bethanyrebecca's Blog

We worship a Crucified God.

What do you do with that? Everything meant by God. With all that crucifixion means...together.

The Crucified God is a contradiction of everything that is man. Against everything that has ever been conceived or desired. It is a contradiction of everything sought to be assured of by the term God.

For in God crucified we find every tragedy that has ever happened. We find the love and compassion of God for man. We find the only place where man can love God.

How do you respond to a Crucified God? I look at my own response and I am immediately sickened and repulsed by my humanity. I despise my Self. Jesus, take this evil thing from my heart. I am less than nothing. You Jesus, are everything.

The Word of God speaks of the discipline of God in Hebrews 12. This discipline is much bigger than God spanking us we get turned sideways. That does happen by His mercy.

But look at the lives of King David, the prophets, Paul, and Jesus Himself. REBUKES, TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS....AND INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD! To do life through Jesus, we must imitate and apply this pattern. Learn obedience. JUDGE YOUR FLESH AND ENTER THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD.

Intimacy and knowledge of God doesnt maintain itself. God is a God of covenants. We MUST enter this dicipline voluntarily. Pray, fast, give, fellowship, be holy, DO JESUS TO OTHERS BEFORE GOD OUR FATHER!

God has His part and we have our part. We cant do His part and He will not do our part.
GOD IS CALLING. NOW ANSWER!!!!

In Matthew 25, five virgins are wise and 5 virgins are foolish. The differentiating factor between the two is the amount of oil for their lamps. Oil is fuel for light, typically we dont see the fuel, but we see the light. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and intimacy with Jesus.

Both groups were prepared and waiting for the Bridegroom. However, the Bridegroom was delayed, it became dark, the hour was late. The tendency is to fall asleep while waiting on God. The pressure of trials may even make it seem darker. If we become distracted by the world, it will become even darker still.

Suddenly, the Bridegroom arrives. The five wise virgins are prepared and would not share their oil with the other five. Selfish?? No, because you cannot export relational intimacy. YOU CANT GET A HISTORY IN GOD OVERNIGHT. So be prepared. Love oil just for the sake of oil. Love Jesus because He is the most awesome Person in the universe and who just happens to be madly in love with you.

We didnt seek God.
We didnt see the need. We are all asleep....
There's no time! We are out of time.
Jesus is here! He's here!
Its too late. The end has begun.

Who is ready? Who is the Bride?
Look she has oil, She is burning and shining.
How do you get oil? Its too late to ask that question.
I am in anguish. I can do nothing.
Darkness surrounds me. My lamp is out.
I have no oil. It is so cold. I cant stop shaking.
Why was it so easy to not pray?
There is no hindrance to sleep.
I never saw God. My ears never heard a call.
Sin came so easily in the Assembly of Dust.

Then I remembered His Word. Narrow and Difficult.
Wide and Easy. Comfortable and Deadly.
The prior warning is upon us.
I am so sorry. I cant stop sobbing.
Deep regret. Never changing.
Permanent outer darkness.
So slippery the way.
The whole earth hurdles to destruction.
So easy to blame God. Curse Him all you men.
Maybe we will feel better.

(a voice reponds)
"Now is the time of judgment.
Take your offenses to the grave.
Your anger leads the way. Lust is on your left.
Pleasure guards your right. Pride directs your death."

My tombstone is my witness. A life seeking comfort.
In that place, her fate is sealed. Judgment arraigned.
Her pleas are now not heard.

( I wrote this one night, sickened by my own propensity to sin. PLEASE PLEASE SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, HE IS SO GRACIOUS AND FORGIVING. YOU CANT GET A HISTORY IN GOD OVERNIGHT.)

Qualified by the Blood of Christ to draw near - know that we are drawing near to a Heart of burning, fiery Love for us. But also know that we are drawing near to the consuming fire of the glory of God. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS CONSUMED? Our strength.
The strength of our flesh, everything that hinders God's love, and the wood, hay , and anything that else that burns. Let the rest be tempered, purified, or consumed. When we come before God, the strength of ME begins to be consumed. ISN'T THIS WHAT WE WANT? As I examine my own life, I see all the things I try to substitute for waiting before God such as: music, books, computer, work, ministry, even my own "spirituality" is suspect. The most awesome place in the universe is in your secret place behind a locked door, on your knees or face before the Consuming Fire.