Since the garden of Eden, trusting God with all of our lives has been hard. Adam and Eve bought into the lie that God could not be trusted to act for our highest good. So they took matters into their own hands. We have inherited this instinct that if we don't make the choices and if we don't make life work for us - no-one else will.
And our life experiences often seem to confirm this!
So when Jesus says to us "Trust me with your whole life", we hesitate. We want guarantees. We can feel unsafe handing it all over to someone else. But the truth is that when God created us were always intended to live under his wise and loving rule. His plans and his ways and his intentions for our lives are the best that could ever be devised. Anything we intend is pathetic in contrast.
Surrendering the control of every part of our life to him is truly 'sweet surrender.' We no longer have to live in fear and worry - we no longer have to find all the answers. We no longer have to carry the weight of our choices. He will carry all the good and the bad - and work it out for our good. That's how it was always entended to work, as we partner with him. We are simply returning to the original wonderful life God shaped for us before sin came. Who wouldn't want that? It's a no-brainer!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Stunning stories
In a little corner of south-west Wales (UK)there are miracles happening. At the retreat centre called Ffald-y-Brenin, grace is being poured out in astonishing ways. I have just read in one sitting the book 'The Grace Outpouring' and am reeling with amazement. This is happening NOW! Read this story:
Sam had lost his wife to cancer in a short six months. He had many praying, supporting friends. One day he came to the retreat centre. He decided to walk down to the cross (a large one on the cliff overlooking the sea). About twenty yards away he could not go any further. It was as if he had hit a brick wall. Next day he tried again and the same thing happened. Then the Lord said 'I want to touch the grief in your heart.' He sobbed for some time. Then the Lord said 'I want to touch your tremendous anger.' And he raged for some time, then received the Lord's assurance of healing and that He had carried the pain of it all for some time.
Then he got up and walked straight to the cross and put his arms around it. He later said it felt like his heavenly Father put his arms around him. It was like two people who hadn't seen each other for some time, hugging like old friends.pp 105-6
Another story - One day an American woman rang and asked if she could come. She was a hippie type in her mid-twenties. She was desperate for a place to stay, but not into Christian things. So they did not press her about anything. But over the following days she came to chapel and the daily prayers and was willing to pray some simple daily prayers. On the Friday she stated over coffee that she disliked Christians because they said there was only one way to God. Without debate it was explained that Jesus made this claim.
The next morning she was trembling with excitement. "Why haven't you told me the truth?...Why didn't you tell me that God is my Father, that he made me, that he has a plan for my life? Why didn't you tell me that he loves me desperately, that I've never been on my own? Why didn't you tell me that Jesus really is his Son, that when he died he took my sin? Why didn't you tell me that he's exalted him to his right hand? Why didn't you tell me that Jesus can come now into my heart to live and make me a new person? Why didn't you tell me this?"
They stood there, open mouthed and asked, 'How did you know all this?'
"Because he's done it this morning, hasn't he? He's come into my heart and he's changed me; I'm a new person. Why didn't you tell me all this?"
She also said she had experienced 'the fire'. "He can put his fire on you so that you can blaze for him, and when you encounter other people, the fire he's put on you can touch other people, so they catch fire for him as well."
Later that day as she went for a walk she felt moved to speak to a man on the street. It was a word of prophecy for him. "God has said that he has heard your prayer, and you are not to worry, because he is responding to your prayer." He looked at her and burst into tears and asked if she was an angel! That morning he had cried out to God and asked him to indicate he had heard by sending an angel to tell him!
Then she went to the pub and a young man there noticed she was different to the last time he saw her. So she told him to come to Ffald-y-Brenin. So he drove there with her and as soon as he entered the chapel the Spirit fell on him and he wept for several hours non-stop and was completely transformed!
pp 34-38 The Grace Outpouring available from www.ffald-y-brenin.org
It makes my heart ache for this reality here among us! We live just expecting to be encouraged or warmed - not radically changed!! Fall on us Spirit of God. Do these works of grace and transformation.
Sam had lost his wife to cancer in a short six months. He had many praying, supporting friends. One day he came to the retreat centre. He decided to walk down to the cross (a large one on the cliff overlooking the sea). About twenty yards away he could not go any further. It was as if he had hit a brick wall. Next day he tried again and the same thing happened. Then the Lord said 'I want to touch the grief in your heart.' He sobbed for some time. Then the Lord said 'I want to touch your tremendous anger.' And he raged for some time, then received the Lord's assurance of healing and that He had carried the pain of it all for some time.
Then he got up and walked straight to the cross and put his arms around it. He later said it felt like his heavenly Father put his arms around him. It was like two people who hadn't seen each other for some time, hugging like old friends.pp 105-6
Another story - One day an American woman rang and asked if she could come. She was a hippie type in her mid-twenties. She was desperate for a place to stay, but not into Christian things. So they did not press her about anything. But over the following days she came to chapel and the daily prayers and was willing to pray some simple daily prayers. On the Friday she stated over coffee that she disliked Christians because they said there was only one way to God. Without debate it was explained that Jesus made this claim.
The next morning she was trembling with excitement. "Why haven't you told me the truth?...Why didn't you tell me that God is my Father, that he made me, that he has a plan for my life? Why didn't you tell me that he loves me desperately, that I've never been on my own? Why didn't you tell me that Jesus really is his Son, that when he died he took my sin? Why didn't you tell me that he's exalted him to his right hand? Why didn't you tell me that Jesus can come now into my heart to live and make me a new person? Why didn't you tell me this?"
They stood there, open mouthed and asked, 'How did you know all this?'
"Because he's done it this morning, hasn't he? He's come into my heart and he's changed me; I'm a new person. Why didn't you tell me all this?"
She also said she had experienced 'the fire'. "He can put his fire on you so that you can blaze for him, and when you encounter other people, the fire he's put on you can touch other people, so they catch fire for him as well."
Later that day as she went for a walk she felt moved to speak to a man on the street. It was a word of prophecy for him. "God has said that he has heard your prayer, and you are not to worry, because he is responding to your prayer." He looked at her and burst into tears and asked if she was an angel! That morning he had cried out to God and asked him to indicate he had heard by sending an angel to tell him!
Then she went to the pub and a young man there noticed she was different to the last time he saw her. So she told him to come to Ffald-y-Brenin. So he drove there with her and as soon as he entered the chapel the Spirit fell on him and he wept for several hours non-stop and was completely transformed!
pp 34-38 The Grace Outpouring available from www.ffald-y-brenin.org
It makes my heart ache for this reality here among us! We live just expecting to be encouraged or warmed - not radically changed!! Fall on us Spirit of God. Do these works of grace and transformation.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The battle for our emotions
When Jesus said 'Fear not, I have overcome the world' - he was talking about all the turmoil of life, which tips us into fear. Our emotions can see-saw all over the place in a day. What can keep us without fear? (from James Jordan - see previous blog)
There is a battle for our emotions says James. And the solution in this case is not quoting Scripture or surrendering our will, but it is the Father's love that 'casts out fear'. "It takes an emotion (God's) to overwhelm and replace our emotions. As we are able to receive Father's love our emotional make-up will change. Not our personality, but the experience of yourself will be different and others will experience you differently.
Worry and fear can destroy us. We all have this in some measure. If we are tossed about by our emotions we are diminished in our effectiveness. Jesus was not disabled. He could live in peace and joy. The enemy could not disrupt who he was and the way he was walking in peace."
"His love in our hearts (tangibly) will change our emotional experience of ourselves. If you were completely convinced Almighty God loved you as his only child you wouldn't be able to worry if you tried. You would know he would do the best for you in all situations."
"Jesus is saying, "In me you can overcome the emotional roller-coaster from what is around you." We cannot transmit the love of the Father if the world is lord of our emotions. Come to the place where you truly want his peace."
I have 'experienced myself differently' of late. So many things no longer 'bug' me - it must be his peace residing in those previously touchy, easily offended places. I am experiencing my husband differently. He had an encounter with Love a few weeks back that has changed his emotional response to me, and to life. He is 'loving' things (enjoying things) that he was previously indifferent to. I keep feeling 'WOW -how amazing.'
But this is not a 'finished' work. Regularly the Lord exposes another area that needs surrendering, or renewing, or inviting a washing with love to happen. It is a delightful journey of renewal. I am not frustrated with the process as I was a year ago. I can see 'the way ahead'. It is a joy to see others discovering this too.
There is a battle for our emotions says James. And the solution in this case is not quoting Scripture or surrendering our will, but it is the Father's love that 'casts out fear'. "It takes an emotion (God's) to overwhelm and replace our emotions. As we are able to receive Father's love our emotional make-up will change. Not our personality, but the experience of yourself will be different and others will experience you differently.
Worry and fear can destroy us. We all have this in some measure. If we are tossed about by our emotions we are diminished in our effectiveness. Jesus was not disabled. He could live in peace and joy. The enemy could not disrupt who he was and the way he was walking in peace."
"His love in our hearts (tangibly) will change our emotional experience of ourselves. If you were completely convinced Almighty God loved you as his only child you wouldn't be able to worry if you tried. You would know he would do the best for you in all situations."
"Jesus is saying, "In me you can overcome the emotional roller-coaster from what is around you." We cannot transmit the love of the Father if the world is lord of our emotions. Come to the place where you truly want his peace."
I have 'experienced myself differently' of late. So many things no longer 'bug' me - it must be his peace residing in those previously touchy, easily offended places. I am experiencing my husband differently. He had an encounter with Love a few weeks back that has changed his emotional response to me, and to life. He is 'loving' things (enjoying things) that he was previously indifferent to. I keep feeling 'WOW -how amazing.'
But this is not a 'finished' work. Regularly the Lord exposes another area that needs surrendering, or renewing, or inviting a washing with love to happen. It is a delightful journey of renewal. I am not frustrated with the process as I was a year ago. I can see 'the way ahead'. It is a joy to see others discovering this too.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Our three battles
Listened to James Jordan on CD (www.fatherheart.net)teaching on what Jesus meant by 'I have overcome the world'. He said there are three battles for us.
The battle for our mind - which needs renewing by the Word.
The battle for our will - which needs to surrender to his will out of trust and
The battle for our heart - which needs to encounter the love of the Father because only his heart can heal and captivate our heart.
mmmm - lots to chew on.
(the 'overcoming the world' goes after this is understood - see next blog)
I am aware there are places in me where the enemy sneaks in still. Does that mean a) my mind is not renewed there, or b) my will is not surrendered (I cannot trust his goodness there) c) my heart is still wounded or not at rest in this place and needs more heart encounters?
I have settled on 'my will is not surrendered', because there is an inkling of distrust still. I found that distrust by asking 'what is underneath this behaviour?'
'Am I at rest, at peace on this?' NO! So there is some fear or distrust coming out of some experience. (Tracing it back is always helpful). So I am left with the question, 'How did that get in... what opened me up to this distrust?' This is now what I must take to the Lord for his renewal as I forgive.
We can know what is right and good, but our deep heart can be fearful/untrusting and reacting. What a joy to know that everything was provided for in the cross. The whole exchange was made by Jesus, so we can know the Father and walk in life and joy and trust in all things.
Keep on revealing Holy Spirit. I want to be free!
The battle for our mind - which needs renewing by the Word.
The battle for our will - which needs to surrender to his will out of trust and
The battle for our heart - which needs to encounter the love of the Father because only his heart can heal and captivate our heart.
mmmm - lots to chew on.
(the 'overcoming the world' goes after this is understood - see next blog)
I am aware there are places in me where the enemy sneaks in still. Does that mean a) my mind is not renewed there, or b) my will is not surrendered (I cannot trust his goodness there) c) my heart is still wounded or not at rest in this place and needs more heart encounters?
I have settled on 'my will is not surrendered', because there is an inkling of distrust still. I found that distrust by asking 'what is underneath this behaviour?'
'Am I at rest, at peace on this?' NO! So there is some fear or distrust coming out of some experience. (Tracing it back is always helpful). So I am left with the question, 'How did that get in... what opened me up to this distrust?' This is now what I must take to the Lord for his renewal as I forgive.
We can know what is right and good, but our deep heart can be fearful/untrusting and reacting. What a joy to know that everything was provided for in the cross. The whole exchange was made by Jesus, so we can know the Father and walk in life and joy and trust in all things.
Keep on revealing Holy Spirit. I want to be free!
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