Bible

Close Enough to Perfect to Me

June 5, 2016 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

Off and on, for some time now, a scripture has come to mind often: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. It's Ps 84:10. In this scripture, where he says he'd rather be a 'doorkeeper' really jumps out. A doorkeeper? Yes. The longer I think about it, the more I realize being a doorkeeper is not a shabby gig. The keeper of the door can only be a trusted son, who can carry out his duties based on intimately knowing his Father's Heart. He must know who to let into His House.

The doorkeeper operates at the vestibule, at the threshold, where we enter. Not to be too explicit, but the vestibule is also the entrance tissue to a woman's vagina. To be a mature doorkeeper to God's House you must be incredibly intimate with God, which will renew your mind in order to properly know how to govern the door of His House.

There is a well known scripture in Ephesians 4:11. In it we read where God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Regardless how you read this verse there is a clear description on "why". He gave them for the perfecting of the saints.

Listening to a local country station the other day, an old song by the group Alabama came on, "Close Enough to Perfect". As I listened, my attention was arrested. God impressed to me a deeper appreciation and understanding of His love; and as leaders, our purpose.

"Don't you worry about my woman,
And what you think she aught to be!
She's close enough to perfect for me!" [full Lyrics below]

The perfecting of the saints has long been misunderstood. Perfecting does not mean robotic performance. It means you're coming into adulthood, understanding your entire sin debt was paid by Christ, and walking in this truth. No, people won't just go robbing banks or leaving to start their own church if they are told this. That may be what you did, but that's what happens to those who focus on sin nature; they became what we behold.

As we become more intimate with Christ, we discover we weren't saved only by His grace; His grace also keeps us. The song "Close Enough to Perfect" is about a man accepting his wife right where she is. That's perfect Love folks! It will unlock her heart. Christ loved His Church so much He gave His life for her. His Church, His rules. The Bride doesn't call the shots and Christ isn't abdicating His role to lead; He's just leading by becoming her servant, with His righteousness.

What happens when we focus on the goodness of God? It disarms us! We have no reason to sin since death has lost it's sting. When Christ speaks it's not with accusation. It may not always be with approval of our actions but it is always with Love (approval of our person). He leads Her (Christ's Church) by Love. She responds like a mirror to His love (glory of the moon- reflecting the Sun) as she receives His seed. She, operating in His name, plants the same Seed in others and He's reproduced as the glory of the Sun.

Men, it would radically change our homes if we'd simply love our wives as He loved His Church. By no means have I arrived in this (ask my wife, lol), but I'm determined the only thing that will make me leave is a higher court to rule, saying I must go. The only thing that could separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus would be for The Higher Court to reverse His decision to love the world so much He would give His only Begotten Son; that's not happening!

The only thing that could separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus would be for The Higher Court to reverse His decision to love the world so much He would give His only Begotten Son; that's not happening!

So, let's say you're the doorkeeper in God's House. Who do you suppose you'd open the door for? In light of Christ's amazing Gift, to give Himself for His Church, to show His Love to the world, I'd say the door needs to be propped open; for whosoever will, His Church. I'm speaking of course of His House and not an individual ministry or what most of us know as a church (contrasted with The Church). So often, leaders become overly focused on the 'work' they're doing to see Christ gently guiding them in another direction; sadly, many still see men as trees.

In my 18 years of ministry, I've seen all sorts of believers, coming from many different positions; most have a passionate heart to do the will of our Father.

We need to clear something up. In His House, we are all doorkeepers. The question isn't, "are you a doorkeeper?"; it's "are you hindering people from entering?" I don't think Saul knew he was persecuting the Church until he had his encounter with God. Much the same, The Church doesn't know by carrying His name we carry His authority to open the door for others, or hinder them from entering. We are all doorkeepers to the people around us, in our world. You are a doorkeeper if you're part of the family of faith in Jesus Christ. You and I are both doorkeepers into our Father's House. As we grow into perfection, we begin to understand that to God we're kings, but to others we're priests. You don't need a certificate or an ordination to be a priest for Him. You just need to be still in your earth suit.

The Church doesn't know by carrying His name we carry His authority to open the door for others, or hinder them from entering.

Of those of us that know we're doorkeepers, many act like 'bouncers' at a night club, waiting on you to step out of line, measuring and weighing individuals for flaws. No, I'm not picking on you to condemn you. I'm picking on all of us so we all hopefully lighten up. Even the ones who act this way, they're welcome in His House too. Christ covers their sin as well. We're perfect, but we're also growing into perfection. We're perfect because we're spotless in Him, as the Gift of Christ. We are growing into perfection by the gifts He gave; Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These gifts help us to appropriate Christ occupying us, as His flesh.

As doorkeepers, we have people around us often who are often grown up children. They need patience. Don't run off and leave them alone. Hold their hand, invite them to lunch and model what it means to no longer think and act like a child. The Higher Court has ruled to send His only begotten Son to pay the sin debt for the world. As doorkeepers you can't overthrow the Higher Court.

"Don't you worry about my woman, And what you think she aught to be! She's close enough to perfect for me!"

Read the lyrics to this song; watch and listen. It's really a spiritual song that reflects Christ's attitude for His Bride.

In Him, David

Lyrics:
"Close Enough To Perfect", by: Alabama

Sometimes the morning coffee's way too strong.
And Sometimes what she says she says all wrong.

Right or Wrong, she's there beside me,
Like only a friend would be!
And that's close enough to perfect for me.

Now, She's been known to wear her pants too tight.
And drinkin' puts her out just like a light.
Heaven knows she's not an angel,
But she'd really like to be.
And that's close enough to perfect for me.

She kisses me each mornin'
And smiles a sleepy smile!
She don't have to say it.
I can see it in her eyes!

Don't you worry about my woman,
And what you think she aught to be!
She's close enough to perfect for me!

Sometimes she gets down and starts to cry!
But then again a lady has a right.

She's everything I ever wanted!
She's all I'll ever need!
She's close enough to perfect for me!

She kisses me each mornin',
And smiles a sleepy smile!
She don't have to say it.
I can see it in her eyes!

Don't you worry about my woman,
And what you think she aught to be!
She's close enough to perfect for me!

Whooooa... She's close enough to perfect... for me

"Close Enough to Perfect" is a song written by Carl Chambers, and recorded by American country music band Alabama. It was released in August 1982, as the third single from Alabama's album Mountain Music.

How Does God Choose His Elders that “Mother” His Glory?

February 7, 2015 By David Roberts

God chooses some in the Earth who "Mother" the glory of God. He chooses whom He pleases without consulting human flesh (read Matthew 12:50, Luke 8:21, Mark 3:35). These "Mothers" are vessels of honor, with no cracks (they are sincere). They have illumination that 'doing' the will of God is not in human effort, as does the old wine skin. They do not reject the resurrection because they remain in awe of Him. They depend upon Him for every breath.

There are others, who love systems, their lives and human logic more than Spirit. They have not died, but this does mean they are disqualified. By purging themselves from the mind centered in the cares of the world, they shall be a vessel of honor, sanctified and in agreement for the Master's use. Then, they may be prepared to do every good work (II Tim 2:20,21).

In the world, vessels of dishonor love man's failed systems, typically considered to be "church", defined solely with human intellect, without preparing others to abide in The Kingdom. Held hostage in a school only those like itself can graduate, the cycle repeats. Not all, but many of the "shepherds" of these institutions have already received their reward. They have argued with God about who is in charge of "the body". This morning, my mind began to think of one of the decisions Solomon made. Recorded in I Kings 3, two women had a disagreement about who was the mother of a child. One mother, said not to split the baby and walked away, while the other demanded the baby be split in half and they would each have half. In Solomon's wisdom, he determined the true mother was the one willing to give up the child. She loved her baby so much, she was willing to die for him to live. Her instinctive role was not to demand her rights to be the mother. Her instinctive role revealed in salvation to the child. As painful as it was, she denied her own desire and was willing to lose the role of mother to her child and that is how she gained the right to care for him.

By attempting to abort the Child coming in the Earth, vessels of dishonor reveal themselves as shepherds for hire, who will dance any song you sing, as long as the price is right. Ruling by force and by show is what seems right to the carnal mind but to those who have allowed their minds to be renewed, by the washing of the Word, they see the Kingdom of God in everyone. To those who have ears to hear, the Bride of Christ is not many different parts, but it's One Bride of many members.

Are you His mother? It doesn't matter what position you have or how many boards you sit. It doesn't matter how many certificates wallpaper your wall. And it doesn't matter if you're like the little kid in school that never got chosen. The Gift in you will make it's own way no matter how painful the birthing pains. What matters is, are you willing to lay it all down, right now, just at the idea it may save what God is doing in the Earth? If so, you are His "Mother".

Understanding Eternal Thinking

February 6, 2015 By David Roberts

Often, it seems we don't seemingly find understanding about; life and death, soulish and spiritual, temporary and eternal. They are all difficult to face. The following is a short poem of a conversation between leaves. The story comes from the novel Bambi, wtitten by Felix Salten. I find it very enlightening and hopefully you will as well.

The leaves were falling from the great oak at the meadow's edge. They were falling from all the trees.

One branch of the oak reached high above the others and stretched far out over the meadow. Two leaves clung to it's very tip. "It isn't the way it used to be." said one leaf to the other.

"No,"the other leaf answered. "So many of us have fallen off tonight we're almost the only ones left on the branch."

"You never know who's going to go next, "said the first leaf. "Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudburst would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still very young. You never know who's going to go next."

"The sun hardly shines now," sighed the second leaf, "and when it does, it gives no warmth. We must have warmth again."

"Can it be true," said the first leaf, "can it really be true, that others come to take our places when we're gone and after them still others, and more and more?"

"It really is true," whispered the second leaf. "We can't even begin to imagine it, it's beyond our powers."

"It makes me very sad," added the first leaf. They were very silent a while. Then the first leaf said quietly to itself, "Why must we fall?"

The second leaf asked, "What happens to us when we have fallen?"

"We sink down......." "What is under us?" The first leaf answered, "I don't know. Some say one thing, some another, but nobody knows."

The second leaf asked, "Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we're down there?"

The first leaf answered, "Who knows? Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us about it."

They were silent again. Then the first leaf said tenderly to the other, "Don't worry so much about it. You're trembling."

"That's nothing," the second leaf answered, I tremble at the least thing now. I don't feel so sure of my hold as I used to."

"Let's not talk any more about such things," said the first leaf.

The other replied, "No, we'll let it be. But-what else shall we talk about?"

It was silent, but went on after a little while, "Which of us will go first?" "There's still plenty of time to worry about that," the other leaf said reassuringly.

"Lets remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life. Do you remember? And the morning dew and the mild and splendid nights.........?

"Now the nights are dreadful," the second leaf complained, "and there is no end to them."

"We shouldn't complain," said the first leaf gently. "We've outlived many, many others."

"Have I changed much?" asked the second leaf shyly.

"Not in the least," the first leaf said. "You think so only because I've gotten to be so yellow and ugly. But it's different in your case."

"You're fooling me," the second leaf said.

"No, really," the first leaf answered eagerly, "believe me, you're as lovely as the day you were born. Here and there may be a little yellow spot. But it's hardly noticeable and makes you only more beautiful, believe me."

"Thanks," whispered the second leaf, quite touched. I don't believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you're so kind. You've always been so kind to me. I'm just beginning to understand how kind you are."

"Hush," said the other leaf, and kept silent itself, for it was too troubled to talk any more.

Then they were both silent. Hours passed. A moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the treetops. "Ah, now," said the second leaf, "I...."

Then it's voice broke off. It was torn from it's place and spun down. Winter had come.

Passages from Bambi... by Felix Salten written in 1928

Understanding Yeshua (Jesus) Fulfilling the Law

January 31, 2015 By David Roberts

Love Fulfills Law Many Christians find the law of Moses and Yeshua (Jesus) difficult to understand (reconcile). It really boils down to understanding the difference between "law enforcement" and "law fulfillment". He not only fulfilled the law but desires to continue fulfilling it through you.

The standard is not to keep the regulations but to die to what seems right, so the Spirit in you can lead you. The regulations keep themselves when you surrender to God. Being led of Spirit (loving God with all your heart, soul and body) results in looking past others performance (loving your neighbor as you love yourself).

Reconciling the Old and the New is not in finding how they are different, but how the two witnesses were saying the same thing all along. Two cant walk together unless they agree. If this seems like a foreign language, pray to understand the difference between "law enforcement" and "law fulfillment".

Meditate on this... Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 (NKJV)
By no means are these few words intended to be all inclusive of all the wonderful discoveries many are making and is offered as a reference to help discern the difference in old and new wine skins. I hope this helps you. Feel free to comment, like and/or share.

Honor, Respect, Dishonor, Disrespect and the Offended

January 24, 2015 By David Roberts

If Yeshua (Jesus) is my Lord, He said I would hear HIS voice and would follow HIM. Where was HE going? When Paul said to follow him as he followed Christ. Where was he going? Answer: The cross (to die).

More times than I can count, I've heard these verses quoted:

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." I Sam. 15:22

"For I desire mercy (love- kindness) and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

First of all, God sent His Son to reconnect fallen man (that which was lost). When someone continues to re-crucify Him, it demonstrates a lack of understanding that from God's perspective, you and He are no longer separated. Without this understanding, fasting may be appropriate until revelation of their being complete in Christ (it should only be done if you perceive the Bridegroom is away- Mark 2:19). If you don't understand you're one with God, study seeking to understand that you are approved.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God..." II Tim. 2:15

I believe God desires obedience to His heart rather than perform:ance based acceptance (PBA). PBA offers performance as the sacrifice. One could be obedient to the letter yet not the Spirit. True obedience to His heart is death to self.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends". Jn 15:13

How can we be obedient, following Christ, even to death? Simply believe; open the gift of Grace. If we believe HIM, by default, we'll no longer believe in ourselves and/or each other. Our honor to His heart dis-honors (dis-respects) the systems of men. God is not a respecter of persons; meaning, your best or worst does not impress or turn Him. The un-renewed mind would attempt to "teach" honor, missing that "honor" is a supernatural quality of someone walking in love. Either someone is walking in love our they're not. Anyone walking in love will honor others, because it's nature produces honor.

Yeshua (Jesus) encountered during His 33 years the same thing you and I encounter, as sons of God. The wisdom of the world honors systems and performance rather than Grace. We're born in a body running something like a computer program, falsely believing salvation would come a certain way.

I've been thinking lately about how SOCIETY influences, and how we give honor and respect where God does not.

Society:

the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity.

There is a big difference in illumination coming FROM society versus THROUGH society. To the religious mind, it's dishonoring not to honor what they deem important. He actually disrespected them by respecting Truth; they were offended. Are you bold enough to honor each other and yet not stand in agreement that their system will bring salvation. They believe it will. Are you gonna agree with them or Still wanna follow Him?

As an example of what I'm hoping to communicate, by honoring the water in a cup, we bring honor to the cup. To the cup, this is dis-honor because it seeks glory for itself. Drinking a cup of water doesn't mean we drink ONLY from cups. No vessel should be worshiped, but when you want to drink water without refilling you'll drink from a river.

With love comes a sober mind, an understanding of what is worthy of honor/respect. Therefore, we also discern between what is perishing. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways (1 Cor 13:11). With a sober mind YOU see face to face, YOU know fully, even as YOU have been fully known (by Spirit). Love discerns all things.

On a personal note, I get in more trouble because of disrespecting what others respect. What can I say? I'm my Father's son.

In Him, David

End of part one. In the second part we'll discuss this teaching and how it connects to overcoming the gates of hell.

Roundtable Discussion on Greater Works than Jesus Part 2

August 28, 2014 By David Roberts

No sooner than I'd finished Part 1, we thought we should go ahead and include a followup. We have a part 3 in our heart but it may or may not make it to the web. Just to give you the point, just imagine what a city would look like if several people took this seriously? I see an army of God's people rising out of the Earth. I see this army as an army on horseback, a cavalry, if you will. He's leading the charge now!

BACK TO PART 1

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12 NKJV

Roundtable Discussion on Greater Works than Jesus Part 1

August 28, 2014 By David Roberts

Recently, I was thinking about a verse found in the Bible. Jesus, speaking to the disciples tells them that they would do greater works than Him (John 14:12). I think this would make a great discussion, should anyone want to post their thought. I'll start the ball off by sharing a short video of my thought, including a followup video.

CONTINUE TO PART 2

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12 NKJV

Come to Me All Who Labor

August 15, 2014 By David Roberts

If most of us were alive 2000 years ago, we would have witnessed a community of people who were consumed with the popularity of their beliefs. I would submit those days are not unlike these days. 2000 years ago, we would have seen debates about what this verse means and what that verse means. Without being aware they were walking in legalism. We look back, acknowledging Pharisees, Sadducees and others, were evil (in the worldly sense), but actually they were not. They were seekers, but digging for treasure in the wrong field. They shared scriptures back and forth and diligently studied them. They believed they would find life in them. They loved the scriptures! But, what they missed was losing their own life, so they could see the unseen (the Kingdom of God), which Jesus preached. They couldn't see Jesus' as being part of God because they were looking at the form. We're not so different today.

If you were to pour concrete, we would need forms, but who worships concrete forms, except people ‘selling’ them? Being a respecter of persons is 'selling' them? Concrete forms are highly functional and without them, there would be no shape to our drive-ways, side walks and roads, but the main even is the substance that is carried in the form. Admitting we're vested in form is the first step toward repenting (turning to leave this path and head another), but it's only revealed by God and I've never seen this happen without someone being honest with themselves about heart issues. Selling everything you have, to follow Him is wise, but make sure it's not the form your following. I believe there are Apostles, Pastors and spiritual fathers around us that have a kingdom connection waiting for divine appointment. This could be one for you now (contact me). You could go through life and never see how close God was because we worshiped form far more than we admitted. Allowing yourself to 'leave' the control of form will lead you to being activated in your purpose. (the preceding is important!)

Now, with all that said, there is nothing wrong with your form. It's different, for sure but we'd be bored to tears if we were all uniform, not having our unique ways of expressing our passions and desires. Contrary to what the pastor or your buddy may have told you, God's not trying to kill your form or get you to lose your form. His substance doesn't harden stone, which the law was written. His substance is Love and written on our hearts. The control form has had over us is what He dealt with. If you like chocolate ice cream, it's not evil! If you like working with wood, that's not evil! Or, baking pies or trading stock, or driving a truck, or you are a natural leader, or like to write... all those things are not evil. Notice, I left out things like preaching on the platform or teaching Sunday School. The reason is that Kingdom Apostolic leaders lead you to "your" ministry, not "a" ministry. Not including traditional (platform) ministry roles is not because I feel they are evil, because I don't. I just feel it's human nature to worship them because humanity loves things we can see. People who don't know any better are looking for "Moses" to go to the mountain for them and the only model we're showing them is that we'll do it. It would be one thing if we simply showed the model, but that's not enough. We insist people bow down to it, and like the Jewish leaders told Pilate, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar." If it crossed your mind that I omitted those wonderful callings, the reason should now be self evident.

Okay, so there are many who have read this and don't understand. To you I'd say, "That's okay." The Good News is that "I" accept you as you are, no matter your form. Purposely, I use the word "I", as I'm making a statement of faith and a practical step toward taking authority over my form. As a son of God, it's "I" (not my form) who say, "Come to me you who are laboring in self effort and vain imagination; "I'll"(without form) give you rest." As sons of God, you (with form) bring The Father (without form). Don't miss what Jesus was saying when He said to come to Him. He wasn't putting any emphasis on His flesh. He was speaking of The One who sent Him. Paul said to think just like Him. Allow this same mind to be in you. His mind doesn't draw attention to it's natural form, but functions as a gate to a higher place.

Don't just say this with me, but do it with me, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Take God to your world.

Will Love Free Anyone?

August 5, 2014 By David Roberts

The Ebola virus is very serious stuff and should be given a lot of attention. My real question is why we don't we use the antidote to fear? We have it, or at least we talk about it enough...

The only antidote to living in fear is unconditional love. It will cause a shift, shaking everything we thought we knew. I don't suppose I have full understanding of this but I have enough to want the rejects that are being thrown away. I now know how the captives are set free, cause I'm one of them. Unconditional love sets whoever you come in contact with, FREE. Hey, don't rush to judgement about what being set free looks like.

Well, how does it look then? I'm glad you asked (lol)... During an encounter with someone, there are invisible strings being pulled in a hierarchical fashion. Every human has them. You've (your ego has) sharpened the skill since the day you were conceived in flesh. From that moment, human reasoning began to learn risk and reward, in order to ultimately manipulate situations. When one party in a relationship doesn't 'bite' on pulling back on these invisible strings, that party is either accepting or rejecting without regard to condition. Love accepts the other without regard to condition. When you LOVE, it sends a flash of illumination to whomever you are connecting. This LOVE actually illuminates their soul. It gets their attention because your response is totally not based on the same principals they've honed. In this instance, they are "free". Whether they resume feeding from the same methods that have gotten them this far isn't the question, but at this moment, they have "seen" God. They have seen love in another form, you. They may not recognize it, but it's God all the same.

Even though you may not understand, I'm not going to continue giving examples to prove a point. I just want to ask, " What set you free? Was it the law of sin and death or because you believed?"

Pre-Conceived Ideas- How can they be the cause of storms?

August 4, 2014 By David Roberts

PRE-CONCEIVED ideas are the cause of many of life's storms. When the purity of approaching 'what's next' as a child, meets the fear of the future (past or present), the two opposing fronts meet. You might say, it's a double-minded reality and is the cause of much of my (and your) anguish.

This 'plays out' in several different ways (here are a few):

To some, they become addicted to the constant storms; they love the dysfunction of being in what they perceive the front lines.
To some, fear causes them to go around all trouble, which does nothing more than cause them to live life circling the same issues over and over. The mountains then become their gods and their compass.
For others, they see the storm for what it is; they hear God's small, still voice, encouraging them to let go of whatever is covering their eyes. To these sons of God, they manifest His purpose in the Earth.

It's never too late to offer your pre-conceived ideas up to the fire so you too can be free.

Popular Choir Music