THE SEEKER

Hello friends. Long time...no write. I have just returned from Guatemala... where the Lord was faithful. Before I went there...the Lord spoke a word...and gave me a vision. The word was found in Romans 1:11,12...where like Paul...I desired to come to the school to impart (give, share, impart, distribute grant liberally, encourage) some spiritual gift...so that they may be established. In verse 12 Paul clarifies what he means..."that is, that I may be ENCOURAGED TOGETHER with you by the MUTUAL FAITH...both YOU and ME." That did happen as we gave and received from each other. The vision was on of a world that was CONNECTED by WATER. I could see how one thing that everyone in the world has in common is the connectivity of the water ways...the rain...rivers, oceans, etc. They HOLY SPIRIT is represented by water...where Jesus speaks of thirsty people..."On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if anyone THIRSTS...let him COME to Me and DRINK. He who BELIEVES in Me, as the Scripture has said...out of his HEART/BELLY will flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER." (John 7:38) Jesus clarifies what he meant when he said WATER..."But this He spoke concerning THE SPIRIT, whom those BELIEVING in Him would receive; for the HOLY SPIRIT was not yet given because JESUS was not yet glorified." (John 7:12)

This leads us to the purpose of this Rambling...THE SEEKER. It has been said that..."God is silent." Francis Shaffer says..."God is not silent...we are NOT LISTENING." I tend to agree.

The first collage that you see is a collection of pics...that touched me during my early days of following Jesus. This was during the times of what is known as THE JESUS MOVEMENT...or the JESUS REVOLUTION...where the followers of Jesus were called JESUS PEOPLE or JESUS FREAKS. This was before the current trends of Christian music called CCM...or Contemporary Christian Music. It was called JESUS MUSIC...or CHRISTIAN ROCK AND ROLL. One aspect of this revolution was a guy named Scott Ross...who in the 60's was one of New York City's top disk jockeys. When the Beatles landed in America they were met by the Scottish transplant Scott Ross. NOTE: For full details of the adventures of Scott Ross...read his book SCOTT FREE (this can be found on the CBN website in full form). Scott ended up marrying Nedra Talley who sang with Ronnie and the Ronettes (Be My Baby). She is the one on the far left. Together they started a place in Freeville New York called LOVE INN. This was a group of believers who lived community style. Phil Keaggy (my favorite guitarist) spent some time there. He was under Ted Sandquist who along with many talented members put out a couple of albums...one being IN THE COURTS OF THE KING. During this time...there was a teaching series done by Ted and Scott called A NEW SONG FOR A NEW AGE. It was about the heartbeat of worship...and the freshness of creativity in music/song. NOW...I said all of that to say this. One of the songs was based on Psalm 63. The Psalmist (David) wrote this when he was in the Wilderness of Judah...and was a song about joy in the fellowship of God.

O God...You are My God
Early will I SEEK You
My soul THIRSTS for You
My flesh LONGS for You
In a DRY and THIRSTY land
Where there is NO WATER
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary
To See Your POWER and GLORY

ENTER THE SEEKERS. Many people do not SEE God in their lives. They do not sense His presence. Since they are "sense people"...people who base everything on what they see, hear, smell, touch, and taste...they ASSUME that God is nowhere in sight. Hebrews 11:1 states..."Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do NOT SEE...and the conviction of their reality--faith perceiving as REAL FACT...what is NOT REVEALED TO THE SENSES." (Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Bible) In Hebrews 11:6...we see that..."But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would COME NEAR TO GOD...must (necessarily) believe that God exists...and that He is the REWARDER of those who EARNESTLY...AND DILIGENTLY...SEEK Him out."
(Hebrews 11:6 The Amplified Bible)

When your back is against the proverbial wall...and when your spiritual throat is parched to the point of being unable to even swallow...the tendency is to rely on you physical experience...and to lose all hope...give up...and consider the revealed senses. I know for sure that is what I do.

I lose my focus...and I begin to REACT in the FLESH versus RESPONDING in the SPIRIT. The key...is to KEEP ON SEEKING.

To be a SEEKER...you have to do one thing....SEEK. In the Old Testament the word seek means to tread or frequent...to follow for pursuit...or search. IN the New Testament it means to worship...desire...endeavour...enquire...seek after. This is not a PASSIVE THING. It is not throwing up your hand when you don't see what you are seeking...but is a DILIGENT SEEKING not a PASSIVE ENQUIRING.

There are many verses of Scripture that speaks of SEEKING...here are just a few...

"The FOOL has said in his heart THERE IS NO GOD. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works. There is non who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men TO SEE if there are ANY who understand, WHO SEEK GOD." (Psalm 14:1,2)

NOTE: At that time...three was...no, not one. Hopefully...as God looks our way...he will see us SEEKING...not GIVING UP.

"But SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God...and his righteousness...and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

NOTE: This is the end of Jesus teaching about provision. Instead of worry and anxiety...we are called to SEEK His Kingdom (His rule) and His Righteousness (His standard). The rest will take care of itself. I find myself seeking the kingdom of Rod...and end up with my wrongeousness. The cause and effect is worry, tension, frustration, anxiety, doubt and unbelief.

"Keep on ASKING and it will be GIVEN YOU....KEEP ON SEEKING...and you WILL FIND...KEEP ON KNOCKING...it WILL BE OPENED." (Matthew 7:7) In the same flow of teaching...Jesus talks about the TENACITY of ASK (A=Ask S=Seek K=Knock). Jesus continues..."For every one who keeps on asking RECEIVES...and he who keeps on seeking FINDS...and to him who keeps on knocking... IT WILL BE OPENED. (Matthew 7:8) Jesus continues on comparing our earthly mentality of giving...and how good will give good and advantageous gifts to those who KEEP ON ASKING. In Luke 11...Jesus says..."...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ASK...and CONTINUE TO ASK.: (Luke 11:13) NOTE: Those who are seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit...don't give up...keep on keepin' on.)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

God's heartbeat is that of a REVEALER...to those who SEEK Him. In the parable of the sower/seed/soil...Jesus' disciples asked WHY He spoke in parables...where some did not understand. "And He said to them...To you it has been given to know the MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD...but those who are outside...all things come in parables...SO that...seeing they may see and NOT PERCEIVE...and hearing they may hear and NOT UNDERSTAND...lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven." (Mark 4:10-12). The kingdom and things of the kingdom are for WHOSOEVER...but it is for those who truly hunger and thirst...and SEEK...not those who would just PASSIVELY INQUIRE. So...........if you are hungry and thirsty...you will be filled and quenched.

Love and Seeking Kisses
Rodney "O Lord You Are My God" Boyd

FREE

Greetings free friends...and bound buddies. Do you ever feel like you've been Houdinized? Do you feel like you've got more chains and locks than old Marley in an Ebenezer nightmare. Have you been forging your chain over the years...and it is weighing you down like a 100 pound Albatross...where the Ancient Mariner does not rhyme anymore. Guess what. That is NOT the will of God for you.

Many people pray to know what the WILL OF GOD is for their lives. The seek, they agonize, they wonder, they get discouraged about God's plan for them. I...the Ruminator...will tell you exactly...what God's will is for you. Are you ready?

FREEDOM! SAY WHAT?!?
You heard me...I don't stuttered...and in the words of Earnest T. Bass...I don't chew my cabbage twice.

Jesus stated..."If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth... and the TRUTH shall make you FREE." (John 8:31,32) Of course, this is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. People love to quote this verse as an excuse to "speak their minds"...and then when they do speak their minds...they say...I'm only speaking the TRUTH...and you know that the TRUTH shall set you FREE. Christians and non-Christians use this convoluted logic...missing out on the abiding in Jesus' word part... and becoming true disciples of Him...and then coming into a position of knowing the truth...and THEN the TRUTH shall make you FREE.

The people that Jesus was talking to, had a great religious heritage...and they had come to believe in the things he spoke. (John 8:30) The problem for them...was that being made free comment. They reflect many of us...as we enter into the CLEOPATRA SYNDROME...as we become the Queen of DE-NILE (denial).

"They answered Him, We are Abraham's offspring (religious heritage).. and have never yet been ENSLAVED to anyone..how is it that You say YOU SHALL BECOME FREE?" (John 8:33). In their logical minds... this was true. They had read stories of enslavement in the past...in their history books...but they were about to be face to face with HISstory (Jesus' Story).

"Jesus answered them, Truly, truly (look out when He gives you a double truly...or a double verily...he's about to make a big point)...I say to you, everyone who COMMITS SIN...is the SLAVE OF SIN, and the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever."
(John 8:34,35) OUCH!

The first step to being set free...is to admit that you are NOT FREE. We cover up our bondage well. We sugar coat our sins...we rationalize our trespasses...we justify our iniquities. We get religious about it...we point our fingers to others and compare ourselves to others...because at least I am not as bad as so and so...or at least I'm not like that religious hypocrite in the organized religion. I do not break the 10 commandments...or at least I keep 6 out of 10 of them...so I am only 60% in bondage.

Jesus then underscores what he plainly stated in the first place..."If therefore the SON shall make you free...you shall be FREE INDEED."
(John 8:36) Read the rest of John 8 for the exciting conclusion of this discussion on freedom.

William Wallace...cried out for FREEEEEEEEEEEDOMMM!!!!!

Before William Wallace...there was Moses. The children of Israel...were in the land of Egypt... with their brother Joseph...who had influence in the land...BUT there came a day when a king arose... who did not know Joseph.
The king...saw how powerful the people of the sons of Israel were... and appointed TASKMASTERS over them to afflict them with HARD LABOR. They once were FREE...now they were ENSLAVED. (Exodus 7:1-22)

The slaves came to a point...to where their desire for FREEDOM was heard by God. "Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel SIGHED because of the BONDAGE...and they CRIED OUT...and their CRY for HELP because of their BONDAGE...rose up to God. So God heard their GROANING; and God REMEMBERED his COVENANT with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God SAW the sons of Israel, and God TOOK NOTICE. (Exodus 2:23-25)

NOTE: God...had not forgotten...God does not have Alzheimer's Disease...and does not just arbitrarily ignore His children...however he does allow us to do what we want. I sense...that their was something about their sighings, cryings, and groanings...that indicated they were ready...to trust God. They must have been sighing, crying and groaning before this event. The bottom line is...this time...it set into motion a DELIVERER...aka MOSES...aka a type of JESUS.

After God calls Moses...to be His representative...and after Moses argued with all of the reasons that he could not...he went..."And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord...the God of Israel...LET MY PEOPLE GO..." (Exodus 5:1) In other words...
Freeeeeeeeeeeeedoooooooooooommmm!!!

What was the PURPOSE for this RELEASE? "...that they may CELEBRATE...a feast to Me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1). Fast forward...to September 5th 2007. The purpose for release has not changed. Celebration, praise, worship in the midst of this wilderness that we call earth...to be given to Him. (Again, Read Exodus for the exciting details of this DELIVERANCE).

As believers in the Death, Burial, Resurrection (D.B.R.)...we have been DELIVERED from the domain/authority of darkness and TRANSFERRED into the kingdom of His beloved Son.
(Colossians 1:13)

As time passes...we get a sense of heritage...and the further we get from our pass...we tend to forget where we came from...and how we were set free in the first place. We let our guard down...with our freedom...and before we knew it... we find ourselves back into bondage...BUT we tend to deny that we are bound...after all...we HAVE BEEN (past tense) SET FREE.

The book SCOTT FREE chronicles the life of Scott Ross...a former New York Disc Jockey...who rubbed elbows with The Beatles, Rollings Stones and you name it. He returned to roots of his childhood and became a Spirit-filled follower/disciple of Jesus Christ. His journey is chronicled in the book...and as the blurb on the cover states, "Even AFTER he found Jesus, he could not escape from Himself. What was the secret that set him: SCOTT FREE?" This is Ruminator Recommended Reading (RRR)


Remember that will of God that I told you about. This is underscored in Galatians. "It was for FREEDOM that Christ SET US FREE (past tense)...therefore...KEEP STANDING FIRM...and do not be SUBJECT AGAIN...to a YOKE OF SLAVERY." (Galatians 5:1). As Jesus stated to those who were denying the fact that they were enslaved...these things that can make us subject again to a yoke of slavery...is SIN. The will of God is not to be bound by SIN...but to keep standing firm...against sin in our lives.

Again...just like people are constantly seeking some cosmic will for their lives...to rescue from their mundane...everyday...living out day by day, lives...so it is with the CALLING on their lives. Well...I am about to tell you what your CALLING is. "For you were CALLED...to FREEDOM."
(Galatians 5:13). There ya go...the will of God is the same thing that your calling is...FREEDOM.

The problem is...that if we are not careful...this thing called FREEDOM...
can take a bad turn. "...only do not turn your freedom into an OPPORTUNITY for the FLESH, but through LOVE....SERVE one another." (Galatians 5:13) NOTE: This re-bondage is manifested in how you relate to others. The desires of the flesh...trump the desire to follow Jesus as a servant/lover. (Galatians 5:13-15)

This thing called the FLESH...where your bondage is manifested...sets it's desire...against..the Spirit. Now...I AM NOT...talking about someone who does not know Jesus...or someone who pretends to be religious.. I am talking about bonafide...blood washed...Bible believing Christians. These people are SET FREE...but are not continuing in Jesus Words... and the cause and effect is walking in the deeds of the FLESH...which are evident. Galatians 5:19-21 gives a sampling...not a conclusive list of deeds of the flesh...that Christians can be bound with...even after they were set free. I know from personal experience...because after I was saved in 1970, baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1972...became REBOUND in sin...and smoked more dope, drank more booze, huffed more chemicals, and did more stupid stuff under the influence...than I did before I was a Christian. Here's a partial list: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things LIKE these. NOTE: Again, I am not talking about NON-CHRISTIANS or people with religious facades...I'm talking about BELIEVERS. We can fall out of the WILL OF GOD...by being bound again with sin.

HOW CAN WE STAND AGAINST THIS HAPPENING? I'm glad you asked.

"But I say WALK BY THE SPIRIT...and you WILL NOT carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

The problem is stated in Galatians 5:17..."For the FLESH sets its desire against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT against the FLESH...for these are in OPPOSITION to one another...so that you may not do the things that you PLEASE."

The fruit (or outworking) of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, SELF-CONTROL, against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23).

HOW DO WE GET FROM DEEDS OF THE FLESH TO FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT? HOW DO WE STAY FREE VERSUS BEING BOUND AGAIN. I'm glad you asked.

"Now...those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Freed)...have CRUCIFIED (put to death) the FLESH...with its passions and desires. If we live by the SPIRIT...let us also WALK by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24,25)

Houdini knew how to manipulate handcuffs, create illusion, escape from impossible situations with physical, explainable tricks. Our escapes are not based on deception...but on TRUTH. Jesus is the way, THE TRUTH and the life...no one comes to the Father but through Him...and no one stays FREE...except by continuing in His Word.

Love and FREE kisses
Rodney "William Wallace Ain't Got Nothing On Me" Boyd