God's Way

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.  Eph 2:5-6

Greetings my Sisters and brothers, who are made alive with Christ and seated in the heavenly realms,

 The Father has enfolded us in His very heart and His intention is for our hearts to find our all in Him. We, who were dead in our sin are made alive in Christ!   I do not want to ever let these words become just words! Hear these words by FWG

"Think of the fast embrace with which I find myself held, right to the heart of my Father, when I discern my position in His Beloved Son. Grace, absolute sovereign grace, has set me there- to show its exceeding riches throughout time and eternity. What could effort of mine have done in this matter? What can failure of mine undo?" 

 And Julian of Norwich was reported to have lamented that her longing for God seemed vandalized by her constant battles with sin. I can relate to this and so it sets my feet to dancing to know not a single one of my sins can undo God's grace or surprise Him!  

Focusing  on my sin, whether I am overcome by it or fleeing it at a full trot, pleases the enemy of my soul. Why? Because either way I am constantly occupied by it and it keeps me from the sweetness of practicing the Presence of God. As believers we find it distressing to discover the tyrannical nature of our 'old sin nature' which obstinately refuses to be controlled. We become concerned with denial of self, (sin nature) and desiring to grow spiritually we fight to defeat and subdue sin in many ways; but God has only one way.

1. Mortification

Self-denial, some resort to removing themselves from society and natural human relationships; to fast, pray and struggle to subdue their osn.

2. Victory

We fall into the struggle to control our osn by more Bible study, meetings, more prayer- but it falls short of effectual change.

3. Revival

Hold special meetings, confession, surrender, resolutions and hope for change- but change is rare.

4. Growth

Humdrum repetition of their spiritual list of 'do's and don't's, multitudinous church activity and duties expecting time to bring change. But self never changes into anything but more of the same. "That which is flesh is flesh" John 3:6. The flesh can be extremely evil, violent, angry, hateful, lustful or deceitful. The flesh can also look good on the outside and be full of deadly poison... pride, resentful, unbelief, jealousy, unloving and self-righteous. OUCH! Did you feel the pinch?

5. Confession

This entails keeping up to the moment in confessing your sin and asking for cleansing in the precious blood.  However John 1:9 has to do with the sins already committed and not with the source (self) from which they emanate! "The Blood can wash away my sins, but it cannot wash away my 'old man'. It needs the the Cross to crucify me...the sinner...Our sins are dealt with by the Blood, but we ourselves are dealt with by the Cross. The Blood procures our pardon; the Cross procures our deliverance from what we are..." WN

6. Experiences

Different spiritual experiences are offered in churches. We must be careful that our experience isn't simply our flesh on the loose in rampant pride seeking gifts rather than the Giver. As valuable as experiences may be they must be in agreement with Scripture for God says "no flesh will glory in my Presence"! I Cor 1:29 NIV  Things so easily becomes about us; like an infection in the blood. Hear this please: Scripture teaches Calvary comes before Pentecost. Death with Christ precedes the fulness of the Spirit! Where there is no death with Christ we will not know resurrection power. Speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts are good but so much easier to counterfeit. Where as deep, humble love which readily dies to self and washes the feet of others, that serves for an audience of One, that gives generously, suffering without complaint, Love which can shake the world.... because it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and impossible without Him, Love that goes against our nature because it is costly.. requiring death to self.... this cannot be counterfeited so easily. So beloved brothers and sisters be careful, relying on God for discernment. Remember just because something is supernatural, does not make it authentic or guarantee it is from God. We have an enemy that lives by deceit and Satan counterfeits what God does. John 15 speaks frankly about this. How much better to bear fruit for His glory than strive for outward gifts. When we surrender to God's way to deal with the flesh we open the door for Him to be  manifest in us by His Spirit and all He chooses to give us is eternal.

God's Way

The flesh will only yield to the Cross; not to our resolutions even though well intended, not to self-effort, not to attempts at self-crucifixion, only to co-crucifixion, crucified with Christ. We receive the benefits of all Jesus did at Calvary simply by reckoning on or believing in the finished work He alone accomplished. How wonderfully He has provided for us. What a glorious day when we come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. I John 4:16

 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 2:20,22-24

You who are greater than all your gifts, great in compassion and purpose. You alone are God.You are the living god who endures forever! Your word is true. Your dominion is also eternal and You have prepared a place for me! Your nearness sets my feet to dancing and I long for the day I will dance before Your throne in worship of Your beauty. All You do in my life is to create the likeness of Christ in me for Your glory. I cannot comprehend such love as I experience in Your Holy Presence. LORD you set my feet to dancing! I long to dwell with You but You  are telling me it is enough for now, that You dwell in me. So I rejoice in You... in Your greatness, nearness, and sweet Presence. Help me to want Your will more than my own way! I am crucified with Christ. In whose name I pray amen.

Your Way,

 az

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If you want to know how to receive Christ as Savior and know forgiveness of your sins, click on this link:  http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm

Doveseye a once a week email devotional: http://az-doveseye.blogspot.com/

Two Days Longer!

I would have despaired 

unless I had believed 

that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
 Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
 My heart is full for God is good, there is nothing but goodness in Him! My feet are dancing for He delights in me... but there are times I am not dancing and one of those times is when I am made to wait. God allows waiting to try my soul and I hear no music to call me to dance before the throne.  God's waiting room encompasses a variety of waiting experiences. Are you in His waiting room now?
 'See in this a chance to die' ac Have you prayed years for something or someone and are weary of waiting? Are you in a painful marriage that has less life than a squashed bug? Has unemployment suffocated the hope out of you and panic rises like bile? Has fear linked arms with you and been tormenting you with 'what if's? Have you longed to be transformed into the likeness of Christ but see no significance change? Are you waiting the results of a medical test?
In the waiting room there is often shame and discouragement, darkness and whispered lies of the evil one who is the father of all lies. (John 8:44) There is a haunting unknown. Will tomorrow bring the same-ole, same-ole or unprecedented change? The fear of nothing ever changing can undo us and leave us weak-kneed and a prisoner of unbelief.
Where is God in this endless waiting? The enemies whisper "If" God loved you why are you here? He has forgotten you. He has lost interest and has moved on to other things. There is no job and this foolish activity of yours has produced nothing, hear me? nothing! If you were skilled enough you would be working. Something is wrong alright and what is wrong is with you! Satan wants discouragement to blanket you with a darkness in your soul, leaving you with stale air of confusion to breathe. Are you pacing, fists clenched with frustration and anger? Are you fed up and want out? Where is God in all this? does He hear? Will He bother? Where is He?
'See in this a chance to die' ac

Listen to Job's tormented cry:

“Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him" 

David cried out in  Psalm 35: 22-23

You have seen it, O LORD, do not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my right And to my cause, my God and my Lord.

Do you find yourself in His waiting room? He is there. The enemies waiting-room lies cannot alter Truth. Paul also faced the enemies of hatred and accusation, travel delays and trauma of ship wrecks and snake bites and misunderstandings. Paul faced each difficulty as 'seeing in this a chance to die' and as opportunity to wait on the Lord, resting in His wisdom and grace. O that we would use all our difficulties, disappointments, delays and trials of faith as Paul used his. The desire for God's glory burned in the hearts of these men and God strengthened them in His waiting room. David's waiting-room response song was thanksgiving and praise.

I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods.
On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:1 & 3

In vs 10, Job's faith states 'God knows' following the torment of verses 8-9:
 “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.


Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved and served Jesus. He frequently stayed at their home. When Jesus was beyond the Jordan, Lazarus became very ill. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus for they knew He could heal their beloved brother. When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed 2 days longer in the place where He was.  Try and taste this 48 hours! Place yourself there in the house where death hovered without invite. Ask yourself: why would Jesus do that? It wasn't for lack of love... see John 11:5. Verse 4 is the key: But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
When Mary and Martha heard Jesus reply they must have thought He would soon arrive and their brother would not die. But Lazarus worsened and died and now they had two choices as they grieved and awaited Jesus arrival:  

1. to focus on circumstances  

2. to focus on Christ and His words

My flesh is frail and fraught with fears. How easily I crown myself King and crown my perspective and perceptions as Truth. But contrary to this I must behold Christ. I must choose to believe His word. Like Amy Carmichael, I can choose by faith: 'to see in every situation a chance to die'. My flesh never willingly dies, not even in small, personal ways, but I am called to the crucified life. (Romans 6)
This is what God has taught me in my waiting: 

God's timing is perfect.

God's timing is about God's glory.

God's timing is about accomplishing His will and purposes..

God's timing is hemmed in with a loving purpose.

God's timing is not about us anymore than the Christian life is about us.
Let us be very watchful that the inner life, communion with the Lord Jesus, be the true source of our activities. mjs

Father God, Ruler of the Universe, Lover of our souls, You on whom I wait, You who have intricately timed all the minute intricacies of Creation, I bow. How tempted I am to focus on anything other than You! It is so easy to focus on my growth or lack of growth... my busy day... relationships good and bad. But You want all these to cause me to run to You and climb up on Your lap and let You enfold me and hold me and heal me and nourish me. I give You thanks for all the plans You have for me are good and purposed to accomplish Your will and purposes, Your glory. Forgive my grumbling and for allowing fear to encompass my spirit when I stopped 'beholding You!' Don't let me miss anything You have for me as I wait. O that I would make Your waiting room my sanctuary and lift my voice in praise and worship with thanksgiving. For to be Truth centered, I must be Christ centered! Teach me to focus on You for I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God. And it is in His blessed, Living and holy name I pray. amen



Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3


Hidden with Christ,


az

Do You Believe Psalm 18?

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm18:6

Fellow Believers who are the Lord’s delight,

This week brought me such blessing as I read His word. It frequently speaks of His greatness, revealing another nuance of His character and being! Hear this familiar verse of Psalm 18 speak again to your heart just as it did to mine when out of my distress, “I called on the LORD, He heard my cry for help, my cry for help came before Him into His ears!  Such a slight difference in wording brings out this wonder of wonders…. Our cry comes into His ears! He does not just hear our cry, God embraces it. Doesn’t this powerfully suggest His love? Think of times when you were talking to another person and they may ‘hear’ you talking but in actuality they are not listening. There is no God like our God. His word is full of light for those who want to follow our LORD for it wonderfully speaks to us wherever we are at in our journey.

He bowed the heavens also, and came down…
The LORD also thundered in the heavens… He sent from on high, He took me; 
He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, (18:9, 13,16-17)

David shouts that God came busting forth to rescue him from all that would drown him!

David wrote this after a terrible time of testing. King Saul pursued David  to kill him and he was forced to live in caves, open fields and the hills to escape Saul’s satanic pursuit.  

The words of David’s song (Psalm 18) portray his story. Verse 19 which states the amazing truth that enabled David to hang on; has impacted me deeply.

He brought me forth also into a broad place; 
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.

How can this Holy God, the Most High, Creator of the Universe, care so much for foolish humans? And foolish me reacted this week doing a foolish thing.

 Yes, I had been up most of the night at the hospital, after my husband’s ambulance ride and was exhausted emotionally and physically. But this is not an excuse to give into the old sin nature and lose control. Leaving the hospital, (I just wanted to be home) I should have met with serious consequences and shame; and ill-will from one I love. Instead God rescued me. With mere inches to spare he rescued me from backing into a car in the parking ramp because of my ill temper! The truth of God’s rescue washed over me again and again in the following days, humbling me far more than if I had experienced the consequences of my poor attitude. I was thinking about it while walking the next day and it caused me to weep as I was overcome by such love poured out on me! I cried out ”Why do you bother with us humans? With such a foolish child as me?” Instantly sensing His Presence I quieted and heard two words:

“My Promises”.

Wow! Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them who put their trust in Him. Prov 30:5  

God loves because that is who He is. God is faithful and cannot break His word because that is who He is.

Pastor JJ:

       “God’s grace will humble us far more than our sin does.”

 Now I know the truth of this simple statement! Grace is bestowed, not earned and it has power to bring you to your knees!          

The devil understands the power that is behind such preciousness in God’s eyes.DW   Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy and discourage us in our walk. Believing God delights in us is a source of awesome power and peace and rest. Satan will remind us of our sin. Cause us to doubt we are loved. He will cause you to question how God could love such a one as you, who always falls short of pleasing Him, God has to be disappointed in you for all your failures! Or the enemy may suggest that if God delighted in you, why would He allow the troubles you have had to deal with in the past year? Choose to focus on Psalm 18 not on past failure. David realized this awesome, Almighty God, rescued him because He delighted in David. And David in faith has embraced this God-love. Amazingly this Holy God delights in us too! 

What a joyful life ours is, continually proving His tenderness in the very little things. There is nothing too small for Him to help. He is indeed a Barrier between us and our pursuers. How precious is His lovingkindness. ac

Psalm 18 states that God Himself

He hears us because He delights in us!

He rescues us because He delights in us!

He is our stay, because He delights in us!

He delivers us because He delights in us!

He strengthens us because He delights in us!

Let the ‘verbs’ in Psalm 18 encourage you today.  It sets my feet to dancing! Do you believe he loves you? Good! But go a step further “Do you believe He delights in you?” Answer honestly. Ask God to give you faith to believe that you are His treasured possession in which He delights.

Living God, You who delight in your creation. You who are righteous beyond imagining!  I want to say I am so thankful for who You are and that You never change.  Thank You too for being a God of deliverances and for rescuing your children again and again. Blessed be Your holy Name. My trials are opportunities to prove You are who You say You are…. Savior, Lover of my Soul and beyond my understanding… that You delight in me. O Lord give me faith to believe this and faith for each of my sisters and brothers to truly and deeply believe You treasure them and delight in them, for it will set us free. You alone are Life and Purpose and I give myself to You.  Allow me to bring You glory now and forever. In Jesus holy name amen.

Much Love in Jesus,

az

The LORD is...

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Phil 3:7

My dearest Sisters and Brothers who walk by faith, Greetings in the Holy Name 0f Jesus!   Indescribable

I have lived, cried and danced in Psalm 27 this week.. Especially verse 1. It is so rich and overflowing that for the longest time I could not get passed the first three words: 

"The LORD is...." stopped me still; filling my heart with awe and wonder of this immeasurable God. The Holy being who IS! He captured me wrestling my heart to my knees, and I was left in awe of Him! Humbled by His Presence, I was aware I will never comprehend the Truth of Him: ‘The LORD IS’. I will never understand why in His greatness He chose me and loves me! 

This scripture set my feet to dancing! Hallelujah my Lord and King. In the middle of my dance, again His Presence halted me and bowing in worship I was meeked. Amen in the Name above all names, Yeshua. amen

 “Your thoughts of God are too human.”--Luther

God is so great we can never fully understand Him for there is always more to know of His greatness and goodness.

When understanding floods our being that Jesus is our life, we, just as Paul, will no long think in terms of 'stuf'. God's purpose for each one of us remains unchanged. His desire to create the likeness of Christ in us is at work as we are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. II Corinthians 4:11 

We need to stop and ask. ‘Is His life being manifested in and through me?'

Change is accomplished through trials pressing on us until we cry out for deliverance from what we are and look to Christ... it gives us opportunity to count ourselves crucified with Christ and learn to fix our eyes on Jesus to accomplish that which we cannot do for ourselves. We must be weaned from our many little comforts and mercies we have enjoyed. How quickly this reveals our heart condition, just as conflict in families reveal a defensiveness and how easily we insist on our 'rights'. If He did not wean us how would we know what it is to depend on Him apart from any human intervention? 

"It is through the chastenings of His hand. through the trials and suffering of our path, that He weans the hearts of His own from other objects, that the Lord Jesus Christ alone may fill the vision of our souls." E.D.

I am learning to hold an open hand on life and people and the 'stuf' crowding my path; for then loss isn't as painful when God chooses to remove something. How hard the lessons are of holding things loosely. Picture a toddler who foolishly grasps a toy refusing to give it up. When the parent tries to take it from him a tantrum spews forth and his chubby fist tightens its grip on the object. How like this toddler, foolishly insisting on my own way and screaming and hanging onto what my loving Father wants to remove from my life, in His great wisdom. How can my Father put into my hands what He has planned when I refuse to let go what He wants to remove? 

I wonder why my faith seems at times to shrink instantly! He has never made a mistake, He is all-wise and all He does is wrapped in His loving kindness... even when He removes something loved, be it person or thing or pet or opportunity. Faith is trusting God to work mightily when every circumstances screams the opposite. We must be in communion with our Father... not just gain knowledge reading His word, not even even praying and going to church will produce communion. To commune is to identify with Christ in His death and resurrection. unless you are in communion you will not grow in likeness to what you admire for there will be none of His fruit through you, such as love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, truthfulness and no righteous walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. You have a new position ‘in Christ’. You have a right to be there! Not only  is it true “The LORD is...” but ‘you are’ because you are in Him. He delights to have you near Him. A glimpse of this Truth immensely alters your perception of this world through which you are passing as an alien. Study Him. Behold Him. Commune with Him daily. He loves you so.

God is so great He will never be fully understood by His creatures. WMD

 “Can you discover the depths of God? 

Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? 

They are high as the heavens, what can you do? 

Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? 

Its measure is longer than the earth 

And broader than the sea.” Job 11:7-9

 in a name and speaks glory, redemption, hope, Life, joy and strength, encompassing me now and forever... the word is "Jesus." Raised in glory, by glory, for glory. In whose name I pray. 

In His immeasurable Love,

az

http://gramzkidz.com

Life Will Get Better

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.1 Peter 4:12-13

My precious Brothers and Sisters 'in' Christ,

Even Though 'It Doesn't Get Easier’  (last weeks devo) and God's word confirms this, life will get better, in fact life will be perfect beyond our ability to imagine. His Presence, His Glory, His Voice, His Beauty!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Phil 4:4-6

Life will get unspeakably better!'  With every breath we move toward the day when we shall be with the Lord... forever! It cannot get any better than that. 

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." John 17:24

Are you dancing? Let your heart fill with His promise, embrace it and hold it in heart and mind. Read this promise again. Did you hear what Jesus said about you?  He wants you near. 

This life holds so many hard things. One of which is saying good-bye to a loved one or letting a loved one go. This was my experience last week, turning my thoughts to that day when I will never utter those heart-tearing words “Good-bye” again. After a clinging hug and drying my tears, I said ‘good-bye’ to a beloved granddaughter, releasing her into the hands of her Heavenly Father; as she moves states away to attend college. The day is coming when: the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’.Rev 7:17

 For now I will choose to remember His faithfulness. I will trust and not be afraid for 'What god is so great as our God?' Psalm 77:13 

Some have released a loved one in an earthly death and have peace they are in heaven, still there is much grief of separation. For others there is multiplied grief when there is no assurance they know Christ as Savior.

How vital for us to grow deeply in love with Christ. This happens as God reveals our sin and failure, causing to see a greater and greater need for the righteousness of Christ. Our past may plague us until we acknowledge that we are safely placed in Christ. Regrets over our sinful past will remain until we believe our past no longer exists because we are in Christ. The person in Christ has only Christ's past which is perfect and acceptable. In the Lord Jesus we died and rose and are (positionally) seated with Christ in the heavenlies. Christ's acceptance before the Father, is our acceptance. Our focus moves from ourself to Christ. All this is a precursor to dwelling with Him in the heavenly realm. No longer will we be aliens, as we are now on earth, but we will walk streets of gold and experience things our minds cannot imagine. Colors, flavors, sounds! Joys we now experience are a small fortaste of all that awaits us. I hear a song: “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I'm going to see my Savior's face, O Heaven is a wonderful place, I'm gonna go there". 

Let us:

Count it all joy... James 1:2 Nothing that happens(if only it comes to us in the line of His will) can take anything from the joy that does not depend on circumstances but on our God Himself. If only we are kept by His power from anything that grieves the Spirit, it will be so always, 'for to the man who pleases Him God gives... joy. Eccl 2:26 ac

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:3-5

Circumstances in this life may not get better, but our life in Christ will end in joy unspeakable, expect it, my brothers and sisters. 

Father-God, You who will welcome me home and wipe every tear from my eye, thank you for placing me in Christ so that I am secure with His righteousness. Thank You for drawing me to Yourself by revealing the sin and failure in my life, for You redeem all things, they serve Your will and purposes. Heavenly One, You have prepared a place for me for I have chosen to trust You to forgive me and cleanse me from all sin, You hung suspended between heaven and earth, humiliated, spit on, cursed as You spilled out Your blood for me, dying in my place. Life will get better because it is Life You have provided and Your life takes me into Your Presence to live in wonder and joy before You. Hallelujah, I exalt You. My dance has climaxed with my face to the floor; the carpet catching my tears. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb who was slain to purchase my salvation. I worship You... now and FOREVER. amen

Praying for each one who reads my feeble scribblings, that God may touch You and draw You near!

az

Life Doesn't Get Easier

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” John 13:7

Fellow Believers in our Savior, Greetings in the Name above all names,

Lessons in obedience can hurt. Our Savior loves us just as we are and just as we were; but His love will not leave us in this state. As I surrender to Christ, on a daily basis, appropriating the growth truth that 'I am crucified with Christ', it seems almost easy and I experience rest and peace. By faith I am identified with Christ in his death and resurrection. When in this state I do not understand why I fail to follow His plan always. Why do I trust Him for one trial and then not trust Him for trial that knocks me down next? Truth dawns on me that my 'old sin nature' (OSN) resists, sidesteps, ignores and frequently refuses the Cross.... I have come to this conclusion: life doesn't get easier and dying to the flesh doesn't get easier! I am to stop expecting it to be so. There is no other way for self to be denied than God's way. The flesh will only yield to the Cross; this is our identification with Christ Jesus in His death and resurrection. Our spiritual growth requires surrender to His plan and it relies on a heart hunger to know our Lord Jesus intimately.

"The Divine way (via the cross) for spiritual emancipation is just as offensive to the child of God as the Divine way for salvation is to the lost." MJS

Once we have known forgiveness of sins, we make a new discovery- the discovery of sin, and we realize that we have the nature of a sinner. There is an inward inclination to sin. There is a power within that draws us to sin.... MJS

I know that power within drawing me to sin. At times I defend myself, insist on my rights, gossip, envy others, harbor hate and resentment and am easily selfish and peevish. I prefer to be served rather than to wash the stinky feet of a brother or sister. Then God holds up His mirror and the reflection I see is anything but Christ-like. My failure to live for Christ hurts deeply because living for Him is what I truly desire! I need be aware that my OSN is adaptable  and can be kind, generous, helpful, but this is a facade hiding the truth that the flesh is in control.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

When my Father takes me through a trial, often He removes my understanding and my perspective. Processing the difficulty feels unfamiliar and harder than any I have been through previously. I "feel" powerless to surrender to Christ in the trial and find rest. Why does it feel so unfamiliar? Is it the fear which invades my mind and heart carrying on an endless defeating dialogue? Do I believe the Father knows exactly what to measure into my life and for how long? If He is choosing what to allow and He is working for good in my life (what good? what purpose? just this: that I may be conformed to the image of HIs Son) and He is all wise and loving, why is it so hard to trust Him? Has He ever failed? Is He weak and lacks knowledge? no, and no again! Can it be I do not recall past lessons learned or is it that I do not 'feel' like remembering the Holy One is present in me? It is my OSN refusing the Cross! Such is the struggle between the New nature and the OSN in daily warfare. I may not realize what God is doing but I know He is trustworthy and never fails. Our flesh cannot produce life, humility, love or selflessness. Press hard into the Father and find rest. In appropriating Christ's death there is truly resurrection Life. 

He will make every pain, every tear, every particle of our suffering work in us a death to sin and to the old man, and to all things on earth which will be for our highest development and for His glory. GW

Let us be living testimonies that our God is Almighty and good. He meets our needs and His grace is sufficient, His love abundant and satisfying. Loving Him is a good motive to live for Him but He calls us to go beyond the love motive to the life motive: "For me to live is Christ.." 

Lamb of God, crucified One, You who humbly entered life via a human birth canal and relied on air to live, are God Almighty, Eternal in the heavens. You are gentleness and humility the living personification of Love and Mercy and Peace. This alone is enough to conclude that I want to be like You. I who struggle with pride and think I am something in the grand scheme of things when I am nothing outside of You! Forgive me and cleanse me with Your precious blood. Fill my heart with faith to trust You each moment for what You allow to come into my life when I do not understand what You are doing in my life. God of wonder and grace, Blessed be Your name now (in me and through me) and forever, In this Your Holy Name I pray amen.

I am crucified with Christ,

az