Do you ever get a word and pass it on as He directs it. Then when you reread it, know it contains something remarkable also for you and others.
For me this happens a lot, as a prophet people text,call or come for a word from God. I know that helping them to get clarity or direction by a word or confirmation. Is all a part of helping these people to discover and understand that they can hear God clearly themselves . Hence equipping the saints for their ministries, the overall role of a New Testament prophet according to Ephesians 4.
I recently got a message to pass on, that seemed strange. Which is also normal, as He speaks personally to each of His children. So what does not make sense to us (the one who received the word) is just the right words to the one He is speaking too (makes total sense to them).
On this occasion the words I received, I believed brought about an incredible clarity and answer . To a question that I believe, can get us as christians confused.
So I went back and sat with God until, understanding came.
The message was this !
‘A lot of the time the Father trusts us (His Children) more than we trust ourselves ! It is the same with Love too. As there is a huge difference between Self-Love And Love Of Self’
When I first looked at this message
The first part made so much sense !
A lot of the time the Father trusts us (His Children) more than we trust ourselves !
As look at all, the Lord, has done and provided for you and me !
The Father provided His Son as the lamb to be slaid, as full and final payment for our sins. So we could have a personal relationship with Him. If that was all, it would be way more than enough ! To think none of us were born or alive when this happened. This is truly exceptional ! But there is so much more. He also gave to us who believe ‘His Spirit’ . He also pours out so much into our life every day . Things we know, will one day know and things we will look back from Heaven and see. I am sure you could write pages, after pages of all that God has intrust you/us with !
All were gifts !
Not only did He give all this, But He trusted us so much, He gave us free will too.
Now that’s a Selah moment !
So why then, do we so often, find it hard to us trust ourselves ?
I believe that the second part of the message gives us a Clue.
‘It is the same with Love too’
My first thought was, it should have read, He will ‘always’ Love us more than we love ourselves ! As He is ‘Love’
But why do we find it, so hard to Love ourselves then ?
This is where I, read the last part of His message.
As there is a huge difference between Self-Love And Love Of Self !
So what is self-Love
Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others.
Ok so what is Love of self then !
2 Timothy 3:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.
So my thoughts then was how do we guard ourselves against becoming lovers of ourselves and yet truly learn to Love ourselves ?
This is where the Father took me to a scripture and reveal the answer !
This scripture sees Jesus being tested once again by the Pharisees. Which they did continuously, trying to find that one thing they could arrest Him for. The one thing to prove, He was not who He said, He was. As satan tried to detour Jesus from His true identity in the desert and could not. Now satan was using the Pharisees to try, another way, to bring an end to Jesus ministry and assignment.
So let’s read it !
Matthew 22:36
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
I love how Jesus was able to bring so much into a very simple answer ! As although this answer was perfect for this situation Jesus was facing right then. I believe its also contains and the answer, I beleive for so many more questions. Like the one we are looking at today.
Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
So how does this apply to our message today ?
The Lord told me, to start off the journey learning to trust and Love ourselves. We need to start with Loving Him with everything we have ! mind,body and soul.
As this is the entry point to seeing Love from His position. In fact it is the key, to learning how to Love ourselves and others too!
Let’s finish there for today !
Challenge Time.
Your challenge this week is to point time aside especially just to love Him. No other focus or agenda !
Father as you children come flocking to sit on your lap, Love you will everything they have ! Would you allow them to see from your eye themselves and others amen.
For those your would like to place a seed at the alter or plant a seed finically to the Lord to 2024. Or maybe contribute towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry and release His word in a variety of ways from.
Below is a link so you can do this online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@ecounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries