Quite an experience, "Surprised by Oxford" is a book written by the writer of her experience and journey in becoming a christian through the hall of oxford university. Carolyn Weber shares her experience while in college,She has known to be moral but being moral does not get you to heaven. She had not need for God, as a fact doing great without him.Until she meet a young guy (THD) hence bringing forth all the unfulfilled questions.There is a life she had planned and well familiar with and here is one totally new and "odd" as she puts it.
I picked this book with a different notion,written as a Romantic literature book ,a memoir of the lover of her soul, found her while away to study in oxford. This story shows that God can use anything to speak to his own and it is never too late for any one at any stage of their life to meet God. Interesting to some extent, its a book you have to follow closely to put the pieces together.Carolyn Weber did a great job putting the pieces together as to how she began her walk of faith.
It is interesting to me, that as she narrates her story it was brought forth from the point of view of her profession; A Romanticism Literature writer. Hence we can see the beauty of her work while sharing her story.
I received this book from the publisher through Booksneeze.com book review and the opinion i expressed are my own, I am not required to give a positive review
"Beginning is the most important part of the work" ....Let us watch well our beginnings, and the results will manage themselves.......
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 15, 2011
Entering Into Rest
If you’ve ever had to deal with a restless child, you already know once the little one learns to walk, naptime becomes more difficult to enforce every day. That little person would rather look for excitement or a thrill around every corner, than take 10 or 15 minutes to rest. The restlessness of childhood is really part of the overall learning experience. Testing and trying new things is a way of gaining knowledge of the world around us. As adult Christians, we can walk through periods of restlessness that teach us more about ourselves than anything else. I’m not referring to the episodes of physical restlessness that come from too much adrenaline or too little sleep. No, restlessness of spirit, is what I’d like to focus on.
When we have been serving the Lord for some time, caught up in the activities of life, including church and ministry, we can sometimes become weary of the “routine”. That weariness, if not brought to the Lord, can turn into restlessness; and, that restlessness can have us looking over the fence of our less-than-exciting lives to what seems like greener grass in other meadows. That can translate into disaster if it leads to distraction or sin. If we were to choose to follow that internal pulling, and possibly give over our energies to sin, the enemy would have succeeded in derailing our God-ordained life’s purpose:
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:8)
The Apostle Paul was encouraging some church folks about their godly habit of bearing one another’s burdens and giving financially to the work of the ministry. What he had to say relates well to all we do for God:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)
Growing weary may not only come from physical and mental fatigue, but from emotional fatigue. When doing godly things becomes a chore, we may have grown restless in spirit, we may need to repent of sin, or we may need to come back to Him for some Holy Ghost recharging. When we turn from this world’s distractions and come before the Lord, asking for a clean slate, the result is always rest, refreshing and joy:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126: 1-3)
I encourage you to do a little spiritual inventory. If there is a bit of restlessness creeping into your spirit, and you find yourself backing away from heartily doing His work, just run to Him and throw yourself back into His arms. You may have some repenting to do—but you’ll be so glad you found Him, the Only Source of the rest you desperately seek.
When we have been serving the Lord for some time, caught up in the activities of life, including church and ministry, we can sometimes become weary of the “routine”. That weariness, if not brought to the Lord, can turn into restlessness; and, that restlessness can have us looking over the fence of our less-than-exciting lives to what seems like greener grass in other meadows. That can translate into disaster if it leads to distraction or sin. If we were to choose to follow that internal pulling, and possibly give over our energies to sin, the enemy would have succeeded in derailing our God-ordained life’s purpose:
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:8)
The Apostle Paul was encouraging some church folks about their godly habit of bearing one another’s burdens and giving financially to the work of the ministry. What he had to say relates well to all we do for God:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)
Growing weary may not only come from physical and mental fatigue, but from emotional fatigue. When doing godly things becomes a chore, we may have grown restless in spirit, we may need to repent of sin, or we may need to come back to Him for some Holy Ghost recharging. When we turn from this world’s distractions and come before the Lord, asking for a clean slate, the result is always rest, refreshing and joy:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126: 1-3)
I encourage you to do a little spiritual inventory. If there is a bit of restlessness creeping into your spirit, and you find yourself backing away from heartily doing His work, just run to Him and throw yourself back into His arms. You may have some repenting to do—but you’ll be so glad you found Him, the Only Source of the rest you desperately seek.
The Blessing Follows Obedience
There is no getting around the fact — our God takes delight in blessing His people. As I study the promises of the Word of God, there is blessing for every day of our lives and each aspect of our being. Look at these verses from Deuteronomy 28:
“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you...Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out...The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse, and in all that you undertake; and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you...” (vv. 2a-8 NKJV).
This is just a portion of the blessing plan our Father has in store for us — family, business, home, nation — He intended for every aspect of our lives to be under the blessing. God intended for our children to be successful, and for the blessing of our households to spill over to all the nations of the earth.
Why then are so many of the household of God living under the curse? I lay the responsibility, in part, at the feet of the preachers. We have been so anxious to preach the blessing, we have not emphasized the key to unlocking the blessing in our lives. What is the key?
None other than obedience. Look at some of the other verses in the same chapter of Deuteronomy:
“If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day...If you heed the voice of the Lord your God...If you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways...If you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day, and are watchful to do them. And you shall not go aside from any of the words which I command this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them” (vv. 1a, 2b, 9b, 13b, 14 Amplified).
IF...so much rides on that little word. The blessing of the Lord is real, but it is commanded by our obedience to God and His Word.
Many people miss this truth because they feel “we live in the age of grace now and do not have to follow the rules of the Old Testament.”
Now this is very important. Salvation and deliverance from sin do not come by obeying the laws of God. If we had to depend on keeping the law, none of us could be saved. That is why Jesus died — He became the supreme sacrifice for our sins — delivering us from sin with that one great act of grace.” (see Ephesians 2:8,9)
However, in accepting Christ as Savior, we do not throw away the commandments of Scripture. To accept Jesus as Savior and Lord is to accept the Father and the ways of His kingdom. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
This is the truth that can be found throughout Scripture. In fact, in the unparalleled “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus took the core elements of the Old Testament law and expounded on them. Jesus demanded more than outward obedience, He demanded obedience of the heart:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart...It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery...you have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:27-28, 31-32, 43-45a NIV).
At the end of this message in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus said that those of us who hear His words and do them would live as those who have their houses built on solid rock in the midst of the storm.
So many in our churches today are living in turmoil and shipwreck — battered about by all the elements that assail the family and ministries — because they heard the words of Jesus without taking them to heart. If we want to get our lives back on course, build a shelter for our families and live within the blessing plan of God — we must heed the words of our Savior.
It is time to obey.
A New Beginning Can Bring A Life Of Success
And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good; for the Lord again will rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers; If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 30:8-10).
How gracious is our God; how perfect is his love toward us! God is a God of new beginnings. God is the only One who can give us a fresh start and also transform our lives. This is what true “new beginnings” are about — bringing us from living under the curse to a life of blessing.
Some look for new beginnings in the wrong places.
Women who feel trapped in their marriages look for new beginnings in divorce; men who feel disappointed in their lack of achievement in life look for new beginnings in a job change or sometimes in an affair; young people who don’t like listening to their parents look for new beginnings by finding new friends in the world or running into marriage.
The truth is, change — apart from God’s way of life — cannot bring a new beginning. Without repentance from sin, we just bring old sinners into new circumstances, and then the cycle of sin and the curse just start all over in new ways.
Real change begins by humbling ourselves in the sight of God:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
If you are looking for a fresh start in life, a new way of doing things, this is the place to start. God wants you to live a life of blessing, but you must have the desire after Him. Desire for Him and His ways begins by being in His presence. The closer you draw to Him — the closer He draws to you.
This is your day for a new life of blessing, if you will listen to His voice with all your heart and give heed to His instruction.
Aug 9, 2011
Uniquely Female:Scriptural Blueprint for Femininity
God created woman from the side of man, so she's made of the same stuff—equal to man. But He didn't create her at the same time, place, or from dust, so she's also different.
Male and female are equal and different. God made them to complement each other. We've already looked at six markers of complementarity that can be observed in the creation of the male. Six more markers appear in the creation of the female.
The Female Was Created from the Male "So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman." (Genesis 2:21-22 )
In our culture, "Remember where you came from!" is a common admonition not to look down on one's beginnings. It's a warning to avoid pride and an overinflated sense of self-importance. We intuitively know that it's inappropriate to regard that from which we were made as lesser than us. We know that we are obliged to honor and respect our origins.
The same sort of idea is present in the creation of the female. Because woman was drawn from man's side, it was appropriate for her to have an attitude of respect toward him. He was the firstborn. In the New Testament we see that the fact that she was created from him—and not the other way around—is the basis of a wife honoring the authority of her husband. "For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. . . . That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head" (1 Corinthians 11:8-10 ).
The Female Was Made for the Male
"Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'" (Genesis 2:18 , italics added)
Genesis chapter two tell us that the female was created "for him"—that is, on account of the male.First Corinthians 11:9 reinforces that man was not created "for the woman," rather the woman was created "for man." He explains that this is the basis for a wife respecting the authority of her husband.
For most of us, the idea of woman being created "for" man sounds somewhat negative, since it appears to imply that he has license to use and abuse her at will. But the Hebrew preposition carries no such overtones. It simply denotes direction. She was created for—that is, toward or with reference to him, or on account of him. She was created because of him. His existence led to hers. It didn't happen the other way around. Our adverse reaction to the idea that we were created "for man" serves to underline how very far we've fallen from the original created order.
When the first bride was presented to her husband, her heart was undoubtedly bursting with joy to have been created for him. She was thrilled that his existence led to hers. There's another important point here. Being created for someone indicates that God created the female to be a highly relational creature. In contrast to the male, her identity isn't based on work nearly as much as on how well she connects in her relationships. Woman is the relater-responder who is inclined toward connecting with others.
Genesis 2:18 )
God created woman to be a helper. "Helper" is another word that begs explanation. It's not a term that indicates a lesser status, or the type of help that assists in a trivial way.
The Hebrew word (ezer) is a very powerful one. It's most often used with reference to the Lord being our helper
(Psalm 33:20; 72:12 ). An ezer provides help that enriches, and makes the recipient more fruitful than he would be without that help. God created the woman to enrich the man by providing invaluable support that without her he would not have.
What the man lacks, the woman accomplishes. She makes it possible for them to receive the blessing that he could not achieve alone. Woman plays an integral part in the survival and success of the human race. Without her, man could not be fruitful—physically or metaphorically.
So does that mean that women exist to serve the selfish ends of men? Absolutely not. The phrase "fit for him" literally means "like opposite him"—like an image in a mirror. The term is unique to Genesis. It expresses the notion of complementarity.
She's not exactly like him. She's like-opposite him. Corresponding. Harmonized. Suitable. An exact fit. She's a "helper," but more importantly, she's a helper "alongside."
The alongside part is extremely important. The purpose, of woman helping man isn't about exalting the man. It's not about him. Her help contributes to the both of them achieving a greater, nobler, eternal purpose that is far bigger and more significant than their own existence. She struggles alongside for the same purpose for which he struggles. And what is that? The glory of God. The Lord says that He formed and created sons and daughters to magnify His glory:
"The Lord God . . . brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘. . . she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'" (Genesis 2:23 )
I think that the first male and female intuitively knew how to behave. He knew what it meant to be a man. She knew what it meant to be a woman. So when the Lord presented the bride to the groom, the man spontaneously broke into a poem that expressed ecstatic love and delight, and at the same time demonstrated his intuitive grasp of the nature of their relationship. He named her—thus fulfilling his responsibility to initiate and lead. She joyfully responded with deference. For both of them, it was the natural and beautiful thing to do.
When God presented Eve to Adam, you don't see Eve taking charge and saying, "Wait a minute, Adam, I'm going to name myself—thank you very much! In fact, I'm going to be the one doing the naming around here. . . . I've thought of a great name for you!" No. That's not what happened. Adam and Eve acted according to their God-given bents. He initiated. She responded. The pattern of their relationship reflected who God created them to be.
The Female Was the Male's Perfect Counterpart
"She shall be called Woman [Isha], because she was taken out of Man [Ish]." (Genesis 2:23 )
In Hebrew, the name with which the male identified himself was Ish, while his name for woman was Isha. As discussed previously, Ish comes from the root meaning "strength" while Isha comes from the root meaning "soft."
The idea goes beyond the mere physical difference between men and women to encompass the totality of their essence. The man was created to joyfully and actively initiate and give strength. The woman was created to joyfully and actively respond and receive it. Each was created with a unique role and responsibility to be the perfect counterpart to the other.
The Female Was Created in the Garden
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24 )
A final but highly significant observation is that the female—the softer, more vulnerable one—was created in the garden, in a place of safety. She was created in a place that was already under the protective authority of her husband-to-be.
The male leaves the protective sphere of his household of origin to become the protector of a new household (Genesis 2:24). The woman doesn't "leave." She's the constant beneficiary of protection from the authorities God has put in her life. The Lord wanted to ensure that woman, His final delicate masterpiece of creation, would always be loved, cherished, and kept safe.
The fact that woman was created within the boundaries of a household also implies that women are to have a unique responsibility in the home. This is consistent with the idea that a woman metaphorically keeps her feet (and heart) centered in the home, rather than outside of it. For the woman, nurturing her relationships and keeping her household in order takes priority over other types of work.
Let Him Drive
The Lord evaluated his equal-yet-different creation of male and female as "Very Good!" Spectacular! Outstanding! Do you agree with Him? Do you feel the same way? Do you try to bring your life in line with God's beautiful, unique design for the woman He created you to be? Or do you defiantly take pen in hand and scribble over His blueprint?
When we think about roles, we often make the mistake of thinking that they are primarily about what we do. Roles influence what we do, but the role defines the behavior, and not the other way around. People miss the point when they engage in endless debates about specific behavior, like whose job it is to take out the trash. Everyone wants a list of do's and don'ts, but the Bible does not provide such a list.
Roles speak to who we are more than they speak to what we do. Roles are about who God created male and female to be. The Lord knows that we'll figure out what we ought to do when we figure out who we ought to be.
The Female Was Created from the Male "So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman." (
In our culture, "Remember where you came from!" is a common admonition not to look down on one's beginnings. It's a warning to avoid pride and an overinflated sense of self-importance. We intuitively know that it's inappropriate to regard that from which we were made as lesser than us. We know that we are obliged to honor and respect our origins.
The same sort of idea is present in the creation of the female. Because woman was drawn from man's side, it was appropriate for her to have an attitude of respect toward him. He was the firstborn. In the New Testament we see that the fact that she was created from him—and not the other way around—is the basis of a wife honoring the authority of her husband. "For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. . . . That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head" (
The Female Was Made for the Male
"Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'" (
Genesis chapter two tell us that the female was created "for him"—that is, on account of the male.
For most of us, the idea of woman being created "for" man sounds somewhat negative, since it appears to imply that he has license to use and abuse her at will. But the Hebrew preposition carries no such overtones. It simply denotes direction. She was created for—that is, toward or with reference to him, or on account of him. She was created because of him. His existence led to hers. It didn't happen the other way around. Our adverse reaction to the idea that we were created "for man" serves to underline how very far we've fallen from the original created order.
When the first bride was presented to her husband, her heart was undoubtedly bursting with joy to have been created for him. She was thrilled that his existence led to hers. There's another important point here. Being created for someone indicates that God created the female to be a highly relational creature. In contrast to the male, her identity isn't based on work nearly as much as on how well she connects in her relationships. Woman is the relater-responder who is inclined toward connecting with others.
The Female Enriched the Male
". . . a helper fit for him." (God created woman to be a helper. "Helper" is another word that begs explanation. It's not a term that indicates a lesser status, or the type of help that assists in a trivial way.
The Hebrew word (ezer) is a very powerful one. It's most often used with reference to the Lord being our helper
(
What the man lacks, the woman accomplishes. She makes it possible for them to receive the blessing that he could not achieve alone. Woman plays an integral part in the survival and success of the human race. Without her, man could not be fruitful—physically or metaphorically.
So does that mean that women exist to serve the selfish ends of men? Absolutely not. The phrase "fit for him" literally means "like opposite him"—like an image in a mirror. The term is unique to Genesis. It expresses the notion of complementarity.
She's not exactly like him. She's like-opposite him. Corresponding. Harmonized. Suitable. An exact fit. She's a "helper," but more importantly, she's a helper "alongside."
The alongside part is extremely important. The purpose, of woman helping man isn't about exalting the man. It's not about him. Her help contributes to the both of them achieving a greater, nobler, eternal purpose that is far bigger and more significant than their own existence. She struggles alongside for the same purpose for which he struggles. And what is that? The glory of God. The Lord says that He formed and created sons and daughters to magnify His glory:
(Isaiah 43:6-7 ). A woman helps a man achieve the purpose of exalting and displaying the jaw-dropping magnificence of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God. That's what she helps him do.
The Female Deferred to the Male "The Lord God . . . brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘. . . she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'" (
I think that the first male and female intuitively knew how to behave. He knew what it meant to be a man. She knew what it meant to be a woman. So when the Lord presented the bride to the groom, the man spontaneously broke into a poem that expressed ecstatic love and delight, and at the same time demonstrated his intuitive grasp of the nature of their relationship. He named her—thus fulfilling his responsibility to initiate and lead. She joyfully responded with deference. For both of them, it was the natural and beautiful thing to do.
When God presented Eve to Adam, you don't see Eve taking charge and saying, "Wait a minute, Adam, I'm going to name myself—thank you very much! In fact, I'm going to be the one doing the naming around here. . . . I've thought of a great name for you!" No. That's not what happened. Adam and Eve acted according to their God-given bents. He initiated. She responded. The pattern of their relationship reflected who God created them to be.
The Lord created woman with a bent to be amenable, relational, and receptive. He created man with a bent to initiate, provide, and protect. As we talked about in an earlier chapter, Genesis 3:16 indicates that sin severely damaged the God-given inclination of both: Sin twisted the positive desire of woman to respond amenably to man into a negative desire to resist and rebel against him. It twisted the positive drive of man to use his strength to lead, protect, and provide for woman into a negative tendency to abuse or refuse that responsibility.
When a girl goes wild, she's overcome by the sinful desire to go against the created order and selfishly dominate a man. Like the Proverbs 7 woman, she becomes the one who does the pursuing—she "seizes him" and demands that he follow her lead. A Girl-Gone-Wild is inclined to dominate. Her counterpart, the Girl-Gone-Wise, is inclined to joyfully defer and give the man the opportunity to set the pace in the relationship.
The Female Was the Male's Perfect Counterpart
"She shall be called Woman [Isha], because she was taken out of Man [Ish]." (
In Hebrew, the name with which the male identified himself was Ish, while his name for woman was Isha. As discussed previously, Ish comes from the root meaning "strength" while Isha comes from the root meaning "soft."
The idea goes beyond the mere physical difference between men and women to encompass the totality of their essence. The man was created to joyfully and actively initiate and give strength. The woman was created to joyfully and actively respond and receive it. Each was created with a unique role and responsibility to be the perfect counterpart to the other.
The Female Was Created in the Garden
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (
A final but highly significant observation is that the female—the softer, more vulnerable one—was created in the garden, in a place of safety. She was created in a place that was already under the protective authority of her husband-to-be.
The male leaves the protective sphere of his household of origin to become the protector of a new household (Genesis 2:24). The woman doesn't "leave." She's the constant beneficiary of protection from the authorities God has put in her life. The Lord wanted to ensure that woman, His final delicate masterpiece of creation, would always be loved, cherished, and kept safe.
The fact that woman was created within the boundaries of a household also implies that women are to have a unique responsibility in the home. This is consistent with the idea that a woman metaphorically keeps her feet (and heart) centered in the home, rather than outside of it. For the woman, nurturing her relationships and keeping her household in order takes priority over other types of work.
Let Him Drive
The Lord evaluated his equal-yet-different creation of male and female as "Very Good!" Spectacular! Outstanding! Do you agree with Him? Do you feel the same way? Do you try to bring your life in line with God's beautiful, unique design for the woman He created you to be? Or do you defiantly take pen in hand and scribble over His blueprint?
When we think about roles, we often make the mistake of thinking that they are primarily about what we do. Roles influence what we do, but the role defines the behavior, and not the other way around. People miss the point when they engage in endless debates about specific behavior, like whose job it is to take out the trash. Everyone wants a list of do's and don'ts, but the Bible does not provide such a list.
Roles speak to who we are more than they speak to what we do. Roles are about who God created male and female to be. The Lord knows that we'll figure out what we ought to do when we figure out who we ought to be.
Jul 27, 2011
Dare To Believe
Mark 9 records the story of a man who brought his son to the disciples to be delivered. They were unable to help the man, and a crowd gathers. When Jesus shows up, He says, "Bring him to Me." The man brings his son, and asks, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (Mark 9:22).
Look at Jesus' reply: "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
How many times have we prayed this way, "Lord, if you can do anything." We might have even used more faith-filled words, but deep down in our hearts was that little seed of doubt – "if." We're often like the father with his son. He'd already tried out the disciples and nothing happened. As if to punctuate his fear, the spirit threw the boy on the ground in a fit right as Jesus showed up on the scene. The father didn't realize that this demonstration was the demon's last stand when it saw just Who had come. In the same manner, we look at our circumstances, wonder if our prayers are working when it seems that things are getting worse instead of better and wonder "if."
Jesus' answer makes that "if" sound almost comical – "If I can do anything?" The Creator of the Universe stood before His creation. He is the One of whom Jeremiah exclaimed, "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You" (Jeremiah 32:17).
Your focus will determine what you believe. "When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do, but on what God said He would do." God is not slow in keeping His promises, but the enemy will try to attack you in the interim as you wait. Don't get focused on the negative. Don't let fear overwhelm you. Even Jesus was tested by satan with the question, "If...", but Jesus did not focus on Himself, He focused on what God said about Himself. Like Jesus, we have a defense to guard our hearts and our minds and stand firm in faith – the true Word of God's promises.
Standing on His Promises
Armin Gesswein wrote, "Promises predict the answers to prayer. They are the molds into which we pour our prayers. They foretell what to expect... This makes Christian praying different! How? In a very real sense we pray from the answer... This is the way of the Lord, the way of faith. He promises – we believe."
Caleb had one promise, and he lived on that promise for forty years until he possessed it, "Give me my mountain!" The strength of that word sustained him through the wilderness and gave strength to his aging body when he had to face giants to lay claim to his promised inheritance. It was never an "if" but "when" for him.
All God's promises are "Yes and Amen" in Jesus. He is the First and the Last. Everything begins and ends with Jesus. You have more than 8,000 promises that have been delivered to you in the exchange at Calvary.
The more you get in tune with His Word, meditate on Scripture, beholding Jesus, the Lamb of God, the more you will become congruent with the One who can and is faithful to fulfill all His promises. As you do so, you will have less and less room to consider "if." As you step out of your possibility, the level of your prayer will immediately go to a higher level because you are now believing for things that only God can do.
Our journey is a journey like our father Abraham's. At each step of the way as we move forward in response to God's promise, we discover the faithfulness of God as He meets us there. At each crossroad we blaze a trail that not only becomes part of our testimony of faith, but opens the way for our children, our loved ones and others to partake of the blessings there. This living testimony is filled with the anointing and power of God to "do it again."
Yes, He Can
Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. Romans 4:17-18, The Message
Abraham became a father because he had child-like faith in His Father. He understood that when God makes a promise, He is as good as His word. When He gives a promise, He will make it happen. Abraham held onto those promises and used them as the road map for his journey and the mold for his every prayer. His faithfulness to believe God's promise became the vehicle through which we all have become heirs through Christ.
Abraham is the model for our faith. He believed God for the impossible! What promises are you hanging on to today? What dreams seem to linger in the world of impossibilities? What miracle do you need for your breakthrough today? If you have started to waver because the natural circumstances aren't measuring up, the Lord is saying to you today, "Bring them to Me."
God wants to come in this hour and show Himself strong on your behalf. He wants to demonstrate His glory and faithfulness through you. Are you ready? Then dare to believe!!
Look at Jesus' reply: "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
How many times have we prayed this way, "Lord, if you can do anything." We might have even used more faith-filled words, but deep down in our hearts was that little seed of doubt – "if." We're often like the father with his son. He'd already tried out the disciples and nothing happened. As if to punctuate his fear, the spirit threw the boy on the ground in a fit right as Jesus showed up on the scene. The father didn't realize that this demonstration was the demon's last stand when it saw just Who had come. In the same manner, we look at our circumstances, wonder if our prayers are working when it seems that things are getting worse instead of better and wonder "if."
Jesus' answer makes that "if" sound almost comical – "If I can do anything?" The Creator of the Universe stood before His creation. He is the One of whom Jeremiah exclaimed, "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You" (Jeremiah 32:17).
Your focus will determine what you believe. "When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do, but on what God said He would do." God is not slow in keeping His promises, but the enemy will try to attack you in the interim as you wait. Don't get focused on the negative. Don't let fear overwhelm you. Even Jesus was tested by satan with the question, "If...", but Jesus did not focus on Himself, He focused on what God said about Himself. Like Jesus, we have a defense to guard our hearts and our minds and stand firm in faith – the true Word of God's promises.
Standing on His Promises
Armin Gesswein wrote, "Promises predict the answers to prayer. They are the molds into which we pour our prayers. They foretell what to expect... This makes Christian praying different! How? In a very real sense we pray from the answer... This is the way of the Lord, the way of faith. He promises – we believe."
Caleb had one promise, and he lived on that promise for forty years until he possessed it, "Give me my mountain!" The strength of that word sustained him through the wilderness and gave strength to his aging body when he had to face giants to lay claim to his promised inheritance. It was never an "if" but "when" for him.
All God's promises are "Yes and Amen" in Jesus. He is the First and the Last. Everything begins and ends with Jesus. You have more than 8,000 promises that have been delivered to you in the exchange at Calvary.
The more you get in tune with His Word, meditate on Scripture, beholding Jesus, the Lamb of God, the more you will become congruent with the One who can and is faithful to fulfill all His promises. As you do so, you will have less and less room to consider "if." As you step out of your possibility, the level of your prayer will immediately go to a higher level because you are now believing for things that only God can do.
Our journey is a journey like our father Abraham's. At each step of the way as we move forward in response to God's promise, we discover the faithfulness of God as He meets us there. At each crossroad we blaze a trail that not only becomes part of our testimony of faith, but opens the way for our children, our loved ones and others to partake of the blessings there. This living testimony is filled with the anointing and power of God to "do it again."
Yes, He Can
Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. Romans 4:17-18, The Message
Abraham became a father because he had child-like faith in His Father. He understood that when God makes a promise, He is as good as His word. When He gives a promise, He will make it happen. Abraham held onto those promises and used them as the road map for his journey and the mold for his every prayer. His faithfulness to believe God's promise became the vehicle through which we all have become heirs through Christ.
Abraham is the model for our faith. He believed God for the impossible! What promises are you hanging on to today? What dreams seem to linger in the world of impossibilities? What miracle do you need for your breakthrough today? If you have started to waver because the natural circumstances aren't measuring up, the Lord is saying to you today, "Bring them to Me."
God wants to come in this hour and show Himself strong on your behalf. He wants to demonstrate His glory and faithfulness through you. Are you ready? Then dare to believe!!
Be Still Snd Know
Be still and know I am God - I think that is sometimes the most difficult thing to do. However, that is often what I hear God speaking to me - just be still and know I am God. The Amplified says it like this: Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.
Perhaps you have found yourself in a situation where God is speaking to you to be still - or let it be - and know He is God. When He says this, all He is saying is 'trust Me.'
We may find ourselves in a situation where we suddenly are without a job - be still and know He is God. Or we may find ourselves in a place where there is division in our marriage - be still and know He is God. We may find ourselves with a disease that is out of our control - be still and know He is God. We may find ourselves without the money to pay a bill that is already past due - be still and know He is God.
One thing I have learned - He will not fail you. However, sometimes the hardest time is between the moment we pray and the time of manifestation of the answer. You see, we often pray and ask God to do something and we know He has heard us because we feel His awesome presence and He gives us peace. Then a few more days go by. What happens in this time is vital to your outcome.
When it appears - and keep in mind, I said 'appears' as if it is not going the way you prayed - it is vital what you do with your mouth during this time. If you begin to dig up the seeds of the word of God that you have prayed over the situation - then you are right back where you started BEFORE you prayed in the first place.
How do you pull up the seeds of the word of God? By saying things like 'this is just not working' or 'I'm so tired of this, it is never going to end, or get any better' or 'I prayed about this and God isn't doing anything.' What is happening here is that the words you prayed have been dug up before they even had time to produce the desired results. And this is what the Bible calls a double minded man - unstable in his ways - who receives NOTHING from the Lord.
Let me ask you today? What are you saying - not when you are praying - but the rest of the time - what are you saying? When it looks bad, what do you say? When the pressure is on, what do you say? When you want to say only negative things or when you want to just complain about what is happening, what are you saying? Whatever you say in that moment is what determines how long this battle will last. It is also what determines your outcome.
If you can only say what the word of God says - the battle will be shorter and the victory sweeter - you can count on that. But you must discipline yourself to get into agreement with God and His word and say nothing else - nothing else - refuse to speak UNLESS YOU SAY WHAT YOU WANT THE FINAL OUTCOME TO BE. Say only what you desire the final outcome to be. This is key to your victory. If you can get this one thing, you are on your way to victory.
I am not saying to keep silent - No! Keep saying what you desire the outcome to be - keep calling it into the now - keep declaring 'light be.' Don't keep silent - but don't say ANYTHING that goes against the word of God or what you want the final outcome to be.
I once heard a quote that I thought was awesome, it said; when eagles are silent, parrots begin to jabber. This is so true - if you are not speaking like an eagle - then you are jabbering and jabbering is dangerous to your promise manifesting. Keep that in mind. Speak as an eagle - always - saying what God says - always and in all situations. When you do that - you will always soar high above your circumstances - you will catch the wind of the spirit and ride on wings of victory - ultimate victory.
Perhaps you have found yourself in a situation where God is speaking to you to be still - or let it be - and know He is God. When He says this, all He is saying is 'trust Me.'
We may find ourselves in a situation where we suddenly are without a job - be still and know He is God. Or we may find ourselves in a place where there is division in our marriage - be still and know He is God. We may find ourselves with a disease that is out of our control - be still and know He is God. We may find ourselves without the money to pay a bill that is already past due - be still and know He is God.
One thing I have learned - He will not fail you. However, sometimes the hardest time is between the moment we pray and the time of manifestation of the answer. You see, we often pray and ask God to do something and we know He has heard us because we feel His awesome presence and He gives us peace. Then a few more days go by. What happens in this time is vital to your outcome.
When it appears - and keep in mind, I said 'appears' as if it is not going the way you prayed - it is vital what you do with your mouth during this time. If you begin to dig up the seeds of the word of God that you have prayed over the situation - then you are right back where you started BEFORE you prayed in the first place.
How do you pull up the seeds of the word of God? By saying things like 'this is just not working' or 'I'm so tired of this, it is never going to end, or get any better' or 'I prayed about this and God isn't doing anything.' What is happening here is that the words you prayed have been dug up before they even had time to produce the desired results. And this is what the Bible calls a double minded man - unstable in his ways - who receives NOTHING from the Lord.
Let me ask you today? What are you saying - not when you are praying - but the rest of the time - what are you saying? When it looks bad, what do you say? When the pressure is on, what do you say? When you want to say only negative things or when you want to just complain about what is happening, what are you saying? Whatever you say in that moment is what determines how long this battle will last. It is also what determines your outcome.
If you can only say what the word of God says - the battle will be shorter and the victory sweeter - you can count on that. But you must discipline yourself to get into agreement with God and His word and say nothing else - nothing else - refuse to speak UNLESS YOU SAY WHAT YOU WANT THE FINAL OUTCOME TO BE. Say only what you desire the final outcome to be. This is key to your victory. If you can get this one thing, you are on your way to victory.
I am not saying to keep silent - No! Keep saying what you desire the outcome to be - keep calling it into the now - keep declaring 'light be.' Don't keep silent - but don't say ANYTHING that goes against the word of God or what you want the final outcome to be.
I once heard a quote that I thought was awesome, it said; when eagles are silent, parrots begin to jabber. This is so true - if you are not speaking like an eagle - then you are jabbering and jabbering is dangerous to your promise manifesting. Keep that in mind. Speak as an eagle - always - saying what God says - always and in all situations. When you do that - you will always soar high above your circumstances - you will catch the wind of the spirit and ride on wings of victory - ultimate victory.
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