A Real Place

(Prayer request--Late again today because I am in the hospital to get a stone from a bile duct. I will be fine when the stone is gone. I love you all and am sorry for the tardiness. Jesus is Lord.)

Thursday, ‎February ‎23, ‎2022 Good morning, Lord Verse of the Day: 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Memory of the Month: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Today's reading: NUMBERS 5-6 MARK 4:1-20 A Real Place In the middle of the original covid outbreak, someone asked the question on social media, "Do you wear a mask?" In the midst of the yes and no answers I posted, "Most Americans wear masks-now they have something to hide them behind". There have been books written on the masks we wear and seminars on dealing with the mask issue. What do I mean by 'mask'? Behavior that is not our real self-a false face that hides reality is what I call a mask. While many people find the covid masks repulsive, some find a shallow security in them in that these masks furthur hide their true identity. People use masks to hide insecurity and fear or guilt. (For those who wear a mask for medical purposes, no offense intended.) I know a man who is a super intellectual but who cannot hide his insecurity. I have known very successful people whose only confidence is in their success. I could go on and on but most of us have at least some small place hidden in our minds where we feel a little weak or shallow and that comes from our 'natural man'. How can I say that? 2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. So, if you have ever felt that you fall short of knowing God's power or if you are insecure in love or if you have weird thoughts that bother you, these do not come from the heart of God. It does not mean you do not know Jesus. Paul addressed this when he wrote: 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Then Paul says this, "24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25 If your heart breaks because of insecurity or guilt, you do not have to live there anymore. God has provided a way of freedom. It is real and Jesus did it for you. God knew in the beginning about you-everything about you and loves you completely. Jesus went to the cross for you knowing your mind as it is right now with all that burdens you. He carried all your burdens to the cross-to His death-and He rose from the dead and declared us free in Him. God has a place for you in His heart. He has a place for all of us where there is nothing but freedom and peace. I believe that God's heart breaks for us to find that place because He knows our pain and has done all He has done yet many of us have failed to discover the reality of this solitude with Him. Why is something so real and so pure so hard for many to grasp? We are still allowing our own judgement to tell us that we cannot get there. If you have not felt the complete freedom in God's presence where all weight is lifted, you must let go and fall into God's place for you. What holds you back? Jesus has declared your freedom. Jesus spoke these words for you to live: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised..." Luke 4:18 We may be able to hide from the world behind multiple masks and walls but God is there with you behind them all. He knows it all. He offers complete freedom in your entire being from the fallen world. God has given you complete peace to walk in this physical world of turmoil in confident peace and victory. The absolute reality of a place no one else can see. This is not a fantasy. This is God's heart. This is the great mystery Jesus has given to you. Humble yourself and take God's hand and He will guide you. Do not give up. It takes some effort to let go of what you have grasped for so long. Never give up. God's peace is real and is yours in Jesus. ...because He loves us... Father in Heaven, I confess my fear and insecurity that has kept me from Your peace. I have allowed this to happen. I am letting go. You are everything. Thank you for Your mercy on me and forgiving me. Complete Lord of peace and freedom, In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen