Friday 1 July 2011
Of Whom Do I Dream
I have had some issues with lung health in the past few months. I have prayed to the Lord for healing and believed it would come. Last night I had a dream of meeting a lung specialist to whom I besought an earlier appointment to see what was wrong with me. Later in the night, actually, as I was waking , the face from my dream came to me in a similitude and he said , I heard you were dreaming about me. I was devastated because my spirit was convicted that I was looking to the wrong source. I should have been looking to Jesus to move up my appointment for healing not a person. Immediately I told Him I was sorry and now feel totally free of my lung problem. Just one more reminder of the true source of healing Thank you Jesus!
Tuesday 21 June 2011
How to Fight to Win!
"For we wrestle not with flesh and blood--" . I have a hardened heart---it's full of suspicion and cynicism. Well it's due to my experiences and I can make all kinds of excuses for it but there is only one thing to do --- get it fixed. "Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life". It scares me to think what is flowing out of my heart right now.
So Lord my prayer today is that you would perform heart surgery on me and at the same time increase my discernment. I know it is possible to have a tender heart and still be able to guard against the powers and principalities that we wrestle with daily. Give me that balance Lord for in it lies victory.
I am heading out to work now Lord confident that you will blow me away today with the things you bring forth from this old, hardened heart, amen!
So Lord my prayer today is that you would perform heart surgery on me and at the same time increase my discernment. I know it is possible to have a tender heart and still be able to guard against the powers and principalities that we wrestle with daily. Give me that balance Lord for in it lies victory.
I am heading out to work now Lord confident that you will blow me away today with the things you bring forth from this old, hardened heart, amen!
Sunday 19 June 2011
COMING TO MYSELF (YOURSELF)
The story of the prodigal son is perhaps one of the most familiar stories in Scripture. Find it and read it for the first time, or again , in Luke, Chapter 15, verses 11 and onwards. Sometimes it is translated as the lost son. Either way he didn't have a good time of it after leaving his father's house and squandering his inheritance.
His return home to father and happiness began in verse 17 when he "came to his senses" or otherwise translated literally as when "he came to himself". This guy you see had seemingly travelled some, revelled lots and experienced much that was not known to him. In the process he had apparently lost sight of himself and ends up in a pig pen feeding the pigs. As a person, he is dirty and poor and hungry. As a Jewish person he is particularly out of place among swine I would imagine. So. upon coming to "himself" he realized several important issues:
None of the people where he had come from, not even his fathers servants, would be in such bad shape as he was.
He would be better off being a servant at his father's house than where he was now.
He had seriously erred and owed his father an apology. He would head back, apologize and throw himself on his father's mercy.
He did and as we see was welcomed lovingly by a father who longed for his return. And he lived happily ever after we assume. That is once he and big brother got things straightened out.
I wonder if I have ever come to myself. Sure I have often thought I had things figured out. I've been on track career wise several times. Relationships have come and gone and left me bereft. I have felt to do things and think things that my culture and environs would not accept, would perhaps even consider me "ill". And yet here I am , late into life, seemingly unsuccessful, unhappy and unfulfilled. Could it be that in all my pusuing I have not pursued me? I am not talking of the me that society defines, my job requires, my children and family expect or even the me I think I know. No, I wonder about the me that
left my Father's house and is known truly only by Him. Perhaps I'm out of touch with that me---perhaps I need to return to the Father and apologize and see what happens. And since I am not sure, it would seem wise to pray daily--"Father bring me back to myself. Make me the self you created and know intimately and destined for eternity with You. Father forgive me and in your great love bring me to MYSELF".
His return home to father and happiness began in verse 17 when he "came to his senses" or otherwise translated literally as when "he came to himself". This guy you see had seemingly travelled some, revelled lots and experienced much that was not known to him. In the process he had apparently lost sight of himself and ends up in a pig pen feeding the pigs. As a person, he is dirty and poor and hungry. As a Jewish person he is particularly out of place among swine I would imagine. So. upon coming to "himself" he realized several important issues:
None of the people where he had come from, not even his fathers servants, would be in such bad shape as he was.
He would be better off being a servant at his father's house than where he was now.
He had seriously erred and owed his father an apology. He would head back, apologize and throw himself on his father's mercy.
He did and as we see was welcomed lovingly by a father who longed for his return. And he lived happily ever after we assume. That is once he and big brother got things straightened out.
I wonder if I have ever come to myself. Sure I have often thought I had things figured out. I've been on track career wise several times. Relationships have come and gone and left me bereft. I have felt to do things and think things that my culture and environs would not accept, would perhaps even consider me "ill". And yet here I am , late into life, seemingly unsuccessful, unhappy and unfulfilled. Could it be that in all my pusuing I have not pursued me? I am not talking of the me that society defines, my job requires, my children and family expect or even the me I think I know. No, I wonder about the me that
left my Father's house and is known truly only by Him. Perhaps I'm out of touch with that me---perhaps I need to return to the Father and apologize and see what happens. And since I am not sure, it would seem wise to pray daily--"Father bring me back to myself. Make me the self you created and know intimately and destined for eternity with You. Father forgive me and in your great love bring me to MYSELF".
Sunday 1 May 2011
Parasailing and sky diving --like Christian living?
I recently experienced skydiving and parasailing both for the first time.
As I floated above the harbor while parasailing, and viewed the beautiful countryside, I couldn't help but be amazed by God's beautiful handiwork. I was also amazed at how relaxed I felt , though I had thought it would be scary. I had decided to do this venture to overcome fear; and the people running the thing had certainly been encouraging and seemed competent. So, with an objective of overcoming fear, perhaps enjoying myself, and feeling confident in the vendors, here I sat, comfortable, enjoying the experience. Now flash forward threee weeks. I am driving home from work and the Spirit brings to my mind a verse of Scripture; "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus , who went before us, has entered on our behalf."(Hebrews 6:19-20).
Thinking on this verse as I drive along I am reminded of the parasailing venture. As I floated above the boat I was secured to it by many ropes and winches and joins---as the boat went so went I. The wind made me vary but little and even when it did the movement of the boat brought me back in line. I felt secure because I had that connection to people who had, before I came along, enetered into this sport and knew it well. I was safe because they had done their job and made the necessary attachments, adjustments and now carried me along securely. I could vary only if I chose to undo my harness and venture on my own. That may have proved fatal --- certainly not good. When the flight was over they brough me safely to landing and back to shore. Though the process was not "perfect" it was certainly secure.
That boat reminded me of Jesus, the rope reminded me of the anchor in Hebrews 6. Jesus had made the preparations for our journey by His sacrifice. By accepting the hope of salvation we were connected to Jesus and our journey controlled from beyond the curtain (by the Holy Spirit). If sensitive and stayed attached we respond to the movement of the Spirit. The winds of the this world may vary our movements but not control it. We are kept on course by the anchor of the Holy Spirit. I began to picture my life. Some times I struggled so much to control its outcome, and worried so much about it that I missed what was the beauty of the moment. At that moment the Lord reminded me that I could relax, as I had on the parasailing, and enjoy the course He would take me on. It just took being attached to Him and remaining in the harness of His Holy Spirit. I remembered the exaltation of relaxing into the sail and translating that to my life in Him I see a beautiful, exciting and exhilarating life ahead. I may need reminding occasionally Lord but if I keep your Word in my heart You will be faithful to keep me on course.
AND His way is perfect!
Thank you Lord for making your Word real to me. Thank you for the adventure of my life, the joy of your leading presence and the hope that I will eventually land safely behind the curtain! Amen
As I floated above the harbor while parasailing, and viewed the beautiful countryside, I couldn't help but be amazed by God's beautiful handiwork. I was also amazed at how relaxed I felt , though I had thought it would be scary. I had decided to do this venture to overcome fear; and the people running the thing had certainly been encouraging and seemed competent. So, with an objective of overcoming fear, perhaps enjoying myself, and feeling confident in the vendors, here I sat, comfortable, enjoying the experience. Now flash forward threee weeks. I am driving home from work and the Spirit brings to my mind a verse of Scripture; "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus , who went before us, has entered on our behalf."(Hebrews 6:19-20).
Thinking on this verse as I drive along I am reminded of the parasailing venture. As I floated above the boat I was secured to it by many ropes and winches and joins---as the boat went so went I. The wind made me vary but little and even when it did the movement of the boat brought me back in line. I felt secure because I had that connection to people who had, before I came along, enetered into this sport and knew it well. I was safe because they had done their job and made the necessary attachments, adjustments and now carried me along securely. I could vary only if I chose to undo my harness and venture on my own. That may have proved fatal --- certainly not good. When the flight was over they brough me safely to landing and back to shore. Though the process was not "perfect" it was certainly secure.
That boat reminded me of Jesus, the rope reminded me of the anchor in Hebrews 6. Jesus had made the preparations for our journey by His sacrifice. By accepting the hope of salvation we were connected to Jesus and our journey controlled from beyond the curtain (by the Holy Spirit). If sensitive and stayed attached we respond to the movement of the Spirit. The winds of the this world may vary our movements but not control it. We are kept on course by the anchor of the Holy Spirit. I began to picture my life. Some times I struggled so much to control its outcome, and worried so much about it that I missed what was the beauty of the moment. At that moment the Lord reminded me that I could relax, as I had on the parasailing, and enjoy the course He would take me on. It just took being attached to Him and remaining in the harness of His Holy Spirit. I remembered the exaltation of relaxing into the sail and translating that to my life in Him I see a beautiful, exciting and exhilarating life ahead. I may need reminding occasionally Lord but if I keep your Word in my heart You will be faithful to keep me on course.
AND His way is perfect!
Thank you Lord for making your Word real to me. Thank you for the adventure of my life, the joy of your leading presence and the hope that I will eventually land safely behind the curtain! Amen
Sunday 13 March 2011
What Nothing can be
In Luke 1:37 we read: "With God nothing is impossible".
I have often heard this interpreted as meaning that God can do anything and everything. Yes, that is true for we know God is omnipotent ---all powerful. Then today I heard a preacher give a totally new thought (to me) about this statement. He said to him it had come to mean that when God is present or involved it is not possible for "nothing" to happen. Now that is exciting. If we pray about a situation and God is present it is impossible for nothing to happen there, and since God is good then something good must happen. If our walk is with God then it is impossible for nothing to happen -- something of God's will is present each moment of every day! Going to a church service ? If God is present something has to happen.
Now that is a nothing I want to meditate on!
I have often heard this interpreted as meaning that God can do anything and everything. Yes, that is true for we know God is omnipotent ---all powerful. Then today I heard a preacher give a totally new thought (to me) about this statement. He said to him it had come to mean that when God is present or involved it is not possible for "nothing" to happen. Now that is exciting. If we pray about a situation and God is present it is impossible for nothing to happen there, and since God is good then something good must happen. If our walk is with God then it is impossible for nothing to happen -- something of God's will is present each moment of every day! Going to a church service ? If God is present something has to happen.
Now that is a nothing I want to meditate on!
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Today a speaker I was listening to said something I have heard oftimes before and probably said myself. When speaking of bad events in life he said they happen because `` we live in a fallen world ``. Today the Spirit was having nothing of it ! As I discussed it in my spirit I heard three things:
1: Jesus came to redeem the world. John 1:29
2: Jesus said ``It is finished`` and gave up His Spirit! John 19:30
3: Revelations 12:11 tells us ```they have defeated him (the evil one) by the Blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.``
If I am on the right side of the cross my testimony should be , ``I live in a redeemed world! Praise God ``
And thus today the Spirit has straightened me out on this matter!
1: Jesus came to redeem the world. John 1:29
2: Jesus said ``It is finished`` and gave up His Spirit! John 19:30
3: Revelations 12:11 tells us ```they have defeated him (the evil one) by the Blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.``
If I am on the right side of the cross my testimony should be , ``I live in a redeemed world! Praise God ``
And thus today the Spirit has straightened me out on this matter!
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