Saturday, September 28, 2013

DISCIPLINE - NOT THE END, BUT THE MEANS TO IT

Any goal our Father has in mind is never reached in the midst of his discipline, but only at its end.

Ronen

Saturday, September 7, 2013

HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS, HE RESTORES MY SOUL

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
(Psa 23:2-3)

There appears to be more than meets the eye in this psalm of David. Notice that, although in one sense, it appears as though he is being led to places to eat (green pastures) and drink (still waters), and thus is restored in soul (refreshed), there is another, more veiled way to understand what is going on.

I see this psalm hinting as the restoration of man's true, original identity, who we truly are. I say this because he gets to the green pastures and no mention is made of eating, but instead, he lies down there. This speaks of rest, a rest in a place where he (symbolized as a sheep) is meant to be, where he would call home.

He next is said to be led beside, not a running brook, but still waters. Such waters speak firstly of the tranquility of setting, just as the green pastures, but it also speaks a hidden message to us. What do you see when you look down at still water, that does not happen with running water? You see a true image of yourself. Running water gives a distorted image, if one at all. This, I believe, speaks of man seeing himself as he truly is, and has always been.

These two realities, of being where you always have belonged, and of seeing who you truly are, restores your soul. This is not refreshment (that is another Hebrew word), but is rather, a 'shub', a returning of soul, of all that makes you you. In other words, to truly see, not only who you truly are, the image and likeness of God, but also to see your true home, source of origin, from God himself, man is thus restored, returning in his mindset to where he came from in the beginning.

In this state, we we can truly be led on the paths that define us, paths of righteousness (of uprightness, not that which is fallen over). And such is truly for his name's sake, for his very name speaks of all that is finding its source and genuine identity in him.

You, my dear ones, are those who have your true identity and home in him, and he visibly expresses it in you as you live his life.

Ronen

Thursday, September 5, 2013

BEHOLD THE VICTORIOUS LION....BY BEHOLDING THE SLAIN LAMB

John was in tears upon hearing the news that there was no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth found worthy to open a sealed scroll, one of great importance and anticipation. He records this account of his life in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. One steps in and gives the assurance that there is someone who is able.  Having looked in heaven and on and under the earth, where could this one be found? Who else could there be?

This one is exalted far above all the heavens. Heaven, nor earth, contains him. He contains them. The elder invites John to behold him:

One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."
(Rev 5:5)

Behold...the Lion. What joy that must have brought John. He once walked with this overcoming Lion, who he knew as Yeshua of Nazareth. So he focuses in and his eyes lay hold of...

a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain...
(Rev 5:6)

What an enigma! Why is John beholding a Lamb (and a slain one at that), when he was told to behold the Lion who has overcome?

As important as the overcoming Lion is, the foundation upon which his victory rests is found, not in what a lion normally does, but is contained in the action of a lamb who gives himself up to be slain. It is through his faithfulness to DEATH, that he is VICTORIOUS. Truly, life comes out of death.

 Paul was given this understanding as well. When we speak of Yeshua our master, we so value the importance of his resurrection, and rightly so. It is by his resurrection life that we co-share in that same life.

Yet, notice just a couple of statements of Paul as he describes the Messiah he presented to the people around him. In writing to the Galatian believers, he wanted to bring them back to the foundation upon which they now were awakened to, the reality they were being seduced to drift away from. This foundation was Messiah, but portrayed how?

Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?
(Gal 3:1)

And again, to the believers in Corinth, he had a determination to accurately share the testimony of God (1Co 2:1).

And what was this testimony?

For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
(1Co 2:2)

You see, it is the normal, natural desire to focus on the victory, yet it is the very thing which made that victory possible that is of utmost importance, for his death was not simply an act in history, but an example of how to truly be victorious...how to LIVE! Again, it is only through death (in God's economy) that life comes.

I would like to simply leave you to consider what came about by means of his death that set the foundation firm for all of that which makes his resurrection life possible for us to share in.

Ronen

Sunday, September 1, 2013

THE ONLY SEPARATION TO ENTERTAIN

My dear brothers and sister, let us never entertain any thought of separation from our Father, either in space or in relationship.

May the only separation we entertain be the separation of who we are not, of what does not define us, accomplished by the Man Father appointed to bring that separation about in light of his reality, and keep it such forever:

of our sin

of our old man

of our outward appearance

of any contradiction that comes our way

Ronen