Christ: Not Only Our Focus ... Also Our Locus
Thoughts on Recentering by Phil Miglioratti
God wants you to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery.
The mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God's glory. Colossians 1:27
•Locus: The place where something happens;
an internal control center that gives guidance
in decision making and planning based on purpose
•Focus: The central point of attraction, concentration, or activity.
Could it be God, in the person of the Christ is both our locus (a real presence in our spirit) and our focus (the purpose and the passionate pursuits of our life)?
That would mean God is not limited to “heaven.” God is not only for-us and around-us, but God is with-us and lives through-us when we express love (and joy and peace and patience and kindness…).
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love
in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures,
kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Galatians 5:22-23
What would life by like if we were constantly aware of the real presence of God, not only aware of us but cohabiting with us, as we perceive and believe?
What, then, could life be like if we were continually making our decisions and taking action based on the purposes and plans of God?
Centered on Christ but also Christ himself at the center.
Our doctrines and discipleship lessons, as foundational as they are, would become expressions of our daily experience.
“In the Bible, Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God "has come near"
and is "in your midst" (Mark 1:15, Luke 17:21),
signifying God's present rule and power
through His own presence and actions.” {AI summary}
My conclusion?
Love, in the presence and person of Christ, must become the locus that directs our focus.
When Christ lives in us, God can then love through us.
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#ReCenterCHRIST...throgh prayer
{With thanks to Travis Michael Fleming @ apolloswatered.org }
The Breastplate Prayer
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From every one who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
The invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Eternal Father, Spirit, and Word.
GUEST-POST: Francis Frangipane
"One Message"
By Francis Frangipane
"The Lord alone will be exalted in that day." --- Isaiah 2:11
Normally my Sunday sermon is prepared a few days in advance, but this week was different. All week the heavens seemed like bronze. Saturday morning came, and still I was at a loss. Nothing seemed alive. It was now Saturday evening and I was pacing the floor seeking God. "Lord," I asked, "what is the message for tomorrow morning? What topic should I address?"
A dozen ideas filed through my mind, loitered momentarily in my imagination, and left as unanointed as they had arrived. I went to bed praying. When I woke Sunday morning, my prayer was still on my lips.
A half-hour before I had to leave for church, I had not quit pacing the bedroom floor. For the umpteenth time, I asked, "Lord, what is the message?" when suddenly the electricity to our home clicked off, reset, and then came back on. This, in turn, caused the answering machine on my desk to also reset. Perfectly synchronized with my prayer asking for a sermon topic, the machine replied in its computerized voice: "You . . . have . . . one . . . message."
When a voice comes out of the air and says, "You have one message," if your message is not centered upon the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have missed the purpose of Christianity! That morning I preached Jesus. People said there was more fire than ever in my sermon.
The fact is, the church has only one message. The proclamation of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished is the eternal message of the church; it is the only message the Father promises to confirm with power. To reveal Jesus through obedience to what He taught is to bring the life of His kingdom into our world. As we return to the "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3), we will find the most powerful manifestations of the Lord Jesus awaiting us. Indeed, at the end of the age, the church that loves Him will display Him. We will reveal His glory.
More of Christ
When we consider that America is plagued with abortion, violence, pornography, satanism, drugs, national debt, sexual abuse, and the breakdown of the family structure, it becomes obvious we need more of the nature of Christ!
How shall we deal with the terrors that have invaded our world? Should we move to a remote area, stockpile food, and wait for the tribulation? Perhaps we should simply close our eyes to the world and hope for the rapture? Or should we find out what God is planning to do and throw our lives into His purpose?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.
While we should be mindful of end-time events, we must not become fearful of them. Indeed, to become overly focused upon the signs of the end can be a distraction. Signs point to something bigger than themselves. Rising before us is a glorious sunrise. Let us not become so absorbed with the movement of fleeing shadows that we miss the awe of the One who is dawning upon us. Many have written about the shadows; this book is primarily about the increasing light.
Book - $10.40 (Retail $13.00)
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guest-post, recenterCHRIST,