YWAM Update: Behind the Veil

I am celebrating a change in the title of my blog, with a change also in my lifestyle inspired by something God shared with me while reading the bible, in Isaiah 42:2

"He will not cry out, nor raise [His voice], Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street."

The insight was this, that Jesus the Son of Man, the Son of God, chose while he was on earth not to promote Himself. He didn't go round waving the Messiah flag and take for himself a Kingdom. He didn't so much as whisper.

What he did do, was NOT THAT. I also have the same view. However, Jesus is not inspired by the same as me - My desire in not promoting myself is because, I am following Him, and living my life according to how He lives. His desire, is simply, to demonstrate, so that I can follow.

He didn't promote Himself because in His heart He was holding out for my love. In Ephesians 5, it says that Jesus, being the leader, died first, this is because He is demonstrating how to follow Him, in laying down my life, because He loves me.

Why would I give a hoot what is happening on the outside, when on the inside, Behind the Veil, He sees my heart. He is beckoning me, giving me identity, by living my life before an audience of one, and His opinion is the only one that matters. In fact, it's better this way! I want to be moved in my heart when Jesus speaks to me, And I know it, because I've experienced this!

I can't tell exactly why I have made this decision, but one day while wrestling in my thoughts and heart, the light bulbed clicked on, and I realized that personally, Jesus is far better than life, that He's my exceeding JOY, and when I am living like this, I am safe and sound. I want to say, that I have TRUE JOY, which is coming from an intimate knowledge of God Himself demonstrated by the Love of Jesus Christ.

This is because He says personally "You have dove's eyes, BEHIND YOUR VEIL" this is a verse from Song of Songs. The phrase behind the veil comes from Jewish wedding custom that when the Husband has left to go prepare a place for His wife, She wears a veil, to show to the world around her, that She is waiting for Him Only, and also to anyone looking on, that's all that she's caught up in. It's demonstrating what is taking place behind what people see

This is the way that Jesus has been moving upon my heart in simply not living anymore on the outside, But only on the inside.

True JOY is when you have let go of the reins to everything, in embracing God with everything, but in that act it is really only a response, and SO, God is much glorified.

John Piper says:

"God is most glorified, when you are most satisfied IN HIM"

So I'm endeavoring to live a lifestyle which is upside down, but proves God's wisdom, being Cross-centred, Christ-Glorifying, and God-Honouring. in other words,

I'm living Behind the Veil

(It's not that I have given up and said "everything is out of my hands" but it's saying "God has a far better plan than I do") This is the only way to live properly!

I've included some photos from my trip north, during January, which I hope you enjoy!

God's Sovereignty: Properly Biblical

I would like to share the story with you of how God has been moving me gently into the wide freedom of God's sovereignty.

A while back, I had a profound fear which came from thinking about how I'm not giving God anything, and ultimately that my recognition of God means nothing to Him. It properly made me decide I should submit to God's sovereignty without questions. That I am not in charge of saving myself, indeed, I cannot save myself. If my sin is rebellion to God then he is right to throw me into hell for ever and be tormented without mercy. God's judgment cannot be put into question! For Him to judge demands that we recognize that we are sinners in His hands, liars, and condemned.

The marvel of this (if you can call it that) is true freedom. Seeing I cannot earn it and can do nothing, then I am truly free.

All that I have written this far, is all found in the bible, and you do not need to twist the words, they are written in black and white. Our problem arises from our sin. we are rebellious towards Him, the cure is His providence, His sovereignty. When Jesus came for salvation (that is what His name means) He really did, save. He promptly became the Lamb through which we can enter into relationship with the Father. We really did nothing to deserve it. God's glory is magnified. If we cannot take the credit for it, then we are not glorified. This is faith: Believing in Jesus Christ. So long as it is by faith, we do not work for it.

Embrace true sovereignty. All the biblical writers did, they were inspired by it! In fact, if you take it to it's end you'll find God. He Himself is Sovereign.

The Book of 1 Samuel: David and Youth

Man, this book is so supremely cool. Starting at 1 Samuel 16. I wanted to share with you the best things that I've gleaned from David's life, starting right at the beginning (before you even KNEW HIM)

In 1 Samuel 16 it describes the calling and anointing of David
In 1 Samuel 17 it describes a man fearless in courage
In 1 Samuel 18 it describes the man with greater wisdom than anyone in Israel
In 1 Samuel 19 it describes the man who fled from the face of death
In 1 Samuel 20 it describes the man who was intouch with God's heart of justice.

I also want to say that the King James Version is the COOLEST As translation. Especially when you hear it spoken by an english man.