Let's, for a moment, think about the sin of slothfulness. Slothfulness takes form noticeably, but yet only takes form in an apathetic recognizable way. The deterioration of a luxurious grace God has placed into our lives for the sake of the stewardship as worship is present, but not acknowledged until the Spirit leads us to remembrance; this very grace is time. God desires for our efficiency to be manifested in discerning the use of time in a God-oriented mindset. The exposition of slothfulness is seen in light when we bring into this life discipline, and a practice of obedience alongside this discipline. Such a misdeed reveals the waste of a treasure; a realization that the time you've used for unneeded sleep was time that you could have meditated through the sixty-six book love letter, twice, in order that there might be an abiding in Christ and a closer communion with the Lord. A foolishness rests in slothfulness, but more than that, a slothfulness to climb out of the very sloth we are trapped in. Spiritual warfare manifests at the sight of rebellious slothfulness, but even more so in an unwanted slothfulness; it drives us away from such cares as discipline, obedience, faith, patience, etc. Reflecting through such a burdening sin in the specificity and high concentration of time, we need the foundation of the word that is our weapon of mass healing to bring us to surrender in our recognition of truth solidified. The ability to bow, to submit becomes peaceful healing in the soul from this heavy burden only if there is existing both a conscious and deep desire for deliverance. This is the word of the Lord:
"He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying,'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him. 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap what I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and as my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Matthew 25:24-29
To shed a radiance to slothfulness and the reason for it's dangers is because the formation of slothfulness is in a cycle, almost like the model of precipitation. Not only does apathy manifest from slothfulness, but slothfulness manifests from apathy. It is a constant revolution of slothfulness to selfishness to apathy to weak recognition to foolish discernment and back to slothfulness. In our young generations, there is a need for clear recognition that an alternative needs to be resorted to even as you wrestle through entering that door. The importance of understanding a close-to-firm truth of stewardship and obedience that leads to a constant internal wrestling arena, but if crystallized, leads to an unconditional joy found in the Spirit of the Lord. Extensive blessings that had originally been unseen because of the dense fog will become true reality as it had already been true reality, but only while we weren't fully in true reality. Limitations will be broken down, walls torn, and boundaries overcome; brand new rewards will swoosh in as promises are made whole in our perceptions.
The act of slothfulness is to reject all which God has created us to do and our purpose to have life to the full, just as the early church pursued in fellowship, prayer, worship, and evangelism. Slothfulness in this life is the ignorance of everything good and presented before us in truth. Let your eyes glow, get a life (the way Jesus described life), and reap the full taste of good fruit. Think worth.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
BEFORE THE THRONE
A vision brought,
a vision yearned for;
you appear before the throne
...and you say?
and God declares.
a vision yearned for;
you appear before the throne
...and you say?
and God declares.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
TRUE SIGHT
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."
Micah 7:7
Micah 7:7
Saturday, December 12, 2009
TRANSFORMATION
The sight of a caterpillar, to a long hibernation in a cocoon, until a formation of beauty arises, breaks out of it shell into what it truly is meant to be; as they really are. Remembering it's old self, but not desiring to turn back to the old and limited self. It has inherited freedom in what you can almost refer to as new life. It has broken free and now; the boundaries that it has crossed over has been beyond ever imagined. In the midst of controversy, solutions spark in new light. It takes form in foreign alternatives; foreign, but a restored discovered good. Originally, our norm would be to argue, desire correctness for the sake of self reputation, to fight to prove our capability, to act to prove our ability, to keep a grudge in order that the other person would give in first - but what now? Our conscientiousness become twirled around one-eighty degrees, responding in, what? Humility? Patience? From outside the window, we look and laugh at such responses, but everything inside speaks to us into conforming to everything that is rejected - everything that brings to us persecution.
"Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart....Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are member one of another....And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:17-32
In order to gain new life. we have to lose our old life. As we go through this short process of renewal and this long term process of restoration, we are crying out in desperation whether we are in a time of unconscious discontent or a time of running through the fire. A strange feeling but strong sense of desire to live in opposition to the accepted standard, but ironically finding joy in conforming to such an extraordinary taste of fruit. At the taste of fruit, there comes the returning to in a continuum to what first gives you an unconditional satisfaction. The Spirit of transformation can not go solo. There is a need for simultaneous recognition of a remaking, a need for the conscious sight of shaping; that sight by the supernatural, the creator and the potter, the "I AM."
When such happens, there will be an additional response of persistence; such as in a marathon when runners run their race for the sake of the prize and the end (1 Corinthians 9:24). Transformation lasts until the day Jesus will be back - in the hands of the Savior at birth, in the hands of the Savior at the establishment of salvation; hopefully for all being transformed,.
I believe Lord.
"Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart....Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are member one of another....And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:17-32
In order to gain new life. we have to lose our old life. As we go through this short process of renewal and this long term process of restoration, we are crying out in desperation whether we are in a time of unconscious discontent or a time of running through the fire. A strange feeling but strong sense of desire to live in opposition to the accepted standard, but ironically finding joy in conforming to such an extraordinary taste of fruit. At the taste of fruit, there comes the returning to in a continuum to what first gives you an unconditional satisfaction. The Spirit of transformation can not go solo. There is a need for simultaneous recognition of a remaking, a need for the conscious sight of shaping; that sight by the supernatural, the creator and the potter, the "I AM."
When such happens, there will be an additional response of persistence; such as in a marathon when runners run their race for the sake of the prize and the end (1 Corinthians 9:24). Transformation lasts until the day Jesus will be back - in the hands of the Savior at birth, in the hands of the Savior at the establishment of salvation; hopefully for all being transformed,.
I believe Lord.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
IDENTITY
In a crowd with hands raised, I see one hand reaching out to transfiguration with so much faith that it becomes reality. Identity.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A CALL TO DISTRIBUTION
"There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
Acts 4:34-35 ESV
So many aspects in which we still fall till this day; in our greed, in our selfishness, in our neglect of the lack of oneness. In a world that leads us to believe in the power of possession, the power of high status, the hold conformity has on us. Doors are open for responsibilities to be fully understood and led to grasping when it comes to the giving to those who are in need. Our decisions of keeping our money more for material wants such as clothes, bags, coffee, luxury, whatever is leaving us empty handed when the donation box is passed around for starving kids in Africa. Need is the first word which comes to mind when the thought of Africa comes to mind; a need for physical possessions, a need for spiritual blessings, a need for intellectual blessings. Why does not a feeling of dissonance lead a hungry people desiring for the befalling of the Holy Spirit come when such imbalance within our globe is constantly growing in our needy world. This is not only because our spoken compassion is mismatched with our outward action of compassion, but also because our spoken desire for communion is mismatched with our outward action for communion.
When was the community of believers under Christ in closest communion in this early church in the Acts of the Apostles? When they had everything in common; even though rich and poor were both present, the word speaks that they had laid down their possessions and any who had need had taken. A conviction yet reflection of how we should respond to the grace of God as stewards. None of what we have is our own, so why do we take and use as if we're paying our own for material wants?
"And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'"
Job 1:21
What is required in order for our conformity to this call of distribution and lending is our poverty in spirit and then our boldness in spirit. A combination of both leads to the dependence fully on the Holy Spirit who will grow us closer and closer in our righteousness until sanctification. As our dependence increases, our recognition of our call forms into a much more serious conviction in our hearts. It will bring us to the boldness of our Lord which was exactly the combination found in the early church. They knew they needed boldness, but only that found in the Spirit; careful that human boldness and confidence may lead to a deep piercing pride in the flesh. In response, restoration erupts; not a needy person was among them. The closest communion witness of our proximity in heart to each other to the Lord Almighty's. An automatic compassion, if compassion would even exist, would react in fullness as we all share that which is given by God to His stewards. Compassion will slowly transform into a recognition of stewardship, an expectation for equality, and therefore a desire for communion, having all in common.
Many of us, just like many in the early church, had not had much to give in terms of possessions. The rich humbled themselves so that there would be closer unity through equality with one another. What can the poor offer to those who have much? It is absolutely reasonable that the poor would offer the most crucial need; prayer in order for the intervention of God. Only those who are poor with not much to give are found much more sufficient in the grace of God, knowing that their power is made perfect in weakness. Now that gets all of us thinking, how often have we kept mindful in the distribution of prayers worldwide to those in desperate need for the intervention of God who do not know God? There is never a lack of role in the call for distribution.
When that day would come, that children of God would conform to God rather than our flesh stricken by the world, true communion will be seen as sparks of glimpses of God's kingdom arises. The call for distribution will be responded to in full obedience.
Acts 4:34-35 ESV
So many aspects in which we still fall till this day; in our greed, in our selfishness, in our neglect of the lack of oneness. In a world that leads us to believe in the power of possession, the power of high status, the hold conformity has on us. Doors are open for responsibilities to be fully understood and led to grasping when it comes to the giving to those who are in need. Our decisions of keeping our money more for material wants such as clothes, bags, coffee, luxury, whatever is leaving us empty handed when the donation box is passed around for starving kids in Africa. Need is the first word which comes to mind when the thought of Africa comes to mind; a need for physical possessions, a need for spiritual blessings, a need for intellectual blessings. Why does not a feeling of dissonance lead a hungry people desiring for the befalling of the Holy Spirit come when such imbalance within our globe is constantly growing in our needy world. This is not only because our spoken compassion is mismatched with our outward action of compassion, but also because our spoken desire for communion is mismatched with our outward action for communion.
When was the community of believers under Christ in closest communion in this early church in the Acts of the Apostles? When they had everything in common; even though rich and poor were both present, the word speaks that they had laid down their possessions and any who had need had taken. A conviction yet reflection of how we should respond to the grace of God as stewards. None of what we have is our own, so why do we take and use as if we're paying our own for material wants?
"And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'"
Job 1:21
What is required in order for our conformity to this call of distribution and lending is our poverty in spirit and then our boldness in spirit. A combination of both leads to the dependence fully on the Holy Spirit who will grow us closer and closer in our righteousness until sanctification. As our dependence increases, our recognition of our call forms into a much more serious conviction in our hearts. It will bring us to the boldness of our Lord which was exactly the combination found in the early church. They knew they needed boldness, but only that found in the Spirit; careful that human boldness and confidence may lead to a deep piercing pride in the flesh. In response, restoration erupts; not a needy person was among them. The closest communion witness of our proximity in heart to each other to the Lord Almighty's. An automatic compassion, if compassion would even exist, would react in fullness as we all share that which is given by God to His stewards. Compassion will slowly transform into a recognition of stewardship, an expectation for equality, and therefore a desire for communion, having all in common.
Many of us, just like many in the early church, had not had much to give in terms of possessions. The rich humbled themselves so that there would be closer unity through equality with one another. What can the poor offer to those who have much? It is absolutely reasonable that the poor would offer the most crucial need; prayer in order for the intervention of God. Only those who are poor with not much to give are found much more sufficient in the grace of God, knowing that their power is made perfect in weakness. Now that gets all of us thinking, how often have we kept mindful in the distribution of prayers worldwide to those in desperate need for the intervention of God who do not know God? There is never a lack of role in the call for distribution.
When that day would come, that children of God would conform to God rather than our flesh stricken by the world, true communion will be seen as sparks of glimpses of God's kingdom arises. The call for distribution will be responded to in full obedience.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
FILL US UP, SEND US OUT
God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
Saturday, December 5, 2009
PERFECT OFFENSE
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:14, 21
In the light of persecution and darkness within our midst; so close to us, but yet can potentially be so far in certain seasons of our lives, we have a burning desire. A burning desire within our hearts that yet at the same time leads us to feeling in such a deserted and dry place. Our desire to fight with the best offense, yet we do not recognize our best offense and at times even neglect our best offense. There is the axe of rage that society reveals to us as mighty in power, able to tackle all opposition and every adversary that we face. And then there is the spear of ignorance that we replace each incapable weapon with when all else leads us to discouragement. These weapons are picked up and turned against ourselves leaving us feeling dry and faint; therefore creating in our perception a growing opposition that we can not face on our own. Little do we know that our sword of the Spirit is thrown around and lost in our eyes, but realistically in our presence.
David was young, a shepherd, puny, unrecognized, yet faithful.
This faithfulness leads to goodness because it clears the fog. It puts on the right lenses with the right magnification. Ultimately, it quenches us, leading us to fight with the strongest offense that we ignorantly and outrageously had neglected. We fight with the offense of blessing, the offense of goodness. David did. He picked up that sword of the Spirit and used it in it's fullness. And what happened? Opposition didn't fall in the hands of David, Opposition fell in the faithfulness of God.
Romans 12:14, 21
In the light of persecution and darkness within our midst; so close to us, but yet can potentially be so far in certain seasons of our lives, we have a burning desire. A burning desire within our hearts that yet at the same time leads us to feeling in such a deserted and dry place. Our desire to fight with the best offense, yet we do not recognize our best offense and at times even neglect our best offense. There is the axe of rage that society reveals to us as mighty in power, able to tackle all opposition and every adversary that we face. And then there is the spear of ignorance that we replace each incapable weapon with when all else leads us to discouragement. These weapons are picked up and turned against ourselves leaving us feeling dry and faint; therefore creating in our perception a growing opposition that we can not face on our own. Little do we know that our sword of the Spirit is thrown around and lost in our eyes, but realistically in our presence.
David was young, a shepherd, puny, unrecognized, yet faithful.
This faithfulness leads to goodness because it clears the fog. It puts on the right lenses with the right magnification. Ultimately, it quenches us, leading us to fight with the strongest offense that we ignorantly and outrageously had neglected. We fight with the offense of blessing, the offense of goodness. David did. He picked up that sword of the Spirit and used it in it's fullness. And what happened? Opposition didn't fall in the hands of David, Opposition fell in the faithfulness of God.
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