So the whole goal and focus of this new year for us has been to empty our selves of our flesh, to make room for the Holy Spirit to reign. We first had to lay a foundation of understanding... of the gospel, our salvation through grace and not works and the reality of our identity in Christ. As we have traveled through Romans we have layed this foundation and are now ready to up root that flesh and self that keep us from fullness in Christ. We learned Wednesday night that the first step in that up-rooting is the removal of PRIDE...that "God oppose the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6. We had to "settle this truth once and for all: It is the nearness of God that produces our good.Ps.73:28. Christianity was never designed by God to be sustained by nice people trying to appear good. We're not that good. We're not that clever. And we're not that nice. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SUSTAIN TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST. It is nearness to Him in all things that produces our spiritual fruit....Therefore, the strength of our walk does not originate from within our selves; rather it comes from our relationship with Christ. Our virtue, if it can be defined as such, is that we have learned to prioritize seeking God and developing our oneness with Him.""And I Will be Found by You"- Francis Frangipane.
We learned that the most holy and powerful voice that ever spoke called himself "meek and lowly in heart" Matt.11:29. We learned that Jesus didn't condemn sinners he condemned hypocrites... people who excuse their own inner sin while condemning the sin of others. We learned that sanctification "uprooting flesh" doesn't start with rules, but with the forsaking of pride. That purity begins with our determined refusal to hide from the condition of our hearts. Out of self-discovery comes forth humility, and in meekness true holiness grows. We learned that "we will never become holy by criticizing others; nor is anyone brought nearer to God through finding fault! That we are only permitted to judge if we are willing to honestly say, like Christ, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." That "In the kingdom of God, unless you are first committed to die for people, you are not permitted to judge them" (excerpts from "Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God"- Francis Frangipane.
Lastly, we looked at Leviticus 26: 19-20 "I will break down you stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not produce its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit." When we are proud the sky above us is like iron, there is a barrier between us and God, our prayers bounce of the ceiling so to speak and we aren't able to receive any of the Lord's presence and blessings. Our efforts to live for Christ or produce spiritual fruit are in vain because we won't receive nearness to God, our only means of producing spiritual fruit.
I read this scripture in Leviticus when I was 16 while reading a book by Beth Moore. Each chapter of her book addressed some sort of issue and when I got to this particular chapter it was labeled "Pride". I nearly skipped over it because I thought I didn't need to hear about it!lol Well needless to say I was totally infected with the hideous sin of Pride and it was ruining my walk with Christ and my whole life! After I realized that I had the same sin Satan had when he was cast out of heaven and the sin of the Pharisees who killed Jesus I was completely broken and filled with guilt and shame. I remember I had the radio on and right at my lowest moment the song "King of Glory" came on by Third Day and I heard the line "My conscience a reminder of forgiveness that I need, Who is this King of Glory that offers it to me?" as the song continued I felt for the first time God's grace and mercy and I woke up that next morning a changed girl. I remember for the next few Sundays at church I cried through the whole worship service because I was completely humbled that this King of Glory would offer me forgiveness and endless love. That is when my true walk with Christ began and the transformation really took place in my life. Because of my pride I couldn't even get off the starting block and I bore no spiritual fruit until i realized it. I still struggle with pride sometimes but when i feel it rearing it's ugly head, I drop to my knees and humble myself before my loving Father, in His presence I am restored into my true position, his helpless child ever in need of his grace and love.
Sorry that was so long but this topic is very personal to me. ;)
And now for our feature of the week Miss Autumn Gage
Autumn is one of our younger girls, she is in 6th grade and is home schooled along with her 4 brothers and sisters. She is very quiet in class but anyone who truly knows her gets to see her wild side! She is very attentive and impresses me with her ability to stay engaged, being so young. She has selected Isaiah 40: 30-31 for her scripture....
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Great passage Autumn! Thank you for finding that for us! Love you too much!
