EXTERNAL TO  INTERNAL by Marsha Burns:

I was seeking the Lord about defining more completely the period of time that has just begun with coming full circle.  If we are to begin again, what does that look like? 

I don’t want to make the same mistakes again! 

Small Straws words:
It is important that you position yourself in the Spirit to move into the next phase of existence.  Positioning is vital to your readiness and progression.  Establish yourself in right relationship to Me, and allow Me to give you the wisdom and knowledge you need to know where you are and where you are going. 

I want to show you the wonders of perceiving the world around you from a spiritual perspective.  Your inclination is to see everything from a natural or worldly point of view, but I want to take you higher and help you see and understand spiritually.  Set your heart to allow Me to transform you into My image, says the Lord.  Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You are on the right track, but circumstances will arise that have the potential of getting you sidetracked.  Stay focused and keep your objective clear.  This truly is a new beginning, but the enemy will do whatever he can to cause you to make the same mistakes you made in the last spiritual season.  Seek Me for wisdom in all things.

Continue to follow Me and do what is right in every situation.  You know the difference between right and wrong, and you can choose to be righteous.  Refuse to give in to any temptation that would result in attitudes or actions that are contrary to My character and nature.  I have called you to be one with Me, and when we are unified My thoughts will be your thoughts, and your actions will follow, says the Lord. 

Nutshell:

1.    Positioning is vital to readiness and progression.

Positioning is defined as the act of putting ourselves in a certain place where we can fall into line or into position.

What is that position?  Being IN the Spirit and not in the flesh!  We have to be in the right spiritual position before we are ready to move forward.

2.    Spiritual perspective instead of natural point of view.

This is seeing through the eyes of the Spirit and discerning His leading.

3.    Don’t make the same mistakes.

One of my biggest mistakes of the past was being a people pleaser.  If we go about pleasing people for the sake of acceptance, our focus is not on being led by the Spirit of the Lord, but trying to maintain natural control.

4.    Be righteous.

This can only be attained through the Spirit as we allow the character and nature of Christ to transform us into His image.

Bottom Line:

This new phase of existence will give us opportunities to move from external to internal, and to move from our focus on temporary conditions to eternal perspective.

Examples of External:

Focus on finances, jobs, appearance, relationships, activities, etc.

Life all about ourselves.

It’s not that you ignore physical or fleshly needs, but that you aren’t invested in them. 

Investment is defined as the amount of time, energy, money, or emotion needed in order to make something successful.

We are not seeking outward and worldly success; we are seeking to be One with Christ.

Matthew 6:33  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Examples of Internal:

Many times, we find ourselves putting extraordinary emphasis on reading the Word instead of doing the Word (internally through obedience), praying aloud in prayer meetings instead of doing business with God in the Spirit, singing worship songs instead of truly worshiping God from our hearts.

John 4:23  "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”

Internal vs. External is the difference between relationship with God through Christ in the Spirit and religious exercise. 

I believe this is why the so-called “prophetic/apostolic movement” that began in the late 1980’s basically failed.  Those who wanted to be prophets or apostles were interested in being a cut above everyone else; they wanted to be seen, heard, and appreciated. 

True prophets are pretty hard to come by.  There are very few people who really hear from God and have true spiritual discernment.  Those who are true prophets are not looking for notoriety or financial gain.  They are not in it for themselves.  They are simply seekers of truth and thereby become vessels of the Lord.

Colossians 2:8  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Moving from external to internal will mean that we are serious about connecting with God and walking in the Spirit.  This is a choice, and the more we understand about the difference between external and internal, religious and spiritual, the better equipped we are to choose righteously.