Getting To Heaven

In this life as a Christian, we have one purpose. This may astonish some of you because you have been walking down a path that has not taken you to where you thought you should be (Proverbs 3:6 AMP). There is a good reason for that and it also answers as to why you have been asking God, "Why is this happening to me?" Psalm 84:11 AMP

When I was a Social Worker, I asked a woman who was a survivor of domestic violence, what was it that she needed in order for her to be happy. She paused for a moment and answered, "I would like a job in a factory." The residents in the shelter knew that I had a reputation of getting resources for my clients in order for them to have the tools to be successful adults. The effort was up to them. So in asking this woman the question, I assumed she had this information and was thinking on the resourcefulness level rather than the actual thing that would make her happy. I explained myself. Her answer was the same. She had no idea what she could do other than work that could cause her more enjoyment. I had to meet her where she was and didn't prolong the agony any further. I then thought about the rest of us. If God has given us all that would make us happy but we don't recognize it, who's fault is it (Hosea 4:6 AMP)?

When going to church, what is it that we are looking for? Are we there for spiritual support, motivation for the rest of the week, to be seen, or just to say that you were there for church attendance? It is what I found with some of the members volunteering. The purpose is to assist the pastor with the vision God has given him. In so doing, we have prayed to make sure God places us where we can do the most good. The pastor doesn't even have to know you exist. The supervisor just needs a body in position to do the task. Unless it requires for you to talk or God has told you otherwise, why say anything? Think of the human body. The fingernail has a purpose and doesn't substitute itself to be the mouth piece for God. The toe is assisting the other toes. It doesn't just decide to become a knee. So then, where are you supposed to be? What are you supposed to be doing to be pleasing unto God (Ephesians 5:1-14 AMP)?

You see, that is the real purpose for any of us in this world that we temporarily reside in. It is not to be seen in the latest fashion only to throw the outfit in the bottom of the closet because it was already worn. No one cares. It is not to show off how many dollars have overwhelmed your money clip. Once that money has been spent, who cares? It is not to show off your new car that loses its value the moment you drive it off the lot and if someone keys it or bumps it with a shopping cart, what is it worth then? No one cares. Joe Cool in high school lasts for less than 4 years. Josephine the Queen on the stoop lasts for as long as all of the neighborhood children grow up and have successful lives of their own and the queen is still on the stoop telling the same lies (James 5:1-6 AMP). What have they done with their lives? Where are they fitting in the body? Is God pleased?

There was a woman in the ministry I used to attend. I have mentioned her before. She volunteered for everything in the church. When  the announcements were shown on the big screen, there she was in almost every auxiliary. She worked so hard. I wondered what was she hoping for. I volunteered too. I didn't know where to work in the ministry only where they needed someone. It wasn't until later did I try to find my specific niche. There was nothing available in writing and so I resorted to pray for people on the 24 hour hotline. That same woman told me later that she was trying to be seen for ministry. She desired to preach. Not having that calling, I could not advise her either way only that I knew doing absolutely everything in the church was not the way to go (nor doing nothing). A few months later, she lost her job. She then lost her home. She went to the ministers on staff for prayer. I don't know what they told her only a few weeks later, she passed away. Who saw that coming? Did she build to get to heaven? Was she on the road in pleasing God? What did those ministers tell her? Was their information straight from God or did they encourage her to continue working like a Hebrew slave in the ministry? Clearly, she stated what her motivation was. Would she go against the very ministers she needed in order to obtain the position she was seeking? Selah.

The people of Babel began building a tower. Their purpose was to literally get to heaven. Together, they were in agreement and fixed on obtaining their goal. Do your realize how much work and ingenuity had to go into that plan? They had to make brick by hand, the bricks had to dry and then carry them to the next level in order for the building to reach the height they were seeking. The science of their building wasn't going to work simply because the base had to support the height of the structure. Eventually it would sway and the builders would come to their death. There was also the lack of oxygen every time in making the trip higher and higher. Would the workers make it or the trip back down? Was God pleased with all of this effort in getting closer to Him? You would think so; however, the outcome was that they were struck not understanding each other and could not continue making the structure because there was no longer in agreement. When there is no agreement, there is no peace. How could God be pleased with that (Genesis 11:1-9 AMP)?

When Jesus was teaching the disciples, He commented on Peter. He said that the church is founded on a rock. The rock spiritually as well as literally is a sound structure. It can withstand any height that is built. Spiritually it is the hope that we are all in agreement that we continue to build getting closer and closer to God (Matthew 7:15-28 AMP). Stretch and make it without limits. Do the best work you can. You will sense God smiling.

Picture this, the rain forest is called what it is because of the structure of the trees. It is its own ecological system. The seed that is not used for food is allowed to burrow in the soil and grow. The trees are already well nourished because of all of the algae and constant moisture all around. The only thing the tree needs is sun. It maneuvers around other trees to get the maximum sunlight that it can. Some have twisted its branches around others just to get that light. Finally, the forest is covered with leaves and though there is warmth, it is difficult for the other trees to get the height that it seeks. A storm comes and those roots that are secure withstands the elements while others have been ripped from the earth. When the skies clear, the little ones get the chance to see what all of the other older trees were drinking in. It is the sun. Understand?

Unacceptable

There are the smallest of things in being a Christian that can take each and every one of us from where we are supposed to be (Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV). How many of you have got on your knees and asked... pleaded with God as to why things have not been going the way you planned? You have done all you can and have been standing therefore for weeks...months... dare I even write, years! My mother was so frustrated after so many years of being a single parent with residing in a "starter home". She was believing that God was going to supply her with the house of her dreams. She worked for the most part of her life and just recently retired 2 years ago at the age of 75. God has blessed her! Yet when asked about the house of her dreams, she just gave up. She will list all of the things she thought she was doing that was taught to her and believed it was right but over and over again, year after year the house that she dreamt of never happened. She reconciled herself to where she is residing now. It is a nice house with more then enough room for her and all of her stuff. She seems happy; I just couldn't help but wonder as to why she didn't get what she was believing God for.

For most of my life I have had these few extra pounds that I have been trying to get rid of. I don't know why it won't leave my body. Everyone has an opinion on what I should be doing: You should eliminate salt from you diet. No, you should eliminate sugar from your diet. The real secret is no carbohydrates. The best plan is a high protein and high fiber diet. Its no fats that will rid your body of fat. No, its only good kinds of fat, your body has to have some fat. Increase exercise and you will burn the fat you are trying to get rid of. Just be diligent, like the bible says to do.  There is so much advice and even from fat people. If it doesn't work for you why give the advice to me? I did all of these things and was diligent about it as well. I would lose a few inches and then there it comes right back. Did I stop the regiment? Yes, when I became ill because of the regiment. Why, when I am the righteousness of God, would I become ill (Psalm 91:10 KJV)? What have I been doing for this to come upon me? Then the most hysterical advice I ever heard after all of those years of doing the opposite and getting funny looks when I didn't move away from the table. The hysterical advice is, eat more! But hey, I tried everything else - why not? So I did. And of course what happened was I felt so full. Everyday was that Thanksgiving feeling. Should I continue until my body gets use to all of the food? I just couldn't... seriously, I couldn't move! So I waited for the answer because the doctors were frustrating me.

My grandmother went home to be with the Lord several years ago. I recall before she passed, she had an ailment that was diagnosed as Shingles. I didn't know what that was and she explained it as being something like Chicken Pox for the elderly. Odd, I thought, once one had Chicken Pox, you couldn't catch it again. So isn't there a vaccination for this and why aren't all of the Seniors taking it? I then recently discussed with an elderly woman, who resides at my place of employment, about her entanglement with this same ailment. Though my grandmother wasn't wrestling with it for as long as this woman, I listened to her as she described what she was going through. Both women professing Christianity and knowing what I do about the Word of God, I meditated on why would this happen and what is the common bond that these two women share other then being elderly that would cause for this foreign thing to come upon them? Did they know and fear this disease? Oddly, as a profession, the two of them are retired nurses. In gathering the information, the two of them are elderly females who profess Jesus as their Lord and they retired as being nurses, hmm. There had to be something else.

The Word tells me that we present these bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1 KJV). I meditated on this verse over and over as I continued with the battle of the bulge. It wasn't a meditation over he Word as if studying for it to be meat for my soul but it was taunting me as if I weren't doing what is holy and acceptable and no matter how much more I did, it was getting worse. It was tormenting and this is not what God intended (1 John 4:18 KJV). So I had to get still. The next verse that came to me was, let the Words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV). The common word in both of these verses is acceptable. That one word resonated in my heart. What have I been doing? Most importantly, what have I been saying?

Having been made in the image of God, I had to recall how He created the world, with His words. If I don't like my world I have created around me then I change the words I have been speaking - the behavior will follow. I then referred back to each and every scenario that was given to me for me to learn these lessons. My mother, and I love her dearly, yet each time she was frustrated with a turn of events in her life that would get her that much closer financially to her dream house, she inevitably would say different things that would cause her not to get what she was hoping for. Knowing that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, we then say that which would be the Word of God no matter how frustrated the event can be. How simple is it for us to say what the problem is, why not speak the solution? We can all see the problem! The children of Israel complained and that's where they remained. They had the solution right there. The same Solution that delivered them out of Egypt. The same Solution that fed them manna from heaven. The same Solution that led them to where they had to go with a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night in the sky. Why would they say anything else?

My grandmother and the elderly woman who both had Shingles, the common thing between both of those women is that they enjoyed shocking people by using, every now and again, profane language. Its shocking because they both look like those sweet elderly ladies that would have crumpets and tea in the afternoon. Yeah  right, get on any one of their nerves and they will tell you how to get off of it in such "colorful" English that would put a sailor to shame (1 Timothy 6:20 KJV). Now what does this have to do with Shingles? I find it fascinating that if our language is acceptable unto the Lord, would He have it be our challenge to contend with something that has no business around the righteousness of God? God is good. He would not have disease be our test to see if our heats were right with Him. Show it to me in the Word and I will retract this statement.

Longsuffering, as many of you might think is something that we must endure in order to have the full fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). And yes, it is one of the nine, but it is not what we might think. We read that Jesus was about to be stoned because of what He said and the people could not believe it at that time. He didn't endure the stones of that angry mob. He walked right through them as they mumbled on in having Him killed (John 8:59 KJV). Daniel was thrown in a fiery furnace and a lion's den for doing what he knows is right to do. When his accusers came to see what was left of Daniel, he had not one hair out of place, not one thread of clothing singed, and didn't smell of smoke either (Daniel 3: 1-27 KJV). With these things being true, why then would you believe that you have to suffer in order to be holy? God said we are more then conquerors! God said we have the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV)! Which report are you going to believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord!

It is written that if we don't suffer along with Christ, then we are not His (Romans 8:17 KJV). I cried at reading this verse because I had a glimpse of what the world says about the bible contradicting itself. I find the things written were initially vague to me. I had to keep reading and stop to think of where the writer was and why he would write such things. I don't believe he contradicted what the Word says believing he was a scholar of the the Word of God before he traveled to teach it. He knew of Daniel and the miracles of Jesus. He knew that the reason Jesus suffered on the cross was for those who believe on Him to have everlasting life. How could God give His only begotten Son for us to have an abundant life only to suffer in it? It makes no sense, unless you realize that in keeping righteousness before you at all times, the old has to pass away (2 Corinthians 5 :17 KJV). For some it is as easy as relinguishing some habits once new ones are learned. For others it is getting rid of traditional rituals that a family will ostracize or disown the member for doing. Knowing that we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13 KJV), it then takes the decision and effort of the individual for it to be done. Much like salvation, it is there for anyone who will say with their mouth and believe in their heart but unless the effort of speaking those words takes place, salvation cannot be made (Romans 10:9 KJV). The suffering is getting rid of what the flesh would like for you to hold onto. But the flesh is out to keep you in the old life which is not life at all (Romans 8:1-9 KJV).

Those extra pounds I was trying to rid myself from, I was so concerned where God was getting me ready for I kept thinking of not being accepted by people simply because of what I looked like. Knowing that I don't emotionally eat, it still didn't help me shed any weight because of what was on my heart. If I don't look a certain way, I won't be heard. But God said I can do all things through Christ. While being degraded for not pushing away from the table, or having the doctors have me try so many different drugs and other programs, I found that certain food will cause me to retain water more then others. It wasn't the salt at all. It wasn't the lack of exercise either. It was believing that God made me fearfully and wonderfully and in spite of what men might think of my outward appearance, my focus is with pleasing Him who created me. Once I kept my focus on Him, the bodily exercise that profits little (1 Timothy 4:8 KJV), could now be profiting for me. Before it was just a whole lot of sweat and exhaustion only to do it all over again. I had to stop feeling bad about myself and saying negative words that opposed the Word of God in order for me to have the abundance and  the profitability of the complete Word of God. It is after all the truth (John 8:32 KJV).

I wrote a few posts a ago an entry entitled, A Dried Up Kingdom. In this entry I write about Abraham and the words he spoke in fear that the king would kill him. Those words he spoke, the king believed and his whole kingdom began to dry up. He asked God what did he do to deserve this and God answered him. The king went to Abraham and asked why would he bring this thing upon his kingdom? My point is, it was at the point of belief of those words before it started to affect his kingdom. What thoughts have you entertained without speaking against it or use the Word to your benefit for it to go away?

Picture it, there is an enemy without water (Proverbs 15:10-11 AMP). He is roaming the earth seeking who he may devour and there is your family members and co-workers without a clue as to what God called you to do. They say some encouraging things all of which you have heard before and then they some things that aren't all that supportive but causes you to think about you situation. There you are meditating on some stuff that brings you no closer to your goal. But that enemy that watched you consume that thought now has a place to live and he starts taking that cool drink of water where you've been planted (Psalm 1:3 KJV). He's going to do to whatever he can to stay right where he is. But God, who is good, tells someone like me to write such things so you can see clearly what you have been doing to cause your kingdom to be in the state that it is in. The King is coming. Consider your ways and ask to make sure that your temple is acceptable unto Him.