Praying from the heart

I took this prayer, and response from God, out of a book i’m reading now entitled “At the Masters Feet” by Sadhu Sundar Singh. Sundar had 2 visions, in the first he saw a beggar and not having anything to give him, he advised the beggar to go to the next town, only to realize that it was the Lord who wanted to bless him. In the 2de vision Sundar saw a good looking “devote” believer, but in his eyes he saw an evil “craft and cunning”. The man offered him kingdoms if Sundar only renounce his love for God. Sundar chased him away and then proceeded to pray this prayer. 

I love it because it’s so true! God has created our hearts with a longing that only He can satisfy. Sometimes if i feel restless and i feel “out of sync” with life, that’s the times i realize now that i’m longing for my Friend, my God. For fellowship with Him. And then was is so cool is God’s response to Sundar... He shows up and proceeds to fill Sundars heart with the presence that He longed for, that actually came from God. It’s like God creates opportunities, so that we can respond, so that He can meet with us. That is love. :-) Enjoy. 

“And I, in tears, thus poured out my soul to God in prayer, “My Lord God, my all in all, life of my life, and spirit of my spirit, look in mercy upon me and so fill me with Thy Holy Spirit that my heart shall have no room for love of aught but Thee. I seek from Thee no other gift but Thyself, who art the Giver of life and all its blessings. From Thee I ask not for the world or its treasures, nor yet for heaven even make request, but Thee alone do I desire and long for, and where Thou art there is Heaven. The hunger and the thirst of this heart of mine can be satisfied only with Thee who hast given it birth. O Creator mine! Thou hast created my heart for Thyself alone, and not for another, therefore this my heart can find no rest or ease save in Thee, in Thee who hast both created it and set in it this very longing for rest. Take away then from my heart all that is opposed to Thee, and enter and abide and rule for ever. Amen.”

When I rose up from this prayer I beheld a glowing Being, arrayed in light and beauty, standing before me. Though He spoke not a word, and because my eyes were suffused with tears I saw Him not too clearly, there poured from Him lightning-like rays of life-giving love with such power that they entered in and bathed my very soul. At once I knew that my dear Saviour stood before me. I rose at once from the rock where I was seated and fell at His feet. He held in His hand the key of my heart. Opening the inner chamber of my heart with His key of love, He filled it with His presence, and wherever I looked, inside or out, I saw but Him.”

Becoming Silent

by Soren Kierkegaard

As a person becomes more earnest in prayer, he has less and less to say, and in the end he is quite silent. He become silent. Indeed he becomes a hearer. He thoughts that to pray was to speak. He learned that prayer is not only to keep silence, but to listen. 

And so it is. Prayer is not to hear oneself speak, but to arrive at silence, and continue being silent; to wait till one hears God speak. 

Hence it is that the word of Gospel, “Seek ye first God’s kingdom,” not only says “No” to every question as to whether it is this we must do, but says, “You shall begin by praying.” Not as though prayer always begins in silence, but because when prayer really has become prayer, then is has become silence, and that is to seek first God’s kingdom. 

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From meditations from Kierkegaard, translated and edited by T.H. Croxall (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1955).

Quote: John G Lake's Ministry

"Dr. Lake came to Spokane. He found us in sin. He found us in sickness. He found us in poverty of spirit. He found us in despair, but he revealed to us such a Christ as we had never dreamed of knowing this side of heaven. We thought victory was over there, but Dr. Lake revealed to us that victory was here, a present and possible reality. We regarded death almost as a friend, but Dr. Lake came and revealed to us the Christ, all-glorious and all-powerful, that is triumphant, compassionate, and lovely, and our night was turned into day and despair was turned into laughter. A light shone in the darkness and we, who found Christ at last as He really is, only have words as the words of Thomas, who said, "My Lord and My God." John G Lake Biography

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions

“I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And i make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein i keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to God... which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great, that i am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others. ... At other times, when i apply myself to prayer, i feel all my spirit and all my soul lift itself up without any care or effort of mine, and it continues as it were suspended and firmly fixed in GOD, as in its centre and place of rest.”

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of a Holy Life (New York: Flemming H. Revell Co., 1895) 25-26

Sadhu Sundar Singh

Once in Haridwar I met a sadhu lying on a bed of nails. I went to him and asked, “To what end do you wound and torture yourself so?” He answered:
     You are a sadhu yourself. Do you not know why I do this? It is my penance. I am destroying the flesh and its desires. I serve God in this way, but I still feel all too clearly the pain of my sins and the evil in my desires. Indeed, the pain of them is far worse than the pain of these nails. My goal is to kill all desire and so to find release from myself and oneness with God. I have been exercising this discipline for eighteen months, but I have not yet reached my goal. Indeed, it is not possible to find release in such a short time; it will take many years, even many lives, before I can hope for release.

I considered the life of this man. Must we torture ourselves through many lives in order to find true peace? If we do not reach our goal in this life, why should there be another chance in another life? Is it even possible in thousands on thousands of lives? Can such peace ever be found through our own efforts? Must it not be a gift from God? Surely we must seek the life of God, not the death of flesh.

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Taken from: Wisdom of the Sadhu - Teachings of Sundar Singh, compiled and edited by Kim Comer “Copyright 2007 by Plough Publishing House. Used with permission”

The Triple Filter Test

pic from wikipedia

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said,
"Socrates, do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though,
because there's one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you
want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither
true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

--------------------------------------------------

As for putting this "email from a friend" through the tripple test, i don't really know if it is true. But it sure is good, and definitely very useful. May all our words be life-giving, encouraging, exhorting, and comforting and may it all be spoken in love. 

What is Jesus wearing today?

“However, as it is written: 

   "No eye has seen, 

      no ear has heard, 

   no mind has conceived 

   what God has prepared for those who love him" - but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” 1 Cor 2:9-10

What has God prepared for me today? For me, it’s been that He loves being around me. You know the feeling - like someone is watching you, following you? Sometimes i know it’s just paranoia, other times i know that He is near. My Brother, my King, is here somewhere, watching me, looking at what i’m doing. It used to freak me out, now, I sometimes look around to see where He is and what He is doing, and it is kinda fun.  

One of my mentors said that she looks at what Jesus is wearing each day. I don’t know if He really dresses up, but being in a prophetic culture, He is always talking, and different clothing or “war paint” may mean something particular for the day. 

Today, He seemed dressed in fine linen, with gold buttons. I feel at peace when i look at Him dressed like that. And i think that He is reading something. He looks captivated by what He is reading. So i asked Him what does this mean? And what is He reading? He’s clothing represents cleanliness, purity, holiness, and the gold speaks of royalty. The book He is reading represents learning and growth. How does this all apply to me and for this day? What He is, I am too, what He wears, I wear too. And today will be a learning day, easy no pressure learning. I am growing. 

I am growing. That makes me almost want to cry. I don’t know about you, but sometimes i feel so much pressure to grow, perform, be all that i am called to be. So much expectation to live up too. It that just drains me. Usually, the last thing on my mind is peace when i think about growth. I think about having to be more disciplined and getting in routines and having to do more to be more. And to be honest i hate that. It makes me feel like crap. I feel like I'm never good enough. 

So as I’m writing this, and looking at what I felt Jesus was saying... for once, i feel at peace with growing. See according to Him, I am royalty, no need to perform to get my way there, no expectations, I am because He is. And seeing how much He enjoys learning, and how peaceful it is, I can do the same now because He is my Teacher, not the world. 

May you have a great day today, and know that Jesus loves you. Why don’t you ask Him today, tomorrow, what He is wearing and what He is doing. Lining up our lives with His plans always bears fruit. Peace. 

God's stamp of approval

Last week Joseph and I had lunch in Atlanta with a new friend. We were just hanging out, getting to know each other over lunch. After that we went to little 5 points, which is known for being a more “spiritual” area. There’s a bunch of unique shops, from coffee to tattoo. I even found a little hookah store! 

Some of the students from the ministry school i go to, have an outreach there each week, going into the different shops, starting up conversations and blessing the locals. It’s a very creative area, maybe not too every ones taste if you know what i mean...

Joseph had something that he wanted to talk to one of the shops owners about and that’s where we went. This guy had the emo look with a ton of rings (some of you reading this may know him). His store had everything from a black cat, some live bunnies, Christian crosses to hindu deities. 

We walked around and i was quiet surprised at how connected i felt with God in there. From what i was taught in Church we’re supposed to stay away from places like that. “It’s dangerous” to go there... My thoughts: they’re just people, and they are so hungry for true love! 

I was just starting to enjoy being there and releasing the Kingdom when Joseph picked up a little box - to buy. Everything inside of me went all crazy. “Don’t buy that, it will give a demon an open door into your soul” - that’s what i was thinking. And then almost as if Pappa took my head in His hands tilting it up and down, i found myself thinking... “this guy, that looks like he is from the dark side, is now going to experience the love of God through a Christian buying something from him that carries a lot of worth.” Does that make sense? Think about what is most precious to you. Now imagine God, who you previously thought to be quiet distant and disappointed in your line of work, coming into your store and buying that thing that is so precious to you. Wouldn’t that just melt your heart? God, Love, just came to me, and told me that what i do, what i have, is important to Him. That would rock my world right there. I matter to God. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the turn of events and i’ll finish with a quote along the same lines... 

“All of creation begins and ends with the Father longing for relationship with you as His beloved child. He created you to live your life as if you have a home. Did you wake up this morning and hear the loving voice of your Father say, “Don’t worry that you don’t have everything together; it’s OK. I don’t expect you to get it perfect. I love you so much just the way you are. You are the son/daughter i love and in whom i am well pleased”?

Or did you get up thinking, Nobody loves me. Nobody cares about me. I’ve got to have devotions today, and pray enough, and get my three Bible chapters a day in, and do all the right Christian stuff, just so i can get a crumb from the Master’s table today? You will treat yourself and others according to the way you think God feels about you. If you know you are loved unconditionally, you will love yourself and others with the same kind of love. But if you feel you have to perform in order to be of value to God, then you will portray the thought to others that they need to perform in order to be of value to you. Either you live your life as if you have a home, or you live your life as if you don’t have a home. Fear... or Father’s embrace!”

(Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship, Jack Frost, P26,27)

Jesus Feast - Feast on His Miracles

Wondering what to feast on over the next 40 days? Check this out!

www.JesusFeast.org 

Read and meditate through the Miracles Jesus did over the next 40 days. Want your daily scripture emailed to you - sign up here...

Also check out their Facebook group!

A better way to pray

I’m the guy who used to believe that i needed to get up at 6am, read my Bible for and hour, and then pray for an hour. :-) I don’t think there is essentially something wrong with that, it’s Pappa, and spending time with Him is amazing... But i used to get up because i felt like i needed too, in order to feel like i did my Christian duties. Andrew Wommack put it best: "That's religious!" 

May we all have a fresh outlook on our prayer lives, and have some fun with our God of Joy. 

The Great Commission

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mat 28:16-20

Oxford American Dictionary explains “commission” as “a group of people officially charged with a particular function” and “the authority to perform a task or certain duties”. I’d say we have done quiet well with the first part of the commission. We have gone to the nations, discipled them, baptized them, and taught them everything Jesus taught us. But I think for various reasons we have skipped the second part - how we were actually supposed to go and disciple the nations, baptize and teach them. 

I have 2 questions i’d like to answer

• How did Jesus teach 
• How did Jesus tell the disciples to teach

How did Jesus teach

“You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:37,38

In Matthew 3 we find Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan. Until then i believe baptism was more of a outward sign, a confession of faith so to say. But when Jesus was baptized something deeper happened, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God came on Jesus and then His earthly ministry began, one of teaching and power. It’s this same power that Jesus told His disciples to wait for in Jerusalem before they could start their “great commission”. (Acts 1:4,5,8)

In Luke 4 we find Jesus Himself saying what this power, anointing, Spirit was for:

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 

 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 

      because he has anointed me 

      to preach good news to the poor. 

   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners 

      and recovery of sight for the blind, 

   to release the oppressed, 

    to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:14-21

Jesus then went on preaching the good news of a God who loved the world so much, a God who wasn’t going to hold anything back. (John 3:16,17) He confirmed this teaching with opening up salvation to anyone who would believe. In Mark 16 Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Lets look for a second at the word “saved”, Greek word 4982, Sozo. 

Sozo (salvation) touches 3 areas. 

• Salvation for the Spirit (Mat 1:21, Rom 10:13)
• Deliverance for the Soul (Luke 8:36)
• Healing for the Body (Mark 5:34, James 5:15)

The Good News, salvation, has a lot more to offer than just being baptized in the names of God, and being taught how to live in righteousness. The Good News is really a Gospel of Power, the power to save and effect every area of our lives. Without power, without the Holy Spirit, aren’t we just going back to the law? (Rom 8) Jesus taught in the power of the Holy Spirit. He demonstrated this power through healing all who was sick (Mark 6:56), casting out demons (Mat 8:16) and forgiving sins (Luke 5:24).

How did Jesus tell his disciples to teach

The first time Jesus sends out His disciples, He sends out 72 and gives them these instructions: “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.’” (Luke 10:9) When they got back they report with joy, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." And then Jesus replied: 

"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”” Luke 10:18-24

Notice the joy for both Jesus and His disciples? Notice how Jesus praises Father for what He was doing according to His good pleasure? And then He how Jesus blessed His disciples for what they have seen? That is the way missions should be done! That is the results that we should be expecting! Jesus sent out His disciples in power and they continued the same ministry of Words and Wonders as Him. According to Acts 2:4, we now have that same power! 

We easily quote Mat 28’s “Great commission” because it doesn’t require a lot of us, and to be frank, it’s easier. But i think the reason we see Christianity impact so little of the world, is because we don’t in the same breath and with the same enthusiasm quote the rest of the Great Commission found in Mark 16:

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

How to respond to God's invitations

“Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.” Exo 4:29-31

The progression: 

• signs and wonders helped them believe 
• they realized God was watching over them and was concerned about them
• they bowed down and worshipped

How many times is that the way we respond to a miracle? I just came back from the Middle East where one day, I went up to a young man and asked if he had any pain in his left wrist. A big smile came on his face and he said “yes, how did you know that?”. We explained to him that God had shown us about his pain, and that He wanted to take the pain away by healing his arm. The young man was amazed and allowed us to pray for him, and then God healed him! Then we told him that this was a sign of God’s goodness, and that God cared about him. We left him knowing that some other team members would be back to follow up with him. We praised God as we walked away.

I listened to some guys teaching over the weekend and he made reference to Luke 10, where Jesus sent out the 72 and when they came back they were so excited that even the demons submitted to them, but then how Jesus showed them what they really should be doing - worship God. The teacher said to do like this: after a great nights ministry, go home, go to the bathroom, open the toilet, sit down next to it. Now tell it exactly what happened that night, the highs, the lows, how you felt, the people that you met - everything. Then get up, close the toilet and leave the bathroom. That’s what a relationship is about - just being with the one you love. 

“Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

My wife and I just bought a house - we made a home together - and it was really interesting learning about our relationship. We are both pretty task focussed, and I praise God for our friends who told us - after you move in and get settled you’ll realize that you hardly know your spouse anymore. Between “stuff” it’s easy for relationship to take second place. Because of that wisdom, we stayed focussed on our relationship and came out stronger! In the end, “making a home together” has less to do with the place and getting through the to-do list, and more with “who” is making the home together and how is that relationship being grown. 

Hearing God's voice

“The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” 1 Sam 3: 8-9

Have you seen that God spoke to Samuel and Samuel didn’t know that it was God who was speaking to Him? Eli had to help Samuel understand that it was God who was speaking to him. Samuel had to learn to recognize God’s voice with the help of Eli. 

I wonder if it’s the same for us today? Do i still need help discerning God’s voice? Where do i get help then? My friend and i went to Starbucks and while i was buying coffee he asked the Barista if she was going to College and studying to become a teacher. Her jaw dropped and words can’t express the look of amazement on her face. My friend heard God’s voice for this girl and in a instant she had a encounter with the Living God, who was showing His support for her becoming a teacher. 

Prophesy, one of the spiritual gifts in 1 Cor 12, has a beautiful effect when used correctly. It encourages, comforts and exhorts. This girl experienced all 3 in one moment. And it all hinged around my friends ability to hear and understand God’s voice, just like Samuel. 

I know my friend, and i know what he does to keep his relationship with God strong. Practical things like choosing the right Church, personal devotions and disciplines, being around the strong friends with likeminded attitudes. But he’ll be the first to tell you that his growth and gifts doesn’t come from anything that he can do, it comes from the revelation that God loves him. That God wants to talk to him, just like He wanted to talk with Samuel. He walks in this revelation all day long, it’s like the treasure he guards with his life. 

Lesson learned, God will always speak first, and we need help learning His language. 

Declaration: 

The LORD continued to appear at (...name of your city...), and there He revealed himself to (...your name here...) through his word*. And (...your name here...) word* came to all (...your city...) 1 Sam 3:21/4:1

* “word” 1 Sam 3:21/4:1 is H1697: speech, saying, utterance

In His presence

I love His presence. There’s a lot of things that happen to me when I’m in His presence, for example:

• I immediately have a greater awareness that He is real and He is “always with me” 
• I am less concerned with my life and ideals, and more with what He wants to do in this world, everything is put into perspective

I tend to “feel” His presence, both in my emotions and body, for example:

• Usually I feel humbled pretty quickly, which then turns to affection, almost like soft praise, because at first I realize that GOD is with me, then I realize that He is here because He loves me, and wants me to know Him - it’s like a date
• Then comes the sweet love, the melting of my heart and I tend to forget about where I am and who’s around me (if any). When it’s just the two of us I tend to start giggling or something, like a little 5 year old girl. I can’t help it, He just makes me feel really good - like He has everything under control and I have nothing to worry about. 

Still after His presence has left, I can feel the consequences of being with Him, for example:

• I feel all clean and fresh, like I’ve just taken a nice shower
• I feel strengthened and ready to move mountains

Have you ever told Him what it feels like for you when you are in His presence? Try it, jus tell Him how He makes you feel. Relationship stuff 101: when you love someone, and they do something that really just chings your bells, you tell them because it reinforces that you enjoy it when they are around you.