The Live LIGHT LOOP for Friday, May 3, 2024 celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God
How do I self-identify?
I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
What Am I working on?
Working on a message for Sunday - Releasing the gift of Words of Wisdom, Working on Content for Live LIGHT Shine Bright course https://revtrev.link/bright
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Reflections and Devotional
Get the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast in Book form today. 47 days of reflections and devotionals to help you take thoughts captive and align with God's will for your life. https://revtrev.link/books
Thoughts are what we think about. We need to take those captive. Strongholds are ways of thinking. They can be good or bad. How do you tear down the ones that are against the knowledge of Christ?
TL/DL/DW Read the notes from the Sneak Peak at the Knock Down Strongholds Tool
Knock Down Strongholds - PEACE
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Remember, a stronghold is not a thought - it’s a way of thinking. We find out what we really believe through our emotions.
When we know the truth - “My God will supply all my needs according to his riches in glory” but we feel worried because there’s more month left at the end of cheque. We can’t intellectually convince that feeling away. We remain a chronic worrier unless we follow the emotion.
When we know the truth - “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” and yet our stomach turns when we look in the mirror, we can’t convince ourselves of God’s value of us. We live with terrible self-esteem unless the memories that are tied to emotions get healed.
When we know the truth - “ Who are you to judge another’s servant” We can be corrected by the word of God, but it rarely stops our hidden thoughts. We remain secretly judgemental unless we use the emotions as a tool to get freedom.
When we know the truth “Resist the devil and he will flee” We can set up all sorts of safeguards and accountability but when we feel rejected and we turn back to porn unless we hear what God says about our rejection.
It’s not enough to simply change our decision. It’s not enough to simply change our actions. We need to change our emotions. All three need to come into alignment. Our mind can affect our emotions - we can do something seven times a day for three sets of twenty one days and grow new mental pathways. Our actions can affect our emotions. There’s a study that used chopsticks to hold people’s face in a smiling position and people who had that done reported feeling more happiness than the group that wouldn’t allow themselves to smile.
But while emotions can be affected by the other two parts of our heart, they don’t have a lasting effect unless the strongholds the emotions point to are torn down.
These are strongholds. They are ways of thinking that need to be changed. It can only be done through our emotions.
Your emotions show what you truly believe.
Your decision show what you want to believe and your actions show what you want others to think you believe but your emotions show you what actually believe.
So what are you believing when you have emotions hit you out of the blue?
What happens when you have a disproportional response to an event?
You need to pay attention to those disproportional responses. It at those times you use this tool.
PEACE
P - Ponder
How does that make me feel right now? What comes to mind as I focus on what I’m feeling? What memory comes to mind?
E - Examine
How does the memory make me feel? Why do I feel that way? Why does believing _____ make me feel ______?
Does another memory come to mind with that emotion? If NOT, this is the stronghold Holy Spirit wants to work on.
A - Audit
Not that it’s true, but it feels true that _________ Do I sense any resistance or hesitancy at the thought of doing the opposite behaviour? What do I believe would happen if I did what I’m resisting? What’s the reason for my behaviour?
C - Consider
Lord, what do you want me to know about this memory? Allow Holy Spirit to tell you the truth about the memory. Ask Him if he wants you to release the person you’re angry with.
E - Evaluate
Do I still feel that _______ is true?
This tool can bring your heart into greater alignment. Your feelings can line up with your decision. You can have well-healed wounds.
You don’t have to feel something that’s different from what you say you believe.
Enjoying God as Father - Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them? Learn how Jesus made the way for us to be friends again with the Father and why we can't just be servants or friends of God once we acknowledge He is Lord.
If you think you comprehend every thing about God, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about Him on some point. Let’s take the concept of the Trinity.
God is one. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Yah, let’s just briefly unpack that a little today. Let’s see how the Bible says they interconnect.
God is One. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Knowing (Omniscient)
Father: Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20)
Son: “Now we understand that you (Jesus) know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” (John 16:30)
Holy Spirit: But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Present (Omnipresent)
Father:
“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)
Son:
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Holy Spirit: I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. (Psalm 139:7-10)
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Loving (Omnibenevolent)
Father: For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Son: For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her (Ephesians 5:25)
Holy Spirit: Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:30)
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all called “God”
Father: May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Philippians 1:2)
Son: In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
Holy Spirit: Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” (Acts 5:3-4)
On the one hand...
...it shouldn’t surprise us. God is one and God is a tripartate being, because He made is in His image He made us tripartate beings. He made us with Spirit, Soul and Body
Spirit - that is saved and we’re seated together in spiritual places ruling and reigning with Christ Ephesians 2:6
Soul - that is being saved and means in this life we are becoming more and more like Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:18
Body - that will one day be saved and it means we have eternal hope that one day we’ll see Him as He is 1 Thessalonians 4:16
On the other hand…
...if you don’t have questions about how your body, soul and spirit interelate and coexist, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about that at some point.
Today I want to talk to you about the the first part of God’s nature and encourage you to enjoy God as Father.
The Problem
Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them?
Does this really matter?
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all. J.I Packer
If we can’t see God as our our good Father our view of this world and our place in it gets stunted. Jesus wants us to have life and life to the full.
The Story
Throughout the Bible we find God portrayed as a Father. This portrayal, however, is surprisingly rare in the Old Testament.
God is specifically called the
Father of the nation of Israel 8 times see ( Deut 32:6 ; Isa 63:16 ; 64:8 ; Jeremiah 3:4 Jeremiah 3:19 ; 31:9 ; Mal 1:6 ; 2:10 )
Father of certain individuals 15 times see ( 2 Sam 7:14 ; 1 Chron 17:13 ; 22:10 ; 28:6 ; Psalm 68:5 ; 89:26 )
At least another 9 times the father imagery is present although the term "Father" is not used see [ Exod 4:22-23 ; Deut 1:31 ; 8:5 ; 14:1 ; Psalm 103:13 ; Jer 3:22 ; 31:20 ; Hosea 11:1-4 ; Mal 3:17 ]
It’s interesting, there are at least 10 times that Female images of God in Hebrew Scriptures
10 Times There are Female Images of God in Hebrew Scriptures
Genesis 1:27 Women and Men created in God’s image
Hosea 11:3-4 God described as a mother
Hosea 13:8 God described as a mother bear and lioness
Deuteronomy 32:11-12 God described as a mother eagle
Deuteronomy 32:18 God who gives birth
Isaiah 66:13 God as a comforting mother
Isaiah 49:15 God compared to a nursing mother
Isaiah 42:14 God as a woman in labor
Psalm 131:2 God as a Mother
Psalm 123:2-3 God compared to a woman
This shouldn’t surprise us. God create created us in His image. Male and female he created us.
But then came Jesus...
But it wasn’t until Jesus came up out of the water and the Spirit descend like a dove and voice from heaven said “This is my beloved son, in whom I well pleased.
Then we come to the sermon on the mount and listen to the language He uses.
Read Matthew 5:43 - 6:34
Mathew 5:43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 6:1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Father in the sermon on the mount
Your Father is in heaven
Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you
Your Father knows what you need
Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you
Your Father forgives you
Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you
Your Father feeds...
Your Father knows that you need them.
Your Father is perfect
The problem with thinking of God as Father
I know many people have a hard time thinking about God in as“Father”...because of their experience with their earthly Father.
Often when people are abused or abandoned or offended they find it almost impossible to think of God in terms of Father.
But this is the term God defines Himself with…that’s the name Jesus emphasized.
We can’t let our experience define our theology. Our theology is defined by the word of God. Our experience will catch up if we allow it.
Have you ever wondered what the Father is really like?
Do you understand who God the Father is?
It’s too easy for us to look at our own fathers, or the greek god Zeus, or Santa Claus, and assign those attributes to our heavenly Father. But that view would be distorted.
Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 (NLT)
That’s because Jesus was the exact representation of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)
He only did what He saw the Father do
For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. John 6:38 New Living Translation (NLT)
He only said what He heard the Father say
I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” John 12:49-50 New Living Translation (NLT)
So let’s spend some time looking at Jesus so we can see the Father more clearly:
Jesus liked to party. Matthew 11:19 The Father rejoices over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Jesus loved his friends. John 15:13-14 The Father calls you the apple of His eye. Psalm 17:7-8
Jesus didn’t come to condemn. John 3:17 The Father is abounding in love. Psalm 86:5
Jesus healed all who were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38 The Father forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3
Jesus had a passion for the house that consumed Him. John 2:17 The Father has a passion for His possession that is consuming. Zechariah 8:2
Your Father does good acts for you Psalm 103:4-6
Your Father has good thoughts for you Jeremiah 29:11
Your Father provides good protection for you Isaiah 43:1-3
It doesn’t matter what your experience has been with your earthly Father...
God wants you to experience what a real, a good, THE BEST Father can mean to you...
...will you let him?
What if you could trust God as your Good Father?
What if you knew - beyond intellectually - that he was working all things together for good.
What if you beleived - and felt that you believed he was providing everything you need?
What if you lived out the love He has for you?
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38
You might know this intellectually, but do you live it out in the day-to-day of your everyday?
Imagine
What life would be like if you lived it with a greater revelation of Father God? What would you do if you knew…really knew…REALLY KNEW… God was for you and not against you?
Solution
I’ve developed a tool based on what Jesus told us about Our Father in the sermon on the mount.
Am I Trusting God as Father Tool
ACTION
A - Accept God’s view of others
C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving
T - Trust God in private in prayer
I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended
O - Obey God when you fast
N - Neutralize worry in your life
Let’s unpack this...
A - Accept God’s view of others
Jesus said...
...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44
Do you?
Are you facing ridicule at work because you’re a Christian? Are you praying for the ones with the snide remarks? Trust your Daddy, he’ll take care of you.
Am I blessing those who curse me?
C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving
Jesus said...
...when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4
Do you?
I think this is something everyone does really well here in this church. I haven’t heard anyone stand up to testify how much they’ve given to anyone. It’s great. Your trusting your Father. Keep it up.
Am I letting God repay me for what I give?
T - Trust God in private in prayer
Jesus said...
...when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:6
Do you?
What’s your prayer life like? Do you always pray and never give up? Do you pray for a while and then give up? Trust your father knows what you need and thank him for what you have and what’s to come.
Am I exchanging my problem for God’s peace in prayer?
I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended
Jesus said...
....if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14
Do you?
No? How’s that bitterness treating you? Yes? Awesome. You’re trusting your Father will make it right for you. You’re allowing room for Him to avenge. Keep trusting the Father.
Is there anyone I need to forgive?
O - Obey God when you fast
Jesus said...
...when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:18
Do you?
I think this is another thing people in this church do really well...either that or we don’t fast :) Keep fasting to align with the Father and His will, not to earn something from Him or others. Trust that you have His favor already.
Father God, do you want me to fast?
N - Neutralize worry in your life
Jesus said...
...do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31
Do you worry about what you will eat, or what you will drink or what you will wear? How can you stop?
Am I worrying when I should be trusting?
If you want to know how to stop worrying, ask me. I have another tool for that.
Am I Trusting God as Father Tool
ACTION
A - Accept God’s view of others
C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving
T - Trust God in private in prayer
I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended
O - Obey God when you fast
N - Neutralize worry in your life
Am I trusting God as Father?
ACTION shows you that you are.
The God of peace will empower you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. Don’t do this on your own strength.
God is your Father and God is good.
You can trust Him even if you can’t trust your earthly Father. He won’t abandon you. He won’t abuse you. He won’t demean you.
He’s God. He’s good. He’s your Father.
Challenge
Ask Holy Spirit to reveal two things:
1. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal if you need to trust God with your whole heart in something.
Respond with confession and repentance.
2. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal a greater revelation of the Father and His Goodness.
Can I pray for you?
Holy Spirit reveal....Pray for a greater revelation of God as our good Father.
The Live LIGHT LOOP celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God
How do I self-identify?
I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
What Am I working on?
Updating Live LIGHT Above the Negativity with your Whole Heart Course - https://revtrev.link/bless Preparing the Above the Negativity Tools Campaign.
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Reflections and Devotional
Get the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast in Book form today. 47 days of reflections and devotionals to help you take thoughts captive and align with God's will for your life. https://revtrev.link/books
… we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
Do you know you can think God thoughts? We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 ) (yes that’s us together). Still, here’s how you can take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
… we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
The Word
Be in the Word. Read the Word. Let the Word read you. What does it say? How can I summarize each passage into two or three sentences? What does it mean? What does each passage teach me? What is the spiritual truths or principles in these verses? How can I apply this? What is the Lord specifically leading me to do in response to this passage?
Hear yourself
Step outside your thoughts. Think about what you think about - record it. Write it down.
Investigate
See what the Bible says about it. Write down the truth of what God says about the thoughts you think about. Here’s a tool we have for you - https://revtrev.com/realme
Narrate
Ask God what he thinks about your thoughts. Write down what His response is. Ask Him what you should do to get the truth into your thinking. Write down that response. Habakkuk 2:1-2 - Tune to flow. Be at rest. See Jesus. Record response.
Know
Get the truth inside you. Reinforce that truth in your mind. Find a memorable action to reinforce that truth seven times a day, 21 days in a row, in three sessions of 21 days.
Examples:
- Memorize scripture like "God shall meet all my needs..." and replace the worry with this each time you find your mind doing a "what if" financial worry. - Cultivate a strong awareness of saying to yourself, each time you worry, something like: "I don't need to worry; that's causing inflammation in my brain and making me worse." - Smile each time you feel yourself worry and imagine yourself looking into God's eyes as He carries you.
It’s scientifically proven this will reform your brain cells. This works on the physical level.
Challenge
Will you think about what you think about and line it with the truth of God’s word? Use this tool to help you do it.
Why Ancient paths? We are told to "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16) What if those paths are part of the Kingdom? What if they lay a brilliant route through whatever may still come our way? What if we can find rest for our soul?
TL/DL/DW Read the notes for Move Forward Following the Ancient Paths
Paul’s blessing for the church in Thessalonica resonates with so many people.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
It’s not just people in the church that resonate with this. It’s anyone who watches the news. Anyone who spends time on social media. It’s anyone who wants all of this to be over and for normal to be normal again.
People want peace. Not just in the world around them, they want peace in their souls.
What I’ve learned throughout this season we’re all in is that is God’s will for you and me and all who call on His name - that we would have peace at all times and in every situation, not just for ourselves but for everyone we can share that peace with.
The problem is we are going to get tired, we are going to get frustrated, we will likely grow weary in doing good. We are going to doing things that cost us our peace.
How many of you can be honest and say,
“yes I’ve felt tired, frustrated and weary?”
If you’re watching online type in “Amen…not A-women just Amen” Facebook or YouTube Type Amen.
Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.
Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem, before Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.
In Chapter 6 he gives us the solution for when we feel we’ve lost our peace. He says…
Jeremiah 6:16 "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls."
When we are tired, when we get frustrated, when we grow weary in doing good, the ancient way will help us find rest for our souls.
We’re going to look at possible stones in foundation of the ancient path, that are still important to us today. We’ll discuss the problems we can have in living them out. We’ll understand our part and God’s part in each of them. And we’ll leave with encouragement and a challenge to find the rest we need for our souls.
Can I pray?
First Stone
The first stone in foundation of the Ancient Path I want to point out to you comes from the Prophet Micah. We can trace it in Scripture well before Micah, but Micah summarizes it beautifully.
Micah prophesied between 750 and 686 BC. Like Jeremiah, he was before the fall of Jerusalem. He prophesied the fall of Samaria. Samaria fell 722 BC. Jerusalem didn’t fall to Babylon until 587 BC.
In world history that places him the early part of the Greek Archaic Period.
The history of the Bible blows me away. The Kingdom of Israel began, split and fell before Greece became Classical Greece. Their statues in this period were stiff. What Micah prophesied pre-dates that.
This book is ancient. Treat it with respect.
Micah prophesied in Chapter 6
Micah 6:6-8 NLT What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
A stone in the foundation of the Ancient Path we need to follow is righteousness.
Definition:
Righteousness is doing right, loving mercy, walking humbly with God.
There’s a problem with Righteousness… what do you think it is? If you’re watching on Facebook or YouTube tell us in the comments.
What is the problem with righteousness?
Problem:
We think righteousness is all on us - if we think right, if we behave right - then we are right and we’re righteous.
That’s not what the Bible teaches. That’s not what God wants.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish His will without him.
The Father doesn’t intend for us to become more and more like the Son without the help of Holy Spirit.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish his will without him.
Does this really matter?
1. Righteousness is part of our identity
1 John 2:29 NASB If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness also has been born of Him.
2. God loves the ones who pursue righteousness
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
Righteousness matters BUT Righteousness is not all up to us.
We have a part and God has a part.
Our part:
1. Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 NASB All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2. Faith (Our response to the revelation of God)
Philippians 3:9 NASB and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
3. Wisdom (That God gives wisdom to those who ask for it)
James 3:13 NASB Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behaviour his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But he says before that
James 1:5 NASB But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Because Righteousness is not all up to us.
God’s part
1. His Name is Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 NASB In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will live securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’
2. He became sin so we could be called righteous
2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness
2 Peter 1:3 NASB or His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence
Without Him, all our righteousness is filthy rags
Isaiah 64:6 NASB For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.
Our righteousness is not good enough.
The stone in the foundation of the ancient paths is righteousness. And God’s righteousness starts with what Isaiah tells us.
Isaiah 61:10 NASB I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
And it continues through what Paul reminds Titus:
Titus 3:5-6 NASB He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous. It’s not that we do right so we can be called righteous.
Does that make sense? It makes all the difference in this journey.
It’s a huge shift to live out. It takes wisdom to live righteous.
Don’t forgot God gives us wisdom when we ask for it. It takes Wisdom to have peace. Look at how James defines wisdom from above.
James 3:17-18 NLT But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness
This is all connected. These are the different stone in the same ancient pathway.
Second Stone
Peace is another stone in the foundation the ancient pathway. Let me show you how righteousness and peace fit together. Look at what Isaiah says about righteousness.
Isaiah 32:17 NASB And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
The psalmist tells us
Righteousness and peace kiss. (Psalms 85:10)
PEACE is another stone in foundation of the ancient path. It is bound together with righteousness in order to make the way to go.
Isaiah 54:10 NASB For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My favour will not be removed from you, Nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you.
How many of you can testify that’s true? Show of hands? If you’re watching online type “Amen” if you agree - not “A-women” or I’ll call you out.
Let’s do some more interaction. If you’re watching online type your answer in the comments.
What’s the problem with peace?
The problem with peace is that we give it up way too easily.
Does THIS REALLY MATTER?
If righteousness is part of our identity,peace is proof of our authority. Want proof?
I was an image on Facebook that said…
This year I want to be more like Jesus:
- Hang out with sinners.
- Upset religious people.
- Tell stories that make people think.
- Choose unpopular friends
- Be kind, loving and merciful
- Take naps on boats
The only thing I would change on that would be the last one. Instead of “Take naps on boats” I’d write “Sleep in any storm”
You know why? You have authority over any storm you can take a nap in.
Peace is proof of our authority.
Paul told the Philippians
Philippians 1:28 NASB and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.
Basically he’s saying your peace reminds your enemy where they are going.
Peace is proof of our authority.
The same thing with Righteousness, we have a part and God has a part. Let me show you what I mean..
Our part - Trust
Isaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
God’s Part - Gives peace
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Peace comes from God. It’s not something you can force yourself to have. You can’t “fake it til you make it”.
Do you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? If not, give up your right to understand.
Trust him. Do you want peace?
Don’t worry about anything
- use that energy to meditate on the good and the right and the pure and the trustworthy…Ask Holy Spirit to help, he will.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
- When you go to prayer, exchange your problems for His peace. Prayer is an exchange, it’s not a psychological soother. Prayer is an exchange where I bring my problems to Him and He gives me His peace….Ask Holy Spirit how to do that if you’re telling yourself right now you can’t.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
Gratitude is the game-changer. We come into His presence with thanksgiving. In His presence we are changed.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
…and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will be with you.
You and I need peace at all times and every situation, not only for ourselves for those we need to share our peace with.
Peace is an ongoing part of the journey. It is another stone in the ancient path we need to follow. Peace and Righteousness are cemented to another stone.
It’s the final stone in the ancient path we’re going to look at today.
Third Stone
Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Trust not only fills us with peace, with fills us with joy.
Guess what? Righteousness invites joy as well.
Proverbs 10:28 NIV The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
How many can testify about the importance of joy in you life?
Hands up if you're here. If you’re watching online type “Amen”….
Do you know the difference joy makes in your journey?
Let’s keep up this interaction. Type “AMEN” not “AWoman”
What’s the problem with joy?
Answer online I’ll mention what you say.
The problem I see with joy is I confuse it with happiness.
Happiness depends on what happens. Joy is our strength.
Does this matter?
Proverbs 17:22 NASB A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
When Nehemiah came back with the exiles to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls to a defensible position in 52 days.
This happened probably in 444 BC. In world History Athens laid the first stone of the Parthenon in 447 BC. Jerusalem was being rebuilt the same time Athens was becoming Athens.
After the walls were rebuilt Ezra the priest read the scrolls of the law to the people and Levites instructed the people on what was being read. It become so overwhelming it says that all the people began weeping.
Nehemiah told them:
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are three of stones in the ancient path.
Our part in following the ancient paths
1. Believe in God
1 Peter 1:8 NASB and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
2. Be in His presence
Psalm 16:11 NIV You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
(Remember we come into His presence with thanksgiving)
3. Listening and obeying the spoken word of God - Jesus said
John 15:11 NIV I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
4. Planting and Reaping - Jesus
John 4:36 NLT The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
Philemon 1:6 NIV84 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
5. Recognize Other’s love
Philemon 1:7 NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
6. Promote peace
Proverbs 12:20 NIV Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
All of these things and more will bring joy.
God’s part
I hope you noticed, none of those things you can do without God.
Joy is fruit Holy Spirit grows in us. He’s the one that empowers us to be
Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Why do I say Righteousness, Peace and Joy are stones in the foundation for the ancient path we’re to look to?
Because in the middle of the discussion Paul is having about eating meat that was offered to idols he makes this revelatory statement.
Romans 14:17-18 NIV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are the ancient path we need to follow through anything and everything that may still be coming our way.
When we walk in righteousness, peace and joy we will find the resting place for our soul.
But God gave a warning back in Jeremiah’s day and it’s still challenges us today.
Jeremiah 6:16-17 NASB This is what the Lord says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
God spoke through Isaiah (30:15) told them…
Isaiah 30:15 NIV This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Rest for your soul… will you…?
Righteousness Peace And Joy in the Holy Spirit
Remember it’s not your work, it’s what Jesus has done.
The Kingdom of God is Righteous, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous
Peace
We are given peace as we trust in Him
How do we show that trust? Worry about nothing, pray about everything with thanksgiving.
Joy
Enjoy His Presence and Practice His Presence
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Are you ready to find rest in Righteousness, Peace and Joy,
Can I pray for you?
<script src="https://cdn.podia.com/embeds.js" async="async"></script><a href="https://www.livelight.ca/live-light-wholehearted" data-podia-embed="card">Live LIGHT with your whole heart</a>
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You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God
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I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
What Am I working on?
Death and taxes… I had a funeral this week and I needed to file.
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
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