3.24.11

In class, Corey Russell talked about God the Father and how Jesus came to reveal the Father. He talked about how Peter, on his own, could not possibly succeed or follow through in loving Jesus. But Jesus knew Peter. Jesus knew Peter was sincere and told him not to lose heart. Jesus knew that Peter would learn that it wasn’t by his own strength that he could be faithful, then when he learned to trust God, he would be faithful to the end.

Then we looked at the story of the prodigal son and how while the son was still a ways away, the father ran to him, embraced him and forgave him. The father’s desire for His son was so great. All God wants is our weak, feeble, humble, “Yes, God I need you. I know now I can’t do anything without you.” And God jumps, runs, sprints to us, rejoicing over us. “So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’” (Luke 15:20) He is never surprised by our failure. We don’t have to renegotiate our relationship. We are sons of God, heirs of the King. He is so pleased with us. “You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, And your land shall be married.” (Isaiah 62:4) He knows our sin way more than we know it. He knew what He was getting Himself into and still chose to create man. He knew He would give up His beloved Son because of my sin. He knew that and yet, He said, “She is worth it.” You were worth it. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

We need to come to the realization of who we are. We are sons and daughters of God. We are seated in heavenly places with the Father through Jesus. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9) What?!  With the same love that God the Father loves Jesus, we are loved by God?? Yes. Wow. So... What do we even do with that incredible truth? Oh yeah, it says it right there at the end of verse 9 and in verse 10: “Abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love...”

Amen.

psalm 1

Make me like a tree, planted by streams of living water
I want to be like a tree, bearing good fruit in due season

talking to Abba

"How we view God will determine how we approach Him in prayer. If we view Him as aloof or angry, we will not want to pray very much. When we see Him as a tender Father and passionate Bridegroom who desires for us to come to Him, then we will pray much more."

7 Commitments of a Forerunner

Paul's prayer...

...for the church of Philippi, also it is my prayer for you.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

masterpiece

My Aunt Beth is a cooking genius. She is an artist in the kitchen. Each dish is unique, every recipe is a distinct masterpiece.

Yesterday I was prophesied over by one of the prophecy teams here at IHOP. They prophecy edification, encouragement and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). The catch phrase here is "no dates, mates or babies" (haha!). So one of the prophetic words they spoke over me was, "Like when a chef goes into a kitchen to cook without using a recipe and he says, 'I'm just going to create something today.' Like that, the Lord calls me His creation, His beautiful creation. And when the chef finishes making the meal, he calls people over to come and taste it and they all say, 'This is good.' And when the Lord created you, He said 'This is good.'"

As I was talking to the Lord about what that meant and what else He wanted to say to me, He brought up my Aunt Beth. When she cooks a delicious meal, those who eat it don't say, "Wow, soup, you really did a good job sitting on the stove." "Bread, you really are special! Good job seasoning yourself." No. Those who taste the good cooking honor the cook or the chef.

Me, my life, myself, my work, my heart, my attitude is meant to point everyone to the Lord. To God be the glory!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8

3.16.11

     I will “waste” my love upon you; I will pour my love upon you. Ps. 16:11 “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

     This is my lot, my calling: happy holiness, joyful righteousness. Ps. 16:6 “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.” 

radical

For each person it will look different. God does not compare us, His children. He calls us to be accountable to Him and Him alone. Talk to the Lord about what ‘radical’ should be in your own life. What should ‘laying down your life’ be for you? How about ‘taking up your cross daily’? Wrestle through it. Talk to God about what it means for you and then follow through! God gives us so much grace, but He wants us to be willing to give up everything, even our lives, out of love for Jesus.

fear

I was asking the Lord for conviction in my heart and walk. He revealed to me (among other things) my fear of man and seeking man’s approval above God’s. As I repented, God brought to my mind facebook. For me, facebook is a big deal. I feel this need to check to see what other people say about me (or my internet-profiled-self). “Yes, 8 new notifications! I feel so loved!” With out realizing it, I get sucked into that attitude. What is my view of myself that when people “like” my picture or my status, I am satisfied; when others approve of the portrayal of my life, I am happy? Abba, free me from the fear of man. 

“The fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom” (psalm 111:10) Whew! That book, what’s it called? Oh yeah, the Bible. Well, it’s got some real good stuff in it. 

So, I am praying that I will live in the fear of the Lord. To start to walk it out, I decided to commit to one year off of facebook. I’m excited to see what God does in me in this time of seeking to fear the Lord and not man. Holy Spirit, give me grace; Helper, help me! Amen.