There's a Season and a Reason

 

I was thinking about this earlier today whilst walking.

That God takes us through seasons and in it, He's working out the reason.

(Not that He doesn't know the reason, but it's effect is being worked out in us).

To teach us, shape us, change us, grow us, to remove things, to instil things, to prepare things. He aligns people, uses circumstances, and we can trust Him with and in the process.

 

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”  Eccl 3:1a

 

#Jesus  #growth  #trust   #Hispurposes   #life

 

 

Picture taken at Burleigh Beach

01  July  2016

Encouragement - I am unlocking you!

Word of encouragement from Leon Bites.   06/2016

I heard the Spirit of the Lord say,

 

‘There is unlocked potential in you and promises spoken over you that have been unfulfilled. But see now ...that I am taking the keys and unlocking the dusty chest to release these things. You are going to form new skills and abilities that you never knew you had, even in areas that you struggle in, and promises once spoken over you are going to come to pass.’

 

This is a journey that He wants to take with you.

 

That you would sit with him when He opens the chest, to find the hidden potential together. And that you would co-work with God, to move and grow in these previously unknown abilities and know the promises that are going to be fulfilled.

 

For, just like a parent, God enjoys and loves seeing you thrive and do well with what you have. He wants to share in the joy with you as you rediscover yourself, and see blessings come into your life......Lion Bites

 

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This was an encouragement that I saw on my FB page and it spoke to me.  I can see the Lord doing things in my life now, and thankfully I am responding like I have not done in the past.  I am responding with FAITH, and with obedience more than fear.

 

I have been asked to facilitate and share with new Christians and people who have gone through tremendous tough times the foundational studies in God.  This is all wonderful but I have always felt like...

 

Moses:        'Lord, I can't speak'.

 

Jeramiah:    'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth'

 

even though Jeremiah used the reason for I am a youth I have only just now seen that reason.  All I could see were my reasons... reason's why I can't speak.  Why I am not qualified.

 

But God said to  Jeremiah:

 

"Do not say, 'I am a youth' (or I am this or that), For you shall go to all to whom I send you. And whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord

 

But God said to  Joshua:

 

"Be strong and of good courage, Only be strong and of good courage, and finally...

Have I not commanded you, "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go".

 

 

It must be the Lord as I am walking through the fear and stepping out in FAITH.  I prepare the lesson and each time I drive to the ministry centre I am praying, Lord, today, give me the anointing to teach, to speak, to comprehend and share what I know is in my heart and spirit.  Holy Spirit, speak through me the words that the class needs to hear and be encouraged with.

 

Last week, although I have notes as a guide it was important to asked myself, what do I know that is real to me on this topic, so that insight flows from my heart to the heart of those here.

 

So, at the end, as we were packing up I heard one of the guys say 'that was mad' but meaning GOOD.  And I thought, thank you God, thank you.  Thank you Holy Spirit.

 

I was reminded of a time (approx. yr 2002) when I was listening to a visiting speaker and in his sharing a scripture, I knew that God was speaking to me as I felt the fire of God from the top of my head to the tip of my toe and it sat on me for a short while.  I was emotionally moved and thought, God, what are you trying to tell me, and I believe that God was encouraging me way back then but it really has taken me all this time to really trust and put aside my own view of inadequacies.

 

1 Cor 2:1-5

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God, For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

I still am not sure what God is doing as I am not a natural teacher, but often God will use people where they are not necessarily 'natural' in, for His 'supernatural' purposes.  But, to be confident in who my God is and to know that I am a vessel.  To not be afraid of the faces, and to do my best, and if I fail... it is OK.  It is OK.  To trust God.  He is working.  He is doing something.  I know this is God leading me to this moment.  To let Go and Trust God.

 

Amen.

 

 

Jesus the Christ

So Jesus goes from Galilee to Judea. In the middle of the celebrated feast He goes into the temple and teaches.

 

He says, 'if any man thirst, let Him come to me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture has said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water. (here He was talking about receiving the Holy Spirit which would be given once He was glorified).

 

The response by those listening was...
He is the Prophet
Some said, this is the Christ
But some doubted and said, shall the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?

 

Did they recognized something in Him; His teaching with authority and the miracles? But did they discounted it only because they didn't realize he was as the prophets had declared - The seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem.

 

I wonder what their response would have been if they realized that the very One they were looking for was standing right in front of them?

 

I found this comment on a website and talking about the probability of only 8 prophecies about Jesus be fulfilled, with the answer as 1 in 1017...  That's 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000.

“The fact is, the birth, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are celebrated worldwide by folk of every race, language, and colour, every year. And believing in Jesus, they have been delivered from the most evil, disastrous, frustrating, debilitating habits and life forms possible. The real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can't believe in Him—but that they won't believe in Him.” My friend, in all honesty, what are the chances you've not been altogether objective about the nature of the baby born in Bethlehem? What if the baby was God? What if He is God? What if you are to submit your life to Him?

 

 

Seeing Life through the Lens of Jesus Christ

I was just now thinking how really blessed I am. And this doesn't come because I have not had any trials or issues... but as this quote puts it....

 

Seeing life through the lens of Jesus Christ.
Some of us wear glasses. It seems that the older I become, the more my lenses seem to change. No matter what pair of glasses any of us may wear, the lenses are designed to help us to see more clearly. The metaphor of a lens is also appropriately used to help us figure out how we a...re to see life. In a nutshell, it’s why we’re spending a year studying Jesus. He is the lens through which we are to see life.

 

So, it is my 'life's journey' (not a year) to learn of Jesus, His heart and ways. Walk together, do life together, and in learning of Him and His ways I know that His perspective will take seed in my heart and become mine. I only want to see life through His eyes.

 

These thoughts started with me thinking about how blessed I am with my job. God knows the circumstances and how it fits into my life. Just recently my hours have dropped but I see that I can use the time to prepare for classes that I am now involved in.

 

God knows the future!