Saturday, December 23, 2006

with Neh 8

What does it mean for the people to assemble together as one person? As one person? How can anyone assemble with others as one? Isn’t that like a mystery? Doesn’t it mess with your English grammar and your independent American spirit justa little bit?
Be honest, when was the last time you were able to assemble with another person, or two or three or four or more and agree enough to even be at the same place at the same time doing the same thing for the same reason? The more people involved, that seems to be harder to attain, agreement and unity are a venture.
They are a venture, and a worthwhile one at that. The supernatural power of God shows up when we unify under His banner. We want supernatural miracles etc. God wants unity, there’s a covenant trade off and no negotiations are necessary. If we engage in what He is already doing we’re there, where heaven and earth meet together in agreement.
How many of us are in a place where when we do not understand the words God is using to gather us in unity with, we can ask someone or go listen to teachers regularly or will study for further understanding?
Do you realize understanding does not just come, we set ourselves up for it, we seek it and it comes, we go after it as though it is important to us, and it comes. The biggest way it comes is through the following in relationship with a person who is older and stronger than we are in faith. These people sought understanding by being there under Nehemiah’s following. By being there, assembling, they engaged. God would show up at this type of engagement big time.
If being there, in that seeking place with others is not important, why’d God give us the understanding? Understanding comes for those who have a purpose to know. They aren’t getting it for more information, they’re getting it for the purpose of further use. Those who want to know will. Understanding comes to the hungry and thirsty.
What happens to you when you hear truth? Do you change and rejoice that you were once off and now are corrected by the truth? Or does the enemy use condemnation to keep you from moving forward? Does he use guilt to keep you in the same old place with no growth or change? I’s demonic to wallow in self pity or guilt or condemnation. God is a mover. He shows us stuff to change so we will and go on from here and do something big, like engaging in His purposes.
Ya know how it is awesomely amazing for God to dwell in us, (Emmanuel)? God so desires a people who will love His house, love His will, love His plans, purposes, and people. His heart’s desire is for men and women and children to never ever leave His presence, take His presence wherever they go, and to go where He needs them to, willingly.
There’s such a huge difference in God living in us, blessing us and us living to bless Him. There’s a huge difference in us doing things asking God’s blessings on whatever we do and us asking God what He’d like for us to do, being willing to change our own plans to go do it and in that blessing His work.
One is self-centered Christianity, where God is like our servant-friend, the other is I realize I am His bond-slave for life! This is what His Divine Strength is about. I need His power, strength and ability to do His will, not more of mine!