Throughout the years I've been teaching God's Word, people have asked me, "Joyce, how do you live the Christian life?" My answer surprises a lot of people. I tell them, "You can't live the Christian life, but God can live it through you!" One of the greatest lessons I have ever learned is that we can't change ourselves - it is only by God's grace that we can overcome our weaknesses and become more like Him. In John 15:5 (NIV), Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the dayââ'¬Ã'¦ Genesis 3:8a Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24 Come close to the Lord and walk with Him awhile for He cherishes you and wants nothing more than to spend time with you. His voice is soothing, His countenance is lovely, and His words feed your spirit like nothing else ever could. They refresh your soul and call you deeper into His presence. Oh, the depths of His love for you!
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Habakkuk 2:1 NIV The Lord is raising up people to be prophetic watchers and intercessors. Donââ'¬â"¢t be surprised if you find yourself praying more. Even if you are not an intercessor, the Lord is placing a desire and burden in people to pray and fast. God is raising up more people to be "watchmen on the walls" and there is a new ability to move in prophetic intercession. This is a new breed of prophetic watchers who are going to start getting insight and wisdom into situations. There will be a greater understanding of this as it unfolds over time.
Recently I heard the Lord say. "I am establishing the HOME season" and when He spoke those words I knew immediately it was a multilayered word. The Lord showed me there was a deeper understanding and awakening taking place in the body of Christ of the reality of "Home in Him." It was a deep burning revelation of communion and oneness with Him. It was the John 15 place of abiding in the vine. It was a place of finding deeper rest, peace, security, safety, life and strength in Him.
I woke up with a song by The Fifth Dimension stuck in my head; "Up, Up & Away". Many times, my heart hears a popular song, only the lyrics are modified to magnify Jesus. The song, "Up, Up & Away" is a perfect example. Focus on Jesus as you listen to this song and allow the Holy Spirit to take you, Up, Up, & Away to New Encounter Pathways with Jesus. After all, does not the Spirit of God extend an open invitation for us to "Come Up Here" to show us things we have never seen before? Revelation 4:1 In a 3D World, all that is happening today can be easily taken at "face value."
In a council session yesterday, a brother "saw" an underground bunker. The scene was like Churchill's command and control center in London. Strategies were laid out, and maps were on the wall and a table. It was a bustling atmosphere. Across the room was a sliding glass door to a deck that overlooked an ocean in Hawaii. On the deck were lounges and a smorgasbord loaded with all kinds of different food. It was beautiful a vacation spot, in the same room with the underground bunker!
"Let go and let God!" What would happen to the Church if we truly did? We would be The Triumphant Army that He called us to be! Having heard this phrase for so long but feeling I was unable to do it, brought me to the place of realization that I am not alone in this. This is a matter-of-fact place where we feel we have to be in total control over everything in our life. I have a hard time just relaxing, because I am spending so much energy trying to be in control and this purely drains your energy. What if you just let go? What will happen...you may think.
I want to be a victorious Christian. I want to be an overcomer. I want to be able to conquer whatever difficulties come my way. I know it is possible because the Bible tells us that it is, but deep down, I'm afraid most of us don't believe it's possible. Romans 8:37 tells us that in all things we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus, but what does that really mean? First and foremost, we cannot be victorious without God's leadership. That means we have to lean on Him every step of the way.
For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." But the righteousness of faith speaks. Romans 10:5-6 Let me say something about faith. You cannot have faith without speaking it. When you study Romans 10, you will notice that it says that "the righteousness which is of the law.... does.... But the righteousness of faith speaks." The law is about doing, whereas faith is about speaking. It is not enough to just know in your mind that you are righteous.
Here's an honest confession: I struggle to rest in the Lord when I'm doing His work. The apostle Paul told the Philippians: "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). It is a wondrous truth that God uses flawed human vessels to do His will. But He can't work through us if we are anxiously trying to do the job ourselves. In Old Covenant times, God instructed the priests to dress in linen garments instead of wool so they wouldn't perspire while they worked.
