Christ be formed

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. 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

Christ Revealed in Play-Doh

December 1, 2016 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

All children and adults are familiar with Play-Doh. Some time ago I began using it to communicate principles in the Kingdom of God. Yes, I know it's silly, but in my mind, it's one of the many small things that demonstrate the divide between 'the way things appear' vs. 'what they are'.

If I were to show you a can of Play-Doh, and ask, 'What is this?' We would agree, 'it's Play-Doh'. But, what if I removed the lid and removed the clay from the container? Referring to the clay, I ask again, 'Well, if that was Play-Doh then what is this?' And, referring to the empty container, 'And, what is this?' Because the Play-Doh was in the container, they are considered one, yet Play-Doh is Play-Doh whether it's presented in the container or in another way. If the Son of Man is the Messiah, based on His Spirit in the man that came through Mary, then I'd like for you to explore the consequences of His Spirit being in our earthen vessels.

There are things all around, which announce His Kingdom in us. It's in all creation to be seen plainly, but with eyes to see, we'll see the Teacher appear at any time. The source of life is found in every human, so no matter what someone looks like on the outside, we should do whatever necessary to understand this dynamic.

'The way that seemeth right unto a man' comes from an instinct and a need to control our current circumstances and future. In ministry, there are some assumptions made that we must allow His Spirit to test and purify the intentions of our hearts. Placing a higher emphasis on vehicles to carry God than our fear of being wrong stalls our progress. God doesn't need another vehicle to ride. The one vehicle He designed for this job is YOU; You are His tabernacle! Your ministry vehicle must NOT be a thing we create to feel safe and predictable. Encountering God in this reality isn't safe at all. In fact, it's down right dangerous. Surrendering to God will almost certainly include restructuring or removing what you call ministry. There's a powerful key found in simple, childlike trust in God. As long as we're driven by fear, we need a revolution born out of love, but because it's love don't assume there won't be fire.

The greatest place of strength is found in weakness. When resources and ministry vehicles are gone or threatened, it often reveals whether it was His strength or survival that we are anchored. Mourning loss is normal, but I'm referring to the reality we married those things in the first place. We must know and understand that the shaking in our lives is a blessing from God and even a sign post given to help us allow Him to close chapters in our lives, so we can move as He moves. Nothing matures us more than total dependence on His Spirit so shaking off yesterday's events is an automatic, in order to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Denying self can only be done when 'self' (the container) is present and contrary to popular opinion, 'self' must be present. Reckon dead it's lordship! Simply don't follow it's instinctive directions but that's often easier said than done. We often fail to lay down some things because we viewed variables as constants.

There needs to be a shift from looking for resources so we can become 'the resource' for others. Instead of carrying people to church, focus on training your people to go live powerful kingdom lives in their world, and you'll be sending 'church' to them. This is what needs to change; the core of our ministries revolves around the church. Wrong! It should revolve around His Throne. Whatever anchor point we revolve around is our God.

Too often, well-meaning men stopped short of discovering their kingdom purpose because they're mixing the pure seed with something vile. It's an interesting dynamic where we seek God's face until one day, when we're facing Him, He turns us around to face His world. It's in this revolution we find our kingdom purpose. Without being empowered by God, we produce codependent relationships and organizations until God no longer permits. Until the cycle breaks we'll never realize we were 100% adequate without all the added trimmings. God will not permit mixed seed plans to succeed.

The Church is absolutely necessary but it must be put in proper order to the kingdom. Your earthly vessel is also absolutely necessary, and it must also be put in proper order. Instead of being saved from the world we are being saved for our world. What Jesus Christ did for the whole world, we bring into manifestation, according to our calling, a dispensation of the gospel, the measure of rule He has given us.

There is a veil shrouding the reality of your true identity and it causes a dismissal of powerful things that are small. This veil separates the pure kingdom from that which is out of alignment to His Spirit. Until you're able to behold him in the mirror, you'll be viewing from a distance your inheritance, instead of connecting with the treasure. Being human doesn't disqualify you. In fact, it's what qualifies you. But once you qualify, you will be qualified. Take this with you: Jesus said that if any man will come after Him, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Him. The key here is to remember that your container doesn't disqualify you from having the Great Treasure in you. Your container is where God wanted to live all along.

John wrote in 1 John that we shouldn't believe every spirit, that we should try the spirits. He further explains that every spirit that confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. Have you ever considered that wasn't just Jesus' testimony John was writing about? Our testimony should be that He has come in our flesh. That's what the Play-Doh is all about. The container doesn't take credit but it does get a boat load of benefits.

If God's Spirit in The Son of Man makes Him the Messiah, then what does His Spirit living in your earthen vessel make you?

Exploring Motivations of the Heart

September 1, 2016 By David Roberts Leave a Comment

Amidst all the struggles 'life' seems to present, there is a longing in every person to 'solve' present problems/situations. No matter the problem, our pre-programmed software package outputs the answer:

If drowning, if at all possible, we attempt to swim to the top
If we feel unsafe, we lock our doors
If we're cold, we put on a sweater or turn up the heat
If we need money, we get a job (or rob a bank- hopefully not!)
If we're caught in the rain, we seek shelter
If we're lonely, we join a social group
If isolated, we seek intimacy
If we feel undervalued, we seek a pat on the back
If feeling unfulfilled we'll get another degree and possibly move to a new neighborhood

The above list is simply representative of solving problems, as we move through life; there's nothing dysfunctional about being human. There seems no end to examples like these, but the truth is, there is an end. 'This end' is what's on my mind most of the time. I've discovered that in order to help people find the beginning they are longing, they must be willing to experience the end. I don't simply want to tell you about it. I deeply desire you experience it. He can be seen clearly in all creation and human psychology is part of 'all creation'.

I sat with a friend recently who is struggling with a lot of things. His marriage, according to him, is over. For several years he's struggled emotionally. It's difficult for anyone to really get to know him. I may be the only person he actually opens up with. He can tell me in great detail about dreams, where God visits him, telling him that he's acceptable. But, when he describes his wife, his fear creates a disconnect, disabling him from seeing/accepting her the same way. I'm heartbroken at how close he is and yet rejoice that my job isn't to fix him, it's to love him. I guess I'm just different. I'm drawn to men like this. My wife once said I need more 'normal' friends but I'm just looking for broken vessels, people who worldly logic discards as rejects. Besides, I once heard 'normal' was just a setting on a dryer. 'Normal' needs to be redefined into a powerful example of what living sons look like (that's the kind of normal that moves me).

No one can know exactly how another feels or what others are going through. What you're going through is unique to you, yet all struggle has within it a common thread, connection to taste death. Spirit teaches us by allowing us to 'taste death', not so we're swallowed by it's darkness. Tasting death is powerful and necessary because you discover you can eat it. You discover you're not disconnected from God and have power over it, with Him. Death, where is your sting?

A few years ago I was moving into my new shop on our farm. While moving, I loaded my open trailer for the 25 minute journey, only to discover upon arrival my expensive, heavy mill, black plastic sheeting had bounced off during travel. I was sad. It felt odd being sad at this, so I turned my attention toward God. I was actually mourning a roll of plastic. I felt odd, almost ashamed, as I inquired. God spoke to me a great revelation about mourning. Mourning is critical for humanity to emote and it's critical that we're absolutely honest (transparent with our inner self). We can't just pretend we're okay if we're not and we can't just stick our finger in a Bible and quote scriptures. The world is full of people who tell you all about God but aren't actually taking the medicine. Heck, for that matter, so are the pulpits. I'm looking for someone who's bold enough to approach Him as they are. When it gets down to it, that's the way you gotta come, just as you are. No amount of lipstick is gonna change a thing. It's just you and God's love for you. Out of this simple, ever-reproducing encounter, we know ourselves as we are known; and that's why you should continue reading...

Protestants recently celebrated Easter, the time of The Resurrection and Life:

Resurrection? Churches are packed on Resurrection Sunday. We all wanna hear that because of Jesus we're alive!!! Actually, control is what we (humanity) loves and wants to hear about. That's why the masses only wanna hear about the goodies but never press in enough to actually experience them personally.
There is an underlying energy motivating flesh, even from birth. Whether to save self or not, all flesh comes pre-programmed, wired into connectivity with the earth. Flesh instinctively swims to the top of the water if drowning... so, we can conclude, flesh is only interested in saving self. What it's actually interested in is calling the shots. When The Resurrection is presented in proper context, ascension cannot be done without descending. Making it to the top of the water for the drowning person is absolutely important but it's never the main event.
For humans, our methods are ineffective at touching Eternity. We just never understood it (Eternity) was hidden in our hearts. It's illogical to die to live, so we pass over this option; it appears unable to provide what we're longing. The Resurrection must be presented in the proper pattern: Jesus could not rise until He first descended.
Life? Now, that will sell! Or, will it? We have lots of buyers wanting Life! But, once we shine the light on the fact we can't have resurrection without being dead first, we lose our audience. Peddling death won't make you popular. In fact, you may even be unrecognizable, marred and without reputation.
Some years ago, I obtained an 800 number and opened a suicide help line. I wasn't there to talk people out of suicide. I desire people embrace 'dying right'. If I can teach you how to 'die right', you'll know how to live instinctively. You'll discover Treasure hidden inside you. In this state you'll no longer grasp for life, you'll understand you're one with The Life.

Are we asking others to walk in revelation they haven't yet received? Do we get disappointed in the way they handle affairs because they handle issues differently? Now, that's messed up!

The message of the gospel is not asking for forgiveness of your sins; it's learning that your Sin WAS ALREADY forgiven (from human perspective). Accepting there is no offense between yourself and God is the only way to accept Truth. The Good News is NEWS! The only responses are: 'to believe' or 'to not believe'. Believing causes those bound in fear to break free; instantly experiencing new life as citizens of heaven, even while on Earth.

I began writing by describing how our human programming is predictable in a hierarchy of needs. I began with foundational needs of life and death situations, and worked down the list. For years, I guess I believed being human was a sin, that being human was an enemy of Spirit; but, somewhere along the way I began to see things differently. It was looking through the eyes of Grace that allowed me to embrace my humanness was not God's enemy. My humanness is the earthen vessel where the Treasure lives! My humanness is His humanness. And, so is your humanity.

Each of us have a deep desire to be accepted. Said another way, "we need love". It just so happens that God is Love so that works out pretty well. Love has not, will not, and cannot fail. Love doesn't mean you'll get your way or guarantee you won't be present in a terrorist attack. The Good News is only good news because it's a done deal, even before you knew He existed. It's news, not an invitation. You don't have to ask God to forgive you; BELIEVE that you were forgiven, because you are.

Human motivations to our actions are born out of either; (a)climbing a ladder to become something, or (b)an understanding of what 'is' already. This isn't to say that self-discovery of your identity will not continue as you're transformed but honest motivation chooses because of who you are, not who you hope to be one day. (Example: A faithful husband doesn't step out on his wife because he's afraid of getting caught. He's faithful because of who he is.)

Spiritual maturity comes through the daily process of accepting there is no separation between yourself and God. Offenses are used to identify areas of needed growth.

Finally, the struggles 'life' seems to present are not haphazard. They're Spirit teaching you. What you're really experiencing is THE LIFE, Him. We don't have to move away from trouble every time it appears. Sit, study it, and meditate on what God may be saying through your everyday life.

I hope you'll engage in conversation by commenting below. Share what Spirit speaks to you.

In Rest,
David

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.

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.

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

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

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

Till Christ be Formed in You

August 4, 2014 By David Roberts

Several months ago, I made this short video to put here. I never posted it, and for whatever reason, this morning I woke up thinking I should post it. I hope someone will find some freedom in it. If you have a few minutes, I'd love for you to take a look at it and give me your thoughts.