Friday, June 28, 2013

Running On Empty

If we are feeling “spiritually empty,” it may be the Lord’s intention for us to feel this way.  The Lord often removes the old to make room for the new, as we are about to enter into a new season.  Thus:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

Rather than being discouraged or complaining about our present struggles, we should hold this sense of being “dissatisfied” (spiritually empty) before the Lord in anticipation of a new and deeper spiritual experience, which is beyond our present level of spirituality.

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.”  Song of Solomon 2:11-12

The winter is past.”


At this present time, the “dry season has come to its end.”  Therefore, we are to hold our being “spiritually empty or dissatisfied” before the Lord, asking to be brought into a higher level of spiritual desire and hunger.  When we do this, our feelings of being unspiritual will become a prayer to release the Lord to meet with us in a fresh new way, beyond anything that we have experienced in the past.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Hillsong...I Will Exalt You...



I will exalt You
I will exalt You
I will exalt You
You are my God

My hiding place My safe refuge
My treasure Lord You are
My friend and King Anointed One
Most Holy.

Because You're with me
Because You're with me
Because You're with me
I will not fear

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Make Ourselves Ready...

“Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”  Job 5:7

Salvation does not exempt us from the everyday problems of life.  Those who are fully committed to the Lord often find themselves entangled in on-going difficulties.  Finally, a release comes, only to find that another pressure has taken the place of the one that was resolved.

There is a reason for these difficulties.  Therefore, we should view them as servants, placed in our circumstances to accomplish a higher purpose.

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  II Corinthians 12:10 NASB

Only as we rise above or overcome these seemingly unending pressures and difficulties, and refuse to allow them to hinder us, will we be able to successfully “press toward the mark” for the prize that our Lord has made available for us - our becoming His Bride.

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.  And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:7-8 NASB

We may ask, “How can we make ourselves ready?”  This is accomplished as we respond appropriately to the circumstances of life that we face daily, along with the testing's and disciplines that require obedience, and recognize these as the means to prepare us.

As we “press toward the mark for the prize,” we are “making ourselves ready” to become the Bride of our Lord Jesus.  Therefore, it is important that we respond in heart obedience, looking to the Lord for the right way through these difficult times.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended. But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind (the ongoing pressures we face in our daily life experience), and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Those who have submitted the totality of their being to the Lord and are seeking His highest, are “potentially” His Bride (that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended).  No one of us can say, “I am the Bride,” as the Bridegroom chooses who will sit with Him on His throne, as His Bride.

Our part is to make ourselves so desirable that we will be chosen in that day, having made ourselves ready for the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-8).

Just as a young woman anticipates her wedding day and prepares herself, so also, the Bride of our Lord Jesus Christ is to prepare for this day.  She is to “clothe herself” in fine linen, clean and white.  This speaks of the “righteous acts of the saints” in which she actively faces and overcomes the problems and pressures of life.

It is the “overcomer” who will sit with Jesus in His Throne, as His Bride.


“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3:21 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Fly Like An Eagle...


“The wind blows where it lists (pleases), and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and to where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8 (comment added)

Our spiritual senses are the key to fully entering into this “New Birth” experience.  Only those who are saved and have developed these spiritual senses can hear and enter.  We may hear and not understand, but it is vital that we respond to this lifting power of His presence.

The comprehension of that which is spiritual is gradually learned, as we move in this realm of the spiritual - “the wind blowing where it pleases.”  We cannot control the realm and movings of the Holy Spirit (divine presence); rather, we are to respond in faith.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Notice that they are to “mount up with wings.”  These “wings” speak of our (new birth) ability to both respond to the presence of the Lord, and move with Him.  When we sense (are quickened by) the “wind” of the Spirit, we are to spread our wings and begin to ascend into the realms of spiritual life.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Struggle....The Victory...

 “I have been crucified with Christ It is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me.”

Few can make this statement from the heart. For each time temptation comes yet another battle ensues.
With each failure comes a greater resolve. Failure often comes on the heels of a promise to change.
A day comes that we dare not promise for we know the result will be the same. It doesn’t even dawn on us
at that moment just how close to victory we are.

 Romans 7 “To will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.
For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice”

The reason a promise is not right is because you have not let go. You are still taking care of everything.
You still feel responsible for making things right. 
Only when it becomes impossible to you does it begin to be possible with God.

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, 
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

So the first important step is for you to take your hands off.
Lord, I give up. I am helpless. I surrender!
This is yielding to the fact that “I have been crucified with Christ.”
Death means letting go, taking your hands off, no more care, I am no longer assuming control.
Lord there is nothing I can do. I can only hand over myself. From this moment forward everything is in Your hand.
As long as you are willing to keep trying there will be legions from the enemy of our faith to daily tempt you to
continue the struggle. Don’t be stirred again to action, You have committed yourself into the hands of the Lord.
All is well if you would be still almost as if you were dead. "Its no longer I that Live".
When Christ died you died. Be still and know….This is called victory.
Do you know what the basic temptation is? The enemy of our faith has but one temptation, and that is, to temp
you to act. As long as you see the battle as you verses him then he gains the victory. Our life is victorious
only when it is hid in Christ. Oh that The Lord would reveal to each heart all that He accomplished on the cross!
Whether you struggle with Satan, fight with him or resist him, so long as you are engaged, he obtains the victory.
Our victory comes when we see that God has set us aside and let His Son Jesus overcome for us!
This is but the first step to begin to walk in the Spirit. With our five senses we walk in the natural realm.
With our faith we walk in the Spirit. Our weapons are not natural but spiritual and mighty to pull down strongholds!

Monday, June 17, 2013

A Special Place...



“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”  Genesis 2:15 NKJV

The Lord created this garden as a special environment in which He could commune with man.  Because man failed and was driven from this garden, it is now our responsibility to establish and set apart a special place into which we can invite the Lord to come for fellowship with us.

Therefore, each of us should set apart a special “place” (Garden) in which to commune with the Lord.  This prepared place should be an area within our home that is both dedicated and decorated (the atmosphere of the cool of the day) to be conducive to His presence.

“But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, (this set apart place that you have created for the Lord) and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward you openly.”  Matthew 6:6 (comment added)


Because the enemy of our redemption has possessed this land since Adam’s transgression, he must be driven out, and this “land” consecrated for a higher purpose - an area that we choose and set apart as a special place for prayer and communion.  This requires an action on our part to establish this “garden” (closet).  Then, we can invite the Lord to come and commune with us.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Inner Beauty...

“For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground.  He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.”  Isaiah 53:2

Jesus is seen by fallen mankind as offering nothing that would (to them) make Him desirable.  The beauty of Jesus is therefore within, and is recognized only by spiritual perception through “regeneration” and Holy Spirit “enabling.”

The “tree of knowledge” relates to our “earthly” life that results from Adam’s transgression in which he chose to become independent from God.  The fruit of this tree appears to us as being very pleasant to our eyes, and desirable as food.

By divine intent, the way of the flesh is appealing to every aspect of the fallen human makeup, whereas spirituality is seemingly uninviting.  It would seem that spirituality should have been made attractive, and sin ugly.  Therefore, we might ask, “Lord, why did you make our self-life attractive, rather than our spirituality?

There is an answer.  This high calling of spirituality can be gained only by making the right choices.  And, the Lord has not made this easy.

For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

Or, “Few will pay the price in order to be chosen.”

By divine design, there is a price to our being chosen by the Lord.  Therefore, the Lord placed the beauty within, which can be seen only by spiritual perception, and given only to those who truly desire Him (those who pressed upon Jesus to hear the Word).

Outwardly, the tabernacle in the wilderness was covered with ugly badger skins, but within, it had a beautiful royal blue covering and the Lord’s Shekinah presence.  It contained a wondrous glory which cannot be described, only experienced.

“But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heaven is taken by violence, and the violent seize on it.”  Matthew 11:12 Darby

By divine arrangement, it takes a determined effort to press through to behold the beauty of the Lord.  Few will push past the hindrances to gain this prize.  Paul said:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:14


This prize is not heaven, which is included in our redemption.  Rather, the prize is being seated with Jesus in His throne, experiencing an active, cooperative relationship with Him (as a son), while we maintain our times of fellowship and communion with Him (as His bride).

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

He is a rewarder...

“I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me... that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”  Proverbs 8:17, 21

The Lord ever seeks to change us, as He desires to bring us up into a cooperative relationship with Him in the outworking of His higher purposes.  Before we can go with Him, we must first come to Him.  Therefore, the Lord waits for us to reach out toward Him and invite Him to come within (those that seek Me early shall find Me).

Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.  Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you My loves.”  Song of Solomon 7:11-12

The time that we spend devotionally in His presence is of tremendous importance.  Each day, we should come into our “set apart place” to worship Jesus, and with a thankful heart acknowledge His goodness concerning us.


We should come into His presence in submission and dependence, as being a branch that is attached to the true vine (the tree of life) and give expression in audible worship, as we partake of communion with Him, and then devotionally read His Word.  As we faithfully do this, day after day, an impartation of “Spirit” (His quickened presence) will flow into the depth of our being to build up our faith and provide us with the necessary “enabling grace” for obedience, so we can live and walk, closer to Jesus.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Big Daddy Weave...Redeemed..!!

Relationship...

Christ's dealings to adjust us to maturity, to sanctify us unto His Lordship, comprise a life-long process over time,
whereby He works into us His very Holiness. This personal holiness in character and action is a holiness unto Christ,
not a holiness from the world. Holiness is not a legalistic obedience to certain laws and taboos. Holiness is first and
foremost an inner union with Him, Christ Jesus the Person. Only as we are, will, and indeed can come into that union
with Him, shall His Holiness (as well as all other aspects of His Person) be manifested in us and through us unto the
world about us.
His first workings in any of our lives, therefore, is to bring us unto a companionship knowledge of and personal
relationship with Him. "Faith", upon which this must be based, is our seeing Him in His Spiritual reality, our total
trust in Him as a Person, and our total obedience to His every will, far beyond trust in our knowledge about Him or in
church or in our fellow Christians and far beyond our dependence upon our abilities, talents, finances, etc. That in turn
requires each of us individually to become totally committed to Him. He must work that into our attitudes first, so that
He can then bring us into a local Body...His Church.
The name of the game is relationship, not religion. Being sanctified unto Holiness means unto inner union with Christ
Jesus. The Way of the Cross is first and foremost our total faith-commitment to Him: our total dependence upon Him
and sensitive obedience to His will; that we be so secure in Christ that we dare expose ourselves to our fellow
believers in covenant commitment; and so that He can mature us into being The Bride of Christ.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Chris Tomlin...Lord I need You...

The Secret...

“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.”  Psalm 25:14

This “fear” relates to our having a respect for the Lord and for His presence.  Included in this is our having reverence in the assembly when we meet.  Rather than talking, we should be waiting on the Lord, in anticipation of His becoming experientially present with us.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Matthew 18:20

This requires of us a personal discipline, so our actions will indicate that we respect the Lord and greatly value His presence.  Therefore, when we enter a meeting, it is very important that we maintain an upward poise of our spirits in expectancy (our being spiritually sensitive), and that we respond to the slightest indication of His presence.

As we practice this “respect” in anticipation, the Lord will “show us His covenant.”  In the manifested presence of the Lord, we will receive fresh unfolding revelation, as the written word becomes a personal reality in our spiritual life experience.


All too often, we use the time prior to the beginning of a gathering for fellowship with each other.  Our doing this does not indicate to the Lord that we value, or respect His presence.  Rather, we should prepare ourselves to believe for, and enter into the manifest presence of the Lord.

Friday, June 7, 2013

In Christ Alone...Kristian Stanfill

The Gift...

Grace starts as a gift. The Giver imparts of Himself, of His very nature or essence, 
to the receiver; and furthermore, whereby the receiver responds dynamically 
by taking that very nature of the Giver as his own nature, assimilating it, and 
being imbued by it. Grace describes Christ, via His Holy Spirit, coming to dwell 
in us, we containing Him, and letting Him permeate all aspects of our beings!
It is the expression of His life made possible by the work of the cross.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, 
Christ lives in me; the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God 
who loved me and gave himself up for me. 

Christ permeates us, moment by moment, attitude by attitude, thought by thought.
Grace is His very nature birthed and flowing out of a union with Jesus.

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: 
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature……

Grace is much more than a "gift" that Christ gives us.
It is a dynamic living relationship with Him, to be worked out in actual practice 
through our yielding to His Lordship moment by moment.
He does not impart to us divine abilities rather, He imparts Himself to us.
The abilities and gifts that we have are an expression of His very life!
Grace operates in our heart. His life is as a seed. When we expose it
to the proper environment it will grow into the fullness of the measure
of the son that He has called us to be. 

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Casting Crowns...Already There...

Foreknowledge....

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience….  I Peter 1:2

Elect… to obedience.”   Our “election” is the result of the inner spiritual potential that the Lord sees to be within us.  In “foreknowledge” He knows those who will respond to Him in submissive, willing obedience.

“If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”  Isaiah 1:19

He then chooses, or “elects” those who, in foreknowledge, He sees to have the capacity and fortitude to fulfill the potential that is hidden, deep within them.

The Lord is at work, preparing those who, with a pure heart toward Him, willingly “choose” to rise above all of the pressures and problems of their life circumstances.  This requires of us a determined “set of spirit,” and “heart obedience.”

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”  Matthew 25:14-15

Through “foreknowledge,” the Lord knew before we were born, the choices that we would make (to every man according to his several ability).  Therefore, He quietly guides us accordingly, toward His will and purpose for us.

“I have compared you, O My love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.”  Song of Solomon 1:9

This becomes a very powerful and penetrating compliment when it is properly understood.  Pharaoh was the greatest of the world’s rulers at that time.  His agents were sent throughout the known world to seek immature ponies with “potential.”  From among these, the horses that would pull Pharaoh’s chariot were prepared through intense, progressive training and discipline.

Then at special times, these carefully chosen horses were harnessed to the chariot of Pharaoh, and in a resplendent demonstration of earthly beauty, power, and harmony, they brought forth the king into full view, displaying him in his regal glory.

So also, the Lord is preparing those whom He sees (foreknowledge) to have a potential  to be “harnessed” to the chariot of the King of all kings, and then in a resplendent demonstration of heavenly beauty, power, and harmony, they will bring Him forth “in that day,” in all of His regal glory to be openly displayed before the nations.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Notice that this “witness” is not what we are doing, but rather, what we have become.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

I have opened my life to the Lord and He responded.  In “foreknowledge,” He saw my life committed to Him, and this article being written, many years later.

While praying alone an “election” had taken place, and from that day, my life was altered and directed by the Lord even though I was not aware of it.  The circumstances or things that could have frustrated or hindered His plan and purpose for my life were being channeled or altered by the Lord.

Through “foreknowledge,” the Lord saw that I would choose Him and rightly respond, and therefore, His “election” was established upon my life.

The Lord knows the intent of our heart (all that we desire to be and have), and “if” we will yield this to His higher purpose for us.  Thus, His “election” is not an arbitrary choice that is made by Him, but rather, it is the result of the fact that He sees the end from the beginning in each of our lives.  He is the Alpha and the Omega.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

There is much that will be required of us, and the Lord knows whether we will rightly respond or not.

“To him that overcomes will I grant...  Revelation 3:21

For us to “overcome,” means that we will rightly respond to the Lord and “rise above” all that could hinder our walk with Him.

“Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all the people: for all the earth is Mine: And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.  These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words... and all the people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do.”  Exodus 19:5-8

Today, I am serving the Lord, because He remembered the commitment  I had forgotten.  Except for His foreknowledge and election, I would not be in the relationship to Him that I presently have.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works….  Ephesians 2:10

I was now “His workmanship” and the Lord was very busy, working deep within my life circumstances.  I had come into the ownership of a very prosperous business, but somehow, I was feeling that there must be something more to life. 

The Lord had placed this desire within me, as He knew that when the right time came, I would give Him specific permission to break into my life and do as He pleases.  He is the “workman,” but He will not work within our personal lives unless we give Him permission to do so.

Each one of us has a testimony as to how the Lord apprehended our lives, and how His “election” brought us to where we are, at this present time.


May our Lord’s “election” upon your life have its full outworking, as you give Him permission to take you beyond your present spiritual experience, so you can have your part in being harnessed to the chariot of the King of all kings, to bring Him forth into open view, as every knee bows.

Kari Jobe....Revelation Song...Passion 2013...

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Crushed

“But I say to you, I will not drink hereafter of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Some months ago, the Lord kept saying to me, “Give me to drink, give me to drink.”  I did not understand what this meant, and I could not get any understanding in my spirit, as to what the Lord was asking for.  Then one day, the Lord asked me to have communion.  I slipped out and bought a bottle of grape juice and some crackers, and then became quiet before the Lord.  I said, “Lord, I do not know what You desire or mean by ‘Give Me to drink.’  I cannot give You the communion that You desire, until You tell me what You mean.”

The Spirit began to quote this passage to me. “But I say to you, I will not drink hereafter of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

I asked, “What do you mean Lord?”  I have wondered all my life just exactly what this verse meant, and I have never been satisfied with any interpretation that I have ever had.

While I was kneeling there beside my bed, the Lord said, “I will not drink the fruit of the vine.”  He let me see that He is the vine and we are the branches.  Then He said, “In us, the fruit is produced and then must be crushed to produce the wine.”  Together, we are to become this new wine, fully refined, of which He will drink in the Father’s kingdom.

He is not going to take up a cup and drink grape juice, the fruit of a vine.  This is a spiritual thing.  The vine out here has its roots in the earth.  The Father had told Him a long time ago that a Nazarene was never to taste any part of the vine.  Even here, at the last supper, Jesus does not drink of the cup.

The Father has promised Jesus another wine, fully refined.  He asks us to come with Him, and become broken bread and poured out wine.   To accomplish this, He takes us through crushing’s, millings, and hard places.  He puts us in the crucible, together, just exactly like wine is made.  The grapes are all put in the same vat together.  This is the hardest thing for us, as here we are all pressed together, in order to lose our identity and become “one” with Him.

If we will respond and go through this as He intends, then we can offer to Him our “crushed” life, which is now one in identity with His.  We may have said, “I felt like the very life was being crushed out of me.”  This is His desire and intention that our crushed out and poured out life will become an offering to the Lord.  Let it be presented to Him, as He desires.

Bring it to Him and offer it to Him, in response to what He says, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine – there will be a new wine, fully refined from your lives, of which I will partake.  What you have become - that will be offered up to Me in My Father’s kingdom.  This is where I will eat and where I will drink, in that great Passover, when we sit down together.”

You and I are called to something most marvelous in God.  He is our “drink and meat,” and at the marriage supper of the Lamb, we will partake of Him.  When you think of “the marriage supper of the Lamb,” do not think of some banquet, or some big feast in the natural; rather, let the communion service be projected over into eternity.

That is what the feast of the Lamb will be, when we sit down to the table with Him.  Every desire, every longing, every cry, every hunger, every thirst that we have ever had, He, the Lamb, will satisfy.  We will partake of Him.  He is that immortal Bread that shall satisfy the hungry heart throughout all eternity.

Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, says, I thirst.”  John 19:28

Jesus is saying,


But I say to you, I will not drink hereafter of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom - I will drink when you come and sit down with me in My Father’s Kingdom.  I will drink and ‘you’ will be that ‘new wine’ fully refined, of which I will drink.”

Monday, June 3, 2013

WASTE...



"When the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
For this ointment might have been sold  for much, and given to the poor." Matt. 26:8,9.

"Verily I say unto you, Where so ever the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, 
that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."  Mark 14:9.

The Lord has ordained that the story of Mary anointing Him with that costly ointment should always accompany the story of the Gospel; that what Mary has done should always be coupled with what the Lord has done. That is His own statement. What does He intend that we should understand by it?
Clearly it is this, that in approving Mary's action at Bethany, the Lord Jesus was laying down one thing as a basis of all service: that you pour out all you have, your very self, unto Him; and if that should be all He allows you to do, that is enough. It is not first of all a question of whether 'the poor' have been helped or not. The first question is: Has the Lord been satisfied?

I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been satisfied himself. 
It is impossible. Our satisfaction comes unfailingly when we satisfy Him first.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

One Thing...

PHILIPPIANS 3:7-14 (The Living Bible) 
But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile-now I've thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God's laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith-counting on Christ alone. Now I have given up everything else-I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with him. So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead. I don't mean to say I am perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.