ARROGANCE ...?? 
Sunday, August 17, 2008, 09:50 AM
ARROGANCE...??

Paul is one of my heroes . No brainer really , I`m sure you`d agree.
Here`s a bit of his life : he`s involved in missions offerings and poverty relief from some of the churches in Europe who apparently could afford it ; he`s about to travel to Jerusalem with their gifts ; he has a big plan to go Spain soon afterwards ; on the way there , he tells the Christians in Rome that he intends to pop in to spend a few days with them ; he knows he needs to be delivered from unbelieving people who mean him harm ; and he`s not quite sure of the reception that awaits him in Jerusalem . I mean the man is not idling his motor. He`s not coasting but is intensely involved and busy .

He proclaims boldly : 'I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.' All this in a few verses in Romans 15 . Is he nuts ? Arrogant? Presumptuous ? " I KNOW...!! " Apparently
not . He knows some secrets : Christ in me , the hope of Glory ; more than a conqueror; nothing will separate me from His love ; be filled with the
Spirit.' Knowledge believed and applied . It`s a decision. Today , you are as filled with Holy Spirit as much as you want to be . You practice God`s Presence as much as you choose to . HE is always available , amazing to me but true , it`s me that is sometimes unavailable . Circumstances don`t rate with Paul . Emotions are not pandered to . God`s on the throne and He`s for me .

(Check out Seth Barnes`s blog the last few days - on the links page . Lively discussion on 'Lakeland revival'. Food for thought .)


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FORCED TO STOP........ 
Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 10:24 AM
FORCED TO STOP......

This may not be what you are likely thinking...I`m guessing that the thought of being stopped in your tracks comes with accompanying thoughts of 'interruption' 'nuisance' and 'a waste of time delay.' When we make plans , we like to get it done . When we set out somewhere we like to arrive . Generally speaking , we don`t do well with unknown and unexpected changes. Interruptions and hindrances are viewed mostly very negatively .

Here`s another perspective : Paul writing to the people of Galatia : ' You are well aware that the reason I ended up preaching to you was that I was physically broken, and so, prevented from continuing my (MY! AJS note)
journey . I was forced to stop with you. That is how I came to preach to you.' The will of God by accident !! Don`t think so. As a result, the Kingdom was declared and advanced and we then were bequeathed the sublime letter that the apostle subsequently wrote to his new friends . Not a bad result ! A good trade , I`d say .

Paul says : "I was forced to stop with you." If you are being 'forced' today , and some of us are , go to the Lord . He knows what He`s doing - He said : "All things work together for good.." Circumstances , health ,tragedy, finances and family can all present new and unexpected challenges and forced stops . When we don`t know what to do or 'why', don`t go to the Tree of Knowledge , go to the tree of Life , bow down, worship and trust the LORD.

Don`t be surprised to be taken by surprise....

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MORE THAN ENOUGH.. 
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 02:30 PM
MORE THAN ENOUGH...

There`s a song out there at the moment that states that God is more than
enough ! Been doing the rounds for a while and I thought that maybe it had gone off the boil a bit . Songs seem to do that don`t they ? Some of those old classic hymns - 'A mighty fortress is our God' or 'Guide me O thou Great Jehovah' for example- seem to be timeless in comparison ! Best thing to do is to enjoy both !

I was with brothers the other weekend from Lockport LA on a Men`s Advance and we sang it on saturday morning during our last session . The session turned into a very powerful time in the Lord. As we sang , I had no great expectation . The song was over familiar and a bit old . But suddenly ! Out of nowhere , it came alive to me in a way that it had never done before. " More than all that I want , more than all that I need , Lord , You are more than enough for me !"

It came with particular force and assurance as I contemplated the challenges coming down the road and wondered if I had enough in the tank ! 'More than enough .' HE is more than enough for me - for everything , everywhere at all times . It`s very personal - 'He' and 'me.' You and Him . All you need .

No great profundities attempted today , but you might just need that encouragement. If so , take it - it`s all true....


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NO KIDDING.... 
Saturday, August 2, 2008, 02:55 PM
NO KIDDING.....

My last blog spoke about the angel breaking off Peter`s chains when he was in prison and then instructing him to put his own shoes on ! Then more miracles and they were out of jail ! I guess this is another example of God`s desire to partner with mankind . It never ceases to amaze me and frankly , if the shoes was on the other foot , I wouldn`t have picked us , would you ??

We do have responsibilities . Very rarely is 'it' going to just happen .
For His Kingdom to come , apparently we have to pray..
For the world to hear and be saved , somebody has to go preach and make disciples....
For demons to flee , someone has to cast them out...
For sick people to take up their bed and walk , someone , we are told, is supposed to lay hands on them...
For Jordans to part , someone has to put a foot in the water..
For valleys of dead dry bones to come alive and stand up like an army AND to fulfil God`s dream , someone has to prophesy ( twice!)....

I think you get the point... I know , I know for any Sovereignty buffs , God can do anything HE wants at any time and any place anywhere , even create worlds out of nothing , but I`m only quoting Bible ! Through the Church , Christ`s Body will He manifest His glorious wisdom to principalities and powers....That`s the way He has set it up.

I just felt today that you probably need to do the thing He has already told you to do , before you see what He is going to do ..put your shoes on , cast out a devil , prophesy ... you know - just rise up and do it today..!

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SNAPPED CHAINS AND SHOES... 
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 01:55 PM
SNAPPED CHAINS AND SHOES...

Here was my thought as I read the other day : The angel breaks Peter`s chains but he had to put his own shoes on . Acts 12 ( Message) says : '..an angel was at his side and light flooded the room . The angel shook Peter and got him up : " Hurry !" The handcuffs fell off his wrists . The angel said , "Get dressed. Put on your shoes." Peter did it. Then , "Grab your coat and let`s get out of here."

In the middle of absolutely supernatural events - angelic appearance ,entrance through locked and guarded doors, light flooding the room , chains breaking and falling off - the disciple/apostle Peter still had to get dressed and put his shoes on . Point is , God is not going to do what you and I are capable of doing and are expected to do .

When the Lord told the disciples to pray for 'helping hands ' in the harvest , it was 'workers' He was looking for . Not tourists , prima-donnas , the lazy , the selfish or the irresponsible . Sloth and indolence are not characteristics of the Kingdom of Heaven.

So... I think miracles ( generally speaking) begin as late as poss and end as soon as poss . The disciples rowed as hard as they could until The Master shut down the storm . You must do ,with all your might , what you can do on all occasions and keep expecting miracles . Even snapped chains require somebody to put their shoes on...

In God`s love-struck and enduring desire to partner with man , He still carries the heavy end..

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