“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
I’M ONE OF THOSE BOOKS!!!!!!
"I rather run without than to run in compromise."
the weight of glory
We were never meant to carry the weight of glory.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
We are meant to reflect glory, not receive it.
Take Peter’s encounter in Acts 10:24-27. “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.” This is one of the most pivotal moments in Peter’s life: the choice to absorb or deflect. Where does he seek affirmation? If Peter’s affirmation came from man, then he would not have replied, “Stand up; I too am a man.” When Peter felt the temptation in taking glory that wasn’t his, he immediately thrust it back at the Father.
We can only carry so much glory. Where do I seek affirmation?
through I AM:
“Not how far away we are from sin- it’s how close we are to the Father. Not what I’m not- what I am through I AM.”
It’s all about love-motivation. It’s all about First Love.
Holiness is only realized by seeing Holiness. He is our standard and measurement. “And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5) And therefore, our unholiness and brokenness is only realized in seeing His holiness. Looking at Him will remake us. We must have a passion for seeking Him- even if seeing Him sheds light on our shame.
Passion leads to Perseverance, which will lead to Purity. But it all streams from a Passion for Him.
“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:12) Where are you (am I) looking? If we are looking at First Love we are gently transformed to holiness. If we are looking to others, we are envious and shamed.
garment of shame
“And it’s like they found their heart cry. And it ends with: I am royalty. I am destiny. I have been set free. And I’m gonna shape history. And when they sing, the best part of that song for me is.. it’s like they actually believe they’re gonna change the word.” -Jake Hamilton
By being in nature human, from the design of creation, we have authority to give identity in our words (Gen 2:19-20). Watch what you speak over yourself.
The story of Mephibosheth found in 2 Samuel 9 captures this perfectly. (To save room here, go read the story on your own.) In verse 8 we see the destitute deception of his situation as he responds to David with, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
I believe Mephibosheth had heard these words enough and told himself the same lies, that he actually started to believe them. He let his past dictate his future. When David told him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always,” all Mephibosheth could do was respond from the identity he lived under. Bitterness and shame lead to isolation.
God has called you to change a generation. He is waiting for a people who will let His grace give them identity. You don’t have to be defined by your past. When you are sitting at the King’s table, it covers your brokeness, just as it covered Mephibosheth’s lame legs. (You don’t need legs to sit!)
Let the King take your garment of shame and condemnation and reveal to you His abundant life of redemption!
"A great call requires a great consecration and an uncommon devotion will produce an uncommon voice of influence."
— Rick Pino
ignored discernment & separated wisdom
Looking back on the past few months, I began to ask myself (during a boring chemistry video) which would be considered “dumb:” not having the discerment to know better, or to know and yet do it anyway. Honestly, in my situaltion I justified the latter and considered ignorance the worst of the two. Trying to explain it now shames me. I knew God’s will and ignored it, and somehow I thought that was better. I somehow made compromise okay and worthwhile in my mind.
Wisdom isn’t knowing what to do. Wisdom is knowing what to do and doing it. That’s what separates it from knowledge- it is an action.
I always knew. Ignored discernment is no discernment at all. Just like halfway consecration is no consecration at all. Thankful God’s will is always redemption..
