The Glory of God is Man fully Alive- St. Irenaeus
Prayer- Lord, pull my thoughts together- direct my steps as I write from what is going on in my heart. In Jesus. Amen
It has been a long time since I last blogged. This is the first time since I started this blog that I have been “chewing” on what I was to say. Everything else to this point has just “flowed out of me”.
I am currently reading “Waking the Dead”- by John Eldredge with Sue and Jordan- family devotions, and just finished “Surprised by Joy” by C.S. Lewis. Also, just started “The Way of The Wild Heart”- also by Eldredge
If you have been reading this blog you are well aware of what God has been doing in and through my life. I guess you could say I am experiencing a “revival of the heart”. As I have purposed to know God in my desert trials- to diligently seek Him with all my heart- I have experienced what St. Irenaeus was talking about. For I know that God is glorified when I am living from my new heart. The one I received when Jesus entered my life 36 years ago. Now, let me clarify that this is not the first time I have experienced the life that Jesus spoke of when He promised us the abundant life. It’s just different this time around- much different! God, in His glory, power, love and grace has utilized all my trials to bring me deeper- to accept His promises with child like faith and to know them in your heart are two completely different things. To reconcile pain and love is something the human condition struggles with. It is part of the “great lie” that Satan weaves in our lives- pierces us with deep in our hearts- he sows seeds of doubt about our Heavenly Fathers love and intentions toward us.
As time goes on I am increasingly aware of the struggle for my heart. Satan has won when we are going through the motions and he moves his focus to someone else. Now that I am living from my heart as God intended- the battles are fierce. I find myself sharpening and using my sword all the time! Praise Him for it is really true that- “For our God has not given us a Spirit of fear but a Spirit of Power and of Love and of Self- Discipline.”- 2 Timothy 1:7
As you can tell, I have been a voracious reader over the last several months. As I read the Spirit has shown me a recurring theme expressed in the Gospels- His Kingdom on earth. I believe that the Kingdom Jesus speaks of here and in many other verses is in our HEARTS. It’s not just when He comes in all His glory to usher us into eternity- Eternity is just that- Eternal- it just enters us when we are given a new heart.
Matthew 6
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
” ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one
In light of my last post, I start with this thought…Jesus did not just come to pay for our sins and then high tail it back to glory! He came so that we may have life here on earth. He came to not only show us how to live.. how to walk with the Father-but to bring Heaven to earth. And for this to be made possible.. He gave us His Spirit- to take up residence where? Our Hearts! So, it makes sense- for us to come alive in the Spirit- Our new hearts must come alive! Memorizing scripture is great but our problem lies in the transfer process- from head to heart. It is our “red zone”! In football, the last 20 yards is referred to as the red zone. The fighting is fierce in this zone and championships are won or lost based on a teams offensive and defensive red zone success. It is just as true in the Spirit realm. If God’s truth- (Jesus-“For I am the Way, the Truth and the Life- no man comes to the Father but through me”- John 14:6) does not make it through the red zone to our hearts- we will never experience the abundant life Jesus promised us. The more truth has victory in our red zone- the more we will experience Heaven on Earth- this abundant life that Jesus promised us.
John 7
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38-Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” 39-By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified
John 16 13-But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14-He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15-All that belongs to the Father is mine
Colossians 1:27
27) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Where are you? Have you allowed Satan and his lies to sack Gods truth from healing your heart and bringing you fully alive? How is your red zone offense and defence. Are you diligently pushing the truth through Satan’s defences into your heart? You must realize that the battle for your heart is fierce and the intensity is great. Just as football becomes increasingly violent in the red zone, so it is true when it comes to your heart.
Matthew 11:12
12-From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
This last verse, praise the Lord, pulls it all together for us. God answered my prayer. I was a jumble in my mind and not sure how to pull it together in a coherent fashion. I felt like the kid who has so much to say that it won’t come out right. It is my prayer that the Spirit uses this to help you in your journey. He will meet you where ever you are- just come as you are! Blessings, Jon
PS. I don’t think it a coincidence that the most crucial zone to success in football is referred to as the RED ZONE. For red refers to the heart.
Deuteronomy 31
6-Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I Peter 1
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7- These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John 16
33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
BUT, TAKE HEART!
