WARNING: BEFORE BREAKTHROUGH (CROSSING OVER)

The Lord finally got my attention one morning, about eight years ago, regarding what I saw going on around me and apparently within me as well.  I had been observing spiritually mature people acting in ways that they used to before they solved some of their “flesh” issues.

The Lord used the 2 x 4 across the forehead approach that morning to say to me “Duh!”  What did Chuck Pierce prophesy regarding April 20, 2001?  It was going to be a “crossing over” for those that had been going through transition for the previous 3-4 years.   Well, guess what, the enemy knew that also and will use any vulnerable area still not completely killed off in our flesh (soul) to try and foil Gods’ plan.

For example, I was working at home booking Steve Archer and supporting a couple of ministries.  My vulnerability, when I am working, is to focus in on the work and focus out any distractions.  Unfortunately, distractions also include paying attention to family and friends without acting irritated if they “bother” me while I’m working.  The first 2 x 4 smash on the forehead was when Diane said I was acting “glum”.  I didn’t feel glum, but I had blocked off normal relationship and kindness as a distraction.  Don’t worry, I won’t divulge to everyone how each of you may act when the devil starts probing your weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Here are some of the examples of what can happen:

Vulnerability:                                      Manifestation:

Fear                                          Worry, 2nd Guessing, Procrastination, Hopeless

Lust                                           Uncontrolled thoughts, Fantasies

Greed                                        Hoarding, Manipulation, Selfishness

Bad Attitude                              Anger, Irritation, Moodiness, Mean, Grumpy

Selfish                                       Controlling, Non-responsive, Manipulative

Self Worth-in Christ                Confusion, lack of direction, withdrawing

Look at yourself and those people that God has given you relationship with and ask the question: “Where am I vulnerable and how am I acting?”  Then repent to the Lord and also those that have been impacted by your behavior and then with the Lord’s help “FIX THE PROBLEM”.

Put up a spiritual hedge of protection around you and the vulnerable area.  Ask your mate or someone close to you to tell you if you’re acting in an old fleshly (soulish) manner.  And then look forward with full Hope, Faith and Joy to the crossing over that will happen in your life.

PHIL. 4:8 “whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your minds on them).

The following truisms were received over the past few years by the Burwell family from Grandmother Virginia Burwell:

For God’s People:

1. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not cover you. 

2.  God speaks to each of us every day.  It is our choice to listen.  The gift of free will we possess, allows us to make the decision to follow His direction or not. 

3.  Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict.  Resentment and irritability soon follow.  God brings these “offenses” into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish His goal of making us more Christ-like.  So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you.

4.  Pride is the root source of the need to change another person.  A man’s wisdom gives him patience to let go of little offenses.  This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life.  Is there someone close to you who has some habit you really desire to change?  Give up that desire to the Lord.  Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of the need to change it.   Proverbs 19:11

5.  “Genetic Predisposition” 

Illustration:  Aspen trees have a root system that is invasive, “traveling” underground and “popping up”, becoming new Aspen trees.  Left to themselves they will crowd out other plants in the garden and dominate the space.  There are two ways to control:  “Kill the parent” or chop off the roots coming from the “parent”.  The latter will have to be done consistently until they no longer affect the “garden”.

God wants us to apply this illustration to ourselves.  All of us have genetic predispositions (the sins of the fathers). When I “heard” the two words above while in the bathtub this AM, I was reminded of words I got in January of 2007…..“To avoid the consequences, COMMIT to being CONSISTENT”

6.  There are many disciplines that are needed to be learned and experienced to produce the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  Here are a few examples:

• Disciplines in relationships (God, family, friends)
• Disciplines in environment (church, home, school, etc)
• Disciplines in care for physical body (food, habits, cleanliness, etc)

You can probably list many more.

Tulip planting illustration:  Tulips need cold to bloom (40 degrees or below) and to be planted in the Fall, 6 inches deep in the soil, in order for them to bloom in the Spring.  Their “disciplines” seem harsh by our standards, but that is what it takes for them to produce strong, upright, colorful blooms, to be what God intended to be.

On Mike’s Blog (see link to the right) Mike posted ”Acts of Micro-Good Samaritanism.  I suggest you read this as it is a perfect example of Life Coaching in action.  Sometimes I am guilty of being “wordy” (Diane confirms this) and the saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words” is definitely true when it comes to being a visible “light in the darkness”.

Please comment below with your own examples of being or seeing a “good Samaritan”.