Fourthstream - Finding Hope

As mentioned before, the trinity is in many ways a mystery to us. It is not to our Creator. In Genesis 1 "the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." The Father created and the Spirit moved. From His mind to His hands. And where was the Son while this unfolded? Apparently creating right along with Him.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:15-20

There is no doubt that this is the Son mentioned in Psalm 2 and the One named Jesus according to hundreds of years of incredible prophecies.

Now move forward to the "last" chapter of God's Word - Revelation 22:12-17:

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."

Do you see it? The Biblical thread of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is found from chapter 1 through chapter last. He is the hands and feet of God. And His shelter extends to our souls as well, because if God wills it, the Spirit does it. And this is very personal to every disciple of Jesus.

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:26-27

Also note Proverbs 8 regarding the wisdom of God!

So the shelter of the Holy Spirit is everything because He IS the shelter of the Father and His dear Son. The Father is the mind Who creates, the Son is at His right hand to bring Him honor, and the Holy Spirit creates and animates the Wisdom of God. Does this make sense?

As with all areas of the threads of truth from the Word of God, God weaves together what we need to understand His mind and heart - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! There is much to say on this subject but let's summarize with how the Holy Spirit specifically gives us shelter.

√ He discloses Jesus to us.

√ He cleanses our conscience and heals our heart.

√ He leads us in truth when we do not know what to do or where to go.

√ He brings us into the peaceful presence of God Himself.

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." John 16:13-15

Peace in the Spirit to you friend! Dave and Burnadette

More: The Holy Spirit Talking With The Spirit

God is a sheltering being. He provides shelter. But even more than this - He IS shelter. In fact, He is building the ultimate shelter family through the work of His Son. Jesus is the connector to our Creator.

God wants to mentor us. We know this because He mentored Jesus. The Son's best friend while He was on the earth was His Dad. He learned from Him. He was dedicated to His will. He gave up all things God and all things human for His friendship with His Father.

You can find Mentored by God under books in the Fourthstream navbar. It investigates the ins and outs of how Jesus connected with His Dad, giving us a template for our own connection.

Here are few things to help connect us with the Father of all living things

√ Sort through your own personal daddy issues and cut them off from projecting onto the heavenly Father.

√ Jesus Name is key to communicating with the Father. When you come to your Father acknowledge the authority of His dear Son Who covers our sin and offers access to God's throne.

√ Activate the honor of your heart alongside the respect you hold for your Creator and the opportunity to live pleasing to Him.

Humility is the key to His Kingdom:

"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor." – Proverbs 18:12

√ Embrace your Father's voice above all others. When God's Word is known and revered, it is a powerful connector and helps us discern His voice among all of the voices we hear each day from within and without. The Holy Spirit is God's voice to the world and to us. How can we hear such a transcendent voice?

"Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, 'I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever'; but now the LORD declares, 'Far be it from Me — for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed." – 1 Samuel 2:30

This is pretty cool:

"Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" – 2 Samuel 7:18

Sometimes we feel God does not hear us. This is simply not true. All things brought in the Name of Jesus will come before our Creator. In fact, "the pure (humble) in heart will see God!"

Talking to Him with you, Dave and Burnadette

Related Links: Mentored by God Book and posts Miracle Prayers

Most humans look at God things as a choice. I get this, but I have been thinking it is incomplete. If there is a Creator and He made all things - it seems to me that He is the one who is making the choice, right? Weighing this has become a key premise for me about spirituality. Does it begin with me - or with Him? I realize this is kind of out there, but most other options are limiting. If it all begins with us then it will be biased - more self-driven and me-driven. This appears to be the main issue with all religions (including historic christianity) - very self-driven. I have found even an atheist has faith.

All this to say all of us have a spiritual core - even those who discard the very idea of a supreme being. This is perhaps one of the most significant contemplations of our existence. Is there a "greater", and where do we fit?

How would you describe your core? How has it been shaped? Where does it leave you - both on the inside and the outside? Here are some things that may stimulate deeper thinking and conversation about what really matters related to our spiritual core.

Things that appear to shape us:

√ The things learned from circumstances over which we have no control. Our family and upbringing. Where we were born. Our socio-economic factors. The things that happen through "chance" as we march toward and into adulthood. What have been your main shaping circumstances and occurrences?

√ What is modeled to us by significant players in our lives. We are so influenced by those close to us or whom we choose to value and emulate. Who have been these "giants" been in your life? The good ones and the not so good ones.

√ Chance encounters and twists in the road. What are some of these pivotal moments for you - a relocation, a family tragedy such as a divorce or death, etc. What specific things have sent you in an unchosen yet significant direction?

√ Things that come from our survival instinct. Words spoken in reaction or haste. Self-protective responses to neglect or attack. Choices we make to survive economically or relationally. Friend successes. Friend conflicts. Victories. Losses.

√ What has been driven by love? Where have these love connections emerged and remained, arrived, or disappeared? To what degree do you feel your heart has been overtaken by love? Rejected by love? Rejecting of love? Disappointed? Would you consider yourself a person who lives in love?

√ What is driven by hate? Where have you experienced hurt from others and become embittered? In what ways has forgiveness emerged in the way you approach life?

All of this leads to where we find ourselves in our identity - and how we act upon it. When pursuing each of our spiritual cores, these and many other factors shape us or drive - and even chase us. God says our original condition is value. Life circumstances and relationship often diminish or try to dissuade us in thinking we have value.

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)

Jesus invites us to freedom in our spiritual core. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

What is it that defines you at your core? Who do you think you are? How do you think your Creator feels about you when He looks at your life? Here is the heart of Kingdom Spirituality. First King. How are you connected to your King? Then Kingdom. How has His Kingdom impacted the choices and trajectory in your life? Then Church. In what ways have you recovered your God-identity, and how are you sharing it with those around you or through your gifts, your choices for how you live, with the people who you love and care for or in what you choose to give of your time, talents, and treasures?

Peace friend! Dave and Burnadette

More: Everyone Has A Core God's Core

Often we must understand bad news in order to perceive and appreciate good news. It is the same with finding shelter. Until we are uncovered it is difficult to appreciate being covered. This is the nature of all life. Impermanence. Limited control. The necessity to learn to hope.

Turbulence and imperfection.

A good question: Who has given you shelter? A parent? A teacher? A sibling? A neighbor? What was your exposure, and how did the shelter occur? If so, what difference did such shelter give toward shaping you? If you have received shelter in your life then you know what relief can occur with these kinds of action.

How does a person find shelter? Shelter often finds us. Perhaps through the person who has chosen to notice or decided to be aware - and act. In someone who looks my way when everyone else seems not to notice. It would be great if it was easy to surround ourselves with shelter hearts and souls, but this appears to be the exception. A shelter heart has often experienced shelter himself/herself. When we have experienced shelter it is more readily apparent to us. We may even choose friends based upon the safety we feel when we are around them.

Safety is an interesting concept. What makes us feel safe? When you feel safe what are the things which come from such a mindset? What makes us exposed? What are your fear factors that set you off? When do you feel the most peaceful - at rest - accepted?

The Living God IS Shelter. Shelter is found and embraced through revelation and usually through 1) nature (both the macro and the micro), 2) the Word (Bible), or 3) in the peace we find in being known (Jesus).

Psalm 107 tells the story of how God's people found Shelter in their troubles - just as we may experience. It is somewhat lengthy so we will excerpt some of the declarative statements:

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the one who is brought back from trouble (the adversary)by the LORD say so..." (1-3)

"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His astonishing wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." (8-9)

"There were those who made their home in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor - they stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart." (10-14)

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!" (19-21)

"They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!" (28-31)

But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, and makes his families like a flock." (41)

Now THAT is a sheltering force!

Another good reflective question: Who have you provided shelter to? In what ways has God taught you to recognize and respond to those around you who need shelter? What has providing shelter for another done to expand your own heart and soul.

To pursue shelter we must see the VALUE in it. We must identify a SOURCE of true shelter and embrace it. We then benefit from being drawn into a life of sheltering OTHERS - following the example of our Lord God - and finding lives of grateful thankfulness (did you notice the repeated thankful thread in Psalm 107?)

Pursuing shelter with you! Dave and Burnadette

Growing Shelter Life in Others A Shelter Life

There is a spirituality which finds roots in God's Son Jesus Himself. While there are many religions, there is only one proven to be the Son of God, and He is the King over His Kingdom. This is the Story of the God Story.

What this means is massive, and today we will cover several of the core amazing things about experiencing Kingdom spirituality. It is authentic, connective, and filled with promise for the life to come.

√ How does this result in finding true meaning in my life? The expansiveness of God is beyond our imagination. We are quite limited in grasping this, and yet God has withheld nothing from us in understanding His ways. As we will all take our last breath eventually, what is it that will make my life count? A big deal. √ How does it differ from other religious pursuits? A consideration of all religion in history reveals many shortcomings, including historic christianity. Kingdom spirituality is very personal and powerful. It is the ultimate gift from our heavenly King. √ How can I find shelter within His Kingdom? What IS shelter? How do I find it? Why does it matter to my existence, and more importantly, to my soul.

Let's dive in.

Both John the Baptist and Jesus began their "public ministries" with the words: "Turn away and turn towards, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew) They did not say that the church was at hand - but the Kingdom. This is because the God-order is this: King first, then Kingdom, then church. Each has unique things to bring to a person who is looking for authentic faith. All three can be deeply relational, but it is the King and His Spirit who animate authentic spirituality. Make sense?

Today we talk about five aspects of authentic Kingdom Spirituality.

Friendship

"You are My friends if you do what I command you." John 15:14 "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as being made righteous," and he was called the friend of God." James 2:23 Easy, right? What does His friendship require by way of His commands? How is a person "made righteous?" Where have you come so far in your friendship with God? What does it look like? Where do you hope it will go?

Identity

It is hard to imagine being God's special treasure, and yet this is exactly who we are. Not based upon our personal merit, but because God has set His affections upon us and paid a huge price to buy us back from spiritual death. We have simply become the apple (pupil) of His eye. When we understand there will only ever be one of us, that we were bought with a huge price, and that His plans for us are beyond our wildest dreams - then we are beginning to understand our identity.

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

The King is Lord over all. The Kingdom will endure forever. The Church will become the bride of Christ.

Purpose

There is nothing random about what God is doing, or why He selected you to be a part of His Kingdom! When we see ourselves as friends of God we are made free to grow in intimacy with Him. Experiencing His friendship IS hearing His voice. When we grasp our uniqueness in the plan of God our identity expands.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Our destiny is to learn and bend to His purpose. This is how we "find ourselves."

"He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

Satisfaction

As all of this unfolds over days, months, years, and decades we move more deeply into the waters of the Living God. We learn what being sheltered "under His wings" looks like. It is not a taking away of difficulty or pain - only smooth sailing. It is satisfaction of heart as we become acclimated to the things that are important to God - and those which are becoming important to us.

"He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and protection." (Psalm 90 and 91 - shelter Psalms of Moses?)

Hope

All of these things result in hope. Not the kind of hope where I "hope something happens" but the hope which grows as we place ourselves in the hands of our King. We learn to "...but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." And as Paul also mentions: "...and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

These are some of things which help us to live in the shelter of Kingdom spirituality! Dave and Burnadette

More: Expanding this if it intrigues you

Storiesofshelter.comWe read stories. We tell stories. We live stories.

Here is a deep dive story of the ROOT WORDS FOR SHELTER.

There are several Hebrew words which reflect and define shelter which are found in the Law of Moses and the prophets of Israel.

• A Roof of Beams (as in a home) Genesis 19:8 quarah
• A Refuge (as a hiding place) Job 24:8 chasah
• A Screen that overshadows (like a filter) Psalm 5:11 sakak
• A Concealed location (as protection) Psalm 61:4 sether
• A Woven Booth/secret Psalm 31:20 sukkah - where the feast of booths was derived (Jacob: Genesis 33:17; Nehemiah 8:15). It is the seventh and final feast of the Jewish calendar (see Pentecost - the probable date of the birth of Jesus (John 1:14)

In addition the idea of a "secret place" is discussed in Psalm 91:1 as well as finding refuge in God (Isaiah 4:6; 1:8) (sukkah) and not in Egypt (Isaiah 30:2,3; 32:2). In Jonah 4:5 there is shade from the beating sun.

What this means is that our Shelter God is our covering - "a sun AND a shield to those who fear Him" (Psalm 84)

What is feast of Sukkot? Festival of Booths (follow the threads: John 7:1-9) - 5 days after Yom Kippur - 7 days in Sept-October

When we get to the so-called "new testament" we search for the word shelter in the greek language and quickly realize that Jesus has launched His own Kingdom view of shelter.

Our value to the Son of Man is great (Matthew 6:25-34)where the "birds of the air" are spoken of by Jesus. This builds upon what He has already mentioned in Luke 3:18-32 when He gives the results of the growing mustard seed plant in Matthew 13: "He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." Jesus has led us back to our "nest" in the Father.

God is our "nest." Why is this important?

Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." - Matthew 8:19,20

Where did Jesus find His shelter? In His Father. This is why He would withdraw often to spend time before the face of His Father!

Our great God IS Shelter! He was Jesus' only rest and He is our only true rest as well.

Two ongoing questions for our lives: Where have I received shelter? Where have I given shelter?

Peace friend! Dave and Burnadette

More: A Shelter Song A Review of Living Fearless

To find shelter we must find Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We can choose to believe this or not, but there is pretty compelling evidence it is true. His story through the Jews and the Church is so expansive. I read a quote once: "the Bible is not a book one would write if he could or could write if he would." It is a supernatural story about a 100% lost human race who need to find our way back to God. Totally unflattering to all of us. And yet in His Story we find the life-line which anyone can grasp in order to change our lost trajectory.

There is no getting around the fact that if there is no Jesus revolution we are lost in our "sin." Dead. Having drowned in the ocean with our heart eaten out by a shark - floating on the bottom for a thousand years. Dead dead. His coming, His story and teaching and miracles, and His clear display of power over death not only the things which inspire religion - they power the Kingdom heart as well.

So why King - then Kingdom - then Church? And how and why has this so often been turned into Church - then Kingdom - then the King? It is quite simple: when humans are involved opportunism and subjugation rule the day. It is the story of history: institutions, kings, nations, the few democracies which have existed, corporations, education, medicine, or religion itself - all are filled with people. And people take advantage of and oppress one another.

Not so with the King of the universe Who came near to "seek and save that which is lost." His heart, mind, and soul were perfect. His motives were free from the opportunism of mankind. I am not advocating a cynical worldview, just a realistic one built upon the truths so clearly spoken in the Word of God. If we bend before the Son, we also do so before our Creator Father. If we do not bend our wills, we die a forever spiritual death. Bending (humbling) comes naturally for NO ONE. It is an evidence of the presence of God and a gift from God. "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you at the proper time."

So Jesus shows up and teaches us about the Kingdom. Not the church. The greek word church is "ekklesia." It means a "called out assembly." Jesus uses the word church twice in the Gospels but the word Kingdom over 100 times. "Turn away from your futile, lost path and toward the life path." The church may do Kingdom work (some do and some don't), but disciples of the Kingdom are dedicated to following our King. Understanding and living out His Kingdom. Being a blessing to His "called out ones" in every decade and year. The Kingdom is simply the work God is doing in the world.

So Jesus calls us to a heart life that is dedicated to the honor of our King. We set ourselves aside and place the desire of God for our lives as the focus of our aspirations. The Gospels explain the Kingdom implicitly. His disciples heard His words and, as we can see from a number of their letters (such as James, Peter, and John), spent their remaining time on this earth living out the Kingdom for the benefit of His "called out assembly" - the church! So how does one find this kind of focus? By searching the Word of God daily. By sifting through the differences and similarities of the Kingdom and the Church. Jesus' parables, miracles, and people encounters are God's final word on King and Kingdom. It is up to us to apply His words into our own stories of faith.

Some great questions as you consider each aspect of the Kingdom in the Gospels: 1) What is Jesus teaching us about Himself? 2) What is He teaching us about ourselves? 3) What picture is He constructing of what our destiny will look like? This is how we immerse ourselves in Kingdom teaching - and live it out in our lives!

Peace upon your heart today, friend! Dave and Burnadette

More: A Kingdom Book Podcasts About the Kingdom

When I think about the people who have provided shelter for me through the years there are multiple faces that come to mind. A parent. A teacher. A neighbor. A mentor. A sibling. It is good for me to review my story periodically and think about those who have provided guidance or impacted or even changed my trajectory (whether intentionally or incidentally). So we invite you into this question: "Who has been used to impact me by coming alongside and even covering me in my unfolding years?"

Shelter is Who our Creator is. Within our turbulence there is One who pays attention to our comings and goings, and who intervenes for our ultimate welfare and help. This can take many forms, and sometimes may only be seen in the rear-view mirror. There are a number of Hebrew words which describe the shelter we receive in life. Again - not just for our bodies, but for our minds, hearts, and souls as well. Behind every act of shelter is the power and favor of God. Turbulence and imperfection appear to reign - but they do not!

This leads to the second question of our invitation to you: "Who have you personally given or chosen to provide shelter to in your journey?" Where have you chosen to dedicate your time, your talents, or your treasures to covering someone who is exposed? And what has been the result of such actions? To the person? To your own heart?

We were watching a movie the other day called Driveways, Brian Dennehy's final movie, where he plays a veteran of the Korean War. Living alone, he befriends a young, shy boy who has come with his mother to clean out his deceased aunt's hoarded home. Do you know you are viewing a good movie when, as one of our grands says, "your eyes get all watery?" These are the memorable things. Those which resonate with some aspect of shelter. This is because we are made in the image of God.

Our 8th podcast season will include at least 16 episodes of one aspect of the significance of these two questions: Who has given me Shelter and to whom have I provided shelter. We think you will enjoy and benefit from joining us to read and tell stories of shelter at Storiesofshelter.com, where we are building an on-line shelter community. Good for our hearts!

We are with you! Dave and Burnadette

A shelter "big picture" podcast Previous podcast seasons: Season #1 The Freedom Laws - 31 Episodes Season #2 The War - 30 Episodes Season #3 Turbulence of Imperfection - 33 Episodes Season #4 Kingdom Core - 14 Episodes Season #5 God's Man/God's Woman - 11 Episodes Season #6 My Learning Heart - 13 Episodes Season #7 The Power of Hope - 20 Episodes

How can something be one and three at the same time?

The trinity is much more than a teaching or doctrine of the historical church. It describes the eternal nature of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed in fullness, completeness, and oneness. They have enjoyed perfect relationship throughout eternity, even before time was set in motion.

When our great God decided to create other beings, angels, and then humanity He did not do so because He was lonely or incomplete. He did so in order for us to share His glory. This is the destination of mankind despite the entrance of sin into the world. It is all about His Great Name. It is not merely His title(s) as it is His essence - and we are invited to discover and live within the boundaries of His mind and heart.

When Moses received the Law on the mountain (written by the finger of God), it was a truly monumental encounter. Each mention of LORD here is His Name Yahweh, which translates "I Am Who I Am." Moses is beginning to be able to hear and understand the voice of God as he encounters His Great Name. In His Name is ultimate authority. When He speaks - it becomes true.

Notice the things the Lord is teaching Moses about Who He is!

"The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship. He said, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession." Exodus 34:5-9

Compassionate. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in lovingkindness AND truth. Keeping lovingkindness for thousands. Forgiving iniquity. Bringing justice. This is a powerful thumbnail of Who God is!!!

As we know from the entire God Story, mankind has ups and downs, yet the Lord never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! As we look through the Story we see amplifications of His greatness as He deals with the sons and daughters of men.

"For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." 1 Samuel 12:22

Jesus found His shelter in His Father, just as He always had. Though He shared His great Name, He humbled Himself to the form of a man in order to taste and overcome death for all who embrace Him - per the eternal plan made between the "trinity." He did not back off from who He was:

"Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple." John 8:53-59

Here is what we use to stimulate understanding of His Great Name - for all who are interested!

We are with you! Dave and Burnadette

https://fourthstream.com/conversations/knowing-jesus/

It is difficult to conceive of what is pure and what is impure in our current world culture. And to be fair - throughout the history of mankind. When you live in a grey world the contrasts of Light and darkness seem to evaporate. So it is up to the Christ-follower to be busy about Kingdom things such as caring for the widow and the fatherless. Basically true religion involves caring for the unprotected and those who have no father image of love. This is why things like adoption and "foster" parenting can be so powerful. We cover. We shelter. Just as God has done for us.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." - James 1:27

What do you see around you right now on this? The word spotless translates as unstained. It comes from a root meaning to go over a cliff. So while the sons of Adam are always in danger of going over the edge, the sons of the second Adam (Jesus) are saved by His Word - and then cleansed of our imperfections and guilt. More on the cleansing part in a moment from John 13.

John is succinct on the reality of this: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." (1 John 2:16) This makes clear where our vulnerabilities lie. Three categories to help us simplify the process of discerning defiled or impure "religion." Keep in mind that "religion" is anything we dedicate our hearts to!

1) The lust of the flesh is the passionate longing for what is temporary which results in our attention and intentions being captured by coveting what belongs to another. The heart of fallen Adam says "I want."

2) The lust of the eyes is the essence of envy which captures our imaginations and leads us into devaluing or trashing others and exalting ourselves (like neglecting the unprotected widow and fatherless around us). The fallen heart of Adam says "I see what I want and I am entitled to it."

3) The boastful pride of life. This could be translated "arrogant imposters of meaning." Here we exercise our "right" to define what is true, what is of value, and the things which are beneficial to self. Adam's image says "I take."

Here is where the second Adam (Jesus) comes in. He cleanses us. He can do this even after we have fallen over the precipice. Bring us back to life after a fatal fall. This is the very nature of repentance (turning away) and redemption (turning toward). God brings us back from our deadly fall in Adam, and restores us to our original place - made in the image of God.

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22

When Jesus opens our eyes we exchange the futility of the first Adam for the perfections of the second Adam. No matter how far we have fallen over the edge He is able to bring us back. We are then blessed to have a cleansed conscience which can, moving forward, reject the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life. Hence the huge impact of humility upon the forgiven soul.

This is woven into the story at every level.

We are with you, Dave and Burnadette

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