Thursday, November 6, 2008

Thoughts born out of where I have been...

If you will indulge me, the first few posts are going to be thoughts of which a few have already read... sent through various emails over the past couple of weeks. I find myself in a new season- having more energy and passion for the Word and an overwhelming desire to share what God is speaking to me through it... may He get every ounce of glory for it... may we see His miraculous hand in the land of the living and may we come fully repentant for our own "form of godliness but, denying its power"...


On Pilgrimage...

“ Blessed are those whose strength is on you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of Springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7

God’s blessing; his provision, protection, power, and presence are made manifest in those of us who name the Name of Jesus and find our strength, hope and trust in Him. A response of complete and full surrender - setting our heart, mind, soul - the very essence of who we are to one goal...Christ and becoming like Him in every way - [setting our hearts on pilgrimage]. So, what’s a pilgrimage?

Pilgrimage is a passionate pursuit; no distraction - “face like flint” focus - single-minded intent on accomplishing the task before you. The Goal: moving toward intimate relationship with God Himself; the wisdom of the counsel of the Holy Spirit and the transformation of a life fully changed into the image of Christ and in turn, affecting change in others because of it. The bible is telling us that when we set our hearts and minds in this way - we are blessed! God shows up! It is his power and presence that give us the ability to walk.

Now that doesn’t eliminate struggles and trials in our lives. The bible tells us we will face trouble of many kinds. There will be at least one “valley of Baca” on your pilgrimage. The joy comes because as believers, we don’t have to face those places in our own strength. Because of this confidence(the we don’t have to go it alone part), as we encounter struggles, pain, trials and places of deep sorrow we can rise up and choose to make that hard place a place of life - finding the “WHAT” in what Father God is intending to accomplish in and through us in the midst of the circumstance - shifting our focus from victim of something to overcoming and moving through. At the same time that we’re choosing to rise up - “making it a place of springs” - Father God meets us in that place and pours out his strength, peace, comfort, joy, healing... “the autumn rains” are His manifest presence with us in the valley. Isaiah tells us that God is faithful to make “ a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. “  Jeremiah 31:25 says “ I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” If we are on pilgrimage with Him then this is his response to us in those “Baca” places. Joel (2:23) tells us that he gives us those “autumn rains in righteousness”. 

“ Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness...”

He pours his righteousness out upon us in the times of our greatest need! So then we can persevere in His righteousness and not our own. The bible says that our righteousness is as “filthy rags”  but that the righteousness of Christ is mighty to save! When He shows up - salvation/deliverance comes. As believers, we don’t operate in our own righteousness. The scripture says that we “live, move and have our being” in Christ and the righteousness he secured for us through the cross. Which is a free gift to anyone who asks and believes that Jesus is who He says He is - the Divine Son of God - God Himself - “the way, the truth, and the life” - the fulfillment of the Father’s plan to restore mankind to Himself! Because of that, right understanding from Him- holy set apart positions can be born out of our Baca. God allows us to go through valleys in order to refine and prune us - to spur us to a deeper abiding faith and dependency on His strength and the power at work within us through his Holy Spirit.
When we operate from this absolute truth, utilizing the power and strength available to us through the Holy Spirit, we move from “strength to strength”

“ They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.” (vs.7)

The key to this “strength to strength” is commitment & faithfulness - digging in our heels with the Lord and each other - passionately pursuing Father God’s heart both personally and collectively. Lifting each other up and holding each other accountable to stay the course. This is not for the faint of heart and it will require more than, at times, you feel you can give. But, you must press in and through. Rise to the challenge, make the commitment and do it, period! The reward is in the seeing it through!

Practical ways this fleshes itself out:

-Personal Time with God on a daily basis
-Be faithful to your family
-Be a person of your word
-Commit to a local church in time, talent and money - there is a place for you - contrary to what you’re enemy would have you believe - you are needed!
-Practice good stewardship with the resources God’s given you - live within your means
-Pursue friendships/mentorships with like-minded believers
-Build relationships with the lost, hurting and next generation - be ready to “pass that baton” - reference from "Warrior Chicks" by Holly Wagner(fabulous read)
-When you come into a “valley” look for what God is intending to do here instead of  whining and complaining that you’re there - no “whys” just “whats”... Rise Up, precious people your God is with you!

2 comments:

The Bearded Excogitator said...

I just wanted to be the first to say "Welcome to the blogosphere"

Kristi Bush said...

Thanks, Marshall! Your encouragement spurred me on...