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Natural or supernatural?

Galatians 4:31-5:1 (AMP) So then, believers, we [who are born again—reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free woman [the supernatural]. It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].

It is the season to start visiting family for the holidays! Thanksgiving week and most homes in America have been cooking for big gatherings of people. I started earlier in the week. Even though it looks like we may have focused on food, it is the people that matter most. I was praying about how I could honor God this year and this scripture is what He brought to my remembrance. Even if someone brings up my past, I have been set free from it. There is no defense needed.

From talking to other born again Christians, they dread family gatherings. They have even resorted to closing themselves off and only being with those within their homes. Friends, I am here to tell you that is not the answer either. I have learned that meekness takes great strength in Christ. Can you hear things about how others perceived you and not say anything to defend? Can you also not take it to heart? I think Paul gave the greatest example of that.

Galatians 1:13 (AMP) You have heard of my career and former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to hunt down and persecute the church of God extensively and [with fanatical zeal] tried [my best] to destroy it.

He did not deny who he use to be, but he did not live there. Light does not run from darkness. God does not place us in caves to dwell. He never has called us to the cave, but He will let you go there if you so desire. To me the cave is where I am still in control. I control who comes in and who goes out. I can shine the light in places that only I give permission to. That is not freedom. A cave is a natural response to keep ourselves safe. It is not Christ empowered.

How can I honor God in this season? Remember who you are in Christ and walk in it. We are not to be haughty or think we are better than others. The gospel matters more than anything else. Christ has set us free for freedoms sake and no one or nothing can make you go back into that bondage. Here is a little bit that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. Meditate on it. Do not just read the first part and take on the countenance of a victim, because we are not. Read on and become zealous for the gospel.

Philippians 1:29-30, 2:1-4 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, [and so you are] experiencing the same [kind of] conflict which you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now. Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

I can either choose to live as if still born as the slave and my natural life would be validated. I can also choose to live free, reborn from the free (supernatural), the freedom that Christ set us free.

Father, Abba, Creator, we stand in awe of You. We desire to glorify and honor You during this time. Thank You for Your Son who set us free. Thank You for the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit. We can now live supernatural and no longer bound to our past. We repent for the shame we have allowed to overtake us, and responded with living in a cave instead of the freedom You desire for us. In Your Word You call us a royal priesthood and a special people (1 Peter 2:9). We will proclaim Your wonderful gospel, that Your Son called us out of darkness and into His marvelous Light. We will no longer run from the darkness. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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I want to glow up!

Luke 11:33-36 (AMP) “No one lights a lamp and then puts it in a cellar nor under a basket [hiding the light], but [instead it is put] on the lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word]. Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. So if your whole body is illuminated, with no dark part, it will be entirely bright [with light], as when the lamp gives you light with its bright rays.”

One of my favorite people in the Bible to read about is Moses. I especially liked how he enjoyed being in the presence of God. Reading Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy you can see that he not only spent time with God for wisdom, but he genuinely enjoyed the companionship. Moses spent so much time with Him that the glory of the Lord transferred to an outward glow shining from Moses’ face. My heart’s desire is to carry that same glory with me where ever I go. That is why I loved reading the above verses yesterday.

The eye is a lamp to our bodies. Often times people will use this verse to condemn others for what they watch for entertainment, but they did not have movies or television sitcoms back then. They did have people. They did have relationships. They did have lives to maintain. Sometimes our eyes will even deceive us when we do not see the progress during the process of growth. I like how the Amplified tells us “when I our eye is clear”, that is “spiritually perceptive” and “focused on God”. It is when we take our focus off of God that we become spiritually blind and our bodies full of darkness, it even says we are “devoid of God’s word”.

How can my whole being radiate the light of glory of God? 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP), “ And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.” What will it take for us to have a fervent spirit? He is the one who sets me on fire! When I spend time, like Moses did, to see His face. It all has to do with our focus. When can read our Bibles and still not be focused.

Focus eliminates distractions. We will never be able to fulfill our eternal purpose if we allow temporary circumstances to distract our focus. Remain focused on the Kingdom. Do not allow weariness to become a false prophet in your life. Weariness will try to get you to accept that is okay to give up. You cannot rest from God, because He is rest.

Why do you think Joshua said in Joshua 24:15 (AMP), “If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve”? Sight, your eye being a lamp to your body. You have to choose this focus, your natural self is not going to want to do it.

Hebrews 12:2 (AMP) Looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

What has been the desire of your heart? This is why I call this blog “Desiring for More.” Just like Moses, I desire a face to face relationship with God. When we draw our eyes on Him then our whole bodies cannot help but illuminate with His light! Let’s have a glow up party!!