Hey all!
I pray you are well, and that the Lord is your portion and strength.
I wanted to just put some thoughts I've been having into words. So here ya go...
I've never, ever considered myself a "musician." I took piano lessons for 3 years when I was in 2nd through 4th grade. I was then able to play an instrument in band starting in 5th grade, and I decided I wanted to play the drums. So, I tried out for the band, by doing some basic rhythmic exercises, and I made it! I have played in concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, worship bands, and even a few "real bands," even if it was only for a week or two. Okay, so we never really got anywhere with that, but we had the dream. In college I tried teaching myself to play guitar a few times, but again, I didn't make it very far at all.
When I went to college I couldn't take my drumset, so I bought an African drum called a Djembe. It has been a very dear friend of mine ever since, as I have enjoyed many evenings around a campfire, in a sanctuary, outside by the lake/river, or in a living room, making sounds with talented people playing guitars. I was always somewhat envious of "musicians," specifically those who played the guitar or the piano. But, I was ultimately content to never play an instrument (other than the drums) again.
A year ago, as I was enjoying God in a special sanctuary while listening to a favorite artist, Jason Upton, I had this sudden urge to go up on the stage and start playing the keyboard. I hadn't played for 10 years, but I went up to pluck away. After a few minutes, I found myself playing along with the chords from the song that I was listening to in the sanctuary. I didn't really know what I was doing, but it was exciting!
I began to realize that I could "hear" the chords that sounded good together, but I had no idea how to read any music. So, over the past year I have plucked and plucked and plucked some more. Now, this plucking (or playing, whichever you want to call it) hasn't taken me very far on the road of improvement, but I haven't truly pursued anything either.
It didn't take me long to realize that something happens when I sit down at the keyboard and start to play the simplest of chord progressions. My soul finds rest, and the Spirit of God seems to come alive in the deepest part of my being. There have been times of amazing intimacy, where it literally feels as if God is in the room with me, and we are just having a back-and-forth conversation. There have times where the power and fire of God is recognizable in my own body, as well as in the bodies of the people present. Whatever it is, the atmosphere seems to open up and I can see and hear clearly. I'm telling you this not to receive any glory, but so that God may receive all of the glory! I mean, I don't even know how to play the keyboard (I would realistically rate myself a 3.5 on a scale of 1-10), but God uses it. Amazing.
Lately, I have really had a desire to start "learning" how to actually play the keyboard. I don't want to be a professional musician by any means, but I do think it would good to at least know all the chords and bits and pieces of correct techniques. The reason I want to do this is simple...to minister to broken, hurting humanity. When I picture what this looks like, I see people (young people especially) gathering at a coffeeshop or a park or a church building. I see no two experiences ever being the same, because Holy Spirit has free reign to do whatever He pleases. He knows the thoughts and intentions of every heart, and He desires to reveal Jesus to sons and daughters of God (and those who are not yet His sons and daughters). I see the presence of God filling the place, and people laughing, crying, praying, and worshiping the One True God.
There are 2 things that the Lord has put in my heart to impart to a young generation...Identity and intimacy. The world is screaming from every direction that they have the way to identity and intimacy. But, they don't. The only way to true identity and true intimacy is through Jesus Christ. My heart breaks to see young men and women discover who they are and whose they are. When they know who God made them to be, and that they belong to Him as His beloved, they will be FREE to do amazing things for God. When they become sons and daughters of the Living God, they still need to grow in intimacy with Him. God is not looking for religious club members. He is looking for sons and daughters. The spirit of adoption is in His heart, and He desires to release it across the earth. I long to see every man and woman on the planet enter into an intimate, I mean really intimate, relationship with God through His son, Jesus. The passionate love of God being received by men and women is the only road that leads to being truly passionately in love with God. That's what I want to see.
So, since this post took me a total of 3 hours (while at work, trying to work first and write second), I am lost for words at this point. For me that signifies the end. What do I do next, you might ask? That's a valid question. I'm not sure I have a valid answer, but I think it makes sense to simply take a step. How do you get from your room to your bathroom? Take a step, then another, and then another, until you finally get to your desired destination. The same is true with God, and the dreams and visions that He has given (and is giving) to His sons and daughters. How do you get from the dream to the fulfillment of the dream? It sounds overly simple, but I say, "Take the next step!"
So, that's what I'm going to do...better put my walkin' shoes on.
Blessings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eric
Friday, July 25, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
We're Not Running for Nothing!
Hey again,
Well, I may or may not ever really figure this blog thing out. I think the next season of my life may lend itself to my being able to write more. I desire to teach and equip the saints for the works of ministry. We all need revelation from the Holy Spirit to know what God is speaking through His Word.
The past month has been an absolute blur. After spending a week in Wales from June 3-10, life has felt like a tornado. I have seemingly been all over the place, trying to bring some semblance of "normality." I'm in transition out of Solid Grounds, and into campus ministry with Chi Alpha and Living Light's college ministry, The Lighthouse.
Everything is changing. Now, change can be scary, but it can also be exciting. It has been both of these so far. I not only am heading out of this job, I also saw some very close friends move to Seattle to plant a church. As hard as it was to see them leave, I know that it is not the end, but I believe, the beginning! I am so excited to hear about what God is going to do in them and through them to bring transformation to the city of Seattle. As the Lord spoke to me yesterday for Winona, I believe it is true for Seattle as well, "I'm about to send showers of love." I long to see the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, be poured out on a hurting, unbelieving generation.
Here's something that God has really impressed upon my heart this past week, after the Seattle team left. Luke 9:61 says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." When Jesus says, "Let's go. Follow me," he is asking for immediate obedience. The cost of following Jesus is leaving EVERYTHING when he says, "Follow Me." He's not asking us to forget about our past, but he is asking us to keep our eyes on the Him, our Prize, as we run the race that is set before us.
Paul uses this great analogy in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, regarding running the race: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, (make it a slave) lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Run in a such a way as to win the prize...We're not running for nothing! There is a prize at the end of the race, Christ Jesus. There are also rewards and crowns that will distributed at the judgment seat of Christ. These are icing on the cake, as we will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus, the ultimate Prize!
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes more about pressing on: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Let us throw off everything that so easily entangles, and RUN! Are you ready to RUN?? Are you ready to run without any weights?! Are you ready to run in the freedom that Christ died to bring you into?! As you wait upon the Lord, He will renew your strength. Then, you will run and not grow weary, and you will walk and not faint! Hallelujah! Are you ready to run and not grow weary?! There is a new way to run, a new way to dance, a new way to sing, and is this...FREEDOM! You are free to run and sing and dance and shout and BE exactly who Jesus created you to BE! So, wait on Him, and run, run, run, run, run...Don't stop. Don't look back. Just keep pressing on. Keep pressing into Him. Endure. Persevere. Until the end!
Bless you as you run the race that is set before you. Keep your eyes on the Prize, Jesus Christ, the Risen King!
His,
Eric
Well, I may or may not ever really figure this blog thing out. I think the next season of my life may lend itself to my being able to write more. I desire to teach and equip the saints for the works of ministry. We all need revelation from the Holy Spirit to know what God is speaking through His Word.
The past month has been an absolute blur. After spending a week in Wales from June 3-10, life has felt like a tornado. I have seemingly been all over the place, trying to bring some semblance of "normality." I'm in transition out of Solid Grounds, and into campus ministry with Chi Alpha and Living Light's college ministry, The Lighthouse.
Everything is changing. Now, change can be scary, but it can also be exciting. It has been both of these so far. I not only am heading out of this job, I also saw some very close friends move to Seattle to plant a church. As hard as it was to see them leave, I know that it is not the end, but I believe, the beginning! I am so excited to hear about what God is going to do in them and through them to bring transformation to the city of Seattle. As the Lord spoke to me yesterday for Winona, I believe it is true for Seattle as well, "I'm about to send showers of love." I long to see the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, be poured out on a hurting, unbelieving generation.
Here's something that God has really impressed upon my heart this past week, after the Seattle team left. Luke 9:61 says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." When Jesus says, "Let's go. Follow me," he is asking for immediate obedience. The cost of following Jesus is leaving EVERYTHING when he says, "Follow Me." He's not asking us to forget about our past, but he is asking us to keep our eyes on the Him, our Prize, as we run the race that is set before us.
Paul uses this great analogy in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, regarding running the race: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, (make it a slave) lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Run in a such a way as to win the prize...We're not running for nothing! There is a prize at the end of the race, Christ Jesus. There are also rewards and crowns that will distributed at the judgment seat of Christ. These are icing on the cake, as we will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus, the ultimate Prize!
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes more about pressing on: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Let us throw off everything that so easily entangles, and RUN! Are you ready to RUN?? Are you ready to run without any weights?! Are you ready to run in the freedom that Christ died to bring you into?! As you wait upon the Lord, He will renew your strength. Then, you will run and not grow weary, and you will walk and not faint! Hallelujah! Are you ready to run and not grow weary?! There is a new way to run, a new way to dance, a new way to sing, and is this...FREEDOM! You are free to run and sing and dance and shout and BE exactly who Jesus created you to BE! So, wait on Him, and run, run, run, run, run...Don't stop. Don't look back. Just keep pressing on. Keep pressing into Him. Endure. Persevere. Until the end!
Bless you as you run the race that is set before you. Keep your eyes on the Prize, Jesus Christ, the Risen King!
His,
Eric
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Prodigals, Come Home!
Ok, so I'm not very disciplined to do this blog yet. There is a ton going on in my life right now. I would love to explain, but I will wait for a few weeks until everything is a little more sorted.
I just want to pour out my heart, and call you to pray for the young generation. (Gen Y; those born between 1983 and 1997) Generation Y has been targeted with marketing, advertising, and social networking like no other before them, but they have been left to die spiritually. So many of the youth of America have been kicked to the side of the road, and left to try to make it on their own. They have no fathers. They have no mentors. They have no one who will give them a chance. I want to urge you, challenge you, CALL YOU, to pray first of all, but also to INVEST into the lives of a few young people. Pray that the Prodigals would come Home! Pray that they would be safe from the enemy's tactics! Pray that they would see JESUS! Pray that they would be brought to a place of repentance! Pray that they would have fathers who would welcome them back into the Family!
Luke 15:11-32 is the whole Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Read it!)
Verses 17-24 are here:
17"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
This is what we need! We need the hearts of the fathers (and mothers) to turn to the sons (and daughters), and the hearts of the children to the fathers!
"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:6
"And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17
That Luke verse was written about John the Baptist. Luke later writes this in Luke 3:3-5...
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:(Isaiah 40:3-4) "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.'"
We are living in the midst of a John the Baptist generation. Those who have no voice will have a voice! They will prepare the way for the Lord to come again! These young ones are those who will shape history and change the world! They will be restorers, repairers, and reformers! They are a "double portion," Elisha generation! They will seek the face of God! They will live for love! They will be absolutely abandoned to the Lord and to His purposes for their generation! They are rising up right now....Look around, and grab a couple to pour your life, wisdom, and finances into! You will be astonished at what they can (and will) do if you give them a chance. If they are told that they can do anything they can dream, then will do what they have dreamt!
Hold on...the ride is just gettin' going!
I just want to pour out my heart, and call you to pray for the young generation. (Gen Y; those born between 1983 and 1997) Generation Y has been targeted with marketing, advertising, and social networking like no other before them, but they have been left to die spiritually. So many of the youth of America have been kicked to the side of the road, and left to try to make it on their own. They have no fathers. They have no mentors. They have no one who will give them a chance. I want to urge you, challenge you, CALL YOU, to pray first of all, but also to INVEST into the lives of a few young people. Pray that the Prodigals would come Home! Pray that they would be safe from the enemy's tactics! Pray that they would see JESUS! Pray that they would be brought to a place of repentance! Pray that they would have fathers who would welcome them back into the Family!
Luke 15:11-32 is the whole Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Read it!)
Verses 17-24 are here:
17"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
This is what we need! We need the hearts of the fathers (and mothers) to turn to the sons (and daughters), and the hearts of the children to the fathers!
"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:6
"And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17
That Luke verse was written about John the Baptist. Luke later writes this in Luke 3:3-5...
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:(Isaiah 40:3-4) "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.'"
We are living in the midst of a John the Baptist generation. Those who have no voice will have a voice! They will prepare the way for the Lord to come again! These young ones are those who will shape history and change the world! They will be restorers, repairers, and reformers! They are a "double portion," Elisha generation! They will seek the face of God! They will live for love! They will be absolutely abandoned to the Lord and to His purposes for their generation! They are rising up right now....Look around, and grab a couple to pour your life, wisdom, and finances into! You will be astonished at what they can (and will) do if you give them a chance. If they are told that they can do anything they can dream, then will do what they have dreamt!
Hold on...the ride is just gettin' going!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Back at it...Thanks Blogger!
Hey All,
Sorry it has been a few weeks since I've posted on here. My blog got locked, because the "robots" thought that it might be a spam-blog. I don't know exactly how that happens, but I think it was because of all the Scripture citings. I'm not sure...
But, in the past 3 weeks or so since I last posted, it has been a whirlwind of renewed vision, refreshing, increased hunger, and so much revelation that I might have to make a few make-up posts. I have wanted to post on here about five or six times in the past few weeks, but have not been able. Anyway...
I will write more tomorrow or Saturday, but I just wanted to throw a quick post up here.
Tidbits....more to come!
Sorry it has been a few weeks since I've posted on here. My blog got locked, because the "robots" thought that it might be a spam-blog. I don't know exactly how that happens, but I think it was because of all the Scripture citings. I'm not sure...
But, in the past 3 weeks or so since I last posted, it has been a whirlwind of renewed vision, refreshing, increased hunger, and so much revelation that I might have to make a few make-up posts. I have wanted to post on here about five or six times in the past few weeks, but have not been able. Anyway...
I will write more tomorrow or Saturday, but I just wanted to throw a quick post up here.
Tidbits....more to come!
- "Into your hand I commit my spirit..."
- Rebuking storms, the spirit of heaviness, and releasing the spirit of praise.
- "Presence" ministry
- "How hungry are you?"...question from God to me...
- God's name is Jealous.
- The snow has fallen!
- Extending an invitation...extending His scepter
- Learning the Language of Heaven
I want to end this post with a verse that really hit me today:
Provers 18:21..."Life and death is in the power of the tongue."
Let's choose to speak life, and thus, build a foundation of glory for ourselves and others!
When we speak, we create foundations, either of doubt or of faith. Let us build foundations of faith!
Bless you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Let the Blogging Begin!
Hey All,
I have been reading many blogs the past few weeks, and there is always something powerful that comes from those posts. By powerful, I mean something that impacts my heart, and thus, my life. So, I have decided to enter into this world of blogging with the hope that everyone who reads would be powerfully impacted, changed, and inspired to live differently.
The title of the blog, as you can see, is Ignite the Light. More than anything, I desire to see people, young and old, with hearts that are passionate, fiery, and in love with Jesus Christ. Therefore, my goal is to ignite, re-ignite, or fan the flame that is on the inside. (See Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Jeremiah 20:9) There are many themes that I will be writing about and discussing, including intimacy, unity, intercession, fasting, eschatology (study of End-times), the Church, prophecy, meditation, revelation, and many more. I simply desire to be a resource for the Body of Christ.
In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Three times Jesus asks him the same question, and every time, Peter responds, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Each time Jesus answered, "Feed my sheep." Recently, Jesus has asked me the same question, "Eric, do you love me?" After my response, "Yes, Lord, I love you; you know I love you," He said, "Feed my sheep."
So, as I've prayed about exactly what this feeding looks like, I've been reminded time and time again of Ephesians 4:11-16. Here's my paraphase of that passage: "And he (Jesus) gave the apostles (pastor of pastors), prophets (seers, proclaimers of the "word of the Lord"), evangelists (soul winners), pastors (shepherds of local "flocks") and teachers to equip, (train, hand out tools) the saints (sons and daughters of God, Christians) for the work of ministry (not just "full-time", ministry of reconciliation), for building up the body of Christ (Christians, the Church), until we all attain to the unity (oneness) of the faith and of the knowledge (intimacy, not just information) of the Son of God (Jesus), to mature manhood (and womanhood), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children (dependent, immature), tossed to and fro by the waves (storms, see Matthew 8:23-27 and Matthew 7:24-27) and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth (God's word, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) in love (patience, kindness), we are to grow up (mature) in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."
So, Jesus gave men and women to feed, tend, equip His sheep so that they would mature and become more and more like Him. That is His goal, and therefore my goal: Christlikeness. He is the One that I follow, and He is the model for our lives. He was a man submitted to the Holy Spirit, as he forfeited his deity on the earth. He had a relationship with God, the Father, just like we can have today. (See 1 John 2:6, John 14:12-21, Matthew 3:16-17, and Luke 4:1-2, 14)
In closing, I want to say that the word "preparation" has been resounding in my spirit today, and for the past few months and even year. God has spoken that I am being prepared for something that is coming soon. How soon? I don't know. There are weaknesses that need to be enhanced in my life, and strengths that need to be enhanced. But, even more than being prepared myself, I want to see a people prepared for the coming of the King, without spot or wrinkle. (See Ephesians 5:25-27 and Revelation 19:6-8) And, I want to see a "way", a road if you will, prepared for the Lord, the King, Jesus. (See Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:3-5)
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you...
His,
Eric
I have been reading many blogs the past few weeks, and there is always something powerful that comes from those posts. By powerful, I mean something that impacts my heart, and thus, my life. So, I have decided to enter into this world of blogging with the hope that everyone who reads would be powerfully impacted, changed, and inspired to live differently.
The title of the blog, as you can see, is Ignite the Light. More than anything, I desire to see people, young and old, with hearts that are passionate, fiery, and in love with Jesus Christ. Therefore, my goal is to ignite, re-ignite, or fan the flame that is on the inside. (See Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Jeremiah 20:9) There are many themes that I will be writing about and discussing, including intimacy, unity, intercession, fasting, eschatology (study of End-times), the Church, prophecy, meditation, revelation, and many more. I simply desire to be a resource for the Body of Christ.
In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Three times Jesus asks him the same question, and every time, Peter responds, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Each time Jesus answered, "Feed my sheep." Recently, Jesus has asked me the same question, "Eric, do you love me?" After my response, "Yes, Lord, I love you; you know I love you," He said, "Feed my sheep."
So, as I've prayed about exactly what this feeding looks like, I've been reminded time and time again of Ephesians 4:11-16. Here's my paraphase of that passage: "And he (Jesus) gave the apostles (pastor of pastors), prophets (seers, proclaimers of the "word of the Lord"), evangelists (soul winners), pastors (shepherds of local "flocks") and teachers to equip, (train, hand out tools) the saints (sons and daughters of God, Christians) for the work of ministry (not just "full-time", ministry of reconciliation), for building up the body of Christ (Christians, the Church), until we all attain to the unity (oneness) of the faith and of the knowledge (intimacy, not just information) of the Son of God (Jesus), to mature manhood (and womanhood), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children (dependent, immature), tossed to and fro by the waves (storms, see Matthew 8:23-27 and Matthew 7:24-27) and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth (God's word, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) in love (patience, kindness), we are to grow up (mature) in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."
So, Jesus gave men and women to feed, tend, equip His sheep so that they would mature and become more and more like Him. That is His goal, and therefore my goal: Christlikeness. He is the One that I follow, and He is the model for our lives. He was a man submitted to the Holy Spirit, as he forfeited his deity on the earth. He had a relationship with God, the Father, just like we can have today. (See 1 John 2:6, John 14:12-21, Matthew 3:16-17, and Luke 4:1-2, 14)
In closing, I want to say that the word "preparation" has been resounding in my spirit today, and for the past few months and even year. God has spoken that I am being prepared for something that is coming soon. How soon? I don't know. There are weaknesses that need to be enhanced in my life, and strengths that need to be enhanced. But, even more than being prepared myself, I want to see a people prepared for the coming of the King, without spot or wrinkle. (See Ephesians 5:25-27 and Revelation 19:6-8) And, I want to see a "way", a road if you will, prepared for the Lord, the King, Jesus. (See Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:3-5)
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you...
His,
Eric
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