boast in weakness

Operating in the Mind of Christ

August 5, 2016 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

Believing the Gospel changes your mind. Preaching the Gospel is primarily to change what you believe in (your mind), not your actions; so if your mind is changed to Christ's mind, your actions will align to His actions.

Alternatively, if you change your actions, you may still be trusting in the old mind, possibly trying to create a new 'habit'. Trusting the Grace of God is not a habit; it's the power of God, which is foolishness to what is perishing.

Focusing on the end result is fine if it's a goal we're setting; to lose weight, plant a garden, study to know His Word, or study for a test, but the principles at play aren't carnal, so our weapons aren't carnal. This is so difficult for the prophetic to accept, because they 'see', but what they don't see is how we get from 'here' to 'there'.

The difference is as simple as Christ being presented as concealed (old Covenant- law) or Christ revealed (New Covenant- Grace through Faith). The end result happens as our mind is renewed, when we accept His Grace by Faith; Christ is being formed in us.

For the one who follows Jesus, nothing can be more important than believing in Him. Everything else is subordinate to this top priority.

For the one who considers himself a spiritual leader; do not instruct followers to 'do right', because the carnal mind will try to appropriate what we say, by using their effort to perform it, nullifying their experience in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The leader attempting to ride the fence really struggles with this truth. They see the choice of the individual to 'do right' as the goal. When the mind surrenders to His rule, all the dominoes fall.

If we must communicate what the end result looks like, and you can't just leave it as 'Christ being formed in you' and 'Him fulfilling His purpose through you', then do it with the understanding of 'how' 'right is done'. Attack the source of the issue, which is sin consciousness, not the individual choices. Focus on where they are placing their trust. Better yet, let's look in the mirror and do it in front of them, because that's what leading is all about, going first. The mind of Christ or the mind of man? The choice is simply to believe in Jesus and the one who sent Him.

Submission to Authority

September 22, 2015 By David Roberts

Part of our ineffectiveness in today's Church (intended to bring attention so we can fix it, not to bash) is so many of us are out of position. People lead themselves, believing it's okay to merrily bounce from one place to the next, taste-testing wine from every table. We do all this without being sent, usually because the church down the street has a better "you fill in the blank". We all know there is nothing wrong with paving our parking lots, having a nursery or having the best youth department in town, but I think we could all agree those things are added conveniences.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America defines dementia this way: Dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms-such as loss of memory, judgment, language, complex motor skills, and other intellectual function-caused by the permanent damage or death of the brain's nerve cells, or neurons. -In the past, I've described our human condition as having an identity crisis. We haven't had our identity stolen, that would be impossible. You are who you are, even if you don't know it. Either building on or drilling deeper, I do not know, it is most likely our disconnect from our spiritual head that could be diagnosed as spiritual dementia.

Fueling "our" dementia is a belief rooted in the assumption God was created in our image rather than we in His. We transfer that to assuming our spiritual authority should appear in our image. We say with our mouths "we submit" but in our hearts it's only to the point that we're familiar. Some insist spiritual authority on Earth must have a meeting on Sunday. Some say, "no building at all". And some say, "no meeting at all". Whatever your flavor, we've created a Jesus that can meet the perception of your need. I realize this sounds a little cynical but if we're ever to receive healing and then wholeness, we need to know "from what" we're being healed. Your greatest enemy may be your failure to rest in God. In your defense, you can't do it before He leads but it's the disconnect from the Head that I'm addressing, not the action of "faith" or "lack of faith". What we often call "faith" is really our present "trusting God", which we treat as if it's the standard. In reality, the standard is really to eat from the Tree of Life so we start out deceived making it impossible to "hit the mark".

Drinking from many fountains causes our purpose to become confused and diluted. Our hearing becomes dull when we search everything we can find, to make what we call our gift manifest in the Earth. When we see ourselves as our gift, we are lost; maybe we have salvation for a future heaven but we're unable to bring the reality of heaven into our world. We're caught in the in between. It's in this state we exhibit symptoms of spiritual dementia (loss of memory, judgment, language, complex motor skills, and other intellectual function-caused by the permanent damage or death of the brain's nerve cells, or neurons). Of course, we know nothing is wrong with The Head. It's just that the body is disconnected from Him, simply by trying to find Him. He was right there, but many leave in search of an already present God. He takes us to a situation to teach us, but our itching ears and sweet tooth lead instead. It's in this mindset that we are seeking to discover who we are. We are drawn to support those who give us purpose in the natural, which isn't all bad. It's when we seek this for validation and identity that we eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. As long as this is our mindset we'll never be able to experience real circumcision. We give others what we are drinking; it's the same convoluted mixture we drink and we think we're doing well.

Occasionally, I'm misunderstood so I should clarify that I see diversity as our strength. I'm not saying we shouldn't connect with others, or learn from each other. God reveals Himself anyway He chooses. I'm just sharing from an apostle's viewpoint where that is. What's important to understand in each of us, we carry light (lamp or lamp-stand). Just like you, we are each responsible for tending that light. I use a lower case "l" when spelling light because as long as we're tending it, we aren't there yet. Where's there? You'll have to read further to learn a little about the third dimension or seventh day, but when we're in alignment with His Kingdom in Heaven, we'll mirror it on Earth. In short, "there", is walking behind the veil, where He provides the Light.

His Kingdom has come but our body is learning what this looks like on Earth. I don't suppose to tell you what your specific ministry should look like. I can only say that you were fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Borrowing a little light from many takes their revelation and treats it with dishonor. It also makes your life a mess because you don't have the authority to speak their revelation, as if you carried their light. What happens is that you quote them and place it in the context of your life, but they were given that light for an entirely different purpose; one that's very personal between God and them. They lost more than we can possibly imagine to have their revelation trampled on. The bottom line is that tending everyone's lamp-stand will wear you out. Let's talk about spiritual authority and submission, for a moment. As it concerns leadership in His body; someone speaks and your baby leaps because they carry the same light. That's how you know where you are being joined into His body. If this happens to you, then God may be showing you who you should be submitting. No baby has three fathers so this connection is very important to discern where God has placed you in the body. Many are sick because they don't allow their afraid to have their hearts circumcised. I understand what you may be thinking; it's scary. When we buy into having more than one father, we set ourselves up for a harder road than is really required.

You have a lamp-stand, and in one sense, you are that lamp-stand. Just like Jesus went to sit at the right hand of the Father and is preparing a place for you, maybe we should consider that the place He is preparing, "is you". In His House there are many mansions. The things you are going through is your mansion being restored. You shouldn't hear any negativity in this article because you are one of His mansions and His desire is to take residence and live in you; not just in you but through you. If you submit to spiritual authority, it is in the context of helping guide you to trust Him. You should never allow anyone to control your life, except if someone steals your coat, then maybe you can give them your sweater too. If God's called you, His Word is in you, so simply by falling to the ground in surrender His authority, you will "grow" just like any other seed. Jesus taught that the children of God are His seed. As you desire to sow His Word in others you were designed to manifest His Word and be sown in the Earth. The idea that God is distant is a world view and not anything like reality. God didn't touch you so that you could save your life by what makes human sense. He touched you so you could become a son and receive your inheritance.

It's a super-natural resurrection that happens. Jesus said He came to make war and not peace. There is nothing nice or pleasant about taking authority over your own flesh, but only you can do it as He leads. The ways that 'seem' right are to take in as much information as needed to reach a logical conclusion, but God was already perfect Logic. He makes perfect sense if you have eyes to see. He connected you to Him and has connected you in His body. The pain of much of life's struggles are Him uncovering what was done in the open. That's right; it was done in the open, not in a corner. Our salvation is plain to see and He desires much more that you go along with Him than you could ever chase after Him. Since we are so use to hiding and doing things in secret, we're a little slow on this, but never to worry, He's been on our side the whole time and demands we not glory in our own flesh and this is one of the primary reasons He places spiritual authority in your life. We travail in pain to see Christ be formed in you.

It does no good to bare burdens He already bore and He receives no honor or glory when we fail to receive what He died and resurrected to give. When we feed others with this same cup, Jesus said you're making them twice a son of hell as you. The act of submission is not only necessary to learn; it's fundamental to how authority functions on Earth and in Heaven. So many have a great desire to teach and that's wonderful, but if no one is asking questions of you, or bowing at the anointing in you (2Kings2:15), they aren't ready to hear. What you probably need is to wait until you are sent. But, if you're bound and determined to plow ahead, if they aren't buying what you're selling, stop talking and listen. Listen until their heart softens so they can receive. In that environment, it's impossible to learn unless Someone has to submit to your authority or your wasting your time trying to teach. It's much more wise trying to love them to repentance until their hearts are soft and pliable enough to teach, than to take authority over someone other than own life. That's just wrong.

As it stands now, those carrying the label of Christian look like drunk fools to the world. Out of our mouths come a message of forgiveness but many of our homes are a wreck. The church's divorce rate is higher than the world and hotels bid for denominational leadership conventions so they can sell more porn. Humans love to worship "form" so it's not an easy path to follow Christ.

I want to leave you with one final thought about what it looks like dancing from table to table drinking any wine that's served. This is more that a thought; it's a reality of not submitting to the authority God places in your life. There was a chief priest in Acts 9 that tried to do miracles in the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches. The demon replied that Jesus he knew and Paul he knew but who are you? I don't see it as conferring with flesh and blood but wouldn't the best baseball players submit to their coach for training and game day? Even Paul went and submitted his gospel to Peter, James and John. He wrote that he submitted to them in private because he was fearful that he might be running, or had run, in vain. Arrogance and pride are not compatible with teaching; and submitting to spiritual authority is very different than submitting one to another in brotherly love.

In Him, David

What is this thing called “Life”? Acceptance of Death, by Alan Watts

June 19, 2015 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

"Life is found when the end of effort is found (not by means -of- effort)."

The other day, I watched the following 4 minute video. It struck a chord in me because it reflects my current reality of Life, Death everything in between, before and after. Your comments are welcome but I'm not looking for validation or "high fives", or to rally the troupes in an effort to get everyone (anyone) to agree with me. My reason for the few words I'll share, along with this video, is a deep desire for what is in me, to live longer and louder than my Earth suit.

If you view the below video, I hope you'll read the following few words and allow them to really challenge you: "To behold God, you become like Him. If you believe God to be the place where your heart is satisfied, where you're able to 'fly', where He's all you need; then, you will become those things to your world." It is possible that you are having difficulty understanding how all this could be. If you're struggling with this mindset, it may be that you've fixed your affections on "this world" and your identity is anchored in Earth.

All my love,
David

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE ABOVE VIDEO:

Now there really isn’t anything radically wrong with being sick or with dying. Who said you’re supposed to survive? Who gave you the idea that it’s a gas to go on and on and on?

And we can’t say that it’s a good thing for everything to go on living. In very simple demonstration that if we enable everybody to go on living, we overcrowd ourselves and we’re like an unpruned tree.

And, so therefore, one person who dies in a way is honorable because he’s making room for others… Although each one of us, individually, will naturally appreciate it when anybody saves our life, if we apply that case all around we can see that it’s not workable.

We can also look further into and see that if our death could be indefinitely postponed, we would not actually go on postponing it indefinitely because after a certain point we would realize that isn’t the way in which we wanted to survive.

Why else would we have children? Because children arrange for us to survive in another way by, as it were, passing on a torch so that you don’t have to carry it all the time. There comes a point where you can give it up and say now you work.

It’s a far more amusing arrangement for nature to continue the process of life through different individuals then it is always with the same individual, because as each new individual approaches life is renewed. And one remembers how fascinating the most ordinary everyday things are to a child, because they see them all as marvelous – because they see them all in a way that is not related to survival and profit.

When we get to thinking of everything in terms of survival and profit value, as we do, then the shapes of scratches on the floor cease to have magic. And most things, in fact, cease to have magic.

So therefore, in the course of nature, once we have ceased to see magic in the world anymore, were no longer fulfilling nature’s game being aware of itself.

There’s no point in it any longer. And so we die. And, so something else comes to birth, which gets an entirely new view.

It is not, therefore, natural for us to wish to prolong life indefinitely. But we live in a culture where it has been rubbed into us in every conceivable way that to die is a terrible thing. And that is a tremendous disease from which our culture, in particular, suffers.

By Alan Watts

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.

It’s Shocking and Should Leave You with Your Mouth Open

March 14, 2014 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

There all sorts of topics being talked about in the world. The 'juicy' ones are the ones that are 'shocking'. They are the ones where the movie star has some sort of love affair or secretly has an eating disorder. If you don't believe me, when's the last time you were in a check out line at your local grocery store? While checking out, you have your choice of a bounty of 'fresh kill' ready to meet the craving within our natural value system.

shock Most anyone exposed to Biblical teaching, preaching or personal study has heard the word 'Agape' being used. No one would disagree that 'Agape' is the Greek word for 'Love' when used as a noun. The study is extensive so I'm not attempting to 'can' what it means. Often, we also use the word 'Love' (Agape), when we attempt to 'describe'. In those cases, the word 'agape' is being used as an adjective or adverb. The descriptive word (adjective or adverb), as defined by Merriam-Webster means, "having the mouth open because of wonder, surprise, or shock".

Not very interesting so far, but this is why distinguishing the difference between noun and descriptive words are important. If our definition of 'Agape Love' does not leave us with our mouths open, in shock; it is not Agape Love. God's Love is so radical and so complete that it offends our flesh. To the flesh, it's the end of it's own value system; it's death. An example of this is that I was not saved 35 years ago; I was saved 2000 years ago when He finished the 'work'. Actually, it all happened from the foundations of the world. Our lack of presenting Truth as it is, waters down Grace. When presented in-correctly, it leaves people with a choice on whether to 'get saved' or not. There is a decision to make but it isn't whether to 'get saved' or not. The decision is to taste and see what He already did. I guess right now I just wanna say, "Preach the Truth Church! If your presentation of Truth doesn't leave people with their mouth open, in shock, it isn't Truth. God loves radically and the things we think separate us, may be the things that draw Him nearer."

Okay, so everything that leaves our mouths open and in shock is not Truth either. Of course. My point is that we should be slow to speak from a position of instruction. When we do speak, it should be of our real experience with God and of the Grace He has given. We find it so uncomfortable talking about our own frailty and issues that it leaves me wondering if most of what we know as leadership in 'The Church' has even made the choice to taste themselves. How would we know if someone is tasting of God's goodness? I can't say for sure, but I can tell you what it looks like in Paul, and sometimes myself. In Paul, he boasted in his weakness, so that Christ's power might rest in Him.

Okay, one final rant, "Don't worship the placenta!" Look for the Baby coming through our natural organizations and our natural lives. He comes to get us where we are, but it would be dysfunctional if we were to attempt to keep the placenta along with the baby. Discard the placenta as unimportant and fulfilling it's function! Prophecies and speaking in tongues are the same way. Our quest for knowledge will no longer be important once we grasp our real connection with God.

I titled this little article as "It's Shocking and Will Leave You with Your Mouth Open". Just remember this the next time you flinch when someone is sharing their experience with God. Also, be aware if you don't have this experience when they claim they're telling you about God's Love, because it may not be.

Peace2U,

David