It's All About Relationship #35

Then... I can't tell you how many thoughts that one word has brought to mind. Every conversation I have had since yesterday has been like a specific emphasis has been placed on the word then. I just finished a conversation that was driving me crazy because the person was saying "then if I understand, then if we do this, then can you do that." etc. etc. etc. It was overwhelming, like having a megaphone in my ear. I HEAR YOU GOD!!!!! And as I type that out I instantly hear "THEN why don't you do something about it?" I'll spare you the details of what it is that I am supposed to be doing something about. Not that I don't want to share but it's irrelevant to Matthew 6:25-34. So let's move on even though I'm sure that there will be more for me on the word THEN.

then all these things taken together will be given you besides. That sounds like something I would say to one of my kids. When you do this I will do that. This brings back many conversations from the past with them. And they usually ended with them saying something like "That's not fair." Their words made no impact on me and certainly did not cause me to change my mind as is the case I believe with God. He is waiting patiently for me to get to THEN so that I can have all that He has. In 9 of these 10 verses He is attempting to teach me what not to do and offering me subtle direction as to how to achieve it. Then in one single verse He gets right to the point and says this is how you do it. Point made with absolute clarity. Seek His kingdom and His righteousness and THEN.

And as I write this I am becoming aware that the way we can seek His kingdom and His righteousness is not the way that comes to my mind first off. I would think that seeking those two elements would be more Bible study, more worship time, more quiet time, etc. etc. etc.. I am thinking now that it's not necessarily those things. Perhaps it is the simplicity of looking at birds, plants and His creation within our daily activities and purposefully recognizing God in that environment. Not as spiritual for sure, but possibly more beneficial. The instructions or in our case plant applications did change our focus for a time. But eventually the plants and the verses and the change and perhaps even the lessons learned gave way to more pressing thoughts and new teachings and what we call deeper revelations. This is lesson 35 and I'm still here in Matthew 6 because I need the word to be more than just a new revelation for me. I need it to be life changing and perhaps I'm a little slow in learning but I just don't think that 35 thoughts even though they are written on paper is going to be done in a month. It's more than just changing focus for me. Yes that can solve the problem for a short time of period and then it's back to whatever. I need life change! That to me says heart change.

I was talking to someone last night about how this generation is made up of great starters but my concern (and they agreed) is that we're very poor finishers. The word addresses that many times and in many ways. It is my opinion that it's is all about the finish! THEN...!

It's All About Relationship #34

and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Matthew 6:33

and THEN - at that time, immediately or soon afterward, next in order of time.

THEN when I seek for (aim at and strive after) THEN!

all these things. What things? What I will eat, or what I will drink, about my body and what I shall put on? If I have gotten anything from these blogs it's that being uneasy, anxious and or worried is not confined to these issues. And I don't think that Jesus was confining His teaching to just those areas either. The bigger picture is this. Is there anything bigger than your heavenly Father? Then why worry? If God is bigger than anything then everything will be alright.

I think I get tripped up because of the then. I let my time with Him become routine if at all. I don't purposefully seek after, it just kinda rolls in and out like the tide. Jesus is being as specific and as diliberate as He can be regarding this topic. And with all His diligence I come back with wishy washy commitment.

THEN!!!! Not before and not until but THEN all things will be taken together.

APPLICATION - What's keeping me from THEN? Writing it down is a clear picture and we all know a picture is worth a thousand words.

It's All About Relationship #33

Blackberry, Blackberry, Blackberry!!!!!!

I can tell you now that I am side tracked today. I went to a breakfast meeting and the discussion touched on the fact that one person has multiple versions of the Bible on they're Blackberry and now they can read it more often. It came to me that perhaps we need a Blackberry version of the Bible? We could call it Bibleberry. I must tell you that the idea has had my attention though-out the day and thus I am blogging about it. SO here are some of the verses as translated in the new Bibleberry version of the Word.

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining against your Blackberry and questioning and doubting among your Blackberry friends.

Delight yourrselves in your Blackberrys and it will give you the data you desire.

What leads to strife and how do conflicts originate among you? Do they not arise from your Blackberry data that is ever warring in your Blackberry devices?

Come now you rich Blackberry people, weep aloud and lament over the miseries - the woes - that are surely coming from your Blackberry.

Your abundant data has rotted and is ruined and your many files have become virus eaten.

Consider it wholly joyful, my fellow Balckberry owners, whenever you are without a signal or encounter virus attacks and are unable to get your contact list.

For truely, let not such a person imagine that he will recieve anything from his Blackberry.

And whatever you do - no matter what it is - in word or deed, record everything in your Blackberry and giving praise for owning it.

Wives be subject to your Blackberry, subordinate and adapt yourselves to the data - as it is right and fitting and your proper duty.

Husbands love your Blackberry - be affectionate and sympathetic with it - and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward it when there is no signal.

Children, obey your text messages, for it is well pleasing to your Blackberry.

I have information for all things from my Blackberry, I am ready for any question and equal to any task because my Blackberry infuses me with sufficient knowledge.

Every enterprise is built on the wise planning done on a Blackberry, using the common sense provided by data analysis from a Blackberry and keeping abreast of the data stored in a Blackberry.

Seek first the data in your Blackberry, the signal strength of the network and all information will be available to you.

My mind has the information from my Blackberry and my thoughts are established in the data stored within it and my steps are ordered by the appointment calendar stored on it.


Well I don't want to be accused of getting carried away so I'll stop here and let the creativity of each of you carry one the work if you so desire. It could be fun?

It's All About Relationship #32

And His RIGHTEOUSNESS (His way of doing and being right)

I know it's just a small word and would seem to be unimportant but it's not. There are no unimportant words in the WORD. Just look at what Webster says about those three letters.

And - also, at the same time. ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME!

Not seperated from the previous but also, at the same time! In conjunction with. That means to seek for first of all His kingdom and at the same time His RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Just in case I forget, I will refresh my memory as to the word His. His (that or those belonging to Him). Again three letters with powerful meaning.

His righteousness.... That or those belonging to His righteousness. I belong to His righteousness. I belong to His righteousness. I belong to His way of doing and being right. I belong!!! I belong to His kingdom and His righteousness. I belong to the domain over which the spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ extends, whether in heaven or on earth and I belong to His way of doing and being right!!! Both at the same time.

I don't have to fill out an application. I don't have to be a certain age. I don't have to attend a certain church. I don't have to have a degree. I BELONG!

APPLICATION - I had no intention of blogging today but found myself sitting waiting for Ann Marie (ha ha) and... well as you can see I changed my mind. I needed to be reminded of this. I was "feeling" a little disconnected. So my application is to just focus on the words I belong.

It's All About Relationship #31

Matthew 6:33 But seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all HIS...

His: that or those belonging to him.

But seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all that or those belonging to Him. So what is the that and who are the those? His (that or those belonging to Him) kingdom. Kingdom is not a word used here in America very much. In my mind right now I think of kingdom as a place, a location that can be seen or will be seen when I die.

Webster says, a state or government having a king or queen as its head. That wouldn't necessarily fit my conception. The domain over which the spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ extends, whether in heaven or on earth. That's closer to what I had in mind. I am to seek first His domain over which the spiritual sovereignty of God extends, whether in heaven or on earth. Huuuuummmmmm......

That sounds right but something is stirring within me that says that it's not totally right. My perception is that I am to seek first my place in heaven, which is through salvation and my place on earth which is through working out that salvation. But suppose what Jesus is really saying is that I am to seek first His sovereignty? Let me see if Webster can bring any clarity by defining sovereignty.

Sovereignty: the status, dominion, power, or authority of a sovereign; supreme and independent power or authority, rightful status, independence, or prerogative.

At this moment that's not much help. I have to say that recently I have not been driven to seek my heavenly position. I have tried to focus on today with the idea that if I take care of today I won't have to worry about tomorrow or the rapture. That has freed me up to seek His rightful status, His dominion, His power, His authority and yes His prerogative. Meaning there is no security in what God is doing or not doing for that fact. Only in who He is! Honestly I don't spend any time thinking about heaven. My entire days thoughts are filled with finding out some revelation of His love for me and out of that revelation living out the correct response.

APPLICATION - Today I need to take some time to look at and write down what the that and those who belong to Him are. I think I have a pretty good understanding of it but it never hurts to put it in writing for closer examination.

It's All About Relationship #30

Matthew 6:33 But Seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all...

On the way in this morning we saw two police vehicles about 300 yards apart. There were two police men walking toward each other. You could tell they were looking for something in the brush. Sudden ly one of them walks into the brush and comes out moments later with a very large sheep tied to the end of a rope. No sheep farm to be seen in this area. In fact it's a very busy road, four lanes in fact. There are apartments with a retention pond in front and warehouses on the other side. My point being that it was no place for a sheep to be wandering around. As we passed by this sheep was putting up quite a struggle. All this being said, what came to mind is how we struggle with God, when all He is trying to do is take us to a safe place.

Okay,
First: before all others or anything else in time, order, rank, before some other thing, event, etc..

Of: set aside for or devoted to.

All: the whole of, the whole number of, the greatest possible, every: all kinds; all sorts, any, any whatever: beyond all doubt, nothing but, only.

First of all... Before all others, or anything else, set aside the whole number, greatest possible, beyond all doubt.

BUT - on the contrary, without the circumstance, SEEK - direct ones eyes in order to see, direct ones attention mentally upon something FOR - with the object or purpose of, intended to belong to, in order to obtain, gain, or acquire, FIRST - before all others or anything else, before some other thing OF- set aside for, devoted to, ALL- the whole of, the greatest possible, any whatever...

That sheep could have learned something from these words. That is if it knew the shepherds voice.

APPLICATION: Where am I in regards to these six words. But seek for first of all? Am I contrary to the circumstances or quite familiar with them? Are my eyes directed in order to see the circumstances or something other than the circumstances? Are the circumstances the object or the purpose of my life right now? Have the circumstances taken place before all others or anything else? Have the circumstances become so familiar that I have become devoted to them? Are the circumstances ALL I have left?

It's All About Relationship #29

Matthew 6:33 But seek for...

Seek - to go in search or quest of: to seek the truth. Try to find or discover by searching or questioning: to seek the solution to a problem. Try to obtain.

For - with the object or purpose of, intended to belong to, or be used in connection with, in order to obtain, gain, or acquire.

The Amplified Bible says aim at and strive after. The above definitions are from my friend Webster. Regardless they both sound like some effort will have to be put into whatever comes next. A....N.....D..... the effort will be despite the circumstances. That according to our definition of the word but.

This is the Ed translation. Ed regardless of the circumstances I want you to go in search of the truth. Ed regardless of the circumstances I want you to try and discover by searching and obtaining the solution for your problem of being uneasy, anxious and worried. Ed regardless of the circumstances I want that to be the object of your life, your purpose. Ed regardless of the circumstances I want you to obtain, gain, acquire the solution for all the things the Gentiles wish and crave and diligently seek after. Ed...... BECAUSE I THE LORD YOUR GOD well know that you need them all.

APPLICATION - What are some practical ways that I can ensure that I do as I am instructed. How can I even be sure that I will remember this after I click the post key?

It's All About Relationship #28

Okay so I'm driving to Onething today and half listening to talk radio and half to Ann Marie. The person on talk radio starts talking about how cold it is today and he says this. "It's so cold today that I saw 3 leaves fall from a tree as I was coming to work." Those words stir up a flood of thoughts inside me for the remainder of my trip.

My first thoughts were taken back to Matthew 6 and how we looked at many different things. But now the tree was intriguing. Does the tree drop it's leaves by instinct, by appointment from it's creator, or by choice? If by appointment then I think it would happen on a specific date every year. Then I believe it would also drop it's leaves in the exact same order. I know this is not the case. If the tree drops it's leaves by choice then I think it wouldn't be uncommon to see a tree in the middle of winter fully clothed with all its leaves. After all those branches would stay warmer if they had some covering on them. I know this is not the case.

Here's what I do think. I don't think the term drops it's leaves is not accurate. I think the tree surrenders it's leaves not because of choice (obviously) nor instinct because both imply some type of intellegence within the tree. I believe it's because of the character and nature of it's creator. Also the tree surrenders it's leaves when what appear to be adverse circumstances comes it's way. Cool weather, a windy day, a disease that attacks one part of it's roots or branches. A circumstance triggers an action. That lines up with the definition of a circumstance. CIRCUMSTANCE - a condition, detail, part, or attribute, that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event. One question I had was this. Is the tree not strong enough to with stand the circumstance? OR........ Is it in the trees best interest to face the adversity so that the leaves would surrender and that would provide health to the tree for the future? And what about those surrendered leaves? Aren't they a hastle to clean up? OR... are the beneficial for some other part of creation? Is it a hastle to clean up after people (so to speak)? OR... well you can finish.

Then I recalled this verse, Romans 11:36 Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise!

APPLICATION - Look for a verse that brings clarity for you about your circumstance and determine if it is for your good or a result of a choice not well thought out(in hind sight).

It's All About Relationship #27

Matthew 6:31 starts off with the word but. And of course I must "LOOK" at what the definition of the word but is.

BUT - on the contrary; yet: without the circumstance that: otherwise than:

So I am to but/be contrary to the Gentiles (heathen). I am to but/be otherwise than the Gentiles (heathen).

Whats that look like? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek after all these things. This is what I call the flip side. The Gentiles do this so I, being a believer, am to do the opposite. The Gentiles wish for... I am to trust for. The gentiles crave for... I am to seek first. The Gentiles diligently seek after... I am to strive after.

So here's what I'm getting. The Gentiles (heathen) are uneasy, anxious and worry... BUT, I am greater in quality and far above and more excellent. BUT, I am worth more than they. BUT, I am arrayed more magnificant than Solomon.

In closing I realize that I may have missed the most revealing definition of the word but. "Without the circumstance that" Without the circumstance that causes me to be uneasy. Without the circumstance that puts me in a place of being anxious. Without the circumstance I wouldn't worry. Without the circumstance!

CIRCUMSTANCE - a condition, detail, part, or attribute, that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor: the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent: an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail.

An unessential or secondary fact.... Food, drink, clothes, uneasy, anxious, worry, wishing for, craving for, diligently seeking after an unessential fact.

APPLICATION - First are you a Gentile (heathen) or a believer? Don't laugh or be insulted, it's a valid question. Isn't it possible that our lives are not reflecting the later? Then take a look at the "circumstances" that may be influencing your life right now and determine whether they are unessential facts.

It's All About Relationship #27

For the sake of clarity... those who wish to continue with plant , application or blog you may do so. But you do so with freedom. Just remember that everything freedom brings or allows is not always beneficial to you.

I recieved what is known as a worry stone. On the back was this saying.

There are only two things to worry about; either you are well or you are sick. If you are well , then there is nothing to worry about; but if you are sick; then there are two things to worry about; either you get well or you will die. If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about. If you die then there are two things for you to worry about; either you go up or down. If you go up then there is nothing to worry about. But if you go down you will be so busy shaking hands with old friends you won't have time to worry.

How's that for putting worry into a different perspective? I think I'll stop here for today as we are now going to get to what I count as the 9th time Jesus speaks one this one subject. Each time saying it a little different but still the same message.

Verse 24 You cannot serve God and Mammon

Verse 25 Stop being perpetually uneasy, anxious and worried

Verse 26 Look at the birds of the air, Are you not worth more

Verse 27 And which of you by worrying and being anxious

Verse 28 And why should you be anxious, Consider the Lilies

Verse 30 But if God so clothes the grass

Verse 31 Therefore do not worry

Verse 32 For the gentiles wish for and crave, and diligently seek after

Verse33 BUT...

APPLICATION - Today as I was discussing this whole series of verses I came up with a new thought. The birds have choices. The Lilies and the Grass have no choices. Only one of the three have choice? Share what thoughts this stirs up in you. Is this an example of the balance of life. Are there more times when we have no choices and we must just go along with life?