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What does it mean to live the good life?

Micah 6:8 (AMP) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

I was in prayer the other day and was praying for the prodigals. I came across a name and the Lord spoke to me about the deception of living the good life. I asked Him, ‘what does it mean to live the good life’, and He brought back to the story of the rich young ruler.

Mark 10:17-22 (AMP) As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

When possessions or the goal of getting have us, then God does not. This man was raised in church; all he knew was how to live right. Living right is not how we gain eternal life. Being good is not the key. What do you treasure more? What in your life makes you whole? Is it Jesus? Is it something else and then add Jesus? We can live the right life and still not be surrendered.

The prodigal son loved his father and knew the love of his father, yet he still left. Think about it, he lived in the father’s house. What were his words, “give me.” His father gave him what he asked and then left; the son wasted it. He had to force himself on someone for a job, a job where the pigs ate better than him. Then he came back to his senses and realized that his father’s servants were taken better care of than how he was living at that moment. He went back willing to live as a servant, but his father restored him as son. You can read the entire account in Luke 15.

I have been reading a book by John Bevere called A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God. In this book John points out that when talking to Moses about entering the promised land that Moses did not confer with the Israelites on a certain matter.

Exodus 23:20 (AMP) Behold, I am going to send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 

Exodus 33:2-3 (AMP)  I will send an Angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Go up to a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

Exodus 33:12-15 (AMP)  Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. And consider also, that this nation is Your people.” And the Lord said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest [by bringing you and the people into the promised land].” And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

What is most important? Was it the Promised Land or His Presence? The people of Israel were willing to accept the Promised Land without His Presence. They grieved their wrongdoing, but did it change their heart? Moses came out of Egypt too. He was a prince; he had a better life than all of them. He would not trade that life for the life without His Presence. How many of our churches are happy with going about their “Christian” life without the presence of God? It is our hearts He wants, not just our belief. He is such a good God, He would never leave us nor forsake Him. Why can we not do the same to Him? The same reason the Israelites could not, they lacked the Holy reverence. Reverence means that I am no longer in charge. A surrendered life. Jesus lived that. He called us to it as well. We forget that part or we use the word “grace” to get out of it. How foolish (read the account of the virgins in Matthew 25:1-13). I want everything God has for me, and it is not about the natural stuff. I want all the promises of His Presence. That comes with peace, joy, hope and the fullness of His love. That to me is living the good life.

Adonai, Father, Lord over all, You are Mighty and Worthy of all our honor and praise. You Name is Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for Your Word, a Light that fuels the flame back to You. Take all that we have and make it Yours. We repent for just wanting what You can give us without desiring more of You in our lives. Our hearts stand in awe of You. We desire Your face, not just Your hands. You will fulfill Your purpose in our lives. We stand with arms wide open, asking for more of You in our lives. We choose a surrendered life. We choose a life of forgiveness. We choose to speak of Your Grace, Your Love and Your Mercy. We are no longer holding back from You what truly belongs to You. We give of ourselves freely. Holding nothing back. We surrender. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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True Nourishment

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Jesus came so that we may have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). In order to sustain life, their needs to be a substance we sustain on.

Substance by definition means the real matter of which a person or things consists and which has a tangible, solid presence. Food is tangible and brings nourishment to our bodies. I think that is why Jesus revealed His last “I AM” statement as Him being the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

We live in a culture that craves comfort. Thanksgiving is this week. I don’t know about you, but my family is preparing a bunch of comfort foods. These foods really are not that healthy for us to eat, but they taste so very good! Just like many of Americans, this week, will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Why? It is what we have always done.

Just like the culture of “I have been a Christian all of my life.” If we look at that statement in this perspective of reading Mark 10:17-23 (AMP) As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my youth.”

I am going to take a break right here to state that just because you have lived in a Christian nation, founded on Christian principles, does not make you a Christian. This young man had heard these words all of his life. He knew them inside and out. His concern was to make sure he “made it” into the Kingdom. If we are doing things or not doing things based on wanting to go to heaven, our mindset has become all wrong. There would have been no need for Christ.

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”  But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God]. Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who are wealthy [and cling to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of God!”

This is a story we use to say the rich are hard to win to Christ. They have no needs and do not see the great need for Christ. What if I told you it was the comfort of our flesh that keeps us from Kingdom business. This was hard for the man because he had become dependent on the comfort. It is the discomfort that real growth happens.

Which brings me to my favorite “I AM” statement. Jesus said,“I am the Vine.”

I love this analogy. I know many of you have heard a sermon on this, have even read this verse. I am going to use a statement that Jesus used “Are you listening? Really listening?” I have come to realize that people will claim they read those chapters in their youth and therefore no longer need to go back and read them. The Word of God is a living Word, the words on the pages do not change, you do. With that life perspective it can speak to you, and reach you in a different way.

As we go through this I want you to get a hold of Jesus as the Vine and what brings nourishment to us (the branches). Remember without nourishment we cannot sustain life. We are going to go back into a slumber.

John 15:1-15 (Living Bible) I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.  He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops.  He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you.  Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.

God is still in control. He is the creator and the finisher. There are seasons we are going to have to go through. The pruning part is when He is the closest to us. It is also the hardest seasons of our lives. Pruning is done in the winter months. It is making room for the Son to shine on our branches. Pruning has to be done carefully for the most fruit to grow.

The vine is where our nourishment comes from. The vine’s roots are reaching deep into the earth. Searching for the water source.  Some have to reach as far as 20 feet down for this nourishment. This is why it is vital to hold tight to the vine.

Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing.  If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned.  But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!  My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.

This is the dark truth. We can separate ourselves from Jesus.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love.  When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!  I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.  And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends;  and you are my friends if you obey me.  I no longer call you slaves, for a master doesn’t confide in his slaves; now you are my friends, proved by the fact that I have told you everything the Father told me.

There are many “I AM” statements in the New Testament. This one talks about the source of our nourishment, which is our everything. When we stop looking at Jesus as the one who saved us from hell, but the one who is my everything we will start to become focused. Jesus did so very much in His little time of ministry here on earth. He wants us to continue to do His work to establish the Kingdom. We cannot do it if we are malnourished. It was faith that He said the disciples were lacking when the manifestations and demonstrations did not happen for them. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit within us. The power has been given to us. Feed your faith, by abiding in the Vine.

I was not led to this Jesus life because I wanted to be saved from hell. I was led because of someone who had life within them. They had encountered someone who filled them with everything, not gave them everything as in tangible things that would perish, but was their everything. My true nourishment is Jesus.