Does the Holy Spirit Convict you of Sin?? Part 2......

Part 2 had to come, it was inevitable after the many debates that rose up out of part 1. This post has been my most popular post in terms of what people are searching for on google and how they land at my blog. (thanks to Google Analytics.) I received several comments both on my blog and through emails with people's thoughts and arguments on why they disagree with me on this. Which is fine with me, because it causes me to go back and study further. And every time I go back and question my view with the thoughts people bring, I still come up with the same conclusion and a little more clarity. 

So, I wanted to go a little deeper in this post, if I can, although I will probably repeat a lot of what I already shared in part 1, on why I don't believe the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin. You may want to read the original post first. 

Here I will mention some of the arguments I have received in light of this question. One person's thoughts were in light of how Paul brought sharp correction to the churches. They believed that since Paul did this that they believed the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write as an instrument of grace to point out sin and bring restoration. So therefore the Holy Spirit also convicts us of our sin. The two are not the same, which I will address later in this post. 

 Another thought someone had on why the Holy Spirit convicts of us of sin, is the verse in Rev. 3, where is says, "those whom I love I rebuke and discipline", as well as Prov. 3:12, and Heb. 12:6. (Again, not the same as convict.)

Another commenter went so far as to compose his very own parable to help explain why the Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin. His point, I think, was we need the Holy Spirit to show us our sins so we can confess them and then be forgiven. He seems to think we need to be guilty of sin, so we can know we need to be forgiven. Hmm....I guess he doesn't realize he's already forgiven, for all his sins past, present and future. When we realize we are forgiven, we will see there is no need for confession of sins again and again. Since we are new creations and have the very life of Christ dwelling within us, we can walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. When we walk by the flesh we may not see our sin the same way we would if we were walking by the Spirit. It all begins with a mindset and having our minds renewed with the truth of the gospel. So when we do sin or mess up, we may feel a sadness, but not guilt, and say, "Lord, I messed up, I don't want to do that, please help me!"  And help he will! It's when we realize we can't do it apart from him, and thankfully we don't have to, that we will want to live right!! 

Yet another comment came, that I think was close, but no straw, shared this,"the Holy Spirit is Holy God who abides within us as His Holy of Holies", true, but he goes on to say.....just by His very presence we will be "convicted" of the sin in our lives. (I think he meant what I am trying to say, instead of convicted of sin however, it should say he will lead us into all truth. Which means he is the one guiding and transforming us, because He has taken up residence within us and His life will have to flow out....) He also concluded with this statement, "Jesus bore our shame and guilt on Calvary but we do need to pursue righteousness."  There's that phrase, that makes me want to scream,....."we need to pursue righteousness." Doesn't that miss the whole point of the Gospel right there??  As if the cross was not enough! We can't pursue (as in work out), our righteousness, Christ IS our righteousness. What he should have said is,  pursue knowing Jesus (or yield to the Christ life within) and get a revelation of our gift of righteousness!!! 

So, here's a few of my thoughts on this whole thing. First, let me state, I do not believe "correct", "rebuke" or "discipline" are the same as convict. Convict means to prove or declare guilty of an offense, or, to impress with a sense of guilt. Conviction, however, means a fixed or firm belief, or assurance and a synonym for it is belief.

Correcting can be done without shaming someone,  or making them feel guilty. Correcting can simply be showing the truth or what is right, without shaming someone and pointing out their faults.  (It's ashame we are all probably more familiar with bad examples of human correction!)

Discipline, or discipling, is best seen displayed in how Jesus related with his disciples, teaching them, telling them parables and modeling walking in the will of the Father. Many believe discipline is associated with punishment, because many of us were brought up being "disciplined" punitively. (that's a whole different discussion for another time!)

Rebuking, this is where the example of Paul with the church comes in. Yes, it means to reprove, sternly or sharply bringing about conviction. (remember convict and conviction do not have the same meaning.) But, nowhere does it say specifically that any of the above means of correcting, rebuking or disciplining are the same as convicting one of sin.

In Revelation 3, which was brought up by one commenter as an argument of why the Holy Spirit must indeed convict us, the words rebuke and discipline are used. First of all, these words do not mean the same thing as convict, and second, does this passage even apply to all those who are in Christ? Let's take a look. Revelation 3. It looks as though this passage is directly  addressed to the church in Laodicea.  The Laodicean church is getting rebuked for being lukewarm, another way to say that would be, to go back under the law and rejecting the finished work of the cross by trying to live through performance. That is another way to say they were in unbelief. God would rather us be under law completely, which obviously would lead us to grace since no one but Jesus can perfectly fulfill the law. Or under his pure grace completely- Jesus plus nothing - only believe. But not a mixture of the two. So, I do not believe that was a good Scripture to use to try and prove that those in Christ, are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. 

So, you may be wondering why all the clarifications..........well, I think it's very important to be as clear as possible, especially if we are talking about being made to feel guilty or shamed by the Holy Spirit for our sins. Let me ask you this, how do you feel when you are guilty? Or should I use the word shame or ashamed? What is it like to have a sense of guilt or condemnation?

Let's not forget Romans 8!There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ! NONE! If convict, shame, guilt, and condemned are all synonymous, then when we say the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are contradicting the truth of God's very Word! Not one speck of condemnation should ever come to a believer! The sad reality is it does come, and it comes due to wrong believing. The church often does not preach a pure gospel. It teaches a mixture, confusion, yin and  yang, yoyo -CONFUSION! We hear preaching that teaches us it is by grace we have been saved, Hallelujah, Praise Jesus, but after we are saved somehow we have to work on ourselves, and pursue our own righteousness. THIS IS NOT THE GOSPEL! Was the work finished or not?! This is a half false gospel, one that Paul rebuked the Galatians for and told them they were under a curse and should be eternally condemned for doing so!!

If God is not counting my sins against me, and He is not a fault finding husband, like the law was when we were under it, then why would He give us the Holy Spirit to then come and find our faults and point out our sins to us? He already removed our sins as far as the east is from the west, right? His word says, "their sins and their lawless acts, I will remember no more." If He is not remembering them, then how can the Holy Spirit be pointing them out to us? The Holy Spirit, in the life of a believer, points us to Jesus, and His perfect righteousness, which we have now been given as a gift. If the Holy Spirit is to point out our sin to us, he would be causing us to shift our focus onto our selves, and away from Jesus, His finished work, and perfect righteousness.

If we are hearing a voice that is convicting us when we sin, or is pointing out our faults, we are hearing the enemy trying to get our eyes off of Jesus and cause us to fall into condemnation. Think about this, when someone is on trial and they are found guilty, they are accused or convicted of the crime. When you sense you are guilty of sin, you are being accused and it is not the Holy Spirit accusing you. It is the accuser of the brethren that brings you those convicting thoughts about your sin. God does not find you guilty, he finds you free and clear of any charge because he has justified you through the blood of Christ. 

I think it is very important to see these distinctions and truths and embrace them. I think it is crucial to clear up the confusion behind this question of, does the Holy Spirit convict us of our sin? Simply because if we can't see the purity of the Holy Spirit, the comfort He brings to us through leading us into all truth, and the truth of how we are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, we will not so quickly long for the Spirit in our lives. And we most certainly do not want to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit. I believe that the Holy Spirit will never condemn us. Rather, He will come to us in gentle love and release a wooing to draw us to turn to Him and accept His correction. He will convince us, and lead us into truth persistently and persuasively, but not with any sense of guilt or shame. Remember God is infinitely patient, and full of loving kindness and will relentlessly pursue us. He is in the business of shaping, molding and perfecting us, but it is always done in love. He is the One who will transform and purify us and we can respond. Apart from His loving pursuit of us, we could never pursue Him or righteousness. It is all His initiative!! 

It is very important when reading the Scriptures, to read with a Gospel focus. If something doesn't line up with the truth of the Gospel, then you must dig deeper than the surface and find out how it fits with the truth of the Gospel. I suppose I could go on, but I hope this speaks to those who are convinced that God wants them to have shame, because in essence that is what you are saying when you argue that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin!! Kind of takes away from the really good news, don't you think!

Let It Rain........

This song is for my friend Don!!! 

He rejoices over us with singing...........

Zephaniah 3:14-20 ~  Sing, O Daughter of Zion: shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore you fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.

His Magnificant Mosaic

Psalm 104 ~ "Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations;  it can never be moved.  You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross;  never again will they cover the earth. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate—  bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man,  oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up;  when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works- he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life;  I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him,  as I rejoice in the LORD. But may sinners vanish from the earth  and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD. "

My sexy lover..........

Anyone ever been smitten? In love way to deep that you are giddy, faint with love. It's often all you can think about. Aah. I was thinking about falling in love, this morning as I was dancing with my sexy lover Jesus (wink wink) in my kitchen. He is such a good dancer! I feel like the most graceful ballerina when I dance with Him!! He never makes me feel insecure or incapable, and even if I trip over my own feet, He is there to swoop me up and turn it into a beautiful new dance move. 

Falling madly in love is one of the most awesome states of being in the whole wide world. You are captivated by the thoughts of another. Every time he speaks your name, you are overwhelmed with ecstasis. A simple touch, a warm embrace, a lingering glance - can take you over the top with delight that you are indeed on the heart and mind of another so intimately. Being in love is all  consuming, you just eat, breath and sleep ~love, love, love. 

Having Jesus as a Lover is the most satisfying endless fulfilling experiences ever - and guess what, it never has to come to an end. This love will not fail, wax or wane, grow weary or faint. It is always all consuming, fully passionate and totally pure! I love the way Jesus loves me, it's radical, it's thrilling and over the top!! His love is the most graceful love I have ever known and I plan to get drenched, saturated and filled up so full of His love I am bursting!!! 

I AM A WARRIOR!!

Okay, so I am one of those people that has a song for everything. And since Julie and I are both declaring each other "warrior," contenders, passionate for the awesome grace of God to be proclaimed - I had a fun idea!! Not sure if the words are so great, but nevertheless, she proclaims "I am a warrior!!" and that is the part that counts. Good old Pat Benatar!! So go ahead and putting on your dancing shoes, grab your air guitar and your imaginary mic, and sing along with me!! If you are passionate in the least bit about the Gospel - you are in my book a warrior!!

False humility = bondage, fear slavery, guilt and condemnation

Slowly but surely I have been transcribing "Victory over condemnation", as I mentioned a few posts back. As I listen to it I reflect back on many many things in my past church experience with regards to how I was under condemnation far more than I ever realized. I wondered as I typed if many Christians even know they are under it! I wondered to myself if they listened to this message would they even realize what guilt really really is like. When I was in the "ministry of death" (sorry, sounds harsh, but it's true!), I thought it was godly to draw out my faults and shortcomings to truly see them and then work on them. Or at least I was told that was godly. I remember a particular time, when I was in a care group meeting and we were required to go through the book, "War of Words." Now, if you haven't read this book, DON'T. It will not lead you into the truth of Jesus. It will only show you how you fall short in your flesh to live up to a standard that you cannot.(guilt, guilt, guilt and more guilt!) So, that said, I remember this particular meeting we were told to split up, men with men, and women with women. We were given an assignment to pick 3 areas in our spouse that needed the most improvement in their words toward us. So, we had to sit there for the duration and focus on our spouse's shortcomings and ponder them. Then we had to submit the list to them, so they could then see where they needed to improve. ( I almost feel like I remember that we had to talk about the lists out loud in the group, can you believe that?) Boy were there a lot of somber souls walking out of that meeting that night. Not to mention, we were not encouraged to share their strengths or how God was transforming our spouse at all!! No one pointed to the finished work of the cross! (You know the work that satisfied God!! - if he's satisfied, why aren't we?)

Okay, so what's my point in sharing this tale. Well, this exercise was viewed as godly, and if we were truly humble we would except our spouses critique with openness and "humbly" go and seek the Lord for change. Now this may possibly "sound" godly, but it is the farthest thing from it!! I know when I received my list I wanted to cry. I was horrified that that was how my husband viewed me, and he now was given "permission" to bring it to me and ultimately believe that I should and would want to change in those areas. That is pressure, guilt, and sin focused and it negates what Christ did at the cross! 

So I was left with my failures to stew over. Did this cause me to look at Christ and his finished work? Did this cause me to see myself as God already sees me, as he sees Christ, perfectly righteous? Does this list empower me to be transformed? No, No and No! Even if I did take that list and try and change, would it be done in faith or in fear. Wouldn't I be striving by my own efforts, instead of being transformed by the renewing of my mind?

The Gospel is so simple. It's all been done!! We are winners, not sinners! Freedom in Christ is not us going on and on about how we need to be better in any given area of our life. That is bondage. When we begin to believe the truth about who we are, perfect forever, then we will begin to be transformed. It is by renewing our mind, and by thinking on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable. Is it admirable to point out each others weaknesses? Are our faults lovely? Are we believing the truth when we feel the need to rip each other to shreds and pick out sin, sin, sin? This is a recipe for some serious condemnation, especially when we can now rest in the truth, that He remembers our sins NO MORE!

What happened in that care group may have been meant to be a good thing (and I do not blame or condemn anyone for it. I am simply pointing out an actual situation to make a point.) But it was far from good, it was demonic, very harmful and very dangerous. God has declared to his people there is therefore now, no condemnation. NONE! It's time for the body of Christ to stop putting condemnation on the body of Christ! And start to rest in the utterly FINISHED, FINISHED work that Jesus did at Calvary!!!!

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus......

I have to admit, I had an emotional roller coaster of a day yesterday. I could not get myself out of my woe. I fought and fought in my mind all day. But, honestly I was just blue and very weary of how my circumstances were not lining up with my inheritance. The reality is I am who God says I am, no matter what, and God is loving, good, sovereign, and for me, no matter what. Sometimes, I just don't understand the why's of life, I really don't.......I wish I did, but I don't. So what do I do in these times of confusion, these times when my feelings seem to take over and consume me? Somehow, someway I want to get to a place where I can "let not my heart be troubled",  because He has given me all things in Christ. Christ is enough, Christ is my all in all. His grace IS sufficient for me!  No matter what my circumstances are, and how I respond to them or feel about them. I just want to look at Jesus, to behold his beauty and be still before Him, resting in all He has accomplished for me. I think when I rest in Him, the worry or anxiety releases and grace begins to flow. His peace, His shalom (nothing missing, nothing broken) is available to me, and I just want to live more fully in it! Thank you Jesus, that you are my everything!!

I was reminded of this simple song last night, when I realized the simplicity of the Gospel yet again. I may not like where my emotions take me, and struggle to conquer them on my own. The truth is I can't conquer them. Looking at Jesus is my only hope of freedom, my only answer to getting off emotional roller coasters! 

So I am turning my eyes upon Jesus..................will you join me?!!

Oaks of righteousness........

Isaiah 61

 1THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,

    2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

    3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

    4And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

    5Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

    6But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.

    7Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

    8For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them.

    9And their offspring shall be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them [in their prosperity] will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed.

    10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

    11For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].

   

Dreams........

This is so cool!! I have been so interested in learning more about how God speaks to us through dreams. Today, I happened to stumble upon this video by Patricia King from Extreme Prophetic, interviewing Jim and Michal Ann Goll, co-authors of the book "Dream Language."  This book is on my list of books to read, as well as others, so I was thrilled to find this video. I recently was able to hear Jim Goll minister and was greatly blessed by his warlike, yet gentle spirit and great passion for the gospel of God's Kingdom to be declared boldly. 

Sadly, I must report that his wife, Michal Ann, just passed away due to cancer, not that long ago. I am sure the Goll family would appreciate any prayers on their behalf. 

So, if anyone is interested in learning more about dreams, I hear this is one of the best books out there. Check it out! 

They say it's your Birthday...........

I am dedicating this post to bless my dear brother and blog friend Matthew Daelon!!! Happy 22nd Birthday Matthew!! You have been a blessing to me over this past year! I have immensely enjoyed gleaning from you and your blog! You are a most refreshingly real and honest dude Matt! And your love for Jesus is so evident and inspiring! Your passion for the pure Gospel of Grace has encouraged my heart time and time again!! So here's to you, keep preaching the Good News and being true to be uniquely you!!! May God pour abundant blessings upon you this coming year! May you grow more in love with your Jesus all the days of your life!!!

(PS - I couldn't decide which song to sing to you so here's a few...............Enjoy!)

Sarah McMillan........

Well, here's a very hearty THANK YOU to Shawna for recommending this lovely woman of worship, Sarah McMillan.  I just listened to her and I am smitten!! And she has her whole CD available to listen to for free! Gotta love it! May this music bless others as it has me!! 

Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur

Again, I must point out a Jospeh Prince devotional that blessed me!! Since today celebrates the holiday Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, I found it even more fitting to point us all to Jesus yet again!! Thankfully we as Christians don't have to celebrate this holiday literally, we have already had our sins atoned for once and for all!! Thank you Jesus!!! We can celebrate the fact that our names are already in the book of life, our fate is sealed, and we do not have to fast and pray and try to be on our best behaviour so we can be approved! You did it all for us!! We are free to celebrate this day with joy, because it's all been done!! 

Some soul strumming.......

I love how God uses the giftings, talents and creativity of others to speak to me. This particular band, a family of nine, has done just that. Their music has calmed and soothed me this morning. I simply must share. Thanks to Jen and Jacqueline for their recommendation. This song, O Danny Boy, so far is my favorite..............Blessings to all!!

The parable of the sower.......

This is a must listen!!! Rob Rufus just preached on the parable of the sower, and it was the best message on this parable I have ever heard!! Go listen to it, now!!

Victory over condemnation.........

It seems as though I may need a refresher in this battle over condemnation. I have found the fight for joy a bit harder lately and can't understand why. My husband too, has been bombarded with it over a struggle to find a sense of self worth in his career and our finances. Even though we know that is not where our confidence lies, we often hear voices telling us otherwise. For him especially it is often very much a battle. I realized recently, like Dan, that I can't allow this issue of condemnation to afflict me or my family. It's amazing how quickly it can seep its way in somewhere you hadn't noticed. I think perhaps I have been dealing with a bit of it, thus my recent post, Grasping for Joy was born. Why else would I not find every second of time I could, to go and bask in my Father's awesome presence? Sometimes I find myself slightly reluctant to be that intimate with Him. There is no reason on earth for that to be so! He absolutely wholly loves me, and will never be displeased with me. 

Often times we slip down into this pit called condemnation and we don't know how it happened. It could be something someone says to trigger an old response. This recently occurred in my life, and I won't go into detail, but someone tried to put the law on me and preached a wrathful angry God over me. Somehow, despite what I know to be true, that God will never be angry with me again, (see Is. 54),  this person's words got in and began to fester. 

I share this as a reminder to myself, firstly, and to others who may need this reminder as well. Do not yield to condemnation!!! Don't give in to it even for a moment!! If you start to lose your joy and feel a bit more low than usual, stop and ask, am I under some kind of condemnation? 

Thankfully, some of my favorite preachers are well aware of this issue in the Body of Christ. Joseph Prince and Rob Rufus, have both done a number of excellent messages on this topic. Today, I want to share, "Victory over condemnation", with you.  I am tackling the massive feat of transcribing this message, but for now I will just include the beginning of my notes and when I finish I will be sure to publish the full message. Hopefully, while I take the time to do this, this message will invade my thought life and the condemnation will flee!!! Much grace to all!!

"God is passionate. Sending His Son to this earth was not something He did kind of halfheartedly. It was something He did with everything that was in His being. The Bible says shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Everything in the Bible speaks of an undivided heart of devotion to God. God is searching to and fro, seeking for those whose hearts are completely devoted to Him. 

So in every church I've started, and it takes me years to do it, I've built a culture of the passion of the Kingdom of Heaven. It's just being watchful and guarding all the time. When we clap, we clap loudly, when we praise or preach we do it with all of our heart.

Heb. 2 - they did not mix the message with faith

Some of you, this is your day. You've been listening to this message of grace and yet you've still got patterns of negativity, lack of confidence before God, you fell fear and uncertainty and insecurities, and a bad self-image, when you are a princess or a prince, by the revelation of grace. This is your day to say, no longer will the enemy hold me back, I'm walking free today!

Isaiah 55:12- you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

You see the trees of the field are part of the creation that are groaning waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God. 

When we get the message of grace, because Isaiah 55 is about the message of grace, when we go out of this building with joy and led forth with peace, the trees of the field start clapping with relief saying, they got it, Jesus is coming back soon!!

Peace, peace be still, peace makes you quiet, it's tranquil, beautiful, serene. But joy, joy is noisy. So we need peace and joy. Peace for quiet still reflection. Joy is like a volcano in a tea cup. Don't tell me the joy of the Lord is in your life and you're just sitting there like a bump on a log. Come on now, when joy comes explosions come, statements come - You release it!

How do you release faith? In the New Testament, how did Jesus release faith, with His words. He said, if you believe in your heart and profess with your mouth, this mountain be removed and cast into the sea, it's not a little mountain, it's a mountain of problems, you believe in your heart and say with your mouth, be cast into the sea - you release faith with words. Your faith doesn't sit stagnant, static in your spirit. There's a doctrine of faith, that's fine, it analyzes what faith is, but there's a spirit of faith that is not interested in intellectually analyzing what faith is, it doesn't bother about defining faith, it leaps into action, it does action things. Stretch out your hand - you do it!!

Best message you have ever heard, because it means you can go free! And I've been free and I've been bound - free is better!! I know what bondage is, I know what it is to be a man pleaser and frightened of people and you can't hear the voice of God, you can't be led by the Spirit because you're bound by fear of man and you're controlled by people's opinions of you. That is called slavery. The fear of man is a snare, the Bible says. And I know what it is like to be bound, and I've found out I can get free, I found out I can stand anywhere now, something broke off me a few years ago and I can't tell you how wonderful it is. 

How many of you think Jesus worried about what people thought of Him? They didn't crucify Him because He fit in. 

Come on now, this message means you can go free, because in this message God has decided to see you, PERFECT FOREVER!! God has decided that He is going to be 100% on your side, He's gonna be for you, He will never accuse you, He will always defend you against your accusers!!

Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

It's not for people outside of Christ, there's lots of condemnation if you're not in Christ. But for those who are in Christ, there is No condemnation. NONE!

Everyone in this room has felt condemnation even this week. Now friends, if the Bible says, there is now NO condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus and you and I feel condemnation, then what is true? The feeling of condemnation or the eternal word of God.

So therefore condemnation is illegitimate!! It's unrighteous, it's not from God. 

"Well Rob, that true there's no condemnation if you don't sin" 

Folks that would be stupid to put that in, if everyone in the world and every Christian never sinned there would not be a need to write, "There is now no condemnation...." It is saying that because condemnation comes to the people of God, because God is not religious, He is real and He knows every Christian messes up, fails and makes a mistake sometimes. It has no little small print in there that says, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, that don't sin."  It's just an unconditional declaration that God is for you, God is on your side and God has taken your position to defend you! 

Romans 8: 31-34, 37-39 - What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am preaching this message today, because I know there are people here who suffer condemnation in the church and you think that is okay. I am going to show you that condemnation is a dark ugly evil force.

Here's where I leave you hanging, until I finish typing the rest out, but go have a listen for yourself........!!

East to West.......

Psalm 103

 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; 

       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, 

       and forget not all his benefits-

 3 who forgives all your sins 

       and heals all your diseases,

 4 who redeems your life from the pit 

       and crowns you with love and compassion,

 5 who satisfies your desires with good things 

       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 6 The LORD works righteousness 

       and justice for all the oppressed.

 7 He made known his ways to Moses, 

       his deeds to the people of Israel:

 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, 

       slow to anger, abounding in love.

 9 He will not always accuse, 

       nor will he harbor his anger forever;

 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve 

       or repay us according to our iniquities.

 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

       so great is his love for those who fear him;

 12 as far as the east is from the west, 

       so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 13 As a father has compassion on his children, 

       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

 14 for he knows how we are formed, 

       he remembers that we are dust.

 15 As for man, his days are like grass, 

       he flourishes like a flower of the field;

 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, 

       and its place remembers it no more.

 17 But from everlasting to everlasting 

       the LORD's love is with those who fear him, 

       and his righteousness with their children's children-

 18 with those who keep his covenant 

       and remember to obey his precepts.

 19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 

       and his kingdom rules over all.

 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, 

       you mighty ones who do his bidding, 

       who obey his word.

 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, 

       you his servants who do his will.

 22 Praise the LORD, all his works 

       everywhere in his dominion. 

       Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Grasping for joy......

There was a chill in the air of my home this morning as I meandered down to start my day. Fall really is setting in. Thoughts of, Christmas is on it's way, seeped into my mind. I began to imagine how wonderful and magical it will be this year. Images of tiny Christmas trees filled my mind. No big ones for us this year. Too crowded and two curious little ones that are quick as a wink. I certainly don't want any impending ornament disasters, not this year. 

As I began to brew my coffee and wait for it, I peered out the window to observe all the birds gathering at the feeder. Flitting back and forth almost as if they were taking turns getting their snack. I admired the birds in their simplicity. They just live day in and day out, enjoying the bounty that is often before them. Not a worry on their minds, not a care in the world. 

I turned to the fridge to get some cream for my coffee and noticed the lovely butterfly magnets I recently bought at a yard sale. Butterflies just make me happy. Sometimes I feel like a teenager again, every time I see butterfly paraphernalia, I am drawn to it. I realize that butterflies remind me so much of freedom and of glorious transformation. Much like my own freedom in Christ, and being transformed into a new creation. Yet they are so fragile and so delicate. 

I feel that way often. I love living in this wonderful freedom Jesus has provided for me. It's truly amazing! Yet often I just feel so weak. Today is one of those days. 

I woke up last night with this nagging feeling. Couldn't put my finger on it. I have no idea what is truly bothering me, but I don't like it. I don't like that I feel weary and somewhat lackluster. Me and somber do not go well together. Let me tell you, I am not meant for it, I am made to be a fountain of joy. So I have to pep talk myself. 

Who are you Lydia? Are you really this sad sorry person you see in the mirror today? Well, no. But something just isn't right in my spirit and I don't know what. Are you forgetting how God sees you in your spirit? Well no,  I "know" how God sees me, it's more like how I feel in my soul. I just can't sense the joy today, and that sense of nothing is missing, nothing is broken, a wholeness.  I want to really feel it's there. Oh God wrap your lovin' arms around me tight!!! 

When you don't feel the joy just bursting out of you after you have been so accustomed to it, what do you do???

It is very rare for me to have a quiet moment or time alone just me and God. I have to share him with all the distractions of any given day, the diapers that need to be changed, the dishes that need done, the countless stories read, the piles of laundry that need to be folded,  the children that are fighting yet again. I share all these activities with God by my side, and I am so thankful that he never leaves me, especially when there's a real whoppin' stinker of diaper to be changed. But, sometimes, I just crave a deeper intimate time with Him. Just me, and him. I miss him that way. Perhaps that is what is gnawing at me. 

One thing I do know is I won't let myself stay in this state. That is one way He is transforming me. I have come to know such a wonderful Father, and a wonderful state of bliss.  Prior to living in a revelation of His pure love and grace, I would sit in this state of woe and stew in it. These days I refuse to live that way. I have found a much better way to live. Loved. 

When I can't tangibly sense that love, I go nuts. My mission today - go get saturated in His love and rest in his love for me!!!

This is where I live from time to time. I thought I'd be honest and share. Sometimes, I just have to fight through the emotions that are so familiar, and seek to take me down dreary paths. I no longer go down them. Sometimes I stand at the foot of the path.......wondering how did I get here? And then I look behind me and see the wide open field and the beautiful sky, sunbeams starting to burst through and the warmth on my face spreads, my lungs fill with fresh air again and I start to wander into the great wide open, a smile broadening on my face, then I begin to skip and run and laugh.

I love how God can so quickly fill me back up again, as soon as I turn toward His beauty and behold it with all that I am!!!!! I hope I find him quickly today...........

Grace flows in worry free areas of your life

Lately, I am finding God is giving me more and more peace, or should I say shalom, in several areas of my life. And because of His peace in these areas I do not tend to worry or get stressed out. Things just flow, and there is so much ease where there never was before. However, there are some areas that I do worry about, like our lack of finances. This has been an area that has only gotten worse, not better. And the fact that my husband worries doesn't help! We both fuel each others worry in this department. 

I truly believe God is my provision. He promises to provide. And I believe that the gospel includes a remedy for my finances. Sozo, salvation, includes my prosperity. So, why does my reality not line up with this? It's the same as with sin, and sickness. If I am focusing on the problem and not what Christ has done and promised me, I will live in unbelief. Doubt will creep in and distract my gaze from where it should be. 

So here I am reminded yet again of my circumstances, but I am not to let myself be defined by my circumstances. I refuse to live that way. 

That shared, I was looking through some of the clips of Joseph Prince sermons on YouTube, and found this one. It truly blessed me and reminded me that I can live in God's peace in all areas so long as I do not worry and doubt. I hope it blesses you too!! I only wish I could see and hear the whole message!!