Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................................... v“Naturally supernatural” - My revelation of what it means to have Christ living through me ......................................v

Reviewing the four keys to hearing God’s voice ........................................................................................................................... vi

Chapter One: To Abide ................................................................................. 1Only two biblical writers speak about abiding.................................................................................................................................1

Are you self-conscious or Christ-conscious? ...................................................................................................................................1

The invitation ..................................................................................................................................................................................................1

The result of abiding ..................................................................................................................................................................................1

How to receive revelation knowledge as you complete the exercises in this book ......................... 2Assignment ....................................................................................................................................................................................................2

Journaling Response .................................................................................................................................................................................2

The seven steps of biblical meditation explained: .........................................................................................................................3

Chapter Two: The Treasure Within This Earthen Vessel ................. 7Christ in you ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7

The treasure within this earthen vessel - Christ in you ...............................................................................................................8

Two natures ....................................................................................................................................................................................................8

The misconception: I am a self-contained unit ................................................................................................................................8

The revelation: I am a vessel ...................................................................................................................................................................9

The revelation of “flow” ............................................................................................................................................................................9

Assigning inner sensations to one of three sources .....................................................................................................................9

Chapter Three: Being “In Christ” ............................................................13In Christ ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

In Him ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16

In Whom ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17

Religion vs. Relationship ........................................................................................................................................... 18Spirit/Heart Relationship (Truth) ........................................................................................................................................................... 18

Religion (satan’s counterfeit) ................................................................................................................................................................ 18

Chapter Four: Approaching God, Who Lives Within ......................21The great “mystery” revealed - Christ lives within! ................................................................................................................... 22

Living internally versus living externally ........................................................................................................................................... 22

Traveling inward, to meet God in our spirits .................................................................................................................................. 22

Spirit-consciousness defined .............................................................................................................................................................. 22

Roads which can take us inward into s(S)pirit awareness (abiding in Christ) ................................................................ 23

Counterfeit approaches used by New Agers .............................................................................................................................. 24

The role of faith in approaching the indwelling Christ ............................................................................................................... 25

Pictures increase faith ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Assignment - Examining some biblical avenues for quieting ourselves ............................................................................ 25

Spectrum of Prayer .................................................................................................................................................... 28

Chapter Five: Releasing the God Within .............................................31The goal - Releasing the God Who lives within .......................................................................................................................... 32

Overviewing the steps one takes in releasing God’s anointing ............................................................................................ 32

Chapter Six: Names of the Triune God ................................................39A. Names of God the Father ................................................................................................................................................................ 39

B. Names of the Holy Spirit ................................................................................................................................................................... 41

Emblems of the Holy Spirit ................................................................................................................................................................................... 42

C. Names of the Son ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43

Introduction

When I was saved at age 15, I understood that Iwas inviting Jesus into my heart to be my Lord andSavior, and that I was choosing to follow Him andHis ways. However, it was another twelve years(1979) before an intimacy developed betweenmyself and God, where I was able to hear Hisvoice, see His vision, and sense His emotions. Thisdeepened my relationship with Him immensely. Ihave written about this deepened intimacy in mybooks How to Hear God's Voice and DialogueWith God. One of these two books should beconsidered prerequisite reading before going onwith this book, as the principles of this book arebuilt upon a lifestyle of regular two-way communi-cation with God.

After learning to hear God’s voice and see Hisvision, a new hunger grew in my life to hear Hisvoice and see His vision not only in my prayertimes but throughout the entire day. I wanted tolive in an awareness of God, rather than simplycommuning with Him in my devotional time. Andbeyond this was a knowledge that “He mustincrease and I must decrease” - - that the “I” whichwanted so much to do things, even such noblethings as abide in Christ, must be lost in Him (Jn.3:30). I needed to learn how to live out the truththat “I” didn’t live anymore but it was Christ nowliving His life through me (Gal. 2:20). That surelydemanded a major overhaul in the way I looked atlife and at myself.

How could I live God-conscious rather than self-conscious? How could I make this seemingly hugeinner adjustment, so that I would be sensing God’smovements throughout the day rather than simplymy thoughts and my ideas? What would I have todo differently, internally, in order for this lifestyleof “abiding in Christ” to be realized in my life?These and a hundred other questions needed to beanswered in my life.

This book contains some of the research I did tohelp me understand how to abide in Christ. I trustas you meditate on it, it will lead you into the

revelation knowledge of how you, too, can abide inChrist.

Additional books which were of help to me wereAbide in Christ by Andrew Murray, Practice of thePresence of God by Brother Lawrence and GodUnlimited in Daily Living by Norman Grubb.Perhaps you will find them of assistance to you,also. I highly recommend each of them.

“Naturally supernatural” - Myrevelation of what it means tohave Christ living through me

I have written about the revelation God gave me onhow to abide in Christ in the book NaturallySupernatural. Once you have sought your personalrevelation of the topic by working through theexercises in this book, you may want to read therevelation God gave me in Naturally Supernatu-ral. I have found that by continuing to meditateand pray about a topic, God eventually shines Hislight on the subject and revelation knowledgebreaks forth in my heart. I know it will in yours,also.

As Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers, I prayfor you:

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Fatherof glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdomand revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph.1:17).

As David prayed, may you, too, pray as youmeditate on God’s Word, saying:

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold won-drous things out of thy law” (Ps. 119:18).

To learn to live in the inner world of spiritualsensitivity is going to take as much time and effortas learning to relate to the outer world, so oneshould prepare to invest both time and effort in thisendeavor.

vi The Great Mystery

Reviewing the four keys tohearing God’s voice

The following is a review of what was taught in thebooks How to Hear God's Voice and DialogueWith God. It should be considered only a review ofwhat you have already learned in one of thosebooks. It will probably not offer enough informa-tion and instruction to replace them.

Christianity is unique among religions, for it aloneoffers a personal relationship with the Creatorbeginning here and now, and lasting throughouteternity. Jesus declared, “This is eternal life – thatthey may know God” (Jn. 17:2). Unfortunately,many in the Church miss the great blessing offellowship with our Lord because we have lost theability to recognize His voice within us. Thoughwe have the promise that “My sheep hear Myvoice,” too many believers are starved for thatintimate relationship that alone can satisfy thedesire of their hearts.

I was one of those sheep who was deaf to hisShepherd until the Lord revealed four very simplekeys (found in Habakkuk 2:1, 2) that unlocked thetreasure of His voice.

Key #1God’s voice in your heart often sounds like aflow of spontaneous thoughts.

Habakkuk knew the sound of God speaking to him(Hab. 2:2). Elijah described it as a still, small voice(I Kings 19:12). I had always listened for an inneraudible voice, and God does speak that way attimes. However, I have found that usually, God’svoice comes as spontaneous thoughts, visions,feelings, or impressions.

For example, haven’t you been driving down theroad and had a thought come to you to pray for acertain person? Didn’t you believe it was Godtelling you to pray? What did God’s voice soundlike? Was it an audible voice, or was it a spontane-ous thought that lit upon your mind?

Experience indicates that we perceive spirit-levelcommunication as spontaneous thoughts, impres-

sions and visions, and Scripture confirms this inmany ways. For example, one definition of paga, aHebrew word for intercession, is “a chance en-counter or an accidental intersecting.” When Godlays people on our hearts, He does it through paga,a chance-encounter thought “accidentally” inter-secting our minds.

Therefore, when you want to hear from God, tuneto chance-encounter or spontaneous thoughts.

Key #2Become still so you can sense God’s flow ofthoughts and emotions within.

Habakkuk said, “I will stand on my guard post...”(Hab. 2:1). Habakkuk knew that to hear God’squiet, inner, spontaneous thoughts, he had to firstgo to a quiet place and still his own thoughts andemotions. Psalm 46:10 encourages us to be still,and know that He is God. There is a deep innerknowing (spontaneous flow) in our spirits that eachof us can experience when we quiet our flesh andour minds. If we are not still, we will sense onlyour own thoughts.

Loving God through a quiet worship song is onevery effective way to become still. (Note II Kings3:15.) After I worship and become silent within, Iopen myself for that spontaneous flow. If thoughtscome of things I have forgotten to do, I write themdown and dismiss them. If thoughts of guilt orunworthiness come, I repent thoroughly, receivethe washing of the blood of the Lamb, putting onHis robe of righteousness, seeing myself spotlessbefore God (Is. 61:10; Col. 1:22).

To receive the pure word of God, it is very impor-tant that my heart be properly focused as I becomestill because my focus is the source of the intuitiveflow. If I fix my eyes upon Jesus, the intuitive flowcomes from Jesus. But if I fix my gaze upon somedesire of my heart, the intuitive flow comes out ofthat desire. To have a pure flow I must become stilland carefully fix my eyes upon Jesus. Again,quietly worshiping the King, and receiving out ofthe stillness that follows quite easily accomplishesthis.

Introduction vii

faith as you recognize that the content of themcould only be birthed in Almighty God.

Jesus demonstrated the ability of living out ofconstant contact with God, declaring that He didnothing on His own initiative, but only what Hesaw the Father doing, and heard the Fathersaying (Jn. 5:19,20,30). What an incredible way tolive!

Is it possible for you to live out of divine initiativeas Jesus did? Yes! Fix your eyes upon Jesus. Theveil has been torn, giving access into the immedi-ate presence of God, and He calls you to draw near(Lk. 23:45; Heb. l0: 19-22). “I pray that the eyes ofyour heart will be enlightened….”

Key #4Journaling, the writing out of your prayersand God’s answers, brings great freedom inhearing God’s voice.

God told Habakkuk to record the vision (Hab. 2:2).This was not an isolated command. The Scripturesrecord many examples of individual’s prayers andGod’s replies (e.g. the Psalms, many of the proph-ets, Revelation).

I call the process “two-way journaling,” and I havefound it to be a fabulous catalyst for clearlydiscerning God’s inner, spontaneous flow, becauseas I journal I am able to write in faith for longperiods of time, simply believing it is God. I knowthat what I believe I have received from God mustbe tested. However, testing involves doubt anddoubt blocks divine communication, so I do notwant to test while I am trying to receive. Withjournaling, I can receive in faith, knowing thatwhen the flow has ended I can test and examine itcarefully, making sure that it lines up with Scrip-ture.

You will be amazed when you journal. Doubt mayhinder you at first, but throw it off, remindingyourself that it is a biblical concept, and that Godis present, speaking to His children. Relax. Whenwe cease our labors and enter His rest, God is freeto flow (Heb. 4:10). Sit back comfortably, take out

Fix your gaze upon Jesus (Heb. 12:2), becomingquiet in His presence and sharing with Him what ison your heart. Spontaneous thoughts will begin toflow from the throne of God to you, and you willactually be conversing with the King of Kings!

Key #3As you pray, fix the eyes of your heart uponJesus, seeing in the Spirit the dreams andvisions of Almighty God.

Habakkuk said, “I will keep watch to see,” andGod said, “Record the vision” (Hab. 2:1,2).Habakkuk was actually looking for vision as heprayed. He opened the eyes of his heart, andlooked into the spirit world to see what Godwanted to show him. This is an intriguing idea.

God has always spoken through dreams andvisions, and He specifically said that they wouldcome to those upon whom the Holy Spirit ispoured out (Acts 2:1-4, 17).

I had never thought of opening the eyes of myheart and looking for vision. However, I have cometo believe that this is exactly what God wants meto do. He gave me eyes in my heart to see in thespirit the vision and movement of Almighty God.There is an active spirit world all around us, full ofangels, demons, the Holy Spirit, the omnipresentFather, and His omnipresent Son, Jesus. The onlyreasons for me not to see this reality are unbelief orlack of knowledge.

In order to see, we must look. Daniel saw a visionin his mind and said, “I was looking...I keptlooking...I kept looking” (Dan. 7:2,9,13). As I pray,I look for Jesus, and I watch as He speaks to me,doing and saying the things that are on His heart.Many Christians will find that if they will onlylook, they will see, in the same way they receivespontaneous thoughts. Jesus is Emmanuel, Godwith us (Matt. 1:23). It is as simple as that. You cansee Christ present with you because Christ ispresent with you. In fact, the vision may come soeasily that you will be tempted to reject it, thinkingthat it is just you. But if you persist in recordingthese visions, your doubt will soon be overcome by

viii The Great Mystery

your pen and paper, smile, and turn your attentiontoward the Lord in praise and worship, seeking Hisface. After you write your question to Him, be-come still, fixing your gaze on Jesus You willsuddenly have a very good thought. Don’t doubt it;simply write it down. Later, as you read yourjournaling, you, too, will be blessed to discoverthat you are indeed dialoguing with God.

Some final notes: Knowing God through the Bibleis a vital foundation to hearing His voice in yourheart, so you must have a solid commitment toknowing and obeying the Scriptures. It is also veryimportant for your growth and safety that you berelated to solid, spiritual counselors All majordirectional moves that come through journalingshould be confirmed by your counselors beforeyou act upon them.

Chapter One: To AbideOnly two biblical writersOnly two biblical writersOnly two biblical writersOnly two biblical writersOnly two biblical writersspeak about abidingspeak about abidingspeak about abidingspeak about abidingspeak about abiding

Two biblical writers speak of a lifestyle of “abid-ing:” John, the beloved apostle, and David, a manafter God’s own heart. John spoke of abiding inChrist (Jn. 15), and David spoke of “abiding in Histabernacle” (Ps. 15). It is interesting that these twopeople, one from the Old Testament and one fromthe New, are the only ones who spoke about thislifestyle. That fact makes me suspect that thelifestyle of abiding is perhaps only achieved bysome, rather than by all. However, the fact that youare reading this book shows your inner desire to bepart of this group which seeks ongoing intimacywith Almighty God.

Paul used a different phrase to describe the experi-ence of abiding. He called it being “in Christ.”

I have written about my revelation of Galatians2:20 (i.e. living in and out of the Christ Whodwells within the believer) in my book NaturallySupernatural. The following chapters allow youthe opportunity to make a similar discovery in yourlife. Who is this Christ Who lives within? How hasHe changed your life by living within you? Whoare you, now that He has chosen to join Himself toyou? How does that enhance your life, your abili-ties, your accomplishments?

This book is designed to lead you into receiving foryourself the revelation of Galatians 2:20, that it isno longer we who live, but it is Christ Who livesHis life through us. It is one thing to quote thisScripture; it is something totally different to have arevelation of the truth. Galatians 2:20 is a revela-tion truth, in that it can only be seen when Godgrants revelation.

Are you self-conscious orChrist-conscious?

When you are faced with temptation, how do youresist? Do you turn to “self” or “the Christ I?” Ifyou think, “I must be strong and resist,” then youare living self-conscious. If you think, “Jesus, Youare fused to me and I ask and trust You now to be

strong within me, overcoming all temptation,” thenyou are living Christ-conscious.

When you need to think something through, if yousay to yourself, “Hmmm, I must figure this out,”then you are living self-conscious. If, instead, yousay, “Jesus, anoint my reasoning and let me seewhat You want me to see,” then you are livingChrist-conscious.

The invitation

The unbelievable invitation of the King of theuniverse is not just that “I,” little I, could come intoHis throne room and bow momentarily before Him,but that I could live my life in constant spiritualawareness of His Majesty. Not that I have strivento reach Him, but that He has come to me andmade Himself completely available to me at alltimes. Such an invitation and opportunity is unpar-alleled since the dawn of history, when Adam andEve walked and talked with the King. This interac-tion happens in the heart of the one who haslearned to live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

When Jesus walked on earth with His disciples, theword He spoke to them was follow. So the dis-ciples followed. As Jesus prepared to leave themHe gave them a new word: abide. They would stillbe able to enjoy a life with Him. He would livewithin them, speaking, showing, and in other waysrevealing Himself in their hearts. He would joinHimself to them in a spiritual union, and would beconstantly available to talk with them as they livedin the spiritual awareness of His presence. Hewould be as real as ever. He would not be a nebu-lous force without personality, but He would be aPerson with thoughts and feelings and everythingelse that had made the God of this universe sotangible and beautiful as He represented Himselftotally in their friend, our Lord and our Savior,Jesus of Nazareth.

The result of abiding

In abiding in the King, we find perfect rest for oursouls. As we surrender into the loving arms ofJesus we find a fullness of strength, peace, joy, and

2 The Great Mystery

love bubbling up within our hearts. Our frail frameof dust is fused again to the indwelling Life Sourceof the universe.

His yoke is easy because at the moment of yieldingto Him, He gives the strength and joy to performany task (Matt. 11:29,30). We must simply be still,let go, relax, and know we are in His loving arms(Ps. 46:10). And so, abiding is simply weaknessentrusting itself to the Mighty One to be kept. It isnot a work we do, but a consenting to let Him doall for us. Our part is simply to yield, trust, andwait for Him to perform His word.

Assignment

Prayerfully meditate on Psalm 15, John 15, I John2-5, and Hebrews 3-4, which all deal with abidingand rest. Wait before God for revelation and recordon the following pages what God is showing youfrom these passages concerning abiding and livingin rest.

Journaling Response

Journal about these verses, asking God what Hewants to say to you concerning incorporating thelifestyle of abiding in Christ and entering into alifestyle of rest.

Biblical MeditationResulting in illumination, revelation knowledge, anointed reasoning

Do Not Do This: But Do This:LEFT-BRAIN WHOLE-BRAIN/HEART

STUDY/RATIONAL HUMANISM MEDITATION/DIVINE REVELATION

1. Have unconfessed sin 1. Be washed by Jesus’ blood2. Have a pre-conceived attitude 2. Have a teachable attitude3. Be independent: “I can...” 3. Pray: “Lord, show me”4. Read quickly 4. Slow down, ponder, muse5. Rely on reason & analysis only 5. Combine anointed reason,

flowing pictures, music &speech

6. Read without specific purpose 6. Read with focused purpose7. Take credit for insights 7. Glorify God for insights

How to receive revelation knowledgeas you complete the exercises in this book

An example of revelation knowledge is when you are reading the Bible and a verse leaps off thepage, hits you between the eyes, and God says, “This is for you right now.” These are preciousexperiences for the believer. However, for many, they do not happen often enough. There areseven things I do which allow me the privilege of receiving revelation knowledge every time Iread the Bible. Truth and insights leap off the page and an understanding of how they are toadjust my life permeates my spirit and soul. I love this experience and hunger for it every time Iread the Scriptures. That is why I prepare myself by doing the following seven things. Prayerfullyreflect on these steps and determine which ones you do and don’t use. Make sure you use all ofthem as you complete the exercises in this book, as well as during your regular devotional times.

To Abide 3

1. Lord, cleanse me by Your blood:Since receiving divine revelation is at the heart ofbiblical meditation, you must prepare yourself toreceive from the Holy Spirit by repenting and beingcleansed by the blood of the Lamb. You must beobedient to previous revelations from God (Matt.7:6), and confess any sin in your life, so you arenot cut off from ongoing revelation (Is. 59:1,2; IJn. 1:9).

2. Lord, grant me a teachableattitude: Revelation is given to those whomaintain an attitude of humility, and it is withheldfrom the proud and the arrogant. So keep an open,humble attitude before God, allowing Him thefreedom to shed greater light on any ideas youcurrently hold and to alter them as He sees fit (Jas.4:6; II Pet. 1:19).

3. Lord, I will not use myfaculties myself: You can do nothing ofyour own initiative but only what you hear and seeby the Spirit (Jn. 5:19,20,30). You do not have amind to use, but a mind to present to God so Hecan use it and fill it with anointed reason and divinevision (Prov. 3:5-7; Rom. 12:1,2). If you use yourmind yourself, it is a dead work (Heb. 6:1,2).

4. Lord, I pray that the eyes of myheart might be enlightened: Slowdown as you read, mulling the text over and over inyour heart and mind, praying constantly for God togive you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in theknowledge of Him (Eph. 1:17,18; Ps. 119:18).

5. Lord, I present the abilities toreason and to imagine to You tofill and flow through by YourSpirit: Meditation involves presenting yourfaculties to God for Him to fill and use. Theseinclude your left-brain reasoning capacities as wellas your right-brain visual capacities. Look for theriver of God (i.e. “Spirit flow”) to guide and fillboth hemispheres, granting you anointed reasoningand dream and vision (Jn. 7:37-39). Music canassist you, as can muttering, speaking, and writingas you go through the discovery process (II Kings3:15).

6. Lord, show me the solution tothe problem I am facing: Focusedattention brings additional energies ofconcentration of heart and mind, which helprelease revelation. For example, note the differencebetween a ray of sunlight hitting a piece of paper,and sunlight going through a magnifying glass tohit a piece of paper. The focused energy creates aray so concentrated that the paper bursts intoflames. When you have a hunger to master a newunderstanding and discipline, that hungry andsearching heart will cause you to see things youwould not normally see (Matt. 5:6).

7. Thank You, Lord, for what Youhave shown me: Realizing that the revelationcame from the indwelling Holy Spirit, give all theglory to God for what has been revealed (Eph.3:21).

The seven steps of biblical meditation explained:

Another great aid to “seeing”:writing out Scripture

When you write or type out a verse, you discoverwords which you otherwise might have missed.Therefore, I write out verses which I know are keytruths for my life. I pray over them, diagram them,analyze them, meditate on them. That is why Ihave written many of my books. I write so I canlearn, so I can put truths I am understanding in myown words and in a framework which is meaning-ful for me.

The following is the law which God gave for newkings who had just been crowned and were comingto sit upon their throne for the first time:

“Now it shall come about when he sits on thethrone of his kingdom, he shall write for himself acopy of this law on a scroll in the presence of theLevitical priests” (Deut. 17:18).

Since we are kings and priests, are we to do anyless (I Pet 2:9)? Let us make the writing out ofScriptures an important part of our lives.

4 The Great Mystery

Group Activities

If meeting in a group, read the verses together andshare with one another what you have discoveredfrom God through the passages you have meditatedupon. What have they said to you? Have theypromoted any change in you in any way? Whereare you currently? What are you going to do tofully appropriate the lifestyle of abiding? Shareyour journaling with one another.

From Mark’s journal

The following questions and answers on what itmeans to abide all the time helped to clear up thedifference between abiding and communion forme.

Lord, how does one abide all the time?

“Do you recall Adam and Eve? I came and talkedto them. Then I would leave and they would live inand out of the things I had spoken. That is what Idesire. One carries on in life, living out of thewords I have spoken to him, coming to me when-ever necessary and remaining open so I can speakto him whenever I desire.”

Lord, it seems like I operate in darkness then, andonly occasionally walk in the full light.

“Yes, in a sense you are in semi-darkness. How-ever, in a sense you walk in the light, because thatwhich you walk in is previous light, which whenbrought forth anew is light again.”

Lord, please explain “brought forth anew.”

“It is even as the process you are currently doing,reaching for a piece of information in the depths ofyour being, drawing it forth, re-crystallizing it,seeing how it fits, and allowing it to be adjusted tothe present situation. It is light because I retrievethe right piece of information for the humble inheart. I position it. Therefore, it is light.”

Lord, but why not live in constant communion?

“Because it is impossible for you. You were notbuilt that way. To abide in the presence of yourwife you do not constantly talk to her. In a spiritualsense you need not even always be physicallytogether, simply aware of her, concerned with herthoughts and reactions and considerate of herattitudes on matters. That is abiding in her pres-ence. And you see it does not necessitate seeing heror talking with her but is simply an inner awarenessof her, and her thoughts, attitudes and responses.”

Lord, are “communion” and “abiding” the same?

“Yes, in that they are both a flow of life. No, in thatcommunion tends to involve communication, andabiding, simply awareness. Therefore, abiding isconstant. Communion is intermittent. I would haveyou abide in Me constantly and commune with Meregularly.”

From Patti’s journal

“My goal is not for you to be constantly asking Mequestions, but rather that you be constantly awareof My answers and desires. More than mentalconversation I want spiritual awareness that I liveinside you, I am a Person. I am wise and loving andI want to, and can, guide you better than you canguide yourself.”

To Abide 5

Personal Notes

6 The Great Mystery

Personal Notes

Chapter Two: The TreasureWithin This Earthen Vessel

Christ in you

Filled up with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19)Striving according to His power which works mightily within me (Col. 1:29)

All things belong to you; You belong to Christ; Christ belongs to God (I Cor. 3:21-23)

8 The Great Mystery

The treasure within thisearthen vessel - Christ in you

It takes a total renewing of our hearts and minds tolive in the awareness that God lives within us. Weare so inclined to think of Him living in a distantheaven, and that within ourselves dwells no goodthing, that it takes revelation and constant repeti-tion to drive this glorious truth home. Often whenwe look within, we see our evil and empty hearts.The truth is, however, that Jesus has filled ourhearts with Himself by placing His Spirit within us.Now, by having Jesus in our hearts, we have all thatGod has and all that He is available within ourspirits.

The first step to abiding is becoming biblicallyconscious of the fact that Christ lives within (Eph.3:17), that He is all things (Col. 3:11), and that,therefore, we are complete (Col. 2:10).

When we need wisdom, He grants it from within.When we need righteousness, He grants it fromwithin.When we need hope, He grants it from within.When we need faith, He grants it from within.When we need love, He grants it from within.When we need joy, He grants it from within.When we need patience, He grants it from within.When we need kindness, He grants it from within.When we need gentleness, He grants it fromwithin.When we need control, He grants it from within.

Two natures

One major insight for me was that the New Testa-ment only mentions two “natures” available tohumans. Before we were saved, we were “by naturechildren of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). However, now thatwe have invited Jesus Christ into our lives, we have“become partakers of the divine nature” (II Pet.1:4).

I understand my nature to be the core of my being,that which is at my center. It is interesting to notethat we do not have two natures at one time in ourlives. We had an evil core before salvation, andnow we have a divine core since Jesus has joinedHimself to our spirits (I Cor. 6:17).

So when I quiet myself down into my spirit, I donot find a war going on there between Jesus andsatan. I find Jesus there, sitting on the throne of myheart, healing and empowering me in so manyways. There is a mighty healing life flow whichcomes out of my spirit and is realized afresh everytime I quiet myself down and re-experience it.

If there are still urges toward evil in my life (i.e.Romans 7), they are no longer coming from thecore of my being as they were in my pre-Christiandays. They are now outer attacks of satan, for satanno longer reigns within my heart. I have a newKing there Whose name is Jesus Christ.

God lives within me. He has chosen to join Himselfto my spirit so that now when I sense my spirit, Iam also sensing God. What an amazing miracle ofdivine proportion! To God be the glory for thegreat things He has done!

Now I want to discover what Jesus has offered methrough joining Himself to my spirit, and then, howI can become more sensitive to my spirit’s sensa-tions so I can sense the indwelling God, and releaseHim out through my life. That is what we willexplore in the next few chapters.

The misconception: I am a self-contained unit

When I was a heathen, I lived in the mistakenbelief that I was a self-contained unit and that I didmy own thing and made up my own mind and wentmy own way. This, of course, was totally wrong,for the Bible makes it clear that I was really a slaveof satan and a slave of sin (Rom. 6). Much of whatwas going on within me was not me at all; it wasthe one who was living his life out through me.Satan would lead me into thoughts of anger,malice, revenge, lust, etc. Just as the Holy Spiritspeaks to us through spontaneous thoughts, so doevil spirits. So, many of the spontaneous thoughtswere not mine at all. They were coming fromdemonic forces.

When I was saved, I carried my misconception thatI was a self-contained unit right over into Chris-tianity and made a decision that I was now going tolive for Jesus. Notice that I thought “I” was goingto live....

The Treasure Within This Earthen Vessel 9

Well, Paul makes it quite clear that I do not live atall.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yetnot I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which Inow live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Sonof God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”(Gal. 2:20).

I have been crucified and Christ lives out throughme. As a Christian, it is not me living, any morethan it was me living as a heathen. As a heathen, itwas evil spirits living their lives out through me.Now, as a Christian, it is the Holy Spirit living Hislife out through me. Now I receive spontaneousthoughts (the Holy Spirit’s voice) encouraging meto love, to heal, to forgive, to strengthen. These areno more me than were the evil spontaneousthoughts.

The revelation: I am a vessel

One of the great insights in my life was IICorinthians 4:7, that I am a vessel! What is thepurpose of a vessel? To hold something. Further, Iam a temple. Therefore, my purpose is to houseGod (I Cor. 6:19).

I am hollow on the inside. Much of what goes onwithin me is not me at all. It is the one whom Ihave chosen to fill me, either the evil one or theholy One. I choose who fills me. However, once Ihave made my choice, then a spirit takes over,either the Holy Spirit or evil spirits, and I beginreceiving spontaneous thoughts and pictures andemotions from one of them. I am one throughwhom another flows. This takes some revelation tofully grasp because most of us have lived in errorfor so long, believing that we are self-containedunits, and not realizing that we are to house theGod of this universe.

The revelation of “flow”

Another of the great revelations of my life is that Ican tune to my heart/spirit by tuning to “flow.”

“`He that believeth on me, as the scripture hathsaid, out of his belly shall flow rivers of livingwater.’ But this spake He of the Spirit, which they

that believe on Him should receive: for the HolyGhost was not yet given; because that Jesus wasnot yet glorified’” (Jn. 7:38,39).

If I tune to analytical thinking, I tune to my mind.When I seek anointed reasoning, I allow flow toguide the reasoning process.

In seeking a word of knowledge or a word ofwisdom, I fix my eyes upon Jesus, tune to flow andsee what spontaneous thoughts, ideas, pictures,impressions or emotions light upon my heart andmind. I then choose to honor them as being theflow of the river of God within my heart, and Ibegin to process them. First, I must be sure theyline up with Scripture, and that I feel a sense ofpeace in my heart about them (Col. 3:15). I thensubmit them to two or three others whom I respectas giving godly, spiritual counsel (Prov. 11:14).With their confirmation, I am ready to move intoaction and live out what I have received from theSpirit within me.

Assigning inner sensations toone of three sources

Since Christ lives within me, I want to be able todetermine what within me is coming from theindwelling Christ and what is not. So now I willsort through my mind to determine whether thethoughts, pictures and emotions I am experiencingare coming from myself, an evil spirit, or the HolySpirit.

1. Self-directed = self: Any thoughts,pictures or emotions which are self-directedwould be viewed as coming from myself.

2. Spontaneous evil = satan: Anyspontaneous thoughts, pictures or emotionswhich line up with any of the names of satan Iwould consider as coming from satan.

3. Spontaneous good = God: Anyspontaneous thoughts, pictures or emotionswhich line up with any of the names of theTriune God I would consider as coming fromGod.

10 The Great Mystery

Assignment

Analyze the thoughts, pictures and emotions withinyou this week and determine where they arecoming from, based on the teaching of this chapter.Using the Name of Jesus, bind and rebuke thosecoming from satan. Meditate on those coming fromGod. Those coming from self should be rejected,because what you really want in life is Jesus inaction through you, not yourself in action.

Take some time and prayerfully meditate on thefollowing passages, and any others which relate,asking God to give you a greater revelation of thedivine truth that “it is no longer I who live, butChrist lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). This is a revelationtruth. By this I mean you can only fully SEE it asthe Lord Jesus Christ reveals it to your heart. Sopractice the seven steps to revelation given at theclose of the previous chapter as you explore theseScriptures.

The following verses are the ones God has used onseveral occasions to reveal this truth more deeplywithin my heart. I suggest you spend severaluninterrupted hours pondering these passages withthis prayer on your lips:

“Lord, give me a greater revelation of the divinetruth: `It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives inme.’”

Colossians 1:1 - 3:11Ephesians 2:1-3II Peter 1:4I Corinthians 1:30 - 2:16; 6:17Philippians 4:13Galatians 2:20; 3:27; 4:19I John 4:7-16

Have your pencil at your side as you read, and jotdown whatever God is showing you. Specificallywrite down anything you discover about Jesusbeing inside you, what He provides to you through

His indwelling presence, and how you wouldaccess these wonderful gifts of His grace whichflow within you. Your burning question should be,“Lord, show me how You have built me, and Whoand what is within me, and how I can tap into myspirit and Your wondrous power joined to myspirit. Let me see and understand this.”

Also, record any other insights God has given youfrom this chapter.

Journaling Response

“Lord, speak to me concerning this great mysteryof having Christ joined to my spirit.”

Group Activities

If meeting in a group, read the above Scripturesand share around the circle the revelations God hasgiven and how they are adjusting your life. Try notto use religious cliches, but instead to be as practi-cal and nitty-gritty as possible as you discuss theinsights you are gaining and how you are applyingthem in your life. Share what is working and whatyou have tried that didn’t work in the lifestyle ofabiding.

Share what you have discovered as you sortedthrough your thoughts, pictures and emotions thisweek, rebuking demonic thoughts, renouncingself’s thoughts, and embracing anointed thoughts.

Share your journaling with one another.

Additional Resources

Our highest recommendation goes to the book GodUnlimited in Daily Living by Norman Grubb. Theauthor has seen most deeply this divine truth thatGod lives within and not I. In this book he lays outthe revelation for you to behold. He gloriouslyreveals that God is the ultimate reality and that thesole function of man is to “radiate” God, carefullyshowing how this is learned and experienced. It is awonderful and life-changing book.