“I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14 AMP)
“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1-2 NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17 NKJV)
I am still attempting to answer Question # 2…
… ”Eric, is your life expectancy based on your experience (personal and perceived), or is your life experience flowing from your expectancy?”
Today I want to expand on the difference between a “fact” and the “truth. To set the groundwork for this let’s look at a couple of things that were contained in Part 6…
…”The thoughts that dominate my mind come from both the experiences (facts) of life (mine and others) and the “Truth” that is deposited in my heart (spirit) and mind (soul) by the Holy Spirit and the Word (Scripture), and will determine what I expect out of life moving forward.”
…”Let’s apply this to my expectation of aging and death. If I base my expectation of what my future holds for me in the area of aging on the predominant experience of others then I am going to expect to begin losing my physical and mental capacities with each passing moment. As I begin to experience what I have seen in others, this expectation will strengthen and begin moving from the conscious level of my thinking to my subconscious. Once this happens I will begin interpreting anything that hints at being age related as “natural” and “normal” when I experience it. Finally, as this cycle continues I conclude that my thinking was correct and I no longer question those things which I now accept as “natural,” “normal,” and/or “common.” The “experiential facts” of my life become my “truth.”
“Grace Expectations” are based on “Kingdom Truths” that are currently deposited in my heart (spirit). These “truths” may or may not currently match the “facts” that are being perceived or experienced by my soul (mind) or body. These “truths” may or may not match what has been historically perceived or experienced by the majority of those who have gone before me. They may be rare among my peers. The main thing I have come to realize is that my perception of current “facts” of any matter is often inaccurate. “Facts” change daily as I discover things that I was not aware of. The “truth” is constant and eternal, changing the “facts” as it never changes.
“Truth” renews my mind (soul), and enlivens my body by way of the Holy Spirit and the Word. As my mind is renewed and my body is enlivened the “facts” of aging and death give way to the “truths” that are revealed. Hence, “length of days” and “long life” are added to me. Renewed Youth replaces the “normal” process of aging and “abundant life” replaces the “common” experience of death as my body is “quickened” (made alive) and “mortality is swallowed by immortality.” However, none of this is even a possibility if I refuse to replace “fact” with “truth” and mix my faith with the Word.
Only as I begin to intentionally think, speak, and act upon the truth that has been revealed in my spirit by the Holy Spirit and the Word will the facts of my life begin to change. It takes courage to go against the flow. It takes stamina and dedication to day after day think, speak, and act on the truth in the face of situations, circumstances, and voices that scream out in opposition to the truths that you hold.
I must be willing to…
…walk by faith and not by sight.
…be a voice crying in the wilderness while feeling like I am the only one (knowing that there are others).
…plant the seeds of truth, water them, and trust God to bring the increase (in his way and in his time), especially when I can’t see anything growing.
There is so much more to say, however I am being prompted within to give my answer to Question # 2: ”Eric, is your life expectancy based on your experience (personal and perceived), or is your life experience flowing from your expectancy?”
Answer # 2: “My life expectancy was based on experience, however the “Truth” has set me free! For the last 7 years my life experience has been progressively flowing from my expectancy.”
Here is a taste of my “Grace Expectation” that is creating the flow of my future…
…If Caleb could take his mountain when he was 85 with the strength, vigor, and vitality that had not diminished since his assignment was given at the age of 40, so can I!
…If Moses could stand and look into the Promised Land with undimmed eyes, full of youthful strength at the age of 120, so can I!
…If Abraham could live to be 175 (fathering children from the age of 100 until well after 135) without having lost an ounce of strength, so can I! (Though I’m not sure my assignment includes making any more babies.)
…If over 2 million people can walk out of Egypt without even one “feeble” among them, having all received an “infusion of youth,” so can I!
…If Elijah could go up in a whirlwind to meet God without ever tasting death after finishing his course, so can I!
…If Enoch could walk with God and enter into his eternal presence bypassing death completely, so can I!
If my expectations are based on common experience then I will simply see these as interesting stories, or maybe even exceptional events. However, I will not receive them as truth for me to live by. And I definitely will not claim them as my own. However, if my expectations are based on the “truth” revealed to me by the Spirit and the Word then my future experience will flow from my expectancy.
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” (Romans 15:4 AMP)
Truth or Fact?…
…It is a fact that people’s health and vitality diminish with age.
…It is the truth that my mind is being renewed, my body is being enlivened, and my youth is being renewed (strength, vigor, and vitality) so that my strength will not be abated, my eyes will not dim, and I will never become feeble!
…It is a fact that people die.
…It is the truth that death has been defeated, that mortality is being swallowed up by immortality, that death as my last enemy was defeated at the cross, that life was imparted to me through the resurrection, and that I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord!
Therefore, I fully expect to…
…live a strong, long life worth living, without limit or end, with nothing missing or broken; therefore I was designed to live a life filled with purity, passion, power, and purpose; regardless of current age or condition – in order to partner with my Father in expanding the Kingdom of Heaven (here and now) throughout the earth.”
Much to ponder as I let my mind wrap around…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 425: Grace Expectations – Life Expectancy Kingdom Style: Part 7