The world can push us so hard to perfection, and the measuring stick used is different depending on what family member, friend, church leader, spouse, neighbor, our own ideas, co-worker, retailer, or social media outlet is holding it. But wouldn’t we rather attain God’s version of perfection through the grace and mercy work of Him, than strive on our own to meet the world’s version of perfection? When we look to Him to perfect us in His ways, then He…
Growing up on a farm, we never raised goats, although we did have sheep for a short time when I was young. Not having raised both, it was still common knowledge that farmers separate sheep from goats. Why? There are many reasons, some of which include disease transference, dietary and feeding differences, and temperaments. Sheep are gentler animals, they leisurely graze together, and will loyally follow the one who takes care of them. Goats are rough, have a difficult disposition,…
Any believer who desires personal change can enter into, pass through and emerge from the seven significant events created with trials, tests, and lessons taught and lived through the life of Jesus. Cooperation with the direction the Spirit shows and guides each believer into is the only way change can occur. Avoid trying to change yourself based what you think needs accomplished or which way you think needs to be followed. Yield only to the Spirit, Who is responsible for…
The final progression of the commandment to “Follow Me” begins and the longing diminishes. A sense of well-being settles in and flourishes as the Christ-like nature is secured, and peace, happiness, and safety become a welcome home banquet. Service to the community of God and man becomes the lifestyle that is lived from the eternal spirit’s heart of love, compassion and mercy. This action is the authority of the believer on the earth. The heavenly kingdom now functions on the…
Ascension is the period of rising above all that was formerly known. All unusable prior things and earthly cares and concerns have been abandoned. The believer’s consciousness begins to arise, which can feel like buoyancy or weightlessness. The energy changes and the believer can begin to relax into this new realm. This period of ascension takes the believer upwards through levels, which some sojourners have described as “the result of the final level is seeing the face of God himself.”…
Resurrection for a believer is when the condition of the Word has been set free from containments or constraints. When there is total surrender and the work is complete that separates the believer from the former life and ways of doing things, the resurrection is the beginning of the transformation. Since former things are no longer a constraint for the believer, they are prepared to live a harmonious life on earth that has no limits. Each believer is made fully…
Death is where past experience meets promised future, and can create anguish, uncertainty and confusion in the life of a believer on the Spiritual Journey. Death, although distressing, becomes the medium for change from how things once worked to how they will work. As the work of the Holy Spirit progresses, each step the believer takes becomes a question of ‘my will or Thy will’. As the believer has surrendered their former self-value, self-worth, self-importance and self-identity, anything remaining in…
This is the evangelistic period when the knowledge of God is sown in the heart of the believer by the Spirit. The hearer receives the word through listening to teachings, reading scripture, books and literature. Devotions, quiet times, and prayers become part of daily living. Guard the heart and protect all that is given. Anyone desiring to only know God will be separated to a secret place to hear more than what is written in the bible or spoken in…
The first step in the spiritual journey begins with the birth. The birth, not of natural form but rather of spiritual form may begin with feeling there is something ‘more’. That nothing or no one on this earth can fill the need of a longing that can’t even really be described. Things we once enjoyed are no longer fulfilling, and an overall deep longing is the prevailing mood. There may be what is known as heartache, but it is really the…
The spiritual journey consists of seven significant events that mirror the life of Jesus. Only when these spiritual events are completed will our lives be completely transformed with a new God-like nature, prepared to fulfill the highest calling on our life. Each significant event is a process uniquely created to bring each of us out of bondage and into freedom. This pilgrimage requires a solitude and quietness that can, many times, lead to feeling isolated and helpless. But with diligence, obedience, constant…