God is moving us from concept to conception where the deeper reality of eternity is being awakened within our souls.
Too often cliché responses like, “I’m too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed” are splashed into conversations. Intentions are good but there really is something deeper we must begin to explore, especially in this next season of what God is doing in the church. When the mouth is engaged but the heart is not, something very disingenuous results.
The church of our generation tends to oversell and underdeliver, creating overstimulated, underdeveloped Christians who gradually, but ultimately, find themselves on a collision course with disillusionment. Talking points just aren’t enough and the deeper reality of eternity is understanding that God wants to teach us how to shift things in the Spirit. These things don’t shift by conversations with people but by conversations with God as we learn to do more than just spend time with him. In these places of prayer, we can learn to develop intercessory skills.
We can move from mere concept to true conception where God’s truths are taking root in our hearts. Conception actually comes from the root word concept.
The concept of the Messiah in our heads is not the same as the conception of the Messiah in our hearts.
Luke 1:31 You will CONCEIVE and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. NIV
We are called to be fruitful and multiply and you cannot do that when you have concept without conception. The concept of prayer is not the same as conception of prayer. You’re going to have to take some time with this for it to truly be awakened within you. We’re all going to have to take some time with these things.
The church is filled with kinesthetic learners who have grown weary of sitting still in church services. The reason we go to church is to be empowered to go be church bringing God’s presence to real life everywhere we go. Notice the definition of action that’s embedded in the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV
There tends to be a great omission to this Great Commission as we simply neglect those two words, “to obey”. This is not just understanding the ideas of Christ but putting them into practice ourselves. As I reflected on this I thought about how “knowing the truth and the truth setting you free” seems to speak to knowing without action. Then I looked at the verse in context and notice how the call to action lays the foundation for this kingpin verse in Scripture.
John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. NIV
Rev 20:11-15 speaks of how we will be “judged according to what they had done” not “what they believed”. Priorities, patterns & practices matter! Not judged for principles we believe but rather practices, how we behave. Purpose practices of God’s Kingdom in your life!
The atmosphere of God’s Kingdom doesn’t come from merely understanding principles. Principles without practice is concept without conception or hearing without doing and faith without works is dead.
The atmosphere of God’s Kingdom doesn’t come from merely understanding principles. Principles without practice is concept without conception or hearing without doing and faith without works is dead.
Talking points just aren’t enough and God desires to introduce us to the deeper reality of eternity on earth as it is in heaven.
Everywhere we go....
We Bring GP2RL: Begin reflecting on these core practices born from core values asking God to give us all wisdom and revelation as we learn to walk this out.