- Extend yourselves to honor each other above yourselves.
- They had all things in common and no one had any need - not just food, water, clothing, transportation - NO need of anything.
- Deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me.
- Serve one another in love.
- I your teacher and Lord have washed your feet.
- Love one another as I have loved you.
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We have yet to come to the end of ourselves.
We have hit a glass ceiling both in the manifestation of Holy Spirit power and finances that cannot be broken until we finally come to the end of ourselves.
If you find yourself saying:
- Oh, I don't do poopy diapers anymore, have fun!
Or
- Ummmm, I gotta run, but I bet so and so will do (enter 'nasty' job here).
Or
- I love you, but not that much to have done (enter task) for you.
Then we have yet to come to the end of ourselves and the life of self has yet to die - the end result of that being a lack of power and finances manifesting due to a lack of love.
Do you think it was easy for Jesus to kneel down and wash the grimy feet of the disciples? It was probably as nice as a poopy diaper - but he did it anyway.
When we all get to the point where there's pretty much nothing we wouldn't do for another - no matter how much time it costs us, or if it's poopy (literally or metaphorically), or how ucky or sweaty we might become - we will have met a major benchmark of love.
Jesus poured out every single drop of blood in His body for us and told us to do the same for each other.
But our selfishness - that which sent us out of the Garden - is capable of being killed, but we still cling to it like a binky.
If we find ourselves saying we don't have the time to help on many an occasion then perhaps a re-arrangement of our priorities is needed.
Turn the rapebox (aka tv) off. Find things that are not necessary to survive in your schedule and kill them.
Leave holes in each and every day possible so that you can be there in an instant - granted it may not be possible every day to do every day but make it more often than not.
And, God will bring you things to fill those moments. Perhaps no one needs you in those moments - they are then free to be praying and ministering as a priest to your God. Learn His word, yearn for the Fire to fall and baptize you.
Its easy to love when little demand is placed upon us - and as Paul said - even the Gentiles are capable of that.
But when we shirk back from even the idea that we could give ourselves to do wretched jobs for others, the poison of our treacherous, sinful, selfish selves is apparent and should be dealt with immediately.
We have the Order established. We have the passion of prayer and submission and fervor of desire to see the things come forth.
Add an additional depth of love, and perhaps our Holy Spirit and financial breakthrough will be just around the corner.
It is, indeed, the year of the Lord's release.
Peace,
La. Sra.