Doorways… Part II
From Point A to Point B
There are dreams and purposes planted within you. With vision, comes a journey... and doorways of fulfillment. First, realize it is God's good pleasure for you to walk through them just as it is a farmer's pleasure for a tomato plant to bear the fruit he planted it for.
God does not lead by condemnation and beating you down. No, He leads by peace, "This is where we are going - together." "Let's go to the other side of this."
Mark 4:35,37-39
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow (knowing where He was going). And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (NKJ)
The storms that arise on the way from point A to point B are not always outward. Often, the wind and waves are obstacles on the inside of you rather than the outside. Baggage, blame, denial, character, and growth. Issues that have followed you like a shadow; tripped you like a wire, and tricked you like an Iscariot kiss. People aren't the problem, it's the inner obstacles that keep you from crossing the threshold of your destiny. God's discipline is Love freeing you to fly - not beating you over the head. And it's time now.
He leads by Peace not Shame
God knew all about you when He planted the dream and called you to the other side. He knew your insecurities, your shortcomings, those habits, and the mindsets that needed to be changed. He knew and He called you still.
The problem most of us face is when we see the ugly in us that needs to go, we feel like the disciples! Our eyes are so locked on how big that problem is and how impossible it looks. We know our own inability! We fail here every time! However, when Love shows you the ugly that needs to go, a supernatural grace (ability) is given to help you. You're not alone. Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NKJ)
Love knew at what point you'd be ready to cut this for success. He saw the end from the beginning when He called you. His voice is NOT the voice of condemnation or the reminder of failure (That sick whisper is Satan, the accuser, wanting you to feel trapped. Why? Because the object of your focus determines your course. (Matt 6:22-24) Rather, Love's voice urges you on, "This is what I want to change in you so that you can win." His word carries a future, a hope, and a peace.
You will always have two choices: 1. Sit down in shame (because you can't change you) or 2. Press forward with joy because God said He will work in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (see Philippians 2:13, Philippians 1:6, Ps 138:8, 2 Timothy 1:12) This is a turning point for you and an opportunity to cross that threshold. Abraham did not consider the inability of his own body but the ability of Him who promised (and called you) (Romans 4:19-21)
Feelings
Going through refinement is not always comfortable. But neither is a diamond that is being cut for a ring. Those impurities cannot remain, otherwise the diamond will sit incased in a hole, unfilled. It's purpose is to shine and announce a covenant! And just because it needs cutting doesn't mean it is a failure. A hand is shaping it for success. Yes, there is a moment of discomfort in change, but that pain ends with fulfillment, whereas the pain from issues kept lead to failure and worse pain.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, … let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (from point A to point B), Looking unto Jesus (LOVE Himself) the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down (in victory) at the right hand of the throne of God (on the other side).
Listen! Joy doesn't equal happy feelings. Jesus did not feel happiness being nailed up naked. Joy equals strength that doesn't sit down despite pain (Nehemiah 8:10). Strength to see it through to the other side and the dream fulfilled. Joy/Strength comes from the Word and interaction with Love Himself. (see Acts 2:28)
What You Look At
So Jesus called you out upon the water, planted a dream in you, and leads you to the other side with destiny. What are you looking at when He shows you areas that are tripping you? Change does NOT come from looking at the problem. Watch: Peter steps out from point A and heads to point B...
So (Jesus) said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he (changed his focus and saw) saw that the wind was boisterous, he (became) afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" (Focus changed back to Jesus) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him... (What most people miss is that now they walked together on those waters.) And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. - Matthew 14:29-32
You saw Peter's example; now I really want you to understand - your mind plays a major part in the journey. Why? Your life follows your focus. (see Matt 6:22-24) Your thoughts are like the gage of a thermostat, they determine the temperature your life is heading. This is serious! Change does not come from staring at the problem/ the cold/ or the waves... Look, even temperature does not change in a room unless you reset the thermostat to where you are going.
When God shows you a room in your heart needing change... you become that change by looking at the image described in His word and keeping it set there: Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to (the image of) this world: but be ye transformed (into the image shown in the word) by the renewing (resetting) of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What are you looking at, friend? Yoga will never fix it, neither will a drug, or another relationship. Change looks into Love's eyes, believes that word from God (Who is Love) and steps out. See Peter's story above (Matthew 14:29-32). Jesus told you, "Come." And there is a doorway standing before you...
The Holy Spirit's Help
Finally... this is where grace meets the road! As you are setting that image before you, the Holy Spirit's part on the journey is so liberating and beautiful. His function is like the mechanics behind the thermostat gage that actually change the temperature after you set it! "How will the ministry of the (Holy) Spirit not be more glorious (to you)?... where the (Holy) Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, (looking) as in a mirror (at) the glory of the Lord, are CHANGED into the same image from (one level of) glory to (the next level of) glory, just as by the (Holy) Spirit of the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 3:8,17-18 (NKJ)
So set your eyes on God's word and where He's taking you. And step out of the boat!
To the Lost Traveler...
There is only one road to God, not many. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (in Heaven) except through Me. - John 14:6
An open door... Jesus said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved... - John 10:9 That door must be entered while you are alive because there is no second chance when you pass into death and judgment. That door is like the escape from a burning building with one exit. If you do not pass through that doorway, you will die. Enter the free air on the other side.
You can debate it, but faith is of the heart and not the head. God has been calling to your heart for some time and you have reasoned with your intellect.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household... Hebrews 11:6-7
Why was the story of Noah mentioned there? The door of that ark stood open... symbolic of Jesus, and men scoffed. They reasoned with their head because they couldn't conceive a flood. But they died, when they didn't have to. There was a doorway to salvation.
The flood of your sin is pulling you to hell. Romans 3:23 "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 6:23 "...the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
How do I pass through the open door: Romans 10:9-10 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (NKJ)
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