april, 2011: manifesting christ

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PART #3C THE STAFF AND SWORD MINISTRY APRIL. 201 I MANIFESTING CHRIST A CLOSER WALK WITH JESUS THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED by Nancy-TONI Youngbrandt Do you want more out ofyour Christian experience than just being saved? Do you long to know Jesus not just as your Savior but as your Lord, Friend and in any and al 1 ways He can be known? Do you wish to abide in the Kingdom of Love in your heart to the fullest extent possible, as is God's Perfect Will for you? If you say "yes" to these questions, then you and I are quite alike, and while we may not be there yet, we are among those who seek to Manifest Christ — the Spirit of God — to its fullest in our lives. In this, we are quite on the same spiritual journey to the High Places where God the Father abides and reigns supreme. I can also tell you that we are also on the road less traveled as those who have gone on before us are in the minority, rather than the majority of the broad Christian body. The good news is that while this is the road less traveled, we are among excellent company. From the likes of Abraham, Joseph, Caleb and Joshua in the Old Testament. to brethren in the 1500's and 1600's to more modern times, the road may be rough but well worth it in the end, even though it may not look like it at the ti me. Like all journeys, there are always trials and tribulations which are a necessary part of the journey to strengthen our faith and break our will so God's Will may be done. These trials and tribulations can and do come from a variety of sources and directions. No two people's walk in Christ will be the same, however there are things that we commonly all experience in one way or the other, to one degree or another. So, let's take a look at what we may encounter so we may be better prepared for our journey as we continue on in our walk in Christ. BEING CHOSEN BY GOD I believe that too often people read the Bible with the attitude that it is interesting history but fail to fully realize that while the names and faces change, people are still basically very much the same. Therefore, what was true then, is true today. Their experiences are our experiences. Jesus' words to His disciples then, are His words to us today. This applies not

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BEING CHOSEN BY GOD THE STAFF AND SWORD MINISTRY APRIL. 201 I experience in one way or the other, to one degree or another. So, let's take a look at what we may encounter so we may be better prepared for our journey as we continue on in our walk in Christ. by Nancy-TONI Youngbrandt PART #3C

TRANSCRIPT

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PART #3C THE STAFF AND SWORD MINISTRY APRIL. 201 I

MANIFESTING CHRISTA CLOSER WALK WITH JESUS

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

by Nancy-TONI Youngbrandt

Do you want more out ofyour Christian experience than just being saved? Do you longto know Jesus not just as your Savior but as your Lord, Friend and in any and al 1 ways Hecan be known? Do you wish to abide in the Kingdom of Love in your heart to the fullestextent possible, as is God's Perfect Will for you?

If you say "yes" to these questions, then you and I are quite alike, and while we may notbe there yet, we are among those who seek to Manifest Christ — the Spirit of God — to itsfullest in our lives. In this, we are quite on the same spiritual journey to the High Placeswhere God the Father abides and reigns supreme. I can also tell you that we are also on theroad less traveled as those who have gone on before us are in the minority, rather than themajority of the broad Christian body. The good news is that while this is the road lesstraveled, we are among excellent company. From the likes of Abraham, Joseph, Caleb andJoshua in the Old Testament. to brethren in the 1500's and 1600's to more modern times, theroad may be rough but well worth it in the end, even though it may not look like it at thetime. Like all journeys, there are always trials and tribulations which are a necessary partof the journey to strengthen our faith and break our will so God's Will may be done. Thesetrials and tribulations can and do come from a variety of sources and directions. No twopeople's walk in Christ will be the same, however there are things that we commonly allexperience in one way or the other, to one degree or another. So, let's take a look at whatwe may encounter so we may be better prepared for our journey as we continue on in ourwalk in Christ.

BEING CHOSEN BY GODI believe that too often people read the Bible with the attitude that it is interesting history

but fail to fully realize that while the names and faces change, people are still basically verymuch the same. Therefore, what was true then, is true today. Their experiences are ourexperiences. Jesus' words to His disciples then, are His words to us today. This applies not

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BEING CHOSEN BY GOD continuedonly to the "good stuff' of promises and empowerment, but also the "bad stuff' aboutpersecution, rejection, envy and hatred being aimed at us -- not only by those in the worldbut by our professing "brothers and sisters" in Christ as well.

I mention this because it is a nice thought to believe that if we were all more like Jesus,our lives would be easier on a worldly level. We would be more loved and accepted, right?Well, yes — among those who truly love Jesus and have a heart for God, these will love andaccept you in Christ. Likewise, those unsaved ones who are looking for God's love andacceptance will also be drawn to Jesus in you. However, those with sin in their heart, thoseof the world, those who are yet still carnal or naturally minded, and those whose father isthe Devil — these will not love and accept you nor Jesus in you. And as sin abounds in thenation, and demons working through the anti-Christ spirit in our government abound andhave more power, the triore the battle between the forces of Light (God) and the forces ofDarkness (the Devil) becomes apparent. However, this is right in line with Jesus' Words tous in the Scriptures. For example, He said in John 3:16-21:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, thatwhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ForGod sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that theworld through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is notcondemned: but he believeth not is condemned already, because he hath notbelieved in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that li ght is come into the world and menloved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the li ,,,ht, neither cometh to the light, lest his deedsshould be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light , that his deeds my be mademanifest, that they are wrought in God."

It is interesting that here we see that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to savethe world through His sacrifice. However, if we reject Jesus and the Price He paid for us,then that Light of God which would shine forth to liberate us works to condemn us byrevealing ourdarkness and evil deeds, and we condemn ourselves. It isn't God condemninganyone but rather the evil and sin within a person rejecting and hating the Light, and

therefore condemning that person. However, the last verse here is great for it says, "he thatdoeth truth cometh to the ]ight, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought

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BEING CHOSEN BY GOD continuedin God." In other words, if we seek the truth, which is Jesus Christ, and act accordingly, andcome into the Light of God's Presence and Love, then our deeds will be made manifest,those deeds which are made or shaped by God Himself.

Later in John 14:1 b-17 Jesus then explained that: "...(God) shall give you anotherComforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth;whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not neither knowethhim : but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Here we can see yet another reason why those who are worldly will not be able to relateto, nor understand, those who are led by the Spirit of God and have God's Hand on theirlives. Jesus tells us upfront that the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth — which isGod's Spirit, which is Jesus Christ as well. Those in the world and of the world cannot seeHim and neither do they know Him, but we know Him for He dwells with us and shall beor is already in us, depending upon the individual Christian.

Lastly, let's see what Jesus said in John 15:18-24; for it is here that He states plainly thatit is those that Jesus Himself and God the Father have chosen, those who He has His handon directly, and that have a true heart for Him, that will be hated as a result.

"if the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If yewere of the world, the world would love his own: but ye are not of the world,but I have chosen you out of the worldtherefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater thanhis lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if theyhave kept my saving, they will keep yours also. But all these things will theydo unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but nowthey have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. IfI had not done among them the works which none other man did, they hadnot had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and myFather."

In these Scriptures I can see that Jesus is forewarning us that the more God shows forthin our lives, the more some will fight and reject us, or rather the Light coming from us whichexposes their sin. Like Jesus said, "The servant is not greater than his lord." What Heexperienced will be our experience to one degree or another, but at least we have His Graceand Spirit to endure and come through these difficulties.

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BEING CHOSEN BY GOD continuedThese words and the reality of this side to our walk in Christ, are certainly not very

popular in the mainstream Church. After all, who wants to go through what Jesus wentthrough? Didn't He die for us so we don't have to? We!], yes, He did come, suffered, and

died for our sins so that we may have eternal life and not die in our sin. However, He didn't

say there would be no cost or price to be paid. And is that all He came to do for us — to make

sure we made it to Heaven? What about the part where He spoke of leaving, and that those

who followed would do the same, and even greater things than He did? What about

becoming a manifest Son of God? What about bringing God's Kingdom to earth so He can

rule and reign here in the hearts of mankind? Surely, there is more work to be done, but

surely this is indeed part of the road less traveled.

EVERYTHING WORKS FOR GOODFOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

One purpose for this article is to be an encouragement to those who have a heart for God

and have God's hand on them, but who find they are often encountering trials and

tribulations they didn't expect would be part of their walk in Christ. Well, perhaps there is

a new way to perceive these troubles: perhaps instead of thinking that you've done

something wrong, perhaps you need to see God at work instead. Taking an honest look at

your heart and relationship with God and Jesus Christ, is the key. Are you on His side or

does something in you resist and fight Him? Are you chosen by Hiin, and therefore you need

to realize that, or are you not sure? It is important for you to find out.

To illustrate my point here, let's look at the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Bookof Genesis. Since Joseph and his brothers are the foundation for the tribes of Israel, I believetheir example can also apply to God's people generally — Christian or Jewish alike.

The story begins in Genesis chapter 37, where we see that Joseph is not only the preferredson of his earthly father Jacob, but that God's Hand is on him as well. We know this becausehis earthly father gives him a beautiful coat of many colors, and that God gives him a dreamrevealing that at some point, Joseph's family would be bowing in obeisance to Joseph. Well,his brothers were quite jealous of Joseph and his new coat, and none of his family, even hisfather, react well to the dream. It says his father rebuked him but his brothers then go a lotfurther. Some wanted to actually slay Joseph but Reuben suggests just putting him in a pitand leaving him there. In the end, he was sold into slavery while his brothers make it lookas though lie had been killed. We are looking at a host of dark thoughts and sin in the heartsof his brothers.

Of course, that was indeed a difficult trial for Joseph, who was betrayed by his ownbrothers, sold into slavery and then falsely accused of a crime which landed him in prison.However, as bad as that all sounds, God's Hand was on Joseph as He used these

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EVERYTHING WORKS FOR GOOD... continuedcircumstances to bring Joseph into a place that would ultimately lead him to the Pharaoh.You probably know the story but while Joseph was in prison, he interpreted a dream for oneof Pharaoh's bakers, who was also in prison. Later, after he interpreted a dream for the bakerand the baker was released and restored to his former position, the Pharaoh had somedreams that troubled him and he wished to have them interpreted as well. This is when thebaker told the Pharaoh of Joseph who was then brought in, to interpret the dreams ofPharaoh. The interpretation (by the Spirit of God) was revealing that seven good years ofcrops and cattle would be followed by seven bad years of drought and famine in the land.As a reward, Joseph was put in charge of using those seven good years to store up food forthe seven lean years. It would be during those seven years of drought and famine, whenJoseph's family would be brought to Pharaoh's doorstep seeking help. It would be then thatthey would all find out what had happened to Joseph, and fulfill the dream that Joseph hadall those years ago. You can see God's Hand was truly on Joseph and in his heart, for heforgave his brothers and welcomed his family with open arms, even feeding and helpingthem before they went on their way.

The reason I share this story is because it is such an obvious example of how those whofind God's Hand firmly and directly on their lives are indeed a minority, and that their roadis one certainly filled with trial and difficulty. Out of 12 brothers, one is truly in God's favorand blessing. The other brothers are like those who God does not abandon in their hour ofneed, and even prearranges provision for them; but they surely are not walking with God asthey should be. They are His people but surely God is not entirely pleased with them, andthey will reap of what they have sown. The question then is: would you rather be likeJoseph, or one of his brothers? Are you, as a Christian, j ust barely getting into the Kingdomof God by believing on Jesus Christ, or are you giving all of your heart to Him, working outyour salvation with fear and trembling, and letting His Hand move and guide your lifeaccording to His Will for you? Would you accept and embrace God's Hand on your life, ordoes it make you feel uncomfortable and uneasy?

I raise these questions for you to think and pray about. If you have found that you feelyour walk in Christ has not progressed as you would like, then pray about why. The enemycan trouble us, even try to make our lives more difficult to draw us away from Jesus; butultimately, the only thing that really holds us back from a deeper walk in Christ, is us. Weare often our own worst enemy. As we see with Joseph and even Jesus, what the Devil doesto us, God can use it all for His purposes. As Scripture says, everything does work for goodfor those who love God. So, what's holding you back? What is tripping you up`' That isbetween you and God, but what I am led to convey is: Should you want more of God in yourIi fe and more of Christ in your heart and being, then you should know it is not always easy,and it is not what the majority of others are doing. It can be lonely, as Jesus teaches us torely on Him. It can be painful, as Jesus builds our faith and trust in Him. But, it is also a

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EVERYTHING WORKS FOR GOOD... continuedpath that leads to God's Love as you've never known it before, and to that peace whichpasses understanding. It is the road less traveled but one all Christians should be on.

KEEPING GOD AT A DISTANCEUnfortunately, too many of those who profess to he Christians and have salvation, prefer

to keep God at a distance. They like their life the way it is, or at least the seeming controlover the life, and are content to believe on Jesus so they can go to Heaven when they leavethis world, but aren't interested or haven't been taught that they can bring Jesus into theirlife now, in this world. For some, perhaps they don't like having their sense ofreality shakenor they don't what to have to deal with their Inner sin-life — the baggage we all carry withinunless we give it up to God. This certainly seems to be the case for what was at work inGod's people throughout the whole Exodus story, as God led Moses and His people out ofEgypt and into the Promised Land.

Time and time again there were clear, visible workings of God's Hand to cause Pharaohto release the people of Israel, but time and again Pharaoh would resist and harden his heart.One could say that was to be expected but I wonder for whose sake it was, that it says at onepoint it was God who hardened Pharaoh's heart. Perhaps Pharaoh's heart wasn't the onlyone needing to be opened, but those in God's people as well.

Without going over the whole story, it is amazing to me to see how God so clearlymanifested Himself for them, provided for them and protected them throughout theirjourney, and yet they were always so quick to complain and murmur, and want to return toEgypt.

For example, in Exodus 24:9-1 1 it explains how Moses and Aaron with Nadab andAbihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, all went up and saw the God of Israel. It says they"saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work ofa sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." Wow, you'd

think that would have made an impression!

As if that wasn't enough, it goes on in Exodus 24:16-17 to say: "And the glory of the

Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh

day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory

of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the

children of Israel." So everybody saw something, not _just the elders; and yet after Moseswas gone fora while longer than expected, it didn't take much for them to return to their oldpagan ways by making a golden calf to worship.

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KEEPING GOD AT A DISTANCE continuedNow, there is no denying that God's Hand was mightily on Moses. Moses had a

relationship with God for which God chose and prepared him. However, why was it that themajority of the people of Israel so failed to appreciate, respect and embrace the gift fromGod being given them? There were a few faithful ones like Caleb and Joshua, and those likethem in heart, but the majority did not react well to having God so directly involved, andshowing Himself so plainly in front of their very eyes. Why? Would we really be sodifferent today?

The fascinating thing about Moses' experience with God was that he was so close to God,in such a pure form, that after a while, when Moses returned to the people of Israel, his faceliterally shone with God's Light and Presence. It was so bright and disturbing to the peoplethat they asked Moses to put a veil over his face. The sad thing is that ultimately Godwanted all of His people to be close to Him and to be filled with the Light of God, to hearfrom God for his or her self, but the people said no. They told Moses, "you tell us what Godsays and we will do it." Well, they didn't do all that God commanded through Moses, andthe problem of the Law became manifest: the problem being that a fallen person cannotfulfill the Law of God on his or her own; we need God to fulfill His Law in us so He sentJesus Christ to do it for us.

The thing is, this same reaction to God's Presence shining through Moses is still in God'speople today. Too often we as Christians look for things we can "do" to get right with God,other than praying and giving ourselves to Him in prayer -- for His Light and Spirit to doits work through Jesus Christ and under His shed blood, in us.

For a further explanation of why the people of Israel reacted the way they did, the ApostlePaul explains that their minds were blinded for they were not ready to "steadfastly look tothe end of that which is abolished," because that veil would not be removed until it wasdone away in Christ. (II Cor. 3:13-14)

He then goes on to explain in verses 15- 1 8: "But even unto this day, when Mosesis read, the veil in upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord,the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit ofthe Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the

glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even asby the Spirit of the Lord."

I guess another way to look at this is that at least the people of Israel had an excuse why

they couldn't hear the Light and Presence of God: Jesus hadn't come and died for their sin

yet, and opened the way. But what is our excuse today? It is my prayer that Jesus would

remove any veil on my mind and/or heart that holds me back today. I know that, like with

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KEEPING GOD AT A DISTANCE continued

Moses, it is ultimately up to God as how He wishes to work in my life or any of us; but Ibelieve in making myself as ready for Him and His Will to be done in me, as I can. I do whatI can and trust God for the rest.

PREPARING YOUR HEART TO ENTER IN

One thing is for certain: sooner or later, what is in our hearts is revealed. Sometimes thiswill be to the glory of God and other times to our shame. In the end, all of us are reliant onthe Grace of God through Jesus Christ, as to whether we enter into His "Promised Land" forus, or not. To further explain, let's first look at what transpired in Numbers, chapters 13-14.

This part of the Exodus story is where Moses and the people of Israel had come to theborder of the land of Canaan, which the Lord told Moses He was giving to the children ofIsrael —this was their "Promised Land." However, before going forward to occupy the land,the Lord God led Moses to send one man from each tribe to go and spy out the land: to seewhat it was like and how many people dwelled there; whether they were "strong or weak,fewer or many."

After being gone for 40 days, the men returned, reporting that indeed it was a fruitful landwhich "floweth with milk and honey." However, they also reported that, "Neverthelessthe people be strong ... the cities are walled, and very great ...", and all but Caleb wereafraid to go and take the land God had for them. It goes on to say this about the men whohad scouted: "And they brought up an evil report of the land which they hadsearched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we havegone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all thepeople that we saw in it are men of great stature. And there we saw the giants, thesons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight asgrasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. "(NUinbers 13:32-33)

This report, in turn, brought most of the children to murmur against Moses and againstAaron, saying again that it would have been better if they had died in Egypt than to die outthere in the wilderness. Some even wanted to vote for a captain and return to Egypt, thenand there. Of all those who had searched out the "Promised Land", only Caleb and Joshua,just two out of at least 12 or more men representing the tribes, had faith in God and God'sHand on the people of Israel. Only those two rent their clothes in grief at the people andpleaded with them: "... The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceedinggood land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us;a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neitherfear he the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed fromthem, and the Lord is with us: fear them not." (Numbers I4:7-9)

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PREPARING YOUR HEART TO ENTER IN continuedUnfortunately, the people's reaction was not a good one as it goes on to explain that ALL

THE CONGREGATION then sought to stone them with stones (verse 10) — wow, what arejection!

Needless to say, God was not pleased. As a matter of fact, if Moses hadn't pleaded withGod on their behalf, it says that God was ready to smite them with pestilence, and disinheritthem, and even make a greater nation mightier than they. Instead, Moses reasoned with Godand interceded for the people so God's determination would be: "... I have pardonedaccording to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with theglory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and mymiracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me nowthese ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see theland which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of thenl that provoked mesee it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hathfollowed nie full, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seedshall possess it." (Numbers 14:20-24)

I find it of note that God makes the distinction that Caleb had "another spirit" with him;one that made him different from the others who had seen God's glory and God's miracles,and did not tempt God or rebel, and that actually hearkened to God's voice, unlike the rest.In a lot of ways, Caleb is like Joseph, the only one among 12 to have a heart for God, tofollow after Him no matter what; to have faith and believe in God no matter how thingslooked on the surface.

YOUR INDIVIDUAL `PROMISED LAND'

I like the whole Exodus story because it mirrors and reveals the journey that all of God'speople must take to enter into the "Promised Land" God has for each of us — Jew orChristian. As a point of clarification, when I say "Promised Land", I don't mean a piece ofproperty or green pasture in this world (although that may be a manifestation of it), ratherI see it as a spiritual land, a spiritual place which represents being in and occupying thespiritual place God has for you personally. It means being in the center of God's SovereignWill for you. It means, ultimately, being who God made you to be. It means entering intothe Kingdom of'God and possessing in your walk in Christ, while on earth and in heaven.And this involves leaving our former life behind and walking with Jesus as our guide intothis new and unknown territory for our soul and inner life.

There's this song that beautifully illustrates the inner journey I speak of It is entitled,"Isle of Hope. Isle of Tears." In the song, it begins as a story of a young girl leaving Ireland

to come to America, landing first at Ellis Island (the entry point at that time.) The chorus

goes like this:

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YOUR INDIVIDUAL PROMISED LAND continued

"Isle of hope, Isle of tears, Isle of freedom, Isle of fear,But it's not the isle I left behind.

Isle of hunger, Isle of pain, Isle I'll never see again,But the Isle of home is always on my mind."

The first part is a reflection of the young girl's inner struggle while looking forward tothe new land to which she going. She stands at the gateway to a new land that representshope and freedom, and yet tears and fears arise as she is about to leave behind her home andgo into the unknown. But then looking back, she remembers the hunger and pain whichbrought her to this point, and yet it will always be on her mind -- she can't quite let it go. Shemay have been miserable there but it was home; it's scary to leave that which you know,even if it is filled with hunger and pain.

Now, look at the people of Israel coming to their Promised Land. Ahead lies a land ofhope, opportunity, freedom and God's Blessing; but for them, their fears got the better ofthem. They looked ahead at the giants and feared for their lives, so they looked back at theirhome in Egypt, perhaps forgetting the tears, hunger and pain that they endured there, butrather longing to return to that which they knew — their former life.

Now, apply that to your walk in Christ because inwardly, it's the same. Jesus came to takeus from the land of our sinful, fallen life, before we gave ourselves to Him, into a new land,a new way of living: in harmony with God and Jesus Christ. In that former land lies all ofour hunger for love and acceptance that the world cannot give; and the pain the worldprovides, with no peace or healing balm of God's precious [.ore. There we are slaves, beingin bondage to sin and carnality, which seem to get the better of us. When we bring God intoour heart and give our lives to Jesus Christ, He desires to bring us into a new land: God's"Promised Land" for us — His Kingdom. Here there is hope; here there is true freedom —freedoin in Christ from sin, from the bonds of the Law, and freedom from the pain andhunger of the past. Yes, there will be tears; yes, there will be fears as our old life getstransformed into something new. A new land awaits you: your Isle of Promise; your new lifein Christ Jesus. And yet, how many of us really enter in? Are you praying to be as Caleb andJoseph, or are you willing to settle for being as the rest of the people of Israel who came soclose to entering in and then didn't? In the examples of Caleb and Joseph, they had to giveup their former lives to enter their new one. If they had stayed in their former lives, theywouldn't have entered their new lives in God's Sovereign Will for them.

GIVING UP THE OLD LIFE FOR A NEW ONE IN CHRIST

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25-26: "... If any man will come after me, let him deny

himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save hislife shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."

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GIVING UP THE OLD LIFE FOR A NEW ONE ... continued

Jesus also said in John 14:1-3 — "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe inGod, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it werenot so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go andprepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto m yself: thatwhere I am, thereye ma y be also."

Just think, first He tells that if we lose our life for Jesus' sake, we will find our true lifein Him. Then Jesus goes on to say that He Himself will go, and so has gone on ahead, toprepare a place for each of us. Then He tells us that He will return and receive us untoHimself, in and from that new place. I believe it to be an assumption to say that Jesus is onlyspeaking of either when we die and the new place He has for us, or that He is only speakingof His Second Coming, but rather, it could be speaking of us being filled with Jesus Christand His Spirit to the point where He is, we are also -- and vice versa: where we are, He is( whether on earth or in Heaven).

I say this because after what Jesus said in John 14:1-3, in verses 12-14 He tells us:"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I doshall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do ; because I go untomy Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that theFather may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, Iwill [lo it."

So in other words, the work Jesus began is supposed to go on, so how can we do that fromHeaven when Jesus Himself had to come here to begin with? We are supposed to possessand occupy the spiritual place or state of being that He prepared for us, while we are hereon earth — not just after we pass on. I particularly love when Jesus explained in John 14:21and 23.

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that lovethme: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,and will manifest m yself to him.... If a man love me, he will keep my words:and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him , and ma ke ourabode with him ."

The word "abode" means home . So what Jesus is really saying is that the Father and Jesus.Himself, will make their home with us, as we make our home with them .... and you knowthe old expression: Home is where the heart is.

Page 12: April, 2011: MANIFESTING CHRIST

Page 12 MANIFESTING CHRIST — THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED APRIL 2011

SUMMARY

III were to sum up what prevented those in Israel from entering into their "PromisedLand", I would say that it comes down to five main issues:

1. They didn't want to give up control of their lives to God,

2. They didn't do what God asked or commanded.

3. They didn't deny their lives in deference to God's Will. They sought to save their lives

rather than lose it and trust in God.

4. They didn't lay down their will to God, for His Will to be done.

5. They didn't allow God to take away the veil over their minds and hearts.

These are also the very same reasons why God's people today often do not enter into a

closer relationship with Jesus, and miss out on having God's loving Hand guide their lives

and lead them where He wants them to be, doing what He wants them to do.

If you would like to find your new life in Christ, or go further into the "Promised Land"

you've begun to possess, then this article is meant to provide you with some food for

thought and prayer, as you examine your heart to see what might be holding you back.

In the end, when all is said and done, there is no replacement for spending time with Jesus

in prayer and abiding. The only way we can be more like Jesus, is to spend time with Jesus.

The only way the Holy Spirit will be able to do its work within us, is if we let it and do not

resist it. A prophet/Apostle of Jesus Christ once said:

You don 't have the right to be right;

you don 't have the right to he wrong:

you only have the right to he broken.

This may seem a little harsh but it is true. With God, it does not really matter if we are right

all the time; it also does not mean we are wrong all the time: with God, being right andwrong are not as important as being humbled, yielded and broken in His Presence and to His

Will. As Jesus said lastly to God before going to the cross for our sins:

"Not my will, but Thy will be done."

When we come to God in that state, He can truly do a mighty work in us.

,..E^^rs k s LA i