Ezekiel 16:6-8
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Crushing pressure of testing is
To prove and improve our faith.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Trial of Faith
The Trial of Faith
If you have faith as a mustard seed . . . nothing will be impossible for you —Matthew 17:20
We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith— faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to "walk by faith" ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 ). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him— a faith that says, "I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do." The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is— "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" ( Job 13:15 ).
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Another really good one:)
From P.Teter's talk: First Love
it's easy to be religious and not have relationship with God.
do the deeds of first love.
Psalm 18:19
"He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
it's easy to be religious and not have relationship with God.
do the deeds of first love.
Psalm 18:19
"He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
Friday, October 30, 2009
Faith
Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please Him . . . —Hebrews 11:6
Faith in active opposition to common sense is mistaken enthusiasm and narrow-mindedness, and common sense in opposition to faith demonstrates a mistaken reliance on reason as the basis for truth. The life of faith brings the two of these into the proper relationship. Common sense and faith are as different from each other as the natural life is from the spiritual, and as impulsiveness is from inspiration. Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short. Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. "We know that all things work together for good . . ." ( Romans 8:28 ) so that no matter what happens, the transforming power of God’s providence transforms perfect faith into reality. Faith always works in a personal way, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in His children.
For every detail of common sense in life, there is a truth God has revealed by which we can prove in our practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of faith says, "Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word" (for example, see Matthew 6:33 ). Turning intellectual faith into our personal possession is always a fight, not just sometimes. God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us. Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can’t have faith in Him. But once we hear Jesus say, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" ( John 14:9 ) we immediately have something that is real, and our faith is limitless. Faith is the entire person in the right relationship with God through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
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wow...I thought this one was really insightful.
when he mentioned stepping out in faith, it reminded me of P.Paul's sermon Sunday about how even though Peter was the expert fisher and they had not caught fish all night, because Jesus said so (even though He was known as a teacher and carpenter), he let down his net and something Amazing happened. They had SO much fish that they called the other ship over and they were both sinking haha
Before reading this, I've always thought faith was something God gives you automatically when you ask. But it made a lot of sense what Oswald Chambers wrote,
"God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us."
I think just as God does not make our decisions for us so that we can grow by making decisions and help others to make decisions later on(P.Min), He probably also does not automatically give us faith when we ask but trains us so that we can grow in our faith:)
Lord I want to GROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please help Your children to grow in EVERY way in YOU!!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Substitution
Substitution
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him —2 Corinthians 5:21
The modern view of the death of Jesus is that He died for our sins out of sympathy for us. Yet the New Testament view is that He took our sin on Himself not because of sympathy, but because of His identification with us. He was "made. . . to be sin. . . ." Our sins are removed because of the death of Jesus, and the only explanation for His death is His obedience to His Father, not His sympathy for us. We are acceptable to God not because we have obeyed, nor because we have promised to give up things, but because of the death of Christ, and for no other reason. We say that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fatherhood and the lovingkindness of God, but the New Testament says that He came to take "away the sin of the world!" ( John 1:29 ). And the revealing of the fatherhood of God is only to those to whom Jesus has been introduced as Savior. In speaking to the world, Jesus Christ never referred to Himself as One who revealed the Father, but He spoke instead of being a stumbling block (see John 15:22-24 ). John 14:9 , where Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father," was spoken to His disciples.
That Christ died for me, and therefore I am completely free from penalty, is never taught in the New Testament. What is taught in the New Testament is that "He died for all" ( 2 Corinthians 5:15 )— not, "He died my death"— and that through identification with His death I can be freed from sin, and have His very righteousness imparted as a gift to me. The substitution which is taught in the New Testament is twofold— "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." The teaching is not Christ for me unless I am determined to have Christ formed in me (seeGalatians 4:19 ).
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Icouldn't really highlight anything from this one b/c I think all the points Oswald Chambers made are so important. It's better just to read the devotion in its entirety:)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Justification by Faith
Justification by Faith
If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life —Romans 5:10
I am not saved by believing— I simply realize I am saved by believing. And it is not repentance that saves me— repentance is only the sign that I realize what God has done through Christ Jesus. The danger here is putting the emphasis on the effect, instead of on the cause. Is it my obedience, consecration, and dedication that make me right with God? It is never that! I am made right with God because, prior to all of that, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals, the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ instantly places me into a right relationship with God. And as a result of the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, or because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings justification with a shattering, radiant light, and I know that I am saved, even though I don’t know how it was accomplished.
The salvation that comes from God is not based on human logic, but on the sacrificial death of Jesus. We can be born again solely because of the atonement of our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creations, not through their repentance or their belief, but through the wonderful work of God in Christ Jesus which preceded all of our experience (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ). The unconquerable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We do not have to accomplish these things ourselves— they have been accomplished through the atonement of the Cross of Christ. The supernatural becomes natural to us through the miracle of God, and there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done— "It is finished!" ( John 19:30 ).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Method of Missions
The Method of Missions
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . —Matthew 28:19
Jesus Christ did not say, "Go and save souls" (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, "Go . . . make disciples of all the nations . . . ." Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, "Don’t rejoice in successful service— the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me" (see Luke 10:17-20 ). The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.
The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" ( Matthew 9:28 ). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is— do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord— "All authority has been given to Me . . . . Gotherefore. . ." ( Matthew 28:18-19 ).
Monday, October 26, 2009
Should Christians Say That Their Aim Is to Convert Others to Faith in Christ?
Should Christians Say That Their Aim Is to Convert Others to Faith in Christ?
While reading this I came across Pastor Piper's expansion in his second point:
2. Christian conversion involves winning people from treasuring anything above Christ to full devotion to Christ. Though God is decisive in changing people’s affections (Jeremiah 24:7), Paul says his aim is to win people.
While reading myself a realization hit me that even as His child I find myself also constantly having to ask Him again and again that He'd be seated on the throne in me and not myself or anything else. It's interesting how even as Christians we need to continually be renewed in Him and remind ourselves that He MUST be our greatest desire because He's the only one who's worthy.
While reading this I came across Pastor Piper's expansion in his second point:
2. Christian conversion involves winning people from treasuring anything above Christ to full devotion to Christ. Though God is decisive in changing people’s affections (Jeremiah 24:7), Paul says his aim is to win people.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. (1 Corinthians 9:22)Basically Pastor Piper is talking about how God uses us, His people, to reach others through His power so that they would put Christ above all else. That He'd be their utmost treasure.
While reading myself a realization hit me that even as His child I find myself also constantly having to ask Him again and again that He'd be seated on the throne in me and not myself or anything else. It's interesting how even as Christians we need to continually be renewed in Him and remind ourselves that He MUST be our greatest desire because He's the only one who's worthy.
mustard seed performance at FACT (Filipino Americans Coming Together)
what an amazing performance!! it really took my breath away.
the dance performance was awesome and at the same time they were able to convey the message of the gospel clearly through their ministry.
i didn't think i'd cry watching this but what they were saying through the dance about humanity was so true that you can't help but cry.
Just as P.Jong said,
"I personally know that MS takes every performance very seriously, often praying hours to make sure they are doing it in the strength of the Lord and for the glory of the Lord. They really consider it a dance ministry, not merely a dance crew...We simply cannot have any impact on others’ lives unless He is with us and anoints what we do. May he unleash his power in our lives in a fresh way as we pray and as we fall in love with our God as revealed in the Word."
It's all by Your power:)
Thank You Father.
What is a Missionary?
What is a Missionary?
Jesus said to them again, ’. . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’ —John 20:21
A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front— to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him— to carry out His plans.
Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . ." ( Matthew 28:19 ).
When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, "What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!" But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were "foolish" enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.
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He knew what i was thinking and wanted me to read this one,
what an awesome God we have!!
Lord Jesus,
I really want to see You. Just as You said, "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Rev. 3:17
I'm an impertinent and unworthy child. and i don't know how or why You have so much patience with me except that Christ has died for me and covered me in His righteousness and that You're full of mercy and compassion.
Then Lord, help me to do what You say. For such an awesome and glorious God, You deserve the highest praise.
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." Rev. 3:18-21
Help Your children to always live in awe of You.
In Jesus Christ's worthy Name i pray,
Amen.
I really want to see You. Just as You said, "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Rev. 3:17
I'm an impertinent and unworthy child. and i don't know how or why You have so much patience with me except that Christ has died for me and covered me in His righteousness and that You're full of mercy and compassion.
Then Lord, help me to do what You say. For such an awesome and glorious God, You deserve the highest praise.
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." Rev. 3:18-21
Help Your children to always live in awe of You.
In Jesus Christ's worthy Name i pray,
Amen.
Submitting to God’s Purpose
Submitting to God’s Purpose
I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some —1 Corinthians 9:22
A Christian worker has to learn how to be God’s man or woman of great worth and excellence in the midst of a multitude of meager and worthless things. Never protest by saying, "If only I were somewhere else!" All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them. Unless we have the right purpose intellectually in our minds and lovingly in our hearts, we will very quickly be diverted from being useful to God. We are not workers for God by choice. Many people deliberately choose to be workers, but they have no purpose of God’s almighty grace or His mighty Word in them. Paul’s whole heart, mind, and soul were consumed with the great purpose of what Jesus Christ came to do, and he never lost sight of that one thing. We must continually confront ourselves with one central fact— ". . . Jesus Christ and Him crucified" ( 1 Corinthians 2:2 ).
"I chose you . . ." ( John 15:16 ). Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology. It is not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses. And why is He doing it? He is doing it for only one purpose— that He may be able to say, "This is My man, and this is My woman." We have to be in God’s hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.
Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you "turn aside . . . to the right or the left . . ." ( Deuteronomy 28:14 ). He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Proper Perspective
The Proper Perspective
Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . . —2 Corinthians 2:14
The proper perspective of a servant of God must not simply be as near to the highest as he can get, but it must be the highest. Be careful that you vigorously maintain God’s perspective, and remember that it must be done every day, little by little. Don’t think on a finite level. No outside power can touch the proper perspective.
The proper perspective to maintain is that we are here for only one purpose— to be captives marching in the procession of Christ’s triumphs. We are not on display in God’s showcase— we are here to exhibit only one thing— the "captivity [of our lives] to the obedience of Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ). How small all the other perspectives are! For example, the ones that say, "I am standing all alone, battling for Jesus," or, "I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold down this fort for Him." But Paul said, in essence, "I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn’t matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph." Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul’s secret joy was that God took him as a blatant rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive— and that became his purpose. It was Paul’s joy to be a captive of the Lord, and he had no other interest in heaven or on earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. We should belong so completely to the Victor that it is always His victory, and "we are more than conquerors through Him . . ." ( Romans 8:37 ).
"We are to God the fragrance of Christ . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 2:15 ). We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.
Friday, October 23, 2009
wow, starfield was AWESOME today!!!
first of all, we were so blessed to have the best and warmest weather in like two weeks, really thankful it wasn't rainy and cold like tomorrow will be!
we went a lil too early but it was good and got panera for dinner〜
we were literally the first people in line but somehow when they opened the doors all these other people got in in front of us..haha
then mia, grace, annette, jane, and some of their friends came too:D
there wasn't enough room so we couldn't all sit togetherT__T
it was still really good to see all of them though! esp. annette since God provided a job for her here so she won't have to go back hehe♥
but seriously, the best sisters are in Christ amen:D?
anyways, onto the band〜
the lead singer has such a beautiful voice♥
most of the people from our group got posters/whatever they could find from the walls lol and had them signed:) and of course photos too^^
great time of worship and it was awesome that the entire place was just FILLED with energy from the people just singing/shouting!
so glad they did an encore♥♥♥ i srsly heart that song♥
amazing band, worshiping the most amazing God:)
first of all, we were so blessed to have the best and warmest weather in like two weeks, really thankful it wasn't rainy and cold like tomorrow will be!
we went a lil too early but it was good and got panera for dinner〜
we were literally the first people in line but somehow when they opened the doors all these other people got in in front of us..haha
then mia, grace, annette, jane, and some of their friends came too:D
there wasn't enough room so we couldn't all sit togetherT__T
it was still really good to see all of them though! esp. annette since God provided a job for her here so she won't have to go back hehe♥
but seriously, the best sisters are in Christ amen:D?
anyways, onto the band〜
the lead singer has such a beautiful voice♥
most of the people from our group got posters/whatever they could find from the walls lol and had them signed:) and of course photos too^^
great time of worship and it was awesome that the entire place was just FILLED with energy from the people just singing/shouting!
so glad they did an encore♥♥♥ i srsly heart that song♥
amazing band, worshiping the most amazing God:)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
"faith is a condition of the heart in reacting to seeing the greatness of God"
"if we have faith as small as a mustard seed great God will POUR His love unto you"
-P.Min
He loves us so much!! let's go to Him humbly confessing with our hearts that "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." Luke 17:10
"if we have faith as small as a mustard seed great God will POUR His love unto you"
-P.Min
He loves us so much!! let's go to Him humbly confessing with our hearts that "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." Luke 17:10
The Witness of the Spirit
The Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit . . . —Romans 8:16
We are in danger of getting into a bargaining spirit with God when we come to Him— we want the witness of the Spirit before we have done what God tells us to do.
Why doesn’t God reveal Himself to you? He cannot. It is not that He will not, but He cannot, because you are in the way as long as you won’t abandon yourself to Him in total surrender. Yet once you do, immediately God witnesses to Himself— He cannot witness to you, but He instantly witnesses to His own nature in you. If you received the witness of the Spirit before the reality and truth that comes from obedience, it would simply result in sentimental emotion. But when you act on the basis of redemption, and stop the disrespectfulness of debating with God, He immediately gives His witness. As soon as you abandon your own reasoning and arguing, God witnesses to what He has done, and you are amazed at your total disrespect in having kept Him waiting. If you are debating as to whether or not God can deliver from sin, then either let Him do it or tell Him that He cannot. Do not quote this or that person to Him. Simply obey Matthew 11:28 , "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden . . . ." Come, if you are weary, and ask, if you know you are evil (see Luke 11:9-13 ).
The Spirit of God witnesses to the redemption of our Lord, and to nothing else. He cannot witness to our reason. We are inclined to mistake the simplicity that comes from our natural commonsense decisions for the witness of the Spirit, but the Spirit witnesses only to His own nature, and to the work of redemption, never to our reason. If we are trying to make Him witness to our reason, it is no wonder that we are in darkness and uncertainty. Throw it all overboard, trust in Him, and He will give you the witness of the Spirit.
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if we have stubborn and rebellious hearts willfully disobeying Him,
how can He reveal Himself to us?
pray for repentance and an open and willing heart.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
took away the link for this blog from fb.
i think i was too prideful thinking that others reading about my spiritual walk with God will help them.
afterall i'm not a pastor and i make many mistakes.(not that pastors don't b/c we're all sinners but they have more Biblical knowledge and are wiser than i am)
"Know this, my beloved brothers:let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"
-James 1:19
please write this on my heart Jesus, speak through me for Your glory and for building up others for Your Kingdom.
i think i was too prideful thinking that others reading about my spiritual walk with God will help them.
afterall i'm not a pastor and i make many mistakes.(not that pastors don't b/c we're all sinners but they have more Biblical knowledge and are wiser than i am)
"Know this, my beloved brothers:let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"
-James 1:19
please write this on my heart Jesus, speak through me for Your glory and for building up others for Your Kingdom.
really amazing how God has so much patience with someone like me.
like rachel said, i'm much worse than whatever others may think of me.
thank You Father for being always unchanging, Your immeasurable patience, and love everlasting.
so though i'm the worst, i can still rejoice that Christ has conquered all.
like rachel said, i'm much worse than whatever others may think of me.
thank You Father for being always unchanging, Your immeasurable patience, and love everlasting.
so though i'm the worst, i can still rejoice that Christ has conquered all.
Impulsiveness or Discipleship?
Impulsiveness or Discipleship?
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith . . . —Jude 20
There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman—an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.
Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he "followed Him at a distance" on dry land ( Mark 14:54 ). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Is God’s Will My Will?
Is God’s Will My Will?
This is the will of God, your sanctification . . . —1 Thessalonians 4:3
Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and to let His life be exhibited in my human flesh? (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). Beware of saying, "Oh, I am longing to be sanctified." No, you are not. Recognize your need, but stop longing and make it a matter of action. Receive Jesus Christ to become sanctification for you by absolute, unquestioning faith, and the great miracle of the atonement of Jesus will become real in you.
All that Jesus made possible becomes mine through the free and loving gift of God on the basis of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound, humble holiness (there is no such thing as proud holiness). It is a holiness based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him (see Romans 5:8). He completed everything for my salvation and sanctification. No wonder Paul said that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).
Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ.----------------------------------
reminded today that not Christ should not just be our greatest desire, but to have no other desire besides Him.
so good to know that though we are constantly moon-walking backwards, He's always pulling the carpet towards Him:) we're changing to be more like Jesus everyday♥
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Key of the Greater Work
The Key of the Greater Work
. . . I say to you, he who believes in Me, . . . greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father —John 14:12
Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work. Yet we think of prayer as some commonsense exercise of our higher powers that simply prepares us for God’s work. In the teachings of Jesus Christ, prayer is the working of the miracle of redemption in me, which produces the miracle of redemption in others, through the power of God. The way fruit remains firm is through prayer, but remember that it is prayer based on the agony of Christ in redemption, not on my own agony. We must go to God as His child, because only a child gets his prayers answered; a "wise" man does not (see Matthew 11:25 ).
Prayer is the battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your duty is to pray. Never allow yourself this thought, "I am of no use where I am," because you certainly cannot be used where you have not yet been placed. Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do . . ." (John 14:13 ). Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. We must learn to work according to God’s direction, and He says to pray. "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" ( Matthew 9:38 ).
There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person’s work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God’s perspective there are always results. What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ.
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seriously, redemption is a miracle.
just as Pastor Min says, "Even one minute of prayer can change your life!"
we need to always pray and always pray with faith that He who knows all hears and will work for the good of those who love Him.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Key to the Master’s Orders
The Key to the Master’s Orders
The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. "Pray the Lord of the harvest . . . ." In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.
From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs. Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, "Oh, but I have a special work to do!" No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, "a servant [who] is not greater than his master" (John 13:16 ), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. "Pray the Lord of the harvest," and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.
Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest —Matthew 9:38
The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. "Pray the Lord of the harvest . . . ." In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.
From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs. Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, "Oh, but I have a special work to do!" No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, "a servant [who] is not greater than his master" (John 13:16 ), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. "Pray the Lord of the harvest," and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
"the reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. the cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened."
-- my utmost for his highest
"Psalm 73 (My God's Enough)"
(feat. Todd Agnew)
I've had enough of living life for only me
And reaching just for the things that keep destroying me
So sick of envying the lives of so many I see
Somehow believing that they have what I need
[Chorus:]
My God's enough for me
This world has nothing I need
In this whole life I've seen
My God's enough, enough for me
I can't explain why I suffer though I live for You
Those who deny You they have it better than I do
Cover my eyes now so that my heart can finally see
That in the end only You mean anything
Who have I in heaven but You
Nothing I desire but You
My heart may fail but not You
You are mine forever
-- my utmost for his highest
"Psalm 73 (My God's Enough)"
(feat. Todd Agnew)
I've had enough of living life for only me
And reaching just for the things that keep destroying me
So sick of envying the lives of so many I see
Somehow believing that they have what I need
[Chorus:]
My God's enough for me
This world has nothing I need
In this whole life I've seen
My God's enough, enough for me
I can't explain why I suffer though I live for You
Those who deny You they have it better than I do
Cover my eyes now so that my heart can finally see
That in the end only You mean anything
Who have I in heaven but You
Nothing I desire but You
My heart may fail but not You
You are mine forever
flipping through my old xanga entries i saw this entry from john's xanga site a couple years ago:
"Remember the ones God desires to use the most, he delights to break the most."
reading it again, it's still a very true and thought provoking msg.
let's not live for ourselves but instead according to His Words and for His glory
because having lived at one time for my own selfish purposes, i can honestly say living for Him is so so much better.
This highschool principal says it the best when describing teenagers.
"Too many of today's children have straight teeth and crooked morals."
Isn't this quote so true? If you don't think it is, turn on the news or go to a party and see what you see. Too many of us are living with the wrong purposes in mind! A popular saying by many of my friends is "Live for the moment." What do I think about that quote? It is a quote that is blinding this generation. We as Christians are called to live for God and nothing else. So a challenge I have for all of us "Christian teenagers" is to not live for the moment, but live to glorify God's name. Turn away from pride, short term happiness, worldly things, and turn to God! Then you will see what true happiness looks like! We need to straighten out our morals on what is right and wrong. This is something I really take to heart and I am not writing this entry to judge anyone, but to encourage you all to pursue true happiness. I will end this entry with a quote from my youth pastor. This quote has really challenged me and I hope it will challenge some of you guys also.
Isn't this quote so true? If you don't think it is, turn on the news or go to a party and see what you see. Too many of us are living with the wrong purposes in mind! A popular saying by many of my friends is "Live for the moment." What do I think about that quote? It is a quote that is blinding this generation. We as Christians are called to live for God and nothing else. So a challenge I have for all of us "Christian teenagers" is to not live for the moment, but live to glorify God's name. Turn away from pride, short term happiness, worldly things, and turn to God! Then you will see what true happiness looks like! We need to straighten out our morals on what is right and wrong. This is something I really take to heart and I am not writing this entry to judge anyone, but to encourage you all to pursue true happiness. I will end this entry with a quote from my youth pastor. This quote has really challenged me and I hope it will challenge some of you guys also.
"Remember the ones God desires to use the most, he delights to break the most."
reading it again, it's still a very true and thought provoking msg.
let's not live for ourselves but instead according to His Words and for His glory
because having lived at one time for my own selfish purposes, i can honestly say living for Him is so so much better.
The Key to the Missionary’s Work
The Key to the Missionary’s Work (2)
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world —1 John 2:2
The key to the missionary’s message is the propitiation of Christ Jesus— His sacrifice for us that completely satisfied the wrath of God. Look at any other aspect of Christ’s work, whether it is healing, saving, or sanctifying, and you will see that there is nothing limitless about those. But— "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"— that is limitless (John 1:29 ). The missionary’s message is the limitless importance of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins, and a missionary is someone who is immersed in the truth of that revelation.
The real key to the missionary’s message is the "remissionary" aspect of Christ’s life, not His kindness, His goodness, or even His revealing of the fatherhood of God to us. ". . . repentance and remission of sins should be preached . . . to all nations . . ." ( Luke 24:47 ). The greatest message of limitless importance is that "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins . . . ." The missionary’s message is not nationalistic, favoring nations or individuals; it is "for the whole world." When the Holy Spirit comes into me, He does not consider my partialities or preferences; He simply brings me into oneness with the Lord Jesus.
A missionary is someone who is bound by marriage to the stated mission and purpose of his Lord and Master. He is not to proclaim his own point of view, but is only to proclaim "the Lamb of God." It is easier to belong to a faction that simply tells what Jesus Christ has done for me, and easier to become a devotee of divine healing, or of a special type of sanctification, or of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But Paul did not say, "Woe is me if I do not preach what Christ has done for me," but, ". . . woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" ( 1 Corinthians 9:16 ). And this is the gospel— "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
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Amen to that!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
i finally found the song:)! been looking for it foreverrr〜 it plays on the NHK show Find Your Dream Job but i could never find it!!
The song's by Going Underground called
トワイライト(Twilight)
作詞：松本素生 作曲：松本素生
瞳を閉じて広がった世界 あぁ そうかあれは…
風と稲穂の指定席へ座る 上映間近のアカネ空
半袖じゃちょっと寒くなってきたな 待ちぼうけいつも僕の方だ
胸のポケットにキップが二枚 雨が降らないことを祈るよ
灯りが落ちてストーリーを探す おかしいな!?夜は暗いままだ
気付けば僕と君しかいない 風と稲穂のその中で
スクリーンに何度もたずねてみれば 小さな声で「君の出番だよ」
主役が君と僕の脇役のいないストーリー
少しだけ勇気を出した 頼りない声しぼって
風と稲穂と速くなる呼吸 生きるってことを知りました
あぁ そうか夜の群青色は 誰かが観てた夢のせいだ
鉄塔のガイコツ ネオンのゼリー あぁ そうか あれは僕の街だ!!
「夢の中で泣いてみたよ」強がったポーズの男の子
旅立つ勇気を 歩き出す元気を
いつも探してる いつも探してる
約束しよう僕らは それぞれの地図を持って
旅立つ事はきっと さよならなんかじゃなくて
いつだって主役は君と僕で 期待とプライド背負って
主役は君と僕で それぞれほら違うストーリー
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
feeling like this walk is getting harder each day..
in one of the sermons the pastor gave the illustration from peanuts comic:
(after missing the ball and telling Charlie Brown:) Sorry I missed that one, manager. I thought I had it, then I remember all those other balls I missed. The past got in my eyes.
recently i feel like when i try to do things sometimes i remember the way i was before or the mistakes i've made in the past. every time i've had to remind myself that my aim is to live for Christ, who is not bound by my limitations.
help me Jesus.
in one of the sermons the pastor gave the illustration from peanuts comic:
(after missing the ball and telling Charlie Brown:) Sorry I missed that one, manager. I thought I had it, then I remember all those other balls I missed. The past got in my eyes.
recently i feel like when i try to do things sometimes i remember the way i was before or the mistakes i've made in the past. every time i've had to remind myself that my aim is to live for Christ, who is not bound by my limitations.
help me Jesus.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Getting into God’s Stride
The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (seeJohn 1:35-37 and John 3:30 ). It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him— it means getting your second wind spiritually. In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God’s stride and His power alone are exhibited.
It is difficult to get into stride with God, because as soon as we start walking with Him we find that His pace has surpassed us before we have even taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus— "He will not fail nor be discouraged . . ." (Isaiah 42:4 ) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose.
Enoch walked with God . . . —Genesis 5:24
The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (seeJohn 1:35-37 and John 3:30 ). It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him— it means getting your second wind spiritually. In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God’s stride and His power alone are exhibited.
It is difficult to get into stride with God, because as soon as we start walking with Him we find that His pace has surpassed us before we have even taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus— "He will not fail nor be discouraged . . ." (Isaiah 42:4 ) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Building on the Atonement
Building on the Atonement
. . . present . . . your members as instruments of righteousness to God —Romans 6:13
I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made the perfect atonement for sin. Am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The greatest need we have is not to do things, but to believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it. If I construct my faith on my own experience, I produce the most unscriptural kind of life— an isolated life, with my eyes focused solely on my own holiness. Beware of that human holiness that is not based on the atonement of the Lord. It has no value for anything except a life of isolation— it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every kind of experience you have by our Lord Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless we deliberately build on the foundation of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.
The atonement of Jesus must be exhibited in practical, unassuming ways in my life. Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in perfect agreement. Obedience means that I have completely placed my trust in the atonement, and my obedience is immediately met by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.
Beware of the human holiness that denies the reality of the natural life— it is a fraud. Continually bring yourself to the trial or test of the atonement and ask, "Where is the discernment of the atonement in this, and in that?"
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
after a night of darkness,
the morning brings with it the glorious day.
You alone are good. thank You Jesus.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:4-7
the morning brings with it the glorious day.
You alone are good. thank You Jesus.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:4-7
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Nature of Degeneration
The Nature of Degeneration
Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . —Romans 5:12
The Bible does not say that God punished the human race for one man’s sin, but that the nature of sin, namely, my claim to my right to myself, entered into the human race through one man. But it also says that another Man took upon Himself the sin of the human race and put it away— an infinitely more profound revelation (see Hebrews 9:26 ). The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, "I am my own god." This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis— my claim to my right to myself. When our Lord faced either people with all the forces of evil in them, or people who were clean-living, moral, and upright, He paid no attention to the moral degradation of one, nor any attention to the moral attainment of the other. He looked at something we do not see, namely, the nature of man (see John 2:25 ).
Sin is something I am born with and cannot touch— only God touches sin through redemption. It is through the Cross of Christ that God redeemed the entire human race from the possibility of damnation through the heredity of sin. God nowhere holds a person responsible for having the heredity of sin, and does not condemn anyone because of it. Condemnation comes when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from this heredity of sin, and yet I refuse to let Him do so. From that moment I begin to get the seal of damnation. "This is the condemnation [and the critical moment], that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light . . . " ( John 3:19 ).
Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . —Romans 5:12
The Bible does not say that God punished the human race for one man’s sin, but that the nature of sin, namely, my claim to my right to myself, entered into the human race through one man. But it also says that another Man took upon Himself the sin of the human race and put it away— an infinitely more profound revelation (see Hebrews 9:26 ). The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, "I am my own god." This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis— my claim to my right to myself. When our Lord faced either people with all the forces of evil in them, or people who were clean-living, moral, and upright, He paid no attention to the moral degradation of one, nor any attention to the moral attainment of the other. He looked at something we do not see, namely, the nature of man (see John 2:25 ).
Sin is something I am born with and cannot touch— only God touches sin through redemption. It is through the Cross of Christ that God redeemed the entire human race from the possibility of damnation through the heredity of sin. God nowhere holds a person responsible for having the heredity of sin, and does not condemn anyone because of it. Condemnation comes when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from this heredity of sin, and yet I refuse to let Him do so. From that moment I begin to get the seal of damnation. "This is the condemnation [and the critical moment], that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light . . . " ( John 3:19 ).
Sunday, October 4, 2009
"everything means nothing if i aint got you Lord."
-Pastor Min's version of Alicia Keys' song
i'm sorry Lord, only You alone matter. thank You Father.
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i don't know who is praying for me, maybe someone reading this blog or maybe some of my sisters who i've told about my dilemma and are praying for me.
whoever it may be, i'm really thankful because God hears, and i am a lot calmer now.
but more than anyone else, thank You Lord Jesus for You are a merciful and loving king.
thank You for loving us so much and never giving up on us. may You alone be glorified.
-Pastor Min's version of Alicia Keys' song
i'm sorry Lord, only You alone matter. thank You Father.
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i don't know who is praying for me, maybe someone reading this blog or maybe some of my sisters who i've told about my dilemma and are praying for me.
whoever it may be, i'm really thankful because God hears, and i am a lot calmer now.
but more than anyone else, thank You Lord Jesus for You are a merciful and loving king.
thank You for loving us so much and never giving up on us. may You alone be glorified.
Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
i always think that there are so many people who are much better at life than i am, esp. in handling situations.
feeling kind of discouraged...
but whatever the circumstances, i just want to be thankful and follow You.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
i always think that there are so many people who are much better at life than i am, esp. in handling situations.
feeling kind of discouraged...
but whatever the circumstances, i just want to be thankful and follow You.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Jesus Paid it All
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the lepers spots
And melt the heart of stone
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe;
My sin had left this crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
It’s washed away
All my sin
And all my shame
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
We’ll praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the lepers spots
And melt the heart of stone
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe;
My sin had left this crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
It’s washed away
All my sin
And all my shame
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
We’ll praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
When the world is at war
When the grace is gone
When the hungry lay dead
While the rich live on
I will rise above
I will live for love
I will answer to the call
For the bond between
For a depth unseen
For my God forsake it all
(Here I stand)
Open hands
Waiting for You
I won't back down
I'll live to speak Your truth
-Starfield (Revolution)
When the grace is gone
When the hungry lay dead
While the rich live on
I will rise above
I will live for love
I will answer to the call
For the bond between
For a depth unseen
For my God forsake it all
(Here I stand)
Open hands
Waiting for You
I won't back down
I'll live to speak Your truth
-Starfield (Revolution)
The Place of Humiliation
The Place of Humiliation
If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22
After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6 , Mark 14-23 ).
"If you can do anything . . . ." It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley? You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now? The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?
If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22
After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6 , Mark 14-23 ).
"If you can do anything . . . ." It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley? You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now? The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?
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