Think On These Things

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thesethings.

Question of the day:  What is true?  What is honest?  What is just?  What is pure?  What is lovely?  What is of good report?  Where is virtue and where is praise? 

Are we truly seeking HIM for HIS answers to these questions?  Or, are we simply presuming that we already know them? 

The older I get, the less I know.  The less I know, the more I am compelled to ask for a greater revelation of JESUS CHRIST.  The more I ask for greater revelation of JESUS CHRIST, the more of HIMSELF HE shows me.

I encourage us to know less (of our own opinions and intellectual assertions) and to ask more (for greater revelation of JESUS CHRIST that can only come by the power of HOLY SPIRIT).  In doing these things, we will simultaneously think on these things.

2009 The Year Of The Bride

I have heard many people say many things about this New Year (2009). Some accounts have agreed with other accounts, and some have not.

I do believe that GOD, in HIS Sovereignty, reveals things to us that are specifically, and only, for us at a point in time, and maybe even forever. In fact, the majority of the time when GOD speaks a Word by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, HE intends for us to chew on it a bit first before regurgitating it to others. Sadly, I am not convinced that we understand and practice this as much as we should, but I am hopeful that the LORD will have HIS Way in all things. On the other hand, HE is also faithful to give us words that are to be released for the edification of other individuals and the Body of CHRIST, in general.

The LORD, by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, did tell me something about 2009 that HE has now released me to share. "2009", saith the LORD, "is the year of MY Bride".

HE went on to tell me that 2009 is the year that the Bride of CHRIST will enter into the bridal preparation chamber in earnest. 2009 is the year when the Body of CHRIST (the Church) will begin to receive the fullness of the revelation of JESUS CHRIST as Bridegroom. She will also receive greater wisdom and revelation in her own role as HIS Body and HIS Beloved.

2009 will be a year of intimacy with the LORD. It will be a year of HIM drawing us closer to HIM by the HOLY SPIRIT, so that HE can better use us to draw others.

On the one hand, this is a time of great rejoicing, as all times in the LORD should be. But, if we are not careful to comprehend how HE moves and when HE moves we could risk expecting something out of 2009 that HE never intended to bring forth...this would lead to great disappointment, and there is no disappointment in HIM.

For those already positioned for deeper intimacy, you will experience a drawing and revelation of the LORD as HUSBAND/BRIDEGROOM as never before. I do not mean in some stale, religious form or fashion. I mean person-to-person, one-on-one a beautifully new revelation of JESUS CHRIST by the HOLY SPIRIT. This revelation will quiet your heart-cry for more of HIM.

For those who have not yet embraced the possibility of this intimate encounter, you will experience a drawing that must first reveal to you the hindrances to your entering into the secret place of the LORD. It is a new thing and we have no frame of reference for it. Therefore, any traditions, persons, places, and things that are on the throne of your heart (instead of JESUS CHRIST) will be revealed to you by the HOLY SPIRIT of THE LIVING GOD...it will be your decision to surrender to HIM.

Everything GOD does is based on unity/oneness/marriage. In this year, HE is calling us to renew our vows to HIM and enter into the fulness of the power and authority that can only result from intimate worship -- from this day forward.

How Do You Represent JESUS?

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5.18-19, KJV)

How do you represent JESUS? Are you a true Ambassador?

Do you realize and truly walk in the totality of CHRIST'S sacrifice? HIS Salvation? HE died to abolish the sin nature that we had been corrupted with. HE loves us, but HE died to kill us...self...flesh. As it is written in Romans 6.6:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

And again in Galatians 2.20:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Do you know what this means? Covenant dictates that HE gave HIS life in exchange for yours. You don't get to keep your (former) life and live HIS, too. It's one or the other. You no longer belong to you, you belong to CHRIST. Same vessel (body) -- different SPIRIT -- THE HOLY SPIRIT. Problem is, HE could not violate our will, so HE let us keep it.

Because of freewill, we have a good memory of the "old" self/sinful nature, but are no longer to be conformed to it or operate in it. JESUS commands us to renew our minds so that we can walk in the spirit in the reality and truth of the Kingdom, even though we are still confined to a body of flesh. HE basically tells us that HE'S done the hardest and most essential part, but it will be up to us to comprehend HIS completed work, believe it and walk in it. How? By the renewing of our minds using HIS Holy Word (The BIBLE) as our Textbook, and through constant fellowship of HIS HOLY SPIRIT (The TEACHER).

When a baby is born into the earth through it's mother, the mother and father have to take responsibility for teaching that infant practically everything it will eventually know and act on. For the most part, that child is a "clean slate" upon which the pictures of the parents lives (values, thoughts, behaviors, speech, etc.) will be displayed.

Not so with us who are born again. JESUS has wiped the slate clean for us spiritually and wants HIS imprint to be on our souls, but we still have the old slate of the soul (the freewill being the gate or seat of the soul) to contend with.

We have the divine challenge of repenting or changing our own minds.

We have to turn from memories to miracles.

From death to demonstrations of GOD'S power.

Once born again, the truth is that you were immediately converted into a representative of CHRIST. Until you repent or change your ways/thoughts, however, you will not believe it or act on it.


HOW DO YOU REPRESENT JESUS (THE GIFT OF GOD)?

JESUS is a gift from our Holy and Heavenly, FATHER GOD. HE is a present.

If you are born again, then you are a re-present -- a gift resulting from the Original GIFT.

As a re-present-ative, you have been given the ability by the sacrificial death of the LAMB and, by the Resurrection Power of the HOLY SPIRIT to re-present the original gift of JESUS CHRIST to others.

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There is a societal practice talked about about quite a lot during the holidays.It is called re-gifting. Whereby instead of returning a gift due to dislike or duplication, they give the gift to someone else. They give the gift again, but in a different package to a different person and without compromising the purpose and integrity of the original gift.
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The principle of re-gifting is the same (and even more important) for us as it relates to the FATHER GOD and the gift of HIS Only Begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST.

THE FATHER made it possible for each of us to receive the original GIFT, but with the Original GIFT of JESUS CHRIST came THE FATHER'S expectation that we will re-gift or re-present JESUS to others through different packaging (our unique, earthen vessels) without compromising WHO JESUS IS. As a re-present of JESUS and a re-presentative for HIM, you are empowered and equipped of the HOLY SPIRIT to share the GIFT through the unique packaging of your bodily vessel that GOD created for HIS OWN glory, pleasure and delight.

The FATHER gave birth to the Original Holy PRESENT, JESUS MESSIAH. When we confess HIM, we become re-presents (we contain the Original, but in different packaging).

Now is the time for us to re-present the gift of JESUS to the lost, dying, and desperate world around us. Whether your world is your own home, your community, your school, your family, or some other sphere of influence is not the point. The point now is, and forever shall be, that as a born again Believer, JESUS has wiped your slate absolutely clean. You have the GIFT of JESUS CHRIST living in you....now RE-PRESENT!