The Privilege of Injustice by Art Katz

 "Happiness brought by the physical change in circumstances versus joy brought about by distress."

This little quote taken from Art's message has a deep truth.

If we use God as an "errand boy" who comes when we call and does our bidding, He is not God, we are.

If we accept and cry out for Him to help us grow through distressing times, we are in a position to know a deeper Joy.

We need to grow in our trust and begin to comprehend the amount of work yet to be done by the Spirit as He transforms us into the image of Yeshua.

Poured Out as a Drink Offering

The drink offering was wine poured out on top of the sacrifice that was being given to God.

 “ (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6) Though often understood as a reference to his impending death, it is more likely that Paul understood the struggles and toils of his apostolic ministry as a libation upon the sacrificial service of the churches among which he ministered.² In the OT, the libation was offered as a portion of the fruits of the worshiper’s labor, so it is fitting for Paul to speak of his labor as a libation. His labor was offered up as drink for God, as wine to make His heart glad.” Peter Leithart

I think I put a dark, sad, spin on things sometimes that is not there. Paul being poured out as a drink offering is wine, which is typically a symbol of joy in the Bible. It is a joy for Paul to be giving his life for others.  It reminds me of the "oil and wine" that are not to be harmed even in the midst of huge tribulation in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 6:6) The oil of the presence of the Spirit of God always with us and the wine of the joy of God that is "set before us" to encourage us that what we are going through is worth it and will be redeemed.

Thank you God for these words tucked away in a joyful letter to the Philippians written from a prison cell. 

Philippians 1:6 More Proof There is No Pre-trib Rapture

 "being convinced of this very thing, that the One who began a good work in you will see it through to its completion on the Day of Messiah Jesus."  Philippians 1:6 Blessed Hope version.

The completion is the Day of the Lord, the day by any other name, that ends the tribulation and this evil age and begins the age to come. The good work that He began in you is not completed until that day, there is no "catching away" before the end.  Completion is completion, if you leave before something is over you have not completed it.  God has a work to do in us, His followers, His community and He will see it through to its completion.

Paul goes on to pray that we would grow in the deep love of God, (verse 10) "so that yo can discern the things that are of greater value and importance, that you will be genuine and blameless for the Day of the Messiah, (11) filled with the fruit of reghteousness that come through Jesus the Messiah to the glory and praise of God."  Once again, very cleary, seeing this through to the conclusion.

I am grateful that my Pastor preaches these truths and I pray for other Pastors to be enlightened and to not shy away from admitting they were wrong and preparing their flocks for the times that are to come. 

"He shall purify the sons of Levi."  Malachi 3:3

humility

 Art Katz tells the story of thinking he was going in one direction with his life and when he put the decision before the community, one of the youngest members of the community stood up and nervously said words that Art immediately knew were from God and would completly change his decision/direction.

That ability to stay humble, to stay in a place of humility is key. Many haven fallen beacuse they forsook community, the turned away from being in the lives of others in such a close way that they could be corrected.

Beware, satan, only has the same three tricks all these thousands of years, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

Cling to the one whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.

Counselor

 A friend really let the Spirit flow through her in counseling recently.

When we "lose it"

We can ask ourselves What is the issue? What is the trigger?

What is the belief that drives me to respond by losing it?

What is a memory attached to the trigger/issue?

What is the truth? You are chosen, holy and beloved by God Most High.

His covenant love and faithfulness is with Israel and Judah through His Son and you (as a gentile) are being given the privilege of being grafted into that vine.

Rejoice and be glad.

One Battle

 A Keith Green song has the great lyric, "One battle in the holy war God's promised me to win." (Until That Final Day)

I was lamenting to God that no matter how good 11 hours and 58 minutes of my 12 hour shift go, I always seem to have 2 minutes, where I "lose it".  Well 2 days ago I had a full 12 hours of being a good nurse and yesterday I only had about a 30 second near "lose it" moment, so I am grateful to God.  He always hears the sincere cry to be more like His Son. 

My friend Jon Jonas posted this quote today and I think it is the most excellent prayer I have heard in a long time.

Cause me to trust in YOUR companionship!

His promise to always be with us is the most precious promise in the book in my opinion. This prayer is a cry to be made to trust in that presence.

Let it be so Lord.

Yeshua Alive and Well in the Tanakh

 Michael Heiser does such a good job here and I found it to be very confirming of stuff that God was showing my son directly, before he ever listened to it.

So...enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Duzl3h6z3U