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I'm always wrong!

…and that's the right place to be because…

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, . . . .”

Every day we awaken – we have another day to live in His righteousness and to allow His righteousness to determine everything for us. When we refuse to take any part of an attitude of mind that declares that we have done it right, then we being to understand and live in the reality of being provided for and loved. This is humility and joy begins to become our heart's expression. Any form of “self-help” pales in comparison with my Lord's provision and love for me.

As I choose to trust Him and spend quality time with Him in His Word, then my thinking is renewed into my innocence in Him and I receive all He is for all my insufficiencies. This is the truth of the gospel. **”I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it's the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.'”

Romans 3:21-24; Romans 1:16-17 NKJB

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“My Beloved spoke, and said to me: ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!'”      Song of Solomon 2:10-13 NKJB

This miniature iris’ let me know that Spring has come! Although nothing else in my garden is ready to bloom, this says it all. The tulips are pushing up flags – many, many of them, and the other early spring flowers are beginning to state their life – yet not in bloom – till later.

Our northeastern world is beginning to awaken from a very long winter’s nap and bids us  enjoy the sun’s rays in a walk around the garden, even though it is still to wet and cold to work the ground much. I so love our seasons. This winter has been longer than most and we have all looked forward  to feeling the warmth of the sun on our faces. I believe that is the cry of our Lord Jesus’s heart – that we would long for the heat of His presence in our hearts and on our lives. He loves us ever so much and is the giver of such good, good gifts. This very tiny iris’ (approximately 3″ high and 11/2″ across) is telling of His creative genius in a garden not yet ready to hear. Soon, the entire garden will be awash with wonderful tulips, bearded iris’, a very green and growing lawn and shade during part of the day. But not yet.

All of us are called to be and display the creative genius of our Lord as we go about our business in a cold time. A cold time of just trying to stay warm and not being able to enjoy the sun (Son) in His brilliance. Yet we choose to be that glory where-ever He should choose.
I love the beginnings of Spring – it speaks much to my heart. I just wanted to share a bit of it with you today. May we hear and respond to the voice of our Lord – even in the deepest of winter – whatever type of winter it might be and on whatever dimension of life it occurs. May we say “yes, Lord” and rise.

What we normally read:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of The Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory into glory, just as by the Spirit of The Lord.” 2 corinthians 3:18 NKJB
What I found in the Greek:
“And we all with unveiled face, reflecting the same image of the glory of The Lord, are changed from glory into glory as from the Lord’s Spirit.” Personal Translation

The scripture above is where I ended my workshop at the Elim Women’s Area Conference on this past Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon (taught same material twice). My topic was “Transformation,” so we examined briefly all the four places the Greek word is used in the New Testament. As I studied the 2 Corinthians 3:18 one above, I discovered that it did not really say what I had always taught, so back to the drawing board I went. I enjoyed my time of digging, and the personal translation above was what I found.

The entire passage is not about a process but an action that was accomplished by our Lord Jesus. The context of the passage above tells of the glory of the Old Covenant of Law. Then it talks about the veil of unbelief that is over the eyes of those who are “law-keeper;” believing that in their action and progress things are occurring to make them more and more like Him. Quite the opposite is revealed in 3:18. In Christ our face is unveiled and we are empowered to “see” and to “believe.” We enter into a relationship of sonship with Almighty God through Christ our Lord and instantiously become as He is. (1 John 4:17). As Christ was instantly transfigured before the apostles in Matthew 17 and Mark 9, we are instantly changed (transformed) into that same image by the Spirit of the Lord.

Our learning to live out His life, His love, His nature within us is all a progression. But the action of it has already occurred within us. As we learn to see ourselves as reflecting that same image, then we begin to take our place in the New Covenant as inheritors and begin to trust the Lord much more than our own efforts in becoming. So in His work, as we receive its fullness, we are empowered to live it out in reality. We do not get any more perfect that when we were first “born from above.” Just like when our children are born. They do not get any more perfect as they grow up and learn to live out the family life-style and heritage. They just understand how and become capable of doing so as they grow. So we are like that in the Spirit. We are perfect, completed in Him, because of Him and Him alone. As we trust and grow, we begin to reflect that image and soon we begin to take the confidence that gives us. We reflect Him. Much like our children reflect us.

We then leave the glory of the old (spoken about earlier in the text) and begin to reflect the massive “glory” of our Lord and His nature. (John 17:22 – He gave us His glory). So our going from “glory to glory” is also very different than I had thought. Oh the Lord is so good to let us see these things! 

Hearing God is probably the easiest thing a Believer can do. The Lord simply does all the work and we simply and willingly receive. It is as easy as:

• Sit quietly.
• Turn your thoughts to hearing.
• Begin to respond to what you hear.

His voice will probably sound like your own. This need not trouble nor concern you. Yours is the main voice He can use inside of you. His audible voice is vastly different from what our “receivers” can receive, at least when we first begin. So in order to allow us to hear gradually, He simply uses the voice with-in us that we are accustomed to.

How Do I Know It is Him?

You will know. He speaks only according to His word and in the beginning may quote Himself to you. However, once you get accustomed to Him speaking, then it will and can become exceedingly personal. You will know the tenor and tone of His voice, so as you hear Him more and more, you will begin to know immediately if it is you or Him. This just takes practice.

Journaling

One way I urge people to start is to begin to journal your thoughts by either writing or typing using a journaling program. I call it my Prayer Journal. I record what I am thinking and what I want to share with Him with the understanding that He is listening and knows I am open to respond. Then I change the ink color and listen to His response recording that as we move in conversation. It slows everything down but eventually it becomes richer and richer as you move together in conversation in Him. As time passes, you will be able to do this without the journal, but to continue to grow in this richness, journaling, or something else that causes you to spend quality time in His presence talking with Him, is needful for all of us.

He Is Always Loving

Do not expect to hear correction. He is always loving and rich in grace toward us. If we need correction, most likely we already know about that. The Word He has spoken is enough
(more than enough) to let us know how we need to conduct ourselves. We usually know if we are out of balance and off base.

In a mature relationship each individual involved begins and looks forward to sharing with the other individual. So too in this relationship. When we begin to hear, we are usually exceedingly self-centered and so our words to Him are all about me and mine. As time goes by, and we mature in our conversations with Him, we become willing recipients of His sharing. This can (and usually does) open doors of insight and revelation out of the Scriptures as well as the faith-sight of things we have not seen.

This is just a beginning of items I would like to share on the subject of prayer. I will share more as time allows.

I am sooooooo…… ready for spring! I know it is just mid-March and we are not quite finished with winter, but my heart is ready for my hands to get out in the flower gardens and feel the soil. That sounds strange, but in central New York at this time of the year we get really, really, really, really ready for spring! My photo of a beautiful garden full of tulips taken a few years ago in a neighbor’s yard, would tell the story, but since we are not quite there yet, just one highlighted. Amazing what photo programs can do.

In reality….

This is what is real. Another cold blast coming in. This was taken a few moments ago with my cell phone as I stood just outside the door of my office looking south. All Greek and Bible classes are canceled for today – a wise call indeed. But since I live close by, Joe and I are here working; Jim Corso also, since his activity was cancelled and he too lives near. So we work on other matters. But my heart just wanted to pour out a bit. Not quite a lament, but close I guess. It was 50 degrees yesterday, but here we are and it is to be only 7 for a low tonight. So those of you in warmer climates can know our hearts long to feel some of your warmth.

That being said, I love Central New York and all the beauty it offers through-out the year, so no real complaints really, just a bit of longing. The people are warm and friendly and the Body of Christ precious. So I am thankful for my appointment to this area of the world.

When we walk on assignment, then it is never just our choice as to where to live. It is the Lord’s will I choose and wherever He has need of us, we go. I love what He has done during the last 48 years by sending us from Texas to the Northeast. We spent 11 years in Vermont and the remaining 37 have been here in Central New York. We are blessed indeed.

So Spring will come and I will rejoice and be able to get dirt in my fingernails and enjoy the iris beds that will be in bloom. I will try to post that when it happens. It will be May before too much green appears, but next month some will begin to be seen.

So today will be used for study and preparation for days ahead. It is good. Thank you Lord, for the snow and the cold that allow us such joy in the springtime glory, when it appears. You know what you are about and we choose to bless you and our world in the process. May you be magnified in our hearts and in our mouths this very cold, snowy day.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that I One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

When we accept Christ, our purpose in and for living completely changes. Now our purpose is defined by our destiny and our destiny is defined by and in Christ Jesus Himself. We have received the Christ of God! Therefore, we are infused with Him, His purpose and His destiny.

“Therefore, from now on, we, regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

The first difference listed in this passage is a switch in how we think of other people. We do not look at things outwardly but instead see with the eyes of Christ. I think this is not so much an effort thing on our part, but an empowerment thing in Christ. I have never been taught this, nor have I taught it much, because until recently, although reading it and teaching it many times, I did not understand this truth. Our perception of others has been switched into Holy Spirit mode. Oh we can just continue right on in the way we have been thinking, but we now have the power of Christ to see as He sees.

There is great power in the recognition of truth! Now we see that this is His supply, now we can adjust our thinking into truth and begin to “see” as He sees. This makes the assigned ministry of reconciliation an exciting development in our lives. Even in the Old Covenant God told Moses “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) I have read that and have known Moses as God's prophet had that ability, but never saw this passage telling us as new creatures in Him we too have been given that same ability in this New Covenant reality. Thank you Lord, we choose to look with a “switched” perspective.

(All passages are from the New King James Bible).

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In Christ Jesus, we are truly released into life to live in fullness and joy! I must learn to adjust my life to the truth of the Word of the Lord, not adjust the truth to my understanding of the word. Myriads of doctrines have been formed by the later. They are what ultimately side tract us and enslave us in the prisons of legalism and exclusion.

All my life I have tried and tried and tried to get rid of me so Jesus could be seen more and more. My understanding of the word was very flawed. I grew up singing a hymn called  “None of Self And All of Thee.” Each verse in the hymn takes us from all of self and none of Him, to none of self and all of Him. While on the surface, this looks to be in line with the truth of the Scripture, nothing could be further from the truth.

John the Baptist in John 3:3 said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He was referencing his ministry, the work of his heart and hands, not his person. Then it is combined with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “…I die daily.” These are combined to teach us that we need to disappear, empty ourselves of our selves, so that He can be seen in our life. Paul was not talking about trying to be less Paul than he was. He was stating a fact that in Ephesus he literally faced physical death every day. That is the context of the passage.

A text without a context is a pretext! That statement is not original with me, for I have known it most of my life. However, that statement is true as it stands.

When we become children of God through Jesus our Lord, He desires us to be all we can be in Him. He has created us very unique and filled with eternity’s possibilities – and that is just in the flesh. When we open to being His temple, then the possibilities resident within our person are beyond our comprehension. He does not want less of us to shine, He wants all of us in our fullness in Him to shine to a lost and dying world. He intends to “be” through us in all the fullness of His creation of us.

The “put-down” of our persons is actually a hang-over from some of the early gnostic teaching that the flesh was evil and the spirit good. So the more we abused the flesh, the more of the spirit could be seen. This is totally contrary to the gospel of grace and goodness in Jesus Christ.

Jesus paid all the debt my sin and nature owed. He has given me a new Spirit life. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,….” If this is true, then He does not want nor need less of you as His creation being yourself and fully Him, but He would like to release each of us as part of the manifold expression of who He is.

Yes, we get rid of the “old man,” who was crucified with Christ Jesus and put on the attributes of our redeemed nature and begin to walk in the newness of life.

Our good ole’ legalistic ways have once again confined us into a prison of “always sinful and always lacking.” when the word makes it clear that He has paid the price for my forgiveness and I have all sufficiency in Christ Jesus.

Now let’s adjust our thinking to the Word, instead of trying to make the Word agree with our thinking. I have a job here. My thoughts go to Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We have already died in and with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14), so we are called to walk in resurrection life. We are to be living – fully alive – given to Him for breath and creative expression of His goodness. This makes us so much more than we have ever thought or hoped. So let’s stop trying to be less, and embrace the “more” of Him in us, therefore able to release into the life of the “us” He came to create. He has released us into life!!!

It is time for me to get back to writing on this blog. It takes time and study, so there is a tendency in me to think I will do it a bit later. So it gets untouched for days (or weeks as the case may be). My apologies to you my diligent readers. Many of you have discovered the key of ‘following’ the blogs you like to read so you do not have to check them each time. So if you get tired of checking to see if a new post is here, try ‘Following’ me. It will automatically show up in your email.

I have recently gotten a ‘TouchFire’ keyboard for my iPad Mini. I love the iPad for almost all my computer needs, except typing on it is difficult for me. I am not a ‘hunt and peck’ person. I am a trained typist, so I do not enjoy the tablet keyboards. The new keyboard is nice, but taking some adjustment time for me. So I am purposely using it to type Mannaword. They do provide typing lessons for us to helps us adjust, and I have completed them, but nothing will substitute for old fashioned practice. No flying over the keys as fast as I can think, which is my usual way. Now, slow and easy does it. I will fly on it, but not today. Thanks for putting up with my personal rambling. I seem to do it well – rambling that is.

I have observed that it is much easier to talk about a relationship with The Lord Jesus than it is to really have one. Experience has really gotten a bad rap in the Christian world. So as full-gospel people, we have become very proper, both in our worship styles and in our personal devotional and study habits. We read more books about people and their journeys than we read the actual word and works of The Lord Himself. It is easier to talk of the experiences of others than it is to have our own experiences in Him. He waits and loves and waits and loves.

He is so kind and longs for us to just choose to listen and respond to Him. Nike’s phrase occurs to me, “Just do it!” We really only need time to share intimately and everything in Him becomes very real. We cannot get closer as he lives inside of us, so it just takes turning our thoughts and awareness to Him, for Him to begin to interact with us deeply.

So I want to encourage you to get quiet with Him and let ‘stuff’ – you know – His kind do ‘stuff’ happen. I am going to do the same.