Galatians 1:15-17 NKJV

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

There are times in our Christian walk that we may be required to retreat by ourselves for a period of time, even from our beloved brethren in Christ. This may occur when confusion arises, or if perhaps bitterness and anger threaten. Maybe you will feel the gentle nudge of Holy Spirit asking you to simply turn aside so that the still, small voice of Yahweh may be heard personally. Paul had a profound encounter with the Living Christ on the Damascus Road. He came to know Jesus in such a living and personal way that he had no need to ascertain this experience with any other living soul. Paul knew Jesus in that moment, totally, personally, intimately and assuredly. Therefore He chose to retreat for three years to learn from Christ alone before he returned to meet the Apostles. This is a blessed assurance, when we can know Christ to that depth of intimacy, and receive teaching directly from heaven without needing to confer with others. An intense intimacy with Jesus always produces unshakeable results of knowing Him and the plans He chooses to reveal. This requirement of deep connection with the Lord ensures that we can avoid any potential error by following His leading and direction for our lives. And although we are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together (and indeed the Lord desires for unity in the Body of Believers), we must also discern the times that He may require us to retreat for a season. The reasons for such a need may vary person to person. It may be that the waters of the current Christian stream we are in seem muddied to us, and the way has become less clear, or it may be that we have become too reliant on others in our own personal walk. Whatever the reason, the Lord will likely call us to occasional separation wholly unto our King. There, we will renew our intimacy and love for Him, and He in turn will love us wholly and open our spiritual senses and understanding more fully. We are called to be mature sons and daughters in this day, that we may lead a lost world to Christ, and separation to the Lord is part of the requirement.

What is Childlike Faith?

by Iris O

In this hour, I am challenging myself to return to the simplicity of childlike faith. This seems in juxtaposition to the definition of spiritual maturity. But we forget Whose children we are, and consequently the appropriateness of our simple dependency and faith. We can never outgrow or mature above our Father Yahweh. It is His delight to bring us into responsible sonship, even coming alongside shoulder to shoulder for His works and glory; yet remaining childlike is key. Being childlike can be distilled into the simplest definition, and that is the belief that our Father is pure Love. Jesus is Love incarnate. He is our example.

When Jesus began His ministry at about thirty years of age, we know He was in a position of maturity. Yet He said He could only do what He saw the Father doing. John 5:19 “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” NKJV

This is mature, childlike faith. He was the Son of God, in His full maturity, equal to the Father, yet He did nothing of Himself. He fully emulated and trusted His Father. We must never lose this dependence upon our Father, through His Son. For truly childlike faith is found in being the branch grafted into the Vine, John 15:5.

So the independence and strength of this world are not the same as the strength of the Kingdom of God. We are forever dependent, but therefore we also carry the essence of the strength of the Father. This, I would postulate, is what mature, childlike faith is.

I also think there is great value in the beauty of the raw, emotional simplicity of personally communing with Yahweh in all our distresses and joys. In this place of intimacy with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, we can be free to express the vulnerability of our humanity. In this place, we may use our honest words, and our tears, freely. In this place we can cry out for comfort and help. In these precious private moments, the Lord cradles us and enfolds us in His care and in His assured love. He has no agenda other than for us to fully know His love and care. But the beautiful result of these encounters is also expressed by our growth. They answer our cries for finding a path to greater fullness as sons, “ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! “ Romans 7:24-25. NKJV

Lastly but most importantly, in order to be childlike with the Father we must know Him. He sent His son as His express image so that we may do just that. “ Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. “ Hebrews 1:3 NKJV

I recommend meditating on the beautiful scripture of Isaiah 9:6, which describes our King and Saviour, Jesus. There you will find breathtaking truths;

“ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given,

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “ NKJV

IT’S A GOOD LIFE
by Iris O.

Our lives are lived in a cycle of ebb and flow. Sometimes we think our ‘good’ seasons are spiritual and our ‘difficult’ seasons are weakness. That is untrue. Everything we walk through in this life is useful to develop our character and ultimately outwork our salvation. So when you are prone to chastise yourself for experiencing a difficulty, please stop for a moment to allow yourself grace. It’s the least you can do, because your Heavenly Father extends this grace to you, grace that came at a very high cost, the very life and blood of Jesus. It was a purchase paid for by Love. The prize is the Father’s, and that prize is you. Jesus redeemed you entirely, spirit, soul and body.

The Lord is there with you, in the everyday living, that we, as believers, often choose to dismiss somehow, as tainted and fleshly. But flesh is not to be ignored. It has been crucified with Christ, that’s true. However, we are created as triune beings, and as such Jesus has paid the price, fully, to redeem us fully. It’s our turn now to walk into fullness, with every task we do, every sorrow, pleasure or temptation we experience, and each failure or victory we encounter. It is all for Him and offered to Him whether in pain of suffering and failure, or in celebration of victory. It is ours to give as a fragrant offering to the Father. Offering the fullness of our lives in our everyday living, is a reasonable sacrifice.

Jesus thought our earthly life was so important that he came in the flesh. He didn’t come to bring death but life. He came here, to this earthly realm, to bring heaven to earth. In His plan, heaven and earth are to be one. He embraced walking the dusty roads, eating and drinking, toiling, sorrowing and rejoicing, all within community life. The common life. Jesus blessed it because He loved it, and He loved it because He loved us. He came to be present. So lets be present fully, here and now, in every moment of our living.

The key to being present is to rest in His Presence. This can be found by quieting your heart and mind and entering sweet union with the King of Glory. These are the glorious realms of His loving kindness. Take some time every day to sit with the Lord and cast your cares on Him. This is true communion. Now watch as He meets you there in this beautiful place, and as the indescribable bliss of union overtakes, you will know that all is well. Living your best life flows out of this place. Embrace and treasure this life, entirely. In doing so, you honour your Maker.