I'm stuck on day 4... I haven't even gone through what Chuck Pierce says in his word. Let me first share Chuck's words, and then I'll explain a little.
4. New Warfare strategies of recovery and reversal of fortune.
Chuck first mentions that we need to sit before the LORD and ask Him to give us the mind for recovery. Then he says to read 1 Samual 30:6-8. We need to encourage ourselves in the LORD, and not just look at our "bad" situation!
Read Jeremiah 30. LORD, give us an understanding of the power if restoration. LORD, we pray through Haggai 1-2. LORD, we decree that ALL disinterest, disillusionment, and discouragement will break from us! Father, we pray for every building project that You have placeed before us--which includes our ministries, our church, and even actually physical buildings. LORD, unlock that silver and gold these projects will need.
I have not been able to get past this. When I read each one of those passages above, it stirred something in me. We just came off of a week long conference. During that conference, many things were declared and taught and said, and God stirred up some dreams I thought were dead. BUT, I want to make sure that it is God and that it is His right timing before I say or do anything. That's why I am spending some time on this. I know there are projects He wants started... and if it is from the God of Heaven and Earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the "silver and gold" will be released. Amen.
Be blessed.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
10 Emerging Prophetic Shifts - Day 3
3. New strategies concerning supply and the transference of wealth.
Today I read 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4, and Mark 12:41-44. All of these passages have to do with God's provision, God's "financial" or material blessing, and giving from our need or our lack, not form our surplus.
These are not new or novel ideas. Anyone who reads his Bible with an open heart knows that God is a God of blessing. He wants to bless us, even in this world. It is NOT some higher form of Christianity to be poor or to voluntarily want to be poor or just have the "basic" needs. I am not saying that Christians will not be poor or in trouble financially sometimes. Occasionally, we make very bad decisions (I'm still living with a lot of bad decision I had made from about ages 18-28). There is wisdom we need to use and obey to see financial prosperity. BUT if you believe the lie that money is evil or that it is prideful to be well-off, you in essence close the door to God's blessings.
Look at the stories in 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4. If those people in the stories did not believe that they deserved to be blessed, or wanted to stay in their poverty, they would not have obeyed the "men of God" and they would not have been blessed by God.
We need to believe that God wants to bless. We need to believe that God CAN bless. We need to believe that He WILL bless us.
We have to break out of our pragmatic and physical-world thinking. God can bring us our provisions in whatever way HE wants to... Through Ravens, through oil being poured into other jars, by simply having a man of God declare something over you... Whatever way HE wants!
O LORD, I decree over my life that the spirit of poverty will not speak and deceive me this year. LORD show me how I may multiply my resources. LORD, I ask You to give me favour with your creditors. And Father, teach me and show me how to give according to Your ways. Break the spirit of greed and/or covetousness in my bloodline. I reject this curse over my family... and from this day forward, me and my house will serve the LORD!
Be blessed.
Today I read 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4, and Mark 12:41-44. All of these passages have to do with God's provision, God's "financial" or material blessing, and giving from our need or our lack, not form our surplus.
These are not new or novel ideas. Anyone who reads his Bible with an open heart knows that God is a God of blessing. He wants to bless us, even in this world. It is NOT some higher form of Christianity to be poor or to voluntarily want to be poor or just have the "basic" needs. I am not saying that Christians will not be poor or in trouble financially sometimes. Occasionally, we make very bad decisions (I'm still living with a lot of bad decision I had made from about ages 18-28). There is wisdom we need to use and obey to see financial prosperity. BUT if you believe the lie that money is evil or that it is prideful to be well-off, you in essence close the door to God's blessings.
Look at the stories in 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4. If those people in the stories did not believe that they deserved to be blessed, or wanted to stay in their poverty, they would not have obeyed the "men of God" and they would not have been blessed by God.
We need to believe that God wants to bless. We need to believe that God CAN bless. We need to believe that He WILL bless us.
We have to break out of our pragmatic and physical-world thinking. God can bring us our provisions in whatever way HE wants to... Through Ravens, through oil being poured into other jars, by simply having a man of God declare something over you... Whatever way HE wants!
O LORD, I decree over my life that the spirit of poverty will not speak and deceive me this year. LORD show me how I may multiply my resources. LORD, I ask You to give me favour with your creditors. And Father, teach me and show me how to give according to Your ways. Break the spirit of greed and/or covetousness in my bloodline. I reject this curse over my family... and from this day forward, me and my house will serve the LORD!
Be blessed.
Forgiveness -- a Hard Thing to Do
Forgiveness is very hard to do sometimes. But it is a command!
Today I read an article on the Elijah List, entitled "Forgiveness of Former Wounds." Read it. It's really good. I could not do it justice here... Especially since this is an area I am struggling with right now.
The question I keep asking is, "How can you keep forgiving someone, who seems to be clueless to the hurt they are causing you and are sometimes unwilling to change that even when you confront them?"
What makes all this the more difficult is that I am a very introverted person... I am also a peacemaker... So for me to rock the boat is difficult. I'll often rather take the offense or hurt or, even, abuse, than to confront and cause "more" trouble. I'll keep everything bottled up inside, in the hopes that I won't exasperate the situation. It is a coping mechanism from my childhood. When my parents would fight, I would keep everything bottled up so as not to cause more trouble... I saw my brother speak out and that would just cause the fighting to escalate.
Now, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Phil, "How's that working for ya?!" It's not! But I don't know what else to do.
Without getting into specifics, there is a person in my life that continues to hurt me, disrespect me, and in their actions and words, devalue me. This person is some one very close to me, and someone I wish I could have a healthy and good relationship with. BUT, when I do mention this to them, they shrug it off as my problem, like they don't have this problem... Or they flatly deny any such wrong doing and promptly 2 seconds later put me down again.
I have forgive this person many times before, but where is the limit? Where is the point where I am "allowed" to end this? I know God is my justice and He'll take care of the wrongs towards me... But how long do I have to endure the repeated pain?
I guess all I can do is pray as Robert Ricciardelli prayed in his article, "Holy Spirit, I pray that you will bring remembrance to past wounds only to check our hearts for true and full forgiveness to those who have afflicted us. Father, we realize that it is a command and we also realize that if we do not, then even our sins will not be forgiven. Father, of myself, I can do nothing, and in no way have the strength, courage, and obedience to forgive. But, Father, in you and through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me, I choose to forgive all of them that you have brought to my remembrance, in Jesus' name. I even go further and ask you to bless them that did this to me and make yourself known to them Father, in Jesus' mighty name, Amen!"
Today I read an article on the Elijah List, entitled "Forgiveness of Former Wounds." Read it. It's really good. I could not do it justice here... Especially since this is an area I am struggling with right now.
The question I keep asking is, "How can you keep forgiving someone, who seems to be clueless to the hurt they are causing you and are sometimes unwilling to change that even when you confront them?"
What makes all this the more difficult is that I am a very introverted person... I am also a peacemaker... So for me to rock the boat is difficult. I'll often rather take the offense or hurt or, even, abuse, than to confront and cause "more" trouble. I'll keep everything bottled up inside, in the hopes that I won't exasperate the situation. It is a coping mechanism from my childhood. When my parents would fight, I would keep everything bottled up so as not to cause more trouble... I saw my brother speak out and that would just cause the fighting to escalate.
Now, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Phil, "How's that working for ya?!" It's not! But I don't know what else to do.
Without getting into specifics, there is a person in my life that continues to hurt me, disrespect me, and in their actions and words, devalue me. This person is some one very close to me, and someone I wish I could have a healthy and good relationship with. BUT, when I do mention this to them, they shrug it off as my problem, like they don't have this problem... Or they flatly deny any such wrong doing and promptly 2 seconds later put me down again.
I have forgive this person many times before, but where is the limit? Where is the point where I am "allowed" to end this? I know God is my justice and He'll take care of the wrongs towards me... But how long do I have to endure the repeated pain?
I guess all I can do is pray as Robert Ricciardelli prayed in his article, "Holy Spirit, I pray that you will bring remembrance to past wounds only to check our hearts for true and full forgiveness to those who have afflicted us. Father, we realize that it is a command and we also realize that if we do not, then even our sins will not be forgiven. Father, of myself, I can do nothing, and in no way have the strength, courage, and obedience to forgive. But, Father, in you and through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me, I choose to forgive all of them that you have brought to my remembrance, in Jesus' name. I even go further and ask you to bless them that did this to me and make yourself known to them Father, in Jesus' mighty name, Amen!"
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
10 Emerging Prophetic Shifts - Day 2
2. New emerging strategies that will cause us to have the right word to change legal structures.
Chuck wrote, "This is where the real war over our nation lies."
I read Acts 3-5. In a nutshell, Peter and John heal a lame beggar, begin to teach about Jesus, get arrested by the religious leaders, are freed by an angel, preach the Gospel some more, are arrested again, but this time they are flogged and then released based on the idea that if it is not from GOD, their movement would fizzle out. And the famous words are uttered: "It's necessary to obey God rather than men." (see acts 5:29) Please don't take that verse out of context. They were being ordered not to preach the Gospel. The disciples were not breaking any "legal" laws... The religious leaders simply did not like their preaching.
There is more that happens, but, I believe, the point is made. The early Church had a boldness we often lack today. And that boldness led then to confront many legal structures and legalistic-religious structures of their time.
LORD, I pray give us a new boldness in our spirit. Let Your boldness rest on us. Holy Spirit deal with all our infirmities through Jesus Christ our Lord. All we need is Jesus, and we can walk in full boldness and strength. Father, I also ask that you show each one of us, Your children, our place of involvement concerning the legal structures around us. Give us Your way to deal with the injustices, unrighteousness, and ungodliness in our world.
Read Colossians 2. This passage is all about legalism and a religious spirit. It is so easy to be deceived and to believe that what we think and believe is absolutely the truth and Scripturally sound, when often it is not. Often, our believes are based on some kind of tradition or opinion or personal taste. The Gospel has nothing to do with personal taste. The Gospel is Truth for ALL people. Lord show us and remove any areas in our lives that might be operating under any religious legalism. We are free in Christ of all man-made rules, and we are free to worship and serve God based on His Word.
Be blessed
Chuck wrote, "This is where the real war over our nation lies."
I read Acts 3-5. In a nutshell, Peter and John heal a lame beggar, begin to teach about Jesus, get arrested by the religious leaders, are freed by an angel, preach the Gospel some more, are arrested again, but this time they are flogged and then released based on the idea that if it is not from GOD, their movement would fizzle out. And the famous words are uttered: "It's necessary to obey God rather than men." (see acts 5:29) Please don't take that verse out of context. They were being ordered not to preach the Gospel. The disciples were not breaking any "legal" laws... The religious leaders simply did not like their preaching.
There is more that happens, but, I believe, the point is made. The early Church had a boldness we often lack today. And that boldness led then to confront many legal structures and legalistic-religious structures of their time.
LORD, I pray give us a new boldness in our spirit. Let Your boldness rest on us. Holy Spirit deal with all our infirmities through Jesus Christ our Lord. All we need is Jesus, and we can walk in full boldness and strength. Father, I also ask that you show each one of us, Your children, our place of involvement concerning the legal structures around us. Give us Your way to deal with the injustices, unrighteousness, and ungodliness in our world.
Read Colossians 2. This passage is all about legalism and a religious spirit. It is so easy to be deceived and to believe that what we think and believe is absolutely the truth and Scripturally sound, when often it is not. Often, our believes are based on some kind of tradition or opinion or personal taste. The Gospel has nothing to do with personal taste. The Gospel is Truth for ALL people. Lord show us and remove any areas in our lives that might be operating under any religious legalism. We are free in Christ of all man-made rules, and we are free to worship and serve God based on His Word.
Be blessed
Monday, November 15, 2004
Are you light and salt?
I've just been thinking a lot about the church and Christians in general... Especially, from a North American viewpoint... And even more so, from a Quebecois viewpoint, where we have possibly the smallest population of Christian in the west.
Some of my frustrations with other Christians is how we do NOT portray the love of Christ, and GOD's values and virtues to our world and communities. I'm sorry if I offend you, but we do such a crappy job of showing our world how awesome it is to be a child of GOD and to be Christian... In general... I know there are some really awesome examples in our world.
We're often viewed as dimwitted (George W. Bush?), close-minded, right-leaning, conservative, gun-toting psychos. Or, depressed, unhappy, "poverty"-stricken, boring rejects.
I don't know about you, but the Scriptures do not paint this kind of picture for our lives.
I'm reading a book entitled, "Being the Body," by Chuck Colson, founder and chairman of Breakpoint online and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, and Ellen Vaughn. I'm not here to review it or recommend it or anything like that. BUT, Chuck does make some powerful observations and comments about Christianity. In the chapters that I am reading presently, he is writing about being salt and light to this world. Most of us understand that being light in this world means bringing the light of Jesus to the world, for He is the light of all men. But do we really understand what it means to be salt?
Well, what is salt? What is it used for? There are two traditional purposes of salt... And probably the two purposes Jesus was speaking about when He first mentioned it to His disciples. One is that salt is used to bring out the taste of food, but it needs to penetrate into the food. That's why it needs to be cooked with the food. Often, if the salt is just on the surface, you haven't really done anything to the food. The second is that salt was (and often still is) used as a preservative. With no fridges and freezers, people used to preserve their meats with salt.
Think about that. Think about what that means for you for where you are. It is NOT good for us to keep our Christianity in the four walls of our churches, and then forget about Christ the rest of the week. Wherever we are, in school as students, teachers, administrators, at work as employees or managers or board members, even as ministers, we should be penetrating into our world and bringing it taste and preserving that which is good.
That brings a couple ideas to mind. First, this world is good!!!! Whoa! That breaks some mindsets, eh! GOD made this world good, but it takes "salty" Christians to bring out the goodness. Secondly, our world is decaying, and it needs salty Christians to preserve that which is good.
I can't tell you what that means for you. I can't tell you what you have to do to be a salty Christian. But we must be! We must be a presence in this world and not as outsiders and outcasts, but as active and useful members of society.
That's why it's important to vote (not necessarily for the "Christian" candidate, but because it's the right thing to do). That's why it's SO important to get involved in your community. That's why it's important to be a good neighbour. That's why you should be one of the best employees your boss has. That's why our churches should be filled with every Christian working their butts off to make their church the most attractive thing to non-believers!
Let's wake up people. We need each and every part of the body working on all cylinders!
Be blessed.
Some of my frustrations with other Christians is how we do NOT portray the love of Christ, and GOD's values and virtues to our world and communities. I'm sorry if I offend you, but we do such a crappy job of showing our world how awesome it is to be a child of GOD and to be Christian... In general... I know there are some really awesome examples in our world.
We're often viewed as dimwitted (George W. Bush?), close-minded, right-leaning, conservative, gun-toting psychos. Or, depressed, unhappy, "poverty"-stricken, boring rejects.
I don't know about you, but the Scriptures do not paint this kind of picture for our lives.
I'm reading a book entitled, "Being the Body," by Chuck Colson, founder and chairman of Breakpoint online and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, and Ellen Vaughn. I'm not here to review it or recommend it or anything like that. BUT, Chuck does make some powerful observations and comments about Christianity. In the chapters that I am reading presently, he is writing about being salt and light to this world. Most of us understand that being light in this world means bringing the light of Jesus to the world, for He is the light of all men. But do we really understand what it means to be salt?
Well, what is salt? What is it used for? There are two traditional purposes of salt... And probably the two purposes Jesus was speaking about when He first mentioned it to His disciples. One is that salt is used to bring out the taste of food, but it needs to penetrate into the food. That's why it needs to be cooked with the food. Often, if the salt is just on the surface, you haven't really done anything to the food. The second is that salt was (and often still is) used as a preservative. With no fridges and freezers, people used to preserve their meats with salt.
Think about that. Think about what that means for you for where you are. It is NOT good for us to keep our Christianity in the four walls of our churches, and then forget about Christ the rest of the week. Wherever we are, in school as students, teachers, administrators, at work as employees or managers or board members, even as ministers, we should be penetrating into our world and bringing it taste and preserving that which is good.
That brings a couple ideas to mind. First, this world is good!!!! Whoa! That breaks some mindsets, eh! GOD made this world good, but it takes "salty" Christians to bring out the goodness. Secondly, our world is decaying, and it needs salty Christians to preserve that which is good.
I can't tell you what that means for you. I can't tell you what you have to do to be a salty Christian. But we must be! We must be a presence in this world and not as outsiders and outcasts, but as active and useful members of society.
That's why it's important to vote (not necessarily for the "Christian" candidate, but because it's the right thing to do). That's why it's SO important to get involved in your community. That's why it's important to be a good neighbour. That's why you should be one of the best employees your boss has. That's why our churches should be filled with every Christian working their butts off to make their church the most attractive thing to non-believers!
Let's wake up people. We need each and every part of the body working on all cylinders!
Be blessed.
Friday, November 12, 2004
10 Emerging Prophetic Shifts - Day 1 (continued)
I know it's now spilling over to day 3, but there is so much here that I wanted to really think about it and meditate on it. I still didn't do all that much meditating (it's been a very busy "work" week).
In Day 1, Chuck Pierce also mentions to meditate on Joshua 1-3. A real brief synopsis of it is Moses is dead, Joshua is made the new leader, and the people of Israel are about to enter into their promised land. The LORD gives them (and us!) a number of instructions and promises.
Some of the main ideas (at least from my perspective) were:
1. Joshua 1:2-5 - GOD is giving the promised land, and will never leave us!
2. Joshua 1:6-9 - keep and obey God's commands
3. Joshua 1:11 - we must TAKE the land GOD is giving us
4. Joshua 2 - GOD has gone ahead and already prepared the victory for us!
5. Joshua 2 - there may well be covenant relationships with people we would not expect
6. Joshua 3:5 - we must sanctify ourselves
There is a LOT more there than just that. But ultimately, what God is saying is that we must prepare ourselves for victory! Victory is ours, just as it was the Israelites. In fact, had they walked in faith 40 years ago, they would have entered the promised land then. They instead listened to the negative report of the 10 spies, and spent forty years in the desert... as well as, ever person who had complained and grumbled, died in the desert.
Listen, now is not a time to grumble or murmur. Now is not a time to turn our backs to GOD. Now is not the time to be slack and apathetic and have a "wait-and-see" attitude. We must jump on the wave, and move through our Jordan into our promised land. Ready to "fight" for the land God has promised us. Ready to reclaim our cities and nations back to God. Be prepared for victory. Sanctify yourself.
Listen closely to what God would have you do. The smallest things ARE important. You never know how big of an impact your little act will have. Look at Rahab. She was a traitor to her nation and city. She risked her life on two sides... turning against her own king and trusting two spies she did not know. Ultimately, she trusting in GOD. And she became the grandmother of King David, and a descendant of the Messiah!
Be blessed
In Day 1, Chuck Pierce also mentions to meditate on Joshua 1-3. A real brief synopsis of it is Moses is dead, Joshua is made the new leader, and the people of Israel are about to enter into their promised land. The LORD gives them (and us!) a number of instructions and promises.
Some of the main ideas (at least from my perspective) were:
1. Joshua 1:2-5 - GOD is giving the promised land, and will never leave us!
2. Joshua 1:6-9 - keep and obey God's commands
3. Joshua 1:11 - we must TAKE the land GOD is giving us
4. Joshua 2 - GOD has gone ahead and already prepared the victory for us!
5. Joshua 2 - there may well be covenant relationships with people we would not expect
6. Joshua 3:5 - we must sanctify ourselves
There is a LOT more there than just that. But ultimately, what God is saying is that we must prepare ourselves for victory! Victory is ours, just as it was the Israelites. In fact, had they walked in faith 40 years ago, they would have entered the promised land then. They instead listened to the negative report of the 10 spies, and spent forty years in the desert... as well as, ever person who had complained and grumbled, died in the desert.
Listen, now is not a time to grumble or murmur. Now is not a time to turn our backs to GOD. Now is not the time to be slack and apathetic and have a "wait-and-see" attitude. We must jump on the wave, and move through our Jordan into our promised land. Ready to "fight" for the land God has promised us. Ready to reclaim our cities and nations back to God. Be prepared for victory. Sanctify yourself.
Listen closely to what God would have you do. The smallest things ARE important. You never know how big of an impact your little act will have. Look at Rahab. She was a traitor to her nation and city. She risked her life on two sides... turning against her own king and trusting two spies she did not know. Ultimately, she trusting in GOD. And she became the grandmother of King David, and a descendant of the Messiah!
Be blessed
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
10 Emerging Prophetic Shifts - Day 1
This is based on Chuck Pierce's 10-Day Prayer Focus to Decree & Emerge into your Promises Ahead!
1. A New Passion in God's prophetic people to be holy and separated out of and unto His purposes.
This has been my heart's desire for a while, because I feel like I haven't been doing anything... That I am not walking and serving in my calling, but rather JUST serving--wherever and doing whatever that may lead to. That does not make me happy. I long to be in the place God has prepared for me. I long for the work God has prepared for me. I know all this is preparation, but it is NOT my final destination in this lifetime.
Colossians 1 was the passage Chuck mentions for this first day along with this thought: "Ask God to reveal any unholy, besetting sin within you that could affect your conscience and allow Satan's seducing, condemning voice to speak subtly in your ear."
We often don't even realize how easily we veer off the path. It's not usually done on purpose, but it's often little compromises and little side-steps off God's path.
But the great thing is that we have Christ in us (see verse 27)! The Gospel, which is in us, bears fruit and gets larger and stronger. Notice, that's an automatic. We don't really do anything, except for hoping, believing and keeping faith. God does the growing!
Paul's prayer touched me again... Just like yesterday! He writes in verses 9-12, "Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul--not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."
I pray that God gives me a wise mind and a spirit attuned to His will, and so to acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which GOD works! I want to learn more and more how GOD works, so that I can learn to do my work!!!! Lord give me the strength that will endure and spill over into joy, regardless of the circumstances! AMEN! AMEN! I find my purpose in You and You alone, O LORD! Grow me in maturity. Grow me in a basic faith in You! Christ alone! No more, no less! Thank you, Father!
1. A New Passion in God's prophetic people to be holy and separated out of and unto His purposes.
This has been my heart's desire for a while, because I feel like I haven't been doing anything... That I am not walking and serving in my calling, but rather JUST serving--wherever and doing whatever that may lead to. That does not make me happy. I long to be in the place God has prepared for me. I long for the work God has prepared for me. I know all this is preparation, but it is NOT my final destination in this lifetime.
Colossians 1 was the passage Chuck mentions for this first day along with this thought: "Ask God to reveal any unholy, besetting sin within you that could affect your conscience and allow Satan's seducing, condemning voice to speak subtly in your ear."
We often don't even realize how easily we veer off the path. It's not usually done on purpose, but it's often little compromises and little side-steps off God's path.
But the great thing is that we have Christ in us (see verse 27)! The Gospel, which is in us, bears fruit and gets larger and stronger. Notice, that's an automatic. We don't really do anything, except for hoping, believing and keeping faith. God does the growing!
Paul's prayer touched me again... Just like yesterday! He writes in verses 9-12, "Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul--not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."
I pray that God gives me a wise mind and a spirit attuned to His will, and so to acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which GOD works! I want to learn more and more how GOD works, so that I can learn to do my work!!!! Lord give me the strength that will endure and spill over into joy, regardless of the circumstances! AMEN! AMEN! I find my purpose in You and You alone, O LORD! Grow me in maturity. Grow me in a basic faith in You! Christ alone! No more, no less! Thank you, Father!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
This is my Prayer
I'm coming out of this "tunnel". I'm targetting the thing that bugs and frustrates me the most... the secular routines and rituals that have made their way into the church... in other words, the sacred cows we hold as irrefutable doctine... as sacred as Scripture. From another point of view, that also includes the adoption of non-Scriptural but seemily good secular ideas and structues... I'm sure some may have validity in the context of the Church as an organization, but I know we are more than that.
Anyway, I was reading Philippians yesterday, and I didn't get very far before something touched my heart.
This is what I want to strive for... not titles... not positions... not money... not fame... not "success" (not in the secular sense)... not even approval (at least not man's)... I want to strive that my love (and yours!) will flourish! That I will not only love much but WELL! LORD, teach me to love appropriately. Help me to use my head and test my feelings, so that my love will be intelligent and sincere, and not just sentimental gush! Teach me, O LORD, to live a lover's life, one that You are proud of. So that, Jesus may be attractive to all, and getting everyone involved in Your glory and praises, O my LORD!
Be blessed!
Anyway, I was reading Philippians yesterday, and I didn't get very far before something touched my heart.
“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud
of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” - Philippians 1:9-11
This is what I want to strive for... not titles... not positions... not money... not fame... not "success" (not in the secular sense)... not even approval (at least not man's)... I want to strive that my love (and yours!) will flourish! That I will not only love much but WELL! LORD, teach me to love appropriately. Help me to use my head and test my feelings, so that my love will be intelligent and sincere, and not just sentimental gush! Teach me, O LORD, to live a lover's life, one that You are proud of. So that, Jesus may be attractive to all, and getting everyone involved in Your glory and praises, O my LORD!
Be blessed!
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
What's going on?
A friend of mine recently shared with me that they have been having very strong feelings or urges to kill themself... or at least to die. They thought they were going crazy and that it was weird or strange, especially since they are a Christian, and a pretty hardcore, fired-up Christian at that. BUt, I do not find that weird or strange. I went through a 13+ year depression, and about 5 of those years was as a hardcore, fired-up Christian. At its worse, and right before the LORD healed me of it, I was praying, hoping, begging that God would take my life, either by being hit by a bus or speeding car or that a group of thugs would beat me to death... basically because I knew I could never take my own life.
Is that weird?! Is that shocking!?
WHAT!? A Christian feels that way!
I say, "Get off your self-righteous high-chair!"
Sorry about that, but there is so much going on out there, both in the visible and in the invisible realms, that we cannot know everything. All I know is THAT is the way I have felt in the past, and lately, that is how I feel. Is it non-Scriptural? No, of course not! There are examples of people, GREAT men and women of God, who were depressed, and, yes, some wanted to die!
Job is maybe the best example! Then there is David, where he reveals in his Psalms the great sorrow and pain he felt at times. There is Abraham sulking in his tent.
Sometimes circumstances out of our control heep heavy burdens on our hearts. Sometimes it is purely a spiritual attack. Though I don't give the devil that much credit. He's only able to do what God allows him, and so if it is a spiritual attack, it probably is something God is trying to teach you, train you, discipline you and/or grow you in.
So what am I talking about. I don't know. All I know is that I am sick and tired of where I am in my life. But I don't know what the next step is. And God seems VERY silent in that regard right now. I'm tired of being abused... verbally and relationally... that's a weird one, eh. Relational abuse!
What do I mean by that? Well, we all know what a relationship is. And we all have different definitions and levels of relationships in our lives. Well, when certain expectations or standards in a particular relationship are not met by one of the parties... then I guess that can be considered abuse... especially if it affects your emotions and health and the relationship with that other party.
WOW... that's as unspecific as someone can be without being totally in the clouds, eh!
This is far from over... but that's it for today!
Tune back in... same BAT-time, same BAT-channel.
Is that weird?! Is that shocking!?
WHAT!? A Christian feels that way!
I say, "Get off your self-righteous high-chair!"
Sorry about that, but there is so much going on out there, both in the visible and in the invisible realms, that we cannot know everything. All I know is THAT is the way I have felt in the past, and lately, that is how I feel. Is it non-Scriptural? No, of course not! There are examples of people, GREAT men and women of God, who were depressed, and, yes, some wanted to die!
Job is maybe the best example! Then there is David, where he reveals in his Psalms the great sorrow and pain he felt at times. There is Abraham sulking in his tent.
Sometimes circumstances out of our control heep heavy burdens on our hearts. Sometimes it is purely a spiritual attack. Though I don't give the devil that much credit. He's only able to do what God allows him, and so if it is a spiritual attack, it probably is something God is trying to teach you, train you, discipline you and/or grow you in.
So what am I talking about. I don't know. All I know is that I am sick and tired of where I am in my life. But I don't know what the next step is. And God seems VERY silent in that regard right now. I'm tired of being abused... verbally and relationally... that's a weird one, eh. Relational abuse!
What do I mean by that? Well, we all know what a relationship is. And we all have different definitions and levels of relationships in our lives. Well, when certain expectations or standards in a particular relationship are not met by one of the parties... then I guess that can be considered abuse... especially if it affects your emotions and health and the relationship with that other party.
WOW... that's as unspecific as someone can be without being totally in the clouds, eh!
This is far from over... but that's it for today!
Tune back in... same BAT-time, same BAT-channel.
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