A New Way

The path through Canyon de Chelly, AZ with Spider Rock 

Jesus has opened a new and living way for us 

to go through the curtain.

(The curtain is his own body.)

Hebrews 10:20 (GW)

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.

 The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Jesus came not just to help us, to give us a better life here, he came to give us a whole new way of living, not the old way of rules, self improvement, trying harder, of condemnation and guilt but the new way of receiving, believing, trusting and accepting all that he has done for us. Jesus paved the way by giving his own life.  Now the way has been opened and we have been completely set free to walk into this new way, the way of the spirit.

It is called the new way for a reason. We can't make the mistake of trying to mix the old ways with the new.  Remember Jesus told his followers that if you put new wine in old wine skins the old skins will not be able to contain the new wine and they will burst. (Mt. 9:17) If you try to put the new way into the old structure it will break down and we will be left off balance and unsatisfied.

So what does that mean for us?  It means that we have to let go of the old ways, the old habits, the old coping mechanisms, of judging ourselves and condemning others and enter into the new way of focusing on Christ allowing the new life of his spirit to fill us. This new life is so contrary to our own nature, but when we realize by faith that our old nature died with him and we have been risen to this new life we can take our eyes off ourselves and concentrate on Jesus and his spirit. Then the evidence of that new life begins to spring up in us. He is sufficient for all we need for the new life in the spirit. He supplies the love, the joy, the peace and the healing.

                      But now we have been released from the law,

 for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.

 Now we can serve God, 

not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, 

but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

 Romans 7:6 (NLT)

If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious,

 how much more glorious is the new way, 

which makes us right with God!

 2 Cor. 3:9 (NLT)

Spirit

Queenstown, New Zealand
October 2015

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, 

because if I don’t,

 the Advocate won’t come.

 If I do go away,

 then I will send him to you.  

John 16:7 (NLT)

On one occasion, while he was eating with them,
 he gave them this command: 
"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, 
which you have heard me speak about.
 For John baptized with water, 
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 1:4-5 (NIV) 

The greatest gift ever given is the gift of the Spirit.  Jesus told his disciples that he needed to go away so that he could send the Spirit to them.  He told them to wait, and not do anything until the Spirit had come upon them.

Without the spirit in our lives we are left to our own devices.  We usually make a mess of things.  Even if we try our hardest to be good and do the right thing it always falls short.  

God has given us his Spirit so that we can live happily and peacefully in this world.  His Spirit gives us the most amazing inner strength and wisdom to handle whatever life throws at us.

Let us be thankful and learn to trust in and rely upon and draw from his Spirit this Thanksgiving day and every day.

Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live in us. Help us today, Lord, to live and walk in your Spirit.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,

 who will never leave you.

 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. 

John 14:16 (NLT) 

  The Spirit alone gives eternal life.

 Human effort accomplishes nothing.

John 6:63 (NLT)

Guilt-Free

Sunrise over the hills. Cave Creek, AZ

Therefore, there is now no condemnation

 for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 because through Christ Jesus

 the law of the Spirit of life

 set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

Guilt is a poor motivator.  When we fail to keep laws and rules we have created for ourselves, guilt arises.  Rules can backfire causing us to crave forbidden things even more.  Because of our weaknesses, a system of laws and rules just doesn’t work.

God has instituted a completely new system.  It is a system based on a whole new law – the law of the spirit of life. It is a system in which the giver of the law is the fulfiller of it as well.  As we are filled with that life giving spirit an amazing thing happens.  We are now actually able to fulfill God’s laws, not by our own strength and effort but by the effortless yielding to the spirit within.

It is a walk of freedom.  When we realize we have been set free to follow the spirit, we do not have to be lead any longer by our guilty feelings.  We still may fail, but then, the spirit gently picks us up, dusts us off and sets us on our way again.  We are no longer under law of any kind except the law of love.  What a difference between the old guilt producing, try harder system and this new system which leads to freedom, joy and love.

Are we willing to let go of our own system of self righteousness and allow his gentle spirit to guide us every moment into this new life of joy and freedom.  All we have to do is ask.  Ask largely.  Ask boldly.  Ask in faith believing because God desires to bless you with the fullness of his spirit and his life.

This is a covenant not of written laws,

 but of the Spirit. 

The old written covenant ends in death;

 but under the new covenant, 

the Spirit gives life.

2 Cor 3:6 (NLT)

For when I tried to keep the law,

 it condemned me.

 So I died to the law

—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—

so that I might live for God.

Gal 2:19 (NLT)

Go With the Flow

 

We hiked to the Verde River.

 

 

So where the river flows everything will live.

Ezek 47:9 (NIV)

We are doing some grading work on our property.  Since water always seeks the lowest place, the land has to be carefully sloped so that the water will flow in the right places.  If not controlled properly, it will go where we don’t want it to go, washing out the driveway or pooling around the house.  The test will come this summer when the powerful desert monsoon rains come. 

God’s spirit is like powerful flowing water that cannot be controlled no matter how big our equipment may be.  No matter how we might try to resist, to change its direction or dam it up, it will always break out and continue to flow in its appointed course.

I like to have a schedule.  I often have my day planned, what I want to work on, what I would like to accomplish for the day.   When things don’t seem to happen according to my plan or someone else’s agenda interferes with mine, I become discontent and struggle to divert the flow in my direction.

I am learning it is better to go with the flow.  Our schedule or our agenda may not be what God has planned for our day.  Even things we consider good, things we think God would want us to do, like Bible study or prayer, may get interrupted.  He wants us to be prepared to go with the flow of each day with an attitude of love and joy, praising and thanking him for whatever comes our way. 

The main focus and desire of his spirit is to bring joy, peace and blessing into every low place, every dry place, every place of need.  What a joy to accept each day as it comes ready to bless and give of ourselves to each person God has placed in our path.  God is interested in our plans, but he is most concerned with shedding his love abroad.  His river will continue to flow to the lowest places filling all the empty spots with his love.  As we go with the flow we will be available to provide refreshing living water where ever that river may take us.

 "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 

streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:37-38 (NIV)

The Beauty of Holiness

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

We think of holiness as some strict, narrow, confining and sterile state.  Holiness is actually a most beautiful state characterized by the quiet strength of God, a strength that cannot be upset by any disruptive forces.  Holiness is a word that describes the very nature of God in all of his perfection.

As we bask in his presence we experience his beautiful holiness.  As we are surrounded by his spirit, he imparts his qualities to us. Our lives become expressions of his gentle and quiet spirit, displayed not in weakness, but in a powerful, steady strength.  How different from my human spirit characterized by frenetic, anxious activity.  The life of the person controlled by the spirit is defined by gentleness, kindness and undisturbed, patient love - all the beautiful qualities of holiness.  People like this become the very fragrance of Christ in the world. 

Thank you, Lord, for your loving presence which feeds and fortifies our spirits.  As we enjoy your presence may we be transformed into your very likeness in the beauty of holiness. Grant us that gentle and quiet spirit.  May we be surrounded by and filled with quiet strength as we go through our day, today.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, 

and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 

For I want you to understand what really matters,

so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—

the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —

for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Phil 1:9-11 (NLT)

Holy Spirit Zone

Since we are living by the Spirit,

let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Gal 5:25 (NLT)

Not only is our house under construction, but the road leading to our house is also under construction.   The street is covered with cones and reflectors and signs warning us to slow down for a work zone ahead.  There the 100 pound lady standing in 100 degree heat with a hard hat on is able to stop our 2 ton Honda.  Because we pay attention and yield to the signs she holds up, she has the power to control our car, when we stop and when we go.

Our lives are lived in the Holy Spirit Zone.  In the Holy Spirit Zone we yield to the control of the Holy Spirit in the direction we take, when we stop and when we go. Desires of our mind or body often try to get us off track leading us to indulge in things that are not good for us; perhaps its over eating or displaying anger or any number of destructive habits. That's when we need to remember that we live in the Holy Spirit Zone.  We need to heed the warning signs and yield to the Holy Spirit's control.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Gal 5:16