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Men, Why Gaze at the Sky?

August 21, 2017 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

"I am amazed that you can so easily be fooled into swapping the Gospel for a gimmick! The Gospel reveals the integrity of your original identity rescued in Christ; the gimmick is a conglomeration of grace and legalism. A mixture boils down to a do-it-yourself plan of salvation. (Which is a recipe for disaster.)" Gal. 1:6 (Mirror Translation)

Anyone trained to do so, can gather evidence about another group, person or people, and present that evidence like a prosecutor in front of a jury, expecting to identify those people with their crime. There's not a problem with this if you're a "free agent" (a person who does not have any commitments that restrict their actions), but to the ones who Christ is coming in the flesh (1 Jn 4:1-3) it's contrary to His nature to put people "in" captivity, which comes from thinking more highly of ourself than others. It's also rooted in proving someone else is wrong (as opposed to showing what's right), like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who knew the letter of The Word but not The Message (within Jesus, The Word made flesh). The Spirit gives Life (1 Cor. 8:1).

When we reject His Life, we set ourselves above God, but the sad irony is, by faith in Him lowering Himself to be with us (Son of Man and also Son of God, Jesus), you were already seated with Him (Eph 2:6,7). Being seated "WITH" Him is not enough for sin, which seeks to be seated "INSTEAD" of Him. Sin seeks possessive power rather than the power that flows through us as a result of surrender to The King and His Acceptance of us (me). Sin is always rooted in fear (self- preservation or sacrificial) even though it may be presented as a trumpeting rally cry for troops.

The tears that flow down my cheeks lately, typically come from my own lack of faith, when I survey His Body. I see so few of us actually embrace how clean Jesus's death, burial and resurrection made us that I'm a lot like Gideon, wondering How God will pull this off. There is no reason for me to point out your faults (I confess for looking at you wrongly!) except in building you up. Being out of tune with God, we see each other's faults (2 Cor. 5:16) without offering hope in Christ. Why would we regard each other after the flesh anyway? Christ has dealt with all hindrances to Him. I repent unto the Kingdom of God. Go with me. My door is open; I desire for you to trust and obey with me. Christ is coming in my flesh (1 Jn 4:2) and I long to see Him formed in you, as well.

"Now the decisive conclusion is this: in Christ, every bit of condemning evidence against us is cancelled." ~ Rom 8:1 (Mirror Translation)

I'd be remis if I didn't share my train of thought that got me here. Today, there's a total eclipse crossing America and the last few days, my attention has went toward Acts 1.Man looking up When I first recognized God's calling on me, He showed me how Christ's return would look. He used the Galation passage where men of Galilee were standing, gazing at the sky. A cloud received Jesus, out of their sight. Two men stood by them in white saying, "men (of Galilee), why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."

What is He saying? The clouds will be removed from your eyes to see Him and be with Him. "...then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Cor. 13:12). His appearing is IN you. I'm not arguing about what happens later. If there's an argument from me it's about what God's original intent is for creating you! My point is that He didn't die for the world, only to have us share to others in the second person. In you, if you believe, is not two spirits (your spirit and His Spirit). There's His Spirit only, so the more you abide (rest in) in Him, it's literally Him they're seeing in your frame, through your unique personality, size, color and quirkiness. He is with you now.

While everyone is starring at the eclipse, stare directly into my eyes and you'll see The Son. Believe, and look in a mirror. You're looking at Him staring back at you.
We are one in Him, your servant,
David

Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom, Spiritual Tagged With: Apostle, Christ be formed, David Roberts, God is no respector of persons, Kingdom of God

The Power of the Cross; Pentecost

June 7, 2016 By David Roberts

You've gotta be a man before you can be a "Mr.",
You've gotta be a woman before you can be a "Ms.",
You've gotta believe before you can be called "a believer".

Above all else, this article is not intended to pigeon hole us further; but rather, explore where we are, especially as we remember the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Showing up at church or learning to parrot the right things doesn't mean we're anything, other than we've learned to wear a certain flavor of mask. Why would anyone wanna wear a mask? It's because we're afraid of not fitting in, so we manipulate our presentation to "fit in". With respect, we often fear people and the systems of this world more than Creator God. This could possibly be because many say "I believe" with our mouths yet fail to to it in our hearts.

Yesterday evening, I ran into Walmart for a few last minute items. The dog was getting hungry and my wife wanted that special creamer only they carry. As I raced to the sections of the store where my items were, my mind was opened to notice again, all the packaging and manipulation through presentation. Suddenly, I once again saw a glimpse of myself and the way we (humanity) view life. We live in a world where packaging is king! Let's face it. Most of us simply buy the package, and whatever is on the inside, then we deal with that later. Even though we say we care, we balance that against our love of money, and we say we're being good stewards. Well, maybe we are. Either way, this isn't really a problem until what we've purchased breaks (and it will!).

GROCERYaisleNeat and orderly is what our world demands. If you're out of place, you have no place, thus you don't fit in! The promise of making our lives easier, less stressful, pain free, is certainly appealing and I often take them up on what they're selling! I live in an air conditioned home, with running water, electricity and all the comforts that can be imagined. The problem many times is that we often buy promises from people who don't have 'the goods' to sell; although, with their packaging you'd never know it. They jockey for shelf space, brand recognition and popularity; all which are driven by alliances (that's just another way of saying, "branding"). All these alliances are to make you feel included (warm and fuzzy, to meet a need you may not even have). Honestly, I've got no problem with the world operating this way. It is the way of the world and I'm not afraid to operate within it.

What often alarms me is when I see so many "Christian" organizations function in the ways of the world, "wearing their clothes". I know: Why am I looking at their short comings? Well, I love them and want to help! We'll get to that in a minute. There is a way of peace. These organizations, captained by someone, market their daycare, children or youth programs; announcing "we've got what you need". They print ads promoting their latest "special" service and mention how good "their" praise team and/or choir is, while mentioning there's plenty of parking; and it's well lit! If that weren't enough, social media is blasted with campaigns to brand their church or movement, and their members are "requested" to "like" their post/page and share. You'll hear things like, "our preacher can really preach" and "oh boy, we had a great message today". There isn't anything wrong with any of these things, except it seems like they're always focusing on all the minor subjects. They invest all this energy in labor that won't produce an eternal harvest, all in the name of "who", I ask? I'm certain their zeal is usually on target and I'm not faulting or attempting to modify behavior. Behavior modification doesn't work anyway!

It's just that we've almost lost sight of the reason for having a gathering in the first place! If you're gonna gather, don't do it to cover the same base over and over. In baseball, you'd get to first base and never score a run. Let's gather to train the people, so they can be empowered to go into their world a blessing to others, demonstrating God's true compassion for the world!

Maybe it's coming across as bashing or being harsh. I'm sure some will think these subjects shouldn't be talked about in the open, but I can't imagine a better place for it. What I'd like to see is honesty about where we are. In my personal relationship with God, that's where I experienced Him so it seems reasonable to expect it corporately, in like manor. As I contrast (or survey) our present presentation of Jesus to the world, I just don't see Him being lifted up IN THE WAY HE DESIRES. How can I say I know His desires? Because my mind has been changed and I can see how His engine room operates in the world.

Let's look at what the Apostle Paul wrote just after he addresses hero worship; whether Paul or Apollos should be given credit (read 1 Cor 4 in it's entirety HERE or listen to it HERE but below are the verses we'll discuss)

I can't for the life of me understand how the modern church can say we have the same leadership as what we read in these verses. Honestly, I can say but you won't want to hear it. Well, that settles it; I'm gonna tell you for sure now. "Everything we call church isn't The Church". So much of what we call "Church" is really a supporting organization to facilitate a real move of God. We fell in love with the idea that we could lean on this system (instead of leaning on His understanding) to help, kinda like a crutch. Somehow, we've come to accept it's okay to help Him since being His flesh was too difficult. I'm not saying God hasn't allowed or even led at times, to have denominations (as some might say). I certainly don't think those are a complete expression of who He is, but everyone has ideas and opinions about what they believe, so in that light, there are as many denominations as there are people. Let's look at denominations as fractions. We know that all fractions are part of the whole. Somewhere along the course of studying basic mathematics, we began working with fractions.  We learned that fractions are not the whole, but they were part of the whole. So, what did we do? PizzaWe learned to find "THE COMMON DENOMINATOR"! What do we all have in common? We are all loved and accepted by God. We can start and end with this simple common denominator.  With a common denominator we can find equivalent fractions, expressed other ways. Through the cross, we discover it doesn't matter what organization you or I belong to, or where our membership is. We discover that God really did love the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. Now that He sits at the Father's side, we are His flesh, for Spirit to live. In light of being a unique individual, viewing the world through unique eyes, there is nothing wrong with being a slice; in fact, THAT'S THE PLAN! When I'm speaking of being a part of The Whole, I'm speaking of being a member of His Body; human flesh for Spirit to live and move and have His being.

The Nation is a many membered body; ONE body, which when we're in tune with Spirit, we produce ONEvoice (that's why we are aka ONEvoice or Restoration House Ministries). Well, now that we're back from that commercial break, let's read verses 9 thru 13 of 1 Corinthians 4:

4:9  If you really want to know, there is nothing glamorous about being an apostle! It seems to some that God has us on exhibition as it were, as clowns in the circus; the laughing stock of the religious world-system! We are the latest gossip in town. Even the angels frown upon us! And you want to idolize us, think again! We are not handing out autographs! Neither are we your latest brand of Christianity! We have a death-sentence hanging over our heads!
4:10  Because of Christ we are considered fools (in the eyes of the religious society!) Our foolishness serves only one purpose though: to prove to you that Christ is your wisdom. Our weakness serves to convince you of your source of strength in Christ; our ill repute in the eyes of popular opinion is to persuade you of your honored standing in Christ! (Do not allow what we are suffering for you to distract you from realizing how wise, and strong, and honored you really are in Christ.)
4:11  While writing this to you my life would seem such a contradiction! I mean here I am telling you how complete and without shortcoming you already are, and I can hardly remember when last I have had a decent meal! As I am writing this my mouth is dry with thirst, I’m stripped of my clothing; I have been beaten black and blue, and have nowhere to go.
4:12  I feel the fatigue from my physical labor. When people insult us we make sure that we speak well of them. We are harassed, but bear with it.
4:13  Hurtful rumors do the rounds but we find refuge and comfort in our true identity. We are reckoned as scapegoats, the scum of society. This is what we are faced with on a daily basis. (1 Cor. 4:9-13 Mirror)

To my human understanding it seems strange we have so many churches led by so called "apostles", "prophets", "evangelists", "pastors and teachers", who seem more interested in campaigning, strategizing, advertising, packaging, aligning, branding, and a whole host of other marketing angles rather than demonstration of power. I see so few leaders exhibit the reckless abandonment to Christ, as seen in the preceding few verses. It's a lack of fathers; I am convinced, but it's also our lack of submission to apostolic fathers in the Church. Looking on Facebook and other social media, you'll get a good idea of 'who is with who' by the posts we 'like' and by the people we ignore. No wonder the world thinks we're just a bunch of religious bigots. Often, WE ARE!

To anyone who does not believe the message of the gospel, it's to their own loss the message of the cross seems foolish; but to us who discover our salvation there, it is the dynamic of God. Isaiah wrote: I will confuse the wisdom of the "so-called" wise and prove their experts wrong! (1 Cor 1:18,19 Mirror)(Isa 29:14)

Too many times I've been surprised to discover I've been wrong about people and their approach to ministry and life. I think we often are a little quick to pronounce judgement when we're often saying, "they're not like me". Possibly, that's what I'm doing again right now. I hope so and am willing to learn, even if it's the hard way. There's a list of people I could tell you about, where my initial instinct was in error because they appeared to be of the world; they presented themselves in a way that I was not familiar with being abandoned in Christ, so I discerned incorrectly. In those times, I was wrong. We've got to give each other this grace. Grace to recognize God is bigger than our understanding. Hopefully, we can learn to recognize when our hearts burn from hearing truth, so much the Holy Spirit can interrupt our plans for His, ceasing our divisive ways. When I got to know the people I am thinking about, it was easy to hear their heart and passion to see God's children be led into the place of promise and it was then I could appreciate the amazing Gift in them. When I stopped looking at their package I began to see people as Christ sees them.

The main reason I didn't recognize them as being a gift from God was I didn't know their story. I hadn't gotten intimate with them, probably because of fear. I was caught up in my own circumstances and more than likely, marketing my own products, calling them "whatever". I've come to believe there is a small place of power, where He rests and we're invited to reign there with Him (in His Rest). This throne is a place in the perfect Love of God, where Love governs and fuels everything. It's not a worldly definition or an emotional love. It's through faith in Him, that we are Baptized by fire to see God is/as Love. This is the engine room of God and the power plant. The offense is foolish to the world. The power of Pentecost is available, and possibly more, so that we too have all things in common (common denominator). Once we find the common denominator, we can begin to make whole numbers out of the fractions (we can understand people and appreciate them as a gift).

Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom Tagged With: 1 Corinthians 4, Apostle, Christian, David Roberts, Father's Heart Gadsden AL, God is no respector of persons, Kingdom of God, One with God

You’re Invited to Restoration House Ministries

August 2, 2014 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

Welcomewrld753x570If you're wounded from the battles of life, we think you may be closer to harvest, than you might otherwise believe.   The love of God is best revealed by our diversity, rather than our uniformity.   It's in unconditional acceptance we find Light. Uniformity judges based on things seen rather than the heart.  If you've been rejected (or at least perceive it that way) we want you.   If you're a Christian Church who has a few people that just don't fit in, send them to Restoration House Ministries; we want them.   We'll take your rejects and your misfits; we'll take your square pegs that don't seem to fit in your round holes.  Come as you are but don't be offended if we're just as open as we've invited you to be.

There are a few ground rules:

  • First, although we say to come naked, we mean that you should wear clothes (lol).  Come as you are means to come and be honest with yourself and God.  
  • Second, we don't throw rocks; we accept and give love, as best we know how.
  • Third, we come hungry to be conformed into the image of Christ.

All too often, we don't accept each other where we are, but it's time that stops.  We can't change the entire world but we can change our world.  Come; let's not despise small things.  In what many call small, there are great shifts, ready to happen in you.  This shift will change your world.  Call it foster parenting, if you will, but I want to cover you until you find your way.

If you're a Christain Church who has a few people that just don’t fit in, send them somewhere that embraces diversity; we want them.

We’ll take your rejects and your misfits; we’ll take your square pegs that don’t seem to fit in your round holes.

You might say, we're foster parents to the spiritually disenfranchised.

Come for a few months or a few years, or don't leave at all. We might discover God has given us each other since before the foundations of the world.

Come as you are, but don’t be offended if we’re just as open as we’ve invited you to be.

Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom Tagged With: Apostle, David Roberts, Father's Heart Gadsden AL, invitation, One with God, Restoration House Ministries, Shepherd, Spirit, Teacher, Unconditional Love

Where is God?

June 2, 2013 By David Roberts

It can be a harsh disappointment to discover God does not live in heaven, probably because we've invested for so long, in an idea that 'one day', we will live with God. We console ourselves and loved ones with advice that our previously departed loved ones and friends are now with God. Of course, our words are true, but not complete. In reality, God may not actually live in heaven, but instead, maybe Heaven lives in God! God is just as available now as He will be then, and He isn't off somewhere taking a nap until our natural lives expire. A key difference between living in the natural now and after death are; there are no more distractions to the present reality of an all present God.

WhGod

Those who read me regularly know when I write an article such as this, it isn't intended to offend, yet I'm aware of the risks associated with talking about such sensitive subjects. Writing this piece, my intention is to challenge myself to 'rethink' God, and experience Him as He is, in each present moment.

Without question, it's impossible to live on Earth without knowing first hand the sting of death. From the time I was born, I was taught through society, to place value on 'time', by measuring every-'thing'. This fear-based thinking fails to realize God is not a 'thing', nor is my eternal self. This fundamental miscalculation is part of the premise which my human nature can not find God. We've all lost loved ones or had negative diagnosis' at a doctor; thus, our humanity calculates this as perceiving natural death as being 'like a shoe waiting to drop'. In error, we perceive death as final; but in reality, it's the beginning (if you want to know how to experience death and continue living, keep reading).

The Gospel removed the sting of death by revealing a greater dimension (one that is higher). Circumstances we face aren't in dispute because in the world, we all experience trouble. What is at dispute with our very own flesh is that in Christ, we not only see God, but we understand Him. If we are in Christ, we are also 'as' Christ... not a copy of Christ, but the actual real Christ. As we experience God, we discover and experience our true self, and we become aware of the folly of the flesh. Once the folly is exposed, we can choose to embrace the power of God or embrace the world, but make no mistake about it, everyone will have this folly exposed to them. If we are 'open' to The Spirit', some may describe this as 'hunger'.

A key difference between living in this body and without the body, are the distractions it faces. When the body's life is over, it's distractions are removed; thus, revealing what was already true and real (Your Eternalness). What if the harsh reality is true? God may not live in heaven as much as heaven lives in God. Believing Heaven lives in God changes everything in the present, which is always the meeting place. What does that do to our religion? Or, our reasoning? Or, our relationships?

What if the same were true with our loved ones? What if we missed 'Eternity' already living in them, while they were living in their Earth body? Would we see our neighbor different? Would we hold fast to our reasoning, or would we view each other, from here on, as part of God's creation, loving more unconditionally?

David Roberts

David1

(David is available to speak one on one or to your group. Contact him for details.)

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Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom Tagged With: Alabama, Apostle, David Roberts, Father's Heart Gadsden AL, Heaven, Kingdom of God, One with God, Restoration House Ministries, Unconditional Love, Where is God

How did we become so divided?

November 8, 2012 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

Unless you're just waking from a comma, you've noticed how divided we've become.  It's apparent to me, we are quickly heading toward an impasse.  An impasse is when wholenesstreedifferent sides reach a point where it's impossible to reach agreement.  When a jury is 'hung', they've reached an impasse.  What if the whole world were to be on a collision course, a hung jury, where everybody 'knows' they are 'right'.  Class, patriotism, race, religion, economic warfare... Imagine all these different opinions (and many more), seeking coalition together, and standing their ground at the same time?  That's what's happening and God is the instigator.

We are all conditioned from birth to view our lives through the window of our personal partiality.  I can't think of a single person who knowingly embraces a lie, yet it never occurs to us, we may also be walking in our own delusion (a partial truth, if you will).  Whether you believe in God or not, or whether you think you 'signed up' for this or not, it isn't stopping Him from addressing this false reality in everyone.

Truth is revealed in all creation, and is as obvious as the nose on our faces, yet remains impossible to find with human eyes.  This is true because we've assumed 'all we see and know' is 'all'.  We've loved ourselves, our political opinions, our country, our church, the familiar, and our reasoning, to the point we defend it with our lives.  Everything you believe which isn't viewed from the whole, is based from your own partiality.  For the wise, it's understood why the starting line is often the start/finish line.  It's simple; the race is over before it's ever ran, and running the race is to carry this simple truth while living life on Earth.

It sounds counterproductive on the surface, to believe the race has already been run, but we've presumed the goal is to accomplish something, taking for granted our quest is fueled seeking what we desperately need.  What we need has already been provided; we are all loved unconditionally and we are all His children (before someone has a heart-attack, believing this truth is an entirely different subject).  In seeing from God's perspective you'll understand we have all things in common, and His powerful compassion can be released in your life.

If you will let go of your favorite branch, you'll experience God.  Don't be fooled; the question isn't, 'If'... you will let go.  The question is, 'When?'.

David

P.S.  Homework; take a few moments and meditate on photo above.

Let go of your favorite branch.

Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom Tagged With: Alabama, Apostle, Bible, David Roberts, Evangelist, Father's Heart Gadsden AL, Kingdom of God, One with God, Prophet, Restoration House Ministries, Shepherd, Spirit, Teacher, Unconditional Love

My Advice on How to Vote

October 15, 2012 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

'Practice what you preach' is typically spoken as an indictment to a hypocrite, but give yourself some grace and "practice" what you believe.  Every encounter you have is an opportunity to "practice" what you believe.  Participate in relationships; and yes, even politics.  Failing to experience all of life would be like loving only certain types of music.  Sure, certain things 'feel' better, but true appreciation for diversity can only be seen from above.

voteDavidRoberts-300x251By the measure you are open to God, the same is true with intimacy in your relationships, neighborhood and community.  You can not connect with God and remain dis-connect-ed with your neighbor.

Your faith is not an excuse to dis-connect with community.  You don't have to stoop to the human 'spin' tactics of political persuasion.  Rise above the rhetoric and decide who you will vote.  Then, create an atmosphere to allow others to do the same.  Believe it or not, "you" matter; and "you" aren't wrestling with flesh and blood.  You aren't wrestling with the electorate or the outcome of an election.  If you are wrestling, you are wrestling with yourself, your ideas and dreams.  The battle isn't for an outcome in an election, the way the world counts votes, but in "you" being free.  The only mistake you can make is not to participate.

God didn't give you freedom, just to vote a party line or fall in Rankin file for someone else agenda.  He raised you above the fray and sent you into the world to be light and salt. The only mistake you could make now is failing to allow yourself to participate.

Don't confuse being a Christ follower with not being a part of the community.   While doing so, give others the same respect.  Use this season as a time to 'practice' what you preach.

Filed Under: Current Events, Kingdom Tagged With: Alabama, Apostle, Bible, David Roberts, Evangelist, Father's Heart Gadsden AL, Kingdom of God, One with God, Prophet, Restoration House Ministries, Shepherd, Spirit, Teacher, Unconditional Love

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