Age of Enlightenment or Age of Reflux (Stress) By Sharon Killion E-mail, sparrow557@aol.com Website, cherubimnetwork.com/brokenbread
	I'm so grateful to God that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to save us. Most of the Christian world is in agreement that salvation (soteria-Greek) is available to all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our differences lie in what we believe salvation includes. What exactly is soteria? In the Vine's Expository Dictionary several words or phrases are given to illuminate our understanding. Here are a few mentioned: deliverance, preservation, safety, health and salvation. It further states that salvation is material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension. Breaking it down further we understand apprehension to be worry, fear, anxiety, or just plain stress. So, my topic is revealed! Our Lord has delivered us from stress! Hallelujah! I know I'm repeating myself from a previous article, but fear/anxiety (stress) is spoken of 365 times in the word of God. Our Lord isn't lenient when dealing with this subject. He says, "Don't fear!" In fact, He tells us to "fear not", "be not afraid," "be anxious for nothing," "cast your cares on the Lord", "therefore, do not worry or be anxious saying..." and too many more to list. The media (ungodly counsel) and the pharmaceutical giants (unholy healers) would have us believe that stress and it's related illnesses are normal consequences of life which we can easily overcome with medication. I'm here to tell you that this is fine and even true for those of you who are in the world and of this world. It's even fine if you have failed to renew your mind by the washing of the water of the Word of God. If this is you, then by all means run to the doctor, clinic, nearest hospital, or drug store. Oh sister, lighten up! What? And turn my back on the cross? Our Savior, Jesus Christ, paid the supreme price for each one of us. He purchased soundness for us in every area of our lives. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt (shame, condemnation) and iniquities: the chastisement (needful to obtain) peace (no fear, no anxiety, no worry, no stress) for us was upon Him and with the stripes (that wounded) Him we are healed and made whole. (Is. 53:5) Our American mind-set has so watered down the gospel (good news) that we no longer trust Him for anything but the cleansing of our sins while we are here and a trip to Heaven when we die. I can understand Outer Court (Tabernacle of Moses) Christians living like this. They only walk by natural light. They only believe in the Brazen Altar (the cross-salvation by faith) and the Laver (water baptism). They get sick and full of fear because they walk by the same light as unbelievers (the sun, not the Son). Their light is natural, so they just naturally turn to doctors and drugs. But my sorrow is over those Christians who have come into the Holy Place where they are coming to worship Him in Spirit (Golden Candlestick) and in Truth (Table of Shewbread). By now their minds should be renewed by the Word of God (Ro.12:1, 2). They may get sick, but they should be so full of confidence in their God (Jehovah Rapha-the Lord Who heals you) that they overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. But, alas, their words betray their lack of confidence. These should be moving into the truths of the Holiest of Holies, Christians who come into a place of intimacy. They spend time with Him, not for selfish gain, but because they love Him. They have also come into a place of humility where they lay down their thoughts and choose to live by His. These blessed ones are given grace in abundance to overcome, because, you see, He gives grace to the humble. Such believers are Altar of Incense Christians who in prayer, praise and worship come behind the veil as a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord. They are experientially coming to sit with Christ in heavenly places (resting in His love and His provision) even while in the body (alive on planet earth) (Phil. 3:10, 11, Amp). They believe His Word, stand upon it, speak it forth from the abundance of their heart (not just mouthing words), and walk in much liberty. These believers don't get sick anymore, or rarely. They keep short accounts with God. When convicted of sin....they repent! They have learned to FEFE (forgive everyone for everything-thank you Charlie Baird for this one). They know that "bitterness is as rottenness to the bones", so they let all bitterness go. They know that fear hath torment, so they let the peace of God rule in their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. They found out, for themselves, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. So why are Spirit-filled Christians, even leaders, suffering from stress? I submit that we must examine ourselves. Why are we doing everything that we are doing? Are we trying to keep up with the Jones'? Do we think that we have to do everything in the family because we are the only one that does it right? Have we bought into the lie that the busier we are the more productive we are? That our busyness is something to actually brag about? Are we the only ones qualified to make decisions in our church, our business, our life, our family, our work? Do we have "to do" lists that never end? Are we a perfectionist...if it's not perfect we'll keep at it even if it kills us? Are you a pastor building the kingdom all by yourself because no one else seems to be doing anything? Let's face it, if any of these apply, then a close inspection of Jesus' life would lead us to one conclusion - what a failure He was! He rested in the Father's love. He never rushed from place to place frantic to get everything done. He believed you should take no thought for tomorrow....He believed in living in the present moment. He did the works of the Father, so He did believe in work, but He was never fearful, anxious, frustrated or irritated in the day to day workings of His life. He was kind, calm, affirming, generous, friendly, helpful, and I could go on for some time. The only time I see Him angry is when the religious leaders are leading God's people away from relationship (His house should be a house of prayer), into bondage and legalism (you have made it to be a den of thieves). In 3 years He only had one guy who really knew who He was. At His death, only one disciple and a few women stayed with Him. He owned nothing - gave all He had. He had no formal education…didn't study under the great Pharisees and Sadducees of the day. He didn't own a car (donkey). He didn't have a retirement program. He didn't have a big ministry - a large congregation, big offerings, or an extensive mailing list. He wasn't sought after by the area churches to speak. In fact, they railroaded Him to the edge of a cliff to throw Him off. He was accused of having a demon! He (Jesus - God) was labeled a blasphemer! Think of that! (Selah) We do err when we compare ourselves with each other. Jesus is the only standard by which comparisons should be made. My point is this. With all of our getting, let's get understanding. As we approach the Holiest of Holies as a people, let's settle one thing. We are to enter into His rest. We are to stop doing our works and do His. We must lay down our agendas, our plans, our dreams, and come into His. He has a special plan for each one of us. We must seek Him to find our path. We are each a different part of the body of Christ and so, must get direction from the Head. Why don't we just look at one Bible principle - "follow peace." "Let peace rule (be the umpire in our hearts and in our lives)." This one sign on the road of life, if followed, would deliver many of you from acid reflux and gastric ulcers. (Selah) You're saying, "But Sharon, I have a lot of responsibilities. Many people are counting on me. How can I possibly "follow peace?" I do not have all the answers for all of us, but I have some thoughts for you to muse and they are all scriptural. You could delegate some of your authority and responsibilities to others as Moses did when Jethro, his father-in-law advised him. The day of micro-managing is over! You could streamline your life - get a smaller, more affordable home, down size your cars, eat at home more, wear generic clothing, etc. This is a modified version of "sell all you have and give to the poor and come, follow Me." Feel free to do the complete version of that "word" if He is leading you. You could turn off all the noise in your life, both external (TV, radio, CD's, telephone [chit-chat], cell phones, etc.) and internal (self-talk that torments your mind with schedules, to do's, complaining, worry, etc). Internal noise can be reduced by substitution…get quiet, pray, read the Word, seek Him, sing to Him -"Be still, and know that I am God." How about going to God at the beginning of each day to find out what He would have you do....and then, only do that. "Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. (Ps. 37:5, Amp) Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls). Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for you souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good— not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (Matt 11:28-30, Amp) Jesus really is the answer, that's not just a cute bumper sticker. Our lives should be full of His love, joy, peace that the world would sit up and take notice that we have been with Jesus. If we really had the goods, the world would be rushing to our doors asking, "What must we do to be saved?" (soteria - Selah) Come on…let's go on to really know the Lord (Phil. 3:10-11, Amp)