“Choice” the greatest form of Love.  Grace is offered to all, it is only our response to the gift of God through choice that we are at all set apart.  At each threshold for growth in the Lord we are faced with that catalyst of “choice”.  Just as any child has the choice to obey a Parent’s rule, we know Father God’s expectations and consequences and may choose to obey or disobey.  Any Father who forces obedience through tyranny cannot love.  He must explain the rules, counsel wisdom and then deliver justice or reward based on a child’s choices.  No one can say that this is not what God has done.  He is Just, Righteous, Loving and Fair.  What we receive is entirely based upon our actions having fully known God’s expectations and consequences.

However God’s Love is even greater than just the extension of an option to His children.  Our natural state after the fall is one of “total depravity”, meaning because of the original sin we adopted a nature that had no love for or even fear of the Lord.  Absent God’s prevenient Grace, we at our core are “totally evil” incapable of the knowledge of God.  Jesus affirms this in John 6:44, where He says, “No one comes to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up a the last day”, and in Romans 3:10 where Paul states, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” In order to even have the option of choice the Lord had to make His grace available so that we could even comprehend His existence.  Through this prevenient grace God extended the call to salvation for all men.  Now that is love.

Salvation was offered to all  through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His shed blood.  We must choose to accept redemption in order to receives its inherent benefit.  Again the love is extended but the choice is the catalyst for receipt.

Even as Christians having made the choice to accept Saving Grace we can forgo the subsequent choice of Sanctifying Grace and remain “Baby Christians” as it were wandering in the desert.  This is where so many believers reside in the churches, powerless, immature, unholy and unprepared to do the work or face the return of the Lord for His Church.  Just as the bridesmaids with no oil in their lamps they will find themselves scurrying to acquire the necessary filling of the Spirit to count themselves ready for the Lord’s anticipated return.  They will as believers have made the choice to disobey the Lord’s direction.  Each of us has the power, authority, gifts and joy to accomplish great works for the Kingdom, but we must choose to surrender to God’s will.  We can have treasures in Heaven that when subjected to the test of Holy Fire will remain, but we have to choose to store up these treasures as Christ commands.  Why do you think that the devil has used the twisted, carnal understanding of “Choice” to represent a woman’s right to end the life of her child?  Because choice is the catalyst by which we accept the Truth, Promises, Commands, Will and Joy of the Lord.  As always the enemy seeks to corrupt everything that the Lord creates, but we can choose to withstand the attempts of the enemy by standing on the Promises of God given us in His Word, Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Praise Jesus, Amen.

http://youtu.be/Z2z1syAsHQ8  Commentary of The Love of Choice 11/16/11

May I extend my deepest apologies to those who I have offended, harangued or who have experienced my impatience.  The work I do, does not excuse me from transgression only guarantees that I will have ample opportunity to avoid or commit infraction.  Unfortunately being an earthen vessel I am frequently prone to stepping on toes, giving bloody noses or generally bruising feelings of those around me.  A buffalo runs over a lot of wildflowers in his attempt to reach the high ground.  I cannot however, go and hide my head in the sand waiting for the day of my perfection as it will not come in this life.  I have accepted the fact that He is going to continue to use me no matter how imperfect, weak, fragile or unskilled I am at this point in my walk.  All that I can do is pray that He allows me to make fewer mistakes as I go forward and that my brothers and sisters forgive me.  I am accountable to God for the wounds that I cause.  Just as I will be rewarded for the seeds that I’ve planted.  I am okay with that, I only hope that you are too.  Praise the King, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Balanced thinking often occurs sitting out on the limb or when navigating the rope bridge over the precipice.  Often I find myself not only reading the historical episodes of Lord’s Testament but actually placing myself in the sandals of the servants of God.  To imagine living as John the Baptist, surviving in a harsh environment knowing that your life’s work is to proclaim the coming of Messiah.  Having no formal training yet having a diamond constitution, resistant to all the assaults of society and religious hypocrisy.  Needing nothing but the knowledge of fulfilling God’s will for his life.  Afraid of nothing but the Lord.

Or walking in Joshua’s footsteps, the protege of Moses, having thrust upon his shoulders the establishment for the nation of Israel.  Steadfastly executing God’s strategy for the methodical cleansing of the Promised Land and religious sturdiness of a stiff-necked people.  James a humble man of Nazareth, for nearly his entire life having denied the deity of his brother Jesus’, yet becoming so bold a witness that he became the first minister to Jerusalem.  Paul, a trained Pharisee, being so richly blessed in service of himself then realizing his entire life had been a direct, sinful conflict with God.  In consequence, devoting his entire life in becoming the greatest missionary apostle that the world had ever known.  Esther, having to marry a foreign, pagan king and risk beheading to plead for the lives of her people.  Moses, being thrust into a leadership position after swearing away his worldly entitlement.  Is there one of us that can imagine he wanted to lead anyone, never mind a fickle populace on a journey of forty years in the unforgiving desert?

Not one of them thought himself superior to other believers.  None of them decided to pursue the demands of God for personal gain.  Yet every one of them was challenged by those around them in fleshly opposition.  People will always question your motivations when doing God’s work, heck we even question ourselves.  This is part and parcel in delivery of God’s message and is frankly the icy surface on which Satan finds us vulnerable.  Stepping out on the battlefield by nature comes with the dangers enemy assault, “friendly fire” or challenges of authority.  We can only pray it is at that moment when we declare plainly that we come in His name not our own.  I wish to do what I have been assigned to do for the Glory of Him who sent me.  Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else will do.  Jesus be served and praised with all my heart, mind, talent, treasure and soul.  Amen

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/let-my-people-think/listen/he-saw-he-left-he-conquered-part-1-of-2-171604.html
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/let-my-people-think/listen/he-saw-he-left-he-conquered-part-2-of-2-173775.html

(Powerful audio sermon by Ravi Zacharias)

Why Lord have you given us words, served upon corroded copper tongue, to deliver Your Perfect Word?  Why have you chosen any vessel, particularly this one, so frail, so wrought with crack and weakness, to hold even a measure of eternal refreshment?  Why have you placed a passion so pure in such a heart so wicked, that its clarion thunder causes all to take a breath and tremble?  How can it be that You would choose a man of such bankrupt history to tally any measure of Your infinite account?  You found me in the dirt, caked in rust and mud, discarded by all, forgotten in the despair of capitulation.  Only You could see a use for such a dilapidated instrument.  To this world that seeks proof for impossibility, sensory astonishment, awe through satisfaction I give you the miracle of transformation.  A man beyond consideration, used to heal the sick, raise the dead, set captives free and love even the contemptible.  A man deserving nothing, serving as herald to the Almighty.  Their is no answer like this Christ.  His love for me is all the proof any of us would ever require yet He would do the same for each man.  If you must give up, do so to such a King as Jesus who will use you for Heaven’s Glorious Purpose of Forgiveness, Love and Life.

Arguing with God about the definition of love.  Trying to see into the future without any concept of continuum.  Separating a Mother from the bond with her child.  Denying the wisdom of justice.  Pleading with a tyrannical bully.  Explaining bondage or labor to those in slavery.  Wishing secretly that a homeless man would pick himself up out of tragedy.  Telling a child he cannot question or learn.  Expecting a crop without seed, a rich man without greed or desperate people with no need.  Asking the dead for understanding.  A mess that cleans itself up.  A hungry child in satisfactory peace.  War that does not consume all in its path.  Fire with mercy and conscience.  That Almighty God would take no vengeance for the unrepentant sin of His disobedient children after consistent and repeated warning.

In His time of grace we watch and wait upon hope of His mercy.  Come soon King Jesus.

Although, we get various challenges when sharing the Word on the street, one of the most common responses is that the Bible is unbelievable because it is written by men.  Where did this disinformation originate?  Militarily speaking if I were God’s enemy, my first objective would be to discredit, destroy and separate Christians from the Word of God.  Achieving that end I would then try to limit prayer and fellowship between believers and the Lord.  At that point I would plant my own “moles”, double-agents and insurgents within the body to water down the Word and break up or undermine any effective relationships.  Does this strategy look familiar, It should because it is the one currently eating away at the foundations of the Body of Christ.  To defeat this plan we must concentrate on its tactical effectiveness and return to the Truth, trust in and regularly review the Bible.  Get back to what we did at first and learn about the Lord and His promises.  Arm ourselves with the defensive and offensive weaponry of the Lord.  The Bible is the inerrant, indisputable Word of the Lord God.  Learn it, believe it, remain in it and share it!  Be victorious in Jesus, Amen.

“I know your works, your labor your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.  And you have tested those who say there are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  “Remember therefore from where you have fallen: repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place-unless you repent.  “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolai tans, which I also hate.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and Last, who was dead, and came to life:  I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich): and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan  “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.  Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”‘  Revelation 2:2-11

Do you look away when faced with this irrefutably clear message from the Lord Jesus to the churches?  Does this apply to you or was He speaking to someone else?  Are you testing all the prophets, pastors, priests and teachers with regard to the soundness of their doctrine?  Are your ears being tickled?  Are you ready to preach the Word in and out of season.  The evidence is overwhelming, substantial and present pointing to the need for repentance and prayer in advance of the Great Day of Our Lord.  Are you prepared?  If not are you asking those who are for guidance/assistance?  If not isn’t this cause for trauma?

So tired of Christian counter-intelligence sponsored by the prince of this world and readily accepted by all those who desperately want to escape God’s judgment through other means than surrender to the Lord Jesus.  Pushers are not solely responsible for wide dispersion of narcotics throughout our society we the consumers are equally at cause.  Absent takers the marketers fail.  We have been warned of those who will pray upon despair, naivete and slothfulness, offering candy coated sin yet we go out of our way to saunter through enemy territory.  We must quit looking for the easy road, gazing upon the unrighteous with envy or listening to honey tongued false-teachers and stay on the path to life.

Lord I commend my life to your hands. Let me not stray from Your path for a moment.  Remove from me any curiosity for sin.  Let me be mindful that there will always be enticements in this world and that I must keep myself Holy as You are Holy.  Let me reside in Your Spirit and think, reside and act in congruence with Your will, in righteousness.  Save me again this day King Jesus, for without you I am surely conquered.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/er0h6xZad0k  Welcome to Awrkhakhaya video

Realized frailty and strength the nexus of contradiction.  Ferociously meek.  How can we wish to be weak when all about us requires that we “Man Up”?  Our relationship to this world is fraught with deception, folly and misdirection.  We are the people who are not afraid of the dark because we hold the Lantern of True Light.  Looking at my own silhouette upon the wall I wonder why my projection does not match up with the solid backdrop of my God inspired image?  Why am I a bit right or left of center, why is my shadow a bit unfocused, why is my image fuzzy?  I met the Lord on my knees and He carried me up the hill and told me to walk across the fettered lands with no satchel, sandals, sack or canteen.  As every screaming voice inside cried out to turn and run back down the mountain toward the comfort of the familiar and drink deeply in running waters, a quieter, stronger voice bid me “do what you have been told of the Lord”.  I break loose my feet from their cemented stance, my first footfall echoing like the racing pulse in each temple.  Repeating to myself the 23rd Psalm I capture my fear in a clenched fist and squeeze it lifeless.  The joy of the Lord is my strength, I begin to croon from frozen throat and the Lord answers my faith with a peace and fortitude not of myself, not of this world.  In the absence of power I have become victorious.  My King be praised.  Thank you Jesus, my redeemer, my refreshment, my eternal life.

 December 3, 2011—Relevant Holy Spirit update to this discernment * There are twenty two letters in the Hebrew alphabet.  There are also twenty two chapters in the book of revelation the 22nd being “Eternity”.  Summation;  22 represents a sense of urgency for Eternity.  Do you have it?

In near unanimous proportion Christians tell me that we are not only in the Last Days but that most are of the collective opinion that we are in the denouement if not finale of the Lord’s Prophetic Scripture.  Yet at the same time they openly admit that the Lord does not play the leading role in their lives nor does the gravity of their impending work weigh heavy upon their spirits.  Where is the disconnect?  This inconsistency should produce fearful respect for the impending judgment upon our horizon. 

If we as the holy priesthood, the disciples, the spirit filled Christians are unwilling to fully surrender our hearts, minds, souls, treasure and time to the Lord’s Work how then can we expect the same from Sunday Christians or a unbelieving population blinded by the world and the enemy? What is paramount in my life?  Do I follow the truth of the Holy Spirit or my own fabrication?  In the following passages in the Book of John 14:15-31, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit and clarified His expectations of those who love Him.

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

 ²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

 ²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

   ²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

   ²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, ³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

   “Come now; let us leave.

If someone were to take a investigative review of my life would they always see the Lord firmly established at my foundational center?  Do I love Him and obey His commands?  Am I seeking purity, holiness and fulfillment of God’s intention with audacity, boldness and all-consuming urgency?  What value do I place upon each flippant word, lackadaisical minute and wasted opportunity? Will I weep in shame as I present to the Lord an accounting of my last-day’s performance, will my works burst in to flame upon scrutiny?   Does my definition of space time reflect full understanding of the impending deadline?

The Holy Spirit, the only Spirit of Truth in this or any world revealed to me several months ago an answer to my recent and frequent prayer.  I asked the Lord if His return is relatively close out of my frustration on behalf of unwilling, disinterested and excuse-full Christians?  The reply He gave me puzzled me and gave me pause.  He flashed the number 22 across my mind.  I am always skeptical and fearful of anyone who attempts to put dates to what the Lord Jesus Himself would not.  I have waited until the Holy Spirit provided me some clarity on this insight.  This morning that clarity arrived and I feel it is time to share this exciting word.  Test everything as to if it is from the Spirit of God.

Twenty-Two is not a date but a number associated with the definition of individual, personal urgency regarding obedient action in our last days.  Let me explain.  If you were to realize that we had twenty two years remaining before the Lord’s return how would that effect the importance of your remaining years?  What would you do differently?  How would you revise your remaining plans/actions?  Now imagine that the Lord is returning in the year 2022.  How does this change the variables within the equation?  Now, further reduce that to twenty-two remaining months.  The picture becomes high definition and hopefully produces a queasiness of stomach, “so much in so little time”.  Now Reduce that to twenty-two weeks, twenty-two hours, twenty two minutes at which point with only time enough to collect your loved ones for loving reminder and final prayer we are shriven of all encumbrances.  There are no veils, no excuses, no window-dressing only the truth of what is most important to us, what we hold dear.  Would you spend your last moments doing the Lord’s will or your own?

Does the church truly need persecution in order to fully grasp this message?  Because it is painfully obvious that persecution of Christians is headed to our homeland, likely sooner than any of us expect.  I am asking myself what is the most effective use of my remaining time spent here for the Lord?  These are convicting questions and are meant to be so.  I pray that the answers you share with yourself in the witness of the Holy Spirit reflect positively upon your actions and if they do not that the Lord kindles an unquenchable fire within you.  May He produce an irresistible, inescapable hunger for His Word, His Will and His Works.  May sharing the Loving Good News of Jesus take its rightful position of importance in all of our lives.   Praise Jesus.

Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.  It takes diligent thought training to be ever mindful of the deception seeking to convince us that we are alone and without help or hope.  We need to practice residing in, running to, calling out for and remaining in the Holy Spirit to make these deceptive attempts ineffectual.  Strength of mind, body or spirit requires practice.  Steady review of God’s Word, prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit of God are the pillars of spiritual strength/maturity.  Just as a healthy lifestyle requires consistent physical maintenance through nutrition, exercise and right-living, so too there are common-sense procedures and practices we can undertake that lead toward a robust Christian walk.

The Lord has given me a ministry to assist with this spiritual muscle building, titled “Walk In The Spirit, (WITS), keep your wits about you”.  This simple process involves setting aside several minutes of each hour in your day to consciously remain in the the Holy Spirit.  Just as calisthenics produce muscle memory, improved circulation and endurance turning to the Holy Spirit for a short period each hour will train your mind to grow closer to the Lord.  The average person is awake for sixteen hours per day.  If we walked in the Holy Spirit for just five minutes of each hour that would produce eighty minutes per day of continuous, prayer behavior.

Through practice we can increase the minutes per hour over time to increase that Spiritual communion.  For example if over the next year I increased that time to ten minutes of each hour then I would be in the Holy Spirit for two hours and twenty minutes of each day.  How many of us remain in prayer for two hours a day?  I am willing to bet that your honest answer, just like mine would be not many.  A person never eats an entire pizza in one bite, they cut it into pieces.  It is common sense that we must first learn to run before we can run a marathon.  Training for long-distance running initially requires that we allocate a part of each day to miles on the path then slowly increase that distance and speed as our endurance and skill improve.  The same principle is applied here by teaching continual prayer through improved and increased prayerful thinking/acting over time.  Just as faith is a noun and a verb, walking in the spirit turns passive prayer into action for Christ.

I pray Lord that someone find these words intriguing if not useful in their attempts to grow in Your Holy Spirit.  Praise You for all that You are.  In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.