Todays Journeys End

Today’s Journeys End
Introduction
(Abridged)

Introduction to “Today’s Journeys End”.

It was once asked of me by a dear friend in Christ, how to could he reach a spiritual level of maturity that he has seen in other’s. He was speaking of course about the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of these gifts that others have received. At the time I was unable to give him a clear and precise answer to his question, except to say that the path to these manifestations is not a easy journey to take. Many though faithful and good hearted in Christ seldom experience these manifestations, while for others it is a path they have journeyed time after time in their relationship with Christ. Often denominations, the differences taught or doctrine given can prevent this closer relationship with God. It is not for me to judge doctrine, but to lay a course or journey that can lead you toward your own relationship with God based on bible scripture and what they teach us regarding our relationship with Christ and our heavenly Father.

I have given it much thought since my brother in Christ asked me this question. Their have been times in my walk in Christ that I have been witness to these manifestations, and have personally experienced them in a congregation of believers who on a daily course of their faith demonstrated both publically and privately the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I have spoken in tongues, and have fervently danced in the Holy Spirit. There is nothing that can truly describe this close relationship with Christ of those who are slain in the Holy Spirit when your whole body and mind is one with Christ. Many who experience this manifestations of Christ achieve great understanding and wisdom that transcends mortal knowledge. Some perform healing miracles and give prophecies that lead hundreds to believe, and stand united in Christ. This level of personal relationship with Christ is available to all who seek and desire to take the paths that leads to “Today’s Journeys End”. Although the journey is a life-time of travel, there are many paths for us to travel of discovery of that which will enrich us in the experience of Christ. Though in actuality, “Today’s Journeys End”, does not complete itself until we die and our soul unites with Christ. However, we will have many Journey’s and Paths to travel until then.

The Beginning of “Today’s Journeys End”.

The beginning is the best place to start, but what is the beginning of our journey? Do we take the high road or the low road? The left fork or the right fork on the path? Do we start early A.M. or do we get a later start? Are we taking a physical journey, or metaphorical? It can be both, but at this stage of our journey it is metaphorical as we delve in to the Word of God. The physical stage comes later when we can actually place one foot before the other down a visible path we can feel underneath the sole’s of our feet. But for now, our journey starts on a mental level were reflection and self-evaluation occurs, and the reading of scripture. The beginning will be a quiet place of solitude were you can start the journey without interruption. It is very important that we have the allotted time to start our journey and reach the first way station on the path we start with. It is at these way stations where we are allowed the time for rest to take nourishment and allow interruptions in our journey. There will be several way stations along our journey and just as many paths and intersections in our journey.

The first path we come to is at the starting point of our journey. It will lead you to other intersections and paths were you will have a choice as to which path or direction you need or may take. It is at these intersections where you will come to important decisions you will need to make before you proceed on your next path in “Today’s Journeys End”. God places before us many intersections in our life, and the paths to these intersections are often where we will find the obstacles we will discuss later in our journey. When we come to these obstacles you will be challenged before you can proceed on down the path. The challenge will be in the form of a Question (Helper) and the Answer’s (Guide) to these question’s will be your reading of scripture. Lets us take a moment here and discuss scripture and what translation is best for our journey. For the mature Christian taking the journey they will have their favorite version to which they understand clearly what is being read. However, for the new convert, it is recommend that we avoid the King James version, which is full of thee’s and thou’s, and can confuse the reader. Therefore the new convert should select a easier bible to read such as the New Living Testament, or American Standard version. All scripture selected or quoted in this text is from the NLT.

Challenges and Obstacles on “Today’s Journeys End”

There is no win or lose factor to these challenges, no go to jail or jump forward to pass go. For many on the same journey, these challenges will be different and never the same each time you reach these obstacles. For we must remember, we are each individuals, and as individuals we have different needs, wants, and desires. Our issues in life and our approach to these issues are different. Only God is constant, His word and His love, will be the same. The paths you travel on “Today’s Journeys End” will always be in flux, changing each time we take it. For some, they may reach a point in the journey where they find the obstacle to difficult to overcome at first, so they may find themselves spending more time resolving the issues that face them. While others may overcome an obstacle sooner, yet come across another that is just has hard to overcome at first attempt.

Self-Discovering of your Relationship with God

You must remember that the purpose of the “Today’s Journeys End” is a self-discovering of your relationship with God. The obstacles are the elements that may be preventing you from having this relationship on a level that God desires for you, and what others have. Beware, you may find out things about yourself that challenges this relationship, therefore to overcome these obstacles, change is needed. This can be an emotional change, it may be a thinking process of how you view something about yourself and your relationship with God. Freewill allows us to accept or deny these challenges, therefore, its up to you how well your journey progresses and where it takes you in your relationship with God. You may even already know what you will find, so this journey may well be an opportunity for you to put these issue at God’s alter, so that he may help you come to terms with yourself and God. Now I have said that there is a no win or lose on this journey’s end. But there is a cost. Read 1 Cor. 9:22-26


God’s desires for us is to achieve this eternal prize on “Today’s Journeys End”. If we start the journey with a winning mode of thought, then we shall reach the eternal prize. If we start the journey with a losing mode, then we may easily fail our very first obstacle and find ourselves at a stall in our journey waiting out some eternal storm within ourselves. To move forward we will need to resolve the reason for this stall in our journey. With any extended journey we take we need to be comfortable and wear the appropriate clothing for any weather we may encounter on our journey. But, most important of our physical needs is the spiritual needs of our body and mind. Look up Ephes. 6:10-18



Who takes “Today’s Journeys End”?

For clarification there are two types of supplicants who take the journey. A supplicant is a person who petitions, requesting humbly and earnestly through prayer, entreating another to provide something of value to them. The first type of supplicants are individuals who have been seasoned in their walk with Christ. These Versed supplicants enter the journey with a fair amount of maturity in Christ, but they may feel something is lacking, or off track with their relationship with God. Therefore they seek the journey to get back on track or reach a better relationship with God. Just like my friend I mentioned earlier. He sought a better relationship with God, a relationship that transcended the literal knowledge of God, which he had. He sought also the spiritual relationship with God at such a deeper level that he could commune with God receiving the Holy Spirit in the fullest possible means. There are many reason’s why a Versed supplicant may feel the need to take the journey. Their initial starting path will be different then other supplicants on the path. They already may have a better understanding of the Word of God then those who are new converts, yet review of the Word be necessary when it comes to reasoning out some area of the Word they don’t understand.

Tenderfoot supplicants are new converts to Christ or either seeking answers to who Christ is, these supplicants start on a path of discovering of the knowledge of the Word and discovery of who Christ his, and what He can mean to them. The Tenderfoot supplicant takes his initial starting path to bring about a initial knowledge of Christ, thus strengthening their relationship with God first by knowing the infallible word of God and the results of Sin. They may have some rudimentary knowledge, or be completely in the dark about the Word of God. Look up the following Scriptures which give us some insight to this conditions most Tenderfoots will find themselves in.

2 Tim. 3:15-17, Hebrews 4:11-13, Hebrews 5:11-14, John 1:1, John 1:14, 1 Thes. 2:13


Initial Starting Points on “Today’s Journeys End”.
In the beginning was the Word. Of course any starting point should be the “Word of God”. For both the Versed Supplicants and Tenderfoot Supplicants it is the Word of God that enlightens us. All supplicants need a starting point on the journey, and for both it is preparing ourselves for the journey by the reading of scriptures. Therefore, throughout “Today’s Journeys End”, each supplicant will be required to read assigned scriptures that are keys to their journey and lead to the many paths that they will walk on. The initial starting point for the Tenderfoot supplicant is a path where they partake of the milk of the word, then during the journey will mature toward becoming a Versed supplicant. Their first path leads to discoveries about themselves and what God has promised them. While the Versed supplicant initial starting point is revisiting and renewing what they already know about the Word Of God.

Ritual Cleansing for both Supplicants

Reading the word of God should be in an environment that is free of distractions. God requires of us to be free of any distractions and to prepare ourselves to enter the journey in a state of mind that is free of these distractions. Therefore, all supplicants need to go through a mental exercise that prepares our mind, heart and body to endure the journey. Prayer and meditation is the best way to achieve this cleansing of worldly distractions and prepare ourselves for the journey. Fasting is optional, but recommended. Versed supplicants need to go through a different ritual cleansing then that of the Tenderfoot supplicant. The Versed supplicants starts first with prayer, then meditation, finally a ritual of washing of the feet. Do not be ashamed to let another wash your feet for it is a blessing endorsed by Christ. The Tenderfoot supplicant ritual will involve them in meditation and prayer to follow-up later with the “Washing of the Feet” ritual which you find in John 13:4-17, look this up and discover for yourself its meaning.

Tenderfoot Supplicants initial Starting Path

Tenderfeet supplicants will have a altered ritual where they will later in their journey partake of the cleansing of the feet when its significant is understood and why? Therefore, the Tenderfoot supplicant initial path will find themselves with a guide (Scripture) that will introduce them to God from a beginning point in Genesis, a starting point on their initial path. Of course Versed supplicants can also start in Genesis as a review. The Tenderfoot supplicant will start down a path that is very secure and well monitored so that they will not get lost and discouraged. There will be helpers (Questions) available on the path to assist them in reaching an understanding of the obstacles they come to. This initial path will introduce God and Sin through scripture starting in the Old testament, ending in the New Testament. When this path is completed it will lead them to an intersection or crossroad that gives them a choice of direction. The direction they take thereafter will depend on the what they need most at that moment in their journey. There will be guides (scripture/answers) to guide you as to were to start next and what to expect on the next step or path you take. Along the initial paths, the both supplicants will have instructions as to which scripture to read first, next and last in the beginning of their walk as a Christian. Sub-paths, Obstacles (Detours) challenge you to achieve something which are in the nature of give and take. They can be simply giving and that is of your-self unto God. This can be achieved through prayer, and or, a physical release of any pent up anger, frustration, or worry. A screaming out loud, directing your negative energy heaven ward so that God can absorb this negative energy, for only he is capable of handling this energy harmlessly. This is basically a question and answer path where they will have guides (scripture/answers) to help them through the bible. There are no obstacles that should prevent them from going forward to their first crossroads.

Versed Supplicants Initial Starting Path

For the Versed supplicant, they will start down their basically the same initial path that the Tenderfoot takes. Once again helpers (Questions) will be available to assist them, and guides (Scripture/answers) directing them based on inquiries they will make of the supplicant. It is at this start that the supplicant will decide were they need to be on the path. This could be a choice of soul searching on a general topic, or a more intense specific path (topic) they need to journey down on. The initial path will eventually lead to an intersection that will direct them to other paths. There will be helpers & guides, at these intersections to guide them down the correct path to take next. For the Versed starter, like the Tenderfoot, this initial path creates Obstacles (sub-paths) to take. These Detours challenge you to achieve something which are in the nature of give and take. The first obstacles is to just simply give and that is of your-self unto God. This can be achieved through prayer, and or, a physical release of any pent up anger, frustration, or worry. A screaming out loud directing your negative energy heaven ward so that God can absorb this negative energy, for only he is capable of handling this energy harmlessly. Both types of supplicants may need to seek this release before God so that they may continue their journey unhampered by negative energy.

Anger, negative energy

Some may say that anger is a sin, yet anger can be a holy response to sin, so if we take that anger and put it before God, it is not sin, but a response to our sin. Often the release of this positive anger will clear our minds so as to be able to focus on the constructive solutions of ridding ourselves of sin, even unto helping others with sin. Once we have done this, we are then directed back to our initial path to continue our discovery of what causes our relationship with God to be less then perfect. This is a review of “Sin”. Once we have done this, we are then directed to the next obstacle which is “Why are we still sinning”. Here we go through self-reflection and evaluation of why, the cause and factor mode. Here we may discover unresolved issue’s of anger, bitterness, doubt, and denial. The next obstacle is giving these sin’s to God through prayer, and again a good screaming and crying session, the release of any negative energy left in our mind, body and spirit. By this method do we prepare our body to become a holy vessel for the Holy Spirit to reside in. Read 2 Cor. 4:6-17.

At your first crossroads, which direction to choose?

In “Today’s Journeys End”, you will come to many crossroads. Both Tenderfoot and Versed supplicants will come to these crossroads. One direction may lead to “I am Okay” a path of joy, song, and dance. Take this path to celebrate your walk in Christ. Here you will find opportunity to praise God aloud in song and dance, inviting the Joy of the Lord to reside in you. Let your hair down and go wild in Christ. Both supplicants should experience this path as often as they can, certainly after a trying time on their initial starting path. Another direction may lead to “Who am I”, a path of further self-discovery of your potential as a Christian. This path will lead you through scripture of what God expects of you, and what you can expect of God. Here you will learn about your role as a Christian, your walk, and your obligation to God, church, and family. The Tenderfoot Christian should make this their second path to take, then follow with “I am Okay”. The Versed Christian needs to take the “Who am I” path when they have doubt about their relationship with God and need to renew their commitment to Christ. Yet another direction may lead to “Where to find the Holy Spirit”. This path will direct you toward further self-evaluation of your Christian walk, and where obstacles may still lay hidden and are preventing you from experiencing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This path is not recommended for Tenderfoot supplicant until they have taken the “Who am I” path.

Tenderfoot supplicants Crossroads

At their first crossroads, the Tenderfoot will come to a point in their journey where they must make a decision and it is a tough one, have you or do you accept Christ in your Life. The Tenderfoot supplicant may have already made this decision while on their initial path. Therefore, at the crossroads they make a public confession which is confirmed by those who await the Tenderfoot supplicant. The paths that follow will depend on the decision they make. It is these paths that follow the initial path and after their first crossroad, where the Tenderfoot supplicant will be led to deal with specific issues in their Christian walk. Each path thereafter will go from the milk of the Word of God to the meat of the Word of God. By the end of the Tenderfoot’s journey they will have a firmer relationship with God then what they had before they started the journey. At the Tenderfoot’s first crossroads, they will have the joy of experiencing the ritual of washing their feet by another. This blessing will prepare them for the rest of their journey.

Versed Supplicants Crossroads

The Versed supplicant will have somewhat of a different crossroad, although they will be similar and may require the Versed to start a new path sooner or in different order then the Tenderfoot. The Versed supplicant can start with “I am Okay” to bring them closer to God through song, dance, and jubelation. Then they can go to “Who am I” or reverse the order. The Versed supplicant seeking a fuller relationship with the Holy Spirit should take the “Where to find the Holy Spirit” path as well as to discover where they may be going wrong in finding the Holy Spirit after they have finished their initial starting path. “Who am I’, is for the Tenderfoot supplicant when they need further understanding of who they are in their relationship with God. Both supplicants can do the “I am Okay” many times to continue their experience in communing with God.

Detours and Way-Stations

Detours will deal with specific issues and topics that each supplicant may need to deal with. There may be short detours on the initial start path and on other major paths. There will always be helpers and guides on the paths who can answer questions and direct you to a specific scripture or text that will assist you in your journey. There is no time frame for your journey, for only God can know your heart, and how long it will take to address the many issues you may have. Each path will have way-stations, rest area’s where you can pause and enter into prayer, or meditate on the answers you are finding to your questions. Each crossroads will have way-stations, where you will have opportunity to refresh yourself, seek further guidance, and relax before the Lord in a fashion that is conducive to finishing “Today’s Journeys End”.

Today’s Journeys End

What will you find at “Today’s Journeys End”. Well, it will be different for each supplicant on the journey, whether you are a Tenderfoot or a Versed supplicant. Many will experience divine revelation, and find themselves totally immersed in the Holy Spirit. This is our hope for everyone. The final way-station at “Today’s Journeys End, will allow for you to share and witness your experience with other supplicants, or you may seclude yourself in private prayer and thanks for “Today’s Journeys End”. I believe many will come back time after time to continue their journey and discover each time new adventures with Christ. Tenderfoots will return as Versed supplicants, and the Versed supplicant may return as Tenderfoots, broken and shattered, needing to humble themselves before the Lord seeking renewal of their relationship with God. The final way-station will be an oasis of supplicants in celebration and breaking fast. For this is truly our worship to God.

How to plan “Today’s Journeys End” a Physical path to walk on.

Your’s Journey’s End which may start out as a mental journey where you are stationary in one room and mentally travel on “Today’s Journeys End. It also can be a physical journey for you at some secluded track of land, where you bring your bible and start your journey. It can be a journey in your own back yard, or in your home with various rooms designated as your paths and crossroads. Taking a physical track to follow and stopping at any point on it to pray, reflect, and read, can be a way to focus your walk. Repeat the process until you have reached your last way-station in “Today’s Journeys End”. Your journey can be a shared experience, or a solitary one. Your helper’s, and guides can be your favorite taped sermon, sacred music, video, or written text that compliments your reading of the Word. An Elder from church, or a brother or sister in the Lord can serve as additional roles as helpers and guides. Remember, before you start your journey, complete the cleansing ritual, then proceed on “Today’s Journeys End”.

Today’s Journeys End
Starting on the right Path

Map of your Journey
(The paths to take)

Initial Path for Both Supplicants: Steps 1-8 pages 12-16

Detour #1 “Positive Anger” page 15

Initial Path Way-station #1 “Rest and Reflect” page 15

Detour #2 “Why are you still sinning” page 16

Initial Path ends “Accepting Christ” page 16

First Crossroad #1 “Confirmation” page 17

Choose your next Path:

Detour #3 “Doubt” page 17
Detour #4 “Unresolved Sin” page 18

Way-Station #2 page 19

“I am Okay” page 19

“Who am I” page 20

“Where to Find the Holy Spirit” page 21

Detour #5 “Alter of God” page 22
Detour #6 “Making it Right with God” page 22
Detour #7 “Prayer & Worship page 23

Last Crossroads “Celebration” page 23

Are we ready, get set, go!

Are we ready to start our journey, have we spent some secluded time in prayer and meditation, have you gone through the ritual cleansing of the feet (Versed supplicants). If so, then we can start “Your Journeys End” initial path. Pick a place to designate this starting point, a room, a corner of the back yard, or trail to start on. Remember bring your helpers and guides with you, which are of course your bible and any other items (audio/video) that can direct your feet on the right path. Also, you helpers and guides can be a elder, brother or sister in the lord who can accompany you on your journey.

Now that you have gotten a glimpse of what is involved in starting Today’s Journeys End, lets take the first step. To journey down a path unknown is an adventure many seldom take these days. For many of the paths that are offered us today have already been well traveled by men and women who have made the world as we know it, and known to us. Only the heavens we call outer space are new journeys being taken today. The very cosmos created by God, have we reached new insights to the wonder of God’s creation that begun with the dawning of time. Genesis 1:1-31 gives us a glimpse of God’s creation. Like any journey, there is an Alpha, and an Omega, the beginning, a place were we start the journey and the end of our journey.

Like most people who consider traveling for a vacation or business, they first prepare themselves for the journey. This preparation takes on a challenge to get the right price for tickets, hotel reservations, updating passport, and packing the right apparel for the trip to making arrangements for canceling the newspaper, and putting a hold on the mail. Experienced travelers have it down to a science, while the new traveler learns from their first experience what not to do the next time. Any journey we take whether it is across country or just to the local shopping mall, there is always some level of preparation so that we don’t forget essentials we need. One of God’s most valuable essentials is the bible, the “Word of God”. The most important item we will ever need on “Today’s Journeys End”. The Word of God is undeniable, given to us through God’s chosen. Though man has recorded these words as translated from Hebrew, Greek, Latin, the words hold a truth that is infallible. Read the following Scriptures:

John 3:30-36, Psalm 119:160, Titus 1:1-3, 2 Tim. 2:14-17, Hebrews 4:12-13


First Step after your Ritual Cleansing, on the Initial Path, Genesis Chapter One.

For the Tenderfoot supplicant, Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and where we start our journey’s end. The Versed Supplicant may need to review their knowledge so starting with Genesis is always a good point. Take time to read the first chapter of Genesis and contemplate the significant of this first book in our walk with God. And from this beginning time man has had a relationship with God, and God has guided us throughout history down a path to reach our journey’s end. After you have read Genesis Chapter One, then take your next step.

Your next step #2 is in Genesis Chapter 2:

The landscape the path takes us on is one of great beauty and serenity, a place we can relax and commune with God. Genesis chapter 2 tells us of the creation of Eden, the very place where he created for his pleasure and the place where Adam and Eve would reside and have a relationship with God. Read Genesis 2 and reflect on the purpose of the Garden of Eden and what God intended it for. Man as always sought the path that will bring him to his journey’s end through his relationship with God. In the beginning, Adam & Eve walked in the garden of Eden, a garden that was to be their home for millenniums onto millenniums where they would walk with God hand in hand. Never would they fear death nor lack of anything, for God would provide their needs in all things and they would be immortal to the end of time. God had only one provision, that Adam and Eve were not to partake of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. After you have read Genesis 2, take your next step into Genesis 3.

Your next step on your initial path is in Genesis 3:

In Genesis 3 we find out what the original sin was and what God was forced to do as punishment. Adam and Eve were forever banished from its sights again. This is where they took on a journey of redemption, a path God guided them down toward a journey’s end that would restore to them their eternal life. This path as paths are warrant to become, was filled with many obstacles that took the first family of God down many directions, often being forced to retrace their steps and start over. Lets move a little forward on our journey until we reach Genesis 6, here we read about the condition of man’s life on earth, and the displeasure of God in seeing that sin was very much out of control. Much history has gone by since Adam and Eve was banished from the Garden of Eden, and their many generations of offsprings have evolved into a nation of people who ignored God. We also learn of the results of God’s rage, and of his love for a man called Noah who was righteous in God’s eyes. Step 4 is in Genesis 6.

Your next step #4 is Genesis 6.

So as not to miss out on the following chapters after Genesis 3, you can always go back and catch up to chapter 6, but for now lets read chapter 6 and learn of Noah. God put forth another of his choices that affected man’s life. God directed Noah to build an Ark to save Noah, his family, and all the living creatures of earth from the great flood that God would create to destroy the evil he saw. God gave man a challenge, repent from evil, or die. Through Noah, was man given another chance for redemption and the journey continues toward its end. Always has this journey been in a forward motion despite the obstacles and the delays that would hinder God’s people from reaching their journey’s end. God, being who God was, is, and will become, was often the creator of these obstacles, either allowing them to occur or taking a more direct approach to shaping the terrain his people traveled on as in the great flood. Another pivotal point in the journey is found in Exodus which gives us the story of Moses and Gods plan for Moses to deliver Gods chosen from Egypt. Here began the great exodus from the lands of the pharaoh’s to the promised land in Canaan. (You will have opportunity to fill in the gaps in your Old testament history learning more about key figures later.)

Your next initial step is #5 in Exodus 3 & 16

Read Exodus chapter 3, then skip over to chapter 16. Just in these two chapters we can a glimpse of the journey Moses will take leading his people to the promise land. And as the story concludes Moses delivers the Children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from Egypt, and traveled 40 years in the desert to find the promised land. Finish reading Exodus at a later time, for it will give you further detail about the difficult paths that lead up to Moses and his deliverance of his people.

Your next step #6 is reflection on the following words:

As much as God wanted to do different, he give us much free will in how we proceeded down this path of his desire. Being who God is, he always knew where we would be and what crossroads we faced in our journey, and knew where each choice of direction would take us. He has mapped out the entire journey for us, from the Alpha to the Omega. The prophecies of God were delivered to his people through the prophets of the Old Testament. They laid a course for God’s chosen to follow. The most important of these prophecies was God’s policy of redemption which started since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah and Moses delivery of the Ten Commandments. The following scriptures will give us a glimpse of these prophecies of redemption.

Hebrews 11:4-10

The policy of redemption was nearing its pinnacle when in Isaiah 9:1-7 we learn of a child that is to be born.

Isaiah 9:1-12

We are approaching our first Way-station in our initial starting path. Here you will have opportunity to reflect and absorb what you have learned and read so far before we get into the New Testament. As much as it would be ideal, to read the entire O.T. in one setting it is not practical at this time, therefore, I have given you what I think are key scripture and readings that should concern you on your initial path. After “Today’s Journeys End” you will have time to read daily the Bible filling in the gaps of knowledge not discussed at this time. By doing this you will mature in the Word and knowledge of God, mans history with God, and our Christian history. The O.T. and the N.T. covers thousands of years of history and we need to take it in small measure until we have gleamed the full truth from God’s word.

Way-station #1, take a break, breath, pray and meditate on what you have learned so far.

Returning to our initial path, step #7 is into the New Testament.

Again we find ourselves on the initial path of our journey. God is always making sure that whatever choices we make, there would always be an alternative path we could take on our journey’s end. Now we are going to go forward in time to the New Testament. Please remember, that historically, the Old Testament gives us many facts regarding the continued struggle God has had with his chosen people. The O.T. is a journey that has led God’s chosen to a point in their own future when prophecy is fulfilled. It is in the New Testament we learn fully of Jesus and how he fulfilled prophecy. We also learn about who rejected him and who accepted him. Once again we come to the many paths we find on our journey and how “free will” affects the choices we make on which path to take, when, why, and how we take it. For this reason did many reject Christ and fail to receive God’s redemption, and find the path they have taken is one that leads to death. The right path taken leads to everlasting life in Christ, and through Christ do we restore our relationship with God to its fullest measure. Read the following:

Matthew 7:13, John 10:5-11

And for those who strayed from the chosen path God desired, the journey’s end would be a final end of our travels, nada, nothing, emptiness, death. Whereby, those who choose to take the right path received life, eternally ever after, a new journey that ends in Heaven. It has always been God’s intention that we achieve a spiritual life and relationship with him since Adam and Eve where first placed in the Garden of Eden. Regardless of their sin, God still intents for us to have that spiritual relationship with him in our daily life. This is our salvation and we can read it in:

John 16: 23-24, Ephes. 2:7-11, Acts 2:36-39, Romans 10:7-12

Our own modern history has shown us that many have reached this spiritual plateau in their lives. These devoted and faithful have lead many toward reaching the same journey’s end as they have in their own lives. Christ speaks of this relationship with his Father in heaven in John 14:2-8 read and reflect on these words.


Detour #1 Positive Anger

As we spoke in our introduction, there is a negative anger and a positive anger. Negative anger is sinful which leads us to rebellion against the Holy Spirit. Negative anger blasphemes the Holy Spirit and is unforgivable when we direct this negative anger toward God. While positive anger is a form of repentance of our sins, which when directed toward God in a repentative spirit is a positive flow of anger. Luke 12:8-10 speaks about negative anger and where it will lead us.

Why do we need to release our anger in a positive way? Sin builds up an good amount of guilt in us. This guilt is rising up behind a dam and is contained, thus feeding us some very negative emotions and feelings about ourselves. Unless we find a outlet for this type of anger, we will be burdened by guilt which will lead to further sin. Guilt prevents us from forgetting our sins, it always reminds us of our sin. God wants us to be free of sin, therefore guilt must also go. We have spoken about being a vessel for the Holy Spirit to reside in. Guilt contaminates that vessel and the Holy Spirit can not abide living with Guilt. Once we free this guilt from our vessel, then we can put aside the memory of our sin, which is temptation, sin in of itself and temptation leads to sin. Therefore, release of positive anger at this point in your initial path can and will prepare your vessel for the Holy Spirit. Search your heart find and release this positive anger. The release may be in the form of prayer, crying, and certainly a very physical release of emotions that have been dammed up in you. Unlike us, God will not be offended, or hurt by your emotions so fear not his anger, but welcome his compassion, love, and wisdom. Read Psalm 139:23-24 then continue on your path.

Detour #2 “Why are we still sinning”?

Okay, at this point on our path, we must take a detour. This detour is required for all supplicants and will deal with the question “Why are we still sinning”, and why is that a problem? We must remember were born in sin and our sinful nature loves to do evil. In Galatians we find that we are called to live in freedom. Read Galatians 5:12-18, and in 1 Cor. 10:12-13 we read about temptations. Read 2 Tim. 2:21-22 it tells us a clean life ready’s us for the Master. In James 1 12-15 we read God blesses us for our endurance.

Sinful actions become sinful habits, therefore to not sin is to be void of bad habits of sin. Also, hidden sins have a way of becoming public. You may not believe someone is watching you, so you mistakenly think you can get away from doing sin when we think no one is see’s or catches us. Eventually you will face God and his evaluation of your actions. Therefore, no sin is unwatched or hidden. Your actions are always watched by God, and He will judge you accordingly. A lifelong rebellion of sin will result in death, while a lifelong celebration with Christ will result in life. Read Romans 6:15-23.

Ending our initial path, step #8, Accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Christ tells us that we too can have this spiritual and holy relationship with our heavenly father. The journey their has been outlined since the beginning of time, we only need to find the right path and you too can find “Today’s Journeys End”. Do we go on or do we quit? You have learned up to this point that quitting is death, while continuing the journey is life. For the Tenderfoot supplicant, we have reached a point where we make the biggest decision of our life. If we chose life, then we must ask Christ into our lives. Ask and you shall receive. Hebrews speaks to us about our oath. Hebrews 6:16-19. 1 John 1:8-10 gives us a fact about God, that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. Christ accomplishes the whole purpose of the Law, read Romans 10:1-10. In Matthew 7:5-8 we read and learn about being a hypocrite.

Now is the time to make this decision. Tenderfoots, it is as simple as just reaching into your heart and releasing a prayer, one which confesses of your sins to God, and one inviting Christ to make that important life change in you. For the Versed supplicants who chose to walk this path for review will want to reconfirm their relationship with Christ at this time. We now come to our first crossroads. Here the Tenderfoot will have the opportunity to share their union with Christ, and the Versed supplicant will share their reunion with Christ. Of course it is always a reunion with God, from the time of Adam and Eve, God has waited for this reunion.

Crossroads #1, Sharing your Joy in the Lord

Tenderfoots will have the opportunity to share their journey’s experience with others, confess their sins, received Christ in their hearts if they have not done so before this. If they have reached this decision and done so before this Crossroads they will be able to share their decision with others and receive confirmation by others through prayer, song, praise, and joy. After your first crossroads, you will now have opportunity to make choices as to which direction to go. Both supplicants will most likely travel together now many of the paths that are open to you. I have spoken of “I am Okay” which is a path of jubilation, joy, song and dance. Here you will have a great time worshiping God, (see”I am Okay). Another choice will be “Who am I”, this path takes you down discovery of “Who you are in relationship to God”. You will learn about what scripture speaks about your personal relationship with God, and what He expects of you once you have accepted Christ in your heart. A Third path is “Finding the Holy Spirit”. This path is more advanced then the other’s, so the Tenderfoot is recommended to save this path for later in their journey after “I am Okay, and “Who am I”. The Versed supplicant may choose this path next after their initial path ends. “Doubt is a detour you will find on “Who am I”, and addresses the importance of clearing our heart of any doubt in Christ. Of course all supplicants will enjoy repeated visits to “I am Okay”.

“Doubt” a Detour, a path for those who need to deal with it.

For the Versed supplicant this can be an important detour for them to better understand “Who am I”, overcome barriers to receiving a fulfilled relationship with Christ. For the Tenderfoot supplicant this detour is best taken right after their initial starting path if they have as of yet not received Christ. I have come to realize that there are many barriers to completing this journey’s end, some may fail to overcome these obstacles when they start the journey. Many succeed in their endeavors, and complete the journey’s end. These barriers can be numbered in our head, given names, faces, and concepts that prevent us from finding our way on the paths lead to our journey’s end. One of these barriers is doubt, that which is unseen, another a greater barrier that many face is unresolved issues with sin. Anger is another barrier, while denial is a close kin to doubt. Marriage problems, infidelity, jealousy, and family issues are another. All the barriers we can name are paths that lead off from denial, doubt, and sin. When we accept Christ in our lives, we are saved from the price of our sin which is death, and given life eternally with our heavenly father. However, the path is narrow that which we choose to step forth on in our journey as Christians. The initial path may well have been easier, but the journey thereafter will be harder. Therefore, even the best of us find that path a difficult road to travel. Why is that? For most it is unresolved issues of sin and guilt of that sin that may still lie with the Versed supplicant and with the Tenderfoot supplicant may well be continued issues of doubt and denial. We are all born with a measure of skepticism in us, and just as equal a good amount of doubt. Read John 20:24-31, and you will find all about Thomas doubting the return of Christ from the grave.

Until we experiences it for ourselves, seeing isn’t always believing. There are many plethora’s of barriers that prevent many from achieving the journey’s end, and having a real McCoy of a relationship with Christ they see in others. When we can overcome being doubting Thomas’s in our lives we can have a better chance of overcoming these barriers we find on our journey’s end.
Both types of supplicants on this journey will have similar barriers to overcome when seeking a closer walk with Christ. Doubt being the first and most difficult barrier to tear down. Once we have done this then we can proceed on in our Journey’s end and strive to overcome any other barriers we have. The barriers that may crop up are the detours on our initial path. Scriptures are given to help guide you in your victory over them.

Detour, Unresolved sin

Unresolved sin....is there something in your life that you have not quite come to grips with. A sin that is unresolved, maybe one that you are not quite sure is sin. Often without realizing it, God is convicting us, telling us that we are not right with him over a sin we still hang onto in our lives. You must realize that God knows all about us, so if we try to hide our sins from him, then He is just to condemn us for our sin. Therefore, repent... Read Hebrews 12:24-29.

Though we are born in sin, which we have learned of in our initial starting paths, (review if needed), we are reborn again in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:21-23 tells us about our relationship with Adam, the first man. Sin is not just the disobedience of the ten commandments, but also ignorance of the teachings of Christ. We cannot in one breath say we accept Christ in our hearts, and do the opposite when we ignore what Christ has taught us. Therefore, we will fall short of the glory if we fail to hold dear to us all of that which Christ commands of us. Read Luke chapter 4 until the end of chapter 21. Here we will find an accurate record of the actions and teachings of Christ which will lead us to a better understanding of our relationship with Christ. I know this is a bit of reading, but it is most important that we learn what Christ wanted of us. Foremost was to bring the Good News to men and women, second to teach us good habits, third to show us how we should commune with God through prayer and last, obedience to God. The other Gospels, Matthew, Mark & John also gives us information regarding Christ while he walked among man, each being it’s own testament through the eyes of the author. Therefore, each Gospel has its own story to tell, together they verify Christ as the Son of God. If you have not already accepted Christ, there will be a way-station coming up so as to allow you the time to reflect on this decision.

Way-station # for both supplicants.

Time to relax and refresh ourselves. You may have a desire to take the “I am Okay” path for the first time or again and praise God. (See “I am Okay). If you are fasting, remember that fasting needs to be done for the right reasons, which can be a part of your repentance and prayer. Fasting is used as a spiritual discipline, therefore if you have started “Today’s Journeys End” fasting, to avoid temptation at the way-stations, it is best that you take the “I am Okay” path to fortify your resolve to continue fasting. The following scripture supports our need to worship God with Joy:

Read 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:19-22, Matthew 6:17-18.

There are many ways to fast, the length of time varies, and the reasons why. To fast for the wrong reasons can achieve nothing but a howling stomach and disappointment. Before you decide to fast on “Today’s Journeys End”, you need to understand what fasting is, which is more then the refusal to eat or drink, it is a preparation of the body to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Many men and women of history have fasted for divine deliverance and guidance. The disciples fasted at the time of consecration of elders and Paul fasted at the time of his conversion. Prayer and jubilation is a component of fasting, so a visit to the “I am Okay” path is appropriate.

“I am Okay” A path choice for both supplicants

Now there is a optimistic statement, “I am Okay” and when we have reached a point in “Today’s Journeys End”, when you really and truly can say “I am Okay”, then you need to tell the Lord and thank Him for bringing you to this tremendous and happy “I am Okay” experience and you can have a relationship with God. What better way to do this is to take the “I am Okay” path which will lead you to jubilation and celebration of this well being with God. Enter onto this path only if your have confirmed this with your heart and soul and are ready to shout to the world your love for Christ and what it means to you. Thanking God is found in Psalms which is a source for song and praise. Read Psalm 92:1-3, Luke 15:8-10.

Weekly worship on Sunday is a celebration we enter into each week, but did you know that you can celebrate at any time in “Today’s Journeys End”. Pick up a pot and bang it with a wooden spoon and praise the Lord. Dance without thought to a set step or form. You don’t need skill to play a organ or blow a horn, you need only the music in your heart and play it before the Lord. What ever the beat or steps you dance, God will receive this celebration and be pleased that you remember His love in song and praise. The “I am Okay” path will lighten your journey as you give your song and praise to the Lord. You will discover renewed energy and fortitude in your soul that will not only confirm your love for Christ, but will fill the vessel with the workings of the Holy Spirit. Lift up your arms in praise, raise your voice in song, and allow your heart to set the beat of the music you will worship God with. Repeat this path as often as you desire.

“Who am I” a path choice for both supplicants

Who am I? Now haven’t we asked that question many times in our lives. Now that we have become a convert of Christ, “who am I” is a very important question we need to ask ourselves while we mature in Christ. We need to determine our God-given abilities and in Luke 19-24-28, we learn the virtue of using well what we are given. Read Acts 6:1-7, were we are given the first appointment of elders, and deacons.

“Who am I” is basically a person who is responsible in the Lord. That responsibility is to walk in Christ in such away that no one can judge you except God himself. They are trustworthy and obedience to the Word of God. Integrity is a responsibility they have to themselves, to lead a live that is sinless, right with God and an example to others in the community. If the Tenderfoot supplicant finds themselves struggling with this responsibility, it is not a failure on their part, but a failure on those who are given charge over them in their growth as Christian. For elders are appointed over us for a reason and that is to show the new convert what their responsibilities are in the family of Christ. Accountability is important. The Body of Christ is made up of many parts, each part given a responsibility over the whole Body of Christ. Once we learn “Who am I”, we take on a responsibility ordained by Christ.

The Versed supplicant may well be confused about what part of the body they are, so review is important to re-discover these responsibility. We should never be satisfied to just be a pew warmer or the person who seldom volunteer’s themselfs to performing or assisting the responsibilities of the body of Christ. These pew warmer will fade into the background where they are just a nameless face in the greater body of Christ. Both supplicants read scripture 1 Cor. 12:1-31 to discover what each member of the Body of Christ can share in their responsibilities.

Now we have learned something about the Body of Christ and where we can fit. Don’t be surprised if the Holy Spirit works in you by directing you toward a different area of interest, something completely opposite of what you may feel capable of doing. Remember, it is not “I” but the “Him” who guides us toward a function in the Body of Christ. The “I” maybe a very talented and skilled person in a professional field, yet, the “Him” in us may ask us to do something entirely different then our own field of expertise. Therefore, understanding what the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the gifts are, allow us to determine where we need to be in our relationship with the Body of Christ. There are many good programs available to a church body to discover these gifts within the Body of Christ. After reading 1 Cor. 12:1-31, you will get a measure of what is required of us as a member of the Body of Christ.

“Where to find the Holy Spirit?” a path to choose.

Lets start with reading Acts 2:1-10, and Acts 4:25-37.

“All believers were of one heart and mind”, wow, now that’s a revelation. To find this revelation will be different for each supplicant because of the various level’s of maturity in Christ, unresolved issues & sin, and most certainly the measure of our faith. Remember we spoke of Doubt in one of our earlier Detours, if you haven’t visited this path yet, I recommend that you do so now for it will save repeating a knowledge previously given. Doubt certainly plays a big part in allowing ourselves to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Another and equally shared with doubt is “what are you experiencing in the Body of Christ?. Now this question is important for it opens up dialogue regarding the various forms, types, and way’s a Body of Christ worship.

It is obvious that we have many kinds of church denominations, from several types of Baptist to just as equally a number of Pentecostal churches, and everything in between. History of our modern day churches can be a life long investigation that should be reserved for a later time in our maturity in Christ. Need-less-to-say, church denominations vary in how they worship, ritual of worship, emotional depth of worship, and pageantry. The Roman Catholic church is rich in ritual and pageantry, while the basic Baptist church is ritual, but free of pageantry. While on the other hand, Pentecostal’s are rich in the emotional level of worship, raising of the hands, vocal praise, and speaking of the tongues. Most churches are grounded with basic bible knowledge, while a few are using selective interpretation of the Bible putting them either on the far left or right of other churches.

So what’s right for you? The answer to this is, what is the Holy Spirit telling you is right for you? Most people grow up being churched in one denomination or another with several generations attending the same church. They are ingrained with the ritual and style of worship that their grandfathers were comfortable. The newly churched, having no generational alliance to a church denomination, often visit different denomination of churches to find the place they fit in with. Non-denominational groups are made up of many of these newly churched converts. These groups often congregate as a Body of Christ because they desire to offer something new, modern, and free of the multi-generational ritual and outdated styles of worship. They survive while the more traditional church becomes stagnated and mired down with traditional rituals and pageantry. From my experience, these traditional churches failed to inspire the workings of the Holy Spirit in me, while the Pentecostal & Charismatic style of worship allowed me to express myself in worship in a way that I knew that I was communing with God. There are extremes in the Pentecostal way, as well as, the Charismatic, and other groups that tend to force religion on you. They force you to conform to their style of worship, or you just don’t fit and are asked to leave. These groups fail to realize that they don’t own the Holy Spirit, nor do they control it, defining when, where and how it appears. Instead the Holy Spirit comes to us, the when, where, and how it shows itself in our lives depends on how we have prepared ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit.

The Alter of God, a Detour on the path “Where to Find the Holy Spirit”?

When we come to “The Alter of God” with unresolved sin, or a full barrel of doubt that affects our faith, we are presenting to the Holy Spirit a tarnished vessel to which it can not abide in. Now let me explain the term “The Alter of God”, which can be a physical object in the church were we direct our eyes, or kneel at, but most importantly, “The Alter of God” is our place of worship. Therefore, the alter is where ever we worship God. It can be in your backyard, bedroom, or where ever you stand or kneel to worship God. So... and it’s a big so...if the vessel, your body & mind is unclean then the Holy Spirit is unable to come to you until the vessel has been cleaned, rinsed, and put ready for the Holy Spirit to live in. Bringing a dirty vessel to the alter is like bringing a dirty plate to the table to heap full with fresh food. It is not very appetizing is it. So, why bring a dirty vessel to God’s Alter. Read 1 Cor. 6:13-20, Romans 8:6-10


“Making it right with God”, a Detour on the path “Where to Find the Holy Spirit”.

So, and we come back to the word So...so what do you need to do to make your temple perfect with God? Now is the time on “Today’s Journeys End” that we get down to some serious discussion with ourselves.

1. If you are married, is your marriage right with God?
2. If not married, is your dating life right with God?
3. Are you a businessmen, is your ethics right with God?
4. Are you a student, is your student life right with God?
5. Are you a parent, is your parenting right with God?
6. Are you a honest person?
7. Does sex, drugs, and addictions rule you?
8. Does anger and hate control you?
9. Are there area’s in your heart where you have not forgiven someone?

The questions can be endless, so don’t be surprised if one question leads to another or gives you a different perspective of that question. Are you Right with God today? Give thought to today only, deal with it, get right with God, and move on, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Don’t allow guilt to become an addiction that continually controls your rightness with God. Once you have given your sin into God’s hands, that is were it stays for God is just to forgive and forget our sins. Remember that experiencing God’s forgiveness comes through confession and repentance.
Read John 20:20-25, 1 John 1:6-10, Matthew 6:14-15.

God has forgiven all our sins, why then should we withhold forgiveness from others. The fact that Christ forgave us, should produce a free and generous attitude toward others. So if you have some unresolved issue’s in these area’s and haven’t forgiven someone, we are setting ourselves outside and above Christ’s law of love. We have learned much about the reason why our temple may not be ready for the Holy Spirit to abide and work in us. If we as Versed supplicants are still seeking answers to “Where the Holy Spirit is”? Then we need to fully and completely break the old vessel that was us before we accepted Christ, and put on that new armor of the new person with Christ. We can not keep the old torn coat and over it the new one Christ gives us. No matter how well that old coat may still fit. It is no longer meant for us to continue using. Our walk in Christ, and our fellowship in Christ, our worship in the Body of Christ, and yes, the riddance of doubt and guilt will lead us to the Holy Spirit, but only if our temple is glean and ready for Christ to live in.

Detour for prayer and worship.

Okay, lets ready our Alter, and lets place ourselves at God’s feet, and pray. Seek that which is righteous in God’s eyes, seek that which is the love of Christ, seek that which is forgiveness, not only for ourselves but for others. Ask and it shall be yours, believe and it shall be yours, know that Christ is the son of God, and he died for our sins. His death for the death of our sins which only we can achieve by leading a life in Christ. His death for our life. Therefore empty the vessel of all corruption, and replace it with an invitation for the Holy Spirit to live in you. You have come to your last way-station. What happens here is time to rejoin with others as you end today’s final path.

Last Way-station

This is your last way-station, but not the end of your journey, for that will always be ongoing until the Lord takes us up to heaven. Here, you will have opportunity to meet with friends, Journey mates, and those who want to celebrate your journey. Enter this way-station with the joy of the Lord to its fullest measure. No-one can predict what the outcome will be, for that is truly in the hands of the Holy Spirit. But one thing will be for sure, and that is, that you will be a changed person. Expect everything, when nothing is left, God will come, and He will celebrate your joy with you at “Today’s Journeys End”. When God receives us eternally into His home, then “Today’s Journeys End”, when then become “Your Journey’s End”, that final prize God wanted us to have from the very beginning.

Article Source: http://www.religionarticlelibrary.com

Rev Robert is an associate member of the Universal Life Church (since 1979) and founder of God’s Temple of Grace Ministry Website at www.geocities.com/revdocrobert. The website offers bible studies and personal testimony. Visit www.todayschurch.blogspot.com for additional written material by Rev Robert.

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