The Long Journey Within

Yeshua said: The Kingdom of the Father is like the woman who carried a jar of flour. After she walked a long way, the handle of the jar broke and the flour began to spill behind her along the road. Heedless, she noticed nothing. When she arrived, she set down the jar and found it empty.
~ (V. 97, The Text of the Gospel of Thomas) 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

We want to take the opportunity to remind you all of a few truths of the Kingdom that we are a part of; from the shared text we remind each other what it means to be a follower of Christ and called to the Kingdom:

• Remember that it is a journey, and it can be seemingly a long one at times. Often when we start out we have lots of vigor and energy.  We are fresh, ready and alert.  But as we walk a long way, we get weary.  When tiredness sets in we tend to miss things, sometimes important things.  We focus so much on just getting to the destination that we have in mind, that we miss what is happening in that present moment in the journey.  
• Remain alert.  We always must stay vigilant.  We must never slip into complacency or just going through the motions.  If we do, we may miss the small cracks and seemingly little damage that will drain away our life and our resource that we meant for something else.  
• The flour was used to make bread, and bread was used to sustain and build life.  The flour was spilling out behind her on the road, little by little.  Life was slipping away where she had already been, only to be trodden down on the road underfoot by others.  Unaware of the waste because we got tired on the journey and never addressed the damage that happened along the way in our weariness.  
• She eventually did get to her destination, only to realize then and at that moment that she was in fact empty-handed.  She had been so focused on just getting there, that she missed what was happening to her along the way.  So focused on a future and final destination, she did not realize what was happening in the present moment.  If she had paid attention anywhere along the way, she might have been able to save something.  But a distracted mind, the monotony, routine, drudgery, weariness, and the unaddressed cracks along the way left her walking empty. 

The Kingdom is a journey within that is happening right now, in this present moment. Jesus is the Way.  As you follow him, be in the journey right now with I AM.  Avoid the complacency that comes with world-weariness.  Rather, wait on the Lord and He will renew your strength, He will refresh your mind and your heart.  When you are in the present moment, you won't miss the little foxes that destroy the vine and the small cracks that leach out your life.  You will be aware and can address the damages that come on the journey of life so that though you may get to the end of your journey with a broken vessel, you will be full and ready to be poured out according to the Master's will and purpose.  Your journey will not have been in vain as someone who just made it; someone who arrived empty handed with a depleted shell.   Be aware, remain vigilant, be present and a good steward of the life and value you carry.  Your journey will be complete in God's timing, how you live in the moment will affect how you arrive in your tomorrows. 

Blessings in Christ

The faithmix Team

Some Thoughts For 2015

As we go into 2015, here are some thoughts that may be useful for those of you that are on the Way:

Find The Truth And Live By It
Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. The pursuit of Truth is the pursuit of Christ. So seek out the truth, and when you found it, live by it. That also means that when you find out you have been tricked, believed in a lie, or made a decision based on the wrong information, be quick to let go of that which is false and align your life with that which is true.

Be A Force For Good
In all that you do in your time and your efforts in the earth, be a force for good. Be good because our Heavenly Father is good. No that at all you do your labors are not in vain. Know that good shines bright, even as evil reinforces the darkness. The world needs those that will commit themselves to being a force for good. The hope of humanity is found in the ambassadors of Truth, light, and those that are forces for good during an age where evil is going into overdrive as their time is coming to an end.

Practice Detachment
Practice detachment from the fruits of our actions. We've mentioned a number of times that success is in our obedience and not in the outcomes of our actions. Jesus Christ is the head, as he speaks we do and respond. The results are in his hands. If your focus is on reaping the benefit of the things you do, or dealing with the consequences of the mistakes you've made, you are still wrapped up in the affairs of this life. Yes, we are in this world. But we are not of this world. Do not get attached to the outcomes or to any identity in this life, be it good or bad. When you let go of all that this world is, and all that is in this life, then there is nothing holding you and nothing you are holding onto that keeps you here and bound into a temporal and base reality. You are then living in the freedom which God intended you to have. It is your right in Christ Jesus, live it.

Persevere
To him who overcomes. That is the instruction for every follower of Christ. Be the overcomer. The way you overcome is to keep going. When things are hard or difficult it is fine to take them to the Lord in prayer, to deal with the struggles you face, to admit the pressure you feel. But persevere. Keep going. Don't lose faith, don't give up. Run your race , and continue on with God has for you.

Go With What You Know
In the times where you struggle with an assurance of what God is saying, and you struggle with doubts, just go with what you know. Continue on with the things that you are sure of, the truth that has been revealed to you, that which you are certain of. As little as it may seem to be at times, it is enough. You don't need the food for a lifetime, you just need your daily bread. You don't need to know everything, you just need to know what you need to know. Go with the truth that has been revealed to you, and what you know. God will be right there with you in your journey.

God bless you all as we go into 2015! Wishing each and everyone of you an amazing year ahead.

~ The faithmix Team

The Journey Of Ministry

Luk 17:12  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 

Luk 17:13  And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 

Luk 17:14  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Luk 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Luk 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

Luk 17:18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Luk 17:19  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

The progression of a minister of Jesus Christ through the earth is similar to our Savior’s own time here.  The examples were recorded in the scriptures to both encourage and strengthen you, knowing that the things that our Savior went through were similar to the challenges of our existence at such a time as this. 

The calling of God is simply that, the calling of God.  It is between you and your Creator; not something requiring collective agreement, universal approval, or a vote of the majority.  He calls, you respond. At the same time, when you begin to move with even a grain of certainty in the ways and calling of God, don’t be surprised when the world system around you gets activated in a barrage of attempts to pull you back into bondage.  Oppression, seduction, persecution, slander, judgment, isolation; the techniques have been perfected over thousands of years and operate through willing human agents that remain part of their system.  Pray for them that they too may be set free.  Bless them by living and being in the Truth.  But never join them again in their slavery for Christ has set you free. 

As you move forward in the ministry Christ has planned for you, don’t be surprised if it is few and far between that are grateful for what you do as you respond to the leading and the guiding of His Holy Spirit.  We do what we do, not for the thanks or the praises of men.  We do what we do out of gratefulness to God and out of a heart of deep gratitude towards Him for His love for us.  When we encounter gratitude from others along the way, we appreciate it as an added blessing.  But we do not do what we do for the praises of man, nor do we flinch at the criticisms and attacks that come either.  In both cases we are dead to the world and alive in Christ. 

Seek His peace within, where you can make your decisions and choices from that place of peace.  Then your choices, joy, happiness, fulfillment, and all that is important to you will not be contingent on anything external; it is in that place of peace that you see the true manifestations of the inward progression into the Kingdom of God.  It is no coincidence that the passage of Luke 17 regarding the story of the ten lepers is followed up with the answer to the Pharisees regarding the Kingdom of God.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

People choose their bondage, people choose their own personal hell.  Freedom is available in Christ Jesus.  Abundant life is available in Christ Jesus.  The path out begins through a change within.  And the change within is only found when the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, is of your free will given Lordship and rule over your life and is welcome within to have 100% rule and reign over everything that you are and ever will be. 

Jesus is the way out, Jesus is the way through.  If you have the approval of the King of kings you have all that you need to be what you were designed to be from the foundation of the world. 

God Bless You,

The faithmix Team

A New Time

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of being an eternal being walking through a time-bound dimension is the simple question "How now do I live?" What should your priorities be, where should you spend your "time" (which ultimately is an illusion), what is truly important, what is worth doing, what is worth saying, what is worth investing the life that you have been given in?

Without the answers to the important questions of life, a person ends up delaying and wasting the gift of life that they have been given.  There are those out there who take advantage of these unanswered questions and suggest that life's meaning can be obtained in the abundance of their possessions, in fame, notoriety, prominence, power, position in the world and the world system ... all of this is hogwash.  Or as Solomon would say, "meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless" that the world would have to offer you.

The first and most important thing in life is to go through the right door, after which the rest of life unfolds.  Jesus is the gate, without first going through Him into eternal life a person is left outside and grasping for meaning in a meaningless world system with no life in it and of itself.  You FIRST need to have the answer to the most important questions in life answered, the ultimate purpose of your existence being to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  And an extension of that being to love your neighbor as yourself, which is a natural overflow of the abundant life in Him.

Once the main question has been answered, of who you are and who you are in Him (your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ), from there life can and does unfold.  From there you can walk out each and everyday as you trust in Him and follow His leading and guiding.  His sheep know His voice and they follow Him.  He leads them through this life, often ending up going through the valley of the shadow of death.  Though we go through trying and difficult situations in life, those experiences end up shaping us and revealing even more of Christ in us, the hope of Glory.  The things that we end up going through, as difficult as they may be, are the very things that God uses to reveal His glory in us and His presence and hand upon our lives.

Despise not the chastening of the Lord, despise not the difficult times that He would lead you through.  It is in the darkness that light breaks forth, it is through the difficulty that you are made strong and ready for all that is to come.  It is through the darkness that light breaks forth, that He shines His light in your soul and reveals the vision that He has for you for the life and the time that you would live while you are on the earth.  It is a blessing to go through difficulty while your are following Christ, that is why the scriptures tell us to consider it pure joy when you face trials and tribulations of all kinds.

Rejoice brothers and sisters in Christ!  It is a new time! And it is a glorious time for the True Sons and Daughters the living God as they are revealed in this time.

In Christ,

The faithmix Team

Time For Change

Lots of changes on the horizon. Keep on keepin' on.

It Comes With Authority ...

Responsibility.  As much as people in the world desire to lord over one another, to make decisions that effect others, to be in control, few understand the price tag associated with position and authority.  The greater your authority, the bigger the impact of your decisions.  The stronger the impact of the choices you make on the lives of others.  The cost of failure is greater and the benefit of success is further reaching.  

Allow God to grow you at His own pace, he is the gardener.  He knows what you need and what you do not need.  He knows what you can handle and what you cannot.  He knows your limits and your limitations and He will stretch you, mold you, build you and fashion you into His image in His time.  But you will need to trust Him and submit yourself to His hand; submit yourself to His leadership and to His guidance through it all.  

To seek position or power independent of Him that you do not have the grace of God to handle is a mistake.  Submit your desires, ambitions and thoughts unto Him and accept His choices for you, for He will lead and guide you into all truth and order your steps.  

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

Do not go the way of your mind and thoughts, but look to the Spirit to lead and guide you:

Pro 3:1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 

Pro 3:2  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 

Pro 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 

Pro 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

For the follower of Christ it is a life of Spirit, led by the Spirit ... 

Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 

Joh 3:8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 

Be encouraged for He is in control.  You only need to submit yourself to His Lordship, to His guidance, to His authority in your life of your free will and your choice.  In that place of existence, He will move with and through you because you choose it, you desire it.  Be at peace and trust Him in all things. Shalom.

~ The faithmix team 

And So It Goes

And so it goes with life, the daily grind. Trying to keep your head afloat at whatever level life seems to find you in. Do you ever wonder what is the reason for all of "this"? This life, this world, this harsh grinding experience? You, being a child of the most High God don't really fit here do you?

2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Nope. If you truly be a child of God, you will have a different nature and a different character to that of the world around you. This season of the wheat and the tares growing together in an increasingly compressed world is both exciting and pressing at the same time. Interconnection and sensory overload requires you to get away, to find a secret place and to withdraw with the Father. With all trying to draw you without, you must of your free will seek to go within for that is where the Kingdom is:

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

So how do you stay true? How do you stay on track in this time and in this age? That has always been the challenge for the children of God. To keep their hearts set on things above, to store up their treasure in Heaven where rust and moths don't destroy and where thieves don't break in and steal. And YES, they are stealing and breaking in at a rate today that is unheard of. And decay has escalated as the earth wears out like a garment:

Isa 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
Isa 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isa 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Isa 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Take heart my brothers, your salvation draws near. Take heart my sisters, in Him is your trust well placed. Be of good courage and keep the faith to the very end, for this is the battle to which you have been called.

In Christ,

The faithmix Team