asks.  He is asking the pharisee in all of us if we really see and understand this woman he is highlighting as an example of what he is looking for in a woman, in his church, in his bride.  When Jesus told his disciples I am going away to prepare a place for you, he was referring to the Jewish custom of a groom going to prepare the addition to the home for his betrothed bride.  That is why he says in my fathers house are many mansions and that he will go prepare a place for you and come back for you.- He wants a Spiritual bride made of many members.

  Jesus speaking to Simon who is glad to have Jesus around (at arms length) can of course see the woman, he and many of his guests see her/judge her  by her past actions and her social status, but not her current heart condition before Jesus.  He and all the rest of the self-righteous are offended and embarrassed by her presence, boldness, and abandonment before Jesus.  Maybe they forgot about the book of Hosea and God's heart and commitment to his unfaithful bride.  In any event Jesus brings home the point to Simon and to us all,  when we invite him into our home, our heart, do we keep him at arm's length?  Or do we rush past the Simon's to the feet of Jesus, blocking out every distraction?  Do we honor him with our actions, time, our treasure and emotions irregardless of what the crowd thinks of us?  Is our passion and intimacy with him developed to the point that we look ridiculous to the establishment?  - What do you think when you see a man laughing uncontrollably in church or a woman in heaving tears, or a child dancing in abandonment?  Are you embarrassed and judgemental or do you see them like Jesus sees them fighting through the crowd to pour ointment all over his feet, greatful for what he has done in their life.  

Luke 11

 ^36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."

 ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

   "Oh? Tell me."

 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"

 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"

 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Already in heaven, but still on earth.

The picture of the tabernacle is rich with revelation of who we are in Christ.  It consisted of 3 sections:  the outer court, the holy place and the holy of holies. No one entered the holy of  holies except the high priest who did only once a year to make an offering for the sin of the people.  Most of us know and understand that Christ is our high priest who tore down the veil between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies so that we have access to him and the holy place once and for all through his blood.  
The life that we are called to live is as a citizen of heaven and heaven's ambassador on this earth at the same time. ( rooms 2 and 3)  We have been given a lamp, the light and life of Christ to navigate between the two realms. The light of heaven/shekinah glory that was the only source of light in the holy of holies now illuminates the other rooms since the veil has been ripped away.  At all times we have unbroken access to the spiritual realm.  Our union with Christ in those realms which are in Christ (eph. 2:6)  are not based on our feelings or emotions or how well we understand the scriptures or some deep mystery, but because and only because of Christ's blood.  We are in mystical union with him right now here on this earth and forever.  We were joined to him in his death and resurrection in a very real, tangible spiritual way.(Rom 6)  While we are here on this earth we are called to reflect the light of the Holy of Holies into the middle room and even the outer court.
The shekinah glory of God that shone in the holy of holies, shines on us and through us, we are still lampstands or vessels of that oil shining in the middle room.  The lampstand in the middle room shone upon the table of shewbread symbolic of the fact the church ( who is the lampstand) is to always to point to the bread of life, Jesus Christ.

Year of oneness

I Recently went to a conference in Pasadena and heard a comprehensive prophetic message from several well known leaders.  One of the threads the H.S. is speaking about  is transition to Oneness in 2011.  A couple things really stood out to me in the life of King David that I feel are worth sharing. 

David was anointed and called to be king over Israel many years before he actually took posession of the throne.  (  There are promises we have been given years ago that have not yet come to pass). The enemy continuously challenged the call from within and without. On his journey to the throne after the bear and Lion ( small victories) when David was ready to challenge Goliath, even his own brothers rejected him and challenged his heart and motives.  The enemy was trying to eliminate the support structure David would need during his reign early on.  Through a Spirit of hurt and rejection the strategy was to fragment, separate and scatter people, relationships, support structure.  David may have had a right to alienate or even punish his brothers as king, but instead he kept the lines of communication open and God sovereignly healed those relationships so that David's brothers were the ones who came to him when he was in the cave hiding from Saul.  ( I sam. 22, 2 sam. 1:8)

2 sam. 3: 1 says that there was long war between the house of Saul and David and that David grew Stronger and stronger and Saul grew weaker and weaker.  All of the fragmented relationships, the judgments, man made separations etc.  need to be healed and grow toward oneness before the glory is released in you, before David is crowned king.  God crowns and anoints unity and oneness.  I believe on all levels there will be restoration to oneness:  individuals one with their God, families one, local, regional, national and international body's of believers one by the Spirit of God, ( not ecumenical or theological agreement) before God can reveal Christ in his anointed ones.   (matt. 12:9)