Seek my Face

While in quiet time this morning, God was posing some questions to me. "What would you say to Him?" and "What do you want from Him?" After a few moments he went silent, but then in a flurry of thoughts God put the hallmark vision of my life before me. This is the story. 

In an unprecedented change that has never before been seen between God and man, the LORD says to David,

"Seek my Face" (Psalm 27:8)

Let me unpack what this phrase means: "To seek the treasure above every treasure, to the exclusion of generational blessing and suffering we face on the earth"

Actually, I couldn't put it in that few words. What God is really doing here is unprecedented, he's presenting a challenge to David with a very real reward. In Hebrews 11:6 we read:

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

note the last two words. "Seek Him" God is real right, so why wouldn't he reward us for the work that we do for Him. You could be reading right out of the dictionary for the rest of the phrase, what the writer of Hebrews is communicating here is this, don't just settle for a reward, SEEK HIM.

I have to be honest, I ought to have shared this with an unbeliever, FIRST, which I didn't, even though I had a divine unction to go and do this. I have repented of that.

I knew that it was important to share with others what you had received, but I never knew.

Another thing that is evident from this passage is this: the exclusion of everything else. What I mean by that is this, As important as it is to be drawing from the family lines of former generations (and especially from the cultivated olive root of Israel) it pales into nothing in light of God's holiness. The word holy is literally "set apart from sin" - that is pure, and "set apart from creation" - that is transcendant.

The second statement, "the suffering we face on the earth" plays an interesting part.

I'm not saying that you won't go through suffering for Seeking God's face. Actually, the issue is, anyone who knows God, who believes the truth, is going to draw suffering, but that's not your portion, your portion is JOY.

Even now he asks the question to me, "are you willing to suffer for me? first for your sins, next for your family, next for your fallen broken world who are hostile to hear such things"

I want to repeat this in light of the things already said. And it blows me away, is this. God is challenging and proposing us. This challenge and proposal goes above every such one you have ever heard and accepted on this earth in terms of blessing, glory, strength, and honor in the one you seek.

This only touches the surface. If he's holy, then he only communes with those who know Him, first alone that He cannot be with sin, and second because he's transcendantly above everything created.

O Lord, let this touch our heart!

I'm beginning to think that it is right that we would grip ourselves with endurance that comes through the Spirit of grace, to resist sin, and to resist suffering and persecution.

I do not believe that everyone has heard this call, or they would not be living the same way. David, in reply, says "I will seek your face" do you say the same things?

The Vision of Isaiah: The Calling to Live Holy, and enjoy the benefits of Salvation (42:18-44:23)

I wanted to share this revelation with you, which I had when I was reading Isaiah 42:18-44:23
A Passage that has eluded me for so long has been Chapter 44 where the prophet starts speaking and denouncing Idols (though I did not have eyes to see it beforehand) I think if you are in the middle of Idol worship, you don't see it and unless you have the Spirit, such behavior God delivers you over to (44:18)

The point that I have to communicate here is the Prophet's ANGUISH at the end of this section.

They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, [And] their hearts, so that they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, Nor [is there] knowledge nor understanding to say, "I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten [it]; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, "[Is there] not a lie in my right hand?"

I want to grip you with something that grips me it is this. If you are following after Idols, nothing can save you! It just so happens everyone has gone that way! (Romans 1:18) no forgiveness, no salvation, no deliverance, no promised redemption price. And blinded by lies.

Bookmarking these are two redemptively charged sections where God is speaking to His wayward servant.  Isaiah 43:22 writes:

"But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel.

Let us continue on with this section

"I, [even] I, [am] He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your [case], that you may be acquitted. Your first father sinned, And your mediators have transgressed against Me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; I will give Jacob to the curse, And Israel to reproaches.

What is happening here, is God is reminding his people about His charge before them as Priests, and how the nation are to minister salvation to the ends of the earth through the forgiveness of sins. But what did they do? This is Israel's charged history in a couple of verses: They transgress against Him (rather than appreciating the blessings of Salvation) and as a result he hands them over to be plundered. See a picture?


I used to think that these verses were a reference to all Israel being saved, and their sin corporately forgiven, but all God is really saying is this "You are my people, you ought to know me"


However I want to impress the second section upon you with great excitement and joy. Following the Prophets anguish regarding Idols there is a brief, yet WONDERFUL redemptive section where God again takes up the center stage and speaks with His people.

"Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you [are] My servant; I have formed you, you [are] My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done [it]! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.

God intends to destroy every idol on the earth, and be ceaselessly worshipped forever and ever on earth (Isaiah 45:22-25) He also intends on saving all Israel and wiping clean their transgressions. The ones who have a problem with keeping his covenant will at last be healed of their treachery.  Listen to what He says!

The Leadership of the Holy Spirit

I want to always come back to that sweet assurance that God has a better plan, he is looking into my heart. This is the essence of leadership from the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14) So what has God placed on my heart today? That I want His love regardless of circumstance.
What does this look like, it looks like rolling round in balls of laughter when a circumstance is too big and then daring to say "I give you another chance to do it your way" - The problem I find is that we are so used to doing it our way!

We need a heart transformation before we go leading others. As many know but I need to get this out there. There are two things to be aware of in this day:
What connects "the salvation of all Israel", "the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost", the "wanting of God's love" and "wanting God's love regardless of circumstances"? It is one thing: My Husband, my Bridegroom.

the second thing is this: Luke 17:22 says "The days are coming that you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man and you will not see it" This is a terrifying verse. Many people play down the awareness of the days that are coming, they say "it will be worse for the people that do not know God" which sounds right, the problem is it doesn't fit with reality, If someone loves a person little, and if someone loves a person alot, who is more affected by the loss of that person? the one who only loved Him a little? no, it's the one who loves Him alot. God will make the tears, the crying, the pain, the sighing, calculated so that no one who loves Him will be able to live without Him, there will be a fire that comes upon people because of this lack of his voice, and this lack of his presence, that forces Him to come, just as in the days when Israel were in captive in Egypt. They will cry out in bondage before their taskmasters and God will have compassion. The same things are coming upon our generation!

The reason we don't know the book of Revelation is because we ought not to know! the contents are disturbing! Am I capable of handling this level of trauma and pressure to myself? to my flesh and blood? this is exactly what is going to happen. It says that if the days had not been shortened, no one would be saved, it says that false prophets will rise up and deceive many, it says that the love of most will grow cold, it says (I believe) a time of great tribulation having it's focal point in emotions and feelings, that people will be led astray because they do not have confidence in their emotions and feelings. Mark my words!

The Son in Me just Comes out

This is something that I feel needs to be said before anything else, because me being a Son takes pre-eminence over anything I do. my destiny is NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER WHAT I DO! I love that, that I do not need to do, act or produce anything for me to be a Son. A part of me asks the question, "then why does it even to be mentioned" - a pertinant question. Why do I need reminding as to being a Son, that has nothing to do with works? is that is what is being asked.

I find it very difficult to stay confident in this particular area, ESPECIALLY when my whole nature is steered towards being an orphan, looking out for number one, and reproducing anxiety, stress and disillusionment, why do I need reminding of this ever pertinant question? God's presence is our home. It is the place we are re-energized in who we are, remembering what is most important, this ought to be the most desirable place on the planet. It ought to be the place that gives us the desire and urgency, and EXCITEMENT, to get those creative juices flowing, it ought to be the only place that we enjoy in the whole world. This somehow does not need to be said, but it does, because Jesus died so that I would be a Son, that I would be found, that His death would bring in me a revelation of His ultimate goodness and kindness for me, reminding me, "I am Your Beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"

There is no lack in this place, folks, I may be stretched in any other place, but there's everything that we are needing in His presence. This is the place where I dream. His courts are where I belong. O, his joy! my childhood, it just comes out of me. It needs to be said: "Children cannot look after themselves" O Father, may the hearts of the Father's return to the children. That is why when others take the credit I have to say "well, I'm a little child, so i'm so little that I don't take offence" - my identity lies in the bosom of the Father. That is why I have to constantly re-evaluate my position - I am a Son, am I behaving like a Son today? It's okay to say "i'm hurting today, I'm lost today, I've forgotten how to be a Son today" because he's not looking at the t's and i's he's made the heart perfect. I tell you no greater joy in the world than being the favourite Son of my Father! That he is revealing His Providence over me in making me a Son, every part of scripture, the Father is glorious. I respond to the Father because He is the blessed Potentate, the source of life, Alpha and Omega, dwelling in unapproachable light, Rock of the Ages, Ancient of Days, King of the Universe

The Vision of Isaiah: Unending LIFE, Victory over SIN, IMMEASURABLE RICHES (38:1-39.8)

I want to share this revelation that I had while reading the passage regarding Hezekiah's sickness. Think of Hezekiah, King of Judah, and His vast riches (39:1-2) collected up for hundreds of years, and the deceitfulness of these treasures, vexing his soul, tormenting His mind, actually making Him a slave to the things that cherished - and His eternal soul hanging in the balance. In one of the lines of His wonderful POEM, Hezekiah is quoted as saying:

I said, "I shall not see YAH, The LORD in the land of the living; I shall observe man no more among the inhabitants of the world.

The word for world is literally "Hades" - or the place of rest, that is, he is no more in the land of the living, but only an observer from the place where you cannot go back from.
Why does God hate SIN so much? Remember the verse in Matthew 16

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

What is happening to Hezekiah is this, a battle with His eternal soul being led low to the pits of corruption, without forgiveness (38:17)
 Remember the verse in Psalm 16, which says

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence [is] fullness of joy; At Your right hand [are] pleasures forevermore.

We know that Christ, did not see corruption. That is, he did not goto the place where it was impossible to get back from.

The REASON that SIN is so abominable to God is this:
It is because in Messiah is the Spirit of LIFE, he is untainted from SIN. It is a mystery that he wrestles with SIN. The Spirit of God indwells Him, in full power, in absolute partnership, this is the glory of the Son of God. “I say to you, LAZARUS COME FORTH!” this proves He is the Son of God. Giving life to the dead. (John 5:21,25)

What is the heart of God's JOY of being forgiven of your sin? It is found in the end of the Psalm:

Indeed [it was] for [my own] peace [That] I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly [delivered] my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.  For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I [do] this day; The father shall make known Your truth to the children. "The LORD [was ready] to save me; Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life, in the house of the LORD."

Let me pick a STRAND out of what is being said here, "It was for my own peace that I had great bitterness" What would it be like to have no forgiveness of sin, to go down to the grave without any hope, without a reward, being given to the worms, and your inheritance going to the dust? It would be bitterness. God saves you from the bitterness of it by giving you a better alternative, like in Ezekiel "Why should you die?" God is saying "I have something better for you than to die and leave everything to the worms"

This is ironically the reason why God allows the suffering in your life to happen, to convince you of a better life. (It's actually the definition of His love for you) These riches are the IMMEASURABLE riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8) What better way to begin the book of the servant than the proof text of all that He is aiming to do to your little heart.

Living Waters (5)

I have felt very tender today, and feel that this change is something God wants me to share.

I remember while preparing sermons for our little health and fitness group in February that if there was one thing that I wanted to share and broadcast to the world it is the Love of Jesus. What a wonderful opportunity that God has enabled me to not only testify to this, but has made it real to me! I will share the things surrounding this decision.

When I came back from travelling the North Island with my friend Steve Coe, I arrived in Christchurch to find out that I would not be going back to Oxford (not immediately anyway) I had a debt to pay off before I would come back to base and live there. However, I wanted to come into Oxford initially to find out my financial position to see if I could pay it off as well as visit my friends. While in the time of worship on Monday morning I knew God wanted me to speak on the fact I have not been at YWAM, and give them encouragement, "I have never been more full of love for Jesus and his worth than I do this day, even though my heart is in a spin" He's totally worth everything, every moment, every circumstance, every work he does, every word he speaks to my heart, all of His love.

I actually found out that I had enough money to pay off my debt at YWAM. thoughts were flashing across my mind, but I decided seeing that I was only coming out for the day, that I would go back to Christchurch. I would be able to come back soon enough (it later turned out to be the best decision because I needed to chat with Jeremy and let him know what was happening - and the plan I had - very precarious questions but God in his grace gave me the right answers)

Wow, what a thing to be able to say. I think that it's God's grace that I can say "Jesus is worth everything!" Be reconciled to God. Put Him the first place in your heart. He loves you dearly -

Though I have had many things happen in the last two months, I made a decision recently that the only thing that I was after was this - like David, I did not want to be moved by promotion. The most wonderful feeling comes from being in a place with no money - and no responsibility, and without peace, anxiety, commotion, for His peace to reign in my heart that my heart flourishes and shouts out "You are the one that I love!" I admit that my whole-heart is absolutely his right now, there's only peace in my thoughts, and I have more desire and delight in Him. He is what moves my heart!

This is the place of living waters that everyone desires and is designed to live from (Isaiah 55:1-3) It's available right here, right now, to anyone! In fact, it is most for the person that is going through unpleasant circumstances, this comes from the Spirit of God, wrought by a work of God's love, and giving glory to the Son.

My heart wants none of the glory, it has to goto Him. I will not be tempted by the glory of riches and of hearing people say "well done!" The only reason I say these things is because I want you to enter into the joy of which I have become a participant. The thought of speaking this to others terrifies me - i am looking out and thinking how incapable I am of doing this - this is where I am at right now. Does that give you assurance? Does that give you peace? Do i need to say that again? The thought of sharing this with anyone is what terrifies me the most, I am totally dependant on God to make this work. You do not need to put up with anxious circumstances any more, you can have peace, with the anxiety! Just open your heart and be filled with His love - His words for You.

Time and Space

When I was a child I was afraid of aliens, angels, demons, monsters. I suppose the reason behind this was because at night time "I was afraid that they would come to me" As an adult I have found the truth. They don't come to me at night time! nor at day time! They come to me in another dimension. Time and space have nothing to do with it. This relieves me, they cannot come to me when I am afraid. You see, the truth is this: God does not operate in the realm of time and space, he knows about them, but they are totally under his control. There's no fear that anything will come to me when I'm not expecting it, and God himself is the anchor by which I am self-assured. You can never get enough of God's glory. Knowing this actually makes me more jealous for the things of the Spirit. O, Lord, let this rest on my heart! All this has profound implications for the way that I operate my life, because what I cannot see is more real than the things I can see. I suppose I will finish by giving the definition of fear; False evidence appearing real. While we are afraid we are not in Love. Love casts out fear. If you are wondering why this post just ask the question, am I willing to go into the unknown? It's not about putting up excuses, and I'm not trying to make discussions.

Living Waters (4)

From Jonathan Edwards unpublished essay on the Trinity:
If a man could have an absolutely perfect idea of all that passed in his mind, all the series of ideas
and exercises in every respect perfect as to order, degree, circumstance and for any particular space of time past, suppose the last hour, he would really to all intents and purpose be over again what he was that last hour. And if it were possible for a man by reflection perfectly to contemplate all that is in his own mind in an hour, as it is and at the same time that it is there in its first and direct existence; if a man, that is, had a perfect reflex or contemplative idea of every thought at the same moment or moments that that thought was and of every exercise at and during the same time that that exercise was, and so through a whole hour, a man would really be two during that time, he would be indeed double, he would be twice at once. The idea he has of himself would be himself
There is just one thing that I want on this earth, that is humility.
There is more at our disposal than you can possibly imagine, what you can't see, and is vast and expansive, immeasurable riches available to us. And the Spirit which made all things lives inside of us. What you can see is not as real as what you cannot see. We have so little because our view of God is based on nature, but if we did not have judgments of God then we would ask Him to open our eyes and to give us the beauty of Himself which is more valuable than anything that we can possibly imagine. Welcome to the first day of your life.

Abraham's Perfect Faith: Why He was Credited with Righteousness

This comes from the scripture in James 2:18-26 (Taken from the RSV)

But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works,
and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.

In it I noticed a similarity between the Faith of Abraham and the work of Christ on the Cross. The similarity is this: Abraham did give up his only Son, he saw something that was worth more than his own flesh and blood were worth – like it says in Romans 4 “I did not waver in unbelief”

And we say that he was credited with righteousness. Christ gave us the righteousness of faith. This righteousness is God righteousness. He made me his own, his own love. Tell me: is there not a more worthwhile one to give everything to? And is it not a small thing in God’s sight to redeem all his tribes for the faith exhibited in raising one from the dead? Are you telling me God is bankrupt? Does he need me to do anything for Him?

This is the source of steadfastness, looking to the prize – the goal of Christ heavenward. Which is better by far. There is nothing lost in giving up everything, because righteousness is Godly. (we see this promise kept in the Prophets: Isaiah 49:6) the infinite riches of Christ who reconciled us to God by the statement “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” So when it says we do everything for righteousness (becoming slaves to righteousness in Romans, and being clothed with the righteous acts of the Saints in Revelation 19) Does it not mean something deeper than just going to Church on Sunday?

This means, simply, do not just say that Christ is everything to You, live like Christ is everything to you. Otherwise you will be robbed of glory and riches. They lied to you who said that God doesn't love your deepest perfection and excellence they do not run contrary to each other. They also lied to you who said "you should live a comfortable life" And they pre-eminently lied to you who said God was not the most glorious and valuable one in the universe. Don't just life comfortably anymore, you are indeed priceless in your choosing of God. 

Living Waters (3)

I have to refrain a little. But normally I do not take scriptures out of context. But the need of the hour and the situation beckons that I do share something rather puzzling or perplexing but for the sake of it, will make things easier to understand for everyone. Just be ready to use your spiritual eyes rather than your natural ones,

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you."

The issue actually has profound implications if the verses are taken in context, to the nation and people of Israel. It's not the first time God has used spiritual things to bring prayer and love for Israel.

The question I have to ask, is, "Have you given birth to a child?" These are the symptoms

1. You cannot forget it. What would it be like to have a child that you never looked after? One of the first names of God mentioned in the Bible is, "El Shaddai" or in the Hebrew "Many-breasted one"

2. Things are happening around and through you that you do not have words for.

3. You have come out of indecision and know exactly what is important. You know that prayer is exactly what is important.

I have to share something, This is what has happened to me. I cannot forget it, this is the only thing that matters right now, I am thinking more about families and children than I ever have, either by revelation or by experience. God wants to shatter peoples expectations of what they think life is about, he wants people to taste what is good and share it with others. This means stepping out and being vulnerable at times. But it's completely worth it.

There is a scripture that the Lord gave me last week while walking to the fish and chip shop. Isaiah 8:18

Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! [We] are for signs and wonders in Israel From the LORD of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.

I have been chosen to be a sign to others so that they may follow.
These children that I have reared are healthy babies that need feeding, they need to be fed well, nurtured, taken care of. What am I talking about?
I'm talking about the Holy Spirit. He was given to us as a deposit for an inheritance, the point is, He is the Spirit of Revelation and Wisdom - it's not for just a joy ride. This is all about being free from the reign of sin, and experiencing the deep pleasures of the Holy Spirit giving you superior pleasures - to the glory and praise of God.

Living Waters (2)

I think one of the greatest pleasures in life is simply to go back and remember the works of God. No greater excitement has entered my heart than to realize that God himself wants me to remember the miracles that he performed to allow me to stay at YWAM earlier this year. How is this related to last year? Well, because I recognize that God has been working on my heart.

There is a scripture in John were Jesus makes a small excursion to a Samaritan village, he begins by describing the kind of water that He gives, if only she would ask Him for it. I remember hearing the story that this is what it is like when the patriarchs would find a well - digging for water. Even thinking of it, digging in the middle of the desert, and then all of a sudden, water! Living water, or active, flourishing water, that you can drink. I have to admit, i've yet to taste that kind of water (as much as the water comes out of the tap all the time, it does not taste alive to me yet!)

Remember.
Psalm 77:11
I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
Psalm 105:5
Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.

This I pray, that you may give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus

Come my Beloved Come my Beloved Come

Here is a song that I have written today.
It really is such a simple song but very flourishing at the moment, here are the lyrics and the download

Here is the rapidshare link

Lyrics

Cause the grape vines to grow

Cause the olives to bloom

You will awaken the dawn

You will make my righteousness shine

Enter in, all you peoples

Enter in, to the marriage supper of the Lamb

The bride is ready, we have become one

Come my Beloved Come, my Beloved Come

O would you rend the heavens and come down

We are waiting for you, the lamps are burning, clearly

You have won my heart

You have won my heart, I am waiting for

Living Waters (1)

Let me share with you what has happened in the last few weeks, which has a very exciting fulfillment in reflecting/contemplating on a day a year ago.

When I came back from Whangarei earlier this year, God opened up the opportunity to speak to a congregation regularly, preparing a short sermon to share each week. Well my friend Steve once asked me "What if no one shows up?" to which I replied "but God has opened the opportunity to up" that is enough.

So while thinking about what it was to prepare, a desperate need came to me, that I ought to be giving living waters to those who would listen - coming from maturity and knowledge of God's word. This theme "Living Waters" I did not know much about. But while contemplating today, I was gripped by the need to share about how whole-hearted abandonment and Sonship, through the prayers and reflections I wrote last year, needed to be the reason I was writing today. As a result, God has opened up wide a spring of water which I am aiming to draw from and give to you. Well here goes

You will know that when you talk to a child, and listen to them, about anything, they will be excited about sharing what they have. Just ask them about icecream, dancing, growing flowers and playing video games.

Did you know that God feels the same way, He wants us to be excited. Now I know that excitement has eluded us. God's excitement comes from us. In fact, I have to be honest with you, I have a far bigger addiction to God than any of you have for anything in life. My only desire in life is to be filled with still greater dreams and visions, my biggest dream is to have the biggest dream in the world. I want to be so filled with the consciousness of God's presence that no matter where I am, walking down to the fish and chip shop (it has happened just last week actually!) or talking in front of you, my heart is excited and fascinated.

But we do things that really grieve God. It is because His heart is far more sensitive than ours. Do you know what grieves God? it is when we steal, murder, lie, want what some one else has.

But this is why Jesus came, because He demonstrates perfectly who the Father is - that is who God is - he created us, we are his children. The secret to being in His presence is doing what pleases Him (Ephesians 5:10) This means, the attitude of a Son to His Father. As it is written: "Honor your Father and your Mother" (Ephesians 6:1-4) also "I always do those things that please Him" (John 8:29) In other words, the Father is the only one that Jesus thinks about because He is totally consumed with the Father's delight in Him. Yoke yourself to Jesus today and find out what pleases God the Father.

I Will Wait for You

Here is a song I came up with today.
It has inspiration from Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 55
I need to say something about the song before you go listen to it.

He has shared his whole heart with you through Jesus. He wants you to be whole-hearted to Him. Abandon yourself completely to himself. Don't look to the things he can do for you before running to Him, it may be too late (Isaiah 55:6)

here is the Rapidshare link

Lyrics

The roses hue is whiter

The birds song is clearer

The trees fall is sweeter

When you are nearer

The fields they are pleasing

The garden breathes in deeper

Awake my soul and start singing

He has come to me

Wash over me with your blood

let me into the fullness of what you made for me

I will wait for You

And in Your love there will be brighter sunshines

And in Your joy there will be sweeter sorrows

I've made up my mind

Turn my pain and loss into love without cost

that I may be found in You

Man has not seen what is His store

I am waiting on the other side

Take me by the hand and let me soar!

Rooting and grounding your life in the testimony of Jesus to withstand persecution

There is a scripture in 2 Timothy that I've been thinking about today. it is in the first chapter. I am using the New King James Version:

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,9 who has saved us and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, [who] has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

This has been motivated by a desire to be a Son of God and to model my life based on the teachings of Jesus. There are many incredible traits to this glorious passage but I only want to look at one today. That is what I have already described.  I used to look at this passage and say, what I need to do is remember the way that Jesus called me, (from verse 9) but if you look at the make up of these verses it says first off "do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" what testimony is that? well I can tell you one thing, it is living and active, it comes from an active participation with the hearer. In other words, it is coming from a relationship.

The reason I reject the second clause as being the primary motivator, that is "according to the power of God" because it doesn't line up with my experience. Those who know God will be trusted with His power. The active power to live out the lifestyle of Jesus comes from a knowing of who He is first, which then empowers you to live for Him. If I was to expand on this passage there would be many things I could say.

A question I ought to say is: are you ready to withstand persecution today? are you ready, like David, to cut off Goliath's head because of His undermining the armies of God and blaspheming God's justice?

Sonship: Giving a gift and motivated by the giver

Out of the overflow of my heart, the mouth speaks

Sonship: it was given to me, I did not become a Son by what I have done. (However to stand upon being a Son, this is very much the heart beat of Sonship) Being a little-child, this seems to be wearing off on me, in fact, in the last two months God has spoken rather clearly and strongly in regards to my calling, my heart, my child-like faith and sonship. It seems as though He is leading me. O, the favor of God! What did I do to deserve this?! (this is a play on words)

While sleeping last night I had a very vivid dream, and I felt I needed to share this with Steve this morning. Sure enough, this is what happened. I am flumoxed, "What does this all mean?" I had to say. Well, in God's mercy, I have been able to find out this very sentence. It seems as though God was walking with Steve and I as we journeyed around Bottlelake Forest Park Walkway. Two things were the main things we discussed while walking. I confess I have not had the best initiative when it comes to the two things mentioned. It is a lesson I will have to learn!

1. Sonship is the heart of God for His Sons.
2. Whatever gift you have to give, used it to the edification of others.

Particularly the second thing, because without trials or circumstances we would really not know the depth of God's love for us - His experiential love for us in all circumstances. When I am weary, then I would be reminded that His love is unfailing.

I suppose what I'm doing now is really an outworking of what He has done for me on the inside - and this is my joy - because I think of nothing else than to see my Brethren also sharing this kind of love with God.

Why is it so important that we are motivated to use our talents and giftings for the edification of others, it is because of the giver of those gifts, who gives the gifts meaning. I had the chance to pray for Steve while walking, because he had a sore throat. Not a moment after, I was filled with excitement, because what I had done, I had done in faith by the one who gave it to me.

If not love for the giver, it would be like the bride, who received ornaments which were a decoration of love from the bridegroom, but went and sold the very things he gave her and invited the opportunity to be unfaithful (Ezekiel 16:1-17)

The reason I use my gifts today is because I am giving opportunity to grow in authority, and nothing more - It comes from the giver.

Grace or mercy?

I would like to take this time to confront a belief that we have always held but may not have thought too much about. While I was reading my previous years notes, I was inspired by a question I asked myself while thinking about "honor: to obey and have a clear conscience?" To my alarm, justice (Godly justice) is motivated by mercy and God's love.

I've been struggling with anxiety, compromise, murder, lust and immorality, who would have known? whenever I am confronted by these thoughts I hardly know what to do, so I goto God and say "you are the only one who can take what I have, I trust you with what I am going through" This makes me perform a habit, the more that I trust God, the more, like Paul I can say, "I have entrusted everything to you today, until the day when you come again" (2 Timothy 1:12)

You cannot entertain any more thoughts of being like "everyone else" because you are the one that God has mercy on. This is where grace, fully flourishing, exhibits itself, in my deepest need, I can hear God saying to me "In your weakness, my strength is perfected, my grace is sufficient for you" Entrust yourself fully into the hands of God, whatever circumstance you find yourself. Do not ask the questions "Why is God putting me through this?" Mercy has been given to you, and to you mercy is shown, you were once not a people, but now are the people of God.

Putting my Lamp in the Window

There is a token that the bride-in-waiting in Jewish marriage custom does to show the world that she has been wedded to the Bridegroom, and waiting His return. This is simply putting a lamp in the window of her house, until He comes for her - the lamp never goes out.

I am wanting to make a public declaration. To any and all who are being pursued by God's jealous affections, set apart yourself to Him. It is better to do this now, rather than later. Put your life on hold for this, He will not relent. I want to tell the world, I'm waiting for my Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you do not believe me, then watch me. The world needs to know that I, Nathan Sinclair, am already married, more than this, I am married. My thoughts, desires and affections both this day and forever will be tied with that day when He comes for me!

This really is so much more than I can put down on paper. To make this clear, If you do not encounter the truth, that I am already married, you have yet to experience what I hold dearest on the inside. There is so much the world is doing wrong, this is the biggest thing, that they do not believe there is such a thing as being so tied up in marriage that it strikes them - maybe even wrecks them. Can you imagine what I am trying to describe here? You can think about marriage but I am 100% convinced and in reality the one whom Jesus loves

YWAM Update: Do you Believe in Miracles?

Hello everyone,

This comes to you from Christchurch, while I am visiting my parents house. I rather like that term, because the idea of visiting means it is not my permanent residence, but that is a kind of a paradox, I will tell you what I mean.

I had a strong feeling that I was supposed to be in Oxford for the week, I remember being sick in my stomach while getting prepared to go back to Oxford on the 6th of May, but it wasn't dissuading me from fetching a ride with Deb out to Oxford (she had been in Christchurch visiting family - so fetching a ride with her was easy enough) But I had looked in my bank account and found no money there, but I knew I was supposed to be there. While sitting down at the morning tea table with Elmer we had a conversation in which God had meant for it to happen because not having any money to my name I was able to encourage Elmer to be here - because I knew I was also supposed to be here.
Actually by that time I still had a sick stomach, and thought to myself, "How can I be here for working? when I am unable to even sit down without feeling sick" However I was made well to work, but also to attend the lectures, which had been on my heart to do.

Later the week the opportunity came up to really share what was on my heart, that my identity does not come from what i do. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER! Isn't that the heart beat of Sons? In fact, though I did not know Elmer very well, I was really able to converse with Him, and find out a bit about him. This had been my prayer to God earlier in the week - In fact, every day God was making my contemplation bear fruit. So it would seem, that God had something in store for me, being at Oxford related to the teaching I was listening to. It was pertinant to what I was going through.
This should be enough to convince any sceptic of what God has in fact been doing, but I have not even begun yet!

I ought to say, this is the heart beat of a little child. because God has said it before, that the thing that He values in me is being a little child. I need to hear it from God first, then when people testify about it to me, the feelings rush right in.

I guess this makes me have to declare a few things

1. I do not have any money, this is one of the blessings of being God's child (which I am one)
2. I do not know where I am going, I came to Christchurch only because I had to move out.
3. I want to be connected with God's heart, this is more important to me than my fragile circumstances
4. I will flourish in this place, because God makes me to flourish

I want to clarify the first and second points. I mean, that I am in the place that God has for me, regardless of any plans to be contrary to that. I know that He wants me to be there. This is the only reason that I am here - because what matters most is that I am most about what God has for me. What i mean is, Do not forbid me of my boast!

God has not stopped with me because I have turned my back on Him, or even forgotten what He had promised to me, before I left Oxford, which is that I am going back to Christchurch because I am His bride. He is committed to doing me good, even when I am not. That has to be the best news ever!
I'm a little child, I cannot be thinking about plans and decisions and anything like that!

After I left Oxford, God has been bringing things into clarity, namely what is on my heart for victory and faithfulness and trials. I had to go through a trial not having answers for "where am I going?" and "what work are you looking for?"

That is why I say, being at my parents house is a paradox, because the truth is, I will flourish wherever I am. I need to say, that I still intend to go on a journey with Steve, because God has said it.
Don't you see the miracle God has done? That he has called the things that are not, as though they were. He told me the very thing that tonight I would have an ah ha moment on, that I am His Bride whom He loves. This has only matured my love for Him and convinced me that what He has for me is good (which I know to be true!) And it's assured me of His promise that I will be going with Steve on a journey. Be a part of this adventure with me!

Responding in Trials, Overcoming by Faith

I am really speaking to myself here. Here are a few points that I have learnt to hold onto when trials come (and they do)
First, God is with me in it. I suppose the most important point in this is this, we take full responsibility to what happens in trials. This has taken me a while to come to terms with (or rather, understand)
I am a whole person to God, while reading the story of Lazarus, addressing the dead body, he said "Lazarus, come forth!" maybe If we took this approach to raising the dead, we would succeed?
There is great reward for us in responding to trials in the right way. I remember a verse in 1 Corinthians, where it says "and each one will receive His reward from God"
Because God loves us, the purpose of trials is to produce greater fervency of love within us. Rather, it is a grace of God to endure trials having in mind the right repayment of what has been given to you. With that said, go and embrace every trial that you know is coming with a view to overcome!

Where Am I Going?

Who says that I do not know where I am going? Who governs my every move? my every decision? my every thought? My identity comes from being a little child. Where I am going, is because I want to be totally abandoned to Him. Where does this come from? You have heard the phrase "I want you, more than life" I've learnt that God's being totally loving of me, produces in me the same desire, to be totally devoted to Him. This has in it a resolve or a commitment. To be honest, I am not so convinced I do know where I am going. So when I asked my friend Steve about it,  I decided from some advice given to me, that God maybe wanting me to submit to being at my parents house, while I do not have a clear direction about where I am going. Even speaking about it makes it easier to process through it. But the truth is, I am still struggling with this question, "Do I know where I am going?" because it's not like I am lacking direction, though the questions that people ask seem to go unanswered, I have never been more full of purpose. You see, the questions people ask are, "How is the plan for journeying with Steve going?" or "Would you consider finding work?" or such questions like that. But it does nothing to answer any important questions. I am in the same position as many others, not because we do not know where we are going, but because we do, and we want to give everything to Him. Does this not make the trials easier? Do I not remember that living hope that I have been born again into? I think the phrase in Psalm 45:1 one to really hold onto. "My heart is overflowing with a good theme, I recite my composition to the King" You will never be closer to fulfilling your purpose in life than gazing on the slain body of the Christ, the Son of God.

Who Am I?

As has been revealed to me, and as has been shown to others, the full and ultimate revelation of who we are is this: A little child. That is Who I am. What can little children do? it's rather simple really -  eat, drink, sleep, cry and poop.
A little child cannot even think for themselves, they are fully dependant on their Father. This thing that is totally beyond us, it is the one thing that Jesus says brings us to inherit the Kingdom of God.
While at YWAM last week, my heart was enlarged, and I realised I could not do anything for myself - and if there was reason to be disappointed at being forgotten, I reasoned that it was because I am not taking the credit for myself - I am a humble child that is dependant on my Father for everything - so why would I be fussed about what others think about me? I am content, and unable to resist.
My peace comes from being burped by my Father.
O, that the Spirit would be poured out in me, this would totally satisfy me, and I would speak wonders and miracles because a child ordains praise to you.
I'm no longer going to give my treasured secrets to swine, I'm no longer going to respond to the secrets of the Kingdom of God by assuming it is for others. I'm going to have Him completely, and when I am told "You are my Son" then I have something to give. But even this is just a reflection of the worth that God places in me, on the inside.
I feel like God is trying to say something to me. I will stand on the word of God and overcome the wicked one.

Remembering and Dreaming

This day a year ago, some things happened that I want to hold in remembrance.

My heart was in a dilemma in asking the missions committee at my church, to place the thing that I treasure most, being in Israel, into their hands. I came back to the prayer room after the conversation, and though I had been unable to really communicate what was on my heart, God saw it, and said "I am going to be with You in Israel" - He gave me the peace that I was looking for.

A reminder that after having a dream of Davaun and I with my computer, I would be praying for my computer which currently did not work in an investment of the dream of the same fact - being in Israel with Davaun using the computer that I had in my hands, in fact, part way through this prayer vigil I sensed that I may be selling the computer for finances. Something to ponder on. (I kept the computer with me every day and would pray for it every morning - believing that It's by faith that miracles happen)

I also had a re-energizing of the promise of being in New Zealand, this land being my inheritance. This happened after giving to God what I had been desiring - to go. Realizing that He was calling me to stay - in Oxford. This is a life-time commitment! Where everyone else may go, I will stay, investing in this place. We need us! This then is worship, because God has said it. After I confessed and said "I make this nation my inheritance" I heard him say "You will stand here"

What is boiling on my heart are two promises. The first is from Isaiah 59:

"He saw that [there was] no man, And wondered that [there was] no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him."

What a heart piercing cry. There was no one who was eager to stand with Him. I understand that these promises are indeed very precious, to peer into God's heart and find a love that is fully committed to Justice. I will not attempt to disect these verses, I will let them speak for themselves. 

The second promise is He said to me: "Dream big dreams" take time to dream big. This is where my identity lies, it's not in what I do, it's in the dreams that I have in my heart. One thing that I've learnt is that God wants me to be with Him. Co-creating - Father and Son.

Being the Disciple-Witness of Jesus

Just today, I was listening to a video on youtube, an interview between a Jewish man, and a recent believer in Yeshua. The Video can be found here
It leads me to a scripture written by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 8:18 writes:

"Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! [We] are for signs and wonders in Israel From the LORD of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion"

This scripture is now fulfilled in your hearing.

We are witnessing before our eyes the fulfillment of scripture, but no one can take the revelation that comes from the inside away, it will be a spring of living water, welling up to eternal life. The joy of the Holy Spirit is undeniable. 

I say that we are not just to go out and proclaim, we are his witnesses, we are not just leaders, we are his disciples. I encourage you to pray this prayer:

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

It starts with forgiveness, but it ends with his intention that we would be Sons and Daughters, walking in the full inheritance and filled up with the Spirit which is our birth agent.
I want to present this before you as one that is just beginning to walk in the inheritance that I have as a Son.

A Memorial to Haman

Esther 7:9,10 (Paraphrase) "Here hangs Haman the enemy of the Jews on the gallows that He has made"
In Isaiah 45 we read:
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these [things].'(verse 7)
We are seeing these things being fulfilled in our generation. If I was to tell you that Israel's enemies are gathering now as we speak, to fight and to make war, to have the victory what would you say? I would say, God is coming. In Isaiah's day, these things had not yet happened, however the trumpet was being announced. "I know you by name" - I know a Gentile King who will see the temple rebuilt, say to the captives of Israel - be free! and bring those in darkness out into the light. Who would have thought - Who makes laws, revels in vain glory, driven by sensual pleasures, unable to look after His own family, why not add more to that? a King whose armies would trample Jerusalem under the dust, be the Rod with whom God strikes, Why? Isaiah 45 has the answer - That you may know that I am the LORD (There is no other, there is no God besides me, no one else who can save)
So when I see God saying "I will make good out of calamity" I look at the story of Esther. Can you imagine what insidious plots were going through the hearts of God's enemies? we see it in Haman's eyes, words, and thoughts, "to annihilate Israel and wipe the face of the earth clean of the elect of God" And was God surprised? He started the plan before hand. So that when the day come, His enemy was hung on His own gallows, the Jewish people trampled down their enemies, Salvation was brought to the house of Israel, and no one got the credit for it - only God! I mean really, they were just in the right place at the right time.
Even writing this, I cannot take the credit for it. But I do believe in the inerrancy of the word of God - that my God is in Heaven and he does what he wants. He who has ears to hear, let Him ear. The Lord is doing a work in our day that you will not believe even if it were told you - a day great and terrible! The Day of the LORD

God looks at your Heart

I have for a long time looked to others for my approval for what I do. Let me put it in another way, the Lord wants me to use the talents that I have, because I am the only one created to display this facet of His creativity and his glory. Would you act like someone else if you knew that God created you uniquely, from his heart, before creation, knit together in your mothers womb, created perfectly, flawless, with all the "imperfections" of life and circumstance. I cannot even call them imperfections. If I get myself rooted in the identity that God has given to me, who cares what anyone else thinks, my Father says that I am beautiful.

That is right, the identity that God has given to me. What I fail to mention is possibly the greatest love ever known to man. He himself came down and wrestled humanity from the number one pandemic - sin - which gave us minds that never looked outside of our boxes.  The issue is not with being a fallen creation, it is that we have not grasped God's glory. He himself did the very thing that we couldn't. And now if I believe (simply) we have been restored, to everything that is God's intention. The cure is a bleeding lamb - a man, perfect offering for sin, I can no longer look at him without bleeding. Why is this? because when He exposed Himself, was crushed, beaten, bruised, slain, the world looking on with contempt and cruelty, He chose it, and this puts my value in God's eyes through the roof - not that I changed his mind about it, or did I?

My hope in speaking like this is, my heart is crying out for a Father's approval, who tells me who I am, that actually reminds me of the great love of Jesus, and inspires me in my heart to love Him. If I told you that He is looking at your heart, would that mean everything? Wasn't it God's intention that through the cross, Jesus Christ would become everything? So then cry out for whole-heartedness, and abandon yourself and you'll receive it. Join the applause of Heaven which says "The Lamb has overcome!" and be part of a movement that shakes the world

What time is it?

A statement from Revelation 10:4 has sparked a series of inspired questions related to the Spirit of Prophecy and what is the Spirit saying to us.

Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, [fn] I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, [fn] "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."

The question is, What time is it? and the pressing burden is "how must I respond during this time of crisis?"

The idea that the Holy Spirit directs us by His own leading is not a new one. To see, then, that the Spirit will be poured out before the coming of Jesus, is both comforting and to be expected. Some of the pressures that I could think of are, loss of homes, loss of family, loss of confidence, fear, uncertainty, and many more.

This makes me think that the number one need of the hour is a need for Fathers, who guide, lead, protect, and support, bless, comfort, and reassure sons and daughters.

Then when the trials come, the Church will rise up with joy and confidence.

This is all summed up in one verse.

[The Shulamite] While the king [is] at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance. 

Keeping the Watch (4)

This, then, is our responsibility seeing that God is still overseer and sovereign, and we are still God's creation. There is a verse in 1 Samuel which says
So Samuel said: "Has the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, [And] to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from [being] king." So Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, [who is] better than you. "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He [is] not a man, that He should relent." (1 Samuel 15:22-23, 28-29)
The reason that Saul was rejected as King, was over not obeying the voice of the Lord. The verses show that God is prepared to tear from His own King, his own Kingdom, for the sake of His purposes on the earth. But I want to focus on the phrase in the first portion. "to obey is better than sacrifice"
Anyone that follows God and wishes to achieve his purposes on the earth must live by this phrase. I want to point out two things that I believe are important to think about while achieving God's purpose on the earth. (this sounds so cool, eh)
1. He is calling for a radical obedience.
2. He is interested in the person and his heart, and ultimately a voice that produces a pure word.
Not one, or the other, While travelling with the Lord this past year, I had to make a decision to obey the voice of the LORD no matter the costs. I spoke at a family meeting where I said there was going to be an earthquake, that causes a tsunami to hit Christchurch, many would die and loose much. However that didn't happen. What have I learned from this endeavour? I am not going to shrink back, I must obey the voice of the Lord and I must also speak what is the right word. For whose sake? It is for the LORD's sake. I well know the sacrifices that God makes on us. This fire is burning brighter than a year before, and I am ready for anything! try say that in Athens 40AD

Keeping the Watch (3)

Seeing tomorrow is the day when I take rest, i will be giving two devotions with God's grace

My mind is on the Garden of Eden right now. I wonder what God's intention was with the Gardens. There is a command in the Garden, which God gives to Adam.
The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
Yeah, that's right. It's funny how quickly we turn away from this commandment.
What command, you say? why, "He put the man whom He had formed" does that not sound like a commandment? It does to my ear. We always have our ears on other things. But God did not put Adam in the garden by accident. This is before He gives the commandment "Go and tend and keep the garden" This is simply, "I am putting you there"
There are two things that I want to emphasize.
1. That God placed Adam in the garden
This means that He is made for the garden,
2. That God spoke,
This part is what i want to really labour at. God still speaks, giving overseer directions to Adam. It was never the other way round. When we live in unity with God we are living as we are supposed to.
I want to highlight something about the verse, it says "The LORD God" this means, the Sovereign, the Creator, the Omnipotent One, Dwelling in Courts in Heaven. We are not alone, and from that I mean to say, today God is still speaking, today, God is still giving wisdom, today God has ultimate power to bring His purposes to fruition. He uses us. 

JUBILEE

I heard it said once, "I will frustrate the wisdom of the wise, I will frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent"
So, here goes.

Jubilee
All debts are cancelled
All sicknesses are healed
All slavery is redeemed
All darkness flees
Sonship
Inheritance
and Holy Passion
calling and vision
I believe that the lamb of God was slain for the sin of the world
I believe that his wounds heal my diseases
his cries were intercession
I believe that when I was broken he paid my ransom
That as he dies I am now alive
That whom the Son sets free, is free indeed
all have become crucified
And he is worth it all
giving my love for a love that gives all is my reward
I also know that God is doing something. Don't say "God has done it"
I also know that God has done it, don't say "God is in the process of doing something" (as if it wasn't finished!)
I believe that you have to have faith to receive these things
That the faith of a little child is eager to respond.
That if you believe it, you have it, and not because you claimed it
Come all you sinners, come you broken hearted
Come you lost and sick and hardpressed into the place of life
into the heart of the Father's love, into the ravished heart of the Son of God
and you will have something that cannot be taken from you
You will be possessors of the abundant life
and joy in the measure that you have been given to understand,
He is not pointing a stick at you
He is not waving condemnation over your head
His heart is JUBILEE!
and enter into the JOY of knowing Him more, he wants you to,
He desires you, he empowers you to believe, to be confident and
settle for nothing less than what you deserve. Abundant life, through His mercy and grace being your Father. 

Keeping the Watch (2)

When I came up to the prayer room today, It was like I came into home, and a song came out of me because of responding to this change

"I've come up here, abba Father
just to dream with you a little while

I've come up here, Abba Father
because I know I love you,
and you love me too"

This is what I want! I want the House of Prayer to be a house! To be home, I want it to be easy to dream in! I want it to be the most natural thing ever! That God would meet with us here, because as Father, this is what he has shown us of Himself.
There's no expectancy here, there's no stress here, there's no human effort here, This is the ease of His presence, it just comes out, I bet this is what the Angel's experience.
I wanted to say, that this is a great opportunity to tell everyone of the things that God has placed on my heart as a result of this counter, but we can't sell ourselves short! The encounter with Him, being his Son, being His heart, It's inexchangeable, you can't replace His presence for His gifts! Why? because I want to worship Him here, I want to pray here, this is the very things that arise out of my heart as I am at the ease of God's fruitfulness.
I want to paint a picture of what I see here, I see resting from your labors, I see you becoming a little child, i see you coming here because it is the most enjoyable place, and a re-energizing of WHO YOU ARE and WHO GOD DESIGNED YOU TO BE. There is no striving here, there is no effort, no work, this is pure contemplation.
I want to suggest that when God proclaims Jesus and every knee bows, the CLIMAX is a reflection of the Saints who understand the Father's heart:

In the LORD all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.' " Isaiah 45:25

Let us be the Son to our brother Jacob!

Keeping the Watch (1)

I would like to share something that is on my heart, that is likely a preparation of my heart in keeping what is on the heart of God for me and a generation in the proper place. A few weeks ago, while having a worship meeting, God spontaneously placed it on my heart to speak up and to Declare a verse from the Book of Psalms:

I will not give sleep to my eyes [Or] slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.

So what it was, is a Vow.

There is also a verse in the Book of Isaiah which he has placed on my heart.

Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [Will be] accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

I suppose that if I were to try to do it in my own strength, I would want to get the credit for it, but just this afternoon, while working outside, I was thinking about God's desire to consume me with His fire, and then a friend walked out, and I asked her "do you know about herrnhut?" she happened to, and I came running back to the dining hall to find someone to share this revelation with them. "God has heard my prayer!"

This has put two things that I want to share on my heart.
The first is this, the angels that stand before God's throne,
The reality of justice on the earth
 And the second is, keeping watch
What a wonderful name, "The Watch of the Lord"
Why do the angels minister before God's throne? do they do it out of responsibility? do they do it because God has done something for them? No, for all eternity, they have one anthem "Holy Holy Holy!" which roughly equates to, You are terrifying, You are beautiful
They are not motivated by what God has done for them, but only who God is.

Why do they continue? because of the worth of Him whom they are worshipping. They say "we live to make your name great"

In the book of Revelation there is a phrase that appears seven times, it is the word hetoimazō, which means, to prepare, to be prepared and to be victorious (past, present future) - why is this so important? it's because without keeping watch, you are not being prepared. Another word that is used in revelation is the word, hypomonē, which eludes to perseverance. The walk we are on, does not bode well for the temperate, the timid, the complacent and the unbelieving. Why? because there are trials that are coming, that will buffet you.

How do all these connect together? just that in keeping this charge I am no different from anyone else, just I have put my hand up and agree, (1) God is worth all of it, (2) It drives me to bring worship to Him everywhere, (3) that I will keep watching for His name

What Kind of Revival Is It?

When you sleep at night, are you thinking of the things that you have done for God? are you thinking of your heart? In the Psalms it says "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still"
We can be leading others to Christ, running a succesful ministry, speaking arrangments booking up your planner for a year, and yet be dead on the inside. The thing that I have learned, is that when God asks me to obey His voice, and I respond in faith, he provides the way to get there. When I was at YWAM last year, I made a statement that I would be going to "Before Thy Face" - a conference up in Tauranga. What others don't know is, that God had been speaking to me very powerfully concerning His people through the life of David and the reason I was going up to Tauranga, was related to the journey that I was going on - literally, but also with God. I was taking steps of obedience - this was a milestone to me in terms of having the faith to go to Israel. It was a stepping stone. Though I had never hitch-hiked, the point of it all was "If God was asking me to be there, then I will be there"
Or obedience. The embers are being blown, and I want to make sure that the revival that is coming is the one that is taking place in my heart.
God's plan for me through this whole journey was also to see what was in my heart in regard to finances. One of the things that happened that I did not agree with was this - I thought that I would be able to get a discounted fare for the ferry. As for finances, I remember very clearly saying "I will need mercy for this travel - I know I will" I had built this journey on a few verses from Psalm 69 - drawing from the Life of David - that I was a Wanderer for the sake of God, identifying with his people. After coming back from the trip, I remembered thinking "God I need to know that you are in all of this - that I am following You" shortly after this I looked inside my wallet and found an extra $20. It was God's way of saying "I am reimbursing you" - showing you grace.

I still believe whole-heartedly that God will test you in the realm of finances to see what is in your heart. If you are doing it for your own motives - that will be dry and discarded wood, redundant. He is looking into your heart, and the reason for it is to be transparent with people - because people will bring a revival in the heart through God's leading and grace.

Abundant mercy, grace and reconciliation

I want to put a few thoughts in your heart today, that will lodge themselves in the same places, just as It did for me.
The first few thoughts that I had while studying the book of Ezekiel

I think the missing piece in Ezekiel is that we have to understand God’s prerogative to Judge, as the Judge of all the Earth. To not allow Him is to not allow His sovereignty – that I will give account to Him – fear of the Lord, release in my heart!

I don't think that at all! I think that's the worst advice ever! 

I want to propose two things, one is, that we ought to always to be thinking of our own pleasure, the other thing is, we ought to be thinking about our reward.

These are things that God has made us with! We cannot ignore them!
I want to propose something else, while I am here. It is that God is both the most supreme pleasure, and our highest reward. When we are called to live for His glory (Romans 3:23) it is not at the expense of our pleasure and the reward to us.

I have found a better way than anything else to find pleasure and reward. I want to introduce you to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. I found out yesterday he took my treachery, the treachery that exists in my heart, and that daily I am treacherous, has been taken away. The reason that He did that was this, because He gives me beauty.

I want to say this, If I cannot find mercy, and substance at the cross, I may as well say "Goodbye God!"
He took my treachery, he took my backsliding, slander, rebellion, vice in my mouth, redeemed me, and he died. For my life He gave me His. Why should I not be looking FOREVER to Him. Why should I be living the way I want any more? This seems to be the insanity. Can I even understand what He's done for me? But that makes me want to know Him more. What a reward! That my Beloved calls me loved, He's coming back for me, to dine with me! The one who cleansed me by his word.

Finishing, we cannot do what is righteous by memorizing scripture, nor save ourselves by behaving differently. The only thing we can do, is gazing upon the Lamb. Allowing the work of sanctification to work in you, by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I trust that the reward is very obvious to You

My Love Burns Hot

Hello,

I wanted to share this song that communicates how I am feeling right now. It is called "My Love Burns Hot" (I haven't thought of an original title yet!)

This is the Summary:

The way of the heart, the way of Love. What is it that makes my commitment strong? the strong jealous love of God which is a love that gives all, I want to give all and see how hot one heart can burn for the Love of Jesus. See how struck I can be by the knowledge of God - I will try not to use christianese language!

My Love Burns Hot
here is the rapidshare link

God Looks Into Your Heart

Hello, welcome to another devotional for the day 05/05/12 This is because I have a day of rest which I do no work on because I want to enjoy the creation, just like God when He created the earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh (this is where the word Sabbath comes from) While I am unable to refer to my journals that are currently not in my present access, I will share what is on my heart with you.

God really likes You. In fact, it is the most enjoyable thing to Him. He likes you, because you like Him, and because it makes Him smile when you love Him! He looks inside the heart, he's not looking at outward appearances. What he sees is the real you, the genuine, no masks YOU. This means He likes you in your brokenness, he likes you in your frustrations, perplexities, inability. Because you are sincere about loving Him, giving Him your whole heart is where the POWER is.

This is the way the heart works, fire burning, faith affirming, perseverent believing. He does not look at the brokenness, for our sakes, the movements of our hearts are precious to Him.

Take what you have, and give it to Him, so that you can have what he has. He has much better things for us to receive. And it's okay to ask for a burning heart, eyes to see the beauty He sees in us.

I want everyone that reads this to go to their room, and practice God's presence, all that you need in life is found in His presence. what we need is some more FAITH, I am looking for rest in life, well in His Presence is that and then some. He will make His presence flourish in deserts.

Mercy in Relationships

Hello,

in keeping with my desire to recount the year that just passed, Here is Today's. 04/05/12
I have not been able to retrieve the diary/journals I wrote last year, so instead, I wanted to let you know what is on my heart today.

I need to have abundant mercy for anyone who is not yet at the stage where they can be confident in what God has given them charge. Let me clarify, what i mean is, while I have relationships on this earth, I need to have mercy on my friends, because their heart is in the right place - so I will be kind and tender with them, until we all see eye-to-eye.

When I realised that this actually magnifies God's mercy I found peace because God and I both know this is the better option. O, that God sees the intention of our hearts and rewards us for it! I am also wrestling in my heart, because I am convinced that my responsibility is to be taken as a diligent man, effective in work, making sure everyone is doing what needs to be done, but it's more like a gardener, tending his garden, having to uproot weeds, and nurture and care for everything. To be like my heavenly father means to be in a state where I am utterly helpless and relying upon His provision every day. This means that I am more able to excel in the work that he's given me to do.

This is the perfect embodiment of fruitfulness, because I am not focusing on the fruit, but on being ever more fruitful (John 15:15) Just like the fruit is grown from the tree, the root of bearing fruit is fruitfulness, I will be devoted and abide in the vine and find nourishment and identity there. This also confirms his calling of us, which means God is glorified. Come and drink of the vine! My beloved

Testimonies of Provision

On the 19th of November, 2011 something amazing happened which you need to know about! A part of me is totally bewildered that I haven't told anyone. It's a good thing God has given me a good memory.

My good friend, Justin, being in Tauranga, was the reason that I was there. However I had no idea how to get over to my good friend (He was staying at the Faith Bible College Site) I did know, however, that some people at my flat (in Bethlehem) were on there way somewhere in the afternoon, So I asked them, "Would it be possible to get a ride with you over to Faith Bible College?" Lo, and behold! That was where they were going!

My friends are an outreach team from the Townsville YWAM base in Australia who stayed at the "Ministry House" for the Impact World Tour while their outreach teams were away overseas - there happened to be a room left for me, so I was able to get a room.

Another reason that I was being there was also because God has been putting on my heart a flame for the Gospel, and in particular Israel.

So while riding in the car, not knowing my friends, I decided to find out about them, and ask about where we were going!?!?!?! That was when they mentioned the Principles of Redeeming Cultures school. I cannot explain what this caused in me. You see I had been wanting to see my friend Justin. To get to Tauranga, God really impressed on my heart, to believe Him at His word, and stand firm on His word. For me to hear that we were going to visit Justin, without even knowing where we were going, it was too much for me!

So we made our way to the Faith Bible College place. The thing that had happened in the car, also happened when we came to Faith Bible College, because we were planning on meeting them at the Welcome Bay Baptist Church, when they said we would be going to the College, it made me more excited to see Justin! If this hadn't happened, I would never have arrived just as my friends from Faith Bible College were graduating. ALL OF THEM! You see, I was travelling with God during the time away from YWAM Oxford - I stayed at Faith Bible College while travelling. So it had been roughly 1 and a half years since I had seen my friends. Hello Khan, Veronica, Jason, Joshua, Lana, Ben, Hayden, Jarrod, Jayde, Sam and Rhys!

It just happened to be the day that they were graduating!

FBC is a very anointed place, so it didn't surprise me that I was talking with someone I had never met before in the carpark. They suggested I write a small book of Testimonies of God's Provision to hand out to anyone that I was led to. So this is what I'm doing here.

In the morning, on Sunday, I went along to WBB - Where Ray and His Team were taking the worship time at the service - I knew I was in the right place. God had recently enabled me to goto Israel, purchasing the Airticket, ground fees (for the tours) and spending money. When I heard that they needed money for their course I was inspired to pray and support them. I've found that when God says "to pray" for someone, He also wants you to "support them" this is just how it happened. I told them how I had been led to travel to Tauranga, and only having enough money for getting their and coming back - as for the staying, I didn't actually have the support I needed. So i was in a similar position as them. It seemed right to me, to spend my time with them, because God was knitting us together - and I enjoy that, I'm sure they do as well!

I happened to be in the service, as one of the Youth was leaving to go back Home. During the service I had been impressed to talk with this lad and share with Him. Though I hadn't had the chance to yet, once I finished talking with my dear couple from Brazil (?) I saw Him and shared with Him the story of how I was able to get upto Tauranga in a day (travelling on the ferries!) - by hearing God's voice. I told Him how the thing I wanted most in life was to Hear His voice and to trust Him. Then I encouraged Him to believe in God when He came back home. He left very encouraged!

On the Friday, I had been prayed out just before I left, and received some really amazing words of God's provision - related to meeting Israeli's and sharing God's heart with whomever I found myself with. The justice school had taking up an offering and gave it to me. It was in an envelope. When I got to the ferry crossing, I needed to pay by cash, because we didn't have enough time to go into the ferry terminal - I looked inside the envelope, and found just enough money to pay for my ticket! What a blessing!

While I was in Tauranga, God was really impressing upon me, this idea of "being whole hearted" - God made no mistakes in what he's made - He is whole-hearted. He's calling me to be like Him - to be whole-hearted. Just like a gardener, who tends the garden, makes sure the trees will grow, and to uproot weeds, So God is with His creation, even if sin and pollution have come into the world, He's made His Garden beautiful. So why should I see myself any other way, whole-hearted. He doesn't want me to think about the way people see the world - but if I am whole-hearted. I have to also make my decisions based off a whole-heart. I didn't have any money to pay for the accomodation I had at Tauranga. My decision was "God has told me to be here, and so he's going to provide" so I can honour my fellow flat mates while I am here. He actually provided enough for me to get weet bix, pomegranates, toast and all the normal things. What a God! But I still didn't have any for my actual staying.

I shared with my "landlords" what my plan was - God was going to provide. While at the ministry house, I had the blessing of having lunch and tea provided for me - eating with a family from America. Seeing it was Thanksgiving that week (in America) we actually had a rather large group come round for Thanksgiving, I didn't have much to be thankful for, except God's heart. I sent a text off to my friend -

"Pray that this message which he's forging im me is brought out regarding Israel and being sent as a missionary for Jesus"

Yeah that's right - "im me"

This is one of those priceless moments I cannot put into words. I was sitting at a table of thanksgiving and God knows me.

This whole experience wrapped me in a bubble - I wanted to go out and give my support raising!

The day came while I was in my bedroom, and in faith I was saying "I am going to say the most important thing is not the money, but that God sees my whole-heart" I came to the House of Prayer and while there, was really led - during the prayer time - they were praying for finances. To approach my friend Adam, and say I believe God has asked you to support me in my need.

I suppose it was also special being in Tauranga for another reason. During one of the prayer times, they were praying for a setting up of an Antioch (Acts 13:2) in Tauranga - the place that burning and shining lamps would be raised up from. As they prayed, so I was being sent out - from the very place that they were asking. Very hard to capture the sensation of this moment.

I was supposed to be there. What would have happened had I not showed up? The next day something like firebolts piereced my mind and God gave me clarity for understanding a dream that he had given me 9 years before. Actually this happened as I was recalling how God was calling me to burn for Him, in my heart, and How this has to be the primary mandate for why He has called me - to burn.

Before the whole week at Tauranga ended, I was able to speak with my friend Dalton. Thank you for having such clarity to ask questions that really matter! Now, we had gathered outside an ATM with my friend Adam, but the ATM did not work! How infuriating that must be. But by now I was sold out for that special glory which God has given to us - to GO! If I was to stay, It would not be profitable for me, I must GO! this drive and excitement is with me to the end of the Age - It is Jesus Himself. Matthew 28:19 "Therefore, GO! and make disciples of all nations - Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them all that I have commanded You. And Lo, I will be with You, even to the end of the age" Of course it's talking about Him being in us by His Spirit, and When He comes again what is secret and on the inside will transform us in a moment, when we see Him.

I would go even if I had no money, God is going to provide.

But I do not want to end there - I want to end on the sure word of the LORD. It is His Word - after all. Is His word purified in a furnace 7 times? I know it. It makes me quiver to think - what would I have if I did not have His word - this must be from the Holy Spirit, to be totally dependant on the word - to not have a thought outside of it.

Baptism of Anointing

I want to express my commitment to God which was made this day, last year, outside at YWAM Oxford, approximately 9:45 pm, having a Baptism of Anointing symbolizing my desire to give myself wholly to Him.

3 1L bottles of Olive Oil were tipped over my head, from top to bottom. To this day, the clothes I wore still reek of olive oil (I tried to get the smell out)

This post is also a response to what God has asked me to do this morning, "Remember this day" and a commitment to publish what has happened a year this day ago for another year. It will finish on the 2nd of May 2013 (according to the Jewish calendar)

By God's grace, empower me to make this known for a whole year without missing a day.

Amen

FW: You are a Translator

I was really impacted by this simple devotional from the Word for Today so I wanted to share this with you. The Passage in 1 John 1 is phenomenal given the book is centred around Biblical Fellowship. Go away and spend time in the secret place, and then you will have something to share with those around You. Be free from the rat race!

You are a Translator