We are studying how those who are poor in spirit live in the time between times. The person who is poor in spirit receives God’s assignments and promises for the time between times.
God exists. God communicates. God’s creation communicates.
Keeping promises is connected to power and wisdom. Only God is completely wise and powerful. Only God is totally trustworthy for fulfilling promises.
Between the times, God’s promises empower us to fulfill his assignments.
Numbers 11:17 “I will come down and speak with you there…”
- Hebrews 1:1 – Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…
- Job 33:14 – For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
- John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice.
Faith is born when one hears the “word of Christ” (God’s promises in Christ). Romans 10:17
The human body is a complex communication network. It is fair to say that your body is a most fascinating and gigantic library and vast collection of living communications. Each of your 37.2 trillion cells are receiving, understanding, and responding to communications.
Reception – Transduction – Response
Transduction – Signal transduction is any process by which a biological cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another. In signal transduction, the cell makes meaning from the receptor and enables a proper response.
Transduction in the natural is like discernment in the spiritual. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
The Apostle Peter clearly received God’s communication regarding his future death. John 21:18-19
In the time of their persecution, the Holy 40 Martyrs received God’s communication.
After prayers that night, for a second time the soldiers heard the voice of the Lord.
“He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. Be bold and have no fear of short-lived torment which soon passes; endure…that you may receive crowns.
When Licinius threatened to strip them of the honor as soldiers, one of them, St. Candidus, responded, “Not only the honor of being a soldier, but take away our bodies, for nothing is more dear or honorable, to us than Christ our God.”
In terms of cellular biology, the Holy 40 Martyrs’ receptors heard the word of the Lord, transduced the meaning (be bold and have no fear of short-lived torment), and on their behalf Candidus properly responded.
Today, in my between time, God has promises for me and my involvement in His assignment. It is it is vital that my receptors are prepared to receive His communication.
- Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
- I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:125
- He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21
- And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
Personal Applications
- Ask God to create in you receptivity to His communications.
- Practice discernment (Transduction) in a group of mature
- Make your response with mature Christians giving input and oversight.
The Apostle Peter and Candidus relied on the promises of God to accomplish their part of God’s assignment.