Thoughts on New Year

Considering

taking into consideration.
"considering the circumstances, Simon was remarkably phlegmatic"
synonyms:    bearing in mind, taking into consideration, taking into account, making allowance(s) for, giving consideration to, keeping in mind, in view of, in the light of
"considering his size he showed an astonishing turn of speed"

I've been thinking about thankfulness today since having heard a sermon from our pastor about thankfulness being the root from which we can rejoice, and overcome.

God is a shepherd to us, leading us like a shepherd leads His sheep. I think this makes an important distinction. Our walk in this life is not one of willing against what has been given to us, but it's dependence. Not only do we rejoice in His leading, we are lead into green pastures, from where we can be comforted, restored and made whole. In this light, to consider is to be able to realistically look back over the past (wants and needs) and prepare for the future. To consider is to really to put yourself in the place of weakness, in trusting in God and trusting others, who will understand your needs and wants. that God satisfies, that is the whole point, and joy is the instrument by which He will care for us.

As we consider what next year has for us, I ask that you would know that I'm better for this past year. I think that is the first place. The second is to know where my hope comes from (not just my hope, but my passion and pursuit) Some see dependence as a weakness, i do too! but that's where we differ. having been through painful circumstances, and desperate times, my only support is in the one who can make me whole, that can shed light into my circumstances, that brings me through and enables me to be fulfilled. That is why my outlook on life has changed, that of willful resistance, to abandonment and contentment.

May you have a blessed new year as you trust in God.

"I set my heart on a pilgrimage.
I will go through the valley of weepings
from there shall they be turned into springs.
They go from strength to strength
Until they appear before God in Zion"

There is a silver lining to any that trust in Him
since there is abundant hope through every recourse of life
I don't say this as someone that has it together,
but someone that has nothing
and having everything been stripped away,
i'm dependent on Him for my daily bread.
What other way could he have lead me?
What other purpose could there be to His testing and trying?
To the soul that loves Him that all their needs are met in Him
truly He is most completed in,
for desperation is a result of choosing Him
This is why He comes like billows and waves
and why His breakers crash over us
What an affirmation, and worthy of all that we are, because we depend on Him, really make it possible for us to receive all that He would give to us.

I have updated my auto-biography, for the sake of some things that are going on right now, so I will post the link to that page.

http://radioatnathan.blogspot.co.nz/p/nathan-sinclair.html

Soaking Songs

Hey, here is a special song for you all.

Soaking Songs

I would class this as soaking music, just let it wash over you, and use it in your times with God to come into His presence and provide you with a means to center your thoughts on Him. let it be whatever you need it to be, so that you might encounter this blessed God.

Copyright Nathan Sinclair 2014 All rights reserved. Feel free to use it whatever way you want.

Missions Update: Your Gentleness Has Made Me Great

I'm just being obedient to what is going on, and it maybe that more is revealed through what I say. The story is rather simple, but it has turned my heart to the Father!

I was talking to a couple at Church, named Paul and Christine, who are leaving to go back to Europe, after being in our church for 5 years. They will be missed. As many of you probably know, i spent some time in Hospital in 2012, and it was at this time that I was formerly introduced to them, that being the start of a season that has decidedly come to a close, ironically, with their going back to the United Kingdom. I can't really say what momentous part they have played in my life, as they know, which has seen me go from being in an unwell state, to having great peace and contentment, because they were are are still, my covering, my safety, my support and my rest during this season.

Isn't it funny how you can realize that someone has literally been the hands of God for me in my life? I was singing to the Father today in church, that He "took me up in His arms" this is the way that I feel as I right this brief announcement, but it is a good announcement, that I hope and believe is going to "be the intent of God in relation to my future" His gentleness has made me great.

I have also said goodbye to my own plans and ideas. For the first time, I think, ever. I have been out of words to say, because it's his plans, it's his will, it's his purpose, that I'm now living for. He said that "I will guide you by my eye" while in the supermarket I was talking with a lady that I knew, but God directed me to, from Cath's alpha school, named Corey.

I literally gazed on her and went over to talk with her. God's providence. As I said, I'm now so at peace, and calm, and filled with hope and joy, that cannot be explained by man's efforts. Does it warm your heart? It certainly warms mine. I'm so grateful that you could be a part of it. That you could see what God is doing in me, and be a part of His purposes, His plans, His will. For this reason I'm going upto Tauranga, it's for His purposes, His plans, His will, in full obedience to His Spirit, and wonderfully (that is my word for today) gazing upon the greatness of Him. Greatness is something I seek for, and it is important to my life, but i'm not doing it by the plans and purposes I have anymore. It is rightly, that out of the most harrowing circumstance through hospital, I have come to love Jesus. He's not a faint-hearted person. He discloses His goodness, His love, His mercy, His providence, His generosity, all in the heart of me.

So I've written a song and put it up for you to listen to, called "Your Gentleness" Sorry about the screeching. God sees my heart.

I am conscious that this might come to people that have not heard about my time in hospital. Part of the reason i have not shared about it, is because it was very close to me, and indeed, my life for 2 years. I am endeavouring to live in God's gentleness from now on, for that is His portion for me.

how much stress we give ourselves thinking that it will be worth it in the end, if you've been through hospital or any traumatic incident, you know that it is the worst advice to give to people. It's precisely what's wrong with them, and what is obvious to all, that if that person does not get it, they don't have much chance to walk out of there alive. For all the support of people it has been the hand of God that has enabled me to walk freely and without regret.

I remember saying to God "I am angry with you for the thing that you've caused me to go through" But it was my insistence to do such that enabled me to see that he was actually in perfect control. What a lovely daddy.

Isn't it funny how these things come together! This is rather a great platform for what I'm sharing with people. Yes, it's my future, and I'm kicking the agenda to have it my way, but I have so much grace and gentleness from God to do this. It is staggering. I received a scripture while I was up in Tauranga last week, where I would be happy to share. it's that my life is a wasteful offering like Mary of Bethany before Jesus. This is what I mean by "kicking the agenda to have it my way" nor do I take this lightly, but it really is what He's called me to. A Life of extravagant love and wasteful devotion at Jesus feet. I also found out that this world i live in is getting smaller by the second. What a great thing to be able to say.

I will be using all my skills  and abilities (using computers and programming) to serve the Kingdom. it is my service that demands that I know God's heart and His ways. It is after all the reason that He shares His heart with me, because I am going to be faithful to His heart. He is the reason for my being. It needs much prayer, since I am a weak vessel trying to achieve His plans and purposes. If you want to call me about being prayer support for me, then just flick me an email, i'd be welcome to chat. That really is what I wanted to say, it's not that I'm turning my back on my future or relationship with others. It's actually, in consideration of what matters most to me, and in which I am happy (actually blessed) and decisive about doing this right. Thank you for your audience.

Here is the link to the song

Your Gentleness

Signs of the Times

This is a transcript of a post I made on Facebook. share it if you think it's on the mark on anything.

It's my observation that we need leaders that would speak with clarity about what is happening in the Middle East, from a biblical perspective, endeavouring to not sidestep the issue of which Israel is signposted. Terrifying things are happening in the earth regarding Israel. to be as bold as a Lion and as tender as a Lamb is indeed something that can only be done with an infusion of grace and a work of the heart of which the Father is for that reason "overjoyed and excited" at the true benefit that we see our lives as a reminder of. It will be true that "The Lord will be remembered by His children" (Isaiah 62) and that we are a memorial to Him. Is it not the issue with the last supper? is it not wisdom that we give ourselves wholly to one? to waste our lives at the feet of one that desires the same. To pour out our lives as a sacrificial offering before the feet of the one that "is the true benefit of our love"

That is the true reason that Jesus on the night he was betrayed gave thanks. He knew that those that rejected Him would receive Him, he knew that the complete expression of God's love would be so ignited in the hearts of those that received Him, that it would be true that "they would love me with the love that the Father loves me" no more noble thing can be seen in all the world.

For that reason we cannot be ashamed when we see the world signposting against Israel. it is not after all the chief issue. the issue is with a nation that are animus to the purpose of God, and indeed of truth, their rejection is reconciliation to the world, their acceptance life from the dead. Such an issue is indeed an issue with covenant. There are terrifying things happening, provoked by spiritual forces in the heavenly realms, and they are listening to it.  What will come to pass? surely Israel, being having to make decisions motivated chiefly by alliances to other nations, and saving their own skin, will do exactly what the scriptures have foretold will happen (Isaiah 28) but it will be kerosene to the fire. it will burn even brighter and the one that relies on such will find himself in contention with God.

It's an issue with their self-reliance, and indeed on matters that prove their hearts are far from God. it is designed to offend. In the same chapter it speaks of the "stone I lay in Zion, a precious cornerstone, and Him who believes shall not believe hastily" let us not forget that the contention of God is with a Kingdom that will be "laid in Zion" - the foundation of the temples that have gone before. It will be that his purpose for Zion shall be revealed, and that they will only suffice to please God by waiting patiently for the Messiah. To put confidence in God, the prophet says, is to curb the tide of rampant witchcraft and idolatry, the ceasing of fear and darkness and the shining of a light so much more gloriously revealed. (Isaiah 8) It is to shake your heads at conspiracy and wait upon the Law that is revealed through the Prophets (to mark the words and faithfully believe them) it is to cry disaster to the one whose life is built upon sand and all manner of chaff and straw. it is to gloriously wait for the revealing of the Son of Man who is become for us wisdom and strength from God.

The issue with Zion is at the heart of His ministry, and the focal point of all that He achieves. He will come to Zion. He will rescue His beloved. He will determine to set the records straight and satisfy the bloodshed of His enemies, by trampling them in the dust. His ways are from of old and ancient, His steps are everlasting. His righteousness is mighty to save, His revelation will be an offence to religion and every manner of deception that clouds the spirit and believes in fragile and limited idols. His glory is as the one that created all things and for that reason everything is accountable to Him.

Everything from the contention that is awaiting Israel, the rage of the nations, indeed the rage of Satan, the mark of the babblers, the signs of the diviners, the plans of the wicked, the raged who consult to cast down God from His high position. Of every false ideology and deception and vice. everyone that says that our deep need can be satisfied by band-aid solutions.

I mean, we are in need of a Savior not because we find ourselves in contention, but because inwardly we turn to the things that destroy us. every sin, every one is no different, none of seen the glory of the one that became a man and died for sin (what is abhorrent to Him) for this reason we have fallen from His glory, and for this reason He judges the world.

The issue with Zion is the issue of the cross and of all that He hopes to bring about on the earth. When I say, "signposted" I mean, Israel's lot, after all of their waywardness and indeed "scorched earth" after all their unfaithfulness towards the one that proved Himself to them. Of the one that by virtue of His character and nature could not forget (lest his hands they bled) of the one that cried His last and breathed in vain (His recompense is life to the world) the fact that any are capable of saying "God does not know!" and "God changes His mind" will find them in that day darkness and everything vile. spit out of His mouth and given to the grave. He's incapable of forgetting His promises one for one, as the blood that dripped from His hands, one for one. Every one that drinks deep of this mercy is at best a lover of Israel and at worst despised and ashamed. To bank on God, to bank on His promises is to say goodbye to your narrow view of life, and say goodbye indeed to life. Indeed as Phinehas "zeal has consumed Him" and "it will be to you an everlasting priesthood" To turn to God in this age is to say yes to martyrdom and the prospect, yes, I would die for Him, for the rightness of His judgments and the glory of His appearing.

What can possibly be the outcome of such a life? will anything be impossible for the one, consumed by love, ignited in their hearts? Will, indeed, the price be too much to request that He make His name great and the greatest gift to ever be given - the "true merit of fellowship with Him" that he is worthy, and O that I would live to be near you. To proclaim His place in the earth is to see His Kingdom invade earth, night and day, until His appearing.

Back to the original point. is it wise of me to say that such a thing is needed, yes, that it ought to be the focus of our lives, that if these be the things that assure us of Jesus coming, then to clarify, to understand, to exposit and to be not afraid to tell others of this, both in teaching, preaching, evangelism, indeed with all our lives? And what of the "global injustice" that is awaiting? or to look at it with merely natural methods and to side with the world in that day? Do we look for it as being terrifying and yet gloriously revealing? what way should we respond? I believe we can wait. I believe we can allow God to vindicate our lives before Him, to test, prove, try, refine until the truth of His love for us is poured out full strength into the hearts of those that are waiting for Him. Indeed, it will be a bride yoked to Him that desires and longs for his appearing that will turn His heart and He will come. Ever has it been that way.

Have I overstepped the mark? I can be wrong after all. But you know that I don't say such a thing out of pride, but just because I'm deeply needing affirmation. I can do that without betraying my oonscience.