I walked to breakfast this morning.
The clothes I wore were not enough against the cool September breeze.
I carefully adjusted my route as I continued toward my destination, seeking out the paths which would keep me warmed, bathed in sunlight.
If I desire to be in the Light, I must observe my surroundings and choose those paths of light, that my love not grow cold.
20100910
20100810
the redemptive power of joy
"forgive them, for they know not what they do." This is mercy, that He received His breaking with thanks and wept not for His own suffering, but for ours, calling out for our forgiveness. Now born from above, alive in His love we expect His glory in our suffering, knowing, experiencing the redemptive power of joy eternal. We have no fear of ANY personal loss, even to death. Our life is in Him who was raised.
This imperishable inheritance is our true nature in Christ, we are His word. We've been raised to disregard entirely our earthly persons, embracing instead our life: His word of truth, of power, of love that reveals our souls as radiant jewels.
His faithfulness is our shield, and His sword our faithfulness. We count the destruction of our flesh, with all of its false hopes, as His faithfulness to His word, to His love, to us. This travail gives birth to our new life in Him, freeing us from the darkened nature of this womb of flesh. It's His blood that spills from our wounds, His spirit, His life that endures to resurrection.
He has chosen us to reveal His praise, glory, and honor, His death and resurrection. He has chosen to put His life in us and rend the veil of flesh that covers it, giving passage of His light into this world of darkness from which He has borne us.
That's what 1 Peter 1:3-7 says to me. Explanations upon request. ;)
p.s. I stole this topic from a friend: http://jenniferling.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/kept-in-heaven/
This imperishable inheritance is our true nature in Christ, we are His word. We've been raised to disregard entirely our earthly persons, embracing instead our life: His word of truth, of power, of love that reveals our souls as radiant jewels.
His faithfulness is our shield, and His sword our faithfulness. We count the destruction of our flesh, with all of its false hopes, as His faithfulness to His word, to His love, to us. This travail gives birth to our new life in Him, freeing us from the darkened nature of this womb of flesh. It's His blood that spills from our wounds, His spirit, His life that endures to resurrection.
He has chosen us to reveal His praise, glory, and honor, His death and resurrection. He has chosen to put His life in us and rend the veil of flesh that covers it, giving passage of His light into this world of darkness from which He has borne us.
That's what 1 Peter 1:3-7 says to me. Explanations upon request. ;)
p.s. I stole this topic from a friend: http://jenniferling.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/kept-in-heaven/
20100804
you alone
If I were gone today, I would profit no less than all I could gather to myself in a lifetime.
If I were to suffer every day for many days, I would suffer no less than what I deserve.
So I will Father, that you draw me into the service of your son in whatever manner best serves your purposes, knowing that even suffering and death bless me in you.
Hallowed be your name. At the mention of your name let your children tremble with rejoicing; let the enemy be struck with awe and stilled.
Let me not trust in my methods of reaching you, but in waiting upon your spirit, you, your presence. Let my eyes look only to you, my understanding only to you.
I am waiting on you. You alone are my source.
For everything I must do, be, have, say, You alone are my source.
And you will come, you are able.
Don't delay! Don't delay!
Hurry to my rescue!
You alone are my source.
Don't let my confidence find rest in any other. Teach me to wait for you.
Let me not think I'll find satisfaction in any other. Teach me to wait on you.
If I were to suffer every day for many days, I would suffer no less than what I deserve.
So I will Father, that you draw me into the service of your son in whatever manner best serves your purposes, knowing that even suffering and death bless me in you.
Hallowed be your name. At the mention of your name let your children tremble with rejoicing; let the enemy be struck with awe and stilled.
Let me not trust in my methods of reaching you, but in waiting upon your spirit, you, your presence. Let my eyes look only to you, my understanding only to you.
I am waiting on you. You alone are my source.
For everything I must do, be, have, say, You alone are my source.
And you will come, you are able.
Don't delay! Don't delay!
Hurry to my rescue!
You alone are my source.
Don't let my confidence find rest in any other. Teach me to wait for you.
Let me not think I'll find satisfaction in any other. Teach me to wait on you.
20100803
absent this suffering
Absent this suffering, might I never have learned to cry, "Help!"? Is this more beneficial for your kingdom's release in me?
Help! I'm so frustrated I could scream! Help! You made me need you, now I need you!
Help! It hurts!
Thank you, because you turn everything for my good. This is your mercy in some way. Explain it to me please.
Receive everything with thanksgiving as from the Lord, giving glory, honor, and praise to His name.
You are so good Jesus, you love me! You are good to me, and my lips will praise you thru my affliction.
Help! I'm so frustrated I could scream! Help! You made me need you, now I need you!
Help! It hurts!
Thank you, because you turn everything for my good. This is your mercy in some way. Explain it to me please.
Receive everything with thanksgiving as from the Lord, giving glory, honor, and praise to His name.
You are so good Jesus, you love me! You are good to me, and my lips will praise you thru my affliction.
20100709
possessed by two
Please forgive me. I have been possessed by two men.
One understands; the other is understanding.
One looks dangerously like the other. One offers value; the other is an offering. One teaches; the other leads.
Thank God He leads. Thank God I'll never survive being Him. Thank God I can never stand in His place.
I've tried to be like Him, but I'm finding my place in letting Him be.
For pointing to myself as one who knows the way, as one who knows Christ, please forgive me.
None know truth, and life, and love, none know Jesus like Jesus; listen to Him.
One understands; the other is understanding.
One looks dangerously like the other. One offers value; the other is an offering. One teaches; the other leads.
Thank God He leads. Thank God I'll never survive being Him. Thank God I can never stand in His place.
I've tried to be like Him, but I'm finding my place in letting Him be.
For pointing to myself as one who knows the way, as one who knows Christ, please forgive me.
None know truth, and life, and love, none know Jesus like Jesus; listen to Him.
20100705
follow the heart
I had the priviledge of playing some card games with an interesting mix of friendly people yesterday evening. Nearly all of the games had to be explained repeatedly as few of us had ever played them. The person suggesting the game would instruct us all as to the rules, but someone would have played a slightly different version, making it necessary to hash out intricate details of play prior to starting. Several times I found my self waiting, wondering if most of these wouldn't resolve in time if we just went about actually playing.
I am writing this entry in response to a comment about my general disdain for philosophical and theological waste. Too many are so sure of their understanding of the rules as it were, and resolve not to move an inch, until we're on board with their system. I've seen so many conversations between these types releasing noxious gas into the atmosphere with endless squabbling over minor details that would self resolve if they would just move forward with what they all agree is truth. By, "these types", I mean some of the sickest people in the world. They know the scriptures better than most, and while some stick to the letter of what they find prescribed, very few follow the heart of the King into the love that He died to release, love that would end all of this useless babble. They, "strain at a knat and swallow a camel." It's time we do that which we know to do, rather than arguing that which we find most logical. It's time we leave off being called by other men's names, and follow the man from Galilee. The Kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power. I resolve to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. I'll be fed on His flesh. I'll drink His blood. I'll carry the cross.
I am writing this entry in response to a comment about my general disdain for philosophical and theological waste. Too many are so sure of their understanding of the rules as it were, and resolve not to move an inch, until we're on board with their system. I've seen so many conversations between these types releasing noxious gas into the atmosphere with endless squabbling over minor details that would self resolve if they would just move forward with what they all agree is truth. By, "these types", I mean some of the sickest people in the world. They know the scriptures better than most, and while some stick to the letter of what they find prescribed, very few follow the heart of the King into the love that He died to release, love that would end all of this useless babble. They, "strain at a knat and swallow a camel." It's time we do that which we know to do, rather than arguing that which we find most logical. It's time we leave off being called by other men's names, and follow the man from Galilee. The Kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power. I resolve to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. I'll be fed on His flesh. I'll drink His blood. I'll carry the cross.
20100622
ongoing intimate exchange
That which is of the flesh is flesh; spirit, spirit. Is our approach to the word the education of our minds for improving our judgment? If so, then we are philosophers, not disciples. Instead we should seek to fill our hearts at all times with the truth, so that His Spirit can be fruitful with it, accomplishing His purposes in our lives.
Philosophy means, love of wisdom. unfortunately for man this means love of foolishness, because man's wisdom is astronomically separated from God's wisdom. In short, it is rejection of Jesus' leadership of our lives, rejection of His good judgment, seeking instead a 'way' of life governed by our own judgment, eliminating the need for trust, love.
Sadly, it seems much of the western church has this approach to Christ, as I did until recently, taking everything they learn of Him, even by revelation of the Holy Spirit, and using it in an attempt to mold a Christian philosophy by which they can rule their lives. I do not say that they understand that this is what's happening, or that it is willful continuance of self rule vs. surrender. We act as if He can't see our hearts, as if He doesn't know our thoughts. Our problem is simply, that we don't believe.
If you must have a philosophy, it is this, trust in His word, becoming its expression to heaven and earth. Our fruitfulness when approached with philosophical inquiry is not built up by much study of man's wisdom, but by immersion in the the truth, keeping in our hearts a ready supply for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him to draw upon, preparation for hearing the Spirit's response to some poor soul's heart, not his argument. Should we 'convert' even areas of our own lives, by reason rather than by hope in Him, we have done possibly the greatest injustice. There is only one reasoning of value, that which exalts Him as one who Is, and is a rewarder of those that continue to seek Him.
Once we become enlightened to a higher calling, and purpose, we can easily note the futility of earthly toil. We quickly lament over an ecclesiastical world view crying, vanity! Nothing has purpose but that which has eternal purpose. Toward the eternal disposition of human souls is the only labor with any lasting product, infinite reward, their eternal life! Distress would have us lost, desperate, without hope for finding His purpose for our lives in this world. The truth is the exact opposite, that our lives carry His purpose to the world.
Whatever we do, we do not as unto men, but as unto the Lord. We live hungry for the word of life, working in this world, not to be filled with its fruit, but to fill it with ours (His goodness). We embrace His good pleasure in our labor to His glory, enduring not toward satisfaction, drunkenness in the best offerings of this age, but strengthened, filled with the fullness of His Spirit to overflowing. Our joy abounds, seemingly without explanation to the natural eyes of man, but full of the truth and abiding with His Spirit, we are ready with an answer. They see us meet threatening circumstances without fear because our hope is sure, calamity with gladness, because we really do know that all things work for our good.
As I remember the condition of my heart not long ago now, I wonder if having read such as this is I might be pressed with a greater frustration than before. Often I find myself relieved of pressures which I'm convinced I understand yet haven't any answers to, in exchange for those having qualities with which I am unfamiliar, deepening the troubled disposition of my soul. This is the mercy of God, that my mind is incapable of offering a reasonable objection to trusting in His loving leadership. He is with you.
His original instruction to us was, Be fruitful and multiply. To that Christ added,Take up your cross and follow me. So, what must we do? Decide how and where we'd like to live as dead and be fruitful as one barren. We are to love without regard for personal loss, and work diligently without regarding ourselves as having brought forth anything, but this is possible only by our trust in the ongoing intimate exchange of all with the Father, through Jesus, by His Spirit.
Philosophy means, love of wisdom. unfortunately for man this means love of foolishness, because man's wisdom is astronomically separated from God's wisdom. In short, it is rejection of Jesus' leadership of our lives, rejection of His good judgment, seeking instead a 'way' of life governed by our own judgment, eliminating the need for trust, love.
Sadly, it seems much of the western church has this approach to Christ, as I did until recently, taking everything they learn of Him, even by revelation of the Holy Spirit, and using it in an attempt to mold a Christian philosophy by which they can rule their lives. I do not say that they understand that this is what's happening, or that it is willful continuance of self rule vs. surrender. We act as if He can't see our hearts, as if He doesn't know our thoughts. Our problem is simply, that we don't believe.
If you must have a philosophy, it is this, trust in His word, becoming its expression to heaven and earth. Our fruitfulness when approached with philosophical inquiry is not built up by much study of man's wisdom, but by immersion in the the truth, keeping in our hearts a ready supply for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him to draw upon, preparation for hearing the Spirit's response to some poor soul's heart, not his argument. Should we 'convert' even areas of our own lives, by reason rather than by hope in Him, we have done possibly the greatest injustice. There is only one reasoning of value, that which exalts Him as one who Is, and is a rewarder of those that continue to seek Him.
Once we become enlightened to a higher calling, and purpose, we can easily note the futility of earthly toil. We quickly lament over an ecclesiastical world view crying, vanity! Nothing has purpose but that which has eternal purpose. Toward the eternal disposition of human souls is the only labor with any lasting product, infinite reward, their eternal life! Distress would have us lost, desperate, without hope for finding His purpose for our lives in this world. The truth is the exact opposite, that our lives carry His purpose to the world.
Whatever we do, we do not as unto men, but as unto the Lord. We live hungry for the word of life, working in this world, not to be filled with its fruit, but to fill it with ours (His goodness). We embrace His good pleasure in our labor to His glory, enduring not toward satisfaction, drunkenness in the best offerings of this age, but strengthened, filled with the fullness of His Spirit to overflowing. Our joy abounds, seemingly without explanation to the natural eyes of man, but full of the truth and abiding with His Spirit, we are ready with an answer. They see us meet threatening circumstances without fear because our hope is sure, calamity with gladness, because we really do know that all things work for our good.
As I remember the condition of my heart not long ago now, I wonder if having read such as this is I might be pressed with a greater frustration than before. Often I find myself relieved of pressures which I'm convinced I understand yet haven't any answers to, in exchange for those having qualities with which I am unfamiliar, deepening the troubled disposition of my soul. This is the mercy of God, that my mind is incapable of offering a reasonable objection to trusting in His loving leadership. He is with you.
His original instruction to us was, Be fruitful and multiply. To that Christ added,Take up your cross and follow me. So, what must we do? Decide how and where we'd like to live as dead and be fruitful as one barren. We are to love without regard for personal loss, and work diligently without regarding ourselves as having brought forth anything, but this is possible only by our trust in the ongoing intimate exchange of all with the Father, through Jesus, by His Spirit.
20100603
filled with His body, drunk on His blood
Its really quite beautiful. He couldn't be led by dependence on this world's bread, because he was full, having the father's word to sustain him. even as his body was broken he thanked the father that we could be dependent on his word in the same way, to even greater measure. Likewise he emptied himself of satisfaction with this world's pleasure, delighting instead in communion, oneness with the Spirit of God, pouring out his blood, his life, that he might pour into us His life, His very Spirit! That refusing to be drunken with the spirit of this age which leaves us so very thirsty, we could know the great satisfaction of becoming one with the living waters!
This is my testimony of Jesus Christ, I extend it to you. He was broken for you, and confidence in his sustenance of your every moment is already yours if you'll have it. Be filled with his truth and never lack any good thing. His blood spilled to give you life, the deep pleasure of experiencing his compassionate heart and delight in you. Receive his Spirit now, drink deeply, and never be conquered by another false hope.
This is my testimony of Jesus Christ, I extend it to you. He was broken for you, and confidence in his sustenance of your every moment is already yours if you'll have it. Be filled with his truth and never lack any good thing. His blood spilled to give you life, the deep pleasure of experiencing his compassionate heart and delight in you. Receive his Spirit now, drink deeply, and never be conquered by another false hope.
20100602
I will turn
your voice, still calls my name, but i'm not ready to confront my shame, and I will run from you
your touch, still lights that flame, but i'm afraid to show you all I am, and I will turn from you again, I will run from you
but when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
can't you see, i'm livin in peace, i've made a place for every little thing
hey, don't you know i'm not the type for you, I know i'm not the kind that you would choose
so I turn from you again, yeah I run from you
but when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
rightful king, righteous judge xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
rightful king, righteous judge xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
blessed saviour, holy one i know you, just can't bear to look, on this your prodigal son
in all his shame, so I turn away, yeah I run from you
but when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
but when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
but when you look at me that way, it changes everything, when you look at me that way
all i've seen, all i've heard about your love, and all it means
all i am and all i've been or will ever be, has changedall i've seen, all i've heard about your love, and all it means
so speak and I'll listen, oh bathe me in the fire of your affection
take me up into your arms, i've finally found my home, here in you
cause when you look at me that way, it changes everything
longing for the light
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” -Jesus
What disturbed me the most was the pervasive confidence in an understanding, a wisdom that failed to incorporate or even attempt to address that which was beyond the veil. It was as if everyone had set all their hopes and purposes for this life on that which was secondary, their wills being directed by what their talents could afford them. I believed in truth, justice and equity. I couldn’t accept that some were exalted while others were humiliated merely by nature of their composition, whether strong or intelligent or weak or simple. Seeing this in the world strengthened my despair. I would not cast aside what I knew was true. One prospers while another starves. I withdrew from my education, my socialization, my assimilation into this system that uses bread as a medium of the will. I wouldn’t move another step closer to being manipulated by the fear of hunger. Twelve years old, curled up in a ball on my cousin’s floor, I was having an identity crisis. They determined that I was clinically depressed, abnormalities of levels of certain chemicals in my brain, a sickness. How blind they were. My body and mind were functioning perfectly well, and responding with impeccable precision to the spiritual reality that I was encountering.
20100601
probably a little confused
When I was 15 years old my mother threw my stereo out of the second story window. She said I was bringing demons into the house through the music I chose to play. I had always been aware of another reality. At times I saw the world we know as only a paper thin covering over something underneath, something of greater substance yet somehow tied to all we know. I also believed in God and devils, but thought of them as existing in some realm infinitely detached from ours, not intimately connected and active in it. The idea that devils just pop up wherever the right music plays was plainly ridiculous, especially coming from a mother that had asked me for some pot the week before. Angry, frustrated and probably a little confused, I stormed out of the house. My analytical mind would not withdraw from the conflict without being satisfied as to how a rational or even an irrational person could arrive at such conclusions. My mother had not made the statement lightly; she knew it. This troubled me. Eliminating every assumption, I considered whether it could be true. Insanity. The implications of her statement actually being correct were incalculable.
Walking down the street about half a block from my house, I threw up my arms and said, “If this is real, SHOW ME.”
“Call unto me, and I will answer you and show great and mighty things that you know not of.” Jeremiah 33:3
I had been embracing darkness, inviting destruction into every area of my life. I had sung countless incantations calling forth every evil imaginable and summoned devils again and again, never knowing the serious nature of the ‘good tunes’ I had listened to so many times. In the weeks immediately following my request, I heard several songs I had listened to numerous times, hearing for the first time the spirit at work in them, and coming to know the purpose they served in enslaving the children of God.
Walking down the street about half a block from my house, I threw up my arms and said, “If this is real, SHOW ME.”
“Call unto me, and I will answer you and show great and mighty things that you know not of.” Jeremiah 33:3
I had been embracing darkness, inviting destruction into every area of my life. I had sung countless incantations calling forth every evil imaginable and summoned devils again and again, never knowing the serious nature of the ‘good tunes’ I had listened to so many times. In the weeks immediately following my request, I heard several songs I had listened to numerous times, hearing for the first time the spirit at work in them, and coming to know the purpose they served in enslaving the children of God.
a paper thin covering
I first understood revelation as if a black sheet or curtain had been pulled in front of everything true, everything sure and trustworthy, and that covering was being drawn back a little at a time. The autumn after I turned twelve I became painfully aware of this dark veil, as though a small fire had been lit on my side of it, serving only to reveal with brief flashes in what a great darkness we all lived. Some of my family may remember this as a torturous time for me. I suffered terribly with what I could not define, a longing for the light, true life. Despair gripped me as it seemed no other was aware of this one needful thing, or had given up hope so long ago as to have forgotten it completely. The wisest people I knew, those I respected, those I trusted, those who had been my saviors in times of trouble sought to ease my distress with elevated perspectives of the goings on in this world. They offered world views that they had adopted in order to live contently in the darkness; of course they didn’t see it that way. The problem was not that I wasn’t content with ‘my world’. The problem was that from that which my eyes could look upon, to the wonders found in the furthest expanse of the universe, everything screamed of a government which no one seemed to recognize. All of the marvelous and wonderful phenomena, the magnificent beauty found in the earth, in the depth of the sea, the far reaches of space, math, science, great understanding and every mystery clearly existed only to serve a hidden reality. I would not be comforted. Somehow I knew the authentic; I could never be convinced of the counterfeit. The world we knew, bright as some of it might be, was that black veil.
20100531
a new name
in a thousand stones I discern more than a thousand faces. i see the face of beauty and things grotesque; all manner of beasts and the fairest wonders. they press in all around me, each asking my name. when not one is left upon another, how many will know.
I am drawn toward every side by things pleasing to look upon, magnificent distractions seeking my embrace, and I am pressed on, threatened, taunted from every direction by loathsome and detestable apparitions that by any means I might be moved from my place. Setting themselves against the knowledge of God they test my resolve as His Son. With all that is in their power they strive to convince me that I am anything other than a sovereign, but my authority and obedience are one in that name which is over every other. I am a wind that’s shakes the very foundations of this world and all its inhabitants. My response to, “What is your name”, differs none from that which I will answer to, “Where is your God?”
I AM.
Infatuation
Doubt creeps in, slowly devouring the dreamlike state. The early morning hours now gone, washed out by the sun's imposing rays, had given shelter to an apparition of something truly amazing. This gentle dance of new delight, by noon appears to warrant fright. How many ways affection does accost the status quo with threats of joy. The sweet savour of close proximity utters vain imaginations and calls upon the weakness of our composition to unite with the dark chasm far below. True friendship looks beyond the swirling tempest of intemperate infatuation and holds fast to that better thing which is already in hand. It waits for that day when acknowledgement of mutual respect and adoration is not something to be obtained or bartered for, but without effort, without burden or strain, is simply understood. It is this beautiful day that we long for and often foolishly believe we can hasten into being, but you do better.
In Your Eyes
Every revolution of the earth finds it more out of balance as my love for you continues to grow. Waves of passion swell and crash against the former city walls - coming forth not by the call of the moon, but by a source of light holding far greater sway.
In your eyes I have the hope of a future, the dawn of a bright new day.
In your arms I feel the warmth of a noon day sun.
From your lips flows a peace I've never known, and your heart is a wellspring of joy.
In the presence of your word I begin to know truth.
No hand can mark the page with an image that communicates the joy found only in your smile, or somehow tell the truth of love the way it pours from your eyes, none could deliver peace as does the softness of your touch, or learn to reach and captivate hearts like the sound of your voice alone does mine.
In your eyes I have the hope of a future, the dawn of a bright new day.
In your arms I feel the warmth of a noon day sun.
From your lips flows a peace I've never known, and your heart is a wellspring of joy.
In the presence of your word I begin to know truth.
No hand can mark the page with an image that communicates the joy found only in your smile, or somehow tell the truth of love the way it pours from your eyes, none could deliver peace as does the softness of your touch, or learn to reach and captivate hearts like the sound of your voice alone does mine.
taking care of my end
What pain is in a kiss.
That gentle taste of (shadows masquerading as) morning's light.
It makes a mockery of love.
(a crippled champion, a lame stallion)
How it pretends to tell the measure of my devotion:
That my heart could span this great divide and still bear the weight of best intentions
This foolish notion casts a pall, and steals our vision.
My affections lie.
That gentle taste of (shadows masquerading as) morning's light.
It makes a mockery of love.
(a crippled champion, a lame stallion)
How it pretends to tell the measure of my devotion:
That my heart could span this great divide and still bear the weight of best intentions
This foolish notion casts a pall, and steals our vision.
My affections lie.
finding the fight
I have asked for a battle, bored with my life, and I find that this dead life is the battle.
I reached out for a tougher conflict and found that these easier, softer fights are the more difficult.
I am straining to see the application of principles from the hard to the easy, in hope that they will be the bridge that I can cross.
Am I a bridge from the contrast to the gray, from the gray to the contrast?
Soak in the hot, and the warm feels cool. Bathe in the frigid, and the cool feels warm.
Asking for battle was like asking for opportunity to represent His justice, his victory over the enemy, but this petition was made with false expectations for what it would look like when it showed up. A sharply pronounced battle is coming, but on the front lines today, in the face of our own shame, we are embracing His judgment over our lives, turning back the enemy at the gates to His garden.
I reached out for a tougher conflict and found that these easier, softer fights are the more difficult.
I am straining to see the application of principles from the hard to the easy, in hope that they will be the bridge that I can cross.
Am I a bridge from the contrast to the gray, from the gray to the contrast?
Soak in the hot, and the warm feels cool. Bathe in the frigid, and the cool feels warm.
Asking for battle was like asking for opportunity to represent His justice, his victory over the enemy, but this petition was made with false expectations for what it would look like when it showed up. A sharply pronounced battle is coming, but on the front lines today, in the face of our own shame, we are embracing His judgment over our lives, turning back the enemy at the gates to His garden.
truth hurts, and heals
At first I thought that we could do something awesome together, but instead of confessing our weaknesses to each other, we each esteemed ourselves higher than the other. Looking down at each other, we moved quickly from seeing possibilities, to seeing only depravity. We both ended up confessing with our actions what we were too prideful to confess with our lips. Our experience varies, but our experience is the same.
I think that our father counts us each as one, one , one, not in succession as one might count those finishing a race, so I have decided not to lay claim to that first position, or second, or third. We have each already been placed in first, so to grapple for third is foolishness. Having walked away from that fight, I begin to notice others continuing to trample each other during that struggle toward the top. While considering their lowly existence, among them I notice myself again. At this point you might think that being intent on living in peace, holiness, I would call everything to a stop and drag myself out of the fray. That might be my first reaction, but frequently, on my way to do so I catch notice of someone stepping on me. I then abandon the rescue mission, decide to sit back and have a bite or two of bitterness heavily buttered with pride, and watch the show.
Carrying bitterness I can never find relief, nor can I find peace. I can never find lasting joy or any real, good thing. Carrying bitterness all I can hope to find is fault in others. I no longer look ahead toward transformation; I only see where others fall short of my values or achievements. I forget God's great love and rich forgiveness for us all, for me. I see only depravity and I am blinded with disgust, failing to understand that the same filth covers me and fills me through and through. There is no freedom in the root of bitterness.
There can be no freedom outside of forgiveness. I find myself in need of both each day, or would each day if I were blessed enough to find myself awakening that often. As Truth finds us today, we are forgiven of God, and forgiving of others, forgiving and forgiven. It's all His forgiveness. As we accept His forgiveness of others, it fills us and covers our own faults. The river flows, and the channel can hold only what it delivers. Think about it. We are forgiven and forgive at once, together only by His power.
Let's take time to confess our own shortcomings, experience forgiveness, and strengthen each other. Let us abandon our chains. I have selfishly sought my own above all others. I have been hurtful in diverse ways, causing suffering, and turning others away from the truth. I am sorely ashamed and in tears I ask God to hold me here in a broken state.
I think that our father counts us each as one, one , one, not in succession as one might count those finishing a race, so I have decided not to lay claim to that first position, or second, or third. We have each already been placed in first, so to grapple for third is foolishness. Having walked away from that fight, I begin to notice others continuing to trample each other during that struggle toward the top. While considering their lowly existence, among them I notice myself again. At this point you might think that being intent on living in peace, holiness, I would call everything to a stop and drag myself out of the fray. That might be my first reaction, but frequently, on my way to do so I catch notice of someone stepping on me. I then abandon the rescue mission, decide to sit back and have a bite or two of bitterness heavily buttered with pride, and watch the show.
Carrying bitterness I can never find relief, nor can I find peace. I can never find lasting joy or any real, good thing. Carrying bitterness all I can hope to find is fault in others. I no longer look ahead toward transformation; I only see where others fall short of my values or achievements. I forget God's great love and rich forgiveness for us all, for me. I see only depravity and I am blinded with disgust, failing to understand that the same filth covers me and fills me through and through. There is no freedom in the root of bitterness.
There can be no freedom outside of forgiveness. I find myself in need of both each day, or would each day if I were blessed enough to find myself awakening that often. As Truth finds us today, we are forgiven of God, and forgiving of others, forgiving and forgiven. It's all His forgiveness. As we accept His forgiveness of others, it fills us and covers our own faults. The river flows, and the channel can hold only what it delivers. Think about it. We are forgiven and forgive at once, together only by His power.
Let's take time to confess our own shortcomings, experience forgiveness, and strengthen each other. Let us abandon our chains. I have selfishly sought my own above all others. I have been hurtful in diverse ways, causing suffering, and turning others away from the truth. I am sorely ashamed and in tears I ask God to hold me here in a broken state.
a futile visitation, a fertile seed
Jan 17, 2006 - the visitation
I had terrible dreams last night, literally "terrible." Look it up if you need to. So gruesome, that I did not want to get out of bed this morning, or even to open my eyes. The thought alone of these things happening is enough to break a man. They have happened, and will again, but to experience it is traumatic.
The weight of these dreams remains within me, but for a purpose. The torturers were represented as physical beings, but were so much more. The destruction that they waged was horrible in a physical sense, but was so much more. I experienced probably the worst earthly experience possible, and to make it worse, it was all representative of the spiritual, and real.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This the Holy Spirit brought to my heart regarding these dreams, saying don't fear these earthly events, stand against these spiritual slayings, because this is real, this is serious, and this is happening now.
If we are destroyed spiritually, it is by our own choice not to meditate in His word day and night. It is by our own choice not to let His praise continually be on our lips. It is by our own choice not to pray without ceasing. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice.
Choose now life or death, blessing or cursing. Will you yield to God's will, make all of your time His, and become truly alive in His love, or will you give your life to daytime TV, video games, your job, fill in the blank, and sit helpless in agony as your children are beaten, burned, raped and cut apart piece by piece, watching as what is left of their shell is tossed at your feet? If we do not become Holy and separate to God, then this is what happens, maybe not physically, but then we aren't to fear the physical, but the spiritual, and there, it has already started. We need to wake up. All we ever have is right now, and we need to stop throwing it away.
This has been deeply troubling to me, and it is the message given to me from from God again and again. At times I have listened and followed with truly amazing results, but I have become lazy and fallen into spiritual atrophy, inviting the enemy to bring destruction. We must urge each other on toward the life that we have been called to IN CHRIST.
Summer '06 - the seed matures
In this dream a group of destroyers, devils, appearing in human or near human form had captured a number of families including mine (and myself). We watched as first the children of each family were tortured - to put it nicely - then killed. The chopped remains of the children’s' mortal frames were then tossed upon the parents - torture enough - before the parents were then tortured and killed. I watched as my own children suffered the indescribable agony. Covered in the slop of my children’s' remains, my turn came, and I was brought before the destroyers. They were like a pack of wolves with a distinct leader. I don't think that I could ever forget the pungent feeling/understanding/smell of his presence. Consider the feeling and knowing of being saturated in glory in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was of that spiritual nature, but external, potent only inferior and opposite, quite dark. I could feel the heavy terror emanating from him, reaching for my soul, but it could not connect. It's nothing to suffer for a short time and for our bodies to die. There could be no fear; all suffering is temporal when your true existence begins and ends in Christ. I began to become aware of the hotel room where I had gone to sleep, the other bed, the bedside table, the opposite wall, the TV cabinet, and directly behind me, the lead destroyer was still present in all his fullness, his darkness. It had not been only a dream. It had been a visitation, and still was. Once again there was an attempt to bring me under this nearly inescapable fear. While the attack was quite strong, I discerned the enemy's awareness of its futility; he attacked only because he was compelled to do so. Then the Holy Spirit spoke into me, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell..." I let His words of peace fill me, and perceived the evil spirit shrinking away. As it left I could discern the attitude of disdain, grumbling, complaint at having been forced by authority to be there. This was puzzling and disturbing. I knew that God had allowed this visitation for a purpose, but I did not know why. What I had written Jan 17, 2006 was all I knew of His purpose relative to this visitation. This was not a 'fun' experience, and I would not have asked for it, but for His purposes I am willing... anything.
A few months passed, and I was vacationing in Atlanta with my family. One evening my wife and I had agreed to let our children stay the night in their grandmother's hotel. Having dropped them off, we approached the parking garage elevator that would take us to our level and found that a man had held it for us. He asked which floor, and pressed that button, only that button. He allowed us to exit the elevator first, and as we reached our vehicle I became aware of how very close behind us he was. I stopped at my vehicle, and he was directly behind me, not more than a blade's length between us. At that moment I perceived the terrible presence of the destroyer once again, now from within this man, right behind me. An unmistakable feeling/knowing/perception
Do not view today's unpleasant experiences as an absence of God's provision for your life. Trust that His ways are higher than yours, His thoughts higher than your own.
I had terrible dreams last night, literally "terrible." Look it up if you need to. So gruesome, that I did not want to get out of bed this morning, or even to open my eyes. The thought alone of these things happening is enough to break a man. They have happened, and will again, but to experience it is traumatic.
The weight of these dreams remains within me, but for a purpose. The torturers were represented as physical beings, but were so much more. The destruction that they waged was horrible in a physical sense, but was so much more. I experienced probably the worst earthly experience possible, and to make it worse, it was all representative of the spiritual, and real.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This the Holy Spirit brought to my heart regarding these dreams, saying don't fear these earthly events, stand against these spiritual slayings, because this is real, this is serious, and this is happening now.
If we are destroyed spiritually, it is by our own choice not to meditate in His word day and night. It is by our own choice not to let His praise continually be on our lips. It is by our own choice not to pray without ceasing. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice.
Choose now life or death, blessing or cursing. Will you yield to God's will, make all of your time His, and become truly alive in His love, or will you give your life to daytime TV, video games, your job, fill in the blank, and sit helpless in agony as your children are beaten, burned, raped and cut apart piece by piece, watching as what is left of their shell is tossed at your feet? If we do not become Holy and separate to God, then this is what happens, maybe not physically, but then we aren't to fear the physical, but the spiritual, and there, it has already started. We need to wake up. All we ever have is right now, and we need to stop throwing it away.
This has been deeply troubling to me, and it is the message given to me from from God again and again. At times I have listened and followed with truly amazing results, but I have become lazy and fallen into spiritual atrophy, inviting the enemy to bring destruction. We must urge each other on toward the life that we have been called to IN CHRIST.
Summer '06 - the seed matures
In this dream a group of destroyers, devils, appearing in human or near human form had captured a number of families including mine (and myself). We watched as first the children of each family were tortured - to put it nicely - then killed. The chopped remains of the children’s' mortal frames were then tossed upon the parents - torture enough - before the parents were then tortured and killed. I watched as my own children suffered the indescribable agony. Covered in the slop of my children’s' remains, my turn came, and I was brought before the destroyers. They were like a pack of wolves with a distinct leader. I don't think that I could ever forget the pungent feeling/understanding/smell of his presence. Consider the feeling and knowing of being saturated in glory in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was of that spiritual nature, but external, potent only inferior and opposite, quite dark. I could feel the heavy terror emanating from him, reaching for my soul, but it could not connect. It's nothing to suffer for a short time and for our bodies to die. There could be no fear; all suffering is temporal when your true existence begins and ends in Christ. I began to become aware of the hotel room where I had gone to sleep, the other bed, the bedside table, the opposite wall, the TV cabinet, and directly behind me, the lead destroyer was still present in all his fullness, his darkness. It had not been only a dream. It had been a visitation, and still was. Once again there was an attempt to bring me under this nearly inescapable fear. While the attack was quite strong, I discerned the enemy's awareness of its futility; he attacked only because he was compelled to do so. Then the Holy Spirit spoke into me, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell..." I let His words of peace fill me, and perceived the evil spirit shrinking away. As it left I could discern the attitude of disdain, grumbling, complaint at having been forced by authority to be there. This was puzzling and disturbing. I knew that God had allowed this visitation for a purpose, but I did not know why. What I had written Jan 17, 2006 was all I knew of His purpose relative to this visitation. This was not a 'fun' experience, and I would not have asked for it, but for His purposes I am willing... anything.
A few months passed, and I was vacationing in Atlanta with my family. One evening my wife and I had agreed to let our children stay the night in their grandmother's hotel. Having dropped them off, we approached the parking garage elevator that would take us to our level and found that a man had held it for us. He asked which floor, and pressed that button, only that button. He allowed us to exit the elevator first, and as we reached our vehicle I became aware of how very close behind us he was. I stopped at my vehicle, and he was directly behind me, not more than a blade's length between us. At that moment I perceived the terrible presence of the destroyer once again, now from within this man, right behind me. An unmistakable feeling/knowing/perception
Do not view today's unpleasant experiences as an absence of God's provision for your life. Trust that His ways are higher than yours, His thoughts higher than your own.
Die Today!
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
Wow this is great!! We need to kill ourselves. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean suicide, I mean surrendering our flesh to God to be "mortified". If we bury our flesh with Christ, then our "love, hatred and envy" have died also. Our love has died, so that we won't be partial to one over another. Our hatred has died, so that now can share in Christ's love for all people. Our envy has died; we have no recognition of our selfishness because it is dead, rather in Christ we think on what we can do to meet the needs of others.
This verse is great in that it gives us an eternal perspective. Meditating on this word of God allows the Holy Spirit to take our focus off of self. Instead of serving and seeking a reward for self, He reveals to us the reward we have already, life in Christ, abundant love. Seeing eternally that "All things work together for the good of those that love Him", we don't have a logical reason to seek our own. To put it Ecclesiastically, our efforts in that arena are "vanity"; surrender your "self" to Christ today.
Wow this is great!! We need to kill ourselves. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean suicide, I mean surrendering our flesh to God to be "mortified". If we bury our flesh with Christ, then our "love, hatred and envy" have died also. Our love has died, so that we won't be partial to one over another. Our hatred has died, so that now can share in Christ's love for all people. Our envy has died; we have no recognition of our selfishness because it is dead, rather in Christ we think on what we can do to meet the needs of others.
This verse is great in that it gives us an eternal perspective. Meditating on this word of God allows the Holy Spirit to take our focus off of self. Instead of serving and seeking a reward for self, He reveals to us the reward we have already, life in Christ, abundant love. Seeing eternally that "All things work together for the good of those that love Him", we don't have a logical reason to seek our own. To put it Ecclesiastically, our efforts in that arena are "vanity"; surrender your "self" to Christ today.
a dream, a pebble, a love
I had a dream that I had pressed much feeling and desire, hope together. I pushed it all together, pressing and pressing until it was this tiny pebble. I took that little pebble and placed it aside, away from all my other things. I put it in a special place, a place for things that belonged ONLY to ME. Later while praying, I sought clarity and direction on a certain subject, and He asked for my pebble. I had to give all of my hopes and desires related to this issue up to Him, holding nothing back, placing me at peace with whatever He wills. It became clear to me afterward that this tiny pebble was my hardened heart, given up to Him in exchange for abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think.
Diffusion
written sometime in '06???
Heard a song today, one that I have listened to many times, but I heard it differently this time. Basically it says that you can look at problems in society, in your church, in your home etc. and without fail trace them back to sources outside yourself, to sources you would not consider to be within your sphere of influence, but in actuality, we are the issue. We, meaning Christians as individuals and as a whole, and our position as children of the king, as His bride, puts just about everything within our sphere of influence.
"We've been blowing up, we're the issue.
we are the fuse and the ammunition."
This really hit me. There are always so many issues. So many take issue with so much, seems like we have gotten really good at picking up on what others are doing to cause problems. I don't remember the last time I went a day without getting an email about issues arising out of conflict between Christians and the amoral society that has been forming throughout the world including the U.S. I don't think I have ever made it through a day with out hearing about issues one has with another. This is the issue; that is the issue. No. "We've been blowing up, we're the issue."
When we surrender our will to God, the only one with the right to take issue is Him. Sure He takes issue with much of what we see today, and He has made His stance clear. He has also made it clear that vengeance is His. "I will repay", He says. This covers everything. The moment we move to enforce justice, we move outside of His love. His plan for us is forgiveness, tenderheartedness. We may get stepped on, but we have put our trust in the God of Justice, knowing that His judgment is much more pure than our own.
If we concern ourselves with things that we are not in a position to change, and not led by the Holy Spirit to change, then all the time spent thinking or acting that issue is fruitless. If we lived in His will as intended, then instead of wasting time trying to fix a broken system, we as individuals submitted to God would as the body of Christ, bring healing to the broken people of that system, and the system would be consumed by the Kingdom of Heaven. Spending our time debating issues and struggling to set things right outside of God's will for us is like fighting over a piece of bread when He has prepared a feast for us. DOING that which is NOT of His will, means we are NOT DOING something that is His will for us to do. As for "sitting by", doing NOTHING is no better than doing SOMETHING against His will, because His will is 'doing'. In doing nothing, you go against His will. Please do not be confused, there may be an occaision that His will concerning a certain topic may require you to DO NOTHING related to that particular circumstance.
Becoming the solution vs. taking issue
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Don't spend time being concerned about your needs and the ongoing situations that affect you. Matthew 6:25 says, "Isn't life about more than just these things?" It moves us toward thinking of something other than our selves. What is that something? Keep reading! Matthew 6:32 adds, "He's gonna take care of you!!" It answers the question, "Who's going to take care of me if I don't?"
6:25 begs me to stop thinking about me and start looking to the needs of others, whether spritual, physical, mental or emotional. If we stop thinking of ourselves [after coming under the power of Christ], we become free to look back at how well we looked out for ourselves [Though we may not have done a very good job in all our trying.], and we become free to look out that well for others. [A problem that I have struggled with is this terrible trick of the enemy: trying to look out for, or meet the needs of others, while under the power of self or by human effort - no dice.] "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Galations 5:14 This commandment is great, because we already know how to do it. We've been loving for years, we have just been loving the wrong person. Now we need to stop loving ourselves, and start loving those around us.
31-32 are much like "Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you." Romans 8:68 kicks it up a notch saying, "For to be carnally minded [to have your mind oriented to flesh or self, i.e. using even good sense or good logic in place of submission to the Holy Spirit] is death [anything other than His plan for you.] but to be spiritually minded [Having your mind & will surrendered to and focused on or better, in union with Christ and His Holy Spirit] is life and peace." [right now amazing peace, and a permanent provision of peace, true peace: completion, wholeness, lacking nothing]
I think it is really neat that these two verses were phrased in a similar fashion so that they might be grouped together, because there is a sweet connection between the two. It is a little difficult to explain because the idea is, in a way, a circular reference. [Have to love God for being circular.] Here it is. Once you do stop thinking of self and 'lose your self' to Christ, once you reach the position of trust in Him where you live without thought for your needs, only with submission to His leading, His answer to that, the peace, the completion [promised in 6:31-33] places you in His will and allows Him to set His plans for others in motion through you. You become [by His plan] His hand, His voice, His love in the lives of others. You find out that the "more than food" and the "more than clothing" that life is about is bringing these and more to those people God has entrusted to you. In Christ and by His Spirit, you are the delivery on God's promise of spritual, physical, mental or emotional [not necessarily in that order] provision to someone else. One verse speaks of needs being met by God, and one speaks to something better than just your needs being met; When you comply with the demands of either [they both say "Take no thought for your own provision..."], you become someone's needs being met by God.
Heard a song today, one that I have listened to many times, but I heard it differently this time. Basically it says that you can look at problems in society, in your church, in your home etc. and without fail trace them back to sources outside yourself, to sources you would not consider to be within your sphere of influence, but in actuality, we are the issue. We, meaning Christians as individuals and as a whole, and our position as children of the king, as His bride, puts just about everything within our sphere of influence.
"We've been blowing up, we're the issue.
we are the fuse and the ammunition."
This really hit me. There are always so many issues. So many take issue with so much, seems like we have gotten really good at picking up on what others are doing to cause problems. I don't remember the last time I went a day without getting an email about issues arising out of conflict between Christians and the amoral society that has been forming throughout the world including the U.S. I don't think I have ever made it through a day with out hearing about issues one has with another. This is the issue; that is the issue. No. "We've been blowing up, we're the issue."
When we surrender our will to God, the only one with the right to take issue is Him. Sure He takes issue with much of what we see today, and He has made His stance clear. He has also made it clear that vengeance is His. "I will repay", He says. This covers everything. The moment we move to enforce justice, we move outside of His love. His plan for us is forgiveness, tenderheartedness. We may get stepped on, but we have put our trust in the God of Justice, knowing that His judgment is much more pure than our own.
If we concern ourselves with things that we are not in a position to change, and not led by the Holy Spirit to change, then all the time spent thinking or acting that issue is fruitless. If we lived in His will as intended, then instead of wasting time trying to fix a broken system, we as individuals submitted to God would as the body of Christ, bring healing to the broken people of that system, and the system would be consumed by the Kingdom of Heaven. Spending our time debating issues and struggling to set things right outside of God's will for us is like fighting over a piece of bread when He has prepared a feast for us. DOING that which is NOT of His will, means we are NOT DOING something that is His will for us to do. As for "sitting by", doing NOTHING is no better than doing SOMETHING against His will, because His will is 'doing'. In doing nothing, you go against His will. Please do not be confused, there may be an occaision that His will concerning a certain topic may require you to DO NOTHING related to that particular circumstance.
Becoming the solution vs. taking issue
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Don't spend time being concerned about your needs and the ongoing situations that affect you. Matthew 6:25 says, "Isn't life about more than just these things?" It moves us toward thinking of something other than our selves. What is that something? Keep reading! Matthew 6:32 adds, "He's gonna take care of you!!" It answers the question, "Who's going to take care of me if I don't?"
6:25 begs me to stop thinking about me and start looking to the needs of others, whether spritual, physical, mental or emotional. If we stop thinking of ourselves [after coming under the power of Christ], we become free to look back at how well we looked out for ourselves [Though we may not have done a very good job in all our trying.], and we become free to look out that well for others. [A problem that I have struggled with is this terrible trick of the enemy: trying to look out for, or meet the needs of others, while under the power of self or by human effort - no dice.] "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Galations 5:14 This commandment is great, because we already know how to do it. We've been loving for years, we have just been loving the wrong person. Now we need to stop loving ourselves, and start loving those around us.
31-32 are much like "Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you." Romans 8:68 kicks it up a notch saying, "For to be carnally minded [to have your mind oriented to flesh or self, i.e. using even good sense or good logic in place of submission to the Holy Spirit] is death [anything other than His plan for you.] but to be spiritually minded [Having your mind & will surrendered to and focused on or better, in union with Christ and His Holy Spirit] is life and peace." [right now amazing peace, and a permanent provision of peace, true peace: completion, wholeness, lacking nothing]
I think it is really neat that these two verses were phrased in a similar fashion so that they might be grouped together, because there is a sweet connection between the two. It is a little difficult to explain because the idea is, in a way, a circular reference. [Have to love God for being circular.] Here it is. Once you do stop thinking of self and 'lose your self' to Christ, once you reach the position of trust in Him where you live without thought for your needs, only with submission to His leading, His answer to that, the peace, the completion [promised in 6:31-33] places you in His will and allows Him to set His plans for others in motion through you. You become [by His plan] His hand, His voice, His love in the lives of others. You find out that the "more than food" and the "more than clothing" that life is about is bringing these and more to those people God has entrusted to you. In Christ and by His Spirit, you are the delivery on God's promise of spritual, physical, mental or emotional [not necessarily in that order] provision to someone else. One verse speaks of needs being met by God, and one speaks to something better than just your needs being met; When you comply with the demands of either [they both say "Take no thought for your own provision..."], you become someone's needs being met by God.
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