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Are you concerned about the absolute accuracy of scripture? Are you equally concerned that it be vivid and alive to you? My word tells a story about the multiplication of loaves and fishes. These were the common menu items of the time. Perhaps you are more familiar with burgers and buns. You have my permission to think in these terms if it will increase the impact my word has in your life. You even have my permission to use your imagination to place yourself in Bible scenes if you can do so without compromising the intent of the word. I leave the door wide open for you to make the Bible real to you and incorporate it in your life. 

Do you assume that I love you when you do right and am angry with you when you do wrong? I tell you that I love you at all times. Bad parents make their love conditional and offer or withhold it based on behavior and performance. Good parents want their children to make life-affirming choices, but love them whether they do or not. If the best of parents can do this can you accept that I do because I am better than the best of parents? You have my promise that neither life nor death nor principalities nor powers nor any created thing can separate you from my love, not even you. 

The headlines scream with the news of another shooting.  The picture of a man accused of molesting a kid flashes across the news followed by another accused of rape.  You raise your eyebrows at a political ad in support of abortion.  ISIS flutters across your mind.  A man stands at the intersection you pass every day.  He’s holding a sign that says, “Repent or burn in hell.”  On the other corner a homeless woman begs for money.

“Let your love be sincere…” –Romans 12:9

All who live in democratic nations have the privilege, duty and honor to cast their vote for leaders who stand for truth and justice. Our children will live under some kind of government, and we can help ensure it is righteous government. That sure is a better gift to give them than unrighteous government.

Do you recognize how deeply you are influenced by your culture? You may think that your perspective is entirely based on my Word and my Kingdom, but you are nonetheless a product of your culture as well. I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I have believers in other nations and cultures. They too are part of my one body, but they come to it from a different direction than you do. It is beneficial for you to seek them out that you may learn from them. It is good for you to have some of your unexamined assumptions challenged and your thoughts provoked to increase your understanding and achieve unity in my body. 

Do you let strangers or enemies live in your house? Aren’t you particular about whom you allow inside your home? Yet do you ever let such people live inside your head? You should be even more careful about this. Negative interactions with other people can haunt you long after the original offense. The other person may have forgotten about it even if they noticed it in the first place, but it can be a source of ongoing distress for you. Your mind should be an inner sanctuary of peace. Do you find it difficult to evict the intruders? I understand this and if you seek my assistance I will send them away. 

I'm pleased to have another guest post today from my daughter, Charity. 

I appreciate her key insight, which really comes down to the issue of focus and the extraordinary importance of where we choose to give our time and attention, what we decide to pay attention to. 

Enjoy this word and be encouraged as you continue pressing on in the spirit!
 

Her face was scrunched up like a raisin.  Her arms hugged her chest matching the deep scowl that formed between curse words. 

The lights of the rescue bounced off the surrounding homes looking for a place to land.  The scene inside one of them had been cramped and intense as we’d found our angry patient (we’ll call Jan) lying on the floor unconscious, barely breathing.

I used manna to provide for my people and also illustrate the need for regular spiritual nourishment. Manna was a daily provision that could not be preserved but there is another provision that is even more immediate. You receive oxygen in every breath. Can you store up air for future use? I breathed life into you to make you alive and breath is a Biblical image of spirit. Manna illustrates a daily need for me. Are you willing to extend this concept to every moment? For I am as close to you as your very breath and in me you live and move and have your being. 

God I think you’re saying that you hide big truths inside people and situations that look completely wrong to us believers? That Religion’s rules about where we will find truth are NOT your rules?

Yes exactly. I’ve always hidden truth like that. Historically, when I have revealed truth, it’s often been believers who have been most unhappy with it.

Can you explain?

Of course. Write down these examples as I explain them.