1 Kings 19:12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Hearing the voice of God in your spirit and putting His voice as THE authority is central to following Him into abundant eternal life. Here I talk a bit about how to hear and follow His voice.
The messages of this world and religion have made life with God somehow less, which is a lie. It’s this lie that must be exposed in our soul to enable us come into the fullness of God’s righteous love. As long as we are holding this lie, we won’t let go and embrace all He has for us. We will continue to make decisions against His leading and thus repeat the dynamic of what happened in the Garden of Eden over and over … that somehow we know better.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
When we abandon our self-will and desire God to govern all that we are, He takes over and transitions us into an eternal creation filled and governed by Him. This magnificant new life is one of rest as God does all things in and through us. It is full of power because God is orchestrating and performing all things for us. Psalm 57:2 When He takes over His desires become our desires, thus we live by following our desires. Here I talk in more detail about this blessed gift and life.
Hebrews 4:10-11 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
In this video, I discuss a very important truth of entering into God’s rest.
You are profoundly loved by God. You are cherished by Him, for you are His creation. He desires for you to know Him, intimately. He is waiting for you to daily come to Him in truth and spirit, which is a teachable heart to know Him as He is beyond the worldly and religious images and for your spirit to be deeply acquainted with His. No person can give you God. You have to find that unity with Him yourself.
Kingdom Being Established
God has been largely misrepresented and misunderstood in this world of lies, but the time is upon us that all will know Him as He is for His Kingdom of Righteous is being established upon this earth. His Kingdom is of righteous love. All who are a part of it are a part of God thus governed by Him and living in and by His righteous love. Where there is righteousness there is no sin, thus no death, thus eternal life. Life is at the door, now is the time to open it. Revelation 3:20 Now is the time for the power of Christ to be revealed in this earth.
When you come to God and begin to learn of Him from Him, you will learn of His love for you. He gives you the desire and power to walk in His ways of righteousness for that is what it means to be a part of Him. As you spend time each day as you would with a friend over a cup of coffee, your life will begin to manifest His presence. It’s not about religion or religious activities. Knowing God is abiding in your life as you are uniquely created grounded in rest, peace, joy, contentment and righteous love.
Hope Fulfilled
Up to this point in time, people have lived with the hope of this life in the Kingdom of God. The hope in itself is powerful, one to change lives and two because of the Holy Spirit given as a guarantee of the time to come. 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 BUT NOW as God’s power flows to set up His Kingdom in this earth, there will be a significant transformation in people as they are consumed with His righteous love, rest and peace. The transformation comes by grace as we seek His face. God’s grace is being poured out, step into that grace and you will step into His power leading to a new life in His Kingdom.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon thegrace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Evidence of the Kingdom: Rest
The evidence of God’s Kingdom manifesting on in this earth is a Holy Sabbath reigning in people’s lives. The Sabbath is a place of eternal rest inside and out because God is living through you. It’s being at rest from all your own efforts (no self-will) as God’s power governs each step. Hebrews 4:10 In rest, you trust in His love in every situation, thus are without fear. 1 John 4:18 In rest, peace is ruling in your heart, because where there is nothing that causes angst there is peace. Colossians 3:15 In rest, His power is manifested. This depth of rest is evidence of His Kingdom; a Kingdom that starts as a mustard seed in this earth and in your heart. Matthew 13: 31-32 The transformation will be a testimony that you are in truth and will compel others to step into God’s grace as well.
As you abide with God, the gospel (truth) of peace will be established within you by His hand. Hebrews 8:10-11 He will write His truths upon your heart, truths about how to live this life that will manifest His presence and thus all that you deeply desire. For it’s God’s will to give you the desires of your heart; desires void of corruption. As this gospel of peace is established in the souls of mankind, His Kingdom will spread to fill this earth purging the darkness of sin and the death it creates.
Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Conquering of Death
The world consists of truth and lies. Truth is the thoughts, actions and ways that bring all that is of life (love, joy, peace, rest, satisfaction). Lies are the thoughts, actions and ways that bring all that is of death (pain, suffering, stress, fear, angst, death). At the breath of His mouth, God will set up His Kingdom. Isaiah 11:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 His Word of truth will take root in the hearts of mankind as never before, as now is the time for His Kingdom to become a reality and no longer just a hope. As truth starts to spring forth from the fountain of life, it will defeat the lies thus the consequences of them; error/sin leading to death.
Death has been conquered; thus the Father of lies, the source of lies, has been conquered. John 8:44 Now we will see the manifestation of that victory. As a result, wicked works will be destroyed. Wickedness and evil will implode upon themselves and righteousness will conquer and reign. Proverbs 12:7 Through it all, God’s grace and mercy will abound.
God’s power makes streams in the desert and makes the wilderness bloom. This Kingdom will be established by His power not ours. It will be established by us abiding in rest and God flowing through us. Though some will cling to their ways, the growing rest in the lives of others and the growing angst in their own as the sin implodes upon itself, will lead them to the point of turning to God. 1 Corinthians 3:13 When you see Him (peace, rest, joy, love), it becomes much easier to believe. But blessed are those who believe when they didn’t see. John 20:29
Step into the Kingdom by plugging into the source of life. The gates have been opened for God’s living waters to flood this earth, and they are flowing your way.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Free will – freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention
What is it to be free? What kind of freedom do you really want?
Every belief, thought, decision and action we take is influenced by many sources; our experiences, past, lies, truth, friends, culture, traditions, manipulation, media, family, teachers, knowledge or lack of. Making a free will decision isn’t realistic, many things influence us. When you boil it down, what influences us are either based on lies or the truth. Lies and truth make up our beliefs. And, we are governed by our beliefs, meaning we serve them. In other words, we are a slave to them. Thus we are either a slave to lies or to truth. Though the word “slave” has negative connotations, being a slave to what is truly good is a good thing.
In this life we have two options; we can serve the truth, God, or we can serve lies, anything that opposes God’s ways. We can be a slave to righteousness or a slave to unrighteousness/sin. This is the only real choice we have.
1 John 5:9 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
Which will you serve?
The answer seems straight forward … truth. But it’s not that easy because the very nature of a lie is that you think it’s truth. If you believe it’s truth, you don’t question it, but continue to act according to it until it’s revealed for what it is. When we live according to lies, our lives produce what we don’t desire; sickness, poverty, lack, suffering, pain, anger, bitterness, envy, oppression, hardship, and afflictions. Aren’t these elements of death what we really want to be free from?
Slave to Righteousness
Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
If you chose truth, then you will seek truth from the one who is truth, God. Only in seeking truth are the lies revealed for what they are. By seeking God, we see the lies for what they are and chose to believe His ways, which we learn are of peace, joy, fulfillment and love. In chosing His ways and will, we chose to believe in His words over another’s in every situation and our actions follow. James 2:20 In choosing God, we give up our ways and the ways of the world, and embrace His full governance over our lives as He deems good, because we’ve learned only He is truly good.
Because of God’s love for us, though we are heeding all His ways and thus a slave to righteousness for He is righteous, abiding in His truth is more of being a child than a slave.
God is perfect in righteous love. Therefore everything He does is for our very best and will truly satisfy us. God is the perfect Father; as it’s His will to provide, protect, care, help, nurture, comfort, lead, guide and love us. Luke 12:32 Imagine being under the care of the perfect father who had every resource at His finger tips? Being a recipient of this love is what it is to be God’s child.
As His child, you are not only governed by His perfect righteous love, but you are a part of Him. Therefore, your desires become His desires. Thus, He gives you the desires of your heart because they are His for you as well. Psalm 37:4 Like a child, 1. you abide in complete rest as God cares for all that concerns you and 2. you follow your desires. To abide in rest and live by your desires is what it means to be a slave to righteousness. Incredible truths.
The core lie that keeps people from seeking truth from God is that He’ll make our lives less somehow. That we’ll miss out. That He’ll leave us and we’ll be worse off than before. But these are all lies that keep us from obtaining the abundant peaceful and restful lives we desire.
In this choice, we are far more than a slave, because we become a part of God. (Led By Spirit of God)
Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Slave to Unrighteousness
Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
In not choosing God, so we don’t seek Truth from God, we default to being a slave to unrighteousness and the elements of death, for God is life and anything counter is death. We become slaves to lies by believing them to be truth. By believing and thus acting on those lies, we manifest a life of things we don’t want; pain, suffering, fear, hardships and so on. We may “conquer” one issue, but the underlining belief hasn’t changed so it’s redirected and manifests in another way. We are left feeling trapped, overwhelmed, discouraged, oppressed, discontented, and wanting more.
When we serve unrighteousness, our decisions are based on the world’s messaging. We’re directed by the conglomeration of external influences, whichever messages are impressed upon us the strongest. Lies are lies. Though they take on many faces the results are the same; a spirit lacking in truth, righteous love and peace. We trust what we know, and we make choices on what we know. There is no free will, just decisions manifesting pain.
Two paths, two very different results … which will you serve?
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Last week, I discussed the Path of Salvationand how it’s not only knowing and believing in God, but becoming a part of God. God is life. When we are a part of Him, we have eternal life. Becoming a part of God involves seeking, hearing, and obeying for to be a part of Him is to become as He is. 1 John 3:2 This journey is working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12-13
Working out our salvation is walking the narrow way of truth. Matthew 7:13-14 It’s learning from God, then obeying as we are taught. When our thoughts, will, and desires are one with God, we are His sons and daughters because we are a part of Him. We reflect His nature, as a true son or daughter would. We mirror the result of His ways; His holiness, love, truth, mercy, compassion, and righteousness. If we are truly fellowshipping with God, we will see these characteristics expanding in our lives, as light expands to fill the darkness.
To be led by God means we are no longer led by our self will. It means learning God’s ways, then acting according to His ways and no longer our own. It means setting aside our judgments and letting Him judge. It means letting Him rule our lives. It means abiding in rest as God moves through us. It means seeking and listening; for how else will we know His will to live it?
This turning from our ways to follow His ways is repentance. Repentance occurs when we learn that God’s ways are better, thus they become our desire and passion. For example, God tells us to honor all people. 1 Peter 2:17To each one of us, He will specifically direct us to what that looks like. He will teach us through our circumstances and in accordance with the Bible. As we listen and obey to His specific counsel to us, we experience the positive effects of walking in God’s truth. We each learn first hand His ways are far superior and in response our souls start to long for His precepts as we see the perfection and righteous love they possess. Psalm 63:1
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Obedience, the core of repentance, is born out of love. His words are righteous love, thus as we know His words, we desire to walk in them. In repentance, our core passion changes from following self to following God, thus we have a love for the truth of God and our lives reflect that love.
It’s essential to understand the power of God as THE Teacher in our lives and the necessity for us to TRUST Him to be. Matthew 23:8 As we fellowship with God each day, He transforms us so that we are crafted in His truth. 2 Corin 5:17 This doesn’t happen when we listen to others talk about Him. In learning from God, we aren’t simply gaining knowledge of His ways; He transforms us by the power of His spirit moving in us as we commune with Him. This power is how we are able to walk as He leads. The power is available to us through His abundant grace. 2 Corin 9:8 Without His power working in us we couldn’t walk as He commands. Therefore, His commands aren’t burdensome. We desire them and live them by His power.
1 John 5:.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
As God teaches us, He transforms us, which enables us to walk as He leads. Ephesians 1:19
Through this process of seeking, listening and obeying, our lives start to manifest the qualities of God (His holiness, righteous love, peace, rest, power) because we are becoming a part of Him. As the kingdom of heaven matures within us, we experience abundant life. John 10:10 If we aren’t experiencing increasing abundant life, we are following the wrong shepherd.
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
Each of us has to walk our own narrow path. No one can do it for us. We each have to be taught, led and shepherded by God for those are the ones who become a part of Christ, the Word. John 6:45 Those are the ones who lay down their self will and ways and are transformed by the Truth. This is the path of salvation, thus eternal life, because it leads to a point of desiring to be completely consumed by God, who is life.
This narrow way of seeking, listening and obeying to a point of holy rest where God governs all is why many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 Most are governed by mankind’s doctrines, thoughts, opinions and ways and not God’s. Only God’s ways lead to eternal life. His words in accordance with His power purify us to a point of becoming one with Him. What Christ did was beyond powerful. He gave us the ability to possess the spirit of God that we might live in truth because His perfection can abide within us.
1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Below is a very important video on honoring men, women and the union between them and how when we do we experience healing and restoration in our lives on many levels. This is very relevant to all of us.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your OWN salvation with fear and trembling;
1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Fullness of Salvation
Christ died for all people. 1 Tim 4:10, Romans 5:8 In Christ, all are forgiven and are able to become sons/daughters of God. There is nothing we did to earn this forgiveness. It’s God’s gift to us. Is this salvation?
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
It’s part of salvation. Salvation in its fullness is our souls redeemed from the kingdom of darkness (lies, sin, pain, suffering, torment, death) and brought into the kingdom of light (truth, love, rest, peace, life). 1 Peter 2:9 We are literally delivered from all that torments us, this is salvation. Imagine abiding in complete rest in your soul; no fear, worry, angst, suffering or stress? Imagine being directed by God’s perfect counsel, will and love in every way? This is salvation, abundant life. John 10:10
Salvation is not simply believing Christ is who He is or what He did. Salvation is becoming a part of Him; a truth has been largely neglected because few intently seek for God, which you would do if you understood this truth.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble
What is neglected is true repentance. The demons don’t repent. They know who Christ is and even tremble at His presence, yet serve another master.
People remove the concept of true repentance from salvation, as they remove Lord from Christ who is our Lord and Savior. In both cases, they go hand-in-hand and both are required for eternal life.
True Repentance
In many cases, repentance has been taught to be more of an acknowledgement; an acknowledgement that you are a sinner and you know your ways are wrong and you need forgiveness.
This is an aspect of repentance, but repentance is turning from your ways to God’s – doing a 180 degree turn in your life. God calls us to confess sins and forsake them. This means leaving our ways behind and following God in every area. It’s obedience to His Words, His words to you personally for we all lead our own lives with our own issues and problems.
Obedience by God’s Power
But it’s not obedience by our strength. It’s obedience by the power of God in us. Ephesians 1:19 This is the power of Christ. This isn’t being legalist. Being legalist is trying to follow rules in our own strength or for our own merit, “to be a good person”. What God is talking about is us walking in His ways by His power because it’s actually Him working through us. It’s His righteousness pouring through our lives. It’s about becoming one with Him.
Seeking, Listening, Obeying
Our part in this journey is hearing and obeying God’s counsel to us. Because, how can we walk in God’s ways if we don’t know them? If we aren’t seeking? If we aren’t listening? We seek, hear, then obey. It’s His abundant grace that enables us to walk as He desires. 2 Corin 9:8 We need to seek His instruction then draw upon His infinite power available to us through grace to do as He asks. In grace, you can do what you could never do on your own, it’s a true power in your life.
Further, on this journey of purification, we can’t follow our perception of what is good or the image of a good person .. that is following our will. God is the potter not us. We are God’s workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 Yet many try in their own way to be a good person. They try to be the image of a Godly person instead of letting God direct that path in a very personal way, purging sin and instilling holiness bit by bit.
We are like broken down house. God starts rebuilding on one part and asks us to walk in that piece so it becomes a part of our life. As we do, He moves onto the next. We’re not transformed all at once. It’s a process of renewal. We grow bit by bit. As we learn a truth, His goodness leads us to repent, then the lie is purged, the truth instated, and it becomes our reality because it is our truth. Then God moves onto the next area. As we do we begin to leave the kingdom of darkness and move into His kingdom of light.
If we are following our will, we will be trying to walk in one way, like not complaining, and fail because God hasn’t worked on that part yet. In doing what we think is right, we aren’t listening to Him and we don’t have the power to act as we desire. He gives us power to walk as HE builds. Because it’s God working in you, He determines the path in what, when and how. This is another reason why God needs to be the Teacher in our lives. Matthew 23:8. He knows exactly what we need to learn and when and in the process of HIM teaching us, He changes us.
We are forgiven, but now we are to seek God, listen and follow. This is why it says to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Living Light 