One of the questions I hear discussed a lot from those who are hungry for deeper communion is:

Why does my heart ache even though I am learning how to discern and interact with His kingdom more?

That really is a wise question, and it’s on the heart of many in this hour.

ANSWER: The reason is because being a yielded vessel to minister to others is not the same as a child of God being willing to be transformed in all one’s being.

Said another way, “manifestations are not the same as His manifest presence.”

“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10.

Expressions of His kingdom are offered to both the lost and the Body of Christ in one of 2 ways.

1. Manifestations- Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. Manifest Presence– Impartations of His very nature flowing outward from within.

The former is pretty easily attained as it only requires learning how to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, step out in some boldness and pushing past the fear of rejection and failure.

Legitimate manifestations may operate completely independent from His nature, ( see 1 Corinthians 13).

His manifest presence however, is another story. This comes only through His nature.

This requires one to come face to face with the LORD and allow Him to speak to us about areas that are not sanctified.

This starts with our belief system. The bottom line is there are thoughts and beliefs that are buried within us that Father-God desires to talk with us about.

I cannot emphasize this enough. It is our beliefs that determine our thoughts, emotions and intentions. This in turn, will determine the depth of His manifest presence flowing from within our being. Something I may add, we are all called to walk in. (Acts 17:28, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Pet 1:19,)

Teaching on this subject have fallen out of favor. Unbalanced and outright abusive preaching have influenced this generation so much we either despise correction unless it is lathered in obscene amounts of coddling, or is watered down to the point where it becomes focused on oneself and increased self-comfort (what’s in it for me?).

Manifestations

Ever see someone move in a gift of the Holy Spirit? Of course. Pretty common, right?

These brothers/ sisters are fun to be around. They challenge in a fun way. It’s exciting and births in us a desire to flow in more gifts… and we should.

Gifts of the Spirit are, well…. pretty amazing ways to minister to others. My most “shared” blogs are the writings of an encounter with another where I allowed Father to use me.

Manifest Presence

Now, let me ask you this:

When was the last time you got around someone and as they stood next to you, you could actually feel the love of Jesus compelling you to know Him better?

Ever have a conversation and perceive one’s eyes almost seem to shimmer with the eyes of our Savior?

You desire to be near them, not for what they do or say or the gifts they possess, but because their very proximity brings peace, rest and a sense that you are unconditionally loved and valued.

Ever get around someone and you are itching to suddenly break away; to just run outdoors, fall to your knees and tell God how much more of Him you desire?

When was the last time you stood before another christian and just wanted to cry because you felt Father’s arms reach out to you through this person while you discussed nothing more spiritual than comparing your favorite winter coffee flavors?

Ever stand before this type and silently began to repent of a sin under your breath to the LORD?

Not out of guilt or shame, but because you realize you want to walk more intimately with Father-God? You touched fire….

I bet this is a tiny bit less common. Am I right? On that same note – Ever not want to be around this same kind of person? I sure have…

Do you want to know why that is?

The most violent living waters of Father’s Love flow with the currents of holiness. T hat’s right. Holiness.

Holiness vibrates on a spiritual frequency that will burn up sin. That child of God is not interested in compromise.

The burning love of God flowing through one of His children has a tremendous cost attached to it. It is the cost of being willing to continually allow the Holy Spirit to speak to them about uncomfortable issues.

This results in a walk that manifests love AND holiness at the same time. This is not always comfortable to be around. Push past this.

The love of God will compel you to want more. It will become an all consuming desire for us as well.

If we want to walk in the greatest intimacy that has been made available to us through the gift of righteousness, we must choose to relate to Him in righteousness ( Galatians 6:8, Romans 13:14 ) in the same way He has gifted us positionally ( 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 1:22,).

NOTE: Our spirit-man longs to transform our soul into His image.

We, as spirit-beings desire Father’s plumb-line. But, the carnal-minded aspects of our soul, the areas we have not yet allowed Him to correct in us; these prefer extremes in response to wounding and wrongful teachings.

The carnal minded-soul wants to find the ditch of excessiveness… and then cross the road and jump into the gully on the other side. And… the carnal-minded soul has become exceedingly efficient at it.

This directly hinders the depth of our spiritual intimacy with the LORD, (John 4:24, Romans 8:7).

Application:

Get alone with the LORD today. Ask Him to reveal to you one area He wants to speak to you about. This mindset must go deeper than conduct. It is an attitude of the heart. It is rooted in our fears and wounds and identity.

Invite Him in to illuminate something buried deep within. We keep our eyes fixed on Him, and allow Him to fix steadfastly on where He wants to touch us.

One area that if, conformed to the image of Christ, would usher you into the next level of intimacy and communion in Him. A ny idea what that is? Well… He knows. Give Him permission.

When fear and anxiety begin to kick up, this is GOOD. These are lies and wounds being brought to the surface. This is part of the process. Remember please, holiness is “being in the same nature as God.” Do not be afraid to discuss “holiness” with Him.

“So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Acts 6:15.

There is a cost that comes with this kind of reflection of His nature. Resting in His unconditional love and Divine approval… there is nothing sweeter than communing with Him from this reality… … and then giving His goodness to His creation that He loves beyond words.

Now, let’s be clear here. I do not consider myself a very good conduit of His nature at times. But… I am willing to let Him speak to me on what He desires to transform from within.

In the end, this is all He asks of any of His children. Go for it, family.

 

Shalom
~ David Murry

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David Murry ~ One of the ways Father God has asked David to serve the Body is in sharing the amazing truths about what it means to have been made the Righteousness of Christ, and applying that truth to how we view God, ourselves and others. Restoration of the Body back to the heart and nature of the Ancient of Days (who just happens to be our Dad) starts with understanding what truly occurred at the cross on our behalf. It is an honor and joy for David to help the body return to the heart of our Father… in all our ways.
Contact David at: dwmurry.com or email him at: dwmurry@gmail.com

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