Invitation to come and dine, come and live

Proverbs 9:1‭-‬6 ESV

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

What a beautiful picture of the Gospel!  Jesus was slaughtered so that we could share a meal - a very special meal of bread and wine - in fact, though it is simple, the most special meal of all: His own body and blood.  I am not required to clean myself up or figure out all of the mysteries; I only need to leave my foolish ways behind and, from now on, walk with Jesus in life.

Father, thank you for making a way of righteousness, and thank you for making it simple and available to all.  Jesus, thank you for your body and blood, which are life to us.  Holy Spirit, please help me stay with you on the path of life.  I love you.

Not everything that happens is God's will

One of the most important lessons that we can learn from Job is that not everything that happens is God's will.  And this, we should be careful not to blame God for everything that happens.

"He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.  If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together,  someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.  Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.

Job 9:32‭-‬35 NIV

Indeed, we do have a mediator, and He has COMPLETELY satisfied the judgement of God.  There is no judgement remaining.  Jesus drank the whole cup to the dregs.

Father, thank you for being a good father.  Jesus, thank you for removing the judgement rod from me.  Holy Spirit, help me see the circumstances of my life from your perspective.  I love you.

Breaking free from workaholism and perfectionism

On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of praying with John and Celia, who have been trained in sozo inner healing ministry.  From my experience, it is basically guided prayer.

I had two main breakthroughs.  The first was related to my sense of obligation to constantly be working.  By asking Holy Spirit where it came from, He showed me that I associated my importance with being responsible for work duties on the family farm when I was a child.  And this Tuesday evening, I embraced a relationship with the Heavenly Father in which He is proud of me because I am His son, not because of my work productivity.  My main identity is a son, not a worker.  Workers have quotas, but sons have privileges.  John and Celia asked me where I saw the Father (on His throne, etc.), and I saw a man sitting on a couch, so John and Celia encouraged me to sit down next to Him.  He put His arm around me and smiled at me the way I smile at my daughter when she climbs up in my lap for no other reason than to be with me.  The next morning, quite unusually, Katelyn was already awake when I woke up to go downstairs for my meditation time, so she sat with me on the couch as I read and prayed.  I believe that He was confirming what I had seen Tuesday evening.

The second breakthrough was regarding perfectionism, which works its way out as criticism for just about everything.  I asked God where I got the perfectionism mindset, and something Celia said helped me realize that it came from my dad's grandmother who always corrected everyone in grammar and manners.  John and Celia encouraged me to give my whole box of perfectionism to God and ask Him what He wants to give me to replace it.  I felt God say joy, peace, hope, rest, and laughter.  Between turning over being a workaholic and perfectionist, a much lighter life.

And since Lent started on Wednesday, I committed to give up criticism (indefinitely, but really focusing on letting it go this Lent).

Father, thank you for these breakthroughs.  Jesus, thank you for making a way.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your power.  I am excited about my new way of life.  I love you.