#YOU-Are-NOT-Your-OWN!
Some lessons don't come easy, and this one that I'm writing about this morning ("YOU Are NOT Your OWN!") has cost me everything, in regards to the learning curve that God has allowed me to experience, including untold - attacks, conflict, isolation, persecution, and suffering.
Don't get me wrong, I agree with the Apostle Paul, when he said, "But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]." (Philippians 3:7-11 AMP)
This passage diffuses the concern many believers have, when it comes to our ideas about "failure" and "success"..
This passage demands that we put away the shallowness of our human existence, to excitedly embrace and grasp for the eternal truths and transcendent values that marks a genuine disciple of Christ..
This passage defends the pursuit of the "divine nature", as critically important to the "overcoming disciple", who would become a casualty, without a deepening dependence upon God that fortifies your life in every season; no matter what may come.
WHY have I experienced so many bumps and bruises?
Because "I'm so anointed, or I'm more special than anyone else?"
Well, yeah.. LOL! I am HIS favorite, but since "GOD is no respecter of persons", I can quickly surmise "it's NOT about me!"
I'm really coming to know how God delights and is greatly pleasured by ministering and relating too me in every way that I need it; so that I am both a healthy and whole vessel, which is not compromised by the potential of future - "blessing", opportunity or success!
I've also come to recognize that "the greatest enemy" of a believer's victorious existence" - is "undisciplined flesh"; NOT temptation, trials or tribulation!
WOW...But, it's "the TRUTH"...
The Bible says, "But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19, 20 AMP)
I intentionally left out verse 18 to make a point.. And that is, though the specific reference is in regards to sexual conduct in its proper context to the Christian, the principle of "personal devotion" through "singular dedication" of your body to The Living God (in every way) - is both commanded and expected; or a non-negotiable of the legitimate Christian witness.
GOD gave me these "spiritual nuggets" to highlight the purpose HE had in mind, for allowing the God-ordained process to "be" what it is:
**Have confidence that God is speaking, when no natural evidence confirms what you're believing from God's Word.
**Have conviction that although you know God will forgive you for any willful disobedience, you refuse to play the grace-card that keeps you in "spiritual limbo" and defeat in this life.
**Have commitment to staying the course, when the results of your obedience is not immediately rewarded or recognized.
**Have covenant understanding that acts as the foundation of every relational exchange with God and HIS people, which cuts-off and shuts-out the aggressive, lying or perverse works of the enemy from infiltrating your heart - when the contrary things or winds arise.
**Have casual devotion during the times when the heat is turned-up the hottest, wreaks of spiritual apathy, complacency and error; misplacing the emphasis and the importance of daily intimacy and an integral walk, even when it seems no one is watching or cares.
In order for "all things to work together for good", GOD calls us to embrace - not erase the lessons that have shaped Christlikeness into us!
I can remember how flippant I was about doing certain things in the past, although I knew in my heart it displeased GOD!
What? You're a Man of God!
Don't you know that there's a "stricter judgment" for spiritual leaders? YES, but you can philosophically or theoretically agree and understand this in principle, but never allow it to "be" a conforming agency in your life - AT ALL!
AND, before I claim some special status, because I'm a "spiritual leader" - I'm FIRST, God's Child!
I honestly believe that THIS reality and truth ("I'm God's Child!"), is faintly understood by "spiritual leaders"; which is why there seems to be a huge gap in the "spiritual identity" of many greatly used personalities, when their called to lead others by "being a first partaker"!
Satan has definitely duped or fooled us, when we make ANY of the difficulties of "our process" about "other people"..
GOD is jealous over your development and your growth, and refuses to hold you hostage to the short-sighted opinions or spiritual immaturity of people, which is why real "divine callings" may be confirmed by some, celebrated by others, and criticized by many; but like the Apostle Paul "...when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, (Galatians 1:15, 16 NKJV)
"YOU are NOT, your own!"
Trust God to shape you for HIS purpose alone..WS-3
Sent from WS-3's iPhone
Don't get me wrong, I agree with the Apostle Paul, when he said, "But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]." (Philippians 3:7-11 AMP)
This passage diffuses the concern many believers have, when it comes to our ideas about "failure" and "success"..
This passage demands that we put away the shallowness of our human existence, to excitedly embrace and grasp for the eternal truths and transcendent values that marks a genuine disciple of Christ..
This passage defends the pursuit of the "divine nature", as critically important to the "overcoming disciple", who would become a casualty, without a deepening dependence upon God that fortifies your life in every season; no matter what may come.
WHY have I experienced so many bumps and bruises?
Because "I'm so anointed, or I'm more special than anyone else?"
Well, yeah.. LOL! I am HIS favorite, but since "GOD is no respecter of persons", I can quickly surmise "it's NOT about me!"
I'm really coming to know how God delights and is greatly pleasured by ministering and relating too me in every way that I need it; so that I am both a healthy and whole vessel, which is not compromised by the potential of future - "blessing", opportunity or success!
I've also come to recognize that "the greatest enemy" of a believer's victorious existence" - is "undisciplined flesh"; NOT temptation, trials or tribulation!
WOW...But, it's "the TRUTH"...
The Bible says, "But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19, 20 AMP)
I intentionally left out verse 18 to make a point.. And that is, though the specific reference is in regards to sexual conduct in its proper context to the Christian, the principle of "personal devotion" through "singular dedication" of your body to The Living God (in every way) - is both commanded and expected; or a non-negotiable of the legitimate Christian witness.
GOD gave me these "spiritual nuggets" to highlight the purpose HE had in mind, for allowing the God-ordained process to "be" what it is:
**Have confidence that God is speaking, when no natural evidence confirms what you're believing from God's Word.
**Have conviction that although you know God will forgive you for any willful disobedience, you refuse to play the grace-card that keeps you in "spiritual limbo" and defeat in this life.
**Have commitment to staying the course, when the results of your obedience is not immediately rewarded or recognized.
**Have covenant understanding that acts as the foundation of every relational exchange with God and HIS people, which cuts-off and shuts-out the aggressive, lying or perverse works of the enemy from infiltrating your heart - when the contrary things or winds arise.
**Have casual devotion during the times when the heat is turned-up the hottest, wreaks of spiritual apathy, complacency and error; misplacing the emphasis and the importance of daily intimacy and an integral walk, even when it seems no one is watching or cares.
In order for "all things to work together for good", GOD calls us to embrace - not erase the lessons that have shaped Christlikeness into us!
I can remember how flippant I was about doing certain things in the past, although I knew in my heart it displeased GOD!
What? You're a Man of God!
Don't you know that there's a "stricter judgment" for spiritual leaders? YES, but you can philosophically or theoretically agree and understand this in principle, but never allow it to "be" a conforming agency in your life - AT ALL!
AND, before I claim some special status, because I'm a "spiritual leader" - I'm FIRST, God's Child!
I honestly believe that THIS reality and truth ("I'm God's Child!"), is faintly understood by "spiritual leaders"; which is why there seems to be a huge gap in the "spiritual identity" of many greatly used personalities, when their called to lead others by "being a first partaker"!
Satan has definitely duped or fooled us, when we make ANY of the difficulties of "our process" about "other people"..
GOD is jealous over your development and your growth, and refuses to hold you hostage to the short-sighted opinions or spiritual immaturity of people, which is why real "divine callings" may be confirmed by some, celebrated by others, and criticized by many; but like the Apostle Paul "...when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, (Galatians 1:15, 16 NKJV)
"YOU are NOT, your own!"
Trust God to shape you for HIS purpose alone..WS-3
Sent from WS-3's iPhone
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