“that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Church feeling powerless. Akin to surfers attempting to ride the surf on no waves. The turning tables has to be completed before the time is ready to spread the new table cloths.
It is as if God wants us back in shallows but trusting before He sends the wave that either knocks us out or empowers us to surf.
The wave will challenge us and shock the unfamiliar.
The man made in the sense of self and corruption in the world gets destroyed structures of God survive love for the Holy Spirit and other above self.
The kingdom of God is coming .
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Those led by the world are fearful of what has been perpetual shaking over the past 3 years. Those led by the Spirit recognise God in it too and have expectancy. Tables turned over by Jesus historically in the temples of corruption are in our hearts where we are now the temples of His dwelling. We await the time of His promise to be fulfilled but equally need to be cleansed and made ready.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
As waves hit in energy crisis and shortages that escalate fear and hopelessness there has to be the Josephs arising who foresee and prepare. Who have the solutions, know peace and can arise with power to break every chain of bondage.
As Jesus delivered and cast out spirits of greed and mammon in the temple. God now has plans for the church and His body to break fear and bondage.
We have the power of love and being of Sound mind.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
The spirit of fear we sense in the atmosphere of the world comes from Satan.
We need not own it as fear and anxiety cannot co-work with the Holy Spirit.
It is time now to trust and be guided.
Time to open our eyes as the earthquake tectonic plates have shifted and see the spiritual changes in the landscape because this determines how we newly build.
“See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jesus knows how to build His successful church.
A movement with power not a safe institution and monument of past glory.
Not built faithful to man and people pleasing. Responding to panic and what we see in the moment.
Built instead faithful to God pleading to Him. Responding to His revelation and what is faithful to His promise
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”
Organisation must never trump fixing our eyes upon Jesus. Our freedom is not just floating about it is in rebuilding and prioritising what Jesus is reforming, renewing, reshaping, reconstituting.
He changes our hearts first. He always has a plan for His church where it starts with a change in each one of us. Where we say start with me instead of finger pointing to criticise flaws.
Planks out, the epidemic of planks in eyes.
It takes faith to see the good in what God is doing.
We have to see beyond ourselves in our desires for other’s breakthrough we have our own. God’s plan is bigger than me. Our generosity and love for others is the giant wave coming to crash over and lift us all up to ride the surf.
The illustration shows the surfer trusting to ride the wave of the Spirit of God’s making. Emanating light that pushes back the darkness.
Six Scriptures that come to mind:
“that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:21, 28-29 ESV
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 ESV
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 ESV
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
“See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 ESV
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” Acts 2:42-43 ESV
The song Break Every Chain. Jesus Culture
Lessisgreater 