The Old Testament law reminded mankind that they were not able to meet God’s expectations, not even the Ten Commandments. Mankind was sinners. It is always has been (and is) that way, part of our nature.

This is a bit problem especially when you keep in mind that God is holy. In the Old Testament, God put the utmost importance on His holiness. The idea of “holy” was primarily that of being apart. There was a huge separation between God and man made evident by His majesty, His greatness and His purity.

There was distance demonstrated regularly in the Old Testament.
God set a boundary at the foundation of the mountain when He spoke to His people. The people were horrified, and persisted throughout the Old Testament. Even in the New Testament, when Jesus was at sea, a stormy sea, with a few of the disciples, the experienced at sea disciples were afraid of dying and called on Christ to save them.

When the Lord calmed the stormy seas, the disciples were even more scared because they quickly realized they were in the presence of God who is mightier than stormy seas. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). “. . .without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)

But, something changed with Jesus!

In fact, it’s so amazing that we need to have Christian clothing that we could wear that shouted this to the world!

How did he make everything different?

God uses new terms to define our relationship. Romans 8:14-15 tells us three ways Jesus changed everything. When Jesus becomes Lord of our lives, we find amazing grace and blessings.
These two powerful verses are the key to fully knowing the Christian life.

First, we are sons of God (v. 14).
“. . . because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (8:14)

We are no longer led (or shepherded) by the law, but by the Holy Spirit of God now living within us. The Spirit leads us into holiness.

Secondly, as his children, our fear is replaced by the blessings of adoption (v. 15a).

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear.” (8:15a)
The New Testament letters (epistles) use the metaphor of adoption five times all by the Apostle Paul (Romans 8:15; Romans 9:4; Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:5 and Galatians 4:5).
And finally, as His children, we have direct access to the Father (v. 15b).

“. . .but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (8:15b)
“Abba Father” Abba is the Aramaic and Father is Greek. They are put together here to pronounce the closest of family relationships, indicating: intimacy, tenderness, dependence and complete lack of fear. Some would say “Papa” or Daddy” (used reverently) would be a good understanding of “Abba Father.”

Pretty awesome, huh?

As one of my private students advised me, in fact something that I had written in my first Cosmic Ordering book, ‘Cosmic Ordering Guide’, that I should always have an air of expectancy! They fired that back in response to something I mentioned to them, and I must admit that for a little while I felt as if the student had become the master! So well done to them for reminding me of my very own teachings. This is something you MUST have about you if you are going to become a winner. Even in a situation where you are up against it, always have this air of expectancy, always know you are winner and you WILL be a winner.

READING MY WORDS WILL GUIDE YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

There once was a wise sage who wandered the countryside. One day, as he passed near a village, he was approached by a woman who told him of a sick child nearby. She beseeched him to help this child.

So the sage came to the village, and a crowd gathered around him, for such a man was a rare sight. One woman brought the sick child to him, and he said a prayer over her.

“Do you really think your prayer will help her, when medicine has failed?” yelled a man from the crowd.

“You know nothing of such things! You are a stupid fool!” said the sage to the man.

The man became very angry with these words and his face grew hot and red. He was about to say something, or perhaps strike out, when the sage walked over to him and said: “If one word has such power as to make you so angry and hot, may not another have the power to heal?”

And thus, the sage healed two people that day.

Never underestimate what words can do for you.

WORK WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF YOUR CAPABILITIES AND YOU WILL SOON AMASS YOUR DESIRES

Work within your capabilities and build on this, do not go straight for lumps of gold and piles of cash. They will come your way, but not before you have applied yourself to the smaller Orders. This story epitomises what I mean.

Many years ago three soldiers, hungry and weary of battle, came upon a small village. The villagers, suffering a meagre harvest and the many years of war, quickly hid what little they had to eat and met the three at the village square, wringing their hands and bemoaning the lack of anything to eat.

The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then turned to the village elders. “Your tired fields have left you nothing to share, so we will share what little we have: the secret of how to make soup from stones.”

Naturally the villagers were intrigued and soon a fire was put to the town’s greatest kettle as the soldiers dropped in three smooth stones. “Now this will be a fine soup”, said the second soldier; “but a pinch of salt and some parsley would make it wonderful!”

Up jumped a villager, crying “What luck! I’ve just remembered where some have been left!” And off she ran, returning with an apronful of parsley and a turnip. As the kettle boiled on, the memory of the village improved: soon barley, carrots, beef and cream had found their way into the great pot, and a cask of wine was rolled into the square as all sat down to feast.

They ate and danced and sang well into the night, refreshed by the feast and their newfound friends. In the morning the three soldiers awoke to find the entire village standing before them. At their feet lay a satchel of the village’s best breads and cheese. “You have given us the greatest of gifts: the secret of how to make soup from stones”, said an elder, “and we shall never forget.” The third soldier turned to the crowd, and said: “There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by sharing that we may make a feast”. And off the soldiers wandered, down the road.

The soldiers just started out small, within the bounds of what they had. There was no shame in working with just a few basic things, but soon an abundance came their way, and that is how you must use Cosmic Ordering …good luck.

Copyright Stephen Richards

Learn also about kundalini yoga poses.