I AM YOURS

Why is it that I find it wrong to accept the fact that I am, in Christ, a devine expression of the Father's Son in my life?

Jesus did not think it wrong to be equal with His Father...the Word says that the fullness of his Father dwelt in Him...

Lord, truly you are Lord...you have said that I may come boldly before you...as a child comes before a parent, as friends trust one another, as husband and wives are one...

I confess that You are Lord, that You are King of Kings, that You are my God. I am yours because you chose me to be, even before this world began...I can't explain the greatness of such love...or the grace that has attended me through your mercy, all the days of my life...but I desire to be free in all that you have called me to be...to be strong in my convictions and commitment to the testimony of Your great love concerning the mystery of the Gospel, in revealing who you are in relation to the eternal and everlasting Father.

May this tiny seed, one day grow into a mighty tree...Fill me with the consciousness of your own thoughts and words, for they are life, and wisdom and joy unspeakable...

Let my inspiration be of none but You...make me alert to the new possibilities of your height and depths...fill me with your passion..."even as the rain for the seed which is sown in the ground".....................Isaiah 30:23

BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES by Chip Brogden

February 28

Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).

For most of my life as a Christian I sought God for THINGS. When depressed, I would seek joy. When worried, I would seek peace. When weak, I would seek strength. When angry, I would seek self-control. When defeated, I would seek victory. Most Christians are taught to approach God and seek these things when they are conscious of some lack. For a time it seems they are given what they ask for, but soon they are back asking for more of the same thing. Today we ask for patience, and tomorrow we ask again, and the day after that we have to ask yet again. So it is with peace, joy, victory, and everything else.

Eventually we must learn that we have everything in Christ already. That thing called "patience" that we are so diligently seeking is not a thing at all, it is Christ. "Victory" is no longer a "thing", it is a Man. And so it is with everything else we need. It is certainly possible to seek spiritual blessings from God apart from Christ, or in addition to Christ. What a difference it makes to realize that He HAS (past tense) blessed us already - not with three or five or twenty blessings - but with EVERY spiritual blessing. However many there may be, we have them all. Where and how has He done this? Thank God, it was done the moment we received Christ and entered into Him as our All in All. God would have us seek Him first, and not His things. To Him there is no "thing", for they are all summed up into Christ.

BECAUSE OF LOVE

LIKE SO MANY OF US....WE HAVE INSURMOUNTABLE STRESS AT TIMES IN OUR DAILY LIVES....THERE JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY...

MY PROBLEM IS TRYING TO PICK UP EVERYONE ELSE'S AND THINKING THAT MAYBE I CAN FIX IT BY PRAYER.....I HEARD MYSELF SAY THAT TO MYSELF AND BOY! DID IT TURN ON A LIGHT BULB IN MY MIND...........

MY PRAYING DOESN'T FIX ANYTHING....AND THAT'S WHY I GET SO FRUSTRATED WHEN I DON'T GET THE ANSWERS LIKE I THINK THEY SHOULD COME OR WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ANSWERED....AFTER ALL...HAVEN'T I SPENT EXHAUSTING AMOUNT OF EMOTIONAL TIME AND EFFORT OVER THESE NEEDS....GOD! DO YOU HEAR ME?

DON'T YOU LOVE IT WHEN HE DOESN'T ANSWER....HE EITHER WANTS US TO LISTEN TO OURSELVES, OR GET STILL ENOUGH TO HEAR HIM...

I DON'T KNOW WHY...BUT ONE THING THAT WILL GET ME STILL IS THE WONDERFUL AND GLORIOUS FACE OF ONE OF HIS ANIMAL CREATIONS...

WE USE TO LIVE ON A BIRD PRESERVE...AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF RACCOONS THAT WOULD COME SO CLOSE YOU COULD PET THEM....ALTHOUGH YOU DIDN'T DARE....

I WAS IN LOVE WITH ONE I CALLED KITTY....AND THIS PICTURE THAT POPPED UP WHILE PICTURE BROWSING REMINDED ME OF HER.....I FORGOT ALL OF MY PROBLEMS AND FRUSTRATIONS IN A SECOND....

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS...WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, JUST, AND PURE...WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY AND A GOOD REPORT...IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, ANY PRAISE...THINK ON THESE THINGS........PHILIPPIANS 4:8

IT'S HARD TO DO THIS WHEN ALL AROUND YOU SEEMS IN CHAOS AND/OR YOUR HEART FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BREAK...OR WHEN YOU DESPERATELY HAVE A NEED AND ANSWER TO SOMETHING YOU ARE SO CONFUSED OVER AND CAN'T MAKE A DECISION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS ONE...

THAT'S THE KEY......THAT'S THE LIGHT THAT WENT OFF IN MY THINKING.............PRAYER...........

I'VE BEEN JUDGING MYSELF FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER....AND SELF CONDEMNATION WILL NEVER ALLOW FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS....AND MY FAITH WILL NEVER MOVE MOUNTAINS UNTIL I COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT IT IS THE "INTERCEDING CHRIST" WHO TAKES WHAT I BRING TO HIM AND THEN TAKES THAT BEFORE HIS FATHER, FOR THE ANSWER...

WHEN I TAKE IT TO CHRIST....I'M TO LEAVE IT WITH HIM...BELIEVING THAT WHATEVER THE ANSWER IS...IT IS JUST AND TRUE...AND GIVEN OUT OF LOVE....

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE CREATURES...FOR YOUR MIGHTY ONES TOO...FOR BIRDS THAT FLY IN YOUR ENDLESS SKY...I GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO YOU...

I'M NOT PRACTICING POSITIVE THINKING...BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE POSITIVE ANSWER IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF GOD'S PERFECT WILL....

THANK YOU LORD THAT AS I SURRENDER ALL TO YOU...YOU HAVE PROMISED TO KEEP IT ALL, AND WORK IT TOGETHER FOR GOOD....BECAUSE OF LOVE....

LORD, ONLY YOU SATISFY MY SOUL

Lord...nothing satisfies...
nothing.
You have come to present me to the Father...
I halt...my flesh trembles...
I am dripping with your blood...

What is this silence?
What is this pain in me
that causes my heart to groan
with words that cannot be uttered?

"YOU CANNOT UTTER WHAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND...
I AM IN YOU TO LET THE TRUTH SPEAK WHAT LIES IN YOUR HEART...
THE WORD SPEAKS IN YOU
INTERCEDING IN YOUR BEHALF
BY MY SPIRIT...
YOUR spirit CAN DO NOTHING BUT RESPOND TO MY GLORY
LIKE THE SEEDLING THAT REACHES FOR THE SUN
IN SILENCE...UNOBSERVED...

YOU TOO MUST SURRENDER TO THE HEIGHTS OF MY LOVE...
MY LOVE, AND THE LOVE THAT IS IN YOU, IS ONE...
MY DESIRE IS YOUR DESIRE...
JUST SURRENDER...
REST

LEARNING TO REIGN IN CHRIST

This is a reprent of a blog I have one Ning....just read it again, and it still rings true for me....

I AM NUMB LORD...I JUST READ THE HEART'S CRY OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, AND I AM TORN BETWEEN MY OWN SELFISH NEED FOR YOU AND MY LACK OF SPONTANEOUS LOVE OF THE BRETHREN...I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE WORDS TO EXPLAIN MY HEART...AND I FALL BEFORE YOU CONFESSING MY NEED FOR YOUR HELP...I KNOW THAT THIS HOUR IS LATE...
I KNOW YOU WANT ME TO LEARN TO REIGN IN THE POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT...
LORD, I DESIRE TO REIGN WITH YOU...WHERE DO I START?...
YOU ASKED ME TO SURRENDER...PERHAPS I HAVE NOT SURRENDERED AS YOU WILL...
I CONFESS THAT I AM A SINNER...ONLY YOUR GRACE CAN SAVE ME FROM THE STRONGHOLD OF MY WILL...DELIVER ME O LORD MY GOD.
LET NOT THE ENEMY OF MY SOUL REJOICE OVER ME...AS HE ANTICIPATES HIS VICTORY...I SHALL HOLD FAST THE PROFESSION OF MY FAITH...I SHALL CLING TO THE CROSS WHERE YOU CRIED, "IT IS FINISHED"...AND DECLARE THAT YOU RULE AT THE RIGHT HAND OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
LORD, I CANNOT GO TO BATTLE, UNLESS YOU PREPARE ME...WITH UNDERSTANDING AND DISCERNMENT OF YOUR WORD...AND WHAT AUTHORITY IS MINE IN YOUR NAME...
I KNOW I WILL NOT BE DELIVERED BY SPIRITUAL WORKS OR WORDS AS IF BY MAGIC...I HAVE KNOWN THE DEFEAT OF SUCH IGNORANCE AND PRESUMPTION...IT IS SPIRITUAL PRIDE THAT HAS CAUSED IRREVOCABLE DEFEAT FROM DISOBEDIENCE TO YOUR PERFECT WILL...AS I WALKED IN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, PRIDE, AND VEILED ARROGANCE...
I HAVE SEEN THE FACE OF THIS HARLOT IN THE MIRROR...BUT I HAVE ALSO SEEN HER HEART...SHE IS SINNER LORD, YES...BUT SHE WAS A SLAVE.
HAVE MERCY ON HER LORD...HAVE MERCY...YOU BOUGHT HER WITH YOUR BLOOD....ONLY YOU CAN WASH HER AND MAKE HER CLEAN...ONLY YOU CAN CALL HER BY NAME, AND MAKE HER YOUR OWN...ONLY YOU CAN TEACH HER TO TRUST LOVE AGAIN, AND TRULY LOVE IN RETURN...
SHE IS NOT FIGHTING AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD...HER ENEMIES ARE INVISIBLE...IT IS AN OPEN ATTACK UPON HER SOUL, BY SATAN HIMSELF...
YOU HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT YOU WILL NO LONGER RESCUE ME OUT OF MY UNBELIEF...THOUGH YOU COULD...FOR YOU WANT ME TO LEARN NOT TO EVADE OR ESCAPE THE LESSONS OF FAITH AND CONFIDENCE IN THE POWER OF YOUR MIGHT...IT IS NOT IN MY POWER OR MIGHT...OR ANY OTHER...IT IS BY YOUR SPIRIT...
YOU HAVE TOLD ME THAT...."THE ENEMY WOULD FLEE FROM YOU IF HE SAW ME"
DOES HE SEE FAITH?...DOES HE SEE CONFIDENCE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH?...DOES HE SEE THE PRESENCE OF MY SPIRIT IN YOU? WHO HAS ALL THE POWER OF AUTHORITY AGAINST HIM...

"WILL YOU LET ME MANIFEST MY GLORY THROUGH YOU?...WILL YOU WAIT FOR MY COMMANDS, AND LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING...TRUSTING IN ME COMPLETELY?...I AM NEVER A MOMENT TO LATE FOR THE FULFILLING OF MY WILL OR THE KEEPING OF ALL THAT HAS BEEN COMMITTED UNTO ME...REST AT MY SIDE, BE STILL...AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD WHO REIGNS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL YOUR ENEMIES...WHO IS JEALOUS OF MY BRIDE TO KEEP HER IN ALL HER WAYS...IN THE HEIGHTS, DEPTHS AND BREADTHS OF MY LOVE...

jOY Lackey

COMMITING YOUR WAYS UNTO THE LORD

Lord, I can't thank you enough for the faithfulness of Your Word...for Your keeping power, for Your guidance through the Narrow Way of this Life, as we follow You, Blessed Shepherd of the Flock.

Yesterday, we were to sign the final papers on a home....we had been praying that You, Lord, would have your perfect will in this decision...to open and/or close all doors....and right down to the wire...it fell through, because of hidden structural problems and damage that only the final inspection revealed...it would have cost thousands of dollars of repair, had we bought the home....and we nearly decided to pass by without the inspection...

Thank you Holy Spirit for Your moving upon our hearts and minds to do this inspection....

We are finding that in these last days....the Lord is training us to wait upon Him, right down to the wire. There are things we may not see, discern, or know about a decision we are making....and sometimes logic and trust can be betrayed for many reasons that only the Lord may know....Praise you Lord, that You go before us, that you lead us from behind, that you speak a Word in our ear..."go hear, or go there, stop!...wait....rest...by Your rod and staff you lead us in all faithfulness and keeping...

I'm trusting less and less in my own abilities to see, hear, and know...and desire with all my heart to have His mind, His wisdom, His knowing...and moving at the sound of His Voice in all faith, confidence, and obedience....

I commit my way to Yours Lord...lead me through the Narrow Way...

HE TEMPLES (SANCTUARIES) IN US

April 16

Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you. How often I have longed to gather your children together under my wing, as a hen gathers her chicks, but you would not allow it. Now your house will be empty. You will not see Me again until you say, 'Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord'" (Matthew 23:37-39).

Jerusalem represents that which initially gave the Lord satisfaction, but no longer. It continues in the tradition and ceremony, in the outward things, yet it does not recognize Who the Lord Jesus is. The place of His rest used to be the Temple, but even it has become a "den of thieves".

He longs to have them, to gather them under the shadow of His wing: but THEY would not allow it. There is a place where the Lord is received: but it is outside of Jerusalem, away from the religious establishment, away from the scribes and teachers of Law, away from the Pharisees, Sadducees, theologians, Bible scholars and hypocrites, even away from the Temple in all its splendor. Just east of Jerusalem, in a little village, in a single house, He finally finds what He has longed for.

I see no argument in the Lord Jesus, I only see Him. Seeing Him, I am convinced, and no argument is necessary.

COVERED WITH YOUR LIGHT

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels. (Isa. 61:10)
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev.3:18)

MY LORD, BELOVED OF MY HEART...THOUGH YOU SPEAK NOT IN WORDS, YOUR EYES GUIDE ME IN MY APPROACH TO YOU...MY SOUL IS FILLED WITH THE SOUND OF RUSHING WATERS AND THE STILL SMALL VOICE THAT WHISPERS IN THE WIND OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. GROANINGS THAT CANNOT BE UTTERED FILL MY HEART TO ACHING FOR YOU...

THIS IS THE CRY OF THE BRIDE, THAT LONGS TO MAKE HERSELF READY...TO BE HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE UNTO YOU...FOR YOU ARE A HOLY GOD...AND HOW SHALL WE COME UNLESS YOU REFINE US, AND MAKE US READY...

LORD, SUBDUE ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME THAT WAGES WAR AGAINST YOUR SPIRIT...CRUSH ME TO POWDER...REFINE ME IN YOUR FIRE...THE FIRE THAT MY FLESH DREDS AND REBELS AGAINST IN DISOBEDIENCE...TEACH ME HOW TO FULLY SURRENDER MY WILL TO YOURS...

I TRUST YOUR WILL AND AUTHORITY, I TRUST YOUR LOVE...SEND YOUR SPIRIT TO REVEAL THE ALL-NESS OF YOU AND HOW EACH MEMBER OF YOUR BODY IS ONE...I LONG TO LOOSE SIGHT OF MY SEPARATE-NESS...AND I KNOW THAT IT IS YOUR LOVE THAT UNITES THE BODY AS ONE...FOR YOU ARE LOVE...

THOUGH I HAVE WRITTEN WHAT MY HEART FEELS...IT IS THE SILENT MOVINGS OF MY HEART AND MIND THAT YOU HEAR...EVEN THE PRAISES OF MY HEART...THANK YOU MY LORD FOR THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE...THANK YOU FOR COVERING MY NAKEDNESS...AND FOR EACH DAYS ANTICIPATION OF YOU, AS I AM BEING MADE READY TO PLEASE THE BELOVED OF MY SOUL.

I TRUST YOUR WORD LORD

THE KEY

I clutch the key of Your Word to my breast

I trust Your Word

You are faithful and true

like no other

I cling to Your promises

as much as each breath I take

Your Word is my life

my hope and my salvation

With the dawning of each day

I search for You

I lean to hear your voice

and open the gates of my heart

that You may come and go as the wind

In the evening, I search for You

and wait to say good night in peace

knowing that all is well with my soul

Thank you for the key my Lord

I hold it to my breast

I trust Your Word

You are the Faithful and True One

You are like no other.............jelackey

I'M ALWAYS THERE

Beloved come aside
though storms may come and go
just quietly abide
with me, and you will know
that deep within your heart
I'm always there with you
You need not be afraid
The words I speak are true.

You are my prized possession
the price I paid for you
has sealed you as my treasure
My Sanctuary too

I come and go, just like the wind
you may not even know
I'll never leave you comfortless
Just breathe, and I will show
I'm closer than the breath you take
I'll always hear your call
and answer prayers you pray to me
no matter, big or small

I've come to sanctuary
within your very heart
don't doubt my love that takes delight
in what I can impart

I'll tell you things you never knew
but not to make you wise
for many think their wisdom
will take them to the skies

No, I share with no others
the wisdom only I
can trust to my beloved
my priceless blood bought prize.

Come walk with me beloved
along the narrow way
look not around at others
or grieve at what they say
for flesh and blood is not the answer
it always leads astray
for hearts are desperately wicked
I'm telling you this day

When you are prone to lean to hard
and not rely on me
I let you find out for yourself
that blind men cannot see.

Reach out now child, and take my hand
we'll leap to higher ground
where endless, glorious vistas
reverberate with sound

All Glory, Hallelujah!
All Glory, and amen!
The Lord our God triumphant
Is come, He reigns, within.

With rod and staff and two-edged sword
In me, oh can it be...?
My heart His Sanctuary
He rules inside of me....................

THOSE WHO SEE WITH THEIR HEARTS

I THINK OF HOW MANY TIMES I THOUGHT I WAS IN LOVE...
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SAID IT...
"I JUST LOVE THIS CAR...THIS FOOD...THIS DRESS...THAT BOY OR GIRL"
WE ATTACH THE WORD LOVE TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE WANT OR SEE...
THE EYES LUST OVER OUR FLESHLY DESIRES...
AND I'M NOT SAYING IT IS WRONG TO HAVE THE DESIRES OF OUR HEART...
FOR THE LORD LONGS TO GIVE US THE DESIRES OF OUR HEART...
IT'S THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH, THAT GET US INTO TROUBLE...
SOMETIMES THEY ARE PERFECTLY INNOCENT DESIRES...WELL MEANING DESIRES...JUST UN-DISCERNED AND MISGUIDED...
THE PICTURE OF CHRIST ABOVE HAS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE...
BUT I HAVE COME TO FEEL THAT IT IS MY FLESH THAT IS DRAWN TO THIS IMAGE OF HIM...
HOLY SPIRIT...LOVINGLY AND SWEETLY CORRECTED ME BY SAYING,
"DO YOU SEE ME IN THIS SAME WAY WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE EYES OF A CHILD...OR THE FACE OF A LONELY WIDOW, OR THE HOMELESS AND HELPLESS...?
CAN YOU OFFER THOSE SAME AFFECTIONS THAT YOU FEEL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS IMAGE, TO THESE SAME PEOPLE...?
DO YOU LONG FOR THE ONENESS WITH THEM IN ME AS YOU DO WITH ME ALONE...?
AND I HAD TO BE HONEST...THE ANSWER WAS NO...
I WAS ASHAMED TO ADMIT IT...BUT I KNOW I CAN'T HIDE ANYTHING FROM HIM...
HE REPLIED,..."BEHOLD MY HEART...YOU SEE IT WITH THE LOVE I HAVE PLACED IN YOU...
BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR YOU...YOU CAN LOVE...
LET THIS LOVE OPEN YOUR EYES TO WHO I AM...
THOSE WHO LOVE SEE WITH THEIR HEARTS...
THE VEILS OF RACE, RELIGION, POLITICS AND FINANCIAL STATUS ARE TORN ASUNDER BY THE RULE OF MY KINGDOM IN YOU...
I RULE IN JUSTICE AND TRUTH...AND THAT GOES FOR THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY...
SOME OF MY MOST PRECIOUS JEWELS ARE UGLY TO YOU...
BEWARE! LEST YOU TRAMPLE THEM UNDER YOUR FEET...
JUDGE NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED...
COME FOLLOW ME...
BEHOLDING BY MY SPIRIT.
IN THIS, IS SPIRIT COME...THAT YOU MAY LOVE.

THE BLESSING AND THE BREAKING

by Chip Brogden

“And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him” (Luke 24:30-31).
There is a simple truth demonstrated in this post-resurrection encounter with Christ. Can you see it?
I cannot think of a single Christian that does not desire the blessing of the Lord. We earnestly seek and desire God’s blessings on our life. We want the Lord to bless our spiritual life, our home life, our children, our finances, our churches and our ministries. Is there anything wrong with that? Of course not. But the fact remains that we do not always get what we ask for.
What does it mean to be blessed? The common assumption, I believe, is that when God has blessed a person then they will enjoy physical health, financial prosperity, and a general sense of happiness and well-being.
I want us to see that when Jesus blesses something He breaks it. The blessing results in breaking. The prayer for “more” results in “less”. The request for “increase” results in “decrease”. The prayer for blessing results in brokenness.
Do you want to be a blessing to other people, or a burden? Most Christians would say they want to be blessing to others. So God blesses them and then breaks them.
What is going on here? Simply put, the blessing of the Lord is in being reduced to Christ. Who is blessed? Not the one who is rich in spirit, but the one who is poor in spirit. The poor in spirit possess the Kingdom. Those who are broken are blessed, and those who are blessed are broken.
The heart-cry of a disciple of “more of Jesus”. How do we get “more” of Jesus? By getting less of us. With less of me there is more of Him. As I am decreased, He is increased. This is what it means to be blessed.
A brother in the Lord related the following experience to me. As he was watching television he says he came across a woman who was yelling, “Increase! Increase! God wants to increase you and all you have!” This brother says he staggered out of his chair laughing, and said, “Decrease! Decrease! Keep decreasing me Lord, till all there is left is YOU!” Friends, when we understand the blessing and the breaking then we will find ourselves responding the same way. What I love about this is the brother LAUGHED as he rejected the “increase” and embraced the decrease. This is what it means to take up the Cross.
We cry out for “increase” but God has already (past tense) blessed us with “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We have the blessing already. What we are lacking is the breaking. We want the blessing without the breaking. But it is not that we need more of the Lord, because we already have all of Him; we just need less of everything else.
After Jesus blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Until you have the blessing and the breaking your eyes will remain closed. Blessings alone do not open our eyes. Indeed, blessings by themselves tend to close our eyes. We do not come to know Him in the blessing, but in the breaking. Then what we already have in Him will be revealed. Our eyes will be opened and we will see that He has been standing there the whole time.
Do you want to know Him? Do you want to see Him for Who He is? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want to have your eyes opened? Embrace the blessing AND the breaking; receive them both. If you are a bruised reed or a broken cistern, take heart, because you are making progress.

LIVING EPISTLES

THIS MORNING...BEFORE I EVEN OPENED MY EYES...I WAS CONSCIOUS OF A WORD

"WATER"...THEN..."WINE"...IT WAS ALMOST AUDIBLE.

IT WAS JUST ENOUGH TO GET MY ATTENTION...I ROLLED OVER...

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS SPOKEN IN THIS WAY...SEEMS LIKE IT'S NEARLY THE ONLY TIME AND WAY TO GET MY ATTENTION...

I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE, THAT IF I DO NOT GET UP AND START WRITING DOWN WHAT I HEAR...NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY...I FORGET...IT'S GONE!

"IT'S SO COLD...I'M SO TIRED...I WON'T BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO SLEEP."....ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER....DOESN'T THAT SOUND FAMILIAR?...KIDS MOANING IN THE MORNING ABOUT GETTING UP AND READY FOR SCHOOL.

"I'M NOT GOING TO WAKE YOU UP AGAIN...DO YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT SPIRIT IS SAYING?....YOU ARE NO LONGER A CHILD....I HAVE COME SOFTLY, AND WILL WAIT JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR YOU TO DECIDE."

I WAS UP IN A FLASH...GRABBING MY PEN AND PAPER...TRYING TO TIP TOE QUIETLY INTO THE LIVING ROOM, AS TO NOT WAKE THE WRATH OF MR. MOSES, WHO HAD A HARD TIME SLEEPING.

THEN AS USUAL THE WORD COMES FASTER THAN I CAN WRITE...A GOOD THING BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT ME THINKING IT THROUGH BEFORE I GET IT DOWN ON PAPER.

THE LORD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL IN MENTORING ME WITH HIS ORACLES...EVER SINCE I WAS A YOUNG CHRISTIAN....
I BELIEVE THAT JUST AS WE WRITE POETRY, SONGS, LETTERS OF COMFORT AND COUNCIL...THAT WORD THAT DWELLS IN YOU...IT IS ALONG THIS SAME LINE THAT HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS AND REVEALS THE "LIVING WORD" THROUGH US AS ORACLES EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST.

I SAY THIS HUMBLY AND FEARFULLY...COMPLETELY AWARE OF THIS VESSEL OF CLAY THAT IS LEAST OF THE SAINTS...

I HAVE NO AUTHORIZATION...EXCEPT HIS WORD WHICH HE MAKES KNOWN...

I AM MERELY A MOUTHPIECE... HE IS THE WORD...

HOW VAIN AND PRESUMPTUOUS OF ME?...I'M SURE THAT IT SEEMS THAT WAY...

BUT I FEAR THE LIVING GOD, ABOVE MAN...AND IF I LIE...MAN HAS NOTHING TO FEAR...HIS MIND SET WILL BRING HIM TO PEACE AS THE CONSUMING FIRE OF GOD MAKES ME AN EXAMPLE OF PRIDEFUL BLASPHEMY AND SELF-RIGHTEOUS PRESUMPTION.

THIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD...UNTIL FATHER SETS YOU DOWN AND SAYS YOU HAVE TO BECOME TO OTHERS...WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN TO YOU.

I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT WE ARE LIVING EPISTLES TO MEN...AS WONDERFULLY MARVELOUS AS THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD...IT TOO IS THE ORACLES OF MEN...
LIVING EPISTLES OF THE TIME OF JESUS...IS TIMELESS..QUICK AND POWERFUL AS THEY WERE AND STILL ARE MINISTERED IN GOD'S SPIRIT...AND AS THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE TO THE LETTER.

BUT NOW IS HE CALLING US FORTH TO SPEAK IN THESE LAST DAYS...AS ORACLES UNTO HIM...CHRIST IN US...SPEAKING...LIVING EPISTLES OF HIS WORD.

AGAIN...IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO SAY, "THUS SAITH THE LORD."

SO VERY SIMPLY...I WILL FOLLOW MY LORD'S LEAD IN THIS LESSON TOWARD BECOMING A MOUTH PIECE FOR HIM...

"THE WATER AND THE WINE...

THERE IS NO OTHER KIND...

BY WHICH WE COME TO KNOW

THE ONE WHO LOVES US SO...

REJOICE UNTO THAT DAY...

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY...

REDEEMING REASON'S TIME

WITHIN THIS MORNING RHYME...

TIS COMFORTING TO KNOW...

AS ONWARD YOU MUST GO

THROUGH MINUTE AND THROUGH HOUR...

I'LL BE YOUR STRENGTH AND POWER...

THE ORACLES OF GOD...

ALONG THE PATH YOU TROD

WILL COME AND THEN WILL GO...

THE WORD YOU'LL SURELY KNOW...

FOR THEY SHALL SPEAK OF ME...

THAT YOU MIGHT ALWAYS SEE

THE TRUTH ALONG THE WAY, YOU WALK WITH ME TODAY."

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT HE IS SPEAKING TODAY...I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN HEAR HIM SPEAK...HE LONGS TO FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU PERSONALLY...

THERE IS AN ORDER TO OUR SHARING...IT IS DECENT AND RESPECTFUL...IT IS UNDER THE POWER OF THE ONE SPEAKING TO KEEP IT IN LINE WITH THE SPIRIT'S LEADING, AND NOT THE PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS OF THE ONE SPEAKING.

IT IS FULL OF LOVE...PATIENCE...AND KINDNESS.

IT CAN ALSO BE FULL OF WARNING...DISCIPLINE AND CANDOR...

THIS NEW WINE CANNOT BE POURED INTO OLD WINE SKINS...LEST THEY BURST AND THE WINE SKINS PERISH. ...................JEL

OH THAT I MIGHT KNOW YOU LORD__IN THE POWER OF YOUR FULLNESS

I'm always amazed at how the Holy Spirit guides and directs our learning in respect of revealing Christ...We have a weekly bible study...many of those who come are just new babes and are so hungry for the Word...they drink the milk of the Word ravenously.....Jesus himself commanded us, " feed my sheep."

But to feed the sheep, we ourselves must have knowledge of what they need to eat...and that is the Word....not just in Bible form, (words)...but in demonstrating the power of the Spirit.

For so long I was under self-condemnation...with the thinking, I did not demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit...because I did not see healing, and prophetic words, and revelation in my life...much of what I shared I learned or gleaned from others...I was like a baby bird that's mother fed it predigested food...I also came to understand, that it was OK to eat the food that was being fed to me by my spiritual mothers and fathers of the Spirit...I HAD TO GROW UP into the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST....

I also came to know that the greatest demonstration of the power of the Spirit, was to have victory over my own flesh...to mortify it...and I still am...

My strength and hope is in the power of Holy Spirit who has come to give me revelation of Christ the Word and my place in Him...

He is effectually, and essentially establishing me in the Love of His Fellowship and that of the brethren...this is vital, crucial and elemental...that we be found formed and created new in the Spirit of Christ's mind and heart...in the revelation of the things of Spirit, that the Word might be manifest in us by the power of The Word...Christ is that Word...and we must come to hear His Voice in us...with Spirit understanding.

Then shall we demonstrate in power and authority the administration of His Kingdom...then shall we truly feed His sheep those things that will bring forth new life in them... and strength of faith and ministry...that we might all grow up into the unity of Christ, with one mind...to the ministry of worship and praise and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ....King of Kings and Lord of Lords......jOY

Today's sharing from Chip Brogden...perhaps made what I've said more clear...JOY LACKEY

March 18

Today's Message from Chip Brogden

"That I may know Him" (Philippians 3:10).

It is the FULLNESS of Christ that we are after, the revelation of Christ as He IN FACT IS. For too many Christians the Lord Jesus is "merely" their Savior. Thank God He is our Savior, but there is a depth and a richness bound up into the personage of Christ that goes far, far beyond "mere" salvation. Salvation is the narrow gate - coming into the fullness of Christ is the narrow path. The gate is only the entrance to something larger.

FROM AGE TO AGE THE SAME

DEAR LORD ALFRED TENNYSON....

THE WORD OF GOD IS NEVER DONE

IT SPEAKS FROM AGE TO AGE THE SAME

HIS SPIRIT IS THE LIVING FLAME

THE WIND THAT BLOWS, WE KNOW NOT WHERE

FROM SOUL TO SOUL, ON BREATH OF AIR

TO BRING A WORD OF LIFE TO BE

THE FAITH THAT MAKES ME JUST LIKE THEE

STILL MORTAL, YET WITH PROMISE RARE

THE SON OF GOD WE RIGHTLY SHARE

IN ALL HIS GLORY AND HIS POWER

TOGETHER IN THAT WONDROUS HOUR

WHEN SAINTS MADE PERFECT SING "ALL PRAISE"

ETERNAL SONGS OF ANCIENT DAYS

IT FILLS THE VOID OF HUMAN HEARTS

THAT LIFE AND LOVE KNEW FROM THE START

WE'D BE OF HIS OWN FAMILY

ONE IN CHRIST...ETERNALLY...............jOY

In Memorial A.H.H.
OBIT MDCCCXXXIII.

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
STRONG Son of God, immortal Love, 1849

Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace,
Believing where we cannot prove;

Thine are these orbs of light and shade;
Thou madest Life in man and brute;
Thou madest Death; and lo, thy foot
Is on the skull which thou hast made.

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he was not made to die;
And thou hast made him: thou art just.

Thou seemest human and divine,
The highest, holiest manhood, thou:
Our wills are ours, we know not how;
Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see;
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow.

Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before,

But vaster. We are fools and slight;
We mock thee when we do not fear:
But help thy foolish ones to bear;
Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light.

Forgive what seem'd my sin in me;
What seem'd my worth since I began;
For merit lives from man to man,
And not from man, O Lord, to thee.

Forgive my grief for one removed,
Thy creature, whom I found so fair.
I trust he lives in thee, and there
I find him worthier to be loved.

Forgive these wild and wandering cries,
Confusions of a wasted youth;
Forgive them where they fail in truth,
And in thy wisdom make me wise.

OH THE DEPTHS OF HIS RISIDING

ENDLESS INNER SPACE
WHERE ORBIT WORLDS OF RESOLUTE-NESS.

SELF CENTERED OR EVER EXPANDING ATONEMENT?
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD__THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
WHERE CHRIST DWELLS WITH SPIRIT WORD

HIS WORK AND WILL TO PURPOSE BRING
HIS LIGHT TO REALMS WHERE FOUNTAINS SPRING
A FOUNT OF BLESSING TO ALL MEN
TO WASH AWAY THE POWER OF SIN
RECONCILED__AND NOW REDEEMED
FROM ALL THAT WAS NOT WHAT IT SEEMED

ALL NOBLE THINGS THOUGH GREAT OR SMALL
STOOD NOT THE TEST OF ADAM'S FALL
NO MATTER WHAT__NO MATTER WHEN
ONLY ONE WORK WILL CLEANSE FROM SIN

TO FREE US FROM LIFE'S ENDLESS STRIFE
TO DWELL IN PEACE__TILL I DO KNOW
HIS VOICE AND FACE UNVEILED TO SHOW
THAT FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY OWN HEART
HE WORKED TO BRING ME TO THIS START
TO WALK, THOUGH IN A NARROW WAY
UNTIL THE RAPTURE OF HIS DAY

UNTIL THE RAYS OF MORNING LIGHT
MEET THOSE WHOSE VISION IS THEIR SIGHT
THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
A WORK OF GRACE__AND THUS SO FAR
I DWELL IN HOPE MOST SANCTIFIED
BY ONE WHO IS MY CONSTANT GUIDE
I WILL NOT GIVE MY HEART TO FEAR
BUT FULLY LEAN ON CHRIST SO DEAR.

A ROSE IS A ROSE__WITH NO NOSE

I CRAWLED INTO BED LATE LAST NIGHT. IT WAS COLD, AND SO WERE MY FEET. THEY TOOK FOREVER TO GET WARM, IT KEPT ME AWAKE.
THEN I HEARD THIS THOUGHT IN MY HEAD.
"A ROSE IS A ROSE, WITH NO NOSE."
I KNOW, I KNOW. I THOUGHT I WAS LOOSING IT TOO. BUT AS I SURRENDERED MY OWN LOGIC AND UNDERSTANDING, THESE ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS CAME.
1. A ROSE HAS NO NOSE...UNAWARE THAT IT SMELLS OF THE SWEETEST PERFUME.
2. A ROSE HAS NO EYES... IT DOES NOT SEE THAT IT THRILLS THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER WITH IT'S BEAUTY.
3. A ROSE HAS NO MOUTH...SO IT FILLS OURS WITH PRAISE TO THE CREATOR OF IT.
4. A ROSE HAS NO EARS...TO HEAR WHEN WE SPEAK OF IT'S BEAUTY OR IT'S FRAGRANCE. IT IS NOT PUFFED UP__IT JUST IS
A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE.
IT'S ONE PURPOSE IS TO GLORIFY THE CREATOR AND TO BRING PLEASURE TO HIS HEART AND OURS.
A PLANTING OF THE LORD.
LORD__MAKE ME YOUR PLANTING__CONTENT TO BLOOM WHERE I AM. FRAGRANT WITH PRAYER__MY EYES FIXED ON YOU__MY MOUTH FILLED WITH PRAISE.
LET ALL WHO SEE ME__SEE THE REFLECTION OF YOUR IMAGE, THE BEAUTY OF YOUR GRACE.

GARDENS IN THAT LAND

by Joy Lackey

My heart is full of glorious praise

for such a gift as these

that smell of heavens sweet perfume

each one to bless and please

Sprinkled through with Babies Breath

perhaps to just remind

that in the vase when all is done

not one will boast it's kind

For each in radiant splendor

the daisy and the rose...

the tulips and the lilies,

a sweet enchanting pose.

My heart is always gladdened,

when I take them in hand...

I always think of Heaven

and gardens in that land.

I think of walks with Jesus

of gentle words he'll say...

My Beloved Rose of Sharon

whose fragrance fills my day

A STONE IN THE HEART

THIS MORNING AS I WAS TAKING MY MORNING WALK...THE LORD, IN HIS USUAL WAY, HAS TO GET THROUGH TO ME BY COMPARING SOMETHING IN THE NATURAL TO THE SPIRITUAL.

I HAD A SMALL PEBBLE IN MY SHOE THAT WAS MAKING IT VERY PAINFUL TO WALK. I STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO TAP MY FOOT, TRYING TO SHAKE IT DOWN OUT OF THE WAY, UNTIL I COULD GET HOME AND DISPOSE OF IT.

BECAUSE I WAS WALKING THE DOG, AND THERE WASN'T ANYWHERE THAT I COULD STOP AND REMOVE MY SHOE, (AT LEAST THAT WAS MY EXCUSE) I CONTINUED ON TRYING TO IGNORE THE OBVIOUS IRRITATION.

I'VE BEEN ASKING THE LORD TO GIVE ME HIS INTERCEDING HEART...WHEN YOU ARE NEARLY SHUT AWAY WITH HIM...AND NOT OUT IN THE WORLD, YOU FEEL YOU ARE NOT IN TOUCH WITH IT'S PAIN AS YOU COULD BE...AND GOD FORGIVE ME...YOU GET INSENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

THIS IS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS KEEPING ME FROM RECEIVING AN ANSWER TO THIS PRAYER...

THIS IS THE PICTURE THAT HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED IN MY MIND CONCERNING THIS...

"JOY...LISTEN! YOU PREPARED FOR THIS WALK, BY PUTTING ON YOUR SHOES...YOU DID NOT LOOK INSIDE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD HINDER YOUR WALK. THE SMALLEST STONE CAN HINDER YOUR WALK WITH ME. LOOK INSIDE! LOOK INSIDE!

YES, I SAID THAT YOU COULD COME BOLDLY BEFORE MY THRONE...IN THIS I WILL COMMAND YOU TO REMOVE YOUR SHOES, FOR YOU WILL WALK ON HOLY GROUND...EVEN SO...TO WALK WITH ME, TO INTERCEDE WITH ME...YOU MUST LOOK FOR AND REMOVE THE STONES THAT MAY BE HIDING IN YOUR HEART.

YOU HAVE IGNORED THE STONE IN YOUR HEART, THINKING TO REMOVE IT LATER...

REMOVE IT NOW!....REMOVE IT NOW....STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND REMOVE IT NOW!

THEN COME AND FEEL THE PAIN OF A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART...THAT WHICH IS MY OWN HEART THAT INTERCEDES IN YOUR BEHALF...AND THAT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD...

WAITING

Lord, for so long I have waited...gone through the days and nights, waiting. I wake thinking of You...walk through my days with you...my heart like the young girl I once was...still in love with You...I still desire to please You in every way... There were times, and even most recently, that I wearied with waiting...for now the beauty of my youth is gone, and I have nearly lost hope....like Sara who laughed in her tent...shall I bare any good thing for thee?.... But my Beloved, you dwell in the eternities, and who am I to dictate the time that you come and sanctify this life to Your own...So I will wait forever, if I need to...for you are my one desire, my only desire...and I too shall cry out, "Oh that I might know you and the power of Your Resurrection!".... Rouse me Lord out of my weariness, my apathy, and come to me...be my restoration...dress me in the garments of praise and faith, joy and the radiance of Your Light, Your Spirit Word....I delight in You my Lord...How beautiful You are to me....

DYING TO SELF

...when you are forgotten,neglected, or deliberately ignored and you don't sting and hurt with the insult, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ

...when people speak evil of your good, cross your desires, disregard your advice, ridicule your opinions and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence

...when you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance, and when you stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensitivity, and you endure it as Jesus endured

...when you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any clothing, any interruption by the will of God

...when you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good words, or to have people take notice of what you say, or to itch after commendations, it is when you can truly love to be unknown

...when you receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart.

Are you a dead person?

In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross, that we might utter with Paul, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death."

- Author unknown

FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN

Lord, I come to You this morning with so many needs

I am helpless, but to come and hold them up to Your

mercy and grace. I trust no other for the answers, except

that you use who ever You will as vessels to accomplish

all that is Your purpose and to Your glory.

I know that you hear the endless cries of humanity in a

way that we cannot...they are the same cries that led you

to the Cross...You have made away of escape...The Way of Love.

And still we are deaf and blind and naked in our shame.

May I kneel here next to you my Lord...will you give me Your

interceding heart...that I might know the Love that has come

to set the captives free?

Let this humble heart minister to You this morning Lord...hear

the prayers of the righteous who long for You...to worship You

and adore You...to give to you from those depths of our heart

which You have opened up, and sing glory, glory, glory, Lord

God Almighty. Worthy of all praise, and honor...worthy is the

Lamb."

ONE OF THOSE DAYS LORD

BOY DOES THIS PICTURE CAPTURE HOW I FELT TODAY...

I'M REALLY SLOWING DOWN...AND MY ORGANIZATION SKILLS HAVE FLOWN THE COOP!

MADE A MASTER PIECE OF A LEMON MERINGUE PIE...THE KITCHEN LOOKED LIKE I BAKED EIGHT OF THEM...LOL

HOW DID I EVER RAISE KIDS?

LORD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND PATIENCE WITH THIS OLD LADY...FOR HELPING ME WHEN I FORGET SOMETHING THAT I TOLD MYSELF, JUST FIVE MINUTES BEFORE, THAT I WOULDN'T FORGET...I FEEL YOU BY MY SIDE...YOU'RE ALWAYS THERE...PATIENT AND EVER CONSOLING ME IN MY FRUSTRATIONS...I LOVE YOU LORD...I LOVE YOU SO MUCH....BE PRAISED, BE HONORED, BE GLORIFIED, IF YOU WILL, IN THIS SIMPLE BUT BLESSED VESSEL THAT IS SLOWLY BLOOMING WHERE I AM BECAUSE OF YOUR GREAT LOVE....................