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Extending our Souls to Love

Extending our Souls to Love

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Each moment brings us to a place of choice. Our lives are constantly exposed to choices; some significant and some seemingly insignificant, which in totality create our lives at this present moment. Though as I’ve learned, there are no insignificant choices. The smallest ones lead to impactful outcomes.

Choice is a freedom we’ve been given. But it’s a freedom that can lead to bondage or more freedom. Choice is what gives shape and expression to our individuality. But our choices can suppress or enhance our individuality. Our response to life’s circumstances is always a matter of choice. Choice is a big deal, and thus may we all “choose wisely”.

The Choice for Divine Love

The choice above all choices presented to us that in turn impacts every other choice, is the choice to be partakers of the divine love of our heavenly Father. It’s a choice because love is voluntary. This choice progresses our soul development to find an oneness with our heavenly Father.

Though significant, this choice is only the beginning of many more, which in their connectivity continually manifest the beauties of divine love in our lives.

Divine love is established on immutable truths. Thus to come into our Father’s love, we will be presented with these truths and whether we will embrace them or not. We are mutable and our heavenly Father, his love, and truth are not. We are the ones that choose to come into harmony with him, and not him with us. His essence is harmony. It seems self-evident when spoken, but we all have lived as if our Father’s love, thus truth, morphs to our ways and the “truths” we live by. In regards to our heavenly Father, there is only one direction of change, our lives toward his divine love. If we embrace his truths by acting in living faith until they are our truths, then we experience an ever-increasing awareness and genuineness of his divine love in our lives.

Knowing that divine love is the creative force of harmony, when we experience disharmony, in whatever form, it’s a moment for self-examination to the cause of the disharmony, so it may be replaced with what creates harmony. In this contrast of what causes harmony and disharmony, we begin to learn of the spiritual laws of our Father. Every “law” serves love. It’s in the contrast of understanding what is of harmony and what isn’t that teaches us to choose what is of harmony, thus the truths of our Father, until we find an immortal harmony with him.

Accepting Divine Love

As we progress along our faith journey into divine love, one of our biggest acts of faith is accepting HOW our heavenly Father’s loving-kindness works in our individual daily lives. It’s the acceptance of his timing and timeline for our lives, his manner of working and moving in and through our lives, and the outcomes along the way that occur as a result of his divine love at work in our lives. When we choose to find an acceptance, thus harmony, with the workings of his love in our lives, then we find a peace in our souls that transcends a mere mortal understanding for we are flowing with the perfect workings of our Father. And the end results of his workings are freedom, peace, love, beauty, harmony, joy, contentment, and every glorious expression of life we desire to dwell in.

Our heavenly Father’s love for us knows no end, thus he never “gives up on us” for that is contrary to the very nature of divine love. And, we aren’t ones who are ever “looked over” for our insignificance at any time, for that mindset doesn’t exist in his divine love, for we are greatly valued by him. This love isn’t something we have to gain or earn, but something we simply have to realize has always been with us desiring us to draw near. For love to be made manifest in an individual’s life it has to be given and received. Thus, two souls both have to extend their soul to the other. If love isn’t extending from both, then the unifying nature of love isn’t established and the harmony that grows out of that unity isn’t manifested. Our Father’s love is always outstretched to us. May we extend our soul in love back to him by choosing to come into harmony with his truth and love. May we trust in his bountiful grace to create this fulfillment as it carries us through every weakness.

Learning of and accepting the Father’s love for us sounds simple, but with the myriad of lies that we hold as truth this depth of awareness of his divine love is initially unknown to us, and therefore acceptance isn’t possible. We can only accept and respond to what we know. Thus, what is required is our own individual journey of faith. It’s a journey of seeking divine truth and/or divine love, walking by what we learn in faith until those truths become a part of our soul substance. Along this journey, no matter where we start from, his guiding hand leads us out of the blindness of our own mind and into an ever-growing awareness, thus reality, of the perfection of his love.

There is no separation in divine love. We only have a perception of separation because of our lack of awareness. But, as we seek and learn truth and love in our lives, we will encounter this immutable truth of divine love. Understanding this love on a personal soul level is what enables an acceptance of this love. And in that acceptance we are completely transformed by it from the inside out.

Our heavenly Father is always influencing us to a full acceptance of his love for then the circle of unity is completed; we receive his love and in that love he receives our love. It’s an inseparable bond that causes us to be an immortal being.

As I mentioned, a significant part of accepting this love is letting go of our expectations about how our lives are taking shape, and learning to trust our Father with our expectations. This trust takes time to develop. Yet, it’s in this deep letting go and therefore deep active trust that we find undeniable peace, a deep soul development, and increasing awareness thus expansion of divine love in our lives. Giving our trust into our perfect loving Father’s hands is the most glorious freeing experience we can know in this earth life. In this trust, we release our limited perspectives of our situations and trust the perfect working of our Father’s loving kindness, a love that works in ways we would never have thought of or considered. In this we choose to embrace his love, the truth, and reality that he IS working perfectly in our lives.

This understanding totally change how we view our circumstances, situations, encounters, relationships, and self-progression because we see all moving along his path, at his timing and in his ways, not “our” path. He is moving us in ways that are perfect for our soul development, thus a growing harmony and oneness with himself.

Our experience of divine love is our personal witness that we have found the truth, for divine love testifies to its truth. Once we’ve experienced this divine love by coming into accordance with it, then our search is over for truth, for all truth flows out of this love. What follows is a continual exploration of going deeper into truth, thus love, in the realm of our heavenly Father.


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Learning Spirit to Spirit

Learning Spirit to Spirit

 

1 Corinthians 2:13-14
These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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Attune to the State of Your Soul

Attune to the State of Your Soul

Matthew  6:19–20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.

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Chastening of God: Part 2

Chastening of God: Part 2

 

In this video, I’m talking more about what I’ve been learning in regards to the chastening of God as He is preparing this earth, the souls, to be inhabited by Him for eternity. He speaks to each one of us … we are to listen and follow.  As we do He renews, recreates and fills us with His righteous love bringing holiness unto eternal life. Take heed of His voice, listen and follow .. for it will lead you into abundant life NOW.

 


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Discipleship Of Christ

Discipleship Of Christ

 

Our beliefs determine everything. When our beliefs are transformed and remolded, we change. Our beliefs change when we deeply learn something new. It’s a depth of learning that reshapes our souls and thus our lives. This remolding is what God calls us to in seeking His truth, and not a head knowledge that affects little. When I speak of learning in this post, I’m speaking of a depth of learning that is really a remolding that makes us into new creations.

Galatians 1:11-12 But I make known to you, brethren that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

From God, we learn the deep truths of God that transform us. He is our Creator; He does the remolding. I didn’t experience transformable learning by hearing others talk about God. Others can point to the way to truth. They can talk of the truths of God, but the depth of knowing of those truths as we are intended to know them, can only come by being taught by the Holy Spirit. This transformable learning is why we were given the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Each one of God’s children is called to be a disciple of Christ, not others. Matthew 28:19 Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Thus, we each are to individually abide in the Word of God, the Bible, seeking the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, we are to support others in becoming disciples of Christ, not others.

Matthew 23:8, 10 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ

In the verse above the titles teacher and Rabbi denote authority and supremacy in the area of instruction. The Rabbi held an honorable place in the synagogue as he was seen as the expert in spiritual matters. When Jesus came He took the place of the teachers who held that authority as noted in the verse. Christ alone became The Teacher having preeminence in instruction about Him and His kingdom. Jesus came and made everything personal including instruction.

Yet, Paul tells us that God appoints teachers for the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:28) However, this role doesn’t contain the authority of what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 23. If so the verses would be contradictory. Teachers among the brethren are simply that, our brethren. All they say is secondary and points to our Teacher’s words. Effective teachers help others discover the truth, for that is all they can really do. For a healthy family, our Father, God, should hold the role as the utmost Teacher in each one of our lives. This means we spend time daily talking and listening to HIM, not others, through His Word and prayer. It’s critical for the strength of His body, the true church, that each one of us builds our foundations on Him and not each other. This is also the only way we can test all spirits as we are instructed to. 1 John 4:1

What are the Roles of Others’ Words in our Lives?

Confirm what God has taught us.
Exhort to obey and seek God’s truth.
Support us in learning from God and trusting in Him, which is faith.
Encourage us in our relationship with God.
Clarify and enhance our learning from God.

These are the purposes for which I write. It isn’t to teach as we think of teaching. I don’t believe we can truly teach each other to the extent that brings true transformation. God is God. We are not. He is the one who works in us according to His good pleasure and will, not us. Phil 2:13 Thus, the role of a human teacher is to guide and point to the Teacher. They are facilitators, and not to take the place of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. Yet, this is what you see happening far too often.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

I’ve been sitting at the feet of Christ, and not others, for 10 years. For the years before compared to the years after – there is no comparison. It was like I learned nothing before by relying on the instruction of others.  Initially, it took getting used to as it was quite the paradigm shift, because it’s ingrained in us that we learn from other humans. We are still learning from another, but it’s God. Learning from God Himself has been the reason for transformation in my life. The remolding has been extensive. What I’ve gained has far exceeded my expectations. It’s the type of learning that reaches to your very depths and brings powerful change in every dimension of your being. It’s about having the right balance of God first, then others in our lives.

Here is a critical truth most overlook; those taught by God are the ones who truly come to Christ, the truth. John 6:45 People can say Christ is their Lord, but only those taught by God truly come to Him. When they do, their lives testify to His presence. These abide in it the Word and live it. They become the bride God calls them to be. They have the mind of Christ. Christ’s spirit dwells within them. Their lives have power. They are freed from sin. They experience all things becoming new. These are the ones who have diligently sat at Christ’s feet as His disciples.

Few walk this path because it’s an individual commitment and pursuit, but for those who do they are the ones who become united to God in truth and spirit. Matthew 7:14, Matthew 22:14 Be aware of at whose feet you are sitting; your spiritual life depends on it. Put the crutches aside and abide in the pure Word of God seeking to be taught by Him. Be patient and in time your life will begin to bloom.

If you are interested in hearing more about the Holy Spirit as the Teacher in our lives, you can listen to my podcast: Holy Spirit as Our Teacher


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Eternal Truths of those CRAZY Old Testament Laws

Eternal Truths of those

CRAZY Old Testament Laws

An email was forwarded to me from a man who listed several points about the Word of God in a response to the claim by Dr. Laura that homosexuality is an abomination according to the Word of God. He addressed issues regarding the laws of the OT (Old Testament), in which he thought they were nonsensical. His point was to show the laws were absurd and therefore dismiss anything it may say about homosexuality. Many stumble at these issues so I felt it was important to talk about them. Here I address each of the topics he mentioned. I hope this brings some light though I realize there is much to learn.

Seeking with a mindset to truly know and not to lift ourselves above God allows us to be open to learn from Him. If we seek to know God as He is, then we will start to see the perfection in all His ways, and how all works together to teach us and instruct us. God is love. All He does is in love. As we seek to understand His truths with this mindset and trust the Holy Spirit to teach us, we see that is the case.

Before we get started a couple of points. The Word is written layer upon layer so that each passage holds layers of truth. It’s incredibly rich and deep, which makes seeking and learning an on going process. Second, those of the OT didn’t have the Holy Spirit to guide and to teach them, therefore they needed numerous external rules to live by. Third, the stories and events of the OT point to spiritual truths, eternal truths. The laws are symbolic and reminders of God’s truth. Each one pointed to a deeper spiritual truth, and those truths endure though many of the rules do not – as they were no longer need with the coming of Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

God is God and we are not. We see a sliver. He sees eternity. He knows how all works together. We think we know better and we know best, we don’t. God knows our nature better than we do. He understood that the Israelites needed boundaries, rules, reminders of His truths to be constantly before them. He understood if you give people an inch they take a mile. God knows the human nature better than any. All the “rules” were for the Israelites protection and continuance of a nation. He needed to protect them because from that lineage Christ would come. At the manifestation of Jesus Christ not only was He the perfect fulfillment of the law but we are now able to receive the Holy Spirit to guide us so we didn’t need all those outward reminders. Further, God was building illustrations that taught eternal truths and many pointing to Christ. On with the issues …

Slavery Leviticus 25:44, Exodus 21:7

God allowed slavery for a reason to serve certain purposes. It caused history to play out in a certain way. We can’t understand the beginning from the end or the full purpose of its existence, because all we’ve know is history with it. Like today, our systems serve certain purposes though far from perfect. Some systems seem unfair, but that is our estimation. We aren’t qualified to judge, because we see only a sliver of time. We think we know what fair is. We haven’t a clue. We don’t see the beginning and the end. We don’t understand the fullness of our purpose here on earth. Ecc 3:11 We are trying to play God when we think we do.

In addition, the way the world is at any one time is to teach us spiritual truths and the “negative” teaches just as much as the positive, if not more so. Slavery in the physical taught us about slavery in the spiritual. If there was no slavery we would lack understanding. We can’t see the spiritual so the physical is there to teach us about it in a way we can understand.

The more important truth is we are all slaves either to God or to “Satan”. It’s the spiritual life that matters much more than the physical. The physical life is but a nit; the spiritual for eternity. We put far too much weight on the physical and not enough on the spiritual life. Many people today are slaves to greed, lust, and a whole host of things that are far worse than physical slavery. And it this internal slavery that Christ came to free us from. Freedom is an illusion to those who are slaves to this world.

Matthew 10:28 , 1 John 5:19, Titus 2:9, James 4:14

Animal sacrifices – Lev 1:9

Animal sacrifices pointed to Christ. God designed this world that life is to be given for life for there to be forgiveness; blood for blood. The sacrifice of the animals was to teach us about the seriousness of our sin – how it separates us from God and what is required for us to be reunited to Him – the life of another. For the Israelites, it was a constant reminder of their need for forgiveness and that it’s only life that can pay the price for sin.

With Christ, the eternal sacrifice, an animal sacrifice and having to do it over and over is no longer needed.

Further reading – Lesson in Sacrifice

To be continued ….


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Abiding in the ENTIRE Word of God

Abiding in the ENTIRE Word of God

Today I’m celebrating 13 years of marriage to a wonderful man. Our marriage is better today than it ever has been and it’s ALL attributed to what I spoke of last week, seeking God. I know most don’t believe that’s the answer to their heart’s desires, needs, problems, concerns – but it is. When God’s truth and love fills our lives, it changes everything. Let me tell you a secret, Matthew 6:33 REALLY is true. Few believe the truth of this verse, because few truly seek God first. It’s a great loss for it affects everything in our lives. I’ve walked life on both sides, seeking and not, there is no comparison to the difference. I had no idea. But you don’t until you seek. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Last week I talked about the importance of seeking God, and how it’s foundational to our lives. This post expands on that topic in talking about an essential aspect to seeking, reading the ENTIRE Word of God being TAUGHT by the SPIRIT.

When we read the Bible it’s CRITICAL to read the ENTIRE Word; to give attention to all books. The more I talk to others, the more I’m learning that very few truly abide in the entire Word of God. Let me tell you it makes ALL the difference. The Bible fits together like a huge puzzle. Each verse, chapter, book is connected to the rest to create a fullness of truth as God desires us to know it. When we neglect certain parts, we are getting partial truth, and that leads to all kinds of problems.

If we leave out certain books, skim over others, read a verse hear and there, we aren’t allowing the Spirit the opportunity to teach us all we need to know. Especially in these days, we need to be abiding in the entire word of God trusting the Spirit to teach us for it’s the truth that will save us. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

For example on a serious note, much of what happens in the end days is spoken of by the prophets (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets Hosea through Malachi). Their words in line with the rest of the Bible create a picture of what will happen in the end. To understand the fullness of truth as God desires us to know for the times we are living in, we need to read the entire Word. When we abide, meditate, seek and look to the Holy Spirit to teach us, we are allowing ourselves access to some very important truths. The truth protects and guides us. Otherwise we will have partial truth and partial understanding, which leaves an open door to deception. So it’s not just reading the Bible, but the ENTIRE Bible with the instruction and guidance of the Holy Spirit that matters.

Here are some Tips for Reading the Word that are vital for diving deep into the Truth.

  1. Read the ENTIRE Word. I suggest one chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament with a Psalm or Proverb each day.
  2. Give ATTENTION to all the books.
  3. Trust the Holy Spirit to TEACH you ALL things. 1 John 2:27, John 14:26. Your foundation of truth needs to be built by God, not man. A foundation built upon man’s words, opinions and interpretations of the Bible is shaky ground. In addition, the Spirit teaches in a way that man doesn’t so that the truth is written on our hearts and minds, changing us.
  4. Read not as a task to check off your list, but put your heart and soul into it. Meditate, abide, contemplate, and ask God for understanding. Read the Word with the ATTITUDE that you are communing with God, learning from Him. Draw near to Him through His Word as you would someone you love with a devotion, passion, desire to know Him as He is.
  5. RIGHTLY DIVIDE the Word 2 Timothy 2:15. Be observant for how the Spirit connects verses together bringing certain ones to mind as you read others.
  6. Read a VERSION close to the original Greek and Hebrew. Use the Strong’s concordance.
  7. Abide in the PURE Word – just you and God – trusting the Spirit to teach you what you need to know when you need to know it. There is a time for others’ words, but have the mindset that God is your primary teacher and that His instruction is foundational and all others secondary.
  8. PRAY for a passion for the truth. Abide, meditate, and listen.
  9. Read with the MOTIVE to seek God. Get to know Him as He is, to get to know His ways and truth – not to “fix” you or  for a lesson to teach the Sunday school class. Ask God what does HE want to teach you today – and open up your mind and heart to anything He might want to show you. Your needs will be resolved as you seek Him FIRST.
  10. Read DAILY the REST of your life. No engagement is richer, deeper, more powerful and true. The Word is dynamic, powerful. Truth builds upon truth so there is no end to learning.

God has given us all we need to have His power move through our lives – His Word and His Spirit. The two work hand in hand. One without the other doesn’t work, but together they are a mighty force in our lives. When you seek God in this way, you move into true life – one of truth, protection, beauty, joy, peace, comfort and hope – one that is abundant.

Please don’t waste any more time on all the things that don’t matter and won’t make a difference, and do the one thing that will, seek God.


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Stir the Deep with Me: Lesson 5

Stir the Deep with Me: Lesson 5
Perspectives for Being in the Word of God

Other Related Videos
Introduction to Mentoring Program
Lesson 1: The Process of Quiet Time
Lesson 2: Coming as a Bride
Lesson 3: Holy Spirit as The Teacher
Lesson 4: Structure of the Word of God
Lesson 6: What to Expect?
Lesson 7: Review and Mentoring Others

This video is on seven different perspectives I have found from my experience that if we hold will move us deeper into the Word of God and thus in intimacy with God.

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