The Kingdom Way--The paradoxical viewpoint that puzzles so many because the mystery of the Holy Spirit working.
This is when the natural(non heavenly) desire/way is actually the opposite of the government of heavenly order,
but the results are being revealed to me more and more...
following the heavenly order will turn out in the opposite of what we assume are of our natural desires:
where fear, pain, shame, and destruction seem to tarry. That is all but a lie, because all those negative outcomes are a result of the former... the nature the flesh will give instant gratification, but what will catch up will be the fruit of destruction... it ensnares and give a lulling addicting quality to hand out empty promises but end up demanding a slow painful death to your life.
What happens when heavenly order revealed and pursued? Freedom, Fullness, Great Identity, Healing, Calling and most of all LOVE...
It's all in Jesus.
Matthew 5:1-11
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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As I was led to a passage last night (Luke 3: 3-7)
I read this passage...I came to realize that the passage below is about repentance:
"3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham."
*
Elementary teachings are what keep coming at me, but I am so astounded by new revelations!
...repentance come before salvation, repentance comes before forgiveness....
repentance comes before healing, repentance comes before being made whole...
because true repentance brings purity, a right spirit of humility (knowing who God is and who you are before God), a proper ground/invitation for the Lord to work mightily.
In what was broken: disorder, chaos... the "low"s, the "crooked", the "rough" ways, it will be made as it should be by repentance... "straight", "filled", evened-out, "smooth"...then... the fullness of who God is and His intent becomes more clear and in resemblance of Him!
The reason for repentance is not to feel bad about yourself. It's for God to work greater and be renewed... made right. Repentance is the small (or large) adjustment in direction of turning towards your destination on your journey. It is active and then submissive.
Repentance is not about bringing about shame, but restoration. It is not about bringing pain, but healing. It is not about belittling you, but for God to raise you up in what He esteems, which is higher than you could ever imagine.
Repentance is a detox, and flushing out your system of deadly, choking contamination of your soul, mind, heart and I'm going to add in body too!
Anxiety, fear, anger, lust, greed, laziness, pride... you get those out and your body will feel like it never has before!
...And this is a detox that can only benefit each time you are confronted with each wrong turn, decision, action. It must be constant and regular, because otherwise... it will keep building, slowing you down, giving you heart attacks, mind attacks, soul attack... It gets harder the longer you don't address it to the Lord.
Wow. Repentance is awesome.
