“That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35
If the Son of God is born into my mortal flesh, is His holy innocence and simplicity and oneness with the Father getting a chance to manifest itself in me? What was true of the Virgin Mary in the historic introduction of God's Son into this earth is true in every saint. The Son of God is born into me by the direct act of God; then I, as a child of God have to exercise the right of a child, the right of being always face to face with my Father. Am I continually saying with amazement to my common-sense life - why do you want to turn me off here? Don't you know that I must be about my Father's business? Whatever the circumstances may be, that Holy Innocent Eternal Child must be in contact with His Father.
Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in this way? Is He getting his wonderful way in me? Is God realizing that His Son is formed in me, or have I carefully put Him on one side? Oh, the clamour of these days! Everyone is clamouring - for what? For the Son of God to be put to death. There is no room here for the Son of God just now, no room for quiet holy communion with the Father.
Is the Son of God praying in me or am I dictating to Him? Is He ministering in me as He did in the days of His flesh? Is the Son of God in me going through His passion for His own purposes? The more one knows of the inner life of God's ripest saints, the more one sees what God's purpose is - "filling up that which is behind of the affliction of Christ." There is always something to be done in the sense of "filling up."
-Oswald Chambers-
Monday, March 23, 2009
Names of God 18- A GREAT PROPHET
Luke 7:16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Four centuries had elapsed since Malachi had passed away, and Israel had been without a Prophetic Voice. Now they are stirred by the Presence of Jesus and glorify God. Israel was not forsaken. God's Word was True! And Jesus was a Great Prophet; yes, greater even than they knew. Humble, quiet, gentle, no pomp, no display, but wonderful in Works. Do we recognize His greatness? Do we possess them and profit by them and give glory to His Name?
Lord, help us to believe every Word of the Prophetic Book. Amen.
Four centuries had elapsed since Malachi had passed away, and Israel had been without a Prophetic Voice. Now they are stirred by the Presence of Jesus and glorify God. Israel was not forsaken. God's Word was True! And Jesus was a Great Prophet; yes, greater even than they knew. Humble, quiet, gentle, no pomp, no display, but wonderful in Works. Do we recognize His greatness? Do we possess them and profit by them and give glory to His Name?
Lord, help us to believe every Word of the Prophetic Book. Amen.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Names of God 17- A GREAT MOUNTAIN
Dani 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
What a theme! What a picture of our Lord in a few words! "A Stone" appears, "cut out of the mountain without hands" which smites the image and the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold become "like the chaff of the summer-threshing floor" and in their place rises "A Great Mountain". Kingdoms rise and fall. Nations perish. From the manger of Bethlehem comes a Child, with a sword in His hand (Mt 10:34), Who will yet conquer all His enemies and sit upon the throne of His father David and rule and reign forever.
Oh, Thou Great and Mighty One, we bow to Thee; we worship Thee; we cry to Thee to come quickly. Amen.
What a theme! What a picture of our Lord in a few words! "A Stone" appears, "cut out of the mountain without hands" which smites the image and the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold become "like the chaff of the summer-threshing floor" and in their place rises "A Great Mountain". Kingdoms rise and fall. Nations perish. From the manger of Bethlehem comes a Child, with a sword in His hand (Mt 10:34), Who will yet conquer all His enemies and sit upon the throne of His father David and rule and reign forever.
Oh, Thou Great and Mighty One, we bow to Thee; we worship Thee; we cry to Thee to come quickly. Amen.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"Basin" Theology
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. Jn 13:1
When the pressure’s mounting and the troubles are coming, you will either do what Pontius Pilate did and wash your hands of Jesus Christ and Christianity and wash your hands of what you thought was true, “biblically”, and like Pilate you will say, “Bring me the Basin”, and you will wash your hands and say, “ I’m not going to deal with this stuff any longer”!! Or you can simply do as what Jesus did, when He took the basin and He washed feet.
"Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. – Jesus- Jn 13:12-15
Even though His world, ( In a sense) was coming down, and even though He was going through times of intensity that we will never fully understand in this world, He did not wash His hands from those disciples, from those deniers, from those betrayers, but rather he loved them, and He washed their feet.
What are we going to do when things just aren’t working out? When things are really falling apart? You will find yourself at that moment facing “Basin Theology”, either washing your hands, or washing someone’s feet. You will either be a Pontius Pilate or you will be following the example of Jesus Christ. Have we offended anyone? Or is someone offended at us and we did nothing intentionally to cause that offense, but it is there? Maybe we are offended at a friend, a brother or sister, or Leadership in the Body of Christ. The decision that we make today may affect us for the rest of our lives, even as simple as it may seem, it will surely have consequences.
-Larry Dammerman-
When the pressure’s mounting and the troubles are coming, you will either do what Pontius Pilate did and wash your hands of Jesus Christ and Christianity and wash your hands of what you thought was true, “biblically”, and like Pilate you will say, “Bring me the Basin”, and you will wash your hands and say, “ I’m not going to deal with this stuff any longer”!! Or you can simply do as what Jesus did, when He took the basin and He washed feet.
"Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. – Jesus- Jn 13:12-15
Even though His world, ( In a sense) was coming down, and even though He was going through times of intensity that we will never fully understand in this world, He did not wash His hands from those disciples, from those deniers, from those betrayers, but rather he loved them, and He washed their feet.
What are we going to do when things just aren’t working out? When things are really falling apart? You will find yourself at that moment facing “Basin Theology”, either washing your hands, or washing someone’s feet. You will either be a Pontius Pilate or you will be following the example of Jesus Christ. Have we offended anyone? Or is someone offended at us and we did nothing intentionally to cause that offense, but it is there? Maybe we are offended at a friend, a brother or sister, or Leadership in the Body of Christ. The decision that we make today may affect us for the rest of our lives, even as simple as it may seem, it will surely have consequences.
-Larry Dammerman-
Monday, March 9, 2009
03-09-09 The New and Living Way
"He is called a door. But you must not think of a wooden door. You must think of a spiritual door that reasons, and is alive, and knows all about those that enter"--Cyril of Jerusalem
You stand gazing at the threshold of a blood stained door, and are motioned frantically to enter by the husband of the home. Perhaps you stumble in your rush to flee the coming darkness, your hand touches the warm liquid upon the lintel as you steady yourself. You should feel defiled from touching the blood, but somehow tonight…you just feel safe. Tonight is the making of history for you, a sign-post of deliverance being erected to guide future generations. You will call it a Passover. Life bought through the death and the blood of a sacrificed lamb applied upon the lintels with a broom of hyssop. You do not quite understand that this night would bring salvation to all who find shelter from simply crossing that threshold. No great works of righteousness on your part, no moral excellence, or bravery, or social standing, no merit of yours warranted deliverance-just the simple act of crossing over. Trusting the blood dripping from the door was enough. As deep darkness descends, fathers pull their daughters close; prayers move over oppressed lips that death would flee from them. Cries are heard outside of Goshen and you realize that life is lost outside of the blood. Who knew then, that there would be another wooden entry unto salvation? Another time when deep darkness would descend and one lamb would give his life for all who would enter under the blood?
“… Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
What did it take for John to see Jesus as a lamb? Did he stumble against this spiritual door? Did he feel the blood upon his hands, and hear the Father beckon him inside his Passover? Did the revelation of his salvation walking to him from the banks of the Jordan cause a rush of awe and love till across his weathered lips the declaration rushes forth… “Behold-“
“Jesus said… I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:6
Jesus speaks to us from the door post...calling us by name to enter "The Way". He sees the darkness approaching, and bids us come, and feel the safety of His embrace. He will taste death that we would not feel the sting, He will wrest the keys of hell that the grave would have no victory over us. He will arise, and ascend that where He is there we will always be.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Hebrews 10:19-20
-Christina Dammerman-
You stand gazing at the threshold of a blood stained door, and are motioned frantically to enter by the husband of the home. Perhaps you stumble in your rush to flee the coming darkness, your hand touches the warm liquid upon the lintel as you steady yourself. You should feel defiled from touching the blood, but somehow tonight…you just feel safe. Tonight is the making of history for you, a sign-post of deliverance being erected to guide future generations. You will call it a Passover. Life bought through the death and the blood of a sacrificed lamb applied upon the lintels with a broom of hyssop. You do not quite understand that this night would bring salvation to all who find shelter from simply crossing that threshold. No great works of righteousness on your part, no moral excellence, or bravery, or social standing, no merit of yours warranted deliverance-just the simple act of crossing over. Trusting the blood dripping from the door was enough. As deep darkness descends, fathers pull their daughters close; prayers move over oppressed lips that death would flee from them. Cries are heard outside of Goshen and you realize that life is lost outside of the blood. Who knew then, that there would be another wooden entry unto salvation? Another time when deep darkness would descend and one lamb would give his life for all who would enter under the blood?
“… Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
What did it take for John to see Jesus as a lamb? Did he stumble against this spiritual door? Did he feel the blood upon his hands, and hear the Father beckon him inside his Passover? Did the revelation of his salvation walking to him from the banks of the Jordan cause a rush of awe and love till across his weathered lips the declaration rushes forth… “Behold-“
“Jesus said… I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:6
Jesus speaks to us from the door post...calling us by name to enter "The Way". He sees the darkness approaching, and bids us come, and feel the safety of His embrace. He will taste death that we would not feel the sting, He will wrest the keys of hell that the grave would have no victory over us. He will arise, and ascend that where He is there we will always be.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Hebrews 10:19-20
-Christina Dammerman-
Sunday, March 8, 2009
03-08-09 Prayer In The Father's Hearing
“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.”
John 11:41
When the Son of God prays, He has only one consciousness, and that consciousness is of His Father. God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers. I have to see that the Son of God is manifested in my mortal flesh. "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit," i.e., the Bethlehem of the Son of God. Is the Son of God getting His chance in me? Is the direct simplicity of the life of God's Son being worked out exactly as it was worked out in His historic life? When I come in contact with the occurrences of life as an ordinary human being, is the prayer of God's Eternal Son to His Father being prayed in me? "In that day ye shall ask in My name. . . ." What day? The day when the Holy Spirit has come to me and made me effectually one with my Lord.
Is the Lord Jesus Christ being abundantly satisfied in your life or have you got a spiritual strut on? Never let common sense obtrude and push the Son of God on one side. Common sense is a gift which God gave to human nature; but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son; never enthrone common sense. The Son detects the Father; common sense never yet detected the Father and never will. Our ordinary wits never worship God unless they are transfigured by the indwelling Son of God. We have to see that this mortal flesh is kept in perfect subjection to Him and that He works through it moment by moment. Are we living in such human dependence upon Jesus Christ that His life is being manifested moment by moment?
-Oswald Chambers-
John 11:41
When the Son of God prays, He has only one consciousness, and that consciousness is of His Father. God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers. I have to see that the Son of God is manifested in my mortal flesh. "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit," i.e., the Bethlehem of the Son of God. Is the Son of God getting His chance in me? Is the direct simplicity of the life of God's Son being worked out exactly as it was worked out in His historic life? When I come in contact with the occurrences of life as an ordinary human being, is the prayer of God's Eternal Son to His Father being prayed in me? "In that day ye shall ask in My name. . . ." What day? The day when the Holy Spirit has come to me and made me effectually one with my Lord.
Is the Lord Jesus Christ being abundantly satisfied in your life or have you got a spiritual strut on? Never let common sense obtrude and push the Son of God on one side. Common sense is a gift which God gave to human nature; but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son; never enthrone common sense. The Son detects the Father; common sense never yet detected the Father and never will. Our ordinary wits never worship God unless they are transfigured by the indwelling Son of God. We have to see that this mortal flesh is kept in perfect subjection to Him and that He works through it moment by moment. Are we living in such human dependence upon Jesus Christ that His life is being manifested moment by moment?
-Oswald Chambers-
Saturday, March 7, 2009
03-07-09 True Compassion
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Mt. 9:36)
Jesus did nothing to shield Himself from the profuse rejection He received from men. In His sinlessness—free from pride and arrogance—He lacked the “self-centered” means found in the proud heart that so readily protects itself. The nature of compassion—the quality most attributed to Jesus—stands in direct opposition to the nature of pride.
Only arrogance can forge walls and instigate “safe distances” from fellow human hearts. Only pride knows how to offer indifference and coldness to another. But Love knows no such response. Love bears all things and embraces every person in its path.
Every cry of every child pierces His heart. The affliction of the afflicted wounds Him deeply. Even the faintest prayers of our weak hearts do not escape Him in impact. Never could we rightly accuse Him of indifference for Love can never be such but is always concerned, always compassionate, always open and vulnerable—even at high risk and great cost. If He could be deaf to such prayers or be hardened to such cries, He would invalidate and make void His own law of love—He would compromise His very own nature.
-Dana Candler- IHOP KC
Jesus did nothing to shield Himself from the profuse rejection He received from men. In His sinlessness—free from pride and arrogance—He lacked the “self-centered” means found in the proud heart that so readily protects itself. The nature of compassion—the quality most attributed to Jesus—stands in direct opposition to the nature of pride.
Only arrogance can forge walls and instigate “safe distances” from fellow human hearts. Only pride knows how to offer indifference and coldness to another. But Love knows no such response. Love bears all things and embraces every person in its path.
Every cry of every child pierces His heart. The affliction of the afflicted wounds Him deeply. Even the faintest prayers of our weak hearts do not escape Him in impact. Never could we rightly accuse Him of indifference for Love can never be such but is always concerned, always compassionate, always open and vulnerable—even at high risk and great cost. If He could be deaf to such prayers or be hardened to such cries, He would invalidate and make void His own law of love—He would compromise His very own nature.
-Dana Candler- IHOP KC
Monday, March 2, 2009
03-02-09 Prayer Choice And Prayer Conflict
“When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and pray to thy Father which is in secret.” Matthew 6:6
Jesus did not say - Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that
conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on wilful prayer.
We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins - This must be done, and that. "Shut thy door." A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God. God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place; He does not see us as other people see us, or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place it becomes impossible for us to doubt God, we become more sure of Him than of anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and right in the centre of the common round you find God there all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.
-Oswald Chambers-
Jesus did not say - Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that
conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on wilful prayer.
We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins - This must be done, and that. "Shut thy door." A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God. God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place; He does not see us as other people see us, or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place it becomes impossible for us to doubt God, we become more sure of Him than of anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and right in the centre of the common round you find God there all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.
-Oswald Chambers-
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Names of God 16- A GREAT LIGHT
Isai 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The days have been dark in this poor, sin-cursed world ever since the clouds covered the Garden of Eden. The children of men need light. God is good and has made provision for their need, but they reject His provision. They want to produce their own light, but it is impossible. There is a True Light to which all must come or else be left forever in darkness. It is left to us who are His representatives to walk in this Light and to bring others to it also. God has pity for the lost. Do we?
Blessed Light of the world, help us to bring the Light to darkened, blinded souls. Amen.
The days have been dark in this poor, sin-cursed world ever since the clouds covered the Garden of Eden. The children of men need light. God is good and has made provision for their need, but they reject His provision. They want to produce their own light, but it is impossible. There is a True Light to which all must come or else be left forever in darkness. It is left to us who are His representatives to walk in this Light and to bring others to it also. God has pity for the lost. Do we?
Blessed Light of the world, help us to bring the Light to darkened, blinded souls. Amen.
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