AWAKE

You awoke Today, didn’t you?

And because of that fantastic fact, you’re experiencing this ordinary yet profoundly extraordinary phenomena that we call ‘Today’.

You’ve been engulfed and raptured into this reality — one with it in every way: You in it, and it in you. You live, move, breathe and have your being in Today. And since you awoke, you’re aware and conscious of it.

It would be impossible for me to convince you otherwise — that Today hasn’t come. You don’t question it; you’re certain because your senses caused you to recognize it. Day consciousness — fascinating to comprehend!

Interestingly, you didn’t have a say in the matter. Today didn’t ask for your permission, but you believed it would appear, then it came as a gift to you. As soon as you heard the alarm clock, you awoke. Then you opened your eyes, beholding the glorious sunrise — immediately recognizing, a new day has dawned.

We both comprehend this reality; hence, we can relate to it. You exclaim: ‘Isn’t it a beautiful Day’? I respond: ‘Yes, it is. What’re your plans Today?’ You could make a financial investment — accumulating wealth. Maybe meet someone, and fall in love. You can taste and see new things and enjoy the pleasures of Today. Endless possibilities exist within this fantastic phenomenon ‘Today’ that came to us.

Furthermore, you can’t escape the presence of this great and terrific Day that’s appeared. It’s impossible to live outside it now since you’re enveloped by it. You can’t live in tomorrow, for it hasn’t come, and the consciousness of that Day cannot be apprehended. Accepting that fact, you go about your business.

As you read this line, you’re experiencing it. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” you awoke from sleep, entering the consciousness of Today. Marvellously, you seamlessly passed from the state of sleep into the state of being awake. Aren’t you grateful you awoke and opened your eyes?

Now let’s say that you didn’t awake this morning. What would that mean? Well, you wouldn’t have seen that bright sunrise, you couldn’t taste and see the pleasures, nor avail of the possibilities — Today offered. As someone in a coma, you’d be unconscious of it. Even though Today certainly came, and the brightness of the sunrise appeared, you couldn’t behold it while being asleep, could you? In that state, your eyes are closed — unaware, and dead to the presence of Today.

“Awake thou that sleepest arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Eph 5.14)

Do you know that a New Day that is more real and more glorious has Come also?

Do you know that the Bright and Morning Star — Jesus Christ has Appeared on this Day?

Do you know that Heaven and earth are full of His presence, and "In Him, you live, move and have your being".?

“Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” (Genesis 28.6)

While asleep, you’re unconscious; therefore, you cannot experience the New Day. Even though spectacular events are taking place, like the dead being raised — you cannot behold it in the state of sleep.

“The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout… And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thess 4.16)

Even worse, while you sleep, you have nightmares in which God looks more like the film horror character Freddy Krueger, out to kill and destroy you! And of course, you fear that Freddy/God will eventually burn you in hell for eternity! While asleep, you cannot see The brightness of His coming, nor: “Taste and See that God is GOOD.” You are as the Bible says: “Alienated from God and enemies in your mind.” See, It’s all taking place in the dark tomb of your mind — that lying dream-like state. As in, you’re not, in reality, an enemy, for He loves you.

“God SO LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3.16)

“Behold, what manner of love the Father HAS BESTOWED UPON US.” (1 John 3.1)

Would you like to Taste and See God’s goodness, and experience His love and compassion?

“Awake thou that sleepest.”

When you hear the shout of Jesus from Heaven, you like sleeping Lazarus will immediately exit the tomb of your darkened mind, and “come forth” into everlasting life. Just as you awoke this morning, passing seamlessly from the unconscious state of sleep into the conscious presence of Today, you too will hear the shout: Arise. Immediately, you will open your eyes — finding yourself enraptured in the New Day of Christ.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE.”

“All who are in the graves will HEAR HIS VOICE AND COME FORTH” (John 5.24)

When you pass from death into life and experience what Jesus speaks of, you awaken: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” just as you awoke Today. However, the change in consciousness is immediate (like waking) and requires no effort; hence, why all religious activity void of Spirit is utterly futile.

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God.” (1 Cor 15.34)

Unless you possess true knowledge (Awoken union with God), you cannot stop sinning, so stop trying - because no amount of religious effort or penance will make any difference to someone asleep. 

“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may AWAKE HIM OUT OF SLEEP. I am the resurrection and the life…Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11.11)

Believest thou this? That, You are a friend of Jesus, and he’s about to wake you?

“On that day, you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (John 14.20)

Notice: ‘On that Day’. It must and can only be on this Day that you awake to oneness with God. Just as you absorbed into the conscious presence of Today, becoming one with it in every way; In this New Day that Jesus speaks, you likewise — effortlessly absorb into God’s presence.

‘On that Day, you will know.’ Divine union realized: ‘You in me and I in you.’

As the sunrise signifies the dawn of a new day, so too; when you enter the New Day of Christ, you immediately see the appearing of the Bright Morning Star — Jesus Christ, as John the Baptist did.

“The NEXT DAY, John saw Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Would you like to awake to this glorious New Day, and see the brightness of His appearing?

Would you like to behold the lamb that takes all your sin and guilt away?

“Awake thou that sleepest arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”

TWO NATIONS

“Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from your body. One people shall be stronger than the other.” (Genesis 25.23)

Herein we find why conflict exists. Two men live within you, Two men are manifesting on earth, and these Two kingdoms are opposed. According to scripture, this is the story of humanity’s struggle.

“The flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; these are contrary to one another.” (Gal 5.17)

Rebekah, a barren woman, became pregnant. She immediately felt an internal struggle, so she inquired of God: “If all is well, why am I like this?” God answered her, “Two nations are in thy womb.” Rebekah gave birth to twins, just as you are preordained to give birth to the two men that live inside you.

The first child that came out of Rebekah’s womb was Esau. He was red and hairy — the ugly baby! The second child that came was Jacob — the cute one!

“The natural is first, and afterwards, the spiritual.” (1 Cor 15.46)

Esau grew up to be rough, a man of the field. He symbolizes the carnal man of the earth (Adam race consciousness) whereas Jacob grew to be mild, dwelling in tents, a place of rest — symbolizing the heavenly man (Christ race consciousness).

“The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image (consciousness) of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Cor 15.47)

The First Man

The first nature to be born within you is the ugly baby Esau/Adam — fleshy man of dust. The Bible identifies him as ‘the man of sin’ who manifests first. Like Esau, He appears to be the stronger nation at first glance. However, Esau got rejected; and Jacob gained the inheritance from his Father, just as believers inherit the blessing from their heavenly Father: “The meek shall inherit the earth.”

The Esau/Adam consciousness remains trapped in a hellish state, vividly depicted in many scriptures: “Man who born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away.” “They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit.”

Apostle Paul writes of his torturous journey while trapped in the Esau/Adam state: “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.” He discovered the impossibility of doing good while dwelling in the sin conscious state; therefore he recognized his urgent need to be rescued from it; hence he cried in anguish: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Have you seen the man of sin appear yet? Have you recognized the futility of trying to be good?Have you made that desperate cry to be saved: ‘Who will save me from this body of death?’

Thankfully, Paul realized the way out: “I thank God — through Jesus Christ, our Lord!.” He discovered the higher heavenly state: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” That verse thrills me! Liberated from sin, and brought into the Spirit of life! In this transcendent law/state, no condemnation exists, rather life and peace. And, the body which was once a vessel for sin is now activated to express righteousness. Glorious!

Under the inferior law of sin: “Those in the flesh cannot please God.” All that you experience is condemnation, a feeling of God’s wrath. However, when you encounter the grace of Jesus — you’re reconciled.

“You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.” (Col 1.21)

Jesus said to an adulterous woman: “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you.” You too can encounter His sweet mercy that melts every feeling of condemnation into oblivion. All accusation nullified — no one left to accuse you — Wonderful!

“Come out from them and be ye separate.” (2 Cor 6.17)

Come out from who? The old spiritually dead man that causes accusation. Exit the darkened tomb of the carnal mind and go out to “meet the Lord in the air.” Raptured into the kingdom of heaven, where love, peace, and joy is the pervading atmosphere. There, and only there, you will know the warm embrace of Abba, as the prodigal did when he returned home. “I will receive you; I will be a Father to you.” 

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house (consciousness) of the Lord.” (Psalm 122.1)

The Second Man

Rebekah first saw the head of Esau (carnal mind), come out of her womb before she could see the head of Jacob (the mind of Christ). Likewise, until you first see/recognize the appearing of ‘the man of sin’, you cannot witness Christ appear within your womb.

“First, the natural, afterwards, the spiritual.” (1 Cor 15.46)

Interestingly, when Rebekah was giving birth, Jacob held the heel of Esau; symbolizing the grace of God that covers you, even while you are dead in sin — the Esau state of ignorance. God’s hand holds/accepts you, despite what you’ve done. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4.8)

God so loved you that He sent his Son to save you; Isn’t that beautiful?Would you like to know this God?

Never feel there is no way of escape, no matter how bad or depressed you are. Don’t matter how ugly the man of sin manifests. Just recognize Who He truly is. Whatever way he gets expressed — good, bad, ugly, is all alike to God! Many find this hard to accept because it means no moral standards avails. Only a new creation inherits the blessing of Jacob.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (good morals) availeth anything, nor uncircumcision (bad morals), but a new creature. (Gal 6.15)

Can you accept this?

John the Baptist anticipated a second man coming: “It is He who comes after me.” He understood the sole purpose of his first life was to make way for the coming of the second man, just as an ugly caterpillar gives way for the coming birth of the beautiful butterfly.

“Except a seed of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12.12)

Until that willingness to die to the old self occurs, you remain in the darkened first Man, Adam/Esau state — the old caterpillar creature. “Our old man was crucified with Him that the body of sin might be done away with.” As soon as you enter the cocoon (the crucifixion), you will be born anew like the butterfly, and see the one who comes after you.

Do you believe that within your very womb, the second Man is waiting to come out?Could that explain all the travailing anguish of birth pains you’re feeling?Will you abort the birth, or let the beautiful Saviour come forth?

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away. All things have become new.” (2 Cor 5.16)

You Are Beautiful — Fashioned by God

“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding.” (Psalm 119.73)

You don’t believe that your Heavenly Father has made you. Therein lies the reason you cannot accept yourself — the cause of self distortion and grief. Give me understanding. It may as well say give me a new lens by which to see.

New Lens

A camera body is an instrument that receives light onto a sensor that records images. Lenses determine the characteristics of how the image gets recorded. Eg. Wide-angle lenses distort facial features, even though the camera body is perfect. Whereas a portrait lens will accurately depict facial features, thus complement the face.

You are a perfect body because “All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.” A perfect God cannot create something imperfect, and when the creator saw everything He made; He said, It is very good! Accept or reject it. “God gives it a body as He pleases.” The only thing distorting your self-image is the perspective (lens) you put on.

Do you believe that you are very good and beautiful?

His hands fashioned you.

Why argue your case?

Change your lens. “Put off your old self (distorted lens) and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self (portrait lens), created after the likeness of God.” (Eph 4.22)

“Enlargen the place of your tent (aperture).” Portrait lenses with larger apertures allow more light through, and they create gorgeous portraits! As soon as you attach the new lens (the new self), of how God sees you — new images will emerge that are beautiful, blossoming, and full of light.

“The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.”

Off with the lens of polarity. “Let thine eye be single, and thy body shall be full of light.” A single eye only sees good, because it rejects the false claims and appearances of the world, and aligns itself with, “All things are of God” — recognizing that all is good, well and beautiful because the creator said so!

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Judge Not

Heed the rebuke of the humble hearted Christ, “Judge not by appearances.” Face it; we constantly judge a book by its cover, when we think we see beyond the true appearance of things. Only God sees the end from the beginning. Incapable of making sound judgements — tarnished by what we see around us, we’ve allowed false idols to fester inside.

Mind is like a memory card inside a camera, storing dark images of self-criticism, hate and ugliness. It’s time to delete them all, and start a new collection (mentality) of beautiful self-loving pictures!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Stop paying attention to the pictures on billboards, graven images, but rather: “Give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.”

“The lamp of the body is the eye (lens). If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”

Jesus invites you to ‘Come & See’ how you truly look. The kingdom of God is the only place that you’ll discover your true reflection. The mirrors of this world are full of cracks!

“If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty (The Kingdoms mirror) and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

You Are The Temple

“Ye are the temple/body of the living God” A focal point of expression in the God universe. As light passes through a prism lens — all the beautiful colours that were formerly invisible to the naked eye marvellously appear.

“Ye are the light of the world.”

You are an individual, radiant beam, of the All-God — not separate from the light but one with it. “In Him, all things consist.” Every ray of light from the sun is individual in its expression yet unified with the whole sun. You are an emanating light-ray — the likeness of God.

“From the rising of the sun to it’s going down. Out of Zion (Gods people), the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.”

In the darkened understanding of the old lens, you alienate yourself from the life of God, thus see yourself separate from Him. In reality, you are one. “What God has joined together, let not man separate.”

The invisible light (God) manifests through your body/temple prism. You’re the instrument, apparatus or medium that shows forth his likeness and glory more brilliantly than anything else. “For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen.” Until you acknowledge this, you exchange the truth of God for the lie; inevitably, seeing yourself amiss.

“They looked to him, and their faces were radiant.”

Start right now. Identify yourself as a beautiful and majestic temple of the living God. And “God does not dwell in temples made with hands” which means — you are infinitely more beautiful than all the man-made temples you see upon the earth.

We Are His People

“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.”

Know ye not that he is God? And he hath made you? You haven’t a thing to do with it! It frees you from all comparisons, and launches you into the big ocean of God’s love, wherein you swim and bathe in self-acceptance! This simple, joyous realization will shatter the dark beliefs of self-hatred. 

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thy hands have fashioned me.” God is your creator, and you live to express His beauty. It is wonderful!

“Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”