Category: life lessons

Life Off the Grid

“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”

Ephesians 2:2, NLT

“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

1 John 5:19

An “off-the-grid” lifestyle is living disconnected from basic utilities (such as electric, water supply, etc.)  It has essentially become a significant movement as many seek a life separated from what is perceived as intrusion.  These new homes are autonomous; they provide an alternative to a “life plugged into society” and choosing to be detached from the popular culture.

From what I’ve read, it seems like it is very similar to what the Old Order Amish and Conservative Mennonites have done for centuries.  It seems to be more than “survivalism” and many off-grid people believe they are experiencing a deeper standard of living by being independent.

The Bible teaches that there is a world system that has us enmeshed.  The system is everywhere you see injustice, disease, bondage, wars and pain.  It seems to have a very comprehensive presence of organized wickedness, and it is quite pervasive–it is seen everywhere.

There is a way however, of disconnecting yourself from this spiritual grid.  But there seems to be a consistent pressure on us as Christians to stay connected to this world system.  Those who desire to live off-grid face a degree of scorn and “rolling-of-the-eyes.”  This should be anticipated.  Humans have a tremendous desire for conformity.

The evil found in this world can be intense.  In Bible narrative we see judgement brought on organized societies for their hatred of godliness and godly people.  Satan’s dark fantasy is to control and determine the destiny of all that he can.  The world as we know it, “is  under the control of the evil one.“  The future antichrist will centralize darkness so it does the will of his father, the devil.

The Apostle John had a crisp and clear vision of the spiritual landscape in an extraordinary way.  Many times he speaks clearly.  And at other times John uses symbols and coded information to reveal what is coming.  His writings, especially 1 John and Revelation are embedded with the truths that he saw.

“Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. “

1 John 2:15, CEV

“Off-the-grid” living may have many advantages and appeal, on a physical plane.  (Each of pay a ‘princely’ sum to the electric and water companies.)  But unplugging yourself from this world’s system takes the help of the Holy Spirit.  May the Father guide you in this.

People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day that the flood came and Noah went into the big boat. They didn’t know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man appears.

Matt. 24:38-39, CEV

 ybic, Bryan

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Extraordinary Bread

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Matthew 6:11, ESV

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”

Matthew 7:9, 11, Message

His miracles for us often require some responsiveness on our part.  He truly supplies what we need–but from day-to-day.  He doesn’t just deliver a “pallet” of bread every 2 months.  He simply provides what we need, day by day, contingent on us asking.  If we don’t ask, he won’t provide.  But his ear is very attentive to our cry for provision.

The bread provided is a gift.  We are of the impression that we earn our bread, we work for it.  This verse simply and profoundly says that he gives it.  Bread is an issue of his grace and kindness.  It is something that is given.  You might say that our bread is grace in wheat form.

We must learn to trust him at this basic need.  We need food on a daily level.  We really should be aware of this essential need.  Your supper tonight is infused with His goodness.  He was the provider.  Someone else may have taken certain ingredients and enhanced your dining experience, but he made the provision to your table.

The definitive issue is the “day-by-day” factor.  We must learn that this is the way our Father operates.  We are compelled into His daily care.  Grace comes to us with a day-by-day submission.  That is not a bad thing.  We simply surrender our wills to our Lord.  We must keep coming to him, and asking.

A day’s portion, arriving a day at a time.  It is a profound deception if we believe we can move beyond this.  We accrue wealth and anticipate “protection” from the vagaries of a deity we can’t see.  We want safety and security that is definite and solid.  We feel that if we have worked long enough, and sweated enough, then we will eat well.  It is our privilege.

And we have gone the extra mile, and have developed a “doctrine” that fits our decision-making process.  Theology is important to us, and we try to develop something that will cover us and soothe us, and provide a maximum amount of coverage. However being his disciple is not like buying good car insurance.  But we can’t shake a deep conviction that we have “adjusted” what is real and lasting.

The Father intends that we are to be reliant on him, exclusively.  But that, to be perfectly honest, frightens us. (That maybe why it is done so rarely.)

Being a believer is something quite radical.  It should affect us at the deepest of levels.  We must insist on a way of thinking that propels us into the place of a simple faith.  Our faith in our Father will always be day-to-day.  We can’t think otherwise.  If we try to make it otherwise, we end up in a deep confusion.  The Father has insisted that we depend on Him.

Exodus 16 is the Manna Chapter. To always rely on God daily was for many to be an issue.  When they attempted to get ahead, that extra would become rotten.  If I remember right, the surplus manna produced maggots.

We come to Him hungry.  That is the way he insists.  Our stomachs may growl, but He will always provide all that we need.  Always–our hunger for a day’s provision should move us into a place of grace.  You could say we have a substantial need for His grace.  He will always provide for his children.  And we really do trust Him. (Or do we?)

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ybic, Bryan

I Bind Unto Myself Today

Patrick, Apostle to Ireland

I Bind Unto Myself Today
By: attr. St. Patrick

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever,
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan River,
His cross of death for my salvation,
His bursting from the spiced tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom,
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need,
The wisdom of my god to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three,
Of whom all nature has creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
Salvation is of Christ the Lord!

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Hymn # 172 from Lutheran Worship

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The Father’s House

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

– John 14:1-3

Our hearts can be very disturbed.  It happens more frequently than we think.  We are like a styrofoam cup on the sea in a storm.  Jesus asks us to trust Him in this.  Your trust is very important to Him.  He covets your faith in Him.

Jesus reveals a bit of heaven to us.

  • First, it is a house and not a motel.  There is a warmth and comfort in a house.
  • Second, it is expansive– many rooms, the word is ‘dwelling places’.  Someplace that is relaxing and restful. It’s a place you’ll never, ever want to leave.
  • Third, it is a ‘prepared’ place.  I have friends with a B & B.  They are continually working to make it a comfortable and restful place for their guests.

We see our Lord Jesus taking a personal interest in our stay.  He is involved in making heaven a remarkable place.  That intrigues me.  Somehow eternity seems more hospitable with Jesus directly handling our transition.  He is making all the arrangements on our behalf.

A promise has been given.  He intends to be our escort into heaven.  No one gets lost, or confused as He is completely present.  Our destination is sure, and our Savior is strong.  When Jesus spoke these things, His disciples were encouraged and fortified in their hope and faith.

“It is not darkness you are going to, for God is Light. It is not lonely, for Christ is with you. It is not unknown country, for Christ is there.”

 Charles Kingsley

The promise is precise.  Where I am, there you will be!  This is solid and definitive.  There is nothing vague or ethereal about this.  We will be in His presence just as if it were a dear friend coming by for coffee.  Too often this all gets lost in a haze or fog, and reality is just not there.  But it is real, and its this life, here and now that has no eternal solidity.  And, He has given us His word.

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