Month: September 2014

We Turn Our Hearts . . .

Iris Godfrey
sunrise-blue-clog
I have been pondering the fact of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. Since the Lord Jesus has eliminated every definition of distance between us and because we have, by the fact of this indwelling, been drawn into the fellowship of the Trinity (John 17:20-23), what does the Scripture mean when it says to “Draw near” (James 4:8) since it is impossible to get any nearer?
I know we are all limited by our language, regardless of what language that might be. So the writers of our New Testament were also very limited by what they could conceptually place within a text. When it comes to pondering the things of God in the Spirit, truth is so marvelously grand, that our words fail in our attempts to share it. Remember in the book of Revelation how the Apostle John was always saying, “It was like…” simply because there were no words (regardless of his language) to adequately express what he was trying to convey. He was experiencing “picture” after “picture” in seemingly a rapid-fire movement (much like our short video’s today). So language failed him. So it is with us – we dwell in “It was like….” often.
I am thinking that the title of this post gets close to how we can effectively and progressively think and work. “We turn our hearts.” He is always with me and in me. However, I am not always tuned into His voice nor His presence. Oh yes, I know my Lord Jesus is here with me, but it takes an act of my will to turn my heart and my mind that direction. This is His plan. He does not force us to belong to Him, nor does He force us to fellowship in Him, once the birth into His family and heart occurs.
So to “draw near” would still mean, to “draw near” with the understanding that to do so simply means to turn my heart to Him and turn my ears and mind into a listening stance. We can always hear and always fellowship.
So Lord we turn our hearts to hear yours and to dwell sweetly within our home in your heart. Here we worship and share.
Next post: Sharing in His heart, or what we commonly call “prayer.”

Provision Instead of Lack!

Iris Godfrey

Well, Precious Readers, it was quite chilly here in Central New York this morning, so fall is definitely on the way. The leaves are beginning to change and fall. I love this time of year, but really am not looking forward to raking all those leaves that will fall on the property. I know, it keeps me young or tired – one of them, I think.

As I wrote my “prayer letter” this morning to my intercessors (go to Prayer if you would like to receive this weekly update on the ministry and my schedule. Just fill in the form and click the gray button on the bottom/left area of the page. This goes directly to my lists and does not get used for anything other than my prayer letter and notifications that I choose to send to this group. I assure you there will be no pleas for funds sent to you) I referenced in my letter Colossians 2:20-23. I want to spend a few minutes here to expand on that a bit.

“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations– ‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,’ which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” 

We read this and then actively participate in certain accepted Christian practices that fit right with in that framework. I have in the past, even taught courses of study on them. Yet, the Word is so very clear about our New Covenant status:

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16. Also, Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” 

Grace teaches us how to order our lives by Holy Spirit instruction through the Word of God in freedom and joy. The law only teaches of sin. The blood of Jesus, once engaged releases us into His joy of forgiveness and freedom to experience Him through Holy Spirit’s inward witness with the Word. All this becomes such an overwhelming interaction in relationship that there is no room for legalism or “sin concentration” or overt sin behavior – because this relationship is so complete in its provision that any participation in those matters belittles the love and freedom given through the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any “acting-out” of the other concentration reveals the relationship gap. Being a Christian is not about gradually “becoming” something, but learning to “Be” as He is in His provision. Let’s re-read this Bible of ours!

Seems to me we need to really saturate our teaching and thinking with the provision instead of lack. Glory!

(All Scripture taken from NKJV)