Contempt...
There is a thing about contempt that very few of us see. It is a spirit that moves in subtly and steals the virtue from right under our noses. Camouflage is its middle name and it is common to us all. It is common in that we, for the most part, almost never recognize it as a bad thing… if we recognize it at all.Have we ever heard the old cliché, “Familiarity breeds contempt?” It certainly does!
Mainly contempt is thought of as an attitude totally void of love. This can be true but it is common between those who love one another. Like brothers who fight at times or married couples who do the same; parents and children, friends and relatives.
We as human beings treat people that we do not know differently than after we began to feel that we know them. The change is subtle but when it is finished the change is solid. We tend to listen more attentively to those we are not familiar with, especially if they have a title or a touch of fame. Nevertheless, if they become acquaintances, the attitude often changes towards them because now they are familiar. Family members, because of familiarity, are the most difficult to share truth with if they are on a religious level. This is common knowledge among the spiritually enlightened. These actions are also common in the normal human condition.
Jesus had problems with the contempt that comes out of familiarity, even in his immediate family. Familiarity was the big factor in his home town, where he was obviously well known. His home town people knew him and they could not, therefore, see God in him. They were focused on him as a man whom they were familiar with and Jesus could not minister to them because of it. Contempt was able to put a cap on the flow of virtue even from Jesus.
We can see then, that familiarity does breed contempt and it is another weight that we must not allow to ride upon us and work mischief. If contempt could hinder the flow of the Spirit in Jesus, what will it do among us? Contempt for and among the brethren should be reconciled under humility but often we do not recognize it for what it is because it is simply not thought of in the way that I am now presenting it. Contempt is an attitude and attitude is a projection of a spirit. In the case of spiritual things it is usually unbelief.
In this age respect for authority is not carried in high esteem. For many of us who have “come out,” this includes the authority of the Holy Ghost in those being used by the Holy Ghost. The problem is that this “little fox” is a hindrance hiding in plain sight and not recognized, many times, by even experienced elders.
We know to fear God and we do in theory, as long as he is in heaven minding his own business. Nevertheless, when God is among us working through a brother it is often another story. If we focus on the vessel, instead of the authority flowing through the individual, we can easily quench the spirit. This is a formula that works against the will of God.
This scenario takes on many applications. The breeding of contempt takes place when a believing individual or individuals begins to focus on the natural side when they should be fixed on the spiritual. For example: it is common for the carnal mind to hurt loved ones because we are familiar with them and we treat them contemptuously out of that familiarity. We can easily do the same thing to the brethren while they are being used of the Holy Ghost! And many do. We sometimes have to be discerning to tell when an individual is being used of the spirit, as this can also be subtle; this is actually a very fine balance and another reason why we cannot afford a spirit of slumber.
Contempt can be bred through something as harmless as fellowship and the tendency towards being relational. Nevertheless, it is not fellowship that creates this problem. It is ignorance.
If our minds drift into a very natural, subtle contempt (as it is prone to do) then we will (sooner or later) reap the harvest of our carnal mind. This often happens on the spot without any realization on our part! The opposite is true when this attitude (spirit) is kept on a leash.
The spirit of unbelief is the twin of contempt. Jesus used a peculiar wisdom in dealing with carnal minds because he was and is keenly aware of how we as human beings actually are, as opposed to how we think we are! Jesus would sometimes put certain people outside when he was going to do works of power. Even with his own disciples he would at times, take only certain ones with him for special works because even the disciples fell into this hardness of heart, (contempt) which is a focus on the natural. - Mark 6:51 & Mark 8:16-21.
The problem, as I said before, is that weeeeee do not realize how “weeeeee” are. In the natural mind set, we are often unsavory before God and not as we imagine ourselves to be. This is the case with every one of us, including me.
We, as holy individuals, are required to divide the spiritual and the natural and to understand the difference. This is spread across the spectrum in all areas of our spirituality and is not a simple thing.
I can see why Paul came to the conclusion of knowing nothing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him crucified (1Cor 2:20). It is expedient for us all to know “the cross” so much more than the persona of any individual so that we may stand in the power of God and not in the weakness of our carnal minds. The cross equals the death of our old self and our old thinking in even these subtle things. Paul did not want familiarity, with its little “invisible friend,” insulating the Corinthians from the virtue of the Spirit. So Paul focused on what he had to do instead of socializing and being relational.
So how then are we to be with one another if not friendly and relational? What does the scripture say? To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: - Ecc 3:1. As I said before: we, as holy individuals, are required to divide the spiritual and the natural and to understand the difference. Discerning “the time” is a big part of this.
The natural way we think and function must be controlled when we see that the Spirit must have preeminence; this should be automatic. Simply understanding this puts us on a totally different plane. The consistent discipline of this understanding is the next thing; this is an attitude that comes out of wisdom. There is a great balance here for those who have eyes to see it.
When the spirit of the Lord is working through anyone of us at all… we must immediately humble ourselves before the Lord (in that person) and not focus on the persona of that human being. This includes things written as well as things spoken; discern the Lord… be reverent… be humble and above all (now that we know this) be careful! Do not manifest attitudes that will cause us to reap sorrow!
There are times when anomalies might arise in the use of spiritual gifts and there is a remedy in the reverence of the verdicts of elders. We walk in a spiritual mine field. We must be alert on many planes. This is why Jesus said, “watch!”
Jaytee Bee
Spiritual Realities
I am trying to make a point so please bear with me in the following rather crude illustration. An old man sits upon his toilet for his normal 10, O’clock... at the same time in a totally different dimension (void of time), this same man is on his face before the throne of God. He is one of those individuals who prays out of his heart (where ever he is) whenever he feels the spirit of prayer. The essence of the heart and the reality of the outward appearance can be two different things. Many of us who have “come out” do not yet see the daily mind-set of those who not only talk the talk but actually walk the walk in the Spirit. This is an attempt to reveal yet another corner of that realm.
In this illustration (if you can receive it) a human being is literally in two places at the same time. When the scriptures say we sit (no pun intended) in “heavenly” places, this is much more than figurative, it is actually true on another plane. - Eph 2:6. The earth is crawling with professors of the faith, who would never approach the throne of God from their toilet because that would be (in their mind) disrespectful in the worst way.
But what they fail to understand is (if you can receive it) that the old man on the toilet… was not there at all and neither was the Lord. The focus of those who “understand” is abstract to the focus of those who think they do. These things are, of course, ambiguous with those who are debaters and wrestlers.
We understand that we actually have a living duality that we can choose to participate in through the substance of faith. This must be voluntarily chosen and it is an exercise that we grow into through participation. This has to do with the natural and spiritual dimensions and the realityand presence of the spiritual realm in particular.
A good example of the spiritual and natural realms is seen in John, the baptizer. John, whom Jesus declared to be the greatest of all prophets, was also declared (by Jesus) to be Elijah; which, is like being two different people at the same time. John did not realize it. He had no clue that the power of his ministry was the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the return of the prophet Elijah! John even denied (publicly) that he was Elijah. In the natural, he was correct but in the Spirit he was wearing Elijah’s mantel of power. This revelation comes to light (by Jesus) after Elijah had been transported to a heavenly plane (via fiery vehicle) ages before John’s birth. So in reverse of the man on the toilet, Elijah who was in a spiritual place was (at the same time) on the earth preaching and baptizing; if we can discern it.
Jesus pointed out who John actually was but he prefaced it with, “if you will receive it.” This indicates that it must be viewed through spiritual eyes by way of an unseen substance. -Mat 11:13-14.So we can see by this example that there is another reality for us… if we will only receive it.
The mental focus of those who understand the things that “are,” is totally different than those who simply believe that the Lord exists somewhere out there in the heavens twiddling his thumbs.
When the Bible speaks of our life being hidden in Christ… what do we suppose that means. Leaving the logical mind aside, it means that there is a secret life that is as real as this natural life but it dwells in an unseen and totally spiritual reality within the heart. Here, there is no time or distance as in our natural life. That’s right, no time or distance. If we seek those things “above” we must go there (in the Spirit) to receive them at the hand of the Lord.
Most normal folks will say, “Are you kidding, is this real and are you serious? Yes… if you can receive it. Nevertheless, this has to do with the orientation of which type of “substance” we choose for our godliness.
These things are subtle and difficult to see from the carnal mindset. There is a very fine balance here in discerning the substance of this reality. There are many who would think that this is just too far out there. But I say according to your “substance” so be it unto you! The man on the toilet believes he is before the throne of God, although, he knows his butt is still on the seat but his reality is in the unseen substance.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3:3, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
We know that God focuses on the heart because that is where the true essence of any human being resides. The realm of the heart is a world in itself, good and evil, deceitful and true. The outward life is a different realm altogether. The realm of the Spirit is entered through the heart by a certain unseen substance under the heading of faith.
Many of the words we use in connection to the Spirit have become useless or at best, weakened because they have a long history of being wrongly applied and the word “faith” is one of these words; as is the word “Christian.” Faith is a strange word; it does not, of itself, truly indicate what it is or what it does as most think of it. Nevertheless, Paul describes it as a substance of something not seen. Faith is spiritual: a power that does un-natural things.
The realm of the Spirit is a solid reality but that reality is equal to insanity in the scrutiny of the ignorant and unbelieving. Although we may understand it “somewhat” on an intellectual level, this does not prevent anyone of us from choosing unbelief in spite of the insight. It is therefore a precarious path to comprehend, until we (IN DEED) walk in it in the balance and confidence found in the will of God.
When one connects the virtue of the Spirit of Truth to the substance of faith, therein is power. It is foreign to our natural mind and frame of reference. It is a thing that is put on in that realm (so to speak) like a cloak of power that does the will of God, whatever it may be and there is no explaining it.
The normal question of someone who focuses out of that realm following a manifestation of power is in trying to focus in the natural mind on how it happened and wondering how to duplicate it again. The truth is that it cannot be duplicated, except upon returning to the source. The source is the will of God, in the realm of the Spirit.
The old man and his toilet (as simple as it seems) and the transition to the throne of God is an act of power in the unseen substance of the Spirit. In true worshippers, all acts of prayer are acts of power… if we can believe it. How could coming before the throne of God not be an act of power?
When we pray without this focus, we pray like we are blowing bubbles. When we pray, we should pray for the will of God and not what “we think” God should do! This eliminates a multitude of negatives. Also understanding, (as I have written before) the “art of prayer” within God’s will.
This reality (of dealing in spiritual realizations) works against a logical mind-fog, where doubt holding hands with logic is totally waging war against it. This is common among us on every level of our spirituality. We who will overcome the futility of our own natural minds, will desire to see the actuality of boldly COMING before the throne of God. With some of us, “seeing” is realizing what we are already doing in a different light. That realization will broaden the scope of our understanding and our freedom in the Spirit. Freedom, to the truly free, is joyful servitude to the will of the Lord.
Of course, in the natural, we are upon the earth and God is in heaven but in the Spirit, through the “powerful substance” we are in heaven as well… if you can receive it.
What does all this mean in real time? It means that the mind of Christ will only be received by those who put their entire heart into the discovery of it and belief in it. It is a battle against one’s own natural will and all that it contains. The essence of this understanding cannot be broken down into a step by step understanding. It is a living spiritual experience, which each individual must discover by walking the walk.
Jaytee Bee
THE RIVER OF SAND
Sometimes it happens that we find ourselves caught in the current of a flowing river of very dry sand. How we arrived there we do not know; this consciousness simply arrived out of nowhere with us firmly in its grip.
Where are the waves of joy and my deep, precious peace that I so thoroughly reclined upon? Where is my Jesus? LORD… where are you? I’m so depressed and discouraged. This cannot be right. What is wrong? I just cannot seem to make contact; the feeling is gone and every breath is a dry one. Where is this flow of dry death taking me and what will my end be?
There is not a true worshipper alive with any semblance of maturity who has not been in the River of Sand. We can call this experience by a lot of different names but it is all the very same COMMON experience. We experience a feeling of spiritual dryness and it seems as if the Lord has evaporated and our spirituality turns to dust… or so it seems.
This is a matter of focus and affirmation. As a man THINKS in his heart… so is he. The Lord promises and never fails… but we fail over and over again. So what’s the matter here? The answer is this: we have simply stepped out of the Spirit and into the natural and focused upon it. For me, I see it as simply a matter of experience but we all expierience this! I know what it is and I still find myself in the sand from time to time. It’s like being caught in a rip current in the ocean. When you know what to do in that situation, escape is simply a matter of procedure. Of course it is not effortless, we must put forth the energy… until we refocus.
The Lord is in every dry place… with us… just as he is with us at the still, quite pools. It doesn’t always feel like he is with us. And this is where the problem begins.
The truth is, It does not matter HOW it feels! Even if the Devil is right in our face in a very visible form, breathing his foul, breath in our faces and making his most hideous, ugly faces… the Lord is with us.
Most of the time the river is not quite that bad but the point must be made that nothing changes… except… what is going on in our mind. “What we think” is how our affirmations are made. As far as the human mind is concerned, affirmations are replicators: they create realities and situations from our thoughts. Every emotion can create something; it’s a matter of focus. Think about love, hate, kindness and fear; note how these emotions manifest themselves and the realities that they create and visualize it from there.
I often think of Peter, walking on the water to go to Jesus. And he was able to do it as long as his focus was on the Lord. But when he focused on the waves and the wind, his affirmation changed and he found himself in the sand… so to speak.
The best way to get out of the sand is simply to say or think, “Lord I know you are there, no matter how I feel.” This is an affirmation that works but it may take some time depending on what the situation is around you in the natural. Be patient, keep going… keep believing and affirming. Refocus ON THE SPIRITUAL SIDE!
If we find ourselves in an emotionally painful situation, focus may be a battle. This is a situation where we will most likely be attacked from many different directions and forms. This is where we need to be delivered from evil by being led of the Spirit and not CAPTURED by the despair of our wounded emotions.
It is most important to be awake, aware and focused on the FACT that the Devil waits, with great anticipation for these situations. We watch not only for ourselves but for those in the Lord’s army who find themselves in these spiritual ambushes. After all, we are our brother’s keepers and we must watch for one another. If we see the emotion bomb falling and we know it is going to hit one of them, we must prepare for damage control and possibly a spiritual struggle.
I hope this helps when we find ourselves in the river.
Jaytee Bee
The Heart
I have always heard (from my earliest recollection) people exclaiming, “The Lord spoke to me.” And from there, they proceed to say whatever it was. We know what they mean when they say that: it means that God has “influenced” my heart. I also know that God does do this. Nevertheless, we must be cautious with whatever comes through the heart. The scripture below should instill caution within each one of us.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer 17:9
I see this carelessness too often and as a matter of course and I feel it necessary to call for balance. “The Heart is deceitful above all things.” Consider that. We should seriously consider measuring the use of, “The Lord spoke to me or the Lord told me.” I did not say stop, but measure the use. The young mimic the elders but the young are not experienced. Again, think about that.
We all want to hear the voice of God but we should not attempt to force it. Wait patiently for it! Do not, as a matter of course, think that every voice that we hear can only be the Lord; the heart can do a very good job of mimicking the voice of God. This also stands… though we are not deceitful or wicked. Evil spirits also talk subtly to us in our own voice, simply for the sake of confusion, deceit or temptation. Consider those evil imaginations that we are constantly at war with. Where do they come from? The heart!
The carnal mind is in itself a deceitful environment; this is the part of us that Is not subject to the law of God. Looking through this window, we can see that the “voice of God” can be a mine field and this should be obvious.
When we put on the “oracle of God hat” and our lips are moving but God’s are not, we are dealing in presumption. Most all of us who dare to be gifted have done this at one time or another. However, some have never had the checks and balances of “balanced elders” and thereby make an unbalanced habit of it. Sadly, some have mimicked elders who are out of control on this.
What I say is to be careful! We should be cautious while watching and measuring our steps. Try the voices (spirits) to see where they come from. We can inquire of mature brethren concerning what we are feeling and if we come to a consensus than that would be a witness; the witness of two or three is usually true. There is safety in counsel. Those who are less experienced should always include an elder in their counsel.
And the younger brethren should ease into this area with consideration of what is said here and likewise some of the more “mature” brethren should ease back on the “God told me” throttle. This is not at all to say that God does not speak to us as individuals. He does!
It is not always wise to speak a thing God has revealed simply because an opportunity has arisen. Some things are not for everyone. Again, this is simply a call for soberness because the Holy Ghost weighs all of our actions. It is not wise to be careless when we touch the things of the Spirit.
Nevertheless, none of us are perfect and we do not need to fear finding out that what we think we heard is not valid. However, how we receive correction is paramount. Let our pride remain dead and do not be discouraged if correction befalls us. This is simple humility in action and can be a very good learning process. This does not (of itself) make us false prophets. If the Holy Ghost is in us the Lord can and will still work through us. Simply remember the potential deceitfulness of our own heart and be focused and patient. Everything will be alright.
God normally does not speak to us directly, as he spoke to Moses and others in the scriptures. Nevertheless, there are rare times when God chooses to speak apparently and even audibly; he also uses dreams and visions. There is also a gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. God uses many ways to speak to us. I have seen God answer a question or give a direction through an unsuspecting brother, who had no idea that the Lord was using him. Some have a gift of prophecy but even they are subject to the judgment of the more mature brethren. Keep our eyes and ears open, we never know where the voice of the Lord will appear.
We hear so much of the laying aside of sins but hardly ever do we consider just what the weights are. Weights are things that weigh us down and tire us out and there are many of these. Weights are usually religious in nature but not always. We have a long road to travel; religious habits and mannerisms are weights that we do not need. There is a balance here if there ever was one. Saying “God told me” as a matter of course is a religious mannerism and a bad habit. Have we not all seen someone use “God told me” simply to get their way or impose their will on the direction of the group or even individuals? This is like someone adding stones to the cart.
Fear God… and be careful with what pertains to the Spirit. Un-true weights hinder a perfect balance. And as we have read, God is not happy with a false balance. Many of these traditional weights were carried out of the shameful city by those intending to escape. Nevertheless, once we are on the outside, it is our obligation to turn those religious travel bags upside down and dump them out before the Lord!
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, -Heb 12:1.
Jaytee Bee
Mainly contempt is thought of as an attitude totally void of love. This can be true but it is common between those who love one another. Like brothers who fight at times or married couples who do the same; parents and children, friends and relatives.
We as human beings treat people that we do not know differently than after we began to feel that we know them. The change is subtle but when it is finished the change is solid. We tend to listen more attentively to those we are not familiar with, especially if they have a title or a touch of fame. Nevertheless, if they become acquaintances, the attitude often changes towards them because now they are familiar. Family members, because of familiarity, are the most difficult to share truth with if they are on a religious level. This is common knowledge among the spiritually enlightened. These actions are also common in the normal human condition.
Jesus had problems with the contempt that comes out of familiarity, even in his immediate family. Familiarity was the big factor in his home town, where he was obviously well known. His home town people knew him and they could not, therefore, see God in him. They were focused on him as a man whom they were familiar with and Jesus could not minister to them because of it. Contempt was able to put a cap on the flow of virtue even from Jesus.
We can see then, that familiarity does breed contempt and it is another weight that we must not allow to ride upon us and work mischief. If contempt could hinder the flow of the Spirit in Jesus, what will it do among us? Contempt for and among the brethren should be reconciled under humility but often we do not recognize it for what it is because it is simply not thought of in the way that I am now presenting it. Contempt is an attitude and attitude is a projection of a spirit. In the case of spiritual things it is usually unbelief.
In this age respect for authority is not carried in high esteem. For many of us who have “come out,” this includes the authority of the Holy Ghost in those being used by the Holy Ghost. The problem is that this “little fox” is a hindrance hiding in plain sight and not recognized, many times, by even experienced elders.
We know to fear God and we do in theory, as long as he is in heaven minding his own business. Nevertheless, when God is among us working through a brother it is often another story. If we focus on the vessel, instead of the authority flowing through the individual, we can easily quench the spirit. This is a formula that works against the will of God.
This scenario takes on many applications. The breeding of contempt takes place when a believing individual or individuals begins to focus on the natural side when they should be fixed on the spiritual. For example: it is common for the carnal mind to hurt loved ones because we are familiar with them and we treat them contemptuously out of that familiarity. We can easily do the same thing to the brethren while they are being used of the Holy Ghost! And many do. We sometimes have to be discerning to tell when an individual is being used of the spirit, as this can also be subtle; this is actually a very fine balance and another reason why we cannot afford a spirit of slumber.
Contempt can be bred through something as harmless as fellowship and the tendency towards being relational. Nevertheless, it is not fellowship that creates this problem. It is ignorance.
If our minds drift into a very natural, subtle contempt (as it is prone to do) then we will (sooner or later) reap the harvest of our carnal mind. This often happens on the spot without any realization on our part! The opposite is true when this attitude (spirit) is kept on a leash.
The spirit of unbelief is the twin of contempt. Jesus used a peculiar wisdom in dealing with carnal minds because he was and is keenly aware of how we as human beings actually are, as opposed to how we think we are! Jesus would sometimes put certain people outside when he was going to do works of power. Even with his own disciples he would at times, take only certain ones with him for special works because even the disciples fell into this hardness of heart, (contempt) which is a focus on the natural. - Mark 6:51 & Mark 8:16-21.
The problem, as I said before, is that weeeeee do not realize how “weeeeee” are. In the natural mind set, we are often unsavory before God and not as we imagine ourselves to be. This is the case with every one of us, including me.
We, as holy individuals, are required to divide the spiritual and the natural and to understand the difference. This is spread across the spectrum in all areas of our spirituality and is not a simple thing.
I can see why Paul came to the conclusion of knowing nothing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him crucified (1Cor 2:20). It is expedient for us all to know “the cross” so much more than the persona of any individual so that we may stand in the power of God and not in the weakness of our carnal minds. The cross equals the death of our old self and our old thinking in even these subtle things. Paul did not want familiarity, with its little “invisible friend,” insulating the Corinthians from the virtue of the Spirit. So Paul focused on what he had to do instead of socializing and being relational.
So how then are we to be with one another if not friendly and relational? What does the scripture say? To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: - Ecc 3:1. As I said before: we, as holy individuals, are required to divide the spiritual and the natural and to understand the difference. Discerning “the time” is a big part of this.
The natural way we think and function must be controlled when we see that the Spirit must have preeminence; this should be automatic. Simply understanding this puts us on a totally different plane. The consistent discipline of this understanding is the next thing; this is an attitude that comes out of wisdom. There is a great balance here for those who have eyes to see it.
When the spirit of the Lord is working through anyone of us at all… we must immediately humble ourselves before the Lord (in that person) and not focus on the persona of that human being. This includes things written as well as things spoken; discern the Lord… be reverent… be humble and above all (now that we know this) be careful! Do not manifest attitudes that will cause us to reap sorrow!
There are times when anomalies might arise in the use of spiritual gifts and there is a remedy in the reverence of the verdicts of elders. We walk in a spiritual mine field. We must be alert on many planes. This is why Jesus said, “watch!”
Jaytee Bee
Spiritual Realities
I am trying to make a point so please bear with me in the following rather crude illustration. An old man sits upon his toilet for his normal 10, O’clock... at the same time in a totally different dimension (void of time), this same man is on his face before the throne of God. He is one of those individuals who prays out of his heart (where ever he is) whenever he feels the spirit of prayer. The essence of the heart and the reality of the outward appearance can be two different things. Many of us who have “come out” do not yet see the daily mind-set of those who not only talk the talk but actually walk the walk in the Spirit. This is an attempt to reveal yet another corner of that realm.
In this illustration (if you can receive it) a human being is literally in two places at the same time. When the scriptures say we sit (no pun intended) in “heavenly” places, this is much more than figurative, it is actually true on another plane. - Eph 2:6. The earth is crawling with professors of the faith, who would never approach the throne of God from their toilet because that would be (in their mind) disrespectful in the worst way.
But what they fail to understand is (if you can receive it) that the old man on the toilet… was not there at all and neither was the Lord. The focus of those who “understand” is abstract to the focus of those who think they do. These things are, of course, ambiguous with those who are debaters and wrestlers.
We understand that we actually have a living duality that we can choose to participate in through the substance of faith. This must be voluntarily chosen and it is an exercise that we grow into through participation. This has to do with the natural and spiritual dimensions and the realityand presence of the spiritual realm in particular.
A good example of the spiritual and natural realms is seen in John, the baptizer. John, whom Jesus declared to be the greatest of all prophets, was also declared (by Jesus) to be Elijah; which, is like being two different people at the same time. John did not realize it. He had no clue that the power of his ministry was the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the return of the prophet Elijah! John even denied (publicly) that he was Elijah. In the natural, he was correct but in the Spirit he was wearing Elijah’s mantel of power. This revelation comes to light (by Jesus) after Elijah had been transported to a heavenly plane (via fiery vehicle) ages before John’s birth. So in reverse of the man on the toilet, Elijah who was in a spiritual place was (at the same time) on the earth preaching and baptizing; if we can discern it.
Jesus pointed out who John actually was but he prefaced it with, “if you will receive it.” This indicates that it must be viewed through spiritual eyes by way of an unseen substance. -Mat 11:13-14.So we can see by this example that there is another reality for us… if we will only receive it.
The mental focus of those who understand the things that “are,” is totally different than those who simply believe that the Lord exists somewhere out there in the heavens twiddling his thumbs.
When the Bible speaks of our life being hidden in Christ… what do we suppose that means. Leaving the logical mind aside, it means that there is a secret life that is as real as this natural life but it dwells in an unseen and totally spiritual reality within the heart. Here, there is no time or distance as in our natural life. That’s right, no time or distance. If we seek those things “above” we must go there (in the Spirit) to receive them at the hand of the Lord.
Most normal folks will say, “Are you kidding, is this real and are you serious? Yes… if you can receive it. Nevertheless, this has to do with the orientation of which type of “substance” we choose for our godliness.
These things are subtle and difficult to see from the carnal mindset. There is a very fine balance here in discerning the substance of this reality. There are many who would think that this is just too far out there. But I say according to your “substance” so be it unto you! The man on the toilet believes he is before the throne of God, although, he knows his butt is still on the seat but his reality is in the unseen substance.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3:3, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
We know that God focuses on the heart because that is where the true essence of any human being resides. The realm of the heart is a world in itself, good and evil, deceitful and true. The outward life is a different realm altogether. The realm of the Spirit is entered through the heart by a certain unseen substance under the heading of faith.
Many of the words we use in connection to the Spirit have become useless or at best, weakened because they have a long history of being wrongly applied and the word “faith” is one of these words; as is the word “Christian.” Faith is a strange word; it does not, of itself, truly indicate what it is or what it does as most think of it. Nevertheless, Paul describes it as a substance of something not seen. Faith is spiritual: a power that does un-natural things.
The realm of the Spirit is a solid reality but that reality is equal to insanity in the scrutiny of the ignorant and unbelieving. Although we may understand it “somewhat” on an intellectual level, this does not prevent anyone of us from choosing unbelief in spite of the insight. It is therefore a precarious path to comprehend, until we (IN DEED) walk in it in the balance and confidence found in the will of God.
When one connects the virtue of the Spirit of Truth to the substance of faith, therein is power. It is foreign to our natural mind and frame of reference. It is a thing that is put on in that realm (so to speak) like a cloak of power that does the will of God, whatever it may be and there is no explaining it.
The normal question of someone who focuses out of that realm following a manifestation of power is in trying to focus in the natural mind on how it happened and wondering how to duplicate it again. The truth is that it cannot be duplicated, except upon returning to the source. The source is the will of God, in the realm of the Spirit.
The old man and his toilet (as simple as it seems) and the transition to the throne of God is an act of power in the unseen substance of the Spirit. In true worshippers, all acts of prayer are acts of power… if we can believe it. How could coming before the throne of God not be an act of power?
When we pray without this focus, we pray like we are blowing bubbles. When we pray, we should pray for the will of God and not what “we think” God should do! This eliminates a multitude of negatives. Also understanding, (as I have written before) the “art of prayer” within God’s will.
This reality (of dealing in spiritual realizations) works against a logical mind-fog, where doubt holding hands with logic is totally waging war against it. This is common among us on every level of our spirituality. We who will overcome the futility of our own natural minds, will desire to see the actuality of boldly COMING before the throne of God. With some of us, “seeing” is realizing what we are already doing in a different light. That realization will broaden the scope of our understanding and our freedom in the Spirit. Freedom, to the truly free, is joyful servitude to the will of the Lord.
Of course, in the natural, we are upon the earth and God is in heaven but in the Spirit, through the “powerful substance” we are in heaven as well… if you can receive it.
What does all this mean in real time? It means that the mind of Christ will only be received by those who put their entire heart into the discovery of it and belief in it. It is a battle against one’s own natural will and all that it contains. The essence of this understanding cannot be broken down into a step by step understanding. It is a living spiritual experience, which each individual must discover by walking the walk.
Jaytee Bee
THE RIVER OF SAND
Sometimes it happens that we find ourselves caught in the current of a flowing river of very dry sand. How we arrived there we do not know; this consciousness simply arrived out of nowhere with us firmly in its grip.
Where are the waves of joy and my deep, precious peace that I so thoroughly reclined upon? Where is my Jesus? LORD… where are you? I’m so depressed and discouraged. This cannot be right. What is wrong? I just cannot seem to make contact; the feeling is gone and every breath is a dry one. Where is this flow of dry death taking me and what will my end be?
There is not a true worshipper alive with any semblance of maturity who has not been in the River of Sand. We can call this experience by a lot of different names but it is all the very same COMMON experience. We experience a feeling of spiritual dryness and it seems as if the Lord has evaporated and our spirituality turns to dust… or so it seems.
This is a matter of focus and affirmation. As a man THINKS in his heart… so is he. The Lord promises and never fails… but we fail over and over again. So what’s the matter here? The answer is this: we have simply stepped out of the Spirit and into the natural and focused upon it. For me, I see it as simply a matter of experience but we all expierience this! I know what it is and I still find myself in the sand from time to time. It’s like being caught in a rip current in the ocean. When you know what to do in that situation, escape is simply a matter of procedure. Of course it is not effortless, we must put forth the energy… until we refocus.
The Lord is in every dry place… with us… just as he is with us at the still, quite pools. It doesn’t always feel like he is with us. And this is where the problem begins.
The truth is, It does not matter HOW it feels! Even if the Devil is right in our face in a very visible form, breathing his foul, breath in our faces and making his most hideous, ugly faces… the Lord is with us.
Most of the time the river is not quite that bad but the point must be made that nothing changes… except… what is going on in our mind. “What we think” is how our affirmations are made. As far as the human mind is concerned, affirmations are replicators: they create realities and situations from our thoughts. Every emotion can create something; it’s a matter of focus. Think about love, hate, kindness and fear; note how these emotions manifest themselves and the realities that they create and visualize it from there.
I often think of Peter, walking on the water to go to Jesus. And he was able to do it as long as his focus was on the Lord. But when he focused on the waves and the wind, his affirmation changed and he found himself in the sand… so to speak.
The best way to get out of the sand is simply to say or think, “Lord I know you are there, no matter how I feel.” This is an affirmation that works but it may take some time depending on what the situation is around you in the natural. Be patient, keep going… keep believing and affirming. Refocus ON THE SPIRITUAL SIDE!
If we find ourselves in an emotionally painful situation, focus may be a battle. This is a situation where we will most likely be attacked from many different directions and forms. This is where we need to be delivered from evil by being led of the Spirit and not CAPTURED by the despair of our wounded emotions.
It is most important to be awake, aware and focused on the FACT that the Devil waits, with great anticipation for these situations. We watch not only for ourselves but for those in the Lord’s army who find themselves in these spiritual ambushes. After all, we are our brother’s keepers and we must watch for one another. If we see the emotion bomb falling and we know it is going to hit one of them, we must prepare for damage control and possibly a spiritual struggle.
I hope this helps when we find ourselves in the river.
Jaytee Bee
The Heart
I have always heard (from my earliest recollection) people exclaiming, “The Lord spoke to me.” And from there, they proceed to say whatever it was. We know what they mean when they say that: it means that God has “influenced” my heart. I also know that God does do this. Nevertheless, we must be cautious with whatever comes through the heart. The scripture below should instill caution within each one of us.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer 17:9
I see this carelessness too often and as a matter of course and I feel it necessary to call for balance. “The Heart is deceitful above all things.” Consider that. We should seriously consider measuring the use of, “The Lord spoke to me or the Lord told me.” I did not say stop, but measure the use. The young mimic the elders but the young are not experienced. Again, think about that.
We all want to hear the voice of God but we should not attempt to force it. Wait patiently for it! Do not, as a matter of course, think that every voice that we hear can only be the Lord; the heart can do a very good job of mimicking the voice of God. This also stands… though we are not deceitful or wicked. Evil spirits also talk subtly to us in our own voice, simply for the sake of confusion, deceit or temptation. Consider those evil imaginations that we are constantly at war with. Where do they come from? The heart!
The carnal mind is in itself a deceitful environment; this is the part of us that Is not subject to the law of God. Looking through this window, we can see that the “voice of God” can be a mine field and this should be obvious.
When we put on the “oracle of God hat” and our lips are moving but God’s are not, we are dealing in presumption. Most all of us who dare to be gifted have done this at one time or another. However, some have never had the checks and balances of “balanced elders” and thereby make an unbalanced habit of it. Sadly, some have mimicked elders who are out of control on this.
What I say is to be careful! We should be cautious while watching and measuring our steps. Try the voices (spirits) to see where they come from. We can inquire of mature brethren concerning what we are feeling and if we come to a consensus than that would be a witness; the witness of two or three is usually true. There is safety in counsel. Those who are less experienced should always include an elder in their counsel.
And the younger brethren should ease into this area with consideration of what is said here and likewise some of the more “mature” brethren should ease back on the “God told me” throttle. This is not at all to say that God does not speak to us as individuals. He does!
It is not always wise to speak a thing God has revealed simply because an opportunity has arisen. Some things are not for everyone. Again, this is simply a call for soberness because the Holy Ghost weighs all of our actions. It is not wise to be careless when we touch the things of the Spirit.
Nevertheless, none of us are perfect and we do not need to fear finding out that what we think we heard is not valid. However, how we receive correction is paramount. Let our pride remain dead and do not be discouraged if correction befalls us. This is simple humility in action and can be a very good learning process. This does not (of itself) make us false prophets. If the Holy Ghost is in us the Lord can and will still work through us. Simply remember the potential deceitfulness of our own heart and be focused and patient. Everything will be alright.
God normally does not speak to us directly, as he spoke to Moses and others in the scriptures. Nevertheless, there are rare times when God chooses to speak apparently and even audibly; he also uses dreams and visions. There is also a gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. God uses many ways to speak to us. I have seen God answer a question or give a direction through an unsuspecting brother, who had no idea that the Lord was using him. Some have a gift of prophecy but even they are subject to the judgment of the more mature brethren. Keep our eyes and ears open, we never know where the voice of the Lord will appear.
We hear so much of the laying aside of sins but hardly ever do we consider just what the weights are. Weights are things that weigh us down and tire us out and there are many of these. Weights are usually religious in nature but not always. We have a long road to travel; religious habits and mannerisms are weights that we do not need. There is a balance here if there ever was one. Saying “God told me” as a matter of course is a religious mannerism and a bad habit. Have we not all seen someone use “God told me” simply to get their way or impose their will on the direction of the group or even individuals? This is like someone adding stones to the cart.
Fear God… and be careful with what pertains to the Spirit. Un-true weights hinder a perfect balance. And as we have read, God is not happy with a false balance. Many of these traditional weights were carried out of the shameful city by those intending to escape. Nevertheless, once we are on the outside, it is our obligation to turn those religious travel bags upside down and dump them out before the Lord!
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, -Heb 12:1.
Jaytee Bee
