My word of testimony today is Matt 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Yesterdays word of testimony motivated my thinking about a current anxiety that I have. The very action of writing out my testimony has brought the very fruit to me that I hoped it would do for others.
I will take this motivation to receive not only a word of testimony that will knock this giant of fear down but will also cut off it's head !
I am going to be honest with my readers here and tell you what the giant looks like. I am going to ask the readers to only comment with a personal word of testimony. That means using a scripture you personally applied to your life in a situation. Also I would ask you to be honest, did that victory cut off the giant's head or did it just knock him to the ground ?
I also am trying to be honest and tell you just where I think this giant is for me.
My daughter is at the age she must learn to drive and own her own car. I have put it off as long as I can . She is old enough to want her own dwelling and live by her own rules. She needs to find her own way in life.
The driving alone is a giant and the owning a car is a giant. The living on her own is a giant.
One day I think I have applied God's word to my life and I see her able to drive without having a wreak. Especially since there has been some people say they are willing to teach her. The owning the car giant, means that I can see her able to know what to do if it breaks down. Will she have good enough boundaries to stay in the car with the doors locked until someone arrives that she knows or a tow truck ? I look for signs of personal boundaries but I have never seen her in an emergency situation that I was not able to come and help her. Also the living alone giant looks similar . No one is able to resist the temptations of this world without God's strength.
I just realised all these worries have to do with how will she react and how will she do ? Here is where I will be when this giant is down. I will be able to confidently know that what ever she chooses to do with her life , I will love the LORD my God with all my heart , soul , mind and strength. When it comes to serving God and Him only I need to be in a me mentality , rather than what about her.
I am about to start an online study group Untangling Relationships by Robert McGee. He is the author of a Search for Significance. This Bible based study I hope will help me come to see the necessity of my letting go and motivate me to do so.
I feel like I need help. I think God created us with a willingness to help others and be helped. I know that desire to help has been strong within me and early on I realised that help that comes from my own strength does not help at all.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
His Right Hand
The word of my testimony today is Ps 118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I find that whenever I think that something is hard to do it must be that I am trying to do it in my strength and not the LORD's. So the answer is not to quit but to lay down the part that is not the LORD's and try again. The balance between law and grace must be that the law can be performed by grace. The law or commandments are prioritized by Jesus making all the other laws easy to perform. If He had not prioritized them for me I might have taken another attitude towards them. Like this :#1 . That one's hard I'll come back to that one later. #2. Let me see, can I do that one ? Where is that one about stealing ? Maybe if I at least do that one maybe I'll get credit for one out of ten.
However, the laws were prioritized , even condensed down to two , and joyfully (after a sorrowful desire for repentance ) I can receive His grace to live the law. Not me by myself but with Jesus' indwelling power from the HOLY SPIRIT that I receive as grace.
I find that whenever I think that something is hard to do it must be that I am trying to do it in my strength and not the LORD's. So the answer is not to quit but to lay down the part that is not the LORD's and try again. The balance between law and grace must be that the law can be performed by grace. The law or commandments are prioritized by Jesus making all the other laws easy to perform. If He had not prioritized them for me I might have taken another attitude towards them. Like this :#1 . That one's hard I'll come back to that one later. #2. Let me see, can I do that one ? Where is that one about stealing ? Maybe if I at least do that one maybe I'll get credit for one out of ten.
However, the laws were prioritized , even condensed down to two , and joyfully (after a sorrowful desire for repentance ) I can receive His grace to live the law. Not me by myself but with Jesus' indwelling power from the HOLY SPIRIT that I receive as grace.
The Mind of Christ
The word of my testimony today is 1 Cr 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
More than a year ago I felt led to go to some one's house and just be friendly. The problem was that she lived on the other side of the river . Although long ago God had provided the residents of this great state that I live in the ability to build bridges that cross the river safely I was fearful of the traffic and fearful of the way the road made a curve at a decline.
So I ignored that unction from the Holy Spirit , then that same person called me and asked me to come to her house and help her , please." Ask someone else ", I said that day feeling that I had already been excused from going to her house because of my fear.
In the mean time , for about two years prior I had a very specific kind of prayer request. I had been very specifically asking for a house to clean that would pay a certain amount and be acceptable to my cleaning it on Mondays. I've been cleaning houses for 28 almost 29 years , I can tell you 75% of the people do not want their houses cleaned on a Monday. I have always put my lowest paying houses on Monday . But I wanted a high paying house on Monday and I knew that I had a special financial situation coming up so this was how I thought God might want to take care of it.
You probably already know what He did . The call for the house cleaning job came and sure enough , now I had to go across the river every Monday.
I went but the anxiety of doing it was more than I can explain. Just realize on Friday I started dreading Monday. However, I was a believer in living the word of my testimony back then . I knew that if I did not give up. If every Monday I drove down that freeway in morning traffic with His word in my heart one day I would do it without fear. I asked people to pray for me. I asked my pastor to pray for me . I was honest about my need. I began to find it easier to do. I stopped dreading Monday on Friday , first it was Saturday, then Sunday. Then Sunday night . At the worst part of the journey , I would pray out loud . One day as I was approaching the curve the Holy Spirit dropped into my mind , "I will keep at perfect peace ,whose mind is stayed on Me." I began praying that my mind would be stayed on Him. I had my word of testimony to live now and I stopped dreading Monday's and started praying that my mind would be stayed on Him.
Then things worked out so I could have a helper and I asked her to drive. A Christian friend and one who I'd shared my story with. Although I had overcome the fear , it was still there , so I felt that asking her to drive was okay. So she and I began to pray on our way to work. We were already prayer partners and we trust the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us as we pray. We've prayed for missionaries in Tibet to helping a child pass a spelling test. One time we were praying just as we were about to enter that curve and she prayed specifically about my fear . I can not remember her exact words but as she prayed I had a flash back of a child hood incident that had taken place in the car , in a sharp curve and decline and knew at that moment this is when that fear had been placed in my heart. Suddenly I saw that through my child hood understanding the curve , the decline held something to be dreaded for me. But as an adult I now saw these two things through adult eyes. The words ,"You are going to make me have a wreak ! " had been spoken to me , and like I had tried to explain to my friends all along , this had been my fear on the decline , that I would make someone have a wreak. Their comforting advice had always been, take it slow , just use wisdom. My response would be," you don't see, I am afraid if I go to slow on the freeway I will cause a wreak." This also was a sentence I had taken into my heart as truth by my driving instructor when learning how to drive.
This story is a classic example of how the word of testimony worked in my life . I feel it was very close to the story of David and Goliath. First David had a stone that knocked the giant down and then he took a sword and cut off the giants head.
Now plainly I see that the boldness that David had was not there in me at first , but slowly I began to trust that the Spirit of the LORD was upon me. Even believing that the Spirit of the LORD was upon me when I and my friend were praying together on the way to work that day. I want you to know even the cutting off the giants head with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God did not happen just that quickly. I thought again and again about that flash back and asked the HOLY SPIRIT to process it in my mind. Slowly the strength from the HOLY SPIRIT has increased to the place it is today.
"The LORD will keep at perfect peace whose mind is stayed on HIM . " I also pray that I will have the mind of Christ and I believe with all my heart with the mind of Christ while driving down that curve and decline I will not go to slow and cause a wreak.
Even the best parents say things in a moment of fear and they do not know what impact it will have on their child. I have been thinking about how to teach children and babes in Christ about spiritual warfare . I can tell you from experience they do not need to hear , " I got a headache . It's spiritual warfare." If I feel I need to explain my headache as spiritual warfare I hope I will say something like this. "The enemy does not want me to think on God's word and so he is trying to distract me with this headache. However, I am learning how to think on God's word even when I have a headache , I am sure he will give up soon. " As I wrote that out I realised that I have become ready to accept the stone that knocks the giant to the ground . How about the sword of the Spirit ? Would that sound like ? " I have the mind of Christ, I will not be stopped by anything , if God wants me to do it, I will be there. " I wonder if I will remember that sometimes it takes a friend's prayer and a child hood flash back to accomplish what is hard for me to do ?
More than a year ago I felt led to go to some one's house and just be friendly. The problem was that she lived on the other side of the river . Although long ago God had provided the residents of this great state that I live in the ability to build bridges that cross the river safely I was fearful of the traffic and fearful of the way the road made a curve at a decline.
So I ignored that unction from the Holy Spirit , then that same person called me and asked me to come to her house and help her , please." Ask someone else ", I said that day feeling that I had already been excused from going to her house because of my fear.
In the mean time , for about two years prior I had a very specific kind of prayer request. I had been very specifically asking for a house to clean that would pay a certain amount and be acceptable to my cleaning it on Mondays. I've been cleaning houses for 28 almost 29 years , I can tell you 75% of the people do not want their houses cleaned on a Monday. I have always put my lowest paying houses on Monday . But I wanted a high paying house on Monday and I knew that I had a special financial situation coming up so this was how I thought God might want to take care of it.
You probably already know what He did . The call for the house cleaning job came and sure enough , now I had to go across the river every Monday.
I went but the anxiety of doing it was more than I can explain. Just realize on Friday I started dreading Monday. However, I was a believer in living the word of my testimony back then . I knew that if I did not give up. If every Monday I drove down that freeway in morning traffic with His word in my heart one day I would do it without fear. I asked people to pray for me. I asked my pastor to pray for me . I was honest about my need. I began to find it easier to do. I stopped dreading Monday on Friday , first it was Saturday, then Sunday. Then Sunday night . At the worst part of the journey , I would pray out loud . One day as I was approaching the curve the Holy Spirit dropped into my mind , "I will keep at perfect peace ,whose mind is stayed on Me." I began praying that my mind would be stayed on Him. I had my word of testimony to live now and I stopped dreading Monday's and started praying that my mind would be stayed on Him.
Then things worked out so I could have a helper and I asked her to drive. A Christian friend and one who I'd shared my story with. Although I had overcome the fear , it was still there , so I felt that asking her to drive was okay. So she and I began to pray on our way to work. We were already prayer partners and we trust the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us as we pray. We've prayed for missionaries in Tibet to helping a child pass a spelling test. One time we were praying just as we were about to enter that curve and she prayed specifically about my fear . I can not remember her exact words but as she prayed I had a flash back of a child hood incident that had taken place in the car , in a sharp curve and decline and knew at that moment this is when that fear had been placed in my heart. Suddenly I saw that through my child hood understanding the curve , the decline held something to be dreaded for me. But as an adult I now saw these two things through adult eyes. The words ,"You are going to make me have a wreak ! " had been spoken to me , and like I had tried to explain to my friends all along , this had been my fear on the decline , that I would make someone have a wreak. Their comforting advice had always been, take it slow , just use wisdom. My response would be," you don't see, I am afraid if I go to slow on the freeway I will cause a wreak." This also was a sentence I had taken into my heart as truth by my driving instructor when learning how to drive.
This story is a classic example of how the word of testimony worked in my life . I feel it was very close to the story of David and Goliath. First David had a stone that knocked the giant down and then he took a sword and cut off the giants head.
Now plainly I see that the boldness that David had was not there in me at first , but slowly I began to trust that the Spirit of the LORD was upon me. Even believing that the Spirit of the LORD was upon me when I and my friend were praying together on the way to work that day. I want you to know even the cutting off the giants head with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God did not happen just that quickly. I thought again and again about that flash back and asked the HOLY SPIRIT to process it in my mind. Slowly the strength from the HOLY SPIRIT has increased to the place it is today.
"The LORD will keep at perfect peace whose mind is stayed on HIM . " I also pray that I will have the mind of Christ and I believe with all my heart with the mind of Christ while driving down that curve and decline I will not go to slow and cause a wreak.
Even the best parents say things in a moment of fear and they do not know what impact it will have on their child. I have been thinking about how to teach children and babes in Christ about spiritual warfare . I can tell you from experience they do not need to hear , " I got a headache . It's spiritual warfare." If I feel I need to explain my headache as spiritual warfare I hope I will say something like this. "The enemy does not want me to think on God's word and so he is trying to distract me with this headache. However, I am learning how to think on God's word even when I have a headache , I am sure he will give up soon. " As I wrote that out I realised that I have become ready to accept the stone that knocks the giant to the ground . How about the sword of the Spirit ? Would that sound like ? " I have the mind of Christ, I will not be stopped by anything , if God wants me to do it, I will be there. " I wonder if I will remember that sometimes it takes a friend's prayer and a child hood flash back to accomplish what is hard for me to do ?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The God Who Smokes
My word of testimony today is a trust in His word that He will reveal Himself as a just God.
Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.
I am so glad that I do not expect God to be like a Jack in the Box. I say a prayer and He jumps up to do my bidding. No, He is a God Who smokes. He is a just God and merciful . Wow, if He wasn't would I be in trouble. Still there are times when it does not seem clear what His way will be. That is why I can trust Him , His way will be just and true.
I began feeling more comfortable saying, "He is a God Who smokes," after I read a book by that very title, written by Tim Stoner. I had known for a long time that God is a just God but not many teachings help put that perspective in with He is forgiving and merciful. The fact that we are to become like Him sometimes is taught but usually the forgiveness and merciful part is taught separate from we are to be just in all our ways.
Now Tim did an excellent job of describing the God Who is both and I think just by looking at this God and know He is both will be all the help I need.
Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.
I am so glad that I do not expect God to be like a Jack in the Box. I say a prayer and He jumps up to do my bidding. No, He is a God Who smokes. He is a just God and merciful . Wow, if He wasn't would I be in trouble. Still there are times when it does not seem clear what His way will be. That is why I can trust Him , His way will be just and true.
I began feeling more comfortable saying, "He is a God Who smokes," after I read a book by that very title, written by Tim Stoner. I had known for a long time that God is a just God but not many teachings help put that perspective in with He is forgiving and merciful. The fact that we are to become like Him sometimes is taught but usually the forgiveness and merciful part is taught separate from we are to be just in all our ways.
Now Tim did an excellent job of describing the God Who is both and I think just by looking at this God and know He is both will be all the help I need.
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Different Kind of Yoke
The word of my testimony today: Matt 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
The breaking of yokes can be painful at times. Sometimes one yoke has to be broke so that this yoke Jesus is talking about can be there. When I made my first break, ( did I say I made the break ?) the truth came flooding in like sunshine through a crack in the wall of a very deep dark dungeon. What I began to understand was that my being in the deep dark dungeon was not the place God wanted for me. What I understood was that because He had given me a little light , He wanted that light to shine.
For every bit of greater light to come to me I have had to be willing to let a yoke be broke. There just seems to areas that I have to try it first myself. Probably because the willingness to have the yoke broke comes from the Holy Spirit but then instead of waiting now for the Holy Spirit to lead me on, I begin my own yoke breaking ceremony. There seems to be a place some where between I will do it for You LORD and I surrender all , and then do something, that is kind of hard to find. I suppose if it was easy I would not appreciate the HOLY Spirit as much as I do. What I really appreciate is God's gracious patience with me as these yokes are really small gods that I don't want there but be there they are. If I have a yoke on it is kind of what guides me around. The opinion of others or the opinions I have formed based on what others have told me can be yokes. The truth is that Jesus wants to be my only yoke.
This can be hard to let happen . For one thing there is the fearful thought that says , "what if I let my old opinion go and the new real truth is so different no one will like me ?" Having had a few yokes broken and found out that it is worth not being liked that is not such a big deal anymore to me. I want to remain aware of the difficulty I have had through the years of the breaking of yokes so that I can empathize with others. It is no easy thing to be ready to say, "Okay, God tell me , what did You really mean when You said _____________ (put any verse in the Bible here.) "
Another part of the yoke breaking requires that you really take a good look at the yoke. This is where I am now. I guess for there to be a true repentance one has to make a confession of the sin first. I guess in order to be able to confess my sin I have to take a good look at what this yoke really is. Also why is it there instead of the yoke Jesus has always wanted to put on me.
The most beautiful picture this morning is Jesus pouring out His mercy and grace upon me.
He's standing there waiting for me to let HIM break my old yoke and receive His.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Those Little Things
By the word of my testimony today is Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
The very desire to be faithful is a gift that has been given to me. I have a choice everyday to use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me , or not.
One thing I've noticed about the Holy Spirit is that He leads a group of people to do the same thing. That has given me a feeling of not being important which is from the thought that the enemy has been trying to plant saying, "why bother if He has got the job already taken care of by someone else."
I will have to agree with my adversary and say, "Yes, indeed it looks like the LORD has many operating in the same field that I am in." However, it is written that JESUS said about the servant who hid his talent in the ground," And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " Matt. 25:30
I agree that I should not obey God so that I can feel important. I know that my love for Him must grow more so that I can obey Him out of the love I have for Him in my heart.
I am so glad that He takes the time to come and walk with me in my garden.
The little thing He asked me to do, I humbly receive His gift to do so. May God bless me with His uplifted countenance , may I never stop again.
The very desire to be faithful is a gift that has been given to me. I have a choice everyday to use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me , or not.
One thing I've noticed about the Holy Spirit is that He leads a group of people to do the same thing. That has given me a feeling of not being important which is from the thought that the enemy has been trying to plant saying, "why bother if He has got the job already taken care of by someone else."
I will have to agree with my adversary and say, "Yes, indeed it looks like the LORD has many operating in the same field that I am in." However, it is written that JESUS said about the servant who hid his talent in the ground," And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " Matt. 25:30
I agree that I should not obey God so that I can feel important. I know that my love for Him must grow more so that I can obey Him out of the love I have for Him in my heart.
I am so glad that He takes the time to come and walk with me in my garden.
The little thing He asked me to do, I humbly receive His gift to do so. May God bless me with His uplifted countenance , may I never stop again.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
All That I Have Is Yours
The Word of my testimony today:
Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Living my word of testimony today looks like this. First of all and foremost I want to live my word of testimony. Do you remember the story of the man who wanted to change the world for the better ? Then he decided that was to big a task so he wanted to change his country. Finally the story goes on he decides he will try to change his wife . As he is just about to leave this earth he realizes his efforts have been in vain , and they would have been better spent if he would of tried to change himself.
Being the God believing person that I am , I know that except the LORD builds the house we labor in vain. So then I do not try to change myself , by myself . I look to the LORD to build this house , or re-build as it sometimes feels . My hope is to stay with the present day re-building in my own life and not try to change others. I believe if I continue to live my word of testimony it will change me. There are people who believe that what I need is more information. What I believe I need is more friends who are living their own word of testimony. Like I said earlier , iron sharpeneth iron , so their attempts in inform me , just increases my resolve to live my word of testimony , out loud.
"All that I have is thine, " the father said to the brother of the prodigal son. The hard working one that stayed home and worked in the field.
Sometimes I fail to see the forest for the trees , as they say. I was asking the LORD for help and asking Him if He could help me. Silly me because God can do anything , however He graciously did not reprimand me for asking. He simply said, "all that I have is thine."
Everytime I read the story about the prodigal son I long for there to be another elder brother in the story. One who worked in the field and was glad with the father that the prodigal son came home. One that enjoyed all the benefits of living with the father and did not feel one bit deprived of a good life.
I am very thankful today for the benefits of living in my Father's house. I know that He was very wise to send His Son to earth to live for thirty three and half years so that I would know what living like His Son would look like. I am also thankful that Jesus did not cut off Himself from us when He left this earth but continues to be around . Just like I want to be an example of living my word of testimony , Jesus is my example of living His Word of testimony.
How He lived with "all that the Father had was His" was shown everyday He lived here. He was not greedy and He was not prideful. He was not insisting that everyone know who He was and He did not get terribly upset if He wasn't talked to like the person that He was. He helped those whom the Father showed Him were His and went around doing the work the Father showed Him to do , without complaining. He got tired and He got thirsty. He also got hungry but He always slept, drank and ate when and where He was suppose to. He didn't insist that every lunch be at the best place in town and He did it all for the joy set before Him.
Our joy is in the salvation He has given us. His joy was in giving it. When I talk about stuff instead of living it I am often mis-understood. Sometimes I think I talk more about where I am going to go than talking about where I am and where I have been. True it is good to know where I am going and how I plan to get there but how many steps am I actually taking towards my destination ?
Writing out my word of testimony helps me to take a look at the map . However, I want to do more than just look at the map today. One big problem has been resolved. Having enough resources , strength, wisdom , love, power whatever is needed for this day's activities being at work in my father's field . I don't have to worry about will I have enough , or can I use it ?
Because all that He has is mine.
Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Living my word of testimony today looks like this. First of all and foremost I want to live my word of testimony. Do you remember the story of the man who wanted to change the world for the better ? Then he decided that was to big a task so he wanted to change his country. Finally the story goes on he decides he will try to change his wife . As he is just about to leave this earth he realizes his efforts have been in vain , and they would have been better spent if he would of tried to change himself.
Being the God believing person that I am , I know that except the LORD builds the house we labor in vain. So then I do not try to change myself , by myself . I look to the LORD to build this house , or re-build as it sometimes feels . My hope is to stay with the present day re-building in my own life and not try to change others. I believe if I continue to live my word of testimony it will change me. There are people who believe that what I need is more information. What I believe I need is more friends who are living their own word of testimony. Like I said earlier , iron sharpeneth iron , so their attempts in inform me , just increases my resolve to live my word of testimony , out loud.
"All that I have is thine, " the father said to the brother of the prodigal son. The hard working one that stayed home and worked in the field.
Sometimes I fail to see the forest for the trees , as they say. I was asking the LORD for help and asking Him if He could help me. Silly me because God can do anything , however He graciously did not reprimand me for asking. He simply said, "all that I have is thine."
Everytime I read the story about the prodigal son I long for there to be another elder brother in the story. One who worked in the field and was glad with the father that the prodigal son came home. One that enjoyed all the benefits of living with the father and did not feel one bit deprived of a good life.
I am very thankful today for the benefits of living in my Father's house. I know that He was very wise to send His Son to earth to live for thirty three and half years so that I would know what living like His Son would look like. I am also thankful that Jesus did not cut off Himself from us when He left this earth but continues to be around . Just like I want to be an example of living my word of testimony , Jesus is my example of living His Word of testimony.
How He lived with "all that the Father had was His" was shown everyday He lived here. He was not greedy and He was not prideful. He was not insisting that everyone know who He was and He did not get terribly upset if He wasn't talked to like the person that He was. He helped those whom the Father showed Him were His and went around doing the work the Father showed Him to do , without complaining. He got tired and He got thirsty. He also got hungry but He always slept, drank and ate when and where He was suppose to. He didn't insist that every lunch be at the best place in town and He did it all for the joy set before Him.
Our joy is in the salvation He has given us. His joy was in giving it. When I talk about stuff instead of living it I am often mis-understood. Sometimes I think I talk more about where I am going to go than talking about where I am and where I have been. True it is good to know where I am going and how I plan to get there but how many steps am I actually taking towards my destination ?
Writing out my word of testimony helps me to take a look at the map . However, I want to do more than just look at the map today. One big problem has been resolved. Having enough resources , strength, wisdom , love, power whatever is needed for this day's activities being at work in my father's field . I don't have to worry about will I have enough , or can I use it ?
Because all that He has is mine.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Amram and Jochebed's Story
The word of my testimony today is Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.
Following the Spirit can sometimes take me places that I've never been before. Sometimes I feel as though I have been down this road before . Attempting to raise my children without fear for instance. That situation comes up over and over . So every time I am aware there is about to be a change , I look to God for help. The less fear, the more of His love can operate through me so I have a motivation to live by faith. I think I would just tolerate the fear if I was not aware of how important it is for them to be free to enjoy being loved by God and not just me.
The words of my mother came to me today. "You can learn from my mistakes," she said. I thank her for that permission and I can see that fear was a spiritual force that literally kept me in an emotional prison .
I can only walk out of that prison with God's help, and I hope to glorify Him when I tell you He has been helping me . Whenever I have called upon Him for help He has heard me and helped.
One time that comes to my mind is when my grand-daughter was quite small. The enemy had planted thoughts in someone who began acting on them believing they were doing the right thing. I wasn't sure what was right but I knew that God ultimately did. So I called out to Him for help and He gave me an idea for a visual aid to comfort me. I took a picture of my grand-daughter and placed it inside of a paper basket woven together with paper strips. Before I wove it together I wrote on the paper strips Bible verses that held promises for me , concerning God's will to be done. Since the actions fell through that this person had purposed to do I can gratefully acknowledge God's will was done. I had peace as I trusted that He would protect her and that He would help her through this attempt to destroy her happiness.
Later I suppose I thought what I did was very child like however to do something similar to that may help me again. I believe every portion of the written Word is important . The three months of hiding Moses without fear gives me hope that I to can do as I am told to do for my children and not fear. Surely Amram and Jochebed loved not their lives even unto death. They obeyed God in faith , thus God's spirit of love was not quenched and He was able to do miraculous things.
Following the Spirit can sometimes take me places that I've never been before. Sometimes I feel as though I have been down this road before . Attempting to raise my children without fear for instance. That situation comes up over and over . So every time I am aware there is about to be a change , I look to God for help. The less fear, the more of His love can operate through me so I have a motivation to live by faith. I think I would just tolerate the fear if I was not aware of how important it is for them to be free to enjoy being loved by God and not just me.
The words of my mother came to me today. "You can learn from my mistakes," she said. I thank her for that permission and I can see that fear was a spiritual force that literally kept me in an emotional prison .
I can only walk out of that prison with God's help, and I hope to glorify Him when I tell you He has been helping me . Whenever I have called upon Him for help He has heard me and helped.
One time that comes to my mind is when my grand-daughter was quite small. The enemy had planted thoughts in someone who began acting on them believing they were doing the right thing. I wasn't sure what was right but I knew that God ultimately did. So I called out to Him for help and He gave me an idea for a visual aid to comfort me. I took a picture of my grand-daughter and placed it inside of a paper basket woven together with paper strips. Before I wove it together I wrote on the paper strips Bible verses that held promises for me , concerning God's will to be done. Since the actions fell through that this person had purposed to do I can gratefully acknowledge God's will was done. I had peace as I trusted that He would protect her and that He would help her through this attempt to destroy her happiness.
Later I suppose I thought what I did was very child like however to do something similar to that may help me again. I believe every portion of the written Word is important . The three months of hiding Moses without fear gives me hope that I to can do as I am told to do for my children and not fear. Surely Amram and Jochebed loved not their lives even unto death. They obeyed God in faith , thus God's spirit of love was not quenched and He was able to do miraculous things.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What This War Is About
Since I have begun sharing my word of testimony, many new "Christian" people have come into my life. They want to help me. Enlighten me. To be more correct they want the Holy Spirit through His word to enlighten me.
That is not a bad goal.
However, I wonder why they are spending their time and money on that , for me.
This is why community is so important. The very things that I notice in my friends are the very things the Holy Spirit was wanting me to look at in my own life. Some where it is written, "iron sharpeneth iron." Without these friends where would I be ? I can tell you. I would have a very dull sword of the Spirit.
I realised about two years ago I needed sharpening when I joined this Tuesday night group .
Their love for God is sincere but the way they believe that they should apply God's word to their lives , is not the same way that I believe always.
However, they had one point really right on. I will be for ever grateful for this one truth that this group has helped me grasp. God loves me and thinks of me as a valuable person. My being a woman does not make me a second class citizen. My past does not make me a second class citizen. My present day mistakes does not make me a second class citizen. My past , present and future is seen by God and He has already decided, He loves me and He will not quit. This group is awesome . Mainly because I have never found anyone else who was willing to sacrifice their time to make sure that I , and women like me really get this truth. The majority of do gooders just want to help you enough to get salvation and maybe a little more, the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to who we are in Christ Jesus , they have abandoned me. So I praise God for the steadfast Tuesday night group.
And the other things they believe , have been iron sharpeneth iron to me. Such a benefit that I also am so grateful for. Now I have some "new friends . " I can only take a deep breath and think, "here I go again. "
Mean while I have become very war conscious. The only hope that the enemy has of winning is that I would believe his lie. The enemy actually is helpful for the iron sharpeneth iron principle too. He lies and I come back with the truth. Every time my sword becomes sharper and sharper.
I also want to join in with my friends who are at war. Their desire to pick up their sword of Truth and come back at the enemies lies , puts them in the ranks of "my real friends."
I want to be really helpful. I don't want to be an iron sharpeneth iron to them. They have enough of that going on already. However, I really can never be sure for what purpose God has me in their lives , so I have to live by faith.
I think it would be helpful if I could remind them , and myself what the big picture looks like.
God so loved the world that He gave His Son, and the enemy is trying to convince us that it is not true. But it is true and nothing will change that.
Because of my new friends , I am able to see that my old friends do not need enlightenment.
They need strength. They need power. They need wisdom. They need love.
I must stand with them and agree with them as they strike out at the enemies lies with their sword of Truth. "Yes, God has not given you a spirit of fear." "Yes, He has given you a spirit of love , power and a sound mind. "
The good that I reap from my friends is that it is not wrong to hope for a miracle. I think it is wrong to say, "and the miracle will look like this and this. " However, that is good iron sharpening material. The truth is that the spirit of love, power and a sound mind is a miracle. I may not know what it will look like coming through me until I need it , but when it does come through surely all will know this came from His spirit , not mine.
For too long I have been trying to help my friends at the wrong end of the sword. My efforts to help them become enlightened has probably only been iron sharpening material for them.
I now believe for a miracle. Love is all those things 1Cr. 13 says it is, but it is not produced by me. If indeed His love comes through me it will be a miracle and it will help more than anything else I could do.
The word of my testimony today: Rev 12: 11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
"Yes, they did !"
That is not a bad goal.
However, I wonder why they are spending their time and money on that , for me.
This is why community is so important. The very things that I notice in my friends are the very things the Holy Spirit was wanting me to look at in my own life. Some where it is written, "iron sharpeneth iron." Without these friends where would I be ? I can tell you. I would have a very dull sword of the Spirit.
I realised about two years ago I needed sharpening when I joined this Tuesday night group .
Their love for God is sincere but the way they believe that they should apply God's word to their lives , is not the same way that I believe always.
However, they had one point really right on. I will be for ever grateful for this one truth that this group has helped me grasp. God loves me and thinks of me as a valuable person. My being a woman does not make me a second class citizen. My past does not make me a second class citizen. My present day mistakes does not make me a second class citizen. My past , present and future is seen by God and He has already decided, He loves me and He will not quit. This group is awesome . Mainly because I have never found anyone else who was willing to sacrifice their time to make sure that I , and women like me really get this truth. The majority of do gooders just want to help you enough to get salvation and maybe a little more, the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to who we are in Christ Jesus , they have abandoned me. So I praise God for the steadfast Tuesday night group.
And the other things they believe , have been iron sharpeneth iron to me. Such a benefit that I also am so grateful for. Now I have some "new friends . " I can only take a deep breath and think, "here I go again. "
Mean while I have become very war conscious. The only hope that the enemy has of winning is that I would believe his lie. The enemy actually is helpful for the iron sharpeneth iron principle too. He lies and I come back with the truth. Every time my sword becomes sharper and sharper.
I also want to join in with my friends who are at war. Their desire to pick up their sword of Truth and come back at the enemies lies , puts them in the ranks of "my real friends."
I want to be really helpful. I don't want to be an iron sharpeneth iron to them. They have enough of that going on already. However, I really can never be sure for what purpose God has me in their lives , so I have to live by faith.
I think it would be helpful if I could remind them , and myself what the big picture looks like.
God so loved the world that He gave His Son, and the enemy is trying to convince us that it is not true. But it is true and nothing will change that.
Because of my new friends , I am able to see that my old friends do not need enlightenment.
They need strength. They need power. They need wisdom. They need love.
I must stand with them and agree with them as they strike out at the enemies lies with their sword of Truth. "Yes, God has not given you a spirit of fear." "Yes, He has given you a spirit of love , power and a sound mind. "
The good that I reap from my friends is that it is not wrong to hope for a miracle. I think it is wrong to say, "and the miracle will look like this and this. " However, that is good iron sharpening material. The truth is that the spirit of love, power and a sound mind is a miracle. I may not know what it will look like coming through me until I need it , but when it does come through surely all will know this came from His spirit , not mine.
For too long I have been trying to help my friends at the wrong end of the sword. My efforts to help them become enlightened has probably only been iron sharpening material for them.
I now believe for a miracle. Love is all those things 1Cr. 13 says it is, but it is not produced by me. If indeed His love comes through me it will be a miracle and it will help more than anything else I could do.
The word of my testimony today: Rev 12: 11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
"Yes, they did !"
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Living in the Kingdom
My word of testimony today: Ps 144:1 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:
Praise and blessing and honor unto the Lord who teaches me His ways.
I was taught that spiritual warfare existed along the same time I was taught that God was real and that I should ask Jesus to come into my heart. Basically when anyone had a headache at church it was explained as "spiritual warfare." Bigger problems also, "spiritual warfare." I learned in a song, "I'm in the LORD's army, yes sir ! I'm in the LORD's army. "
How blessed am I to finally learn that being in LORD's army is actually all I need to do to be on the winning side. When He is teaching my hands to war , He is teaching my hands to bless and not curse. When I am asking Him into my heart I am asking for His word to dwell in me. When I am asking Him for strength it is not so that I can defeat the enemy. It is so I can stand , while I wait on Him to show His victory the way He chooses to do so.
It takes a lot of strength to stand but God is not opposed to my asking for strength. He is not going to deny my request either . He has already provided rest and strength for me, may my eyes be opened to see it.
Praise and blessing and honor unto the Lord who teaches me His ways.
I was taught that spiritual warfare existed along the same time I was taught that God was real and that I should ask Jesus to come into my heart. Basically when anyone had a headache at church it was explained as "spiritual warfare." Bigger problems also, "spiritual warfare." I learned in a song, "I'm in the LORD's army, yes sir ! I'm in the LORD's army. "
How blessed am I to finally learn that being in LORD's army is actually all I need to do to be on the winning side. When He is teaching my hands to war , He is teaching my hands to bless and not curse. When I am asking Him into my heart I am asking for His word to dwell in me. When I am asking Him for strength it is not so that I can defeat the enemy. It is so I can stand , while I wait on Him to show His victory the way He chooses to do so.
It takes a lot of strength to stand but God is not opposed to my asking for strength. He is not going to deny my request either . He has already provided rest and strength for me, may my eyes be opened to see it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Blessed Be The LORD
Everyone has their own perspective when they read the Bible.
My own perspective has changed through out the years.
I can think of times when I thought of the Bible as a treasure hunt. Not for truth but what can I get ? Like stuff. I needed stuff.
When I decided all the stuff I could get wasn't really what I wanted , I decided a new me would be good. I had never really liked "me" so I worked on a new me.
I became discouraged with that over the years. Mainly because I had decided the way to become a new me was "to be transformed by the renewing of my mind." When I became aware of the entire verse and the entire context I realised why I had become discouraged. However, all things do work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose and love Him .
My perspective now is , relationship. What is it saying about relationship ? How does this help me understand the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with me ?
It's about a 98 degree angle turn from where I was when I started. Even though every place I've been, has taught me invaluable lessons. Perhaps every perspective did teach me a little bit about relationship.
Now I realise a relationship with Jesus means , it's all about HIM. Now He is all about loving me so it is not a bad deal. I had a human relationship once where I made the guy my god. It was all about him but it was the pits because this guy did not love me. Now I realise how fortunate I am that he was such a bum and treated me so bad. If he would of been loving me like Christ loves the church , there I'd be , still idolizing a man instead of serving the true and living God.
When I thank God for the things I attribute have come from Him , I could actually be more focused on the stuff than upon Him . I just realised today that the best way to respond to God would be to say " blessed be " .
Over and over in the Bible people proclaim how thankful they are for the things they attribute that God has done by saying "blessed be."
In the story of Ruth and Naomi , Ruth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
In the story of Abigal and David, 1 Sam 25:32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 1 Sam 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
I could keep going but I got the idea . There is being thankful , and then there is being thankful and attributing what the LORD has done.
My word of testimony today is may my thanksgiving come out of my mouth as the women who spoke to Naomi and so many others who knew how to relate to God.
my reference for today was found in blueletterbible.org when I put the words blessed be the LORD in the search .
My own perspective has changed through out the years.
I can think of times when I thought of the Bible as a treasure hunt. Not for truth but what can I get ? Like stuff. I needed stuff.
When I decided all the stuff I could get wasn't really what I wanted , I decided a new me would be good. I had never really liked "me" so I worked on a new me.
I became discouraged with that over the years. Mainly because I had decided the way to become a new me was "to be transformed by the renewing of my mind." When I became aware of the entire verse and the entire context I realised why I had become discouraged. However, all things do work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose and love Him .
My perspective now is , relationship. What is it saying about relationship ? How does this help me understand the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with me ?
It's about a 98 degree angle turn from where I was when I started. Even though every place I've been, has taught me invaluable lessons. Perhaps every perspective did teach me a little bit about relationship.
Now I realise a relationship with Jesus means , it's all about HIM. Now He is all about loving me so it is not a bad deal. I had a human relationship once where I made the guy my god. It was all about him but it was the pits because this guy did not love me. Now I realise how fortunate I am that he was such a bum and treated me so bad. If he would of been loving me like Christ loves the church , there I'd be , still idolizing a man instead of serving the true and living God.
When I thank God for the things I attribute have come from Him , I could actually be more focused on the stuff than upon Him . I just realised today that the best way to respond to God would be to say " blessed be " .
Over and over in the Bible people proclaim how thankful they are for the things they attribute that God has done by saying "blessed be."
In the story of Ruth and Naomi , Ruth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
In the story of Abigal and David, 1 Sam 25:32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 1 Sam 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
I could keep going but I got the idea . There is being thankful , and then there is being thankful and attributing what the LORD has done.
My word of testimony today is may my thanksgiving come out of my mouth as the women who spoke to Naomi and so many others who knew how to relate to God.
my reference for today was found in blueletterbible.org when I put the words blessed be the LORD in the search .
Friday, April 10, 2009
He Is Everything To Me
My word of testimony for today Ps 18:28 For You cause my lamp to be lighted and it to shine, the Lord my God illumines my darkness.
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Knowing that the LORD values choices has been a strengthening to my relationship with Him.
If I were to rely on my feelings I would be persuaded that He was not around. Not illumining my darkness. Not helping to keep oil in my lamp.
However feelings are the result of the thoughts that produce the choices I make.
So I have to ignore my feelings and go for the truth. My choice to serve Him and serve Him only will be honored. My choice to sit at His feet and hear His word will be honored.
My life is complete , while I wait at His feet , Sweet Jesus , wonderful LORD
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Knowing that the LORD values choices has been a strengthening to my relationship with Him.
If I were to rely on my feelings I would be persuaded that He was not around. Not illumining my darkness. Not helping to keep oil in my lamp.
However feelings are the result of the thoughts that produce the choices I make.
So I have to ignore my feelings and go for the truth. My choice to serve Him and serve Him only will be honored. My choice to sit at His feet and hear His word will be honored.
My life is complete , while I wait at His feet , Sweet Jesus , wonderful LORD
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Annointing
Another title could be "Oil".
I have always been fascinated with the Jewish customs . The LORD was trying to tell us about His love for us through them. Visual aids as it were . Jesus also enjoyed uncovering the truth about these symbols , I think. My picture of Jesus standing and declaring "He was the light !" at a Jewish festival is one of an artist taking the veil (or cover) off of His beautiful masterpiece for everyone to see.
That is why I think He enjoys revealing truth to me. When I share that truth , I hope it is as if I handing around His masterpiece. "Look, " I am saying, "Look at what the LORD has done !" Maybe when it is at first handed to you , you don't see. Maybe it looks like one of those normal paintings you see down at the library by a local artist . Hopefully as we are talking about the painting together , you will begin to see, what great detail , what splendid ideas , the LORD has created , all for the purpose that we might know Him.
My word of testimony today : Matt 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
In this parable it seems the purpose is not so much that we would know Him but that we would be ready for His coming.
I want to be ready. I would be so sad if after all this time I spent working on every other preparation for His arrival , I lacked oil.
I fear such a thing is possible . I must be wise.
I will tell you what I think oil is and how I try to not take from another , their oil.
This is an exhortation to me , to be a doer of the word as I understand how the LORD wants it done. As you read this exhortation believe with me , that from this day forward , I will do this.
When I go to gatherings of believers I go , following the Spirit. I go ready to be a doer of the word. Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; also Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
I believe that when I am a doer of the word I am bringing as it were , "oil" to that group.
My oil is not for sale. I certainly do not want to give my oil away either. I am bringing my own oil to use for my own benefit, that I might teach and admonish others who can equally admonish and teach as well. Other wise my lamp is going to go dry , the light is going to go out , and I am going to be hard pressed to get it lite again.
I've asked permission to give a ten to fifteen minute talk about worship Tuesday night. If these women are truly interested in having their lamps filled with oil , I hope permission will be granted. If they are not really wanting to have oil in their own lamps but to just continually ask of others to give them oil , then I hope the Spirit will warn me. I think it is time I start taking stock of my own supply and be wise.
One more text for today. I think a few days back I talked about how the spirit was warning me to not be as Aarons sons who had found strange fire to light the lamp. I remember saying at the time I had not fully read this story but the point that day I felt was , when I am worshipping the LORD to be led by the Spirit .
Here is an interesting addition to this story. The light was never suppose to go out. The oil was suppose to be continually be added to the lamp as needed so it would never go out. Look at these verses.
Exodus 27:20-21 "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
I have always been fascinated with the Jewish customs . The LORD was trying to tell us about His love for us through them. Visual aids as it were . Jesus also enjoyed uncovering the truth about these symbols , I think. My picture of Jesus standing and declaring "He was the light !" at a Jewish festival is one of an artist taking the veil (or cover) off of His beautiful masterpiece for everyone to see.
That is why I think He enjoys revealing truth to me. When I share that truth , I hope it is as if I handing around His masterpiece. "Look, " I am saying, "Look at what the LORD has done !" Maybe when it is at first handed to you , you don't see. Maybe it looks like one of those normal paintings you see down at the library by a local artist . Hopefully as we are talking about the painting together , you will begin to see, what great detail , what splendid ideas , the LORD has created , all for the purpose that we might know Him.
My word of testimony today : Matt 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
In this parable it seems the purpose is not so much that we would know Him but that we would be ready for His coming.
I want to be ready. I would be so sad if after all this time I spent working on every other preparation for His arrival , I lacked oil.
I fear such a thing is possible . I must be wise.
I will tell you what I think oil is and how I try to not take from another , their oil.
This is an exhortation to me , to be a doer of the word as I understand how the LORD wants it done. As you read this exhortation believe with me , that from this day forward , I will do this.
When I go to gatherings of believers I go , following the Spirit. I go ready to be a doer of the word. Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; also Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
I believe that when I am a doer of the word I am bringing as it were , "oil" to that group.
My oil is not for sale. I certainly do not want to give my oil away either. I am bringing my own oil to use for my own benefit, that I might teach and admonish others who can equally admonish and teach as well. Other wise my lamp is going to go dry , the light is going to go out , and I am going to be hard pressed to get it lite again.
I've asked permission to give a ten to fifteen minute talk about worship Tuesday night. If these women are truly interested in having their lamps filled with oil , I hope permission will be granted. If they are not really wanting to have oil in their own lamps but to just continually ask of others to give them oil , then I hope the Spirit will warn me. I think it is time I start taking stock of my own supply and be wise.
One more text for today. I think a few days back I talked about how the spirit was warning me to not be as Aarons sons who had found strange fire to light the lamp. I remember saying at the time I had not fully read this story but the point that day I felt was , when I am worshipping the LORD to be led by the Spirit .
Here is an interesting addition to this story. The light was never suppose to go out. The oil was suppose to be continually be added to the lamp as needed so it would never go out. Look at these verses.
Exodus 27:20-21 "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Word
I give this word of testimony because it is written in Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
I figure it is never to early to start practicing what the saints in Revelation 12 did.
Practice is a good word because essentially that is what I am doing. Even though some days by my own estimation it hasn't been a particularly fruitful day, still I am practicing for the next day. Each day I will get better at giving this word of testimony.
So what makes a good harvest day ?
Now I have two really good stories that I could tell you about yesterday. Each one was a result of my applying God's word to my life. These would be the kind of stories one would expect to hear if I were to title this blog , Praise Reports.
Because my word of testimony for today is basically a seed work , I can't imagine that people are really to interested in reading this blog. My hope is , not to have followers that read this blog daily but to be an inspiration for the reader to somehow find a way to give their own word of testimony that day. I know that if they do it one day , it will be like planting a seed . On the day they find the fruit from that seed they will become more than anxious to start planting seeds daily. Life has become so exciting for me , I have a really hard time being quiet. I want to give praise reports constantly but I have to wait for the Holy Spirits leading .
It does not please the Holy Spirit for me to just spread out the harvest for people to see. To See would be the key words here. The Holy Spirit and The Word were together in my life when I planted the seed. When I give a praise report, it can be a word of testimony if these two main ingredients are in it. Then it is not a praise report for people to see. It is me sharing the bread from the harvest of the seeds The Holy Spirit and The Word once gave me.
The WORD that I use for my word of testimony comes sometimes just like the seed a farmer would gather from his harvest. The Word is often a fruit from a time planted long ago.
If you are still with me , here is my word of testimony for today. Ps 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.
How I plan to apply this word to my life is : 1. Believe that He has sent His word. 2. Receive that word that He has sent and be healed. 3. Expect deliverance from my destructions.
I figure it is never to early to start practicing what the saints in Revelation 12 did.
Practice is a good word because essentially that is what I am doing. Even though some days by my own estimation it hasn't been a particularly fruitful day, still I am practicing for the next day. Each day I will get better at giving this word of testimony.
So what makes a good harvest day ?
Now I have two really good stories that I could tell you about yesterday. Each one was a result of my applying God's word to my life. These would be the kind of stories one would expect to hear if I were to title this blog , Praise Reports.
Because my word of testimony for today is basically a seed work , I can't imagine that people are really to interested in reading this blog. My hope is , not to have followers that read this blog daily but to be an inspiration for the reader to somehow find a way to give their own word of testimony that day. I know that if they do it one day , it will be like planting a seed . On the day they find the fruit from that seed they will become more than anxious to start planting seeds daily. Life has become so exciting for me , I have a really hard time being quiet. I want to give praise reports constantly but I have to wait for the Holy Spirits leading .
It does not please the Holy Spirit for me to just spread out the harvest for people to see. To See would be the key words here. The Holy Spirit and The Word were together in my life when I planted the seed. When I give a praise report, it can be a word of testimony if these two main ingredients are in it. Then it is not a praise report for people to see. It is me sharing the bread from the harvest of the seeds The Holy Spirit and The Word once gave me.
The WORD that I use for my word of testimony comes sometimes just like the seed a farmer would gather from his harvest. The Word is often a fruit from a time planted long ago.
If you are still with me , here is my word of testimony for today. Ps 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.
How I plan to apply this word to my life is : 1. Believe that He has sent His word. 2. Receive that word that He has sent and be healed. 3. Expect deliverance from my destructions.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Doing Truth Part two
My word of testimony today is Gal 2:19-20 “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
As noticed in my last word's of testimony my desire to do truth comes because I realize I need light. If I want to be a vessel that light shines through then I must attend to the light. When ever I feel as though a change is coming I want to be sure I remain faithful in the little things. As I began taking inventory of some of the little things , my attention was drawn to an exercise that I have a problem doing. First of all I have a problem remembering that I am to do it. Then second a problem doing it without feeling detached from what I am doing.
This little thing that I am to faithful in doing should be done before I eat every meal. How blessed I am that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. If there were condemnation I am sure I would feel compelled to offer my before the meal prayer , detached or not and then go on. Just to avoid the condemnation.
Yet I am convicted of my neglect to ask for our Father's blessing on the food and so I am trying to do better . God uses food so often in His Word that I feel to get this right is important to Him.
Luke 24:28-32 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
The reason I picked out Gal 2:19-20 to be my word of testimony is because I want a word that will help me go from doing a right thing like keeping the law , into doing the right thing by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Back to what I was saying about being detached. It seems to me that my training as a child , to say "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food. Amen" trained me that detachment was fine. Just say these words , then eat.
The book Hiding From Love says this about detachment as a hiding style. This is a relational style used when hiding from attachment.
Defensive Behavior - Deep feelings of not belonging and of near total relational isolation.
Recommended Steps - Seek people who will accept detached style and help us develop intimacy.
As I live by faith in the Son of God's love for me , I will trust Him to do the rest. I will also be open to what He will do by not isolating myself .
As noticed in my last word's of testimony my desire to do truth comes because I realize I need light. If I want to be a vessel that light shines through then I must attend to the light. When ever I feel as though a change is coming I want to be sure I remain faithful in the little things. As I began taking inventory of some of the little things , my attention was drawn to an exercise that I have a problem doing. First of all I have a problem remembering that I am to do it. Then second a problem doing it without feeling detached from what I am doing.
This little thing that I am to faithful in doing should be done before I eat every meal. How blessed I am that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. If there were condemnation I am sure I would feel compelled to offer my before the meal prayer , detached or not and then go on. Just to avoid the condemnation.
Yet I am convicted of my neglect to ask for our Father's blessing on the food and so I am trying to do better . God uses food so often in His Word that I feel to get this right is important to Him.
Luke 24:28-32 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
The reason I picked out Gal 2:19-20 to be my word of testimony is because I want a word that will help me go from doing a right thing like keeping the law , into doing the right thing by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Back to what I was saying about being detached. It seems to me that my training as a child , to say "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food. Amen" trained me that detachment was fine. Just say these words , then eat.
The book Hiding From Love says this about detachment as a hiding style. This is a relational style used when hiding from attachment.
Defensive Behavior - Deep feelings of not belonging and of near total relational isolation.
Recommended Steps - Seek people who will accept detached style and help us develop intimacy.
As I live by faith in the Son of God's love for me , I will trust Him to do the rest. I will also be open to what He will do by not isolating myself .
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Doing Truth ?
My word of testimony for today John 3 : 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Actually I began my morning marveling at the joy I have. What came to my mind was the story of the man who sold everything to buy a field that had a treasure in it. It is as though preparing to give all that I have is bringing a great joy . You must know that I am in a process of learning how to give all to the Lord. The picture I have is taking all the stuff I thought I would carry into the kingdom, my children, my health , anything that could be considered "a care of this world" and giving it to Jesus.
I notice that I am not saying that I will just automatically know how to do this. I am expecting God to teach me. Whatever little bit of truth I can do, is going to bring me to a brighter light.
That is why I boldly write out my word of testimony everyday. It is a truth I do.
It may be that someday you will find I have stopped writing it out in a blog . I hope the reason will be that I have found a large enough community that I can share my word of testimony orally instead of written.
I see this community beginning to form and I think that the pastors of the churches these people attend would be like John who said in 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Actually I began my morning marveling at the joy I have. What came to my mind was the story of the man who sold everything to buy a field that had a treasure in it. It is as though preparing to give all that I have is bringing a great joy . You must know that I am in a process of learning how to give all to the Lord. The picture I have is taking all the stuff I thought I would carry into the kingdom, my children, my health , anything that could be considered "a care of this world" and giving it to Jesus.
I notice that I am not saying that I will just automatically know how to do this. I am expecting God to teach me. Whatever little bit of truth I can do, is going to bring me to a brighter light.
That is why I boldly write out my word of testimony everyday. It is a truth I do.
It may be that someday you will find I have stopped writing it out in a blog . I hope the reason will be that I have found a large enough community that I can share my word of testimony orally instead of written.
I see this community beginning to form and I think that the pastors of the churches these people attend would be like John who said in 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Takeing Heed
The word of my testimony today is Luke 11: 31-34 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."
Sometimes the thought comes to me , how do you know that the Holy Spirit is leading you to your word of testimony each day? My answer to the thought is "I don't know, but I live by faith, that when I ask for bread that I will not be given a stone." Today's word is a somewhat different approach to the word of testimony I had a few days ago to plowing up my fallow ground. (See The Haunt of Jackals )
When I start seeing connections between words it is kind of like seeing a mile marker on the road I hoped I was on.
Again in the New Testament part of the Bible Jesus is saying to the people listening , "you are hearing my words but are you applying them ?"
I think He is also saying , "are you really understanding what I am saying ?" Maybe He is saying , "look within yourself, do you see a light ?" Maybe He is saying ,"if you see light, what are you doing with it ?" These are questions I think He is addressing to me. This is my word of testimony.
Earlier I was thinking about Paul and his first encounter with Jesus. What took Paul a matter of three days , I wonder if it isn't likened unto what has taken me 21 years.
A few weeks ago I was sick . When I asked God for wisdom concerning attending church that Sunday the thought came to me that I should ask my pastor to pray for me before the service. Ask him to anoint me with oil .
I went thinking that God would help me do this simple task but I chickened out. Now my pastor is so full of the love of God I know he would of gladly responded to my request. I couldn't bring myself to ask him to break his usual routine for me. So I started coughing towards the end of the praise time and felt I should leave.
So if Jesus had told me to do the things He told Paul to do after meeting him on the road, would I do them ? Now getting healed will get my attention.
Do I have to be sick in order for Him to get my attention ? I think not. However, I think the right response is not just a piece of cake. I think repentance requires understanding and I think understanding comes from a desire for truth.
Someone said once, "how much does it cost to follow Jesus ?" The answer to the question is : "Everything."
Sometimes the thought comes to me , how do you know that the Holy Spirit is leading you to your word of testimony each day? My answer to the thought is "I don't know, but I live by faith, that when I ask for bread that I will not be given a stone." Today's word is a somewhat different approach to the word of testimony I had a few days ago to plowing up my fallow ground. (See The Haunt of Jackals )
When I start seeing connections between words it is kind of like seeing a mile marker on the road I hoped I was on.
Again in the New Testament part of the Bible Jesus is saying to the people listening , "you are hearing my words but are you applying them ?"
I think He is also saying , "are you really understanding what I am saying ?" Maybe He is saying , "look within yourself, do you see a light ?" Maybe He is saying ,"if you see light, what are you doing with it ?" These are questions I think He is addressing to me. This is my word of testimony.
Earlier I was thinking about Paul and his first encounter with Jesus. What took Paul a matter of three days , I wonder if it isn't likened unto what has taken me 21 years.
A few weeks ago I was sick . When I asked God for wisdom concerning attending church that Sunday the thought came to me that I should ask my pastor to pray for me before the service. Ask him to anoint me with oil .
I went thinking that God would help me do this simple task but I chickened out. Now my pastor is so full of the love of God I know he would of gladly responded to my request. I couldn't bring myself to ask him to break his usual routine for me. So I started coughing towards the end of the praise time and felt I should leave.
So if Jesus had told me to do the things He told Paul to do after meeting him on the road, would I do them ? Now getting healed will get my attention.
Do I have to be sick in order for Him to get my attention ? I think not. However, I think the right response is not just a piece of cake. I think repentance requires understanding and I think understanding comes from a desire for truth.
Someone said once, "how much does it cost to follow Jesus ?" The answer to the question is : "Everything."
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Grace Unto You
My word of testimony for today is Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
When one sheep hears His voice I think all the sheep in the flock hear.
I tell you joyfully that people around me seemed to make an effort to express God's grace to me yesterday.
What a blessing to find that the very thing I had set my heart to do for them, they did for me.
One young man made a point to encourage me in my hope that my son would be awakened one day by God's love. He gave his own testimony and assured me it was something God had done on His own . He hinted that God might not need my help, which I am all to glad to agree with.
I think the help I want to give in form of instruction should somehow , just be lived, out loud .
Not by a lot of verse and knowledge but by an expression of love and grace.
This love and grace can not be worked up by me. This love and grace that I can give comes from my practicing a receiving of this love and grace from our Father.
Rather than say to God, "help me be like the father in the story of the prodigal son." I say, "help me be like the son who could receive all that the father wanted to do for him , even though he had done nothing to deserve it. Except of course , admit he was his son. "
When one sheep hears His voice I think all the sheep in the flock hear.
I tell you joyfully that people around me seemed to make an effort to express God's grace to me yesterday.
What a blessing to find that the very thing I had set my heart to do for them, they did for me.
One young man made a point to encourage me in my hope that my son would be awakened one day by God's love. He gave his own testimony and assured me it was something God had done on His own . He hinted that God might not need my help, which I am all to glad to agree with.
I think the help I want to give in form of instruction should somehow , just be lived, out loud .
Not by a lot of verse and knowledge but by an expression of love and grace.
This love and grace can not be worked up by me. This love and grace that I can give comes from my practicing a receiving of this love and grace from our Father.
Rather than say to God, "help me be like the father in the story of the prodigal son." I say, "help me be like the son who could receive all that the father wanted to do for him , even though he had done nothing to deserve it. Except of course , admit he was his son. "
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Shapen Me
Ps 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Today's word of testimony continues the thread of thought from yesterday.
Yesterday I was aware of areas of my life that I just ignore. I tell the LORD that I want to love more. When I become angry about circumstances or the people involved in creating the circumstances , I tell the LORD I want to quit being like that.
Yet when He tells me acknowledge your sins ,receive my grace, have I been listening ?
What helps me most to confess my sin is some one around who agrees with God's word and says, "yes, you are forgiven. "
That helps , especially if they have been in that place of realizing their need for forgiveness . The reason that I think it helps is because of the grace that is given to one in their need.
I can read of God's forgiveness in His word and believe it , but grace is an experience. I think that is where our need for each other comes in . As I hear a friend acknowledge a sin to me the best thing I can do is say, "I believe you are forgiven." Then I ask Jesus to express His grace through me.
Grace is undeserved favor. That means I am able to treat them as though they have never sinned. This helps them to continue confessing and receiving grace. A process is begun that in time creates a plowed ground that the seed of God's word can be planted , watered and grow.
Each of us are an important part of the body of Christ. As a stone wall is built each stone is shapened to fit where it belongs. We all are here by the grace of God. None of us would be in this process of being shapened except by the righteousness given us from Jesus Christ our LORD.
All of Ps 51 is my word of testimony today. It begins with be gracious to me Oh God, according to thy loving kindness .
The whole Psalm is an expression of my heart today. Even though I can not even give a good clear confession of my sin I know that it has something to do with anger. Anger has something to do with wanting to be in control . Being in control has something to do with pride.
As I repeat Ps 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. today I will believe that He is gracious . I will believe that He will do good unto me as well as the whole body of Christ.
Today's word of testimony continues the thread of thought from yesterday.
Yesterday I was aware of areas of my life that I just ignore. I tell the LORD that I want to love more. When I become angry about circumstances or the people involved in creating the circumstances , I tell the LORD I want to quit being like that.
Yet when He tells me acknowledge your sins ,receive my grace, have I been listening ?
What helps me most to confess my sin is some one around who agrees with God's word and says, "yes, you are forgiven. "
That helps , especially if they have been in that place of realizing their need for forgiveness . The reason that I think it helps is because of the grace that is given to one in their need.
I can read of God's forgiveness in His word and believe it , but grace is an experience. I think that is where our need for each other comes in . As I hear a friend acknowledge a sin to me the best thing I can do is say, "I believe you are forgiven." Then I ask Jesus to express His grace through me.
Grace is undeserved favor. That means I am able to treat them as though they have never sinned. This helps them to continue confessing and receiving grace. A process is begun that in time creates a plowed ground that the seed of God's word can be planted , watered and grow.
Each of us are an important part of the body of Christ. As a stone wall is built each stone is shapened to fit where it belongs. We all are here by the grace of God. None of us would be in this process of being shapened except by the righteousness given us from Jesus Christ our LORD.
All of Ps 51 is my word of testimony today. It begins with be gracious to me Oh God, according to thy loving kindness .
The whole Psalm is an expression of my heart today. Even though I can not even give a good clear confession of my sin I know that it has something to do with anger. Anger has something to do with wanting to be in control . Being in control has something to do with pride.
As I repeat Ps 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. today I will believe that He is gracious . I will believe that He will do good unto me as well as the whole body of Christ.
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