#Spirituality & Religion

[chantireviews]

RUNNING AWAY From The CIRCUS: Confessions of a Carnie Kid (Who Tried to Become a Priest) by Nove Meyers - Memoirs, Coming of Age, Religion & Spirituality

  Debut author Nove Meyers breathes life into the big tent of human aspirations and desperations, from his birth into a raucous circus atmosphere to his diligent study for Catholic priesthood. Running Away from the Circus is a vibrant chronicle that opens with a vignette of his grandmother, clad in sequins and flying on a trapeze. She spun like a top to enthusiastic applause under the circus…

[rivage-seulm]

Sunday Homily: Jesus As Prophetic Bread of Life

Bread & Puppet’s rendition of El Salvador’s martyred archbishop, Oscar Romero Readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: I Kgs. 19:4-8; Eph. 4:30-5:2; Jn. 6:41-51 This Sunday’s readings are about prophets and bread. They remind me of a recent visit my wife Peggy and I made to Glover Vermont’s Bread and Puppet Museum along with two of our eight grandchildren, Eva (age 15) and Orlando (12).…

[cindycintn]

Introducing "Knitting Through Time," my newest book in The Prayer Shawl Chronicles

I'm delighted to introduce my newest book, Knitting Through Time, Book 3 in The Prayer Shawl Chronicles.

How did human beings learn to knit? Historians have no idea! So I made up a whole book of stories -based on historical facts- to suggest how we as a civilization learned how to make fabric from two sticks and a ball of yarn. Who invented knitting? No one has any idea. Knitting first appeared in Egypt, as far we can tell. It next showed up in Spain, then spread throughout western Europe and onto…

[frankkster]

UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED AND VALUED

“You’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in.” Chip Wilson, the founder of lifestyle clothing giant Lululemon, dropped those controversial words during a recent interview about the company’s direction since he departed in 2015. This takes me back to 2013, when an Abercrombie & Fitch executive created a media storm by shamelessly declaring the clothing retailer tried…

[bookjunkiez]

Journey to Bethlehem Blitz

Religion & Spirituality Date Published: 11-25-2022 Publisher: OACC Media     Come with me to Bethlehem. A sleepy hamlet in the mountains of Southern Israel. Here we will find a newborn baby lying in a manger surrounded by his parents and barn animals. It doesn’t seem like the most idyllic Christmas. There is no tree, no presents, and no stockings hung by the fireplace. Everything is…

[neyatimes]

Iraqi protesters storm Swedish Embassy in Baghdad

CNN  —  Hundreds of protesters stormed the main gates of the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad early Thursday in response to police in Stockholm granting permission for a demonstration were organizers are reportedly planning another burning of the Muslim holy book, the Quran. Videos posted on social media showed a large number of protesters inside the Swedish embassy’s perimeter…

[theprayingteacher]

The #Business of Starting a New #Business

The #Business of Starting a New #Business

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GabrielsClosetDesignFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielsClosetDesignBoutiqueInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielsclosetboutique/ THE BUSINESS OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS It starts with an idea and that idea expands into planning (Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”) and from planning…

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 8, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 27:22 (KJV): 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Proverbs 27:22 (AMP): 22 Even though like grain you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Thought for the Day

Bad character traits can become so deeply engrained that it is impossible to correct them even by drastic measures, outside of divine intervention. As we have previously seen, the Biblical definition of a fool is one who is rebellious. Many evil people in jail are incorrigible; they have life-long habits of wickedness embedded throughout their entire personalities. These people have developed criminal natures and their minds are set on evil. Though penal institutions try to rehabilitate them with various programs, most of them return to crime because it is a part of them. Jeremiah 13:23 speaks about the impossibility of those who habitually do evil to turn from it: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil."

What is impossible for man, however, is not impossible for God; He can change anyone, no matter how wicked! Some of the most hardened criminals have been changed by the Holy Spirit's power. The Bible relates stories of wicked men, even murderers, adulterers and liars, who were changed by God's grace when they surrendered their lives to Him. Saul of Tarsus persecuted and threatened murder against Christians, thinking that he was doing God's will. On his way to arrest more Christians, Jesus Christ supernaturally encountered him and changed his life. God removed the scales from his spiritual eyes, and then he could see the evil he had done (Acts 9:1-22). After his miraculous conversion, he spent the rest of his life in the service of Jesus Christ and wrote a good deal of the New Testament. All of us were sinners until we came to Christ and allowed Him to deliver and cleanse us (Titus 3:3-7).

Throughout history, people have killed Christians, just as Jesus prophesied. More Christians have died for their faith in the 20th century than in all the previous centuries combined. Some religious zealots think that killing Christians is the will of God, even as Saul did before he became Paul. John 16:2-3 says, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the father, nor me." These people need to understand that their religion cannot give them eternal life since it is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must pray that they see the true light of God and experience Christ's saving power. "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake...But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:9, 13-14).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, I am humbled that You would use me as an instrument of Your love in this earth. I stand in awe at the amazing plans You have for everyone of us who will come to You, and allow You to live Your life through us. I am so happy to be a part of Your family. Lord, I ask that You deliver me from all pride and fear, and especially the fear of man. May I always be more concerned what You think about me, than what men may think of me. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

[flowerr44444]

noticed you replied to my post mentioning temple of diana, and i want to recommend the book The Great Cosmic Mother by Monica Sjöö if you haven't already read it. Monica was an radical eco feminist, and the book is soooo good if you're spiritual and feminist. every woman should read it.

Thanks for the rec i will write that down. Im a hardcore atheist actually. I might partake in a ritual but i like to focus on neuroplasticity phenomenom in religions most - the more you try to test - the more you see. I belive there is one mechanism but to call it some personified stuff like god is doing it a disservice. All human interpretation is a propaganda mentality lie and political philosophy. For ex. you go to a gathering bcs you are a social animal so you might confuse crowd/psychological mechanics with elation or feeling better/divine healing. You have to hear those that speak and stay quiet so no independent thought arises if you can't talk with a stranger about what you heard or wether there is something better and anyway. All preyer clubs for any official religions are essentialy moidclubs and moididolclubs so i spit on that. You can't even ask a question most the time.

I also think Diana was a historical figure that survived through myths, word of mouth essentialy. Perhaps a leader of a womyn only village like the shelter in Africa.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/16/village-where-men-are-banned-womens-rights-kenya

[rivage-seulm]

Xi Jinping’s Offer: You Can Do It The Hard Way or the Easy Way; It's Your Choice!

Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalms 128: 1-5; 1st Thessalonians 5: 1-6; Matthew 25: 14-3 What do you do about an economic system you no longer believe in? What if it’s just interested in the monetary bottom line – making money without doing any real work. What if it shows no concern for women and their children? Do you simply go along with…

[eli-kittim]

The Little Book of Revelation

A Study of the Sequence of EndTime Events

Get your copy now!! 📚 ⬇️⬇️⬇️

[be10xblogs]

Secret Astrologer of Celebrities, Launches New Workshop On Numerology

Pandit Anirudh Singh, a highly respected Numerologist, known for providing mentorship to celebrities, is set to launch his own Numerology LIVE Workshop from January 20th, 7 pm onwards, under the name AstroSeekho, open to the public in less than Rs. 100 INR. This workshop will be a blessing for all Numerology enthusiasts, aspiring seekers of cosmic wisdom, and those eager to uncover the mysteries of personal insights.

He is a third-generation certified spiritual coach, numerologist, Tarot Card Reader and Yoga trainer, with 10 years of experience. He was brought up in a very traditional background where knowledge of tantra and religion were deeply rooted over generations and he has experienced several miracles since childhood.

He has helped over 10,000 people to leverage the power of numerology and build their dream life by transforming their business, career, finances, relationship and health.

"No matter how much we humans have advanced, the effect of Planets and Stars on our lives is undeniable. I've found great value in learning numerology as it offers a unique lens through which I am able to understand myself and my life" says Pandit Anirudh Singh.

According to him, Numerology is a tool for self-discovery and    personal growth, providing a fascinating perspective that goes beyond convention. These are not just some empty words but his many years of experience through which he concluded this.

He has given guidance to many renowned people and helped them resolve the mysteries of their life and careers with the help of Numerology. This workshop will provide a unique chance to learn numerology from a seasoned expert. Discover how it can be applied to various aspects of life, including career choices, relationships, and personal development.

Visit : https://www.mid-day.com/amp/brand-media/article/secret-astrologer-of-celebrities-launches-new-workshop-on-numerology-23330211

[albertfinch]

INTERCESSORY WORSHIP

Jesus simply could not look upon the multitudes and not have compassion for them (Matthew 9:36, 14:14). His heart was so full of the love of the Father that He couldn't look without compassion.

We are to live the same way. We should be so full of God's love that rivers of living water should flow from our hearts and change lives and atmospheres everywhere we go. This is what Jesus was referring to when, in Matthew 10:8, He said, "Freely you've received, freely give."

He said to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons and raise the dead. 

Matthew 25:34-40 - "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

THE MINDSET OF JESUS

 James 1:27 -"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

The mindset of Jesus was to ignore His needs and instead focus on the needs of the poor and the sick. We need to be unspotted or uncontaminated from the ways of the world and simply fix our eyes on Jesus and follow in His footsteps.

Once we get to that place of deep worship, that place where the glory falls, it is then we should begin to cry out for the lost, for the broken, for the sick, the poor, and the dying. That is a natural thing.

There is a very fine line that separates worship and INTERCESSION— the two go hand in hand.

LIVING LIKE JESUS

Worship is more than just music or art; it's a lifestyle (Romans 12:1). We need to live like Jesus -- not just to see the need, but also to meet the need. Anyone can be a THERMOMETER and just gauge the spiritual temperature, but we're called to be THERMOSTATS and to change the spiritual temperature! We're not called to just point out sickness, poverty, and sin; we're called to change those ashes into beauty. After all, it's Christ in us that is the hope of glory!

As we spend time in INTERCESSORY WORSHIP, crying out. 

We begin to truly experience more of Him and less of ourselves, more of the Spirit and less of the flesh. It stirs up boldness within us to step out and love and DISCIPLE the unloved and to have compassion for the multitudes.

Once we've gotten to the place of interceding in worship, there is still one more step—GO FIND HIM. To find Him in the broken, to find Him in the poor and the sick, to find Him in the lost, to find Him in the widow and the orphan. The promise is that if we seek Him, we will find Him. He's calling out, "Come find Me." Will you go?

"Keep on asking and it wil be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7 AMP

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[meetshelby]

Chinese Culture

I have chosen Chinese culture to study for my intercultural communication class. I chose this culture to study because there is lots of information out there about it. But also due to the diversity of it. China has the largest population in the world. There are always new things coming out about their customs and way of life. It is changing even more now as modern technology is expanding. They have a lot of history in their culture as well. Chinese culture also has many connections with America, which makes it more interesting and relatable. 

This deep dive into Chinese culture will give more information about a culture often misunderstood in America and across the world. I will gain a better understanding and knowledge of different customs, traditions and families from Chinese culture. I believe I will be able to understand Chinese better if I know more background information on the “whys” and “hows” of their cultural choices. 

Here are some basic highlights of Chinese culture. The largest group is the Han Chinese with 900 million people. There are fifty-six ethnic groups. “The Chinese Communist party that rules the nation is officially atheist…” (Zimmerman 2022). There are many other religions tolerated such as Taoism, Islam, Buddhism, Protestantism and Catholicism. Any other religions besides these five are illegal. Seven major dialects of the Chinese language are spoken. The Chinese dialectal complex is much more challenging and different than any other language. The official language is Putonghua, a branch of Mandarin. English is also a prominent language that most learn from a young age. Cuisine in Chinese culture differs in geography like many cultures. Cantonese and Szechuan are the main cooking styles. Rice is a large part of their diet. “Chinese art is greatly influenced by the country’s rich spiritual and mystical history” (Zimmerman 2022). Art from music, martial arts to writers is all historical and an integral part of their culture. Science in China is a leading advancement. They have invested large amounts of money into research  and development. One of their biggest projects is teleportation. Chinese have many celebrations or festivals to celebrate and honor ancestors. 

This profound statement,” In so studying other cultures, we do so very often from the perspective of our own culture.” This is a very valid and difficult natural instinct to stray away from. Your own culture is what makes the most sense to the individual in most cases. I will try to take a step back and put my opinions and beliefs aside to assess and learn about Chinese culture. Being mindful and aware of biases is a great first step to get accurate information about Chinese culture. 

References

Zimmermann, K. A. (2022, July 27). Chinese culture: Customs & Traditions of China. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/28823-chinese-culture.html

[hannahsheppardsblog]

How to design for GenZ

1) amped up nostalgia:

every generation loves the designs from two decades before, linked to the nostalgia of their childhood, so the current GenZ will be romanticising the 2000���s, which explains the current y2K trend at the moment. We are attracted to the designs which shaped our youth. This is interesting because the 1990′s/2000′s were the pre social media era and seeing how this is now represented online and in fashion feels rose-tinted. This may be because we now have access to so many retro influences due to the internet.

2) hyper visuality

vivid and bold colours, cut out shapes and gradents are trending at the moment so attention can be caught of the audience in their busy online life. This includes collage, animation and exaggerated imagery.

One popular micro trend at the moment is 3d rendering of image and type. 

Because spiritualism and alt-religion are becoming fashionable, bright pastels and rainbow pattens are becoming popular. the same can be said for non gender specific colouring and gender fluid colours like purple and pink.

go bold or go home.

3) the metaverse

this is the next evolution of the internet as a series of interconnected worlds through social interactions. its unclear how the metaverse will progress.

avatars have become a form of identity for many individuals and photography and graphics can be used to design game like characteristics.

4) inclusivity, fluidity and acitvism

genZ has pushed for a social change, so designers should be tuned into the issues surrounding equality, gender fluidity, racism and feminism and will be able to hold the attention of a genz viewer for much longer. It will help the brand to feel relevant and authentic.

5) gothcore

another growing trend is gothcore and emo designs. this has also deeply impacted fashion and typography with the return of gothic typefaces and black letter fonts.

for my penguin merchandise and brand identity i should think about tapping into some of these trends and finding out which of these GenZ readers would associate themselves with. 

I would imagine that Hyper visuality and inclusivity would be the most relevant to this project because the target audience would be more introverted and reserved.

It might be interesting to play with colours and lettering for the brand identity for this range of merchandise.

Fussell, G. (2022). Generation Z: How to Design for the Internet Generation. [online] The Shutterstock Blog. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/generation-z-design. [accessed: 4 Feb 2023]

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[destinyimage]

Enter the 7 Levels of Intimacy with God

Having Things in Common

As believers, we have the same Lord and Savior but also the same enemy. Therefore, we must believe that everything that affects or hurts God affects or hurts us. And anyone who is God’s enemy is our enemy as well, and vice versa. But what do we have in common with God? Most people see God as someone very distant with whom they share nothing, but the truth is, we share more commonalities with God than we think.

To begin with, all people come from God. He is our originator, and the Word says He made us. “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 AMP). That alone joins us to Him in an eternal way, which remains a mystery for religion and science. However, the most precious thing we have in common with the Father is Jesus. Today, we have in common His blood, His forgiveness and salvation, His acceptance, and the love that embraces us upon seeking a relationship with Him.

"Until people have the revelation of who they are and where they come from, they cannot have fellowship with God."

This is the first level of fellowship where what we have in common with Him is genuinely transcendent; however, our fellowship remains incomplete if we only stay at this level. While it is a fact, sharing things in common with God only keeps us at the relationship’s surface. The depth comes with the following levels of fellowship.

Joined Together

Once we establish the things we have in common with God and they become a revelation in our hearts, we can move on to the second level of fellowship, whereby we are joined together with God through a covenant. Without a covenant of commitment, we can’t have a relationship with God. This covenant is not only established through the blood of Christ, but by the spiritual sacrifice we make when we decide to leave the things of the world, die to our flesh, and consecrate ourselves to God. It is a progressive covenant that must come from us because God wants to ensure that we will rely on and always go to Him, no matter the circumstance. The covenant is the glue that sticks us together with God, creating an unbreakable bond founded on mutual trust.

"Without a covenant of commitment, we cannot have fellowship with God."

The same applies to other believers in a parallel perspective. “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:4-5). The purpose of being joined together is to supply, help each other, nourish, minister, grow spiritually, and achieve maximum unity as the body of Christ. “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

If you have already received the revelation that God is your creator and you come from Him, this is the time to make a covenant with Him. I encourage you to commit yourself to God right now in a covenant of mutual surrender; then you will become one with God.

Partnership

The next level of fellowship is partnering with God. A partnership in the business world consists of joint ownership of something, where all parties equally assume the profits, risks, and losses. When God created man, He gave him the power to rule and subdue the earth (see Genesis 1:27-28). However, upon committing the first sin, Adam lost that authority. Jesus regained it when He came to this earth while also bringing the kingdom of God.

When the kingdom was established on earth, responsibilities between man and God emerged, and a partnership was formed. That way, when Jesus returned to heaven, He could leave us in charge. Our partnership with God expects us to take up responsibilities such as governing His creation, expanding His kingdom, preaching the gospel, and upholding ministry and service to the people. Our part in fulfilling these expectations is to commit ourselves to pray, fast, obey, live, worship, serve God and others, tell others about Jesus, manifest His power in miracles, signs, and wonders, and fight for justice and the weak (see Matthew 5:6,10; James 1:27; Deuteronomy 10:17-18). When we do our part, God fulfills His to release His supernatural power, presence, and resources. In fellowship with God, He gets the glory and the credit while we get the benefits.

In a less broad sense, we are partners with God in bringing our family, friends, and co-workers to the feet of Christ, in casting out demons and imparting spiritual deliverance to His people, in releasing His power to heal people’s sicknesses and diseases, in defending the weak against their oppressor, in fighting for justice where justice is lacking, in feeding the hungry, sheltering the naked, visiting those in prisons and hospitals (see Matthew 25:35-40), and most importantly, we are God’s partners in the discipleship of believers (see Matthew 28:19). It is so powerful to know that our “partner” in our personal, family, work, and ministry life is God Himself!

Sharing Together

Once Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples, along with the believers, continued “daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” (Acts 2:46-47). That is what Jesus taught them. If you are in the presence of God, sharing with Him is an unmistakable sign of fellowship. It is also often an indicator of our relationship with others. When we fellowship in the presence of God, we share our hearts, insecurities, fears, joys, and secrets we keep. God, in turn, shares His nature, His life, and more. This is how we can identify true fellowship because it is impossible to share all this with a person you do not know, do not trust, and with whom you do not have a personal, continuous, and deep relationship.

"The art of fellowship is sharing."

This is important to clarify because some believers want God’s blessings but are unwilling to share anything with Him; they do not open their hearts, bring their family, or share God with others. Many believe that they are automatically in good standing with God by simply going to church on Sunday and giving an offering. Then, when crises come, they don’t understand why God allows them to suffer or why He doesn’t do a miracle. But take a moment to ask yourself, would you do it if someone who has not kept in contact with you for a long time without warning demands that you help them and expects you to wait on them? The same applies the other way around when you have friends with whom you never share quality time, whom you never serve or help in their need, yet expect them to come to your rescue when you have a crisis. If you never share your life with God, why should He intervene?

I like to share a meal with my spiritual and natural children. As mentioned before, as believers we have many things in common, such as our faith in Jesus and the call to extend His kingdom and manifest His power. Therefore, we cannot be strangers to each other in our daily life. Still, true fellowship comes from daily sharing life experiences, paying the price of serving God and people together, sharing suffering when attacks come, and sharing joy when God gives us victory personally and in the church.

Joint Participation

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The apostle Paul had this revelation of participation in his relationship with Jesus, which is why he wrote to the church in Philippi that he wanted to be found in Christ “And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]” (Philippians 3:10 AMP). Another version uses “participation” in place of “fellowship.” This participation refers to “sharing” Christ’s sufferings to reunite humanity with the Father. Paul says that he is in the task of “[laying] hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). This implies that there is joint participation in salvation where Christ takes us, and we accept Christ. So, if we have fellowship with Christ, we also participate in His sufferings. That is true fellowship!

Believers don’t like this teaching of participating in Christ’s sufferings because they don’t like to suffer in general. They believe that to participate in His sufferings we must undergo the same crucifixion and whippings He did. While it is true that in some parts of the world, there are believers who are beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for the sake of Christ, this is not the only way to participate in His sufferings. The sufferings we are subject to in the name of Christ can be divided into two types: the suffering that comes from fellowship with Christ and His righteousness (also known as the suffering of the flesh) and the suffering that comes from unrighteousness (also known as the disobedience we commit against God). It is essential to clarify these sufferings and emphasize that without them, there is no fellowship with God.

Suffering for Righteousness

This suffering identifies us with Jesus: “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). The suffering of the flesh is not receiving whippings or imprisonment (at least not for believers in the West). This suffering refers to denying Adamic nature, the old self, the sinful nature, and the old man. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “I have been crucified with Christ” is the same as saying, “I am with Jesus in anything that comes against Him; I will not be moved, I will not desist, I will not run away. I will remain with Him, paying the price of having Him live in me, and I no longer live.” Even though He had the power to save Himself, Jesus still bound Himself to that cross in obedience to the Father. Today, we are given the same choice: to attain fellowship with our Lord through sacrificial obedience.

"Denial of the self is a sign of having fellowship with Jesus through the participation of His sufferings."

To sacrifice for righteousness—to stand in righteousness before God—means that our carnal nature must be crucified because we cannot have fellowship with Christ without going through what He went through, without suffering what He suffered. And just as Jesus gave Himself willingly, so must we. Jesus knew this, for “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8); therefore, when instructing His disciples, He told them, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38).

This is what Paul taught his disciples in the church in Rome, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin” (Romans 6:11-13). To share Christ’s suffering is to be “dead to sin.” What does it mean to be “dead to sin”? It means that when sin is presented or offered to you, it doesn’t produce any reaction or have any control. When you are dead to sin, it no longer has the power of attraction over you because your flesh is mortal and crucified with Christ.

Jesus had no sinful nature, but He did have a divine nature. This was the principle that Jesus operated by during His time on earth. He denied Himself as God: “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6). He could have chosen to be God, but He denied Himself and chose to be a man instead. He decided to die to who He had been before coming to earth and suffer, as a man, scorn, scourging, and death on the cross.

If we want fellowship with God, we, too, must die to what we think, feel, and want so that He may live in us. A continued denial brings us to the place of knowing that it is not us living and doing but Christ Himself in us. To our mind, this seems both illogical and impossible because the difference between Jesus and us is that He had the revelation of why He suffered what He did. Therefore, for a person to choose to die to their flesh, they must know for whom and why they are dying. If we do not know, we cannot die.

"Denying oneself is a daily sacrifice."

Suffering for Injustice

This is the suffering that Jesus wants to spare us from, the suffering that brings us nothing but bitterness, resentment, regret, guilt, and remorse. The apostle Peter wrote about this suffering to his disciples in Pontus and other regions, advising them: “let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:15-16). Disobedience to God always brings sufferings that have nothing to do with those of Christ. They do not come through fellowship with God, nor do they bring us closer to Him. This happened to the prodigal son, who despised his father and squandered his inheritance in vices and bad friendships. “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. …And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything” (Luke 15:14,16). That is the suffering of disobedience and injustice.

Communion

In the original Greek, the word communion means “to dwell in a tabernacle.” Still, the Bible points at a deeper meaning, implying that it is to dwell in intimate communion with the risen Christ and become one with God, just as Jesus did on earth. “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21). Jesus was one with His Father, who also came to restore that unity for us. There is a place in fellowship where we become one with God and inhabit with Him the same space through intimate communion. A practical way to understand this kind of communion is the marriage between a man and a woman. When two people marry, the union can only be sealed with the consummation of the sexual act. This union occurs on a physical, spiritual, and emotional level. This is a natural reflection of the mystery of spiritual communion with God.

"The mystery by which communion with God empowers us is revealed through the right relationship and unification with Him."

As believers, we are one with Christ in His death, resurrection, and life itself: “[He] raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). To be one with Christ is to be one with the Father. God wants us to understand that through the blood of Jesus, He is as one with us as He is with Christ. This means that when we speak, God agrees with us and backs us up with His power. He will work His Word when it comes out of our mouths. In that unity, we are like God. Allow me to clarify. I am not saying we are God, but we think, speak, and act like God as His ambassadors on earth. In communion, God merges with us, and we with Him; this is how people see the continuation of God’s life in a human being. He gives us the authority to act in His place from our intimate communion because it is there that we become one with Him. If you are one with God, whatever you declare will happen; you will have the power and authority to rule and reign over creation, sickness, demonic spirits, and more on this earth.

Communion with God gives us identity because becoming one with Him leads us to know who we are and our origins; it connects us with our source and ends our uncertainty, insecurities, and fears. Identity has nothing to do with our profession, occupation, gifts, talents, or preferences. It has everything to do with our essence and origin as beloved children of God, worthy of being loved and capable of loving God and others. In this intimacy with the Father, any sense of rejection in our inner self disappears under the power that comes from knowing that we are children of God.

Intimacy

This is the deepest level of fellowship. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). God created man for intimacy, to have a close relationship with Him. Furthermore, He gave us the ability to be intimate with another person as an earthly reflection of something eternal. Intimacy means being known for who you are, without filters or masks. Intimacy is vulnerability; it exposes our innermost being, our secret place. Our heart was created for intimacy; therefore, we feel that longing and lack when we are not intimate with God or another person. If you know someone intimately, you know them beyond the surface; you know what others don’t know about them. This is the level of relationship God wants us to have with Him! He wants a unique, deep, intimate relationship with you! He wants to know you and make Himself known.

"To know God intimately is the supreme quest of every human being."

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