Freedom in fulfillment

Seminar based on Sacred Sabbath
This weekend I spoke at the Church of the Living Christ in Ojai, CA about biblical time management. The mini seminar I gave was based on my first book Sacred Sabbath. I spoke about shifting the emphasis from keeping/obeying the Law to fulfilling the Law. After I gave some nuggets on how to apply that to having a day of rest after every six days of work, the participants journaled their thoughts (as my book suggests) and joined in group discussion. The response was awesome. I can truly say the light went on for many!
Every now and then people ask me why I write about the Ten Commandments. Didn't Jesus came to free us from the Law? Well, let me answer that question with another question. When Jesus gave us the new commandment to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), was He commanding us to do something, yes or no? If your answer is no, you don't believe what Jesus said. If your answer is yes, you know what the commission is: love one another. Do you realize what that means, to love one another?

Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). In loving others we fulfill the Law, just like Jesus did when He loved us.

The power point of the seminar is this: freedom in fulfillment!

That is His plan for this New Testament generation!

Human impossibilities

There is a way!

Sooner or later in life we will all face human impossibilities; mountains too high to climb or rivers too wide to cross. We might cry out like the disciples did at one time, 'Lord, increase our faith' (see Luke 17:6). It's funny that Jesus hardly ever answers the way we expect Him to. It is no problem for Him to increase our faith, but that would not build our character or advance His purpose for our life. Instead of answering the request He talks small faith, frightening small faith if you ask me. He truly has a way of making something out of nothing!

Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:6)

Some statement! A wonderful promise from the Master Himself for everyone who believes in Him today. He explains what faith as small as a mustard seed really is: something small that enables you to do great things!

Soaking

Renewal by the Holy Spirit

The other day I received a letter from my friend Brian, who serves with Chosen People Ministries in Israel. He had something interesting and encouraging to share which I do not want to withold from you.

"I am typically not a person who sees visions or has amazing dreams. However, recently while meditating on the Lord and His Word, I had an incredible vision I'd like to share.

I saw a huge, big white bathtub with white foam in the shape of clouds, and I was in it. I then began to have a wave of thoughts saying, "Bathe in His atonement, His grace, healing, hope, joy, love, promises, provision, Spirit and His Word."

Titus 3:5 came to my mind, which says He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit). This was exciting and refreshing for me, to say the least. Maybe this word is for you as well?"

Well, refreshing is exactly the word that comes to mind! Sometimes we need to simply soak in His presence and goodness, so as to keep our focus on God and not on our works.