I Promise.

A couple of weeks ago during a time of worship I was challenged and encouraged to truely believe in what God has spoken over my life. Here's what happened;
As we were worshipping I had my hands raised and the song we were singing came to an end but we carried on singing in the Spirit. My arms started to ache. Naturally, I would put my hands down but this time I felt that I should keep them up.  But as I kept it up, my hand started to throb. It felt like it was swelling or it was on fire or something and in my head I was like, "what does this mean? should i go pray for someone or something?" But I knew it was the presence of God and therefore I didn't want to loose that feeling. By this time my arm was aching really bad but I didnt want to loose that feeling and the more I focused on what God was doing, the less attention I paid to my aching arm. As I asked God what this feeling meant He said "There will be times when you'll feel like you need to give up but remember what you've seen and that is what will hold you there." This spoke into a situation in my life where I felt like giving up. But His word has proven true. The more I remember words God has spoken to me and remember what I have seen and what I know of God, the easier it is to face every situation and not only 'face it' but completely turn it around for His glory.


Hebrews 10:23 says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." One thing i've noticed is that one of the simplest yet most powerful attacks of the devil is sowing doubt. He causes Christians to doubt what they have heard or what has been promised to them, causing them to question themselves and God. But this verse tells us that we need to hold tightly to the promises of God - without wavering - sure of what we hope for, certain of what we don't see. (Hebrews 11:1) When God speaks to us, we can be sure that what He has spoken is true and will come to pass because of what is said in Isaiah 55:11; "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." It is impossible for God to speak without something happening and it is impossible for His word and promises to be unfruitful. This truth alone should get rid of any doubt that we may have.

So... In conclusion, i'm learning to trust in the promises of God, to trust my judgement and back myself. All from an attitude of faith, not doubt. After all, It is men and women of God who stand firm on the promises of God, showing intergrity in all they do, that will forcefully advance His Kingdom.

Timeline

My good friend, Joshua Sargent, has shared an amazing truth, that I believe everyone should hear, on his blog.
Take a look!


http://sargie93.blogspot.com/2011/09/timeline.html

Heartache.

A few days ago a group of us were praying. Someone started to pray for the church to rise up and I suddenly felt as if I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. There was a very real weight on me that was pushing me down as I began to think of the huge calling that the church has to fulfil. In that moment God reminded me of Matthew 11:29-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The weight I felt on my shoulders then changed to an ache in my heart. God was reminding me that He had taken all of my burdens upon Himself and exchanged them for His. He only has one, and that is to love. The ache in my heart was a love for the world, for my brothers and sisters, even for my enemies. It was the love that only God Himself can give.

I am constantly being reminded that, since I made Jesus Lord of my life and He paid the price for all of my sins, I only have one debt to pay, and that is the debt of love. Romans 13:8 describes it as "the continuing debt to love one another". Not only is it a debt to pay but Jesus gives one commandment... to "love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 Why? Because this is how the world will know us, by our love. When we love our enemies instead of seeking revenge or when we love our brother when he gets on our nerves or love the outcast when everyone else has turned away - this is when the world will stop and see that love never fails.
I've also been challenged by this because I find it can be easy to show love to a complete stranger or a distant friend by going out of my way to do something nice for them every once in a while. The real challenge is having this same attitude of love with those a little closer to home. I got a little snappy with my younger brother a few days ago and walked away feeling convicted that nothing about our conversation brought love. You see, I'm learning that there are no exceptions when it comes to loving eachother. Even in the ordinary circumstances of every day, i'm called to love. Not just when I feel like it, not just when people can see, but it is a command and a debt I have to every single person. Not in my own strength with a love that can't satisfy, but with an eternal love that nevers runs out, never fails. A love that I can only have because HE first loved me. (1 John 4:19) In the words of Joshua Scaife "To love eachother is the natural response to having received love. It is the overflow."
Therefore, if we are living by the Holy Spirit, we are doing nothing outside of love. Love isn't just a characteristic of God, God IS love. He doesn't operate outside of love, but everything He does is out of love. Let every conversation, action, attitude, everything you do, be from the basis of love. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8