Translation: God's world-wide Word?
Ever wondered why you often hear the "Wake up!" message, when you thought you were already awake?
We can be alive and awake in our flesh, but unaware we're dead asleep and still "going through the motions" in our trespasses.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:14-16
Any areas in our life "not" fully submitted to God, leads to the death of our spirit.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (New King James Version)
Without life in our spirit...we cannot connect to God. The disconnect in cultural terms, is like, "internet down," where no communication travels back and forth. When we don't have that connection, we may not even know we're asleep; living a life on autopilot. We just think the internet isn't working.
But there is always a reason.
In order to fix the problem, we have to know which end the problem is on. In this case, it isn't likely the problem is on the Server's end, so we must search our end for loose connections.
For in order to "know"(discern things spiritual, receive revelation from the Living Word) if we're really awake, there first has to be a secure connection.
Sin, the areas in our life not fully submitted to God, breaks that connection...but it can always be restored through repentance.
Maybe you feel you have no sin to speak of.
You don't lie, cheat or steal, worship another or covet.
So then, "How's your faith?"
Are you believing and trusting? Or in doubt about some things?
Or frustrated? Anxious? Worried? Confused? Afflicted without peace?
Jesus tells us loving the LORD is a commandment:
Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’Matthew 22:37-39 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
In order to fix the problem, we have to know which end the problem is on. In this case, it isn't likely the problem is on the Server's end, so we must search our end for loose connections.
For in order to "know"(discern things spiritual, receive revelation from the Living Word) if we're really awake, there first has to be a secure connection.
Sin, the areas in our life not fully submitted to God, breaks that connection...but it can always be restored through repentance.
Maybe you feel you have no sin to speak of.
You don't lie, cheat or steal, worship another or covet.
So then, "How's your faith?"
Are you believing and trusting? Or in doubt about some things?
Or frustrated? Anxious? Worried? Confused? Afflicted without peace?
Jesus tells us loving the LORD is a commandment:
Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’Matthew 22:37-39 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
When we are unable to love God completely, we don't take Him at His Word and there's a break in the relationship on our part we must restore.
For we can't have faith with doubt, with"out" trust, while confused and without peace - for He has given us all things.
If we love Him -- we believe Him, and if we believe Him -- we cannot "not" have faith.
Repentance and believing faith restores us to right relationship...and right relationship is a secure connection.
Now you have been freed from sin and have become God’s slaves. This results in a holy life and, finally, in everlasting life. Romans 6:22 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Thank you Father, that in "right relationship," our spirit is "alive in Christ," fully "awake" and the divine internet is working.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, "Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won't have to stay any longer in the dark.
"If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don't reject him. I didn't come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I'm saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I'm not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That's all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you." John 12: 44-50 (The Message)
This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father.Romans 4:16 (The Message)
Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, "Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won't have to stay any longer in the dark.
"If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don't reject him. I didn't come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I'm saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I'm not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That's all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you." John 12: 44-50 (The Message)
This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father.Romans 4:16 (The Message)
AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins
In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. Ephesians 2:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
Your dead shall live [O Lord]; the bodies of our dead [saints] shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For Your dew [O Lord] is a dew of [sparkling] light [heavenly, supernatural dew]; and the earth shall cast forth the dead [to life again; for on the land of the shades of the dead You will let Your dew fall]. Isaiah 26:19 (Amplified Bible)
Gina Higgins
