Tag: Holy Spirit

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

The King Concept

“Power and peace will be in his kingdom
       and will continue to grow forever.
    He will rule as king on David’s throne
       and over David’s kingdom.
    He will make it strong
       by ruling with justice and goodness
       from now on and forever.
    The Lord All-Powerful will do this
       because of his strong love for his people.”

Isaiah 9:7, NCV

Things are now finally falling into place.  Jesus brings with Him a very definite sense of the Kingdom.  Darkness has been tricked.  It has been totally overcome by His presence.  The twin attributes of power and of peace are penetrating everything they touch.  We will no longer have to put up with deception and sin.

This intervention will continue, forever.  All I can do, is witness to its power.  Nothing phases it.  It continues to advance without melodramatics or manipulation.  He fully intends to sit on the throne of David; it is His by right and by deed.  Because, after all, He is the true King.

He is not just a token king, or a king in idea or theory.  He does rule, fully and completely.  He fortifies the kingdom and brings an intentional awareness to His subjects of true love and peace.  The concepts of justice and goodness, which have never really been considered, are released into the lives of the people.

There is a pervasive sense that this will continue and endure.  The King and the kingdom has come  (and there isn’t a thing we can do about it.)  This is not a ‘flash in the pan’.  It has the idea of eternity stamped all over it.  What He is doing is eternal.  It is not temporary or fleeting.  What He is doing is nothing more than revolution in the spiritual realm.

Our verse in Isaiah 9, speaks resoundly about ‘love’.  It is His love that pushes through all this turmoil and confusion.  He loves us to the extent of dying in our place.  Love is what energizes Him, it causes Him to look for us.  Love are the ‘rails’ He moves on, to come to us.  When He finally locates us, He purchases us with His own money off of the slave block.  No questions and no demands.

Because He is all-powerful, He cannot be limited to the status of a ‘quasi-God’. His complete strength allows Him the option of doing whatever He chooses.  There are voices, scattered and strained, that have the audacity to claim that they really rule.  But if we think about, we discover that this is nothing more then a spiritual comedy being played out.

As we think about Isaiah, and his prophetic awareness, we are brought to an understanding that absolutely ‘rocks’ our world.  Jesus flips it all on its head, and the weakest become the strongest. He alone is our hope.  And He has done it all.

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ybic, Bryan

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To Envy A Green Olive Tree

Planted in the Kings Courtyard

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God, forever and ever.” 

Psalm 52:8, ESV

It is important that we can properly identify ourselves.  The psalmist knows what he is.  There is no confusion in his thinking, and he has a zero vacillation factor.  “I am like–the comparison, to a green olive tree, –the reality.”  FYI, he isn’t talking about green olives (my fridge has a jar or two), but a tree that is green (full of fresh life).  He marks himself, identifying himself of being a flourishing and productive tree.  This makes sense when we compare possibilities of what the many types there are.

He puts himself in “the house of God”.  “Planted”–the idea of being fixed in a spot.  And living, “growing, lush and green”.  He is not your “run-of-a-mill” olive tree.  He is planted, and positioned, in an incredibly rich place, right in the temple, God’s house.  Now it is one thing to flourish– but another thing to be that way in the ultimate prime spot.  It is good to see this. There is a generousness about having a place in God’s house.  It is as good as it gets!

There is a “trust” that we can see that the psalmist has.  It has to do with love.  Not so much of my love for Him, but His love for me.  It takes confidence to think this way.  I confide, and then settle myself in His love.  He loves me! (and I know it!)

The psalmist emphasizes a love that has an eternal understanding, “forever and ever”.  Now most of us are aware of a love that has limits and distinctions.  But His kind of love for me is the “firehose” kind of love.  (When it blasts, it can peel paint off a car.)

A fresh olive tree.  A desirable thing of beauty.  But planted right in the middle of God’s house.  That is an amazing thing!  We have the soil, and it’s a rich soil.  And we have the location, right in a wonderful spot.  This is as good as it gets!  We have the most envious spot in the garden.  As a clinically depressed person, this comes as a terrifically great news!

 

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ybic, Bryan

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