Anyone starting a business, corporation, not-for-profit organization or cause of any kind begins their journey by discovering and articulating their Vision, their Purpose and their Mission Statement. They are told by wise and knowledgeable strategists that their ultimate success heavily depends upon fully knowing and embracing their mission and keeping their vision clearly in mind at all times.

As God’s people, His sons, do we know what our mission is? As we come to understand it more clearly in these darkening days, are we willing to be prepared to embrace HIS mission for us?

The word “Mission” has been stirring in Reg’s heart from some months, or even years now, and in light of all that we have been seeing and hearing from all over in terms of world events, there is an ever increasing sense that Father is serious about His mission for a People who He is calling to be a blessing to the nations.

In the following messages, recorded during our Friday night fellowship group, Reg Rygus lays a foundation for understanding and embracing our mission. In these audio tracks you will also hear the discussion that this challenging word stirs as we discover application in our current lives and experience.

We hope you will be encouraged and challenged to embrace your mission.

Left CLICK the links below to listen. You can save it to your hard drive by right-clicking on the link and selecting Save Target As.

Possessing The Land – October 24, 2008
-   Accompanying Notes

Modes, Minds, Mouths and Mission - Also December 19, 2008
-   Accompanying Notes

It is my firm conviction that we ought to seek out the heart of a matter rather than settle for the outward appearance of things. To me, the issues of life flow out of the heart and in my experience so often what gets communicated, much of the time, simply serves to cover up what really is at the root of the issue, or hides the simple and obvious solution.

Life is in essence a series of transactions. Every thought, every conversation, every action that we engage in is a direct result of some sort of trade off. We learn to navigate life by being frugal (self-conserving and often times self-preserving) and are constantly making decisions as to what will cost the least to us personally in terms of sacrifice of our money, our energy and our time. We place value on material things, on the time we spend doing things for ourselves and for others as well as on the energy we expend to achieve these things. We most certainly count what it will cost us in dollars and cents. Let me offer some examples…

The most obvious “transaction” that impacts us all is the transaction between ourselves and our immediate source of monetary income. Whether it is a job, business opportunity, investment or government subsidy, the removal of this income, which we have become utterly dependant on, seems to immediately impact the other financial “transactions” of life that are obviously a big part of our lifestyle, namely our rent (transaction) or mortgage (transaction), as well as other living expenses (transactions) such as food, gas, utilities, taxes, etc.

Those are the monetary “transactions” that are so much a part of all of our lives and are so “in-our-face” because without the assurance that we will have the basic necessities and comforts of life, we become stressed and tied up in knots. This then impacts the other “transactions” we engage in such as where we will go, who we will see and spend time with, etc.

Then there are our social “transactions”. When we think or perceive that we “have it all together”, we feel more confident to be able to negotiate successful social transactions including engaging in verbal conversation, perhaps written communication and exposure of ourselves to others whether they be friends, neighbors, co-workers or our brothers and sisters in Christ. We often convince ourselves that unless we have something of value to offer someone in return for what we might receive from them (a balanced transaction) then they just might feel somehow cheated out of something or may feel slighted in some way. That just wouldn’t do! They may think less of us if we don’t give a good show. We might somehow be a drain on them, or rain on their parade. We don’t want to be a wet blanket, get over emotional or appear to be less mature than the others, so we simply hide ourselves away and convince ourselves that they are better off without us there. We would rather stay home by ourselves then be seen as not having it all together, or in some way or other be viewed as “less spiritual” than the rest.

We very often place value and worth based purely on our preconceived ideas and notions about what we believe others value and find worthy as well. We conduct our affairs and make decisions much of the time based on false assumptions and miss-guided ideas about what we believe others will think of us. Another common example of this is when we go out for lunch with a friend, we often demand to be the one to pay for the meal because we would rather pay the bill (sacrifice of our money) than give the other person even an inkling that we feel like we are imposing ourselves on them by allowing them to pay (sacrifice of our pride). Know what I mean?

I see all these very cerebral mind games as a very real form of bondage that God wants us to be completely free from. And in setting us free we are able to simply BE ourselves and not try to be what we perceive others think we ought to be or do. He (or she) whom the Son sets free is FREE indeed! This bondage keeps us away from the very ones who can be, in and through Christ, a genuine source of life and encouragement. Spirit quickened interaction with other members of the Body of Christ may actually be instrumental to set us free, or certainly to encourage us to hang on to whatever level of freedom we have already achieved.

More importantly, this type of bondage keeps us from being able to carry on a very real, vital and personal spiritual “transaction” with God, to believe that God can be THE source of Life, Truth, Wisdom and liberty right within US, and for us. Because in our carnal mind we perceive that He somehow requires something from us that we don’t believe we can give, or simply do not have to offer Him in order to please Him, then we cut ourselves off from the ONLY true source of EVERYTHING we need and desire. It is precisely in this way that to be carnally minded is death (spiritual separation from the Life of God).

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

It becomes abundantly evident that I must come to the end of myself! It is at the point of utter weakness and vulnerability within myself, when I finally reach the bottom of the barrel, that I gain a keen awareness of my own inability to do anything of or for myself. It is at this point of realization that “of myself I can do NOTHING” that He is MOST ready and willing to BE my vital source of strength, wisdom and understanding. When I am weak, then HE is strong (in me). It is precisely at this point that I finally realize that His grace is truly sufficient for me!

WOW! When I realize that it is ALL based on God’s amazing grace, the rules of the transaction change! I gloriously discover that I have NOTHING to bring to the table except to offer up myself to Him, to present my self to Him as a sacrifice and to trust Him to DO IT ALL — for me and in me! He must increase, and I must decrease!

As I have walked through certainly one of the greatest struggles of my entire life over the last few months, tearing free from my dependency on a man-made substance which I heavily relied upon all of my adult life to keep me from a hellish experience, I have come to understand experientially all over again that this process I find myself in is designed and tailor made specifically for me, to utterly strip me of ALL of my dependencies on ANY thing or ANY one other than Him. And when I force my mind to let go of the feelings of anxiety and desperation, fear, doubt and worry about what I simply perceive “could be” the consequences of letting go of these dependencies, to actually throw EVERYTHING upon Him in abandoned trust, I find a peace and an assurance floods my soul and guards my mind that is indescribable in any human terms or language. When we have truly tasted THE true peace that passes all understanding, we can never go back to the false, shallow sense of peace that we seemed to experience by relying on something other than Him alone.

He floods me with faith that His word and His promises are sure and the sense of His presence returns which literally becomes my strength to face the issues head on. I find that the fog begins to lift and I can think more clearly. As I think more clearly I become encouraged that I actually have His mind on the matter and there are answers where only moments before there seemed to be none. Hope returns where the situation seemed utterly hopeless. That hope gives way to a deep sense of joy that all will be OK. I am assured in my heart and mind that HE IS IN CONTROL! That’s because He truly IS!

My dependency shifts from the earthy, natural, material and temporal things of this world onto HIM who is supernatural (of the spiritual [real] dimension), eternal and where there is real power over the natural elements of this (my) world and situation, to effect real change whether financial, health related or in my social relationships. Like any loving father, He delights in us when we place our trust entirely in Him. When we demonstrate that we trust only Him by intentionally breaking our reliance on these worldly thoughts, emotions, perceptions and dependencies, His heart is moved to go to battle on our behalf and to prove Himself worthy of our trust. His desire is to prove His faithfulness to the promises He has given us, to prove His faithfulness to His own Word. Real freedom is found in the realization that THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S and HE IS VICTORIOUS over ALL our enemies! The outcome is sure and we are simply the beneficiaries of HIS victory. It is faith in HIM, through the faith OF Him, that we find true peace right in the midst of the storm. We find we can truly cease striving and rest in HIS works.

Beyond that I realize that I am nothing without Him, without His grace. But with Him and in Him, by His grace, I am becoming everything He is transforming me to be. And, all the others, who I perceive “have it all together” are really just as messed up (in and of themselves) as I am (in and of myself) and we really do have much more in common than I thought. So, hey, I can be real and open about my issues and they won’t love me any less or think any less of me. Do I love them any less or think any less of them when I discover their weaknesses? NO! In fact I find I love and accept them even more readily because they are willing to be real, open, honest and vulnerable. But hey! It’s okay for others to be real, open, honest and vulnerable…..  BUT NOT ME! Right!?

We’re ALL in this together and together we stand, but divided we fall (much more readily at least). When we find our ALL, our source in Him, we have learned how to tap into the true energy source Who dwells within each of us and we get re-energized through our actual trials rather than mowed over or wiped out by them.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst–not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” (John 4:13-14)

Now that is a transaction I can buy into!

Bless you all!

================================

Scripture references:   1 Sam 17:47, 2 Sam 22:1, John 3:30, John 4:13-14, John 8:36, John 15:5, Rom 8:6-7, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 12:9, Gal. 2:20, Phil. 4:7, Jam.1:2-4, Heb. 4:9-11

No more sorrow, no more sin, for His Kingdom dwells within!
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!
The old self I’ve laid aside, and in Him I now abide!
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!

Chorus

Jubilee! Jubilee!
It’s the Lord’s Jubilee, for He is come
To dwell in my heart!
Jubilee! Jubilee!
Jesus is my Jubilee, for He is come
To reign in my heart!

The New Day it has dawned, my humanity all gone!
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!
I will walk in Him today, in this new and living way,
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!

He is my Father, I’m His son, He has declared that we are One,
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!
Jesus Christ revealed in me, His creation to set free!
Jubilee! Jubilee! Jubilee!

given to Tim Moores

1997

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, descended from the realm of God the Father to become the Word made flesh, was crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended and was glorified. By so doing He became the offering for sin, overcame sin, death, hell and the grave to become the indwelling Life for, to and in all those who believe in Him and thus, by grace through faith, they receive the forgiveness of sins having their debt to the law of sin and death forever cancelled.

(John 3:16; 1:14; Phil. 2:6-8; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Rev. 1:18; Eph. 2:8; 1:7)

It is the good news of Jesus Christ because HE became the Way, the Truth , the Life and the Light having reversed the curse of death and decay placed upon the whole creation by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience, and has brought us out of darkness into His glorious Light!

(John 14:6; Rom. 5:17; Col. 1:13)

It is the good news of the Kingdom because the kingdoms of the world (“self” being the foundation) are becoming the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords beginning within those who have bowed their knee to His rule in their lives. We know that eventually EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ!

(Rev. 11:15; 19:16; Rom. 14:11 [Isaiah 45:23]; Phil. 2:9-11)

It is the good news of Grace because while we (all who receive the gift of His grace by faith) were yet spiritually dead in sin and alienated from God, not deserving of His gift of grace, Christ justified us, clothed us with righteousness, raised us up, and by grace we now have power to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.

(Eph. 4:18; 2:6-8; 1 John 5:4)

It is the good news of Hope because the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us to give life and immortality to our mortal bodies thus giving us the hope of the resurrection also.

(Rom. 8:11; 15:13; 1 Peter 1:3)

It is the good news of Peace because He has made peace through the blood of His cross, and by this single, solitary act of supreme sacrifice fulfilled all righteousness (doing the right thing) which is the only basis of true peace between a holy God and sinful man, between man and man or even right within each of our hearts and minds individually.

(Col. 1:20; Matt. 3:15; Eph. 2:14) (Possibly 2 Thess. 3:16)

(John 3:16,17; Rom 8:19-21; 1 Tim. 2:6; Gal. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Cor. 15:22)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The full gospel, is the foundation upon which the New Covenant is established, Jesus Christ being the cornerstone. It begins with the glorious plan of redemption, then goes on to include the regeneration and transformation of the individual disciple, and ends in the outcome of infinite love, mercy and grace which is the ultimate restoration of His entire creation back unto Himself.

(Col. 1:16-20; Rom 8:19-21; Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15:19-28)

It is proven throughout the history of the church that when any of these aspects are emphasized over and above, or at the exclusion of the others, it quickly erodes into what Paul called “another” gospel. The message quickly gets contorted into a religious menagerie of methods and dead works. We begin to think that there is something we (of ourselves) can do, apart from the divine work of God, to bring about the transformation into His likeness that we desire and seek. The good news is that there is absolutely nothing we can do in and of ourselves to take away from, or add to, the work of the cross or the work of the Holy Spirit within to fulfill what was begun in Jesus Christ and will find its completion in Him. The outcome is sure! And THAT is GOOD NEWS!

It is hard not to share it with others.

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of (our) faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

YOU!

You HAVE!

You have CALLED!

You have called ME!

You have called me to BE!

You have called me to be
Light, salt, life and Love!

You have called me to be
a Son, a saint, a servant and a source!

You have called me to be
a disciple, a priest and a king!

You have called me to be
A member, a coach and an overcomer!

You have called me to be
A spouse, a parent, a brother and a friend!

You have called me to be
An intercessor, a supporter, a confidant!

You have called me to be
A teacher, a preacher, a prophet, a minister!

You have called me to have
Faith, wisdom, grace and compassion!

You have called me to
Righteousness, peace, patience and joy!

You have called me to offer
Prayer, thanksgiving, worship, a sacrifice!

You have called me to
Walk, to stand, to run and to rest!

You have called me to be
Upright, Godly, holy, perfect!

You have called me to be
A sign, a type, an example, an unveiling!

You have called me to be
Appointed and anointed!

You have called me to be
A stone, a house, a temple, a dwelling place!

You have called me to BE!

You have called ME!

You have CALLED!

You HAVE!

YOU!

In regard to the thought of “holding fast the profession of our faith” it is found in more that a few places including Jesus’ own words. More importantly it is bearing witness in our spirit that we are in a very awesome time in God’s timetable — a sobering time indeed!

Mat 10:22 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Mat 24:12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

Heb 3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house–whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,

Heb 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

Heb 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Rev 2:26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end,

It is a foundational principle that those who have received (LIT. “were given”) Him also received (LIT. “were given”) the power to BECOME (implies a process) the sons of God. (John 1:12) This verse, along with the whole tenure of the scripture, especially the New Testament, speaks of a conception and a gestation period of co-laboring toward growth, maturing and ultimate attainment (birthing) of that glorious state of BEing a son after the likeness and pattern of our elder brother, Jesus Christ. It is undeniably obvious that some will attain to this lofty position in Him and some simply won’t. The question that begs to be answered is; “How does one attain unto this very high calling?”

Obviously only those who have an ear to hear in the first place have even the opportunity, but beyond hearing the Voice of the Lord we must appropriate the Word that id heard in order to be changed.

There is a sense in which we can loose out in some regard, if not our salvation, certainly our reward or some measure of reward, which clearly includes authority or responsibility in His Kingdom, in the age to come, as well as experiencing the glory and power of the first resurrection. It is pretty undeniable from reading the scripture that some will most certainly suffer loss while others will hear those blessed words; “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of the Lord.”

This is a sobering thought because evidently there is a HIGH calling that not everyone will qualify for. Certainly we know that from God’s perspective these things were established in Himself long before the foundations of the earth were set out. However, you and I don’t have the luxury of knowing the mystery of how some will be counted as overcomers and some not. All we know is this, that if we are to attain to the High Calling in Christ Jesus, there is need for endurance, a total denying of self, a walking the way of the cross, a putting off of the old man, a putting to death of the deeds of the body by the Spirit, a holding fast to the profession of our faith, an increase of CHRIST and a decrease of SELF, a counting of all as dung, a pressing on to know (epinosis) Him, a counting it all joy AND an overcoming of ALL enemies (giants) in our land in order to attain to and enjoy the promises that are clearly ours in Christ Jesus.

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:23-27)

Apparently even Paul the Apostle seemed rather concerned regarding this and was realizing the need to keep his bodily (carnal) demands in check to the end that after he had preached the good news of the Kingdom to so many others, at the end of the day, he himself could potentially be disqualified. In the passages below, again I hear the Spirit challenging us to be willing to deny self in pursuit of the High Calling. Redemption is a offered to ALL based entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to those who are called to salvation. But, the reward of ruling and reigning with Captain and King is based on the faithfulness of the disciple to walk in a manner that is worthy of the high calling and IF we are faithful over little, He will make us to RULE over much.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him (regarding suffering), He also will deny us (the glory of reigning with Him); If we are faithless (in regard to redemption), He remains faithful (in regard to redemption), for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. (Luke 16:10)

“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ (Luke 19:17)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the Fire (God Himself for our God IS a consuming Fire) itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

This same sober warning is alluded to in the article you sent (below) of Esau and Jacob wherein the point is well made that we also could give up our inheritance as Esau did, or suffer the loss of reward, if we don’t look continuously to the Lord for strength in overcoming our old adamic nature and hold fast to the prize, although I can’t entirely agree with his understanding of Jacob and Esau. But that’s a discussion for another time.

Having said that, it is ALL by grace that is ours through the faith which He has given. It IS this faith (His faith in us) that gives us the confidence that HE is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that Day. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

I know (by faith) that I am called and have (graciously been given the type/quality of) faith (His) that is able to preserve the soul. It is HIS power to keep me that I trust, not my (carnal) ability to hang on. In fact this is the paradox that can’t be understood with the mere natural intellect.

It is only the mind of Christ (in me) that can comprehend and apprehend the mystery which is “union with Christ”. No injunction in the scripture is given to the fleshly mind, for it is in enmity to the Spirit and is powerless to keep the injunctions/commandments. It is ONLY for the Christ Man that I now am in Him that can hear AND fulfill these injunctions. However we are encouraged, exhorted even commanded to HOLD FAST to our faith and admonish one another to do likewise.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:20-25)

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT we are NOT of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who HAVE FAITH to the preserving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:35-39)

I hope this blesses you in some measure,

Tim : )

I mentioned in my last post that I attended a wonderful concert by Steve Bell with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra last weekend. The Winspear was sold out with likely mostly Christians, a number of whom gathered at the Second Cup for a tasty latte before the concert about a block from the evening’s venue. I know because I could over hear their conversations as I sat there myself waiting from some family and friends to join me.

As I entered that coffee shop on a cold night in Edmonton, overflowing with lovely, well-to-do-folks enjoying their hot latte, I noticed a homeless man pacing back and forth in front panhandling for enough money to get a hot meal and rent a bed at the homeless shelter. Like a good Christian I went back out and offered him $5.00 and struck up a conversation regarding how he was doing and how he managed to end up in this predicament. Of course he wasn’t forethcoming with all the right answers and in the end all I found myself doing was encouraging him to commit his life to Christ, putting his trust in Him. Wishing him all the best, I walked back in and patiently waited for my friends to arrive. When they did walk in I offered to cover the cost of their coffees which they graciously declined. We drank down our coffees and lattes with much laughter and fun before walking down to the beautiful concert hall to enjoy an evening of exquisite and “heartfelt” music.

I didn’t give that homeless man another thought until early the following morning as I awoke with him on my heart and on my mind. I sensed the Lord say, “That was me last night, but you didn’t recognize me. Oh, I was certainly in the concert and enjoyed it with and in my people, but I appeared to you outside the Second Cup.”

I was immediately convicted as the Holy Spirit reminded me of the following passage…

“for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:42-45)

If only I had recognized Him, I am sure I would have skipped that concert and taken Him home to a hot bath, satisfying meal and comfortable bed.

“Lord, thank you for revealing Yourself to me and for Your continued grace toward me that there is no condemnation, but I pray that You will give me eyes to see You in this day of Your appearing. Burn up that which remains in me of “self” which keeps me in my comfort zone and which hinders me from recognizing and loving You and from loving others as You love me.”

I just came home from a wonderful concert put on by Steve Bell with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. What a great performance they put on! The music exquisite, the songs rich in depth and meaning and the presence of the Lord sweet. How can you get any better than that!

As I drove home I found myself in communion with my Father and His Son Jesus Christ, my Lord. My prayer was simply this; that He would continue His divine work in me until I might be His dwelling place. That He would take up residence in Me… in my heart, in my spirit, engulfing my soul, to guide and govern my mind and to pervade and transform my body, until I ultimately become His dwelling place always (eternally) and in all ways (God – all in all IN me). That He would be completely at Home in me and could comfortably and confidently invite others into His home. And when they enter that they would be free to sense only His glory and smell the fragrance of Christ there. That they might be different for having visited His habitation.

To me, there is little else that matters in this world, perhaps in the whole magnificent universe, than God receiving HIS full inheritance, namely to be able to finally take up residence in the tabernacle that is not made with hands, the temple that He is building as a house for Himself, namely you and I.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

…in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22)

For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. (Psalms 132:13-14)

…you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation  (Hebrews 9:11)

The big questions are, “how is this possible?” and “am I willing?”
Bless you as you ponder the answers! Please write and tell me what your are hearing.

Recently, my wife and I watched and were stirred by the movie; Freedom Writers* with Hilary Swank. If you haven’t seen this movie, you really must see it. It’s a powerful, inspirational movie based on a true story of a teacher who gets into the minds and hearts of hurting teens in one of the first integration schools in America. In light of the story line and the role that this teacher was playing in transforming the lives of her students, I felt the Lord ask me the following soul-searching question, “Tim, what really makes you tick?”

Through my own God-ordained set of trials and difficulties in my life, God has made me to be sensitive to the needs of others around me, and has given me a drive to serve people in whatever capacity I am able. Whether it is at a very practical level such as assisting with a computer problem or at a deeper, spiritual level like counseling an individual or couple through their own questions or issues, I am intent on seeing their challenges resolved. I also don’t waste much time or energy tip-toeing around an issue, but head as quickly as possible to uncover the heart of the matter. This has proven to be a key to much of my success in all areas of my life and vocation.

As I pondered the question that God had placed into my heart, my initial and spontaneous response was, “Well Lord, I do get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing a problem solved or a satisfied loved one, friend or client and to be honest I do like the accolades that a good job brings.” I immediately sensed His loving, but rather forceful scolding, “Is that it!? You like to receive a pat on the back? Is THAT what makes you what you are and causes you to sacrifice your time and energy for others? My son, it goes much, much deeper than that!”

“Is it not because I have/am transforming you into My very image and likeness? Is it not because I have/am giving you my very divine nature, my character? And what is my nature? Is it not to set my creation free? That ALL might be ultimately free from problems, hindrances, issues, division, sadness and bondage of all kinds to come into the glorious liberty of the sons of God?”

“I AM what makes you tick! My Life that resides within you! Your life is being swallowed up into Mine! I have/am becoming your Wisdom, your Peace, your Strength, your Motivation, your Rest! It is my very substance within you that makes you ‘tick’! RIGHT!?”

Needless to say in that very few seconds of revelation He opened the eyes of my heart once again to remind me of Who He is and who I am in Him! I was instantly broken. I wept as I thanked Him for His loving and gracious work of redemption, salvation and transformation as I realized afresh that it isn’t about me embracing the King and His kingdom, but it is all about Him embracing me, and the kingdom of God taking possession of me. I am being swallowed up by HIS Life…… praise the Lord… I AM POSSESSED! Hopefully you are too!

Bless you! 

Scripture references:  
Rom. 8:20-21, 1 Pet. 1:4, 1 Cor. 1:30 and 15:54, 2 Cor. 5:4, Col. 1:29 Col. 3:3

* http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/freedom_writers/

The following video is the latest that God has used to stir me and shake me. I pray it does the same in your heart. Andrew Strom is a voice crying in the wilderness boldly speaking against the, rich, affluent, sluggish and in many ways deceived western church system. You need to watch this video if you haven’t read the book of Jeremiah lately as applied to, or have been lulled to sleep by, modern, institutional christianity.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1994910475965041376

Other eye-opening resources….