Total Transformation

This is Gods provision of strength for us. He has made a way for a renewed mind, and brand new heart and quickened body.  The cross is where Christ made this possible. The nails went through his hands to sanctify our works; the nails went through his feet to give us a new and living way. The spear went through his side to purge our heart and re-gene us with his heart. The crown of thorns, pierces though, and gives us his mind and his divine thinking. Let’s yield to him and put on the new man and live in a grace identity. We are EVERYTHING that Christ says we are and NOTHING the devil says we are. 

Waiting and working by Andrew Murray 1901

Empowered by Love

1)      It is only as God works for me, and in me, that I can work for Him.

2)      All His work for me is through His life in me.

3)      He will most surely work, as I wait on Him.

4)      All His working for me and my waiting on Him has but one aim – To fit me for His work of saving men.

We love others into transformation without any expectation to change. Jude 1.22 "And some having compassion making an impact".

Are you too strong?

In every age strength has been the quest. Strength to achieve and conqueror. The ability to be self-sufficient and capable with out any assistance needed. The modern man struts his "stuff" to be admired and followed by those who envy and want the same power. Gods way is different - totally. He glories not in the strength of man but his weakness. He works when we see our need for him and we can do nothing of ourselves, In Ps 102:23 - " He weakens our strength in the way". Sickness, pain and trouble cause us to enter a powerful realm called "weakness", were HIS strength is made perfect in 2 Cor 12:9. Divine strength comes though human need, and dependency on Christ is born. If we are too powerful, God waits, for He is no longer needed . He holds the universe, as we boast in our own plans, what a paradox!. God is faithful to slow us down so that we discover His ability. He refreshes when our strength fails; rejoice in your weakness for it is a "springboard" to true power. Stand in the power of His might - Let Him uphold you.

Promises from Isaiah 58

Gods order has Gods reward. In Isaiah 58:2, 13 "Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. V.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.

The promises:

- to loose the bands of wickedness,

- to undo the heavy burdens,

- let the oppressed go free,

- that ye break every yoke?

- Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,

- thine health shall spring forth speedily:

- thy righteousness shall go before thee;

- the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

- Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer;

- thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

- shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

- The  LORD shall guide thee continually,

- satisfy thy soul in drought,

- make fat thy bones:

- thou shalt be like a watered garden,

- like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

- they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places:

- thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;

- thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach,

- The restorer of paths to dwell in

- I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth,

- feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father

Seek, delight and give your heart to the Lord - LIVE IN the reward of Isaiah 58.

Divine Direction part 5

The plan of God can be looked at as a maze at times. Where to turn? Divine direction starts with a faith dream. Josephs brothers mocked Joseph by calling him a "dreamer". Joseph heard from God and was walking in the reality of the promise before is actually happened.. He spoke and made decisions based on that promise. Joseph brothers were jealous because they we comparing themselves with their brother rather than seeking God for their own heart vision. Moses saught the Lord and recognized were Gods presence was , and that is were he was going to be. Ex 33:15-18 " Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Discern were Gods presence is and abide there, and He will lead you through the seeming obstacle course of life. He will lead you faithfully as we stedfastly seek him.

Divine Direction part 4

Steps of Faith move us along in love. Jesus was moved with compassion and not only need as he ministered to others in Matthew 14:14. Often He stopped and waited for His Fathers leading. He would move slow so that he wouldnt miss the smallest of opportunities. He would launch out with speed to be one step ahead of the devil. Jesus movements were motivated by his eternal love and plan. He would sow the precious seed, water the precious seed and reap the harvest of the precious seed. We may be stopped in a holding pattern today - know that God is always working. Maybe we are moving slowly and it feels as thought the world is passing you by - the Lord is working. Or maybe you are moving mach 2 with your hair on fire, be God conscious and not task oriented - It is God who is working. He does the work first in us then through us for His glory. We are the Lords, the work is the Lords, and the consequences are the Lords!

Divine Direction part 3

So much meaning can be found in what we are doing. The world often defines a man by what he does. He can re-invent himself to achieve his dream. In the kingdom of God we are callen "unto" Christ before called "out" in ministry. To be called "unto" means there is a fellowship in the mystery of his presence. From this place of communion faith is born. From this place of worship we have eyes and ears of faith and obstacles are seen as stepping stones in His perfect plan. We can complicate Gods direction by so many questions, these answers seem so relevant and important but God will supply each piece as it is needful. His provisions will define our needs. Psalms 23:1-3 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake". As we learn to walk with Him, His purpose will be fulfilled in us. Habakkuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay". Our prayer is "Lord please lead us deeper, and cause us not to get ahead of you in our minds, Your plan and timing are perfect"! Amen.

Divine Direction part 2

Recently I have found this verse to be very inspiring in regards to direction. 2 Thess 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance". The will of God is revealed here, that we would be in a place were there is a personal revelation of the unconditional love of God. From this communion we are commissioned in the right motivation. We are God conscious not just task oriented. Lam 3:24-26 "I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord". Commune with the living God in thanksgiving and your eyes and ears will be opened to His burden and His way.

Divine Direction part 1

Sometimes there are so many options were we can enter into decision paralysis. Then there are times when it is unclear where to step because it can be so dark. Being led by God beyond feelings or validations into the faith realm is quite an adventure. Rational and logic can cause doubts and cause us to second-guess our direction. As we look to Jesus and hear HIS still small voice of Isaiah 30: 21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." As we fellowship in the person of Christ he will commission us. Don't seek to do, but quiet yourself and fellowship with who HE is in you and then the ministry and direction will come out of you. Our gifts are often developed when we step into a place were they can be used. If God has given you a place to serve , be faithful there, and he will lead you to the next step. The christian life is a marathon not a sprint. Be fruitful were you are, in Gods season HE will move you. Rest and enjoy HIM now and don't be anxious about the next step, He is preparing you for it now. 

Child-like faith

The innocence and trust of a child is beautiful. Their seeming unawareness of danger and vitality in the simplist of things bring such joy. They smile and laugh and you see the Glory of God. We cannot rewind time, but we can have this heart attitude. In Matthew 8:3-4 "And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven". How can we enter into childlike faith - here are a few meditations - 1) Dont over - think. 2) Ask God to show you his plan of goodness in all things. 3) Believe that God has brought you to were ever you are, so that HE will build you and promote you. Purpose to delight in the Lord and not take yourself so seriously. Today is a brand new day - no matter how routine your day may seem today - you have never walked in this time before - See God in it all! 

Just appreciation?

Thank you seems like a small gesture for kindness rendered. Appreciation can be surface acknowledgement, but so many of us like the etiquette of the word thank-you. This can be in our christian attitude were we appreciate the things of God but don't see the real depth of their value. To value the things of God we must ponder and let them sink deep into our heart, so we go beyond knowledge into a deep personal understanding. God wants more than just a "thank-you" - he wants us to live as though we believe what he has said, and it is more real than anything we see. "Lord direct our heart in love today and give us a glimpse of your greatness.2 Thessalonians 3:5..

http://tinyurl.com/spectrumsof-grace

Loves Ability

Loves ability does what is impossible for us naturally to do. It is able to forgive, encourage deeply and restore. Loves doesn't fix people but it heals without a trace of flaw. As we receive this Love and fellowship with our position, privilege and power that love produces we experience a conquering life! Enter into a quiet place and ponder, don't let the superficial steal from you - You are love by the King of Kings!

http://tinyurl.com/spectrumsof-grace

Spectrums of Grace

A personal Revelation of the Grace of God will life transforming. Often we tolerate the dead-ness of mechanics and routine and we live in just appreciation of things rather than experiencing all that God has. Grace causes us to live in the mystery of love. This mystery interprets the things we see and feel and brings objectivity and eternal perspective. Mere words cannot articulate, or demonstrate the magnificent inspired life of Christ. Grace cannot be contained in a definition. The center of Grace is Christ and there are countless eternal expressions of Gods kindness. As we look to the Lord we are in a constant discovery of how our lives in time are woven into eternity, displaying the mystery of Grace.

See this link for an E- book: http://tinyurl.com/spectrumsof-grace

Contact me and I will send you a free chapter to review - altarsflame@gmail.com

The Cross is the greatest demonstration of Love The nails of the cross went into his hands to judge our actions and reconcile them to holiness. The nails went into his feet to judge our way to give a new and living way. The crown of thorns went into our master’s head to ultimately judge our thoughts and give us His mind; the spear went into His heart to judge our heart so that we could live in the new heart. “As He is, so are we in this present world” Preemptive love: Unilateral decision that was no asked opinion or suggestion, but compelled by love Ransomed: To see value when none was obvious, to pursue opportunity to redeem Redemption: To buy back from the slave market of sin to restore and reconcile to original design and purpose Renewal: All made new based on love and sin as no issue. Rev 21:5 “Behold I make all things new” This is a grace Identity.

Living flame of love

1. O living flame of love that tenderly wounds my soul in its deepest center! Since now you are not oppressive, now consummate! if it be your will: tear through the veil of this sweet encounter! 2. O sweet cautery, O delightful wound! O gentle hand! O delicate touch that tastes of eternal life and pays every debt! In killing you changed death to life. 3. O lamps of fire! in whose splendors the deep caverns of feeling, once obscure and blind, now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely, both warmth and light to their Beloved. 4. How gently and lovingly you wake in my heart, where in secret you dwell alone; and in your sweet breathing, filled with good and glory, how tenderly you swell my heart with love - St. John of the cross 1591

Inspiring Grace

The work of the Cross Jesus took the ultimate punishment for our sin. He was judged like no man ever was or would be. He was on that cross beaten beyond recognition. Bones and legimates exposed with blood spilling out. The crown of thorns driven deep into his head; revealing that He was ultimately judged for every thought that would go through our minds. Nails driven though his hands and feet revealing that our walk and actions were judged ultimately on Him. The spear piercing though, judged all the intents of the heart – he took it all so that we could have a new heart and live in newness! This is the ultimate work of the person of grace securing our permanent life with him.

Grace Exalts Jesus

Brokenness in trials reveals this exquisite treasure of grace. We are at the threshold of revelation in brokenness. The sensitivity to the holy spirit excersises us in the fear of the Lord. Christ shines through these jars of clay and heaven touches earth. We must renounce any vain glory, in doing so we avoid usurping the authority and power of God. We begin to see the impact of grace as we fellowship with it personally. We receive it first for ourselves. Grace teaches us to love ourselves, forgive ourselves and rightly relate to our selves in Christ. Without this first communion it will all be manufactured. Feelings can be a powerful measuring line but it can exalt the wrong things. Our emotions just respond without a full thought of divine truth but Grace proclaims that failure is not final and that the most unworthy sinner is is precious in His sight!Grace exalts Christ in us, magnifies his perfect work in us. We struggle with the fact of what grace declares – he declares our completeness. We may sometimes waffle knowing that our experience may not add up to the truth of permanent grace. But it is true! God sees only Christ and he is pleased with his Son.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Inspiring Quotes: Dietrich Bonhoeffer “One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair.” ----- “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ----- “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” ----- “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will.” ----- We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.....We must not.....assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.” ----- “Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” ----- “Not hero worship, but intimacy with Christ.” ----- “Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.” ----- “Love, in the sense of spontaneous, unreflective action, spells the death of the old man.”

Our heart

J.R. Miller writes : God wants our heart not our activity, with our heart he will act". This is a key order, often it is easy to "get a head of God". God is saying in Proverbs 2-4 "My son give me your heart".This plea is the key to all. As we give God our heart we realize His heart and He is now at the center to rule our lives. Before we "do" lets give him what he is asking for, our heart - then Christ will act. Our life start with a big DONE.

Spectrums of Grace 2

Divine Grace has many facets and sides. If we were to look at a diamond, holding it up under the light we would see the beauty and color of this precious stone. Lets look at Gods grace and see the spectrum of beauty that reveals His holiness. Spectrum can be understood as a band of colors, as seen in a rainbow, produced by separation of the components of light by their different degrees of refraction according to a progressive series of a wavelength , arranged according to such characteristics as frequency, charge, and energy. If we were to pull this definition apart we would see a mystery unfold. Seeing light from the sun breakthrough the dark clouds and touch droplets in the atmosphere we see color. This color is not abstract but is precisely patterned and is revealed in precise form. As light is absorbed the true color is revealed. This progression is arranged to amaze. So when the life of Christ is absorbed as a revelation his true beauty is revealed. Revelation is more than mere knowledge it is the grasping of a mystery, where God shows you the deeper meaning. To those that will enter into his rest and stillness he will speak to the one who is listening. The beauty of his holiness is the progression we discover. So the Christian life is letting God reveal his beauty through us in majestic color! The flow and compliment of this beauty is inspiring. Just like after a storm the rainbow pierces the darkness sour lives manifest the glory of God.