Knowing God - The hardest and most important idea ever

To preface the following entry, I'd like to say that this was written in response to growth I sustained at one of my bible studies, the topic of which is Spiritual Warfare. The first half of this entry was written to the leader of the group as well as a second, highly respected friend. The latter half was written by my bedside as I consulted the Holy Spirit while attempting to fall asleep.

Part One

I just wanted to bring up one thought, that I promise you'll hate me for, and won't blame you if you try and stone me.  But... remember in our class today how I brought up the point that people who've been "appointed" authorities by God write or say things that, well... sometimes might not really complete the thought? The content is GOOD and WISE and these things, but quite often doesn't it seem like you don't understand certain ideas? 

So many people attribute this to God not letting us all in on everything. That... there are things that he just didn't want us to know. My argument: God does want us to know and WOULD tell us. What if we don't understand it all because the bible is was written by men? With obvious good intention and extreme accuracy... but, I refuse to believe that God, who would give up peace in heaven to allow us free will, a God of endless mercy, who gives and loves unconditionally, would refuse to tell us that? Of course he would. And I know its easy to say, wow that's sort of free thinking and totally bogus because.. cha... God just doesn't want us to know. Well we've been fed that our whole lives. In fact if it says in the Bible that there are things that you just won't understand, guess what.. under this premise you can't count on that because it was written by a man! If I were one of these people writing, something THIS important... and I didn't understand something, and I'm like the wisest most connected person to Jesus ever... then surely I'd write that there is a limit to what we can understand. Well honestly, I think what he truly means by this is that for the majority of mankind, to the ends of all ages, won't be able to understand God and his message and purpose. Its not because we can't, its because we put a limit to our understanding. 

Which goes hand in hand with the fact that the ENTIRE reason earth exists is so that we can KNOW God. We have to KNOW who God is. What is the character of God... Its really that simple. If you KNOW God and God's character you will never have to make another bad choice again! Its so simple! Not only that, but understanding religious and biblical concepts is a breeze! All you have to do is ask is: Is this linear to the character of God? 

Knowing God or "having a relationship" with God is so simplified these days. It doesn't just mean praying to God all the time, or worshipping all the time or whatever... the biggest part of the picture is KNOWING WHO HE IS. Do you KNOW the character of God? If you know the character of God you are given the key to the kingdom, because you're finally able to ask the right questions, realize, give answers based on WHO God IS. 

I'm not saying by any means "ditch the bible."  The bible is chock full of the highest wisdom ever recorded! It's a starlit pathway to the doorstep of heaven! It's history, its divine, its the word of God... through a man's perception. It is real, it is accurate, it is timeless, but ultimately, it is a man (or group) placing a limit on the reach and will of God.

Part Two

Imagine you're standing on the moon, looking at the earth.  You can't even begin to grasp the depth and complexity and vastness of its concept, because you can't see the entire picture.  Sure you can see a lot, but even then its really only one small piece at a time. You can't see everything at once. Well, every stop you take backwards, away from the earth, the closer you get to God, the more of earth you can see at once. Those closest to Jesus, even his disciples, maxed out in their understanding of God. Why? Because no matter how far back you step (or how close to God you grow) you can only see one half of the earth at a time.  No matter what you do you cannot see the other side of earth.  This, I believe, is where much of the bible was written.  However, this limit is a false limit; for with God, by knowing God, and His character, we're able to experience the rotation of the earth. This spin gives us the power to see all of earth. So many of us are so quick to call the earth a circle, but forget to acknowledge the potential, or limitless possibility, to understand. We just have to try to see things differently.  When we transform our understanding of God and remove the limitations of this greatness we can see the everything.

I think its very important to mention that I've edited this script.  This is important because it validates my lack of authority (i.e. I'm not writing God's exact words; but rather my interpretation of Him and His will as he's led me thus far).  I'm openly admitting that not everything I say is absolute, because as we all know, we'll always keep learning and grow into new understanding.

Think of this point... if anyone who wrote something, outside of the Gospels, that is in the Bible, were to come back today... Would they say... man, that's exactly what I wanted to say? I wouldn't change a single thing. Of course they wouldn't! If they found out that someone took something they wrote with a separate purpose and contexualized it to be the exact words of God they'd be upset! Highly flattered I'm sure, but upset as well. Do you know why? Because only a fool would claim to be the word of God. If Paul were to come back, he'd probably say, wow, I'm happy that my letters to so and so really had an effect, but! if you'd have ASKED ME what I wanted to put in a timeless book to speak on the understanding and greatness of God it would appear much differently. 

I've recently put two concepts together, based on my own interpretation of God's message on the end of days. These two concepts are the Anti-Christ and the 144,000 servants of whom God sealed.  How in the world is God going to choose the 144,000? Seriously?! I promise you, you can't answer this question with any kind of confidence. Do you know why? Its because you're not spinning the earth. You won't let God transform your understanding because you don't apply who God IS when you look at these kinds of questions.  Picking the 144,000 is going to be the easiest thing in the world. He's going to pick the people who truly know him. Yes, I am saying that these people don't exist yet, because the truth about who God is hasn't been realized. In the end, there will be 144,000 people who come to terms in undying faithfulness and thus, by the word of God, be sealed in His name. How is this realization going to come about? Answer: The "Anti-Christ".  It is my understanding that the "anti-christ" is just the person who will bring about the end of the world, but this person will do so because it's God's intention and not out of evil means. I believe that the "anti-christ" is just the person who will be the catalyst of change in belief. He will be the person who reaches the 144,000.  Because of the way the world views God, the masses will not understand (I'd like to point out that I could have said "be able, to understand", which would TOTALLY change my meaning. I believe the Bible to be riddled with subtle rifts like this that completely changes the actual understanding and prediction and original intent) and many will fall away from the church (or simply refuse the truth). But be wary, wisdom clearly states that there will be many to who not hear the truth (understand it) but sadly, and more dangerously, there will be those who will DENY the truth because they fear it.

You've all heard of these extremist groups who end up following some guy who ends up killing everyone or stealing everything these people have. I believe that the "anti-christ" will likely be one of these characters. This person will have the right answer and will truly see God, but because of his humanity, he may fall. This is where some of the "evil" roots of the "anti-christ" comes from. This person may be so heavily attacked by Satan that he may succumb. However, I have no doubt that the possibility exists that if one meets the level of understanding with God, he will be so heavily armored in divine inspiration and faith that he will be unable to fall. God won't let him. 

If you're having trouble relating to any of this, just go back to the beginning. Do you know God? Take your values (absolute values, meaning they can't change based on context, they can't change overall, but once you adopt them you can't bend them) and apply that defined character of God to every question in your mind or any question that may come up. If you know God, he will bless you. Its like God always wants to bless us, no matter what.. that's who he is and the way he loves us... but we have to choose him. We have to find the key to the doors. Ironically, the key is already in the keyhole, we just have to climb the stairs to get to it, and turn the lock.

Relating to the Past

Once again, inspiration has brought us together. I think, too, that the question I'm going to propose today will fill each of your heads with a different channel to relate to. To begin, we've looked at quite a few concepts so far in this study. One of which, probably more than once, has been defining "Who" you are.  To better help us define or I guess "identify" ourselves, lets consider the following:

Who am I?

We've all heard of Jews, Gentiles, Apostles, Disciples, Pharisees, etc. This time when you ask yourself who you are, ask yourself in a way that compares yourself to the people of Jesus' time. Are you a friend of Jesus? Has he placed his power in you? Do you teach in the markets and places of worship? Are you of the chosen people (in them, are you a believing and follower or are you a skeptic?) Are you someone who shows up to hear the teachers speak, but never commit or grow into the belief? Do you question the belief to grow in it, or to try and trap those who would spread the good news?

If we have a general idea about how the Jews, Gentiles, Apostles, Disciples, Pharisees, etc were, we can easily draw parallels between their existence and our own. It's been two thousand years and each of us goes through the same type of identification. Building on this analysis, once you've identified yourself (and trust me, being honest with yourself is much more important and rational that lying to yourself about where you stand), you can ask new questions along the lines of who do I want to be? How can I become this person? How do I open myself up for God to change me in this way?

As you can see, this once again touches on the realm and power of self-realization. I wanted to re-iterate this concept today because it is so undervalued.  You have to be the one who ultimately asks yourself the big questions. You can take the questions as someone presents them, but ultimately if you want to see any kind of transformation, you have to ask yourself (meaning bringing it to God) these questions. 

Also, please, don't forget that in order to put yourself in a place to transform you have to put the thoughts at the front of your mindset. Example:  If you want to remember your homework, you'll put it at the front of your mind. If you want to remember to take out the dog before you leave, you'll put it at the front of your mind. If you want to be good because God is good, if you want to love others because it is His way, if you choose to live your life in debt to Him, The Bible says, whether in word or in deed, do everything in the name of Jesus. Honor your Lord. Put good (because of Him) at the front of your mind.

Now, on a completely different note... how do you all feel about the way worship is presented in churches today? Does anyone else find it ironic that songs rarely ever encourage the way a sermon does? In my experience, worship is led by a wonderful group of people who sing about glory and death and blood and rising again and grace and then a pastor or priest will get up and talk about how you should live your life and why. Why doesn't it ever happen the other way around? Why don't we ever hear songs about the way we should live our lives and how we should act and think and the reasons why, and then see the tangible pastor get up there and offer direct praise and worship and a message of thankfulness? If anything, wouldn't it be a nice mix? Even then, we can't take a pastor with us on our way to the grocery store or to and from work, and we certainly can't expect our kids to remember and quote a pastor's words like they/we do rhythm and harmony. What then is more relevant for us to hear continually? The same old songs (no doubt good reminders) praising God, or a more relatable and encouraging way to learn to live a good, God-like life? For in reality, won't we be praising Him even more by living in His name, rather than humdrumming about blood and wine and dying and rising?

Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVTeIMursb8&ob=av2e
Can't relate to that thought? Check out this website: http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/transition-rhymes.htm
Don't get skeptically on me now... Just as our youth go through transitions in their lives so do we in our spiritual lives, regardless of our age! Wouldn't it make sense then that we could learn and improve on a more developed, but similar scale and plan?  What does God say about our growth/transformation and children?

Matthew 18:3
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Again, I'm not preaching here. This is our study. I encourage you all to come up with your own conclusions and interpretations and don't be afraid to share them. If you are interpreting in the way that you believe God intended for you to, you musn't have fear. This is a community for fellowship and development. I'll be the first to admit to my lack of authority.

Another discussion under our belts! God bless you today and in the coming week.

Realizing Potential

I have good news everyone! Today I was inspired. Today, comes... a new chapter. But before I start, I'd like to apologize to everyone who has worn a track through their homes. I understand the comfort and the damage that too much pacing produces.

I am going to discuss people.  It has occurred to me that people... are much like water. Like water, people's lives flow freely, but however freely, they flow downhill. Water takes the least resistant path; always (don't even get all cliche on me). People are prone to behave the exact same way. People see adversity or dreams (we're going to call this the mountain top) and they consider that possibility... but *generally, people will choose the path in front of them.

Now, interesting thought... Say we want to start chasing that dream, or for whatever reason, we want to stare right back at adversity. Well... how can we accomplish that? Seriously, get out a writing device and voice your opinion. Consider it. Woops! We forgot something in our consideration, didn't we? You can't face adversity or pursue your dreams can you? Nope. Have you guessed why? Ah hah! That's right! Its because we're still water. If we fight the current, we just get bogged down and dragged back into the flow of things.  If we leave the river and go up the hill, gravity (our humanity) pulls us back down the hill, to the river, and the path of least resistance. Well.. what the heck?!

Here's where the determined, open-minded person perseveres and grows positively and the insular, lazy person sprints back to that gushing, comforting liquid paradise in hopes of non-existent false warmth.

In order to successfully get out of the water, one must transform.  Find your feet. Find strength in your legs. Feel the pounding in your heart and the excitement in your soul. Totally unrelatable, I know. Yeah, lets do it, hurrah! Well we have to know how, right? Basically, to transform, you must accept some sort of change in your life. By accept I mean, recognize, adopt, and place unwavering faith into. In the same way that God has the ability to sustain us, he can transform us just as well. Okay, we're getting closer to how, right?  How do we let God transform us? Well, let me ask you this question.

Have you ever felt like there is a ball of plasma or some form of energy hidden deep inside of you that you might be able to barely control? You know... that feeling where you feel like you could tear an entire house apart with the closing of your fist? That feeling that makes you feel like you could climb to the top of the highest tree in mere seconds? You could chase cars on the highway? You could save ALL of the children in Africa? I like to call that ball of "power" potential energy (but I think its more nobly, and awesomely defined as MIGHT!). Potential because it can be realized, and energy because it can manifest in a variety of ways (depending on how you learn to control it). Sometimes it could just be seen as a nervous twitch or the incessant tapping of your foot or finger for no logical reason other than you don't know how else to explain it. Sometimes it could be continued or added effort in schoolwork or a volunteer program. It could manifest in the love you have for your family and the selflessness you give willingly. It could show up as working late or finding a second job. Basically, for each person it there will be unique avenues of manifestation. This is a healthy and valuable description of potential energy. However, it is not the only one.

When this particular potential energy cannot be controlled by the individual, it can manifest as something much more dangerous. It can be destructive. The ability to control this energy (from a "good" perspective) is like growing positively. The inability to control this energy is equivalent to growing negatively. This is where positive energy is recognized as fear and anger and all things destructive. Because the energy isn't specifically physical (despite being able to manifest itself that way) it isn't easily recognized or controlled by just anybody. Some people are able to control it and some aren't. Most people don't even know what it is, they just "deal."  Well, it is my belief that this potential energy is somewhere between the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and God's valuation of our potential and character.

For example, in the bible, Paul was chosen to bring the Word to the gentiles after openly and intentionally persecuting Christ's followers. However, God transformed him. From that time on Paul became one of the greatest examples of early disciples. To get a better idea of how God can transform us, we can see why God chose to transform Paul. Paul was basically evil; the epitome of a sinner, but... he must have been full of potential! Paul had all of this potential energy that he could not control so it manifested in everything evil (or just mean or wrong or what have you). God saw this potential and through trial... softened Paul's heart to can insight into controlling his potential energy.  Paul realized that he could control himself in a good way because God was good and God was Great. The same example can be applied everywhere that God chose anyone for his work! Why was Abraham and Noah chosen? Moses? Was it because God thought future generations would remember their names better? It was because these people were full of potential energy!

Alright, now I know you're super curious to find out more about what exactly potential energy (as we have called it) is. It is my personal belief that this potential energy is wisdom and the ability to relate to wisdom. When Jesus died, the Holy Spirit was gifted to humanity. A source of power and potential whose threshold is limitless and with the right foundation sustaining control over that influence, that potential can be realized by God.

God can transform us. If we learn to control our potential energy we can stand up in the water and tread lightly on the soil beneath us. We can climb the mountain to face adversity and seek our dreams because we've been transformed. Our clothes might be soaking wet (full of others and influences yet to be transformed) but we can overcome their weight with the power of potential energy and transformation.

To get there: recognize your potential energy, how it manifests, your control over it, etc. Gain control over your potential energy by applying it to good things and positive growth (because God is good so we strive to be).  Grow in your energy and God will work through you. Be sure never to forget that God's plan is bigger than we are. God's work through you might not always manifest itself as you might hope. Know that bad things happen to glorify his name and his work. Do not be afraid.  Control your energy by pursuing the glory of God.

Come, sheep. Let's climb this mountain together.