Uninterrupted

"An uninterrupted place of presence ..."

The question was asked on social media, Why did God have Adam name the animals? A lot of answers were given. My favorite was “Because no one wants to say, ‘Hey you with the brown, furry face.’” But asking the Spirit (who was there), Adam was one, perfectly united with the Godhead; he was created in God’s image and after His likeness. Before sin, he was in complete fellowship with Elohim. So he named the animals while “in the Spirit” as we’d say in church-ese. Remember, he also named Eve.

This goes to the power of our words and my next thought: This is the first of the year, but maybe it is not the first Jesus wants us to celebrate. Where is His first? Emphasis His.

Man was made to walk after Christ. Even from the beginning, he would talk and walk and act like the Messiah. For Jesus of Nazareth was at the beginning with God and as God (John 1:1). He was modeled after His creation when born upon earth, and He is the model of creation before Adam’s first breath (Colossians 1). Adam was meant to fellowship with God. He was continually IN THE SPIRIT. He called the animals by name THROUGH THE SPIRIT. It is not, otherwise, humanly possible for a man to name all the infinite number of creatures. It was not just “mental acumen,” as my mother would phrase it. But spiritual possibility. In Christ, all things are possible. In Christ, nothing is im-possible (Luke 1:37). Jesus died and rose again to return us to this place, but we have to push into Him to obtain it. We have to give up “things,” distractions, even our personal likes, things we enjoy.

Many take this month to fast, and God honors it. But fasting is more than abstaining from food. Fasting indicates surrender. What have you surrendered? Looking at it from the opposite angle as well—What have you surrendered to? To Jesus? Or to your job, the football game, the next worship concert? To endless prophecies? A prophet should speak less and worship and soak in God’s presence more. A child of God should hear God at all hours, waking or sleeping. Those who find this odd or doctrinally wrong lack understanding. But to go from glory to glory, as the Scripture describes, requires continuous connection. When we are connected, we will not be disconnected. It is disconnection that causes separation and then acceptance of misinformation and incorrect behavior are the result.

“I press forward, constantly toward the goal of Christlike perfection—one day to experience the ultimate prize for which God has called me heavenward—the joy of seeing him face to face.” (Philippians 3:14, Remedy)

We do not have to defend ourselves from the devil. Stop living in reaction to his work. Live in steady progress in the Spirit. Go ahead with God. Forward. Let go of everything, your self-protection, all the solutions you’ve “figured out.” To truly walk in the Spirit, you must hold onto the Spirit and not physical or mental things. When you truly feel helpless, God is first place. I can no longer fall back to a place of safety, as has become my habit. God is behind me, pushing me forward, urging me, encouraging me, which is His way. Whereas half the church is sitting on the fence rail, unwilling to take that leap of faith. The other half is behind them, about to push them off, and calling it prophecy. Calling it answered prayer. No, answers to prayer come in God’s timing and in God’s way, which will always be the way of peace and safety.

“Securely thou shalt walk, with no fear of stumbling, fearlessly thou shalt lie down to rest, and enjoy untroubled sleep.” (Proverbs 3:23-24, Knox)

Safety is the way of sleep (Psalm 3 and 4). Safety is the fullness of His presence (Psalm 91). Safety is the way of rest (Psalm 23). Safety is the way of walking, and wise walking comes with enjoyable rest (Proverbs 3). God only stands you on the cliff if you’re going to fly. You will only fly in the Spirit. In the flesh, there is death (Romans 8:6). The mind of the flesh is unrest, restlessness and doubt and worry and fear, which all lead to bad decision-making. Bad decisions come from self-effort.

Jesus died to self so that He rose to eternal life so powerful it fills every man and woman who accepts Him into their inner being. And their inner being is recreated with their words, not remodeled but REMADE. Just as Jesus’ physical body is no longer damaged and broken and decaying but living and glorified. He has holes in His hands because the Spirit allows it so that His children can see them. But they are not the result of His time on the cross, simply a representation. He was remade entirely, without blood, and filled entirely with God, Spirit and Father. Such is our future. We hold onto it in hope, knowing the love of God will do what He has promised. For today, we seek the Spirit and the place which Adam held before he chose sin, an uninterrupted place of presence and all the character and generosity of our loving God, whose graciousness pours into us with every step, every intake of breath, and even, one day, our exhale when we’ll be home forever.

“May the graciousness of the Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts and minds and permeate your entire being. Amen.” (Philippians 4:23, Remedy)

“When your condition was terminal, when selfishness reigned unchecked in your minds, and when your hearts were tied to the destructive cravings and practices of the world, God intervened and brought you the life-giving Remedy—Jesus Christ. He reclaimed you from your terminal condition,” (Colossians 2:13, Remedy)

Image by lyubmalee from Pixabay


----------
Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com