The Imperative of Love

Guatemala

2015-03-22T19:29:00.001-07:00

Guatemala

Friends

Freedom!

2014-07-21T11:50:00.005-07:00

If we really have died and given everything to Jesus, we are free and preserved in Christ. Anything else is a mental battle. Many people rely on deliverance ministries to "be free", but that's only because we don't know how to renew our minds as individuals. And maybe, we just don't believe that the resurrection has made us free - so we feel unworthy all the time, and then it becomes a self-centered and false humility covered inward spiral. Me me me. The resurrection has risen our eyes from ourselves onto the beauty of Jesus. When that happens, we can't look away, not even back to ourselves. Oh, that we would conquer a fleshly mind and take on the supernatural mind of Christ!

Feelings come, thoughts come, circumstances come. Many things come with a motive to deceive and hinder growth in Christ. Cool. If they come, they'll come. They have no place, unless we let it. Haven't I died to myself and am risen with Him? How free does the blood and resurrection make me? Do I dare believe that I am hidden and preserved with Christ? Seated and kept with Him? Has He not shouted with all of His being (literally) that He loves me? Does He continually offer me the ability to put on the mind of Christ which confirms who I really am in Him? Does taking up my cross mean not only dying, but being raised with Him? It would be an insult to the cross if I didn't accept who I am, including the freedom that He has paid for me. God is rich because He has me. That's not arrogance. Eph. 1:18

Truly, it's an honor when attacks come. We have no right to be bitter, mad, offended, or upset. They are not fruits of the Spirit, so why do we claim them as normal? It's normal to the average human, but we are not only human. We are a peculiar people. We are supernatural. We look different to the world, because the mystery of Christ has been revealed to us. We have been given the opportunity to manifest the very image of God, and to release the Kingdom wherever we go. We cannot release a supernatural freedom if we are not supernaturally free. It's an honor when attacks come. What a perfect opportunity for the Spirit to manifest! What a perfect opportunity for me to confirm who I really am in Christ! The only thing these attacks can do is stretch who I am so Jesus can be manifested more! The only outcome is a more strengthened Christ-like character! We can't lose! We can't lose!

The voices can come, but does that mean I'm not free? No! Jesus says I'm free and that means I'm going to be free! There is amazing fruit that comes when we just simply believe who He says we are. Let's die already so we can live!

Love

2013-08-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

I feel very few in the Church understand what it means to receive each other, to really love each other. We simply just don't know the depth of God's heart - the magnitude of His love. We are supposed to love each other the same way Christ loved us…To receive each other the same way Christ received us…What does that really look like? How did Christ receive us? How selfless was His Love? Christ was humbled to the point of no reputation, and lived a completely selfless life devoted to mankind for the purpose of reconciliation to the Father. He died and for a moment was separated from His father. If that same Spirit and that same Love dwells in us and is the source of all our relationships - How come our Love for each other doesn't represent such selflessness? Paul expressed this love in Romans 9. He basically wished that he was separated from Christ for the sake of his brother's salvation. Ring a bell? Sounds like Jesus: "Father, why have you forsaken me!" Jesus was the one who played out the Father's love. I don't have any words to express how deep His love is supposed to be between us. The destiny for the church is supposed to see the magnitude of the vertical love of the Father overflow horizontally. No one is supposed to be in need, in any way. It's supposed to be a joy to carry each other's burdens. He wants His love to be expressed between us. Humble us Father, and remove our names. Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Romans 9:
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Romans 15
Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5
For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

The Depths of His Love lead to Simplicity

2013-01-27T22:11:00.001-08:00

As I pray to be closer to the Lord, He shakes my core even more. As I pray for my territory to be expanded in the Spiritual realm, the more He shows me the depths of His love and purpose. As if my life wasn't drastically changed enough, He continues to strengthen the reality of His kingdom through His presence.

The concepts of a Spiritual walk can seem to work in paradoxes. For example:
There is infinite wonder and depth to His love, yet our lifestyle in His love is very simple. We are tapping into God's complex and unexplainable orchestration, but giving ourselves up to receive the Spirit comes down to a simple yes or no. It only seems complex because it's hard to break the ways of the world at first, and/or because we're not willing. (we become comfortable).

This society demands so much. The expectations in our lives are man-made. There are many facets to this worldly lifestyle. There is so much junk we are raised to believe, that in the end, contradicts the beautiful lifestyle of following the Holy Spirit. We are raised to be part of a pride-centered lifestyle, but when that is abolished and we follow Jesus, there is simplicity in being content with just God. With simplicity of heart comes a true peace and a true joy.

Matthew 10:39
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."

This concept is not only the source of a Christian walk, but it continues until this flesh perishes. I hear this preached over and over again, but I feel the power and depth behind this concept is not sought after. If we are willing to experience life in Jesus - we must deny this flesh. As Spiritual eyes are opened, our identities become ones of Spirit. Suddenly the labels attached with this world become insignificant. Your name, birthplace, location, culture, possessions, family, career, have all become insignificant compared to the powerful and deep Spiritual reality of living by the Holy Spirit. As we seek the depths of God, He establishes us as a Spiritual being. Our identities are not found on a birth certificate, but are found in connection with the Holy Spirit.

Since God's realm is an infinite and wondrous Spiritual reality, how much of Him are we willing to receive? The depths of His realm can be a Spiritual reality in this life; yet do we still hold onto our earthly identities? The truth is that we should never stop seeking the depths of His love. We have to seek more of His reality, and not our reality or this world's reality. What is really fulfilling? What is more valuable? It is not a burden, but a joy to explore the depths of Him.

God can spark passion in us to explore Him - but we have to seek Him first. We have to pray for Him to shake us. We have to pray for the dirt to fall. It can be scary - but He is pleased when we are willing to go all the way.

Surely taking up the cross and following Jesus can be more than going to bible studies and events. It can be more than some prayer time. It is more than just saying I live a Christ-centered lifestyle. A lifestyle for Jesus is finding life in Him and only Him. It is found in raw and authentic connection with God. What needs to be valued, and what needs to be devalued? We cannot do this, but God does these things for us personally when we pray for them. He prunes us when we press into His Spirit - and not this world.

I want to be content with simple things, not distracted by this multi-faceted society that deters us from the Lord. I want to live with my brothers and sisters, giving to each other and loving each other. I want the source of our time spent to be filled with the Spirit - which unifies us in unbreakable love. I want to meet everyday and pray. I want to eat with simple hearts, being content with little. I want to praise God and be right in His sight. I want this to multiply.

Acts 2:42
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

This beautiful image is found in a Spiritual reality. It is not something we can mimic or produce. It is not based around a building, money, or events. It is based around the love of God, that dwells in us and unites us. Come, receive the Love, and let's be unified under the umbrella of His love.

The Heart of Ministry is His

2013-01-13T15:13:00.001-08:00

Instead of so much planning I see prayer.
Instead of 'events' with specific messages - I see worship and intercession.
Instead of seeking a 'good Christian speaker' - I see being spoken to directly from God.

Who are we to limit God in our lives? Who are we to water down a reality of listening and receiving from God? Jesus spent hours in prayer - do we? It seems like our churches and ministries "make up" for the lack of prayer by handing out manuals on what to do.

You cannot mimic the fruits of the Spirit. You cannot think of ways to touch people's soul. Most importantly - You cannot teach people to love. The idea of receiving God's power and will is to live in its completion. It is to see God unleashed and overflow in our lives - this is truly an ineffable experience.

We are limiting the work of the Lord when we think we can do it by our actions; when we think we can strategize it; when we seek events or conferences or speakers to hear from the Lord. We cannot do Spiritual things without first being Spiritual - and the heart of Spirituality is long times of humble prayer and worship - where we meet God face to face, and are commissioned by a supernatural Spirit that goes beyond our comprehension. Just as morals without Jesus are wrong - Aren't actions without Jesus wrong too? Would one dare say - even in vain?

My prayer is that we experience God to the point where we cannot keep Him contained. God wants His furious love to run ramped amongst our society in every single area. I pray that we experience God so we wouldn't dare "plan ways to be Christian" - but we would just be love as a result of the Spirit taking His place in our hearts.

God has unleashed His presence - yet we humans have closed the door to the potential of God's all-powerful ministry. God has the real ministry - not us. We're taking part of His work - not our work for Him. We have to make ourselves vulnerable to Him - so He can unleash His love in us. What else can change the world but His power? What separates our deeds from the rest of the world if they aren't God's deeds? Learning to do all things in an overflow of the Spirit is necessary for all Christians - Because it is God who makes us distinct, not the actions we do.

Exodus 33:12
"Moses said to the Lord, "See, you say to me, "Bring up this people," but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight." Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?""

We do not need any events, lights, or attractions to spread the name of Jesus. There just needs to be hearts that are willing to give it all to God - to receive the best ministry in the universe. How dare we commercialize Jesus - so that He is boxed into our idea of Christian ministry. What else can that be but a distraction from the heart of it all? If Christians know how to connect with God - Why do we seek certain speakers? Why do we seek events? Why do we seek commercialization? Why do we avoid God when He wants to speak to us directly and clearly? Why do we find motivation in other things when He wants to spark His love in us? His presence is the best and only teaching.

1 John 2:27
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Have mercy God. Have your way. Abolish everything that's not of You. Take priority in our lives - not by actions - but a reality of Your powerful Spirit. So let us abide in only Your Spirit, and nothing else. Because it is then when Your ministry unleashes - and lives are really changed.

Tired Heart

2012-11-27T21:42:00.001-08:00

They don't know You, Lord. What will change their hearts but Your love? When will You sweep and save Your children? My heart is tired. It weeps for them; yet do You not hear? Do you not feel? Do You not see how they need You? They don't know that they need you, who will save them? By what power can save them? You deserve everlasting thanksgiving; You've revealed to me a reality of life, a love that goes beyond the world and man's thoughts. How then, can I continue when others don't see? How can I continue when other's don't see? How can I continue when hypocrisy fills their lips, and I'm left here alone? Just as Your presence overwhelms me, so does humanity. You move inside, yet they are still externally. When will your gears turn? When will you take priority in their hearts? When will you come to sweep the dirt off their eyes so they can look into yours?

I'm here, giving all my breathe to You. Let me trust in Your timing, and Your reign. Use my time, use my heart, for it cannot bear the burden of Your compassion.

God will always do His part.

2012-09-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in 360, eating a philly cheesesteak, and feeling so distant from God. I was feeling extremely weak and consumed with classwork. It's not that I couldn't handle classwork, In fact, it was almost enjoyable. I was honestly motivated about the work in my classes. But the amount of focus required to effectively produce artwork in every class is very draining; It certainly takes away time of being spirit-filled in everyday actions. How can one effectively perform the duties of a student, but also maintain a deep desire to receive live in the Holy Spirit every breathe on this earth? How can one effectively perform tasks of this world, but also be in-tune with God? Doesn't it take more than "saying your daily prayer", or "responding in the Christian way"? Is it okay to consume yourself in work if it seems like it takes away from living in the Holy Spirit?

This summer was a good summer. All I had to manage was going to work. I had a desire to use all of my time to get closer to God. Regardless of where I was, what I was doing, I wanted to be Spirit filled and live a Christ-centered lifestyle. God was gracious enough to pour a satisfactory and consistent success during this time period. Wherever I was, I was praying in my mind, feeling the Spirit, seeking and accepting His will, and constantly surrendering all aspects of my life. Life flows much better, when one seeks Him constantly.

However, when school started, this reality became harder to find. When school started, suddenly my mind was forced to focus 100% on work. Doesn't God call us to live a Spirit-filled life, wherever we are?

I was sitting in 360, eating a philly cheesesteak, and feeling so distant from God. I was feeling extremely weak and consumed with classwork. I honestly did not want to get up and intentionally seek God for His presence or clarity. I did not want to drop the mindset of work and experience life. I was tired of it. My Spirit was drained. This world drains us, regardless of the tasks that are presented, we as Christians can get drained if we experience the Holy Spirit. There is a huge distinction between worldly tasks and Spirit-filled tasks. Halfway through my cheesesteak, God visited me unexpectedly. Out of the blue, He came and reached down, just for me. Just for me, He saw me in my tiredness and point of giving up, and said rise. What a privilege it is to live for God; a God who does not want to see us give up. He is a God that does not want to see us tired, but stand strong in Spirit. At that moment, I couldn't finish my cheesesteak, but enjoyed the presence of God that suddenly came so strongly and unexpectedly. God will always do His part; He will never fail.

It is vital to seek Him ourselves, and to hunger for Him, but when we are in circumstances that are just too much, He will never fail us. What an honor, to have God be a friend, a comforter who chooses to be in our lives when we feel weak.

No Worries with God

2012-08-21T17:55:00.001-07:00

What would I ever have to worry about? I was raised in a world of tangible items, but now live in an unseen world of Spirit. Everyone is raised to be flooded with wrong values: the values of man. However, once one's spiritual eyes are opened, what is there to worry about? If one could truly say they are living in Spirit (which provides an eternal life), would the values and items of this dimension mean anything? Aren't the things of this world and the Spirit contrary? Isn't this dimension just a temporary breathe, and God's Kingdom (which lives inside of us) an everlasting peace? If my car fails, am I distraught? If all my processions are stolen, would I seek revenge? If the only women I loved turned her face from me, would I continue to be heartbroken, or want to seek another? Would I want to be fulfilled in worldly ways? No..

If I am truly living in the Spirit, nothing of the world holds any value to my life. If I am truly living in the Spirit, I understand that my life is an eternal one; while everything I see and touch in this body are nothing. If I am truly living in the Spirit, my peace in Spirit shall not be hindered by anything of this world, for the things of this world are nothing. Only God grants me peace, and a Godly peace goes above all that I see. He has never left my heart alone, so what would I have to worry about?

Thank you Lord, for a life only in Your Spirit, for that is all I want.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The only expression of Him in us, is Himself

2012-07-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

God is love. The love that is expressed through us via the Holy Spirit is that same love. It's God's characteristics. How much of a privilege it is to be a vessel for the characteristics of a perfect God. We can perform miracles and use spiritual gifts in the name of Jesus, but what is it worth when we aren't loving as God loves us? What is any work worth if the intimacy of God isn't moving through us? When we are intimate with the Holy Spirit, there is a natural overflow of spiritual gifts that changes lives, that expand His kingdom, keeps us closer to Him, and sustains joy. His love never fails, so why would we hold onto anything else? Live in the Holy Spirit constantly, so righteousness isn't a burden, and the love of God overflows with joy.

1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,t but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Life as the Spirit Says

2012-06-29T20:25:00.001-07:00

A lot of things are not right with the church in the US. One thing I noticed, for some; the approach that's taken when teaching the word of God has become more of a procedure as opposed to a lifestyle. Since when did Religion and Spirituality become so different? When in history, did religion start to be defined as purely ritual? When did some of the church adapt this ritual? How can the supernatural power of God, something we cannot fully fathom with our human minds, be labeled and limited into a man-made manual? Why has this manual emphasized 'things to do' and not 'a Christ-centered lifestyle' ? There's a difference between bullet points, and a way of life.

One of many inspirations for this write is the book of Acts. At Pentecost, Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit. They received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, performed miracles - the whole deal. Immediately, you see interaction in a highly spiritual sense. The presence of God was activated inside them. The Spirit overflowed and they did many works by the power of God. The book of Acts paints a picture of truly living in the Spirit. The disciples followed and listened to the Spirit. Numerous times, it's said by the disciples : "The spirit lead me", or The Spirit told me to", or "The Spirit is saying".. They're listening to the Holy Spirit, they're in communication with the Holy Spirit, they follow the Holy Spirit without hesitation, and they enjoy Him. When it says: The Kingdom of God is in you, that's the Holy Spirit. His ineffable joy is released through the Holy Spirit. God's will is released through the Holy Spirit. Someone may be called to go here, or do this, or talk to this person, etc - it's all for a bigger purpose. And all the time the church is being multiplied rapidly. They are playing a part in God's plan.

What would happen, if we transferred our motives to living in His spirit, so that we may play a part in His plan? I look at "Christian's", then I imagine God longing for them to choose to experience Him more. Yes, He could just sweep down and turn everyone to Him like He did with Saul, but all things happen in His timing.

There is nothing wrong, with asking for the Holy Spirit. There is nothing wrong with stirring up the Holy Spirit, wanting Him, enjoying His presence. God, wants just that. He wants you to experience Him. He wants to pour out joy in you. He wants you to experience His love, and transform you.

The Holy Spirit is our guide, our teacher. It is how we live life. If anything, it could be described as a very spiritual sensation. Does that sound like it can be done by you? Does it sound like it can be limited, boxed in, written down, distributed, mass-produced? The only way it's mass-produced is through the bible, and those very words are holy and God-breathed. No man can take the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and put it in procedure form for people to do, so that they can get into heaven. Because when heaven is thought of as something you have to earn, then something's not right in that thought process. This is one way how Christianity is misrepresented.

But I loved reading Acts. I loved hearing the disciples say: "The Spirit told me", I loved to watch them go places because God told them to. In fact, at one point one of the disciples was transported to another location. The Holy Spirit is the way we communicate with God. It's through that communication that our bond with Him is strengthened, and naturally, His power will be portrayed in us. The Holy Spirit is the one who changes us, influences us, loves us, brings us closer to Him. The only thing that separates us from something so amazing, is us.

It breaks my heart when I do it; when I separate myself from God. God can bless me with His presence, and then I turn around, and do something for the world. God can bless me, with arms wide open, and I walk away, to the world.
And I never understand why, He keeps taking me back home. His Spirit is the only true satisfaction. Nothing compares to His presence, His grace, provision. And yet, we still, as Christians, live in the world, one way or the other. It's time for the Church to choose God in everything we do. To long for Him in all ways. For this is a way of life, not something to just think about on Sundays.

I remember one time (this is just one example) I was really feeling the Holy Spirit. I was praising Him, I was in prayer, the flow was so sweet - it was like a stream in my life. Every second and every breathe, was given to God, as a sacrifice. And in return, His spirit fulfilled me, in every way. Then, some friends wanted to go to the movies. I didn't go out a lot at the time. I didn't want to disappoint my friends. I went and we watched a movie. When the movie was over, I felt empty. My mind was focused on worldly entertainment. For those 2 hours, my mind was intrigued by Hollywood art form. I don't have anything against movies - I still love movies. But the point is, is that it interfered with my flow of communication with Jesus. It was then that I realized, that sometimes the Spirit is sensitive. The Holy Spirit is not always going to be a strong presence, that dominates your lifestyle. It takes constant conditioning, so that we ourselves have to become more and more sensitive to His still , small, voice. Like in Kings, with Elijah, God's presence was described as a still small voice. Our minds can wander and drift in so many different ways. Especially, since we're raised by this world that puts so much value on everyday things. Every day, I attempt to think of something as big as my career, and say, It's nothing compared to living in the Spirit. I look at my car, all the stuff I bought saving up with hard-earned money; Lots of equipment, big computer, speakers, instruments.. At the end of the day, am I saying , it's nothing? Am I saying it's nothing compared to living in a supernatural God? a God so big and so loving, that we can't even wrap our minds around Him? His ways and thoughts are above ours - He created us - yet we have the guts, to shift our attention away from Him? Even if, we experience Him, and recognize who He is, we have the audacity to turn our faces? What really satisfies us? What really pleases us? Are we running after God concerning all parts of our life?. Or do we do it occasionally, shifting our attention away at times to enjoy temporary things. Why shift our attention away from the highest and constant love, to only fill our minds with temporary man-made things? For this whole life is temporary, an irrelevant fraction compared to the everlasting peace found in the Kingdom.

I say this because that attention shift can be harmful if it distracts the flow of the Spirit. It's all about how far we are willing to let God take us. It's all about how much we want to experience Him. How much do we long for His presence in our life? Do we offer every breathe as a sacrifice to Him? We offer our lives, does that not include the breathes we breathe? Or the time we spend? Or do we go and watch a movie, when we could be experiencing God more and more? We could be conditioning our mind to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit, to do His will. It takes a desire, a right heart, a willingness. It takes seeking, time, tears. It takes energy. And he pays it all back and more. But the most important thing; we don't only do it to seek His presence, we do it because He is God. It's His will for us to live in Him. That's why He gifted us with the Holy Spirit. He's the Helper, the guide, to live our daily lives. How far are we willing to go?

As we call upon His spirit more and more, the things that all churches tell you to do as Christians, come naturally. Or, how the bible represents a christian lifestyle comes naturally. This is how people attempt to "manualize" the life of a Christian. "Do good works, pray daily, feed the poor, clothe the naked." All these are great things, yes. But what are they when done with a wrong heart? When we let the Holy Spirit impact us and teach us, naturally, we are going to pray, we are going to do good works, we are going to feed the poor, clothe the homeless, go places we would of never thought we were going to go. When we experience God, He softens our hearts for others. He plants a supernatural compassion in us. The Holy Spirit is expressed through us. The characteristics of God, the Holy Spirit, is expressed through us. That's God, His characteristics, are being shown through us. Through the Holy Spirit, it becomes a natural overflow. It's my desire to become Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, as much as God is willing to allow, for the expansion of His kingdom.

Circus Act

2012-06-23T07:55:00.003-07:00

Sometimes this life
is like a giant circus act.

It seems that everyday
we desperately attempt
to trapeze
and swing
and dance
over our problems.

But too often
that problematic fence is too high
the snares on top caught me by the gut.

This circus act
turned into a falling act

And as I plummeted to earth
the ways of man surrounded my throat

Here I am again,
And again they ask,
Would you like to dance?

Everything's askew
so what else could I do?
I'll say yes to a twisted view view
and attempt to dance the hurt away

Or to gather up what's left of my weight
and swing away my fate

I'll make a way.

How many times do I have to say
yet again
I can take the blade on top of the fence by the hand
and twist it into my own plan
Until my hands start to bleed

This isn't the way I thought it would be.

How many earthly dances will it take
to make me see
that these dances only trap me feet
so I can't move freely

Not like this,

How many dances will it take
so that a way of freedom will be here
permanently
like cement.
No comment.

I'm left with no other alternative
No power of man can defeat an evil snare
And these dances only tangle and confuse me
into despair
My body is full of tears
and only one thing can truly prepare
me and take me
out of misery.

So I plead
For the sake of life
Have mercy Jesus
and take me even if it's by the finger
Let your spirit linger
over my body
just for a time to
to destroy this evil trigger

But Yahweh,
Does more
He took my by the heart
and planted me apart
from any snare not of God
Holding me by the essence
of all I am
and breathing life through redemption
into His realm

And lets me soar above any gate
that holds any blade
for the sharpest of shears
can't go near
The light of God when he's near
and he's always here

Every breathe and every second
is testimony of His beautiful essence
The armor of God is always upon me
on my heart guarding me
Now that's what life oughta be
I can move freely.

Clearer Communication

2012-06-02T09:31:00.001-07:00

God teaches us in interesting ways. For the past year, I've tried my hardest to understand communication with the Holy Spirit. It seems like there is always something that makes it difficult for me to hear His voice clearly. Something always seems to filter the sound waves of the Spirit, so it comes in pieces, or jumbled dice. It lead me to think that I need to dis-attach myself even more from this world. To put away childish things so they are dead in my actions, dead in life. To the point where it wouldn't matter where I ended up, as long as the Spirit was with me, I'd be okay.

That was good, but it still wasn't the main problem. It still wasn't what was stopping clear and coherent conversation with the Holy Spirit.

Turns out, Our minds can be one of the greatest barriers that hardens communication. Even if holding the right intention, our minds can still draw attention away from just "spirit talk".

Three things come to mind that seem to effectively clear the sinuses of my spirit. Of course, prayer is constant and necessary through these things.

1) Listening
Taking time to just meditate, and stir up the spirit is important. Sitting, clearing your mind, and letting the spirit consume your body seems to re-vitalize and restore healthy communication.

2) Simplicity
The simplicity part ties into with faith. Some things we just know about God. No matter what the situation, if we give it all to God, we have faith that God will answer and provide. It's simple. It's black and white. No matter what the situation, we can always go to God and say "Your concern is for my good" and leave it at that. God is all good. And even if we are confused about something, we shouldn't let our minds go into a never-ending theological discussion with God, for we know He has our lives in His plan. And seeking His clarity is enough for Him to break through and speak to us. It's harder for Him to break through and speak to us when our minds are at a fritz.
That's how it worked for me, anyway. Simple prayers were more effective than complicated port-wine discussions with God.

3) And all things
All things. Our life is to praise Him. Every action and every second is to rejoice and be thankful in the gift of His Spirit. No matter what the situation, the simple beauty of His provision is more than enough to be in thanksgiving. to pray. and rejoice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

The Cross that I carry is filled with Love, not Pain.

2012-05-16T09:06:00.001-07:00

I'm tired of hearing that the duties God has called upon you, as a follower, you may not like. I'm tired of hearing that the tribulations and hardships we may face on our journey shall remove us of His joy. His spirit is supposed to be so strong in us, that we do His will without hesitation, without holding a grudge, and we do it with joy. If we feel we are being called to do something, and then we do it grudgingly, then something is out of tune. Something needs mending. Something needs repairing. God calls us to live a peaceful life, in Him. A life filled with love, peace, and joy. He doesn't want us to worry. Because of His supernatural joy, which comes from His supernatural and unfailing love, we can endure anything.

Why do speakers have it backwards? Why do preachers speak that a life of God is not always joyful; that we may face hardships. That when we carry His cross, we may experience horrible horrible things. I say now, that these horrible horrible things are defined by the world's standards. Persecutions, beatings, and anything in-between, is of no comparison to the love and joy we feel in the Spirit. That love is what carries us beyond anything. It's a supernatural love. When we live in the Spirit, we are living on the highest realm. A realm beyond any human comprehension, and beyond any worldly pain. So the comprehension of death should be no match to the spiritual comprehension of the life in Him. The comprehension of any 'worldly' hardship is nothing compared to the love that fuels us day to day. God does not want to withhold His spirit from us. He wants us to live in Him, each day. Our bodies are nothing, without the Spirit.

Yes, God may call us to do something, which may result in some form of worldly harm, but He will always prepare us for the journey, whatever it may hold. These sufferings are for reason, not without. The beauty of it, is that these things we face are for the better of us. It's for a reason, a bigger one, that sometimes we may not understand. The Cross that I carry is filled with Love, not Pain.

Living Water

2012-04-26T19:27:00.006-07:00

One Drop of water,
Drips from a heavenly place
Graciously falling into this corrupted place

Where torment, hurt, and anguish waste
away the lives they give birth to.

Yeah, it's easy to die
when you're born into this low earth
experiencing pain from birth,
living in hurt
Not understanding your self worth;
Even to the day you die,
Never understanding true life

It hurts.

But that one drop of water
Slowly and surely rides along the atmosphere
dripping down without any fear

Planting itself in the same dirt
That sprung your pain and hurt

Trees
had to start from a seed
Barely rooting itself in the dryness of this world
to survive and maybe pop its head past the soil
and to coil
its way up to have a first breathe
of fresh air
the earths ground has been opened
the veil has been torn
and now the world is made known
to something new
and beautiful

and it grows
unashamed it gives shade
and aids to the rest of what the world creates
and removes pain
and sings a song of praise
because it put to waste
the dryness of hate

It put to waste
death

But without that drop of water
no tree can bear fruit so sweet
that even the driest of earth
begs with extreme thirst
to taste life
for the first time

Now I can understand why
They call it the living water.

Spirit On-Demand

2012-04-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

What does it take to be inspired? Inspiration comes and goes. It creeps up on you, teasing you, waiting for you to snatch it. There were too many times when I left inspiration standing alone at my doorstep. It probably drifted off to find another who was willing to put it to use.

Oh how great it would be to have inspiration-on-demand.

There is no denying that followers of God, who are being influenced by His spirit, have moments of outpouring. These are moments of natural overflow. Moments where the joy of a supernatural spirit is somehow translated into human expression. The most common I can think of is language. Often I think of how natural, effective, and powerful the spirit can be translated into human voice. God is an amazing creator. He made us as powerful beings, with beautiful ways of expression.

Do we ever notice the potential we have as humans, because of how we were made? How much more potential do we have by allowing an all-powerful spirit to be translated through us?

As an art student who is required to emit creative energy, even at times when there is no creative fuel, I can understand the frustration of not having anything to work with. However, unlike inconsistent visits of inspiration, God's spirit is consistent.. Whether we see or feel it, there is something to receive, meditate, or just know about God and how He lives in our lives.

I often wonder if there are ways to better connect the potential we have as humans to the all-powerful, everlasting spirit living inside of us. It's like finding or activating the synapses that connect our spirit to our human expression. Speaking (language) is the most popular. It's vital for communication, effective, and we do it all the time. It's almost as if language was the closest thing the spirit could grab onto. It was the most available. It was the most in-tune. There were more "synapses" connecting language and the spirit.

The second most popular I could think of is music. So beautiful, especially when combined with language (Lyrics/poetry).

Just as the spirit can profoundly influence the words we speak, or the music we sing, I believe the spirit can profoundly influence any other form of human expression. Even if the expression is not directly portraying God, there is still a spiritual fuel that sustains life No matter what task we have to perform in this world, we will always have the consistent spirit of God.

Life is the ultimate expression of His spirit. In everything we do, let the spirit of God be the sustainable fuel in our lives. The heavens are activated inside of us. Let our lives be connected with God's spirit. Let us find more "synapses" so the spirit will be translated more abundantly. Let our lives be in-tune with the spirit.

Amen.

Tender Shoot

2012-03-24T14:15:00.001-07:00

Plant me by

your holy water

So my roots

can surely grow

I know Lord

That I am only

A tender Shoot

In Your eyes

But I need you

To mend my heart

To act upon

What is right

So take my life

in your hands

Let it fit within your plan

---

But I Will be still

and I will know

That you are God

And I know that you

Will fulfill

The Desires

of my heart

Some may say

Turn away

But I will not

For I am yours.

---

Your seed

will not be broken

For your word

Has surely spoken

These growing pains

Are okay

These roots will grow

to nourish me

Take my sight

Out of mine

let me see

from Your eyes

God's Power in our Life

2012-03-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

There is no joy that compares to the joy given by the Holy Spirit. I Peter even says it is an inexpressible joy. Everyday, I try to wrap my head around the workings of God. We are so limited and small compared to someone so vast and powerful; and we are gifted with His presence, His guidance, and His joy that exceeds our expectations.

God is infinitely big. Still, something so infinite and powerful dwells inside of us.

How powerful is God that He breaks through the physics of this world with a new set of supernatural laws.

How powerful is God that people are willing to give their life as a living sacrifice, without even seeing Him.

How powerful that He controls the ways of the world with His perfect and preordained plan.

How powerful, that the concept of time does not apply to Him.

"...Though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory"

- 1 Peter 1:8

Since this world raises us with so many distractions, I believe a lot of people visualize God as just something and not the something. Even Christians, pure-heartedly walk with God, but don't explore the power God wants to use in them. His ways and thoughts are above ours, and when we are willing to work for God, anything can happen. Because we can't physically see God, we tend to put him in a box, and are only comfortable in the workings we can rationalize. But the truth is, God's way and guidance is our rationalization. Society, and all the other ways of man are not what limit our decisions. We work for a supernatural God; which means our life can be filled with supernatural events. And through His workings there are no limitations. We don't live in this realm anymore, we live according to God's realm. It is a realm that is so powerful, we are willing to give up anything in this world for. The only peace we receive as followers of Jesus comes from Him. How can we not receive and trust in Him alone when He has proven to be so powerful, true, loving, and everlasting?

Let Go and Let God

2012-03-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Since this world raises us with corruption and deceit, we constantly have to be under self-reflection. We have to be diligent in knowing God. As we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8). Our minds and actions must be influenced solely by the workings of the holy spirit. God's spirit, the one that dwells inside of us, is the only way we can truly change in this earthly world. Through the power of God's spirit, our viewpoint on life, our mindset, and actions will change. Our lives will change. There is no denying the power of God to those who have experienced Him.

Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. - 1 John 3:24

A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will put my Spirit within you. - Ezekiel 36: 26, 27.

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. - John 4:24

Therefore I remind you that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands - 2 Timothy 1:6

It is vital as spirit-filled beings to walk and live in His spirit. These verses are self-explanatory. As we discard the life we lived of this world, we have new life in His spirit. And through that spirit we abide in God. God is spirit. and He is in us. Through that same spirit is how we live our life, for the rest of our days. With joy, we should be stirring up His spirit. It's a beautiful gift from God that we have access to as supernatural beings.

As we walk with a new set of eyes, our sight is dramatically changed. We see through a Holy Spirit, and our lives are influenced 100% by that power. Through that influence comes an outpouring of love and holiness. However, there are many christians that think because we are human, we are never going to stop sinning. There are many who believe that because we are imperfect, and cannot compare to the holiness of God, that we will sin. They believe that their is forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but then what? More sin?

The truth is that because of Jesus, we are called out of darkness and into light. We are called to walk and live in a spirit of holiness. That's why He is called the Holy Spirit. We are to live as holy followers of God. We are to be holy just as He is holy. A pure and holy God, who dwells inside of us, molds us into righteous beings. And through Him being forever-faithful, there is no excuse for us to not walk with Him.

1 John expresses the reality of truly living a spirit filled life; and through that spirit-filled life there is no sin.

First, there is a test of knowing Him, and it's very clear.

1 John 2: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The connection of God and His spirit in our lives is beautiful. Since God is spirit, and His spirit is inside of us, that also means that the love of God is perfected in us? Perfected.

Secondly: We are not called to sin. We are called to be purified by Jesus. If we keep sinning, we do not abide in God.

1 John 2:15: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 3: 3-10: And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

This verse really speaks. The life we are called to live is answered by a yes or a no. When we say yes to a marvelous life with God, we are able to live in His spirit. We are to be influenced 100% by Him. We are to let Him mold us. We are to live that righteous life. If we live righteously, we abide in Him. If we do not, we are of the devil. It's black and white.

I understand that this may be presented in a very overwhelming way. A flourishing relationship with God may not be something to happen over night. It requires diligence and a true desire in your heart to receive God's spirit. Through His mercy we are forgiven. Through the sacrifice of Jesus we now have access to a beautiful spirit-filled life. When we truly are touched by His love, the least we can do is surrender all with joy. And through diligence, our time, effort, we shall receive His spirit. Again, some people may view this as an overwhelming lifestyle, but the truth is that God's spirit is overwhelming. And the overwhelming is joyous. With an overwhelming power inside of us, comes an abundant overflow of His spirit. God's spirit is so powerful, so loving, and so beautiful, that it is a very natural lifestyle for Christians. It is a very natural and joyous way to live.

1 John 5:3: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

God wants to pour His spirit and blessings upon us. He does not want to see us sin. He desperately wants to build a holy relationship with us, and to keep us there. Yes, we are human and by nature we sin, but the hope comes from Jesus Christ, and through God's power and influence of the holy spirit, we are kept holy. Praise God.

In this we rejoice.

The question is: How often are we willing to let go and let God? How often are we willing to live in His spirit? The beauty and presence of His spirit is too strong to be taken lightly. This is life. A spirit-filled one.

Man-Made Barriers

2012-03-17T16:35:00.002-07:00

The sky desperately pours out beauty and craftsmanship for our eyes. It paints a beautiful and infinite picture for us to notice. The wind scours mountain-tops for a receiving end. The trees branch out their wooden hands inviting us to their world. The earth uproots flowers so they can grow and flourish. Trees, again, start as seeds to eventually grow and bear beautiful fruit. Unfortunately, It's hard to understand [if not notice] the vastness and beauty of nature. Many things of this man-made world raise us to formulate barriers between certain things. Society raises us with values that deter us from the simple beauty of life. It deters us from our spiritual side.
.

Careers. Technology. Cars. Business. Money. Politics. Education. Even Religion. Humans have fabricated such a complex world, that it's hard to see past a system of man-made values. In fact, most people happily conform to the ways of this world and do not question anything. They are born and raised into a myriad of concepts that they do not even contemplate what it means to be human. What does it mean to be a living creature on earth? Are the ways of this world so strong to man that it's hard to detach yourself from society? Why do people so easily conform to the system of man?

The complexity of this world leads us astray from the beauty and peace available to us. We are supernatural beings. Yes, we are created with access to a spirit that goes beyond our comprehension. We are walking, living, breathing beings that are powerful. Individually we have characteristics that accent our soul. Yet, we tend to look at ourselves from a biological sense. We see flesh and organs, so we think of ourselves as a system of flesh and organs. We learn about cells and whatnot in school, so we passively accept that as a limit to who we are.

Joy for the ones who challenge the ideas of the world. Joy for the ones who have a mindset that goes beyond the ways of this world in search for the core of life on this earth. Joy to the ones who are able to connect to their inner spirit that is so powerful and true.

God desperately seeks you. Like the sky, He invites you to a world full of beauty and wisdom. Like the wind, He scours in search of ones that would be willing to say yes to spirituality. Like the trees He branches out His hands hoping you would take His.

He wants to put a new pair of eyes in you. He wants to activate your spirit, so you see not through a biological-iris, but through your supernatural heart.

The sky cries for your eyes
Silently speaks secretly
To you
What do you say?

The wind wonders when to stop
Searching all the mountain-tops
For you
Where are you?

Walk down past your friends
That branch out their wooden hands
For you
Give me your hand

Your spirit ties to outer space
The moon looks down at your earthly face
And cries
Don't you see?

And when you feel all alone
There's hope living inside every bone
of you
You're not alone

And when you feel all afraid
There's a place that takes you away
Inside
Just open up your eyes

Look around
Life sings a beautiful sound
For You
You are beautiful
You were made to live.

Psalm 19:1"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

Psalm 103:5"As for man his days are as a flower of the field, so he flourishes"

Isaiah 44:24"...I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself."