Heaven

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.

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

Can the Unseen God be Seen?

February 13, 2015 By David Roberts

I'm controversial. So what? Man didn't change me but His faithful, steadfast Love did.:

What most accept to be the "church community" generally places a lot of emphasis on the seen (gay marriages, etc.), while saying with our mouths, "We trust the Unseen God."

Don't get worked up over societies' woes unless it's your being honest to communicate that by changing society, you believe we will be closer to God. If you believe this, you believe a lie. This line of thinking is not how God thinks; it's not the mind of Christ.

He does not place all the emphasis on the seen. He sets sign posts to reveal Himself in the Earth, not to be worshiped and enforced on others, but to point toward Him, for those who seek Him. For all our talk about trusting an Unseen God, maybe we should start trusting this Unseen God. To trust Him for specific outcomes is trusting the seen, not God. Trusting Him by offering up your promise (Abraham offers up Isaac).

Don't get me wrong. I'm not condoning anything, but what's the greater abomination: A man lays with a man, or His Church laying with His Church (If His Love doesn't meet it's intended target, we are the greater abomination- His Love was never intended be left inside the walls of the church building)? Be emptied of your own ideas about "Tomorrow". He will not build on your ideas. Instead of trying to change the seen, trust the unseen. God is not judging America near as much as "The Church" is being tested in fiery trials. Our motives are on trial. He's searching for His Bride, Himself in the Earth. This test is not open book but I hope you're ready to take it, because it's here.

"...when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” Jn 21:18 esv

To answer the question about seeing the Unseen God; I believe the answer is "yes". If we surrender to His Grace, we become an open portal of God. With our veil removed, the unseen in us will flow like Living Water.

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 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

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?"

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.

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

Is there an After-Life? Part II

September 12, 2013 By David Roberts

Important: Part I of Is there an After-Life?

Why do we resist change? What is it that makes us long for stability and more control over life? A little child instinctively has wonder about their surroundings. They explore everything! So much so, we have to teach them things like, "Don't touch, it's hot!" In learning not to touch certain things, I desire to make you aware we may have picked up an unhealthy fear of change, along the way. Where is our spirit of exploration? Why don't we embrace change? It's fear; our own fear. The answer isn't as simple as 'the Bible says not to have it, so we command fea to leave'. The answer is to take authority over it. This is done by being real, and present in the moment. We can't role the clock back to a time when we're five years old. We can't just cry for milk and our mother come running. There's a 'next step' to your evolution (journey), to your experience and it's likely you've never gone this way before. We won't re-invent any foundation, but we'll examine everything the house is being built, so it will be found on solid rock. My writing is to tell you of the land of the living. My existence on Earth is to stir you, and your existence is to manifest God, because you and He are connected in a more real way than our fears would have us believe.

Using the terminology 'after-life' may denote a mindset (or perspective) of keeping heaven just beyond reach (in the future); which is another way of grieving God's Spirit. God designed your life to be full of wonder and like it or not, it's right on track. You have been 'set-up'. 'Set-up' for what? Set-up to see. He wants you to understand your life is more than what you eat and drink, or how you or others perform. The mindset you should point others to Christ is harmful. Instead of pointing others to Him, why not just be Him? That is, if you are a Son. Ah, 'the stumbling block' that offends everyone who knows. Life is so much more than your experiences or how many children you have. It's more than the fact you may well be in crisis right now. Each experience, good or bad, is designed to reveal a 'greater' or 'higher' reality of your purpose and identity. The source of Life must be illuminated to understand your purpose, and can only be seen from the eternal perspective, so the distractions have to be embraced as such. The happenings of life, albeit precious, they are indicators of a 'higher' Reality (upper case 'R').

True Reality is revealed (seen) by Spirit. The term 'After-life' may seem 'right', but it's incomplete unless you understand 'after-life' isn't just after the body has expired. I suppose if your only definition of 'life' is based in time, then you would believe 'after-life' is waiting to be lived, after death. But, Spirit isn't waiting to begin, as if it were in line, at a check out stand. This may be news to you but you were Spirit before you were body. God already knew and loved you before you were a thought in your parents. Since this is true, you didn't come 'from' your parents, but you came 'thru' your parents. Live this moment as if Life were present and real, because it is. It's shining, steady and strong. It's illuminating, speaking to you, and if you're willing to go, you can experience life after death in every moment. In Truth, there is no 'after-life'. There is only 'Life' and it's available now. Death has been conquered. Sadly, we often choose not to experience Life until 'after' 'life', the very thing God gives to express Himself.

When you lose, you win. To die is gain. There is no end to His love. Don't just accept death as a natural occurrence, but understand every moment is an opportunity to experience Life, as God has so graciously given.
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