Saturday, January 25, 2014

Leaning back to press forward

(Note: The hyperlinked endnotes did not convert so you have to manually reference the referenced endnotes.)
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I lean into (rest my head and my whole being on) the bosom of our Father and Savior.[a]  I wrap myself in the fullness of His Love, and in doing so His Perfect Love[b], takes my bucket of fear, dread, & condemnation about my shortcomings[c], and tosses them out[d] into the sea where they cannot be found again.  His Love constrains me; holds me together and compels me[e], to receive by faith His righteousness and arise as a new creature[f] [g]being made new into His righteousness by faith.[h] It is the love of God that took hold of me for a purpose.[i] God is faithful[j] and the finisher of all good works which He begins.[k] [l]  Therefore from this vantage point of truth and love, I am enabled to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.[m]

For me to press forward requires that I lean back by faith into WHO GOD IS.  It is my position in my relationship with God that enables me to press on.[n] So that when I am faced with challenges relating to my responsibilities within the body of Christ, and my flesh may cry out "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”; my spirit responses loudly "Lord, where else (and to whom else) shall I turn? You have the words of real life, eternal life.  I have learned to believe and trust, and have committed myself, confident that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ, the Son of the living God."[o]

So today, in response to my Worship Pastor’s admonishment, I LEAN BACK into the One who knows me best and loves me best.  I rest in my Savior, who I know can perfectly shine His Light (through His Word and His Spirit) into my life, and remove anything that hinders[p] (including the lies from the spirit of perfectionism), that I may pour my love back to God with a heart cleansed and purified by His Love that is both gentle and powerful.  The gift of my unhindered love poured back to Him seems so small compared with the Love He pours out to me (both once and for all and continually every moment of everyday).  Though my gift may seem small in comparison, it is all I have to give, so I give Him my all. 

If you feel out of place in your relationship with God, the Spirit God says, "Come unto me".  There is a place of boundless Love[q] in the bosom of our Heavenly Father.  Oh how He loves you. And in my mind and heart I hear Him calling, "I long for you my bride, come unto me, and take on the beautiful garments which I have prepared for you.”

The spirit of Perfectionism can sometimes rise up when I press forward with the urgency of holiness and purity. This was shared in hopes that it will be a defense against the schemes of the enemy forces that would pull our focus off of our one and only LOVE.  This is to speak truth, to dispel the lies, and to reveal the smallness of our enemies and our fleshes power when compared to the amazing greatness of our God. 





P.S.  This was studied out and end-noted with scripture.  I need to know that I am speaking the Word over my life, especially in times of battle or times of pressing in.

P.P.S.  The hyperlinked endnotes references did not convert so you have to manually reference the referenced endnotes.  





[c] Our Righteousness filthy rags Isa 64:6 & Rom 3:10 http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+64:6;romans+3:10  

[h] Philippians 3:9 (King James Version) http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/philippians/3-9.html

[l] Finish (Greek Word Epiteleo) to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete    http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2005  (SamT NOTE:  most examples of this word used in the New Testimate involve the cooperation of the Spirit and an action taken in the flesh.  Application:  As I "do", God by His Spirit accomplishes and perfects)

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