Tag: personal comments

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

&

&

The Lord is My Archer– A Poem

arrow1

“Then God will come into view,
    his arrows flashing like lightning!”

Zechariah 7:14

flourish1

The Lord is My Archer

Lowering himself, he carefully chooses

The living arrow that he hast made

My life has been polished just for this

Made smooth and sharp by wise hands that see

For this very precise and holy moment

To be fitted– simple notch to taut string.

The strong bow and ready arrow meet

And boldly dispatched with an eye so sure.

&

ybic, Bryan

*

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?)

*

ybic, Bryan

God Have Mercy

“David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.’”

2 Samuel 24:14, NIV

Life unfolds on us, and it should cause us to turn directly at Him.  It won’t take us to long to grasp the incredible beauty that is now ours.  We understand very little, apart from our connection with Him.  Our relationship is vital, and we turn and receive all that He gives.

At moments like these, I gravitate toward mercy.  I don’t know why, I just do.  Mercy is a wonderful characteristic to have.  We reach through the armholes and tie it on.  It’s like a ‘life preserver’ for strugglers.  We fit into it like a glove. Only when we receive mercy, can we become merciful. And when you are merciful, everyone knows.

Mercy makes us step out into a new direction, and we begin to accumulate a fresh sense of being.  We turn into the wind, and prepare to launch, like the old Navy carriers.  We are ‘shot’ into heaven, with very little regard to what we will do, when we get there.   Catapulted into sky, we quickly learn how to make it work.

But mercy is also a treat.  It carries a deep sense of joy and grace.  When we drive it home we make it understandable, and many will gravitate toward that.  Mercy comes and penetrates our fog.  Mercy communicates a solid grace.  It brings us securely home, like nothing else can.

David has put confidence into the mercy of God.  Given a choice between the mercy of God and the dealings of man, he quickly chooses God.  David, is familiar with the wickedness of men.  He has seen it all first-hand.  But the great mercy of God excels beyond David’s desire.  ‘Let it be God, and I will take everything that He gives’.

Mercy insists that we take her seriously.  Kindness is a reasonably  ‘substantial’ grace.  But when we show Mercy, it is a great step in spiritual warfare.  When mercy shines out, it destroys strongholds completely.  Being merciful is an exceptional gift–when we show it, we’ll penetrate an entrenched evil and terrible darkness.

&

ybic, Bryan

Related articles