Reading this morning I've had several thoughts. I've come across this scripture in Ecclesiastes 10.10 Which shows the importance of Proverbs 27:17 as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. 

 I think you could look at it like this. That I'm the ax and if I'm not meeting with other transparent individuals that can sharpen me then I become dull and rusty. Then I began to try and figure out things on my own (PRIDE) and life becomes so much harder. I'm not sure if you realize but any tool that you use that requires an edge or saw blade that needs to be Sharp takes so much more effort to get the job done.   It's like cutting a steak with a butter knife (well,  not my Ribeye’s that are done on the Green Egg,  anyway you get my point 😊 ) The wisdom I feel that he's talking about In this passage is the wisdom of meeting together on a regular basis and being transparent with each other. (my opinion)

One might could say that if you have pulled away or are not meeting with transparent men on a regular basis you could be opening a door for sin to creep into your life. That very well may be the platform that the devil is looking for to operate from. Which is where Ephesians 4:27 came in this morning.

I would also say that you could be meeting with men that are transparent and you could still have sin in your life that you are tolerating.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.

Ephesians 4.27 Any sin that you tolerate is an open invitation to the devil. Do not give him a platform to operate from.

I leave you with this thought. Do you meet with men that you can be transparent with?

Do you have sin in your life right now that you are tolerating?  Lust, gluttony,  …… you fill in the blank.

The thought process could be ….. Well that is just how I am ……   I have tried but just can’t stop.
 
If you do have sin in your life that you are tolerating ...........Why?

You were running so well....... Gal 5:7

GAL 5:7 You started off like an athlete on a mission, who distracted you? You seemed so completely persuaded about the truth!  5:8 God is not confused about you. He surnamed you!

Gal 5:7 — Gal 5:8

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. NLT

I woke this morning thinking about this passage. It always makes me wonder what he is up to when I wake to a passage floating around in my mind.   Sometimes the enemy is so subtle and then sometimes he's in your face just daring you. I had something happened to me a couple weeks ago. Doesn't really matter what it was what matters is how I chose to react. There is the key word chose. I saw the lie for what it was worth, and I chose to be a martyr. What I mean by being a martyr is I chose to Waller in my crap.  What became of that was I stopped writing for him. I copped an attitude.  If what I write speaks to you great and if it doesn't that's okay. The important part is that I write for him not myself.

I hate sitting here and knowing that I brought this pain upon myself and it began with believing a lie, walking in judgement.   I believe that most of you can understand what went on after that.

Matthew 7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye.

Lord please reveal to me the log in my eye, so I can see the speck that may be in my brother's eye.

I find when I judge I end up judging myself more harshly in the process.

Who is keeping you from running the race so well?

When I finished writing this I then read my devotion.   I would say the timing was perfect.

You are still in a time of quiet reflection.  Even though it seems difficult, if not impossible, to move forward you must take this opportunity to do some very deep internal work that will ultimately pave the way to freedom.  This is a rare moment in time when you can make great strides in spiritual liberty, says the Lord.  Psalms 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God.

Once we become reborn

I had one of my friends respond to my blog the other day with this quote . 

“Once we become Reborn, what if God isn't actually changing us into a new person, but revealing the person, our true identity, of who's always been there. Kind of like we've allowed all of this crap and mold and junk to deform the true identity of the original art he created each of us to be.”

In other words, we've allowed un-forgiveness, bitterness, abandonment, rejection, abuse .....you fill in the blank to take us from righteousness to being an orphan.

Man, I've been chewing on that one for a while. To think that I was born to be righteous and in my true identity and I have allowed all of the crap, wounds, words from people, school teachers, parents, siblings you name it.  Life speaking to my identity and slowly changing it to where I became an orphan without even knowing it. 

Our parents, no matter who they were could have been several step dad’s, several step mom's,  or just one mom and one dad,   They did the best they could.  They spoke into our identity and they molded us.  When a baby is born they just start doing things wrong because they don't know who they are. As parents we speak truth to them to try and mold them in what we know from our identity and then one-day God reveals to them their true identity.

If you are a parent and you don't know what your true identity is then how could you possibly speak that into your child. 

1^st Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything like one would test gold to determine its true value, then treasure that which is precious with great care. 5:22 Distance yourselves immediately from every practice remotely related to the fruit of the “I-am-not-tree”, which is the typical exhausting 1law of works system. (The tree of the knowledge of good and evil [1poneros] represents mankind’s lost sense of identity and righteousness, where the universal pursuit of humanity would now be their constant effort to achieve righteousness by means of their own works. This inevitably leads to disappointment where shame replaces innocence, and union and fellowship are lost. The word evil, poneros, suggests being full of hardships, labors and annoyances.)

What is my Gethsemane pt. 2

I am still in this chapter about Gethsemane and what is my Gethsemane?

This is another quote directly from the book “Gethsemane is a place where we struggle with ourselves, our selfishness, our once, our hopes, our dreams and disappointments. It is where we lose ourselves to find the new person God is making; not just new resolve, but a new life, a new identity in Christ. Oswald Chambers stated, "our Lord is trying to introduce us to identification with himself through a particular Gethsemane experience of Our Own." and remember, every Gethsemane leads to a resurrection but not before it first leads to a cross"

1st Peter 5:7 cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6 Let no anxiety about anything 1 distract you! Rather translate moments into prayerful worship, and soak your requests in gratitude before God! (The word 1 merimnao, anxiety, through the idea of distraction, from meritzo, to divide. Your requests do not surprise God; he knows your thoughts from afar and is acquainted with all your ways; yet he delights in your conversation and childlike trust! Song of Songs 2:14; Mat 6:8) 4:7 And in this place

That's what Jesus modeled for us at Gethsemane. So why is it that we often feel that we must hold on to some of that anxiety for ourselves even though Jesus modeled it for us.  Now we're getting into that total surrender and what that looks like. I know for me there are areas that I still want to hold on to. That if I'm not anxious about something or worried about something then I'm not being normal. Which we all know is a lie.

I know my Gethsemane is coming to terms with being in God's Will and not my own. Maybe if I fight God long enough he'll change his mind. Like that will ever happen.

I love what Todd White says. He says,

"when you signed up for this Walk with Jesus, you signed up to die."

Can it get any simpler than that? If you die to yourself then is it possible that you would never have a Gethsemane experience?

I believe you still will have Gethsemane experiences but you're so in tune to the will of God that there’s really not a question of …… can you take this cup from me?  is there another way I can do this?   You just know what you are supposed to do. 

So just picturing Jesus in the garden and in layman terms he says

 "Dad I know what you want me to do, but really is there any other way we can do this?

And Dad says "Son, there is no other way this is the only way.  you have to do this for all mankind."

This is the chorus from the song by Hillsong   "Glimmer in the dust"   Is this what Gethsemane looks like?

I know there’s a place I belong

Where I’ll see the fullness of love

A child face to face with my God Lost in

Your awesome wonder While I wait

I will not be afraid

My faith will remain all the same

My hope in the things not yet seen

Found in the greatest of these

What is your Gethsemane?

I've been doing a lot of reading lately.  Now I'm in a new book,  have been reading it for a while now.  It's called “The One Jesus loves.”  It has been a very good read but the last 3 or 4 days I've been stuck in chapter 33.

Chapter 33 is about "Weeping with Christ" Before we drink the cup, we must hold it!

3:10 Oh to comprehend the dynamic of his resurrection! His resurrection is evidence of our righteousness! In the revelation of God’s economy of inclusion, I co-suffered with him and co-died together with Christ! (Because I was already fully represented in his sufferings, his death and resurrection, I am greatly inspired when faced with contradictions now!) 3:11 When confronted with death, I actually come face to face with my own resurrection! The Mirror

So, what I have been really chewing on is what is my Gethsemane? My Gethsemane is the place where I can count the cost.  In other words, God is calling me to do something and whatever that is I'm going to have to count the cost.  What is God calling me to do?   I feel I must ponder and pray and sweat bullets and struggle and weep and wonder what is going to be required to follow him into the garden and weep with him.  I don't know what that is yet.

I guess a good example would be God has called you to something and you sit there and wonder and pray is there any other way I can do this? Jesus asked. Jesus said my father if it is possible may this cup be taken from me Matthew 26:39

So, for me I'm still asking seeking and knocking what does my Gethsemane look like.   Some of you know what Gethsemane looks like because you're running from it.  Maybe I'm running from it I don't know.

  Gethsemane is a place of coming to terms with the will of God. It is a place where we Face God's will head on. At Gethsemane, we look honestly and clearly at what God has called us to do. We consider the call and we count the cost. 

Emphasis is a direct quote from the book

Gethsemane is a place of surrender it's not the cross it is not the place where we die but it is the place where we are told we are going to die. You know dying to yourself total surrender so that we may live for God, so we can live in his will and not our own

I am under attack!

I received an email the other day from fellow Warrior who said that he was under attack. I want to say a few things about that because I feel so many times that we use the words “I am under attack” too quickly. just because your car breaks down or your water heater goes out or you get sick doesn't always mean you're under attack. Maybe your car breaks down because you haven't changed the oil in it for 79000 miles or maybe your water heater went out because the area that you live in has very hard water and it's 16 years old. Maybe you're sick because you haven't been taking care of the Lord's Temple and your 120 lbs. overweight and you have developed diabetes.  The doctor has told you need to lose the weight or you're going to get diabetes.

 A lot of times when we feel we're under attack it's because of our own doing or because it is just life.   Things just happen.   A few years ago, we had an ice storm and my driveway was frozen over.  I carefully walked out to my truck on my way back I slipped on the ice and broke my leg.  Some people would say in that instance that they were under attack from the enemy. I say I slipped on the ice and broke my leg.   Life happens …. accidents happen. 

I must say that I feel a lot of times we give too much credit to the enemy. I'm talking about the enemy that is already defeated. Personally, for myself I refuse to give the enemy credit for just about anything that happens.   He is weak he is unstable he doesn't know who he is. On the other hand, though you know who you are you are a mighty man or women of God. You are a son of God. You are a warrior.  You my friend make the enemy run!

Let's just say what if? What if The Lord brought the memory of an old girlfriend or boyfriend back to you?  You could very easily think that is an attack. But what if it's not an attack what if the Lord is showing you his goodness. It's just a memory I get memories like that all the time I just don't consider them attacks from the enemy who's already defeated.

Look at those thoughts as opportunities of training and what I mean is when those thoughts come to mind. Take them captive to The Obedience of Christ.  Hear is a thought …… maybe pray for them.
You haven't seen your old girlfriend or old boyfriend in 10 years.  He or She popped back in your mind just like a brother that you haven't talked to in a couple of years and we all know that when the Lord brings somebody to our mind that we should call them or pray for them look at these instances as opportunities and not attacks. Turn the tables into your favor

Do attacks happen yes, they do. I can't tell you how many times I have been spending time in the word and then unexpectedly the visual Rolodex comes alive in my mind.   I would say that those old pornographic images that resurface are attacks. Then I have a choice dwell on the thought or take it captive

10:5 Every lofty idea and argument positioned against the knowledge of God is cast down and exposed to be a mere invention of our own imagination. We arrest every thought that could possibly trigger an opposing threat to our redeemed identity and innocence at spear point! The caliber of our weapon is empowered by the revelation of the ultimate consequence of the obedience of Christ. (The obedience of Christ dwarfs the effect of the disobedience of Adam into insignificance! See Romans 5:12-21.)

Come, follow me.

“Come, follow me.” (Matt. 4:19) 

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) 

“One thing you lack. . . . Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21) 

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

 Whoever continues to minister to me, let him keep on following me; where I go you will share unhindered companionship with me. This shared union is what Father greatly values.                 (John 12:26)

Jesus never called us to be leaders he only said follow me that's being a disciple. 

The disciples or should I say the 12 left everything behind their homes, their comforts, even their friends, they changed people, places and play things to be sold out to follow Jesus. I often have wondered for myself if I have stepped into that Circle of twelve where I have left everything behind to follow him. I read a quote that says, “the true test of leadership is determined by how effective we are at helping others.”  Leonard Sweet

I have heard it said in churches and in small groups that we need to raise up leaders. However Jesus focuses on the following. I don't think Jesus ever says follow me so you can be a leader he just says follow me.  

Jesus says follow me now,  he doesn't say follow me later at your convenience.

For the last couple years or maybe longer, I’m going to stay longer. My wife could probably tell you exactly how long.  I have been trying to relinquish the financing part of the business over to her. She has an ability with finances that I just can't come close to. For years I've been wearing many hats in my company but this is the one part that I've struggled with relinquishing. She asked me the other day “do you trust me or not you know I'm good with money.” She said.   This comes on the heels of our taxes getting done and some very unwelcomed news.  Let's just say I had a banner year in 2016 and my estimated taxes weren't enough and it's my fault. Had I relinquished the finances over when I was told to we wouldn't be having an issue today.

I tell you the story because it's all good. I have relinquished the finances and the Lord has been given my wife ideas on how to make the business more efficient.  I am truly excited. The other side to this is I believe I have been following Jesus in all areas of my life except the finances of my business. I'm sure there's some other areas right now but I can't think of them. Today as a follower of Jesus I believe I am following him in all areas of my life now.   That could all change though.  I have found that sin is very sneaky.   I have to be on my toes or should I say Follow Jesus more intimately?

Are you in the circle of Twelve?    

….In the Twelve, we follow Jesus to the places of leaving all. Crosby, Robert. The One Jesus Loves:

Jesus, you are my only hope I don't have a plan B.

Jesus, you are my only hope,      I don't have a plan B.

I have been a little all over the place this morning from reading a book spending time in Matthew spending time and John listening to a sermon by Dave Busby and here I am on 1st Corinthians 10:13

NIV 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The Mirror version 10:13 Your situation is not unique! Every human life faces contradictions! Here is the good news: God believes in your freedom! He has made it possible for you to triumph in every situation that you will ever encounter!

I have always read this and thought God's never going to tempt me beyond my abilities to bear and that he's always going to provide a way out. Which for me I used to think that maybe I'll get a phone call or somebody would show up at my house. Sometimes I would get the phone call, but then I have too answer it  Never clicked until this morning that I think what He means is the way out is that you have to endure it and walk through it.  I mean what if the phone doesn't ring?  What if the person doesn't come to your house? What if and all you have is Jesus to go through this? To go deeper further still.   The way out is Jesus. 

What if you have a car wreck and roll your car down the embankment and you are pinned in the car. Your cell phone doesn't work you can't get out you have no choice but to rely on him whether it's a Temptation or a trial

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Listen and then obey

I have a little story about an obedience I want to share because I almost chose to walk in disobedience.  I went out to visit a customer Thursday morning about a job and she's a repeat customer. I have a good relationship with her and her husband. We discussed the bathroom remodel that I'm going to bid on I don't remember what I said. But it triggered her to tell me that she thought she had cancer and they found out that it was her thyroid gland.  We visited some more about her condition and the job and then I left. I'm driving down the road thinking that I'm going to send her a text message that I was going to pray for her healing as I was typing it out, I heard Holy Spirit say turn around and go back to her house and pray for her. I was already 10 minutes down the road and I thought to myself I don't want to. I have things to do today. I heard Holy Spirit say again go back and pray for her.   I turned my truck around and I went back to the house.  As I was driving back to the house Holy Spirit wanted me to ask her if she had any unforgiveness towards anybody   When I got out of my truck she was on the front porch sitting.   She asked me if I forgot anything and I said well kind of. 

While we were talking I asked her to close her eyes and ask Holy Spirit if she had any un forgiveness and immediately she said yes towards my husband.   I looked at her and said did he cheat on you and she said yes.  She confessed unforgiveness and without me saying anything prayed a blessing over her husband.   I prayed for her healing and I prayed for the healing of her thyroid because I think they're connected it was a very powerful moment. it was truly a Divine appointment that I almost let it slip through my fingers.   I am so glad I chose to go back because she is walking in Freedom now. The cool thing is that I had just had a conversation an hour earlier with my friend from Amarillo and we were talking about praying over people and people getting healed.

I texted her later during the day and asked her how she was doing.  She said she has had a great day!

Thank you, Jesus!

Kee Gwyn
Find out what God is doing, run to it as fast as you can and then go further still.

James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Scandal of Grace

The praise and worship band Hillsong wrote a song called the Scandal of Grace. The Scandal of Grace,  you died in my place so my soul will live. 

I thought that was a weird name. I didn't get it. But this morning as I'm reading I get to Philippians.  

 Philippians 2.4  to discover your own completeness in Christ frees you to turn your attention away from yourself to others.  

I am not sure where Todd White came up with the quote "I'm so free from me I'm free from you"  but it might have to do with this scripture.

You know what Jesus did it's not normal to come to the Earth and live as a man.

To die or be crucified by the hands of the people he created that just messes with me.

Think about this for a moment. We get our little feelings hurt somebody said something somebody did something that really hurt us or we choose to be offended. But then Jesus puts himself up on the cross and tells  the thief next to him you will be with me in Paradise.   that's just not normal. That is scandalous.   He knows he's going to die and the guy next to him who stole and lied and probably killed people ....... Jesus is not offended and invites him to the kingdom.  No ..... he tells him you will be with me in Paradise.

That makes all of my whining about being offended or being angry just really petty and a total waste of time and energy

Quote from "unoffendable"  the point is freedom - freedom to love. Freedom to have God-given site, the ability to look at that highly offensive someone and see what is not yet, as though it were.

Jesus says love your enemies love your neighbor. Love your neighbor more than yourself the world looks at us and they see a peculiar people.

1 Peter 2.9  but you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation A peculiar people that you should show forth the manliness  of him who called you out of the darkness and Into His Marvelous Light. 

Jesus had one kind of lens that he saw life through and it is the lens of love. But we as a people we choose what lenses we want to see people through how many lenses do you have?

I'm reading in a book called unoffendable. There have been lots of nuggets of Truth in it that have really spoken to me. The Lord has been speaking to me about my anger and how it is increasingly about choice. There was a question poised in the book.

  “If there is such a thing as righteous anger then why isn't it part of the fruits of the spirit? “
 I've been chewing on that one for a while. We're all going to get angry but it literally is your choice on how long you're going to stay angry or how you're going to act through your anger. The quote right here specifically spoke to me this morning

“He wants to know us, and He wants us to know Him. He wants us to want Him. Not ideas or abstractions about Him, but Him. Ultimately, this is a more restful life. Not just because it might mean some quiet, meditative moments— though they’re wonderful— but because when we surrender control, there’s so much less at stake in life for us.”

“But do you know where constant worry comes from? It’s rooted in an arrogance that assumes, I know the way my life has to go, and God’s not getting it right. Real humility means to relax. Real humility means to laugh at yourself. Real humility means to be self-critical.” 3 We hold on to worry because we don’t trust God. We hold on to anger because we don’t trust God. We feel threatened because we’re insecure, and we’re insecure because— surprise!— we don’t trust God.”

When you start practicing it, you realize: choosing to be unoffendable means actually, for real, trusting God.

Phil 4:6 Let no anxiety about anything 1distract you! Rather translate moments into prayerful worship, and soak your requests in gratitude before God! (The word 1merimnao, anxiety, through the idea of distraction, from merits, to divide. Your requests do not surprise God; he knows your thoughts from afar and is acquainted with all your ways; yet he delights in your conversation and childlike trust! Song of Songs 2:14; Mat 6:8) 4:7 And in this place of worship and gratitude you will witness how the peace of God within you echoes the awareness of your oneness in Christ Jesus beyond the reach of any thought that could possibly unsettle you. (uperecho) Just like the 1sentry guard secures a city, watching out in advance for the first signs of any possible threat, your hearts deepest feelings and the tranquility of your thoughts are fully guarded there. (This peace is not measured by external circumstances, it is residing deeply in the innermost parts of your being. We are not talking about a fragile sense of peace that can easily be disturbed; one that we have to fabricate ourselves; this is God’s peace; the peace that God himself enjoys!)

Everything that I've read today and over the last few days still circles back to unbelief. If I am walking and believing who God says I am.   Then it's going to be hard to not trust him with all of life's circumstances. So, I personally have a way to go.


Jesus, Help me with my unbelief!

Just got back off quest, another amazing event where Daddy showed off. As I reflect on the past 6 days I see a pattern that had developed in my quiet time down at the Gate. Monday Holy Spirit took me to Hebrews 4:1

 What a foolish thing it would be if we should now fail in a similar fashion to enter his rest where we get to celebrate the full consequences of our redemption. (Why waste another lap in the same wilderness of unbelief!)  So, the first day He was speaking to me about entering into His rest and staying out of the Wilderness of unbelief. Thinking about this statement, it just dawned on me it is very hard to enter into his rest when you are walking in unbelief.    I am not saying you can’t enter into his rest but maybe you are not as intimate as you could be.

Day 2.   As I was sitting in my spot I felt Holy Spirit was leading me to go back and read Hebrews 3 and sure enough it touches on unbelief again.

3: 12 Make sure that none of you tolerates the poison of unbelief in your hearts, allowing callousness to distract and distance you from the living God. (Unbelief, believing a lie about yourself and your salvation [Num 13:33, Josh 2:11]; unbelief exchanges the living God for a dead god of your own imagination. A calloused heart is a mind dominated by the senses.)  So, I'm starting to see a pattern here, Holy Spirit what are you trying to show me because frankly guys and gals I did not think I was walking in any type of unbelief. Little did I know of what was coming.

Day 3 He took me to Hebrews chapter 5 and specifically verse 8 and 9.

5:8 Acquainted with sonship he was in the habit of 1hearing from above; what he heard 2distanced him from the effect of what he had suffered. (The word often translated as obedience is the word, 1upoakuo, under the influence of hearing, or hearing from above. “By” the things he suffered, 2apo, away from, distanced. “Then I said, I read in your book what you wrote about me; so here I am, I have come to fulfill your will.”

 [Heb 10:7]) 5:9 By his perfect hearing he forever freed mankind to hear what he had heard. (He now makes it possible for us to hear in such a way that we may participate again in the full release of our original identity; the logos finding voice in the incarnation in us.)

 Now we're talking about unbelief, entering into his rest and identity.   I then received a text from a friend of mine and it was really good and very powerful and there was a line in it that said

“Holy Spirit says to run to the offense... He's revealing something beautiful!!!”

So we're talking rest, unbelief, identity and now walking in un-forgiveness.  I'm thinking, all right where are we going with this?

Later that night someone brings up unbelief in the group and so I am looking for an old blog that I wrote about unbelief but I could not find it in time to share it. I did finally find it and when I read it, it was for me.

That morning during staff meeting I confessed my unforgiveness towards two people in my life.  One I had been harboring unforgiveness towards since 2005.  Did not see that coming and the other since about Feb of this year, absolutely did not see that one coming.   So, while I am on the floor confessing that's when Holy Spirit revealed to me that the second person that I needed to forgive. 

In summary I have been walking in un-forgiveness. I did realize that I had been mad for the last 5 or 6 months but to be honest I didn't think I was walking in un-forgiveness but Holy Spirit showed me I was.  For the last 5 or 6 months or the last 12 years, I have been reacting through the eyes of a hurt individual and I didn't even know it. When does a deceived person know he's deceived? He doesn't until Holy Spirit reveals it to him. So, while I'm on the floor confessing I get a vision of washing this person's feet. So that person is coming to my house today and we're going to talk and I am going to confess. I believe all of this has come about because I chose to enter into his rest and to listen.  The truth is if you are walking as a son in your true identity, you're not going to walk in un-forgiveness, you’re going to know who you are. And when people say things and do hurtful things, you have to choose not to believe the lie about yourself and you have to walk as a son.  You must choose life,

Todd White says, “I am so free from me I am free from you!”   

That is who I strive to be.

I leave you with this one question.

What is the lie that you are believing about yourself that is keeping you from walking as a Son or Daughter of the King?  Ask Holy Spirit right now

2 Corinthians 4:4 The survival and self-improvement programs of the 1religious systems of this world veil the minds of the unbelievers; exploiting their ignorance about their true origin and their redeemed innocence. The veil of unbelief obstructs a person’s view and keeps them from seeing what the light of the gospel so clearly reveals: the 2glory of God is the image and likeness of our Maker redeemed in human form; this is what the gospel of Christ is all about. (The god of this 1aion, age, refers to the religious systems and governing structures of this world. The unbelief that neutralized Israel in the wilderness was the lie that they believed about themselves; “We are grasshoppers, and the ‘enemy’ is a giant beyond any proportion!” [Num 13:33, Josh 2:11, Heb 4:6] “They failed to possess the promise due to unbelief.” The blueprint 2doxa, glory of God, is what Adam lost on humanity’s behalf. [See Eph 4:18]).

Prayers are coveted I am leaving to go on Quest today. It's been a good prep work for me.  Have been hearing a lot about being intimate with our Dad. This morning as I was reading in Romans chapter 16 this verse really stood out to me and it's exactly what I needed to hear.

16:20 God who is the author of our peace shall quickly and utterly trample 1satan, doing it with your feet. Your victory is realized in the revelation of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and echoed (personalized) in your amen. 

(We are the body of Christ. God desires to demonstrate his reign of peace in us by confirming satan’s defeat in our practical day to day experience. The defeat of 1accusation is celebrated in what grace communicates. The word, 1satanos, means accuser. The law of faith defeated the law of works!)

It's good to know that the lord through me tramples satan with my feet when I'm in prayer,  but also in my day-to-day experiences.  So as I sit here and Ponder it makes me wonder why sometimes I get so jacked up when things seem to be going awry. Things happen during the day that would be easy for me to say I'm under attack but if the enemy is already defeated then how can I be under attack? Could it be that a lot of the issues that happened to me during the day or actually my own doing?  Perhaps I am listening to my own voice?  If you do not spend time in the word,  it makes it very difficult to discern  what the truth is from the lies.

Verse 24 says the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ belongs to you.

My name is (put your name here) and the spirit of the Lord is upon me I have been anointed to preach the good news to heal the sick to bring sight to the blind. This is the year to proclaim the Lord's favor.

Be blessed and walk in favor today!

Kevin

Something I have studying on for the last week.   I just wanted to share it.
This is from the Mirror version bible.

Consider the word metanoia, consisting of two components, meta, together with, and nous, mind, suggesting a radical mind shift. This word has been translated regularly as “repentance,” which is an old English word borrowed from the Latin, which means penance. Then they added the “re” to get even more mileage out of sin consciousness. Re-penance. This gross deception led to the perverted doctrines of indulgences, where naive, ignorant people were led to believe that they needed to purchase favor from an angry god. Most cathedrals as well as many ministries were funded with this guilt money.

English translations do little to help us understand what repentance truly is. Until Jerome’s Latin Vulgate translation, the word metanoia was commonly used. For instance, Tertullian wrote in 198 A.D., “In Greek, metanoia is not a confession of sins but a change of mind.” But despite this the Latin fathers begin to translate the word as “do penance” following the Roman Catholic teaching on doing penance in order to win God’s favor.

In 1430, Lorenzo Valla, a Catholic theologian, began a critical study of Jerome’s Latin Vulgate and Valla pointed out many mistakes that Jerome had made.  Sadly, the “Vulgate-Only” crowd of Valla’s day forced him to renounce many of the changes that he noted needed changing in the Vulgate including the poor translation of metanoia.

The business of religion desperately needs paying and returning customers. Jesus was crucified for this reason; the entire system of keeping people dependent on their hierarchy was challenged and condemned by him.

Isaiah 55:8-11 gives meaning to metanoia: “your thoughts were distanced from God’s thoughts as the heavens are higher than the earth, but just like the rain and the snow would cancel that distance and saturate the soil to awaken its seed, so shall my word be that proceeds from my mouth.”
The Greek preposition meta, together with, implies another influence. This is where the gospel becomes so powerful since it appeals to our conscience to reason together with our original design ... the authentic thought, the mind of God is realized again. The distance caused by Adam’s fall, compared to the distance between heaven and earth, is cancelled in the incarnation. Metanoia suggests a co-knowing with God! It is an intertwining of thought; it is to agree with God about me.

 Your belief in God does not define him; his faith in what he knows to be true about you defines you.

In Mark 11:22, Jesus says, “Have the faith of God.” Unfortunately, most translations say, “Have faith in God.” There is a massive difference between our beliefs and philosophies about God and God’s persuasion about us! 

God’s belief in you gives substance to your faith. Jesus is what God believes about you. If our point of departure is not God’s faith in the finished work of Christ we have no valid gospel to preach.

 If our faith is not sourced and sustained in him as the mirror image of God revealed and redeemed in us we are deceiving ourselves with yet another religious disguise called Christianity.

Toit, Francois Du. Mirror Bible: A selection of key New Testament texts paraphrased from the Greek (Kindle Locations 13893-13922). Mirror Word Publishing (Kindle Edition by Ten10 Ebooks). Kindle Edition.

Hello All,

 I have actually started doing a little more writing on my blog.   just went through a season where I just wasn't really hearing anything. I've actually been writing some stuff lately but my emails been messed up so I have not been able to get it sent out like I wanted.  I got everything fixed and so I'm probably going to start sending some things out again.   At the end of this email there is an actual unsubscribe if you don't want to receive it just click it and let me know.  You're not going to hurt my feelings if you don't want to get it. We all get lots of emails last thing I want to do is be just another email in your inbox.

Proverbs 3.5 Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Kee Gwyn

John 1:47-48

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

I've read this scripture countless times the Book of John is one of my favorite books.

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Here Jesus is speaking truth into Nathanael.

Nathaniel says Jesus how do You know me? And Jesus answered, “When you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” It never dawned on me what Jesus was saying here and it’s kind of unnerving, but in a good way.  In other words, Jesus is saying, I see you when you don't see me.   I see everything that you do.  I see what you do when you're at home by yourself. I see how you act when you're driving down the road.   I see you in the secret place when you spend time with my father.

So here we are ……. Knowing that Jesus knows everything and that God sees everything.

Why is it so hard at times to believe that He is actually there beside us?

If we Truly believed that he is right there,   then why do we sometimes take him to places that are very at bad?  If He was in living flesh then there is no way we would take him there.

Once again I felt like I supposed to be in John chapter 16 because that's where my devotion came from. But here I am back in Colossians chapter 3. There's so much in the mirror version.

3:5 Consider the members of your body as dead and buried towards everything related to the porn industry, sensual uncleanness, longing for forbidden things, lust and greed, which are just another form of idol worship. (Idol worship is worshiping a distorted image of yourself!)

Idol worship is worshipping a distorted image of yourself. Going to have to chew on that one for a while. I'm thinking it means it's my world and everybody else is just living in it. I hate that thought that I would be so selfish to look at anything that would arouse me including food or money anything that would give me Comfort.
I think back when I was on my quest and the robe of sin was presented to me as well as the robe of righteousness and I have a choice everyday which one of those garments I want to wear. And then this morning I read this scripture out of Colossians in the mirror version.

3:12 You are the product of God’s love; he restored you to his original thought. You belong to him exclusively. It is like changing garments. Now that you have gotten rid of the old, clothe yourselves with inner compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, (Just like you were once identified by your apparel, the characteristics of these qualities define you now.)
I like to say be Jesus with skin on.
3:14 Wear love like a uniform; this is what completes the picture of our oneness.
3:17 Your every conversation and the detail of your daily conduct reflect him; his name and lordship define your lives and inspire your deep gratitude to God the Father for his grace.


That means even driving down the road your conduct reflects him. I don't do very good in that area but I'm working on it.
  It has been a good morning this morning I feel intimacy with my dad

So lately I've been chewing on this.   I've heard people say this before I just need clarity. Or I'm praying for clarity for God to give me direction. I've come to the conclusion that praying for clarity is a cop out.
We will say I'm praying for clarity and will sit there and will pray and pray and pray and we won't get an answer from God. And we're stuck we're stuck in this place of I can't move until I get clarity. I'm here to submit to you that what you really need to do is just trust the Lord. I'm here to submit to you that trusting the Lord is being in a relationship with the Lord and relationships required Trust. I would go as far as to go back to the devotion from Oswald Chambers that is titled after the Gods silence or what?.
 My stance is or Oswald's stance is maybe you're in such a great relationship with the Lord that you don't need an answer to your prayer because the Lord's answer is silence. Maybe your relationship is in such a good place with the Lord that he trust you to make the right decision or to go the right direction. Because he trusts you.   relationships are built on trust. You know when you raise children and for a while they ask you how to do things and you tell him. Then they go through a phase where they know everything and they stop asking you and they make mistakes. Then they go through another phase where they start making decisions because they know that you're going to approve of it because you raised them that way. They trust you ..... you trust them they make a decision and it's a good decision and they don't have to ask you about it or ask you about approval because they know because of the relationship that they have with you that you're going to be okay with it. So do you really need clarity no you just need to trust the Lord that's what it's about

Proverbs 3:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,  and he will show you which path to take.

I have been reading in a book called "unoffendable” so far it's been a really good read. The title could also be “do you walk in judgment of others or yourself?” This is an area of my life that I have often struggled with. And what I mean is getting offended which in away translates to walking in judgment of anyone or myself.  

Romans 4:17

(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

God sees a person and he loves them. He sees their future. But we or I see that same person and maybe I get offended or I judge their actions and I don't love them the way God loves them or sees them. 

We all know that Jesus did not get offended but he had many opportunities to be offended. I know for myself most of the times when I'm either walking in judgment or being offended I'm usually by myself where nobody can see my actions or hear my words. Except of course the one who does Judge. There is an example in this book that really stirred my heart. The author is speaking about the Book of John chapter 13. We all know it. 

 John 13:38

Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times

. Immediately following that verse Jesus says  

John 14.1-2

​ “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Even though Jesus knew Peter was going to deny Him.  He said “don’t let your heart be troubled!

Jesus was already looking down the road. 

I see for the most part my biggest problem is........ I choose to not see people the way God sees them.  And that is a problem. Once again, it's all about choice. God sees every individual as his child. I would imagine that my heart would be in such a much better place if I looked at every single person the same way God sees him. God sees their future I don't.   God sees their heart I don't. When I run into someone and they give me attitude I have a choice.   I can love them for who they are and for the way God sees them or I can make a choice and walk in judgement or be offended.

A very close friend of mine told me the other day that it is easier for me to love someone that I don't know than it is to love somebody that is close to me.

You would think that would be the opposite but the truth is we need to love everybody the same and walk with an unoffendable spirit. There is a lot of wasted energy that gets used up by being offended or walking in judgement. I for one am tired of it and we'll make a change

Hello all,

Back a few months ago I signed up for The Way Intensive to be held at the FTS office for three days.  The prep work is 7 weeks.  I am not going to go into all of the prep work because it is not necessary for what I have to say.   When I got to week 4 I felt like I hit a road block.   I felt like I was not supposed to go.  That I had signed up for the wrong reasons.   I did not have time for the prep work.   It was a huge commitment.  It got in the way of my life, my work   you fill in the blank.   While writing this it just dawned on me.   Why do we always sign up so quickly to do Jesus things and then when it gets hard that is the first thing that goes.   I knew someone once who signed up to go on quest staff a few years back.   Couple weeks into it he said that he was going to have to close on his house that sold so he was going to have to back out.   I said “what if this was a vacation you had scheduled during this time?”  would you cancel the vacation?”    No   you would tell the realtor to move the closing date.   He went on quest.  

Sunday night I sent the email to back out of The Way Intensive.  I felt that was what I was supposed to do.   The moment I sent the email I got instant peace about it …. So I thought.  Two days went by and I got called out by two of my brothers in a very loving manner.   So I prayed about it.

Daddy showed me a love letter today from one of the men that called me out.  

Proverbs 27:17 as iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another.  

I read his email several times this morning then Holy Spirit said call a certain individual so I did.   the truth is I have been very conflicted since last Friday whether I should be doing this event, when I finally sent the email Sunday night I felt instant peace in my heart about not going. I called the man in my group and I told him what was going on.   I said, “I'm not asking for you to tell me what to do I'm just doing what Holy Spirit said,” then I said, “when I told you guys yesterday morning in group that I was backing out you all knew I was full of crap.”   and he said “yes we did but we couldn't tell you that.”   I got quiet for about 10 seconds and then I got a revelation that the peace that I got Sunday night after sending the email was not peace at all.  The peace was disguised as relief.      When does a deceived person know he is deceived?       what I realized is that when I prayed about it for the last couple of days I hear yes and I hear no and I hear yes and I hear no.   That only happens when you already heard from Holy Spirit what you're supposed to do but you're hoping he's going to change his mind.

So I am in …. I am going on The Way.   thank you for sending me the email.  Because of your obedience Holy Spirit had me call my brother  so Holy Spirit could say it was relief I felt not peace in my heart. 

2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.