Fourthstream - Finding Hope
When Jesus appeared on earth He engaged 100% in His mission. He was sent by His Father (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) to buy back the lost souls of mankind and to offer escape to every son of Adam and daughter of Eve. He extends Kingdom partnership to any and all who see the need and live out the same heart of rescue Jesus embraced. This is the nature of deep connectivity with the purposes of our King. Let's break down Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-29. These words give us incredible practical insight into experiencing...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Knowing Jesus is very personal. Even though millions have and will believe in Him, every relationship is individual. Unique. Filled with potential for personal honor. Jesus' disciple John watched all of this unfold with his own eyes, and several decades later wrote down his gospel so that we, too, could experience belief that would be able to sustain us in this life and carry us into the life to come. This growing belief (faith) helps us to interact for our own personal spirituality. John used the word "believe" to describe this in his gospel and his letters. Believe means to entrust...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
How do you navigate true mysteries? What things are already known? What is becoming known as the story unfolds? While the Word of God is plain concerning most things, there are also aspects of God's will which are filled with unfolding mystery. This occurs on a global scale (no man knows the hour or the day) while throughout time things continue unfolding personally - generation after generation (such as people awakening to God). About God mystery: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8/the first...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What does it mean to see with spiritual eyes? Because we are created in God's image we have body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, and conscience. From this amazing mixture comes our ability to live out His greatness. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord God we dishonored Him. Our inherent greatness would now become a millstone of self-perpetuation and arrogance. We would no longer see the world through our God-eyes. Paul summarized this well: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
For many the image of the word "repent" has negative connotations. Finger pointing. Judgment. Fear. But what if the original word itself is consulted? We then find that repent means a change of mind. A change of purpose. A new perception. John the Baptist: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 Jesus the Son: "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 So it appears that our turning away results in a freedom of turning toward. We leave one focus and begin to turn the eyes...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Probably the best Kingdom example we have from history is found in King David's story from the Bible. David was a "type" of the One Who was to come. This is why his story prepares us not only for the arrival and nature of Jesus - the King of the earth, but also for the Kingdom His followers will share with their king. We will reign with Him! There are many specific prophecies and words that prepare the Jews (and the entire earth) for the coming King. What is cool about this is that David experienced a heart unique in scripture and among the world of kings. This is why so many of his...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
If you look up the meaning of the word organic you will find “living, animated, and authentic.” The word Kingdom means “a realm of influence - both of living organisms or groups of people.” Over the last several years we have learned some things we would have preferred to experience in a tech download. It appears, however, this part of our journey was meant to occur in order to acquire deeper wisdom. Those who read the words of Jesus and His Father know that knowledge is a life-long journey gift, but wisdom arrives through deep testings of the soul and many experiences. Challenges...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
This podcast season may be a stretch for you. It is for many. For context we must keep in the forefront what we learn from Jesus in His gospels about His Kingdom. Church is only mentioned a couple of times in the four gospels while the Kingdom is spoken of over 100 times. So everything Jesus said and did concerning the church flows from this pattern: King First - then Kingdom - then Church. Kingdom Organic traces the unfolding roots of the calling out and purifying of the Bride of Christ. The King of the earth has arrived to save the souls of mankind. Mankind had failed. God's people (the...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What am I looking for right now? What is it that is not working? In what ways am I disillusioned? Hungry? Thirsty. Fearful? At peace? THIS IS BIG: How do hope, fear, and faith overlap? √ Where does true hope originate? It is a supernatural gift given by God. √ In what ways does fear kill hope? We are predisposed (our human nature) to choosing fear - which consumes our hope. √ In what ways does faith unlock personal peace of mind? There is a time-tested and quite effective mechanism for people to find hope. It can help settle fears, find clarity, and stimulate freedom...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) There are reasons Jesus uses this descriptive analogy. If we are to find God we must do so through God's wind - His Holy Spirit. This God Story thread begins in Genesis 1:1,2 and completes in Revelation 22:17. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." "The...
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God IS shelter. We NEED to be sheltered. We need each other to remind us of what is IMPORTANT. We are surrounded by chaos, turbulence, and are so vulnerable to the weaknesses, pitfalls, and schemes of unprincipled men and women. How do we find our way through? There appears to be a clear path!
"Hear my cry, O God, and listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.
Let me travel under Your pillars and let me take forever protection under the shelter of Your wings. (I lift this up to the highway of praise). For You have heard my heart promises O God and You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.
You will prolong the king’s life and his years will be as many generations. He will abide before God forever. Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him. So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may pay my offering promises day by day." Psalm 61
There is a definite thread of shelter in the Bible. Psalm 61 and Psalm 90 and 91 together paint an incredible picture of the shelter that comes from God. It is expansive. It is protective. It is healing. It is eternal.
TELLING SHELTER STORIES
We have launched Storiesofshelter.com to help us focus on the God stories of our lives. We explore two questions together: Where have we lived and given shelter? Where have we received shelter? Thinking these through can unlock some of the deeper things from our uniquely personal stories.
Stories of Shelter connects you with our shelter community, where we share and hope in the Shelter that comes from the Living God, and enters into hearts and lives who find shelter under His wings. We live Hope through Him. We Love through Him. We find peace through Him. Once you see what Storiesofshelter.com offers - join the community! You will find stories, books, and conversations built around 19 Core Principles, God's Man/God's Woman conversations, understanding Jesus as Healer, and embracing Over/Next: Finding Your Way after a big loss or disappointment.
And you don't need to write a paper or book in order to share your story! Three to four sentences giving a picture of where you have seen shelter between you and someone else - or a touching story or a photo/video from your friend group or social media. You can invite other truly sheltering people to do the same!
Here are some links will help explain the SHELTER thread we are following.
More:
Dave & Burney on Shelter/Curious Journey Book page 51
Dave & Burnadette on Family Shelter
Peace upon your heart and home,
Dave and Burnadette Nadler and Alan Baker
P.S.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Mos High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91
