Consider the Lilies
My purpose for writing is always to encourage you and provide some “food for thought” in your Christian journey. I hope that these thoughts will be seed for reflection and eventually produce lasting fruit, in your life and mine.
Luke 12: 27 - 32 Jesus speaks (27) ".....Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (28) If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith. (29) And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. (30) For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. (31) BUT seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. (32) Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom."
The Gospel of Luke records the many teachings of Jesus, such as the fear(reverence) of God, confessing Christ before men, not to worry, the faithful servant, and many more teachings. His insight into human behavior, even the religious leaders of the day was truth and very pointed. He reached down into the soul of man and exposed the nature of "self" and the need to be right; the need to live by "righteous laws" that no one could live up to; and the inevitable condition of man to depend on himself , excluding God. Yet, deep within the being of mankind is that empty place that God himself created, that can only be filled by His Spirit. A spiritual hunger is forever burning in man that only God can satisfy. We search and we search.
The Gospel of Luke records the many teachings of Jesus, such as the fear(reverence) of God, confessing Christ before men, not to worry, the faithful servant, and many more teachings. His insight into human behavior, even the religious leaders of the day was truth and very pointed. He reached down into the soul of man and exposed the nature of "self" and the need to be right; the need to live by "righteous laws" that no one could live up to; and the inevitable condition of man to depend on himself , excluding God. Yet, deep within the being of mankind is that empty place that God himself created, that can only be filled by His Spirit. A spiritual hunger is forever burning in man that only God can satisfy. We search and we search.
In the Christian community and born out of that hunger, is man's on creation of religion, based solely on different interpretations of the Bible, or maybe even a book, or chapter, or even one verse. From that conflict comes confusion and separation, and another denomination is born. Churches pop up everywhere, because of error born in "self" exultation.
We seek external things or situations that we think will satisfy that hunger, even houses, cars, clothing, food, POWER, and even the stock market (money), and etc. Self or ego sees no need to learn more because the "need to be right" out weighs the "truth of God". God brings light to His Word every day, and sometimes it stomps down heavy on our beliefs that we have held onto for years. The exposure is too much, and we simply refuse to accept it because, like Dudley Hall says, "we have enough light and just can't take any more." Or, even better, we're comfortable where we are in our own belief system and don't want to see anything else. Its funny how we talk about God's power, and how wonderful Jesus is, yet we still suffer in our own limiting thoughts. We have bodies that need healing; minds that need deliverance; children and family and friends that need to know Jesus, and yet by our own mouths, confessions, we have built walls and limits, which are hindrances to the very things we need or pray for.
To be clear, Jesus the Master, our Savior, our High Priest, our Mediator, the Son of God, tells us plainly without ambiguity to seek the "kingdom of God", and that it pleases God to give it to us. Jesus preached the "kingdom of God" everywhere he went. This is the place or "Spiritual Domain" where Jesus lives; where Adam and Eve lived before the fall; the Father lives.
We seek external things or situations that we think will satisfy that hunger, even houses, cars, clothing, food, POWER, and even the stock market (money), and etc. Self or ego sees no need to learn more because the "need to be right" out weighs the "truth of God". God brings light to His Word every day, and sometimes it stomps down heavy on our beliefs that we have held onto for years. The exposure is too much, and we simply refuse to accept it because, like Dudley Hall says, "we have enough light and just can't take any more." Or, even better, we're comfortable where we are in our own belief system and don't want to see anything else. Its funny how we talk about God's power, and how wonderful Jesus is, yet we still suffer in our own limiting thoughts. We have bodies that need healing; minds that need deliverance; children and family and friends that need to know Jesus, and yet by our own mouths, confessions, we have built walls and limits, which are hindrances to the very things we need or pray for.
To be clear, Jesus the Master, our Savior, our High Priest, our Mediator, the Son of God, tells us plainly without ambiguity to seek the "kingdom of God", and that it pleases God to give it to us. Jesus preached the "kingdom of God" everywhere he went. This is the place or "Spiritual Domain" where Jesus lives; where Adam and Eve lived before the fall; the Father lives.
He came to show us the way, the truth, and the life in that kingdom; and if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He shows us "the way" there, through "the truth", and "the life" we will live in love, grace, mercy, and power. One cannot get to God (in the Kingdom of God) accept through Jesus. However, getting into the kingdom is the ultimate goal.
Outside of Jesus, one cannot live there (Kingdom of God), but in Him one cannot not live there. Who will dare to live there? Who will dare to be certain of Jesus? Of God the Father? In Him there is no conflict or confusion! No unbelief! Who will be bold enough to move past self (self righteousness) and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the world. Who is tired of shrinking back in weakness and fear (yes that's right), and is ready to step up on the platform of absolute faith in God? Who is ready to accept the truth that "its" not about us, BUT about God? Who is ready to lay self aside, and be immersed in the "Love of God" to the point where love for God and others takes the place of selfishness? Who is ready to sacrifice being right, for being the "righteousness of God"?
Outside of Jesus, one cannot live there (Kingdom of God), but in Him one cannot not live there. Who will dare to live there? Who will dare to be certain of Jesus? Of God the Father? In Him there is no conflict or confusion! No unbelief! Who will be bold enough to move past self (self righteousness) and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the world. Who is tired of shrinking back in weakness and fear (yes that's right), and is ready to step up on the platform of absolute faith in God? Who is ready to accept the truth that "its" not about us, BUT about God? Who is ready to lay self aside, and be immersed in the "Love of God" to the point where love for God and others takes the place of selfishness? Who is ready to sacrifice being right, for being the "righteousness of God"?
It is up to you. Every decision or choice you make, is your perceptions of who and what you are. Either you chose to be held hostage by the “ego” (the world’s view), or you chose to be host to God. You choose worldly living or the Kingdom of God, which is eternal life. You choose the world’s view of who you are, or God’s truth about you…. the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!!
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