Have you noticed how tight a shirt can get after the Holiday season is over? You know, tight in the chest, snug around the neck, no place for the elbows to move? No? Well, it happens to some of us! Anyway, if you are one of those who calls FWC your home, you are aware that a new wind has begun to blow. It is something simple to understand but difficult to perform. The Spirit is gentely calling us to drop the reigns, cut the chords, and let Him move as he desires. Give Him some elbow room.
Listen to this word from "My Utmost For His Highest" the popular devotional by Oswald Chambers.
"As workers for God we have to learn to make room for God--to give God "elbow room." We calculate and estimate, and say that this and that will happen, and we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never looked for Him to come? Do not look for God to come in any particular way, but look for Him. That is the way to make room for Him. Expect Him to come, but do not expect Him only in a certain way.....Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes."
Kind of tells me that I have a couple of otions. One: PLAY CHURCH! or Two: EXPECT GOD TO MOVE! Now listen, this doesn't mean enjoying the worship and preaching of a church service should be thrown out....never! It does mean we should expect the Power of God to step in whenever he chooses and let Him take it all in the direction He wants. I think the Presence of God is worth a little expectation, don't you? How 'bout in our quiet times before God? Won't it be amazing to come together after we all have individually given Him elbow room while we sought him in solitude. Whoa Nelly! Start Expecting! PJim
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A Colision Course
I sat in my recliner last night and half-mindedly watched the final State of the Union speech that President George W. Bush would ever make. Not much to it, more this--more that, same ole same ole. Then, the fateful statement was made..... (not exact quote) ... I believe there will be an independent state of Palestine living side by side with the State of Israel and in peace, and I believe it will happen before the end of the year. (not exact quote) My spirit groaned when the entire body of Senators and Representatives, all Cabinet, Supreme Court Justices, and guests in the gallery, stood and gave a rousing--lasting standing ovatation. My groan must have been more than spiritual because my wife asked me later what I was moaning about...she hadn't been watching!
Unfortunately, God was watching. Again, I reaffirm my respect and love for our President...a good and, I believe, Godly man who was brought to the White House by divine appointment. But, I also believe the scripture is clear..... Pushing Israel to permenantly divide is a deadly thing to have your hands involved in.
Less than two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert said that the "division of Jerusalem is inevitible!" Uh-oh! Listen to this quote: "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lost for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it." Joel 3:1-3
Some would say this verse is all-incompassing in regards to how the nations have treated the Jews over the centuries and what God will do in return. However, notice the time when it all moves toward a culmination of judgment....when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem...after the gathering of the Jews back to the Holy Land.... pretty much says it all.
Now, our hands are getting dirty by casting lots over who gets the land promised by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Notice Ishmael wasn't part of that inheritance!) We are trading the innocent boy and girl for gain.... the prostitute of fleeting peace and prosperity. We have armed the Arabs, we've gone to bed with Ishmael....and we will soon see ourselves as the pushers of permanent partition!
I am not an alarmist..... I am a realist. We are REALLY looking down barrel of God's time-line and can see the end. Time is short. If God's hand hasn't already been removed from our nation, it soon will be. HOWEVER, Jesus promised never to leave or forsake those who call on His name. Through whatever comes next, we have a mission to fulfill. We have the expectation that our longing to see the King is about to become reality.
So, keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Keep praying for an awakening in America. Keep praying for a revival in your church. Keep living for the Kingdom. Keep sharing the only way to the Father. "The night is approaching when no man will be able to work. Work while it is day."
PJim
Unfortunately, God was watching. Again, I reaffirm my respect and love for our President...a good and, I believe, Godly man who was brought to the White House by divine appointment. But, I also believe the scripture is clear..... Pushing Israel to permenantly divide is a deadly thing to have your hands involved in.
Less than two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert said that the "division of Jerusalem is inevitible!" Uh-oh! Listen to this quote: "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lost for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it." Joel 3:1-3
Some would say this verse is all-incompassing in regards to how the nations have treated the Jews over the centuries and what God will do in return. However, notice the time when it all moves toward a culmination of judgment....when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem...after the gathering of the Jews back to the Holy Land.... pretty much says it all.
Now, our hands are getting dirty by casting lots over who gets the land promised by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Notice Ishmael wasn't part of that inheritance!) We are trading the innocent boy and girl for gain.... the prostitute of fleeting peace and prosperity. We have armed the Arabs, we've gone to bed with Ishmael....and we will soon see ourselves as the pushers of permanent partition!
I am not an alarmist..... I am a realist. We are REALLY looking down barrel of God's time-line and can see the end. Time is short. If God's hand hasn't already been removed from our nation, it soon will be. HOWEVER, Jesus promised never to leave or forsake those who call on His name. Through whatever comes next, we have a mission to fulfill. We have the expectation that our longing to see the King is about to become reality.
So, keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Keep praying for an awakening in America. Keep praying for a revival in your church. Keep living for the Kingdom. Keep sharing the only way to the Father. "The night is approaching when no man will be able to work. Work while it is day."
PJim
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