Scripture in 2 Cor. 5, tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and all things have become new. Yes, we have become new, but this scripture says "all things" have become new with us. How is this accomplished?
Verses 18-21 in the same chapter continues the thought:
"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word (logos-living voice, decree) of reconciliation..
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Paul is writing to a church of believers in Corinth, yet he is pleading with them to become reconciled with God (verse 20). Aren't believers already reconciled with God?
The meaning of the word "reconciliation" in Greek, refers to the exchange of currency. Unlike coins are made equivalent by a rate of exchange. Although the coins may have nothing in common, they are made to relate to each other, and to equal one other.
If we use this understanding of currency exchange, we might be able to say that man's sinful and dying nature is being exchanged or made equivalent, to the holy, everlasting nature of God by the application of Christ's sacrifice. As it says above "that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
This exchange is an ongoing application of the blood of Christ, and the person of Christ to our souls. If anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creation. Jesus said to abide IN Him (Jn. 15:4). To abide means to remain, continue, to be held, kept continually, to remain as one, not to become another or different.
The importance of this reconciliation between ourselves and our Father, is that this same reconciliation that the Father desires with us, He also has desired with the world, with "all things". In that same desire, He has imparted to us a ministry of that reconciliation. We apply a "living voice, a decree" from our mouths of the reconciliation between our Father and the created world through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As we become reconciled with our Father, so does all creation - "ALL things have become new".
In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, the Apostle Paul tells the church:
"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."
This church might have expected or hoped to impact their immediate surroundings, mentioned in the above verse, but they were probably unaware that the Word of God spoken from that place affected ervery place in the world. The Word of God is Spirit. It is alive, and cannot be bound nor fettered (2 Tim. 2:9). It is not limited to the human ears of listeners, but reaches beyond to "every place".
As we speak the Word, as we sing the Word, as we pray the Word of Reconciliation, we are operating in the Ministry of Reconcilation between God and His creation. That which has been broken is repaired. Where there is a gap between God and man, we spiritually stand in it, to make the connection again:
"Those from among you shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In."
Isa. 58:12
A "breach" as described above, is something that has been broken open, broken apart, or broken in pieces, sometimes with the use of violence. The relationship between our Father and man, was broken into pieces by our own rebellion and rejection of Him. He has made a way to repair what was broken by us. We, who understand what He desires to do, can be repairers of that destruction.
Sometimes we view the destroyed spiritual condition of our nation, and we judge it, and we despair over it. But our Father has instructed us to repair it.
Moses is described as a man who stood before God in the breach between God and His people, who had turned away from Him (Psalm 106:23). In doing so, Moses prevented the judgment that the people deserved for their rebellion.
This is the ministry with which we also have been entrusted. As we have heard and read many times in 2 Chron. 7:14,
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land."
The reconciliation begins with us. We are to be newly reconciled with our Father every day. Why must it be done every day? Isn't once enough? No- the scriptures tell us that the mercies and compassions of the LORD are NEW every morning (Lam. 3:22-24). This newness means "refreshed, renewed, repaired". The renewing and repairing are available to us every new day, not just once. As we live, and walk in that reconciliation, it doesn't just affect our own lives, but it will be sounded in every place, even to the healing of our land.
Having been given this ministry of reconciliation, we must now walk in it. How sad it would be for our Father to say over our lives'
"So I sought for a man among them , that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none."
Ezek. 22:30
It is the heart of our Father to be reconciled with His creation, so much so that He paid with His own blood to do it. We cannot doubt, despite the wickedness we see, that this is His desire. We need to be reconciled to His desire, and speak forth the Word of Reconciliation.
Our Father is Reconciliation.
"A Beautiful Exchange"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-bUZj1bkoE
"We'll Stand in the Gap"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5jKnP8sKXc
"Song of Reconciliation"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzSbbldJ488
"Take Me to the King"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8TAr9jgA9A
"But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
The word "supply" used above means to fill up, cause to abound, to complete, nothing shall be wanting. The root meaning of the word refers to hollow vessels being filled, also to being covered in every part. Of the soul, it pertains to being thoroughly permeated, perfect.
The place of the provision of our Father is found in the Spirit. The source of the provision of God is His glory, which in this case can mean splendour and brightness, but also means, His opinon, His judgment, and that which is pleasing to Him. These blessings, or riches can certainly manifest in the natural circumstances of our lives, but the natural circumstances of our lives is not the source of those riches, nor is it the complete meaning of these riches.
For example, using most of the same words that He uses in the above verse, the LORD addresses a very rich church in a place called Laodicea in Rev. 3:17-18:
"Because you say, "I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing";
and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;
and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."
The natural state of this church was abundance and wealth. They thought their safety, esteem, power, and position was in their wealth. They were full of pride and arrogant. Anyone looking at the outward appearance of this church would have said that they were favored and blessed by God, because of their wealth. But the spiritual state of this church, according to the LORD, was extreme poverty and shame. The source of their wealth was not the spiritual place mentioned in the first scripture above, Phil. 4:19, but the source of their wealth was the system of this world. Outwardly blessed, but inwardly bankrupt. They would never be able to accomplish their spiritual purpose, if they remained as they were.
The gold that survives, the gold that remains, that Jesus speaks of according to Rev. 3:18, is gold that has come through the fire of refinement, a place of spiritual cleansing and strengthening. This gold can only be obtained through the LORD, through Christ. The gold that comes from Christ is not from a source that relies upon the worldly systems. The gold that Jesus speaks of has a spiritual source from His Father, and is, therefore, not subject to the eradict conditions of the world. It is from everlasting, and will not pass away. He instructs the church that this is the source upon which they must rely. Even their clothing is first to be spiritual clothing of righteousness (white garments). Our thinking must be in accord with these principles. Our dependence and source must be our Father. If we haven't sought this place in the Father's glory before, the same glory that Jesus has asked us to share with Him, we must begin to turn our hearts towards it. The days of shaking are upon us.
The United States is a very wealthy nation. But if we depend upon our nation, our jobs, our own strengths and talents, our natural inventiveness and ambition to be the source of success, wealth and provision in our lives, we will be like the church of Laodicea.
There is a commercial on television celebrating the State of New Jersey's recovery from the hurricane that caused so much damage to homes and lives. It invites people to come do commerce in the state. The song on the commercial says "We are stronger than the storm".
The source of this outward success, according to their proclamation, is their own strength. They have relied on themselves, the governments of their state and the nation, to rebuild them. In the same way, we also tend to rely on our employers and our government to be the source of our provision. Outwardly we may appear to be successful, but inwardly, we are bankrupt. The fact that we have relied first upon the world economic systems to be our provision, rather than our Father, has left us potentially poor, wretched, blind, naked and miserable, like the church of Laodicea, whether we realize it or not.
We have also judged the calling and success of other people and even other churches by their outward wealth or poverty, which may not be a true indicator of the anointing of God upon them. Many anointed servants of God have been through the place where they have only been able to depend on God for their provision. Man may have abandoned them, or come to them empty-handed. The systems of this world have been of no help. But these servants of God are blazing a trail that many of us may have to walk in the future. We will thank God for these men and women of God who will be able to lead us through in the days ahead where they have already had to travel. If our discernment of the anointing of God is influenced by the outward appearance of wealth, we will be as blind as the Laodicean church. Jesus did not judge a work by its affluence. To the church of Smyna, in Rev. 2:9, the LORD says:
"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)..."
He is teaching them that they possess the spiritual wealth that comes from relying upon the Father. This is the first place of provision and blessing.
Relying upon the world for economic provision can be undependable, at best. There are those in our nation who refer to the currency of this country as "the almighty dollar". But the dollar is not almighty. In fact, the dollar is facing one of its greatest perils. The world has been turning against the continuing use of the U.S. dollar as its "reserve currency". Reserve currency means that the other nations of the world use the dollar to buy and sell. It has been the universal method of exchange, accepted by all nations in doing business. But times have changed. In the last few years, nations are rejecting the dollar as its reserve currency, and have put in place other currencies to use in buying and selling. The International Monetary Fund is even now recommending that the dollar no longer be used as the reserve currency, and a different currency be put in place. If these events continue, the dollar could become useless against our national debt, and even become devalued here in America. The consequences would be that you would need many more dollars in order to purchase what you used to be able to purchase. Inflation would soar. The U.S. economy could suffer a blow that would be difficult, perhaps impossible to recover from.
The riches and provision of the LORD do not have their source in the dollar, or any other natural riches. The riches of the LORD start in a supernatural place in our Father's glory, immersed in the person of Christ. This is a place where our souls sink into the being of Christ and are filled to overflowing. The spiritual overflowing also manifests in the natural overflowing of all blessings in our lives. We would be making a grave mistake to believe that the source of our provision lies in anyone, or anything other than the glory of God.
Our Father is Provision.
"In You Alone"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hzKK36Ayrs
"God, I Look to You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR5IoWH9OiI
"More Precious Than Silver"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HWf8YpH-3Q
Reference Articles:
"Is the Almighty Doomed?" Time Business
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1889588,00.html
"Dollar Could Be in Danger..." Reuters
http://rt.com/usa/dollar-danger-as-world-currency-977/
As Father's Day approaches, I could tell you many things about my father. I could tell you that his name was Edward. I could tell you the date he was born, and the date he died. I could tell you funny stories, and not so funny stories about him. I could tell you some of the things that were important to him, and some of the things he enjoyed doing for fun.
When we think of Father's Day, we think of our fathers here on earth. Hopefully, we remember them with admiration for how hard they work and sacrifice to provide for, and care for, their families. Some people may have less positive memories and thoughts of their fathers. The relationship between father and child can be very difficult sometimes for both parties. Some fathers' hearts may be full of regrets. Some children's hearts may be full of hurts or disappointments. There seem to be many things that sometimes try to come between the father and child relationship. These things can also carry over into our spiritual relationship with our Father, God.
In Biblical times, as well, fatherhood was mostly associated with earthly fathers. Family histories, or geneologies, were kept of all generations of fathers, even back to the time of Abraham, and before him back to Adam. When Jesus was teaching the people, He would also talk about fathers. The people around Him declared, "Abraham is our father" (John 8:39). And proud they were of that fact. Because they were descendants of Abraham, they were a covenant people, with an inheritance from God. However, Jesus was telling them about their heavenly Father.
The people knew about God. They worshipped Him. They feared Him. But Jesus wanted to introduce them to their Father, the Father that He knew and loved so much. The Father Who loved Jesus in return. Jesus spoke of God as "My Father". Man did not know God in that manner. Even today, there are religious people who reject the truth of God as a Father to them. Religion separates us from our Father. God has always desired a father-child relationship with us, rather than a religious relationship:
Therefore the LORD said:
"Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught
by the commandment of men.
Therefore behold,
I will again to a marvelous work
Among this people..."
Isa. 29:13-14
It has always been the LORD's desire to be a Father to us, even from the beginning. Adam, from whom we all descended, is referred to not just as a creation of God, but as "the son of God", in Luke 3:38. It was man who rejected God as Father, not the other way around. The LORD says,
"I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good..."
Isa. 65:2
How sad it must be to a father, whether earthly or heavenly, to stretch out his hands to his child, a child for whom he would give his own life, and be rejected. Yet our Father promised in
Isa. 29, that regardless of our rejection of Him, He would yet do a marvelous work among us. He has provided the way for us to come back to Him as our Father. He has opened His arms, and hands to us, always waiting, always ready to receive us back into His love.
Jesus tells a story about a son, who had rejected his father's home, and his father's care, and left. The son, defeated by the harshness of life, decides to return home to his father, even if his father will only let him work as a servant. But the father's heart is revealed in Luke 15:20:
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him."
The father was thrilled to see his son coming home, and had been watching for him. Our Father in heaven is watching for us to come home also. He wants to run to us and hug and kiss us in great joy.
This Father's Day, let us not only honor our earthly fathers, but let's also use the opportunity to return to the house of our heavenly Father, who waits for us with a heart full of compassion.
The LORD is our Father.
"The Prodigal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyVlF24u5dY
"Draw Me Nearer"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZfEcIxZgI
"God is Spirit..." John 4:24
Some of the greatest accomplishments in the Kingdom of God, are not seen, nor heard of at the time, by anyone in the flesh, but are done in the realm of the Spirit.
We think that whatever we have been shown by God must require that we strive to bring it forth to crowds and audiences. Sometimes, this IS the case, but great things can be revealed to many by God's sovereign will and power, rather than our own.
The realm of the Spirit of God is filled with His character of omniscience. The dictionary definition of omniscience is: infinite awareness, understanding and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge.
From this we know that there is nothing said, done, or revealed in secret, of which our Father is not aware. He creates in Spirit, He speaks in Spirit, He reveals truth in Spirit. Let's look at an example.
Jesus had a disciple named John. As John gave witness throughout his life of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, church history tells us that several attempts were made to kill him, in order to stop his message from reaching people. These attempts upon his life were miraculously not successful. In a last attempt to keep John's eyewitness account from reaching others, John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Patmos means "my killing", and is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. At the time of John's exile, it was described as "sterile", or barren, not producing vegetation, nor inhabited by other life. It is rugged terrain and about 30 miles in circumference. John was isolated from all other humans.
We do not know how long John was on this island before he began to hear and see something in the spirit realm. He had no other communication, so it can be assumed that he spent at least part of his time, if not all of it, praying, meditating, and living in that place of communion with our omniscient, omnipresent Father.
John begins his account this way: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last..." (Revelation 1:10) With no other humans around, John supernaturally sees and hears Jesus Christ, Who begins to reveal to him things that are to occur at a future time.
In verse 11 of Revelation chapter 1, John is instructed by Jesus what he must do:
"What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches..."
As John faithfully wrote what he was shown in the Spirit, he must have wondered how anyone else would ever see the book, considering his present circumstances. The things revealed to him were of enormous importance, and he must have felt the need to tell many what the Lord was showing to him. However, being in his position of isolation and exile, his opportunities to do so were non-existent. Perhaps there were occasions when he felt he was even wasting his time writing down this extensive material, which other people may never see, but he was obedient to his instructions from Jesus.
But our Father is able, regardless of the hindrances, obstacles, or circumstances, to overcome all physical conditions, because He is Spirit. All mankind now has the opportunity to read and wonder in amazement at the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, found in scripture, faithfully reported by John on the Isle of Patmos.
Sometimes the greatest things in the Kingdom, are not accomplished by our own efforts, nor through human understanding and expectations, but by the power of God in the Spirit.
Our Father is Spirit.
"In the Spirit" - instrumental
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s52o9_2pi1U
Excerpt from "Patmos"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoN-iMIOFlY
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1
We are very familiar with this beautiful Psalm. Our Father in heaven, and His Son, Jesus, are both referred to as shepherds. When we consider this, we have a very pastoral and gentle image of a kind shepherd gently tending to the everyday needs of his sheep. And so the Father does for us continuously. Scripture says of Him:
"He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young."
Isa. 40:11
Another image of the shepherd is given in scripture. Jesus says of Himself in Jn 10:11, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."
What Jesus reveals here is part of the special nature of the shepherd, that we sometimes overlook. A shepherd not only provides food and shelter for his sheep, but he also fends off predators of the flock, even at the risk of his own life.
David, before he became king of Israel, was a shepherd in his youth. He was very familiar with the duties of a shepherd, particularly when it came to protecting the flock of his father, Jesse. David recounts to Saul the occasion when he fought both a bear, and a lion that had taken one of the lambs of his father's flock. He not only killed the two predators, but rescued the lamb right out of their mouths (1 Sam 17:34-35). David had the experience in the LORD of himself and his lamb being delivered out of the mouths of fierce beasts.
We are told in scripture of another instance involving David, and his experience as a shepherd. He had been in the territory of Carmel, with his men, before he became king. While there, he came across the flocks and herds of a rich man named Nabal. As long as David was in the territory, Nabal's shepherds were protected, and all predators were kept from the flocks by day and night. Not one animal was lost, as long as the shepherds stayed with David and his men
(1 Sam. 25:15-16).
In another instance, King David's anger was kindled as the prophet Nathan told him a tale of a poor man's only lamb being taken from him by a rich man. He even told the prophet that he would have this rich man killed for taking the lamb. Even though he was a king at this point in his life, David was moved in his shepherd's heart on behalf of this poor man and his lamb. He didn't immediately understand that the prophet was telling David about the king's own sin in taking another man's wife. When he did understand the point of the story, he was repentant for his actions (2 Sam. 12:1-5).
As for David's shepherd heart, willing to fight for his flock, the LORD said, "I have found David, the son of Jesse. a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22). David had the same heart as His heavenly Father - a shepherd's heart.
Dealing so closely with with predatory beasts, both natural and spiritual, can come at a heavy cost to shepherds. Our Father has called men and women to be the shepherds of His people, as well. Sometimes we forget the spiritual danger in being this kind of shepherd, a good shepherd. But it is these shepherds experiences with the delivering power of God that allows them success against the enemies to the flocks of God, and brings great benefit to us.
As our Father is our Shepherd, and the Shepherd of Israel, He also has this same heart for His people, His sheep. Not only does He supply all of our needs, and direct our way, but He fiercely protects us against the spiritual predators that seek to harm us. As Jesus said, He was willing to die to keep our lives.
Our Father is our Shepherd.
"The LORD is My Shepherd"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-qLa_2GPcM
"Shepherd Me, O God"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g_hROZbQV8
One of the biggest challenges in the mind of man, especially in these times in which we live, is the ability to accept that their Father in heaven loves them.
The perennial question always seems to be, "If God is really a loving God, than why.....?" You can fill in the rest of that sentence with standard comments that challenge the concept of a loving God. The voices do not question the existence of God, but they question that He loves.
In 1 John, the writer puts this issue very simply: God is love (1 John 4:8, 4:16).
Moses had a request of God. He wanted to see God's glory. The LORD hid Moses in a cleft of a rock, and passed by him, covering Moses with His hand, so Moses could see the back of the glory of God, as the LORD walked past him. As the LORD passed by Moses, He made this declaration about Himself and His name:
"The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." (Ex. 34:6-7).
The LORD went on to proclaim that, for the sake of justice, He does not clear those who continue to walk in their guilt.
When we look at this scene with Moses, where Moses' deepest desire is indulged by the LORD, we can feel the gentle love and tolerance of God towards this man. As the LORD proclaims the character of His holy name, He proclaims the quality of His love. Even His name is love.
The enemy of man's soul has always goaded man to question the love of God, especially as that love is expressed through the promises and commands of God. The enemy desires to keep us separated from the love of our Father. If he can cause you to separate yourself from the Father's love, then he becomes successful in separating you from the essence of God's being.
There is a deep expression of the love of God in Isaiah 49:14-16:
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
and my LORd has forgotten me."
The LORD answers saying,
"Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;..."
As Isaiah has written above, our Father's hands are forever pierced with our names. He carries this inscription forevermore. When He raises His hands, He sees the permanent evidence of His steadfast love for us. Yes, it was His Son, Jesus' hands that were pierced in the flesh, but Jesus only did what He saw his Father doing, and Jesus fulfilled the prophetic word of Isaiah above. We also remember that although Jesus is an individual member of the Godhead, part of His prophetic name, according to Isaiah 9:6-7, is " Mighty God, and Everlasting Father". So, Jesus cannot be separated from the being of our Father.
Our Father's love for us, and His nature of love, is expressed in His giving. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son {This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased}, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 1 John 4 tells us that the love of God is manifested toward us in that God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.
1 John 3 begins by saying "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children (sons) of God."
Jesus taught that if our earthly fathers love us enough to give us good things, how much more will our heavenly Father give to us. Love is expressed by giving. If we think we have a loving heart, as the heart of God is, yet we resent giving, we have a need to be reunited with the love of God, because the love of God is expressed in His giving.
1 John also instructs us, as Jesus did, that if we are truly a part of the love of our Father, than we must also love one another. If we are continually involved in strife and offense with others, then we must be reunited and reacquainted with the love of our Father. Our Father even expresses His love for the wicked when He says that He brings sun and rain to them as well for their benefit and provision. If we are truly acquainted with the love of our Father, then this same love must be resident in us:
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust."
Mat. 5:44-45
Having this same love in our hearts makes us His sons. This is what the earth is groaning for: the manifestation of the sons of God.
In Isaiah 59, the people are involved in the religious activity of fasting. The LORD questions the value of their fast because of the motive behind it. It is a selfish, and self-righteous motive that He exposes. He goes on to describe the kind of fast that touches the heart and purpose of God-a fast that is poured out of a character of love, giving and charity, in the same manner as the LORD. He says that it is this kind of fast that touches His heart, and brings healing and glory.
In 1 Cor. 13, the Apostle Paul said that no matter how spiritually gifted we are, no matter how powerfully we prophesy, no matter how deep our knowledge, wisdom and understanding are of the things of God, if we are not ministering out of a fountain of our Father's love from within us, all of those spiritual gifts are without value. What a great stumbling block that must be to those who are not acquainted with the Father's love. In order to move in this supernatural love, we must know that it is there, and that our Father pours out that love everyday into our lives. It is the very fountain of life within us.
Do not doubt the love of God, nor allow the enemy to rob you of this wonderful love. Do not be so caught up in the activities of religion and this world, that we forget that every word and act of God is conceived in love.
Our Father is love.
"God's Love Letter For You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpSE3eZTCNo
"Love Has Come"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIIAf2lS_Us
"The poor and needy seek water,
but there is none.
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the LORD, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
I will plant in the wilderness
the cedar and acacia tree,
the myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert
the cypress and the pine
and the box tree together,
that they may see and know,
and consider and understand together,
that the hand of the LORD has done this.
And the Holy One of Israel has created it."
Isaiah 41:17-20
Our Father uses this beautiful natural imagery of watering and planting the desert, in order to show the power of transformation that He brings to the lives of those who desire and thirst for Him.
When we seek to know our Father, and begin to study His word, and meditate upon what we have learned of Him, we begin to desire to reflect His nature, His character.
Jesus proclaims in a loud voice that if anyone thirsts, let him come to Him and drink (John 7:37). He also tells the woman at the well:
"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
There is a transformation in the life of a human being from having a relationship with our Father, and with His Son, Jesus. This transformation not only occurs in us, but in all of the circumstances pertaining to our lives.
The Apostle Paul explains that we become a new creature, a new creation through our relationship with Christ. We cannot help but be changed:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17
Our Father has told us that He has made great and precious promises by which we become partakers of His divine nature! (2 Peter 1:4). He created us in His image, and His plans for us have never changed. By His transforming power, we begin to walk in His likeness and being.
The prophet Isaiah again says of God:
"Do not remember the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert...
Because I give waters in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My people, My chosen.
This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise."
Isaiah 43:18-21
The purpose of the transforming power of God is to bless and benefit His people, and to cause His people to rejoice, showing praise to God. He has always desired to fill the earth with mankind fulfilling His purpose: to inhabit His image and character.
Though we may try to change ourselves with all of our might, our success is often limited, and of short duration. But the transformation that comes from our Father, starts in our innnermost being. It is miraculous, and everlasting. Some of the changes are startling and sudden. Some of the changes begin to show slowly in our thoughts, emotions, and finally, our outward behavior. This transformation received with our commitment to the LORD, continues throughout our whole life.
Our Father delights in His transforming power, and desires for us to share in this delight.
"To Be Like You (Lord)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmITHkKGyO4
