The Prophet's Place

The relationship GOD has called me into with HIM is not one that I define.  That’s a good thing, but it frustrates me.  Why?  Because I think and I feel and I want, sometimes, a different relationship that what HE wants.  I want one where HE is there when and I need HIM and want HIM, but otherwise HE is just in the background waiting for my call.  I want HIM to listen to me, but to only speak when I want HIM to.  I want HIM to judge those I think are my enemies, but to always have mercy on me. I want HIM to move when I say and at my speed.  It sometimes drives me crazy that I am in a relationship with the CREATOR of the universe and my SAVIOR who has ALWAYS EXISTED, KNOWS EVERYTHING, and has ALL POWER, and HE will not do things my way.  Sometimes, however, I surrender and love and trust HIM and then I am glad HE is in control of this relationship.  At those times I have HIS peace and I am truly content.  I make our relationship difficult.

I didn’t start this whole relationship thing–GOD did.  HE created me, pursues me and paid the price with JESUS to have a relationship with me.  I want a relationship, well sometimes, but I want it on my terms and my way.   I want a relationship where GOD is there when I want HIM but otherwise HE is quietly in the background waiting for me to call and when I call HE comes immediately.  I want a relationship I can control regardless if that is best for me or if it even satisfies me.  If it satisfied me why would I look other places.  GOD, however, wants this sold out, totally abandoned, exclusive, 24/7 relationship with me.  I run from it because I feel out of control, even though I am not happy in control.  You see one of the problems with the relationship with GOD is I cannot be in control and have it.  I didn’t start it, can’t define it, do not have the power to maintain it.  When I am in it, however, surrendered and at rest, letting HIM run it–it is so good!!!!  It is work, however, because I want to take the control back and then it crashes.   More later . . .

What GOD wants with me is a relationship, a relationship of love, trust, reliance, dependence.  When I want that also, I move into a new realm–a place of unbelievable dimensions and a new way of operation.  However . . . what I usually want is stuff.  As long as I want stuff, when GOD wants HIS kind of relationship, we are neither one satisfied.  I rail against GOD, and HE waits for my childish tantrums to cease and my hunger to grow to the point that our desires coincide.  Then when I have a desire for a relationship of love, trust reliance, dependence I discover that a true relationship is work.  more later . . .

Romans 11:29 NIV
“for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”  or as the Message Bible says it: “God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.”

Can you get that in your head and your heart.  You may grumble about it, you may run from it, you may ignore it, you may not see it happening–but GOD’s gifts on your life and HIS call on you are there.  HE may be chastening you to get you prepared for it.  HE may be preparing the circumstances.  Regardless of what you see or feel about it, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE has given you a gift and call and you can count on it.  Rather than trying to explain how it cannot happen based on your skills or will, join HIM in it.  Love HIM for it.  Relax and trust that HE has the power and knowledge to accomplish his will.  It may seem like an out of control Roller Coaster, but if it is, since you can’t do anything about it, why not just raise your hands and scream for joy that you are alive with HIM and enjoy the ride.  Trust me.  HE is right there beside you.  After it is HIS gifts and HIS call and you are HIS child.

The new year approaches, and I have awakened from a dream with a new sense of purpose.  As I look back on the old year(s) I see that I have often set goals that were self-focused, selfish.  They might have been framed in a way that would look good to others, but stripped of the facade they were . . . about me.  It is time, past time, that I set a worthy goal, not just for this year but for the rest of my life.  My new goal is to be GRATEFUL!

The Bible says to Rejoice in the LORD always and that is what I intend to do.  Gratitude takes the focus away from me and directs it to my Creator and Savior.  It reminds me that HE does not owe me anything, I but I owe HIM everything.  That even when I am expressing gratitude for what others have done, it flows through HIM.  If not for HIM I would not be alive to receive, have the mind to appreciate, or the strength to enjoy anything done for me.

So, JESUS, I am GRATEFUL for the new life you have given me by saving me.  I am GRATEFUL for the things I have and will not focus on what I do not have or on what others have.  I am GRATEFUL for the faithful friends I have and with not waste my emotions on lost friends.  I am GRATEFUL for today, for this moment, and will not waste sleep on the past, even the past day.  I am GRATEFUL for the health I have and will enjoy it and not get lost in former health.  Most of all, JESUS, I am grateful for you because even though I have been a poor friend, you have been faithful to me.

I have so much more to be GRATEFUL for, but that’s ok, because I am GRATEFUL for the opportunities I have and will have to be GRATEFUL.

Every now and then I hear on the news what is called in our region as a “Boil Order”.  It is a notice that for some reason the water is not fit to drink and should be boiled before drinking.  Some expert authority has recommended, because of a break in the water line or some other cause of contamination, that people take precautions.  Not everyone listens.  Not everyone is wise.  Some don’t believe the warnings.  Some are too lazy to boil the water and take the proper precautions.  Some are just reckless and choose to risk their health and their family’s health.  I see the same thing in my world.

God has given us some simple instructions to deal with problems such as sin, self, strife, family problems, and societal issues.  The answer is Jesus.  He wants us to turn from our own attempts, beliefs, and the influence of those around us and turn to Jesus.  That is why He came.  He will, upon request, give us living water, abundant life, a relationship we can count on, and life eternal.  We can trust what He gives, the water He provides.

I see people, however, drinking sewage when clean water is available.  That water is all the religions that promote self as the means of salvation.  Some even make man a god.  I am ASTONISHED at what people put into themselves in an attempt to satisfy their thirst.  The opinions, views, religions, and attempts they ingest are poison.  How can you drink from a dirty cup filled with poisons when living water is right there?  How sick do you have to get from drinking such before you take in what God has supplied in Jesus?  And yet, I see people going from one polluted cup to another.

There was a woman who came to a well.  She had a polluted life and had not stopped drinking from the vile cups.  Jesus offered her an artesian well, speaking of Himself.  This woman drank freely and shared this Jesus she had received.

I don’t drink from the city system, so I really don’t have to worry about the Boil Orders.  I have a well.  It has been tested and declared pure.  It has a bountiful supply of water.  This is the truth in the physical.  In the spiritual I have Jesus: mine, tested and declared pure and bountiful.

I invite you to come take a drink