Vicarious!

A generation that is being occupied and distracted from their own need to be overcomers.

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vicariously

"Vicariously is the adverb form of the word vicarious, which also involves experiencing something through another person. The Latin influence is the word vicarius, which means “substitute.” If you experience something vicariously, in a sense you’re a substitute who’s getting something secondhand.

If you’re living vicariously, stop it. Get out and live life for yourself. Vicariously means that you’re experiencing something indirectly, like when your friend's adventure feels like your own."

Truth!

Valid for the micro and the Macro.

Radical Dependence?

It has been "my" experience that I am told by the Holy Spirit often "Pay Attention" and asked too often "What are you waiting for".

And then I ask "this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”

Exasperated by the word "foibles"

Why? It's a word that is simple and that has no baggage of misunderstanding. Why? Very view have even heard it before.

Yet it's meaning has significance for us all. That's the rub. We think... "I'm just like everyone else. Ah, I'm not to blame.

Thus the exasperation.

Prayer of "Radical" dependance.

^{Matt. 6:9} “This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

Identity

The key to success in the economy of God's Kingdom?... Know who He created you to be. You "ARE", So "BE" and you'll "DO".

Are, am, will be

Be, being, becoming

Do, act, action, actuate, actuated

You are "Justified".
You are being "Sanctified"
So let Christ be "Glorified" in all you do.

The "Good News" to this generation...

You are "Significant"! Turn (repent) from the path of self-actualization/reliance.

Quit trusting in what you think you know and turn to the one who knows you. He will guide you in the way that you should proceed.   Prov. 3: 5-6

And don't forget to do good.

Our Quest for Significance.

Significance? What we lost? Or what the enemy wants us to believe we lost?

I say this in the most historic of terms.

Significance. We all seek it out, and protect it once we think we have it. The more secure we are in our significance, the more we are able to be generous to others. Makes us feel more significant. Even when our significance is based on vapor. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

Significance? Google its definition.

Then try to understand... "While you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you"!

Significant? Yes. You "are".

Back to Jer. 7:23

The first part now may be seen in it's proper role...

"Obey my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people."

The first promise is preeminent to the second "Walk in my ways", because life's unimaginable complexity is only fully comprehended by the one who created us..

Obeying His voice, as He answers our questions, as we walk with Him, is what "pray without ceasing" really means.

We all need a "Cluestick"

http://definithing.com/cluestick/

Why? Sure you are well equipped with biblical principles that you trust and apply. You have reaped the promise and it has gone well with you.

It's hard to argue with that kind of success. But. As I mentioned before "Practical wisdom separated from its source, becomes something we begin to trust in".

That is where "We all need a "Cluestick" really becomes an essential truth. Why?

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2011/06/creature-is-not-independent-of-creator.html

The Self-Help Christian Industry

Self-help Christianity emphasizes understanding principles to live by, that are expounded in the Bible. It is a path with a promise... "Walk in my ways and it will go well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23 )

We learn these principles from preachers and teachers that are well taught in the practical wisdom passed down to them. We all have some (practical wisdom) to give if you have been "born again".

The love and hope of the one who trains up his child in the way he should go, as he passes down the lessons he has learned, rarely brings about the hoped for result. Why?

Knowledge puffs up. What does that mean? Practical wisdom separated from its source, becomes something we begin to trust in. We see it as our own. And it is. It is wisdom we have acquired. It is wisdom we have operated on. It is wisdom that has blessed our lives. Because we have trusted it and acted upon it. We are accountable. If a man knows to do good and doesn't do it. That is sin.

If we know knowledge puffs up what are we to do. Your testimony reeks of biblical principles. God has met you where you were at. He spoke to you and made His wisdom known to you. I like to say, "He sharpened your axe". Certainly speak of the wisdom He has imparted...

Oh wait, do you have a testimony of what God has shared with you? Or are you just a student of practical wisdom?

Either way, the first part of Jeremiah 7:23 is what we all need to understand.

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you."

"Obey My voice" is a present tense imperative, progressive verb. You only hear Him in the present "here and now." That is when you should obey.

Christ is the Exemplar!

Present-day Christendom really lives as if the situation were as follows: Christ is the great hero and benefactor who has once and for all secured salvation for us; now we must merely be happy and delighted with the innocent goods of earthly life and leave the rest to Him. But Christ is essentially the exemplar, that is we are to resemble Him, not mere profit from Him.
― The Journals of Søren Kierkegaard

www.relevantmagazine.com/god/15-soren-kierkegaards-most-challenging-quotes#tH9ElbBkyEMZSEup.99

"Whose hearts are fully committed to Him"

I try to understand the meaning to this and I think of Haggai...

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”

3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

Spiritual pushups

Take as much effort as physical pushups. Have you ever exercised your Faith?

Love, Listen, Discern. Then Respond.*

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him ...
Time To Revive, Dallas TX*

Being. Continue to be. AKA: True Identity

The more you get to know God, the more you learn about yourself. And the more you are able to dependently (relationship) walk in your true identity. Doing those things that He has before ordained that you should do.

You are, so "be". And you will do. This is the place of true Joy!

Worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Faith

Is there a "Promised Land" for the Christian today?

Joshua led the Israelite's into the promised land. They crossed the Jordan river carrying the "Presence of the Lord". They overcame every stronghold of the enemy as they obeyed the Lords unique guidance in each situation. Where they did not obey His guidance they failed. The promise was where ever they walked God would give them the land. Joshua 1:3

The promised land for the Christian today is exactly the same. Whether it is in their personal life, the lives of people they know. Or the lives of those God guides them to come across.

The operative word here is "Overcome".

"Discipleship". A term right from the clavis of "Christianese". Rarely defined succinctly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianese

Here is the best definition I have come across, from Greg Herrick's "Understanding The Meaning of the Term “Disciple”...

Let’s summarize what we’ve been talking about thus far. For our purposes, then, a “disciple of Christ” is someone who has been called first to know Christ, then to follow him, and then to make disciples of all nations. That is, in our knowing Christ we are becoming like him—thinking, feeling, and living as he commands. In this spiritual ambience of personal relationship with him, that is, in light of our experience of the kingdom, he summons us to be his disciples. We are to follow him, through thick and through thin, knowing that he is there and that he will reward us in his time; after all, he is the Master. But discipleship not only involves being with him, being like him, and following him, it also means that we make it our goal to disciple others—indeed, every nation under the sun. The Great Commission is not just another good idea—though it is that—it is the church’s marching order. As far as I know, he never communicated another plan.

A fresh wind is blowing.

I feel it on my face. Time to gather fire wood. It will be a big bonfire. Are you ready.

“Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.

Matthew 8:8–10
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, 3 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel 4 have I found such faith.

Who has?

Is there anyone in the Bible that has "operated in the fullness of God's guidence, provision and care"?...

YES! Jesus.

Has there been anyone in the Bible who has attempted to follow Jesus? Well Duh...

What an overcomer would say.

Philippians 3:12-16 (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Rise up Oh Man of God!

Biblical knowledge and Spiritual principles

How is that different from biblical faith and spiritual guidence? The difference is huge.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

All the promises find their yes in Him.

Knock and it will be opened up to you
Seek and you will find.

Asking for bread over and over until the owner of the inn finely gives it to you.

My sheep know my voice and I know them.

Do you know His voice? Does Jesus know you?

Have you knocked on His door? Have you been so convinced that you have not given up. Committed to "Travail" through until you receive the promise, to the end?

Faks

FULLY ACTUALIZED KINGDOM SAINT...

Operating in the fullness of God's guidence, provision and care. Being established holy and blameless before God.

2 Thes. 2:

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

LOOK IT UP!

Some more...

for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first.

Falling away? Because of a lie? Before Christ comes back?

A strong delusion? What could that possibly be?

Are you a student of current events?

Time Moves Forward.

Things change. But God doesn't. He is the constant. The source of unconditional commitment to our highest good. No matter how many mistakes we make, He comes up with the best plan forward. Will we trust Him this time and obey?

Character Traits.

Make sure that your pride in deference doesn't overshadow your need to reject passivity.

Truth separated from God becomes a lie (Deception)

The temptation of Jesus

Knowledge shall Increase

In the last days knowledge shall increase. Yet scripture says the people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
There are truths that have been hidden till this time to be revealed. We are called to not forsake the gathering of the brethren. When we gather each has something to share. This is team work, Unity expressed, the Body manifest as the Bride. Anticipating His return.

All about unity.

Yes. That is true. Biblical unity generated by the Holy Spirit's guidance to the Father and His Kingdom.

Who is the King?

Anyone who decides "I am in charge of my life".

The heart of the king

Proverbs 21 King James Version (KJV)
21 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

The mighty think their thoughts are their own. The humble wisely understand the still small voice is God's intimate guidance for them.

Pornography and video games.

Both are a poor substitute. One for sex with your wife and the other victorious living.

FAKS?

A fully actualized kingdom saint is second, charts their own course, utilizes what comes along. And is not passive but intentional.

Be an Overcomer!

It's not where you are at.

It's how far you have come.

It's not what you have been given, but what you have done with it.

You don't need permission. Trust the Lover of your Soul and obey.