Desolate |
We are split and fractured, playing games. Separated from Jesus, we talk to ourselves:Did you hear what they said to me?I was ignored, why did they not include me, why was I left out, etc. On and on we become obsessed with ourselves which does not allow time for others or for God's work and plan for my life.
We engineer pity for ourselves - Oh, you enjoyed yourself without me?
We see self as pious and perfect and wonder why others don't see us as such, they don't appreciate me, they take me for granted. Compare self to others and see self as superior. In the end we become phonies and berate ourselves because what we imagined ourselves to be did not materialize.
Sees self in a shameful way, pretends to be perfect when he knows he is not, and spends his life hiding himself from others. Jesus became that desolate city, He became sin that we may become as He is, God gives us the Holy Spirit , the true center of our being, the Holy Spirit of Christ lives in me.
New we build a new city, day by day, joined to my Creator, , gates opened Godward. But the false self will always try to creep in unawares. Put it to death daily by your will which is really His will within me.
Phil. 2:12-13 ; Eph. 3:20 -We choose to be present to God, an opened city. Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you". Jesus is my true self, my true center.
When the false self creeps in, say :"I choose to be present to who I really am, a man joined to Jesus Christ. !" I am a man unconditionally loved by God. I am a man who is a son of God, the Spirit of Christ lives in me, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I am a man totally pardoned of my sin, that is who I am!"
I am accepted not by my works or deeds but by who Christ is Who accepts me as I am. Thus, my intentional choice is to be present to Jesus Christ Who lives within me.
Jesus is my strength, my adequacy, my wisdom, . I receive His will to do His will, to be a blessing to others, forgetting self interest for a change. God accepts me who cares if anyone else does or not. Outside of Jesus I am without strength but in Him I have all that I need to face any situation, so my focus is no longer on myself but on Him and on to others needs. I am no longer obsessed with myself.
Isa. 62:4
-What was once desolate, will belong to God, now related to my true
being, now I have something to give and I give for God to others.
Choice of Faith
l Sam. 30
-David and his army return to their village and find it ravaged,
all in great despair. David encourages himself by becoming one to the "I
AM of God'. God becomes Who He is in any situation when we acknowledge His
Presence rather than our emotions.
The role of the Holy Spirit is to connect me to God in my special situation. Key to remember is "The lord is my, the Lord belongs to you, He is your 'my' whatever happens, my shepherd, my wisdom, my strength, etc.
He is limitless goodness, power, and He has joined Himself to us in covenant. He will be all that we need:care-giver, provider, protector, refuge, strong-tower, etc. David is not praying through all his trial, but is simply making a statement.
We move from a conscious need by a leap of faith to a conscious supply.