I awoke on the 15th of February, 2012 aglow with excitement. I had just experienced the most amazing night of my 52 years on earth. Even more incredible than getting married or the birth of my three amazing children!
After-all. How often do we get to sit on the lap of God?! I had been transported to the lap of my Heavenly Father! I was in prayer and very much awake. This was not a dream but an intense time of prayer. I was aware that I was sitting on my Daddy’s lap, bringing my requests to Him- praying for all the brokenness in my family. I was also very aware that Jesus was right next to me. I was actually leaning against Him! Like the Apostle John used to do as they reclined at the dinner table.
Needless to say It was truly an amazing time! Every request I brought before my Father was received and accepted. Every part of my being was in unison with each request. There was no iota of doubt as I prayed for each and every family member. When I realized I was in the presence of God, I knew I must maximize my time. I even grabbed my cell phone and went through my contact list, making sure that I did not miss anyone. After I exhausted my prayers for everyone, my Father ever so loving and tenderly said, ” what about you my son, bring your personal requests to me too!” So, I began, and just as before, everything was received and accepted! Until I got to my last request. In my last request, I brought up His promise of me working with Tim Tebow. And immediately I felt a sense of doubt present. I quickly responded to this check in my spirit with a question. I said, “but Father, you said I would be working with Tim- you promised! ” He responded with, “let it go!”. And without a thought I said, ” ok, I trust you Father”.
Then, it was like the floodgates opened and I began to praise Him and thank Him for all His love and mercy. His faithfulness and patience with me. Such a sweet time of fellowship like I’ve never known before! Then, I immediately knew that He wanted to know my heart. Like Abraham with Isaac, My Heavenly Father wanted to make sure that He held first place in my heart. That “the promise” had not become more important than “The Promisor!” Once He knew my heart, my last request was received like all the rest….. YES!
Then I wrote this at 2:58 am – I am truly FREE! HEALED, whole DELIVERED! BY THE POWER OF GOD In CHRIST JESUS WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME! Words can’t begin to describe what has happened to me! I will spend the rest of my days trying, by Gods grace and mercy of course! :). Bathing in the pond of mercy and RUNNING IN THE STREAM OF GRACE- to SIT ON MY ABBAS LAP AND LAY MY HEAD ON MY SAVIOURS BREAST AND HERE THE SPIRIT SAY” this IS MY SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. OR AS MACK WOULD ATTEST. ” THAT JONATHAN MICHAEL, I’m VERY FOND OF HIM”. Me TOO SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD ME TOO. OF YOU! AND PAPA, WILL YOU COOK UP A BIG OLD FAT FEAST FOR YOUR SON , WHO ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW IS FOUND WAS BLIND BUT NOW HE SEES?! TO THE GLORY OF THE LAMB! Amen
Gods peace, Jonathan
“No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true” Nathaniel Hawthorne
If you have read any of my writings, you will know that God has been teaching me much about Identity. The truest intent the Creator has for His Creation.
After a great discussion at my men’s bible study today, I came across the above quote. It speaks so clearly about the poser- the image we go to great lengths to project to the world. All the while hiding our true selves behind this “mask” or false image.
It is a wearisome task, being in essence, two-faced. No body likes two faced people! But, in reality, WE ARE ALL TWO FACED TO SOME DEGREE! Some are really good at disguising it while others are not.
What causes us to live behind the poser or mask? I believe it is fear. All fear! Fear that, ” if they really knew “ME” they would run the other way. ”
Fear is developed out of past experience. We all have a “pool” of experiences that dictate our lives. We have perceptions based on experiences- I call them filters. We filter life through them. They can be good or bad filters. It depends on our environment and on the individual. You can have 5 kids living in the same house/ environment, and each of them will be affected differently. They will each filter life uniquely!
Besides our environment and individuality, there is a third component often overlooked. It is the father of lies! Many of my writings have mentioned John 10:10
John 10:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
It is vital to our Life, that we not overlook this. I call the evil one the white elephant in the room. Some acknowledge he is there but give little thought to his schemes. While most don’t even know he’s there! Then there is the small group of folks who are very aware of the father of lies! But unfortunately, they are looked at by the majority as kooks.
Prayer break – ” Father, help me pull this together. give me the words you want me to write. In Jesus name. Amen”
In a previous post, I mentioned that my truest identity is ” as someone loved by Jesus”. I take this from the gospel of John. John referred to himself as ” the disciple whom Jesus loved”. I believe that this IS OUR TRUEST IDENTITY. I think of one of my favorite hymns… “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is shifting sand, all other ground is shifting sand! ” Why was the writer redundant here? He knew he needed to make an exclamation point. If we look to anyone or anything other than Christ for our identity and value… Life will be like standing on shifting sand .. Or quick sand. Or as Mr. Hawthorne so eloquently put it in the above quote. A life of bewilderment, confused – not knowing who we really are!
In order for us to walk in our true identity and purpose, we must know where we are from… I end with this old post from September 13, 2010.
WHERE I’M FROM
http://www.secondtimothyoneseven.com/?p=73
Gods Peace, Jonathan
Psalm 34:
18 The Lord is near to those who are discouraged;
he saves those who have lost all hope.
19 Good people suffer many troubles,
but the Lord saves them from them all;
20 the Lord preserves them completely;
not one of their bones is broken.
Psalm 35:
9 Then I will be glad because of the Lord;
I will be happy because he saved me.
10 With all my heart I will say to the Lord,
“There is no one like you.
You protect the weak from the strong,
the poor from the oppressor.”
The above two passages brought much needed relief to this sojourner- let me explain…..
I must admit…. I fell into a pit .. Don’t know how I got here! Been trying to find my way out …. for days now! A pit, a fog, dazed and confused.
How do we go from the light to the darkness without even knowing it? Or how it happened. We awake one day , in the dark; our hope, joy, peace, light and faith….Gone!
Up in smoke. We grope for answers- we cry out – help! Father, how did I go from sweet fellowship to feeling so lost? Where are You?
I go to the Psalms. Yes , that’s it! David had many days like this… Even Weeks? Probably. I read…. No help ! I grope in the dark, very aware of my frailty, my humanness. I am reminded that even Jesus had moments like this. Yes! Thank you Father for that reminder.
Like Paul… I exclaim…. “Who will deliver me from this body of death?!”
I press on- reminding myself of the truth – “He will never leave nor forsake me! Yes! ”
“Build on that truth Jon ” I remind myself. The dialogue continues.
I tell my wife of my struggles. Somehow, this transparency brings some relief. A ray of light penetrates my dark spirit. Pressing on, I keep praying, keep reading the word, keep telling myself the truth.
” DON’T TRUST YOUR FEELINGS JON, YOU MUST STAND ON THE TRUTH, TRUSTING HIS WORD- HIS PROMISES!”
I awake early, 5:15. I go out to the living room … I get on my knees, feebly attempt to pray- “oh there must be relief in sight”, I say.
No- not really. Defeated.. I go back to bed. Thankfully, I fall back to sleep.
Ah! Sleep! Maybe I can sleep through this, And one day wake to find myself renewed – back in the light of His presence. Full of joy and peace again. That would be nice but unrealistic. I seem to be doing better.
A song has returned. I hum a tune of praise. This comes out of know where! I feel relief. I keep moving forward. The truth shall set me free. Yep. Truth! Not feelings. Truth is my Firm Foundation. My feelings are like shifting sand or better yet… Quick sand.
I am doing much better, but waiting for revelation. How this happened and what I can learn from it. When the counselor illuminates I will pass it on to you. Psalm 35 reminded me of the following song… One of my favorites!
Gods Peace! Jonathan
“Higher ” Lyrics [edit]
by Gungor | from the album Beautiful Things
There is no one there is no one like You- no one like you in heaven or on earth
only good things can ever come from you
even your judgment
is righteous and true
Your Name is sweeter than the rain that falls upon the face of dry and weary land and causes us to turn our face again
Your Name be praised
and be lifted higher
There is no one… With every morning there are mercies new
Your kindness
brings us back to you
Your name is stronger than the pain
it’s covering the shame of all these weary hands and causing us to turn our face again
Your Name be praised
Psalm 31:
13 I hear many enemies whispering;
terror is all round me.
They are making plans against me,
plotting to kill me.
14 But my trust is in you, O Lord;
you are my God.
15 I am always in your care;
save me from my enemies,
from those who persecute me.
16 Look on your servant with kindness; save me in your constant love.
I have often thought of David and all the time he spent literally running for his life. Here is a young man who was tending sheep. Then one day he is chosen to become the next King of Israel. Then he sets out on an errand for his dad. A simple errand turns into a major turning point in his life. He goes from Shepard boy to giant killer in a matter of moments. The boy wonder of Israel!
I liken it to a high school student who gets drafted to play a pro baseball. He has miles of potential but is green behind the ears… So to speak. Due to team injuries, he gets called on to play. This is his chance. Does he have what it takes? With no time to think, he steps on the Big Stage. The crowd, the lights, the pressure. How will he respond?
He harkens back to his freshman year in high school. New to the bigger stage, he is eager to make a good impression. He does. Time and time again he rises to the challenge. He is realizing that he has what it takes. He is gifted and blessed. Though not perfect, he is experiencing success – quietly making a name for himself on the small stage.
Re-remembering his prior high school victories helps settle him down. Calms his nerves. He reminds himself that he does have what it takes. He can do this. He thanks God for the past smaller victories and the larger ones to come. He steps to the plate, bringing his favorite old bat…. And hits a home run!
Then, for some unknown reason, he gets sent to the teams single A club. He goes from hero- an overnight success , to a young man fighting for his life. Back on the small road, Trying to make sense of it all. People are talking- voices of doubt, fear, jealousy. He does not know who to trust. He feels so alone. Bewildered and feeling forsaken, he struggles with his new lot in life. He tells God how he feels- letting it all out! All his doubts, fears, frustrations and sorrows. But, thankfully, he always chooses to submit to His sovereign God. Trusting Him with his life. Remembering that He is good and great. Telling himself the truth!
Back to David….. Do you think all the enemies he refers to are physical in nature? Real live people? I don’t think so. Just like us, he faced both physical and spiritual enemies. I believe that David was very aware of all the spiritual forces seeking to take him out. To render his life ineffective! Satan spends extra time and resources on those who have a heart after God. He knows that the Glory of God is Man Fully Alive!
So, he goes to great lengths, trying to “take out” the man or woman who’s heart is after God. I know from personal experience – the closer I get, the more alive I become to Christ in me…. The greater the battle- and fiercer the opposition. I am reminded of John 10:10
John 10:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
If you are seeking God with all your heart… You must be ready for the thief and his purposes. His greatest opposition is OUR FAITH! So, his goal and mission is to STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY OUR FAITH.
I close with this promise and reminder from Jesus.
John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
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.”
TAKE HEART! Jonathan
OUR LEGACY
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith he still speaks….. Even though he is dead! This, my friend, is a legacy that lives on….. Our Faith. Yes, our faith is a living thing! It can pass from one generation to the next. On and on it goes. Passing from life to life! Is there any greater legacy to leave than our faith ? I think not! I am reminded of this passage in Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:5-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
The world is striving to gain the most temporal things – You have probably heard this saying ….” he who has the most toys wins!”. Because it is so easy to get caught up in the ways of the world- being of the world, I think it very important for the true follower of Jesus to be reminded of what will truly last…… OUR FAITH!
And that we make sure our lives focus on things eternal, I close with Romans 12
OUR LEGACY- OUR FAITH ACTED OUT IN LOVE!
Romans 12
New Living Translation (NLT)
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”[g]
says the LORD.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
And always remember this truth as you live out your faith- the perfecting of your faith is Gods business- He will do it!
Philippians 1:6
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Gods Peace, Jonathan
