The Land of Your Anointing

"The land of your anointing is your piece and portion of the Spirit of God. It’s the breath He has breathed into you. It began when the Spirit of God pulled together dirt from the earth, breathed into it and brought it to life. He took this creation and put him in a garden where he would grow hungry for the fruit of the land he came from. It was a place where he was to choose to be filled only with that which God had provided and leave a portion set aside as holy to the Lord. He cultivated the land, revealing and enhancing the beauty of God’s creation. Joy, gratitude and worship occurred as a result. As you agree with God’s purpose for you, the same thing happens.

We know that our purpose is to worship Him, but there’s such depth in that. Your expression of worship is unique. God loves diversity. Every snowflake is different. Our fingerprints are all different. You will find your unique expression of worship and gifting from the Spirit of God. He is not holding back on you. He is not trying to keep your purpose a secret!"

A quote from my new book, "Living in the Land of Your Anointing" being released soon...so excited! God wants you to discover the beauty of His creation--and your purpose for being created!

Dirty Feet

"He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet." 

John 13:10

Jesus said this to Peter after he told Him he didn't want Him to wash his feet. Jesus said if He didn't wash his feet then Peter would have no place in Him. So Peter told Him to go ahead and to wash his hands and head too! Jesus then made this statement--he who has bathed needs only to wash his feet. Once a person has bathed, he doesn't need his whole body to be bathed again, but he may need his feet washed from time to time. Our feet get dirty from our travels through life on this earth. The dusty places that our journey take us to sometimes need to be washed off. Peter thought he wasn't worthy to have Jesus wash his feet, but Jesus is the only one worthy to wash our feet. No one else can do it. No one else overcame in every way like He did. Thank God that Jesus is both able and willing to wash us completely clean! A little later that same night, Jesus told them that they were clean because of the words He had spoken to them. The next time your feet are a little dirty, go to the Word--living and written--and receive the foot washing that only He can give!

John 15:3

Today's Face

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

When we go before the Lord in prayer and seeking, are we looking for today's voice and today's face, or are we looking to re-live an experience of the past? God is so good and during His visits we experience sweet and refreshing times in His presence--times that we don't want to end. It may be tempting when we come before Him again, to want to re-live those moments rather than looking for what He is saying to us today. Of course we are to talk about His goodness and we need to remember the sweet times we have in His presence, but He doesn't run out! We can come before Him always and hear what He has to say for today--we need the fresh word for today, the fresh scent of today, the fresh atmosphere the wind of the Spirit is blowing in! Listen and look for today's voice and today's face. Breathe in today's atmosphere!

The Book of Remembrance

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,

and the Lord gave attention and heard it,

and a book of remembrance was written before Him

for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name."

Malachi 3:16

What kinds of things do those people who fear the Lord talk about? Whatever it is, He is listening, paying attention and writing in a book of remembrance. He goes on to say that these people will be His and He will spare them in the end. Instead of being destroyed with the arrogant and the wicked, the sun of righteousness will rise on those who fear His name with healing in its wings! 

All of you who fear the Lord, talk to each other! Speak of His goodness and His mighty acts. Talk about the glory of His kingdom, His power and His wonder. Speak, shout and sing praises to Him! He is listening. He is paying attention. Let all of your words be a sweet fragrance to Him!

Psalm 119:46, Psalm 145, Psalm 105:2, Psalm 40:5

Temptation

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 
Matthew 4:1

    Jesus was led by the Spirit into temptation. As soon as He was filled with the Holy Spirit He was brought to this barren place to face the enemy of mankind. Thank God He overcame the temptations presented to Him there! This must be why He was able to tell us that we should pray, "do not lead us into temptation." He was led there for us--in place of us. He overcame temptation for each and every one. Whatever temptations face you today, put your trust in the One who overcame all temptation--so you could too! Thank you Jesus!

The Purpose of Our Appointed Time

"He made...every nation of mankind...having determined their appointed times and..boundaries...that they would seek God." Acts 17:26-27




 The purpose of a certain people being in a certain land at a certain period of time is to seek God. He determines the appointed times and boundaries of the nations. His purpose is for all nations to seek Him. People of America--your purpose right now is to seek God--with a heart that hopes to find Him--one that longs to worship Him!

Things we can learn from a face

A face looks like the earth.

• The nose is the mountain peak where we breathe fresh, crisp air. This crisp air points us where we need to go. 
• The air we breathe is the wind of the Spirit which we can receive through either the nose or the mouth. Both are also places of smell/taste or discernment. We need the Spirit of God to give us discernment in all areas of our life, but especially in our direction and appetites.
• Our vision is protected in the valleys of our face. There is certain insight you can only get through those deep, sheltered times. Our ability to see is lodged in the caves and caverns of our Creator.
• Our mouth is used both to receive and give. We eat and breathe but we also speak. Our words will return a harvest of either life or death.
• Our face is to reflect the image of our Creator. It will be changed into the image of the glory of the Lord the more we behold Him.

Psalm 34:8; Proverbs 18:21; Psalm 61; Proverbs 12:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2-3

October 30, 2013

Step Into Eternity

“the things which are not seen are eternal” 

2 Corinthians 4:18 

We need to escape from time.—to have those moments where we step outside of the restraints and dictates that time places on us. Step into that eternal place. Even if just for a moment. However brief-its eternal. It’s the place where God lives. It’s the place where we go to worship Him without the cares and worries of this life pressing in on us.

We don't have to wait until we leave this earth before we experience the beauty of eternity. We need to visit that place and receive the strength--the rest--that comes from just being. Take a breath of eternal air and return to the world of time refreshed and revived!

Ecclesiastes 3:11

October 25, 2013

Replace

"From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38

When a cup overflows with running water, any dirty thing that was in the cup is replaced with the new. The new and fresh replaces the old and dirty. When we run the living water through our minds then the old, stagnant thoughts are replaced with the new, vibrant, living thoughts of God which lead us in holiness and righteousness. We need the fresh new water ever day—the living water of the Word of God and the living rivers of the Holy Spirit.

Drink freely today.

Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, John 7:38, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Ephesians 5:25-27

October 19, 2013

The White Stone

"I will give him a white stone, and a new name..." Revelation 2:17

Jesus said He would give hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it to those who overcome. When we separate ourselves from those things that God hates and only receive the bread He has for us, trusting that He feeds us with exactly what we need, then our lives will reveal the holiness He's provided for us. The white stone will have a new name--your new name--on it that no one else will know except you. This name is given to you by the Lord Himself. It's a secret, intimate thing between Him and you. Jesus is the pearl of great price. He is worth more than anything we could ever possibly think we need. Discover the treasure that He is and He will reveal the treasure that you are to Him.


Isaiah 62:2; Revelation 19:12; Matthew 13:45-46
October 14, 2013

Stone that Stands

"Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone." Ephesians 2:20

God is building His Kingdom. It's not a building made with hands--not of brick and stone. But His people are the building. He's building a dwelling place for Himself. He is fitting us together into a "holy temple" and a "dwelling of God in the Spirit."

The most important thing about a building is the foundation. The foundation must be secure or the whole building will collapse. The foundation must be strong enough and designed to be able to handle the weight of the entire building. Jesus Christ is the corner stone of this foundation. He is the foundation itself. He is the only foundation that will carry the weight of the building. No one else can. All of us--those who believe in Jesus and allow Him to be the foundation of our lives--have a unique place in this building. Each one of us are designed to fit into a certain spot. To do that, we need to not only build upon Jesus Christ but connect to other believers as well. We all help each other stay on the foundation.

Wherever our place in the building, we must always fix our gaze upon Jesus--He is the author and finisher of our faith. As Paul said, be careful how you build on the foundation. Be sure to keep Jesus Christ as your foundation. Don't venture off on to any other ground--there is none other that will stand! He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. When we fulfill our purpose we will share in the same joy--joy unspeakable and full of glory!

2 Corinthians 5:1, Ephesians 2:18-22, 1 Corinthians 3:9-23, Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Peter 1:8, Matthew 25, Acts 4:12

October 5, 2013

I saw a rose...

I saw a rose on a path

A single, pink-red rose
It had escaped from its clan
And to the earth it dove

It found its purpose on the trail

Short-lived as it might be
It said so much while lying there
In beauty and in peace

A note to me from those who've passed

So much to learn from them
It spoke of what will lie ahead
It’s not just a dead end

I know the way I’m heading now

Is the way that I should go
I’m thankful for the pink-red rose
A sign so I would know

8/27/2013

Be

“In Him we live and move and exist.” Acts 17:28 

How many times have we said at the end of the day, “Wow I've gotten so much done today?” And then we go through a mental list of all we've accomplished? Some things we feel good about and others we are just happy to be done with! The next day we work for the same feeling—-the same “high” that our accomplishments give us. But there is a greater joy. There is a joy that comes from just being who we are in Christ. Just being, not doing. Real satisfaction doesn't have anything to do with what we've accomplished, but in resting in what He’s done for us. This is a much greater feeling of peace than we could ever hope to achieve through our own efforts.

Jesus said for all who are weary and heavy –laden to come to Him and find rest for their souls. We cease from our own works, as even God did from His. This doesn't mean we don’t work, but our work is not toil—as it is when we work outside our Garden. The energy from our work comes from an anointing of the Spirit which manifests itself through the gifts He has breathed into us. Ultimately, the greatest joy comes from living, moving and simply existing in Him.—the “I Am.”

Matthew 12:28-30, Genesis 3:17-20, Genesis 3:14, John 8:58

September 21, 2013

The Softening Rain

You soften the earth with showers
Psalm 65:10 NLT

This summer in Michigan has been quite rainy. The spring rains carried farther into summer than normal. As a result, the soil is softer than usual. One thing I've found while gardening is that the softer the soil, the easier it is to pull out the smaller weed roots—those roots that are so fine that you don’t notice them easily and may not even realize they can still grow.

This is how it is with spiritual weed roots as well.  Roots of bitterness, sarcasm, criticism and selfishness can spring back up even after we think we've chopped those weeds down. We've got to get the roots—all of them—and the softer the soil of our heart is, the more of the root we’ll be able to remove.

When the rains of the Spirit come—the rain that seems to be too much at times—let it soften your heart even beyond what you think is “normal” so every trace of every selfish root may be removed. Take advantage of whatever tough times come your way, and the softened heart that comes of them, and take out every last trace of every evil root.

August 11, 2013

A Place Like This

"For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Luke 17:21 NASB

I'm writing this in Michigan's upper peninsula where the scenery is beautiful and life is quite simple and pleasant. I'm thinking that everyone needs a place like this to come to and be refreshed. How I wish I could look at these views, hear the sound of the birds and waterfalls, and breathe the fresh, clean air every day. Although I can take pictures and record sounds, it's not quite the same as being here. When I leave this place the air leaves my lungs and what I now see and hear becomes a memory.

I decide to take this place with me. Yes, I believe I can capture this place and bring it home by carrying it in my heart. This place can come home with me to "my place" as long as I hold it in my heart. So it is with all of God's creation and with His Kingdom as well. We never need to leave the goodness and beauty of God, it remains within us as we remain in Him.

July 6, 2013

Signs on the Path

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see;..." Matthew 13:16 NASB

God sometimes speaks by dropping a piece of driftwood onto a beach. Unless you know the beach and know that it's not usually there, then you won't know that something unusual has happened.

When you rush through life without paying much attention, you might miss God's doings. But when you're observant, alert and paying attention, you will notice the little love notes He drops into your life--the unexpected surprises. Others might not understand what those things mean, but you know.

I think God prefers it that way--A secret between He and you. He smiles, you smile and no one else gets it like you both do. Of course He has secrets with others too and that's o.k. But the ones He has with you are tailor made for you and make them extra special.

So when walking on the familiar path of your daily life, look for the driftwood--the unexpected surprise from God that only you recognize as being special--and remember that He is right there waiting to talk with you as you walk together.

Hebrews 13:5, Revelation 2:17

Nothing but the Truth

"...how many times must I charge you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord." 1 Kings 22:16 The Amplified Bible

Ahab, king of Israel, wanted to go fight Syria at Ramoth-gileod. 400 prophets told him that he would win if he went. At King Jehoshaphat's request, he asked the prophet Micaiah what he thought. At first Micaiah gave him a sarcastic answer because he knew Ahab really didn't want to hear from the Lord, he just wanted the prophets to tell him that what he wanted to do was right. After Ahab said to tell him, "nothing but the truth" then Micaiah told him he would die if he went to battle. Ahab's response was to put Micaiah in prison and he went and fought in the battle anyway. He died In the battle.

The truth isn't what the majority believes. The truth is what God says. Micaiah told one of the other prophets how to find what the Spirit of God is saying--by hiding himself in an inner chamber. When we go into our prayer closet and seek the Lord--shutting out the thoughts of the crowd, public and popular opinions--then we will find the truth. Once we find it then we need to live by it.  We need to take heed to it and not just do what we were going to do anyway. The price of rejecting the truth is much greater than whatever it costs us to accept it. And like Jesus said, when we know the truth it will make us free!

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Proverbs 23:23, John 8:32

Strings Attached

 "I am the vine, you are the branches..."  Jesus-John 15:5

God is not looking for you to grow spiritually to a point where you become independent from Him.  Spiritual growth and maturity does not mean you become self-sufficient.  He wants you to become and remain close to Him--closer and closer every day, not more independent and distant.  He wants to have a very close relationship with you.  He loves you!

Oh how it must hurt Him when we only go to Him for stuff--even good stuff like healing anointings or inspiring sermons.  It seems we try to untangle ourselves from the strings of dependency on Him so we can preach and pray without having had to spend time with Him.  We mistakenly think that is maturity.  We want to figure it all out so we can say, "O.K. God, I got it now, I know how to pray, to preach, to worship, to live my life, I'll take it from here."  

We try and cut the strings, but the strings are the vines connecting us to our life source.  He is the vine, we are the branches.  We need to stay tangled up in Him.  We need to stay attached, dependent and in love with Him!  Fall in love with Jesus all over again.  Get tangled up in Him so much so that you can never get free, nor would ever want to!

June 3, 2013

A Return to the Land

God "determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation...so that they should seek God in the hope that they might...find Him" Acts 17:26-27 Amplified Bible

Throughout the Bible we see God positioning people in various lands at various times--Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Joseph and Moses to name a few.

Adam and Eve were driven from their land, the Garden, where they had been able to find God and ever since then God has been calling people to return to a land where He can be found.  A land where He will visit with the people and walk among them.  A land where we will freely worship Him, enjoy His presence, His ways and each other.  A land where people will make a place for Him-giving Him room--by setting aside that which is holy to the Lord.

When we remain in, or return to, the land of our calling we will find it to be a place where we seek and find God.  It's a place where we have opportunity to do what Adam and Eve didn't do--leave the tree alone-- setting it aside as an offering to Him.  When we do, we are giving Him place in our land and He will visit with us!  When we set aside a portion of our labor, (tithe), our time, (Sabbath) and our food/appetites, (fasting) then we are offering these things to Him, showing Him that we are seeking Him, in hopes of finding Him.  It shows we honor Him, worship Him and enjoy His presence.  It shows we are giving Him space in our life.

When people return to the land of their calling then the purposes of the cities and nations will also be restored.  The ancient ruins, which are the original purposes that were neglected or abandoned, will be rebuilt!  The original purpose has always been for a people to rise up who will worship God and enjoy communion and fellowship with Him and each other.

Just as Mary and Joseph returned to their home land prior to Jesus being born into the earth, when we yield to God's positioning us in the land of our calling and fulfill our purpose there, then we are giving Him room among us and the way is prepared for Jesus to come again to the earth as was promised!

Isaiah 61:4; Proverbs 22:28, Luke 2:3, Acts 17:26-27

Listen for the Whisper

 And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, Isaiah 30:21 NKJ


Some decisions in life seem so clear.  You go forward, knowing exactly what to do, often not even giving thought about what you’re doing, but just staying on the path, sticking with the plan.  And then there is an intersection.  What if you veered off the path?  What if you went another way?   You pause and look down that path.

Sometimes you need to get off the familiar, safe path and go on an adventure.  And sometimes you need to stay on your current path, stay focused on the goal and turn away from the rabbit trails and distractions.  How do you know which way is right?  These are times when knowing how to hear from the One who knows the future pays off.  Knowing the One who knows exactly the way your life needs to go is vital. 

  

As it says in this Scripture in Isaiah, often there is a whisper in your ear, Someone looking over your shoulder who knows the right way.  Someone who cares for you and your future, and who will never steer you wrong.  But in order to have the courage to listen to that Voice, you need to know that you can trust it—trust Him.  God in Heaven has proven that He is Someone you can trust your life with.  He loves you.  In fact He is love itself. 

  

So the next time you are at one of life’s intersections before you go barreling through without question, pause and listen for the Voice, just a whisper in your ear that you need to slow down for and be quiet in order to hear.  You can trust Him.  He won’t fail you and He won’t leave you.  It may not be the easiest path, but it will be the right one.

1 John 4:8; Jeremiah 29:11; Hebrews 13:5

The Seed

The Seed is the Word of God.   Luke 8:11

Jesus told the story of a farmer who planted seed.  Spiritually speaking, the seed is the message of Jesus Christ.  It goes out looking for ground to grow in and falls on different kinds of soil, (hearts).

Some don't pay much attention to it so it gets devoured by birds, or as Jesus said, by satan who will do whatever he can to keep the Word of God out of the human heart.

Some think it sounds good at first but aren't willing to give it much room in their life so it dries up.

Some receive it but won't weed out those things that are crowding it out so it never matures.

But some give the seed what it needs, nurture it and give it a place and priority in their lives.  These people have captured the vision of the seed.  They have seen the fruit before it becomes fruit.  Maybe they've seen it in another person's life, but they get it.  They see it.  They want it and they do what it takes to bring the seed to harvest.

Jesus spoke of another seed--a mustard seed.  He compared the Kingdom of God to this seed.  It is so small and tiny.  It seems so insignificant but yet it grows into a large tree that birds can make nests in.  A tiny seed comes to your ears.  It seems so insignificant, so powerless, so unworthy of attention.  But in reality that's not the case at all.  It is very significant, very powerful and very worthy of attention.

What kind of soil will your heart be?  What will you do with the tiny, tiny seed that seems so unpromising?   The next time the Seed comes looking for a place to grow, pay attention to it, give it  place, catch the vision of the seed.  It contains an entire Kingdom, and your eternal place is found there!

Luke 13:18

Simple Contentment

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
1 Timothy6:8 NLT

I struggle with the idea that I've become so dependent on things for survival.  Things that my grandparents, or even parents, didn't need.  Things like electricity for example.

How do I keep my food cold or frozen without it?  How do I communicate as well without cell phones, e-mail and facebook?  Shopping becomes limited, staying informed and educated becomes more of a challenge.  Washing clothes, taking a shower, vacuuming, playing music or games, paying bills, cooking, staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer all become very challenging without electricity.  I hate that.

At work I take frantic calls from people who don't know what to do when the power goes out.  They are fearful and wonder how to survive.  Have they never gone camping?  Is this what we've come to?  Is it no longer just food, clothing and shelter we need to survive?  Now we need cell phones, microwaves, internet connection and insurance?  Must we always be entertained?  Have we lost our ability to sit still and think our own thoughts?  I don't like this.  I struggle to keep from getting sucked in.  And if I have to fight from getting sucked in at 53 years old, what chance do my kids have, or grandkids, who have never seen life any other way?

God help us, help me at least.  I want to run away to a monastery.  I want to get away from all of the distraction to a simple life.  How many hours of my life do I spend in front of a computer screen waiting and growing frustrated when I could be sitting in front of nature being still and growing peaceful instead?

I'm taking a deep breath, and pondering the Scripture, "Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10.

The Tree

“You may freely eat of every tree of the garden.  But…”Genesis 2:16-17 Amplified Bible

God told man whom He created, that they could freely eat of every tree in the garden He had prepared for them.  But there were two trees in the middle of the garden that were special.—The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  The tree of life would cause them to live forever and the tree of knowledge would kill them.   Why did God even put the tree of knowledge in the garden?

As time went on we see that God always had man set something apart for Himself—something they were to leave alone.  In the garden it was the tree of knowledge.  They were supposed to set that aside for the Lord.  Later on it was the tithe, the Sabbaths, and even fasting.  When we set these things aside to the Lord as holy we are honoring Him, making room for Him in our midst.

Jesus was called Emmanuel which means God with us.  He said His disciples didn’t need to fast while He was with them in the earth but after He left they would fast often.  Somehow, by setting aside a portion of our food (fasting), our income (tithe), our time & our land (Sabbaths), we are welcoming God’s presence among us.  We are making room for Him by not filling up every bit of our lives with ourselves.

In the garden after they ate of the tree of knowledge they hid from God the next time they heard Him coming.  He asked where they were.  They had consumed that which gave Him space in their midst and the absence of His presence brought fear, shame and confusion.  When God found them He enlightened them as to what had happened as a result of their sin and then He made coats of skins—causing an animal to be sacrificed—to clothe them.  This first temporary atonement was given even before the Law of Moses was instituted.  These animal sacrifices were a temporary covering of sin until the Son of God would come and offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.  Now, as we individually receive the sacrifice of Jesus as the atonement for our own sin, our consciences are purged, we are cleansed from sin and the presence of God comes into our life.  And He said He would never leave us or abandon us!

Genesis 3:22, Genesis 2:17, Mark 2:19-20, Leviticus 27:30, Exodus 31:13-17, Exodus 23:10-12, Genesis 3:7-21, Leviticus 17, Hebrews 9:11-28, Hebrews 10, Hebrews 13:15, Hebrews 13:5

Inner Peace

O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is. Psalm 63:1 Amp

I'm beginning the last 10 days of a 40 day fast.  I feel like I'm being delivered from hidden addictions--things that would harm, enslave and even deceive me.  Things that I never would have noticed had a hold on me until I set them aside.  And now, my body is becoming peaceful.  Like an inner battle that I didn't know was there is silencing.  There was a struggle that I simply needed to walk away from and enter into His rest instead. 

My smell, (discernment), is improving.  My taste is maturing and becoming appreciative of that which is truly good for me.  I'm receiving truth and wisdom and realizing the value of both to a greater depth.  I'm not whining, craving, impulsive or feeling any lack or dissatisfaction.  I am at peace--inside and out. 

I am only hungry and thirsty for my God and Lord Jesus Christ.  The satisfaction I'm getting from Him is beyond anything any food could bring.  And for all this my gratitude, love and worship of Him has grown immensely!

The Rainbow Promise

This rainbow is the token or sign of the covenant or solemn pledge which I have established between Me and all flesh upon the earth.  Genesis 9:17 Amp

The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant with mankind and all the earth.  God put the first rainbow in the sky and said whenever He saw it it would be a reminder that He would never again destroy the earth by flood.  He said He would never again curse the ground even though man has evil desires in his heart.

God instituted a plan that would change the hearts of people rather than cursing the ground, (like after Adam and Eve's sin) or destroying almost every inhabitant of the earth, (by the flood).  The plan was to send His own Son to live a pure and holy life and then offer Himself up as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind.

Now, all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ can receive a changed heart.  One that can be filled with God's Holy Spirit Himself, a heart that will desire good and want to live a life that pleases God. 

The rainbow can serve to not only remind God of His covenant with us and the earth but also to remind us of the good plan He created instead through His Son Jesus Christ!

Puzzling

Why do You speak to them in parables? 
Matthew 13:10

Jesus' answer to His disciples question seems surprising.  He said that He spoke to the crowds in parables because even though His disciples were allowed to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, the crowds were not.

At first this seems a little cliquish.  But when you consider that anyone can become a disciple of Jesus by believing in Him then we see its not cliquish at all.  In fact, by Jesus speaking to the crowds in parables He was giving them an opportunity to ask themselves the question, "What does He mean?"  If they would seek to understand the meaning of what He was saying then they themselves would become seekers of the Truth. 

Jesus loved these people and was trying to spark a seeking heart within them so they could do some soul searching and hopefully in the process come to realize that the answers to life's parables come directly from heaven.  The human soul needs to be enlightened with the wisdom from above in order to really understand life's truths.

Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, playing the part of mediator between God and man that He was called to do, even before He died on the cross for the sin of mankind.  What great love He gave--to live and die even for those who didn't, and would never, believe.

The Freedom of Truth

 "And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:32 amp

Without truth we may experience consequences that we don’t understand the cause of.  If you go through life believing two plus two is three then you will experience consequences financially and otherwise that won’t make sense to you.  If everyone could decide for themselves what two plus two should equal then what a mess the world would be!  Whether we believe it or not there is one standard of truth governing the essentials of humanity—including life and death.  And thank God there is!

The Bible tells us to buy the truth and not to sell it.*  Truth costs something.  But it’s worth whatever the price.  It might cost you your opinion.  It might cost you your pride in having to admit you don’t know the answers to some things, or have been wrong.  But it’s worth it.

Jesus said the He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.*  He said if we would hold fast to His teachings we would know the truth and it would make us free.*  Truth is something we have to want in order to receive.  It’s something we need to seek after and ask for.  God doesn’t intrude into a life where He’s not wanted.  But He longs to reveal truth because it will bring freedom, joy and abundant life to those who receive it.

*Proverbs 23:23; John 14:6; John 8:31-32

January 4, 2013