Jesus did the ‘low-level’ stuff so we could have all the fun…

Jesus Christ was the Son of God and performed some pretty outstanding miracles, signs and wonders (water into wine, walk on water, heal the sick-lame-blind-deaf, read the thoughts of men’s hearts, raised the dead and raised from the dead, transfigured, etc).  All awesome supernatural stuff.  We think of this dazzling line-up of accomplishments as being the ultimate of spiritual Heavenly activity here on earth.  It’s the big stuff that books have been written about, that have elicited daydreams, motivated intercessions, inspired pilgrimages and church starts and compelled men to sacrifice their lives for nearly two thousand years.  And we aspire to this level of activity in our day, even if it’s only in theological agreement and believe that it’s only for a special few.

But Jesus says this spectacular line-up of miracles, signs and wonders is all low-level stuff… just entry-level works.  You say, “What?”   Well, sure!   Jesus made that clear when He gave us our blueprint mandate as He prophesied that we would do “even greater works” than His power-packed line-up (see Jn 14:12).  In other words, Jesus was the first ‘jumper’ to clear the low-level bar.  He got things started so we’d know what was possible… hoping we’d be inspired to take it higher from there… by the Grace of God, of course.  He got things started by doing a few ‘first fruits’, knowing that He was “the first born among many” who were going to follow along behind (see Rms 8:29).  And He knew Apostle Paul and others would give us further instructions that His disciples hadn’t even read yet.  All this was going to make it possible for us to surpass all of our predecessors… even surpass Jesus.

And just so we don’t choke in disbelief over this ‘bigger-stuff-than-Jesus’, remember Jesus said, “If I tell you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you Heavenly things?” (see Jn 3:12)  And later He said, “I have many things to tell you that you cannot bear.” (see Jn 16:12)  So there really ARE things that Jesus never talked about or did… and He says, “These Heavenly things are your inheritance. Yes, I’m letting you guys have the fun… you get to do the greater stuff!!”

Folks, Heaven eagerly waits for those who will, by Grace, reach into the Heavenlies for their inheritance.  Jesus has given us permission to surpass Him in everything He did on earth.  Yes, to surpass Him.  This is our Promised Land, our destiny, our inheritance.

— MLH

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Angelic Interactions

Accessing Heaven’s resources and provision has led me to explore our interactions with angels.  Angels are another one of Heaven’s assets and resources available for us saints.  “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” — Heb 1:14    That’s you and me… we are those who inherit salvation.  Angels are sent to minister TO us and FOR us.  So I want to get better at recognizing, interacting and affirming their activities in my life.

There isn’t much teaching in the Bible about interacting with angels.  Mostly we get to see how it’s done.  But in Rev 19:10 John falls down to worship one, and the angel says, “Don’t worship me for I too am a fellow servant…”   So it’s clear, we’re not to worship angels.  And we know they are not God.   But did you notice that the angel said that he was a “fellow servant”?  I believe this is a ‘key’ for interacting with angels.

Consider: You and I are fellow servants of Jesus… just like the angel said that he and John were fellow servants.  Ok, do you and I ever commend one another?  Do you and I ever bless, praise or thank one another?  Do you and I ever exhort or even ‘charge’ one another to ‘go for God’ in some exploit?  Of course the answer is, “Yes”.  And in all of these activities we’re not worshiping each other, because we know that each is not God: GOD is God.

So using that as a template, I’ve experimented with blessing angelic activities around me and those they conduct for me, etc.  I’ve even blessed them with my affirmation, to fulfill all of my Father’s desires in Heaven and on the earth.  They know what Father wants, and I’m adding my “Amen” to Father’s will.

Now, I’m cautious… even resistant, to assert my own feelings, wishes or desires on the angels.  I think we could get into trouble there.  But to applaud and ‘commission’ them to fulfill my Father’s will is very safe… AND it adds my support and agreement to the Heavenly ‘mix’.  Of course, I never want to compromise God’s (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) preeminent place.  All of the other beings in Heaven are subservient to God and it’s important that I must see them as such.

For more reference, do a concordance search on angels and study the interactions with angels.   Look at Gideon (Judg 6) and Manoa’s (Judg 13) interactions and many others.  Even though there isn’t much Scripture to INSTRUCT us how to interact, I believe that we can OBSERVE Scriptural interactions thus learn to avail ourselves to another dimension of Heaven’s resources for the Saints.

Excerpt from SP book… Childlike obedience tested

It seems that every place we look we’re being invited and pressed into a new paradigm. And to top it off, life’s difficult issues and faltering national economics are actually helping us to reckon with these matters.

What we’re getting down to here is the discovery of our basic need for and dependence upon hearing the now voice of God.  And further, we’re addressing our fundamental commitment to obedience, regardless of whether it makes sense to our reason and intellect.  Our ability to be childlike is being tested at this very point.

— MLH

If good works can’t make a sinner righteous, can ‘bad’ works make a saint unrighteous?

This question rattles the very core of our belief system.  Our religious response to the first part is solid and automatic (we’ve preached it hard and heavy), but because of our culture, experience and emotions we may feel unable or unsure as to how to answer the latter part. But it boils down to this: If we couldn’t get good enough to even COME to God, how could do we ever think that our goodness could KEEP us in God?  So the short version of this great news is: Our righteous status with God is not based on our merit… it’s on Jesus merit… His righteousness alone.

Scripture goes so far as to say that “we ARE the righteousness of God in Christ” (see II Cor 5:21).  I wonder if my head and heart really heard this astounding news… my righteousness is the same as God’s.  It’s not something that we can ever earn.  It’s called the “righteousness of God” because Jesus is the One who kept the law and He gave us His righteousness.  This is so liberating, so easy and so light!

Let’s see how Grace is afforded to us.

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, (Rms 5:1, 2)

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  ¹⁸ Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  ²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  ²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rms 5:17-21)

Did you notice that we have been declared righteous?  We didn’t get just a little bit of righteousness… that we could somehow lose if we aren’t very careful.  And we didn’t get just a little bit more righteous.   Rather, in the same manner that a judge gives the verdict and declares a person innocent, so God has declared us righteous based on Jesus’ obedience and merit alone.  My mind has trouble with this (because I’ve been so sin and law conscious) but now I believe that God’s heart is so good… even better than I now know, so I choose to let my heart feast on this finest of fare.

This is the crux of the message of Grace.  It’s obviously not a license to sin (see Rms 6:1); rather, the Grace message gives permission to take a radical leap into the incomparable love of God.  This liberating revelation will propel us into the glorious adventure of becoming kings on this earth. No more insecure ‘beggar type’ Christians hoping to not make God mad at us… and hoping to extract another morsel from Him.  No way!  Now we’re confidently exploring the expanses of His love and the stunning destiny awaiting us.

So take a ride on the ‘wild side’… just take God at His Word.  He’s never lied before and this is what He says, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed… even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.” (see Rms 3:21-22).  If you in Christ, you ARE righteous!

More on this topic: Rms 10:3, Phil 3:9, Rms 5:17, Eph 2:8

— MLH

Excerpt from SP book… God is the Big G — Giver God

God is the Big G—the Giver God who loves to provide for us. It’s His nature! It was never His intention for the sons of God to be relegated to mundane, life-sapping tasks in this life. But sadly, we’ve picked up some doctrines of demons about God’s love and His ways with humankind. We’ve believed that He’s hard, distant, and not that interested in the details of our personal lives. (excerpt from Supernatural Provision book)

Quote – What perspective do we live from?

Want to discover whether we really see, think and live FROM Heaven… or FROM earth??? Listen to ourselves pray the next time.

Quote – True Fathering is…

True fathering isn’t a position, it’s a passion… it’s not fulfilling a mandated job description, it’s giving expression to an organic compelling desire from within.

Quote – A Promise Elevates every Circumstance

Encouraging word about supernatural provision from Graham Cooke
from CD ‘Thinking With God’ – track #3 – ‘A Promise Elevates Every Circumstance’

“My child never underestimate My desire to see you prosper. The whole point of Me putting you into Jesus is so that you would always be in a position to receive from Me. When you concentrate on who Jesus is for you, the Holy Spirit can bring power and truth to bear in your situation. It means everything to Me to have you in Christ. All the resources of Heaven are connected to your identity in the Beloved. This is where your favor combines with My Presence.

Beloved, I have an intentional bias towards you. My Spirit teaches you to focus on that favoritism and speak it back to Me. I am training you to live each day under My smile.

I love promises. I put all my heart into each one. I am deeply intentional about you being fulfilled in all that I desire for you. My passion yearns for you to receive.

Your provision will always be contested which is why I have given you promises. They are designed to help you receive under pressure. Focus only on the promise and the conflict around your circumstances will be replaced by the joy and peace in believing.

Child, rejoicing in the promise elevates your circumstances to receive the favor that is present. Do not be tempted to consider how the promise will be realized. Instead maintain your focus on the faithfulness of the One who gave the word. Embrace the promise as a thirsty man drinks water. It is your life and health to believe My word. Your favor will increase in direct proportion to your belief in My promise. Therefore, My promise is a weapon in your hands. Take hold of it and use it against doubt and fear. To live by faith you must become preoccupied with Presence, focused on the promises and able to relax.

A promise is designed to penetrate warfare and raise your awareness of My intentions toward you. It puts your eyes on Me and it releases your heart to praise. When provision is subjected to attack, a promise is the objective of Heaven to empower you to receive under pressure. A promise always reveals my Presence. A promise encourages communion, because it releases an awareness of who I am for you. My child, all your resources are founded upon My word, therefore I say the promise is a sword in your hand. Know that My intention to be your provider is wrapped in My faithfulness toward you. Count me as faithful who promised and My trustworthiness shall be your shield. When you agree with My word all your needs will be met, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Provision is a consequence of a promise believed. A promise allows you, my beloved child, to overcome against all odds.

Understand this; the problems, difficulties and adversity are never the issue, rather knowing how to overcome is the issue. All your circumstances are a part of your growth process in Jesus. Therefore the prime focus in every situation is you learning to become Christ-like. All true growth is a consequence of abiding. Christ in you is always the expectation of glory. Resources are available for every circumstance, therefore as you explore the promise also recognize the faithfulness that comes with it, for My promise and My intention can never be separated.”

Excerpt from SP book… Striving muddies the waters

Our striving muddies the waters of receiving from Him so much that we can’t see God’s hand or hear His voice for all the cloudy waters. Can you imagine what God must feel when He sees us scampering around trying to devise another scheme to squeeze another dollar out of someone? If it weren’t so sad, it would probably be funny.  (excerpt from SP book)

Excerpt from SP book… Heaven’s realities must be our realities

But the point is that those heavenly realities are supposed to be our norm. And if that’s the case, then we must begin to live more in the heavenlies than we do here on the earth; remember that we’re seated with Christ in the heavenlies (see Eph. 2:6). We must base our realities on Heaven’s realities. If there is a conflict between our experience and God’s Word, then God’s Word is more true and more real than any or all of our earthly experiences. Bottom line, if Heaven said that it is time for harvest, then Heaven trumps earth any day of the week.