Preparation part 2
Preparation, Biblically speaking, is all about the mind. And notice I DIDN'T say it's all about the brain. When we're talking about a peace that passes understanding, then we're not talking about something the brain can comprehend. We're talking about the mind of Christ. The heart of God beating with love in our chests. We know that as we think in our HEARTS so are we. So if we let the mind of Christ (that's already in us) BE in us, then we can think love. And if we think love in our hearts... then we ARE love. It's all about love. And I've heard it said, "You can be as close to God as you want to be," but that's just not true. You can't get any closer to God than you are right now. The truth is, "You can be as close to God as you realize you are!" It's all about seeing, because seeing is believing. If you SEE the finished work... if you SEE the death of the Lamb... that's when what is already true becomes true for you. But I'm telling you, it takes a little bit of preparation. I understand the power of an unexpected experience with God--that's what Saul had when God literally knocked him off his donkey--but after that initial encounter we can't just expect to be able to do nothing AND grow and mature. 1 Peter 1:13 says it like this, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This is a direct parallel to the eating of the Passover Lamb that we saw yesterday. The Lord told Moses to tell the people of Israel to eat with their shoes on and their loins girded up (Exodus 12:11). To me it's about the deep calling out to the deep... and the deeper you go in Him the deeper you WANT to go! I don't read my Bible because I think if I read it enough I'll be blessed. I read my Bible because I KNOW I'm blessed and I want to know how I got blessed, and what the blessings are all about. I read my Bible to find out about Jesus. (Now let me clarify something: It's more important to KNOW Jesus than it is to know ABOUT Jesus. The Bible is the best place to start, but it is no substitute for a relationship with the heavenly Father.) The Bible speaks ABOUT Jesus, but the Holy Spirit IS Jesus speaking in and through and as us. The Spirit is always speaking. But are we always listening? And this isn't about condemnation. I'm not saying you better listen up or else. I'm saying, if you WANT to hear then you need to listen. If you WANT what's available then it behooves you to find out what's available. If you want a greater revelation of who Jesus is--and who you are in and as Him--then you need to gird up your mind. You need to LET the mind of Christ that's in you BE in you. You need to prepare. You need to be ready for what God has you. Jesus told a parable about three dudes who were trusted with money. And one of them wasn't prepared. He dug a hole in the ground and hid what he was given. And it didn't produce anything. The incorruptible seed that is Christ is bringing forth a great harvest in those who are prepared for it!