RIVER OF GRACE

River Of Grace

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

KINGS: Goliath, Parts 1 and 2

The Miracle Maker

BASIC UNITY IN CHRIST

In the Jesus Movement early 1970 I was apart of a fellowship that was exclusive. Later on I became apart of a fellowship of believer that practice unity and working with and among other believers. We were given the basic truth of Jesus' passionate prayer in John 17, "that we would be one as the Father and Jesus are one" and it became apart of our lives. We were stoked to work with the other parts of the body of Christ. It didn't take long to discover not all the church had the same conviction about working together. We had the blessing of receiving revelation of this basic truth and thought this was a common reality in the church. I had a rude awakening. But never the less this was truth and I never gave up on this reality, "unity among the believers," it was birth in my heart by the Holy Spirit.

Basic spiritual truth is; "no one person, or group, has all of the truth." What we have must be joined to what the Lord gives to the rest of His body, (the church) if we are to have the whole truth. Jesus stated this in His prayer the night before He was crucified:

"And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the would may know that You have sent Me, and You love them, even as You love Me" (John 17:22-23).

The word that is translated "PERFECTED" in the scripture could have been translated "COMPLETED." Either way, the Lord has established that the only way that we can fulfill our purpose is to be properly joined to the whole body of Christ. This is why Paul did not write that "I have the mind of Christ", but rather, "...we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthian 2:16b). No one person can contain His mind, It takes the coming together of the whole body for us to have His mind, or to reveal His ways.

Because of this, when the church comes into unity, the world will know that He was indeed sent from the Father. We will not be able to come into such a unity without Him. Without revelation and patience practice of this powerful truth it will just be another nice teaching from Jesus filed away in our doctrine folder. However, we will not come into this unity by seeking unity, but by seeking Him, seeking His Face. Unity as a goal in itself can be a false god, a place of pride, a stumbling block to both the mind of Christ and true unity. Unity will never be built on compromise, but through revelation from the Holy Spirit and understanding the Scripture.

When He is revealed, all of the things that now divide us from one another will be seen as petty and vain as they are.

Let's pray

Father give me understanding and revelation according to your Word about UNITY in the Body of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen

Quote of the Day

We should never attempt to bear more than one kind of trouble at once. Some people bear three kinds - all they have had, all they have now, and all they expect to have.

- Edward Everett Hale

Scripture of the Day

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...

-NIV 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

NEW TESTAMENT GATHERINGS

All the Biblical examples about the church meeting center on and rest upon the Headship of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the focal point of God's eternal purpose.

Colossians says in 1:16-18; "Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see, King's, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began and He holds all creation together. Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so He is first in EVERYTHING".

Christ was fully preeminent in the early church gatherings. He was its CENTER and He set the agenda. He directed what took place. Although His leading was invisible to the naked eye, He was clearly the Guiding Agent. But to those who have been trained and hungry for spiritual things, He was very visible.

CHRIST THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

The first-century gathering, neither the "sermon" nor "the preacher" were the center. Instead, congregational participation was the normal practice. Everything came out of the life of Christ. Everything was looking to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Have we forgotten in the Western church how to host the Holy Spirit? Have we forgotten who is the Lord of our gatherings.

The N. T. gatherings reflected a flexible spontaneity where the Spirit of God was in control not the Clergy. The Holy Spirit was free to move through any member of His Body as He willed. And since He was leading the meeting, everything was done in an orderly fashion. Many leaders are scared to to open a meeting for people to share testimony, prophetic words or pictures spontaneously. "I did that once and someone said weird, out of line stuff". Do we through out the baby with the bath water? No! We learn how to grace and instruct. It's OK that something not perfect happens in our gatherings. Not many perfect people are in the church anyway, who are we trying to save? Have we become seeker friendly or God friendly? God is the most friendly one I have ever met.

Never do we find a N.T. gathering that is rooted in a personality or in a pulpit centrality focused upon one man. It is no wonder that the N.T. uses the phrase ONE ANOTHER nearly sixty times.

We grow when we function. When we come out of the bleachers and on to the field we grow spiritually. All Christians are functioning members of the Body of Christ. Ministers of the Gospel. So C' mon, you are an important part of the body of Christ. Are you functioning? Are you doing your part?

His Jealous Love

Little mountain, what are you? Little ocean, where lies your strength? If the Hand that formed the universe holds my heart, how can man or power take me from him? His love leaves the oceans small and the mountains powerless to separate.

The one that loves me will not surrender me to another hand though all of hell stands in His way.

He will have me. He will keep me. He will not give me over to any other. I had thought that I could lose my way until I remembered jealousy keeps me. He keeps me, and I'm a fool to think another could steal what He has called His own.

If the Consuming Fire is ravished by my small heart, what man of the earth, what power of heaven or hell, can keep me from Him?

No mountain He would not conquer; no sea He would not cross. Foolish I was to fear that all could be lost.

My heart is not kept by my own love, but by the River of love from His heart. I am my Beloved's and He is mine.

Quote of the Day

As we grow to a better understanding of God's love, we will ultimately face how small our love is by comparison. But let's take comfort that God knew our weaknesses when He called us into His Kingdom. He has a wonderful plan and will always provide what we lack in order to accomplish all He desires. There is nothing hidden from God. He knows everyone He calls; so let's boldly follow, in spite of our weaknesses!

Thoughts from Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries.

GOD IS MOVING

God is moving powerfully in the earth today! Global and locally!

A Prophetic Army, passionately in love with Jesus is rising up to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom with an out flow of Kingdom anointing with Signs, Wonders and Miracles of all kinds.

Just last Sunday's gathering a dear lady was filled with a fresh touch and baptism with the Holy Spirit and given the gift of tongues. Many people were strongly touched and healed of past hurt's and highly encouraged. It was a Holy Moment, it was so awesome seeing the Body of Christ ministering to one another.

HIS PRESENCE, IT'S A PROMISE WHEN WE GATHER

Our Wednesday morning Worship/Prayer was so anointed also not because of us but because of the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. Wonderful worship and songs to the Bride Groom from the Bride and powerful intercession. The prophetic was released with JOY filling the House. Then the Wednesday Night Gathering was so sweet in His presence again with Joy in our hearts and so encourage. God seems to really like this type of gathering. He always comes and moves on our hearts.

In my understanding this type of gathering, worship/prayer should be a hunger and priority in every Christians life. Jesus prophesied My House will be a House of Prayer for all Nations. He did not say His house will be a house of theology, a house of religion or a house of any other thing but a house of prayer.

SEEKING HIM FIRST

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" -1 Corinthians 2:9

"The Lord rewards those who faithfully seek Him". And again He says "If you seek Me you will find Me".

Let me ask you this. Are you pressing in, seeking His beautiful face? Are you seeking Him first in your life? How is your prayer life? Is prayer boring to you? It church boring you? (To tell you the truth I have not been in a boring prayer gathering for a long time). If so you need to REPENT and ask God for help. Revive me again Lord, renew a right spirit in me. Stir my heart to passion, Holy Spirit. I need you Daddy, help!!! God response to this type of prayer and cry's. Do you know how I know? That's right, I'm just like you, my heart gets cold and hard.

DON'T BE LIFT OUT

One of the signs of a revived heart is a fresh desire of worship/prayer. Where is the prayer gatherings? This is the question of the hungry heart. Why? It's the place of satisfaction and where the desire of God is found. It's about intimacy. On fire hearts for Jesus want more because they understand that in God there is always MORE. We are not satisfied with the crumbs under the table when we know the is a feast on the table.

GET ON BOARD

Are you prepared for the future. The prophets have spoken to us personally, more then one said, Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! Where is your identity centered? Where is your treasures? Things are changing and shaking. The identity of the Church is changing. Ministry is changing. God is raising up people after His own heart that bless Him and trust Him in these end-times. How is your foundation in Christ? Will it take the shaking? Will it handle the pressure? Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain that builds it.

THE ANSWER

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler (trap or snare) and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrows that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday... Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High your dwelling place. No evil shall befall you...For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you. Psalm 91:1-11.

Scripture of the Day

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

-NIV Ephesians 1:9-10

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE?

In the book of Revelation the Apostle John describes a scene in heaven. He shows the throne of God and the four living creatures who encircle it. Day and night these creatures stand before the throne giving glory and praise to God. It is here that we find the purpose of God revealed. "And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Rev 4:8. These living creatures are saying, "Lord God Almighty, You were, You are to come. You are the Eternal One. You have always existed and You always will exist." Unceasingly they praise and worship God. And whenever they say, "Holy, Holy, Holy..." the twenty - four elders who are seated before God fall to their faces and worship Him, casting their crowns before the throne, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

THE WHOLE OF YOUR PURPOSE FOR LIVING, BEING AND DYING IS TO GIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE TO GOD. YOU EXIST TO BRING HIM PLEASURE AND TO GIVE HIM GLORY.

Look closely at what those twenty - four elders were saying. ".. for thy PLEASURE they are and were created." All things were created for one purpose - HIS PLEASURE. We were created and we exist for GOD'S PLEASURE.

In Romans 11:36 Paul said this: "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL THINGS: to whom be GLORY for ever. Amen."

This is revelation of our whole purpose for existence. We are created for HIS PLEASURE - to please and honor and glorify Him and Him alone. It's all about bringing JESUS GLORY in all you do and say. When we begin to understand this truth it will begin to change your life in every area. It is now all about Him and bringing Him glory and not all about me, myself and I. It's not about self - seeking or you receiving any glory but now life is all about bringing Jesus Glory. If we continue in self - glory or self - centered living we will drift into dissatisfaction and empty of joy.

Man without God and the Christian who has not given up self-centered living thinks from one point of view; his needs, his wants, his aims, and his desires. Without God a person's central purpose for living will become such things as wanting to have large amounts of money to bring happiness, desiring fame, wanting a quiet and hassle-free life, or wanting a life of excitement and self-pleasure. Because these are self-centered purposes, there will be only one result; an ultimate emptiness and unfulfilled desires.

Listen; every purpose, no matter how right or good it seems, other than the one purpose of God, revealed in all its beautiful simplicity in Revelation 4:11, is a lesser purpose and it will fall short of pleasing God. Without God's purpose our Christian lives will become job oriented or task oriented instead of being consumed with fresh passion and bringing pleasure and glory to God. So let's live for Christ. Let's bring Him pleasure and glory in everything we do and say.

Blessing over you as we learn together how to bring HIM GLORY.

DISTINCT WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Acts 19:2

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit distinct from his regeneration work. To be born again of the Spirit is one thing, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit is something different, something additional. Like receiving another gift from the Father. This is evident from Acts 1:5, "In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." The disciples were not as yet baptized with the Spirit, but they were born again. In John 15:3, Jesus had said to these men, "You are already clean because of the Word I have spoke to you. It is clear from James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23 that to be made "clean" means to be "born again" through the Word of God. Of the disciples, Jesus noted that all had been made clean except for Judas Iscariot (Jn. 13:10-13). But they were not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit.

The same situation was evident in Acts 8:12-16. Here we find a large company of baptized believers, but the record informs us that when Peter and John visited them, "they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them". In as clear and undeniable language as possible, Scripture shows the baptism with the HS to be distinct and something additional to being born again. Let us bow to the teaching of the Word of God even if it does not agree with our preconceived theories or ways.

But we should add that one may be baptized with the HS at the very moment he is born again. Lets look at the household of Cornelius in Acts 10:44-46, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the Gospel message... the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God".

I believe this was meant to be the norm for the church. Matter of fact this was the norm as we read in the Church history books for the first 500 years. Baptism of the Holy Spirit was not a question, but received with joy.

Salvation, then get baptized in water and Holy Spirit. One package to receive in your early days as a new believer, not three different seasons of your life.

When I was born again I shortly got water baptized then I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. All within a few weeks. In the Jesus Movement it was common to see people met Jesus and then taken to water for water baptism and coming out of the water speaking in tongues and praising God.

The Holy Spirit is every believer's privilege and birthright through the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior, and He has poured out this marvelous gift (Acts 2:33). But in a manner similar to the believers as Ephesus Acts 19, "On hearing the message, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied".

Have you claimed what is rightfully yours? This gift is the promise from the Father (Acts 1:4).

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to baptize you and give you the gift of tongues. I see this as foundational and also opening the door for other gifts of the Spirit and the Super Natural.

Lets pray

God, I want everything you have for me. All the gifts of the Spirit. I want to be open and hungry for your ways. Will you baptize me afresh right now. In Jesus powerful name. Amen

SOLID ROCK

The Solid Rock is Jesus Christ!

This Solid Rock on which I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Listen to what James said about this Solid Rock in chapter 1:17. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." You can trust the Rock. He is not going to be there on one day and gone the next. He is not like a shifting shadow. He is faithful and steadfast, you can trust and rely on Him.

Moses was the first to mention the Rock as he sang of God's ways before the children of Israel: "I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the ROCK, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He... For their rock is not like our ROCK, as even our enemies concede". (Deuteronomy 32:3-4,31)

Hannah used nearly the same words when she dedicated Samuel to the Lord: "There is no one holy like the Lord; There is no one besides you; There is no ROCK like our God." (1 Samuel 2:2)

King David sang of this Rock when delivered from the hands of Saul: "For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the ROCK except our God? ... the Lord lives! Praise be to my ROCK!!! Exalted be God, the ROCK, my Savior!"

The prophet Isaiah cried out against Damascus:

"You have forgotten God your Savior; You have not remembered the ROCK, your Fortress. (Isaiah 17:10)

The Solid Rock is an ever-present symbol of protection, provision and constancy. Listen to what Job said about the Rock. "When my steps were bathed with cream, and the Rock poured out rivers of oil for me!" (Job 29:6)

Again King David said in Psalms 105:41, "He opened the Rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river, for He remembered His holy promise."

The Rock is utterly dependable!

THERE IS A SHAKING GOING ON

Hebrews 12:26-27, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain". Will your life hold up against the winds, tides and pressure's of change? Experiencing the Rock is a place of rest, trust, a calm assurance, a solid support. It is a solid Rock on which to plant our feet.

C. S. Lewis once said, "Faith... is the art of holding onto things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. It is taking recourse in the Solid Rock. It is committing ourselves with confidence to His enduring truth and unchanging character".

BUILD ON THE ROCK

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who built his house on the ROCK and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; (pressures in life) and it did not fall, for it was founded on the ROCK."

It doesn't say if the pressures come, it says when they come. Will your house stand in the pressure, in the shaking?

What are you building on? The Solid Rock or are you building a sand castle?

HIS MERCY IS NEW EVERY MORNING

Let's be the person that wakes up and says, "It's a good thing God's mercy is new every morning, because I used up all of yesterday's supply!" Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as "tenderness of heart that disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he deserves." That's a picture of God's mercy toward you!

I need to bring to mind this awesome truth about His mercy's towards me daily. Listen to what the Scripture says in Lamentations 3:19-23, "O Lord, I remember my affliction and my misery, my wondering and my outcast state... My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me. But this I recall (Boot up in my mind) and therefore have I hope and expectation; It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassion fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. (Amplified Bible)

David was a man who loved God very much, yet lust overcame him causing him to commit adultery, then had the woman's husband killed. The reason David talked about God's mercy is because he radically needed so much of it! Only a person who's gut-level honest in their evaluation of themselves can say, "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever" (Ps. 107:1 Amp).

If you think you're responsible for your success, think again. Paul, a very anointed Apostles wrote; "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing" Romans 7:18. It's impossible to be merciful until we've thoroughly come to terms with our own need for mercy and learned to receive it from the Lord. Then we can give it away and show mercy to others. The truth is, if any of us were "perfect," nobody could stand us, because we'd expect the same of others. Every time we have a memory lapse and forget - concerning our own faults, we end up being hard to live with. At such times the Holy Spirit reminds us again of our flawed condition. He allows us to get into just enough trouble to need His mercy, to keep us humble, and therefore become lover's of mercy and useable.

PRIDE KILLS

That's right, pride kills! Hear what Proverbs says; "He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered". Verse 26 A, says, "He who trust in his own heart is a fool". This is a good picture of PRIDE, trusting in your own heart thinking you know it all and thinking your someone special. Pride is the BIG RIP OFF!!!

So look around and when you see strife and arguing there is pride.

"I don't need God's or anyone else's help. I can handle it by myself." Oh no, you can't! We absolutely need God and each other.

The apostle Paul wisely wrote, "We worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). That is a good definition of humility: putting no confidence in the flesh, that is, in ourselves; but, rather being "strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10).

Humility is confidence properly placed in God. Pride is trusting in yourself. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil" (James 4:5-6).

I love the Father heart of Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:5-6, Remember Peter was a very proud foolish fisher man in his earlier years. Now hear his heart to the younger believer as he writes his first letter to "the church".

Like wise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders, Yes, all of you be submissive to one an other, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble". Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.

Having a hard time with somebody? With your wife? With your kids? With your boss? Be the first to humble out and get some grace on the relationship and see the devil run. He does not know what to do with a humble heart, but pride is the first weapon the enemy reach's for.

Let's pray.

Holy Spirit, I really need your help in the area of pride. You said that pride goes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before stumbling. I confess that I have been thinking mainly of myself and not of others. As a result, I have given ground to the devil in my life. I have open the door to pride and arrogant. I have sinned by believing I could be happy and successful on my own. I confess that I have placed my will before Yours, and I have centered my life around myself instead of You. I repent of my pride and selfishness and I choose to rely on the Holy Spirit's power and guidance so I will do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. Holy Spirit help me to be humble and helpful. Help me to regard others as more important than myself. Please show me now all the specific ways in which I have lived my life in pride. Help me through love to serve others and in honor to prefer others. I ask this in Jesus wonderful powerful name, amen.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

How much time do we spend seeking God? Are we God Chasers? Are we pursuing Him as a deer pants after a water brook? Is there hunger in our hearts. These are questions I ask myself.

The Bible says "If you seek Him you will find Him". Another place it says; "Drew near to God and He will drew near to you". What does this mean to you?

Seek first (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

One of the ways of seeking Him is setting time aside in fasting and prayer. Focusing on Him through not eating and spend time with just Him, not doing anything. According to Luke, it was the Spirit of God who led Jesus into the wilderness to fast. Afterward, Jesus returned to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14).

For believers who recognize the power that is released through fasting and prayer, the question is not "should I fast?" but "how should I fast?"

PURIFY YOUR FAST

Fasting humbles us so we may receive more fully the grace and power of God, thus allowing us to walk more deeply in His purity and strength. Fasting causes me to become very sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord. I hear better the voice of the Holy Spirit. My hunger is after His will and purpose for me.

It is a commitment to refrain from seeking physical food in order to seek God for spiritual food. Watch out for wrong motive in fasting such as a means to jump-start a weight-loss program of to "rid the body of poisons."

GOD'S CHOSEN FAST

Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed, free and break every yoke? Verse 8, Then your light will break forth like the dawn,and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer".

Wow, awesome promise. Take the time to read the whole chapter, it will encourage you to fast and pray. Let's seek Him personally and corporately for this new year.

WHAT'S MY PURPOSE HERE? PT. 2

Let's look again at Revelation 4:8-11, "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "YOU ARE WORTHY, O LORD, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER; FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS, AND BY YOUR WILL THEY EXIST AND WERE CREATED."

I ask you to guard against your own human tendencies, because it sounds so simple and so abstract that your mind will want to treat it lightly and will fail to see how important and how all-encompassing it is. For when God's purpose fully possesses your mind and heart, the entire meaning of life will become crystal clear to you. So let me remind you the whole of your purpose here on earth, with your living and your dying is to, "Give glory and Honor and Praise to God. You exist to bring Him pleasure and to give Him glory." In all that we do, in work, in family, in sports etc.

Lord, if this one simple truth could reach into the depths of every Christian, what an impact we could have on our work places and communities. Help us Lord to catch this important truth. Now I understand what Paul meant, when by the Spirit of God said, "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). This statement by Paul is more than just a nice thing to say about God - it is a revelation of our while purpose for existence. We are created for His pleasure - to please and honor and glorify Him. This is our highest existence.

LORD, HERE I AM

Something deep, lasting and satisfying would happen in us if we awoke each morning with this purpose churning deep within, realizing that we have awakened to another day in which to give Him glory; a day to worship Him; a day to give ourselves to Him. If we could begin each day and say, Lord, here I am to glorify You. You gave me this body and these hands to worship You. You gave me a heart with the capacity to love You. You gave me a mind by which to glorify You. You gave me a tongue to speak of Your honor, to speak of Your beauty and majesty.

O Lord, how can I give You pleasure? This is a good prayer to pray. Can you imagine if the Church had a revelation of this the radical truth and walked in it, how it would impact our communities? If this attitude would take hold of us, we would find a fulfillment and satisfaction that nothing on the earth could ever equal - and we would move forward in absolute certainty of our purpose for existence.

TO BRING GLORY TO GOD

Without God's purpose our Christian lives will become job oriented or task oriented instead of being consumed with bringing glory to God. Every purpose no matter how religious or noble it seems - other than the one purpose of God, revealed in all its beautiful simplicity in Revelation 4:8-11, is a lesser purpose and it will fall short of bringing pleasing or glory to God.

SURE I KNOW

The tragedy for many of us is that neither the Lordship of Christ nor the purpose of God become a living, experiential truth. They remain only intellectual and doctrinal beliefs. The human mind is tricky, we can hear a teaching on the Purpose of God and say, "good word", "Oh sure, I know that truth," or "of course we should give glory to God". Or we may say, "That's so elementary and basic", we say without it ever entering the depths of our being and become our sole motive and reason for living.

FINAL WORD

Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." One day this verse came alive to me as I was meditating on it at work. (as a young Christian and bummed out - grumbling and complaining about the job I was given to do). This verse changed my perspective on the things I do and how I do them and who am I doing it for. It became a fresh revelation to give God glory in my word and deed. Doing it unto the Lord, this change my whole attitude in everything. I felt I was full of God because I now was doing it for Him, serving Him to bring Him glory. I realized it wasn't about me, but Him.

IN JESUS NAME

Our minds must be constantly stirred up about doing everything in the name of Jesus. We need to remind ourselves and sometimes we need others to remind us to do everything in His powerful name. Glorifying the Lord Jesus is a deep inner - attitude that causes us to call upon Him many times during the day. "Lord, give me your wisdom, give me more love for people. You said that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord - I believe that . Please guide me today" in Jesus name. Amen

WHAT'S MY PURPOSE HERE? Part 1

In the book of Revelation the Apostle John describes a scene in heaven. He shows the throne of God and the four living creatures who encircle it. Day and night these creatures stand before the throne giving glory and praise to God. It is here that we find the purpose of God revealed. "And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Rev 4:8. These living creatures are saying, "Lord God Almighty, You were, You are to come. You are the Eternal One. You have always existed and You always will exist." Unceasingly they praise and worship God. And whenever they say, "Holy, Holy, Holy..." the twenty - four elders who are seated before God fall to their faces and worship Him, casting their crowns before the throne, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

THE WHOLE OF YOUR PURPOSE FOR LIVING, BEING AND DYING IS TO GIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE TO GOD. YOU EXIST TO BRING HIM PLEASURE AND TO GIVE HIM GLORY.

Look closely at what those twenty - four elders were saying. ".. for thy PLEASURE they are and were created." All things were created for one purpose - HIS PLEASURE. We were created and we exist for GOD'S PLEASURE.

In Romans 11:36 Paul said this: "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL THINGS: to whom be GLORY for ever. Amen."

This is revelation of our whole purpose for existence. We are created for HIS PLEASURE - to please and honor and glorify Him and Him alone. It's all about bringing JESUS GLORY in all you do and say. When we begin to understand this truth it will begin to change your life in every area. It is now all about Him and bringing Him glory and not all about me, myself and I. It's not about self - seeking or you receiving any glory but now life is all about bringing Jesus Glory. If we continue in self - glory or self - centered living we will drift into dissatisfaction and empty of joy.

Man without God and the Christian who has not given up self-centered living thinks from one point of view; his needs, his wants, his aims, and his desires. Without God a person's central purpose for living will become such things as wanting to have large amounts of money to bring happiness, desiring fame, wanting a quiet and hassle-free life, or wanting a life of excitement and self-pleasure. Because these are self-centered purposes, there will be only one result; an ultimate emptiness and unfulfilled desires.

Listen; every purpose, no matter how right or good it seems, other than the one purpose of God, revealed in all its beautiful simplicity in Revelation 4:11, is a lesser purpose and it will fall short of pleasing God. Without God's purpose our Christian lives will become job oriented or task oriented instead of being consumed with fresh passion and bringing pleasure and glory to God. So let's live for Christ. Let's bring Him pleasure and glory in everything we do and say.

Blessing over you as we learn together how to bring HIM GLORY.

LeRoy Metzger

POWER RELEASED IN PERSEVERANCE

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. We learn that these men and women, whose lives were in grave danger, gathered in an upper room to wait and pray for the promise of the Father. Day one passed and no miracle occurred. Then day two - nothing. Then day three - nothing. The same on days four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. Imagine their impatience. Imagine their fear and what they were thinking. "This is stupid, let's get out of here and do something". Imagine the restless boredom of sitting in one room day after day with nothing but a word from Jesus to hold on to.

Was their hope merely an illusion? Was this promise just a shifting shadow? Jesus was not there in person. Had He deceived them? Was they're prayer gathering in vain? Doubts may have overtaken them, yet they waited and prayed as they had been instructed to do. They believed that the promise given by their Lord was valid and they clutched it tightly to their hearts.

Listen, when the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day after the Passover, had finally come, the miracle happened. Perseverance paid off. The Bible tells us there was a sound like a mighty rushing wind that filled the room where they were sitting, and cloven tongues of fire separated and appeared over the heads of each one there. Then they were each filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The noise was so loud that a crowd made up of people from all over the Roman Empire gathered. They listened to amazement to simple, uneducated Galileans speaking in each of their native languages. Some made fun of the believers, but most of the crowd were so overwhelmed with this outpouring of the Holy Spirit and God's power, that they listened eagerly to Peter as he preached to them. They cried out, "What should we do?"

That day, a man - who only a few weeks before had shown fear to a servant girl and renounced the Lord. Now Peter is anointed with Power from on High and authority that 3,000 were converted to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm sure glad they wait and trusted in the Promise.

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, steadfast patience so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive (and enjoy to the full) what was promised" (Hebrews 10:35-36, LeRoy Translation).

HOW MUCH SHALL I GIVE?

Here are some thought's from George Muller on giving. George was a man of great trust and faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord used George to run millions of dollars through his hands to support boys home's and orphanages. George died with forty seven cents in his pocket and a big account in Heaven. -LeRoy Metzger

"How much shall I give of what I receive?" The answer is, the New Testament lays down no rule. It is left to the children of God to act according to the measure of knowledge and grace they have received. The appreciation of what God has done for them in Christ should guide them. However, if the Israelite was commanded to give the tenth of all he received, and that the Israelite, in addition to this, had many other expenses in connection with his being a worshipper of the True and Living God, such as the not sowing the seventh year, the going three times a year to the Lord's Tabernacle or Temple, and so on; the believer in the Lord Jesus - who knows the power of His precious blood, shed for the remission of his sins, who has the whole revealed will of God in his hands, who has received the Holy Spirit and who is a partaker of the heavenly calling - should certainly not do less than the Israelite.

We should not say that because we are not Jews, and because no commandment is given, that therefore we may do less than the Jews. Far be this from him who knows the power of the precious blood of Christ!!!

My advice is this: if the reader has as yet but little knowledge and little grace, let him accordingly begin with a small percentage, yea, though it were ever so small a percentage, only let him be true to God, and put aside for him habitually as he may be pleased to prosper him. In this way blessing for the soul will be reaped, will be abundantly reaped, and soon will the desire spring up in the heart to increase the proportion of returns to the Lord. This way will more and more lead the heart to such a state to be only a steward for the Lord, and to be willing to stand with all we have and are before the Lord as his stewards.

Blessing's, George Muller
For more info on George Muller: click here

Not Giving Up!

Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up".

Today I am finishing my Fine Arts degree at the U of Hawaii. A year ago when I arrived on the Manoa campus of UH, I found myself asking, "What am I doing here?" Then I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Nate, I've called you to UH". So here I am, called to 20,000 students and faculty. Five other Christian students and I meet regularly to pray for our campus. We haven't seen outward signs of God's kingdom yet, and sometimes I think I should be discouraged, but I'm not. I'm reminded that God is using me and my friends as He sees fit.

Before coming to UH, I was enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. During that time, I took a short trip to Argentina with my church. There, God gave me an intense faith to see the first Christian art school. I believed with everything in me that the Art Center's 1400 students and faculty could be unified under the Lord Jesus Christ. When I returned I tried to find Christians who shared the same passion, but I couldn't find even one person. Still, I was so sure about the vision God gave me. I continued to pray and to believe it would happen. There were times when I would be walking to class or driving to school where the Holy Spirit's presence would pour over me. He would show me His heart for the school and His desire to see these people worship Him. I knew that God gave me His prayers. But I did not yet tangibly see God moving. After a while, I felt isolated in this call and thus frustrated in thinking that nothing was happening.

After a year and half in Pasadena, God called me out to take part in His work in Hawaii, New Zealand, and Fiji. I joined with Youth With a Mission team called Holo Holo DTS (Discipleship Training School). I remember feeling very discouraged while in Hawaii and asked God, "Why am I here: You gave me all those dreams about the Art Center. And your presence there was so real. But nothing happened that I could see". Sometime later I received an email from a Christian friend at the Art Center. She said, "You have to hear what's going on here, it's nuts! The high official of the Art Center has been fired for stealing funds from the school! But that's not the crazy part. The new guy they hired has a passion to see the Kingdom of God come to the Art Center. "That's why I'm here", he said. Staring at the computer screen, I felt my heart explode with joy. God heard all those prayers. He, indeed, is moving at the Art Center.

Could it be that God's light, ushered in by His people, exposed the darkness? Surely He chose to use me the way He wanted to use me. His ways are different then my ways. We do the little part, and He does the big part. God is huge. He listens. He loves our obedience. Just do what God calls you to do, no more and definitely no less. "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

By Nate a student at the University of Hawaii,
Manoa campus.

A Certain Disciple

Acts 9:10-19 recounts the events of how the apostle Paul received his sight back after his experience encountering the Lord on the road to Damascus. Verse 10 says that there was “a certain disciple” at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord spoke to him in a vision and said “Ananias.” And he said, “Behold, here I am. Lord.” The Lord goes on to instruct this disciple to go to a certain house, find Saul (he wasn't known as Paul at this point), lay hands on him and pray for the return of his sight.

There are many lessons for us here. I'd like to share just a few things that struck me. First, I think about the fact that this guy Ananias is described as a “certain disciple.” He's not necessarily some famous preacher or prophet, he's just an ordinary man - a certain disciple. But he is available!

The Lord spoke to him in a vision which seems to indicate that he was postured to hear from God. He also responded with a phrase that we hear many times throughout the Bible spoken by men and women whom God used in mighty and strategic ways. “Here I am, Lord.” He was not only available but he was ready to submit and obey his Lord. He wasn't some super-saint for when he heard who it was that God was sending him to he expressed some apparent fear or trepidation saying that Saul was the man he had heard about who was persecuting and harming the saints. But the Lord tells him that Saul is His chosen instrument to bear His name.

What's amazing to me is that upon hearing this Ananias goes out and actually does what the Lord told him to do. Now that may sound funny to you but this was no easy thing. Put yourself in his shoes. What if you had a vision or dream in which the Lord told you to go lay hands on or speak to someone like Osama bin Laden. Maybe you've already had a dream or vision or heard a word from God to do something. Have you acted on it?

This guy, this certain disciple, this Ananias did and the world was changed because he did. Maybe your life was changed because of what our brother Ananias did. I know mine was. My life was saved through the writings of Paul. What if that certain disciple never followed through on what the Lord had spoken to him?

I want to encourage you seek to be like that certain disciple, to make yourself available to the Lord (set yourself before Him), to listen as He speaks, and to be obedient to His direction. You, too, may have apprehensions like Ananias but walk in obedience and God will take care of you.

In these times we more and more must learn to walk in sensitivity to the voice and Spirit of God. We were made to live in the supernatural, submitted to God's word and Spirit. Who knows if you, certain disciple, may be used to upset the world like our brother Ananias.

God bless you as you make yourselves available to our Lord.

Kerry Crain
Kaua`I House Of Prayer