Escape by iniquity…isn’t this the only way it’s done? The thief escapes the police by racing full-speed down the city streets; the disobedient child avoids the hand of discipline by fibbing. But here the Word of God through David speaks out, “On NO account…”

The only true escape must be the one the Lord provides. If so, the believer should be the most expert on what escape is all about.

How does one really escape? It must be an escape by righteousness. It’s provided by God, “God will also provide a way of escape” (2 Cor 10:13), and “Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials” (2 Pet 1:9). One of the surest ways to get out a test is to PASS it. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has STOOD the test…” It makes sense that the best way to get out of eighth grade is to pass the eighth grade exam.

We tend to FIGHT the trials we “fall into” (Ja 1:2). As long as we are fighting God, we have yet to crack the books for passing the course. We have yet to begin studying and learning what the instructor is looking for to pass the course. James says rather than to pray for an end to the trial, we “should ask” for generously-given wisdom…how can we make the trial count?, how can we invest it well to produce desirable results?, how can we pass the test, etc?

Jesus guides us in the Lord’s Prayer. We pray “lead us not into temptation…forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Just think, someone may be becoming a debtor to us today by “twisting my words all day long, always plotting…” (Ps 56:5). They are becoming bound by their wrong and, as above, will not escape by what they are doing.

Today we may release and forgive them and become an AGENT of escape for them. This may be the very action required for us to pass the test at their hands and inevitably allow grace for them to pass theirs.—————–

Summers would bring it out: I realized the role of young mothering was becoming more binding upon me than even my own child status before God. The demeanor of scolding and correcting was overshadowing my whole countenance. Sternness was becoming the environment I was living within. I asked my husband if he would take our sons for a few hours.

In those hours, I came across the word “remit”: to forgive, dismiss, release from. I became aware this was exactly what I was seeking from God: a release, a flight even temporarily from a full-fledged identity of mothering, an inner reshuffling that would re-allow the awakening of a right order of me being the child. Even though it was not exactly an issue of sin’s remission, how real it was to me such a touch of reordering was solely dependent upon God.

Isn’t this the desired end of all true vacations? The stockbroker, the lawyer, the secretary, teacher all could long to emerge from their two weeks at the beach having experienced a “dismissal” from their binding identity and perhaps return as father to their children, winner of board games, comedian, etc. What is a human scheduled attempt to experience existing away at a different spot, a young mother was seeking to find in a few hours. If I could only be touched by Him, I would have the same refreshment as one vacationed.

The Pharisees suspiciously asked Jesus, “Who can remit (forgive) sins but God alone?” Apparently, they realized something. A remitting, a trapdoor of escape swinging away into another realm is only possible through Divinity. Only One Divine can dismiss and forgive.

Therefore, a soul knowing dismissal, remittance and release, with or without the beach, is the most vacationed person there is!———————

The personal quest of the night ahead came from a song of Misty Edwards: “What are You thinking? What are You feeling? I need to know.”

Thankfully very soon a direction came on seeking where God IS.  He led to Romans 2:4 and surrounding verses. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’

Word-by-word was revealing the heart of God: His goodness (causing ease in our movements), forbearance (very strong Greek word on how He is literally having to HOLD BACK, ana = up and back, echo = to have, to hold), plus longsuffering (long temper). All three of these generosities are at a cost to Him day after day on top of the ultimate Sacrifice He won for us in the Cross. These costs to Him ARE MEANT to led us to repentance. When they come to us, they should translate to repentance.

This verse clearly says we are “unaware” of this. We need to BECOME aware of it. The verse also said we show contempt, disdain, despise, think little of the wealth being poured upon us in this continual sacrifice of the heart of God. We feel entitled without even realizing what we are doing. To Him, it is contempt toward His rich goodness.

A picture developed further on “forbearance.” He is holding back on something huge. It has been warned throughout Scripture. The verses following 2:4 reveal this era will change as well. I see this huge holding back no less than the walls of the Red Sea held at bay for a full night. What exertion. What power. What Decision of deliverance! Unlike the hours of that evening, this mighty holding back has gone on centuries up to the present.

This word made us ache for the heart of God and what we are doing to His benevolence.

What does this do to the forecast of 2012?
This was a very relational glimpse into the Father. Being ”unaware,” but now am more aware. Can this be shared to make others aware, too?

He graciously gave me what  we set out to know: what are You thinking, what are You feeling…and now have a better idea.

–
e Lord granted in 2011 alongside the unknown of 2012 looming ahead, we decided we ourselves needed a full night of seeking and prayer, so would offer our congregation the sanctuary as well for the night of New Year’s Eve dawning into the New Year.

The personal quest of the night ahead came from a song of Misty Edwards: “What are You thinking? What are You feeling? I need to know.”

Thankfully very soon a direction came on seeking where God IS. He led me to Romans 2:4 and surrounding verses. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’

Word-by-word was revealing the heart of God: His goodness (causing ease in our movements), forbearance (very strong Greek word on how He is literally having to HOLD BACK, ana = up and back, echo = to have, to hold), plus longsuffering (long temper). All three of these generosities are at a cost to Him day after day on top of the ultimate Sacrifice He won for us in the Cross. These costs to Him ARE MEANT to led us to repentance. When they come to us, they should translate to repentance.

This verse clearly says we are “unaware” of this. We need to BECOME aware of it. The verse also said we show contempt, disdain, despise, think little of the wealth being poured upon us in this continual sacrifice of the heart of God. We feel entitled without even realizing what we are doing. To Him, it is contempt toward His rich goodness.

A picture developed further on “forbearance.” He is holding back on something huge. It has been warned throughout Scripture. The verses following 2:4 reveal this era will change as well. I see this huge holding back no less than the walls of the Red Sea held at bay for a full night. What exertion. What power. What Decision of deliverance! Unlike the hours of that evening, this mighty holding back has gone on centuries up to the present.

This word made me ache for the heart of God and what we are doing to His benevolence.

What does this do to the forecast of 2012?
This was a very relational glimpse into the Father. I was “unaware,” but now am more aware. Can I share this to make others aware, too?

He graciously gave me what I set out to know: what are You thinking, what are You feeling…I now have a better idea.

–
Together for Him, Cathy

Romantic love afflicts the soul. Traditionally, boy meets girl; girl meets boy. Rarely will a novel, movie be released without this engaging component. It is the pull of every soap opera. The brain retains a place for someone “in love,” the same section as when affected by an opiate. Romantic love changes the rote things of life into a poem.

Did God create this type of love merely to stand outside of it, to be an Observer?

The Bible contains a Bridal Paradigm* throughout. (See OT: Jer 2:2, Hos 2:16-20, Ez 16:8-14, 20-21, 32, 38, Is 54:5-6. In the NT: Jesus, Paul, and ending the age with John the Divine. Among a few: Rev 19:7-9, 21:9, Eph 5:23-25, 2 Cor 11:1-2.)

Throughout His Word, history and martyrdom, those who acknowledge a bridal call to their individual heart towards the King speak such things: “Your love is better than wine.” “Thy loving-kindness is better than life.” “Your Name is like ointment poured forth.” “the Disciple whom Jesus loved” “…the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…”

In the OT, the word “hesed” is translated 240 times, often by “loving-kindness.” It is the bedrock of the personality our God longs to be known. “Hesed” is an interlocking of strength + steadfastness (loyalty of the covenant) + love. It is like a marriage with love!

As this foundation crosses into the New Covenant, a universal call is extended to each believer!

Such a love interest along with obedience, reverence and worship fills out a love relationship with the Savior. It becomes sensitive to the fragrance of Christ, even filters out grieving the Holy Spirit by pride or legalism in attempts to be spiritual.

By revelation, Paul could see the desired EXTENT as containing length, height, breadth, width (Eph 3:18). Does not this cube-like fullness echo the first and greatest commandment? ALL one’s mind, soul, heart and strength?

How do we fill out such a love with ourselves? Can we ever hope to fill out our whole beings of love for our Great King if we do not embrace this most affecting Bridal love of all!

*phrased by Mike Bickle

Paul writes to Timothy: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”(1 Tim 4:16). Paul says to the elders at Ephesus: “I commend you to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance…” (Acts 20:32). Jesus told His hearers: “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” John 12:48. In these cases, the Word, be it proclaimed, or studied is tied to eternal situations, eternity and it appears salvation itself. The Word is not a suggestion.

In almost every circle of church attenders ever encountered there comes the inevitable opinions about sermons. Some sermons “speak” more to them than others. Where in the world did we get this concept? Are we more or less responsible based on that? Do we really hold a “holy Option” of whether His Word speaks to us or not?

A case in point: James says “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (1:26). What is clearly being said, even threatened, here? But, we may come away and say: “That speaks to me.” Well, Ma’am or Sir, that’s nice, but that is not really the case. God’s Word is true for you whether it speaks to you or not. And whether it speaks to you or not, the result is still the same. A “useless” religion would not hold any security to stand before God. The Threat in this is real and alive. You are not over God’s Word, but it is OVER you.

Jesus especially warns about being deceived in the last days (see Matt 24-25). Do we seriously think our reception of the Word is our choice to take as advice or suggestions? I think we could be frightfully self-deceived if we do.