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Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him
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The greatest blessings of God are bestowed in the spirit of unity: when there is unity between man and God; and one with another. As David expressed in Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!...For there the LORD commanded the blessing.” For this reason, before He was taken to be crucified, Messiah Jesus framed His last prayers for His disciples on this very concept.
What does it really mean to be “one in Us” with God? At the heart of the matter is a true union with triune God: Father/Son/Holy Spirit. We have an awesome opportunity to truly get to know God; not necessarily know about God, but truly know God—as a friend. In fact, God desires this of us more than anything. Hear His heart speaking through the Hebrew prophet, Jeremiah.
Truly, God wants us to know the loving, caring and creative nature of the Father; friendship and righteousness of the Son; and comfort and wisdom of the Spirit. It’s simply a matter of VALUES. The more we desire and VALUE these virtues of God, the more of God we will have in our life; and more blessings we will experience. How to relate with God to a greater degree and apprehend these virtues and blessings? God designed a series of ways to interact and relate with Him. They are the appointed times of the LORD. Imbedded in them are measures of grace concealed but dynamically revealed as amazing grace in Messiah Jesus, who came to reveal the fullness of God’s purposes. They, therefore, are visual aids that can help you relate with God in meaningful and relevant ways, and see the significance of what the LORD accomplished on your behalf. As you do, your life will be greatly enriched! |
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Connection
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
God desires quality spiritual connections with His children. He, therefore, is focused on establishing and restoring active relationships with us. His goal, therefore, is to bring your relationship with Him to a flourishing state of oneness with Him—a true solid union in His love. This was the core focus of the LORD’s prayer recorded in John 17.
In the story about the children of Israel being delivered from the bondage of Egypt and led to freedom, the blood of a sacrificial lamb was sprinkled over the doorposts to mark the home that was spared from the plague of death. The blood, therefore, connected every family to God’s covenant of life. Any individual who did not participate in the Passover feast would be cut off from the congregation of Israel. God’s word says the Passover should be celebrated, “throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.” (Exodus 12:17)
In prescribing that ALL these feasts and appointed times should be kept for all generations, God was foreshadowing very real and relevant ways to keep them to maintain active relationship with Him! What was concealed as measures of grace was revealed as amazing grace in Messiah Jesus, who fulfilled them by giving more accurate understanding of God’s purposes.
RELEVANCE
Passover was inaugurated as the first of a cycle of appointed times of the LORD, marking deliverance from bondage. John the Baptist introduced the LORD as, “God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 JNT)
The LORD came to Jerusalem on the very day the Passover lamb was traditionally set aside for inspection. Likewise, He endured five days of questioning and “inspection” from the Jewish leaders. He was crucified on the same day, at the same time the lamb was to be killed.
He, therefore, became the sacrificial lamb, obtaining eternal redemption, “setting people free forever.” (Hebrews 9:12 JNT) His blood was shed to, “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (v. 14) It was shed, “that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” (v.15)
The precious blood of the LORD, therefore, was shed to set your conscience free from the anguish and guilt felt from performing worthless and vain works that cannot earn salvation, liberate your weary and bound soul, connect you to God’s Spirit, and guarantee you eternal peace with God! His salvation is a gift of His grace.
Our union with Him is also to be dynamic and full of life. Such a union enables us to live in a free state of communion and communication with God.
God, therefore, desires to keep you continuously connected and engaged in bi-directional communication! If you can connect to somebody via a cell phone, you can connect with God! As the LORD said, “My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me, 28 and I give them eternal life.” (John 10:27 JNT)
Truly, He is as close as your heart; for He resides within you! It just takes receiving His love and listening for His whispering voice. His living word can come alive. Read His word….then listen intently to His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How can your connection to God be strengthened?
Is your communion and communication with Him bi-directional?
Do you know His Holy Spirit intimately?
Would you like to recognize His voice speaking to you? Ask and seek, my friend….
REFERENCES
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 30:11-14; Psalm 86:11; James 2:23; John 14:15-24
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Communion
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
God created mankind with relationships in mind: relationships with Him and with one another. His hope is that we get to know Him and value the relationship; as it is one intended to be experienced in the earth and for eternity in heaven. This relationship, or union, is expressed through a way of engagement called communion.
RELEVANCE
God's idea for a relationship with Him is a dynamic union flowing in the substance of His love and life—His Spirit. He desires quality relationships that will testify of His presence and active involvement in human affairs. In fact, through Daniel, He made this very clear before the king of Babylon, the leader of the world’s greatest power of the day, “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:32 NKJV).
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (John 17:20-23)
Paul understood that God intended for us to have a relationship with Him that would bless us with a sense of fulfillment, peace and joy. Such qualities bear the very fruit of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you... The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)
David, the man after God's own heart, experienced such a relationship with God. He understood that maintaining a practice of self-examination to stay right with God was a key element of the relationship. "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart." (Psalm 26:2) For this same reason, Paul admonishes us to examine ourselves before participating in the LORD's communion. "So let a person examine himself first, and then he may eat of the bread and drink from the cup; for a person who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 JNT)
As we engage with God through the Holy Spirit, we invoke His grace and activate His power, His sanctifying work in us. Truly, our relationship with God is intended to bring us bountiful blessings in life. May you drink of the cup of communion and be blessed as you engage in rich relationship with the LORD!
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread (1 Corinthians 10:14-17).
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How do you examine your standing—or health of your relationship with God?
Are there crevices in your heart that the Holy Spirit may be shedding light upon to bring your heart into a greater degree of sanctification, and unity with God?
What falsehoods might you be believing, holding onto, or trusting in that could be impacting your relationship with God?
REFERENCES
2 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1-3; James 4; Ephesians 1:15-21
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Consecration
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
First-Fruits was prescribed as time to express gratefulness to God for the fruits of our labor and His provision. It's how we acknowledge the LORD's headship over our life and stewardship before God. This appointed time also established a way to examine the first fruits of the crop to test the quality of the harvest. If the first fruits were good, and therefore blessed, the rest would likewise be blessed.
On another level, First-Fruits also serves as a shadow, pointing to the LORD’s resurrection as the first soul arisen in the newness of life; new life in Christ in earth and in heaven.
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. (1 Corinthians 15:20-24 NLT)
RELEVANCE
In identifying with His resurrection, the child of God is, therefore, elevated to a new spiritual state; “from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21 NKJV)
Consecration, therefore, relates to how we value our relationship with God; specifically this new state of belonging to Christ. It’s how we receive the love and grace of God and express loyalty—or faithfulness—to God.
The LORD set an example of the type of character we should value and embrace. He would have us continuously look inside and examine our character. As we desire to grow in character the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do so. He is the Comforter who, if allowed, will transform your mind and heart, bringing it to conformity with the LORD’s character and nature. The more God's love softens our heart and the Holy Spirit transforms our nature, the more our values and world-view changes. We identify more intimately with God’s causes, see more of God’s perspectives and truly become more concerned with what the LORD referred to as the weightier matters—justice, mercy and faith.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what ways do you submit to the LORD’s headship, allowing Him to have authority in your life?
How do you dedicate the first fruits of your labors to God?
What are some ways by which you can demonstrate greater loyalty and faithfulness towards God?
REFERENCES
Psalm 26; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4; Hebrews 4; 12:14-15; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:1-3; Galatians 5:22
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Consolation Communication Confirmation Conformation |
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Shavuot (Pentecost) was prescribed to celebrate the glory of God. Initially it served as a reminder of the time God’s law was given to Moses. As the disciples were celebrating this time, the Holy Spirit gave them a huge wake-up call by falling upon them, just as the LORD had promised! It marked a time of transition, and revealed God’s plan to inhabit His people and display the manifold virtues of His Holy Spirit.
RELEVANCE
The LORD called the Holy Spirit the Comforter, promising He “will guide you into all truth.” The disciples learned quickly that it was by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit that the community of believers grew and maintained its vitality. It is by the working of the Holy Spirit that God works His transformation process, renewing our mind and changing our character to conform to Christ’s as we yield to Him. Peter, having experienced real transformation, referred to this as being “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
In appreciating the value of the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit, Paul encouraged believers to understand the nature of the Holy Spirit, and how He works and communicates with us.
It is to us, however, that God has revealed these things. How? Through the Spirit. For the Spirit probes all things, even the profoundest depths of God. 11 For who knows the inner workings of a person except the person’s own spirit inside him? So too no one knows the inner workings of God except God’s Spirit. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God, so that we might understand the things God has so freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:10-12 JNT)
One of the primary attributes of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is to console and comfort those in despair; the depressed and broken of heart, those without hope. Touched by compassionate servants of faith, the Holy Spirit can release the healing virtue of God to bring stability and comfort to wounded hearts and set in motion God’s healing process.
Real transformation happens in time through God’s process as we submit and surrender to Christ, and allow ourselves to be conformed to His nature. It entails allowing Him to increase and the self nature to decrease. For most of us, that's more easily said than done! As we do, though, the Holy Spirit establishes and confirms our alignment with Christ by manifesting the sweet peace of God. That peace gives us the confidence of God’s presence and assurance of His favor.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NKJV)
The result of God’s process yields good fruits. The more we submit to the Spirit, the more we reflect His character and the fruit of the Spirit. “Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.” (Galatians 5:25 JNT)
FOCUS ON VALUES, VISION AND VIRTUES
The Holy Spirit imparts insight that strengthens our vision, bringing what was obscure to clarity, and what seemed so complex to simplicity. In order to do so God brings our values into alignment with His. When our values are congruent with God’s, we see things we never saw before! The Holy Spirit imparts new and greater measures of the virtue of Christ; His love, character and power, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Through grace, God’s works His process of transformation within us.
What new values has God impressed you to embrace this season?
What new vision has God imparted in you to give you greater insights?
What virtues of Christ have you received to walk in the new life in Him?
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what ways can you value the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life?
How do you think you can recognize the working of the Holy Spirit?
How does He speak to you?
How might you confirm what the Holy Spirit is doing?
In what ways has God been transforming you, growing greater measures of His nature in you?
REFERENCES
John 14-16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18; Galatians 5; Romans 14; 1 Peter 1:2-11
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Conquest
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
A primary purpose of Trumpets was to call the people to do battle against the enemy of the soul—sin. Believers in Christ, though, have more reason to be vigilant and engage in spiritual warfare against Satan, the adversary, who "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The good news is we have the opportunity to live in unity with God and victoriously in the love and triumph of Christ.
RELEVANCE
Messiah Jesus is the eternal “horn of salvation.” Triumphant over the devil through His death and resurrection, He overcame the power over sin and death; rescinding the devil’s authority, limiting his power.
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:13-16 NKJV)
Paul, like David, experienced the full spectrum of pain and joy. He knew suffering and shame, yet also knew the sweet taste of victory. He knew that experiencing victory and defeat worked to build character. He knew that in the LORD—either way—he lived in victory!
I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power. (Philippians. 4:12-13 JNT)
Embrace his exhortation regarding our triumph in the LORD.
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 NLT)
As we realize His victories in our life, we mature in Christ and have the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to bring our character and nature into alignment—or congruency with Christ.
Congruency is important because it measures our integrity, or state of wholeness in Christ. The more we are congruent with Christ, the more our character corresponds, or lines up with Christ, reflecting the one molded. This in essence is what being like Christ is all about. It relates to how God sees us; how our inner spirit aligns with His Holy Spirit. It also relates to how open and willing our conscience is to aligning with God’s ways and will.
As we grow in trusting faith and character, we become less double-minded and more congruent or in sync with the LORD. This is why Elijah brought up the issue of being of two opinions; and James explained how being double-minded restrains God from answering prayers. Being imperfect beings, through GRACE, however, the LORD showers us with LOVINGKINDNESS and covers us in MERCY.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what real ways do you think you can appropriate the LORD’s victory?
Generally speaking, do you feel that you are living a victorious life, or is life overcoming you?
In what additional ways could you perhaps receive His victory?
Have you asked God what it will take for you to gain victory in the areas you need victory?
In what areas might you still be double-minded; or need to settle the issue with God and/or in your heart and mind?
REFERENCES
Romans 8:18-39; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 9:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 John 5:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:18-21; 3:13-17; Colossians 2:13-16; Exodus 17:8-16; Psalm 16; 98; 108; 129; 1 Kings 18:21; James 1:2-8
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Conviction
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, remembers the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil, into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sin of the people. On the Mercy Seat covering the Ark of the Covenant, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice. From within the cloud of God’s glory over the ark, God would see the sacrificial blood as evidence of man’s atonement of sin, reversing God’s judgment to mercy.
Today Father sees the sacrificial blood of His Son, Messiah Jesus, crying out, FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED! Those who will allow their heart to receive the love of God, come to conviction and receive the LORD’s redemption can walk in the liberty of the Spirit!
RELEVANCE
The LORD’s sacrificial blood was poured out once and for all reversing God’s judgment of sin. As much as we need to allow the Holy Spirit to convict our heart of sin, we also need to allow our heart to receive with conviction the Father’s love and the grace of His mercy.
As we receive God’s forgiveness purchased with the LORD’s blood, we can forgive others. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
As we value the LORD’s sacrifice and His forgiveness, we are able to cast off condemnation, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill and refresh our heart. Such liberty enables us to walk free from guilt; and empowers us to set others free from our judgment.
In a similar sense, as we take the “log” out of our eye (Matthew 7:4) and stop judging others, God cleans our eye, and clears our vision—so that we can see with His open vision.
Living free from the guilt of sin and judgment truly transfers us into a new realm. For, when you receive the liberty of the Spirit, you are transferred from the realm of the guilt and condemnation of sin to the realm of freedom in the Spirit.
We often find it difficult to shake off guilt. Therefore, we find encouragement and hope in Messiah Jesus. Allow your heart to embrace Paul’s exhortation.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:1-2 NLT)
Free from guilt and condemnation, it is easier to walk in God’s love and have compassion towards others. Jesus had compassion on the multitudes because He saw them as sheep not having a shepherd. He saw people needing a touch of Father’s love. He loved those who were difficult to love; those who didn’t know what it was like to be genuinely loved; those who had a hard time receiving love. Wherever you are,needing to be loved or show greater love towards others, ask the LORD to reveal His love to you in a greater way than you have ever known, and place you where you can experience the giving and receiving of His love. In this we are most able to carry out our assignment of the GREAT COMMISSION!
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
Have you fully received the love of the Father? Would you like to?
Do you know the mercy of the LORD?
Would you like to fully receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort?
Do you think there might be things preventing you from freely extending God’s love to others—even difficult people?
How do you think the Holy Spirit might help you extend mercy and grace to others?
REFERENCES
1 John 4:16; Psalm 19:7-14; 27; 136; Hebrews 6:13-20
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Contentment Community Completion |
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Sukkot, Tabernacles, was prescribed to mark the end of the annual cycle of seasons and offer one the opportunity to look ahead to the next season. God appointed it as a time to rest from one’s hard work and express gratefulness to God for His provision, reflect on His goodness and relate with others.
Believers in Messiah Jesus have an even greater opportunity to express gratefulness, celebrate the incredible love and awesome works of God with the community of faith, enter into His rest and anticipate His future glory!
RELEVANCE
The LORD redeemed us from vain works and lifted our burdens. He invited all who believe to be joined with Him, and receive His peace.
Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew11:28-30 JNT)
The LORD’s peace is truly precious. It is the true antidote to fear and anxiety. To some, real inner peace and God’s shalom may be hard to comprehend. But, it is real. It is available to experience.
How to find it? Don’t live in worry; but focus your thoughts on what is “true, noble and righteous” communicating with gratefulness to God, and “the peace of God which surpasses understanding” will keep you secure in God’s love. (Philippians 4:6-8 )
Through his labor and trials, Paul learned how to have contentment in the LORD. He confessed that, “I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances. I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. I can do all things through him who gives me power.” (Philippians 4:11-12 JNT)
Paul understood “follow-ship.” He, like Old Testament characters, followed after God. In a world that finds it hard to find satisfaction with the simple things of life, contentment in the LORD is to be greatly valued. He knew that the LORD is our source of sufficiency and peace.
The early community of faith valued the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit. They followed after the LORD. They received revelation of God’s Word and maintained a rich kind of fellowship.
Such dynamic follow-ship and fellowship enabled them to truly experience the fullness of God. These believers were convicted in their hearts that they needed one another, and needed to support one another through the trials and toil of life. They valued the different gifts, skills, and resources that God had given to them, and in turn, actively engaged in the practice of sharing and caring for one another.
Their sense of community was real because the presence of the Holy Spirit was real to them. That presence gave them a sense of confidence and peace. Although external trials abounded, they were exhorted to rest internally in His rest. “For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that God is. And it is in union with him that you have been made full — he is the head of every rule and authority.” (Colossians 2:8-10 JNT)
God brings us to the place where we are confident that prayer and patience work together to see God’s will and purposes accomplished. We experience His active presence. The more we do, the more we know He is in control and rest settled in His purposes.As we anticipate a time of entering a complete state of rest and wholeness in God, we realize we will never be totally complete this side of heaven; but knowing you are eternally found in Messiah Jesus brings a greater sense of peace that truly does surpass understanding.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How do you experience God’s peace and contentment?
What blockages and constraints could be preventing you from experiencing God’s presence and peace?
How might you be able to experience fellowship centered in the life of God and engage with God through the Holy Spirit in a real way?
REFERENCES
Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 13:4-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 2:8-10; James 1:3-8
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