We're Outta This World

For real?

"...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20).

If we're not from around here—we’re truly citizens of heaven—then might that explain some of the odd things you experience, think and feel? Might that also clarify how you approach your days? You don’t need anyone to tell you to feel like you don’t fit in or belong to this world—“Pretend you’re from heaven, Harris!”—your new birth in Christ is simply being revealed day by day, if even to you. You might as well pay attention to what’s been done concerning your citizenship (it’s outta this world), and walk with the One who is also from heaven, yet lived fully human during His time amongst us. In other words, He knows all about life on planet earth.

You’ll be living by faith in Jesus, and that’s now the most normal way to live outta this world.
 http://ralphharris.org

#amazinggrace #outtathisworld #newcreation #gospel #eternallife

Your Best Life

Life in the heart is what Jesus is all about, and I want to encourage you to find, experience and enjoy His life. What comes from there is the evidence of God, and that’s a big deal. There are none bigger. In that display of God’s grace or evidence in a person—you—laws and decrees are not needed, but are contradictory. God’s life is not created by law, neither should law come from God’s life. They don’t go together.
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” What grace? The grace of life—the life of Christ in you. He does not come by law or decree, neither does He make them when He lives in you. He, Himself, supersedes law. He is the way, the truth and the life for you on the inside. That’s His plan—to be Himself in you. And that’s the best life.

Have you read my new book, Life According to Perfect? It illustrates this point, and many are deeply enjoying it. Get it at https://tinyurl.com/y9x2o7zv.

Grace Reigns

Today’s Good News Sermon: “Grace Reigns”

If Christian speakers actually believe that those who have received Christ have been made new creations with new hearts and with Christ resident in them, they will not be inclined to teach Old Covenant-based methods of living by the attempt to avoid sin in order to please God and earn his blessing, but will instead speak about the wonder of New Covenant life in Christ and by the Spirit, where God is not counting men’s sins against them, where righteousness and grace reigns, and we have all things. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Romans 5:20-21; Titus 2:11-14)
ralphharris.org

Look Up, Son

If God thinks you’re a true son of His, holy and righteous, clean and pure, just as He intended, but you think you’re something else, something less, might that cause stress in your relationship(s) and how you interact in your day to day? Imagine having an argument with God, and you’re trying to lower His estimate of yourself, while He’s trying to raise your estimate of yourself. Who wins that argument? How long before you relent and accept His view of you? You’ll be glad when you do, because living by faith is not only normal, it’s powerful. You’re going to feel it. It’s how that whole “Take-my-yoke-upon-you-and-learn-from-me, for-I-am-gentle-and-humble-in-heart, and-you-will-find-rest-for-your-souls” promise happens in us. That’s a good one. Remember?

ralphharris.org

What If You're Good?

God has made you thoroughly good on purpose and with purpose, but Satan is skilled in suggesting an alternate reality—a false you to distract you and diminish who you really are. Here’s how to know and grow in who you truly are by seeing the lie of who you are not.

To watch the video, click http://ralphharris.org/what-if-youre-good/

I gave this message at Church Without Religion (http://churchwithoutreligion.com), pastored by my friend, Andrew Farley, on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

Gravity Lessons

“What is it that makes me fail and fall?” she asked.

In response, here is Today’s Mini Message: “Gravity Lessons” – The purposeful plummet everyone experiences when making the attempt to live by the Ten Commandments or by any laws or rules, rather than by faith in the Spirit of life. He alone gives and produces righteousness and right-doing as a gift from Jesus—from start to finish. He is the way, and there is no other. If you’re experiencing a lot of “falling” lately, quit the lesson and accept the gift . . . again.

Romans 7:8,13 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

Romans 8:2 …through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

For much more about this, see these chapters in my book, God’s Astounding Opinion of You: Ch. 4, “Who Is I?” Are You a Modification or a New Creation? Ch. 6, “He Ain’t Heavy” Holy Spirit—Life of the Party; Ch. 8, “Doin’ the Monster Mash” Slaying the Sin-loving Beast in You.
Book link: https://tinyurl.com/y9k9y86c

Life Happens on the Playground

While telling each other that we must get along, we’re failing badly. Here’s what I think, and here’s what I’m doing. It’s easy, and it means a lot more fun—particularly during the holidays.

To watch the video, click here. http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground/

To read the post, click http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground-4/

I am very grateful for all of you, particularly for your friendship in Christ and in His gospel. Thank you to my friends in Canada, Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, and more. And to my American friends, have a great day celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday!

Ralph

No More Control Freaks

Do you know any control freaks? Are you one? Is it true that you must give up control so that God can be in control? I don’t think so. Here’s the good news that makes you free—and happy! (New!)

To watch the 6.5-minute video, click http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks/.



To read the post, click http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks-4/.



I hope this encourages you today!

You Look, He Works

If you're God's workmanship (and indeed, you are - Ephesians 2:10), then your primary part isn't to work but to relax and know Him and how He is with you. Jesus is your focus because you’re His focus. He'll take care of the building and the result, because He knows what He's doing. You don't have to. He’s the Expert. That’s why you feel better after looking at Him or talking with Him—or after reading this. You look, He works.

Life & The Struggle

Today I am identifying where the inside struggle comes from, just as the apostle Paul did. Without Paul’s perspective that commandments empower sin (Romans 7:7-13; 1 Corinthians 15:56 “. . . the power of sin is the law.”), and that it is no longer he, himself, that is the sinner (Romans 7:17-18) because he is a new creation (“the old HAS gone, the new HAS come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17), we will lead terribly confused and powerless lives and, thinking we are still evil and unchanged, attempt life by commandments—the very thing finished by Christ.

Life for new creation sons and daughters, who still know the struggle of the flesh, is by grace and the Spirit because we are now in the Spirit—in union with God—and not in the flesh (Romans 8:9). The good news is that good, and it’s vital we have it.

YOU

Why is thinking about and accepting the “new creation you” that God made so vital? Because only the real you is not subject to judgement (John 3:18). You’ve already gone through it in Christ at the cross and resurrection (see Romans 6:1-7). If you accept any kind of false YOU—you’re stupid, you’re fat, you’re bad, etc.—you will fall under judgement that requires penalty and penance. If you believe in any YOU other than the one made through Christ, you’ll have to navigate your days with lots of signposts of failure and condemnation. That’s Satan’s work. You won’t be happy. You won’t be satisfied. You’ll be differing shades of miserable, because you weren’t made for judgment (John 3:17). (See http://ralphharris.org/how-you-is-taken-captive/.)

This is why I work so consistently to remind you about YOU. The YOU that you are brings glory to God, and when you’re convinced (maybe again and again) about that YOU, brings revival to you. Getting acquainted with the real you is a joy! Everybody likes a good revival, right?

To get more doses of revival for yourself or for a friend, 1) subscribe to my new web site—ralphharris.org. It’s easy, free, regularly updated, and there are already more than 160 categorized videos and posts; 2) get or give either or both of my books—God’s Astounding Opinion of You, or my new one, Life According to Perfect (http://ralphharris.org/books/); 3) share the simple truth of the gospel you know with someone else—you’ll feel much better as you do. After writing a brief summary of the gospel he knew and believed, John wrote that, “We write this to make our joy complete” (1 John 1:4). How cool is that?

So hang in there, YOU. Remember and remind others about the success of Christ’s cross and resurrection. You’re a whole new YOU.

If Jesus Loves Me,...?

Here’s a brand new, terrific book! Have you ever read any of David Gregory’s best-selling books? The Rest of the Gospel. The Last Christian. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. And more. He’s a tremendous writer! He was a huge help in the writing of my new book, as well. Here’s what I wrote after reading the manuscript:

"I have never read anything like “If Jesus Loves Me Why Isn't This Working?” and I was fascinated by it. David Gregory has written an incredibly powerful yet easy way to know God's voice and His Word. This is a terrific and encouraging read for individuals and groups alike."

It has just become available, so here’s the link on Amazon to go get it: https://tinyurl.com/y7b7s94p.

Your Life As A Light

(To watch the 3.5-minute video, click: http://ralphharris.org/your-life-as-a-light/)

If, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “you are the light of the world”, then it seems obvious that Satan’s work is to craft a sort of covering for you, an acceptable covering, and then to induce you to pull it over yourself. To hide. It’s terribly devious.

Jesus has made you salt and light, and that will never be altered. You don’t have to become salty, you don’t have to become “lighty”—He did that to you already. Satan’s game is to point out your failures and weaknesses, as though they could ever change the change Jesus made for you, and then, if you’ll accept them as identifying who you are, to induce you to hide yourself.

But still. You are a light.

The good news is that Jesus didn’t make you the light of the world “IF”. There is no “if”. The light that you have emanates from you but does not originate with you. You’re a lamp—a very nice lamp, the lamp He intended—but a lamp! And you will always be plugged in. You will always be on. Anything and everything that might imply you’re not a very good lamp does not change your lampness. It’s who you are.

So throw off the devil’s offered covering. It doesn’t fit you. It doesn’t belong. It doesn’t help. Weaknesses and failures simply make it evident that the light you have is the Son of God, who lives in you and provides the light. You are the vessel, He is the content. Sometimes that’s going to be obvious. “I might have a sloppy lamp structure, but I’m a lamp! A lamp is what I am.” And then I am revived because I am believing that Jesus’ work through the cross and resurrection worked.

So shine on, my lamp friends. It’s who you are, so it’s what you do.

Matthew 5:14-15 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Grace & Peace

The lie of religion suggests that while God has already happily given us everything in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14), we might have lost a little of the all we never earned—here’s how to get it back. Slaves are made in the "here’s how." So evil and destructive is this suggestion that the apostle Paul made a wish for those who spread the lie.

"As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!" Galatians 5:12

Most of the New Covenant letters begin with the phrase, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” for a very important reason: it is easy for us to forget how well-off we are with God, so we need to be reminded about it—first thing. If we miss the reminder or don’t know the truth, it is also easy for us to be abused by anti-Christ lies because we’re ignorant of what He accomplished for us.

Here’s a New Covenant reminder of God’s gift after the cross and resurrection of Christ: Grace is God giving you everything without obligating you to handle everything well, and peace is God assuring you that you are well, secure, loved and safe with Him at all times.

Now you’re not ignorant. Knowing the truth makes and keeps you free.

Hooked On Treasure

When we have treasure no higher than the stuff of this world, we can become nothing better than what has our value. But when we discover that our greatest treasure—God Himself—actually treasures us, our otherwise crazy search for fulfillment comes to a satisfying end.

To watch the 5 minute video, click http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure/

To read the post, click http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure-4/

Is Intercession Difficult?

(There’s a video link at the end if you’d rather watch.)

Is intercession difficult? Do you have to study it, do you have a lot of knowledge about it in order to do it right?
 
A supporter-friend of mine recently asked for my thoughts about the New Testament word “intercession.”

The word “intercede” has unfortunately come to mean something that we’re supposed to do by ourselves—“Ralph, go intercede for so and so”—rather than something that happens to us and for us.

On a small scale, perhaps you know what it’s like to be praying along in a sort of “minding-your-own-business” kind of way, when suddenly a care, a concern or a godly desire rises up in you—it happens to you—and “leads you” in feelings and words that you had no prior intention of praying. This is intercession granted or caused by God, who intercedes with you.

He shares his cares, concerns and desires with you because, 1) you’re a son, and you’re like Him; 2) He wants you to know Him; 3) He wants to get something done through you. Paul wrote about this happening to him in Colossians 1:29 – 2:3. (Please read that.) In that passage, Paul was literally “being labored,” and “being struggled” in those verses by God for a result. In other words, the Holy Spirit was doing something with Paul in order to prove the perfect ability of God for someone else.

That’s exciting.

Paul wrote that the same thing happened to his friend, Epaphras, in Colossians 4:12-13, where he was literally “being wrestled” and “being worked hard” by the Spirit in order that the Colossian believers would stand firm in all the will of God. How important is that? This was an amazing evidence of Christ in Epaphras and, as it happens to us, an amazing evidence of Christ in us. Christ in you!

On a grand scale, Jesus is interceding for us. We are in Him, so everything that “comes at us” or is “done to us” or “by us” affects Him. In that way, He intercedes for us by being our innocence, our righteousness, holiness and redemption, our strength, courage, comfort, love, patience, peace, kindness, self-control, and more. Nothing can separate us from Him because He lives perfectly for us in a way we cannot. As we grow in believing and trusting Him “in whom we live and move and have our being”, so His security, His defense, His ability and grace become more and more evident to us—and to everyone else because of it.

That’s freedom because He is doing it with us! And that’s powerful.

This intercession, this miraculous evidence of Christ in us, for us and through us is described in my new book, “Life According to Perfect.” Maybe you’ve been listening to me in this video or reading the text and thinking, “Hey! That sounds like what happens in your new book!” Well, you’re right. It is. This is one of the thrill rides of Christianity that too many of us are missing—we don’t understand it, we don’t recognize what’s happening in us. So because we don’t trust that God is doing it, we take another avenue, another way of praying that all too often is boring and uneventful. We forsake the adventure and mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), and choose template prayers. “Just get it done” prayers. For that reason, many of us give up on prayer altogether. But I don’t want anyone to miss “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.

FEAR is the biggest “ripper-offer” that keeps us from looking to Christ in us because we’re afraid that something out of control, something dangerous might happen. And, actually, that’s the truth! It might. This is when the grace of God in you and the grace of God for you and through you is beautifully evident, most powerful and most beneficial—and you’ll know it! You must know that your enemy, the devil, fights aggressively against this happening in us and through us, because it is dangerous to him.

This is one of the most fun, most incredible aspects of Christianity. You have it by new birth—He is in you and you are in Him. And He loves for you to know the fullness you have been given. (See Colossians 1:9-10.)

That is the Plan. It’s not something you have to do, it’s what He is already doing with you and for others. He is busy, so simply pay attention. That brings about Christ’s intercession for you and through you . . . and I hope this helps.

(To watch the video, click: http://ralphharris.org/is-intercession-difficult/.)

Today's Fake News Sermon

Today’s fake news sermon: “Getting Rid of Your Bad Self” — The crazy-good fun of trying to crucify what Jesus already did.
(I say it a lot, but I’ll say it again: our problem is not doing, our problem is believing. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin” Romans 6:6-7. Jesus crucified your bad self and gave you a new you; do you believe? Life works by believing.)

Life Together In Christ

(Video link at the end.)

Think of Jesus. Imagine Him. Imagine Perfect. Now imagine yourself actually in Him. What’s life like from there?

And think of this: Unless I see myself as God sees me, in Christ, actually in Him (it’s all over the New Testament), then whenever inexplicably difficult and odd things happen to me, I will wonder what has gone wrong and what I have to do to make things right.

For a lot of us, that’s how we think a lot of the time. “Why is this happening to me?” “Why do bad things happen to me?”

That thinking means endless days of pressure—or of trying to avoid it, which is essentially the same thing. Either way, I’ve got to educate myself, strategize and work to orchestrate my days so that weird and wrong stuff doesn’t happen.

And I will have been tricked into seeing myself as separate from God, with assessments and techniques for proper management always in demand. After all, I’ve got a lot to do. No wonder I’m nervous, no wonder I’m prone to anxiety. But I’ll give my self toward that—more than to anything—and I’ll think it’s the right way . . . the responsible way. The separate way.

But I am in Him. At all times. At every moment. He put me there (1 Corinthians 1:30). What happens to me or what goes on around me is for the two of us, not for one of us, but for both of us—together—united forever in everything. That’s the plan. Never separate! His life and His ability are always at the ready for me and through me, as the case may be. Obviously, it helps if I will believe we’re together—not just God over there and me doing my best to follow. I am in Him. He is in me. “Following” is not the issue; believing that He made this change happen is the issue.

Believing it’s true and enjoying it is how Christ is formed in me. That’s His agenda and now that’s my agenda. In other words, “Jesus, I am in you and you are in me. Make me aware of what you’d like to do in me and through me, your vessel. Let’s do this together. I would love that. Amen.”

This is the “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” life (Galatians 2:20), and that’s for me. And if you’re a Christian, it’s for you, too. How exciting is that life?

(To see the video, click http://ralphharris.org/life-together-in-christ/.)

That's All, Folks

The way we take God’s grace for granted—the way we mistreat it—is to believe and act in a way that says we have to earn something from God, who thinks He has given us all things already for free. (See Ephesians 1:3-10.) In other words, if you want to really bother God, here’s how to do it: try to earn something from Him. (Good luck. Bon voyage.)

God’s grace never creates debt; it always pays debt. Otherwise, it would cease to be grace and instead become obligation. Oh, how that word bothers God! He’ll have none of it. Not with Abraham, not with the Galatians, not with you, and not with me. (See Romans 4:4-5.)

The apostle Paul got rightfully angry with the Galatian Christians who had fallen away from grace, because they were attempting to earn favor with God by their own behavior. The problem was, they already had perfect favor! They already had every blessing! Jesus had given it to them—in full. To believe otherwise was to believe a lie and to give themselves to that lie through their efforts. That’s how people get twisted and disappointed. Have you noticed?

Believing that we have to tithe, pray, worship, sing, witness, fast, or love in order to gain favor with God is anti-Christ. Doing something apart from Jesus in order to get what He presumably failed to secure is not only worthless, it is against the truth. That’s awful. For the Galatian Christians to add Jewish customs or ceremonies or rule-keeping to a supposed required mix was to put themselves under a curse!

Galatians 3:10-14 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’ 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles (That would be me, and most likely you) through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Italics mine.)

In other words, by faith in Jesus, we get the Holy Spirit and everything that He brings with Him. You would be wise to assume that He doesn’t lack anything.

Every other hope with God, any other obligation-based hope with God is shadow living—it’s performing in the dark!—even though the reality has come (Colossians 2:16-17).

In Christ—which is where we are now—we have how many things? All things. That’s the incredible gospel we love! That’s the stunning New Covenant. And that’s why we’re crazy in love with Jesus. We’re out in the open about it! No one’s hiding this. We want to tell everyone, and we want to remind those who have forgotten and been lured back into the shadows. Come on out of there! No more performing in the darkness! Lies will have you there, and we won’t be a part of that; neither will God.

Because of Jesus, we have it all. And that’s all, folks.

To watch the 5 minute video: http://ralphharris.org/thats-all-folks/

Freedom Walk

Some of my favorite people will be gathering together in October for a terrific conference—Freedom Walk. I suspect that more than a few of us will also be popping over to nearby Napa to inspect some of those grapes they’ve got there. In other words, I sure hope you can join me and these great speakers for an awesome few days of sharing in the grace and love of God. Register by this Friday to get the early bird special of only $99! Click the link to get more info and to register.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-walk-tickets-48103929147

Life By God

When someone discovers the love of God—the real deal—that discovery immediately becomes the most defining aspect of her life. He makes sure of it. Remaining in the knowing—“He loves me!”—will eclipse all other goals, and become the director and authenticator of what she does, what she reads and watches, what she says and writes, where she goes and what she gives herself to, and how she interacts with the people and stuff of this world. No one will have to tell her to “obey the commandments” because she knows and has the One who needs no such commands living within. Her life will be by the Spirit and not by the law. She will be tempted to live by other means, for sure, but always the love of God—even a temporary not-knowing of it—will re-animate and love her awake. And life by God, who is love, will resume.

That's All, Folks

Have you ever felt like you’re wasting your time with God? Like the things you’re trying to do aren’t working with Him? Well, maybe you are wasting your time, and maybe that’s the best news you could get. (New. 5 minutes.)

What is Discipleship?

A disciple is not one who pursues or follows Jesus in order to become like Him. After the cross, after the resurrection and after the New Covenant began, a disciple is one who believes in Christ and who has been changed by God, is now compatible with God, and who is now led by God from within. The work upon the disciple is done; it is complete. The work within the disciple—where the kingdom is—goes on. Discipleship, then, is helping each other to better know God so as to be more confidently led by the Spirit.

God Is Not Missing Anything

You will never have to wonder if God is with you. Never ever. You won’t have to invite Him to come over or to get involved in a situation that He otherwise might miss. God is never missing. In fact, He thinks you’re with Him. That might be difficult to imagine, seeing as how it’s from His point of view, which might be a tad better than yours. But go ahead—imagine.

Ephesians 2:6-7 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Think how secure you are, having been seated in Christ. You’re in. You don’t have to ask God to be anywhere He isn’t. Wherever you are, there He is. More accurately, wherever He is, there you are. Nothing to worry about, nothing to make happen—it’s all on Him because you’re seated. You might as well relax and enjoy the view with Him. Think of the scenery and landmarks He knows all about. He has a lot to share with you.

God did that, and that’s what He thinks of you. What do you think?

(For more from this view of things, get my new book, “Life According to Perfect”. https://tinyurl.com/ycja3mzv.)

A Good Walk Together

God thinks you’re complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). Think of that. You’ve got it all, and you’re all done. You've just got some walking out to do.

But what do you think? If God’s opinion is that you’re already holy, righteous and majestic as you walk about the planet (Colossians 1:22), but you think you’re something else, something less, might that affect your interaction with Him? Might that affect your interaction with others?

It does.

But when you discover what God thinks about you—how incredibly good it is—you’ll be intensely attracted to Him, and the pale attractions of this world will grow dim. He's right about you! To become increasingly convinced that He is correct is one of the most worthwhile adventures there is. It's the adventure He's putting all of His effort into with you.

And He never changes His mind because He has the facts—He is responsible for them! That's why His thoughts and love for you never change. Never. He thinks more highly of you than anyone else thinks, and He's right.

As He increasingly wins you over to His way of thinking, your behavior will come together with who you are. And won't that be wonderful?

(For more about this, check out my books and free videos at: ralphharris.org.)

From Victory

Freedom!

Happy Juneteenth, everyone, a day when people celebrate the coming together of American ideals and American experience. On June 19, 1865, Union Army Major General Gordon Granger marched 2,000 soldiers into Galveston, Texas, in order to enforce Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation that officially freed the slaves of the south on January 1, 1863. The celebrations that resulted and which continued each year thereafter, came to be known as “Juneteenth.”

Hooray, America!

A favorite economist, author and commentator of mine, Thomas Sowell, wrote, “what was peculiar about the West was not that it participated in the worldwide evil of slavery, but that it later abolished that evil, not only in Western societies but also in other societies subject to Western control or influence.”

Because the threat of slavery (even new forms of it) goes on and the ideal of freedom is not yet the experience of all, not here in the US and not globally, I applaud those who openly speak out for liberation.

As a Christian speaker and author, I am all about freedom, particularly the freedom that knowing the original liberator, Jesus Christ, has upon people. Satan’s desire and scheme is to incarcerate, harm and diminish people through deception, which sometimes comes through the teachings and actions of people. Jesus is the consummate opposite: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

So I stand with Jesus and with His apostle, Paul, who taught and offered to the Galatians a powerful freedom checkup, one that still echoes today in the likes of all who insist that humans are better when they are free: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

The terrible “yoke of slavery” was the ancient Law and Old Covenant, as well as anything and everything that implied that mankind had to earn a good standing with God by satisfying His presumed demand for perfection. But the gift, the fact remains: Perfection is what and who He is, and He offers Himself as that for all—especially you—for free. He is the gift of perfect freedom—the power and the benefit—to all who will have Him.

This freedom and this grace is what gospel fans have been equipped and enabled by the Spirit to hear and to share with everyone. Any other message leads us toward slavery—both the messenger and the hearer—because the Holy Spirit is always and only about life and freedom, not the loss of it.

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV).

If you’ve been thinking or feeling anything other than life and freedom, no matter your circumstances, consider the source of the messages pointed at you: one is satanic and makes hijacked slaves, while the other is godly and makes freeborn sons. That’s heaven’s ideal, and it ought to be your experience.

Here’s to freedom, and to the One who makes and keeps us free.

(Freedom from the spiritual powers of slavery is what my new book, “Life According to Perfect” is all about. You’ll find it on amazon at: https://tinyurl.com/y8bobn33.)

Blog Problems

I encountered some odd problems with this blog and found that two previous posts were empty of text. I don't know why it happened, but I apologize for that. I have since updated those two blog posts, and you may find them--for real--at the links below.

Life From God:
http://lifecourseministries.blogspot.com/2018/06/life-from-god.html

The Prize:
http://lifecourseministries.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-prize.html

God's Divine Hobby is...Me?

Have you ever thought that God is a show-off? I’m pretty sure He is. It’s a sort of divine hobby for Him. And He’s not going to stop anytime soon.

God wants everyone and everything to know how incomparably good and capable and faithful and loving and perfect He is. Why? So the truth about Him will be known, and so everyone will want Him—and get everything they’ve been looking for and everything they need. He is the source of life itself, and He has designed us to find our best longings for life satisfied in Him.

Figuring that out is difficult, I know! There’s so much that offers fractional satisfaction. A clear sign that I’ve been looking for satisfaction in the wrong place is that I fall to the ugly suggestion to pretend I’m satisfied. I hate that.

Fortunately, you and I are still God’s workmanship, which means He’s going to convince us—over and over and over again—that He is amazing toward us by doing good to us. And, much as I don’t like my many slips and repeated neediness, still His over and over again display isn’t a bad thing, at least not for Him. Sometimes I think I’m the vacuum of neediness—“Lord, please rescue/restore/renew me again!” And He does. And His riches are on display in me. Who sees? Everyone and everything, and all those watching on the big screen in heaven. “Wow. Look at God. He’s incredible with Ralph.”

And with you.

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7)

If you’ve been suspicious that God has you on display, it’s not because He is asking you to be a good example for Him. He is bragging on you because He has made you a good example of Himself.

Brag on, God.

(For more about how perfect God is with you, get my new book, “Life According to Perfect.” You’ll find it on amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya72p6t4.)

Life From God

We have been given life from God. That life does not show up after we say to Him, “I’m so sorry” + “I’ve learned my lesson” + “I won’t do it again.” That’s a nifty formula, but it is sin producing, rules-based legalism, not righteousness producing, grace-based Christianity. We don’t live by a proper confession, a good attitude and a promised commitment. Have you forgotten that’s not Christianity?

We live because, in Christ, we’ve been given new life and a new way of living—Jesus Himself and faith in Him. He is God’s life in you and in me. Peel away all that appears to be me, and you will see Him at home, happy and successful. For all who have received Jesus, the same is true. Right? That’s where I’m looking today. I’m expecting Him, and that’s life.

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

(To automatically get more encouraging posts and videos in your email inbox, subscribe at my website at ralphharris.org.)

The Prize

Where You At?

Do you recall seeing the commercials that frequently asked, “Where You At?” Sponsored by a clever mobile phone company that highlighted its GPS ease of use, I found several of their ads more than funny—they struck a chord with me.

One of the most significant aspects of life in Christ is that that’s where we’re at—in Christ. (I know it’s bad grammar because the "at" isn’t necessary, but just go with it.) Ever since God put us in Christ through the new birth, that’s where we’re found at every moment—in Him.

It doesn’t look like it, I know. Come by my house and you’ll see me in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, drawn up to my desk and laptop. That’s what your eyes see. And if during our visit I told you to close your eyes so you could see more clearly, maybe you’d think I was nuts. But I’d be trying to help you to live according to what’s really real.

You and I are learning more and more to live by faith—in what God says is true of Himself, and in what He says is true of us. If we only look with the eyes in our head, we’ll frustrate our growth and twist our experience. It can’t be otherwise. We’ve got to see with the eyes of our heart, the ones Paul asked God to open for the Ephesians so they would know the great hope to which He had called them, the wealth of His incredible inheritance now in the saints, and so they would know His “incomparably great power” for them (Ephesians 1:18-21).

I think that because we rarely use the eyes of our heart, the ones that believe and see people the way they have become in Christ, we miss hope, we forsake our inheritance and poorly experience the power of God.

If you’re a Christian, then right now you’re in Christ. Yes, He is in you, and that’s fantastic to know and discover—God in you! (That’s what my new book, “Life According to Perfect” is all about.) But according to God, you’re also in Him. What does that mean? That’s what Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was about.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

Being in Christ means God has made us exactly as He wants us—that’s what redemption means. Think of it. Picture yourself in Christ. Can there be anything sinful in Christ? Can there be anything flawed in Christ? Can there be anything faulty in Christ? Can there be anything that needs to be removed in Christ? No, no, no, and no! Your change of location has changed everything—that’s the gospel.

This is how it is in Christ, and I contend that believing the gospel which says it is so will change your life. It will certainly improve your view on things.

If your wife is a Christian, then right now, “Where’s she at?”

If your husband has received Christ, then “Where’s he at?”

If God is right now in your children, then “Where they at?”

If you’ve got friends who are Christians, then right now, “Where they at?”

Do you see what happens to you when you see where they are? You feel better and invigorated because you’ve shifted your eyes and view of life to the unseen facts that stimulate true life—life by the Spirit. You’ve chosen His view, and you’re reaping from Him. The Bible says a lot about those who will live that way.

When you know you’re in Christ, your worries tend to dissipate, your hope increases, and your confidence in God and in yourself leap up. Everything changes when you know where you are.
So right now, “Where you at?”

Come Back to Free

Got 2 minutes? If thoughts of personal disappointment have been bothering you, maybe keeping you awake at night, leaving you worn out and even more disappointed, have a look. (There are more than 150 free videos at ralphharris.org. You can subscribe there and not miss any.)

Looking Into Heaven

"We’re on approach. Flight attendants prepare for landing."

As the aircraft pitched slightly from left to right and back again, I was relieved to hear the captain’s voice over the loudspeakers. There were a few more horizontal adjustments, a wah-whump, whump, and we were rolling safely on the runway in Vancouver, British Columbia. At last.

I was there to assist men in their journey with God in the hope that, in addition to growing more confident in Christ, they would discover what it’s like to live by the Spirit. By Sunday afternoon, they had.

A particular passage became beautifully clear:

“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,. . .” Romans 8:5,6 NAS

To demonstrate this passage, I asked a young man, Zach, to join me up front, and then asked the men at the retreat to tell me about Zach—as though I had never met him. “He’s fun!” “He’s smart!” “He’s a good friend!” “His wife needs prayer!” And on it went. Then I asked, “Now that I know what Zach is like, tell Zach who God says He is. Tell it directly to Zach. And don’t rush this; there’s no hurry.”
Silence.

And then this: “Zach, you’re a holy man.” “Zach, you’re righteous.” “You’re blameless.” “You’re forgiven.” “You’ve got God living in you.” “All of heaven recognizes you as a son of God.” And that included us. We saw Zach.

No one moved. It was amazing. No, it was more than that. It was sacred. When I asked what the men were feeling, somewhat breathlessly they said, “I feel like I’m looking into heaven.” “I feel hope.” “I feel life.” “I feel great.” “I feel peace.” “I feel like I’m really seeing Zach.” “When we changed our minds from looking at the visible to looking at the invisible, everything changed from shallow and fleshly to deep and true.”

They felt God.

Romans 8:5-6 came alive in that moment as we turned our minds away from what was visible to what was invisible. We thought of Zach and addressed him according to what the Bible says God has made of him, and Zach was illuminated to us and to himself. And we felt it. We felt “life and peace,” the kind of life and peace produced by the Holy Spirit whenever we turn our minds toward Him.

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8

It was tremendous and Zach was a little overwhelmed. He felt the inner conflict between the flesh and Spirit, but he, too, chose to sow to the Spirit, reaping what God has promised. “I feel holy. I feel clean.” Indeed, he was—indeed, he is.

Approaching or addressing someone as they have become in Christ causes us to change our minds. We go away from the mind of the flesh and begin thinking according to the mind of the Spirit. You can feel the change! This isn’t a game you play or a way of pretending your way through life. A worldly curtain is drawn back to reveal the true image behind—and that’s more than a bit dazzling. I don’t recommend that you immediately begin addressing all the Christians you know as Holy Hannah, Righteous Rudy, or Forgiven Frank, because that makes a methodical mess out of the holy and sacred. You might silently think of them as the holy, blameless and forgiven sons or daughters they have become, and then see what the Spirit gives you or where He leads you. You won’t have to be creative when God is at work. He’s pretty creative already.

An added benefit of setting our mind upon the Spirit in addressing a brother (as we did with Zach) is that we experienced a sort of mini revival. In looking at Zach, we found ourselves, too. Surprise! The Super Heroes of God. We reaped life, the Spirit invigorated us, and we were deeply encouraged by God. The men knew that they could do this at home with their families, at work, at church, by phone or email, even while driving on the freeway. With all that goes on around us, we’re always on approach. Take advantage of that.

Setting our minds upon the Spirit is our new normal way of living in this world. We’re not of it—we’re a heavenly colony on earth. But since we’re in it, we do well to see it as He sees it, and to approach it from there. We’ll be looking into heaven.

The Perfect Ones

A terrible danger today is for Christians—the ones made new, holy, blameless and radiant, and who are right now the happy homes of God Almighty—to listen to a speaker who does not see them the way God has made them in Christ, but who sees them only in the disguised and lowly appearances of this world.  What they hear from the speaker will be worldly, flesh-to-flesh. And confusion, although cloaked in bright lights and smiling faces, will produce frustration and disillusionment.

If, on the other hand, that speaker recognizes them and is at all impressed by the perfect royalty they are, he is going to talk about it.  They can be confident and expectant that what they hear will invigorate who they are—Spirit-born majesty.  That’s the point of getting together!  And when we meet in faith like that—about God and about each other—that’s how the world is helped.

“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28

UK Perfect!

Here’s a happy man telling us that my book has arrived in England!

Did you know that ‘Life According to Perfect’ is now available throughout the United Kingdom (Amazon.co.uk), all across Europe (Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es) and Canada (Amazon.ca), and today it’s available in Mexico (Amazon.com.mx), Australia (Amazon.com.au), Brazil (Amazon.com.br), India (Amazon.in) and Japan (Amazon.co.jp)? It is! If you’ve got people who would love the story of how Perfect God is with them, share this or give ‘em a shout-out. And yes, it continues to be a #1 best-selling New Release! Thank you.

For those in the US, click: https://tinyurl.com/yamoj77a

Perfect is How God is with You

God is Perfect with you, and His love for you will never be “if” and “then.” In other words, “If you do right, Ralph Harris, then I will love you.” It won’t ever be like that. God’s love is always “because” and “therefore.” It’s like this: “Because I love, therefore I sent my Son, therefore I gave, and therefore I keep giving.” God keeps you in love and offers perfect grace to you every day, at all times, like it or not, embrace it or turn away, fail or succeed. It will not deter Him, and it will not change Him. Perfect is how God is, and it is how He is with you.
(For more about Perfect, get my new book, ‘Life According to Perfect’ on Amazon! Click: https://tinyurl.com/yamoj77a)

#1 Best-Seller!

Okay, this is wonderful. My new book is a #1 New Release Best-Seller! I am deeply thankful to so many people who are making that happen! My goodness.

Click the link to get your copy: https://tinyurl.com/yamoj77a

Life According to Perfect

While alone in a mountain cabin 10 years ago, God brought to me the story idea of Jesus coming to live in a boy, who then discovers how good real life is—a story that would speak without theological jargon to people of all ages—an allegory, so each reader could get what God wants for each. That vision and work is today fulfilled.

My new book, Life According to Perfect, is now available on Amazon. I feel a little like the apostle Paul, in that I’m “being poured out” on this, and that I have “fought the good fight, I have finished the race” for this part of my ministry (2 Timothy 4:6-8). You must know that I am all-kinds of emotional as I offer it to you.

https://tinyurl.com/yamoj77a

If you share in the joy of this story, would you write a brief recommendation for it on Amazon? That will help spread its message a lot, and that’s important. Would you share about the book in any way you can? I’ll do the best I can to get the word out, but you can really help.

New Book!

My new book, "Life According to Perfect," goes on sale next week!

Work Again

When we seem to be without works, our first response is not to works but to get some gospel. God knows how the gospel works, and increasingly we do too.

I have been through seasons where my Bible reading was waaay less than I wanted—which was a good want. I don’t read my Bible because I have to, but because I love it. I love what happens to me in the process. However, I found that there are other ways of getting the gospel I love, like talking out loud to God; thinking thoughts toward Him and offering clear pauses in which I listen for Him to respond; playing meaningful music loudly that captures my attention; saying something truly sarcastic and “anti-gospel”—for example, “God is not going to forgive me for that, because He’s mad at me!” That gets me going! That gets me re-thinking.

Any way by which to “sow to the Spirit” and reap His life in me—the life of Christ that He happily produces—is a good thing and a happy work of expectant faith. I’m revived, and I work again.

Obedience

Google Me?

Have you ever Googled yourself? Using only my name for a search parameter, a few years ago I combed through twenty five pages of Ralph-the-comedian, Ralph-the-barrister, and Ralph-the-recently-deceased before giving up on myself. But this year, there I am—top of page three, #20 out of a possible 12,800,000. Could #1 be far off? Ooooh. Like a rocket, I'm on my way to the top of the Ralph Harris heap.

This morning I felt like God drew me out of all the chaos and confusion of this world—like He personally Googled me. It felt like Google Earth, where the view on your monitor can take you from England to Colorado in about a second. Whoosh! Out of the teeming masses I was drawn to be alone with God, and immediately I felt my fit with Him. I knew I belonged.

I don’t know how He does that, but I’m delightfully glad He does.

I was newly reminded that in the midst of a ruined world filled with tragedy and turmoil, God is making for Himself a perfect bride—you and me. And I suppose that from His perspective (and that would be the right one), the church of the redeemed must look astonishing against the backdrop of madness and imperfection.

But I often get lost and caught up in the smallness of my view. That seems particularly easy right now when the usual noisy stuff of this world has been joined by all the political noisiness and nonsense. There is so much clamoring for my attention! So my need of God, who carries on with the sovereign plan for His glory, increases. When He Googles me, I can see what He sees, and I am stunned all over again.

When one day God Googles us for real, we will exchange perishable for imperishable, mortal for immortal, and we will be like Him. Raised in glory, when we cross over we will be like Him—and not a single angel will be surprised, having been looking at us for a long, long time already. (1 Corinthians 15:42-56; Ephesians 1:3-10)

My prayer: “Father, way to go! Glory to you! Google me again tomorrow?”

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24-25 NIV).

His Three Days Were Our Three Days

Today we're celebrating that we are well because of the will of the Father and the successful giving and rescuing acts of Jesus Christ. It is finished! And we live in grace and peace with God.

As we were brought into Him at the cross (Romans 6:1-11), so we were in Him in His resurrection. His three days were our three days. When He was crucified, we were crucified. When He was buried, we were buried. When He was raised, we were raised. We're new. We’re secure. We’re in Him and He is in us.

“Made like Him, like Him we rise! Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies! Alleluia!”

He is Risen! And in Him, so are we!

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6-7

For always and forever, we will be the evidence of His stunning love and ability. Isn’t that fantastic?

If that's what we'll be throughout the ages, we might as well start getting used to it now—don't you think?

Happy Easter!

No Easter Discount

Do you have some thoughts about Easter?  Let me ask you a question:  When Jesus was on the cross, where were you? 

If we think of Jesus as going to the cross by Himself, we have a discounted Easter, as the retail sign implies.  That’s no bargain.  We don’t have everything, and we need to.

While enduring the awful human torment of carrying a shameful cross through the streets of Jerusalem and out to Calvary on the edge of the city, Jesus—God Himself—knew what was before Him.  Through the pain, He was overjoyed!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:2, italics mine)

Seemingly all alone in His tortured trek through town and the many people lining the streets, Jesus held a fantastic secret:  He was taking them with Him.  They thought they were onlookers to a tragedy; He knew they were participants, not just in the cause but also in the act.

An incredible, miraculous, retroactive and future fact of Easter is that Jesus’ faithfulness to the cross was the initial act of bringing to an end one creation—darkened, stumbling, sin frustrated mankind—and of making another—a glory-sharing, innocent and holy new race (See Ephesians 2:14-22).  That was His joy, and now it’s ours!

On the cross and knowing what was coming in three days, Jesus reached for you in the crowd—the crowd in the past, the crowd right in front of Him, and the crowd in the future—and accomplished God’s timeless desire; union with His people.  He didn’t simply hold you close, He brought you in.  Jesus removed what hindered us and brought us into Himself, where there can be no distance, no transgression and no fault, making us new, safe and secure with Him, who loves us perfectly.  And He did it in three days through two acts:  the cross and the resurrection.

Romans 6:6  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Ephesians 2:6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Easter is all about life to the full—Christ’s and yours.  When Jesus rose and fairly strutted out of the tomb (as I picture it), He was full and full of joy!  We were in Him, and He was joyously satisfied, just as He planned. Do you believe the good news of His cross and resurrection?

He is risen!  And so are we. Happy Easter!
(See Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:6-7)

See the Miracle

To the fleshly mind, looking away from sin is counterintuitive, even irresponsible. It wants to do something about it, and that’s the problem—it can’t! But the mind set on the Spirit IS life and peace. The mind “looking” at Jesus reaps His very life. And that’s when you’ll see the miracle of “Christ in you.”

Have Fun!

You can catch the flesh and the devil at his game by growing wise to their tactic of remembering for you what God has already forgotten; your sins. (See Hebrews 8:12.) It’s not that you’ll never remember anything regretfully from the past, but their strategy is that you should accept and bear a heavy load of remorse as a way of navigating the future. It isn’t so. Jesus took responsibility for your sins (2 Corinthians 5:21) and got rid of them. After all, He is The Great Sin Bearer, so why should you try to bear what He already has? It is finished. Faith in Him is the way forward now. That might mean some fun—a little shouting and dancing—don’t you think?

Great New, Part 1

Today is Part 1 of, “Here-comes-a-bunch-of-great-new-stuff-from-Ralph.” Ten years ago I built my web site (lifecourse.org), and today it sure looks like it. So, I did not build my new web site. With over 150 free videos, all gathered together and categorized, as well as lots of ways for you to be regularly encouraged by the truth of the gospel, I hope you will take advantage of everything you want at ralphharris.org. Have a look and subscribe to my newsletter, “Knowing God More.” Thank you!

Giving Life

Don't Listen

Surrendering

His Ride

Many of us make tremendous efforts to smooth out any and all bumps we suspect might be ahead, thinking proper smoothing techniques measure our Christian maturity. It isn’t so. Christ in us is our treasure, which means we’re already doing rather well, no matter the bumps. Think of the apostle Paul’s bumpy-life ride, and ours in comparison seems fairly tame. First things first: enjoy Jesus today. He will provide through the bumps. After all, you’re his ride.

Your Puzzle Master

It is very easy to turn to and get fouled up by self-scrutiny in our approach to God. “Is my motive pure? Am I seeking Him for what He does or for who He is? Why am I reading my Bible or praying? Am I trying to get favor with God? Am I doing it right? Oh, I’m such a puzzle!” Frankly, these kinds of questions often tangle me up in the sometimes hidden pursuit of self-righteousness with God. That never goes well—my history shows it. Maybe yours does, too.

Here’s the thing: I am often a mess when beginning to talk with God or to read the Bible, and one of my greatest delights is how He restores me to my right mind and brings forth the new creation Ralph. Oh, how I like that Ralph! Fear is gone. Rest is restored. And love, God’s love, fills and moves me again. I think that's a pleasure for Him, too. “Ralph! Look what I’ve found—it’s you!” I have found Him to be perfect with me, so I now care less about why I’m approaching Him and what my motive might be in the deep and dark recesses of my mind than I once did. I care far more about knowing and enjoying Him in any condition I might encounter.

While I sometimes discover that rickety Ralph has been tripped up by fleshly demands that God be more obvious, more helpful, more useful, or more like Santa Claus than He evidently is to me, He fixes all of that craziness in me. He’s cleans up the mess! He is good with me (and with you), and I find all over again that He is the solution—The Solver—of all that confuses and harasses me, Mr. Puzzle, pure motives or bad, honorable intentions or not, doing it right or doing it wrong.

Although it is a powerful temptation, the flesh that plagues me cannot be solved by me. That fact makes room for my sometimes reckless and rickety approaches to God, who then emerges in me as The Righteous One, The Rescuer, The Victor and The Solver of the lifelong puzzle that is Ralph Harris. Maybe you’re that puzzle for God to solve, too. He doesn’t mind. He’s The Puzzle Master, and He’s good with bringing you together—especially when you know you cannot. Right then.

During those times when your puzzle pieces are scattered all over the place, and the picture in your mind of how you should look and how you should be (like the puzzle box top) is condemning and eluding you, those times actually keep you to the free and perfect effort of God in you—the Spirit of grace. Those crazy times keep you from believing the lie that you’re supposed to have this all figured out: “Move your own pieces into place, for God’s sake!”

The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians about the danger of trying to do everything right and of not needing Jesus:

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.

I know that I eagerly wait sometimes, don’t you? Well, that’s a good thing!

If just now you’re a puzzle box of craziness, don’t worry about how to do anything properly with God. Simply tell Him what you’re thinking and feeling, however reckless, rickety and ugly it might sound. He’ll put you together because He knows the fit. He’s great at it because He’s your Puzzle Master.

(This is a transcript of the video, "The Puzzle Master," and is for those who might rather read than watch. To see the video, click https://youtu.be/9-2l32OrSoE.)

Dependence Upon God

The Return of the Unicorns

Most people agree that God gives us children as a gift. You hear them say it and see them write it all the time. “Happy birthday, Babushka! You were the perfect gift from God to us ____ years ago!” But years later, whether 18, 20, 22 or 42, they are willing to say that God leads those same perfect and precious gifts away from them. “God has plans for our children. It’s normal, even godly for them to leave,” they’ll say. Well, THAT’S JUST WRONG. The GIFTS and callings of God are irrevocable—HE NEVER TAKES THEM BACK or puts them elsewhere! (See Romans 11:29)

So I think it would only be right to revisit this deceived willingness to let God’s gifts leave us, REPENT, and create new paradigms wherein our precious gifts remain with us. Okay, they can move across the street, maybe a block or two over, or just down the country road a couple hundred yards. With our permission.

THEN, God’s gift-giving plan will work as originally intended and we will reap His blessings: ever-flowing springs of gold-filtered water will bubble up and give rise to non-GMO food crops and organic, sustainably grown coffees that burst forth in the world’s deserts; gas-free cows will repopulate the earth; clouds of butterflies will cleanse the air in China and legally emigrate to the North Pole, where their bodies will feed the baby polar bears; certain people will stop tweeting, others their manic fault-finding; Fergie will get a do-over; FOX and CNN will merge into the WARHN network (We Actually Report Helpful News); and friendly, multicolored unicorns will once again flourish upon the earth and fulfill their divine design as crossing guards and school guardians.

Can I get a witness? Amen?