Mannaword

These wonderful words from our Heavenly Father to us are so very comforting. He tells us that if we will call to Him, He will answer and will tell us great and wonderful things we do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3 HCSB)

This verse lets us know there is more to prayer than form, or even my asking, seeking, or knocking. There is more to time with Him than what I know. There is more, always more. In this verse, He is very clear about His willingness to tell us things we do not know. In other words, more than the text, beyond the text, and into the person Jesus Christ. There is an essence of life that He so willingly longs to share with us as we commune with Him.

I love Scripture, and everything is through, in, and out of Scripture. I am reminded of a hymn from my childhood, “Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee Lord.” The desire for fellowship will lead the believer to Him through the Word. The word can never be just a mental exercise — not for the converted. For the curious, maybe. But for the fervent believer in Jesus Christ, even a casual reading of Scripture becomes an encounter with Him.

John 14: 21 The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” WOW — He will reveal Himself — not just data — not just information, but Himself. The action of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, is the interactive agent who empowers all the revealing.

As we call to Him, He does answer, and He does tell us things we do not know. What an absolutely wonderful reason to spend time in prayer with Him.

Among the blogs I have visited during the past few weeks, there has been much discussion and debate about the role of Scripture in the life of a believer, as well as the extent of inspiration and one and on. Some of those posts were helpful, many were a bit “nit-picky.” Our attitudes toward others who differ is not always filled with thankfulness. That is sad. However, that is not really the topic I want to write about today.

Scripture is alive! It is not dead letters on paper. When it enters a life, it has full potential to deliver the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ into the one who has entered. It is awesome! In my study and in my relationship with the Lord, I have been shown a truth that I think might be helpful to many. So I will attempt to write it out in an understandable way.

We are dimensional creatures. We have relationships along dimensional lines. I have a closeness with my husband that I do not have with others. My relationship with my grown daughter is different in dimension than my relationship with my friends. So on and on it goes. This is easy to understand. Our Lord is dimensional as well, and our relationship with Him is dimensional. Paul prayed for the Ephesians (and all who would read that letter) “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 HCSB This was to people who were already believers. Paul knew that the Lord wanted to unfold Himself further to them, and so he prayed that would occur. This was not something all had — not an automatic result of salvation, but rather a dimension of revelation they could have if they so sought.

My present understanding has five (5) dimensions of relationship in the Lord Jesus possible in and through the Word. (There are proably many, many more, but this is all I understand right now). Notice I said “in and through the Word.” This is all in relationship with the Word. If Scripture does not become experientially, then it becomes legalism and that will not work love in our hearts toward Him. If I have chosen Jesus Christ, then I have chosen the Word! It is not one or the other.

These dimensions are not like a ladder with steps, so when you climb, you are more mature than those who do not, instead it is a circle of activity in His heart with the Word. We always are faced with #1 even while we fly in #5.

First dimension: Believe the Word. This seems obvious, but it is never ending. We are always being faced with more to believe, more to receive in faith, more to grasp. It is never ending, and thus something to receive with relish. I wish I always just believed what I read in Scripture, but I confess, there are many things I need to constantly bow in faith to receive and believe. All of us work here.

Second dimension: Apply the Word to my life. Again, this seems a bit obvious. This is hard work. It is also never ending. We work very hard to learn how to do this. Most of our Bible studies are developed along these lines. However, this is just #2. It is only the way to something far more rewarding. If this is all we ever do with the word, then obedience becomes a constant chore and a constant failure. Unfortunately a vast number of believers never go further. However, there is more — praise our Lord.

Third dimension: Apply my life to the Word. This may seem a bit confusing to some, and it seems as if I am just saying the same thing a different way. Not so! There is a huge difference between #2 and #3. In this dimension, we stop working and lay it all down in faith on the Word. Our Lord has never been unfaithful. Indeed, I am not important enough for Him to stop being Himself. Therefore, He will be faithful to me — according to His Word. I lay me down on His Word, and begin to rest. I call this “slipping into Sabbath.” He is the reality of the OT Sabbath, and I can slip into that dimension of His love as I rest my life on and in and through His Word. Obedience here becomes a joy in the heart of the Lord. Oh it doesn’t I mean I won’t struggle again, but I know there is a way to enter another dimension where I can rest it all. Then my troubles become opportunities to enter — calls to enter and rest and watch what He will do. He is so much more—.

Fourth dimension: Life interchange and interaction-place of revelation in the Word. As the love between husband and wife produce life, so the life exchange in the “rest” produces a life within the relationship. In a marriage, there is not only the life of each of the partners, but there is the life of the relationship — a life (the fusion of two lives) produced by the togetherness. There is a great power in this sharing and an unfolding of each partner in ways never known before. Now the Lord can begin to unfold Himself in ways of life not experienced before. The Word becomes alive with meaning, and leaps off the page in meaning never before seen in the mind or heart. This does not eliminate study, but study changes and moves into areas never known before in and through the Word. It is exciting, and life giving. Old things become new, and obedience becomes empowered on a new dimension. (I hesitate to use the term “level,” for that might insinuate some are above and some below, but this has nothing to do with anyone except the two in the relationship. It does not enter the arena of human competition or superiority which is really arrogrance in disguise).

Fifth dimension: Live in the power of the unfolding (revelation) in the Word. I am beginning to lose vocabulary to share what happens here. We have Scriptures that talk about our Lord causing us to “ride on the high places,” and “rising up on eagle wings,” and so forth. This is here. We begin to see our Lord from a here-to-fore unknown perspective and begin to see as He does and what He does, and begin to understand Him, our life, and eternal matters differently. He said it would happen: 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:3 — when we see Him we become like Him — we understand so much differently. Therefore, life is different for us.

Now, the circle continues, for we are always challenged to believe and enter. Remember the Scriptures that seem impossible to obey — you know the ones about rejoicing in trouble and tribulations — now we can begin to see there is a place (dimension of relationship) in Him through the Word that empowers just such a way of being.

He is so much more than we have ever dreamed!

The Christian Scriptures are the primary text for Christian spirituality.
Christian spirituality is, in its entirety, rooted in and shaped by the
scriptural text. We don’t form our personal spiritual lives out of a random
assemblage of favorite texts in combination with individual circumstances;
we are formed by the Holy Spirit in accordance with the text of Holy
Scripture. God does not put us in charge of forming our personal
spirituality. We grow in accordance with the revealed Word implanted in us
by the Spirit. Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book,
p. 15

I am presently reading this book and finding it wonderful. I have read several of Dr. Peterson’s books in the past, and am finding this one superb. It hits a real chord in my spirit. Our present lack in the church of effective reading of Scripture, the placing the Scriptures on the “answers for my need” shelf, and such attitudes alarm me.

It is a matter of urgency that interest in our souls be matched by an interest
in our Scriptures — and for the same reason: they, Scripture and souls, are the
primary fields of operation of the Holy Spirit. p.17

How deeply we need to realize that our lives must be immersed into the Word, and not just use the Word as a little whipped cream on the top of our lives. The Word must define our lives, not our lives define the Word.

“Do you know the Lord?” That is a question that will be answered with a “yes” in many of our churches. Yet, if we begin to work with the Word, many have trouble knowing where to even find the book we are reading from. The current trend to get people and keep people by answering their needs has a limited ability to grow them in Him. We must use any honorable means to bring people to Him, and we must, by all means, use the Word to find answers in His love. However, at some point we must also be drawn to Him in Word — not just in feeling and in concept. I believe the Lord weeps over His people, when they think they know Him, but never read or study the Word by themselves. We say we love Him, yet have never bothered to discover the dimensions of His love for us through His revealed Word. It is like receiving a love letter from my husband, but never bothering to read it. It just made me feel good to receive it. We would all say “How sad.”

Beloved people of the Lord, let us truly love Him in deed — being purposefully discipled by His Word.

It is Father’s Day in the USA and I am very aware of my Godly heritage through my Mom and Dad. Both have been with the Lord now for many years, and both loved Him and served Him throughout their lives. Dad preached the Word, and Mom read it through every year as she lived it out.

However, this morning, I am supremely thankful for Joe. Joe is my husband of almost 45 years. We have four grown children. His patience, love, provision, support, and on and on, have been one of the greatest pleasures of my heart as I watched him work with our children. He loved completely, counseled, supported, corrected with gentleness, and provided for in a consistent Godly way through-out their years at home. Even beyond that, he remains their most supportive fan.

When we were just friends in college, I saw His gentleness, and thought he would make a wonderful Dad. Indeed, I was right.

I never worried when the children were with him. I remember his gentle patience with both adopted sons, not to just discipline them, but he would spend hours at a time counseling them to help them change the way they were thinking. Later, when as teens they rejected his counsel, he was still there for them. Both natural born children received the same, and have followed in his footsteps in music unto our Lord Jesus Christ.

So Joe, know that your wife is so very thankful you were the father of her children.

“Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels among you. What I am saying is this: each of you says, ‘I ‘m with Paul,’ or ‘I’m with Apollos,’ or ‘I’m with Cephas,’ or ‘I’m with Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say you had been baptized in my name. …For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel–not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-15, 17 HCSB)

These words written thousand of years ago, certainly could be said our our Lord’s Body today. It seems to me we are much more interested in being known for our doctrine than for the love of the Lord who has bled for us. We will argue over every little item, yet, seem powerless to put these matters aside and include one another in His love.

The bottom line of Scripture: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God–God remains in him and he in God.” (1 John 4:15 HCSB)

That is really broad and hard on us. Yet, the way we deal with those who differ in doctrine is a huge indicator of how much we really believe He is Lord over His Body. I sometimes hear and feel the attitude, “Well they may be saved, but they are in error.” How sad that we would say such a thing. That is such a “I’m superior” way of thinking, and will have its consequences in my walk with my beloved Lord who has received them in grace, just has he has received me in that same grace.

I am learning here, but it seems that we really do need to get the heart of the gospel in our hearts — not just the “right” part of doctrine our lives would prefer to feel.

May we all come to a deeper understanding of His marvelous grace and allow our hearts to include.

The truth — about submission is usually not seen as the Bible is read and applied. But there is a truth that is demonstrated throughout the pages of Scripture that is absolutely wonderful, yet awesome.

In a previous post, I wrote about the fact that submission is a gift and can only be given away — never forced. Obedience can be forced — the submission of the heart cannot be. It can be requested and required, but unless one wishes to be submissive, and give that gift of “coming under” to another, it is not done.

Now the “Truth” about submission (Biblically) is that the one who is submitted to is then required to turn and serve the one who has submitted. The same Lord who has required me to be submissive as a wife, has then required my husband to love me, provide for me, and to lay down his life for me. (Ephesians 5:22-33). It is in this passage, where the imagery of husband/ wife to Christ/church is most clearly stated.

When we review the Scriptures regarding the type of leaders the Lord told us to be, we see the same principle — becoming the least in order to serve those who have submitted to us. This “Truth” is what is most often abused, both in the church and in the home. In fact, when we embrace this truth, then we see the harder part is really laid upon the husband and/or leader.

The imagery of Christ and the church in the Ephesians passage is good to look at over and over again. In fact, when we understand that our Lord Jesus Christ is Lord and we are to submit to Him as such, then we see that if one wants to see Christ in today’s world, they must look at His Bride. In fact, if He is not seen (glorified) in her, then He is not seen nor glorified. He is to be the focal point of her love and adoration; He is also the one who empowers her life in every way.

He shows her off at every opportunity. She is the one who is seen. He is only seen in and through her. I wonder what changes would be made in our understanding of church leadership and home relationships, if we really took a good look.

He is our all — yet He is the one who is our servant in all things. He answers our prayers, heals our bodies, gives us all that is needed, both physically and emotionally — and is glorified when I am seen as His. When I stand to teach, when I help my neighbor, or whatever, He is seen — yet I am the one being seen and being touched. He is only seen when His Bride is seen.

To submit is to give ones will to another. To be submitted to is to be required to serve the other in a way their heart is empowered to live in a “seen” way.

Interesting isn’t it!

For all who might be interested, I was the guest preacher at the three Mother’s Day services at my local church. An audio (MP3) file is available for listening at www.churchoftherez.org.

Today I want to share an insight given to me by another woman of the gospel many years ago. It is the difference between “submission” and “obedience.” Being a dutifully submissive wife (and we by all means must be that), I always thought submission and obedience were the same thing. My husband and I were born and raised in a very conservative church setting where women were silent — except for singing and the training of children.

I can remember often hearing a frustrated friend say about a particular decision she did not agree with her husband and he was insisting upon pushing the point, “Well, I’ll be submissive to it, but I don’t agree with it.” Then in disgruntled fashion and with a tight jaw, sit passively by as the husband insisted and she obeyed. I often was the one experiencing such frustration and guilty of such action.

However, I have learned a real secret that is a tremendous help. Submission is an attitude of heart that can only be given to another in willingness. This attitude of heart is what the Lord requires of a wife in a marriage, and a woman in the church. The above scene describes a totally unsubmissive person being obedient. This does not work the work of God. Submission is a gift to give away and no one can make me give it — except the Lord. I can give it, but no one can make me give it. Submission is a matter of faith, or trust if you will.

Obedience, on the other hand, is not only commanded, it can be required by another person. However, if I am obedient while all the time unsubmissive in my heart, I have not accomplished the will of the Lord. In fact, I may actually be doing harm through obedience. Our Lord set it up in His word so that it would be a thing of gifting — not a thing of law.

It is a joy to give submission — and a joy to obey when love surrounds me. It is harder to give both when the hard edge of oppression (in one form or another) surrounds me. Nevertheless, my Lord requires me to give submission with no manipulation and to obey with joy — regardless. This is a training of the heart. It is the training of the heart of the Kingdom — for if we examine the ways of the Kingdom of God in Scripture, we will find that this is the way all is accomplished, whether we are male or female. This training of the heart must be accomplished in our prayer closets. It is a private matter of empowering in the Lord.

The “lines have fallen to me in pleasant places” and my husband and I now worship where I have freedom of expression and so my frustration levels are relatively easy to keep dissolved. However, whether it is my dear husband ordering my steps, or the headship of my church — all must be received as of the Lord.

Remember, it is the training of the heart — not what is done or not done — but why was it done or not done — that makes all the difference in the Spirit of our Lord.

In examining Genesis 2:1-3 and John 19:28-30 we discovered that our Lord entered into rest because all was finished. The concept of the “finished” explored leads us to understand that faith calls us to receive a work done while it is clearly evident that much work is yet ahead.

In our salvation, we understand this, for certainly nothing we can do or add could possibly get any thing done on our behalf. He is all that is necessary and when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ, all the righteousness He is becomes ours. (2 Cor. 5:21) However, as we live our lives in grace, we have a tendency to leave the concept of “finished,” and try to work the works of God.

The Scriptures clearly teach that He prepares good work for us to do, and that is neither threatened nor set aside with the understanding of “finished,” rather it is enriched.

The “work of God” is clearly stated is faith in Jesus Christ. (John 6:29) So trusting Him is our work. Therefore, when we begin to grasp the concept that all is truly “finished,” we begin to experience release. Release from pressure, performance, worry, anxiety, stress, and a multidue of emotions that will damage us both spiritually and physically.

“Rest” in Him is a by-product of “entering into finished.” Coming to a point in my heart where I choose to lay everything down, so He might begin to flow in me to such an extent that I begin to see His hand and join His work. Remember, Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing. His emphasis was seeing His Father work, and joining Him. (John 5:19)

Our priorities would then be ordered. We would be released from the stress of trying, and be released into the joy of seeing. How awesome that would be.

How? The easiest and at the same time the hardest way possible. Lay me down and give up into Him. All of me, my cleverness, my mental capacity, my education, whatever — for some it will be jobs, families, etc… Whatever we have been assigned to do in our short time here, is to be laid down — and then worked in His power. Sounds so simple. It costs me my life — and it costs you yours.

He calls with an opportunity to “be as He is in this world.” (1 John 4:17b)