DIFFERENT CHAPTER 2 INTO THE MARVELOUS LIGHT

 

DIFFERENT

CHAPTER 2

INTO THE MARVELOUS LIGHT

1 Peter 2:8-10 King James Version (KJV)

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

My Brothers and Sisters,

No doubt you have felt the absence of effective communication when trying to relate to those still trapped within the world, tradition, and religion. Perhaps, like me, you have spent many hours disheartened over not being understood. Perhaps, you allowed it to attack your pride. No doubt, you were made to feel that the problem lied within you. However, all you wanted to do was to let others know what you had discovered and their response or reaction implied that you must be going through some trial, tribulation, or extenuating circumstances. Every effort that you made to communicate that there is more for them to know and learn about God was interpreted to be that: you want attention; you think you know everything; you're possessed by an evil, unclean spirit; you're mentally imbalanced; you're to be pitied; you need their help to straighten you out; and you've been around the wrong influences.

The attack on women is even more generalized, frequent, consistent, and accepted. A woman who does not submit to the authority and opinions of men, must be going through something physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her chances of communicating new ideas or correcting old ideas are far less than that of a man.

Even more, if you can't or refuse to tack a title onto the front or back of your name, then, many people consider you not worth listening to, although having one of these titles, does not mean God has chosen you to speak for Him.

After you've realized that rejection is just the effect of men and women being in darkness, you understand not to take this personally; for that is the adversary's purpose in breaching the bridges of communication, creating gaps. He wants you to take it personally, in order to isolate and weaken you. It is a very effective tactic that can be repeated over and over again, appealing to our inherent need for human contact and acceptance.

When we have not died to our flesh, we are a walking target and remarks such as, "He/She hasn't been around lately; they must be going through something," are sure to rankle our pride. I can't tell you how many times I've fallen for this and had to come to my senses, realizing that it was the same old line the adversary uses to block communication over and over again, trying to convince us that something is wrong with us and not the other way around.

After checking myself all over to make sure that I was okay, God offered me another explanation and point of view to grasp and adhere to. My going through something is not the same as to what their going-through something infers; for the result and ending destinations aren't the same. Again, as Born Again, Believers, living Abundant and Eternal Life within God's Kingdom, our going through something is not the same as someone who is still in darkness, chained to the idealism of the world, the boundaries of the flesh, the impotent traditions of religion, the ignorance of self-understanding and pride; and the mundane realism needed to validate their reality. 

Their thinking is bound to the here and now; the past and present; and their need to know that what lies ahead of them will still be the same as what they left behind yesterday. You see, when they started going through something, they didn't go all the way. They figured that when the storm stopped, they had made it through and God had blessed them. They counted it as strength, believing they'd acquired sea worthy legs to weather the storms of life and God had calmed the storm. In other words, they never cast their anchor, but, kept on floating off, expecting God to keep doing the same thing for them, over and over again. That's what they were taught in the traditions of religion. It is an experiment that has been repeated time and time again and proven with the same results. Yes, God saves us from the storms of life, but, have we allowed Him to change us?

In the world of being Different, we are not simply passengers along for the ride, just going through one experience after another. God has given us choices, "Do you want to steer this ship with Me, shine your Light, and save those who are drowning, or are you afraid to step out of the lifeboat? This journey is not just about Me saving you so that you can continue being the same that you were yesterday."

Now, I realize, why Satan wants me to be all confused about "going through something," like it's such a bad thing. Most of the people around us HIDE what they're going through, because they don't want other people to know WHY they're going through something. Satan has convinced them that they should be ASHAMED. But, as the preachers always like to say, "I'm here to tell you today:"

GOING THROUGH

My going through is not like it used to be.  I've emerged into GOD'S MARVELOUS LIGHT, you see.

Now, what I go through is for JESUS and I count it all as JOY, JOY, JOY! Going through something may bring pain and sorrow, but, my faith it can't destroy.

My going through something is no longer  about hardship and me. It's about GLORIFYING GOD'S KINGDOM and living in VICTORY!

I used to mind going through something and I shed plenty a tear. I moaned and groaned and complained year after year.

I was naked without His armour. I never picked up His sword. I might even have cried out loud, "Why? Why me, Lord?"

My old eyes then, could not see. My faith hadn't grown strong enough to carry me. 

Now, the devil wants me to think that I'm alone and weak. And, if I was so blessed, people would listen when I speak. 

He keeps trying to convince me, that while I'm still in the storm. I need to get-with-the-program and get back to the norm.

But, I've stepped out of darkness, into the Marvelous Light. I can see clearly, even in the dark of night. 

I've cast my anchor in Jesus, my soul He dost prepare. Though the storms of life may rage, I have cast on Him my care. 

I've stepped out of the lifeboat following Jesus trustingly. With my eyes stayed on Him, there's no need to calm the sea.

My friends, the sea is this old, restless world, which has rejected God. He said we'd  be tossed and driven as on its roads we trod.

Different, now, I'm surrounded, filled with HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. I walk by FAITH trusting God and not by trusting sight. 

Now, many might be waiting and expecting me to sink, but, I can't worry about what the world expects and wants me to think. 

It's not that I don't love them or think of them with spite. But, I've got to follow Jesus' example, doing what God has declared right.

Comparing myself to others, trying to be like them, or compromising my faith is not how to serve Him. 

Because I'm Different, some believe that all my friends are gone, but, I've found a friend in Jesus and a love I've never known. 

I'm standing on God's Promise to never leave me alone, to stand, one day to see Him glorified on His majestic throne.

Yes, its a different going-through that I experience, that has kept me going all-the-way with God ever since,

I came into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT, where I'll  stay forever while He keeps me shining bright. 

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD

My Brothers and Sisters, those who are Different, by the Light of God,

We are a "peculiar people" (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, you may be astounded and dismayed by those around you, believing that you are going through something because you are not being like them. Yes, and in their minds, their idea of you going-through has you all messed up and in the midst of chaos. But, perhaps, this signifies something else. Perhaps, this signifies that in their mind, you are the storm which has stirred up their mind and an opportunity to clear the clouds has been created. Listen to the voice and reasoning of God and don't let your pride get in the way. God has unlimited ways of reaching people through you.

People will claim to understand you or want to understand you, but, their pride interferes with their reception like a bad antenna or scrambled signal. They simply do not have ears to hear. Therefore, you must have a problem. They don't know what else to believe and your failure to communicate your thoughts can leave you feeling frustrated and like a failure.

You may feel that God isn't working through you and blame yourself. You may be tempted to debate and argue with people, trying to get your point across. You may fast and pray and expect results. After all, if Christ and God's Holy Spirit be within us, aren't all things possible?

However, the first thing we must understand is the Will and Way of God. Jesus said that He did what He saw the Father do. He said that His power came from God. He could do nothing without it being God's Will. He could only heal those whom God willed for Him to heal and we read nothing about Jesus going against God's Will.

We want to help people. We want all to be saved, too, like the Father does. But, Jesus taught His Disciples about the Seasons of Time, about things being in and out of season, and about things being fruitless and dead. His disapproval of Israel's ways in worshiping God was to help bring them to know true worship and that God was seeking true worshipers. Your presence and example of Jesus does this for others. Never think your work is in vain if you are doing it for Christ.

God desires that none perish, but, He has not promised that none would perish. He said that we will be sifted like wheat, separating the chaff. This is the season of separating the wheat, which is why Jesus told His Disciples to wipe their feet and move on from those who reject their teachings; for they do not reject them--but, they reject the Father.

If we try to do that which is out of season, we kick against the goad. We are like the fig tree which created the illusion of bearing fruit out of season, causing Jesus to cut off its life (Matthew 21:18-22,  Mark 11:12-14). When God brings us through something it is into enlightenment--not failure. We are more fruitful and learn to bear fruit in season, saving us from the perils of darkness: pride, shame, guilt, and condemnation. Jesus instructed us to make Disciples, not to try and save ALL people, for salvation is determined by the Will and Hand of God. Yes, many Believers appear to be bearing fruit, thus, we are drawn to saving them, but, appearances can be deceiving as was that of the fig tree. Thus, God determined its fate. We  draw from this analogy how people can appear to have gone all-the-way in surrendering their life to God, yet, are still unfruitful. Oh, they may look the part and have staged a deceptive environment around them, but, underneath, they are still unchanged and fruitless.

Yes, going through something has it's purposes. Don't let others try to cut off your blessings by making you deny you're going through, just because you know that their meaning of going-through differs from the Truth. We wish our life away when we pray for the storms of life to cease and be over; for even our storms have changed. Jesus commands the winds and the waves because within Him is an even greater storm, which creates and changes life. We have come to realize that our storms have purpose in creating, and recreating. Our storms guide us into and keep us within the Marvelous Light.

How can we go through storms and still be in the Marvelous Light? Jesus walked upon the water realizing that it was no different from dry land. It was He who was DIFFERENT! Within Him was the Almighty God, in whom ALL things are possible. His faith and trust in God and God's Will carried Him over the water. God had given Him His power over the skies, winds, and waves, but His BELIEF, His FAITH is what manifested God's power!

Our being Different, lies in our faith in God and Christ Jesus. Saying we are Different does not give us the power of true BELIEF! It does not open our eyes to true change within others. Most Believers do not live within the Marvelous Light because they do not understand, going-through something FOR Christ. They live on the tradition of belief in Christ because He did something for them. However, Christ died that they could understand sacrifice and conquer the sin of the world to go through something for others, because of unconditional love. That is the difference that makes a difference within our becoming and living as DIFFERENT. ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST! Wherefore, our living shall not be in vain; living not for the world, but, for the glory of God and His Kingdom.

NEED

Be careful when someone tells you that they need you. To need someone implies that you have a use for them. People are more than tools. People divorce because someone has failed to supply a need, not because of unconditional love. If you love others unconditionally, then your needs have already been fulfilled. To love unconditionally is to know God and be made whole. You know who is the source of that unconditional love and that HE supplies all of our needs and wants within His Will.

For what and whose purpose does someone need you? Under whose will? To please whom? To glorify whom? Under what and whose conditions are you needed? How long do they need you? Will they stop needing you?

If you are depending upon someone solely to supply a need, then, you are certain to be disillusioned when that need is not fulfilled. Perhaps, God is looking for you to change within so that your expectations and needs will reflect HIS, in order for you to live within His Will and Way!

I would rather be loved unconditionally than needed; for one day I may be too old or weak to fulfill anyone's need. What will you do with me during the time that you don't need me or I am no longer able to meet the need? Will you discard me and leave me alone to die?

Will you be there when I need you? You may need me, but, do you WANT me? Do you want me and not who you want me to be or what you want me to do? But, if you truly love me, then both of our needs are taken into consideration; for love doesn't just TAKE what it wants from others. Love exists to give and to serve. When you love me you look beyond my faults and you are able to see my needs.

The word need is an ambiguous word defined by the one who desires. If you have a relationship where you cannot love and serve the other person without them supplying your needs, then you have the problem, not them. No, that is not slavery, nor does it imply that you should be someone's fool. God says to love even your enemies and in doing so they serve you and help to supply your needs; for love is fruitful and brings increase to the Kingdom, glorifying the name, Will, Way, and Power of God, He who is what He is because of His unconditional love. Praise His Holy Name! Hallelujah!

The institutional church has gotten too far from seeing the needs of the people. So many lanterns are unfilled and the voids have been filled with false light, which is just darkness mimicking Light. It has become such a common place thing that there is no one to authenticate what is real and what is fake. But, God always saves a remnant. There are those who see the remnant and desire to sew it onto the old cloth, rendering it unholy. We need you and want you, they say, but, we want you to be like US! But, it is time to throw the old garment away and be transformed so that you can be attached to the new.

With being Different comes sacrifice.  Yet, our sacrifice cannot match the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. God's gift of Sight (enlightenment, abundance and eternal life), is more precious than anything we could give back to God. We have been brought into the Marvelous Light to be kept by Jesus, who is our living sacrifice and who lives within us that we may remain attached to the Vine and walking in the Marvelous Light.

Brethren, I write these words to help you thwart the fiery darts of the enemy when he attacks and threatens you. Be encouraged. In Jesus, you have found a priceless treasure that outshines all the rest. Walk by faith in the realm of the Kingdom. Cast your anchor in Jesus and hold fast. When you step out of the lifeboat into the storms and seas of life, you may be tempted to be intimidated, frustrated, and dismayed by the sharp contrast of the dark world compared to the Light proceeding from the Truth and Reality of the Kingdom. Yet, although the world has stayed the same, you are Different. With your eyes upon Jesus, you will not sink, because, you still exist within the realm of the Kingdom. REMEMBER that your FAITH has become your SIGHT; for you walk by faith and not by sight! Your faith has helped to guide you into the Marvelous Light. Who is your faith, but, Christ Jesus, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD! Thus, you have been made whole for He and your Father live within you!

* We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light.

Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.

Oh, shine all around us by day and by night.

Jesus, the light of the world.

Blessings and Honor, Power and Glory!

your servant and soldier, united with the One,

mishael

* Jesus the Light of the World, by Charles Wesley and George D. Elderkin
 

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SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror

Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the questions below.

DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.

QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog.

1. How dedicated are you to being a servant of God and being used by Him? 
2. Have there been times when you have allowed people to discourage you?
3. What is it that you want people to understand about you? Are your expectations realistic? What purpose do they serve for God and the Kingdom? Is it all about you?
4. Jesus' faith allowed Him to see and do what His Father did. Our seeing the world through our faith, the Word of God, living within our hearts, allows us to see it through God's eyes. Have there been times when you have lost hope for mankind?What was happening to your faith to lose hope? If you are walking by faith, will you see the world differently? How?
5. Loving others as we love ourselves has everything to do with how we see them and the world. When you lose hope in mankind, are you loving others as you love yourself? Are you loving God first, He who loved us so much that He sacrificed His only begotten Son?
6. Our sight can become distracted or misplaced very easily. True faith is attached to our spirit and cannot be so easily torn away from us.  Physical sight is limited, but faith grows. Blind faith is faith that has been placed in something else other than God. Many Believers claim to have faith, but, their faith is not wholly in God, therefore, they can be blind, deaf, dumb, and lame. By not placing their faith in God, they became crippled and unable to hear and speak truth. They cannot be healed, lest it be the Will of God. Have you experienced times when you could not communicate the Truth to a person or congregation claiming to Believe in God? How did it make you feel? Did you take it personally? Did you accept God's Will?
7. Do you see yourself as making sacrifices for the Kingdom of God? Why? How?
8. When Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins, it transformed Him. How has your sacrifice transformed you to be more like Jesus?
9. How do others view your sacrifice? Do you allow this to affect your ministry as God's servant and Jesus' ambassador?
10. Do you see yourself as going-through something for Christ and because of Christ? Or, have you attached going-through something to yourself; your struggle; and your pain, etc?
11. When you go through something now, is it different from before you were Born Again? In what ways is it different? 
12. How do you react to people needing you? Do you refuse to help people sometimes? Why? Is it for selfish reasons? 
13. Jesus had to refuse to help many people, especially if they were not Jews. Do you feel guilty when you must refuse to help someone who says that they need you? Do you look to God for guidance or act on your own accord?
14. Whenever the attitudes of people and the state of the world caused you to lose hope in mankind, how do you regain the proper perspective to see individuals and the world as God sees them? 
15. God has shown us in the Bible times when He became disheartened with mankind and lost hope for them. What does God have for us that never changes, which caused Him to change His mind about His creation?
16. Can you look upon all of God's people with the same love and hope?
17. Through His Marvelous Light, God gives us His essence, His character and sight which directs our faith. When we are attacked, by the enemy, he is trying to blind us by forcing us to make a comparison between our flesh (self) and God in order to keep us in the world. God's remedy for this is to make us One. This is why we must know who we are in Christ; for we should reflect the character of God. Abiding in God, we are beyond comparison to self or the world. We are humbled and filled with His Marvelous Light to teach us unconditional love. The world will know we are His by our love for one another. Write down ways the enemy has tried, or continues to try to force you to make comparisons in order to cause you to be insecure or to stir up strife in your life.
18. In my poem, I try to point out that our expectations and perceptions in life determine our reactions and quality of life. Having had a veil upon our eyes, our sight was changed when we were transformed to become  Different. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, one of the first things to change is our sight, changing our expectations and our perception of people or situations in a negative way. These are the times the enemy wants us to follow through on our actions and words. However, the quickening of the Holy Spirit tells us when we are not following Truth. We can then follow our own will or the Will of God. Since you have become Different, can you think of times when your will did not align with God's Will? Were you swayed by lust, greed, addictions, politics, religion, things, or people in the world? Did you chose rightly? If not, how did you feel when you went against God's Will?

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REFERENCED SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 2:2-10 King James Version (KJV)


2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
⁴ To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
⁵ Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
⁶ Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
⁷ Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
⁸ And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
⁹ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
¹⁰ Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.