A few weeks ago, I listening to a CD that we had made from one of our Friday meetings. Sheldon usually records our prayers and words that God has to say when we get together. After hearing God's words again, it final began to sink in what He had been telling us all along. Sheldon had already grasped it long before, but I was a little slower, OK maybe a lot slower. Anyway, the point is I'm understanding God much better and many things are beginning to make much more sense, including certain scriptures. I can see, like a blind man having his eyes opened for the first time. Being able to see, what one could only imagine before.
That evening, God reminded me that I spent to much time trying to plan or figure out my future. How I though He might want to use me or how to give things to our daughter and our grandchildren. Also how I wanted to help others in some form of ministry. Instead God told me to be "a man who sees the future." I needed to believe that God would show me what He was going to do, and then do whatever would be required. Much of that would be accomplished by speaking it into existence, just as God did in the very beginning. That's the power of the tongue or words that are given to His sons who believe. We are to know His will and then speak it. Yet, I was still thinking with my brain, instead of waiting and listening with my spirit. When people get older we often wonder or plan how we would like things done. But, I'm beginning to see God's plans and ways are much greater than mine, or anything we could imagine.
The Lord said, that the house I built (in Cle Elum, Washington), was only physical, and that the physical house is meaningless. The natural means less than you perceive and the spiritual mean more than you perceive. (The physical and the natural often reflect or prophecy something that is spiritual, usually good and sometimes bad.) However, God stated that my life and Sheldon's was a prophecy, including my marriage, just like Abraham's life and other prophets. God said, "The greater house is spiritual and what you have in your heart lives much longer, and is much more important than wood, timber or concrete. The reason for the hardship in both your lives (Sheldon and mine) is because I don't see a man just as himself. I see him beyond what he is. You have yielded yourselves, even as Christ did, to become a building block, a foundation. The early church was a foundation for this later church. People in the church don't know this, especially in the western world—the pain that is required. Your lives are valuable, not only for today. What you both have experience is for another generation who may not be able to bare the hardship. Your lives are a prophecy meant to help set others free."
Wow, this apply even if we never see or touch them physically and it would extend for many generations to come. Other peoples lives are effected by our sacrifice. Sacrifice is not for God, but for others, just as Christ's death was for the world. The Lord also mentioned He would raise up others in our names, even a thousand years from now, and that He was just showing us a portion of our future. (So much for those who believe in "the rapture.") When God was through speaking, I was almost speechless. I also realized my mistakes and repented. What God said that night changed my heart, my mind and most of my outlook for the future.
Wow, this apply even if we never see or touch them physically and it would extend for many generations to come. Other peoples lives are effected by our sacrifice. Sacrifice is not for God, but for others, just as Christ's death was for the world. The Lord also mentioned He would raise up others in our names, even a thousand years from now, and that He was just showing us a portion of our future. (So much for those who believe in "the rapture.") When God was through speaking, I was almost speechless. I also realized my mistakes and repented. What God said that night changed my heart, my mind and most of my outlook for the future.
We often think God needs our help in planning and doing things. Yet, God has already stated that everything He has planed for us has already been accomplished. There is no time or space restraints with God. He already sees it as accomplished. The Lord said, "The future is as real as the current is real." In fact they are already written down in the Bible, hidden in the multiple levels of His Word. (There are books written on Bible codes that can help explains this more.)
As the Apostle Paul said,"I am what I am, by the grace of God." (1 Cor. 15:10). I can do nothing to change who I am and neither can you. I have been predestine from my mother's womb to be the man I was before time began. That sound strange, but it's true. That's why certain peoples names are changed; to reflect the nature and the character of person they were and forever will be. We are a part of His restoration. Just accept what he places before you and do it to the best of your ability. Why is it so hard for people to grasp at? The reason is because the enemy doesn't want us to know it. Satan will try to distract us with all kinds of ideas and things. Lies and deceptions is satan's game, to get us off course from God's plan. God is patient, but why drag our feet when it's not necessary.
Unfortunately, many people still waste a lot of time, money, emotions and energy trying to achieve something God never intended for the them to have or do. They just follow other people's example, instead of Christ's. All the Heavenly Father asks of you and me is to abide in Him. (John 15:7).
Unfortunately, many people still waste a lot of time, money, emotions and energy trying to achieve something God never intended for the them to have or do. They just follow other people's example, instead of Christ's. All the Heavenly Father asks of you and me is to abide in Him. (John 15:7).
We don't need to seek possessions, they will come to us as an outflow of God's love and blessings. For example: This past month someone gave Sheldon a white envelope to give to me. The person wanted to remain anonymous. When I opened it, there was $2,000 in one hundred bills. I was speechless at first. Then I thanked God and asked Him to bless the giver a thousandfold. God was to bless us more than we can imagine. Plus, there are many other blessings we often take for granted such as friends, sunshine, rain, food, shelter and good health. They all come from our Heavenly Father.
We can spend our whole life working and buying things that have no real value. The only works that have value are the works of God, and they are eternal. They are the same works that Jesus did—communion with His Father, serving and touching people's lives, and dying on the Cross. The cross, is partaking in the same sufferings as Jesus. (1 Peter 2:21 and 1 Peter 4:1). Our souls and spirit are also eternal and anything and everything apart from these things are temporary or dead works. That's why an intimate relationship with God, intercession, and compassion for the poor and needy are so important in the Kingdom of God.
Look at all the great men in the Bible; Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, the Prophets, the Apostles, even Jesus Christ and many others. Not one of them strive to be famous, or acquires things, or tried to accomplish great acts. They simply did what God asked or expected of them. Not everyone did miracles, yet their lives were miraculous. Look at Mary and Joseph, they lived simple lives yet shared in the miracle of Jesus birth. Many others were put into situations they never expected, they were faithful and so was God. There will always be leaders, followers and the foolish. God uses them all to accomplish His will, just be who God wants you to be.
Abraham was a simple shepherd is whole life, and he became the Father of our faith, just by walking in an abiding trust with God. He never realized, that his life would be "a doorway" to faith in the Kingdom of God. God just asked Abraham to do seven things and he was faithful every time. The rest of the time God asked of him to walk before Him blameless—walking is the presence of God. Abraham still made mistakes and so did many other men and women of God. Yet, He never held them against them, because of is awesome grace and their faithfulness. Abraham lived almost seventy more years after he offered up Isaac, yet, God never asking him to do another thing after that, except to continue walking in God's presence. Neither do people have to live a long life in order fulfill God's plan, such as Jesus and John the Baptist. There are many who die young and old for the Christ's sake. This principle still applies today.
Is it really possible for us to find complete contentment in God's plan and not ours own agenda? I'm already finding a greater peace not trying to figure everything out. I don't have to worry about my future, money, circumstance, or family. Just be who I am—a friend of God. I don't even have to save people that's God's responsibility. Just be available when I'm needed. All that's requires of me is to walk before Him blameless and abide in Him. Every promise He has made regarding my life, my family and future generations to come, will and has been fulfilled.
God says, He will answer all our prayers, when done in faith.(Mark 11:24). So all we have to do is rest in His promises, even if we don't see it all accomplished in our lifetime. In fact many vision and dreams are meant to be passed from one generation to the next.
Is it really possible for us to find complete contentment in God's plan and not ours own agenda? I'm already finding a greater peace not trying to figure everything out. I don't have to worry about my future, money, circumstance, or family. Just be who I am—a friend of God. I don't even have to save people that's God's responsibility. Just be available when I'm needed. All that's requires of me is to walk before Him blameless and abide in Him. Every promise He has made regarding my life, my family and future generations to come, will and has been fulfilled.
God says, He will answer all our prayers, when done in faith.(Mark 11:24). So all we have to do is rest in His promises, even if we don't see it all accomplished in our lifetime. In fact many vision and dreams are meant to be passed from one generation to the next.
The cross was never meant to be for just ourselves, but for future generations. "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21). The Lord said to me that none of my grandchildren would have been saved, if it were not for the cross (hardship) I was willing to bear. And that all my future generations would also be saved. He even gave me some of their names and their calling. The salvation of our children, grand children and future children, both natural and spiritual, have more to do with abiding in Christ, rather than how much we physically try to love them. (Even the unrighteous people love their children). To show this importance fact, the apostle Paul said, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh and I complete what is lacking in Christ's affliction for the sake of His body, that is, the church." (Col. 1:24).
Now there's where the joy of the cross comes in, even though we usually dislike or may even hate the cross, because of its pain. There is no pleasure in the pain and suffering of the cross. Yet, it does help accomplishes God's will for us. His plans that has been laid out from the beginning of time, and everything is much bigger than we could ever imagine.
Note: Our salvation is base on a faith relationship, not on how many souls we try to save, or church activity we're involved in, or how wealthy we become. Yet, so many continue to strive to build or have things. Not realizing there is nothing greater than a intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father— period. We need to be just His son, and he will do the rest. God said, He was bringing Sonship back to earth, in this next move of God. That's what all creation has been waiting for.
Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son, the prodigal son did nothing, but just come home to the Father and his sins were forgiven. That's all God wants and expects of us today; just to come home.
Home is where the heart is. Where is your? A man who has the heart of God, has more than any minister who has put all there efforts into building a large church or ministry, but doesn't know God's heart. Giftings and anointings on a person life is no substitute for a revelation of the Father. Jesus Christ said, that where your treasures are, there your heart will be also. So put them where neither thieves, rust or decay can steal them. (Mt. 6:19-20). Jesus wasn't kidding!
Home is where the heart is. Where is your? A man who has the heart of God, has more than any minister who has put all there efforts into building a large church or ministry, but doesn't know God's heart. Giftings and anointings on a person life is no substitute for a revelation of the Father. Jesus Christ said, that where your treasures are, there your heart will be also. So put them where neither thieves, rust or decay can steal them. (Mt. 6:19-20). Jesus wasn't kidding!
There are many Christian today, who think life is about acquiring God's blessing. I thought that way once also. The world thinks, that the one with the most toys at the end of Life's Game is the winner. But the Truth has nothing to do with either blessings or toys. When you have lost everything, your is the best position you could ever be in, IF you come to realize that Jesus Christ is everything you really need. And anyone who follows Christ will have to bear their cross and suffer for the sake of others.
The only real legacy that anyone should want to leave behind is how well they got to know the Heavenly Father and that they completed the task He set before them. Do you see how simple the Gospel message really is?
"My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Suffer hardship with me , as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who in enlisted him as a soldier. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory." (1 Timothy 2:1,3,4,7, and 10)
