An Inside Job

Let heaven come.....

Deuteronomy 5:29: "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"

 Which of these - the will to carry forward what we have received or the heart - is more important to growth in conversion and leaving Babylon? Which of them is subject to the other? Is the will a self-determining agent, or does something else determine it?

There were two trees in the Garden of Evil: Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Word of God teaches that the heart or mind is the dominating center of our being.

Consider a circumstance that each of us faces, perhaps many times on any given day. If a person has before him two options, which will he choose? Unless some overriding reason exists, he will choose the one most agreeable to him, that is, to his heart, his innermost being.

What if the choice is between moral or immoral alternatives? If as the person uses phrases like "the ole sinner" It is then evident he must choose between godliness and sinful indulgence,! His object is seeking "the heart's desire". So which will he select? He will choose the latter because he prefers it, all arguments to the contrary notwithstanding.

Well Jesus taught and reinforced this very specific point. In Matthew 15:19-20 Amplified Bible 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings, and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander and irreverent speech. 20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile him.  

So what we see from the above, the heart holds the evil thoughts, that which is of disputes and has designs for murder, harm to another human being.

So again, the heart, that which we regard as our mind, will and emotions can rule and certainly have various influences affecting the course of life. 

Proverbs 4:20-23 confirms this:

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out it spring the issues of life.

This certainly is an "inside job"!

We all have habits either strong or shaky. To be strong and choosing right ways, we stay the course for the Tree of Life. If we have taken to choosing right, following in the way of Jesus our Shepherd and Savior, we are to become disciplined in the Word, and quick to follow instructions.

But if we are of the shaky attitude, the aimless, without peace and planning through God and His word, we become the "one going somewhere to happen".

The same is true of the one with strong standards from God's Word, they will follow the rules of the road, take note when roads are closed and turn around to not drown.

Yet you find those who will climb fences to get that "magnificent camera shot of the waterfalls even though, due to fire, the place is deemed dangerous to people and is fenced off even with razor wire!. For them, anything goes, and it generally will appear one day for them, that they come to the end of their weak attitude toward life. We will read of their unfortunate demise and how they were taken so quickly, yet they lived their lives in that hapless, fast moving mode of life!

If we come from two parents, raised by two parents, each will certainly show the positive affects. Growing up in America would certainly prove positive to living in a country where battles are the on- going thing like you find  in some middle eastern countries today.

So you come from two parents: male and female and within that barrier then you would have children growing up with two parents, living in chaos free zone, living in a community where children attend school, have three meals a day and expect to go to college one day!

On the other side of the spectrum: you find children raised independently.

The child or children will have behaviors that cause them to rebel since they had no instruction in TRUTH. If either parents were absent from their up-bringing and they ultimately were raised by Grandma, their outlook and attitudes would certainly be different from those who had both parents within the home. Even those children who live in foreign countries may have to grow up independently and create their own form of values.

But our values that we develop for the most part would be that we would treat others how we would desire to be treated ourselves. So in the "heart" of each person, there  is one of those two trees from the Garden of Eden.  Knowing that it is the heart that determines one's preferences, those inclinations or choice would be revealed by their will to do it!  God directed Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of good and evil. His plan was to protect, but it was also to prove of His joy for them that they followed His ways and doings in the Garden. 

I like the scripture passage from James 3:11-18 Amplified Bible 

11 Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water. 13 Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [ which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contentious (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.  

15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition ), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion ) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.  

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). It is willing  to yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits: it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering ad insincerity).  18 And the harvest of righteousness ( of conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

Yes it is certain that how we were brought up plays a big role in our lives. It all begins in the heart. And was our heart nurtured in the things that lead to life or to death?

It starts with the heart of each of us! To whom we will serve. There are two trees: one is for life and the other we were told not to eat from.

May each of us keep the unity of the Spirit through a bond of peace set by the Lord in one faith, in one baptism, and one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all things.

May we choose life, regard the Word, when spoken, is alive and active and that it has its home in our hearts. Today, may God have His way in our lives by His Holy Spirit for it is Jesus Who sits on the throne of our hearts. May we know that Word dwells in us in all richness , as we teach, admonish, and train each other in all insight, intelligence and wisdom in spiritual songs, making melody to God our Father, with grace of God in our hearts! 

May we today abide in the peace of God where there is no confusion, no waffling, no jealousy of any kind. May we know that God's word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish to where it is sent..

May we not choose rebellion, but choose oneness with God, to hold up His word and to speak clearly that we have expectancy in our hearts to never be the same. That we hold to Him and desire greatly to see His glory come in our lives.

Father, Your divine will be done on earth in us as it is in Heaven. Today we choose to totally lean on YOU and learn of YOUR wisdom, drawing on Your strength and filled with Your quietness……that is bringing the Results we believe for us who believe together in unity and harmony. May this bless YOU and bring beautiful music, a lovely sound to YOUR hearing Father. Amen and amen.........let heaven come......

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Laughing Our Way Through Purpose: Producing Excellence

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In Order With God: Being Established

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What Depth the Darkness

Matthew 6:22-23
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
NKJV

Isaiah 5:20-21

0 Woe to those who call evil good 

and good evil,

who put darkness for light 

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet 

and sweet for bitter. 

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes 

and clever in their own sight. 

NIV

Anyone have a nightlight in their home? We find one important when our grand-child comes for a visit. Although she knows we are just across the hall from her, yet that light is important to her.

In understanding that the eye is the lamp of the body, our eye is to be good and our whole body is to be filled with light. 

I think in respect to that "measure of faith"........that God gave us. But where is the dial located on our faith meter? If I turn my flashlight towards my husband's eyes, he will not have more light in him, just a lot of flashing circles of  light as he closes his eyes quickly. Or someone taking your picture with the flash on a camera does not fill our body with light.

When Jesus came, there was those calling what He did as evil. I wonder where they reside today, for surely they went somewhere after death, did they not? 

So what depth of darkness is there?

In the Amplified Bible, Matthew 6:23 says this: But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!

In regard to the movies being viewed today, I heard that all of the top rated movies had box office hits of multi-millions of dollars and every one of them was rated-R! So if one is saved by the Blood of Jesus and viewed that movie.........how much light remained in them?

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 

NKJV

Spending time in the light will cause us to change some things and get some things out of here, right?

Well, consider this: it is a beautiful sunny day and temps are in the mid 60's..........you open the patio door, and alas as you step away from the glass door, you see dust on the T.V. stand, on the table top, and even the glass is noticeably dirty with dog paw prints and little child finger marks.

What shows up when God's light shines in us? What might be found that should not be there?

Ephesians 5:6-14

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 

8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 

9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 

12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 

13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 

14 For this reason it says, 

"Awake, sleeper, 

And arise from the dead, 

And Christ will shine on you." 

NASU

From the above, we are not to be deceived with empty words. Empty words are those of confusion, no life and come from the world that just talks, and talks and talks. There is no vision, no walk to walk with it, except into more confusion, and more darkness. For when we stay with the Light of God and His Word, we have the fruit of Light that is in all goodness and truth. It is a daily walking of learning to please the Lord. It is not participating in that which is unfruitful deeds of the darkness, but His light is exposing them. In all that we seek into more Light, He reveals even that which is still in darkness. We are to awake, arise from sleep..........and Christ will shine on us!

1 John 2:8-14

8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 

9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 

10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 

11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. 

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

NASU

Three different levels are mentioned: The father's, those who have a walk with God and are the spiritual fathers to many. The young men are those who have overcome the evil one, and their walk is one of "faith". They have a great trust in the Lord. And third, this is the new "child" who has come to the Lord. They are the ones just starting their walk with Him.

Our Father wants to light our way into all that is good. It is not in confusion or in hate of another. Those who hate are so deep in darkness that they are to be led out like blind men.

We certainly keep a light for our grandchild to see in the night hours should she awake and not remember where she is at. In that respect, we as individuals and in our walk, either as the spiritual "fathers" are to keep the light on for the young ones, those as a young child coming to the Father.

As disciples of Jesus are to the Light the way for those who are in darkness to the light of day. The true Light is already Shining. He came to set captives free.

We all to come to the Lord as little children. We had to humble ourselves for the need of a Savior.

Our prayer is sent for those who are still in the dark: For we certainly are those who have a Savior. We overcome, and we are the strong, and the word of God abides in us. If we truly know that we are the forgiven, would we not want others to know?

We are to be characterized as the "fathers". They are those who have the knowledge of God. As being a father to spiritual children, we lead because we have conquered holding up the Word of truth. Any conflict that was seen was conquered. In these conquests we are truly victorious but one thing remains, as His light continues to enter in us, then we find what else remains....that needs to leave our lives for the good. We are to grow stronger in Him. We then are no longer the weaklings, but we triumph in the Lord who has enabled us to overcome.

Hebrews 11:33-34

33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 

ASV

That fruit of His light is righteousness and truth in us. In that we see our faith meter move from the good, grow to the "acceptable", to the "perfect will of God". That fruit is always in right standing with God. And it is our faith that has obtained the victory that overcomes the world.

Our faith is substance. It is seen. It is valued. Any inconsistency will be because of the lack of love in any situation. When anything is amiss or seems wrong, we must rejoice that the Holy Spirit of God is with us to point to that which does not belong in our lives and see it removed.

Having that light, like the nightlight at home, gives us the continually lighting to break into the greatest moves of God. It causes us to move into situations that seem just wrong, but God is saying go! And go now!

For there are those today who speak good as evil and evil as good. There are those who will try to give you the bitter for sweet and the sweet for bitter. We are to know the difference. And when we keep coming back to the Father of Lights of whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, we find truth, remain in truth, and move in that truth.

In closing: James 1:17 Amplified Bible

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [ the shining of} Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

The light is our eye it is to be good and fill our body. It comes from God. It is His truth. In the influence we have with others, it is His light they are to see. It is of His own will and grace, and not by our skill of any kind that people should take note of us. It is only God that they should encounter. And how is it done? It is done in and by His love.

If we turn a porch light on for a first time visitor to the house, what if we allowed people to see our light shine with the goodness of God? What if they encountered God in a new way and not in a building on a Sunday morning? What if they encountered Him in a hallway leading to the restroom?

Hey, what if they encountered God on the way to church? What if you see someone with a flat tire and could not only help but give them Jesus?

Just as His light from the sun He created certainly reveals the dust on the top of the refrigerator...........then we should be willing to allow Him to show us those areas that should be cleared away to make room for more of Him in His: comfort, love, strength, mercy, communication, truth, life, peace and joy.

May our words speak with sound that is of God and shakes the foundations of this world to remove it and see His kingdom Come. Amen!

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