Author: Iris Godfrey

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who is also the President of a non-profit Christian ministry. I am ordained through Elim Fellowship and enjoy a very diverse interdenominational fellowship.

Totalness of Being – Joy!

Iris Godfrey

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have looked upon, and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life — the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and announce to you that which we have seen and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4 MEV)

The previous two posts have been about this passage, but there is one more thing that I want the Lord to unfold for us here.

The Apostle ends this paragraph by saying that he was writing these things to them so that his joy could be complete. I know it says “our” and some of our translations say “your,” however, in my Greek text, the word is in the first person and could be translated “that the joy of I may be complete.” I know that is not good English and not good Greek either, but it gets the singular first person across to us. He is saying that in order for him to be absolutely filled up with joy, we must be in fellowship with that joy and the emphasis is that we too will experience that same completeness of joy in the fellowship.

This is no small little-light-of-mine thing!  It is a totalness of being – lost in joy – a filling with joy that has no lack, no want and nothing missing at all. As we fellowship in Jesus in our prayer time, this is the overriding emotion that the Apostle wants us to experience in Him.

Joy is not a “happy feeling,” but a knowing of well-being and power that surpasses “happy” on every level. Remember Isaiah 12:2-3, (MEV – link above):

Certainly God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song;
    He also has become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy you shall draw water
    out of the wells of salvation.

Joy is the substance that we use to draw to ourselves what is needed from the boundless well of our salvation. It is like faith – it does something for us and that doing is full of life and power and being. Oh Lord, empower our ability to “see” and to engage in fellowship in this dimension and trust. How abundant you are to us!

Empowered Fellowship

Iris Godfrey

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have looked upon, and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life — the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and announce to you that which we have seen and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4 MEV)

In my previous post, our emphasis regarding this passage was that it described things the Apostle John knew, not simply through His mind, but through His experience with Jesus Christ. My point was that we, too, should espect to have similar “knowings” to share those things in Him we have and are experiencing. So as our relating to Jesus through this sweet, sweet fellowship increases as we live in Him, then we will also have much to share that has been born through our experiences in Him.

Many believe that anything emotional or experienced cannot be trusted. Well, that is a bit of a problem, since it has been proved that how we think determins what we feel. So emotions that are governed and as a result of working in Jesus through the Spirit as revealed in the Word will produce Godly emotions. This is experiencing Him and it sounds emotional – and it is, however, it is brought about through the Word. We need not discard what we feel, but instead examine our thought patterns – that is where the proof of emotions can be found. We should be having good, healing and releasing emotions as we walk in His love. These provide us with ample testimonies about Him and what He does in us. (This finishes that post. I did not realize I had not written well on that aspect of the passage. My apology to all who wondered where the remainder was).

Now, for this post. The word “fellowship” reflects sharing, participation, partnership, etc…. John 17:20-23 “”I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are one: I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (http://bible.com/1171/jhn.17.20-23.mev) This passage describes what John is describing here.

When Jesus finished the work of the death, burial, resurrection, ascension and then the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, He provided this abundant fellowship that He had prayed about in this prayer for believers who would come. It was not a form of “church” that He came to bring, but Himself (and the entire God-Head) that He came to give. It was not form that would make us right, but it was His “right” that would create within us His righteousness and the capacity to fellowship in Him at such a deep level that we share all in Him. It is this fellowship that the Apostle John desires to share with them, so that their (everyone’s) joy will be complete. I will write of that -“joy” and “complete” in another post.

Lord, we come as those whose lives have been totally impacted by your love and care. We seek to draw near is such a totalness that we are able to allow your fellowship in through participation in You and with You. It is You we long to embrace. Make it so. Thank you!

 

Experiencing Jesus!

Iris Godfrey

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have looked upon, and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life — the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and announce to you that which we have seen and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4 MEV)

There is much, much to ponder in this passage. The first thing that should be obvious to us, is the fact that everything about the Apostle John was wrapped up in the message he had to share. He did not share something he just had thought about, or pondered for a while. He did not share something he did not thoroughly experience. Notice what all he included in that experience; his hearing, his seeing, his touch. He thoroughly experienced the Lord Jesus.

So often our learning is hear-say, or something we heard someone teach or preach, or our background, or some book we have read. The Apostle John had no such references. He was sharing what he had experienced as he walked and lived with Jesus for over three years of life – including the Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension and the out-pouring the the Holy Spirit. He experienced it all and now that is what he is sharing.

The purpose of his sharing it with these folk (and now all of us) is so that through fellowship together in these matters, we might experience what he will experience — the completeness of joy.

I will write on fellowship and this complete joy in other posts to come. But it is sufficient for us to embrace John’s way of sharing. The expectation is that we would also hear, see and touch in such a way that the revelation of Jesus would be ever present and ever experiential in our daily living. Then what we share as we live in and among others would be the precious fullness of the person of Jesus.

John did not experience something that is not available to us now! We will discover more of that as we work on another day with “fellowship” – what it means and where it takes us, and then the matter of “complete Joy,” – again what it means and where it takes us in Him. It is enough to now understand that He is personally present to hear, see and touch. He has not gone away and left us to a book. He poured out the Beloved Holy Spirit to guide us into all such truth – so much so that we hear, see and touch Him and eternity as we dwell in Him.

Lord, open our hearts and spiritual eyes, so we can see what is very plain in the Spirit realm. Thank you for enabling and empowering us to be people of person, power and presence.

Progressiver Revelation

Iris Godfrey

This phrase, progressive revelation, bothers everyone who does not understand what it means. Of course, I am talking about the Word. The Word of God. The Bible. It progressively reveals Jesus, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Most folk will agree with that statement.

However, when we are talking about “progressive revelation” within any passage of scripture, then the misunderstanding begins.

Our God is a multi-dimensional God. He is limitless and endless. This is true in reference to the depth of the understanding of His Word as well. I have been teaching Colossians in our Friday Fellowships during the past few weeks. I spent 2 weeks on Colossians 1 and feel like I barely touched the surface in those two teaching times (app. 45-55 minutes each). Then came Colossians 2 and I have spent two separate Friday meetings on that as well. Yet, there is so much more.

Once we get through doing, what seems to us as an in-depth study of the passage, just about the time we think we have it, you know that Eureka moment, we discover that we have only brushed its surface and there is so much more there. My quandary as a teacher is, do I go on or do I re-visit and discover what is there waiting for us.

It is easy to say re-visit, but that must be weighed in prayer with Him. I never know who is coming to each meeting (with a few staff exceptions), so only He knows what I need to do. It would seem logical to just plan out our times and map our the scriptures I plan to cover, but that does not work for these sessions very well, if I am to hear the Lord and then respond to what He unveils in my study.

I move away from using the word “depth” and prefer instead to use “dimensions,” for the simple reason that it is a combination of the two, but when only looked at with “depth” eyes, we miss a key way to “see” and therefore miss dimension. Also, folk have a tendency to shy from depth, settling instead for a beginners understanding of what the Word says. Oh the depths of the riches of Christ Jesus, revealed in and through His Spirit as we allow Him to open the gates of heaven while we read, study and meditate on what He has written for us.

May we not be fearful of the phrase “progressive revelation” at all, when it is being used of the action of the Holy spirit throughout the Scriptures.

The Choice

Iris Godfrey

No, this is not a post about smoking! Instead, I want to share with you my Lord’s insight in me as I was cleaning off the payment in front of my office this morning. You see, each Monday morning, after a full week-end, the pavement in front of our building is full of some leaves, dirt etc… that just blows across the lot, and then a lot of these: cigarette butts. IMG_0073It is not unusual to have a good number of them on the pavement. So I get my broom and begin to clean the place up for the week. When I first started doing this, I had a “grumble” attitude. You know what I mean. Then the Lord began to work with me – these are specific prayer reminders. I am to bless all who stop here for a smoke, and bless them with all the love and blessing Jesus can give them. I pray specifically if the Lord shares specifics with me. Otherwise, just a general blessing for hope and healing.

I have been doing this for a while, in our good weather, but this morning there was an added thankfulness, as someone had shared a heart-ache with me, yet sent me a text this morning about their choice to bless and be a blessing. What joy it brought to my heart! What a deeply spiritually profound understanding and it releases in us the joy of His heart through-out our day. The reminder gave me even a fuller joy in my prayer with the Lord in our building. Yes, I pray and release our Lord’s presence in a seemingly empty building. But this is what I am called to do – first. To have a precious fellowship in Him. He does the work, I just get to enjoy the blessings! How marvelous is that!

Lord, you allow many things in our lives that normally would be causes for discouragement and  the “grumble attitude.” Yet, you turn just those things into “joy-tasks” as we learn to just be You in the situation. Thank you! Bless all who read this, and Lord encourage their day, wherever you have them in your Kingdom!

Oh Well!

Iris Godfrey

wildflower (1)Beloved Readers, As you know, you did not get Conference posts as I had planned. I thought I had my iPad all set and connected to the blog as I had been able to publish with it here. However, it would not connect at all. So I just had to relax and let you not follow the conference with me. My apologies. I do not know why or what got in the way, and could not take the time to dig into the problem there. So….

The Conference was excellent, but even giving you the details of the sessions I attended would not adequately give you the sense of it all. I was able to visit with friends and make some new ones and be with our group. When you travel with a group, you have a way of getting to know one another more deeply. It was a very good time in our Lord Jesus! I am deeply thankful for the partners in ministry I have in Psalm 19 and in New Heart Ministries. It was a special time.

I have changed the header to daffodils as the miniature iris’ have ceased blooming and the other iris’ have not yet begun, but my daffy’s have. I love the spring flowers – my lawn has a lot of little ones. That means it has weeds in it, I know, but I mow them and bless them and they look like grass. Does a good work. Maybe someday I will have the time to dig it all up and put in new sod. Not this year – truthfully, probably not ever.

Thanks for reading, and I will be posting later this week – some studies. Stay tuned.

Blessings!

Getting Ready

Iris Godfrey
Getting Ready for the Conference, just checking to see if my blogging program is working well and publishing accurately.
Tomorrow we have the yearly Elim Business meeting at 2 pm and since I have credentials with Elim, I am qualified to participate by confirming the decisions of the elders. It is an important business meeting as our current president, Ron Burgio, is leaving to go back into the pastorate full-time and Chris Ball has been selected by the Elders to be the new president. Chris ordained me and I he and his family are friends. I look forward to a fruitful time for him and Elim as he takes the reins and works in the vision of God for Elim. It is an exciting time.
At 7 pm we join together in worship and then both Ron and Chris will be our evening speakers. It should be a very, very good time. I will try to get a summary here for you.
Right now my time is turning to packing and getting all ready to go. Joe is going with me as are four other folk representing Psalm 19 and New Heart Ministries. It should be an outstanding time in our Lord, with one another and with the saints who gather for Conference. Looking forward to seeing many friends. The Lord is very, very good.

 

Warm – Ah Yes!

Iris Godfrey

It is 75 degrees! Wonderful! I am enjoying it deeply. Yesterday I was able to have a pleasant walk around my neighborhood and plan to do so again today. Meanwhile, I am out and about getting ready to attend the Elim Oasis Conference Tuesday – Thursday Evening in Lima, NY. So am out and about getting some things ready for that time.

I do plan to blog some of the conference, so those of you who follow, will at least get a taste of the richness of this time. So stay tuned and we will see and hear all the Lord will do during this time dedicated to learning His heart deeper and deeper with those of like mind. I am so blessed!

I did change the header to this blog as you can see. These are my miniature iris’ that are just about finished at this point in time. They have multiplied and I look forward to taking time to replant them and space them out a bit. I took this photo last spring, but they look the same this spring. So very beautiful and about 3-4 inches high. So tiny.

Enjoy and I will be back here between Conference sessions if possible. I will be blogging on my iPad, so have some nitty-gritty’s to get straight there. Should work well.

Blessings!

Really, Really Ready!

Iris Godfrey

I changed the header above a few minutes ago, just because I am soooooooooo ready for any signs of spring. We have continued to have cold temps here in Syracuse, NY. ( Right now my iPhone says its 17 degrees outside). It has snowed the last two mornings. I do love snow, but am really, really, really, really, really, really etc… ready for some green and for the snow to go. I am not complaining, mind you, just longing. Our bodies, long for sun warmth.

The sun has been shining today, which has encouraged everyone. Syracuse is the 2nd cloudiest city in the USA – Seattle holding the #1 title. They can keep it. No competition to reverse that at all. We have had more snow than Boston during the month of February (our crews are just really, really good at removing it and taking care of our roads). So you can see why we long for spring. Our snow mountains have invaded much of our parking space everywhere and many will be into July before they all melt. Such is life in the North East.

I do love it here, so again no complaints – just need some green and some warm. Now that I have that off my chest, thank you for reading and for following this blog. I have a number of posts forming, but it will be a few days before I am able to take the time to post them. Stay with me – we will do this thing.

Bless you.

Living in Confidence – In Jesus!

Iris Godfrey

cropped-img_0450.jpg“Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowlledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be altogether fitted on thy lips. That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.” Proverbs 22:17-19 (Darby)

We have been working with this passage for several weeks and I am continuing to be caught by its truth. It is in a bit of a different form as well as version today. As to form I am using my iPad with an unfamiliar keyboard. Hence all the tools that are normally available to me are not yet discovered. I am certain they are here, but I must spend some time to discover them in this program. As to the version, it is by J.N. Darby who completed his work in 1890. I enjoy reading it as it has many Hebrew and Greek helps in his notes. So I have chosen to use it as I write our letter. It is Friday morning and very, very cold outside. I am sitting in my easy chair in the bedroom with an extra heater going so my feet can stay comfortably warm. Such are the joys of living in Central NY this winter.
Our understanding of the above passage continues to unfold. The reason the writer wants us to incline our ear and hear the words of wisdom, then to apply to our heart knowledge is because when we do so our inward man is exposed to things that are exceedingly thought-worthy and pleasant and then they will be “fitted” to our lips. We will begin to speak them, not so much as quotes, but as our own processed thoughts. But wait, there is more! All of this has been so that we will take great confidence (trust) in the Lord. I am reminded of Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” So not only does the sayings and knowledge of the words of the wise make me a wise person, but they also give me faith – confidence in our Father!
So we all need to be deep students of the Word. If we want our words to mean something and we want deeper faith/trust to take “walk on water” confidence in the Lord, we need to be thinking on His wisdom. I know we are all busy, but many times we all want the best of life from the Lord and we want to say meaningful things, but we give little more than lip service to His marvelous Word. Lord we place ourselves before you to be a willing student of your heart – your Word. Thank you for the printed page, and we see you as you manifest yourself to us through and in the pages – then unfolded from the Sacred Page into our life shared intimately with you. Thank you