Men Need To Move Things

Men need to affect the world around them. We either do it constructively or destructively and most of the time it is a combination of both. If we feel we are 'ineffective' we either mope or make ourselves and others around us pay for our inadequacy. Our 'sin cycles' become unbreakable.

We need a mission or a cause. If we don't have one some just invent one that is unhealthy in a different way.

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:14-15 KJV

If Jesus had not have sent them they would be self obsessed people who are addicted to looking at their cell phones also. Sending them saved them and going saves us over and over again.

Otherwise the garbage of self occupation with past successes, or more likely, failures will start to pile up in the corners of rooms we are just spending to much time in.

Go. Go out... and since you're making the trip throw all that garbage out at the cross while you are out there.

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Objects Do Not Have Spiritual Power

The bible teaches us a view of reality where objects have physical properties but do not have spiritual power. No lucky or unlucky charms. Things don't channel spiritual energy. Areas are not better places to get spiritual 'reception'. Demons are sentimental and do attach themselves to things and people but God doesn't.

"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:" - Genesis 3:14 KJV

"For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth." - Psalm 44:25 KJV

The cross doesn't repel vampires. That whole idea has small 'viral' errors in it. There are no vampires. Darkness doesn't have that kind of animating power. The image isn't where the power is. The idea and historical fact of the cross is where the power is. The Love of the cross is where the power is. Jesus is the power. Knowing Him is this great unbreakable relationship and the cross shows us the ultimate example of His love.

Objects can become idols. Places can be restored when we worship God in Spirit and in Truth. New memories are formed. New shared memories.

Things have a purpose. We use things or decide not to use things but God is the source of all blessing. If there is any power He has it. Jesus didn't heal by means of some power He possessed. He was connected to God the Father. He Is still connected. The only time He was disconnected was on the cross and that happened for a short time for our sake.

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A Voice We Can Trust

Our inner voice is 'slippery' at best. Our mind wants to make sense of things and imposes sense on things. We can and do lie to stay safe. We lie to others and we lie to ourselves. Perhaps we just 'jump to conclusions' because we impose a pattern of events on things and forecast the future. If we are right a few times we start to trust the system we are using but it is flawed.

"For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. ... But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." - John 5:26-29, 36-40 ESV

This whole chapter is so good.

Who do you hear? What do you hear?

Jesus walked among us and there was no 'lie' in Him. He was unique in that respect. His 'works' bore witness to who He was. His book bears witness to what is real.

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice" - John 5:28 ESV

I love this passage so much. It is prophetic of this age and a great event in the future. On outreach those who 'are in the tombs' hear His voice because a 'work' of His is standing there speaking 'words' of Him and from Him.

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." - John 3:19-21 ESV

If we function in our own 'imaginings' we are just hiding from the light. We have another option. We have another glorious option. We can look at Him and focus on what He has done and what He says.

The truth is much much better than any fiction.

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Two Sendings

Here are two places that God will always send us. There are more but here are two:

- Out into the unknown away from our security system (Abraham)

- Back into the thing we fear the most to set others free (Moses)

You can look at all the patriarchs and see a 'sending' that applies to your life. Those sendings apply to anyone who is following God.

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." - Romans 11:29 KJV

God's calling isn't your vocation. He Is calling you to Himself and that is way out there and deep in here.

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," - Ephesians 1:18 KJV

This calling is not solitary. You need people. I need people. Lone rangers are going to live ignorant of many things. They will be poor. Those great gatherings, that have a mix of amazing and annoying people, house a glory found no where else. They have merciful eyes and words peppered with grace but there are also going to be novice traits and inappropriate saying said in those groups.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;" - Ephesians 4:4 KJV

Oh. There is hope is your calling.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." - John 10:9 KJV

Safety from the dangers 'out there' are not found by hiding. They are found in Him. Healings from the hurts within are not found out there. They are found in Jesus.

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" - 2 Timothy 1:8-10 KJV

Jesus is the burning bush. Look at Him. Draw near to His fire that warms but does not consume. He will send you and victory will be the result. You will be free of your past and others will be free also.

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Mix In Faith And Have A Good Day

I am reading Philippians chapter 4 and it is showing me how to have a good day today.

It is such a rich chapter...

"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." - Philippians 4:1-23 ESV

The chapter does start with 'Therefore, my brothers...' so I feel compelled to add a great principle given in chapter 3 also since we need what is in the chapter that came before to really fully apply what is in chapter 4.

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you." - Philippians 3:13-15 ESV

I long to 'enter into the partnership of giving and receiving' today. If I do that in the flow of these words with Jesus as my source and focus I am going to have a good day... you are going to have a good day and, '...if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you...' if you ponder the words in this book and decide to mix faith into what you are hearing you will have a momentum with God.

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