A spring of pristine water bubbling up and traveling down a stone slab.
Rocks scattered over the surface sift out any muck that would otherwise accumulate along the way.
The water rushes faster and fuller as it goes.
It becomes broader, more useful and more powerful.
By it's persevering flow, it digs paths into the most stubborn surfaces, leaving a perminent trail, ever carving deeper.
It is greatly feared by those who's lives are built on the sand.
It is desparately desired by those in a parched land.
It brings life and it brings destruction.
Yet it started small, at the spring.
"Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
John 7:37-39
The baptism in the Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus has been glorified.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A changing season...
If you feel the urge to garden or learn how to raise certain animals, I encourage you to take this seriously before the Lord as it may be a timely call He has placed on your heart. Christians all over the United State's map are feeling the urge to work in the dirt and produce from God's green earth. Do not take this impression lightly. It is important for the coming days, how the Lord will provide for His people and use them to bless others. Christians rule through servant hood. First God places a call on our hearts, then we work on it. I am not saying to go out and rack up debt on a Lowe's shopping spree. I am saying to investigate what is on your heart. Such as, take a class in organic gardening or borrow some books from the library about raising chickens. If this is ringing a bell with my reader, please do not delay. The Lord will show you if there is an open door. You may not own any land but you may be able to gain the necessary knowledge for self-sufficient garden planning and perhaps the Lord will connect you to someone else where you can team work and share the fruits of your labors. Remember, we do not follow what the government on earth says, we serve a God who is enthroned in Heaven and rules in our hearts. Happy exploring! |
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Discipleship
Dad used to spank us kids when we disobeyed. Spanking arouses varied opinions. But for me, Dad's spankings were so reflective of God's love. I can see Dad trying to hide his smile now, as I recall him disciplining my younger siblings. He was often thinking how funny the thing was that one of the kids did. Nevertheless, it needed correcting because it would grow into a huge ugly sin if it was not nipped in the bud. Little babies are born in sin pure and simple. (Yes, I realize the irony of that expression.)
Our discipline was given in an orderly and fair manner. We were given the same rules across the lot of the twelve of us. We had fair warning--we knew the good to do. Of course, different personalities learned from different types of punishments. The more stubborn needed more persistence in the discipline. For one, sitting in a chair might be the worst thing possible to their little energetic body. Whatever the case, justice was done and we knew our Daddy loved us.
I recall well the time I snuck out of bed after my parents had said it was bedtime. One of my siblings faithfully told on me (because we ALL knew the rules extra well when it came to someone else breaking them) and I was sent to my parent's room to await my punishment. Funny thing is, I don't even remember the spanking (which was always done on the hindquarters, because there's plenty of cushion there.). What I do remember is 1. The humiliation of being caught in my sin in front of the guests. 2. The "eternity" I had to wait until the guests left and 3. The broken-hearted feeling I had for having disappointed my Dad.
He truly was my friend and I couldn't believe I had done such a thing against him. Still, rebellion in me rose with excuses, "How could he love me and spank me when all I did was get out of bed?". As I waited, these pious thoughts swelled pride in me. But as soon as Dad came in, and shut the door behind him, he looked in my eyes and my chin wrinkled like a raisin! I swallowed hard again and again to choke back the tears. It was to no avail. They came flooding in like a mighty river. My Daddy embodied all I wanted approval from.
You see, my Daddy's face was the face of God to me. He was my proof that God exists. Because of my Daddy's deep love and faithfulness, I had no doubts when he shared the Gospel with me. I just knew God was who He said He was because here was living proof in my home every day.
Dad talked to me about what I had done wrong. He asked me why I had done it...Before I had all these excuses practiced in my head. Now it was all I could do to chirp out "I don't know!" through my sobbing. Then Dad would sigh and say "I wish you hadn't done that. Now I have to spank you." And I would know the routine, put my hands on the bed as he hit my tail end enough so it would sting. Dad knew my heart was already repentant, but he followed through with the penalty so that I would learn the seriousness of sin--it separates us from our loving Father.
My Daddy would always come to talk to me after the whole ordeal. He would usually just come and talk about funny things and make me laugh. He wanted me to know that "His anger is but for a moment, and His favor if for a lifetime." (Psalm 30:5) And he would also show me that the sun does not go down on his anger. I was free again to approach him and he would again turn with favor and blessing on me because we kids were the delight of his soul. "For the Lord reproves Him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Prov 3:12)
Because my Daddy would do anything to show his love for me, he took the time and patience to teach me how to obey so that I would learn how to be close to my Heavenly Father. "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4) Often, the children needing more discipline were the ones needing more one-on-one attention. The coupling of these both (discipline and one-on-one attention) is dynamite! As a matter of fact, this is discipleship. And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Our discipline was given in an orderly and fair manner. We were given the same rules across the lot of the twelve of us. We had fair warning--we knew the good to do. Of course, different personalities learned from different types of punishments. The more stubborn needed more persistence in the discipline. For one, sitting in a chair might be the worst thing possible to their little energetic body. Whatever the case, justice was done and we knew our Daddy loved us.
I recall well the time I snuck out of bed after my parents had said it was bedtime. One of my siblings faithfully told on me (because we ALL knew the rules extra well when it came to someone else breaking them) and I was sent to my parent's room to await my punishment. Funny thing is, I don't even remember the spanking (which was always done on the hindquarters, because there's plenty of cushion there.). What I do remember is 1. The humiliation of being caught in my sin in front of the guests. 2. The "eternity" I had to wait until the guests left and 3. The broken-hearted feeling I had for having disappointed my Dad.
He truly was my friend and I couldn't believe I had done such a thing against him. Still, rebellion in me rose with excuses, "How could he love me and spank me when all I did was get out of bed?". As I waited, these pious thoughts swelled pride in me. But as soon as Dad came in, and shut the door behind him, he looked in my eyes and my chin wrinkled like a raisin! I swallowed hard again and again to choke back the tears. It was to no avail. They came flooding in like a mighty river. My Daddy embodied all I wanted approval from.
You see, my Daddy's face was the face of God to me. He was my proof that God exists. Because of my Daddy's deep love and faithfulness, I had no doubts when he shared the Gospel with me. I just knew God was who He said He was because here was living proof in my home every day.
Dad talked to me about what I had done wrong. He asked me why I had done it...Before I had all these excuses practiced in my head. Now it was all I could do to chirp out "I don't know!" through my sobbing. Then Dad would sigh and say "I wish you hadn't done that. Now I have to spank you." And I would know the routine, put my hands on the bed as he hit my tail end enough so it would sting. Dad knew my heart was already repentant, but he followed through with the penalty so that I would learn the seriousness of sin--it separates us from our loving Father.
My Daddy would always come to talk to me after the whole ordeal. He would usually just come and talk about funny things and make me laugh. He wanted me to know that "His anger is but for a moment, and His favor if for a lifetime." (Psalm 30:5) And he would also show me that the sun does not go down on his anger. I was free again to approach him and he would again turn with favor and blessing on me because we kids were the delight of his soul. "For the Lord reproves Him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Prov 3:12)
Because my Daddy would do anything to show his love for me, he took the time and patience to teach me how to obey so that I would learn how to be close to my Heavenly Father. "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4) Often, the children needing more discipline were the ones needing more one-on-one attention. The coupling of these both (discipline and one-on-one attention) is dynamite! As a matter of fact, this is discipleship. And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Matthew 11:29-30
To give you everything, Jesus, is all my heart desires. To hold nothing back from you means freedom for me. I cast everything at your feet. You bore my burden as you carried the cross. I am yoked with you. You say "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I don't know of any other yoke that is easy and light! I find that the yoke of "self" is the heaviest yoke that exists! I am dead and my life is hidden in God, through Christ Jesus. I was lost but now I'm found. I am found in You! Only, give me more of You!!
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