I remember the first time I really fell in love with Jesus. I was sitting in an evening class at the Helms' house at Canada West School of Worship. Our teacher that night had just finished his lecture, and had picked up his guitar and began to lead us in worship. In the past, I would always sing along during worship and try and focus on the words. But this time I closed my eyes and found myself dancing in a golden field. It felt amazing. I had never felt so much freedom before. And oddly enough my dancing was actually beautiful (you would understand why this might surprise me if you have ever seen me dance in real life). In fact, I don't think I've ever felt as beautiful as I did dancing in that field.
As I was dancing I noticed Jesus walking in the field nearby. As soon as I saw him, I started running toward him with so much excitment and joy. He came running to meet me and as soon as he reached me he picked me up, twirled me around (like a daddy would twirl his little girl) and spoke these words, "I Delight In You". And that was it, the moment I fell in Love with Jesus. I remember sitting there, being completely blown away! You delight in ME Jesus? In ME? I couldn't believe it. The God who created the entire universe and made all things beautiful, delights in me. And what girl doesn't want to be told that? We all have this desire to know that we are loved, delighted in. I often revisit that moment. There are days when I'm down or moments were I'm sad, and sometimes in those moments I go back there to be with Jesus in that field.
About a month ago, God reminded me once again of his deep love for me. This time it was through a vision he gave a friend of mine at the College and Career retreat. During that weekend I had been thinking about the people I knew in my own life who seemed to have a clear sense of where they were going. They were doing something important, something that mattered and I had been asking God, "what about me"? Well that night my friend pulled me aside and started to tell me how she had seen me standing in a field. There were people dancing beautifully around me. And as I stood there and watched, Jesus came up to me, picked me up and put my feet on top of his, and said "Don't worry about what everyone else is doing, this dance is just for you". That night I felt so romanced by God. Literally Silly in love with Him! If you've ever been in love, it was like that, but ten thousand times better. I don't really know how else to describe it.
And there are days, especially lately, where I feel heavy and burdened. But God always, sweeps me away in His love. And so even though times are hard, His Love is ENOUGH. And He's ALWAYS there when I need him. He will NEVER let me down, he NEVER leaves me or abandons me. How amazing. And guess what, He feels exactly the same way about YOU!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Taking a Time Out
I'm always posting other people's words that inspire me lately...and well, here I go again...here is a post by Stasi Eldridge (writer of Captivating)...
I’m trying to relate to my sixteen year old son. It is not going well.
Sometimes I feel that he looks at me like I am a strange (not exotic, just strange) fish swimming inside of a tank. What?!? Huh?
I don’t like it. I want to snap at him for looking at me weird, dismissing me, not responding to me with awed respect. I want to go into the pantry and eat some forbidden food by the handful. Bury my face in a pan of brownies. That’ll show him.
Instead, as those godless roads are closed to me, I escape to my bedroom and give myself a time out. Big breath. What is true? Who is the grown up here? How do I love from this out of sorts place? Jesus, please come. Help me rise above my hormones and sugar addiction and self centeredness. Fill me Holy Spirit. I breathe you in. I let go of my own agenda and complusions. Thank you.
I’m still hungry but choose to reengage.
“Ping pong?”, I offer. He says no thanks. I am still a fish.
“I turn my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth.” I love you, Jesus. I know this is about me, not my son. You are the only One who can fill this hungry heart.
This got me thinking about how I respond to similar situations. I obviously don't have kids of my own...but I think this concept works in most scenarios. Taking a Time-Out and asking God to re-focus us is a good thing to be doing.
I’m trying to relate to my sixteen year old son. It is not going well.
Sometimes I feel that he looks at me like I am a strange (not exotic, just strange) fish swimming inside of a tank. What?!? Huh?
I don’t like it. I want to snap at him for looking at me weird, dismissing me, not responding to me with awed respect. I want to go into the pantry and eat some forbidden food by the handful. Bury my face in a pan of brownies. That’ll show him.
Instead, as those godless roads are closed to me, I escape to my bedroom and give myself a time out. Big breath. What is true? Who is the grown up here? How do I love from this out of sorts place? Jesus, please come. Help me rise above my hormones and sugar addiction and self centeredness. Fill me Holy Spirit. I breathe you in. I let go of my own agenda and complusions. Thank you.
I’m still hungry but choose to reengage.
“Ping pong?”, I offer. He says no thanks. I am still a fish.
“I turn my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth.” I love you, Jesus. I know this is about me, not my son. You are the only One who can fill this hungry heart.
This got me thinking about how I respond to similar situations. I obviously don't have kids of my own...but I think this concept works in most scenarios. Taking a Time-Out and asking God to re-focus us is a good thing to be doing.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Words of Mother Theresa
“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
– from Mother Teresa’s wall
Saturday, June 6, 2009
God Speaks
June 6, 2009
"Work Out" What God "Works in" You
. . . work out your own salvation . . . for it is God who works in you . . . —Philippians 2:12-13
Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God. Yet you say, "But I don’t know if my will is in agreement with God." Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. What causes you to say "I will not obey" is something less deep and penetrating than your will. It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin.
The will is the essential element in God’s creation of human beings— sin is a perverse nature which entered into people. In someone who has been born again, the source of the will is Almighty God. ". . . for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." With focused attention and great care, you have to "work out" what God "works in" you— not work to accomplish or earn "your own salvation," but work it out so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposing will up against God’s will— God’s will is your will. Your natural choices will be in accordance with God’s will, and living this life will be as natural as breathing. Stubbornness is an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow. The only thing to do with this barrier of stubbornness is to blow it up with "dynamite," and the "dynamite" is obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Do I believe that Almighty God is the Source of my will? God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.
"Work Out" What God "Works in" You
. . . work out your own salvation . . . for it is God who works in you . . . —Philippians 2:12-13
Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God. Yet you say, "But I don’t know if my will is in agreement with God." Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. What causes you to say "I will not obey" is something less deep and penetrating than your will. It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin.
The will is the essential element in God’s creation of human beings— sin is a perverse nature which entered into people. In someone who has been born again, the source of the will is Almighty God. ". . . for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." With focused attention and great care, you have to "work out" what God "works in" you— not work to accomplish or earn "your own salvation," but work it out so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposing will up against God’s will— God’s will is your will. Your natural choices will be in accordance with God’s will, and living this life will be as natural as breathing. Stubbornness is an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow. The only thing to do with this barrier of stubbornness is to blow it up with "dynamite," and the "dynamite" is obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Do I believe that Almighty God is the Source of my will? God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.
Monday, May 25, 2009
"I am In This"
So I've been planning Global Day of Prayer here in Saskatoon with two friends of mine for this year. It's coming up really fast, in less then a week now. We still seem to have so many details to pull together and as I've called people to be involved and looked for people who are eager to serve I haven't gotten a lot of positive results. It's been frustrating for me, being new at this and really not knowing how to plan such a big event in the first place, the lack of response seems to add to the frustration. I think in some ways I've lost some motivation and also have allowed myself to become lazy.
This morning I was reading from John Eldridge's blog, a well known christian author. I came across this:
“Both the Scriptures and the history of the church teach that if the Holy Spirit is working, the whole man will be involved and there will be much cost to the Christian. The more the Holy Spirit works, the more Christians will be used in battle, and the more they are used, the more there will be personal cost and tiredness. It is quite the opposite of what we might first think. People often cry out for the work of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that when the Holy Spirit works, there is always tremendous cost to the people of God, weariness and tears and battles.”
I asked God to use me and I guess in some ways I figured once the oppertunity came it would be easy. But it's a battle. Inward and outward. Further down in John's blog he wrote something that literally came off the page as though God were speaking those exact words to me, he wrote, "The consolation was also Jesus saying, 'You didn’t blow it; I asked you to do this. I am in this'".
This morning I was reading from John Eldridge's blog, a well known christian author. I came across this:
“Both the Scriptures and the history of the church teach that if the Holy Spirit is working, the whole man will be involved and there will be much cost to the Christian. The more the Holy Spirit works, the more Christians will be used in battle, and the more they are used, the more there will be personal cost and tiredness. It is quite the opposite of what we might first think. People often cry out for the work of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that when the Holy Spirit works, there is always tremendous cost to the people of God, weariness and tears and battles.”
I asked God to use me and I guess in some ways I figured once the oppertunity came it would be easy. But it's a battle. Inward and outward. Further down in John's blog he wrote something that literally came off the page as though God were speaking those exact words to me, he wrote, "The consolation was also Jesus saying, 'You didn’t blow it; I asked you to do this. I am in this'".
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Just a little thought for the day...
Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Worship and Intercession
Holiness or Hardness Toward God?
He . . . wondered that there was no intercessor . . . —Isaiah 59:16
The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.
Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5 ). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.
Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?
Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work-work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
If there are two things that I'm most passionate about it's worship and intercession. Those two things are the most important aspects of my relationship with the Lord because it's through worship and intercession that I am changed. As we seek and pursue God in our lives he honors that and begins to change us. And I so want to be changed by Him. Everyday I long to become more and more a reflection of my God. I long to be free from the flesh, the sinful nature that so often controls me. I want so badly for the lost to be found, for the blind to see and for the hurting to find healing in Jesus Christ. I long to go deeper and deeper into the heart of God...as deep as I can possibly go. I want to know every corner and every part. I want to know the heart of God, I want to cry for what He cries for, I want to rejoice in what He rejoices in. I want to be so intimately connected to my God, to the point where I'm undeniably His alone.
He . . . wondered that there was no intercessor . . . —Isaiah 59:16
The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.
Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5 ). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.
Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?
Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work-work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
If there are two things that I'm most passionate about it's worship and intercession. Those two things are the most important aspects of my relationship with the Lord because it's through worship and intercession that I am changed. As we seek and pursue God in our lives he honors that and begins to change us. And I so want to be changed by Him. Everyday I long to become more and more a reflection of my God. I long to be free from the flesh, the sinful nature that so often controls me. I want so badly for the lost to be found, for the blind to see and for the hurting to find healing in Jesus Christ. I long to go deeper and deeper into the heart of God...as deep as I can possibly go. I want to know every corner and every part. I want to know the heart of God, I want to cry for what He cries for, I want to rejoice in what He rejoices in. I want to be so intimately connected to my God, to the point where I'm undeniably His alone.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Won't you come home?
I'm SO hungry for God. And I want so badly for the church to truly seek and find the Lord. I believe that God is taking the church to a whole new place. A place this generation has not yet seen. God wants to bring us into a place of intimacy with him. A place where he can speak softly to us of his love and beakon the darkness out of us. A place that is so safe, a place that is so sacred. And my whole body craves that...my mind, my heart and my spirit. Hebrews 4: 12 says "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart". God wants to take us to a place where his word speaks to us...and begins to cut away the selfish flesh, and everything that is not of his heart. And I want so badly to go there. Not just me...but along with the whole church. And God, wants it so much more. He keeps beckoning us. He keeps calling out, longing for us to come. He says "won't you come home to me?"
Friday, February 27, 2009
A Thought for Today
"The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him."
...Sometimes I become discouraged when I see how deep the well of my incompleteless runs. When I think of how much work the Lord still needs to do in me. But this encouraged me when I read it. That discouragement does not come from God. That discouragement comes from the enemy. Because as long as he can get us to believe that God is not capable of changing us, we'll stay right where we are, or worse, turn and walk the other way. But God is MORE then capable of changing us. His grace goes beyond anything we can imagine. So when you start to feel discouraged about your incompleteness and begin to think that God is in-capable of saving you from every hurt and every bit of shame and sin, think again. He IS capable. Nothing is impossible for the Almighty God.
...Sometimes I become discouraged when I see how deep the well of my incompleteless runs. When I think of how much work the Lord still needs to do in me. But this encouraged me when I read it. That discouragement does not come from God. That discouragement comes from the enemy. Because as long as he can get us to believe that God is not capable of changing us, we'll stay right where we are, or worse, turn and walk the other way. But God is MORE then capable of changing us. His grace goes beyond anything we can imagine. So when you start to feel discouraged about your incompleteness and begin to think that God is in-capable of saving you from every hurt and every bit of shame and sin, think again. He IS capable. Nothing is impossible for the Almighty God.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Do You Really Love Him?
She has done a good work for Me —Mark 14:6
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ". . . but perfect love casts out fear . . ." once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 ). We should quit asking ourselves, "Am I of any use?" and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
(written by: Oswald Chambers)
Lately I've been feeling discouraged about how much work God has yet to do in me...and sometimes I feel as though I'm not in a place where I can be used by God until I get to a certain point where I think I'm "good enough" or fianlly "worthy" to be used by Him. What an untrue thought! The truth is...I myself will never be worthy...and it's nothing that I can or will ever do that will make me worthy to be used by God. I can try to change on my own and make that my focus...but that won't truely cause me to change. The only way that I can truely is change is by fully seeking God alone. As we spend time in his word and his prescence through intimate moments of worship and prayer...face down before Him...that's when He will begin to change us. And it's by His Grace that I am worthy. Because without the gift of Jesus Christ and the blood he shed for me...I am not worthy of his love. But by God's Grace we are made worthy! How amazing is our God? Who loves like that? So don't focus on becoming more holy...simply focus on SEEKING GOD...really, truely, completely seeking Him. That's when we will be changed.
If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? "She has done a good work for Me."
There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ". . . but perfect love casts out fear . . ." once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 ). We should quit asking ourselves, "Am I of any use?" and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.
(written by: Oswald Chambers)
Lately I've been feeling discouraged about how much work God has yet to do in me...and sometimes I feel as though I'm not in a place where I can be used by God until I get to a certain point where I think I'm "good enough" or fianlly "worthy" to be used by Him. What an untrue thought! The truth is...I myself will never be worthy...and it's nothing that I can or will ever do that will make me worthy to be used by God. I can try to change on my own and make that my focus...but that won't truely cause me to change. The only way that I can truely is change is by fully seeking God alone. As we spend time in his word and his prescence through intimate moments of worship and prayer...face down before Him...that's when He will begin to change us. And it's by His Grace that I am worthy. Because without the gift of Jesus Christ and the blood he shed for me...I am not worthy of his love. But by God's Grace we are made worthy! How amazing is our God? Who loves like that? So don't focus on becoming more holy...simply focus on SEEKING GOD...really, truely, completely seeking Him. That's when we will be changed.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Answers...
Spiritual Dejection by Oswald Chambers
We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened —Luke 24:21
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means "I must have it at once." Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today "the third day" and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
"Whoa" is all I could say after I read this. How often do we sit before God and demand He give us an answer?!? Is it right for me to think that He owes me that, or I deserve that? Everything I attain in life, I have because of Him, physical or not. One thing I have recently been learning, is that the only thing in life that I can be completely certain of is my Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything else in this world will fade or change or grow weary and faint; but the Lord will never fade, he will never change. He is the Alpha, Omega, beginning and the end. He will not grow weary or faint...He is the constant. Everything else is temporary. Even answers. They last for a while...until something else comes along...then we want me. But if we are always seeking God instead, then answers will come without worry or haste. And our peace that is found only in Him will be constant. So from now on...I'm going to seek God...not answers.
We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened —Luke 24:21
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means "I must have it at once." Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today "the third day" and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
"Whoa" is all I could say after I read this. How often do we sit before God and demand He give us an answer?!? Is it right for me to think that He owes me that, or I deserve that? Everything I attain in life, I have because of Him, physical or not. One thing I have recently been learning, is that the only thing in life that I can be completely certain of is my Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything else in this world will fade or change or grow weary and faint; but the Lord will never fade, he will never change. He is the Alpha, Omega, beginning and the end. He will not grow weary or faint...He is the constant. Everything else is temporary. Even answers. They last for a while...until something else comes along...then we want me. But if we are always seeking God instead, then answers will come without worry or haste. And our peace that is found only in Him will be constant. So from now on...I'm going to seek God...not answers.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Are You Gonna Finish Strong?
Someone e-mailed me this video...it's worth watching. Check it out!
http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html
http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wait upon God
Oswald again...I'm just loving what he has to say this year...
When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him —Genesis 15:12
Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness" that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11 ).
Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.
I was praying last night and asking God for clarity...and this seems to be pretty clear to me. Wait upon God. Waiting for HIS timing will ALWAYS be better then lighting our own path. Isaiah 50:10-11 says this:
10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
Any of us are able to light our own path and find our own way through life. But God blesses those who WAIT on Him and choose to Trust and rely on Him instead of ourselves. I can't remember the reference for the verse or the exact words...but it says in God's word that those who cling to their lives will loose them...but those who loose their lives for God will find Life. Let's not light our own paths...instead let's wait on God. His timing is always perfect.
When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him —Genesis 15:12
Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness" that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11 ).
Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.
I was praying last night and asking God for clarity...and this seems to be pretty clear to me. Wait upon God. Waiting for HIS timing will ALWAYS be better then lighting our own path. Isaiah 50:10-11 says this:
10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
Any of us are able to light our own path and find our own way through life. But God blesses those who WAIT on Him and choose to Trust and rely on Him instead of ourselves. I can't remember the reference for the verse or the exact words...but it says in God's word that those who cling to their lives will loose them...but those who loose their lives for God will find Life. Let's not light our own paths...instead let's wait on God. His timing is always perfect.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Not Gonna Lie...I miss you.
I'm okay
Better then okay...happy even.
Probably happier then I have been in a long time,
But I'm not gonna lie, I miss you.
Better then okay...happy even.
Probably happier then I have been in a long time,
But I'm not gonna lie, I miss you.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Oswald Again...
The Call of the Natural Life
When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me . . . —Galatians 1:15-16
The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature. The call of the natural life was stated by the apostle Paul— "When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him [that is, purely and solemnly express Him] among the Gentiles . . . ."
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.
When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me . . . —Galatians 1:15-16
The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature. The call of the natural life was stated by the apostle Paul— "When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him [that is, purely and solemnly express Him] among the Gentiles . . . ."
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Running
I Love to run lately. We have a gym in our building at work that we get to use for FREE! How awesome is that?! I usually run on my lunch breaks...mp3 player in hand (cause I'm not a cool i-pod user like the rest of you...). The other day the song "Everything" by Lifehouse came on...which to me is a worship song to God. It starts out soft and mellow and then breaks out at the bridge near the end of the song..."Cause you're all I want, You're all I need, You're Everything, Everything". And Woah did my adreniline ever start pumping! I can't even explain how it feels to run listening to those words and the intense beat of the drums and guitar, pushing you past your physical being, touching your spirit and suddenly making the "run" seem effortless. And those words...suddenly become something I'm running towards. It's one of my favourite ways to Worship God lately. To let Him speak to me through music and lyrics as I run...there is something empowering about it. You should try it sometime! Anyway...that's all for now...it's my bedtime.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Another great thought from Oswald...
Have You Ever Been Alone with God?
When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples —Mark 4:34
Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?
We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we will never say, "Oh, I’m so unworthy." We will understand that this goes without saying. But as long as there is any doubt that we are unworthy, God will continue to close us in until He gets us alone. Whenever there is any element of pride or conceit remaining, Jesus can’t teach us anything. He will allow us to experience heartbreak or the disappointment we feel when our intellectual pride is wounded. He will reveal numerous misplaced affections or desires— things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. Many things are shown to us, often without effect. But when God gets us alone over them, they will be clear.
When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples —Mark 4:34
Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?
We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we will never say, "Oh, I’m so unworthy." We will understand that this goes without saying. But as long as there is any doubt that we are unworthy, God will continue to close us in until He gets us alone. Whenever there is any element of pride or conceit remaining, Jesus can’t teach us anything. He will allow us to experience heartbreak or the disappointment we feel when our intellectual pride is wounded. He will reveal numerous misplaced affections or desires— things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. Many things are shown to us, often without effect. But when God gets us alone over them, they will be clear.
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