Tag Archives: faith

We Get To Fight

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - We Get To Fight

God merely needs to think it,
the war would be won,
His kingdom established.

But God has ordained the struggle,
He is giving us an opportunity to fight,
to grant us a part in His kingdom.

As descendants of the second Adam, proven by war, we will not sell our birthright and just hand over what we’ve fought for unlike what the first Adam did with a kingdom that was just given.

God gives us the ability to take it
and keep it.

I don’t have to fight.
I get to.
Rejoice.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
-Luke 12:32

How I Experience God

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - How I Experience God

God is different.

So, we experience Him differently, not the way we experience things in the world.

He is not material that can be perceived with the five senses.
God is spirit.

How do I explain this Spirit?
To what do I liken Him?
It’s like explaining color to sound, when vibration is all it has known.

Experiencing God is knowing, but much more than that.
More like the fellowship of knowing, yet even much more.

I don’t feel God in a physical or chemical sense, primarily.
However, knowing does very often elicit very real and intense feelings.

I experience God primarily, purely and most powerfully by knowing and being known.

Cause precedes effect.

Everything begins with God making Himself known.

When I receive what He reveals about Himself, He gives me Himself and then reveals some more.

At times, we disagree and He helps me see where I am wrong.

I have a real, living, growing relationship with a real, living God.

One of the evidences of the reality of this relationship is that it’s changing me in ways I could not have imagined.

This is how I experience God.

Knowing and being known.

Knowledge of Him that perfects me.

Love.

#perfectourlove

-1 Corinthians 13:8-12,

“Love never fails.

But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Giving Thanks For The Hard Things


Photo Courtesy of YouVersion Bible

“I had a great weekend with my bride.”

“It’s a beautiful day.”

“I’m enjoying a portion of health, strength or provision”

It’s easy to give thanks for that.

But, the annoying employer,

The unexpected expense,

The person being a jerk,

Illness,

Or, tragic loss is another matter.

“In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This is the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Admittedly, I have trouble with that, especially as it pertains to things that are unpleasant, painful or are simply something I don’t want to do.

But, God works all things together for good. Nothing is wasted -not even trouble.

For the Christian, trouble is strength conditioning. It’s our gym. By it, we are being made mighty in God when we get with the program and do not despise the training of the Lord.

So, as trouble presses against us, more and more we develop the strength to stand firmly.

The goal is to become immovable.

The goal is to not be moved by any circumstance from a place of peace, joy and love in God –strength built on faith in Christ that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against.

A house built on the Rock.

Imagine the value of being such an asset on the battlefield! Imagine the beacon of hope it would be. Imagine the refuge in Christ it would offer others. Imagine the protection it would provide our families and community. Imagine the glory God would receive!

Giving thanks in all things returns our focus to Him, it reminds us of His promises and that we are being prepared. It helps us get our minds right so that we can get the most out of the training now to be effective in our assignment later.

So, as I encounter trouble, I pray to enter into a more appropriate attitude for a child of the King,

“Thank you Father, for the opportunity this hardship affords me;
to gain experience, strength and promotion,
This light and momentary affliction is working for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I trust You to get me there,
to make me into what You would have me to be.
Help me to understand and submit to what You’re teaching me.

Teach me to dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

Make me immovable.

In the name of Jesus Christ and for Your glory I pray.

Amen.”

And, in those moments where there is an onslaught and the enemy attempts to overwhelm me, my breath prayer is,

“Thank you Father, for the opportunity.”

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

– 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
https://my.bible.com/bible/114/1CO.15.57-58

Repentance Is Lifting Your Eyes To Love

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Repentance Is Lifting Your Eyes To Love

Hating yourself can feel like the proper punishment for the wrong you’ve done, the people you hurt and not being who you think you ought to be, but it’s not the way.

It only causes more harm.

The only helpful response to error and harm is repentance:

1. Awareness of God’s standard (Love),

2. Agree that I fall short of God’s standard,

3. Apologize for the offense to God and the injured caused by missing God’s standard,

4. Acknowledge my need for God’s help to meet the standard,

5. Ask God for His help meet to the standard,

6. Accept God’s help — His manifold grace through the instruction, wisdom, guidance and strength He supplies to atone with others and to align you to His standard so that you approach the matter appropriately moving forward.

7. Appreciate the forgiveness Jesus bought with His blood and the amazing power He offers, the same power that raised Him from the dead He makes available to you to give you new life now, with a new sprit –new and healthy desires, a new disposition and a new outlook.

Self hatred and self loathing is just more selfishness and a twisted attempt at self-righteousness which achieves nothing: no reconciliation, no healing, no improvement, just more anger, bitterness and regret.

When we continually abuse ourselves rather than accept the forgiveness Christ affords us, though we think we abase ourselves, it is an egregious act of pride.

When we reject His grace, we put ourselves above God, we take His seat as judge and instruct Him on how He should have handled our case. We mock God’s perfect solution for justice, we belittle the sacrifice of Christ and assert that His blood isn’t good enough!

Instead, humble yourself. Repent. Turn your attention from self to the Savior. Lift your eyes to Jesus Christ and find all the help you need to meet the standard to be better, to do better, to reconcile, to heal, to be transformed –to love that does no harm.

Repentance is lifting your eyes to Love.

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.7.10.NKJV

Grace Makes It Possible, Not Easy

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Grace Makes It Possible But Not Easy

Imagine being at a basic training camp where everyone can train and proceed to any level available (think elite special forces) but training was completely optional and you completely wasted the opportunity either because you were simply unaware of the opportunity or because you were lazy, preferring comfort, in pursuit of pleasure, or unwilling to endure the suffering that is part of the process to become a mighty warrior royal. (Do you seriously think our Lord would give rule of anything to anyone unqualified? Salvation is a gift. Rule and rewards are earned [even that by the grace He supplies, but being careful not to waste it. See 1 Cor 15:10 ])

That basic training camp is life. And, how we use free will is part of the selection process (not for salvation, because salvation is not earned, but for “rule and rewards” that are earned).

If you can’t survive camp, you will by no means survive the War that’s coming.

Jesus came so that you would not be unaware, so that you would not waste the opportunity, so that you would have life in Him and so that you would be equipped to fight and rule.

The industrial church, with its easy bake Christianity, seeks to rob you of your reward now and in eternity, by making you docile pets that will be loyal to a place, to sit in a pew and put money in a plate.

“Let no one cheat you of your reward” -Colossians 2:18

After you have believed Jesus, press hard after Him. Go! Labor, strive, run, seek the Kingdom of God, take it with violence, fight to be wealthy toward God, for the true riches and an imperishable crown that does not fade away.

For me, that looks like renouncing the values of the principalities and powers of this world and instead accepting and proclaiming Christ –the coming of His Kingdom and laying down my life (my position, my possessions and my power) to grow and prosper the family of God by making Him known through love.

Grace makes it possible but it doesn’t make it easy.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Get your mind right, Christian.

#perfectourlove

Picture copyright Sophie Merlo – Flickr

The Point Of Everything Is To Glorify God

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com The Point Of Everything Is To Glorify God

The point of everything is to glorify God.

When we glorify God, we don’t give God anything, rather we simply recognize the truth of the eternal and unmatched glory of the Ancient of Days. Then our lives stop teetering on lies and began to align with the truth of that reality.

Glory is spiritual mass and like an incomprehensibly massive star, God’s glory makes Him central. It draws everything into right relationship relative to Himself (righteousness). It puts everything in its proper place with the proper orientation which results in more abundant life and well-being.

But life and well-being is not the point, God’s glory is, which creates, sustains and gives meaning to everything.

If people (those who are being saved) are pointed to God, they will flourish because He alone makes all things right.

When the demonic (those who are of the evil one) are pointed to God, they perish and rightly so because they prefer darkness (John 3:16-19, 2 Corinthians 4:1-7).

In either case we do a good work by pointing everything to God.

Glorify God.

So, the point to everything is to glorify God, but how do we glorify God?

What He purposed, He will perform. It is the work of God. Any part that we have in the matter is completely by grace.

The Father is sending forth the Holy Spirit, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness and judgement. (John 16:8)

Do not resist or harden your heart. (Proverbs 8:33)

Receive what He reveals about God’s holiness, our wretchedness without Him, our powerlessness to correct it and our need for deliverance made available exclusively through Jesus Christ. (Mark 10:15, Matthew 11:27, 16:16-17, Acts 4:12)

Do not be proud, knowing more than God and harden your heart. Be as a child. If you think you are wise, become a fool that you may be made wise (e.g. I don’t know. Please teach me). (Hebrews 3:8, Romans 1:18-26, 1 Corinthians 3:19)

Receive the Holy Spirit’s revelation of Christ, hear Jesus and follow Him. (John 5:39)

Trust Him to make us what we need to be to fulfill God’s good and acceptable will. (John 6:29)

Seek His heart’s desire. Reject the flesh and its worldly desire (Kingdom of God vs kingdom of men). (Matthew 6:23, Galatians 5:24)

Obey by loving as He loved us, giving Himself for us. (John 15:12, 1 John 4:11)

When we love as He loved, we fulfill the law, are known as His disciples, yield Oneness and we testify that the Father sent the Son, resulting in the glory of God. (Matthew 22:37-40 John 12:26-28, 13:34-35, 17:23, Romans 13:10)

Everyday this is the purpose before me, to glorify God. The work is believing His only begotten Son and walking according to the guidance of His Spirit with the power He provides. His glory is the result. (Romans 8:11, 2 Corinthians 4:7)

What He has purposed, He will perform and will allow me to be a part of it when I believe (trust) and yield (obey). (Philippians 2:13, 1 Peter 4:10) #grace

The fruit will be love –the standard of righteousness, the bond of fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ all to the glory of God.

“This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” -Psalm 118:23

So that I can easily remember this and stay on task I summarize it as:

Receive Love
Give Love
Trust Love

It is God through and through because “God is love”. -1 John 4:8

He is worthy of the glory.

Glorify God.

#purpose #grace #faith #works #love #perfectourlove

Jesus is Clarity

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com Jesus Is Clarity

Have you ever been at work and weren’t exactly clear on what you should be doing or why it even mattered?

Jesus, from the beginning, makes His call to His disciples crystal clear and there may not be a verse that captures it better than Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17.

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

In one infinitely packed statement Jesus provides the purpose, the process and the product of our calling.

“Follow Me” – This is the purpose: to fix our eyes on Jesus and to walk as He walked (Hebrews 12:2, 1 John 2:6). And, like Peter who walked on the water toward Jesus, it should be apparent from the start that it is impossible to take one step unless we have supernatural help. And, not if, but when we fail in our walk and cry out to Jesus, He will save us (Matthew 14:25-33).

“And I will make you” – This is the process: as we step out in faith to follow Jesus, He does a work in us that makes us fit for the work. No experience required (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Faith in Christ is not a do it yourself project.

The world attempts to make Christianity like every other religion or system of thought and reduce it merely to a philosophy for living but Jesus won’t allow it. He says firmly, “Without Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5. Authentic faith in Christ demands the ongoing involvement of a real, living God.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We follow after Him and depend on His supernatural power to make us what we need to be, to give us what we need to have to do what He called us to do and to keep us until the end (John 10:28-30, Jude 1:24-25).

“Fishers of men” – This is the product. God wants the people (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:3-4). Jesus gives us life in Him so that we may draw others to Him so He can give them life in Him. Christ in God, Us in Christ, They in Us, being made One together by the Holy Spirit all to the glory of God is the point of everything (John 10:10, John 17:20-23).

The people are the point.

In my home: the people are the point.
At my job: the people are the point.
When I’m choosing where to live: the people are the point.
When I’m choosing what to buy: the people are the point.
When I encounter a stranger pumping gas: the people are the point.

God wants the people. And, when we follow Jesus, He will make us into people who can get them, so we can all be together in Him.

Jesus is clarity. Follow Him.

NOTE: Believe it or not, I’ve written hundreds of what I believe are glimpses that God has given me that I’ve never shared. This particular one was written last month.

But, to show you how God works, a friend and sister in Christ, Alethea Burton forwarded me a podcast to listen to yesterday that echoed certain themes that matched what I had written previously and have shared today. It was so forceful, it felt like the volume of those parts were amplified.

And then, I attend Man Church last night and almost the exact phrase, “I will make you fishers of men” are echoed again by two different independent people! After three times in the same day, I was like, “Ok, yes, Lord. I will do it now.”

So, I am sharing this “glimpse” this morning with absolute confidence that it’s not only a Word (logos) for someone but it’s a Word that will make a significant shift and turn the tide for someone right now (kairos). I don’t know who that is or what that will look like but I praise God for it. Glory to God!

#JesusIsClarity

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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Maintaining Focus

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com Maintaining Focus

I am grieved by the brokenness of the world and the suffering it causes.
I am often tempted to try to “save” or change the world.
But, that is not my charge.

The world will remain broken and grow worse as long as there is evil in it, that is, any way of thinking besides God’s.

I have one focus: to attend to my Lord’s house,
to see to the provision for those who are in it,
to maintain it as a safe place
and to seek His beloved, declaring everywhere the good news of His salvation from sin whose infection has caused a broken and dying world.

And, as we who are being saved enter His house, we wash each other’s feet so not to bring the filth that is outside inside.

My goal therefore is not to save the world but to lift up Christ and see people saved out of it:

To invite everyone to the courtyard of the knowledge of Christ,
To minister them into the sanctuary of relationship with Christ,
To lead them into the Holy of Holies of the Love of Christ,
To serve the House of God as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Practically, that means to make the Love of God known not only in word but also in deed and truth (alḗtheia -sincerity): in how I serve, how I work, how I relate to everything –in how I live (1 John 3:18).

May I be found so doing until my Lord returns,
when “all enemies have been put under His feet” and evil is defeated completely (I Corinthians 15:25).
Then, by His power, there will be no more destruction, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9

I have decided to make all that I do in service to this: my Lord’s house. As Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.

If it doesn’t further this, I have no part in it. #kingdomfocus #focus

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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Goats Cannot Be Convinced

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com Goats Cannot Be Convinced
Photo Courtesy: Guru Thodime on Flickr

After 20+ years of studying, teaching and preaching, I am almost embarrassed to admit what I’m just now learning:

Goats cannot be convinced.

Sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him. So, my sole focus should be to speak with His voice as I follow Him.

Not only should I speak His words but with the Spirit in which they were spoken. Love.

“He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break…”
Isaiah 42:2-4

In short, I’ve got to stop yelling at goats. It’s futile.

And, I also should not be surprised nor discouraged that there few sheep and many many more goats.

But, my desire should be (and is) to get connected with every sheep that I can.

References:
Isaiah 42:2-4
John 10:26-27
Matthew 7:13-14
Acts 26:28
1 Corinthians 11:1
Romans 8:7

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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We Must Always Fight

I believed this just a few days ago, but I grew up.

I felt that I shouldn’t have to fight for what belongs to me, like love from my wife for example. But the Spirit revealed that would be true were it not for the enemy.

Because of our enemy, Satan, who lives to divide, steal, kill and destroy, we must ALWAYS fight for EVERYTHING.

In fact, to have ANYTHING good, EVEN FREE things such as the Love of God, I MUST FIGHT to receive it and fight to keep it because Satan opposes me and raises all kinds of Hell to get between me and good.

That is why it is written, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” -Matthew 11:12

Have I then made grace works? Certainly not!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

Faith is the key but even belief does not come without opposition.

“Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
Luke 8:12

In short, a reality of this life is that I MUST ALWAYS FIGHT.

That is one of the things that makes the promise of heaven so sweet. There will be no enemy and I will have to war no more.

But until then, I MUST FIGHT for all the good God offers.

And this is the fight, to stand in the light, to keep all that I am and bring all that I have into the light where darkness cannot dwell. Jesus is the Light. (John 8:12)

“Jesus answered, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'”
John 6:28-29

Plot twist:

God allows Satan’s interference.

Why?

There are reasons unknown to me but I believe two are:

1. It makes me stronger and molds me to the image of His Son, Jesus.

2. We’re not as quick to hand over what we’ve fought for unlike what Adam did with a kingdom that was just given.

God uses the fight to perfect us to rule with Him.

Therefore, I will FIGHT with joy!

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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