Dear People : River Life Fellowship, Mooresville, NC. A Spirit Filled, Non-Denominational fellowship that loves the Lord and welcomes the Holy Spirit!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 5/17/2012 7:35:38 PM
Subject: But You

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

It has been said that the words "but God" form one of the most important phrases in the entire Bible. This phrase is used throughout scripture as a turning point or a line of demarcation between disaster and rescue, defeat and victory, fall and redemption. There have been more than a few “but God” moments in my life.

There is another phrase, maybe not as important, but pretty potent and God spoke it to me, “but you.” It happened as I was reading Acts 1 and verses 6-8 were leaping off the page at me.

Just before the ascension the disciples were asking Jesus if the kingdom of Israel was about to be restored. Jesus told them it was not their business to learn the times and dates the Father set. That really got my attention because so much in these days is in a state of movement, change and uncertainty.

We want to understand the times and how our lives will be affected and we should be aware of the times, but God has something better for us. “But you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you must become a witness for Me…” God was redirecting my focus from the events of the changing times to receiving power.

One thing we have come to truly know is that God gives His love recklessly and without regard to person. He is a reckless lover, but He seems careful with His power.

As followers of Christ we all have His resurrection power within, but there is a power that comes upon (Acts 1:8). In the natural and the spiritual power is very dangerous, it can corrupt and be very destructive (Matt. 7:21-23). You must be grounded and developed by God to properly and safely handle His power. Here are a couple important keys to having a safe and powerful ministry.

1. Relationship should precede power. In Mark 3:13-15 Jesus called the twelve and appointed them to first be with Him. Just being with Him speaks of relationship with Him. It is knowing Him on a personal level. That is how God grounds and develops us for His power. Paul said that I might know Him (first) and (then) the power of His resurrection (Phil. 1:18). And it goes on to say that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons.

2. Confidence releases power. In Acts 2:22 it says the Father approved of Jesus and the result was power, miracles, signs, etc. Approval means respect, dignity, self-worth and legitimacy. Approval gives us confidence. These are God given legitimate needs, but not everyone on the earth will approve of you, but this is certain, the Father approves of you just as much as He did Jesus. That is the core of the gospel message. If Jesus needed the Father’s approval to have a safe powerful ministry, so do we.

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 5/10/2012 8:43:49 AM
Subject: Jehovah Rohe

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

In a vision I saw an oasis and there was green grass, still waters, a gentle breeze and a very nice tent. Psalm 23:1-2 came to my mind. The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

Jehovah-Rohe, the Lord your Shepherd, is a compound covenant name of God. Psalm 23 reveals the blessedness of God being our Shepherd. I believe the vision represents the place the Lord our Shepherd is leading us to in this time.

Here a few thoughts that stood out to me as I have meditated upon the vision.

1. He makes, or literally, He causes me to lie down. In the natural, our need for sleep causes us to lie down. The phrase lie down in the Hebrew describes something we do over and over. We are made for rest physically, emotionally and spiritually. If we do not find regular rest time in all these areas we will break down. Jesus was a proponent of resting (Mark 6:31-44). I have found that rest protects my heart from being overwhelmed by all the common things of this life and renews my passion for His Presence. So rest is important right now. We want to be rested for where He will lead us next.

2. Green pastures, or literally, chosen pastures. In the natural sheep will overgraze a pasture so the shepherd leads the sheep into other pastures. Our Shepherd chooses the pasture for us. We choose when, how much, and what to eat. We get to choose if we will cooperate or pine and stress away for something He is not doing. Take advantage of what He is doing in this season. Later it will prove to be much wisdom.

3. He leads me beside still waters. He doesn’t drive us, force us, tell us or point us to the water. He takes us to the water. He takes us beside the water, not into it or just within sight of it. And He does not make us drink the water because when we get thirsty we will drink. Still waters are for drinking. Jesus leads us to waters that keep us alive, refreshed and cleansed. In many ways this speaks of the Scripture (Eph. 5:26). I believe the Scriptures are really important right now.

4. The gentle breeze. In 1 Kings 19:13-18, the Lord spoke to Elijah in a gentle blowing. In that short conversation the Lord addressed Elijah’s questions and disappointments and gave him a forward vision for his life. The gentle breeze is the Philippians 1:6 blessing, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” God is faithful to complete in our lives that which He willed before the foundation of the world. God’s breath, the gentle breeze, is deep calling unto deep. Don’t give up and settle for a lesser life than what He has for you.

5. The Tent. The tent was very beautiful, ornate and appeared to be made of a silk like material. It had an aura of intimacy around it. I believe more than ever the Lord is calling each of us into the secret place with with Him. For there will come a time when the Lord will reveal the bride, a corporate people made up of those who have been in the secret place with Him. Personal intimacy leads to corporate placement, connection and expression that the Father has for each of us (Eph. 2:18-22). This is part of the bride making herself ready (Rev. 19:7).

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 5/3/2012 8:36:10 AM
Subject: Surfing The Waves Of Change

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

We believed that a fresh wave of the Holy Spirit would soon impact the world, and the church and it has! But it is not what we thought it would be; it is waves of change. Like the ocean, nothing seems static right now. So much is in a state of movement, change and uncertainty. The good news is that these waves of change create opportunity for those who get in the water and learn to ride them.

This past fall we went on a beach vacation with our youngest son and his family. Philip is very passionate about surfing. There happened to be some storms way out in the Atlantic that week that created excellent surfing conditions. We enjoyed watching Philip and others surf throughout the week.

Surfing presents a great analogy for dealing with change because, like what is going on now, this sport occurs in an environment that is in flux, constantly changing. Here are a few thoughts that may help deal with all the change that is coming our way.

1. Surfers are very passionate. The surfing community has to be one of the most passionate of groups. Surfers will go to extreme measures to catch a good swell. They’ll go as far as calling in “sick”, pulling their kids out of school, etc. When you are excited about what you are doing, you will go to all ends to make it happen. Whether it is our spiritual lives, work, home or hobbies, if we lack passion it is going to be mediocre and become unfulfilling.

2. Surfers are risk takers. By and large our default is to maintain the status quo; not so with surfers. They are continually trying innovative moves and going for bigger waves and longer rides. If we are to take advantage of the waves of change we will have to take some risks and try some new approaches.

3. Surfing means wiping out. Real surfers expect to wipe out. They know that for every great ride there may be five or six times as many wipeouts. It doesn’t bother them to fail. When they come out of the water they are not talking about what didn’t work, but what did work. When dealing with change do not expect everything to work, but do not get hung up on what fails. Focus on what is working and you will begin to see how to ride the waves of change.

4. Surfing requires movement. Surfers know that the wave closest to you is already gone and look beyond the current wave to what is rolling in. To catch a wave you have to begin moving well before it arrives. Simply reacting to change will only get you beat around in the backwash. Start riding the waves and you will develop a sense of where things are headed and be able to take advantage of what God is doing.

5. Surfing requires patience. Good surfers will not try to catch every wave that rolls in. They develop an instinct that allows them to know which waves they can ride and the ones that are breaking too soon or not forming properly. You get that instinct by being in the water and learning the nature of waves, not by sitting on the beach or someone telling you. It takes time and patience, but a real surfer will tell you it is worth it.

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 4/26/2012 8:53:42 AM
Subject: Rethinking Heaven

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

The April 16, 2012 issue of TIME magazine has as its cover article, "Rethinking Heaven," the idea being that more and more Christians no longer simply think of our eternal destiny as the sweet by and by. Instead, writer Jon Meachem says, many are thinking of a "heaven on earth" image, one transcending religion and encompassing culture, politics, economics, class and psychology.

A message that only a few short years ago was the mantra of revival is now the cover story in TIME magazine! The Lord may be saying the TIME has come for “on earth as it is in heaven” to come not just in revival, but also in reforming the way church looks and functions.

We should not sit around and passively wait on this. We already have the goods (Matt. 25:14). In fact we are the goods (1 Cor. 3:9). For the past few years I have been learning to think in terms of me being a reflection of heaven on earth. Just before His arrest, the Lord prayed for His followers about this very thing.

"I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world" (John 17:15-18).

Here are some thoughts that help walk this prayer out.

1. We are heaven’s representatives in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3: 20), but we are sent here for a mission not just to live (2 Cor. 5:20-21). When Israel was sent into exile in Babylon the Lord showed them how to prosper (shalom) right where they were.

Work for the welfare of the city to which I have sent you into exile, and pray on its behalf. For as it prospers you will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

Jesus gave us His shalom (John 14:27)! That is what we have to give to the places, circumstance and people we find ourselves amongst.

2. The Father’s love is what keeps us from the evil one and the evil of this world. In this world we do have an enemy and as we begin to wield the power of the age to come we will be subject to more attack, but our protection is love.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I John 2:15).

I believe pursuing the Father’s love and cultivating the heavenly realm (1 Cor.14: 1) will become increasingly important for these perilous times we live in.

3. There will always be a constant tension of being in this world, but not of it. On the one hand, there is the possibility of getting so wrapped up in our Christian world and becoming detached from life in this world that we lose the ability to speak to it. Paul encouraged us to “become all things to all men” for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:19-23).

And on the other hand, there is the possibility of becoming so worldly that we become like salt that has lost its flavor (Matt. 5:13). The Holy Spirit enables us to walk in this tension and not err toward either side (John 14:26).

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 4/19/2012 8:47:06 AM
Subject: Kingdom Now

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is already here (Mark 1:15). I do not struggle believing that, but there are times I struggle seeing it. And Jesus gave us the answer for seeing it, change your mind and believe.

To help understand what I should change my mind about and believe, I identified some of the signs or effects that reveal the kingdom is present and at work. All of these are still at work or at least can be at work today through us if we will believe they are part of the gospel.

1. The kingdom overcomes sickness, disease and brings healing. In Luke 10:8-9, Jesus sends out the seventy disciples and tells them, "Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'" Note the connection between the coming of the kingdom and the healing of the sick. This was Jesus modus operandi, He preached the kingdom and healed the sick.

2. The kingdom overcomes death. In Matthew 10:7-8, Jesus sent the twelve out and told them, "Preach as you go saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead…" They were to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand (present)!" And we are to perform certain signs including raising the dead.

3. The kingdom brings deliverance from demons. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says, "If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." In Matthew 10:1 it says, "Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out . . .”

4. The kingdom brings life altering changes. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." The power of the kingdom is what gives us the desire and ability to radically change the direction and attitude of our entire life.

5. The kingdom brings forgiveness. In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus illustrated that the kingdom of heaven is like a king who called his debtors to account, and when one of them pleads for mercy concerning a very large financial debt that he had no way to pay, the king has pity and forgives him everything he owes. All of our sins are forgiven (Col. 2:13).

6. The kingdom brings righteousness. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” When the kingdom of God comes, it comes with righteousness. Paul said in Romans 14:17, "The kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness…" It sounds like heresy, but the truth is we are as righteous as Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30).

7. The kingdom brings joy and happiness. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus said, "Blessed—happy—are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Romans 14:17 says, "The kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness joy and peace in the Holy Spirit."

8. The kingdom makes us priests. Revelation 1:6 says, "[Jesus] has made us a kingdom of priests to his God and Father..." If you belong to the kingdom, you belong to a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). You are a priest. Jesus revealed that a priest’s job is to draw near to God with the burdens of people, and to draw near to people with the blessings of God.

9. It is a kingdom of love. Last, but certainly not the least, it is a “kingdom of His dearly beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). The greater always includes the lesser. And certainly love is the greatest. All is included in His kingdom of love. I am certain I have seen our future; it is love.

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 4/12/2012 8:54:38 AM
Subject: Club Med Kingdom

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

I had the thought that the kingdom of heaven is sort of like a Club Med style resort. A Club Med style resort is one that provides all services and activities in one single package. This includes lodging, food, facilities, sports activities, games, and shows.

To say the kingdom of heaven is like a Club Med style resort is an imperfect picture, but it enables me to more clearly understand the kingdom. Here are a few thoughts I have put together from that imperfect picture.

1. The kingdom is more like the air than a place. We are in the air and the air is in us. And like the air we are in the kingdom (Col. 1:13) and the kingdom is in us (Luke 17:21), but it is not a place here yet. One day the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of God (Rev. 11:15).

2. The kingdom is God’s reign. The word kingdom in the Greek is basileia, which means how God rules or the style of God’s governing. Just imagine what the world will be like when Jesus returns and reigns on earth. There will be no suffering, injustices, poverty, sickness, etc. As God’s reign takes hold of our lives we can expect that now.

3. The Club Med aspect of the kingdom. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). We do not get these things because of seeking the kingdom first, but because within the sphere of God’s rule and reign all of these things exist for us! We are being encouraged to keep our focus on the truly important.

4. The kingdom of God is not just about the intervention of God, but also about our participation with Him. John the Baptist was arrested and eventually executed and God in heaven and Jesus on earth did nothing – no intervention and no prevention (Matt. 11:1-6). Jesus seized the opportunity to reveal that the kingdom is such a precious prize that it will provoke those who see it to action (Matt. 11:12). The Apostle Paul reiterated this when he said the kingdom is not about words but actions (1 Cor. 4:20).

In his book The Greatest Prayer, John Crossnan expanded upon what Jesus was saying that helps sort it out. “You have been waiting for God, he said, while God has been waiting for you. No wonder nothing is happening. You want God’s intervention, he said, while God wants your collaboration. God’s kingdom is here, but only insofar as you accept, enter it, live it, and thereby establish it.” God is looking for us to become co-laborers with Christ in His kingdom so it will more fully come forth (1 Cor. 3:9).

5. Pray Your kingdom come even though it is already present. The kingdom was already present when Jesus told the disciples to pray that way. Understanding the meaning of the word come in the Greek is helpful. It means appear, come before the public, come forth, show itself, find place or influence, be established, and become known. When we pray that way we can expect God to show us something to do since the kingdom is not just about words but actions.

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 4/5/2012 9:06:17 AM
Subject: Lighten Up

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

I am big proponent of spiritual intoxication and I understand this can be polarizing because of the issues of alcoholism and substance abuse. I have loved ones who suffer with these issues so it is an area that has touched my life and I am sensitive about it.

But the scriptures do say, “do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). And one of the signs of being filled with the Holy Spirit is a sense and feeling of being intoxicated (Act 2:13-21).

Much of the root cause of alcoholism and substance abuse in our society is the hidden pain, suffering and shame in one’s heart. But the Holy Spirit’s intoxication is exactly opposite – there is healing, deliverance and fulfillment of the inner issues and desires. In my life, the greatest reality concerning spiritual intoxication is knowing and experiencing God’s love. His love is better than wine (SOS 1:2).

Once I worked with a man who was a functioning alcoholic. He was more productive and could drive a vehicle under the influence better than most straight people. Although this is a terrible illustration, it does speak to the fact that believers should always be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It would cause us to become some of the most fruitful, loving and brilliant citizens in the kingdom of God.

It seems we have made Christianity too heavy. That is what happens apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Bible read through the lens of a person under the influence of the Holy Spirit is the most interesting and liberating book of all time. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit church, mission and ministry go from black and white to technicolor. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit our family, work and social life will be fulfilling and pleasurable. Jesus characterized the life of being under the influence of His Spirit as light and easy (Matt. 11:30).

Although I have experienced spiritual intoxication many times I confess my default is to become heavy. However, in the past few years I have become much more spiritually sensitive and I have detected another spiritual influence broadcasting in the background. It is a religious broadcast from hell. Slowly and insidiously the influence of this broadcast wears upon me and without realizing it I become heavy, fretful and ill at ease in my heart. Life becomes a steady diet of have to versus get to. Nothing is light and easy.

Much like Hanoi Hannah in the Vietnam conflict and Tokyo Rose during WW2 the propaganda of hell is enticing and reasonable, but it is poison being given in small steady doses. There is an antidote and it is the Holy Spirit. Living under the influence of the Holy Spirit is the only way to walk in the overcoming abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

Whether we know it or not we all are under the influence of something or someone. We get to choose the influence - the world, flesh, religious devils or the Holy Spirit, who is the only “The Promise of the Father” in the entire Bible (Acts 1:4).

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 3/29/2012 9:08:19 AM
Subject: Twisted Thinking

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

Years ago God was working mightily in my heart and I saw a vision of myself. I looked like a pretzel all twisted up and the Father began to untwist and straighten me. And then I saw an iron and an ironing board. The Father placed me on the ironing board and I was being ironed. He was straightening out my thinking. Since that day, God has continually worked in my life freeing me from religious and worldly strongholds in my mind and transforming my twisted thinking.

One of the areas of twisted thinking that I suffered with had to do with temptation. It seemed whenever I was tempted the enemy would seize the opportunity and heap condemnation upon me. He was riding condemnation into my heart through the various temptations we all experience in this life.

When God began to straighten out my thinking about temptation I was able to not only more effectively deal with the temptation, but also shut the door on much of the condemnation. Here is some of what He showed me.

1. Temptation does not originate with the devil. It originates with us. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (James 1:14). Temptation is a normal part of our lives in this world.

2. Temptation itself is not sinning. Jesus Himself was tempted in every way (Heb. 4:15)! Yet invariably when we are tempted the enemy will subtly assault us with thoughts of condemnation as if we had already stumbled into error. Agreeing with those thoughts is the first step toward the desire becoming sin (James 1:15).

3. Desire does not mean an evil desire, just desire. Almost all basic desires we have are God given. The desire for sex, food, recreation and comfort are God given for our body’s well being. The desire for love, acceptance and success are God given for our emotional wholeness. The desire for spirituality is God given for the completeness and fulfillment of our purpose and destiny in life.

4. The way we attempt to fulfill our God given desires is where temptation enters the picture. When we are being tempted we are being offered a counterfeit method to fulfill our God given desires. When we give in to the counterfeit method we are in essence acknowledging we do not believe that God’s method of fulfilling those desires works or it is taking too long. It is not the desire for a thing that turns it into sin. It is the desire to receive those things apart from God that turns them into sin (2 Peter 1:4).

5. The thing that makes temptation so condemning is that we want the thing we are being tempted to do. If we didn’t desire it there would be no temptation. So we feel condemned for wanting something that twisted thinking tells us God is displeased with. And consequently we feel God is displeased with us. We feel like failures. Our conscience is defiled, our faith falters and we can’t face God (Heb. 10:21-23). Instead of turning to the throne of grace for mercy and help (Heb. 4:16) we run from God, try to go at it alone and eventually we give up and stumble.

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 3/22/2012 9:39:34 AM
Subject: You Are What You Think

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

Words are powerful. We can frame our world with words laced with doubt, cynicism and fear, or with words of faith (Heb. 11: 3). Eugene Peterson said it like this, “Words are not just saying something; they are making something.”

The words we speak, our understanding and beliefs have thoughts behind them (1 Cor. 13:11). Consequently how we choose to think will have major influence on nearly everything that happens in our life. Proverbs says, “As he [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).

The Hebrew word for think in this verse comes from two words. One means doorkeeper and the other means split open. The idea is that your thoughts are the doorkeeper of your heart. In other words, our thoughts decide what is allowed into our heart and what comes out of our heart.

For example almost everyone has experienced insecurity in his or her life. For many, though, it is an ongoing experience. Insecurity is based on a belief system made up of self-doubt thoughts. You feel and act insecure because your emotions and behavior is influenced by the belief that you lack something.

Every thought has an emotion associated with it. The next time you begin to feel insecure listen to your thoughts and the mood they create. I hear such things as “You don’t measure up,” “You are such a disappointment,” and so on. If we allow those types of thoughts free rein in our heart then we will become insecure. Life is an echo; you get back what you allow into it.

Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of Who Switched Off My Brain says, "...bringing all thoughts into captivity to Christ Jesus" (2 Cor. 10:5) is the golden rule of safe thinking. She has a practical four-step process for bringing our thoughts into captivity to Christ Jesus that has proven very helpful to me.

1. Thoughts are real and have an actual anatomy. They have a structure in your brain and occupy space. Thoughts and memories look like trees. Toxic thoughts such as insecurity, bitterness, etc. look like thorny trees.

2. Be consciously aware of your thoughts and how you are feeling. You should never let a thought or thoughts roam chaotically and unchecked through your mind. Examine every thought you have and ask yourself: is this good for me? Is it from God or the devil or my own confused thinking? Conscious awareness of your thinking should become like a habit. A habit takes twenty-one days to create. Today is the first day of that twenty-one...

3. Act once you have analyzed the thought. This means making a conscious decision to actively accept the thought (if it is good for you) or reject it (if it is bad for you). This means you use your God-given ability of free will to do something about the thought you are consciously aware of. Thoughts have as much control as we give them.

4. Building new memories over the old. This is the really exciting part in dealing with our thought life because accepting or rejecting the thought is changing the neural circuitry of your brain: your brain is growing while you think and you have control over the process. Step four happens when the brain steps in and creates a structural representation of what you have chosen to accept (adds more branches on the tree) and converts what you have chosen to reject into hot air!

Many Blessings, BW

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 3/15/2012 9:10:42 AM
Subject: Living In The Wide Open Spaces

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

I think most of us would like our faith to simplify some things, answer some questions and settle issues of life. And it does, but not always. For instance, we would love to know why everyone who believes God for healing is not healed.

In some ways Christianity would be so much easier if everything was black & white, but it’s not. The answers to some of life’s most challenging questions are not always an either/or, but more like both/and.

Being a follower of Christ is both simple and not so simple. The way into the kingdom of heaven is incredibly narrow (Matt. 7:13-14) and there are some very black & white things in the New Testament that are there to serve and protect us.

But, once you are in the kingdom the life we're called into is wide open. The Message Bible calls it the wide-open spaces of grace (Rom. 5:1-2). As beautiful as that sounds, and it really is a beautiful life, that does not mean it is always simple. There is a plethora of stuff in the New Testaments that is anything but black & white.

On some days black & white seems so appealing, but do we really want a life of principles and rules and not one of relationship? After all, living in the wide-open spaces boils down to a life of relationship with the Lord and each other. We have been granted the opportunity to learn to live in the wide-open. It is a process and here are five things that have helped me in my ongoing journey in the kingdom.

1. Stop relating to God like you are still under the Old Covenant. Don’t interpret the New Testament with the Old Testament. Interpret the Old with the New. God poured out His wrath on Jesus at the cross. We are no longer vessels of wrath. He is not mad, disappointed or put off at us, ever. He does not cause sickness, death or sorrowful difficulties. Jesus is our perfect representation of God now. What you see in Him is what God is really like. As Bill Johnson said, “Jesus is perfect theology.”

2. Training For Reigning. You have to get into the corral with Jesus and let Him train you before you will ever understand how to live in the wide-open spaces. The Message Bible says it best, “Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you” (Matt. 11:29).

3. Stop looking for the manna to fall from heaven. Manna was for the wilderness wanderings, but when Israel crossed over into the Promised Land the manna ceased (Josh. 5:12). We are to participate with God by accessing, and cultivating what He gave us in our land of promises, the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3). We are Co-laborers with Christ.

4. Learn to live with mystery. Mystery is part of the beauty of the wide-open spaces. And part of the beauty is the adventure in discovering and knowing the mysteries (Matt. 13:11-12). And besides that, would you really want a God that you can fully figure out (Rom 11:33)?

5. Deny the temptation to be an expert. You do not have to have all the answers. Don’t take yourself so seriously (Rom. 12:3). Paul refused to wear the expert tag (Phil 3:12-14 Msg.) and for good reason. The Pharisee’s were the experts in his day.

Many Blessings, BW