'Your marvelous words are living miracles..." Psalm 119:129-136 (TPT)

Your marvelous words are living miracles; no wonder I long to obey everything you say.

Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! 

Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.

I open my mouth and inhale the word of God

because I crave the revelation of your commands.

Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace

like you do to every one of your godly lovers.

Prepare before me a path filled with your promises,

and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me.

Rescue me from the oppression of ungodly men

so that I can keep all your precepts.

Smile on me, your loving servant.                                      

Instruct me on what is right in your eyes.

When I witness the rebellious breaking your laws,

it makes me weep uncontrollably!

Psalm 119:129-136 (TPT)

It is amazing how much the Word of God has the power to overcome anything that comes against us, even if our beliefs become a hindrance to our moving forward in relationship with Christ.  

Sometimes even our beliefs can bring us bondage, for example, we tend to hold on to old practices, doctrines, and dogmas which are about God but are not actually God Himself, these beliefs can become an idol to us if we hold on to them instead of the living God.  

We were taught by well-meaning people who were only looking out for our best interest at the time, but like “old Manna” which becomes stale and worm-ridden so these old revelations of God can become a hinderance rather than a help if not surrendered to the Lord.  We were never meant to hold on to old practices and beliefs of the past, they were meant to be fluid and relational, in the present progressive tense “line upon line, precept upon precept” not for the revelation of God to become a law unto itself.

Jesus is the true representation of the Father.

“Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things.” Colossians 1:15 (GNV)

When we recognize that these old concepts of God may be preventing us from advancing forward in Christ, we are given the opportunity to lay them at the foot of the cross, it is there we become aware that Jesus is our everything (our all in all) and that He suffered and died not just to take us to heaven, but to engage with us on a deeply personal level in this life.  He suffered to heal our brokenness no matter what that looks like whether it be physical, spiritual, social, emotional, or even theological.  He died to make us whole that we may become intimately involved with Him.  These are not just old dead concepts, but a living hope in the person of Jesus Christ.

I have met many people (like myself) who were damaged by previous Church relationships with either Pastors or laity who either spoke or acted intentionally or unintentionally in ways which brought hurt and pain into our lives, it was usually these people from a self-righteous attitude or acting out of selfish desires which caused the offense.  

It is true that we are all learners who are trying to hear the voice of the Lord, but some have held agendas which took advantage in ways which were contrary to the goal of being a learner.  It is at our greatest need that we lay down our offense at the foot of the cross and allow Jesus to bear our pain upon Himself, He took the blow (the offense) upon Himself that we might be forgiven.  

All that we have been taught and everything that we have experienced connected to this life whether it be a negative Church experience or even just life experience itself are all part of the required offering to the Lord so that He can take it and make it part of Himself.  All of our memories associated with the emotions connected to them, both good and bad are part of the offering which the Lord requires.  It is in the surrender of these soul-ties that Jesus begins to heal us and break those ties to the past.  Through trust and time, He reveals the depth of our pain that He may bring comfort and embrace us through that pain and restore us as only a loving Father could do.

Relationship with Jesus is not stagnant based on old past religious concepts, it is relevant and vital based on present relationship and interaction.  That interaction is personal and intimate touching the very heart of who we are.  We are a broken people because of sin who have come to know that we need a savior who can be more than just someone who takes us to heaven when we die, but an intimate God who knows our needs and can meet us now in the present.  

Jesus revealed that the Father’s heart is tender and loving toward us at all times. He gets angry, not at us, but when the Father is misrepresented to us. He chased out the money-changers from the temple because they were making a profit from the people’s desire to worship by offering sacrifices.  The money-changers were misrepresenting the Father and making a mockery of His love by profit-taking.  John 2:13-16 (TPT)

There have been many who have misrepresented the Father in our lives, either knowingly or unknowingly, by telling us things which were not of the Father.  Jesus has anger for this type of misrepresentation, His immediate response is to chase out the offenders and overturn their actions and scatter the fruits of their efforts on the ground.  Jesus knows when we have been offended or have been taught something which is of profit to someone else other than the Father.     

If we allow Jesus into our personal temple He begins the process of cleaning house and removing the offenders by revealing the truth, the truth of the Father’s love which cleanses and restores us back to simple Childlike faith in our relationship with Him.  Our Heavenly Father is always loving toward us and He wants to be known as such through every moment of our lives.  Like the song:

"He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us so"

Words of  'How He Loves' by John Mark McMillan

I believe that we need each other to advance in the Kingdom of God, we are the Church (Ecclesia) which needs to grow and expand.  That expansion isn’t just in numbers alone, as it is in the dynamic relationship with Jesus in His love for us.  

The key to understanding is this, we are the carriers of  the Kingdom of God because it resides within us, it only becomes external when we demonstrate the Love of the Father with others, that is where it expands exponentially and outwardly.

May the Father's love fill you to overflowing, knowing that Jesus, your great defender is always at the ready by your side to fight for you and cast out any misrepresentation of the Father's love, that He may embrace you and hold you firmly next to Himself with a heart that flows with mercy and compassion for you, and unparalleled joy for your future with Him.  In Him, we are clothed with garments of praise and joy. Romans 15:13 (TPT)

And may His peace and His presence which is beyond all understanding stand guard over your mind, thoughts, and emotions.

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett