A Stroke of Genius or a Revelation?

This is Revelation day. Yes. I keep having them. Not sure what that means. Oh. It’s only by the grace of God I know anything!

As Joyce Meyer says, “I may not be where I want to be, but at least I am not where I was.”

So be it with me. I maybe haven’t arrived, but I left. Left what? Who I was. And many of you should be thankful.

I am not one who picks out favorite verses; usually. As a result of wishy- washiness, my inability to choose interferes. Basically, it has never been on my radar. What radar?

Lately God has impressed upon me a verse I never paid much attention to, so I know this is from God. Ignoring this verse never entered my beleaguered mind. Avoiding it was of no consequence as I had no real use for it; or so I thought.

Now I have a favorite. The epitome of life in totality. The reason for everything.

Matthew 28: 20 “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

God gives us an instruction in the first line. Now, obedience is not always so easy…..if you know what I mean. It certainly helps in following God!

The second sentence, “and surely I am with you always…..to the very end of the age.”

Yes that is it!

My brokenness pales in comparison to his presence.

My weak insecurities are strengthened knowing he is in the room with me.

My perception of his companionship 24/7 gives me a “Leap of Faith” to trust him for solutions no matter what the issue may be.

As I write this I feel his presence. Visions, prophecies, speaking in tongues, the gifts are so deeply wonderful;  but to live, each moment aware of him beside you is the Resurrected Cross of Jesus.

God will have to help me describe this.

You know it. Without a doubt you know he is always with you.

The awareness of his presence only shows up as you spend time alone with him. The Supernatural enlightenment breeds an inexplicable change.

Years ago, in my days of slight rebellion God showed up by sending me an angel which is a miraculous story in itself. At the time, my delayed comprehension of the angel never registered until I got home. Once it hit me, I had no doubt in my mind or heart, God had sent me an angel to rescue me.

God’s grace and mercy overshadowed my lack of desire for his presence. I admit I was awestruck that God would provide for me as he did when I deserved nothing but hell. To this day, I know the man who appeared before me was an angel sent by God.

What bothers me beyond my apostasy was I didn’t recognize the angel to begin with. I knew something was different; unique or unconventional about this guy and his arrival. The event predisposed what I now experience daily.

As for my newfound revelation of this verse, simplicity again takes precedence. The words have always been in the same place; the end of the book of Matthew. How many times have I uttered or heard “and I will always be with you.”

Like an “ah-ha” moment, or “rhema” the words jump off the page. Only these expressive words are a stroke of genius.

Walking or I like to use “sauntering” or “strolling” in the presence of God is the mercy-seat of Heaven on earth. You dwell. Abide. Perch. Crash. Park. Remain. Inhabit. Sojourn. Settle. Roost. Oh just go pitch a big tent.

You rest in a supernatural assurance of God’s consummate, unlimited, perfect favor.

And to think my stubborn, pig-headed heart has finally moved out-of-the-way enough for God to reveal his key to life for me in one sentence. A sentence written centuries before my grand entrance into this world was ever thought of!

God! You Rock!

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/living-sacrifices-2/

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/christianity-is-crazy/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/are-you-growing-in-holiness/

http://jennifershope.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/i-hope-youre-not-tired-of-james-yet-friends/

“Intellectuals solve problems. Geniuses prevent them. “  Albert Einstein

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

When it Becomes Personal, Not just Business

I must be doing something right.  Joyce Meyer spoke that maybe God brought that person into your life to shave the outer crusts off of you.  Well, I feel shaven.  Just when you least expect it, someone shows up that you believe will  make a great friend or neighbor, only to find out it is all about them.

How do I deal with this person? What does God want me to do as they pursue relentless persecution and constant attacks to get what they want? How do I react when they walk out the door with a face of contempt and say, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing personal. Just business.”

I guess I should feel like Jesus did. He did nothing wrong. He stood there while being questioned about claiming he was the Son of God and gave no response. His heart was in the sacrifice he knew he would give to receive the love of the children of God in return. He knew it would all be worth it.

Just as Jesus felt for us as sinners, I feel the same for those who don’t know him, or have no desire to know him. They are lost in a sea of themselves; their pride does not allow them to see they are not the only ones in the universe. The veil has not been lifted because they do not even know it is covering their eyes.

Returning to me doing something right. I kind of like the sound of that.  A few years back I would have reacted completely different towards someone who is sitting beside me throwing their verbal animosity and hostility in my face. This is a christian site so I won’t announce my declaration of war that I use to have because it would land me in jail but I also know it is not the answer.

Instead God has taught me the meaning of forgiveness which gives me freedom.  God has taught me to pray for my enemies. This releases me from trying to find the answers and let God take care of it. He has taught me that those who hurt, hurt others.  He has taught me that those who have repressed emotion have a great, spiritual need. He has taught me if I pray for those against me, he will fight for me. (Isaiah 49:25)

During this time of spiritual shaving the Lord showed me two verses in the Bible that lead me to believe he is not only in control, he is my vindicator.

Luke 21:14-15 But make up your mind not to worry before hand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Proverbs 16:7 When my ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even my enemies to live at peace with me.

The truth always stands for itself. The real truth that is. I would like to think those who “contend” with us may be angels in disguise God has sent to do something other than shave us.  The shaving is painful, often annoying and bothersome to put up with. Unfortunately it works.

The flip side of this is at least you know those attempting to sliver into your life for whatever reasons are an application of God’s discipline even if we don’t like it. The result is God helps us separate the sin from the sinner and to view that sinner as God sees all of us including ourselves. That makes it all worth it.

NO FEAR…

This reminds me of how God wants us to be. Do I need to say more? No, it speaks for itself. Enjoy.

“Dangling from a Rope or Protesting? ”

Have you ever wondered why people do the things they do? Surfing the internet was a video of people dangling from a bridge in a hot tub. “Occupy Wall Street” has mostly young people protesting against wall street because they can’t find jobs; some of them don’t even know what they are protesting. Of course we can’t leave out the reality TV shows like “Bridezillas” or “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”

My intelligence won’t allow me to engage in such frivolous activity much less waste my time doing it. Frankly, there is a lot more to be concerned about. Maybe I am a cynic but I have to wonder what God thinks about it all. I know he uses anything and everything to gain his purposes but “Bridezillas?” I can’t even wrap my brain around that one.

Sometimes I think that God must wonder why he created us to start with. If it had been me I would have scrapped the entire earth and started over. Aren’t you glad it wasn’t me to make that decision? The truth is that God has ordained good; I don’t see much good in any of the above mentioned shows or actions. We have allowed our so called “rights” to become our causes. The phrase,”it is all about me” sums up our society. Those who redeem themselves as bigger than life, have no idea the consequences they will suffer for their indignation.

No matter who we are, or where we are from or what we have done in our life, we are all subject to the authority of God Almighty. Jesus didn’t die for us to protest or become brides who act like the world revolves around them. He died for us to follow him, to be more like him and to spread his word.

In doing so, we make his causes our causes, his rights our rights, and his desires our desires. That works for me and it is a whole lot easier.

I’m off to see the …..Nope not the Wizard

Dorothy ran down the yellow brick road off to see the wizard? Wonder if she really knew what she was looking for. We knew she wanted to go home, but do you think going by way of a wizard is the way to go home?

The Israelites made a 40 year journey that was only meant for 11 days. I can honestly say that my journey with God has been down many yellow brick roads but wasn’t looking for a wizard.  Not quite sure what I was looking for, or where it was.  I hoped I would know when I saw it. I was no different than many who look for God in all the wrong places. “Yes!” That was it. I was looking for God but the God I wanted.

Dorothy may have thought the wizard had the answer to getting her back home only to find he wasn’t a wizard at all.  Her glass slippers could no more get her back home except in her dream.

There are so many looking for God and they don’t even know it. The beach is my favorite place in the whole world. The wind blowing, the white sand and the infinite ocean was a sight I could never get enough of. When I was young I would stand and watch it wondering what was really out there. Now I know.

I was looking for God and didn’t know it. The vastness of the ocean, the

Photograph by John Randolph Harrison http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

beauty it beholds, and the fact when you look out you see it goes on forever.Isn’t that just like God? He goes on forever and forever.

Questions

Often events happen we don’t understand. We think we have a clear, cut view of life and then we get that phone call no one wants. The one that changes your life forever.

The issue bothering me the most is God is getting blamed for everything from war to famine to death by accident. God is a God of peace, not disorder so how could he promote such entities?  In a word or two, he can’t. He is incapable of evil, therefore is the evidence of a fallen world by an enemy who hasn’t accepted his defeat.

The truth is God is with us when we hurt the most. He is with us when we feel alone. He is with us when we lose someone we dearly love. He is with us when we don’t understand. He is with us when we can’t figure out which side he is on. He is faithful. He is not the problem. He is the answer.

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

From No Room in the Inn to No Room at the End to Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High

We have been blessed to own a Property Management business.  I have often wondered after doing this for many years what kind of house would Jesus want to live in if he could have had the choice.

 Here is an ad from the Salvation Chronicles:

House Wanted:

For whom? The Messiah

Type: 2 Story made out of stone with open roof.  Mark 2:3-5

Bedrooms: 1 (Needs a place to rest his head) Matthew 8:20

Bathrooms: 1

Kitchen: Full with all appliances especially a microwave for quick meals

Pantry: Large enough to hold food to feed 5,000 (5 loaves and 2 fish) Matthew 14: 13-21

Media Room: Get the message out. Matthew 28:19

Dining Room: Large enough for 12 guests. Luke 22:1-23

Laundry: The River Jordan

Garage: No (Walks everywhere)

Wine Cellar: (no) Uses water from kitchen sinks  (John 2:1-11)

Closets: (minimal) Personal appearance not an issue

Garden:  Prayer time (Matthew 26:36)

Courtyard:  Activity center for weddings, receptions and family gatherings

Workshop: Carpentry business (Mark 6:3)

Location: Subdivision:  Jerusalem Heights

 Near schools: Loves children (Matthew 19:13-15)

Churches:  Teaches Sunday School

Shopping:  Sandal and Cloak Shop

Typical housing in Jesus day consisted of one long room in the front and one right behind it. This was a result of the tents that were used prior to this time. Housing developed bringing about villages. Most homes had a courtyard with small rooms off of it and very few windows. Most windows were built on the second floor for a number of reasons. It was safer, and weather played a big factor. The houses were supported by wooden beams from one wall to the other.  Inside was constructed out of clay or plaster and often decorated depending on your family income.

A ladder was built leading up to the roof which was often used for sleeping when the weather was warm or for drying food. The rooms were usually small and dark so the roof and windows offered light.

Some used it for bathing; we all know who did that! (2 Samuel 11:2-4)

Jesus made use of the hole in the roof when they lowered the paralytic down to be healed.  I wonder how often that happened.

The Courtyards had various uses.   A Mikveh was like a pool of clean rainwater used for ritualistic cleansing. There was a cooking area with a fire and often a place to store utensils.  A covered area was built for animals. An open patio served as the center of activity for fun and festivities.

Only the well –to-do had furniture like beds and chairs.  Most sat or slept on cushions on the floor. Joseph of Nazareth was most likely as much a builder as carpenter since furniture was not in great need at that time.

Once Jesus began his ministry his life became almost nomadic. He and his disciples left their families and friends to spread the gospel. They didn’t have a Holiday Inn on every corner or a Chrysler 300 to cruise around in. Forget the specials at the local Applebee’s or even a burger and fries; food was not packaged in the grocery stores for a quick pickup after a hard day of preaching.

Life is hard enough without having a home to go to and that soft pillow to lay your head upon.

I guess in a way you could say Jesus became homeless but he knew his life as a peasant was temporary.

His palace was already built awaiting his arrival.

Oh, and one more thing. This palace of his is decorated with a pillow lined, golden chair that no one else has ever sat in but him.  The throne built only for the Messiah.

John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions…”