Stink Until You Get Good!

God Morning Family,
This past Saturday God blessed me! As I prayed He posed this question; "Are you willing to stink until I resurrect you?".

I had to laugh and rejoice. Indeed God does not think like we do at all!

God reminded me of Lazurus. I won't go into detail, but I encourage you to read John chapter 11 for yourself. The following is what God spoke to me.

Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus and loved by Him, yet when Jesus heard Lazarus was deathly ill He purposely delayed going to his side. His reasoning? That God would get glory and He Himself would be glorified.

Lesson 1: Getting close to Jesus means sometimes He will purposely let something really bad happen to you. Or He will seemingly lift His hand off your life and let the real you be exposed for all to see. This is the honor of being His friend. Those who want intimacy with God ask that our lives will give Him glory and we think that means we go to church, share our faith, and don't live in sin anymore. Jesus glorified God through His suffering, humiliation, and death on the cross.

It wasn't until Lazarus was dead and beyond hope that Jesus responded to the request that He go to His friend.

Lesson 2: Just when you think things are bad God will let it get worse. And not just worse but beyond hope. God gets the glory when your situation is beyond human rescue. God gets the glory when your situation, or you, are so awful that even the most faith filled, Holy Ghost people you know will shake their heads with doubt. No flesh shall glory in Gods presence and when the big rescue comes no man will get the credit.

When Jesus got there Lazarus had already been put in a tomb.

Lesson 3: Tombs are places of isolation. Don't be surprised you feel alone when your life is falling apart. Don't be shocked when you're trying to do your best but people steer clear of you because you've stepped on their toes. Not because of righteousness but because you're just a mess. This is a good place. This is where, if you don't get offended, you learn to love people without pinning your hopes on them. This is where you learn that really, only God has an answer. This is where you learn God is a jealous God and as long as you trust in anything or anyone besides Him He will not be satisfied. God will allow the worst in you or your life in order to remove your dependence on flesh.

Lesson 4: People put Lazarus in a tomb not God. Don't be moved when people give up on you. People do not have the final say God does. I don't care if you have been in the same condition for 10, 20, or even 75 years.

When Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda he'd had that infirmity for 38 years. The woman with the issue of blood had been sick 12 years. And there is no telling how long the wild man of the Gadarenes had been demon possessed when Jesus set him free.

Keep believing God for change in your life, keep believing in God's mercy. It's better to be found contending for His will then to throw in the towel. Just don't quit!

"Roll away the stone."
"Uh, Jesus, surely you're aware that the body stinks? "

Lesson 5: You would think that once one has stopped fighting God, has submitted to the crucifixion of their flesh, and died to self one life would be glorious . But it's not. There is a stench as the flesh corrupts.

When one surrenders to God and chooses to walk in the Spirit all is not lovely. While the stony heart may have been rolled away and replaced with a heart of flesh, this disciple has no idea how to walk with God...even if they have been saved for 20 years. They stink at it.

Don't be discouraged Lazarus. Right now you're probably doing all you can to be godly yet people always seem to be offended with you. You're doing all you can yet your circumstances are the same. It's not because you are the same person you used to be . That one died. It's because you are just a seedling who has yet to bear fruit. Remember, it's only when the seed falls to the ground and dies that it bears fruit.

But you want to bear fruit NOW. You look awful and you need that fruit to make you look good to all the people that think you're such a loser. Just let the Master water, tend, and prune you. Trust in Him. You may be broke, you may be rough around the edges, hasty, and have no idea how to communicate but you will bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Oh and by the way, all the poop that gets dumped on you instead of patience and understanding...it's called fertilizer and you need it to grow. Yes! It makes you stink all the more. Are you willing to stink until you get good? Can you deal with the humiliation of submitting to that until you bear godly fruit? Not to look good to people, but to His glory?

"Lazarus come forth!"

Lesson 6: Remember Jesus did not come to Lazarus when he was sick, but waited until he died and there seemed to be no hope. There is a set time for everything family. God has a schedule and He knows the day and the hour of your deliverance.

Hang in there, trust Jesus, stay humble, and be willing to stink until you get good.

Don't quit!!!! Resurrection time is coming!

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

What Price?

God Morning Family,

I'm still on one particular vein; walking with and knowing the Holy Spirit.

I believe their are many Christians who feel the pull to cast off all restraint and fling themselves wholeheartedly into the fire of God. I believe that if any of us are saved then the Spirit of God is within us. He will ever draw us nearer to the Father, glorifying Jesus who died to bring us into relationship with the One He loved to the death.

Yes, I believe that so many want more.

I also know many believers will never obtain that more. Let me explain.

Nothing gets done until one deals with self truthfully. Knowing the motives of the heart is so imperative in our walk with God, but we cannot know motives of our own hearts unless the Spirit and the Word reveals them.

So many Christians do not pray or spend time seeking God in His Word. May I clarify seeking God?

I am talking about prayer from the heart not empty religious gestures. Not the punching in of the Christian time clock.

Prayer ought to position the believer to hear truth because the believer hungers for truth. Petitioning God for our wants and problems is not the heart of prayer. Jesus lived to know and do the will of the Father. He was able to boldly say He knew and loved the Father because He lived to please Him alone. Jesus prayed.

In our Bible reading there ought to be more than skimming words on a page. Where is the careful study, memorization, meditation, and application (read obedience) of the Holy scriptures? Yet this is not enough without a hunger for truth.

In Jesus' day none prayed, fasted, or knew the Word of God better than the Pharisees. Yet when Jesus showed up they rejected their Messiah. How could this be? The Pharisees loved the adulation of men more than the quiet praise of God. (Jn 12:43)

Do you think the Pharisees knew this was in their hearts? Do you think they honestly confessed their sin? Of course not. They searched for an excuse that would appease their guilty conscience and fixated on it until they believed it was truth.

This is human nature.

Our human nature is to be feared far and above all the works of the devil and his angels with him.

We are capable of such creativity, reasoning, brilliance, and courage. We are capable of the most heinous of crimes and cowardice. We can even lie to ourselves.

When one determines in his heart that he will give all to God, the Holy Spirit begins to deal with that heart. So few allow that dealing.

We are looking for the touch of God that pleases us. He is looking for holiness, purity of heart, and faith that please Him.

He is looking for the one that says,

I will stand naked and unashamed before You and mankind..I am willing that You to expose me, humiliate me, and make me the least of my brothers. I willing to be the servant of Your servants. I am willing to be overlooked, unappreciated, unjustly treated, and falsely accused. I am willing to look like a fool for Your sake or to cover those in authority over me and my peers. I am willing to endure the crucifixion moments of my life that this flesh will be destroyed and I can walk in the truth of Your ways.

He is the Spirit of Truth. He loves us and is so gentle. He will not break the spirit of the one who seeks him but He has no mercy on the flesh. His dealings cause pain. That pain is sometimes physical, but mostly it is a pain to our ego. A harsh blow to our pride. A destruction of the thing we love more than Christ which is most generally ourselves.

This is why I say many will never walk in the more or the fire of intimacy with the Holy Spirit on this earth. The cost is indeed high.

But if you desire Him...all of Him...and you are willing to pay the price, fear not. Though it be a rough and treacherous rode He will be your guide. Remember Lots wife and never look back. What lies ahead is glorious!

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27-33

Stay in Prayer and the Word!

Love in Our Lord,
Lauren

The Fear of Man

God Morning Family,

Let's just jump right in. If you long to walk with the Spirit of God the way I do you must put people, along with their opinions and expectations of you, in their proper place.

Being overly concerned (read obsessed) about what others think of you is a hindrance in cultivating intimacy with the Holy Ghost.

Even as a child I ran myself ragged trying to make everyone happy. As a young adult I was a chameleon. I did all I could to be like everyone in order to be liked.

I brought this into my walk with God. Wanting to be accepted I frantically tried to please everyone. If I at all sensed someone was displeased with me I lost sleep and did all I could to regain their approval.

Ridiculous! If Jesus Himself cannot please everyone then why would I think I can?

The greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This cannot be done when the fear of man moves us to please people instead of God.

Approval seekers cannot follow or obey God unless they feel everyone approves of them, their decisions, their words, or their actions. Therefore deliverance in this area is imperative.

In attempting to be delivered of approval seeking I have seen people go the opposite way. Instead of seeking to please others they live to please themselves alone. People like this love the scripture that says we ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5:29. They adopt the stance that no longer are they subject to the authority of others and cast off restraint. This is rebellion and foolishness. My Granny would have said they are throwing out the baby with the bath water.

God's word is clear concerning to our submission to spiritual and natural authority. A good disciple, wife, child, or servant certainly should seek to please the one in authority over them. In doing so they please God as all authority comes from Him.

Selfishness is also not deliverance. After loving God the second commandment is that we must love our brother as ourselves. In Philippians we are exhorted to not only look out for our own welfare but also for the welfare of others. Serving, loving, helping, and sharing with one another is not approval seeking. It is Christianity in the practical.

When I speak of deliverance from approval seeking, people pleasing, and the fear of man I am really talking about freedom from SELF. SELF is always self-analyzing, naval gazing, and preoccupied with appearance. Bookstores, even Christian ones are filled with self-help, self-actualizing, and self-fulfillment books.

SELF is the biggest idol there ever was. Destroy SELF and you destroy the power of the fear of man.

When my mind is on God and not SELF I can acknowledge my sins, faults, and frailties without falling apart. I can repent without walking in condemnation. I can take correction without rebellion rising up. I can be rebuked and still not be defeated. Why? Because my faults are my faults. They are not me. If I love God I want Him to correct my faults because I want to be like Him. If I love people I want my faults to be corrected because I don't want to hurt anyone.

When my mind is on God and not SELF I can be judged, disapproved of, criticized, and falsely accused because I know what He thinks of me...and that's all that really matters. He is the only one I'll have to stand before on that great day.

When my mind is on God and not SELF everyone in the world can hate me and I can still love them all. How do I know? Because Jesus did it first.

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. Jn 2:23-25 NLT

He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Is 53:3 NKJ

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Is 53:7 NKJ

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Lk 23:34 NKJ

Stay in prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

Conversation

God Evening Family,
I had an awesome conversation with Pastor Chris (a missionary in Indonesia) via Face Book. He has a reputation for being a man of prayer so I asked what his thoughts were concerning having a Mary Heart in a Martha schedule.

The following is the exact conversation. I changed nothing. I hope somehow this blesses you as it blessed me and my husband.

Chris Chapman Sory it has taken so long for me to respond to ur ? About how to "keep the mary fire burning". It is a question that i ask myself often.
The thing i notice in my life is that i am tempted to feel guilty in the midst busyness, assuming i shud be "at jesus feet", which usually is interpreted as being alone wth god in my ..."devotional" time. But i think guilt hinders intimacy wth god. So during the day fellowship is hindered thru guilt, then when my time "at his feet does come, i spend alot of time trying to get past that burden of guilt. This is a lousy cycle!!!
But i think we wud be wise to note that being at jesus feet and serving his disciples food (including our own children) are both godly activities that god wants us to do. Martha wasnt rebuke cause of her activity, but because she was doing that activity at the wrong time! At another point god might rebuke us for praying when we shud act! I think of moses at the red sea when he told him to get up and stop crying out to him. Eccl chapter 3 says there is a time for everything. I think our busyness wont interfere with our fellowship and intimacy wth god if we do things wholheartedly and at the right time! We need to shake of the monastic idea that "sitting at his feet" is the only appropriate place for us at all time. Basically we need to renew our minds to see that "whatever we are doing in word, deed", or prayer is pleasing to god. I think that casts of the burden of guilt that drowns out our faith in his love and acceptance.
- as i said, im looking for the answer myself, so i dont know if this helps or even makes sense, but it is my widows mite.
Gbu
Chris

Lauren Johnston No it is just right. It reminds me of the book The Practice of the Presence of God...Bro Lawrence apparently spent 40 years learning how to make EVERY act a devotion to God. Whether it be doing dishes, running errands, serving the poor, or prayer He learned the art of making His whole life worship pleasing unto God. My impatient self just doesn't want to spend "40 years" learning... I want to do it now and so I seek the short cut. I guess if it's going to take time to learn I better get on the journey today. (She said ruefully but with resignation)

Thanks so much Pastor Chris for your time and greetings to Sis Esther and your beautiful kids!

Chris Chapman

Treebeard, the ent, in the movie lord of the ring- the two towers said " in old entish it takes a long time to say anything. And ents never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say" - i think god is the same way. It takes us a long time to learn the lessons he wants to teach us. But any lessons he teaches are worth taking a long time to learn!!! Haha!!
Gbu sis,
Chris
Ps esther says hi!

Lauren Johnston HAH! Perfect! When I read the book as a child I couldn't stand the Ents. Even as I read I was aggravated by their slowness. In highschool I preferred Karate and track over ballet. I can't stand golf and I can only tolerate pilates for about 20 minutes.

I love percussion...speed...loud thunder storms.

I love the hurricane, the earthquake, and the fiery volcano...but it takes self control to practice the discipline of quietness in order to hear His still small voice.

God is speaking to me P Chris. And not just me but my husband is in on this one as well...he passed it on to our landlord who woke up thinking of his need for a closer walk with God.

I would like to use this conversation in my blog if you don't mind. Just as it is. I often copy my bogs to facebook so you may be familiar with the subject matter.

http://laurenskeepinitreal.blogspot.com/

Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

Chris Chapman

I dont mind if u use it. Pls feel free to make it clearer, change it or add to it in anyway u want. I dont hav any copyrights!! Haha

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

Knowing His Voice

God Morning Family,

I so want to be one who walks with God, hears His voice, and responds quickly to what He is saying.

After 14 years of salvation I still am seeking to not only know about God but to know His heart and do those things that please Him. But how do I know I am hearing Him? That is still my question, and through my experience, inquiry, as well as the counsel of knowledgeable people I have a few answers that can help us all in our quest to be Spirit led.

1. You Can Know God's Voice Through His Word. God does not contradict His word and somethings are very basic. Sex out of marriage, adultery, back-biting, lying, unforgiveness, giving, tithes/offering, stealing, jealousy, addictions, idolatry, bitterness, preferring others before yourself, love, prayer, church, reading your Bible, etc... are all covered very eloquently in the Bible. There are many things that do not need prayer because God has already made Himself clear in His written Word. If we do have argument it's not because the Word is vague it's because we do not want to do what we read.

For instance, a brother has been offended and while on the outside he is polite, in his heart his has not forgiven the offender. This brother is in jeopardy of hell because the Word says;
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mk 11:26 NKJV

2. You Can Know God's Voice Through God Ordained Authority. I know many church goers believe that submission to authority is an outdated form of control. Some believe that God speaks to them directly and they never need anyone to speak a word into their life or obey godly counsel. (Funny, some men that hold this false doctrine still believe that their wives and children need to obey them...can someone say hmmmmm?)

Refusing to allow yourself to be taught, led, and corrected is pride. I personally believe that because I listen to and obey my husband and pastors, and (more recently) listen to the voice of my parents and peers I hear God's voice all the more clearer.

God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Jas 4:6

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Heb13:17

By the way Eli was a very poor priest who allowed his sons to sin before the people and steal the best of God's offering. Yet Hannah through her submissive attitude induced this man to go to God on her behalf. God heard Eli and blessed this barren woman to give birth to Samuel. Later Samuel was given to Eli to be trained by him. Through Eli Samuel learned the voice of God. God never let this great Prophet's words fall to the ground.

3. You Can Know God's Voice by Letting Go Of You. The Holy Spirit often speaks about giving to, helping, or serving others. Even though we hear this still small voice we have trouble discerning it because of SELF. Picky, self-centered, touchy, crabby people ignore this voice. I am one who can be very controlling. I love making plans, knowing what's happening at every moment, and having my say. This attitude resists the voice of God because obeying the Holy Spirit will force you to give up what you want and prefer others before yourself. Finding the voice of God means letting go of YOU and becoming a meek and lowly spirit. Never become set in your ways.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jn 15:12-13

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt 11:29

4. You Can Know The Voice Of God Through Communion. I love the word communion as it relates to intimacy with God.

Communion: 1. A sharing of; possession in common; participation. 2. ...sharing one's thoughts and emotions with another...intimate converse. 3. An intimate spiritual relationship. This word perfectly defines intimacy with God. It's not a ceremony but a face to face encounter that never ceases. Knowing God's voice in such a relationship is assumed. Seek His face. Cry out to know Him. He will not disappoint.

But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. John 10:2-5

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

The Master

God Afternoon Family,

This morning in prayer God reminded me how little I reverence Him. The knowledge of that shook me to the core. Weeping and repenting before God my heart was opened to God.

A few weeks ago God gave me a picture that went like this,

It was a warm morning. A little boy sat on the porch of a white bungalow. He was a native boy, slender and brown. He was wearing a white skull cap seated on the back of his head. He also had a white vest with no shirt underneath. His short. white pants were gathered at the knee and he was barefoot. He didn't seem disturbed, but seemed to be waiting eagerly for something.

Suddenly a very tall man came out of the door. He had on dark sun glasses and was dressed casually yet his clothes seemed pricey. He had on a light colored brimmed hat. His jacket and slacks were a light colored linen and his white, collared shirt was well ironed. He was a man not from this region yet he was comfortable, relaxed, and confident.

The man didn't acknowledge the boy but walked quickly across the porch and down the steps. The little boy jumped up and followed after the man who was headed towards the market place. The boy had to scramble to keep up with the man's long strides, yet he kept his eyes on the man's head the whole time.

"What time did you get here this morning?", said the man.

"5 am Sir.", the boy answered breathlessly.

The man smiled and flipped something over his shoulder. The red, glittering object sailed smoothly through the air. Without slowing the boy snatched the ruby from the air. He looked at it long enough to see it was as big as a large egg and then shoved it in His pocket. Eyes still intent on the Master, the boy didn't think twice about the large ruby. His whole focus was on going where ever the Master would lead him.

This is an awesome picture of how we ought to be with the Holy Spirit. The little boy is exactly who I want to be. This is why:

1. He was diligent and patient. He rose early to be at the Master's door by 5am. Then, judging by the time of day, he waited 3-4 hours until the he came out.

2. He was humble. He didn't get offended that the Master did not acknowledge him, but followed eagerly behind him. His own social status neither offended, nor embarrassed him. He was who he was before the Master and he was content with that.

3. He wasn't lazy. It took effort to keep up with the Master's pace, but he did it without grumbling.

4. He was focused. He kept His eyes on His Master's head. Not his back, hands, or feet. He was listening for His voice. He was attentive in the event the Master would turn and look at him. His thoughts, his attitude, his body was all attuned to the Master.

5. He knew his Master's character, therefore he loved Him and trusted Him. The boy was not impressed with the large ruby. He acknowledged it and was grateful, but was not moved by the jewel. The Master was generous and rewarded excellence, there was more where that came from. No, his heart was loyal to the Master. The Master was his reward.

If I truly reverenced the gift of His Spirit I would do whatever it takes to be just this way...a diligent little servant girl with no ambitions except to follow the Master wherever He leads.

Won't you please pray this for me?

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD...Prov 8:34-35

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

The Outercourt

God Evening Family,

For the past two weeks the Outer Court has been weighing on my heart. I've tried blogging about other things I've experienced in prayer but I know that God is firmly telling me to write this particular one. I am no expert on the Temple and it's lay out. Nor am I an expert on the tabernacle erected by Moses. While I've read about it many times I don't fully understand all the sacrifices or ceremonies.Yet God has shown me some things about the Outer Court that pertain to the condition of the heart of believers.

In the Outer Court was the Altar of Sacrifice. It was placed some distance away from the tabernacle which housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. People came with their sacrifice, the officiating priest offered it up, and the one who brought the sacrifice went their way without going near the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was.

So many people are just that way. They are Outer Court worshipers who are continually repenting over their sin but never coming close to God. These people fear hell more then they fear God. They fear hell because they know they are closer to it than heaven. They are closer to hell than heaven because they don't fear God. They want to go to heaven but they really don't want to know the King of heaven. At least not on His terms, not if it means they have to change.

Some of these are the people that seem so faithful in God's kingdom because they do so much. Yet God sees the motive. They do not obey God so they try to make up for their disobedience with sacrificial offerings. Yet God says obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Sam 15:22)

Surrounding the tabernacle was a wall. This wall was not made of stone or brick but linen. It wasn't sturdy but yet it was a wall just the same. It was the line that separated the spiritual from the secular.

At first Outer Court worshipers know not to cross certain boundaries. They know some things belong to God and ought to be reverenced. But it isn't long before their senses are too numb to discern between what is holy and what is flesh (1 Tim 4:2). Like bulls they plow through that seemingly flimsy boundary into the world. Then who they are at home is no longer who they are at church. The secular world holds an allure while the things of God pale in comparison. They begin to bring the world into their homes. More and more their conversation is laced with flesh and they delight to call the holy legalistic. Speaking those things that they ought not, they believe God is altogether like them. Walking in their pride they begin to touch the anointed things of God without fear. (1 Chron 16:22 & Jude 8-10) They become careless and familiar with the holy.

Another thing about the Outer Court is it was in the open air. No covering. Outer Court worshipers hate authority. This is the one that talks the Christian language, shows up at church, and may even faithfully hold ministry. They have a form of godliness, that is until someone tries to bring correction. It is at this point that the Outer Court worshiper has a tantrum. Some are like Korah and will blatantly oppose God's chosen leadership. Others will sweetly and quietly listen to the correction yet still insist on their way of doing things.

Sadly these people do not understand what the word covering means. It means to hide, to clothe, and to provide for. It also is a military term that means to protect from enemy action, as in "Cover me while I throw my grenade". It means to protect financially. It's a term that expresses the intimacy of a husband with His wife. It's also a term that is best expressed by our free will. God will not force anyone to stay under His covering. Whether it be a wife, a child, a disciple, or an employee, only those who love and trust Him will submit to the covering He has provided for them.

Between the altar and the Holy Place was the basin. Before the priests could enter the Holy Place they had to wash so they would be clean and not die before the Lord.

There are those who do seek the presence of God but have yet to learn to stay before Him. They are continually going in and out of the Holy Place. I personally think that a lot of Christians who really do want to love God fall in this category, but they have not made the necessary adjustments that will allow them to dwell in His presence continually. So they enter in and minister to God. But then out they go again, picking up the dirt of this world and their own flesh. They know they ought to fully belong to God and fully hate the world but it's the little foxes that spoil the vine...the love of entertainment and comfort. Their passion to surrender is choked out by the cares of this world.

As God's priests we are to be made clean by the washing of the water of the Word. Only those who keep guard over His Word continually in their hearts can continually be clean and abide in His presence (John 15:3 & 10) But so many do not. Their prayer and Bible reading is erratic at best. They are not studying the scripture that they may be workers approved by God. They are not meditating on it that they may obey it. They are not calling on His Spirit for help. Against their own convictions they do not discipline their bodies to seek His face. So in and out they go.

At first this does not seem too bad. After all they are trying more than some others. but Revelations 11:1-2, 13 says this,

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles....
...In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

There is no time to discuss the full meaning of this now. I'll leave it to your study of the Bible such as it is. Let's just keep it simple. God measured off the temple and those who worshiped inside. The outer court was not only given over to the haters of God's people but after the resurrection of the two prophets there was an earthquake that killed thousands...all found outside the presence of God.

I don't fully grasp Revelations at all. but even I can see it wouldn't be good to be found in the Outer Court if that's where God's judgment was going to fall, kind of like being outside the ark the day it started to rain.

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a parable of 10 virgins. All were destined to meet the bridegroom. All had full lamps. But only 5, who were wise, had vessels with extra oil. The 5 who were foolish presumptuously thought that the oil in their lamps was sufficient. Why go through the trouble of finding more oil and then carrying an extra vessel around with them? As they waited for His coming they used up all they had in their lamps. When the bridegroom arrived they began to scramble to find more oil, but it was too late. They were locked out of the marriage simply because they wouldn't go the extra mile in making preparation for the coming of the bridegroom.

These are the ones who one moment are worshiping in the Holy Place and dancing in the Outer Court the next. These are the ones who tempt their own fate by their continual coming and going. One foot in and the other out. Straddling the fence. Double minded with divided hearts.

There are those who stay in His presence continually. They know He is coming but they don't know the day or the hour. All they know is that they do not want to miss it, so they draw nearer to Him and watch....and wait.

These do not fear Hell. They fear eternal separation from the object of their deepest desire. They fear never to be able to look upon His face, never to gaze deeply into His eyes, and never to hear His voice speaking their name.

Let us enter in with them. The veil is rent in two. He is waiting. He will not wait forever.

Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth...Luke 18:8

God is speaking. Pass this one on.

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren