Approximation toward a goal implies knowledge of the target and knowledge concerning your position in respect to the desired end. [Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, NKJV—This scripture indicates that the "target" is complete alignment with Jesus Christ.] My Word not only constitutes the goal but is the very vehicle toward achieving union with the Ultimate. [2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV] You cannot possibly achieve complete union without the word rooted and growing in your being. [Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" NKJV]
Body, soul, and spirit must all synergistically access the Word of Truth. {The usual order of operation has been that the soul (the seat of personality, intellect, and emotions) has provided the steering of the body, with the spirit relegated to being a back seat occupant, with little or no input. With the untransformed soul in control, the motivation and direction spring from the lust of the flesh (sensualism); the lust of the eyes (materialism); and the pride of life (humanism). [1 John 2:15 Do Not Love the World or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV] The untransformed soul is a product of the individual's experiences and genetic predispositions. As such, it is a reflection—not of Christ—but of the fallen order.
The renewed (transformed) order of operation must have the renewed spirit (in cooperation with the Holy Spirit) as the steering force with the soul being—not only directed by—but also taught by the spirit. [Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV] In this way, the soul becomes the vehicle for the spirit, and as such, a conduit to show forth the glory of the Lord in this earth. Finally, the body must be strapped into the back seat where it is compelled to go where the spirit leads. [1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. NKJV]}
Great opportunity toward development awaits your willingness to look into the mirror of My Word. However, it is as if you suppose that denial has a bearing on reality. You say, "If I do not admit it, I am not pressed to conform." [Jeremiah 5:1 "Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her. 2 Though they say, 'As the LORD lives,' surely they swear falsely." 3 O LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to return. 4 Therefore I said, "Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the LORD, the judgment of their God." NKJV]
Only in complete conformity to My will, will you find protection from great disturbances soon to appear. All that I Am is in My will. All that I Am is found in the sum total of My Word as it is illuminated by My Spirit.
Confusion is the result of opposing forces coming to bear upon you. [James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? NKJV]
Clarity is the result of alignment with the dynamic flow of the Almighty. Nothing can oppose Me. [Joel 3:4 "Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head; NKJV] You struggle because you are not fully committed to total surrender.
Consider:
What have I (the Lord) said?
What have you done?
How do you reconcile the disparity between these two things?
Hear My Word. Welcome My Word. Nourish My Word. It will guide you safely through great tumult. Greater conformity to My will leads to greater power.
Your problem is often not one of hearing but of accepting. You do not consciously choose to ignore but all levels of your being have not been relinquished into My will. Secret rebellion in your members thwarts advancement toward unity of operation with the I Am.
You must daily acknowledge that your will is not in conformity to My will, and with deliberation of soul and spirit, choose conformity to Me. It is in Me that all your needs are met and that true transformation is realized.
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