Monthly Archives: November 2014

Divinely Designated for Service

Heb 12:1

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clouds 3clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)

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Each of us has an individual road to walk, race to run, reason we are here, personal schedule. Each of us is part of an established plan that will eternally affect the lives of all those around and even others we don’t know, may never know or meet. Each of us is utterly important in the scheme to provide a different element and side of the story that we call life.

If we were destined to be alike we would have been made from one mould, same body, eye colour, hair type & colour, temperament, likes, dislikes, height, skills….the list is absolutely endless. Yet no two people are the same; not even twins. Our fingerprints are unique, our smiles, pouts, sighs, footprints, palm prints, voiceprints, tones are totally different.

So I have been asking myself a few hard questions:

  • Why have I wanted what others had and really complained about it?
  • Why have I judged myself based on others gifts?
  • Why have I placed such a low value on myself?
  • Am I saying God made a mistake?

clouds 5Don’t shake your head at me in wonderment because if we are all honest with ourselves we have thought of the same things. Yes the desire to be like others isn’t always negative and drive us to great heights of achievement but how often does it actually do that? I have had to ask myself many questions this year and the answers aren’t always what I want them to be. Yet scripture and the Rhema word of God reminds me that indeed there is hope and I can count on the Word and stand on it with full trust that I will not be put to shame.

 

 

Psalms  139:13-15 has really lent me strength in this time;

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Since the above word is true I have come to the conclusion that each of us is:

  • Uniquely Called
  • Specially Appointed
  • Divinely Enabledclouds 2
  • Clearly Designated
  • Individually Gifted
  • Urgently Required

The fact that we each have a role & purpose and we each are specially established makes me hold on especially when the night seems pitch dark & unbearable. I also remember this when the answer to my prayer or the provision of my need takes longer than anticipated to come. I have come to believe that every day is a special day to re-establish my faith so that I can keep walking one day, step, meter, and mile at a time. This road is mine, the call is mine, the load is mine too, so I choose to walk by faith and hearing.

Nothing Wasted

Picture courtesy of Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura

Picture courtesy of Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura

How has your year been? 2014 in my books is the best year yet. Do not be deceived that it has been smooth sailing. In the same breath, it has been the hardest year yet the deepest and richest.

I have lost physical things I thought were critical to my survival and haven’t died. I have lost contact with people who were critical to my survival and haven’t gone mad. I have felt very deep & excruciating pain and loneliness and been told to get myself together yet never lost my mind. I have made critical mistakes and hurt people really bad in the process and lost money & stuff? I’ve been down in the dumps with no idea how to get out of there…living moment by moment on a wish and a prayer.

Yet nor I see that the experiences were mandatory for my growth to the next level. I had to realise that the life I lived was the one I had settled for and only I could change the path and trajectory of the same. I also had to realise that I wasn’t the wisest, best, that I could be and I had to improve. So I dared God to show Himself strong and able. I dared Him to be God and come in and change the course of my life to His established plan for me. When I think if this, I laugh at the audaciousness of that statement, yet that is what I did. Up to then, it seemed like there was nothing going for me and I needed to find a reason to go on.

I listened to my Mentors talking and marvelled at their deep solid relationships with God, their certainty that they were on the right track, their deep convictions that nothing is impossible with God and I realised that was what I wanted. I wanted 20140103-003835.jpgmore, deeper, wider, higher because only more of Him will be enough. The deeper question was how to get from here to more. I want to know that I know that I know that my life is worth something incredible in the scheme of God’s things.

So I begun asking God questions, I listened to messages, I read books, I begun to believe it would come to pass for me. Slowly the change begun. It was like putting on an energy saving bulb. Once the switch is flipped, the light comes on a bit dim but the longer the power is on the brighter it becomes. The brighter it gets the clearer we all see. And it has been the same for me. As my connection with God had increased, so has my perspective on life, so has my sense of joy, love and peace.

I know the touch of God on my life like a hand on my shoulder. I know restoration of peace. I know joy unspeakable and laughter from the depth of my soul. I know the joy of a simple hug. I know the peace that comes from the knowledge that this walk is worth its while. The depth and intensity of the connection I have is unparalleled by anything else I have ever known…it’s deeper than I could ever imagine, yet I know there is loads more ahead…how exciting is that?

imageSo I can say that nothing has gone to waste in this period. I have learnt many things and shared most of the lessons as they became clearer. I have sat at the feet of people. I have responded to situations instead of reacting and gained great insight. The understanding I have received has encouraged others to keep walking and growing. I dare say I will keep sharing the lessons so that absolutely nothing in and from my life goes to waste.

There is No Waste because in Christ it is All Gain.

There Is A Name

There Is A Name Lyrics

Performed by- Byron Cage Written by- Kurt Carr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPrM-7kh_Tw

Jesus 3There is a Name
There is a name
There is a Name
There is a name
Precious Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

There’s healing in the name
healing in the name
healing in the name
healing in the name
Precious Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

Does anybody love the name
Does anybody love the name
Does anybody love the name
Does anybody love the name
Precious Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

Glory to that name
Glory to that name
Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

I’ll forever praise that name Jesus
Forever praise the name
Forever praise the name
Forever Praise the name
Precious Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

Jesus Jesus Jesus…(repeat)

There is a Name
There is a name
There is a Name
There is a name
Precious Name
Bless that name
Oh Jesus there is a name
Oh Jesus there is a name

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Do you know that name?

Remember Phil 2:10 “…at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” That is the name I am talking about. Come meet him. Connect with him. Accept him. Love him. Serve him. You will never forget it…never ever.

I have found so much in this name:Jesus 1

  • Peace
  • Grace
  • Forgiveness
  • Healing
  • Deliverance
  • Joy
  • Love

And so much more than I can ever express

Life Redefined

give 1

Have you ever thought about what Christ actually gave up to give us new life? We often talk about Christ and the sacrifice He made to give us life but we are often totally unaware of other deeper things that happened. When He came down to us, He gave up everything that was usual for Him. He gave up the power at His disposal. He walked away from everything he knew even if it was for a while, that we may be reconnected to God and have eternal life.

Phil 2:5-8 gives us some insight into this.

…have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

give 2

He was in very nature God, He didn’t think this to be something to be used to his advantage, He made Himself nothing, took on the nature of a servant (some versions say bond servant) and became like us. Can you imagine what this means? He left all his special abilities in heaven and became a human. He let go of a very deep level of communication with God for a more surface one. He was tempted, denied, abused, beaten yet he endured it and did not call down fire to destroy His tormentors. He carried the sin of the world on Himself and or a brief moment His father looked away and He was alone. He humbled himself to death on a cross that was the most humiliating death possible in His day. He did everything He could to complete the task He was sent to do. He did not hold back on the giving; He gave everything for us to find new life…He gave His love and life.

Jesus gave His all to us freely; He held nothing back. In Matt 10:5-8, Jesus is sending the twelve out and tells them who to share the gospel with; the Jews and not the Samaritans or Gentiles; what to do – heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons; then he told them to give freely. His hope was that we would recognise that He did all this in love so that we can come to believe in Him and follow Him. Yes, that was His hope; there was no guarantee that we would use our free will to follow Him, yet He still gave his life for us. Imagine that!

flower 1To give freely is to give to others as instructed with absolutely no expectation of getting something back. Forget everything you know about “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38. Think about giving in the way Christ did it. He gave his life for us and didn’t hold us ransom for it. After all, what did we have of value that we could give back to Him? He was before everything we have. Our money, property, ideas everything comes from Him. What do you have that would be of value to him other than your life? Yes, the only thing you could give him back is your life…freely given without expectation for anything in return.

To give in the real sense is to focus on what others need and not on what we need. If I am seeking first His kingdom and doing everything He tells me surely all the things I need will be added to me. For sure if He provides for the trees, flowers and animals why do I think differently in regard to me? So if my supply is guaranteed and if I truly trust Him then I can give freely with no expectation of getting back. To give this way is a very high calling. Christ gave His all that I may find eternal life and He had no guarantee that I would respond. That amazes me to no end…the depth of God’s love.

So I ask myself, why can’t I give freely when I have received so freely? Could it be because I am not truly certain that I am totally taken care of?

I am learning to find freedom in following instruction and giving to people as told rather than to give only to those who can baby animals 2give back. Every opportunity to give that comes my way must be dealt with and connected to. I have to understand that I have access to something so unbelievable that can bring the greatest peace and joy into my life. I am learning to give freely because I have come to understand that to keep it all for me doesn’t even help me. I have something that someone else needs to tap into and if I don’t share it with them I deny them a blessing. In denying them a blessing I deny myself a blessing too; the blessing of a deeper relationship with God.

Today I choose to give freely even when it doesn’t make sense.