Put On the New...

There is a practice that many of us take for granted. For most of us, each day we take off dirty clothes, shower and then put on clean clothes. This may not be the case if you are homeless, severely depressed, or maybe lack the resources to do so. When I heard in the spirit to "Put on the New", I was immediately excited about putting on Christ. I began searching for scriptures and so many were found that I had to pray about narrowing it down to a select few. "Lord, what is Your desire?" It's important to me to know what God wants me to understand in this season. I rested on 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24 and Isaiah 43:19. I started praying into these scriptures. That was Friday. That night as I listened to Pastor Kayla minister out of Zephaniah, I heard "Don't Settle". What have I settled for in my spirit? Why am I not believing God for bigger and greater in my life? I'm still talking about "putting on the new". Don't settle, was another wake-up call to put on the new and take off the old man. Sunday, before worship began, a conversation with a chosen vessel and daughter of God led me to look at 2 areas of my life. I thanked her for one and kept the other matter hidden for the sake of time. Shaping is taking place in my life. Sunday night, I joined my family to celebrate our Giant-slayer in the Kingdom's birthday. We came together to bless her, and in her God-given way, we each left full in the Spirit, with our cups overflowing. Through her God gave direction, inspiration, instruction and increase. A blessing of rest was prayed for us and that I did, not for but a few hours, but God gave the increase, 4.5 hours felt like 8! Increase is not subjected to finances alone. I pray for increase in faith, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, every fruit of the spirit, health and wealth, in Jesus' Name. After 2 powerful prayers, and then on my own, I heard a bag of chips open. I didn't look for the bag because I very rarely, if ever, buy chips anymore. I knew what I heard was in the spirit. I tapped in and got the meaning: When a bag of chips is opened, I get excited. I anticipate the crunch, the taste, and flavor of each chip. That anticipation begins with the sound of the bag opening. The Holy Spirit began showing me how we are conditioned for certain responses. God spoke to me about food because He knew I would understand. What about when we do something anticipating failure? The, "I'm going to do ______, although it never works out for me?" Some of us anticipate failure, rejection, abandonment, and heartache. We speak it into existence. We say, "I hope this works out." In our ear, it sounds hopeful. In someone else's ear it may even sound positive, but the what's in the heart? Some people hear that someone is sick and instantly go, "awww," without praying; their mind has the person one foot in the grave. As a man thinketh so is he. There's a lack of trust in God. Do we pray like this? I know I have. I've had full-blown panic attacks where I have said, "Lord, I trust You, please do so and so." Only, to panic looking to see if He'd do it. The Holy Spirit carried me deeper into this and showed me survival mode tactics that are introduced due to the conditioning that is allowed into our lives. What about rehearsing the issue over and over again? I'm a talker (can you tell?) and I did not realize that I would condition myself to feel rejected by repeating the story over and over again. I've spent half of a lifetime convincing myself that my venting was teaching and training me to protect myself. Why all of this? God is showing us the "old man". We are new in Christ Jesus. Christ came that we may experience an abundant life here, now and forever. Yes, we have troubles, but we serve a God who's conquered them all. What child worries when their father is more than able to protect them? Our God is our Heavenly Father Who is able to do all things! It may be us, doing things out of habit. It may be saying things, again, out of habit. What are we conditioned to say, do, or how do we act when something is done or happens? Are we still doing things the old way? Are we doing what pleases God? Are we moving according to His Will for our lives? Start a new life today with God! Build memories by spending time. Document your time with Him (the prophets did). Our view will shift as we build a rapport with God. A rapport is built through intimacy. Get to know the Father through prayer, study and time well spent. As we see God is every of our lives, we will begin anticipating His actions and not the conditioning of the world. Where in your life have you become accustomed to something happening that isn't God, and do not reflect His thoughts towards you? https://substack.com/@donanesbit?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7uv2js