The year has begun with so much going on. A son and his wife staying... the earthquake in Christchurch (south of us, about a 45 minute flight) with significant loss of life and huge damage... a 6 day school with such wonderful input - all needing to be absorbed... and lots of deadlines with teaching a course, sermons, articles etc. I am really looking forward to later in April where I intend to take some time out to read, ponder, pray and write.
The earthquake (and the one in Japan, with the terrible sunami) left us with a sense of heaviness of heart - and a deep awareness that life is fragile and precious - and we have no guarantees of time.
In all of this I feel I am in an exciting learning curve - learning to live from a different paradigm - of resting in the Father's love. I have become aware of places in my heart that still need to open up to his love. I had some prayer with a colleague and was able to let go hidden false beliefs, and hear new truths reverberate within me.
We discovered the so, so helpful teaching of Ed Piorek at www.thefatherlovesyou.com and have been devouring his books and DVDs. Also tapped into Baxter Kruger, a wonderful and articulate theologian and teacher - catch him on www.dancinggod.org - his understanding of the Trinity is astounding.
It feels like I have new lenses on - and am seeing the Scriptures, the Lord, and life from a whole new viewpoint. It is all about living out of the heart, not the mind - about being a child of a delighted Father - about living a life of love (not simply 'faith') and this changes everything.
A thought to ponder on: What was your father's message to you about life? Mine was 'don't let people down - always be responsible'. Others have said it was 'Why can't you get it right?'or 'You'll never amount to much.' We subconsciously live out of that message - until we unravel it.
Our Heavenly Father says, 'You are my beloved child, in you I am well pleased.' This, we must live out of. It changes everything!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Your sighs are his longings
New Revelation
Many of us are coming into a new thing right now, with a new call or new responsibilities or a new role.
What does it mean for you this year? What does it mean for your relationship with God?
In this upgrade, God wants to declare something else to you about Himself. You see, God always wants to be something significant for us. The question shouldn’t be, ‘‘Why is this happening to me?’’ The ‘‘why’’ question is never answered on earth. It is the wrong question. It should be, ‘‘What is it that God wants to be for me now that He couldn’t be at any other time, in any other way?’’ What is it about your current situation that is designed to bring you into a deeper relationship with God? Every circumstance in our life is about that – difficulty and blessing. If you’re being severely challenged right now, God wants to be something for you. If you’re walking in incredible favor and transformation, He’s showing you His nature in that, as well.
God wants to declare what He is becoming to you. Like Moses, you have fresh favor to ask Him to go deeper. God is the sneakiest Person on the planet. You cannot have a desire for Him that is unmatched by His desire for you. In fact, if you really want to know where you are with God, check out what is in your own heart. What are you sighing about right now? During those times you sit in the presence of God and your heart sighs for Him, what is it you are sighing for? Understand that your sigh originated in His heart. It is His longing for you, reaching out to you!
When you understand what it is your spirit is sighing for, you will understand exactly what He wants to do. You cannot have a desire or longing for God that He did not put there. Your heart for Him is simply a reflection of His heart for you; God has us longing for the things He most wants to give us.
A purposeful God
When God showed Moses His glory, it was not a spontaneous act. God was being purposeful with His servant; He had this planned for quite a while. It was part of His step-by-step plan to reveal Himself to Moses. What is the nature of your current request of God? In your relationship with Him, what are you asking for? What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now? What is He provoking in you? What are you longing for? These are questions you must think through and meditate on, because God’s plan for the next phase of your call is already in action. He has been purposeful with you from the very beginning.
‘‘However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.’’ John 16:13
From The Nature of God by Graham Cooke
Recommended resources – see Graham Cooke’s books and journals on www.brilliantbookhouse.com
Many of us are coming into a new thing right now, with a new call or new responsibilities or a new role.
What does it mean for you this year? What does it mean for your relationship with God?
In this upgrade, God wants to declare something else to you about Himself. You see, God always wants to be something significant for us. The question shouldn’t be, ‘‘Why is this happening to me?’’ The ‘‘why’’ question is never answered on earth. It is the wrong question. It should be, ‘‘What is it that God wants to be for me now that He couldn’t be at any other time, in any other way?’’ What is it about your current situation that is designed to bring you into a deeper relationship with God? Every circumstance in our life is about that – difficulty and blessing. If you’re being severely challenged right now, God wants to be something for you. If you’re walking in incredible favor and transformation, He’s showing you His nature in that, as well.
God wants to declare what He is becoming to you. Like Moses, you have fresh favor to ask Him to go deeper. God is the sneakiest Person on the planet. You cannot have a desire for Him that is unmatched by His desire for you. In fact, if you really want to know where you are with God, check out what is in your own heart. What are you sighing about right now? During those times you sit in the presence of God and your heart sighs for Him, what is it you are sighing for? Understand that your sigh originated in His heart. It is His longing for you, reaching out to you!
When you understand what it is your spirit is sighing for, you will understand exactly what He wants to do. You cannot have a desire or longing for God that He did not put there. Your heart for Him is simply a reflection of His heart for you; God has us longing for the things He most wants to give us.
A purposeful God
When God showed Moses His glory, it was not a spontaneous act. God was being purposeful with His servant; He had this planned for quite a while. It was part of His step-by-step plan to reveal Himself to Moses. What is the nature of your current request of God? In your relationship with Him, what are you asking for? What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now? What is He provoking in you? What are you longing for? These are questions you must think through and meditate on, because God’s plan for the next phase of your call is already in action. He has been purposeful with you from the very beginning.
‘‘However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.’’ John 16:13
From The Nature of God by Graham Cooke
Recommended resources – see Graham Cooke’s books and journals on www.brilliantbookhouse.com
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