January 28, 2010

Give Me a Break....

We have been speaking a lot lately about how to not enter into arguments and how to handle situations through the power and posture of Christ. It is difficult to live in this world yet not be of this world...These verses help us understand about grieving the holy spirit / looking at situations with empathy for what we put God through by not walking in obedience and doing the work to mature.

I think part of the reason this is so difficult is due to our worldly training.  We try to do these things without entering into His rest. The Hebrews verses below will explain that a bit.

I think what we don't understand is that seeking Him / the relationship with Him at all times keeps us in His secret abode, His rest. Then out of that relationship / union He is able to flow through us and into those around us.

A friend of mine shared a Psalm yesterday that spoke of the stream flowing into the mountains and valleys. What I visualized when she was speaking the Psalm to me was us being overfilled with His spirit and flowing into the highs and lows of the world to bring His refreshment in all ways to all situations.

Oh how I pray we become the pathways for His refreshing, cool waters to permeate this world....which is  in such need.

My love to you all, in Christ's name I pray this.
Candace


Scriptures from God's Word Translation
Ephesians 4:29 Don't say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don't give God's Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]. 31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.

Hebrews 4:1 God's promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won't enter his place of rest. 2 We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. 3 We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, "So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest." God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. 4 Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all his work." 5 God also said in the same passage, "They will never enter my place of rest." 6 However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God's place of rest because they did not obey God. 7 So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after [your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest] God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: "If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn." 8 If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. 9 Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God's people. 10 Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his. 11 So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey. 12 God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions. 13 No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him. 14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. 15 We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. 16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God's kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.


How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!


Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? —Acts 26:14

Are you determined to have your own way in living for God? We will never be free from this trap until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of "the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). Stubbornness and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set on our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our own rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Him. Whenever we rely on self-respect, we systematically disturb and grieve His Spirit. And when we finally understand that it is Jesus we have been persecuting all this time, it is the most crushing revelation ever.


Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, "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" (Matthew 11:29 ). All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted. By Oswald Chambers

January 26, 2010

Participants of the Divine Nature - Part 4

Ministry in Word
Participants of the Divine Nature – Part 4
与神的性情有分-第四部


Based on Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening devotional


2 Peter 1:3-4
彼得後书1:3-4


“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”


神的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们,皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀和美德召我们的主。因此,他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们,叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏,就得与神的性情有分。」

How are we set apart from the corruption in the world? The Bible tells us it is accomplished through the word of God, the work of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our resisting sin.
我们如何从世上的败坏被分别为圣呢?圣经告诉我们那是靠着神的道、神的工作、圣灵的工作和我们抵挡罪得以成就。

We Are Sanctified Through the Word of God

神的道使我们成圣


First, we are sanctified through the word of God. John 17:17-19 records these words of Jesus in His final prayer on earth for His followers: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” Jesus prayed that we may be sanctified by God’s word which is the truth. Participating in the divine nature means that we are sent into the world yet we are set apart from the world as Jesus were, escaping from the corruption in the world.

首先,神的道使我们成圣。約翰福音17:17-19记载了耶稣在世上为他的跟随者最後祈祷的话:「求你用真理使他们成圣;你的道就是真理。你怎样差我到世上,我也照样差他们到世上。我为他们的缘故,自己分别为圣,叫他们也因真理成圣。」耶稣祈求神用他的道,就是真理,使我们成圣。与神的性情有分表示我们像耶稣一样被差到世上但从世上分别为圣,脱离世上的败坏。

We Are Sanctified Through the Work of God

神的工作使我们成圣

Secondly, we are sanctified through the work of God. Apostle Paul told the believers in Thessalonica these words: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Th 5:23) So it is the work of God that sanctifies us completely, for it is the divine nature, not our human nature, in which we participate to escape the corruption in the world, to be preserved blameless body, soul and spirit when we will see Christ again.

其次,神的工作使我们成圣。使徒保罗告诉帖撒罗弥迦的信徒这些话:「愿赐平 安的神亲自使你们全然成圣!又愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守,在我主耶稣基督降临的时候,完全无可指摘!」〔帖前5:23〕所以是神的工作使我们全然成圣,因为是我们有分的神的性情,不是我们人的性情,让我们脱离世上的败坏,我们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守,当我们再见到基督之时,可以完全无可指摘。

We Are Sanctified Through the Work of the Holy Spirit

圣灵的工作使我们成圣

Thirdly, we are also sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul also told the Thessalonica Christians that God chose them to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2 Th 2:13). So it is through our saving faith in the truth, which is Jesus, resulting in the Spirit living in us and our participation in the divine nature, sanctifying us from the corruption in the world.

其三,圣灵的工作使我们成圣。使徒保罗也告诉帖撒罗弥迦的信徒,神从起初拣选了他们,叫他们因信真道,又被圣灵感动,成为圣洁,能以得救〔帖後2:13〕。所以是藉着我们对真理,也就是耶稣,的救赎的信心引至圣灵住在我们之中和使我们与神的性情有分,使我们从世上的败坏分别为圣。

To be continued next week.

下周待续。

May the word of God, the work of God and the Holy Spirit, sanctify us from the corruption in the world, through our participation of the divine nature.

愿神的道、神与圣灵的工作,藉着我们与神的性情有分,使我们从世上的败坏分别为圣。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀

“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9


January 23, 2010

Desperate Times...Desperate Measures

Elijah is one of my favorite relatives in God's family. The reason is because I have learned so much about dealing with my personal human conditions. I would love to be able to say that my own fear has never kept me from standing my ground due to my trust and faith in what Jesus has told us to be true. I wish I had never heard the Holy Spirit emplore me to not run away from my help. But the truth is there have been times in large or small ways I have been just like Elijah. Dramatizing a situation due to false imaginations brought on by an aggressive personality, running away leaving them successful in getting me to focus on my lack of ability to sustain my self and turning my back on a faithful God.

The great thing is that God does not look at us and judge us....He understands. He comes to us lovingly and shows Himself; wooing us into His presence. Showing us all the scary things and saying....look, I am not in those things. But I am right here with you. He told us..I will never leave you nor forsake you. What that says to me is, "remember who I am, and discern who I am not, then stand firm trusting that I will tell you if you should turn away, run, stand or plow forward - Nothing shall in anyway harm you....I AM God and my arm is never too short!"

Thank God for Elijah so that we can know we are not the only one that has had a pity party or two. If you do have one.....be sure to invite God. He has a wonderful way of bringing celebration to any party atmosphere =D


If you have not read 1 Kings 10 and this account of Elijah I suggest you read it - It's awesome and relatable.(I will post it below for your convenience if you do not have time to read it now...come back later)

I pray that we all seek God each moment of every day...especially when we feel others are against us. If we are leaders...and we all are in some compacity, I ask God to show us how to exemplify His qualities toward those running scared.

My love to you all through Jesus we are complete and capable.
Amen

Let's support each other, give wisdom and accept each other as a work in progress...thanking God that He has an army of angels taking charge over things so that we never dash our toe against a stone.
Candace



Giving Up?

I alone am left; and they seek to take my life. —1 Kings 19:10

Have you ever felt like giving up? Elijah did. The Lord had just used him to show the nation of Israel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18). Yet, the threats of Queen Jezebel so alarmed him that he ran to Beersheba, 100 miles south (19:3). Then he walked another 150 miles south to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there (vv.9,13). Both times he answered with identical words—“I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (vv.10,14). He had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel. Despite his great victory, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement. How easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not accept Elijah’s notice that he was quitting. Instead, He commissioned his tired servant to handle three major tasks (vv.15-17). And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the only faithful one left. God had 7,000 others who had not bowed to Baal (v.18).

Perhaps, like Elijah, you are despairing at the circumstances in your life. Let God speak to you (v.12). Instead of allowing you to quit, He will show you what you can do through His strength. — C. P. Hia



Our strength and hope is in the Lord—
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we’re tempted to despair
We know we’re kept within His care. —D. De Haan

When you’re working for Jesus, it’s always too soon to quit.

1 Kings 10:1-21

1 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, "May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't take your life the way you took the lives of Baal's prophets." 3 Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there. 4 Then he traveled through the wilderness for a day. He sat down under a broom plant and wanted to die. "I've had enough now, LORD," he said. "Take my life! I'm no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom plant. An angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 When he looked, he saw near his head some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate, drank, and went to sleep again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back and woke him up again. The angel said, "Get up and eat, or your journey will be too much for you." 8 He got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled for 40 days and nights until he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah. He asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He answered, "LORD God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life." 11 God said, "Go out and stand in front of the LORD on the mountain." As the LORD was passing by, a fierce wind tore mountains and shattered rocks ahead of the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the LORD wasn't in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire. But the LORD wasn't in the fire. And after the fire there was a quiet, whispering voice. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then the voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He answered, "LORD God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life." 15 The LORD told him, "Go back to the wilderness near Damascus, the same way you came. When you get there, anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel. And anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah as prophet to take your place. 17 If anyone escapes from Hazael's sword, Jehu will kill him. And if anyone escapes from Jehu's sword, Elisha will kill him. 18 But I still have 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not knelt to worship Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." 19 Elijah found Elisha, son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing behind 12 pairs of oxen. He was using the twelfth pair. Elijah took off his coat and put it on Elisha. 20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye. Then I will follow you." "Go back," Elijah answered him. "I'm not stopping you." 21 Elisha left him, took two oxen, and butchered them. He boiled the meat, using the oxen's yoke [for firewood]. He gave the meat to the people to eat. Then he left to follow and assist Elijah.


GOD'S WORD is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (God's Word Translation)

January 22, 2010

How do you like a bandaid removed? Slowly....or one quick RIP!

Joe Stowell always writes like we talk. He is incredibly easy to relate to. When he talks about his simple understanding of Loving our Neighbor through this experience, I had to shake my head at myself. Guess I was making it a more difficult concept to understand than it really needed to be. Or maybe seeing it so clearly shows how much I still need to grow. It is easiest to walk past someone and smile, ask if they need help, do something from a check list and move on. But if I have to employ thought about how THEY would like me to do it.......now that takes some serious selflessness and kindness. Jesus didn't just say "the man who helped him". The verse in Luke say, the one that was "kind" enough to help him. As I read this verse this morning again through Joe's wisdom, the statement Jesus made rose up in different areas.  Yes we have to be willing to stop, listen and give the help, and God can use that.  However, maybe there is another level we should strive to mature into.  When we employ the fruit of the spirit within our ability to help, say kindness for instance, that brings a new dimension of aid to the situation.  This pivitol point is where the power of the Lord is indwelling within the situation "to bring complete rescue and restoration and deliverance"


I thank God for this day, His mercy and grace to make it through it, His power, strength and courage to miss it and get back up.....and these words of Joe Stowell.

May God be glorified even when we miss it.

With Love,
Candace



Neighborly Love

READ: Luke 10:29-37
You shall love the Lord your God . . . and your neighbor as yourself. —Luke 10:27

It would have been simpler just to buy a new hair dryer. But determined to save a buck, I decided to fix it myself. In order to loosen the screw that was buried deep in the handle, I took out the ultimate handyman’s helper—my pocket knife. As I put pressure on the knife to turn the screw, the blade folded back—on my finger.

I learned a lesson that day: I love myself. And I am urgent about meeting my needs. There was no thought of, “Well, I don’t really have time to stop the bleeding now. I’ll get to it later.” Also, there was a tenderness about how the need was met. I instructed my first-aid team (my wife and kids) to wash my finger gently and then to put the bandage on in a way that would avoid having the hairs on my finger pulled up when it was removed. My thoughts, words, and actions were driven by my love for myself.

To love “your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27) requires the same urgent kind of love. It’s a love that notices the need of another person and won’t rest until it’s been met. It’s a gentle, tender love that thinks and acts carefully. It’s the sacrificial and compassionate love that a nameless Samaritan had for a fallen traveler. It’s the kind of love God wants to share with your neighbors through you. — Joe Stowell

Lord, help me see the heartfelt needs
Of those within my care,
And grant that through my words and deeds
Your love with them I’ll share. —D. De Haan

You cannot touch your neighbor’s heart with anything less than your own.

January 20, 2010

Inspired and Strenthened by Hearing of Their Faith.

Go back and read Genesis 39:1-10. When I read what Joseph had to stand up again, denying the comforts that somepeople might frivolously indulge in to get immediate enjoyment or feed their ego, I am so grateful that he did not. It gives me strength to know that God's love, provision and plan for the good of many is worth standing up for. Oh how I want to always have the strength from God to stand up against the things that try to influence me to deny God and serve myself. With God I know all things are possible through Christ.

Praise Him!
Candace

Redirected
The Lord was with Joseph. —Genesis 39:2

At the age of 16, pianist Leon Fleisher made his formal debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic. He went on to win prestigious international competitions and played in the world’s finest concert halls. But at the age of 37, Fleisher was struck with dystonia, a neurological condition that crippled his right hand. After a period of despondency and withdrawal, he turned to teaching and conducting, because, as he said, he loved music more than he loved the piano.

When our dreams are shattered, how do we react? After Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, was sold as a slave by his brothers (Gen. 37:12-36), he could have given in to self-pity and self-indulgence. Instead, Joseph remained true to the Lord. Four times in Genesis 39, we read that “the Lord was with” Joseph (vv.2-3,21,23), and his actions revealed his own faithfulness to God. By his exemplary life, those he served in Egypt recognized God’s presence with him.

Do we love God more than our own dreams? Although Joseph must have grieved the loss of his past and what his life could have been, the Lord led him to a calling he had never imagined. Today, the Lord longs to lead us. Are we willing to be redirected by Him? — David C. McCasland, Daily Bread Devotional RBC Ministry

My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away;
But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead,
For He doth know the way. —Overton

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9

Participants of the Divine Nature - Part 3

Ministry in Words
Participants of the Divine Nature – Part 3
与神的性情有分-第三部

Based on Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening devotional

2 Peter 1:3-4
彼得後书1:3-4

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has
given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate
in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
「神的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们,皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀
和美德召我们的主。因此,他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们,叫我们既脱离
世上从情欲来的败坏,就得与神的性情有分。」

Members of the Body of Christ
基督身上的肢体

By “participating in the divine nature” do we become members of the body of the divine
person of Christ? Yes. Apostle Paul says in many of his letters that “we are members of
his (Christ’s) body” (Eph 5:30). Yes, we have the blood of Christ, for the same blood
that flows in the head flows in the hand. Jesus Christ is the head of the body and we are
the members. The same life that raises Christ from the dead raises His people. “For you
died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). Since our life is hidden with
Christ in God, when God raises Christ to overcome death, He also raises us to walk in the
newness of life.
我们是否因为「与神的性情有分」而成为基督这位神身子的肢体呢?是的,使徒
保罗在他许多的书信中说「我们是他〔基督〕身上的肢体」〔弗5:30〕。是的,
我们有基督的血,因为在头循环的血也就是在手循环的血。耶稣基督是身子的
头,我们是肢体。那使基督从死里复活的生命同样地使他的子民复活。「因为你
们已经死了,你们的生命与基督一同藏在神里面。」〔西3:3〕既然我们的生命与
基督一同藏在神里面,当神使基督复活来克服死亡时,他也使我们复活来过新的
生活。

Furthermore, we participate in the divine nature through our marriage to Christ.
Revelations 19:7 mentions the wedding of the Lamb, which is Jesus Christ, and His bride,
which is us. We are married to Christ. He has betrothed us in righteousness and
faithfulness, and we are joined to the Lord in one spirit.
再者我们藉着我们与基督的婚姻与神的性情有分。启示录19:7提到羔羊的婚宴,
羔羊就是耶稣基督,新妇就是我们。我们与基督成婚了。他以公义和信实娶了我
们,我们就与主联合在一个灵中。

What a marvelous mystery! It is beyond anyone’s understanding! One with Jesus! We
are one with Him as the branch is one with the vine. We are a part of the Lord, our
Savior and Redeemer! We are participants of the divine nature, drawing on the same
blood and life of Jesus.
何等奇妙的奥秘!超过任何人的了解!与耶稣合而为一!我们与他合一就像枝子
与葡萄树合一一样。我们是主我们的救主和救赎者的一部份!我们是与神的性情
有分的人,吸收耶稣同样的血和生命。

Purpose of His Promises
他的应许的用意

While we rejoice in this, remember that the purpose of God’s calling us into his great and
precious promises is not for us just to participate in the divine nature, but to escape from
the corruption in the world. Early in our human history it was the corruption in the world
that made God angry and brought down His judgment of the world through the Great
Flood, destroying everyone except Noah and his family. Escaping from the corruption in
the world means those who are made participants “of the divine nature” will manifest
their high and holy relationship in their association with others. It will be evident from
their daily walk and conversation that they have escaped the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires (2 Pe 1:4). So we must pray for more divine holiness of life. We
must pray for our sanctification through our continual participation of the divine nature.
当我们为此欢欣的时候,要记得神呼召我们进入他又宝贵又极大的应许的目的并
非只是让我们得与神的性情有分,而是脱离世上的败坏。早在人类历史中世上的
败坏惹起神的怒气而引至他以洪水审判世界,毁灭了挪亚一家以外的世人。脱离
世上的败坏的意思是指那些得与「神的性情有分」之人在与其他人交往时会表现
出他们崇高和圣洁的关系。从他们的日常生活言谈中可以看见他们脱离了世上从
情欲来的败坏〔彼後1:4〕。所以我们必须祈求更多生活上神之圣洁。我们必须祈
求藉着不断地与神的性情有分而得成圣。

To be continued next week.
下周待续。

May we be resurrected to live the newness of life in Christ Jesus, be in one spirit with
Him, be given more divine holiness in life, and be sanctified through our participation of
the divine nature.
愿我们被复活在基督耶稣里来过生命的新意,与他的灵相符,得赐更多生活上神
之圣洁,藉着与神的性情有分而得成圣。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀

“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

January 19, 2010

Who Shall I Trust.....What is Truly Real?

Remember God's promises - I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not fear I have overcome the world. I will always show you the way out.

I pray that our trust increases our faithfulness toward the person of God and that we remember others will always fail us....we are imperfect. I pray that we allow us humans room to fail as we trust God who is within His children...I thank God that He has the plan for our good and He is faithful to complete it.

With love in Christ,
Candace



Vision and Darkness



When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him —Genesis 15:12

Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness" that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11 ).

Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God. By Oswald Chambers

January 17, 2010

What are YOU looking at!

Mason chose the devotional for  today it is from T.D. Jake's "Strength for Every Moment". I too love how T.D. is so incredibly straight forward. He does not say too many words so that we are confused and have to read between the lines. As I type that do not think I do not realize the irony coming from my fingers "the woman with so many words"


It is hard for us to look at ourselves . Understandably so, we are with ourselves all day long 24/7. I think that is one reason we look at everyone else. Our thought life is constantly convicting and if not wrangled will start to turn into self loathing - so we deflect our thoughts. We just don't get it....He continually tries to explain it to us.

I pray today that we take our eyes of others and even ourselves to put them onto our Lord. Let us focus on His love, not the brokennes this world causes in each of us. He is the healer and lover of our souls. That in all moments is where we should strive to live from.

With the Love of our Christ, may we touch someone in His love today so that He is see in as the very real God that He is.

Candace


Renew Your Strength


He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might he gives strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

When your pity party is over and you are ready for His help, God will say "Don't you know? Haven't you heard who I am - the everlasting God? I am the creator of the universe. I am not a child; I am not a school-boy- I am God. Who do you think you are fooling? I'm God. I held your breath in the palm of My hands. I created your body, I heat your blood just hot enough to keep you alive but not so hot that you die. Who else do you allow to control your life? If it is not Me, then who? I love you. I created you in My image. I am that I Am."

What more does the Lord have to do to show you He love you? Don't let satan continue to fool you into thinking that the God has forsaken you.

Stop doing things that you don't have any business doing. Repent and confess your sins instead of spending the time pointing out the sins of everyone else. Admit that you have fallen so that your healing may begin.


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The Essence of Beauty

The essence of beauty is as wide as it is deep,
Multiplicity of color, radiance beyond belief,
Simple to our vision, explosive to the mind,
Alive when implanted into the tenderness inside.
Fingers touch and capture a memory shared between,
Smells engulf the soul and rise up within our air,
The full body of all emotions, encapsulated, mystically, in a tear,
Pure essence of the senses rush through our being like a birth,
Truth that is unstoppable, a manifestation of all that is unseen,
Whirling winds of majestic moments giving life by the lover’s heart,
Silence is all that is able because mere words cannot relate.

By Candace Huffmaster









January 15, 2010

Who Isn't Excited about a White Wedding?

For me, Oswald Chambers is utilized in such a way that I hear God speak to me in almost every devotional he writes. I see things differently, I understand them more deeply, I desire to look at my life honestly and I choose obedience passionately. The reason is through this I see how to freely live in this world. That inspires me to obey...to taste what He desires for me and to share as only He can empower.

I rember Billy Idols lyrics "It's a great day....for a white wedding". Hey little sister who's your superman, Hey little sister it's a great to start again.  That is what the white funeral is about isn't it?  A funeral isn't exciting in this world...but think of the white wedding!  Funny, I would never have thought I would be using Billy Idol to witness for God.....but He knew.  That is why He told us in Colossians 1:16 "He created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Whether they are kings or lords, rulers or powers-- everything has been created through him and for him."

I pray if you do not already see this, that today you will see a glimpse, hear the Holy Spirit that is one with you on this journey and obey the simple piece that He is blessing you with ......just today!
With the love of our Savior Jesus Christ,
Candace

Do You Walk In White?


We were buried with Him . . . that just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . even so we also should walk in newness of life —Romans 6:4

No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a "white funeral"-the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crucial moment of change through death, sanctification will never be more than an elusive dream. There must be a "white funeral," a death with only one resurrection-a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him.

Have you really come to your last days? You have often come to them in your mind, but have you really experienced them? You cannot die or go to your funeral in a mood of excitement. Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death. It will not happen by striving, but by yielding to death. It is dying— being "baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3 ).

Have you had your "white funeral," or are you piously deceiving your own soul? Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day? Is there a place in your life to which you go back in memory with humility and overwhelming gratitude, so that you can honestly proclaim, "Yes, it was then, at my ’white funeral,’ that I made an agreement with God."

"This is the will of God, your sanctification . . ." (1 Thessalonians 4:3 ). Once you truly realize this is God’s will, you will enter into the process of sanctification as a natural response. Are you willing to experience that "white funeral" now? Will you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends on you. - By Oswald Chambers Utmost for His Highest

January 14, 2010

Give.... With A Purpose

We will be teaming up with local Churches in Haiti to deliver aide to some of the hardest hit areas & deliver it with a purpose, in Jesus' name. Please give so that we can not only save lives, but also open hearts to Jesus in Haiti.

As I write this, bloodstained bodies are piled in the streets. Orphanages, Hospitals, Homes & Churches are destroyed. Even their parliament building has collapsed.

The victims need food, clean water & medicine. Without your help, even more will die.
Help us deliver aide - with a purpose. By teaming up with local Haitian Churches, we will be meeting not only their physical needs, but sharing Jesus with them too.

May God richly bless you for helping during this crisis.

DR. PAUL WHISNANT
BELIZE MISSION DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL SERVANTS
PO BOX 330, ACWORTH, GA 30101
Paul@JoinGod.org
770-529-8484

http://www.joingod.org/

To Give by Check, make your gift payable to: INTERNATIONAL SERVANTS. Earmark your Gift: HAITI RELIEF FUND. Mail your gift to: INTERNATIONAL SERVANTS, PO BOX 330, ACWORTH, GA 30101.

May God richly bless you for helping us reach Haiti for Jesus. ALL GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. International Servants is recognized as tax exempt by the IRS. You'll receive a tax-deductible receipt within 3 weeks. For more information, contact us at info@JoinGod.org or call 770-529-8484.

I CAN do all things....but what if I don't want to?

Mason gave me his reading this morning and suggested that I pass it on, He was inspired by it and wanted to share it with everyone in hopes we too would glean from TD Jakes. It is from Strength for Every Moment.



I Can Do All Things

I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me (Philippians 4:13)

Deception is a trap and stronghold that ensnares many, especially those who are not content with their present state in life. The bible instructs us to learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves. The apostle Paul learned that lesson well......"for I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content (KJV Phil 4:11)

This is not to imply that we should be satisfied with being bound by the devil or be content with complacency and mediocrity, thus not fulfilling the call of God on our lives. Not at all. We are to work to improve ourselves while at the same time remaining totally dependent on God.
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Called By God


I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ’Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ’Here am I! Send me’ —Isaiah 6:8

God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, ". . . who will go for Us?" The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened. Then they hear "the voice of the Lord" continually asking, ". . . who will go for Us?" However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, "Now, you go." He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, "Here am I! Send me."

Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His "Follow Me" was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19). If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard-"the voice of the Lord." In perfect freedom we too will say, "Here am I! Send me." - By Oswald Chamber



----I do not think it was any coincidence that God put these two voices together to speak this subject into our lives. They both were addressing God calling us to do His will. He created us, He has a plan for what He created. I hope the poem below help us reflect on this subject and see ourselves through His eyes, with His heart.
I pray that we wait patiently for God to prepare us and the path. I pray we remember it is His HIGH calling. we simply participate as He needs.

In Christ name, with love,

Candace



Connective Cog

We are but a part, a connective cog,
Positive energy or broken and exposed.
Our eyes connect, though infused by our hearts,
With goodness to help or darkness shall fall.

To look in the face of those who we meet,
The circular pathways stare back in our face.

Each person, a universe…we all exist in our own,
Created no different than the world that we know.
Who rules the planet? Your pathways meet…
The rotation and pull…does it collide or make way?
Is there lift off or desolation? Could anything exist?

One God and one vision, there’s no room for more,
Our Creator, divine, who cannot be improved.
We take our blessings then think we know more
Move out of His energy, our natural pull
Negative energy, like opposite poles,
Has to connect with the positive to realign,
Ending the force which repels, and throws down,

The universe you travel, but do you realize your path?
Is it synergy in motion or out of control?

God in His provision, made perfect your path.
Study and ask Him, He will positively pull
Your desire to travel in His universe alone.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

January 13, 2010

Participants of the Divine Nature - Part 2

Ministry in Word
Participants of the Divine Nature – Part 2
与神的性情有分-第二部

Based on Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening devotional
2 Peter 1:3-4
彼得後书1:3-4

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
「神的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们,皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀 和美德召我们的主。因此,他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们,叫我们既脱离 世上从情欲来的败坏,就得与神的性情有分。」

We Are the Participants of the Divine Nature
我们与神的性情有分

The first man, Adam, was made in the image of God, for Genesis 1:26 tells us that theLord said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness”. Adam, with the divine nature, was originally sinless. When he disobeyed God’s order and ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he sinned and lost the divine nature. We, by the renewal of the Holy Spirit, are in a spiritual sense made in the image of the Most High,and we “participate in the divine nature.”

世上的第一个人亚当是照神的形像造的,因为创世記1:26告诉我们神说,「我们 要照着我们的形像、按着我们的样式造人」。带着神的性情的亚当原来是无罪 的。当他违背神的命令而吃了分辨善恶树上的果子时,他犯罪了并且失去了神的 性情。我们被圣灵更新,在属灵的意识上是照最高神的形像被再造了,并且我们 「得与神的性情有分。」

We, the redeemed, are the forgiven repentant sinners. We were regenerated when Christ saved us and we became participants of the divine nature.
我们这些被救赎的人是已悔改蒙赦免的罪人。当基督拯救我们之时我们得重生,我们就成为与神的性情有分的人。

We Are Made to Be Like God
我们被造成像神

We are, by grace, made to be like God. We take on God’s nature when we yield to His Spirit. 1 John 4:8 says that “God is love”. We become love for “everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 Jn 4:7). Before we were born of God, we didn’t know what love was, and how to love. We might try our best to love with our own strength and understanding, but the results were not satisfactory. However when we were born of God we participated in the divine nature of love, so that it becomes our nature to love like God
loves.
我们蒙恩被造成像神。当我们向神的灵降服的时候我们就得到神的性情。約翰一書4:8说「神就是爱」。我们成为爱因为「凡有爱心的,都是由神而生,并且认 识神。」〔約一4:7〕在我们由神而生之前我们不知何为爱,也不知如何爱。我 们尽我们所能,以自己的力量和了解去爱,但是结果并不理想。但是我们一旦由 神而生,我们就与神的性情有分,我们就自然如神一般地爱了。

King David wrote in Psalm 31:5 these words, he said, “redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” So God is truth. As participants of the divine nature we become truth, and we love what is true. We became truth when “the Spirit of truth” came into us when we accepted the Lord as our Savior, for just as apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) Christ Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). When Christ lives in us, truth lives in us, and we become truth by participating in the divine nature.
大卫王在詩篇31:5写了这些话,他说「耶和华诚实的 神啊,你救赎了我。」因 为耶和华是诚实的神,所以神是真理。作为与神的性情有分的人我们也成为真理,喜爱诚实之事。当我们接受主为我们的救主之时,「真理的灵」进入我们,我们成为真理,因为就如使徒保罗说,「我已经与基督同钉十字架,现在活着的 不再是我,乃是基督在我里面活着;」〔加2:20〕而基督耶稣说,「我就是道 路、真理、生命」〔約14:6〕当基督活在我们里面,真理就活在我们里面,我们 就因与神的性情有分而成为真理了。

Psalm 100:5 declares that “The Lord is good”. When the rich ruler greeted Jesus, calling him “Good teacher”, Jesus answered, “No one is good-except God alone.” (Lk 18:18-19) So in our human nature we are not good. Even when we do our good deeds we cannot do them with a pure, untainted motive. Sometimes we do them because it makes us feel good about ourselves, or we think we would gain favor with God. God makes us good by His grace, and we become the pure in heart who shall see God (Mt 5:8).
詩篇100:5宣称「耶和华本为善」。当那富有的官跟耶稣打照呼,称他为「良善的 夫子」,耶稣对他说:「除了神一位之外,再没有良善的。」〔路18:18-19〕所以 我们在我们的人的性情中我们并不良善。甚至当我们行善的时候我们不能以一个 纯洁清白的动机而行。有时我们行善因为它让我们好过一点,或者我们认为可以 取得神的欢心。神以他的恩典使我们成为良善,我们就成为清心的可以见神的人 〔太5:8〕。

To be continued next week.
下周待续。

May we be remade into God’s image, be loving, truthful, and good, living victoriously as participants in the divine nature.
愿我们被重造为神的形像,爱人、诚实和良善,得与神的性情有分,过一个得胜
的生活。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀


“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

What's in Your Wallet?

This devotional is vital for us to understand. The reason we must face our behavior head on and not act as a victim is for our character, reputation and ultimately for the witness we are exemplifying. When we are responsible for our actions , physical or verbal toward another person; be sure to simply own up to your personal behavior. Don't be so quick to blame it on the person you are relating to. We feel this lets the other person off the hook. There is time to address how their behavior affected you, first do the right thing yourself. In a separate conversation address your concerns about their behavior. Be sure you have resolved any heated feeling that might push you to act impulsively before you enter into that conversation, otherwise you will be enlisting their ear to apologize yet again.

Philipians 2:14-16 (NAS)says this the best :
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

With Love,
Candace


Credibility


READ: 1 Peter 2:11-21
[Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that . . . they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. —1 Peter 2:12

The recent global financial crisis caused people to pay closer attention to their credit report. When credit was easy to get, some people became careless about how they used it. They didn’t bother to save for what they wanted; they just borrowed. Being in debt was no big deal. But in a crisis, that is no longer the case. Having good credit is suddenly very important.

After an advertisement for a credit repair service, a local newscaster said, “Credit repair isn’t something you can buy; it’s something you have to work for.”
The same principle applies to the credibility of our lives. We can’t buy it; it’s something we have to work for. We may be able to “borrow” credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need our own.
Credibility has to do with the ability to elicit belief. The reason it’s essential for Christians is that our lives affect God’s reputation (1 Peter 2:12). When we call ourselves by Christ’s name, His reputation is tied to ours. If people have reason not to believe us, they may not believe God.

The way to earn credibility is to live honorably. Then others will believe and glorify God. — By Julie Ackerman Link

If we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself.



For Further Study-Look at these Scriptures about Christ’s life: Matthew 9:10-13; 20:28; Luke 6:12. How can you live the way He did?




January 11, 2010

"Isn't Helping Always a Good Thing?"

There are times in life when we feel we know a way to help others that would help ease the burdens or ease a consequence in their life. Easing a consequence in someone's life is something to pray about - there is ALWAYS a consequence in our own life to be aware of. God has a plan to make everyone mature - we have to prayerfully consider our actions, responses to others. If we act out thoughtlessly, we might be pushing God's plans out of the way. Free will is to be taken seriously, it affects many people around us.


I pray that we not be so cavalier with the blessing God has given us - I pray that we ask Him what He gave provision to us For....then obediently utilize them His specific purposes.

Through the Heart of Christ,
Candace



What My Obedience to God Costs Other People


As they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon . . . , and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus —Luke 23:26

If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything— it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people’s plans are upset. They will ridicule us as if to say, "You call this Christianity?" We could prevent the suffering, but not if we are obedient to God. We must let the cost be paid.

When our obedience begins to cost others, our human pride entrenches itself and we say, "I will never accept anything from anyone." But we must, or disobey God. We have no right to think that the type of relationships we have with others should be any different from those the Lord Himself had (see Luke 8:1-3).

A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him. Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent? Or will we do just the opposite and say, "I will not cause other people to suffer"? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience to Him. By Oswald Chambers

January 9, 2010

NoWhere....NowHere; it is all a state of mind and emphasis

We have been speaking about how Fear paralyses us. If you have not read "The Wind and A Stone" I suggest you go back and review it with this information. I have also included a brilliant section of Erwin McManus book "Stand Against the Wind".


I pray that Oswald Chambers and Erwin McManus inspire you to trust beyond your emotions; that you fight to reach a new level of maturity; that you feel the peace of Christ as you reach the other side a victor....through the grace, mercy and salvation of Christ.

It is in Him, that I request this, knowing it is His will.

Candace


Fear Of The Unknown

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . . And he went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8

Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed unreasonable? Something that took you into the territory of the unknown? What if He asked you to refuse a long-awaited promotion or resist a longed-for relationship? What if He called you to a remote part of the world or asked you to release your children to serve Him in a faraway place?

The unknown is full of haunting “what ifs.” Yet God often calls us to chart unknown territory as we follow Him. Obeying His commands to forgive, to give away our treasures, or to give up things that provide security and pleasure often leave us in the scary territory of unknown outcomes.


Imagine how Abraham felt when God asked him to move his whole family without telling him where they were going (Gen. 12:1-3). God also asked Abraham to persevere—to stay in an unknown land even when the lure of past comforts may have threatened to seduce him and his family back to their comfort zone in Ur.

Entering a new year is like entering uncharted territory. The fear of the unknown could cripple our capacity to follow God’s leading through the days ahead. Yet, like Abraham, when we cling to the One who knows all things, we’re in good hands—regardless of where He leads. — Joe Stowell


Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand. —Stanphill

Never be afraid to entrust the unknown future to the all-knowing God.



              __________________________________________________________________


Coming out of Nowhere – Erwin McManus


 Be joyful because you have hope, Be patient when trouble comes and pray at all times. Romans 12:12 NCV

The quest for enlightenment leads us to the Wisdom of God Wisdom is forged through the crucible of Perseverance.

If Rome wasn’t build in a day, neither is character formed in one moment. There is a process in our becoming all that God created us to be. This is the human side of divine change. Transformation is both the miracle of God and the stewardship of man. Godliness is a result of both divine activity and human action. God promises to do what we cannot do for ourselves and He commands us to do that which He will not do for us. There is both miracle and responsibility. God entrusts us with His resourses, and then He hold us accountable for what we do with them. It isn’t very difficult to see that we are not all the same. Some people seem to have gotten an overload when God was handing out talents; others seem less gifted. But be assured there is divine talent in you. It is both waiting to be unleashed and depending on your being a faithful steward with what you’ve been entrusted. While we may be unable to perceive it, the great things of God come out of the small acts of faithfulness. When He finds we can be trusted with small things, we then are given responsibility over bigger things. How we serve exposes how we would lead.


When we are Faithful, we are Trustworthy. The person who is unfaithful cannot be trusted. These tow characteristics are inseparable.

If a person does not achieve his or her God given potential, although we might consider it a tragedy we would never think of it as wickedness. But perhaps we should. After all, the servant in the parable of the talents was declared wicked when what he could have done was measured against what he did. Matthew 25:14-30
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When  I read this I thought of the door of challenge, the door of opportunity and what it takes to unlock those doors.....it takes a key and and expectancy.

Think of perceverance as the key to the door that is locked before you….holding you back from what is on the other side. Will you endure the struggle with the lock or will you just say, I can’t open it. Just any shape does not open the lock, perceverance shapes our character….Our character IS the shape of our future. If we do not have the correct shape, the lock does not open. Our frame work is the skeleton key. God is the iron worker, we are the iron he is shaping. Each door we come before he has to take time and effort to bend us to perfectly fit, the same key does not open all doors. Each key as each door lock is special….just for us. If all keys and locks were the same, anyone could open our doors and receive the things in our store house. Are we willing to be molded, bent, heated till He sees Him image reflected upon us? He tells us the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. “The implications of faithfulness cannot be overestimated and must not be underestimated.” - quote by Erwin McManus

Candace

January 7, 2010

"Creation is Groaning" isn't the same as "Murmuring and Complaining".

We have been talking about hope. Last night in Romans 8 we were reading these verses from God's Word Translation (20,21) Creation was subjected to frustration but not by its own choice. The one who subjected it to frustration did so in the hope that it would also be set free from slavery to decay in order to share the glorious freedom that the children of God will have.


We continued speaking about how we could not have hope unless God, who's image we were created in, had hope. This verses states that he does. In addition to this Philippians 1:6 states "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NAS)" This assures us that God does have a plan, so our hope is to be established not in what we see happening around us but in the fact that God knows the struggles we must come through in order to form our personality, character, integrity and endurance to be transformed into His image.

I pray that we not be weak willed, that we percevere in His strength, through His spirit and demand that our spirit prosper even as our soul prospers. We do not have to sit back and wish....we can plow through with hope of reaching the finish line. I pray that we keep our eye on the road leading forward which is for our good, always asking for the correct path and following it.

With love,
Candace



Visions Become Reality

The parched ground shall become a pool . . . —Isaiah 35:7

We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.

Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.

God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.

The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it. - By Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

January 6, 2010

Participants of the Divine Nature

Ministry in Word

Participants of the Divine Nature – Part 1
与神的性情有分-第一部

Based on Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening devotional
2 Peter 1:3-4
彼得後书1:3-4

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
「神的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们,皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀
和美德召我们的主。因此,他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们,叫我们既脱离
世上从情欲来的败坏,就得与神的性情有分。」

Great and Precious Promises
又宝贵又极大的应许

Apostle Peter writes in these Scriptures that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. All that we need for living a godly life have been given us, we don’t need anything any more. How did it happen? God did so through our knowledge of Him, through our getting to know Him more in our daily reading and meditation of His Word, the Bible, in our daily prayer to Him, and in our daily walk with Him validating what we know with what we experience and vice versa. Through His own glory and goodness He called us into His great and precious promises. What do His promises aim at? Their purpose is to get us to participate in the divine nature and avoid the corruption in the world.
使徒彼得在这段经文中写道,神已赐给我们一切所需关乎生命和虔敬的事。一切
所需来过虔敬生命的事都已赐给我们了,再不需要什麽了。这是如何发生的呢?
神藉着我们对他的认识、藉着我们每天阅读和默想神的话与祷告来更认识他,以
及藉着我们每天与他同行以我们知道的和我们经历的彼比印证来
成就这事。他以自己的荣耀和美德召我们进入他宝贵又极大的应
许中。他的应许的目标何在呢?它们的目的是要叫我们与神的性
情有分和脱离世上从情欲来的败坏。

Christ’s Divine Nature Is Our Power to Live Victoriously
基督之神的性情是我们过得胜生活的力量

We cannot rely on our own strength to escape the corruption in the world, we must depend on Christ. Not only that, we must acquire the divine nature of Christ in order to succeed in living a godly life. As Jesus had said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5) The branch must be a part of the vine to be able to bear fruit, for it is the nature of the vine to bear fruit. A man must be a part of Christ to be able to live a godly life, for it is Christ’s divine nature to be godly. A man must participate in Christ’s divine nature to live a godly life. Christ’s divine nature is our power to live victoriously.
我们不能靠自己的力量来脱离世上的败坏,一定要倚靠基督。不单如此,我们得
与神的性情有分才能过敬虔的生活。正如耶稣曾说,「我是葡萄树,你们是枝
子。常在我里面的,我也常在他里面,这人就多结果
子;因为离了我,你们就不能做甚麽。」〔约15:5〕枝
子必须是葡萄树的一部分才能结果子,因为结果子就是
葡萄树的性情。一个人必须是基督的一部分才能过敬虔
的生活,因为敬虔就是基督之神的性情。基督之神的性
情是我们过得胜生活的力量。

You may ask, “Do the participants of the divine nature become God?” No, they do not become God. They do not participate in the essence of Deity but only the nature. God is the Creator and they remain the creatures. There is a great divide between the intrinsic nature of the creature and the Creator.
你可能会问,「与神的性情有分的人会变成神吗?」不会的,他们不会变成神
的。他们并非与神的本质有分,而只是与神的性情有分。神是创造者而他们仍是
受造物。在创造者与受造物的实质之间有一极大的区分。

To be continued next week.
下周待续。

May we escape the corruption in this world and to participate in the divine nature, so that
our life may bring glory to God and blessings to man.

愿我们脱离世上的败坏,得与神的性情有分,好让我们的生命可以给神带来荣
耀,给人带来祝福。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀



“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

"Good Grief"

Who of us is not trying to start off this year on the best foot possible.  We all do!  A new year is new hope, just as our hope should be new each and every day.  God is so gracious, he give us new mercies and grace each and every day.  How do we forget that?  But we all know there are days when even that we can find a way to whine about.

It is my prayer that we mature to the point we will go to God before we act on our own thoughts. Please pray that with me today for us all.
We were saved so that He abides within us, He does go everywhere with us. We must silence his voice in order to not hear it. Think about the scripture that implores us to "not grieve the Holy Spirit". We say we are trapped in a life we do not desire at times, think about how the Holy Spirit must feel trying to train us up. Yet we look around us all day long thinking how much others still need to grow - even there, we are grieving the Holy Spirit....we have so much to learn; let's try to lift each other up so it is not so difficult each day.

On a scale of 1-10 let's strive to make 2010 all 10"s.....moment by moment, day by day!

My love and prayers over each of you.

Candace



The Life of Power to Follow


Jesus answered him, ’Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward’ —John 13:36

"And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ’Follow Me’ " (John 21:19). Three years earlier Jesus had said, "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19), and Peter followed with no hesitation. The irresistible attraction of Jesus was upon him and he did not need the Holy Spirit to help him do it. Later he came to the place where he denied Jesus, and his heart broke. Then he received the Holy Spirit and Jesus said again, "Follow Me" (John 21:19). Now no one is in front of Peter except the Lord Jesus Christ. The first "Follow Me" was nothing mysterious; it was an external following. Jesus is now asking for an internal sacrifice and yielding (see John 21:18 ).
Between these two times Peter denied Jesus with oaths and curses (see Matthew 26:69-75). But then he came completely to the end of himself and all of his self-sufficiency. There was no part of himself he would ever rely on again. In his state of destitution, he was finally ready to receive all that the risen Lord had for him. ". . . He breathed on them, and said to them, ’Receive the Holy Spirit’ " (John 20:22 ). No matter what changes God has performed in you, never rely on them. Build only on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He gives.

All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to accomplish them. When we come to the end of ourselves, not just mentally but completely, we are able to "receive the Holy Spirit." "Receive the Holy Spirit "— the idea is that of invasion. There is now only One who directs the course of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ. By Oswald Chambers

Immanuel; God With Us - Part 1

Ministry In Word

IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US – Part 1


以马内利:神与我们同在

Isaiah 7:14

以赛亚书 7:14

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

「因此,…,必有童女怀孕生子,给他起名叫以马内利。」


Painting facilitates one’s observation as well as itself being the product of observation. A

painter paints from what he sees, some of which with his filters and some without, and

some through others’ description of their own perceptions of the same or similar subject

matters. Through the sum total of all these the painter tries to produce in his painting an

objective reality.

繪畫促進你的觀察並且本身是觀察的產品。畫家畫他所看見的,一些经过他的過

濾和一些并無過濾,和一些通过别人洞察同樣或类似主题事项的描述。 通过所有

這一切畫家在他的繪畫中设法产生一个客觀的現實。


So is the reality of the birth of the Christ Child into human history. Through the

collection of the different narratives of the Gospel accounts on the birth of the Christ

Child we come to a definitive picture (painting) of this amazing reality: Immanuel, God

with us.

孩子基督的誕生进入人类历史的現實也是一样。 通过福音書不同記敘文的沤合我

們达到孩子基督誕生這驚人的現實的一張明確圖片(繪畫): 以马内利,神与我们同

在。


First it was the Jewish virgin girl Mary who heard the announcement from the angel

Gabriel of her pending conception of the Christ Child, “Greetings, you who are highly

favored! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28) The Lord is with you, Mary! He is Immanuel

to the Virgin Mary. God was with the Virgin Mary. Sin came into this world through the

first woman resulting in Paradise lost, so it is most befitting that the first Messianic

promise was about “the seed of the woman”, not the offspring of the man (Ge 3:15). In

Genesis we cannot imagine how the Messiah will come as the seed of the woman, for all

humans are conceived through the seed of man. But in the birth of Jesus this promise

was fulfilled, for Jesus was conceived not by man but by the Holy Spirit. God’s grace

first came upon a young, innocent Jewish girl called Mary, before reaching to the

mankind. The Child that Mary delivered would deliver her as well as the whole

humanity that would receive Him.


首先是猶太童女马利亚從天使迦百列聽見她即將怀孕孩子基督的报告:「蒙大恩

的女子,我问你安,主和你同在了!」(路1:28) 。主和你同在了,马利亚!他对

圣母马利亚是以马内利。 神是与圣母马利亚同在。 罪通过第一位女人进入了這個

世界造成乐园的失落,因此第一個救世主的应许是關於「女人的後裔」而不是男

人的子孫(创3:15)是最为恰当。 在创世记我們不能想像弥赛亚怎麼將來成為女人

的後裔,因為所有人都是通过男人的後裔成胎。 但是在耶穌誕生中這個应许被实

现了,因为耶稣并不从男人而是从圣灵成胎。 神的恩惠首先临到名为马利亚的一

個年輕,天真的猶太女孩,才临到人類。 马利亚产下的孩子會拯救她並且拯救愿

意接受他的所有的人。


Secondly it was the lowly shepherds who saw an angel of the Lord. He announced to

them the birth of the Christ Child, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all

the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the

Lord.” (Lk 2:10-11) It is good news to “all the people” because a Savior was born to

them. He is Immanuel to “all the people.” God left His glorious heavenly throne,

humiliated himself by taking on the form of a man. He further humbled himself by being

born into a poor carpenter’s family, as a helpless baby resting in the manger among

animals. He identified with the lowly, therefore his birth announcement was first giving

to these shepherds, these people despised and rejected by the society in general.

其次就是看见一位天使的一些卑微的牧羊人。天使向他们宣

布孩子基督的诞生:「我报给你们大喜的信息,是关乎万民

的;因今天在大卫的城里,为你们生了救主,就是主基

督。」(路2:10-11) 那是「关乎万民的」大喜的信息,因为

救主为他们生了。他是「关乎万民的」以马内利。神离开他

天上荣耀的宝座,使自己卑微,取了人的形象。他进一步谦

卑自己,诞生在一个穷木匠的家,成为一个弱小的婴孩躺在

马槽里,与动物为伍。他与卑微的人认同,因此他诞生的消

息首先报告给这些牧羊人,这些被社会大众所蔑视和屏弃的

人。



A great heavenly chorus then appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the

highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:14) His favor rests in

those people with a simple faith waiting for the Messiah to come into their heart. He is

Immanuel to such people who have their hearts open awaiting Christ’s entry.

然後一个天上的大合唱队出现,颂赞神说:「在至高之处荣耀归与神!在地上平

安归与他所喜悦的人!」(路2:14) 他的平安归与那些有一个单纯的信心等候弥赛

亚进入他们心中的人。对这样敞开他们的心等候基督进入的人,他是以马内利。

To be continued next week.

下周待续。


May we open our hearts to God and trust Him with our simple, sincere faith. May He be

Immanuel to us throughout our life.


愿我们向神敞开我们的心,以我们单纯诚恳的信心信靠他。愿他成为我们一生的

以马内利。


Tom and Tehwan Tso

仲谋与德菀



“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9

“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

Immanuel; God With Us - Part 2

Ministry in Word

IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US
– Part 2
以马内利:神与我们同在


Isaiah 7:14
以赛亚书 7:14

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
「因此,…,必有童女怀孕生子,给他起名叫以马内利。」


Thirdly it was the magi (wise men) from the East who recognized the significance of the star as a declaration of the birth of a special Jewish king. This was important enough for these magi to travel from their distant homeland to a foreign place to worship him. (Mt 2) He is Immanuel to the magi, the sincere seekers of truth. God was with these truth seekers first in their desire to know the promised Messiah. It was God who put such desire into their heart. Then God was with them in their journey to find the promised Messiah. It was God who guided their every step of their travel. God was also with them in their choices of gifts for the Christ Child, unknowingly worshiping Him as the eternal King (gold), holy Priest (frankincense), and resurrected Savior (myrrh). Today God is with us who sincerely seek to know God, embark on a journey of faith, and receive Christ as our King, our Priest, and our Savior. He demands justice as our King for the wage of our sin to be paid. He intercedes for us as our Priest, offering Himself as the perfect holy sacrifice to pay for our sin. He is our Savior for us who repent to receive His forgiveness and eternal life (Jn 3:16)
第三就是东方来的博士〔智者〕,他们认出那星作为

一位特殊的犹太王诞生的宣告之意义。这些博士认为
这很重要,值得他们离乡背井,千里迢迢到异地去敬
拜他〔太2〕。对这些博士,这些诚恳的慕道者,他是以马内利。神首先在这些慕
道者要认识所应许的弥赛亚的热忱中与他们同在,是神把这热心放在他们心中。
然後神在他们寻找应许的弥赛亚之旅与他们同在,是神引导他们旅行的每一步。
在他们选择要送孩子基督的礼物上神与他们同在,使他们无意中敬拜他为永恒的
王〔黄金〕、圣洁的祭师〔乳香〕和复活的救主〔没药〕。今天神与我们这些诚
恳要认识神、开始一个信心的旅程和接受基督为我们的王、我们的祭师和我们的
救主的人同在。作为我们的王他要求公义,我们罪的工价必须清还。作为我们的
祭师他为我们代求,献上他自己为完美圣洁的祭来付上我们的罪债。对我们这些
悔改来接受他的赦免和永生的人,他是我们的救主(约3:16)。



Fourthly it was the righteous and devout old man Simeon who saw the promised Christ Child in the temple, proclaiming the baby “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Lk 2:32) He told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against.” (Lk 2:34) Thus He is Immanuel to the Gentiles and the Israelites, but only to those who
receive Him. The Bible says that the Word became flesh and dwelled among us. He came to that which was his own (that is, all the people because He made all of them), but his own did not receive Him. But
some did receive Him and became the children of God (Jn 1:11-12). God is with those among the foreigners as well as His chosen people who welcome Him.
第四就是那位虔诚的老义人西缅,他在殿中看到所应许的孩子基
督,就宣布这婴孩「是照亮外邦人的光,又是你民以色列的荣
耀。」(路2:32) 他告诉马利亚说:「这孩子被立,是要叫以色列
中许多人跌倒,许多人兴起;又要作毁谤的话柄,叫许多人心里
的意念显露出来」 (路2:34) 。所以他是外邦人和以色列人的以马
内利,但只是对那些接待他的而言。圣经说道成肉身住在我们中间。他到自己的
地方〔就是所有的人因为全都是他创造的〕来,自己的人倒不接待他。但有些人
接待他,作了神的儿女(约1:11-12)。神与外邦人和他的选民中欢迎他的人同在。


Immanuel, God with us. He is now with us in our triumphs and failures in life. He is with us in our hope overcoming fear, in our victories over temptation, in our stumbles in sins, in our reasonable service, in our punishment and sorrow, in our grave; and so we are with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and the splendor of His second coming.
以马内利,神与我们同在。他现在在我们生命中的成败中与我们同在。他在我们
克服惧怕的盼望中、在我们胜过试探中、在我们跌倒在罪中、在我们理所当然的
事奉中、在我们的惩罚和忧伤中、在我们的坟中与我们同在;因此,我们在复
活、升天、胜利和他再来的华美中与他同在。


May we receive into our hearts the Light and let Him drive out our inner darkness. May
He be Immanuel to us throughout our life.
愿我们接待光进入我们的心里,又让他驱逐我们内中的黑暗。愿他成为我们一生
的以马内利。

Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀



“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

January 5, 2010

His Gift - Part 1

Ministry In Word
HIS GIFT – Part 1


他的礼物 – 第一部



For the Lord’s portion is His people. (Dt 32:9)

The Lord is my portion, says my soul.” (Lam 3:24)

耶和华的分本是他的百姓〔申32:9〕

我心里说:耶和华是我的分〔哀3:24〕



Christmas is almost here. We can hear the Christmas songs playing non-stopped on the radio. We can see people packing into the shopping malls buying Christmas presents. Yes, Christmas is a joyful time of giving and receiving gifts. Christmas is also a time to remember the greatest gift we receive of all: God’s Son Jesus Christ. Today we are going to look at two verses that describe God’s wonderful gift to us.

圣诞节快到了。我们可以听到收音机不断播放圣诞歌曲,我们可以看到人群挤进商埸去购买圣诞礼物。是的,圣诞节是一个互赠礼物的愉快时间,圣诞节也是一个时间纪念我们得到的最大礼物:神的儿子耶稣基督。今天我们要看两节描述神给我们的美妙礼物的经文。



The precious Word of God, the Bible, reveals to us precious truths, among them are these two verses: The first one is Deuteronomy 32:9, “For the Lord’s portion is His people” and the second one is Lamentation 3:24, “The Lord is my portion, says my soul.” The first one tells us that God has ownership of us; we are His people. The second one tells us that we also have ownership of God; He is our God. These two verses spell out the relationship between God and His people: it is a mutual love relationship. It also tells us that God’s gift to us is His ownership of us and our ownership of Him.

圣经是神宝贵的话语,对我们启示宝贵的真理,其中包括这两节经文:第一节是申命记32:9,「耶和华的分本是他的百姓」和第二节是耶利米哀歌3:24,「我心里说:耶和华是我的分」。第一节告诉我们神拥有我们,我们是他的百姓。第二节告诉我们我们也拥有神,他是我们的神。这两节经文清楚地指出神与他的子民之间的关系:它是一个相互的爱的关系。它也告诉我们他对我们的拥有和我们对他的拥有就是神赐给我们的礼物。



I. We are owned by God

一、 我们为神所拥有



By virtue of the fact that God is our Creator, He owns us. But it does not mean that we are His portion. To me being God’s portion means more than simply His ownership, but rather a very special, intimate relationship He has with a particular group of people which the Bible called the “elect”. The elect are those who are convicted by the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. In three ways God claims a particular ownership on these people. It is by His choice, by His purchase, and by His conquest that we are owned by God.

基于神是我们的创造者这事实,他就拥有我们。但这并不表示我们就是他的分。对我来说作为神的分不只是他的拥有,而是他与一群圣经称为「被拣选」的人之间特殊亲近的关系。被拣选的人就是那些圣灵使之知罪并且接受耶稣基督作为他们的救主和主宰的那些人。神以三种方法来获取对这些人的拥有权,我们属于他是因为他的选择、他的买赎和他的征服。



a. Owned by His choice (His grace) – First of all, we, the elect, are owned by His choice. It is God’s own decision to take us as His portion. It is not due to our excellence that He chooses us. In fact we are no better than anybody else. He chooses us apart from any of our current or anticipated goodness. It is God’s sovereign will that He chooses us as the objects of His grace. Just as He told the Israelites that it was not due to their number or strength that they were chosen, we are chosen not due to any of our perceived or real advantages over others. He chooses according to His sovereign will alone. He said, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Ex 33:19). We are ordained by Him for eternal life, and we are His by no merit of our own.

甲、 因他的选择〔他的恩惠〕我们属于他 – 首先我们属于他是因他的选择。要得到我们作为他的分是神自己的决定。他选择我们并非因为我们优秀。事实上我们并不比别人优越。他选择我们时并不考虑我们任何现有的或预期的美德。那是在他主权里的旨意他选择我们作为他恩惠的对象。正如他告诉以色列人他们被拣选并非因为他们人多势众或强大有力,我们被拣选不是由于我们任何看来的或真实的犹良条件。他单单照他主权里的旨意去选择。他说:「我要恩待谁就恩待谁;要怜悯谁就怜悯谁」〔出33:19〕。我们被他制定来承受永生,我们属于他不是凭着我们的功劳。



It is by His choice alone that we are His. He chose us and we did not choose Him. In fact, it was the Holy Spirit working on us that we were able to respond to His offer of salvation. It is His choice for the Holy Spirit to shine His light on us for us to realize we are sinners. It is His choice to give us the grace to respond to such conviction in repentance and to open our heart to Jesus.

我们属于他是单凭他的抉择,他选择了我们,并非我们选择了他。事实上是圣灵在我们身上工作让我们可以回应他提供的救恩。是他的选择让圣灵光照我们使我们明白我们是罪人。是他的选择来赐我们恩惠来以悔改回应这样的感动及对耶稣打开我们的心。



We are owned by God not by any merit or power of our own. It is all by His choice and His grace.

我们并非靠我们自己任何功劳或力量让我们属于神,完全是凭着他的抉择和他的恩典。





To be continued next week. We have talked about God’s ownership of us by His choice. Next week we will discuss the other 2 ways that God owns us: by purchase and by conquest.

下周待续。我们已谈过神按他的选择来拥有我们。下周我们会论到神拥有我们的其他两个方法:买赎和征服。



May our Lord bless us with His love and grace, so that we may respond to His choice to own us through our faith in Christ.

愿我们的主赐他的爱和他的恩给我们,让我们可以藉着信基督去回应神拥有我们的选择。





Tom and Tehwan Tso

Ministry in Word

仲谋与德菀

真理之言



“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9

”信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

January 4, 2010

How Can I be Still, When I Need to Move?

During a time in my life when I was waiting on God I took the time to read many of the Psalms. It was a time of stretching my faith, pain of peoples choices, struggling with waiting on God's direction instead of running ahead of him. I needed someone to pour the tears of my troubles upon, thankfully I turned to God. I use this in galleries to share of experiences we all face in life.






"The Freedom of Wait"

Psalms 56:5 - "All Day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt."


When I think of the Psalms and how "human" they are, I cannot help but see my own face reflecting back at me in the many moments of mere humanity. How can we do anything but fall on our knees and thank God that we are blessed to be able to live beyond the Psalms. How fortunate are we to be able to lay the weight of our humanness at the feet of the cross, to wait expectantly for the Holy spirit that has settled down right within us to comfort, teach, lead, empower and show us the way out. There are days when I see the world from such a selfish view of how everyone is picking on me, but then I hear the Holy spirit whisper "but you know the truth and the truth has set you free - choose life and love them .....for ME".


Selah (pause and calmly think of that)!



Today -
I pray that we all trust God not our human emotions. That we allow our emotions to lead us to the feet of Christ where we will be willing to wait. I pray that we win the struggle to stay on our knees till he strengthens us to rise...in all His power, strength, courage and peace; then they victory is ours through Christ our risen reedemer.


Candace


Why Can I Not Follow You Now?


Peter said to Him, ’Lord, why can I not follow You now?’ —John 13:37

There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.


At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.


Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, ’ . . . the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ " (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
By Oswald Chambers

January 3, 2010

Words

I hope you all enjoy this devotion by Oswald Chambers; it started me thinking about how God created everything with his powerful words. We are created in His image, both male and female. We were created to utilize our words for good: for relationship, for understanding, for helping, for warning, for asking, for thanking, for blessing. We were created first for a relationship with God himself and then to show that relationship to others as we interact within a relationship - no matter how superficial or deep it may be.


I pray that we widen the scope of our view in our environments, that we see everyone around us and pray about how God might want us to reflect the things we know whether it be in word or deed.

My love to you all, in Christ
Candace


Clouds and Darkness


Clouds and darkness surround Him . . . —Psalm 97:2

A person who has not been born again by the Spirit of God will tell you that the teachings of Jesus are simple. But when he is baptized by the Holy Spirit, he finds that "clouds and darkness surround Him . . . ." When we come into close contact with the teachings of Jesus Christ we have our first realization of this. The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shining inside us. If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet— getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God— it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and disrespectful in their approach to God are those who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ. Only after the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenetrable "darkness" of realizing who He is.

Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Once, the Bible was just so many words to us — "clouds and darkness"— then, suddenly, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us when our circumstances make the words new. That is the way God speaks to us; not by visions and dreams, but by words. When a man gets to God, it is by the most simple way— words.
By Oswald Chambers