2nd Choice

I am going to share a principle of the kingdom, that many may not realize.

They are trying to get a job, or promotion or are waiting on 'being selected' .

These are Christian folks, they trust JESUS (YESHUA) and are realizing they have 'favor' in
all that they say and do.

They have prayed, and have all the qualifications that are required...prepared, solid interview and everything is looking good...

BUT

They are not chosen!

 They get '2nd Place'

Overlooked they choose someone else.
You are not their first choice.

Stunned..they don't get the job...they are asked to move on..
..they are 'thanked' for their participation.

What do you do?
Where is GOD?

Where is all that 'favor' that is supposed to be with us?

Let me remind you, you are not in the worlds system, you are in GODS Kingdom!

And the world  (world and their institutions, including christian religious institutions) will ALWAYS over look you and you will rarely be their first choice.

Why?

Because all through time, GOD'S kids were always last choice.
Look at Cain and Able, Cain (older) and had the worlds idea of sacrifice without cost and it would be accepted by the world - but not GOD - HE chose the later.

Take Lot, choosing the rich lush land (later became Sodom and Gomorrah) which left Abraham with the desert/wilderness ..dry land.  Again overlooked and thrown the left overs.

Take Joseph, the youngest among the older brothers, with a dream and a vision of the future and his GOD.
But sold in slavery and later in a prison. Even the Chief Cupbearer were let out before righteous Joseph. Even though Joseph interpreted dreams, and walked in divine wisdom - he was not the first choice of the world to be released.

No, they forgot about him and left him (in prison) longer.
But GOD never forgot how the Kingdom works!

Take Jacob and Esau.
Now I believe Isaac, (their father) should have knew how this all works, and gave the youngest one with the blessing, being tricked as he would have given the blessing to the older Esau, (who the world would choose, strong, big and handsome) who loved the world, and disregarded the birth right and the blessing anyway.

Joseph and his mother knew better, and saw what GOD saw, and how the Kingdom works!

Joseph went on to have his name changed to "Israel" and became famous and rich and the rest is history.

Look at  Moses before Pharaoh.  Moses threw his staff on the ground and it became a snake. So Pharaoh, gets his magicians, wizards to mimic the same miracle. Note : Moses wasn't in Pharaoh's 'wisdom council' but a renegade to them.  Also Note; Moses snake ate the other snakes! Exodus 7:12

Here is a great example about how GOD chooses in the Kingdom:

Perhaps the classic example, was when the prophet Samuel was asked to choose the next king and went to Jesse's house (David's father and home).  Samuel knew that GOD didn't pick (and HIS Kingdom never operates this way) the first choice. The most talented the best looking the strongest - the worlds best!

NO!

The Prophet Samuel, knew GOD picks the opposite of the world.
see 1 Samuel 16

 And so you are also 'not picked first' my brother and sister in JESUS (YESHUA). In fact you found out 'you didn't get the job', 'you were looked over', 'the company went another way', 'they had other plans'...

So, you are OUT.
Feeling rejected.
Perhaps frustrated.

"I don't get it" you ponder.

"Why doesn't this favor work for me? When it works for other people...but not me?" you debate in your own thoughts.

Why am I always the one not picked?

Well if you are NOT part of GOD'S Kingdom, then you have to be the 'best' and hope they pick you.

But to those that are in the Kingdom, no fret instead go out and get new clothes for the job is around the corner.

How it often happens:
The world will either realize that their 'first choice' was a wrong choice...and forced to call you.
Or GOD has a better place for you but again you probably wont be picked first...but you will get there!
And rejoice in your GOD!

You are in a good place, actually the 'best place' but you need to exercise faith to see it.

You must see, that GOD lifts up the lowly ones, the ones that ended in 2nd or 3rd or 10th!
And GOD will make good, you will eat the best of the land.
Don't fret (worry) it only leads to evil - and you don't want that!

Cheer for being 'not chosen' by the world, knowing you are 'chosen by GOD'.
Rejoice for it shows you, you are not in the world, but really operating in the Kingdom!

-eric

Sitting In McDonalds Jan 15 2014 -learning to compete with humility

Waiting on the LORD

Sitting here in McDonalds - starting to do my daily 'thing', and the LORD speaks to me.
"Write a blog post" was what I heard.

So, I am sitting here with laptop and listening....

A friend of the families just walks in, but doesn't notice me (yet).

"Compete"..."compete to gain the prize" was the next thing I heard from DAD (the LORD).
"There is worldly competitiveness and GODLY competitiveness, which are you competing for?"

Me (eric): I never thought about it, can i answer both?
My mind flashing to the Olympics where an elite athlete may compete in different events.
So, how do I compete in the Spiritual Things?

DAD: "Humility bringing Greatness" was the answer.
"Humility sees what GOD is doing in someone, so we focus on that - seeing that sometimes little change in the lives of someone.
Humility also sees how far some of your elders grows (say parents) and seeing them 'for greatness', seeing them for 'hero's' do you see that? or does pride block the view as you are too busy looking at yourself?
Humility takes it sometimes and leaves it another, it doesn't get 'hung up' on things but on spirit and attitude, assuming the road less travelled."

Learning to be grateful for those around you and the situation you are in.
That creates humility.
Seeing JESUS in everyone, recognizing HIS SPIRIT at work (and not looking to self).

Humility...brings greatness.
Greatness without humility brings pride.

Amen

When you pray...

The disciples at one time came to the LORD JESUS and ask "teach us to pray?"

And of course you get the very well known 'prayer' often called "the LORD'S Prayer"...

"Our FATHER who art in heaven...hallowed (holy) is your name"
We all know it.

But the part I want to emphasize is the word 'ask'. You can find the prayer in Matthew 6.
When you read the prayer, and the rest of the chapter you will see JESUS use the word 'ask'.

Ask and it shall be given...
For everyone who asks, receives...
Ask so that you can receive so that your joy will be full...

JESUS goes on to talk about (in the same chapter) a friend that comes to visit you late at night, and you (the host) realize that you don't have anything to feed him.  So, being in the middle of the night, you go to your neighbour who you know has bread, and knock to get some bread for your guest.

Your neighbour tells you from the upstairs window, 'leave me alone, we are all in bed, and you are going to wake the family, we will talk about this tomorrow'.

But you don't take 'no' for an answer and keep asking.

Now to the Jews, they knew the meaning of what YESHUA (JESUS) said, when HE said "ask".
Ask means to the Jews and early church a demand and insisting, a boldness a persistence.

Not 'can you give me bread'....but rather, "Hey, I'm your neighbour and have a great need that you can help me with, so I'm pounding on your door and yelling to you and will not leave until you give me the bread."

Get it?

JESUS said "the man gets up, mumbling to himself and gives fresh bread to his needy neighbour".

But JESUS lets us in on the secret.
The secret to answered prayer.

HE said "you didn't get the bread, because he was your neighbour - NO!  He gave you bread because of your insisting, your demanding!"

A friend of mine that I was sharing this with looked a bit puzzled.
I said, Okay let me put it in today's light.
Its late here and the weather is bad and we get a call to pick up our good friend waiting outside the bus depot in the storm.  I tell you, jump in my car I'm driving.

You think "hmm, eric looks tired and my truck is better to drive in the storm, so you insist that you are driving."

We all do this; we all at times insist when we are dealing with family or friends and it works!

This is how you pray.

JESUS (YESHUA) was wondering if the people got the message, so HE tells it another way.
HE tells them about a widow that needs help from someone who is harassing her, and so she goes to the judge who can help her.

But JESUS tells us; 'this judge' doesn't fear GOD or man. He is selfish and un-caring.

So lest you think that your prayers are answered because the neighbour gave you bread or the judge is favourable towards you - NO!

So this story talks about the judge who doesn't care about you.
But the widow woman keeps coming after the judge, relentlessly.

The judge says, "although I don't fear GOD or man, but because of her importunity (her unbending demanding)  I will give her justice over her enemy"

Now YESHUA reminds us that GOD isn't like that.
HE is NOT an unjust or un-caring GOD but loves you.

But there is a spiritual war going on.
There are lots of mixed signals and downright lies in your head.
And all kinds of people and your senses telling you - it wont WORK!

That is why you have to push through.

Okay, but when do you stop praying like that?

2 ways.

1) when you see that you have what you've been praying for.
2) when you don't see it, but you know it (by faith) in you that it is done. Now you just thank the FATHER (your DADDY) and enjoy the ride because you know like know like you know!

Don't give up!

You will see miracles!
Christmas is the time for miracles too...

If you don't see the beauty of it....

How do you know if you really 'love' someone or something?

We say that we 'love' all kinds of things and sadly we say we 'hate' all kinds of other things.
Why I say 'sadly', is because we should be like the world (the carnal nature) and see everything as only 'black and white'.  Judging by appearances the scriptures say.

No, we are to look at the heart, which is the Old Covenant way of looking with the SPIRIT (the real you connected with DAD (GOD)).

So, we are to let HIM lead us, and look at people and things from HIS perspective and not our own judgments that the carnal mind conjures up.

I remember thinking about this 'judging from the outside' bit when I was at a beach a few years ago with the family.  Now this beach was sand that could walk out for miles (up in Algonquin Park, northern Ontario), but to get to the sand that you can walk on for miles, you had to get past this 3 to 4 meter (3 to 4 yards) of hard stones and rocks.  The water there was too shallow to swim over those rocks, and some wearing water shoes, could get over, but for the many that didn't have those types of shoes/flippers even, had to traverse over these hard and un-forgiving stones.

So, this younger guy, built and for sure showing off his arms and worked on muscular body, walked to the stony area, seemingly for the first time.

I judged him, "thinks he's cool"...."watch the stony area, betcha can't get through that with that stride" were my judging thoughts.

He gets to the area, and walks through hardly breaking stride!

"think he is really tough, and strong - showing off" were more thoughts.
BTW - these thoughts are NOT really me (or you) these are carnal minded/ evil worldly thoughts that we are supposed to battle.

After he went swimming beyond the the hard area, to the endless sandy shoulder deep water, he came back.

Stepping on the hard rocky area, he stopped.
Bent over and picked up (one of the many hard stones), and examined it.
"probably a geologist and knows about every stone too" were my judging thoughts.

He picks ups a stone, and brings it towards me (I never met the guy in my life).
He shows me (there were many others sitting and laying on the beach around me) this amazing stone.
The more he turned his hand, parts glistened in the sun.
And with genuine interest in the stone, and a real like soft nature about him, I realized that he knew about nature/rocks to a degree and fully appreciated all this!

He loved it and it was beautiful to him.

Just like the LORD told me, "when you see it as beautiful, you truly love it".

And the same LORD said "judge not, lest you be judged"...I really mis-read this fine young father and young man.

See them as JESUS does, look at them in love.  And when you see them as 'beautiful', you really love them!

-eric

If you are making accuses for the sin nature - you will never get free of it.

Something the LORD (DAD) placed on my heart a few days ago.

As long as we keep making accuses for 'sin', we wont get clear of it (that particular thing, that hold us back).

"I can't stop drinking, because if you knew the job I have, and the boss I deal with!"

"I can't stop lusting (after women), because my wife rejects me."

"I can't stop telling off my parents, if you knew what they have done to me!"

"I can't stop being angry, stingy, selfish, cold"..."because I am of this nationality, we are all like that (from this ethnic back ground).

But you are a NEW creation, old things have passed away....behold all things (including you) have become new!

That is what JESUS/YESHUA said, that is what scriptures teach us.

So stop agreeing with your wrong thoughts, say "NO" to them and resist the devil.
You can't overcome this in your own strength, you need to overcome by way of SPIRIT - which is what I am sharing here.

Change your thinking from agreeing with evil and instead confess (agree with) GOD.

-eric

GOD'S LOVE Language - HIS native tongue...

GOD speaks in love - (Because that is HIS nature, GOD is LOVE)

Its HIS LOVE language!


LOVE is a person. 1 John 4:8


Ok, so what is love? Or, what is HIS LOVE?


HIS LOVE (and HIS Will) because LOVE is desire. So, what HE wants

is always what is best for me and you.


Note: I am not talking about our sinful nature, which is at war with the SPIRIT of GOD that is also within us.

The sinful nature is simply the devil (his nature) we are all born with (actually received it at conception) and its all the fleshy- selfish desires we have that have NOTHING to do with GOD and LOVE.


HIS voice is never pushy its leading.

HIS voice is never a burden its comforting.

HIS voice is never fearful its faithful.

HIS voice is never about self its about others.

HIS voice is never confusing its peaceful.


See James 3:17


The LORD has to be true to HIS nature just like HE said the devil acts and talks

according to his (satanic) nature. John 8:44


We tell our kids, generally if the voice or thoughts you hear are loud (yelling)

then its not GOD.

If your thought, was gentle, (it can be thought provoking from the LORD) but always tempered with peace and patience and always for your own good! (which are just HIM SELF manifesting in you anyway).


Lastly, its imposible to 'miss it' from the GOD of all patience.

If our children 'miss it' we don't tell them too late - you are out of the family.

No, if they fail or miss it, we give them another chance.

I tell you for sure, we are not more loving than GOD!


For you to 'miss it' (whatever it is) would mean GOD has given up on you and you are no value to HIM anymore. That sounds just like the devil and not the GOD of all wisdom and kindness that we serve.


LOVE doesn't use.

GOD doesn't use us.

I don't use my wife.

I don't use my children.


No, GOD loves us so much, HE wants to come inside us (dwell in and around us) to partner together and change lives and open blind eyes that live in a world stumbling in pitch darkness.


When Jonah intentionally 'missed it'. GOD still had compasion on him and the ninevites.

When Peter missed it, JESUS loved him through.


If we miss it (HE doesn't miss it) and LOVE which bears all things, will guide you through. You are not to late my friend, you are just on time.


-Eric


for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Acts 17:28

The Only Law Left is LOVE!

The only law that is left is love.


New testament giving is not obligation or tithing, its only motivation is HIS LOVE.

(which is HIMSELF) flowing through you.


Anything of GOD blesses all sides.


Under the old covenant, you were respondsible to keep all 613 laws and if you failed (which we all have) we had to make the right sacrifice, and doing all the right things to make restitution between us and GOD and our fellowman (if it was a sin against our brother or sister).


Tithing was one of the laws. Its an obligation - you must do it.

Just like every law, there are no picking and choosing for under the law the only answer is 'we must' - we have to!


JESUS comes along and in the beginning of the Gospels brings the law back up to its proper place. You see, we can't (nobody can) keep any of the laws and if you break one of them - then you are a lawbreaker.

So, because in our hearts we know we've all violated HIS laws (which nobody would debate because they are all good) but we have failed if but only one we have broken all. So, we pretend to keep them, and outwardly act like we do. see James 2:10

We say things like "we've never killed anyone". And "we don't steal". Or I have never commited adultery - or that person is divorced (secretly with pride in our hearts we wisper - "adulterer".)

So before JESUS can do all the things needed to free us, HE had to first put the law in its proper context. Bring it up to GOD'S level.

See Matthew 5 for example.
He puts murder into its proper place, adultery, oaths, marriage, and basically ends the entire teaching saying "be perfect, just like your heavenly FATHER".

Think you never murdered? JESUS said if you said 'fool' or in todays language maybe 'stupid' or something worse... In GOD'S Kingdom you've killed (the man you are mad at) his character and brought it down to a level of hate (no love). Murder!

You see many times, the people walked away from HIM, or the disciples would look with confusion and fear saying "who can be saved then?"

The point of the law is to show us how pittiful and sinful and terrible we are. Because we like to belive the lie that we are 'not that bad' when GOD is telling us that our good works are filthy wrags! And that we are (according to Revelation) poor, wretched, dumb, blind and naked!

Not a good state.

Stop pretending to live the christian life -because you can't.

Nobody can!

Remember in the book of Revelation, nobody in heaven could take the scroll?

John basically freaks out and the whole place is upset with the fact that nobody was worthy to take the scroll.

All but 1!

JESUS/YESHUA (the lamb) was worthy to take the scroll.

We and nobody is worthy - just worthless but loved!

If you read the first part of the Matthew 5 gospel JESUS said this amazing thing:

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. " Matthew 5:17

Bless GOD that HE did -because we can't save ourselves!

Once we realize we are in need and have violated every law. We fall before HIM and receive HIS love HIS unconditional Favor and GRACE.

That's why its called GRACE -because nothing you or I could do, could deserve it!
GRACE is undeserved!

So if you want to try to keep the laws (like any of them) according to Galatians 1 you cut yourself off of GOD'S GRACE. When you realize its all about JESUS and HE wants to live through you (in you) and will make and mold you into what both you and HE wants you to be - HE will do it.

But its only done by GRACE.  Now, your life is just an overflow of HIS LOVE. Its not I have to give, I have to do, I have to go, I have to this or that...

HE puts HIS love in us and we start to 'want to'.

Not have to but want to.

How did anyone get 'born again' was it what we did to make GOD save us?

Or, did we realize we needed HIM and had nothing but believed HE came in and forgiven us?

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Galatians 3:2

You can't do anything but receive.  From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16



-eric