Many things that
continue the exact same way are possibly no longer of the Spirit but of
the flesh. As we grow in understanding, it causes our actions to change. We add
to what we have learned. We usually understand as it pertains to the educational
system, that failure to get the lesson will result in repeating the grade.
However, while sometimes having the ability to see it for others that “lack
change,” we aren't always able to see it when it is our life that appears to be
repeating the grade. If we find ourselves in a repeat pattern (circling the
mountain in the wilderness) for the things we wish to change, then there must be
a message that God is trying to work into our understanding. The children of
Israel had a forty day journey, to which God elongated the time to teach a
lesson (Exodus 13:17). Many generations of people died and others were born before
the cycle was ended and although Moses was the leader, he was only able to see
what was next (the Promised Land) but he never got to experience it (enter in)
Deuteronomy 34:4.
The Promise Land is
anything that God shares w/ His people and is spoken of in its coming. For
several years now, there has been talk about the next dimension of the supernatural
powers: signs, miracles and wonders, yet many of those that speak and are
preparing the people, will only be seers, yet not get to experience it
themselves. How long does God allow us to circle in life, before He deems it
necessary to replace us w/ another, to possibly break the cycle of
circling?
Contextually, the “children of
Israel” in today’s times are individuals or generations of Family, Churches,
Relationships, even Organizations, possibly having a leader or not that
function in a repeat/circular pattern of thinking or operation. Yes, we are
indeed creatures of habit but God desires to keep things alive and fresh and
true. When we repeat actions for long periods of time, we can begin to function
w/out much thought or consideration and even more so, off of the recorded memory
of what to do and when and how to do it: which means the authenticity is
removed.
Church is a very
common place for a “children of Israel” situation. Usually the same order:
Recycled words and automatic responses and reactions. In certain groups, there
is sometimes an occasional “the Spirit does a takeover” and the program is
changed. More often than not, the thought is, “it was planned, so we're going to
do it” i.e.… The sermon, praise and worship, a special presentation or
acknowledgement, a sermonic solo/hymn and Lord forbid we ever not raise an
offering. It is true that it takes money to pay bills or “do ministry” but
offerings (how and what we present to and unto God) are the things that matter
to God, which is usually our hearts and obedience. But in today’s times, where
the budget must be met, we are not usually aligned w/ a thought to seek God in
every area because we don't trust Him to take care of the churches finances, nor
could we imagine His desire to lead us into operating in faith, as a result of
not carving out a space to collect the tithes and
offerings.
For those that may
think hmmmm… I don't know if I'd still give my tithe or an offering
if I weren't asked: First, that’s a fleshly thought that is
possibly coming from a place of financial lust, to keep for oneself, in order to
do something other than that which would please God. The tithe and the offering
is what God asked for, so it is advised that we give it as unto HIM, for this is
right. Secondly, if we give only because it is asked for by the church, then we
can easily miss the blessing attached to the pure in heart. Always remember, God
is Not the one spending the money but is the one looking at those that give, how
it is given and assuredly the ones requesting, those that handle the money, as
well as what is done w/ what has been collected.
How many times have
you heard or taught/preached the last message/sermon you heard? How many times
will you need to hear it, to bring it down from the words you hear and agree
to when it’s being spoken, to the place where you graduate from needing to
hear that message because it has finally been accepted in your understanding,
spiritually processed for how it is to be carried out and is now a new way of
life?
The purpose of anything that God gives in instruction is to search
introspectively. If after hearing or reading a God's word message, your thought
is of someone else and how they can change, then your reading may have been in
the flesh: for the Spirit takes us to the things we are responsible for and or
are called to.
A
change in a life pattern has little to do w/ the purchase of something new: car,
home or item, whether we start a new job or are in a new relationship but is
more about us and how we think, how we learn and how we apply that which we have
learned. Perhaps, if we took the truth of what we learned yesterday or in our
past yesterdays and applied it to our today, then all of our tomorrows wouldn't
have to be ‘on a hope and a prayer.’
Every tree is known
by the fruit (characteristics) it bears (exhibits/shows). Even if you have a
tree full of apples, be encouraged to not be known only as an apple tree but
increase and expand your borders by adding other fruit.
New Year’s Day is
not limited to January 1 or to Rosh Hashanah but can be any day that we
experience a new thought that has come to change our hearts and will:
subsequently, changing our actions. I wish You a Sweet /Happy New
You/Year!!
